“Don’t tell them.”
Alicia’s partner pursed his lips. “Why? We should treat you fast. The more people know what’s happened, the more they can assist.”
She shook her head, vehement. “Don’t. It’s…embarrassing.” Her face was pleading. “Can you keep my powers between us?”
Her partner ran a hand through his hair. She was troubled. Scared. He took out his phone and peered at her profile. “Fine. I’ll respect your privacy. You’re going to need to be honest with me, however. When did you first notice changes in yourself?”
Though Alicia was unsure how long Death’s Hand could be kept secret, keeping it hidden was a huge advantage. As for prior experiences, she spilled out truth but didn’t linger on details. “I’ve had new abilities activate before. They started recently. First was power sensing, then vanishing. Each time, it was when I was reaching my limits and felt my life was at stake. This last ability was when I felt a strange call to the crown. It burned when I reached for it. Then I gained Death’s Hand.”
The former soldier pocketed his phone. He let out a long breath. “This is quite messed up. If you ask me, it’s as if you’ve been designed as a killing machine. Without your knowledge.”
Alicia’s chest constricted. “Vi said I was related to a family called Emeraldnight. They were assassins and I guess equal to Vi’s own family. Given abilities to defend the kingdom. I think that’s what’s happening. I’m manifesting their powers.”
Her partner’s gaze sharpened. “Is that why you were chasing the princess? Did you want answers?”
The cat girl froze as she considered. This was an unexpected angle. Probably, it was best to get him on her side. Working with her towards Master’s goal. And one way was to get her time with the royal family. “Yeah. This is new to me. I don’t know how to approach the princess or king or queen. I’m a nobody to them. I also think this must be their fault some way. So I kind of blame them.”
Alicia fell silent. She’d spoken more than she could remember to him. Her cheeks reddened. She covered it up with a scowl.
“Hm.”
Enrique and Vi had finished their meeting and, according to Vi, it turned out the princess had been successfully trapped in her room by the guards. Sven and Alicia had become quiet. The four returned to their house.
Sven set Alicia down on a chair in Vi’s kitchen. He spotted Enrique sulking nearby. The man sighed and dug through a fridge and cabinet. “You two. Come on now.”
Enrique hunched his shoulders and avoided meeting the other two’s eyes.
Sven busied himself by boiling a pot and cutting up some ingredients. Sausage, mushroom, tofu, onion, cheese, couple others.
“Is this about what I said earlier, Enrique?”
He nodded.
The man finished cooking and took the pot over. “Sit. Both of you.”
Enrique ate some of the food. “Huh. Good.” He gave Sven a questioning look.
“This is called army stew. Budae jjigae. It’s popular where I’m from.” Sven put a hand on his cheek as he watched the two gobble up the soup.
“Look, Enrique, you can’t get your old position or group back. What you can do, is start anew. Even if it’s not what you’re used to.”
The trio ate in silence.
Enrique studied Alicia as she slurped down a bowl’s worth. “You still sick?”
Sven answered for her. “She wasn’t feeling well at the palace.”
“Really? I’ll tell Vi—”
“Forget it. She’s annoying. I’ll rest.” Alicia reached out her hands to scoop more stew but Sven handed her a ladle.
Enrique snorted. “You got that right. A pain in the butt. The way she switches between happy and calm, too. She’s strange.”
“Very strange.” Alicia sipped from the ladle, dangling its large handle to her mouth.
“Treats us like little kids.”
“F*** her.”
“D*** straight.” He dug into a mushroom.
Sven tapped a finger against himself. Why do I feel like I’m herding a pair of teenagers? “She does care about you, you know.”
“That makes her more annoying!” the two snapped in unison. They blinked at each other.
“Oh. That reminds me.” Enrique got up and fetched a blue gemstone. “A while ago, Vi mentioned she wanted Alicia to have this. She put a spell inside that’s supposed to protect her.”
Enrique held the item out to Sven. Inside were two spells, one pink and purple orb. “I figure I’m not close enough to Ali, so if she wants to keep it you should give it to her. Vi said she would want to see Alicia wear it.”
“What does it protect from?” Sven turned the gem over in his hand.
Enrique shot a sidelong glance at Alicia. She has Allblades’ bomb in her head. I can’t say anything. But if she knows about it, then…No wonder she’s always been such an a**. I’d be scared of everyone if I were her. I’d hate everything in my life.
He bit his lip, deciding what to say. “Who knows? She can predict the future. If I were Alicia, I’d keep it on me until it does whatever it’s supposed to.”
