Chapter XXI

“You must be mistaken, child”.

Soft-spoken harmony danced past her lips, glittering silvers steadying themselves on the child— whilst she peaked from the shielding green-eyed warlock behind. Although it wasn’t long until she gave him a subtle nudge, pushing him away for some space that was lost during the encounter.

“I have no recollection of having a sister”, Clementine added, staring down at her with those scrutinizing eyes of her— eyeing the child’s tiny form, in hopes of determining the era wherein the young girl last lived as human.

She gauged every single intricacies on the child’s clothing, devoid of color but still useful in knowing one’s lineage or time. Her dress, though transparent as glass, had also made her conclude that she came from hundreds of years ago, due to the way it was styled and sewn.

“I am not mistaken! Mariella has never been mistaken”, said child, Mariella, argued back. Her voice shrilly as she fought for her side, frustration subtly lacing her tone. “You’re my sister!”.

“She isn’t, Mariella. Lady Clementine here was born in the same era as me. And you died young”, Alejandro explained, frank as he did so, while his hand gestured over the lass, who now stood by his side. “It is likely impossible for the two of you to be related in any way”, he continued.

Then again, stubbornness was all that willed her to reason back. Arms crossed, she bellowed. “We are. We are sister’s you prick!”.

The child then disappeared from her location, mildly confusing both magicians in the process. However, that soon died down and replaced with absolute horror, when the young girl appeared hovering face to face with affiliated mage of Celeste.

Color drained from Clementine’s visage, gulping unconsciously. She’s an exorcist, but seeing different souls, new ones whom she isn’t accustomed to; would always give her the chills. She had to restrain herself from using her magic then and there, lest she wants this ghost evaporated in thin air forever.

“M-Mariella, I swear to god. You’ll be the death of me!”, boomed the warlock, a hand clutching a huge portion of fabric that coated his chest. His heart was erratic, palpitating hard and fast, as if he had drank mug and mugs of caffeine.

Alejandro soon rewarded the child with a piercing glare, one that threw sharp knives on her; piercing. Clicking his tongue with distaste crawling on his visage. He had no choice but to conjure a ball of light, aiming before throwing it on the apparition.

Mariella having sensed the familiar power seeping out of that light, let out a shriek. Flying away from the white-haired lass to avoid the magic. Though unfortunate, she moved quite slow and was eventually caught much to her dismay.

It’s not as strong and reliable nor as ‘excorsistic’ (if that’s even a word) as Clementine’s, however it would have to be enough for now. Besides, his fellow magician would’ve burned this apparition on the spot, had she used the ‘proper’ ones.

Bolting white electrifying cages that she uses to tame that poltergeist in Castle Celeste— and torment evil ones till they deteriorate into specs of dust. That’s too gruesome for a child to experience.

“Let me out!”, Mariella screeched, gripping the illuminating bars with her tiny hands. Her chubby cheeks stained with treks of unwiped tears, and optics silently screaming for freedom.

“Mariella d-doesn’t want to be in this cage. It is draining”, the girl added. Voice shaky, with threatening crystalline water flooding her eyes.

“She’s right. That cage is draining her, Alejandro”, as if snapping back to reality, the mage seconded. Pity clouded her entire emotion, though stoic appearance wise. She couldn’t deny the fact that her heart clenched and hammered at the sight before her.

Emerald stones then clashed with silver-diamonds— a silent debate whether they should or shouldn’t release the poor ghost. That cage isn’t as powerful as hers, yet it had likely still attained the same use and components as any others.

With a sole job. ‘To keep spirits evil or not at bay or gone for eternity’.

Clementine sighed, snapping her fingers within a second. She had made her decision of freeing the aforementioned spirit, breaking the spell that bounded the girl in one place.

The mage then poked her companions cheek, pushing it again and again alike that of an elder who is beyond pissed since that recorder of theirs refused to play their song. “Don’t traumatize her. Don’t be harsh towards children”.

“I am not. I’m simply keeping her at bay before she causes more ruckus”, Alejandro pressed, tone flat and low, grumbling as he did so. He irritatingly swatted away her hand, shooing the kid away with his hand, silently.

