The corridors of the right wing resonated with the urgent footsteps of the guards as they hurriedly carried Cedric towards the infirmary. His condition was critical, and the palpable sense of emergency propelled them forward. Emily, her voice strained with panic, ran alongside the stretcher.
Thaddeus, following closely, was a portrait of concern mixed with confusion. Accustomed to the structured, predictable life at the palace, this sudden descent into chaos was jarring.
"Lady Fernway, what is going on? Who is this man?" Thaddeus asked, his tone filled with worry as he glanced between Cedric and Emily, seeking answers to the scene unfolding before him.
"Not now, Thaddeus. Please, just help me get him to the infirmary. I'll explain everything later" Emily responded quickly, her focus fixed on Cedric’s pale face, indicating the urgency of the situation overrode the need for immediate explanations.
As they burst through the infirmary doors, the normally tranquil medical chamber was thrown into a state of high alert. "Clear the table, now!" Emily commanded, her authoritative tone cutting through the air and spurring the physicians into rapid action. Instruments and medical supplies were swiftly moved aside as Cedric was gently laid down on the main table.
The main table was quickly cleared of medical instruments and scrolls, the clatter of metal and rustle of paper filling the air as Cedric was laid down gently but swiftly. His body was a canvas of trauma—bruises flowering across his skin, burns marking him with cruel intent, and cuts that mapped his recent brutal encounters.
The lead physician, a seasoned healer with years of experience, took charge with a calm authority that belied the chaotic undercurrent of the situation. "We need hot water, bandages, and the stitching kit—quickly now!" he instructed his assistants, who scrambled to follow his orders.
As the physician assessed Cedric’s injuries, his hands moved with practiced ease, though his brow was furrowed with concern. Emily stood by Cedric’s side, her hand clutching his, her presence a silent pillar of support. She whispered desperately, her words a mixture of encouragement and plea, "Cedric, don’t die just yet. You have to fight through this."
Thaddeus watched the medical team work, his face marked by subtle bewilderment. Despite his confusion over the sudden emergency, his primary concern was clearly the well-being of those around him. He turned to Emily, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He’s in good hands now. Let’s give them space to work" he suggested gently, guiding her to step back.
The room was filled with the sounds of medical urgency—a symphony of healing that played against the backdrop of Cedric’s labored breathing. The physicians moved around Cedric like a well-orchestrated ensemble, each one performing their role with precision to stabilize the injured man.
After ensuring that Cedric was in capable hands, Emily and Thaddeus stepped outside the infirmary, giving the physicians room to work. The urgency of the corridor had quieted, the chaotic energy now confined within the walls of the treatment room. As they moved into the quieter space of the adjacent hallway, Thaddeus motioned to the guards that had followed. "You can return to your posts" he instructed with a nod. The guards obeyed, their footsteps receding down the hall.
Thaddeus turned to Emily, his expression one of deep concern mixed with a readiness to listen. "You said you had something to tell me. What's going on, Lady Fernway?" His voice was gentle, giving her the space to explain without pressure.
With a deep breath, Emily started to unravel the complicated truth, explaining the bizarre reality of resets, the existence of the System, and how she, originally just a player in a seemingly innocuous game, ended up living through repeated cycles of life and death in this historical setting.
As Emily's story unfolded, Thaddeus's expression shifted from initial skepticism to a dawning understanding, tempered by his innate duty to protect. After she finished, his first concern was pointed and immediate. "And Lady Fernway? Where does she stand in all of this? You're in control of her body—is she ok?"
"Delilah is still with me" Emily reassured him quickly. "She’s safe, and her spirit is intact. She's part of this... journey with me."
Thaddeus nodded, his expression softening slightly with relief but still lined with worry. "I see. And what is our next step in this... extraordinary situation?"
Before Emily could respond, Delilah's voice echoed in her mind, a whisper only she could hear. "Emily, I need to speak to Damian again. I think I can reach him, reason with him."
Emily hesitated, the memory of the last reset—of Damian's violence and desperation—fresh in her mind. "Delilah, after what just happened, I don’t think that's a good idea. Damian has shown us that he’s not just going to listen or change easily. He’s dangerous."
