Warnings for this chapter: blood, close strangulation, creepy circus theme, stabbing (in a dream), disfigurement (in a dream)


Chapter 14: Action

For the next few days, Ennea had stayed at home. Whether it was because her mother was worried for her or she was trying to atone for her mistakes or the combination of both, Nona didn't mind. She was happy to have her mother back in the house. That was all that matters. Their life didn't return to normal immediately, however. Conversations were kept brief and awkward glances were exchanged. It was natural for this interaction to occur since her mother had been away from the house. Still, they attempted to fix their broken family.

Nona was in the kitchen, as usual, making breakfast when she heard her mother's footsteps entering. "Nona, I'll cook."

"Mm-mm," the girl shook her head. "I don't mind cooking."

"Nonsense. If you stay home cooking, you'll miss school," Ennea insisted.

The girl stopped chopping the vegetables, turning her head to look at her mother. The woman was holding her backpack. In her other arm was her sleeping brother. Staring blankly at her mother, she inquired puzzlingly, "I'm... going to school?"

"Of course! It's not good for you to stay at home all day..." Taking the large knife carefully from the girl's tiny hands and setting it down, she picked her up and lower her to the floor. "Just like it's not good for me to not do my role as a mother."

Nona looked at Ennea thoughtfully. She could sense it despite the woman's attempt to make lighten the mood. Her mother was still feeling guilty. Despite it was natural to feel that way, she didn't want to be a reminder of the mistakes her mother had made for a month. If her mother felt immense guilt, she might go away again out of shame. Nona didn't want to go through that ordeal again and she certainly didn't want her beloved mother to experience that again either. Taking her backpack, she hugged Ennea's leg.

"I love you, Mom," she murmured.

"I love you too," Ennea smiled. Watching her daughter opening the door, before the girl could take a step outside, the woman called out to her, "Come back home soon, little rice ball."

Turning around, Nona could see her mother smiling beautifully with loving eyes. Returning a brilliant smile of her own, the girl nodded happily, "Mm! It's a promise!"

Closing the door behind her, the child giddily ran ahead, feeling excitement and pleasantness for the first time in a while. Going down the road, she soon saw her friends waiting for her, all five of them greeted her with a smile of their own. She laughed, joining them as they walked to school together.

~oOo~

The remaining weeks of April soon pass, welcoming the new month of May. From what Nona had told him, Deka assumed that the Tsukumo family was steadily healing from the wounds of the past. He had observed, seeing that the ten-year-old had become happier, spending a lot of her time with the others. He would often visit Ennea just to check up on her and see that the woman was gathering her life back together. She was doing better. Her complexation was no longer deathly pale, glowing very clearly. She was taking care of Ichiro and playing an active role as a mother of two.

Seeing these two returning to the people he remembered, he didn't want to disrupt this family by reminding Nona about his premonition. She was just getting her life back together. He shouldn't take her away from it. Only he, his father, and her know the fate of this town. But what about the Haven's people? What will happen to them? Not just that, what were the fates of those who might survive the calamity?

After waving his friends goodbye and walking home from school, the teen contemplated it. He needed answers. However, he couldn't trust whether his dreams were real or not. He just had a feeling that it will come true, but even his intuition could be wrong. There wasn't really a guarantee. There was also the matter of Roku's death. His murder was never solved. There was only one place he could search. The Circus.

Returning home, the teenager changed out of his school uniform, wearing casual clothes that were more suitable for the night. A deep blue jacket over his white shirt. Wrapping his leather belt to secure his black jeans, the teenager ditched his sandals for a pair of sneakers. If he got into trouble, running shoes would be the best for escaping.

Finishing with his change of clothes, the boy gave the Messager a message to tell his father. He knew that as the Town Head, his father would have disapproved of this. All the more reason to tell the Messager than go directly to his father. He needed answers. And he was going to find it.

It has taken longer than he had expected to return to these metal gates. Then again, he was the only child here so it would have been suspicious if he were to blindly run to the travelers' territory. He had to be cautious. At nightfall, with the lights and carnival music, it should be an inviting sight to behold. However, for Deka, it was the opposite. Something about the Circus during nighttime made him feel unsafe - like he shouldn't be here alone. There was a hidden threat, but what? Still, he came here for answers and he wasn't going to back down. He was just going to have to be careful with his sneaking.

Walking onto the dirt path, passing by many tents, Deka couldn't shake off the unnerving feeling. Something wasn't right. The music playing was very chilling. Not sweet or calming like how the mermaids sang back home. It wasn't cheerful or spark fun like Opening Day. It was haunting and very creepy. The lights flickered dangerously as if warning him of the trouble he was going to get himself into. Manic laughter echoed throughout the tents... and they sounded like they were getting close. Quickly hiding behind a crate, the teenager watched as the Clowns came out from the red tent - the same one he and his friends went to on Opening Day.

They looked the same as they did the last time he had seen them. However, under the night, their facepaint glowed against the dark, highlighting their red lips and the red that trickled down their faces. Insane mania could be heard everywhere as they started to wander around. Reminded of his vision of Nona's fate at the hands of these things, he didn't want to get caught. Turning around, the boy sneaked in the opposite direction, deciding to hide in an abandoned chamber. Slipping through the small gap between the doors, he waited for them to walk past him.