“You better go. Me and Alejandro has a lot to discuss”, Clementine stated, loud and clear. Her index pointing the direction of the door, giving the child a firm look that told her the direness of their supposed discussion.

Not wanting her ‘so-called’ claimed sibling to get mad at her, little Mariella nodded her head vigorously. The child moved in a rush to run out of the room, passing by the closed doors and to who-knows-where, in order to give the teens their wanted space.

Both heaved out a sigh of relief, the burdened gravity of the atmosphere, now lifted off their shoulders. The two imperial magicians gave a subtle glance at each other, conversing with each other, using the connection that they have somehow attained from their held gazes.

“Best we settle down first”.

It was the warlock of Sappherine who broke their gazes’ attachment, lifting a hand in mid air to levitate a simple round mahogany wood table and matching chairs from the corner, while conjuring expensive china wares for tea, out of thin air.

A gesture of her hand and chairs poofed on opposite sides of the desk— immediately settling down on one, as she let magic to the trick to make their tea both ready. Copying her ministrations, Alejandro too, sat down on the vacant one, snapping yet again his fingers to produce some snacks to pair with the beverage.

Simple salty crackers and her all-time favorite and love; cheesecake. Though, this time, it was flavored strawberry.

“I want your assistance, to capture ‘him’”, she breathed out, pressing firm at the mention of a pronoun. Anger seethed within her, blood sizzled as her temper rose higher.

Her cheeks flared, dusting pink along the process, puffed at some extent. Hands were tightly clenched into fists, with her knuckles turning white. Wrath was consuming her bit by bit, yet she did splendidly restrained herself from exploding.

“I want peace that was lost”, Clementine muttered, almost a whisper that was a tad inaudible for Alejandro to hear.

The warlock gazed at her, unrelenting as he did so. Her frustration, her thirst, her determination. It practically glowed within the depths of her orbs, casting white yet soon tinged with. . .cerulean?

He blinked in surprise, sockets wide as he leaned forward, curiosity and confusion flooding his mind. Though, much to his disdain; as fast as it appeared, did the strange hue also withered away.

‘Strange. Must be my imagination’. He thought, shrugging it afterwards.

“That would be really hard to achieve. He’s tricky, filled with all sort of unimaginable malice”, Alejandro replied, tracing circles on the wooden table while gazing at it. Somehow, he found it entertaining during the moment.

“I’m well aware. Hence where you come in the picture”, Clementine begged, sounding quite desperate in order to pursue the lad before her. It made her curse mentally, not liking the way her voice ended up in such a weird tune.

“I can’t. I’m bound to protect Sappherine. I can’t leave this nation in the middle of all this chaos”, the warlock reasoned out. Sighing as he did so. He averted his gaze back at her, catching her pair of shimmering diamonds.

“I would very much accompany you, but the situation says otherwise. It is best to stay and protect your affiliated nation”, he added. His hand that was hidden beneath the table on his lap; slowly clenching itself.

“You should do the same”.

“That would only result on nothing!”, the white-haired lass exclaimed. Slamming a fist on the desk, rattling the china that spilled its contents. She breathed in and out, fast and deep— teeth gritted together.

“Calm down, for pete’s sake!”, Alejandro countered, tone unintentionally rising with each passing word. He then glared at her, pinning her on the spot. “You can’t just leave Celeste in search for Florencius!”, he argued back.

“Then who else would have looked for that scum?”, Clementine retorted, matching the same intensity as his glare. She didn’t expected for this to happen, she thought that he’d join her force, yet it didn’t.

He didn’t want to accompany her

She understood though. He had a point.

“No one. . . absolutely ‘no one’, Alejandro”, stated her, regally. Her nose scrunching in anger. Clementine then clicked her tongue, diverting her attention on the window pane instead.

“People cower in fear at the mention of Dark Magic. Must I repeat that again and again for it to finally settle in you head?”, the mage questioned, appearing and sounding so sarcastic, matching the way her optics rolled.

“Only a few brave ones would be willing to”.