The endless mirror blade moves around the human camp. It keeps the one sharp edge towards the ground as like a warning. It is like a ribbon that flows in the air with a desire.
The desire is simple, it is to kill.
The whole human camp is free of blood and viscera. Except for the blood that is now dripping from the sky after the kill. It is all due to the meticulous technique that is used to cut them. It is so perfect but at the same time so flawed that it is impossible to see with the naked eyes.
The blade itself isn't easy to identify if not for the body parts that are penetrated in it. If not for those, the mirror blade would be hidden from the view and it can hunt you down from the shadow.
The whole scene is a nightmare.
Steel wanted to wake up from this nightmare. But no, it isn't a nightmare. It is a devil spawn but how can a devil spawn be a living weapon? Or a devil spawn is the one who is using the weapon?
Steel wasn't even aware that a devil spawn can even wield weapons. Not to mention, a soul weapon that appears out of a devil spawn itself.
Steel picks himself off the ground and sits down on a chair. Trying to calm himself down. The situation isn't as hopeless, right?
'yeah, it isn't. I am at least hidden from the blade.'
A chilling thought came to mind.
What if he had ran away after collecting the supplies. Would he had been able to escape or not? Who even know, how far the domain of this mirror blade went.
If he was outside the tent. The blade probably would already be carrying his pieces on its mirror like edge.
'that is a scary thought.'
So maybe he should be glad for his own greed for once. It actually saved him by chance. Or should he thank his luck? Or plot armor?
What if scenarios are fun to think about but they don't really matter. He should be worrying about different things.
Like trying to find a way to run away from the blade. He doesn't even know how long will he be safe inside the tent. The blade seem to have not destroyed the other tents. But he has no idea what triggered the blade to attack? Was it just movement or is it the presence of the living.
Steel doesn't wanna trust his own ability and go outside. Why leave his life on some luck?
Unless he finds some other plan. He prefers to just stay inside the cozy tent. Away form the terrifying blade.
After calming himself a little. Steel looks at the papers with a new light. So these humans were investigating this "creature". Should he even call this a creature? It could just be an inanimate object. A dangerous inanimate object.
Steel was puzzled and really anxious. He could also ask River though. She's with him. She could've seen something that he missed.
[I don't know. It is just a weird thing.]
Steel frowns. He wasn't expecting a great insight on the danger. But could she be any less comforting?
Maybe he shouldn't expect comfort from a demon that feeds on souls of the dead. Or is she feed on the flesh?
'ah come on. So many questions and no answers. Just give me a break.'
He was too afraid to make any sound so he drowned his frustration in his heart and just waited inside the tent to see what will happen.
Maybe he would be here for few days. At least he has some food supplies with him. So it isn't that bad, right?
***
The night has fallen on the land. Steel is still inside the tent. Just waiting for anything to happen.
He is too cautious and cowardly to even take a peep. That's just his nature. No need to be mad about it.
His encounters with the Armored crab and other devil spawns have taught him that he can never be too careful. These creatures have more than one way to see him.
Steel can't even wrap his head around what type of phenomenon is used by that Devil blade to find its victims. It is better to be inside and be safe.
That's what steel's been telling River.
Why would he want to leave this cozy tent anyway? It had been more than a mouth since he was under a roof. It is warm and he doesn't really have to worry about the devil spawn. Of course, there's an even more terrifying thing roaming the outside and is ready to kill him.
But it is hard to get everything you want. There has to have some compromises that are needed to be made.
Now how does he explain that to the demon in his head? He has no idea.
If he were to ask River what should he do. Then her response is "just kill it". That's she says.
She isn't really annoying in any way. On the opposite, she's really sweet and somewhat pleasant to talk. But foreign to the concept of sympathy or any other emotions. So he can't really be mad at her oblivious nature.
All she wants is for him to get home so she can finally see his face in a mirror. it is just her curiosity.
It is amusing to see that she is curious about looking at his face. He wouldn't say that he is a handsome individual or anything like that. But he is still a little above average.
According to him.
He looks around the tent with a bored expression. It is so quiet in here. It is so hard to relax cause of this silence.
Even in the middle of the jungle he could hear sounds of insects, movement of devil spawn that always kept him on his toes. But here it is all silent like there is no living thing except for him.
'I hate this feeling'
It is fear. This silence means that everything outside is dead. Killed by that dreadful blade.
Steel shivers and tries to fall asleep.