Chapter Text
…Listening?
Ahem! Today…
I want to tell you about a book. A dark book of past prophecies.
This book was a mysterious scribe, full of stories of future events and ancient magic.
Of course, many people craved this book, wishing to glimpse into their futures or out of pure curiosity.
But no person… after obtaining this legendary writing, ever found happiness.
The reason? The book held dark secrets. Old evils, the likes of which the world wouldn't be able to comprehend.
That book came to be known as the Dark Prognosticus.
It was sealed away by a selected group of people.
This… is the tale of that book's last owner.
It is a tale of love…
Nervous? Far from it. He does not feel nervous, not one bit. In fact, he feels as though he's truly controlling all pieces on the board now. To be accepted into the committee like this, after months of training under their members. And all of them have no clue he is that child from so many moons ago. What fools! It's almost comical, if it wasn't for the terrible hurt he feels despite it all. His finger brushes past his shining, grinning mask. His purple-pink robes flutter idly in the wind, the bells adorned at the various tips of his jester hat jingling. The points of his hat are tied together with large rings on the side, keeping them in place. A tactical move, as it makes him look a little more defenseless, almost as if he has pigtails. He swallows, stepping forth.
The doors to the committee chamber close behind him; finally, he comes face-to-face with the chamber once more. Not a lot has changed in this place, he observed the people before him with an idle smile. Simeon hasn't met Laguarde in person yet, not since all that time ago, though she seems to have grown quite a lot. She looks nothing like she used to; then again, she was much younger. Next to her, with his arm around her shoulder, stands the man himself. He observed and watched over Simeon's training at the committee these recent months. The beard, the goggles—it is all the same. Just as back then. And then the Headman, the committee leader. Di-Jun Wang, right behind the pair, arms crossed and thinking. He can sense how terribly weak the man is from even outside the chamber before. The man responsible for running the same group of people that hunted him down for so, so long. Who hurt him so, so terribly. Who beat him, who strangled him. It was a fun pastime to count the number of scars on his body, though he usually runs out of time when he gets to 200. Simeon's mask just gives off an idle grin to the room; the face below it is indecipherable.
He begins to bite at his bottom lip.
"Simeon Saint… Heh… An unusual name… But I suppose our little committee consists of unusual people, doesn't it, Fifi?" Excelsius grumbles with a self-assured smirk, his voice even raspier than in memory. The stench of death and gasoline follows him.
Simeon's teeth dig further into his lip; suddenly he feels the thrilling sensation of pain. He can sense blood oozing into his mouth. Warm and metallic. He licks at his lip more, drawing at it. Lapping it up. The mask he wears prevents them from seeing how much he's sucking at it. How desperately he's trying to taste more of the delicious liquid.
"Oh darling, don't even start. Quiet now, mon amour~!" Laguarde urges, throwing her hands around the bearded man in an affectionate manner, planting kisses all over his cheek, much to Winner's annoyance. Her voice is more sweet and maternal… Far more soothing than he remembers from the old days. Not that the progression of time has any meaning. It's a simple observation.
Simeon bows before the two in an exaggerated display of loyalty and theatrics, cackling. "Oh, I'm glad you think so~! My, my, the committee must be going through some troubles if you accept a Jester like me, hm? Desperate for new recruits to your high chamber?" Simeon tilts his head to the side, staring, grinning. "To think little old me would be accepted into your humble little party, oh, I proved myself, did I not? Aren't you all proud of me?" His jester hat jingles, the bells at the ends of the colorful purple and pink points of his head softly ringing.
"Tch. Proud . Wang just saw potential in you; your magic abilities are… y'know, useful." Excelsius looks the other way, almost scowling, while Simeon still glares at him.
"I do suppose my training… was perfected rather quickly, hm? Oh, but I'm getting ahead of myself~!"
"Enough now!" Wang declares loudly, "We shall celebrate our newest member with a toast; you may pour us each a glass, Sir Saint."
"Oh please… Call me Simeon…!" He hums, raising a black gloved finger in the air, and spinning it around in one motion. A sparkle resounded throughout the hall. A nearby wine bottle, along with laid-out glasses, began to levitate, Simeon effortlessly guiding them toward the center of the group. The glasses cling together as the cork shoots out. The wine tilts, flowing into each chalice one by one, until they all float into the grips of each committee member.
“An impressive display, Simeon!” Wang approvingly nods, bringing the glass to his lips.
“Nothing I haven’t seen before...” Excelsius shrugs with a low rumbly undertone.
Simeon swishes the liquid around, staring at it with a removed smile, as the others already begin to drink.
"Darling… Do you not drink any alcohol?" Laguarde asks in an almost concerned tone.
"The boy is probably not used to such class… Heh."
Simeon looks up at them, his mask plastered with a malicious grin. His eyes locked on theirs. "…And if I don't? Oh, a simple preference? Is that so bad?"
"…Yeah, definitely hasn't had wine a day in his life, kinda… y’know… sad, if you think about it." Excelsius cackled.
