Eternal Undying Chronicles

Alicarde met Malefica in a quiet section of one of the university parking lots. He slipped into her car, and without a word, they drove off. It was midday, but the cool air signaled the nearing of winter—Winter Fest was only a week or two away.

Malefica remained silent as she drove, her focus on the road. She was wearing a stunning green dress, complemented by elegant dangling earrings that swayed with each turn.

Alicarde couldn't help but notice her beauty, and part of him wanted to make an offhand comment. However, he restrained himself, unsure of how she'd react.

As they wound through the city streets, the silence between them grew unbearable. Finally, Alicarde broke it.

"Don't you think it's weird?"

Malefica smirked without taking her eyes off the road.

"I was wondering when you were finally going to speak. Something tells me I'll regret answering that question… but go on, what's weird?"

A mischievous grin spread across Alicarde's face.

"This whole situation. A young, devilishly handsome student, and a beautiful professor who's way past her fifties... should I be worried for my safety?"

Malefica chuckled, her tone light but with a hint of mock irritation.

"You waited until we were off university grounds to say that, didn't you? After I decided to let your earlier stunt go."

She had grown accustomed to his antics after weeks of dealing with him. His remarks were never enough to truly anger her, though she was sure he could push her patience further if he really tried.

'This is going to be a very long drive,' she thought.

Still grinning, Alicarde added.

"I mean, I have a valid reason to be concerned. You're taking me to a strange place, which could involve witches, which could involve human sacrifices."

Malefica frowned, her annoyance finally showing.

"And?"

"So, I should be worried. I've read about this stuff. Some guy named Aleister Crowley co-authored a book about witches' Sabbaths, and let's just say, it involved a lot of sex Magick."

Alicarde glanced pointedly at Malefica's chest and grinned.

"Which, by the way, I'm totally fine with if you plan to try something weird on me. I won't resist."

Malefica's grip tightened on the steering wheel. Her voice was colder now, the smile not reaching her eyes.

"The fact that you read books written by perverts doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is your audacity to make such demands in broad daylight. Insolence of this level only comes from you once the sun has set."

She forced a smile.

"I will burn you alive."

Alicarde, undeterred, coughed lightly, forcing a smile.

"Is this your way of getting me naked? Can't believe you're being so direct."

That was the final straw for Malefica. But, since they were in a moving car, she refrained from setting him on fire—barely.

Instead, with a wave of her hand, she cast a spell that sealed his lips shut. Alicarde made a few muffled attempts to speak, but Malefica ignored him, keeping her focus on the road.

When gestures also failed to gain her attention, Alicarde did the unthinkable. He summoned the gauntlets of his vestments, using their sharp fingers to tear his sealed lips apart. Blood splattered, but his grin only grew wider as his wounds healed almost immediately.

Malefica's eyes widened in shock, but Alicarde merely smiled, his lips still stained with blood.

"You just violated a clause in our contract—no interfering with my freedom of speech."

His laughter echoed through the car as his skin knit itself back together.

"Let see what should I make you do."

Malefica's cold smile returned, though it was more of a grimace.

"You'll make me do nothing. Or did you forget that you violated the contract yesterday as well? Seems you mentioned me to a certain princess."

Alicarde's eyes widened in realization. He recalled his conversation about the demon of noon—he had indeed mentioned Malefica's name. It was a minor violation, but still a breach of their agreement.

"Which means," Malefica continued, "you can't make me do anything either."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Touché."

He had no choice but to concede.

"Fine. You win this round. And here I thought I had a chance to put you in a cute maid outfit."

Malefica's frown deepened.

"You'll never put me in any vulgar outfit."

"I can try. We'll see " Alicarde muttered with a smirk.

The car fell silent again as they left the city behind, driving along the coast. Alicarde's mind wandered to the Nightshade tribe, their hidden village nestled in the distant mountains. Wherever Malefica was taking him, it was in the opposite direction. He wondered if they were heading to the next city.

'Maybe I should visit Sarah sometime,' he mused, thinking of his older sister.

Malefica turned onto a narrow road lined with tall trees, and the further they drove, the fewer cars they encountered. As the day faded, Alicarde seized every opportunity to harass her, testing the limits of her patience. From the way her fingers twitched on the steering wheel, he could tell she was nearing her breaking point.

"I can't help but notice there are no more cars or people on the road," Alicarde said with a mischievous grin.

"Could it be that Crowley's book about witches and sex Magick is true?"

Malefica's icy glare said more than words ever could. Even so he still continued his teasing.

Continue your saga on empire

"You're not planning to—"

"I warned you."

Malefica interrupted, her tone laced with finality.

"And you've pushed my patience to the limit. Now you'll pay."

Alicarde blinked, sensing the seriousness in her voice. She had threatened to burn him alive a few times already.

"Wait, we're in a car! You're bluffing, right?"

Her eyes narrowed, and she raised a hand toward him. Alicarde felt the shift in the air, the gathering of magical energy.

"Wait, wait! I'm immortal, I won't die, but you might hurt yourself—hold on! You're bluffing."

Malefica's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Am I?"

With that, she began chanting.

"Tinder to spark, ember to glow,

In this place, let fire grow.

With a breath, let flames flow,

Consume all—Inferno."

Before Alicarde could react, flames erupted inside the car, engulfing everything in a raging inferno, Malefica included.