Phantom stood at the balcony looking into the bedroom. The person inside was cautious and ready to strike, if Phantom had shown any threat. Phantom was sceptical too. Is he an ally, or the enemy?
"Where am I?" Luminous broke the silence.
"Did you just woke up?"
"Answer the question."
"Ereve."
"What time, and date?"
Phantom reached for his pocket watch. This alarmed the mage.
"My watch." Phantom showed his pocket watch to the mage.
Phantom took a look at his watch. He frowned and tapped it a few times.
"It's broken."
"Just give me an estimate."
"Seven, in the evening. 3rd of October."
"What?"
"Seven..."
"You're lying."
"What if I'm not?"
"Then that would mean that I had somehow teleported to this island. As I was just at Ellinia, moments ago." Luminous' nervousness could be heard from his voice. He was afraid. Afraid that he had gone out of control. Afraid that darkness had taken over him again. For that would have been the most easiest explanation to his sudden change in location.
"Look. I am just as confused as you are."
"I have told you why I'm here. It's your turn to tell me why you're here."
"Neinheart sent me a message: to investigate strange happenings on this island."
"What happenings?"
"He didn't include any details of the happenings. But he said it might involve Cygnus."
"Cygnus?"
"Okay look. You can keep doubting me, and I'll keep doubting you. But we have a common goal: to find out what's going on here. So we'll investigate this matter together."
"Hahaha...You never change Phantom. Still putting yourself in risky situations for the thrill of it."
"Great. Now we're getting somewhere."
"I still don't trust you though."
After investigating the bedroom, Phantom and Luminous proceeded to other parts of the palace. Along the hallways, they encountered a maid, who was sitting on the floor chanting. She was unresponsive to their calls. They tried to bring her out of her trance, but had given up after a few tries. As they moved on, they encountered more of the palace inhabitants, suffering the same symptoms.
As they walked, Luminous made his deductions, "There is nothing, they all said. Is it a curse that causes despair? Or is it a curse that drains their willpower?"
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"No. One is to disable them. The other is to sap their energy."
"You think too much."
They entered Neinheart's office. The strategist was behind his desk, suffering the same symptoms as everyone else. They looked though the pile of documents on his table. Luminous found Neinheart's report.
"Take a look at this Phantom."
Phantom skimmed though the report.
"Should we check this places out?" Phantom asked.
"No. I think the priority should be looking for the Empress and ensuring her safety. We should have done that at first. Why didn't I think of that?"
"But, how do we find her?"
"I can trace her mana residues."
They left the palace to search for Cygnus. Walking in the forests of Ereve, they stumble upon an open grassy field. A man approached them from across the field.
"Where's your cane old man?" Hawkeye asked.
"Yeah. Where's your cane, Lumi?" Phantom turned his head to the mage.
Luminous was not amused. He only glared back.
"I'm asking you, thief."
Phantom looked around for any other thieves.
"What's going on here?" Luminous asked.
"What's happening is that we are stopping that thief there, from stealing our Empress," Hawkeye replied.
"What?" Luminous immediately moved away from Phantom.
"Calm down Lumi. I'm not your enemy," said Phantom.
"You're the outsider here."
"So are you." Phantom materialized a spear.
"Why did you take out your weapon!?" Luminous readied himself.
"I'm sensing a murderous intent."
"From yourself?"
A barrage of shurikens suddenly rained on Phantom. He spun his spear in front of him to deflect the projectiles.
"Damn it Eckhart! Why did you interrupt them? Things were just getting interesting," Hawkeye complained.
Eckhart dropped down from the trees and continued his attacks. Phantom discarded his spear which dissolved into the air and ran.
"Wait!" Luminous shouted.
Eckhart chased after Phantom into the forest. Luminous followed shortly after.
"Oh, come on!" Hawkeye joined the chase.
As they ran, Eckhart continued his attacks. Phantom too, fought back, throwing his own shurikens. Occasionally, they moved in for close quarters combat with their daggers. Hawkeye was lagging behind, carrying an anchor on his shoulder. Luminous, who was only slightly ahead of Hawkeye, could have caught up with the two thieves if he wanted to with his teleport. But he was hesitant. He was unsure which thief to attack.
"Phantom! Why are you running!?" Luminous shouted.
"Because! I'm being attacked!" Phantom shouted back.
"Eckhart! Stop attacking!"
"Tell him to stop running!" Eckhart shouted back.
"Phantom! Stop running!"
Both thieves ignored him. Hawkeye was laughing behind him. Luminous calmed down and thought of his next plan of action carefully.
At speed they were moving, they soon reached the edge of the island. The thieves continued their knife-fight on the spot, dangerously close the edge. Falling off the floating island would be hundreds of metres drop into the sea below. Luminous caught up to them and quickly casted a spell. A dark circle appeared below the two thieves. Phantom kicked Eckhart out of the circle just as dark sparks erupted, filling the area with void energy. The darkness enveloped Phantom and vaporized everything within the small area. Only a crater was left. Hawkeye finally caught up to them and placed his anchor down.
"What? That's it? He's dead?...Hahahaha." Hawkeye started laughing in disbelief.
Luminous knew Phantom's strength better than the Cygnus knights. Which is why he decided to attack Phantom. By doing so, Luminous would be able to gain the trust of the Cygnus knights and gain more information. He knew Phantom would take any opportunity to escape. So, he gave Phantom the opportunity. And depending on the information he received, Luminous could then deduce, who was the real enemy. That was the plan, but...
