Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(110) TTotSS: Extreme Banquet!

When they finally passed the mirror, Jonah's weak knees collapsed underneath him. Gripping his hair tightly, he screwed his eye shut, hoping that he could make the lingering whispers of the twins disappeared from his ears and mind. Some part of him registered Grim tapping his cheek, but his high-pitched voice sounded so far away.

"Jonah! Jonah, you have to breathe."

What is Grim talking about? He's breathing, right? It does feel quite hard to do it. His chest feels tight and his eye stings. Is he crying because of the pain? He clutched his chest hoping to ease the pain, but instead, it tightened up so painfully that he couldn't breathe again. Is he underwater again? Is that why he's crying? Is Scrabia now Octavinelle's territory too? It can't be. He can't do this. Everything is shambled. Stop it. Help!

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"We passed by the Leech Twins and now he has a panic attack!"

"O-Oh! H-Hold on! I'll get some help."

Grim's paws were still on his face, wiping the tears that kept falling, bumping his forehead to his nose in an attempt to call the boy back from his own mind. Grim looked so blurry in his vision. Is he disappearing? Does Ashengrotto manage to gain control once more? Will he drown again if he near Grim? No no, please no. He can't do this alone. He needs Grim. He needs him so much.

A new warmth touches his face replacing Grim's. No no no no, don't take him away- "He's not going anywhere." Huh? Who is that? "Jonah, right? Listen to me." He felt the hand traveled to the back of his head and pulled him closer until he bumped into someone's chest. "Listen to my voice. Okay? Follow my breaths. You need to calm down."

It was difficult to process the request but once he felt the heart bumping, Jonah sort of getting it. He can do this. He can. Breathing was hard but as long as he followed the tempo of the heartbeat, he could do it. The firm hand on his back, rubbing circles and massaging his shoulder every now and then, helped him relaxed until his shaky breathing stuttered and gave way to a slow, deep rhythm that matched the heartbeat.

"Hey." The hand on his head patted him gently. "Can you look up for me?"

Slowly, Jonah pulled back and his vision cleared again, realizing he was staring face to face with a boy with dark skin, dark eyes, and long, dark hair, with some locks in tight braids underneath the uniform hood.

"S-Senior Viper...?" the eyepatch-wearing boy whispered, earning a relieved smile from the Scarabia Vice Prefect.

"Glad to have you back, Jonah," he said. "Need some times to rest?"

Jonah shook his head. "I'll be fine." His knees were still a bit wobbly when he tried to get up even with Viper helping him. "Well. Mostly fine."

The older boy chuckled. "You think you can handle a crowd or do you need some quiet time?"

"I..." he gulped. "I think I'll be fine."

"Alright then. We have a feast in the lounge." Viper pulled the suitcase away from Jonah's hand before giving it to a boy with purple hair. "Take the bag to the guest room, okay?"

The boy nodded, following Viper who guided Jonah and Grim from behind, only parting away halfway.

Viper wasn't kidding when they have a feast. The lounge's floor was covered with fancy carpet with students gathered around, chatting and laughing, as the guys on duty prepared the various food and drinks.

"Wow!" Grim looked around, eyes widened and practically salivating. "Now this is a banquet!"

Viper chuckled again. "I'll take that as a compliment." He guided the two of them to the empty seat near the balcony. As they sat down, Viper picked up a prepared tray with a bowl of soup, flatbread on the side, and a plate of chicken barbeque. "Eat up," he offered.

Jonah had to admit, the food looked delicious. Taking the tray, Jonah gave the chicken barbeque to Grim who happily ate them. Breaking the flatbread, he dipped it into the soup before eating it. Jonah's eye widened from the rich flavor. "Is this spinach?" he asked Viper.

"Yes." Viper popped a laddu into his mouth. "Palak paneer. Spinach and cottage cheese. With naan flatbread and tandoori chicken on the side."

"These are so good!" Grim wiped his mouth, taking a naan before biting into it. "You prepared all of this?"

Viper shrugged. "No, the one who thought up the menu so you could try a lot of new flavors was Kalim. And the Asim family taught me all there is to know about cooking. Everything is thanks to Kalim."

Jonah hummed. "He did a great job." He looked around. "Where is Senior Asim anyway?"

Just then, the sound of trumpets was suddenly heard. "What was that?" Jonah looked up.

Jamil's lips curled up. "The one you are wondering about."

It was soon followed by drumming and other strange noise. Grim was the first one to get up, flying to the railing of the lounge balcony. The cat's ears perked up and eyes widened, tail swishing in excitement. "Jonah, you have to see this!" Grim laughed.

Of course, his interest peaked. He glanced at Jamil, hoping to give him clues. But the vice prefect just shrugged. He tilted his head and glanced to Grim before returning to Jonah, motioning him to just listen to Grim. Standing up, Jonah walked toward Grim who now sat on the railing, jumping in his seat.

Oh. Sweet Nebula.

It was a parade. More animals that Jonah had ever seen marched from the mirror. Elephants marched in the front, leading the parade, with a Scarabia student dancing, tossing, and twirling a flag on a pole in his hand. Camels came behind him with white monkeys, blowing a trumpet, on their back. More Scarabia students, swordmen and instrument players, with lions roaring on their side. Peacock opened their feather, shimmering them with pride, followed by more dancers with colorful shawls, and bears behind them. Something flew above the parade, laughter filled the air.

"We welcome our guest from Ramshackle!" Asim, who stood on top of a beautifully woven flying carpet, cheered. "I hope both of you enjoy the parade because here comes the big finale!" He raised and twirled his staff, summoning a magic circle in the air as white birds flying. "[Unwind on the hot sands. An endless party. Sing, dance]! [OASIS MAKER]!"

The rain came down from the magic circle, creating a wide rainbow from the sun behind them. And with the birds flying past, it was as if they were rainbow-colored birds.

"So cool!" Grim stood up, pumping his fists into the air.

Jonah couldn't agree more. It was a fantastical scene. He was smiling widely. All the energy Asim and the parade radiating was contagious, in a good way of course. As the music reached its finale, Asim raised his staff again, shooting colorful fireworks. Everyone watching the parade cheered as Asim bowed, tipping his hat to end the amazing performance.