The Clowns walked past the chamber, but one of them bumped into the doors, shutting them close to the boy's dismay, enshrouding the room in darkness. His hands reached around, trying to locate the door handle. Being a teenager, he could easily jump up to reach it, unlike the others who needed a step stool. However, feeling nothing but wood, even as he was jumping, there was no indication of a handle. The handle must have been on the other side. Out of luck, the boy sighed before turning around to see his surroundings.

The chamber was so dark and he couldn't see a thing. The only light available was the faint moonlight that illuminate the center of the room through the ceiling. That was his only choice right now. Trying to navigate his way into the room, his flailing hand eventually touched something. Curiously, he felt around it and his fingers could make out a shape. There appeared to be discarded junk. What were they? Squinting his eyes, he tried to make out the outline. The wooden junk appeared to be humanoid. Puppets? They looked to be his size. Why were they put here?

Suddenly, one of them abruptly turned its head, startling the teen. A burst of eerie laughter erupted from its unmoving mouth. Others followed, turning their head with a clatter to look at the lone child. Their eyes glowed bright red as if given a purpose in life and they started to crawl towards him. Adrenaline pumped into his veins as the boy started to run. He needed to reach the center of the room, which wasn't far. There was no point in going back the way he came from with the doors shut at his face. However, before he could make it to the light, the boy gasped as he felt something tugging his body back. He looked for the source, but couldn't find any.

A tug on his arms. He couldn't fight. A tug on his legs. He couldn't run. A tug on his neck. He couldn't breathe. He was being pulled back until he was yanked backward, falling onto his back. The puppets were crawling faster on their limbs - like ants rushing to sugar. Their heads twitched to the side, childish mechanical laughter echoed everywhere.

"N-No!" He tried kicking them away despite his legs being restrained. "Get off! Get off of me!"

His demands were ignored as one of the wooden puppets climbed over to his thrashing body, pinning him down. It stared at him with its twitchy head. Just looking at those glowing red eyes caused the boy to feel weak. He couldn't struggle and he felt like going to sleep. He blinked furiously, trying to stay awake. But... he felt so tired. He just wanted to sleep. It shouldn't be bad to close his eyes, right? Just... a short... nap...

Suddenly, the chamber doors opened, allowing light to shine through, scaring the puppets as they dispersed, returning to the shadows at the edges of the room. Leaving their victim, they cowered as the person who entered approached. An adult had entered. Deka stared with fading consciousness. He couldn't tell who the adult was with the light shining behind them. He didn't know if they were trusted or not. But he couldn't do anything as his vision went black.

~oOo~

Regaining his consciousness, Deka slowly opened his eyes. He was inside of a tent, it would appear, staring at the colorful white and blue ceiling. He tried moving his body, but everything felt like lead. So, he observed his surroundings instead. His eyes wandered around. He was laying on a black reclining chair - the kind that was like where patients lay in Doctor Hino's clinic. To his left, there were shelves containing books. To his right, there was an office desk. Standing with his back turned was the adult whom the boy assumed had rescued him.

From his back, Deka could make out gray hair. That told him that this man was an elderly person. He was wearing a white coat. A white coat usually indicated that the person wearing it was either a doctor or a researcher. Looking down, the man was wearing black pants and shoes. Seeing this person had Deka frowned in doubt. Was this old guy really the person who saved him?

"Um...?" he called out to the man.

The adult made a noise of confusion before turning around. Seeing his face, Deka blinked. It was long and his frown gave him a somber expression. However, the man's eyes... they were made out of glass. From a distance, they almost looked like actual human eyes. But they weren't. The boy could see his reflection in them. It was kind of creepy. Could the man even see him?

"Ah, you've awakened," the man spoke. Pulling up a chair to sit down in front of the boy, he asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Um... weak?" Deka answered, trying to move his limbs but finding difficulty in it.

The man nodded understandably, "That's expected. The Marionettes tend to do that if they caught live human beings."

"M-Marionettes?"

"Those wooden puppets you encountered earlier. They were once people, but they've now reduced to husks. With no souls, they seek out the living to take their lifeforce," he explained. In a stern voice, he added, "You could have died."

To prove his point, he pointed to the boy's limbs. Blinking in confusion, Deka followed where the man was pointing specifically. On his arms and legs, faint lines of red stood out against his skin. It wasn't blood, but it did leave marks. At first, the boy didn't understand how he got them until he recalled that the Marionettes did capture him somehow. He couldn't see it but he did remember those areas being tightly wrapped and tugged on before he was pinned down to the ground.

Crossing his arms, the man sighed, "Which begs the question: why did you come? You shouldn't be here."

"I'm sorry, sir, but I needed answers. My friend - Nona - her family had suffered nearly a month ago and I-"

"Ah, yes. Your friend. How things could have gone differently had her father not passed." The man tore his gaze off the boy, choosing to stare at the air as if looking for answers himself. His expression was unreadable. "Had her mother died instead, I wondered if the baby would have succumbed to the same fate as her?"