"Now now, mon amour, don't be so rude!" Laguarde drinks the last of her wine, her lipstick leaving traces on the rim of the glass. "Now let's go to our chambers. We have yet to discuss what to do with my new set of children."
Simeon idly smiles, watching them leave and closing the heavy palace doors behind them. She has a rather possessive tone regarding those innocent little lives. It's far better to end them before they too experience what Simeon has.
The glint of something catches his attention. He glances over to the display frame sitting on the wall. His eyes widen beneath the teardrop mask he wears; he grips the edges of the cape-like cloth draped over his shoulders in awe. The Dark Prognosticus is encased within it. The book so sought after by so many of the past. The book he needs too. The book is what this entire committee is formed around. The protectors of the prophecy, the keepers of darkness. The guardians of the void. Ridiculous. Idiotic titles. It all means nothing. To think he remembers so much from all the classes they made to indoctrinate the new children. All stories surrounding the prophecies, the Chaos Heart, the end of all.
He glares, lost in a trance. To think such a simple book could hold the key to destroying the universe. To think that he could end all worlds so simply. It's almost like a game—no—it is a game. A meaningless game. A game he can't lose. After all, how can you lose a game of chess…
…when there is no chessboard to begin with?
"Knight." He nods at him respectfully, the helmet covering his eyes, only black wide slits allowing a glimpse at the pupils beneath.
"Rook." Bronco replies back.
"You have done enough for today. Time to switch our posts. You go to the Town Hall and stand guard there. Your… friend is already waiting. As usual." Rook explains, following up with a slight chuckle. Bronco knows exactly who he is referring to. An old acquaintance. He grimaces a bit as he hands Rook the heavy sword and shield he carried just a moment ago without another word.
"…Knight… Are you… bothered by my presence in any way?"
"…Rook, I am simply doing my job. Sorry if it comes off that way." He says through gritted teeth; his eyes are full of hate he can't control. The fact is that the mayor always assigned Rook to lead the township's knighthood, that he always assigned Rook most of the dangerous and daring positions. How can he be so blind to Bronco? It's almost insulting. He hates Rook; he really does. He wishes Rook would just be hurt. Hurt on the job. Nothing too severe, but just enough to show how much better Bronco is.
"…Alright, Knight. Thank you for standing guard in this heat anyway."
"…It isn't that hot." Bronco replies with a grumble, averting his gaze as he takes off his helmet, the yellow plume atop it bouncing gently. He wiped sweat off of his forehead, sighing as beads rolled down his face. Bronco can firmly feel Rook's raised brow as he glares at him through his helmet.
The summer winds blow over his mohawk as he struts on top of gravel, moving from the city gates he was standing guard at to the large town hall in the center of the township. He is saluted by various children along the way, as well as various citizens throwing comments at him, such as 'You are keeping our town safe!' 'Thank you for your service!' 'Thank you for safeguarding our land!' The feelings surging through him made him forget about the sour mood Rook put him in somewhat. To be complimented this much every day, to be so useful and loved makes him feel amazing. It makes him feel appreciated. It makes him feel useful.
Bronco arrives at the town hall, having taken off some more of the heavy armor along the way and giving it to another nearby knight. Protecting this building did not require nearly as much armor, which is a plus, as it allows him to feel a lot more free-spirited.
The 'friend' Rook mentioned stands in front, already waving with a gleeful smile plastered on his face. "The Broncster comes 15 minutes late! What's up with you, man?" He grins, bringing up his hands. "Is Rook giving you "the mood" again, hm? Hehe." He chuckles, using air quotes. He adjusts his fedora; oddly enough, he isn't wearing his oversized coat as usual, but he still has his large blue ribbon draped around his neck, along with his amulet. He pulls his suspenders apart, yawning before they snap back onto his chest.
"Yeah… Guess so. Why are you here again anyway? Don't you have some important case to solve, Ed?" Bronco asks idly as he sets down some supplies onto his post, talking away from Edward.
"Nah. All lax for me. Crimes are way down anyway; you should know that."
"Guess the mayor hasn't assigned you anything?"
"Neither have the townsfolk; gotta say I'm getting a bit worried. Guess the private investigator gig might end soon, though it'd disappoint my late mentor. My gold coin supply ain't exactly big, but whatevs. Been a while since we last spoke; remember anything?" Fender says with an unconcerned chuckle. Bronco wonders if the mentor is the same man who Fender whispers to by himself. Bronco always wondered if it was his father or so; somehow that would make Bronco feel more appreciative of Edward, if that were to be the case. He knows so little about the man, yet the man knows so much about him, about his story, his history.
"You mean…?"
"Yeah, that."
Bronco thinks for a bit; he has, in fact, tried that. Desperately, but he couldn't find a place cold enough that he would actually begin to freeze, not anywhere in the township at least.
"…Sorry, Ed, I really tried looking for a cold place to stay in, but I just couldn't. We will have to wait until winter, I guess."
