Chapter 7 - Seated with Liquor

In a long massive hallway that leads to the location of Solium Machina, where Apostle Luke is taking refuge. The tension grows stronger as the two opposing individuals stare at each other. Kalbarri and Amaretto fiercely exchange sharp glances; not moving an inch. Golgotha who is standing behind Kalbarri steps in.

"Intruders, why did you come here? Do you wish to eliminate our father, Luke?" He asked.

Behind Amaretto, the Eternal steps forward as well to answer his question.

"Will you believe if I tell you that we just want to talk to him? The other group who isn't here wants to do the same thing."

"... Is that true?"

"Yes. If we really want to kill the Apostle, we would be causing rampage right from the start going here."

"Fair enough."

Hmm? A sound of beeping noise comes from the right gauntlet of Golgotha. He opens his palm and a holographic screen appears above. In that screen, a hologram of a masked man manifest.

"This is Moonlight Walker Yashin from Altar of Darkness. Buffon is destroyed, Anubis and Snader has fallen. Veara is currently fighting a group of adventurers as we speak. I'll provide him assistance after delivering this report."

"Understood. We got our hands full here too. Report to me later after you've taken care those adventurers." Yashin nodded and the holographic communication ends.

Kalbarri has taken notice of him talking to the holographic transmission."So, what did Yashin said?"

"The adventurers already breached the inner sanctum of Altar of Darkness. Only Veara and Yashin left to defend the place."

"In that case we should finish off these guys quickly and help them – Wait a second! Why are you listening to these ruffians? It's obvious that they are deceiving us. No matter what, we can't allow them to pass through. Father told us so."

"A morbid curiosity perhaps? I have no plans of letting them get away either way."

We can't resolve this peacefully can't we?

"Arabesque be on your guard, I can sense his bloodlust. It's prickling my skin."

He swallowed his spit and sharpens his senses.

"Enough of this inane chatter. Let me crush you already!"

The one who drew the first strike is the ill-tempered woman who dashes forward to Amaretto and Arabesque. Unlike before, this time, they can see clearly their aggressor, they avoided her attack with less problem. However, Golgotha is nowhere in sight, this caught the attention of Arabesque as he leaps in midair.

Where did that guy go?

"Being distracted by your thoughts during battle is not a good idea." Arabesque heard a voice, but before he can turn around, a powerful force struck his back, Arabesque was sent flying. Then he rolled down towards the end of the corridor walls. It was Golgotha who instantly creep behind and caught him unsuspected.

Shit. That stings. Arabesque gnashes in agony after receiving the surprise attack. He stood with staggering feet, staring at the slowly approaching Golgotha. He wipes the trails of blood in the corner of his lips

"I haven't started yet and you look horrible already." Golgotha said with a neutral face.

"I admit that I was careless. Don't worry, I won't let that happen again." Ice starts to envelop his left hand forming a shape of a bow. He readied himself.

Meanwhile, Amaretto casts Mana Shield to bolster her overall defense. She knew that their enemies are not to be trifle with. She runs around firing Void and Lantern Firebomb simultaneously at Kalbarri who is closing the distance between the Overmind. Kalbarri blocks the coming projectile from Amaretto using her oversize metallic gauntlets. Right after that, she jumps to prepare another attack. Her gauntlets slugged the floor creating a shockwave around her. Amaretto, who evaded it, trembles from the shaking ground. It disoriented her movements because of the shockwave. Overwhelmed, she fails to see Kalbarri who is already inch close to her.

I won't let you! "Ice Walls!" Pillars of ice erupted only to block her gauntlet's fist. The wall of ice was sturdy to save Amaretto from being pounded. She took this chance to counterattack, Amaretto uses Kalbarri's large gauntlet that is stuck in the Ice Wall as a platform and kicks her in the face. Kalbarri was pushed backward due to the Overmind's attack.

"You are a quite a show aren't you, little girl?" She spat a blood.

"The same goes to you fat hands."

