Fantasy Chronicles of Cre' Est

[Mothman]

“God...” Finally being a suitable distance from the home, and still unsure where to go for the night, she found an alleyway to sit down and catch her breath in. “...Dammit.” Why now? Why, right when she was seconds away from getting the hell out of Valkyom and getting paid, did the hallucination have to strike again?

She had little time to scold herself for her failure before a large thud snapped her out of her thoughts. Looking up, her eyes immediately went wide and her pupils dilated at the sight. She was completely silent, staring up at the Red-Eyed Demon with genuine fear for her life in her eyes. A hand drifted down to her belt, grabbing for her knife and immediately unsheathing it, taking a desperate charge at Shadow, slashing directly at his eyes with a shout.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Shadow's eyes flashed brightly as she began her charge. Taking a half step to his side, he passed her dagger hand off and shoved her further into the alley. And as she staggered, he drew his own dagger. However, he remained in an upright posture. One not meant for combat.

"You're Whimsey Mausinia, aren't you?" He said in a low voice.

His blade came up to his waist, just in case she charged again.

"You were sent to kill Utoros Geilam. If you learned anything before taking his life, tell me... Now."

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

Whimsey’s heart was beating faster than she had ever felt it. Even when she was taking down a target, she felt mostly calm. A bit excited, perhaps, but nothing like this. Shadow dodged her swing expertly, and as he shoved her, she completely lost her footing and tumbled down to the ground.

“T-That’s me...” Her knife had dropped when she fell, but her hand quickly went to draw another one. As she hopped back up to her feet, still in a battle ready position, her cloak came undone and fluttered to the ground.

A pause followed Shadow’s second question, and she drew another knife from her belt. As much as she hated it, cooperating was best for her life. “This.” Her free hand drifted to her pocket, grabbing the now crumpled paper in her pocket and throwing it towards Shadow. “Those eyes probably make great reading lights... It’s about you.”

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Without taking his eyes off Whimsey, Shadow caught the paper tightly in his hand, generating a loud crumpling sound. And using that same hand, he tossed it into the air, grabbed the edge of the parchment, and flicked it hard enough to unroll it. His other hand still held his own dagger, but relaxed to his side as his eyes finally glided from Whimsey to the parchment.

Skimming the information, pausing briefly to make sure he read it correctly, he glanced back to Whimsey as he used his fingers to re-roll the parchment and tucked it in his jacket pocket.

"Have you claimed your new target?" He asked.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“I don’t see why that matters to you, but... No, I haven’t...” Her breath was still erratic, and her posture firm, but she seemed to be past the point of trying to rush Shadow again. Though, she kept her knife close to her chest, afraid that the same wouldn’t be true of Shadow.

“What do you want from me...?” Her eyes stayed locked on his, as if afraid he would immediately kill her if she looked away. Part of her wanted to turn and run, but she knew that wouldn’t end well for her.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Upon her response about not claiming her target, Shadow immediately sheathed his dagger.

"Dead targets have nothing to say." He growled.

He looked up, eyeing the rear balcony above their heads. Backing up a step, he took several long steps forward and jumped at the wall. The instant his foot made contact, he pushed off and launched himself upwards. His right hand grabbed the edge, and using only his right hand he hauled himself up o to the railings and perched on it with perfect balance.

Turning around he leaped at the wall opposite them and grabbed the next windowsill, hauling himself up and ascending once more. And in moments, he disappeared as he landed on the rooftop and walked slowly forward before crouching down at the ledge to observe Faliea's home.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

Whimsey simply stared at Shadow, bewildered at his words. When he quickly leapt away, gone as quickly as he arrived, she fell to her hands and knees, resisting the urge to vomit. Why was she alive? Not only had the Red-Eyed Demon caught up with her, but she had attacked him, for godsake. With all she had heard about her, she should have been laying in pieces. But all she got was a shove and some questions?

