Eternal Undying Chronicles

Alicarde's dark vestments blended into the shadows as he surveyed the group huddled together in the cage, their expressions a mix of terror and uncertainty.

He appeared more sinister than ever, his presence amplifying their fear.

"Wrath, deliver that Strigoi to the witch. If it's still alive afterward, retrieve it and take it to the dungeons."

The people exchanged fearful glances, uncertain of what fate awaited them—was it release or something far worse?

Without a sound, Wrath moved. The bicorn distorted the air around it as it teleported beside the writhing Strigoi. Reality rippled like disturbed water as the creature bent the space around it.

Alicarde extended his hand, and the sword impaling the Strigoi flew into his grasp, guided by the invisible force of his [Flux Field]. The hilt slapped into his palm with a satisfying thud.

Sensing a fleeting chance at freedom, the Strigoi tried to escape. Wrath responded swiftly, crushing its legs beneath powerful hooves.

The sickening sound of bones shattering echoed throughout the chamber as the creature howled in agony. With a swift bite, Wrath lifted the mangled Strigoi in its fangs before vanishing in another ripple of distorted space.

"Be sure to return after you deliver it to the witch. I will be waiting," Alicarde instructed, his voice devoid of emotion.

Turning inward, he reached out telepathically to Malefica.

"Malefica... Malefica... if you're done sulking over nothing, can we get on with it? I've sent Wrath to deliver the creature. After you're done with it, Wrath will return to pick it up. My dungeon will have its first non-human guest."

There was a brief pause before Malefica's icy voice pierced through.

"I am not sulking."

"Could have fooled me."

"We have work to do. For now, let's examine the ritual site and the magic circle," Malefica redirected.

Alicarde turned away from the cages without a second glance, ignoring the desperate pleas of the captives.

"Wait! Don't leave us! Help us, please!"

"Please, we have children here!"

"Don't leave us here to die!"

Their cries went unheard as Alicarde's focus shifted to the ritual site ahead. The scene was nightmarish. The mutilated corpse of a woman lay in the center, her abdomen ripped open, spilling the remains of a nearly-formed child. Blood pooled on the cold floor, and the foul stench filled the air.

Alicarde felt a wave of nausea but forced himself to push through it.

Beyond the gruesome remains, a macabre pile of bones and skeletons greeted him—some stripped clean, others still clinging to decayed flesh. It was evident the Strigoi had been operating here for a long time, their activities hidden from the public eye.

"The Strigoi here have been at this for quite a while. Most likely, they have human suppliers. Funny how there are no missing person reports on the news,"

"They control the media and suppress information. Whatever Zagarath offered them, it better be worth this much suffering."

"I guess he must have given them a hefty sum."

"Perhaps," Malefica said, her voice distant. Alicarde noticed a shift in her tone—more detached than usual. She didn't react to his comments the way she typically did, and even his usual jabs didn't seem to phase her.

"Look around for more clues. This magic circle is definitely related to a demon. It seems familiar, but I can't recall where I've seen it. I'm certain I'd remember any magic circle I've encountered before."

"Hmmm, do you mean the one in the middle?" Alicarde's eyes narrowed as he examined the circle.

"Yes, that's the one. It's connected to a demon, but not any I know of. Demons are rare here in the mundane world."

"The only demon I know of in this land is the Demon of the Noon. But that was just a myth my grandmother used to tell me as a child. If we're considering the entire mundane world, though, there are several powerful demons."

"Then this circle relates to them?"

"No. I know all the magic seals related to them, and many are dead. The others have either been banished to demiplanes or sealed in sacred sites."

"Then this might be summoning a new one from the demiplane."

"No, this circle isn't for cross-world summoning. It's for something within this world. Closer to an unsealing," Malefica said, the thought weighing heavy in her voice.

"I'll get the rest of the information from the Strigoi Wrath just delivered. And what do you want to do with the corpses?"

"Get rid of them and help those people out of the Aquifer Chamber."

"Why bother?"

"Because if word of Strigoi reaches the general populace, it could prompt the Order to intervene. If they get involved, so will the other factions, leading to a battle for control of the nexus."

"That doesn't sound so bad. I welcome a good fight."

"The last time that happened, it was called World War II. Still want one?"

"Fine, I'll clean up," Alicarde conceded, his voice tinged with annoyance.

As Wrath returned, reality rippling around him, Alicarde began moving the bodies into a pile. Some were cleanly sliced by his sword, while others were mangled by the claws of his gauntlets. Several corpses bore the charred marks of his earlier spells, their flesh blackened and burnt.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Alicarde wrinkled his nose in disgust, raising his hand to gather mana.

"Tinder to spark,

ember to glow,

In this place,

let fire grow.

With a breath,

let flames flow,

Consume all—Inferno."

As he spoke the incantation, a pillar of flame erupted from his palm, engulfing the pile. The fire roared, quickly reducing the bodies to ash. The captives watched in silence, too terrified to speak.

Alicarde turned to face the cages, raising his hand again. With a simple motion, he altered gravity, causing the crude metal doors to creak before ripping them from their hinges. The captives stared in stunned silence, unsure of whether to run or stay.

"Is... is it over? Can we go now?" one whispered.

"We're free?"

A brave woman with a bulging belly was the first to step forward, her hands protectively cradling her abdomen. Behind her, others slowly followed.

"Those of you who can move, pick up those who can't and follow me," Alicarde ordered.

They exchanged fearful glances but did as they were told, helping the injured and carrying the unconscious.

Alicarde's mind raced as he considered the dilemma. They were deep underground, and the wounded wouldn't make it through the labyrinth of tunnels.

'Now what?' Explore hidden tales at empire

"Blow a hole upward," Malefica instructed telepathically. "The chamber is beneath a street, full of vehicles. I'll stop the traffic, and you can move them up."

"That's you great plan"

"Yes"

Alicarde groaned. "Pushing [Flux Field] beyond its range and moving this many people will be a nightmare."

"Stop complaining and do it now."

"Fine," he grumbled, extending his hand toward the ceiling, focusing his power.