Arabesque releases a volley of frozen arrows in fast succession aimed at Golgotha. All those arrows were merely deflected by his gauntlets. He uses his right gauntlet to protect himself, it's huge enough to repel the relentless assaults of the Eternal, his left seems to be radiating a black pulse of light. Unknown to Arabesque, Golgotha is preparing another type of attack up his sleeve. Prodigious spiraling black wave released from his left gauntlet that rapidly flashes before Arabesque. Thanks to the surmountable distance, it's gives him an ample time to dodge. Although he avoided it, the force of the attack was too strong that it grazes him a bit.

He landed and gain footing near where Amaretto stands.

"How is it in your end?" Arabesque asked.

"Manageable but that fatty hand irks me."

Golgotha glided to the side of Kalbarri who is smirking.

"You seem to be having fun."

"Maybe because it's been ages that I was entertained like this. Using father's disposable robots as a punching bag doesn't amuse me and Argos doesn't last ten minutes when I spar with him."

What a battle junkie. He paused and set his gaze at their enemies. "I think it's time for us to stop measuring each other's capabilities. I know you people are holding back." Then he lift his massive gauntlet hands and point at them. "Starting from now, we won't spare you quarters. I'll do everything to annihilate you."

That apprise made Arabesque and Amaretto became more wary. Exhalation expressing tiredness came from the Overmind.

"So it comes to this, huh?" Her Wizard Staff materializes in thin air and grabs it. She begins to chant an incomprehensible hymn, then. "In thou harmony shalt know chaos. Come! Transcendence Rune!"

Above her, four symbolic runes emerge and slowly float down. Each rune represents each existing elements: Fire, Water, Light, and Shadow. The elemental runes prance and swirl around her. Arabesque figured out that the Overmind isn't messing around anymore.

"I should stop slacking too." In his take, an azure glittering light surrounds his body and encases the Eternal. "Resonance!" He buffed himself to increase the potency of his ice spells and vitality. In addition, the ice that is forming in his right hand turned into a long sleek icy blade that can cut into someone's flesh in ease.

"I see that you people are taking this to the climax." Golgotha witnesses the sudden changes of the two.

Kalbarri is pleased seeing them being more inclined to the situation."Before we pulverize you. Allow me to educate you mongrels first about us."

"Nobody ask for that."

Ignoring Amaretto, she continued.

"Every 1000 years in Heblon, an expected heir who will rule over should appear during those times. To be an accepted heir, one must possess the characteristics of having three eyes, and four arms. Obviously, our father, Apostle Luke is depicted exactly like that."

Why am I listening to this...?

"Now, in the event of finding a successor next to him, we are created for that sole purpose. You wonder why our appearance doesn't fit to that category?" She uses the right thumb of her huge gauntlet to lift her eye patch. It reveals a hollow eye socket "We just need to improvise a bit; I voluntarily blinded my right eye for that reason. As for the arms stuff, if you add Golgy's arm and mine which is emphasized by these gauntlets, you will get four in total. Moreover, a heir of Heblon is prominent in controlling the power of light and darkness. You can take a good guess by just looking at us and discern who uses light and dark."

Golgotha's brows furrowed. "Please refrain from calling me that."

"You are nuts, I tell you." Arabesque commented from the absurdity of her conviction.

"Say what you want but we will do everything for the sake of our father and Heblon. And with that, class is over. It's time for you to go home crawling."

"Kalbarri, we will set our gauntlets into maximum output. Once it reaches one hundred percent, the gauge will blink red, I will position myself in the opposite side and we will use that move."

She nods in agreement, their gauntlets shines brightly, well, not much for Golgotha because instead of golden light, it glows in an aberrant ominous black color.

"We must hurry up and head to Luke before something bad happens to him." Amaretto tightly grips her Wizard Staff.

"I know. Setting that aside here they come!"

