The Cursed Return

Valorant remained seated, in the gloomy chamber with Duke Alaris. The windows were covered with heavy curtains that cast a perpetual gloom over the room. Alaris was in bed, his breathing weak, his strength failed.

"When did the symptoms start? Valorant asked.

"The curse manifested its effects approximately a year ago," Alaris responded after a moment. "At first I could suppress it. But then..."

He trailed off.

"But then you lost control. You almost harmed someone."

"Yes. I turned upon one of the maids. Fortunately Gustav was in the vicinity to save her. Still… I scared the dickins out of the poor girl."

"That must have been traumatizing for her."

"It was. Gustav got injured protecting her."

"Was your body the same then? Or did you still look like you?"

"At first, I looked the same. But when the curse began to worsen, my body began to change with it."

"Taking Anna to Elven Forest isn't going to be easy.

"I trust only you with this."

"How long will you not be able to resist the curse once you die?"

I don't know…maybe ten minutes, if I'm fortunate. Maybe less."

"Then it all depends on you."

"I'll do what I can. I promise."

—

Now, back in the present…

The extended hand from the room slowly turned and seized the doorframe.

Valorant's eyes widened.

"Flaming Steps!" he roared, and went forward with a leap.

Every footprint resulted in a green flame that danced for an instant before extinguishing. Magic pulsed through the earth under his feet.

Suna's eyes widened as he saw him slide in at lightning speed.

[Wait, why is Master Valorant running toward us like that—swords out?]

Both she and Anna hadn't registered yet what was happening, though. Not in a million years had they considered the possibility of Duke Alaris opening up from beyond them.

Suna followed Valorant's look and looked at the Duke's room — just in time to see him walk out into the hallway.

She froze.

Alaris was act'uly moving—walkin' out of the room, one arm reachin' out towards Anna.

Suna screamed and hugged Anna to her tightly, knocked backward to cover her.

Anna, not understanding what was going on, collapsed on top of Suna, disoriented. Her grandfather? Alive?

But Suna had slammed her head hard onto the floor. Her grip on Anna loosened.

As Anna glanced over her shoulder to see what caused the mishap, she now saw him—her grandfather.

Or what was left of him.

In one glorious instant joy flitting in her eyes.

"Grandpa…?"

Then she realized something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Alaris was drawing closer to her… but he was not himself. He didn't look all that different, but the way he moved twisted and jerked like something unnatural.

Drool trickled from his mouth. His nails had grown to dagger‐points. And his eyes… they were not eyes anymore. Just empty white orbs. Soulless.

Anna's joy died instantly.

That was not her grandfather.

Alaris attacked her, claws set to tear her limb from limb.

But then — whoosh — along came Valorant, in a blaze of green fire.

As Alaris whipped his claws round towards Anna's head, Valorant's blade sliced through the air and through the cursed Duke's arm with a clean swipe.

Anna shrieked and doubled herself up, her two hands over her head.

the arm flew two meters away, struck with a thud.

Even with one arm, the thing lunged again. But this time, Valorant did not wait.

In a swift and single movement, he cut off the monster's head.

Alaris' head plopped down into the corner next to the severed arm. His body went down but continued to jerk wildly on the floor.

Valorant lifted his sword once more and rammed it through the creature's chest—its heart.

One last shiver shook the cursed corpse, after which it did not move.

Valorant was still slow though, he left the sword stuck inside of Alaris's body, turning slowly to Anna who was now shaking all over the ground. Her face was pale as snow.

Suna got to her feet, dazed. Valorant extended an arm to Anna's shoulder.

"Don't be afraid. It's over now."

But, ere his hand came in contact with the cord, Anna shrank aside, and drew back.

Seeing this, Valorant stopped.

She was too afraid.

Suna dropped to Anna's side once again, gathering the girl into her arms.

"It's okay. I'm here. It's all right now," she whispered quietly.

Anna didn't respond. Her countenance was ghastly from horror.

Valorant looked on silently at the scene.

[Guess… she doesn't want me to cheer her up at the moment.]

He turned away.

"Suna. You and Anna—keep close to me. Stay with me," he commanded, yanking his sword from the dead and pushing through the door to be in Alaris's room.

Suna and Anna came after, Anna with shaky legs at every interval. Her fear still hadn't faded.

Valueant, meanwhile, inspected the bed and room critically, peering with his sharp eyes into every possible hiding place.

A bewildered Suna finally spoke up, trying to comprehend what was happening.

"Master Valorant," she murmured, her voice low and shaking.

He didn't answer. He was rummaging for something else in the room.

Frustrated, Suna raised her voice.

"Master Valorant!"

"What?"

"What was that?! It looked like the Duke!"

"That was Alaris," he said softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll explain everything. But not now."

"Why not?"

"Because we don't have time. Hush now, and listen to me!" he snapped.

The sudden outburst made Suna open his eyes wide and he felt silent.

Gustav ran into the room some minutes later, breathless.

"Master Valorant! What happened?! "

"He slipped away," Valorant muttered, squinting his eyes.

"What do we do now?" "All is well, is it not," Gustav added, a note of desperation creeping into his voice.

"We find him. Quickly. If we don't … he's going to be a much bigger menace."

And Suna could only goggle in bafflement as her brain whirled with unanswered questions.