Blood within a Rose that's Fair and Sweet

Chapter 8 Demon vs. Demon; Will the Damned Soul be set Free?

Third Pov;

Finally, the battle shall commence for today is March 15th. On the outskirts of the towns across from each is where they stand; the demon; Karl Knight in possession of Erik Miller's body. And far across were the main three; Luka Heinz the 'Phantom,' Luanna Cross who was formerly known as Jane Marple, and finally their friend Raphael Miller.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my old friend Phantom. Or by your new name, Luka, is it not?"

"You were never a friend of mine Karl, and you don't deserve to even so much as say my name out of that foul mouth there. I'm giving you a warning. Before this gets any worse, leave the body this instant! That body was never yours, to begin with, so give the owner back its possession of it!"

"Oh, come on now, don't be so made. Ture though, I was indeed surprised by how long he lasted. I guess it's true that emotions are the strongest thing to power am I right? Hahahaha, though it is hilarious, I mean this pathetic excuse for a human gave up his humanity just to be reunited with the woman he loved. But, not just any normal woman no, but the woman who was made to be the Phantom's bride, and for the fact that he killed her with his own bloody hands! Nonsense really Ahahahahahaha!!"

"You tyrant!!"

"Easy there, Luna. Remember, we promised to stay out of the way while Luka does what he's gotta do."

"I know that, but that peccary doesn't deserve mercy for what he's done to Erik. That's something I will never forgive anyone for if they hurt the ones I care about."

"What you said before isn't nonsense."

"What?"

"I! Said! It! Isn't! Nonsense!"

After that enraged statement of devoted hope from Luka to a lost soul, the battle had finally commenced to one another. Seconds forming into minutes now were turned into hours. The clash between the two demons of different species.

Both sides without giving one another a break, along with not once stopping to admit defeat towards each other. With this, it looked as though Luka was running out of stamina while Karl was still blowing off steam.

And just as Luka took one step back, Karl took this chance to end the battle. With Luka surprised by himself for making a crucial mistake, Karl used his deadliest attack filled with poisonous venom and then launched towards Luka.

It looked as though this was the end, for it was the end, for Karl to be exact. With Luka only pretending to be off-balance to put Karl in a false sense of confidence and in a sloppy motivation to sped up the process of his attack. And that's when Luka steadily moved forward and put his hand on Erik's chest were precisely his heart is pinpointed at and said these words.

"You broke into the apartment of Luanna, and left behind a little gift, right? So, I'm here to give it back along with a little something extra!"

With that, a flourished rush of light converged from Luka's hand and within it was the white and red roses that Karl had presented to Luanna at her apartment. While the ‘something extra' was the blue rose, that Luka had given to Luna after remembering everything from her past life thanks to her dreams.

"It-it's not possible, it can't be true?!"

"It is true when you're a demon born with the strength and power of roses! Meaning from every rose that I've consumed I've gathered its equal strength and power as my own. And with that, I'll send you back from whence you came!"

"N-no, no way, nnnnnnooooooo!"

It later took only a few moments before the bright Illum light had dispersed from Luka's hand detailing that the battle was finally over after neither had exceeded further into combat.

"Is it really over? How can you be sure about it, Luka?"

"Yes, it is over, and do not worry for I can't trace any ounce of demonic energy from his body. Erik's soul is finally free, go to him, Luanna."

"Right. Erik, do you remember anything? It's me, Jane, though I go by Luanna now in this world."

"J-J..ane?"

"Yes, that's right, it's me, Erik!"

Moreover, that's when the light steadily glowed from Erik's revealing his original eye color; light hazel green.

"Jane, is it really you?"

"Yes, yes, it is. But as I said before, I go by Luanna in this world."

"Luanna then does that mean that man over is-?"

"The Phantom all those years ago? Yes, indeed he is, but similarly, he goes by the name of Luka in this world. And this man over here is Raphael, in this world, he is also my childhood friend."

"I see, Jane, I mean Luanna, are you pleased with the ways things are?"

"Yes, I am. And before you say anything else, I just want you to know that what happened before all those years ago, I don't blame you."

"But I-! But I was the reason why this whole thing is even happening in the first place! For I can't forgive myself for what happened, on what I did to you that fateful day."

"Exactly, you've been putting the blame on yourself more than anyone else even after death. You've indeed had given up your humanity to try and apologize. And for that, I forgive you for everything."

"You, you would actually forgive me for all that I've done?"

"Of course, I would. After all, we were and are the best of friends. I pray for your safe journey."

"Thank you."

After accepting his forgiveness, Erik's body had a steadily bright light and disappeared with a smile on his face. And the only thing left standing were the three tri-colored roses; white, red, and blue; representing pure immortal love.