Phantom waited for Cygnus to fall asleep before leaving her side. After hearing Cygnus' story, he could not find any words to comfort her. Her story only confused him more. Who was the real enemy? Who was to blame? He was left with more questions than answers. He decided to do what Cygnus wanted to do; he retraced his steps and did his own investigation.
Phantom left the bedroom and closed the door quietly. Luminous was the only one outside, leaning against the wall, with his eyes closed and arms folded.
"So what do you think?" Phantom asked.
"I don't know. I think I'll sleep over it. You should too," Luminous replied. He entered the room across the hallway and spoke to the guards in it.
Phantom continued retracing his steps. He decided to visit Neinheart next. After enquiring his location from some guards, Phantom found Neinheart at his office. He entered the room, greeted by the sounds of smooth jazz. Neinheart sat behind his table, his hands on the table, twiddling his thumbs. He had eye-bags, and was trying to hide his frown with a fake smile. The whole situation had left him with a great deal of stress. He was apparently trying to relax by listening to music.
"Yes?" Neinheart said.
"Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to ask you some stuff," Phantom said.
"Oh, you're playing detective now?"
"... sort of. I'll make this quick. Had you never noticed the strange magic around the Empress?"
"I'm not a mage, Phantom."
"Could someone on Ereve have noticed it?
"Possibly the Commanders."
"The Skaia is still missing?"
"...yes."
"Do you remember anything about that night?"
"Nothing." Neinheart shrugged.
"Last question. Where can I find one of the Commanders?"
"They have been taking turns, guarding Shinsoo at the gardens."
"That will be all. Thanks for sending me that letter."
"What letter?"
"Nothing...Forget what I said."
Phantom walked out of the palace though the front doors. Ignoring the dozens of guard glaring at him. He proceeded to the Pavilion, with a lamp in hand. He stood at the middle of the empty Pavilion, turning slowly, to examine the view of the whole place. After a complete turn, he noticed someone in the Empress's chair, that wasn't there before. It was evil Cygnus!
"What are you looking for? … There is nothing."
Phantom blinked and she was gone. He realised it was just his imagination. Cold sweat trickled down his face. He realised how tired he was. It was late at night. He decided to stop his investigation there. Phantom returned to his ship to rest. That night, he dreamt of his past experiences.
.
.
Phantom crept into the room from the window. He quickly searched the cabinets and drawers for the jewel.
"What are you looking for?" a woman's voice asked from behind the closed door.
Phantom immediately made his escape.
.
.
"Yes!" Phantom said in satisfaction as he successfully unpicked the lock.
He opened the safe and saw nothing but a few documents.
"There's nothing there," the same woman's voice came from outside the room.
Phantom left silently.
.
.
Phantom risked it all and boldly entered the bedroom. The woman was in her bed, fast asleep. He searched the room, moving as quietly as possible. He found the jewel in one of the drawers. He took it, placed it in his pocket and left a letter in its place. He then made his escape. When he returned to his ship, he checked his pocket and found his own letter instead of the jewel.
.
.
Phantom entered the bedroom and saw the jewel just lying on the table. He grabbed it, placed it in his pocket, and made a run for it. After running for quite a distance, he checked his pocket and discovered that the jewel was missing. He retraced his steps all the way back to the room, checking if he had dropped it along the way. He saw the woman dangling the jewel out the window, as if she was mocking him. Phantom just went ahead and snatched it from her hands. He was going to lose style points by doing so, but he didn't care anymore.
"It's no use," Phantom heard the woman say as he ran away.
He ran with a firm grip on the jewel. He returned to his ship and placed the jewel on his table. A chilling wind blew in from the open window. His closed it. When he looked back at the table, the jewel was gone.
.
.
The woman was sitting in the garden, all alone. The jewel was around her neck. Phantom made his appearance in front of her.
"Are you here to try again?" the woman asked.
"Nah. I give up. I just want to know what kind of sorcery you are using," Phantom replied.
"Hahaha! You are simply not worthy to own it."
"What?"
"When I received this jewel, I didn't get much details. But I know for a fact that you can't steal it from the current owner unless she is dead."
"And what makes you think I won't kill you?"
"You won't. I know who you are, Phantom Thief. You have never hurt anyone during your heists."
"Interesting. Why don't I just steal you instead?"
"Please be gentle with me." The woman looked away, acting shy.
"Eh?" Phantom's face turned red.
"I'm joking! Hahaha! You are more innocent than you look!" the woman teased him.
Phantom pouted. "What's your name?"
"Aria," the woman smiled.
.
.
"Why do you keep bothering me? Are you still trying to steal my jewel?" Aria asked.
"No. I told you I gave up."
"You've stopped stealing since you failed to steal my jewel."
