Loveless Incantation: Chapter 25
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I teleport back to base camp, the familiar surroundings of the command tent materializing around me. The air is still, heavy with an unsettling quiet. Expecting to see my party, I instead find the space eerily empty. My eyes land on a note resting on the central table.
Alex, we have a rough idea of what's happening, but we had to retreat to a hidden location. You'll understand when you find us. – Ben
The short, cryptic message sends a prickle of unease through me. For them to abandon camp entirely, something serious must have happened. Wasting no time, I summon my location spell. Energy pulses through my fingertips as the spell flares to life, revealing their position deeper in the woods. Without hesitation, I teleport again.
The cool, damp air of the forest greets me as I appear in a shaded clearing. Shadows dance among the trees, but my focus narrows on the trio ahead. Ben and Alice sit close to Jessy, their postures tense and uncertain. Jessy, seated with her back to me, seems utterly still, as if taking a moment to collect herself.
Alice notices me first. He turns, his eyes locking onto mine, but there's no relief in his expression—only concern.
“Alex…" His voice falters, a rare crack in his usual confidence. “Something's happened. We don't know what to do."
Before I can respond, Jessy speaks, her tone even. “I told you, Alice, this was my choice. There's nothing to fix."
“But what about this world?" Ben interjects, his voice low and urgent. “Are you going to leave it all behind? You can't expect to find peace here like this."
Jessy doesn't answer right away. She sits perfectly still, the weight of the moment stretching between us. Then, softly, she says, “Alex is my world."
The words hang in the air, heavy, their weight settling over me like a dense fog. Before I can fully process what she means, she begins to rise, her movements slow yet deliberate. Then, with one smooth, fluid motion, she turns to face me.
My breath catches.
Jessy stands before me, her familiar hooded cloak draping over a body that is both alien and mesmerizing. No longer human, her form is entirely that of a raven—tall, sleek, and commanding. Silken black feathers cascade along her arms and shoulders, their sheen catching the dim light, each movement causing them to ripple with an unnatural grace. Her fingers have elongated into sharp, talon-like digits, flexing as if testing their own strength.
Her face is a striking contrast of avian elegance and quiet power. Where once were human features, now a smooth, midnight-black beak curves with an effortless refinement, a perfect extension of her new form. But it's her eyes that hold me captive the most. A deep, brilliant red. They stand out starkly against the shadow of her hood, a piercing contrast against the inky black of her feathers. Bold and unwavering, they lock onto mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. There is no mistaking them, no denying their clarity. Nothing about her is hidden now.
Jessy is different. Entirely transformed. No trace of her old human body remains, yet despite the unfamiliar shape, the presence is still unmistakably hers. The aura she carries, the weight of her stare—it's Jessy. And somehow, that's more disorienting than anything else.
“How do I look?" she asks, her voice quiet, a hint of hesitation beneath the question.
I exhale slowly, grounding myself as I meet her gaze. “Beautiful," I say simply, my voice steady and honest. “Absolutely beautiful."
Her eyes lower slightly, and I catch the faintest ripple of her feathers as she exhales, her composure softening for just a moment before her resolve returns.
“Alex, we can't let her stay like this!" Alice's voice shatters the stillness, sharp with panic. He strides toward me, gripping my armor. “What about the war? If anyone sees her like this, they'll try to kill her!"
I place a steady hand on Alice's shoulder, easing him back. “How much do you three remember?" I ask, keeping my tone calm.
Alice frowns, his eyes narrowing as he struggles to recall. “It's hard to say... A lot of it is fuzzy."
“I remember agreeing to work with the demons to bring you back to life, but everything after feels… hazy." Ben announces, Alice nodding in agreement.
I turn back to Jessy, who watches me quietly. “And you?" I ask softly.
“Everything," she replies, her tone steady and certain. “Even the god who granted my wish. But it's better if we don't say his name."
“Agreed," I say, exhaling deeply. Her transformation and everything that's happened—there's so much to unpack, but now isn't the time. “There's a lot we need to talk about," I continue, my voice sharpening, “but for now, I have to speak with the king. Time is running short, and we can't afford delays."
“Should we arrange a meeting?" Ben asks, ever pragmatic.
I shake my head. “No. This plan requires secrecy."
Alice's worry seems to fade away, giving way to a sly grin. As if he's fallen into a routine. “Want me to whip up a distraction? Get the guards scrambling?"
It's strange how so much can make sense in hindsight. The way Alice acts, how he always leaned more toward plans that were more... chaotic. It seems he truly is a disciple of Lancer.
“Just don't overdo it," I say with a smirk. He nods, the grin on his face widening, ready to spring into action. I turn to Ben, my tone shifting to something more serious. “Protect Jessy. When we return, we'll be heading to the demon realm for a while. Don't worry—we're not looking for a fight."
Ben nods, his steady demeanor a comforting presence. “We'll be ready."
Satisfied, I glance at Alice and give him a quick pat on the shoulder before my gaze shifts to Jessy. Her crimson eyes meet mine, unwavering and steady, and I feel a strange sense of reassurance in her quiet strength.
