Loveless Incantation: Chapter 18
Imported from SF2 with no description.
Bane emerged from the shadows of his room, the air thickening with tension. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Demon Queen's gaze would pierce through the walls and find him. He's on borrowed time and can't afford to get caught. Driven by his mission, he dashed out and straight to Shadow's room. The canines have an unwavering loyalty to Alex; if he can't convince them, all is lost.
His feet glided over the stone floors, making little noise with minimal magical assistance. A choice he made to keep the Demon Queen's curiosity at bay. Arriving at Shadow's door, Bane paused momentarily to gather his breath before gently tapping the heavy wood. The door burst open quickly, revealing Shadow, his tail wagging in anticipation as he looked above Bane.
"Alex!" But his excitement quickly faded as his gaze fell upon Bane. "What brings you here?"
"Is the Eldest with you?" Bane asked, his gaze darting around.
"Do you need something?" Princess inquired, glancing past Shadow.
Bane's tone was pressing yet controlled. "Listen, I know this seems outlandish, but I need you two to trust me. We must gather all the Generals and leave immediately."
Shadow's reaction was instinctive, his snarl sharp. "Trust you? Why should we, you deceitful rat?"
Bane couldn't hold back the clench of his jaw as he looked to the floor. It's no surprise this is happening. What has Bane ever done other than push everyone away? Is this how it's supposed to end? Failing to save Alex all because of how he's lived his life? His hand finds his chest as he clenches it for reasons he doesn't understand. There's a sharp pain inside of him that he's never felt before.
Princess pushed past Shadow, kneeling as her eyes locked with Bane's. She spent only a moment to search his eyes before she rose and set her gaze on Shadow.
"Let's go," she ordered, her voice firm yet calm. Shadow didn't question her; instead, he nodded, accepting her decision. Princess glanced back at Bane, a silent signal. "Lead the way."
Bane let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. That had gone surprisingly well. Now, to convince the other two...
"I can't imagine it being anything else. That pressure, his scream... I know it was Alex," Lilith's voice was mixed with confusion and fear.
Lacey takes in everything since leaving the throne room. The fact that Lilith has the ability of Soul Sight gives a lot of evidence for her claim. But even if it were the case, what does it all mean?
"But why would his soul cry out?" Lacey mused, her voice barely above a whisper, lost in thought.
"This isn't the first time," Lilith continued, staring into the distance. "I could sense something during the war and even during our spars. Back then, it was a weight that seemed unimaginable, but during our spar, I caught a glimpse of something more. A pain the likes of which I never knew existed. It went beyond emotion and felt like something was tearing him apart."
Lacey absorbed all she could from Lilith as her mind raced, her eyes flickering as if trying to piece together a puzzle. She delved into her memories of every encounter with Alex, his battles, and events that predate her rise as a general. It was all frustrating; something gnawed at her thoughts like she was missing something obvious, yet she couldn't see it.
A rare moment of weakness takes her as she lashes out and swipes the many vials atop her desk. They came crashing down, mixing as she stared at the liquid. The reaction was immediate; the liquid shimmered with golden flecks. It was beautiful, but just as quickly as it happened, it faded away, and it was then that Lacey felt a chill run down her spine.
"Lacey, are you alright?" Lilith asks, clearly seeing Lacey's breath become erratic.
A theory was rapidly forming in her mind, one so startling that it shook her to the core. Taking a breath to calm herself, she looked at Lilith, if only to confirm her suspicion.
"Lilith... When was the last time you saw Alex use divine magic?"
"During our spar," Lilith replied without hesitation.
Lacey leaned in, her voice urgent. "But was it truly divine? Did you see the golden glow that's always been described?"
A frown creased Lilith's forehead as she searched her memories. "Now that you mention it, I can't recall seeing that golden glow, ever."
Lacey hastily walked to her bookshelf, frantically searching as books tumbled to the floor. Finally, she found the tome she was looking for, flipping through its pages rapidly.
"Every account of the Hero describes his divine magic as radiant, golden and seemingly limitless. As far as we've known, there have been no cases where the Hero ever cast a spell without that glow."
Lilith doesn't know what's happening but can tell this is important. "What would that mean?"
With the right page found, Lacey's breath caught as she read the passage. It was a theory, one that had never been done before, and yet it made the most sense. She tossed the book to the floor, gritting her teeth. It was obvious, and she couldn't see it the whole time.
"Alex hasn't been using divine magic since we became generals." A small laugh escapes her. "But even so, he's been acting like everything is normal. Casting spells without any indication that he's struggling."
"Does that mean Alex is a strong mage?" Lilith tilts her head.
"If only that were true." Lacey collapsed into her chair, her hands cradling her head. "Unlike us demons or the humans he defends, Alex wasn't born with mana. To cast those powerful spells without divine magic, he has resorted to something unthinkable. He's using his soul as a source of power."
