Skyler Hall was shrouded in endless gray fog.
Her throat, her hands, and every limb of her body had vanished into thin air, while her consciousness had merged with the infinite space as if they were one, akin to an external spectator. She began to realize she was dreaming.
Slowly, her vision shifted downward, like some mysterious force forcing her to see against her will, seeing something distort.
A silhouette abruptly emerged beneath her, disturbing the ethereal silence in the thick gray fog as if it had done so for a specific purpose. The contours of the silhouette were slender and grayish-black that clashed with the fog, the upper body more of a pitch-black fog, rejecting her mind's recognition.
With the emergence of the human form, her mind acquired a strong desire. Skyler felt a cold breach as the shadow gently moved, as though to convey something to her mind. She didn't understand. She was aware of nothing, but for some reason, her mind couldn't avert herself from the silhouette.
She wanted to be touched, she wanted to be longed for. Reflexively, Skyler's non-existent heart was drawn to the fragile, slender figure.
"Who are you? Why do I have this odd feeling? Tell me." Skyler's molten mind was lost in thought as the shadow gently caressed the fog.
"--It's too early. You cannot see me. Not now."
With that faint feminine whisper, the endless gray fog suddenly vanished, the shadow and her mind left with it.
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Struggling to open her eyes again, Skyler looked around, finding herself in a dense, melancholy forest.
The air was thick with the smell of wet earth, and the ground beneath her was slippery and muddy like she would be sucked in at any moment if she made a false step. The sky above was gray, and the heartbreaking cawing of the crows sounded eerily in the clouds, their black wings dropping feathers above her.
She walked slowly down the forest, hugging her shoulders tightly. But just as she took a careful step, something sinister moved in the bush in front of her. A low, throaty sound emerges from the bush, and Skyler swallows hard. Images of the impending horrors became vivid in her mind. Then, with a nauseating crackle, something dark rose from the bush.
"..." Skyler froze as her breath became labored.
The sight of a rotten and disgusting corpse, its swollen blackish-green exuded loathing that made Skyler's stomach growl in disgust. The leaves fell to the muddy ground with a rustle.
Skyler covered her mouth with her right hand, her mind reeling. A flow of disgust and emotions were overwhelming her. An eyeball from the lifeless corpse fell into the ground, ripping away her defenses and leaving her exposed to danger.
The dense forest and melancholy forest around her seemed to come alive, and the air became freezing. As the rotten corpse stepped forward with a sickening creak, Skyler quickly turned and ran.
The hollow corpse ran towards her, spreading a rancid smell from its mouth and skin.
"Help, someone please help!!" Skyler stammered.
Screaming at the top of her lungs, she turned her head, seeing that the corpse was chasing her, letting out a horrible roar. As the cawing of the crows became more deafening, blending with the roar, she ran as far away as she could. Her heart beat fast, and the inside of her body grew warm, contrasting with the freezing cold in the air. Even though she wanted to, she couldn't stop running.
"Help… I don't want to die… I don't want to die!" Skyler gasped.
She just kept running. On the other hand, the forest was full of threats that posed a danger to her. It was as though she had walked straight into the enemy's lair. In order to protect herself, she had to escape, otherwise they'd kill her. As she stepped forward with her bare foot, something put her off guard—something strange was happening to her.
Normally, when she took a step forward, she always placed her foot on solid ground. But as she stepped ahead, her leg was in a purplish-black hole, and her bare foot had scratched the air.
And so, she. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
Falling, falling, she was falling.
Her entire body was wracked with a feeling of heaviness, losing sight of what was above and below, and a tremendous wind was hitting her body. At that moment, Skyler realized what was happening, she was falling. A hole was sucking her inside.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah–!!" Loudly screaming her desperation, Skyler stretched out her hands, seeing a dark purplish-black void around her.
She wanted to cling to something, to a handhold that would save her, but there was nothing. The world around her was a complete void. A desperate feeling of wanting to vomit overpowered her, as all the contents of her stomach were pulled from bottom to top. Chunks of yellowish-green vomit overflowed from her mouth, spilling out into the air around her.
