Skyler Hall was shrouded in endless gray fog.
Her throat, her hands, and every limb of her body had vanished into thin air, while her consciousness had merged with the infinite space as if they were one, akin to an external spectator.
Her vision immediately shifted downward, like some mysterious force forcing her to see against her will, seeing something distort.
A silhouette abruptly emerged beneath her, disturbing the ethereal silence in the thick gray fog as if it had done so for a specific purpose. The contours of the silhouette were slender and grayish-black that clashed with the fog, the upper body more of a black fog, rejecting her mind's recognition.
With the emergence of the human form, her mind acquired a strong desire.
Skyler felt a cold breach as the shadow gently moved, as if to convey something to her mind. She didn't understand. She was aware of nothing, but for some reason, her mind could not avert herself from the silhouette.
She wanted to be touched, she wanted to be longed for. Reflexively, Skyler's non-existent heart was drawn to the fragile, slender figure.
"Who are you? Why I have this strange feeling?" Skyler's molten mind was lost in thought as the shadow gently caressed the fog.
"--It's too early. You cannot see me. Not now."
With that faint feminine whisper, the endless gray fog suddenly vanished, the shadow and her mind left with it.
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Struggling to open her eyes again, Skyler looked around, finding herself in a dense, melancholy forest.
The air was thick with the smell of wet earth, and the ground beneath her was slippery and muddy as if she would be sucked in at any moment if she made a false step. The sky above was gray, and the heartbreaking cawing of the crows sounded eerily in the clouds, their black wings dropping feathers above her.
Her mind was in turmoil as she walked slowly, hugging her shoulders tightly as if protecting herself from imminent danger.
As she took a careful step, something sinister moved in the bush in front of her, the rustling sound making her shiver deeply.
A low, throaty sound emerges from the bush, and Skyler swallows hard. Images of the impending horrors became vivid in her mind.
Then, with a nauseating crackle, something dark rose from the bush.
"What the hell is that?" Skyler froze as her breath became labored.
The sight of a rotten and disgusting corpse, its swollen blackish-green exuded loathing that made Skyler's stomach growl in disgust. The leaves fell to the muddy ground with a rustle, the sound similar to mocking a normal apparition.
Skyler covered her mouth with her right hand, her mind reeling. A flow of disgust and emotions were overwhelming her. An eyeball from the lifeless corpse fell into the ground, ripping away her defenses and leaving her exposed to danger.
The dense forest and melancholy forest around her seemed to come alive, and the air became freezing. As the rotten corpse stepped forward with a sickening creak, Skyler quickly turned and ran.
The hollow corpse ran towards her, spreading rotten smell from its mouth and rotten skin.
"Help, someone please help!!" Skyler's breathing became labored.
Screaming at the top of her lungs, Skyler turned her head, seeing that the corpse was chasing her, letting out a horrible roar.
As the cawing of the crows became more deafening, blending with the roar, she ran as far away as she could.
Her heart beat fast, and the inside of her body grew warm, contrasting with the freezing cold in the air. Even though she wanted to, she couldn't stop running.
"Help… I don't want to die… I don't want to die!" Skyler gasped.
She could not help but run. On the other hand, the forest was full of threats that posed a danger to her. It was as though she had walked straight into the enemy's lair.
In order to protect herself, she had to escape, otherwise they would kill her. As she stepped forward with her bare foot, something put her off guard.
No, it could be said that something strange was happening to her.
Normally, when she took a step forward, she always placed her foot on solid ground. But as she stepped ahead, her leg was in a purplish-black hole.
And her bare foot had scratched the air.
And so, she. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
Falling, falling, she was falling.
Her entire body was wracked with a feeling of heaviness, losing sight of what was above and below, and a tremendous wind was hitting her body. At that moment, Skyler realized what was happening, she was falling.
A hole was sucking her inside.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah–!!" Loudly screaming her desperation, Skyler stretched out her hands, seeing a dark purplish-black void around her.
She wanted to cling to something, to a handhold that would save her, but there was nothing. The world around her was a complete void.
A desperate feeling of wanting to vomit overpowered her, as all the contents of her stomach were pulled from bottom to top. Chunks of yellowish-green vomit overflowed from her mouth, spilling out into the air around her.
