A Town of Ghost

And so the librarian and the cleric sail into the ocean of sand across Frayfoil, finally free from the burden of the cruel underworld's stirs. But when they thought the grip was loosened from the Tophats, the ill-faced convicts find their way into their voyage and compromise their escape, stealing more than just a scrap from their boat. Now, the hope of getting out seems thinner than ever.

Eve, Cyrus and Charger gather back to the coast, finding the boat nowhere as Charger had promised. They wear masks to cover their face from the sandstorm.

"They didn't see me nor my tin house when they left! But they took the only motorboat we have to this place."

"Aw, come on! You can't be serious!" Eve stressed out.

"This whole mission is ours! We were so close! So close!! Aagh!"

She threw a pebble into the ocean before lying on her knees on the sand with anguish.

"My boat...my precious boat..." Charger rubs the traces of its disappearance.

"Can't you just make a new one, Charger?" Cyrus tries to cheer up.

"I can't! It was the only boat I have! That machine is not cheap to find! And I didn't make it—I had to slip a guard to get one!" Charger breaks.

"Oh..."

"Tophats are the worst thing stepping on this stone! Always ruining everything! Those scums have nothing but a plague! Not even one could spill on their necks?"

"They ruin my life! My ten entire years! My family's life! I can't...I just can't take this anymore!"

"What do we do now, Eve?" Charger wonders.

"Forget it. Now we're stuck in this land. Stuck with those people..."

"At least we have our mother until the end..." Eve mumbled.

Her grunts turned into a sob. It fuels Cyrus with something.

How quick it was for determination to diminish into yet another sand just when it seemed the dust was over. The cursed Tophats, wretched from the womb and damned from the seeds they've grown—nothing more but a pest in their growth as a society. How much a man could wish to swing a blade to spill one drop for them to rob many of theirs. How much can a librarian wish dread upon her enemies. But the librarian knew she couldn't give up now, for it was too close to surrender the promised meadow.

Cyrus stares at the intertwined twigs, which resemble a doll. It has short hair and a faint smile from Stella on it.

"We'll take it back," Cyrus mumbled.

"Come again?" Eve stares at Cyrus.

"We worked hard for this, didn't we? We can't just let it gone by dust!"

"But then, they came to a land not belong to them and steal what's not theirs. A home they never ask for, a coast they never see, and definitely a citizen they never cared."

"It's our boat. We have to take it back..."

"And how are we going to do that? We are not a fighter! We can't fight them!"

"Well, we don't have to fight them." Charger walked out of his tin house.

From his home's tin shed, Charger unveils numerous pieces of tin equipment that even surprise Eve with their advancement. Her curiosity starts picking on her head as the shapes and sizes make her wonder what it could do on her hands. Even Cyrus couldn't hold his wonder at the drill head.

"Can the prince even make that? I bet he's not!" Cyrus jokes with excitement.

"They might be clever, but I'm more than just an intellect! If they actually chose to look after this place, they would've gotten more than a boat!" Charger holds her dropped book in her hands.

"Well, what do you say, Eve? Should we continue our voyage still?" Cyrus sat beside her, comforting the weeping girl.

"*Sob* Definitely." Eve cleans her tears.

With time still ticking by her side, the librarian was sacked for another venture. Down the hill where a river separates two lands, the boat was a hostage on the other side. Sands began to thin, and a cold wind replaced the brown dust in the sky. It was already night as the void and sand were still floating amok. But a hint of wind was left, whispering about the evil in the south.

"So, I overheard one of the men saying they were carrying this place to somewhere empty and devoid of people. It has something related to empty or abandoned place on this land."

"Devoid? Now where would that be?" Cyrus scratches his head.

Eve pauses and nods up, "Wailstone."

The wicked Tophats bring their boat away to a dark slum, and the librarian has no choice but to retrieve what's right for her. That would mean she and her fellow wanderers had to return from the same filth they'd left. For that was a guilt that they left early.

The three walked on the dark tunnel together onto the south. Eve led the way for them with only a lantern in her hand as she began to recite a story.