Lilith pales, finally understanding Lacey's reaction. "T-The scream... Is he dead?"
"I wish I knew," she admitted, her voice heavy. "From the start, we knew he was up to something. I don't know if I'm just still in shock, but even if he is dead, I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over yet."
The sudden, urgent knock broke the heavy air of speculation and dread. Lacey, with a swift gesture, beckoned the door open. Princess stepped in, her face etched with a grave determination that immediately signaled the situation's urgency.
"We're leaving," she declared, her voice unwavering.
Lilith stood to meet Princess' gaze. "What's happened?"
While her determination never wavered, her eyes hinted at an unspoken worry. "I don't have all the details, but we need to leave now."
Bane stepped forward, addressing Lilith and Lacey directly. "There's no time to explain now. We must leave before the Demon Queen becomes aware."
There was no moment for Lacey to bring her emotions back in order. As much as she'd like to let her mind wander, the tone of these two spoke volumes. Glancing over at Lilith, Lacey can already see a clear resolve looking back at her. With a tired sigh, Lacey gave her a quick nod before moving over to Bane.
"Where are we headed?"
"Into the Shadows,"
Gathering his strength, Bane concentrated, pulling the surrounding darkness towards them. The shadows swirled and thickened, a tangible cloak of night. His face showed the strain of summoning such a vast amount of darkness, but his determination was clear. As the darkness enveloped them, he activated his teleportation spell, whisking them away to an uncertain and shadowy destination.
Azure was not blind to what just transpired. Bane's return, the gathering of all the generals, as well as their swift exit. Just like before, she instantly lost them, which signaled only one thing. They've entered the human world. She sighs. The Hero is clearly up to something but she's got plenty on her plate. She's recently been flooded with many letters from various clans on the outskirts.
All of them offer thanks for the watering hole that was created yesterday. That's not to mention the many letters from higher and lower clans giving thanks about the abundant supply of fruits and vegetables. Which has sustained the herbivores, as well as allowed the carnivores to properly feed their livestock. Azure sets down the letter she was written, clearly by a child if the scribbling was any indication.
It was a simple drawing of three stick figures. One that was small and two that were tall. The words that accompanied it were broken but understandable. She told about how they were hungry all the time but now that was over and she's happy that the Demon Queen is such a strong and nice ruler.
This is frustrating to Azure. None of this was because of her. The Hero brought the food and helped with the watering hole. But deep down Azure knows he has a plan, all of these acts of kindness are merely a veil to cover his true motives. Perhaps even his way of turning the masses to his side?
Azure's teeth grind together. That's what she wants to believe. It would make it all so simple if that were the case... But after all the talks with Princess, after the food the Hero gave to her. She doesn't know what to feel anymore. Even now, she thinks back to all the times he tried to talk to her, give compliments... Wasn't that just part of his plan?
Or did he really want them to get to know each other and get married? She scoffs. Why does she keep wasting her time thinking about him? Why is she even here to begin with? If there's no more fighting, what reason does she have left? She shakes her thoughts away.
"Enough of these games!" Azure shouts. "I'll find out what you want once and for all!"
She's not going to sit back anymore and watch. It's time for her to face him head on, as they've done many times before.
"Don't you understand what's happening here?" Jessy urged her party. "If we don't work together, Alex will be gone forever."
Ben, usually cheerful, stood motionless beside Alex's lifeless body, his eyes blank. Alice, on the other hand, couldn't contain his sobs as he clung to their fallen friend.
"How can we trust them?" Ben questioned, finally breaking his silence.
"Because Alex left us a message." Jessy let out an exasperated sigh, glancing down at Alice. "This isn't the time for tears. Prepare yourselves; the generals will be here soon. Then we can discuss the plan."
"Wh-at exactly is the plan?" Alice managed to ask, his voice still quivering.
"I believe I know what Alex had in mind, and I'll explain it once they arrive," said Jessy, hesitating slightly. "It's hard for me to put my faith in demons, but if cooperating with them will bring Alex back, it's a risk worth taking. How about you two?"
They both looked at Jessy before giving a stiff nod. It was then that the hairs on the backs of their necks stood on end, and their hearts skipped a beat. Instinct had taken over in that moment, and they all knew why. The generals had arrived. It was difficult to breathe with one around, but with all of them present, it was almost too much to bear.
"Alex!"
Their trance is broken as they turn their gaze to witness a demon that stands apart from the rest. Her savage appearance far surpasses that of the others, rivaling even the Demon Queen herself. The heavy sound of her footsteps resonates as she hurries over to kneel beside Alex. Without a second thought, she lifts his body into her arms, her eyes widening in shock. Her breaths come in labored gasps, but she closes her eyes for a fleeting moment before gently nuzzling against him. The tender gesture strikes a deep chord within the entire party.
