Apostle of Tragedy

"What a sad story." Skyler murmured.

Evelyn nodded, her voice becoming reassuring. "Yea, and to think that it's one of the most loved stories on Keswick Island. Although it has a tragic end, there is also something positive. Instead of hating the villagers, the girl did not let herself be tempted by her sins, and was able go to the afterlife with serenity."

Skyler agreed with Evelyn. Normally a person would feel anger at such an atrocity, but the girl had not craved revenge against the villagers who hated her. Such behavior could only be respected and used as an example.

Skyler let out a sigh. "It's much better to leave your sins behind rather than to carry them with you. Also because if you carry them with you, you will only end up being consumed."

"I don't know if it's true or not, but it is said that if thou pronounce the honorific line three times at midnight during the full moon, thou shall come into direct contact with her."

"Um… I don't know, but it worries me. Usually, these legends linked to mysticism carry something... sinister."

A shiver ran down her spine as she thought. Although the Republic of Steatha was known for high mysticism activity along with the Kingdom of Duskfall, most of the activities never brought anything good other than disturbing legends.

Evelyn looked straight into Skyler's eyes. "Not for me, but I don't think of reciting her honorific line. Think, why would we disturb the soul of a little girl just to satisfy our curiosity?"

"I don't know, maybe because we humans are driven to want to know more. Curiosity sometimes pushes us to do things that go beyond logic, that's how we are made after all." Skyler stated.

Hugging her elbows, she looked up at the sky carefree. Warmth was surrounding her, and she couldn't help but form a faint smile.

"Thou art not wrong. Our minds art truly unpredictable, universal I dare say." Evelyn said.

"This is the charm of the human mind, because it's a sort of universe that contains our essence."

"'Skyly, the introverted philosopher' they should call thou. Every now and then thou come out with certain phrases that amaze me, I dare say."

"Stop it, you're embarrassing me. These... are words my father said to me when I was little." Skyler muttered.

Her cheeks flushed as she pinched her right cheekbone with trembling fingers. Her heart thundered, and goosebumps ran down her spine. Evelyn looked at Skyler with a carefree and amused air, closing the distance with her.

"Your father must have been an amazing person to have taught thou these things when thou were little." Evelyn said in a soft voice.

"Yea. He... you know... is the most important person to me, and I won't forget what he taught me." Skyler advocated strongly.

She could never forget what her father had taught her. For her they were important teachings that she would carry with her even after her death. Despite he was no longer with her, Skyler would honor everything she had learned from him, no matter what.

Evelyn rested her head on the carefree Skyler's shoulder with a soft smile, and Skyler reached out to Evelyn's opposite shoulder, bringing her towards her. The two watched as the parents took the cheerful children away from the park while silence fell on the park.

"I'm sure your father would be happy with the person thou've become." Evelyn said.

Skyler tilted her head. "I hope so too."

"Now that thou art back in a good mood, I think I can go home." Evelyn raised her head. "Besides dance class I have to get ready because I'm leaving for Ravenport tomorrow."

"For Ravenport?"

"Yea, I have to meet the Jones family and the other Great Families for my parents' anniversary."

"I see... and how long will you be in the capital?"

"For three days, just enough time to admire the days before the anniversary, I dare say."

Skyler and Evelyn stood up from the bench looking at each other. The wind continued to blow through the air with a high-pitched whistle, and silence fell between them. Evelyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Skyler in a tender hug.

Evelyn sighed and said. "See thou Skyly. It was nice talking to thou today."

Whilst Skyler melted into Evelyn's embrace she could feel a sense of calm growing within her as if it were washing away all her problems. And in that moment she felt she was very close to Evelyn.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

North Mennork, at Jewel Street.

While the crimson moon was bathing the terraced buildings, Skyler was walking down the sidewalk.

The light white fog was enveloping the buildings, the gas lamps dimly illuminated the streets, and the sound of passing carriages occasionally and the neighing of horses echoed in her ears.

"Evelyn is such a good person…" Skyler thought.

As she put her hands in her pockets for some warmth, she looked thoughtfully at the half moon shrouded in gray clouds–

"Beautiful ladies should not be out late at night." A deep, soothing voice rang from behind.

Skyler half-turned, her breathing became labored as a figure emerged from the white fog. The figure was a medium-sized man in his twenties with a hat on his head and a gray overcoat on that gave him a touch of mystery and professionalism. He had blue eyes, and his facial features were smooth. Skyler narrowed her eyes, trying to recognize him through the dim light of the gas lamps.

"Y-you are the W-wraithcrow who interrogated me this morning," Skyler said cautiously.

"Exactly…" The man's voice was calm. He paused before taking off his gray hat, holding it against his chest with his right hand while extending his left. "I apologize, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Sebastian Blackwood, pleased to meet you."

Skyler hesitated, looking down at Sebastian's hand with her lips pursed as if entranced. Her mind was lost in thought, trying to remember where she heard that name.