Delilah’s presence within her stirred, a mix of determination and sadness. "I have to try, Emily. He’s my brother"
Emily's face was etched with concern, her mind wrestling with Delilah's plea. "I understand you want to reach out to him, Delilah," she said slowly, her voice tinged with hesitation. "But the way Damian acted, the things he said before he... before he hurt you—it doesn’t seem like he's in a state where reason will reach him. We need to think carefully about our next steps, especially considering the risks."
Turning towards Thaddeus, who had been quietly attentive, Emily shifted the conversation to a puzzling anomaly that could no longer be ignored. "Thaddeus, there’s something else that’s been happening. In all these resets, everything usually returns to the starting point, everything is wiped clean—except for Cedric. Somehow, he bypasses the resets. His injuries, his memories, they persist."
Thaddeus furrowed his brow, the implications of what Emily was saying beginning to dawn on him. "That is... unusual. What do you suppose that means?"
Emily paced a few steps, her mind racing with possibilities. "I’m not entirely sure, but it suggests that Cedric has a role here we haven’t fully understood yet. And for us to end this cycle, I believe we need to save Isaac. But if my guess is right, Isaac is probably already dead at this point in the cycle."
She stopped, turning back to face Thaddeus with a serious expression. "My plan is to have Cedric there to save Isaac in our next attempt. But with only one attempt left and Damian proving he’s more than capable of combat, our chances are slim, especially with Cedric this badly injured."
Thaddeus nodded thoughtfully, then a spark of curiosity lit up his eyes. "If you were a player in this game before, surely you must know more about the mechanics of this 'game'? Maybe there’s something we’re missing."
Emily paused, a flicker of memory crossing her mind. "Actually, there is something" she admitted. "I remember a secret room in this palace, on the top floor. It was part of the game lore—supposedly hidden and containing powerful item. but I've never be able to get inside of it"
Thaddeus’s interest was visibly piqued. "A secret room, you say? Then perhaps it’s time we explore it."
They quickly agreed to investigate the secret room on the top floor. Before heading out, Thaddeus directed the guards to form search parties to patrol both the palace and the expansive backgarden, ensuring no corner remained unchecked for potential threats or clues.
As Emily and Thaddeus made their way to the side hall that housed the staircase leading to the upper levels, they were abruptly halted by the approach of Duchess Nadia and Lady Saskia. The duchess's brow was furrowed with concern, her tone laced with the authority befitting her status. "Thaddeus, why have you ordered a search party? What is this I hear about disturbances in the garden?"
Thaddeus, quick on his feet, offered a grave but measured response, careful not to reveal too much. "We have received unfortunate news of Isaac Morrowby's death in the backgarden, my lady. We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all guests" he explained, giving Nadia a succinct summary without touching upon the deeper, more complex truth of their situation.
However, Emily, driven by the urgency of their mission and perhaps a dash of desperation, decided to lay out the truth. Turning to the women, she said, "Your Grace, Lady Saskia, I must tell you about what has been happening. This is about Delilah, and me, and a dangerous cycle of events we've been trapped in."
Her explanation poured out, detailing the resets, her role in controlling Delilah's body, and Damian’s murderous intentions. The story, wild and unbelievable as it was, seemed to stretch the bounds of reality too far for the duchess.
Nadia scoffed lightly, a mixture of disbelief and irritation crossing her features. "Lady Fernway, this is preposterous. You expect me to believe such fanciful tales? You must have indulged too heartily in tonight's spirits" she dismissed curtly, attributing Emily's earnestness to inebriation.
Saskia, however, responded differently. With a gentle but firm hand, she guided Nadia away. "Please, Nadia, return to the banquet and ensure our guests are calm. I'll handle matters here" she assured Nadia, her voice carrying an undercurrent of seriousness that commanded respect.
Once the duchess had reluctantly departed, Saskia turned back to Emily and Thaddeus, her expression a complex tapestry of curiosity and concern. "Now, tell me, Lady Fernwat—or should I say Emily—is what you’re saying true? Is Damian really trying to kill you?" Her voice was low, demanding honesty, her eyes searching Emily's face for the truth.
