A door slams shut…Subtle whispers…
I awaken…
In a bed I do not recognize, and a room constructed of aged stone, a temple of sorts.
I sit up and find myself in silkiest robes I"ve ever worn and my left arm in a sling. Light from a crack in the curtains dimly lit my view, allowing me to see.
Steven: "Mei..? Bao?"
I called out to everyone, to no avail. The only response came from the slight draft coming from under the door.
It was a struggle to stand up, and I quickly become light headed, falling back on the bed.
Steven: "Mei!"
I shouted.
Steven: "Fang..! Lian!"
How did I even end up here? I remember the fight, but not what happened after the doppelganger pa.s.sed away.
Picking myself back up, I finally make my way to the door and find myself in a spiral staircase heading both up and down. By the way it was constructed, I must"ve been in some sort of tower.
I head downwards into what had to be a mess hall. A fireplace gave light to the room and was also used as a fire pit. Pots and pans were to the side and extra firewood to the other.
There was 2 figures sitting at a table, whispering and eating. It escaped my mind that whoever they were could"ve been enemies, but I walk up to them as if they were harmless.
Steven: "Who… are you?"
Hooded Figure #1: "A friend. You mustn"t be moving, Sir Omeo."
He uncovers his hood and reveals himself. He was reasonably old, in about his 40"s with some wrinkles and no facial hair.
Hooded Figure #2: "He"s right, but, I shall inform Master Isaac."
The other one looked fairly young, but still with age. He had to be in his early 30"s and wore a scruffy beard like it was normal.
I"m somewhere, but nowhere familiar. I tried to follow the second figure outside, but I"m quickly stopped by the other when he gently held me by my shoulders.
Hooded Figure #1: "No! You can not go outside without Master"s guidance!"
Steven: "I only have one Master, and it isn"t Isaac."
Hooded Figure #1: "I wish not to fight, but to heal your wounds, Sir Omeo. If you seek knowledge, I am able to enlighten you. Just, please, sit."
I"m not in any fighting condition, and this robed monk knows it. I fall onto a bench near the fireplace and adjust the sling for comfort.
Steven: "Enlighten me then… who are you and your friend?"
Hugo: "I am Hugo Dunkel Augustin, Loremaster of Twilight. My friend and a.s.sociate is Achille Atillio, Magus and White Mage. He brought you to life without the… "inessential" steps as you would need to sp.a.w.n a Wight."
Steven: "Inessential? As in?"
Hugo: "One such step where we drain most of your blood. A most unnecessary step that causes your skin to pale."
I remember now…
Did I really pa.s.s away or did I just faint? I don"t remember anything other than Bao holding me. But if I really died from the poison, does that make me a Wight now?
Steven: "I"m undead? A Wight?"
Hugo: "Technically yes, but no such thing. Your heart"s beating and everything. You can ascertain temperature, the pigments in your skin will not fade, leaving you pale, and—"
Steven: "Yes..! I get it… but I was still brought back to life…"
Hugo: "Well, what is it like..? To be dead?"
I don"t remember what it was like, but I do remember it"s feeling…
Despite having these people that relied on me and cared for me, I was content with my death. All my sorrow and happiness, along with all other of my emotions were extirpated. I was perfectly in the middle. The peace I have literally fought to the death for felt so rewarding.
Steven: "A perfect nothingness… if I"m not a Wight, what am I?"
Hugo: "You"re still a Wight, but both alive and dead? A philosophical zombie, maybe? Either way, under no circ.u.mstances should you use magic until we understand what your limit is."
The topic of death has been concerning for me. I agreed if Young Mi did it, but these are strangers I do not know. I remember her saying she"ll be besides me when I wake up, ready to answer all my questions.
I want Young Mi here, not them…
Steven: "Where"s Young Mi? Only she was allowed to resurrect me."
Hugo: "Yes, well, we"d normally leave you alone after death. But, disturbances have been felt throughout the world."
Steven: "What do you mean?"
Hugo: "How should I explain it? Think of it as a calm water with no ripples. It"s perfectly still. Now, imagine a large sum of Magic Power as a pebble, small but creates ripples, disturbing the water. So far, in the past year, we"ve felt 3 separate pebbles. .h.i.tting the water. One, came from Lilith Klein, you know her well. She created a portal using magic she altered. She"s either incredibly smart or incredibly dumb to be doing something so dangerous. The second one was you, falling in a body of water and washes up on a beach. Imagine our surprise when we discovered you were from another world. I mean, yes! Another world! I never believed it possible! But here you are, a so called "Human!" Now, the third, and hopefully, last, ripple came from who you call the doppelganger. She really is Mei Klein, but from the future! We"ve never seen a chain of events like it. So, you can understand why we took such a very keen interest in you and your group."