"Not sure what to say about this place other than being a husk of a seemingly golden place. Wailstone was the last place to fear around Frayfoil, especially when you are young and wild like me."

"Tophats didn't make much from here, and the people who lived in Frayfoil even left their homes to this land until it bottles up too dense. They know what haven is, but not the Duke."

"It was not long until a man named Waylon Hoyles was appointed to Wailstone under the Duke's word. He was not a man whose job was honest, and still he isn't."

"He was tasked at seizing assets and homes from people in Wailstone, especially from those migrating from Frayfoil for the Duke's benefit. In return, he gets a few acre to built an empire from within."

"The town was emptied in less than a month, and barrister Hoyles gets enough land to assert his own district without the Duke's knowing. He even enlisted Tophats to protect his domain from outsiders for a silver he earned."

"What we're going for is nowhere near Frayfoil. This is a ghost town, and its ghosts are always at rage."

Their safest passage to the town under was the underground sewer by the Great Stone. It was a trail of misery and stomach repulsion, but it was worth the anonymity. They couldn't risk for the Tophats to see them directly, for their casualties are as high as their hats. Darkness is a wonder of the trail, and lights are the disturbance.

But in the end, all that nausea ceases at the reach of fresh air. The ocean spreads to their right, with darkness swirling sands at the water and fish dying on the surface. On their left, a stairway to leave this sight into the ghost town of Wailstone, where the ill-faced Tophats still linger with torches and masks.

"Well, here we are. Welcome to Wailstone, my friend."

"Fuck." Eve muttered.

The three stand far at the entrance of the town, peeling their eyes in disbelief as evil hasn't yet stopped. Right at the arch of demise, a grim awaits on a pylon. It is a towering destruction they are familiar with, who can see and kill with its flame on sight. Its sight even terrifies their skins, for it sees even without an eye.

The three hide at a post, watching the entrance sealed with wood wall reconstruction and two men on standby.

"What? What's that?" Charger peeked.

"Thermal pillar. A defence automation for the nobles and riches. That thing will combust you on sight to dust."

"Aww, that sounds like Gorgosian thing. But luckily I'm made of metal, so it won't affect me!"

"We need to get past that thing somehow." Eve mumbled.

"Cyrus, do your thing. Hear."

The three stand waiting in the darkness, watching as time ticks out for the pillar's guard. The cleric bats his eyes and ears into the machine, for he hears something beyond the librarian's sight. His gift was used yet again for the right purpose, for it seemed he was smiling at the thought of the wall.

Cyrus focuses his ears onto the two men.

"What a mess. This thing really sucks for a defence."

"I don't know. I'd rather not be burned alive on sight if I were walking near that thing."

"Yeah, but they get so easy to break. You loaded that thing with one bottle of whale oil and it burns so much fuel before it needs another juice..."

*Siren blare*

"Well, that's our call to the base. Don't disappoint us, machine!"

They left the entrance with the pillar on.

The cleric shared his wisdom, and the librarian immediately knew what to do. The fire pillar's eyes were not keen that day, so the three could get past without wasting much. To get past that pylon, they must be haste or clever. It was the tension that the librarian had awaited and the question she was looking to answer.

"The machine's not doing well today. We could get past it if we are wary enough." Cyrus mumbled.

"We could tamper with that thing's eye and drain its fuel if we have something to sacrifice on it."

"Or maybe we find out where those wires leads? Maybe I could rewire it. Maybe..." Charger stand for his own way.

"Or maybe we could look for a way in so as to not make a noise outside." Eve mumbled.

The three finds not just one but three passages to slip away from the pylon's sight. They could either sneak through a vent, cut the source of its juice, or simply overload it to numb. The choices are many and the risks are various—such a thought for the librarian to choose one. But the cleric and the Tin Man was also confused.

"Why should I make this a choice?" Eve thought for a moment. Her eyes perched on the entrance over and over again.

[Option 1] Moon

"That hole in the building seems sturdy enough for us to enter. I can tell there's something inside." Eve pointed.

