Trailing The Shadows

As the skies were shrouded in a deluge of rain, and the clouds cast a gloomy hue over the land, a young woman pressed her fair cheek against the chill glass of the window. Her hands felt the bitter cold of the dew that clung to the pane, and her face was etched with worry. Her gentle breath fogged the window as if even her soul was being chilled by the storm.

Suddenly, a tiny mouse scurried forth from its hiding place under the bed. Its nose twitched as it scanned the room, before bounding onto the chair, the table, and finally, perching upon the shoulder of the young woman.

The sound of a knock echoed through the room, followed by the call of a familiar voice, "Sarahhhhh?" Sarah recognizes the voice as that of Kisaki, her dear friend. "Kisaki? Come in," she beckons.

As Kisaki entered the room, the mouse that had been keeping Sarah company scampered away. Kisaki was drenched from the rain, yet not a drop of water fell to the floor as she approached Sarah. Excitedly, Kisaki began to share her latest discovery, "Sarah! That's right! He is-"

But before Kisaki could finish her sentence, Sarah enveloped her in a warm towel, shielding her from the bitterly cold wind. Kisaki's teeth chattered as she spoke, but the tight embrace of the towel provided warmth. Then she tightens the towel for warmth. Kisaki's charming face emerged from the gap in the towel, she is blushing saying, "Thank you ...."

"I don't like cold. So warm yourself first before speaking. Don't let yourself be cold like the letter B!" Sarah chuckled, winking playfully.

"Huh?" Kisaki tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face.

"Ah never mind. I know it wasn't funny," Sarah spoke with a melancholic lilt, her mirthful intention lost upon the ears of her listeners. The glimmer in her eye faded as she came to grasp that her attempt at humor had missed its mark.

Why does the letter B shiver in chill? For in the annals of the alphabet, it finds itself sandwiched between A and C, symbolizing an AC, or the Air Conditioner.

Sarah reached for a parchment scroll that lay on the tabletop. She beckoned Kisaki to take a seat in the nearby chair. Obliging, Kisaki settled onto the seat, her legs bent and a fluffy towel draped around her form to protect her from the chill. Soaked garments lay in a heap on the floor, leaving Kisaki partially dressed in lighter attire.

Kisaki's gaze was fixed upon the scroll that now blazed with magical energy, a circle of fire igniting from its center. Sarah then returned with a steaming cup, offering it to Kisaki before settling into the chair at her side. With a soft, sorrowful tone in her voice, Sarah asked, "Is it true?" Her gaze fixed upon the source of warmth provided by the scroll's fire.

Kisaki took a sip from the warm, comforting drink, and her taste buds were greeted with the familiar and beloved flavor of rich, decadent chocolate. She felt her heart lift in joy, ready to express her delight, but the moment was short-lived as she gazed upon Sarah's eyes, which were filled with a melancholic glimmer. Kisaki realized that Sarah's tone had shifted to one of sorrow and despair.

Kisaki fell silent as she gazed into the steaming cup of chocolate in her hands. Sarah's sorrowful gaze weighed heavy upon her, and she struggled to form the words she needed to say. "The truth is a fleeting thing," Kisaki began, her voice soft and indecisive. "After delving deeper into my investigation ... I cannot say for certain if what I have discovered is good or ill news." She hesitated before continuing, "Mité and some Annas are here. They were a part of the intelligence unit. This only makes our search for the truth more difficult, Sarah." Kisaki took a delicate sip from her cup, the warmth of the drink spreading through her body.

The warm glow of the fire from the magical scroll illuminated the room, casting a warm, cozy light upon Sarah and Kisaki. The two sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, sipping on their mugs of rich, velvety chocolate. The stillness of the moment was broken only by the occasional sound of a log shifting in the fire.

Sarah spoke first, breaking the quiet with her soft, yet concerned voice, "That's a very suitable place for his abilities." Kisaki nodded but remained silent, unsure of what to say. She gazed into the flickering light of the fire, her mind filled with worries and concerns.

Moments stretched into minutes and minutes into hours as the two sat in silence. The room was hushed, devoid of any sounds save for the gentle crackling of the magical scroll's flame. The air hung thick with unease and unspoken words, as the two companions pondered their next steps in this journey.

After the peaceful stillness had passed, Kisaki retreated to the solace of her chamber. She reclined upon the soft mattress, adjusting her form in search of comfort. Her hand reached out, seeking the embrace of a warm coverlet to shield her from the chill of the night. Though her form was restless, she beat her head against the pillows in frustration at her own silence.

