In the outskirts of an obscure town far to the east, four figures trod along the ragged cobblestone path. Three of them wore identical cloaks: black with large hoods that hid their visages.
“Hey, Ceci, why did you spare them? You even spilled the beans about us.”
Cecila turned a note containing directions in her hands and glanced at the quaint buildings they walked past. “It doesn’t matter. They will find out soon. After all, if we did something out of step with his plans, he would not be happy about it. What do you think will happen?”
Jessabelle gasped and clutched her neck, rolling her eyes and making gagging sounds.
What a drama queen.
“That blonde guy is really cute,” Jessabelle said dreamily. “I hope we’ll see him again.”
“I daresay we will,” Cecila said impatiently to shut her up and turned to Quantum, who was dragging his feet behind them. “We are behind schedule. Would you please walk faster?”
“I’m tired… How about you two carry me?”
Jessabelle sniggered. “Master Quantum is great at telling jokes.”
“He isn’t,” Cecila snapped. “That is not a joke.”
She stopped in front of a nameless run-down bar. A faded OPEN sign hung at the doors.
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There was nothing special about this place. It looked too ordinary. Maybe it had been chosen for that reason. Maybe there was nostalgic value behind its antique walls – of course, there was also a chance that it was because Master Imp couldn’t see.
Whatever the reason was, it was not hers to ponder.
She entered first, holding the door open for Quantum to lumber through.
The bar was empty except for the collection of cobwebs at the corners, an array of old tables stacked against the side walls, and a couple of chairs lying akimbo on the dusty wooden floor.
Sitting at the counter was a small child-like figure, clad in the same black cloak.
“Quantum, you’re late.” The voice was soft, with a silky, intangible quality that could easily slip between fingers.
Walking up to him, Cecila bowed and said, “Apologies, Master Imp. There was an unforeseen event with the client. He was…a lot more trouble than expected.”
“But you pulled through.” The child enunciated every word.
As he spoke, time seemed to slow down. Cecila found herself falling into his pace.
She carefully placed an object wrapped in cloth on the counter.
“Good work.”
“We thought it was impossible to get it back!” Jessabelle flailed her arms in excitement.
“Now that we’re done,” Quantum drawled, “do I get to take a nap?”
Cecila gave him a withering look. “That’s all you’ve been doing the entire year we were there.” To the child, she said, “Master Imp, we also brought someone back.”
Imp turned his head slightly. “A Creation.”
Cecila was secretly very impressed.
He lacks vision, yet he sees.
Jessabelle pranced in front of Emilia, the latter not showing any emotion. “You’re coming home. Aren’t you happy? Oops, I forgot. Creations can’t feel.” She cackled. “After all, the foolish man did to give you a heart –”
Quantum let out a loud, obnoxious yawn.
Emilia inclined her head in a polite bow. “Greetings, Masters.”
“So, you do remember your origin.” Imp’s unseeing eyes swept past her and rested upon the empty air next to her. Then, he slid off his seat. “Let’s go.”
“Where to?” Quantum whined.
“Back to where we belong.”