The shard of death glints in the light of dusk. Its radiance dulling as burgundy-colored blood glides down its length, dripping onto the floor and staining the dirt, and soon the blade that was meant for protection against monsters is now turned on their own.
At least that's what Carnage thought.
"Put it down." Carnage urges sternly, his sword already extended at Ernest in his moment of hesitation.
'That was close.' Carnage thinks about assessing the situation. 'If it wasn't for Ernest's hesitation, he would have been dead already.'
"What are you doing?" Carnage questioned, noting the deep shade of red his blood held.
It was unnatural, even for a former god like himself. The sight still caught him off guard, yet somehow, whether he realized it or not, he felt it. As if, without fully understanding, he had already uncovered the reason behind Ernest's actions.
"I made a promise." Ernest's voice begins trembling as his eyes switch from his shard to Carnage's sword.
He was no fool. He knew Carnage at any given moment could attack and prevail, reason or not.
"Something I need to accomplish or else..." He lets out a shaky breath. "Or else I won't forgive myself." His grip tightens, as if his resolve solidifies with him. "I'm going to accomplish it. At. Any. Cost."
Carnage watches Ernest's resolve, and the terror bleeding through its cracks. It's the same curse every human carries, no matter how bravely they posture. Fear just wears different faces.
A permanent blemish on a white shirt: you can scrub it, drown it, pretend it's gone… but it never disappears. It only pales, waiting for the next moment to show. Nevertheless there's always a reason behind said fear.
That's how he became certain; there's a reason behind his nonsensical actions.
"Please help me…" Evrad's plea reaches Carnage. "I didn't do anything." His hands fling up into the air once Carnage refocuses on him.
Carnage finally acknowledges it, closing the gap between the sword and Ernest's face.
"Explain." Carnage says, and Evrad becomes more frantic, moving around as desperation seeps in. "A bit of silence is much needed," he suggests coldly at Evrad, seeing through the act, disgust rising like hives on skin. "To know a two-faced vermin slipped his way among us." He adds, and Ernest's first confused, dazed eyes instantly shine with relief. "Don't get too excited. You haven't been deemed free as yet. Talk." He urges.
"Yes... yes." He nods. "I first noticed it when he appeared. I didn't receive a notification of what his persona was beforehand, so at most I chalked it up to a malfunction in the glasses; however, that thought fell away once I heard of his 'gift' and I knew it wasn't just a coincidence." Ernest elaborates.
"Shut up!" Evrad shouts, anger eroding his deliberate pitiful facade. "You noticed nothing! My shapeshift was perfect!-" He halts, eyes widened, and a small smirk tilts at Carnage's lips.
'And desperation reveals everything.'
Ernest grins, moving his weapon from his neck, and backs away as Carnage's sword drops to Evrad's bleeding neck instead.
"His power to copy the physical abilities of humans? The signs were all there; I just needed the right time to act and the right person to help me." Ernest's eyes lock on Carnage. "That happens to be you. So my conclusion to what he truly is..."
Ernest doesn't get the chance to finish before Evrad lunges at Carnage, fingers elongated into sharp talons.
「Demonic beast grade: D (Tormented)」
「Power level: 50」
Carnage's speculations were answered, and that's all the confirmation he needs.
"He's a skinwalker." Carnage concludes, shifting to the side effortlessly, avoiding his attack. "A weak one at that."
Evrad skids after missing him and jerks back to continue his pursuit but is stopped in his tracks. Carnage's sword glimmers, its point gently grazing his chest.
"Don't you have any shame?" His eyes gleam a devilish red, catching the light like smoldering coals. "Walking the world, bearing the faces of others?"
Evrad growls, his face convulsing but not deconstructing; the only odd thing about him remains only his fingers. "You don't know anything about me! I didn't ask for this! The system—"
"Unfortunately, I don't sympathize with my enemies." He moves his blade closer, driving it just an inch into his chest, and he squeals in pain.
"Okay... Okay!" He blurts out, flaring his hands up. "I'll do anything..." He drops to one knee. "Just please don't kill me; I want to live."
Carnage pulls it out. "Honestly, you would have passed as one," He admits. "A human, I mean. The only thing that gave you away to me was your emotions."
'Real emotions are etched into the very essence of your body; no matter how hard you try to cover it up, something will always give it away if you look closely.' Carnage thinks. 'For him the emotions only reside on the surface, for example, his facial expression...nothing deeper.'
"Where did you get this exterior from?" Carnage inquirers.
"What are you doing!" Ernest steps closer, and Carnage hushes him with a wave.
"It was given to me." He answers, holding his bleeding chest, panting.
"I see." Carnage straightens up, letting his sword fall to his side. "Then let's strike a deal."
"Yes… I'll do anything!" Evrad bows his head, thanking whatever being that granted him this chance. "Thank you. Thank you for sparing me!"
Carnage for a second felt the same thrill that being a god had given to him, the sight of seeing one bow to him and thank him for something as meager as sparing their life, and for a moment he basked in it before resuming.
"Continue to aid us until the end of our task, and if I deem you useful enough, I promise I'll find a way for you to also survive our trial."
"Really?" He smiles, hope coming back to his eyes. "I accept it! I promise to continue as I did before!"
"Good. Oh, and Ernest." He spins, and Ernest flinches. "Trust in me. My goal is to make it out."
Ernest analyzes his stoned expression and nods. "Okay."