The memory faded as Alice lost her footing and tumbled forward. She wrapped Morte protectively with her arms and continued on her heart pounding. The voices of her pursuers grew closer, but she pressed on, Zachrius's words still echoing in her mind.
"You'll have your chance, my son, I'll make sure of that" she whispered to Morte as she ran. "Even if it's the last thing I do."
Alice stumbled forward through the dense forest, clutching Morte to her chest as sparks of residual magic burned faintly along her torn cloak. Her body ached from the searing blast of mana that had struck her earlier, leaving a raw, smoldering wound across her back. Even worse she could feel her warm blood flowing down her back. Every movement sent jolts of pain through her, but she didn't falter. The cries of her pursuers grew louder, their voices cold and unyielding, a stark contrast to the warmth of the forest.
"Lady Alice!" a voice bellowed, sharp and commanding. "You cannot outrun us. Hand over the child, and we might show you mercy!"
Among the soldiers' voices calling her name, one voice cut through—calm, deep, and familiar.
"Alice, stop this madness," Zachrius's voice rang out, clear and steady. "I'm not here to harm you or the child. You know what's right. Hand him over, and we can put an end to this."
Alice froze for the briefest moment, her chest heaving as she recognized the voice. But she knew better. If Zachrius had truly been there, she would already have been captured. Her eyes scanned the darkness until she spotted him—a projection, an illusionary form conjured by his magic.
"Right?" Alice spat, her voice laced with venom as she continued running. "Since when is killing a baby the 'right' thing to do, Zachrius? Have you no shame?"
The illusory figure moved alongside her, his expression impassive but his tone softer. "I'm trying to protect you. If you keep running, they'll kill you both. Please Alice, this is the only way."
"It's not the only way! It's the coward's way, Zachrius!" she snarled, the rage in her voice trembling with grief. "You've already chosen to condemn him. He's your son, Zachrius. Ours. And you're willing to sacrifice him because of the ramblings of old cowards!"
Zachrius's image flickered, but he remained silent, as though her words cut deeper than he was willing to show. Alice slowed for just a moment, her eyes blazing. "You're not the man I loved. You're nothing but a shadow of him." With a swift motion, she waved her hand through the image, dispelling it into mist.
The light from their conjured orbs pierced through the trees. Shadows danced erratically, each flicker a grim reminder of how close they were. Alice stumbled over a tree root, barely catching herself as she tightened her grip on her son.
Her breathing was ragged, her body screaming for rest, but her mind was clear. She had one chance. One hope.
She reached a small clearing by the riverbank quickly crossing to the otherside Leaving the border of Magus., The rushing water reflected the dim, ghostly light of the moon; followed closely by the lights of the soldiers. With trembling hands, she raised her voice, forcing strength into her words.
"Undead King!" she cried out, her voice echoing into the void. "I call upon you! Ruler of the dead, hear me! Take my soul if you must but save my son!"
The words were imbued with her very life force she had run out of mana a while ago now. The air hummed faintly as her plea reverberated into the darkness. The soldiers broke into the clearing moments later, their magic orbs illuminating Alice's trembling form. She was exhausted and injured but still she held a determined look in her silver eyes.
The leader, a tall figure clad in enchanted armor glowing with faint runes, stepped forward. His eyes, cold and calculating, narrowed as he raised a hand to signal the others. "Enough, Lady Alice. You cannot escape. The Holy Empire demands the child. Give him to us, and we may allow you a painless death."
Alice glared at him, defiance burning in her eyes even as her body threatened to collapse. "I believe you meanThe Magus Empire. Besides you know im not giving up my child. You will have to kill me first," she hissed.
"So be it." The leader raised his hand, which began to glow yellow while mana crackled as an intricate spell circle formed above his palm. Alice instantly recognized it as a lightning bolt. The soldiers behind him followed suit, their magic illuminating the clearing with an ominous glow. Alice turned with her back to them, putting herself between them and her child.
But before they could release their spells, the forest seemed to shudder. The air grew heavy, the temperature plummeting as frost crept over the ground Followed by a dark purple fog, It snaked its way to the soldiers but seemed to circle around Alice as if avoiding her. The soldiers hesitated, their spells faltering as a deep, resonant voice boomed through the night.
"Who dares trespass in my domain?"