Almost 2 hours later, 4:46 am, at Cheerwood Borough police station.
Two policemen, who appeared to be in their 40s, were discussing the new tragedy.
"Why do the higher-ups keep this from us? Isn't this just a mass murder case?" They weren't allowed to hear the explanation from the last survivor, nor go to the place the crime took place in.
The other one interjected. "No, it might be something else. Alfred mentioned that the scene was far too gruesome for just a murderer. I don't think one would be able to rip necks apart in a short time to multiple people."
"Eitherway" The first one sighed. "We are still part of the team. We should know what happened!"
As he exclaimed his frustration, a sound of heavy footsteps was heard.
The two officers moved out of the way, their backs were straighter than a ruler.
"Good morning, sir!" They saluted.
But the man paid no attention, his destination was only the interrogation room.
Interrogation room, 7 minutes earlier.
An intimidating man was rummaging through a stack of documents, the information of the numerous victims and, most importantly, the last remaining survivor.
"Evelyn Dusk. Am I correct?"
The woman nodded without any expression.
"Born on December 22, 1315 Empress Borough."
She nodded again. "That's correct."
The man crossed his arms and leaned over the table, staring into her eyes. "What were you doing when it all happened?"
She answered in a detached way, looking completely uninterested. Paired with her pale face and dark eyes, the scene looked almost eerie.
"I went to sleep like usual. That night, I woke up near the Tussock river involuntarily. There is another case similar to this a few days ago, it should be recorded at the other police station."
The bright candlelight from above illuminated only the lower part of her face, making it seem as if she were some ghost.
She continued.
"I panicked and ran as fast as I could. It took me over 20 minutes till I arrived."
Her head lowered. A hint of sorrow crossed her voice.
"It was already too late."
The intimidating glare washed over her, goose skin started forming. He asked roughly. "Nothing else happened after you arrived."
She responded with a single sentence.
"No."
***
Two hours earlier, Unit 21 Hope Street, Cheerwood Borough.
Victoria's heart stilled.
She succumbed to her wounds. Her broken ribs pierced her heart. She was bleeding profusely.
Daly Simone gave a sorrowful look, the lady had lost her mother and her servants in one singular night.
She turned around to inspect the room when a question caught her off guard.
"You're a Beyonder, aren't you?"
Daly was taken aback. This lady already knew of the existence of Beyonders.
"How—" she was cut-off.
"My father, my brother were Beyonders of the Lawyer Pathway. My brother was of sequence 9 when he died, but my father managed to reach sequence 7."
She turned her head around to the huge, monstrous corpse laying still on the ground.
"My butler, Harold, was also a sequence 9 Warrior."
Daly received the hint. The monster was simply someone who lost control.
However, she assesses.
"This was planned."
Amanises nodded as she got up.
"That's what I'm thinking too."
The Spirit Medium walked around the room, she took notice of a strange item, laying untouched on the ground.
It looked like a small ceramic vase. Its contents, a viscous black liquid, it almost looked like it encompassed the night sky.
Around it, small stars could be observed.
Daly didn't hold it for too long. Instead, she shoved it in the green mouthed spirit from before.
Amanises stated her knowledge of the object.
"I'm not sure who, but it was a condolence gift from when my brother passed away."
Daly commented.
"It stood dormant for a long time, it seems."
She looked at Evelyn with a firm look.
"You probably want revenge now?"
Amanises didn't say a word. She simply started walking out of the door.
But Daly continued. "I can help you. The police won't do anything."
Amanises stopped in place and said in an even voice. "I know that."
She turned her head around to face Daly.
"I also know you must be part of a secret organization."
If the Spirit Medium was surprised, she hid it well.
"Are you going to ask me to join?"
Amanises asked her, but it seems she already knew the answer.
"Yes."
The older woman sighed. She turned back around and started walking again.
"Alright. I'll think about it."
Daly Simone took note of the hidden sorrow in the woman's voice. "You can contact me when you decide."
Amanises nodded. "Okay. You should leave now. The authorities will be here soon."
