9 Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Sanctuary of Paradise

Scarlett was immersed in deep thoughts when Edward and his entourage walked in. They were appalled when graced by Scarlett and Lucas's amorous tryst. In the crime lab no less. The new recruits flushed and flustered from the intimate touch between the pair of lunatic hounds. Edward and Fang, who were used to their erratic stunts, pulled themselves together after the first shock. His men, however, suffered more damage than just a simple surprise.

They were petrified. His men were still greenhorns who required guidance in many things. They had excused themselves from their presence, insisting they would be waiting for the captain in the hallway.

"What the hell, Lucas." Edward's tone was monotonous and straightforward. "An exhibitionist fest?"

"Oh, Edward. Wanna join? It's five dollars per entry." Lucas winked, wrapping his arms tighter around Scarlett. Edward was horrified at Lucas's joke. He wanted to slam himself into the reinforced walls. Even Dr Martin had choked on his coffee.

"I'm sorry. I was an idiot to even ask." Edward raised his hands, renouncing his loss.

Startled by Edward and his entourage's presence, Scarlett elbowed Lucas in the sides. Putting on her usual poker face, she handed Edward the files with a straight face. Everyone could see the slight tint of blush under her cheeks when she turned away.

"Hands off!"

Lucas let out a soft chuckle. "To think there'll be a day where I will see you embarrassed. You've changed, Scarlett."

A booming thud and more crude comments later, Scarlett was dissatisfied with the fact that she had been assigned an undercover mission. It started when Fang discovered an article stuck among Ellie's articles. It was an article on a pageant event exclusive for celebrities, rich upperclassmen and millionaires.

Scarlett and Lucas squinted their eyes to examine the article down to its tiniest detail. Despite its disturbing contents, what was more worrisome was the mysterious organization's trademark at the bottom of the page. It was extremely small and blended in with the background colors, camouflaging the true purpose of the article. Hence, it was understandable why the analysis crew had overlooked the miniscule detail.

"Good idea," Edward had smirked. He clapped his hands together. "Scarlett, go have some fun."

Scarlett glared at Edward. "Why?!"

The people around her wore a look that said 'I-know-it-all'. It was old news that Lucas was after Scarlett Ko. The older recruits and higher-ups couldn't remember how many times Scarlett made attempts to escape from Lucas. And not once, her escape was a success. Her undertakes were nugatory, despite being the ace touted to be the next general of the Public Security Bureau.

From the corner of her eye, Scarlett swore Lucas and Edward planned it all. Good luck.

Left without a choice, Scarlett reluctantly accepted the undercover mission. The destination was an unmarked remote island on the west coast. A place that existed nowhere, and yet a land that takes shape anywhere.

The Sanctuary of Paradise.

Scarlett was dissatisfied. Being pulled by Lucas's arm, the pair hopped onto the next boat which heads for the mysterious island. Scarlett and Lucas knitted their brows together as they watched people onboard. All of them had lost their 'light', were giggling, their eldritch smile curled without particular reason. Everything about it was strange.

Scarlett stared at the card they were given by the clerks at the entrance. A small invitation. Made of simple black cardboard materials, a black card with gold rims. The words printed in gold that read: WELCOME TO ZION. DO YOU WISH TO GO TO NIRVANA?

Lucas and Scarlett exchanged puzzling looks. The ship soon departed from the shore, with its impressive hull wadded into the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean. It wasn't long before the ship vanished into the thick sea fog. It stirred their interest when the officials at the port never turned around, nor found fault with a ship with a variety of suspicious characters onboard.

They made a mental note to find out why.

Scarlett and Lucas found home on a battered couch. The corner of the second floor run-down, the electricity power malfunctioned. The darker and less welcoming atmosphere suited them perfectly. It alleviated blatant risks of their undercover being exposed. They took the right opportunity to observe everyone, and everything, down to its finest detail with their discerning sight.

"Only this once," Scarlett had hissed at Lucas. Lucas was complacent, that Scarlett had willingly come with him. It was a rare chance for them to be together. Despite her begrudging hisses and scornful jeers, he knows more than anyone, Scarlett was the perfect choice. Her excellent expertise is something that warranted praiseworthy and prestige recognition.

A smirk was painted on his attractive features. He knew he was one of the few that that garnered Scarlett's attention. "Why, thank you."

"It's not a compliment!" Scarlett retorted.

The people consisted of people from diverse backgrounds, ranging from young children to elderly. The tension increased skyrocketed when they felt the ship's touch-down, anchoring near the sea bay. It was no longer the same view they appreciated at the Amestris Port. The clear waters were replaced with black. This was what the view on the 'other end' must look like.

"What is this?!" Lucas becoming nervous and restless. It was like magic. An invisible ship and now a black river. It was as if he had walked into a fairy tale.

"Pitch-black water, and goblins, servants of the Cerberus, Guardian of Zion. This is the River of Styx." Scarlett deduced.

