Skyler's body trembled, her mouth falling open as her eyes were fixed on the slowly rising corpse. She gazed at the thing in disbelief, her mind was in a daze. All of this was unbelievable.
For most of the normal citizens of the Republic of Steatha, the first time they'd encounter a cadaver would be an elderly relative passed away due to old age. Nevertheless, Skyler saw her father's corpse in a pool of blood when she was still little.
Despite that, she had never seen a lifeless body rise up since she was born. So, seeing it rise macabrely, emanating putridity like this for the first time, came as a real shock for Skyler. Even more so when the maggots and other parasites that were attached to his skin were crawling onto the floor.
At that moment, the cadaver exuded a strange fluorescent green aura around him, and his yellowish eye became blood-colored flames. He then took slow steps forward, causing the shed to shake whilst the flies buzzed loudly around it.
Feeling down to her gut that the threat was closing in on her, Skyler turned and ran.
A corpse, a rotten corpse was chasing her.
"Help!! Someone please help me!!" Skyler screamed her lungs out.
Lifting the hem of her dress, she ran desperately into the forest. Searching for someone, searching for a living being who could help her. The surrounding trees loomed like eerie, silent sentinels that made her shiver.
Inside her head, overwhelmed by nausea and disgust, she felt desperation taking over her sanity.
"Someone please… help me!! Someone, someone please!!" Skyler ran awkwardly.
Feel. She could feel something arise inside her, a disturbing fear that gnawed at her soul. Turning her head, she peered at the cadaver in the middle distance that was still chasing her, screeching shrilly.
Despair was taking over. It could be said it just wasn't her day at all. On the other hand, Skyler had come to the cemetery to visit her dearest friend's parents' grave like every year. Everything was going smoothly, but she never expected that she'd come across a rotten corpse, who was also chasing her through the forest. It was like all of this was divine punishment against her for allowing her curiosity to get the better of her.
While her vision was filled with tears, she could no longer feel the fatigue of walking with the cold and wet body. She was wondering if this was because her body had become numb after exposure to incessant rain or after she had puked in the shed.
"Someone… please…" Skyler's voice became thin as she desperately searched for help.
"This is really unnerving!" A hoarse voice echoed.
And in that lapse of time, when she turned her head back, she spotted the jagged black silhouette that sliced the corpse horizontally with what looked like a black claymore. As the corpse fell to the ground with a thud, Skyler blinked, seeing a medium-sized man in his twenties with blonde hair and blue eyes—Sebastian Blackwood.
"It's him… it's really him…" Skyler saw the man she spoke to that evening, the man she feared but was also intrigued by.
"Madam Hall, it is me, Sebastian. Are you alright? Nothing happened to you before we came, right?" Sebastian's brow furrowed as he wiped Skyler's face with a handkerchief.
Seeing his face and hearing his voice ring like a bell, denying her desperation, warm tears flowed from Skyler's face as she rested her forehead on Sebastian's sturdy chest. The warmth of his body was soothing that calmed down her trembled body.
"That cadaver… that cadaver… was chasing me…" Skyler quivered her lips, her hand gripping Sebastian's shirt.
"Cleo, hurry up, sprinkle the body with Holy Water and head to the shed. Then, take some photos and seal the area!" Sebastian tilted his head, talking to the person behind.
Skyler focused her gaze on the person behind Sebastian, seeing a man with rough facial features.
Black. He had black hair that reached his neck, and mesmerizing purple eyes which gave him a somewhat dreadful charm compared to other men Skyler had seen. He had a large nose bridge and an equal mix of snobbery and arrogance. The thing that matched his look was definitely his black vest and tie that he was wearing, along with his soft white gloves.
"I shall go and check right away. In the meantime, just take care of that lass." Cleo said as he ran in the direction Skyler pointed.
Sebastian gently picked up Skyler and ran in the opposite direction.
As he looked at Skyler, he smiled faintly. "Madam Hall, hold tight on me."