While a sense of helplessness and desperation was overwhelming her like a flood, something was being generated beneath her.
In the infinite void, where nothingless so reigned, a giant eye opened, revealing its golden iris. The pupils of the eye were staring at her.
"Who are you? What do you want? Why are you staring at me?" Anxiety, despair and sorrow were overwhelming Skyler.
Last week, while she was in her room with Klein, Skyler had already seen the giant eye, along with a crow looking at her menacingly, and then vanishing.
And after that she started having visions in the endless fog.
And at that moment, something emerged from the pupil of the giant eye. A black figure wrapped in a yellow-black cloak, creased its 6 black wings. Its presence created a feeling of unease in Skyler's soul.
With a leap, the black figure flew up, flapping its wings as he extended its furry hands as if to welcome her into its hands.
"I don't want to die, I don't want to die. Please God, help me, I beg you!" As her organs felt like they were all in the wrong place, Skyler prayed with all her heart for help.
She prayed, she prayed, and she prayed more.
Skyler prayed desperately for someone, or God to save her from the black figure.
And in that moment, she felt from the depths of her soul something light up above her.
A glimmer of bright white light illuminated the dark void like it wanted to chase away the evil within it.
As she tried to look back, she saw a slender figure with golden yellow hair and lime eyes. It had a crown of thorns on its head, and wore a ghost-white dress. Skyler saw the figure flap its pure white wings, flying warmly over her.
With a gentle embrace, the white-winged figure wrapped Skyler around its body, straightening its wings as she could feel its warmth.
"Thank you… thank you for saving me." Tears were streaming down Skyler's face as a smile formed on her lips.
She let herself be engulfed in the warm embrace, a sense of reassurance growing within her as she watched the black figure dissolve into the clear light.
Her eyes closed, her rigid body melted, she crouched hugging her knees as the warmth of the golden yellow-black figure enveloped her.
Skyler Hall completely dissolved into the dark void.
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Skyler's consciousness emerged from the river of unconsciousness.
As she nervously got up from the bed completely sweating, she found herself in a room that was familiar to her. She scanned her surroundings, her movements suggest a sense of urgency like searching for any sign of familiarity in her environment.
"Haa.. Haa… uh." Skyler gasped, touching her face gently with her fingers.
In front of her was a large silver ornate mirror. To her left was a window welcoming the morning light, while in the low corner to her left was a woody desk with a melted candle.
Seeing all these things around her, Skyler realized that she was in her room.
"Thank goodness it was all a dream. For a moment I thought I was going to die." Thought raced through Skyler's mind as she touched the necklace around her neck.
She rolled up the sleeves of her pajamas, seeing the absence of any cuts or wounds on her slender arms. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, calmly savoring the serenity.
While she got out of the bed, Skyler noticed something missing.
In the corner near the window, the figure of Klein, who spent his days crouching and hugging his knees as if that corner belonged to him, had disappeared.
"Where did he go? I remember last night I went to the ancient palace with him to get information, and then he drugged me with that powder… what he have in mind?" Skyler covered half her face with her right hand, feeling the heat it gave off.
No less than hours ago, Skyler was forced against her will to go to the mysterious place with blue roses because of Klein. Despite her initial fears, she thought everything would go smoothly and that she would go to her room without any problems.
"That door… why did it appear?" Skyler stood up, the wooden floor cool under her feet, and walked over to the desk.
She remembered the door with a naked image of her holding a cross carved into the wooden surface. She shivered as she remembered it, and a sense of uneasiness was enveloping her.
As she sat at her desk in the middle of the morning, she could not help but feel disgusted by that door.
–No, it couldn't be said for sure that she was disgusted.
She was afraid–perhaps disturbed by the ancient building.
"Not only that door, but Klein was queer too. He smiled when he saw that door, and then he said some strange words before I slept… and then, how did I get back to my room? Klein, who are you exactly?" Skyler was lost in thought, shakingly clenching her fists.
She knew nothing about Klein except his first and last name. Maybe even his name will be false, she felt.
To Skyler, Klein Montgomery was an unknown person with whom she lived for several years. She could not guess exactly what he was thinking, and interacting with him was difficult. There would be no chance to understand him.