"Maybe we should play it soft since we don't know how many people are in here."

"Oh, well. If that's your choice, then." Cyrus smiled with side-eyes.

"*Sigh* Bye-bye, machine..." Charger frowns.

The librarian knew she had to be silent, for the danger seemed too much against the three. It has always been a part of her life, and silence saves her from things she couldn't hold with her fist. So when she sees a passage, she sees an opportunity played with a plan. The cleric and the Tin Man join her into the narrow creak together, hoping to see a better light on the other side.

The three appeared on a leftover three-story home. It was a husk. But it has a history of the town and its owner.

"Wow, look at this place. Wailstone did have a lot of change after nobody sleeps in it." Eve commented.

"My mother was right about keeping your plate on the shelves. Maybe we should've been more careful with what we're holding, Eve." Cyrus stares at the shattered plates on the floor.

"This place is sucks! It's too dark!" Charger lit up the lantern.

"Now that's better."

But all they have is darkness before them—a corner they couldn't pierce with their minds and eyes. The Tin Man is lost immediately, while the cleric wanders with a blind eye, for the librarian stands peaceful and coordinated in the darkness. It was a part of her life, but it was not for the cleric and the shimmer in his eyes—hopeful eyes.

Charger wanders away, leaving Eve and Cyrus on the floor.

"Cyrus? Are you okay?" Eve checked on him.

"These days have been off for me since that prince was here. He did a lot to undo what I've made from people over the years in Great Stone. I feel like I haven't even made a contact with anyone since two days..." Cyrus sat with doubt.

"Good for you. None of those people should have been in your circle now," Eve taps his shoulder.

"Their faith is weak. And the way I see it, a cleric shouldn't be easily shaken."

"How can they not? Miracle was way too strong on that one." Cyrus replies.

"Cyrus, you're better than this. You have been a priest for years and yet you could only do less for your followers! It's time you do more than staying for old things," Eve holds his cheeks.

"How? By debunking everything I've learned with somewhat 'new stuff' on the other side? By proving me wrong?"

"By raising your sight wider! You know what I always told you about the world? It was never complete in me, and so it was in you. Your faith is right, but your words are not the same anymore."

"You think so?" His pupils dilate.

"Yes. Come with me, and I'll help you for that. Open your eyes and learn to ask yourself the biggest question: What did I haven't yet to know?"

Cyrus chuckles, "Sounds like Eve. I guess I'm Eve now."

A new thought grows in Cyrus, and Eve feels happier to see it.

But together, they traversed the darkness within with their hands held tight. Wailstone is only a husk until one sees through the window of its residence. Life may not flourish as the librarian expects, but even a moon still shine on this decrepit town. Maybe it was the sand that piles on the window that deceives them and the people of its evil.

"Hey, what do you know? The town is still shimmering with lights!" Cyrus commented with hope.

"Yeah! You can go now, lantern." Charger shuts off.

"I doubt it was all this town had..." Eve critics.

"Waylon robbed a lot, and Tophats are around. Those lights means nothing if they couldn't shine as they used before..."

"Maybe in another world, we're heading, there would be a town better than this," Eve commented.

[Option 2] Storm

"I don't like that idea, Cyrus. I mean, I see a wire and I see a chance not to kill us both. Wouldn't that be too risky?" Eve pointed.

"I...I suppose. Well, let's do it on your way, then..." Cyrus glances with guilt.

"Sweet! Maybe I could grab some oil inside..." Charger rushes out to the entrance.

A new opportunity means a new answer. How can she ignore the answer from the thought of the Tin Man and his tin brilliance? The question that lies within the Tin Man hasn't yet been answered, and the librarian grew impatient with the waiting. So, from a swift on her fingernail, she pokes the Tin Man's back with haste for his assertion.

Charger trailed the wire behind the wall. He was no longer seen from there. The two could only lay low from the street.

"I hope what he's doing is right here." Cyrus mumbled.

"Oh, you can trust him, Fireboy. He knew what's he doing with those metals and coppers." Eve comforts him with her arms.

