Dukewood—this is where Fiona now is, searching for her parents. Dukewood is a vast realm; if it helps, imagine a country like Russia, only even larger. Dukewood is enormous—finding one's parents there sounds hard.
(Klick… Klick!)(Eeeee)
Fiona: "Oh… this is my apartment…"Crane: "Chic…"Fiona: "Mhm."
She went in.
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Four windows, a shower, a bed, a fireplace, a kitchen.
Fiona: "Hhhmmm…"Crane: "What did you bring?"Fiona: "Well… some food."
She set it on the table and opened her jacket.
(Schwibs!)
She undressed; underneath she wore a black outfit.
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
She grabbed a bunch of strawberries and started eating.
Fiona: "Mmm…"
She tossed one to Crane, who ate it.
Fiona: "Mmm…"
She picked up the newspaper.
Fiona: "Hmm…"Crane: "What?"Fiona: "Nothing—just says the suicide rate in Dukewood is rising."Crane: "Probably because of the curse."Fiona: "Yeah. Most couples we've met didn't look happy—because of the curse about not dying a virgin, many had to enter relationships they didn't even want…"Crane: "Can't they just, you know, do it and be done?"Fiona: "Well, the curse says this: First, it has to happen within a relationship. Second, prostitution may remove virginity, but then another curse strikes—the curse says that a woman who sells her body becomes a doll that can neither speak nor move, only live… nothing more. Third rule: this happens only to women."Crane: "Why only women?"Fiona: "Because the three maidens wanted revenge on the women of the people—in other words, on the people as a whole—by making the women suffer as they did."Crane: "I see…"
The women were named Erika, Nami, and Lara. They had illnesses that affected their faces or bodies: Erika couldn't open her eyes, Nami couldn't speak, and Lara couldn't use her legs. People treated them like a plague and wanted to get rid of them; they were branded witches and burned—anything to dispose of them. Erika was 14, Nami 16, and Lara 15. They were young. In revenge they cast this curse: women who live as virgins become dolls—and that for 30 years.
Crane: "So…"Fiona: "It hits the male sex too—just differently."Crane: "What about you… you're a woman; don't you have to do this too?"Fiona: "I'm from another realm, and I'm only 20. I still have ten years. I won't be staying that long."Crane: "What are you going to do now?"Fiona: "Simple… I'll go to the three statues."Crane: "Why?"Fiona: "I think with the Card of the Mysterious I might be able to talk to them."
(A few hours later)
(Timhooth)
Fiona: "There they are…"
The three statues of the three maidens. Two standing, one sitting.
Fiona: "Hmm."Crane: "Why do you think people didn't destroy the statues?"Fiona: "Easy—the statues carry a lot of power. If you try to destroy them, you die immediately."
She picked a plant and threw it at the statue; the plant burned—no, exploded.
(Splach!)
Fiona: "See?"Crane: "Creepy."Fiona: "Mhm."Crane: "But how will you use your powers? If you use them here, they'll notice—hardly reassuring."Fiona: "Simple, dear Crane… very simple."
She sat on the chair, took her watch, and pointed to it.
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
It pointed to the year 1140.
Fiona: "Okay…"
Fiona took the pistol and shot herself in the head exactly as a large wagon passed.
(Peng!)
She became a ghost.
Fiona: "Hmm."
(Sobbing)
Fiona: "Huh…"
She saw a girl crying by the statue.
Fiona: "Excuse me?"
The girl startled.
Fiona: "Ugh… You're… Erika…"Erika: "Huh…"Fiona: "One of the three maidens."Erika: "Mhm."Fiona: "Why are you crying?"Erika: "Oh, it's nothing… It happens whenever I see the statue."Fiona: "Hmm."Erika: "I did something terrible."Fiona: "Do you regret it?"Erika: "Yes… I do. The people back then were cruel… but… but what have the people of today done to deserve this… it's awful… I… I was full of anger and hate…"
Erika looked at Fiona.
