Chapter 12: The Dawn of Death
"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask about one more thing," Arthur said, his voice laced with genuine regret as he addressed the weary Lily, who was on the verge of retreating to her rest.
Lily turned, returning to the chair where she had been seated before, and looked at Arthur, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she inquired, her voice soft, accompanied by a yawn.
"I'd like to ask for directions to the center," Arthur replied, his tone earnest.
"The center?" Lily echoed, studying Arthur with a mix of intrigue and caution. "There's nothing there but a vast expanse of plain land, devoid of any buildings. I can't quite fathom why it's like that," she explained, her brow furrowing as she continued. "The center is at the heart of the street. People refer to it as 'the center' because it once housed a grand edifice that symbolized the street of Isle before the Dawn of Death. After that, I'm not sure what transpired to cause the building to vanish into thin air."
As she spoke, Lily's voice drifted into the realm of her foggy memories, recalling fragments of tales she had heard throughout her childhood. After providing Arthur with the directions, he grasped the layout of the path leading to the center, noting that it was not far from the inn.
With a hint of curiosity, Lily asked Arthur why he was interested in the desolate center. "If you plan to go there, I'd be happy to accompany you," she offered.
Arthur smiled gently, shaking his head. "I'm just curious about the few things I've heard," he replied.
"Arthur, it's truly enjoyable to be with you," Lily remarked, her words catching Arthur off guard.
Where did this sudden sentiment come from? Arthur pondered, a smile gracing his lips. "It's nice to be with you too. I learn a lot from you," he replied, his expression softening.
After their conversation concluded, Lily bid Arthur farewell and returned to her much-needed sleep, exhaustion evident in her demeanor. Left alone in the inn, Arthur found himself deep in thought, contemplating all he had heard about the Dawn of Death.
"This whole affair surrounding the Dawn of Death is utterly bizarre," Arthur mused, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "Perhaps this is what Jason wanted to convey to me. But why do I feel there are still many unanswered questions lurking beneath the surface?"
As he delved deeper into his thoughts, Arthur considered various possibilities but struggled to reach a coherent conclusion. "In the end, I must rely on Jason if I wish to uncover more. I'll have to meet him and hear what he has to say," he sighed, acknowledging his own limitations.
"I need to prepare before meeting him; I can't predict what might unfold," he resolved, rising from his seat and ascending the stairs to his room.
---
The remainder of the day was spent in solitude, Arthur diligently preparing himself for the encounter with Jason, eager to learn the truths that lay hidden. He understood that anything could happen during this meeting, especially considering Jason's enigmatic nature and the unsettling feeling that if Jason wished him harm, he could easily fulfill that intent.
As time passed, the moment Arthur had been anticipating finally arrived. Midnight draped the Isle in a shroud of gloom, the sky heavy with clouds, and the air chilled to the bone.
Arthur walked slowly along the path Lily had described, passing crumbling buildings and encountering many souls huddled in the shadows, seeking refuge from the biting cold. Some were curled up against the remnants of structures, while others lay sprawled on the streets, lost to the world.
As he continued his journey, Arthur noticed several individuals still awake at this late hour, their gazes fixed upon him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Confused by their stares, he chose to ignore them, hastening his steps toward his destination.
After half an hour of navigating the desolate streets, Arthur felt he was drawing closer to the center. Suddenly, a voice called out to him from behind. "Arthur!"
The familiar tone prompted him to turn, revealing Jesan emerging from the shadows cast by a collapsed building.
Jason was a striking figure, clad in a high hat and a long overcoat, with a double-breasted vest and crisp white shirt beneath. His black trousers completed the ensemble, and his pale, corpse-like features set him apart from the others. Arthur regarded him silently as he approached.
With each step, Jason closed the distance between them until he stood directly before Arthur, a slight smile curling his lips. "There isn't much time left. Let's go meet the others," he said, his voice resonating in Arthur's ears like a bell tolling, summoning him forth.
Dazed, Arthur followed Jason without question, compelled by a force beyond his own will. As they walked further, they neared the center, and from a distance, Arthur could see the area spread out before him—a vast, flattened expanse.
As they approached, Arthur spotted two figures standing near a pile of debris. Upon seeing them, he glanced at Jason with suspicion but remained silent.
They reached the edge of the flattened area, and as Arthur stepped inside, an overwhelming pressure enveloped him, causing him to shudder and clench his teeth. For a few agonizing seconds, the weight bore down upon him before it gradually subsided.
A cold sweat broke out on Arthur's brow as he looked up at Jason, who wore a satisfied smile. "Not bad," Jason remarked, his expression enigmatic.
"What was that?" Arthur asked, narrowing his eyes, suspecting Jason might have been the source of the oppressive force.
Jason regarded him without answering, instead speaking of something Arthur hadn't inquired about. "Let's go introduce ourselves; they're waiting for us," he said, leading Arthur toward the two figures.
Feeling lost, Arthur followed Jason until they reached the pair standing by the center of the pile. He studied them carefully. The man on his right wore a black robe, youthful features suggesting he was in his late twenties, with brown eyes and hair to match. He stood at a medium height.
The other man, also clad in black, appeared similarly aged, his dark hair and eyes mirroring those of his companion. Both stood at a height comparable to Arthur's own.
Silence enveloped them until Jason broke it, introducing the two men. "Arthur, these are my companions. This gentleman on your right is Tito, and the one on your left is Theo," he said, gesturing to each in turn. "Friends, this is Arthur, the one I mentioned."