Chapter 26
Luke kicked around his legs nervously as he stared at the brown-headed woman before him. He wasn't sure what Herminia was like since he only heard bits and pieces about the professor from his father. The young boy took in a deep breath before directing his attention to Emmett. He raised a brow in both curiosity and confusion since he never did recall his father mentioning him. It made him wonder who the brown-headed man could be and why he was accompanying the professor. Unfortunately Luke didn't get to think about this long when he saw Herminia pull the letter he had sent out of her pocket and handed it to him.
"I received your message. Very clever to sneak a message in. Now can you explain to me about the specter?" Herminia asked in a stern tone.
Luke couldn't prevent his body from shuddering just from hearing the name of the mysterious being. He squeezed his eyes shut as he explained how the specter only came at night and the first signs of it's appearance is when a thick fog covers the town.
"In order to warn the townspeople I've taken the roll on as the Oracle. I always send out a warning whenever the specter is going to attack." the young boy said as he clenched his hands into fists.
Herminia silently placed her hand against her chin and closed her eyes in thought. The fact the specter only attacked during foggy nights already had her intrigued. She knew if the specter truly was real it would probably attack at any time but the fact it only attacked at a specific time hinted to her something was off. But she couldn't know for sure until she had gathered more information. Her eyes snapped wide open when she heard the butler enter the room. As the butler walked past her for a moment she could have swore he glared at her, as if he didn't want her to be there at all. This reaction left her puzzled but for the moment she chose to ignore her concerns to focus on the matter of the specter.
"Master Luke, I came to inform you that I have sent your message to the police like you requested." the butler said in a stern tone.
"Wait a message? What is the message for?" Emmett asked out of interest.
Luke gestured his hand out toward his butler before answering "Whenever I predict when the specter is going to attack, I have Mr. Doland Noble here send a message to the police so they can evacuate the people before the specter attacks. Today I predicted the north district of town will be attacked tonight."
Emmett nodded his head before pulling out a small notepad from his pocket and immediately writing down all the information. As he did this he noticed Doland giving him a cold and hateful glare. The assistant raised a brow both out of confusion and suspicion. He had noticed earlier how the butler had glared at Herminia but it wasn't a hateful one like he was receiving. It made him wonder if the butler hated him and for what reason he did so.
"Hmm, so you say the specter will be there tonight?" Herminia asked.
Luke nodded his head rapidly, a part of him hoping the brown-headed woman didn't think he was making it up.
His worries were relieved when he heard the professor reply "Then it's settled. Emmett and I will stay in the north district to see this specter for ourselves."
Doland clenched his teeth as he did his best from yelling at the woman before him to stay away from the north district. He didn't want her anywhere near the specter, in fact he didn't want her in town at all. He cursed the fact he didn't bother checking the letter Luke had him mail; had he known it was going to be sent to the professor he would have never sent it in the first place. He didn't want her wrapped up in the whole mess, especially due to the reason why the specter was there in the first place.
But before the butler could speak up Luke exclaimed "Wait, I want to go with you!"
All three adults in the room were stunned by this statement. They couldn't imagine that a child would want to go on such a dangerous task considering the damage they had already seen the specter do to the town.
"Hey, kid, that isn't a good idea. You said yourself the specter is dangerous and your father is already worried enough about you. The last thing the professor and I need is to worry over a child getting hurt during a specter attack." Emmett replied in a firm tone.
Luke clenched his teeth in anger before saying with a hint of a snarl in his voice "My name isn't Kid, it's Luke! Also I can take care of myself so I wouldn't get hurt! Besides I don't care what my father says at the moment."
Herminia's mouth slightly dropped open in surprise from hearing those very words. She couldn't imagine why Clark's son was so bitter to him. She never depicted her friend as the abusive or neglectful type which made her curious as to why Luke would have such ill feelings toward him. But shortly she got her answer when she saw tears form in the young boy's eyes as his body trembled with small sobs. With a frown the professor walked over to Luke and kneeled down in front of him much like she did with Alfendi whenever he was disturbed.
"Something's wrong with father, I think the specter did something to him." Luke whispered quietly as tears streamed down his face, "He refuses to acknowledge what happened to mother and keeps himself locked in the room most of the time. The father I knew would never do that."
Herminia didn't say a word as she took her hand and wiped away the young boy's tears. She gave him a small encouraging smile when she saw him lift up his head and look her straight in the eyes. She knew there was no denying it, the young boy's eyes were full of determination, much like hers were. With her mind set she agreed to let Luke accompany her much to Emmett's and Doland's shock.
After making the butler promise not to alert Clark Triton on his son's whereabouts, Herminia and Emmett left the house along with Luke.
"There should be a hotel in the north district we can stay at, Mrs. Layton. That way we'll be there when the specter arrives." Luke explained as he guided the professor and her assistant to their destination.
It wasn't long before the trio found themselves standing before a two-story building with the sign that read hotel. No one said a word as they entered the establishment to be greeted by a gray-bearded man sitting at the front desk.
"Visitors! I can't believe it! Ha that means that not everyone believes that specter nonsense!" the bearded man laughed, "So what can I do for you folks?"
