All the preparations for the ritual were done. Alice sat in the middle of an empty room wearing a black veil, a crystal ball could be seen right in front of Alice. The corners of the room were surrounded by blue candles, symbolising wisdom and clarity. Beside the crystall ball were kept two things, lavdendar incense and a photo of Kai Mizuhara.
Everyone else were also present in the room, but maintained distance from Alice. The room was dimly lit as it helped to enhance focus during such rituals.
"For his sister, you seem pretty non-chalant." Kaelan looked at Yuki with an odd expression. It was true that Yuki wasn't all that affected by her brother's disappearance, yet appeared somewhat worried.
"This isn't the first time he has disappeared, I think you know about it too Kaelan." Yuki simply stated. Kaelan's expression was odd as he rubbed his chin.
"Yeah." He simply responded.
Sylvia hearing this, noted the information down. She will inquire about this once the ritual is done.
"Before Alice starts the ritual, I would like to just request everyone to be quiet throughout the ordeal. You might see some spirits and some otherworldly things but don't freak out." Rosalind calmly warned everyone.
After all, magical rituals and awakened beings were not common. Yes, people are aware such things exist but not many experience it. Especially in this era.
The group just nodded, diverting their focus back to Alice.
Alice took a deep breath before lighting the incense. She looked at the crystall ball, taking few moments to center herself and think of the person she's seeking, in this case Kai Mizuhara.
Alice gazed at the crystal ball, her desire to seek Kai Mizuhara rising as she envisioned his face in front of her eyes. In a calm voice she recited...
"Athrynn, wise goddess of sight and knowing,
I seek your guidance on paths unseen.
Grant me the wisdom to glimpse the unknown,
And lead my vision to the one I seek."
The voice resonated with Alice as she could feel Athrynn's energy guiding her. A soft blue light which seemingly appeared out of nowhere was filling the crystal ball revealing some kind of symbols which can be deciphered as hints.
Everyone intently watched the phenomenon without uttering a single word, only Hannah's mouth could be seen slightly open as she witnessed this phenomenon with her own eyes.
Few seconds passed by as Alice still sat with her eyes closed and hands joined.
This is taking longer than expected. Sylvia analysed also writing this on her small notepad. Hannah gave her a surprised look to which Sylvia just smiled.
Alice's eyes opened as it glowed blue for a split second, the blue candles extinguished by itself as Alice recited in a calm voice again.
"Thank you, Athrynn, for the wisdom you share. May your insight remain with me as I search."
The smell of the incense was gone and the soft blue light previously seen now resides in the crystal balls. Alice pursed her lips in a small amount of stress as she looked at the symbols.
"This is bad..." Alice said as she looked up at the group. Everyone's expression went pale except Sylvia and Rosalind, as they weren't acquainted with Kai.
Before Alice could say anything else, she fell on her knees, her breathing getting heavy. Sylvia, Rosalind and Renji rushed to help her and the last thing poor Alice saw before her eyes shut were Rosalind's worried face.
...
Alice appeared near a cliff, wind breezing past her golden hair. Her soft blue eyes opened as her dress waved with the wind like the calming waves of the ocean that was right in front of the cliff.
"W-where am I?" Alice was confused as she looked around, she didn't see anything. Just the green grass behind her and an ocean in front of her. The moonlight shining bright, it was a full moon that was visible.
Alice's body felt light, her mind filled with endless possibilities and her heart racing. Suddenly, a mysterious mist started to appear near the shore of the ocean, right below the cliff.
Alice immediately looked at the mysterious mist as she saw a figure with a cloak which had some kind of crimson flames burning on it walking towards the mist.
"Who is that...?" Alice was prepared to scream, wanting to call the mysterious figure. But her eyes widened as a big ship was revealed behind the mysterious mist.
At first, the ship is barely visible, a shadow on the horizon, cutting through the turbulent waters effortlessly.
As it approaches, the sails catch an eerie, faint light, revealing the Eclipse Sigil on them. The ship seems alive, exuding a palpable aura of dread and purpose. It gave Alice a feeling of hope but also a feeling of doubt.
The figurehead appears almost animate, locking eyes with Alice for a brief moment, making her feel as though the ship is aware of her presence.
An echoed and terrifying voice reached Alice's ears as she noticed the figure looking at her with a malicious smile. The figure's face had burned flesh, his lips non-existent but his teeth visible. The single flame visibly growing over the figure's entire body.
"May the almighty devil spare your life, shall he decide the punishment of your sins."
The echoed words attacked Alice's ears as she saw the figure disappear in the crimson flames and mysterious mist covering the entire area.
