Astral Point: Summoners Dimensional War

Elizabeth glared sharply at the fortune teller after hearing their ambiguous answers. "Who are you, really?" she asked coldly, though her tone was tinged with curiosity. Beside her, Virginia eyed the fortune teller with suspicion. The atmosphere in the tent grew tense, lit only by the flickering candlelight. 

The fortune teller let out a slow sigh. With deliberate movements, they raised the hood that concealed their face. Beneath it was the visage of an old man, scarred heavily on the left side of his face. The burn stretched across his cheek, reaching close to his sharp, piercing eyes. Despite his apparent age, his gaze carried an air of deep experience and wisdom. 

"My name is Phales," he said in a raspy yet firm voice. "I am merely a mediator, sent by my master from a faraway realm to assist you." 

Elizabeth studied him intently, her curiosity deepening. "Your master? Who is your master?" 

Phales offered a faint smile, folding his hands atop the small table separating them. 

"Here, many refer to her as the goddess Mephisa." 

At the mention of the name, Virginia stiffened. "A goddess? Are you saying you're an envoy of a goddess?" Her voice carried a mix of shock and disbelief. 

Phales shook his head slowly. "I am not an envoy of a goddess," he replied, meeting Virginia's gaze with a knowing look. "To call Mephisa a goddess is an overstatement. Even she does not claim such a title. However, the people of this world, with their limited understanding, call her a goddess." 

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, her interest piqued further by Phales's words. "Then who exactly is Mephisa? And why do people call her a goddess?" 

Phales shrugged lightly, as if accustomed to answering such questions. "Mephisa is a being of immense power, but she is not a goddess in the way you might imagine. She transcends ordinary human understanding, yet she is not infinite like the creators of the worlds." 

Virginia continued to eye Phales warily. "Then what does she have to do with us? Why did she send you here?" 

Phales fell silent for a moment, as though carefully weighing his response. "Mephisa has taken an interest in your movements, specifically in your Navigator. However, even to me, her intentions are not entirely clear. I am merely a mediator, delivering messages and aiding you as per her instructions." 

Elizabeth fixed Phales with a piercing look. "Are you also a combat unit from Astral Point?" she asked pointedly. 

Phales chuckled softly. "No, I am not a combat unit from Astral Point. But I do come from the same place as you." 

Virginia frowned, trying to make sense of his words. "How is that possible? The same place? Does that mean you're from Earth?" 

Phales looked at Virginia with a gentle expression. "I once belonged to that place, but no longer. My current existence is different. I am here to guide you, not to fight or compete like the others." 

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, searching for flaws in Phales's statements. "Then what do you want from us?" 

Phales locked eyes with Elizabeth. "Regarding the players you will face in Arcadia, you won't be able to defeat them—not without my help." 

Virginia cut in sharply. "Why should we trust you?" 

Phales gave a faint smile, once again folding his hands. "Because I am the only one who knows their team's weakness." 

Elizabeth and Virginia exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and suspicion. Yet deep within Elizabeth, a growing curiosity gnawed at her. She knew that despite the potential danger, Phales might hold the key to understanding the strange challenges they were facing in this mysterious world. 

***

The setting sun painted the sky over Arcadia with streaks of orange. Catherine, Thomas, and Pierre sat together with Cinderella in the central park, engaged in light conversation. A cool evening breeze swept through, carrying the fragrance of flowers beginning to bloom in the night. Yet, the awareness of time crept into their thoughts.

"It's probably time for us to find lodging," Catherine said with a warm smile to Cinderella. Her gaze shifted to the darkening sky. Pierre and Thomas nodded in agreement.

"Indeed," added Thomas. "We need rest to prepare for tomorrow."

Their Navigator, monitoring their conversation, spoke to them telepathically. "A wise decision. Rest tonight is crucial. Tomorrow, we'll need to gather more information."

"Cinderella, can we meet again tomorrow?" Catherine asked in a friendly tone, maintaining the rapport she had built throughout the day.

Cinderella nodded, a gentle smile gracing her face. "Of course, I'd be delighted." But as Catherine, Thomas, and Pierre began to leave the park, a long sigh escaped Cinderella.

"I'm tired," Cinderella muttered, her tone different from before. They all stopped and turned to her, puzzled.

"What do you mean?" Pierre asked cautiously. Cinderella's expression had changed, no longer exuding the innocent kindness she had shown earlier.

"Pretending to be a sweet girl all day is exhausting," Cinderella said, shrugging nonchalantly. "But I couldn't resist revealing something. You know, I become stunningly beautiful at night."