Fender sighs, looking up at the clear blue sky. "A shame. Thought it'd be easier than this. It wasn't exactly a piece of cake finding you all that time ago; I thought that'd be the hard part, but making you remember the incident? Damn. The days we've talked for at this point and still no results."
"…Yeah. I want to remember this crap just as much as you want answers, but god, it's just all so foggy. Honestly." Bronco murmurs, looking idly at the townspeople crossing the roads in front of them.
"…Really wish I knew how you ended up going from an icy manor in the middle of nowhere to an orphanage, an orphanage connected to the Committee of Darkness no less. That's a head-scratcher and a half right there."
"Heh, yeah, well at least I got my skills as a knight there; that's gotta be worth something, right?"
"Guess so, though you know how I feel about them. Sending out their little Karma hound to lock up an innocent man just visiting your father's fabled manor at the wrong place, at the wrong time."
"Can you tell me more about that? It kinda interests me to know what happened with the mansion and everyone involved after the incident."
"Someday I'll tell ya, but now… hm." Fender ponders.
"…I'll be waiting then. I hope my memories come back soon." Bronco wonders why he wouldn't just say everything he knows outright; wouldn't that help him jog his memory more? He didn't point it out, though.
"You told me you associated that day with the cold. Suppose I just thought exposing yourself to it might jog something. Either we gotta go "the deep freeze routine" once winter comes, or I'll need to… eh, whatever." Edward's smile fades, replaced by a much more serious glare. He reaches into his worn garments, pulling out a small amulet, flicking it open. It contains a picture of a much older man. Bronco has seen it tons of times before but never questioned it. Edward mutters something to himself, looking at the picture somberly. His mentor, Bronco, guesses.
"What about your dad's seal? Have you done something with it?" Fender asks, snapping away from the picture.
"…I really don't feel a lot. I carry it with me, but it's just a plate with a snowflake and two letters. I don't remember anything, Ed, really."
Edward sighs, scratching the back of his head. "Right… Honestly, I'm just waiting until your dad's mansion is back open for business as a museum, then I'll take you there… I happen to know—well, I already told you."
"…Her name is Judy, right?"
"Yeah. She's a sweetheart, honestly. I'm sad I can't be there to help her. Might've been some real sweet bonding time, but I can't travel there. Not since I found you here."
It has been quite some time since Edward last showed up. He explained how he managed to track him down due to some information he found around the committee, seeing two young boys being brought in around the time of the incident. Bronco remembers Edward dropping some hints regarding a certain someone from years past, but Bronco doesn't think about him anymore. His heart clenches at the thought of what he has lost. It's better to bury it than to embrace such hurt. Fender has had quite a positive impact on his life; he has felt his hatred of Rook growing dimmer since the Investigator showed up. Though he can be annoying sometimes, he has learned to appreciate him and his ways. It's been giving him a new outlook of sorts.
"…Ed… Uh… I appreciate it, just saying. You returning the seal and… all the other stuff you're doing. I kinda talk to you the most out of anyone at this point."
Edward begins to grin from ear to ear. "So the Broncster does have a heart, huh? After all that stuff you say about Rook, I sorta doubt you have a soul sometimes, hah!"
"...Don't ruin the moment, Ed. I'm being sincere; don't talk about him."
"I'm being truthful too, Bronco. It's an issue. A real big one. You'll have to take care of it one day."
"I know… I know… It's just… Gragh.! I feel so angry; I just—" Bronco's teeth grind together, his fingers pressing into the railing he is leaning against, anger and fury clouding his mind. He has been such a good knight, and yet he is rewarded with nothing. Only second-in-command. How can that be!
"Stop yourself, ya wild horse, before you pop a vein." Fender chuckles, whistling at Bronco. He feels himself settling down a little, feeling his temper returning to normal levels. "I brought you some pastry, by the way. First-class from Gusto's, an old acquaintance of mine actually; the mayor gave it to me."
"…Gusto's, huh? Thanks, Ed."
"No problemo. G'bye then, smell ya later, Broncigator."
Moonlight illuminates the palace walls. He can't stand this feeling of hurt any longer. He simply must continue with his plan. Simeon watches the son of Excelsius, Eustace, standing guard at the two heavy chamber doors. He firmly stands up, nervous as expected.
"H-Hey! Don't you think it's a bit late to be roaming around the halls?!"
"…Gyeh… You dare question a committee member? Did your father not lecture you better?" That should teach the boy not to question Simeon; after all, he could cause a vase to fall over next to Eustace at any time while his father watches and thus create a highly entertaining spectacle labeled by the modern world as child abuse, though he prefers to call it torture. But this really only would distract him—no—Simeon raises his hand rapidly. causing the boy to flinch instinctively, confirming some other suspicions Simeon had. Simeon seems to not be the only victim of Excelsius' burning fury. "…Keh… How unfortunate… Anywho, is anyone inside the chamber?"
