37 minutes left on our invisible clock, Li's karmic energy became stronger and stronger. Simirly, the aura coming from Maria's karmic energy was reaching a new height as well. It was pretty hard to believe yet they were both exuding as close an output of energy as this "Apophis" we had in front of us.

  How the hell does Li even have that much energy? It doesn't make sense. It was increasing each second that passed.

  Somehow, the light from all the fire Maria created cleared a good chunk of the darkness. Now that I think about it, didn't those gods mention something about that?

  "I see, so it does work. It makes sense; the antithesis to obscurity is light."

  Maria moved so fast it was a little bit hard to process what she did, having used her fire as a propeller to reach that thing.

  It dodged.

  I understand it now. That is what they meant: if you have to fight an idea, you have to make use of the very idea that contradicts it to have a chance. Since that thing represents chaos, disorder, despair, and darkness, it only makes sense that the very ideas of hope and the very concept of light itself are inherently a weakness to it.

  I'd even say they're probably deeply affected by the sun in their myth, it seems way too wary of Maria.

  Wait, wouldn't that mean the more we despair, the stronger that being gets?

  Maria created a miniature sun at the tip of her finger, pointing at the creature like she was firing a gun. Immediately throwing the tiny fireball straight at it.

  There's definitely no way it hadn't noticed her do that, we need to find a way to restrain it so that it won't be able to escape.

  "Aphrodite, are you listening?"

  I was met with silence. It seems like she doesn't want to get involved unless Jessica is in immediate danger. The only reason she helped us earlier is because this being had already done irreparable damage to Jessica.

  However, unless we find a way to get Jessica's abilities back online somehow, Maria's attack won't connect. She's the only one here who could realistically do that.

  ...

  Wait, I'm stupid. I can copy abilities, so far I have only used that ability two times, including that fire-fueled kick from earlier, so it doesn't really come to me naturally. The only time it did was when I lost my way and fought Li.

  I focused, remembering the advice Mom gave me, analyzing how Jessica's apostle ability worked. Just like with Li, I started to understand it little by little. Something does feel off, though. It kinds of feels like I'm not even supposed to be using this, even though I'm part angel. Is that what they feel like when using those powers? I can't get over the feeling of unease that came from copying Juanary's abilities.

  From what I could gather from my capacity, I shouldn't be able to make full changes to reality like she does, but I can partially change it right now.

  I changed the appearance of what looked like its stomach to be that of gold thread that restricted its movements. Maria's attack connected.

  In those 35 minutes we had left, we won.

  At least that was what I thought until it appeared behind Maria and pierced her chest with an invisible attack. Seeing where she got hit, it definitely had gotten her liver.

  How could we have forgotten that thing can teleport?!

  Maria fell on the ground.

  This was over, there wasn't anything else we could do...

  "Well, that's a surprise. I was wondering what the hell was going on here, and there you guys are, all down like flies. Well, for the most part."

  I recognized this voice.

  "I was going to enjoy Mom's special dish, but everything turned bck for an instance, that was rather weird. That's when we sensed an abnormal amount of karmic energy. Obviously, it surprised Mom, she thought she was the only one who manifested due to her circumstances."

  The gap we made in the darkness had actually mattered, that weird kid making its way to us. Although she probably has no interest in helping us.

  She hopped right into the hole we made through the darkness, having to see Maria's body lying on the floor in a pool of her own blood.

  "Greenie, who did that?"

  "That would be that thing over there."

  "I see..."

  She continued to look around, noticing Jessica, immediately taking notice of the fact she was standing with her eyes closed.

  "What are you doing?"

  "This voice, it's the creepy and annoying kid."

  "Speak for yourself. To me, you're the one that's annoying. What happened to your eyes anyway?"

  "I can't see anymore..."

  "Wow, that thing must be tough!"

  "What are you even doing here, Child?"

  She ignored Jessica, directing herself to me.

  "Behind us is the witch that priest is after, right?"

  "You really think I'd answer that honestly?"

  "Doesn't really matter to me, to be honest. I'm really pissed right now."

  The darkness that surrounded us now looked like the vacuum of space.

  "That thing signed its death wish the moment it hurt big sis Maria!"

  The darkness came to push back Sally's domain, leading to a csh.