"Is something wrong?" Sebastian asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he noticed her hesitation.

Skyler blinked, her mind snapping back into reality. She shook her head as she looked Sebastian straight into his blue eyes, his blonde hair covering majestically the sides of his forehead.

"N-no! It's nothing!" She blurted out, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm Skyler, Skyler Hall!"

She reached out and clasped his hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip. There was something comforting about the gesture, though she couldn't shake the unease gnawing at her. As their hands parted, the world seemed to narrow around them, as though time itself had slowed for a brief moment.

"Skyler Hall, eh… very interesting." Sebastian repeated with a twisted smile.

Skyler looked at Sebastian in amazement. She felt inappropriate–embarrassed perhaps as her cheeks blushed up to her ears. Her lips trembled as she looked away from Sebastian.

As if sensing her discomfort, Sebastian took a step forward. "Allow me to escort you home, if you do not mind. It's getting late."

Skyler hesitated, her nerves still making her uncertain, but she eventually nodded. "S-sure. T-t-thank you."

They walked side by side along the sidewalk, silence fell between them, and the hiss of the wind cut through the ethereal silence. A shiver ran down Skyler's spine that made her instinctively hug her arms as if seeking warmth, but the coat she had on wasn't enough.

Seeing her tremble, Sebastian slowed his pace, shrugged off his gray overcoat and gently draped it over Skyler's shoulders. 

"Let me cover you up. You shall catch a cold otherwise." Sebastian said.

Skyler blinked, surprised by the gesture. "Thank you, but… won't you get cold without your overcoat?" 

She pulled the coat tightly around her, the rosy scent of cologne entering her nasal passages as the fabric kept her warm. She looked at Sebastian, her eyebrows wide in disbelief.

Sebastian's hand rested lightly on her shoulder, and he gave her a small smile. "I shall be fine. Don't worry about it."

"Is… is this Sebastian Blackwood? Is it really him?" Skyler thought.

While the warmth was enveloping every limb of her body, her mind struggled to process what was happening to her. Questions, his mind was full of questions. She couldn't get it out of her head that the meeting was much more significant than it seems. She raised her head and looked at his face which was slightly above her.

Skyler swallowed hard. "E-excuse me… you said your name is… Sebastian Blackwood. Are you… the famous detective everyone's been talking about?"

"Yes, that would be me." Sebastian turned his gaze toward her. "I'm a detective of the Wraithtcrow division."

"It's... it's fantastic! I never imagined that I would've the opportunity to talk and walk with the most famous detective in the county. No, I have to stay calm, I can't make a fool of myself!" Skyler felt her guard slipping as she asked cautiously. "What brings you to this part of town?"

"After Ruby McDemort's death, they increased surveillance, and put me in charge of this area"

"Are you doing okay with all of it? Isn't it stressful or unnerving for you to wander around the district at night?" 

"It's nothing stressful." Sebastian looked at Skyler, staring into her blue eyes. "Do you live around here?"

"Yea, my house is five minutes from here."

Upon saying those words, Skyler's thoughts drifted to her home, her skull was filled with concern as her heart raced. 

"I really hope Benson isn't too worried… I left the house telling him I wouldn't be long, and instead I'm still outside." Skyler gritted her teeth.

"Is something wrong? I see you are worried." Sebastian touched the brim of this hat, observing her with quiet intensity.

Skyler let out a breath, forcing a smile. "No no, nothing like that. Uh, um… c-can I ask you a question?"

Sebastian smiled, his gaze still turned towards Skyler. "Of course you can ask."

"Well… I-I was wondering if—" Skyler trailed off.

Whilst her anxiety wrapped around her thoughts. Was it really worth asking? What if that is true? Her chest tightened and her trembled fingers curled around the overcoat. 

Skyler looked at the street and said. "I was wondering… if it was possible that the murder cases that have occurred so far could be linked to supernatural elements…"

"Why are you asking me this question?" Sebastian smiled.

"W-wraithcrows usually work on paranormal c-cases. So far it hasn't been said in the newspapers that the cases were linked to mysticism, but yesterday… I saw Ruby with the crows… It was like the lifeblood had been taken away from her. A-and then you were there this morning, s-so I w-wanted to get confirmation from her whether it was true or not!"

"You are very perceptive, Madam Hall. Do you aspire to be a Wraithcrow?"

Skyler looked at Sebastian who touched the brim of his cap. "I—"

"You'd better give up." Sebastian interrupted Skyler and looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.

In that instant, time stopped in Skyler's body. Her eyes stared intently at the figure of Sebastian who was lit by the crimson moon standing before her. She gripped the end of the overcoat tightly as her body trembled.

Sebastian clenched his fists, and said. "We Wraithcrows are always exposed to tragedies and death. It's not a path I'd recommend to someone like you, Madam Hall."