"Uhm… Why… Why do you want to know…?"
"Oh, I just simply must know, boy. Now answer; my patience is so, so very thin this night~"
"Uhm…" Eustace glances from side to side, almost as if he's checking if he's in the clear. "Okay… It's only Headman Wang currently… but—”
"Thank you. How peculiar. You are of more use to me than you are to your father, isn't that a funny thought?" With a swipe of his hand, Simeon flings the boy to the side, who yelps and hits his head against a pillar. For a moment he almost felt some pity for the pathetic child; however, he continued. The doors opening and closing behind him, he now stands in the chamber he was in just yesterday. And indeed, Wang sits there, sipping at a steaming cup.
"And so I arrive, like a harrowing hail in the midst of a romantic picnic!" Simeon boldly exclaims, walking toward the large lion man.
The headman turns his head to him, only raising an eyebrow at his otherwise disturbing presence. "…Why did Eustace let you in?"
"Oh, Sir Wang, you must know Eustace… Well, he is quite useless. Keh heh heh… And you? You are just enjoying a nice cup in solitude? A lone lion by himself?"
Wang visibly becomes a bit irritated at this dialogue, his eyebrows furrowing. "You don't get to talk—"
"Ah, but I do. It is a rather stupid title anyway, is it not? Headman…"
"What are—"
"Changeling would fit more for the likes of you, Junniepie~" Simeon cackles. Yes, a changeling. He can sense the magic they used to transform him into the image of the real Wang. What did they expect, getting him here? Were they going to tell him that this man is a fraud? Are they that stupid that they think Simeon wouldn't notice? No… They don't know. They don't know that he was the child that witnessed the night the switch was made. Simeon feels heat in his chest, wrath. The smile on his mask becomes larger.
Wang slams his fist down onto the table, shouting up at the Jester. "How DARE you disrespect—"
"Headman… Hmm… Off with your head, then."
Simeon snaps his fingers; a light flicker is heard before a single slice is made. Simeon looks on in glee as Wang's eyes become motionless, his jaw hangs open, and his head tumbles down, his body following soon afterward.
That was too easy. Far too easy, but then again, this is not the warrior that the real Wang was. This is an incompetent fraud; the others were much more formidable foes. Simeon stepped around the blood puddle, afraid of giving his bell-adorned pink jester shoes a fresh coat of red paint.
In front of him it lies, the book of prophecies. Of magic beyond his wildest imaginations. He puts his hand against the glass softly, causing it to melt onto the ground. With the barrier gone, the tome now whispers to him. The full power of darkness urges him closer.
"Gya….haha… That was almost too easy~! I must say, I might be stronger than I expected… Even without the Dark Prognosti-"
"What did you DO!?" Eustace shrieked in terror, just now coming across the scene, Wang's decapitated body still bleeding out onto the nice flooring of the chamber.
"Oh… I seem to have made quite the mess indeed, so sorry, Eustace~ Will you forgive me?" Simeon grins.
After a few moments the lifeless decapitated body morphs into dust and ash, fading away as it too, was just that. A fake. A fraudulent magical changeling. Where the real Wang was, Simeon doesn’t know, nor does he care.
"You… D-Dad! DAAAD!" Eustace runs off, screaming for his father. Simeon shrugs, setting his sights back onto the matters at hand.
With a snap of his finger, he grabs the book with his magical abilities. The book flies closer to him, opening its pages. Simeon closes his eyes, gripping his chest. He feels a sudden burning sensation within it. A stinging pain. He grunts. He opens his eyes again to see that the pages read a prophecy. One of complete destruction, his prophecy. The trigger for the end of all worlds is a hurt soul, the essence of torment, and a false love. This essence, it is known as the Chaos Heart. An Essence to ensure the destruction of everything. Luckily enough, Simeon is someone who possesses such a rarity. The stinging returns as he realizes his wrath and sadness darkness is being pulled out of him. The hurt he feels is fading, numbing in some way.
The Jester gasps, particles of dark energy shooting out of his chest, all his negative emotions are being torn out of him, as the essence begins to form in front of him. Ominous and threatening disembodied bells ring out across the chamber as the Heart is born. A heart born of the purest forms of hate, anger, sadness, and destruction.
Simeon shakes his head, laughing. Excelsius, along with his son, burst through the door.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING SAINT?!" Excelsius yells, readying an attack, his long beard flailing in his rapid panicked movements. “FINGERS OFF THAT BOOK!”
"Oh, I'm just making my opening move. And I prefer you left me to my vices! Such a rude, rude man~!"
With the power of the Dark Prognosticon surging through his veins, he snaps his fingers once more, a chunk of the wall being torn out and flung into the doorway, blocking out the two from bothering Simeon. The rings keeping the points of his jester hat in place snap off, causing the points to tumble down and curl, giving him an exponentially more threatening aura. Even the bells tumble from the tips onto the ground, bells that once represented some saviour of years past, not that he cares anymore about such things.
