Weiss' POV
"A string with a crow's feather? And it was in your hand while you were sleeping?" The detective asked from the other side of my smartphone. I was currently eating breakfast that consist of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, toast, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Before I go on with my day of planning the ball that was coming the day after tomorrow, I figured I let the detective know of this.
"Yes. Nobody entered my room that night. The security footage hooked up to my room did not show anything." I explained before taking a piece of bacon into my mouth. I held back a moan at the taste. Bacon is just so tasty.
"You have a security camera in your room? Do you not care about your private life?"
Really? I roll my eyes, even though he couldn't see it. "I don't personally care. They see me naked, whatever. I am over it, my safety is more important you know than letting people see what I do in my room."
"True." He paused for a second before continuing. "Oh and since you brought it up, did you manage to see who was spying into your room last night?"
"No. We saw the exact moment someone left that handprint on my window but not the person themselves." I am not sure how the spy managed to make themselves invisible but no matter, there are slightly more important matters to talk about than that.
"Hmm."
I took a sip of my orange juice before continuing. "Back to the topic at hand... What do you think it is?" I hear him typing something into his computer, so he must be looking up something. While he does that, I decided to call over one of my maidservants.
"Yes, your highness?"
"For the ball, bring in a band that is popular amongst the general public. Just to give the people a live performance. I am sure they'll enjoy it." I told her. She nodded and went off to do just that. Gotta make sure the ball is something they won't soon forget. Their happiness is my happiness after all.
"Your highness, the thing that mysteriously ended up in your hand is part of what is called a Dreamcatcher." The detective finally responded after a little while of searching. Interesting. I cut a piece of egg and put it on my toast before taking a bite. A Dreamcatcher. That is quite an old 'magical' item of sorts.
…
…
…
Wait a minute. "Detective, don't you think this is a sign of sorts?"
"I'd say so. We are dealing with these Nightmare like beings and people are having strange dreams involving this mysterious person amongst other things. Now all of a sudden you have a piece of a Dreamcatcher, an item that capture Dreams and or Nightmares. An item that helps the person sleep peacefully."
"Do you think that if we get Dreamcatchers that we'll be able to… trap these things?" I asked, wondering if this might help solve the problem. Maybe not deal with that bastard controlling these things, but it might be something.
"I highly doubt it is that simple. If we are dealing with a dangerous person capable of bringing Nightmares into the waking world, then the solution to the problem shouldn't be as simple as getting a lot of Dreamcatchers and trapping them that way. Not to mention that doesn't deal with the main problem; the culprit. We still have no idea who he is and how to deal with him."
Right. The main problem needs to be dealt with somehow. However, I got this thing for some reason, so it must be something relevant to dealing with those things. Just, what is it? I feel like we are on the right track… but not the right kind of weapon.
Weapon… Weapon…? I dropped my fork and scratched the back of my head. Weapon… why do I feel like I am on the verge of remembering something?
"Your highness?"
I snapped out of my thoughts and picked up my fork to continue eating. "Sorry, was trying to think about a weapon to deal with those Nightmares."
"Well I just came across an interesting article that was published when the internet was very young that is relevant… though I doubt it will help us much, if at all. Want to hear it?"
I shrug. Might as well entertain the thought. "Sure, why not? Nothing to lose."
"Apparently there is this Dreamcatcher Sword that somebody created in dealing with those Nightmares… Dreams too. The time that this weapon was created was near a century ago in this very country…"
I searched my memory, trying to recall if I ever heard of such a thing happening that long ago. I have heard of a magical blacksmith back in the day that made legendary weapons, however I have never heard of this weapon. I don't even think my father has heard of it. Well not like he is around for me to ever ask him. I sighed sadly.
"You ok?"
"Yeah I am fine, detective, continue." I plopped a hashbrown into my mouth, realizing my food is getting cold. I really should eat my food quickly…
"The rest of the article doesn't say much… and appears to be glitched, but I'll tell you the rest of what I can read. They last saw this person with the supposed weapon fight a monster made of corpses in the… Snowtramine Clock Tower."
