Inside the crystal cave of Black Forest.
Alicia's body was laid on a rectangular crystal bed at the foot of the stairs heading to the throne.
Silvery particles were meandering and roving around her body like floating silver glitters. They moved in perfect unison and in a pattern that somewhat resemble a dance or perhaps it was more apt to say that those little flecks have a mind of their own. They swirled around, always spiralling about in an orbit of their own and rotating about Alicia in an elegant dance before spreading out and wrapping Alicia's body until every part of her was covered.
The crystal cave was silent and despite all the lights and beauty that were carved in every direction, the sorrowful and hollow emotion had filled it entirely. It was as if there was no more life left inside of it.
Zeres was sitting on the ground, slumped to one side, and leaning his back against the crystal bed where Alicia's body was being laid upon. His one arm was resting on his bent knee as his head was buried in the crook of his folded arm. And he just sat there. Unmoving. Alone.
This was the scenario that welcomed Lilith the moment she entered the crystal cave. Slowly, she approached that lump of flesh that was Zeres, and when she halted just a couple of steps away from him, her eyes fell on Alicia's body. She noticed that despite everything, her body was considered to be in somewhat pristine condition even with the small wounds on her. The silvery particles that had fully wrapped her entire body began to swirl away again and when they finally lifted off from her body, she was left completely n.a.k.e.d. All the little wounds that were on her had vanished. Even the blood and dirt were all gone. Lilith continued watching as Alicia once again was enveloped by the tiny lights. The next moment, Lilith saw that the queen's body was dressed in a pure white garment.
After that, the tiny lights settled down, lingering around her body closely as though they were guarding her. This was how the witch queens will be put to rest. Her body will stay here for days until the body finally turns into a crystal statue. They would then transfer the queen's statue to the inner Queens' chambers where all the previous queens rest in their eternal physical slumber.
Lilith wondered if Alicia's body was really going to become statue after a few days even though her soul was still here. She glanced back at Alicia's spirit, and she nodded at her.
Knowing that it was now time for her to speak to Zeres, Lilith took a deep breath and squatted before him.
"Zeres…" she called out softly, but Zeres acted as though he did not hear her. Lilith sighed at his stubbornness. Though she understood why he was that way and sympathised with him, the matter she came to speak about was also important and she needed him to be alert and focussed on what she will be saying. Thus, she cleared her throat and called his name a little louder this time. "Zeres! Queen Alicia has something to say to you. She had come to me and requested me to pass this message to you." Lilith said and the man finally moved. He lifted his face and looked at her.
Lilith suddenly felt intimidated. His eyes were threatening and cold. However, this should not surprise her anymore after all the things this man had gone through. She wondered if the old Zeres who was soft, gentle, caring, and warm would ever return to them.
He did not speak but only planted his heavy gaze on Lilith seriously and silent, waiting for her to speak. Lilith knew in one glance that she must speak now or else he might end up forcing her out of the cave.
"Listen… Queen Alicia's soul is still here." she started, and his cold eyes twitched. If she had not been looking intently at his face, she might have missed it as well. "I am telling the truth! She's still here and I am the only who can see her now. She came to me and had asked me to inform you that she's still here."
Lilith looked at Alicia who was now standing next to her. "She's right –"
"Enough!!" Zeres' hard voice echoed inside the cave and Lilith could not help but flinch at the explosiveness of it. Though she was more powerful now, her body would still instinctively react in the face of danger.
However, she cannot afford to waver now. Alicia had specifically come to look for her to ask for this favour. Because she was the only one here who could help Alicia. When Lilith looked at Alicia again, Alicia had approached the huge crystal pillar nearby and to Lilith's surprise, Alicia's reflection appeared on its surface.
Lilith immediately faced Zeres and spoke. "I know it's hard to believe what I'm saying but I am telling the truth. Please look there," she pointed at the pillar, "she's standing by the pillar, you can see her reflection!"
With rage in his eyes, Zeres gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tight as if he wanted to destroy something. However, he did not know why but he still followed Lilith's line of sight. And as his sight landed onto the pillar that Lilith was pointing to, what he saw seemed to freeze his soul and shock his mind.
A deep silence enveloped the entire cave.
He stopped right before it, and Alicia gave him a slight smile. Her lips opened and said the words 'I'm here.'
Though Zeres could not perceive her voice nor hear any sounds, he could read her lips and his knees weakened and trembled. He nearly fell to his knees, but he quickly grabbed onto the pillar. He dropped his head as his breathing hastened. Then he lifted his head and looked at her again. Still in partial disbelief as his mouth was slightly agape.
"Why…" he finally spoke. "What's going on?" he glanced at Lilith who was now just right behind him.
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