Eternal Undying Chronicles

"I believe what you seek is freedom, is it not? The freedom to live an ordinary life, devoid of supernatural chains. Should that truly be your desire, understand that your battle is far from concluded. I offer no false promises. Trust is not a requirement, only compliance, and know this, I shall not treat you as expendable pieces while you serve under my command."

John's eyes narrowed as he processed her words. He and Caden were the more pragmatic of the group, and as their elder, it fell upon him to lead the younger ones toward a better future.

" You're saying you're not the type to use people as pawns?" John asked, his voice carrying a skeptical edge.

Carrisa's response was swift and precise, her voice cool and distant.

"I am exactly the type of woman who uses people as pawns—though not disposable ones. If someone is used and discarded, it is because they were never truly mine."

Alicarde winced at her words, feeling the sting of a minor headache forming. It was unclear whether she was attempting to recruit them or simply provoke them.

"So, in short, we have no choice. We either join you or face death. And if we do join, we either get premium pawn treatment or we sign up as expendables," Christina interjected with biting sarcasm.

'This girl's quick to read between the lines,' Alicarde mused. Carrisa had already made her intentions clear—she was going to get her way. They could either agree and reap the rewards or disagree and be forced into compliance regardless.

"That is an accurate summary," Carrisa confirmed, her tone tinged with finality.

Christina clenched her fists. "Fine. What are the benefits? I knew this was coming from the moment you started talking. It's not like we have a real choice—the Reaper's liable to kill us anyway."

Carrisa's lips curled slightly. "For a start, I can provide you with a new residence. I recently came into possession of a real estate company, thanks to a certain boy's obstinate refusal to accept my feelings. Now, I have more properties than I know what to do with."

Alicarde gritted his teeth, hidden beneath his hood. 'She's bragging about kicking me out of my old apartment. This is what I get for playing the hero... should have let that truck hit her.'

John, still cautious, said, "We haven't agreed to anything yet."

"But you have," Carrisa countered smoothly. "No one contradicted Christina. Isn't that right, Caden? John?"

Caden sighed, his expression unreadable. "I suppose it's pointless to ask how you know our names."

"To answer your unspoken question, John, your current hideout has been compromised. The Reaper's brazen attack in broad daylight attracted attention. Law enforcement will trace his steps, especially after he killed a councilman. He's now on the most wanted list," Carrisa continued, her voice calm and measured.

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their situation settling in.

"She's right," Ping muttered, his fingers flying over his laptop keyboard. "I've been monitoring the chatter. Our location's blown. It's only a matter of time before they track us down."

"No need for concern," Carrisa said, her tone softening just slightly. "You may choose from an extensive catalog of properties. With me, you'll no longer have to scrape by."

Caden glanced at his team. "We need a moment to discuss this privately. I can't make such a decision alone."

"Take your time," Carrisa allowed graciously. "Should you wish to meet me in person, that can be arranged. Consider the new residence a gesture of goodwill."

Her voice vanished from Ping's laptop, replaced by images and addresses of various properties. Ping quickly scanned the details, finding a contact address among them.

The rising sound of approaching helicopters and sirens urged them to act quickly.

Caden turned to his team. "Alright, people, let's move. Christina, Chris, you're our escape plan. We teleport based on our original route and rendezvous at the agreed coordinates. After that, we'll figure out our next steps."

"I'll handle covering our tracks. No one will follow us."

"Christina, carry Summer," Caden ordered before turning to Anne, who stood uncertainly near the Reaper, her eyes darting between him and the others.

"Come with us, Anne," Caden offered. "We'll get you out of here."

Before Anne could reply, the Reaper intervened, his voice firm and unyielding.

"Absolutely not. She will not be dragged any further into this supernatural mess. You're free to leave, but she stays with me."

With their equipment packed and their decision made, the espers vanished, teleporting away to locations unknown.

The rising wail of sirens filled the air, causing Anne to shift uneasily.

'They've lived here for quite some time. There's bound to be DNA left behind. If the police forensics team finds any of Anne's, it could complicate things,' Alicarde thought, his mind racing.

He reached out toward Anne, causing her to step back in alarm.

"What happened to the bold woman who was lecturing me about justice not too long ago?" Alicarde's voice was cold and sharp, his face hidden beneath the hood.

Anne recoiled slightly, fear creeping into her eyes. Under normal circumstances, without the ominous attire and sinister aura, she would have likely fired back at him.

'Seems I can't have everything,' he mused with a touch of irony.

With a thought, Alicarde summoned Wrath, the bicorn materializing from the shadows. Anne eyed the beast with curiosity, her fear slowly dissipating.

'Some things never change. Her curiosity will always overcome her fear,' Alicarde thought, smiling to himself.

He extended his hand once more. After a moment of hesitation, Anne took it, whispering, "Thank you."

He lifted her onto the back of his spectral steed and mounted behind her, one arm securely wrapped around her waist to prevent her from falling, the other holding the reins.

Just as he prepared to teleport, he paused.

'Ah, nearly forgot. I still need to erase the evidence. Now, what was the chant for the inferno spell again?'

Raising his hand, he recited the incantation with a calm, rhythmic cadence.

"Tinder to spark, ember to glow,

In this place, let fire grow.
Your journey continues on empire

With a breath, let flames flow,

Consume all—Inferno."

A torrent of flames erupted, consuming the room as Alicarde and Anne vanished, leaving behind only the roaring blaze.

The fire spread swiftly, engulfing the crumbling building. The structure, already weakened, collapsed under the weight of the flames. The inferno raged, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky as windows shattered from the heat, and the fire devoured everything in its path.

As the emergency responders arrived, their flashing lights illuminated the smoke-choked sky. Sirens wailed, cutting through the night as they fought to contain the blaze, but it was too late. The building was lost to the inferno, leaving nothing behind but ashes and echoes of destruction.