Chapter 508: Arc 6, - 124: The In Between

Chapter 508: Arc 6, Chapter 124: The In Between

"It’s a trap," Fumeko uttered with an arm resting on her head.

Hotaru placed her tea cup carefully back onto the saucer, and looked over at the brunette lounging on the sofa across from her, "Hm?"

"The key," Fumeko replied.

The hollow sound of a ticking clock, the refrigerator running in the kitchen, the bulb above their head—all the white noise left at the midnight hour, with them two alone in the living room.

The brunette stirred in the sofa like a coiling snake and continued, "We found a trail that they now know we’re following. So they sent a knight, gave us a way in, and we’re gonna follow."

"But the tattoo—there’s no way they’d know that we’d know; or, you know."

"They know we would’ve figured it out; are we talking about the same cult here?"

"So are they underestimating you or overestimating you?"

"Both."

"And we’re still going to walk in?"

"What other choice do we have?"

"Not to?"

Fumeko sighed and leaned back in the sofa. "We have to play their game. They got us with the courthouse scare, and they lead us to the ascension of Beauregard.

...Jotou is very good at playing against an opponent’s game, and she will spin, and talk, and play it, till with sheer determination she makes the game her own. Beauregard faced the consequences because Ceridwen wanted to, and is still, playing a game with Jotou.

We don’t have her now. Our two offensive casters—one’s an expert level screamer who can barely direct where her echoes land without hitting everything else in her path, and the other is a, sometimes smart, fucking idiot; and both of them belong in a theatre.

Me, you and Sobi are the most reliable people we can count on right now. Even then there’s me, who can’t use her magic, and has a gun and a knife against pure sorcery, the likes of which we’ve never seen; and you, whether you wanna accept it or not, who is a mess."

The redhead put a finger up, "I’d say I’ve made some significant progress, but point taken."

"Sobi’s powerful, and might be the only chance we have at dealing with whatever comes. She’s a spectacular liar and a better performer, but I think the best chance she has is within the confines of their game," Fumeko pursed her lips.

...

"That’s it?" Hotaru stated more so than asked. "We walk straight into their trap while putting all our bets on Asobi?" her ears folded down.

"I trust her tricks," Fumeko stared. "Regardless, we’re not putting all our bets on Asobi, we have ourselves too, I’m just saying it’s gonna be rough. We need to focus on our main target. We need to find Jotou and Kineko, everything else comes after."

"And if we can’t find them? In this location we have no clue about? And no way of knowing how to navigate?" the wolf-woman posed.

"Then we’ll figure it out."

"Meko."

"What?"

"I suggest we be patient. Detective Rose is still out there, maybe we can get more information before we storm in. Your father’s funeral is tomorrow-"

"And the cult will act."

"Then we’re gonna have to face them one way or the other, either by trap or ambush," Hotaru furrowed her brows. "What about Detective Aetherton, or Ward? Or Alicia even," she snarled to say the name. "We have powerful resources to work with."

"But lack the facilities to change anything with it."

"I beg to differ."

Fumeko’s shoulders went high, "We have the direct key to their doorstep, we can go to the orphanage, hell, we’ll inform Lady Pinberry of every little thing we’re doing if that makes it all better and legal.

Every precaution you wanna set, let’s say we do—what changes Hotaru? You think we’re gonna get a jump on the Deuctus Cult?"

"Yes!" Hotaru affirmed.

"And what makes you say that?"

"You. You’re the difference. You keep saying Jotou can do this, Jotou can do that, but who got us to South End? Who infiltrated their operation so that Jotou and Ceridwen had the opportunity to play the game or whatever you want to call it?

It started with your father, and it continues with you," she pointed. "You think the Unknown’s plan was to be got by your father? I ensure you, I want to find Jotou more than anyone else, but not risk everyone else’s life in the process."

"You wouldn’t’ve said that a week ago," Fumeko said as her eyes glazed over.

Hotaru held her tongue and took a deep breath. "I care about all of us. Which is why I urge you to attend your father’s funeral. It’s the last time you’ll get to see him."

"The last time I saw him was when we left to pick up Asobi from school. And any respect I can give him, can come when the Deuctus Cult is completely decimated."