Emily met her gaze, nodding solemnly. "Yes, it’s all true, Saskia. Damian has become dangerous, and we're trying to stop him before he can hurt anyone else."
Saskia paused, processing the gravity of Emily's words. After a moment, she made her decision. "Very well. I believe you. Seeing how a mysterious man appeared in the middle of the dance floor. Let’s find out how we can help you and stop Damian together.”
As they reached the top floor of the palace, the trio navigated through less-frequented corridors, the echo of their footsteps mingling with the distant sounds of the banquet below. They arrived at a door unlike any other in the palace—ornate, imposing, and secured with a locking mechanism that was both intricate and archaic.
Saskia examined the door with a mix of fascination and puzzlement. she murmured "I've never seen this door. What are these engravings? Some sort of riddle?"
Emily stepped forward, her eyes scanning the cryptic words etched into the metalwork of the lock. "Yes, this is the secret room I mentioned. The door has a riddle that needs solving to unlock it. I’ve tried in past attempts but never succeeded."
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"Born from the earth, I stand both low and high,
Crafted by hands under the open sky.
Marking power, wealth, through years I endure,
In me, the legacies of old are secure.
Guarding secrets not written but often told,
A witness to tales of valor and gold.
What am I, that silently commands respect,
With lines drawn deep, histories intersect?"
----------------------------------------
Thaddeus rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "It's poetic, certainly. 'Born from the earth, crowned by man'... that suggests something natural that’s been modified or utilized by humans."
Emily paced slightly, trying to connect the clues. "It seems to speak of something ancient, possibly an object used historically?”
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The stillness of the corridor was broken by a sudden insight that whispered through Emily's mind, a voice not her own but one she had come to recognize and trust. It was Delilah's voice, clear and confident, "The answer is 'Landmark.' "
Puzzled, Emily turned to her spectral companion, though only she could hear her. "How did you know that?" she asked inwardly.
Delilah's response was tinged with the remnants of her past life's responsibilities. "It's something I had to learn as the heir of a duke—how to manage our territories and understand the significance of each landmark within them. These landmarks often defined the borders of our lands and held the history of our family."
Encouraged by this revelation, Emily approached the door once more, her fingers tracing the engravings as she input the answer: "Landmark." The mechanism responded immediately; gears whirred and stone ground against stone as the door's locking mechanism began to shift and move. After a brief moment, the initial riddle faded away, and in its place, another riddle appeared on the lock's display.
Thaddeus and Saskia watched in awe, their surprise evident. "How did you figure that out?" Thaddeus asked, his voice a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
"It was Delilah's knowledge," Emily explained, her voice carrying a mix of pride and sadness as she shared the credit with the unseen presence of Delilah. "She remembers these details from her duties as a duchess."
The new riddle now presented itself, etched deeply into the metal plate that had slid into view:
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"Within my pages, the ink dances still,
Telling of deeds, of bonds, and of will.
From a patriarch’s hand to a child’s slight touch,
I hold the tales of those who mattered much.
By candlelight, secrets are softly confessed,
In me, the essence of lineage is expressed.
What am I, cherished, read, and reviewed,
A testament of those once revered and pursued?"
----------------------------------------
Thaddeus and Saskia leaned closer, their minds already turning over the words, trying to unravel this next layer of mystery that the ancient game had presented.
The silence in the corridor seemed to deepen as they pondered the new riddle etched into the metal plate before them. Thaddeus and Saskia exchanged uncertain glances, their earlier confidence slightly dimmed by the complexity of the words.
Delilah’s voice, though only audible to Emily, chimed in with a calm certainty, "The answer is 'ledger'."
Without hesitation, Emily entered the answer. The lock accepted it with a series of clicks and gears turning, the door's mechanism intricately moving to reveal yet another riddle. With each successful answer, largely thanks to Delilah’s whispered insights, their progress was marked by the increasingly complex nature of the puzzles.
Finally, they reached what appeared to be the last of the riddles, the words carved deeply into the stone, their gravity seeming to weigh on the very air around them:
----------------------------------------
"Four quarters share my heart’s embrace,
Yet no walls confine my touching face.
