Celestial Hybrid

Chapter 10

Meanwhile, Seran and the rest, who had been watching everything unfold through a glowing screen, exchanged tense glances. "This is bad," Scylla muttered, her fists clenched. "If they eventually find their way here… we're doomed."

"We can't let that happen," Seran said firmly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the scene. "We need to move — now.” He added, already getting ready to make a portal.

Remiel’s eyes suddenly flared golden, and he shot to his feet. “We can’t leave!”

“Huh? Why!?” David’s voice cracked with surprise.

“Remiel, what are you saying? You remember what happened the last time they came for us, don’t you?”

"Yes, I do," Remiel replied, his voice steady but grim. "But we can't leave. If they eventually find their way here and realize we're gone, they'll think Lily was deceiving them. And if that happens..." He paused, the weight of his words sinking in.

"They could get furious and s*******r everyone here just to erase any trace of their presence.” Seran completed

“What are we going to do now?” Cynthia asked, her face tight with fear and worry.

“We can’t just let them take you away,” Rosa whispered through quiet sobs, clinging to her husband’s arm for comfort.

“We can’t pin all our hopes on that winged form you turned into, Remiel,” Scylla said firmly, trying to reason with him. “Things may not turn out the same way this time.”

“Be a little more optimistic, Scylla,” Remiel replied, his eyes burning with resolve. “I know the risks. But sooner or later, we’ll have to confront them. We can’t keep running — we can’t let them hunt us forever.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by Rosa’s muffled sobs. David clenched his fists, his jaw tight. “Then we fight. If it comes to that, I won’t stand back and let them try to take us again.”

Cynthia’s lips trembled as she spoke. “But what chance do we really have? You’ve seen what they’re capable of… one wrong move and—”

“They’ll tear us apart,” Scylla finished grimly, her eyes narrowing. “Which is why we need a plan. Rushing into this blindly will only get us all killed.”

Cynthia looked at her, her fear momentarily replaced by a flicker of hope. "But how, Scylla? How do we fight them when they've already surrounded us?"

"We'll have to outsmart them," Seran replied, his voice steady despite the weight of the situation. "We may not match their strength, but we have something they don't—each other. If we work together, we might stand a chance."

Scylla crossed her arms, her expression still skeptical but softening slightly. "It’s risky, but it’s better than doing nothing. What’s the plan?"

Remiel glanced at the glowing screen one last time, his jaw tightening. "First, we make sure Lily stays safe. Then, we lure them away from the villagers. If they want us, they’ll have to fight us on our terms—not theirs."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, but Rosa wiped her tears and nodded. "If it means keeping everyone safe, I’ll do whatever it takes."

"We all will," Cynthia added, her voice steadier

now. "Let’s do this.”