Why did Klein want to go to that palace? Why did he smile when he saw Skyler's image engraved on the door? Even if he wanted to go there out of curiosity, why did he mutter those words just before Skyler fell asleep? What is his plan?
"Klein Montgomery you… who are you really? What are you thinking?" Skyler narrowed her eyes.
Distrust of Klein was steadily growing within her. However, while she was inside the palace, she noticed something.
"Why do you always seem sad every time we talk? What really happened to you before we met?" Skyler touched her necklace.
Although she cannot read Klein's thoughts, she could sense and feel his emotions. She felt that behind his rude behavior there was a dark past that she was completely unaware of.
"Skyler, are you awake? It's 9:00 am, come and eat, it's getting cold." A voice rang out.
Skyler heard a voice coming from downstairs. Blinking, she remembered that she woke up much later than usual, and that she had to have breakfast with Benson.
Opening her desk drawer with a swift motion, she saw a skeletal copper key inside. She took the key out, putting it in her pajama pocket and closing the drawer.
She then left the room, closing the door behind her. As she walked down the stairs, she clutched the key around her, narrowing her eyes as she headed into the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, she saw Benson wearing a brown suit and gloves sitting at the table. The chains of the pocket watch hung from the pocket of his white shirt.
"Here you are. Hurry up and eat it, or it'll get cold." Benson straightened up composedly.
Skyler sat down in the adjacent chair, swallowing hard at the sight of the plate. On the plate were three poached eggs with sausages and bacon on the side, while everything was topped with grated cheese and beans.
It was the typical dish appreciated by the citizens of the Republic of Steatha
Whilst the fragrant smell entered her nostrils, she picked up a knife and fork and began to eat. She felt the flavor of the marinated meat in her taste buds as it travelled down her esophagus,
"So my dear, how did it go at the cemetery yesterday?" Benson asked.
"It went well. You know, I think I'm a lot closer to Evelyn now." Skyler replied, stabbing her fork into the sausage. "Even though I would've preferred not to be involved with the Wraithcrows."
Even though she had reinforced her friendship with Evelyn, she could not forget what happened next. Not only had she seen a rotting corpse in a shed who even chased her throughout the forest, but she was seen in a pitiful state by Sebastian.
She learned about Daredevil's Class through that meeting, but she could not shake the feeling of disgust.
Her mind was focused on the dream she had. She remembered the silhouette of a shadow–a girl perhaps. A mix of emotions blended in Skyler's soul. That whispering silhouette was surely like a treasure that needed to be protected at all costs.
She couldn't understand why, but she felt a sort of attraction to that silhouette.
"Skyler, is everything alright? I see you pale." Benson waved his hand in front of Skyler as if to get her attention.
Skyler blinked nervously, seeing Benson with a worried expression.
"I-I'm f-fine Benson, I was just deep in thought as usual." Skyler forced a smile. "It's better not to tell him."
She breathed a sigh of relief, returning to eating the eggs and sausages.
"I'm so happy to hear that you and Miss Evelyn get along. Never forget the value of bonds." Benson nodded with satisfaction, tapping the table with his index finger.
"I won't do it." Skyler tilted her head, taking a deep breath. "Benson, can I come with you to the shop?"
The question put Benson on edge, as though he had not expected it from Skyler. Silence fell in the kitchen, and Skyler and Benson stared at each other.
"You want to go to the shop with me… I thought you weren't interested in antiques." Benson sighed as he blinked.
"What are you saying? I was always interested in your work in the shop." Skyler curled the corners of her lips, placing the silverware on the table.
Her voice sounded shallow even to her own ears. Even though it seemed like a blatant lie, she wanted to persist.
Benson raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Are you sure you're not keeping anything from me?"
She let out a short gasp. Benson's question rang through the air, intensifying the tension as he eyed her suspiciously.
"I would never do something like that." Skyler retorted, placing her hand on her chest.
"I give up… come on, run and change since I'm going out soon. You don't want to go out in your pajamas." Benson stood up from the chair, picking up his cane that was placed next to the door.
"It'll mean that I will hasten to prepare without delay." Skyler hastily ate her breakfast as Benson left the kitchen.
