Chapter 22:
Chaos' Game
The day preceding the gauntlet had come, and everyone was eager for the battle to launch. The place of the confrontation was suggested by Haru and Koff.
As an echo to their past, they proposed to held it at an abandoned circus on the edge of Asperia. Before Woodle found them, it was there that they worked, lived.
Everyone was bustling, preparing lures, refining their strategy. Though according to inspector's words they would solely be two against them, the strength of a manticore was not a thing to take lightly. This way, plans had shaped in their minds one after another, in order to ensure their victory.
Among the last to prowl at the circus tonight, the hacker was knelt near the hatch on stage, seemingly checking something. Although he was focused on his task, he perceived Marnie out of the corner of his eye, seating close and looking at the stars through a large hole in the fabric in lieu of the roof. A piece of dark starry sky in the middle of a harlequin tissue. The little girl displayed a neutral expression, not deflecting her eyes for a second, as if her gaze had been trapped.
A few minutes after that, he finished his latest verifications and stood up. He made a few steps until reaching Marnie's side. Then, he leant forward and sat next to her. As he took a look at her she didn't react, so that he imitated the lassie, lifting his head to glare at the sky.
“Do you envy them?”
These words waking her up, Marnie turned her face to glance at the leader, in surprise.
“Hehh?”
“I mean, the stars. They do glisten whatever happens, even after their own death. It seems they never lack of energy.”
Half-opening her mouth, she was quite astonished by his words, but then looked back at the twinkling dots above their heads.
“I never thought of that. Maybe… Then I may be. A little bit.”
They both remained silent for a moment. In less than a day, this peaceful night would be not but a remote souvenir.
“You still wonder why your mother tried to kill you, don't you?”
Breaking the silence again, Woodle finally bent his head towards the lassie.
“…Yes. Apart to be born, I can't figure out what I could do at this age. Is this… a crime?”
“If it was, I think everyone would be guilty of it given a certain moment of his life. You don't have to overthink it Marnie. Lucy Merlish is mad, she murders people without a reason. I don't even know if human lives have any value for her.”
Woodle Bomme made a little pause before adding a few words, a slight smile on his face.
“It is also because of her if I lost someone very important to me.”
“Is this the true reason why you hate the mayor?” Marnie asked widening her eyes.
“Indeed.”
From the moment she joined the Players, she learnt almost immediately their reason to gang up against Merlish. Only Woodle always remained elusive about that question, asserting he despised everything about her behaviour, her angel-like personality, her way of ruling over the city. He never revealed too much.
“Who did you lose?”
Her eyes met his, both looking beneath each other gaze.
“My elder brother.”
After a while, he lifted his head toward the stars, and saw a thin golden tray.
“Look! A falling star. You should make a wish.”
Though the little girl couldn't take her eyes off of him.
“…”
“He was a great and ambitious searcher. But, before all, he was the most human person I've ever known. Gentle and attentive. As we became orphans, he did any possible thing to keep me with him, although he was on his last studying year. Life had been complicate since that time, albeit being able to remain together was enough for us. When Merlish was elected, he was enthusiastic and often repeated that we wouldn't have to wait for long before our situation got better thanks to her. To her contribution to Asperia.”
“…And she killed him?” the lassie questioned with a saddened look.
“Not directly. At least, I have no proof. But he worked for Orwell Labs, in artificial intelligence.”
“That's where Mekko was taken back in time…”
“Exactly. And one day, I was informed by the company that he died from overworking. When I learnt from Mekko about what kind of experiments were led at Orwell Labs, I started to reflect that Merlish was closer to his death than I thought. Back then, I mostly resented her for giving him vain hopes.”
Shocked by these disclosures, Marnie wanted to comfort him. However, she didn't have an idea of what she could say. Woodle was faster to notice that will in her gaze by a brief glance and to reply.
“You don't have to say anything. There's no need to pity nor to comfort me. It happened seven years ago.”
“But… That's gruesome!”
The green-haired hacker sniggered, regaining his wide grin.
“Well, it is. I won't ever forgive her. This said, if I told you this it is to make you aware of something.”
Frowning, the sweet lassie gazed at her leader, wondering what he could have on mind.
“I was alone, and chose the path of bitterness. There is no possible regress. Think of it before taking the same.”
***
Facing the entrance of the Circus of Miracles, the wind whirled in strands of Kiseki and Kazuya's black hair. On time, they didn't enter at once. Indeed, they couldn't foresee what would happen beyond the entrance. Face to the twisted minds of their enemies, would they be able to come back? Would they witness the dawn of the following day?
At his side, Kazuya put a hand on his son's shoulder. Without saying a word, he simply nodded.
In a same resolute pace, they both then reached the entrance of the orange and violet striped tent.
Inside, they carried out step after step cautiously as it was gloomy. On guards, they approached the stage.
“Welcome to you!”
A voice raised, making freeze on place the Idonosoko. It sounded like Woodle Bomme's.
Suddenly, multiple floodlights illuminated the stage projected on a young fellow stretching his arms from either side, a large grin on his face. Thence he unclosed his chestnut-coloured eyes and gazed at inspector Idonosoko and his father. The leader of the Players proceeded with his greetings.
“Welcome to the Circus of Miracles! Your presence is of the utmost admirable. Will it revolve in a bless? Will it revolve in a curse? This depends entirely on you.”
Both Kiseki and Kazuya focused on Woodle, though they remained tense. He was the only one on sight for the moment. Will the others attack while their leader was perorating?
“I am certain you're impatient for the show to debut. Therefore, without making you wait for any longer allow me to present you our amazing duo who long ago filled people's eyes with stars in this very place, I've named Haru Awaitani and Koff Kellerbark.”
While a tremor of drums raised, a projector hence illuminated an installation of two high wooden poles linked by a thick rope above the stage.
In the middle of the rope stood in perfect equilibrium Haru, his eyes closed. On the left pole stood Koff, holding bowling pins.
“Applause them loudly for this act of equilibrium and juggling! Solely for you!”
He held his tongue from that instant and Koff began walking on the rope as soon as a music typically played in circus show was launched. He didn't sway, his deftness allowed him to walk as on casual floor. On his way, he threw a first pin towards Haru.
“I don't like that. What do they scheme again?” Kiseki wondered, frowning as he witnessed the duo's performance.
“I don't have an idea. Get ready for anything…” Kazuya replied, his eyes going from one side to another of the circus.
Hence Kiseki raised his voice, grumbling in a harsh tone to the cunning hacker.
“What is that masquerade, Woodle?”
“How rude from an audience. Be more respectful of the show, would you?” he merely commented, avoiding to answer the accusation.
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