Chapter 64: Night Sky’s Testament

The man replied to Zayn’s greeting with a wide smile.

"Hello, Zayn."

Blood.

Blood.

Blood, blood, blood, blood, blood.

’Blood...’

Zayn looked down at his hand, which was still holding Jade’s.

"Ah—"

Images of Axel’s and Claire’s murders overlaid the scene in his mind. The blood of all three merged into a single, agonizing reality.

"Ah... Ahrah!"

A tear formed in the corner of Zayn’s eye as he raised his head toward the man in the suit.

"Y-you..."

Disregarding the bloody scene, the man sat on the oak stool, crossed his legs, and opened a book — one Zayn could clearly see was a children’s picture book.

"W-why did you—!"

The man in the suit smiled.

A moment later, Zayn felt something coil inside his chest, forcing him to his knees.

’I c-can’t breathe!’

Worse, all feeling was rapidly leaving his body.

The only sensation that remained besides the pain was the warm hand of the corpse beside him. Then he slumped forward, falling face-first into Jade’s blood.

’J-Jade...’

Bright crimson soaked his entire face.

He tried to speak, but when he opened his mouth, he gagged on Jade’s blood.

’Wake up.’

With an effervescent smile, the man opened the book.

He began reading:

"Once upon a time, the Night Sky and the Man of Red shared the same air."

’Please... wake up.’

"The Night was gentle, full of stars and dreams.

The Man of Red was bold and bright, full of fire and rules.

Every evening, the Night Sky would try to rise, but the Man of Red watched closely, never allowing it to spread its speckled canvas too far. And so, the Night learned to hide within the day, coming out only when the Man of Red slept."

’Help.’

"There was one who loved the quiet blanket of night: a small beast with soft paws and glowing eyes, who had forsaken the day and chosen instead to walk beneath the stars.

The Night Sky and the Beast became dear friends. Together, they wandered in silence and peace."

’Someone... help.’

"Far above, a clever Crow watched them.

The Crow disliked the Night Sky and feared its all-consuming darkness. It flew down to the Beast, perched nearby, and waited.

When day returned and the Night Sky was hiding, the Beast noticed the Crow. He stared into the Crow’s eye and saw his own reflection."

Zayn’s thoughts faded until nothing remained but the man’s voice and the story it told.

"Something within that reflection filled the Beast with rage. He immediately ran to the Man of Red and showed him what he had seen.

The Man of Red sent his burning pet Fox into the sky.

The Fox ran swiftly, leaving a trail of fire in its wake as it chased the Night Sky.

The stars scattered. The azure expanse bled red. With nowhere left to flee, the Night Sky was driven away from even day.

Lost and alone, the Night Sky cried out. Overcome with anguish, it began consuming its own stars, one by one, desperate to extinguish the light within itself.

When the Night Sky had consumed the last of its stars, it surrendered to the Fox. The Fox licked its lips and savored its meal.

And so, the Night Sky fell."

The man chuckled lightly, then stood and walked over to Zayn.

Standing over him, the man nudged Zayn’s face with the toe of one of his black loafers, rolling his head until their eyes met. Then he crouched and asked:

"Did you like my story, Zayn?"

’...’

The man smiled.

"Ah..."

Then, he snapped his fingers.

Zayn’s chest burst open, just like Jade’s.

A moment later, the world twisted.

The blood choking Zayn vanished before he had even realized it was there. His chest folded back in on itself, dragging the organs that had escaped back into place.

Then, his eyes snapped open.

With his cheek smushed against the cold wooden floorboards, he looked to his side.

"J-Jade..."

Coughing weakly, Zayn pushed himself off the floor and crawled toward her.

"Jade!"

Like his own, her body appeared untouched. Her white shirt was spotless. Her eyes were closed, and her chest rose and fell as though she were sleeping in tranquil bliss.

A calm, measured voice spoke from behind him.

"She’s only unconscious... Zayn."

"Y-you!"

"Don’t look at me so harshly; it was merely an illusion."

"W-why!"

The man spread his arms wide, holding a book titled ’Graveyard of Sins’ in one hand and another titled ’The Tale of the Nameless Goddess and the Devil’ in the other.

The man dropped the books, and uncurled one of his fingers, holding it over his lips.

"Shhhh... hush. Have some tact. We are in a library."

He snickered:

"And, don’t worry, you’ll learn everything you want to know eventually. Oh... and do appreciate my gift."

Finally, the man bowed, a playing card falling from his pocket.

"The next time we meet will be at the borders of insanity. Until then, I bid you adieu."

With that, Zayn blinked again.

When his eyes opened, the man was gone, leaving behind only one of the two books and the card.

The thick gray tome reading:

’Graveyard of Sins.’

***

Lucas stood across from the Old Maid inn, having followed Zayn outside moments earlier to keep an eye on him.

However, Zayn had already disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lucas alone and uncertain of where he’d gone.

Well... he was alone until a hooded figure bounded out of the inn after him.

’At least she’s taking my precautions somewhat seriously.’

As she hurried toward him, Lucas greeted her.

"Ruby..."

"Yes?"

Ruby, his sister, lifted her gaze from beneath her hood.

"Remember what I told you... don’t trust anyone other than me. And never let them know about our relationship."

Lucas thought back to the quiet man with wavy black hair and sharp features.

’Especially not that man...’

He was one of the few people Lucas could neither control nor read.

Ruby sighed as she adjusted the green cloak Lucas had bought for her and made her promise to wear whenever she went outside.

"Yes, yes, I’ve heard this all before. When are you going to tell me why you want us to be so secretive?"

’Then there’s that woman.’

Lucas caught sight of Amaya watching him with a strange look in her eyes as she exited the inn. She was the woman who had somehow discovered that he and Ruby were brother and sister.

She was the other person he could neither understand nor predict.

She was the greatest threat to him and his sister. Yet she was also the one he needed to keep closest—

And the one he’d tasked with keeping an eye on Zayn.

"It’s for your safety."