Chapter Text
A blanket of shadows fell over them once they crossed the gate.
Sunny was ready. He was ready for the blinding lights that would have forced him to squint his eye and for the pungent perfumes he’d have to resist sneezing at.
So, when the gates closed behind them with a loud thud, Sunny wasn’t sure on how to feel.
Nothing came to bombard his senses. Only a blanket of shadows.
The room they had found themselves in was big, Sunny could surmise as much, but the lack of light didn’t allow him to properly size it up. Countless rows of chairs sat orderly at their sides, decorated with red cushions waiting for their patrons. In the dark, a red carpet ran along the middle row, before disappearing into the darkness.
«This place…» Omori looked around, his steps echoing in the empty room. «It looks the same as I remember. But… it feels different. Let’s see if it’s really the same, though…»
Sunny watched him walk away, towards one of the walls. He looked back at the darkness, trying to pierce it and look for the heavy red curtains at the end of it, but nothing greeted his sight.
The things he could see were the same as the stage he had envisioned for Sweetheart, but it felt different. What was supposed to be a place of luxury and extravagance had become a husk of its former self: loneliness hung on the walls and the silence was heavy, making it seem like the room was bigger than it already was.
Basil removed his helmet, his blond hair a little patch of light. «This place looks abandoned.»
«The Sprout Mole we talked to said something about a theatre that Sweetheart never used», said Kel. «I guess they were referring to this one. It's really a pity: it's so big...»
Hero let one finger run across a chair. «There isn’t a speck of dust in here. Somebody must take a really good care of this place.»
«Hey!» Omori’s voice rung from the darkness. «Does anybody have a light?»
«Huh», Hero took out his black lightbulb, but its dark light did nothing against. «We have that torch, but it didn't have any batteries.»
Sunny took out his lightbulb, its faint white light was weak. «Would this do?» he raised it to let Omori see it.
«Maybe. Bring it over. I'm trying to look for something but I can't see a thing.»
He started walking towards him, when another set of steps followed him. «Wait», Basil was behind him. He took the flower he had picked in Pyrefly Forest from his hair. It had been mushed a little under the helmet, but a faint light still pulsated from its few remaining petals. He walked over to Omori, the faint red light giving patches of colors onto the boy’s paper white skin. «Will this do?»
Omori furrowed his brow and took the flower. He waved it around a bit, before nodding. «There it is! Thanks, Basil.»
The others approached him. Bathed in faint light, Omori was pointing to a wooden trap door on the ground. «This will lead us inside the castle. Let’s go!»
«Wait», Sunny looked past his friends. «Aubrey?»
The girl was standing in the middle row, still as a statue. Her vibrant pink hair peeked out from her helmet and pierced the darkness. She had her head up, looking at the ceiling.
«Aubrey?» Kel called her again, a bit higher. At her lack of response, he took another chance. «Aubs?»
He frowned. «Guys, she’s not getting angry. This is serious.»
Sunny walked over to her, followed by the others. He tapped her shoulder. «Aubrey? Is everything alright?»
She jumped at his touch. Wide-eyed, she turned around to look at her friends. «I… huh…» she tried scratching her head, but the helmet was in the way. «Sorry. I completely zoned out there.»
«Are you okay?» asked Basil.
«Mh. Yeah. I guess.»
Kel put his hand above his eyes and looked at the ceiling. «Did you find something over there?»
«No, I didn’t. It’s just… ugh. Forget it. Where do we go now?»
«Aubrey», Hero’s voice was soft, but unwavering. The same kind of tone he’d muster when they were kids and it was time to stop bickering. «Weren’t you the one preaching about being honest with our feelings? Why don’t you tell us what’s wrong?»
Aubrey sighed. Her eyes darted from the floor to the ceiling, before falling to one of the red pillows. «It’s just… this place. It’s looks very sad… maybe nostalgic? It’s not abandoned, it looks more like… it has been preserved. Whoever owns it must care a lot about it.»
«Yeah», Sunny nodded. «It’s the same feeling I got.»
The same feeling that prodded him to give a reserved spot to the restored photo album in his new home. The same feeling that urged him to take good care of Mari’s picnic basket. It sat next to the table dedicated to her, in the living room.
Omori shrugged. «According to the Sprout Mole we talked to, Sweetheart used to work in a theatre. I guess that’s that. A reminder of her old days?»
«No…» Aubrey frowned. «I have the feeling it’s more than that. It’s like she was desperately trying to save it…» she looked at Basil. «To… preserve it.»
