"They said you haven't eaten in almost two days," Albaric stared at Michael apprehensively.
"Can you just leave me alone?" Michael returned irritated, "I need to concentrate,"
"You've been at it non-stop for days," Albaric said with a sigh, "Clover's not going to wake. We need to think of something else,"
"Just SHUT UP, Okay?" Michael spat, " I don't want to hear it!"
Albaric dragged a hand over his face and marched toward Michael. He was sitting at Clover's bedside. He had been casting some kind of healing spell for nearly two days. Albaric grabbed him by the wrist, snapping him out of his reverie. Michael stumbled off of his seat and stared at him like a wild beast about to attack.
"We have one day left before the Emperor starts the attack on the demon world!" Albaric said before Michael could respond, "we need a new plan!"
"What do I care what the Emperor does?" Michael yanked his hand away, "let him. I hope he gets eaten alive! I hope they all do,"
"And after that?" Albaric returned. "What about everyone else?"
"What about them?" Michael sniffed, "this will be the last war we have. One side will come out victorious this time. The other will wither and die. Personally, I'm rooting for the demons,"
"How can you say that?! We fought on the frontlines together! You'd happily let those men go to their death?"
"It's not my problem," Michael said flatly, "you're the general, not me,"
"So that's it then? You're just giving up?"
"I gave up a long time ago," Michael scoffed, "There's only one thing I want now and that's Kalandra dead at my feet,"
"What will that achieve?" Albaric said in a low voice. "Will that make it hurt less? Will that bring Bird back?"
Michael's eyes widened irately, "No, but it'll give me some fucking satisfaction!"
"Meanwhile the world will burn," Albaric said coldly.
"The world is already burning," Michael grinned darkly, "just take a step outside the Empire and listen. You can hear them screaming already,"
"IF you know then WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SMILING FOR?!" Albaric snapped.
"GODS!!" Came a voice, "Can you two take it outside? Seriously. You're giving me a damn headache!"
Michael and Albaric turned abruptly. Clover was sitting up beside them cradling their head. They cast an irritated glance over to them. Neither Albaric nor Michael spoke. Both just stared.
"What?" Clover said flatly. "Demons don't get headaches?"
"You..." Michael started. "You're awake..." his voice trailed.
"And?" Clover replied annoyed.
Albaric let out a sigh and threw his head back with a laugh.
"Oh thank the Gods!" he exhaled with a smile.
"What are you thanking them for?" Clover stared at him suspiciously, "I'm pretty sure I'm the one who put in all the work,"
"Taking credit for everything as usual," Michael said but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
Clover tried to stand but doubled over, "shit!" they said through pained breath. "That damn brat!" they breathed angrily, "I'll murder that son of..."
"Who are you talking about?" Michael said slowly.
"Varseille obviously!" Clover said bitterly, "but I'll teach him next time.."
"No, Clover," Albaric interrupted, "we don't have time for that,"
"What do you mean?" Clover glanced up.
Albaric hastily recounted the month prior. To which Clover grew increasingly agitated. Their eyes panned down to the room, "When did we get back here?"
"It's been a month now,"
"A whole month? Damn, I.." they paused. "And Ace's...he's still.."
Albaric nodded sombrely. Clover sighed and leant back thoughtfully.
"So you see, we have to try and convince the Emperor against this plan until we can get the necklace. Or maybe we can get the necklace before then somehow?" Albaric suggested.
"I told you just forget about the Emperor!" Michael snapped.
The argument rekindled once more with increasingly sharp rejoinders on each other.
"Can you shut up?" Clover interrupted annoyed. "I can't think with the two of you arguing like children,"
They both look at them surprised. Both began to argue back at once. However, Clover held up a hand halting the arguing once more. There was momentary silence. Clover shook their head with a sigh.
"This is why you can't leave anything to children,"
"Where do you get off..." Michael started.
"We need to go back to the demon world," Clover declared.
"But what about the Emperor?" Albaric protested.
"I can deal with him," Clover shrugged. They threw both legs out of bed once more holding their chest as the pain resurfaced. They let out a grunt and forced themselves up.
"Are you sure you should be getting up?" Albaric cast a wary eye over them.
"If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself," Clover said flatly.
"What exactly are you going to do?" Michael sneered derisively.
