"You want to know how I do it right?" The Healer grinned. Alice furrowed her brows before letting out a small sigh. "Yeah but I’ll be honest, it’s curiosity at best. Or did you think you were special?" Alice tilted her head. Between the two of them, the special one here was her. This was the first time he’s seen this kind of attitude, especially after knowing who he is. Or did this girl not care about healing those wounded by the Abyss? "Perhaps you don’t fully understand what I’m saying. But my power is one where I can undo the corruption brought forth by the tides. The irreversible damage, undone by me." The Healer bragged as Alice scratched her hair. "Look, I’m in a pretty good mood after killing someone I’ve wanted to kill for quite a long time. If you don’t want to be found then shoo. I don’t want you here right now. But if you really, really think that curing this damage is impressive, I’m sorry to say but you’re like..." Alice furrowed her brows, counting on her fingers. "The fourth... No fifth person I know who can do this." Alice held up her hand. "???" The Healer widened his eyes. Not first, not second. Not even third. He was the fifth person she knew who could undo this damage? "Does this." Alice gestured to her nonchalant expression. "Scream the face of someone who’s joking about this?" "That’s... Can you tell me how they do it?" The Healer asked, his curiosity burning at full force. Alice glanced behind her. Theron was currently holding Bella’s body despite his own wounds. "Certainly not here. And you think I’m just going to give you the solution for free? Dream on." Flicking her finger, a portal opened up as Alice stepped through. Scratching his hair, the Healer spun his umbrella and stood up. It’s definitely going to be interesting, especially since she was brave enough to kill a Lord’s loved one in front of him. Alice didn’t immediately leave the Void. Instead, she took this time to go on a small stroll. ’Hm... It feels surprisingly empty...’ She held her hand over her chest. [Are you regretting it?] ’Not really. Regardless of how I feel, Bella is someone who must die. But... Doing so doesn’t bring Lilia back. The regret of not being able to save her remains.’ Alice sat down and let out a deep sigh. She didn’t regret what she did. No matter what happens, no matter what Theron said, she would’ve killed Bella no matter what. The only thing that could’ve changed that fact would be Lilia being alive and well. But that’s impossible. So Bella’s fate was sealed the moment Alice saw her. ’I guess it just feels... Empty? It felt good in that moment. Being able to rip her head off with my own hands... I loved it. But now that it’s done... there’s nothing more.’ Alice scratched her hair. Cayla raised an eyebrow. [Is it your conscience?] ’Hell no. My conscience is telling me that I did nothing wrong. How do I explain it...’ Alice scratched her hair. ’Ah! I got it! It’s like the feeling of seeing a really good mug of mead. The colour is beautiful, the smell is heavenly. Then I take a sip and it’s f*cking tasteless. No flavour at all, simply like water. That’s the emptiness I’m feeling.’ Alice sat up straight. ’F*ck... I should’ve kidnapped her and tortured her. I’m missing this satisfaction because I didn’t break the b*tch!’ Alice cried out in regret as Cayla rolled her eyes. ’Seems like you got a little hasty hahaha.’ Alyss laughed. ’I knowww...’ Alice sobbed. But in that situation, her mind was tunnel-visioned on killing Bella. She should’ve taken the time to savour her kill. The art of revenge shouldn’t be sudden. It shouldn’t be like a thunderbolt, blinding and over before the heart and mind can truly appreciate the sensation. It should be a slow, controlled process. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵 A ritual for one, enjoyed in its finest setting. By letting herself lose to impulse, by letting herself end the hunt too fast, she has robbed herself of perfection. In that moment, in that instance, she was the artist with two audiences. She should’ve presented the kill, dressed it in the finest silk. But instead, she ended it before it could truly begin. The shock for Theron was good in the moment... But the emptiness that follows after leaves a sour, bitter aftertaste. She didn’t let her vengeance marinate properly. So enraptured by the meat presented in the kill, she ended the dinner prematurely. To enjoy revenge is to be the finest chef. To savour, not as a rabid animal on the dinner table, but as a connoisseur enjoying the process. To notice the little tremors, the fear, the guilt in her eyes as she begs for life. The stages of grief that flash through her mind, her panicked repentance in desperate hope for survival. As the chef, she must witness every second of her victim. To taste their fear in the air, to let the adrenaline flow through her body. To let the ecstasy take hold and wet the appetite before her first bite. And only when her ’meal’ has gone through this arduous marination can the meal be considered ready. This process was the final conversation between the hunter and the hunted. The one who eats and the meal on the table. But revenge... Revenge is an art best served cold. It is only today that Alice felt it in its entirety. For her vengeance, she must become an artist. She must torture, strip and carve away at her victim. Only then, can she place them on the dinner table and enjoy the bountiful feast set out before her. ’No matter. There are more victims available to me. I will take my time and perfect this art.’ Alice intertwined her fingers together. Her eyes turning into arcs as a smile curved on her face. The soft blush on her cheeks like a maiden in love. Despite Alice being her master, Cayla had to admit that the girl scared at her times. Times such as now, sitting on a rock in the Void. Thinking about ways to truly enjoy revenge. The childish glee, the excitement in her veins, the blush on her face. A creepy contrast of pure love and absolute carnage that she wanted to enact. "Ah oops. Almost got ahead of myself there." Alice coughed, hopping off of the rock. Looking around at the Void, she couldn’t help but frown. Well the Void always felt lifeless but right now, there wasn’t even a Void Beast wandering around. Just chunks of rock floating aimlessly. Folding her arms, Alice wondered if this was simply because they were near Extalia or if it was the Void as a whole. There was a part of her that wanted to see if Feris was alright but at the same time... ’Urg... If Feris get’s pissed I don’t think I’m leaving unscathed this time.’ Alice groaned inwardly. ’Actually, now that I think about it, how do you even contact a Realm Ruler to begin with? The times I’ve talked to Feris has always been her finding me and not the other way around.’ [Good question. One that I don’t have an answer for unfortunately. Like Gods, Realm Rulers tend to go where they please and unless they want you to find them, you’ll struggle.] Cayla shrugged. The fact that Alice had met Feris so many times was already impressive. ’Hmm... well I always have the emergency option of blasting a portion of the Void if needed.’ Alice stuck out her tongue. ’. . . If you want to suicide twinnie at least get me a body first. I’m not dying because you wanted to contact a Realm Ruler by dropping a bomb in her house." Alyss rolled her eyes. Alice was like a seesaw. From one extreme to the other. Super sadistic then super dumb. ’You two always bully me. I need to find someone to take my side. Need a third person in my head.’ Alice pouted. ’The solution to us bullying you is not for you to get another voice in your head. What if they take our side instead of yours?’ Cayla rolled her eyes. Standing in front of the mirror, Kaine had a smile on his face. "Seems like Lord Merias has suffered greatly on his journey. Expecting to find a healer for his wife yet only to see her get killed. "Perhaps it’s the perfect time for the family to give him a little... offer." His finger traced the marking around his neck and walked away. When Theron mentioned he was coming over to the city, Kaine was a little worried about what could occur. But no that a tragedy has occurred, this has become a net positive for the family. Kaine narrowed his eyes. He wanted to observe the fight properly but as the fight broke out, a barrier distorted the fight, hiding abilities and appearances. All he could sense was the clash of energy. ’Was it the Healer?’ Kaine furrowed his brows. He had proven himself to be elusive, evading the patrols with ease. Since he wanted to make an offer to Theron in the first place, perhaps it wouldn’t be bad to ask for some reinforcement from the family. They would also be useful for capturing the girl who managed to wound Theron to that extent.