Page 72 of The Wishing Game

"Lora Re," he whispers again, a semblance of a smile appearing on his face.

The others are completely forgotten as he focuses his attention on me.

Before I can blink, though, Ze is in front of me, his broad back filling my field of vision. His sword is in his right hand, and he rotates it once in the air before he drives it straight into the demon, severing his head from his body.

Yet just as I think the demon's dead and the entire ordeal is over, the head that just fell to the ground dissolves into a caustic mist—like his arm did before. The demon sways lightly on his feet as the flesh at his neck starts melding together, muscles and skin knitting right as bone lengthens from his spine. In less than a minute, his head is back on his body. But this time, his features are even more humanoid-like than before.

"What the hell is happening?" I mutter in shock.

"He's ascended," Ze adds quietly. "We were too late."

"What do you mean too late?"

"He's consumed the energy of the souls and now he's on a different level. Stay behind me, human," he says tensely.

It's on the tip of my tongue to tell him that my name is Luce, not human, but maybe now's not the time. Not when his words create even more panic in my breast. If the demon has already consumed all the souls, then is this all in vain? Is the trial already lost?

Ze's right hand holds his sword, and with his left one, he reaches behind, holding on to me.

"When I move, you move. Understand? I'm your only cover," he instructs.

"All right," I whisper.

Fear travels down my back, small tremors overtaking me. No matter how much confidence I have in the guys, this doesn't seem like a development they were expecting.

"Be mindful of our limitations, Ze!" Cer calls out.

I frown. This is not the first time I hear them mention limitations. I wonder if this is related to them being in a foreign world. But if that is so, then what does that mean for us? Do we stand a chance?

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Ze states, his voice even and calm.

Okay, maybe he knows what he's doing. He's supposed to be an expert in this, right?

He steps back, coordinating with me to move alongside him. His eyes are on the demon, his attention unshakable.

I gulp down as I reach for his hand, grasping tightly onto it. I'm not sure if this is for his sake or mine, but I find that I'm truly terrified the more I stare into the morphing face of evil. My hands are hot and clammy. His are cold and dry. Yet they provide the modicum of comfort I desperately need.

The demon now looks completely human—except his eyes. They are two black swirling orbs of shadows. His mouth is set in a grim line, and as he sets his sights on us, he lets out a loud howl that materializes into black clouds of pure energy—all aimed at us.

The white of the metal of Ze's sword gleams against the darkness of the demon's shadows. I blink as I take in the smooth appearance of the surface of the sword. I could swear I saw some indentations on it earlier.

With inhuman swiftness, Ze wields his sword around as he cuts through the shadows. He's only using one hand, the other still firmly grasping mine.

Every blow the demon throws our way, Ze deflects it with his sword, waltzing around and keeping the exchange purely defensive.

"Why aren't you striking back?" I ask in a whisper, almost afraid to ruin his concentration.

"If there's the smallest chance that the souls are still alive, I can't destroy him yet." His reply surprises me.

"But how can you know for sure?" I frown.

"I'll know."

Slipping his hand out of mine, he reaches into his inner pocket to withdraw the same pouch he used to create the magic circle before. He puts it in my hands.

"If he comes at you, blow this in his face."

"What do you?—"

---