“Now here's the plan.” Seran said.

~~~~~~~

“Are you playing tricks on me, girl?" the lady growled, her voice dripping with anger.

Lily flinched at her tone, her knees shaking. "N-no, miss! I'd never do that!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is where the one with the blue hair lives — he stays here with his mother and elder brother."

She led them to Ms. Cynthia's house, but to her dismay, it was empty.

"So, where are they?" the lady demanded, her piercing gaze boring into Lily.

"I-I don't know," Lily stammered, her voice trembling as she shrunk under the woman's glare. "But I... I can take you to where the girl lives."

"Are you playing with me?" the lady snapped, her patience visibly thinning.

Mira, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward and spoke calmly. "It's best if we follow her and check out the girl's house, Lyria. If they're hiding, that's likely where we'll find them."

Lyria narrowed her eyes but nodded sharply. "Fine. Lead the way, girl. But if you're lying..." She let her words hang ominously, causing Lily to gulp in fear.

I-I know. I'll take you there right away.” Finally I'll use this as an opportunity to get revenge on that b***h. She said to herself.

A few minutes passed before they reached the fine building. Lily knocked on the door several times but got no response. She could feel Lyria’s eyes boring into her from behind causing her to shiver in fear. Many thoughts flooded her mind as she stood there. “Aren't they home? Or did they know we're coming? This can't be happening! I'd be dead any moment from now if anything goes wrong!”

“Alright! That's it. Step away from the door!" Lyria barked, her voice sharp with authority. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and violently kicked the door open, sending it crashing inward.

The sight before her froze her steps for a moment. Scylla and David were huddled in a corner, visibly trembling, while Remiel and Seran stood protectively in front of them, their postures rigid and ready.

Lyria narrowed her eyes, her expression darkening with disdain. "Sorry, boys. You're in possession of what I need. Hand them over now… or else."

Remiel’s golden eyes began to shift, glowing with an ominous red hue as his jaw tightened. "Or else what?" he shot back, his voice calm yet defiant. "If you want them, you're going to have to listen to us first."

Lyria let out a sharp laugh, her tone dripping with mockery. "You're in no position to order us around, kid! Hand them over, or I’ll make you regret it.”

Seran already disguised himself as a mortal to hide his identity. “Do your worst! He said, taking a fighting stance.

Lyria’s hand moved to unsheathe one of her blades, her eyes flashing with impatience, but Mira stepped in swiftly, placing a firm hand on her arm.

"We were told not to use force unless it’s absolutely necessary," Mira said firmly, her voice steady but persuasive. "Let’s hear them out first before we take any action."

Lyria hesitated, her grip tightening briefly on the hilt before she relented, lowering the blade with a frustrated sigh.

Mira stepped forward cautiously, keeping a measured distance from Remiel as her sharp eyes studied him and the others. "Alright," she said, her tone calm but guarded. "Start talking."

"You need to tell your comrades to free her and the villagers first," Remiel demanded, his voice firm as he gestured toward Lily, who stood frozen with fear.

Lyria’s eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening as if weighing her options. After a tense moment, she gave a sharp nod and raised her hand, signaling to the others. "Fine," she said curtly, her voice laced with annoyance. She activated her communicator, sending both the signal to release the villagers and her coordinates to her team.

"Done," Lyria said, crossing her arms as she fixed Remiel with a sharp gaze. Mira promptly turned towards Lily. “You can go now little girl. Thanks for your help” she said warmly.

Lily didn't spare a glance nor did she answer before she bolted towards her home. In the next minute, the remaining comrades surrounded the building.

"Now, let’s hear what you’re planning to bargain with—or is this just a stalling tactic?”

"Not really," Remiel replied coolly, his calm demeanor only serving to irritate Lyria further. "I just don't want them all cowering in fear over something as trivial as this."

"Anything else?" Mira asked, her tone sharp and measured.

"Nothing. They're all yours, miss," Seran answered flatly, as he and Remiel hauled the trembling pair to their feet.

David's voice cracked as he screamed, his desperation echoing through the room. "Why are you doing this to me, Remiel?! I thought you were my brother. Don't let them take me!"

Scylla's cries followed, her voice thick with betrayal. "Seran, why are you doing this to me?! Please, don't do this!"

But their pleas fell on deaf ears, neither Remiel nor Seran flinching as they forced the duo toward Mira, their resolve unshaken.

Mira watched silently as Seran and Remiel delivered Scylla and David to her, their expressions cold and unreadable. For a moment, she simply stood there, studying the pair before her, then turned her gaze to the two men.

"Thank you," Mira said, her voice unexpectedly soft but tinged with a strange finality. "You’ve done well. This couldn’t have been easy for either of you."

Remiel’s dim red eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he said nothing, while Seran nodded curtly, his face impassive.

Without warning, Mira reached behind her and unsheathed one of her blades, the steel gleaming with a cold light. She stepped forward deliberately, the air around her thick with tension.

"I have one last thing to do," Mira said, her voice calm but chilling in its certainty.

"Wait—what are you doing?!" Seran gasped, his voice breaking.

“We've given you what you wanted already.” Remiel said, not expecting the turn of events.

Mira tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable as she raised the blade higher. "It’s nothing personal," she said simply. "But loose ends… must be dealt with.”