Chapter 8 The Lost City of Snowline

(Eighteen years ago)

It was an ordinary day. People were walking around, talking, and going about their lives without suspecting anything was wrong...

Child: "Hahaha... Mom... I want three scoops of ice cream."

Mother: "Of course."

Ice Cream Seller: "Here you go."

Child: "Haha... Thank you..."

She began eating it when suddenly, a hole appeared, floating in the air.

Child: "Huh?... What is that?"

Mother: "I don't know..."

Suddenly, it opened. It wasn't a hole... It was an eye...

Blood began flowing from it, and then the surrounding objects suddenly transformed into monsters and started attacking the people.

Then several other creatures appeared. They had white masks and dark bodies. Some stood on two legs, while others moved on four.

These creatures were known as... Namesis, also called the Soldiers of the Abyss...

Child: "Hahhh..."

(The ice cream fell to the ground!)

(Back to the present!)

Daisy: "Huh!"

Fiona: "Is everything all right?"

Daisy: "What?... Yes... I'm fine..."

Oliver: "We... have arrived..."

Fiona: "Hmm... Ugh!"

Before them stood a huge city, almost entirely swallowed by snow. And of course, the Namesis were here as well...

Oliver: "I wonder how cold it is here."

Fiona: "Hmm..."

She touched her eye, wiped away a tear, and held her hand outside.

The tear froze immediately.

Fiona: "Hmm... It's extremely cold... Cold enough that our eyes could freeze if we went outside without protection."

Oliver: "Hmm... Fortunately, I have protective goggles..."

Fiona: "Hmm..."

Oliver: "What is it?"

Fiona: "I have an idea... I think I know how to make sure we don't need to wear protective goggles."

Oliver: "What?"

Fiona: "Hmm..."

She took out a card. It depicted a protective barrier, and the words "Protective Barrier" were written on it.

Fiona: "Finally, I can use this..."

She activated the card.

Fiona: "All right..."

Oliver: "Wait."

She stepped out of the vehicle, but nothing happened.

Fiona: "Don't worry... It's a barrier. However, it won't last very long... So hurry up and come out."

They got out of the vehicle.

Oliver: "Oh..."

Fiona: "It won't last long. At least forty minutes, at most an hour..."

Oliver: "Still, that's practical..."

They continued walking.

Fiona: "Hmm..."

Daisy: "Hmm... Huh?"

She noticed something nearby. An ice cream stand.

Daisy: "Hahhh..."

(Memory)

Child: "Mom... I want three scoops!"

Mother: "Of course, my child!"

(End of memory)

Daisy: "Ugh... Hh..."

She shook her head.

Fiona: "Is everything all right?"

Daisy: "Hmm... Yes... Don't worry about me."

Fiona: "Hmm..."

(Snowdale District)

Fiona: "Hmm... This looks similar to the street... This must be it."

Oliver: "Snowdale District..."

Daisy: "Hmm..."

Fiona: "We need to be careful... I can sense a dark flow of mana..."

Oliver: "Hmm..."

They entered one of the houses.

Oliver: "Hmm... You're not entirely sure which house this is, are you?"

Fiona: "Actually, I am. The street number was 45."

Oliver: "Great... So it's a long way from here. We can't go any farther by car."

Fiona: "Hmm... Nevertheless, things here are different. That's why I wanted to enter one of the houses."

Oliver: "Why?"

Fiona: "You said the Namesis had taken over this place... But so far, I haven't seen any."

Oliver: "Hmm."

Fiona: "Namesis are dark spirits that take control of objects or even the bodies of the dead."

Daisy: "Hmm... And what about the creatures that appeared?"

Fiona: "You mean the dark ones? Simply put, they're also Namesis, but somewhat stronger... In other words, undead creatures."

Daisy: "I see... Undead..."

They continued investigating.

Fiona: "The rift must be extremely powerful... The rift responsible for these creatures from the Abyss appearing..."

Daisy: "Why?"

Fiona: "That's a good question.. It was the Black Hole, but they've misunderstood something. The Black Hole doesn't actually release Namesis. Instead, it causes disasters, such as extreme weather, curses, or even swallowing entire locations. But that isn't what happened here..."

Oliver: "Then what is it?"

Fiona: "Have you heard of the Eye? The thing you saw reportedly looked like an eye, according to your descriptions. I assume that was the rift... It's also called the Eye because... well, it looks like an eye."