Alice fell on her knees clenching her head, tears running down her blue orbs. Her mouth agape, she had no energy to scream. It was as if an unknown force was sucking energy out of her soul. It was happening so fast that Alice's body could not keep up with the changes in the atmosphere and even inside her body.
The moonlight turned red, the grass turned crimson, red flowers started to bloom from the grass and the words of dead spirits started to echo in Alice's ears.
"Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. Mighty crimson lord forgive me, forgive me, forgive me."
Alice's mind was now successfully invaded by corruption of the Almighty Crimson Lord. Everything was happening really quickly, the past spirits begged for forgiveness in Alice's mind. Alice subconsciously started to mutter, her mind completely taken over by a spirit which was otherworldly.
"Forgive me..."
Black skeletons coming out of the ground, casting a familiar scene. The black skeletons were slowly moving towards Alice, as she in fear slowly walked back near the edge of the cliff.
Alice's mind was almost blank, the only real thoughts in her mind were about survival. Her spirit was amidst an invisible battle of survival against the corruption. And her body cornered against mysterious black skeletons.
She desperately looked back at the figure just to see the ship departing.
"No..." She put her hand out in the direction of the ship in desperation.
Things were looking bad, for Alice it felt like the world was spinning. The pressure was too much and her head was throbbing in pain, she felt as though her heart may explode any moment because of her blood rushing through her body rapidly.
Her eyes landed on a red flower, resembling a lily. She knew that her time might be close, she could feel her spirit getting dominated and getting corrupted abruptly.
"No...No! This is not how it should end!" Alice feared death more than anything in this world. She valued everything in her life and she cannot allow herself to be corrupted.
Suddenly an echo took over the mysterious realm where Alice subsided right now. Alice looked up in the sky, hope in her eyes. The pain was slowly going away as a manly voice spoke.
"Sunlord Solaryn, purge the blight,
Cleanse this realm with blazing light.
No shadow shall endure your sight,
Burn it down with holy might!"
A celestial light suddenly took over the realm as Alice closed her eyes. The last thing she saw was nothing but just an empty space with bright light.
...
Gasp!
Alice woke up gasping for air. Her vision was blurry, all she could see a fuzzy figure smiling at her. Before anything else could happen.
"Alice! My goodness you scared me!" Rosalind was quick to hug Alice. Alice just closed her eyes and opened them to see a very familiar new figure in the room.
He stood in a slight bow position. The man has long, blond hair tied into a loose braid. His light blue eyes give him a calm yet enigmatic look. He's dressed in a stylish, dark trench coat with green accents, paired with a white shirt and tie, giving him an air of sophistication. He holds a black hat in gloved hands. His expression seems poised and confident, with a hint of mystery.
Alice knew she had seen the guy somewhere but couldn't pinpoint the exact identity. After a couple seconds of contemplation, Alice's eyes widened as she broke Rosalind's hug and got in a position of a formal bow.
"Y-your majesty! I-I..." Alice didn't know what to say. Everyone else in the room wore a soft smile, they all had the same reaction when Sylvia brought Emperor Reynaldor into the house.
"It's good to finally meet you, Goddess Liora's blessed, Alice Ashbourne." The now known Emperor Reynaldor said with a smile.
"There is no need for such formalities, right now I'm just a common man who has volunteered to help you all." He told Alice.
Rosalind simply made Alice stand in a straight and natural position.
"Don't sweat it Alice, you've just woken up." Alice just stood in awe of the sight of the emperor himself. Her shoulders soon relaxed as she clutched the brown coat she was wearing. She sat on the couch as everyone were silent. The thick atmosphere from before was gone, all the evil spirits and signs of corruption were undetectable.
Has the Emperor really healed all the corruption in this house?
Alice's mind was racing with possibilities.
Kai's father, Renji was thinking deeply about something, a sweat could be seen on his forehead as his gaze was fixated on the emperor. Kaelan and Hannah just stood leaning against the walls of the room in opposite direction. Sylvia could be seen on the doorway with a smile. Haruka and Yuki were nowhere to be seen in the room.
"Well now that the Emperor is here and Alice has finally regained consciousness, shall we begin approaching the case?"
Sylvia broke the silence. Haruka came back with a tray with tea/coffee in her hands, Yuki followed her. Haruka gave everyone a cup of tea as everyone accepted with a smile. Haruka bowed to Emperor Reynaldor as she presented him with the coffee.
"If I had known your majesty was coming, I would have prepared something special." She muttered under her breath. Apparently no-one heard her.
"For someone who has a lost kid, you both seem calm...?" Alice was the one to question, looking at a slightly frustrated Renji and a calm and welcoming Haruka.
