The First Lich Lord

Chapter 57-Interlude

Ezekiel paused, noticing a tired look on Marissas face. Even though they were both Lichs, and mostly immune to exhaustion, they could still get mentally tired.

Id heard about Raven, Marissa said. Werecats are rare to see. Do they really hate werewolves so much?

They sure do, Ezekiel laughed. There are other places where werecats are more common, but those tend to be higher-level regions.

I had heard that. Marissa stood, stretching.

They had been sitting out in a courtyard with a burbling fountain in the middle. The liquid was inky black and seemed more fluid than it should be.

Where is Raven? she asked. Or for that matter, anyone else. This seems like an awfully big castle to sit empty.

Oh, I dont know, Ezekiel shrugged. Probably off getting into trouble somewhere. Despite her more human-like appearance, she still acts like a cat in the strangest of ways. This place is rather empty though Vitos around somewhere, and you already met Matthew. Im working on growing my staff, but its a slow process.

Ezekiel rose and they left the courtyard. They passed a strange plant with black vines that undulated slightly. On the vine were glowing purple flowers.

Marissa reached for them. These are beautiful. As she gently touched the petals, a powerful pulse of death magic emanated from the flower.

I call these lullabies, Ezekiel explained. They are one of the multiple predatory plants that grow in death biomes. The pulse of death magic is strong enough to kill most things that lack immunity to it.

Marissa continued to touch the soft, hand sized flower. Oh, well, I guess its a good thing Im a Lich. I have been meaning to ask about the odd plants.

Ezekiel placed a hand on her shoulder and broke her out of the plants hypnotic effect. I have become somewhat of an amateur botanist and zoologist, and have been exploring and cataloging all the strange plants and creatures that live in death biomes. Its quite fascinating. In fact, the other day I found an interesting symbiotic plant and flying creature

She doesnt want to hear about your strange hobby, Zeke, a cute female voice interrupted.

A seemingly young girl crossed the courtyard. Marissa recognized her immediately as Raven. Her multicolored gray and brown hair with the black stripe down the middle, and her cat ears with pointed tufts of hair sticking up, looked just like a lynx.

Raven, I would like you to meet Marissa. Shes a new Lich from Earth.

It is lovely to meet you, Raven said, reaching a hand out to Marissa. Raven had bright purple cat eyes that matched the vines flower. She wore something similar to a tuxedo, but was more utilitarian in look without losing the snazzy flair of a tuxedo.

Ezekiel gave Raven a surprised look, having not expected her to warm up so quickly to Marissa. Though Raven was now just as much human as cat, shed retained many of her feline mannerisms. One of which was a wariness to strangers.

Vito is looking for you, Raven said to Ezekiel, her tail pointing in the direction Vito was. I will take care of Marissa.

Umm. Ezekiel looked between Marissa and Raven. She is not a play thing, he told Raven, and then stage whispered to Marissa, Careful with her. It took me some time to convince her she didnt need to knock everything over, or for that matter, to get her to stop hissing at her own reflection.

Ezekiel ran out of the room chuckling as bolts of dark magic flew at him from Ravens hands.

That bastard, she grumbled. Turning to Marissa, she smiled, her sharp canines visible. Matthew prepared a room for you. I know you dont sleep yet, but Ezekiel said meditation helped him a bunch when he needed to clear his mind.

That would be wonderful, Marissa said. I dont suppose you have more of that potion that allows me to taste, do you? I would love to enjoy a cup of tea again.

Actually, I do! We have a small supply for people like you, Raven gestured for her to follow. If you dont mind me asking, how is your mindscape fairing? I was surprised to see that it was already unlocked. The crossing has been made a little easier on the mind, but damage is inevitable.

Ive mostly restored it already, Marissa said. That was the first thing I did once I realized what happened. Though I doubt I had nearly as much damage as it sounds like Ezekiel did. Do you know if it changed him?

Oh, Im sure it did in some ways, but I dont think the core of who he is changed. Though it did take him a while to find himself again.

Raven led Marissa into a room in a tower with simple furniture and a thick, dark blue rug with swirls of black traveling across it. This will be your room for the duration of your stay, and if you choose to remain after you have your answers, it will remain yours. Feel free to make yourself comfortable. Ill fetch the potion and tea for you.

While Marissa waited, she sat on the bed and crossed her legs, thinking over everything Ezekiel had told her so far, searching for the kernel of knowledge she needed. The path of redemption seemed hard, but the longer she thought on it, she came to realize something.

Marissa wasnt sure if Ezekiel even fully recognized it. He spent a long time trying to do what he felt was needed to redeem himself for past sins. On Earth, he might have been right. But what was good and evil was actually more blurred. The fact the Order of Equinox existed spoke volumes about that.

Opening her eyes, Marissa saw a cup of hot tea on the desk, a potion, and Raven standing quietly before her. Marissa jumped; she hadnt heard the werecat enter. Picking up the potion, she eyed Raven warily as she drank it. The werecats eyes were piercing, and Marissa wondered how long shed been standing there.

Trust me, he knows, Raven said as she turned and headed out. He just wanted you to figure it out on your own. Think on it over the night. Its important.

How Raven could have known what she wanted to ask unnerved Marissa. She guessed for now ignorance was best.

While the path might be hard, the cost wasnt. But being a Lich was hard nonetheless. Redemptions cost was simply accepting who and what they were, and not letting it change them into a monster. A harder concept than one might think, given the monsters theyd become.