Erika: "Oh… you look like a detective… and you're pretty."Fiona: "You can see?"Erika: "Hehehe… just because my eyes are closed doesn't mean I can't see—I can see a little… I wonder if at your age I would've had a bit more up top?"Fiona: "(Sweats) … great…"Erika: "What? I'm flat."Fiona: "As a ghost you should have other worries…"Erika: "You should be careful—you're still a virgin as you are, but you're pretty."Fiona: "I'm only 20."Erika: "Oh…"Fiona: "Do the other two maidens also regret their actions?"
She shook her head.
Erika: "Honestly… even I don't really regret what I did to the people back then… just the people now… I feel sorry for them."Fiona: "So the answer is they don't."
She nodded.
Erika: "Hehe… we were young… and because of our illnesses we were called monsters."Fiona: "Hmm…"Erika: "… hmm."Fiona: "Why did you only curse the women?"Erika: "Because the women back then lived however they wanted, and we wanted revenge on the others… Imagine a father seeing his daughter become a doll who can move and speak… yet isn't a person anymore…"Fiona: "Oh… I don't know my father."Erika: "Hehe… I meant back then… You should know my father and mother were the ones who supported the burning…"Fiona: "What?!"Erika: "Hehe… My mother always called me a plague… and my father called me a childish whore."Fiona: "… Well, no wonder you were so angry with them…"Erika: "Hehehe… it's fine… I'm not mad at him anymore."Fiona: "You should be."Erika: "Hehe… it's been a long time… My sister… turned into a doll in front of my father—she was his favorite daughter… seeing her like that destroyed him and he took his own life… Hehehe… I must say, one of the few moments that made me happy… My mother was cursed because it turned out one of my siblings came from an affair… And she became a doll… one that can't move."Fiona: "Wait… what about the child?"Erika: "Don't worry… I made sure the curse only triggers after the women have already given birth and the child is over five years old… I did make Nami and Lara angry with that, but I didn't want a child to die or to miss its mother's milk or touch…"Fiona: "And the other maidens?"Erika: "I don't know… it seems because they achieved what they wanted, their spirits aren't here but in the spirit world…"Fiona: "And you didn't achieve it?"Erika: "… Well… half. I want to stay… and watch what terrible things I've done."Fiona: "You know your spirit will weaken eventually."Erika: "Hehehe… I know… You can see the chains… Every spirit not in the spirit world is bound with chains to the place where he or she died."Fiona: "I understand…"Erika: "It was nice talking to you… Seems like you want to go."Fiona: "Mhm."Erika: "You can talk to spirits…"Fiona: "I possess the Card of the Mysterious."Erika: "Oh… I've heard good things about it… It's the rare card that has Lady Holle's ability, right? I don't talk to her much."Fiona: "Wait… talk?"Erika: "Oh… you didn't know? Lady Holle is also called the Princess of Ghosts—she can touch them and speak with them."Fiona: "I… didn't know that… But… I really have to go now…"Erika: "Take care…"Fiona: "Mhm."
She returned to her body.
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
She looked around—apparently no one had noticed she'd been unconscious.
Fiona: "That's good… hmm…"Crane: "What are you planning next?"Fiona: "So… I came here to see a few things… There may be some clues about the black hole."Crane: "Hmm."Fiona: "Hmm."
She walked on and checked the map.
Fiona: "I wonder where there's a hospital around here."
She walked a bit farther and bumped into someone.
Fiona: "Oh… sorry…"
The woman said nothing—she just smiled.
Strange woman: "It's fine… I wasn't paying attention."Fiona: "Oh… excuse me… could you tell me if there's a hospital nearby?"Strange woman: "Oh… yes… about five minutes from here there's the Terin Hospital."Fiona: "Thank you very much."
She set off.
Strange woman: "Wait—don't you want to know exactly where?"Fiona: "It's fine—I've got time and a map."Strange woman: "The map won't really show it, hehe… Well… the thing is… Terin Hospital…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Strange woman: "Doesn't exist anymore… it's ruined."Fiona: "Huh?"
(A few minutes later)
Strange woman: "See?"Fiona: "Hmm."Strange woman: "What are you looking for?"Fiona: "Uh… have you perhaps… seen this woman before?"
