The idea that Osiria was pregnant was something that Rhenakos hadn’t realized was a fear. It didn’t seem to make much sense at first, but in the end, it was what sent him into a form of panic. What had started out as trying to help with the moon problem had ended with Rhenakos being afflicted with whatever was happening. However, this madness was not much different from the malady he had been recently afflicted with; his own insanity. Dealing with it, at least in the short term, was manageable.

“You’ll be a terrible father,” she said, staring almost lovingly at her swollen belly. “You’re a terrible person. I don’t know why I bothered. But it’s fine. I can take care of them by myself…”

The fake Osiria was always in the corner of his vision, always taunting him. It had only just started, but already he was feeling the pressure. His left eye, the demonic eye that he had somehow bonded with, was burning again.

“Shut up,” he said. “You’re not even real.” The demon hunter rubbed his temple above his left eye. The pain was spreading, and slowly becoming a cluster of headaches. Why did I even come here. Most of the people who came to help were actually useful in research aspects. Rhenakos was far from a researcher, and more akin to a brute brawler. Coming here might have been a mistake.

“A mistake,” she said, a whisper in his ear. Rhenakos jumped, surprised by the sudden voice. He had almost swung with his fist, but he didn’t. Even if it was a fake Osiria, it was still her. He could never hurt her. It would destroy him.

“But Rhen,” the woman said, suddenly square in his vision. “You already hurt me. You killed me, remember?” She was still pregnant, but now her visage was that of the one he saw when he impaled her with Inima. “And you’ll do it again. I’m waiting for it. Why don’t you just come and kill me….”

Rhenakos clenched his fist. The pressure in his head was building to a peak. Calm. He took a steadying breath. “You aren’t real…”

“Poor Izori…poor Noel.” The illusion of Osiria rubbed her belly once again. “A father who would kill his wife and children at a moment’s notice, all for a demon.”

“Shut up, shut up shut up!” Rhenakos started to yell. “You’re not real….you can’t be real. None of this is real!”

“Well, well,” Aeolus said as he drifted down from the skies above. He had landed the Silver Rose a distance off, as not to bring Rosemary into danger. Not that the woman would listen to him if she truly intended to follow, but at least for the moment she had agreed to stay out of the valley. It was, however, a strange twist of fate that the angelic swordsman would come across Rhenakos. There first encounter had been something of a unique experience.

“When we first met, you were half dead. And here we are now, where you’re delusional,” he said as he landed, drawing his blade. “How long have you been afflicted? Do you even recognize me?” Aeolus had to be prepared for anything. Rhenakos was not well known for his ability to be reasoned with. If anything, he was a danger to everyone and himself. If it were up to the celestial draconian, he would have struck him down a long time ago.

However, there were those who felt attached to the demon hunter, and as such, Aeolus abstained from killing him. That did not mean, however, that he would back down should Rhenakos loose his mind.

“Speak clearly, and quickly, or I will kill you where you stand,” he said, lowering his stance. A single, quick slice. Off with his head….