The starless night sky lingered over Laila again. No matter how hard she pulled at the window, it wouldn't open.
The hotel's roof shook again. Every single crack in the wood concealed blackness. White threads hung from the ceiling. Damp and sticky, they swung over Laila's head. Her eyes remained glued to them as if she feared something would continue to build the nest. Vibrations rippled through the air, shaking the delicate threads that hummed like an out-of-tune guitar.
So wrong, so strange. Could such a sound even exist?
Shouldn't there be a table there? Darkness lay like a veil covering the room, seeming to erase corners from this world. Things were missing, as if Laila had forgotten that they existed. What was she doing in this room anyway?
Her heart quivered in her chest and even reached her eardrums. Every breath weighed like a burden. But despite the overwhelming fear that gripped her body and made her want to hide under a bed, she pushed her way through the room.
The cold of the floor stabbed deep into her feet. She shivered, avoiding any threads. The door, which had just been securely closed, stood wide open.
The corridor stretched out. Dark, quiet, crisscrossed by fields of white. The familiar clatter sounded in the distance. Her body went ice-cold, and her teeth chattered violently. It hurt to breathe. Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
The thick fog in her head had disappeared. Everything suddenly seemed clear, as if she had only been looking through a milky film. Something seemed to bubble up uncontrollably inside her. A pressure that she had only recently compressed into a box.
Laila remembered Mr. Jones as they stood together at the airport. Amalia, to her right, was chewing on an apple. Then she found herself in the dining room. A bloodied hand reached out towards her. The rotten skin didn't even resemble that of a living person. Only its upper body moved, crawling towards her without eyes, while its legs lay motionless in the corner.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry," she cried loudly, tumbling backward and smacking into a cupboard. She tried to avoid the horrible sight by hiding her head behind her hands. Something moist, warm, no, greasy clutched her calf and tried to pull her towards the ruined dining room.
Her stomach bloated. Everything was hot! Laila clenched her teeth. A sickening sensation spread through her mouth. Then Mr. Jones exploded. Laila couldn't even describe what was sticking to her skin as a white leg stabbed deeper into his back.
The spider-like monster was in front of her. A red liquid dripped from between its teeth. The eight eyes stared mercilessly. Blood red, with an emptiness in which one could undoubtedly lose oneself.
Laila turned away. The pane shimmered as red eyes stared down through the glass like a hungry moon. Where was she going? She had to flee, but no matter where she looked, it was already waiting. Eyes! Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes... Laila screamed; her lungs hurt as they all jumped towards her.
"Stay away!"
Laila jumped up... and realized that she was on a mattress. The black walls towered around her. Notes covered the floor. There was a table in the far corner, its fourth leg lying loosely on the floor.
Her back touched the cold wall. Panicked, she jerked forward, searching behind her. But the eyes had disappeared. Where was it hiding? Next to her? Above her? Nothing! Only darkness. Nothing seemed familiar to Laila.
She clutched the comforter with her fingers while slowly crawling backward until she bumped into the wall again and winced. Nothing happened. Something told her this place was safe, yet the uneasy feeling wouldn't leave her alone. It was just waiting... watching her and could come out any moment!
Laila gulped dry air. She had to calm down.
Once again, her eyes darted quickly between the walls. Searching for... something! She fought for every breath as the soaked fabric clung to her skin like cobwebs. The heart pounded out of her chest, and every beat sounded deep in her ear. Dizziness spun the rooms.
'I think I'm going to throw up,' she cursed.
Laila tried to think of something else and grabbed a piece of paper with a large golden rune on it. She couldn't tell what its function was. It looked familiar to her, but at the same time, it seemed arbitrary.
She winced. Was there something red? Immediately, the red eyes clawed their way into her thoughts. Suddenly, she saw the horror in the golden lines. The eyes were in the rune's reflection. It knew where she was!
Immediately, she thundered the paper away!
"Uhh, I feel sick..." Clutching her knees, she pulled the blanket closer to her to find some comfort.
'Grandpa... help.' She reached for her hair but couldn't find anything solid. 'My ornament, where... where is it?' Panicked eyes wandered around the room. But she only saw destroyed furniture and dark walls. Even the bed had lost one leg, so she slowly slid to the edge even while sitting.
Her eyes wandered faster and faster until everything blurred into a dark mush. The hair ornament—where was it? It had to be here somewhere. Then Laila froze and buried her face in her hands. Was it possible? Had she lost her barrette in the hotel? The tears wouldn't stop. Her nose was running, but she didn't dare move her body from the mattress. It could be under the bed, just waiting for her.
"Can I join you for a while?" a calm voice suddenly asked. Laila looked up. A familiar person was in a corner at the back. She could feel Kurumi through their connection. As the warmth spread from the mark on her hand, Laila nodded. She could trust this connection. She just knew she could.
