𝕷𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗 (𝒮𝖈𝒶𝖗𝒶𝖒ℴ𝖚𝒸𝖍ℯ 𝓍 𝓇𝖊𝒶𝖉ℯ𝖗)

CHAPTER 2: Arlecchino?

I got up slowly and noticed that I was alone in a large bedroom with no one around. I got up to see that I had a change of clothes? I got up and looked around, when I turned around suddenly there stood Lyney with all his mysterious glory. I jumped back and screamed, completely humiliating myself and ruining my image.

" No need to be alarmed, it is only me. I apologize for kidnapping you– but it is for necessary purposes," he laughed, his tone reassuring.

" Umm, I don't think that anything can justify kidnapping someone?" I remarked, my voice lingered with surprise. "Also, if you wanted to ask me anything then just ask no need to take me hostage," I replied, scornfully.

He just shook his head and murmured, "Well, I don't know why father wants you here, but I do know that we're probably going to let you go after," My body froze. Father?

"Father..?" My voice cowered. Who was this father? Why did they want me? Out of all people! Lyney fidgeted with his hands, awkwardly. He cleared his voice to break the underlying tension.

"Not important," Lyney responded, with urgency. "You will find out once she is here." After he left I looked for places I could possibly escape from, but none could be found. The entire room had no windows and or any sort of openings whatsoever. The only source of light was the small lightbulb in the ceiling. The bright yellow shown in my eyes temporarily blinded me. The entire room was humid and warm with dust everywhere, it seemed to be abandoned. I did not know if I was underground or where I was in general. I sighed and laid back on the bed, closed my eyes and stayed there. After some time, I heard the door creak open. The women who walked in with a strong area. She had a gray red and black color scheme. She looked very powerful and I was shocked to see that her eyes were crossed and her hands were black.

"Why do you think you're here?" she started in a cold tone. "You seem to be very much shocked to see me, though I'm sure you have seen me before, right?" she looked at me with a questioning glare and waited for me to respond.

"I haven't seen you before I'm sure of that; you have a very memorable face," I replied.

She did not say anything for quite some time then said, " You don't seem to be lying... then let me introduce myself, I am Arlechino number 10 of the harbingers also known as father," she held out her hand and waited for my answer.

"... I assume you know who I am so I won't bother to introduce myself... it's nice to meet you, Arlechino..." I said then hesitated before I shook her hand. " So... what is it that you want from me? I truly have no idea," I tested cautiously.

"Hmm... you see, it is not me that wants something... it's another person, someone who wants to cage you forever, though I do not think that currently is a good time to tell you who that is yet," she sighed, and closed her eyes for a minute. "It would be safer if you stay with me, though if you really want to leave I won't stop you, but you cannot go to Snezhnaya no matter what... he is waiting for you," the last bit was almost silent with what sounded like fear?

"I do not understand, can you please tell me his name so I know whom to avoid?" I asked.

"He goes by many, the most common is Scaramouche the 6th harbinger, though he is also known as Kunikuzushi or the balladeer," she said with a sigh. "Do not go to Inazuma, Sumeru or Fontain either, none of those places are safe and he may still find you... also dispose of that necklace, there is a tracking device placed within it therefore you will never be able to live in peace with it." After she said that, I took out the necklace that Scaramouche had given me and looked at it. There were no signs that there was a tracker in it and it glowed in the dim light peacefully.

"Alright I will, but I still do not understand why you had to kidnap me for the sake of telling me something," I muttered.

"Well, I did not know if you'd listen to me or not... anyway would you like to stay with me, or would you like Lyney to escort you out?" she said, clearly avoiding the topic at hand.

"It's ok, I do not need anyone to escort me, I can leave myself, thank you though,"

"Alright," then she opened the door and lead me to the exit, "you are welcome to join the house of hearth any time, just so you know,"

"What is that?" I asked.

"My family... that is all you need to know," she whispered mysteriously.

"See you!"

"Goodbye," and I left the house of hearth, feeling the cool air on my face and embracing my freedom. My surroundings were the same old Fontain settings, though few people were up by now and the only exception was a young man, with purple hair and a kasa hat sitting peacefully on top of a tall building. I did not see him, but he saw me.

That was the start of my nightmare.