Kaeron gathered with everyone else in front of the ‘’prison’’ door, recounting Azrael’s words and advice.
“I didn’t see this coming...you're letting those two get into your head,” Shiria frowned, “Kaeron! It’s over! Don’t overwork yourself, please!”
“I agree with Lan’en,” Tsukasa nodded thoughtfully, “They both lied countless times. They tried to blame me when Noir died, remember? And then they misbehaved for the rest of the day. Now they are just trying to bring more chaos after we resolved the incident.”
“God…” Kaeron held her forehead, groaning, “But what if she was serious this time? She looked...serious.”
“I doubt it,” Alicia intervenes, “You should just take it easy, Kaeron. You’re an investigator...your instincts are kicking in. That’s all.”
“But...what if we’re wrong? What if right now, you had the killer outside of this room, right here at this gathering?” She looked at everyone, “Wouldn’t you want to be sure?”
“Youma’s ghost is the only one who could have done the door trick,” Alicia retorts, “Tsukasa has been pretty clear on that.”
“We can’t start doubting each other again on a hunch...a hunch started by someone devoted to Erisia’s teachings,” Tsukasa firmly stated.
Kaeron looked at Tsukasa with tired eyes. She was exhausted, confused, and emotionally overwhelmed by her dream. She clenched her sword and sighed heavily, “Maybe…no. You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay Kaeron…” Shiria hugged her gently, “You’re just trying to protect us.”
She hugged her back. Her racing heart slowed down.
“Whose turn is it to guard the door next?” Kaeron asked, taking another deep, liberating breath.
“Yours,” Alicia replied, “You said you’d take mine after I was done. I still have two hours to go though.”
“Don’t worry about it. You all go have fun.” Kaeron stretched.
“Are you sure?” Alicia asked her.
“Yes, I am. We have all the next week ahead. You can pay me back eventually. I need silence and I need to stay away from that pub.”
“Alright then. Call us if anything happens. I’ll be at the library.” Alicia said.
“I’ll be at the arcade with Lan’en,” Shiria nodded.
“I’ll be at the casino…” Tsukasa sighed, “I need some dopamine.”
Everyone started leaving, Lan’en held back, though. With narrow eyes, she laid her hand on Kaeron’s shoulder.
“Don’t be stupid, Kaeron. Youma’s the perp. Don’t you dare open that door.”
“I promise. I won’t. You’re right...Azrael is just a lying bitch,” Kaeron nodded slowly.
“Good.”
And so Kaeron was left alone with her thoughts once more. She leaned against the door, her arms crossed, her weapon leaning against the wall beside her.
She sighed softly, closing her eyes. Thoughts started running like a river’s water.
What if Azrael was right, after all?
The haunting question loomed above her head as she fought with herself.
Her mind envisioned Youma’s always polite, determined, and gentle personality. She had never been much help with the investigations, but at least it looked like she cared. Was she able to commit such vile acts? Tearing up two innocent victim’s chests?
Noir was a Nares’ follower. She could have understood that. But Servalia? She was a singer, a famous one...she loved everything and everyone and would have never posed a threat. Why would Youma kill her?
The question was so strong in her head. It swirled around as she reminisced about her good old days as a detective. The motive. The heart behind a crime. It is always there...no matter how cold-blooded a murderer can be. Besides, when Youma was caught and imprisoned...she has been so calm. Was it guilt? Was she accepting her fate?
She turned around and touched the door gently. The keypad lit up. Her finger hovered on the first button...but then she stopped.
No. I’m playing Azrael’s game. She wants me to set the killer free.
She turned around, shaking her head.
But the question still gnawed at her.
----------------------------------------
Evening. Everyone was having dinner, while Kaeron was still there guarding. She needed more time to reflect and calm down.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Shiria was eating with the rest of the crew. Lan’en was trying to talk about her heroic tales to lighten up the mood. But then, suddenly, Alicia interrupted her.
“So...Azrael and Lilin. They said goodbye to Kaeron...are they seriously gone? I haven’t seen them anywhere.”
“Yes. That’s true. They were nowhere to be found all day...I’m concerned,” Tsukasa mumbled.
“They can’t be possibly hiding somewhere outside of the public areas. Chronos would have prohibited that, right?” Lan’en said.
“Yes. I doubt there’s even easy access to the upper floor’s systems. And remember what Chronos said about the vents…” Alicia crossed arms, “Either they holed up in their rooms or they’re just wandering around and we just didn’t notice them...creating a coincidence.”
“Hm…” Shiria frowned, “I just hope they’re not up to no good!”
“Indeed. We cannot seem to catch a break on this ‘’cruise’’...it is quite ironic,” Tsukasa sighed, going back to eating her meal.
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8:45 PM.
I have to question her. I have to at least ask her why.
She turned around once more and took a deep breath.
Just a bunch of quick questions and that’s it. I won’t let her come near me or the door. I have my blade anyways...I can terminate her if she attempts to kill me.
She clenched her hand to calm her nerves...then, she stuck out her finger to type in the code.
“Kaeron? What are you doing?”
She immediately yelped and turned around.
Shiria looked at her with a disappointed frown.
“I’m just...I wanted to ask her some questions.”
“Kareon...please…”
She hugged her tightly. Nuzzling her face against her chest. The woman’s hands were shaking as she tried to gently push her away.
“I’m going to stand in front of the door the whole time. I promise I will be quick...I just need to...”
“Kaeron! Stop!”
Kaeron froze as she felt her friend's hands on hers.
“You’re shaking! You’re not doing okay!” Shiria said, “Stop acting so tough...it’s over! It’s over...there is no killer anymore.”
