Eternal Undying Chronicles

Chapter 92 Detective West

Alicarde and Malefica stepped into the precinct, the contrast between its outdated exterior and the modern interior striking.

The front desk was sleek, made of polished metal and glass, while several comfortable reception chairs lined the waiting area.

Police officers moved briskly, their uniforms crisp, and civilians sat anxiously, filling out forms or waiting for assistance. The lighting was bright, almost clinical, and the soft drone of conversation filled the air.

Despite his ominous appearance in the dark Reaper's vestments, Alicarde didn't attract as much attention as one might expect.

The officers around him seemed to instinctively straighten their backs as he passed, a few offering respectful nods, which Alicarde returned with a curt dip of his head.

The fabric of his hood cast deep shadows over his face, but his sharp eyes missed nothing as they scanned the room.

Turning to Malefica, he smiled beneath his hood. She appeared indifferent, her expression calm despite the complex feelings simmering beneath the surface.

This was basic magic to her, and the fact that she had to struggle to maintain even this much was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, she knew her curse was a necessary evil, something she had borne for a thousand years. Alicarde's crude words couldn't shake her resolve now.

"Ma'am, ma'am!" a young officer called out as he jogged toward them, slightly out of breath.

He came to a stop before them, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

"Detective West, ma'am, it's about the missing people case. Our analysts are suspecting it might tie in with the Reaper somehow," he said, glancing at Alicarde with a mix of respect and curiosity.

'Did he just call me ma'am?' Alicarde thought, but he kept his expression neutral, looking to Malefica for guidance.

He heard her voice in his mind, a result of the telepathic link she had established through the mark she placed on him.

"It seems you look like a female detective. Play along," Malefica instructed.

"I see. Carry on," Alicarde replied, his voice measured and vague, trying to fit the role.

"Yes, ma'am," the young officer continued, his tone earnest.

"We're trying to get permission to continue as you ordered, but the top brass won't let us touch anything. I get staying away from the Reaper case—it's in military jurisdiction—but the missing people all over the city, that's ours!"

Alicarde nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Take this to my desk. For now, I'll be heading to the server room."

"The server room? Why, ma'am?" the young officer asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Realizing he might have slipped up, Alicarde quickly adapted. "That's my business. Hmm, why don't you come with me? You can fill me in on the details on our way there."

The young officer smiled, visibly relieved, and gave a sharp salute. "Yes, ma'am!"

"Why are you bringing him?" Malefica's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with suspicion.

"Because he knows the way and we don't. Police information wasn't in the databank, at least not all of it," Alicarde replied telepathically.

Malefica nodded subtly, her eyes betraying no emotion.

As they walked, the young officer eagerly led the way, filling the silence with information.

"You know, ma'am, it's strange. No one's talking about the missing people in the press. We've had reports from all over the city, but it's like the media's been gagged."

Alicarde, still keeping up his role, offered noncommittal responses. "Interesting. We'll need to dig deeper into that."

The officer continued, unaware of who he was truly speaking to.

"And it's not just that. I've been thinking... Why hasn't the top brass allowed us to investigate? It feels like they're hiding something. Maybe something bigger is going on, something they don't want us to uncover."

"Possibly," Alicarde replied, his tone giving nothing away. "But we'll only know more once we get to the server room."

"Yes, ma'am," the young officer said, nodding fervently as they turned a corner. "The missing people, the Reaper case—everything feels connected somehow. But the pieces aren't fitting together, you know?"

"Are we really going to fight this thing? I heard it took on a squad of soldiers," another officer added nervously.

"I don't think we stand a chance," a third officer said, his hands trembling.

"Get a grip, all of you!" West barked, her voice sharp. "We do this by the book!"

Alicarde's violet eyes glowed ominously beneath his hood as he stepped forward. His voice dripped with menace as he addressed the officers. "Mortals, stay your hand."

Jessica didn't waver. "Where is the rookie that came with you?" she demanded, her voice cold as she kept her aim steady.

"No harm has come to him. Fear not," Alicarde replied, his tone laced with dark confidence.

Jessica allowed herself a momentary sigh of relief but kept her weapon raised.

"What are you doing, talking like that?" Malefica's voice echoed in Alicarde's mind, irritated.

"Like what?" Alicarde replied telepathically, amused.

"Forget it."

Jessica's voice cut through their exchange. "Hands in the air, you're under arrest."

Alicarde chuckled darkly. "You think you can apprehend the harbinger of death?"

Malefica nearly rolled her eyes. 'What are you doing?' she said telepathically. 'Seriously?'

"What's her name?" Alicarde asked Malefica telepathically, ignoring the officers.

"Jessica West. She's a detective," Malefica replied, her tone flat.

Alicarde stepped forward. "Jessica West... you are known to us. The living do not escape the gaze of death."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, right. Why don't you tell me the name of the rookie you just knocked out? Maybe then I'll believe you."

Alicarde felt a flicker of panic. "I think she is sharper than she looks. Uh, Malefica, a little help here?"

"You think?" she replied, exasperated.

"Are you going to help or just criticize?"

"His name is Timothy Waters," she informed telepathically.

Alicarde straightened. "I have no obligation to tell you anything. You are all known to us. Timothy Waters is unharmed."

Malefica couldn't resist internally shaking her head. 'You just gave it away.'

"Enough theatrics," Malefica said telepathically, her patience thinning. "We have work to do."

Alicarde sighed. "Mortals... heed this warning, the guilty will know agony."

With a swift motion, Alicarde raised his hand, and the wall next to them buckled under the force of [Flux Field]. The structure crumbled, sending debris flying and engulfing the hallway in a thick cloud of dust.

Before the officers could react, Alicarde summoned Wrath, the bicorn materializing from the shadows. He mounted the beast, pulling Malefica up with him, and in a ripple of distorted space, they vanished, teleporting away as the world shimmered around them.

Jessica coughed, waving the dust from her face. The officers around her were shaken but unharmed. "Damn it!" she growled. "We need backup now!"

One of the officers looked at her in confusion. "Ma'am, did they just—?"

"Shut up!" Jessica snapped, frustration boiling over. "Find out what the hell is going on!"

"What the hell is going on in this city?" Jessica muttered, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the puzzle forming in front of her.