Daly Simone didn't seem to be weary of Evelyn betraying her to the authorities, to her, it seemed as if Amanises was still in shock. Giving her a few days would probably be for the best.
Her offer could always wait.
***
The Sequence 7 Interrogator was a tad skeptical. The passive demeanor of the victim was far beyond strange.
He tapped his fingers on the old wooden table, scanning the documents once more.
Suddenly, the door to the isolated interrogation room swung open, and he nearly jumped in fright.
The one who entered the room was his direct superior, deployed at this ordinary police station after his own request.
He called it 'vacation'.
The Interrogator saluted:
"Good morning, sir—" He was, instead, cut-off by a loud exclamation from the man.
"Ah, Evelyn! Long time no see!"
H-huh? He was taken aback. Do they know each other?
Not only that, but his superior was smiling like an idiot. It really seemed like he was catching up with an old friend.
The woman looked up. A slight emotion reappears in her eyes.
"Oh, it's you—Cretin Manchester." She stated with visible confusion, followed by recognition.
The man smiled again. "What are you using honorifics for? We're old friends, aren't we?"
That's right. They used to be good friends, back when she was still someone important in high society.
Evelyn didn't have a large circle of friends before she became of age, so a young boy, who didn't have much else to do, jested her for a while.
"Don't you remember the time we went hunting? You could never hold a gun properly. Your aim sucked!" He poked fun at her, like the good old times.
An embarrassed smile was apparent on her pale complexion.
You always made fun of that!
Her aim really sucked.
If only I could tell you that tonight I pulled the best trickshot, one that not even pro-gamers could in video games!
The Interrogator, who watched perplexed until now, chimed in.
"Sir, Cretin! Isn't this whole situation too strange? Up until you entered there wasn't even the slightest bit of fright in her eyes—" But, the poor man was interrupted once more by a pushing hand on his chest.
Ugh!
"That's just how Evelyn is! Don't you know? Others called her the Frozen Empress once she reached 18." He put his hand on his chest in a dramatic manner. "The amount of gentlemen who have been rejected by this cold monster is ridiculous!"
He tilted his head to the side, away from the light. "Ahem! Myself included."
Evelyn sighed dejectedly.
"Don't you have a wife and kids now? Is it really time to dwell on the past?"
Cretin Manchester regained his composure and waved her remark off.
"Yeah, yeah. It's all in the past anyways."
Within a second of that sentence spoken, his expression changed completely, to a sorrowful one. "My condolences, my lady."
The happy mood fell, it was only a passing star in an empty sky. One that granted no wish.
Her demeanor changed back, just as fast as his. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
Cretin, however, raised his voice with an offer. "Evelyn, if you need a place to stay I can—"
Amanises stopped him. "There's no need."
"O-oh. I see." His eyes looked down dejectedly. He couldn't help his old friend.
But Amanises had other planes for his given service. "Instead, I'd like to ask of you—"
His ears sharpened, ready to accept whatever Evelyn would ask of him.
"Gather some of your servants and clean the manor."
"What?" He was confused. "I mean sure but, wha—"
She raised her head in a determined manner. "And help me sell it."
***
"Extra! Extra! Paper boys were flattering the newspapers in the air. Hoping to catch someone interested in the news.
"A mass murder has taken place here! In Cheerwood Borough!"
Many of the passersby were shocked. This piece of news was soul shaking!
One of them chuckled and flashed a grin. "Don't worry! The police already caught the culprit!" The crowd breathed a sigh of relief.
"You can read the details here!" But they already lost the public.
The paperboy intended to drop the newspaper low, when it was suddenly snatched away.
"H-huh?" He was thrown a few copper pennies. He struggled to gather them on the ground, not taking another look at the rude and hurried person.
A couple of meters away. Sat on a bench under the shade of a walnut tree.
It looked like a young short man but at a closer inspection, it was actually a woman.
A woman with short hair and frown ruining her, rather cute, appearance.
Holding the newspaper she browsed over the articles. Right next to one another was the murder case, and an advertisement.
Elegant house for sale!
Unit 21 Hope Street, Cheerwood Borough.
She bit her lip in frustration, while muttering under her breath.
"Evelyn..."