"I expected something like this to happen, but it seems to have hit you worse than I anticipated," Kurumi said softly, sliding off the nightstand and moving slowly to Laila. "Even trained warriors can be emotionally unstable after battle."
Kurumi reached the bed and pushed aside the blanket. One foot emerged, but when she saw the mattress soaked in sweat, she decided to sit on the frame.
"I've often felt the same way in the past. I used to sit down in a familiar place and play with the cats in the neighborhood. Brushing my fingers through the soft fur and hearing the purr was pleasant. It's probably the same for all people in Fuyuki who saw the monster. If I wasn't already so old, I'd have been scared as well."
Laila breathed a sigh of relief. She had expected to be asked awkward questions, but Kurumi's tone suggested that she wasn't expecting an answer. Calmly, she simply kept her back against the wall and continued to listen to the pleasant voice.
"Normally, only experienced magi should take part in the Grail War. I'm sorry that you happened to be in Fuyuki and slipped in," Kurumi said, placing a hand on the blanket. "Of course, I can sit with you if it makes you feel better and just keep talking. The city has some nice places. But I am sure you already know most of them."
Laila relaxed her head against the wall and pulled her foot under the blanket. Somehow, it all seemed familiar to her, like a pleasant evening around a campfire. Just talking and thinking about nothing. Kurumi smiled.
"How about a little change of scenery? I found a nice river near the sea. Wouldn't it be nice to sit there and watch the reflections of the night sky for a while? I'm sure you'll calm down right away."
Kurumi stuck out her chest, satisfied with the solution to Laila's problems.
"Are you sure? What if the monsters come again?" Laila asked meekly. The white creature could be lying in wait. The mere thought made the hairs stand up on her skin, especially in the dark, where it was hard to see.
"The night is quiet. I've already taken us outside the city, too. A peaceful night's walk in the fresh air to take your mind off things will do you good. The moon is visible, and if you're lucky, we might even hear the first birds. Even if hibernation is already imminent, don't forget, as long as you have me, nothing will happen to you."
"Thank you..." whispered Laila. "I'm looking forward to the trip a little." Then Kurumi disappeared briefly from the bed and returned with folded clothes.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a bathroom here where you can freshen up, but you should get out of your wet clothes. It's freezing outside."
"Ehm... Have you seen my hair ornament?"
Kurumi's gaze fell on the bedside cabinet. Laila thanked her and slipped out of her clothes. The cold air brushed against her skin and made her shiver. Laila hurriedly dressed into the dry clothes.
She carefully examined the ornament. There were no cracks in the glass, which was good before she pressed it against her chest in relief. Then she pushed the object into her hair. A tear rolled down her cheek. It felt familiar, almost as if a warm hand were patting her scalp.
The red portal opened in one of the side walls. Laila turned away for a moment. She didn't dare look at the red light. Meanwhile, Kurumi waited patiently.
'It's probably even worse than I thought,' Kurumi mused.
"Come on," she encouraged, "just keep your eyes closed." Something pressed gently against Laila's back. She could feel the mana wrapping around her. Something bright shone through her eyelids. Then everything went dark, and she heard the cold wind that made the branches sway.
''''
Laila opened her eyes. The fresh air drew deep into her airways. It was quiet. Sometimes, leaves rustled in the wind. Light rippled across the water. High in the sky, the shimmering moon slept. Only faintly visible behind the sea of clouds and auroras that meandered from three different directions and converged under the celestial body.
They passed the last of the trees. The fresh sea air sloshed against the water. A play of light danced above the ripples. The sea glittered like colorful fairies as fine drops were whirled up by the crashing waves and carried by a gentle murmur.
The sight was magical. The ley lines seemed even more alive than a few hours ago. They pulsated. For a brief moment, Laila thought she saw the magical energy flowing through them.
"I'm sorry," Kurumi said. "The clouds weren't this thick earlier."
"It's all right," Laila replied, sitting on a fallen log. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Amalia would have loved this sight," she sobbed.
"I'm sure she would have," Kurumi replied, sitting down at Laila's side and putting an arm over her shoulder. Laila wiped tears from her eyes again and again for quite some time. But her mask did not break as they sat in silence under the miracle that was taking place above their heads.
Helplessly, Kurumi could only watch in silence. How much time had already passed, she asked herself. The sea breeze had already blown the clouds from the open sea, revealing a starry night sky. It should soon be seven in the morning.
By now, Laila had calmed down. The edges of her eyes were slightly swollen. Then she suddenly muttered. "Why have I never examined the leylines at night? They seem different somehow."
"Different?"
"I don't know. As far as I know, leylines are the planet's veins, but I've never heard of magical energy being visible... And in such gigantic quantities. Maybe we've discovered the first arteries here if you compare it to the human body."
