Matthew sighed once more before he turned to Hinata.
”You must be exhausted, maybe you should go take a rest. We’ll be here, don’t worry,” the Knight said as the ice fox motioned outside the house. Kori’s structure implied that he lacked energy. Perhaps he needed to do something outside, anything that would refreshen him.
"Are you sure?" Hinata said softly. She wasn't sure she wanted to be alone. She didn't want anyone to get hurt, and it's already been proven this house was a target. Still… She was exhausted.
”Yeah, at least for the most part,” Matthew replied. Truthfully, he didn’t want anyone to go anywhere alone but… of course, relaxation is only best when someone’s alone or with a loved one… no, not now. Matthew shook his head subtly.
”If you need anything, we’ll be within the house,” he added before he sat down on the living room’s sofa.
"Okay then…" Hinata looked at Matthew a moment after he sat down before going upstairs. She didn't want to be alone. She wanted to be with the others and make sure everyone would be okay. She stepped into her room, closing the door behind her and letting out a long breath.
Inside the room, not a lot has changed. Maybe except for the whole scenario across the bed. On the desk was a dagger, one that had a bloody blade. However, even though the knife was covered in blood, there was no sign of breaking in nor were any other place other than the knife that was covered with blood. Beside the knife was a framed picture which Hinata couldn’t see clearly from where she was as the last ambers of the sun reflected against the glass of the frame.
Hinata froze when she saw the bloody knife. How had it gotten in here? She walked carefully over, senses alert for anyone, or anything, at all. She didn't touch it, turning around and looking around the room. Why was this in here?
Now that Hinata had moved a bit, the framed photograph became visible. It was a photo of Strix. In the photo she looked relatively relaxed and was seen smiling brightly at the camera… the only thing that was seen wrong about the photo was the fact that Strix’s eyes in the photo were blocked by a dash of blood, blocking them entirely.
Hinata stopped again. Screw this, she was going to get Matthew. There was no good reason t these things would be here, or even really exist. She wasn't going to stay in this room, and by God she wasn't going to be alone right now. She turned on her heel and walked right out the door of the room.
When Hinata opened the door, she seemed to have hit something or rather, someone. Matthew can be seen backing up a bit, rubbing his temple where the door had hit.
”Ow…” he mumbled to himself before looking at Hinata.
”What’s wrong?”
"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" Hinata asked quickly. She stepped forward looking concerned and apologetic. She blinked a bit at his question.
"Well… There's… Something in my room that's very concerning," she said. She figured it be best to show him.
Matthew gave a concerned look.
”Where is it?” he asked. Of course, he was confused as Hinata was the only one who was able to enter the room since he’d locked the door after she came out and unlocked it before she went in. It wasn’t exactly possible for someone within the house to enter the room. Unless…
"It's right over here, on the desk," Hinata said. She stepped to the side so Matthew could go in first.
"It was quite the shock," she said.
Matthew raised an eyebrow. He walked over to the desk, peering at what was on it. He picked up the photograph and sighed at it. He turned to notice the bloody knife. Some thoughts were starting to form inside his head. He placed the picture down and motioned to the window, realizing that it was opened slightly.
”Damn it…” he cursed silently.
”Someone’s broken into the house,” he turned to warn Hinata.
"Shit," Hinata said. She'd figured someone had broken in, but now it was certain.
"They could see be anywhere." Hinata was on edge again. Damnit, so much was happening today. She never got to spend anytime here without there bring some kind of trouble. It just so happened that now the trouble was deadly.
Matthew walked back into the hallway, looking at the several doors on the same floor before snarling slightly.
”I would say it’d be best if we search separately. It’d be better if we could find whoever’s broken in as fast as possible,” he mentioned, turning back to see Hinata’s reaction to his idea.
Hinata hesitated a moment.
"Yes, but… I'm just worried it might be someone we wouldn't be able to handle on our own." She sighed softly, coming out of the room with Matthew.
After hearing what Hinata was thinking, Matthew rethought and came to another conclusion. He walked over to her and took her by the wrist.
”We’ll explore together then,” he said, almost confidently.
Hinata nodded.
"Alright." Hinata stuck close to Matthew. Today had been long, and it was about to get longer.
Matthew started exploring, of course, with Hinata pulled along with him. He opened the closest door to him and looked inside. He kept his eyes out for anything suspicious and found none in the first room… well, to him at least.
There were a few questionable things within the first room, whether that being the camera on the bed, the stained sheets to the side, and the overall messed up looks of the room.
Hinata raised her eyebrow at the room, especially when Matthew found nothing wrong with it. It was a bit unnerving. Hinata let herself be pulled along, though, completely trusting in Matthew.
"This is normal?" She managed to note.
”Except for the camera, yes,” Matthew answered plainly, opening the door of the next room down the line of that floor. Inside the room, it could possibly be concluded that this was one of the foxes’ room; namely Kasai’s. The wallpaper was a warm crimson color, neatly decorated with golden curves on the walls and with the marble white furniture in the room. There was also an electric guitar on the neatly made bed alongside a book and a pen.