"If not, he wouldn't be here with us. I can't wait to see what he could do here."

"He kind of reminds me of the prince, and I hated it. I just hope we could leave and forget about that guy..."

"I felt more doubtful about this world now that I know a wicked thing dwell in our soil, too." Eve mumbled.

"I fear whatever we pass out in his world would mislead us. What if we learn something we shouldn't? What if we become more dangerous than him?" Cyrus mumbled.

"Maybe we can stop him, then. He knew he could've been rivaled somewhat. Cyrus, you should've know that we're trying to do something more for this town."

"Like what? Creating more storms? Changing the world for the third time? What about helping the world as we should?"

"Oh, Cyrus. We'll help them...with our wisdom."

Eve stands determined with her choice. But something grew distant with her.

The storm grew fiercer, and sparks could be heard from the sky. As the Tin Man succeeds in his job, the first clap from the thunder enlightens the sky for the first time. Fear rises among people like the cleric, while astonishment is seemingly an appropriate face for the librarian and Tin Man. The town is still alive as they doubt.

The pillar flickers with a seemingly changed light.

"What's with the delay, Charger?"

"Sorry. Had a trouble with some of the leaking. They're flammable..." Charger returns with an oil canister.

"Luckily my tools are no match for them. A few pliers and new copper wires to disable the old polarization system. Its sensor should ignore us by now."

"Seems like you're enjoying yourself toying with the human's machine. I wonder what we can learn from that, Cyrus?"

"Maybe a little thing. But that thing is still a danger to me." Cyrus walks away without looking.

"Good one, creature. Maybe you should consider staying in this world."

"I'll think of that, friend." He chuckled.

"Maybe if I had an ingenuity like you, I could make a machine to turn all weapons against the Tophats."

[Option 3] Sun

"If we could drain their fuel, maybe we won't even have anything to worry about when we're leaving here." Eve mumbled excitedly.

"I know you'll understand! That thing is too dangerous to be left on. Hang on, I'll go look for something to help us." Cyrus walked off with an excited face.

"Well, I don't say it's a bad idea. Not really far from what I wished actually." Charger hums a neutral face before following Cyrus.

It was no question for the librarian. The pylon stood weak, and it seemed for her to have a step on it. She was resilient, and she might have done something more with it. The tension seems to grow even further as she sees the mechanical closer while her body is coated with metal like the Tin Man.

The three walk closer to the machine, activating its fume to ignition.

"Are you sure this'll last, Charger?" Cyrus rubs his metal robe.

"Yep. These metal layers should be enough as a shield. I know that because my skin has the same durability as these things. Except they get mouldy so quick..."

"Alright, let's waste no more time and get to the chamber." Cyrus walks forward.

"On the count of three...two...one..."

"Go!" Cyrus leads.

Flame combusts, its alarm blares and the three are soaked in hell's tongue. The pillar's lamp shimmered with red, but they felt nothing more than a warm rub on their faces. But the heat gradually rises, with her fingers slowly burning at the thought of it. When all was over and the pillar shut cold, she dropped her metal with a scorch mark on her fingerprint.

"Woo! We did it!" Charger praises.

"Welp, that's what you got for trusting an old machine for your job," Eve chuckles.

"Hehehe! Maybe I still have a chance!"

Charger trails on the wires, leaving the two on the entrance as they wonder.

The moon may not be warm, but it shines bright above the librarian's head. It was enough for her to see through the darkness that covered the town she had thought a husk. But as she went through the wall of creep and dismay, she saw hope glimmering for the dwellers of Wailstone residing behind their sandful houses. Maybe tonight won't be harsh.

"I know the boat is somewhere in this town. But those lights are way too bright for me to see." Eve commented.

"Ugh, I wanted to get a few scraps to fix this lantern!" Charger grunts.

"Hey, don't push yourself hard. Look at the lights! It won't be that difficult to look around first, right?"

"Perhaps. But you know I don't like to talk with those people, right?"

"How unfortunate. But who am I to judge?"