Eternal Undying Chronicles

The morning air was cool and gentle, the shimmering sunlight reaching the pavilion. The air was crisp, and winter seemed not too far off.

Amena had prepared a luxurious breakfast spread, standing dutifully by the side, her pristine and elegantly tailored maid outfit reflecting her impeccable standards.

The table was adorned with freshly baked croissants, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, assorted cheeses, and a selection of fresh fruits. A pot of rich, aromatic tea completed the feast. Alicarde sat with Carrisa and Argint, savoring the divine flavors of the meal.

"Well done as usual, Amena. I can never get over how great you are at cooking," he praised, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "I could totally marry you with cooking skills like that."

Amena's eyes sparkled at his thoughtless words, but before she could respond, Argint decided to stir up some trouble.

"Why on earth would she want to marry you? Do you think a woman's worth is only in her cooking skills?"

Alicarde sighed, his comeback ready. "I don't expect you to understand. You couldn't cook to save your own life. You'd be single forever."

Argint forced a smile to mask her irritation. "I can cook. Besides, I am a strong woman."

"Amena is strong too, but you can go ahead and marry your strength. No wonder the guys from wherever you're from didn't want to date you," he retorted mockingly.

Argint tightened her grip on her fork, holding back her urge to strangle him. Their banter was the foundation of their friendship, and Alicarde had a knack for teasing anyone.

Carrisa decided to intervene, her tone formal and composed.

"There is no need for marriage to enjoy Amena's culinary talents. She is, after all, a dedicated maid in service and will remain so for the foreseeable future."

Alicarde, undeterred, shrugged. "I know that, but she'd still make a great wife. Any guy would have to max out their luck to have her."

Amena's hands tightened on her apron. Praising her in front of Carrisa felt disrespectful, but Alicarde seemed oblivious. Carrisa, understanding his innocent intent, brushed it off, though a hint of sourness lingered. She chose to shift the conversation.

"Now that your curfew has been lifted, and it has been established that you are mentally fit to venture outside, how do you intend to confront Zagarath?" she inquired, her voice calm and formal.

Alicarde's expression hardened. "I plan to start by tracking down the mafia. I'll catch that bastard by following the trail he's left behind."

"It will not be a simple task. They are deeply entrenched and possess significant global influence," Carrisa cautioned, her tone measured and deliberate.

"Zagarath likely has another objective, one that has prevented him from attempting to eliminate me. I also need to focus on locating the fragments of the nexus that are bound to surface in this city."

Alicarde took a deep breath. "I know it won't be easy, but I have to try."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance," Amena offered, her expression stoic.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Alicarde glanced at her. "How do you intend to help?"

"I can help you acquire data from the city's databank, although gaining access without being on the inside will be challenging," she explained calmly.

Alicarde turned away. "I'll manage on my own."

Amena wasn't finished. "There is a way that is completely secure. If you were to enter the building where the data is stored and install this program," she revealed a black flash drive from her hand.

Alicarde's eyes widened. "A program? Can't you just hack into the system or something?"

"I cannot. That only happens in movies. Even with my innate ability [Calculus], it would be challenging without direct access," she clarified.

Alicarde leaned back in his chair. "Which building am I supposed to infiltrate?"

"The Bureau of Intelligence, located in the central district. It is heavily guarded, so please, exercise caution," Amena advised.

"You make it sound like I'm going there with guns blazing," Alicarde replied nonchalantly.

"You are, and I have a feeling you'll cause trouble too," Argint interjected.

"I'm shocked you'd think that of me. I'm a relatively peaceful guy," Alicarde responded, feigning offense.

"A peaceful guy doesn't think of starting a hit list," Argint grumbled.

Carrisa foresaw the conversation veering into childish bickering. She intervened swiftly.

"Let us focus on the task at hand. Amena, prepare the necessary tools for the infiltration. Alicarde, gather your strength and be ready. You will move tonight."

"With his strength and skills, the flash drive will suffice," Amena noted.

"Remember, you will be on your own. Exercise restraint and be cautious," Carrisa warned, her voice firm.

Alicarde nodded. He had plans to meet someone tonight anyway.

As breakfast concluded, Alicarde decided against training today, choosing instead to relax in the pavilion, enjoying the peaceful ambiance.

"A month has passed since you bested Wrath. Now that you intend to move against your enemies, Wrath's ability to control space could be of great use. Having subdued it, its obedience should be absolute," Carrisa reminded, her tone calm.

Alicarde frowned, the painful memories surfacing briefly. He had conquered Wrath, and now it would serve him.

"Sure, I will," he replied, standing and stepping away from the pavilion. He summoned his familiar with a commanding tone, "Come, Wrath."