Matthew eyed the room carefully, noticing some changes in the room like how the carpet was folded in an unnatural way, how the closet seemingly moved slightly, and how the painting above the bed was tilted just barely. A person like Kasai, one who enjoys perfection, wouldn’t overlook these things.
”Someone’s in the room… probably in the closet,” Matthew whispered.
Hinata held onto Matthew's hand a moment, nodding a little. Matthew would know. She herself moved to step in first, intent on keeping Matthew safe.
As Hinata would move inside, the room seemingly lost its colors. From the warm reddish tone to a monochromic one of different shades of grays. Not only that, it seemed like time had seemingly stopped when she stepped inside. Only she remained colored and moving with time.
The closet door opened up, stepping out was a surprisingly healthy and sane-looking female figurine. She was dressed in a black dress with white hues creating a natural pattern throughout the dress. Somethings to note about her was the chain wrapped tightly around her neck, the golden lantern with blue flames she held, and the butterfly earrings she had which were only visible when her beautiful black hair swayed. Her eyes weren’t opened… yet.
”Good evening. I don’t think you would’ve expected me here,” the woman started with a warm tone, slowly opening her eyes to reveal her dead white irises.
(Viscount Profile)
(Thanatos)
(Ability : Death’s Siren)
(Viscount Class : SS)
(Sector : Chaos)
(Note : The Labyrinth’s embodiment of the god of death by the same name who works as a Viscount within the Labyrinth. Strolls by the Multiverse a lot and is feared by many)
Hinata pressed her lips as he surroundings drained. She looked at the Viscount, her expression not changing.
"Neither did I," she said simply, very much on edge. She didn't really trust people who his in closets. Especially someone with her reputation.
The female looked at Hinata, giving a rather uninterested gaze. She closed the closet doors and stood firmly in front of it.
”As we both know, we mutually hate one another so I’ll make this quick—“ the personification stated clearly.
”I was able to contact two of the nine ‘legends’ of the Labyrinth and they’ve agreed to help with the Infection situation… under certain trades,” the figure moved towards Hinata, particles of shadows coming from her back.
”The first one being one of the three Celestial Warriors, namely Syzen Celser, known better as ‘The Zodiac Master’… his physical body is currently very much broken and will be able to regain it once his creations, the Zodiac Treasures, are to be reunited. All of which, as I was told, are inside the Labyrinth,” the goddess claimed.
”The second being a loyal servant of mine. Narok Killain, a reaper of the Crimson Tide, will help under the trade of… three Knights’ souls. As the Knights’ souls are relatively high in energy and are a great meal for these reapers. The souls can come from anyone who holds or have held the title of ‘Knight’,” she continued before opening her lantern.
”However useful these trades are, remember that they’ll only be useful once you’ve successfully made the trade… So,” her eyes flashed quickly once.
”Which one would you like to take? Or perhaps… both? Don’t worry, you can cancel them later if you can find me,”
(Take Syzen’s Deal)
(Take Narok’s Deal)
(Take both deals)
(Take your time)
Hating each other was an understatement. Hinata couldn't die, and this was literally the embodiment of death. Still, she had to listen to the deals. They were tempting, for sure, especially the first one. The second one, though, was… Questionable. She was going to stay away from that.
"The first one is interesting to me," she admitted. Hopefully she wouldn't have to cancel it, seeing as she didn't really want to come across Thanatos.
”The first one it is,” Thanatos stated. Her lamp closed as the flames changed from a bluish tone to an amber tone. When the lamp opened again, the flames flew out of it and towards Hinata.
”That’s the Zodiac Master’s spirit, he’ll be in touch with you spiritually,” Thanatos claimed before the bluish flames returned.
”That’s all. Now I hope that we don’t have to meet again,” she ended as shadows wrapped around her only to fade her out of reality.
”Eh… uh… how does this work…? Hey! Can you hear me?” a male voice can be heard within Hinata’s mind, speaking with mild confusion. If what Thanatos said was true, this would most likely be the Zodiac Master’s—Syzen’s—soul.
Hinata watched Thanatos leave, glad she was gone. God, she really didn't want to see that woman again. She had turned to leave when the voice- probably Syzen's- spoke up.
"I can hear you loud and clear," Hinata responded.
”Okay cool. Uhm, as Thanatos may have hinted at, I’m Syzen, nice to meet you in person even in this state. About my treasures, do you have any questions so far other than the fact that there are twelve of them scattered around the Labyrinth and I’m not exactly sure where they are as I only created them and did not distribute them,” the soul started, more of a rant than anything. The colors of everything around Hinata started to return as time continued to run at its natural speed.
Matthew, now a confused Matthew, turned to Hinata.
”What happened?”
”Don’t tell him about the deal,” Syzen warned immediately.
Hinata had listened quietly a at Syzen spoke, about to respond when the color returned to the room.
Alright then, she replied, turning to Matthew.
"I'm… Not sure," she lied.
Oh, when I say not to trust him you ignore me, but when done random bozo Thanatos left with us tells you not to, you listen?! Tatsuo let out an indignant sound.