Deka blinked, not understanding the man's ramblings. Who was this 'her' he was referring to? And... Ennea dying? What was he on about? Something about this adult... the boy could tell he wasn't ordinary. He knows about something. Talking about possibilities... it was as if he...

"Sir?" the boy called out.

"Hm?" the grownup returned his attention to him. "Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I'm the Hypnotist, a doctor in psychiatry, and a professor in the waking and suppression of memories."

"Um... Sensei?" Deka began. "What did you mean that Aunt Ennea could have died instead? And... how would that affect Ichiro? And who is this 'her'?"

The Hypnotist simply gave a sad smile, understanding that it must be hard for a child like him to get what he was trying to say. "I'm surprised, little Deka. I would assume you of all people would understand since you have the power of foresight in your dreams."

His mouth dropped in awe as he eyed the adult. The Hypnotist knew about his powers? Did that mean that he also had the same abilities as him? His eyes widened with wonder as he looked at the man curiously.

"It's not the same as yours. I don't see the future in my dreams. Rather, I try to read the fates of people, similar to those creatures of your town. Your abilities are far more superior to mine."

At the compliment, Deka would have been happy, but he wasn't. Because even if his dreams were superior to the Hypnotist as it was so claimed, he couldn't tell the difference between a premonition and a normal dream until it eventually happened. He would get a feeling but sometimes, even the normal dreams felt too real.

"You are caught in a dilemma," the Hypnotist noted. "Could it be related to the calamity your beloved Haven will inevitably face?"

"So it will happen? It's not a nightmare that felt real?" Deka whispered. It was a silly question. The boy already knew that the Haven Disaster will eventually come. However, surprised by that inquiry, he didn't think about the words until they spill out of his mouth. No, that wasn't right. Even though he knew it would come true, he had hoped that it wouldn't.

"It's not a nightmare, no. While there are some nightmares out there, the Guardian is working hard to cleanse that blackness. She might've missed some, but that's why she spent her immortal life doing - traversing through dreams and chasing the nightmares out."

The Guardian? Deka frowned at that title. Apparently, from what his father had told him when he was young, the Guardian was the protector of sweet dreams. A girl who was said to have powers over dreams, so her abilities were similar to that of the Urashima descendants. It was said that the Guardian also safeguarded a magical pool that could cure any magical ailments and curses. However, there was one key difference: the Guardian had an eternity to control her dreams and even glimpse into others whereas he couldn't control his, let alone tell the difference between reality and fantasy. Not only that, but Deka doubted if the Guardian was real. It was a story - a legend, people said.

"Oh, she's real, I can assure you," the Hypnotist commented. "Dreams exist between life and death. It held our memories. And it can decide our future. Do you know what that is, little Deka?"

Dreams that could decide their future? That could motivate them to live or push them to death? Deka partly closed his eyes, knowing the answer to the Hypnotist's question. Without it, people die. Holding onto it, a bright future could emerge. Both Nona and Ennea demonstrated that. When they lose their dreams, they despaired. But they now dreamed of the future. It was...

"Hope," he answered.

"Exactly," the man nodded. "As long as you have hope, you have nothing to fear from your dreams - even if they show a nasty outcome."

"But I still need to know!" Deka yelled. "I can't just keep dreaming, paranoid if it will come true! It'll drive me insane!"

"Hm... then why don't I help you with that?" the Hypnotist suggested. "I can't make you stop having your prophetic dreams - it's in your blood, your nature. However, I can add a way for you to differentiate special dreams from normal ones based on colors. Interested?"

"Y-Yes!" Deka leaped in, not realizing he had recovered the strength to do that. "Thank you, Sensei!"

Getting up from his chair, the Hypnotist went to his desk and pulled something from the drawers. It was a small pocket watch. Returning to his seat, he held it in front of Deka's eyes. Seeing it dangled in front of him, the boy could see an eye-shaped symbol on the face. Just staring it was putting him under hypnosis as his eyes started to droop. The last thing he heard before slipping to unconsciousness was the grownup's voice assuring him that his voice will be guiding him in his dreams.

~oOo~

Opening his eyes, Deka found himself in a pure white dreamscape. He was aware. It was odd. Looking down at his hands, he flexed his fingers. He could feel them. Was he really in a dream? He felt just like how he was when he was awake.

You are in a dream, I can guarantee that. The Hypnotist's voice sounded in the empty void. Think of that as your soul-body. It's your soul that has taken a bodily form that functions like when you're awake... or alive, depending on if you're asleep or dead.

The boy tried finding the source of the man's voice, but couldn't. Was this the effect of the hypnotism? Him being aware of his subconscious while the Hypnotist was talking through the hypnosis? Those questions weren't answered as he was left with the mystery of it. So in the dream world, he was just a soul. The Hypnotist did say that dreams lie in between life and death. When people sleep, they are living. But sleeping was like a temporary death. Therefore, it must be safe to assume that the dreamscape was almost like a secondary living world with the Afterlife being the final destination for the soul to 'rest'.