A small speck of memory, a little window to a past long gone. Sunny briefly wondered what did Sweetheart see in that theatre swallowed by darkness and silence.
Aubrey groaned and rubbed her face. «Can I ask you another thing? It has been bugging my mind for a little while now. It’s about that King Crawler monster we met.»
«What about him?» asked Omori.
«Did you feel anything when you saw him?»
Omori didn’t hesitate. «Sadness. Don’t get me wrong, King Crawler was a fearsome foe and I saw him dead many times during my adventures here in Headspace. But… seeing him like that… it was like… a part of something I’ve known so well had died with him.»
Aubrey pressed her lips together, deep in thought.
«I was sad too», said Sunny. «I felt sorry for my own creation.»
«You’re making me feel bad», said Hero, letting out a sheepish chuckle. «That thing was so terrifying… I was glad it was dead…»
Aubrey sighed. «Ugh. That’s not it at all. I felt dread.»
«What?» Kel gasped. «Were you so scared of that thing, Aubrey?»
«N-no! You’ve got it wrong! But… I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t really have much time to think about it since we couldn’t waste any time chasing it but… I felt scared. For myself and for my friends. It was as if it was trying to tell me something…?»
Kel chuckled. «Are you sure it wasn’t the voices of the forest?»
She groaned. «I dunno. Maybe you’re right and I’m overthinking it.»
«I think what we all need is some good rest», said Hero, sighing. «But we can’t afford that right now, can we?»
«Maybe we can sneak into the guards’ rooms and take a short nap in there!» said Kel.
«We should first of all reach the castle», said Omori. «Can you resist until then?»
Aubrey nodded. «Yeah, of course. Who knows, maybe Sweetheart herself will prepare rooms for us.»
Omori winced. «I... wouldn't really place my bets on that. C'mon, let's go. We're almost there.»
They returned to the trap door Omori had found and climbed down.
The narrow, damp hallway that stretched below the theatre made Sunny sneeze.
«Bless you!»
«Thanks. Ugh, I can already tell I won't like this place.»
«Why do the guards use such a route to reach the castle, anyway?» asked Hero when they begun walking.
Omori raised his hands to prove his innocence. «I don’t know», he looked at Sunny. «Why do they do that?»
«This isn’t the main entrance», he simply said.
Truth to be told, he didn’t want them to know that he just really loved the idea to sneak inside a castle from a secret entrance.
Omori nodded. «Yeah. That makes sense.»
«But this is kinda exciting, isn’t it?» said Basil. «Getting inside the castle from somewhere that isn’t the main gate… kinda like… thieves, I guess? There was this really cool fantasy book about an heist… The main protagonist dressed up as one of the butlers!»
Sunny stifled a chuckle. Of course, out of everybody, Basil would be one of the first to appreciate his idea.
«And these helmets!» Kel beamed. «Guys! It’s exactly like in those movies! I can’t believe it!»
And Kel second. Sunny felt his chest grow warm.
«What are you talking about?» asked Omori.
«You know, those movies where the protagonists sneak into the enemy’s headquarters dressed up as their peons…»
«I suggest to let Kel descend from the ceiling!» said Basil.
Aubrey scoffed. «No way. Remember? Not even a drop of sweat could fall down! Kel would absolutely fail that part.»
«H-hey!» Kel pouted.
Sunny felt somebody tap him on the wrist. «Omori?»
«What are you all talking about?»
Kel gasped. «Sunny! You never let Omori watch any movies?!»
«We… don’t exactly have those here», said Omori. «At least, not these ones you’re mentioning.»
«How could you, Sunny?!»
«H-hey…! Omori was born as an avatar for myself in this world… I never… I never thought he’d become his own person…»
His thoughts stopped. A realization hit him.
Omori truly was his own person, wasn’t he? Sunny had seen, time and time again during their adventure, that Omori was deviating from what he was originally intended to be. The ruthless, stoic person had become somebody more emotional, somebody who could even feel fear and worry, emotions he had tried to banish in the depths of his mind.
He looked at Omori. And, in that exact moment, he didn’t see him as himself when he was a twelve years old boy.
He just saw a young boy called Omori.
«You should treat him better!» said Kel. «It’s settled! Once we’re out of here, I’m gonna invite you over for a movie marathon!»
Omori’s eyes lit up, before they darkened again. «Do you… do you think we will be able to?»
