Ch 35: One in the same.

The Phoenix Cradle — One Week Later

The Sermia were swaying in the wind, spreading their purple and yellow petals through the field.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Ace rose back to his feet.

“One more.”

“You said that hours ago.” Hiro began walking away, watching the light from the sun disappearing on the horizon.

“I said-“ Ace burst into stifled coughs, emptying the metallic tang in his mouth, splattering red onto the grass. “One more.”

Hiro stopped in his tracks, cracking his knuckles. He never wanted to train as often as Ace did. In fact, he thought it was a waste of his time. With the days they had left, the difference in training wouldn’t be significant enough to be worth the effort. But Ace thought otherwise; he knew Hiro’s stubborn competitiveness.

“One more. You scared to lose?”

“How many times are you going to use the same taunts?”

As many times as I can, I know you hate to lose.

Ace ran forward, a sharp pain shooting up his left leg, but he pressed forward nonetheless.

A week had passed since climbing out of the dismal chasm. With the Moon’s Priest's death, Celestia had lost a considerable amount of its power. Still, the encounter had left them with more clues, but more questions too.

Star-crossed is what they called me. Didn’t Lazeroth say the same thing?

Ace had been trying to communicate with the strange, eternal voice, but with no luck. Sometimes he’d drift off to sleep, waking up to the infinite void, though Lazeroth didn’t seem to be there, or if he was, he chose to stay silent.

There was one odd thing, though, among his dreams; there was one that would keep repeating itself—a dimly lit room, the crackling of static, and a silhouette with nightmarish red eyes. Every time at the end of the dream, the darkness would consume him. His limbs were enshrouded by a sifting darkness as his body faded to a shadow. Then, he’d wake up abruptly. At first, he suspected it was a curse, but so far it had only remained a dream. He brushed it off as nothing to be concerned about. Not right now. 

The Sun and Star Priest’s sudden decision to kill the Moon Priest, his hellish transformation, and the ominous warning they left only added to the confusion. But from it, the helpless feeling only pushed Ace further.

I can’t stop now, not until I get some answers. I need power. I want to find the reason I was brought into this world and if there’s a way to return home. Finding the person who summoned me here would be a good start. I know the Commissioners are searching for him as well. Not to mention how the Mass disappearances are my best bet at finding Cecilia.

Upon Ace’s request, he was now working closely with Hellia, working toward solving the Mass Disappearances.

Although the Spearhead had retained all its members, team morale had taken a noticeable hit. Oden and Shell were still on the way to recovery, but they didn’t have time to rest properly. They were already being called in for the next mission.

Hiro’s been strangely absent recently. Disappearing at random. He thinks I can't see through his excuses, but I've been catching him going out late at night.

Checking a low kick from Ace, Hiro returned a right cross.

“You know. Me and You. We’re one in the same.”

“Me? Like…you?” Ace furrowed his brows.

Looking at Hiro, he saw a cheeky, self-preserving friend who always had a grin. A passionate inventor with a trench coat full of gadgets he made himself. One that had a sense of direction and a place in this world.

Yeah, we’re nothing like each other. Not one bit.

Sneaking a quick right uppercut, Hiro dropped Ace to one knee.

“That’s what happens when you don’t pay attention.” Hiro rolled his wrists. “Alright, that’s it. Isn’t it time?”

“Wait, what is the time?”

“Oh…it’s already 7pm.”

“Sh*t, we're going to be late!”

                                                                           ***

Phoenix Cradle - Backwater Palace

Through rapid breaths and striding steps, Ace and Hiro hurried to the throne room.

“Which way was it again? This way?” At the intersection of corridors, Ace pointed to the right turn.

“Yeah, that way,” Hiro replied.

Turning right, Ace was greeted with a large gallery of oil paintings. Grand chandeliers dangled from the tall ceiling, refracting a cool light that filled the room with a mellow glow.

“Are you sure it’s-“ Ace looked around only to find that he was by himself.

That b*stard.

When he finally reached the throne room, all the members of the Spearhead were kneeling before Hellia. Like daggers, they collectively glared at Ace as he ran, sweat covering his forehead. Making his untimely entrance, he joined everyone else kneeling before the Throne.

“Sorry, I’m late!” Ace forced an awkward smile. “Were you waiting for me to start?”

The Guard standing next to Hellia responded, pointing toward the entrance. “No, we were waiting on him.”

A man dawdled into the throne room. His steps were slow without urgency, perhaps even taking the time to admire the backwater palace and its interior design.

A tall, slender man. So thin, with his cheeks sunken into his skull, he looked sickly. Like a walking corpse. Dressed in black, with slicked-back hair and formal clothing.

“Welcome, Dr Hemlok.”

Ace felt the hairs on his body stand on end. He gently caressed his fingers as the breaking of glass and the snipping of utility shears resurfaced in the back of his mind.

“Thank you for waiting, your majesty.” Dr Hemlok bowed deeply before Hellia’s opulent figure. “Shall we get started then?”

Hellia nodded ever so lightly, and Dr Hemlok rose to his feet. Shell, Snow, and Oden were watching intently while Ace and Mira held stern faces. Hiro seemed to be daydreaming as his gaze drifted into blank space.

“Our most paramount objective yet. Saving the lives of thousands and even future generations. The spark that will plunge Scaria into the flames of war. We must infiltrate and extract the cure for Scourgenesis.”