Chapter 572: Fondateur (1/2)
The start of a relationship would mark whether it be a long-term commitment or a short-term exchange of loneliness. For Igna and Alicia, they had already lived as if a couple, and shared most things the couple had. A relation without a name until now. Firstly, they stopped at the hotel for the lady was less than presentable. Between the putrid breath and the marred hair, a phone came from lady Courtney. Éclair reported her involvement as a spy under Igna's orders. At 17:00, they left for the skyscraper. Guards diligently watched and studied. Traffic was denser than the past few days.
”Igna,” said Lady Elvira overlooking her large ebony desk. Lady Courtney was in the corner with a book in hand and tea to the side.
”Lady Elvira, Lady Mother, it's a pleasure to meet you again.”
”Good,” said Elvira sharply, ”-that must be Alicia?” she inched closer with elbows on the table.
”The supposed spy?” the cup rested noiselessly, ”-Is that right?” sharpened glare stabbed prematurely.
”Lady Mother, lady Elvira, she's a turncoat spy.”
A raise of the hand from Courtney told them to remain silent, and so, he stepped back respectfully. The manager remained in their line of sight; a crushing pressure exuded from behind the desk walloped into a spiral of dark energy of which bared the features of a demon. ”Care to explain in detail?” asked Elvira in a more relaxed posture.
”Sure,” she gulped. 'There goes nothing,' the flustered face resolved into confidence. Her partner, the supposed target, gave her the best gift one could have ever hoped for. Neither money nor fame, tis freedom. Freedom to do what she wanted, freedom to think, and a strong shoulder to carry her head in times of need. The latter was proven more than a few times, he refused to renounce her in a time where, she, herself, had given up on life. New found pride and new-found bravado, the lady stood strongly and beautifully.
”My name is Alicia Raze. I'm a spy working for Patek's secret group of information gathering. We're most often referred to as the secret service. There's no name behind which we stand. Agents of the service are often orphans or kidnapped children with superior abilities. Treatment is neutral, those who are gifted are viewed as normal, and those of lower stature are treated as pests. The agents are trained in the manner of physical and mental ability. It's the extent of what I know since I've been through it. Our orders come from various sources, either phone, papers, mail. No sender, no face, no identification. We're kept in the dark – sometimes, even the missions are secretive, to say the least. I was lucky enough to have met the Patek's heir. His actions were mostly misogynistic. We went on dates where I strongly refused the advances, saying I'd rather die. He'd always reply with, '-go on, refuse me as long as you want. The time will come when you'll throw yourself at me. The short-lived freedom is mine to control.' In around then, I received an assignment from another party. I was to infiltrate Alphia, work with idols and find traces of the Dark-Guild. I mostly did as was told until the day where Igna Haggard entered the continent. Little did I know the encounter would alter my life. I held onto sending the reports. However, one of my friends, the only one who cared for me, killed herself. My gut voiced it strongly, she was killed by the heir of Patek. I decided then and there, I'd die. Not before experiencing the pleasures of life.”
”I see,” said Elvira thoughtfully. Courtney kept the same expression and often met the other's gaze. Silent twitches and mien showed their level of interest. Each picked on the other's mood telepathically, they knew what the other thought. No magic nor other means for said sharing of thoughts came per the culmination of their deep bond.
”Igna.”
”Yes, mother.”
”Is it true you're dating her?” asked she strongly.
”Yes, it's true,” he ambled to her side.
”Even though she's a spy?” inquired Elvira, ”-surely thou art not so daft. What if tis all a greater scheme to gain our trust, what if she has other plans. Can you vouch for our safety?”
Alicia's demeanor sunk into hesitation. '-They're right,' her mind moved to a dark howling forest. Black was the sky and blacker was the path. The leaves swayed in a manner to say, '-unworthy, death is all thy deserves. Not acceptance.' A gust soon blasted her face frigid – voices of the dead, voices of the people she killed were carried over. Accusation on accusation, they complained, screamed, and defiled the remaining confidence. Shadow befell her eye socket, the hefty burden weighted against her shoulder. Her head hung low in damnation.
”Most definitely,” exclaimed he, '-why am I so adamant?' Crimson discolored into white, '-why do I feel so angry and confident?' He grabbed her hand, ”-I first brought her here to be used as a spy for our cause,” side-glancing her lowered head, ”-I know I was wrong. It would be cruel of me to ask so much to someone who's already lost what she had. Regardless, I can say one thing, she's my partner, and I'm not letting go. She understands how I feel, the world changes, and I need allies.”
”Are you sure?” asked Courtney.
”Mother,” strong and loud, ”-Like it or not, she's my partner, we've vowed to one another.”
The night cracked; pieces crumbled to dust. A tight grip pulled on her focus, the way he spoke and stood up for them gave hope, the head slowly lifted. He spoke to them as if it was expected. Behind the desk stood the demon, opposite them, another rose, the devil, each butted head.
”Good,” smiled Courtney, the dangerous aura resolved, ”-I like it,” she turned to Elvira, ”-my son's grown so much.”
”Yes,” smiled Elvira, ”-our precious Igna's a man now.”
”Mother,” the grip eased, ”-I've missed you.” She vaulted over the desk to a tight strangle. The reunion continued late into the evening, 18:00 flashed on the digital clock.
”About the assignment to restrain Eira.”
”Yes, it won't be necessary. The ambassador is Lucifer himself,” said Igna. Alicia stayed in the waiting lounge.
”I know,” said Courtney, ”-Igna, can you beat the Librarian of Nexsolium?”
”At the moment, no, I don't think so. I've regained part of my strength.”
”I knew it,” said Elvira, ”-you're our master's reincarnation, aren't you, Igna.”
”I suppose so. A new life means a new start. Nothing must change, I'm still the son of Courtney Haggard and precious nephew to Lady Elvira.”
”I know,” said she rustling his hair, ”-about the task, it comes from Queen Gallienne. I've sent the information, depends on her next move.”
”What's Phantom's stance?” asked Igna.
”Think about it,” voiced Courtney, ”-this is a great opportunity to leave the politics and live a normal life with the newfound partner.”
”I'd be lying to myself. I'm not saving the world; my goal is to get strong. To do so, I must face off against strong individuals – there are far too many unanswered questions.”
”How about regaining the symbols of power for a start?”
”Difficult. I don't have the slightest clue where they are.”
”Look here,” said Courtney pulling up her sleeve, ”-I have the symbol of the Death Reaper. Too bad I can't use it, feels more like a tattoo than anything.”
”Seriously?” the brow raised; ”-the scythe is in thy possession. What then?”