The Warlock of East(Final Part)

Vergil noticed the pair of bracelets given to Shadow starting to change color. Without hesitation, he dashed to Sage Eagle's chamber. Panicking, Vergil flung open the door to Sage Eagle's room, only to find it empty. Sage Crow emerged from the shadows behind Vergil, understanding the deep concern Shadow Master Vergil harbored for Shadow, whose life was now in grave danger.

"Calm yourself, Shadow Master. Sage Eagle is watching over and always aiding Prince Blackheart," said Sage Crow.

"I hope he can be found soon. Even though Shadow has become Immortal, he is still in the novice stage," Vergil replied, his voice tinged with worry.

Suddenly, a great eagle swooped into the palace, carrying a wooden barrel. Within the barrel lay Shadow's mutilated body, miraculously still alive.

"Sage Eagle will surely find Prince Shadow. He will arrive shortly," assured Sage Crow.

"Sage Crow, quickly prepare the Water of Death," commanded Sage Eagle, transforming into human form. "I will prepare the Water of Life," he added.

Vergil swiftly laid Shadow's body on a bed, arranging the dismembered parts. "Hold on, Shadow. I know you can overcome this," Vergil murmured as he watched Sage Falcon arrive hurriedly, standing by his side.

Sage Crow returned with a bottle of pitch-black water and poured it over Shadow's body. Instantly, Shadow's body began to reassemble. Sage Eagle came back with a bottle of pale yellowish water and poured it over Shadow's entire body. Vergil stepped out of the room, allowing the Sages to commence their ritual.

"What's wrong, Uncle?" asked Marrie.

"The Sages are attending to Shadow. He returned in a critical condition," Vergil replied, his voice heavy with worry.

"Is Shadow going to..." Marrie began, her voice trembling.

"He won't die," Vergil interrupted firmly. "But he might be battling something within himself."

"And Xen?" Marrie asked, her concern shifting.

"Still held by Koschei. This time, I'll accompany Shadow on the next expedition," Vergil said, trying to reassure her.

Vergil could only wait, tending to the ongoing war and assisting Lisa and Luciana through specially trained messenger birds of the Assassins. By the afternoon, the three Sages finally emerged from the room, and Shadow lay asleep, having passed the critical stage. Vergil sighed in relief, seeing Shadow's stable condition. He sat beside Shadow, attempting to establish telepathic communication with Xen.

"Where am I?" asked Shadow as he awoke the next morning.

"You're in the palace. You're safe for now," replied Vergil.

"Ah, Xen!" Shadow exclaimed, sitting up suddenly.

"Calm down, he's alright... but you need to take care of yourself," Vergil said.

"We have no time to waste..." Shadow began, reaching for his armor.

"And if Koschei does the same thing to you again, I can't guarantee the Sages will save you a second time," Vergil cautioned, watching Shadow don his armor.

"I'll try a different approach. I have to be smarter... and I've discovered both his strength and his weakness," said Shadow with determination.

"Good... You can adventure again. The Blackheart family is always known for outsmarting their enemies," Vergil acknowledged.

"I'll try to reach Xen again. This time, I have my own plan," Shadow declared, heading towards the stables.

Shadow returned to the forest, setting up camp once more. He tried to recall why he had been captured. Koschei's castle had no guards, yet every time he managed to free Xen, Koschei's horse always moved faster.

In the morning, Shadow observed Koschei leaving for his usual patrol. Taking this opportunity, Shadow stealthily infiltrated Koschei's castle again.

"Shadow, is that you?" asked Xen.

"Yes, the three Sages saved my life," Shadow replied.

"Are you going to..." Xen began.

"This time, it won't happen again. In fact, I need your help," Shadow interrupted.

"What do you need?" asked Xen.

"I need you to find out where Koschei got his magical horse," said Shadow.

"Alright, I'll ask him," agreed Xen.

Shadow quickly and silently exited Koschei's castle. Vergil soon arrived in the forest to meet him.

"So, what did you find out?" Vergil asked.

"I asked Xen to find out where Koschei got that horse," Shadow replied.

"Good, make sure you get the information by tomorrow," said Vergil.

Shadow and Vergil decided to camp in a safe area, with Shadow fully aware that defeating Koschei wouldn't be easy and requiring patience this time.

That evening, Xen had dinner with Koschei. Summoning his courage, Xen began to ask Koschei some questions.

"I've been curious about something," said Xen.

"Curious about what?" asked Koschei.

"Where did you get such an extraordinary horse?" Xen inquired.

Koschei laughed heartily. "HAHAHAHAHA, I got that magnificent steed from a witch named Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga and I made a deal— I had to care for all her horses for three days, and I fulfilled that agreement," Koschei explained.

"And where can one find Baba Yaga?" asked Xen.