His thoughts briefly went to the Guardian. It had him wondering if she had been doing her job like this. If that was the case, then he couldn't help pitying her for not being able to truly dream. But how was being aware of his dream going to help him?

That is where you don't have to worry. I'll be guiding you on that.

The grownup wasted no time in asking him to willed five different dreams. However, at the demand, Deka hesitated. Hayami had told him that he shouldn't force himself to dream about the future. The process would put a strain on his brain and he would wake up with a headache.

That's true. The mermaid is correct. However, under my hypnotism, that shouldn't be a concern. It should work with dreams that have long passed. Trying calling out to them. Whether it's of the past or future, my guidance should help you.

"How are you so sure?" the boy questioned.

Memories are part of our dreams just as dreams become a part of our memories. Just try it.

Deka sighed as he closed his eyes, following the man's advice. Surprisingly, recalling old dreams was much easier than he thought. It was most likely the hypnotism that was making the process so easy. The Hypnotist was reawakening them in the form of memories. Opening his eyes, he could see five different dreams. It was like looking at different pictures. He carefully looked at each one. The time when Ennea was pregnant with Ichiro. The time when Nona could have committed suicide. The time when he got a bike. The time when he won a contest. And the time he became a grownup and took his father's mantle.

Dive into each of these memories, and experience them once more like a dream. You should notice a difference compared to the first time you've seen them.

Following the man's guidance, Deka decided to enter the dream about Nona. He wanted to get it over with quickly. Once more, the familiar scene appeared before him: Nona at the shore and him finding her. However, there was something different just like what the Hypnotist had said. Faintly, he could see it. Almost like glass to frame a picture, there was some sort of... filter over this scene. It was the color of a rainbow - the kind like a kaleidoscope. There were appearing on the edges of this dream. After watching it till the end, he was taken out of the scene, returning to the dreamscape.

"I saw... a rainbow-colored... filter...? What was that?" the boy wondered.

That, my dear boy, is what I'm giving you to help aid you in any more future dreams you have. Your brain will now include these 'filters' thanks to my hypnotism. Each color has a meaning behind different dreams. Before Deka could question him, he already began to explain, Rainbow means that while the future didn't happen here, it could have happened somewhere else. An alternative reality, if you like to think of it like that. Go on. Try another.

Picking the dream of him getting a bike, the boy dived into it to find himself on the beach. A younger version of himself was riding the bike in the sand, laughing with joy in the sunlight. This brought a smile to Deka's face. Although it never happened, it had been a delightful dream. Returning to the white void, the boy didn't see anything different about it.

That's because it had a clear filter. You wouldn't be able to see it.

"What does clear mean?"

It means it's a normal dream.

With such a simple response, Deka moved on to the next. He chose the dream of him becoming an adult and taking over his father's job as the new Town Head of the Haven. Entering, the boy was at his house. There, he could see his elderly father and him as a man. A ceremony was being held and everyone celebrated the day. He wished this premonition could come true, but knew that it couldn't. Looking at the edges, the filter was a golden yellow. The color had him frowning. In the Haven, yellow was a popular color. It had many positive connotations. So why was it used to represent this dream?

Exiting it, he immediately vocalized it, "Why is it golden yellow?"

As much as the color yellow can mean many things like sunshine or friendship, there are a few negative connotations from it as well, the Hypnotist answered. For that dream, in particular, it's deception. That future dream is false because you desperately wished for that future to come true. It's like fool's gold - like an enchantment. It's the color of illusions.

Deception? Enchantment? Was it because that dream merely suggests a future that couldn't be true? Was it an enchantment because it was a future he wanted to see? He was just deceiving himself? He didn't like that golden yellow was used to represent falsehood. How can such a bright, warm color symbolize something bad? He would have thought that as the complementary color, purple would be used to mean enchantment. The balance between red and blue gives it a mysterious, almost mystical factor. Plus, to give someone a purple rose meant that the giver had fallen in love with the recipient at the very first sight - like an enchantment.

Are we ready for the next?

"Yeah..." the boy answered almost dismissively.

Picking the dream of his time of winning a contest, he dived in. Once more, he saw his younger self out at the beach with his friends. They were having a sandcastle building contest and his castle was the winner. He had remembered that day. Back then, his friends were his competitors. They were rivals with only one goal in mind: win. While he had won the contest, he had thought that Nona's castle looked just as grand as his. Regardless of his opinion, the judges had picked him as the winner. Looking at the edges, Deka could see a gray filter. Such a neutral, dull color. He wondered about its significance.

Finished with that dream, he waited for the Hypnotist to answer. A gray dream means that that future dream could happen or not. Very similar to the rainbow dream, only it concerns this reality.

Left with the last dream to see, Deka smiled at it. It was a joyous time. He entered it without complaint. Unlike the others that had to do with him, this one didn't concern him. He was at Nona's home, a simple specter observing as Ennea was being cheerful in the kitchen. He watched as Roku came in to give her a kiss, stating his excitement for their growing family. The edges of the dream were a serene blue. It was very calming and he had a feeling he knew the meaning behind the color.

