Outside in the courtyard, Sicily and Casper stand against the wall well dressed for the festival. Sicily didn't seem to happy to be there though. Casper spots John with Mason and the king talking as if they knew each other for years. It was a rare sight to see. Sicily's attitude got worse when she noticed, too. The king leaves the two to join her and Casper, while John followed Mason elsewhere.
Sicily: where are they going?
King: your father wanted to talk to him in private. Though I insisted on going with them. I didn't like the look in Mason's eyes. I kind of feel bad for leaving those two alone.
Casper: should I tail them just in case?
King: please do.
Sicily: why if father wants to give him a "talking to", let him. Its not like he was trust worthy to begin with.
King: ... Casper, get moving.
Casper: on it.
King: you and I need a serious talk, then you need to talk to your father too.
John and Mason are now far from the crowd, and out of the sight of preying eyes.
John: ...*whisper* I am now creeped out.
Rexar: I don't feel comfortable here either. What do you think is going on?
John:*whisper* I noticed this awhile ago but... Hm?
Mason: this should be good. Now I'll just ask you flat out. You noticed something, didn't you?
John stands quiet for a while. He didn't know how to react to the question. Casper arrives and hides behind a bush nearby, keeping a fixed distance to hear them.
Mason: I'm not as blind sighted as my brother, though he has his reasons, but I'm not as sharp as he is either. What do you know?
John: ... Yeah, that's something to ask someone that just got here yesterday. What do I know? Absolutely nothing.
Mason jumps forward as if attacking john, reaching out to grab him. John jumps back doubling the gap between them. Again, he reacted on instinct.
Rexar: what are you doing?! There was no killing intent so why'd you move?
Mason: you do know something. You also avoided the people I knew personally. Now speak or....
John: don't touch me. I didn't notice until I met Lieta, but to me, you and the others look like your covered in velvetite parasites. And the only thing that can produce that is a type of chimera called vexis. Their toxins aren't noticed until the physical adaptation is noticed. The most noticeable is ageing skin and exhaustion. This toxin is a highly consecrated virus that can spread with the smallest of contact. Once they're done with the host they return to the chimera and provide them with nutrients as well as power.
Mason is quiet for a moment. Casper is in shock hearing this.
Mason: ... Parasites? What makes you think I have parasites?
John: like I said, I can see it. Even more so, there's a link to your heart stating you were the first contact. I've read about them in the village temple where I'm from. Only people like monk or specialized medics can really see them. But I've been honing up my mana all night last night when the king and Casper told me I have too much power seeping from me. So I've been trying to control it all morning.
Mason: if you can see it... Then where's the host?
John: like I'd know. Remember, I just got here yesterday.
Mason: and what of Lieta? You said you told her the same thing you told me when we first met. Just so you know, I've never once had any physical contact with her.
John: but you could have touched someone she had contact with without you knowing.
Mason: she's always by my side so there's no way that's possible.
John: then I don't know what to tell you other than what I see. And the fact is I don't want to be in your position right now. Because as far as I see it, not only are you infested with them, they seem to be in complete control of your mana power and life force. You could die at any moment.
Mason: ...!? And what do you propose I do then? I have no intention of dying anytime soon. How do you recognize this chimera?
John: I don't know. I've never seen one before. The only description is they're good with camouflage and blending in with their... Environment.
Rexar: you noticed a pattern, didn't you?
John: yeah. When did you meet miss Lieta?
Mason: hm? Five years.... Ah... No. Since Sicily was born?
John: if that where the case, she would be infected too. But she's not. The same with Casper and the king. The king told me that was his first time meeting her, but you've know her for a while now. That doesn't make sense to me unless you've been gone awhile.
Mason: I've been here since Sicily was eight.
John: then how does she not know her?
Mason: .... I .... Can't...
John: you don't know do you? Because you only met the woman recently yourself.
Mason: fine then. What makes you think she's infected?
John: I don't think she's infected. Or I should say I know she isn't. She is the chimera.
Mason: ...what?
John: listen to me. She was swarming with parasites but unlike you and the others, she looked completely fine. In any case instead of talking to me, should you be with the king and your daughter?
