"I made it so that if he hurts himself too much, mine would automatically keep him alive in exchange for having to know not only his mana status but also anything that enters his body."

Avy remembered the exact words she said after casting a spell on Kill. She was really doubting whether or not she really succeeded in something she did for the first time. But now that she's experiencing the consequences of her actions, it became pretty much clear that it worked.

She struggled to breathe as she clenched her chest tightly with her hand. She wanted to pass out that moment but the sound of thunder brought her back. If she's experiencing such pain, that only means Kill's body already reached its limits and is only holding on to the spell that bonded the two of them together for his life. She knew she had to get to him as soon as possible.

"Avy? What's wrong?" without her even calling, Ares appeared next to her and gently touched her arm to make her turn to him. He saw her pained expression and the way she was catching her breath to stay conscious.

"Th-the kid. I need to go." she pushed him out of the way and went towards the door although she struggled to walk.

"What–"

"He's dying." her answer put a frown on Ares' face. The scene that happened inside the cave entered the curse servant's mind. He knew nothing good will come off-putting one own's life for someone else's benefit.

He clicked his tongue and approached Avy before putting his hand on her back.

Avy felt the pain slowly becoming better and she was finally able to breathe just fine although the pain still lingers.

"I'm taking my own share." Ares told her, lifting his palm from her back. "Run out first. I'll cast a spell so that no one will notice your absence." He added.

Avy nodded her head and ran out of the room. It was a little harder to move because she was still wearing a dress she wore that day and didn't bother to change into nightwear since she's busy reading. The sound of the rain covered her footsteps as she ran to the back of the Mansion where the hole she uses to crawl out was located.

Not too long after going out, Ares was already following behind her, not as a person, but a huge black panther that scooped her up, making her rest on his back. He ran fast that the droplets of water slapped Avy's face like solid beads. The air was freezing yet the both of them didn't stop until they reached the entrance of the forest.

"It will be dangerous, Avy. The animals that are being shunned away by that kid's presence are freely roaming around. Although they can't touch you since they can't get out of this forest because of the barrier set up by humans, I cannot say the same once you go inside." Ares warned her, his voice much deeper, matching his new appearance.

"It'll be quick." She answered with no hesitation, thus the curse servant went ahead, and true enough, they still haven't reached the heart of the forest yet there are already beasts walking free.

When they arrived at the cave's entrance, Avy quickly got off Ares. The latter reverted back to his human form.

"You go inside. I will stand on guard." Ares told her. Avy didn't answer and just gave him an approving nod before proceeding inside the cave. She didn't know if it was caused by their connection, but she could definitely feel Kiil's heartbeat getting slower and fainter every second. Beast people are not affected by the Cessation, thus no matter what day of the month, their mana will not disappear. Yet the kid's mana was slowly fading.

"...ma"

Her hopes were restored when she heard the familiar voice coming from inside. He's still alive.

"I'm here!" she yelled and moved faster until she finally reached where Kill was. And once again, the scene she witnessed sent shivers down her spine. Her face lost all its colors, her legs lost all their strength and she almost dropped to the ground.

It was red.

The ground was covered in blood.

And in the middle of the pool of crimson liquid, there laid the kid she was looking for.

"H-hey. Don't sleep!" She exclaimed and took Kill in her arms. She knew she was weak, yet she was able to lift him up without any problems. Was it because of the adrenaline that numbed her? Or maybe Kill was just too sick that he lost too much weight?

"...sorry Mama." Kill whispered weakly.

"I don't take apologies from people who are barely alive. Say sorry to me later, okay? Just don't sleep. Unconscious people weigh more. You don't want my arms to hurt, do you?" She smiled at him as she ran out of the cave fast.

"I d-don't want... to be... a bother..." he stated between heavy breathing.

Avy chuckled softly. "I'm bothered by everyone. I just choose those who are worth my time."

"Am I... worth your... time?"

"Only if you stay awake. Hmm?"

Kill didn't answer anymore and decided to focus on keeping himself awake until Avy gives him permission to close his eyes.

"Ares! Clean up the cave. I don't want any trace that my kid stayed in there!" Avy commanded her servant as soon as she reached the entrance of the cave. Ares was already standing with bloodied clothes that splattered on him from the animals that laid on the ground, lifeless.

"What the fuck did you do?!" she yelled even though they were just a couple of meters away from each other, the sound of the heavy rain made it harder to hear other things.

"Your kid's restriction made these things go feral!" Ares yelled back. "Tsk." he clicked his tongue after seeing Kill in his master's arms, not looking really good himself.

He wasn't happy about the situation but nevertheless, put the safety of the two as his priority "Let's get you out of here first." he then turned into the animal he was earlier and picked up the mother and son pair before running out of the forest.

Avy wrapped her arms around Kill, his body was trembling because of the freezing weather, the combination of the cold wind and the rain made him shiver, making it more difficult for him to stay awake. They passed by a couple of wild animals on the way and all of them eyed them hungrily and started chasing them.

"Ares.... we're surrounded."

