"Truth is. I'm bored. There's nothing to do. You've been my favourite source of entertainment all these years, and finally, I want to be a part of the fun. I know you're looking for the relics. I can help you."
Half of Selora's confusion vanished when she heard the last words Morica spoke.
"Ah… the relics…" she repeated, stepping closer to Morica, who turned once again and settled into a meditative position.
"Now, don't say it like that. I'm here to help you. Not steal the relics from you." She retorted, pointing at Selora, and Selora scoffed.
"Yeah… and I'm supposed to believe you because you're what? Some kind of truth fairy?" Selora snapped back, and Morica folded her arms under her massive breasts as she eyed Selora.
"Okay, now don't be silly, love. If I wanted your relics… I know exactly where you hid them… why won't I just go there and grab them… or remain hidden from your knowledge, wait for you to find all Seven, and then steal them from you?" She spoke, and Selora froze.
"Yes. I know where you kept the relics." Morica noted rather proudly, and Selora felt everything slow down.
Only one question repeated in her mind.
How could she be so careless?
How could she be so sloppy?!
Morica had apparently been monitoring her for years, and if Morica never felt the need to come out of hiding, there was a high chance Selora would never know. That was… unprofessional.
Morica suddenly stretched out her palm, and a purple flame ignited above it. Selora watched as that flame materialised into a piece of paper, and with a flick of Morica's wrist, the paper floated over to Selora.
"From all I've seen, I'm guessing you're hunting down the Thorned Halo next." Morica began, and Selora took the paper levitating before her.
On it was a curse. A curse that caused her to raise a brow as she looked back up at Morica.
"That's the curse guarding a place, I believe the Thorned Halo is kept. Understanding who set the curse and how to break it would grant you access to the relic." Morica continued, and Selora scoffed.
"Why can't you get it?" Selora questioned, and Morica raised a brow.
"Look… at all this body. Do I look like the kind of demonness who likes the stress of responsibility?" She spoke as she waved her hands over her body like she was displaying some piece of art.
"Yes. I want to be affiliated with the next demon ruler… you… But I don't have an interest in the throne." She added, and Selora ran her tongue over her teeth, eyes locked on Morica, weighing her every word.
"Ugh, come on! You must be bored doing all this alone for so long! You need an ally. And trust me. You can never ever… ever… Get another bitch like me on your team." Morica boasted confidently, and Selora narrowed her eyes.
Morica's smile was wide, but there was something else flickering behind those violet eyes… That irked Selora.
Something she couldn't name yet.
All her life, she had been taught trust is a luxury no one should be able to afford, and she wasn't about to throw that hard learned lesson out the window for some beautiful stranger lying on her bed.
"Fine," Selora replied, and Morica raised a brow.
"You want to help. Fine. I'll let you. But first, you have to prove to be useful." She added, and Morica's brows creased.
"Huh? I just gave you a…" She began, but Selora cut her off.
"A paper in old demon tongue. How the fuck do you expect me to know what this paper or curse says? None of us are elder demons. How the hell are we to decipher this?" She demanded, and Morica raised a brow. Her eyes flicked to the book still in Selora's hand, and Selora followed her gaze.
"I don't know… Maybe that special book you acquired from the library today could hold a few clues." She spoke, and Selora's heart skipped a beat.
Morica wasn't lying. She indeed had been watching her. How much did Morica truly know??
Selora watched Morica stand up, and Morica strode over to her. She trailed a long fingernail down Selora's temple. Her violet eyes fixated on Selora's, and her aura evoking something deep within Selora.
"In case you haven't noticed, sister. You're not the only demon who survived hell's raid. Many other demons are conjuring wild ideas. There are many more after the relics. And to be honest, if we don't want hell to fall again, we have to get you to those relics… fast. The other demons vying for that position… would only bring about the irredeemable end of us." She spoke, and Selora swallowed as she stared into Morica's eyes.
"I know you don't trust me. You're not foolish enough to do so this quickly. So, I'll give you some time. In the meantime, I trust you'll be able to figure out this curse and how to break it…" Morica added, and before Selora could respond, Morica tilted her chin. Locking their lips in a brief, shocking kiss.
Morica pulled away with a smirk, and Selora stood frozen.
"Hmm. Strawberries. I knew I'd like the taste of you." She teased, and Selora didn't know whether to feel anger at Morica's audacity or to feel impressed by it.
"Till we meet again, Mentor. Whenever you need me, just say the words. I'm always in the shadows. I'm all yours. Use me as you like." Morica added before turning her back to Selora and walking majestically towards the window.
She sat on the window frame, and turned back to look at Selora, who was still watching her in utter silence..
"Good night, little succi. I know you can figure this out. You're Selora after all. The little demon who has left Heaven on its heels for five years. I have no doubt you're going to cause them more havoc… and I'll be here to support in every way I can."