Eternal Undying Chronicles

Alicarde narrowed his eyes. Malefica's tone wasn't her usual stern and imperious one; instead, it was somber, almost… vulnerable. She'd been showing more of that side of herself ever since their journey to the coven began. There was an edge of desperation to her voice that he hadn't heard before, but he understood why.

Protecting her was part of their pact, but not killing the witches wasn't. They weren't innocent civilians; they were powerful, dangerous women who had made their own choices, so taking them down wouldn't violate their agreement. On top of that, there was Malefica's plan, something she seemed reluctant to reveal, which could only mean it was something drastic.

'If it's something dumb, like sacrificing herself, then… I'm killing those witches, no matter what she says.'

Malefica quietly looked at him, her gaze steady, waiting for his response.

"I won't agree to anything unless you tell me what you actually plan to do."

Malefica lowered her head, her voice dropping almost to a whisper.

"Why?"

He frowned, taken aback.

"What do you mean, why? I can't let you do anything reckless."

She gazed into the flickering flame that kept them warm, her face shadowed and thoughtful. She repeated,

"Why?"

Alicarde's frown deepened, frustration edging into his tone. Experience more on empire

"Because I care! What other reason do I need? I don't want you to get hurt, that's all."

"Why?"

He bit his lip, letting out a groan.

"Ahhh, hell if I know… just because… and don't even think of replying with why."

Malefica nodded slowly, her eyes glistening with something she was clearly struggling to hold back. It was the faintest sheen of moisture in her gaze, barely visible in the firelight.

"I ran away…"

"What…?"

"I ran away from the coven… after defeating my grandmother. I should have taken the position of High Priestess, even if the rest of the coven didn't like me. They would have relented… but I left."

She hugged her knees, pulling them close.

"I didn't want anything to do with the coven. I just… felt trapped there, all my life. Like a bird in a cage. I wanted to be free. So I chose my freedom over my birthright, over my duty to the coven."

She stared deeper into the fire, her voice hollow.

"It didn't bring me happiness. Turns out, the grass on the other side wasn't greener… it was just a different type of prison, a new cage. Only this time, anyone who got close… died."

Her voice softened, and she looked at Alicarde with a sad smile.

"Except you… that night when you didn't come to my office, I was panicked. I was sure something had happened, and it was my fault… and it did. Anyone who stays with me will only suffer."

Alicarde sighed, shaking his head.

"Is that all? If it is, let me clarify something. My life is crap, with or without you. But if I had a choice, I'd say it's better with you. So don't… don't say stuff like that, especially wearing that expression."

Malefica nodded, her head lowering a bit.

"I've made a choice. It's the only way to get what I want… if you help me, I'll do anything yo—"

"I'll stop you there," Alicarde interrupted, clearly offended she'd think he'd want to make demands of her.

"I don't need anything. So, enough of that."

Malefica glanced at him before lowering her gaze.

"Hmm, okay… I'm sorry. What I want is… for you to help me save my coven. Help me end this without any deaths. Help me take my rightful place as the leader of the coven."

Alicarde's eyes widened. That was her plan: to take over the coven.

'Does she have a way to do that without killing them?'

Malefica looked at him as though reading his thoughts.

"I have a way."

He blinked, wondering if she could actually read his mind. Pushing aside the distracting thought, he asked,

"Okay, how do you intend to do that?"

He had a feeling Cassandra wasn't going to just let that happen. They were in for a long battle, one in which they were vastly outnumbered. Even if Malefica's spell weakened the witches, it was far from an easy fight. Alicarde wondered if he could even hold back enough to not kill a powerful opponent. He could manage against weaklings, but someone with real power would be a different story.

'Something tells me I'm in for some serious pain.'

He winced at the memory of Cassandra blasting him with a [Searing Lance] spell to the face.

'She did it without chanting, too.'

Malefica gave him space to think before she finally spoke.

"I have to enter the temple and take the pentacle kept inside. By wearing it, I'll become the leader of the coven."

Alicarde frowned, unfamiliar with the term.

"The pentacle?"

Malefica exhaled, a cold, foggy breath.

"It's a relic held by the leader of the coven. I took it from my grandmother… but I never wore it, leaving it to the coven. For the past thousand years, no one has used it, not even Cassandra. They're waiting, hoping she'll return."

Alicarde scratched his chin.

"Return? Isn't she dead?"

Malefica blinked, then her expression shifted as she realized his misunderstanding.

"I think there's been a mistake… my grandmother isn't dead."

"Huh… she's not?"

"No, she's not. I didn't kill her… what type of person kills their own family?"

Alicarde gave a nervous laugh.

"Heh… I actually thought you killed her. My bad… my bad."

Malefica glared.

"I didn't."

"Okay, okay… if she's not dead, where is she?"

Malefica bit her lip.

"She's in Evergreen City… I sealed her away, didn't kill her."

"Wait… say what?"

Malefica sighed, pulling her hair back.

"Have you ever noticed that old statue in the central district? The one that looks suspiciously like me?"

Alicarde remembered the statue; he had seen it before, not too far from the Bureau of Intelligence building.

That day, he had met Detective Jessica West there, and speaking of Jessica, he suddenly realized he was supposed to meet her yesterday.

'I just stood up a cop.'

He shook off the thought, focusing on every detail he could recall about the statue. Jessica had mentioned that the city tried to destroy it fifty years ago and failed.

'Wasn't that around the same time Malefica kicked out the coven for trying to push out the humans?'

The pieces were falling into place. The city must have tried to get rid of an old statue, sacred to some witches—witches who, coincidentally, were once under Cassandra's leadership as head of the coven.

They must have retaliated, prompting Malefica to intervene and drive them out. It was all coming together now. He recalled the striking difference between Malefica and the statue.

He glanced at her, feeling a smirk pull at his lips.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"I knew it… no way that could have been you."

Malefica raised an eyebrow, glancing back at him.

"Knew what? How did you know?"

Alicarde smiled smugly.

"It was obvious… really, there was never a doubt in my mind."

Malefica's gaze lingered on him, unimpressed.

"Is that so?"

"Of course! I mean, it was plain as day… we all know you would never smile so sweetly. I wasn't even fooled."

Malefica's expression turned to a deadpan stare.

Unfazed, he continued, grinning mischievously.

"I mean, your grandma looked like a baddie. Say, can I get her number?"

Malefica facepalmed, and Alicarde chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her reaction.