Elevate

A Reeking Veracity

MEANWHILE IN THE INFORMANT’S LAIR

He stared at the key that they got in his resting place. Who would have thought that the key would be placed in there? He chuckled for himself especially that he had doubt someone who used to be closed to the man himself. He had been enclosed to others, even though they’re just trying to help him out.

He let out a large gust. Suddenly, Loshiana moved to his side and tapped his shoulder. “Get a grip. You don’t want to fall when we see what’s behind this wall.” She said and placed her hand.

Rushing steps suddenly exclaimed her presence. Vixen hurled and spoke to them, bringing with her a lamp. “I found it.”

“Great. Now… let’s find out what this passage is letting us see. I just hoped that we’re able to handle the thing that the Informant wasn’t able to and the others.” Loshiana added and the three of them went in front of the passage.

Guilbert took a step forward and put the key on the lock. The cold breeze suddenly entered the vicinity, embracing itself around them. Vixen gulped and the three of them were able to hear it. She was clearly anxious together with the two.

Slowly, Guilbert turned the key and the bolt latched into open. He gradually took it and moved himself back. They waited for a couple of seconds up until the ground began to shake as the bricked walled ominously moved to the left, exposing a pitch-black to them. They looked at each other. They couldn’t see something, but they felt a strong negative energy pulling them. Vixen caressed her arms to keep her warm and lighted the lamp afterward.

Then so, they have seen a path narrowed deep. They couldn’t glimpse the end of it. Vixen suddenly felt a pain struck on her chest and suddenly was having a hard time breathing. Loshiana was able to notice her and immediately responded to her. She let her rest on the side, with the books on the floor. Guilbert voluntarily took the lamp from her and held it. She checked her temperature by placing her palm gently on her forehead. “You’re not catching a cold either. What are you feeling right now?”

Vixen shook her head and tapped her hand, trying to convince her that she’s fine. But then, things escalated smoothly. Her eyes began to glow out of her control. Loshiana panicked when she saw her vibrant eyes shining through the darkness. She called out Guilbert and the man instantly moved to them. He knelt in front of her and touched her face. She was passing out. He tried to shake her body, but she’s not responding at all.

“She’s losing control of herself now.” Loshiana said and opened her pouch to find something. She grabbed a syringe filled with the potion. “D-Do we need to do it?” She stuttered.

Guilbert nodded to her and she promptly gave it to him. He was about to inject it to Vixen, but she held his hand, digging her fingers on his flesh. She slowly wriggled her head, telling him not to do it.

He then realized what Vixen is trying to convey. He slowly lowered his hand and intently watched her looking through somewhere else. He just trusted her.

VIXEN MORENZ’S POV

What is it? Where's it going? I felt coldness brushed itself around me. It was captivating and it felt like I’m on nine cloud. Did we pass already? Where are they?

I reverted my sight in different directions, trying to find Loshiana and Guilbert, but it seemed that I was left in this opaque, desolated room. I looked at myself in the shattered mirror and I was dull as white. I slowly brushed my cold hands on my face and it felt nothing. I was feeling blank. A loud shudder from the bricked wall had exclaimed, letting me moved to it. The padlock was already opened, but the wall hasn’t moved it. No. I clearly saw it in my own eyes. It had opened already when Guilbert yanked the key. I looked back and tried to find them, but I was left with the thought of being alone.

Loneliness. Why am I feeling this way? It felt like I was drawn in such familiar solitude. It was then I realized that it was the same when I saw that kid in that laboratory in the third ground. Am I traveling through time right now? I took my steps near to it and with my strength, I decided to move the wall. The first push was hard but the second time around I did it, I was able to give my all, letting it moved to the left.

