"Oi, Shunpei." Called out the disembodied voice of Haruto from the void of a world of clothes. The ringsmith had already picked out his outfit. It was a three piece french blue plaid tux. His shirt was white, underneath a dark vest and his neatly placed bowtie was a salmon color with a magenta, floral pattern. Shunpei was a man who strived for vibrancy over anything in fashion, and sometimes it came out as more eye-draining than eye-popping. Although, to give him his due credit, he seemed to understand class. "How's this?"

Haruto stepped out of the closet. He struck a posh pose, resting his hand on his hip. It was quite the dapper fit. Similar to Shunpei, it was also a three piece tux. Dressed in slick, carmine pants, the real show-stopper was the upper half of his body. A snow-white, premium jacket that had a very faint floral pattern, with red rimmed outline; his pockets being the same color. The rims ran up and around his neck, encompassing his collar. Beneath the jacket was a crimson buttoned vest of the same colour, also with rims. His tie followed the same scheme, with the upper bit being a blood colour, and the lower bit conforming to the bitter snow aesthetic. Suffice to say, it was an outfit fit for a grand magician.

"Wow." Was all Shunpei could say.

"You're pretty sharp yourself." Haruto laughed. "Never seen you looking so… matching."

"That's the kindest thing you've ever told me!" Shunpei, without asking, threw his arms around Haruto and reeled him in for a huge hug.

"Really..?!" He could feel his ribs being crushed. "Alright, alright. Let's get a move on. We don't want to keep the girls waiting."

After scaling a metal mountain, Haruto and Shunpei made their way to the top of the palace. Their lungs were begging for succulent release, but fate was not so kind. They collapsed, Shunpei clinging onto his friend's leg. He was dangling over the platform, with his lower half wringing over the stairs. If he dared to let go, Shunpei might tumble half a mile down a flight of stairs. There were better ways to die, and he didn't want to die anyways.

The air up here was gentle, and brisk. Haruto's eyes struggled to stay open. Faint images of stars began to cloud his mind. Maybe he didn't need to go inside. Perhaps, he could just lay here forever in bliss as the years pass by. "Sh-Shunpei…" Muttered Haruto.

"Yes?" Shunpei whispered back. He was also drifting off to the land of clouds.

"Get off… of me…" He lightly shaked his leg.

"No." Shunpei shook his head, clinging on like his calf was a teddy bear. At the mercy of their exhaustion, the two of them gave in. Not to despair, but sleepiness. Rinko, Koyomi, the two of them seemed to fade farther out of their minds the closer they came to losing consciousness. What kind of madman designed stairs in this fashion? The very thought of constructing this place was enough to send a chill down the wizard's spine.

"On your feet." Sheets of rusted steel grating against each other blasted a shot of fear through the skull. He raised his chin, and standing in front of them was the man he wanted to see least. Gorou Shima. He seized Haruto by his scalp, clutching his claws around the corners of his head and picked him up. "I won't have you defile this place and besmirch the Emperor's great name."

Haruto desperately kicked, trying to break free from this grasp. "What's your problem?!" He shouted, wrapping his hands around the General's wrists. Nothing was working, no matter how hard he pried. He could feel the pressure building up inside his head, as though all regions in his cranium were meshing together into a pile of fleshy mulch. "H-hey… Y-you're crushing me here!" He begged, twirling his legs but to no avail. "O-oi, let go!"

General Shima did as asked. "For your sake, tread lightly."

As though nothing happened, the General returned to his position by the gate. Haruto dusted himself off. Great, he's creased the edges of his jacket. This wasn't exactly a warm welcome. Aside from his close encounter, Haruto didn't feel like a guest, surrounded by a multitude of great knights watching his every step. If anything, the pathway to pleasure had his feet shifting as though they were wrapped in shackles.

"He's terrifying.." Shunpei whispered, trying to keep it to themselves, but was devoid of subtlety in how he leaned right into the wizard's ear.

"We need to pass by him. That's all." Haruto replied, failing in keeping his composure. His legs were shaking. This has never happened before. "S-stick close to me, won't you?"

In fact, neither of them were masters in the art of being subtle. Being the only ones in the line towards the big, pearly doors, their scared tip-toeing wasn't unmonitored. They approached the General, who said nothing further. There was only a wicked, devious stare directed at the two of them - no, just at Haruto. Haruto didn't bother meeting his eyes this time, continuing forward. "Maybe they do that to everyone." Shunpei reassured him.

THE EMPEROR'S PALACE, FLOOR ONE: FOYER ADJACENT TO BALLROOM - 7:30

The inside was a cream, vanilla color with marble walls. The boys stood on a beautifully monochromatic tiled floor, with an elegant staircase fit for a mansion in front of them. There was no inch left unturned for decoration. Beautiful flowers assorted in large, ceramic pots held on doric pillars for decoration. The frames of the halls were ionic, and stood several feet tall; at least 10 feet high. "It keeps getting better…" Shunpei said, admiring every corner that this room had to offer.

