Blood, Honor, and Time: Volume 4

Copyright 2019 Albert Oon

Published by Albert Oon at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Download this book for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/947108

“In suffering love and in loving, suffer!” - Blessed Maria Lopez of Jesus

Chapter 1 – Living at the End of the World

‘Benedetto, are you still hanging in there?’

Hold on, Tunc. I’m in the middle of something.

‘What could be more important than talking to your old pal? We barely talk in-between challenges.’

Donna is trying to tame some kind of wingless dragon. We’re just getting done a job concerning this thing. She found some kind of golden axe that seems to have some control of the creature’s mind. We’ve fought through a legion of beasts and their tamers. The main tamer lost control of this dragon and was eaten alive. Now Donna is trying to control the beast with me laying injured on the ground.

“Donna, you’re not going to be able to control it! Just cut its head off while you have it entranced!”

“If I can control you, I can control this dragon!”

She doesn’t control me. I make my own decisions. Humanity is still alive because of the decision I’ve made.

‘You’re right there, but she controls you in bed so…’

Okay, you don’t need to go there.

‘I have to mention it. She does temper you and remind you that you would be nothing without her and your friends and allies.’

That’s true. I don’t believe it. It looks like she has to it under control. She climbs on it and rides the dragon around the broken tower.

“Wooo!” she says as she goes around, “I told you I could do it!”

“Yeah, that’s great for you. Now let’s get back to base, I need to rest for a bit after being hit by your new pet.”

“Oh, of course!” Donna slaps the dragon, “Bad dragon!”

Donna has to pick me up from the floor since I got seriously hurt. We’re now heading back to base. I say base and not home because all our homes have been destroyed. When the demons attacked, they tore apart all the land across all three cultures. Everything but the churches were destroyed, but even some of those were destroyed assumingly because they had unfaithful people in them. People have chosen to either rest in churches or rest in camps since the damage done to the cities, homes, and marketplaces are unrepairable.

Whenever we tried to fix anything, the demons would attack and tear down what we’ve done. Despite the safety the churches provide from the demons, certain people are said to have burned to death with unquenchable flames once they entered it. I’ve seen the charred remains of people, so it’s true. It is said that the people who died this way were sinners and tried to abuse God’s mercy. I guess it’s too late for those who turned their back on Him for most of their lives.

There are a number of the faithful who have turned their back on God after having everything they had taken away from them. Some have allied with the demons and damned themselves to Hell for temporary power and worldly pleasures. The rest of us have formed a united society around the capital of the Fedele, La Santa Verde. Things have been holding together, but I don’t know how long we can hold out especially with dwindling food and supplies. Most of the places we mined and farmed are now inhospitable and poisonous to be in so we can’t make many new weapons, armor, or make much food. Water is another problem since a lot of the streams have turned into rivers of blood. I honestly don’t know how to solve all these problems right now. They keep going around in my head with different solutions to them. I guess I’ll just have to take them out one at a time.

What’s my challenge this time, Tunc?

‘Oh, this is more than just another challenge. This is the last challenge. You need to survive for a certain limit of time that I don’t know of. Nature is taking over humanity, and God wants to see who will fall to their weaken nature and who will submit to Him for help. After that, Hell will be our main target.’

As if I wasn’t fighting against it for my entire life.

‘You’ll have to face Hell and its forces with the power of God. Assuming you don’t commit any sins n the near future, you should be able to fight without any trouble.’

I’ll try my best.

What the heck? More wingless dragons?

“Watch out!” I say as I take out my swords imbued with divine power.

“Come on, boy! Let’s see what you can do!”

Donna commands her dragon to fight the other ones while holding up her golden axe. The dragon does as she commands and tears through its kin. A few other dragons with riders come from behind us and chase us.

“It looks like we lost the main one, but at least we found our target,” one of the riders say.

Donna and I fight off our attackers on the side as our new pet blows through everything in front of us. These must be the people who allied themselves with Hell. Most normal dragons are dead by now or under the control of Hell’s minions. It’s a good thing my blades can slice through demons, Hellspawn, and sin-filled humans. Once we get to a clearing, we find ourselves surrounded by wingless dragons and Hellspawn. I throw up a bomb that lights up the sky and makes a noise.

