Chapter 9

The sun pierced through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Lockey's face as he stirred from his slumber. His eyes fluttered open, a sense of urgency and purpose flooding his mind as he remembered the events of the previous day. He quickly rose from his bed, determination etched on his features.Lockey ventured out into the bustling city streets, weaving through the crowd with a list of supplies etched in his mind. The aroma of fresh bread and pastries wafted through the air as he made his way to the market, his senses heightened by the knowledge that he was being pursued. He cautiously perused the various stalls, the clinking of coins and the murmurs of haggling filling his ears as he gathered the items he required.As Lockey finished his shopping and started back home, a familiar voice called out to him from the shadows. He spun around, his eyes scanning the alleyway until they landed on the figure of Pinnochi.Lockey's gaze hardened, his muscles tensed as he considered the danger before him. "What does a WCM want with me this time?" he thought, his mind flashing back to the hidden cameras he had discovered in his house.Pinnochi stepped forward, a twisted grin on his face. "Relax, I'm not here to arrest you or anything," he said, his eyes gleaming with a hint of madness. "I'm here to make a deal."Lockey narrowed his eyes, his hand gripping the bag of groceries tightly. "So, what is it you want from me?" he asked, his voice cold and steady.Pinnochi's grin widened, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Well, if the boss knew, I'd say hand over the book. But since he doesn't, I'll make my own deal." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've been spying on you ever since we met, and now, I've finally seen what we wanted."Lockey's impatience grew, his jaw clenching in frustration. "I get your point, so stop dragging the conversation back and forth."Pinnochi chuckled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I simply want a one-on-one battle. I've heard how strong you are from the likes of us. If you win, I'll clear your case, meaning you'll be free from WCM investigation. But if you lose, you have no choice but to surrender the book."Lockey considered the offer, his mind weighing the risks and benefits. After a moment, he nodded in agreement. "Then I accept."As the two adversaries faced off in the secluded alleyway, the air crackled with tension. Lockey assumed a defensive stance, his trusty dagger gleaming in the dim light. Pinnochi mirrored his opponent, his own weapon dripping with an array of lethal poisons.With a sudden burst of speed, Lockey lunged forward, his dagger slicing through the air with precision. Pinnochi deftly dodged the attack, his maniacal laughter echoing off the walls as he retaliated with a series of swift strikes. Lockey's reflexes were razor-sharp, his dagger intercepting each poisoned blade with a resounding clang.The battle raged on, each fighter pushing their limits as they exchanged blows. Pinnochi's attacks grew increasingly desperate, his eyes darting to the precious book concealed within Lockey's coat. Lockey could sense his opponent's impatience and capitalized on it, feigning exhaustion before launching a powerful counterattack.His dagger sliced through Pinnochi's defences, a shallow cut forming on the WCM officer's arm. The poison within his blade seeped into the wound, causing Pinnochi to stumble back in shock. Lockey pressed his advantage, his movements a blur as he unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes.With one final, powerful slash, Lockey sent Pinnochi's dagger clattering to the ground. The WCM officer sank to his knees, his strength sapped by the very poison he had intended for his foe. Lockey stood over his fallen opponent, his breathing heavy but triumphant."I believe you have a deal to uphold," Lockey said, sheathing his dagger as he retrieved the book from his coat. Pinnochi glared up at him, a mixture of hatred and grudging respect flashing in his eyes as he nodded in agreement.Pinnochi, his voice laced with a mix of resentment and admiration, addressed the victorious Lockey. "Well, you have won, so I must keep my promise. But be careful; you may be free now, but that doesn't mean you aren't still a suspect."Lockey had emerged victorious, securing his freedom from the WCM and protecting the book. As he vanished into the night, the shadows seemed to whisper tales of his triumph, the echoes of his battle fading into legend.As the sun rose on a new day, Lockey's life began to return to some semblance of normalcy, though the shadows of his recent experiences still lingered in his mind. The Fairy Tale Guild resumed their usual activities, their bonds strengthened by the trials they had faced together.The hall's door creaked open, revealing Lockey's silhouette as he stepped into the room. A small smile tugged at his lips as he took in the familiar sight of his friends, his eyes meeting Adam's as he offered a nod of acknowledgment. "It's good to be back," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of his recent experiences.Adam's face brightened upon seeing Lockey, his hand raised in greeting as he called out to his friend. "You weren't in school for a day," he observed, a hint of concern colouring his tone. Lockey's gaze softened as he approached the group, his hands tucked into his pockets. "I just had some things to take care of," he explained, his voice low and measured.Marco's booming voice interrupted their conversation as he burst into the hall, causing Adam to wince and gesture for him to lower his volume. "Keep your voice down, Marco," Adam chided, his eyes scanning the room to ensure no one else had been startled by the intrusion.Lockey raised an eyebrow at Marco's dramatic entrance, his curiosity piqued by the latest news Marco had brought with him. "Did you hear about the killing of teenage girls?" Marco asked, his voice now reduced to a more manageable level.Adam nodded solemnly, his gaze meeting Lockey's as he shared the rumors circulating in the city. "There are rumors that it was actually a cult organization called Chrono Lux," he revealed, his voice laced with concern.Lockey's interest grew as he absorbed this new information, his mind flashing back to his own encounters with the mysterious cult. "I see," he murmured, his tone contemplative. "Do any of you know anything about this Chrono Lux?"Marco and Adam exchanged glances, both shaking their heads in unison. "Not really sure myself," Marco admitted, "but they are really bad."Lockey's gaze grew distant as he considered this new threat to the city and the potential danger it posed to his friends. "I see," he murmured, his tone contemplative. Though his curiosity was piqued, he found himself hesitant to involve his friends in yet another dangerous endeavour.Adam and Marco exchanged glances, their concern for Lockey evident in their eyes. Despite their unspoken desire to investigate the mysterious cult, they respected Lockey's decision and refrained from pushing the matter further.In the days that followed, Lockey occupied himself with various tasks, delving into personal studies and assisting the Fairy Tale Guild with more mundane matters. Though the spectre of Chrono Lux lingered in his thoughts, he chose not to act upon his suspicions, wary of the risks involved in investigating such a powerful organization.As time passed, Lockey's friends noticed a change in his demeanour. His once unwavering determination had given way to quiet contemplation and introspection. It was clear that his recent experiences had left a lasting impact on his outlook.The members of the Fairy Tale Guild continued their daily routines, their bond of friendship and loyalty forged stronger in the face of adversity. Though the mysteries surrounding Chrono Lux remained unsolved, they focused on the immediate needs of their community, trusting that Lockey would speak up when the time was right.