Kurumi saw the change in Laila's eyes. The fear and tension receded as a soft wonder shimmered through. But the sadness behind the pupils remained. It was almost as if she was remembering something. How many more nights could they spend like this before the war took over?
"It is certainly exciting to see such magical lines," Kurumi said after a while. Laila blinked in surprise. Suddenly, she felt her body again. Had she been dreaming?
"..." She cautiously peeked at Kurumi. The rip in her dress had disappeared. But perhaps she couldn't see it through the fabric swaying in the wind.
"I had always thought that auroras only existed at the poles," Kurumi continued. "But I never found the time to travel there. It's my first time seeing something like that. Pictures do not do this spectacle justice."
"They are not auroras but ley lines that have become visible in the sky. It's a rare phenomenon that can only occur in a few places worldwide. But I don't know why."
"Do you always have to know the reason to enjoy something?"
Laila shook her head without realizing it, though nothing escaped Kurumi's notice.
"I'm sorry I caught you off guard like that earlier."
"Never mind," Laila replied and turned away.
"No. I don't usually get carried away by my enthusiasm. I should have given you more time to make a proper decision. A good night's sleep could have changed your mind." Kurumi paused. Laila tensed every muscle as if the thought alone brought fear.
"I don't really feel like sleeping right now."
Kurumi giggled. "Even the sleepless nights have a charm of their own. I guess the sandman won't visit today anyway."
"You know the sandman? Isn't that fairy tale only common in Europe?"
"I don't know, but somehow it's in my head. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm a servant now."
Suddenly, there was a rustling. Rapid fluttering echoed through the forest. Laila's breath caught. Did it find her already? Instinctively, she grabbed her link and moved behind Kurumi. The fluttering grew louder... silence. Only the howling of the wind remained.
'Did I just imagine that?' Laila asked herself. Meanwhile, Kurumi stood there, relaxed. None of her senses responded. Mana and murderous lust only dwelled in the distant city. But even there, complete silence started to take over. Something green plunged out of the sky. Hidden by the shimmering leylines.
"It's you!" cried Laila in relief. She stretched out her arms, and the little bird fell into her hands. Her breath caught; something warm spread over her skin. It was difficult to recognize in the darkness, but she could feel it. The sudden moisture clung to her hand and flowed slowly between her fingers.
Even in the howling wind, she heard the individual drops hitting the ground. Feathers were missing or had broken off. White threads stuck to its joints as they cut into the small body. It was difficult for the little animal to breathe. The sparrow couldn't even lift its head.
"... Oh, no... no, no, no. Please stop moving."
Laila's hands were shaking. An Iron-like smell covered the forest. She tasted something sandy and sour. For a moment, everything went black. She had to run somewhere. Somewhere... quickly, somehow find a doctor in the city.
"Let me see it." Kurumi's calm voice rang out, tearing through Laila's despair. "Maybe I can help him."
Laila swallowed. "Really?" Her voice sounded bright and hopeless. "Please hurry..."
Kurumi took a step closer.
"Zafkiel." The words dispelled the wind. Echoing like old clockwork. Space itself began to shake as a vortex twisted reality behind her. But between the tears, Laila paid attention only to her little friend.
Meanwhile, Kurumi pointed her gun at four o'clock.
"Dalet."
Only now did Laila notice the gun pointed at the bird and turned sideways to move her shoulder in the way.
"No! I don't kill him."
"Laila, I can heal him, but you have to trust me."
She looked at the exhausted and no longer moving sparrow. The heart beats fast. The whole body was reluctant to put the bird in front of the gun barrel. Her eyes jumped to the sea. A weak squeak reached her ear. Kurumi's words sounded calm, and through their connection, she felt care. Laila bit her lip until her eyes turned to Kurumi.
"Please save him." Deep inside, an uncertainty seethed that she could not bear. The waiting gnawed at her mind. The moment stretched into eternity. But something told her that everything would be fine.
The bang made her flinch. Laila instinctively pulled the sparrow to her chest. But before any thoughts could explode, the sparrow stretched its wings and chirped.
She opened her eyes as her heart wanted to leap out of her chest. The sparrow stared into her face. Its beak slightly tilted while the feathers shimmered in a washed-out green.
"I thought I'd never hear you again," she whispered, wiping the tears away with her sleeve. "That was you earlier, wasn't it? Tapping on the window?"
The sparrow jumped up. Its wings fluttered too fast for the eye. Suddenly, its movements in the air stopped, and it fell back into Laila's hands.
"Wait," she said, tugging at the strings. "Take good care of yourself."
With the disappearance of the last sticky thread, the sparrow buzzed twice in a circle around their heads before disappearing into the darkness. The night winds rippled gently across the meadow. The sound of the waves rang out.
"Hopefully, he arrives home safely," Laila said. Both hands were pressed together.
"The city sleeps again. Nothing will happen." The bell rang in the distance, announcing the start of a new day.