Eternal Undying Chronicles

The morning air was crisp and cold, hinting at the imminent arrival of winter. Despite the chill, the group remained undeterred, enjoying their breakfast in the pavilion.

The frost-covered grass suggested they should be inside, but the cold didn't seem to bother them.

The pavilion, elegantly designed with intricate carvings on the wooden beams, had a stone floor that was cold to the touch.

The breakfast spread before them was a luxurious blend of English cuisine—flaky croissants, rich buttered scones, and golden-brown crumpets, all accompanied by clotted cream, various jams, and a pot of freshly brewed tea, its warm aroma inviting.

A side of poached eggs and smoked salmon added a savory element, while a tray of fresh fruit provided a vibrant contrast.

Alicarde sat at the table, accompanied by three women—Elizalina, Carrisa, and Argint—while Amena stood quietly to the side, her posture ever vigilant. His gaze lingered on Elizalina, the silver-haired vampire whose eyes gleamed with a cold, predatory intelligence.

"You seem to be here awfully early today, Elly," Alicarde remarked, his tone casual, though a hint of curiosity underlay his words.

"I never left to begin with. I stayed the night," Elizalina replied smoothly, her voice carrying an air of subtle superiority.

"Sorry, Ali. I tried to get rid of her, but you know how parasites are—they don't leave without a fight," Argint interjected mockingly, her tone dripping with disdain as she glanced at Elizalina.

Alicarde chose to remain silent, not wanting to get involved in their squabble so early in the morning.

Elizalina opened her mouth to retort, her eyes narrowing, but before she could speak, Carrisa intervened.

"Enough, ladies. There shall be no discord at the breakfast table," Carrisa's voice was calm yet authoritative, effortlessly quelling the tension. She then turned her attention to Alicarde, her expression inscrutable.

"As for the data you recovered from the bank, I have utilized it to our advantage."

"Yeah, I mean, it doesn't really matter, but... sure," Alicarde replied, his tone nonchalant though curiosity lingered beneath the surface.

The others remained silent, focusing on their breakfast as the conversation continued.

"We required access to government networks. Thanks to your efforts, we now possess administrative privileges, enabling us to manipulate their systems or even dismantle them entirely, should we choose," Carrisa explained, her tone steady, conveying the seriousness of their actions with precision.

"Huh... what does that mean?" Alicarde asked, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.

"It means we now have unrestricted access to all data—security cameras, bank records, government passwords, civilian information, nuclear launch codes, and more," Elizalina elaborated, her voice carrying a hint of seduction as she outlined the extent of their newfound power.

"And the best part is, they remain blissfully unaware of our presence within their systems," Argint added, amusement evident in her tone.

"We intend to seize control of Evergreen City, and we require you to act as our vanguard," Amena stated, her voice direct and calm.

"So, your list of targets... we will replace those you eliminate with our operatives, consolidating control as we proceed, and secure the nexus before the other factions—the Order, the Magician's Guild, and the Truth Association—make their move in earnest.

Rest assured, we will not interfere in your confrontation with Zagarath," Carrisa continued, her words carefully chosen, revealing their calculated ambition.

"We must secure our position while the factions are still in a deadlock. Our margin for error is slim," Elizalina added, her voice refined, emphasizing the delicate balance of their plan.

"They outnumber and outgun us," Argint's voice, usually laced with mockery, was now tinged with genuine concern, highlighting the gravity of their situation.

Alicarde listened intently, piecing together their audacious scheme. It was undoubtedly Carrisa's brainchild, with Elizalina's manipulative prowess subtly woven in. Argint, a strategist in warfare, had no doubt contributed her expertise, though he couldn't discern her precise influence. The plan was as audacious as it was perilous.

The moment they mentioned access to nuclear launch codes, Alicarde was sold on the idea. A chill ran down his spine as he glanced at the dangerous women around him, realizing the extent of his entanglement. He had transformed from an ordinary boy to a conspirator in acts of treason and terrorism against the world government.

He couldn't help but wonder where he would be if he had never met Carrisa—likely one of the helpless civilians, clueless about the chaos about to unfold.

The thought weighed heavily on him as he left the pavilion with Elizalina, heading to their classes. The conversation replayed in his mind, leaving him reeling from the implications of what he had just learned.

The car ride was silent except for the radio, the luxurious interior cocooning Alicarde and Elizalina in an almost eerie stillness. The sleek leather seats contrasted sharply with the coldness of their expressions, the dark-tinted windows shielding them from the outside world.

In the back seat lay Alicarde's guitar case, its unassuming black leather exterior concealing the deadly sword within—a stark reminder of his current life.

The radio continued, detailing the rampage of the mysterious reaper who had single-handedly decimated a heavily armed group of soldiers.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Can't they give it a rest already?" Alicarde muttered in irritation.

Speculation was rampant, with news anchors and commentators offering theories and wild conjectures about the identity of this dark figure and the implications of such a powerful entity emerging seemingly from nowhere.

Alicarde's annoyance grew with every passing second until he could no longer tolerate the noise.

He reached out and turned off the radio, silencing the chatter. Elizalina, who had been quietly observing him, gave him a side glance, her lips curling into a subtle smirk.

"You certainly have a talent for drawing attention to yourself," she remarked, her tone refined and composed.

"This incident could have garnered far more scrutiny if not for the recent emergence of the espers dominating the headlines. I suspect the three major factions—the Order, the Magician's Guild, and the Truth Association—are beginning to speculate that you might be indirectly working for one of them. Consequently, they are unlikely to confront us directly... for the time being."