"..."
"Does it hurt your ego that much that it made you retire?"
"... I'm just on vacation."
.
.
"If you had one wish, what would you wish for?" Phantom asked.
"World peace!" Aria raised one hand with a comedic serious face.
"Hahaha. Can't you be more creative with your answer?"
"Okay then. For conflicts to be resolved without anyone getting hurt."
"What kind of answer is that?" Phantom chuckled. "Why don't you just wish for no conflict?"
"Wouldn't that be the same as 'World peace'? Besides, it's impossible to not have conflict in this world. Our differing opinions is what make us human."
.
.
"Can you promise me something? If someone asks you to show them your cane, don't do it."
"Why?" Phantom woke himself up by saying it out loud.
The next day, Phantom waited for nightfall before continuing his investigation. He wanted to retrace his steps during the same time as what had happened that night. He continued from the empty Pavilion with an uneventful walk towards Cygnus' gardens. When he reached his destination, he saw Hawkeye and a couple of guards, keeping watch on the unconscious Shinsoo, lying under the dome shelter.
"G'day mate," Hawkeye greeted him.
His greeting surprised Phantom. It was different from what Hawkeye usually said to him during the time loops.
"Good evening," Phantom replied.
"What brings you here?"
"Oh, just doing a bit of my own investigation."
"I see."
"If you don't mind answering some of my questions?"
"Sure. Have a seat." Hawkeye offered Phantom a seat on the bench he was seating on.
"Thanks, but I'll stand. This won't take long."
"Okay..."
"Do you remember anything about that night?"
"Nobody does. How about you?"
"Me neither."
"Really?"
"..."
"Oh, that reminds me. I forgot to ask you. Where's your cane, old man?"
Phantom immediately took a step back and put his guard up, moving on instinct.
"Let me just remind you. You are surrounded by an army," Hawkeye said.
Phantom looked behind him. The guards were looking away from them and stood quite a distance away. They would not be able to hear their conversation.
"I don't know why. Why won't you just use your cane?"
Phantom retreated backwards slowly.
"You still seem unsure. Let me make this clear." Hawkeye launched himself forward and punched the thief.
Phantom was thrown back to the ground. The other guards in the garden all took notice of them.
"Quick! Sound the alarm! I will hold him here!" Hawkeye instructed the guards.
The guards all scattered. It was bad news for Phantom. This misunderstanding would surely be unfavourable for him. He needed to act fast. Hawkeye was already making his next move, letting out a flurry of punches at Phantom. Phantom dodged most of them while moving backwards. He was still in a dilemma whether he should fight back as he did not want to hurt the real Hawkeye. Suddenly, Hawkeye fell forwards. Phantom halted his retreat, looking on in disbelief. There was another Hawkeye emerging from his shadow, grabbing his legs.
"Go Phantom!" the Hawkeye from the shadow instructed him.
Hawkeye struggled with his clone, half its body emerging from his shadow. Phantom left him and chased after the guards, swiftly taking down all of them before they got too far. He then ran back to the palace.
"Yes, Phantom?" Luminous said.
Phantom kept his eye on the Staff of Hope lying beside Luminous, who was seating on the floor in a meditative position, facing away from him.
"So, what do you think happened? Who is the enemy?" Phantom asked.
"Must there be an enemy? Maybe The Empress just lost her mind."
"What!? So you're saying it was all The Empress's fault?"
"The 'enemy' isn't always an outsider. He could be your allies, or even yourself. I think what's more important now is that we solve the current problem. Ereve falling out of the sky, Shinsoo unconscious, The Empress's weakened power."
"I agree. You should listen to your own advice." Phantom struck the back of the mage's head with his cane.
Luminous fell unconscious. Phantom took the Staff of Hope and walked out of the room with a grin.
"I'm going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?" Mercedes asked.
Cygnus remained silent.
"I'll be right back..." Mercedes left the bedroom leaving Cygnus all alone.
Phantom entered the bedroom from the balcony. He stood beside Cygnus, who was seating on her bed.
"We still have some unfinished business," Phantom said, handing Cygnus the Staff of Hope.
"What do you want me to do? What can I even do?"
"Accept it. Acknowledge your weakness. Acknowledge the darkness within and overcome it."
"I don't know if I can..."
"I will be there with you. You can do this. You must do this. Only you can do it."
Cygnus grabbed the staff from Phantom's hand with new found resolve in her eyes. There was some commotion outside the room. Phantom held his cane between them. His cane glowed, brighter and brighter. Mercedes and Evan entered the room only to see the light from Phantom's cane swallow them.
Author's notes:
Do take note of the slight change in the last paragraph of the previous chapter.
To be continued-
(17 MAR 2015)