Eternal Undying Chronicles

The luxurious car was in flames. Alicarde, the target of the spell, was burning on the asphalt, rolling frantically in a futile attempt to extinguish the flames searing into his flesh. The magic energy coursing through the fire wreaked havoc on his body, adding to his agony.

Malefica, on the other hand, stood calmly behind a translucent barrier, unaffected by the flames. Alicarde finally managed to put out the fire, his clothes reduced to charred rags.

"Seriously, I can't believe you ruined such a good car," he grumbled.

Malefica emerged from the burning wreckage with an impassive expression. Her clothing was untouched, protected by the barrier that had kept the flames at bay.

"I gave you ample warning."

"Fair enough… Is that what you thought I'd say, you nut job? You set us both ablaze!"

Alicarde retorted, irritation evident in his voice.

Malefica's face remained cold and indifferent.

"No, I set you ablaze. As you can see, I'm perfectly fine."

Alicarde clenched his jaw, his eyes reflecting his frustration. The barrier surrounding Malefica shimmered faintly, mocking him.

"Touché. Using barrier magic is so unfair."

Malefica's lips curved into a faint smile, laced with mock disappointment.

"Why must my student disappoint me time and time again? This isn't magic; it's a boon."

Alicarde blinked, surprised. If it was a boon, that explained a lot. Boons were unique powers tied to a true name. It seemed her true name granted her the ability to create powerful barriers. Alicarde's own true name had its own boon, though he seldom relied on it. His gift granted him an extra layer of immortality and enhanced regenerative abilities, but he still wondered what her true name was.

He knew better than to ask.

"You still consider me your student, yet you don't hesitate to blow me up. I can see why your kind are called witches."

"You make it sound like a bad thing," she replied calmly.

"I'll have you know, witches were once known as the kind priestesses of the forest."

Alicarde scoffed.

"Kind? You must not have been one of them. Didn't you get kicked out of the coven by those obviously kind witches?"

Malefica's smile grew cold, her displeasure evident.

"Do I need to burn you again?"

Alicarde forced a laugh, not eager to relive the experience.

"I apologize for my outburst."

She accepted his apology with a curt nod as the flames continued consuming the car. Alicarde couldn't help but lament the loss of such a fine vehicle, especially out here in the middle of nowhere.

'Wait… in the middle of nowhere?'

His thoughts came to a screeching halt as he realized their predicament. They had lost their ride in the middle of nowhere. Turning to Malefica, he voiced his concern.

"How long until we reach our destination?"

Malefica didn't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"We're still a ways off. I'd say we're about halfway there."

Alicarde took a deep breath.

"And how do you suppose we get there now that you've destroyed your car?"

Malefica blinked, only now realizing his point.

"We'll figure something out."

"Like what? You don't think we can just fly there, do you?"

"As a matter of fact, we can." she replied, glancing at his shadow.

"Summon your familiar."

Alicarde clenched his teeth, not keen on letting her have the final word.

"I can't. It's not sundown yet, and Wrath isn't a pack mule. He's a noble bicorn."

Malefica was unimpressed. Placing her hands on her waist, she commanded.

"Enough of your games. Summon your familiar. We don't have time to waste."

Sighing, he gave in. The space beneath his feet shifted, and from his shadow, the large, imposing figure of a dark bicorn emerged.

Alicarde smirked as he remembered something. The bicorn was massive, and Malefica couldn't mount it without his help, especially not in a dress. The thought amused him.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Her icy voice snapped him back to reality.

"Like what?"
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"Like you're up to no good."

"Nah, nothing. Don't mind little old me."

Malefica pursed her lips.

"Very well then."

Alicarde glanced down at his tattered clothes, charred beyond recognition. His phone was destroyed, likely melted in the heat. With a sigh, he summoned his Reaper's Vestments, dark metallic armor and cloth materializing around him in an instant.

He mounted the bicorn with a fluid motion. Malefica approached, expecting him to help her up onto the creature.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" she asked impatiently.

The urge to snap back at her arrogance was strong, but instead, he smirked.

"I was going to say take a hike, but if you did, how would I get the chance to feel you up?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"You must really be a glutton for punishment. Try anything untoward, and I'll burn you again."

"..."

He wisely said nothing, offering her his hand to help her onto the bicorn. Once she was seated in front of him, he wrapped one arm around her waist and grabbed the reins with the other.

"Try anything," she warned, "and you know what will happen."

Feigning innocence, he asked.

"And what will happen?"

"Why don't you try and find out?"

Alicarde sighed. She was at the end of her patience, and he figured it was best to let her cool off. He commanded the bicorn to spread its wings and prepare for flight.

"No, don't! We can't fly here," Malefica protested.

He frowned beneath his hood.

"And why not?"

"We're close to their territory. I don't want to alert them."

Alicarde's irritation flared.

"If you didn't want them noticing us, why'd you blow me up with that spell?"

"You deserved it"

"....."

"Fine. We'll take our time and move slowly. Are you happy now?" he grumbled.

"Me being happy has nothing to do with it."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever. Let's find your old coven and get this over with."

Malefica stared into the distance, already anticipating a long journey. She reminded herself to remain patient.

'At least he hasn't made any offhanded comments yet.'

"No wonder you're still single. With that attitude, I don't see you landing a man anytime soon."

Malefica didn't rise to the bait, though her teeth clenched as she imagined drowning him. She smiled faintly at the thought.

"Shut up and let's go. Move gently. I don't want to fall off this thing."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

Alicarde's voice echoed through the woods as the bicorn trotted steadily along the asphalt road, carrying the reaper and the witch into the unknown.