"Gyah... haha…… Those two might be of use later. I'm sure I could… mhh… coerce them… Fifi too… Yes… What I'll do with my little pieces is up for debate… onto matters at hand…!" Simeon's wicked grin grew on his mask from ear to ear, his smirk full of malevolence.
"Now! Speak to me, Darkness! Fulfill the prophecy, rid the universe of all worlds! And make me the Champion of Destruction!"
Bells ring out, and the palace begins to shake. Paintings of eons past begin to fall from the walls, the teacup the changeling sipped from falling off the table and shattering on the floor with a haunting sound. Simeon raises his hands in the air, causing the newly formed Chaos Heart to float upward and through the ceiling.
"Open the void! Consume everything as told by the prophecies! Gya……GYAHAAHAHA!" Simeon grips his mask, unable to control himself. The excitement rushing through his body is too great to bear; he begins to maniacally laugh, jittering, spasming. He falls to the ground, convulsing.
"This will be so…. entertaining!” He yells crazed, gripping all sides of his body, his hands roaming over every inch of his form. “Entertaining to watch… Oh, how I'll love seeing the destruction of everything…” He bursts out in laughter once more, having to calm himself. “The world, this horrible, sick thing everyone holds so near and dear—it's pathetic. How can you care about such a thing when it can contain so much hurt? Better that I destroy it. Everyone should thank me! I'm doing them a favor… Keh heh heh…."
Bronco jolts awake, his sleep interrupted by unwelcome knocking at the door to his chambers in the knighthood building. His shift hasn't begun yet, has it? No… It should be the night shift, yet the sun is shining bright outside. Something is up. He yawns, rubbing his eyes lazily. He stumbles over to the wooden board door, pulling on the handle. On the other side is… Edward, of all people. With a worrisome expression no less.
"Morning, Broncosaurius. We got a problem, a big one." He explains, coming to the point quickly.
"Ed… Is it really that important…? Can't you get another knight for this right now?"
"Nah. The mayor assigned you to me personally. We got a job to do."
"Ugh…" Bronco rubs his eyes once more, groaning. "Fine…"
After a while, the two emerge out of the knighthood building. Bronco senses something being amiss, an aura of uncertainty within the townsfolk. A lot of them seem to be looking up at the sky with a concerned look. Bronco follows their gaze, his eyes landing on… a vortex…? A purple vortex, far up in the sky, flashing. Lightning emerges from it, and very faintly an ominous crackling can be heard, emitting from the lavender void.
"…What the… Huh?" Bronco looks on with wide eyes. The colors, along with the massive distance between the town and the purple speck, seem immense.
"Yeah. That. The mayor is more than just concerned. He told me to find out whatever that is." Edward shrugs, looking up at the mysterious, circling clouds along with Bronco.
"…So, what is it?"
"No clue. Appeared overnight. Some sort of weird purple hole, I guess. Might be the work of some dumb clown who wants to scare our townspeople, hence why I'm supposed to check it out."
"…Hm. Weird. Looks threatening."
"Yeah, let me tell ya, if someone is doing this to scare the town, it's working very well. Most knights are currently busy telling everyone not to panic, haha."
"I see… So I'm just supposed to keep you safe then, right?"
"Yeah. I'll just begin with my usual schtick when investigating."
Bronco geared up for the small quest; however, he didn't bother wearing the more uncomfortable plates of his armor, opting for more ease of movement. He followed Fender around for a few hours, listening along to him questioning multiple townsfolk, what they might know, what they saw. Many responses were either unhelpful or unreliable; the void really seems to have just magically appeared overnight. Edward also made sure to question people about what they might think the foreboding hues of violet, purple, and pink might be, though the responses here too were nothing noteworthy.
After about two hours or so, Edward sighs, turning to Bronco. "…I can't figure it out. To be honest, I don't think it has anything to do with our town. And no one knows what it is either. I wouldn't know where to go to nex—"
Cling!
The sound of a small bell caught the attention of both Fender and Bronco, who slowly turned over to the source of the noise. A large black dog looked at the two, barking. This dog was constantly seen in the town, roaming around wherever it pleased, constantly hauling things for his ambiguous owner. It had a reputation for being frightening. It barks at them again.
"Shut up, mutt," Bronco dismisses before Fender turns to look at the dog more closely, his finger idly trailing underneath his suspender as the blue neck ribbon blows in the wind.
"Hm… Right, I haven't spoken to him yet."
"The Owner of the Dog? You know him?" Bronco wonders who this person might be; are they important? The dog barks again, seemingly urging the two to follow him.
"I mean… doesn't everybody? Or do you not know who this dog belongs to?"
"You know, our local little monk. Bodhidharma Kanis."
"That guy?" Kanis? The local town monk? Bronco doesn't remember him associated with that black dog at all. "Huh, never knew."