“Yes, draw your friends towards us so we can slaughter them,” one of the riders with a dragon with the most armor says.

“You’re going to get more than you expect.”

Fire rains down from the sky around us to take out the surrounding enemy before people teleporting in to fight. A healer comes teleports out and heals me, which brings me up to full strength just in time for demon reinforcements to come in. Their large number of forces surround us, and I’m back in the same situation except I’ve put more people at risk. There’s only one thing left I can do. I take off my bandages to reveal God’s shining name from both of my arms. I lose my strength, but at least all of the demons dissipate. The healer again heals me as the casters start to make portals back to base.

“They’re really starting to step up their traps,” Donna says.

“I don’t blame them. The end is on their heels and we have a decent number of the faithful still with us fighting against them.”

The portals are suddenly cut off, which leaves only a few soldiers and Donna with me. Another wave of demons and sin-filled humans approaching in the distance. After putting down a portal, the mages need to rest. They’re trying to conjure at least one while the rest of my forces try to form a defensive line. Donna throws me to the remaining healer.

“What are you doing, Donna?”

“We might not make it. I’m making sure you survive even if I die.”

“Stop talking nonsense. You know I can go back in time.”

“But will you? You haven’t yet despite all the times you could.”

“Donna!”

“I love you.”

“Dang it. Heal me faster!”

“Yes, sir!”

While the healer heals me, I try to search my pockets for another signaling bomb. Unfortunately, I don’t have one. The demon army is almost upon us and I barely have enough strength to stand. If I use the name of God on my shoulder’s again, I may just die. A singular portal opens suddenly opens behind us with Lilia and some reinforcements. While they join the defensive line, a barrage of fire and ice rains upon the demon army while almost hitting us. My forces then defend me as Lilia and a couple other soldiers take me away from the battle as the rest of my forces cover our retreat.

“Wait!”

Before I know it, I’m back at base. Healers surround me and try to calm me as I try to get up.

“Keep that portal open!”

The portal stays open for a few minutes before shutting. A number of troops manage to get out, but Donna and a few others didn’t come through.

“Open that portal again! You can’t leave them there!”

Lilia puts her hands on my shoulders and says, “We can’t. Our mages are all worn out. Stop trying to get up and relax. We can’t do anything for them right now.”

“But-”

“I’m sure Donna can take care of herself so don’t worry about her.”

Tunc, can you find out anything?

‘I can’t even if I can. My knowledge and vision of the world are blurred. God wants you to do this completely blind. Do you remember what I said? This is a test of faith for everyone.’

I’m going to have to head out as soon as I can walk. It’s too dangerous to be outside of a church’s perimeter. My Sparrows carry me to a bed in the church then heal me as Lilia sits by my side.

Bonito comes over to where I am and says, “I told you that wingless dragon was bait. No one just throws one of their strongest beasts out there for no reason. Did you even destroy that thing?”

“Donna has control of it with a golden axe of some kind.”

“She does? It might actually be a good thing that she isn’t here. I’m afraid of what she might do with that thing under her control.”

“Don’t joke about my wife like that. I need to get out there as soon as I can.”

“You need to rest for now. Until then, I’ll try to get the mages to recover their energy as well so we can go after her and the other Sparrows. Okay?”

“Fine. I can barely move as it is.”

“Good.”

Bonito walks away while Lilia and the healers stay with me. My strength is recovering, but I feel sleepy.

‘Uh, Benedetto? We may have a problem!’

It can wait for now. I’m too sleepy to move. Huh? This is a weird dream space to be in. It’s a castle that overlooks the world.

“And it’s a world you can have.”

“What? Who are you?”

“I’m just you.”

“I don’t believe that. Your orange and yellow eyes give you away, demon.”

“If I’m a demon and you, what does that say about you?”

“Don’t play games with me. Leave my mind! The Lord rebukes you!”

“The Lord wants me to be here.”

“Tch. Then I guess I have to endure your company for the time being.”

“I assure you that it will be a fun time. Let me tell you that you may not be able to handle it.”

