You Must Kill

Darkness greeted them, making it difficult to see anything. However, the absence of furniture, save for a few abandoned items, allowed them to navigate the small space easily.

Spotting a candle torch mounted on the wall, Agatha flipped it down, as the elder at the market had instructed her the day before.

Suddenly, the floor of the fireplace, filled with ashes, opened to reveal a dim, glowing light.

Anxiousness gripped Agatha's body. She gripped the dagger on her leg and put Aiden behind her. She could see the fear in his eyes, a fear she knew all too well. Agatha knelt down and adjusted Aiden's hood.

"It's okay to be afraid," Agatha whispered reassuringly.

Aiden was silent for a moment before he slowly nodded and then smiled widely at her. "But I'm okay, Aggie," he assured. "You're here with me anyway."

Agatha bit her lip as tears threatened to fall. She wanted to cry but knew she had to show courage for Aiden. He was so understanding for his age.

"Don't worry, Aiden, we'll be safe after all of this," Agatha said. "I promise."

Aiden nodded once more. "I know."

Agatha's eyes shed tears at the glimmer of hope in Aiden's eyes. He trusted her with his safety, and she was determined to do anything and everything to keep him safe, even if it meant running away from Liam or facing death itself.

They held hands and walked slowly towards the fireplace. The light emanating from below came from candles mounted on the walls. The narrow stairs spiraled down, and Agatha walked first, still holding Aiden's hand.

They descended in silence for several minutes until they reached a thick, black door at the foot of the stairs.

Agatha held her breath before finally unlatching the door. With each heartbeat, her other hand tightened around the dagger. Aiden, holding the hem of her cloak, kept watch from behind.

Agatha closed her eyes briefly to calm herself, then opened the door. She blinked a few times to adjust to the light on the other side.

The scene was crowded and chaotic. Noises echoed through the air, and everywhere she looked, she saw Leprechauns, Goblins, Gargoyles, Witches, and Metamorphs.

It seemed they had entered a bustling market. Tables lined each side of the way, filled with various items. The place was dimly lit, but the flying candles provided enough light to see by.

Agatha grabbed Aiden's hand once more as a small Metamorph resembling a hedgehog with a spiky back approached them.

"Trinkets, charms, magic mirrors, poisons," the hedgehog-like Metamorph said, his words coming out fast and jumbled, making it hard for Agatha to understand.

Agatha immediately shook her head and pulled Aiden away. The hedgehog looked at them with disappointment before turning to another potential customer.

Next, an old Gremlin dared to approach them, carrying items similar to those of the hedgehog. But Agatha and Aiden quickly joined the shuffling crowd, deterring him from proceeding further.

Navigating through the throng of creatures was difficult. They passed a shop crowded with endless customers, in the center of which a Goblin was nestled.

At last, they reached the final stall on the right side of the way. Agatha stopped to catch her breath, staring at it.

The stall was small, illuminated by only two floating candles, making it hard to see inside. Agatha and Aiden exchanged glances before touching the red curtain that covered the entrance and stepping inside.

"Machi?" Agatha whispered, calling out for the elder she had met the previous day. "Are you there?"

While buying food with Leonel yesterday, Agatha had encountered an old woman handing out flyers in the market. Luckily, Leonel had been buying meat at another stall, leaving Agatha near the carriage with the other items.

Agatha wasn't used to buying so many supplies. When she asked Leonel about it, he explained that Liam was expecting guests and they needed to prepare a welcoming feast.

This was one of the reasons Agatha chose that time to leave. If Liam had an important matter to attend to, it would keep him distracted, giving her and Aiden enough time to escape.

The flyer given to her by the Witch advertised wicked services for a cheap price. Agatha suspected the Witch wasn't paying taxes to the Capital, making her services more affordable, and she was right.

They were now in an underground market community where anyone could buy illegal items ranging from poisons to illicit weapons.

The teleportation spell from the Witch cost only one gold, so Agatha thought they would save much by using her services.

"Machi?" Agatha called again, louder this time.

Suddenly, Agatha and Aiden jumped, clutching their hearts as the entire space blinked and flooded with blinding light. The inside of the stall seemed enormous, contradicting its small exterior. Agatha was reminded of the Hidden Hollow Blood Exchange.

Red curtains surrounded the entire space, while a golden carpet covered the ground. Numerous pillows of various colors were scattered around. At the far end, a small wooden table stood, with Machi sitting on the ground, having tea.

"How can I serve you, Water Fae?" Machi greeted Agatha as they approached. Her eyes then fell on the young boy, narrowing slightly as she hummed.