"What is happening here?" Lilith demanded, looking down at Bane with a shaken expression. "Why is his party here? Why is he dead?"
"His soul has been consumed," Lacey replies, making her way over to inspect Alex's body. Her cool demeanor seems to radiate as she assesses the situation. "Without his protection, the scarring left behind is readily apparent." She traces a finger gently over his shirt, peering past the fabric and into the remains of where his soul once resided. It appears that her theory has been confirmed. Shifting her gaze towards a hooded woman among them, she continues, "I presume you have an idea of what we're meant to do?"
Jessy took a deep breath to steady her nerves before addressing the gathered crowd. It was almost comical; not so long ago, every demon in this room had been an enemy, and yet, not a single one appeared without a certain pain in their eyes over what had transpired. It seemed that no matter where Alex went, he was always making friends.
"Alex left a soul message," Jessy began. "There are a few embers left that will help in reigniting his soul, but we must work together to call him back from the void." She hesitated for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. "Many believe I am unmatched in soul magic, but I'm nothing compared to the ideas Alex proposed. One of those ideas is the ability to call back a person from the dead by reminding them why they're here."
"What do we do?" Shadow steps beside Princess.
"First, we must leave him at the center," Jessy explained. "Everyone, gather in a circle, then we can continue from there."
Silently, they all fell into place, following her instructions. Jessy scanned the room and realized that the ritual had little chance of success until everyone was at least somewhat comfortable. The sudden news, as well as being in close proximity to their enemies, had them all on edge. It would be a challenge, but she knew she had to make an effort.
"It wasn't long ago that you were all fighting on the battlefield," Princess broke the silence, drawing everyone's attention. "But we're all here because we care about Alex… That's all that matters right now."
The demon generals considered her words and gave thoughtful nods, focusing on the task at hand. Jessy was amazed at how quickly this demon was able to settle their worries. She must be very important in their world, perhaps even more so than the Demon Queen.
"Curious about who I am?" Princess caught Jessy's gaze.
"Yes."
"I'm a second generation demon," Princess revealed. "But I suppose that concept is foreign to your kind. Think of me as a grandmother of my species."
"So you're the oldest of any demon?" Jessy asked, intrigued.
"There are few second generations living, but I'm not the oldest," Princess clarified, glancing at Lacey. "How is Aneyla doing?"
"As you were, Eldest. Quietly snuggled in her favorite blanket," Lacey responded with a respectful bow.
Princess chuckled softly. "She never changes, always hating the cold. You know, I once took her up to a mountain peak to collect snow for water. I never heard the end of it."
Lacey's stoic mask slips at hearing this. "Wait… You're the lousy mutt she's talking about in that story? She's been telling that story for decades!"
"I'm not surprised," Princess responded before turning her attention to the humans. "What about you three? How did you meet Alex?"
The level of wisdom from this demon was astonishing. It should have been terrifying for Jessy to be near her, but the comforting aura she gave off felt like that of a mother. The fact that she was trying to get everyone comfortable proved that she was knowledgeable about magic, even if she didn't know all the details. She seemed to grasp the basics of what the ritual required.
"He found me in a decrepit shack," Jessy starts, her voice wavering as Alice's hand of support rests on hers. "It's ok, I'm fine," she continued, looking back at Princess with a determined expression. "I was imprisoned as a sex slave, beaten and violated repeatedly. That was all I knew, and what I thought I deserved. But then he came into my life and saved me from that wretched existence. It was because of him that I recognized my own self-worth. Despite enduring such agony, my spirit became tempered in those flames, allowing me to surpass what was once known in the realm of Spirit magic."
"It goes beyond mere strength." Lilith adds, her gaze following something unseen. "Your soul is unlike anything I've seen. Most are hidden inside the body, but yours possesses its own sentience."
Jessy's lips curl into a smirk, a subtle mix of disbelief and acceptance in her tone. "You generals always continue to amaze, but you're right. To escape the pain, I detached myself from my body, over and over again. So much so that I couldn't bring it back even if I wanted to. But since my soul is free, I can do what others can't." With a gentle inclination of her head, Jessy directs her attention toward Alice. "Introduce yourself."
He looks nervous as he avoids eye contact, glancing around the room as if seeking an escape. "Uh, I'm Alice. Born among the highland elves, my more feminine appearance marked me as a child of Lancer, the chaotic god. They say he charms other gods of the same sex, causing famine and illness from time to time. At first, they didn't think much about it, until my attraction to males became apparent. That's when they banished me." Alice fidgets with his hands, eyes darting nervously. "It was then that Alex found me."
Gathering his courage, Alice continues, "He's always been so kind and understanding. Despite my hugs and flirting, he's never made me feel weird or disgusting. It's strange because even though he accepts me for who I am, I never felt the need to be anything more than friends with him. Maybe it's because he makes me feel comfortable in my own skin." Alice blushes, seeking Ben's eyes. "Your turn, Ben."