“I can and I will.”

“Let’s see how your confidence lasts this.”

‘Benedetto! Wake up!’

“Wake up, Benedetto!” Lilia says as she shakes me awake.

We’re in the ruins of the church as a battle is going on outside.

“The demons are here?” I ask aloud.

Since when do they attack churches like this one, especially La Santa Verde?

“It’s a surprise for me too. I have to get you out of here.”

“What about everyone else?”

“They’re holding their own for your sake. I’ll help you walk to a horse.”

I lean on Lilia as everyone in the church fights against the demons and sin-filled humans. Things blow up around me, spells are tossed around, and arrows whiz past my face. Hulking demons, countless Hellspawn, along with flying and wingless dragons destroy the most beautiful church in the world as they fight against its faithful, and I can’t help the people I’m sworn to protect in any way. Lilia gets me on one of the fastest horses we have and slaps it.

“Stay safe! I’ll be right behind you!” Lilia says as she goes to fight.

“Lilia!” I say as a ball of fire almost hits me.

The horse is now going faster because of how scared it is. I have my swords. I can go back and fight now that I have something to move me.

‘Don’t Benedetto! You’re still too injured to properly fight. Besides, you’ve got company!’

Several Hellspawn chase me. I fight them while on my horse and manage to kill most of them. Some of them get a couple slashes in, but I won’t let my body stop me from being the hero I’m supposed to be!

‘Look! There are carts of people escaping La Santa Verde with escorts. You don’t have to worry about them.’

But what about those who don’t make it?

‘I’m sure they’ll fight to the end and give their lives for God and each other. You’ve taught well them through your example.’

I hope I did. I’ve got to help them as soon as I can. I have to help Donna…

‘Benedetto! Don’t fall asleep!’

I’m back at the castle that overlooks the world with the demon that looks like me.

“So, we meet again.”

“You! Are you Luciferum? The devil himself?”

“Maybe I am.”

“I don’t fear you, devil!”

I try punching the devil, but my fists go through the fallen angel.

“Our main battle is going to be like this rather than using physical weapons.”

“You’ll lose for sure then. I won’t be broken by your tricks.”

“We’ll see about that. You wanted to be with your wife, correct? I’ve done you a favor by directing your horse to her location. You’ll see her soon, but you may not like what you find.”

I wake up next to my horse, which has died for some mysterious reason.

‘I was trying to warn you, but I guess I wasn’t allowed to. I can’t help you with your mental battle against Luciferum. I’m sorry.’

Don’t worry about it. All I need is God’s help after all and I have that.

Presently, I’m back in the area that I left Donna in. There are only a couple bodies of my Sparrows, so the rest and Donna might still be alive! Rest in Heaven, dedicated soldiers. Fly into the arms of God. After saying a prayer for my soldiers, I pick myself up and follow the trail of destruction and battle.

“If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.” - St. Ignatius Loyola

Chapter 2 – Hellscape

The land around me is a mess as if an earthquake happened here. I’m surprised that the land heals itself after every end if it looks like this every time. I’m even more surprised of the attack on La Santa Verde. If God allowed that church to be attacked in such a manner, then the rest of the churches must be fairing worse. The faithful that are left must be suffering to the worst possible extent right now.

‘Bene-’

Why am I feeling so lightheaded now? Tunc?

“You caused this suffering to be upon them, Benedetto,” a familiar voice says.

I’m not going to let you slow me down.

“Those people are suffering because they chose to side with God. You made them make that choice.”

They made the right choice. I’m hoping they can endure the challenge God put in front of them.

“Human beings are so weak to their vices. Put just a little pressure on them, and they fall.”

The people I know are stronger than that.

“But are you? You’ve done your best to acquire all the power you could since day one of becoming a hero.”

It was so I could save humanity.

“You broke the heart of your closest friends just so you could gain power as quickly as possible. You married that gorilla of a woman and forced yourself to love her and covered it up by saying, ‘God wanted me to do it’.”

I do love Donna. I wouldn’t be risking my life for her right now if I didn’t.

