Eternal Undying Chronicles

The morning came, and Alicarde's heart felt lighter than the day before. The dark circles under his eyes had more or less vanished, and he dressed quickly, ready for the trip.

By the time he reached the ground floor, where he could faintly sense the presence of the three ladies, they were already prepared and waiting. Despite being the only man in the group, he was, somewhat embarrassingly, the last to be ready.

As he entered the grand hall, the first person he noticed was Carrisa. She wore a black dress adorned with faint, intricate ornamental patterns that extended to her ankles.

The dress hugged her figure elegantly, highlighting her slender waist and graceful posture. Simple, yet sophisticated, dangling earrings added a touch of refinement to her look, drawing attention to her long, graceful neck.

Carrisa's dark hair was styled neatly in a braid and bun, which only served to enhance her striking violet eyes. The hairstyle highlighted her beautiful face and gave her an air of both captivating allure as well as poised authority. Every inch of her appearance spoke of a woman in control, effortlessly commanding attention with her mere presence.

Standing faithfully by her side was Amena, the ever-dutiful maid whose beauty was no less striking. Amena's curvaceous figure was clad in a classic maid's outfit, her black dress fitted perfectly to accentuate her form.

The dress had short, puffed sleeves and a crisp white collar, over which she wore a pristine white apron adorned with ruffles along the edges. The apron was tied at the waist with a large bow at the back, and the dress flared into a short, frilly skirt that added to her doll-like appeal.

Amena's lustrous brown hair was styled into an elegant updo, with soft tendrils framing her delicate face.

Her large, expressionless blue eyes gave her an air of innocence and charm, making her seem almost like a beautiful porcelain doll.

When she noticed Alicarde, she gave him a curt nod, a gesture that was so characteristic of her. He recalled how she had spent the better part of three days trying to comfort him in her own unique, stoic way.

Though she maintained her professional demeanor, he could sense that she wanted to smile at him but chose to keep to her station as a maid.

His gaze then turned to Argint, who had now moved into the mansion. His heart felt a bit heavier at the sight of her, but he had promised himself to stop sulking and move on.

He would stand proud and, one day, be liberated from his guilt completely. However, today was not that day. Today, he couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the women around him, even if it felt wrong to do so.

Argint's outfit was both practical and stylish, perfectly suited for someone with her adventurous spirit. Her fiery red hair cascaded in wild waves around her shoulders, a stark contrast to her amber eyes that gleamed with an untamed spirit.

She wore a fitted olive-green crop top that hugged her torso, showcasing her athletic figure while allowing for ease of movement. High-waisted, dark blue leggings accentuated her shapely legs, adding to her already stunning appearance.

As Alicarde approached them, he noticed that Argint seemed to be doing fine. She had cried her heart out, and now she was the picture of lightheartedness.

He half expected her to say something to him, but she didn't. She didn't even glance his way, focusing solely on her breakfast. She ate with a gentle poise that reminded him of Carrisa, leading him to wonder if their refined table manners were a product of their upbringing.

After a light breakfast, they set off. Argint followed on her bike, while the others rode in a luxurious sedan. The sight of her on the bike brought back memories of their last need for speed encounter, or it would be better to call it a Fast and Furious one.

"In the sense that I was fast and she was furious, furiously trying to kill me," he mused to himself.

The fact that he could joke about it meant that he had indeed gotten better, finally overcoming the emotional hurdle.

The journey took them out of Evergreen City, heading towards the mountains and forests that lay beyond the coastal city. Evergreen was nestled between the sea and the mountains, and their destination was a secluded retreat high in those mountains.

The scenery gradually shifted from the bustling cityscape to the tranquil, verdant wilderness. Dense, towering trees flanked the road, their leaves casting dappled shadows as the morning sun rose higher in the sky.

Alicarde sat in the back seat of the posh sedan, with Carrisa beside him. He stole glances at her, still processing everything that had happened over the past few days.

"Where exactly are we going?" Alicarde finally asked, breaking the silence.

"We are heading to a small retreat in the mountains. It's more of a camping site than anything else. A change of scenery should do you some good, far better than staying cooped up in your room," Carrisa replied, her tone aloof and composed.

"I wasn't cooped up, I... I was contemplating my life choices," Alicarde said, trying to justify himself.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I suppose the dark circles under your eyes yesterday were part of those life choices," Carrisa remarked, her words laced with a subtle, teasing tone.

"Yeah, I make it a point to look as dead as possible on purpose. It really helps me relax," Alicarde replied dryly.

Carrisa smiled softly at his response. "It's good to see you returning to your normal self. Though, I am sure you're aware, Alicarde, this won't be the last time you take a life."

Alicarde lowered his head, the weight of her words settling in.

"Yeah, I know... I figured there was a reason you always trained me until I was all bloodied up, and why you put me through all those weird mental exercises. They were meant to make me more adjusted to the idea of taking a life, weren't they? It's kind of like how soldiers are trained for war."

"Yes. In this world, hesitation can mean death, and weakness is the greatest sin. It is, in fact, the original sin—the root of all suffering," Carrisa said, clenching her fist as if to emphasize her point.

