Author's note:

Dear readers, I am sorry for the long pause, but hopefully, I will make up for it with the length of the text.

In this chapter, we go back nine years, to a time when Nemo and Electra were just preparing for a war against Gargoyle and the Nautilus had not yet been completed. Nemo is 36, Electra 15 years old. A few references to the events of this chapter can be found in the previous one already.

Music also has an important role in this chapter. There will be several piano compositions performed, and they can be found on YT, so I took the liberty of creating a playlist there. You can find the link at the end of my profile page.

Now I wish you a good read (and listening!), and if you find the time to do it, I would be very, very happy for any comments!

That being said, I should apologize to Ana, who left a review for the second chapter. I did not answer you (I could have done that as a part of chapter 3), but I appreciate your comment very much, and well, perhaps some things you were intrigued about will be answered in this chapter 😉


Do you remember

Standing on the shore,

Head in the clouds,

Your pockets filled with dreams

Bound for glory

On the seven seas of life,

But the ocean is deeper than it seems

- Whitesnake, Sailing Ships


...

- Vienna, 30 March, 1880 -

When she opened her eyes, she found that the sun was rising. A narrow beam of light penetrated her bedroom through a gap between the heavy curtains that moved slowly in the flowing air. The window to the terrace was open, as was the door to the anteroom. Someone must have walked through here a moment ago.

Electra inhaled, catching a faint whiff of cigarette smoke. Knowing very well what it meant, she allowed herself a little mischievous smile and buried her face into her pillow.

She turned to her back, stretched her body and then leapt out of the bed in such a haste that her legs remained tangled in a mess of bed sheets and her long, white nightgown. It could have ended badly for her, but just before she hit the ground, she managed to put her hands in front of her face. In the end, she had merely burned her wrist on the carpet, but it did not matter. She would not allow this or anything else to spoil this day.

"Everything all right, Starshine?" came from the terrace.

"Of course!" Electra said cheerfully, pulling back the curtain. She opened the French window, and looked at the cloudy sky, lit in various shades of orange, pink and blue.

Outside, Tuesday of the Easter Week was beginning, that year one of the last days of March. The winter was already losing its power, but the morning air was still cold. A fresh breeze pushed her hair back from her face, forcing her to pull her sleeve hems over her wrists.

"Barefoot, are we?" Nemo presumed as he glanced over his shoulder.

"Just a little..." Electra confessed, rushing to the terrace. She stopped at the balustrade and leaned out to enjoy the view from their suite, just like the two previous mornings. Archduke Albrecht's palace and buildings around it slowly brightened in the rising sun, casting long shadows into the streets that contrasted with the light-drenched areas.

The pavement of the terrace, however, was prickly cold, so Electra turned again and leapt over to the table. She sat down in a chair opposite Nemo and pulled her legs together.

"Apparently 'just a little' means 'yes' in your language." Nemo said, giving her a rather stern look. "Did I wake you?" he asked a bit more gently, turned the page of the newspaper he was reading, and drew on his cigarette. He usually did not smoke, but on special occasions he still inclined to the minor vices from his student years. And today was exceptional, indeed.

"You did wake me." she confirmed. "But I guess it was your intention...?" she asked, and then rested her cheekbone on her bent knee and just kept watching him. His long dark hair cascaded into his lap, and several strands partially covered his face. This, in combination with his bronze complexion, reminded her of the native Americans she had read so much about lately. She imagined them as courageous, free and unbounded beings. And it all just added to her feeling as if she was a part of a great adventure.

"Your assumption is correct." Nemo admitted and exhaled the smoke through his nose. "Do we know what day it is?" he asked, watching her through the rising clouds of smoke.

"Oh, we do." she smiled and pulled the hem of her nightgown over her toes. She realized that her unbuttoned collar was exposing her shoulder on the right side, but she was not trying to do anything about it. On the contrary, she hoped he would notice.

She gestured toward the cigarette pack. "May I?"

"It's not meant for children." Nemo objected, but this time his voice lacked his usual determination.

"I'm no longer a child!" Electra protested. It had been hardly a month since her fifteenth birthday. He surely remembered that. "Have you noticed?" she added in a softer voice and hugged her bent legs a little tighter.

"Of course I have." he confessed. "Still, it doesn't suit young ladies, either."

"Please." she tried again, adding her sweetest smile. "Just for today."

Nemo did not respond at first, just narrowed his eyes, watching her. "Put something on your feet and over your shoulders. Then we can talk." His tone was uncompromising.

"Huh!" Electra sighed angrily, rolled her eyes and stood up.

She returned with slippers on her feet; her shoulders wrapped in a shawl. Nemo was just lighting another cigarette.

"Try not to burn your fingers." he recommended as he flicked his wrist to put out the match. Then he held out his hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Electra carefully took the little, smouldering object between her thumb and forefinger.

"Now what?" she asked as she studied the cigarette from all angles.

He was watching her with interest. "It doesn't bite."

"I'm aware of the fact, thank you." Electra smirked.

Nemo returned her smile, apparently feeling quite amused. "Just pull on it and inhale the smoke." he said, showing her. "Then you exhale. And that's it."

Electra watched him intently, then tried to repeat what she had just seen. She closed her eyes for a moment, then frowned deeply.

"But it's disgusting!" she grimaced. "How can anyone like it?"

"I do like it." He shrugged and pulled on again. "Just can't really explain why, I'm afraid."

Electra gave it another try, but with the same following effect. "It leaves a horrible aftertaste." she remarked with a properly disgusted expression.

"You didn't even try to inhale the smoke." Nemo noticed.

"No, I did not!" Electra snapped and put her cigarette into the ashtray on the table with an angry sigh. She wiped her mouth with the hem of her sleeve and sat back in the chair.

Seeing Nemo about to comment on her actions, she quickly raised her hand in a dismissive gesture.

"I'm all silent." He said, barely resisting laughter.

But she felt rather annoyed. "I have to get rid of the taste somehow."

Nemo settled the newspaper in front of him. "Breakfast is being served downstairs."

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Not yet."

"Will you wait for me then?"

"I won't," he had to disappoint her. "There's something I need to arrange. I'll meet you at the restaurant."

"The Marble Hall?"

"Huh." Nemo nodded, pulling on his cigarette one last time and extinguishing it afterwards. "I'll be waiting for you there." He got up and folded the newspaper under his armpit. Then he reached for her discarded cigarette and pulled on it several times before putting it out, too.

Electra watched him with concern. "You're going to feel sick."

"Am I?" he raised an eyebrow at her. "How nice of you." he said, smiling patronizingly.

"What? I worry about you and you laugh at me?"

"I wouldn't dare!" He declared almost seriously, hiding the cigarette pack in his breast pocket.

"I highly doubt that…" she objected.

"And that is right," Nemo pointed out, glancing back. "Doubting is important."

"You don't really have to answer everything I say, you know." Electra muttered, irritated, turning her eyes away.

"What if I just want to?" he said with a mischievous smile, and then headed to the French window leading to her bedroom. "Oh, and your dress is on the sofa." He added as if by the way, just before he walked in.

"What?" Electra nearly shouted in surprise. "What dress?" she wanted to know as she jumped out of her chair to follow him.

"The one you liked." Nemo replied calmly and continued toward the door.

"The blue one?" Electra asked in disbelief, and swiftly pushed both curtains up to the edge to let as much light into the room as possible. And then she simply saw the answer to her question on the sofa by the far wall. She beamed and ran to him.

Before Nemo could disappear in the doorway to the anteroom, she quickly grabbed his hand to stop him, reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks." she whispered cheerfully.

"Now then," he said and gently pushed her back into her room. "Hurry up. I'm looking forward to the result." he smiled softly and left.

...

The moment she entered the hall, most of the gentlemen and ladies present turned to her. After all, there was a good reason. Although the complexity of the European fashion seemed extremely unnecessary and annoying to Electra (for example, she could not understand why she should need the assistance of another person just to get dressed), the result was often worth it, just like today. Of course, the attention flattered her, but none of the eyes that viewed her were the right ones. She exhaled in disappointment and, in a small shudder of nervousness, clasped her hands in front of her.

The Marble Hall was a beautiful room to start the day, imbued with light, with snow-white tablecloths and fresh flowers on each table. Yesterday, Electra had been amazed at all the magnificence and was looking forward to enjoying breakfast much more today, but so far, she was filled with uncertainty. What exactly did Nemo have to arrange? Did he need to leave the hotel? And wasn't it all on purpose? For all she knew, it might have been another of the tasks he liked to come up with... Shouldn't she catch a clue in their previous conversation?

But then she shifted her attention to the sounds that spilled over the room. There was a lively conversation everywhere, the clink of dishes and cutlery, the occasional coughing, the sound of footsteps, and the shuffling of chairs. And then there was something else - a thin line of familiar melody permeating all the noise, gently and lightly.

"Miss?" One of the waiters spoke to her at that moment. "You have been invited to take a seat-"

"At the table next to the piano, right?" Electra finished for him.

Of course, she thought as she stood on tiptoes and saw Nemo at the black grand piano in the other corner of the room. The melody he was playing was Liszt's arrangement of Schubert's Ständchen - the very first song Nemo had played after they first arrived in a human city. It had been years ago, and at that time, Electra had no idea Nemo could do such a thing, and it was the first time she had ever heard a real piano. From then on, she would recognize this melody always and everywhere, so strongly that experience was etched in her memory. And she was sure no one besides Nemo could make this song sound so subtle and captivating.

She thanked the waiter and headed for the opposite end of the room. She did not walk too fast or too slow, she chose the pace just so that everyone could see her, but also that she would not stay in the field of vision for too long. According to the reactions of the guests, she took turns smiling, nodding in greeting, or lowering her eyes shyly.

No one was sitting at the table next to the piano, although it had been set up and the breakfast was ready. It wasn't really anything flashy – fresh bread, a few slices of cold roast and some vegetables and fruit. And of course, a mandatory jug of water and a teapot were present, too. Nothing different from the usual, but here, all these things looked a lot more appealing.

Electra understood it was all waiting for her.

She greeted the guests at the nearby tables and shortly wondered where to sit. Finally, she decided on a spot from where she would get the best view of Nemo's hands. She then settled gracefully and continued to watch.

As always, she was fascinated by how Nemo's fingers never really lost contact with the keyboard. Even as he raised his hands, his fingertips still touched the keys lightly, which gave a very gentle impression. And Electra was not the only one intrigued by the fact, she noticed when she glanced at the closest audience. They paid attention to Nemo, rather than their breakfast, especially the ladies present. Look all you want, but today he belongs to me, Electra thought to them with a faint little smile.

When the last tones faded away, applause rose from several tables, and Electra, equally moved, joined in. But she averted her eyes as Nemo looked back and noticed her presence. He then rose, put his hand on his chest, and lightly bowed his head in a sign of appreciation.

"So, this is what you had to arrange?" She spoke to him cautiously when the applause was over.

"What do you think?" said Nemo without looking at her, as he approached the table and took a seat.

"Because of me?" she asked sweetly.

"Who knows..." he answered vaguely and threw a stray strand of hair over his shoulder. "What if I just wanted to play?" he said and finally gave her a glance.

"All of sudden, yes?" Electra said with a smile, put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her palm.

"I don't want to get out of practice." he declared with an ostensible indifference, but his eyes showed something else. "Elbow off the table." reaching for the teapot, he admonished her as soon as he noticed her position.

Electra sighed, annoyed, but obeyed as Nemo kept staring at her.

"Tea?" he asked then. Electra nodded and moved on a bit to adjust her skirt beneath her. Next moment she took a filled cup from him.

Nemo then sat back and drank calmly. "It has the same shade as your eyes." He commented the blue colour of her dress. "It actually suits you."

"Thank you," said Electra with satisfaction, but partly embarrassed. She truly wished to hear these words from him, but when she did, she couldn't find anything more to say.

"So, what should I play next?" he asked when the silence between them became too tense.

Electra pressed her lips together and stared into her cup. "…So you wouldn't get out of practice?" she asked as she looked up again.

"Precisely." Nemo replied, waiting with interest for her answer.

"All right, then." Electra thought aloud and sipped her tea. "Hmm... I'd probably stick to Liszt for a while. Something comparably peaceful, so as not to spoil the mood."

"As you wish," Nemo agreed. "And then?"

"Who else after Liszt than Chopin? This time something a little more vivid, but not too demanding." She said and narrowed her eyes. "Maybe a waltz. And after that, some brisk Etude. We don't want the audience to fall asleep, do we?"

"Brisk?" Nemo's eyebrows went up. "Anything in particular?"

"How about the Ocean? Isn't it your favourite?"

"Sounds feasible after such a warm-up." Nemo admitted cautiously. "Anything else?"

"Something truly spectacular at the end," Electra mused, placing her index finger on her lips. "It has to be... Beethoven. The Moonlight Sonata."

"Spectacular?" asked Nemo before he took a sip. "Really?"

"The third movement of course," Electra said, her tone quite adamant.

Nemo coughed lightly in an attempt not to start laughing, which surprised and amused Electra. "Are you sure you're not overestimating me?" he asked.

"Come on, I haven't heard it for too long!" Electra insisted and keenly watched his embarrassed expression. "I know you can do it. Plus, what else to play to keep your hand in?"

"Fair enough." He admitted in the end. "Maybe I'll recall the piece."

"Surely you will. You never forget." Electra replied tenderly.

"Says who?"

"You do."

"Nonsense!" He waved his hand. "I'd surely remember that. After all I never-"

Electra sighed, irritated, and looked away. There had been a time when she enjoyed these little puns, but she had been a child then. Now she was no longer in the mood.

"I guess you know the rest," Nemo winked at her as she looked back. "Eat well," he commanded, then stood up and returned to the piano.

"Yes, sir." declared Electra, annoyed, vaguely imitating a salute.

"You're being a bit cheeky, Starshine."

"I'm sorry," she said, realizing she had decided this morning that nothing was going to ruin this day. Not even her own whims.

"Never mind," Nemo dismissed the issue, but did not look at her again. "Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," she replied softly, turning to the table.

But even though she felt hungry, she couldn't bring herself to eat. At least not until Nemo started playing again, and not until she recognized the song. And yes, he chose exactly what she was thinking about, but had not said aloud. It was the Lento Placido from the Consolations cycle. At first, the soft and wistful tones blended with the noise of the room, but as the attention of the audience turned back to the music, the melody of this melancholic composition began to stand out.

And after a moment, Electra could not help but raise her head again. She turned her eyes back to Nemo, her tutor and benefactor. He played with his head slightly bowed and his shoulders tilted toward the piano, although he never really hunched over. His long hair was tied up on his back; the ends brushing the bench on which he sat.

Beyond Tartessos, Electra had never met any other man wearing their hair that long. However, it had not been uncommon in their lost homeland. One could encounter long-haired Atlanteans and humans all the time. In fact, it was an old Atlantean custom, where men let their hair grow for the duration of a task or commitment, and once the task was accomplished, they could get their hair cut again. Nemo's personal commitment was to complete the Nautilus, which was gaining ever more real outlines each passing month. At the thought, Electra recalled that when the time comes, she should try to talk Nemo out of cutting his hair – after all, it would be a great pity.

Nemo's quick, slightly indignant look ripped her out of thought. She nodded immediately and turned to the table. After a moment's hesitation about what she should choose first, she finally started to eat with gusto.

At the same time, however, she failed to suppress a strange sense of discontent. She liked the way Nemo played, and she liked the fact he played for her and the songs she chose. But the truth was that she would have preferred much more if he could just sit at the table with her. She'd rather he stayed and talked to her, or that they both could sit at the piano, and he would teach her something new. It has been a long time since the last lesson. True, she was not particularly good at it, but it never upset Nemo in any way. She tried to recall how pleasant it felt when he touched her hands to show her the correct wrist hold…

"Good morning, miss. May I sit down?" she heard suddenly.

Electra blinked and raised her eyes to look at the newcomer who had disturbed her so cruelly from her dreaming. And to her surprise he was a rather handsome young man with wavy chestnut hair and bright blue eyes. She quickly drank and swallowed, and in the time saved, she searched her memory for a suitable phrase in German.

"Good morning," she smiled at him. "And yes, you may," she added, hoping her accent would not stir much attention.

"What an intriguing accent."

Of course.