It didn’t make a lick of sense to her, but she wasn’t about to question it, either. She would have to check in tomorrow and see if Faliea was dead; if so, then she could get the hell out of this town. For now, though, the only thing on her mind was getting as far away from the Red-Eyed Demon as possible.

Getting her knives back in their sheaths, she stood up and quickly found her way to an Inn. Once in her room, she double checked every lock in the room, before taking more of the tonic Linde had given her and passing out almost immediately.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Come the following morning, it didn't take long for the news to spread of Ernest's body being discovered in his home by his servant when she came to wake him. It hadn't even taken an hour from the moment of the discovery. Talk of the Gutrend Butcher was spreading rapidly as this was his signature kill style. And an announcement was made by the King in writing that the killings would cease.

Cre' Est's capital city, Valkyom, officially entered a lockdown state with the Cre' Itian Royal Guards taking up positions at each of the four gates leading into the city. One in the Noble District, two in the Common District, and one at the edge of the Slums. Ten Royal Guards at each gate, for a total of forty men. More than enough to handle any would-be threats that would dare show their faces here. Everyone coming in or leaving the city was checked thoroughly. And anyone with questionable behavior or possessions was questioned behind closed doors before either being imprisoned, or being released. The rest of the 60 Royal Guards split off into fifteen groups of four on set patrol routes through the city. And although many of the citizens were nervous upon seeing them, life continued more or less as normal.

The King assured everyone this would not last. It would continue only as long as it took for the Royal Guards to bring any killers or suspicious persons to justice. And once they could confirm the killings had ceased, they Royal Guards would return to the palace and everything would return to normal.

For Linde, this development came as no surprise. But what she questioned was the rumor about whether or not it was truly the Gutrend Butcher who was responsible for this latest murder. She didn't know anything about Ernest. But for him to be taken down so brutally as to be split in two below the ribcage... Someone else came to mind when considering who could be responsible.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

Thankfully, the medicine from Linde worked just as well as it did the night before. A full night's rest, and while a few unpleasant nightmares worked their ways through the crack, she didn't wake up until sunrise. Though, when her eyes did open, she immediately shot upright in the bed, eyes darting around the room as if worried that Shadow was once again near her. The room seemed undisturbed, but she still didn't want to stay any longer than she needed to.

Her first concern was that of Faliea. In truth, she was still uncertain if the events of last night were real, or just another damned hallucination. She had felt the Red-Eyed Demon shove her, though, and had listened to his voice... It was different than all of the other ones. Was she just getting more mentally unstable, or had she actually been visited by the Red-Eyed Demon? If she had, how was she even breathing at this point? As she made her way into town, the town was swarming with far more guards than usual, as well of talk of a 'lockdown'. It was far from good news. She didn't doubt her ability to be charismatic enough to talk her way around some guards, at least normally, but in her current state? If she were to have a hallucination, or seem at all suspicious, there would only be trouble...

But she had to find out what happened to Faliea. Even if her return to Ernest was delayed, her target still took the top priority. She couldn't just march into Faliea's home and look to see if the woman was in one piece... Hopefully, if she loitered around her neighborhood, she would catch sight of her. Even so, with the lockdown, guards would be suspicious if she was on the street for too long, and ask just where the hell she was going.

Though, on her way to even get to Faliea's house to at least keep an eye out through her window, and see if there was any movement in the house, she overheard a number of discussions regarding a murder.

"Did you hear about Ernest...? I never caught his last name. They say the Gutrend Butcher got to him, though. Nobody knows why yet." One man spoke out to a woman who was likely his lover. The words made her pause, turning to the couple with widened, worried eyes.

"Ernest...!? Ernest Selev?" Whimsey looked at the man with eyes that demanded answers, but not in a threatening way. One of genuine worry and concern for the man. Even if she didn't care about Ernest as a person, he had been her source of work and income for years, now. Did he have it coming? Most likely. But even so, Whimsey's target was now null and void. Even if the original request had come from Leo, she was certain that Ernest would be the one confirming it and paying her for it.