"You killed him?" Eckhart asked.
"You saw what happened," Luminous replied.
"Aren't you his friend?" Hawkeye asked.
"My instincts tell me he no longer is. Now, can you tell me what is happening here?" Luminous asked.
The two knights both laughed. Phantom hung from a dagger, stuck into the cliff wall of the edge of the island, away from sight. He was listening to their conversations.
"What's so funny?" Luminous asked.
The ground shook.
"What's happening!?" Luminous asked.
"It's over. The story ends," Hawkeye said.
"What are you talking about?"
Phantom appeared behind the two knights, who were facing Luminous. He signalled Luminous and they both went in for the attack, swiftly knocking the two knights unconscious with ease.
"Are they even serious? The way they seem to lower their guard suddenly..." Phantom said.
"I was just about to get important information from them." Luminous said.
"There's no time. The whole island is falling. We need to get away from the...coastline."
The heroes carried the unconscious knights deeper inland. As the island landed on the sea surface, they looked back to see the big waves crash onto the edges of the island. They could hear cries from the majestic bird in the distance.
Phantom and Luminous appeared at Cygnus' garden. They were each seated with a cup of tea placed on the table in front of them. They were facing Cygnus, who was continuing her dance lesson with Gaston. Both men took a sip from their cups and placed it back down in unison.
"Phantom, what's going on? Mercedes described her as a more ruthless sadist. But she looks like a normal girl to me. Phantom?"
Phantom wasn't listening. He was mesmerised by Cygnus' cheerfulness as she was dancing. Adding on to it, was the relaxing waltz that could calm any soul. Phantom was distracted from Luminous' muttering. Luminous used his shining rod to knock the back of Phantom's head to gain his attention.
"Oww! What was that for?" Phantom asked.
"I thought your brain was frozen in time. What's up with her? She doesn't look that evil at all. Even I am afraid to hurt her."
"Me too."
"Mercedes told me everything. Except this."
"This happened after she left."
"I see. Take advantage of this rest time."
"Huh?"
They watched Cygnus' dance lesson silently for the next few minutes.
"I guess it's about time I take my leave." Luminous left his chair after finishing his tea.
"Wait, what?"
"Oh? I've even prepared you a chair. Leaving so soon?" Cygnus stopped dancing.
"My presence here is not needed. I will only hinder you. Don't worry Phantom. You'll figure it out." Luminous tapped the floor with his shining rod. The floor shattered, revealing a portal which he fell into and made his exit.
"That's odd," Cygnus said.
Phantom felt the same. But Luminous had a point. His presence had somewhat hindered Phantom from reaching Cygnus. But...
Figure what out?
Hundreds of loops later...
Luminous was the last person to enter and left the dimension. Luminous' words haunted Phantom each time he entered Cygnus' garden. The repetitions slowly exhausted Phantom's mind. There was nothing he could do to influence the outcome of the night. Sometimes he was close to death. Other times, he almost reached Cygnus. He began to look forward to entering the Cygnus' garden and seeing Cygnus' smile. It comforted him. Seeing her face meant he had another chance. It somehow kept him sane.
Cygnus had made herself comfortable in that strange place. She would sometimes, dance, listen to music, chat or play chess with Phantom. Gaston would serve them food and drinks and sometimes, entertain them with his jokes or his violin.
Phantom can't help but feel that he was being kept alive. Even if he wanted to kill himself, he couldn't. One thing he found out was that what he thought was Cygnus' defensive magic, had applied to everyone in the garden. The garden prevented anyone from getting hurt. Time would rewind back to before they were hurt. And of course, Cygnus would not tell him anything about the situation other than vague answers. Phantom kept thinking back on what Luminous had said. He still couldn't figure anything out.
'I thought your brain was frozen in time.'
'Don't worry Phantom. You'll figure it out.'
Figure what out?
'There is nothing.'
Nothing?
'There is nothing you can do.'
There is something. When the Shinsoo cries.
What is it?
'Where is your cane, old man?'
'Can you promise me something?'
'I need to stop her.'
'I never liked you either.'
Am I dead? 'Maybe.'
'You shall not come any closer.'
'Draw out your weapon, thief.'
'Till the right outcome is reached.'
'Silly thief. My name is Hilla.'
No, it's not.
"Phantom!"
Cygnus was calling him from across the table.
"It's your turn."
Phantom moved his queen. "Checkmate."
"Hmph." Cygnus turned her head away.
She then snapped her fingers. Phantom's surroundings faded to white.
Phantom entered the bedroom from the balcony. He stood in the bedroom, staring at the broken mirror. Cygnus had interrupted his train of thought the last time. He decided to go through what he missed out.
'I thought your brain was frozen in time.'
'Lets play a game.'
What is this? A game?
'If you don't melt then I will tell ya.'
'If someone asks you...'
'Skaia is like a philosopher's stone.'
'You stole it without even knowing what it was.'
'Are you even going the right way?'
'...don't do it.'
'Phantom is my prey.'
'Already feasting on tears without me?'
'How about a change of pace?'
'I'm gonna give you a chance to take out your weapon..'
'She's not dead.'
'I have hardly lied to you.'
'Don't worry Phantom. You'll figure it out.'
"Figure what out!?" Phantom shouted out his thoughts.
The sound of him stepping on broken glass finally made him realize where he was.
Author's notes:
With this chapter, I moving away from the time loops.
I could drag the story and put more chapters of the same night.
But I feel that I don't have any good ideas for those.
To be continued-
(14 JAN 2015)