The stairs lead to several rooms, which would lead to more rooms and those rooms would lead to other rooms and so on. Really, it was more of a labyrinth than a home, at least to an outsider. Haruto gazed at the flowers. One was a light, teal blue. It must've been the same kind found on the beaches. With a quick glance around the room, Haruto reached for the flower and plucked it. He placed the end in his coat pocket; will make good use for later. "Where do we even begin to go?" Haruto scratched his head.

There was a bell resting on the rail. There was nothing else like this in the foyer. Well, the answer seemed obvious as to what it did. Haruto tapped it, closing one eye just in case. A blue arrow appeared out of smoke! It pointed left. "That was easier then I figured." Yes, it was! Haruto and Shunpei walked down the hall. Seems like it was easier to show guests the way with a nice visual flair than carry it out with an usher. It's not something you see everyday, but then again, so was anything on this island that could fit that criteria.

As they walked down the halls, Haruto couldn't help but find himself twiddling with the flower in his pocket. When he crossed his fingers around it, he imagined the ocean. Then, a woman by the ocean. She was wearing white, and hid a smile beneath a somber glare. Why was he thinking about her now, in such a way in all these places? His heart was on fire as waves of her swam across his mind. Pictures of dresses, unforeseeable futures mixed in between the seams. He wondered, how would she look when he entered that room? How would her hair be? What color was her dress? What mattered most: who would she be smiling at?

Haruto's cheeks were blazing red. "You need a wipe down!" Shunpei cheerily interjected, snapping him back to reality. Without another moment's notice, a handkerchief swabbed the young man's face.

"I didn't ask for a cleaning!" Haruto and Shunpei wrestled over the idea; the latter acting like an overbearing mother who never let their son out the door without a hug and kiss.

"You're as red as a cherry, Haruto-kun!"

His hair was a frazzled, unkempt mess now. Which to be fair, was how his hair normally seemed to appear, but there were strands that came a little too loose - even for Haruto's standards. "Good grief," he sighed, stopping in the middle of the hall to spot himself by the mirror. "It's always the hair that suffers."

"What're you so on edge about, Haruto?" Shunpei asked, standing innocently with his hands behind his back.

"It's nothing." He waved him off, laughing. "What gave you that impression?"

"Normally you're so cool," Shunpei started. He circled around Haruto. "But today it's like you're totally off your game here."

"Yeah, well I have a lot riding on today, I guess." He pocketed his hands and shrugged his shoulders. Did this look cool? He sure hoped it did, because Shunpei didn't exactly look convinced. In fact, he seemed concerned.

"Oh, like what?" He teased. Perhaps, Shunpei was more astute than he appeared. "Are you saving a special dance for someone?"

"Pfft, yeah." Haruto smirked. "Not you."

"It doesn't hurt to be honest with how you feel, Haruto-kun." Shunpei didn't follow. Instead, he stood in the hall and waited. At this point, a few guests passed by; intruding on their moment of course, but what - were you expecting that a ball this big wasn't going to have people passing by on their way in? "Tonight means a lot more than you let on, doesn't it?"

"If it does?" Haruto stood defensively.

"Then be true to who you are in the moment." Shunpei walked by, patted his shoulder, and strolled past him. "If you do that, then you won't have to hide who you want to be."

"When did he get so wise?" Haruto sighed, shaking his head. Well, he wasn't wrong in that regard. Holding yourself back isn't what he ever strived to do. The worst thing was believing in a pedestal you will never aim to reach, and casting the world aside because the labors you face aren't labors that can be taken alone, but pursued in spite. Still, any labor he'd come to challenge in the following days didn't seem as difficult as this.

What was this labor? After all, it was just a ball. Why was there such a high-pristine and pressuring connotation associated with these sorts of events? It was easy to walk in with a mask and light up the room, but he wasn't going in as the magician they knew him as. He was entering as the man he wanted them to see - wanted her to see. Sometimes, he worried that all she saw him for, or anyone for that matter were the gifts he was blessed with. That perhaps, outside of all the action, no matter who he tried to be wasn't enough for any of them. If he entered that room, he wouldn't be the wizard, but Haruto Soma - and what made him most anxious is that she didn't like, or rather know him outside of their ill-fated circumstances.

Everyone paints a portrait of someone they come across. It's in human nature to judge, and to be judged.

When he thought of Koyomi, he thought of the moon. A guiding light against a dark chasm he found himself empty in. When there was no one else, and nothing to go on for she was there to brighten his days. Always has, and always will. He supposed he took her kindness for granted on more days than he wanted to admit, and that thought alone made the knob of this door impossible to turn. Did he deserve to walk into that room? Sure, he was the inheritor of a great sum of magic, but he hadn't achieved anything by himself. As a matter of fact, he only ever got lucky in life - for as long as he could remember. So, was it really in his right to strut in there and be among the others?

Haruto wondered, as he never had before, what did he look like to Koyomi?

"It's just a door." Haruto sighed, resting his hand. "It's just a room, and it's just a girl." That's all there was to it, right?

