Wicked [Super 4]

XXII.Silence

Alex

Walking through the streets of Gunpowder Island, I couldn't help but notice the way Gene kept looking back and sending glances over at the Chameleon.

--They'll be fine--I tried to reassure him. He didn't respond, though.

Something felt off about the town, but I couldn't really pin down what it was. I found Gene's silence more concerning. Him not paying attention to his holo-pad to determine if there were potential dangers in the area was quite odd. He just walked, and I followed close behind.

After quite the uneventful route, we finally came across something that left us more speechless than we already were. Ruben's tavern, the one Ruby always took us to because her father owned it, stood before us. The door was all over the pavement, torn to little wooden pieces. I unsheathed my sword and gestured for Gene to keep his guard up as well. We both stepped inside with caution.

--Mister Rubens?--I called. No answer.

The only voice I heard was Gene's, informing:--Nobody inside. A few residual traces of a peculiar energy...

--Magic?

--...I suppose you could call it that, illogical as it may be--he grumbled, before continuing:--. There's also an unidentified substance, but it doesn't say where. I'll look for it, you investigate the rest of the tavern.

I nodded and walked towards what I guessed used to be the counter. I dug through the rubbish for a while, searching for the device that could've established the communication with the Chameleon, but found nothing.

I tried my luck in another pile, next to what once had been a straight wall, now having a big crack in the middle. Again, I ended up with nothing but dirty hands and scratched fingers.

--Fascinating...--Gene mumbled. I immediately turned my attention to him and asked him what he had found.

--See this dried out liquid on the ground?--he pointed at some purple stains. I swore I could see a sparkle of excitement in his eyes, the same glimmer as every other time he discovers something. I nodded and he started explaining:--. It seems to have a considerable concentration of human blood, but neither the colour nor the properties line up with regular blood. And the components... Aproximately, 37% human blood, 21% witch blood... And the rest seems to be a pretty homogeneous mix of both. The colour is due to the witch part... But notice how it's a darker purple than usual. Quite the useful discovery for us... Don't you think? There's a 99% chance that the hypothesis of her being here is right, thanks to this. How many humans with witch properties do we know?

I don't know why I found it so hard to pay attention. It wasn't because of what he was explaining, no. He had explained much more complicated things to me in tha past, but I guess I just found myself feeling too relieved that he was relaxing a little with the discovery (and not having Rock Brock around) to be processing anything more than "our witch had been there at some point".

--Glad at least one of us is having some luck...--I commented to myself.

--Nothing under the rubbish?--Gene raised an eyebrow. Apparently he had heard me--. The device should be there... Or, at least, its remains.

I shook my head, sighing.

--Doesn't look like it. Maybe someone took it. Could it be the witch?

He dove into his thoughts for a while. In the meantime, I decided to guard the door in case pirates chose to bump in and ambush us.

--I don't think she knows how to work technopolian devices. Twinkle did mention that they heard girls' voices, and the state of this place could hint towards the witch having captured our friend--He spoke after a few minutes.

--And if the witch did, she could've used it to lure us into this place by giving us that message...--I added.

--I don't think so--Gene quickly corrected--. That Eloise girl left Kingsland before we taught them how to use the communicators.

--Well, look who's here--A raspy voice hummed from the kitchen, interrupting our discussion--. And here we thought you had finally understood Ruby's worthlessness.

I knew that voice all too well. It didn't belong to anyone we were fond of. Sharkbeard.

Franz

Twinkle's a little disappointed with not being able to accompany Gene and Alex. I'm kinda starting to think that it's pretty much recurring. After what happened in the Baron's castle and all. I try to cheer her up while Brock searches through what we retrieved from Enchanted Island.

--Hey, bros, this is some fancy stuff we have here! Is this really what a witch used to have? Looks more like princess thingies.

Twinkle sits in silence at the back of the vehicle. I give up in trying to comfort her and walk up to my friend instead.

--That's because she used to be a noble--I explain.

--And she chose to be a witch instead?--he looks confused--. That's totally not cool!!

--Maybe she just... didn't like it?

--Just like you didn't like being in Technopolis, Franzy?

--Could be. I don't know--I confess. I've never met this girl,the closest I've been to doing so was when she blatantly ignored me back in The Lost World, so I don't really know if our situations are similar in any way. Besides, I don't want him bringing up Technopolis in front of Twinkle.

Brock grows bored really quickly of Eloise's belongings. He chooses to take a seat next to the fairy instead.

--Hey, Twi! I think you should join me and Franzy in the Lost World once this is all over!--He blurts out, causing both me and Twinkle to look at him dumbfounded.

--Why?--She inquires.

Brock's face shows disgust when he answers:--Techno guy and the other one don't like you at all. They're always leaving you out! Franzy and I would never do that! And we're way more fun than them.

Twinkle doesn't say anything.

--Brock, I don't think she wants to leave her friends just like that. She loves them a lot...--I whisper to him--. I've noticed a few whacky things too, but that's not ours to fix. It's theirs...

He sighs, then he simply puts his hat on my head and stands up again. I watch as he places himself on the ground and lays there.

--Bros, this is the most interesting thing there is to do here! I say we go outside.

--NO--I immediately yell. There's a small silence. Brock scoffs and Twinkle looks pensive.

--What if...--she starts, before trailing off. Brock insists for her to continue, and so she does:--What if they need help? I... have a gut feeling.

Scelesta

I gaze at my hand. Its healing is taking less time than expected. Nonetheless, the rest of truthseekers will begin their search in the land of the platinum sinners shortly, and I find myself unable to take part in the incursion. The land they are headed towards is particularly secured, thus I find it an advantage that my equals do not bring along someone that would catch the eye in a white covered city such as theirs.

The unknown scares humans. But not us, not the ones who search for enlightenment. The unknown is what we shall embrace, it is but the very force that cleanses every breath of ours. That is precisely why the eyes of the furios bear no fear as they march out of our sacred cave.