While a sense of helplessness and desperation was overwhelming her like a flood, something was being generated beneath her. In the infinite void, where nothingless so reigned, a giant eye opened, revealing its golden iris. The pupils of the eye were staring at her.
"Who are you? What do you want? Why are you staring at me?" Anxiety, despair and sorrow were overwhelming Skyler.
And at that moment, something emerged from the pupil of the eye. Figure. A black figure wrapped in a purple-black cloak, creased its six wings. Its presence created a feeling of unease in Skyler's soul. With a leap, the figure flew up, flapping his bewitching wings as he extended his hands as if to welcome her.
"It's useless to resist, Princess of the Unknown." said the figure.
"I don't want to die, I don't want to die. Please God, help me, I beg you!" As her organs felt like they were all in the wrong place, Skyler prayed with all her heart for help.
She prayed, she prayed, and she prayed more. Skyler prayed desperately for someone, or God to save her from the figure.
In the next instant, she felt from the depths of her soul something light up above her. A glimmer of bright light illuminated the void like it wanted to chase away all evilness
As she tried to look back, Skyler saw a slender figure with golden hair and lime eyes. It had a crown of thorns on his head, and wore a ghost-white robe. She stared at the figure flapping his godly white wings, flying warmly over her. With a gentle embrace, the white-winged figure wrapped Skyler around his body, straightening his wings as she'd feel his warmth.
"Thank you… thank you for saving me." Tears were streaming down Skyler's face as a smile formed on her lips.
She let herself be engulfed in the warm embrace, a sense of reassurance growing within her as she watched the black figure dissolve into the godly light. Then.
Skyler Hall was completely dissolved into the void.
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Skyler's consciousness emerged from the river of unconsciousness.
Getting up nervously from the bed in sweat, she found herself in a room that was familiar to her. She checked her surroundings, her movements suggest a sense of urgency like searching for any sign of familiarity in her environment.
"Haa.. Haa… uh." Skyler gasped, touching her face gently with her fingers.
In front of her was a large silver ornate mirror. To her left was a window welcoming the morning light, while in the low corner to her left was a molten desk with a melted candle. Seeing all these things around her, she realized that she was in her room.
"Thank goodness it was all a dream. For a moment I thought I was going to die." Thought raced through Skyler's mind as she touched the necklace around her neck.
But as soon as her gaze fell on her arm, she realized the atrocity she'd committed. Rolling up the sleeves of her pajamas all the way up to the pit of her elbows, she saw blood. The dry crimson blood was dirtying her arms, and as she checked her nails.
"Blimey, I did it again." Skyler realized she had hurt herself again. "Well, at least I didn't dirty my bed."
Getting out of the bed in order to take the vial, she noticed that something was missing. In the corner near the window, the figure of Klein had oddly disappeared.
"Where did he go? Right, I remembered going to that palace with him last night to get some information, and then he drugged me with that powder… what is he planning?" Skyler covered half her face with her right hand, feeling the heat it gave off.
Despite her initial fears, she thought everything would go smoothly and that she would go to her room without any problems.
"That door… why did it appear?" Skyler stood up, feeling the wooden floor cool under her feet.
As she walked over to the desk, she remembered the door with a naked image of her holding a cross carved into the wooden surface. She shivered, and a sense of uneasiness was thickening her arms. Sitting at her desk in the middle of the morning, she felt inexorably disgusted by that door—it couldn't be said for sure that she was disgusted—she was afraid—perhaps disturbed by the ancient building.
"Not only that door, but Klein was queer too. He smiled when he saw that door, and then he said some strange words before I slept… and then, how did I get back to my room? Klein, who are you exactly?" Skyler was lost in thought, shakingly clenching her fists.
She knew nothing about Klein except his first and last name. Maybe even his name will be false.
To Skyler, Klein Montgomery was an unknown person with whom she lived for several years. She couldn't guess exactly what he was thinking, and interacting with him was difficult. There would be no chance to understand him.
Why did Klein want to go to that palace? Why did he smile when he saw Skyler's image engraved on the door? Even if he wanted to go there out of curiosity, why did he mutter those words just before Skyler fell asleep? What is his plan?
