/Niko
The entrance to this forsaken place was guarded by scale covered ash ghouls. All this menace was left for Ary to deal with, well, enough killed for us to make way to get in. For more than one reason Ary was deeply involved in this mess. Using his dark magic Ary managed to get all of us inside the ruined castle safely.
Halls were long and dark, light was a luxury here, since all that was made to have light was broken a long time ago. Moon lizards were roaming around halls, with their claws scratching walls and ceiling as they moved around.
The sudden cracking sound of the burning furnace and weeping in pain was audible. It felt like outside had become a sort of menacing purgatory. The sound of ghouls, screeching in agony, as they burned alive.
"That's a dragon. Calm down." – Gabriel said.
"What's a dragon doing here?" – Asked Yuki.
"Occasionally these creatures migrate further from Sky Garden. Perhaps this one got fascinated by all the murky ghouls here and decided to have fun by burning them." – Ary kept on walking as he spoke, making us keep up with his pace.
These halls had a lot of doors to them. Different in size, texture and what they were made of. Seemed in a way like walking through cabinets which hold precious memories, or knowledge, perhaps even treasures of old. Chambers with secrets would be also close to describing them.
Something pulled me to stop near one door. It called out to me in some mysterious way, as if opening the door would solve something really important.
The moment I touched the doorknob I was swept away to see the street full of people in fancy clothes. Hearing the buzzing of buses and beeping of cars. Cabs were eating up then spitting out different people. Shops with dazzling collections, ladies with fragrant perfumes, men in tailored suits, street food, chatter, laughter and memories of living here took over her like a wave.
Before my eyes was Oxford Street. A young man, white hair, stripy shirt, jeans, knee high boots, feminine features, walked up to me.
"Hey!" – He said, but I was too surprised by the change of environment to reply. - "Oh, you are now thinking a lot, I see." – He continued. - "By the way," - he grabbed my hand, - "it's good to see you again!"
This guy pulled me along with him, walking down towards Piccadilly Circus.
"How the hell?" – I let out.
"Am I alive? Or would you say it's not real? Don't think too hard yet. I'll get you there." - He smiled.
We walked into the Quadrant Arcade passage. He released my hand, then gripped me by the shirt neck and smashed me against the wall, holding me there, pressing on my chest.
"It's as fucking real as it were back in Roseam, baby." – With free hand he slapped me across the face, then released the grip.
Standing next to me, looking at me, as I was speechless.
"And you know what? This might be your preparation towards the death parade." - He smirked.
"Hik…" - I almost said his name, but in an instant was pulled back into the hall, appearing to where Ary and others were, walking a few steps ahead of me.
I touched my cheek - it was burning from the harsh slap, my chest hurting from the hit. Head spinning, heart racing like a machine gun, my thoughts are getting fuzzy, everything messed up.
How is he alive? How is this possible?
Were the only questions right now.
/Elyon
I sat on a dragon, as he burned ghouls that surrounded the castle. Perhaps it was harsh, as fire damaged a good part of the walls that were left from previous damage, garden and pillars, but measures were required.
I sensed that my friend was inside. I made a dragon smash wall, so I would get into the castle.
Dragon tail swung hard, smashing part of the castle wall – entrance cleared.
"Um, Elyon?" – Orins voice appeared in my head, - "Some guy called from the Lab. Said that you and Erick are endangered."
"We'll do our best to sort it out from this side." – I replied back.
Dark halls were annoying, the sound of scratching from lizards that hectically ran from sighting the dragon were equally frustrating. Dragon began pushing himself inside the halls. Damaging walls and ceiling as he squeezed further in, but that does help clear a way from menacing little rats or lizards. Also having a dragon by my side gave me advantage at killing any dangerous beings, or having escape in case of emergency.
Such was the plan and such was the needed execution.