With the scenery finished, fading away as he returned to the white void, he took a guess, "A blue dream means the absolute truth, right?"

Correct, little Deka. It means the truth. Nothing could change. After a pause, he stated, I believed this ends our little session. Please wake up.

~oOo~

Blinking his eyes awake, Deka found his consciousness returning to the Hypnotist's tent. Turning his head, he could see the man still sitting beside him, offering him a sad smile. The boy hesitated until he slowly sat up. Looking at his hand, he curled his fingers before uncurling them. It would appear that he recovered his strength back.

Looking at the man, he confessed, "I never knew there was so much more to my dreams. I always thought it was between what was going to happen and the normal ones."

"It's possible you just haven't fully awakened your abilities enough to realize there's more than meet the eye. Keep in mind, your dreams may change colors at different points in time," the Hypnotist explained. Getting up, the man reached for a lever to lower the seat before checking the time on the clock. "I believe you should get home. It's way past your bedtime."

Getting up fully, Deka hopped out of the seat. "The disaster. It will happen?"

"It's what Moira intended," the adult confirmed. "Perhaps in another reality, your Haven wouldn't be destroyed."

"Why must it occur?"

"Think of this as one big story. Something must happen to drive the main characters to their destination."

The boy stared at the ground, a feeling of dread was seeping inside him. If the Haven was going to be destroyed, who were the 'main characters' that needed to move the plot? Despite his abilities, Deka got the feeling that he wasn't the main lead. His role was possibly a minor one. But then who...?

Her face flashed in his mind. That face that smiled so warmly. Long brown locks swayed in the wind. Caramel eyes sparkle with life and a promise for the future. It couldn't be...

"Not Nona," Deka breathed, shaking his head. "It couldn't be her. She couldn't be the one fate is trying to guide. I won't allow it!"

The Hypnotist closed his glass eyes and sighed tiredly. Opening them back up, he was staring at nowhere in particular. "I wonder... if her fate could be changed. I get the feeling... I'll be having a similar conversation with a boy who hoped to change the fate of a friend. That is to be determined if he does see me again."

Confused with his words but deciding not to bother questioning them, the boy inquired, "Why is it her? Why couldn't it be someone else? Why couldn't it be me?"

The Hypnotist gave him a sympathetic look. "If she's not guided, then she won't be able to inspire hope to someone who needs it."

Deka frowned at the adult's reasonings. Whether it was fate's doing or not, he didn't like it. Nona was important to him. They've been friends for five years. And she was really fated to die? For a stranger's sake? As much as he wanted to welcome others, a selfish part of him contradicts the idea. As much as he values the life of good people to be equal, if it was between Nona's life and the stranger's, he'd rather the stranger would die.

"What if that stranger is needed to heal the sick world? Being in a traveling Circus, the outside is sick with people unlike the residents of your town."

Looking up at him, the boy inquired, "Can you read my thoughts?"

"Through my hypnotism, I learned a few things about you."

Well, if that was the case, he still wouldn't give up on Nona... even if it meant the world had a chance of getting better. The boy closed his eyes and let out a breath. Of course, all of this depends on Nona. He wouldn't ignore her wishes or her heart. If she died motivating that person to continue living... then they better continue living. If they ended up dying, he wouldn't forgive that person. Regardless, he wouldn't stop at ensuring that Nona lived the best life she could. He promised himself that.

Looking at the man, words of gratitude spill from his lips. "Thank you for everything, Sensei. For helping me from the Marionettes and for helping me with my dreams."

"It's been a pleasure, little Deka." The Hypnotist gave a small nod of his head. Crouching down, he offered the child a hand. "Let me assist you in getting to the gates. With me, the Clowns and Marionettes shouldn't bother you."

With a nod, Deka climbed into the man's open palm. Lifted off the ground, he was slipped into the pocket of the adult's white coat. Gripping to the edge of the pocket to peer out, the child observed as the Hypnotist strolled out of his tent. Only his tent gave the boy a sense of safety. The other tents were filled with many Clowns dancing. In the dead of night, their sorrows sang out. The weeping that came out of their smiling faces was louder and clearer than during the daytime. Ducking his head as one of them ran passed the Hypnotist, Deka suppressed a shudder up his spine. There was really something off about them.

They've passed by many of the attractions. Despite the fun and joy the rides were during Opening Day, somehow they'd lost their charm in the dark. It felt more like a trap. Perhaps it was because of the creepy music that was being played? It took a few more steps until Deka could see the gates. He was close! He could go home soon! Now standing in front of the exit, the adult was about to pick the teen out of his pocket to send him on his way home until a person's voice had stop the man from reaching in.

"Saimin? What are you doing out at this hour?" A woman's voice had called out in the darkness.

Immediately, Deka ducked inside of the pocket fully while the Hypnotist inched his hand away. Turning around to face an old friend - the master who had weaved so many tragedies together, he calmly replied, "Just taking some fresh air."

