Chapter 25

Seven years had passed since that fateful day. Herminia now dressed in an orange sweater, brown pants, her top hat, and green shoes grumbled as she listened to her now ten year-old son Alfendi complain how he didn't like being left at his grandparents constantly. Ever since the brown-headed woman now the age of thirty-four got her job as a professor of archeology she had dedicated much of her time to grading papers, writing lectures, and solving puzzles her students gave to her as presents. The professor loved all of the bright students she had the honor of teaching; she was especially fond of two former students of hers. One of them was Janice who was a bright young woman that went on to become a opera singer, the other was Carmine Accidenti who ended up becoming a detective.

Herminia was snapped back into reality when she heard Alfendi let out a frustrated yell on the other end of the line only to be scolded by his grandfather Roland about how he shouldn't take that kind of tone with his mother.

"Look, Alfendi, I promise to make it up to you. Remember I have to support us both with your father gone, meaning I have to work a lot more. Please, Alfendi, can't you behave for your grandparents?" she replied with a frown.

There was a moment of silence until finally she heard her son sigh and reply "I understand, mum. Sorry for being so hasty but it just seems like you never see me anymore. There's even times where you sleep at your office."

The professor bit her lip as her hand tightened around the phone a bit. She did have to admit herself that she may have gotten a bit too dedicated with her job. She knew Alfendi had been close to her ever since she woke up from her month long coma but she also felt they were distant as well due to the fact she had received calls from Alfendi's school teachers complaining about his tendency to ask too many questions concerning criminals. All she knew was that he had never been the same ever since those thugs attacked her. The brown-headed woman shared a few more words with her son before hanging up the phone with a sigh.

"Having mother troubles again?" a short woman with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a yellow blouse, a blue dress, a white bandana, and brown shoes asked as she picked up some scattered books on the floor.

"Yeah pretty much, Rosa." Herminia replied as she rubbed the back of her neck, "I don't mean to neglect Alfendi so much."

Rosa was Herminia's maid who she hired to help keep her office tidy since she herself wasn't much of a tidy person. After a busy day of work her office would always have scattered books on the floors, documents, and even sometimes puzzles she managed to lose in the mess.
The maid shook her head as she placed the books and the bookshelf; she believed the answer to the professor's dilemma was to simple not to work so much. She knew very well her employer was dedicated much more than needed to her job.

"Oh that reminds me, this came in the mail for you, professor." Rosa stated as she pulled out a envelope out of her pocket.

Herminia nodded her head in gratefulness before taking the letter. Her brown eyes widened in surprise when she saw the return address was from Misthallery, the town Clark and his family moved to nine years ago. With her curiosity peaked she opened up the envelope to see the letter inside was indeed from her old friend. It was a message asking for her help because the town was being terrorized by a mysterious specter. She frowned as she closed her eyes in thought at this new revelation. When she opened her eyes once again she was surprised when she actually noticed the letter held a puzzle that spelled out the message "Help us."

"It's been so long since I've seen or spoken to Clark. But his letter sounded urgent. I need to find out what's going on there." Herminia thought to herself.

With her mind set the professor pulled on her brown trench coat and buttoned it up around her stomach as she told Rosa to call her parents to watch Alfendi for a few days. She felt a little guilty about leaving her son behind but the last thing she wasnted to do was to unintentionally drag him into danger. Without another word she stuffed the letter in her pocket and dashed out of the office. The brown-headed woman greeted a few people as she made her way to her car. But as she got in her car, she had no idea she was being watched by a man on a scooter wearing a white helmet, a yellow trench coat, a pink tie, white pants, and black boots.

The man quickly started up his scooter and quickly sped after the red car speeding away from the university. He swerved past many cars as he revved his scooter's engine, doing all he could to catch up to the Herminia's car. Fortunately because of his tactics he was able to pull up next to the red car. He glanced in the window just in time to see the professor glance at him and give him a stunned look. A small smirk formed on his face before without warning he sped his scooter in front of the car and swerved into its path.

Herminia clenched her teeth as she slammed on the breaks instantly. Much to her relief the car screeched to a stop, inches away from the man's scooter. At that moment her shock instantly turned into anger as she swung open her driver's door and got out of the car.

"And exactly what the blazes were you trying to accomplish there?" Herminia demanded with her brows lowered in anger.

The man removed his helmet, revealing his shaggy brown hair and brown eyes. He grinned as he held his helmet under one of his arms before turning toward and holding out his free hand to the professor.

"Sorry about that. The name's Emmett Altava, I'm your new assistant. I was assigned to you by Dean Delmona" he greeted.