/Niko
"This way." – Ary opened the door revealing the staircase that was leading downstairs. Just as Ary was about to enter, Gabriel pulled him back and stepped up, taking the lead. He, as a knight, is knowledgeable about how to be a shield to protect, as Ary is usually the damaging force.
Everything was covered in mould, moss, it's wet and cold down there. Decaying fungi exhibited a harsh smell. Each step we made, as we stepped on the stairs made a sopping sound, as the dirt and goo of decaying lizards stuck to boots.
As we descended further down - walls became covered with rust, making it seem like blood stuck to everything around.
I walked behind all of them, clenching my fist, nails pressing hard into my skin… I needed some reassurance of "here and now". Like a pinch - that signified reality. The pain which was self-made, helped me cope with a burning cheek and pain over my chest. That flash "back and forth" took me by surprise.
"Are you scared?" – I heard a voice, making me stop.
Others went on, as they seemed not to hear it. I felt dizzy, my hand reached for the wall, trying to grab onto it, but instead it was held by the white haired man.
Everything got swooped again, and the next thing I saw was being in Ericks conservatory, with this man holding my hand. My heart sank, making me feel slight fear, like a rabbit cornered by the fox.
"Oh come on! Admit it! You clearly love seeing me again!" – He squeezed my hand tight, bringing pain to me; then got in my face. – "Seriously, just say that you're happy!"
His arrogant and selfish nature, smile that gave chills, his endless beauty and eyes that captured my soul - were always treasured in my heart. I barely managed to open my mouth to say something, but he threw off my hand, which he held, then began pacing around.
"Oh baby, what's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
"H-how are you alive?" – I kept my eyes on him.
He turned around on his heels, grabbed a vase from the tea table next to him and sent the vase flying against the wall, making it shatter in pieces.
"That's all you're worried about?!" – He shouted. – "What's got into you? You're like a throw rug! Geez."
"Hikaru, I…" - my voice is wavering, weakening.
"Shut up!" – He got in my face again.
He grabbed my hair, pulling them back, bringing my face upwards. His face being an inch away from mine.
"You know, I really missed you." – He licked my lips as he looked in my eyes. – "Why did you not look for me, you twat?" – He suddenly bit my lip, pulling on it. The bite left me bleeding. He threw me onto a chair.
"I saw how you died! There was no way to…" - I muttered as blood oozed from my lip.
"Shut it!" – Hikaru shouted. – "You bloody idiot, did you forget who you are? Perhaps with all these idiots buzzing around you, you might have gone ahead and started to believe in lies you've made."
Hikaru looked at me, like he's scolding me for mischief, with the consequence of severe punishment. My eyes darted to random points on the floor, unable to look him in the eyes, tears swelling up, heart bumping insanely, air so much harder to breathe. He did that often, when we were together, as he'd throw antics in anger, if things would not go his way. I hated it, yet the things he did after - I couldn't hate him no matter what.
"I see… Toy forgot her master, huh?" – He crouched next to me, his slim fingers raising my chin up to look at him. - "You are my toy, my trash. Remember?" – He purred out these words with the warmest smile on his face.
I mustered strength to get up from my chair and move away from him, even if it were a few steps.
"You were meant to stay dead!" – I managed to get my voice back again, but it felt soar. – "I never forgot you! How dare you blame me?"
"How dare I?" – Hikaru cut in, having a surprised look. – "Do you even hear yourself? You got some guts to talk back to me now?"
Tears were rolling down my cheeks, my body trembling; I knew full well what he was like.
Hikaru stepped closer, hugging me by my waist, pressing me tightly to his body with one hand, with the other hand he wiped my tears away. With his finger, wet and salty from tears, he pressed hard onto the wound on my lip. I flinched, trying to push him away, but he was stronger.
"It hurts." – I whined.
"Oh I know. And it will hurt more. Way more than you can imagine." – He purred out words, as he licked my blood off his finger.
In an instant I was back on the staircase, with Ary, Gabriel, Erick and Yuki right where they were when I got swooped again.
