[CH. 0089] - The Right Book
The chosen venue for the meeting was a gem that had lingered on Nord and Baal's list of must-visits. The knowledge that she treaded this hallowed ground without Baal twisted in her like a bittersweet warning. If he ever learned of her solo venture into their shared fantasy, she was certain a playful yet endless torrent of mock indignation would be her fate.
The charm of the diner was to be a time capsule, a slice of history frozen in amber. Its luxuriously upholstered booths were akin to the backseats of vintage cars. Every corner of the space was infused with the raw, pulsating energy of the 80s rock 'n' roll era, a play of retro nostalgia that sang to the soul of some. It was an enchantment, cocooned within the mundane with a cheap menu card.
Nord's gaze flitted across the diner, a lighthouse seeking the familiar in a sea of strangers. The task at hand was akin to finding a needle in a haystack—she was to meet individuals whose faces were veiled in mystery, their identities a puzzle yet to be pieced together. This anonymity cloaked her in a shroud of unease, an interloper amidst a familiar yet distant scene.
Suddenly, her gaze landed upon a distinguished figure—a man whose years had woven strands of silver into his hair, wearing a jacket the colour of deep forest green. He caught Nord's eye and, with a casual wave, beckoned her over. His gesture was seasoned with a warmth that spoke of a shared, unspoken understanding, a camaraderie that transcended mere familiarity. He knew who she was. With a sense of purpose, Nord navigated her way through the maze of tables towards the booth where the man sat. Each step brought into sharper focus the thoughtful expression etched upon his face, where curiosity danced with a hint of caution in his grey eyes. This meeting, orchestrated by South, was a vital thread for Nord's ultimate mission. And it was not to destroy the Hollow. At least not yet. As she settled into the seat opposite him, Nord mirrored his demeanour with a cautious yet hopeful smile.
"Is he really here?" Nord's voice was a delicate thread woven with hope.
"Right beside me," the man gestured subtly to his right, his voice carrying a warmth that felt like a gentle embrace. "And by the way, I'm Antonio," he added, his chuckle light and airy, like leaves dancing in a gentle breeze.
Nord's eyes drifted to the space beside Antonio, finding it void of presence. "I don't see anyone," she murmured, her voice tinged with a cocktail of anxious disappointment.
"That's to be expected," Antonio's replied.
Nord's gaze lingered on the empty space, her heart swelling with too many emotions. "Dad?" she whispered – the hum of conversations, the background music melody, and the cutlery's percussive clinks. Yet, a profound hush seemed to drape over them in their small sphere.
"Just give it a moment, Nord. He's trying... remember dear, it's been years since he last saw you," Antonio said, "You were just a child."
Compelled by an inner turmoil, Nord's words tumbled out in a nervous cascade, "I'm a warlock... and I've summoned a demon, who happens to be my boyfriend, now. Merlinda told me everything I need to know. Not sure if she is a friend or not," Her eyes dropped, fingers playing a nervous dance on the fabric of her sleeve. "I'm seeking a way to protect someone dear. Someone really important to me, but I don't know how to not hurt him. I can't destroy the Hollow without... killing him."
Nord's eyes, heavy with frustration, returned to the vacant seat. "Why can't I see him?" she asked. Antonio met her gaze, his eyes holding a depth of understanding. "You know why, Nord," he said softly.
She sighed, a haunted look crossing her features. "I don't, I really don't. My last memory of my father... it's just a blur, from the time I... when I encountered a unicorn, and I..." Her voice trailed off, tinged with a shadow of regret.
Their conversation was momentarily paused by the arrival of a waitress, her presence as sudden as a scene change in a play, "Are we ready to order here?"
"I'll have the waffles and a coffee, please," Antonio announced with ease. Turning to Nord, he asked, "And you, Nord?"
"I'm not really hungry," she replied, her mind clearly elsewhere.
"Your father here suggests you try the crepes with Nutella," Antonio said, a gentle smile touching his lips.
Nord's confusion deepened. "How does he... how can he know that?"
"You may not see him, but he sees you," Antonio explained, his attention shifting back to the waitress, who seemed like she'd stepped out of a quirky, low-budget film. "We'll have waffles, crepes, and three mugs of coffee, please."
"Three mugs?" the waitress echoed, slightly perplexed seeing only two.
"Yes, three mugs of hot, dark coffee," Antonio affirmed. He reached into his wallet, pulling out a twenty bill, which he handed to her with a kind gesture. "And this is for any inconvenience, dear, alright?"
The waitress departed, slightly bemused yet subtly richer, as she tucked the generous tip into her apron. Antonio redirected his attention to Nord, his expression one of admiration and seriousness.
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"You've always had a remarkable gift, Nord. Even as a child, you were unique. Not many can claim to have summoned an Allatori."
"The unicorn?" Nord interjected, her brow furrowed in curiosity.
"Yes, a pure Allatori. They're rare, usually manifesting only when cataclysmic events loom. And it seems you, Nord, are like a magnet for Allatori. They're drawn to you, some as allies, others not so much. After the unicorn incident, you made a desperate wish to your father, and he had little choice but to grant it."
"What did I wish for?" Nord asked a sense of urgency in her voice.
"You wished that all whom you loved would be immune to harm by an Allatori. You specifically mentioned 'unicorn', but it's the same thing," Antonio explained, his voice lightening with a chuckle.
