Alice and Adrien were in a shadowed vault room, its stone walls faintly illuminated by the soft glow of light Adrien had conjured. She sat atop a weathered table, her gaze fixed on Adrien as he rummaged through a cabinet brimming with mysterious vials and jars.

With a discerning eye, Adrien selected a peculiar pink jar. His expression was unreadable, but something about the way he held it told Alice this might be the one. "So... how do you apply it?" she asked, her voice steady but curious.

Adrien dipped a finger into the jar, swirling it in the smooth, cool substance. Drawing out a small amount, he gently spread the cold, silky ointment onto Alice's leg. Almost immediately, the chill seeped into her skin.

Alice shivered as the coldness gripped her. A moment later, a flicker of sensation sparked in her leg. "Adrien! I think it’s working," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with hope.

Though her legs remained immobile, she could now feel them. A bright smile lit up her face. "I told you it would work," Adrien said, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

"But I still don’t understand. How?"

Adrien's answer was rather cryptic. "I already told you. This is no ordinary medicine."

"But how… Adrien... This medicine can help so many people."

As the feeling slowly returned to her legs, Alice wiggled her toes slightly, excitement bubbling up within her. "Did you see that?" she asked, her eyes wide with hope.

Adrien noticed, a flicker of relief passing through his expression. For a brief moment, she could see genuine care in his eyes. It was… strange, yet comforting. With it, he continued to apply the pink slime, his movements slow and deliberate. As he worked the substance into her skin, he leaned in close. The distance between them dwindled until his face was mere inches from her thigh.

His breath brushed against her skin, sending a shiver through Alice. Without warning, Adrien’s face grazed her thigh, the warmth of his skin contrasting sharply with the cold ointment. Her breath hitched, her heart racing as he lingered between her legs.

Alice’s cheeks flushed bright red. She could feel every inch of his closeness, the sensation of his touch sending rippling through her. "Adrien... stop..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

But he didn’t pull away. Instead, he seemed drawn to closer, his lips barely brushing against the soft skin of her thigh as he continued to work the pink slime into her leg. "Alice... you have such a sweet scent," Adrien murmured, his voice low and gentle.

"Stop it..." she whispered, her hands trembling as she pressed them weakly against his head, trying to push him away. "Stop it, Adrien..."

A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips.

Suddenly, the vault doors burst open with a violent kick, swinging wide to reveal Klaus standing on the threshold. "I’ve come to kill you, demon!"

Adrien’s face shifted slightly at the interruption, but Klaus’s arrival was more than a mere intrusion; it was a reprieve. Alice let out a faint sigh as Adrien finally pulled back.

Klaus stared, his face flushing as he took in the scene before him. "What… are you two doing…?"

Adrien straightened, fixing his cloak with an odd composure before turning to face Klaus. "You’re awake."

"I... I..."

Klaus’s mind raced, still reeling from what he had witnessed. An elf and a demon? Had she lost her mind, or was he forcing himself on her? "You should probably wait outside," Alice said softly, offering Klaus a gentle smile.

"Right... my apologies," Klaus stammered, backing out of the room and closing the doors behind him. Once outside, he pressed his fingers to his temples, struggling to process what he had just seen. "What do those two think they’re doing…? A demon and an elf? Have they gone mad?"

The shock was so intense that it clouded his mind, pushing away the anger and the thirst for vengeance that had driven him here. The names—Roslin, Miller, Lucas—seemed to drift away like faint echoes in the back of his mind. All that remained was the jarring image of Alice and Adrien, locked in a moment that defied all reason.

Klaus leaned against the cold stone wall, his breath ragged and shallow. His thoughts spiraled as he tried to process what he had just seen. An elf and a demon… it made no sense.

Tears welled up in his eyes. He didn’t want to die, and the thought of it terrified him. He knew that if he continued down this path—if he confronted Adrien—death was almost certain. Adrien's power was beyond anything he could hope to match. The memory of Roslin, Miller, Lucas… the friends he had lost… their faces haunted him. How could he abandon them? How could he live with himself if he didn’t try to avenge them? Fear. It was cold, gnawing fear that threatened to consume him, that made him want to abandon his foolish mission. He could feel Adrien's icy grip of death closing in on him, tightening around his very heart the closer he got to him.

Klaus wiped at his eyes, the gesture almost futile as more tears followed. He held tightly onto his scythe, as tightly as he clung to the desire to live.

