Hellbound With You (WN)

After speaking, Zeres surrounded himself in a cyclone of magical forcefield. The little glimpses that could be seen of him showed that he was carrying out more summoning magic – his lips were moving as he chanted the spells needed and his fingers could be seen moving rapidly, forming multiple and complex signals which could be assumed to be part of the very complicated forbidden demon summoning spell. Any and all attacks could not break through that cyclone Zeres had surrounded himself with. Alex had launched an arc made of pure sword power but when it reached the whirling cyclone, it quietly dissipated as if it were just mist. Everyone looking on were baffled. They were at least expecting a clash of powers and an explosion as those powers collided. However, that was not the case.

Alicia and the others were horrified at what they saw in the crystal ball. She never would have thought that Zeres would actually summon a demon. However, this was worse than the worst-case scenario – he went ahead and summoned not only one of those things, but three of them in one go! Just one of these summoned demons from the depths of hell alone could wreak havoc to the world within a matter of days. Zeres truly pulled out all the stops on this final move, proving to everyone and especially those who still held on a thread of hope for him, that he was beyond saving. He was beyond pulling back. What he wants, he will get. This was a man on a mission and a one-track mind to achieve his aim – no matter what!

But what terrified Alicia the most was not the upcoming chaos or even the imminent destruction of this world she calls home, but the fact that Zeres' declaration that was made earlier. That he would no doubt summon an army of demons to havoc the earth if she dies before he did. If that happens... How terrifying would the chaos stirred up in the world be?

It would be more apt to describe it as perhaps the ending of the world and living things as it is than just calling it as plain old chaos. Humankind's chance of surviving this cataclysmic event would drastically drop into the negatives, much less consider surviving it. Only the very strong might perhaps have a fraction of a chance.

Alicia started to tremble, knowing full well that Zeres would really do it. Why? Just why would he go to all this length – all the pain, trouble, and alienation of those he holds dear – just to keep her alive? Was she truly worth all that? Just why was he so hellbent in wanting to keep her alive? Crack her head as she might, she could not figure out what was it that truly inspired him to go down this deadly path.

Wobbling, Alicia grasped Lilith's shoulders to force herself stand. She cannot let this happen. No, she could not let this progress even further than it already had. Though world destruction was still a couple of hours away, she could not allow herself to just watch like a sitting duck. She needed to do something to stop this madness. Because if not, she would never forgive herself and Zeres too if the world finally fell into chaos and destruction because of this.

Making up her mind, she turned to the young lady who was still looking into the crystal ball. "Lilith, I'll be needing you to take me there now. Bring me to Zeres." Alicia said, after which she took in a deep breath. Despite being in her most weakened state, her eyes had become incredibly intense.

"But it's too dangerous for you, my queen –" Lilith could only try to stall as she knew Alicia was already on her last legs. Even standing was proving to be a difficult chore for her at the moment, much less going up against something so powerful and deadly.

However, Lilith could not continue on with her statement because of the desperation she saw so clearly pouring out from Alicia's eyes. Alicia looked like she would not hesitate to jump into the heart of the battlefield to try and stop Zeres even if she already knew it would be at the cost of her life.

After throwing a discreet glance at Kyle and noting the slight shake of his head, Lilith could only give in even though she was extremely reluctant to do so. There was no way she could say 'no' to her queen. This wonderful, caring, and powerful queen whom she had grown up idolising and wishing daily to be like her. There was also the understanding that she knew queen Alicia would rather die than stay in this place and wait for the tragedy that was going to happen – a tragedy she believed was all because of her.

"I will bring queen Alicia there." Lilith finally voiced out and protest immediately shone in Kyle's eyes. "Do not worry, there will be no way that Zeres will allow those demons to harm her."

"Lilith is right." Alicia cut in. "You and Lucas must stay with the prophetess. I'll be counting on you both to protect her. Please… this is my wish. Those summoned demons will definitely come after you so you must not come along with us. Do not worry, Zeres will not harm us. Stay here and wait for Ezekiel's signal."

With those last words and before the vampires could even think of a reason to protest, the two witches had already disappeared – leaving Kyle utterly torn between his duty or his heart. Should he obey his brother or run after Lilith and Alicia?

…

At this point in time, the battle that was going on between Alex and the three summoned demons were already at the peak of its intensity. Alex would never have thought he would one day actually end up fighting demons – of all creatures – which could be considered as somewhat his fellow immortals.