Hellbound Heart

Chapter 390  Light and Darkness - Part 8

Once Alicia and Zeke finally left the castle, they immediately reunited with Gavriel. Gav had just come from the battlefield, so he was drenched in blood. His eyes were also still bloodshot, and his entire demeanor reeked of death and darkness. The sight of him at that moment was so severe it sent involuntary shivers down Alicia's spine.

"Now this is a surprise," Zeke said as they approached him. "You took longer to finish the battle than I expected, Gav."

Alicia couldn't help but widen her eyes a little towards Zeke, only to see her bloody husband looking all nonchalant as if he had said nothing wrong. Seriously, she always forgets how Ezekiel usually acts around everyone else, especially after their special moments where he bares himself as vulnerable and all, but… but she still honestly wanted to pinch his side hard right now because… well, Gavriel had been in an extreme battle all night while they were… they were enjoying themselves, and yet her husband dared to say such a thing?!

"Somehow, their strength this time is unexpectedly beyond what's normal. I believe someone cooked up something. I had fun though." Gav simply shrugged. His bloodshot eyes seemed to be clearing up. "Ruka will tell you about the details once he arrives. I'll go clean myself."

Zeke nodded subtly. "I'll meet with him once we're back."

"Where are you going this time? And don't tell me you're going to disappear for a long while again." Gav raised a brow. Though Alicia was covered with a cloak from head to toe, he was still obviously avoiding to even glance at her.

"We won't take long." Was all Zeke replied.

Gav opened his mouth as if to say something lengthy but he closed his lips, sighed, and ran his bloodied hand over his head. "Well, as long as you come back with head intact." He then walked away still talking. "Look after your husband, lady. Everyone's after his head so we're insisting that he's stop going out solo but he never listens."

Once Gav was gone, Zeke looked at Alicia and squeezed her hand. "Ready to go?"

Alicia nodded without hesitation and with that, the couple was swallowed by smoke and disappeared.

…

The journey towards their destination wasn't easy. It was actually far and fraught with dangers and battles against monstrous creatures, so intense and frequent that when Zeke mentioned they were only halfway to their goal, Alicia could only muster a smile of disbelief.

She was never expecting everything to be easy but seriously, they were just half way through? And to think that the monsters were obviously stronger the further they go.

"What's with that smile, my witch queen?" Zeke inquired, his tone light as he deftly dispatched a giant ant-like creature that had crept up behind Alicia. "And here I thought you were enjoying this journey so far."

Almost in sync with his words, Alicia's reflexes snapped into action. With a speed mirroring a lightning bolt, one of her twin swords whistled through the air, past Zeke, and impaled another monstrous ant that was stealthily charging from his blind spot. Her actions were swift, precise, a dance of deadly grace.

As she retrieved her sword from the fallen creature, Alicia responded. "What… made you think I'm even enjoying this?"

Zeke's smile widened as he stepped closer to Alicia, his hand reaching out to gently wipe a smear of monster's blood from her face. "Your eyes have been telling me," He whispered, his voice low and knowing.

Alicia caught her lower lip between her teeth, at the realization that Zeke had seen through her way before she even realized it herself. She thought that maybe it was the long hiatus from battle, the dormant skills and thrills of combat reawakening within her. The rush of adrenaline, the dance of danger—it had reignited a spark she hadn't realized she missed. Despite the danger of their journey, there was an undeniable excitement in wielding her abilities again, a thrill that her eyes, unbeknownst to her, couldn't hide.

And right now, Alicia knew that her excitement was nowhere near it's peak yet. As she continued to engage in battle alongside Zeke, her excitement surged, not yet reaching its zenith but climbing steadily. Initially, she had feared that her skills had dulled from years of inactivity. However, with each skirmish, she felt her old prowess awakening, her movements becoming sharper, more instinctive. She was rediscovering the rhythm of combat, almost regaining the full extent of her capabilities. The thrill of rediscovering her former strength was insane, and her excitement was evident, impossible to mask.

Alicia also knew that her heightened adrenaline wasn't solely due to her resurging combat skills. She knew that one of the main reason behind her adrenaline was because she's fighting a battle alongside her beloved man. To fight next to him… to fight with him and destroy enemies together… the feeling was just surreal.

There was just something so fulfilling about standing shoulder to shoulder with him, facing down threats together. The synergy between them, the way they seamlessly cooperated to kill their foes, added a layer of surreal delight to the experience.

Alicia had been dreaming of this. Of moments like this where she could help him end his enemies and fight together with him.

Just the thought of all this finally happening was making her emotional.

Suddenly, she hugged him and buried her face against his chest.

"Now… now, my queen." He purred, caressing her hair so gently.

"I'm just… I'm just happy I can finally fight alongside you like this." She finally admitted. "I've been dreaming for this, Ezekiel… to be able to help you destroy your enemies like this."

Zeke hugged her tight against him and planted a heartfelt kiss on top of her head. "Me too…" he confessed. "I admit I never wanted you to be here, fighting monsters like this, but… but here I am wishing that we could be together like this a little bit longer."