That was embarra.s.sing!

That's all I could say when I realized what happened ― Asher saw me in that state. I was sure, I looked like a tomato when I was still with him earlier.

That was embarra―wait, what?!

I sat on my bed and stared at the wall automatically while my mind was loading.

It's not just embarra.s.sing, it's super embarra.s.sing!

I just sighed and laid down again.

It's already done. I couldn't change it anymore.

"UGH!" My eyes widened upon hearing that shout. "UGH! STOP!" That was Asher's voice!

I quickly got up and ran towards the gate. I cussed and cussed when I forgot the keys inside my drawer. I returned again and ran again for the second time.

Still, I cussed and cussed when I tried to open his gate. It was locked!

I bit my lower lip as I breathed deeply. After that, I stared at the not-so-high gate.

"UGH! STOP!" I heard Asher shouted again.

Uh, I left with no choice.

I rubbed my hands with each other as I counted one to three before I climbed. Yeah, I just climbed the gate. I ran towards the door after that.

"UGH! STOP! PLEASE!"

Luckily, the door wasn't locked. After I twisted the doork.n.o.b and pushed the door, I froze because of what I saw.

"UGH!"

Five creatures-in-cloaks were around Asher and beating him. I couldn't see their faces because I was at their back.

"UGH!"

I bit my lower lip as I thought of ideas on how I could save him. I looked around the whole place but I couldn't see anything that I could use.

I felt my hands trembled. "d.a.m.n it," I cussed―uh, wrong move.

Those creatures-in-cloaks heard me so they turned to my direction. And because of that, I saw how they looked through the moonlight.

Pure black eyes . . .

b.l.o.o.d.y red faces . . .

Sharp teeth . . .

My eyes widened as I stared at them. I felt like I wanted to shout but I couldn't. It felt like I lost all of my energy. It felt like I lost my voice.

My heartbeat became faster when they started to walked closer to me.

I gulped hardly. "D-don't c-come . . . n-near me!" I said. "P-please . . . " Tears began falling from my eyes.

I wanted to run but I couldn't. My knees were trembling a lot because of fear.

Still, they walked towards me. They're smiling ear-to-ear which gave me chills down to my spine.

One of them laughed and uttered, "So, you are the daughter of that swordsman."

Daughter of swordsman? Who? Me?

"S-stop! Don't come any closer!" I pleaded.

They laughed in unison. "And why would we? G.o.d Durlen will be happy if we'll bring you to him."

d.a.m.n it, Scarlette! Do something! Stop being weak!

"D-d.a.m.n . . . " I looked at Asher's direction when I heard his voice. He tried to stand up but he couldn't. "s.h.i.+t . . . " he cussed. He looked at my direction with his worried face. "Run!"

"I-I can't."

"Go!" I shook my head. It made his forehead creased because of frustration. "Hard-headed. Tsk! I can handle this. Trust me. Now, run!"

"I can't leave you here, dumb!" I shouted.

"Good girl," the demon in the middle said. "Don't leave, so we can capture you immediately."

Just few meters before they could reach me, I breathed deeply to calm myself. I looked around again to find something that I could use but this time, I was calm.

I noticed the tall, black vase at the side of the opened door. Thanks to the reflection of the moonlight, I was able to see the silver sword in it. I grabbed it and held it tightly.

"You are really his daughter," the demon on the left side said.

His? Is he referring to Dad?

"Who are you talking about?" I asked, all of sudden. I didn't know why it came out from my mouth. Maybe, it's because of curiosity.

They stopped and smirked even more. "Pity. You don't know."

My eyebrows met. "Don't know about what? Huh?"

"Come with us and we'll tell you."

"And do you think that I'll go with you, demons?"

"Ha! Then, you left us with no other choice!"

I bit my lower lip when they walked continuously around me. Few seconds past, they began to attack.

I didn't know what's happening to me but it's clear that I used the sword so fast ― just like it's so natural for me to use it. I swiftly moved as I dodged their attacks and slashed them. Groans and grunts were all I could hear from them after slas.h.i.+ng their hands, arms, legs, stomachs, and heads. Blood was scattered on the wall, floor, curtains, and on my clothes.

d.a.m.n! What have I done?!

I released the sword from my grip, which it caused to fall. I blinked many times as I stared at the demons' flesh around me.

I killed. I clenched my fists at that thought.

Swordsman . . .

Demons . . .

My body started to tremble again when I saw the fleshes turned to ashes.

Is this a nightmare?!

ASHER'S POINT OF VIEW

I tried to get up for the nth time and fortunately, I didn't fail. I touched my left thigh which was freaking injured.

"Scarlette," I called her name. Even she's shocked of what she did, she turned to my direction. "Scar―"

"Am I dreaming?" she asked. "I am dreaming, right?"

I walked close to her as I smiled bitterly. It's too early for you to know but what could we do? It's destined already.

"Tell me. I'm dreaming, right? What I did earlier, these demons said earlier, swordsman, that I am the swordsman's daughter, those are not true right?! This is not really happening, right?!" Tears streamed down on her cheeks as she became hysterical. "Asher, tell me. Please? Am I already crazy? Demons . . . I just killed demons . . . I-I'm a daughter of a swordsman . . . " She sat down as she hugged her knees full of blood. She sobbed and sobbed. "Did you know about this? Please, tell me. Demons . . . these demons won't go here if you're not connected to this, right? So please, tell me, Asher. Is this real?"

"Yes." I breathed heavily.

"NO! I don't believe you! This is just a dream!" she shouted. She ran outside while still crying.

I pressed my eyes closed to think what to do next.

Asher, don't follow her right now. Let her calm herself first. Her mind is still in chaos.