The dog woofs for the two to follow it, which they do, leading them to Kanis' little shop, far outside the main central area of the town. The building is draped in blue and purple along with white colors, giving it a quite ancient and mystical exterior. The dog suddenly jumps up, gripping the handle of the shop door and pulling it down with its weight, entering. Fender looks on with a surprised grin; Bronco just stares wide-eyed.
As they enter the shop and walk past various carved figurines put up for sale, smelling the aromas of the incense sticks smoking nearby, the two are led through a curtain past the counter by the dog. Fender reluctantly pulls it away, Bronco following suit. Though he didn't care as much before, he certainly feels engaged in the mystery now.
The two find themselves in a small resting room of sorts, with multiple magical books lined up on a shelf, a carving station, banners in mostly blue, with astronomical symbols everywhere and at the very center, a short table. One which the man himself sat at, dressed in his blue and white robes, eyes closed.
"I have been expecting you, Mr. Knight and Mr. Fender."
Bronco feels a sense of unease wash over him as the older man opens his eyes, devoid of all color except white. A chill-inducing sight. Edward and Bronco sit down, facing the monk. Bronco notices a fancy book with a white cover resting on the table in front of Kanis.
“Expecting us, huh? Well, mystery man, I won't buy something from you that way. I have some questions for you—”
“Regarding the recently opened void? Yess…. I have heard of its arrival. Keh heh heh…” Kanis laughed in an almost creepy fashion. Fender looks over to Bronco, a little perplexed. He sets down his notebook.
“Void…?" Bronco asks. Fender chimes in, "No one's ever used the term void before… Why'd you use that? Y'know something?"
“Keh heh heh… Perhaps… It depends, though. Are the Knight and the Detective in front of me?” Kanis smirks, sinking his head into a meditative state.
Edward and Bronco glance at each other in perplexion, unsure of how to continue or how the apparently blind monk managed to see them. Fender speaks up. "Eh… Yeah. You could say that… aren't you, unable to see that though?"
"Keh heh… You fail to realize one important thing… don't they, Helmut?" Kanis muses, his large dog jumping to his lap, eating out of a bowl he has placed on the table. "Oh yess…. yes, they do." His laugh is dry and ominous.
"Listen, monk. We don't have time for this; see us or not, we need to know what that thing in the sky is." Bronco asserts in a more stern tone, causing Fender to momentarily glare at him. It seemed as though Edward was interested in hearing what Kanis had to say regarding being able to 'see' them.
"So brash, and yet such a young pup. You will go places, Knight… Keh heh… I see now… It seems as though the prophecies have brought us here after all then, under the guidance of light and purity…"
Fender's faint smile has finally faded, replaced with nothing but a straight glare. His mood is seemingly souring. "Listen, buddy. I don't want to be the impatient type, but we don't have all day, yeah? So if you could—"
"A great evil has been awakened. An ancient prophecy has been set into motion. What you see in the sky is nothing more than a grand clock. A clock that shows exactly once you run out of time, for it will consume you and all you hold value to. The Void." Kanis finally explains, without a smile. He only scowls slightly. Helmut continues chowing down on the contents inside the bowl, the chewing of the animal and the faint burning of a nearby oven being the only things to fill the odd silence creeping over the room all of a sudden.
Fender and Bronco look at each other for guidance, finding themselves unable to respond to this. Edward raises a finger for just one moment, opening his mouth; however, nothing comes out.
"Keheh… I imagined this would happen. No worries… I have prepared for this eventuality." Kanis chuckles lowly, his smile returning as he reaches underneath the table, setting down a large white book, adorned with crystals and other fantastical symbols. "…This book is called the Light Prognosticus. It was written by people from a very long, long time ago." Kanis began to explain. Bronco feels… odd, in a way he wouldn't expect to feel odd. He had his fair share of encounters with lunatics in his time as a public knight; however, this felt different. It almost felt right, but that is impossible. He felt the tone of Kanis' voice is becoming more soothing with time, and he realizes it sounds almost… familiar.
"…I inherited this book alongside inheriting this building from my predecessor… A man who… changed me in many ways. Whose teachings I will carry on with me until the grave. He has read it to me in completion so many times, as part of my rehabilitation, that I have memorized each line and passage. The book prophesizes events of great fortune, of great blessings and miracles… However, near the end of the book, it tells of a harrowing catastrophe. The end of the world, brought on by a soul so terribly hurt by it… The Void is mentioned extensively in these last pages, which unfortunately confirms my suspicions…" Kanis concludes, glancing to the side almost with regret. There is pain in his voice.
Bronco is so drawn in by the story that he almost jumps when Fender begins to chuckle at the older man. "Oh… That's good, yeah. A magical book, hm? The end of the world? What, will you sell us a key to immortality to avoid destruction, hm?"
"I assure you, I have no such intentions, Detective… The book calls upon one hero to stop the void. The Knight."
"…M-Me? Me specifically?" Bronco feels his face heat up somewhat, even if he still doesn't believe the old monk one bit. It felt ominous in some way.
