A L M I R A

Chapter 15
Almira Davenport

I stared at Lyric, many thoughts racing through my mind. Lyric was in Hell, or dead in general. She was standing in front of me with a murderous look. This wasn't like I expected it.

"So, what brings you to the forbidden valley, hm?" Lyric asked, eyeing my suspiciously.

"What else? I want the flower," I replied, crossing my arms.

"Good luck with that," Lyric laughed, shaking her head. "You'll have to pass through me to get that flower, and that isn't going to happen. I'm the protector of the flower for a reason, to keep people away from it. I've killed countless, you being my sister won't be any different."

"I wouldn't ask you to hold back because you were my sister. However, I have my reasons for needing that flower. So, if you'll kindly step aside, we'll be on our way," I seethed, glaring at her.

Lyric moved to step in front of me and put her hand on my chest. "I said you can't go in there."

I looked her in the eye, smiling. "I didn't ask."

Lyric punched me and I stumbled back towards Ambrielle and Calix, earning a laugh from Lyric. "What part of 'you'll never get the flower' do you not understand?"

I stood up, wiping the blood from my mouth before chuckling. "I think you're forgetting one thing, beloved sister," I lead on, looking back at her.

"And what would that be?" She pondered, raising an eyebrow.

I smiled and flicked my wrist, sending her into a tree, gasping for air. I continued to keep a firm grasp on her throat through magic, making sure she couldn't breathe. "When I have my mind on something," I paused, walking up to her. "I don't stop until I have it. I'm rather stubborn. Sweet dreams."

I blew her a fake kiss and plunged my hand into her chest before ripping her heart out and killing her. I threw her heart on the ground, letting her body fall to the ground. I looked over to Ambrielle and Cole, motioning for them to follow me into the forest. They hesitated but followed behind, giving each other concerning looks.

~-~

I didn't know how far we were into the valley, probably not as far as I'd hope, but those town folks weren't kidding when they said it'd be difficult. Random soul takers and pests have been trying my patience since we entered this damn valleys.

However, the next one was different. It was yet another female, a familiar one at that. "Mother."

"Disgrace," She acknowledged, nodding at me.

"And what are you doing in this area?" I asked, keeping an eye on her every movement.

"The same thing you are, I want that flower. I was waiting for you to kill your sister before coming in here," She explained, walking over to lean against a tree.

"Mhm. And what do you want that flower for?" I inquired, giving her a look to show I knew better.

"I have my reasons, as I'd expect you to have yours. I'm not going to ask because I don't care," She laughed, glaring at me.

I smugly smiled at her before dropping the smile. "I hate to break it to you, but you're not getting that flower."

"I could say the same for you. Don't try your witchy stuff on me either, got that curse from your father," She shook her head, clicking her tongue.

"My abilities shouldn't concern you except for how they're going to end you," I retorted.

"You've always had such a bad attitude towards me. That's why Lyric was my favorite," She said, awaiting a reaction from me.

"Funny how you're so power hungry that you let your least liked daughter kill your favorite, just so you can intervene and take what the least liked daughter is fighting for. Not happening, mother," I lectured, lifting my hand and choking her from afar. The magic grip was firm and only got tighter the more she pissed me off.

"I hope you know it only gets worse from here. I've been stuck in this forest fighting for years," She complained, gasping for air.

"I'm no better than you, but at least I'm not you. And right now, that's worth a lot," I insulted.

"You can't, and never will, get that flower," She challenged, using every chance she could get to degrade me.

"Well I'll be sure to get through the forest and valley to get that flower, just to rub it in your face," I snickered, swiping my hand and snapping her neck.

"You should really cut down on the murder," Ambrielle commented, fidgeting around with the hem of her shirt.

"Not until I get that flower and we get out of here," I responded, giving her a hateful look.

Ambrielle looked at me for a moment before shaking her head and tying her hair back. "Let's just keep going, the sooner we leave, the better."

We continued to walk, occasionally meeting a soul or two, killing them and moving on. We continued to walk until I seen a glowing pink flower with lots of petals. I smiled, knowing we finally found the Camellia flower we'd been looking for.

"Is that.." Cole whispered, his eyes glued onto the flower before us.

"The Camellia flower," Ambrielle finished, her eyes fixated on the flower too.

"So let's pick it, put it in the bag, and get out of here," I muttered, walking up to it. I pulled on the roots of the flower, getting it out, bud and all. I smiled before the ground around us started shaking and trees and rocks colliding with the ground.

"What's going on?" Cole panicked, looking around us.

"I think the flower being taken caused a disturbance in the valley," Ambrielle yelled, the sounds around is drowning her out.