"I've never heard it to be honest," said the young man. "Do you travel from far away?"

"Actually, yes. We're on the road all the time," Electra replied, raising her hand for him to kiss. She also hurriedly glanced back toward the piano. You know what to say, she read from the look on Nemo's face. She nodded lightly, almost unnoticeably. The young man, meanwhile, introduced himself to her as Franz, the son of a local factory owner.

"What a nice name," she said. "Like your emperor."

"Yes." Franz nodded and smiled timidly. She couldn't help herself but found it cute. "Like our emperor and like the gentleman who composed the melody we are now listening to." He looked at the piano for a moment. "And you, Miss...?"

"Just call me Lori."

"Oh," he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "It almost sounded as if your real name was different."

"And does it matter?" She looked away impatiently from him and sat down.

"Not really," Franz agreed.

"Not really." echoed Electra, silently watching the gentle movement of Nemo's hands for a moment. She wasn't too happy about her new companion, but at the same time she didn't want to seem rude. "Do you like Liszt?" she offered finally.

"I'm afraid it's mandatory within our family." Franz replied, and sat in the chair next to her. "In fact, I strongly suspect I'm named after him rather than the Emperor."

"Really?" With a hint of interest, Electra decided to look back at him. "Are you playing, too?"

"Just a little." He lowered his eyes for a moment. "I don't seem to possess enough talent, much to my father's regret."

"Me neither." Electra grinned at the memory of her own not very successful efforts in this regard.

"I'll choose not to believe that, considering who you can learn from." Franz objected, nodding his head toward Nemo.

"Appearances are deceiving," Electra replied, unwittingly smoothing the folds on her skirt. "You don't wish to hear me play, trust me." she said, and paused. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Electra pretended that her skirt deserved all her attention, and she sincerely hoped that her companion would understand and say goodbye.

"Well," Franz started again. No, he did not understand. "I'm sorry to be so bold, but the gentleman at the piano..."

"My father." Electra did not wait with the answer and smiled lightly. "He adopted me," she added, noticing Franz's rather surprised expression.

"I see. You know, I wasn't sure..."

"Of course, we look different from each other," Electra said, her tone slightly irritated. It was driving her mad that people still needed to point it out, some of them with a hint of exasperation. She herself found nothing strange about the darker shade of Nemo's skin.

"May I ask where your father comes from?"

Electra wasn't even trying to smile anymore. The conversation had taken a rather unpleasant direction for her. "Well, go on, have a guess." she tried after a moment.

"No clue?"

"No."

"That's difficult then." He sighed and thought for a moment. "It could be anywhere from Maghreb to the Ottoman Empire. But judging by the eyes, my guess is Syro-Palestine."

"Good try, but no." Said Electra reluctantly and took a sip of water.

"Um," Franz pressed his lips together and thought again. "I caught you talking to each other in English," he pointed out, narrowing his eyes as he viewed Nemo closely. "So perhaps he could be of mixed race with a birthplace somewhere in America. But his accent makes me assume he must have spent a significant part of his life in England."

"Well done," Electra lied sweetly, awarding his idea with a little smile. "You're very observant."

"Thank you." said Franz, returning the smile. "However, I'm still thinking about your accent, too."

And who's forcing you to? Electra sighed to herself. "It's a mixture, I'd say," she replied, and she wasn't really far from the truth.

In Tartessos, many languages and dialects from around the world could be heard. That is, in the outer parts of the city. The official language, of course, remained the Atlantean, which was the only one allowed to be used within the government and royal districts. All humans had to spoke it if they wanted to live a decent and orderly life in Tartessos.

But only Atlanteans themselves (and a few chosen humans) spoke the pure form of this language. Most of the human population used a dialect containing a lot of garbled expressions and words taken from their original mother tongues.

As for Nemo, he decided that English would be the main language on the Nautilus, and such was his communication with his current, constantly growing crew, Electra included.

"But enough about me!" she began suddenly in a chipper tone, after capturing another of Nemo's significant looks. "Tell me about yourself, too. So far, we've only discussed your name and relationship to music, and that's just too little for such a knowledgeable and worldly gentleman you seem to be." she complained, trying to look as naïve, sweet and endearing as possible.

"As you command, my lady." Franz said, and began talking about himself, his family, and their lives.

At first, his narration may have been interesting, but Electra soon found that she was not really listening. After all, she did not exactly stand out in German, and Franz got somewhat carried away and started to jabber. She was therefore excited when one of the serving waiters suddenly approached the table and a freshly prepared portion of Kaiserschmarrn landed in front of her.

While this dish might not have won the aesthetic competition, it was rather popular here and it was delicious, indeed. Electra was grateful to Nemo for this choice, after all, she felt she had enough Sacher for the rest of her life. But now she was enjoying one bite after another, nodding to young Franz continuously, not knowing what he was really talking about. She was just quietly enjoying the view from the opposite window and immersing her consciousness in the melody of Liszt's Dream of Love and then one of Chopin's most beautiful waltzes.

However, with the first notes of Chopin's Ocean etude, the character of the music changed dramatically, and her companion noticed that too. Quick sequences of notes rose and fell again and again, just like waves at sea on a windy day.

"I'm at loss of words. Your father is indeed very gifted." Remarked Franz and kept watching Nemo with respect. "But I was starting to fear he preferred only serene, quiet pieces." He added, seamlessly switching to English.

Well, finally! Electra breathed a sigh of relief, slightly ashamed that she might have exhibited her disinterest too much. "Serene, quiet melodies, you say... And you're right, actually," she admitted after a moment's thought. "But he's capable of a lot more, as you can see, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. I specifically wanted this piece."

"Does he always play like that for your breakfast?" Franz asked, incredulous, and maybe a bit envious, too.

"Only on special occasions."

"Is it your birthday, perhaps?"

"No, no," she laughed. "Well... actually something similar. Today we celebrate the day we first met. I had nothing, not even a family. I was just a scared little girl. And he found me." Electra recalled and then thought to herself that she'd better not reveal much more.

"I understand," Franz replied, watching her sympathetically. "But for the fact that your childhood was... difficult, you seem very composed and happy."

"And I owe it all to him," Electra said, turning her head toward Nemo. "He's trying to make it up to me. Without him, I'd be no longer here. Here with you or in this world at all."

"In that case, I have to thank your father. I'm very glad you're here. Here in this world and here with me." Franz admitted quietly.

Electra didn't know what to say and was just trying to avoid his eyes. "I'm not entirely sure he's going to like the last part." she said eventually.

"Well, that would be a shame." He spoke in a regretful tone. "I'd like to meet you again, you see."

But I'd rather not. "It's not going to work today," Electra replied. She did not mean to hurt him, but she hoped she expressed herself clearly enough.

"Of course, today is your anniversary," Franz apologized. "It's not my intention to ruin it for you. But perhaps tomorrow-"

"We're leaving tomorrow," Electra interrupted promptly, not even making it up.

"It's... I'm sorry then." There was a moment of broken silence. "Is there any way we could see each other sometime in the future?"

"Who knows?" sighed Electra impatiently. She couldn't believe this conversation was still going on. "After all, what can be considered certain or impossible in a human's life?" she asked, running her thumb over the dewy surface of her water glass.

"Death is the only certainty." Franz replied to that, his eyes averted, which provoked a wave of compassion in Electra. Suddenly she felt too cruel.

"You know what?" she said after a while, touching his hand. He looked up at her immediately and struggled to hide his new hope in his gaze.

"You spoke nicely of my father's talent. He plays piano like no one else, however, he prefers the organ much more. When you come to the cathedral for the evening service today, you'll be able to listen to it. And maybe we'll meet again."

"I would have gone anyway," he admitted, touching the back of her hand for a moment. "But with that in mind, I already can't wait to be there."

"All right," her voice got a little colder again. "Just please don't hope for something more. If I see you, it'll only be for a moment."

"I shall be very grateful for that, too," came the satisfied reply, but the last few words were almost lost in the beginning of the third movement of the Moonlight Sonata, the piece Electra had specifically requested. And she immediately realized why it had left such a profound impression on her, even though she had only heard it once before.

Even at the very beginning, it was uncompromising, lacking any introduction or gradation. Everything started at once and refused to slow down. The ascending passages chased each other, and the composition would not stop to take a breath. There was no room for reflection as the melody rushed forward, without mercy or respite, both for the hands playing and for all those who listened, completely absorbed.

Electra realized she was barely breathing, her eyes fixed on Nemo's hands. This time he leaned much more toward the keyboard, and the front strands of his hair almost touched the keys. Electra wondered if it bothered him, but it looked like he hadn't even noticed. He seemed completely consumed by the melody — not even watching his hands but looking into the unknown with narrowed eyes. Finally, he closed his eyes completely.

But after a few minutes of this frantic pace, Electra noticed something else, unexpected. She could hardly see the space around her, nor her companion, nor the other people around her, nor the light coming through the window. She found herself in a completely different place, dark and gloomy, somewhere high up in a tower.

It was night, but streaks of white light brightened the sky and the events below. Deep in the streets, chaos and terror reigned, everything being consumed by the voracious heat. The buildings were lashed by flashes of dazzling glow, and in massive explosions they cut through each other's red-hot material. Some of the streets were already ablaze with bright orange light. Was it even possible to escape something like this? What was going on with those who had been walking these streets just a while ago? What happened to those present in the collapsing buildings? Did anyone help them or was it too late?

Yes, obviously it was too late. Nothing could be done. Not anymore. All that remained was to wait for her own bitter end, which still refused to come. Everything trembled, but the building she was in would not give up.

She was the only one who was high above all the destruction. The clouds of smoke were driven away by a strong wind, so that all the suffering, destruction and death could be seen clearly. She wished to look away, but she couldn't. And perhaps it was supposed to be, she should watch it all, everything in the smallest detail, she should live it all out as a punishment for what she did.

The heat was unbearable, she could feel the tears dry on her cheeks. She looked down under her. The abyss beneath her was so tempting. She felt dizziness and severe headache. All she had to do was take a step and let go of the wall she was leaning against, and it could all be over...

That was when Electra closed and opened her eyes again. And one more time. She took a deep breath and looked around. All that horror, it wasn't real. It was just a memory of an event that had happened years ago. It was the dying Tartessos, but different from how she remembered it – as if she were looking at everything with strangers' eyes.

Not sure if her legs would not betray her, Electra jumped off the table and ran away. She refused to stop, grabbing chairs and bumping into people, pushing them away as they tried to talk to her. But all she needed was to run away, away from those memories. Outside, for air.

She didn't even know how far she'd come when she finally collapsed to the ground. Only then she became aware of the thud of horseshoes.

"Hey, you scared my horse! Do you wish to be trampled or what?" She heard an indignant voice, and then quick footsteps. "I'm talking to you! Are you all right? Do you need help?"

"I..."

"Come here, Starshine." Electra heard from the other side. And as soon as she turned around, two strong hands lifted her from the pavement and hugged her.

...

"Do you want to rest?" asked Nemo as they passed another bench.

"No, not yet." Electra rejected his offer, clutching his forearm a little tighter. "I'm fine like this," she said, looking around. The branches of the trees rocked gently in the wind, and everything around them was waking up, leaving not only the night, but also winter behind. Spring had already begun, and the leaves of the trees were just about to develop. The sun's rays shone through the branches and lightly warmed her cheeks.

From where Nemo found her about 20 minutes ago, they made their way to the Volksgarten Park in silence. She didn't even know how they got rid of the frightened coach driver and what happened to young Franz. She did not have the capacity to think about it anyway.

Her previous vision was still consuming her and dragging her to the ground. She could not get rid of the images of Tartessos' destruction in her mind, memories that seemed so different to her, so changed. She was sure she hadn't seen any of those images before.

"I can't explain it," she began after a long silence.

"What exactly?"

"I don't really know," Electra said, rubbing her eyes. "Suddenly I was back in Tartessos. Everything was collapsing, the whole city was on fire, people were dying."

"Yes, that's the way it was," Nemo confirmed in a colorless voice.

"But different than I remember. I've never seen it like this."

"How?" he asked after a long pause.

"From a height, from the center of the city… I could see everything so clearly from there!" Electra blurted out. There was no other way, she had to share the experience with someone. "And yet I felt so terribly helpless and guilty, as if... as if I caused it all myself."

"How could you possibly be guilty of it?" Nemo objected impatiently. "You survived, that's the only thing that matters. And it doesn't mean you're responsible for the ones who didn't make it. You were just lucky. Others were not."

"Is that it?" she laughed bitterly, too bitterly. "Thousands of others just had an unlucky day?"

"That's not what I said." Suddenly he seemed very tense. He grabbed her hand and pressed it hard. "Try not to think about it."

"How can one just dismiss such memories?"

"I'd like to know that, too, believe me."

"I guess..." she thought suddenly, "You must have perceived it precisely like-"

"Please, that was enough." he insisted quietly, but very emphatically.

"I see," she said almost in a whisper. "I'm sorry," she added, delving into her own thoughts again.

Somewhere far away in her mind, there had been a strange, improbable thought for some time.

To this day, Electra did not know with certainty how it all had happened, how Gargoyle and Nemo and several others managed to save themselves at that time. When exactly did Nemo manage to get out of prison, and what could he have seen from the horrific event? All this remained a mystery to her. Electra always wanted to find out, but at the same time she was reluctant to ask too many questions. She realized how unpleasant it was to remember the catastrophe, let alone talk about it.

All she knew was that shortly after the Tower had failed, Gargoyle was gone. That was probably when Nemo freed himself and set out to find his enemy. He went to a place where he would most likely find him – the Tower's control center. Yes, it had to be. Was it possible then that what Electra had just seen were Nemo's own experiences and feelings from that time? Electra didn't understand how they got into her head, but that wasn't important now.

The memory wasn't mine. It was yours. She wanted to say aloud, but she couldn't. Nemo didn't want to talk about the events anymore, and it was no wonder. If his memory was real, it would mean that he blamed himself for the destruction of Tartessos. He blamed himself alone. The death of every human and every Atlantean. Nemo hated himself for it. Back then, he had wanted the Tower above him to collapse and bury him forever with his dying kingdom.

Electra looked up at him, but she couldn't see his face. He held her hand tightly, but he seemed very distant, closed.

"You know, I wonder..." she started at once without knowing what exactly she wanted to say.

"Go on." he growled at her after a while.

"Actually," she bit her lip and thought. "What happened between Liszt and Chopin?" she blurted out. "Were they friends or not?" she asked with a sudden, sincere interest, grateful to her curiosity for this idea.

At first, Nemo didn't answer, he just laughed briefly. "Hard to tell. They themselves probably weren't quite clear about it."

"They weren't sure whether to admire or envy each other?"

"Perhaps." Nemo admitted. "It is said they drifted apart when Liszt dared to play one of Chopin's songs a bit more in his own way."

"What a shame." Electra thought. "And he probably didn't mean it wrong. Maybe on the contrary, maybe he just wanted to flatter Chopin."

"That's very likely." Nemo agreed with her. "However, intentions can easily miss the point. If you want to surprise someone nicely, you have to be careful what assumptions you're based on."

"I don't think I understand...?" she said, looking at him in question.

"You need to be clear about whose wish you're actually trying to fulfill," he continued in a calm voice. "If you don't want to please yourself rather than the other. It's always better to think twice about it."

"But shouldn't that be clear?"

"Not always," he countered, glancing at the moving branches of the trees above them. "It is sometimes difficult to know the minds of the others. Often we try to replace what we do not understand with our own ideas. And then it's easy to disappoint someone, even if you intended the opposite," he explained patiently, with a strange shadow of grief in his voice. "Sometimes it can lead to very bad endings."

Electra thought again and tried to absorb and process the information. Many more steps have passed in the quiet. "It sounds as if you knew what you're talking about," she said at last.

"Yes," he confessed.

"Have you lost a friend like that?"

"I have." he replied sternly.

"Is there any way to fix it?" she asked before she could think twice about her words. Of course, there was no way to fix it. The person in question was almost certainly long dead, buried somewhere in the flooded depths of their lost city.

"There are things that cannot be undone." he said.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Nemo laughed at it, briefly and painfully. "If you knew who I was talking about, you wouldn't have said it."

Electra marveled at the answer at first, but it was clear to her immediately which way the wind was blowing. Of course, who else could that be? "It's Gargoyle," she replied in disgust.

