There is something wrong with Klein.
And her.
Pondered Amanises.
When did the line began to became so thin?
Blood rushed to her cheeks, a crimson faint glowing softly against the pale white.
It always was.
…
There is something wrong with Merlin.
A legendary coup and a grand escape later, the Knight and her Magician, as she would return to calling him, were now over tens of kilometers from the Kingdom. Its high and mighty walls painted in black and shined by crimson were now nothing more than a mess of falling debris. The monotonicity shattered with the fall of buildings. The shadow of order casted by the castle in black now crumbling in ruins.
Yet in all that chaos, not a single human life was laid down. Even amidst the bouts of tomfoolery and utter stupidity displayed by Merlin and Morgane, they had still taken great care into making sure no innocent life was lost in the incident… no innocent human life was lost in the incident.
It was at times like these that Morgane really felt how valuable Merlin's abilities were. Even if she could have concealed all of the denizens of the kingdom and then used Darkness for displacement; teleporting them across an entire continent was not something she felt the abilities of her pathway were capable of. Merlin, on the other hand, possessed the authority of the one pathway that was adept at such things.
With that thought, her gaze lingered on the chaos lighting the night in amber Twilight. Besides her stood her Magician equally entranced by the sight. Neither of them exchanged words about their little adventure however both of them felt it to be the best of their life and its effects still lingered:
That being the soft hold on each other's hand.
Their slender fingers gently entwined with each other. Morgane's thumb gently pressed and caressed Merlin's smooth skin out of pure instinct. She leaned into his touch without thought, their arms brushed against each other while her head tilted almost to rest itself on his shoulder.
"We lost the two Uniqueness's." She spoke quietly, almost whispering to him while watching the chaos unfold further and further. "Shall we track them down Merlin?"
"Hehe, no need." His response only served to confuse Morgane. Before she could have voiced her question, though, Merlin gently averted his sparkling gaze towards her and spoke in an equally hushed tone. "I wasn't planning on catching those Uniqueness's anyway."
"Hmm? Why that?" She turned her head towards him, locking her dark eyes with his. Their surface shimmered with bright colours as a sudden burst of fireworks began to go off in the distance. It was silly, watching as the Giants—once came here to rule and destroy—now desperately flee the barren kingdom with their tail tucked in between their legs. It seems every step gives birth to a new explosion.
"You remember the door leading to the Throne room? The mysterious engravings etched onto the surface of the black door reflecting order and disorder, and the silhouette of the city casting a shadow over all." Merlin tilted his head, his lips curling up further as he waited for Morgane to make a connection.
And he was not disappointed. "Nation of Disorder?" Morgane gently pointed out, watching as Merlin nodded in affirmation. "Correct. I presume that my previous hypothesis that the Uniqueness's were controlled by the Magic Wishing Lamp was incorrect. Instead it may be the Sefirot's seeping influence that is further reinforced by the presence of the Son of Chaos."
Sefirot's seeping influence? Morgane was momentarily stunned by this revelation but quickly composed herself. It makes sense. Even if the Lord Of Mysteries had sealed all seven Sefirots; sealing their influence over their pathway should be something beyond even "His" grasp, its convergence itself after all. Besides as time marches forward and a new Lord Of Mysteries doesn't come to be, the seal present over the Western Continent would naturally degrade under the influence of the seven relics of the Original Creator…
She stopped thinking further, not wanting to even consider the day the seal would perhaps be broken and the seven Sefirot would descend upon the rest of the world. Let's just hope we have a Lord Of Mysteries by that point… that sounds so wrong. Her attention was brought back by Merlin's soft hum. "If that is the case, I would actually like to observe what these Uniqueness's do next—of course while maintaining the scrutiny that they do no further harm." Morgane stared at his face for some moments before nodding, choosing to trust whatever twisted plan he had in his mind.
