*OLD*Phantom Detectives*OLD*

Ch.42 Who's the Fool?

Grey A.

I roll my eyes at Eloise's final comment. I mean come on, really? The stone I found is probably just some rock. Eloise always had a wild imagination, even now that she's an adult. How did I know that she wasn't just making this up?

"Is something wrong Grey?" Tex asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, there is." I say slowly.

Eloise stood and walked over to me, the stone still in her hand. "What exactly is wrong, Grey?" Eloise hisses.

"Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" I scoff. "I mean come on, a stone that traps souls and enhances your abilities. This isn't some magical adventure Eloise, it's a murder investigation."

"And what if she is right Grey?" James growls.

"If I'm right," Eloise smirks, "then Grey will just look like the ignorant asshole."

I couldn't stand it anymore! I threw a punch her way and Eloise jumps back. "James, hold the stone! Things just got real."

I laugh at Eloise, removing my sword from it's scabbard. The blade shines in the manor's light. "On guard!"

"Eloise, catch!" Connor shouts.

Eloise catches a gold and white rapier and points it right back at me. "The loser is the fool of the manor." Eloise declaires.

"Not exactly," I scoff, "there's already a fool at the end of my sword."

"Which end?" Eloise asks, cocking her eyebrow.

"That's it!" I shout.

Then, it starts. Our swords clash together, over and over again. I'm quick to strike but Eloise is even quicker to react.

I don't get it! I pondered. I was sent to one of the most prestigious schools in England, how is Eloise- no! Knock it off Grey! You can't let her win this time!

Eloise and I lock our swords. We are both pressing equal weight onto our weapon, so neither one of us move.

"Ha," Eloise huffs, "you'd think for how much you eat you'd be a hell of a lot stronger!"

"Would you shut up!" I go to swing at her leg.

Eloise flips away, landing on her feet with the blade close to her face. In that position, she looked like a proper knight. The thing was, she wasn't, and never would be.

"You know," Eloise smirks, "you're not a very good dancing partner."

"Excuse me what?"

"She means the danse macabre!" Ace calls.

"The Dance of Death." Eloise pants, going in for her next attack.

She locks our blades together then kicks me in the stomach. I fall backward, landing on my knees. My right hand was bracing me on my sword, while my left clutched my stomach in agony. I glared at her, my eyes on fire.

Without really thinking, I bolt at Eloise, aiming at her shoulder. But she was one step ahead. She leapt, grabbing onto my shoulder and pulling me down. My muscles and head screamed in pain and it only got worse when Eloise kicked my sword away and put one foot on my chest.

"There is a fool at the end of this sword," Eloise announced, "and I believe we all know it's not me."

My face was red and my ears felt hot. She was right, I was the fool of the room. Or at least... now I was. Eloise sighed and extended her hand to me. I took her hand and allowed her to help me up.

"Well that was interesting." Rodrich gasped.

"Is this romal for the two of you?" Tex questions.

"It's only when one pushes another to their boiling point." Eloise huffs. "Seeing as Grey drew his blade first, I pushed him over his."

"This isn't the first time this has happened." Violet sighed.

"Even I'm used to it by now." Ace chuckles.

"I'm still confused as to what just happened." Nick grumbled.

"Don't worry..." Maria patted his shoulder, "I am too."

That's when the lights went off. The light passing through the storm outside was just barely enough to see an arm's length in front of me.

"What's going on!?" Austin wailed.

"Stay calm everyone." Connor said.

"Ow! Who stepped on my foot!?" Karen yelped.

"Ops, sorry." James apologised.

"Umm... guys... I believe we have an unwanted visitor." Rodrich's voice was shaky.

Then I saw why.

It was a black figure so tall that if it came any closer, it would hit it's head on the doorway. Lightning flashed yet the figure stayed the same. Until it opened it's eyes. It's eyes were white, with one black speck in the center. It showed it's teeth in a wide sinister grin as it cocked it's head to the side.

I wanted to scream but all that came out was a gag. I glanced to Eloise and found her as pale as a sheet. I looked back, and found that the monster had come closer. I gulped as this beast took another step. It went through the doorway... and was now in the room.

My mind was screaming, GO! RUN YOU IDIOT! GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE! But my body refused to move!

The beast seemed to sway. Finally, after several moments of silence, it sang, "Liars, liars. All those in this manor, SHALL PERISH IN A FIRE!"

Everyone screamed as the room filled with a heavy black smoke. I was coughing so hard I felt like I would throw up.

"JAMES!" I heard Connor scream.

What was going on?! What was that thing?! What was happening to James!? Where was everyone?! I faintly heard my name being called, but from all of the smoke and the ringing in my ear, I couldn't tell who was calling me.

That's when a sharp pain on my back knocked me out.