"It is."

She frowned even more and clenched her fist with a sudden burst of rage. "How is it possible to disappoint someone so much that-"

"I wanted to offer him a different perspective on humans," Nemo interrupted her hastily, perhaps just to keep her from saying things that were better kept quiet. "I tried to give him a little push so he would let them grow on him again. But time has shown that I chose a wrong way."

"Did Gargoyle ever like humans?" Electra looked up in disbelief.

Nemo took a long breath. "He tried not to show it too much, just under certain circumstances, but yes," he said. "In his case, it was actually-"

"I don't believe that!"

"Don't." he shrugged. "But I've been there."

"Huh," Electra admitted, her eyes fixed on the ground.

"He was met by a great personal tragedy," Nemo explained after a few more quiet steps. "After that, nothing was the same."

Those sentences sounded sad, too sad. Definitely too much for her taste. "Do you feel sorry for him?" she could not keep herself from asking, her head still bowed.

"In a way, yes," Nemo confessed quietly. "Does it bother you?" he asked, and Electra knew he was looking at her.

But she refused to return his gaze. "I don't know," came her honest answer. "I just don't understand."

She then let go of his hand, perhaps a little faster and more callously than she intended.

In her eyes, compassion and pity required understanding first. And she was sure that for what Gargoyle did, for his motivation, whatever it might have been, she would never find understanding. At the same time, she was deeply struck that Nemo, the man she admired so much, seemed to view the whole thing a lot differently.

...

"Were you good friends?"

Her voice still sounded cold and distant, in fact she did not want to discuss the subject, and certainly not today, but their previous conversation did not give her peace in this regard, even though almost two hours had passed since. Two hours of a day that was so precious to her. Two precious hours during which they hardly spoke to each other. But if nothing else, at least they went back to the hotel for more appropriate clothes, and then for an early lunch.

"Yes." Nemo replied at last, after he had finished his glass of water without any haste. "We've known each other for all our lives, we grew up together."

Electra also drank and looked out of the restaurant window at the lively hustle of the street. "He's actually your relative, isn't he?" she said then.

"Someone was paying attention at school..." Nemo remarked, and their eyes met for a moment.

"Not really," Electra admitted. "I'm not sure what's going on between you two."

"We're cousins," Nemo reminded her. "And brothers-in-law." But he frowned right away. "Actually, not that. Not anymore."

Electra was still unsure whether she was interested at all, but the last statement remained in her mind a little longer. "Gargoyle was your brother-in-law?" she asked doubtfully. "So, the queen…"

"Was his sister," Nemo finished for her. "Is it that hard to infer?" he added, watching her astonished expression. When she did not take her eyes off him, he coughed lightly and sat back in his chair. "Yes, I married my cousin," he said. "But I could have been worse off," he implied, smiling faintly.

"I guess..." Electra muttered, frowning. She didn't know if she understood exactly what they were talking about. She was never truly interested in politics, certainly not as a child. And yes, over the last few years on the road, she managed to absorb a lot of new information, but it was all mainly about science and the world of humans.

Nemo sighed at her insecurities. "We've talked a lot about Blue Water. So perhaps you remember that it is programmed to respond to a certain arrangement of the bearer's hereditary traits." He began to explain, giving her a quick, reproachful glance. "Only the Atlantean Emperor is authorized to interfere in this setting, which was never possible here on Earth, since he never came here in person. Thus, all we could do was to make sure that these hereditary traits didn't change too much in my lineage. In this sense, it was never an option for the earthly heirs of Blue Water to marry someone unrelated. And, of course, the closer the kinship was, the better," he said more quietly, perhaps to conceal his talk from the nearby guests.

This time Electra listened to him with apparent interest, but she was still unsure if she really wanted to hear what he was about to say.

"Marrying someone from the Second Family, a cousin in my case, was already considered very unfortunate," he said at last, confirming her concerns.

"Nevertheless, our connection to Blue Water is constantly weakening," he continued after a while. "Sometimes there are individuals to whom Blue Water reacts very strongly... But in the end, there will come a time when this connection disappears completely."

In the following silence, Electra unwittingly brushed a few strands of hair off her forehead and folded her hands helplessly in her lap. She was not sure what she should say now. Having fully understood the significance of his narration, she would have preferred to have some facts about the royal family kept secret from her. The way they had apparently approached marriage for generations seemed appalling to her. And all just because of two pieces of blue stone.

Nor could she have overheard the little hint about Prince Venusis. It was certain that Nemo had him in mind when he spoke of individuals with a strong affinity to Blue Water. At that moment, Electra simply had no idea how to react. In the end, she decided it would not be very tactful to bring up prince Venusis again. Nemo himself probably tried his best to think of his son as little as possible.

"Can I ask you a question?" she said at last.

"If I would marry Sonia if she were my sister?" Nemo voiced the thing instead of her.

"Yes," confirmed Electra. She didn't really want to say it.

"No one would ask me for my opinion."

"That's terrible," she replied, incredulous.

"I understand you think it's wrong," Nemo agreed. "On the other hand, if you'd been raised to this since childhood, you'd probably view it differently."

"Do you think it's correct?" she asked, barely hiding the disgust in her voice.

"I've always seen it as an integral part of our lives." he admitted in a perfectly genuine and composed tone, which irritated Electra even more than the strange subject of their conversation itself. "But after I went to Europe and started spending more time with humans, my perception of this issue changed a lot," he added, curious about her reaction.

"Hmm." Electra growled. The disappointment of this day, and worse, of Nemo himself, was digging deeper into her heart, and it was a strange, ugly sensation. It felt as if a void appeared in her chest and absorbed everything around it. "Then I guess it's a good thing you never had a sister." She spoke automatically and closed her eyes.

She wished this day to start over, in a different way... Suddenly, however, she stopped in her thoughts and stared wide-eyed. "Wait, but your parents-"

"Were siblings, yes." Nemo confirmed. "Nobody's perfect," he added, as if it were nothing.

"Oh," said Electra, dismayed. He doesn't really care,she thought. Then she shook her head and reached for her glass of water. It was a little too much for today's strange findings.

"Can I blame who my parents were?" he asked, perhaps a bit offended, but with a little, sly smile at the same time.

"I'm not saying anything, am I?" Electra shrugged and put the glass to her lips.

"The way you look at me says enough," muttered Nemo. "As if I were an insect that just landed in your tea."

To her own surprise, Electra did not answer. Instead, she just started laughing, without swallowing the water she had previously drunk. The result was a coughing fit (as much as her corset allowed). "I'm going to suffocate in this one day!" she complained in a squeaky voice.

Nemo nodded approvingly. "Nice performance." he said, apparently amused, when she paused for a moment. "What else can you do?"

"…find it funny?" she managed just before another wave of cough.

But he just rested his back calmly, folding his hands in front of him. "Of course," he replied, perfectly composed. "You're laughing, aren't you?"

To help herself, Electra stood up and leaned against the table. Shortly after that, the cough subsided, and she could sit down again in peace.

"How ignorant of you." she sighed wearily afterwards, wiping her mouth and eyes. "I almost choked; in case you didn't notice."

"I believed you could handle it." he countered. "You had my silent but unwavering support."

"One would say you enjoyed my struggle. Which would be very insensitive and rude."

"And what would you expect from a man with such an appalling family background?" he said, sounding unconcerned, but Electra noticed his lips twitching. At that moment, the familiar, warm feeling began to slowly pour into her heart again.

"So true." she agreed softly, finally giving him a sincere smile.

Nemo just kept watching her, thinking. "Didn't I disappoint you too much today?" he asked after a long silence.

"Maybe a little," Electra admitted. "But it's not really your fault. I'm the one to blame. It's the way I am, I'm afraid."

"Which is…?"

"Heartless," Electra confessed, recalling her unwillingness to understand Nemo's remorse and how cold she had been toward Franz. She actually completely forgot about him; all this time she didn't care what happened to the young man. She felt terrible.

Buried in her thoughts again, Electra lost track of what was going on around her, so it almost startled her when Nemo suddenly approached her. He bent down and took her hand. "Sometimes you're too quick to judge," he said quietly. "But you're not heartless, Starshine."

I wish you were right, she thought, and looked at him.

A loose strand of his hair slid over his shoulder, and almost touched her face. It took a lot to overcome the urge to wrap it around her finger. Who knows, perhaps he wouldn't mind. But it wasn't right, not here and not now. Maybe later, without the audience around... And so she just stared into his green eyes, to her the most beautiful eyes in the world, and all the misunderstandings and disappointment were suddenly forgotten.

"We should probably get going," Nemo said in a rather mysterious voice and helped her to her feet.

"Are we in a hurry?" she asked curiously.

"Actually, I've got an appointment," Nemo continued secretively, stepping up to the hanger to get her coat.

"Well, and what is it?" Electra inquired as he helped her dress. "Where are we going?"

"Is Schönbrunn enough?" offered Nemo, slipping into his cloak.

"What?" she laughed, surprised. "You mean that Schönbrunn?" she asked as she approached him to straighten his collar.

"I suppose so." Nemo admitted and smiled lightly at her. "There's not many more of them, as far as I know."

"So, what are we waiting for?" she replied eagerly, grabbing his forearm.

"I don't know. Although..." Nemo recalled, slightly embarrassed, reaching into his breast pocket, "something tells me I should still pay."

"Stickler." She smirked.

"As you may know, I normally run away without paying. But it's not a good idea today," he said in a mysterious tone again. "They'd catch you right away."

Winking at her, he swiftly turned away as not to give her a chance to answer and set off to settle the bill.

They then spent the rest of the afternoon in one of the most beautiful places Electra had ever visited in her lifetime. And not only was it interesting in itself, the two of them were also given the chance to see it at a rather unusual time. As it happened, this time of year the Emperor and his family were about to move here from their winter residence in Hofburg, and preparations for their arrival just culminated.

Everything was carefully tidy, cleaned and shiny, but at the same time the usual operation has not yet started here.

Thus, accompanied by Nemo and his former classmate, who held a high office here, Electra had the opportunity to see Schönbrunn as only few did, and in addition, undisturbed.

The only thing that could have annoyed her was that the beautiful gardens had only just woken up and did not offer as many beautiful views and colors as in the summer months. However, the local workers willingly gave them access to greenhouses and orangery, where there was no shortage of interesting plants of all kinds. Electra, of course, knew many of them from her homeland, but she was still pleased with all the exhibits, especially when she was able to impress her two companions by listing all the Latin names.

However, the area of the castle itself, the castle park and gardens, was immeasurable. Thus, Electra was grateful for a moment of rest and generous refreshments after a brisk tour of the local famous zoo. However, the time kept running too fast, and the sun began to tilt slowly but surely towards the horizon.

But it was not the end, and although she felt somewhat tired and her ankles ached, she was already looking forward to their next stop.

...

Electra placed her hands gracefully on the railing and inspected the space of the main nave once again. The crowd of believers was growing, and the seats in the pews were soon hopelessly occupied, but people were still streaming in. They now stayed mostly in the space below the organ loft and in the side naves, where she could no longer see. But even if she could, trying to catch a glimpse of one particular bachelor with chestnut hair and blue eyes in such a swarm was probably futile.

And so, Electra straightened again and looked around the monumental space of St. Stephen's Cathedral. She and Nemo had spent the third evening in a row here and had gone through the main premises of the temple several times, but the magnificence of the whole building still continued to astonish her.

In broad daylight, it was amazing to see the sun's rays coming through the high windows of stained glass, to see the light permeate through the vast space, emphasizing its variedness. After dark, everything seemed even more mysterious and intense – the decorated surfaces gleaming with the flickering light of candles, and the high vaults drifting away into the gloom.

With only moments to go until the start of the evening service, Electra smiled at the feeling of a strange tension that flowed through the space and grew stronger with each passing minute. The chorus singers were already tapping their feet (and not just out of the cold) on their raised benches, going through their scores for the last time, and quietly debating with their colleagues. Occasionally there was a cough or muffled laugh, as the soloists hummed quietly, and the ladies kept adjusting their shawls.

Nemo, meanwhile, provided accompaniment to all this by slow and peaceful improvisation on the finer registers of the majestic organ. He himself also conducted a quiet conversation with the organist standing next to him, who again left him his part for the evening.

But then there was a clangorous ring, which was then lost in the noise of the crowd standing up. Electra was able to see the organist plugging in the main registers, and for a moment she heard the intensified airflow through the organ whistles, just before they rang out to the fullest.

The whole space was then filled with thunder as monumental as the cathedral itself. Suddenly, the bodies and minds of all those present had no choice but to resonate with the intransigence of the sound. And that was exactly what Electra was waiting for – that strange part of the day when she could let go of all her fears and horrifying memories. She also knew that Nemo perceived it the same way, so even though they had arrived here together, they were each here just for themselves. If it wasn't necessary, they didn't feel the need to talk to each other.

Electra was not completely sure what this space meant to her, much unlike Nemo, who always had a soft spot for human-built temples. In his own words, they truly celebrated the Creator, unlike the Atlantean ones, who paid homage mainly to themselves. Electra had never visited the Great Temple of Tartessos herself, so she could not judge that. But as always, she simply trusted Nemo in his opinion and just let her mind drift with the beautiful music and words of love, mercy, and forgiveness.

After a while, she chose not to pay much attention to her cold hands and chilled fingers, and whenever she knew the lyrics, she sang along with the choir or with the people below and felt happy.

In the end, she was only sorry that many people rushed out too early and clearly did not care to enjoy the final organ improvisation, during which Nemo took several turns with the local organist (without any audible effect on the fluency of the presentation). The choir singers and other musicians, however, had a good time with this small performance and the sense of deep concentration slowly left them. They began to talk to each other cheerfully as they collected their scores and instruments. But eventually, even they started to leave the organ loft one after another.

Before the final triumphant tones came, Electra had said goodbye one last time to the beautiful space around her. For some reason, she leaned curiously over the railing, and then immediately remembered why she did so.

She couldn't resist a smile when she saw a certain young man with blue eyes and chestnut hair standing down below.

...

"The young man seems quite nice, doesn't he?" Nemo asked before lighting up a cigarette. He paused for a moment to pull on several times.

"Yes," said Electra, looking back at the spot where she and Franz had said goodbye a few moments earlier. The young man continued with his parents to the reception and fireworks in the grounds of the Hofburg Castle, while she and Nemo were going to view the same event from the terrace of their hotel suite.

"Well-read and educated..." Nemo continued, and, as always, let her hold on his forearm.

"It seems so." Electra admitted reluctantly and huddled closer to him. With the evening, the spring air got much cooler. Even a snowflake or two could be seen flying through the dim light of the gas lamps.

"And handsome, too."

"What?" Electra turned her head to frown at Nemo.

"I didn't say that much, did I? Don't you like him?" he asked, slightly amused, and pulled on again.

"I don't."

"Not even a bit?"

"No, not a bit!" Electra declared angrily.

"All right, whatever." Nemo admitted, turning away to exhale the smoke. "I just meant to say that if you were interested in seeing him more often or settling down here, I wouldn't have had anything against it." He explained in a mild, soothing voice.

On Electra, however, his words had quite the opposite effect.

"I'm not interested in anything like that!" she insisted. "Why would you even imply it? The Nautilus will be ready soon. Why would I want to settle here of all places?"

"I don't know... Things happen." Nemo answered in the same, kind tone, and the next moment he chose to put out the cigarette, much to Electra's relief. The wind was blowing in the undesirable direction, and despite Nemo's efforts, all the exhaled smoke went towards her.

"We often have plans," Nemo continued, "but then we meet someone, and everything changes."

"No such thing can happen to me." Electra replied sternly.

"Oh really?" laughed Nemo. "How can you be so sure?"

"Just like that." She snapped nervously. And before she could stop, she heard herself say: "Because I like..."

A moment passed.

"Yes?" He asked cautiously.

"I like someone else," she murmured hastily, immediately feeling a rush of warmth in her cheeks.

Nemo waited for a while before saying: "I see," and paused.

The ensuing silence was unbearable. Electra would have sworn that her heartbeat must have been heard over the ringing of the temple bell, which was just announcing 9 o'clock.

"Is it someone we met?" he asked when the ringing stopped. "Or perhaps a crew member?"