Silent voices guide my unseen hand,
Through unseen threads that bind and expand.
A circle closed, a pattern clear,
In woven strands, both far and near.
What am I, that draws no breath,
Yet holds within a life beyond death?"
----------------------------------------
The group fell into a thoughtful silence, each person lost in contemplation. Thaddeus rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Saskia's gaze drifted off into the distance, her mind clearly working through the metaphorical language.
Delilah, usually a fount of historical knowledge, was unusually quiet. Emily turned inward, "Delilah, any thoughts?"
There was a pause before Delilah responded with uncertainty, "I... I don’t know this one. It’s beyond anything I was taught or have experienced."
The reality of their predicament settled in; this riddle was different, deeper, perhaps touching on elements of the game that Delilah, despite her noble upbringing and extensive education, had never needed to understand.
Emily sighed, her gaze returning to the riddle. "Four quarters... no walls... unseen threads..." she murmured, trying to decipher the clue. The answer seemed to dance just out of reach, a solution vital not just for progressing through the door but potentially key to understanding the larger mysteries entwining their fates.
Thaddeus finally spoke up, his voice low, "It sounds almost like a description of a tapestry or... a web?" His suggestion hung in the air, a possible clue but one that needed further exploration.
As they stood pondering the riddle, a spark of realization flickered in Emily's eyes. She paused, her gaze fixed on the intricate carvings that framed the riddle, tracing the enigmatic words with a thoughtful stare. Then, without a word, she turned and approached the door once more.
The click of the mechanism unlocking was both subtle and profound, echoing slightly in the grand corridor as Emily stepped back from the door, a small smile of realization crossing her face. The heavy door slowly swung open, revealing the secrets long hidden behind it.
Thaddeus, Saskia, and even the silent presence of Delilah held their breath, their eyes wide with anticipation and curiosity. They all turned to Emily, seeking the key that had unlocked this mystery.
"How did you come to that answer?" Thaddeus asked, his voice a mix of admiration and bewilderment.
Emily turned to face the group. "The riddle spoke of unity and connection without physical barriers, a network that holds a life beyond death—what else could it be but 'Family' " she explained.
They all stepped through the doorway into the secret room, their eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light within. The room was smaller than they had expected, but every surface was covered with intricate carvings and shelves filled with old scrolls and books, each potentially a relic of the vast history of the family that had ruled this land.
Inside the secret room, the dim light revealed a small table at its center, upon which sat a singular book and a small bottle, both items starkly out of place with their surroundings. The book, unlike the ancient, dust-covered tomes lining the shelves, looked pristine and untouched by time. Next to it, a small vial of liquid shimmered with an inner light that seemed almost magical.
As Emily approached and gently lifted the book from its resting place, the familiar chime of the System echoed softly in the space:
----------------------------------------
[SYSTEM]: Iconic card obtained.
[SYSTEM]: A Gift From The Shrine:
[SYSTEM]: Iconic tier item detected.
[SYSTEM]: Iconic tier condition:
----------------------------------------
Puzzled by the lack of description or condition usually provided by the system, Emily attempted to leaf through the pages of the book, only to find them blank—void of any writing or mark. The mystery deepened, leaving them all more intrigued about its purpose and origin.
Turning her attention to the small bottle, Emily picked it up, triggering another system notification:
----------------------------------------
[SYSTEM]: Epic card obtained.
[SYSTEM]: Saving grace potion: Heals someone from critical injury.
----------------------------------------
Recognition dawned on Emily; this was the Saving Grace Potion a powerful healing item from the game she used to play. However, it had always been a theoretical item for her, never actually utilized because of the game's dynamics.
"What’s in that bottle?" Thaddeus inquired, observing the liquid’s soft glow.
"It’s a healing potion, a 'Saving Grace Potion' to be exact" Emily explained, her voice a mix of excitement and relief. "In the game, it was designed to heal someone from near fatal wounds instantly. It was practically useless to me before because by the time I needed it, Isaac was always beyond help, surrounded by guards without a moment to administer it."
Thaddeus nodded, understanding the strategic importance of such an item now. "So, this could save Cedric?" he asked, hoping to thread through his words.
