Eternal Undying Chronicles

Malefica wordlessly reached into the side of her dress and pulled out her phone, glancing at Alicarde, who watched in quiet anticipation.

"Tsk," he clicked his tongue.

She shot him a cold look.

"What is it now?"

Alicarde dismissed the metal panels of his vestments and removed his hood, letting her feel more of his body's warmth, though he might now be more exposed to the biting elements. Taking the phone, he examined it with an odd mix of disappointment and amusement.

"Nah, it's nothing… I just…"

He paused, biting his lip and looking away with a wistful expression.

"I just thought you'd pull your phone out of your cleavage, that's all. Kind of disappointed…"

Malefica's eyes twitched. She fought the urge to burn him to a crisp, glaring at him coldly. She wasn't actually angry — honestly, his stupidly perverted side was almost amusing, even if it got on her nerves.

"No one would blame me for slapping you right now…"

"Yeah, I know, but…"

He broke into a mischievous grin.

"I'd appreciate it if you did… I love me a good sadist."

Her eyes glinted dangerously.

"Make the call already."

"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya,"

he muttered, tapping her screen. His expression soured as he noticed the network bars dwindling.

"This coming snowstorm is gonna make it hard to do anything."

Malefica moved her hands closer to the fire.

"That's fine. It means the coven won't be able to make a full mobilization. Especially after I weakened them. It also gives me some time to recover."

Alicarde gave her a deadpan look.

"That's great and all, but it also means we're stuck here with no connectivity… plus, we're out in a cave, in the middle of a goddamn blizzard."

She rolled her eyes.

"Don't be such a sourpuss."

"Says the witch with the ice queen expression," he scoffed. "That's rich."

Tired of his nonsense, she gestured at the phone.

"Just make the call already."

"Aaah, fine,"

he groaned, opening her dialer. But then he hesitated.

Malefica narrowed her gaze.

"What is it now?"

"Heh, funny story," he chuckled awkwardly.

"I don't actually have any of their numbers memorized."

She felt the urge to facepalm, but instead, he snapped his fingers.

"Wait, I have an idea. All my contacts are saved in my email. If I log in quickly, maybe we can pull them up before the snowstorm kills what little internet is left."

"Then stop talking and get to it already," she said, exasperated.

He gave her a sidelong look.

"Geez, what's with you? I'm doing it already… someone's on her period."

Malefica leaned in close, her icy gaze piercing.

"Between the two of us, I have a feeling you might not make it out of this cave alive."

He gulped, chuckling nervously.

"I-I'm immortal… I've got nothing to worry about."

"Well, we'll see about that," she murmured, her gaze colder than the storm outside.

He suddenly remembered that she'd blasted him with an inferno spell before — perhaps it would be wise not to push her too far.

Finally, he managed to log in, syncing his contacts to her phone just as the last network bar vanished. Scrolling, he found Amena's number and dialed, but the call dropped before it could connect. The storm had moved in faster than expected, and with it, any remaining signal was gone.
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"Just my luck…" he muttered, irritated.

Then he remembered something, his HUD system. It had a special encrypted network connection — maybe he could set Malefica's phone up on the same network. Summoning his right-hand gauntlet, he tapped the wrist section, bringing up a holographic menu. With a few adjustments, he connected her phone to his private network.

"Let's hope this works," he muttered, initiating the call.

The phone rang a few times before a familiar voice answered,

"Hello… Master… I mean, hello, Ali."

Alicarde couldn't tell if she was angry or not. He'd noticed Amena only called him "Master" on two occasions: either when she was furious with him, or in a formal setting. And they certainly weren't in a formal setting.

"Hey… you mad? Sorry I didn't call; my phone blew up."

"I am not," came her curt response.

"Good. Don't have much time, so I'll make this quick. I need you to check the underground section of the university library…"

He filled her in on the situation, relaying some additional details Malefica provided. Through the phone, he heard the sound of strong winds, followed by a sudden, loud crash and several rumbling noises.

"Errr… Amena, what was that loud crash? And I can still hear some rumbles. What's going on?"

Amena paused.

"It's nothing. We were… trying to catch a rat."

Alicarde gave the phone a deadpan look.

"Must be some rat…"

"Yes, quite an ugly rat who thinks he's sophisticated," she replied, her voice calm.

"Don't worry; we'll catch him soon enough. He can only run so far."

"Uh-huh. Well, you girls be safe, alright?"

"Understood."

Alicarde sighed; it seemed he wasn't the only one on an adventure. The girls must have finally made their move.

Which meant he had to settle things with the coven quickly.

"The final showdown is imminent. I can feel it in my bones."

Ever since he'd received his true name, his instincts felt sharper. This wasn't just a hunch—this clarity was something that came with being acknowledged by the world. But he couldn't tell if this would be the final showdown or the start of an even greater battle.

Whatever it was, he had to be ready.

"We've wasted enough time. Malefica, what's your plan for dealing with your coven?"

He looked at her, all traces of his usual playfulness gone.

"I assume you have a plan since you told me not to kill them."

Malefica closed her eyes and took a deep breath, an almost anguished expression on her face.

"Yes... I do. I will follow the predestined rails set for me… that is the only way to stop this without any deaths… I have a favor to ask you… if you do this for me… I will do anything you ask of me… no matter what."