"No, no," she said at last, closing her eyes tightly. What in the world had come over her to make her start talking about this? And why was Nemo suddenly so interested?

"Hm. Who might that be then?"

"Just… No one," Electra replied, and smiled to herself over the fact she had actually answered truthfully. "Let it be." she asked of him, hoping that this would close the subject, and the following long silence certainly indicated just that. But something was wrong.

With each passing step, her nervousness and dismay faded, but at the same time a strange distress was stealing into her heart. Because wasn't it what she wanted all along? When will she ever get the chance to finally reveal her true feelings to Nemo and tell him that...

But she couldn't even say it in her thoughts, let alone declare it out loud. Electra lowered her head and closed her eyes again, this time just disappointed by her own weakness.

"So you're not going to tell me about him?" he asked all of a sudden, and she was quite certain her heart skipped a beat.

It was strange. He said it so quietly, he didn't even look at her. Did he know? Probably, she realized. He was not stupid; he must have known something for a while. Then why did he have to ask like that? Didn't he understand the embarrassment he'd caused her? Or did he really want to hear those words?

But on the other hand, it seemed he wished to learn something about himself like that, so why not.

You asked for it! Electra smiled internally as the embarrassment in her heart was suddenly replaced by a sense of competition. "Well, I could talk about him for hours," she sighed. "I don't even know where to start."

"Go ahead," Nemo encouraged her. "It already sounds interesting."

"Really?" she asked cheerfully. Just wait! "Well... He's definitely very well-read and educated, too. As far as I know, he has degrees from four universities."

"Oh!" he snorted contemptuously. "I'm sure he loves to flaunt them."

"That depends." admitted Electra. "He's definitely made a lot of influential friends like that. Besides, he studied completely different subjects at each of those schools. How many people in the world can say that?"

"Many, actually." he interrupted nervously, which Electra enjoyed very much to her pleasant surprise. "Anything more interesting?"

She bit her lip and thought. It was now clear that Nemo knew very well who they were talking about. And if this conversation could be taken as a game, then a few moves back he made a big mistake. "He likes music too," she continued. "He's a great piano player himself," she added, keeping a close eye on his reaction.

"Is he?" he said, his head bowed.

"Oh yes. And organist, too. He plays that instrument even better."

"Even better…" he grumbled to himself, still refusing to look at her.

"That's right!" Electra chirped sweetly. "Although he revels mainly in slow, melancholic compositions, he can handle even more brisk pieces without any problem. Even the most difficult ones."

"Without any problem, you say?" he raised an eyebrow doubtfully at her.

"Of course." confirmed Electra, returning his gaze with gusto. "And on top of that, he's very attentive and sensitive."

"He's probably just pretending that in front of you."

"Certainly not, I could tell. I could see it in his eyes, you know. They're green, by the way, of a very nice shade. Like the leaves on the trees in summer." she said softly, perhaps a little tenderer than she wanted, wishing he'd looked at her at that moment. "Overall, he's-"

"Are you sure you didn't make him up?" Nemo stopped her bluntly. "It's starting to sound a little unrealistic."

"He's real enough, don't worry." she countered, slightly disgruntled. "And I can tell you about his downsides, too, if that's what you're after."

"Go ahead, then."

"He's often moody or even peevish." Electra continued in a more serious tone. "Sometimes he won't say a word the whole day. But it's mainly his past that has to do with it. And he can't quite get rid of some of his vices, like smoking, even though he'd like to."

"Excellent! So, we have an arrogant elitist with a penchant for self-pity." Nemo told her triumphantly, despite what he had just said about himself. "He doesn't even know what he wants but likes to show off anyway. That's a pretty excruciating combination, Starshine."

"What?" Electra exhaled in astonishment, horrified at how easily he managed to take the wind out of her sails.

"Plus, he's messing with the young ladies' heads just for a bit of recognition. Here's a piece of good advice, Starshine – beware of him." he said, and pulled his hand out of her grip to give her a brief hug.

"But…"

"He does not deserve you," insisted Nemo, letting go of her, and quickened his pace in a rather ruthless way. He did not look at her or speak for the rest of the way to the hotel.

...

They gathered again on the terrace of their hotel suite, waiting together for the start of the fireworks, which was about to be launched from the Heroes' Square. The place was a part of the Hofburg castle grounds, which could be partly seen from the terrace. Nemo had known about this event in advance and adapted the choice of their room accordingly.

There was an open bottle of white wine on the table behind them. A metal box with the last few cigarettes was waiting there for Nemo, as well as the small golden chest with his Blue Water, which he always needed to keep track of. Everything was illuminated by a flame of a kerosene lamp, in the light of which all the glassy and metal surfaces gleamed.

"Did you and Franz talk in the end?" Electra began. Finally, she found something she could say. The silence between them had taken too long, again too long for what day was coming to an end. "I mean at the breakfast this morning. After... after I ran away."

"What makes you think so?" he asked thoughtfully, after sipping his wine.

"I don't know..." she replied a little helplessly. "He seemed somewhat nervous when we met in front of the cathedral. Especially after you had spoken to him."

"Well, I did talk to him in the morning. Let's say I just needed to make sure about certain issues." Nemo explained and just kept watching the gathering in the small square below. By this time, the streets were usually getting empty, but today it was full of the incoming and outgoing visitors of the reception, their carriages and all the accompaniment.

"Like…?" Electra demanded when he was clearly not about to continue.

"Like, whether Gargoyle didn't send him." Nemo replied in an earnest voice.

"I understand," Electra nodded. Although today they were celebrating, even if seemingly nothing was going on and there were no threats visible, they certainly should not forget about their mission and caution. "And?"

"Probably not," Nemo admitted after a while. He still gave a deeply pensive impression as he ran his thumb lightly over his glass. "At least the boy himself wasn't aware of it."

"But how did you get it out of him? I don't think you asked him directly...?"

"Of course not," Nemo confirmed. "I have other ways of finding out."

"Ah. And what are they, these 'ways'?" Electra couldn't help but ask after another long pause.

"That's classified," he replied, finally looking at her, this time with a mysterious, foxy smile.

"Come on, what did you say to him?" she insisted and leaned over the balustrade to look in his face.

"Not now, Starshine," said Nemo adamantly. "But we'll talk about it one day, I promise." he managed just before the first explosions of fireworks.

Of course, this explanation was not enough for Electra, and she felt that Nemo had dismissed her at best, but she knew very well that he wouldn't say anything more now. So, she decided not to take this matter any further (it wasn't particularly important anyway) and to enjoy the beginning of the light show instead. The night was clear, cloudless, and thus all the shining stars kept company to the shimmering bursts of colored sparks.

To be sure, compared to the hologram projections at the Tartessos festivities, this fireworks display looked imperfect, even feeble. Even the sound was nothing special, just explosions and hisses. Electra knew, however, that in the square from which the fireworks were fired, the accompanying music was played, and there were moments she was sure she could hear it. It immediately occurred to her that the overall experience and impression had to be amazing for the current visitors to the Hofburg, and she began to regret that she and Nemo had not joined in to prolong this night.

After a while, however, she realized that she could hear something else between the explosions. She turned her eyes to Nemo, who was standing beside her. He no longer leaned against the railing of the terrace, but stood straight, his head raised so that he would not miss a single spark from the light show. He still held a glass of wine in his right hand, his left in the pocket of his black tailcoat. He was looking up into the sky, humming a familiar tune to himself. But whether he was really watching the fireworks was not at all certain. It seemed that in his mind, he was somewhere else, in a different place and at a different time. Only the event might have been similar.

The firework was reaching its finale, with a series of the most beautiful sparkly geysers left for the very end. Then there was silence, which was straight away interrupted by applause from the street and from the surrounding terraces and windows. Electra joined in, but just for a while. She immediately turned back to Nemo, to see if he had returned from his memories.

"Welcome back," she smiled at him the moment she finally caught his eye.

"I didn't go anywhere," he blinked at her in surprise. "At least I'm not aware of it."

"You sang," she smiled a little more. "You know that?"

"Could you hear it?"

"Here and there, yes," said Electra. "I thought this tune was only sung on New Year's Eve..." she added then, curious.

"Yes," confirmed Nemo, back to his normal, focused self. "And every time something ends and something else begins."

"Were you thinking back on old times again?"

"I was." he said simply, leaning his forearm against the railing and staring at what was happening in the street below.

With those words, Electra couldn't help thinking that Nemo was somehow referring to Gargoyle again.

She didn't say anything for a long time, so he probably sensed her fear when he finally decided to say: "Last time I sang this tune with him, if you want to ask."

And once again, Electra felt full of disappointment. "Just… Why do you keep thinking about him? Why like this? Don't you hate him?"

Nemo did not answer at first, just bowed his head and sighed barely audibly. It made Electra wonder as to whether she had overreacted and irritated him.

"Things are often a lot more complicated than we're willing to admit, Starshine," he sighed. "One day you'll figure it out for yourself."

"One day?" she asked angrily. "When? When I'm old?"

"Do I look old to you?"

"Right now, yes." She replied, turning around so she could rest her lower back against the railing. "You definitely talk like that."

But Nemo just laughed and had a little wine. "I didn't even offer you some," he said afterwards, raising his glass meaningfully.

"Am I not too young for that?" Electra murmured, offended. It sounded very much like a mockery of him. After all, he had only one glass brought with the bottle, just for himself.

"Too young? Who knows? Perhaps you just talk like that," Nemo commented, his tone as biting as hers a moment ago.

Electra just gave him an offended hiss.

"I'm sorry." After a prolonged silence, Nemo offered her an apology.

But she did not answer anything. Instead, she obeyed a momentary whim, and without further thought, she briskly turned to Nemo, and ripped the half-empty glass out of his hand. She turned away then and drank the remaining wine up at once.

"What was it like?" asked Nemo, in a perfectly calm voice.

"Not bad," she confessed, glancing over her shoulder. But what exactly did she mean? The taste of the captured wine or the capturing itself? "I'm sorry," she said as she turned to him again. "Do you want me to refill it for you?"

"I can do this on my own, thank you," Nemo answered, straightening up. Then he reached into the inner pocket of his tailcoat and turned to face her. "I still have something for you," he said, putting on a mysterious smile.

"Yes?" she asked with hope in her voice.

"A little something," he replied, handing her a small wooden box in exchange for his glass.

Electra carefully took the object from him and examined it closely. The box was light, decorated with carved floral motifs. "Can I?" she asked, placing her fingers on the lock and suggesting that she wanted to look inside.

"What sort of a question is that?" His voice sounded impatient. "Of course not!" he stressed immediately afterwards, again perfectly calm and composed, despite what he had just said.

Of course, Electra knew right away that Nemo was just teasing her. The longer they had known each other, the better she had learned to notice the tiny, tender smile Nemo could never completely hide, and which, in the end, always betrayed his true intentions. She knew very well how to evaluate these situations and how to respond.

She pressed her lips together and nodded her head. "Why not?"

"Just like that. It's not really meant to be opened; you see. It's an unopenable box." he explained quite seriously.

"Um... So what happens if I open it anyway?"

"Hard to say. It may start to rain, the universe disappears... It varies from piece to piece." Nemo continued in the same manner, walking over to the table to refill his glass.

"Ah," she said slyly, following him. "Then why did you give it to me in the first place? Does it make sense?"

"Of course it does," he replied, too convincingly. "All depends on whether you open it or not," he said before sipping at his wine, the look in his eyes quite confident as he turned to her.

At that moment, Electra got insecure. What was that supposed to mean? Did he just tease her, or did the whole thing have another dimension? This time he managed to keep a serious face unusually long.

In the end, however, her curiosity won out. She cleared her throat meaningfully before answering: "Well, logically, if it starts raining, it's fine. And if the universe disappears, nothing is going to really matter anymore, so…"

"Other things can happen," he countered, his voice still unperturbed.

"At least we'll have fun," she shrugged.

"If you think so..." he said, repeating her gesture.

"Then I'll open it."

"Go ahead," he encouraged her, viewing her with curiosity.

Electra studied his expression closely, trying to read something from his face and eyes, but in vain. "Come on, stop it!" she couldn't stand it anymore, and grinned, even though she was trying to frown on him.

"What?" he asked, a little impatiently, and then, finally, the corners of his mouth twitched.

"Come on!" she laughed openly. "What's inside?"

"As far as I know, maybe nothing," he replied and pursed his lips to suppress his own smile. "See for yourself." he urged her and continued to watch her with interest.

"Should I be afraid?" she raised her eyebrows.

"I warn you; you have until midnight. Then the unopenable boxes are confiscated."

"All right!" stated Electra, closing her eyes firmly just before she finally opened the box. She also heard that Nemo was saying something to himself. She might have answered him, but then her gaze rested on a tiny gold locket.

She immediately recognized the sign on its surface. She inadvertently covered her mouth with her hand.

"It's the same... It's the one… mother used to wear..." she managed just before her throat tightened and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I thought you'd be happy," Nemo said, embarrassed.

"I am!" sobbed Electra but laughed at the same time. "But how is that possible? Where did you get it?"

"This one belonged to one of your aunts, I guess," he answered, looking at the locket. "I bought it at the auction in Paris, if you remember."

"Where you didn't want to take me with you?" She looked up at him and wiped her teary cheeks with the back of her free hand.

"Well, at least you now know why."

"Huh," Electra nodded, giving up the wiping of tears as they just kept coming.

Nemo just watched her quietly for a while. But then he suddenly declared: "Your grandparents are still alive, Starshine."

"That's possible," Electra admitted, running her fingertips across the relief of the locket. She didn't quite know what to make of the information.

"Would you like to see them?" he asked, stepping a little closer.

"I don't know." Electra shrugged.

"Other relatives of yours live with them," he reminded her in a soft, calming voice. "I'm sure everyone would like to meet you."

What was that again? Hadn't she made herself clear enough before? "I don't want to stay with them, either, if that's what you're after." she said, perhaps too harshly, in contrast to his calm diction. "I'll stay with you." she added, her tone a lot milder this time.

"Look," sighed Nemo, and thought for a while before he continued: "If I've never emphasized it before, I'll tell you now-"

"Please, don't!" begged Electra, in a much more desperate voice than she would have preferred. She was suddenly unable to resist the impression that this Meeting Day was their last and that he wanted it that way.

"Let me finish!" Nemo warned her emphatically as he approached her and grabbed her by the arms.

"I'm not the master of your life." he said a little calmer again, looking into her eyes. "You were born my subject but given what I... what I allowed to happen to our country, I have no right to demand anything from you. You don't owe me anything, is that clear? I raised you as my own daughter because I wanted to. Willingly. I'm the one who's paying you back. You can live your life the way you want. I don't expect you to follow me on all my journeys. What's between me and Gargoyle doesn't have to concern you. I will be happy if you stay with me for some time, but I will be even happier if you find a real home and live a peaceful, orderly life with your family."

"An orderly life with my family?" she countered mockingly, returning his gaze. "I've lived like that before, you know. It didn't turn out very well."

"No, it did not." Nemo had to admit, looking away for a moment.

"If I ever have a home again, it will be on the Nautilus." Electra declared, her voice amicable, but unyielding as well.

"Consider it well, Starshine." he replied, and, to her surprise, raised his hands and wiped away her tears himself. "It's going to be a hard life. Completely different from the one we live now."

"I know. And I can handle it. Trust me." Electra insisted, searching his face. Their eyes did not meet, though.

"As you wish," he said resignedly. He then gently ran the back of his hand over her cheekbone, which forced her to hold her breath and lower her eyes.

When she refused to look up to him again, he gently touched her under the chin and forced her. "But promise me you'll give it a thought," he asked her when their eyes finally met.

"I guess I can." Electra agreed, barely audible. She didn't know what to do with the strange and unbearably pleasant feeling that had begun to spill over her body. She kept looking into his eyes and tried to recognize something in them, but she couldn't. But she could not get rid of the feeling that he knew everything about her at that moment.

However, Nemo was the one who looked away first. He just turned to the table and drank generously from his glass of wine. But before that happened, Electra couldn't help but notice him glancing at her lips.

Suddenly her hands began to tremble, so she put the box on the table, joined her palms in front of her and intertwined her fingers. When she managed to calm down a bit, she reached out to the gold locket and touched the surface with her fingertips. Then she carefully removed it from the box.

Nemo noticed and put down his glass. "Do you want to wear it?" he asked quietly.