Yuki sighed. "This is not the first time this has happened. Big brother Kai went missing a year ago just like this, and mysteriously came back."
"When he came back, he was an awakened being. Forcefully if I may add." Hannah continued Yuki's flow of words.
Rosalind sighed. "Okay wait a minute, this is already too much and has raised more questions. Can we look over everything before going ahead?"
Emperor Reynaldor was amused by this Kai guy, there was something very interesting about him. An amused smile curled up on his face as he quickly finished the tea he was offered.
"May I request to check his room and belongings once? We may find some clues-"
"Not right now, Reynaldor. We have too many questions it would only give us more questions." Sylvia interrupted showing no signs of respect or whatsoever to the Emperor.
Everyone else were taken aback by Sylvia's behaviour towards the Emperor. Rosalind fake coughed.
"Why don't we just look over things as we drink the coffee?"
Alice pursed her lips, confused on what's even going on. It seemed like many things she should know about had happened whilst she was fighting against corruption.
A shiver went down her spine as she slowly recalled the events. She swallowed a sip of her tea but immediately coughed. Rosalind gently rubbed her back.
"There there, you've still not recovered completely from the shock." Rosalind said with a worried smile.
Haruka wanted to say something, it was their fault for causing so much trouble in the first place. But she chose to keep silent. Renji looked serious.
"So this Kai, he has disappeared before right? Could you please elaborate?" Sylvia asked as she held a pen and a small notebook in her hand.
"Kai, he disappeared during the spring a year ago. He returned exactly one year after which was just two months before. Where was he? What he did? We do not know ourselves. He refused to talk. During his disappearance, he constantly sent letters to make sure we do not make a fuss about it and contact anyone to find him. The only thing we know is that he returned as an forcefully awakened being..." Renji explained in a very vague and straightforward manner.
"If I may too add, it was recently found that he was in contact with the legendary warrior of Verdentia Kingdom, Kael Duskborne. The same guy who vanished and retired from the military after the peace agreements with Frostgard." Kaelan added.
Emperor Reynaldor's eyes widened.
"Frostwynd's heir, if what you are saying is true then..."
"Yes. Kai was given the potion to awaken by Kael Duskborne. He confirmed it himself, when we deliberately forced answers out of him." Hannah explained.
"Wait, a guy who refused to give answers to his family somehow gave answers to you. Just what kind of methods did you use?" Sylvia asked.
"Oh you mustn't worry about that Ms. Sylvia. It's a very small matter which shouldn't be addressed." Hannah said with an innocent smile. Yuki shivered at the thought.
Hannah-san is scary!
"So Kaelan was the one who approached Kai huh?" Renji muttered to himself. Rosalind couldn't help but hear what Renji said.
"You talk like you have some connections with Kael Duskborne. May I ask if that's the case?"
Renji looked at Rosalind. "Kael was a frequent client. He has made me craft many weapons for him."
"That's amazing and impressive." Alice said in a low voice.
"Hm that raises one more question. Did Kael visit your house or shop around the time of Kai's disappearance last time by any chance, Mizuhara?" Sylvia narrowed her eyes.
"No. Like Kaelan here said, he had vanished after the war with Frostgard." Renji stated.
Sylvia bit her lip. "This makes it more complicated. Just what did Kael want with Kai, and why did he give him a potion? What characteristics did the potion even have?"
Emperor Reynaldor was in deep thought analysing the situation in hand. Kaelan looked at the Emperor and asked...
"Your majesty, do you perchance have any clue or assumption?"
"The only thing I can think about is how Kael has a very similar name to you Frostwynd." Emperor said with a straight face. Sylvia grew a dramatic tick on her face as she smiled with her fist balled.
"Rey-nal-dor. Have I not told you to take things seriously here?" She said with a menacing glare. Everyone else could not help but shiver.
Who could have thought that the Emperor is so simple minded?
Kaelan's thought was interrupted by Rosalind.
"Sylvia, respect the Emperor. We know that you know his majesty personally, but isn't this going too far?"
"Oh you don't know half of the man you're telling me to respect." Sylvia said. It was a comedic sight, or so Alice thought. It was one of those typical drama scenes she occasionally saw at the theatres.
Emperor just smiled. "Do not worry yourself Ms. Monroe. We're well acquainted, as for any respect from her? I really don't need it. I have plenty of people who respect me."
Sylvia only grew angrier as she wore a forced smile. If it weren't for her to be surrounded by people she isn't well acquainted with, she would have killed the emperor. Rosalind nodded acknowledging Emperor's words.
"We are straying of the point, right?" Sylvia changed the topic. It also seemed like everyone were done with their coffee/tea. Haruka and Yuki took the cups and went to the kitchen sink to wash them.
