27th of August, Friday :
Lucian awoke later than usual, at 10:20, the previous night's revelation weighing on his mind, making rest elusive. His morning routine was performed with a sense of determination, driven by the new purpose that had been unveiled.
After refreshing himself, he changed into clean attire and checked the icebox for any leftover food, but it was disappointingly empty.
"I suppose he was in too much of a rush," he murmured to himself.
Leaving his home behind, he headed to a nearby restaurant. Once there, he placed an order for a perfectly cooked steak accompanied by a serving of rice.
Heading out, he made his way to Whitebeard's Bar to place an order for a revolver and its accompanying holster. He wouldn't need to purchase bullets, as he still had 26 in reserve. The atmosphere was thick with humidity, hinting at the potential for impending rain as he ventured forth.
Upon arriving at the bar's entrance, Lucian found himself amidst the spirited activities of gambling patrons. To his left, a wooden table beckoned, bearing four wooden boxes, one of them concealing a coveted prize—a concept he had innovated previously.
That's the gambling game I made, he mused quietly.
Approaching the table, Lucian inquired about the rules from the game's overseer.
"You wager 1 valling note, with a chance to double your bet. Only four players at a time," the man explained, then inquired, "Care to try your luck?"
Considering the odds, Lucian discerned that with a total of 4 valling notes in play, only 2 valling notes would be returned as a prize, ensuring a steady profit for the house without significant risk.
"I think I'll pass, it's a bit steep for my taste," he replied, declining the offer.
Undeterred, the man pointed out lower-stake games, some as affordable as 1 valka note. However, Lucian politely declined, staying resolute in his decision.
He approached the well-worn bar counter, where Whitebeard sat in solitude, sipping on what appeared to be whiskey.
"Whitebeard. Not much of a morning enthusiast, are you? Well, it's not exactly morning, but you catch my drift. Haha," Lucian quipped.
Whitebeard swiveled in his seat to face Lucian and greeted him warmly, "Hello young man. Join me here."
Seating himself, Lucian watched as Whitebeard motioned for the waiter to hasten over and take his order.
"A glass of whiskey, please," Lucian requested.
Addressing the waiter, Whitebeard advised, "Fetch our finest whiskey, it's on the house."
Lucian acknowledged the gesture with a nod of gratitude, then ventured to ask a question he already anticipated the answer to, "Are they playing the game I came up with?"
Whitebeard chuckled heartily and disclosed, "I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your concept, made a few alterations, and it's become a smashing success. Profits have never been better."
Lucian shifted the conversation subtly, "I'm in need of a revolver and a holster."
Whitebeard adopted a more business-like tone, asking, "What's your budget?"
"I'm not sure about the prices, how about 1 valling note?"
Whitebeard agreed, "Alright, you can drop by later today."
Concerned about Sigma, Lucian pressed on, "I need to gather more information on Sigma, he's causing me trouble."
Whitebeard seemed puzzled, prompting Lucian to clarify, "The bodyguard I hired, the one with the shadowy visage and black robe."
Whitebeard revealed, "I know he comes from the kingdom of Luna and is aligned with the Goddess of Shadow."
"Alright," Lucian acknowledged.
As Lucian prepared to depart, Whitebeard's voice halted him, "Young man, anything you order here is on the house. It's the least I can do."
A grateful smile graced Lucian's lips before he made his way out of the bar.
...
He took a carriage to the Price's residence, eager to check on Elizabeth and let her know they would go out to dinner at Sunday. Their brief piano practice brought a moment of solace, temporarily pushing aside the impending danger that hung over them.
They didn't dwell on their recent admission of love, choosing instead to let it linger unspoken, shrouded in a shared vulnerability.
As the clock neared 4:00 PM, he sought Lucy's assistance. In her living room, they settled with cups of coffee, the air charged with determination.
Lucian got straight to the point, "Once we finish our task, I'll need your assistance with something crucial. We'll make a plan and stick with it."
He went on to share the revelation Selena had bestowed upon him, seeking Lucy's help in fighting Sigma.