Mason: ...!? Damn!!
Casper realizes this as well and takes off with Mason following behind. John sits down were he stood and lets out a sigh of relief.
Rexar: a chimera? What did you call it again?
John: vexis. Or more accurately, vexisma bial. A lamia chimera hybrid that literally feeds on the victims souls. It creates a chain of velvetite parasites through direct contact making one of the victims the head source of the link. If the source continues to make contact with anything living then a plague chain is created with each new contact. This would actually be the ideal place to make that happen. A festival filled with every citizen from every end of the town. Meet and greets will make that chain grow endlessly and once everyone is set, the last person to make contact will be the first to die and the rest will drop one after the other until the place becomes a ghost town.
Rexar: yikes.
John: this was written in the history books at home. A large city suddenly died out in one night during a festival or party starting with the king. The cause was one of the civilians being the main link to the chain of chaos. It wasn't until a medic arrived and noticed the parasites the next morning. As they watched the king die before them. His heart just stopped. But they couldn't find the chimera that caused it.
Rexar: because they looked human.
John: exactly. On that note. I'm getting out of here.
Rexar: the hell you are! You said earlier you found something of mine.
John: relax. We can look for it when the problems over.
Rexar: so you won't help them?
John: not my problem.
Rexar: wow. Didn't think you were that heartless. Then again what god isn't.
John looks at Rexar as if he said something strange. When he realized what he just said, he stood up and took off running to the crowd.
At the festival, the king and Sicily were inside the ball room talking until Mason ran to them in panic.
King: oh good. Right on time. Hm? Mason? What's wrong, brother?
Mason: you two. You haven't seen Lieta have you?
King: not since we parted earlier. Why?
Mason: Sicily?
Sicily: I haven't seen miss Lieta since the dressing room.
Mason: help me find her. But don't touch her. Whatever you do. Understand?
King: Mason what's gotten in to you?
Mason jerks back.
Mason: don't touch me either!
Lieta: oh my. Whatever is the matter, old friend?
Lieta appears behind Mason. He looks to her in rage.
Mason: you...! You made a fool of me!
Lieta looks at him blankly, then lets a smile creep across her face.
Lieta: whatever do you mean?
Casper pulls a blade behind her and holds it to her throat. Mason draws his, ready to attack.
Casper: don't move. I have the guards standing ready outside and asked everyone to stand by the gates. We are all alone in here.
Mason: Casper?
Casper: I followed you and John. I heard everything.
Mason:...? Did you...?
Casper: Yeah. I made contact before this. Sorry, uncle.
Mason: don't be.
King: Mason, what is going on here?!
Sicily: dad?
Mason: this woman is a monster. She fooled us all and warped my memories to her convenience to make us her meal.
Lieta: ah... So you knew? Then you must also know that you can't kill me easily.
Lieta leans into Caspers blade and her head comes off, tumbling to the floor. Sicily screams and holds the king who is now trembling in fear.
Mason: Jesus Christ!
The body shoves Casper out of the way and runs by him as the head disintegrates into nothing.
Mason: shit! Don't let her out of sight!
Mason and Casper chase the body. Its head regrowing as it rushes through the castle. As the body reaches the main entrance by the guards, john stood before them with a large scale in his hand. She sees it and stops in front of him. He holds the scale in both hands.
John: so this is yours.
Mason and Casper catch up and hold their blades at the ready.
Mason: what are you doing here?
John: looking for something that might help you. Seems I found it.
Casper: what is it?
John: I don't know. Ask her. She seems to have a habit of giving them away.
Rexar: ooh! This just got exiting.
Mason: well? Lieta? Or should I call you vexis?
Casper: I'm actually more curious as to what will happen if that broke.
John: hey now, I only found this one. I doubt it'll do much.
Mason: answer, demon.
Lieta: *giggle* go ahead. I do have more. So much more.
She laughs and her body falls apart and disintegrates.
John: ah. Gross!!
Mason: damn... Are you alright?
John: super grossed out, but I'm fine.
Mason: we need to find her fast.
John: hold on. If this does hold some significance at all, then you need to find more of them. Check every person you've made contact with and get as many as you can. Casper might have had the right idea.