Skyler, soothed by his words, wrapped her arms around Sebastian's neck, closing her eyes completely. Deep inside her mind, she felt ashamed of herself. Her clothes were dirt with mud and vomit residue, and her breath gave off a rancid smell of gastric juices.
Why was there a body in that shed and why did he chase her? Why is it as if fate wanted to torment her? Why did something like this have to happen on Evelyn's parents' anniversary? Why is she always covered in disgrace?
While her mind was filled with "why", Skyler held onto Sebastian, deeply embracing her downfall.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Outside the Eternal Rest Cemetery.
Skyler finds herself sitting inside a carriage, which was parked outside the cemetery's metal gate.
She was looking down at her necklace with a frown as her body trembled from what happened. Everything was messed up. Literally made no sense at all, it was out of the ordinary. She discovered a body, vomited out of control, chased by the corpse only to be saved by a famous county investigator while in a sorry state.
The eyeball. Seeing that eyeball roll in front of her gave her strange goosebumps across her arms.
While terrified, she felt something warm and wet licking her right arm. Turning her head, she came across to the dog with yellow fur sitting next to her licking her arm with a worried expression. The dog brown's eyes, filled with melancholy, mirror her own uneasiness.
"Tell me, Madam Hall, why were you at the cemetery today?" Sebastian's voice cut the silence, asking gently as he sat in front of her.
Skyler looked out the window at the gray sky, crossing her arms and touching her shoulders. "T-today… was the anniversary of my friend's parents' death. She… went home to receive guests, so I was about to leave the cemetery. B-but then… I saw this dog running away, as if… he was scared. So I went to see… maybe its owner was feeling sick."
She honestly said what she thought. She ran to see what was happening, maybe she could help someone. Yet her decision led her to a tragic event, witnessing an atrocity she wished she hadn't witnessed.
"B-but I never imagined seeing a dead person in front of my eyes and then chasing me!!" Skyler shouted, clutching the hem of her black dress. "I know, I was daft. Maybe if I had followed the dog instead of running over the shed, all this wouldn't have happened."
She smiled wistfully, fully tasting the bitterness after letting someone like Sebastian see her in that state after she spent minutes escaping from the corpse that was chasing her.
"And so the dog really found that scoundrel, huh…" Sebastian wondered, frowning as he had his arms folded. "Forgive me if I seem rude, but could you tell me the name of this friend of yours with whom you went to the cemetery?"
"Evelyn, Evelyn Throne!" Skyler replied.
"Oh right, I almost forgot today was the anniversary…" Sebastian muttered to himself, lowering his gaze. "The situation now becomes more complicated."
Then, he looked at Syler with a look of concern, his blue eyes softened.
As the atmosphere grew tense in the carriage with unspoken emotions that overwhelmed her, Skyler tried to look away, but suddenly her stiff body softened. She felt relaxed, as though Sebastian's presence was dissipating the tension.
The dog licked Skyler's arm again, barking softly. Seeing the dog's cheerful look, Skyler patted its head, feeling the fur on her hand, smiling faintly, remembering that Benson made the same gesture when she was sad.
Skyler and Sebastian saw the door of the carriage open, seeing Cleo get in and sit next to Sebastian.
Cleo put a wet umbrella beside him and took some photographs from the inside pocket of his vest. "Here art the photos thou desired." He then looked out the window and asked, "What shall we do with the cemetery?"
"We will leave it open since today is Lady Throne's parents' anniversary, and I would not want to involve the nobles in this matter." Sebastian then stared at the photos Cleo gave him. "I have already alerted the Hermit Exorcists to secretly guard the forest and not to let anyone in except us."
Cleo looked at Skyler with a tense look and extended his hand. "Yes, alright, but what shall we do with the lass? She's in really bad shape and she smells, how to put it, bad."
"Oh my! How embarrassing…" Skyler's body began to tremble as Cleo's blunt words resounded in her mind.
She couldn't blame him; after all, she was just a woman in her nineteen who just recently vomited in the cemetery giving in to her urges. Cleo's words are the harsh truth, and she silently accepts it whilst looking away from him.
