Chapter 3: Tears

As we stood there, engaged in conversation, the warm sun beat down on us, casting a gentle glow over the scene. Louis, with his shy demeanor, seemed to be opening up to us. Although slowly.

Alexander, ever the curious one, asked him questions.

As the conversation flowed, I realized that we had been standing there for quite some time. The sun was now high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the town.

"Ah, look at the time!" Alexander exclaimed, glancing at the town's clock tower. "We're going to be late for church!"

Going to be? We already are women

I nodded in agreement, feeling a pang of guilt and fear, for having forgotten about our original plan. Louis, however, seemed unfazed.

"Please, don't let me keep you," he said, smiling. "I should probably get going myself. It was nice meeting you both."

With that, Louis bid us farewell and continued on his way. Alexander and I watched him go, before turning to each other.

"Well, that was certainly an interesting encounter," Alexander said, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded in agreement. "Indeed it was. I wonder if we will meet him again."

"I'm sure we will, this town isn't that big "

"True, but enough of that. Let's get going, we're already late "

"Lead the way brother "

As we made our way to church, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anxiety and curiosity all at once.

Louis... violi...

We arrived at the church just as the service was about to begin. The pews were filled with familiar faces, all of whom turned to greet us as we entered.

Alexander and I took our seats, trying to compose ourselves after our unexpected encounter with Louis. As the service began, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for this little town and its inhabitants.

Despite the occasional surprise, here and there, life within this town was predictable and comforting. And as I gazed around at the familiar faces, I knew that I was exactly where I belonged.

The service was playing out, without issue with the pastor delivering a heartfelt sermon about the importance of community and compassion.

But something wasn't right... The anxiety I felt earlier was creeping up on me again.

Something isn't right... and I haven't seen mother yet which is strange, she's not one to be late unlike us.

"Alexander"

"Yes?"

"Have you seen mother yet?"

"No, I haven't, which is weird. It's not like her to be late for church"

"True, do you think something might have happened to her?"

"No, I don't think so. She is a Strong women, the strongest in town too, I would be afraid if someone actually managed to beat her"

" I can't disagree with that, but for safety reasons. We should check around the church"

"Well, leave that to me. You stay here, I'll go look for her myself"

"....fine, but be careful Alex."

And with that, Alexander left to look around the place, 10 minutes had gone by before she returned alone, sitting down besides me.

"So, did you find her?"

"No, I haven't, I even asked some of the nuns but even they haven't seen or heard from her today "

Crossing my arms together, I sighed before taking a moment to think about all of this.

Where did you run off to mother?

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As we filed out of the church, Alexander turned to me, and asked.

"Hey, Arthur, want to grab some lunch at the café? I heard they have a new menu item that's supposed to be amazing."

I hesitated for a moment, I wasn't sure if I was in the mood for lunch. And seeing Alexander, the same could be said for her.

"Are you sure about it? Don't you want to look for mother"

"I do, but... I.. I don't feel safe, Arthur. I know... something is wrong, but I can't shake the feeling that if we-"

"No, I understand. But we should at the very least. Look around town "

She hesitated for a moment before sighing softly.

"Fine... but where should we even start?"

"A visit to the old man wouldn't hurt "

"Yeah, if any one can find her, he would be one of them "

As we walked to find the old man Kasumi, I couldn't help but wonder what could have happened to her? This wasn't like her at all.

Little did I know, our encounter with Louis Violi.

We soon found the old man's house and entered, we were greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the sounds coming from the kitchen. Alexander and I took a seat, as we waited for him to arrive.

As we sat there, I noticed a familiar face walking towards us from the kitchen. It was Kasumi, looking every bit as old as he had earlier.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, nodding towards the empty stool beside us.

Alexander and I exchanged a glance, before turning back to Kasumi "Not at all," I said, smiling. "Please, have a seat."

And with that, Kasumi joined us, marking the beginning of a conversation that could change our lives in ways we never could have imagined.

As we sat there, Alexander with a few words asked.

"... where is our mother."

The old man flinched, raising a eyebrow, before lowering his head.

"Let me guess, you haven't seen nor heard from her today correct?"

"Yes... and I'm guessing you might know where she could be?"

Staring into his eyes, I could see a cold and sad look.

"Well I'm not sure if you should hear this from me, but... it's for the best, your mother Marjorie is being hunted-"

"What!?"she said getting up from her sit "what the hell do you mean by that huh!?"

"Calm down Alex, let him finish first"

She was reluctant at first, but she eventually calmed down, sitting back down.

"....."

"Thank you, now then, where was I.... your mother,Marjorie. Was apart of a group only known as... The tears of Jester."

"The tears of Jester?" Alexander, raising an eyebrow "And what are they?"

"Well, you can think of them as a neutral kind organization, one that only worked for balance within the world, they did not side with anyone"

"Then why is she being hunted down?"

"Well that's-"

"?"

The atmosphere suddenly turned dark, the warm air turned cold, and the lights went off, The three us, Alexander, Kasumi, and I turned around, only to find a tall man, his skin was white, his eyes a shade of blue, his hair short and black, he was wearing all black as well.

"Greetings..."