"Uh... Ernest Selev... That sounds right, Miss. I take it you knew him?" The man tilted a head out of curiosity, prompting Whimsey to tense up a bit and look down at her feet. "No. But my mother had mentioned the name once or twice. I... I simply hadn't heard the news. My apologies. Good day." Her words were rushed, and it was obvious she wanted out of the conversation ASAP. Even if she did take down Faliea, and brought that news back to Leo, the boy had probably skipped town at the news of Ernest's death.

A hand balled into an angry fist, as she resisted the urge to verbally shout out her frustrations amidst the crowd. Ernest was a villain. Sent people to their death with no clue whether they were innocent or guilty. To be fair, so did she... So why was it the Red-Eyed Demon had spared her!? Even if the death of Ernest actually was by the Gutrend Butcher, the Red-Eyed Demon seemed completely aware of the connection between her and him. Her head began to pound again at the issue, and her breathing starting to go erratic. What was she supposed to do now...? While she had been half aware of where she was going, not bothering to go the direction of Faliea any longer, she found herself only a few blocks from Linde's clinic. For a brief moment, she considered going in and speaking with her once again. Though, not only did she not really have the money to keep visiting Doctor Almna, despite the kindness Linde had shown her, she doubted that Linde cared to hear her prattle on about her difficulties in life. Doctor Almna was supposed to be saving lives, not listening to a stupid girl on the wrong path spill her worries.

Despite worrying that it would be a poor idea, she eventually carried herself to the doors of the clinic once again, standing in front of the doors with a frown on her face. "Get it together, Whimsey..." Muttering to herself, she rubbed a hand on her face to try and relax at least a bit. A hand eventually drifted to the handle, pushing the door open and shutting it behind her as she walked inside. Somehow, she had managed to look even worse than she had the first time she visited, despite having gotten some real sleep. Her eyes held the look of defeat and hopelessness; of a woman lost in life. "Good day..." Slow steps brought her over to the receptionist as she once again took in the scenery around her. "...Is Doctor Almna around...?" What a silly question, she immediately thought. Of course she was. It was her clinic, after all...

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

As the doors to the clinic opened, Cheyanne greeted Whimsey with the same smile she always wore.

"Good morning! Oh, it's you miss. Do you need another consult with the doctor?" She asked.

As Whimsey asked if Linde was around, the answer became obvious.

"Okay. Let me see if the doctor has a moment to speak with you. The clinic has been a bit busier than usual this morning, so I might have to ask you to wait." She said.

She stood up and ducked her head into the clinic, asking the nurses if the doctor had time to spare or if she was needed here. And after a few moments of whispered discussion, she came back and sat down.

"Unfortunately the doctor is currently required as we have more patients than nurses on the floor at the moment. It will be about half an hour before the doctor is free. Would you be willing to wait?" She asked.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“Yeah... Sorry to bother.” A hand drifted up to her hair, in poor repair after her days on the road and fear of finding a river or a public bathhouse to take care of it. Brushing a bit of it behind her ear, she waited for the woman to go and check in on how everything was going.

Bringing the news on her return, Whimsey simply nodded. “It’s no rush... With the lockdown, I’m stuck here anyways...” Nodding to the woman, she turned and took a seat, a few deep breaths following as she took this little bit of time to try and sort through her thoughts. She was out of a job, would have to find a new target if she wanted to be able to eat through the week, had just run in with the Red-Eyed Demon, survived, and was still having these hallucinations... Suffice to say, it was a lot to take in, even for her.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Time ticked by at a slow and steady pace. The lobby was mostly silent, save one elderly couple chatting about the current state of the city. And the only other sounds available to sooth the ears was the sound of a small water fountain outside the open window just behind Cheyanne's desk where birds were bathing and chirping to provide a little bit of the sounds of nature for the customers.

Finally, Linde emerged from the door to the clinic. A single glance toward Whimsey, and a brief exchange with Cheyanne while wearing a protective cloth mask over her mouth and nose, were followed by Linde entering her office behind Cheyanne.

