The Duelists of Solstice

Chapter 10: Old Legends and Stir-Fried Noodles

"The story of the Phantom Pendants, passed from traveler to traveler, is as follows," Blaze read aloud, using an app on her phone combined with her own royal education to translate the ancient runes, "There once were two sisters in line for the throne of a great kingdom that was made up of magic itself. The elder one was ruled by logic, and the younger by emotion."

"Makes me think of you a little bit, since you're a studious, logical princess," Ocha commented, still listening intently.

"Thank you. Back to the story..." Blaze smiled politely at Ocha and then turned back to the book. "Knowing she would never receive the throne, the younger ran away as a child, and began growing into a famous thief. Even so, she would still visit her dear sister sometimes, and they would practice magic together, sharing new techniques that they had learned on their own paths. As royalty, they commanded much of the magic that made up their kingdom. However, after the elder sister was crowned queen, she became worried about the younger. She had ceased visiting, never practicing magic with the elder anymore. When the elder found and confronted her about why she had become so secretive, the younger became enraged, thinking it should be obvious. 'You rule with a calm and logical mind, but you don't see our people's hearts! You know nothing of how they feel, and without true compassion for them, you are not fit to rule alone. Please, I implore you sister, break this silly rule, let me rule by your side!' But the elder sister disagreed. 'If we pay attention to emotion, the clearest and best choices to make will become clouded by compassion. There is no place for such notions for a leader!' The younger sister was saddened but had been preparing in secret for this day, and had learned to steal more than physical objects. 'In that case, elder sister, I will take your strength and your throne.' The younger sister, you see, had been learning how to consume the magic that existed in each living being, rather than simply channeling the power of the kingdom. But the elder sister would not be beaten so easily, for she had truly mastered the magic of the kingdom, and the younger would have to consume the kingdom in its entirety to truly defeat the elder. The kingdom, tied to the sisters above anyone else, was plunged into chaos as they fought, However, fearing what would happen to the outside world if the sisters were not stopped, the people of the kingdom came to a decision. Combining every scrap of magic between them, they sealed the sisters' magic into two pendants which had been beautiful treasures of the kingdom. With the sisters drained of their power, the kingdom's remaining magic began to fade, and with time, so did the kingdom."

"What a sad story..." Ocha said softly as Blaze finished.

"The story part is over, but there's something else here that's non-damaged enough to be somewhat legible."

"What does it say?"

Blaze looked back down at the torn pages. "These two Pendants are the Phantom Ruby and the Phantom Heart. The Ruby drifts through the space between the worlds, occasionally happening to fall into the particularly lucky hands of a particularly bright mind. She whispers her name to those cursed enough to pick her up and wield her. Her power is raw and great and cruel."

"So, I suppose that luck, intellect, and previous involvement in spooky magical endeavors is what drew the Ruby to Dr. Eggman..." Ocha speculated.

"The Heart of the thief remains in this world, being moved from hiding spot to hiding spot by those who fear her power. Her power cuts through the fabric of reality itself, just as her sister does, but her gift is the hungry absorption and recreation of all magic around her. Know them both, and speak their names in fear." Blaze finished again.

"Is that the end?" Ocha asked.

"It becomes too damaged and distorted to read after that, but... There's something strange about this book's spine..."

As Ocha frantically advised Blaze not to damage the book, she grabbed the spine and tore it off.

But the spine didn't fall to the floor. Tiny thread hinges held it to the side, revealing a secret compartment inside.

"Amazing! Is there anything hidden?"

"No, it doesn't look like it," Blaze replied, a little bit disappointed. "It looks like someone else must have already taken whatever was in here. We'll ask that kind librarian about it before we leave. But I think that we learned a lot about the magic we're confronting."

Ocha nodded. "Yes! It's a little bit scary, but it's also exciting and mysterious! I would love to study the Heart further..."

"Unfortunately, you won't be able to, since I'll be retrieving it for my organization once, we find it."

"And I suppose that you're still not going to tell me more about that?" Ocha pouted.

"Maybe someday," Blaze stood up and opened the study room door for Ocha and Boba.

The kind librarian hadn't even known about the compartment's existence until Blaze and Ocha pointed it out to her, but was glad that they had enjoyed their reading time.

Ocha blushed in embarrassment as their stomach growled.

Blaze laughed softly. "It's pretty late. I'm sure Amy is back with the yakisoba by now. Come on," she stepped forward and offered her arm to Ocha, just like when they had entered the haunted dungeon in their previous adventure. Ocha was surprised for a moment, but happily held onto her arm as the two walked back to the Inn.

"Oh, you both changed clothes," Amy (who was wearing pajamas) commented as Ocha and Blaze returned to the inn. "The yakisoba is on the table over there—I also brought some taiyaki, I know that's one of your favorites, Ocha. But anyway, the festival was peaceful. Did you two learn anything interesting?"

Ocha and Blaze explained as they ate, (while Boba just ate) and Amy soon understood.

"So, that's the power that Dr. Hedyll is after... That's good to know, thank you for all of your hard work," Amy commented. "And Blaze... I just wanted to say that, well, I've been thinking, and maybe I was a little bit hasty. I still don't know what you're up to and don't necessarily trust you, but from how much Ocha and Boba seem to like you, I know that you haven't suddenly turned into a bad guy."

"Thank you, Amy. And I'm sorry that things have to be the way that they are. But the truce is nice, as long as it lasts. And yes, while Ocha certainly likes to make a nuisance of themself, there's no point in denying that they and Boba are my... Well, they're my friends," Blaze finished softly as she smiled at Ocha, who smiled warmly.

"I'm glad to hear that." Amy sighed in relief.

"I'll only throw minor fireballs at Ocha, and only if they really deserve it."

"...You really have a lot of nerve when you're working as a phantom thief, don't you?"

"She does," Ocha laughed.

Meanwhile, a thief crept through the night, a sinister grin on their face and a certain magical item hidden in their pocket.