“I guess you’re right. You did stop caring for your family when she became the center of attention. You stopped caring so much about them that they were slaughtered despite the power you have in the land, and even though you have time traveling powers, you refused to go back to save them.”

Just because I didn’t pay as much attention to them as I used to, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t love them. I gave them the best security and the best living conditions that I could while I was out at work. I tried to make my parents proud, and they’ve told me that they are.

“You said you’ve given the best security, and yet, that’s failed you time and time again. The churches are destroyed. What do you think that means for the hiding spot that your children are in? Has the thought of how your children are doing ever occurred to you yet? Some father you are.”

There are demons and sin-filled humans searching the area. Donna must be close by.

I’m sure they’re safe with the people I charged with their protection. I knew you would go after me first, so I distanced them from me.

“Are you sure that I didn’t go after them first?”

I have to sneak around the enemy. I’m still not in any condition to fight especially with this annoying voice in my head.

I’m sure. It’s because I’ve been making you mad and drawing all of the attention to me by having people constantly pray against you, save souls, and destroy your monuments of sin.

“You don’t know how vast my army is. My forces are approaching where Donna is. We’ll have her shortly then we’ll torture her and use her like the bitch she-”

I’m not listening to him anymore. His voice trails off in my head. The demons and sin-filled humans here appear to be extra agitated and are holding their heads. This is my chance to quickly sneak past them.

‘You’re really making him mad.’

I hope so.

‘I wouldn’t be too confident about saying that. The only thing keeping him from zeroing in on your location is the name of God that is partially exposed on your shoulders.’

Oh, I almost forgot about that. If I keep it like this, I’ll stay weak, but if I don’t, the demons may find me.

“Do you remember what we did to the first hero, Almeda? There wasn’t a sin we didn’t commit against her, there wasn’t a death she didn’t suffer, and there wasn’t torture she didn’t endure. We’ll be doing the same to each and everyone you know and hold dear.”

‘He has the nerve to mention her…’

Calm down, Tunc. Don’t let him get to you. Even though you put Almeda through the worst things a person could go through, she still persevered, brought humanity into a brighter future while keeping them faithful to God, and became the example for all heroes to follow. Even Tunc, who was once disgraced because of his actions, became a better person and is the reason why so many heroes succeed in their task.

‘Benedetto…’

“Don’t talk about that failed hero so positively just because he’s your friend. I’ll make sure to put him through Hell with every hero he helps, and you’re next.”

These demons are getting more aggravated around me. Some of them can barely take the pain in their heads and collapse while others are killing each other and breaking anything they find. I shouldn’t aggravate the devil anymore because I don’t know what might happen if I keep going.

“You have no churches, no more safe havens to rest in. We rule the world now. We took it over in less than a week despite your best efforts. We converted some of your most faithful servants. God has abandoned you. There is no hope left.”

Don’t say anything. Don’t think anything. Hold onto faith and hope. I can make it through this. I’ve found the bodies of my soldiers who were with Donna. They’re near a pile of corpses of demons and Hellspawn, so they died honorably. Donna can’t be far now. Besides the bodies, I find giant footprints and swashed sinners that must be from that wingless dragon. That thing looks like it turned out to be worth the trouble.

“We’re approaching the place where your children are hiding. Your defenses won’t last any longer against our numbers.”

I didn’t notice it until now, but I’m in a city or town of some kind. I can’t tell which culture it belonged to because of the rumble everywhere. All of that time and effort to make different buildings to differentiate ourselves from one another seems to have been for nothing when this is the end result. Bringing them all under the Sparrows helped to create a sense of unity while also allowing the cultures and people room to stand out from one another. The people loved me or at least most of them did.

“You led them to their deaths just as you are leading your wife to her death.”

‘Stay on guard. Be ready for a trap to go off any second now.’

I’ve been on guard ever since the devil entered my head.

I think I found where Donna is. There’s a massive hole in a big building that might’ve been a cathedral or a kind of city hall. The footprints go into the building and I don’t see any massive holes that go out of the building. It’s dark in here, and I can’t see-what? It’s Donna! She pulled me from the darkness and kissed me. I’m so glad to find-

“Ow!”

She slapped me!

