Three weeks had gone by, the summer weather making way for the chillier wind of autumn. Irina was looking boredly out of the carriage's window as Leonard explained the new group mission.
Death incidents... blah blah... two teams... blah blah... big mission ... blah blah... Frye—ugh, BORING! Irina sighed as the two continued discussing the various details.
What a hassle. There's nothing for me to do in this mission, absolutely nothing. I have to break my current seal and advance to Sequence six, only then can I HOPE to stand a chance against that... well... let's say 'pen.'
As the three of them walked to Iron Cross Street to meet up with Frye Irina cleared her head of any stray thoughts.
No good. I've been thinking too much about that 'incident' lately... I didn't even stop to consider the butterfly effect my presence would cause...
They soon reached Frye who was wearing a round black hat and a windbreaker of similar color, carrying a leather briefcase. His icy aura made everyone else waiting for the carriage keep their distance from him.
Hello Mr. Corpse Collector.
After nodding to each other, the three grouped up silently. Irina and Frye stood in the front as they walked past the Smyrin Bakery before turning onto the Lower Street of Iron Cross Street.
They were immediately faced with a din. Merchants selling clam soup, seared fish, ginger beer, and fruits were shouting hysterically for attention, causing the pedestrians to involuntarily slow down.
This is exactly why I don't like going out. I much rather prefer the comfort of my own home.
It was already a little past five and the sides of the streets were becoming crowded. Some children were mixed in the crowd, coldly watching everything, placing their attention on the pockets of the pedestrians.
A visibly annoyed Irina clicked her tongue before patting down her skirt, adjusting its layers, and letting her gun poke through and become visible.
This should lessen their interest.
Leonard did something very similar by pulling on his shirt and adjusting the holster, revealing his revolver.
Suddenly, all the gazes fixed on them shifted away. The pedestrians around them instinctively made way.
FINALLY.
At the first location, the victim had died of a heart attack as she had been having problems for a long time. It was only thanks to Klein's divination that they discovered that a supernatural factor had influenced her death.
During the whole investigation, Irina had been lazily fanning herself, her gaze locked on the body as she reported her own findings: nothing.
After leaving 134 Iron Cross Street at Lower Street they took a turn to the nearby workhouse in West Borough.
The custodian again ignored everything around her and entered unbothered, unaware of the sharp look both Leonard and Klein threw her.
She started paying attention again after hearing the poet's words "... time is of the essence. Let's split up and do a cursory check here, then head to the third reported death in the West Borough and leave the rest to the police."
Klein and Irina answered without hesitation, "Alright."
Frye didn't have any objections. He turned towards the people who had been sleeping near Salus last night, intending on going there and ask them some questions.
Leonard had moved a couple of steps away before turning to observe the Seer. This far should be enough. Hopefully, he'll catch on my message since he's different.
The poet started shooting looks at him and, as Klein turned, he began motioning at the side hall of the workhouse with his chin.
As he waited for the seer to stroll around the hall shortly, he turned his gaze to the History Teacher. She's been acting very strangely in the past couple of days. His brows furrowed, even the old man noticed. I wonder why...
As Frye got distracted, Klein followed Leonard into the side hall. They made their way through the partition to a silent corner which had no one else around.
The poet, having suddenly stopped in front of a shattered window, said, "I have a hypothesis."
Klein looked around in confusion. "What's your hypothesis?"
Leonard returned a question with his deep green eyes, "If there were no supernatural factors, what do you think Mrs. Lauwis's outcome would've been?"
The seer thought for a moment before giving his answer solemnly, "The same, just delayed by a week or two, perhaps a month. But to a family like theirs, they would've only seen the doctor when she really was at her limit. As long as her heart problems turned for the worse, there would be no way for her to be saved."
As Leonard kept probing him more and more he felt a voice in his head "Hmph."
Pallez? He woke up this soon?
After the poet convinced Klein that the deaths were moved forward by someone, he laughed cynically at a particular comment. "Klein, there's no need for any pretense between us. I saw you break free from the control of Sealed Artifact 2-049, and I know that you're special. You should be able to sense that I'm a little different from the average Beyonder."
Well, you and Irina. He added in his mind, but she's been looking off in the last period.
His smile disappeared as he looked into Klein's eyes, "I've told you that there are many special people in this world that can always do things others can't, such as you... and me."
