The Mysterious Manor – Team Distraction
It was apparent that Spina was captivated by this strange sensation of energy behind that particular door. If Zenta was merely enticed by the limitless energy, Spina indulged on it. It spoke to his instincts that what lies behind the door will scratch that itch he was seeking—whatever he was seeking about. He extended his left arm forward with an open hand, the black spots flaring up once more.
From anyone’s point of view, it was clear that Spina was attempting to disregard the warnings from the others and reached for the door itself. In Bernkastel’s view in particular, the withered beast was in plain view, and became distorted to the point of uncanny. In reality, Spina closed his left hand tightly, letting it drop to his left side as if reason had come to his senses.
“Not worth it.” Spina told Zenta. “Stay on the path we’re assigned on and not make any unnecessary obstacles for ourselves. Whatever’s in there, let it stay there.” Spina turned his back away from the door. It was clear; however, that Spina was fighting the urge to do otherwise.
Guardian, in particular, was impressed that Bernkastel managed to convinced Spina to avoid the door. He even ordered Zenta to step away from it as well; she assumed at the very least, Spina would have him do it in his place to resonate his urges. Nevertheless, Guardian petted Bernkastel’s head. “Well done, little one.” Guardian’s tone was an apathetic as ever, but this time, there was a slight hint of happiness. “I can hear him cursed in vain; no doubt that I’ve correctly chosen you as my next pawn after Goku.”
Approaching the Detective, Spina raised his right hand towards the ceiling above them. “We’re going up, right?” The old Saiyan was aware that they won’t be able to fully utilize their powers without consequences—and whatever he did to bypass it the first place still remains unanswered. “We’re going have to jump. I’m sure all of you can managed to do that?” No doubt that Berserk, Zenta, Bage and himself are capable to leaping long distances and floorboards aren’t particularly sturdy enough to warranted serious injury. But Cayde and Bernkastel aren’t, at least, the physical types. “You.” Spina called out Zena. “You’re the biggest, you jumped up and make a hole, and we’ve followed you right after that.”
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The Mysterious Manor – Team Stealth
As Team Stealth climbed on the corpses of petrified Xy’phers, Detective Spawn felt aggression forming in his thoughts. “Shit…” He exhales rapidly; it was so cold that the vapor in his breath turned into water droplets and ice. He was behind Avalon and Nia as they were talking amongst themselves, and the Detective became extremely suspicious of them. “Ever since last night, Avalon been acting strange. Could he be the spy that Nia talked about? Had Spina never stopped him…” The Detective tried to shake off such mindset, but they were increasingly invaded his head. Paranoia. Distrust. Anger. Apparent emotions and state of mind that were so overbearing that he could no longer think straight. With the inability to use his powers, it only added to his increased aggression. “Damn them…” He cursed under his icy breath. “I bet they’re simply using us as bait to get rid of the Detective Agency.” A strange thought ran through his mind; he turned to May, who was next to them as they climbed. “I should forgo Battler’s task and simply end it all here. With May here, it’s doable… Then I can save Wanda…”
Once again, the Detective shook his head. “What is this? Is this place messing with me?” Spawn turned his head slightly; the first person he eyed was Bara, who’d held pure frustration on her face. “I bet… she told her friends to stay behind so she can create an opening to leave us for dead.”
Then Spawn’s eyes landed on the fallen angel of grace, Lucifer Morningstar, whom was oddly not talkative. His eyes widened upon seeing the angel’s face: not anger nor frustration, but pure, untamed malice. His eyes were like black holes that pulls anyone that dared look at his direction near and shook them with terror. Spawn had face Satan before, but that incarnation was merely a temper child with a spoiled attitude. This Lucifer, with that expression alone, represents pure chaos.
Lucifer, without making his usual smile and his demeanor lost, locked eyes with Spawn. “Keep your eyes forward, friends. We’re nearly there.” He spoke in such a deep, flat tone without any hint of wit. Something that Spawn shook with terror upon hearing it.
Upon reaching the top, they were in a strange room, where all the Xy’phers barely reached the edge of the hold before perishing. There were few flickers of light sparingly; and the coldness was even more apparent that it was hard to move around. No windows, no portraits, no artifacts; at least, not visible to the naked eye. There, however, exist a door on the other side of the room—visible thanks to the flickering lights.
“The hell killed these Xy’phers?” Detective Spawn questioned, but nothing was particularly out there. The only thing they can see ahead is the door on the other side. “Whatever… fuck this. Let’s just go.” Taking just one step forward, Spawn’s instincts were firing off warnings of death in this room, forcing him to pause his movements. “May… what do you see in this room with those infrared tech?”
