"Now then, while I can cloak your familiar, I don't have enough spell-casting power at the mont. I would rather not waste my spells if I can help it," Malefica's stern voice was a still lody in the night.
Alicarde sighed. "I know that. I have a way to hide myself."
He stood up from his chair, his shadow rising to cloak him in an imposing black outfit. The dark fabric absorbed the surrounding light, rendering him almost a shadow himself. His hood concealed his face in deep darkness, with a mask covering from his nose to his chin, leaving only his piercing eyes visible.
Intricate dark tals ford gauntlets with sharp fingers and retractable wrist blades, seamlessly connected to vambraces.
A sturdy chest plate guarded his torso, while a long, Grim Reaper-like cloak flowed ominously behind him. Sturdy shin guards added to his formidable presence.
Malefica watched him intently. "This should do. An enchanted armor, well made, it seems to be a soul artifact. I can sense several enchantnt slots that are unused and four existing enchantnts." Find exclusive stories on empire
She nodded approvingly. "It's well-crafted, one of the best I've seen in a thousand years."
Alicarde nodded but didn't say a word. He dismissed his gear, and it vanished in a dark shimr.
"Now we don't have to worry about my identity being exposed," Alicarde said.
"Yes, we don't. I can use an enchanted charm to distort my appearance as well," she glanced at him. "Do you know what the enchantnts are? I can appraise it with my power if you'd like."
"I don't… wait, I thought you said you can only use three spells a day," Alicarde asked, sowhat befuddled.
"Yes, I can only use three spells a day, but this counts as a parlor trick," Malefica replied confidently.
"Fine, sure." Alicarde equipped his Reaper's Vestnts again. Malefica stood up, placing her hand on his chest. She was so close, her fragrance filled his head.
"I will share sensory perception with you so you can see the enchantnts' nas and functions."
Alicarde nodded, not speaking, knowing the Reaper's Vestnts made his voice cold, dark, and sinister. He felt like Malefica had dived into the soul of the vestnts. He soon saw an ethereal glow in front of his eyes. There were words written there:
[Bloodless] Prevents blood loss, strengthens with exposure to blood, and returns accumulated damage to the enemy.
[Union] Regenerates with the user, amplifying all attributes as the user grows stronger.
[Distortion] Conceals the user's identity and prevents detection.
[Aegis of the Mind] Shields the mind, preventing stun and abnormal effects, ensuring clarity in battle.
[Add]
[Add]
[Add]....[more]
Malefica took a step back, looking at him. All she could see was darkness; she couldn't see his face.
"It seems it has four enchantnts at the mont, with too many enchantnt slots, most of which are empty. It must have cost the Evernight girl a fortune to afford this equipnt... she must not have had enough funds to add more than four," Malefica speculated, impressed with the gear.
Alicarde remained quiet, silently morizing the enchantnts and thinking of how best to apply them in combat. Carrisa had told him she based the design off an assassin ga he loved.
The gauntlets were added to incorporate Argint's combat style, giving him claws. The retractable blades were for close combat. The mask changed his voice, and the hood amplified his base powers and, most of all, his fear. The overall gear healed with him, among other things.
Then there were the empty slots. He could add more enchantnts, as long as he found an enchanter or enchantress. Malefica pushed aside strands of her hair. She looked breathtaking. Alicarde was glad she couldn't see his face; he didn't have to wear his poker face under the hood.
He dismissed the gear, then sat down. "Now then, we break into the databank. Which district is it, and what's your plan?"
"It's in the central district. It's a high-level facility, guarded by military personnel, the Bureau of Intelligence," Malefica replied.
Alicarde listened intently. "You'll create the distraction. Sothing to draw the guards away from the databank while I slip inside."
Malefica nodded. "I can arrange that. There are a few small-ti criminal groups in the area we can use. They're always looking for a quick score. I can stir them up, with a spell."
Alicarde smirked. "Perfect. And once I'm inside?"
"You'll need to get past several security checkpoints. The first one is just guards, but after that, you'll face biotric scanners and encrypted locks. Your skills should handle the humans, but the biotric part might be tricky," Malefica explained.
"I can handle it," Alicarde assured her.
"And rember, no civilian casualties," Malefica reminded him sternly.
Alicarde nodded. "Understood. I'll be in and out without any witnesses."
"I hope 'no witnesses' doesn't an you'll kill them," Malefica said in a stern voice.
"Heehee, you got . Alright, no deaths," Alicarde smiled.