«Of course we’re getting out of here!»
«I didn’t mean that. Of course you will: I’m here with you. I meant… visiting you.»
Silence fell. From beyond them, a drop of water clinked on a brick.
«Oh» Kel frowned. «I... I actually forgot about that, haha...»
«Kel…» Aubrey sighed.
«H-hey!» Hero offered a smile. «There’s… probably still a long way before we have to say our goodbyes, so let’s not be so glum, alright?»
«You’re talking as if I’m going to die. I’ll still be inside this guy’s head», he pointed at Sunny and smirked. «Whether you like it or not.»
«We will have a lot to talk about, won’t we…?»
Omori shrugged. «Maybe. Anyway, we’ve reached out destination», he pointed at a ladder on the wall. «This should lead us to the gardens, if this place is still the same.»
Omori stayed behind while the others started climbing up. Basil was the last one next to him but, when he put his hands on the ladder, he hesitated.
«Is something wrong?»
«I…» Basil looked at him. «I’ll be sad when it’ll be time to say goodbye, Omori.»
«O-oh.»
His eyes fell on the floor, not able to look at him in the face. «Hero’s right. This isn’t the time to be so glum about it. C’mon, let’s go.»
A timid sunlight touched their skins from a gray sky.
Sweetheart’s garden presented itself as an orderly maze made of hedges, bushes and flowers. Each of their vibrant colors were a symbol of the love and care it had been put in the place, the fragrant smell of roses a show of its gratitude. Pale pink bricks paved the ground where the grass didn't grow, as the soft murmur of water laid a veil of tranquillity to the place.
Kel jumped out from the trap door, arms raised. «Yes! Finally! Fresh air! Man, we've been cooped up underground for so long, I was getting tired of it.»
«And thank goodness there's no fog», Aubrey took a deep breath, relishing in the feeling. «No weird voices, no weird creatures... finally something that looks a bit more normal than usual.»
«Where are the guards?» asked Basil.
«Probably patrolling around», said Omori. "Let's keep our wits about us."
Behind them towered the castle. Its pink bricks pierced the light fog that encroached the higher parts, the tip of its main tower so high it could touch the sky.
Hero whistled. «Look at the size of that thing!»
«It's actually bigger than Captain Spaceboy's spaceship!» exclaimed Kel.
Aubrey clapped her hands, a big smile on her face. «Just what Sweetheart deserves! Sunny, good job!»
He felt his cheeks heating up. «T-thanks?»
«It must be huge, how will we find Sweetheart?» asked Basil.
Kel shrugged. «Let's ask a guard? Hero, use your charm!»
He groaned. «Kel, please... not you too...»
«Hey! It worked until now, didn't it?»
«I don't even know what I did!»
«It must be an innate talent! Be proud of yourself!»
Omori frowned. «Actually... if I take in consideration what happened here during my last adventure in Headspace, I don't think that's a good idea», he let out a pensive hum, chin on his hand. «But, on the other hand...»
Sunny stopped that thought in mid-track. «No, it's not a good idea.»
Basil's eyes darted from one boy to another, before he let out a timid chuckle. «Wh-what happened back in Headspace?»
«Sweetheart fell in love with Hero.»
A chorus of gasps emerged from Omori's words. Aubrey, Kel, and Basil turned towards Hero with proud gazes.
«Good job, bro!»
The older boy, on the other hand, just buried his face in his hands.
«So...» Basil looked at Sunny. «Let me get this straight. Sweetheart was in a relationship with Captain Spaceboy, but they broke up... because of Hero?»
«No!» In that exact moment, Sunny just wanted to disappear. All the excitement he felt about going on an adventure with his friends dissipated in a sour mist. «Sweetheart was looking for a new partner after her breakup, and she found Hero.»
Basil was having loads of fun, he could see that snarky glint in his eyes. Deep down, he was glad his friend had recovered to the point of gaining some of his old self, but at the same time he really didn't want it to be like that.
«Sunny», Hero's voice was muffled from his hands, his face still hidden between them. «Please, tell me I said no.»
Omori gasped. «Of course you did!» he seemed offended at the sheer prospect. «Otherwise how could you have faced Mari again?»
The jolly atmosphere faded. Sunny frowned, fidgeting with his hands.
Omori looked at them. «Oh. I... I shouldn't have said that... I guess.»
«It's... it's alright», Hero let out a strained chuckle. «Yeah... I can see Mari doing that.»