"In a forest far from here. You must cross the Bridge of Fire Lake. Wave this handkerchief three times, and a bridge will appear. Cross that bridge, and you'll meet Baba Yaga," Koschei said, placing the handkerchief on the table. "That's enough conversation for today. I need to rest," he added, leaving the table.

Xen quickly took the handkerchief.

In the morning, Shadow once again infiltrated Koschei's castle and met with Xen. Xen handed over Koschei's handkerchief.

"Shadow, listen. You must find Baba Yaga in a forest far from here. Before entering the forest where Baba Yaga resides, you need to find the Lake of Fire. Then, wave this handkerchief three times to make a bridge appear. Once you meet Baba Yaga, you'll have to make a deal to take care of all her horses," Xen explained.

"Alright, Baba Yaga is next. Take care of yourself, Xen," said Shadow, leaving Xen behind. Shadow quickly made his way to Vergil, who was monitoring the castle from a distance.

"So, what did you find out?" asked Vergil.

"I need to head to a distant forest to find Baba Yaga," said Shadow.

"Why would you seek out that cursed old witch?" Vergil asked.

"Xen told me that Baba Yaga has steeds as fast as Koschei's," Shadow explained.

"Alright then... But let me give you a warning. The place you're headed to is called Moscosiva. The last I heard from that kingdom, it's swarming with monsters, but it's also where the toughest adventurers come from. Head east from this forest and go swiftly. I'll keep an eye on things here," said Vergil.

Shadow spurred his horse eastward, heading towards the location Vergil had indicated. After several hours of riding, he arrived at the Lake of Fire. Taking out the handkerchief Xen had given him, he waved it three times. A bridge materialized, and Shadow quickly crossed it. Once he reached the forest's edge, the bridge vanished behind him.

Determined to continue his journey on foot, Shadow ventured into the dense forest. Not long after, his stomach began to growl with hunger. Spotting a bird's nest with several eggs, he attempted to take them. However, the mother bird arrived and began to plead with him.

"Please, don't take my eggs," the bird implored. "They are my children."

Shadow paused, considering the bird's plea. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to harm your family," he said, gently placing the eggs back in the nest.

The mother bird looked at him gratefully. "Thank you. In return for your kindness, I will repay your good deed."

Shadow ventured back into the forest, famished. He spotted a beehive and prepared to light a torch to drive away the bees. However, the queen bee emerged from the hive and pleaded,

"Prince, please do not take the honey from our hive. If you take it, the entire colony will starve. If you spare our colony, we promise to repay your kindness," said the queen bee. Shadow decided to abandon his plan.

Shadow ventured deeper and encountered a lion cub. He drew his sword, ready to kill the cub. The lioness pleaded with Shadow.

"Prince, please do not harm my child. I will repay your kindness if you spare him," said the lioness. Shadow sheathed his sword and continued his journey into the forest.

Upon reaching the depths of the forest, Shadow saw a rickety house with chicken legs. The fence around the house was adorned with numerous human skulls. Shadow recognized this as the home of Baba Yaga, a witch his father had told him about when he was a child.

Shadow approached the house, and an old woman with white hair, slightly hunched, and pale skin appeared. The old witch was gnawing on a bone, her voice raspy and heavy.

"Who are you? Why have you entered my yard?" asked Baba Yaga.

"I am just a traveler passing by," said Shadow.

"Hmm... yes, yes... you are too modest for a traveler with the scent of royalty," said Baba Yaga. "So, what do you really want?" asked Baba Yaga.

"Actually, I heard from Koschei that you have a fine steed, and to obtain it, I must tend to the other horses for three days," said Shadow.

"Hmm... Koschei, yes, I remember him... An interesting fellow... Very well, I will give you the same condition. Tend to my horse for three days. Tonight, you will dine with me, and starting tomorrow, you will begin your duty. You can sleep in the barn near the stable tonight," said Baba Yaga.

That night, Shadow and Baba Yaga had dinner as usual. After dinner, Shadow headed to the barn near the stable. In the morning, Shadow went straight to the stable, and Baba Yaga's horse immediately bolted away at great speed. Shadow tried to chase the horse but failed to catch it. As the day grew late, Shadow sat dejectedly on a rock, when suddenly a bird perched on his shoulder.

"Prince Shadow, do not be disheartened. The horse you must tend to has returned, so go back and don't be sad," said the bird.

Shadow quickly returned, and true to the bird's words, Baba Yaga's horse was back in its stable.

That night, after having dinner with Baba Yaga, Shadow returned to his resting place. He overheard Baba Yaga coming to the stable, and she began to rage.

"Why did you return?" Baba Yaga asked angrily.

"A flock of birds attacked us and almost injured our eyes," said one of the horses.

"I see. Tomorrow, run deeper into the forest and do not return until you receive a signal from me," said Baba Yaga.