"It's quite simple," Clover smiled, "The Empire wants to go to the demon world? I think they'll find that quite difficult without a door,"
"You're going to close the demonic door?" Albaric asked.
"Yes, it's quite simple from the demon world. We just need to figure out where they're going to try and get in from and who they're going to make a deal with,"
"A deal?" Albaric said slowly.
"Yes," Clover said impatiently, "You can't open a door without the help of a demon. I'll find the culprit and kill them. Problem solved,"
"And what about the necklace?" Albaric went on.
"Ace obviously isn't going to hand it over!" Michael added. "Never mind the demon lord of the east tore you a new one last time we went there,"
"One problem at a time," Clover smirked, "We're going to need some help first,"
"The Emperor's not going to help us," Michael scoffed.
"The Emperor?" Clover rejoined mockingly, "This is demon business. Varseille has declared war on the lord of swords. We'll settle our ways,"
"What exactly does that mean?" Alabric asked apprehensively, "How do demons settle disputes?"
"The same way we settle everything," Clover grinned, "By ripping each other apart,"
---------------------------
**The demon world**
Several lizard skitted across the red desert. The wasteland beyond went on endlessly. Varseille and a legion of demons road en masse at the vanguard. As they continued with the sun rising behind them, Varseille turned back to Kalandra.
"I thought I had heard your name before," he said regarding her coolly, "didn't you used to serve the lord of the west?"
"I never served Clover," she replied indifferently, "I was just a child in their house. A stray,"
"What of your real parents?" Varseille asked.
Kalandra glanced at him surprised and for a moment she was quiet. "I killed them,"
Varseille stared at her unflinchingly, "did they deserve it?"
"Yes," Kalandra answered categorically, "they deserved to die more than anyone I've ever killed. I didn't regret it one bit,"
"Then perhaps we have something in common," Varseille replied, "my parents were also quite undeserving of the title,"
"And did you kill them?" Kalandra smiled.
"Unfortunately nature robbed me of the pleasure," Varseille said with a cold expression.
"You'll still have the satisfaction of watching the Empire burn," Kalandra replied.
"Yes, I suppose that will have to suffice," Varseille sighed.
He glanced back at Ace who was riding a bit behind.
"We can't have everything,"
"My lord," Kalandra said with a smirk, "may I be so bold as to offer you some advice?"
"You're already quite bold," Varseille laughed, "I quite enjoy it. Speak your mind,"
"Have you ever heard of a man called the sword saint?"
"Yes, the one chosen each generation by the Emperor for their skills," Varseille responded, "I know of him,"
"Did you know that he was Ace's master?"
"I did not. He tells me so little," Varseille lamented.
"That man will certainly appear before you again with lord Clover to try and get Ace back," Kalandra smirked.
"Hmm," Varseille glanced at her, "I think they already came once before. Three humans came with the lord of swords to try and get Ace to return with them but, of course he refused,"
"They are a resilient bunch," Kalandra said with irritation, "but I can show you which one he is if he appears again,"
"To what end?" Varseille's brow furrowed.
"What do you think the difference is between an enemy and a lover?" Kalandra said quietly, "The thought of an enemy, a true enemy can haunt your dreams. They call out to your soul in the night. They give you no rest and let you think of nothing else. Are love and hate really such different things? Isn't it the reason men can spend their whole lives set so devotedly on revenge and never pay their wives or children any mind? Because in truth, doesn't hate have a greater hold over the heart than love?"
"I suppose," Varseille reflected.
"Well, if a man's mind is constantly upon his enemy, even when he fucks his wife, even when he kisses his children in bed at night and eats his shitty meals, can't it be said that such passion is even more persistent than love?"
"I've never considered that," Varseille said slowly. "But why are you telling me this?"
"Well If you can't have love, isn't hate the next best thing?" Kalandra smiled.
"If Ace doesn't hate me by now, I don't think there's much else I could do," Varseille chuckled drily, "I would be content with that fact, but I know the only reason he doesn't hate me is because he doesn't care about anything I do,"
"You just need the right incentive," Kalandra smiled, "For example, If you killed the sword saint, I guarantee you he will chase you with an unrelenting passion. Nothing will stop him. He will pursue you to the ends of the earth,"
Varseille was quiet. Finally, he spoke in a low voice:
"What an intriguing idea."