«I'm sorry. I... didn't think that through.»
«Don't worry. We should focus on finding a way to meet Sweetheart. Shall we?»
Sunny squeezed Omori's shoulder, but the boy didn't raise his gaze.
«I have an idea», he said. «The guard at the gate mentioned monsters in the outskirts. Maybe we can say we found some monsters near the Gate? Maybe that will help us.»
Omori nodded, gently brushing Sunny's hand off. «That sounds like a plan. Let's go.»
With careful steps and an attentive gaze, they crossed the garden without an hitch.
As the castle's figure grew bigger, so did the waters' murmurs grow stronger, until a rainfall was rumbling in Sunny's ears.
When they reached the drawbridge, Basil stopped in his tracks, letting out a terrified squeal.
«What happened?!» Aubrey was next to him in a flash, hand on his shoulder. «Are you hurt?»
«W-why... why is there a river of blood here?!»
He pointed at the river running below them. Its waters were thick and red, hiding its depths.
«That's not blood», said Omori. «This isn't Black Space...»
«Why is it red?!»
«To match the pink aesthetic», Omori pointed at the castle behind him. «Heavens forbid the colors don't match.»
But Basil didn't seem satisfied with that answer, for he turned towards Sunny. «Sunny! Why did you put a river of blood in here?!»
«It's not blood! It's just red water!»
«Basil!» Aubrey laughed. «Come closer! It smells like strawberries, it can't be blood! Also, Sweetheart would abhor the idea.»
«She had a torture room beneath the castle.»
Aubrey slowly turned around towards Omori. «First you made me kill bunnies in Headspace. Now you’re telling me you made Sweetheart a torturer?!»
«Well, not her. It was her guards.»
Aubrey sent Omori a death glare, but the boy didn't flinch. Then, slowly, her eyes fell on Sunny. «Sunny, we have some talking to do once we’re out of here.»
«H-hey! Omori also had control over Headspace, you know!»
«Sunny, don’t pile it on me. It’s true I had some control over, but you did most of the job.»
«I thought your duty was to protect me!»
«Yes, but it’s also fun to see you squirm like this. Also, we do need a topic of conversation when we'll have that movie marathon, don't we?»
«Yeah! We do! Don't we, Sunny?» the boy had never felt more threatened by a smile until that moment.
«Okay guys, c'mon», Hero walked between the two parties, but he too was smiling. «Let's deal with this once we're done here, shall we? And, for that, we have to find information about the Gates.»
Sunny looked at the ground. «All of a sudden I don't want to do that anymore.»
«My offer still stands, Sunny.»
The boy glared at Omori, who just chuckled, before walking towards the castle.
The entrance of the grand castle greeted them with its wide hallways and elegant stairs. The smell of strawberries was pungent and Sunny found himself craving for ice cream.
The murmur of water circled them, as bright red fountains spilled water of the same color, making Basil wince.
«This place looks pretty much the same as I remember», said Omori.
Sunny nodded. «To our dismay.»
Aubrey sighed. «Only because the castle is the same, it doesn’t mean she’s the same.»
«I hope so», said Omori. «I’d gladly avoid being hit by a morning star.»
The group shared a concerned look.
«I thought this place was supposed to be fun», said Hero.
«What’s a fun adventure if it doesn’t have some danger?» said Omori. «But, well… in Headspace it was different. We could eat snacks to heal ourselves and we didn’t really die. I… I don’t know what would happen here.»
«Let’s do our best to avoid that, alright?» said Hero.
Everybody nodded.
«Hey! You there!»
A voice made them jump. They turned around, meeting the eyes of a Sprout Mole in armor, a sword attached to the tip of his helmet.
«I never saw you here...» he took a few steps forward and rose to the top of his feet, attempting to take a good look at their faces. «But you're wearing our same armor...»
«Wow, you weren’t joking, Omori», whispered Aubrey.
Omori elbowed Hero. «C'mon! Use your charm!»
Hero sighed, before he straightened his back. «Sir!»
The knight looked at him.
«We just arrived here on patrol. We have received the most grave news!»
The knight jumped. «What did you see, knight?!»
«Enemies approaching, sir! Most probably coming from that accursed Gate, sir!»
The knight squinted his eyes again. «Gate? What are you talking about, knight?!»
Hero jumped, looking at his friends. They all looked at one another, scrambling for words.
«Knight, are you–»
«Oh dear goodness!»
Omori and Sunny winced at the sound of the new voice.