The movements of the twins drastically became faster than earlier. Arabesque sprinted to confront Golgotha, their eyes met, collide and exchange blows. Golgotha parries every time Arabesque attempts to strike him down with his ice blade. The Eternal evades the barrage of punches of Golgotha, the two is keeping up their paces. The sound of clashing weapons resounds in the entrance hall of Solium Machina that turned into a battlefield moments ago.

A violent sound of explosion thunders not far from them. That was the doing of the Overmind, indiscriminately casting her Halloween Buster at Kalbarri. In accordance, she also cast the Void repeatedly. It's possible now because of the runes that she summoned; it reduces the recasting time of the spells she used.

With the enhance movements and strength, she punches away the flaming fireballs falling from above and dodge the darting balls of darkness at the same time. However, those augmentation taxes her body to some point.

"This is not enough! I need more!" Her gauntlet shines erratically. In that seconds she left the spot where she defends herself from the spells of Amaretto and reached her range. Once again they close distance. Amaretto blocks her punch with Wizard Staff, and swings it to drive her away.

"You are annoying! I won't allow you to get near me agai–" To her surprise, Amaretto felt that something is pulling down her feet. When she looks down to see the cause, she saw a pool of black shadowy floor. It renders her to move or run. Kalbarri smirks again.

"Nice assist Golgy. He finally uses his Dark Swamp." Kalbarri is not kind to let that opportunity to slip away. Using the advantage provided by her brother, she charges and punches the confused Overmind in full force. Amaretto inadvertently tried to guard it with her slender arms but that alone isn't enough despite reinforcing her body with Mana Shield. Her carelessness prevailed. Amaretto flung to the middle of the hallway, presuming her lungs and some part inside had been injured by the impact. Arabesque also fell victim to the expanding circular field of darkness created by Golgotha. Unable to help his companion, he yelled her name in anguish.

"It's futile. Resign yourself." Golgotha said coldly.

"I refuse!" Their situation worsens but his tenacity didn't wane. The floor that is dominated by squirming darkness freezes. Arabesque concentrates the cold energy from the Abyss. Golgotha saw the approaching icicles and flees from Arabesque's range. He used Over Freeze: Extension, this will immobilize Golgotha if he got caught within its radius. In addition, the Eternal cast Ice Chain and Shard Magnum consecutively. Rolling blade of ice slices and tear the darkness that binded him. Then after that, Arabesque rushes to Amaretto's side to check her status.

The Overmind writhes in intense pain, drop of blood fell from her mouth. Shaking and beaten, Amaretto muster her available strength and uses her Wizard Staff as a support to stand up.

"Are you alright?" Arabesque placed his palm on top of Amaretto's shoulder, only to have it swatted away immediately.

"Of course I am not. I'll make them pay for this." She gritted her teeth and closes her eyes. The Transcendence Rune reappears again and swirls around furiously. They incurred the wrath of the Overmind who decided to unleash one of her devastating spells.

"GATE –" The Wizard Staff's violet orb glows in response to her words. She opens her bloodshot eyes and glares at the twins.

Numerous gigantic pentacles appeared above Golgotha and Kalbarri. As they looked up at it, An invisible pen continued to scatter myriad colors of light about, drawing a complicated seal in the air.

"OPEN!"

The completed pentacles open a portal to somewhere. Wondering of what the portal is about, Kalbarri's eye widen as she saw the raining beams poured down to them. Golgotha jolts away while defending himself against the bombardment. It seems that the pentacle will follow its target no matter what they try to do or how far they can run. More and more pentacles manifest and turn into a portal that shoots elemental beams. The increasing bombardment vitiates Kalbarri's left gauntlet and causes it to malfunction. There are now visible cracks and chipped parts.

"My left is becoming unresponsive, that damn kid." Kalbarri is notified by the blinking red light of the gauge in her right arm, it signals that the charging is full and Golgotha positioned at the other side of the hallway. This prompts her to prepare the move his brother mentioned.

Ten seconds later.

Her magic bombardment abated. The aftermath made a significant damage to the area, burst pipes, craters in the ground, broken glass, charred walls and so on. Arabesque and Amaretto who is still in the middle notice their enemies who positioned themselves at both end.