After a short dramatic break, he continued. "This world has a long history. There are many magical items that people wish to obtain, to control. They wish to become the stars of their own show. There aren't many people like that, but it's impossible that there are only one or two of them."
Leonard heard a scoff in his head and decided to promptly ignore it. "I don't think that a Beyonder with secrets is a bad person or an evil thug. I don't think that we even need to be clear on where their special abilities come from, and what they represent... as long as your actions are not endangering me, the Nighthawks, or Tingen City, then you're still my partner."
"Similarly, I hope that you'll look at me with the same attitude. Of course, it's best not to speak of this to the higher-ups. Those fogies are old-fashioned and conservative, always thinking that special people like us will definitely lose control, feel the pull and temptation of the evil gods or devils."
Klein thought to himself before speaking frankly. "I share the same sentiments as you. I'll only look at your actions and your motives and don't care about how special you are. I will also try not to probe into your secrets."
"Hey Mr. Protagonist, if you feel that special then surely you know what's been happening for a while now."
Huh? What is the Old Man implying?
Leonard unfastened the buttons of his shirt and nodded with a chuckle. "I'm glad that we have this understanding. In action novels, this is called the meeting of two protagonists. The wheels of history are set in motion."
"Bold."
Shut up Pallez, I'm trying to strike some mutual understanding here! Perhaps even a deeper friendship...
As the two Nighthawks analyzed the situation from different points of view they came up with a concise conclusion: someone was gathering energy for a ritual and they had to find the altar.
Leonard looked at the seer, teasing him, "I think that you would be able to divine roughly where an altar with the following qualities would be."
Klein frowned, a solemn look settling on his face. "Only within Tingen City," he replied. "I'd also need a quiet place where I won't be disturbed—my house, for instance. And, of course, I'd need any personal belongings of Mrs. Lauwis and the others."
Leonard laughed. "No problem."
He suddenly stepped past Klein and walked toward the hall, not saying anything more. He froze sharply as he saw a quick flutter of fabric slipping behind the wall.
A blue skirt?! That's Irinas!
The voice in his head mocked him. "Hehe, took you long enough Mr. Protagonist."
He sprinted forward, wanting to confirm his suspicion. A very confused Klein followed close behind.
Was she eavesdropping? I didn't say anything too suspicious... not for someone like her anyway. I'm sure she's also hiding some secrets, just like Klein and Me.
As the poet rounded the corner he saw nothing, only an old empty corridor greeted him.
He cursed inwardly as he rushed back to the hall, the only available path. He could hear the seer running behind him, trying to catch up with his speed but Leonard ignored him.
As he stepped through, he immediately started looking around. His eyes moved from figure to figure until he landed on a woman with a flowing blue dress and black coat, clothes reminiscing those of a Medium, Irina.
How? Leonard couldn't understand. How is she all the way over there when I saw her skirt behind the corner not long ago?! She's not that fast! Her sequence has no physical enhancements! What does this mean?
The poet whispered softly under his breath. "Old man. Was I imagining it? It was her right? But how..."
As the words left his lips, his pupils dilated. Irina had turned her head to look at him, her intense gaze feeling unbearably heavy.
It was Pallez that broke him from his trance. "It was definitely her." He spoke with certainty, "she was fast but this does not match with her current supposed Sequence at all. Be careful, she's been behaving stranger and stranger those past few days."
Pallez's voice grew serious as he continued, while Leonard and Irina exchanged an unwavering, intense gaze. "Don't forget what happened when you and Dunn found her. She was on the brink of losing control. To this day, there are still a couple of things that do not add up with her."
A strange chill ran through Leonard, his blood seemingly freezing in his veins. Irina's lips had curled into a haunting smile, her expression void of warmth, her empty eyes absorbing no light, reflecting nothing.
"That Seer may be hiding something," Pallez continued, his voice sharp. "But that Beyonder… her Pathway is beyond my understanding. As I've told you more than once, she's dangerous. Do not trust her."
Irina absentmindedly twirled her fan, catching her breath after rushing back from overhearing the exchange between the two men. Their conversation went smoothly enough, she mused, lips curving in satisfaction. Just as the novel intended—
A faint whisper broke her train of thought. It was something the Irina of a month ago could never have heard. But now, as a Custodian, she caught it as clear as day, even at such great distance.
