Chapter 88
Inside of this Containment Facility looked the same as the others but in the corner then the exit door was a staff member. The staff member had a blindfold on and his wrists were tied in front of him as were his ankles.
"Let's see what Ortho has in store for us this time." Rook muttered as he knelt in front of the staff member and untied him and removed his blindfold.
"Wait, you're one of the subjects from NRC and you three attacked the island." The Staffer gasped as he looked up at them.
"That's right I'm subject E aka Vil Schoenheit, and this is Rook who's name will go down in Islander of Woe history as the instigator of a most singular event." Vil confirmed as the Staffer stood up.
"What are you doing here?" He asked his voice shaking.
"To make a rather long story short, we're heading to the Underworld to get this situation under control, and what are you doing here?" Vil asked.
"When the emergency alarm went off I started making my way to an escape terminal with the rest of my team. But then the Charons captured me. They brought me here before I could make sense of what was happening and took my ID card. They said they put the card in one of these cages then just took off." The Staffer explained.
"I see so this is what Ortho meant when he said he'd leave an NPC guide for us." Rook remarked shaking his head.
"He put a helpless person in danger just for that? That ain't right!" Epel fumed.
"Stay calm Epel." Odette whispered to him.
"The cages have been thawing and I could hear the Phantoms speaking up. I thought I was a goner for sure." The Staffer confessed.
"I wouldn't relax just yet. If we don't find the ID card fast the Phantoms will surround us and then it'll be game over for us all." Vil remained them.
"Do you know which cage the ID card is it sir?" Epel asked he looked over at the wall of cages.
"I'm afraid not, I was blindfolded the whole time, but I heard a Phantom's voice for a brief moment when the Charon opened the cage. I think it's some kind of beast or perhaps a crustacean? That narrows it down considerably it's likely in one of the cages with a number in the 800s." The Staffer explained.
"Alright, you stay hidden until we find the ID card." Vil ordered him.
"Okay I will." The Staffer agreed and went back to the corner near the door.
"We've fought a variety Phantoms on our way here but I didn't realize they had different classifications like beast and crustacean absolutely fascinating." Rook grinned as they began to look over the cages over for the 800 series.
"Make sense but I agree it does sound a little interesting." Odette said. "I think there's over a thousands cages in here." She exclaimed as she looked them over.
"Ugh, could you please wipe that eager look off your face?" Epel groaned.
"Remember Rook, curiosity killed the cat. Now let's focus and find that ID card." Vil said as he came to stand beside Odette. "You've guessed right every time so far which cage do you think it's in?" He asked.
"Mh, 808." Odette answered as she stood back near the Staffer and held the Spear again.
She had guessed right again, Vil, Rook and Epel attacked the Crab like Phantom inside and found the ID card. They helped the Staff member escape back the way they came and the continued on.
"Now that we've handled that time to pick up where you left off!" Epel said as they started back down the next section of emergency stairs.
'He's like a dog with a bone, but I'm curious as well.' Odette thought as Vil took the Spear back from her.
"Where I left off? What were we talking about again?" Rook asked tapping his chin with his right index finger.
"You can't just casually mention you were in Savanaclaw and NOT elaborate!" Odette exclaimed emphasized with her hands.
"Oh yes, that the Dark Mirror chose Savanaclaw for me at my orientation. I've often identified with the King of Beasts spirit of persistence myself. So I saw no issue with the assignment in fact I found my time in Savanaclaw to be quite fun and rewarding." Rook confessed.
"Huh? Then why'd you transfer to Pomefiore? Seem like kind of a waste. Er, I mean if it suited you, you didn't really have to transfer did you?" Epel asked.
"I did so because I wished to gain a deeper understanding of beauty. Granted I could've continued my purist independently in Savanaclaw but transferring to Pomefiore a dorm honoring the spirit of the Fairest Queen would help me research the true depths of beauty all the sooner. That was why my hunter instincts told me anyway." Rook explained.
"You made a decision that important based on a gut feeling?" Epel gasped.
"It was more than a mere gut feeling I assure you. Another reason was my desire to watch Vil hone is own beauty up close. After all two swords-smith hammering a blade can give it an even keener edge. I volunteered to swing the second hammer upon Vil's blade of beauty." Rook chuckled happily.