It was their first time witnessing that many goblins in a single view. It was rare and an exotic skill for humans to be able to see goblins. Those who did were those who are approaching their end, their souls wandering between the gaps of two worlds.

They watched people crossed the questioned river with grim faces. All of them held a simple peach-shaped tangerine lantern as they drifted across to the other side. Those were the eyes of hope that longed for the rumored 'Festival of Elysia'. Soon enough, Lucas and Scarlett were the only ones without a lantern.

Lucas and Scarlett observed the surroundings curiously as they silently crossed the blackened stream. They were the last to pass through the entrance. The pair frowned as they followed the crowd into the bustling streets. Scarlett's intuition was always accurate.

The amount of missing people reports was consistent with the days when the Gates are visible, during the lunar moon eclipse. The eclipse occurs twice a year, and both times, an abnormal amount of people had gone missing during those times. And today, 28 July, was the day when the entrance to the mysterious land would emerge. Edward must have realized it and dispatched their best specialist to uncover the truth.

For both Lucas and Scarlett, sneaking into the enemy's territory was child's play. Both were startled and transfixed at how different it was on the inside. They were simply amazed.

"What… what is this?"

Scarlett took apart of the nearest corner, one with a black signboard that says 'Secrets'. Based on its exterior, anyone could tell it was a coffee bar. Lucas was appalled at her impulsiveness. "What are you doing?!"

His panic was for nought. The café repaired and reconstructed itself, as if a spell had been casted over their eyes. They exchanged puzzled glances, making sure what they saw wasn't a mere illusion. Even the people inside had no memory what had happened to them, carrying on with their lives, as if the destruction never happened to begin with.

"This must be the heart of Zion, the Empire of Zero." Lucas finally concluded. It was the only explanation. "The legendary hidden realm, Zion. Once upon a time, it went by a different name. People call it the Land of Souls."

Both Scarlett and Lucas gazed far into the horizon. A large shadow which stood at the peak of the highest mountaintop.

The design and infrastructure fit the bill. Right at the top of the mountain, stood the royal palace. They figured it must be where the festival would be held. It makes them uneasy watching the people being satisfied and complacent, seeking 'paradise' that was promised upon reaching the illusionary summit.

"It's useless loitering around and cracking our heads here. Why don't we see it for ourselves? The almighty God that grants people 'paradise'." Lucas wore a gleeful smug. "I'm excited to experience what comes next!"

The royal palace was majestic, just like the rumors described it to be. People from all over the place gather at the royal palace twice a year, the day of the lunar eclipse. There were men, women, children, and the elderly. And none of them stood out particularly. Scarlett and Lucas wore sceptical looks as they boldly stride into the palace courtyard.

It was shiny and sparkly. Meticulous and deliberately decorated to the lord's taste, everything was a piece of artwork. It was magnificent. A dance ball gala just like they had expected. Lucas and Scarlett swore they heard faint whispers at their ears when they manoeuvred through the sheer number of people. A shadow figure leaned against the shiny railing had a smug plastered as he watched the fortuitous appearance of the two. It must be fate that had brought them here.

Welcome home, beloved children of Zion.

"Lucas…" Scarlett muttered.

Lucas nodded. She wasn't the only one. Ten out of ten, they had recognized familiar faces had passed by. "These people must have been on the missing list. However, I sense an older, and a more ancient presence coming from these people. They could've been here for more than ten years."

Scarlett and Lucas wore a poker face as they pondered on their new findings. It was worth the risk to infiltrate the mysterious land. Then, the music stopped, and the chattering paused. Everyone had their attention on the lord, who had decided to make his appearance. The lord of the castle was surprisingly a gentle-looking young man in his early thirties.

Scarlett frowned when the black card she received when they boarded the ship. The card glowed; a screen popped in their bewildered faces. It was a choice they had to make. The prayer to reach nirvana. Scarlett and Lucas reasoned it was something along those lines.

YES OR NO

"What should we do?" Scarlett had mouthed, her bare whisper reached Lucas's sharp ears. It was something they had never expected. An incident beyond human power, it was excogitated as the Almighty God intended.

People who chose 'YES' vanished one by one, none of their remnants remained. Scarlett and Lucas watched the beginning of the 'festival' in horror. They were obliterated! Soon enough, Lucas and Scarlett were the only ones left in the banquet.

"So, what will your answer be, human child?" the lord asked.

The lord had frowned when he laid his emerald eyes on the pair. Trepidations writhed, visible in the lord's slight frown. "You… no, it cannot be."

Lucas and Scarlett exchanged appalled glances. This was the truth behind the praised 'Festival of Elysia'. Everything became clear when their trained insight laid their attention on the lord's attendants. A familiar face, and the most influential man in the continent of Wisteria.

"Lord Loki…" Scarlett faltered.

Loki Collins. He was Scarlett's father, Ko Qing An's associate, and the man who acknowledged Scarlett's supreme excellent skills. More than anyone, he was the man who trained her to be an excellent martial artist.

He was Scarlett's mentor.