Lucy's home was a modest but charming stone cottage on the edge of Embervale, its ivy-covered walls and small garden lending it a warm, welcoming air. Nico followed her in, his expression steely, though he took in the surroundings with a quick, assessing glance. Inside, a quaint living room with a hearth crackling quietly awaited them. The shelves along the walls were stacked with old tomes and scrolls, evidence of Lucy's long-standing dedication to her craft as an S-rank adventurer.
"Please, make yourself at home," Lucy offered, gesturing to a sturdy, well-worn armchair near the fire. She turned to her maid, who stood by the doorway with her hands neatly folded. "Elena, could you bring some tea and, oh… maybe those lemon cookies?"
Elena nodded, casting Nico a curious glance before hurrying into the adjoining kitchen. As Lucy settled into a chair across from him, her gaze softened, though it held a hint of lingering admiration. She leaned forward, studying him with a mix of curiosity and something deeper, something warmer.
Nico sat silently, his thoughts still sharp and focused on Lila and the impending threat. But he noticed the way Lucy looked at him, her gaze unwavering, her usually guarded eyes softened as if trying to find some comfort in his presence.
"Thank you for coming here," she said, her voice softer now, almost gentle. "I know that what lies ahead… it won't be easy."
He gave her a brief nod, acknowledging her gratitude but remaining quiet. As he scanned the room, Elena returned with a tray holding a delicate porcelain teapot, two matching cups, and a small plate stacked high with golden-brown lemon cookies dusted with sugar. She set the tray down carefully between them and poured each a steaming cup of tea.
Lucy offered him a smile as she handed him a cup. "Here. A small peace before the storm, you could say."
Nico took the cup from her hands, his fingers brushing lightly against hers for a brief moment. She didn't pull away. Instead, she looked at him with a soft blush on her cheeks, which she quickly tried to hide by busying herself with her own cup. A silence settled between them, only broken by the clink of the cups and the crackling fire.
"So…" Lucy began, looking over her cup at him. "You must have a lot of questions about Alice. I can't promise I know everything, but I've followed her story closely for years." She took a sip, watching Nico's expression carefully as she continued. "I think it's important you understand what she's capable of, if you're to face her."
Nico didn't respond verbally, but the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. She took a deep breath and continued, her gaze growing distant as she recounted what she knew.
"Alice wasn't always… this way. She was raised in a small, isolated village on the outskirts of the kingdom, the only daughter of a modest family. But from a young age, she had an extraordinary affinity for summoning magic. Her talent was noticed by a wandering mage who took her under his wing, teaching her everything he knew. Yet, as promising as she was, Alice was always a bit… unpredictable."
Lucy paused, reaching for a lemon cookie and offering one to Nico, who accepted it with a nod. He tasted it, noting the perfect balance of sweet and tart, the delicate crumb melting on his tongue. Despite the tension in the air, the tea and cookies offered a strange sense of comfort.
"Alice was ambitious, and with every new skill she learned, her desire to be the best only grew. She wanted to prove herself, to rise above the others," Lucy continued. "But something inside her shifted. She became consumed with power, so much so that when she reached her peak as a summoner, she grew intolerant of anyone who posed a threat to her abilities."
Her expression turned somber, her gaze drifting to the fire. "There was one other summoner she couldn't best—an S-rank adventurer who specialized in elemental summoning. They were both remarkable, but Alice couldn't stand the idea of sharing the top with anyone." She paused, as if reliving the horror of what came next. "And so, she fought him. They battled for days, until finally… she won. But not without a price. She nearly lost her sanity, and it was that moment that changed her forever. She went from being a promising summoner to someone feared across the lands."
Nico listened intently, his mind racing with each revelation. He could picture the twisted path Alice had taken, her descent into darkness all too vivid. He set his cup down, his fingers gripping the porcelain tightly as he glanced at Lucy. "Why didn't anyone stop her?"
Lucy looked away, sadness etched into her face. "There were those who tried. But… power like hers is rare. By the time anyone realized the true extent of her abilities, it was too late. She was already gone, wandering the lands and growing stronger. She left behind everything, even her old friends and family."
For a moment, a heavy silence filled the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Lucy's gaze softened further as she looked at him, her expression almost vulnerable. "And now, she's coming for you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you have something Alice doesn't. You have people who… care about you." Her hand brushed lightly against his, lingering a moment longer than necessary.
Nico glanced at her, noting the subtle warmth in her expression. There was something else in her eyes, something he hadn't seen before—admiration, yes, but perhaps even a touch of affection. Lucy's gaze lingered on his, her lips curving into a small, uncertain smile as she lowered her hand, her cheeks flushed.
"Nico," she murmured, her voice barely audible, "I… well…" She trailed off, her face turning a shade darker as she seemed to struggle with her words.
Before either of them could speak, the door to the room swung open, and Elena stepped in, her face pale and her hands trembling. "Lucy," she said, her voice tight with urgency, "she's here. Alice… she's arrived. And she… she's brought someone with her."
Lucy and Nico both turned to face her, their expressions growing tense. Elena's eyes darted to Nico, her voice dropping to a horrified whisper. "There's… there's a cage with a girl inside it. I saw… she looked like she was in pain…"
The blood drained from Nico's face as the realization hit him. Lila. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, and a frigid calm settled over him, a void that swallowed his emotions whole. He felt his heartbeat slow, his vision sharpening as he clenched his fists. A deathly aura, cold and unyielding, began to form around him.
Lucy felt it, too—the sudden shift in his presence, the terrifying calm that radiated from him. She'd seen powerful adventurers before, but nothing like this. A chill ran down her spine as she took a step back, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe.
"Nico…" she whispered, her voice barely audible as she took in the transformation before her.