Ze doesn't answer. He shrugs my hand off as he stalks toward the red fox, his steps heavy and measured. By now, the man must have realized that Ze is not someone to mess with because he tries to run away. But Ze will not allow him that mercy. He vanishes from his current spot, reappearing in front of the fox. With unnatural speed, he withdraws his sword, decapitating the red fox with one smooth slide of his blade.

The head falls to the ground, rolling on the grass until it's only a few steps away from me. I stare in shock at the blood gushing from the neck, the sight of the severed spine and tendons an anatomy lesson I did not particularly need.

But Ze doesn't stop there.

It's almost as if he's no longer in control of himself as he flashes out of sight once more, appearing between Cer and his opponent. Cer's eyes widen, but he doesn't seem overly surprised, taking a step back to give Ze more room. I detect a small bow of reverence coupled with a sharp gaze as he surveys the situation in case his superior might need help. Despite their apparent friendship or friendly countenance, there's no denying that Cer is always behaving in a subtle deferential manner toward Ze—one that isn't necessarily borne out of their positions, but because he truly respects the man. That tells me everything I need to know about Ze and what type of person he is. He might be rude and arrogant and sometimes downright tyrannical. But he's someone who inspires trust and loyalty—both traits I happen to admire.

Ze doesn't hesitate. He strikes again with his sword, the head of the man flying a few meters away, rolling on the grass. I barely blink before he disappears again, only to show up in front of the girl—the last one.

He has a chilling expression on his face. Splatters of blood are on his cheeks and forehead, some droplets dripping from his chin. He looks utterly terrifying, yet it's his eyes that trigger a deep fear within me.

They're empty. Soulless.

They're a pool of nothingness as he stares at his last victim, his sword raised high.

"Ze!" I call out. He doesn't hear me.

One second the female fox is watching him with trepidation, the next she's split in half by his sword, her lifeless body parts falling to the ground, her organs spilling onto the grass and staining it with blood and various other liquids. The urge to gag is overpowering, as is the shock that claims my body and renders it immobile.

All around us, there's only destruction and bloodshed. The lush garden in which I'd hugged my husband for the first time in weeks has turned into a hellish scenery. The grass is a muddy brown. The flowers have been stained by death.