A dark steed materialized, its three long, dagger-like horns protruding menacingly from its forehead. Its eyes burned with a deep violet light, and its mouth and hooves radiated an infernal glow.

The creature was a harrowing sight, its mane a cascade of shadows, and its muscles rippling under a midnight-black coat. The ground beneath its hooves sizzled, leaving traces of violet flames.

Alicarde stepped forward, his heart calm and composed. He had no need to fear a defeated opponent, especially one that now submitted to his will. Wrath stood tall and proud, its defiant nature quelled by Alicarde's sheer force of will.

The once-proud creature had conceded that Alicarde was a worthy master, and it now resided obediently within his shadow, fearful of the madman who had subjugated it.

Carrisa and Argint approached, observing the bicorn with interest, while Amena stood back, her gaze analytical.

"This beast is formidable. How did you manage to tame it so thoroughly?" Argint asked, impressed.

"Nothing much. Just had to endure some burning and suffering. No biggie," he shrugged.

Carrisa's eyes softened as she looked at Alicarde. "You should be proud. The creature displays only respect and submission. It is truly marvelous. You continue to exceed my expectations," she remarked, her voice aloof and composed.

Her words and the respect in her eyes, mirrored by Argint, filled him with a quiet sense of accomplishment.

"Guess you aren't just a pervert. It's easy to forget you're a powerful warrior with how you act around us," Argint teased.

Alicarde blinked, genuinely surprised. "I can't believe I've finally reached the level of being acknowledged as a warrior by you. That kinda makes me happy," he admitted, his voice low and tinged with mixed emotions.

Before Argint could reply, a voice descended from above.

"Alicarde, I'm here to escort you to our classes," Elizalina called out sweetly as she gracefully descended from the sky.

"Great timing, bitch. Why the hell are you even here? Alicarde's curfew has been lifted, so you don't need to stick with him for classes," Argint's tone was sharp and hostile.

Elizalina landed gently, a soft mist swirling around her. "No one asked you, lowly nameless mongrel," she retorted icily.

"Sup, Elly. You missed breakfast," Alicarde greeted, but the vampire seemed more interested in bickering with the half-werewolf than responding to him.

The tension in the air was palpable as the two girls glared at each other, while Alicarde sighed, wondering how he always found himself in the middle of their conflicts.

Elizalina and Argint argued back and forth, their voices rising with each retort.

"Why do you always have to butt in, vampire? Can't you see you're not needed here?" Argint snapped, her eyes narrowing in annoyance.

Elizalina rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain. "Maybe because I have a responsibility to ensure Alicarde's well-being, unlike you who only seems to care about causing trouble."

"Responsibility? Please. You're just here to show off," Argint shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.

Caught between the two of them, Alicarde could feel a headache forming. He raised his hands in an attempt to defuse the situation. "Alright, that's enough. There's no need to—"

"That's enough, ladies. We have more pressing matters to attend to," Carrisa's stern voice cut through the bickering like a knife, bringing an immediate end to their quarrel.

Over the past month, Alicarde had noticed Carrisa had become something of a de facto leader, her authority seemingly effortless.

Arguments were swiftly settled, tensions dissipated with just a word or two from her. Even Elizalina, initially reluctant, had fallen into an unspoken hierarchy, obeying Carrisa's directives without question.

'Women are terrifying. Fear women.' Alicarde thought, suppressing a shudder at the realization.

"Alicarde, what are you waiting for? Mount the destrier," Carrisa's voice, now tinged with curiosity, snapped him out of his thoughts.

Elizalina's gaze shifted to the bicorn, her expression contemplative as if lost in her own thoughts.

Approaching Warth, Alicarde noted the absence of a saddle. As he reached out to mount, the bicorn shifted restlessly, its hooves scraping against the ground, eyes wild with unease.

Alicarde's gaze turned icy, his presence washing over the creature like a cold wind. Warth's agitation stilled, the beast calming under his piercing stare.

With deliberate movements, Alicarde swung onto the bicorn's back.

The girls watched with rapt attention, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Carrisa, usually composed, seemed almost apprehensive, her eyes betraying a hint of concern he had never seen before.

Settling himself, Alicarde gave the command. "Forward."

The reaction was immediate and startling. Warth collapsed to the ground, its powerful legs buckling as if a great weight had been thrust upon it. The creature's body shimmered with sweat, its breaths coming in labored, ragged gasps, steam rising from its nostrils as it lay beneath him, utterly spent.

Alicarde sat there, bewildered. He could feel that the bicorn was unharmed, so why was it acting like this?

Carrisa's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with a peculiar mix of suppressed joy and amusement.

"Why is he acting like this?" Alicarde demanded, frustration seeping into his voice.