Rinko had arrived much earlier than the men did. In fact, it only took her a minute to figure out what she was going to wear. To a great extent, she had been soured on going to this ball, and engaging with what this place had to offer as a whole. Perhaps, that influenced her quick decision making, because she didn't want to think about it further. It dawned on her that something wasn't right, and having her concerns ignored put her in a damper mood. Still, as frustrating as it was, she wasn't the type to skip out on a formal invitation. In spite of her doubts, Rinko wasn't the kind of person to throw someone's supposed kindness back at them. It was true that things weren't as they seemed, and maybe the rabbit hole was larger than made out to be, but she wasn't going to lie in bed staring out at the moon like a lazy skeptic.

Nope, not at all! So, that's exactly why she set out to seek answers. Everybody and anybody who knew something were going to be at that palace, and it would be the perfect opportunity to ask around! Besides, she figured that getting here earlier than the others gave her a chance to avoid any scrutiny. It was better to ask for forgiveness than permission, and she didn't need permission to do as she figured her duty was, and that was to protect people - even if they couldn't see danger ten feet in front of them.

"Did we have to leave so soon?" Koyomi muttered, standing close by. She wasn't used to large crowds. "My feet are sore from all that running…"

It was a classy room, definitely fit for an Emperor to hold balls. The room itself was two stories high, with a massive, curved regal staircase leading up to numerous rooms. Two of which appeared to be restrooms, and another that was locked, but led to a storage of drinks. The floor was a sleek, sanded and dark wooden floor that you could dive across and surf all throughout, but it wasn't like either of them were going to do that - as fun as it seemed. Short, ionic pillars much akin the ones in the hallway were scattered about the room, holding up the thatched, curved roof. The ceiling itself was filled with violet, tinted glass that cast the pale moon's light into a whimsical view. There was a high-rise stage at the front of the room in which an orchestra played soothing jazz, and classical interludes. At the back, away from the floor itself was a large set of tables that were used to take a breather or snack down on something nice; a fine selection of food, assorted vegetables with meat native to the island, dishes of many places that allowed people from across the world to try a piece of the Earth, and a drinks bar - of course, because how could someone come to a high-class party without a drink or two?

Koyomi wasn't one to drink, but she indulged tonight to calm her nerves a little. Sipping on her little glass of wine, she glanced around. There was also a terrace for guests to get some fresh air on, but she didn't like the thought of standing outside over hundreds of feet in the air. There sure are a lot of people here…

"Who would be the best person to start with?" Rinko muttered to herself, taking out her small notepad.

"Why did you bring that?" Koyomi asked.

"Just for an exclusive interview by yours truly." Rinko smiled, tilting her head at Koyomi. "If you were looking for someone who held a lot of importance to this place, who would you choose?" There were far too many people to pin down who to start with. It didn't help that all of them were at the apex of this society, so really anyone could be as important as they are irrelevant to the systems of this island.

"Um," Koyomi carefully searched the crowd. "What about that group?" By the musicians near the front stage, but a little off to the side and diverse in shape and size, were standing in a group of at least five. They appeared well established, a trait that would not be found commonly at the beginning of parties, unless they of course all came together - but Rinko felt that was unlikely.

"Perfect." Rinko grinned from ear to ear, leaving Koyomi behind without another word to say.

As it turns out, they were also musicians. Traveling ones at that, members of a cross-continental band. They knew little about the island itself and were off-put by her sudden questioning; the tables turned on her as she was brigaded about her authority. Quickly, she apologized and scurried off. This was going to be harder than she imagined. When was the last time she ever did any actual detective work? Most of the time, she was treated more like a grunt in the division for phantoms… Hm, a grunt. Disposable, and easily ignorable. Where did she feel like that before?

Her building frustration only further pushed her to continue her pursuit of the truth. Something was off, and she wasn't sure what that was yet. Still, Rinko will take a thousand verbal lashings before she gives up. Now, where else could she find a lead?

Think, Rinko. She told herself, patting her temples. Think! Observe.

The detective scanned the room. Carefully, she observed the patrons of the party. Employees, such as the bartender or musicians wouldn't know much. Chances are, they're on a high payroll and wouldn't spill a thing. The Emperor hasn't made his appearance yet, and it's not like she was going to wait around, because he might be swarmed by the time he shows up, and when would there be a time to question those that clung onto him - if they weren't groupies of your majesty?

Maybe… Maybe she was barking up the wrong tree. Don't observe who they're mingling with, observe what they're wearing. She remembered how at official gatherings back at the precinct there were signifiers of who was important by what they wore. Although she could assume that these suits and dresses each of them were wearing were in fact part of a larger collection gifted to guests, Rinko could notice a few outlying pieces of key distinct information. Pins, or badges. If they were part of an organization here, chances are they would be wearing their pins to distinguish importance for guards. How hadn't she thought of that earlier? To think, she almost spent the entire time here shaking people down at random. Of course, people of importance would have identifiers.

Now, as to who she was looking for… A minister of some sort. Of course, while the Emperor was the main ruling party, it was impossible to handle an island of this size alone. There must be a council appointed to districts of Cestalia, and if no one was here, then Rinko could sniff out those with similar influence, like those part of a company - such as the organizer of the excavations on the island.

