****
[MUSEUM - MOMENTS LATER]
****
William stood in the grand hall of the Eternal Echoes Museum, surrounded by a sea of people and a stunning array of statues, each with its own unique story and origin. A man in a black long-sleeved shirt, adorned with the museum's logo, approached him with a polite smile. His shirt was neatly tucked into high-waisted trousers, giving off an air of professionalism.
"Hello, young man. How may I assist you today? Looking for a particular artifact? I'd be happy to give you a tour," the man offered, his curiosity piqued.
William hesitated, his eyes scanning the hall. "I'm here to take a photo of the Orb of Aethoria."
The man's expression turned surprised. "The Orb of Aethoria? May I ask why?"
William's nervousness was palpable. "It's... for a project. Just a photo, that's all I need."
The man's smile turned mysterious. "Follow me, this way."
He led William to a secret door, tapping the wall thrice to open it. They stepped inside, and William's eyes widened in awe. "Wow, this is so beautiful."
The man beamed with pride. "Indeed, this is the Orb of Aethoria. I'll leave you to it."
As the man exited, William's relief was short-lived. He quickly stashed the orb into his backpack, but as he hurried to the door, it slammed shut, locking him inside. Panic set in as he tried to break the lock with an iron box nearby, but it held firm. The box shattered, releasing a dark smoke that dissipated into thin air.
On the other side of the door, the man's laughter echoed, his form now crackling with lightning. William's phone buzzed with a text from Lucas. "We found Ruby." William stood frozen, his mouth agape, torn between his current predicament and the urgency to save Ruby. He must find a way out of the museum first.
The room seemed to closing in on him, the statues and orbs looming like sentinels. William's heart raced as he frantically searched for an escape, his mind racing with the consequences of failure.
The air was electric with the charged particles of lightning, swirling around his body like a tempest. His laughter boomed through the hall, a deafening crescendo that echoed into the room where William was trapped. The sound waves reverberated through the air, making William's eardrums ache.
Frantically, William struggled with the door, his efforts futile against the unyielding lock. He resisted the urge to use another box as a battering ram, knowing it would only lead to more destruction.
The man's laughter, a continuous malevolent force that seemed to feed on William's desperation. The museum lights flickered in response, as if sensing the darkness in his soul. Then, in an instant, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind an unsettling silence.
The lights stabilized, casting an eerie glow over the hall. William, now devoid of hope, slumped against the wall, his eyes fixed on the door as if willing it to open. And then, as if sensing his surrender, the door creaked open, its hinges groaning in protest.
Reacting swiftly, William snatched his backpack and dashed out, the Orb of Aethoria secure within. He paused to survey the hall, now eerily normal, filled with oblivious museum-goers milling about, unaware of the turmoil that had just transpired. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with the weight of secrets and hidden dangers. William knew he had to escape, to find Ruby and uncover the truth before it was too late.
****
[WOODS - CONTINUE]
****
William burst out of the museum, his feet pounding the earth as he took the wooded path towards school. The trees seemed to close in around him, their branches tangling above his head like skeletal fingers. He walked briskly, his senses on high alert, but the only sound was the rustling of leaves beneath his feet.
As he navigated the winding path, the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps and rustling leaves, echoing his own. Each time he spun around, the sounds ceased, leaving him wondering if he was being followed or losing his mind. The trees seemed to loom over him, their shadows deepening into menacing grins.
"Hello... is anyone there?" William called out, his voice trembling. The silence persisted, heavy with an unspoken threat. He pressed on, his heart racing, but the footsteps resumed, hastening their pace. He muttered to himself, trying to calm his nerves. "The sounds aren't real. It's all in my head... probably because I took that ancient artifact."
But the footsteps intensified, closing in on him. William spun around, and his blood ran cold. A man in tattered clothes stood before him, trembling like a leaf. "You..." he pointed a quivering finger at William, his eyes wild with fear. "You have doomed us all!"
The man's body erupted into a bloodbath, drenching William's clothes in crimson. Panicked, William sprinted towards school, the trees blurring together as he disappeared into the distance. The woods were left to whisper their secrets, the trees standing sentinel over the horrors that lurked within.
****
[SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM - MOMENTS LATER]
****
In the gymnasium, William, Ethan, Lucas, and Jasper gathered, their basketball gear a stark contrast to the weight of their concerns. William held the ball, his eyes downcast, his expression despondent.
"Come on, man, cheer up," Ethan encouraged. "Today's the day you unlock your powers."
William's gaze remained fixed on the floor. "I know, but... something feels off."
Lucas nodded understandingly. "We've all been there, William. Don't worry, you'll adjust."