I offer her a small wave. “Till then."
And with that, I step away, leaving them behind as the familiar pull of teleportation takes me toward my next destination.
“Go see what all that ruckus is about," the king orders his guards.
“But, Your Majesty, we can't leave you unattended," one responds hesitantly.
“I'm not some frail old man," the king snaps, irritation flashing across his face. “Leave me."
The guards exchange uneasy glances but dare not challenge his command. With stiff bows, they quickly file out of the room, leaving the king alone. He leans back in his throne, letting out a long, weary sigh.
“I take it you wanted to speak with me alone?" he says into the stillness.
Stepping out from behind one of the marble pillars, I reply, “I do."
The king's hand tightens on the arm of his throne, his steady gaze narrowing. “Have you joined one of the factions conspiring to take my head?"
“I have not," I answer calmly, my voice steady. “But I bring news—news you will find difficult to believe."
His grip loosens, and his posture relaxes slightly. “Well, you have my ear."
I offer a small bow of respect before meeting his gaze. “The war is officially over."
For a moment, silence hangs in the air, as if the room itself doesn't believe the words I've just spoken. Then, the king's expression twists into one of shock.
“The war is over?" he repeats, flabbergasted. “You killed the demon queen?"
I shake my head. “It's complicated. But I assure you, in a week's time, the portal will close."
The king's surprise morphs into a bright smile. “This is a joyful occasion, then!" His elation falters as he reads the somber look on my face. “What are you not telling me, Alexander?"
Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself to deliver the final piece of this performance. If I'm going to leave this world, I need them to believe that all the sacrifices meant something. The truth of what we've learned—of what's been undone in the timelines I've traversed—will stay with me alone.
“The terms are simple," I begin. “The demons request soil, all that can be gathered within the next seven days. Livestock and seeds in abundance. If these conditions are met, they will leave without trouble."
The king's brow furrows, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Is that all? If that's all they wanted, we could have provided it decades ago. Why do you look so troubled?"
I sigh, steadying myself. “The demon realm is uninhabitable," I explain. “What they desired was never conquest or riches. All they've ever wanted was the chance to survive. If you were in their position, would you let your people perish when the solution was within reach?"
The king takes in my words, leaning forward slightly as he considers them. “I suppose it's an understandable plight," he says thoughtfully. “I've seen how hunger can turn sane men into savages. But what does this have to do with you?"
I hesitate for a moment before replying, “… Isn't it a hero's job to save people?"
The king's expression shifts to one of surprise before settling into a knowing smile. “It always amazes me how compassionate you are, Alexander," he says. “The gods brought you to us, and I cannot fault them if this is the path they've chosen for you."
I nod, his acceptance a relief. “Thank you for understanding. I must return to the demons and begin preparations. Time is already running out."
"Indeed, it is."
I bow deeply, preparing to leave, but pause as a thought strikes me. “Your Majesty, before I go—my party will deliver certain documents to you. I trust you will find them enlightening."
“Documents?" His brow furrows.
“You'll understand soon enough," I say, straightening. Summoning Alice to my side, I turn to him. “Do you remember when Ben and Jessy were taken?"
Alice nods. “Mhmm."
“Go to that area. Collect any documents you find and deliver them to the king immediately. Do so silently."
Alice grins faintly. “Should be easy enough." With a glance toward the king, he adds, “I'll be right back," before disappearing in a flash.
I turn back to the king. He is a good man, and I want to ensure he continues to rule wisely after I'm gone. “It's been a long war, but it's almost over."
“We've lost many," the king says, his voice heavy with reflection. “But without you, we would've lost everything. You've stood strong—truly, by your lonesome." He pauses, then removes his crown and rises from his throne. To my surprise, he takes a knee before me. “The kingdom will never fully understand how much you've sacrificed, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you."
“Rise," I command gently, motioning for him to stand. “A hero does not fight for anyone to kneel." I let out a small laugh, breaking the solemnity. “And to be honest, the weight of a crown pales in comparison to fighting demons."
The king chuckles, standing tall once more and placing the crown back on his head. “That's unfortunate to hear. If you weren't leaving, I might have asked you to take the throne in my stead."
I pause, looking him over, noting the quiet strength he carries despite the years of war. “To think the boy I met all those years ago would grow into the man he is today." I laugh under my breath. "What a strange world this is."
“And yet I'm the old man now."
“Truly," I reply with a smirk. “But certainly wiser."
He shrugs, a humble smile touching his face. “All I ever wanted was to become the hero of my people, just like the one who saved me."
“And that's all a king should be," I say, turning to leave. At the door, I glance back over my shoulder. “Take care, Your Highness. I'm sure I'll be stopping by plenty before the week is up."
“And to you, Alexander, my door is always open." he replies, his voice steady and warm.
“So what we experienced… it wasn't a dream?" Lacey's voice is quiet, yet steady, her eyes locked on Azure.
“If it was," Azure replies, her tone calm but firm, “how would you explain Princess?"
Shadow steps forward, commanding attention. “It's undeniable. Even so, can any of you truly deny your memories of Alex?"