"I don't know what they are trying to do but I'm sure they are planning something."

Amaretto followed his gaze. "Is that so, I'll face them head on then."

"Unbelievable, your body is in tatters and yet you still have that vigor."

"Is there a problem with that?"

Arabesque laughs at her stubbornness.

"It's okay. I have a plan too. What are we are going to do is simple..." Arabesque reconstructed his ice blade into a form of bow again. He gave Amaretto the instructions and details of his impromptu plan.

On the other hand, Golgotha and Kalbarri perfectly positioned to the opposite ends of the hallway; they finished charging up their aura and were about to initiate their 'special move'. Heaven and Hell, that name was made up none other than by his sister, Kalbarri. By just remembering its name makes Golgotha's facial muscle twitches in cringe. He shrugs off the thought of the bad naming sense and proceeds on doing it.

In unison, they dashed in full speed propelled by the aura exiting from their gauntlets. Crushing Amaretto and Arabesque is their first and last objective.

Why aren't they moving or running away? Did they give up? Those thoughts came first when Kalbarri see them not moving as if they were petrified, like they already conceded and willing to accept their defeat.

In the next instant, their fists rammed into something. The impact produced a steam with an explosive noise. They are convinced that their attack hit their enemies, or to say that it mincemeat and smashed their skulls. However it's not something or relatively closer to that. What happened is different to their expected scenario. A wall of ice towering appears to be the receiver of their special attack. But this time, it's more bulky and taller.

Before the ice wall retracts down, a figure of a person steps atop and leapt in the air. After it retracted, it reveals that nobody was inside and the caster who is supposed to be there is gone. Golgotha felt off and tells Kalbarri to be cautious.

"Judecca – the Eternal!"Arabesque shouted these words in midair as he falls upside down. His frozen bow transforms into a larger version, it has now strange but majestic intricate designs, as if it grows into a glacial wings. Then he fires a single frosted arrow at his enemy below. Anyhow, even with his unforeseen and precipitous attack. The arrow misses its target and plunges straight down in the floor. Kalbarri chuckles at his blunder.

"What kind of petty joke is this?" Golgotha derides his questionable aiming.

"What was that? Are you trying to be a jester? You can replace Gold Clown as a comic relief if you want."

She continued mocking Arabesque for his mistake, however, that's not the case for him. He soared down and landed. Strangely, he is smiling instead of showing indignation. Standing next to him is Amaretto crossing her arms as she watches the twins insult Arabesque. It looks like she used Phase Shift to escape.

"You ruffians are nothing but a bunch of bleating idiots–" Still in her haughty facade, she didn't stop her mockery until her feet became stiff and cold. Golgotha who disregarded the arrow earlier, now sets his eyes in the transforming lump of ice. He wanted to get away but that's not possible anymore, his feet befall the same fate like his sister.

The arrow that pierced the floor transmogrifies into a crystal of ice. Vehemently grows larger in every seconds; it morphs into an elegant flower bud that is about to bloom. The icy crystalline flower rapidly stretches and reaches the twins; half of their bodies are perforated and frozen. Kalbarri panics and smash the icy shackles encroaching her body, but to no avail, it consumes her right gauntlet preventing her to resist further. Golgotha, an individual that possess a calm demeanor, slowly devolves into something antithetical. He screams and thrashes around. The more he struggles the more apparent the ice spreads. In every attempt to break it, the carved part will regrow into thicker mass of ice.

"Brother – save... me..." Tears gush down from her lightless eye. It was her last words, a cry for help. Judecca freezes Kalbarri's entirety. Her brother is too occupied to care for her or mayhap his survival instincts narrowed his vision and prioritized himself.

His entire body up to his chest now almost covered. Golgotha shrieks.

"NO! I won't accept this! Release me...! Release me! – Agh!"

His incessant movements only accelerated the blooming ever-frozen flower which already took hold of his neck. It keeps climbing up unimpeded.

