Ephemeral

Unraveling

In the Main Hall

Intruder - There's no point capturing me, she will die! Just kill me!

*Door opens*

King Percious - Do not worry about that, I shall personally send you into the depths of hell. But first *points his sword at the intruder* tell me who sent you!

Intruder - ha*spits* torture me all you want, you won't get anything out of me!

King of Atlantia - what a bold insect we have here *swings his whip-like sword at the intruder, grazing his neck*

Intruder *smirks* - you can't kill me, not until I tell you what you want to know. So, I have nothing to fear!

Thomas - this isn't going to work. He is the only lead we have now. Think Thomas, think, there should be more clues from back then...Eva is the target, I get killed, why is it always the same? 

Eva *whispers* - Thomas...What's wrong? 

Thomas - It's just...I am just thinking about our previous lives, there is another thing that I should know...*mumbles* I should know how I died.

Eva - what? I didn't get the last part

Kings - Eva, Thomas, is everything alright?

Eva - Dad, it's-

Intruder - Thomas? You are that Thomas? *laughs hysterically*

Thomas *uneasy* - how and what do you know about me?

Intruder - well well well, you are the one who pisses him off. I guess, you will die again as well

Thomas - again? does he know?

Eva *draws her blade*- what do you mean by again? 

Intruder *tries to reach Eva*- a princess shouldn't be carrying such a dangerous thi-

Thomas *rushes in between them and draws his sword* - don't even think about laying your filthy hands on her.*furious* just answer her question.

Intruder *uneasy* - I know even you won't kill me, so there is no poi-

Thomas *raging* - try me.

Eva - Thomas...

Thomas *smirks*- it's fine, I figured out everything. There's no need to keep this one alive anymore.

Intruder - What?! That's not possible,*mumbles* it's been 19 reincarnations...

Thomas *whispers* - you fell for it, that's all I needed to know*slash*

Thomas slashes the intruder with his sword which creates a pool of blood surrounding the body and blood drips down the sword. 

King Percious - Thomas! How could you do that? Now we have lost our only lead!

King of Atlantia - no matter how angry you felt when he tried approaching Princess Evangeline, you could've just blocked him rather than killing him.

Eva *shocked* - Thomas...you...you bluffed didn't you!

Thomas *surprised* - huh? yeah...I thought it wouldn't work but it did, hehe.

Eva smacks her head while the Kings are at a loss.

Thomas - I am sorry about that, let me explain everything. So, I kept on recalling my previous lives and noticed that I did not what happened after I died, I mean how could now know that? But, when this person said 'you will die again as well', I realized that meant that Eva died right after me. 

King Percious - but that didn't happen this time

Thomas - True, this life is filled with abnormalities, I was reincarnated in the same lifetime, Eva did not die and I am starting to remember my past lives every time I try to delve further. This leads me to the conclusion that Eva's death triggers the start of another life, but since she did not die in this one, only I got reincarnated again in the same one. Secondly, the person who is trying to kill Eva is also facing the same situation.

Kings - What?!

King Percious - You mean he has been reincarnated in all the 19 lives as well? but how?

King of Atlantia - wait then that means, you should know how he looks!

Thomas - That is what I thought as well, I should know how I died. Most of the time the person attacked Eva from a distance but in my previous reincarnation I was stabbed or to be precise I came in between and took the hit. 

Eva *hurt* - I...I've put you through so much pain...I...*tears forming*

Thomas *puts Eva's head on his shoulder* - shush, you have not hurt me in the slightest, all you have done is love me and I have as well.

King Percious - then can you identify him?

Thomas *disappointed*- that's the problem, I cannot remember his face. I try to recall it but I draw a blank...

King of Atlantis - could it be his doing? there must be something about him you could recall. Since Eva did not die in this life, he should also be in the same form as when he stabbed the Prince. 

Thomas *rambling*- that is true...hmmm...something I can remember, smell? No, I need something more. Voice? he didn't say anything. His MizuDobutsu? I didn't see it near him while he attacked me. Clothing? black hooded cloak. Weapon? medium-range silver blade...

King Percious *whispers*- there he goes again, with his deep processing

King of Atlantia *whispers*- what did you say his job was again?

King Percious *whispers* - some animator for some company named Kodan-

Eva *glares*- Dad.

Thomas - hmmm, yes. Okay, I-huh? what's wrong? why is everyone looking like that?

Eva - don't mind them just continue what you were going to say

Thomas - okay... so I recall almost everything but his face as it was covered by his hood except I saw a big scar on his left cheek

King of Atlantia - well, that's a start I guess...

Thomas - also, I know you all are thinking it would've been better if we kept the intruder alive but I am pretty sure he wouldn't have known anything much. He was just trying to bluff his way out. 

King Percious - Thomas, we believe you. We'll start sending our soldiers to find traces of this person with the information you've provided us. You-

Thomas - I...I would like to stay here with Eva if that's alright *grabs Eva's hand*

King Percious *smiles* - I was going to suggest the same.

The Kings and most of the soldiers leave the room and begin the search.

Eva - Thomas don't you think we should also help them

Thomas *smiles* - of course, we already are

Eva *confused* - how?

Thomas *turns around* - I know you are there, come out!

(...)