The redhead sighed, "I knew I wasn’t going to change your mind on that."

"Then why try?"

Hotaru let out a dry chuckle, "Have you lost all hope?"

"Never."

"Then why should I?"

...

...

Fumeko curled up her fingers and eyed the floor. "Her words always stay with me. Her detective—her knight she sends out to figure out the rest of the board; one that she always trusts with no doubt."

"I... didn’t know you felt that way," Hotaru uttered with a concerned gaze.

"I don’t mind it; I asked for it," the corner of the brunette’s lips rose. "She doesn’t use me like some pawn like the cult does, she sees me as what I want to be seen as, and I like that.

Her delusional little speeches, and that look she gives. If I didn’t meet her in Kria, I don’t know if I would’ve had the motivation or the strength to keep going as much as I have," she gripped her own arm. "I miss her," a tear left her eye.

Hotaru gave her a moment of silence.

Fumeko turned to face the redhead, "She always trusted me. So I need you to do the same. I know why you’re worried, but we can get through this, and we will figure it out."

"I do," Hotaru affirmed. "But maybe next time you let me know when you have something like your father’s pistol in your possession?" she tilted her head.

Fumeko gave a bittersweet smile. ’Ask her. Ask her what happened last night. Ask her how she actually feels. Ask if you can sleep on her shoulder again.’ She got up and went up the stairs, "Goodnight Aru."

"Goodnight."

_

It began at eight in the morning, sharp. Those involved were already in line and were most likely prepared from the early hours. Dressed in black was the crowd; the streets were barred by traffic cones and enforced by the police.

The gloomy skies of Burnetrout held back its tears while two caskets sat on biers at the front; several other coffins followed behind for those that recently passed in the efforts against the Deuctus Cult.

To a certain detective, they were merely bigger spots in a sea of black dots. She could see the crowd slowly being filtered from Orchid Borough and into Fleur.

Fumeko’s gaze fell on their final destination—Genevieve Cemetery. ’Who the hell puts a graveyard next to a park.’ Wind picked up strands of her hair and the fabrics of her scarf while she watched from far above, on top of a building between Fleur and Orchid.

"Fumekoooo!"

The brunette looked straight down over the edge.

Asobi waved her arms around, "Come on, let’s go! Unless you wanna stay up there?"

"I’m coming."

"What!?"

Fumeko rolled her eyes and scaled down the building using windowsills. She landed with a thud and a skip. Asobi handed the brunette a scone with butter and jam already spread.

’Powdered.’ The hunger she had been ignoring crept up on her as she scarfed it down in two bites.

Hotaru and Tiffany walked out of the bakery of the same building, having their bites for breakfast. "How’s the procession?" the redhead queried.

"It’s going," she gulped the rest of it down. "Now’s the time to get Ben and get to the orphanage. Is there another one?" she looked to the elf.

"The one purchased was quite large," Tiffany then took a bite of a pasty.

"We can buy more," Asobi shrugged.

"It’s fine," Fumeko shook her head.

A sudden screech came from the sky. Up above, a large bird with pearly white feathers swooped down and landed with a note attached to her leg.

’She must be looking for me at the funeral procession.’ Fumeko approached and grabbed the loosely tied paper.

It read out, "I know what you’re up to kid. Rose has an in for you: the vault; that’s what you need to find. Be discreet, stay safe and report back to me once you’re done. Don’t. Get. Killed."

Fumeko blinked a few times at the words.

"Uh oh," Asobi spoke.

"That’s gonna be a long conversation..." the brunette tore the note up before she crumpled it and threw it down the grate along the street.

Hotaru gave Fumeko a half-bitten scone with a chocolate filling, "It’s gonna be a long day as it is."

Fumeko took a deep breath, ate the scone, and walked forward.

_

"These events are exactly the sorts of things they drag you out of the orphanage for. However, there will be people nonetheless," Tiffany told.

Asobi hummed while they walked past the front gates, "I’ve been thinking."

...

"You’ve been thinking what?" Ben asked, checking the surroundings of the orphanage.

"Oh, sorry!" Asobi shook her head. "Aren’t we sorta kinda walking into a trap? It feels like the cult knows we’re coming."