"It reads… a man clad in unaware self-loathing and a yellow mane." Unaware self-loathing? How dare he! Bronco doesn't have the time to think more than a few seconds over the words spoken before Fender chimes in with an unnecessary quip.
"Oh boy, that seems right up his alley."
"Shut up, Ed." Bronco sternly speaks.
"Let me see that." Edward ushers in front, leaning over the short table.
"Keh heh heh… Take it." Kanis lends him the Light Prognosticus happily with a chuckle.
"Huh… It does say that. It says the hero is accompanied by three others, the detective, the monk, and the conductor." Explains Fender, reading off of the book with a raised judgmental eyebrow.
"Nope!" Bronco snaps out, having had enough of this whole ordeal. Edward seems hooked, but this was far too fantastical and nonsensical for the Knight. "Okay, listen. You two have fun with this; I'm out. I can't take much more of this." Bronco hastily speaks, his thoughts still lingering on what Kanis said moments ago.
"Keh heh… Stay, young pup." Bronco already stands up; however, he remains in the room for just a few moments longer. He feels tempted to just sneak off in a way that Kanis wouldn't hear, though his dog might bark… It is far too difficult to escape this blind man. "I know you two remain suspicious of me; however, I really must urge you to stay… Tell me, Detective, is your current assignment not to find out the nature of the void growing over our dimension?"
"…Suppose so." Edward shrugs.
"Then… If you two still have your reservations, may I invite you out on the first destination?"
"The first…?" Bronco whispers, more so to himself.
"The first of many. Indeed." Kanis chuckles.
"…Right, and where is this?"
"There is a temple left by the ancients that contains one of the artifacts we must search for."
"…Artifacts?"
"I possess one of these already, left by my predecessor. They are referred to as… Pure Hearts." Kanis rose, holding out his hands in the direction of Edward, seemingly asking for the book back. Fender isn't exactly sure if that is what Kanis wants but gives it back to him anyway. Kanis sunk his head, almost bowing in front of the book and speaking mumbles and murmurs.
After a bit, a bright heart-shaped object emerged out of the Light Prognosticus, illuminating the entire room in a magnificent green hue. Bronco felt his breathing abruptly improve, as well as some anxieties brought on by this room and this man, fading.
"Wow…" Bronco whispers.
"Holy Macaroni… What a light show." Edward yelps with wide eyes and raised hands.
"Keh heh heh… crafted by those past to counteract the Darkness brought on by the Void and to rid the world of the Chaos bringing on our destruction." Kanis snickers; the heart slowly and gracefully returns to the book, being absorbed by its pages once more.
"Those sure are words you just said there, fella." Fender said, sighing. He sounds almost like he is tired of the old man; his tone was waning.
"Keh… You two will grow to understand soon enough. It is technically correct then that your duty is to follow me? After all, I hold the knowledge."
"Again, we are just supposed to figure out what that thing in the sky is. If wherever you want to lead us ultimately leads us to an answer, consider us a party member." Edward shrugs at Kanis, despite knowing the man is blind. "I guess it would be some ample time to prove if anything you say has any legitimacy…"
"Yeah, agreed." Bronco rambles on, still unsure of how to feel.
"So it will be then, my acquaintances. I shall prepare my travel bag. I suggest you two do the same, and we meet each other in a few hours in front of my building. Is that… satisfactory?"
"Suppose. Bronco, come outside with me for a sec." Edward snaps his finger, ushering out the Knight quickly.
The two close the building's door behind them, now out on the township roads. Fender sighs with clear concern in his voice; he looks uncharacteristically serious, glaring deeply into Bronco. "Listen, that guy is clearly a lunatic, right? Gotta say, his heart thing did impress me, but cheap tricks, nothing more."
"…I mean, I don't know. Yeah, you're right, but he did leave a big mark on me, not going to lie."
"…Can't help but feel this is a trap." Edward mutters.
"Hm?"
"Bodhidharma Kanis… He… used to be a far more different man some years ago. I have quite a lot of resentment for him, even if I don't show it."
Bronco is surprised at the sudden accusation and that Fender holds resentment for a seemingly random old man. "Whoa, what?"
"He used to be an assassin. They called him the blind butcher; it just gives you the creeps, right?"
Bronco feels caught off guard at the revelation. A blind old man, an assassin? Is Fender lying to him? "And you want to go with him?"
"No way he changed… but… I don't know. Something just draws me; something in me wants to believe he can change, and I want to see it… But the resentment… And the way he now acts so high and mighty, with his monkhood and whatnot. Just rejecting your past like that? I don't fly with that. Not at all. Be careful, Bronco. Really. I wouldn't trust him."
Bronco thinks about their situation. It's very difficult, especially now with this knowledge added onto everything else. "…Thrust into a thing like this. It's a bit overwhelming. Wish I got a full night of sleep before this adventure, at least. But we're only helping him this one time, right? He better actually know what the hell that up there is, though."
"Yeah… he better." Fender breathes out one last sigh before the two part ways and pack their own supplies, ready for that day's little excursion to some temple containing a 'Pure Heart'.
