"Alice already died ten years ago. That thing is not Alice!!!"

What an outrageous thing! Maria's words echoed through the silent hall. Both Alastor and Scarlet couldn't hide their surprise hearing those words. And yet, each didn't raise any remark, as if a part of them already expected something, just not this.

Finally the person in question spoke.

"Hum...brother, I think your guests are a bit rude don't you think? Coming to our house and saying such things. But what made me sad most is you brother. You don't even defend me against those groundless accusations. Am I not your sister, Alastor?" said Alice. Strangely the usual cry baby didn't even faze.

"Yes you are my sister Alice. Always have been and always will be." Alastor responded, making his sister give out a gentle smile. She walked toward him and gave him a big welcome home hug.

"Alastor, stay away! That's not...." But Maria didn't even need to finish.

"Just tell me one thing Alice..." said Alastor while being embraced.

"Yes of course dear brother. Anything!" so did Alice.

"Why haven't you aged a bit for the last ten years?"

At that moment Alice pushed the boy and took a few steps back. Suddenly she started crying hysterically.

"He knows *hic * he knows! What do I do?" Alice sobbed as tears poured out of her eyes. All of the sudden her voice changed drastically to a mature womanly voice.

"It's alright! Don't cry!"

"But you told me that if I let him know, he will leave me *hic hic *"

"It's not your fault my dear. How about letting me take over from here? I will sort it out for you!"

"..Okay!" After finishing talking to herself, Alice turned toward Alastor "Please don't hate me!"

Then she collapsed before standing up again. This time however she was completely different, behaving like an adult.

"Sorry about that! Now that Alice is sleeping, we can continue our nice conversation, won't you agree brother?

And nice to meet you again, Maria! Did you like my present to you?" Alice made a joyful expression.

"You evil! You are the one who made me into this... this monstrosity." Raged Maria.

"What is she talking about lady Maria?" asked Scarlet. Even though Scarlet was one of the closest friend of Maria, she has never actually told Scarlet or anyone about the origin of her cursed body. They assumed that it was probably an effect of the demon blood infused in Maria.

"I remember that day clearly as if it was yesterday. Ten years ago when we were still in that facility, Scarlet. The day of the ritual!"

"You can't possibly mean!!!" Scarlet shouted out.

"Alastor, ten years ago we were just like those children you saw, subjects to their inhuman experiments with demon blood. And the man in charge of the facility we were in was Terrick.

Despite being a clergyman of the Church of Light, Terrick belonged in an extremist group. Just like the brighter the candle, the bigger the shadow it cast, the Church has different factions inside itself. One in particular who called themselves Sanctus. Terrick believed that the power of the demon comes from their blood and that blood is sacred unlike their vessel which the Church considered unholy. With his experiments, he theorized that the demon blood could be used as a conduit to trace back to God. Which means that if a body created by God, a member of the Prime race, were to be compatible and possess the sacred blood inside them, it can be used as a vessel for God himself.

This led to his mad experimentation on children as he believed children are still innocent, unlike their adult counterpart. After years of sacrifice with thousands of children dead by his hand, Terrick finally found what he has been looking for. A young elf girl with crimson fiery hair. On that fateful day, however, things went wrong.

I, who managed to escape from my cell, thinking to escape, found myself at the ritual hall. And I saw it. As Terrick plunged a dagger to the girl's heart, I saw something descending from the sky into the girl's body. In a way Terrick succeeded his summoning. But it was not a God he called upon. But a fiendish being. With its new body, it massacred everyone around it. Only Terrick managed to escape.

And it found me, hiding before a pillar. And it gave me... This this accursed body! That thing controlled Alice's body, bending it to its will. It's only trying to trick you Alastor! You must believe me!!!" pleaded Maria.

"What a fascinating story you have Maria! But I would rather not have you calling me fiendish. The man named Terrick did get what he wanted. He wished for a God and I gave him one. What about you young lady? How did you know it was me who cast the curse on Alastor?" Alice talked in an arrogant tone.

