Jerôme fell to his knees, overwhelmed with despair.
Jerôme: "It's over... They're going to kill us all. There's no one left who can defeat them... and me, alone, it's impossible."
Erasa, still standing tall, her gaze confident and fearless, replied:
Erasa: "You lose hope all of a sudden... If you want, I can defeat them myself!"
Jerôme stared at her, seeing in her eyes no longer a demon, but hope, a heroine. He felt a light rekindle within him and entrusted Erasa with his last hopes.
Jerôme: "Erasa, I beg you, slaughter them all, down to the last one."
Erasa: "Alright, I will do it for you."
Spreading her wings, Erasa soared up to the height of the three dragons. Suddenly, she felt a cut-a deadly attack.
Erasa: "Hmm, I know this technique... The dragons are protected by a lethal barrier that activates as soon as someone tries to kill them. Normally, it's an instant death spell, similar to what we demons possess: when we suddenly release our aura or get too angry. But if you're weaker than me, your magical attacks are useless, even those that would normally reach me. It's an essential celestial law among my kind."
The dragons then breathed torrents of flames that set the village ablaze.
The knights: "What? Who is this winged figure? How does he resist the dragons' lethal protection, and even their flames?"
The knights cast all their spells on Erasa, to no effect. She smiled at them.
Erasa: "In my world, in Hell, we live in heat far greater than the center of the sun. Your flames are a joke!"
She took a deep breath, puffed her cheeks, then exhaled an immense gust that threw knights and dragons far away. The dragons charged again, but Erasa unleashed a purple energy that instantly annihilated them all. They collapsed like puppets.
A mass of purple energy then escaped from the bodies of Erasa's victims, and the dragons and all the bodies disappeared, leaving only empty armors.
Erasa had devoured them all.
After this overwhelming victory, she returned to Jérôme, but found him held hostage by a sorcerer, Sixsi, a disciple of Boaz.
Erasa: "What are you doing?"
Sixsi: "Don't you see? You killed mine, so I'm going to kill this boy. I saw you arrive with him; he must mean something to you, right? Or maybe you just have some ties?" he said with a devilish smile.
Erasa: "Why would I care about the fate of a piece of wood?"
At that moment, Sixsi realized he was no longer holding Jérôme, but a simple piece of wood. Furious, the sky darkened.
Sixsi: "Who do you think you are!!!"
He formed a sphere of greenish aura in his hand.
Sixsi: "You'll regret defying those who could be your masters, girl!"
Erasa: "My masters, really?"
Sixsi threw the sphere, which grew and lit the area with a green glow.
Sixsi: "Hahaha... What do you say, girl? You meddled in what's none of your business, now you're going to lose your precious life!"
The sphere came near Erasa, who blew on it, deflecting it toward the sky, then space, where it began to distort reality. Sixsi recovered his sphere, merged with the warped space, and launched a second sphere... but lost his head-literally: Erasa had just ripped it off.
Sixsi, decapitated, started laughing.
Sixsi: "You think cutting off my head will be enough? Idiot, I can regenerate infinitely!"
But nothing happened. His regeneration was futile.
Sixsi: "Why am I not regenerating?"
Erasa: "You're a sorcerer; your soul is your root... But I struck your story, which is above your soul. So you have no chance to come back!"
Sixsi: "Impossible! I can't die as long as a life sphere is with my master, in an inaccessible dimension!"
Erasa: "No matter. Your story is the most important. But don't worry, you'll be reincarnated in twenty years, with a new body, a new soul, a new spirit."
Sixsi: "Shut up!" His body began to disintegrate.
Sixsi: "No... no, it's impossible! My life spheres weren't touched; I can't die, it makes no sense!"
Erasa: "Goodbye!"
Sixsi: "You broke the link between me and that object...?"
Erasa: "Actually, you're a sorcerer. You can't surpass the state of your soul, while there is much more in you. The story allows access to other states of existence. Destroying it annihilates everything at once!"
The sorcerer could do nothing but look at Erasa one last time before completely disappearing.
After Sixsi's disappearance, only a few village survivors watched the scene, trembling.
A villager approached Erasa, voice trembling.
Villager: "Little girl, I'll be direct; answer us honestly."
Erasa looked at him, frowning, silent.
Villager: "So? Are you with us or against us?"
Erasa turned her face away, withdrew her purple aura from her hand, and answered:
Erasa: "It depends... Are you Jérôme's allies?"
Villager: "Jérôme?"
With a gesture, Erasa created a rift and brought out Jérôme, unconscious. In the light, he immediately awoke.
Jérôme: "Uh... is it over?"
Villager: "Jérôme Obra? Do you know this girl?"
Jérôme didn't answer right away, observing Erasa who had repelled the invaders alone. Then he gave her a grateful smile before answering.
Jérôme: "Yes, I know Erasa... well, the goddess Erasa."