In front of Machi was a large, transparent crystal ball emitting a yellowish light akin to the sun. Inside the crystal, white smoke began to form, swirling around the orb.

The Witch appeared ancient, but her vibrant blue hair splayed along the ground like another layer of carpet. It was so long that if she stood, it might surpass her entire height. Machi wore unusual clothing—a high dress with vibrant designs and many embroidered symbols. She also adorned herself with numerous accessories, from multicolored bracelets to four pearl necklaces hanging around her thin neck.

"I-I want to buy a teleportation spell," Agatha said in a desperate voice, leveling her gaze at Machi as she sat down with Aiden beside her. "One for me and one for this boy."

Aiden's eyes were unblinking as he stared at Machi, who put down her teacup and wiped her lips with a white cloth. "Heading where, exactly?" Her voice was rough with disuse.

"Elderwood…" Agatha answered.

Machi's eyes were unwavering as she stared at Agatha. "Where exactly?" she asked, louder this time.

Agatha scratched her head in response. She had visited six different cities in Elderwood with her Auntie Isa before, but she didn't know their names.

Agatha sighed. "I'm not sure," she said. "You can just transport us anywhere in Elderwood, as long as we end up in a town where we can find other Witches that offer special services."

Machi stood up and gestured for them to follow her. They walked toward the left side of her stall, which seemed like a tent in its size and design.

There was a small carpet with a different design. Machi ordered Aiden to stand on it. She was about to conjure the spell when Agatha intervened.

"Wait…" she called. "Can't we be transported together?"

Machi firmly shook her head.

"But our destination is the same," Agatha said, her face full of confusion.

"I'm sorry, but it would be difficult to teleport you together because Elderwood is quite far. One of you might end up in danger or stuck somewhere else. It's better if you are not transported together. You must decide…"

Agatha nodded, accepting Machi's explanation. She had never experienced teleportation before and was uncomfortable with them being separated, fearing something might happen. But she knew she had no other choice.

Agatha was scared that if she insisted, they might end up somewhere else or die in the process.

Clearing her throat, Agatha glanced at Aiden, who was now standing on the carpet. "Don't worry, Aiden. I'll follow quickly. Just remember what I've told you once you get there, okay?"

Fear was etched in Aiden's eyes, but he soon smiled and nodded with courage. Agatha took the dagger and handed it to him.

He put it in the pocket of his inner wear, ready for desperate circumstances. Agatha was grateful that Liam and Leonel had taught Aiden basic combat skills.

"Use this if you need to," said Agatha. "Kill if you must, Aiden."

Aiden nodded with tearful eyes and embraced Agatha.

"Promise me you'll be safe…" Agatha hugged him back, caressing his back to lessen his worry.

"I love you, Aggie…"

Agatha didn't take her eyes off Aiden as he was slowly consumed by the purple spherical light. She saw him smile sweetly, as if reassuring her that he was alright, before his figure faded away from her sight.

Her heart raced as she swiftly moved to stand on the carpet where Aiden had been moments ago. She swore she could still smell him. She didn't want to lose sight of him, and with each passing second, her anxiety grew thicker and wilder.

Agatha handed the payment to Machi—two gold coins. Machi moved quickly, uttering strange words to conjure another teleportation spell.

Agatha could no longer think about the sensation of energy enveloping her. She was consumed by purple light, thinking only of Aiden—his face, his laughter, and his smiles. She hoped he was alright.

Anticipation and fear ate at her every second. As her vision darkened, she imagined the fear in Aiden's face. The few seconds that passed without seeing anything made her fear worse. She needed to see Aiden and hug him tight.

After a few agonizing seconds of waiting, Agatha's vision suddenly returned, and her eyes widened at what awaited her.

There was a muffled sound of galloping. The smell, the sight, the atmosphere—she was nowhere near Elderwood. Aiden was nowhere to be found. She was presently standing in an elegant carriage. In front of her was Liam, his forehead creased with mild frustration and disappointment.

"When you asked me for time and space, I thought you needed it to adjust and think. I didn't think you just wanted it so you could escape from me." Liam looked away. "How foolish I am…"

But Agatha didn't care about what Liam was saying. Her ears were drowned by her heartbeat. Her eyes were solely preoccupied with looking for Aiden, but wherever she looked, she couldn't see his presence inside the expansive carriage.

"A-Aiden… where is Aiden?" Agatha's eyes filled with unshod tears. "Aiden!" Out of panic, Agatha was about to open the carriage door, but Liam abruptly stopped her.

"You're not going anywhere, Aggie…" There was depth in Liam's words, but Agatha was too busy worrying about Aiden's safety to be scared of him. His face was still filled with frustration.