Oliver: "Hmm."

Fiona: "Why does Edwardson want these instruments?"

Oliver: "Whatever the reason... You said it would be dangerous to underestimate him."

Fiona: "Mhm... He's dangerous. He looks old, but in reality, he's very intelligent and dangerous..."

(Crash!)

Oliver: "What was that?"

(Crash!)

One of the cabinets began to move.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

Hands emerged from it.

(Crash!)

Dark hands.

Fiona: "Namesis..."

The hands attacked them.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

Oliver: "Ghhh..."

Daisy: "So they really are here too... inside this house."

Fiona: "It was about time..."

She took her cane and opened it, revealing the sword inside.

Fiona: "We need to be careful..."

Oliver: "Can you even fight with only one leg?"

Fiona: "You mean my left leg? Don't worry. Even though it's dark purple, I can still use it... Just not for very long."

The hands spread out. Suddenly, the table rose into the air and began changing shape, resembling a puppet. The chairs and tables joined together with the cabinet, forming a large puppet with dark eyes.

More dark hands emerged from its body. It grabbed a broom, which transformed into a sword.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

Daisy: "Hahhh... Looks like a clever Namesis..."

Fiona: "Mhm... A very powerful spirit, by the looks of it..."

It attacked them, but they dodged.

Oliver: "Allow me to handle this... The House of Clover is at your service..."

He took a deep breath.

Fiona: "Hmm."

Oliver: "And now..."

(Bang!)

Fiona: "Huh?..."

The puppet also looked confused.

Fiona: "I thought he was going to perform some cool move..."

Daisy: "Ahhh... This reminds me of my first mission. I was so excited..."

Fiona: "Boring."

Oliver: "Hey... Grey is the boxer, not me!"

Fiona: "He's even sulking..."

Daisy: "Hahhh... Then I'll take care of it."

Fiona: "Hmm?"

Daisy removed the choker from her neck. Her appearance transformed. She grew long claws and wore a long, dark outfit.

Daisy: "Dark Lady..."

The puppet attacked her, but she dodged.

(Crash!)

Daisy: "Over there... Hhhrr!"

(Scratch!)

The puppet staggered backward.

Daisy: "Hehehehe."

She punched it away.

(Crash!)

Daisy: "Hehehe... Is that all you've got, Namesis?!"

A large number of hands emerged and attacked her.

Daisy: "Ghhh..."

She dodged their attacks.

Fiona: "Well, then... I'll just watch."

She sat down on one of the chairs.

Oliver: "Oh... Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Fiona: "Gladly..."

He poured her a cup.

Fiona: "Thank you very much..."

(Sips!)

Daisy: "Ugh... Ghhh..."

She punched the puppet again.

Fiona: "Um..."

(Sips!)

Fiona: "You should aim for the mirror..."

Fiona watched her.

Daisy: "Hehehe... I understand..."

She dodged the attacks and drove her claws into the puppet's interior, where the mirror was located.

(Crash!)

Fiona: "Hmm."

(Clack!)

She placed the cup on its saucer. It was empty, after all.

Fiona: "Hmm."

A dark figure emerged. It was small.

Fiona: "A spirit..."

Oliver: "Hmm?"

Fiona: "I'll take care of it."

She took her cane and approached the spirit. It tried to escape, but she struck it with her cane.

Fiona: "Return... to where you came from."

(Splash!)

It disappeared.

Fiona: "All right... It's taken care of."

Oliver: "Hmm..."

Fiona: "Dark Lady?"

Daisy: "It's just an ability... Um... A Banshee... I possess the Card of the Dark Lady."

She showed them the card. The words "Dark Lady" were written on it.

Daisy: "Hmm."

Fiona: "I see... The Card of the Dark Bride..."

The Dark Bride is the eldest sister of Death. She was born from the suffering caused by wars. According to her description, her hair can transform into snakes. She is beautiful and possesses a monster named Diluc, making her somewhat reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast.

The Dark Bride is also known as the Widow. Her skin is said to be white, and her eyes are green. She is described as an extremely beautiful woman. Unlike the other members of the Family of Death, she is neither kind nor cruel by nature. She wears a black outfit and sometimes a dark hat.

Fiona: "Hmm... Have you ever seen her?"