So, her list went as follows:

Priority Suspects:

1. Cestalia council ministers by district

2. Excavation Corporate Officers

3. Investors in the market

4. Royal guard mole (Unlikely, last resort)

Well, that only left Koyomi alone for the time being. That was, until the other two arrived. She wondered, what was taking them so long? Moreover, what was taking Haruto so long? Sure, he was a bit lazy when it came to being prepared, but it couldn't have taken this amount of time to put on a good suit; it's not as if he was very particular about what he wore, anyways. The boy had a keen eye for what he wanted, and it usually turned out great - perhaps that was because he wore it with confidence. Unlike Koyomi… No matter how beautiful the dress, she never felt like it fit.

This body didn't fit either. In all the time that she has known Haruto, she hasn't ever had the idea that she fit in. Perhaps, it was because she held no memories to herself - or the fact that she couldn't live off of her own will. Try as she might, Koyomi was unable to generate magic. She fell to the same circumstances as him, but why wasn't she able to summon anything? Was she that weak? Magic reserves were like food, as Haruto explained, but the difference between food and magic was that you didn't have to rely on someone else for food. Farm it, hunt it - you could gather it for yourself, but with Koyomi… She couldn't do anything but lean on everyone. What scared her more than anything, however, was the thought that she was hunting; that deep down, in her hollow soul lived a monster that didn't rely on magic, no, it leeched off of them like a parasite. Being alone is not what scared her - what scared her most was being the reason she was left in a dark hole of nothingness; and more so, that she somehow deserved it.

"Maybe I need to sit down…" She muttered, shifting through the crowds of people. Despite magic coming as second nature to everyone here, Koyomi did not feel more welcome at home in being surrounded by a bunch of wizards and weirdos. Koyomi was the odd one out wherever she went. What if there was no corner in the world that existed where the girl could feel at peace with herself? The more she thought about it, the less probable it seemed that Koyomi was ever going to be relieved of this burden, and it didn't help that the flashes were getting worse…

What if… what if the flashes weren't a perilous venture into her past, but a bitter end seeping its way through the crevices of her mind? If she unlocked that final door and stepped through, would she regain a piece she couldn't conceive before, or lose the last parts of herself? She uncurled her fist. Koyomi hadn't noticed the imprints of nails dug into her palm.

"Are you lost?" A voice shot her back to reality. Beyond the sea of tables, at the back was an older woman. Ninety percent of her was wrinkles, and her hair was like a mound of calcium. With no one else around, a pleasant smirk arose across the woman's face. It seems her words had reached her after all.

"Um, no." Koyomi shook her head, rubbing at her forearm. She tried not to meet her eyes, and hoped that would be the end of it. The older one remained staring, directing the off-putting gaze front and center like a spotlight had just been cast on Koyomi. "I was…"

"Oh, don't worry, dear." She laughed like a horse. "I have seen my fair share of souls strolling in the swamps of their own making." Koyomi reciprocated the laugh, but it wasn't genuine. She might've strolled into trouble.

"I should get going…" Koyomi tried to muster up the courage to walk away, moving at a breakneck's pace.

"Are you lost?" The woman said once more.

"Why do you keep asking me that?!" Koyomi stopped in her own tracks, raising her voice a little. There were vines of anxiety wrapped around her vocal chords. "P-please, I have no clue about what that could mean."

"Aren't you brushing yourself off too hastily, Koyomi?" Koyomi was stone. A grave, dark chill ran up her spine.

"How did you…" Koyomi started, too afraid to finish.

"Fear not, my child." The woman spoke much more softly, and with a voice that gave off the same sensation as brushing your hands against a soft woolen blanket. "I can tell that you are lost. I can offer you what you have been seeking."

"What would that be?" Koyomi asked, backing her head a little as she stayed on the defensive.

"My, my." The old woman rested her face upon her palm. "Young butterfly, you harbor a great deal of mistrust. Please, take a seat." She ushered. Hesitantly, Koyomi followed through with her request; almost as if she felt compelled to do so. The seat was more comfortable than she expected.

"You said that you could give me what I've been looking for. Is that even possible?"

"Why, of course." She grasped Koyomi's hands. They were cold, but not empty. "Answer me this first: What are you quivering for?"

"Huh?" Koyomi said. She fell silent, having to think about her response. It was hard to put into specific words without falling into a word salad, and that wasn't like her. On most days, she often kept how she felt in her heart. It was an extension of the burden she carried close with her. "What I'm afraid of… is what I don't know about myself."

"Then allow me to ease your worries, dear." Koyomi is entranced by the figure in front of her. She can't look away. The room begins to spiral, and a heavy weight encompasses Koyomi. She is drifting through being awake. The sound mind must submit to a serene body, one of bliss in a lake between the stars and sea. The mysterious woman's eyes suddenly rolled into the back of her head! Koyomi shot up, but the grip on her hands tightened.

"L-let go…!" Koyomi groaned, jerking her wrist around but to no avail.

There was a great deal of static scribbling itself through her head. Loud, rampant obnoxious white noise that clawed apart at her mind in all the worst ways. Then, before she could comment on it… It was over.

"A-are you OK?!" Koyomi asked, holding the woman as she collapsed back into her chair.

