_ _ _

I eventually, finally, reached the end of the map after treading through the plains meadow for at least two more hours. The dirt path ended there. Smudged off, as it would seem.

On the horizon, it would seem that an ominous red circle (sphere? hole?) was looming over it, or maybe it was a deep, hollow hole in the sky, as dark in color as aged blood. It was exactly noon according to my wristwatch, so it was an unsettling sight to see.

Just what exactly was the reason why this quest was abandoned? And w-why did I have to charge into this so blindly again…?

I shook my head.

I… can do this on my own. I said I could. He wanted to believe in me! And if I somehow really can’t…

Stopping in my tracks, I cupped my cheeks. Harshly, that I felt them sting.

No. No! I can’t face him if this turns out to be a failure!
Retaking that resolve, I marched on.

The area looked like it was another world of its own under a dome of red, like smooth mist to mark its borders.

Over the horizon of this field were dark red gravel, rubble, and crumbling ruins scattered everywhere. Foundations of what must have once been houses and buildings were the only things standing and poking through the rubble. Mustering the courage through a few careful breaths, I stepped inside the field of red.

My skin hairs raised themselves almost instantly. My legs turned wobbly as if they were urged to submit. My hands held a shaky grip onto my staff from the cold sweat. Simply standing there made me feel a great sense of turn back now.

But despite all that…

I’ll finally prove just how all my hard work paid off this time around! T-Today is the day that I stop running!

I then resumed my trek, continuing to scan the area. The countless ruins and weapons poking out from the ground around me suggested that the Kingdom was ravaged by war.

I stopped to take a rest for a bit in one of those roofless ruins. I sat on one of the more intact floors and sighed. The atmosphere of the area was still so red that it would make me believe that the walls and the floor were all tinted with red as well. I rested my left hand to my side and suddenly–

"Tsuki no Miko… Why have you betrayed... us…?"

"B-Bwa!?"

I heard an ethereal voice of a man whisper into my left ear which made me jump myself. The moment I got back up to my feet, half the palm of my right glove seemed to be stained.

W-What is this?

It was dark and gooey. I turned to look at the source.

A long splatter of blood lined the wall until the corner that met the floor. A morbid paint-stroke of dark red. It looked like it was from a recent occurrence.

Upon further realization, all the surrounding ruins of what seemed to be once-buildings were decorated by varying strokes of fresh blood. Quiet murmurs filled the air as I stood still. I couldn’t exactly make out what they were saying, but the sounds themselves were too terrifying for me to wrap my head around.

All this tragedy I’m looking at and hearing…
So this connects to that short story I was told before. How does that one go again…?

…
The Silent god made the world to his likeness and was at peace with its inhabitants as they are with Him, until a divide broke out, which sparked the world's first and bloodiest war. That of which, He quelled by setting down His daughters, the Priestesses.

All thirteen of them descended from Celes to restore order and goodness that the world was made with.

The god left all jurisdiction and respective authorities to His daughters and was never heard of ever again. But even then, when peace had finally blossomed, another tragedy occurred to the world.

A Priestess killing another Priestess. Two Kingdoms fell. The first kingdom belonged to the departed, and it was called Luminestia. The second… belonging to the aggressor, which is… Omasetsu.
…

I got back to following the path and ran past the desolate ruins and its haunting voices, until I saw a gate. I recognized it.

A Japanese-looking border gate.
A… Torii gate?

I never expected to see something like it, in a world like this. It was my first time seeing something of that sort in person, I think.

It's official. Japan does exist in this world… though they call it Omasetsu here if I recall correctly. Maybe anime isn't so far beyond after all. But hold on…

Bloodstains were all over the place…

I’ve barely left Asparthens’ territory according to Clyde’s map. Isn’t Omasetsu still far off down the south-western side of the entire world…?

It then just occurred to me.

‘Tsuki no Miko’—Moon Priestess…? I heard it earlier.
So wouldn’t that mean this big, dark red area’s already–

Just as I started better gauging the situation I stepped myself into, something huge came crashing down from out of nowhere, intercepting my entrance. The shockwave of dust that hit me toppled me away a few feet from where I originally stood. I shook my head and stood back up, staff at the ready.

W…What…?

My gaze met with what looked to be a humanoid creature straight from Japanese folklore. A red-skinned, battle-scarred brute wearing nothing but a ripped and soiled loincloth, and stained by dried bloodstains alongside specks of red sand. Its size was about five or six muscular men melded together unevenly (using my height as my very rough estimate, I’d say fifteen me-s…). It wore an Oni mask that only covered the bottom half of its face and had long, decayed fangs and tusks as it whipped out a large tongue constantly dripping with amber-y saliva.

"Only fools dare venture this far into our lands! My Priestess is away, but the fact remains that none are permitted to set foot on these sacred grounds! I am Kura. The valiant defender of this rightfully-expanding blood-land.

The fifth elite Oni general appointed by the Priestess of the Blood Moon herself!" The monster excitedly announced, with incense-like steam coming out of its nostrils, as it brought out a metallic great club.

The Priestess of the Blood Moon?? Wait–wait! Omasetsu is this near to Asparthens??!