Kisaki's hands were tangled in her golden locks, as she struggled to find peace within her mind. She chided herself for her silence in the presence of her dear friend, Sarah. Her heart ached for the pain that Sarah bore in her pursuit of Mité, a heartless and uncaring soul. Kisaki's thoughts swirled like a tempest, unable to grasp why Sarah's love for him was so unwavering. And so, she lay there, tossing and turning, her brow furrowed in a mixture of frustration and concern.

As she lay in her bed, the cool embrace of slumber finally claimed her. With a heavy heart, she whispered a prayer for her friend, "I don't know. Even if it wasn't enough, I would do anything for you. Good night, Sarah." And with that, Kisaki closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the realm of dreams.

Time marched on, and the soft pitter-patter of tiny feet echoed throughout Sarah's chamber as a band of mice scurried across the floor. Approaching her bedside, the mice chattered amongst themselves in a high-pitched murmur, as though trying to awaken the slumbering Sarah. But despite their efforts, she remained lost in her dreams. Until, one mouse took it upon itself to nibble at her ear, jolting her awake.

With a start, Sarah opened her eyes to find the mice chattering away, as though imparting some urgent news. Quickly rising from her bed, Sarah swept the mice aside and raced across the room, her heart pounding in her chest. Throwing open the window, she beheld the rain-soaked night, the gentle patter of raindrops falling upon the earth. Without hesitation, Sarah grabbed her rain cloak and fled from the room, slipping out into the night like a whisper in the wind.

The light particles shimmer and dance, illuminating Tobias as she stirs from slumber. A curious, clean-cut square-patterned line splits the earth and wall, extending inward in all directions. The rain pattered gently against the ground, a gentle whisper in the still of the night. All was silent and still, and Tobias found herself completely alone in the eerie emptiness.

The raindrop cascaded down Tobias' raven locks, and a voice as sharp as a blade cut through the still air. "What art thou?" inquired Bell, their face inches away from Tobias, eyes blazing with suspicion. Tobias shuddered, her eyes widening, pupils frozen in terror. Yet, despite the ferocity of Inietta's attack, Tobias emerged unscathed, not a scratch marring her skin though her garments lay in tattered ruins around her. "Rise," commanded Bell, offering no aid as Tobias struggled to regain her footing.

Tobias rose to her feet with ease. Despite the appearance of unscathed skin, the inner turmoil of pain may have still simmered within. Yet, to Tobias' surprise, her body remained steadfast, showing no signs of tremors or weakness in the aftermath of such a brutal assault.

Tobias gazed upon Bell in befuddlement as the latter stroked his chin in contemplation. With a stoic expression, Bell proclaimed, "Ah, so I see. Despite thy fair visage, thou art a boy." Tobias hastened to conceal himself, not comprehending the words that fell from Bell's lips.

Bell's eyes glinted with a hint of foreboding as his finger brushed against Tobias' forehead. "Hark thee well, young one," he spoke in a voice both reassuring and ominous. "If Ephi trusts in thee, then I shall not stand in thy way. But break her trust, and thou shalt rue the day." Tobias stood in silent contemplation, his mind awhirl with the enigmatic words spoken by Bell.

Bell gestured towards Tobias, and from the depths of his hand, a stream of ebon essence flowed forth, swirling around Tobias in a frenzied dance. The black particles coalesced, forming a sleek and simple jet-black garb that encased Tobias's form.

"Bear her with thee," Bell commanded, gesturing towards the slumbering form of Inietta. Tobias hoisted the maiden onto his back with ease, and Bell, in turn, cradled the fragile form of Ephi.

Sarah's boots tread upon the rooftop as she appeared, her gaze falling upon the two figures carrying their unconscious burdens. Her mind quickly raced, surmising that they must be agents of the intelligence unit.

As Bell and Tobias ventured forth, a flicker of recognition crossed Bell's features as he became aware of Sarah's presence. Yet, he remained unfazed, his countenance impassive as he chose to disregard her presence.

The clang of switches echoed throughout the land. Windows aglow, as though a thousand stars had fallen from the sky to light the homes of the people. A tremor shakes the earth, thought by many to be a fierce quake, causing the masses to pour forth from their dwellings in a frenzied rush. From doorways and back alleys, they spill out into the streets, but the remnants of the battle have vanished like a whisper in the wind. The earth and walls are restored to their pristine form, unmarred by the violence that had once claimed the land.

Sarah trailed after the duo, aloft upon the rooftop. With hushed breath and watchful gaze, she spied upon them as they made their way to a humble abode. And with nary a sound, the door of the home shut fast, sealing Bell and Tobias within. Undeterred, Sarah leaped down from her perch, landing lightly upon the earth. With stealthy grace, she pressed her ear to the door, straining to hear any hint of their presence within. When no sound emerged, she cautiously pushed the door open, peering into the darkness within. The room was empty, devoid of furnishings or adornments, save for a single door at its far end.