"Yes." Electra nodded.

"May I?" he said to her then, his eyes on the chain.

"Of course." she smiled.

And so, he came closer to her again and carefully took the chain into his hands.

Electra's hair was tied in a bun – there was no need to pull it out of her neck. She just leaned her palms against his chest and bowed her head.

And quite possibly it was the wine, or what they had just talked about, and maybe all the impressions and experiences they had collected throughout the day, but it was too much for Electra. They were so close... And on top of that, he touched her again, so tenderly. She was fully aware of every little part of her skin he merely brushed with his fingertips.

Goosebumps appeared on her arms as she buried her face into a tangle of his long hair. They smelled of cold air and cigarette smoke, of incense and sweat. It was strange, she couldn't tell what she was so attracted to, but it all created the most beautiful scent in the world.

I just like it; I can't explain it – Electra remembered his words from the morning and only now was she able to fully appreciate them.

When the chain was pinned, he placed his hands slowly and hesitantly on her shoulders, and that was the moment she couldn't control herself anymore. She brushed the hair off his forehead, put her arm around his neck, and kissed him on the cheek. And again, and again, until she finally rubbed the tip of her nose gently against his and kissed him on the lips, as carefully and lovingly as she ever could. There was no time to think that she had never kissed anyone like that before, and whether she was doing it right at all. She just did it.

His lips moved, too, so for a moment she felt that her kiss was being returned. And so she embraced him even tighter and kissed him again, not as carefully, but all the more fervently.

Her dismay was therefore all the greater when Nemo pushed her away. The rejection was soft, and yet uncompromising. "What are you doing?" he asked, surprised.

"Kissing you." she replied simply. She had nothing else to say, so she just opted for the most truthful message. She tried to kiss him again, but he turned away. "You don't want me to?" she whispered desperately, trying to look him in the eye. "Don't you like me?"

"That is not what it's about," he said quietly, refusing to look at her.

"So what is it?"

"I just can't." he explained in a trembling voice. "Please don't do that again."

"And when I'm older?" she tried once more, caressing his hair. "Will you want me?" she asked in her last hope.

"Starshine..." he said urgently, closing his eyes. He grabbed her hands, suggesting that she put them away. "You don't fully understand your heart yet. It'll pass, you'll see."

"But I don't want it to pass!" insisted Electra. "It'll never go away." she shook her head dismissively, tears reappearing in her eyes.

"Just give it some time. One day you'll forget about me."

"That will be the day I die." said Electra adamantly, feeling tears running down her cheeks and chin.

"It's getting late. We should go to bed." he answered, his tone agonizingly composed and indifferent. He squeezed her hands for one last time and then just turned to the table and refilled his glass.

At that moment Electra completely fell into the emptiness and despair that flooded her heart. Her thoughts went in a strange, wrong direction, but it didn't matter anymore. She should rather not say what she was thinking, but she still couldn't help herself. "I'm not as beautiful as she was, am I?" She said in a trembling voice.

"Starshine..." Nemo pleaded helplessly, not even looking at her.

"Not so educated, or wise, or sensitive," Electra continued desperately. "And I'm just horribly pale."

"What?" he looked at her in disbelief.

"I'm just a common girl." she sobbed, shaking her head. She refused to look him in the eye. "I'm not like you. I... I'm nothing but a human."

"What did you say?" Nemo breathed, horrified, as he turned and walked over to her again. "Come on, Starshine..." he tried to soothe her, holding her hands tenderly.

But Electra did not care anymore.

"Don't you touch me!" she lashed out at him in disgust and pushed him away.

"If you don't want me, then why are you doing all this?" she blamed him, standing in a slight forward bend, so that she could get the words out of herself with appropriate force. "You should have sent me away long ago!" she shouted just before she ran to the French window of her bedroom, which she then opened, entered and slammed behind her.

Tartessos, March 1876 -

Even the emergency entrance to the Great Hall could not be easily opened. He must have used all the power he could find in himself to move the door just a fraction. There was a sharp pain throbbing in his burned hands, but it did not really matter – nothing really mattered anymore considering what was going on outside, and what probably had just happened inside.

When he finally managed to reach into the hall, all he could do was make a rasping sound full of despair. He found that the entire ceiling had collapsed and covered everything below.

He wasn't sure how he managed to get across the mountains of rubble so quickly, but he did. He headed up to the Shared Throne, where he used to sit together with his queen; and where he had left his son a just few minutes ago. The child's little body and mind had been too weak, he couldn't even speak. Only in his thoughts Venusis had asked him to go to the Tower and shut down the deadly device immediately.

Now, Eleusis was on his way back. On the tops of the fallen fragments of the ceiling, he climbed up to the throne, and saw something he never wanted to see. A heavy piece of stone, and underneath it, a tiny, crushed hand, cleanly severed under the elbow.

But there was not much blood, and its traces led to the mighty columns behind the throne, to the gaping empty space after one of the two rescue ships.

As for the throne itself, on the king's side, the backrest was split up by a long crack, with the Guardian of Tartessos plunged in it.

It was the name of an ancient sword held by the royal family since the early settlement era. According to an old tradition, it belonged to the chief commander of the Royal Guard – a rather symbolic function associated with the office of the First Minister. Even the sword itself served purely as a symbol of the office these days, and it was certainly not necessary for the First Minister to carry it with him all the time. But Gargoyle always insisted. It probably made him feel more powerful. But most likely it would never have occurred to him, even in the worst dream, what the sword would eventually have to be used for.

Venusis's blood trickled darkly where the blade of the sword met the stone of the throne. Other times, all these sights would feel insane, unthinkable, but today this horrific scene meant hope. It meant that Venusis was still alive and out of danger. With that in mind, Eleusis looked around again. Did he really hear crying under all the rumbling and thunder? Was it even possible?

"Nadia, my little one..."he murmured as he turned toward the residential part of the palace. Through the sunken ceiling of the hall, the building should be visible...

His heart stopped at that moment.

It wasn't there. The entire residential wing, his home, a place where he had lived with his family, was gone.

And soon he witnessed the cause of this destruction. Suddenly, a bundle of dazzling rays from the Tower emerged, and then passed through the Great Hall just as smoothly as a knife through a chunk of butter. As a result, a good third of the room slowly slipped off its base with a deafening rumble and collapsed down the side of the palace.

There was no time to wonder if it was worth it at all – he just ran down the edges of the stones to the portal to the inside of the palace. There was a roar of collapsing walls and vaults, and everything was shaking, but it all was unimportant. His daughter was waiting for him. She must have been there, somewhere. Surely someone had taken care of her when he couldn't. Someone must have, right?

He would have probably missed them if one of the support columns, which had nothing left to support, hadn't suddenly fallen to the ground just a few feet away from him. For a moment Eleusis was forced to stop and quickly look for a more viable path. That was when he finally saw them, crouched among the ruins of the ceiling. They were hiding just behind another of the fallen pillars.

As soon as she saw her father, little Nadia reached out to him. With her other tiny arm, she hugged the neck of her nanny. She was a tall and burly woman from the Forest Nation who was once a skilled hunter and warrior. Eleusis probably wouldn't have chosen someone like that for his daughter, but Sonia insisted. And given the events of these days, the selection was remarkably far-sighted.

It was astonishing that the coup plotters let this woman continue to take care of Nadia. After all, she was just a human, even though there was a little Atlantean blood in her veins, as evidenced by her bright blue eyes – the same eyes that were now watching the night sky with concern, as the deadly glow was approaching again.

Eleusis looked back and at once measured the path he had taken to this place. They could… no, they had to handle it, there was no choice. Now or never, he decided and leapt over the collapsed pillar. He took his daughter from the maid and then held the woman's hand tightly. Together, they walked around the pillar, and made their way through the ruins toward the Shared Throne. It went surprisingly smoothly – the maid still hadn't lost her agility and strength, and where necessary, they helped each other.

The devastating glow rushed through the hall, cutting off another part, as they finally stood in front of the remaining rescue module built into the mighty column behind the throne.

For a moment, Eleusis wasn't quite sure if the second rescue ship would work. After all, it had been in its place, silent and waiting, for millennia. He himself had always perceived the ships as a mere part of the architecture of the hall, he would never have thought that one day he would really need them.

Despite his fears, however, he managed to activate the ship, he only needed to touch it. The two Blue Waters on his neck shimmered, and the ship responded by lighting up and starting up the engines. Everything worked perfectly, as if the ship were brand new and only installed to its niche yesterday.

Eleusis turned to the maid and nodded toward the opening entrance. But the woman's eyes widened in horror. She was shaking her head and pointing at him, at Nadia and the inside of the ship. Silently, without words, as if she couldn't speak.

They cut out her tongue, he realized then. And only now did he notice the strange little scars that covered her face, forearms, abdomen, and thighs. Many of them resembled burns, and many looked quite fresh. What this poor woman had to endure, what she had to go through just so the rebels let her stay with Nadia...?

However, there was no time for thoughts and speculation. "I have to stay," he explained in her speech, in the calmest voice that could be used in a situation like theirs. "But you have to live. You have to, if only because of all the things they did to you. Please, don't let it break you, don't let them win. You have to live, just like my daughter. Please, continue to take care of Nadia." he asked her and supported his words with the traditional greeting of her people – he placed his hand behind her neck and touched her forehead with his own. And after a hesitant moment, she finally closed her eyes and nodded.

With a heavy heart, Eleusis then literally tore Nadia from himself, handed her over to the maid, and put the queen's Blue Water around the child's neck. Of course, Nadia did not want to let go, she protested and squirmed. She wept heartily and called out to him as hard as her nearly one-year-old voice allowed, grabbing his hair and hands, but it was no use. He had to let her go.

"Your mother will be with you, Nadia. She will always protect you; I can promise you that. Goodbye, little girl," he said, leaning inside the ship to kiss his daughter on the forehead.

"Thank you for everything," he managed to tell the maid as the door of the module were closing.

"Live, Nadia. You have to live!" he exclaimed, falling to his knees, as the ship took off.

He stared after them for a long time, and, noticing the bright glow crossing the night sky, he realized what a terrible mistake he had just made.

However, the small ship avoided all the devastating rays rather effortlessly, and continued to rise unwaveringly to the safe heights, until it became only a small glowing dot. Just a tiny blue star, far above.

Finally, Eleusis closed his eyes, hung his head, and quietly thanked the Creator for this undeserved consolation – certainly undeserved for what he had done to his homeland and for what he was about to do next.

And so he stood again before the Shared Throne. With his right hand he grasped the hilt of Gargoyle's sword and vigorously jerked it out of the stone grip. He dragged it carelessly behind him as he made his way back through the fallen rubble and rocks to the emergency entrance and then upstairs, to the control room of the Tower. The edge of the sword was sliding across the stone pavement, sparkling and creaking.

In the control room, Eleusis reached the crumbling wall and looked out at his burning, dying kingdom. He raised the sword and touched the blade lightly with the palm of his left hand. Droplets of blood appeared immediately, there was no need to apply pressure. The blade was obviously still incredibly sharp. What he was about to do would be too easy, desperately so.

He closed his eyes and let the blade of the sword rest on his left shoulder. He chose to die just like Sonia, his queen. Why shouldn't he? They shared the rule over Tartessos, as well as love for each other and for their children. Why shouldn't they share the same death?

But something was stopping him.

Someone.

He tried to overcome it, but he couldn't. The Blue Water on his chest lit up, and Eleusis realized his mistake too late. He should have disposed of the stone first.

Let me go! He begged his father's mind, safely stored in the structure of the blue gem. Of course, the previous king must have been dead by now. If he hadn't been executed among the first, he certainly lost his life in the ensuing devastation.

But there was an uncompromising answer: No. First, deal with what you've done. This is not the end.

It is! It's all gone. Eleusis insisted.

There's only a city gone, son. But the Earth is still here, and it's still ours, his father objected. Your wife is dead, and until your children grow up, the sole heir to the Blue Water and to this planet is you. For now, it's up to you what happens next. Only when you take care of your heritage can you go back to the stars. I won't let you do it sooner. You know I can't. Besides, this isn't a death worthy of a king of Tartessos. I'm disappointed in you, Elu. Turn to me with something better next time!

Eleusis did not answer that. Instead, he defied one last time. The muscles in his hands were squirming and twisting, his rings creaking against the hilt of the sword, blood gushing out of his nose, but everything was in vain. His ability to control the Blue Water was too weak for that. Sonia would handle it easily. He could not.

And so, in a rush of rage, he gathered the accumulated energy and stabbed the sword into the stone floor; with a shower of sparks bursting from the blade on impact.

Then he walked up to the edge of the room, where the wall had just opened. He lay his hand on the ruins of the wall and leaned out, over the chasm between him and the flames that were now consuming Tartessos and all its inhabitants. Who knew, maybe it will all turn out differently. Maybe the Tower will finally come down, engulfed in flames so fierce that even his Blue Water would not be able to save him from death.

And maybe his father was right about everything.

Giving up life was an easy, but wrong solution. Nadia and Venusis are going to need him. And the humans, too. In recent days, he had blamed them for many things. Today, however, had taken away all his rights to feel superior. And so he just watched. Quietly and wearily, he stared at the demise of his homeland, letting his thoughts wander over all the chaos and destruction.

When he opened his eyes again, silence hovered over everything. Gruesome, unbearable silence and tranquility. He wasn't even aware that he had fallen asleep. It was almost pitch black around, except for the faint reflection of the golden hilt of the Guardian of Tartessos. It was like a tiny, lonely star high in the dark sky.

Eleusis sat up effortlessly and looked outside. It was still (or again?) night, and the stars, billions of stars were shimmering in the sky, their light being reflected in the mirror-calm surface of a new, dark lake. A lake that had so mercifully extinguished the raging heat and covered all the destruction.

At any other time, it would certainly be a breathtaking, beautiful sight.

"Is that possible?" came from the back of the room. "Is that you, Elu?"

"I wish I wasn't," the addressed replied softly, unable to rejoice that his old friend and teacher was alive.

They spent the next day searching the ruins of the palace to find other survivors. There was a threatening thunder and creaking from everywhere, the building was shaking and rubble and stones constantly rushing from all sides. However, the Blue Water shone like never before in an effort to prevent the worst. Elu was well aware of this and took advantage of it shamelessly. If his father and other ancestors insisted on his survival, let them try their best.

In the end, they found two other humans hiding in the well-protected premises of the royal jewels vault, but otherwise they found no one.

After they had left the Tower on a makeshift boat and set out on the surface of the new lake, the rumbling started. And as soon as they reached the shore, the Tower finally gave up and collapsed into the dark waters.

Thank you all. But I can handle the rest on my own, Elu spoke in his mind to the heart of his blue stone, looking at the rippling water. He then took the Blue Water from his neck and placed it in a small golden chest.

After two days of travel filled only with the cries of scavengers, the burial of bodies, and the occasional rest, everything seemed so monotonous. He was beginning to feel like he'd gotten used to death. It was all around after all, in the water and on the ground; the smell of it lingered in the air. Elu slowly dulled to the repetitive sights of dead bodies. But it was his duty to take care of them. At least in this way.

But then he saw something strange, unexpected. Up front and right, under the rock overhang. Blonde hair and sky-blue eyes. They gleamed among the dark rocks, like two solitary lights among the trees in a dark forest.

She was a starved little girl, quiet and curled up, with an incredulous, almost wild look on her face. She had a fair, slightly freckled complexion and was wearing a dirty, torn dress. She didn't say a word or move. She just sat brazenly in the shadow of the overhang, unaware of the absolute uniqueness of her existence. And she was alive. Alive. A little bright star shining from the darkness. That was what she looked like to him, and that was exactly how he addressed her.

"Don't be afraid, Starshine. I won't hurt you."

Vienna, 30 March 1880, 23:30 -

But I did, and not just once, Nemo realized, feeling deeply disappointed with himself.

Because he had hurt her even before they met. It was him who was responsible for the demise of her beloved ones, it was him who destroyed her whole world, everything she had ever known.

He had hurt her the second time, when he allowed a firm bond to form between them and refused to introduce her to her remaining relatives at the first opportunity.

Instead, he began treating her like his own daughter. He devoted himself to her almost constantly, teaching and educating her, making sure she did not suffer from any shortcomings. He gave her everything a true father could give his own child. He taught her and developed all the abilities that he had managed to discover in her, and he watched with joy as her personality grew.