Leonard's voice, muffled and quiet, reached her ears with startling clarity. "Old man. Was I imagining it? It was her right? But how..."
Leo saw me? I wasn't fast enough apparently. Her sour mood only worsened. UGH. What a bother.
For some unknown reason, as Irina turned to look at the poet, his pupils dilated in shock. Huh? He's surprised by what exactly?'
Irina found herself puzzled by Leonard's reaction. She couldn't quite understand why he looked so shocked, or why he had run all the way back. Though she suspected that could have been because he had apparently seen her.
With her recent advancement, the physical changes were undeniable. Her speed had increased, her hearing grew sharper, and even handling small weapons now felt effortless.
She was pleasantly surprised to discover all that. Her aim had also drastically improved but she had refrained from telling others; afraid of the Nighthawk's suspicion at such fast progress.
Ugh—WHATEVER! She thought, exasperated. I have enough problems to handle on my own, no need to add Leo's strange reactions.
The custodian's lips curled into a quick smile at Leonard, a gesture meant to be reassuring, though it seemed to freeze him even more.
BRO! What did I do NOW?! I just SMILED!
As Irina lampooned she decided that enough was enough and started heading in his direction.
Whatever... She resigned herself, not wanting to bother with the events any longer. I just want to finish this mission and head straight home, I have too much to do, to waste time on a mission where my aid is not even needed.
By the time she reached Leonard, Klein had appeared behind him and Frye had come over. The Corpse Collector and Custodian listened attentively as the two explained their hypothesis.
The plan was simple, obtain some personal belongings from the victims so that Klein could divine the location of the altar.
After a not-so-long carriage ride, the seer took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, "Wait in the living room, and don't let anybody disturb me."
Leonard put his hands on his hips and paced around the living room. "You can trust us."
Frye sat silently on the sofa while Irina took the couch as Klein went to his room on the second floor. Once she heard the soft click of the door being locked she slouched down and turned her gaze upwards, on the ceiling that oh so happened to coincide with the floor of his bedroom.
Leonard crossed his arms as he looked at Irina's action. "And then you tell me I have bad manners."
She threw him a quick glaze. "Says the one pacing back and forth in the living room. Take a seat at least."
Her eyes found their way back to the ceiling, and with her spirit vision, she saw the room being sealed off by a wall of spirituality. "Also, I'll apologize later but I'm very tired now. I haven't been sleeping well lately."
Leonard shot her a look, voice dripping with disbelief. "Lately? You look like you've been run over by a carriage—backed up and run over again for good measure."
Rude.
The custodian snorted loudly. "Who knows? Maybe it happened and I never told anyone."
He stepped closer, raising an intrigued brow. "Oh?"
Irina's lips curled into a small, wicked smile, "I learned from you, dear poet. When, say, falling down the stairs occurs, the wise don't broadcast it. Isn't that exactly what you'd do, if no one happened to catch you tumbling dow—"
As she felt a jab in her ribs, a head popped up above her, blocking her view. "Really? When will you let that little incident go already?"
She pouted. "Dear Mr. Poet. You are ruining my beautiful view, could you move that ragged head of yours?"
Leonard feigned offense, clutching his chest. "I beg your pardon?! My head is not ragged! I take great care of my hair."
The slouched Nighthawk snickered "As if."
The two kept bantering with Frye discretely blending in the background, not wanting to be part of the conversation, until Klein walked down the stairs and reunited with the group, revealing his findings from the divination.
Leonard, I love you, but for GOD's sake! I was trying to see if my spirit vision could peak up on him going above the gray fog!
The Nighthawks narrowed down the possibilities and settled on West Borough.
The carriage drove slowly along the muddy road. Klein and Frye looked out the windows from both sides, inspecting one house after another.
Both Irina and Leonard leisurely sat in their original spot, the latter leaning against the wall of the carriage, humming a popular locale tune, throwing suspicious glances at the former.
The custodian, currently resting her eyes from exhaustion, was unaware of the action.
Suddenly, while suppressing his voice, Klein announced, "Found it!"
Before he finished his sentence, Frye and Leonard squeezed over to look out the window, leaving no space between them. Only Irina was left sitting, ignoring the event in favor of dozing some more.
