Maleficent nodded, "I can sense that my sister has arrived into our world and I fear that her mind is not quiet after this ordeal many years ago. Alas, I wish to do something to calm her heart, but that is impossible."
"It's impossible for the great Maleficent?" Malleus looked to her in disbelief though words sounding sarcastic.
She nodded, "As you've probably heard from my past self, I was neither a dark fae nor a light fae. When I was born, I was parentless. My kin had also disappeared and my parents slain by the former ruler of the nearby kingdom during my era. So, I was raised by other faes in the Moors, where I was born and allowed to leave. I was also a fae that could harness the power of nature and create herbs and flowers."
Hearing this, Malleus realized what was happening. If it was like this, then, not just appearance traits and biology, even their birth was nearly similar. The only difference was that he still have family around him, much like the Moor forest was for Maleficent. It was no wonder that Maleficent said she was worried about his future. It was because they were so alike one another!
"One day, I met third sister and, although we weren't blood related, we swore with two others sisterhood. Unable to pronounce my name properly, I was named Mo Li. They provided me the knowledge I needed to integrate into society and were my family. As I grew strong, many admired my power and beauty earning me the title Thorn Fairy. However, there were humans who despised me for petty reasons and trapped me before I could grow too strong. My original power was stripped away from me and my former appearance was transformed. Unable to use former magic properly, I replied on the power of darkness when I returned to the Moor and, thus became the first Dark fae in the Moor."
Maleficient was the first Dark Fae in history?!
"To think that was the reason why we could not find much concrete detail from before your reign." Malleus noted in shock, "To think the reason to this and your appearance as a dark fae was due to a horrible tragedy that struck you many years ago."
Maleficent nodded, "I left my family behind and returned to the Moor thinking they would be safe against my enemies if I left. However, when I read the journals my gentle and frail Third Sister left me, I realized the grave error I've committed. What I had thought was my err alone, my sisters had taken it as theirs as well. As you can see from my Third Sister's memories, she has taken on the guilt and anger all on her own for billions of years. Now, this anger and guilt has twisted her mind only seconds upon being freed from her own shackles upon rebirth. It would seem that she has developed a crazed state that would appear on occasions. However, years of uncontrollable dark magic and blot had erroded both my power and my soul. Even when I was alive, it had erroded away by sanity. So, I am no longer capable of saving her."
Even the great Maleficient was harmed by the blot? So terrifying.
"What does she want?" Malleus looked to her hesitantly.
Maleficent hesitated seemingly close to tears but never there on her face, "She... wants vengeance."
.....
The embrace around her body was warm and not like that of lukewarm blood that once drenched her body years ago. This voice. This warmth. It reminded her of the spring days just after winter where she would be greeted with an embrace from Mo Li and with bags of goodies she would sneak back with behind the guards' and Eldest Sister's backs. The smell of flowers and greenery came back to her followed by the scent of fresh apples...
Apples?
The sense of confusion and smell slowly roused her from her slumber as she awoken to the warmth around her body. Soft breathing came down upon her bangs and the pressure around her was tight and soft. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself still in her covers. As she looked around, she froze in horror biting back a curse that nearly rose from her mouth!
Why in the world is this FREAKING diva asleep while embracing her around her waist?!
Although just her being under the cover was an assurance, it doesn't help the fact that he's practically in a spooning position behind her!
Moreover...
She struggled to move out of his arms but was shocked to find that the guy was much stronger than she had expected. He's not a body builder but still has a honed figure so she assumed that he'd be strong as a model and actor but not this strong.
As she struggled to free herself, Crystal spoke up in her mind, "Master, you're finally awake. I've sent message that you would be away a while longer to the Zhang sister."
Good. However, the evil cultivator was still a problem. As for Vil...
"He noticed your chill and stayed by your side."
So, that's why...
Suddenly, her phone buzzed and she picked it up with a raised brow. Who knew...
Another message popped up stating something in regards to the queen of Rose Queendom from one of her eyes and ears. She frowned.
Before she could read about it, the phone was pulled out of her hands!
She looked up in shock as she came face to face with Vil! Since when was he awake?!
"Trying to escape?" Vil frowned as he confiscated her phone without a single glance.
"Just looking at the news." Lotus responded with a frown as Vil got up from the bed and she sat up with her eyes following his movements.
