Yarin's POV:
Just as I swung my sword, the nearly lifeless crow suddenly struggled, flapping its wings weakly. The scattered embers had become very faint, but they still bravely surged toward Azazel, burning the last remnants of their lives and transforming into fiery chains that firmly imprisoned the demon in place.
At this moment, Azazel finally revealed a sinister expression. He understood that he couldn't escape this strike, but he didn't want to submit without a fight. A dense black mist oozed from his body, and within that mist, there were faint whispers. Just before my sword touched the black fog, a woman broke through and collided with my blade!
I realized it was too late to pull back. The sharp blade easily made a deep, bone-revealing wound across the woman's body. Black blood immediately gushed out, splattering me from head to toe.
I recoiled in horror and saw the woman, who was now seriously injured, standing motionless as if she couldn't feel any pain, letting the black blood slowly stain her white robe.
It was only now that I could see the woman's face. It had been a long time since I last saw her, but I would never forget her-Adele!
No, not Adele.
I could sense something terribly wrong about 'Adele', like the pitch-black blood that was nauseating to look at.
"Father, Father, forgive me, look at me, our family, our love, everything will be fine. I will bring you what you desire the most..."
'Adele' muttered to herself. Behind her, the flames that had wrapped around Azazel had already extinguished. In their final act, the crows had turned into countless black feathers that quietly disappeared into the air.
Azazel laughed.
"Meet your aunt, Yarin. Even though she's not related to us by blood, she has always been loyal. You should show some respect to her." He introduced her to me casually, as if nothing had happened. "How can you harm your elders? You're a bad child, not only disobedient but also so irritable. I must say, your mother failed in educating you."
I raised my sword, the sharp tip pointed directly at the shameless demon. I said coldly, "You have no right to judge her."
The cold light on the sword blade reflected in 'Adele's' eyes. Suddenly, she lunged at me, her malevolent expression showing her madness and anger.
"You're not allowed to harm Father! You should kneel before him and beg for his forgiveness!" She attempted to attack me, but her body, already weakened, had no strength left for an attack. She ended up stumbling and falling clumsily, making herself look pitiful. "He is the greatest man in the world! He is our father, a kind master. He will fulfill all your wishes, and yet you repay him with ingratitude!"
At this point, I finally realized who she was.
It was Linda; she had taken over Adele's body.
Another failed attack and Linda fell to the ground heavily. She tried to get up but failed. Adele's body had reached its limit, and the wound cutting across was about to claim its final spark of life.
"Father, Father, save me..." She finally felt fear, dragging her battered body toward Azazel. "I have no strength left. I'm going to die. I don't want to die. Please save me. I want to stay by your side forever. You promised me we would always be a happy family..."
Azazel crouched down, looking at Linda with cold eyes. He gently said, "Darling, relax. Take a deep breath; don't speak; it will only make you suffer more."
Linda cried, a mixture of tears and mucus. The fear of impending death, added to her already disturbed mind, left her sobbing like a child who had fallen down and hurt themselves.
"Father, it hurts so much. Save me, please. I'm going to die, and I don't want to die... I don't want to die..."
Azazel lightly caressed her cheek, his eyes filled with infinite compassion. This rekindled Linda's hope, and she struggled to raise her head, allowing her cheek to rest in her 'father's' palm.
"I love you very much, my child. You've done a lot for me. I've always been pleased with you," Azazel whispered softly. Even more emotional, Linda choked back tears as she stared intently at her father, her master, her deity. She believed he would grant her a perfect rebirth, just like that cold winter day many years ago when he had saved her and her mother, giving them a happy home.
They would continue to be happy forever.
"But, as you can see, I'm not in charge anymore," Azazel's tone suddenly changed. He stood up, completely ignoring Linda's struggle and scream. He stared at me with a frosty expression, saying, "Thank you for everything you've done for me over the years. Good night, sweetheart."