"Klein Montgomery you… who are you really? What are you thinking?" Skyler narrowed her eyes.
Distrust of Klein was steadily growing within her. Yet while she was inside the palace, she noticed something.
"Why do you always seem sad every time we talk? What really happened to you before we met?" Skyler touched her necklace.
Although she cannot read Klein's thoughts, she could weakly sense and feel his emotions. She felt that behind his rude behavior there was a dark side that she was unaware of.
"Skyler, are you awake? It's ten past nine, come and eat since your breakfast is getting cold." A voice rang out.
Skyler heard a voice coming from downstairs. Blinking, she remembered that she woke up much later than usual, and that she had to have breakfast with Benson.
Opening her desk drawer with a swift motion, she saw a skeletal copper key and a bluish vial inside. Taking out the vial, she unscrewed the cap and began applying the potion to her arms, seeing her burning wounds heal. After that, she took the key out, put it in her pocket, and closed the drawer.
Then, she stood up from the chair and left her room, carefully closing the door behind her. As she walked down the stairs, she gripped the key around her, narrowing her eyes as she headed into the kitchen.
"Who knows what he made me for breakfast…" Skyler though.
Once in the kitchen, she came across Benson wearing a brown suit and gloves sitting at the table. The chains of the pocket watch hung from the pocket of his white shirt.
"Here you are, I suppose. Hurry up and eat it, or it will get cold." Benson straightened up composedly.
Skyler sat down in the chair before him, gulping hard at the sight of the plate. On the plate were three poached eggs with sausages and bacon on the side, while everything was topped with grated cheese and beans.
It was the typical dish appreciated by the citizens of the Republic of Steatha
Whilst the fragrant smell entered her nostrils, she picked up a knife and fork and began to eat, tasting the flavor of the marinated meat in her taste buds as it travelled down her esophagus,
"So my dear, how did it go at the anniversary yesterday?" Benson asked.
"Honestly, it went well. You know, I think I'm a lot closer to Evelyn now." Skyler replied, stabbing her fork into the sausage. "Though I would have preferred not to be involved with the zombie."
Even though she had reinforced her friendship with Evelyn, she couldn't forget what happened next. Not only had she seen a rotting corpse in a shed who even chased her throughout the forest, but she was seen in a pitiful state by Sebastian.
Well, she may have learned about Daredevil's path through the meeting, but she was unable to shake the feeling of disgust.
"Skyler, is everything alright? I see you very pale." Benson waved his hand in front of Skyler as if to get her attention.
Skyler blinked nervously, seeing Benson with a worried expression.
"I-I'm f-fine, Benson, I was just deep in thought as usual," She forced a smile. "It's better not to tell him."
She breathed a sigh of relief, returning to eating the eggs and sausages.
"Well, I'm really happy to hear that you and Miss Evelyn get along. Never forget the importance of bonds." Benson nodded with satisfaction, tapping the table with a finger.
"I won't do it," Skyler tilted her head, taking a deep breath. "Benson, er, c-can I come with you to the shop?"
The question put Benson on edge, as though he hadn't expected it from Skyler.
"You want to go to the shop with me… I thought you weren't interested in antiques." He sighed, blinking in dumbfoundment.
"What a-are you saying? I was a-always interested in your work in the shop." Skyler curled the corners of her lips, placing the silverware on the table.
Her voice sounded shallow even to her own ears. Even though it seemed like a blatant lie, she wanted to persist.
Benson raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Are you sure you're not keeping anything from me?"
She let out a short gasp. Benson's question rang through the air, intensifying the tension as he eyed her suspiciously.
"Huh? I would never do something like that." Skyler retorted, placing her hand on her chest.
"I give up… come on, hurry up and get changed since I'm going out soon. You don't want to go outside in your pajamas, right?" Benson stood up from the chair, picking up his cane that was placed next to the door.
"Oh, it'll mean that I will hasten to prepare without delay." Skyler hastily ate her breakfast as Benson left the kitchen.
Deep in her heart, a turbid sense of concern steadily plagued her.
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North Borough,10:15 am, at Earl street.