Sarah ventured forth into the darkened chamber, each step was taken with cautious, silent footfalls. As she pressed her ear against each door, listening intently for any hint of life beyond, she was met with only emptiness and the echoing echoes of her own footsteps. Time and time again, she opened the next door, only to find herself in the same desolate room.

Sarah's heart raced as she felt a growing unease. Tossing aside her rain-drenched cloak, she began to sprint madly through the labyrinth of identical rooms, flinging open door after door in search of something. And then, she came upon a sight so unbelievable that it left her breathless.

In a state of utter disbelief, Sarah stood frozen on a chilly night, beads of sweat rolling down her panicked face. Her gaze fixated upon the raincoat she had cast aside in a fit of frenzied urgency just moments before. "Wait ... What the!" she exclaimed in a panicked whisper. The sight of her discarded garment, now appearing before her very eyes, was enough to send shivers down her spine. The air around her grew heavy and oppressive, and she felt as though she was trapped in a never-ending nightmare.

Amidst the darkness of the never-ending night, Sarah stumbled upon a horror beyond measure. In am eerieness, She raced through the endless hallways. Her breaths grew shallow and her heart raced with terror, for she realized she was trapped within an endless cycle of doors and rooms. Horror set in as she sprinted forward, the echoes of her footsteps ringing through the halls. The sight of her discarded raincoat, a symbol of her past, only served to heighten her fear. Every time she thought she had found her way out, she was met with the same daunting sight. For the first time, the very essence of infinity was laid bare before her eyes. Sarah comprehended the true meaning of infinity, and it was a terror that defied all description.

Bell gazed upon the ebon bangle that materialized in his grasp, as he and Tobias strode down the grand halls of the magnificent mansion. As they traversed the corridor, with its numerous windows that gazed out upon rolling fields of verdant green, the silver light of the moon washed in, casting brilliant rectangles of illumination upon the floor.

Passing through chambers of opulent splendor, the duo eventually arrived at a room abundant with adornments and housing a formidable armoire, its window offering a direct view of the great outdoors. Therein, a magnificent bed with a delicate canopy of silken netting was the centerpiece of the room.

Bell carefully placed Ephi on the luxurious bed, her body nestled amidst the plush pillows and silken linens. Tobias' gaze roamed about the room, taking in all the adornments that surrounded him. Dolls of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves, while open wardrobes offered a bounty of garments, each crafted to perfectly fit the form of the fair Ephi.

With a delicate touch, Bell summoned forth Ephi's lost limb and banished all wounds from her form. It was as if the injuries never existed, and vanished into nothingness. He tenderly brushed her hair from her face and spoke in a hushed tone, "The gentle breeze that once coursed through her veins has stilled. It has been several days since last I heard from Aeria, and so I must set out to find her. I vow to you, I shall spare no expense and leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of your happiness and well-being." The words hung heavy in the air, charged with a quiet determination.

"Then where should I lay her??" Tobias questioned, still holding Inietta's slumbering form. His words interrupted Bell's gentle caress of Ephi's hair, eliciting a sharp glare from the latter. Bell's eyes narrowed, his disdain for Tobias growing with each passing moment. Tobias' actions, combined with his ignorance, only served to further diminish Bell's respect for him.

Bell rose and gestured for Tobias to follow. With a single step, they traversed down the dimly lit hallway, their way lit by flickering candlelight along the walls. They descended a long staircase, their feet sinking into the soft stone steps. At the bottom of the staircase, Bell's hand reached out to grasp the rusted iron door, its creaking protest echoing in their ears.

Before them, stood the bars of a prison cell, their shadows stretching far into the distance. Bell emerged a swirl of black particles that coalesced to unlock the door. He instructed Tobias to lay Inietta upon the ground, unadorned and desolate, within the cell's cold embrace.

Tobias's voice trailed off as he gazed upon the desolate prison chamber, its cold iron bars a symbol of its bleak emptiness. The flickering of two lone candles cast a dim light upon the chamber, illuminating nothing more than the starkness of its walls. Despite his reservations, Bell commanded Tobias to enter and lay the culprit, Inietta, within.

But Tobias's feet refused to move, rooted to the threshold of the door. "Isn't this too much?" he protested, "She may have inflicted harm upon Ephi, but-"

"Verily, who hath proclaimed her solitude?" Bell said as he thrust Tobias forward, sending him tumbling into the prison with Inietta still in tow. With a resounding clang, the metal door shut fast, sealing the two within its cold embrace. Tobias's plea fell on deaf ears, his voice swallowed by the deafening ring of the iron door.

Bell's steps echoed through the empty halls, his piercing gaze trained forward as he ascended the stairs toward his next destination. "With this, all distractions shall be silenced," he spoke with a voice as cold as the stone beneath his feet.