Steven: "We?"
Hugo: "Ah, yes, I forgot to mention. We are Twilight! Or by our commonly known name of Twilight Squadron. We"ve been keeping an eye on you since you sailed into Everhand."
Just what I wanted to know. I"ve been watched by a secret society and they never had the decency to help me out!
How long have they been watching me? How long have I been out?
Steven: "What"s the date?"
Hugo: "27th of Dodeka."
December…
My G.o.d, I"ve been out for an entire month!
I slump back and curse myself. The next thing that"s going to happen is that I"m going to be in trouble for something I"m a victim of!
Steven: "And what"s going to happen now? I"m going to be punished for something that was forced onto me?"
Hugo: "That is not for me to decide, but your friend Lilith is. Like I said, she used altered magic and disturbed only G.o.d knows what."
The second hooded figure returns with another one. This time, his hood was pulled back and had a greyed and groomed beard, and haired slicked back into a small ponytail. He was well aged, and had to be in his early 50"s.
This guy had to be the "master" they"re talking about.
Isaac: "I see you have acquainted yourself with Loremaster Augustin."
Steven: "And you are Isaac? They call you "Master" here."
Isaac: "Grand Master of Twilight, Isaac Chaput. I"d like to ask a few questions before we reunite you and your group."
I went through what felt like an eternity of answering questions. It was as if they were trying to a.s.sess whether or not I actually am the "Steven Omeo" they were watching. It was really disturbing when they went into details and even knew about my relationship with Yuuna!
Steven: "Where are my friends?"
Isaac: "Alive and well, they"re here on the island."
Steven: "Island? What island?"
Isaac: "Apologies, you"re on the island of Sefre, one of the many islands on the undiscovered archipelago we like to name after ourselves, "Twilight." We"re situated in the Rosdown Ocean. Currently, we"re in Solidarity Spire where you"ve been recovering after Magus Atillio resurrected you."
All this talk is making my head hurt. Unable to bear it, I sit back down and hold my head on my hands with my eyes closed. I also feel like I want to throw up!
Steven: "I feel hungover."
I said in a audibly weak voice.
Achille: "We can give you a banana bag." [1]
Isaac: "Atillio, gather his group at the center pergola."
Achille: "At once, Master."
I tried to stand back up, with some struggle.
Isaac: "Will you be needing crutches? If not, we can have one of the Auxiliaries lend you a hand."
I shook my head.
If I want to head to the pergola, I"m going to do it myself. It took some time to find the "perfect" pace once we were outside, and was eventually able to comfortably keep up with Isaac.
Hugo: "Oh, there you go. We"ll be right behind you and guide you to the pergola."
The spire was near a beach, which faced to the south east and revealed nothing but a vast ocean. It would"ve been nice to sit down and relax, but it was freezing cold out.
It was pretty dark out, too, maybe just before midnight, but I didn"t have my pocket watch. I don"t even know where all my stuff is!
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We had to circle to the back of the spire to get on the stone road to another tower, Mageia Tower. I couldn"t see it as the view was blocked by trees. Dense and dead trees.
Apparently the island of Sefre was also a deciduous forest, which meant it was always changing. So it being near the end of Dodeka meant the trees are actually dormant and aren"t going to have any leaves growing back until spring.
It must really be something to witness every year.
The center pergola was a whole mile from the spire, and I was already worn when we arrived.
It was beautiful, covered in vines that wrapped around it"s beams and colorful flowers that blanketed the ground. Dai-tai and Niroja were together, as always, sitting at a large round table.
They picked up their heads when they saw me, and their eyes lit up as their jaws slightly dropped.
Niroja: "It really is you…"
She looked ready to explode into tears, but she got up and jumped into my arms, excited to see me. The hugs were actually painful and I tried to ignore the pain.
Steven: "I"m sorry, Niroja. I said I"ll come back safe, but I went and got myself killed."
Dai-tai: "Niroja was crying when she found out you were dead."
Steven: "Y-yeah, I"m sorry."
Her hug gets slightly tighter and more painful.
Niroja: "Don"t do that again."
Dai-tai: "So, are you like mama now? A Wight?"
Steven: "No—"
Hugo: "Well, yes, but actually no. He is a Wight in a sense that he has life extending properties, but he doesn"t have to live with the negatives of being one."
Isaac: "That"s right, but on the other hand, where is Atillio? I thought I told him clearly to bring everyone here."
Hugo: "I"m sure Sir Omeo would like to catch up with his friends, Master. Shall we look for Atillio ourselves?"
