"-Bitch!" I shot awake yelling. Damn her. Who does that? Leading me on and then just throwing me away. With how she was acting there was every chance that she was lying for fun and I had no more secrets. Really it just made it so much worse.
As my mind returned to normal I realised something wasn't right. The atmosphere around me was dark. The peaceful aura of the Temple had been shattered.
Someone coughed in pain, "Y-you know... that's not nice to say."
"Taylor?" I stood up and turned around. What I saw froze me. Bodies, dead and numbering more than ten. They wore black masks and were clearly demon. What shocked me however wasn't them but the figure of Taylor leaning against the open door, a skid of blood descending to wear she now laid on the floor. Worse still, the dagger sticking from her stomach.
"Hey," she smiled to me weakly. Her skin was deathly pale and her eyes hollow.
I rushed to her side, "What? What's going on? You- you're...." I calmed myself, "I'll fix this. Where's Marley, the other priests, they can heal you so just hold on."
She coughed and groaned as trickle of blood spilled from her mouth, "Marley... I don't know. The others... gone, maybe dead, who knows."
My eyes widened as I looked further down the corridor. The bodies of more masked demons and the occasional priest and Temple worker. I recognised the masks. They were the same as the fanatic's back in Tona. The plans they had to attack the Temple really did come true and now their blood had spilled on hallowed ground. I could hear the echoes and shouts of desperation in the distance but that didn't matter. What mattered was Taylor in front of me.
"Can you move?" I asked seriously.
"Not by myself," she groaned.
"Okay, try to hold on," I gently eased my hands underneath her. There was only one hope I could think of, the carriage still had some of my potions left. If I could just get there in time Taylor would make it.
Her teeth clenched together in pain as I stood. She was lighter than I expected as I carried her in front of me like a princess. An ironic smile split her lips, "So- so this is what it takes for you to hold me."
"Shut up and focus on staying alive," I looked down at her with a soft encouraging smile. "If you die I'm going to be pissed." She nodded.
I moved quickly through the Temple grounds hiding behind the walls and columns, trying to make my way forward as fast as I could. Occasionally I saw them. The masked demons looking for survivors. Like mad beasts they ran, some screaming, "Kill the human lovers," "Down with the Goddess," "For our Lord!" The few priests of the Temple left hid in the corners, while others tried to escape. How long had this gone for I didn't know but the attack must have been swift.
"Rain," Taylor coughed.
"Don't speak," I whispered back.
"I'm... it's okay," she smiled painfully.
"You'll make it!" I grit my teeth in desperation as we made our way past the final door. The open courtyard welcomed us and as it did so, it showed despair. The carriage was gone as was Pina. The others must have taken it to wherever they went. "No."
I collapsed to my knees, Taylor still in my arms. There had to be some way to help her. If she died now... I couldn't go back so easily.
"Rain listen," she tugged at my shirt with what little strength she had left. "I... I really do love you." Her lips curled and an incredibly weak laugh crawled out. "I really do."
I held her body up and leaned her on the ground, "Hold on Taylor. I'll do something."
She shook her head, "I'm sorry. I...," her breathing was becoming looser. Tears pooled into her eyes and dripped down her cheek. "Kiss me... just once."
I closed my eyes. Was there really nothing I could do? How weak was I now. Without Lara, Marley, the others... I was useless. No potions, no equipment and I could do nothing... not even save the girl I cared about.
"Rain?" Taylor's eye's lost their focus.
I opened my eyes and leaned closer. Our lips touched softly. There was no warmth in her skin and the tender feeling I had experienced before felt cold. A slight twitch and her lips formed a smile.
"Thank...you," she closed her eyes and fell limp.
My heart stopped. I wanted to die. I wanted to go back. To try again. But I knew I couldn't. Wanting to go back, to die was the point of no return. Taylor would never come back. I had to push forward and there was only one way I knew how to do that. Revenge. I'd kill them all. Break them. Make them regret ever laying their hands on this Temple, on Taylor, and then I'd kill the very Lord they worshipped.
I laid Taylor on the cold stone of the courtyard. The red stain on her clothes had spilled to mine. She still looked so beautiful, peaceful even. I took the dagger tied to her thigh and held it in my hand. It was heavy. With a solid step I turned around and looked back into the Temple. My feet guided me inside as my eyes turned cold. Their screams crept into my ears like a grating hollow caw. The masked demons chasing a priest, she begged for mercy as she was forced to the wall. They wouldn't give it to her.
I launched myself forward from the shadows, caution thrown to the wind. The dagger's blade sunk deep into the first demon's neck and as I pulled it free a stream of blood marred my face. By the time the second reacted he had his chest impaled. The remaining two faced me with swords drawn. The priest's eyes widened in fear and she ran for the exit, their attention now firmly on me.
"Kill him!" one shouted.
I parried his strike to the side, "Oh you better because if you don't. I'll be the last thing you ever see." They were nothing more than a mob armed with steel. Although the two demons held a frightening fury, compared to Earnest they were like children playing. Still, I wasn't much better. As the two rushed me, I cut under ones guard forcing him to his knees. His partner charged and nicked my arm as I dodged back. A second later Taylor's dagger crushed into his scalp killing him instantly. As the last masked demon tried to stand I finished him mercilessly. My eyes already moving onto the next prey.
The sounds of fighting came from the distance towards the living quarters of the Temple. I sprinted without care, making as much noise as I could. As I turned the corner I saw them. Lady Tillia on the ground injured as Daryl stood with a sword in his hands above her. One of his arms hung limp at his side. Surrounding them on all sides were six masked demons.
"Run Daryl!" Lady Tillia yelled determinedly.
"No! I refuse. These men are here because of me," his expression hardened. "I won't leave your fate to them."
A masked demon laughed, "After we kill you, we'll burn her and this Temple to the ground. Only we demons will remain. All hail the Lord! Not even the Goddess can stop us!"
"Come then!" Daryl roared and they charged.
I wouldn't make it in time. Even as I crashed into view of them and cut through their backs. Daryl had already been impaled. As skilled as he may have been, it had been too much. The remaining demons turned to me. I had never fought so many people at once and as they jumped towards me I could only firm my resolve. I'd have Taylor's revenge.
It was a bloody mess. Even as I used the technique Taylor taught me, my chest tightening in pain, their eyes losing sight of me, Taylor's dagger in my hand, their swords swinging wildly, I couldn't stop myself from getting hurt. As much as I tried, they attacked almost aimlessly, cutting through my clothes and skin through sheer luck. I brought them down one by one but not before feeling a gutting pain as a sword found its way through my stomach. The look of surprise on his face told me he couldn't believe it either. A moment later I stabbed him in return, letting go as he fell to death. In the end we were all amateurs.
They were dead. The soft ground now muddied with blood. The smell stuck to my lungs and the once fresh air was putrid. I staggered towards where Lady Tillia cradled Daryl's lifeless body. The hilt of a knife still stuck above where his heart laid beneath. I collapsed beside them, the sword in my stomach forcing further inside as it knocked against the earth. Blood spewed from my mouth.
"Thank you for trying," Lady Tillia was eerily calm as she stroked Daryl's paling face. Her green skin now a light shade closer to blue.
I couldn't speak and just nodded.
"We go to the Goddess together." It was only then did I notice the arrow sticking from her back. So she had been hit already. Damn it all, I couldn't even save one person. My vision began to darken and the pain inside lessen. In front of me Lady Tillia continued to hold Daryl lovingly. The image of Taylor lying cold and alone spurred me awake once more as I slowly dragged myself back towards the Temple courtyard. A single metre was all I crawled and as the darkness became more pronounced I could only sigh.