CHAPTER FOUR
Be calm, Drucilla, I decided to decorate the tent" Malaska urged, attempting to pacify her while wearing a reassuring smile. However, his smile quickly faded as he noticed the intensity of anger burning in her eyes.
"Okay, okay, calm down, or I shall return to hell," he threatened, hoping to regain control of the situation. Drucilla immediately composed herself, realizing the potential repercussions of losing the presence of the powerful demon.
Sensing her desperation, Malaska decided to probe further and understand the motives behind Drucilla's summoning. "Why did you summon me, then?" he inquired, genuinely curious about her intentions.
"I didn't actually summon you, Samhain," Drucilla clarified, causing Malaska's eyes to widen in surprise. He was certain he had heard her summoning him. "I asked you to possess me," she confessed, her gaze fixed on the ground as she sat on the floor.
Malaska rose from his seat, standing before her, and then joined her on the floor, indicating his willingness to listen. "What happened, great witch? Why would you want to be possessed by Samhain? Do you comprehend the consequences?" he inquired, concern evident in two of his eyes fixed upon her, while the third cautiously scanned the surroundings.
"I am aware of the consequences, and I don't care," Drucilla responded, tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice trembled with a mixture of bitterness and anger. "I seek revenge. I want my grandmother to beg for freedom, to experience the pain and helplessness I endured under her reign."
As Drucilla finished pouring out her heart, a strange sensation washed over Malaska. He couldn't shake the feeling of his master's presence lingering nearby, yet he dismissed it as mere figments of his imagination. Determined to focus on the matter at hand, he redirected his attention back to Drucilla.
"Okay, tell me more about what transpired between you and your grandmother," Malaska requested, urging her to provide further details.
In a concise yet heartfelt manner, Drucilla elaborated on the years she had spent living under her grandmother's tyrannical rule. She explained how her grandmother sustained her youth and beauty by feasting upon humans, perpetuating a cycle of cruelty and darkness. Drucilla revealed how she and her closest friend had defied their grandmother's twisted ways by setting free a human intended as her next meal, an act that ultimately led to their banishment from the land they once called home. She also shared the painful truth of her refusal to bow down to her grandmother's oppressive demands, leading to the abduction of her beloved friend.
"Hmm, if you truly possess the power of a great witch, defeating Elphaba with the aid of a demon would prove futile," Malaska remarked, causing Drucilla to squirm uncomfortably, fearing he might uncover her hidden secret.
"It's more complicated than that," she stammered, desperately hoping for a change of topic. Fortunately, her prayers were answered as a diversion presented itself, diverting their conversation to a new direction.
"So, what plan do you have?" Malaska inquired, his voice filled with curiosity. Drucilla looked at him, surprised by his question, her eyes reflecting a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. "If you truly are the great demon of hell, Samhain, then you should possess a solid plan," she replied, arching her eyebrows inquisitively. "I summoned you because I do not have a plan of my own."
"A great witch without a plan, how intriguing," Malaska remarked, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He savored the discomfort he sensed in Drucilla's expression. She remained silent, unable to provide a response. Exhausted from how stressful the day of their encounter was, Drucilla eventually settled onto the bed and drifted into a deep sleep, her mind burdened with the weight of her past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.
As the night stretched on, the moon cast its pale light upon the tent, creating an ethereal glow that enveloped the sleeping duo. In the stillness of the moment, Malaska's mind wandered, contemplating what to do, knowing fully well his is not the great demon.
The sound of a distant owl's hoot echoed through the night, its haunting melody interrupting the silence. Malaska's keen senses honed in on the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, sensing a subtle shift in energy. He rose from his perch beside Drucilla's slumbering form, his gaze fixated on the entrance of the tent.
Unknown to Drucilla, a shadowy figure lurked in the darkness just beyond the fabric walls of their temporary refuge. Malaska's instincts told him that danger loomed nearby, a presence that posed a threat to their already precarious situation. With his body tense and his senses heightened, he prepared himself for the impending confrontation.
Time seemed to slow as the figure's silhouette materialized, gradually revealing itself in the moonlight. It was none other than Elphaba, the wicked queen herself, standing at the threshold of the tent, her eyes burning with malice and a sinister smile playing upon her lips.
"So, my dear granddaughter, you thought you could escape my clutches?" Elphaba sneered, her voice dripping with venom. Malaska's muscles tensed further, prepared to defend Drucilla against the impending onslaught. It was clear that their struggle for freedom had only just begun, and the stakes had been raised to unimaginable heights.
"What do you want with us, Elphaba?" Drucilla demanded, her voice trembling with fear. She could feel the weight of impending danger in the air, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Oh, dear Drucilla, I didn't come here for trouble," Elphaba sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice. Her voice carried a chilling tone as she pointed a finger towards Malaska. With a swift motion and a series of incantations, a wickedly sharp knife materialized in Elphaba's hands, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light.
Time seemed to stand still as Elphaba wielded the knife, drawing Malaska closer with her magic. Drucilla's eyes widened in horror as she watched the scene unfold before her. In an instant, Elphaba ruthlessly slit Malaska's throat, crimson blood spurting forth and staining the surroundings in a macabre display.
"No!" Drucilla screamed, her voice filled with anguish and despair. Tears streamed down her face as she helplessly witnessed the life force draining from Malaska's body. Elphaba's wicked laughter filled the air, a haunting soundtrack to the tragedy unfolding before them.
But amidst the chaos and despair, Drucilla heard a faint voice, carried by the winds of magic. It was Malaska, reaching out to her from the depths of darkness. His words pierced through her grief-stricken mind, calling out her name with a sense of urgency and determination.
"Drucilla, great witch," Malaska's voice resonated within her, as if defying the boundaries of life and death. Drucilla and Elphaba both looked down, their eyes drawn to the miraculous sight unfolding. Against all odds, Malaska's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Drucilla's.
"Drucilla, wake up," he urged, his voice laced with a mixture of urgency and hope. In that moment, the veil of illusion was lifted, and Drucilla's eyes opened wide, reality crashing back into her consciousness.