Snowmoon Pack

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Phantom Thief's Legacy

The air crackled with a strange energy, a mix of excitement and apprehension. Aliciah, her mind still reeling from the revelation of her twin brother, found herself standing in a strange, ethereal room. The room resembled a theater, but instead of rows of seats, there were only two chairs, resembling thrones, positioned in front of a stage.

"Hey, where are we?" Aleek asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Aliciah, her gaze fixed on the stage, pointed to a device that resembled a recorder. "I don't know, but look," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and fascination.

The device, as if sensing their presence, began to play. A voice, familiar yet tinged with a melancholic echo, filled the room.

"Hello, Akio and Akemi," the voice said. "It seems you found this room. You must be confused, but don't worry, everything will make sense when I am done with my speech."

Aliciah and Aleek exchanged a bewildered look. "That's Dad's voice!" Aleek exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Yes, it is," Aliciah breathed, her heart pounding in her chest. "Let's see what he has to say."

The voice continued, revealing a shocking truth. "Hello, my dear children, it's me, your mother, Ayane. I'm terribly sorry to only contact you through this device, but if you hear this message, it means your life is going to change completely. But before I explain why, let me start by telling you who we are. Me and your dad were phantom thieves, known as Joker and Empress. We stole all kinds of treasures all over the world, but that wasn't because we were criminals. It's because we had no other choice..."

Before Ayane could explain their reasons, a strange voice echoed in their minds.

[Ding! System initializing… complete!]

[The Fool's Curse has been activated]

[The Fool's Curse]

Type: Curse

Grade: Supreme

Quality: Flawless

Description: The Fool's Curse grants its host immortality as well as eternal youth and fertility.

"W-what is that?!" Aliciah and Aleek exclaimed in unison, their minds struggling to comprehend the sudden influx of information.

The voice continued, explaining that the Fool's Curse was a powerful curse that granted immortality, eternal youth, and fertility, but came with a price. They had to dispel the curse by stealing treasures all over the world, essentially playing a game where they were the villains and the entire world was against them.

Ayane, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and hope, explained that they had chosen to bestow this curse upon their children, hoping that they would be able to break free from its grip. They had failed to protect their children, but they believed in their strength and potential.

"We know how ridiculous this all sounds," Ayane said, her voice filled with a mix of regret and hope. "But sadly, it's the cold hard reality. We trust you. We got a notification after we gave birth to you that said that you guys will be the most talented people to ever live. Even the system couldn't measure your talent and potential, so you are far better than us already. So even though I am in no position to ask you, please dispel the curse and save not just your lives, but also those after you. I know immortality might sound like fun, but you will realize in thousands of years that it's not as fun as you guys might think."

Kaito, her husband, added, "Oh, BTW, you guys might be siblings, but don't shy away from getting close with each other. We know it's a bit weird, but you guys are twins and you should be close. We pray for your success."

Both parents fell silent for a moment before sending their final message.

"Good luck. We trust you."

The recording ended, leaving Aliciah and Aleek in a state of stunned silence. They were now faced with an impossible choice: embrace their destiny as phantom thieves and try to dispel the Fool's Curse, or reject their heritage and live a life of normalcy, forever burdened by the knowledge of their hidden past. The weight of their decision, the fate of their future, rested on their shoulders. The world outside the theater, the world of Snowmoon, the world of the Snowmoon Pack, awaited their choice.