Dexter was the last one to enter the meeting room and as soon as he closed the door behind him, he immediately felt the undeniable tension.
The meeting room looked like this: A circular chamber with a deep indigo carpet and walls with golden patterns of constellations. A circular table right in the middle surrounded by twelve chairs. Overhead, a chandelier that reflected stars on the dome-like ceiling lights up the room. The table was made of dark, shiny wood, with each zodiac symbol carved into it. The chairs were soft and comfortable, with each one representing a zodiac sign.
Dexter sat on his own chair and found the atmosphere to be so awkward so he decided to break the silence and asked, "Did anything happen while I was away? And where is the Rat?" It was a question with good intention but it seemed to have only worsened the mood.
"Have you not heard the news, dear Rabbit?" It was the sheep that answered him, her voice was tinged with innocence.
Caught off guard, Dexter shook his head, his whiskers twitching in confusion and he started to speak formally. "No, I haven't heard anything. What news do you speak of?"
Lowering her gaze, the Sheep spoke softly, "It's the Rat. He's… he's dead. Found in his own office."
Dexter's eyes widened in shock as the Sheep continued, "We still don't know if it was… murder or su*cide. But the Higher Up is certain it was murder. He believes… there's a traitor among us."
Dexter's ears drooped, and a sense of unease settled over him. "But… who would—who would even do that?" he stammered. But deep inside him, he already had a gnawing suspicion who the suspect was.
At that moment, the person they were anticipating the most had finally arrived. Accompanied by black smoke, the person they refer to as The Higher Up appeared by the door. He was Erebos and only a select few may call him by his name, the Zodiacs being one of them. He has a tall figure hooded in an indigo cloak. Shadow trailed behind him as he moved. The place where his face should have been was a black hole while he holds his eyeball with his left hand, giving him a 360° view.
"Today, we learned of Rat's passing. Truly a heartbreaking thing. Murdered in cold blood inside his own office," said Erebos, putting emphasis on every word. His voice was deep, distant, and labored. Like that of a dying person struggling to breathe, only that his voice didn't resemble the human's at all.
"And so, I have decided to carry out the investigation myself. Every stone shall be overturned, every shadow shall be scrutinized, and not a single traitor shall be spared. Let it be known, for I vow upon my unwavering allegiance to The Great One, that no mercy shall be extended towards those who have chosen to stray away from the right path."
The remaining Zodiacs could only sit there in silence.
***
Tap! Tap!
Tap!
Rain dripped on Donna's face.
After the blinding red consumed her vision, next thing she knew, she was already in a small boat with the unconscious Lilia, rocking side to side as they went along the waves. It was unknown how long exactly she stayed doing nothing but to stare at her screen. Everything was just too sudden.
They were in the middle of the ocean. She could see an island but it only looked like the size of her thumb with how far it was. And in the water, piranhas were trying to get into the boat. But she wasn't worried about that. She was worried about the black spots growing on her skin. She knew it was the witch's work but Lilia's were more severe with her neck and chest basically covered with it. There was a streak of blood coming out of Lilia's nose too.
'Could it be because I put all my points in constitution?' she thought.
She was wondering why Lilia was suffering more of the curse than her.
"Damn! Let's get out of here first," she muttered as she created a double of herself and started rowing towards the island as tears welled up in her eyes. She remembered the simple times back on earth. She remembered how her life was easier before she killed her manager. It may have been stressful with too much pressure and expectations placed on her shoulders, but at least she wasn't fighting for her life every damn second like what she was doing now.