"The two of you have lived with each other for a longtime. From what I understand, everyone in that village is affected with the curse. Yet when I first see you earlier, you don't have it. Therefore it makes you the most suspicious person." Scarlet explained as she showed her Eye.

"Hum the Eye of Revelation is it? Such a troublesome thing. I thought that line was extinct but it seems I was wrong. And to answer your question, dear brother, as you have realized, my body can't grow because of the ...let's say accident that day. But living with someone like that would surely make them suspicious. So I cast the curse on everyone I stayed with for more than a year to make sure no one would notice this...condition of mine. It's not like I took away their memories, I just made it so I am more forgettable, especially my body. But such a thing wouldn't bother you right brother? I am always your sister after all." Alice smiled softly.

"Was all those years just a trick? All the time we passed together...was it all a lie?" mumbled Alastor.

"Of course not. That was actually Alice who did everything by herself. The poor girl only wanted a family, to compensate for what she lost. And you provided it to her. It must be weird to hear me saying this but trust me when I tell you that she loves you. As for me, I merely intervened when it's necessary or when Alice asked me for it. Rest assured!" Alice implored.

"Then all I need to do is to get rid of you to release Alice!" Alastor started charging his mana inside his body. For an entity who possessed others' body, soul magic seemed like the perfect counter as it would directly attack the entity without damaging the owner's body.

"Now now! If you get rid of me, Alice will return to the original state before I found her: dead. So I suggest you calm down child!"

"What are you exactly?" Alastor angrily shouted.

"Why not ask your friend inside you? Actually, how about you come here to play, oh Great Soul Forger Magnus!" the little girl implored.

"How do you... ARGHH!" suddenly Alastor felt a sharp pain in his head.

'Sorry kid! We will take over from here' a voice echoed inside his mind. A black mist started coming from the boy' shadow, englobing his body. His eyes changed their color to a dark purple one. A red stone came out of his forehead, as if a third eye has appeared.

"How nice to see you again, old friend!" Alice giggled.

"Lilith, Mother of Monsters and Bringer of Flesh! We meet again!" Magnus, now controlling Alastor's body, spoke.

"How wonderful for two of the Trinity to reunite like this! Let's celebrate!" Alice joked.

All of the sudden, the sky darkened. Not because of the clouds but the sun itself. A giant black has englobed the sun.

". Today you die witch!"

From the black sun above, hundred of projectiles fired toward the demon castle. Each hit was powerful enough to blast away a small keep. And it was raining of them. In a matter of seconds, the entire landscape surrounding the castle was reduced to nothingness. Strangely none did hit the castle, thanks to a magic circle floating above the castle, shielding it from harm.

"Are you really gonna sacrifice everyone in this cycle just to kill me?" said Alice.

"I will sink this entire continent to the ocean if it means killing you!"

"What have I ever done to you? Aside from killing you a few times but we all did that once in a while right?"

"You stole my FLAME. Then you gave it to Eden!!!" shouted Magnus.

"And Eden did kill me for it. He tricked both of us. We have fought each other for millennia, even though we shared a common enemy. How about a truce? What do you say?" Alice extended her arm.

"Don't think that I don't know what you are thinking. You just want the Key for yourself." but her offer was bluntly rejected.

"So do you. But without me, the Key won't be completed. But you obviously know that don't you?"

"......" Magnus could say anything. Deep inside, he knew Lilith was right. He needed her, no matter how much he refused to believe it.

At that moment Alastor's body returned to normal and the boy took control of his body once again. He was watching the whole time but just couldn't do anything about it.

"I take that as a yes! Perfect! So let's...." but Lilith was interrupted.

"I am still here!!!" the boy spoke in anger "I won't let you use Alice's body like you want. And you Magnus, you didn't mention anything about how you can just take control of my body like that. You almost kill us all. Look around you! Don't ever do that again or I swear whatever your plan is, I will destroy it!"

'Understood! Our apologies! We kinda lost ourselves' said Magnus in Alastor's mind.