"Yes, exactly" Emily confirmed with a firm nod. "We can use this to save Cedric."
As they prepared to leave the secret room, poised to rush the life-saving potion to Cedric, Emily turned to Saskia to share their plan. However, Saskia stood frozen at the doorway, her stance unusually rigid. "Saskia?" Emily called out, a note of concern in her voice as she and Thaddeus approached her.
Before either could reach her, Saskia's body swayed and she collapsed to the floor, unconscious. The sudden thud of her fall echoed ominously in the small room.
Startled, Emily and Thaddeus rushed to her side, but their attention was abruptly diverted by another presence. Damian stepped into the threshold, a dark silhouette framed by the doorway. His sword was drawn, a cold glint in his eyes as he fixed his gaze on Emily.
Without hesitation, Thaddeus acted. He charged at Damian, tackling him to the ground in an attempt to protect Emily. The clash of bodies against the stone floor resounded through the room as Thaddeus struggled to hold Damian down. "Run, Emily! Get to Cedric now!" Thaddeus yelled over the scuffle, his voice urgent and commanding.
Emily hesitated for a split second, torn between helping Thaddeus and fulfilling the mission to save Cedric. With Thaddeus grappling with Damian, she made the split-second decision to trust her friend’s strength and focus on the greater need. Clutching the potion tightly, she dashed out of the room and down the stairs, her footsteps rapid and resolute as she navigated the twisting corridors of the palace.
As Emily descended the stairs, the echoes of chaos from the first floor grew louder and more harrowing. The once orderly corridors of the palace were now avenues of turmoil, with panicked voices and hurried footsteps reverberating off the grand walls. She steeled herself against the rising tide of fear, her grip tightening around the bottle containing the miraculous potion.
Upon reaching the first floor, the full extent of the havoc Damian had wreaked became painfully clear. Among the chaos, it was evident that Duchess Nadia and Emperor Quinlan had fallen victim to Damian's ruthless campaign. "As if one death isn't enough" Emily muttered under her breath, her resolve hardening as she made her way towards the infirmary in the right wing.
Bursting into the infirmary, Emily was met with a scene of desperate medical efforts. The room was a blur of activity; physicians and medical aides were overwhelmed, attending not only to Cedric but also to several guards who had apparently encountered Damian’s wrath. Cedric still lay on the main table, his condition barely stable, surrounded by a flurry of medical staff working fervently to keep him alive.
Without hesitation, Emily approached, holding up the potion. "I have something that can help him!" she shouted over the din, catching the attention of the lead physician. The room momentarily paused, all eyes turning to the small bottle in her hand.
Recognizing the urgency in her voice and the potential significance of the potion, the physician nodded and cleared a space around Cedric. Emily hurried to Cedric’s side, uncorking the bottle and carefully administering the contents. The potion, known in her game for its potent healing properties, was their last hope to reverse the brutal injuries that had defied even the most skilled medical interventions of the time.
As the potion began to take effect, healing Cedric's wounds with an almost mystical efficiency, the room buzzed with whispered astonishments. Simultaneously, the book Emily had retrieved from the secret room began to tremble violently in her grasp. Startled by the sudden movement, Emily lost her hold, and the book flew from her hands, soaring directly towards Cedric.
Catching the book instinctively, Cedric sat up, encircled by a faint, ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from the tome itself. His eyes, clear for the first time since his ordeal, scanned the room rapidly, taking in the chaotic aftermath of the attack. "Emily, is that you or Delilah?" he asked, his voice steadier than anyone expected.
"It's me, Emily" she replied quickly, moving closer to reassure him.
Cedric's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why are you still here? The last thing I remember before everything went black was telling you that the clock could send you back home."
Emily nodded, her expression grave. "Yes, but we found out that to really end this and go back, we need to save Isaac."
Before she could delve into the details of her plan, a sudden crash interrupted them. All heads turned as the infirmary door burst open, revealing Damian, his expression a mask of relentless fury. He stepped into the room, his eyes locking onto Emily and Cedric.
The room tensed, the physicians and injured guards pausing in their tasks, the air thick with apprehension.
