Almost all of the lights were out by the time Malphas spotted the inn. However, there was still one window that was dimly lit. He knew whose room that belonged to.
Granting him freedom to move around... She was almost sure he would do as she asks. Sure that he wouldn't stab her in the back. Well, there was no real reason to double cross her. Despite being weak, she was his safest refuge at the moment.
"Lucky girl," Malphas said and flew off the branch he perched on. He entered the open windows, bringing along a gust of wind that blew the curtains.
CK was seated on a desk, engrossed in a book. Barely turning around to see who the newcomer was, she flipped another page.
"How was your trip?" she asked. "I managed to bluff my way into a social gathering and asked around. Nobody knows of the Star Station that you speak of. Not even the bards," Malphas stated.
"Hmph. The books say nothing. Even the bards don't know a thing," CK muttered and sighed. She snapped her book shut and looked at Malphas.
"What's the plan?" he asked. "We'll make a quick stop at the Star Station on the way home. I need to see it for myself," CK said and walked towards her bed.
"A place that only you seem to remember while the rest of the world forgot... A trick, perhaps?" Malphas wondered.
"Whoever's playing that 'trick', I don't like it," CK grumbled. How can something widely known be suddenly forgotten by everyone?
"Wrinkles, little mistress. You're too young to look so old," Malphas mused. CK sighed and looked at him.
"You can go back, Malphas. Thank you. I'll handle things on my own tomorrow," she said. "As you wish. Rest well, little mistress," the daemon tucked the blanket over CK's body and disappeared into the shadows beneath the bed.
Mel and CK were ready to leave when morning came. Although they didn't pay for breakfast, the innkeeper was kind and packed them food to bring on the way back–a token of appreciation for staying two days at the inn.
Other than this, the duo had no reason to linger. They left on the amphiptere carriage and rode straight for the mainland.
"If you still plan on finding the Star Station, you can drop me off at Briar City. I should run a few errands for mother," Mel said.
"Alright. Since we have the carriage, it won't take longer than two hours to fly there," CK said. "You know, I still wonder how your family managed to enslave these winged serpents. Weren't they from the Farisian Woods?" Mel asked.
CK raised an eyebrow. 'Enslaved'?
"I don't know much either. But from what Lucila told me, our forebearers made a deal with the amphipteres and managed to domesticate tribes of them. They've been mostly used for quick transportation, but I haven't seen the other tribes. They're most likely at the sanctuary that mama oversees," CK said.
"The Count is terrifying," Mel said wryly. CK only smiled. What was so terrifying about the man who cries for Isabella's attention and hers all the time?
The shores of the mainland came into view as time passed. But it took longer to get to the outskirts of Briar City. It wasn't hard to miss. The sheer heights of the walls around the city would attract safety and fend off ill-doers.
Sentient statues stood guard by the gates. They cast an emotionless gaze on the carriage that pulled over before them. Mel looked up at them nervously.
"Those things are the stuff of nightmares," he muttered as he got out. "Agreed. The faces of those statues are enough to scare people off for good," CK grimaced.
The feeling she gets from the statues were similar to staring at portraits of saints. Almost off-putting the longer you stare at them, wondering if the still images would blink or follow you as soon as you turn your back.
Well, good thing they weren't like those portraits, right? The only thing is that these statues would act for real and do worst. No biggie.
Mel secured the doors after he got out and looked at CK. "I'll see you at Rouge, CK. Be careful," he said.
"Sure," CK smiled. Mel nodded and walked into the gates. CK's carriage took flight.
The girl shivered involuntarily upon seeing the statues' gaze following them. Creepy statues. Can't the carriage fly any faster?!
CK sighed in relief once they were out of the statues' sight. "Phew," she muttered and looked out the windows.
The Star Station was located in a clocktower in the outer sector of Glass City. A village was indirectly built around the Star Station due to the amount of manpower needed to keep it running, but also to guard those who would attempt to journey out of Kelter without the Marchen's permission.
The amphiptere was going straight to the Estate. CK got up and walked to the coachman's seat, intending to drive the amphiptere's direction off route.
Skree!
The amphiptere jerked back when CK snatched the reins attached to its wings. CK clicked her tongue.
"Don't be like that. We're taking a quick detour, that's all," she said and pulled the reins. The amphiptere hissed but eventually gave in, following CK's lead.
"There we go," CK said pleasantly and steered the amphiptere northeast. They flew over snowy blue forests and villages of crystal houses, entering the outskirts of Glass City.
It was a good thing Flavio taught her how to drive a carriage. Guided only by memories, CK attentively looked down to keep an eye out for her desired destination.
Sure enough, they came across a wide pumpkin patch. A few houses and greenhouses were scattered across, likely facilities to process the pumpkins.