"And what will we tell "Him"?" Merlin raised a hand and shook it in front of her face. "Leave that to me." A sigh parted her lips. Choosing to leave these worries behind, a mischievous thought made itself aware in her head causing her small smile to widen into a cheeky grin.
"Did thou like mine performance today, oh dear magician?" She whispered in archaic English, still finding the whole situation to be quite amusing. Her expression dawned over a bright glee and held laughter. "Beyond like, I fell in love."
This, absolutely, was not the answer Morgane had expected of him—or more precisely she had not expected her Magician to be so blunt. Love… Her dark eyes gently twinkled, her lips slightly parted forming agape, her expression softened while her breath slowly hitched.
"It was amazing to see you move and slice like a Knight." Merlin's voice carried an unusual amazement. "But more than that…" He stepped forward, his usual theatrics subdued now, his hat tipped just slightly. "There was this grace to you… a kind of cruel beauty.
"The way your blade moved, the way the darkness curled around you yet maintained its serenity. The way you stood, your posture, your dash, your focus, it was all spectacular to see. I couldn't take my eyes off of you." Morgane's eyes were far wider than they had ever been and for the faintest of moments she felt the very persona on the verge of breaking… I only asked that as a joke… but his tone displays a genuine response.
She gazed at Merlin's face. Deeply gazed at Merlin's face. And took note of the excitement and happiness that was, otherwise, foreign to the Ordinary Calm Wandering Magician.
And it was then she realised his Persona was broken long ago.
A moment passed.
Then Morgane, lips curling upward just slightly, turned her head to the side to hide her smile. But she didn't respond right away. Instead, she stepped forward, closing any distance the two of them had, her voice low, threaded with playfulness and something deeper. "Thou art far too bold for a magician with fragile bones."
Merlin's grin returned, brighter than before. "And thou art far too divine for a mere knight in black."
They stood there, amid the quiet aftermath of battle, sharing their moments together in stillness and quiet.
…
There is something wrong with Klein.
There is always something wrong with Klein. Amanises sighed and tilted her head with a perplexed expression. Standing at the porch of their house, she witnessed Klein carry metal boxes filled with some unknown material to the back open area, away from Amanises garden under the Lady's scrutinising gaze.
He threw the boxes down with a loud thud, uncaring of the material inside of them. Then with a turn he walked away and looped around the house out of Amanises sight but that wasn't for long as she witnessed him coming back around from the corner, this time with even more metal boxes with unknown materials.
They appear heavy… She thought, watching as Klein threw these boxes among the pile of many creating a loud bang that caused Amanises ears to uncontrollably twitch. She instinctively raised her hand and covered her ears while her expressions contorted further. Deciding not to bear the curiosity anymore, Amanises stepped off from the porch of their house, her heels gently digging in the grass as she took slow measured steps and advanced towards Klein.
As if sensing her approach, Klein straightened himself and raised his hand and ran his palm across his forehead, performing a wiping motion to clear the sweat that had never formed in the first place. Amanises lightly giggled upon seeing this and shook her head with a low smile.
"You seem quiet busy~?" She began with a tease, crossing her leg and leaning her upper body forward just a little. "Might I ask what is all of this?" Amanises eyes slowly turned towards the pile of metal boxes, her vision picking up the sight of a purple-redish puss leaking from the hinges. At the same time her nose picked up a pleasantly sour and yeast aroma. Klein shook his head and raised his hands in the air.
"Fermented Grapes. I am preparing to make some wine." Amanises blinked a few times. "You know how to make wine?" Klein flashed a simple smile at that question. "Remember? The Attendant of Mysteries Ritual?"
"The Ritual is to build a town consisting only of marionettes, with each having their own unique trajectory of fate. As these marionettes interact with each other, they will act as a sufficiently real life painting and create a corresponding area in the spirit world." The requirement of the Ritual surfaced in Amanises mind prompting her to nod her head. At the same time it clicked in her mind that Klein knew many more life skills than she does.
