New home

- Suzuki, are you sure you don’t want to be here? - Nicholas asks through his phone.

Her answer is a few seconds of silence followed by an unrelated question in a low, depressed tone.

- Did you get the keycard that was with Isaac?

- Yeah. There’s a picture of what seems to be a fancy hallway in it. Do you want us to bring it to you?

- Keep it. It’s a portable doorway to a place where you can use it as a haven. There you will be able to rest without worry and have access to where I am. It’s handy. Keep in mind that the corrupter that made it is a pain to deal with, so don’t lose it because you won’t get another.

- We still have two people who are not corrupters with us. Do you mind?

- It’s fine. You guys are cool.

- You’ve been really helpful to us. Thank you.

- Yeah. Just doing my duty as Foheste’s servant or whatever.

Still in Suzuki's friend's house, the party prepares to leave. In memory of the deceased, they opted to leave things the way it was before they came, although Kai is worried about something trivial.

- Have any of you seen the marble sculpture that was on top of the fountain?! It’s not there, and I can’t find it anywhere.

- Why? It’s not like it moves anymore. Are you certain there was a sculpture there to begin with? - Pietra questions, not understanding why he is so anxious about it.

- It’s a matter of peace of mind that I find it and destroy it.

- Ah, yes. It is one of my finest pieces of art. I love how devilish it can be - the spectre of Isaac speaks proudly. Despite still bearing his decrepit, last moments figure, his voice is passionate and energetic.

- Don’t make it worse - Kai whispers since he’s the only one who can see him.

Lirika, leaning her back on one of the dead trees outside, analyzes the crystal used to take Isaac’s life. Unlike Roberto's crystal, this one has a purer appearance with a dark blue tone.

- Master Salazar… I will save you. No matter what.

Back to Nicholas, he is concerned about Suzuki.

- You could use some time outside. If you ever feel like it, come to see us. We will be kinda neighbors from now on, right?

- I will think about it. Bye - she hangs up.

Nicholas sighs.

- Worried about her? - Pietra walks by.

- She reminds me of my little sister. I hope she gets better.

- Asai! - she pouts, pulling Nicholas' shirt.

- Hey, don’t worry. You are still our favorite little one - he gently pats her head.

- Let’s try this keycard and get out of here.

- Please! - Kai shouts from afar.

- Okay. If I remember correctly, Suzuki said to throw it on any surface and it would work.

As Nicholas follows her instructions, the keycard, upon hitting the ground, transforms into a varnished wooden door. It features an old-fashioned style and carries the name “Isaac” inscribed in golden letters.

- Should we worry about creepy dolls crawling at us there? - Kai whispers to the spiritual figure near him.

- I used that space as a workshop to test the extensions of the blessing given to me. My only regret was leaving so many of them incomplete.

- That’s sad. Maybe I can-

- My most dangerous and bloodthirsty creations are also trapped there. I still remember the thrill of giving life to such monstrosities!

- Of course. But since you are gone, it shouldn't be a problem anymore, correct?

- I wonder. Will my passion for my creations cease upon death? Or will it transcend beyond my mortality?

- Why do I even bother to ask?

- Kai, stop staring at nothing again. We are leaving without you - Pietra calls him.

He rushes at his group, ready to warn them about the possible danger.

- Wait, we should be careful-

About to finish his sentence, Kai spots the marble sculpture behind one of the trees. It gazes predatorily at him, doing the same malicious movements with its hands and lips.

- Out of the way, I’m going first! - lacking any fear of what may await on the other side of the door, he almost broke it down, running past it.

The party follows.

Reflecting the heart and soul of its previous owner, the building portrays an antique and elegant aesthetic. Small floating objects that resemble stars serve as the main source of light. The walls, made of polished gray marble, are adorned with hand-drawn projects, while unfinished models hang from the ceiling. The floor is mostly covered with red carpet, and beautiful furniture is scattered around haphazardly. Passing through the entrance hallway, they arrive in a space that has four closed doors and a magnificent staircase leading to the second floor. The doors are symmetrically distributed: two are positioned between the stairs, while the other two face each other across the room..

- Can we stay here? How big is this place? - Nicholas looks around, impressed.

- Kinda reminds me of Roberto's mansion, but less egocentric - Lirika remarks.

- We have faced so much trouble until now that it feels too good to be true - Pietra says, trying not to be pessimistic.

Suddenly, the hanging prototypes swing by themselves, colliding with each other with great force. The impacts leave holes, used to make a body held together by multiple puppet arms and balanced by puppet legs when needed. The monstrosity has a grandfather clock and a half-broken cannon as its arms, and a piano where its head would be. A collection of tools and mechanical parts forms its torso as it crawls toward the party, small pieces falling apart periodically.

