Summoning Woes

Ch 22 - The Curtains Must Fall

Hopelessness. It was that sinkhole he was trying to avoid from dwelling in ever since things went south since their arrival into the once familiar land. It was already evening but Isole and Zero were yet to get back to him about their findings from the rumors going about in town. The ringing silence was killing him. He needed answers and fast if he were not to get caught in a spiral of frustration that was building up from the start. He picked up the black sword, leaving the inn with his hood on.

"Hey Sirkius, I told you to wait for us," a familiar voice trailed from behind.

"Zero," he turned around, trying not to sound too startled at his unexpected return.

"Well, I got you the things that you need to know. Come on, I'll tell it to you at the room."

Sirkius heaved a sigh, following him back to the place where he came from. Zero sat on the bed, maintaining a serious look throughout the silent exchange they had before he closed the door behind them.

"Alright, do you want to hear the good news or the bad news?" Zero asked.

"Begin with the bad one," Sirkius answered.

"The ruler of this kingdom is King Leyn. I'm not sure if I met him before but I do recall hearing his name at least once."

"Leyn," Sirkius's expression darkened. "I know that guy."

"You do?"

"That guy was the one who tried to kill everyone in the ballroom. I was the only one who wasn't affect by their sleeping gas spell."

"You mean that time when we had a party with Neya and the queen?"

"Yes."

"Damn it. I should have known."

"Anyway, what's the good news?"

"We are able to contact Neya from here through this thing called telepathy," Zero dug out a small seashell from his pocket. "I don't know how this works, but from what I heard, you can hear Neya's voice in it."

"Huh? What kind of nonsense is that?"

"You should try it to believe it," he returned a geeky smile.

Sirkius took the seashell, placing it at his ear and heard nothing but wave-like noises.

"Hey, you're not screwing with me now, are you?" Sirkius glared at Zero.

"I'm not!" Zero said.

At the same time when Zero said that, there was another soft voice that came out. "Huh?"

"Isole's not back yet, right?" Sirkius asked.

"No."

"Then why am I hearing a girl's voice?"

"T-That's Neya speaking over there!" Zero said.

"Neya?"

"Who's that?" a faint voice echoed from the seashell.

"Sirkius. Vanros Sirkius."

"Sounds familiar..."

"Never mind. What happened to you?"

"I don't know if I should tell it to a complete stranger..."

"Tell me where you are. I will be there shortly."

"The prison underneath the palace. I will be expecting you, whoever you are," her voice tapered off, allowing the wave-like noises to take over. Sirkius lowered his hand slowly, his mind reeling over the new location that Neya lived in.