Season Finale

Song recommendation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bndL7wwAj0U&list=RDMMj0lSpNtjPM8&index=2

Veretta stared around in shock. A moment ago she had been by Michael's side but suddenly found herself in a long hallway. She spun around in surprise. Shallow was leaning back against the opposing dark wallpaper staring at the row of paintings opposite.

"What did you do?" Veretta asked quickly, "Where is Michael?"

"He cut us off," Shallow shrugged, "you should be grateful I found some others who wish to help you here,"

"What do you mean?" Veretta frowned.

"I can bring us wherever the dead haunt," Shallow replied, "And there are many dead here,"

"I am grateful for your help, but I need to go back to Michael," Veretta protested.

"Didn't you hear me?" Shallow's cold purple eyes turned to her sharply, "you may only visit upon the dead who allow your presence. Besides, we have other work to do,"

"What are you talking about?" Veretta hesitated.

"The scroll," Shallow glanced down the corridor, "It's here. I can sense it. Go and find its location,"

"But I can't sense anything. How am I supposed to find it?" Veretta implored.

"Humans," Shallow scoffed, "Why do they never listen?"

He snapped his fingers and two ghostly figures appeared. The first was a man soaked in blood with incredibly mournful eyes and the second, a young boy stood at his side.

"Where did you hear about the scroll?" Shallow asked the older man.

"My son and I were killed by Silthus. He brought the black wizard to watch us die. Then they discussed the scroll. We followed Silthus and found it hidden in a safe behind the portrait of the weeping woman,"

"Very good," Shallow answered apathetically, "You've done what you remained to do. You may go now,"

Within an instant, they disappeared just as quickly as they had come. Veretta stared on in disbelief.

"Did they return to the underworld?" Veretta questioned.

Shallow met her gaze but said nothing. Veretta inhaled deeply and began to scan the walls. Across the long hallway, there were only images of bleak landscapes intermixed with depictions of ungodly hellscapes. She turned back to report this, but Shallow was already gone.

Veretta let out a sigh and started down the hallway alone. She turned the corridor and just glimpsed a darkly cloaked figure disappearing up one of the staircases. She followed them till they arrived at a room on the third floor. The curious cloaked individual went straight inside.

Veretta found a grand room. Perhaps the most extravagant she had ever seen. It was a high-ceiling bedroom with a large open balcony that ushered intervals of light along the expanse of the room. At the far end, there was a massive iron fireplace embellished with contorted beasts lurching from the metal frame. There was something so surreal and uncanny about the way the beasts seemed to leap out from the flames, Veretta felt an ominous pull towards it.

Just as she reached the large metal grate set before it, her eyes were forced up by the feeling of being watched. Above the fire mantle was an overwhelming painting, so tall it almost hit the ceiling. Veretta stared up in fright wondering how she hadn't noticed it until now. There, in all its savage glory was a woman being engulfed in flames. Such was the expression of pain on the painted face, Veretta instinctively recoiled. However, on closer inspection, she saw the tears pouring from the woman's face and at once knew she was in the right place.

Veretta turned back quickly to the figure who had first led her into the room. They were standing with their palms facing up and their eyes closed in concentration. Though Veretta could tell it was a spell of some kind, Shallow's magic prevented her from sensing its exact nature. At any rate, they seemed sufficiently distracted and were not aware of her presence. Veretta returned her gaze to the painting. What should she do?

Before she could decide, the door opened and Silthus marched into the room...

"Is it done?" he questioned.

The cloaked person gave a bow. Just as they departed, Cora entered the room.

"The room is cloaked?" she asked with a smile, "we can talk freely?"

"Yes," Silthus answered briskly. He took a seat at an elegant glass table and began to immediately pour himself a drink "have there been any developments?"

"Darius and Bora haven't been able to break the capital city," Cora replied with shrug, "I guess those women in the west are giving them more trouble than they imagined,"

"Darius I can understand, but Bora..." Silthus threw down his hand angrily and shattered the glass.

Veretta froze in place. Her eyes widened in abhorrence. She had known he would be there, but the sight of him caused more of a reaction than she expected. Every fibre of her body was pulsing to attack - to kill him. Despite her force of will, her body intuitively moved on its own. She took a step towards him, wide-eyed and incensed. However, just as she did, a hand came over her shoulder. She glanced back in surprise.

