Alpha Instinct-Chapter 98: "A Bargain with Death"

"I asked you why you weren't surprised, Raviel. Something like that... it's never happened before," Evelyn repeated, her voice low, but carrying a piercing intensity. She didn't move, blocking Raviel's path. He's not getting away.

Raviel avoided her gaze, his hands restless. He licked his dry lips, a subtle gesture, but one that didn't escape Evelyn's notice. He's nervous. Why?

"Surprised? Of course I was surprised, Evelyn. Just... processed it differently. You guys were in danger; I needed to act," he replied, his voice a tone higher than normal, as if trying to convince himself of his own lie. He tried to smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Act? You arrived after it was all over," Evelyn retorted, bluntly. He's lying. But why?

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Raviel shrugged, a forced gesture of indifference. "I... I was checking the perimeter. Making sure there weren't any more Leirions around," he said, looking away towards Silverin, who was being helped by Mikaela. "I need to see how Silverin is doing." He took a step to the side, trying to bypass Evelyn.

He wants to get away from the conversation. Suspicious. Evelyn didn't move.

Meanwhile, Kaleb, with Xavier's help, began to extract the spoils from the Ursulos Rex. The fangs, enormous and yellowish, were pulled out with a dry snap. The Soul Stone, pulsing faintly, was carefully removed from the creature's skull. The claws, long and sharp as daggers, were separated one by one.

"Want a hand there, Kaleb?" Xavier asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"I'll take it," Kaleb replied, out of breath. "This thing is tough."

They divided the Ursulos' hide into equal parts, although the damage caused by Leonard and the Wyvern had limited its usefulness. There wasn't much left to salvage.

Mikaela approached, extending her hand to Kaleb. "The fangs, please," she requested.

Kaleb handed the fangs to Mikaela, who received them with a nod. "Here, Silverin," Mikaela said, handing the trophy to the leader of the other group. "Your share. Thanks for everything."

Silverin, her face marked by wrinkles that seemed to have deepened in the last few hours, embraced Mikaela tightly. "Without you, my group would already be dead," she said, her voice hoarse.

"Why do you need the fangs?" Mikaela asked, curious, unable to contain the question.

A veil of sadness covered Silverin's face. "To make a healing potion," she replied, her voice low. "For Ragnar's mother... She's very ill."

"I thought it was a church mission..." Mikaela said. "I remember you saying something like that…"

"Yes, this is a church mission; Ragnar's mother's disease is Black Scorpius…" Silverin said reluctantly. "A demoniac sickness…"

Mikaela fell silent, not knowing what to say. They would take the cure to the mother... at the cost of her son's life. A knot formed in her throat. Mikaela, who hardly ever swore, muttered, "What a load of shit," under her breath.

Evelyn, who had moved away towards the horses, rummaged through her belongings, her expression increasingly grim. She opened a leather case, carefully counting the white phosphorus bombs. Three... out of five. I only used one in the Lich's cave... A chill ran down her spine. Bingo.

She turned, walking decisively towards Raviel, who was still trying, unsuccessfully, to approach Silverin.

"Raviel," Evelyn called, her voice cold and controlled. "Can we talk?"

Raviel turned, surprised. "Sure, Evelyn. What's up?"

Evelyn stared at him, her eyes narrowed. "Let's go over there. I don't want to worry Silverin."

"Alright," he agreed.

After a few minutes of walking, Evelyn started. "You used one of my white phosphorus bombs, didn't you?"

Raviel froze. His eyes widened slightly, the surprise quickly replaced by a defensive caution. "What are you talking about, Evelyn? I would never do that."

"Don't lie to me," Evelyn said, her voice cutting. "The smell. The Ursulo's attack. And now... the bomb that's missing from my things. It all fits."

"I... I..." Raviel stammered, searching for an excuse, but the words died in his throat. He lowered his eyes, defeated. "It seems I can't hide it anymore, can I...? Damn..."

"Be direct. Give me the motives and reasons," said Evelyn, her voice cold and controlled, but her hands slowly sliding towards the hilts of her daggers. Every word, a nail in his coffin.

"Look, kid, if I were you, I wouldn't do that..." Raviel threatened back, his hand closing on the hilt of his shield, his tone of voice gaining a dangerous edge.

A sharp pang shot through Evelyn's body, a brutal reminder of her exhaustion and injuries. The fight with Leonard had taken its toll. Damn it. I need to be smart.

"You're a spy for the king, aren't you?" Evelyn risked, trying to find a crack in Raviel's emotional armor.

"As if I'd give you any information for free," Raviel replied, with a mocking smile. "Maybe I'm just skeptical about him being the Walker of the Pentagram... Who knows?" The smile widened, cynical and cruel.

"What do you want then?" Evelyn asked, her voice as tense as a bowstring. "He wants Leonard. But why?"

"Leonard," Raviel replied, simply. "Hand over Leonard, and I'll leave everyone else in peace."

Rage flooded Evelyn, so intense she felt the metallic taste of blood in her mouth. How dare he... The urge to slit Raviel's throat right there was almost irresistible.

"You think you can stay with us after this?" Evelyn asked, her voice laced with contempt. "I would never stay silent."

A dangerous glint flickered in Raviel's eyes. Without a word, he assumed a combat stance, his shield raised, his other hand hovering over the weapon strapped to his waist. "Then I guess I have to settle this now, or it will be too late. After all," he added, with a cruel smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I've developed a certain fondness for Silverin."

Evelyn couldn't hold back any longer; she drew her daggers and entered a fighting stance. Anger dominated every nerve ending in her body, adrenaline numbing all the accumulated damage moments before.

Evelyn then whispered, "Subterfuge..."