None of them stopped the carriage, allowing it to continue driving forward, passing their target and continuing away from it, as simple passersby.
When they could no longer see the building, Leonard told the driver to stop the carriage.
He then snapped his fingers and smiled at his teammate. "Klein, return to Zouteland Street in this carriage and tell the Captain to come over for assistance."
Finally, I can go back as well.
Frye nodded in agreement. "You just started combat training and your job is a support role."
Klein took a breath and agreed rationally. He looked at Leonard, then at Frye before forcing a smile and saying, "Be careful."
Leonard's lips curled upwards. "Don't worry, I cherish my life a lot. Until the Captain arrives, we'll only keep watch and we won't get close."
Frye didn't say anything but only picked up his suitcase.
As Klein did another small divination, Irina took a more comfortable position only to be tapped on the shoulder. "Huh?"
As she opened her eyes, she saw Leonard smiling tightly at her. "Well? Aren't you coming?"
The confusion on her face must have been obvious as the poet began laughing. "You're coming with us. We need your eyes to be our shield since you're so good at detecting... well... everything!"
Irina muttered under her breath, disbelieving. "You've got to be kidding me..."
Leonard, close enough to catch her words, shook his head, dismissing her protests. "Nope. You'll be safe since we'll stand far away, but we still need your input before the Captain arrives."
She opened her mouth to reply, her expression clearly growing angrier, but the poet cut her off seizing her hand, and practically dragged her out of the carriage as he leaped off, nearly sending them both tumbling.
Why is he behaving so strangely today?! What did I do!?
Frye nodded seriously and got off with his suitcase as the door closed and the carriage drove off, leaving the three of them alone.
The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the ground. The air grew sharp and cold, making Irina shiver.
She stared at the ground, lost in thought, while Frye glanced at her with confusion, and Leonard's gaze held a note of suspicion.
As if something snapped, her head bolted upright and she began walking in the target's direction. "Let's get a little bit closer at least. We are too far away now."
What's done is done. Let's get this over with.
She began putting distance between herself and the two remaining Nighthawks. They seemed caught up in conversation, but she tuned them out, biting back the urge to snap at Leonard for derailing her plan.
I am calm, I am at peace. This mission will end soon enough once the Captain arrives. After that, I can go home and continue my acting. No biggie.
She stopped a couple of houses away, hiding behind what she thought was an abandoned building, its walls covered in big vines growing over the entire surface, blocking both windows and doors.
Peeking cautiously around the corner, she activated her spirit vision, noting an altar on the ground floor and a figure moving on the second.
Trissy. She thought with a sigh. This fight would have ended well even without my intervention. That's just how the novel is supposed to go.
A neutral voice cut through her thoughts, coming from directly behind her. "Anything to mention?"
Irina relaid what she had discovered without turning to look at the green-eyed Nighthawk. Her tone devoid of any real warmth.
I wanna go hooooooome...
As the Custodian kept looking at the house she heard a low sigh followed by a "You're wrong, I'll show you."
Before she could ask what that was, the poet stated in a serious tone, "That wasn't exactly what I was asking but the information is welcomed nonetheless."
Huh?
Irina's gaze never left the house, constantly monitoring Trissy's movements around the room. "What do you mean?"
Leonard, unknowingly to Irina, followed her every movement as he explained. "Today, at the warehouse. You were listening to my conversation with Klein."
I already knew that he knew. But I didn't expect him to bring it up like this.
The poet continued. "You were fast. Too fast. Later, when I muttered something, you turned to look at me. I know it wasn't a coincidence. So how, how Irina."
Why does his voice sound so... She immediately dismissed the idea.
Irina scoffed as she whipped around to face him. "Look here man. I don't know what's your problem with me today. So what if I'm a little faster than usual, I'm training for exactly for that reason, am I not?"
She crossed her arms as she looked the man dead in the eyes. She noticed that, for some reason, he was standing a couple of steps away. "Irina." His voice was serious. "I heard you got in a heavy argument with Seeka not long ago, this doesn't feel like you. You've been like this for a while now."
Is he treating me like a madwoman now? Seriously, what did I do to this man!?
The custodian sneered. "'This'? This what Leonard. You ALL have been increasingly annoying to me in the last period."
