It was Mad Hatter happily greeting them as Dorothy got tense and serious as she warn Nova not to tick this person off as the man ushered them to follow him as they reluctantly did if they want to find Tim and the Equinox.
Reluctantly, Dorothy and Nova followed Mad Hatter. They knew that this bizarre and whimsical character had some connection to the Equinox, and they had to tread carefully. Their main goal was to find Tim and ensure his safety.
As they followed Mad Hatter through the twisting corridors of the 75th floor, their determination to save their friend grew stronger. The fate of Tim and the mysteries surrounding Equinox's actions were about to be revealed, and they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
They reach the 80th and it's reveal to be the Prime Entertainer's room as Dorothy unsheath her sword named Moonwarden to try to scare the Hatter (who is the Prime entertainer) fix his Monocle uttered a smirk unfazed "Heheh" chaotic aura "Hehheh silly young little Dorothy Cardinal no.42…if you sheath your sword and prevent the rebel pursuing her eminence I shall not punish you woah--" stood up raise his gloves hands from Nova's unnamed sword made from the Oblivion Boulder (that has an Obsidian texture) as he spoke in a serious tone "No time for games..what were you wanted to tell us?" Mad Hatter place his hat aside and Uttered "You both are aware of the typical Piety Ritual before Faction Knights per say summoned right? I mean to say always consciously…" they bod not reluctantly their swords still aiming at him as he spoke "There's moments Eminence can go at a time when a newly appointed faction knight refuses to pledge loyalty to become such a knight if he or she lost itself yet it is my Job.." before laughing it off as Dorothy glares while Nova gave a gaze of conflict before Mad Hatter added "You Know Lady Dorothy since I can tell judging by your scarfed neck you must've resisted against the Order and your casted bonded-spell yes? Well , perhaps what if I tell you a 10 year old Dorothy Stone when she was punished and taken away by an assigned faction knight due to committing taboo reaching the Forbidden Valley…she sorely thought if she behave during probation period in this Palace she can return home , alas when she realize her fate and ultimate punishment is becoming a faction knight OHH THE POOR AGONY…I wonder if Lady Dorothy remembers or rather her body shudders of the thought…the thought of forgetting her current identity and I need all The Order's power and myself to deal with her to forcefully did the Piety ritual" cackles "I felt bad yet it's the demand of her eminence so it's understandable I need to punish a criminal despite being a child "
Dorothy and Nova were taken aback by Mad Hatter's revelations. The story he was telling seemed like a dark and twisted version of Dorothy's past. They were both still cautious, keeping their weapons ready, but there was a sense of unease in the room.
Dorothy's eyes widened with a mixture of shock and anger. She knew she had lost her memories of her previous life before becoming a Faction Knight, but the idea that she might have been a child, punished and forced into this life, was a lot to process.
Nova, too, felt a growing sense of dread. He realized that the secrets and deceptions ran deeper than they could have ever imagined. The Equinox, or Estella, was manipulating lives and erasing memories for her own purposes.
Mad Hatter seemed unfazed by their reactions, a strange smile on his face as he continued to speak, revealing more about the Order's dark rituals and the integration of Faction Knights. Dorothy and Nova exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do next.
Then he got stabbed by Dorothy with her sword before he poof like a balloon and confetti as Dorothy felt irritated as Nova empathized to keep moving as they left the Prime Entertainer's room empty despite suspecting there is more than he just let on. Dorothy left him be before they gasp to witness the MAIN Order chamber showing so many coffin like relics in symmetrical order and what the mask only as part of a head and Nova theorized this must be all the Ecto-born children that were experimented on Hansel and Gretel mentioned before Dorothy holds a puke of how uncomfortable witnessing such knowledge "so the Order is THESE INHUMAN made creature by the Equinox?" Tried not to panic as she breathes yet a worried tone "Maybe all Ecto-born and POWERFUL magic users appointed by her turned into these without realizing or knowing such a gruesome fate.." her gauntlet to her armour chest plate "we shall resolve this soon I think I am slowly understanding uncle's Favour and the lies that you and Tim despite being rebels aren't bad people…"
As they stood in the Order chamber, witnessing the eerie sight of the coffin-like relics, Nova and Dorothy both felt a deep sense of unease. The revelation that these relics were, in fact, the remnants of Ecto-born children and powerful magic users who had been turned into these inhuman beings by the Equinox was horrifying.