My body was trembling, blood oozing from my lip, hands shaking, eyes darting from one spot to another, thoughts flipping back and forth.
What the hell is wrong with me? I thought to myself, as I touched my bitten lip.
- He really is back… - I muttered aloud.
From that moment on, as I followed the party, my mind was away with thoughts rambling about one matter – figuring out how exactly Mad King got back.
/David
Outside weather seemed to be a great support for today – bright, warm, breezy. Orin already prepared breakfast along with two cups of brewed ground coffee that she found in the cupboards of this apartment.
She walked into my room, shaking my body to wake me up. I lazily turned around, now facing Orin instead of the pillow. Seeing her made me exhale deeply, then nod that I'm awake, so she'd leave the room, for me to be able to get dressed.
As we sat at the bar stand in kitchen, Orin spoke:
"Elyon said that she'll take care of things on her side, but I am still worried."
I swallowed the last of my food on the plate.
"She'll be fine. She has some help from the dear old Goddess of Rivers." – I pulled the coffee cup closer, breathing in the sweet aroma.
"But will she really?" – Orin held her cup in her hands.
I took a look at this damsel, who stared inside of her coffee cup, seeking some reassurance there, but reality is not as easy as a cup of coffee.
"Right now there is not much we can do." – I drank half my cup. – "We can't break into the lab, nor can I go back into that realm for long. My body just won't last," – I gazed at her, – "and you're unskilled for going in there. So risking it all would not be wise."
Orin sat silently, head going through ideas, but none ever so appealing. I looked outside the window. I was at a loss. There was really nothing I could do right now.
The only possible guess I had was to go to Nikos house. Perhaps I could find something of use in there, maybe even inspiration towards the idea that could help.
Even though I convinced Orin that all will be peachy, I am absolutely clueless as to where to begin.
After Kriss called - it really happened less than an hour ago, yet the exhaustion from travel in the parallels haunts for days. I knew I had some time. So maybe, just maybe the damn Witch had left some clue.
/Hare, Doppel, Cat
"Town looks amazing!" – Cat happily exclaimed. – "Awh, so much food everywhere! I want to eat! Let's go grab some food, pretty please?"
Doppels stomach growled, requesting food, as it was empty for far too long. Cat looked at her surprised at Doppel making such a feral sound.
"Yeah, food would be good." – She said as she blushed.
Nice old tavern greeted us with a mouth-watering menu, from which we selected "Days specials" and sat waiting for food to be brought.
As we got seats on a terrace, enjoying the aroma of flowers, our food was brought. Dishes with well-done meat, side dishes and two large glasses of ale. It's been a few good days since we enjoyed a meal, so having this food made us feel like they were having a feast.
Filling up the empty stomachs was great. The two were relaxing, as they drank ale.
"A little left for this job – just give this entire paper load to Adrian and we're free." – Cat lazily stretched.
"I'm still perplexed about that Witch story and the fact about Adrian being quite some centuries old, not to mention that he has this obsession of seeking his "someone"." – Doppel surveyed the street, then gave Cat a look, who raised his eyebrow.
"Was it not some fairy tale?" – He ruffled his hair.
"I would have thought that, but I've heard stories about "boy in Kingdom" before, so I'm really thinking that it might be just as real as any part of history. But what I am interested about is: Why is he so dead set on finding those origins?" - Doppel said.
Cat looked up in silence giving this idea some thought.
"Because this person can destroy plans that Adrian worked so hard on." – Hare showed up jumping over the fence, taking a seat next to Cat, giving him a slight scare.
"Plans?" – Doppel looked at Hare.
"Yes, plans." – Hare simply repeated. – "One where Which brews a great war in these lands, while he enjoys his life in that other parallel."
"So did you deliver what you had to?" - Cat asked.
"Sure did." - Hare took ale and had a gulp.
"Who…" - Doppel was about to ask, but stumbled in own words.
"The less you know, the safer you live." - Hare remarked.