Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 52: The Stars Align

Suddenly, Sebek barges into the room and shouts, "LILIA! MALLEUS IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!"

"Keep it down, Sebek. You don't have to yell," Silver says.

"Yes, my hearing isn't that bad yet," Lilia says.

"Oh, I beg your pardon!" Sebek says, quickly.

He then explains, "After what happened yesterday, I redoubled my patrols through the dorm. I couldn't allow even the slightest risk to Malleus's person. But when I looked into his room just a few minutes ago, he wasn't there!"

"Sebek has apparently been checking on Malleus every 10 minutes," Silver points out, "I tried to get him to ease off so he wouldn't become an imposition."

Sebek yells in anger, "HOW DARE YOU, SILVER! WHAT IF THOSE KNAVES COME BACK AND ATTACK MALLEUS?!"

"Easy, Sebek," Lilia says, "As we explained yesterday, the Watchman is not our enemy. Just as they are no one's enemy, so too are they no one's friends. They're an impartial, perhaps even unfeeling, organization, committed to treating all living creatures equally."

"There you have it, Sebek - straight from Father," Silver responds, "If you give in to paranoia, you won't be ready to act when it's truly needed."

"Rgh...I don't need you to tell me that!" Sebek responds, frustrated. And then shouts, "BUT I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS MALLEUS'S GUARDIAN!"

But Lilia says, "You don't have to worry. I'm sure he just popped out for a walk. I have an idea of where he might be. You two stay here and take a break while I go check on him."

"YES, SIR! / Yes, sir," Sebek and Silver respond.

Moments later, at the Lounge of the Ramshackle Dorm, Lilia teleports himself in the lounge.

And soon, Lilia says, "I knew I'd find you here."

Standing in the room is Malleus, just as Lilia suspects.

Malleus turns to see Lilia, "Lilia? What is it?"

"Sebek was yelling about you not being in your room, so came to find you," Lilai says.

"Ah..." Malleus says, "He's been barging into my room nonstop since yesterday. It was starting to wear on me."

Lilia laughs, "Ha ha ha! He is rather loud, isn't he? His voice booms even when expressing concern. I can hardly blame you."

"I just came here to have a bit of time to myself," Malleus says.

"Yes, I suppose it's been your secret spot ever since you started school here," Lilia says.

"So it has," Malleus says, "I couldn't keep using it once Briar and her dormates showed up, though."

He soon looks around the dorm and out the broken opening, "I was disappointed at first when Briar started living here. I love abandoned buildings. The ivy running over the cracked walls, the drafts sneaking in through the broken windows... Forgotten places have a kind of desolate, silent ambience I find soothing. They're a pleasant reminder we're not the only ones history has left behind.

Lilia remains silent after that.

But then Malleus says, "It's the strangest thing, though... With Briar and the others gone, this place is back to how it was-devoid of life. Yet when I walk through it, I feel a most unpleasant sensation, like briars scratching against my skin. It's returned to the abandoned building I was so fond of before, and yet I'm feeling this way."

"Malleus..." Lilia says, replies.

Then Malleus sighs, "But still, I've... I've never thought that Briar might actually be Briar Rosetta. Our little rose..."

Lilia saddens, "You know her and her older sister, Aura, since she was a child. Before she disappeared..."

"Yes. But we both know that wasn't true. Everyone believed she vanished without a trace, but you and I both know what Aura has done," Malleus says.

"Indeed, she only entrusted us to know the truth. Aura has sent Briar somewhere far away. Another world. One where she believed, she can grow up healthy and the medicine can take full effect for her to not be affected by the disease," Lilia says.

And Malleus says, "Yes. Aura had to take drastic measures to assure Little Rose's safety, even though it cost her her life. After meeting Briar for some time, I can understand what Aura has done, she changed her appearance, sealed her magic, along with her memories."

And sadly sighs, "And she was forced to erase her of us as well."

"Indeed. However, we both understand that it must be done. As of now, Briar is the only surviving member of her family, her species, and her legacy," Lilia says. "I have to wonder what we can do to help Briar remember, and return her to her original state."

Malleus and Lilia think about the situation.

He looks up at the sky and says, "Malleus, gaze upon what lies above."

Malleus looks up, "I see the ceiling has a sizeable hole in it."

"Not that. Look at the skies beyond," Lilia confirms.

Malleus looks up further to notice through the hole are small glowing dots in a straight line.

Lilia says, "Do you see how the stars are lined up in a lovely, perfect row? Seeing them aligned as such has been considered a good omen since ancient times. This marks the first time in 18 years. Or has it been 100 years? Actually, it might've been 300. Anyway, the point is it hasn't happened for a long time.

"Hm... Are you trying to say that this phenomenon will be a rare sight to the children of man?" Malleus questions.

"Mmhmm," Lilia replies, "Though you're going to see this same row of stars quite often over the course of your long life.

Malleus remains silent.

Then Lilia says, "The world will be a very different place by the time they align again. And you must come to accept that. Do you understand?

"I know. That's why I enrolled in this school, "Malleus says.

And then Lilia says, "Listen to me, Malleus: never, ever forget the pain you felt here today. You must hold on to that feeling, precisely because you will live beyond this moment for such a very long time."

"...I'll keep that in mind," Malleus says.

"Good lad," Lilia says with a smile.

Then Lilia says, "Come, let's make a wish -for all of us to be able to return to our normal lives."

"All right, Lilia," Malleus says.

But then Lillia says, "I've wished upon these stars many a time... but this may be my last."

"What?" Malleus questions, shocked.