“But-”
image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3bhe2ml2u3gzdp49rxiez/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-svery-aesthetic-absurdres-black-backgroun-s-2269273334.png?rlkey=pexbplgk0fyic9ise4a2x53wg&st=cwlfcr3t&raw=1]
“Just stop! Please! I’m worried about you…”
The woman’s gaze softened, her lips trembled. “I’m sorry…”
“Don’t apologize,” Shiria sighed, clinging onto her once more, “Just let me help you like you did when I first woke up that morning...what happened? Alicia told me you woke up panicked. Is it why you’re so distressed? All this trembling...it isn’t only because of Azrael’s word...is it?”
But Kaeron lifted Shiria’s face with her cold hand. Her fingers dug into her soft skin gently.
“Shiria. Listen to me. You can’t help me,” she muttered, shaking her head slowly.
“Why not?”
“Because what you think is wrong with me...has always been there in the first place. The way I’m acting now...is how I have always been.”
“What do you mean?” She asked innocently.
“I am not who you think I am.”
Shiria’s heart suddenly dropped as she heard such words. Did she hear that right? Did it mean what Shiria thought it meant?
“T-Then...at least tell me who you are really! Why were you invited on this cruise?” She stammered, backing off slightly.
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. It’s just that I can’t. I’ve come so far...I would never have enough strength and time to sum it all up,” she whispered, “Everyone has their unspeakable secrets, don’t they?”
Shiria swallowed heavily, her eyes glued to Kaeron’s, which were shining with uncertain emotions.
“Are you the murderer? Kaeron?”
“No. I am not.”
“Then...I am not going to let you go. Whatever is going on in your life...I don’t care. But we are friends. And friends do comfort each other, right? Since now it’s all over...I want to focus on you! Because we are friends.”
Kaeron didn’t react. She just looked down as well, sighing through her nose.
“Do me a favor, and let’s go to bed,” a cute smile appeared on her face, “Please. It’s the least I can do. Staying here any longer will make you open that door...which has a killer inside. Besides...it’s almost nine! You stood here all day...I’ll ask someone to switch with you.”
“You’re right…” Kaeron let out a self-deprecating chuckle, “Getting taken care of by such a fragile, younger girl.”
“Don’t be like that…” Shiria caressed Kaeron’s cheek gently, “Besides, I may not have my memories...but I feel like I understand your feelings. I may be a little wise, hehe…
----------------------------------------
Kaeron was taking a hot shower to clean her own thoughts.
Shiria was right. Despite everything, she had to move on. She had to fulfill her lover's final request.
After she was done, she got out of the shower, and Shiria was there on the bed...wearing her sleepy attire.
"Who is guarding the door?" She asked, sitting down beside her.
"Lan'en! She was more than happy to help you!"
"It's just because she doesn't trust me. And...she was right, after all. I was going to open that door," Kaeron frowned and hung her head.
"Hey, hey...don't think about. Here..."
Shiria pushed Kaeron's against the bed, forcing her to lay down. She complied awkwardly and Shiria jumped on her excited, hugging Kaeron’s body while nuzzling against her shoulder.
Kaeron exhaled deeply. A gentle smile appeared on her face.
“See? Hehe…” Shiria whispered in Kaeron’s ear, “You feel better already, right?”
Kaeron closed her eyes and kept going with her deep breaths, holding her closer, “Yes. I do."
A couple of seconds of silence, and then Kaeron spoke up again.
"Shiria...about your past. I’m pretty sure you’re a very wise, good, and smart girl. I hope you’ll find out what happened to you before getting aboard this hell. And I also hope you'll regain your lost memories."
“And I hope you’ll find peace and forget your past.”
“Thank you, Shiria.”
----------------------------------------
The two girls were awakened by Shiria’s door opening. Kaeron’s eyes opened first, then Shiria followed along, whining softly.
“What’s going on…?” She muttered gently. She was still lying on top of Kaeron’s body, sleepy.
“Shiria...where is Kaeron? She-...oh.”
Lan’en looked at Kaeron after barging into Shiria’s room. She saw the two under Shiria’s covers.
“Seriously?” Lan’en asked her.
“Seriously what?” Shiria replied. She removed the covers off their bodies and got up, rubbing her eyes cutely.
“Nothing…” Lan’en gestured toward Kaeron, and then Shiria, “I thought that...nevermind. What’s your passcode, Kaeron? Tsukasa wants to give Youma breakfast,” She asked, rolling her eyes.
“I’ll open the door, just give me a few minutes, okay?” Kaeron muttered tiredly as she rubbed her face.
“Sure. Suit yourself…” Lan’en sighed, looked at Shiria weirdly, and left.
“Why didn’t you lock the door last night?” Kaeron asked Shiria as she got out of bed.
“I told you. Never needed to,” Shiria shrugged. “How are you feeling? Did you have good dreams?” She tried to change the subject, caressing Kaeron’s arm gently. She responded with a sigh and a nod.
She quickly got dressed and left hurriedly to open Youma’s door.
image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mvbl25km5mk8b6wbuxiv1/Kaeron-Montemira.png?rlkey=6bacwbhyy0vxu29t82xmc0kn2&st=hj15mz0r&raw=1]
“Ah, finally,” Lan’en yawns, “Come on. Open this damn door so I can go back to sleep and you can go back with your friend.”
What's that disappointed tone?
People really can’t mind their own business. Well, she’s probably just jealous. They have gotten pretty close.
I quickly press my finger against the door and the keypad appears, I type in the code, letting Tsukasa step inside the room first giving her space.
However, she gasps instead, stepping backwards, “Youma…!” She mutters shakily.
I immediately look inside with Lan’en.
Youma hangs from the ceiling, lifeless.
Her chest is spread open, blood dripping down her body.
My sword is right beside her corpse on the floor, covered in fresh blood.