The Basilisk has Its Eyes on You

Silence lies over the corridor. Only the clicking of Silvia's heels breaks the silence in a penetrating way. The noise is no problem for Silvia. After all, she is allowed to move around the building as she pleases. If not, she can always apologize to Vivianne later.

The Strength District is the eleventh district of New Apollondon and serves the residents with sporting and creative facilities - Silvia already knows that much. But apart from the numerous sports studios, none of them are as big as the sports center Silvia is currently walking through. According to the building map, there are gyms, a swimming pool as well as weight training and dance rooms. In this sense, all kinds of sports can be found in this facility.

Curious, Silvia takes a look at the individual rooms, but they all seem to be empty. After all, it is evening and there are probably no more classes taking place at this time. Nevertheless, it doesn't stop her from checking the empty rooms again and again, hoping that someone or something might look familiar. But like the rooms themselves, Silvia's memories remain empty.

After what feels like the tenth room, the corridor ends in a large hall and continues there as a corridor with glass railings. A glance at the first floor tells Silvia that this must be the entrance hall, but like the rest of the facility, this hall is also deserted - even the large reception desk in the middle is unoccupied. The large trees, whose branches extend over several floors in the hall, give the impression that this place has been abandoned for centuries and nature is gradually reclaiming what belongs to it.

After Silvia has looked at the scenery for a few seconds, she realizes that this place is not in fact completely deserted, as she had previously assumed:

A few meters away, a man stands leaning against the railing and stares wordlessly down into the entrance hall - he doesn't seem to have noticed Silvia.

Somehow this man makes Silvia feel uneasy when she sees him. Well, it's not uncommon for a stranger to make someone feel uncomfortable. In any case, she doesn't want to greet him or anything; she prefers to walk past him inconspicuously, although her clicking heels make this difficult.

Looking ahead, Silvia strides past the silent man. The vegetation may muffle the noise of her steps with its leaves, but she can hardly be overheard. As Silvia passes the man, she glances at him from the corner of her eye - he doesn't seem to react to her. Somehow she feels bad that she didn't greet him, but the guilt disappears at that moment.

“Hey, don't we say hello anymore?”

Silvia has only taken a few steps when the man breaks his silence. It feels as if the blood is freezing in her veins and goose bumps are spreading across her body; goose bumps so strong that they could be described as painful.

Silvia slowly turns around:
“E-excuse me.” She replies expressionlessly.

She doesn't feel like smiling. She doesn't know this man, but there's something wrong with him:

He is wearing something that resembles a robe. A witch's hat sits atop his curly black hair, casting a shadow across his face, and from those shadows his golden-brown eyes shine out like those of a predator.

“After all we've been through together.” The witch-man says and shakes his head, causing the red earring on his left ear to rattle. The corners of his mouth form into a wide, distorted grin.

There is no doubt in Silvia's mind:
This man is dangerous - perhaps even a psychopath. And to make matters worse, the two of them are alone. Silvia has to get close to other people somehow to scare this guy off. But the previous rooms were empty and the next ones will probably be too. Her only option is the gym where Vivianne and her group are training - but the witcher stands in her way.

In that case, she simply has to play along.

“Oh dear, I'm sorry. I didn't even recognize you.” Silvia lies and lets out a forced giggle.
“How are you?”

As she asks the question, she slowly tries to walk past him.
The man's face relaxes. He seems a little friendlier now.

“Ah, I knew you wouldn't forget your Massimo!”

Massimo bends a little, which is probably meant to resemble a bow.

“Let's leave the false friendliness for now, Defteros.”

What, has he seen through her?
Who is Defteros supposed to be?
Maybe he has mistaken her for someone else.
No, he must have mistaken her for someone else!

“S-sorry, my name isn't Defteros. I think you're not-”

“Oh, that's right! You've changed your name. What did my informants say again?”

Massimo pauses for a moment.

“Silvia Antigone, right?”

The young man's face contorts into a sinister grin and Silvia is once again overcome by those unpleasant, painful goose bumps. Is it not a case of mistaken identity? How does he know her name?

“Where-?”

“No, don't say anything, my dear. Your reaction tells me you've probably forgotten a few things. But your amnesia could play into our hands.”

“Please tell me everything you know!”

At last! She has found someone who knows her. No matter how threatening he may seem, Massimo must tell Silvia as much about her as he can!

Massimo stares at Silvia in confusion for a moment, then his expression changes to seriousness:
“Of course you've forgotten our relationship.”

Massimo approaches Silvia with slow steps, but she backs away.

“You may have managed to escape us, but you won't get in the way of us Children of Roko.”

“Children of Roko?”

Massimo is now standing right in front of Silvia, leaning forward and whispering in her ear:
“Consider yourself lucky. The basilisk has its eye on you. It's holding you in its arms again. So don't try to thwart our plans. In return, you can live in peace again.”

Silvia could have guessed it: Massimo is hostile towards her.
He is her opponent.

But what happened back then?
She was able to escape?
Was she kidnapped?
Who are the Children of Roko?

She needs answers now!


“S-Silvia?”


A familiar voice sounds from the hallway.

It's Vivianne!

Wearing a sports suit, she stands across from them. Is her training already over or has she noticed Silvia's absence before?

“Is that someone you know?”
Vivianne points to Massimo.
“You seem to know each other, don't you?”

Before Silvia can even think of an answer, Massimo moves swiftly to the railing.

“It was nice talking to you again, Defteros.”

With one leap, the man swings over the railing and plunges down into the entrance hall.
Silvia and Vivianne run in panic to the spot where Massimo had said goodbye, but when they look down, there is already no sign of him.

“Jumping from this height and then running away so quickly...”
Vivianne grabs her chin thoughtfully.
“I've never seen anything like it. I hope he's all right...”

The elf turns to Silvia.
“Everything okay? Did you know him?”

Silvia continues to look down.

“N-no, I didn't...” she replies.

She doesn't really want to talk any more.
Enough has happened today.