Catherine glanced at Thomas and Pierre, her expression sharp with caution. The Navigator's voice came again, this time with a warning. "She might be referring to the familiar Cinderella tale where she transforms at night to attend the prince's ball. But I'm not sure this is just a simple fairy tale."

"We need to leave," Catherine whispered to Pierre and Thomas. The three began to walk away, but the distinct sound of glass slippers echoed behind them.

"Wait," Cinderella called, stepping forward. With just two strides, she suddenly appeared in front of Catherine, startling her. The speed was far beyond human capability. Catherine held her breath, trying to suppress her unease.

"What do you want?" Thomas asked, attempting to stay composed.

Cinderella smiled again, but this time it was sharper, more pointed, and almost sinister. "I only want to rest. But before that, wouldn't it be interesting if we got to know each other better?" Her voice was casual, but an unsettling chill accompanied her words.

Pierre clenched his fists, ready for the worst. Catherine, her mind racing for strategies, tried to speak calmly. "Perhaps tomorrow we can learn more about each other. But tonight, we really must go."

Cinderella tilted her head, her gaze on Catherine unreadable. "Oh, Catherine," she said slowly, "you're so intriguing. I'd like to spend the night with you."

The sky had turned completely dark, and the warmth of Arcadia's evening park was replaced with an ominous air. Cinderella's body began to emit a soft glow, captivating Catherine, Thomas, and Pierre with a mix of awe and fear. The light surrounded her like swirling fairy dust, wild yet graceful, as her form began to change.

Her simple dress transformed into a magnificent crystal-blue evening gown adorned with diamonds that shimmered in the moonlight. Though her appearance was dazzling, the sharp, cynical smile on her face erased any trace of innocence she had displayed earlier.

"Ah, night has finally arrived," Cinderella spoke softly but coldly, her voice laced with an icy edge.

Sir Gareth, who had been standing at a distance, began to approach. The shimmering light around Cinderella cast threatening shadows over the sword he held.

"Is everything ready?" Sir Gareth asked in a flat tone, his sharp eyes fixed on Catherine and her companions.

Cinderella nodded, her sinister smile unyielding. "Yes, it's done," she replied with satisfaction. "Let's finish this mission—Tofu will be angry again otherwise. I'm sure none of you want to deal with his wrath."

"Your acting, as always, is impeccable," Sir Gareth remarked, though his tone lacked any true admiration. A hint of irritation lingered in his words.

Cinderella chuckled lightly. "I've practiced for a long time," she said, brushing her hair back gracefully. Her gaze shifted to Catherine, Thomas, and Pierre, who were frozen in place. "But now, I'm tired of playing games. It's time for you to stop running from your fate."

Sensing the escalating danger, Thomas grabbed Catherine and Pierre's arms. "We need to leave now!" he said firmly.

"What do you mean?" Catherine asked, confused, but Thomas responded urgently.

"We're surrounded! This was all a plan to stall us until nightfall. Cinderella has been deceiving us from the start."

Hearing this, Pierre grabbed Catherine's hand, and the three of them bolted, crashing through bushes and darkened park paths. Sir Gareth raised his sword high, giving chase, his heavy footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night.

"Run faster!" the Navigator urged in their minds, their tone panicked. "Don't stop! He's far too strong for you to face right now."

Behind them, the sound of Cinderella's glass slippers echoed, accompanied by her soft, chilling laughter. "You can try to run, but you know it won't work," she said, her voice like sweet venom carried by the night wind.

"What do we do now?!" Pierre shouted in panic, glancing at Thomas, who led their escape.

"Find a safe place first, then we'll think of a plan," Thomas replied without hesitation, though cold sweat trickled down his face. He knew their situation was dire, and their adversaries far exceeded their expectations.

Catherine, usually brimming with calculated strategies, was silent. Anger at herself for falling for Cinderella's act simmered within her, but she realized now wasn't the time for self-recrimination. Survival was her priority.

"Navigator, do we have any other intel on them?!" Catherine asked mentally.

"Not much yet, but I'm working on finding a weakness. Focus on staying alive. I'll guide you as soon as I have something," the Navigator replied, equally tense.

A loud rumble erupted behind them as Sir Gareth swung his sword to the ground, creating a shockwave that tore through the surrounding trees, scattering leaves and branches onto the ground. Pierre nearly stumbled, but Catherine steadied him before he fell.

"Don't look back! Keep moving!" Thomas yelled, ensuring they maintained their momentum. Yet deep down, he knew the enemies pursuing them were anything but ordinary.

In the distance, Cinderella's laughter echoed ominously, a chilling reminder that their deadly game had only just begun.

***