"Aghh! I can't die here! Father! FA–"

A soft clink signaled his end. Judecca stops expanding and bloomed.

At last, the frosty menace devoured him whole. His gaping mouth and terrified eyes were suspended in despair and powerlessness. The flower of ice or to be precise, the icy prison that caged their enemies was the final outcome.

Serves you right. Amaretto who's observing the unfolding scene of their demise, turns around and face the direction of the gigantic door.

"It's time to leave, we are done here." There's no time for a respite, she quickly runs to the door of Solium Machina not minding exhaustion or her injuries.

"... Right."

Arabesque glanced at their enemies resting in Judecca's cradle one more time before he left the place.


Mutilated, broken, and unmoving robot soldiers scattered everywhere upon entering the vicinity. These are the remnants of the battle that transpired a while ago. The traces lead to the overarching passage at the furthermost part of the enormous chamber. They trudge the corpse ridden path, as they get nearer to the passage, Amaretto spotted two people standing in front. A woman clad in black, bores unconventional clothing and a young blonde girl wearing aviator-like attire, her notable feature is the big goggles in her head.

"Crying Eyes Apostle Hilder." Amaretto muttered.

Apostle Hilder, also known as The One Who Hides A Brightly Shining Dew On Her Two Faces. She is the Apostle who is determined to put down her fellow Apostles, using adventurers and the people who she deems competent for the job. After the downfall of Apostle Anton, she set her sight at Apostle Luke. Amaretto knows one thing for sure, her appearance in this place signifies that her unscrupulous plans are in motion.

"Oh my, Amaretto and Arabesque are here too. Such coincidence isn't?"

"Enough with your paltry babble, Hilder."

She replied with great animosity to the Apostle. Hilder didn't mind her abrasive attitude and smiled in return. She shifted her glance at the Eternal.

"Remarkable. You've grown splendidly; you even mastered the Abyss I bestowed to you."

"Indeed, I am. I'll do whatever I want with it."

Arabesque ignores her and walks toward to the young girl tinkering her handheld gadget.

"Hey kid, do you know where the group of adventurers went?"

"Don't call me a kid! I have a name! I am Becky, the cutest and strongest homunculus of Luke!" Becky pouted; she looks back at Arabesque.

Short fuse, aren't we? He scratches the back of his head.

"Okay, Becky. Where did they go?"

"They told me to stay here with lady Apostle. Those people went inside to meet Luke."

"I see. Thank you." He's about to pet Becky's head but dismiss the notion because she's giving off a look telling not to touch her.

Amaretto restrains herself from doing something unnecessary, she took a deep breath and let go.

"Hilder, I want to punch you so bad right now but I'll save it for later, let's move Arabesque."

Arabesque and Amaretto took out the light beads given by Kate. It will allow them to pass the barrier protecting the path. They enter the long passage leading to the heart of Solium Machina, leaving the female Apostle and Becky behind. Hilder watches as they run, only to finally vanish into the distance. When it became that Hilder couldn't see them anymore…

The sides of Hilder's mouth turned up in triumph.

At the same time in the Control Room of Solium Machina.

Various computer panel and monitors installed everywhere; there's a huge monument generator-like object in the middle. The cord or tube that was flowing of light converges in that generator. There are nine people inside; the permeating tension exacerbated. To Luke's point of view, he is outnumbered and cornered; he stands at the high platform in front of the generator.

He removes the drop of sweat in his forehead and gaze down.

"Grit your teeth all you want. I already defied my destiny."

"Believe it or not Luke, these adventurers just want to talk." Kasijas said.

Kasijas the Conqueror – The One Who Covers Steel With Blood. His whimsical personality made him accompany Kraun and his party to overseer their dialogue.

"Your lies will amount to nothing, Kasijas. A Sword Fiend like you only knows to destroy."

"That's right, if I want, I'll cut you down right now but that's not the case today. You only have to listen to these youngsters."

Luke scowled in disbelief.