The teen remained quiet as he listened to the woman's response. "I see... Yes, fresh air is hard to come by. There are a lot of tragedies and the stench of death." There was a pause before the woman continued, almost muttering to herself. "Yes, even this town too... shall have a calamity befallen it. I'll guarantee that."

Hearing retreating footsteps, the teenager risked taking a peek. He saw a woman, but only from her back. Very tall and thin. She was wearing a long red trench coat that could resemble a kimono. Shiny black boots soundlessly marked the earth. Long black hair slithering down her waist. Without needing to see the woman from the front, Deka would say that she was beautiful. However, he could sense a dangerous aura emanating from that woman. She wasn't someone he should cross with. Sadly for him, he had failed to notice that the woman had something in her hands.

Taken out of the Hypnotist's pocket, the boy was let down to the ground. Thanking the adult again, the teenager made his way safely back home.

~oOo~

Tiredly collapsing onto his bed, Deka thought about what had occurred during these past few hours. Minutes went by from reflecting until the boy's eyes widen. Pressing the heels of his hands over his closed eyes, he groaned to himself as it suddenly hit him. With everything that had happened tonight, he had forgotten about the mystery behind Roku's death. The Hypnotist even had brought it up earlier. But... removing his hand away from his face, the boy resumed staring at his ceiling. Was there even a point in finding the truth anymore? What purpose would it achieve? It would bring closure for sure, but would it bring peace to the Tsukumo family?

The more he thought about it, what was his drive for trying to pursue the truth in the first place? Was it for Nona's sake? It certainly wasn't out of mere curiosity. His mind flashed to that woman dressed in red. That beauty had such intimidation in the air. While he wasn't certain, he had a bad feeling that that woman had something to do with Roku's death.

Deka sighed, closing his eyes. Sensei also mentioned that Aunt Ennea could have died instead of Uncle Roku. If that had happened, Ichiro could have been like this girl I don't know. I wonder what happened to that girl.

Sleep started to cloud his mind until the boy felt himself falling into his subconscious. As he entered his dreams, that pondering question echoed in his mind. In the new scenery, he could see something... or someone. It was a serene blue dream. What would this story show? Something good? Or something bad? Only one way to find out.

~oOo~

He could see a foreign woman. Long, luxuriant pale blonde hair. Dressed in fancy clothes. Wearing a sunhat. So pretty and refined, she must be some noblewoman from the west. However, Deka could see that she was to become a mother. It was evident in her swollen stomach.

Descending down to the ground, the boy looked at the woman. He tried interacting with her, but his hand went through her, rippling her image. Retracting it, he stared at his fingertips in realization. He was in a dream. Therefore, his soul-body couldn't interact with some parts, even though he could feel the ground under him. Silently, he followed the foreign woman until she stopped, looking up ahead.

Following her lead, the boy looked forward until he gasped, shrinking back. It was her! That woman from the Circus! Seeing her from the front for the first time, Deka could see that she was indeed beautiful. A perfect face and striking green eyes. However, something was off. She was covering her face with a veil. Was she insecure about her appearance?

"Good afternoon, madam," the woman in red greeted, bowing respectively.

"Good afternoon to you too!" the noblewoman returned with a cheerful smile on her face.

Deka observed the two women. Despite the friendly interaction, he could feel the tension in the air. The woman in red... she was staring at the noblewoman with a dark look on her face. Was that contempt? He saw how her fingers were twitching and was reaching for something in the pocket of her trenchcoat. However, she stopped and pulled her hand away from her coat.

It had him wondering, What was in there?

Instead, she suggested for the two of them to find a place to sit down and get away from the burning sun. Following the adults, Deka found himself at a park. There was a bench which he sat at the far end of as the two women settled down, resuming their pleasant conversation until the foreign nobleman introduced herself as Emelia.

"A pleasure to meet you, Emelia. Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier," the woman replied, eyeing Emelia intently. "Unfortunately, I abandoned my old name a long time ago. In a way, I'm nameless." Silence filled the air until she spoke again, her eyes looking elsewhere. "I see you are carrying a child."

Deka didn't like that look the nameless woman was giving the mother. They were the eyes of someone who wished to do harm. He inched away from his spot, his soul-body pressing against the hand bars.

"Yes! It's my first child," Emelia smiled, placing a hand on her swollen belly to give it a gentle rub. "It's a girl."

Deka smiled, looking up at the woman. Despite he didn't know Emelia, she reminded him very much of Ennea. From the nurturing way the noblewoman was already showing, he could tell that she would be a wonderful mother.

The woman in red had a small frown on her face. "... I see," she trailed off. Your husband must have been very affectionate towards you."

The words 'husband' and 'very affectionate' were laced with bubbling venom that brought shivers to the boy's spine. Emelia, however, didn't seem to catch the envious tone as she continued on happily.

"He is," the noblewoman smiled at the thought of her husband, Edward.

"... Ah, I'm envious of you," the woman in red faked a smile. "If only my husband could have been as affectionate as yours."

"Did something happen?" Emelia dared ask, her face etched with concern.