Again with the Clock Tower. Just what is up with that place? Assuming this article is to be trusted that is. Still, wouldn't hurt to check. "A lot of things are happening with that place, past and present. Detective, do you still want to check it out?"
"Well of course. It warrants an investigation. I'll head there after lunch. Don't worry, I will report all findings to you."
"Thank you, detective." I finished up the last of my breakfast and decided it was time to wrap it up. "Well, I'll leave it up to you, I got a lot of work ahead of me today… as per usual." I faked laughed at the end as if trying to poke fun at myself for never having a busy day.
"... Yeah. Have a good day, your highness."
I hung up and got up from my chair. The maids came by and picked up after my mess. Well, before I do anything, I have to know if I have any requests/news that require my attention today.
"Hey, anything I should know about before I head off?" I asked my maids. They all gave me a look and then shook their heads. I raised an eyebrow. Nothing? That's… unexpected. I thought for sure there would be at least something today.
"There is nothing that requires your attention today, your highness… However…" One of the maids trailed off as if deciding whether or not she wants to tell me. I urged her to continue, I am in the mood for whatever it is she has to say.
"There is talk around here about some… strange sightings."
"Strange sightings? Like what?" Come on, elaborate, I don't want vague shit.
"Well, apparently just late last night, people have apparently seen something fly in the sky… They assume it is a UFO of sorts."
My mind immediately went to the thing I saw last night fly into the sky last night when I was trying to look for the spy. That must be what they saw. I did dismiss at as a trick of a light or some such as I did not want to believe it as anything otherworldly. Well, while interesting, there is nothing I can do for them… even if it is a UFO.
"Anything else? You did pluralize 'sighting'."
"This one is also kind of a rumor. Some people spotted a zombie prowling around."
...A zombie? Just A zombie? I find this hard to believe. If they saw one, they should have immediately killed it. I don't want any stupid zombie apocalypse nonsense. I simply had enough of it in media already. Stop it. The maid noticed my the look on my face and continued.
"The thing is your highness, this supposed zombie is acting very unusual, at least that's what the people who saw it, say."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Unusual in what way?"
"The zombie did not immediately go after them like they were food. They saw the zombie just… move away as quickly as it could."
The zombie chose not to go and eat them? That is indeed unusual. If it is true anyways. However, I still find it hard to believe that a zombie made a run for it and managed to escape.
"And are they looking for this zombie now?"
"The police are on the lookout, but they don't really believe that there is just a zombie out and about and not eating people."
I don't blame them. I checked the time on my phone, noticing that I should be going now if I want to get everything done on time today. "Thank you, you may return to your duties."
Normal POV
Fille hung up and looked at the Dreamcatcher image before him on his computer. He clasped his hands together and leaned his head forward onto them, thinking. Everything that happened in the past few days all relate to Dreams and Nightmares. The monsters… the dreams people had… that man… and now a piece of a Dreamcatcher in Princess Weiss' possession somehow. Also this information about a Dreamcatcher sword is also suspect. If he didn't know any better… HE is setting all of this up. But for what purpose?
"Nightscream… what are you up to…?" Nightscream was his name for that man that appeared in several people's dreams now. Simple name really, he is the cause of the Nightmare monsters and of course his mask. He has no idea why that man chose to use a mask from an old movies' killer, but he's sure there is some kind of meaning behind it.
3 consecutive knocks broke him out of his thoughts and he looked towards his office door, wondering who it could possibly be this early on in the day. He quickly put everything away in his desk before clearing his throat.
"Come in."
The door opened and a familiar blonde girl stepped into the room. "Excuse me. Yo, nice to see you again, Fille."
"Oh it's you. Wait, shouldn't you be in school right now? Unless I somehow didn't get the message that summer vacation started early for you students." The detective asked, confused.
The blonde girl sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, "I uh, I am ditching school today. I am not missing out on anything important anyways, just review. Don't judge me."