The door creaked open behind Klaus, and he felt a chill run down his spine as Adrien stepped out, carrying Alice in his arms. Adrien's gaze locked onto Klaus, with an expression that appeared far from pleased. "Your name is Klaus Reifner, is it not?"

Klaus's throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. "How... how do you know that?"

Adrien’s eyes, cold and piercing, answered more than his words could have. Klaus felt as though his very soul was laid bare before the demon, as if Adrien could read him like an open book. Alice's gaze shifted to Klaus, her expression a mix of concern and resignation. She seemed to know what was coming, and her eyes silently pleaded with him.

"You will bend your knee to me." He said so as a command.

"Bend my knee?" Klaus echoed, the words foreign and bitter on his tongue. The notion of serving anyone, let alone the most powerful and terrifying being he had ever encountered, was unthinkable. The very thought was like a poison, tainting his mind and making him forget the faces of his fallen friends. A wave of self-loathing washed over him as he forced their memories back into focus.

Alice spoke up, her voice soft yet urgent. "Please, just do as he says."

Klaus could see the fear in her eyes, and a silent warning telling him that if he didn’t comply, Adrien would kill him without a second thought. She knew, just by the look on Adrien’s face, that he wouldn’t hesitate to end him, especially after being interrupted in such a delicate moment.

Klaus felt smaller than ever, dwarfed by Adrien’s towering presence. Even in his normal form, Adrien seemed to loom over him, a figure of overwhelming power. As Adrien took a step closer, Klaus instinctively stepped back, his heart pounding in his chest. "There is no choice for you here. You will bend your knee to me here and now." Adrien said, his voice low and menacing. "Do not make poor Alice here suffer by watching you die a miserable death."

"But my... friends..." Klaus’s voice trembled as he spoke, his heart breaking with every word.

"Your friends were also presented with this choice," Adrien replied, his tone merciless. "You saw their fates, didn’t you?"

Klaus knew what would happen if he resisted, and the fear that gripped him grew with each second, becoming too powerful to overcome. Without even realizing it, he found himself bending his knee.

"Good," Adrien said with a satisfied nod, his gaze shifting to Alice.

Alice’s shoulders relaxed slightly, relief washing over her face as Klaus submitted. She knew he had no other choice, and while the mercy Adrien showed was twisted, it was mercy nonetheless. She looked up at Adrien, gratitude in her eyes, though she knew just how cruel his kindness could be.

Klaus kept his gaze fixed on the cold stone floor, tears streaming down his face, each drop a bitter reminder of the betrayal he could scarcely believe he had committed. How could he abandon his friends so easily? What kind of person had he become? There was something about Adrien, something insidious, that made resistance feel futile, as though his very will had been eroded by the demon's presence.

Adrien glanced down at Alice, his tone softening. "Do you think you can stand on your own now?"

Alice had only just regained some sense of control over her body, but she wanted to try. Adrien gently lowered her to the ground, his hands steadying her as she attempted to find her balance. Klaus watched her struggle, her legs trembling as they tried to hold her weight.

Alice gave it her all. Watching her, Klaus couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her. Why had she been unable to stand? And was Adrien responsible for her condition? Her hair... even her clothes were a mess, and even in her weakened state, there was something captivating about her—a light that contrasted sharply with Adrien’s dark presence. Together, they were like night and day, opposites that somehow complemented each other perfectly, yet showed no mercy to anyone else. Adrien’s arm wrapped around her waist, ensuring she wouldn’t fall, and there was an undeniable compassion in his touch that seemed impossible to Klaus. The way they looked into each other’s eyes was filled with an understanding and strength that Klaus himself lacked. He admired her courage, something he knew he did not possess. If he did, he wouldn’t still be alive.

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With effort, Alice finally found her footing, and Adrien gradually loosened his hold. She was standing, though just barely. "I think I got this."

Adrien released her fully, and to her surprise, she remained upright.

"I knew you could do it," Adrien said.

Alice had worked up a sweat just standing. She gave a weary smile, the effort leaving her too drained to speak. She wobbled slightly but managed to stay on her feet, and with each passing moment, it became easier.

Adrien’s gaze shifted to Klaus, who had been unusually silent. "Now that you have decided to bend your knee, I will give you an additional choice."

Klaus’s eyes widened, a flicker of panic rising within him. What was Adrien talking about?