Making wine doesn't count. Not everyone needs to know that. She silently lampooned in her head and turned her attention back towards Klein and the pile of metal boxes containing fermented grapes. She stared emptily for some moments eliciting a confused brow and a tilt of head from Klein as he crossed his arms and stared at her pretty face.
Slowly an idea surfaced in her head, one that reminded herself of her previous profession as a Woman in the business field.
"We can sell these later…"
"Huh?"
Amanises cleared her throat and straightened her tilted posture. "Klein, do you think Humanity will one day reach our times?"
"They will, yeah." Klein had to actively hold back from continuing his statement and say 'Albeit it will take them until the Fifth or Sixth epoch.' Amanises repeatedly nodded and raised a finger in the air. "And do you think they will love alcoholic beverages?"
Klein could now see the thread that was knitting in Amanises head. His eyes dilated and his face displayed enlightenment; that was all amanises needed. "Now if the wine is over epochs old?"
Klein blinked. "Wait—are you suggesting…"
Amanises leaned forward, her eyes glinting with perfectly calculated ambition. "We create our own wine brand. A collection so rare, and so unfathomably aged, it would fetch a price beyond reason in the future." She spun her finger in the air, drawing an invisible spiral as if already tracing the logo in her mind. "A blend brewed through time itself, yet maintaining its peak taste by the blessings of the Worm of Time and the Goddess of Concealment."
Klein rubbed his temples. The print of money etched in his mind. I can become rich in the future… Amanises clapped her hands once, delighted by her own idea.
He could already see it—her conjuring up entire cellars beneath moonlight, bottles corked with starlight, each label etched with names like Tears of the Second Epoch, Foolswine No. 8, Sun's Last Sip. They'd market them with riddles and encrypted dreams, and the upper echelons of future Society and Beyonders would kill to own a bottle.
Klein sighed, partially regretting not keeping his mouth shut earlier and partially thinking of the amount of money they could earn with this little business and what he could buy Benson and Melissa with it in future. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
"As serious as a God and a Knight who's bored and wants to become a vintner," she said proudly, conjuring a small floating bottle that shimmered with swirling dark hues. "And besides, it would be fun."
Klein could only groan, hand covering his face, before muttering, "If the Lord of the Mysteries ends up as a glorified wine merchant in the annals of history, I'm haunting you."
"Good. We'll name a flavor after that." Amanises winked. "Specter's Gripe. Goes great with dried starfruit."
Coming to an agreement, the two new "Business partners" shook hands and nodded to each other before turning their attention towards the metal boxes. "They surely do look fine and plenty and quite heavy too." Klein shook his head in agreement and muttered. "That they are…" Suddenly his gaze landed towards Amanises, his eyes narrowing and a mischievous smile took shape in his face and a string of words escaped his mouth without control.
"Actually I wonder how heavy you are."
Amanises blinked a few times before her expression contorted into a provoked woman. "Now that's just rude." She bitterly spoke, narrowing her gaze and crossing her arms giving Klein an angry glare.
This caused the man to burst into a low laughter. He deeply gazed at her, finding her posture unbearably cute which caused his heart to flutter and beat faster, and somehow The False Fool did not take a notice of this or perhaps he merely wished to ignore. Another thought took form in his mind and Klein decided better than his instincts to act on it.
He rolled up his sleeves and slowly approached her with a smile that strangely calmed the provoked Woman. Then as he got closer to her, Klein leaned downwards and gave Amanises a look that asked her permission. Oh? Contemplating for a few seconds, she tilted her head and gave him a look of approval. He flashed back a beautiful smile before turning his gaze towards her waist. Klein leaned forward and put his arms around her hips, then slowly he picked up the woman in his arms, as she rested her hands firmly on his shoulder and evenly distributed her weight.
Klein adjusted her in his arms for a few seconds before looking up at her and smiling sweetly. "Not that heavy." Amanises raised one of her hands from his shoulder and cupped his crimson cheek before pinching them lightly. "There is absolutely no need to mention that." She displayed a small level of provoke in her tone before letting the smile dawn to her face while she continued to pinch his cheek.