A vicious sense had welcomed me. It wasn’t like this before, yet I was drawn by its darkness. I tried to narrow my eyes, but I couldn’t notice anything else. The wind had blown colder and I felt heavy, my heart began to thump faster. I seized a tricky breath as I couldn’t understand myself and the thing that’s happening. I glanced over my right hand and was instantly surprised when I saw myself already holding the lamp still and it was lighted. Blinking my eyes twice, I focused on the passage and a whirling sound came from the distance. It was echoing and somehow eerie.

I bit my lip when I realized that I was wrong. It’s not like before. I couldn’t see Loshiana and Guilbert and even myself. There’s no reflection of me. Perhaps, it was the past that I was facing back then, and now I’m looking over a thing that is still about to happen – the future.

I was filled with thoughts about what is worse; to face the past or the future. I thought that it was more thrilling when I let myself be heaved by the fortune. What is yet to be unfolded is somehow captivating and wondering, but it also could be fear. Taking a deep sigh, I progressed to its entrance and took my step inside. And it was then, the energy which was positive a while ago had turned into an off-putting one. It was pulling me portentously. I glanced over my back and tried to turn, but the wall had swiftly closed itself. No. I touched it, trying to nudge it to the other side, but it was completely shut.

A swishing sound suddenly presented itself near to me, then something had touched my hair, soothing its fingers. Another one had touched my bare hands and now it was chilling down on my ridge. It felt like I was glued in my spot. I closed my eyes and tried to compose myself. But the whispers began to spread and became loathsome in every tick of the clock. I decided to heave my foot and took a step slowly. I was staring at the floor. I could clearly hear my shoes tapped on the moistness. The malodorous smell abruptly had turned into a lovely, sweet fragrance.

Then I saw those wearing their smiles as they talked to each other. Those blooming flowers have filled the place. Everyone was shimmering in splendid and it was peaceful to look at. Their eyes were filled with gladness as they moved in different directions. Children were playing, chasing each other.

A lady in her mid-twenties offered her hand to me to join them. Her russet hair shined with the light passed through her. Her deep-set eyes were smiling earnestly to me as her dimples showed. She was cute in wearing her flowered white dress and a pair of flat shoes.

“Vixen.” She mentioned my name.

Her friends waved their hands at me, telling me to join their group. They called me out and I was left with questions why they knew my name already. I was about to take her hand, when a loud, thundering clap noise came from my back. Then I saw those flames expeditiously engulfing the whole place. The flowers have now wilted and the darkness rapidly swirled around the place. It became completely in gloom. I heard those cries, came from those who’re happy a while ago. They were mourning for something. I turned myself to see the lady once again. But when I did, I perceived her just a few inches from me. Her eyes have now sunken and blood had dried around it. Her face was pale grey and she had lost her weight. She slowly opened her mouth and a cracking sound was there.

As soon I saw her teeth, worms have filled her mouth and came gushing. She was spitting them. She tried to offer her hand to me, but I was too horrified to take it. Instead, I took my step back away from them. When she realized what I was trying to do, her face became stern and gradually her eyebrows met each other. What have I done?

Those fingers, slender ones, have come out of nowhere, nudging me back in her direction once again. Those dead, blank eyes were staring at me straight. I saw how her mouth curved into a wide, menacing grin. Slowly, she reached out her hand to me as her kind stood still behind her. I closed my eyes shut, trying to tell myself that it was just my imagination toying with me right now. I just needed to wake up just like before. I decided to slap myself so hard, that I could feel the soreness as I winced. I slowly peeked to her, but I was about to face a near death when I saw my own staring back at me. I became her. I was staring on my own reflection.

I tried to find her among the others, but she was gone. But still, she was raising her hand. It was an offer.

“Take it…and you shall see what you’re searching for.”

She didn’t say a word nor opened her mouth to speak. She was talking directly through my mind. Those hands have stopped pushing me to her and all of them were waiting for my response. I was left with a doubt of why I’m here. Is this what I really want? Why am I seeking for such truth? I tear slowly fell on my cheek when I couldn’t understand anymore.