"I am sorry for my friend's wild behavior. Here let me take care of it! " said Lilith as she raised her arm.

All of the sudden, all the damages from Magnus' attack started recovering. The trees and rocks returned to their initial position. In an instant it was as if his spell never actually happened.

Alastor was left speechless by the one who possessed Alice. That woman could manipulate time itself? Who exactly was she? And how was she connected to Magnus?

For the whole time Maria and Scarlet couldn't even move from their spots nor could they utter a word. Maria has seen herself as a monster, an anomaly for a very long time. Yet today, for the first time, she admitted she was much more human than the two standing in front of her. Magic so powerful as if it was out of this world. Just who were these people?

"Now that everything is repaired, shall me resume our chat? Let's start with introduction. I am Lilith and I have been inhabiting inside Alice for more than ten years. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Alastor!" saluted Lilith using Alice's body.

"What or who are you exactly? Why Alice? What does she have anything to do with this?" asked Alastor.

"Like the miss said, I was summoned through a blood ritual by one named Terrick more than ten years ago. As for why it was simply I could not manifest myself physically in the world because of a certain reason and so I need a body in which demon blood flows in order to possess it. But only one that was strong enough to contain me. And that's how I met Alice. In a way I saved her life. Without me sustaining her essence, the poor girl would be long gone for now. So you can hate me all you want but spare the poor girl!" pleaded Lilith. It seemed the woman knew a bit of sympathy as well.

"Alice is always be my sister and that won't ever change. So you don't have to worry about that. Still who are you exactly? And what's your relation with Magnus?"

"Such a curious boy aren't you! I don't mind answering your question but how about we settle our current problem first? What did you do with the vial I gave to Mephisto?" asked the girl.

Alastor suddenly remembered what he was looking for. Shana and the others children still needed his help right now. And to do that, he needed this strange woman's help.

"So it did come from you. Unfortunately there were just too many children and they have already transformed into some kind of beast. I used a vial on one of them but she only reverted back partially. Can you help her? Please!!!" Alastor got on his knees, begging to the woman.

Some said a man's pride was everything a man got. But Alastor did not care for such a thing. If begging could save Shana's life, he would do it a thousand times.

"So she only took it after the transformation?....Such a pity!" Lilith gave out a long sigh. "You should probably go to her side, Alastor! Cherish this moment!"

"Why? What are you talking about?"

"...What the vial contains was my blood. It's not a perfect cure but it could halt the transformation. But only if you ingest it before the metamorphosis. Based on what you just told me, I reckon the girl has at most a few hours left. Same for the rest of the children...."

As if a bell tolled inside his head, Alastor's mind seemingly shattered at that moment. Such an innocent little girl! She still had so much to live for. And now it was gone. For what? Because of some maniacs who killed in the name of their pathetic God? The child who was abandoned by the world...was it not enough? Did it have to kill her to finish her off?

'Such a world has no right to exist!' a thought emerged inside the boy's mind.

Without uttering a single word, the boy walked back to Shana' side. With Maria and Scarlet quietly following him behind, not a sound was made.

"Was this necessary? Revealing yourself like that?" a voice asked. "You could just erase their memories all together again."

"And how many times have I done that to so many people already? I am starting to get tired of it. And you? Thinking about revealing yourself yet?" Lilith turned toward a small shadow hiding behind a pillar. A roundish ball of slime.

"When it's time I guess. But I am not important. Just a simple drifter!" said the slime.

"Carefree as ever, old friend! But anyway let us follow Alastor. I want to give him something he needs to survive in this world. Just don't know if it is the right time..."

"Now it's the perfect time. That girl's life is beyond saving. But at the very least her soul could still be salvaged. But again this is the first time this happens. Who knows what the future holds?"

* * *

"Shana, please stay with me!"

I said to an unconscious Shana as I held her hand tightly. I never realized it before but her hand was so small, so frail that I was afraid that I would break her. I wanted to know her more, to understand her, to share my happiness, no matter how little it was with her.

'Beatrix, please!' I was now in the Abyss. Sitting in front of me was a woman covered with only chains and a cape.