"Aiden," Agatha cried out, hysterical. "Aiden is missing…"

She was having a panic attack. As time passed without her seeing Aiden, her worries threatened to consume her. There were so many questions lingering in her mind.

Where was Aiden? Was he alright? Was he hurt? Was he all alone and scared and dying? Was he with someone? What if he was transported to Nysander?

The last thought made Agatha stop breathing. What if he was hurting Aiden. What if…

Suddenly, realization struck her. Her eyes widened while staring at Liam, who was calmly sitting in front of her.

"You…" Agatha gritted her teeth as she accusingly pointed her shaking finger at him. "You have Aiden. Where is he? Where did you take him, Liam?!"

Liam smirked. "You want to see Aiden?" His smile was uneasy, a mischievous smirk. His eyes shone with a slyness Agatha was not accustomed to seeing in him.

"Where's Aiden…" Tears blurred her vision, something lodged in her throat. Aiden was her weakness. "Liam…" She desperately reached for his hands. "Where's Aiden? Answer me! Do you have him? Liam…"

There was a deafening pause. "Yes," Liam said, sighing. "I have him, truly and well." His face held a meaning Agatha couldn't understand. "And if you want to see him again, you'll have to do exactly as I say."

Agatha's lips parted. What the hell was this? After everything Liam had shown them, all the goodness he had done seemed to be lies.

In the end, he was just like anyone else—manipulative and deceitful. He was someone who wanted to use them for personal gain.

Agatha wished she hadn't waited so long to decide. He should not have acted like he cared with good, genuine intentions. He should have shown his real motives from the start so she wouldn't have expected anything from him. She shouldn't have trusted him. She shouldn't have hoped. She shouldn't have relied on his lies.

"I'm not playing with you, Liam. Where's Aiden? If he gets hurt, I swear…" Tears fell on her cheeks as she sobbed. "I will kill you, Liam. You bastard!"

Agatha launched at him, but in a swift motion, Liam had already held her in place. He gripped her arms with his right hand, then spun her around so her back hit his broad chest. He crossed her hands and held them possessively. Then he caged her legs with his while she was sitting on his lap.

"Let me go." Gritting her teeth violently, Agatha tried to wiggle out, but Liam only tightened his hold on her frame.

Since Agatha couldn't move her hands and feet, she slammed her head back into Liam's forehead with a sickening thud. It felt like her skull cracked, but that was the least of her concerns now.

Liam groaned, refusing to let her go. Instead, his hold tightened into a desperate embrace that immobilized her completely, making it hard to breathe or move.

"Damn woman," Liam cursed. "What the hell is your problem?"

Agatha struggled again, attempting another headbutt, but Liam swiftly spun her and pinned her to the carriage seat. He loomed over her, his long legs imprisoning hers, and he restrained her hands above her head.

"Hit me again and you'll never see Aiden again!" His voice was hoarse and authoritative, silencing Agatha with fear. His threat felt genuine, making her terrified for her life and the safety of Aiden. 

Agatha's trembling lips dared not speak, but her heart pounded relentlessly. The fear of losing Aiden consumed her. Liam was going to take him away, and she couldn't allow it.

She shook her head, holding back warm tears gathering at the edges of her eyes. She couldn't show weakness, not now, not ever.

Life had taught Agatha never to reveal her weaknesses. Not out of pride, but because exposing vulnerability meant others could exploit and use it against her to gain advantage.

Even as she broke inside, struggling to remain sane and strong, she maintained her facade. She couldn't let anyone see how deeply she was hurting, how shattered she felt. She refused to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her as prey, as weak.

"What do you want, Liam?" Agatha cried out in frustration.

Liam's face drew closer, wiping away tears Agatha didn't realize were falling. His expression shifted, softening with concern.

"Why are you so scared, Aggie? Did you really think I would hurt Aiden? Do you think I could do anything to someone you love more than anything in this world? How dare you." Liam paused, a brief laugh escaping him, almost as if he were mocking himself. "Don't you... don't you trust me?"

His last words were gentle, almost hesitant, enough to soothe her desperate heart. It was as though he feared voicing them, afraid of how they might be received.

After a long moment, Liam sighed deeply, resting his forehead against hers. He cleared his throat, his gaze locked with hers, intense and unwavering.

"You want to know what I want, right?" Liam's voice was low, filled with desire.

Agatha's body tensed, her mind racing. Despite everything, after all he had done, helping her find a cure for Aiden, she knew deep down she should trust him more than she trusted herself.

"I want you to go on a date with me," Liam whispered, and Agatha gasped, her lips parting as Liam leaned in to meet them with a soft kiss.