Erasa was surprised by this title, and the villagers, perplexed, murmured.
Villagers: "A goddess? Are you serious, Jérôme?"
Jérôme: "Yes, because no one can face an army of Boaz and survive. Erasa can, so if this isn't the work of a goddess, tell me what is!"
Villager: "If she's really a goddess, can she resurrect our children and companions fallen in battle?"
Another villager: "Yes, because nowadays, we don't believe in tales anymore. If she's a goddess, then let her bring them back to life!"
The murmurs turned into complaints and whispers.
Jérôme thought for a moment.
Jérôme: "Hmm... I don't know if Erasa can resurrect so many dead, especially since there are more than 15,000."
Erasa gently tugged on Jérôme's garment to get his attention.
She whispered in his ear.
Erasa: "I can, of course, resurrect all the village dead, if you want, Jérôme."
Surprised but delighted, Jérôme exclaimed loudly.
Jérôme: "SILENCE! The goddess Erasa just confirmed she can bring back to life all those killed by Boaz's army!"
The villagers, even more astonished, wanted to believe in this miracle.
Villagers: "Then let her do it!"
Jérôme looked at Erasa and said:
Jérôme: "Go ahead, Erasa!"
Erasa took three steps forward, placed her hands over her chest. Instantly, a whirlwind of purple aura swirled around them.
The sky darkened, reflecting Erasa's power enveloping the whole region. The villagers, amazed, watched, as did Jérôme.
A wind rose, making branches move in all directions.
Erasa thought inwardly: "I impose the resurrection of all these humans!"
Then, the bodies began to heal before their eyes. Blood disappeared, limbs of some moved. The overly sensitive villagers burst into tears, seeing their loved ones come back to life.
The sky brightened, the wind died down. The 15,000 dead rose as if they had only been asleep, though some were disoriented, recalling their death.
Joy filled the village. They celebrated these reunions, momentarily forgetting Erasa, but not Jérôme, who took her hand.
Jérôme: "Thank you so much, Erasa."
He hugged her.
Erasa felt a new affection, stronger than anything she had known, even toward Velda, the only one she had ever loved among demons. She blushed, wanting to embrace Jérôme as well, but hesitated.
A villager then called for silence.
With tears in his eyes, he said, moved:
Villager: "I think we all agree... Erasa, I mean Lord Erasa, is the goddess who brought our loved ones back to life. She also killed Boaz's soldiers who made us live in hell for years. Who am I to doubt she wants our happiness? I propose a great celebration in honor of our goddess who saved us. Who's with me?!"
Everyone answered in chorus, shouting joyfully:
"ERASA! ERASA! ERASA!"
Erasa was both happy and lost.
Erasa: "They praise me?"
Jérôme: "Yes, you deserve it fully."
Erasa: "Hmm... very well."
Suddenly, a hand grabbed Erasa's from behind.
She turned and saw a familiar face.
Jérôme too.
Jérôme: "Dad, Mom... where were you?"
It was indeed Ben and Elodie, resurrected by Erasa.
Ben: "We were killed by Boaz's men, but Erasa brought us back. Thank you so much. As soon as I saw you, I knew you were special. It's not every day a girl falls from the roof, haha!"
Erasa gave him a small smile.
Meanwhile, a sorcerer watched the scene through a sphere in his hand. He had sharp teeth, wore a black hooded robe and a dark cloak. His nails were long and black.
He sighed seeing Erasa.
Sorcerer: "Phew... Erasa, so that's your name. I wonder what creature you are... a god, a myth, a demon, or a human? No matter, this will be delicious!"
A woman in black approached.
Woman: "Lord Boaz, this girl killed our dragons. We only have three left. What should we do?"
Boaz: "So what? I already knew. Why come tell me? I must face this Erasa myself."
Woman: "We can go tomorrow."
Boaz: "No, I'm going now. Why put off until tomorrow what can be done today, my pretty Nehemi?"
Nehemi: "Sorry, my lord, may I accompany you?"
Boaz: "No, I want a one-on-one face-to-face with this little girl."
Nehemi: "Sorry again, my lord, you can go."
Boaz stood up, opened a rift.
Boaz: "I wonder how I'll talk to her. I'll see on the way."
In the village, Erasa had repaired all the damage thanks to her powers. As a sign of gratitude, the humans offered her the most beautiful castle in the village. Erasa did not attach much importance to it, but she was nonetheless a little proud. She made a vow to dedicate her life to their happiness and protection, as long as they continued to believe in her.
At home, Erasa took a hot bath, completely naked.
Erasa: "Hmm, it's far from the pleasant heat of Hell, but here, it's much better."
She sighed, feeling like a queen or a goddess in the eyes of the villagers, a role she appreciated. She relaxed in the boiling water, savoring this peace she embodied.
But, as they say, it was the calm before the storm.
Suddenly, Erasa's shower darkened, invaded by a black aura.