"Shut up! Do these seem like things to say at a time like this? Madam Hall was just chased by a zombie, and unlike us who are used to it, it is the first time for her." Sebastian yelled, raising his voice, "I would like to remind you that this is not something a lady should see."
Skyler looked at Sebastian astonished. His words somehow were bringing her serenity. A feeling arose within her, a mixture of relief and bitterness that twisted inside her chest.
Cleo sighed awkwardly. "Yes, alright, I understand, sorry, I shouldn't have said those things, is that okay?"
It'd be an exaggeration to say that he was making fun of Skyler's nervousness, but that was how it felt for her.
Aware of her angst, Sebastian couldn't help but sigh, "Anyway, for now we are taking her to our headquarters."
Sebastian's words put Skyler off guard, causing her to skip a beat. It was like a flash of lightning passing through her.
"D-do you really want to take me to your headquarters?" She asked, her lips trembling with excitement.
Sebastian placed the photos on his lap, his gaze became reassuring. "Well, that seems a plausible idea, considering you need a change of clothes."
Realizing what Sebastian said, Skyler's heartbeat quickened. She inwardly rejoiced, feeling a mix of glimmer of hope and joy grow inside her.
Cleo huffed in frustration, raising his eyebrow while he relaxed his shoulders. "If I hast to say, this is the worst year. Not only three lasses died in recent months at the hands of the same killer, but we also have to find the thieves who robbed that Sammer."
Sebastian took a photograph, and coughed twice. "Instead of pointlessly complaining as usual, were you able to establish the time of death of Mr. Coy?"
"Based on the parasites and stiffness of his body, I'd say he died about a week ago." Cleo put his foot on the seat ahead.
Sebastian frowned at the photo while stroking his chin. "Hmm… It coincided just when Mr. Sammer saw his shop ransacked."
"Incredible. I can witness a conversation between Wraithcrow's for the first time. And now they even want to take me to their agency!" Skyler rejoiced in excitement as she petted the dog from head to tail.
Reading countless newspapers related to Sebastian and the Wraithcrows, she wondered what it'd be like to see them in action with her own eyes, and now that wish was about to be fulfilled before her.
Cleo jerked his thumb at the dog, "Well, if it wasn't for Rahold, it wouldst surely have taken us longer to find that rascal." He paused, straightening his back. "See if the thief was killed or not."
Sebastian gently placed the photo on his lap. Closing his eyes and tilting his head up, he relaxed his shoulders as a pale yellow-white aura released.
"Eh! uh, what… is going on? Is that a Daredevil power?" Skyler was stunned by what she was witnessing.
She had never seen anything like this in person. She felt like she'd a lot to discover. In the next moment, the four photos that were on Sebastian's legs floated upright at the height of his face.
"S-sorry Mr. Wraithcrow, but why i-is your colleague in that state?" Skyler asked nervously.
Cleo sighed. "Thou can simply call me Cleo. Aside from that, thee may relax, he's only using his Daredevil powers to carry out the investigation."
"A Daredevil? But then that thing I saw before…" Skyler lowered her head shakily.
Just before she was rescued by Sebastian and Cleo, she saw a jagged figure slice the zombie in half. It was something she couldn't ignore in any way.
Still stroking the sleeping dog's fur, Skyler asked, "I'm sorry, so… all of you are Daredevil's? A-and what was that black thing wielding a sword?"
"Hah, what question art thou asking? Thee art so unnerving to be honest. Of course we do, otherwise, we couldn't work as Wraithcrow. And then, that 'black thing' was my shadow double that I had summoned. Interesting, right?" Cleo shuffled towards the carriage door. "Well, now excuse me, but I've to tow the horse to the headquarters."
While Cleo had exited the carriage, closing the door behind him, Skyler continued to look with her mouth half open at Sebastian in that state. To her, it was like he was in a trance state that he was hovering in the air.
