– I killed him!
Evo spoke without hesitation, his eyes locked onto Freya's.
He stopped hesitating the moment his mind reminded him that all of this was nothing but a farce.
A farce that, even knowing it was fake, he was still forced to live as if it were real.
He could very well let everyone die without caring. In the end, they were only imitations created by the mysterious aggressor.
But he simply couldn't — not even if they were fakes — bear the thought of watching those people, who had become his refuge, die in such a miserable way.
He couldn't be at peace with it.
Yet deep inside, he knew something that contradicted his current thoughts.
Something he knew was close. And so, with a certain heaviness, he accepted the inevitable.
In their minds, Freya and Ravina were worried about Evo.
The two had no issue eliminating an enemy. But they didn't know how his conscience was holding up.
They also understood why Evo had hesitated to answer.
He feared being judged by them, feared that they would distance themselves from him.
And while they felt a knot of fear and worry about him being hurt, they also felt cherished that he didn't want them to pull away from him.
It was a gesture that warmed their hearts.
Both of them were terribly lonely. Of course, if they wanted someone in their lives, they could easily find it.
But the relationships they'd get would be toxic, disgusting—filled with ulterior motives, lust for their divine beauty, and selfish desires for their power and status.
Not only romantic relationships: everything in their lives, even friendships.
The only true friends they had were Evo and Luneth, whom they had met a century ago.
But Luneth couldn't always be by their side. Evo, who was part of their everyday lives, became an important source of happiness for them.
For that reason, neither ever cared to seek out a partner. Especially because they would live forever and watch the ones they loved die, leaving them behind.
Witches, as it is said, are eternal—unless something kills them, they will live forever.
Watching generations upon generations pass.
It is both a blessing and a cruel curse.
That is why every bit of affection and every genuine gesture of care Evo showed them was something they treasured deeply. His appearance in their lives felt like a gift.
Freya, at first, only wanted to kill her boredom and have a bit of fun with him.
But all the charm and charisma Evo naturally displayed touched her deeply.
Among the three, what connected them the most was the mutual respect.
Evo had always been chivalrous and warm toward them. Everything he did was intentional, yet natural.
It showed how pure and genuine their relationship truly was.
Of course, Evo, as a man, stole glances at their bodies countless times. He couldn't help it—and they always noticed, but didn't mind.
His gaze wasn't filled with vile lust or repulsive desire; rather, it was a welcomed, pleasant kind of admiration.
It was as if he appreciated their beauty and respected their bodies in a way that never objectified them.
Freya often teased him just to make him look even more.
She laughed every time he was caught and tried to play it off.
...................
Returning to the scene, Freya voiced her concern.
– Ev, are you alright?
Evo raised a brow.
– Why wouldn't I be?
Of course he knew why she was asking. And he was grateful she didn't look at him strangely.
– Well… you know, you didn't need to dirty your hands with those pigs.
– You could've left them to us.
Evo gave a small smile and gently pinched her cheek.
– Don't talk nonsense. It was my role to end those who betrayed me.
– Talier was my subordinate! A leader must take responsibility for the foolishness of his own men.
Evo's maturity and sense of responsibility were strong. His drive to do what was right, even if cruelly, was admirable, and only made others respect him more.
And one of those people was Ravina, who shared the same moral sense as him. She smiled warmly, grateful for such a good companion.
It was fortunate Evo wasn't looking at her now; otherwise, he might have attacked her cheeks, finding her expression cute.
– If you're okay, then that's good!
– If you need anything, don—
...................
The sentence never ended. A sickening silence swallowed the scene whole.
Freya, Ravina, and Luneth were frozen.
Motionless. Not moving. Not breathing. Not even their hair—which moments earlier danced in the night breeze—shifted.
In fact… what breeze?
The refreshing wind was gone.
It felt like the world itself had frozen.
Moths that once fluttered around the flickering streetlight, dancing in chaotic patterns, hung motionless in the air.
– Freya?
Evo called out to the woman before him. She stared directly at him, yet she was like a statue.
Evo looked around, noticing the other two were the same.
He didn't know what to do. He simply stood there, switching his gaze from one to another.
With everything frozen, grotesque sounds began to echo.
Wet, sickening sounds of flesh being sliced and blood dripping.
All three of them bled from their eyes, noses, and ears.
Blood rolled down their faces, where new cuts appeared constantly, as if carved by an invisible blade.
Fingers and arms fell to the ground with soft, wet thuds, splashing into the growing pools of blood at Evo's feet.
The three were now mutilated in every imaginable way.
Their once frozen expressions twisted into pure horror, revealing a despair that…
...................
…did nothing to Evo.
He didn't scream, didn't cry, didn't break down.
His heart, even shattered and torn, still stood firm.
He knew something like this would happen. He had remembered it moments ago.
The one who brought him here had a clear intention: to hurt him—not physically, but emotionally.
He knew the aggressor would use his beloved witches to torture him. It wasn't a surprise.
But even knowing it, the pain wasn't useless. Deep in his chest, that sting of anguish still remained.
Evo raised his arm and gently caressed the ruined face of Freya. Her blood soaked his hand, dripping cold between his fingers.
– Forgive me, Freya.
His voice came out cold and apathetic.
He wasn't furious.
He wasn't drowning in unbearable pain. No.
This time, though it hurt a little, he remained steady.
He would never give the satisfaction the author of this idiotic, grotesque, malicious play wanted.
He would defeat his enemy by frustrating his attempts to break him.
Letting go of Freya's face, he walked to Ravina.
He stroked the face that once radiated sweetness, now unrecognizable.
– I'm sorry, Ravina.
Then he went to Luneth and did the same.
And then he said:
– I'm sorry that I can't do anything for you right now.
– As you can see, I'm weak and useless compared to you.
– I have no ability to help you. It's frustrating to be this powerless.
– Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer your lives.
– But as payment for failing you, I'll endure this and keep my head high.
Evo sighed, running a hand through his hair, where his light brown strands mixed with their blood, tinting his fringe red.
– Maybe I'm only saying all of this because you're fake… frozen… unable to hear me.
– In the real world, maybe this courage of mine would disappear.
As a final act, Evo looked up at the moon—proud and magnificent in the sky.
Its glow reflected in his weary eyes. Those golden eyes shone like flawless jewels.
With a sharp look toward the moon, Evo exhaled, exasperated and hostile.
– So? What now?
– Had your fun already, bastard, or do you have more to show me?!
He shouted at the sky.
If anyone saw him, they'd think he was crazy. But Evo knew the culprit was watching him at that exact moment.
– I know you're watching. You set up this grand finale just to see me broken, just to turn me into an empty shell.
– But hear me now: your plan won't work, whoever you are.
– What you tried to do… you already succeeded the first time, in this idiotic little play of yours.
– But answer me now… I don't know your name, so I'll call you Imbecile, alright?
– Well, even if you don't like it, that's what you are now.
– So, Imbecile… what are you going to do? I'm tired of your childish games.
– But I have no problem playing with you, if that's what it takes.
...................
On the other side of the veil, the one watching was anything but pleased.
– How dare this human?! How does he have the courage to speak to a God like that?!
He roared with fury, rising from his throne, staring down with clenched teeth as the air trembled violently.
After his outburst, malicious laughter echoed.
– Hahahahahah! Very well, insolent human!
– I shall grant your wish!
– I'll torment you even further, until there's nothing left of you!
The Divinity spat out his words dripping with disdain, losing his sanity in his wrath toward Evo.