"Seems like I struck a nerve, little spider." Rael chuckled and approached.
She was not breathing, and her hands were shaking. It seemed to be out of anger, and that was exactly what he needed to get out of here alive.
After all, in a place where their power was somewhat equal, it was all fair game.
"Evelyn, Evelyn... What a beautiful name," Rael muttered. "I wonder? Is she your sister? Or was?"
"Was." Rael nodded. "A spider sister. How interesting... you know, I think I had a sister once. I remember someone looking like me, black hair, green eyes, slightly younger... but who knows? It's all in the past now."
"Or maybe not..." Rael sighed.
Nonetheless, that got Beatrice to finally turn to him.
"I forgot to get rid of that name," she stated, anger clear in her tone. "I hate her... I want nothing more than to kill her..."
Her mental integrity isn't moving... Rael raised a brow. "It sounds to me like she's alive?"
"Oh, she's alive alright," Beatrice replied as she stomped the ground, causing the gazebo to blow away into the sky. "She was my everything... and yet, she abandoned me?"
She turned to him, her eyes dazed. "Would you abandon someone you love?"
As much as Rael wanted to be a shit person and hit her where it hurt, he simply shook his head instead.
"I would never abandon those I love."
"Right?" Beatrice chuckled. "I guess I was just not worthy to be a big sister, that's why she left me."
"Beatrice..." Rael frowned and reached over to pat her shoulder. However, just as he was about to touch her, he froze.
"Wow..." Rael muttered as he took a few steps back. "You're good... really good."
Beatrice glanced at him innocently and tilted her head. "What do you mean...?"
"You see, I was a little blind earlier," Rael remarked. "Let's just say, I have a way of telling when someone's lying... the reason you're good is because you believe in the lie you told me."
It was strange, and he couldn't tell at first. But once he paid close attention to her rough breathing, he realized it was forced.
"You're trying to earn my empathy, and then while my guard is down, take over my mind," Rael commented, clapping his hands. "Bravo... truly. I guess your experience is not for show after all if you managed to bypass my lie detection with that bullshit sister story of yours. Tell me, when did you find the time to etch those letters there?"
Beatrice clicked her tongue. "I underestimated you."
Her previously broken-down persona disappeared, replaced by her usual cold playfulness.
"I honestly expected my gamble to work, but I guess it doesn't matter now. I'll just have to wait until you give up," she added and sat down opposite him. "That story was real, by the way. But I didn't forget to remove that name—I made it up."
"Of course you did." Rael nodded. "However, I'm not going to play with you forever, Beatrice."
After saying that, he imagined a small figure. It was a girl with similar features to Beatrice.
The moment Beatrice saw her, all the details Rael had left out on purpose filled themselves in.
White streaks in her black hair, a mole on her cheek, and she was definitely not a child. In fact, she seemed even older than Beatrice herself.
"Hmm...?" The figure's puzzled hum rang out. "Little Bee, what are you doing here?"
"E-Evelyn..." Beatrice muttered. "I-I... wait, you're not real."
Immediately, Beatrice attempted to wave her sister away, but it was to no avail as Evelyn simply extended her arm and gently slapped Beatrice across the face.
"Little Bee, don't do that again," Evelyn stated sternly, shocking both Rael and Beatrice.
"I assume you're the one responsible for this mess?" Evelyn asked as she approached Rael.
Her appearance was nearly identical to Beatrice's, but the pressure she was giving off was too intense.
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, but maybe?" Rael replied calmly.
Evelyn giggled. "That's the spirit. Mind games are fun. However, I'm sadly way above your league, dear Rael."
The moment she finished her words, he felt a dull pain in his head, and of course, a pop-up soon followed.
<### Is attempting to expel: Evelyn, Ancient Mindweaver>
<### is 99% successful in expelling: Evelyn, Ancient Mindweaver>
"Hmm... you have some valuable allies, I suppose," Evelyn remarked with a sigh. "Though the information I just got was definitely worthwhile. It really is convenient to have a wanderer on our side—or rather... a former wanderer?"
Rael's brows furrowed. "So you've seen further than Beatrice, I assume?"
"Much, much further." Evelyn giggled. "Don't worry, though, I don't interfere in most affairs, and aside from personal satisfaction, I have no reason to information. And on that note, I have to go."
She turned toward Beatrice. "Little Bee, you've gotten yourself in quite a pickle, and it's all because of Zarkul... I'll have a talk with him later."
But just as she was seemingly about to fade away, Beatrice stopped her. "W-Wait, Big Sis... he's about to take over my body."
Evelyn tilted her head. "So? How is that my problem? You got yourself in this mess, so get yourself out of it."
"If he takes control of my body for 5 seconds, he's just going to kill me," Beatrice complained, pointing a finger at him.
Damn... she was acting so tough right up until she summoned her sister. What an idiot. Rael scoffed and raised his hands.
"I need you to back away and let me complete the quest I was given. If you can do that, then I have no reason to kill you."
"That seems like a fair trade." Evelyn nodded, turning to Beatrice. "And you, little Bee? Do you agree to his terms?"
"I-I was given a quest too, the reward—"
Beatrice stopped speaking as even breathing became difficult.
"You got what now?" Evelyn asked coldly, sending shivers down Rael's spine. "You accepted a quest from him?"
Beatrice meekly nodded, and the moment she did, Evelyn noticeably became angry as she turned to Rael.
"Boy, I have a proposition."