"See. Why do you ask?" CK asked. Malphas shrugged,
CK tapped unto her senses and concentrated. Sensing nothing, she shook her head.
"Can't sense anything," she said.
"What's with him?" she muttered in confusion. She shook her head and focused on the path ahead.
The carriage was rapidly approaching the edge of the pumpkin patches when CK felt the ghost of a stomachache in her body. Her brows furrowed.
The amphiptere suddenly hissed a protest, prompting CK to hold the reins tighter. CK dodged its erratic tail flip, hearing it slap against the carriage below.
"Easy now," CK told the creature. It must be feeling the same discomfort she felt. The land covered in pumpkins faded out as they approached the edge, trees and grass were shades of lifeless translucence.
The environment around Glass City was known to be glossy and brilliant. Hence, its namesake. However, the scenery below CK was a different kind of gloss–a lifeless, foreboding kind.
"What the..." CK muttered in disbelief, nearly dropping the reins to stand, "The village!"
She remembered how the clocktower village was like. Clusters of buildings, usually two stories high, were connected by luminous roads where carriages travelled to and from. Houses were built by the crystal power plants to receive energy, and at the heart of the village would be the Star Station, hidden in a different dimension beyond the arches inside the clocktower.
At least, that was supposed to look like. But instead, she is met with ranges of barricades and an obscured dome of smoke draped over the scenery.
The question was unanswered. Malphas hummed thoughtfully and looked down at CK, tilting his beak.
CK retrieved the pouch of vials from her luggage, strapped it to her waist, then exited the carriage and touched her forehead. She closed her eyes.
'Anything, Malphas?' she called in her mind.
'Can you see a clocktower at least?' CK asked.
'Possible. Wait for me. I'll see what I can do with the energy dome,' CK replied and made her way towards the barricades.
Warning signs were prompted everywhere: 'Do not enter', 'Entrance is strictly prohibited', 'Keep out'. Still, the signs could do nothing to stop CK from passing by and ignoring them.
'The village is gone. Did a fight break out? A raid? A civil war?' CK thought. She deftly slipped through the obstacles and pointed barricades, avoiding traps until she got to the other side.
She was greeted by vast nothingness. The village in her memories was nonexistent in reality. CK saw the erratic dome covered in smoke. Its currents were chaotic and uninviting, promising trouble to those who come close.
CK heard the pair of wings flutter overhead. She looked up and saw Malphas flying towards her, landing on her head and causing her to grunt in complaint.
"Urgh... Don't you have anywhere else to land?!" CK tried to shoo the bird off her head, only to yelp when Malphas' beak tried to pick her fingers.
They both fell silent when the energy dome pulsed threateningly. CK narrowed her eyes, "What is this dome trying to hide?"
Malphas asked. CK pursed her lips.
"I need to confirm the Star Station's existence first," she said. She heard Malphas sigh in her mind.
CK learned that events of a similar nature could occur time to time. But when it does, it invites a whole lot of trouble. The uncertainty persisted and CK cannot ignore it for long.
CK took her steps forward and placed a hand on the ground. She closed her eyes, feeling the strands of the world's energy against her subconscious.
Her mind's eye opened and it 'saw' through the energy. CK focused on the dome. It was made of concentrated energy coming from a source far away. It was chaotic outside, but its structure had form–signs that it was created intentionally.
But who would create such a thing? CK peered deeper, trying to see the ground beyond the net of energy. She could feel it–there was a huge concentration of energy forming within, but there was something off about it.
The strands stretched, broke off, entangled, reattached, then reformed. CK couldn't grasp what was happening nor what the energy was trying to do. All it did was destroy and recreate itself, as if experimenting or practicing until perfection.
'What are you trying to do?' CK asked. But no one answered. The cycle continued, ignoring all forms of interference.
CK's consciousness approached the eye of the storm carefully, trying to observe. But her physical body heard a snap, causing her to return back and open her eyes in alert.
Crack!
She turned around, seeing a figure flee towards the barricades. CK stared seriously as the figure disappeared in a split second.
Someone was investigating, too. Maybe they know about what happened. She was about to sprint after the figure when Malphas' voice brought her a warning migraine.
Boom!
A gigantic candlestick that created a dent where she stood.
"What... Where did that come from?" CK was bewildered. She got into a defensive stance as it rose up from impact, unaffected by the crash.
The candlestick walked and moved like a sentient human. The flames burning from the candles flared with hostility as it turned towards CK.
A floating chandelier was mid-air, hovering above them. CK could sense a collective amount of energy within their bodies. She watched them observantly.
"Two of you... A buy one, get one promo, huh?" CK took out the dagger hidden underneath her belt, "Sorry, but I'm not interested in collecting antiques."