She showed a photo with a name: "Tina Household."Strange woman: "Oh… yes… I know her. That would be the former mayor."Fiona: "Mayor?"Strange woman: "Yes… but she was murdered years ago… Why do you ask?"Fiona: "Murdered?…"Strange woman: "Hmm?"Fiona: "Uh…"Strange woman: "Wait a moment… those eyes… Are you her daughter?"Fiona: "Oh…"
Fiona looked at her.
Strange woman: "Those eyes—and the notes you have… You're not looking for her by chance, are you… you want to see her?"Fiona: "I don't understand…"Strange woman: "Your mother also had green eyes… just like diamonds… like yours… they shine."Fiona: "Diamonds don't shine."Strange woman: "My name is Rina Katrovic… Pleased to meet you."Fiona: "Oh…"Rina: "I'm… your mother's best friend, you could say."Fiona: "You said my parents were murdered… when… why?"Rina: "About 19 years ago… both your mother and your father were murdered, as well as your four siblings."Fiona: "I had siblings?"Rina: "Yes, four—three middle sisters and an older sister. Your sisters were Emma, Sofia, Hannah, and the eldest, already in her mid-twenties—her name is Cemi."Fiona: "Oh…"Rina: "They were murdered, apparently due to disagreements. Your mother wanted to grant rights to talking dolls and animals and ensure they could live normal lives too…"Fiona: "They aren't allowed to?"
She shook her head and stepped forward a bit.
Rina: "When you become a doll… you lose your rights."Fiona: "Wait—what do you mean by animals?"Rina: "Oh… Dukewood is a realm with many species—animals, elves… and of course dolls."Fiona: "Really? I guess I hadn't noticed."Rina: "Hehehe… that's normal. Most aren't in Forrerstwood or Hoodwood."Fiona: "Oh…"Rina: "All right… unfortunately I have to go, dear."Fiona: "Wait… then why wasn't I murdered?"Rina: "Good question… maybe the killer… wasn't cruel enough to kill a baby?"Fiona: "Oh…"Rina: "Even vile people… have limits, you know. Not all, but many… Goodbye, dear."Fiona: "Wait… do you… perhaps… have photos… or a place where I can learn more about them?"Rina: "Hahhh… Go to Wilhelm Garden Castle… It's a museum. They also feature notable people—your mother as well…"
She walked away.
Fiona: "Oh… thank you…"
(Unknown time)
Clown: "Hahhh… hahhhhh… No… No…"
Before him stood several wooden stakes… long stakes… on them the head of a girl, the upper body of a girl, the feet and hands, as well as her organs, each on different stakes.
Clown: "Hahh… They… killed the girl I loved… the only girl who accepted me… Hahhh."
He turned toward the people; his yellow eyes focused… His hands and form changed—he grew long claws… and his teeth became sharp…
Clown: "Be… damned! You humans!!!!!!!"
(Splach!) (Splach!)(Screams!)
Clown: "Hahhh… hahhhh… hahhhh… hahhh…"
Multiple corpses on the ground…
(End of the memory)
Clown: "Ghh!.."
He jumped up at once.
Clown: "Catherina!"
He rushed into a room.
Clown: "Hahhh… there you are… my love…"
A body assembled from parts…
Clown: "There you are, dear…"
He touched her cheeks.
Clown: "…Speak to me… please…"
He held her hand.
Clown: "Hhhh… Everything will be fine…"
He kissed her eye.
Clown: "Love you, Catherina…"
He briefly opened her mouth because he saw it move…
Clown: "Huh?"
Suddenly her eyes opened.
Clown: "Ugh…"
He fell to the floor.
Clown: "Hahh… Catherina… hahhh…"
He stood up at once.
Clown: "Oh… it worked… the ritual… hahh… I killed 2,000 people… just like I was told…"
Catherina said nothing; only her eyes were open… tears fell.
Clown: "I know… I know… Don't worry… you'll come back…"
(Patch!)