Fille shrugged in response. "Not my place to judge. You do what you do with your life." He got up from his chair and went over to his counter to grab a flask of coffee. "Care to have some coffee? I still have some in here if you want it."
"Unless you have lots of sugar and cream in that coffee… I am good." The blonde girl stuck out her tongue in disgust. Fille chuckled in response.
"Well, the bitterness of coffee is not for everyone. Acquired taste." He placed down the flask and walked back to his chair to sit down on while she sat on the opposite side of him. He put his hands together and looked at her. "Now then, what brings you here, Emma? Do you need my help with something?"
Emma looked a bit hesitant for a few seconds before deciding to tell him. "You're still trying to look into the strange happenings that has been going around here right? Y'know besides the recent zombie sightings and UFO sightings."
Fille didn't understand where she was going with this but decided to go along with it for the time being. "Yes, I am still looking into that. I may have some leads and I am going to investigate them after lunch."
"Really? What did you find out?" Emma asked, very curious.
Fille shook his head. "That's on a need to know basis and you don't need to know. Sorry." Emma pouted but understood. Detectives have to follow at least some protocol. Fille pulled out a notepad and a pen from his jacket pocket. "Well, continue."
"Well I done some investigating myself and I found this." Emma reached into her pocket and pulled out… a string with a black feather on it. Fille's eyes widened when he saw the item. She handed it over to him. "If you are wondering where I found this, it was on… a very bloody corpse I found in this forest." She shuddered at the memory, really wishing she could unsee it.
"I see. Can you tell me about this investigation of yours?" Fille asked, examining the item in his hands. He couldn't believe his luck… another person found a piece of the Dreamcatcher. How many were there? 3? 4? Wait, are these even the same part of a Dreamcatcher?
"Well…"
Emma was walking through the forest at night with her baseball bat in hand. She thought she would investigate about the matter about those strange new Nightmare monsters that have been appearing lately. She wasn't going to kill them, just study them and if she needs to, use the baseball bat as defense.
She continued to walk when she heard a sound not too far off. It sounded like something rustling in the bushes. Emma readied her baseball bat and headed straight to the noise. She knows it could be just other usual wildlife, but just to be sure…
"Quietly… quietly…" Emma muttered to herself as she neared closer to where she thought she heard the sound. To her surprise, she saw a corpse of a man in… she guessed what was the remains of a white lab coat. Most of the flesh on his face, chest, arms, and some on his legs were torn out of his body. The smell and the sight was naseauting that it almost made her want to throw up. Did a monster do this? Also, what was this man doing out here?
"Ugh, so gross…" Emma pried her eyes from the corpse and noticed something on the ground nearby. She went over to it and saw that it was a string with a black feather on it. "Is this… part of a Dreamcatcher? Where's the rest of it?" Something clicked inside of her head. There is something funny going on around here, but she needs to figure out more.
"Interesting…" Fille commented after she finished. "Did you find out what was the source of that sound you heard?" The blonde shook her head.
"I didn't. I thought it was simply a monster or animal of some such that preyed on the poor guy." Emma took back the string from him. "So, I came here to show you this as I know you were investigating these matters and I thought this might help out, even if just a little. I mean, all these things about Dreams and Nightmares and all of a sudden I see a piece of a Dreamcatcher near a very dead body… there is no way that is coincidence."
"Indeed. Thank you for showing this to me. It did help me out a little on some thoughts of mine."
"I assume you won't tell me because of confidentiality or some shit?"
"Yeah, sorry again."
"Not a problem." Emma got up from her seat. She ran a hand through her head and blew raspberries. "I sincerely hope none of this ends up ruining the upcoming ball…" The blonde then looked at the detective. "Oh, by the way, are you attending the Princess' ball?"