"I will give you the opportunity to choose. Serve me or serve Alice."

Was this a trick?

"There will be no repercussions for what you decide here," Adrien assured, "Pick freely, but with haste. Whomever you decide to serve, I will stand by that decision. However, you must pledge your absolute, undying allegiance to them and only them."

Alice looked at Klaus with pleading eyes, silently urging him to choose her. When Klaus turned to Adrien, he seemed almost indifferent, as if Klaus’s decision held no real significance to him. That angered him greatly. The choice seemed obvious—Alice was compassionate, far too gentle for this harsh world. Adrien was cruel, mercilessly slaughtering Klaus's friends without a second thought. There was no way Klaus could choose someone like him. No way.

But as Klaus stood there, the weight of his guilt bearing down on him. He felt the crushing realization that he was too weak to protect his friends, too cowardly to face death with honor. Perhaps by choosing Adrien, he could punish himself for that weakness. Perhaps he could atone.

Klaus looked into Adrien’s eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "I choose to serve you."

Alice’s eyes widened in shock, but Adrien remained unfazed, as if he had anticipated this outcome all along. She struggled to understand why Klaus would pick Adrien over her, but no answer came.

Adrien stepped forward, unveiling Klaus’s hood to reveal his delicate face and silver hair, eerily similar to Alice’s. But unlike her, Klaus was human—a boy capable of summoning the undead and wielding a scythe with incredible agility. Adrien studied him for a moment before placing a hand on Klaus’s head. "Then henceforth, you will pledge your undying allegiance to my cause. You will not disobey me, lie to me, or betray me. You will serve as my loyal servant, and through me, you will also heed Alice’s words. You will only act in my interest. Do you agree to these terms?"

Klaus, mustering what little courage he had left, looked up at Adrien, if only for a brief moment. "I do."

There was a pleased look in Adrien's eyes as he removed his hand from Klaus and instructed him to rise. Once on his feet, Klaus looked to Adrien, expecting his first command, but Adrien’s gaze shifted to Alice.

"Human," Adrien began.

The way he referred to Klaus was demeaning, but Klaus kept his mouth shut. "Adrien..." Alice interjected disapprovingly.

"...Klaus," Adrien corrected himself. "I see great potential in you. There’s something in your eyes that reminds me of Alice. And I admire those who cling to life, no matter the cost."

Was this an insult? Klaus genuinely couldn't tell. "And I understand what you must have felt. I've seen it in the eyes of warriors. Those who seek justice are often the first to find an early grave. I want to commend you for making a choice that many would fail to make. That said, you must be wondering where I'm headed with my little speech."

Klaus looked down.

"I wish to restore Kaldabrad," Adrien said. "To return this fortress to its former glory. And to do that, I believe the undead you can summon will be crucial."

"Easier said than done," Klaus replied with a slight smirk.

The truth was, Klaus had already been working on fixing the fortress. This was his home, after all. Unfortunately, the mountain ranges made it incredibly difficult to gather essential resources like timber and stone. Even worse, coal and other materials to keep the place warm were luxuries he did not have. Food was also scarce, as evidenced by his thin frame.

Adrien stood in silence for a moment before giving a reassuring smile. "Then I will have you both follow me."

He looked at Alice. "You can do that, can't you?"

Alice nodded.

Adrien took the lead. They left the vaults behind, moving from one corridor to the next. From what Klaus could tell, they were heading toward the gates of the fortress.

When they reached the throne room, the bodies of Klaus's friends lay lifeless on the floor. They carefully navigated through the room, avoiding contact with the dead. Klaus gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, muttering apologies for what he had done.

Adrien glanced back at Klaus, seemingly uncertain of his sincerity, but he pressed on, leading them outside. Night had fallen. He marched atop the walls that surrounded the fortress, and as they followed, they saw lights in the distance.

Two massive groups were approaching the fortress. One carried a blue flag with the sigil of a stag drawn in white—the banner of the bandits who had chosen to follow Alice.

The other group consisted of robed individuals bearing a red banner without sigils. Red banners were always a sign of rising evil forces. Stories were told that once the red banners were raised, fire and chaos would follow. These must have been Adrien's servants, humans who sought only to wreak havoc.

Each group had a massive convoy with them—dozens of wagons filled with resources, pulled by humans and animals alike. Klaus's eyes widened at the immense amount of resources under Adrien’s control. "All of them... have pledged themselves to you?"