"We would like a room, my companions and I will be spending the night here." Herminia explained as she tipped her hat a bit in greeting.
"Huh, never thought I would ever see a woman tip their hat like a gentlemen." the hotel clerk commented before handing the professor the room's key.
The brown-headed woman nodded her head in gratefulness before heading upstairs with her two companions. Once they made it to their room Herminia couldn't help but cringe a bit when she saw the room only contained two beds. She let out a sigh as she rubbed her fingers against her forehead, knowing that no matter what the sleeping arrangements were going to be a bit awkward.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Emmett mentioned that he needed to make a phone call to his employer. Herminia nodded in understanding before she watched the young man dash down the stairs.
"Um, Mrs. Layton, can I ask you a question?" Luke asked as he glanced where Emmett took off.
"Of course you can, Luke." she answered with a kind smile, "What is it?"
The young boy rubbed the back of his neck nervously before he said "Um is that man, Emmett I think you called him your husband?"
At that moment the professor's face turned blood red out of embarrassment and shock. She tried to keep her ladylike appearance when she asked the young boy on why he had gotten that impression. But the answer nearly broke her heart when Luke explained how he noticed she wore a wedding ring. Herminia frowned as she lifted up her hand and glanced down at the bright shimmering gold ring, a constant reminder that she kept with her of her deceased husband. She glanced down at Luke to see the expression of guilt form on his face when he realized he had unintentionally depressed her.
Doing her best to hide away her depression Herminia smiled as she laid her hand on the dirty-blond-headed boy's shoulder, trying to silently assure him that she was alright and that he shouldn't worry about her.
Meanwhile with Emmett he was downstairs in a private phone room, making sure no one could hear his phone call. The last thing he needed was to someone over hear how he was a targent agent and blow his cover. He took in a deep sigh when he heard the familiar voice of his father figure.
"Ah, Emile, right on time. So what's your progress?" Bronev said, addressing the man by his formal name.
"Well Layton is investigating in Misthallery. Something about a specter terrorizing the town. Are you sure all you want me to do is just to spy on her and report about her findings on the Azran, Uncle Leon?" Emmett replied, "I mean last time you tried to blackmail your child to join so why not her too? You certainly got leverage with the fact her husband is very much alive."
"But if you recall correctly that only caused my son to rebel. The last thing I want is for my daughter to rebel as well and join forces with her brother. Speaking of which have you seen any signs of Sycamore?" the crime boss answered as his fingers tapped against his desk.
When he heard Emmett explain that he saw no signs of Sycamore he allowed a frustrated grunt to escape his mouth. He had hoped his son would be near his daughter due to the fact he recalled how protective Descole was over his little sister. He didn't say a word as he closed his brown eyes in deep thought, remembering Descole when he hatefully glared at him after he had his wife and daughter killed. His thoughts then traveled to his daughter, picturing the scenario of his daughter screaming hatefully at him upon the discovery he had been keeping Clarence prisoner.
A small smirk formed on his face when he remembered the agents tossing the injured scientist into his office. At first Clarence wasn't much help to their cause due to fact the man kept babbling on about how he was suppose to be dead, that the moment he was transported back from the future he was sure he was suppose to be at the moment of the explosion. But after a few weeks he calmed down and cooperated after the crime boss threatened him that he would send agents to harm his wife and son if he refused to help with the projects.
"I guess I should be hanging up now. I don't want to keep the professor waiting." Emmett spoke up, snapping the Bronev out of his thoughts.
"Oh yes of course. Now remember make sure not to let anyone interfere in her solving the mysteries left behind by the Azran. If I play my cards just right she may be a valuable key in finding the Azran Emissary." the crime boss said.
The brown-headed man agreed in understanding before hanging up the phone. He took in a deep breath before leaving the private phone call room and head upstairs. Once there he was very surprised to see Luke and Herminia sitting at a small table while the young boy was trying to solve a puzzle that the professor had written for him on a piece of paper.
"Um is this right?" Luke asked as he held the paper in front of the brown-headed woman's face.
Herminia nodded her head with a grunt prompting Luke to cheer out happily that he had solved the puzzle.
The sight before him brought a small smile on Emmett's face before it quickly faded when he remembered the whole reason he was there. He didn't know why but apart of him felt guilty for deceiving the professor and using her as a means to complete targent's goal. He squeezed his eyes shut when the memory of her six years ago smiling and calling him a gentlemen came rushing into his mind.
"Yeah right, I'm no gentlemen." he thought to himself before glancing up at the smiling brown-headed woman, prompting him to smile once more and continue, "Still perhaps it would be nice to be 'her' gentlemen."
Later that day nightfall had came and the town of Misthallery was covered in fog just like Luke had claimed. The trio had remained in their hotel room, waiting for the appearance of the mysterious specter. Luke frowned as he leaned out of the open window alongside Emmett who had the expression of boredom painted on his face.
"Is this specter ever going to show up, kid?" the assistant asked with a sigh.
"It will and stop calling me kid!" Luke grumbled with his arms crossed.