Shallow was standing with a finger to his lips, with dark knowing eyes. In that instance, Veretta suddenly felt eyes upon her. Suilthus was staring right at her. His intense dark eyes were looking as if he could see her.

"Is something the matter?" Cora asked.

"No," Silthus turned back to her, "it's nothing. This situation in the west just tires me, Cora,"

"I could always go and..." she began.

"No," Silthus interrupted, "I need you here,"

"I thought Michael was all but convinced?" Cora said with a slight smirk, "You told him about Ace and the scroll? Shouldn't that have convinced him? He hates demons, right? He won't let Ace bring them back to life?"

Silthus' eyes narrowed, "Michael's on the fence. I just haven't figured out why yet. He's holding something back, I can tell. We need to push him a bit more,"

"How?" Cora grinned, "if torture, manipulation and death won't work, I wonder what else you can have in store?"

"You don't need to worry about it, Cora," Silthus returned flatly, "just tell me you still have eyes on Ace,"

"Of course," Cora simpered, "They went searching for the wizard, but then returned back to the manor and haven't made a move since,"

"Good, it won't be long now," Silthus turned his gaze back to the portrait, "I know he'll come for the scroll,"

Silthus stood up gazing up at the portrait with vehement eyes. There was some meaning in his gaze, but only known to him. He started towards the fireplace. Veretta swallowed uneasily and held her breath. It would just be a moment as he passed, then the sound of the fire would take over. Silthus slowly walked up to where she was standing with his eyes still set ahead.

Just as he passed her, he stopped suddenly. His eyes went directly to her and his brow furrowed.

"Who are you?" he uttered with such viciousness that Veretta's heart stopped. Is this how she would die?

It was at that moment, everything went dark.

*******************

Veretta opened her eyes with a gasp. Her lungs filled with warm forest air. She spun around confused to find herself back in the forest glade. Interspersed light was sparkling through the treetops. Somehow it was morning already. No, past morning. Maybe afternoon... Veretta glanced down at the candles she had laid, they were long since extinguished.

"I'm back," she said slowly, "Shallow?"

She called again, this time louder. However, she was completely alone. For a moment, Veretta paused to let it all sink in. Had she really been in Silthus' castle? It felt like a strange dream, but her still racing heart told her otherwise. A moment longer and he would have killed her...or she would have tried to kill him...

Without any more delay, Veretta headed back to the manor. She was halfway up the green garden path when she spotted Ace sitting on the grass. A strange feeling tightened around Veretta's chest as she met his gaze. His eyes were still as consumingly dark as ever, even under the dazzling sun.

"Did you find Shallow?" Ace asked in a low voice.

"Yes," Veretta replied.

"And can he help you?" Ace asked with an indistinct expression.

Veretta's emerald eyes met his unwaveringly, "The better question is can you?"

A placid smile passed over Ace's lips, "Care to elaborate?"

"You already knew where Silthus was, didn't you?" Veretta said quietly.

"What makes you say that?" Ace replied with an unreadable smile.

"Because Silthus is expecting you...to come for the scroll," Veretta answered flatly.

"Mmm," Ace tilted his head to one side, "And? I practically told you as much. That's why I said it was a trap. Besides, Silthus has many castles - it would be a waste of our effort if we didn't know which. Were you able to learn that much?"

"A castle on top of a mountain, I think," Veretta responded, "do you know where it is?"

"As it happens, I do," Ace shrugged, "but that proves nothing. I told you. I want to help Michael,"

"Why?" Veretta demanded unflinchingly, "The love of your life was hunted by Michael for years. He even pushed you from the tower. I don't believe anyone can be that forgiving,"

"I've had 300 years to work on it," Ace replied with a slight smile.

"I don't think you've forgiven him at all," Veretta replied gravely, "I think you were just using Michael to get the scroll and you were going to kill him once you got it,"

"Why would I do that?" Ace said flatly.

"Didn't your best friend die in the pursuit of Michael's vengeance?" Veretta answered carefully, "You said it was your fault they died for not being there. But the truth is, they never would have died if Michael wasn't so bent on his revenge,"

Ace's eyes widened slightly but his surprise was restrained under his usual cool manner.

