I'm super excited to be finally writing this idea up. This is very loosely inspired by the song Dance With The Devil by Breaking Benjamin. If all goes according to plan, this fic should be updated every Thursday. I don't own any rights to the Professor Layton series. Enjoy!
The first time Descole had arrived in Folsense, it had been completely by accident. The Molentary Express had always been something he held an interest in- it was one of the few things other than the Azrans and Targent that his mind could still focus on. He had managed to board the train with little trouble and through his clever use of disguises, along with a little puzzle solving, he slipped through into the Deluxe carriage. He wasn't quite sure why but the fact that it had been closed off from the other passengers had piqued Descole's interest as to what was on the other side. At first, it didn't seem too different. Sure, the cushions were more padded, the wallpaper was a little fancier, and the curtains were better quality but nothing that seemed to warrant it being under almost constant guard. A young man in a conductor's uniform appeared and placed refreshing flowers in each of the room. Even with Descole not using any form of disguise, the man didn't seem to notice he was somewhere he wasn't meant to be. So he let him be and the man, rather loudly, came and went. Only once they entered a tunnel did Descole start to feel that something was wrong. Then the next thing he knew, the train was coming to a halt. He groggily sat up and glanced out the window to see it was completely dark- it had been just after midday the last time he had looked outside, which he was certain wasn't that long ago. Confused, Descole pulled himself up and stepped out into the corridor. All the lights had been switched off and it was silent in both directions. He walked through the train carriages to discover the whole train was completely empty. Having even more questions and very few answers, he exited the train.
Suddenly, everything around him seemed to shake and the darkness in front of him was illuminated with colour. He blinked and had to lift his hand to shield his eyes as his vision adjusted to the sudden brightness. Slowly he lowered his arm and gasped in surprise at what he saw- the buildings in front of him stood tall and proud, all covered in shimmering lights. The entire town was gleaming with life almost exactly as the pictures on the wall beside him showed. Cautiously, Descole walked forwards and into the town. No one seemed to be around, despite the appearance of the town suggesting otherwise. He walked for what seemed like hours but still he found not a single soul in sight. He was about to return to the train when he caught sight of a large iron gate that he was sure wasn't there earlier. Or maybe he just hadn't been this way before. He walked up to it, only to find it locked shut. He considered waiting until someone- or something- came along to unlock it but decided he was far too curious to wait any length of time. He searched around the gate and found two bricks protruding slightly from the wall. After hastily looking about to make sure no one was around, he pulled himself up and used the bricks as footholes. He managed to scramble over to the other side and lightly dropped to his feet. Dusting himself off, he cast his eyes around him. Still no one in sight. So he ended up doing something rather unlike him- he picked a direction and began walking.
He had no idea how long he had been walking, where he was going, or if he had just gone around in a big, pointless circle. But eventually, the tall spire of a building caught his eye as it poked out of the treetops and he began heading towards it. As he got closer, he saw a huge crater surrounding what looked like a castle. A rather unstable looking bridge seemed to be the only thing connecting the castle to the rest of the world. Despite his brain telling him this probably wasn't a good idea, he was too curious to turn back now. Bracing himself, he slowly made his way across the bridge while trying as hard as he could to not look down. Once he finally reached the other side, he knocked on the heavy wooden door. Silence followed for a moment before the door slowly creaked open, seemingly by itself. Cautiously, Descole stepped inside and shut the door as quietly as he could behind him. He took a moment to pause and look around him. The building was lavishly decorated, a visual juxtaposition to its external appearance. Descole's eyes suddenly darted towards the large, ornate staircase in front of him when he heard footsteps. A man appeared from the shadows and stood at the top of the staircase.
"Who are you?" the man questioned, staring down at him with suspicious eyes.
"My name is Jean Descole," he replied with an elegant bow "and I take it you are Anton Herzen"
Descole had glanced over at the large painting on the wall that seemed to depict the man in front of him. Although, Descole had become momentarily distracted when he noticed that the painting was dated forty five years ago despite the fact that the man now walking down the stairs looked exactly the same as he did in that portrait.
"Are you aware you're running a ghost town?" Descole questioned once Anton reached the bottom step.
