“Did you hear all that?” Gieldan asked Emily, who was busy laying Ludwig to rest with Marion’s help.
“Yes,” she stood up and looked around the group. Again, everyone was waiting for her answer, as if she was the rock they were holding onto in this wild, unforgiven current.
“What I said still stands. We will move on,” she proclaimed with a determined and somewhat sad expression. “I want to say it once more. I'm not forcing anyone to come with us, but if you still wish to, I swear that I will protect you with my life. If you wish to continue to look for Eveline, you are obviously allowed to, yet we will move on.” The tears almost came back to her. “We have to move on.”
Emily lowered her head, and the others could feel the thick atmosphere. Nobody wanted to move on as if nothing happened, yet there was no other choice.
Together they gathered around the young man one last time. He was already sleeping peacefully in the mire that had been soaked with his blood. Almost as if all of it was just a bad dream. Emily had covered his throat with another piece of her dress before everyone bowed. She raised her head and stepped forward, Gieldan’s coat fluttering in the wind, she led the group out of the village. Olivia stood close by her side and took Emily’s hand which Emily gripped firmly in response. They both nodded to each other and moved on
What none of them had realized was that figure from before still watched over the whole situation. Delicate fingers in black silk gloves were caressing the bony head next to her, who responded in its own malicious sounding voice.
“So you will let them live, Lord Sloth? What if they belong to these damned insects that have infested our city?”, the bony head spoke to the woman.
“Now you’re questioning me as well, Damriel?”
“Of course not,” it responded in reverence.
“Maybe I sympathize with them.” She cautiously touched the scar on her eye socket. “Betrayal lurks around every corner after all.”
The head had a worried look on his face as he saw his Lord halt. “Besides I'm far too tired for all of this. They will die soon anyway, just like most of them do. We know which ones to exterminate ourselves.”
“Zezeze,” the demonic head giggled. “It's truly an unforgiving effort wanting to change the status quo, right?”
“I think you've said enough, Damriel. Maybe you should be in charge of feeding my darlings once more.”
“Please, Lord Sloth, don't be hasty.”
“Hasty? Don't remind me. If these rumors are true, we will have way too much work on our hands in the future. What a needless bother.”
Her fingertips stroke tenderly down her cheeks, down to her cleavage. “But if the world's changing once more than we will be forced to play our cards right as well. Maybe I can motivate myself to finally execute my revenge,” a wide grin appeared on her sensual lips as they disappeared in the white fog shortly after.
Chapter 19 – Crumbling Reality
On the other side of the mountain passage, Gwyn and Leandro witnessed the newly freed Personas fleeing the perimeter, as they were ready to leave this abandoned village behind.
Luckily their path hadn't changed much, since they were still heading to the west, on their way to the highly praised city of Pride, Magnus. Even though none of the refugees decided to travel with them, they still weren't alone with their aspects
“I think we should just leave him here for good,” Leandro said as he shrugged with his shoulders in disinterest.
“You think that we could just do that? There may be still more cultists lurking around the premise,” Gwyn answered in a worried tone as he looked back on the frightening village that harbored that inhuman crypt and its occupants.
“They deserve every ill-fortune that comes their way,” Leandro pointed at a struggling man in a robe that was firmly held in Destare’s arms, who had already shrunken down to be only a few heads larger than the two humans.
“What a bunch of scum, really. I mean, how stupid can you be, trying to attack us out of nowhere, and alone to boot?!” Leandro ranted along as he was about to kick their captive.
“Then it's even more important we don't try to be like them,” Destare’s deep voice intervened, almost as if to cautiously scold his partner.
“LET ME GO, YOU FILTHY HERETICS!” the man screamed as he desperately tried to escape the aspect’s grip.
“One more word and I will hang you upside down before I pull your panties over your head. Are we clear?!” Delirias jumped in the face of the captive and promptly silenced him as he met the hellish eyes of the aspect.
“Fine then, maybe he has some useful intel for us,” Leandro eventually agreed. “But if he tries anything funny again, I can't guarantee for anything.”
Gwyn agreed with a gentle smile before he spotted something interesting along their way. “Looks like the dark forest around is finally about to end. I think I can see some wide, greenish fields in the distance.”
“Good. I can't believe this forest reaches as far from Lussuria as it does, but here we are. One giant road next to acres of dark forest, alongside a huge mountain. Miles out of nowhere, and still no end or daylight in sight,” Leandro seemed to mope, even though Gwyn felt the same. Both were mentally exhausted, as the thrill of their battle started to fade and the fatigue slowly crept up on their bodies.
“Come on then. The worst part is behind us, and there is still so much more to see,” Gwyn reached out his hand and the group slowly started to follow along, as they walked alongside the main road that was surrounded by the mysterious forest with the stone walls looming behind it on their right.
Indeed it didn't take long for them to make it to the open fields, where a soft breeze of fresh air blew through their hair, letting them marvel at the wonder and peace this world had to offer. Gwyn even spotted a few huge creatures in the distance, that were calmly marching through the open fields. He guessed them to be at least over a hundred feet tall. He ran around the open fields, almost like a child, getting stopped by Delirias before he wandered off too far. While their usual banter followed its course, the honorable knight referred to his partner
“I see how you look at him, and it's not deplorable for you to feel this way.”
