When You Disappeared in the Light

1: The Untold Story

Slowly the petals wither
And slowly it stops to suffer
One night, drenced in crimson
And finally slept in chains of freedom

Skagen, Denmark

"Madame Saphire. Some people from a kind of organization arrived. They look suspicious, shall we send them off? They could be enemies", Seth , the watchman informed. Seth is a tall man (6'2) with spiky black hair. He's wearing eyeglasses and under them are dark blue eyes. "Organization? What kind? Are they going to sell some goods?", Zoe Saphire, the town's mayor stood up on her office chair. 5'7 in height.  Her white locks bundled up in ponytail and her golden eyes covered in semi opaque sunglasses.   "They said they're here for investigation of phenomenon", Seth answered. "Investigation. I'm not interested. Tell them not to scare the people or else, I'll throw them off the cliff", Zoe sighed.

Seth went out of the office room. The young Mayor in the age of 17 peeked outside the window and saw three individuals wearing black clothes and red linings. She squinted and saw an embroidery of Rose Cross in the chest. Zoe looked down on them with such disgust and closed the curtains.

Allen who was currently talking to Seth noticed that the curtains were closed. "Since I am the watchman, I can't tour you around. This is Layla.  Feel free to ask her anything. We received your reservation for the inn. Layla will also guide you there", Seth explained and introduced a blonde lady with velvet eyes. "They're so hospitable", Krory cried. Seth and Layla was startled to see Krory crying. "We don't get this much of treatment in our previous missions. Maybe he's just thankful", Lavi chuckled. "I see. Madame Saphire, the mayor, always reminds us to be nice to those people around us. That's because we never know what those people had gone through", Layla looked at the window where Zoe's room is located.

"Before we enter, please wear this masks", Layla distributed it to the three. Layla led them towards the cemetery and showed pentacles causing the stones to become more brittle. Allen covered Layla's mouth. The girl pushed Allen away. "Oh, sorry. I'm not just accustomed being touched my a man. The air here is poisonous, that is why Madame Saphira labeled this as a restricted area. Only brother, Elliot, and me are allowed to stay here to burry the bodies. The normal ones have a burial place far from here", Layla informed. "It's no question, this are the after effects of akuma's virus", Allen furrowed his brow. "Are there any monsters attacking this place?", Krory asked. "Monsters?", Layla tilted her head.

"Layla, Madame Saphire is already calling us", Elliot, a beige haired man with black eyes, interrupted the conversation. "Shall we continue this tomorrow", Layla looked at the three.

Mayor's Office

"Madame? What's the matter?", Layla asked and sat on the chair in front of Zoe. "They doesn't seem so dangerous. I don't sense any presence of Akuma inside of them", Seth informed while preparing tea for them. "Listen, there are a lot of type of akuma and humans can be worst than them", Zoe pouted. "You were the one who told us to be descent to everyone. Being suspicious of them is part of being rude", Elliot played with the pen and used it to pin the mosquito's wings. "It's a different story with those in uniform. Listen, don't say any clues about your ability. In addition to that, act ignorant about akumas and the like. We'll draw out why they're here", Zoe stood up.

As if I don't know. Zoe smiled. "What was that sinister smile? It creeps me out", Layla whined.

Everyone fell asleep that night except for Seth who was in charge of the security. Zoe went out of the Building and joined Seth at the watch tower. "You're acting weird ever since those people appeared. What's bothering you?", Seth asked. "Nothing. Nothing changed as well", Zoe laughed nervously. "Why are you nervous?", Seth leaned on the wall. "Seth. You're already irritating me. I said, I'm not bothered", Zoe sighed. "You don't come here usually. You stay at your room and sleep early but then you also wake up late in the morning", Seth gave a short laugh. "Whatever happens, Seth. You have to trust me", Zoe's voice turned to be serious. Seth's eyeglasses reacted. It's showing akuma souls and their location. "40 akuma incoming. 10 level 2 and the rest are level 3", Seth informed. He was about to ring the bell when three individuals jumped at the watchtower. "Lavi, Krory. Let's split up. Make sure no one enters the town", Allen instructed. They went in their different tracks.

"Should we help them?", Seth asked. Zoe's eyes are focused on them. "They don't need help", Zoe was about to leave. Seth held her hand. Krory was sent flying towards them. He fell flat on the ground. "As tough as ever", Krory stood up again. "The watchman. Get inside the tower. If the akuma's bullet hit you, you'll get the virus", Krory explained. "Zoe", Seth called out her name.

"Crown Clown", Allen was able to destroy four level 3 at ones. "Innocence, activate", Lavi also set the other akumad on fire. "There's no need for reinforcement", Zoe had a cold look in her eyes and left. "Why? Why are you acting that way?", Seth clenched his fist.

The Next Day.
Layla knocked on the exorcist door. "Food delivery", Layla informed. Lavi opened the door. The girl placed the food trays and bowed very low. "I'm sorry to inform this but Madame Saphire wants you out of this town before the sun sets. It seems that you attracted a lot of monsters yesterday. We apologize for the inconvenience", Layla explained and smiled at Krory.

The three went walking away from the town. "Wait. The akumas didn't come here just for nothing. It's not that we are targeted or what. Should we stay and watch for what's going to happen next?", Lavi stopped walking. "Plus, that Madame Sapphire never showed her face to us. Could it be that she's holding an innocence?", Krory hummed. Tim, Allen's golem went out of Allen's coat. "Tim, have you collected much data?", Allen asked. Tim nodded and played a recording he got from that time that Seth had a conversation with them. Allen placed a machine at Seth's coat.

We'll draw out the reason why they are here.

"I see. It seems that Madame Saphire knows a lot about akuma", Lavi stretched his limbs. "How are we suppose to enter the town again?", Krory asked worriedly. Allen and Lavi stared at him and smirked.

The next Day...

Krory crawled at the entrance of the town with bruise all around. "Help...me", he fainted. Seth saw him and went down. His eyes reacted and saw pentacles running through his veins. "He's not an akuma", Seth confirmed. Seth carried him and dropped him off the hospital. At the same time, Zoe is there to visit the sick. She talks to the elder people and joke around to make them laugh. Seth gave a weak smile and placed Krory on a bed. "The nurse will be here soon", Seth assured and left. Krory watched Zoe playing around while the nurse tend his wounds. "Who is that woman?", Krory asked. "That is.. Madame Saphire", the nurse informed. Krory jaw dropped.

Zoe passed by Krory and looked down on him. Krory gulped. "What have I told you? We don't want any ruckus in this place", Zoe made a scary face. Krory gulped. "I was attacked when I got separated by my friends", Krory tried to sit down. "Friends? It's a bit unusual for you to use that kind of language", Zoe chuckled and was about to leave when Krory held her hand.

Memories flowed from Krory to Zoe.

I was alone.

It was lonely being alone.

No one wanted to be with me but Eliade stayed.

I thought that my world would crumble when I lost her.

It did.

But not before I met Allen and Lavi...

And everyone else in the order.

"Madame Saphire?", Krory called out to her. "What do you know about the order?", Zoe said with an angry voice.

Chapter end.