"Oh, I see," Lucy affirmed, a determined gleam in her eyes. They wrapped up their coffee and made their way to the Artin family residence. Upon arrival, they were ushered in by a servant.
Inside, Aether was in the midst of a meal with her husband, Alger. She extended an invitation for them to join, which they gladly accepted.
"It's been a while, Sir Lucian Wright. And who might this lady be?" Alger inquired.
"She's, um, a friend of mine. We've come to discuss some matters with your lovely wife, if that's agreeable," he responded.
"Of course."
After the meal, Aether discreetly asked Alger to excuse them for a private conversation.
Seizing the moment, Lucian began, "We've come to introduce you to a new faith, one where we commune directly with our Goddess."
A new faith... Am I supposed to simply embrace that? It likely worships a lesser, obscure deity.
Aether's reaction was immediate, her tone slightly irritated, "I am already devoted to the Goddess of Lust and Love."
Lucy stepped in, hoping to convey the truth of their experiences, "Our Goddess manifests to us, communicates with us, and guides us."
That can't possibly be true. To the best of my recollection, no one has ever had a direct encounter, heard, or communicated with a deity.
Aether, skeptical, countered, "You're spinning a tale."
In an unexpected twist, their vision shifted, eyes glazing over in white, and they found themselves in Selena's ethereal realm. Aether, now seated on the black side of the table, appeared bewildered, taking in her surroundings.
What... Where am I? This can't be real. It's like a realm of a deity, she thought, a mixture of awe and fear coursing through her.
Then, an otherworldly voice greeted, "Welcome, Aether White Artin."
Recognizing Selena's divinity, Aether averted her gaze, bowing her head in reverence. Selena's words carried weight, "Your Goddess may not be all you believed her to be. Her devotees are even more fanatical than she is." With that, both Selena and Aether vanished from the realm.
"Don't you find this peculiar? That she hand-picks her devotees instead of choosing just anyone," Lucian mused, sharing his thoughts with Lucy.
"Hmm, perhaps she possesses insight into who is truly trustworthy," Lucy considered, offering her perspective.
"By the way, will you ever share with me what she revealed to you?" Lucian inquired, curiosity in his eyes.
Lucy's expression shifted, her features veiled in a shadow of reluctance. "No," she replied, casting a quietude over the realm.
Returning to the the realm, an awkward silence hung between Lucy and Lucian. Aether, now back, broke it, expressing her gratitude to Selena, "Thank you."
The realm began to fracture, and they found themselves back in the tangible world, seated at the dinner table.
"I accept," Aether declared.
Lucy and Lucian exchanged a meaningful glance, realizing that whatever Aether had witnessed in Selena's realm must have been profound to evoke such a swift change in her beliefs.
"Those deceptive women," Aether muttered under her breath.
She went on to divulge, "I'm a member of a cult called 'Everlasting Bliss.' That's all I'll share for now."
...
Both Lucian and Lucy left Artin's residence and made their way to Whitebeard's Bar, where Lucian planned to purchase the revolver and holster. The bar was bustling with patrons, a mixture of revelers and gamblers. They approached the door to Whitebeard's private room and gave it a firm knock.
"Lucy! It's been an eternity. How have you been, my dear? Come on in, both of you," Whitebeard greeted them warmly.
Inside, Lucy and Lucian took their seats, engaging in friendly conversation with Whitebeard about various aspects of their lives. Once they finished, Whitebeard turned his attention to Lucian.
"Here's your revolver and holster," he announced, retrieving the items from a drawer and placing them on the table.
The brass revolver was adorned with intricate equitee patterns in a vibrant shade of yellow, complemented by a light brown wooden handle. The accompanying leather holster bore matching patterns, completing the set.
"This beauty here is reliable, and it requires minimal maintenance. It's already loaded with 6 bullets," Whitebeard assured.
Lucian handed over a valling note, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
Whitebeard extended an invitation, suggesting, "Why don't we share a few drinks?"
Lucy glanced at Lucian, he nodded in agreement. They both opted for non-alcoholic beverages.
When Whitebeard left them to their own devices, they formulated a plan for how they would defend Elizabeth tomorrow.
Later, they bid farewell at the bar, each heading in their own direction.