But why exactly? Was it all just for her?

Maybe it was time to admit that her good was probably second only. Because in fact, he had done it all for himself.

By the time he found her, his life had been turned upside down again. After the loss of his loved ones and the destruction of his city, he had only a very vague idea of what to do with his life, what he should do first, what to strive for. He didn't know whether to track down Venusis or Nadia first, he wasn't quite clear on anything. He didn't even know who he was supposed to be.

But then his Starshine appeared, and everything seemed to be solved. From the very beginning, she believed it was necessary to find Gargoyle at all costs – find and destroy him and his plans. She was the only presence in his life that determined his direction, closing all those gaping, cruel chasms in his heart at the same time.

He couldn't get rid of her; he couldn't let her go so she could spend the rest of her childhood with her real family. He desperately needed her beside him; to keep reminding him of what had become the new goal of his life. He had to keep her close, so that her presence could protect him from the torturous memories and remorse, from the utter despair he might have succumbed to. He needed her as much as she needed him, and maybe much more.

He was all too aware of the infinite gratitude and admiration she had for him, and he had become accustomed to these feelings all too quickly, too easily. Every day he needed to look into her eyes full of unwavering trust, just to reassure himself that his decisions and actions still made sense.

Next time he had hurt her just by letting her grow up next to him, and it all came to a point where he had to deny her certain things that at first seemed completely normal and innocent. The time came when he could no longer let her comb his long hair, and when he could no longer just let her fall asleep on his shoulder. She didn't understand and felt repulsed and betrayed. And rightly so.

Finally, he had hurt her just as much when he let her fall in love with him with full knowledge.

Of course he knew. At first, he was just trying not to admit it. He simply chose to ignore her changed behavior; and excused her in front of himself and others. Maybe he was just naïvely waiting for her to get over it... And maybe not. Maybe the opposite was true, and just as he needed to make sure of her trust and admiration every day, he now needed to make sure of her love and affection, too.

In the end, he found himself rejecting her inappropriate behavior on the outside, but in private he would often incite it, just as he had done today.

But what was the point?

What did you think was going to happen? He blamed himself, lighting the third and certainly not the last cigarette.

He knew very well that he had provoked her to what she had done. It couldn't have turned out otherwise. And that was when he was forced to hurt her again, by cruelly dismissing the feelings he had just awakened in her.

If you don't want me, why are you doing this? He remembered her words – and it was a justifiable reproach. Moreover, she was right in the next sentence, too. He should have sent her away, he should have let her live her own, normal life. And he should have done that a long time ago, and not wait cowardly until today, when he was sure she'd turn the offer down.

At any time before, they could have still parted peacefully. But if she was going to leave now, more tears and accusations should be expected.

After all, even now she was probably sprinkling her pillow with tears, full of bitterness and disappointment. Worse still, it was him who allowed all this to happen. He let her accuse herself alone of the whole situation and speak the way she did.

So, he should get up and go speak to her as soon as possible, explain everything and apologize, comfort her, and tell her that what she said about herself is by no means based on the truth.

He should have done it right after her self-critical speech, but he simply could not. He had to let her walk away, desperate and full of rage. He couldn't go after her, grab her hand and stop her, force her to turn to him.

He couldn't do it. He was far from sure if there would be any words at all.

He could not touch her again, not until he calmed down.

So he stayed here alone, sat down at the table, lit one cigarette after another and finished the wine, hoping that the cold wind would eventually take away all his inappropriate thoughts and feelings.

But neither alcohol nor cold air helped much.

He tried his best not to think of her smooth skin, of her clever, sky-blue eyes, of the achingly sweet feeling when she kissed him. He tried not to think about whether she was changing and what she looked like while doing it. He hoped that she might not think of reopening the French window and coming back, just in an unbuttoned nightgown, as she had done in the morning. He hoped it would not happen.

And at the same time, he wanted it from the bottom of his heart.

"Come on, she's fifteen..." he admonished himself in a low voice and closed his eyes firmly as his thoughts began to spiral out of control again.

But even if she were older, and if he still did not have more paternal feelings for her, what would that change?

He was still the one who had caused the greatest misfortune of her life, and it didn't matter that she was not aware of the fact. Yet.

Could he abuse her trust like that?

To be sure, if she had known the truth from the beginning, she would never have let him get close to her. She would have never fallen in love with him, and she would probably care a lot more about going to her original homeland, to her family.

But instead, he had exposed her to an incomplete story, to a deception. For four years he had been anxious to keep the truth from leaking to her ears.

Again, he recalled the strange incident at breakfast today. He had lost control over his emotions and let his memories permeate her mind. He recalled those moments of horror when he had seen her leave. He had been convinced that she had run away from him because she realized the truth. When he found out a short time later that it was not the case, it was literally a load off his mind, but he could not afford to show any of it.

Of course, he had to cover up that episode. He had to close it down and leave Electra in her ignorance again.

He realized very well that if he cared more about her and her good, he would have told her the whole story a long time ago. But that would deprive him of her admiration, devotion and love… And he simply could not let that happen.

He breathed in the cigarette smoke one last time, and, disgusted with himself, finally decided to get up and go out for a while.

He leaned forward trying to get up from his chair, but the old familiar pain in the nape of his head settled him back.

The reason was quite simple – again he hadn't been careful enough and sat down on his hair. It reminded him that he had been postponing regular trimming for too long, but then he realized, finally, that the trimming was actually just another deception on his part.

After all, that was the meaning behind this old Atlantean tradition – he was supposed to sit on his hair now and then, it should have bothered him all the time to constantly remind him of his resolutions.

Otherwise, the meaning was lost.

With a deep sigh, he realized how hypocritical he had been all along, and not just about following this tradition.

Yes, he behaved like a hypocrite, to Electra, to others and to himself. Four years ago, he had claimed to have become No One, gave up his past and his name, but it turned out these were just words.

The life he subsequently began to lead didn't match his resolution at all. He had decided to call himself Nemo, but in fact he merely became his own self from his student years in Europe, from a time when he lived a completely carefree life among the humans, safe and away from the affairs of Tartessos.

And of course, tonight's events were nothing less than a direct result and the culmination of his selfish, hypocritical behavior.

By what right had he taught Electra earlier today about the correct approach to others when he himself had not yet learned it? He repeated the same mistakes over and over again, despite all the horrific lessons his life had given him.

What did his father say on the day Tartessos fell? …the sole heir to the Blue Water and to this planet is you. It's up to you what happens next.

If that was indeed the case, if he were to truly declare war on Gargoyle and defend the Earth, he would have to finally free himself from his emotions and get rid of his desires; abandon anything that might stand in his way toward that goal. It probably would not happen overnight, it will take some time and effort, but the lessons of today could be a good start.

After this conclusion, Nemo finally got up, picked up the kerosene lamp and the Blue Water chest, and headed for his bedroom. He hesitated for a moment whether he should try to lie down, but after a while it became clear to him that he'd better not. It was obvious who and what he would be thinking of right after he would close his eyes.

So he just brushed his hair quickly, fastened the Blue Water to the necklace and hung it around his neck, got dressed, and walked out to the anteroom with the lamp in his hand. But instead of heading outside, Nemo settled the lamp on the chest of drawers and quietly walked up to the opposite door— the door to her bedroom. He stopped one step away and listened. For a long time, nothing could be heard, but then there was something very close to a muffled sob. He exhaled in disappointment and bowed his head, then finally raised his right hand and knocked softly.

When there was no reaction from the inside, he tried again, a little more forcefully. Finally, he just leaned toward the door to say: "I'm going out for a while. I'm taking my key – yours is on the chest of drawers. You don't have to get up, I'll lock the door."

Silence.

Apparently there was no point in waiting for an answer, so he turned and headed for the front door, but before he could reach for the lantern, the door behind him opened.

"And where are you going? I mean, if I may ask..." she inquired in a weary, torn voice with a hint of mockery.

"Just for a walk," Nemo replied, hesitant to turn around. But in the end, he did, and when he saw her in the dim light, he found that she had already changed. And that all the buttons on her nightgown had been carefully fastened. He breathed a sigh of relief and walked closer to her. Just don't do anything stupid, he internally warned himself. (And her as well).

But her eyes were lowered, she refused to even look at him. Asking her how she felt was probably pointless.

"But before I go, I'd like to tell you something important," he declared, trying to make his voice sound kind, but decisive. "Those things you said about yourself out on the terrace… I don't want to hear anything like that again."

"I guess what I say or not shouldn't bother you anymore." she snorted, sounding a bit derisive, but resigned at the same time.

"Why?"

"Aren't you going to send me away now?" she asked, raising her eyes for a moment, perhaps to make sure of his intentions. "I'm packed anyway," she added then, again in such a painfully listless tone.

"Why would I do that?" he said, incredulous.

"Well..." she muttered indecisively, running her fingers along the doorframe. "After all I said..."

"Oh, it was awful, without a doubt," he smiled, leaning his shoulder against the other side of the doorframe.

"Aren't you mad at me?" she said, glancing at him.

"If I'm mad at anyone, then at myself," he confessed, trying to catch her eye.

But she was still dodging. "I feel terrible," she whispered, almost inaudibly.

"Then stop now, please."

"And how am I supposed to do that?" She spoke a little harder, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Just like that." Nemo shrugged. He didn't really know what to say. Only after a while did he find the right words. "We'll forget about it. We'll act like it didn't happen." he suggested to her and, in fact, to himself.

"So, we won't return to this? Ever again?" She continued his thought, hurriedly wiping away her tears.

"Return to what?" he tried, watching her reaction.

She smiled. Softly, but still. "I don't seem to remember."

"Now, that's better." he returned the smile carefully. He wished to hug her, but that still wasn't a good idea. "Go get a good night's sleep, and get your head back on track," he said instead. "In Prague, we have a certain Mr. Tesla to impress."

"We?" she asked, softly touching a speck on the carpet with her toe. "Me too?"

"Especially you."

"Stop it," she grinned endearingly. "Is he handsome?" she asked then.

"I'm not sure if I can judge that," he replied truthfully, "But I'd say he is. And if nothing else, surely it'll be interesting to talk to him."

"And… What about Prague, what is it like?" she asked afterwards, and her voice sounded very even and inquisitive again, almost as always.

"Amazing," Nemo replied, remembering all the captivating views and picturesque spaces. "You have something to look forward to, Starshine."

"Then I will," she gave him a fleeting but keen smile. "And please, come back soon." she added eventually.

"Don't worry," he assured her. "Good night."

"Good night," she whispered softly, finally facing him. The dim light of the lamp reflected off her eyes just as it had years ago off the calm surface of the lake that flooded Tartessos. There was still a hint of grief and helplessness in them. But with a little attention, hope could also be seen.

She held out her hand to him, slowly and hesitantly.

Don't do that, Nemo warned himself.

Even so, he finally touched her fingers. And he regretted it right away as he was forced to tame his imagination again. He quickly took his gaze elsewhere.

But he should still say something, too. Something encouraging.

"One day you will make someone the happiest being in the world," he said, letting go of her hand rather reluctantly.

Why 'being'? Why didn't he say 'human'? Don't you dare think it could be you!

The next few days would be difficult, Nemo realized as he nodded to her for one last time and finally forced himself to leave.

Young Mr. Franz may have been well-read and handsome.

But as a spy, he's completely useless, Gargoyle noted to himself, as he watched the blue-eyed lad from a safe distance.

Said young man seemed to have fun talking to an attractive lady, who happened to be Gargoyle's assistant. It was even refreshing to watch these two speak to each other in such a playful manner, the only problem was that Franz did not really say anything essential.

Disappointed and angry, Gargoyle growled to himself and sipped at his wine. Franz might have revealed more if the two of them could speak to each other directly, but Gargoyle knew it wasn't possible.

It was not yet appropriate to meet the young man in person. From what Franz was about to explain, it was clear that Eleusis had peered into his mind. And had he done the same tomorrow, and had he seen Gargoyle there, all would have been lost.

This is useless, Gargoyle thought after another of Franz's long, but empty monologues about the charms of that fair-haired girl whom, for some reason, Eleusis pretended to be his daughter.

But probably something else is true.

Gargoyle allowed himself a mischievous little smile. You're just a hypocrite, cousin.

After all, Eleusis always liked to brag about how righteous he was to humans; how he perceived them as equal. However, at the earliest opportunity, he acquires one of them as a pet, just as the local people from the upper class buy dogs and cats. And on top of that, a girl this young, so that, just like a puppy, he could bring her up to his liking.

What did Eleusis lure her to? To his appearance or fortune? To how witty a companion he always was? Probably all together.

And did this girl fall in love with him, as almost all human women used to do? And did he already take full advantage of it? After all, he didn't have to be reluctant now. Years ago, Eleusis had generously rejected everyone because of Sonia. He would never betray her even at the time they hadn't been married yet. But now...

Remembering Sonia and her grandeur and beauty compared to other Atlantean women, let alone some human slut, made Gargoyle almost faint. Such an insult.

Disgusted, he pushed himself away from the wall and walked back inside. Besides getting a little fresh air, what to do outside? He finished his wine and decided to go get more.

It was getting late, well after midnight, and the reception was about to end. The official part, that is. The mood inside the palace certainly corresponded to that. The general fuss and lively conversation had been broken down into smaller, sparse groups of more persistent guests. Only here and there, a louder speech coming from the more alcohol-invigorated individuals could be heard.

Gargoyle made his own unmistakable approach to the table with filled glasses, however, he changed his mind at the last moment and instead headed up the stairs, into one of the smaller lounges. Cigars and cigarettes were available there.

He could not even remember how long it was since he last lit one. Maybe... yes, it must have been back then, with his cousin.

He and Eleusis had been on their way from Europe back to their homeland. They lit a cigarette one last time, just before the former Prime Minister of Tartessos came to pick them up in Cairo.

But this memory was not exactly one of the happiest. In fact, it was when their carefree life ended forever. But for Gargoyle personally, all life's happiness had ended much earlier.

However, there was no point in dealing with that now. I'm going to light one up, hear the assistant and go to sleep, he decided, with the lounge door in sight. But before he stepped inside, he was stopped by another, completely unexpected rush of memories.

It was clear what their source was. He would know this tune always and everywhere. Schubert's Ständchen.

He closed his eyes and breathed heavily before grabbing the door frame and peering inside carefully, very carefully. At that sight, Gargoyle felt his heart fall apart. Indeed, it was him. The same, long raven hair, just like then... Why did Eleusis have to come here? Why did he have to play this particular song? Did he know about Gargoyle's presence? Did he do this to him on purpose?

Gargoyle knew he was taking a risk, but nonetheless, he walked in slowly, gliding silently into a shadowy nook. Then he couldn't help himself but looked down at his left hand, at the finger on which he still wore a wedding ring, although there was no longer for whom.

The gentle, mournful tones reached him through the muffled conversation and pierced his mind like daggers. It was astonishing how little it took for that forgotten part of his life to suddenly return in full force, as if he had only lived through it all yesterday.

In an instant, everyone else disappeared, the room melted away, and he was back in England. It was a foggy Saturday morning, with an uneaten breakfast and tea on the table, and Isabelle standing at the front of an open window. She looked out into the garden and sang while Eleusis accompanied her on piano.

Well, that was the way she was. She remembered her favorite song and simply had to sing it, it didn't matter that they had not finished the breakfast yet. Her red hair was loose, and her big, velvety brown eyes shifted to him every now and then, only to make sure he was watching and admiring her.

She liked to laugh so much, she liked to sing. She liked to drink... Sometimes too much, often to her own detriment. In the end, it cost her her own life. But she loved life as such and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Her father was a benefactor of art, and she herself could be considered a small work of art. Nothing was impossible for her, she was able to force herself and her friends into any opening, concert or ball. She wrote poetry herself and published under a male pseudonym, as did other talented friends of hers.

At the beginning, Gargoyle found it hard to get her attention. Like every other woman, she only had eyes for Eleusis at first. But after some time, unlike other women, she finally found out how boring Elu was. For her, no doubt. And so she decided to switch her attention to the more corrupt of the two cousins.