"... I don't… think I will. I was never one for… big crowds, music, dancing… and all that jazz." The detective responded a bit uncomfortably. "Are you going with someone, Emma? A pretty girl like you probably has a boyfriend or girlfriend."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, detective." Emma says, even as a blush formed on her cheeks. "Also, no, I don't have a date. I am hoping to get a dance with the Princess herself though."
Fille laughed at that. "You and probably thousands upon thousands of people. Good luck with that though." He had to wonder though, would Weiss even bother to dance with her people? Surely there would be some suitors there from other kingdoms that may show up and try their luck with the pretty princess. Wouldn't they be better suited to dance with her? Eh… probably a stereotype… Weiss is certainly not your ordinary princess.
"Yeah yeah… but before I go, what should I do with this string?" Emma asked.
"Keep it for now. I don't have a use for it. If I do find something of use for it, then I will try and get in touch with you. Again, thanks for your help."
"Yep. Well, I got to go. Nice talking to ya!" Emma waved him goodbye as she headed out the door. When she left, Fille grabbed the remote control on his desk and turned on the TV. There was still some time till lunch, so he might as well entertain himself until then… or until a potential client comes in.
"Dreamcatcher… I wonder if you are really the solution to the problem…"
…
"Hyaah!" Weiss struck the training dummy with her sword and then blasted it with icicles. She was out in the training grounds of her castle, trying to figure out some new moves for her to use in upcoming battles. It is important to stay fit and practice her moves. It is but one of her duties many duties.
"Frostwave!" She yelled as she winds of frost formed around her and struck the training dummy, making it frozen solid. She then jumped up high into the air and sliced downwards onto the training dummy, cleanly cutting it in half. After a few seconds, the training dummy put itself back together, ready for more beatings.
"If I am ever to defeat those monsters, I need to practice hard…" Weiss muttered to herself. She continued to strike the training dummy while throwing in some ice moves here and there. Once she froze the dummy again, she jumped flipped backwards onto the ground and was ready to do a charge stab. "HYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
As she charged forward, she heard a twig snap nearby. Weiss skidded to a stop, now aware she was not alone on her training grounds. She looked around and listened closely to her surroundings. 10 seconds went by and not a peep was heard from anywhere besides some birds off in the distance. Still not convinced she was alone, she slowly approached the bushes, sword at the ready.
Weiss cautiously looked through the bushes in front of her, trying to find the intruder. She looked for a bit and was about to look elsewhere when she felt a presence behind her. Before she could turn around, she was pushed down into the bushes with a gasp. The unknown intruder placed a hand over her mouth and pinned down her right wrist to prevent her from retaliating before slowly pinning down the rest of her body with theirs. Weiss struggled as best she could, but the intruder was really strong.
"WHO IS THIS PERSON?!" Weiss screams internally, trying to fight back.
"That zombie be around here somewhere…" The sounds of 3 people walking around the training area she was just in. She and the intruder pinning her down must not be visible at the moment to the people looking for this zombie. Quickly, she put two and two together. If that unusual zombie she heard about from this morning made its way over here and those 3 people are looking for it… then the intruder on top of her must be...
"This is one smart and unusual zombie…" Weiss thought to herself. She may as well stay quiet. After all, if this zombie wanted to eat her, they would have done so already. Other people finding them be damned. Sure it would probably be easier to kill them, but if this zombie still has some good amount of intelligence… she shouldn't. After all, this zombie could have been one of her people that somehow turned. She doesn't want to kill or indirectly kill any one of her people for no good reason.
"Are you sure that zombie ran this way?" Another person asked. That was one of her guards.
"Positive. They couldn't have gotten far. Look around."
"Can't believe a zombie somehow slipped by us.. Oh I do hope Princess Weiss didn't get eaten by that zombie." That was also one of her guards. So 2 of her guards and one other person, who she assumes must be a police officer, looking for a zombie around her castle grounds.
"Speaking of her, she is not around here is she? I thought she was training at this time of day?"
"I was… but I am pinned down by a zombie at the moment…" Weiss thought to herself.