Jasper added, "Yeah, you will."
But William's frustration boiled over, and he hurled the ball away, the sound echoing through the gym. "You don't understand! I've unleashed a monster whose name I don't even know, and you expect me to act like everything's fine? It's not!"
Lucas's voice was reassuring. "Hey, we're not pretending everything's fine. We're just waiting for Elian and Lilly to finish questioning Ruby before we act."
At the mention of Ruby, William's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing.
Jasper quipped, "They're the experts, not us." But his humor was laced with sarcasm, and the group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and disappointment.
William's determination was palpable. "I think we should... you know... pay a visit to the chamber."
Ethan's response was resolute but cautious. "We can't risk that. We have to wait until nightfall."
William's frustration was evident. "But why?"
Lucas explained, "People might see us."
William challenged, "Don't tell me none of you has disappearing abilities."
Ethan's regret was clear. "No, we don't. And even if we did, we couldn't use them here."
William pressed, "Okay, but why again?"
Ethan's concern was insistent. "So many people saw us enter here. Someone is definitely watching us."
Jasper dismissed, "Wow, so that's your big reason?"
But Lucas's phone buzzed, and his eyes widened with surprise and urgency. "You know what, guys? Screw this. Elian wants us at the chamber right away, and he wants William to bring the artifact with him. Remember, be extra stealthy, no conversation with anyone to avoid being followed... again."
William's relief was palpable. "Great."
Without another word, the group rushed out, their movements swift and silent, blending into the shadows like ghosts.
****
[CHAMBER - MOMENTS LATER]
****
As they entered the chamber, Elian's stern face greeted them, his impatience palpable. "What took you guys so long?" he asked, his tone slightly accusatory.
Ethan defended their delay, "Trying to avoid being spotted."
Elian nodded understandingly, yet his firmness remained. "Okay. William, you asked about the girl?"
William's impatience was evident. "So... what about her? Did she say anything?"
Elian hesitated, struggling with the weight of his words. Lilly's solemn voice cut through the silence, her low tone a harbinger of sorrow. "She's dead."
The words hung in the air like a somber cloud, enveloping the room in silence. William's face contorted in confusion and disbelief. "What did she say?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
Elian's voice was heavy with regret. "She's... dead. I tried to compel her, but... it didn't work. Anyway, she knows nothing about the dead girl. That means the Ruby responsible for the girl's death might be somewhere in this school, and we have to find her." With a swift command he ordered jasper "you know what to do jasper"
Jasper replied "Yep! On it boss"
William couldn't bare but ask "wait, what are you going to do?"
Jasper moved towards the private room, his steps heavy with the task ahead. William's anger flared, but Jasper continued with a smirk. "Get rid of the body, of course." William's face fell, but Jasper's teasing tone lightened the mood. "Come on, man, that was a lie, bro. Hahaha, you should've seen your face! Did you forget who I am? I'm a necromancer, bro."
William's relief was palpable, his wry smile a testament to Jasper's dark humor. Lucas probed, "Did you know her, William?"
William denied any connection, his defensiveness evident. "Of course not. I just care about humans, that's all."
Jasper commanded, "I'm waiting." William followed him into the secret room, his heart racing with anticipation and dread. The unknown lay ahead, shrouded in mystery and danger.
****
[PRIVATE ROOM - CONTINUE]
****
The dead girl lay before him, shrouded in mystery. William's hand trembled as he reached for the cloth, his heart heavy with anticipation. The others watched from the doorway, their breaths held in suspense, as if the very fate of the world hung in the balance.
As William pulled back the cloth, his face registered shock and surprise, his eyes wide with revelation. his expression, capturing the moment of truth. The girl's face was a stranger's, and relief washed over William like a cool breeze on a sweltering summer day. But his concern deepened, his brow furrowed in worry.
"I don't understand," he said, his voice laced with sadness. "Why didn't the compelling ring work on her? Why did it take her life instead?"
Lilly's calm demeanor was a balm to the tense atmosphere. "Elian doesn't know how to use the ring," she explained, her voice a gentle breeze.
Ethan's confusion was palpable. "But he said he knew how to use it."
Lilly's resignation was a heavy weight. "That was his theory. He thought it would work, but it didn't."
Lucas's anger flared like a wildfire. "That's messed up."
Lilly turned to Jasper, her urgency a palpable force. "Jasper, you have to wake her up before the darkness takes her."
Jasper's irritation was a thin veil over his resignation. "Yeah, yeah, I know... I always do the dirty work."
Lilly's reassuring smile was a ray of hope in the darkness, and Jasper nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. The fate of the girl, and perhaps the world, hung in the balance, as Jasper set to work, his necromancy a mysterious and ancient art.
