Black Wires extended on the floor like messy, tangled roots, at the center of the scattered, destroyed ruins of The Great Fountain, a mysterious, glowing object pulsed.
Its shape was round and circular, with sharp corners and edges attached above and below the sides; nailed tightly on the back.
This was The Device: a destructive tool Akwan failed to deactivate. It sat dormant on the plate, waiting as the timer counted down from 1:00:00 to zero.
(00:59:59)
(00:59:58)
(00:59:57)
The Device's texture matched a strong iron material. Ancient runes were engraved on the mechanism's surface, all glowing white. Time elapsed.
(00:58:42)
(00:56:12)
Moss crept over the polished black pedestal, amplifying its threatening aura.
(00:50:00)
Suddenly, the epicenter illuminated once more. The ring sparked and spewed streams of light, then burst into a warm, pink glow, projecting vividly onto the walls of the ruined Fountain.
A shockwave emerged from The Device and expelled all its energy, like a water drop falling on a surface.
A sizable purple pulse erupted from the ground, accompanied by a loud, thunderous clap that shadowed the explosion.
Matter disintegrated. Rays pierced the stone. Another burst of energy shook the trembling earth.
(Shzzrrrtt)
Before nature thought it was over, The Device fumed, unshackled, and flared, releasing a powerful magical beam into the sky.
Luminescent pink petals sprinkled on the ground like snowflakes, before finally melting into dust. It was as if the Device was counting down to its activation.
(00:49:59)
(00:49:58)
. . .
Far within the edges of the great cliff facing the forest, as Aletha and the others tread along the steep slopes and patches of flowers, a beacon of light sprang from the sky, pushing back the darkness and clouds.
Aletha's eyes widened.
"H-Huh? W… What's that?"
Drimi and Phthonus shrugged.
"I have no idea. We should keep moving."
Before others could catch sight of the light, it swiftly vanished. With only brief confusion lingering, many shrugged and continued to haul their weapons over the hills, watching the distant ocean sparkle vividly over the timid shores.
Despite the prior event, their focus remained on the insurgency rather than the threat that lurked in the Fountain's ruins.
Nevertheless, Aletha grew concerned. She knew that couldn't mean a good sign. So, grabbing her microphone, she hollered toward it and alerted the insurgency.
"Hurry up! We have no time to lose!"
The people nodded their heads and increased their pace.
The carriages couldn't advance any further due to the steep decline in elevation, the catapult men were exhausted, and many of the children in the group fell to the ground.
But despite that…
"Here, I'll help…."
Many cared for the poor children and carried them on their backs, even if they were strangers and even if they were tired themselves.
"Just because it's late doesn't mean that the awakening of a rebellion is late." A man said as he carried the child up to his back.
The blonde-haired child happily clapped and smiled. The dark-haired man whispered as they sprinted and caught up to the group.
"When we march for freedom, everyone in Pladtioa is family."
. . .
Aletha stepped forward toward the sea of plants. She gasped in shock. Something touched her back. It was warm, yet cold. The sensation was soft and gentle, not grainy and disturbing.
"Greetings, Aletha!"
She recognized that voice remarkably.
"Sally?" She mumbled faintly.
"Calm down, Sally!"
She grabbed Aletha's hand and asked politely.
"Buttons, are you alright?"
Gasping and panting for air, Aletha gave a silent thumbs-up.
Drimi put her face in her palm and sighed deeply, then grabbed Sally by the collar and dragged her a short distance away from Aletha, murmuring an apology as she did so.
"I didn't know that I hurt you…."
Aletha nervously scratched her head and replied.
"I-It's fine. You're my friend, after all."
Sally's face flushed a bright pink, and she nodded her head.
"Okay!"
Aletha sprinted in front of the group and grabbed her microphone. Drimi and Phthonus carried the speakers, and soon, as people gathered in a large cluster around the cliff, Aletha announced loudly.
"People of Pladtioa. Just a few more moments until we approach the perimeter of the palace. Please, parents… keep your children safe, and catapult men… don't launch yourselves into the castle; it's dangerous."
As the vivid wind pushed her fluctuating, shimmering white hair back, she unsheathed her sword from her hip. She lifted it into the air, mightily—that robust and straight stance.
Those hopeful silver eyes.
The sleek metal shone vividly under the moonlit sky. Aletha continued.
"We stand here today to mark a rebellion against the ideals of The Queen. We stand here today, to free souls from reflections, today's the day… that New rules shall emerge from the land!"