"She'll be just a moment, miss." Cheyanne called to Whimsey.

About three minutes later, Linde cracked the door and waved Whimsey down.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

Whimsey didn’t notice Linde come out of the clinic the first time, only bothering to snap out of her thoughts when Cheyanne called her name and said Linde would be out shortly. She simply returned a short nod, before a quiet sigh left her and she went back to simply processing everything that happened. It was overwhelming, and made her want to cry her eyes out, but the last thing she wanted to do was make a scene with others around. The tears could wait.

When Linde came out and waved for her, she blinked a few times before standing up and following her over to the familiar office. “You sure you’ve got time to see me...? I wanted to... Talk, I guess.” A short sigh escaped her as she stayed standing, not keen on sitting down.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Linde closed the door behind Whimsey, and sat down at her desk.

"Each consultation is 30 minutes, so we have some time. Are you sure you don't want to sit down?" She asked, gesturing to the empty chair across from her.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“I... Probably won’t take that much of your time.” Instead or simply standing in the middle of the room with a damaged look in her eyes, she moved her gaze down to the floor and leaned against the door to the office. “You’re not even gonna believe me...” The words came out under her breath, assuming that Linde would brush her story away as a hallucination.

“...Have you heard? About Ernest Selev?” Her arms crossed under her cloak, one hand picking at a wound that was still healing she had on her arm.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Linde's gaze was calm and even as she listened to Whimsey.

"I did hear." She said quietly as she leaned back in her chair.

"Did you know him?" She asked.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“I’ve... Been working with him for quite a while now.” Her eyes narrowed a bit at the topic of the conversation. The same man that had been blackmailing her with being turned into the guards for years, as well as being the one keeping her fed... Linde didn’t need to hear all that excess information, though, and she likely didn’t care. “But he’s gone now. I’m out of a job.” Sure, she could probably find someone else to give her a hit, but she’d be working on a case to case basis, as opposed to the consistency Ernest have her.

Even so, the question once again crossed her mind. How long would it take for her to suffer the same fate? Until these years of blood and killing came to an end? “...Doctor Almna, you’re not gonna believe me, but I promise what I’m about to say is true...” A deep breath followed as she paused, uncrossing her arms and rubbing at her eyes.

“The Red-Eyed Demon found me. He was real... H-He... He asked about Utoros, about Ernest, and about my target.” Her gaze moved away from Linde as she started to lose control of her composure just a tad. “It wasn’t a hallucination, I... It was real, he touched me, for gods sake!” Her sleeve wiped the tears away from her eyes as her breathing started to quicken. “He’s toying with me. Watching me, I’m sure of it!”

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Again, Linde watched calmly with no confirmation of belief or disbelief anywhere in her face. And as Whimsey talked about the Red-Eyed Demon touching her, she arched an eyebrow. But it faded quickly as she took in a breath.

"So you saw him again?" She whispered, more to herself than to Whimsey.

Linde looked down at her desk in silent contemplation, and then back to Whimsey.

"What did he say to you, exactly? Before he left, I mean." She asked.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“He’s just playing with me, at this point... H-He’s gonna cleave me in half just like he did Ernest, once he’s done watching me suffer like this.” She shook her head and took in a shaky exhale, trying to get herself to stop being on the brink of crying her eyes out. Linde’s question snapped her back to focus, even if she was still clearly shaken.

“He knew knew me by name. I’ve got so many different fake names at this point, I have no idea how he would have known...” Another pause followed her words, as she tried to piece together how he could’ve known. “I killed a man, just like you said. Utoros... He asked who I got that hit from, and then asked if I had killed my current one yet.” Pushing off of the door, she started to pace as she spoke.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Linde continued to sit quietly and observe Whimsey. All of her actions, from the talking about things as if they were already set in stone to the pacing, had Linde starting to question just how much of Whimsey's fears were actually well founded versus pure paranoia. Having known Shadow for almost two years, and having spent almost 6 months by his side, she knew Shadow well enough to understand how he operated. And if he left Whimsey alive, as well as asked if she'd taken her next target with no news of a second death...