Daisy: "Hmm?... No... But I've met her witch. Her name is Melin... She gave me the card... Although... I'm sure I once met a woman wearing a dark outfit... But all I remember is that she stroked my hair and kissed me on the forehead."

Oliver: "The Dark Bride is known for being kind to children... Isn't she?"

Fiona: "People even say children can see her in their dreams... But who knows if that's true?"

Daisy: "I'm warning you... The Dark Bride might sound kind because she takes care of children, but in reality, she's powerful, frightening, and evil..."

Fiona: "We're talking about the Dark Bride here. Of course, she's not exactly kind... But compared to Dracula, she's better... I think..."

Daisy: "Well... Dracula is still asleep, just like the other siblings of Death. The Dark Bride has also been in a coma for centuries..."

Fiona: "Hmm..."

They continued on their way.

Oliver: "Why did Death do that?"

Fiona: "That's a good question... I have no idea whether the legend is even true..."

Daisy: "Indeed..."

(Crash!)

She turned around... A creature stood there.

It had the head and wings of a crow, but the body of a human.

Fiona: "Hmm?..."

It wore a long black coat.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

Daisy: "Hey... Fiona, what is that?"

Fiona: "I don't know..."

The creature looked at them.

Oliver: "Ugh... Please tell me it's not one of them."

Daisy: "You don't mean... them, do you?"

Fiona: "What?"

Oliver: "We need to... get away from this creature..."

Suddenly, it appeared directly in front of them.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

Daisy: "Ugh... Hahhh..."

Oliver: "It's one of the members of the family of... the Dark Witch. The Dark Witch Willow... This means he's a member of the Dark Arrow family..."

Fiona: "Dark Arrow?"

Daisy: "The Valentine family..."

The creature looked at them.

Fiona: "Why isn't it attacking us?"

Daisy: "I don't know..."

Oliver: "Hahhhh..."

Crow Figure: "I see... Our mother was right. The House of Clover has a new member..."

Fiona: "Ugh... What? I'm not a member yet."

Crow Figure: "I see... How rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gerrard Stevenberg. I'm a member of the Valentine family, and I assume you're looking for the instrument as well?"

Oliver: "How do you know that?"

Gerrard: "It's simple... We're looking for it too."

Fiona: "But... how do you know it's here?"

Gerrard: "Hahahahaha... It's simple. The Magic Mirror showed us."

Fiona: "The Magic Mirror..."

Gerrard: "It showed us that the instrument must be somewhere on this street, in this abandoned city..."

Fiona: "What are you planning to do with it?!"

Gerrard: "Hehehehe... It will lead us to the Dark Arrow."

Fiona: "What kind of arrow?"

Gerrard: "The arrow... lodged in the Dark Bride's throat... We want to awaken her from her coma..."

Daisy: "So that was your goal from the beginning..."

Gerrard: "The Dark Bride is our mother. Of course we want to free her..."

Fiona: "Well, buddy... It looks like someone got here before us. We won't find anything here."

Gerrard: "Hmm... That's exactly the problem... About an hour ago... I saw someone."

Fiona: "Hmm?"

Gerrard: "...Mr. Edwardson!"

Fiona: "Ugh!"

Daisy: "Ugh!"

Oliver: "Wait... He was here?"

Gerrard: "Exactly... He was here. He arrived ten minutes before me and twenty minutes before you."

Fiona: "Damn... That also explains the attack earlier."

Gerrard: "The Namesis? No... They've been here for a while. The difference is that the Namesis don't attack Edwardson... For whatever reason."

Fiona: "Okay... Why are you telling us this?... Hmm?"

Gerrard: "Hmm... It's simple. I saw which card you possess. The Card of Mystery... The ability of Holle, as people call it..."

Fiona: "Hmm?"

Gerrard: "I'm curious about how you came to possess a card with abilities similar to those of the Dark Bride."

Fiona: "What?"

Gerrard: "Well, it doesn't matter. The instrument isn't here... So I have no reason to stay, and neither do you..."

His wings spread open.

Gerrard: "Then I'll be on my way... Goodbye, members of the House of Clover..."

He flew away.

Fiona: "What... was that supposed to be?"

Oliver: "Damn... Oh... This can't be happening. Edwardson found it!"

Fiona: "...That makes no sense... Why would he want it back now?"

