Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

[Alex's POV:]

I….was able to control myself and didn't lose consciousness when the Curse came into effect.

How and why, I didn't know. When I concentrated my Soul Energy into the curse seal, knowing full well what consequences I would be facing, I continued to mutter a single thing under my breath,

'If I lose control, Cela dies.'

Amanda's fear allowed me to realize the horror I could create by my untamed self. I could lunge at anyone that possessed a grimoire, with the intention of devouring their life support.

As such, my mind continued to repeat a single thing that might have worked against the overwhelming greed of the Curse.

However, I knew it wouldn't last long, and that's why I went for the kill right away, rather than letting the beast half dead for further interrogation.

"Hmm~hmm~hmmm…"

And…there was that. The strange humming sound of a woman whispering close to my ear, like a melodious rhythm, trying to calm me down.

It was one of the two reasons why I didn't give in to the desire of the Curse.

The strange humming that filled my heart with warmth and calm. I couldn't fathom whose voice it was, however, I felt that I would never get tired of hearing it.

It was soothing…brought my chaotic mind to rest.

That had me thinking about whether those hums arrived from deep-seated memories of the previous owner of the body.

Might be possible.

And to discern the truth behind these whispers, I had to do one thing.

Liberate my mother.

….

[Third Person POV:]

After defeating the being, who was burned into cinders, Alex was met by Rebecca.

"Can you carry Amanda and Valerie? Please?" Looking at their current condition, made him nervous. Edric seemed to be in dire need of medical attention.

Rebecca instantly nodded as she first took out healing potions and fed them to the four of them, "Where are we headed to?"

Alex picked Edric on his back and wrapped him with rope. He carried Celestria in his arms, and said, "We cannot stay here since Eryndor might have been informed by now. Let's go to Count Lockwood's territory. It's the nearest from here."

Rebecca nodded as she also tied Valerie to her back and carried Amanda in her arms.

Without another word, they both dashed away from Swortine, heading toward a safe place.
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Sarah was surrounded by her family members. Her little sister was occupying her lap and she continued to gaze at her big sister.

Her mother was on the left, asking about her health and how she managed in the Church as the Priestess Supreme.

Her father was sitting there, listening to their conversation.

"It's painful sometimes…being looked at by so many hopeful gazes yet not being able to save all of them." Sarah often goes around places, to survey the situation of common people.

People begged her to bless them…to cure them; however, many times, she could not save them all. Naturally, she has received several curses and abuse because of her limitations as well.

"We cannot save everyone, Sarah. That's why don't let your guilt take over your mind, okay?" Her mother soothingly whispered as she brought the spoonful of rice near her lips.

Sarah was already tired of saying, 'I can eat myself,' so she just gave in and let her feed her.

"Big Sister…did you bring something for me?" The little one suddenly asked, her finger pressed against her chin.

Sarah apologetically looked, "Sorry baby…I completely forgot…"

Seeing the saddened look of Lily, Sarah grinned, "Kidding~here, I brought this for you." It was a hairpin with a blue crystal flower petal attached to it.

Lily's eyes sparkled as she watched the pretty hairpin.

Sarah carefully clipped it to the little one's hair and said, "There…Lily looks even more pretty now."

"Really, mama?" The little one turned to ask her mother.

Kaira smiled warmly, "Yes, dear. Now go and prepare for your classes."

Lily smilingly hopped off Sarah's lap and trod towards her room.

Once she left, Sarah couldn't help but ask, "Is…David at home?" She hasn't seen him since she came here.

Hades sighed, "He is busy training. Should I call him?"

Sarah instantly shook her head, "I will go and meet him later. I hurt him the most that day…so I should take responsibility for it."

The Lockwood couple shared a glance, before Kaira assured, "He is hurt, but he is still your brother. Sooner or later, he will forgive you."

Sarah nodded, "I kno-" but then, she suddenly paused.

"Sarah?" Hades asked and was surprised to see his daughter suddenly getting up.

"Someone has intruded on the premises." She sensed someone breaching her barrier and advancing towards the mansion.

Hades was about to go out and see who it was, when suddenly, the doors of the mansion burst open, revealing several figures.

Sarah's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Alex?! What happened to you…and them?" She could see that Alex was injured, but more than him the other four seemed to be in dire need of her attention.

"Sarah, please heal them."

Alex slowly laid Celestria on the ground and slowly brought Edric down as well. Rebecca followed the suit and soon all the four patients were on the ground.

"I-I don't need it…just heal them…" Valerie, who had regained consciousness mid-way, groaned as she tried getting up.

"Don't move! Your head is bleeding." Alex warned her, with his eyes turning sharp.

Under his domineering presence, the redhead didn't utter a word and lay back down.

Sarah first went towards Edric, since his condition was the worst.

His limbs were broken, his breathing shallow, his face pale, and his back was unnaturally arched.

"Oh god…his Soul Energy has dropped beyond the Lower Limit," Sarah muttered as she assessed the guy.

Looking at her father, she said, "Call the healers from the nearby church. Please hurry up, Father."

Hades instantly nodded and hurried out of the house.

"Alex, I will chant a Healing Spell on the other three but that would stabilize their condition. I will focus on Edric since his soul is on the verge of fading away. So bring some bandages and stop their bleeding."

"Yes, on it."

Just as he got up, the lady of the house extended a big box, "Here, everything is in there."

Alex gave her a thankful nod before he approached Celestria.

Kaira called some maids, and with their help, the lady began patching up Amanda and Valerie.

Rebecca was standing on one side, unable to do anything since she wasn't very good with healing people.

'Who could have injured them to this extent…' The Vampire Princess frowned.

Soon the other healers arrived and were startled to find the divine essence arriving from the lady,

"Y-You…"

"Don't stand there and prepare for the Soul Infusion ritual!" Sarah exclaimed, urging the five church priests to stand in a pattern with Edric in the middle.

The air grew thick with divine energy as the priests' unified voices echoed through the hall. A faint golden glow spread beneath Edric, forming intricate lines that spiraled outward into a luminous spell circle. Symbols of faith and life shimmered within its design, radiating warmth.

Sarah had her hands clasped tightly in prayer, her expression resolute. As her voice rose above the others, a radiant, glowing mark in the shape of her deity's symbol appeared above her head, casting a holy light across the room.

The circle pulsed, its light intensifying as the chanting grew louder, the energy converging toward Edric's heart.

Alex held his breath, as he saw the divine essence being poured into Edric.

'He fought for others to the point of sacrificing himself...truly, a protagonist.' He soon finished wrapping the bandage around Celestria and picked her up.

Carrying her to the couch he noticed that the ritual came to a conclusion.

The spell circle slowly disappeared, the golden glow getting absorbed by Edric as suddenly, the raven-haired flinched.

His body shook, and after a moment pause,

"Akhh! *COUGH* *COUGH*" Coughing violently, the boy got up. His limbs and wounds were healed, as he somehow regained his composure and looked around.

"Wh-What...?" He asked, looking at the pretty face of the woman in front.

Sarah heaved a long sigh and got up, "Take him to the room; he needs a few days of rest."

A few butlers came and despite all the questions Edric had, they carried him to the room.

Sarah then glanced at her sister and found the girl in a severe case, but her situation was stable. Celestria was the same—pale and injured.

Turning her attention towards Alex, she asked, "What in the world attacked them?"

She was aware of her sister's and Eric's strength, as such, it was quite shocking to see them in such a deplorable state.

Alex heaved a sigh, as he said, "A wild kitty."

—----**------

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Alex is slowly gaining control over his Curse. We will soon get to know the actual story behind it. Drop a comment.