'She is going to die Alastor. The pain she will leave behind...it will scar you for life.'

'Then let it will edge my mind, make it bleed so she will forever stay in my memories.'

'...as you wish! ! Although short, you and her have shared a deep bond together. Peer into her memories as will she into yours! Let's there be secrets no longer between you two!'

As I watched her memories, since the very first memory she had, how she got separated from her family, how she ended up meeting me, I asked myself how she would react if she saw mine. She would know that I was a demon, that I killed people. What would she say to me? Then my strains of thoughts were interrupted. Someone must be calling me in the real world. I should get back. I have seen enough already.

"Alastor! Wake up!" a voice called out to me. At the same time, I felt someone patting my head. For some reason, it felt soothing. I could stay like this for hours.

I opened my eyes, only to see Shana looking down at me, smiling. Why were my eyes so blurry? Some liquid fell on my cheeks.

"Shana!" I screamed out.

"I am here Alastor!" the girl hugged me tightly in her small chest.

"Are you feeling alright? Does it hurt anywhere?" I didn't know why I was asking these questions. She was going to die soon and what was I supposed to tell her?

"I am okay. Just a bit surprised by the new legs I have" she pointed out the beastly legs. She made it sound to light but I could feel her heavy heart in her words. And her hands were shaking. She was afraid. Of course she would. Anyone would be terrified in her position. Yet she held it in. Perhaps to not to make me worry.

"Shana....I....I don't know what to say..."

Seeing my expression, my fear shown on my face, she already understood what I was going to say.

"I know Alastor. You may not believe me but in my dreams, I saw you. How you grew up, Morgan, Alice and everyone else. Strange isn't it?"

"But I am a..."

"I know. But it doesn't matter what you are. To me you are Alastor! And that's enough."

"But you..."

"I know I will die soon."

Those words. Why couldn't she blame me for not coming to her sooner? Why was she not angry? Why did she smile at me like that? These feelings of guilt were eating me alive.

"Is there anything I can do for you? Anything? Just say it! I will do it."

I wanted to know. If there was something I could do for this girl, anything that might make her feel better, I would do it.

"You know, I have always dreamt about riding a dragon! Soaring the sky on top of the most majestic creature in the world. Wouldn't that be cool?"

What? A dragon? Where would I find one in that short amount of time left? I panicked at the mere thought.

"I am just joking! You being here is more than enough for me." the girl giggled.

If only we could stay like this forever. But fate was cruel and time never stopped for anyone. Shana started coughing heavily, and blood has dripped out her mouth. We were out of time.

"Alastor it's time!" a voice called out to me from behind. It was Alice, or rather Lilith judging by her tone. "At this rate her soul will just end up in oblivion."

Oblivion? Why? When someone died, their soul would return to the First Flame in order to be reincarnated again. Wasn't that how it was supposed to work?

"What do you mean?" I asked Lilith.

"The demon blood inside her has cut her connection to the First Flame. That's it because it considers her as tainted, defiled, not longer fit to be reincarnated. Her soul won't return there. Instead it will be wandering in the void for all eternity."

"What the hell do you mean? Hasn't she have enough of this bullshit? Now you are gonna tell me that she can't even rest in peace?"

In a fit of anger, I trashed the table next to me, smashing it against the wall.

"There is another way. A way to free her from that hell. However....its method is rather unorthodox."

"Tell me!"

"Devour her soul, Alastor! That way she will be sent to the Abyss, to where your soul is. You two will become one. You won't be able to see her but she will still be there, watching you!"

"NO! I won't do it. Not only do you want me to kill her, now I have to eat her soul too? I....I refuse to do it."

"Do I not get a say in this?" said Shana.

"Of course you do!" I told her.

"Then please eat me Alastor!"

"Are you aware of what you are saying?"

"Look at me Alastor! I am already dead. It doesn't matter any more. But if it means that I can still stay with you then do it! Do it for me!"

"Shana...I....this can't be happening!"

"Alastor...please....I"