Deep in her heart, a turbid sense of guilt plagued Skyler.
She didn't want to make him worry, she didn't want to see him sad, but lying became much more difficult for her.
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North Mennork,10:15 am, at Earl street.
Skyler was standing in front of Benson's antique shop. She was wearing a long white dress along with a long black coat that reached her knees.
While she stared at the antiques from the shop window, there was a group of policemen in black and white uniform walking up and down the street. They seemed very agitated and in a hurry like something terrible had happened.
Turning to her left, she peered at a burly policeman talking to a crew-cut Wraithcrow in gold-rimmed glasses who was smoking a pipe.
Skyler glanced at Benson who was opening the door of the store, and asked anxiously, "Benson, did anything happen yesterday?"
"It seems that a gentleman took his life in his apartment a few blocks from here." Benson opened the door, ringing the bell above it.
Skyler nodded tediously, walking into the shop as she held the copper key in her hand.
Walking across the white tiles, she saw that three ornate bronze candle chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Behind the counter in front of her was a shelf with books, flasks, and porcelain vials, while around her were tables with intricate busts and various objects she didn't recognize. The faint smell of aged items and ink filled the air.
"The shop has changed a lot since the last time I came here." Skyler looked around in amazement as her eyes sparkled.
"And I believe it has changed, you haven't been here for several years." Benson laughed lightly as he flipped the open sign in the window.
"I see you now have new items too." Skyler clasped both of her hands together.
She remembered that shortly after moving to Prestwich City with Benson and before living on Angel Lane Street, they lived in an apartment complex in Pendragon County. Her family situation was not the best, and even buying gas lamps was too expensive for them.
After Benson renovated the shop in Conan County, his earnings increased dramatically, which allowed him and Skyler to move into a terraced house on Angel Lane Street.
Skyler knew Benson had made some changes, but she never thought the store was so much more welcoming now than the last time she came there.
"What do you think of the shop now?" Benson asked in a calm tone.
"I find it, how can I say, much more welcoming." Skyler replied sincerely, a faint smile was forming on her lips.
While the atmosphere in the shop became serene and warm, Benson and Skyler were staring happily at each other. She was sure of it, she felt that her relationship with Benson was progressing.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
At that moment, they heard the bell hanging above the door tinkling.
Skyler stared as the glass door opened, seeing a middle-aged woman with long, shoulder-length hair with brown eyes wearing an embroidered green dress and hat enter the store.
The middle-aged woman coughed and said in a friendly tone. "Good morrow Mr. Benson, and good morning to thee as well, Miss Skyler. I see that the shop is harmonious in the early morn."
"Good morning Lady Throne, you are very elegant as always." Benson knelt, kissing Countess Throne's right hand. "What brings you to these parts?"
"Don't be so formal, Benson, thou may readily address me as Mrs. Throne. Anyway, I came here to purchase some porcelain vials. For thine are among my favourites." Countess Eileen laughed faintly without losing her elegance.
"G-good morning Mrs. Throne, how i-is your family?" Skyler asked nervously.
Her cheek as she lowered her head. Despite Countess Eileen telling her several times not to be formal, Skyler struggled quite a bit. As Eileen continued to giggle softly, She nervously fiddled with her fingers.
"We're well, thanks. I Kindly thank thee for accompanying my niece to the cemetery." Countess Eileen closed her eyes, smiling as Benson stood up.
Skyler waved her hands, and said nervously. "Y-you don't have to thank me, it was just a pleasure. Act as if I wasn't here, I'll go and see the items."
"Mr. Benson, thou must take thine niece's example." Eileen smiled at Benson as she covered her mouth with a lime-colored fan.
"My little lady is maturing a lot." Benson chuckled softly, raising his right hand towards the counter. "Please, tell me which of those vials you prefer."
Meanwhile that Benson and Countess Eileen looked at the porcelain vials on the counter, Skyler walked to the right side of the shop, lowering her head as her body trembled.
"If I'm not mistaken, the casket should be around here. Even though Benson renovated the shop, I doubt he threw away something so precious." Thoughts raced through Skyler's mind as she looked around with narrowed eyes.