“What do you mean?” Leandro twitched a little.
“His carefreeness,” the knight watched Gwyn getting chased by his like-minded aspect. “You hate him for it, don't you?” he said as Leandro remained silent.
“This doesn't concern you, Destare.”
“Yet, you also envy him,” the aspect immediately continued, while ignoring Leandro’s answer.
“I respect you for that, you know? It's not easy admitting your own faults and wanting to be more like someone else. Just remember, that you already can be anyone you want to be,” with a slight chuckle the big knight finished his sentence as they moved along. His human partner was unable to rebut, watching Gwyn who ran through the flowers that were glistening in the moonlight.
“Maybe you're right…” he whispered while almost blushing. “I still don't trust them, but I think it could be worse.”
The captured cultist couldn't remain silent as he overheard their talk and promptly Delirias found his way back to him. All the screaming and struggling didn't help him as the white-haired figure appeared before his face.
“Didn't I warn you? I did, did I?” he turned to Leandro and Destare as they stopped, not even answering before he went on. “See? Even they agree with me.” The captive shook his head, trying to persuade Delirias otherwise, but nobody cared at this point.
“You think you can just get away with attacking my dear, dear Gwynnywinny?” The aspect began to fold a few of his iron chains around his arms. “Do you like my scourge as much as I do? I don't have a lot of experience with it yet, but I try my best.”
“Nn—no… noo,” he mumbled with sweat already starting to pour down his forehead.
“Shhh, this won't hurt much. You'll love it – I promise!” The chains were rustling against each other as D
elirias’ face got closer and closer. “Hey buddy, can you keep a secret? Just between us two lovely chaps?” The cultist was still shaking his head, yet it didn't bother the aspect.
“I think they are being waaay too lenient with your punishment.” He pointed his fingers at Gwyn and Leandro.
“What do you think about me taking care of you, personally? Wouldn't that be much more fun? And since you don't seem to like your freedom, I'm all for chaining your fingers to your toes. Just so you can enjoy the view from down under. Doesn't that just sound fantastic?! You could derive a whole new world of pleasure by being our personal pet,” his grin was getting wider and brighter with every word he spoke.
“Enough, Delirias,” Gwyn intervened upon his return. “We made an agreement with Leandro.” He nodded to him.
“You can chain him up so that he doesn’t bother us anymore, but you have to stop there,” he held up his finger like a concerned parent.
“Alright.” Delirias seemed disappointed as the terror of the man's face let itself out in a loud scream, before he was ultimately silenced by Delirias’ scourge. Shortly after, Destare heaved the chained cultist on his shoulder.
With a slight chuckle by Leandro, they continued their journey, with Gwyn waving towards the giant lizard-like creatures in the distance.
“They almost look like enormous turtles, don't they,” Leandro joked as he pointed out the large vegetation and trees growing on their backs. With their head being sharp and small, almost looking like the beak of a parrot, while orange-red scales glistened underneath the green plants.
As these majestic creatures stumped through the open fields, with the wind slowly caressing their bodies, they almost forgot their worries, if only for one brief moment.
“This world is simply breathtaking, isn't it?” Gwyn said a little out of breath as his enthusiasm and he stopped waving them goodbye.
“Well, I guess if it weren't for all those crazy bastards around…” Leandro mumbled while playing with one of his black locks.
“Don't you underestimate the dangers this world holds a little too much?” he eventually asked.
“Maybe,” Gwyn answered looking very pleased with himself as he looked up into the night sky. “But at least it's my own choice this time…”
Leandro was taken aback by how much he was shocked by Gwyn’s answer.
“I've always wondered what my own path would look like since I can only remember what it's like to be a spectator myself. I always imagined it to be glorious, maybe heroic, yet I feel more like a fool than ever before.” He turned his head back to Leandro and looked him straight into the eye while his began to sparkle with joy.
“But I simply enjoy it way too much to let my inadequacies stop me now.”
Awkwardly Leandro averted his gaze upon realizing how close these words hit home for him. With his head turned to the side he noticed something even he had only briefly seen before.
“Look Gwyn! So it was here after all,” Delirias jumped from one foot to another as he pointed far into the distance, where the coming dawn was already on its way. Bringing forth the day of light to this world once more for a few hours.
“A concept of time that is completely foreign to us, the unified subconsciousness of mankind, huh? This all still seems too surreal to believe, yet here we are.”
Gwyn started to slow down his pace in order to walk next to Leandro and his aspect.
“I'm really glad you're here with me,” Gwyn said. “Even though I'm excited, that doesn't mean I'm not shitting my pants nearly every moment.” That wry and shy smile on Gwyn’s face almost made Leandro sympathize with him.
“Ha, so you're not as much of an idiot as I thought you were,” Leandro laughed with him.
“Don't worry – I'm the greatest idiot of them all.” Gwyn felt the blood and dirt in his unkempt, greasy hair as he swept through it, remembering what they left behind.
“Please remember that you're free to go your own way anytime. If you wish to leave, we can do that as soon as we reach Magnus,” his smile started to vanish.