Others dropped in awe, seeing the sword scintillate brightly like a star.
She stood out like a true goddess, holding her ground and marching along the path, her silhouette rising into the air as all cheered and chanted for freedom.
"HOORAY!"
As the potent blade shimmered across the nation, its shadow fell upon the thousands of individuals.
They raised their weapons, too.
Catapults were prepared, and horses galloped across the bumpy hills, eager to march with the group.
Claps sounded everywhere as the army of people charged up the cliff with zero hesitation.
Aletha's white hair shimmered like a pulsating star, scattering bright white petals across the ground; the army followed her direction and chanted in unison.
"FOR PLADTIOA!"
. . .
Quiet and Peaceful. Two words to describe the room, which stood in stark contrast to the chaos outside.
The tables were refined and polished, with no smudge of dirt.
The glass ceiling lights shone their vivid, warm yellow light across the smooth, tiled floors, and mirrors were scattered throughout the ballroom—one at each table, some on the walls, and many even on the windows.
"Wow…"
The extravagant door slowly creaked open, with torches and candles flickering on. Their footsteps echoed through each hollow wall, almost as if a melody played from them.
Benches, tables, stairs, and a large chandelier are suspended high above the circular room, with premium dark oak woodwork stretching vertically from one corner to the next.
"Excuse us…"
The butlers and maids rushed into the ballroom and moved all chairs and tables aside.
Having done so quickly, Asahi was shocked to see the ballroom so empty. Narcissa proudly chortled and tightened her grip on Asahi's warm hand.
As her elegant, formal gray dress sparkled and shimmered like the overhead of the clear night sky, Narcissa untied her long, silky toffee hair and leaned closer to Asahi's shoulder.
She bowed her head and slowly pulled up her high heels. Her blemished, soft skin shone like moonlight, with Asahi's fair skin reflecting it. With their mouths shut, Asahi and Narcissa formally approached the ballroom center and stared at the massive mirror dangling above their heads.
Asahi couldn't believe this was happening; he felt like he was in a dream.
As Narcissa prepared for the dance, asking the orchestra to be summoned, Asahi rested on a bench nearest to a glass door and assumed in his head.
(I guess… This will be the moment when we will dance. I thoroughly enjoyed our date. It was enjoyable, but it also drew me closer to Narcissa than I ever had been. But… I can't focus profoundly, knowing that Aletha and Devlin could be in danger.)
He took a steady breath and adjusted his tie. He touched his gleaming earring before standing up. Asahi remained reserved as he returned to Narcissa.
(Focus on the dance…)
Their feet skidded across the sleek, polished, reflective, transparent floor.
"Hold on, suitable interest. I will be right back!"
Narcissa rushed out the door, and after a few moments, she raced back in from the door, gasping for breath, with the taps of her high heels resounding over the floor.
Asahi gasped in shock, noticing what Narcissa had brought.
Grasped in her hands was a long, refined, sealed dark vase with a few ancient runes engraved on the bottom and the curvy handle.
Narcissa nonchalantly walked toward a table plastered in white and placed it gently.
Even the faintest tap from the vase echoed over the empty room.
(Tap… tap… tap…)
As the beautiful young woman ambled across the densely patterned floor, she offered her hand and gave an adorable wink with her fierce mocha eyes.
"May… I have this dance?"
Asahi nodded his head and chuckled, bowing elegantly to her presence. He bent to his knees and fastened his white silk hair, sleeves, and collar. The bells on his hip jingled and echoed over the ballroom, forming a little repetitive tune. Not too hard and not too soft. Just right.
Despite being asked by Narcissa, Asahi ignored it and offered her a clean, platinum-award smile.
"May… I have this dance?"
A warm blush shone over her cheerful face. She coughed nervously and hid her mouth, trying to calm herself down and return to her mature act. She slowly grabbed Asahi's wrist and answered while their eyes met.
"Yes… y-you may…"
Asahi pulled Narcissa up and held her hands tightly.
* * *
Silence erupted from the ballroom.
Each end was filled with slight anticipation, with only two beautiful figures standing at the center of the room.
Asahi felt nervous as he squeezed Narcissa's hand, his palm slightly sweaty.
Though his height towered over her due to his high heels, he shifted his weight awkwardly, each step making him more aware of his discomfort.
But with all respect to the vital dance, Asahi chose to keep the dark high heels on and endure the discomfort.