They are soft and smooth… She did not voice this thought as she let Klein hold her up in his arms for some while. Their gaze locked with each other intensely, a slight ting of red on both of their faces. Amanises ran her fingers in his hair slightly dishelving them, earning a hum of dejection from Klein that only brought her more joy.
After a while Klein gently rested her down, back on her feet. Despite it Amansies kept her hands firmly on his shoulders while holding a small smile that only served to confuse Klein further. Before he could have asked her anything, though, Amanises pushed Klein, leaned forward and brought her arms down putting them around his thighs and his back before firmly pulling them back up causing Klein to fall into her arms.
Amanises took a firm hold before shifting Klein a little and carried him bridal style.
"What the–?" Klein found himself too perplexed to even finish his statement as Amanises lightly giggled and snuggled him closer to her. "Payback. I might parade you around the entire house like this~" With that Amanises turned around and began to walk away towards her garden while carrying Klein bridal style in her arms, rejecting all his pleads to be put down. Well they were half-hearted pleas anyway, even if Amanises didn't fully catch on to that. Besides, who would even see them like this?
And that was a firm mistake as in their fun, they had quiet so forgot about the massive sun that loomed over their head—always watching—and the two extra heads that were currently in their house—now standing on the porch. Two young Teenagers, their looks normal and near completely identical save for the shade of dark in their eyes and hair. One's darker, the other's not so much. They wore a simple linen dress, one cloaked in black, the other in a mix of brown and red.
"I am genuinely surprised that those two aren't married." Whispered Marianne to her twin sister Arianna that stood beside her. Even if the both of them didn't completely know how a married relationship was, they could tell that Miss Amani and Mister Klein's relationship definitely qualified as one. "I know right! Maybe they are keeping it a secret?"
Marianne pondered over her sister's statement quietly before nodding in brief affirmation. "Maybe… but to us too?" She crossed her arms and lightly pouted. Arianna, seeing this, put her hand on her sister's shoulder. "It's okay-It's okay. Besides, it doesn't actually seem like it. You remember, Mister Klein once told us "Married couples wear a ring on their ring finger to signify their marriage.""
And neither of them wore a ring. Marianne chose to believe her sister's explanation that completely contradicts her previous statement. They both continued to stare at Klein and Amanises from afar, choosing between when to interject and whether they should.
And the latter won, as it quickly became apparent that Miss Amanises had no intention of putting down Mister Klein and at that point even the man had given up, simply choosing to embrace his predicament with a bright glee and a sparkling yellow in his eyes that reflected the crimson face of Amanises full of entranced joy.
Petals of moon flowers and vanilla extract flew by. It was a beautiful scene.
Marianne and Arianna simply shook their heads and turned away, choosing to leave the "Couple" as they had come to their conclusions, alone.
And they left with a quiet giggle to themselves and a smile like no other.
…
There is something wrong with "Him".
That much, Kotar had come to understand after coming to Tingen, that there was something particularly wrong with his new master. He had somehow been given a leisure place to stay in the massive town under the veil of Misfortune, a number of dedicated anchors that he was sure were not human, and an innumerable amount of parchments that had all sorts of Mysticism Knowledge as well as a Job: Teach Mysticism to Kids.
"Teach Mysticism to Kids."
I used to be one of the Subsidiary gods of Annihilation Demonic Wolf Flegrea. A worshiped god of one of the most brutal and bloodthirsty races, one of the most feared beings among a dozen few… and now I am a teacher. To the others, this might have been the biggest mockery and the most embarrassing way to humiliate them. After all, what Mythical Creature would want to pamper kids to study weird knowledge only a rare number were going to make use of?
But to Kotar, this was an ideal life. The kids in Tingen showed keen interest in learning so teaching them proved no issue. The environment around him was radiant and serene which did take him some time to get used to, but eventually he could handle the quiet and calm. A simple work and then back to feasting—although not of Humans but Kotar couldn't care less. No tension. No fear. And absolutely no worries over his very life.