"Yeah. But it’s the best option we got," Fumeko replied.

Tiffany looked away. "May one inquire as to thy strategy?

"Explore, find Jotou and Kineko, and get out," she answered.

"Yipee! Then let’s go save Jotou!" Asobi hopped ahead.

"I mean, her enthusiasm’s cute, but we’re not gonna find Jotou in like, a second in there," Ben pointed with a thumb.

"We just have to trust that we will," Hotaru checked her adventuring attire once more. "We have a key, and we need to find the vault," she pinched the ’key’ out of her satchel.

Ben groaned and punched into his palm, "Alright, let’s get our peeps back."

They entered the front door to a hauntingly silent reception. Tiffany let out soft echoes immediately. "The populace are all but gone; be wary of corners."

’The doors being closed is already a giveaway; they’re not expecting visitors.’ Fumeko led them down the hallways towards where she made her discovery.

"You hid it behind the trash?" Ben pushed the rubbish bin away with a hand, revealing the carved-out entrance Fumeko made in the wall.

"I’m just as surprised as you that no one’s found it yet," Fumeko stated and put her hand through.

"Ahem," Hotaru stood, her arms crossed.

Fumeko glanced back, then back at the gap. ’Right.’

"Position thyselves to mine back," Tiffany flipped her hair.

"Dude, what about stealth?" Ben walked behind.

"Nay, thou may call me not ’dude’," she grimaced and shuddered. "However, such elements are nigh gratuitous. For our foes know of our presence into their well-laid snares up ahead.

Allow one such as I, Stella Vespertillio, the Child of Void within the Sea of Stars, to mark our attendance!" she posed with fingers in front of her eyepatch.

Hotaru’s ears bristled, "He might have a point. The cult may know we’re coming, but when we get out, so will the orphanage and every authority in Dolpool. Alicia’s writing up a storm as is."

"Let them. I’m willing to bet we get out of any legal troubles for this. I’m sure the cult would love the publicity," Fumeko got back and crossed her arms. "Break away."

"AHHHHHH" "CRSH. DUFF! BSHJ!"

Tiffany cleared her throat and poised herself. With a single scream, she shattered the wall before her. The massive gap awaited them, with a stairway leading down to a broken illusion.

Asobi lit up her wand, Ben his bracers, and Hotaru made a blue glow with her palms. Ben pushed the door open with ease and they were in the labyrinth of old stone; the dry air was the same, but now the sight of it all was new to the two re-visitors.

"Give me the key," Fumeko demanded with her hand out.

"Gladly," Hotaru plopped it into her palm.

"It’s a piece of flesh, get over it," Fumeko eyed it. ’How do I make the tattoo appear? Is it like what Kor said back in Kria? Someone without magic can clearly operate these tattoos... So?’ "Vault," she uttered and displayed the skin forward.

...

"Aw man, we’re fucked," Ben’s voice echoed through the tunnels as he threw his hands up onto his head.

"Calm down," Fumeko glared. She displayed the skin portion again. "Maybe it’s like casting a spell?’ She concentrated, as if she was going to cast warp, "Vault," she said loud and clear.

"Perhaps we can make a trip to every door we have seen?" Tiffany suggested.

Light black appeared on the skin like a flowing river, and the serpent moved on its own volition. The animated sea serpent splashed in and out of the water once, before the tattoo went back to being stagnant—but visible.

’...! North.’ Fumeko furrowed her brows as a voice slithered into her mind. The whisper sent a shiver down her spine, and her widened eyes then glanced at her party. "...Follow me I guess."

"What?" Tiffany leered.

"It’s telling me where to go..."

_

There was no difference, no special mark, no anything; the door before them was the same as the ones they passed—that being it was a stone wall that everyone was confused to be looking at.

Fumeko displayed the tattoo close to it, and the illusion of the stone glimmered away. She went to grab the latch.

"Dude, you’re in the wall," Ben stated.

"Meko?" Asobi called out.

Fumeko took a step back, "I’m right here, the wall’s gone-" She glanced to the skin portion. "I don’t see the wall anymore." Fumeko flipped out her dagger, and popped the illusion she was in.