"Apostle Kasijas is correct. We don't intend to extend this conflict. Please hear us out, we want to settle this peacefully." A young man threw away his weapon and face Apostle Luke, there's an immense conviction and honesty in his words.

"Leader Kraun, that's dangerous." A female member of his party voiced her concern.

"This is fine Cadena, we have to show him our sincerity."

Cadena sighed and disarms herself. The Empyrean woman puts down her revolver, magazines and concealed weapons. The remaining five people in his party followed suit.

"... What's the meaning of this!? This is not what I foresee! Is the prophecy wrong all along?"

Bewilderment and restlessness assailed his mind. He never knew that the adventurers who caused a fuss in his laboratory will be this genuine to their purpose.

"If you aren't my murderers, then who!?"

In that instant,

"Decrepit Apostle, you are truly an altruistic fool."

A baleful sneer reached Luke's ears.

"–Gah!"

Chunk of blood spills out from his mouth. A sword thrust out from behind; impaled the Apostle's stomach. The assailant twists the sword further.

"... You deceived me Kasijas..." Luke's voice was withering away, just like a wave of the sea retreating back from the land. Eventually his vitality disappeared.

Kraun, Kasijas and the rest were taken back by the unexpected development of events.

"Luke!" Kraun screams his name.

Near the archway, Amaretto and Arabesque arrives, unfortunately, they were too late. They saw Luke swimming in his own blood in the floor.

Amaretto fell down to the ground like a crumbling sandcastle.

"Vaughn... he really did it, that brooding bastard! I knew that he's up to something when I saw him appeared in Banquet of Light. If only I followed my suspicions, this... this will not happen." She hammers the floor out of frustration using her small fist. "Hilder, what a sardonic way to set things up. You blasted wench!"

"..." Without giving out any response, Arabesque silently observes.

Vaughn Walshuted is known as one of the four legendary Grand Masters, and is known as the world's greatest Short Sword Master. He has a record of fighting Apostles before. A hero of Arad and someone holds a position in De Los Empire.

"This is why I loathe amateurs. You can't even do a simple job. A waste of space and talent."

"Grand Master Vaughn! What have you've done!?"

"Isn't it obvious? I just did what you guys are supposed to do. You kids have a long way to go. The world you envisioned will not come as long there's an Apostle like this old coot exist." He then kicks the lifeless body of the Apostle and falls down.

Vaughn abruptly leaves after he berated Kraun and the Company of Heroes. Everyone in that room are lost for words, everything they worked so hard went all to naught.

In the end, his prophecy was fulfilled by Vaughn Walshuted. The result brought discord and grief to the citizens of Metro Center. Apostle Luke perished; the news about his death spreads like a wild fire. His death created more chaos than peace. That news angered the splintered faction of Grim Seekers and commenced their motives in action. As for Kraun and his party, they went back to Arad after failing their mission to establish mutual understanding with Luke. The incident devastated them especially their leader. Kraun can't believe how naive he can be, he looked up to Vaughn only to find out the Grand Master's true colors.

One week has passed after the incidents in Castle of the Dead.

Amaretto is sitting alone in a bar located in 12th St. NW of Metro Center. Compared to Bram's Tavern, the bar is neat and sophisticated; its classy interior exudes a calm atmosphere. Despite her looks, she's old enough to drink according to her understanding. Arabesque is not with her, most likely he went somewhere.

A heavy looking wooden door slowly opened, another customer entered the bar. A Pandemonian girl who worn a sky blue ponytail with uneven long wavy locks. She approaches Amaretto and sit next to her.

"Thank the heavens that you are still here."

"... Erica?"

Her ghost pale face hinted that something terrible happened. Amaretto could take a good guess that whatever news she has, it's not pleasant or at least desirable.

"What's wrong Eri?"

"Azalea... Azalea is..." She fails to explain herself properly, the overwhelming sadness surfaced and cries uncontrollably. Amaretto tried to calm her down by patting her back gently. After a few minutes of consoling her troubled emotions, she regain composure and talk.