After the horses neighed and the carriage drove off, Sebastian opened his eyes while the four photos all landed gently on his legs.
Stroking his chin, Sebastian explained, "He committed suicide. There were burn marks on the temple from which he shot himself, and furthermore, if we ignore your footprints, those of Madam Hall and the dog, those of the thief were the only ones present in the shed."
"Let me guess, he took his own life trying to become a Daredevil?" Cleo laughed, pulling the horses.
"You guessed it," Sebastian paused, his voice turning deep. "Mr. Coy made preparations to read the grimoire in order to enter the Mutant Path, but he was possessed by an evil wraith in the process, and as a result, he shot himself."
"I expected it, seeing as he's not even baptized," Cleo stated. "Poor man, he wanted to be like Russel."
"How one mistake can cost your life." Sebastian straightened his back, placing the photos in the inside pocket of his gray overcoat. "We must carry out an inspection and confiscate both the grimoire and all the objects, but the priority now is to inform the captain of what happened. Then we will look for his accomplice."
Skyler, who had been listening to the conversation until then, forced a smile and asked curiously, "Uh, e-excuse me, but what do you mean by baptized? Are you referring to the baptisms that take place in church, and which is… a necessary thing?"
Sebastian lowered his eyebrows, and in an even more serious voice, he said. "Absolutely. If you want to become a Daredevil, you have to be baptized by the Churches." He then shrugged his shoulders and continued, "It reduces your chances of being possessed by evil entities while reading a grimoire. Hm, I was hoping not to encounter any incidents related to this."
"Steady thyself." said Cleo. "Though such incidents art becoming scarce, evil cults and sects persist in causing trouble for the county."
Sebastian twitched his lips. "Sadly, I have to agree with you, and it is really difficult to keep their paranormal activities secret from the journalist. Well, at least no problem has arisen yet."
"That's why Countess Throne said that Evelyn had risked her life, she hadn't been baptized at that time… Oh Evelyn, how did you think of doing such a thing?" Skyler tilted her head slightly, thumb and forefinger resting on her chin, a small frown creasing her brow.
Her mind was wandering in thoughts. Although she knew about Daredevil thanks to her father, she had never seen anyone use such powers.
Perhaps it was due to the fact that she'd never been involved with the police or paranormal investigators since she moved to Prestwich City. But the fact that right now she's involved in a supernatural case, she'd the opportunity to discover new aspects about Daredevil's world.
As the atmosphere became so tense that it suffocated her, she thought back to her best and precious friend who was probably talking to the noble guests.
"Even risk getting possessed by the evil entities just to see her parents again… thanks to the Son Agnes stopped her in time." Skyler looked out the window at the terraced buildings. "But I still don't know what the requirements are to become a Daredevil. I want to ask him, but…"
"Is something wrong, Madam Hall?" Sebastian asked, his gaze growing concerned.
Skyler forced a smile, trying to ease the mood, "No, it's nothing significant."
She looked out the window, her mind deep in thought.
"Anyway, I'm not sure he'll tell me. I just hope Klein can give me some answers." Skyler wondered to herself.
She felt a sense of determination growing within her, curious to get deeper into the matter. The carriage moved further and further away from the cemetery.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
West Borough.
The carriage in which Skyler and Sebastian were aboard stopped off a building on Scafuri Street, the black horses neighed, stamping their hooves in the stone street.
The building had a stoic rustic facade punctuated by rows of windows that seemed to silently bear witness to the eeriness.
Cleo opened the carriage door. "We've finally arrived! Who knows what Luvenia shall look like when she finds out that we've brought a lass with us."
"Hmm, I cannot even imagine it, but I hope she does not go too far." Sebastian elegantly exited the carriage, holding Skyler's hand as she stepped out.
Skyler placed her hand on her chest, and asked with concern. "Excuse me, uh, but who's Luvenia?"
"Thou shall see, thou shall see…" Cleo giggled, walking towards the building.