Isaac: "We shall."
After they leave the girls pull me to the bench at the end of the pergola where they both sit at my sides. They sat patiently, and looked at me expectingly, like they wanted me to speak.
Steven: "How did I end up here?"
Dai-tai: "These hooded figures came into the inn and demanded we all follow them."
Niroja: "Then Mei starts a fight but the hooded monk person just snapped his finger and Mei dropped to the floor."
Dai-tai: "I"ve never seen anything like it."
I can pretty much put it together now. After my death, I was rushed over to Shouyi through Shadow Leap and brought into the inn, where all of us were in a single spot for Twilight to show up.
An exchange of words happened and Mei comes to a disagreement with them. So, she probably attacks, but is quickly subdued with a snap of a finger. I can imagine how everyone reacted; scared, most likely. Madelyn was probably more amazed.
Now, here on the island, I was split away from the rest of the group and brought to Solidarity Spire. They used magic to bring me back and waited for me to recover. If I had to guess, I was brought to the spire so they could keep an eye on me in case I "lost it" as most Wights do.
I don"t even feel sad, just disappointed.
Steven: "What was the island called again?"
Dai-tai: "It"s Sefre, did they tell you?"
Steven: "Yeah, but everything is just so much to take in, I can"t keep up."
Young Mi appears on the road and towards us. She looked like she wanted to say something and instead grins and welcomes me back.
Young Mi: "Steven, I"m relieved."
She sits down at the round table, crossing her arms and lays them down.
Steven: "Hey, Young Mi. Where"s Madelyn?"
Young Mi: "Right behind you."
I felt a small punch on my shoulder and it was Madelyn who looked happy to see me again. She sat down next to Young Mi at the round table.
Steven: "Oh!"
Madelyn: "Never thought I"d be relieved to see you again! Welcome to the land of the living."
Oof.
I found that particularly offensive, but I know she wouldn"t mean any harm by it. So I won"t make it a problem.
Young Mi: "Do you know what it is like?"
Steven: "You mean death? It… was weird. I might welcome it when I die of old age."
Young Mi looked at me blankly. She"s obviously contemplating, but what about? That I"m a Wight but don"t look like it? I find it ironic that the most unrelatable person in our group is the only person that could understand me right now.
Young Mi: "Magus Aitillio mentioned how their magic has made you biologically immortal."
Steven: "I don"t feel immortal."
Young Mi: "Because you can"t begin to fathom it."
No, I cannot.
Young Mi: "So I"ve heard that we"ll be staying here."
Steven: "I figured that much out, but I"m not sure for how long."
Young Mi: "They want me to stay because I know Ice magic."
Steven: "What about everyone else?"
Dai-tai: "Guess we all have to go our separate ways. A very novel ending."
Young Mi"s eyes widen with realization that staying might separate her from her children. It seemed to have hit her suddenly and a river of tears start flowing. I"ve never seen her show so much emotion. That we sometimes forget that the stoic Young Mi is also a person with feelings…
She must"ve been holding it in for so long.
Young Mi: "I don"t want to lose either of you…"
Dai-tai: "No, no! Don"t cry, mama, I was kidding! I don"t even want to leave!"
Niroja: "I won"t go anywhere without you!"
Steven: "Don"t cry, Young Mi. Dai-tai was just being an idiot.
We all tried to comfort her and she quickly bounces back into her usual self.
The rest of the group, Bao, Lilith, and Mei, were barely arriving. They too also seemed relieved that I"m alive. At least, Lilith did more than the other two.
Lilith: "Oh, there you guys are!"
I get up and welcome them.
Steven: "Is this everyone? What about Fang and Lian?"
Mei: "They were sent home."
Steven: "O-oh… I really wish I could"ve said goodbye."
Mei: "Well, sorry, they gave you their blessings for a successful resurrection. I know it can be difficult to say goodbye… but me and Bao have to also leave. We were at least given the privilege to say goodbye."
Steven: "You… all are?"
The sisters all looked at each other and back to Lilith.
Lilith: "No, I"m staying… they tried punishing me but my skills with Dark magic have gained their interest."
Mei: "It hurts to see my sister become so independent."
Lilith: "Don"t be sad, I"ll visit."
The sisters share a final hug before they depart. Mei and Bao were walking down the road to Mageia Tower and I stood with Lilith, waving them goodbye.
Lilith: "Those 2 are my sisters. I don"t care how bad of a history we may have had, I love them…"
Steven: "You must be proud that your sister is going to be the Queen of Hei"an, right Lilith?"
