Lotte's hands retreated from Sylvie's stomach, finishing the final steps of the healing process. Her cold, empty maroon eyes pierced through Sylvia as she leaned back, her blonde hair swaying along.
“There,” Lotte said in a monotone voice.
"Damn, it feels like I never got hurt at all!" Sylvie boasted, jumping up and stretching.
"I'd advise you to not be too reckless any time soon, as I am unable to use my powers again for another 24 hours." Lotte warned, her cold gaze unchanging.
"Blah, I'll do whatever the hell I want, thank you very much!" Sylvie replied with a smirk.
Sylvie's bold and brazen reaction caused Lotte's eyes to narrow, and her blank voice gained a hint of frustration as she replied.
"Keep your spirits high if you wish, but again, do not be reckless. Even with my assistance, you are powerless to do anything substantial for another 24 hours.”
Lotte's words carry an air of authority and wisdom, but they are also laced with a hint of frustration and discontent.
This does not seem to phase Sylvie, however, as she continued to smirk and replied with a playful attitude.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine! I'm sure I can handle anything these humans have to throw at me. Besides, with your skills, who's REALLY in trouble here?"
Lotte's icy demeanor remains steadfast, although she lets out a huff at Sylvie's flippant attitude. "I am only performing my duties to the best of my abilities. I am not here to protect you from the consequences of your own actions. It is your choice whether or not you want to cause more harm to yourself, but keep in mind that I am powerless to prevent said consequences.”
Sylvie continued to smirk and reply in her teasing tone, taking Lotte's words with a nonchalance. "Hey, if you're not here to protect me, then what are you even doing? You're supposed to be the healer of this Cabal, right? I mean, you healed all of my wounds and practically saved my life. What kind of companion are you going to be if you're not going to protect me?”
Lotte's expression remains unchanged as she replies, her cold tone becoming aggravated. "As a medic, it is natural for me to provide medical care to those in need, regardless of whether or not they deserve it. Your reckless behavior and lack of self-restraint are not my concern, yet I was there to save you. Consider it a one-time courtesy, as I am not obligated to assist you in the future.”
Sylvie's smirk drops off her face in the face of Lotte's attitude. Lotte's cold and blank stare is enough to indicate a lack of sympathy or empathy, her monotone voice giving no hints of concern or remorse. Sylvie's playful personality begins to fade away as she replies: "Is that so? Well, what if I AM your concern? What if I want to have you around and have you keep bailing me out of situations? Can you not do that for me?”
Lotte's demeanor grows further cold and detached as Sylvie's attempts to reason with her become more desperate. "What you wish for is irrelevant. I am a member of the Imago Cabal, which means my allegiance is to this organization and our goals. I am not here to do your personal bidding, and I do not care what you want from me. If you want an ally you can take for granted and order around, you will have to find someone else.”
Sylvie's eyes went wide. Her hands tensed and her lips twisted upwards into a sick grin. “You better watch who the fuck you're talking to, you mortal bitch!”
She summoned her blade and swung it at Lotte, the tip of the blade sitting mere centimeters away from her forehead.
Lotte remained unflinching, staring up at Sylvie with the same emotionless eyes. Seeing her tactic wasn't working, Sylvie dispelled her sword and put her hands and her hips, shaking her head.
“You know what? I like you. You got heart, I'll give you that. Anyways, thanks for saving my ass, I guess. I have business to handle right now.”
“Remember what I told you about not being reckless,” Lotte reminded.
“Duh, I gotcha, don't worry! Just be there to help me out when I need you again!”
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…
“So is it true?” Nyx asked in a calm voice. She walked up to Kinsey, who stood in the doorway next to Sylvie with her eyes smoldering with annoyance.
“You wish to join forces with us and learn the ways of the Darkness, Kinsey?” Nyx continued.
“Yeah,” you replied, your eyes narrowed with determination as you stood tall and firm. “Teach me the most powerful, darkest stuff you know, I'm down for whatever.”
“The darkest, you say?” Sylvie asked with a grin. “Oh, I know who can also help you out with that!” she finished before closing her eyes and stretching out her arms.
Cassie appeared in the room and smirked at the sight of you. “Oho, it's you again!”
“Yep, and she's interested in learning the Dark Arts,” Sylvie added.
“Well, you've got the right demoness for that, Kinsey-Kins~” Cassie replied before wrapping her arm around your neck and pulling you closer, your face squishing against her ample bosoms.
“H-hey, cut that shit out!” you protested, your face flushing as you kicked your legs, unable to resist Cassie's grasp.
Nyx cleared her throat before leaning in to grab your hand. “Kinsey… Allow us to teach you the basics of the Dark Arts. With how much anger and hate that’s inside of your heart right now, I can tell that you will excel in your training.”
Your fists tensed and you felt the resentment pumping through your veins, nodding in response. “Right on. I'm ready to take on the Darkness and everything that comes with it.”
Cassie smiled, giving you a seductive gaze. "You've made a smart choice, dear~" she said, leaning in close enough to have her voice tickle your ear. "The darkness is a power that is all consuming… All-controlling~"
She brushed her fingers across your cheek, the touch making you shiver.