The boy shrugged and then, as if to make up for his concern, declared, “Of course, I don’t expect anything from a dumb cat that attacks the people who feed her food every day.”
Alicia sprang from her chair. “What did you say?”
Enrique fled to the safety of Vi’s room. Sven cut off Alicia’s advance. He gave her the sternest glare he could muster. “No fighting.”
Alicia slowly returned to her chair.
Her partner clasped the gemstone and turned. “I’ll leave this in your room.”
“Should I take it?”
Sven stopped. He turned to face her. Surprise was etched on his face. “You’re asking me? Yes.”
Night fell. The house went silent. Alicia, following routine, settled in Vi’s bed. She noticed the fox woman could sometimes be completely silent. Vi lay next to her and did not even try to embrace Alicia, but merely stared at a mirror in the bedroom, as if lost in thought.
She heard Sven and Enrique settling into their room, the light shuffle of sheets along with a telltale zip. Sven had bought a sleeping bag.
He had told Vi he liked to sleep on the floor. (“No, thanks. I like my own way.”) Vi had given him an extra pillow and blankets and a mattress. (“It’s not good for you. You should feel comfortable.”)
He still used the bag.
Alicia turned in Vi’s bed. She stared at the gemstone on her desk. She stared at it for a very long time.
----------------------------------------
Vi was in a happy mood. “Today’s my birthday. When’s yours, Ali?”
Alicia blinked at her without comprehension. “What’s a birthday?”
Enrique turned in disbelief. “How do you know how old you are if you don’t know your own birthday?”
Alicia pursed her lips. “I don’t. Vi said I was sixteen when I first met you. I guess I’m sixteen years old.”
Vi’s fox ears perked up. “You can have mine! How about that? It can be your birthday today too!”
Enrique crossed his arms. “How old are you?”
Vi jumped as if surprised. “That’s a…state secret!”
Enrique rolled his eyes.
“We can go shopping and buy presents! Then we can meet back in my house and sing Ali a happy birthday!” Vi gushed with delight.
Enrique nudged Sven. “Hey, I got an idea. We can split up and get them a surprise.”
After shopping, they crowded around the kitchen. Vi set out a large pink cake with a candle. “Happy birthday, Ali!”
She cut the cake as they sang and handed out plates. Alicia had been very confused about the candle and after Vi told her, “Blow it!” she attempted to douse it with a cup of water. Vi and Sven clapped anyways.
“It’s time for presents!” Vi looked around eagerly. “Does everyone have presents for Ali?”
Enrique went first. He handed Alicia a pack of fish. She poked it. Didn’t smile, which made him more unhappy than he wanted to admit.
“What? I thought you loved tuna.”
“It’s not grilled.”
He rolled his eyes. “You need to learn to cook.”
“I agree this is a terrible present.” Sven was matter-of-fact. “She may burn the house down.”
“Ah. Yeah.”
Alicia munched on a raw fish head as she unwrapped Sven’s gift. It was a glistening black sword. Her eyes went wide as she ran a hand over the back of the polished midnight blade.
“Thanks.” Her voice was very quiet, as if afraid anyone would hear. Sven nodded.
“I have a present for you too.” Enrique gave Vi a grin. “Sven helped me pick it.” He showed her a brown bag. This is me getting back at you for that stupid waiter job you made me do!
“Oh, you shouldn’t have.” Vi’s face flushed. “I don’t need any gifts.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Then what would you want?”
Vi beamed and spread out her arms. “All I want is a hug!”
“No. That’s why I got you something else.”
“Oh.” Her face fell.
Vi reached in and took out the present. It was a classic black and white uniform, complete with a headband and a dress.
Enrique snickered as the fox woman puzzled over the clothes.
“This is a maid outfit.”
Enrique nearly fell over the table, doubled over in laughter. “Serves you right! How does it feel for someone to give you stupid clothes for a change?”
Vi, however, was overjoyed. “I love it! I’ll wear it as soon as I can!”
Remnant spoke up as the boy let out a groan of disbelief. “Nice try, buddy.”
He yelped. “Remnant! Stop calling me that!”
Vi blinked. “Call you what?”
He tapped the sword’s sheath as he complained. “He keeps calling me buddy.”
“Buddy? That’s a great name!” Vi’s eyes lit up. “That can be your nickname! Because you’re my good friend! My buddy! I can call you that from now on.”
He put his hands over his face. “Please don’t.”
She turned to Alicia, eyes shining. “Let me show you my present!”