Even so, it was quite difficult to impress her, she needed something new every day. She was very fleeting, but that was exactly what suited Gargoyle so much. It was because of her that he began to devote himself more to his own talent, even at the expense of his studies. In the time they knew each other, he painted more paintings than he had in his entire life… Well, almost.

And it was her who invented his stage name, it was because of her whim that he began to sign himself as Gargoyle under his works and began to call himself that. It was because of her that he enjoyed inventing all the stupid things and mischief, breaking all sorts of rules just to amuse her. And she always liked to join in.

They often wandered outside at night, and just for the thrill they broke into the homes of rich people who were away for the evening. The two of them didn't take anything; they just tasted the alcohol and admired the artworks present. Isabelle saw nothing wrong with their actions; on the contrary, she considered it a kind of art in itself. To this end, she had no problem wearing various disguises. Not even did she mind dressing up as a man, just so that she could visit Gargoyle at the university campus at any time. (He smiled when he remembered kissing her before she could put off her fake mustache.)

Life with her simply made sense; not a single day was the same. From the beginning, Gargoyle knew that he would live his life with her and in the world of humans, and couldn't care less what his origins predestined him for.

They got married the same day he proposed to her. She often told him that life was short, so what should one be waiting for.

And she was right. Her life was definitely too short…

The song was over and there was applause. Gargoyle probably didn't even know what he was doing, but he joined in. Isabelle would certainly do the same. No, she'd more likely be bowing to the audience right now. If she were here, Elu would insist that he should only accompany her voice. That was how it had always been.

At that moment, however, Gargoyle was again forced to dive back into the shadows. After all, he wasn't here because of old memories, however tempting this unexpected dreaming might be.

Elu stood up and bowed, and was replaced at the piano by a slender, fair-haired young lady in a blue dress. Could it be that girl? No... not likely. This one was obviously older, and she mastered the piano brilliantly, which reportedly could not be said of Elu's alleged daughter.

Gargoyle found it almost impossible, but he felt amused. He didn't need any more wine or a cigarette. The scene that was taking place before him was quite interesting in itself. The fair-haired woman played impressively, and would probably be praised by Mr. Chopin himself, whose more complex compositions were obviously her favorites. When she finished, Elu applauded her appreciatively, and she literally could not tear her eyes off him. How sweet was her smile as she handed him her hand and he kissed her lightly on the knuckles of her fingers... Elu told her something, she nodded, apparently delighted, and the two left the room together.

What? One pet is not enough? Gargoyle laughed quietly, and, as always, was careful not to be seen.

He let them go, then got up on his own and followed them down the hall. And of course, maintaining a proper distance was crucial.

Elu and his young lady went downstairs, drank wine in the lobby, and talked for a while. Her eyes literally glowed as she stared at Eleusis. Here and there she laughed cheerfully at something he told her. As Gargoyle watched them, he regretted for a brief moment that he could not come closer and talk as well. Today it would have been disastrous, but there was a time when he and Elu used to talk about everything possible every day. After all, they used to be witty, inspiring companions and best friends to each other.

By then, Elu and his companion had finished their wine, and apparently decided to go out for some fresh air. Gargoyle followed them again with due distance.

Outside, they chose to continue the casual conversation and set out for a leisurely stroll through the park. At first, Eleusis let his blonde companion hang by his forearm, but after a while they grabbed each other's hands and let their fingers intertwine. And after a few more steps, Elu suddenly pulled his lady out of the way.

Gargoyle also had to go through the trees and bushes to keep an eye on them. Even so, he had to get a little closer to still be able to see what was happening. And indeed, in the light of a distant lantern, there was something worth watching. Eleusis stroked his lady gently over the cheek and grabbed her waist with his other hand. Then he leaned over, and kissed her. She hugged him and returned the kiss rather keenly.

So, that's the way it is! Gargoyle grinned. The master went to have fun and the pet was left alone at home. Well, well. I guess the 'daughter' is still too young for this kind of amusement after all.

At that moment, it occurred to Gargoyle that he might go and see for himself whether Mr. Franz had exaggerated about that remarkable young lady. She may not even be asleep yet, and she's certainly too sad that Elu didn't take her with him. Maybe she will be happy for an unexpected visit.

Right there, Gargoyle couldn't resist a brief sigh. There was a sudden excitement at the idea, especially as he watched his once noble, royal cousin press his lady against a tree, pick up a handful of her hair, and kiss her neck.

Well, that was definitely unfair to the lonely, younger girl. But don't worry, pet, I'll make it up to you. And before I'm done with you, you could tell me a lot.

The question, of course, was how much the girl actually knew about her master. But even if she wouldn't say much, this visit might be worth it, not just because of the desire he could satisfy with the girl, but also because of how this would hurt his cousin.

How will you feel when you find her? Will you feel sorry for her, just like for the humans you sacrificed our country for? Are you going to blame yourself for this? Are you going to hate yourself forever for leaving her alone?

Gargoyle was about to leave, when he suddenly noticed that Elu was saying something important to his lady, talking softly into her ear – most likely begging her to take him home. And probably successfully, given that she nodded, straightened her dress, smoothed her hair, and headed back to the palace.

But either for some reason Elu wished to admire his lady from a distance, or something wasn't right. He didn't follow her. He kept standing in the shade of the tree with his head slightly bowed. And Gargoyle noticed, too late, the dim blue glow that seemed to emanate from his cousin's chest.

It was a mistake, a terrible mistake, Gargoyle realized as he tried to make amends and run away. But it didn't work, not anymore. His legs no longer obeyed him. Neither his hands nor his mouth. He got too close, he came just within his cousin's reach and quite voluntarily.

Gargoyle sighed in surrender and then smiled. One way or another, he had to appreciate this move.

Congratulations, my friend. Very well played. Tell me, how long have you known about me?

I already recognized you upstairs, came a stern answer.

Hmm, it was smart to lure me out like this. Tell me, have you seen my memories? And what I was thinking just a moment ago, did you see that, too? Gargoyle wanted to know, and he smiled even more, just as much as Eleusis allowed him with the power of his mind.

It doesn't matter. Elu snapped. Where's Venusis?

Don't worry, my friend. I took care of him. He was pretty miserable after your reckless act, but he survived. His Imperial Highness is safe.

Stop this nonsense! Eleusis finally got angry.

The power of his rage almost broke Gargoyle's legs. But he didn't give up. Certainly not so easy. Give me one reason why this should be nonsense. He's so much more powerful than you could ever hope for!

That doesn't give you the right to make him what he is not! Elu insisted. Don't you know what the real Emperor would do to all of us, to the whole planet, if he found out?

Gargoyle couldn't hold back and laughed again. What do you suddenly care so much about the Emperor's sovereignty? Besides, we both know there's no one there anymore. We haven't heard from them in thousands of years. They're long gone. We, our family, are the last. The last and only rulers of the universe!

Are you even listening to yourself? You're disordered. Elu replied angrily, and still didn't even look at Gargoyle.

Thanks for the concern, my friend, but I'm fine. And well, speaking of your kids, how's Nadia? Gargoyle asked with a slight grin. He didn't expect an answer to come. However, what came instead surprised him anyway, especially with its fury and cruel force.

All the muscles in his body contracted in a violent spasm, his arms and legs twisted painfully. With a muffled moan, he sank to the ground, choking. This was probably how the victims of the big strangling serpents must have felt like – with each small exhalation, his chest tightened and contracted, unable to breathe again. Before darkness covered his vision, he saw Eleusis staggering toward him, and finally falling to his knees in front of him. And then a thought came to Gargoyle's mind; the last and only one that could possibly save his life.

If you kill me now... If I don't come back... Venu is going to die, too. You'll never see him again.

Eleusis grabbed him by his hair and jerked him upwards. The light of the Blue Water shone in his face. Muscle spasms loosened a little. Gargoyle couldn't move, but he could breathe again. Something was dripping down his face.

He opened his eyes and chuckled contemptuously in his mind. Such amateurism! You could never kill me, you'd die first, he thought in a mocking fashion when he saw Eleusis's torn, exhausted features and a stream of blood flowing from his nose.

Elu was breathing heavily and could barely keep from falling to the ground. Finally, he let Gargoyle slide back into the grass from his lap and then he just sank to the ground beside him.

Gargoyle couldn't do anything; he couldn't even wipe his cousin's blood out of his eyes. He just breathed strenuously. After a while, however, he gathered enough strength for another quick thought.

How can you even be his father? You're so weak. It's clear Venusis inherited everything from my sister. She'd kill me in a second if she wanted. Compared to her, you must have felt like-

Remind me again, which one of us had her killed?! Elu was angry again. Who had her slaughtered?

The power of Eleusis's rage had again almost physical effect on Gargoyle. I had everyone involved executed right away. He answered as soon as the slowly receding pain allowed him to do so. She didn't deserve this.

What are you trying to talk yourself out of?! Elu cried out in his thougts. At the same time, he grabbed Gargoyle by the hair again and turned his face toward him so he could look him in the eye. They did it exactly the way you wanted. You wanted her to die just like Isabelle.

No, my friend, you're wrong. Gargoyle countered. If I wanted to give your wife the same death, they'd have to slit her throat after everything they've done to her. Isabelle was not so lucky. He recalled bitterly and continued to look rebelliously at his opponent. Staring him stubbornly in the eye was the last form of defiance he could afford now.

You don't expect me to be grateful, do you? Elu laughed internally.

I don't expect anything from you. Gargoyle said in disgust and let his thoughts subside, as did his cousin.

What do you think Isabelle would say about your actions? Eleusis said, after a long period of calm, when only the distant reverberation of the end of the celebration came upon them.

Apparently, during the break, the two of them were able to muster enough strength, for their subsequent dialogue took place frantically, in an instant.

What would Isabelle say to me? Gargoyle reacted. And why should I care? She'll never tell me anything again because she's dead. She was just a human, so she's gone for good. Unlike your wife!

- You're wrong. Sonia's not coming back, nor is Isabelle. We're the ones who are going to follow them.

- That faith of yours! And who's disordered here... How can you be so deranged that you refuse the truth? It's right in front of us! With your son we can do it all. We just need the Blue Water. We'll find Red Noah and Atlantis. And then, Sonia and everyone else can live again!

- Even if I accept all this, even if we find those ships, what you're talking about is a technology hundreds of thousands years old. We don't know anything about it.

- Don't worry about that. Your son doesn't need to know. With the power of the Blue Water, he will manage everything. It's going to work.

- You're talking nonsense. Plus: Sonia and the others? Who are the others? Not previous heirs, perhaps?

- And who else?

- And how exactly do you imagine that? What time should they be from?

- All of them!

- You're crazy. Leaving out the last millennium, everyone else would consider us abominations at best. All you're going to achieve is a new war.

- We'd have Blue Water. We'd be their masters!

Who 'we'? Elu said in a mocking manner when their internal conversation slowed down again. Blue Water belongs to me and my children.

They were supposed to be my children! Gargoyle shouted internally without hesitation.

Excellent! Getting to the point, are we? Elu continued in a contemptuous tone. Did you want Sonia for yourself?

Of course I did! Gargoyle finally confirmed this issue both to Elu and to himself. There was no point in hiding it anymore. It was our blood that was stronger! Everything's been wasted with you. If your father hadn't been such a coward, he would have gotten rid of you a long time ago. It was obvious. He should have recognized me and Sonia as his heirs!

But Eleusis laughed at that. Loud, not just in his thoughts. "If you only knew what you were talking about."

What am I talking about? Come on, tell me! Gargoyle prompted him brazenly. He already knew what was coming. Words that had ended their last argument. No doubt Elu was going to dig this nonsense out again.

I've told you once before. You didn't accept it.

You mean the foolish conspiracy about my origin? Of course. This just had to come.

It's not foolish. You are-

"No!" said Gargoyle heavily in his real voice. "You're a liar!"

"The truth always turns out," Eleusis continued, dispassionate. "You'll have to admit it one day."

"I will never admit this nonsense. Never!" Gargoyle fumed.

"Oh, but you will." Elu countered coldly. "And you will admit that everything you caused was all in vain."

"Ridiculous!"

"No, it's not," said Elu, way too confident, and sat up. Of course, he had Blue Water. He recovered quickly, much faster than all the other beings forced to live without its power.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, cousin," commented Gargoyle, still unable to move on his own.

"I'm definitely better than you. I'm the heir to Blue Water, after all. Unlike you." Elu told him slowly and emphatically, accentuating the final words. "That's why I'm going to be able to look into your mind as if it were a book. I'm going to examine it and extract everything, anything that might interest me," he said haughtily as he rolled Gargoyle onto his back and straddled his chest, squeezing his arms mercilessly to the ground, which may have been far-sighted but unnecessary. Gargoyle was still unable to resist.

"Let go!" Gargoyle seethed, trying to bring at least some of the muscles of his body to life.

"There's nothing you can do." Eleusis sneered as he leaned over him.

"Let me go, now!" Gargoyle begged rather than threatened. He already knew how agonizing this was going to be, but what was worse was knowing how much Eleusis was going to enjoy it.

"Don't strain," Elu whispered sweetly, patiently brushing the hair from Gargoyle's forehead and wiping his own clotted blood from his eyes. "You won't stop me anyway. And you know why? Do you know why, cousin?" he asked as he wiped the blood from his own nose and lips.

"Just say it!" Gargoyle chuckled in a last shudder of defiance. "Let's get this over with."

"All right. You know, perhaps I am weak. Maybe I'm worthless as an Heir." Elu confessed and bent down to Gargoyle. His hair slid around them like a dark curtain. "Either way, you have no right to lecture me about it," he said menacingly softly, brushing his lips against Gargoyle's face. "You're so intelligent... Exceptional, yes... But all the same," he hissed in his ear, "you're still just a human!"

Then Elu rose only so that he could look Gargoyle straight in the eye, grabbed him by the hair on his scalp, covered his mouth with the other hand, and in a few excruciating seconds he learned everything he needed from Gargoyle's memory.

Despite all the advice, Gargoyle tried to move at least a little; to twist just a bit to be able to look away. Eleusis had no regard for him, he just needed to get information and quickly. And in this case, it didn't matter what he would do to his cousin's mind. He knew very well why he was covering Gargoyle's mouth. The pain was unbearable from the start and kept escalating.

It was a cruel act, but strictly logical. Elu could not have missed such an opportunity to learn all about his enemy's background and plans. Gargoyle couldn't really blame him.

When it was over, Elu bowed his head again, exhausted, and fell face down on his forearm, right next to his cousin's ear.

Gargoyle was unable to think or react at that moment, his mind devastated, emptied. All that was left was the pain and dizziness and the deafening sound of Elu's strenuous breath.

In the end, things began to calm down, and Gargoyle thought he had probably just learned what rape felt like.

You got a taste of your own medicine, that's all. Elu suddenly interfered with his thoughts.

I didn't even touch her. Gargoyle objected. But don't worry, my friend. For our next meeting, I'll come up with something similarly intense for you, he promised.

I'll look forward to it, there was an austere answer, and then silence.

After another motionless, quiet moment, however, Gargoyle realized that he was watching one of his recent memories in his mind. More specifically, his last conversation with Venusis. Everything seemed a little foggy, the light from the windows, the lavish chair and the boy's hand on the armrest...

Do you talk to each other often? Elu was apparently interested. He was the one who was actually replaying the memory, only giving Gargoyle a glimpse.

As often as possible. Almost every day. Gargoyle did not obscure the truth. And no, he's not asking for you. He doesn't mention you at all. He added, suddenly uplifted over the sharp pain that gripped Elu's heart, so strong that he felt it too. So I hope you understand that I'm not going to pass greetings.

Don't bother. I don't care. Elu said, but he was a very bad liar. At least in his thoughts.

Gargoyle snorted derisively instead of answering. But then something forced him to take several short, quick breaths. He did so to recognize what a familiar scent he had been smelling all this time from his cousin's hair.

Cigarettes? Did you start again? The question escaped Gargoyle's mind before he could stop it.

Nothing that should concern you.

Don't worry, I couldn't care less. But given our position, I just noticed. So?

Rarely. Elu finally confessed.

At that moment, Gargoyle couldn't help himself – unbidden, the images of fireworks took over his thoughts. He didn't want it, he fought back as much as he could, but it was clear that Elu was already watching the scene in his mind, too.

Tonight I remembered that as well. Elu admitted.