‘Haha, that never gets old.’

“Why did you come by yourself?”

“I didn’t have a choice. Besides, La Santa Verde was heavily sieged, and I was sent away for my safety against my will. There are others who escaped but I don’t know what happened after the battle.”

“And you somehow made your way back here on horseback?”

“Listen, the devil is charged with tempting me right now, and he thought it was a good idea to put me on your trail with his army in your way. He’s probably springing his trap as we speak, so we should get moving.”

“Luciferum himself is tempting you? Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“Yeah. You can stay away from my husband,” a familiar voice says from behind me before the wingless dragon eats Donna.

I turn around to see another Donna.

“Donna? Wait, are you really-Ow! What-”

She slaps then kisses me. I guess it’s really her.

‘I couldn’t even tell that was a fake. I know about demons who hide using the appearance of familiar people, but I’ve rarely seen them.’

“That was for coming back.”

“So…do you think I did the right thing?”

“You did, but I just wished you had more support with you especially in your condition. Your bandages are loose. Here, let me-”

“No, it’s the only thing that’s preventing Luciferum from finding exactly where we are.”

“Then that tremendously helps us.”

“Luciferum said that he’s approaching the place where our children are. We should go there first.”

“You’re right. Let’s go.”

Donna helps me get on top of the dragon as we travel to where our children are. The soldiers of Hell have found us and are chasing after us. Donna’s dragon is able to smash through the blockades in front of us and the name of God partially exposed on my shoulders keeps them from getting too close, but their long ranged attacks are a cause for concern because of how many they send our way. We’re able to dodge their attacks because of all the rumble and broken trees though I’m not sure how much longer we can last out here.

Before I know it, the attacks from behind stop. When I look behind me, I see that the enemy has been taken out and there are people swinging from the trees. The tree swingers then take out the other enemies in front of us before swinging next to us. They appear to be Cuchillos with modified arms.

“Benedetto! We’re glad that your wife and you dropped in,” one of them says.

“Thank you for your help. We really needed it. Who are you?”

“You may not know us, but we’re newer Sparrows. We’ve combined the best parts of our cultures to make a special team, which has served us well. You’ve inspired us to put our differences aside to fight for the greater good.”

“I’m glad that I’ve done so. Can I ask for more of your help? My children are in trouble.”

“There’s no need to ask. We’re all in this together after all and we need to help each other out.”

“Are you sure you can handle it with just your small group?”

“Small? Our small group is more than it seems. Come on men!”

More people leap out from the trees, some of which are on mechanical horses. There are horse-drawn carriages with mounted arrow launchers and some kind of large gun. As we travel further, the demon army attacks us again, but our new friends with their weapons and mechanics take them out without any trouble, however, the hordes get larger the closer we get, which results in a few casualties. It takes us a little while of fighting off and on, but when we finally get to where my children are at, we find that the traps we set up for the forces of Hell have been tripped and the shield around the church is still up. We enter the shield as the demonic army behind us hits it and triggers an explosive trap behind us to eliminate them.

“Stay here and hold them off if that shield falls!” I say to the group.

“Yes sir!” they say.

Donna and I enter into the church with the wingless dragon told to wait outside with the group. The mages inside are taking turns in groups to keep the traps and shield up while the soldiers are gearing up to fight. The Sparrows inside are excited to see me and greet Donna and me and we greet them back as I look for my children. I find them in the back of the church and run to them to embrace them all with Donna.

One of my Sparrows asks, “How did you get that wingless dragon through the shield?”

Oh, that’s right. I’m surprised that thing didn’t die when I exposed the name of God.

“I don’t know,” I honestly say to the Sparrow, “Donna has control of it. Maybe that has something to do with it?”

“The purity of a beast controller’s soul determines whether or not the beast will be weak to the holy powers of God,” a mage says.

‘Donna is pure?’

I was thinking the same thing. I mean I know she’s a good person, but is she pure as completely pure? It would be nice if it’s true and I guess it is.

A Sparrow from outside charges in and says, “The shield is almost broken!”

“We’re almost completely out of strength. We can save the rest to activate the traps or buy more time for the shield. What are your orders, sir?” a mage says.