Klara: "Oh… did it work?"Clown: "Not yet… but it's taking effect…"Klara: "I guess we need to kill more people, right?"Clown: "We need blood now… and to find Catherina's spirit…"Klara: "Which means?"Clown: "Slowly… it's time… to speak with dear Fiona… in person… and this time… well, a bit nicer…"
(A few hours later)
(In Wilhelm Garden)
Fiona: "Hello… excuse me…"Attendant: "Yes?"Fiona: "Do you know a woman named Tina Household?"Attendant: "But of course—our former mayor…"Fiona: "Ugh…"Attendant: "Could it be that you know her…?"Fiona: "Uh… no… I just wanted to learn something about her."Attendant: "Tina Household… the Woman of Justice… She was also called Radiant Heart… there wasn't a person she despised—no living being. She forbade, for example, experiments on animals, whether they spoke or not; she also forbade elves from being abused as sex slaves… Since she came, the realm of Dukewood became a realm that welcomes everyone… The three statues were also built at her command… as an apology for the murder of the three maidens…"Fiona: "I see…"Attendant: "But… every person has their secret…"Fiona: "What?"Attendant: "Tina had an affair… multiple affairs. She had relationships with several people… women too…"Fiona: "Uh… what…"Attendant: "Hehehe… She was known to enjoy such things. Don't worry—everyone knew… which is why many disliked her… Sometimes her nickname changed from Radiant Heart to… slut."Fiona: "Ugh…"Attendant: "No one knows what happened to the child she had from an affair…"Fiona: "Wait… what?"Attendant: "One day she became pregnant… but it wasn't from her partner… it was from someone else. He wore a black suit… and was even a wealthy person…"Fiona: "Oh… okay…"Attendant: "All right… I'll leave you alone for a bit."
She walked away.
(Patch!)
Fiona: "Huh."
She saw someone slowly approaching—A Gentleman.
Fiona: "Hmm?"
He looked at her.
Gentleman: "Hello… My name is Oliver Steinmeier."Fiona: "Oh… How can I help?"Oliver: "Hmm… If I'm not mistaken, that insignia is Dark Umbrella."Fiona: "Ugh…"
She kept her weapon ready without him noticing.
Oliver: "You can lower the gun…"Fiona: "Ugh."Oliver: "I understand—you ran away. I knew I'd seen you before… You're the woman with the Card of the Mysterious—Fiona Hamilton."Fiona: "Ugh… you know me."Oliver: "Fiona Hamilton… or should I call you Fiona Household."Fiona: "How do you know me…"Oliver: "There's something called rumors, my dear…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "Dark Umbrella apparently wants to find you and kill you."Fiona: "I'm aware."
Fiona looked at him.
Fiona: "Who the hell are you… Answer me. Even if you see I'm not holding my gun, you can't beat me. Before you strike, Bob will strike you—or I'll use my left eye to gain a reaction advantage…"Oliver: "Hahahaha… Don't worry… On the contrary… I want you to work for us—the House of Clover family."Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "I belong to the House of Clover family."Fiona: "House of Clover?"Oliver: "Exactly… an organization—or family, you could call it."Fiona: "Hmm… and what do you want from me?"Oliver: "You surely know someone named Edwardson…"Fiona: "Ugh…"Oliver: "A few years ago he asked us for a job… I wasn't there, but three of our people were—Lexi, Nimia, and Hans… But… they didn't return. When I went searching, I found them dead… brutally so."Fiona: "So they also fell into his trap…"Oliver: "Exactly—at least my boss did."Fiona: "Your boss?"Oliver: "Elizabeth, of the Ainsworth family… that's her family's name."Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "Our boss—Mother—wants to speak with you."Fiona: "Hhh."Oliver: "Please…"Fiona: "Hahhh… fine…"Oliver: "Thank you…"
She followed him; when they left the museum, a car was waiting.
Fiona: "Hmm."Oliver: "Please get in."
He opened the door; she got in and he sat beside her.
Fiona: "Hmm."Oliver: "Drive."
They set off.