The poet's face was neutral, not betraying a single emotion. "This Irina, like now! You've been getting worse and worse. Just the other day, you snapped at Old Neil for no reason. Old Neil! What did he ever do to you?!"
More like, what he WILL do. That idiot...
Irina replied simply. "It's not something you can understand, just leave it."
Leonard didn't let it go like she wanted. "No Irina. I've been pushing this conversation for a while now. As your friend, I should have asked you sooner. I thought it would be a momentary change, perhaps some bad days but it's been too long now."
He continued, not giving her time to talk. "Earlier, when we got off the carriage so hastily, you surprisingly managed to catch your balance. I was expecting you to fall or comment on it but nothing happened. You've grown stronger physically as well, even though you're still skipping training. And don't try to bullshit me. This is NOT normal growth. So I'll ask agai—"
Irina's eye twitched. "What do you think you know HUH?! Mr. so-called "protagonist". Do enlighten me."
What did that annoying old man tell him to treat me like THIS?!
"You advanced," Leonard's voice remained steady, "you're now a sequence 7. That's what I think."
WHAT. He caught on that fast?! I—no. There aren't really many other explanations for my growth.
Her demeanor flimmed. As the burning anger within her intensified, the heat gave way to a chilling, dangerous calm, "Leonard, what I do has nothing to do with you. Stop bothering me already."
The Poet had no intention of doing so, not now, not ever. "It does instead. You're energy shifted. It's similar to when I first met you."
Shifted my ASS. Pallez told you something, there's no way he could pick up something similar at his Sequenc—
His next words made Irina freeze instead. "Just like in that kitchen in the orphanotrophy. You're losing control or..."
Her voice took on a cold edge, almost crossing into a threat, "Or what Leonard? WHAT else are you suspicious of."
He took a step back. "You really are—did you pray to some evil existence?"
Irina was tired of the whole day, the mission, the long carriage ride, the current conversation, all the work she had done at home, all her planning for the upcoming future events, all her studying in the library, and much more. Yet, for some reason, she laughed hysterically. The coldness of it put everyone on edge. "Y–you can't possibly believe I would do something like that!"
Is this why he's been behaving so strangely around me?
The poet didn't seem to find the situation funny. "Irina. Your strength, your hearing, your spirituality, your emotions, your personality, your overall Energy—everything changed and for the worse. I am not blind and I do not like how you're starting to resemble the "you" of that night."
This man I swear. Worrying over nothing!
Irina smiled, making fun of his statement, "So what if I did it?"
What if actually advanced~
She looked him dead in the eyes, her voice mocking, "Will you tell the Captain? Hmm~"
I'll stop him somehow. No one can know I advanced.
Leonard's voice lowered, simmering with barely contained anger "Have you lost your mind!? Praying to an EVIL GOD!?"
WHAT—
He continued, "You can't expect me to do nothing when you'll be getting corr—you're probably corrupted RIGHT NOW. That explains your behavior and changes!"
Her sharp tone put him even more on edge. "The corrupted one here is not me. I am doing what is expected of me for the well-being of EVERYONE."
I am trying to save you all here, and I'm doing it all ALONE.
Her ominous voice rose "You idiots don't understand! I am trying to help the Nighthawks, it's only thanks to 'His' help that I'm able to!"
If it weren't for Nefiref giving me access to that Library you could forget me actually saving anyone! A low sequence such as myself is an ant when confronted with 'it'. 'That' item even killed an angel!
"Please tell me you get it." Her voice turned pleading, "I really can't tell you more."
I need a break from all the work I'm doing for this stupid novel!
The poet's face was abnormally pale. "I understand."
It was about damn time!
Irina smiled, her exhaustion and emotions unknowingly contorting her expression.
Leonard moved, faster than what her tired eyes could comprehend.
A glint reflected in her dilated pupils.
His voice apologetic. "This is for the best. Before you fully lose yourself."
His sharp gaze fixed on her every single movement, as if realization had finally hit him, he looked resigned.
His arm was raised and his dominant hand was steady, his grip unfaltering.
I—
The barrel of Leonard's revolver pointed at her head was too much for Irina to comprehend. "It's a shame that poems don't work on you, I could have at least made it painless."
She stared death in the eyes as the click of the gun's safety echoed in her ears, accompanied by his regretful voice. "Forgive me."