Immortal Ice Empress: Path to Vengeance

A few days passed after Maria declared her intention to go on a trip, and today was the day of her departure.

During the last few days, Mira and Maria did nothing but spend time with each other. They didn't train, cultivate, or anything like that. They simply enjoyed each other's company.

They both knew it'd be a while before they next saw each other, and they wanted to make the most of their time together. However, neither of them saw this separation as a bad thing.

Standing in front of the door in their room, Maria stared at Mira with Vulcan at her feet. The fox hasn't seen much action lately, but Maria vowed to rectify that. There were still mysteries around Vulcan that needed to be answered, and Maria intended to uncover some of them through this journey.

"Well... I suppose it's time for me to leave." Maria said while rubbing the side of her cheek.

Mira nodded calmly, "Yes, I suppose it is."

"..."

The atmosphere became awkward as neither of them knew what to say. Mira didn't have much experience in goodbyes, at least not with people that are still alive.

On the other hand, Maria felt a bit apprehensive about all this. She knew that this was what she needed to do, but she was-

"I prepared a farewell gift for you." Suddenly, Mira interrupted her thoughts, pulled out two black palm-sized boxes from her pockets, and handed one to Maria.

Intrigued, Maria rotated the box, inspecting it, but stopped after a few seconds, then looked back at Mira with her bright, large eyes.

"What is it?" Maria asked while trying to suppress her glee.

"Open it and find out." Mira motioned toward the black box in her hand.

Maria nodded with a smile and slowly pried the lid off the box.

"Gasp!" Maria covered her mouth with one hand as she looked at the item in the box, "I-Is this what I think it is?"

Mira released a faint smile and walked up to Maria, "Of course it is. I seem to remember you introducing yourself as my wife. However, how can you do that if you don't even have a ring to prove it?"

Mira reached out her hand and took out a small ring. The ring had a golden band that shone with luster, a large diamond set in the center, and many tiny black jewels encrusted around the rest of it.

Mira then took Maria's left hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger. It was a bit too big, but as soon as it came into contact with Maria's skin, it pricked her finger, drawing a bit of blood, and reshaped itself to fit perfectly.

Looking at the new ring on Maria's finger, Mira gave a satisfied nod.

"It looks good on you! I was worried that the black jewels wouldn't match your blonde hair, but it seemed I was wrong."

"Th-This... Isn't this a wedding ring?! A-Are you proposing to me right now, Mira?!" Maria stared at Mira in shock, unable to comprehend what was going on.

'Isn't her timing a little too bad?!' She screamed inwardly.

However, Mira shook her head upon hearing the questions.

"Wrong. This is an engagement ring. How can this be the wedding ring when we haven't had a wedding?"

'What's the difference?!' Maria wanted to ask, but she kept her mouth shut.

As if she saw through her thoughts, Mira said in a low voice, "I want this ring to symbolize our promise to go down the path of cultivation together." That statement meant much more than what it seemed on the surface, which Maria caught.

Her eyes grew misty as she never expected Mira to give her such a precious gift. She brought her left hand to her chest and cradled the ring as if it were the world's most precious thing.

"A-Ah! I-I don't even know what to say... This... I-I didn't think you could be so thoughtful."

Mira snorted, "Hmph! I'm always thoughtful."

Maria chuckled, but she didn't deny Mira's words. Afterward, she looked at the other box in Mira's hand and asked, "What's in that one? Don't tell me you prepared to give me two rings?"

Mira shook her head and opened up her box. She then reached into the box and pulled out another ring. However, this ring had an obsidian band, a large sapphire embedded in the center, and encrusted in golden diamonds.

"This is my ring!"

Hearing that, Maria quickly snatched it out of her hands.

"I'm going to put this one on you!" She declared.

Mira didn't have any objections and extended her left hand to allow Maria to put it on her finger.

A large smile appeared on Maria's face as she gently held Mira's hand and slid the obsidian ring onto her finger. Just like with Maria, it pricked her skin, making a connection between the two, and adjusted its size to fit her perfectly.

"Perfect!" Maria clapped her hands excitedly. Looking at the ring on Mira's finger, she felt a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment well up in her chest. This ring proved that she had snatched this world's most beautiful and amazing woman! How could she not feel that way?!

"I love you, Mira!" Maria announced, then embraced Mira in a giant hug.

"Mmhm."

Mira nodded faintly but didn't say anything back.

Fortunately, Maria was too ecstatic to notice the complicated look on her face.

After a few minutes, Maria calmed down and took a step back.

"Well, now, I guess I really need to leave, or else I'm afraid I won't have the resolve to do so if I stay any longer," Maria said, her eyes drooping a bit.

Without saying anything, Mira leaned in, wrapped her hands around her waist, and stole Maria's lips. The latter's eyes opened wide, but she didn't reject it. This kiss contained all the emotions that she couldn't convey with words, bringing Maria to tears once again.

After a few minutes, their lips separated, and Mira whispered, "...I-I love you too."

Then, she pushed Maria out of the room and shut the door, leaving behind a few last words, "Stay safe out there and don't die. If you're ever in trouble, just call for me, and I'll be there."

Maria was stunned by this turn of events, but soon, a massive grin manifested on her face.

"Hehe~ I guess even Mira can get shy. Hehehe~" She chuckled, shaking her head, and left their residence with Vulcan.

Outside their cave residence, Maria stood before hundreds of women of varying ages with Vulcan by her side.

"Are you ready to go?"

Maria turned to the side when she heard the familiar voice and beamed.

"Senior Sister Sandra!"

Elder Sandra scowled, hearing Maria's way of addressing her but didn't bother pointing it out. It wasn't worth it.

"I'll be in your care!" Maria bowed slightly. The Qi in her body stirred, causing her hair to turn from blonde to black and her appearance to shift into something a bit less attractive.

Elder Sandra waved her hand dismissively, "Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. If you're ready, let's get going."

Without waiting for a response, Elder Sandra turned around and flew toward the secret exit out of the Sect.

Maria noticed that Elder Sandra wanted to get this over with and turned to Mira's subordinates.

"You all should already know by now, but Mira has ordered you to follow me to the outside world as training. I know some of you might not like these arrangements, but I promise I won't mistreat any of you. We have the same goal, after all! To become useful to Mira!"

"Aye!!"

The women shouted in affirmation, bringing a smile to Maria's face!

"Good! Then, let's go!"

"OOOOH!"

***

Back in Mira's room, the smile on her face disappeared completely after she sensed that Maria had left. The aura around her became frigid, and a bloody light shone in her eyes. Veins bulged in her forehead and her fists unconsciously clenched.

'I know you want to get your own revenge, Maria, but the ones who are the cause of all this won't stop until they have you in their grasp. I can't... No, I won't allow such a thing to happen.'

She'd been suppressing her desire for blood for a long time now, all for Maria's sake. Mira knew that her lover didn't like it when she killed people so effortlessly, but now, the wall she built around this bloodthirst was crumbling.

Now, someone was targeting her loved one-the person she trusted the most in this world!

Maria's existence gave her hope that maybe, one day when this is all over, she won't feel empty inside.

How could she allow her love and future to be snatched away from her?!

'No! I won't let something like that happen! Cole, Erika, you can rest easy knowing I'll do everything in my power to keep your daughter safe.'

After making that promise to the spirits of Maria's parents, Mira turned to Rhydian, who was sleeping in the corner of the room. However, Mira could tell she wasn't actually asleep and just didn't want to be noticed.

"It's time to hunt, Rhydian."