Skyler was standing in front of Benson's antique shop. She was wearing a white dress along with a long black skirt that reached her knees, and a short overcoat.
While she stared at the antiques from the shop window, there was a group of policemen in black and white uniform walking up and down the street. They seemed very agitated and in a hurry like something terrible had happened.
Turning to her left, she peered at a burly policeman talking to a crew-cut Wraithcrow in gold-rimmed glasses who was smoking a pipe.
Skyler glanced at Benson who was opening the door of the shop, "Benson, did anything happen yesterday?"
"Uh, well, it seems that a gentleman took his life in his apartment just a few blocks from here." Benson opened the door, ringing the bell above it.
Skyler nodded tediously, walking into the shop, he held the copper key in her hand.
Walking across the white tiles, she saw that three ornate candle chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Behind the counter before her was a shelf with books, flasks, and porcelain vials, while around her were tables with intricate busts and various objects she didn't recognize.
"Amazing, the shop has changed a lot since the last time I came here." Skyler looked around in amazement, her eyes sparkled.
"Of course it's changed—you haven't been here for several years." Benson laughed lightly, flipping the open sign in the window.
Skyler clasped both of her hands together. "I see you now have new items too."
She remembered that shortly after moving to Prestwich City with Benson and before living on Angel Lane Street, they used to live in an apartment complex in Pendragon County. Her family situation wasn't the best, and even buying gas lamps was too expensive for them. After Benson renovated the shop in Conan County, his earnings increased dramatically, which allowed him and Skyler to move into a terraced house on Angel Lane Street.
Skyler knew Benson had made some changes, but she never thought the store was so much more welcoming now than the last time she came.
"Hmm, so what do you think of the shop now?" Benson asked in a calm tone.
"Well, I find it, how can I say, much more welcoming."
"If you are saying that, then I must've done a good job."
"Huuh… what are you saying? Look, you've always done a great job, even before I said anything."
While the atmosphere in the shop became serene and warm, Benson and Skyler were staring happily at each other. She was sure of it, she felt that her relationship with Benson was progressing.
Ding! Ding! Ding! At that moment, they heard the bell hanging above the door tinkling.
Skyler stared as the glass door opened, seeing a middle-aged woman with long brunette hair and brown eyes—Countess Eileen enter the store.
Eileen gripped her white cane and said in a friendly tone. "Good morning Mr. Hall, and good morning to thee also, Miss Skyler. I perceive that the shop is harmonious in the early morning."
"Oh, good morning, Lady Throne, you are very elegant as always." Benson knelt, kissing Countess Throne's right hand. "What brings you to these parts?"
As soon as Skyler caught sight of Eileen, she could see that she was wearing a long, flashy white dress and a white straw hat with astonishing flowers on the brim. Her elegance was surely unrivaled in the aristocracy.
"Dispense with such formality, Mr. Benson, for thou mayest address me as Mrs. Throne without hesitation. In any case, I came here to purchase some porcelain vials, since thine are among my favourites." Countess Eileen laughed faintly without losing composure.
"Good m-m-morning Mrs. Throne, er, how i-is your family?" Skyler asked forcibly.
Her cheek as she lowered her head. Despite Countess Eileen telling her several times not to be formal, Skyler struggled quite a bit. As Eileen continued to giggle softly, She quickly fiddled with her fingers.
"Fare well, thanks. I kindly thank thee for accompanying my niece to the cemetery. Thy generosity is ever appreciated." Countess Eileen closed her eyes, smiling as Benson stood up.
Skyler waved her hands, and said hurriedly. "Y-you don't have to thank me, it was just a pleasure. Er, just act as if I wasn't here… I'll go take a look at the items."
"Mr. Benson, thou must take thy niece's example." Eileen smiled at Benson as she covered her mouth with a fan.
"Well, I can see that my little lady is maturing a lot." Benson chuckled softly, pointing his right hand at the counter. "Please, tell me which of those vials you prefer."
Meanwhile, as Benson and Countess Eileen looked at the porcelain vials on the counter, Skyler walked to the right side of the shop, lowering her head.
"If I'm not mistaken, the casket should be around here. Though Benson renovated the shop, I doubt he threw away something so precious." Thoughts raced through Skyler's mind as she looked around with narrowed eyes.
