Chapter 99 - Post-earthquake

Opening his eyes faintly, Aslan felt his whole body ache.

What had happened?

Trying to recall his last memories, he quickly sat up in bed.

That's right!

He had followed Leonardo to the Mirror World to rescue his friend. There had been tremors, tents falling apart, Diablo fighting someone...

All Aslan had done was pick Gustavo up and try to get out of that place. His young master was with Benjin, so he could make sure they got out alive. But before he could find the exit, there was a momentary lapse in the Mirror World, and Aslan felt like falling into a bottomless pit.

After that... He couldn't remember anything else.

— What a headache... Hm? — Looking at his hand, the boy noticed that someone was holding him — Ray?

The magician was sitting in the chair next to the bed, looking lost. It was frightening that he looked like that, in his true form. All sloppy, as if he'd given up on breathing.

— Ray? — Aslan called out, taking his hand — Are you all right?

— Humans are fragile — whispered the magician — I'm going to end up alone, no, not that...

Oh, he was completely mad.

Aslan got on the bed, facing the magician. Reaching out to lift his face, the blond smiled slightly when their eyes met.

— Your piece of cloud just woke up, and all you do is grumble like an old man?

Ray was a drawing. A character who came to life. He was born to amuse people, to make them forget the bad things in their daily lives as if by magic.

But who could take the weight off their worries?

Hugging tightly, Aslan took a deep breath to ensure that Ray could feel his heart beating in his chest. All he had to do was wait patiently, and soon the magician returned the hug.

— That's right, Ray. I'm here now, so go back to being your usual shameless self, hm?

— Aslan...

The blond man's eyes widened in surprise.

Ray hardly ever called him by his name. And now he was clinging to his clothes and holding him in his embrace. He could feel the magician trembling and crying against his shoulder.

Frankly, what a sorry state he was in. Even so, the blond smiled because he felt happy that someone appreciated him so much. Ray would be the only person in the world who would miss Aslan, not the child prodigy.

— Aslan... I got scared.

— I'm sorry.

— I thought I'd lost you forever.

— I'm sorry.

— What if that demon had done something to you?

— I'm sorry.

He could get down on his knees and beg his forgiveness, and Aslan would still be happy. His heart raced at the thought of living through the day when Ray, the attraction at the Cave of Mermaids, was crying in his arms like a little baby.

What could he do?

Aslan only fell more in love.

Stroking his grey hair, Aslan also tightened his embrace.

The moment was so exciting...

Until Aslan's stomach began to growl with hunger.

— Bwahahaha! — Laughed the magician, tightening his embrace, surprising the blond boy — My piece of cloud is making strange sounds.

— Shut up! I'm just hungry.

— I'll go to the kitchen and get you something, wait here.

As soon as the magician left the room, Aslan smiled. At least Ray was happy too. He should spoil him a bit for the next few days, until all his insecurities went away.

— Haa... He's more human than me — laughed the blond, throwing himself on the bed.

Shortly afterwards, Ray returned to the room with a full tray. Some light snacks and a glass of orange juice. While Aslan ate to satisfy his hunger, the magician told him what had happened to Dreamland.

Things seemed to be in a terrible mess. Earthquakes, landslides, people getting hurt and all of it caused by a demon.

— Do you no longer feel Diablo's presence?

— I still feel it, but it's very weak, almost insignificant — Ray shrugged, playing with Aslan's hair — What I don't feel is his influence. Now that brat runs the place.

— Has Leo seen him?

— Probably. The one who threw you out of the Mirror World must have been that kid.

— Hey, he may be dead and in another dimension, but he's also the young master. Speak carefully.

Ray rested his chin on Aslan's shoulder, making a disgusted face.

— One's a pain in the arse, now I have to put up with two? At least Leonardo's a big boy and can waste his time having fun with Benjin, but the other one... Argh.

Aslan squeezed and pulled the magician's cheek in rebuke.

— Watch your mouth. They're both Evilian.

Although he understood Ray's concern. Aslan had no idea what would become of Dreamland from then on. Diablo may have been responsible for the atrocities against humans, but there was no denying the fact that it was thanks to him that the park had remained standing for all those years.

Aslan doubted very much that Lucca Evilian would follow the same path as his predecessor in the Mirror World. Depending on his choices, Dreamland could cease to shine.

— That's Vicente's problem, not mine — Ray muttered, taking a biscuit from Aslan's hand.

— Vicente has always served the young master Lucca, ever since his soul was trapped in the Mirror World, hasn't he?

— Vicente is a contract. He serves his master in any dimension. Ah, but I only serve you, you piece of cloud.

Could he have a serious chat with that perverted magician?

— Oh yes! What about Gustavo and Leo? How are they?

— The human boy is in the care of the dim-witted detective, and the young master is asleep.

— Wait, sleeping like normal people or... Sleeping like that?

There was a huge difference. Leonardo had already fallen into a deep sleep once, not waking up for days. That time, he had changed to the point where he had overcome some of his traumas and acted like an Evilian.

If he was in another deep sleep, that meant...

— Just like that.

Ah, looks like the main attractions were going to have to hold it together for a while.

Staring at the window, Aslan couldn't see the circus tent like he used to. From what he'd learnt, the main point of the whole of Dreamland had collapsed when a tree fell.

Does this mean that Dreamland would have to be reborn?

— We're going to be busy for a while, aren't we?

— Should we ask for a holiday? Take the opportunity to sleep late, get bored watching the clock...

— Do you not know the word "fun"?

Ray tilted his head and slid his fingers down the blond's arm, staring at him seductively. At that moment, Aslan regretted his question.

— Forget it.

— I can give you a lot of fun, you piece of cloud.

— I don't want to know.