Vi raced off to another room and returned. The mouths of the other three dropped open.
The fox woman was wearing a garish yellow cat costume. It was covering her whole body like a smooth bodysuit and complete with overly large cloth cat ears and a tail.
“Ta-da! Mommy Cat!” Vi smiled brightly.
“Ugh, my eyes,” Sven groaned.
“Why?” Enrique facepalmed.
“It was the only color they had. And it was for sale.” Vi sounded apologetic.
She beamed at Alicia. “Little kitties need unconditional love in their life!” She bounded towards the cat girl. “Let Mommy Cat give you a hug—aaaaaah!”
Alicia stuck out a leg and tripped Vi, who fell flat on her face.
“Throw that away. It’s horrible.”
“Owie. Okay!” Vi sprang up, still smiling. “I did buy you a cake roll just in case.”
She produced the said purple roll from a pouch in the costume. Alicia appreciated this present much more, based on the speed with which she devoured the dessert.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
The four were silent for a couple minutes. Alicia shifted uncomfortably in her seat and glanced at Vi. “I, um, have a present too.”
The others, curious, watched as Alicia left the room. She returned a short time later with the blue gemstone Vi had given her. It was attached around her neck in a necklace amulet, the little pink and purple orbs circling like fish in a pond.
The cat girl was uncertain on what to do next, but Vi’s eyes filled with delight.
“Wow! You look so good with that!”
Alicia slowly scanned the room, meeting eyes with Enrique, Sven, and Vi. She felt vulnerable. Accepting things they had given her. Having to deal with their reactions. Why were they all so nice to her? She’d been nothing but a thorn on their side since the day they’d met. She trembled violently as they looked back at her. She wanted to tell them the truth.
“I…I have something I need to tell you.”
The three blinked, surprise on their faces.
“Go ahead.” Sven’s voice was soft.
“When I first met Vi and Enrique, I told them I was in a gang and they thought the gang killed two adventurers who were protecting me. That…wasn’t really what happened.”
Alicia dropped her gaze to the ground. She took a deep, shuddering breath. “I…I killed those two. On purpose. I killed Sean and Bernadette.”
The house went very still. Alicia sensed Vi’s grip tighten and her blue aura surround her. Enrique was stunned. Sven’s mouth had gone to a thin, concerned line.
Her eyes filled with tears. She went on, voice shaking. “It—it’s my fault. The escort with the Elarrians was m-my fault, too. I killed their leader. I thought I didn’t have a ch-choice.”
All of a sudden, the cat girl’s head pounded. A low and cold voice rang in her head, as if from a distance. “Darkwaters. It’s time. You will meet with me. Finalize the attack on the ball with the other Shadows.”
Alicia’s chest tightened. It was like she couldn’t breathe. Pure terror flooded her body and for once fear was written all over her face. Panic seized her.
They’ll never forgive me for this. If I don’t follow Master, I won’t have anyone to be with me. She couldn’t bring herself to meet any of them in the eye. An invisible pain hit her chest like a punch in the gut.
She fled out of the room, snatched a silver case, and rushed out the house, the tears streaking down her face.
The trio were frozen in shock. Vi recovered first and ran after her.
“Ali! Wait!”
The other two caught up to Vi as she threw open the door and frantically scanned outside. Her fox ears flopped down and her shoulders slumped as she searched with Sven and Enrique.
“But Ali…I forgive you.”
The assassin had vanished into the night.
----------------------------------------
Allblades made his way to the edges of the chaos lands. As he approached his meeting spot, dark wisps of energy flowed out from his body and took on a vaguely humanoid shape.
Kavistra paced at his side. “I must ask. Why did you not free me earlier?”
The assassin’s red eyes fixed on the demon’s featureless face. “I needed to wait. I had to be patient while I prepared my sacrifices, to strengthen myself when the time was right. It took many years.”
“Will you leave these lands now?” The demon’s not-quite human speech carried with it hunger and a tinge of curiosity.
Allblades turned to Kavistra. “Very soon. I will have my Shadows move first and strike the royal family at the ball. You have a part in this as well. Split off your avatar and place half of your current power inside it.”
The demon made for itself a face mirroring the assassin’s, and a small smile crept over its face. “You will send that part of me to the same event, is that it? Yes. It is clear you have experience with demons. You will need to control me and maintain my form from afar. Can you do that?”
Allblades glowed with a dark red aura. “That will not be a problem. I have my powers and the strength of Osmodeus. You are already being fed the chaos of the world, through me. The essence will only increase as you do as I command.”
