Eternal Undying Chronicles

After talking a bit more, Alicarde tried to lift the mood with a few more jokes… he didn't want to see her wearing such a sad expression.

It wasn't long before Malefica fell asleep, leaning on him. He wrapped his arm around her to keep her warm, pulling her a bit closer as he felt the soft rise and fall of her breath against him.

Quietly, he moved a few more pieces of wood into the fire with his gravity control ability, [Flux Field], lamenting how much easier things would be if they could use magic freely.

While Malefica slept, Alicarde remained alert… he knew he couldn't relax here.

Even though they'd escaped into the cover of the snowstorm, he couldn't be certain the witches wouldn't find them, they were deep in enemy territory, after all.

He wanted to end this as quickly as possible and return to Evergreen. Killing Zagarath was important, but protecting his friends were his highest priority. His revenge could wait.

His gaze drifted back to Malefica, sleeping soundly against him. He owed her so much—she had been his rock, his therapist, guiding him through his darkest moments. With her help, he'd managed to overcome some of his traumas, even if he knew he could never fully heal. But that was okay.

With a quiet sigh, he focused his thoughts on the coming battle, mentally reviewing his abilities. First, his techniques: mostly swordplay from Carrisa and movement-focused combat skills from Argint. He hadn't yet mastered their advanced techniques, like Argint's shockwave-creating [Grim Growl], but Carrisa and Argint insisted on nailing down the basics first.

Then there were his abilities—his superhuman strength and his Esper powers. Gravity control came naturally to him, but his secondary ability was still a mystery, seeming only to strengthen his mental defenses.

Finally, his magic. Body enhancement magic was an old favorite, though he hadn't used it much recently.

'Guess I just haven't met anyone strong enough to need it,' he mused.

He smiled at the thought of his more aggressive spells, like [Inferno], a fiery spell that suited his preference for destruction. He'd also learned a few light-based spells, including [Searing Lance], from Malefica. And there was his familiar, Wrath—a beast whose savagery made him a deadly ally in battle.

'Wrath will probably need to hold back… given the situation,' he thought, considering their strategy to avoid needless bloodshed.

Malefica had laid out the plan: he would distract the coven while she retrieved the pentacle. Their objective was to rescue Marian; Cassandra was sure to perform her ritual at the full moon, which was tomorrow night.

He tightened his embrace around Malefica, resting his chin gently atop her head. There were no ulterior thoughts, just the quiet comfort of sharing warmth as the storm howled outside. The hours passed, and by the first light of dawn, the storm finally eased, leaving only the soft crunch of fresh snow outside.

Malefica stirred in his arms, slowly opening her eyes.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"Did you stay up all night?"

He shook his head, smiling.

"I slept… a little."

Her raised eyebrow suggested she wasn't buying it.
Experience tales at empire

"Are you lying?"

"Yes."

She sighed.

"Someone had to make sure we stayed warm, so I volunteered. Besides, you needed rest after the spell from last night," he explained, glancing at the dark symbol on her forehead.

"Are you going to be okay with that thing on you?"

She scoffed, brushing it off.

"What kind of witch succumbs to her own spell? I'm fine now. I still have the boon from my truename… plus, I just need some herbs. Prep work done, who needs spells?"

Alicarde chuckled.

"This coming from someone who can only cast three spells a day… I hope your herbs aren't just snake oil."

Malefica's lips curled into a smile.

"I'll just have to show you, won't I?"

"Sure, you will."

He stood up, moving to put out the fire as Malefica stretched, taking note of the still-glowing embers.

"I didn't know you could start a fire," she remarked, brushing off her clothes.

"I didn't think people even bothered to learn that anymore."

"Amena insisted I learn," he replied.

"I also picked up a few things from Argint and Elly… though sometimes I wonder if they just teach me random stuff."

Malefica raised an eyebrow.

"Must be interesting, living with such capable people. A vampire and a werewolf getting along… I never thought I'd see the day."

Alicarde smirked.

"Getting along? I wouldn't go that far. But at least they're not trying to kill each other."

Malefica shrugged, pushing her hair back.

"Sounds like getting along to me."

Alicarde sighed. Malefica had a strange way of defining "getting along," though he had to admit it was better than the hostile way they treated each other when they first met.

Thinking back to that first month—where he'd had to put out a lot of figurative fires—he pulled up his hood, bracing himself for whatever came next.

As they stepped out of the cave, the world around them opened into a vast expanse of white, the snow having blanketed every surface in an endless, quiet stillness. The icy air was sharp, and the waterfall roaring into the chasm below added an extra bite, making the cold even more unbearable.

"Now what?" Alicarde muttered, exhaling clouds of vapor into the air.

Malefica's gaze sharpened as she surveyed the forest before them, eyes narrowing, as though sensing something out of place. She then turned to him, her expression unreadable.

"I need bear grease and a few herbs to prepare for tonight."

Alicarde gave a quick nod.

"Guess we're touring the forest, then…"

Malefica nodded slowly, but her gaze remained fixed on the trees, her suspicion evident.

"What is it?" Alicarde whispered, picking up on her unease.

Before she could respond, a sudden flash ignited the sky above them, casting everything in harsh, fiery light. In an instant, swords made of pure flame streaked toward them at blinding speed.

Malefica had already raised her hand, a shimmering barrier crackling to life just in time to shield them. The impact was fierce, each fiery sword hitting the barrier with a sound like thunder.

Sparks exploded in every direction as she maintained her stance, but the ground beneath them couldn't take the strain.

The earth groaned, splintering under the pressure, and began to slope toward the waterfall's edge, massive cracks racing outward.

Alicarde acted on instinct, grabbing Malefica and pulling her close as he launched them both into a controlled descent. They floated down into the chasm, snowflakes whirling past as another barrage of flaming swords streaked toward them—a relentless assault he recognized as the Blazing Edge spell.

"Not exactly what I had planned," he muttered, tightening his grip on her as he steered them toward safety.

'Ahh, I knew it. With my luck, we really did end up falling down the waterfall.'