Although she liked the changes, the main reason she came to the shop was to find the casket that Benson had been keeping since they moved. At that moment, since she entered through the glass door, the trunk was the object of vital importance for her.
Just as she continued walking surrounded by tables with busts and mystical objects, Skyler came across a white casket with intricate snake motifs locked with a silver padlock on a shelf in front of her.
"There it is, the casket that dad jealously guarded. I remember him giving it to me for my birthday, those were really good times. He told me he got it from the depths of the Pandora Sea when he explored the islands with mom. There was a grimoire in it, and he told me that I could only read it when I reached adulthood. What a wise person you were…" Skyler's eyes sparkled as she took the copper key from her coat pocket.
Her heart pounded, her breathing became shallow as she placed the key in the padlock. Swallowing hard, she turned the key counterclockwise, unlocking the lock with a clunking noise.
Skyler placed the lock in her pocket and carefully opened the casket, trying not to attract the attention of Benson and Countess Eileen. Blinking, her lips trembled at the sight of the contents.
"The grimoire! Let's see…" Skyler pulled the dark brown grimoire from the casket, narrowing her eyes to read its leather cover. "Let's see, it says Blood… so I'll aspire to have water-related powers, or can I have something else? Anyway, I can't read it now, better do it when I get home."
As thoughts flowed through her mind, Skyler put the grimoire in the inside pocket of her coat. Turning, she walked shakily toward Benson and Countess Eileen who were talking with each other.
She eagerly wanted to read the grimoire, but she cannot do so for several reasons. She remembered the conversation she had with Sebastian in the carriage, and the consequences of reading the grimoire without being baptized.
Skyler waved her hands, and in a sharp voice she said, "I'm going to the Cathedral of the Son of Nature, I salute you!"
"Alright, but come back before dark." Benson nodded calmly as he looked at Skyler.
Countess Eileen waved her hand in greeting. "See thou, Miss Hall."
Skyler nodded softly, returning Eileen's gesture as she opened the glass door, leaving the antique shop.
While the heat of the sun pressed on her forehead, and the stone street was crowded with people and carriages going back and forth, Skyler clenched her fist and rested it against her chest, walking towards a double-decker carriage parked not far from her.
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Center Mennork, at the Cathedral of the Son of Nature.
Skyler was sitting on the front row near the altar, looking at the intricate bronze organ.
Placing her black coat between her legs, she loosened the collar of her dress, her breath was quick and hollow.
"Maybe I was wrong to bring my coat… no, if I hadn't brought it I wouldn't have been able to hide the grimoire from Benson. I didn't think the temperature would rise this high, considering it's not summer yet." Thoughts flashed through Skyler's mind as she stared up at the arched ceiling.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Upon admiring the ornate ceiling, she heard footsteps echoing rhythmically in the cathedral. With her brow sweating, she turned, seeing an elderly nun with wrinkles on her face, lime eyes, and dressed in black and white come down from the altar.
Skyler knelt respectfully in front of the nun, tilting her head downward, she said. "Good morning, Mother Superior Marie, how are you?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Do you want to receive the blessing and love from the Son of Nature?" Mother Superior Marie bent her legs, looking at Skyler as she smiled sincerely.
Skyler looked at Mother Superior, looking away a few seconds later. "Well, to tell the truth… I want to be baptized."
Her voice became much fainter as her body trembled. She wanted to see Mother Superior Marie's expression, but she could not bring herself to watch her.
"Do you want to be baptized… are you sure you want to receive the holy spirit of the savior Son?" Mother Superior's voice was soft and reassuring as she continued to smile.
Hearing the nun's reassuring voice, Skyler looked at her in amazement. It was as if her voice entered her body intoxicatingly, warming her soul.
Skyler straightened her back, placing a palm into her chest, she said truthfully. "Mother Marie, I am ready to receive the blessing and be devoted to the Son of Nature. When I had a nightmare this morning, he saved me… it's like he had alleviated all the problems I had. I want to be devoted to him and no one else."
"Mhm… you seem very sincere… I shall go ask the diocese." Mother superior Marie stood up, walking elegantly towards the altar.
As Mother Superior Marie headed for a door on the right, Skyler frowned at the multi-colored window, praying to become a Daredevil.