Malefica gave him a small smile. "Good. Let's get this done. The sooner we have that data, the sooner we can figure out Zagarath's plan and put a stop to it."
Alicarde stood up, readying himself for the mission. "Let's go. Ti to show Zagarath he's not the only one who can play dirty."
"How do we get there exactly?" Alicarde asked Malefica, who had changed into a green dress. She held an elegant black cane adorned with intricate gold designs along its upper section.
The cane featured a large, srizing gem set into the poml, which imbued it with various mystical abilities. The craftsmanship of the cane was impeccable, with swirling patterns and arcane symbols etched into the wood, giving it a sense of ancient power and elegance.
"We can't take a car, so how we leave is up to you. I can't afford to waste my limited spells," Malefica spoke calmly.
"Fine, whatever. Leave it to . I happen to have a decent ride," he muttered.
"Very well, then summon your familiar so I can cast my spell," Malefica ordered.
Alicarde didn't like her tone, but he accepted nonetheless. His shadow moved, and a dark bicorn appeared. It had a sleek black coat, three sharp horns on its forehead, and a black saddle and reins. Its infernal eyes were nacing, and violet flas flickered around its hooves, casting an eerie glow.
Malefica was entranced by the bicorn, and Alicarde suppressed the urge to smile smugly.
"Being able to find, ta, and control such a powerful familiar is impressive. I am amazed," Malefica said.
'Yeah, you better be. Your daddy went through so shit to get here,' Alicarde thought rudely but remained quiet.
Malefica began to cast her spell as Wrath gazed at her coldly but didn't resist, knowing its master had allowed it. A magic seal appeared in Malefica's hand as she chanted softly:
"With shadows bent and moonlight torn,
I call on secrets, veil and form,
Hide the truth, distort the sight,
Veil us in the depths of night,
A phantom's guise, unseen plight,
Lesser Concealnt, take flight!"
Wrath was enveloped in a soft light, and his powerful presence faded. Even the violet flas on his hooves disappeared, leaving no trace of his infernal nature.
"It's done. Now, how do you intend for us to get there without drawing attention?" Malefica asked, turning to Alicarde.
Alicarde equipped the Reaper's Vestnts as he walked toward her. Without a word, he swept her off her feet, cradling her in his arms. Malefica gasped, caught off guard by the sudden movent.
He mounted Wrath with her, gripping the reins as the air around them shimred like water, and in an instant, they were high above the city.
"By flying on the bicorn you concealed," his sinister voice echoed through the night.
Wrath's shadow wings unfurled, carrying them silently into the sky. Malefica, not expecting to be carried like a princess, was seated in front as Alicarde's arm wrapped securely around her waist, his other hand steering the bicorn.
"Hold on tight."
The cityscape blurred beneath them, the twinkling lights forming a patchwork of stars on the ground. To any observer below, it would seem as though the Grim Reaper himself rode across the sky, a dark steed bearing away a beautiful captive.
The bicorn's wings cut through the night air, each beat steady and smooth. Malefica, after the initial shock, found herself easing into the unexpected comfort of the ride. The cool breeze brushed against her skin, and the rhythmic motion of Wrath's flight was almost soothing.
She glanced up at Alicarde. His face, hidden beneath the hood, was unreadable, his eyes fixed forward, intent on their destination.
"Where exactly are we heading?" she asked, her voice barely carrying over the rushing wind.
"The central district obviously," Alicarde replied. "We'll be there soon. Just hold on."
A sudden thought crossed his mind, and he cursed under his breath. "Damn."
"What is it?" Malefica's tone sharpened.
"I left my sword at your place," Alicarde muttered, realizing he'd forgotten his guitar case—the hidden weapon was —back at her residence. If Argint or Carrisa ever found out he'd left it behind, he'd never hear the end of it.
"Should we go back?" Malefica whispered.
"No, it'll co to ," he said confidently, his voice tinged with a dark certainty.
The sword's ability to return to him was one of its most mysterious properties. If he couldn't go to it, it would co to him.
As they flew, the city below seed to blur into a patchwork of light and shadow. The central district lood ahead, its towering structures like sentinels against the night sky. The contrast between the serene heavens and the chaotic cityscape below was stark—a reminder of the corruption and secrets they were about to uncover.
"Ready?" Alicarde asked.
Malefica tightened her grip on her enchanted cane. "I've waited a long ti for this. I'm ready."
The lights of the central district grew brighter, each building distinct against the night's darkness. Their mission was about to begin, and both Alicarde and Malefica knew they would need every ounce of their strength and cunning to succeed.
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