Level 2 + The Three Staircases
Sublevel 2 + The First Plume



Hikaru finally reached the top of the staircase. It felt like she had been climbing for an eternity, and the dank chill of the cold stone walls was seeping under her skin. She shivered as she pushed open the creaky door that was placed above the last high step.

She was nearly blinded by the harsh light that came from the other side of the door. Hikaru's arm flew to cover her eyes, and after a short moment, she dropped it, squinting as her eyes adjusted.

The redhead found that the light was not harsh, but had only seemed that way because of the darkness she had walked in so long. It was actually a soft, pleasant glow, filtering in through yellow-tinted windows. The room was small and square, with a soft, fuzzy white rug underfoot and clean, bright blue walls. It was bare, save for a high-legged chair that sat in one corner, the wood darkly stained and brightly polished.

In the chair sat a man, tall and thin and beautiful, wearing a black shirt and pants and a white cape. His hair was pale and his eyes were a soft golden brown, and he held a narrow wooden box on his knees. He looked up, smiling warmly as Hikaru opened the door. "Please, come in," he said.

Nova, who had fallen silent long ago in the stairwell, sprang back to life. Hikaru! she cried suddenly, he's asking us to come! Let's go, let's go! We must see what's in the box.

Hikaru didn't move. She stood still in the doorway, staring at the man. She felt strangely drawn to him, but at the same time, a heavy wariness was settling over her heart. Hesitantly, she asked across the room, "What's your name?"

He smiled again. "People call me many different things," was his reply. "Most of them I won't tell you. But one is The White Hood, and another is Songspinner, and yet another is Hidden Wings. But the one that you may call me by is the one that I ask most to call me by, and that is Eagle."

Hikaru smiled a little. "Eagle." She crossed the room, standing before him with her hands clasped. "Eagle," she asked, loving the way his name sounding in the quiet echo of the blue room, "what's in that box?"

His eyes met hers. "The other one would like to know, right?" Hikaru nodded. Eagle gazed deeply into the girl's cranberry eyes, looking past Hikaru and into Nova. "Nova, if you truly want to see what is in the box, you must come out."

I can't.

"She can't."

Eagle stared. "Why not, Hikaru?"

The petite girl averted her eyes. "Nova's afraid to come out again. The last time she did, it was hard to get back in."

"In the first level."

"Yes."

Eagle looked at Nova again. "I won't tamper with your heart. I wouldn't dare."

There was a long pause. Then, finally, Hikaru doubled over, not in pain but in something similar, grimacing at the unpleasant sensation. Eagle was greeted with the strange sight of Nova climbing out of the girl's back. Then the two stood before him.

He held out the box in his strong hands. "Open it," he commanded Nova.

She took the box delicately, her eyes bright in anticipation. Nova lifted the roughly carved lid, and the wood creaked faintly. The soft black cloth inside was revealed, and in a little nest in the cloth lay a small wooden flute.

Nova looked up at Eagle inquisitively. He smiled. "Take it out."

She did, shutting the box again and setting it down at her feet. Nova held the flute in both hands, gazing at it. "What do I do?" she asked. "I don't understand."

Eagle's eyes met Nova's, and he would not let her look away. "The condition of your soul troubles me," he said softly. "It is dusty and shadowy and rusted. While it is true that you are a mirror, you are also your own person." His eyes were bright. "You are part of Hikaru, but you are not just a negative part. Pieces of her own heart are in yours, and hers is softer and gentler. Can't you tell?"

Nova nodded a little, and he continued. "Your corners are ridiculously sharp. They must be softened." Eagle then rested his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands and resting his forehead against them, his eyes closed. "Play," he requested.

Hikaru and Nova glanced at one another. "I... I don't know how," Nova responded. She turned to Hikaru pleadingly. "Let me back in, Hikaru. I don't..."

Eagle sighed. "I am weary." His voice was much softer, and wispy and frail with tiredness and ache. "Nova, I beg of you, play."

The girl glanced warily at Hikaru once more, then lifted the light instrument to her lips. Nova's eyes closed as she began to play, and as she gently fed air into the sweet-smelling wood, her fingers moved nimbly over the holes. The music poured out, sweet and slow and beautiful, and a slight smile found its way to Eagle's lips. He sat still, his head rested upon his clasped hands, and Nova played on.

Hikaru watched, wondering. She knew that Nova didn't know how to play any kind of instrument, and how she was playing now was a mystery. But, she reminded herself, this is the game. I can't forget that. Things happen here that normally wouldn't.

There was no movement in the little room, save for the small movements of Nova's fingers. At long last, her song ended on a single, quavering note. She lowered the flute from her lips, staring at it in her hands in bewilderment.

Eagle lifted his head, smiling. "I knew," he said softly. "I knew that you could."

Nova's cheeks grew pink.

The beautiful man rose to his feet, reaching out and drawing both Nova and Hikaru into a warm embrace. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you."

As the blackness that signaled the end of the level swiftly approached, Hikaru caught a glimpse of tawny feathers, fragile and trembling in the first plume.