Alicarde sighed, leaning back against the cool leather of the seat. "Let them speculate all they want. By the time they decide to make their move, we'll be prepared. For them, this is merely the prelude to war."

Elizalina's gaze remained fixed on him, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Does it no longer concern you? They are, after all, human, and ostensibly aligned with the interests of humanity."

"I do care... but only for those under my protection or those to whom I have a responsibility. It's not my place to worry about the entire world, and I'm not delusional enough to think otherwise," Alicarde responded.

"My initial goal was to protect my human family, but I won't need to if I stay away from them. Ali Asad is dead, and with him, all the ties to my human life."

Elizalina looked at him, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

"Are you implying that you no longer care for your human family?"

"I do care, and that's precisely why I believe it's best for me to let them go," Alicarde said.

"Then why not do exactly that?" Elizalina asked, her tone gentle yet probing.

"Because I don't want to sever bonds I've had since birth. Not even death could change that. I don't have that kind of resolve yet," Alicarde's voice was low, tinged with melancholy.

Sensing the shift in his mood, Elizalina decided to steer the conversation away from such somber thoughts.

"Last night, you lost control, didn't you? Though, I must say, this is an improvement compared to your past... indiscretions," she observed, her voice carrying a delicate formality.

Alicarde's irritation was evident as he ran a hand through his hair. "Can we talk about something else?"

Elizalina's smile widened, her fangs just barely visible as she leaned closer. "Of course, we can. How about offering me a taste of your blood in exchange for my silence on the matter?"

Alicarde turned his head to meet her gaze, his expression resigned. "Fine. You can have some of my blood when we reach our destination."

Elizalina's face flushed slightly at the thought, her eyes gleaming with a seductive hunger. She licked her lips, her voice taking on a sultry tone.

"I shall hold you to that, Alicarde."

Alicarde rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.

'She's impossible,' he thought, though there was no malice in it.

Elizalina shifted in her seat, her mind wandering as she imagined the taste of his blood, rich and powerful, coursing through her veins.

"You know, Alicarde, despite your tendency to incite chaos, I must admit, I find your unpredictability... exhilarating. And as for your human family, I do not believe you need to worry excessively. If you lack answers now, do what you often do—say, 'That's future Alicarde's problem.' When the time comes, I am confident you will make the right decision."

"That's actually some sound advice. Now I have the perfect excuse for procrastination. Every time I delay, I'll just say, 'Elly told me to,'" Alicarde said with a hint of sarcasm.

Elizalina chuckled softly, her laughter like a low purr. "I am pleased to see you follow instructions so well. Every woman desires a man who is... obedient."

"Yeah, right. What you really want is my blood," Alicarde retorted.

"Blood is far more valuable than obedience," Elizalina remarked, her tone playful yet sincere.

"Why do you even want it? Blood tastes horrible," Alicarde stated, his brows furrowing.

"It possesses a richness beyond taste, and most importantly, it allows me to feel the flavor of your emotions from it," Elizalina explained, her voice carrying a hint of reverence.

Alicarde rolled his eyes as their conversation continued. He was somewhat fatigued, but not enough for it to be a real bother.

The car pulled into the parking lot of Evergreen University, where the campus buzzed with activity. Students hurried between buildings, eager to make it to their morning lectures.

The campus was a blend of modern glass structures and traditional brick buildings, all set against the backdrop of a crisp autumn morning. The air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and coffee from nearby cafes, mingling with the sounds of animated chatter and footsteps on the paved walkways.

"We have arrived. As promised, you can have my blood," Alicarde said flatly.

Elizalina blushed, her cheeks taking on a soft pink hue. "Do you mean here?" she asked, surprise evident in her voice.

"Yes, here," Alicarde replied, tapping the tinted side windows of the car. "The glass is dark enough that no one will see us."

Elizalina's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. She moved swiftly, shifting from the passenger seat to his lap.

In the blink of an eye, she was facing him, her proximity unexpected. Her eyes glowed a deep, unsettling red, and her fangs elongated as her lips brushed against his neck with an intimate, seductive caress. Alicarde had expected her to drink from his wrist, not in such a suggestive manner.

Her chest pressed against him, her soft curves eliciting an involuntary response from his body, causing him to shift uncomfortably.

The bite was sharp but not painful. Elizalina's fangs sank into his neck with a mixture of pleasure and discomfort. The warmth of her breath against his skin was both unsettling and oddly comforting. Alicarde had grown used to pain, but the intimacy of this act was something he hadn't anticipated.

Unbeknownst to them, a dark-haired young man with glasses was watching from a distance. His phone camera was aimed directly at the car through the windscreen, which was not tinted. He gulped hard, eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh my God, this guy is truly a legend," he muttered under his breath.

"He just spent the night with Professor Malefica and now he's making out with the campus belle in his car!"

He ducked behind a nearby statue, trying to stay hidden. From his vantage point, he couldn't see Elizalina's fangs, so to him, it looked like they were engaged in a passionate make put session.

After a short while, the car door opened, and Elizalina stepped out, her face flushed with a look of euphoria. Alicarde, his hand on his neck, appeared fatigued but composed, the bite mark already healed thanks to her vampire saliva, though he could heal almost instantaneously even without it.

The young man in glasses watched as they walked towards the lecture hall, his mind racing.

"He's the boss," he whispered to himself. "That's why he's the GOAT... the GOAT. I need to become his underling, learn his tricks... This is my ticket with the ladies. My bloodline will not end with me."

Alicarde and Elizalina vanished into the crowd of students heading to their classes. The young man continued to watch, determined to find a way to become part of the legend he had just witnessed.