Shadow, having heard this, went back to sleep. In the morning, he resumed his duty of tending to Baba Yaga's horses. Just like the previous day, as soon as the stable doors were opened, the horses bolted into the depths of the forest. Shadow chased after them until dusk but continued to fail. In the evening, the lioness appeared before Shadow and began to speak.

"Prince, you need not be confused or sad; the horses have returned to their stable," said the lioness.

Shadow quickly made his way back to the stable, and all of Baba Yaga's horses were indeed inside their stalls.

Shadow rested and had dinner with Baba Yaga once more. She said nothing and soon returned to rest in the barn, just like the previous night. However, Baba Yaga came back to the stable in a furious rage.

Why did you return?" Baba Yaga asked, her voice angrier than before.

"A pride of lionesses chased us, so we were scared and ran back," said one of the horses.

"Then head straight to the open sea, and do not even think of returning," Baba Yaga commanded furiously. Shadow heard everything.

The next morning, as usual, Shadow opened the stable doors, and Baba Yaga's horses bolted out, scattering in all directions. Shadow tried to chase after them but failed once again. Dejected, he sat down and brooded, when a queen bee approached him.

"Prince Shadow, do not be disheartened. Baba Yaga's horses have returned to their stable. Tonight, you must hide behind the stable. There, you will find the fastest horse. Baba Yaga plans to eat you, so you must escape on that horse," said the queen bee. Shadow nodded and quickly returned. True to the queen bee's words, the horses were already back in their stalls. Shadow hid as night began to fall.

Baba Yaga returned to inspect the stable and was shocked to see all the horses had returned.

"Why have you come back again?" Baba Yaga asked, her voice filled with fury.

"A swarm of bees stung us, so we had to return," said one of the horses.

"Then tomorrow, I will have to kill that person," said Baba Yaga. Shadow tried to remain calm as he heard this.

Shadow sneaked behind the stable and found a neglected horse. He looked quite sad seeing its poor condition.

"What's the matter, Prince? You look sad," said the horse.

"The queen bee told me I would find the fastest horse behind Baba Yaga's stable," said Shadow.

"I am that horse. Baba Yaga purposely neglected me because, in prime condition, she wouldn't be able to catch me," said the horse. Shadow quickly freed the horse, and they fled from Baba Yaga's house.

Shadow and the horse swiftly made their way back to the edge of the Lake of Fire. Shadow waved his magic handkerchief twice. The bridge reappeared, though it looked slightly faded. Shadow urged the horse forward, and they quickly approached the other side of the bridge.

Realizing her best horse had been stolen, Baba Yaga immediately gave chase. She rode her enchanted mortar, wielding her magical pestle, and even brought along her rickety house.

"THIEF! YOU WON'T ESCAPE!" Baba Yaga screamed as she began crossing the bridge.

Shadow quickly reached the shore of the Lake of Fire and stood still as the bridge disappeared. Baba Yaga and her rickety house fell into the Lake of Fire, perishing in the flames and sinking into the lake.

Shadow brought the horse to a village near the forest where Koschei resided and tended to it. Fortunately, the horse was unharmed. Shadow let the horse graze and run in the meadows, watching it with a sense of peace and satisfaction.

So, you got this horse from Baba Yaga?" asked Vergil.

"Yes, I brought it to the village yesterday. Fortunately, nothing happened, and this horse can run very fast," replied Shadow.

"We'll see later if I'll take it to the palace or what," said Shadow.

"Just focus on your task of rescuing Xen," said Vergil. Shadow simply nodded.

Three days passed, and the horse had fully recovered to its peak condition. Shadow quickly returned to the forest and snuck back into Koschei's palace while the evil sorcerer was out on patrol.

"Shadow, you’re back?" asked Xen.

"Of course, let's get out of here," said Shadow.

"But... what if we get caught again?" asked Xen.

"We won't," said Shadow, leading Xen out of the palace.

"What’s going on?" Koschei asked, noticing his horse.

"Prince Shadow has returned and rescued Queen Xesinus, but this time his mount is different. I'm not sure I can't catch that horse," said the horse.

"Silence! We’ll intercept them at once," said Kosche

Shadow and Xen tried to escape the forest, with Koschei in pursuit. Shadow, riding his swift horse, caught Koschei off guard, causing him to fall. Shadow quickly dismounted and beheaded Koschei, while Vergil, who had been following, burned Koschei's body.

"Fools, I am immortal and cannot die," Koschei's head shouted.

"You may be immortal, but look at yourself now," said Shadow.

Vergil picked up Koschei's head and placed it in a wooden barrel. "Silence... you talk too much," Vergil said as he sealed the barrel and tossed it into the sea. Shadow rode back to the palace on his horse, while Xen rode Koschei's horse. Vergil stayed behind to thoroughly inspect Koschei's palace.