She snapped out of her bliss and stood up.
Erasa: "No, but who is this?"
Then, the shower and bathroom disappeared, leaving only Erasa in a void where the black aura rippled.
Erasa protected herself with her purple aura.
Erasa: "I won't repeat myself, who are you?"
The black aura concentrated into a floating, hooded being without legs, with blazing eyes.
Erasa felt a threat stronger than her own.
She took a defensive stance.
Erasa: "Who do you think you are to intimidate me?"
She attacked with a claw, but the silhouette vanished.
Erasa: "But... what?"
The silhouette reappeared behind her and paralyzed her by its mere presence.
It approached and whispered:
"Erasa, I came to visit you, to say hello, no need to get angry..."
Erasa, still paralyzed, was sweating, then freed herself and struck. The being caught her arm like a tennis ball.
It added:
"You really don't want to talk? For this occasion, you shouldn't be completely naked!"
Its black aura enveloped part of Erasa, creating a red dress for her.
The silhouette: "Look how beautiful you are!"
It released her arm and made a table appear with two cups of coffee, pastries, candies, and two golden chairs.
The silhouette: "Please, Erasa, sit down, let's talk a bit."
Intrigued, Erasa thought this terrifying 1.90-meter-tall being with a deep voice could only be Boaz.
She sat down.
The silhouette: "Thank you for accepting."
The objects on the table moved by themselves: sugar poured into the cups, spoons stirred the warm water.
The silhouette: "Talk to me, ask what you want to know, I will tell you everything."
Erasa: "Very well. First, where are we? Who are you? Where do you come from?"
The silhouette interrupted her:
"One question at a time. Don't worry, I will answer everything, but be patient."
Erasa: "Okay. So, who are you? Where are we?"
The silhouette: "I am Boaz, a great sorcerer, probably like you. Here, we are in the void I created so that no one can disturb us."
Erasa: "Okay... And where do you come from?"
Boaz: "From the realm of the void... Yes, my beauty, I am the void itself, the indomitable being. Tell me, Erasa, are you human?"
Erasa: "No, I am an archdemon from Hell."
Boaz, sipping his tea, found that interesting and put down his cup.
Boaz: "A demon, huh? That's crazy, it's the first time I see one. I know you can't lie to me, because a demon is almost an angel, even a god according to some legends."
Erasa: "Really? Even I didn't know that."
Boaz chuckled, realizing Erasa was naive about this world. He thought he could manipulate her.
Boaz: "Erasa, do you intend to devour the souls of these humans to feed yourself, or possess someone to survive, like demons do?"
Erasa: "No, they are my loyal subjects. I would never do that."
Boaz: "Then, may I assume you have chosen what you represent to them? The symbol of good, happiness, even a god? But tell me, do you believe in God? Do you think He will let you play deity with His men?"
Erasa: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Boaz: "Haha, I suspected as much."
Erasa: "Boaz, why have you done so much harm to humans?"
Boaz: "Because they are stupid. Some took me for an amateur, a demon, and preferred to pray to other gods, while wanting to enjoy what I offered them... ungrateful."
Erasa: "And why didn't you continue to show them you wanted their happiness?"
Boaz looked at her without answering, took another sip of tea.
Erasa: "You're not answering? You said you would tell me everything."
Boaz bit into a grape and said slowly:
"Yes, I promised to tell you what you wanted. Well, I never wanted to be their savior."
Erasa: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Boaz: "I have nothing to do with their existence. I just wanted to pass the time, give them a little happiness, then plunge them into hell. And the funniest thing is, they can't escape me."
Erasa: "Why not? Even with me, do you think they could ever escape you?"
Boaz: "No. The spatial void envelops the universe, which is composed of seven transcendent layers with space and time. Being the void that contains everything is being above all. Nothing in the universe or its layers can escape me. I have a very broad vision, that's all."
Erasa: "So your existence is beyond this universe?"
Boaz: "Yes. The universe we live in is the only one that exists, even though I can create an infinity of them, they are only copies of the original."
Erasa: "But there are an infinity of universes, aren't there?"
Boaz: "No, you don't understand. What you call an infinity of universes is the multiverse, unlimited, because in each multiverse, a universe is born every second, according to the parallel facts of the beings who live there. It's the same for parallel universes. All this stems from one universe. I exist alone in my universes, without copies. Thanks to my ancestral vision, I am also present in the future, present, past, and parallel universes."
Erasa: "What you're saying is called extreme existence for us. My species can also exist in these places, and changing our past doesn't affect us."
Boaz: "Hm... I see."
Boaz, satisfied to have learned what he wanted, stood up, placed his hands on the table, and asked:
"So, Erasa, what do you think I am to you?"
Erasa: "You said yourself that you don't care about people's existence, so you don't care about mine either. We will never be close."
Boaz appeared before her, grabbed her by the neck, and lifted her.
Boaz: "You've understood everything..."