****
[NOW RUBY]
****
Ruby, clad in a police uniform, stood solemnly by a door, her hand hesitating before pressing the doorbell. The bell echoed through the silence, a haunting reverberation. A woman, grief etched into her features, answered, her eyes red-rimmed from tears.
Ruby flashed her ID, a fleeting glimpse of authority, before swiftly concealing it again. "Good morning. I'm Detective Carter. I'm here about the investigation into your daughter's... passing."
The woman ushered Ruby inside, her composure slipping as she collapsed into a chair, overcome by her loss. "It's been a month... She's gone, and it feels like she's been forgotten."
Ruby's voice was soothing, a gentle breeze on a summer day. "You're not alone. I'm here now, and I will do everything to bring closure to your daughter's case."
The woman's tears flowed as she struggled to maintain her poise, her voice a barely audible whisper. "Please... help me."
Ruby's response was firm, a promise etched in stone. "I will. But first, I need some details about her."
The woman gathered herself, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for a lifeline. "Anything. What do you need?"
Ruby's request was simple, yet laced with an undercurrent of urgency. "Let's start with her name and a photograph, if that's alright."
The woman stood, moving to a wall filled with photographs, each one a memory, a moment in time. She hesitated before taking down a picture of a little girl, vibrant and smiling on a swing. The woman handed over the photo with trembling hands, her eyes brimming with tears.
"This is Angie. She loved cookies so much, I bought a baking machine just for her. And then... she was gone."
Ruby took the photo, her eyes scanning the innocent face of Angie. As she looked, the swing in the photo began to move, creaking back and forth, a child's laughter echoing, hauntingly out of place. Angie's smile twisted, her teeth sharpening into predatory fangs. Ruby's heart raced, the eerie vision sending a chill down her spine.
The woman, noticing Ruby's reaction, quickly reclaimed the photo, her apologetic voice a gentle reprimand. "I'm sorry, I can't let you take this photo. It's all I have left of her."
Ruby's calm demeanor was a mask, a carefully crafted facade. "It's alright. I understand. But I need it to find her killer."
The woman's reluctance was palpable, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay. If it will bring justice for Angie..."
Ruby's triumph was masked, her solemn nod a promise of retribution. "I will bring her justice. You have my word."
As Ruby turned to leave, clutching the photo—a key piece in her sinister puzzle—the woman's eyes lingered, a mixture of hope and despair. Unknown to Ruby, a man watched from the shadows, his sword and round object at the ready, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity. Ruby ignored him, her focus fixed on the woods ahead, the secrets they held, and the darkness that lurked within.
****
[BACK TO THE CHAMBER]
****
In the dimly lit chamber, Jasper's enigmatic figure loomed over [Ruby 2's] lifeless body. His whispered incantation was barely audible, yet the air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy. The pendant around his neck glowed with a soft, ethereal light, and Ruby 2's chest began to heave, a cough escaping her lips as life slowly returned to her.
William's eyes widened in wonder, his excitement barely contained. "That's... that's incredible!" he breathed.
Ruby 2's confusion was palpable as she blinked open her eyes, her gaze darting around the room in disorientation. "Where am I? What's happening?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lilly's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the tension in the room. "You passed out. We're here to help you recover," she said, her voice smooth as silk.
As Ruby 2 attempted to rise, the guys in the room reacted with alarm, their voices a chorus of warning. "Wait! Don't move!"
Lilly's smirk was a subtle hint at the discomfort that was to come. Ruby 2's eyes widened as she realized her nakedness, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can anyone explain to me why I'm naked?"
Elian's sudden entrance was a whirlwind of urgency, his excitement palpable. "I've got it, guys! I've found the right way!" He rushed to Ruby 2's side, his hands placed gently on her head. "You were never here. You found yourself lost in a moment, forgetting how you arrived. But once you awaken, everything will seem fine, and you'll remember nothing of this place."
Ruby 2's eyes fluttered closed, sleep claiming her once more. Lilly motioned for the men to leave, and they exited, followed by Lilly and a now-clothed Ruby 2. The chamber door opened with a flick of Lilly's hand, and Ruby 2 disappeared into the unknown, her memory wiped clean.
The scene shifted, and William's confusion was evident. "So, she's back among the living, right? But why was she naked?"
Lilly's matter-of-fact tone was unsettling. "Jasper's magic requires it."
William's eyes widened in disbelief as he realized "holy fuck,...jasper?...jasper?!" Jasper was nowhere to be found in the main hall.
Elian's concerned expression mirrored William's own emotions. "William, how did your first mission go?" Elian asked, his voice laced with a hint of worry.
