The trip itself wasn't a tasking thing to do, but the confrontation was what he dreaded.
Alphonse surveyed his environment with an impassive eye. It was just like he remembered.
The black castle stood on a vast land, flanked by mountain on a side and a volcano on the other.
The smell of brimstone was essentially thick in the air, burnt, tart and tangy.
What many demon would consider a respite from breathing in the human air. The air was cool and the flowers swayed in the dark, their color constrating with the night.
Alphonse pulled his hair into a ponytail with a black ribbon and sighed. He'd better get right to it.
She was probably expecting him.
With a thought, he materialized into the castle. Black stone layered with a menacing curve, shinning marbled floor, and metal knights with swords were in the hallway.
To a side, a bright mural was depicting the deep blue of the ocean waves, and few colorful shell.
He shook his head. She was still contrary as ever.
As he moved, three metal knights squeaked into life, their swords raised viciously at him. Without looking back, he swiped his hand in the air.
Only the sound of clanking reverberated around the darkly lit hallway as the metal hit the floor.
He reappeared in a brightly lit room in a whirlwind, the air hard and almost unbreathable.
The chandelier came down with a loud crash, the nail paint bottles and makeup products on the table broke, the table shattered and drifted off in parts.
"Alivened metals are quite expensive. Keep that in mind next time you're here." A soft voice spoke from behind him.
"Azalea." He said in greeting, inclining his head.
A gorgeous woman materialized beside him, her blue and red mouth a contrast.
"Alphonse. I see you've deemed it long enough to pay me a visit." She said simply.
Alphonse was tired of this baited back and forth and his patience was definitely running thin.
After travelling restlessly for four days, bypassing securities in realms, he wasn't feeling particularly charitable.
He sat down on the couch and eyes her grimly, "I'm here for the information."
She laughed gaily, her sharp fangs peeking through.
"Oh darling. You're ever so funny." She twisted a lock of her hair between her fingers. "You payment lapsed years ago. I have a new employer now."
Alphonse raised his brow in dark amusement.
"Ahh..shall we do this the hard way then?" He bared his teeth in a smile, allowing them to elongate untill they were fangs.
His eyes changed colors and the air turned hot and humid.
Azalea rolled her eyes.
"Quit with the theatrics. They've ceased to be amusing a long time ago." She faced him squarely, "look Alphonse, the times are hard for all exiles. One has to make end meet somehow." She shrugged.
"No offense buddy, but the tides are changing. And I'd like to be on the winning side, thank you very much."
Alphonse closed his eyes in frustration. He softened his voice.
"What's going on in the palace Azalea?"
"I don't know if there's something stuffed inside your ears, but I just told you I'm not obligated to answer you anymore?" The words were harsh.
Alphonse stood swiftly, he towered over her, his neck taut with tension, radiating danger.
She took a step back, glancing at him wearily.
"I don't know," her voice was a good deal calmer.
Alphonse stared heavily at her, his eyes changing rapidly between red and black.
One Instant Azalea was standing, the next she was clutching her throat and her eyes bulged out.
Alphonse extended a claw and caressed her cheek with it, watched impassively as she gasped for breath. She wouldn't die just yet.
He dug his claw deeper into her skin, dark blood seeped out of her pale skin. She gasped with pain, her legs flailing.
"You've been such a valuable Intel. I'd be devasted to see you go," he spoke softly, his low timbre sent fear rippling through her.
His eyes had settled on their infamous black. His eyes were pitch black of a bottomless void that threatened to suck the soul out of any living thing.
His eyes promised pain, his cruel smirk said he'll enjoying torturing her.
"I..I.." she gasped.
He released her abruptly, blood soaked her pink shirt, as she landed on the jagged end of the broken table.
A pained cry erupted from her. She nervously gulped in breath, rapidly hiccuping.
"Now that we've reached some sort of conclusion, will you tell me what I need to know?"
Azalea stared at him hatefully, but cowered away quickly.
"Yes master."
"Very good." He settled comfortably into the chair.
"Who's this new guy of yours?"
Azalea whimpered rapidly shaking her bright blue hair.
"I don't know. I….I have never met him before." Her voice trembled violently.
Alphonse cursed silently to himself. He had made such an imbecilic move. The pawns had been shifted and the game just took a new turn.
He'd exposed his hands too quickly.
"Very well. What's going on in the palace?"
"The palace," she gulped when she stared into his black eyes. She quickly averted her gaze and bowed her head. "The palace has been much more developed since the time you left." She clawed desperately at her left wrist where a tiny tattoo was nearly beneath the crease of her skin.
Alphonse quirked his lips in amusement. Oh, did she think he wouldn't know about such things?
"Tell me something I don't know." He hissed.
"The palace has a news ministers and overlords."
Alphonse raised his brow. New overlords?
"There's been different talks of treaty with other species. People have been speculating that the new King…" her words trailed off.
Alphonse felt the back of his neck tingling. He cursed viciously and stood up swiftly.
He stared hard at Azalea who met his gaze with a gleeful one of her own.
"I knew I should have killed you when I had the chance." He spat out.
Azalea cackled and groaned a minute later. She spat out dark blood.
"No m
ore opportunities for you my Lord." She grinned broadly, showing her blood stained teeth.
The securities were around. Alphonse disappeared, a loud bang and the sound of wicked laughter sounded after him.