The ballroom was gently dim, with only a few candles casting a warm glow. Asahi closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. Without alerting Narcissa, he reached for her hand, twirled her toward him, and stepped forward, holding her in his arms.
Her warmth pressed against his chest; Narcissa's hands tingled with delight.
As she felt Asahi's hand brush against her cheek, Narcissa wrapped her arms over him and tilted her head slowly. This was so sudden, but having known a little information about slow dancing, Asahi followed suit.
. . .
Their soft footsteps echoed over the ballroom, with strings slowly singing their lovely tune. They clutched their hands tightly and pivoted slowly to the right, following the rhythm.
Their hearts raced. That didn't ruin the taste.
One step, and then another-- from right to left, forward, and backward; they clutched their hands and danced to the instruments' slow rhythm, with Narcissa's dress dangling over the floor.
The mirrors served as their audience, watching each gentle step of their slow dance every second. Their hips swayed left and right, bowing down to each other as they moved in sync.
As the dance continued, Narcissa bent down to Asahi's ear and whispered.
"You don't understand how much this means to me. I could never experience a moment like this. It was only a dream back then…."
A tear struck down her cold cheek. Asahi shook his head, gripped it tighter, smiled, and wiped her tear off with his soft finger.
Their gazes locked on each other as they danced slowly to the rhythm.
As they moved left and right, Asahi whispered to her.
"Well… now you can. … settle down and enjoy the moment…."
Narcissa replied nervously while bending her head to the floor.
"R-Right…"
. . .
Asahi pivoted his feet and turned toward the vase. It illuminated a bright yellow, shining and scintillating over the cloth. His gray eyes widened in shock, and he ignored the vase, focusing more on the dance.
While time elapsed, Narcissa closed her eyes and relaxed her head against Asahi's chest. The maids anticipated something more, drooling and cheering behind the walls. Of course, their voices were muted.
Asahi shook his head and followed similar movements. One baby step, two steps back, another to the left, one to the right… forward and back…
As the pattern continued, Narcissa closed her eyes and whispered faintly to Asahi, feeling the warmth of his chest resonate with her.
"I… think it's time…."
Asahi pretended to understand and made eye contact with Narcissa. She continued as they gently raised their arms.
"Asahi…"
"Yes..?"
Narcissa squinted her eyes and clutched her grip tightly on him.
"The truth is… this current moment is what I always dreamed about when I was little."
"Huh?"
(Break)
Suddenly, the sound of a mirror shattering echoed through the room.
Asahi grew concerned but continued the dance, gradually accelerating the pattern of their movements. It felt like he had lost control of his movements —as if his body was moving on its own.
The music accelerated as their dancing sped up.
Narcissa continued.
"I always dreamed of a tall, handsome young man dancing with me alone in the ballroom. I dreamt of dancing with someone like you. To be treated like royalty and get respected as if you were my actual lover…."
(Break)
Another mirror shattered on its own, followed by more as they twirled and stretched their arms, losing grip and spinning in different directions. Asahi maintained his grasp and stared deeply into Narcissa's eyes. He whispered to himself.
(She's… telling the truth…)
Their feet glided over the floor as if floating, moving and twirling, spinning and coming together in seamless rhythm.
Asahi shook his head and took deep breaths to understand what was happening.
He heard the sound of even more mirrors shattering, from the tallest one on the walls, toward the distant ones in the rooms… all of them broken into pieces.
(Break) More mirrors shattered and vanished.
The pace, rhythm, tempo, and pitch of the music increased.
The slow dance transformed into an active, fast, and cheerful dance, with mirrors shattering with each beat.
(Break) The mirrors in the hallways shattered.
They stepped again.
(Break) The mirrors in the room cracked and vanished.
They twirled and pivoted their feet to the center.
(Break) The mirrors around the ballroom broke and exploded.
Narcissa felt a surge of emotions bursting within her as they spun in random directions, staring intensely through Asahi's eyes. She continued as they moved from one side of the ballroom toward the other.
"I'm… grateful… I love this so much… you don't understand! I know I'm not narcissistic! I'm so thankful for you!"
She gave a broad, cheerful smile and laughed as they spun in circles while holding hands. Her long brown hair flew to the right, brushing against Asahi's face and arm.
As the dizzying lights shone over Asahi's nauseated face, he turned to the table and saw the vase spurt out sparkling yellow lights.