Herminia shook her head with a sigh before drinking some tea. She didn't understand why it seemed like the two were constantly butting heads like bulls despite the fact they only knew each other for a few hours. In attempt to preoccupy her mind she began thinking about the reason for why the specter could be terrorizing the town. She recalled from her research on the Azran that the Golden Garden was connected to the tale of a girl using a flute to summon a specter to protect the town. She didn't know why but she felt there was something much deeper happening below the surface of the situation.
But before anyone could do anything else the sound of a flute's music began playing through the air. The professor gasped as she quickly put down her cup and ran over to Luke and Emmett. The three were confused as to why a flute was being played until at the moment the room shook. The trio lost their balance and stumbled to the floor as large footsteps could be heard outside of the building.
Luke clenched his teeth in fear as the electricity in room went out leaving them in the dark. He scampered to his feet and dashed over to the window before either Emmett or Herminia could stop him.
He leaned his head out the window and what he saw made his blood run cold. There destroying the streets and buildings was a dark silhouette of a gigantic being with glowing red eyes.
"I-I-It's the specter!" Luke cried out in fear and shock.
Herminia and Emmett ran over to the window and even they were shocked by what they saw. The brown-headed assistant was in so much shock that when he pulled out his camera to take a picture he ended up fumbling it around in his hands before managing to successfully get his shot. But unfortunately the trio didn't get to relax when they saw the specter turn toward them and swing down its hand. Luckily all three of them managed to dodge the attack as the specter's hand tore off the hotel room's wall and most of it's floor.
"That thing is going to destroy us all. We're all going to die." Luke screamed as he took in deep and frantic breaths.
He panicked until he saw Herminia grab ahold of him and grip him tightly by the shoulders.
"Luke, listen to me! Neither a gentlemen or a lady should panic in times like these. In this kind of situation it's best to keep a calm and clear mind." the professor said in strict tone as she stared at the young boy with her scolding yet caring brown eyes.
Luke swallowed the lump in his throat before slowly nodding his head, understanding what the brown-headed woman was telling him. If he continued to panic it would only result in him making poor choices due to the fact his mind wouldn't be thinking clearly. The sight of the specter still terrified him but he chose to be brave for the professor because he felt that deep down she was telling him the right thing to do.
"Now come on." Herminia started a she let go of Luke's shoulders and helped him up, "Let's see if we can find out where that specter is headed."
Not wanting to waste anymore time the three ran out of the hotel and into the fog filled streets. But because the area so was thick with fog, Herminia ended up unintentionally getting herself separated from Emmett and Luke. She whipped her head back and forth and she ran around in the fog, trying to see if she could find any sign of the specter or her companions. But just then her heart stopped when she felt someone grab ahold of both of her arms and pin her behind her back. She was about to cry out until she felt the cold metal of a rapier pressed against her neck.
She clenched her teeth as she felt her captor lean their chin on their shoulder where their head was right next to hers. The professor struggled to free herself from the captor's grip only to have the rapier get pressed against her neck a little harder.
Just then her captor hissed in her ear "You shouldn't have came here, Layton."
At that moment the brown-headed woman gasped as she felt her heart stop; she had recognized that voice.
"Leave Misthallery or I will be forced to take hasty actions. I won't let you get close to the Azran... not again." the captor threatened, taking a pause for a moment.
Herminia swallowed nervously and in disbelief. If the captor that had ahold of her was truly the person she believed them to be she didn't know how to react.
Deciding to test to see if her suspicions were correct she whispered out "Descole?"
Without warning the professor found herself immediately tossed to the ground. She let out a small yelp as she made contact with the dirt paved road before quickly turning her head back to see if she could see her captor. Unfortunately she saw no sign of anyone near her but what did catch her attention was a glowing red light in the fog. Herminia narrowed her eyes in suspicion, wondering what it could be until she heard Luke call out for her. It wasn't long till she saw both Emmett and Luke running toward her through the fog.
"Professor, what happened?" Emmett exclaimed in shock when he saw the brown-headed woman on her hands and knees.
Herminia bit her lip as the scene of her captor flashed through her mind. If it was truly Descole she didn't want anyone to know about him, instead she wanted to know herself why he was in Misthallery and why he threatened her. The only time she knew Descole ever threatened to hurt her was when he was trying to stop her from exploring the Akabadain Ruins with Randall.
"Oh it was nothing, must have tripped. How unladylike of me." the professor lied as she stood back up.
Luke crossed his arms with a raised brow. He could sense the tone of hesitancy in the professor's voice, indicating she was lying. He let out a sigh as he gave a concerned frown toward the brown-headed woman, wondering what would cause her to lie about why she ended up on the ground.
"Well in other news we lost the specter. How can something so big disappear like that?" Emmett replied as he scratched his hand.
Herminia sighed as she placed her hand against her chin and closed her eyes before replying "I don't know, Emmett. But the only way we're going to find out the mystery behind our specter is to do more investigating here."
The brown-headed woman didn't care if she was threatened by the mysterious person; she already had her mind set that no matter what she would unveil the secret behind the specter and find out exactly what's going on in the small town of Misthallery.