Before I say anything to my Sparrows, I tell my children I love them and to hide in the back.

“Activate those traps but try to slowly bring down the shield. We can take them head-on with the forces we have,” I say as I fix the bandages on my arm to bring myself up to full strength.

I go back outside with my swords drawn as Donna mounts her dragon and my soldiers form a line near the shield. The traps go off and take out most of the demons, but there are still many more to fight.

“Ready yourselves, men!” I say as the shield slowly begins to drop.

My Sparrows let out a battle yell before a volley of fireballs and arrows destroy the demonic army in front of us. Lilia, Bonito, and a small band of Sparrows come out from the smoke.

“Did you miss us?” Bonito says with Lilia waving at us with a smile.

“I’m glad to see you’re all okay,” I say with a smile as they and their group come into the church to rest.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Matthew 24: 35

Chapter 3 – Last Stand of the Faithful

Everyone is getting all the rest they can with a few people staying on guard. Bonito sits next to me as I think about what we should be doing next.

She says, “Did Tunc tell you anything useful we could use in this challenge? We need it now more than ever.”

“Not really. He’s been quieter than usual. It’s because we’re meant to rely on what we have and what God has provided us with as a result of the choices I’ve made.”

‘And it’s because I’ve been holding off the demons and devil that you don’t see with your guardian angel! You’re welcome by the way!’

“And Tunc’s been holding off metaphysical demons with my guardian angel.”

“So even he is being tested.”

“How’s our current situation?”

“We’re low on food and water, so we’re going to have to scavenge some from whatever places that might have them. The problem is that I don’t know where we might find any since most places are empty and La Santa Verde had all of the food we could find.”

“What about our Sparrows?”

“Our mages’ magic power has been completely exhausted. It takes them a day to recover, but because of the recent severity of the demonic attacks, I don’t think they’ll be able of any use to us. I’m not even completely positive that we’ll survive the next horde.”

“You have to let go of that lack of faith that you have.”

“And you need to let go of that stereotype that most Cuchillos aren’t faithful. I wouldn’t have joined you if I didn’t have any faith that you would get us past this phase of the world.”

“Then you put your faith in the wrong person. You’re supposed to put your faith in God. You know, when I found those Sparrows surviving out there in the Hellscape that this world is now, I was reminded that a Church isn’t just a building, it’s also a people. We can survive this and make it to the next world together.”

“I’ll try to have as much faith as you do. You should spend as much time with your family as you can.”

“The Church is my family.”

“Your blood-related family, big spiritual man. I swear you should be the head bishop sometimes.”

“Speaking about him, did he survive the attack?”

“I saw him escape with an escort. I’m not sure if he’s still alive, but if I had your faith, I’d say he’s still alive. The body can’t live without a head after all.”

“I hope that’s the case. I’ll take your advice.”

I go to where Donna and my children are and talk to them for a bit. My children can’t talk properly yet, but at least they act in a way that makes me know they love me. They crowd around me and hug me with a bright smile on their face. Being with them makes me feel like everything is back to normal. As if the battle is finally over and I can finally live a normal life with Donna and them. This is something that I wish I could feel forever, but I know I can’t.

The truth is that being a hero makes me want to live a normal life as a peasant who works a simple job and cares for his family. I knew I threw that life away when I decided to be with Donna instead of Stella and I could’ve gone back in time to fix that, but I’ve made my decision and have decided to carry it out like a real man. It doesn’t matter what I want or what I feel I want. What God wants me to do is the only thing that matters to me. Even if I should die in my final moments as a hero, then I’ll be glad to because sacrificing yourself for the love of another is the best expression of true love.

‘Good work, Benedetto! You rejected that demon’s temptation expertly!’

I did? Man, I must be really exhausted to not know I was being tempted.

‘You can’t see it, but another demonic assault is already attacking you. They’re tempting everyone since they’re at their weakest point right now.’

I’ll inform them then to strengthen themselves with prayer and faith.

‘If they aren’t doing that right now, then they might be lost. Try it anyway though. It’s their true final battle and the enemy is attacking them from the inside.’

Got it.