Herminia blinked her eyes both in surprise and in confusion. She never recalled any news about getting an assistant and no one had ever approached her about the idea. Despite the fact she wanted to get the bottom of Emmett's claim, she chose to ignore it for the time being. Without uttering a single word she gestured with her hand for him to go with her before getting back in her car.
Emmett nodded before using all his strength to pick up his scooter and tie it down on top of the roof with some rope he always carried around whenever he wanted to park his scooter. Once that was all set he climbed into the passenger's seat.

"So where are we going to exactly? I could tell you were in a hurry based on how quickly you left the university." Emmett asked as he propped his elbow against the door.

The brown-headed man raised one of his brows when he saw a small smile form on the professor's face. He didn't know why but apart of him liked seeing that smile. His eyes widened when he realized what he thought before he quickly shook his head rapidly to banish the thoughts. Once he was done he saw Herminia was holding out a letter for him and told him it was the reason for her hasty exit. Emmett grasped the envelope in his hands as his brown eyes scanned over each of the words.

"Hey there's a secret message here! If you take the capital letter starting at each line it forms 'Help us.'" he exclaimed in surprise.

"Hmm, so you noticed as well." the professor commented with a grin, "That's good because if you are going to be my assistant you're going to have to notice these things. But onto the matter at hand, I've hadn't any contact with Clark ever since he joined the excavation team to find the Golden Garden. Now after years he has made contact with me again and he speaks of a mysterious specter."

Emmett closed his eyes as he folded his arms over his chest. The Golden Garden was a name he was too well familiar with, in fact it was part of his reason why he accompanying the brown-headed woman. He clenched his teeth tightly as he recalled his orders from Bronev to report on anything about the Azran Herminia ends up finding. He opened his eyes, glancing over at the determined woman who remain focus on her destination. A part of him felt guilty for lying and deceiving her, especially when the time came to reveal his true intentions. After all he knew how much Bronev wanted his daughter back.

The ride lasted a few hours until finally the small car pulled into the small village of Mistahallery. The two adults looked around in silence as they both got out of the car. Herminia reached her hand up and began rubbing her thumb along the brim of her hat. She didn't know why but apart of her was dreading to investigate the mysterious Misthallery due to the fact how closely it is connected to the Azran. She released a shaky sigh as she squeezed her eyes shut, recalling the two times she did something involved with the Azran the price she paid was with Randall's and Clarence's lives. Without a word she shook her head and opened her eyes to get rid of her nerves. Tragedy or not she knew Clark needed her help.

"Hey, you!" Emmett called out when he saw a man standing next to a tree, "Do you know where Clark Triton lives?"

"Oh you mean the mayor. Sure just head straight over the bridge and then take the path to the left. You should see his house start coming into view." the man replied.

Emmett nodded his head in gratefulness before turning back to face Herminia. Having gain their new knowledge the two headed deeper into town, following the directions they were given. The brown-headed assistant even got a bit nervous when he had to cross the bridge due to how worn down it looked from age and was quickly relieved when he and Herminia made it to the other side. After awhile of walking the two found themselves standing before a large two story house that belong to none other than Clark Triton.
Without a word Herminia knocked on the door, prompting for it to be opened up by the butler. The professor raised a brow in confusion when for a moment she saw the expression of shock and fear flash across the butler's before it quickly reverted to a neutral expression.

"Yes, how can I help you?" the butler asked.

"We're here to see, Clark Triton." Herminia explained.

The butler was confused until he saw Emmett walk out from behind the professor while he was taking some snapshots with his camera. Upon seeing the assistant he clenched his teeth and did his best to hold back a snarl; he was not at all pleased to see him. But not wanting to alert Herminia to any suspicion the butler quickly regained his composure.

"Of course, right this way. Master Clark, should be in his study attending to some very important documents." the butler said as he guided the two adults in.

Herminia and Emmett were lead past the stairs and into a small room where there they were greeted with Clark who had now grown a beard and now wore a blue suit sitting at a large desk.
His brown eyes glanced up when he heard his butler tell him he had visitors, prompting his mouth to drop open in shock.

"Herminia, I can't believe it!" he exclaimed as he ran over and hugged the brown-headed woman.

Herminia laughed as she returned the hug; she had truly missed the presence of her old friend.
After a few seconds Clark pulled out of the hug and noticed Emmett. He was curious why the brown-headed man was with his old friend; he knew it certainly wasn't a boyfriend despite Clarence's death due to the fact he could tell the brown-headed woman loved her deceased husband too much.

Wanting to get answers he asked "So who is this gentlemen accompanying you?"