- Time to leave, I guess - Kai turns back.

- The door disappeared, and the keycard is not working! - Nicholas shouts.

- Time to die, then! - he sarcastically speaks in a positive tone.

- Fools, it doesn’t even look that strong - Lirika prepares to fight.

- It is quite strong - Isaac warns.

- We shouldn't take it lightly. Be careful! - Kai passed on the message.

- I can even see a weak spot near one of its shoulders - Pietra confidently states, believing it can be defeated.

- That’s a design choice, not a weak spot. It is actually very resistant - the spectre warns again.

- Maybe it’s a fake failure to lure us - Kai suggests, trying to persuade them not to focus on that area.

A magical circle opens in front of one of Lirika’s hands, and she casts a fire projectile that precisely hits the location in question.

The creature screams musical notes in pain.

Everyone looks at Kai.

Kai looks at the ghostly figure of Isaac.

Isaac turns away, embarrassed.

- Okay, we can beat it - he takes a step forward, drawing his sword.

- Good. I was feeling like releasing all my frustrations so far somewhere - Pietra cracks her knuckles and draws her sword as well.

- If you are all going, I won’t back out - Nicholas takes the lead, doing the same as his friends.

Despite being afraid of the enemy before them, the trio is excited about such a unique opportunity. One of the reasons for them to cross that portal days ago was to face a formidable foe, so even after barely surviving until now, they couldn’t be more motivated. For a bunch of delusional idiots like them, the chance to live the fantastic experience of a fictional hero, no matter how dangerous it is, is worth dying for. This fight will be the real beginning of their journey.

- Bubble.

Everyone’s attention is directed to a small purple toy with a cute face flying towards the monster. As soon as it hits it, the poor thing is deleted from existence, consumed in mere seconds by a void sphere that vanishes the moment it claims its prey.

Asai skips happily until she’s in front of the others and strikes a pose.

- Tada!

Kai sits on the ground, relieved.

- I forgot the actual abomination is with us.

- Nooo, Fifi! - Isaac laments.

- Fifi?

- Good job, Asai! I’m so proud of you! - Nicholas lifts her enthusiastically.

Pietra falls to her knees, frustrated.

- I want to cut something!

- A shame, but at least we didn’t waste any resources - Lirika hints at a bit of disappointment with the anticlimactic ending.

- What in every god's name is happening here? Do any of you have manners?

A new figure walks down the stairs, clanking at each step. An animated, polished armor, black with golden details, wearing a towel and a shower cap. It has glowing, blue eyes, like flames.

They silently stare at it for a few seconds.

- The beast has a phase two! - Pietra screams, pointing at it.

The poor thing is surrounded by them, who, resembling a gang of hooligans, proceeded to beat him mercilessly.

- Ouch! Stop! I just finished my makeup!

Several minutes later, when they are finally satisfied.

- Sorry, sir. We thought you were hostile - Nicholas apologizes, trying to fix the armor’s damaged helmet.

- No need to apologize. I’m used to the brutality of corrupters. May I ask why you trespass on this property? Are you perhaps an acquaintance of my master?

Pietra gesticulates, calling the others to huddle up.

- We should be careful with our words. It looks polite, but we don’t know how it will react if we tell it the truth.

- Do you think it may want to fight us? - Lirika asks.

- Probably.

Lirika turns to the armor.

- Isaac is dead, and this is our home now.

Pietra slaps her forehead while Kai covers Lirika's mouth with his hand.

- YES! My days as a guinea pig are finally over! - the animated being exclaims as loudly as it can.

- What?

The armor clears its nonexistent throat.

- Pardon me. It is not an easy job to be the slave of a crazy inventor.

- So… You are cool with it?

- Indeed. I was created to serve the owner of this building, lacking the free will to question or reject any order given, regardless of what it is.

- Can you clean the place, wash our clothes, and cook? - Pietra goes to business.

- Absolutely!

- We are not questioning the free will thing? - Kai inquires, troubled.

- You are hired. What’s your name?

- Oh, where are my manners? You may call me Zalaxander, your, not by choice, self-aware butler. At your service - it bows, elegantly.

- We got the part where you can’t choose by yourself. You don’t need to bring it up all the time - Pietra points out.

- My apologies. It’s just that my only way of relieving all the stress of my cruel reality is by joking about it. But since you wish to take even that from me, I’ll gladly comply, like the mindless dog I should be.

- Excellent.

An awkward silence happens, caused by her cold answer.

- Let’s explore - she casually goes to check the other rooms.

- Pia, wasn’t that a bit too harsh?

- Nah. I’m playing along.

- If you say so…

They all decide to check their new home as Zalaxander contemplates the possibility of attempting involuntary self-harm.