And then the flow of memories could not be stopped. Gargoyle didn't even know if he or his dear cousin was recalling it all. That was the trouble with shared thoughts...

...The shimmer of colored sparks spilled across the sky, and then again, and again. He drew on his cigarette and, as he exhaled, he echoed the familiar melody that Elu sang beside him. Gargoyle tried to behave normally, but at the same time, he was still hiding the fingers of his left hand. It wasn't the right time for Elu to notice the wedding ring, not now. Gargoyle had not yet fully considered how to tell his royal cousin that he wasn't coming back to Tartessos with him...

At that, Elu finally rose, let blood back into Gargoyle's arms, and sat on the grass to his left. Then he took Gargoyle's hand and felt the wedding ring.

"I'm still sorry. You don't even know how much," he said aloud.

"I'm not. Not as much as before." Gargoyle replied hoarsely. "It was a valuable experience in terms of the true nature of humans."

"You're biased," Elu objected. "You only see what you want to see."

"I could say the same about you," Gargoyle countered. "And which one of us is right?"

"We're both right about many things," Eleusis breathed wearily, resting his arms on his bent knees. "But it's not for us to pass judgment."

"That talk again!" hissed Gargoyle, even moving his head slightly so he could face his cousin. But trying to convince him about anything was probably a waste of time. He would never give up his delusions.

"You know, when I asked about Nadia before," Gargoyle continued when he calmed down a bit, "I meant it. Where are you hiding her?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't bother," Elu gave him a look of contempt. "Just because my son told you Nadia was alive doesn't mean it's true."

"No, my friend, I don't really have to bother with guessing the truth. It's obvious." Gargoyle smiled smugly. "You don't even have to say anything. If you don't have both Blue Waters on you now, where's the queen's? Who else would you give it to but Nadia? Perhaps not that blonde girl of yours, you can't be that crazy." he speculated aloud and then waited curiously for an answer, or for any confirmation of his reasoning.

And the silence that settled between them was more than eloquent.

"I see!" said Gargoyle triumphantly. "Well..." he continued, "we both know very well that Nadia is very much safe with Blue Water. Sonia will always protect her. Nadia's alive, then. The question is, where?"

"You think I'm going to tell you?"

"No, no I don't. After all, there's nothing you can say about the matter, right?" Gargoyle provoked. "Tell me, are you even looking for her? Or are you going to make do with that blonde girl? What had to happen to your brain to fixate on this human instead of your own daughter? Did you really choose to protect that commoner, that filthy-"

That was all he was allowed say. Eleusis wouldn't let him continue.

What, did I touch a nerve? At least Gargoyle managed to force himself into his cousin's thoughts.

You talk too much. Elu dismissed him coldly. This conversation should have ended a long time ago.

Exceptionally, I agree. Gargoyle admitted. There's just one last thing I have to say.

"Speak up."

"How should I begin," Gargoyle said, looking up at the stars among the treetops. "Your son doesn't talk about you or Sonia anymore. There's no point in denying it, it's my doing. But he talks about Nadia all the time," he admitted, a little reluctantly. "Every day he tells me again that Nadia is alive. And he always asks me whether I've found her yet. Apparently, he still cares about her more than anyone."

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Elu after a while, in a low, strangely peaceful voice.

"I've never repaid your generosity about me and Isabelle," Gargoyle answered. "It was for nothing in the end, but it wasn't your fault. So in return, I want you to know that as far as Nadia is concerned, I'm not going to interfere with your son's feelings. I'll leave things as they are," he said, and he meant it.

"It can turn against you," Elu reminded him, glancing into his eyes over his shoulder.

"I'll manage." Gargoyle sighed, even waving his hand casually.

Elu noticed the movement, but it didn't upset him. "The woman in the red dress, your assistant," he searched Gargoyle's stolen memories, "Will she take care of you?"

"Sure," Gargoyle nodded. "She's a loyal servant."

"I'll send her to you, then." Eleusis promised after a brief hesitation.

"Well, that can turn against you. Think twice, Elu."

"Don't call me that again." The addressee snapped. "That's not me anymore."

"Now, look who's reveling in dramatic gestures!" Gargoyle exclaimed in surprise. "Who are you then?"

"No one." The last king of Tartessos answered, and once again he bowed to Gargoyle to look him in the eye. His own eyes were desperately indifferent and empty.

I'm sure you understand what I have to do now, Elu said then.

Of course. Go ahead, Gargoyle encouraged him, and the next moment he was enjoying the sweet entry into the dark waters of unconsciousness that his old friend had brought him, this time very gently.

Well, it was her. She stood at the entrance gate, waiting for him, even though he had sent her out of the compound and out of town as soon as possible. She had not done so, even though he had specifically asked her to. So it seemed he would have to convince her somehow, even though he didn't want to linger anymore. But it was not wise to underestimate Gargoyle. Never.

"What happened? What's — what's wrong with you? Please, look at me!" Came her worried voice. Nemo immediately felt the touch of her hands on his face. "Who did this to you?" She asked quietly as she gently brushed the blood-stuck hair away from his face.

"I did," Nemo said with effort. It cost him another considerable amount of strength to knock Gargoyle out of consciousness.

"What?" she whispered in disbelief. "What was it all about?"

"An old conflict." Nemo dismissed the whole thing impatiently. "I'm so sorry I got you involved. But please listen to me. If you have anyone to go to, leave town immediately."

"But what about you?" she asked shakily, caressing his face.

"I'll manage. You're nice to think of me, but there's no need."

"No need? Are you serious?" she frowned, looking at him carefully, probably searching for signs of any other injuries. "Where are you going?" she asked with sincere concern. "Don't you want to come with me?"

"I can't. I'm sorry," he said, brushing her hair off her forehead with his fingertips.

"Sure," she sighed. "Will we meet again...?" she added after a pause, looking up to him. "Someday?"

"I don't know," he said truthfully. "We shall see. In any case, it was a delight to meet you, Birgit."

"The feeling is mutual… Whatever your name is," she answered in a low voice, stepping even closer so she could kiss him despite the clotting blood on his lips.

"No, not like that," Nemo turned away from her. "You don't have to look like you're fresh from a fight," he explained, smiling briefly at her.

She laughed, too. The sound of it was soft and pleasant. "The way you laugh is delightful, too," he confessed, caressing her hair. "Now go, please. I don't want you to get in trouble for me."

"Alright. Good luck then."

"Same to you. Goodbye."

"Goodbye!" she replied, squeezing his hand one last time.

Nemo returned the grip briefly, but then, without hesitation, gathered himself and headed back to the hotel, as fast as his physical and mental exhaustion allowed. He couldn't get rid of those horrible images in his mind.

He knew now that Electra was probably safe, after all, Gargoyle was alone in the city, accompanied just by his assistant. There was no one else to hurt Electra. But until he sees her alive and well with his own eyes, he won't be able to breathe freely.

In the end, Gargoyle was right. Nemo could not understand his own actions and motives. He never had a habit of leaving Electra alone unless he was sure one of his friends or crew members was close to her. Why in the world, then, did he leave her in a strange city like this, why did he just leave her all alone in a hotel room where Gargoyle and... well, anyone who would really aspire to it, could get to her. Nemo hated himself for what he did, for the unnecessary risk he put her at. Something like this must never happen again. Now he knew there was no point in persuading Electra to leave him and go to live with her relatives. It was clear now that she can only be safe on the Nautilus, and even that would not be entirely true for a while yet.

But if nothing else, all what had happened tonight was a valuable experience. By this point, Nemo realized that the world was nowhere near as vast and safe a place as it might have appeared during the last few years. And it was now clear to him how much he had underestimated his enemy.

In this sense, Nemo could congratulate himself on what a treasure he had just managed to steal from Gargoyle's mind. As he walked, he felt greatly exhausted again, but he still tried his best to incorporate deep into his memory everything he had managed to extract from his cousin's memories. He had to do this as soon as possible so that he would not miss or lose any single detail.

However, there was something that made him stop. It was a very intense memory, one that seemed to emerge in Gargoyle's mind every day. It was his last moments in Tartessos. Venusis was in a very bad condition after the ceiling of the Great Hall collapsed. His injuries were far worse and more extensive than just a crushed hand… Only with a quiet, disbelieving moan and tears of rage in his eyes did Gargoyle rescue him from under the rocks and rubble. Nemo couldn't even view the scene till the end. He simply could not, knowing he caused the situation himself.

Next came the memory of a doctor assigned to take care of Venusis. The man spoke in a quiet and very timid manner to Gargoyle, trying to indicate it was not yet the right time for him to talk to Venusis face-to-face. And Nemo found himself too horrified to try to learn what that possibly meant. One thing was for sure though, in all his other memories, Gargoyle saw Venusis always the same way: only the boy's uninjured hand on the armrest of an ornate chair.

Then Nemo realized that he knew where his son was now. At least approximately. Venusis' new home was on a ship; he was constantly on the move.

You overtook me, just in a slightly primitive way. I'm going to do the same, Nemo thought toward Gargoyle. Then he also considered contacting his crew so they could immediately set sail to find Venusis and get him back.

But was it worth it? The Nautilus was not yet able to sail, and the other ships were desperately slow for this purpose. Moreover, Gargoyle will certainly contact his people as soon as possible. He would issue appropriate orders to re-navigate the ship with Venusis into the unknown, or even to set up an ambush… No, this was pointless. Like this, Nemo would just risk the lives of his crew and the safety of the mission itself.

At that point, Nemo was finally exhausted from all these thoughts. He probably chose too fast a pace. Under the circumstances, he should have tried to eat a little or at least sip some wine before leaving the reception, just something that would keep his blood sugar level normal for a while. Now he couldn't catch his breath, his legs felt stiff, as if they were glued to the pavement; the ringing in his ears was getting louder and darkness started to cover his eyes.

The presence of the passers-by didn't help much, either. He got tired again just trying to drive them away from him with the power of his thoughts. So the moment he saw a suitable, shaded corner, he just fell to the ground and hoped that no one else would notice him.

He curled up to hide the glow of the Blue Water as much as possible, concentrating only on his breathing and Gargoyle's memories. After about half a minute, (which seemed like an eternity to him) Nemo was slowly beginning to recover. He took a deep breath and looked up. In the distance, the light of the gas lanterns reflected dimly from the silhouette of the tower of St. Augustine's Church, which rose to the stars just behind Albrecht's palace. Before midnight, he had already walked past the church once. He had wished to look inside. Maybe they would let him play...

Thank You for this lesson. I'll try not to forget it. He said hastily to the higher places as he closed his eyes.

Then he finally gathered his new strength, rose and set out on the rest of the road, feeling much more determined than before.

He wondered whether he would ever return here again. And if yes, then with whom?

However, it was too late for dreams and wishes.

Again, Electra jerked and woke up, startled. Her eyelids and head were already extremely heavy, it was getting harder and harder to stay awake. She should have gone to sleep long ago, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, not until she knew Nemo was back. So she had decided to help him pack his things in his absence, even if he would probably not have entrusted that to her alone. Of course, sometimes he let her help him, however, he always had to keep track of everything. In fact, he would probably get angry, but Electra decided that unpacking again was certainly not worth it.

And so, she knelt on the floor in his bedroom, her hands and head resting on the bed, and his pillow tucked under her chin. The faint glow of a small hologram illuminated her face. And even though she could barely resist sleep, she was still watching the picture in front of her. A young queen with a newborn in her arms. Next to her stood Nemo, the king of Tartessos back then, with the little prince Venusis in front of him.

And then… there was yet another person. He stood right next to his king, even closer than the queen, his hand resting on Nemo's shoulder.

Electra had once asked Nemo why he wouldn't erase this person from the picture. But Nemo had never really given an answer to this, he had never said anything specific.

And obviously he didn't want to delete the person, which Electra had trouble understanding. Because it was none other than Gargoyle, the Prime Minister of Tartessos, the traitor, the one who had caused all the bad things in their lives. And the one who once used to be the king's best friend.

He was slender and tall, even taller than Nemo, and wore an ornate sword belt around his hips. Electra looked into his face, at those clever, thoughtful eyes. At first glance, he did not appear as handsome as Nemo, but there was definitely something intriguing about him. He seemed so relaxed and normal, so happy, and certainly did not give the impression that he was up to something. And maybe he was just good at hiding it.

What must have happened to him during his life to change him so much? Surely Nemo wouldn't be friends with someone so mean and heartless. Gargoyle couldn't always be like that. What happened to him that he suddenly betrayed everything that was dear to him in his life and did so many terrible things? And when it all ended, when all the fury and horror was over, did he think about what he had caused? Did he ever regret it, did he ever wish to go back in time and change the course of events?

Maybe there'll be a chance to ask him about it one day, Electra thought. What might he be doing right now? And how does one even live with such a heavy boulder burdening the conscience...

But her last thought was interrupted again by sleep. The last remnants of her vigilance urged her to turn off the hologram and return it to where she had found it. And to get back to her bed. If Nemo found her like this, certainly he wouldn't be happy about it.

Sure, I'll do it. I'm just going to close my eyes for a second, Electra suggested to herself and… fell asleep sweetly.

She woke up to the rumble of a slammed door. Without knowing how, she jumped on the bed in an instant, pushed herself to the corner and pulled her legs close together.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" she said in a thin voice, when Nemo grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. She crouched down in anticipation of what would happen. But it was more of a reflex, in fact she knew he'd never hit her.

And of course, he did not. Instead, he held her in his arms and hugged her tightly, with such force that she could barely breathe. "Are you all right? Wasn't anyone here?" he almost whispered.

"I am. There was no one here," Electra replied, trying to force her shoulder between herself and him so she could get some air into her lungs. "I'd like to take a breath, if you don't mind." She said, trying to look up at him.

"I'm sorry... Did you pack up for me?" he asked as he looked around and finally loosened the squeeze.

"I couldn't sleep, you see. So I thought-

"You're amazing," he said, stroking her hair. "But now get dressed quickly, we have to leave immediately. We've got a ride downstairs."

"What?" taken by surprise, she blurted out and pushed herself away to look him in the eyes. "Right now?"

"Yes, 'now' means now!" He snapped impatiently, grabbing her hand and helping her out of the bed.

"Wait, what happened to you?" She was horrified when she finally noticed the red spots on Nemo's shirt. "Who were you with?" she added as she smelled a delicate but unfamiliar scent.

"Please, go, Electra! I'll tell you everything on the way." Nemo declared; his tone uncompromising. And of course, it was past midnight. So, no more Starshine. It was just Electra again.

"Sure," she nodded, and headed for the door. "I'll be right back!" she shouted behind her as she ran to her bedroom.

And before she disappeared in the doorway, she could clearly hear Nemo say: "You won't believe who I met."


Author's note:

I got carried away a bit while writing this chapter, that's for sure :)

A few more explanations at the end:

Easter Tuesday (as well as Easter Monday) is part of the Easter Octave in the Catholic liturgy, when one feast is celebrated equally for eight days.

The hotel where Nemo and Electra stayed is located right next to the Vienna State Opera, but today it is called after its founder, the inventor of a famous chocolate cake. In the chapter, the name was once mentioned, but I didn't want to mention it as the name of the brand directly, because I was not sure if that wouldn't count as an advertisement and how this would be tolerated.

Lento Placido from Ferenc Liszt's Consolations series is considered a kind of a tribute to Fryderyk Chopin, as it strikingly resembles one of Chopin's Nocturnes and was published in 1850, a year after Chopin's death. So even though the two composers almost ceased to communicate, they probably still respected each other.

Nikola Tesla actually stayed in Prague in the spring of 1880. Although he did not manage to register properly, during the summer semester he attended a course at Charles University (then Charles-Ferdinand University).

Otherwise, I must confess that although I studied a few things for this chapter, I also changed a lot of them to suit my narration. As for the hotel, the Marble Hall probably was not in use at the time and the suites most likely were not arranged in the way I described. Also, the timelines and other things from the original anime might differ from my story. I hope you can forgive me.

Oh, and how do you like the cover picture for this fanfic? 😊 I posted it with a better resolution to my tumblr account, too: tumblr blog / selenite85 (just remove the spaces. The post is pinned there, so you should always find it.)

And of course, any kind of comment or correction is higly welcome and appreciated!

Thank you for reading and see you soon! In the next chapter we shall return to the central-African rain forests and to the current events around Tartessos.