Investigative Period

The next day came by. 

Zion and Lunan sat on wooden chairs surrounding a rectangular stone desk, underneath a soft pale moon.

Even softer moonlight shot through the window, and white curtains moved to the side.

The moonlight was not enough, so three wax candles secured in candleholders illuminated the room, soft, warm colors bouncing off the wooden walls.

"You called me so suddenly, I didn't even get to change into anything proper. Everyone looked at me like a madman, walking alone in the dead of night dressed like a haggard."

Lunan was dressed in the clothing one would wear to sleep, while Zion was dressed much more properly.

"It's because it's important. Haah, just me telling you this, I feel a little unnerved."

"Why is that?"

Zion moved his hand across the stone desk, moving his cup and a few unnecessary items out of his way.

This action revealed a messy stack of papers.

Stack was not the right word. 

Papers were all over the table.

"Woah," Lunan said blankly, his eyes lingering on the papers for a few seconds, then back at Zion. "Is this some kind of project?"

Zion swallowed, hesitating to speak.

"Do you believe in demons, Lunan?" he asked.

"Of course. It would be dumb not to."

"What about deities? You believe in them?"

"Yes. I don't pray to any, but I do acknowledge their existence."

Zion brought out one of the many papers, rumpled up. He brought it up toward the candlelight. The paper was written in print; dark black ink and pale white background.

Lunan quietly read the top two words, written in bold. The largest text on the paper.

"'Missing persons' files…"

"A friend of mine had briefly mentioned a group activity he had found. A religious… spiritual experience called 'Followers of the Kind Rose.' Ever since he told me about that, I haven't seen him since."

"… Followers of the Kind Rose? It's relatively obscure, but I've heard of it before. Are you sure your friend just hasn't gotten in contact with you?"

"No, no. I checked the missing reports. Aaron, my friend, was reported missing two days after I had that chat with him. So his parents hadn't seen him for two whole days. It's not that I didn't get in contact with him."

"… I see. This is really a problem then, huh?"

"I'm sorry to ask you this, but I need you guys to help me. I know you might feel like it isn't any of your business… but… Aaron is really dear to me. I would be terrified if something preventable happened to him."

Zion's tone was full of worry, with a little bit of shaking in his voice.

He balled his fists in frustration.

Lunan's eyes softened. He let out an irritated sigh, patting Zion's back with aggression.

"Fine. You know what, I'll help you. If we get into anything too dangerous, just know, I'm running away as fast as I can."

Zion smiled softly.

"Thank you, Lunan."

"Oh, and we'll definitely need Alicia. She's more skilled than both of us."

"That's true."

The two of them laughed.

. .

The next day came by, and they arrived at the Mahaut household early. So early, the sun was just barely rising past the horizon, leaving the sky dark blue.

Zion stood forward, knocking on the large door once.

It opened slowly, after a few long minutes.

The large door opened to reveal a disheveled Alicia, still in her nightgown. Her eyes were lidded and she blinked slowly. She yawned.

"You don't look all that good, Alicia. What if we were potential suitors? This is how you would display yourself?" Lunan teased.

"I heard you guys singing together before I opened a door. I wouldn't even think of marrying a pair of fools," she responded weakly, rubbing at her eyes.

"We need your help," Zion said.

He regurgitated the same information to Alicia. To both of their surprise, she had no hesitation in accepting.

"Really?" they both asked.

"Sure. I'm strong, so it's not like I'll be easily hurt. And I can trust you guys."