Sylvie leaned into your other side, giggling as her breath brushed against your neck. "The darkness is all-powerful," she whispered in a sultry rasp. "It will grant you knowledge of things unseen yet known to all humans," she leaned forward, her fingers trailing along your neck and shoulders until her palm caressed your chin.
Cassie flashed a wicked smile as she leaned in further, her arm wrapped around your waist. "And when you embrace it," she began, her voice laced with a playful growl, "It will swallow you whole.”
You felt your body go numb, your heart pounding out of your chest. Your eyes were drawn to the sight of both Cassie and Sylvie, your mind caught in their words and their actions. Sylvie smirked, her eyes flicking from Cassie's movements on you to the small twitches of your body. She leaned close, her lips nearly brushing against your ear. "And the darkness shall envelop you," she added.
Nyx placed a guiding hand on your shoulder, her touch gentle yet firm. Your face still crimson red from the other two's teasing, you turned your head towards Nyx, noting how her eyes shone in the dim light of the room. “And now… Your training begins," she said.
★
Trixie and the others appeared back in the Alliance HQ. As Fritz came to his senses, he pushed her away and glared down at her as she trembled in her weakened state.
“Bugger off, you dingy broad! What the bloody hell was that? Nana almost killed her, and you had the magical idea to bring us all back here?!”
“Listen, Fritz. I had to make a run for it because the opponent Svenja and I faced was just too fearsome, way beyond our current capabilities. We can't go back without a solid plan…”
Fritz scoffed and stepped closer to Trixie. “Oh, I have your plan right here, look,” he replied before giving Trixie two middle fingers as his eyes seethed with rage. “Do it your damn self this time, I don't have time for your nonsensical...” Fritz turned around to see if Nana was still around them. When he saw that she wasn't, he turned back to Trixie and narrowed his eyes. “...Nonsensical bullshit.”
Trixie frowned and stood back up. “Hey, don't be like that, Fritz. I can't do this alone, and neither can you. We're all in this together, and we must go about this with a clear mind and objective.”
Draley stepped between the two and waved her hands. “Trix, Fritz… Please stop this. We won't get anywhere fighting each other. Trix is right - we need a better plan. The additional opponent was a huge threat. What we need to do is to divide them. Sylvie and her associates are very powerful together…but if we fight them separately, together…I think we have a high chance of winning…”
“Woah, hold on,” Ahina interrupted. “There's another one who's as strong as the demon that one-shot Svenja?!”
“E-eh?!” Svenja exclaimed, giving her head a frantic shake. “She ain't ONE-SHOT me, b-but…!”
“Yes, that is correct, Ahina. But please don't get ahead of yourself. We all need to think this over, maybe discuss this with Marla first just for good measure.”
“That's a sound idea, let's do it. Marla's always such a big help, I'm sure she'll know.”
...
“Aww,” Marla said as she frowned. “It didn't go too well, huh?”
“Nope,” Svenja replied, rubbing the back of her head with a sheepish smile. “We got banjaxed pretty good, we aren't ready yet.”
“How unfortunate, I'm so sorry to hear that,” Marla replied with a sigh. “I'd advise you not to return there until you're ready. Such powerful opponents shouldn't be taken lightly.”
“So, um, is there any other mission we can do in the meantime, Marla?” Trixie asked.
“Well, I've caught wind of a powerful aura located at the border of the Witch Provinces. I heard that the one responsible for the aura is a Knight.”
Svenja's eyes widened and she leaned forward. “Oh really? I'm on that right now! Where on the border is this aura coming from?”
Marla pointed at the map on the screen behind her, zooming in on the southern border. “Here, between Tonnerre Province and Freelife Town. This area in particular is said to even be avoided by the country's Knights because of how dangerous it can potentially be.”
“Really? What's the deal?” Ahina asked.
“The area surrounding the border was cursed by the witches long ago. Now, anyone who enters will lose their sense of direction and be killed by creatures who like to mimic the appearances of the intruders, which is why the only way to cross the border safely is by train.”
“Sheesh,” Trixie said. “That's something.”
“But hey, if it's just some silly creatures then it'll be an easy mission, won't it?”
“Yes,” Marla replied, her voice laced with hesitance. “But you still be careful for those tricksters on the way there, and be prepared for the source of the powerful aura in case it's a Knight.”
“Of course,” Ahina replied. “That's what we do best. I'm going this time, so there's really no need to worry now!”
Marla nodded, smiling at her. “Still, be safe though. All of you.”
“Definitely, we got this!” Trixie replied, her eyes simmering with vigor.
It was an eerily quiet and dark forest night, as little moonlight managed to shine through the dense foliage above. The atmosphere was tense, as a single noise seemed to echo through the otherwise empty forest. The four figures of the Alliance made their way through the darkness, their footsteps and breathing the only sounds that broke through the silence. Everyone moved in silent cohesion, each member's movements being deliberate and measured.
“It feels like we've been here at least five times!” Svenja complained, stopping to catch a break.
“No, wait, look ahead! I see…something!” Draley called out.
The group came to a sudden halt as they came across a clearing and the familiar figure of a woman standing in the center.
“Wait, is that…Saturn?” Trixie said, taking a single step forward.