Chapter 141 - Replacement

Sophia got out of the carriage with Damian's help.

"Honey, what's wrong?" seeing her stand in the rain, Jacob quickly came over with an umbrella.

"I have to go, Felix is crying, he needs his mother!" she said with wet eyes while struggling to walk. She had been cooped up in the carriage for days so now even walking was a chore.

"Felix?" Jacob frowned. He looked around but didn't see any sign of Felix. He checked his spirit ring and there was no response from him. The last time Felix was online was more than a 3 weeks ago.

He sighed and held Sophia in his arms, "Honey, did you have a bad dream?" he whispered lovingly.

Sophia clutched his shirt as tears started falling down her face, "My baby, he is in so much pain. I can feel it. He needs me, please take me to him," she said through all the sobbing.

"My love, Felix isn't here. We don't know where he is right now. Just wait, he will contact us soon. That Red Legion captain will take care of things in the city and then we can enter. I'll go check the military academy and bring that good-for-nothing son of ours over, so you can scold him yourself," he brushed her hair and tried to calm her down.

Sophia shook her head, "No, I can feel it. He is not okay, I need to see my baby, please, please take me to him," she looked up at him with wet eyes and reminded him of their initial meeting all those years ago. Since the very first time he laid eyes upon her, he knew she was 'the one'. He knew for her, he would do anything, and he did.

Jacob himself was the son of a nobleman of Galena. His status was quite high in the city and not many people could talk down to him. He had all the money in the world but left it for her, when his father didn't approve.

"For you, I would tear down the suns and the moons, how can I say no to something like this?" he smiled and kissed her forehead.

"You boys come with, Miles you're in charge. Stay behind us and keep them safe," he said to his other three sons and started walking towards the city gate while holding onto Sophia.

Bai who was laying down beside the rock opened his eyes and looked at the departing family. He lowered his head and picked up the container in his mouth before silently following after them.

"S-Stop, Captain Deimos said no one can enter!" a guard stopped the couple at the gate, or where it supposed to be.

"We need to see our son. He hasn't contacted us in weeks and my wife is really worried, I hope you understand," he looked at the guard and said calmly, which made him hesitate.

"Still, you can't ent-" the guard spoke up again but stopped mid-sentence when he saw Bai staring down at him with bloodthirsty eyes from behind them.

"I-I'm sorry, please go ahead," he bowed respectfully and stepped aside instantly. He had seen Hao Xuan arrive on Bai so since it was following behind the couple, there was absolutely no reason for a mere mortal guard like him to talk here.

Jacob was taken aback and slowly turned his head and saw Bai. He smiled knowingly and continued walking, entering the city.

The Miller family went to the military academy Felix studied at but it was empty like all the other places they had passed by. They went to every single place Felix frequented, but the result was the same.

Even Jacob himself was starting to worry now. But he had to stay strong for his family, such is a father's duty.

Sophia's feet were starting to blister but she didn't stop for even a second and kept running from one place to another. Looking at her like that hurt Jacob more than any physical wound ever could.

*BOOOM*

About an hour or so passed and there was a small earthquake followed by an explosion from the center of the city.

Sophia looked towards the commotion and her heart shook, "He is there!" she pointed at the castle with a shaky hand.

Jacob wanted to say something but didn't have the heart to. He wished it wasn't true, for his sake, and for hers.

"Mhm, let's go," he held her hand and led her towards the castle. As they got closer, the sounds got louder as well. One after another, castle towers fell and walls broke, sending debris flying everywhere.

They stood on the periphery of all the chaos and watched. High up in the sky there was another battle going on and every now and then there would be explosions or clanking noises.

*Wooosh*

*CRASH*

A figure came shooting out of the castle and crashed into a building near them.

*Cough*Cough*

"God damn it, I knew it was going to be tough but come on," the figure spoke and slowly walked out of the rubble. It was the Red Legion captain they had seen before, only now he wasn't that awe-inspiring and had blood coming out from the corner of his mouth while his clothes were in tatters.

He suddenly froze and turned around to look at the family with a deep frown, "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay out? It isn't safe here, leave, quickly!" he shouted at them.

*BAAM*

While he was looking at them, a black energy slash came out of nowhere and hit him square in the chest, sending him flying back into another building.

*Clank*Clank*Clank*Clank*

The sound of steel armor came from the front and out walked another figure. This one covered from head-to-toe in black metallic armor and holding a longsword. It was about 6 feet tall, much smaller than captain Deimos but somehow felt far more threatening.

The armor on its left hand was smashed in and blood could be seen dripping out.

Jacob's pupils suddenly constricted as he stood in front of Sophia protectively. The figure slowly turned its head and looked at the couple.

"RUN!" shouted Hao Xuan as he hurriedly ran back and clashed against the figure once again, grabbing his attention.

"Let's move back a bit," Jacob whispered and tried to pull Sophia back, but she freed herself from his grasp and ran towards Hao Xuan and the figure.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Hao Xuan shouted when he saw her coming towards them.

"My Felix, my little baby, I'm sorry mommy wasn't there when you needed her," she cried while running with everything she had. Jacob wanted to stop her but froze upon hearing her words. He looked back at the armored figure and couldn't believe his eyes.

That was his son?!

Hao Xuan was also surprised, to say the least. He looked at her and then at the figure.

"Oi, I thought you said this was a clone!" he shouted inwardly.

"It is. That thing is no longer human. The body once was, but the soul has already been corrupted beyond repair. There is a Fiendish God's blood running through its veins. That sorcerer must have paid a huge price to make this human body able to withstand the absolute power of a True God. Stop that foolish woman before she gets herself killed!" Hyde's voice rang in Hao Xuan's ears, making his countenance take a turn for the worst.

The armored figure turned around to look at Sophia and a strange light appeared in its eyes.

"Huh? Does it still remember? Maybe there is enough humanity left for it come back," Hao Xuan thought inwardly and backed off.

"Wait, how does she know it's her son?" he frowned and looked at Sophia.

She stopped a few meters away from the armored figure with open arms, "Come to mommy," she smiled but her eyes seemed to be filled to the brim with sadness.

"Something's not right...." Hao Xuan mumbled. He looked at the figure and there were visible changes in its demeanor. It stood there looking at Sophia, trying to remember. But soon a smile crept upon its face, which although was covered by armor, anyone looking could still tell it was smiling.

"Come here," Sophia said as tears rolled down her face.

The figure tightened its grip around the sword and leaped forward with the sword extended, aiming at her heart.

Hao Xuan's heart skipped a beat as he circulated every single power available to him and activated Demonic Steps, yet it was too late, just a hairbreadth too late.

The sword pierced a chest and came out the other side.