"Young woman, your existence matters more than you may ever imagine. Do not doubt the importance you hold in this life; you are someone who stands as the destination to a great journey that defies the world itself. Threat not, the key to the door your pursuer begs to open will be found, and all answers shall be revealed in due time." Koyomi was more confused than before, unable to comprehend the vagueness of the fortune teller's words.

"P-pursuer?!" Koyomi reeled back. "Is someone… after me?"

"I… I am quite… tired my dear." She struggled to catch her breath. "Oh, please… If you can… A drink, dearie."

"Y-yes!" At once, Koyomi moved.

Meanwhile, Haruto had made his way into the ballroom. "Wow." Was all he could muster, mystified by the sheer beauty of the room.

"Wow, there must be like… a million magicians here." Shunpei said, once again creeping over Haruto's shoulder. "Hey, isn't that the Emperor?"

"Yeah, but…" Haruto glanced around, looking for Koyomi, but she wasn't in sight.

"We have to say our greetings. It's rude if we don't do it to the host of the party, don't you know?"

"Well, I'm not sure that's a great idea. Maybe we should keep our dist-" He was being dragged along by Shunpei.

"Nonsense! We're here as his guests, right? There's nothing wrong with being polite." Haruto wasn't sure why General Shima had a problem with him, when it was Shunpei of all people that was going to defile these grounds with his presence.

"Heyyy, Emperor-sama!" He cried out, strutting along the floor as if he owned the place.

"What happened to being polite?!" Haruto shouted. The Emperor noticed them approaching, and despite their obnoxious way of coming up to him, greeted them with a bright grin.

"Ah, it seems the guest of honor has arrived." The man with the astonishing crown was surrounded by at least four different people - all of whom seemed rather important. "Please, show him a moment of gratitude." They did as instructed, giving him individual greetings ranging from bows to tip of their hats - and one even thought to hug Haruto.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." A pale, ginger woman spoke up first. She was wearing a very large trench coat, and stood at around 6'2. "I am Francesca Tilheim." Her arm seemingly had no rigidity to it, moving as if it were a noodle. Hesitantly, Haruto reached out to shake her hand. "Ah, such a firm grasp." Charmed, and impressed. Haruto didn't really say anything. Normally, he would have reveled in the attention being tossed his way, but tonight didn't feel like the night to show off to everyone. There was really only one person on his mind right now.

"Aren't you sweating in that jacket?" Shunpei asked.

"Oh, not at all!" She unbuttoned her top and revealed what was beneath…

A body that had wrapped several times around herself! The two young men were taken aback. "I am the rubber woman! Don't look so spooked, I'm in no pain." The second one spoke. They didn't exactly look human either. This was due to the fact that their body was made completely of gears.

"Call me Tutilatator Model S.532 V.3, or Tut-tut for short!"

"It's a shame that your Father could not join us." The Emperor said. "Though, his most brilliant invention more than makes up for in his absence."

"You're magic?" Haruto asked. He wasn't sure what to think due to the word invention.

"Yes, I am an automaton capable of utilizing several styles of magic - and I come with a built in scanner."

"So, you could scan my magic?"

"If you allowed me to."

The next two guests introduced themselves. One, a tall being with several thousand eyes over its black, circular head. It was known simply as Archamedes, the one who sees all. Not one of many words, but it greeted him with delight nonetheless. At the very least, he hoped it was delight. "Archamedes the all-seeing, with your insight it is nothing less but a sweet gift to have your presence in these lands." Finally, the last one made his acquaintance.

"Hello, it is a huge honor!" She looked pretty young, all things considered. Her skin was green, and her hair appeared to be made of leaves - as was her dress. There were thorns sprouting from her body, with tiny roses growing at her amusement. It appeared that they grew based off of anxiousness, and she didn't seem well composed when introducing herself. "I-I am forever grateful to be in the same room as you!" She bowed her head.

"Oh, you don't need to-" Before he could get another word out, a bouquet of flowers was cast in his face.

"Please, accept this gift!" All he was able to do was gaze in bewilderment. He was urged to say something, but he simply couldn't. His kind, guiding hand refused to grasp this generosity. On any other day, he would have graciously accepted it and shot an adoring quip catering to his admirers, but he just stood there in silence.

"Ah, it seems your popularity might be greater than the host himself." The Emperor chortled, a jest to dismantle the walls set between all of them in this circle. "The legend precedes the presence of the mere Magician himself."

"You sure seem to know a lot about me." Haruto pocketed his hands. He wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not.

"We do our research well," The Emperor continued. "It would be disingenuous if I invited you under false pretenses. I cannot spare to imagine the shame I would bring if my apathy coddled my ignorance."

"Isn't he wonderful?" Francesca smiled, sipping her glass of wine. "A king of kings, why does the world not have more men like you?"

"No treasure exists as air does." The Emperor laughed once more. Rather cryptic.

"Indulge with us, won't you?" Francesca said, diverting the attention to Haruto. "Are the rumors true?"

"What have you heard?" Haruto shrugged, brushing it off with a smirk.