The woman suddenly stood up and walked over to an abandoned table. There was a bowl of colorful hard candy. Taking one, she stared at it absentmindedly. Deka watched her with interest. It seemed that she was always fond of those types of sweets. It took a while until she finally answered, "He had a secret lover. One night, an incident happened to me. When I returned he..." she put the candy back into the bowl, her hands went to cover her face, "... he said I was hideous!"

"No..." Emelia rose to her feet, shaking her hand. "I think you look beautiful."

At the compliment, the woman suddenly straightened and uncovered her face. Turning around, she eyed her guest curiously. "Really? Am I beautiful?"

"Yes. I wouldn't lie."

Slowly getting off the bench, Deka took hesitant steps forward, staying close to the noblewoman. Something was definitely off. The feeling of dread wouldn't go away. The woman in red took slow steps, approaching Emelia. The more she got closer, the more Deka wanted to run. This woman didn't mean well! She was going to do something! He had to run! But his feet stayed planted where he was. Emelia also sensed something was wrong, looking uneasy as she took a step back.

"Am I really beautiful?"

The question was asked again. Now, she was in front of them. Oxygen couldn't get into his lungs. The boy was shaking badly. He should run. He should get away. This woman was dangerous! Her hands were once more reaching into her pocket. What could be so important there?

"Yes," said Emelia adamantly.

With her other hand, the nameless woman pulled down her veil, revealing a horrifying sight. Deka screamed. Her mouth, her lips! There were two slits at the corner of her mouth, going as far as her ears! Her lips were dripping with blood and with the slits, red-stained teeth could be seen. But what was really unsettling was the tone of the next question being asked.

"Even like this!?"

Without waiting for a response, ornate scissors were finally pulled out of the pocket. Under the presence of that object, the boy suddenly felt sick. So sick that he shut his eyes, not wanting to see anymore. There was something suffocating about those scissors. The screams of a woman pierced his brain that it was making him nauseous. Turning away, he took a peek to see the shadow of the two women. The blades were raised into the air before they were plunged into the victim's abdomen. Blood splattered on the ground, going through the boy's soul-body and landing in front of his terrified eyes. When did this take place? What time? The scream died down, and cries of shock softly sounded instead. The scissors were pulled out, more blood flowed out. The shadow of the victim was hunched over in pain before she collapsed on the spot.

Daring to take a look - to check if she was still alive, the boy turned around. To his surprise, it was no longer Emelia lying on the floor. It was Ennea! On Opening Day! Suddenly, without warning, the blue filter was gone. It changed into a rainbow color! Was he in a new dream? Was this what the Hypnotist meant about Ennea dying instead of Roku? And... could this event really happen in another reality?

The rainbow filter eventually fades away, leaving the dream to become clear. Ennea's corpse disappeared, leaving only him behind under the looming shadow of the threat in front of him. His body was shaking. He couldn't move. The nameless woman, now only a part of a normal dream, finally noticed him. She had the audacity to ask him the same question: "Am I beautiful?"

What could he say? How should he respond? Emelia had screamed when she saw that face. He had no idea what either Roku or Ennea said to get killed in their respective reality. Was pleasing the woman the correct answer then?

Hesitantly, Deka looked up. That face was horrendous. It was creepy. However, the boy keep his revulsion hidden and mustered a weak smile. "Y-Yes...?"

In response to his answer, the teenager was violently grabbed by those tightening fingers. He was pulled closer to the woman's face as she wordlessly pulled out her scissors again. But instead of raising them into the air, she placed the blades against his mouth. At this point, the boy's eyes widen. That was the wrong answer! He gave the wrong answer!

Without a word, she draw the scissors back while the sharp point was still etched into his skin...!

SPLAT!

~oOo~

Jolted awake, Deka gasped at that terrifying nightmare. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he panted heavily. Running a hand to his face, he relaxed a little when he didn't feel any scars or slits around his mouth. For minutes, he stayed where he was, his eyes drinking in the familiarity of his room. The blue wallpaper, the glowing fish mobile, first place ribbons that decorated the walls, and his favorite books stacked on his desk.

Looking at the clock, it was only five in the morning. Unable to sleep, the boy immediately got out of bed. Marching up to his door, he planned to have a word with his father. Unlike him, the Town Head was an early morning person.

Going down the hallway, Deka eventually reached the room his father was in. Taking a peek through the door, he could see the Town Head working on some documents. Should he speak to his father now? He seemed very busy. Before he got the chance to reconsider, his father's voice cut through the silence.

"I know you're there, Deka. You can come in."

With the adult's permission, the boy entered the room. The Town Head put his pen down before taking off his glasses, turning his head to see him. Looking up at his parent, he could see a worn-out smile on his face. Despite his father was young, he looked like he aged another twenty years. Briefly, the boy's eyes flickered onto the family photo sitting on the desk. In the picture was his younger father, himself as a toddler, and a woman with a bright smile on her face.

Deka felt his throat tighten, trying to take in his mother's features. Short dark hair, lovely pair of light brown eyes, dressed very modestly. She had died when he was young so he didn't have many memories of her. However, he knew she meant something to his father, having to raise him as a single parent.