It was impossible to fathom that so many humans would serve him.

"Not only to me. The Sons of the Forest have pledged themselves to Alice."

Klaus looked at Alice. The Sons of the Forest were a band of bandits known for their brutality. They were one of the main reasons Klaus had been unable to restore the fortress, as his resources had been plundered by them. Why would they serve someone like Alice? He didn’t know, but it made him fear her slightly.

"But why... why go through all this effort..." Klaus mumbled.

Adrien smiled. "Why indeed?"

He looked at Alice, then turned back to face the men marching in the distance.

Alice and Klaus exchanged glances. The reason seemed clear now, but still... why?

Adrien spoke, his back still turned to them as he gazed into the distance, his voice unusually calm and calculated. "Klaus. Alice's safety is paramount. I cannot trust these... thieves and murderers entirely yet. That is why you must be vigilant when they arrive. There are those among my own forces who may seek to harm Alice. Some who wish to provoke my wrath. It may be hard to believe, but such people exist, and their sole desire is to be killed by me."

Such people could only be considered mad. But only a madman would serve a being like him. It made sense.

"Adrien, I can fend for myself," Alice interjected.

He simply remained, his fingers intertwined behind his back. Klaus looked to Alice, who in turn looked to Adrien, and then answered, "I will give my life to protect her. On that, you have my word."

Adrien's expression remained neutral, though a flicker of approval crossed his eyes. Alice reached out and grabbed Klaus's hand. When she did, Adrien glanced at them out of the corner of his eye, though he did not move. "Klaus, I know this has been difficult for you, almost like a living nightmare. But bear through it."

Adrien had more to share.

"Your friends... they were quite skilled fighters."

Klaus felt frustration bubbling up but bit his tongue, unwilling to react.

"Safeguard their bodies."

Klaus looked at Adrien with a confused expression.

"They may yet have a role to play in the future. It would be a shame to let their bodies decay and become unusable."

"You plan to raise them as undead?" Klaus asked, a mix of dread and curiosity in his voice.

"No. I will revive them to their former selves."

What? Alice's words slipped out almost involuntarily.

"You seem surprised."

"You have the means to resurrect others?" she asked, incredulous.

Resurrection magic—an incredibly sophisticated and often outlawed form of magic in most countries. It could revive low-level beings at the cost of a significant portion of their experience. The process was taxing, making it impossible to cast on a regular human unless they were at least above level 10 and under level 30. Even then, if the body had decomposed, resurrection wouldn’t work. It was a dangerous gamble.

Of course, Klaus knew of its existence, but this was a legendary skill accessible to only a select few, those born with the gift. Why did a demon who brought such misery possess such a skill?

"I suggest you take the bodies somewhere incredibly cool. And make haste."

Klaus's mind raced. Where could he possibly take the bodies? The castle was cold, sure, but it wouldn’t prevent decay.

"Alice, go with him," Adrien said.

"I understand."

Klaus looked between the two of them, baffled. "Wait, what?" he stammered.

Alice placed a hand on Klaus's shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'm not as useless as you might think! I'm quite skilled in magic, especially ice magic."

Understanding dawned on Klaus, and his expression shifted to one of gratefulness. Ice magic could be used to create a room cold enough to preserve the bodies. He was practically brimming with hope. "You two, hurry up and go. Those bodies won’t cool themselves," Adrien urged.

As they were about to leave, Adrien had one last word to say. "And Klaus, next time knock."

Klaus's expression flushed, and so did Alice's. "Yes... I will." Klaus said, his eyes turning to Alice, who seemed far too flustered to speak. What he saw between them... He perished the thought from his memory. There was something new that replaced it. An image in his mind of him, being reunited with his friends once more, and seeing them smile.

Klaus was hopeful, he looked to his scythe with a hint of pride and joy in his eyes to hear what Adrien had to say. If there was anything he could do for Adrien now, he would do it. With that, Alice and Klaus made their leave, leaving Adrien silent atop the fortress walls, watching over the distant horizon. "Klaus Reifner... You may yet be my most precious tool. Alice was right about you..."

Adrien stretched his back, his eyes set on the convoy approaching. Their footsteps could be heard even in the distance, and their torches cast ominous shadows in the darkness of the mountains. With one final look, Adrien turned and made his way back into the fortress to prepare himself for their imminent arrival.