The servants sweep up the last of the rubble. Excelsius, his son, along with Laguarde, stands in front of the Jester.
Simeon snaps the dark book shut, a loud cracking noise echoing throughout the committee chambers. The three face him; he has their full attention.
"You are all in compliance then, my little subordinates~?" He muses, chuckling lowly.
"I can't believe I am agreeing to this, but… how could I have known that the book contained so much power?" Excelsius grumbles, trying to avert his gaze. Simeon can feel how badly damaged his ego is. How terrible he feels that the little changeling was caught so soon, how all control has been ripped from him. What a fool!
"Dad! Y-You can't… seriously be agreeing to his proposal…" Eustace urges, tears already forming at the corners of his eyes. He bends his wand frantically.
"What other choice do we have, Eustace? Turn on your brain for once… Either we are destroyed by the void this clown unleashed, or we join him… and well, get spared then…" Excelsius stares up at the ceiling, defeated.
"It's so… selfish… Dad, I-, think of Wang!" His son continues to whine. An interesting topic to be brought up!
"Oh my~ Yes! Do think of Wang. Please do! I'm sure your son would love hearing all the other details surrounding that person! Ah… but alas! It is off-topic. Now!" Simeon slams his hands down onto the committee desk; the Dark Prognosticus floats beside him. "In return for helping me, I promise you your own worlds, as discussed. We will rid the world of all the pain and misery that befalls it! And you all will be given your own little domain~ Isn't that just great? Gehehe…"
In order to keep them tied to him, he has to use a few deceptions here and there. But it's what they deserve. Simeon feels angry over the fact he can't torture them, not yet at least. Unfortunately, he needs them for something he has read about in the dark book, but once the final hours of the universe come, he can slice open every vein and artery and claw out their organs in delight. To think they actually believe him! Giving them their own worlds, what a joke. They deserve the most excruciating, painful death possible before they, along with Simeon and everything else, is deleted from existence.
"Oh… so terrible… and yet so… tempting… Mon amour, what do you say?" Fifi mutters in a drowsy tone.
"…I don't think we have a choice… I'd say let's make the most of it while we wait for the world to end then."
"Dad!" Eustace yelps out in protest.
"Perfect! And I already have an assignment for you… The Dark Prognosticus speaks of a book of light to counteract the dark prophecies. A book detailing the journey of heroes. Surely, such a book could not exist, but knowing you ancients and your idiotic, overly complex history, it wouldn't surprise me. Excelsius! You and your son will go and find out if the Light Prophecy has already been set into motion. And if you find any happy-go-lucky heroes, burn them! Capiche~?"
"…Taking orders from a clown… what has my life come to?" Excelsius pulls at his beard; an angry aura surrounds him. "Does Eustace really have to come with me?" He asks, almost like a team leader being assigned the weakest child in gym class. It amuses Simeon; he wants to explore just how much he hates his own son.
"Mhh~! Yes indeed! It would make for such a fine spectacle to see you two struggle to form a true family bond! You can't expect me to just let you have your own worlds once this is done, can you? You need to work for it! Chop chop, my bearded little hothead, and his useless good-for-nothing son."
"…You are so cruel, Saint." Fifi whispers under her breath, catching the attention of the Jester, who turns to her.
"Gyah! You call me cruel?" Simeon cackles, the smirk on his mask curling, setting the people in front of him into more unease, especially Fifi. "How about this for cruel: You, my dear duchess of hypnosis, get me that frilly red suited member, that clear? The 'son' of your old associate here… I want him to be my personal secretary, as I share a sort of… connection with him… Keh heh… Tell him to keep me on track, and come here as soon as possible~" A ghost of the past. Simeon has burnt the memories of the time he spent here before, along with some other people, however he knew for a fact this man at least still resided here. This man too, could not let go. The amusement he might get from toying with the silver haired walking insecurity is too great of an opportunity to pass up. Simeon turns to the father and son duo, his mask still having a smile despite his more authoritative tone.
"And don't you people dare make me go take care of things myself. Teleportation is sooooo exhausting. Now go, and no more speaking, Ciao~!”
And so the cryptic Saint has established his control over the Committee of Darkness. The Void grew to be a visible spectacle in the sky of all dimensions and worlds, their inhabitants unaware of their eventual demise.
But who was he? What was his relation to the committee? And why did he wish to destroy all worlds?
Elsewhere, the monk has gathered the detective and knight, fate depending on them and the success of their journey to find all the Pure Hearts and stop the evil Jester. But the road ahead is sure to be a long and difficult one.
The detective feels mistrust within their makeshift group, and the knight also has his doubts. Is the monk truly faithful? Is what he says really without a lie?
One could only wonder if there was any connection between the uneasy Hero and the menacing Villain, for it was the Knight the Light Prognosticus has picked to fulfill its ancient prophecy, and save all worlds.
A tale of truly monumental proportions was about to unfold.