He let out a deep sigh, pondering over his luck of serving the most cruel bloodthirsty being to perhaps the most peaceful one. Maintaining his illusion of a Man in greyish white attire, with black hair fading into greyish white towards his forehead. His skin was bronze in colour and a mole pointed on his cheek. In his hands, the man held a number of parchments and a 'Chalk'. Kotar entered the town's palace.
It was a massive building situated at the heart of Tingen, built from black Beyond its imposing doors stretched a sprawling carpet, deep crimson in hue, splitting off into countless halls and winding corridors leading to various rooms all designed to function for different purposes: uphold order, serve justice, and educate the public, as had been decreed by "Her" Angel. Helping those newly arrived souls saved by the Holy Knight of the Goddess of Misfortune. They were given shelter, aid, and hope within these hallowed walls.
I have a feeling, the 'Holy Knight' is actually the 'Goddess of Misfortune' "Herself"... Ruminating over it but not daring to think any further, Kotar slowly walked towards the small library situated at the Third block of the enormous palace. The palace itself had a total of Four blocks laid out in a square, with an open area in the middle that had an attractive fountain and a beautiful garden of Moon flower and Vanilla extracts, as the Believers of the Goddess come to know of her particular liking of those sweet smelling flowers.
Kotar passed by the garden, taking a deep breath, before turning toward the Third block and taking nimble steps towards his location and it didn't take him long to see the silhouette of two giant doors, with one of them ever so slightly open. Advancing towards them, Kotar, nonchalantly, controlled his illusion to push open the door fully so that he could enter the library, but before his illusions hand could have grasped on to the frame of the door, four hands took hold of his shirt and flung him back, away from the door.
For a moment he was stunned. Kotar had gone lazy enough not to pay much attention to his surroundings anymore as there really wasn't a need to do so. Yet he, of course, still maintained the basic caution of going outside with a Historical projection should anything bad come up. Clearing his mind, he quickly shifted his gaze towards the two girls that had taken hold of his illusion.
Marianne and Arianna.
"What's the meaning of this?" Kotar controlled his illusion and spoke out quietly as he released himself from their grasp and turned his whole body towards them covering the slight crack from the partially opened doors. The two sisters lightly hushed him, earning a scrutinising brow from Kotar, and then bowed down in apology.
"We are sorry teacher but we had our reasons." Arianne voiced out their combined thoughts before turning towards her sister and then raising a finger towards Kotar. It was meant behind Kotar. He narrowed his gaze and turned around peering inside the slightly opened door—
—to witness a sight he had not expected to see today.
Huh?
Inside the library, resting on one of the tables was Morgane, her legs crossed and her dark cloak gently rested in her lap. In front of her was the famous Wandering Magician Merlin Hermes—someone Kotar had come to realise was in fact another Angel of The Fool and not that of Goddess of Misfortune.
But he had also come to realise that it mattered naught as the relationship between the two existence appeared… quite close to say the least.
Merlin rested a parchment book on the table, before raising his arms and stretching his body. He turned his head towards Morgane whose gaze rested on his figure for too long, prompting him to snap his fingers in front of her face and ask with a giggle. "Something the matter? You have been staring at me for prolong."
"Mhm~ It's not necessarily that I have been staring at you but more so…" Her words trailed off towards the end and so did her dark gaze, becoming distant and quiet. To Merlin, Morgane's face begins to morph and twist, turning into that of Amanises, eliciting him to change his appearance to that of Klein too.
But to the three people that stood outside, not out of either of their gaze or attention, their appearance remained same and their words quiet like a whisper, concealed that even The God of Wishes could not hear them. "I actually have some close memories with Libraries…" Amanises whispered quietly to Klein, lifting her head and darting her eyes around in the relatively small room. The library had an arching ceiling, its walls lined with towering shelves stacked with books, while about ten sets of tables and chairs were neatly arranged across the floor—each placed for the quiet comfort of reading.