Alicarde nodded in agreement. Her words carried a truth he could not deny. She looked at him intently, her gaze searching.

"Alicarde, do you regret pushing me out of the way that night?" Carrisa asked, her tone more serious.

"Huh? No, why would I?" Alicarde replied, genuinely puzzled.

"Even now that you know the truck couldn't have killed me?" Carrisa's voice was calm, but there was a hint of something deeper, something almost like concern.

"Nope, not at all," Alicarde said, shaking his head.

"Even after what happened with Argint?" Carrisa continued, her gaze never wavering.

"Nah, I think I'm almost over it. I did tell you I have a crazy high EQ. My heart is made to not give a damn," Alicarde smiled faintly.

"Is that so? Then why were you so depressed?" Carrisa asked, her smile mirroring his. Her words, however, were more pointed, as if challenging his previous statement.

"High EQ is a double-edged stat," Alicarde quipped, trying to deflect her probing.

As they traveled deeper into the woods, the sedan finally reached their destination: a mountainous forest retreat.

The retreat was nestled high among the peaks, surrounded by dense, towering trees that seemed to touch the sky. The crisp mountain air was refreshing, a welcome change from the city's smog and noise.

The retreat itself was nothing short of luxurious. It had a helipad and internet connectivity despite its remote location, a library filled with books, a lounge area with high-spec gaming setups, and solar panels for power.

The rooms were spacious and lavishly furnished, each one offering a stunning view of the surrounding wilderness.

There was even a pristine lake nearby, its surface reflecting the vibrant greens of the forest and the blues of the sky.

Alicarde was impressed, to say the least. He took some time to explore the retreat, marveling at the luxury and wondering just how many millions had been spent to create such an oasis in the middle of nowhere.

It was only as the sun began to set that he returned to the main area, where he ran into Argint, who was leaning casually against a tree. The evening sun cast its dying embers on her fair skin, giving her an almost ethereal glow.

She looked up as he approached, her amber eyes settling on him.

"Alicarde, right? We need to talk," she said, her tone serious. Alicarde felt his heart stir but nodded in agreement. She turned and began walking into the forest, and he followed, uncertain of what she wanted to say but ready to face it regardless.

They walked in silence for about thirty minutes, the only sound being the crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant calls of birds settling in for the night.

Alicarde's mind raced with thoughts, wondering what Argint wanted to discuss. However, she remained silent, her pace steady as they moved deeper into the woods.

Finally, she broke the silence.

"I wanted to talk to you, but you locked yourself up in your room. It's a bit overdue, but..." Her words trailed off as she suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on the sky. Her expression shifted to one of shock, and Alicarde, whose heart had already darkened with anticipation, turned to follow her gaze.

The night sky was filled with smoke, thick plumes rising into the air. The orange hue of flames could be seen flickering in the distance, casting an eerie glow over the trees.

Alicarde's eyes widened at the sight, his anxiety overwhelmed by a surge of worry.

'That's the luxurious mountain retreat where Carrisa and Amena are. What the hell is going on? Is that a fire?' His thoughts raced, barely keeping pace with the pounding of his heart.

Argint shot him a serious look, her expression mirroring the urgency he felt.

"Let's go," she shouted, already sprinting off into the distance.

Alicarde didn't hesitate. He darted after her, his speed unnatural, fueled by adrenaline and a desperate concern for Carrisa and Amena.

Despite having spent only a short time with them, the bond they'd formed was undeniable. All the thoughts and troubles that had weighed him down before now seemed insignificant in the face of this new crisis.

They reached the retreat in no time, but the scene before them was harrowing. The once serene and luxurious retreat was now a hellscape of flames.

The fire raged violently, filling the air with thick, acrid smoke that stung their eyes and made it difficult to breathe.

The intense heat distorted the air, and the roar of the flames drowned out any sound.

Alicarde scanned the area, his heart sinking further as he realized he couldn't sense any presence—no sign of Carrisa or Amena. The retreat, now unrecognizable, was being devoured by the flames, and the usually pristine surroundings were shrouded in a suffocating blanket of smoke and ash.

"I can't pick up their scent in all this smoke," Argint said through gritted teeth, her frustration evident.

Alicarde, struggling to maintain his balance in the chaos, stumbled over something. As he steadied himself, his eyes caught sight of something on the ground—an object that seemed out of place amid the destruction. He bent down and picked it up, a black arrow, with black and white feathers and an arrowhead crafted from an unfamiliar, dark metal.

"Hey, what's this?" he called to Argint, holding up the arrow for her to see.

She rushed over, her sharp eyes narrowing as she inspected the arrow.

"A clue," she muttered, her voice laced with cold focus.

"I can track the scent from this. I also found a footprint over there," she added, pointing in the direction she had come from.

Alicarde tightened his grip on the arrow, a renewed sense of purpose surging through him.

"Let's find them," he said boldly, his voice steady despite the turmoil around them.

His healing trip had come to an end, before it even began.