“We'll see,” Leandro almost immediately followed up. “I can sort of understand what you're going through, and to be honest I don't think being alone is that good either.”
Gwyn lightened up, but Leandro hadn't finished.
“But what is it with you and that aspect of yours? I know they are supposed to be some weird part of ourselves, yet I fail to see that somehow,” he raised his eyebrows, as all three of them were watching Delirias, who was still jumping ahead while joyously whistling to himself.
“I don't get it myself. Maybe they are not only a part of us but someone we need as well? I haven't come up with a good idea so far, and I don't suppose your aspect has told you anything more insightful either,” Gwyn looked up to the mighty Destare that was silently walking beside them.
“Not really,” Leandro sighed. “It's just one mystery after another.”
“Hey, you two lovebirds, look what I've found,” Delirias shouted as he raced on top of a small hill.
They couldn't believe their as eyes as they eventually caught up after mobilizing the last bit of strength in their legs. Ever closer were the varying colors and houses that were presenting themselves surrounded by large stone walls, making the huge city before them even more imposing. It felt as if they traveled back in time to a place where baroque architecture was still reigning supreme.
Most of the city entrance could be seen by looking through the city gate that imposingly stood at the end of the road. The gigantic structure made the impression of being immaculately prepared, build while being concerned with every little detail.
Fine-looking shops, paved streets, and noble-looking buildings were promised on the inside. Nothing was missing in quality. Even the stone wall of the city had been decorated and solemnly crested. Crosses were chiseled into the stone with added spikes, spears and statues. Festive banners and ribbons were hanging from every nook and cranny. Colorful glowing lanterns were moving in the wind, impressing the two young men, as the whole city started to glow in the light of the rising sun. Clean and in place, everything had a neat look to it, as the last gas lamps were turned off in favor of the overwhelming presence of the morning sun. With ever widening eyes they were closing in on the giant archway of the Magnus’ entrance.
“It's almost like a fairy tale,” Leandro whispered, as even he was impressed.
“Indeed, it's remarkable, to say the least,” Gwyn replied as they stepped through the seemingly empty archway.
“Not so fast, fine gentleman,” a lively voice resounded through their ears.
“Huhuhu, eager guests on the lookout for a piece of the fruit of paradise,” another fancy voice could be heard that came from a different direction.
“Who is there?!” Leandro yelled in an annoyed tonality, as Gwyn joined his side. But nobody answered or could be seen. The only people they could make out were the Personas that were roaming the streets, preparing their shops and turning of the last remaining lights. Around Gwyn and Leandro was nothing but the massive stone walls and two big statues that were embedded into the two pillars of the gate. They were chiseled in the form of enormous eagles which were spreading their wings around the whole gate and beyond, while their imposing look intimidated the two young men.
“Do not be afraid. Every guest is welcome when the ball asks for attendance. This magical time that brings forth the most elegant of emotions,” another unknown voice joined the fray.
“Oh, how I adore this time, even though it is relative as well,” the second voice added.
Gwyn tried to stay on top of things, but he seemed distracted as he caught Delirias grinning in the corner of his eye. This could only mean two things – either they had nothing to worry about, or that the situation could escalate at any time.
“If that’s true, then show your goddamn faces,” Leandro was getting impatient as he walked in place.
“Huhuhuh, demanding. I like that. I hope you can still say that
when the night falls,” the fancy voice said, again coming out of nowhere, surprising both of them as a gestalt started to consort with them.
“Humans are truly something unique, isn't that right?” it magically came from behind them as another figure appeared.
“Though we have to keep in mind that every guest is welcome in the stronghold of the elite. We are incomparable. We are exceptional. We are unique!” it echoed joyfully from above.
Now even the third figure was revealing himself. Comfortably he strutted on the head of the eagle statue. With a staff coated in twinkling jewels in it's hand it moved back and forth. All three of them were dapperly clothed, dressed in fine suits. Each with a different pattern. Colored in black, with a coat of red, purple, and yellow. Excellently crafted dark leather ankle boots were ensnaring their feet, whereas their suits were bejeweled with golden star-like paradigms reaching even as far as their collars. The most striking thing about their appearance was the distinctive porcelain masks and pearl-white gloves made out of silk.
For a brief moment, none of them spoke a word until the first glimpse of fascination was gone. With a vast gust of wind, one which Gwyn was pretty familiar with at this point, the three characters were posing in front of them with a uniform choreography. The staff leader was in the middle with his black and purple suit. The black and yellow one on the left, while the black and red one was on their right.
The two on the sides were bending their arms and legs, spreading their fingers and pressing their backs against each other, so that it looked like they awkwardly melted into a single entity with three masks.
The masks itself were outfitted with small slits for their eyes and mouths, formed like they were always laughing. Drowned in an almost obnoxious coat of pearl white, with the only unique feature being a single teardrop under their right eye in the distinct color of their suit.
“Welcome to the otherworldly spectacle of Lord Pride. A festival unlike any other. Here it doesn't matter if you are a human or a Persona. Everyone with that special something shall be our guest,” the mask with the purple teardrop proclaimed.
Death's Gambling Page 25