Skyler looked at the building, seeing that to the right of the wooden door was a sign that said 'Wraithcrow Headquarters on the second floor'. She felt something wet and warm on her heel and tilted her head, seeing the dog lick her heel.
She turned her gaze at the building. Seeing Sebastian and Cleo enter, she started to join them.
"It's the first time I've come to this district since I moved to Prestwich City." A thought flashed through Skyler's mind as she climbed the tan shaft stairs.
Knock! Knock! Knock! As they reached the second floor, Cleo knocked several times on the door. The sound echoed slowly but rhythmically as he opened the door.
Cleo placed the umbrella next to the door. "Hey Luvenia! We're back with new information."
Skyler walked in with Sebastian and the dog, glimpsing a woman with long cobalt hair tied into a ponytail with blue eyes, a bridge nose, and smooth cheekbones. She wore a long black dress, having a silver pendant around her neck.
Luvenia put both arms behind her, curving her lips, "Oh, I see you're back, and I also see you've brought a woman with you. Who's she?"
Whilst Luvenia crossed her arms, Skyler looked away, clutching the hem of her dress tightly, feeling the heaviness of the woman's gaze.
Sebastian gently placed his hand on Skyler's shoulder. "Her name is Skyler Hall. Sadly, she has been caught up in the investigation and she needs a change of clothes. Please, treat her well."
"Look, I'm not a viper like you all think," Luvenia placed a finger on the edge of her lower lip. "Mph, come with me, Miss Hall."
Thud! Thud! Thud! Luvenia walked towards a small corridor with only four doors on each side. Skyler placed her hat on a small table that was to her right and followed her nervously.
"That's amazing. I never thought I'd set foot in their headquarters. It must be the kind of experience you only get once in a lifetime." Thoughts raced through Skyler's mind as she walked silently.
"Oh I apologize, I haven't introduced myself yet." Luvenia turned, lifting the ends of her dress and bending her legs and back. "My name is Luvenia Sherry, and I'm the receptionist of the Wraithcrow's."
"N-nice to meet you!" Skyler replied, forcing a pathetic smile.
Luvenia smiled and pointed her hand at the last door on the left. "Please wait here whilst I bring you a change of clothes. In the meantime, you can use the bathroom to wash your face."
She bowed her head cordially and went to the first door on the right.
Meanwhile, Skyler entered the women's bathroom, whose floor's rhombus tiles were pink white. She raised the bronze lever on the sink, letting the water run, and rinsed her face, feeling a shiver down her spine.She looked at herself in the ornate mirror hanging on the wall and dried her face with a towel beside her.
"I bring a new change for you." Luvenia said. "Mph, I haven't worn it in years, so I shall give it to you."
Skyler turned and saw Luvenia showing her a long brown dress with a white billowy collar.
"B-but no, uh, you d-don't need to give it to me, I c-can give it back to you another day." Skyler stammered weakly.
Luvenia smiled and expressed in a calm voice. "You can rest assured, I don't need it anymore, and besides, it'd suit you very well. So don't make any fuss and accept it."
Skyler nodded silently, surrendering to Luvenia's convincing words. She gently took the dress, closed the bathroom door, and took off the black dress. After she put on the dress, she opened the bathroom door.
"Aww, fantastic, it looks great on you." Luvenia exclaimed, clasping her hands.
"I've never seen a lady like that, who knows how long she's been working…" Skyler looked at Luvenia strangely.
She was dumbfounded by her sunny demeanor, which was in stark contrast to her own. She felt like her behavior was too sunny compared to the hard work of the Wraithcrow's. Then, she took the brown bag that was leaning against the door and put her dirty dress inside.
"Uh, Miss Sherry, c-can I ask you a question?" Skyler asked, taking the bag with her.
As they walked side by side, Luvenia smiled. "Of course, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, I-I was wondering, how… how long have you been working here!?" Skyler squeezed the bag between her fingers. "Oh my, how embarrassing… did I seriously scream like that?"
Her cheeks turned red. Right now, she just made a fool of herself, and after that, she simply wanted to forget about how bad she looked and disappear from the headquarters.