From the hallway emerged a pink figure. A girl wearing a pink dress, full of frills and decorations, her two pink twin tails almost reaching the floor.
Aubrey squealed, holding her hands together. «Guys! Guys! It's Sweetheart!»
The lady of the castle approached them with a smile on her face and a twinkling in her eyes. Her shoes made a ticking sound on the bricked floor.
«Sir Maximus!»
«Yes, my lady?!» the Sprout Mole saluted her with a tap of her foot.
«Who are these delightful people?»
«That is what I'm trying to ascertain, ma'am! They are wearing our same armor but I never saw them! And I know each guard personally!»
Sweetheart didn't answer. Instead, she turned towards the group and gave a light shrug with an embarassed smile, as if to say "Please don't comment".
Then her eyes widened, a glint of glee in them.
«But, Sir Maximus!» she beamed. «How did you not notice?!»
«Huh?! Wh-what, my lady?!»
«Look!» Sweetheart stopped right next to Aubrey. «Could you remove your helmet, please?»
The girl blushed. She looked at her friends.
Omori nodded.
«S-sure», Aubrey took her helmet off and shook her head, letting her hair go free.
Sweetheart gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. «Oh dear me! Look! This... this beauty!»
She reached for her hair with a hand, before retreating it, as if it could hurt her. «May I... touch it?»
Aubrey's cheeks grew redder, as she nodded. «S-sure?»
Sweetheart squealed in delight, as she took a handful of hair by the tip. «Simply marvelous... You have such fine tastes, my friend!»
Sunny heard Kel wince next to him. Aubrey, on the other hand, looked at them with an excited smile, her eyes brimming with happiness.
He hadn't seen such a look on her face since the days of their childhood, when Mari would compliment her about the healthy look of her hair, or her outfits. Aubrey would almost glow in delight in such occasions and, for a moment, Sunny was glad he could see her friend's happiness again.
«Thanks! I'm so glad you like it!»
Sweetheart smiled, letting her hair go. «Sir Maximus!»
«Yes, my lady?»
«I hereby declare these people to be our esteemed guests! Not a finger must be laid upon them, understand?»
«B-but, my lady... with the monsters in the outskirts, we ought to be careful...»
«Sir Maximus! How can you say that? A person with such marvelous hair and anybody who knows her must be delightful people, not monsters!»
«I-I understand, ma'am. I will order all the guards to treat them with the utmost respect.»
Sweetheart smiled, before turning to the group. «My friends! My name is Sweetheart and I'm the lady of this castle. I'd love to invite you for a cup of tea! What do you say?»
The group looked at one another, uncertain. Omori, on the other hand, just stared at Sweetheart in disbelief.
Aubrey took the decision for everybody. «Of course! Thank you!»
Sweetheart smiled. «Come with me, then! I want to introduce you to my friends!»
They removed their helmets and gave them to guards that Sir Maximus had called and, escorted by a small group of armored Sprout Moles, they followed Sweetheart inside the castle.
They climbed the stairs and went in the left hallway, Aubrey gawking at the castle for all the walk.
The air was filled with strong smells and perfumes, roses and strawberries mostly, and for a moment Sunny feared he'd start seeing everything in pink too.
The hallways were lively: guards walked around, their steel boots ticking onto the floors. A few of them saluted their lady as she passed by, an orchestra of taps passing them by.
Kel winced once or twice. «I don't know for how long I can stomach all this... pink. Even the air seems pink, how is that possible?»
«I really have no idea», said Hero. «Here's hoping our stay here is brief, huh?»
They went inside an elevator. The guards that were following them didn't fit all inside, so they stopped in front of the doors and saluted as they saw Sweetheart wave at them from inside.
As soon as the doors closed and Sweetheart pressed the only button present on the display, she let out a sigh of relief.
«I didn’t even ask them to escort us!» she chuckled as the elevator starterd moving. «But I don’t have the heart to tell them no, you see. They’re always so happy, and I let them be. Also, it’s nice to feel important sometimes, don’t you think?»
«Y-yeah…» Hero nodded.
«Thank you for this opportunity, Miss Sweetheart!» said Aubrey. «I... I'm really glad I can meet you in person!»
For a brief second, Sweetheart's face darkened, before she smiled again. «Thank you! Were you perhaps a fan of my plays?»
Aubrey jolted. «I… huh…»
«We were», said Omori. «Indeed we were. And we were curious to meet such an artist with our own eyes.»