A feeble hand slowly wiped it off, making me stared to her. She was also crying – hurting deep. I realized that the person I am staring right now is myself…The other side of me who’s lost and keep on wandering around. I held tight on her hand and she gazed straight to my eyes. Then, a genuine smile deliberately plastered on her face. A bond has been made and I was able to see what’s real – the history.

An imperious, aweing flash of light slapped before my eyes and when it quivered with the darkness, everything had changed, bringing me back to the time where it happened. My eyes travelled in the same place, but it was more bright and juvenile. Same people were there but they’re more calmed than before.

I glanced over my back and seen the passage being closed still. I sighted as I realized that I needed to finish this in order to get a way. I need to know what truly happened in this place and why it was haunted. Those souls were clearly seeking for justice even at this time. The lady whom I held my hand with had disappeared but her voice suddenly appeared on my mind.

“Hi. I’m Cylian, one of the victims here. Fear not for I don’t seek harm to you. I am here to tell you a story and help you in unraveling the truth you’re pursuing.” Her voice was cold and low.

“Move and wander around.” She simply said to me.

I stared over the distance. The passage was too narrow for me to see its end. I decided to take her call and moved myself to it. I’ve seen them staring and smiling over me as if they’re welcoming. Some were giving glances, asking their friends of who I am.

“All of us were killed in this place and burnt into ashes.” She exclaimed. “We were once like those who were forced to leave the Embreal City because we sought for retaliation and we wanted the law to be changed. Yet…that woman chose to betray us in the end. She had given us the chance to be back inside, so we did. Her subordinates instructed us to go here as a welcome party. But just before the event would start, a fire was made through her command, leaving us with no hope to find a way out, since it was a dead end…” Her voice suddenly changed into a low one.

A fire had started once again and now burning everyone around me. It was hell. My back started to burn and I felt a jolting pain on my spine. I winced and tried to turn my back, but she didn’t let me. She was somehow controlling my body.

“Just continue. You won’t die here, but you will be able to feel and see what we have been through. Just trust me.” She assured.

Tears fell on my face as I cried for help. I paced to its very end, and was dumbfounded, losing even the lightest ample of hope. Cylian was right. There was no way out. What is this place? I was losing my own breath. I turned myself and saw the atrocious, bloodcurdling situation. Everyone was dying by the fire and it was full agony. I cried so hard not minding the misery I was feeling on my back. The scenery was broken fragments of history, tainted by those who’re seeking for dominance. They were victims of such power.

“S-Stop…P-Please stop!” I yelled and went back at them. I tried to tap them to stop the fire. I went to find water, but I was lost. I was slowly losing hope just like them. I felt so weak and petrified. I could feel myself aching for help, but my knees were too tired, making me slumped on the corner.

Cylian suddenly popped out from me and she had watched her comrades die just like her. She was in fire, yet her face was blank. She glanced at me and spoke, “This place…is where the Three Founders discovered the two flowers. It was the beginning of all. It was the genesis. Yet…it’s also a place that had become a site to bury those who’re killed by the system and the ones who governed it. It was Embreal’s history. It is how the city was made.” She let out a faint smile as she shed her tears.

“Now. You’re able to see what’s really in here. I felt sorry for the old man who couldn’t handle our agonies. But then, he had promised us to bring someone who could hear our cries…And I guessed, it was you.” She added.

I stared blankly at my feet. The dark grey smoke surrounded us and it was hard for me to see them already. Cylian was slowly vanishing through it.

“W-Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because we know that you care for them much. Remember, this is a scourged place, Vixen. The moment you put yourself inside here, you’ll be facing death just like us.”

“B-But…Why? Why it has to be you? T-The curse…The curse…Who made it? You needed to be set free together with the others.” I gaze at her.

Her smile slowly grew wider and her eyes were showing happiness. “We…We made the curse for ourselves…It was the best thing that we can do at that time. It was our best defense…And until then…forever…we will remain in this place. It’s our cell forever.”