"The dragon that resides in you is derived from a great tragedy." The wizard was unable to speak. What was this expression? It was different from before, his heart was rising, the veins constricting in his arms to numb any sort of movement. He was petrified, like stone, except he wasn't fortunate enough to collapse; instead, Haruto suffered at the seams of a bitter, terrifying recreated scene. Flashes of the black sun swam in his head, and the longer he lingered in this moment the greater a dark creep of despair ran its hands around his neck, releasing a howling laugh as he began to suffocate. "Before that, magic was unknown to you - wasn't it? You didn't have an ounce of power, but now…"

Was the room always spinning like this? His hands were numb, fingers tingling with a zapping sensation he was unable to control!

"I…" Haruto started, failing to catch his breath. A deep, gutting in his stomach made it difficult to keep his balance. He appeared calm, but beneath the surface he was spiraling. ".. I, uh.. E-ex.."

"Are you alright?" Shunpei asked. Before he could inquire further, Haruto took off. He needed air - a lot of it.

All the while, Rinko was continuing her escapade. As it turns out, she had no luck at all in uncovering the truth. Those she spoke to were either scared off, scared her, or had nothing to say. Her frustration was slipping from her teeth, and the more time she wasted the more aggressive she got. Either this was a great, brilliantly crafted game of charades, or the thought that haunted her most - no one knew anything, and she was on a wild goose chase. The pressure was getting to her. The setting wasn't her forte, and her invasion of the island's privacy cut deeper with each line of questioning. At that moment, Rinko was about ready to give up. That was until she caught one of them in a lie.

"I'm curious, how do you feel about the prevailing conditions for laborers following the acknowledgment of dangerous fumes emanating from the Stalagtica region?" Rinko asked, closing the gaps between her and the suited man. He was well dressed, and noting by his pin on his jacket, she recognized his importance. As it turns out, this was the chief in charge of the largest excavation business on Celestice.

"I'm sorry?" His posh, demanding voice showed clear offense at such an accusation.

"The spiral on the surface. It's being used for excavations. Care to comment?" He howled at her, laughing beyond his degree.

"Is this a joke?" He glanced around. "Who sent you here?"

"I am an independent party." What you say can and will be used against you. "What's so funny?"

"Whoever sent you clearly didn't do their homework." He wiped his tears. "Our operations don't commence on the surface. For a hole that size? Could you possibly imagine how much I would be spending to make something of that size?! Bahaha!" Bingo. That was all she needed to hear. Word of mouth themselves, that spiral hole is not used for excavation.

Rinko smirked. Now, all she needed to do was find the others, and…

"..." She was surrounded by a trio of great knights. Their cold, uncaring stares pierced her heart.

"I-is there a problem?" She asked, twiddling her fingers. Rinko was carried off, up the stairs and away from the rest of the party. She kicked and screamed, but no one could hear her - nor did they seem to care. Desperately, she tried calling out to her friends, but to no avail; none of them were in sight. Thus, she was carried off into the void…

Koyomi had finally returned with a drink. She sat by the fortuneteller's side and gently handed it off to her.

"Such kindness." The fortuneteller took a swig. "Are you well, my dear?"

"I should be worrying about you…" Koyomi smiled. "Um, when you read my mind…"

"I cannot read any deeper, and for that I am sorry." She understood, leaning back in her chair. "My sight is not as clear as it once was, but do not threat: You are a very, very important person in this story."

"In a bad way?"

"You are loved deeply by those around you." The fortuneteller set her glass aside. "They trust in you, and believe in who you are. I must ask, my dear, are you prepared to handle the answers you seek?"

"Yes. It means more than anything to me." Koyomi nodded.

"Then you have nothing to fear." She whispered in a soft, gentle voice. "All will be revealed in due time, my dear. If you can accept the truth, for whatever it is - then you should not be afraid to live in the moment. Your companions, and those who support you harbor the love for who you are at this hour, and if their love is as true as you wish to believe, then they will take on the world to keep the bond you have now."

"What if I'm a monster?" Koyomi held her head to the ground. A wrinkly hand grasped her chin, and raised her up.

"Are you a monster right now?"

"No."

"Have faith in who you fight for, and those who fight for you. Cherish today, and live for tomorrow - not a past that you cannot find. The heart guides us, so wear it on your sleeve."

Koyomi began to tear up. These were the words she has been longing to hear for so long. Not that her journey would eventually come to an end, or to navigate a cave alone in search of the light. What she needed to hear was that she would be ready to face herself, whoever that may have been, but that it will not bury who she is now. Be true to who you are in the moment, and no account of time will shackle you with regret. Dance for today, and rest for tomorrow - because tomorrow will always arrive.

After all, the waves seep back to the shore as long as the sun continues to rise. If Koyomi were a wave, then she is eternal.

The young woman got to her feet. She thanked the elder figure with her utmost gratitude, and ventured off. Before that, there was one lingering question in her mind. "One more thing," Koyomi waddled back over to her guardian. "A pursuer is searching for me. Am I in danger?"

"Not all pursuers chase with malice, my dear. Some with ambition, and some with love."