"Pardon?" Anton frowned, seemingly confused.
"There's no one here. I was walking around for hours and I didn't see a single soul," Descole explained.
"I'm sure they were just out of sight. Folsense is full of life, I assure you," Anton chuckled but in a way that made Descole wary, as if Anton knew something he didn't. Silently, Anton turned and began walking down the corridor. Not knowing what else to do, Descole followed him. He became so entranced by his surroundings that he almost bumped into Anton when he suddenly stopped.
"Nigel, we have a guest," Anton spoke seemingly into the shadows. Moments later, a pale man emerged and bowed deeply.
"I shall prepare some tea," the man said before bowing again and walking away. Anton led Descole further down the corridor before turning and opening a pair of wooden doors. He signalled for Descole to enter so he stepped inside, admiring the large stained glass window in front of him. His eyes then dropped slightly to the long dining table that took up most of the room with tea already laid out. How had Nigel managed to get that done so quickly? Descole pondered that question curiously as he sat down on the seat offered to him. He nodded politely as Nigel poured tea into his cup but Descole's focus was more on Anton who, instead of sitting at the other end of the large table as he had expected, sat down right next to him.
"I'm curious," Anton began, his eyes full of genuine inquisitiveness "how exactly did you find your way here?"
"Why do you want to know?" Descole asked, equally as interested in the Duke of Folsense as he was in him.
"I don't often get visitors walking right up to my front door," Anton offered as a way of explanation, although it didn't actually explain much at all.
"I will admit, arriving in this town was a complete accident. But this particular place simply caught my interest. And, since it seems I can't currently leave this town, I decided to come over and investigate," Descole told him truthfully. Anton nodded, seemingly finding Descole's answer acceptable enough. They continued to drink their tea with quiet, intermittent conversation. Once Anton noticed Descole's cup was empty, instead of signally Nigel to refill it he did something else Descole had not expected. He swiftly stood and walked across the room to another set of large doors. After quickly glancing at the unmoving Nigel, Descole decided to follow him. As he passed through the door after Anton, Descole found himself in a large, ornately decorated, and softly lit ballroom. Slow music started playing from seemingly nowhere, making Descole jump a little. It resonated around the room, making it difficult to figure out the source. He then noticed Anton stood a few feet away from him, smiling softly as if Descole's permanent confusion was both entertaining and yet endearing to him. Slowly, Anton walked over to him.
"May I have this dance?" Anton elegantly held out his hand. Bewildered, Descole stared at him before cautiously accepting and placing his hand in Anton's. Suddenly, a deep blood red flashed in Anton's eyes as a smirk spread across his lips. But before Descole could do or say anything, Anton pulled him close and spun him around. And just like that, Descole was lost to the world around him. His body melted in Anton's arms as they danced to the music. He wasn't even aware of what his feet were doing; he simply followed Anton's lead and allowed himself to be whisked away. Seconds, minutes, hours- Descole had no idea how much time had passed as the two of them became one with the music. Gradually, a wave of fatigue spread itself over him. He tried to shake himself from it but it clung to him like a disease, draining his energy.
"Don't fight it. Give in," Anton whispered softly and Descole found himself obeying. His body went limp and he collapsed against Anton's chest. The last thing he saw was Anton's face, eyes glowing red as he looked down at him.
"Sleep," Anton whispered and Descole's consciousness left him.
When Descole next awoke, he was laying on the cushioned sofa seats of his cabin on the Molentary Express. Sunlight streamed into the room through a gap in the curtains and the place seemed to lack the strong smell of roses that had previously clung to the air. Confused and dazed, he pushed himself up and peered out the window. The countryside whizzed past and after Descole recognised a few sights, he realised he was on his way back to London. He groaned to himself and placed his head in his hands. What on Earth had happened to him? He remembered dancing with Anton and the sudden feeling of dizziness washing over him, then nothing. How had he made it back onto the train? Had Anton put him here? But when, and why? Descole's mind spun with questions as he sat and stared out the window. But by the time the train finally pulled into London, Descole had managed to form at least one clear thought. No matter what, he had to return to Folsense and discover its mysteries.