I make an announcement to tell everybody to pray, bear their temptations, and put their faith and hope and God. They then talk among themselves. Some pray together while others continue what they’re doing. I feel like I should say something else, but I don’t know what else to say.

‘There is nothing more to say. What you said was just a reminder.’

Lilia comes over to where I am and asks, “Could I talk to you for a bit?”

“Sure.”

Lilia and I step outside.

She says, “I don’t think I can do what you said.”

“What? Why not?”

“It’s just something I don’t think I can do.”

“What do you mean? Everyone can pray to God and have faith in Him.”

“What? That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about what you told me outside here not too long ago.”

“I was in the church this entire time-! We have demons masquerading in the church.”

I quickly head in and tell the mages to use their spell and the priests to pray so that the demon can be revealed to us. The prayer and spell don’t take much strength and time to do so it shouldn’t be too hard for them to pull off. Everyone is grouped together and accounted for while the lookouts make sure that no one leaves. Before the prayer and spell are done, a few demons run from the crowd. A small squad of Sparrows chases after them, but then another few demons come out to attack the crowd. Thankfully, everyone knows how to defend themselves, so no one is hurt. The squad comes back unhurt as well. Everyone is checking to see if the other is okay and thanking God in the meantime.

This gives me hope for the next battle as it looks like everyone is still faithful to God. I go to Lilia and thank her for coming to me and bringing what she heard from the fake me to my attention.

I then ask, “So, what did the demon ask you to do anyway?”

Lilia leans over and whispers in my ear, “To marry you if Donna dies.”

“Forget I said anything. Damn demons are still trying to make me have a harem.”

“I didn’t accept it. I told him that I’d think about it.”

“You had to think about it?!”

“I’m sorry! The way that doppelganger of you made things sound was so tempting.”

A Sparrow runs to me and says, “Sir! We’ve got company and there’s a lot of them!”

“Let them come. Get everyone inside!”

“What are you going to do, Benedetto?” Lilia asks as everyone rushes inside.

“I’m all healed up. I can use the name of God on my arms again.”

“But what if even more come right after?”

“You don’t know that. Besides, I can trust everyone here to defend themselves.”

Donna goes over to me once she hears of my orders and says, “I can fight outside with you with my dragon. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Tell the dragon to defend me after I become weak. You can come out after if another battle happens.”

“I’ll accept that.”

The dragon lets me ride on it as everyone heads into the church. A horde of demons quickly descend upon us and I try to get as many around me before destroying them all by revealing the name of God. Once all the demons are gone, I sit down to collect my strength. Wait, there’s more? Huh? A red and black shield covers the church, which prevents everyone from coming out. This appears to be another one of the devil’s traps. It makes sense to bring me down when I’m like this. Hopefully everyone can break the shield in time to help me.

‘Hold on for as long as you can, Benedetto!’

This wingless dragon is doing a good job in helping me by stopping on everything in its way why barely being bothered by being hit.

“It’s over, Benedetto. Submit to me and I might spare you,” the devil says in my head.

That’s not going to happen. I’d rather die!

“Then die and I’ll drag your soul to Hell!”

All of the attacks on the wingless dragon finally take it down. It keeps chomping at the demons until enough blades are put into its head. I’m trying to survive by swinging one of my swords around, but I can barely hit anything. I only manage to kill a few demons because they’re mocking me and aren’t taking me seriously because of how weak I am. They keep pushing me around and spitting on my face. I can hear the people from inside the church praying and some are calling out to me.

“This is your last chance, ‘hero’. Surrender now.”

I only have one more trick up my sleeve, but it’ll cost me everything. It’s the only thing I can do and I’m not going to give in so easily.

‘Benedetto!’

I guess I couldn’t be one of those rare heroes that didn’t die while being a hero. I’ll be sure to do something different next time.

I say aloud, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

After wrapping up my shoulders, I take them off to reveal the name of God again. Every demon around me evaporates, and yet, I’m still standing. I don’t feel any pain. There’s no weakness or stress in my body at all. It’s as if I feel nothing and everything at the same time. The name of God is glowing on my shoulders like never before. What’s happened to me?