Ares stopped in his tracks, annoyed. He put the two down and warily stood Alert while thinking of a way to get out of the situation. He was shielding Avy and Kill for a couple of seconds before finally speaking.

"Are you a fast runner?" he asked

"N-no."

"Then you have to be." He told her before a short sword made of black smoke appeared on his right hand. "I'll distract them. Make a run for it, erase your presence. Darkness is much stronger during cessation so you won't die at least."

"Thanks." Avy breathed deeply, tightening her hold on the child resting in her arms. She was prepared to leave as soon as the bests get distracted. She was about to run when she felt a slight force holding her back. When she looked back, she saw Kill tugging Ares' clothes.

"What's wrong? You're losing too much blood we can't stay here." She said.

"...mama, Books..." Kill stated almost whispering. Even just talking a little was taking too much of his energy.

"Those ones inside the cave? Don't worry. I can buy you a whole library, but we need to survive from here first."

"...but you gave... them..."

"Okay! Okay! I got it! Now get out of here!" Ares exclaimed. They have no time for pep talks when all of them are in danger. At this rate, all of them are never gonna get out of the forest alive.

Although it's barely audible because of how weak his voice was, Kill muttered thanks before he and Avy ran away from the scene.

If it was just him, Ares would've thrown the kid to be feasted on by the animals so that the two of them could escape the situation easily. But he was scared. Avy scared him. He didn't know why but just the thought of her was frightening enough for him not to act against her will. And it was a satisfying feeling that he hasn't felt for long.

He held the sword he created tightly, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. He wasn't confident that he would be able to win unscathed because his new owner hasn't fully awakened her potential just yet, she has only acknowledged him and nothing more. She has yet to unleash the power that will give him the freedom to use his real strength. For now, he is nothing more than an average creature with a little bit of offensive magic in him.

"But still... What kind of power does that kid have to make these animals lose their senses to the point of insanity?" he asked himself, looking at the pile of dead animals who fell victim to the blade of his sword. It would've been a piece of cake if only those animals were normal, but they weren't. They were like carnivores aiming to chomp his limbs off.

It was a great thing there were no dangerous animals around.

Or so he thought.

It was a small detail that he missed. A claw visible on a nearby tree, the moonlight shining itself on it.

~~~

Avy's legs were shaking, but she didn't dare stop from moving. Her whole body was numb because of the cold that she didn't notice the wounds and scratches she got on her arm after passing by some branches on her way.

"...ma"

But even so, she was relieved every time she hears Kill speak. It was a motivation to keep going.

"Hmm? We're getting close... *huff* ... You'll get treated... *huff*... soon..." Avy answered in between her breaths.

She actually has no idea where to take him. Should she take him back to the estate? Should she find a doctor in town? She doesn't know. She usually can think even in the most pressuring situations, but she seems to be too focused on getting Kill out of the forest alive.

That's right. Focus on getting out of there first. She'll figure it out once she steps out of the forest's barriers.

*growl*

But things weren't in her odds.

A low growl of an animal made her halt. Looking far ahead, she froze in place.

There was a huge bear waiting for her to come closer.

"You got to be kidding me..."

What is a dangerous animal doing in a forest near a town with so many people?!

"Ah shit." she couldn't turn her back or she might get ripped into pieces by the bear's claws who can run towards them at any moment. But she also doesn't know how to fend off a big animal. Especially when she's carrying a child!

She cursed under her breath. Aren't these kinds of things supposed to happen to the lead characters? Or is it just a misfortune happens when one tries to do something nice? Either way, she's in a fucked up situation and she doesn't have the luxury to complain.

The bear started moving and Avy couldn't do anything but slowly walk backward, watching out for any possible attacks.

And then it started charging in.

If it was a bear in its right mind, she would've done the things she learned from books. But judging by how its saliva coming from its hungry mouth shone under the moonlight. It's unlikely to act like a normal bear even if she does the right thing. She would be dinner in no time. And after her, Kill would be next.

She knew she cannot outrun a bear, but she still ran anyways. It's better than being ripped on the spot. She went around trees and bushes and anything that can make it slow down and buy her time to escape, but every attempt was futile and she soon reached a dead end. There is no other option but to be killed.

She took a deep breath and looked down on Kill.

"I'm sorry." She said. "We can't get out of here with you on my arms." She added, laying him down on the ground.

"...leave, Mama..." Kill whispered as she was putting him down, next to a tree where he can lean on.

"That's not what I meant." She ruffled his hair and looked back at the bear. It was ready to pounce at them.

"I can't do this while holding you after all."

She took the hairpin that was keeping her hair in place and without second thoughts, stabbed her arm and slashed it huge enough to bleed a bowl of blood.

She's looking forward to a bloodbath.

~~~

Hello. I came back from the dead. I actually don't know where I got the audacity to say see you next week then proceed to not show up for a whole month. I was busy!! Despairing on things that I can't control lmfao. But I want to update every now and then and make everyone happy. Sike. I want to update and write the exciting parts as soon as possible. SO STAY TUNED!!

Votes and Feedbacks are deeply, heavily, and definitely appreciated.