Everything suddenly stopped and a man in a blue tuxedo with silver grey hair appeared out of nowhere. "Ah, I didn't think anybody would ever get to this point," He greeted, his eyes darting between me and the flower in my hand.

"Surprise," I sarcastically said, faking a smile before dropping it.

"Let me introduce myself, sweetheart, my name is Sephtis, I don't believe we've met," He smirked, sticking his hand out.

I glanced at his hand and then adverted my gaze back to him. "Almira."

"Almira, you say? Well, Almira, I do believe that's my flower you've just plucked. I'm gonna need you to give that back to me," He asked, smiling.

"I would, but I can't do that, Sephtis. I'd hope you'd understand," I smiled, sticking the flower in my bag.

"Oh I think you can," He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

"I can't. I need this for my mate. If I have to fight you, I will," I declared, setting the bag down to look him in the eye.

"You, fight a god? Please, don't entertain me," Lucifer laughed, giving me an amused look.

"I killed my own mother, what do you think I'm willing to do to you?" I threatened.

"So be it."

We both quickly raised our hands, trying to choke each other out. I did a quick spell behind my back and opened a holy portal below him, attempting to smile while being choked. I tried to gasp for air and so did he. Neither of us were giving in so soon.

He made a ring of fire below me, which was hotter than anything I've ever felt in my entire existence. I'm pretty sure my clothes were melting off of my body. I glared at him and sent exorcism spells his way. One hit him in the chest and he let go of his hold on my air supply.

I mentally screamed and summon a sword before stabbing him. Would it kill him? Of course not, he's a god. It will stall him, however.

I grabbed the bag, Cole, and Ambrielle before holding my pendant and quickly wishing us back to the human realm. We fell through the ground and ended up in Calix's room.

I looked at his sick form and slightly frowned. He looked as if he had gotten worse since we had travelled to Hell and back. I shook my head and walked to the brewing room to mix the ingredients needed to make the healing remedy he needed. When it was finished, I brought the bowl into the room and forced him to drink it.

Calix laid there for a moment before sitting up, growling. I looked at him curiously before he looked at us with knotted brows. "What happened?"

"You were poisoned with silver at the royal dinner, badly. You almost died, and healing magic wasn't working," Cole explained, smiling, happy to see his brother back.

"Then how am I sitting here right now?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"We had to get a special ingredient for the spell to make it work. A lot was on the line for your return," Ambrielle briefly informed Calix, not telling the whole truth.

"What?" Calix was beyond confused at this point and I rolled my eyes.

"Nothing was working so we traveled to Hell to get a flower called the Camellia flower. I killed a bunch of people to get it, fought with Sephtis, and got the flower. You're welcome," I told him, crossing my arms and shifting my weight onto one leg.

"Oh, and she lost her humanity in the process doing this for you," Ambrielle noted, glancing from me to Calix.

"You did what? You mean to tell me you went all the way to Hell to get a dumb flower to get me out of my sick state? Are you insane?" Calix raised his voice, glaring at me before averting his attention to Ambrielle and Cole. "And you two dimwits let her do it and went with her?!"

We all nodded and simultaneously spoke, "Yep."

"You three are all idiots, two more so than the other. Next time, just let me die, I don't need to deal with you not having your humanity. Speaking of that, how do we get it back?" Calix inquired, looking at Ambrielle.

"I'll have to do some research," Ambrielle mumbled, walking out.

"Well, I'm off to my room. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Cole teased, walking out.

The room fell silent as it was just me and Calix. We look at each other for a moment before I turned my back and began to walk out. "Thank you."

I turned back to look at Calix before nodding. "Mhm," I responded, walking out, closing the door behind me.

I went to my room and flopped onto my bed, running my hand through my hair. My life has been nothing but a series of events of dangerous things since I've gotten here. To be honest, It's starting to grow on me.

~-~

Ambrielle Witherspoon

A couple days had passed since we returned from Hell, and Calix was back to his routine of running a kingdom. Almira still hasn't gained her humanity back. I think we've lost about ten or so guards because they looked at her the wrong way. I've been ordered to find what brings humanity back after going to Hell, but there isn't a spell for it, and the Hell spell doesn't reveal anything about losing humanity.

There was a knock on the office door and I looked up, making eye contact with Calix. "What can I help you with?"

Calix sat down in front of me, looking at his feet. "So I was thinking about Almira's humanity," He started, playing with his fingers. "There's not a spell to fix this?"

I shook my head. "Not one that I can find. I've not been able to contact Vira, so she must be busy," I replied, taking a sip of my drink before setting it down.

The room fell silent before Calix looked up at me. "What exactly happened in Hell?"

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