Dorothy, her gauntlet to her chest plate, tried to keep her composure but couldn't hide her discomfort. "So the Order is made up of these inhuman creations," she said, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and sadness. "And all the Ecto-born and powerful magic users appointed by her may have met the same gruesome fate..."
Nova nodded, his gaze fixed on the relics. "This is beyond anything we could have imagined. I'm glad you're starting to see that we're not the bad guys here. There's a greater evil at play, and we have to stop it."
Dorothy sighed, her resolve strengthening. "Let's continue. We need to find Tim and uncover the truth about this."
With their determination renewed, they left the chamber behind and ventured deeper into the palace, closer to their goal of confronting the Equinox and putting an end to her sinister plans.
Further time they reach the 95th floor thanks to relying on Operator (timeskip transition) as they froze or rather they felt their shadow is puppeteered yet Nova was able to partially move due to his unique powerful magi-reservoir (mana pool and mana gauge) and mana type (Ecto/Spiritual/Soul) that Dorothy nervously spoke "Ahh oh no no , Not him…" Nova ask as he tried to resist his own shadow stunning him "What? What is it Dorothy?" He can also felt an aura or maybe the same mana signature as him (his sister Cosmos and his family) for some odd reason as Dorothy mentioned this Faction Knight rarely reveal his face to his own comrades and only known by the Equinox and sent him for spy and ASSASINATION in secret for his Cardinal number is 0 due to being discreet as she swears and warns Nova which one of them shall deal with such a SHADOW knight that Nova spoke "I felt like I want to Challenge him.." he uttered with green eyes determined
Dorothy and Nova, on the 95th floor, found themselves under the control of a mysterious and powerful force. Dorothy recognized the presence that was manipulating their shadows and felt a deep sense of dread. She explained to Nova that this was a Faction Knight who rarely revealed his face even to his comrades. Known as the Shadow Knight, his Cardinal number was 0, indicating his discretion and specialization in espionage and assassination.
Dorothy was worried, knowing the Shadow Knight's capabilities, and she warned Nova about the danger they were in. She posed the question of who would confront this enigmatic figure, but Nova, with determination in his green eyes, declared, "I feel like I want to challenge him."
With their destinies intertwining in this confrontation with the Shadow Knight, they braced themselves for the encounter, ready to face the unknown and fight for the truth.
But fear as they also seen another figure descend the steps as a Monotone voice spoke "thanks for returning my Shields for me.." as magnetically the dual shields Nova had sheathed by his back suddenly afloat and a newly TIN-TITANIUM alloy metallic clad in armour and helmet (his Purple silvery eyes gaze) like he was brainwashed and the voice like a Tin-Man a bit rusty as Nova Uttered "No…It can't be.." Dorothy uttered "It's also too soon…how HOW did you friend turn into a.." Nova shook his head "Faction Knight? I dunno Tim are you in there-" Dorothy hush and notice he is panicking "Relax dear Nova , you manage to just use your words merely to help me escape atleast a little of blind obedience right? So he is just newly integrated as a faction-" they felt a gush of rotting ashes as Tim spoke in his armoires knightly look , shields on both arms "Silence intruders of her eminence , I am Timotheus Cardinal no.44 a newly appointed faction Knight.." and there's the shadow knight behind him as once Nova calms down he complained "Tim….Buddy how….rather I can tell your forcefully turn into a knight as Look at you..with that Tin-Man get up!!" Before Tim uttered with a lifeless voice "Silence rebel , M'Lady Equinox request you two are immobilized in her place and she gave mercy for me..rewarding me what I desire.." Nova spoke "Ohh dammit shut with that crap…I know you wouldn't just lose your goal to save Dorothy right? We came here to save her and a lot of people being falsely accused to punishment..and help her get back home in your villa--" dodge by his head as some spearhead of decay fissures hit him Tim made , while as Dorothy was secretly trying to negotiate with Astra (Shadow Knight) as she knew him in some chopped up memories somehow.