"Sheesh, this boy ain't right." Epel muttered shaking his head. "Ouch!" He winced having received an elbow from Odette.
"I tried to dissuade him when he first brought up transferring to me, but Rook cares not for the opinions of others once he decides something though you two already know that right?" Vil teased lightly.
'All too well believe me.' Odette thought with a smile as she replied. "Once his heart's set on something he never lets go."
"Before I knew it the complicated paperwork and ceremonies were complete and there he was wearing a Pomefiore uniform. He stood out like a sore thumb of course He looked quite different back then." Vil said.
"What'd he look like?" Epel asked raising an eyebrow.
"Well his hair was long, thick and completely unkempt, scraggly like you wouldn't believe. Also he never bothered with sunscreen or skin care, though he's prone to sunburns. So his cheeks and nose were always freckled and bright red, and as for his attire he only cared if it was easy to move around in. He'd just waltz all over the place in sweatpants with frayed hems or jeans with torn knees without even bothering to mend them." Vil explained as he ticked the offenses off on his fingers.
"Say what? I can't imagine that at all." Epel exclaimed as he and Odette both looked over at the grinning Rook.
Odette stared at him for a moment trying to imagine the Savanaclaw Rook. "If you have photos from back then you have to show us when we get back." Odette demanded.
"Yeah!" Epel added.
"He would at least put in a modicum of effort with his grooming when going to an opera or concert that had a dress code." Vil remarked.
"Ah, this takes me back, it's a bit embarrassing having all these old stories dredged up in front of freshman I admit." Rook smiled.
"With that grin on your face you don't look embarrassed at all. What gets me is that you changed dorms to pursue beauty but didn't out any care into your own appearance that and aren't you like rich? Why were you going around in tattered sweatpants?" Epel asked sounding confused as he looked.
"I suppose back then the 'beauty' Rook sought didn't encompass his own appearance. But one time we had an intense discussion about how the audience plays just as large a role as the performers in plays and concerts. A play isn't a play without an audience to watch it. In that sense the audience itself is a member of the cast. I'm not saying it's wrong to dress casually for a play when there's no dress code but personally I prefer to dress in a way that befits the beautiful stage." Vil explained.
"I completely agree. It's so fun to dress up for the theater." Odette confessed smiling.
"You too Odette?" Epel sighed, she just nodded.
"Of course there's a chance you'll make your fellow audience members feel under dressed which would be a bit of a faux pas. But when I coordinate my attire and make up to fit in as a theoretical part of the show well that's part of the fun of seeing a play to me. Getting ready to see a show makes me feel so excited 'pumped' even. At once point after that discussion Rook told me with much delight that he won a front row ticket to a play featuring his favorite actor. So I said that since it was a special occasion he should get dressed up for it. The dress code for the play was smart casual and up anyway." Vil continued.
"I had zero interest in dressing up before then, but Vil gave me such wonderful advice. He even coordinate my entire ensemble I don't think I'll ever forget the escalation I felt when I set out for that play. I always delight in watching shows. But if I were to quantify my enjoyment and rate mt prior experiences at 100 then that day was easily 120! Perhaps even 200! Ever since then I've developed an appreciation for personal care." Rook confessed.
"I, now know that actor Rook mentioned was Neige, and Neige wouldn't mind a bit if his fans saw him in tattered sweats it patchworks pants. So my advice was entirely unwarranted." Vil sighed with a shrug.
"But if it helped Rook enjoy the play more then it all worked out for the best right?" Epel pointed out with a chuckled.
"That is how it goes." Odette added.
"Exactly Epel, encounters with the unknown are always sublime to me." Rook smiled.
Suddenly a shadow flew past them, bouncing off the walls of the staircase.
"That black shadow?! Grim!" Odette called out.
"Quick after it!" Rook ordered and they began to chase after the shadow.
"Grim!" Epel huffed out.
"Tartarus has but one way forward It makes no sense that we lost sight of…." Rook began but was cut off by a screaming Phantom. This Phantom was small, one of the smaller ones they had seen in awhile.
"Above us! Everyone ready yourselves!" Rook stated as they turned behind them to see a Phantom had been following them now chasing them.
Odette got shuffled to the back of the group and handed the Spear again. They organized another triple attack and destroyed the Phantom.