— Yes, you do — Ray laughed, holding Aslan's face just a few millimetres away — I'll make your mind so blank that you'll forget the world outside.

— You... Honestly!

At least he was laughing. He seemed happy.

Aslan wouldn't mind being that bored magician's plaything. Since Ray had cried for him, cared for him and cherished him so much that he showed his most sensitive side, he would gladly surrender his sensitivity and vulnerability.

When their lips touched, Aslan realised that his mind had already gone blank. Just like the other times he had been with Ray, that magician had really made him forget the world outside and concentrate only on those red eyes that stared at him intensely.

He loved him.

And he would love him forever.

{...}

— Are you really all right?

— Yes, I'm fine. The doctor said I just need to continue the treatment properly and I'll be able to go home soon — the girl smiled, stroking her little brother's hair — But what about you? You look tired.

— I don't know... Our mum disappeared out of the blue, without saying anything to anyone... Our father is trying to cope on his own, but I think he's in trouble.

— When he came to visit me earlier, he said we didn't have to worry about money. Things seem to be going well at his work.

Staring at his hands, Gustavo sighed.

The world was strangely empty.

Even though he was in hospital talking to his sister, Gustavo still felt that something was missing. He should be happy that she had finally woken up and was responding well to treatment over the last few months... But deep down, he wasn't that happy.

Of course, it wasn't for her.

It was for someone else.

A knock on the door caught his attention. The broad-shouldered, strong-bodied man just shook his head, and the boy knew what it was about.

— It's time for me to go.

— Who is he, Gustavo? He's wearing a badge...

— Oh, that's Detective Monteccello. He's helping me with my work in the park and with our mum's case.

— I heard that the place was completely destroyed. And there's no news about the new owner either...

That's what the news said.

The newspapers kept talking about Dreamland. Of course, it was a natural disaster that collapsed the entire park and left many people injured. It was considered a miracle that no lives were lost, and they say this is due to the security structure.

Nevertheless, even when it came to catastrophes, Dreamland remained in the spotlight. On the internet, young people wanted to go into the rubble, believing that there they would come into contact with ghosts and spirits. The fact that Dreamland had announced that it would be closing its doors for an indefinite period increased the public's curiosity.

Getting up from his chair, Gustavo walked over to his sister and kissed her cheek.

— I'm off. I'll come and visit you again tomorrow.

— Take care, little one.

At least he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Leaving the office accompanied by the detective, Gustavo once again felt a weight on his shoulders. Receiving a hug from the detective, the boy sighed.

— Have you found out anything?

— I've already spoken to your father about your mother, so ask him to explain it to you properly. Now we have to deal with the other problem.

Squinting his eyes, Gustavo bit his lip nervously.

— He... Really gone? All of them?

— The mansion is empty, and Viola isn't saying anything.

— At least she's in your care, right?

Scratching the back of his neck, Giovani sighed heavily.

It was a big surprise to discover that he wasn't her father, but that Viola had actually been a survivor of an abuser and he was tutoring her. It must be difficult for him to look after a child on his own when he works as a policeman.

What's more, Dreamland's main attractions and their heir have suddenly disappeared. Without a trace.

— The only thing she asked me to do was go to the mansion every day. I leave her with a team of policemen doing her security, and they say she just dances in front of the mirror as if she's performing for someone.

— She lived in that mansion for a few months, it must be hard for her to be alone all of a sudden.

Giovani had dark circles under his eyes, it was so clear how tired he was. Still, he endeavoured to look after Viola and Gustavo. Well, not that Gustavo really needed his help, but the detective was worried that he had some trauma because of what happened months ago.

— Are you really well enough to go to that place?

— Vicente had said he'd left some documents about my contract in his office. It would be better to get them before someone with bad intentions gets their hands on them, don't you think?

The detective begrudgingly agreed.

— I could get them for you.

— It's all right. I kind of... I want to say goodbye.

Inside the policeman's car, they both listened to the radio, which was once again talking about the park. Discussions about what would become of the place increased the anticipation of Dreamland fans.

Everything revolved around that park.

And Gustavo could only feel sad.

After some time on the motorway until he reached the park's car park, Gustavo looked at the huge castle that didn't shine as brightly as it used to. Instead of being full of customers queuing to get on the rides, there was machinery clearing the huge trees and rubble out of the way.

Everyone was working on someone's orders.

But who?

Leonardo had disappeared along with everyone else.

As Gustavo and Giovani walked through the ruined park, the boy's heart squeezed with longing. Where had the joy of that place gone? The beauty of the artists entertaining the public? The juggling and mime shows?

All that was left was... Chaos.

Looking away, he couldn't see the circus tent in the distance.

It was so sad.

— Detective! There seems to be a problem with the sewage system...

— Haa... Kid, go to the office first. I'll meet you there.

— Alright.

He seemed quite busy. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Gustavo made his way through the park until he reached Dreamland Circus. Stopping at the gate, he saw the main tent completely collapsed and torn. The previous day's rain had left the entire path Gustavo had to follow full of mud, until he entered the container where Vicente's office was located.

The administrator had only told him about his contract and then never appeared again.

Had something happened?

Entering the office, Gustavo looked around, shivering at the silence in the room. The earthquake had wreaked havoc on the place, overturned desks, scattered papers, fallen bookshelves... It definitely looked like a haunted place.

Only one mirror seemed intact. On the floor in front of it was a yellow envelope.

— Could that be it?

Gustavo crouched down to pick up the envelope. Opening it and checking its contents, he found his contract intact. How sad, he thought he could be part of the Dreamland family if he continued as a drummer in the circus band...

Raising his eyes to the mirror, he was surprised to see someone standing behind him.

Long black hair.

Red outlined eyes.

A guilty look on his face, even though he was smiling as he stared at himself in the reflection.

— Diablo.