Sweetheart smiled. «I’m glad you think that. Unfortunately, I’ve let those days behind me. Please, I must ask you to refrain to ask for any kind of exception on that rule.»
«S-sure», Aubrey nodded.
The doors opened with a sharp ding. With a gentle motion of her hand, Sweetheart urged them to follow her.
They found themselves in a hallway filled with doors. Sweetheart didn't hesitate and went in the first one in front of them.
They found themselves in a bedroom which size rivaled the entrance. A golden vanity sat in the far corner of the room, an array of bottles and tools Sunny only barely knew how they worked in front of it. A salmon-colored sofa laid on the right side of the room with a low table in front of it.
At the center of everything, sat a king-sized bed covered with a transparent veil.
A lively chattering wafted in the air, and it took origin from the left side of the room: around a white table with golden decors, there were three figures chatting with each other.
Aubrey's voice was but a whisper. «Sunny...?»
«Hm?»
«How... those are...»
«I told you, Mari made me watch.»
«Those are highly specific references!» her voice was delighted.
«My dear friends!» at Sweetheart's voice, all three figures at the table turned towards her. «We have guests!»
«Oh dear!» the figure sitting on the left gasped. She looked the most similar to Sweetheart, if it weren't for her paler colors. «And we have just run out of tea! I must fix this situation at once. Excuse me, my dear guests, I shall be brief!»
Her voice was soft and melodious, as if each and every word had been calculated with extreme precision. Even her movements, as she took the cups and the teapot and put them on a tray, were precise and impeccable.
She bid them goodbye with a quick bow and walked towards the elevator.
«That was Perfectheart, my dear guests», said Sweetheart. «Always longing for perfection... but she wouldn't be our dear Perfectheart, otherwise!»
When they turned to look at the table again, they jumped. The figure that was previously sitting at the center was now in front of them. She also looked similar to Sweetheart, but her skin seemed to be made of rubber and her face looked like a hastily drawing made by a child. The skin on her hands and arms started to droop, but no goo ever fell.
She smiled. «Frens...»
Her voice was shaky but, beyond the few words, there was genuine happiness.
«This is Mutantheart, my dear guests,» Sweetheart looked at her with eyes full of affection. «I hope you'll get along!»
The last figure stood up and walked towards them, her steps heavy. She also looked similar to Sweetheart, but her body was made of steel. «SXTigJlzIGEgcGxlYXN1cmUgdG8gbWVldCB5b3UsIGRlYXIgZ3Vlc3RzLiBJIGhvcGUgeW914oCZbGwgZmluZCB5b3VyIHN0YXkgZW5qb3lhYmxlLg==»
Sunny resisted the urge to wince at her metallic voice.
The garble she had spouted hurted his ears, but Sweetheart didn't seem fazed by it. «Of course they will have an enjoyable stay! My dear guests, this is Roboheart. She's really dependable and a great friend!»
«Tm90IGFzIGdyZWF0IGFzIHlvdSwgU3dlZXRoZWFydCEgT3IgdGhlIHJlYWRlcnMgb2YgdGhpcyBmYW5maWN0aW9uIQ==»
Sweetheart chuckled. «Oh, you flatter me, my friend.»
«Thank you for your kindness!» said Aubrey. «We... are really glad to be here.»
«Think nothing of it, my friend», said Sweetheart.
«Frens... nice...»
«SXQncyByYXJlIGZvciB1cyB0byBoYXZlIGd1ZXN0cywgd2Ugc2hvdWxkIHJlbGlzaCBpbiB0aGlzIG9wcG9ydHVuaXR5Lg==»
«Indeed, it's rare for us to have guests! So we should indeed enjoy the occasion. So, if anything, thank you for being here, dear guests! As soon as Perfectheart returns, we'd love to hear your story.»
And, as if those words were magical, the elevator doors opened again and Perfectheart walked in, a new tray in her hands.
«I have brought tea for our guests! Come, let us drink and chat.»
They went through a short round of introductions as Perfectheart poured tea for everybody. The sweet smell was a salve for Sunny after the pungent perfumes from the lower floors, steam clouding his eye and making his eyepatch a bit damp.
Sweetheart stirred her drink as she spoke: «I see. So you’re travellers… and what has brought you here, in this dangerous forest?»
Kel took a sip of his drink, before wincing and sticking his tongue at the burning sensation. Sunny gave him his handkerchief.
