𝐸𝒩𝐹𝐿𝒜𝑀𝐸

Chapter 4 - Seventeen

"But why did Seventeen sent a weak Phantom like you, even if he knows that Liberte is where the Luminal Monuments were placed during the first period of Phantoms..?" Claude asked. It wasn't really certain if he was talking to himself, or Manon. "I'm not worthy to know anything about His Excellency's upcoming plans... He just told me to... So, I had no choice... ", hearing this. Claude nodded, as he was trying to understand the situation. But then flinched to a warm smile. "Enough of that... Here is my most awaited question, that surely you can answer... Where will The TEMPEST attack next... And when did the Phantoms started to spread?", "His Excellency once mentioned during a meeting... That we they might start heading to China next... We usually attack countries that are familiar in Phantom killing first... Before the ones who don't really know anything about it... But the date is still unsure... Phantoms started to attack once the training was finished. After the Teur De Fantomes' curse... It took some time for His Excellency to select the deserving ones to join the Ombre. That's all I recall..." Manon responded without a pause. She's somehow getting more comfortable that earlier. In fact. Claude was slightly impressed with this explanation coming from a Phantom. "Hmm... But if they failed to defeat us... Will they attack again..?" Claude asked himself as he pondered silently. Leaving an awkward moment in the room. Amethyst and the other two remained silent. They're probably thinking about the same thing. "You know," Manon caught Claude's attention, as she lifted her face with a demonic smirk. "Ever since I became a Phantom. Previously a human. I wanted to flee away, or even kill myself after seeing my parents slaughtered with my own two eyes. His Exce-... S-Seventeen... He made me watch both my mother and father get beheaded... And after that. He gave me a chance to live if only I joined his fantasies." Manon continued. As Claude listened with open ears. For that moment. He felt a slight pity for Manon. But another part of him is surprised for actually feeling sorry for a Phantom. "Haha... I wish I never even accepted such a request... Whenever I fall silent, he'd always comfort me. Saying that my parents were traitors. But when I refused to do his request... He'd strangle me to death... PATHETIC RIGHT? All of us Ombre witnessed similar tragedies... We will be forced to follow the rules of the very person who killed the ones we love the most... Hiding our true feelings... I just hope he'd change his name to Thirteen... A number that everyone fears... A number that may be simple, but beholds a meaning. Sin." Manon said that, as if she stopped calling Seventeen 'His Excellency'. Just hearing the number would make her sick. Now that she recalled the flaws Seventeen had done to her. And again. A long pause. Claude didn't know if he should believe in her, or not. But by the tone of her voice. She seemed traumatized from her past. He may not understand emotions, human nor Phantom. Yet, he sensed anger and guilt by her expression. Claude slowly turned his back to her. Facing Kaylia. With rather a downed look. He didn't know what to comment about her statement. So, he decided to leave like an idiot. "M-my apologies. I'll continue my questioning for tomorrow." Claude said, as he left her room in a trot. Manon stared at him puzzled. This goes the same with the three.