Now they all saw the metal door and the latch. Ben nodded and went forward to open it. "This is it guys, get ready," with a huff he pulled it open.

In front of them were stacks of gold bars, piles of coins ranging from silver to armite, and a vast open room that was lit brightly in white.

’Guess they won’t mind it going missing.’ Fumeko was the first to enter, and as she entered, her perspective wobbled... ’...?’ It was the same sight, but something was not right. She took a step back through the small door- Wait, small door?

"Is everything alright?" Asobi hushed.

"Yeah..." Fumeko saw for certain the large doors at least four metres in width. She poked her head back in, and as her eyes made their way, the view of what she saw was eerily the same.

She placed a hand on the smaller doorframe, and it was in fact there to the wall. The seamless change in perspective made her steps out into the vault extremely cautious.

Behind her, all of her party perfectly fit in the frame of the small door, but... ’That’s impossible. The space makes no sense, they should be squished, or there shouldn’t be a wall here?’

While a minor headache formed in her head, the rest of them stepped through. "Woah, trippy," Ben commented and did the same examinations as the brunette.

"What’s wrong?" Hotaru checked on the detective.

"This place is weird," she whispered. "The space, shouldn’t, never mind."

"It’s the Deuctus Cult," the redhead reasoned and patted the brunette on the head. She glanced around, "How much money do you think we could fit out of here? We could make a whole new nation with this much," she managed to contain her shock.

"Shall we pilfer?" Tiffany already pocketed a few coin.

"Nah, we gotta finish up the dungeon before we take all the loot. Unless there’s some cool weapon or somethin’," Ben surveyed.

"You seem wobbly," Asobi put a hand on Fumeko’s shoulder.

Fumeko looked up and around. This vault was vast, but not every corner was filled with coins like a dragon’s hoard. A stairway led down to where they stood, with what looked to be more of a main entrance.

When the brunette looked back, the way they came in was gone; there was no sign of a door. A thin walkway surrounded them on all sides above, with thousands of small labelled metal drawers.

"This... ugh," Fumeko shook her head. She felt a warm sensation up her spine; as her foot made contact with the floor, it felt as if it was not going to hold her weight, or at least only hold it momentarily.

Fumeko breathed in the air and a glimmer of shadow stayed in her eyes. "I feel like... I feel like I’ve been here before?"

"Huh?" Asobi cocked her head to the side.

"Did the tattoo stamp memories into you?" Hotaru took a guess.

"No, I don’t ’remember’ being here. It’s- I feel it, it feels familiar," Fumeko squinted. ’What’s going on!?’

"Your eyes are glowing," Tiffany noticed.

"What?" Fumeko looked at her.

"Yeah! Meko, your eyes are purple and all sparkly!" Asobi’s eyes glittered.

"I don’t like this," Hotaru checked the brunette’s face.

"I feel fine; better than fine even. It’s just putting me off. Regardless, let’s get what we came here for first."

"Click-Click-Click-Juff!"

The main entrance to the vault clunked open, and the gearwork of the metal revealed itself as it flew back. They could see a dimly-lit interior, and from it came a figure that stopped at the top of stairs to survey the intruders.

Golden shimmer was contrasted by reflective black in a gradient from the fabric encasing her neck down to the two capes behind each arm.

The texture of what she wore was akin to broken crystal scales that moved with her movements, and altered its vibrancy with every freckle of light that hit her.

Two pauldrons sprouted out of her shoulders made of hundreds of yellow crystals, which hung said capes, and connected to the form-fitting dress that bloomed in ruffles past the knees. There lied a window to her chest where her skin glimmered like stardust.

Boots of the same citrine-like crystals formed up to her knees that clinked and chimed as she took a few steps. Her fingers up to her elbows were protected by the crystals; the same material made up the diadem resting on her forehead.

Golden blonde hair was braided and weaved along the sides of her head, and a sparking gem was centred on the diadem. The rest of her hair was let down, about waist-length.

Eyes like smoky-quarts glared down, and the noblewoman like visage was what got them all stunned silent. She flourished a shining yellow rapier of crystal...

"Jotou...?" Fumeko broke the silence in the air.