Weiss and the zombie listened to them look around the grounds for a minute or two before ultimately hearing them give up and look elsewhere.
"The zombie probably retreated into the forest area. Let's go."
The 3 of them marched away into the forest not to far away from them. Once they were comfortably out of range did the zombie release their hold on Weiss. The white haired princess gasped and slowly got up from the ground and got out from the bushes. She turned to face her intruder and saw a purple haired woman in a white lab coat staring at her with those… colorless eyes of hers. She was… very very pale… The cons of being a zombie, she guesses.
"Um… so…" This was really awkward for her. Just what exactly should she say to a zombie? Can the zombie even talk? From what she learned about zombies, more than she ever cared to learn thanks to movies and video games being so saturated with them, is that they mostly groan and moan.
"..." The zombie reached out for her with her right arm for a moment, but then placed it back to her side. Weiss then saw the zombie turn around and walk away from her slowly. Very confused, but not wanting to let the zombie run off to where she may get killed, she grabbed her by the shoulder.
"Wait!" The zombie stopped, but didn't turn to look at her. Weiss quickly racked her brain as to what to do with this zombie. She could just take her in and maybe call in some scientists to possibly figure out a way to make her human again… but would the zombie want that? It'd be so much easier if this zombie could just talk. She is not sure why she cared so much… but perhaps it is because she is… sad that one of her people turned.
"Hey um… I am not sure how you turned… but you going out there is clearly suicide for you so…" Weiss sighed, not sure if this is a good idea given how much work she had already but… "I'll… look after you… just until I can figure out how you turned and how I can… turn you back."
The zombie turned to look at her and Weiss sees what seems to be… surprise on the zombie's face? It was kind of hard to tell. The white haired princess gave her a small smile and grabbed the zombie's hand. It was cold, but not unexpected. "Come on, I'll bring you to my workshed and… we'll go from there."
"T… Th…" The zombie started to say but was having troubles speaking. Weiss just nodded. Knowing exactly what the zombie was trying to say. Baby steps. Maybe someday she can figure out this woman's name, so she can stop calling her, 'zombie'. Or maybe she can just call her something in the meantime.
"Um, I hate to refer to you as zombie so… how about I call you… Zuzu?" Weiss knew it was kind of cliche of her to name a zombie something that started with a Z, but it was better than just calling her what she is.
"Grrgh…" The now named Zuzu groaned indifferently.
"Good… Good. Let's go Zuzu!" Weiss then began to lead the zombie over to her workshed. She really hoped that taking care of a zombie wasn't going to be too much more work for her. Lord knows she has enough work as it is.
5 hrs later...
Fille's POV
CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! One second I am in the secret room of that Clock Tower and now I am falling out of the sky to my death. How on Earth did I get up here anyways? Nevermind that, I see the ground getting closer and closer and if I don't do something fast, lights out for me forever.
It is a good thing I have some custom-made gadgets that help me get out of sticky situations. I reached into my jacket and pulled out a pen and clicked it. A green blob popped out and put me inside it. This is essentially my version of Flubber, but its only purpose is to help me make a proper landing if I happen to fall out of the sky. A little gross to be inside it, sure, but better than dying.
Upon nearing the ground, the blob extended out a hand and once it hit the ground, it bounced up high up into the air and then back down again, again, and again until it didn't anymore. I felt dizzy afterwards, but at least I am not dead. The blob disappeared and I landed on the ground with a thump. I let out a sigh of relief and grabbed the pen off the ground, now that the deed is done. I placed it back in my jacket before taking a good look at my surroundings.
… I definitely wasn't in Snowtramine. This whole area is in ruins. Buildings as far as my eyes can see have either collapsed or have big holes in them. There doesn't appear to be any greenery anywhere and a lot of holes in the ground that almost look like they go into the center of the earth.
"What in the…? What is this place? It is like I have arrived in a post-apocalyptic area!" I just couldn't believe my eyes. As far as my knowledge goes, I don't think there is a single area on Earth that has a wasteland as… devastating as this. Have… Have I arrived in another world somehow?