Omori eyed him, before answering: «We are looking for the Gates. We heard rumours about one of them being here. Do any of you know anything about that?»
The girls looked at one another. Mutantheart shook her head, drips of goo hanging from her cheeks.
«SSBoYXZlIG5ldmVyIGhlYXJkIG9mIHN1Y2ggYSB0aGluZywgSeKAmW0gYWZyYWlkLg==»
«You're not the only one, Roboheart», said Perfectheart. «None of us has ever heard of such a thing.»
Omori sighed. «I see.»
«Oh, but don't be so disheartened, my friends!» said Sweetheart. «I'm sure that we can find some information for you.»
«Monsties... forest?»
Sweetheart pondered on those words. «Hm, the appearance of the monsters in the outskirts could be related to this Gate our guests are looking for, you say?»
Mutantheart nodded.
«How do these Gates look like?» asked Perfectheart. «Can you enlighten us?»
«We only found one so far», said Aubrey, after taking a careful sip. «It looked like a pool of white light.»
«I can’t say I ever saw anything like that», said Sweetheart.
The other girls nodded.
«But, the Gate we visited... it didn't summon any kind of monsters or anything like that», said Basil.
«Well, it's not like we had monsters either», said Perfectheart. «It's only been a short time ever since they appeared. One day, all of a sudden, in the outskirts of the castle. They are dangerous... but we have managed to fend them off, for now.»
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«You are right. We should try to devise a plan to take care of them», said Sweetheart. «But you know... I don’t want any of our guards getting hurt. So until we have more info, I’m hesitant on going into action.»
«We actually defeated a monster before coming here!» said Kel, beaming. «It was huh…. King Crawling?»
«King Crawler», said Omori.
«Oh, the giant centipede?» Sweetheart beamed. «That’s really great news! It wasn’t dangerous to us, but to my poor Sprout Moles, it was. Thank you! You have my gratitude!»
«Oh», Kel frowned. «So that wasn’t one of the monsters?»
«I’m afraid not. These monsters are nothing like anything we’ve seen until now.»
«They scary!» said Mutantheart.
«They look like hounds», said Perfectheart. «As big as a man and with fangs that can tear the flesh. They are as dark as the night and they can hide in the shadows.»
«Fearsome foes», said Sweetheart, nodding.
Sunny's skin turned cold, his thoughts froze. A laugh echoed in his mind, a black figure hanging in the air, staring at him deep in the soul.
He shivered and took the handle of his cup, taking a sip. He focused on the warm liquid on his tongue, on the strawberry flavor that filled his mouth and his nose. His eyepatch was damp and felt uncomfortable over his skin.
He took a deep breath and looked at Omori. His knuckles were curled on his knees.
«Did they have only one eye?» he asked.
Sweetheart seemed taken aback by that question. «They have two eyes. Why do you ask?»
«I once met a monster that seemed to fit the description… but it only had one eye.»
«I’m not sure it’s the same one… did they leave a black mark when you killed them?»
«They… no, they didn’t.»
Relief washed over Sunny. He took another sip, letting the sweet flavor wash away his anxiety.
«These ones do», said Perfectheart. «When they die, they leave a black mark… as if the place they were in was scorched.»
Omori gasped. «That… I never saw anything like that, either.»
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Sweetheart nodded. «Roboheart is right! You don't need to worry: we have the situation under control, so no more of this depressing topic. They have never attacked the castle directly, after all.»
«I... see», Hero's voice was anything but relieved. Sunny could see it, the paleness on his face.
«About these Gates our guests are talking about», continued Perfectheart. «We could dispatch a few guards to look for more information, don’t you think?»
Sweetheart nodded. «Of course. Dear guests, what do you think about staying here for a bit? While our guards look for the Gate, you can relax here.»
«Oh, but we want to help!» said Hero.
«You don’t need to worry», said Perfectheart. «You must be tired if you have crossed the forest on your own. And after defeating King Crawler, too! I must insist: rest here while we look for the Gate.»
Basil's timid voice spoke up. «Well... I really think we need some rest.»
Sunny nodded. «Especially after that forest.»
Hero scratched his head. «I... can't really argue with that. It really took a toll on us, didn't it?»
«Alright», said Omori. «We'll accept your offer. Thanks for your kindness.»
At those words, a wave of squeals and excited cheers from the girls hit them. Mutantheart started clapping.
Sweetheart rose from her seat. «Then, by all means, please follow me. I will show you to your rooms.»