Ben sweeps his gaze around the room, meeting each demon's eyes before closing his own. "I was once a knight, but age left me a relic of the past. I could no longer keep up with the younger generation. Having dedicated my all to become a knight, I had forsaken the prospect of having a family of my own. As I sat alone in my quarters, I couldn't help but feel the call of battle, a call that would never come again." A small smile tugged at Ben's lips. "Until the day Alexander knocked on my door."
Opening his eyes, Ben locks his gaze with Lilith. "He showed me that age wasn't my weakness, but my spirit. He told me that if I followed him, he would light a fire in me that could never be extinguished." Ben pauses for a moment, then adds, "A fire I'm sure you're well aware of. Tell me, what has he shown you?"
Lilith smiles broadly, her teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Death, Life, Friendship. Need I say more?"
Ben laughs under his breath. "That was more than enough."
"Allow me to introduce myself next," Lacey speaks up, raising her hand slightly. "I'm Lacey, an arcane specialist. My life has revolved around the pursuit of knowledge, spending countless hours engrossed in books. However, since crossing paths with Alex, I've come to understand that there's no end to learning, and that there's a whole world waiting outside those pages."
Shifting her gaze to Shadow, she encourages him to speak next.
Shadow takes a deep breath before letting out a sigh. "I'm Shadow, a crossbreed of the Wolf and Shepherd clans. For us, Alex represents much more than just a friend; he is someone our clan cherishes and would protect at any cost."
Jessy then rests her gaze on Bane. "You're last."
"Assassin of the weasel clan. The reason we're here is because my family was murdered and Alex gave his life to resurrect them. Now, we'll do this ritual to bring him back."
"Well said," Princess voices her approval. "There's no distinction between human and demon in this room. We are simply friends united in our desire to bring Alex home." She then looks at Jessy expectantly. "Where do we begin?"
A determined look appears in Jessy's eyes. "The ritual has already started. As long as we open our hearts and speak about the profound impact Alex has had on our lives and why he should come back, he will hear us and hopefully find his way back to us."
As the melodic hum of an angelic voice caresses my consciousness, my eyes lazily flicker open, revealing a striking sight.
"A-Azure?" I utter in a groggy tone, unsure if the image before me is real or simply a figment of my imagination.
Her laughter, delicate and infectious, gently breaks the silence. "I'm afraid not, dear." she responds, her amusement obvious.
My consciousness gradually returns, and my eyes focus on the figure before me. My mind races to make sense of the peculiar sight that greets me – a demon who bears an uncanny resemblance to Azure but her striking opal colored eyes tell me otherwise. The question lingers heavy in my thoughts: Haven't I been sent to purgatory? Rousing myself from her lap, I take a moment to scrutinize my surroundings. The all-consuming darkness stretches out, unbroken and inescapable, revealing nothing but an empty void and was once what I called home.
Turning my gaze back to the demon, I notice more subtle differences between her and Azure. Maturity lines her features, and a warm, pleasant aura envelops her - a stark contrast to Azure's usual demeanor. The mystery deepens; I can't discern the meaning behind these bizarre events. This place is definitely purgatory but it should only be a place I'm locked inside. Perhaps there is a hidden purpose behind her presence, or maybe the gods themselves are playing a trick on me.
"Who am I?" She speaks, breaking me out of my train of thought. "Why am I here? Am I just a puppet used by them? That's what you're thinking, right?"
"Why do you look like her?"
She smiles. "Because Azure is my daughter."
This is clearly a trick by the gods but to what end I can't say. Eitherway, I have to buy myself time for the others to bring me back.
"Is that so? And what's your name?"
"Oh, how rude of me." She tilts her head slightly. "Opal."
"Well, Opal. Why are you here? Purgatory is only for those who refuse to die or need to be punished."
"Because I can't die, not until I know my baby is safe and happy."
A mothers love keeps her from moving on? While possible, it still doesn't explain why she's here or if she's a pawn of the gods.
"Alright, I'll bite. Let's assume you are who you say and that you're not a part of the gods plan. What do you gain by being here with me?"
She scoots closer. "I want to get to know you, Alex. I've been watching you since you first fought my daughter and I have to admit I'm rather impressed with your plan."
"The plan was to use your daughter." I shoot back.
She shakes her head. "Perhaps in the beginning. But as you met the other demons, gotten to know them and even learned the history from my best friend... You couldn't bear the thought of deceiving them. So while your plan didn't change, your attitude certainly did."
This way of talking is strange, even for a puppet of the gods. Something about it is too genuine to fake. But even so, I have to be cautious. In time I'll be resurrected and with that I'll need to act quickly.
"What do you want to know?" I ask, getting comfortable.
"Simple. Do you love my daughter?