"So, the people I care about are safe from them?" Nord sought clarification.
"Essentially, yes," Antonio replied with a nonchalant shrug. "Imagine if you love a demon, he would be almost invincible."
"But how does that help me?" Nord began, but her query was cut short as the waitress returned, balancing a plate of waffles, a serving of crepes, and three steaming mugs of coffee.
"Can I get you folks anything else?" the waitress asked with a professional smile.
"That's everything, dear, thank you," Antonio replied courteously, and the waitress made her exit again.
Refocusing on Nord, Antonio continued, "Your father wants to know if it's the book you're trying to protect. Not just any book, but the correct book."
Nord's eyes widened slightly. "He knows about the book?"
Antonio raised a hand in a cautioning gesture. "Don't say too much. The less we all know, the better."
"Yes, it's the book," Nord confirmed softly, her mind racing with the implications of her father's knowledge. "I taught... when Merlinda told me the first time, we were speaking about a book literally... but..."
She stopped and took a breath, "But no, it's the book."
Antonio interjected, "But Merlinda, being an Allatori, can't interact with the book, right? So she needed you..."
"I suppose she can't... and she's been manipulating me all this time. She's the one who coerced me into summoning him, the book, I mean, into forging that pact, probably thinking it would be a simple transaction." Nord’s voice was tinged with a blend of realization and regret. "So, to eradicate the Hollow, the key... it would mean destroying the book. But I don't want to destroy it."
"Your father indicates that as long as the Hollow exists, the book will never be safe from those seeking it." Antonio leaned in, hands clasped together in a gesture of earnestness. "Nord, this is a grave decision. It would mean..."
"I’ll eliminate anyone who knows who or what the book is. After that, I will destroy the Hollow... at least then my family will be free." Nord's fingers idly toyed with her fork, her gaze distant.
"I was so furious when they chose South. I failed to see that as long as the key stayed within a vessel, the book was unreachable. I've been duped, like a foolish child..." Nord's voice faded, laden with anger and sudden understanding. "I accept full responsibility for my actions and..."
Antonio interrupted gently, "Your father suggests why not let South handle the key, as it was meant to be, while you safeguard the book here." He cast a glance towards the empty chair.
"She may not be your daughter, but she is my sister. I'll do what's right. I'll go to Nyu, find a way to regain my lost memories – I'm likely to forget this conversation as well – and then, I'll eliminate anyone who covets the book. Finally, I'll find a method to imprison the Hollow within myself forever, letting it perish with me. Simple, isn't it? If it's trapped, it can't return to Earth."
Antonio sighed deeply, the weight of the situation evident in his expression. He then retrieved a small, rectangular velvet box from his jacket and placed it on the table. "Open it."
Intrigued, Nord opened the box, which was roughly the size of a bracelet box. Inside, two gleaming silver ingots lay. "What are these?"
"Allatori metal," Antonio explained. "You have enough here to forge a sword or a dagger. Imagine a warlock armed with Allatori weapons. That's something Nyu is not prepared for."
Nord glanced towards the empty seat, her voice soft, "Thank you."
"Now you need a strategy, a well-thought-out plan. You're familiar with interacting with an unseen demon. You also know that you and anyone you love are immune to the Allatori. But remember, an Allatori can be anything – an object, a book, a weapon, even a friend. Their sole mission is to maintain world balance, a dubious concept since only they seem to understand what that entails."
"Is the book..." Nord began, tucking the box carefully into her bag.
"What do you think, child?"
"So, he's not as young as I am, then."
"Perhaps a bit older than anyone currently here," Antonio replied with a wry smile. "Now, eat your crepes. I'd rather not know anything else that might put my neck at risk under your blade."
Nord looked at her plate, and it tasted like the last meal of a dying man.
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Nord sat dishevelled in front of her phone, capturing what might be her final video. Her hair was unkempt, and makeup was smeared across her face. In one hand, a cigarette burned slowly; in the other, she clutched a bottle of red wine, drinking directly from it.
"My name is Nord Morningstar, and if you're watching this, it means I remember. Good. That's step one," she began, her voice a mix of resolve and weariness. "Any last wishes? It’d be amusing if we had that luxury. So, let's set the record straight.
You've found him... or knowing Baal, he probably found us. Typical magnet power, right? Now, make sure he has a comfortable space a proper home surrounded by genuine friends. He's going to need that. He'll be heartbroken, then infuriated, and eventually, he’ll blame himself. I thought about leaving a note, but what would I even say? Is it better to leave things unsaid? Do I really need to reveal the entire truth? Would that change who he is, the essence of his being? Honestly, I don't think it’s necessary. But what is essential is his protection. If the wrong people knew about his abilities, he’d be nothing more than a captive. So, we’re going to handle that. And then... well, I've always known this was a one-way ticket, haven't I?"
A brief, hollow laugh escaped her lips. "Tomorrow, I'll be gone. Tomorrow, I won't remember him. But I have a plan. I'm prepared. I have the keys, I have these incredible daggers – a parting gift from dad... and I cling to this hope that if there's a God, Atua, SpongeBob, or whatever cosmic entity out there, they might grant me the courage to see this through."
She fell silent, staring into the camera, her expression raw and vulnerable. "Tomorrow I will land in a new world to die. And I’m fucking scared."
END OF BOOK II