"The Soryuns and members from the Tower of Despair tried to kill Azalea. She's gravely injured, the adventurers saved her in the nick of time. Roy placed her inside of a recovery vat. And until now, she's still unconscious."

Azalea... This is my fault. I didn't take the issue festering the Grim Seekers seriously. The Overmind grimaced at the horrible news it entails. Amaretto wiggles the ice in her glass and drinks.

"Just right after Luke's death, this happened – good grief..."

There's a point when things become so stressful that she stops caring at all. The series of turbulent episodes put a toll to her psyche that is why, she's leisurely taking a break.

Erica stares at the table in downcast eyes.

"Hey cheer up, why don't you join me for tonight? It's on my tab." Turning around, she yelled at the counter. "Master, one Lillet Blanc for my friend, please."

They spend a quality time together talking multitudes of topic, wasting themselves drinking through the night.


Somewhere in Metro Center, in an old ruined building. A meeting of two dubious individuals is being held.

"Splendidly eliminated Luke like nothing. As expected from a hero of Arad."

"That niceties charade of yours will not work on me, you lunatic sorceress."

Vaughn sternly responded to Hilder's usual sweet talking.

"Ooh, scary." She giggled and continues her playful manner. Her cajolery isn't budging the Grand Master. "The ring that I gave to you, did it absorb Luke's essence?"

He showed his hand, the ring in his finger faintly glows in crimson.

"Pretty much. Well, what I am about to do doesn't concern you from now on. All of my actions are for her... My wife, Emily. She's waiting for me." Before Vaughn walks away, he halted and half turn his head. "A friendly advice, don't get in my way; I won't hesitate to slice you open." He left as he stares at the ring.

"Not only a skillful knight but a faithful husband. I'm jealous."

Short after, in that same room, a group of men all with the same hooded cloak emerges from the shadows.

"All the preparations are complete. We wait for your command, lady Hilder."

"Kind of advance to the schedule. Nevertheless that shall do it. Come, we will execute the next stage."

The hooded figures and Apostle Hilder melds and vanish in the darkness without a trace.


"There you are, I thought you returned to Central Park."

Arabesque found Amaretto spacing out in the rooftop of a dilapidated skyscraper. The Overmind is sitting near the edge, enjoying the chilly night breeze. She regressed into melancholy.

"Oh, it's you."

"Say Amaretto, I bet you don't really care about finding the 'answer' you told me before, do you? That's the feeling I'm getting."

He finds himself a seat in a nearby rusted metal water pipe.

"It feels like you have some different goal. And probably, that's something I shouldn't pry into."

She vacantly smiles at the evening horizon.

"I don't know. Perhaps I am just deceiving myself or I don't really need a reason at all. To everything that occurred, that's the conclusion I've got."

"Eh? So, what will you do after this?" Arabesque silently looked at Amaretto, before letting out a sigh.

"I don't have any actual plans, all I know is, someone needs to watch over Hilder's actions otherwise she's going to cause more trouble. Well, that's not my problem anymore. I'm so sick of it."

It is true that she isn't obligated in everything that's about to happen from this point. However she can't still accept the fact that they got outwitted by the deceitful lady Apostle.

"Perhaps I'll just take it easy in Central Park and spend my days lazing around, not giving a single care for the world."

"Man... that's messed up." Arabesque stands up and stretches his stiffed arms. He jumps off the ledge near the rooftop door. "In any case, it seems that we must part ways. It's regrettable to say this but I must go alone."

"I see, where are you heading to?"

"To Union Square. Remember that I have a personal business here in Pandemonium? I'll meet someone there."

Amaretto stood up and yawns. "That's Apostle Cain's turf isn't? Don't do anything that will add you to the missing people in the news."

For the last time, he laughs at her jokingly response. "Farewell friend, let's meet again someday."

Soon, she is left in solitude once more. The myriad stars in the boundless darkened sky of Pandemonium twinkles in its earnest. Turning her eyes below, Amaretto could see the overlooking scenic view of the city.