Fiona: "What exactly do you want from me, hmm?"Oliver: "Hmm… you're talented, Miss Fiona."Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "Your mother had an affair, as you know."Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "With a… mage."Fiona: "What?"Oliver: "Exactly—with none other than Gargamel."Fiona: "Huh?…"Oliver: "Yes, I know—the name isn't especially cool… that's why people don't take him seriously and he was often bullied as a kid…"Fiona: "(Sweats) Okay, you don't have to tell me his whole life story."Oliver: "Sorry… but this dark mage… is your father… or could be."Fiona: "What?"Oliver: "Yes, exactly."Fiona: "Is he evil or kind?"Oliver: "Hmph… no one knows… sometimes he does good, sometimes not… In any case, he died a few years ago… but he left a note."Fiona: "Hmm?"
He showed it to her.
Fiona: "Hmm… 'I will die… but more importantly… the Lost Prince is… the black hole.'"Oliver: "Exactly."Fiona: "Ugh…"Oliver: "You don't seem surprised—did you already have that theory?"Fiona: "The kingdom of Sora… was cursed—by the Guardians: the Fool, Rapunzel, Holle, and Beatrice. The Clown wasn't a guardian yet then… They were punished in the way they wished—immortality—but with a body that tortures them and a form that's simply terrifying…"Oliver: "White skin… red eyes… and sharp teeth…"Fiona: "And that's also how… vampires arose."Oliver: "Exactly. The Lost Prince is therefore the prince of the vampires… of Dracula."Fiona: "Dracula?… Isn't he the Death's younger brother?"Oliver: "Hmm… so it is… By Dracula I mean the Dracula Curse."Fiona: "Hmm…"Oliver: "Only there's a problem."Fiona: "Hmm?…"Oliver: "For years there have been unknown attacks… here, look."
He handed her photos—victims—corpses…
Fiona: "Hmm."
Bite marks on the neck, hands, and several places—mostly female victims…
Oliver: "Hmm?"Fiona: "Bite marks… A Nemesis, perhaps."Oliver: "A vampire!"Fiona: "What!"
She slammed her hands against the seat.
Fiona: "Impossible… Vampires were sealed—the people of Sora were sealed."Oliver: "Hahhh… But the vampire curse spread differently, too."Fiona: "But how, if it was the Sora people?"Oliver: "No—you misunderstand. The Sora were banished, yes… but do you really think Dracula… only turned them into vampires?"Fiona: "Oh… No… Humans who sought a way not to age… were also cursed."Oliver: "Exactly."Fiona: "But cards keep us from aging too—my card, the Card of the Mysterious."Oliver: "They didn't only seek not to age—they sought a way to become powerful beings and make contracts with dark spirits from the spirit world…"Fiona: "Banshees?"Oliver: "Could be. Could also be a druid… or a dark fairy…"Fiona: "And you need my help for this?"Oliver: "Exactly."Fiona: "Hahhh…"
(A few hours later)
The car stopped—in a wide compound. A large building with two towers…
Fiona: "This is your headquarters."Oliver: "Exactly."
He got out, then offered Fiona a hand; she stood up without taking it.
Fiona: "Sorry—don't like it when people do that. I can stand up myself. I'm not some rich snob."Oliver: "You seem to hate rich people."Fiona: "I do, indeed. They talk a lot, ignore others' suffering, and complain because wine got on their dress."Oliver: "Wow… you know them well."Fiona: "Otherwise I wouldn't hate the rich, right? All right…"
They walked on. The door opened and a large woman appeared.
Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "Oh… that's Emilia Frankenstein… The big guy with the nail in his head is her brother."Emilia: "Pleased to meet you, Miss Fiona."Fiona: "Uh… pleased to meet you too."
They continued.
Oliver: "We have a lot of people overall, but far fewer for missions, contracts, and investigations—the rest are just smiths, cooks, maids."Fiona: "Hmm…"
He knocked on one of the doors… and opened it.
Oliver: "Madam Elizabeth, Fiona—the detective—is here."Elizabeth: "Oh… bring her in."
She went inside.
Elizabeth: "Hello… Fiona… I'm Elizabeth Ainsworth…"