Chapter 24: Clock Tower

Isz looks at the place and can immediately imagine that it was just Alphonse’s style.

Isz (thinking): I don’t know, I just feel like it really is them.

Isz takes a deep breath and tells Rosie to follow him, and so it is done.

Rosie: Are you okay? You seem a bit nervous. What are you going to say to them?

Isz: No, I'm fine. It's just a bit of apprehension, but it'll pass.

The tower was massive, with a circular staircase leading to the top. A strong scent of incense filled the air, and a melody could be heard with every step they took up the tower. Isz stops in front of the door and takes a deep breath.

Isz (thinking): This is it. The moment where my doubts about what happened that day will be resolved, and I will reunite with my friends.

Isz remembers the past, the unfulfilled promises, and all the subsequent chaos.

Rosie holds his hand and asks: - Shall we?

Isz nods in confirmation and finally opens the door to the clock tower.

He spots a man looking out the window while holding a book in his hand. He wore a black vest, dress pants, well-polished dress shoes, and neatly combed hair.

Isz: Alphonse?

The man turns around, revealing himself to be Alphonse. He stares intently at Isz and says: -So you really are alive.

With a smile on his face, Isz walks toward his friend, who sits down at a small round table. However, Rosie runs ahead, drops to her knees, and speaks out.

Rosie: Sir, I am Rosie Scarlet, princess of the Dragon Clan's house. Sir, this disease has been killing many of my people, and we heard that you and a few others brought the cure.

Alphonse interrupts her, stating that the scourge of the red mist is over. Isz’s smile vanishes, and he falls silent. Rosie raises her eyes and asks how.

Alphonse: -You all put an end to the one causing it. Therefore, consider the disease eradicated.

Rosie smiles, looks at Isz, and tries to thank Alphonse, but she is interrupted by Isz.

Isz: How do you know about that?

Alphonse looks at Isz with a gaze full of contempt and says that he knows everything that happens in the world through his subordinates.

Isz: What the hell are you talking about, Alphonse?! I haven't seen you in years. I thought you had died along with everyone else who was left behind. I wake up, the world is crawling with monsters and tragedies again, and you say you already knew? How did you even survive that day?

Alphonse: I fled with Irineia after that day. I saw just as much misery as you did, Isz. And I also saw...

Alphonse begins to grit his teeth, and a tear rolls down his cheek.

Alphonse: I saw Helena dead.

Isz looks down in sadness, and Rosie can feel her partner's sorrow.

Alphonse: - Irineia saved me. But not just me, she gave me a purpose in life. She always showed me all the potential that those mediocre knights never wanted to explore. They only wanted arms to support their church, and I was never in favor of that. But you know what's a curious thing, Isz? On that day, I was told that all the scouts had died. Just because you show up fine, without a single sequela, is the worst part. Why do you, even after all this time, still look like you're 19 years old, just like back then?

Isz swallowed hard, but before he could answer, he was cut off by Alphonse.

Alphonse: - I know you are the vessel of the beast. Irineia didn't believe me at first, but when we started hearing about a man who wielded lightning powers and fought like a beast on the battlefield, we connected the dots.

Isz: And what do you have to do with this? How do you know so much? I can't believe you've been brainwashed by that strange woman.

Alphonse: Shut your mouth. Do not dare speak of my wife.

Isz laughs and replies: Ah, so that’s what it is. Either you obey, or you sleep on the floor.

Isz starts laughing, and Rosie gets frightened, breaking into a cold sweat.

Isz: You know, you don't seem to have aged a single bit either. Can you tell me how you managed that?

Alphonse shows a mark on his chest.

Lightning Beast: It was her. Irineia is the Mistress of Illusions.

Isz stands frozen as he tries to process the whirlwind of information unfolding before him.

Alphonse: Irineia is my moonlight that guides me, Isz. But I can help you, just like I helped everyone who put their trust in me. It's not your fault that you carry the beast inside you.

Isz laughs again, calls Alphonse insane, and asks what Irineia's intentions are.

Alphonse: A new world. Those are our intentions. We were orphans and suffered greatly. We saw wars, good people die, and futile people survive to subjugate others. But the Lords and the Voices are the ones who truly knew what was right, and humanity is corrupted.

Isz:  Look at you, Alphonse. For such an honorable alchemist to fall this low... You were more than just a comrade; you were like a brother to me.

Alphonse:  Yes, you were to me too. That is why I am giving you the chance to survive so we can build a new world together.

Isz: A new world? Everyone we loved died that day. They aren't coming back. As you well know, the Mistress of Illusions is only going to create a fantasy. None of it is real.

Alphonse: Did you read that in the bestiary? Haha, how foolish. Saint Gorb always demonized everyone, including the very beast you carry. Isz, Irineia managed to bring back the person I loved most and placed her by my side exactly the way I always wanted. How can she be so evil?

Isz: What the hell are you talking about?

Alphonse tells Isz to calm down, adding that not everyone who died that day actually perished, and that those who left and didn't return were simply useless.

Suddenly, a doll enters the room carrying a tray with tea and apologizes for the delay.

Doll: I heard shouting before coming up here. Is everything alright, Master?

Alphonse kisses the doll on the lips and says that everything was fine, adding that they had guests and telling her to introduce herself. When the doll turns to look, Isz goes into absolute shock.

Isz: You sick bastard.

Rosie doesn't understand his reaction and asks what caused such shock.

Isz: This doll... it has Helena's face. But she is too real to be a doll, yet far too artificial to be Helena.

The doll stares at Isz, begins to tremble, and falls to her knees on the floor, as if a memory was breaking through to her.

Alphonse: Hey, what's wrong?

Doll: I don't know... I just feel it. What could this be, Master? My chest hurts, but I do not know what pain is. My eyes want to drop something from them. I cannot explain it... but that man...

Isz places his hand on his sword and tells Rosie: - Rosie, get ready for battle.