As Damian raised his sword, poised for violence, the infirmary's air suddenly crackled with an unexplained tension. Before Emily could react, Cedric, miraculously recovered, was already at the doorway, his sword drawn. Damian lay sprawled on the hall floor, seemingly thrust out by an invisible force. Neither Emily nor Delilah, still sharing her senses, had seen the swift motion that led to Damian's quick incapacitation.
Cedric turned to Emily "Do you have a plan?" he asked.
Emily nodded, her voice quick and firm. "Yes, you need to be in the backgarden in the next attempt. That’s where everything starts to unfold, and that’s where you can make the biggest difference."
"Are you certain this will work?" he pressed.
"I am," Emily responded with a conviction that belied her inner turmoil. "It’s the only way to save Isaac and stop this cycle for good."
Resolute, Cedric nodded and then moved toward Damian, who was struggling to rise. As Damian attempted to reach into his pocket, likely for another dangerous card, Cedric acted swiftly. With a precise and controlled motion, he grabbed Damian's arm and twisted sharply. The crack of bone was sudden and stark, and Delilah let out a scream. Emily flinched, turning her gaze away from the harsh but necessary action. Cedric's measures, though brutal, were indispensable; Damian had proven too perilous to be subdued by half-measures.
"Sorry, Delilah, but we can’t let him continue" Cedric said, his voice carrying a weight of inevitability. He looked at Emily, his face set with grim resolve. "I'll give you a chance to talk to him later, once we've secured him properly."
Cedric ensured Damian's hands were securely tied, rendering him incapable of further mischief. After making certain of Damian's restraint, Cedric donned his mask—a symbol of his readiness to face whatever awaited him in the backgarden. With a nod to Emily, he said, "Good luck" his voice steady but laden with unspoken concerns as he exited to prepare for the next attempt.
Left alone with the subdued Damian, Delilah urged Emily to engage with him, to seek any sliver of peace or resolution. "Ask him if there's anything we can do to help him stop" Delilah suggested, her voice a mix of hope and desperation.
Emily approached Damian cautiously, who sat slumped against the wall, his expression one of defeat yet tinged with a stubborn resolve. "Damian, is there anything I can do for you? Anything that might change your mind?" she asked, her voice soft yet firm.
Damian's response came through distorted, his words glitching as if struggling against the system itself. "There's no going back. I want to live like a person too... But with Delilah here, I would always be just an insect" he muttered, his tone bitter and resigned.
Delilah, speaking through Emily, reached out with words of reconciliation. "I will fix everything, Damian. I'm so sorry for what you've had to go through" she promised, her voice cracking with emotion.
However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted as the cards in Damian's pocket began to activate on their own. No system message appeared, but a sinister, black and glitchy effect emerged, growing in intensity and seeming to consume everything in its path.
Damian, caught in the throes of the malfunctioning magic, looked up at Delilah with a pained expression. "I'm sorry..." he began, his voice faltering. But before he could finish, his form became overtaken by glitches, his figure distorting as the chaotic energy enveloped him. His final words came out twisted and menacing: "I̸̎̈'̶̿͐m̷̈̌ ̵̒̑g̸̍̏ö̶́̇ì̶̕n̷̽͠ǵ̴̽ ̷̂͠t̷̒̏o̸̅̈ ̷̂̓k̴̾́i̵̅͊l̷̂̾l̵̋̈ ̶́̆ẏ̶͠o̴͊͌u̵̕͝.̴̌̒"
Tears streamed down Delilah's face as she faced the heartbreaking reality of her brother's fate. She nodded at Emily, a silent agreement passing between them. Emily understood the gravity of that nod, her heart heavy with the weight of their impending action.
Taking a deep breath, Emily picked up Damian's sword from where it had fallen. Holding it with trembling hands, she looked to Delilah, her eyes seeking confirmation for what they both knew had to be done. "One last time" she whispered.
----------------------------------------
[SYSTEM]: Delilah Fernway is eliminated.
[SYSTEM]: Mission failed.
[SYSTEM]: Restarting…
[SYSTEM]: Restarting…
[SYSTEM]: Restarting…
[SYSTEM]: Starting 8th attempt.
[SYSTEM]: You now have 0 attempts left.