Vil hesitated.
"Unless," Lotus huffed in disdain, "Mister Prickly Diva here doesn't even allow us to have phones."
Suddenly, Lotus felt pressure on her shoulders and crashed with her back into the mattress and Vil on top of her scowling at her angrily. He glared at her with a frown, "You think that everything is under your control now that you know the secrets of the school, magic power, and control over all of our dorms, don't you? Sadly, you're gravely mistaken, ...Lotus."
What?
"The only reason you were able to do what you want is because you are a student of this school, but even that has its own rules." Vil sneered, "You took advantage of the guardians by utilizing your status as a student and easily took this matter with your own hands as a cultivator. Do you think of yourself the princess of this world? Doing whatever you want and grasping whatever you wish? There are always limits and consequences to your own actions!"
Seeing the stunned expression on her face, he continued with a scowl, "If you know what's good for you, you'll drop out of this school and leave everything to the adults."
Suddenly, he felt a strong pull down on her as Lotus pulled him closer to her and whispered, "Perhaps if you weren't so oblivious to the smallest details, you'd think twice before you start choosing your words... potato diva..."
With one move, Lotus flipped him onto the bed using tremendous strength and under her instead as she whispered, "Lift the spell in this room... and forget any of these events about Peony Xue and the relationship to Lotus Xue. Forget Peony Xue entering the school ever happened."
Using her spiritual energy in her eyes, she placed him into a slumber as she got off him and secretly limped away through the opened windows.
A sense of dread and shock rushed through him as Vil struggled to fight off this control over his body. With his mind slowly fading under the influence of some power, he panicked! This wasn't what he wanted! Not after all these years of searching! They'd only just gotten back together and Jack... Jack would want to see her again too! Their parents. Those old couple at the bakery...
As he struggled to keep his eyes opened, a single thought ran through his mind as he desperately tried to keep himself from trying to forget about her return...
Come back... Peony!
.....
Lotus made it out of the barrier and heaved a deep sigh before stopping herself. Why was she so relieved yet complex?
She shook her head. No. Now was not the time for her to be lost in thoughts again! She only have a two hours before sunrise now. She must finish her goals and return as quickly as she can!
According to Crystal, Vil and her saw that the evil cultivator was struggling to break the barrier and seemed to have noticed that someone had exited prior to her attacks. She must've imagined that the person who exited was the creator of the barrier and tried to break in and finish the job while she was hurt.
Realizing this, Lotus came up with a plan.
.....
The little girl with the umbrella walked around the barrier in confusion. She wanted to break it open, but this barrier was actually stronger than her!
She had only recently discovered her talent for arrays as well, so it was not enough against the power of one who is more experienced than her. However, her thirst for blood was pushing her to quench it and the thought of sucking another blood had begun to linger in her mind...
That man's flawless beauty and that child's talent! She must have them for herself too! Just the thought of drinking their blood excites her!
With this in mind she sped up her investigation of the barrier for a way in. In the cold forest, a hazy mist was blown into the vicinity gradually limiting her vision as she frowned, "Dang it! Not again!"
Having visited here for a while, she's learned that this place would start to create a dense fog that would continue to stay until sunrise. However, she could not wait until then! She must have blood now!
Thankfully, she poisoned that girl earlier when they were making their escape. Since it will drain her of her spiritual energy and cut off access to the spiritual energy around them, it won't be long before she will need to come out and find that large peacock again to get an antidote! And, when that happens, she will be lying in wait for her before she strikes...
Thinking this, she licked her lips eagerly before deciding to try to wait and see if she could pinpoint the exact location for her to catch her prey...
However due to the fog, she decided to send her beasts out then wait and see if she can find even one of them. It wasn't long before she sensed the death of one of her contract beasts that she decided to rush out to the last known location!
There!
This floral scent. It's that girl!
From afar, she noticed a dark figure hurrying behind the layers of mist. Seeing this, she decided to hurry after it stealthily and silently.
They went on for half an hour before she noticed that the figure had stopped! Quietly, she crept through the bushes like a wild beast on a hunt. Seconds passed, minutes soon followed after.
Now!
With an aggressive force she had not experienced before, she kept towards the dark figure with madness and hunger in her eyes! All for blood!