Daisy: "Regardless... Our entire journey... was pointless..."

Fiona: "Hahhh... Wonderful... Then let's..."

(Suddenly, a headache struck her.)

Fiona: "Ugh... Ghhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Daisy: "What's wrong?!"

Fiona: "Huh!"

Everything became blurry.

Fiona: "What's... happening here...?"

Daisy: "Fiona!"

Oliver: "What's happening to her?!"

Fiona: "Ghhhh..."

(Gulp!)

Fiona: "Huh!"

The pain disappeared.

Fiona: "Hahhh... Hahhh..."

Oliver: "What's wrong, Miss Fiona?!"

Daisy: "Is something wrong?"

Fiona: "No... I don't know..."

She turned around... and saw a door.

Fiona: "Wait... Since when... has there been a door here?"

Daisy: "What?"

Oliver: "Ugh..."

They looked at the door.

Oliver: "It wasn't there before..."

Fiona: "This... isn't good... Something is wrong... Whatever it is..."

Daisy: "Why?"

Fiona: "Hahhh... This... power... This mana... It belongs to a powerful spirit..."

(Crash!)

Fiona: "Ugh!"

Suddenly, the door opened. Two hands with sharp, pointed fingers emerged.

(Hhhhhhh!)

Fiona: "Ugh..."

Daisy: "...Um... Guys... I... think we should leave."

Oliver: "Hahh..."

Fiona: "Why is it just staring at us?"

The creature slowly emerged. Suddenly, the door opened completely... and began pulling them toward it.

Oliver: "Whoooa!"

Fiona: "Ghhh..."

Daisy: "Damn it..."

Several objects appeared. Hands emerged from their cores, and they began moving on their own.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

The creature retreated into the door.

Fiona: "What just happened...?"

Oliver: "Forget about the door... Let's get out of here."

Daisy: "I'd rather fight..."

Fiona: "No... We should leave... We really should leave."

The objects began attacking.

Fiona: "Move!"

They ran, trying to escape. The door... followed them.

Fiona: "What is that thing?!"

Oliver: "That door is following us!"

It opened, and two enormous hands emerged, attacking them.

Fiona: "Ugh... What's... happening? Watch out!"

(Crash!)

(Crash!)

Fiona: "Whooaa... Whoooaa!"

Daisy: "There are more and more objects!"

Oliver: "Come on! To the car! Quickly!"

They got inside and immediately drove away.

Fiona: "...It's still following us."

Daisy: "Oliver... This is dangerous. If that thing follows us, innocent people could get caught up in this."

Oliver: "I know..."

Fiona: "Tsssss..."

Suddenly, the hand struck something and stopped. Something was preventing it from moving farther.

Fiona: "Huh?"

Oliver: "What...?"

Daisy: "Why... can't it leave Snowline?"

Fiona: "Could it be a barrier?"

Daisy: "What?"

Fiona: "Namesis often has barriers. To put it simply, they aren't allowed to leave the barrier... That means whatever this door is... it cannot leave Snowline."

Daisy: "But what is it?"

Oliver: "Hmm."

Fiona: "I don't know... Perhaps it's a magical ability... Teleportation... I have no idea."

(Meanwhile...)

(Flap!) (Flap!) (Flap!)

Clown of Envy: "I see you've met her... the girl Fiona..."

(Silence)

Clown of Envy: "What do you think of her, Dorothy...?"

Dorothy: "Hehehehe... An interesting girl... She has caught my attention..."

Clown of Envy: "Your magic must have frightened her..."

Dorothy: "Oh, please... That was nothing..."

Dorothy Hinschwood was a member of Rapunzel's Forbidden Library. She was twenty years old, had long blonde hair, and a wound near one eye that left her able to see with only one eye.

Dorothy: "I suppose we're alike... We're also looking for Edwardson..."

Clown of Envy: "Hahhh... That man... He's really strange. Dark Umbrella, the Ainsworth family, and us, the Forbidden Library of Rapunzel, are all searching for him..."

Dorothy: "He's clever... He might look old, but he moves around constantly and knows how to stay one step ahead of us..."

Clown of Envy: "The question is, what exactly is his goal?"

Dorothy: "Hmm... Edwardson's goal... I think it's simple... He wants to free the vampires of Sora..."

Clown of Envy: "Hmm... That's true... Perhaps he's a vampire himself."