"You want the truth?" he shrugged, "It's not like I was trying to hide it from you in the first place. I needed Michael to get that scroll, yes, but I don't blame him for what happened. This is not some petty attempt at revenge. Michael's death was what he deserved, but that doesn't mean I wanted him to die. Look - I just want Clover. I told Michael from the start. But you don't know Michael like I do. He was never really going to help me, not with this,"

"Why not?" Veretta asked, perplexed, " Why does he hate this Clover so much?"

Ace surveyed her quietly for a moment then turned away with a begrudging smile, "Ah, I see. Michael told you already, didn't he?"

"He said that the demon ruined his life," Veretta frowned, "but what does that mean?"

"Clover killed his old man," Ace replied reluctantly, "and that changed him. They are the reason he is the way he is,"

"Wait? What?" Veretta breathed uneasily, "you're trying to find the person who murdered Michael's family? Why would you want to find a person like that?!"

"It's not that simple!" Ace returned sharply, "it wasn't just a one-sided fight. They fought each other. They were enemies in a war. Demons and humans were mortal enemies for centuries! You humans now just don't remember. It wasn't personal - it was war...until..."

"Until what?" Veretta glared.

"Until they made it personal. I guess there's only so much a person can take before they snap. I don't even know the full story to this day, but I do know this: they both set out on taking revenge on each other for decades. I was only a kid, I just got caught in the middle of it. That's why Michael disliked me, but in the end, we still...understood each other. At least that's what I want to believe. I never intended for him to get hurt. I just wanted Clover back. Can't you understand?"

"I can," Veretta said quietly, "but you have to understand that I can't trust you that you are able to put Michael ahead of that person,"

"Maybe I can't," Ace replied apathetically, "but the way I see it, Michael can live and I can get what I want. It doesn't have to be one way or the other,"

"You once said to me I would have to choose between my village and Silthus. Isn't it the same now?" Veretta shook her head, "You know that Michael would rather die than let you bring that person back to life,"

"Then we don't have to tell him!" Ace protested, "I will take Clover and leave if that's what it takes. I'm not asking Michael to save them. Just give me what I need and I can do it myself!"

"You lied to us," Veretta's brow furrowed, "this was never about protecting Michael, was it? You let me cast that magic because you were hoping to find the location of the scroll. You used me as well,"

"Aren't we using each other, miss witch," Ace said flatly, "Let's skip the part where I pretend to be sorry. At the end of the day, you need my help and I need yours. Can't we just work together and argue about the results later? Nothing is going to happen while we're just sitting here,"

Veretta met his gaze unflinchingly "I will admit, you're right. Our motivation doesn't matter right now. We need a way to save Michael and the only way we're going to be able to do that is if we work together,"

"And the scroll?" Ace said in a low voice.

"As long as you guarantee Michael will live, you can have it," Veretta answered with a strained expression, "I know where it is,"

Ace gave a smile, "Then it's settled. Go up to the house and tell the others to pack. We'll leave for Silthus' castle tomorrow,"

"If it was that easy, why did you have me go there?" Veretta stared at him with a dark expression.

"Come on, miss witch. Have a little faith in me," Ace grinned, " You don't think I would wait all this time without a plan, do you?"

Veretta gave a faint nod and started up the slope once more. As she did, a gentle shift in the wind caught her in its grip and she turned back with a lofty stare. The sun was high in the supremely blue sky. The cultivated lawn felt like a stage to something. Everything in nature, even the birds were depicted in a rigid place somehow. And with this thought, a feeling of grave inevitably took hold of Veretta.

A familiar glare of purple eyes brought Veretta's eyes to her side. There was something surreal about laying eyes on Shallow on such a bright day. His snowy white skin and ashen hair made him appear as a creature of the night. Yet in the light of day, his amethyst eyes were somehow even deadlier. The severe crystal-like eyes met Veretta's gaze and she already knew what he would say:

"You know that the demon can never have the scroll?" he said in a quiet, almost cautionary voice. Though it sounded more like a warning than a threat.

Veretta stared off into the distance with a nostalgic gaze.

"I know."