All the chills I had from just entering this place snuck back to shake me to my core. The rumors couldn't actually be more real.

Clyde believed I could do this??
…Clyde believed I could do this…

Instead of high-tailing it out of there as per my routine of these types of encounters, I put one right foot over the other. My legs wobbled constantly, but… I still stood my ground.

I know this is all scary.
I know this is a very bad situation to be in. But…
Even so, I—still have to try!
This has to be my chance to prove I really have become strong.
No turning back at this point!
You’re well rested. You’ve got a grand spell at your disposal!
You can do this, Lily… You have to do this! For yourself…
For myself!

"Bold of you to come and challenge me alone. Especially with your—eghh… pitiful, feminine portions. But enough talk! If your tiny legs intend to get past ME, and dare approach the throne of my Priestess’ magnificent abode? Then PROVE your worth and fight ME!!" The monster roared, drumming the floor with its heavy club.

"I-If that's your way… then I have no choice!" I squeaked out.

It’s odd, though…

I looked around for a moment.

Nothing else of sentience is here.

As far as I’ve heard, Gorebornes are supposed to be common in Omasetsu, agreed on by all races as the worst enemy type in Manalordren.

"I also did some pre-scouting. The place’s apparently oddly mob free. That part’s weird, I know, but trust me. Ye have my word when I say that this quest would really be a piece ‘f cake!" Clyde once said before.

I shook my head and kept my gaze forward.

What am I even thinking right now?? I should be grateful for the absence of those mobs! Now, I can really focus everything I have onto this one enemy. No matter how unsure I am about being outclassed for this…

Only one way to find out...!

The Oni threw its arched arms to its sides with a clawing gesture for both hands, and roared louder and longer than the first time. It heavily stomped on the ground, sending a powerful shock wave that drove through the crimson-stained dirt and displaced a wave of dust. Caught in that force, I ended up knocked into mid-air.

"A-"

With that, the battle had begun.

Right off the bat, a single intent-filled stomp was enough to send me flying!

I wasn't the most acrobatic during gym-class, but I managed to twist my aerial position with a backflip before landing on my two feet, grazing the ground with my boots, before forcing me to roll twice backwards. My outfit received a lot of scratches and caught a lot of dust. I felt sore all over from the few scratches on my skin from all the flying specks of gravel when I fell.

I sat right back up and began to chant as a magic circle stretched from under me.

...By the holy rays of light, cleanse thy disciple's suffering. Be my support for this fight!

"Healing!"

I was able to stand up without any issues. After regaining my position, I saw the Oni charging towards me.

I cast offensive light magic, chanting:

...To light I call, its magic shall befall… From the reaches of the heavens, I summon thee!

"Triple Light Beam!"

A magic circle spawned right in front of its face. All three hit the moving target. Light dazzled its eyes and stunned the brute for a few seconds, even making it stumble onto its belly. A small earthquake erupted from its fall. That gave me a chance to run and circle around its left side.

With a monster that big, there was just no way that it would be agile. I continued my barrage three consecutive times, all while I kept my distance and focused on my target.

So here’s the plan:
Spam my Triple Light Beam, stun it over and over, trickle it down just enough for my ultimate spell to finish it off. I’ll need to set up myself to have enough time for incantation.

My spell casting continued.

Chant, flash, relocate.
I could see my boot prints leave a deep trail on the red dust under me.

Chant, flash, relocate.
I made sure to stagger my running every so often just to not burn stamina.

Chant, flash, reloc–

!!

But the Oni made one long, pained and rage-filled roar. It let off a cloud of blood red mana, while also making the Oni glow a red aura. It quickly got back up on its feet.

Wait. Is it still moving, even after tanking all three beams head-on?!

Flinching, I almost tripped. Instead, my boots grazed through the red gravel. It took a while before the monster turned to face me, shrouded in a menacing, glowing red aura.

That sent a chill through me, head to toe. Its stare indicated murderous intent.

What are my options? Using Force of Light is out of the question, with a monster of THAT size! But if not that… I only have my last resort ultimate spell as my go-to offense right now…

It then started charging at me, reaching its seemingly full speed in just a matter of seconds from its starting point. Every step the Oni took shook the ground hard, causing my heart to skip beats.

A speeding truck coming in for its unfortunate roadkill.

I started shuddering. All of that fear I trampled on, was now trampling my heart right back.

L-Last resort it is!
I’ve already whittled down its health after my damage phase earlier. Surely, it’s about to go down now, right?! Whatever…
It’s all or nothing now!

Time for my Ultimate!

I tried my best to calm my thoughts down, even for a short moment, just so that I could concentrate on that massive spell. I channeled my mana unto my staff, while uttering these words:

O' Light, my eternal ally…
With thee shall I banish the dark and the creatures that dare defy.
Grant thy divine blessing to aid this humble disciple.
To thee I pray, to thee I call for holy power…
Unleash the might of the will that luster before all.
Unto thee I announce the bountiful sparks of the light
May this radiance envelop what stands in front of me, in its gentle caress!

Light seemingly flowed down like water from above as I chanted, and collected itself on top of my staff. My mouth opened (awkwardly) as the final words were to be said.