More wisps flowed from his arm like a wriggling snake, as the demon did as ordered. The humanoid form morphed and grew in size until it was a hulking, four-legged beast the color of midnight. Its surroundings shuddered as magical pressure hummed from the being. Below, solid stone violently split apart as if a small earthquake had struck. “Very well.”
Though the demon was now taller than a building, it regarded its own half-powered body with a curious, almost disappointed gaze. “Your plan seems a little cautious. Could you not go at full strength with your Shadows and attack the kingdom yourself?”
When Allblades was silent, it was a cold, calculated quiet. “If the three assassins I have trained succeed with killing the princess, then my presence would not be necessary. However, regardless of the outcome of the ball, they will pave the way for me. You will see. The kingdom will be thrown into more disarray. Each event by my hand will release more chaos essence, which will strengthen us. Then I will join my Shadows.”
The demon cocked its head. Its voice was thoughtful yet filled with savage anticipation, assailing their surroundings in waves of raw emotion. “You expect opposition? I am more than a match for any mortals.”
“Do not underestimate your enemy,” Allblades snapped. That was a painful lesson he had learned when he had been an adventurer. “There is one Hero who stands in my way. Azurelane. She will have a new partner by now. That pair you should eliminate without hesitation. The royal family also has other Heroes and resources. There will be resistance once I exit this accursed place and approach the Kingdom.”
The demon bowed its head in acknowledgement, though a smile remained on it. Its possessor strode forwards. “I have a meeting with one of my Shadows. I wish to see her face to face.”
----------------------------------------
Alicia stumbled towards the spot Allblades had instructed her to go to, panting for breath. Every step she took felt like getting closer to her old life. No more good food, no more warm bed, no more people being nice to her. As she arrived, streams of dark energy gathered together like a swirling vortex, materializing into a shifting black screen.
Enter, Allblades commanded.
She was not sure what he meant, but when she walked to the screen it suddenly sucked her in. She had a sensation of falling through a tunnel, until she landed in a dark room. A figure stood cloaked in shadows on the other side, an arsenal of metallic blades strapped at his back and waist.
Master? Alicia hid the surprise that jumped through her. A portal? Where did he get that power? She couldn’t recall such an ability. She was too scared to ask. All she knew was he had become stronger since the day she’d departed.
Allblades fixed his eyes on her. They were burning red, like fire. Alicia knew it was him in the flesh. She had a terrible sinking in her stomach. The thudding in her skull and the crushing weight of his presence made her thoughts spin. Why did he bring me to him? Did he find out I was going to tell the truth of who I was? Am I going to die?
“Darkwaters.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Do you remember the night of the winter hunt?”
She did. She did not need to ask which night. Alicia schooled her face to its usual indifferent mask.
----------------------------------------
Years ago.
Alicia scurried ahead of the other children. One of them, Marcus, called from behind. “Darkwaters! Wait up!”
The cat girl pounced on a white rabbit struggling in the snow. She gripped the small creature, her black aura appearing as she dug her fingers into it. The small animal went limp as she crushed its neck.
Her cat ears twitched as she detected shifting movements. Suddenly, she spotted a flash of angled eyes in a snow pile. A massive wolf-like creature leaped out, fangs bared. She held out her arms as the wolf tackled her. Its massive jaws snapped, missing her head by a hair. She grabbed its front legs, straining to hold it back. She summoned blasts of darkness element through her arms and hands, but the wolf only struggled harder. The ground rumbled and shook. Frost slid from trees and rained like dust.
“Darkwaters!” Marcus charged over, jabbing a large branch which he had lit in flames. He stabbed the wolf’s side. It howled, long, high-pitched. It swiped a leg and raked its claws across his stomach, hurling him aside. Alicia pushed herself from the wolf and rolled, seeing Marcus slam against a tree trunk. His lion ears twitched, brown hair matted with blood in his black, hooded clothing.
Alicia seized a nearby rock, then dashed to Marcus’s side. The wolf made a running tackle and clamped down its mouth. A tip of a fang bit down on her shoulder. She grit her teeth, pain shooting across her arm, and smashed the rock repeatedly against the chaos creature’s head. The rock burst with orange flame and the wolf let go, snarling. The ground rumbled again.
Marcus blinked, scrabbling up. He did not have Alicia’s self-healing, and his face was pained. “F***ing dire wolf.” The two assassins then exchanged a glance of puzzlement as they sensed more vibrations in the snow.
From underground.