William's shoulders slumped in defeat. "It... actually, it went wrong." Lilly's eyes sparkled with alarm. "Wrong? How? You got the orb, didn't you?"
William's uneasy gaze met Lilly's. "Yes, but I also unleashed something else." Elian's eyes narrowed, his suspicions piqued. "Let me guess, a monster from a box with markings like this?" He revealed an image of ancient markings, and William's recognition was palpable.
Lilly's horrified gasp echoed through the hall. "Oh my god, that's not good. I sensed it but thought it was something else." Lucas's confusion was evident. "What is it? What are you guys talking about?"
Lilly's grave expression sent a shiver down William's spine. "The monster you freed... it's Typhon." Ethan's shocked whisper resonated through the hall. "You mean Typhon? As in the Typhon from myth?"
Elian's correction was stern. "Typhon was never a myth. He was cursed so everyone would believe he wasn't real. And now he's free." Jasper's [now present] accusatory tone made William's heart sink. "William, what have you done?"
Lilly's scolding rebuke silenced Jasper. "Knock it off, Jasper."
"Jasper is right, I only had one job and I funked it up." William's realization dawned on him like a ray of hope. "Oh, wait a minute. I didn't do it."
Lilly's puzzled expression mirrored William's own confusion. "What do you mean?"
William's enlightenment shone like a beacon. "It was a man, the man from the museum. He led me to the box. It was all connected. Look at the orb."
William rushed to his backpack, retrieved the orb of Aethoria, and presented it to the group. Elian's shocked whisper sent a chill down William's spine. "What the hell is this? This isn't the Orb of Aethoria... hold on a sec... This is the Zephyrion Orb Zeus used to seal Typhon in his prison. To free Typhon, the Orb must be destroyed."
"That means whosoever controlled you to retrieve this orb must be working on Freeing typhon" ethans voice chimed In
Elian retorted "Well actually I don't think this is a person working on Freeing typhon"
"Then what do you think?" Jasper asked. "I think that's typhon" Elian said
Lilly's perplexed expression deepened. "Then how did he escape if the orb isn't destroyed?" William's speculative gaze met Lilly's. "Unless that's not Typhon. Maybe it's another demon who wants to free Typhon. He saw my intentions at the museum and knew I'd be easily tricked."
Jasper's pondering expression mirrored William's own thoughts. "According to Greek mythology, Typhon is technically a god. He can still manipulate things, even from his prison." Elian's agreement was solemn. "Yes, that's right. But Typhon can't manipulate humans as long as he's still imprisoned. So how did he manipulate the man?"
Lucas's concluding statement sent a shiver down William's spine. "There's only one explanation. The man is Typhon's avatar in this world." Ethan's curious whisper echoed through the hall. "So if the man is Typhon's avatar, what did William free?"
Lilly's researching voice was a beacon of hope. "His powers. It says here that [presenting an ancient tome] Typhon was separated from his powers before being locked away. Breaking the box releases his powers, and destroying the orb frees his godly form. It also says that he must bath with the blood of the chosen twelves [12] in order to physically acquire the orb"
"Hmm, that explains why he didn't take it from the museum itself" William said.
Lillys voice continues "This means he's either on his way here to get the orb or to find the chosen ones among the zodiac signs."
Elian's determined voice rallied the group. "We're the AOA, and we'll never let that happen. Not if we get to the chosens of the zodiac first." Jasper's curious whisper echoed through the hall. "And how are we going to do that?"
Elian's revealing smile was a ray of hope. "This is the map of Chronospect, the god of vigilance. With this map, he could find where troubles are and stop them before they worsen." Lucas's intrigued whisper echoed through the hall. "But how are we going to activate this map?"
Elian's urgent voice sent a shiver down their spine. "That's what we have to find out before it's too late." Lilly leaned in to observe the map, her finger pricked by a splinter, her blood spilling onto the map's surface. She withdrew her hand, wincing slightly. The blood moved across the map, leaving no trace, and stopped at France.
Elian's amazed expression mirrored William's own shock. "Lilly, you did it! Our first target is France." William's worried gaze met Elian's. "How are we going to get there on time?"
Jasper's suggestive tone was laced with a hint of mischief. "By plane, I guess." Lucas's alarm echoed through the hall. "Uh... guys?"
The group turned their attention back to the map. The drop of Lilly's blood formed a circle, spinning faster and faster, expanding until it was large enough for a human to pass through. A fierce wind emanated from the circle, sending objects flying and pulling Lilly and Elian towards it. With a sudden burst, it swallowed them, and the chamber returned to normal.
The rest of the group stood, eyes wide with awe, lost for what to do next.