Haruto clung onto his heart as it attempted to bury itself beneath the sea. The air was brisk and provided some comfort against the pressure of the past. "Nearly blew it in there, huh?" He muttered to himself. This day has been a disaster thus far, and hey – the night was still young, so it could get worse. He let out an overdue, exasperated sigh and raised his head to the stars whilst leaning against the marble balcony. At least the stars still shined bright. In his period of recovery, the magician imagined the disjointed dots taking shape in his head. He used to do this as a child, sit by the window and watch the sky twinkle; it was as though each piece of light called to him.

"Can you see the stars?" His late father's voice coddled him. "Then there is still a light, Haruto."

If the stars could shine, then so could he. They were words to live by, a faint passage that has been inked into his heart to keep his spirit of hope. Ever since then, the starry sky was a blanket for the young man to turn to in his time of need. Often, he sat idly and connected the dots to calm him. Usually, they were nothing more than pictures of animals – his own custom constellations. Tigers, bears, and dragons. Hm, dragons… Who would've thought?

Although, no such creatures needed to soothe his troubled heart. Only a visage of a woman took hold of his hand and guided him like they were painting a landscape together. No longer was his heart on the high-rise to a crushing fit of distress. No, it was elated.

"Koyomi?" Perhaps he needed to check his eyes. Out of the corner of his vision, he figured he saw her walking past him back indoors! His heart missed a beat. It wasn't much, but it snapped him back to reality. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen her all night. He hoped that she wasn't angry with his disappearance.

As he had stormed on out here, the bundles of nerves had found a new target to tie around. The figure passed by again, and now his heart sank into his stomach! That was Koyomi! It had to have been! She took front and center, standing alone; an antsy frown coming over her. At this moment, Koyomi was the only person in that room. She was fitted in a shoulderless, dark sleeved dress with a forest of tiny, white stars patterned from top to bottom. Koyomi had split her bangs, and held two clips resting above the ears.

Koyomi was a jewel in an endless desert. Koyomi was the great moon casting a veil of light to those below, and he was no more than a flame in a fickle field of tinder. He would fan this fire. The young man's feet stepped out of the beat to his heart. What he wanted, and what he urged for were out of sync. "Be true to who I am now…" Haruto muttered, curling his fist. Thanks, Shunpei.

Who he is now is the man who will meet Koyomi in the middle, and with a smile. "Koyomi!" He called out to her, marching to the tune of his own song.

"Haruto!" Koyomi cuffed her hands together, surprised to see him appear out of nowhere.

"Sorry I kept you waiting." Haruto smiled. "Can you forgive me for that?"

"Of course." She smiled. "I'm just glad you're here."

"Where's Rinko?" He glanced around. "She took off by herself, didn't she…" Where either of his companions were now didn't matter. "Well, you haven't been having a bad time – have you?"

"No." Koyomi shook her head. "Not at all."

The two of them stood in silence. They exchanged looks of gratitude for one another's presence, but neither spoke further. The words either of them wanted to say were lost to the air of this moment, and all they could do was gaze longingly. The slow, rhythmic timbre of the music awoke something in Haruto.

He took a deep breath. "Let's dance."

"What?!" Haruto took her hands.

"It's a nice song, isn't it?" He said. "We should enjoy it, you and I." To describe how he felt in words would be futile. There was no point in his life where he was happier, and as terrified, as he was now. Koyomi caressed his palm, staring at the rough calluses. They matched her own cracked skin. They really have been through everything together, huh?

"Gladly." Koyomi accepted his proposal.

Beyond all the worries in his life, Haruto always reserved a special spot for her. From the beginning, and right to the end, Koyomi was next to him – and he was OK with that, because he wouldn't have it any other way. At least, he could stand with her until he was no longer able to and that would satisfy him. He wondered, as they stepped back and forth, what was she thinking?

"Have you ever danced before?" Haruto whispered into her ear.

"No." She answered.

"Me neither." Yet, although amateurs, the pair danced as though they had done this for a lifetime.

Koyomi was safe in his arms. He accepted her for who she is, and there was no one else in her life who had fought harder for her freedom in this world. In a way, Koyomi harbored some guilt for being unable to aid him as much as she liked in this eternal battle, but those feelings returned to the clouds as her fingers wrapped tightly around him. Two lost souls, both with enough baggage to sink a freight ship were weightless in the other's arms. If this was a dream, then let Koyomi sleep a little longer.

Haruto and Koyomi were enveloped in their own little world, and while they had each other, that would be more than what each of them needed.

"This is for you." Haruto pulled back, reaching into his pocket. He handed her a small, turquoise flower. Her eyes lit up. This was the same flower from the beach yesterday!

"Why do you have this?"

"You were wanting one of these, right?" He chuckled. "It's a little ruffled, but…"

"It's perfect." She said.

If Haruto were the sun, Koyomi was the moon. Joined together under the eclipse, and united as one.