In the 95th floor chamber, the situation took an even darker turn as they encountered the newly integrated Faction Knight, Timotheus Cardinal no.44. Tim, clad in a metallic armor, spoke in a monotone voice, declaring his loyalty to Equinox and the Order. Nova and Dorothy were shocked and pained to see their friend turned into this mechanical knight.
Nova was both concerned and frustrated, addressing Tim in desperation, "Tim… Buddy, how… rather, I can tell you're forcibly turned into a knight. Look at you with that Tin-Man get-up!" He couldn't believe that his friend was transformed in this way.
Tim responded with the same lifeless voice, "Silence, rebel. M'Lady Equinox requests that you two are immobilized in her place, and she has rewarded me with what I desire."
However, Nova was determined to reach out to his friend. He reminded Tim of their true mission, to save Dorothy and help those falsely accused of punishment. Nova knew that Tim wouldn't just abandon his original goal of helping Dorothy return home. As their conversation unfolded, Nova tried to find a way to break through to Tim, to help him remember their bond and their shared purpose.
Meanwhile, Dorothy was engaged in a negotiation with Astra, the Shadow Knight, based on some fragmented memories she held. She hoped to find a way to use his position for their advantage in this dire situation.
Astra whispered to Dorothy he stole away Tim's secret magic daggers and use it to safely stab other faction knights hunting them down to be transported to the Mageress..he was secretly collaborating on both sides yet mostly Chocola (Mageress) in her dimension in secret as he tried yet he said he needs her to fight him fair and square to get more intel as he shall free them To move from his shadows and prevent suspicion of the Equinox knowing his right hand is colluding with the enemy while Nova thought facing this brainwashed faction Knight version of Tim as he prepare his sword (I never expect yet always imagine there might be a day we can spare together once more in our full power yet..if Dorothy says it's premature and that Hatter mentioned about it could be casted on force maybe Tim may resist yet isn't hard to be forcefully brainwash since he is magicless so no protection to those kind of spells..) , Nova smugly unsheath his sword "Hey Tim I mean Sir Cardinal no.44…You wouldn't mind to not stain honor by having a duel with me right?"
As Astra shared his secret collaboration with Chocola and his plan to free Nova and Dorothy from their immobilized state, he asked Dorothy to engage him in a fight to gather more information. He knew that this confrontation would provide them with a unique opportunity to uncover the truth and potentially break free.
Meanwhile, Nova, preparing for a possible confrontation with his brainwashed friend, held his sword with a mix of determination and sadness. He addressed Tim, formally calling him "Sir Cardinal no.44" to appeal to the knight's sense of honor. Nova challenged Tim, hoping that a direct duel would somehow trigger a memory or a resistance in his friend.
Nova thought, "If only there's a way to reach Tim, to bring him back from this brainwashed state. A duel might just be the key." Nova's heart was heavy as he prepared himself to face his friend in a battle of wills and memories.