"What is it, son?" the Town Head's voice called out again.

Letting out a breath, the boy looked at his father before making his bold statement. "Dad, the travelers... they have to leave."

The Town Head blinked in surprise. It was not near the end of the month yet. Why did they have to go now? Perplexed, he questioned seriously, "Why do you say that, Deka?"

"I had another dream. The person who killed Un- Roku Tsukumo, she's in the Circus."

His father's expression became stern. "Deka, it's not that I don't believe you, but are you certain?"

The boy looked down in slight embarrassment, remembering that he never specify where he went to search for answers. "I saw her... when I went to the Circus last night."

Feeling his father's two fingers gripping both sides of his shoulder, the teenager looked up. Now that stern gaze was directed fully at him alone. "You went there alone last night? What were you thinking, Deka?!" he reprimanded. "What if you ended up like Roku-san? I only received your message vaguely mentioning that you were looking for information! I wouldn't be able to find you - even if I asked the mermaids for help!"

"I know... I already learned my lesson..." the boy murmured, showing his injuries.

The Town Head gasped with wide eyes as he frantically examine the marks. However, seeing as they weren't fatal, he relaxed a little. With a heavy sigh, he stretched out his arms, inviting Deka to a hug. The teenager accepted and welcomed the feeling of being wrapped in warmth. "I understand now. I'll get the travelers to leave as soon as possible. Just promise me you won't do anything reckless."

The boy nodded eagerly as he was pulled away from the hug. Standing up, the Town Head told his son to return to his room and sleep while he handle business. The teen just gave a nod before leaving his father's room. Unfortunately for him, he was feeling tired. So instead of going to his room to sleep as he promised, he went to put on his shoes, intending to go to the beach.

~oOo~

Hearing the familiar crashing of the waves felt refreshing. Before dawn approached, the salty air and mist faintly sprayed on his face. Closing his eyes, he listened. The most soothing part of coming to the shore before daylight was listening to the mermaids' songs. It was one of his favorite thing to do to pass the time, especially after having those dreams. Just sitting on the soft sand, closing his eyes, and listening.

"Deka?"

Recognizing the voice, the boy opened his eyes and turned his head to the source. It was Ennea. She was looking at him with a slightly puzzling face. He smiled sheepishly at her. After all, he wasn't a morning person, so he could partly understand her confusion upon seeing him.

"Aunt Ennea," he acknowledged.

Sitting next to him, the woman stared out at the ocean. He followed her lead, directing his gaze at the waves. They simply sat in silence, neither speaking to the other. While the simple quietness was welcoming, Deka felt... a little anxious. In another reality, Ennea could have died instead. So for her to come to sit with him felt a bit odd for him.

"About Nona... Thank you, for checking up on her during my absences," Ennea replied. "It was really irresponsible of me to leave her like that, forcing you to do such an adult-like thing despite your age."

"You're making up for it. That's the important part," Deka remarked. Briefly, his eyes flickered onto her. "How are you doing, Aunt Ennea?"

"Better," she answered. "If I haven't snapped out of my trance sooner and remembered that I had a family to look out for... I don't want to think about it. I have to become a better mother. For my little riceball and tiny dumpling."

"Dumpling? Ichiro?" the boy snorted at the nickname. He could understand Nona's, but Ichiro's? Why was he called 'dumpling'?

"Because he's all snuggled up like a dumpling!" Ennea answered with a smile.

Lightly laughing at such reasoning, Deka returned his focus to the water again, a smile on his face. He was delighted that Ennea had come to her senses and returned home. Really, they were mother and daughter. Both have neglected their duties for a short while but they were now making up for it. It would be nice if they both could live happily - together with everyone in town. But...

His smile faltered. The Haven will eventually be destroyed. Everyone's future here will be smashed to pieces. What could be done? Bringing his knees close to his chest, he started to wonder out loud, "Aunt Ennea, Uncle Roku was taken from you. In the end, how are you the way you are now? Do you no longer want to be with him anymore?"

He hated asking these questions. It must be painful to be reminded of the fact that her husband was murdered, that she had abandoned her children and was planning to join him when in a worse state of mind. However, Ennea didn't look offended or angry at the questions.

Staring out as sun rays started to break the indigo sky, she spoke in a gentle tone, "Getting lost along the way, making mistakes... is what we humans do. Losing our way once in a while, we eventually reflect and reach a simple conclusion: what is the reason for you to continue living? Even if the world no longer needs someone like me, there are people who need me. So for those people, I'll continue living life with all I have."

The two of them eventually made eye contact. Deka could see it. Her eyes were telling him that even if he fell into his worse moments, he shouldn't be wasting away. While feeling that way wasn't make others look down on him, he shouldn't let it control his life. Even if he felt useless and powerless, he shouldn't let that affect him. Understanding this, he smiled at her before looking at the rising sun.

By the time the sun fully rise, Ennea got up and patted the sand off of her. "I have to go now and see my adorable children. It was nice chatting with you, Deka."

"You too, Aunt Ennea," he gave her a wave goodbye before looking at the sky.

It was a beautiful view today.