Emmett did his best not to flinch when he heard the word "gentlemen." He didn't want to be addressed by that name because he believed that was the last thing he should be considered. The assistant used all his strength to not allow the frown from on his face as he remembered that very same word when he found Herminia six years ago and alerted Bronev to her location.

"Any lady would be glad to help out a fine gentlemen such as yourself."

Emmett was awakened from his thoughts when he heard Herminia explain "Oh this is Emmett Altava, he's my assistant. Now onto the matter at hand, Clark I received you letter about the specter terrorizing the town and I've come to help."

Upon hearing those words Clark's smile instantly transformed into a solemn frown as his face turned pale. He couldn't have Herminia investigating the specter, especially since he knew why the specter was terrorizing the town. He clenched his hands into fists as his brown eyes glanced over at his butler to see him coldly glaring at him. He knew he would have to explain himself quickly or otherwise he would have to face the consequences. That was when he recalled the professor claiming the she received a letter.

"Wait, I didn't send any letter." he said, curious as why she claimed she had one.

Herminia frowned in confusion before replying "But I have it right here."

Clark nearly stopped breathing when he saw the brown-headed woman pull a letter out of her pocket and hold it in front of him. He knew he certainly didn't write the letter but wondered who could have. That was when his brown eyes widened in realization; he now knew exactly who wrote the letter since it had to be the only person who knew about the specter and had knowledge of Herminia's existence.

"Luke." he muttered in fear.

"Pardon me, what did you just say?" Herminia asked, wanting to know who wrote the letter.

Clark took in a deep sigh, hoping nothing terrible would happen before explaining "It must had been Luke who sent the letter. You should remember him, Herminia, since after all you are his godmother. But lately he has been distant and secluded ever since Brenda left. He keeps on muttering about the specter and the world ending. Herminia, I know it is a lot of me to ask but could you perhaps talk with him? You could probably get better through him than I could. His room is upstairs and at the end of the hall."

Herminia was stunned by this new discovery, not only by the fact that Luke was the one who wrote the letter but also because Brenda had apparently left Clark. She frowned in concern as she stared at her friend in disbelief. She remembered Brenda being so happy with the dirty-blond-haired man and knew it was out of character for her to get up and leave, especially without her son since she also remembered how overjoyed the woman was about having a child. Deciding to push the matter aside she agreed to Clark's task before heading up the stairs with Emmett.

"Well that was a sudden change of behavior, one moment he was happy and the next he got all quiet and solemn." Emmett commented as he and the professor reached the top of the stairs.

"I agree, there was something off with Clark. But the important matter now is Luke. He sent that letter for a reason." Herminia commented.

The brown-headed man nodded his head in agreement before finding himself and his companion at the end of the hallway.
The professor remained stern as she knocked on the door. She had no idea what Luke would look or act like since the last time she saw him he was still a baby.

Only a few seconds of silence passed by before the voice of a young boy called out from the other side of the door "Who is it?"

"Luke, I'm Professor Herminia Layton. I'm an old friend of your father's and I came here to talk to you about the letter." she replied.

Luke was silent for a few moment before saying "You say that yet anyone could say that. If you really are Professor Layton then you should be able to easily pass this puzzle. In order to prove your identity you must perform an action in fifteen seconds, but just remember you can't do anything to solve this puzzle!"

"Gah, Clark didn't say that the kid was keeping himself locked in his room. How are we supposed to know what action he wants us to do? It could be anything." Emmett exclaimed as he ran his fingers through his hair out of frustration.

But much to the assistant's surprise Herminia only grinned before proclaiming to Luke that she already knew the answer. His brown eyes stared at the woman in shock as she just stood in front of the door doing nothing. After fifteen seconds he gasped in surprise when he heard the sound of the bedroom door being unlocked.

"How did you know what to do?" Emmett asked.

"Simple, Luke already gave me the answer. 'You can't do anything to solve this puzzle.' was the answer to exactly solving the puzzle." she answered with a smile.

Upon realizing this Emmett slapped his forehead in embarrassment, wondering why he wasn't able to see the solution so easily.
Without another word Herminia grasped ahold of the doorknob and opened it up to see a young boy the age of seven with dirty-blond hair, brown eyes, and wearing a white button-up shirt, blue shorts with black suspenders, brown shoes, and a blue flat cap. The brown-headed woman couldn't prevent from letting out a gasp upon seeing the boy that was no longer the small baby she held in her arms.

Slowly a smile formed on her face as she greeted "Hello, Luke."

Luke lifted his head up, his brown eyes making contact with the professor's before replying "Hello, Professor Layton."