Tim with a straight face underneath his tin-man based helmet uttered "Fine dear rebel I shall amuse you and don't dissappoint me when you lost!!" As they parry their weapons , Nova with his long sword type weapon against Tim's dual shields (Celestial Regalia/Divine weapon) while Simultaneously Dorothy was busy fighting off the Shadow Knight to parry his array of magical ASSASINATION tools , daggers , knives , Kunai and short sword while not using his main weapon a special Celestial regalia yet it's because he is holding back and they are having a theatrical duel to cover up that they can be Allies (Astra is grey area as a Shadow knight to compromise) , Meanwhile Nova in each swing clash and parry "Come on Tim you gotta remember our times together how you met me being a lost person of your village…who taught you the basics of fighting using a weapon despite no magic and the Academy we studied together to learn more from this world..Who help you end your vow that lasted most of your childhood to present 2 years ago and 4 months.." Tim was resisted as they clash their weapons , his dual shield stuck to hood Nova's sword as Nova can sense a glance of a cylinder that he recalled Chocola told him was the source of all faction Knight's locked memories and brainwashing yet still not strong enough as it's not fully off Tim's nape and well guarded as Tim Uttered "is that right? What was the name of that teaching if that were true?" Nova answered as they try to overpower one another "grrr…It's the Neo-heim style…I help teaching you that because you wanted to end your vow so you can finally are allowed to try to find and save Dorothy and you promise her younger brother Oz…Please you gotta remember" until Tim use his metal boot to kick Nova away and his spiky shield decay the shirt a bit to dustily make an opening to slice or wound his belly just a small bleeding , Nova tried to save himself yet the impact so strong he wall slam and coughs as Dorothy tried to catch up yet Astra whispered to Dorothy to trust him as he knock her out with his moves before revealing his face , Fsction Knight Tim then prepared using his Elite Arcana arts to crystallize them thanks to his decay related powers of his shields…Nova uttered weakly "Tim…" , Dorothy whispered "Astra you better be right.." and they also get covered into a shadowy silhouette as Tim ask Astra why does his face look like Nova's except for the different eye colors and hairstyles of their black hair as Astra got quiet as he wore his mask again and replied with a soulless gaze "I had no connection , probably just seeing things and a coincidence…"
As Nova fought Tim, he desperately tried to trigger his friend's memories by recounting their shared experiences and adventures. However, Tim, under the influence of the brainwashing, remained resistant. Their duel continued with intensity, but Tim's loyalty to the Equinox was unyielding.
Dorothy, in her own struggle against the Shadow Knight, received guidance from Astra to trust him. Astra knocked her out temporarily to create an opportunity for their allies to gather more information and break free from the brainwashing.
In the end, Tim's powers overwhelmed them, and both Nova and Dorothy were encased in a crystalline structure, with Tim and Astra left with unanswered questions about their similar appearance. The situation had taken a dire turn, and the fate of Nova, Dorothy, and their mission remained uncertain.
Transition to them elevating using Astra's shadow teleport for Prime entertainer cheering for two faction knights in their task done as they in sync told him to shut it as Estella remove their helmet/mask to kiss their head with their expressionless face as Estella inform Tim she shall give her love for him despite not needing any as Astra just waltz in the corner , until he and even Tim attempted to hit the Equinox (only Tim) felt an internal pain to hit her yet Astra manage to stab a hole in. Her body as she powerfully ascends afoot and ask if they intend to betray her and blow away most magical daggers used to be stabbed at her until she notice Hatter panicking to report something is off as Nova and Dorothy the fugitives are missing until his fluffy pointy shoe got taken off and screech to see Nova healed on his wound part thanks to Dorothy that follows , Tim gasp (his Cylinder from his nape already fallen off) as he cried tears of joy "Nova..Dorothy I am sorry…for that fight earlier.." Dorothy uttered kindly despite she can't remember Tim "It is alright , Nova your rebellious partner explains the gist and I shall allow a truce to assist you.." Astra blends in the shadows to hide for now as Nova calls out "Equinox!!! You are going to pay!!! No real name Estelle!!!" Estella yawns floating and fixing her hair as she uttered "What? Ohh so that again Outlander? An intruder behind the stars or cosmos of my ORDER's detection…That Pipsqueak Mageress fooled some story didn't she? Then again she is so weak despite being a so called other half of the Indigo Goddess.."
As Nova and Dorothy resurfaced from Astra's shadow teleportation, they confronted the Equinox and the Prime Entertainer, who seemed oddly unfazed by their actions. Tim, free from the brainwashing due to the removal of his Cylinder, was overcome with emotion and expressed his regret for their previous fight. Dorothy, although unable to remember Tim, accepted his apology and suggested a truce to assist him.
Astra, the Shadow Knight, remained hidden in the shadows, observing the unfolding events. Nova, filled with anger, called out to the Equinox, demanding that she be held accountable for her actions.
Estella, the Equinox, appeared unimpressed by their threats, dismissing them and questioning the legitimacy of the stories Chocola had told. The tension between the rebels and the Equinox continued to mount as they prepared for their next moves in this complex and mysterious conflict