Skyler's blue eyes couldn't tear themselves away from Sebastian's figure. Her body froze in place and her heart pounded in her chest. The crimson moon bathed them both in its eerie glow, casting long shadows on the street.

"Tragedies and death… What did he mean by that?" Skyler thought in aghast.

With a bad-ump, bad-ump, she could hear her heartbeat. At the same time an unsettling feeling was growing inside her, but she didn't know if this feeling was curiosity or restlessness.

Sebastian loosened his black tie a little. "Is your house far away?"

Sebastian's question caught Skyler off guard, as a drop of sweat was rolling down on her back. Sebastian stared at her intently with a comforting smile as he touched his neck with his right hand.

After a moment's hesitation, Skyler forced a smile and pointed with her right hand at the street. "My house is right over there."

Sebastian approached Skyler in one step, and gently took back the overcoat he had draped over Skyler's shoulders.

"Well, I hope you have a good evening." Sebastian bowed his head, and walked away as he put his coat on.

Skyler arrived at her home. She turned, and saw Sebastian's figure receding further and further into the fog.

Her mind was thinking of only one thing. "Something about him doesn't convince me, but I don't know what…"

With a clang, she opened the front door reassured by the warmth of home. She closed the wooden door, and saw Benson standing before her. Benson had his arms folded with his eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze made Skyler's blood run cold.

"Skyler." Benson said, with a serious tone.

Skyler felt Benson's gaze crushing her heartbreakingly. She waved both hands instinctively, her lips trembling. "I'm so sorry uncle! T-the fact is… I went out to check something, and then I met Evelyn—"

"Skyler, we need to talk." Benson abruptly interrupted Skyler, and went into the living room, his footsteps becoming heavier.

Skyler sighed, and walked nervously towards the living room lit by the candle chandelier hanging from the ceiling. She sat on the single sofa feeling her muscles tense from the cold melt.

Benson looked at Skyler sitting on the adjacent single sofa, and clasped both hands together. "Skyler, do you have any idea how much you made me worry? And this isn't even the first time you've done it"

Feeling the heavy atmosphere due to her uncle's words, Skyler looked down at her feet. "I know, I should have warned you, but—"

"Do you have an inkling that your actions are making people around you worried!?" Benson shouted, interrupting Skyler again. "Your father, before he died, he asked me to take care of you. I thought you were different, but you act just like him—reckless, not thinking about the consequences. That's what scares me the most."

Benson's words felt like a weight crushing her chest. There was a lump in her throat, and she fiddled with her fingers. In the room there was absolute silence, and the only thing she could hear was the breathing of her heartbeats.

"I didn't think—I didn't want to worry you." Skyler said, her blue eyes shimmering.

"Promise me you'll never do that again."

Skyler intensely clenched the hem of her blue skirt, her eyes closing as she nodded. "I promise, uncle. I'll be more careful."

Benson stared at her for a moment longer, then sighed. He left the living room, and walked towards the wooden stairs, his footsteps fading as he climbed.

Skyler Hall sat alone, the silence filling the room, gripped by guilt from the bottom of her heart.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Skyler Hall returned to her room with a plate of chicken stew in her right hand. Her dark room was painted red by the crimson moon, and she could see the black-haired man sitting in the usual corner of the room hugging his knees.

Skyler took a few steps, and placed the plate on the floor in front of the black-haired man. "Sorry for the wait, here's your dinner."

The man abruptly took the silver spoon from Skyler's hand, and began eating with his back turned.

Skyler sighed softly. "And even today you ignores me…"

She turned, and saw her reflection in the mirror. Her face, her black hair, and her blue eyes were half-lit by the crimson room. Seeing her reflection and the necklace around her neck, her eyes sparkled, and a tear rolled down her face.

"Dad was just like me… at least in one thing we are alike." Skyler gently wiped away the tears that were starting to fall.

She laughed lightly as she wiped away the tears with her wrist. She fell backwards onto the bed, covering half of her face with her left hand as she stared up at the dark ceiling.

"I didn't think dad was reckless… he always seemed so sad, even when he smiled." Skyler thought.

Looking back at her father's smiling face, she felt a pang in her chest "Dad, dad, dad…" She thought back to the moments she had spent with her father, and the fact that she had ignored him despite his attempts to cheer her up. "Dad, I…"

Then it came—the memory she wanted to forget. Her father lying, surrounded by a pool of blood, her hand stained in her own father's crimson blood. "I'm so sorry for being an ungrateful daughter."

Skyler Hall couldn't contain her emotions, she curled into a ball trembling. Tears poured down her face, wetting the bed, and snot ran down her nose, sobbing incessantly. She felt small, foolish—a child once again, broken and lost.

With her eyes still wet, Skyler caught a sight of the black-haired man, his dull eyes watching her passively, indifferent to her tears.

"I'm truly sorry." Skyler whispered, her voice swallowed by her sobs, trembling like a foolish, ugly, and naive child who is afraid of the dark.