Dorothy: "Not perhaps... He is a half vampire..."

Clown of Envy: "Wait... That's completely impossible..."

Dorothy: "It is possible. When his mother was pregnant with him... she became a vampire. Do you understand now? Vampires cannot have children... But what if the child is already inside the woman's womb?"

Clown of Envy: "Ugh... The heart... is still pumping... The body is still functioning... Even the... uterus... That... that could actually work..."

Dorothy: "You see..."

(Back to the present)

(Crash!)

Daisy: "I don't understand why you're angry..."

Fiona: "If we'd hurried a little more, we might have found him! Damn it!"

Oliver: "We can still find him."

Fiona: "That man is a wanderer... He's always somewhere else. Today he's in Dukewood, tomorrow he's back in Dehl... Then perhaps Wonderland, or Tenian... Or even Ashenwald!"

Oliver: "Hahh..."

Fiona: "I should have found him..."

Daisy: "Hahhh... And that thing that attacked us..."

Fiona: "No, you misunderstand... That wasn't a Namesis. Its mana was different... It was dark, but not like the mana of a spirit... It was the mana of a magician... Perhaps that creature was..."

Daisy: "The shadowy figure?"

Fiona: "Hmm... Or perhaps the Banshee Flyer... That's what it's called..."

(Flap!) (Flap!)

Elizabeth: "Calm down... Just calm down... What's going on?"

Oliver: "We missed Edwardson. He found the instrument before we did."

Daisy: "For whatever reason, the Valentine family was also searching for him."

Elizabeth: "Hmm... It worries me that they're involved as well."

Oliver: "They want to remove the arrow from the Dark Bride and claim that it will help awaken her."

Daisy: "Hmm."

Elizabeth: "The Valentine family, also known as the Dark Arrow..."

Fiona: "Are they dangerous?"

Elizabeth: "Hmm... Yes. They aren't the sort of group that hurts people without a reason, but they're still dangerous. The Ainsworth family and the Valentine family have never really been friends."

Fiona: "Hmm."

Elizabeth: "Fiona... Do you want to stay with us, or would you rather leave now that the instrument case is over?"

Fiona: "Our agreement was that I'd stay until we found the instrument. We haven't found it, which means I'll stay until we do... even if it takes years."

Elizabeth: "I understand. Thank you, Fiona..."

Fiona: "Hmm..."

Elizabeth: "Is something wrong?"

Fiona: "I'm... a little tired... May I rest?"

Elizabeth: "Of course..."

Oliver: "I'll take you to your room..."

Elizabeth: "You'll be given a room here for as long as you work for us. Sleep well."

Fiona: "Thank you..."

She followed Oliver, who led her to the room and opened the door.

Fiona: "Hmm..."

Oliver: "Quite a large room, isn't it?"

Fiona: "Wow..."

Oliver: "Look out the window."

Fiona: "Hmm?"

She walked over to the window and opened it.

Fiona: "Ugh..."

She was inside a castle, after all. She could see the street and the trees outside...

Fiona: "Wow..."

Oliver: "By the way, about your question regarding the Valentine family... They're not exactly kind, but they're not exactly cruel either."

Fiona: "Hmm?"

Oliver: "At least, not since the new person they call Mother arrived. Her name is Zoey... Zoey Valentine the Fourth. And yes... she's changed a lot of things."

Fiona: "I see... How old is she?"

Oliver: "Twenty five."

Fiona: "A little young to be called Mother... but all right."

Oliver: "Hahaha... I met her once... She's really strange, but frightening too."

Fiona: "Hmm..."

Oliver: "Sorry... You probably want to rest... Good night..."

Fiona: "Good night."

(Meanwhile...)

(Flap!)

Zoey: "Hahhh... I see... The Ainsworths, then... The House of Clover... I still don't think that name sounds very cool..."

Gerrard: "I met a new member, just as you said. How did you know?"

Zoey: "Oh... That's simple. The cat over there told me."

Gerrard: "You mean Salem?"

Zoey: "Exactly. Salem talked to me. He met her while he was out for a walk and saw Oliver helping her into the car. That made me think she might be a new member..."

Gerrard: "She... she possesses the Card of Mystery."

Zoey: "...Huh! Yes, Salem told me that... when he saw her and approached her. Interesting, isn't it?"