The two ran together. Sheets of ice and frost cracked. White snow shuddered. The ground broke apart and a gargantuan chaos worm loomed out. Its very form blotted out evening rays. Its gaping, circular mouth was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth. It pushed forwards, eating up trees whole, packed snow, ice. Small animals hiding in the plants and bird-like creatures were swallowed up in its cavernous maw. The wolf vanished in a flurry of crashing snow.
Alicia and Marcus picked up speed. They could make out the other children in the distance. Then another rumble from around the corner. The worm made a loud sucking noise. Alicia and Marcus stumbled, in time for another great worm to explode from the ground to intercept them on their right. The two fired at the worms, black beams pelting from their hands to no effect. Trees were torn violently from their roots and into the monstrous mouth behind them. Snow and wind whirled. The two fell, slid back. We can’t make it. Alicia clutched Marcus’s hand.
A black blur descended from the sky to land at their feet. Allblades stood tall, fury and fire flashing in his eyes. He unsheathed two blades from his back. “Hundred-Sword Style! Dancing Flames!”
Lines of crimson energy burst through the air. They crisscrossed the chaos creatures, slashing into and through them in an instant. The worms let out unearthly shrieks.
It’s over—
They rammed the side of their body against Allblades, sending him sliding back. A pulse of blue light suddenly lit a scar on his body, and he stumbled to one knee. The monsters opened their jaws.
“Master!” Alicia screamed.
Allblades’ eyes flashed. He turned to see her. Then he rose and flung his blades, and all the might of his muscular arms, against the mass of teeth closing down on him. “Burning Hellfire.”
For a moment all was silent. Then the worms exploded, their charred flesh thumping on the snow hissing in red chaos flames. More orange fires were littered across the freezing landscape.
The two were speechless. Marcus had eyes wide with hunger, a longing. A small, wild smile was on his face as he stared at the destroyed, bloodied remains. Alicia was staring for a different reason. He could have died. He saved me. Allblades slowly got up.
He walked across the snow and deposited Alicia’s rabbit next to her without a word. It had been seared by one of his fires.
Food.
----------------------------------------
The present.
Allblades approached. “I have something important to tell you.”
She did not dare speak, did not dare to let out any emotion.
“Do you know why I wish to destroy the Anima Kingdom? What my purpose is for you?” He stopped, red eyes boring into her like they could drill holes through her heart. “You do, but not enough. Now I shall tell you everything. Once, I served under the Kingdom’s banner. I had a partner who I lost during a great war. I went through much pain, and attained much power. Then, I learned a terrible truth.”
Allblades paced from side to side. Unhurried, but deliberate. Measured. Decisive. “The Kingdom’s System is the cause of great agonies, now and in the future. It brings ruin. Consider this. Thousands of people are sent from my home world to yours. They fight. Break hearts. Suffer. Die. All to defend this small kingdom. A human lifetime passes. More are brought in. An endless loop that will forever march through time.”
His eyes gleamed. “Billions, Darkwaters. Billions. By destroying the System, I can save countless lives. This world may call me a villian. I care not what it thinks. To my world, and to yours, I can be its savior.”
She did not remove her gaze. To do so would invite punishment, or worse. Still, Allblades knew her thoughts.
His red, demonic eyes had a mad glow in them, searing like fire. “You wonder. You ask how I can know. Azurelane is not the only one who can see the future. I was gifted visions from the dark ones. I was shown what would happen if I do not succeed. In the future, there are only two paths. The first is the endless repeat of this evil System. The second, most likely, is a terrible darkness which will grip the whole world and come out of the kingdom.”
Darkness? Alicia did not understand. Master was darkness itself. He was destruction, the flames of chaos, the most ruthless creature to walk the land.
“The proof is not mine alone. The demons know this too. Grishna of darkness has allied herself with the kingdom. Nara of blood has done similar. They wish to reward themselves as willing servants when a far more powerful darkness rises, a cruel empire which stretches for eternity.”
Alicia nodded in acknowledgement. Her throat felt dry. It was all talk to her. Painful talk. She was bound by the terror he had already inflicted on her. His every word was a pounding, ferocious headache. A hammer to her skull.
“Do not trust Azurelane. She is near the center of this, perhaps at the center itself. She will show you parts of herself which draw you to her cause. Knowing her, she has made such preparations that the kingdom will survive even if she is removed. My visions tell me, one day, their greatest Heroes will become Villains. The kingdom’s subjects will conquer the world. Their ruler will inflict eternal suffering. Do not trust any adventurers, or anyone allying themselves with the kingdom.”