"Don't be shy around me," Luvenia chuckled, sitting down on the brown couch near the main entrance. I've been working here since January, ever since I moved from Aetheria. Oh! You know, we Wraithcrow actually collaborate with both the church and the police on behalf of an organization. It's pretty interesting, honestly!"
"For an organization?" Skyler muttered, sitting down next to Luvenia.
"For the Key of Eternal Flame, part of the Holy Saint Organization! Ah, did you know this group actually works with the army and churches across different countries? It's pretty astonishing, right?"
"Mm… yeah. Though the only thing I really knew was that you were paranormal investigators, er, and that you worked with the Hermit Exorcists."
Skyler tilted her back upon saying that, picking up the hat resting on the table. This was new information that surprised her. Her heart raced as she covered her lips with her hand frowning.
Luvenia put her finger to her lips, smiling. "Let me clarify. Our division only works in Prestwich City, precisely in Conan County."
Skyler looked at Luvenia stunned. Everything she was saying was new. A whole new world that Skyler was exploring and struggling to understand with all the implications that came with it.
Looking at Skyler under pressure, Luvenia waved her hand with airiness. "The Wraithcrow work in several branches of the counties of the Republic of Steatha, and our division works with that of Conan County."
"Now many things explain themselves. Miss Luvenia must be very confident if she told me all these things. Well, it's really intriguing, but…" A memory surfaced in Skyler's mind as she still held her hand over her lips.
The image of the decaying man and the eyeball that rolled over her was still vivid in her mind despite her vain attempts to forget it.
"It's incredible that people like that see such disgraces as if it were nothing." A bitter smile formed on Skyler's face as she embraced the harsh nature of Wraithcrow's work.
She nervously watched the front door open, seeing Cleo walk in with Sebastian.
Cleo coughed a couple of times, as if to clear his throat, and said in a hoarse voice. "Oy Luvenia, don't bother this lass with thy middle-aged nonsense."
"Uff, who did you take me for? One of those vipers of the Daemon Realm?" Luvenia laughed lightly, resting her hands on her thighs.
Sebastian pulled a silver pocket watch from his trousers pocket. "Aside from your nonsense things, it is really getting late. I am taking Madam Hall home in the carriage."
Skyler abruptly stood up from the couch. "N-no need, I can very well go back—" Just before she finished, a realization she hadn't counted on hit her. "That's right, I left my bag in my room since I just had to go to the cemetery with Evelyn, and I don't have enough money to go home."
She slumped onto the couch in embarrassment, placed her hand on her forehead and checked her black dress.
Inside she noticed that she only had two copper pennies—enough for a journey to Center Borough to North Borough. However, being in West Borough meant the price would be double. As she realized this, she lowered her head, rubbing her temples in distress.
"Do not worry." Sebastian's voice was reassuring as took Skyler's bag and hat. "I'm taking her home, I will not be long."
"Be back before 8 since we need to meet with Gustaf regarding the case." Cleo touched his hair.
"Thank you for reminding me of something I already knew, it was a great help to me," Sebastian smiled faintly.
In response, Cleo laughed self-deprecatingly. "Very amusing from thou, Mr Know-it-all."
Whilst Sebastian walked out the door, Skyler dutifully bowed her head to both Cleo and Luvenia. She then followed Sebastian, leaving the headquarters behind her.
"See you Miss Skyler, come visit us from time to time!" Luvenia exclaimed happily.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Seeing the door close, Cleo coughed once, and said with a serious tone. "Thou art odd… normally, thee art very cold with younger lasses, but today thou were kind and friendly with her."
"Hah, you misunderstood everything, my dear Cleo. I was just amazed by her look, that's all." Luvenia twisted a smile, her brow furrowed as she looked at Cleo. In a dirtier voice, she added. "Her eyes… are those of a woman who has experienced death and hell."
Cleo stuck his hands in his trousers pocket, his lips curling. "Mhh… interesting… if thou say so, then that lass has a lot to tell."