Mary calmly reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone, making sure to move slowly and discreetly so as not to draw attention from the voice. She held it in her hand, her fingers tapping softly against the screen as she opened the messaging app, all the while maintaining the appearance of calmness and composure.
Mary began to write a message to Simon, her fingers moving quickly but silently across the screen as she typed out her urgent warning. She instructed him not to react visibly and to remain composed, assuring him that she had something important to share. As Simon received and read the message Mary sent, he briefly looked at her, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. With a nod, he confirmed the understanding of her request.
Mary's message to Simon conveyed the urgency of her situation: she was being manipulated, unable to speak freely except for a single sentence. Mary added that she believes that a Forbidden was behind the control. Unlike Simon's situation, where he had a symbiotic relationship with Forbidden Blood, Mary described the voice as a parasite.
"Hmm, what are you doing, Mary? Given up hope and waiting for the inevitable?" the voice taunted.
Mary's eyes widened at the sound of the voice, yet she clenched her teeth, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm not giving up," she thought defiantly, "I'll find a way out of this, no matter what."
"Clinging onto false hope like that isn't good, Mary. Stop this stubborn act, and I may still be able to forgive you, if I'm in a good mood, that is," The voice said.
Mary secretively lowered her phone, concealing her intentions from the prying eyes of the voice. With calmness, she continued to write her messages to Simon, she detailed that the voice was now speaking directly to her. However, that wasn't the most important matter at the moment. Mary wrote in the next message that there would be a gas station , and under no circumstances should Bard consider stopping there, regardless of what Mary might say.
Mary warned Simon that stopping at the gas station would only lead to trouble. She explained that someone would be waiting for her there, and if she were to talk with them, something terrible would happen.
In his response, Simon expressed his conviction that confronting the individual at the gas station was the best course of action, he wanted support Mary in any way possible. He conveyed his determination to assist her in the situation.
However, Mary expressed her concerns, that stopping at the gas station posed significant risks, especially considering the exhaustion likely lingering from their intense battle with Forbidden Nature.
"Mary, I don't like that calm look of yours. You're way too composed considering the situation you're in. What's going on? Are you plotting something?" The voice asked, it's tone growing intense.
Mary chose not to speak with the voice, unwilling to entertain its taunts or questions.
"Hmm, no, that's impossible. You can't say anything. No, something is wrong. I really must keep a closer eye on you..." The voice muttered, growing increasingly suspicious of Mary's silence.
Understanding the situation, Mary couldn't risk further communication without alerting the voice. She gently placed her phone down subtlety, She shook her head from side to side, she hoped that Simon would understand that she could no longer continue writing.
"Mary, Mary, Mary... You're running out of time," the voice said menacingly. "Speak up now, or face the consequences. If you don't speak before your transformation, I'll make sure your friends meet their end by your hand."
Mary eventually surrendered and spoke with the voice within her mind. "I'm not planning anything, I'm utterly powerless; don't you see? My Ornament is of no use here."
"That may be so," the voice countered, skepticism in its tone. "You could simply be telling me what I want to hear, Mary. But remember, I know you better than anyone else."
"You can believe what you want," she said, "but the truth is clear, I'm completely at your mercy, unable to resist your control."
Simon's expression shifted to one of concern as he looked towards Mary. Without a shred of doubt, he believed every word she wrote. He knew Mary well enough to understand that she wasn't one to joke around, especially in the aftermath of their intense battle with Forbidden Nature and as they got closer to Legis.
"Simon is looking at you, I wonder why... Are you truly not hiding anything from me, Mary?" The voice asked.
"No matter how many times you ask, the answer won't change. I'm not planning or hiding anything." Mary replied.
"Hmm, you've known him for quite some time. It would be a shame if something were to happen," the voice said with a sinister tone. As the voice spoke, Mary felt her hand begin to twitch involuntarily, a reminder of the control it had over her. "See, Mary? My influence over you runs deep, much deeper than you realize."
"What do you want me to say? I'm being honest with you. There's nothing more I can offer." Mary said firmly.
"Is that so? Well, take solace in knowing that your friends will meet a quick end. It looks like the gas station is only a few minutes away, and then you'll finally serve your purpose, Mary. Your loyalty will be tested, and your resolve broken." The voice taunted.
Mary, realizing secrecy was no longer needed, she grabbed her phone and wrote a message to Simon, alerting him that the gas station was mere minutes away.
"Ah, so that's what you were doing?" the voice remarked. "That's on me. I forgot that you humans have these phones, always finding ways to communicate. Well, no matter. Your purpose will finally be fulfilled."
As minutes passed and the voice persisted, soon enough, the gas station came into view, its signs in the distance, as Bard drove closer and closer towards it.
Mary involuntarily said, "Hey, let's stop by that gas station."
And not a second later, Simon chimed in, "I don't think that's a good idea. We should keep moving on. The sooner we get to Legis, the better."
"You might be right, Simon, but we should at least stop there and buy something to eat very quickly. We haven't eaten anything in Hyacinth," Bard suggested.
"Damn it..." Simon whispered, "you see Mary is being contro-" As he was speaking, Eve stopped him, putting a hand over his mouth to silence him.
"No, I do believe it's better we stop by quickly at that gas station. As you said Bard, at the very least we should stop and get something to eat. Also I need to go to the bathroom," Eve sighed, gave a meaningful glance at Simon, implying she was aware of the situation with Mary.
Bard turned to Vulcan, "What about you, Vulcan? Should we keep moving or stop there real quick?" He asked.
"I'm fine with either option, so if Eve wants to stop there, then sure," Vulcan replied.
Bard's comment was light-hearted, "Looks like you're outvoted, Simon," he remarked.
"R-right, well as long as it's quick then..." Simon hesitated, looking at Mary, hoping she'd be okay with the change of plans. However, Mary showed no reaction; she seemed oddly still. Simon noticed her attempting to move, but it was as if she was being controlled by the voice.
Finally, Bard pulled up to the gas station, parking the car in an empty spot. Since they didn't need gas.
As soon as Mary stepped out of the car, Eve using her Ornament a powerful gust of wind that condensed into a focused blast, struck Mary, knocking her out cold.
"What's going on? Eve, why did you do that?" Bard exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and confusion as he rushed towards Mary as she was gently being placed down by the gust of wind.
"That amount of void energy coming from her, it was truly disgusting..." Eve said.
"Simon, I'm assuming you know what's going on, correct?" Eve asked.
Simon nodded, confirming Eve's suspicions. "Y-yes, to put everything short, Mary messaged me and said she was being controlled by what she thinks is a Forbidden. Not like Forbidden Blood and I, but one that clearly isn't intending anything good," he explained.
"Wait, we have to get out of here, Mary said that there was going to be someone waiting here, and if she meets him, then something terrible would happen!" Simon exclaimed.
Before Bard could even speak, a man walked out from the store, with a smug expression, he began a slow, deliberate clap in an mocking rhythm.
"You know, you make these plans, thinking everything's going to go smoothly, but then bam! Something always has to ruin it, doesn't it? Now I have to improvise, and let me tell you, it's such a bother," He sighed.
"And as if things couldn't get any worse, the boss ain't happy. I just got an earful from him, and it's not fun. But hey, it's not like it's my fault the plan isn't going to, well, plan..." He shook his head.
"Before we destroy your core, who are you?" Eve asked, stepping forward.
"Ah, manners, I like that," the man said, straightening up.
"Just call me Copy..."