"Really?" He raises a brow. "What about Helen? Her duty to Elias was far more important than her duty to the temple."

"She is an anomaly. Priestesses have a duty..."

"Spare me the rehearsed speech. I am here because I have a duty as well, the only difference being that mine extends to the entire universe. Shall I remind you what will happen if the demons get their hands on the vial? We are already at a crossroad. If I could so easily break into your sanctified temple, it is only a matter of time before the demons will as well."

She shakes her head, her breath harsh and punctured. Her blood courses freely and her features become paler by the second.

"I will ask this just one time before I will be forced to get the answers myself. You either tell me of your own accord and embrace your death or you will die a slow and painful death as I examine every thought you have ever had."

Her lips flatten in determination, and with a loud battle cry, she hurls herself against him, using her other hand to conjure her blasts.

Ze releases a heavy sigh as he opens his palm and absorbs her energy.

The veins on her forehead are about to burst as she strains herself to send blast after blast. Ze indulges her, looking bored all the while. When he finally has let her play enough, he lifts her in the air with the snap of a finger, his eyes narrowed as he takes in her struggling features.

"You have chosen the hard way. So be it," he declares before his eyes flash a deep purple, his irises swirling with specks of silver.

A sharp, horrifying cry escapes her, her features contorting in pain as Ze tries to assault her mind to get the information out of her. Despite the fact that she wasn't the nicest to me, I cannot bear to watch her in such agonizing pain that mounts by the second.

Ze does not mind it, the corners of his mouth curling up in a twisted smile. He enjoys this. I've known for a while how bloodthirsty he is, but I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing him derive such pleasure from harming others. Especially since it's so at odds with the Ze I know.

How can two diametrically opposed people reside in the same body? Azerius, the God Killer and Ze, the thoughtful friend.

"Agh," the priestess cries out, and rivulets of blood flow out of her eyes, dripping down her cheeks as blood vessels burst from the effort it takes to block Ze's attacks.

The entire scene is horrifying and far too violent for my feeble human sensibilities.

"Wait," I call out, unable to watch this any longer.

Ze reacts to my voice, half turning to regard me from the corner of his eye.