Chapter 123: Festival Screaming
Morning arrived with sunlight streaming through the hotel windows, painting everything in warm golden tones that seemed to mock the darkness of what they’d learned.
Everyone gathered in the lobby, dressed in their black suits, which would allow them to blend in while having freedom of movement.
They left the hotel heading north toward the Mekhko Research Center. The plan was clear for them, to infiltrate during daylight hours when the Director was less likely to appear and explore the deeper levels they’d been unable to reach.
But as they moved through the streets, they blinked in surprise.
People filled the roads, setting up decorations in excitement. Reinhard saw colorful banners stretched between buildings, painted in vibrant reds, golds, and blues.
Vendors assembled stalls, their wooden frames creating temporary structures along sidewalks.
Musicians tested instruments, creating discordant notes that would eventually become coordinated melodies.
Marie perked up as she quickly approached a man arranging flower garlands. "Excuse me, what’s going on?"
The man looked up with a bright smile. "The City Leader approved a Festival for the next three days! It’s being sponsored by Lord Phineas!"
Reinhard and the others’ eyes widened simultaneously, with some of them glancing at each other in shock.
Reinhard stepped forward and said with a faint smile. "Could you tell us where Phineas is? We happened to schedule a meeting with him, and with the setting up of the Festival, I’m unsure if he remembers."
The man laughed. "Ahh, that’s true. Mr. Phineas was pretty happy when he mentioned the Festival. Well, the last place I saw him was heading to the Phane Theater."
Reinhard slowly nodded as he said. "Thank you."
Reinhard walked away, the others falling into step behind him as he headed towards the southern section.
Once they were out of earshot, Roana spoke quietly. "You want to meet Phineas?"
Reinhard nodded with his frown deepening. "For two things. One, to get an idea of what he’s planning with this. I’m not sure if he’s using it as a distraction to drag in more Phantasm Beasts or further setting up for his performance. And two, to see if he brought Anasha with him. If he did, then we could take her with us."
Marie’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding. "You can keep Phineas busy while I tap into the Harrold Mark to use Drasil Step and slow down time. Then I grab Anasha before running out."
Reinhard smiled before nodding. "That’s a good plan. The issue would be recognizing her if she took on a different look again."
Marie puffed her chest out with visible confidence. "Leave that to me. I should be able to recognize her easily."
Reinhard blinked in surprise before quickly asking. "You can? How?"
Joseph chuckled, Niki giggled, and Scáth smirked, amusement on their faces before all three spoke simultaneously. "Because Marie can read people better than anyone and memorize their habits."
Reinhard’s eyes widened as realization crashed through him.
Of course, that does make sense.
Marie always seemed to know how everyone was feeling, when to act to help them, and how to comfort without being intrusive. When he’d been inwardly bothered by reading about Mekhko wanting to cure the Dark Tide Curse, but through terrible actions, it had been Marie who knew. She’d held his hand, given him comfort and silent support without him saying a word, as if she understood.
What an amazing skill. Reinhard thought before he nodded at Marie with a smile.
Gran crossed his arms and said. "How do you plan to get an idea of what he’s planning?"
"He’ll most likely give it up." Reinhard said with a hum. "Phineas doesn’t mind revealing things or us finding out bits about the plan. In fact, he strives for it. The only thing he won’t give is the main plot and any information that would fully stop it."
Gran nodded slowly with his eyes slightly widening. "So we can get some hints on what he plans to do and the true point behind this festival?"
"Exactly." Reinhard confirmed. "And if we really catch him slipping. We can figure out what he planned for the rest of the day."
Silence fell over the group as they processed the approach.
The Phane Theater appeared ahead, its distinctive architecture rising above surrounding buildings. They entered through the main doors, finding the interior bustling with workers moving sets and actors rehearsing lines.
After asking a stagehand for directions, they headed toward one of the theater rooms. But Gran, Niki, Scáth, and Roana stopped at the entrance, positioning themselves outside.
"We’ll wait here." Roana said quietly. "No need to let Phineas know we exist or that you three have allies yet."
Reinhard nodded in agreement before he headed into the theater room with Marie, and Joseph followed him inside.
Inside the theater room were wooden benches arranged in rows facing a raised stage.
Phineas stood on that stage, a book in his hands, his attention absorbed by whatever text filled its pages.
The trio walked down the stone steps and onto the stage before heading towards Phineas. Then Reinhard saw Phineas looking up, and a smile spread across his face.
"My dear actors! To think you all would come visit your dear Director. It fills me with pleasure and delight." Phineas said in glee. "I hope this dear city has been giving you all a delightful experience."
Reinhard nodded as he glanced around before saying. "It sure has. But I’m curious why you started a festival randomly... Does it have anything to do with the performance?"
Phineas sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "I must admit it was done at the last minute and not planned. But my other sponsors believe a festival would be a great way to warm up the people before the grand performance."
"Someone has it hard." Reinhard said with a raised brow. "I’m surprised you haven’t gotten new sponsor friends."
Phineas chuckled, the sound carrying genuine amusement mixed with resignation. "Well, these ones are a bit special, unfortunately. Or else I would have really gotten new ones."
Marie stepped forward slightly. "Will the Festival really last for three days?"
Phineas nodded, his smile widening. "Indeed! The city will have a beautiful send-off!" He paused, then added almost casually. "But well, it’s not like the city will still be around to see the other two days."
Reinhard’s eyes widened slightly, his body tensing. "Wait... Don’t tell me you-"
Phineas sighed, his shoulders slumping further. "I wanted to stick to the five days, but my colleagues have gotten impatient and sick of waiting. It was unfortunate, but well, we have everything we need to commence."
Reinhard instantly summoned Zenuken.
The black-blue blade appeared and pressed against Phineas’s neck before the man could react. Marie’s Longinus appeared simultaneously, its crimson-gold point touching Phineas’s throat from another angle. Joseph’s grey lance Arondight completed the triangle, positioned at the side of Phineas’s neck.
"Where is Anasha, and what are you planning!?" Reinhard’s voice came sharp, controlled fury barely contained.
Phineas chuckled, the sound utterly unbothered despite three weapons at his throat. "If you desire the answers, then go to the Mekhko Research Center and descend to the very bottom... My dear, beautiful actors."
The figure of Phineas began breaking down, his body unraveled into golden threads, and only a pile of strings remained where Phineas had stood.
Reinhard, Marie, and Joseph’s eyes widened with horrified understanding. They’d been talking to a puppet, and Phineas had never been here at all.
Before they could speak, the ground began shaking.
The tremor started subtly but built rapidly as vibrations ran up through their boots and into their bones.
Then sounds reached them from outside as they began hearing ear-splitting crashes, shattering glass, and the grinding screech of structural damage.
And then came the screaming.