“No.” I stood upright in front of her and tried to hold her hand, but it was just passing her. She was fading away. “I hope…we will meet again someday. And, if ever you’ll find a way for us to be set free, we will be grateful. But for now, we’re guiding this area for certain reasons. Until our next meet, the Eye.”

It was her last call and together with her friends, Cylian disappeared in front of me. The smoke was slowly evaporating and I was able to see the other side where I entered. All of them were gone, but their remains were still visible. I was stepping on their graves. Their bones were there, scattered in different directions.

Someone was calling out my name just like before. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on myself. I let time travel on its own. The calling was getting clearer and louder. It was drawing me to it. I slowly opened my eyes and in a flash I saw their faces again. Both of them were afraid, as they could cry their eyes out at any moment. I made a faint smile.

“W-What happened?” I asked them. I was about to rise myself, but I felt a pain crashed my head, throbbing.

Guilbert let me lean on his shoulder as he intently held me in his arms. We were still inside Mr. Elikai’s place. I saw Loshiana carefully holding the syringe and I was able to realize what happened. But it seemed that she hasn’t injected the potion into me. I heard her took a breath and leaned on me. Her face was just a few meters away from mine.

“You were losing control of your powers. W-We thought we’re going to lose you.” Her voice cracked and she was crying.

I chuckled a bit and give her a tap on her arm. “I made it. And, I’m still alive.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“What happened to you, Vix? Did you see something here? You were crying out for help and reaching your hands in mid-air.” Guilbert stated and slightly pinched my left arm. I was still feeling dizzy when he did that.

I sit straight beside him, slumping my back on the cold wall. The window curtains flew with the wind and I could see the moon glowing brightly.

“We don’t need to go inside there.” I firmly said.

They looked at each other with questioning expressions.

“B-But why?” Loshiana asked.

“It’s safer for us three if we don’t enter…It’s a dead end…There’s nothing in there except for the remains of those who’re annihilated. Also…” I stared at them. “It’s cursed.”

They suddenly kept themselves in silence. Guilbert glanced over the entrance. It was dark.

“Are you sure? You didn’t see a path to the place about what Penelope had shared?”

I simply nodded to them. “Cylian…one of those who’re slain had shown what happened here…And…it’s not just a graveyard for them. But also, it’s the place where the Three Founders have discovered those flowers. Basically, Mr. Elikai had chosen to reside here somehow because he knew that it was the beginning of all. He wanted to keep it safe, knowing that it was a curse. No one would dare to visit here. He had the guts to dwell here for several years. I acknowledged him for that.” I said to them.

“So…We cannot enter there?”

“Yes. We don’t need to knock their silence.” I added.

“If that’s the case…” He stared at the key that was on his palm and slowly put it inside his pocket. “Let’s just go home. Vixen somehow did see the future that lies upon us. We needed to trust her with that.” He added and smiled at me.

“No more sugar-coats.” I chuckled.

“Yes. No more.”

Loshiana helped me in standing, while Guilbert grabbed my things. “How is it going to close by the way?”

I looked at the bricked wall and smiled. Leaving may not be the best thing that we could do for those souls including Cylian. I promised to get back at you, and by that time I’ll make sure that I will be able to set myself literally inside your dwelling. But for now, let’s just leave things in their current state.

“Let’s just leave it like that. It will close itself.” I assured them.

“Oh. Okay, if that’s what you recommend.” He said and put his hand around my shoulder.

The three of us went outside Mr. Elikai’s room and just before we could turn to the living room, we heard the wall shook and slowly closed by itself. We stood still in the center of the living room. Looking over the place, it had already changed into a chaotic state. We couldn’t turn back time anymore, but we could alter what is yet to happen.

Loshiana moved to the door and locked it in order not to get someone easily entering the place. It’s still Mr. Elikai’s home. When she was done securing the house at least, she went back to us and Guilbert held each of our hands. Together we disappeared and left.