She was silent at this.
“I would have had my way, if it wasn’t for Aurelius!” Allblades shouted the name out, hatred blazing in his eyes.
He spoke with a low edge. “It all comes from the System. It is a magic embedded in the kingdom itself. As long as the royal family remains, the System lives. As long as the Kingdom lives, its System will continue. I will tear out the kingdom. I will rebuild the land to a world without it.”
“What about me?” Alicia kept her tone neutral.
A shing as metal was drawn from a sheath. Allblades pointed a sword at her. “You are my strongest Shadow. I have chosen you for this task, to kill the royal family. If you succeed, you will be the greatest assassin after me. I name you as my successor.”
Successor. A shiver ran down Alicia’s back. She remembered Azurelane had mentioned a successor as well. Vi had looked from Morgan straight into Alicia’s eyes.
Allblades faced her again. His eyes blazed with fury and his voice was harsh. “Do not forget, Darkwaters. Who is the one who has kept you alive all these years? Who is the one who gave you purpose in life? Who trained you, gave you skill, gave you your worth? Did I not care for you, since the moment I gained you?”
“Yes.”
Allblades stood before her, now expressionless himself, and his low voice carried through the room. “I have lost contact with Felice.”
Alicia’s heart seemed to be caught in her chest. She struggled to breathe. She forced herself to speak. “She was discovered by the kingdom and defeated.”
The shadowy, armored figure hurled his sword at her face. “Ten-Sword Style!”
She reacted out of instinct, moving her head aside. Before the blade could even impale the wall, Allblades had drawn another blade and struck at her chest. Alicia did not allow her shock and fright to show and drew her own sword, blocking and parrying. She swerved back, jumped, ducked, weaved.
Allblades smashed an armored boot against her leg. An instant later, he rammed his knee against her chest, crushing ribs.
She reared her sword back to strike his head when she saw Allblades holding a razor-sharp blade at her neck. She was pinned to the wall.
Alicia took several deep breaths, wishing that she could at least release the pained emotions being wrestled inside.
Then. He pulled his blade back. He had a dark calm to him. “If that is so, you must improve.”
Agony struck her dumb, unable to grasp his meaning. Her body slowly healed itself. Her skull ached as if it would split in half. She sagged against the back wall.
“I sense you have grown stronger. Tell me. Will that strength be enough?”
“Master,” she stated. Toneless. Fear and dread filled her very being. She had one way out. Maybe, if she could reason with him. “I have gained a new ability. Death’s Hand. It allows me to kill with a touch.”
Allblades grew still at this. He observed her. Waited for her to continue.
“It’s from Emeraldnight. A family I’m descended from. It was a group of assassins tasked to protect the kingdom, like Azurelane’s own House. I can use this. For you, Master.”
Allblades slowly paced the room, and then faced her once more. His face was right in front of hers. The red burned with intensity. “This is…good news. Very good. I need you to have resolve. When the time comes to kill the royal family, I foresee one final obstacle you must find a way around, or through. Do not hesitate. You must outwit and surpass her. Defeat Vivian Azurelane.”
Then his gaze set on the blue gemstone on her neck. His eyes narrowed. “What is that?”
Alicia could barely breathe as she stared down with him at the item hanging from its necklace. “It’s…from my time with others—”
“Destroy it. Now.” His voice was harsh and icy cold.
Alicia clutched the blue gemstone in her hand. Time seemed to slow. Her heart beat. Pain and grief coursed through her. It was a gift. A gift from people who had…had cared,
But Allblades stood. Her head ached. He was in it, always. Pain. Her thoughts went back to her time with him.
She squeezed her hand into a fist.
The gemstone shattered.
A flash of blue light hit the room. She let go. The pieces clattered to the floor.
Allblades fixed his gaze on her face. “I will release you. I know the System has given you a partner. Remove any interest of his in helping the kingdom. Make him ours, if you can. For now, I will release you. Join Goldenclaw and Streamlight at the ball.”
Her heart leaped at the thought of meeting the other two Shadows again, Marcus and Eileen. If she obeyed, they could all be free. She could have that warmth inside when she did what Master wanted.
Allblades abruptly staggered as a blue light lit his old scar.
Master!
Alicia took a step forward, but Allblades rose. His aura crashed down against the room, breaking cracks in the walls and the floor. It was so fearsome Alicia herself struggled to stand. The interruption renewed a determined rage in his eyes. His voice was low and hard.
“Who owns you, Darkwaters?”
She bowed her head. “My loyalty is to you…Master.”