"I...Interesting…" I pulled out my notebook and an actual writing pen to begin jotting down notes of my current situation. As much as I want to freak out about it, it is best for detectives like me to keep a level head and think about things carefully. I wonder though, if the apocalypse have already happened in this world, are humans even still around? Might as well explore and find out. I'll figure out a way to get to where I was later… if that is even possible, but for now, I need more info.
…
…
…
10 minutes or so later, I found myself standing in front of what looks like the ruins of what used to be a church. Curious, I tried looking for an entryway. Maybe I can find some clues in here. I quickly found the entrance… to which I found that there is a ruined factory nearby… at least I think it is. I carefully walked inside as to not alert anything that could possibly be in here. Heading a little further in, I hear sounds of… eating? I turned a corner and took a peek to where I heard the sound.
I froze. There was a yellow… gorilla like thing eating something in the corner. What it was, I do not know. Regardless, this thing was huge, and I am pretty sure it ain't friendly. Getting into a fight is not something I want to do unless it is absolutely necessary. Besides, I don't think I can stand a chance against such a creature of that caliber.
I inched closer to get a closer look at its eyes since I needed to clarify something. There doesn't appear to be any red swirly eyes, so that rules out the fact that it is a Nightmare.
Grrr….
HUH?! I turned around quickly and see what looked to be a Iron Maiden monster staring at me. How did it sneak up on me? I quickly dodged out of the way when I noticed it was about to attack with me with a beam of some kind from its head. However, that garnered the attention of the gorilla monster. It was now beating its chest angrily, ready to attack me. Shit. Looks like I have no choice.
"Nocturne Gauntlets!" I called out, summoning my trusty black gauntlets onto my hands. I am not one to use guns, if I have to fight, I have to resort to my fists and my speed. I see the gorilla roll into a ball and charged my way. I quickly jumped up into the air so it slammed into the wall. While it tried to regain its bearings I went in did a speedy lightning punch to its backside.
… Huh? It… didn't do anything? I did not seem to inflict any damage on this beast. It turned to me, growling at my attempts to do it harm. I hear a blast of something coming my way and quickly cartwheeled out of harm's way, noting it was the Iron Maiden trying to fire pot shots at me. I focused on my magical storm magic and conjured up a bolt of lightning in my hand. Fine, if my punches won't work, then maybe this! I threw the lightning bolt with all my might at it. The results… were rather lukewarm. The Iron Maiden thing just continued to stare at me even though it was electrocuted as if it didn't even tickle it.
"What are these things?" I can't help but yell out, flabbergasted at how they just take my attacks in stride.
"STUN GRENADE!"
Huh? That was a girl's voice I just heard. I saw the aforementioned item fly into the area and hit the ground where I was. I covered my eyes, waging a guess that it was like a flash bomb of some kind. I hear a small explosion noise and then the noise of the monsters being agitated by it. I quickly opened my eyes and see a cute pink haired girl with blue eyes staring at me. My eyes trailed lower to the big massive… cannon shaped weapon she was holding in her hands. Then my eyes trailed to her… strange red armlet on her right wrist. Next I looked at her outfit, it seemed to be a black sleeveless shirt underneath a green dress with 2 pockets, a black glove on her left hand with 2 wristbands, black leggings, and white boots with belts.
"C-Come on, let's go before they recover!" The mystery girl quickly grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the ruined church. I didn't dare look back at the mystery monsters and simply let this girl drag me to… wherever she is taking me. So there are still humans left on this world, good to know.
"My thanks, miss."
"You don't have to call me miss. My name is Kanon. Kanon Daiba! God Eater of the Defense Squad!" She introduced herself with a cute smile. I took what she said into account. God Eater? Strange title. Well, I can think about that later. I am just grateful she saved me.
"My name is Fille Beau," I introduced myself and chose not to mention that I am a detective. "Pleased to meet you, Kanon."
"Likewise."