The room falls silent as the generals look inward, each reflecting on the bond they shared with him and the events that had transpired. It may not have happened in this timeline, but to them, it was real all the same.
“So, what's the plan?" Lilith's voice cuts through the stillness as she turns her gaze toward Azure.
“We will begin collecting soil immediately," Azure states. “Our clansmen don't need to know truths that no longer exist. What matters now is ensuring our world is stable enough to buy us time—time to find a true, permanent solution."
Lacey steps forward, nodding in agreement. “Exactly. It's a temporary fix, but a necessary one. If we collect soil around the clock, especially with the help of Shadow's army, we can ensure centuries of food for all the clans. More importantly, it gives us the time we need to study and turn our world into something we can truly call home."
“I can promise the collaboration of the canines," Princess adds, her voice carrying a quiet strength. “The more paws we have, the better."
Azure nods. “Good. I will continue the ruse of this war. Claiming we are collecting soil for a secondary stronghold is plausible enough. The clans will help, whether they understand the full truth or not."
“What about the rest of us?" Bane asks, his tone measured. “I'm not exactly capable of lifting soil."
“There will be plenty of work to do," Azure states firmly. “We cannot neglect our responsibilities to the clans. A week isn't much time, but it's long enough for more to die while waiting for relief."
Lacey taps her chin thoughtfully, her gaze distant. “That's true. Water has become an issue again. I could recreate the watering hole Alex and I built before, but…" Her voice trails off, a shadow of concern crossing her face. “If events align too closely with the previous timeline, it might trigger the murder of Bane's family."
Bane straightens at her words, his expression sharpening. “I can bring them to the castle or deal with the bandits before they act. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
Lacey exhales, shaking her head. “I don't know. We're living a hypothesis right now. Changing the future could create a far worse outcome. Or…" She hesitates, her voice softening. “Or it could turn out to be the best choice. But how can we know?"
“What came before can't happen," Azure interjects, her tone commanding. “Not anymore. The timeline we once knew is gone. The choices we make now are building something entirely different."
“She's right," Princess adds, stepping forward. “Too much has already changed. We're no longer bound to what happened before. Trying to follow it, even loosely, may only cause more chaos."
Lilith folds her arms, her eyes scanning the group. “So, we act. We focus on what we can control now. We can't waste time second-guessing."
Lacey nods, her uncertainty replaced by resolve. “You're right. I'll build the watering hole, but we'll ensure the safety of Bane's family first. Whether that means moving them or removing the threat, we'll make sure history doesn't repeat itself."
Just as Azure opens her mouth to agree, a flash of light fills the space, drawing everyone's attention. Alex appears before them, flanked by his party. The tension in the air evaporates as emotions ripple through the room. Shadow is the first to move, closing the distance in a blink. He wraps Alex in a tight embrace, gripping him desperately, as though letting go would mean losing him forever.
It should have been Lilith next, but Bane melts into his shadow and reappears behind Alex, clutching his leg. Lilith doesn't hesitate after that, wrapping her arms around both Shadow and Alex, her composure giving way to relief. Lacey chuckles softly before joining the group hug. Azure and Princess remain where they are, watching with faint smiles as the moment unfolds. The reunion is brief but heartfelt, and after a few moments, everyone steps back, a sense of quiet understanding passing between them.
“I missed you all too," Alex says with a warm smile. “But now that we've got that out of the way," he gestures for Jessy to step forward. “I'd like to introduce you to someone you know, though she's gone through a bit of a change."
Jessy walks to Alex's side, her hood still drawn. At his urging, she lifts it, revealing her transformation and glistening feathers. Gasps ripple through the group as the gathered demons stare, taken aback by the sight.
“This is Jessy," Alex explains, his tone calm but firm. “The gods said I would be the only human to remain. So this is what Jessy chose."
Lacey steps closer, intrigued. “A corvid?" she murmurs, studying Jessy. “Strange. I'm not familiar with this breed." Azure clears her throat, which catched Lacey's attention. "Sorry, this can be explored later."
Alex looks to Azure. “The king is aware of the portal closing. I've asked for his aid, and he's agreed to provide what we need."
“Then we have nothing to fear," Azure says, straightening. “The generals know their tasks, and with the army helping to dig, we'll make progress quickly. However, we can't risk humans walking among us. Go, do what you must until the final day." Azure approaches Jessy, her sharp gaze appraising. “You'll stay by my side until Alex returns. It's safer this way."
Jessy doesn't hesitate, dipping into a respectful bow. “Very well, my queen."
Azure smirks faintly, a flicker of amusement breaking her stern demeanor. “Well, you've certainly embraced being a demon." She turns back to Alex. “You can't leave everything up to the king. Return to the human world and gather whatever else you think we'll need."
Alex nods. “True enough." He glances at everyone—the generals, Jessy, and Princess. “I'll be back before you know it."
With that, Alex and his party disappear, teleporting back to the human realm. The remaining demons exchange brief looks, a sense of urgency shared among them. Knowing their time is short, they split into smaller groups, each setting off to tackle their tasks. Their world now hangs in the balance, and every moment counts.