I look to Lilith and see her in tears. It was actually pretty sad to see her like that. I didn"t really know what to do other than put my hand on her shoulder, letting her know that we will support her.
Lilith: "I"m going to miss her…"
Our party is getting smaller. I sit back down with Lilith as everyone else is also trying their best not to tear up.
Madelyn: "I guess… it"s just me and Steven, huh?"
Even Madelyn was close to tears. But with a statement like that, she thinks we"re all splitting up!
Steven: "Why are you crying?"
Madelyn: "I really thought we"d all stay together in one big party."
Young Mi: "Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
This is coming from the same person that was in tears about losing Dai-tai and Niroja. Isaac speaks up with what could be called good news.
Isaac: "Nothing will be falling apart, at least, not anytime soon. You"ve been selected to join Twilight as Auxiliaries."
Steven: "Auxiliaries?"
Isaac: "The first rank anyone would obtain in Twilight. You will be taught how to wield magic."
Young Mi: "I"m already adept, but my daughters are inept. We"re all Auxiliaries here, Steven."
So much has been happening since I was gone!
Isaac: "Here in Twilight, even those incapable will have the ability to wield magic in less than a month."
Niroja begins to playfully jab me with her elbow.
Niroja: "Steven was supposed to teach us Earth."
Steven: "I already tried and failed."
Dai-tai: "Because we couldn"t channel our Magic Power. But we can now!"
Isaac: "Well, let us not rush things. Madelyn isn"t as fortunate as you 2. She can"t, yet, Steven was able to, how did you do it?"
Steven: "I was contracted."
He begins stroking his beard.
Isaac: "Hmm… interesting."
Madelyn: "Am I going to be contracted?"
Isaac: "Nevermind all that. Auxiliary Omeo is still very weak from recovering."
He didn"t even hesitate to call me by t.i.tle.
Auxiliary…
Now I"ve gone and done it. Getting kidnapped and having to clear my name is one thing, but joining a secret society I"ve never heard of before? This will be a tough one to explain.
Steven: "Hold on a minute, I haven"t agreed to anything."
Isaac: "True… but I speak with almost certainty that you will join Twilight."
Steven: "What can Twilight offer me?"
Isaac: "Anything and everything Magic related. We also allow our members to go on expeditions and explore the world as they see fit."
Steven: "I have family in Everhand. They come first over anything."
Isaac: "I"ll speak with the council about it. That much I can a.s.sure you."
Steven: "How long will that take?"
Isaac: "A couple of days for them to reach a decision. A week, at most."
Will I be able to go home or is this another trick? I"m going to be stuck on this archipelago for all eternity until it is washed away because I"m a Wight!
Isaac: "I will take you to your accomodations where your group will be staying until then."
We were taken back down near the spire where a small 2 bedroom house awaited. Isaac told us to make ourselves at home because n.o.body lived here for almost a year. It was barebones at best, but it was still better than the house back at the Hidden Village; we had a couch and coffee table. We also had free reign to everything in the house as it didn"t belong to anyone.
Dai-tai: "You also have to teach us Earth magic, you promised."
Steven: "I still haven"t forgotten…"
I yawned. Moving around in my current recovering state is really c.u.mbersome.
Dai-tai: "Tired? You"ve been sleeping for a month."
Steven: "I"m wounded…"
Niroja: "Ahh~ I"m tired too."
Seemed that rest was on everybody else"s mind as well. A weary Madelyn sits down on the couch and let"s out a long sigh.
Madelyn: "There"s 2 beds… I"ll sleep on the couch."
Steven: "You don"t have to, Madelyn. I"ll sleep there."
Madelyn: "Yeah, but you"re wounded and I actually miss the days where I"d fall asleep on the couch while watching Netflix."
It constantly escapes my mind how Madelyn and I had both lived easy lives before we arrived. I actually wish that I knew her better. Then again, I can actually do that now. Everyone else will be going to bed, so it looks almost perfect.
It"s now or never…
Steven: "Madelyn… actually… do you want to talk?"
Madelyn: "W-what? Where"s this coming from all of a sudden?!"
Madelyn blushes heavily and avoids all eye contact with me. It was quite a strong emotion coming from her.
Steven: "I don"t know… we"re both Humans. I want to know you better. I don"t know you as well as the others here."
She takes a moment to compose herself and finally looks me in the eye.
Madelyn: "Alright, sure, I don"t mind. You can tell me what it"s like to live in a restaurant."
…
Author"s Notes:
[1]: A banana bag is a IV bag with normal saline, which is basically water with electrolytes that appears yellow in color (where it got its name?) It is given to chronic alcoholics because they are usually nutrient depraved and supposedly cures hangovers.