"My grandmother used to own a small personal library." Amanises muttered, her voice barely a whisper. "I spent much of my early childhood there with her. She taught me alphabets, numbers, some plays and rhymes… She also taught me how to dance there. Yes, dance, in a library." She dryly chuckled to herself while her eyes twinkled from surfacing memories.
Klein leaned his cheek on one hand, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as Amanises continued her ramble with unrelenting enthusiasm. "Seems she really had quite a fondness for you," Amanises mused with a few thoughtful nods, her voice soft but light with amusement. "Only me, actually. Never paid much mind to my brother or sister, for reasons I never quite understood." She let out a tiny laugh, shaking her head. "It even sparked a rather dramatic argument between me and my brother back in elementary school~ He was so convinced she played favorites… and maybe she did."
Amanises trailed off for only a breath before continuing her tone growing more casual, her hands gesturing animatedly now as she launched into story after story, blabbering without pause about her grandmother's strange hobbies, her brother's tantrums, and all the little cherished moments tucked deep within those early years.
Eventually her stride came to a stop and she propped one of her legs on the edge of the table, pressing her knee against her chest. "As I grew older, visits became less, talk became occasional, even me and my brother stopped fighting for her affections." She took a few seconds to reminiscence before sighing and speaking in a dejected tone.
"When I entered High School, she passed away. It only took me so many years until now to fully realise what was lost to me."
With a quiet sigh, Amanises leaned back, resting her weight on her arms as she let her eyes fall shut. There were countless memories flashing through her mind, some as vivid as day and others now only a flicker. She had once believed that learning the truth of this world would dull the ache in her chest. That perhaps her longing would dissolve, her greatest wish reduced to something once held dear.
But she was wrong. Because even now, even after all this time, Amanises still wished to go home.
Even if, by all definitions, she already was.
For the longest time only silence remained as Amanises took some time to quell the storm brewing inside her. Then she leaned forward once again, opening her eyes to see a hand extended to her.
She blinked multiple times.
A hand that was extended… to her… belonging to whom else but the man she had just vented to. Klein's upper body was bowed down, his one hand wide open towards her and the other pressing the right of his chest. A small smile tucked at his lips, not of mischief, but comfort and stillness.
Amanises stared at him for a long time, then averted her gaze back to the open fair palm in front of her. Without hesitation, she reached out, placing her fingers softly in his. He gently guided her down from the table she had been perched upon, her shoe clicking faintly against the floor as she settled on her feet.
Klein straightened, and without breaking eye contact, reached for her other hand, his fingers brushing against her skin like a feather. He took hold, his grip careful. They stood like that for a breath.
Then he moved.
There was no music, yet there might as well have been. Klein stepped forward, slow and deliberate, guiding Amanises into a waltz meant for no audience. Her feet followed without thoughts, as though this had been rehearsed in dreams. His steps were elegant, smooth, each motion winding them in a soft, gentle circle in the center of the quiet library.
Amanises let out a breath, quiet and steady, and allowed herself to lean in just a little closer, her arms finding natural places around his shoulders. Her hair swayed with their movement, and Klein's hand shifted delicately to her waist.
"I suppose I should thank you," she murmured, barely above a whisper.
"For what?" he asked, voice just as soft.
"For not laughing."
Klein tilted his head slightly, the ghost of his smile returning. "You should have seen my emotional tantrums. Besides for you? I'd rather dance than laugh."
A blush threatened to creep across her pale cheeks, but she hid it well, unlike Klein whose face was now painted in red. She pressed herself just a bit closer, her head resting for a moment near his shoulder. Their pace slowed, though neither made the choice to stop. The silence between was beautiful and full. Heavy with things neither needed to say.
For in that moment, they weren't gods. Nor Beyonders.
They were simply two souls, dancing in the quiet corners of a Library.
And suddenly, Amanises realised:
There was something wrong with her too.