The room was tiny, and unbearable. Rinko shook her leg, sinking her head deep into the knees while letting out an exasperated sigh. She's done it, now. Great, getting caught right at the climax - just as she had her answer. The lack of space freaked her out. She couldn't take this much longer, she must do something! There has to be a way to contact Haruto, or the others. No signal on her phone. Guess she should've expected that, being this high up. "Damn it!" Rinko kicked at the door. Nothing. "Let me out! You people have no knowledge about rights!" She kicked again, and again. It was fruitless. She sat back down. "This was a mistake…"

The door opened. It was the Emperor. He did not look happy.

"Has our generosity not been sufficient?"

"Excuse me?" Rinko asked. He shut the door and sat with her. The only light emanating into the room was the dimly lit path beneath his feet, and even then, most of the center was blocked off.

"We welcome you with open arms, allow you to stay in our finest establishments, and join us out of courtesy to both this ball and the upcoming festival with no prior requisites. Have our people offended you in some way?"

"No, you've been kind. In fact, too kind…" Rinko muttered.

"Why, then, do I hear word of harassment spreading across this palace like a plague? Is it by chance, that my musings are interrupted with prejudice, or malice?" He rested his elbow on his knee and stared at Rinko. He never blinked. "I do not wish to ascribe you as a threat to the peace, but do enlighten me - what is the root of such unearned commotion?"

"What is that gigantic spiral for in the Stalagtica region?"

"Hm?" The Emperor stroked his beard.

"Earlier today, we passed by and the guide hired by you claimed it was an excavation lot. That didn't seem right with all the information I was given before - and it definitely doesn't add up now." Standing her ground, Rinko leaned forward. She was petrified being in his presence, but it was now or never. "Tell me, what are you hiding there?"

"... Very well." The Emperor crossed his arms. "State your reason for such curiosity, and I will indulge."

"Why would I–"

"Do we have a deal?" Rinko thought it over.

"I'm a detective, and my duty is to protect people – especially those closest to me." Rinko clenched her jaw. She took her answer in stride and continued on. Her resolve would be defended. "It's difficult to believe this place is as perfect as you say, and my curiosity is part of who I am. I can't stand idle if I have a hunch, because I shoulder the responsibility for the outcome."

"It appears I misjudged you." The Emperor smirked. "I sense no malice in your intentions. Well, I suppose I should uphold the end of my deal." He readied himself to explain, stretching his back. It cracked, and he let out a short laugh. "It is a prison."

"A prison?"

"Yes." The Emperor confirmed. "You were correct in assuming that there is no such place as paradise. Our peace is not achieved without overcoming hurdles. We are a community who celebrate the beauty of magic, but not everyone holds our beliefs. It is a necessity that we are to maintain our way of life, and sometimes you have to take less than stellar approaches." He gazed at her with a freeing grin, perhaps finding peace in the truth. "Surely, you understand that as a detective - don't you?"

"I do."

"We opt not to frighten our guests, because this time is a period of joy. I hope you are able to find it in yourself to forgive our ruse, as I have your curiosity."

"Well, now that I know the truth I can't help but feel guilty." Rinko brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"As you stated earlier, curiosity is in your nature – as is compassion, and caution. One can never be too careful!" The Emperor got to his feet, raising his index finger. "Please, if you may join us. All is forgiven."

All is forgiven, and all is well. Does a dream believe itself? Only time will tell.

AUTHORS NOTES: Wow, it's been a while. Thank you all for sticking around, this one just took a little longer to create. I was on vacation for a week, and it turned out very good! I needed it a lot, but I hadn't gotten the chance to work on this, haha! It never left my mind. Not even for a minute. Anyways, it's finally out! The next chapter might be a little shorter than this one, but I promise you chapter 8 will be the big one, and by big I mean BIG. It's the chapter I am excited to work on most aside from the finale.

Anyways, you shouldn't have to wait as long as chapter 6 for either of these. Speaking of chapters and releases, I've been thinking about what I should do for my next series...

Well, I have three options:
1. a longform Kamen Rider OC series which I've aptly named as "Kamen Rider: V" or "Kamen Rider: Peacekeeper", trust me both titles are spoken the same and make sense within context. It's my least developed one thus far, but one day I want to get it out there.

2. A Wizard/Faiz/OOO/Fourze crossover. With Faiz's 20th anniversary this year, I wanted to write a story that focuses on Takumi and loneliness/regret within each of these protagonists and the importance of bonds. This one might take a while to develop, because the truth is... I haven't actually seen OOO or Fourze. I'm a relatively new fan with Wizard being my first venture into the franchise, and I want to ensure I'm as consistent to their characters as possible, so I'll have to definitely watch those series - they were on my list, anyways!

3. Lost Judgment story. This isn't related to kamen rider, but some of my readers know I'm very invested in the Ryu Ga Gotoku/Judgment series and have been for a few years, but I've never put anything super large out for it aside from lengthy one-shots. Well, I have a great mystery plot brewing in my brain and it's calling to me! Still, its a departure from my current fixations... but it's the one I feel most sure of in terms of what little planning I have!

If any of you are interested in seeing one of these (because for the sake of my own consistency I will ONLY do one story at a time), you should comment below. These will be started after Festival of Fate's completion, so you won't have to worry about any of this distracting me!

Finally, thank you all for being here! If you liked it, please leave a comment! I wanna know what you're most excited for!