"Whimsey, I need you to take a seat. And that's not a request." She said calmly as she stood up behind her desk.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

She continued to pace, deeply convinced that her life might as well have been over. The Red-Eyed Demon was going to kill her. To her, that was fact. Even if she lived, Ernest was gone, and she was so damned tired of the life she lived. Killing people who could have been completely innocent, sometimes people she was sure were innocent... It took it’s toll on her.

As Linde made her demand, Whimsey looked towards her and blinked a few times, confused at the words. No response followed, and she eventually let out a long exhale and moved to sit down. She could tell Doctor Linde was serious, and was honestly scared that she was about to tell her something she didn’t want to hear.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Linde walked around the desk and took a seat on the edge of it with one hand on either side supporting herself for balance. She crossed one leg over the other, and tilted her chin down to look directly at Whimsey.

"Listen to me very carefully." She said in a soft, gentle tone. "Whatever happened last night, you're alive right now. Take that blessing for what it is." She said calmly.

She took a breath.

"What were his final words to you before he left you last night? Can you remember?" She asked.

If Whimsey could remember, it would either set Linde's mind at ease or... It would do something else.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“Blessing... I wish he would’ve just killed me...” Shaking her head, she didn’t dwell on that fact or try and drive it home. Her focus shifted to Linde again as she asked her another question.

“He... He told me ‘dead targets have nothing to say’. Referring to Faliea, I assumed... U-Unless you’re telling me I’m his target, now.” Her eyes went wide as she waited for Linde to explain, only realizing now that Shadow’s words were slightly odd, given the situation.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Dead targets have nothing to say...

Linde heard the words in Shadow's voice, and took in a deep breath before letting it out on a long sigh. And at the corners of her mouth, the faintest smile crept onto her lips before it fade when her head came up.

"Whimsey, I want you to listen to me. Because you might not believe me when you hear what I have to say next."

She stood up off the edge of the desk and leaned forward, hands on her knees, and put her face about one foot from Whimsey's.

"If he speaks of death in the negative, then he's not in a killing mood." She whispered, giving Whimsey the slightest smile as she stood up straight and went back to sit in her chair on the other side of the desk.

"If he wanted you dead, Whimsey, you would be. Make no mistake about that. But contrary to popular belief, he doesn't take lives indiscriminately. And the fact we haven't heard of this Faliea's death despite your confirmation he went after her is proof enough of that."

She put her hands on the desk top, interlacing her fingers and letting her thumbs flick back and forth across one another, almost like they were engaging in a thumb war.

Looking back to Whimsey from her hands. "I don't know if you plan to continue pursuing this woman. But I advise against it. If he went after her, and if she is in fact still alive, then he spared her for a reason... And if you take that life he spared, he may see you as an enemy." She said calmly.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

Whimsey didn't respond to Linde as she started to speak, though did give her the politeness of tilting her head up to actually look at the woman. It didn't take long for her to get suspicious of just how Linde would know so much about the Red-Eyed Demon. As Linde took her head away from being so close to her, her eyes blinked a few times and went back to her lap. How did she get herself in such a situation?

"You know way too much about this guy, Doctor." Whimsey finally spoke her concerns aloud, tilting her head back up and raising an eyebrow. "You're right. I don't believe you. How would you know how... A madman like him? Ernest is dead, Doctor Almna, and if that demon knew my name...? I'm willing to bet he had something to do with it. Why would he be dead, but not me...?" The words were less frustrated, and more ones of mourning and jealousy.

The more Linde spoke on the topic, the more confused she got. Was she not already an enemy of the Red-Eyed Demon, after what had happened with Utoros? After being directly linked to Ernest, who she was growing more and more certain had died to the Red-Eyed Demon. "I have no plans to go after Faliea. I'd have nothing to gain, since Ernest is gone..." Her right leg crossed over her left as she leaned back, looking up at the ceiling.

GojiBean​