The shield over the church has broken and the people come out to see me. They all bow to me. Tunc?

‘You’ve passed the final challenge. God is now inhabiting your body and you can use His power to put down the forces of Hell. The people in the church were told what happened. Now it’s time to finish this battle.’

The gates of Hell open behind me and countless demons and Hellspawn come pouring out. I simply push my hand forward to attack an incoming demon in order to make all of the demons die and the rest to run scared back into Hell. Before going into Hell, I wave at everyone and they are healed of their wounds, hunger, and thirst. They cheer before going back to praying. Everyone was faithful to the end, and I feel so proud of them.

I enter into Hell as legions of angels let me down and destroy Hell around me. I can barely see what it looks like because of all the destruction and the hundreds of thousands of angels that are doing the work for me. The look of Hell doesn’t matter to me in the long run, I guess. There’s no reason to remember a place meant to make people fear dying without being in God’s grace. Also, I would’ve thought that I would be hearing God’s voice in my head when His power possessed me.

‘For the time that His Spirit is possessing you, you will know what to do and think while also being able to have thoughts of your own. You’ve been doing the will of God despite not directly hearing His voice. Your soul is fine-tuned and so in love with God that it naturally follows God’s will.’

That’s exactly what I’ve wanted it to be. Now, we’re at the lowest level of Hell. Luciferum barely has a chance to say anything before I lift a finger to make chains come out of the ground to pierce through his eyes, mouth, and body before going through his entire body and dragging him along with his army and damned souls deeper into the endless pit of Hell. The angels then lift me out of Hell before I feel the overwhelming presence of God leave me.

Back at the church, the sun is rising and my family rushes to embrace me. The world no longer looks like the one I remember living. It’s a broken but loving world able to be repaired and tended to. Everyone in the church celebrates by praising God and dancing outside. The name of God no longer shines on my arm. I feel emptier than I did for that brief amount of time, but I know God is still with me. He’s still with us all and always will be.

‘I knew you would make it, Benedetto. You’re one of the few heroes that made it here without using your time traveling powers and for that, God will give you anything that you ask for.’

I already have all I want, but since I know I can’t just leave it at that, I wish to help you every time a new hero is chosen.

‘What? Why would you want to be a part of my job?’

To help you get to Heaven. I know whether or not you, in particular, are saved or not is based on how well you instruct the new heroes. I want to make sure that you get to Heaven, my friend.

‘Benedetto…I…God says what you want will happen when the time comes.’

Besides that, can I know the advancements that humanity has made?

‘Because you have excelled in all virtues, humanity is stronger in all of them as well. You have given everyone a leap in progress and with one hundred survivors left, humanity will prosper for generations. You can live the peaceful life that you’ve wanted…after you clean up.’

What?

‘What? Did you forget that humanity has to clean up after every final battle?’

I’m going to be living as a cleaner for the rest of my life? Can I go back in time so I make events play out so everything in the land isn’t a complete mess?

‘Nope. You lost those after the end of the previous world. It’s not like you used them at all so I don’t know what you’re talking about. Besides, there’s magic for that for a reason. God is merciful after all.’

Oh, and aren’t I supposed to lose contact with you since I lost my time control ability?

‘Since you’re going to be my partner from this moment on, we’re stuck together like this until the final end, so I hope you’re ready for me to comment and joke about everything you do.’

I wouldn’t have it any other way-ow!

‘I wouldn’t have it any other way either, hahaha!’

“Benedetto! What’s the matter? You’ve been staring off in the distance,” Donna says.

“It’s nothing. I’m just thinking about the future. Where do you think we should live?”

“It doesn’t matter to me as long as you’re with me and the kids. Speaking about them…”

“How many is enough for you?”

“Until I feel like it.”

“I could swear that you’re hornier than you are a mother who wants more children.”

I hear a couple people including Lilia and Bonito laughing.

Donna gives them a death stare then says, “Tch. How dare you laugh at the wife of one of the greatest heroes of all time!”

She then chases after them because they know she’ll beat them. I guess I’ll have to get this in order first before I start my new life in this brand new world, but I don’t mind it. This is a day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.

The End