Just as she continued walking, surrounded by tables with busts and mystical objects, she came across a white casket with intricate snake motifs locked with a silver padlock on a shelf before her.
"There it is, the casket that dad jealously guarded. I remember him giving it to me for my birthday, those were really good times to be honest. He told me he got it from the depths of the Pandora Sea when he explored the islands with mom." Skyler's eyes sparkled as she took the copper key from her coat pocket. "If I remember correctly, there was a grimoire in it, and he told me that I could only read it when I reached adulthood. What a wise person you were…"
Her heart pounded, her breathing became shallow as she placed the key in the padlock. Swallowing hard, she turned the key counterclockwise, unlocking the lock with a clunking noise. Skyler placed the lock in her pocket and carefully opened the casket, trying not to attract the attention of Benson and Eileen. Blinking, her lips quivered at the sight of the contents.
"The grimoire! Calm down and let's see…" Skyler pulled the dark brown grimoire from the casket, narrowing her eyes to read its leather cover. "Mhh… it says Light… so I'll aspire to have light-related powers, or can I have something else? Anyway, I can't read it now, better do it once I get home."
As thoughts flowed through her mind, Skyler put the grimoire in the inside pocket of her coat. Turning, she walked toward Benson and Eileen who were talking with each other. She eagerly wanted to read the grimoire, but she cannot do so for several reasons. The next moment, she remembered the conversation she had with Sebastian in the carriage, and the consequences of reading the grimoire without being baptized.
Skyler waved her hands, and in a sharp voice she said, "I'm going to the Cathedral of the St. George, I salute you!"
"Alright, but come back before dark." Benson nodded calmly as he looked at Skyler.
Countess Eileen waved her hand in greeting. "See thou, Miss Hall. Take care of thyself."
Skyler nodded softly, returning Eileen's gesture as she opened the glass door, leaving the antique shop.
While the heat of the sun pressed on her forehead, and the stone street was crowded with people and carriages going back and forth, Skyler clenched her fist and rested it against her chest, walking towards a double-decker carriage parked not far from her.
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Center Mennork, at the Cathedral of the Son of Nature.
Skyler was sitting on the front row near the altar, looking at the intricate bronze organ.
Placing her black coat between her legs, she loosened the collar of her shirt, her breath was quick and hollow.
"Maybe I was wrong to bring my coat… no, if I hadn't brought it I wouldn't have been able to hide the grimoire from Benson. But honestly, I didn't think the temperature would rise this high, considering it's not summer yet." Thoughts flashed through Skyler's mind as she stared up at the arched ceiling.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Upon admiring the ornate ceiling, she heard footsteps echoing rhythmically in the cathedral. With her brow sweating, she turned, seeing an elderly nun with wrinkles on her face, lime eyes, and dressed in black and white come down from the altar.
Skyler knelt respectfully in front of the nun, tilting her head downward, she said. "Good morning, Mother Superior Lovia, how are you?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Do you want to receive the blessing and love from the Son of Nature?" Lovia bent her legs, looking at Skyler with a sincere smile.
Skyler eyed Lovia, looking away a few seconds later. "Well, to tell the truth… I want to be baptized."
Her voice became much fainter as her body thickened. She wanted to see Mother Superior Lovia's expression, but she couldn't bring herself to watch her whatsoever.
"Oww, do you want to be baptized… are you sure you want to receive the Holy Spirit of the savior Son?" Lovia's voice was soft and reassuring.
Hearing her voice, Skyler slowly looked at her. It was as if her voice entered her body intoxicatingly, warming her soul.
Skyler straightened her back, placing a palm into her chest, she said truthfully. "Mother Lovia, I am ready to receive the blessing and be devoted to the Son of Nature. When I had a nightmare this morning, he saved me… it's like he had alleviated all the problems I had. I want to be devoted to him and no one else."
"Mhm… you seem very sincere… I shall go ask the diocese." Lovia stood up, walking towards the altar.
As she headed for a door on the right side, Skyler frowned at the multi-colored window, praying to become a Daredevil.