Karim

Something about the tone in his voice makes me shudder.

How deep could their relationship be?

He pulls out a glass mask and puts it on. I notice that his hands are shaking, but I choose to say nothing.

We walk down the quiet hall until we reach the Presence's cell.

I flash my light in front of the cell, searching for it.

When I don't see it, I lean closer to peer inside.

There is no sign of it.

I lean even closer. Then, it suddenly appears in front of me.

I stumble backward in fright.

"Don't go to close to the bars". Ace warns.

My glass mask slips off my face, clattering to the floor.

Unable to catch it in time, I wait for the inevitable sound of breaking glass.

Ace dives down and catches it.

"Don't look at it!" He says, his voice rigid.

I turn my back to it and retrieve the glass from Ace.

The mask has suffered no visible damage as far as I can see. I put it on.

Ace reaches forward and awkwardly adjusts the mask.

"Thanks". I mutter.

His only response is a curt nod.

"Back so soon". It drawls.

I step back. It's been a whole 24 hours since we were here last.

Its eyes rest solely on Ace, a knowing smile resting on its face.

"We never finished our argument". It continues.

Turning to Ace, I raise a concerned brow.

"What argument?" I ask.

Ace ignores me.

"Oh? He didn't tell you? I thought you are his friend".

Tell me what?

The Presence laughs out loud, his laughter echoing through the silent hall.

Ace clenches his hand but still does not utter a word.

Next thing, we are in his Domain. The first thing I notice is the different landscape. We are no longer in a blooming garden with fresh air and a bright blue sky, the ground here is bare and barren, the sky is red and gloomy, the air is stale and hard.

There are no trees, no flowers, nothing comely to the eyes.

I absorb the change in environment quietly, preferring not to ask questions.

The Presence on the other hand just sits there, legs crossed coyly over the other, arms folded intimidatingly.

This time, it's taking the form of a red-haired woman. It's eyes are black and glassy like last time, a sly grin curving it's perfectly shaped mouth.

A silk red dress with a low-hanging bodice and a long split along the side graces it's body. My face heats up as I realize how foolish it is for me to be noticing her or its allure.

It chose a pretty body - which makes it all the more scary. I preferred the man with his rough cotton shirt and black breeches - he didn't seem to spit poison with his rouge lips.

Ace looks unsettled, like something heavy is hanging in the air between them - something clearly unknown to me.

"What's today's session going to be about? You were quite snappy the last time we met". It says, sounding excited in the most creepy way imaginable.

The phrase 'the last time we met' implies that they had met again after our original meeting.

It isn't my business, but I can't help feeling unsettled about Ace spending so much time with the Presence. Maybe, if he has friends, he won't lean in so close.

I should try offering friendship - though it's something I find very hard to do.

Ace gives it a warning glance and it wears a chastened expression.

"You both seem gloomy."

Her eyes flash to mine. I try not to hold her gaze, but it becomes impossible to look away.

I can't allow it to look inside my head again. The more information it has about me, the more dangerous it becomes.

Her grin widens and I shift in my seat.

My sense are on full alert, noting every change around me with practiced clarity. The air smells dead, the wind soulless. Through the glass mask, the black of her eyes seem to drown me.

"Interesting". It mutters, finally releasing me from the spell.

I draw in a deep breath, sparing a quick glance at Ace.

His mind is clearly elsewhere, his headphones blocking us out.

But, I know he can hear every single thing that is going on.

She stretches her legs out, revealing flawless legs as the split drops even further, exposing porcelain thighs.

"How interesting".

What's interesting?

"The apocalypse is much worse now. My days of freedom are nearer than I'd hoped".

I freeze completely, my stomach twisting painfully.

Freedom? It can never be free.

She leans back on the chair.

"Ace. Tell us what's on your mind. Since I can't even sneak a look, why don't you spare us the effort".

Ace doesn't even acknowledge her words. He just keeps staring at the floor, his gaze distant.

"The Apocalypse can end a lot sooner if you involve my generous services. I can help you. You are grossly outnumbered - with zero chances of success".

The words hit home, but I refuse to yield into hopelessness it hints at.

Everyone knows how impossible the mission is, but hope is what keeps it alive.

"Tell me", it continues, "when your partners begin to die one by one - especially the weak and frail one... Morrow, is it? What would you do then? Would you remember my words with regret?" She asks, her expression smug.

"Morrow isn't going to die". Ace says, surprising both of us. His hands are shaking again, I notice.

"Don't deceive yourself. You saw how she died-"

Before he finishes his sentence, we are back in the cold and empty dungeon. It stares back at me through the bars, still retaining its female form.

"Morrow isn't going to die! Not while I'm alive". Ace says and marches out.

I've never seen him so flustered.

Morrow dying? Is that why he volunteered to protect her?

"He's too stubborn. I've tried to teach him that his place is by my side, but he just won't give in".

I scoff.

"His place is out there, while yours, is behind these bars".

My cold response earns a wicked smile.

"Not for long". It clicks its tongue, disappearing like smoke fading into the air.

"Not for long".

I turn on my heels and leave. The words keep repeating in my ears.

Not for long? Would the Apocalypse somehow trigger its escape?

It must have some kind of plan - which definitely involves Ace.

I walk down the silent hallway, firetorch in hand. The only sound is the clicking of my shoe again the smooth stone of the ground. The fire dances mildly, indicating that there isn't much air at this level of the dungeon.

I drop my mask in the cabinet and reach the lift in precisely fifty-four long strides.

Ace is standing there, his firetorch casting shadows across his stony features.

This might not be the best time to ask him any questions, I reason.

He lifts the gate up and steps in.

"He's just trying to mess with us. She doesn't really die". Ace says, more to himself than to me.

"How did she die?" I ask gently, aware that I'm treading raging seas.

His eyes snap to mine, haunted.

"You don't want to know".

"I do. Tell me what you saw. Tell me everything. I want to know". Then, as an afterthought, I add, "I won't tell anyone. Please".

"I can't."

I hate begging, but my pride gives way to desperation for once.

"This involves another life. Protecting her on your own is not enough".

He turns away, his fire flickering dangerously.

Now, I'm left curious. The only other person that has the information I want is in the cell below us.

I just have to prepare myself to go back later in the night for answers.

Once the lift reaches its stop, Ace pulls up the gate and starts speed-walking towards the door.

What is he running from? Me or the inevitable future he must have seen?

The true question is, if he claims that Morrow isn't really going to die, why is he so afraid?

I extinguish my torch and return it to its shelf before leaving the building.

I find him waiting outside the door, probably to lock the door.

He picks up the latch and slides it through the bars without my help.

"Ace-".

"Don't ask me to tell you anything. There are things better left unsaid. You are a secretive guy, you should understand that perfectly".

I place a hand on his.

He looks up at me.

"Between you and me, Furuno is going through something bad as well. I'm tired of people around me suffering and not being able to help. The first step is communication - but I'm the last person to suggest that. Just know that you're not the only one that cares about Morrow - I do too".

He withdraws his hand.

"Furuno's mind was messed up at the meeting. I could hear him talking to someone else - but I didn't know who".

Someone else?

Before I can ask another question, Ace walks off.

Another day then.

---

I wait until it's completely dark before I return to the Dungeons. The field is deserted now, so the path is clear for use.

When I reach the door of the Dungeon, I discover that it's already open.

I slide it open slightly, peering in stealthily.

At the other end is someone holding a lit firetorch.

When the flame flickers, the features becomes visible.

Ace.

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