"Indeed. Now as I requested earlier, can I please examine Kai's room?" Emperor said.
He may be royalty, but his speech is like a commoner. If it weren't for the mystical presence of the sword which my grandfather crafted, I would have found it hard to believe that this man is indeed the Emperor himself.
Renji kept his thoughts to himself. Rosalind wanted to say something but was beaten by Hannah.
"Your majesty, I believe we should question Alice first. We do not know what she saw, during her time dealing with corruption. And there are still some clues left by the divination which was abruptly interrupted."
Emperor looked at Alice.
"If she's okay now, we can have the explanation. I have some theories myself which I wish to confirm."
The attention then turned to Alice who just clutched the brown jacket over her shoulders. She wondered whose jacket was it anyway. After a few seconds of silence, everyone were given a response.
"I'll try my best to briefly and vividly describe what I saw, your majesty." Alice really wanted to take it out of the memory, but if it helps in finding Kai then it's something important. Besides...
Why do I think that this was the same spirit which has corrupted him? If so then...
Alice clutched her coat once again as she slowly began to recall the events. Emperor Reynaldor kept a hand on her shoulder.
"If you don't want to do it, it's alright. We have many other things to look at, we can always ask you when you're ready." He said with a smile. Alice looked up at him.
He's right...I... probably should let it wait.
"What about the clues Alice divined earlier?" Emperor then turned to Rosalind.
"They were pretty useless. It seemed like Athrynn's energy was of no use, it was too vague. Though one of them was like a riddle, I don't think there's a definite answer."
"I would still like to know it, but that's for later. I'm more interested in checking out Kai's room." Emperor Reynaldor said as he turned to Renji.
What weird fantasies does he have?
Hannah and Sylvia had similar thoughts. One didn't say anything in respect of the Emperor and the other didn't say anything because she knew he definitely has more weird fantasies in his head.
"Your majesty, you may do as you please. There is no need to take my permission." Renji stated. Emperor just nodded as he headed upstairs with the rest following, as Yuki too joined them.
The moment Emperor opened the door, he could feel an unprecedented aura. It was a calm yet strong aura. He knew he was the only one who felt it as he looked around for the source. He eventually approached the desk besides the table to see various things kept on it.
A lamp, a book, a pocket watch and a red gem. Everything looked neatly arranged, the Emperor picked up the gem and examined it thoroughly. Everyone else just stood at the door. There was also a black flower on the desk which Emperor had noticed, it gave him the answers he needed.
This gem has some kind of remnants in it. Not only that, it is an enhanced gem. It contains elemental aura, which seems to be it's nature from the start. But the mysterious remnants of something is what's making it stand out so much...
He gently put back the stone as he signalled everyone else to come inside. Renji stood at the door as he let everyone do their job. He had nothing to offer in such situations, he wasn't educated or someone you can call as level-headed. Right now, he's freaking out but isn't showing it.
His son has disappeared, his wife is on the verge of a breakdown, his daughter seems quiet, the emperor is at his house, things aren't looking good for his son. He had plenty reasons to stress out.
Alice gently touched her forehead as she started to see red and yellow spots around the room. It depicted the remnants of elemental energy.
So much elemental energy in one room, does he perhaps train with his sword here?
She approaches the sword handle which was hung on the wall.
"This sword..." She could only watch the aura radiating from the sword.
"It belongs to Kai, he has crafted that himself after he returned. He used the same materials which I used to craft Kael's sword. It is safe to say that he has been trained by Kael during his disappearance." Renji stated.
Sylvia was examining the drops of black blood on the ground.
"You did mention that there was a revolver here, can we check it?" She turned to Yuki. Yuki only nodded as she took out the revolver from the drawer of the desk which Emperor Reynaldor was examining.
"Here..." She handed the revolver to Sylvia. Sylvia carefully took the revolver as she looked at Alice.
"Alice can you see any elemental marks on this gun?" Alice only turned around and shaked her head saying no.
Sylvia pursed her lips as she sighed in disappointment. She handed the revolver to Rosalind.
"We'll keep the revolver with us from now on. How on earth did a teenager even manage to get hold of a revolver?" She stated. Renji looked down in shame, he had no idea what Kai had been doing since he returned.
"It's not surprising considering Kai already has many mysteries surrounding him. And this dried black liquid has similar properties to blood..." Rosalind said.
Hannah couldn't help but question.
"Do you think it's black blood?" Her eyes widened at the possibility.
"We have no way to confirm. Only his majesty can take us further." Rosalind told the teenage girl.