"That's weird. Why did Monsieur Claude leave just like that?" Onyx asked his older brother, as he munched on a bowl full of 'Senbei Rice Crackers' with his mouth stuffed. Amethyst and Onyx seemed to forget about their previous discussion and sticked to the current situation about the Phantom's attack. Amethyst bought Onyx some of his favorite snacks to relieve him from the other day's event. And it seemed to work pretty well... Amethyst turned to him with an unfazed look. "He could sometimes express his emotions by leaving the room after hearing something so tragic. But that's normal. He does have a few episodes of being a weirdo.", "Psst! Don't say that out loud! Demoiselle (Kaylia) might hear what we're talking about! You know her. Every time she hears someone comment about her master, she'll turn into a demon!" Onyx hurriedly covered Amethyst's mouth. Kaylia in the glimpse as she was heading back to Claude's office to note some important information after the meeting with Manon. Amethyst pulled Onyx's slender arm out of his sight with a soft chuckle. Yet, not smiling or anything. As if he was lost for emotions. "I think you're the one who is being noisy, now.", "H-hey! You started it fir-", "Monsieur Amethyst!" a familiar, high pitched voice joined in. Yet there was no sight of the source of the voice. As soon as Amethyst's sharp ears heard footsteps that sounded like it had some heels. He knew this person was Elowen, right away. As soon as she got to the siblings. She bowed her head, deep. Before she got to continue her statement. Amethyst stared at her thoughtfully because of this. That's respectful. "My sincerest apologies for interrupting your chat with your younger brother. But I'm afraid you and Monsieur Flinn will be called for a meeting with Monsieur Breathnach.", "Thank you for your swift reminder. I will be there shortly. I will just take a quick shower." Amethyst said, rather in a formal way. Hearing the last phrase. Onyx flinched to confusion. And pulled Amethyst's coat and reached for his ear and whispered: "I don't think you should announce that...", Elowen stared at the two with a false smile. As if she was curious of what the two were whispering all and about. But that wasn't really her problem, for now. "Noted. I will be waiting for you near Monsieur Breathnach's doorstep.", "Yeah, yeah. But before Ame-Ame leaves, he'll buy me another pack of rice crackers." Onyx added. As he turned his eyes to Amethyst with droopy eyes. Hearing this. Amethyst was lost for words. "Pardon?", "C'mon. You only gave me like... Twelve pieces in one pack. If you can't, you'd have to make some up yourself." "PARDON???", Elowen watched the two in a sleepy way. She did want to silent the two down, for the place was filled with many busy officials. This includes Kaylia and Claude, nearby. But somehow. She was too shy to say such biting words. "Perhaps, I should leave r-right now-..." Elowen slowly tiptoed away, with her body trembling as if she saw a ghost. But still, with a smile that you can't tell if it's fake or not.

"Why do we need to visit the person who lied to his people for decades?" Deon said. With a harsh tone of voice. Turns out. The meeting had just begun and now they are insulting Claude for his flaws. Mikhail, Deon and Flinn were calling Claude hideous names, while he was kept silent. With the look of Claude's face. He seemed to be showered in guilt and despair. But Amethyst remained attentive to his emotions. As soon as the group fell silent after Claude's clearing of throat. He lifted his face with brows furrowed. "I do apologize for not telling the truth. I was doing this... For I was the TEMPSEST's most searched individual. And I'm doing this to save my life. And I didn't want to use the Luminal Fragments for I am preparing them for more intense battle, per se.", "No. You Phantoms can't understand the importance of humans' lives! That's true. Only a few died. But we need everyone to be evacuated safely!" Flinn exclaimed in anger. Almost like he wanted to punch the hell out of Claude. But Claude slowly turned to him in slight confusion. As if telling Flinn he forgot something very important. "Didn't you join the forces after finding out your cousin which is I. Is now a ruler of the place itself? I think you're starting to forget that you're a Phantom, too." (AHAHAHA YOU THINK YALL I FORGOT??? NO.) Recalling this. Flinn fell back to his seat. If you were close to Flinn. You could slightly hear his mumbling in anger. He was only forced to participate after the news about Claude. And now, he was confused on how he knew nothing about Seventeen, nor TEMPEST in the first place. "I know all of you want this chaos to stop, and so do I. It is true, though. I don't want to die yet. But that's why I called over Mr. Deon and Mikhail. For further information." Claude eyed Deon and Mikhail with a welcoming smile. But instead. Deon responded a disgusted look as if he wanted to vomit. "But what will happen after this meeting? As if nothing happened?" Mikhail said, rather harshly. Yet Claude wasn't deeply affected by this remark. In fact. He wasn't really familiar when he first met Mikhail. And as if Deon was the star of the show. "Then if that is what you think. Then I'm afraid that you're mistaken." Claude began with a resonant voice. Unlike his friendly and high-pitched tone. "I was hoping that you'd share your knowledge on erasing Phantoms. I recently prepared my men, for I knew this will happen any time. Supposedly, our evacuation was scheduled for the next 4 days from now. But unfortunately, they came in early.", "So you're saying that you want us to teach your people in how to defeat Phantoms?" Deon asked. As if he was prepared to refuse. Claude looked at him thoughtfully. "Sort of. There's no doubt, that the Phantoms will attack near from now. So, I request a proposal in which the Eclate Clan as well as the people of Liberte will unite."

ANYGAYS I MADE A DRAWING OF AMETHYST

MY CLASSMATES SAYING HES JACKED UP. I KINDA AGREE NGL 😨