Kaelan was observing the Emperor as Reynaldor himself was turning the pages of Kai's diary.
"Imagination is a curse and a gift."
"Life is meaningless."
"When you know and understand less, you lead a better life."
Reynaldor didn't bother reading everything he saw on the page. He was only reading things he first laid eyes on. Nonetheless to say, he was interested in Kai's thinking now.
"Kai was pretty philosophical person huh?" He said with a smile as he closed the book.
Yuki turned to the Emperor. "Brother always wanted to become a writer. But ever since he came back, all he says is that life has no real meaning and everyone are just going to die one day, it's just the matter of when."
Kaelan scoffed at the sentence. "Sounds like something that moron would say..."
Alice touched her forehead once again as her vision was back to normal. That was one of her powers, she can sense and see any form of energy.
"He sounds quite interesting..." She muttered to herself.
"Let's leave that topic, Reynaldor do you have any clue?" Sylvia just asked with a straight face.
"Hm." Reynaldor started to think deeply as everyone waited patiently for him to say anything. After a few seconds, he smiled to himself as he looked at others.
"I have no clue."
"Eh..." Kaelan was dumbfounded. Hannah sighed and Alice giggled, they were now understanding just what kind of person Reynaldor is. Rosalind was in disbelief and Sylvia just grew a red tick mark on her forehead. This time hitting him in the head. Reynaldor dramatically held his head.
"Ouch! That hurts you wrecked witch!"
"Stop acting like a damn child..!"
Rosalind was trying her best to hold back a furious Sylvia as Kaelan helped the emperor to stand up straight. Yuki just tilted her head in confusion.
Are these really the people who are going to find my brother? I might need to look for some new ones...
Yuki was dead serious about that.
Alice turned to the Emperor after a few seconds. She wanted to say something.
"Your majesty, I...am ready to tell you guys what really happened when I lost consciousness." Alice looked determined, she knew it was something that can help them get clues on where Kai is.
Suddenly the mood shifted to a serious one. Alice vividly started to recall the events and convey them to everyone in the room, everyone just listened quietly. After Alice was finished with her explanation, she was taken into a deep hug by Rosalind.
"Oh you poor child...it was our fault to let you do the ritual knowing the risks."
Alice shaked her head saying no.
"No. Ms. Rosalind, I think it was a very good experience. I always thought that...the world was a beautiful place even when I knew about all the cruel things which happened. I think I might've learned something new and it is only increasing my curiosity!" Alice said with a smile. Rosalind broke the hug and looked at Alice with a sad smile.
The more you know about the world, the more insane you become. A quote from Kael Duskborne himself before he vanished. I'll not let you go on that path, Alice.
Sylvia looked at the Emperor seeking answers. Kaelan and Hannah were patiently waiting for the emperor to say something before they themselves address their own questions.
Renji and Yuki were still processing everything Alice said.
"T-that's so horrible...Ms. Alice, are you sure you're fine?" Yuki asked in a worried tone.
Alice looked at Yuki with a sad smile.
"Yeah..."
I don't think I can say the same for your brother. If the being that tried to corrupt me is the same that corrupted Kai, then...we might already be too late. And I think he knows it.
Alice looked at Reynaldor who was in deep thought.
"Hm. I have come to an conclusion."
Everyone looked at the emperor with desperate eyes. Emperor only smiled as he picked up a marker from Kai's desk and circled a part in the Northern Continent map in Kai's room.
"Kai is headed to the 'Unknown Sea'."
...
Somewhere faraway in an ocean world and stormy night...a dramatic scene was casted.
A large sailing ship braving a stormy sea. The vessel appears to be caught amidst towering waves, with torn sails and parts of the ship engulfed in flames. In the background, a tall lighthouse stands illuminated, its fiery glow cutting through the dark, storm-laden sky. The atmosphere is intense and chaotic, emphasizing the nature's fury.
The mysterious figure with a black hooded cape which had a single flame burning on its right sleeve despite the rain showed that the flames was in no way affected by the rain. The same went for the flames which engulfed the parts of the ship.
The figure looked at the lighthouse in amusement.
Even with no life, this lighthouse works like a normal one. I am either too faraway from my destination or too close to my destination. The unknown sea shouldn't have any signs of human life and yet...
I need to halt the Ebone Tide here.
The figure whispered something as the ship's speed became gradually slow as it stopped at the shore of the lighthouse. The lighthouse was in the middle of nowhere. It was a lone building with not much land surrounding it. Just a building in middle of nowhere.
This mysterious lighthouse...
The wind made the hood of the cloak go down as the face of the mysterious figure was shown. It was undoubtedly the missing person...
Kai Mizuhara.