Story Reader / Interlude / Lost Verity / Story
City 173, Holy Church - Nov 13th, 09:41 AM
It has been ten days since Toby's last delivery of supplies. An air of unease has spread throughout the church.
We haven't seen Toby ever since his last delivery here.
I saw Lofte asking the father something with a grave expression a few days ago.
Toby hasn't been back home too for the past ten days.
Oh no... Did Toby disappear too...? The army hasn't been in battle with the Corrupted recently, so...
It's as they say, people who come in contact with the witch will...
...
Ah, she's coming over.
Let's go, or else we'll be the next ones missing...
City 173, Corridor inside the Holy Church - Dec 21st, 11:47 PM
The quiet of the night is shattered by a series of footsteps reverberating through the empty corridor.
Moonlight pierces through the stained glass windows, painting the walls with a spectrum of dancing shadows. Under the dim light, a head of gold and a face of sorrow can be seen.
Restlessness has been spreading throughout the city. People are scared, they are doubting...
And those who have disappeared, are they still safe...?
Father, I do not know how to proceed... What should I do... Where should I go... Father...
Bianca mumbles by the window.
Clang—
A sudden sound echoes from the church hall, sounding even more out of place in these empty hallways at night.
Then who could it have been?
Bianca asks without a second thought, but she only received silence as a reply.
She hesitated before carefully making her way toward the hall.
...
In front of Bianca is the door leading to the hall, which had been opened slightly by someone. After a few moments of thinking, she quietly pushes open the door and enters.
With the help of the dim moonlight, Bianca is able to make out a black-cladded figure in long robes kneeling in front of the statue of God as if they are praying.
Bianca sticks close to the wall, careful to conceal her presence as she inches closer to the black-clad man.
Clang—
A sharp sound of glass breaking rings out from under her feet as she walks past the stained glass windows.
Bianca worriedly lifts her feet from the broken glass and hides.
...?
But what puzzles Bianca was that the noise did not alert the black-clad man. She peers out from behind the bench to see the man is still praying in front of the statue as if nothing happened at all.
After a moment of hesitation, Bianca calms herself and makes her way toward the man once more.
As the distance shortened, Bianca can see that man's robes are tattered. He has a head of dazzling blonde hair, and in front of him, is a very familiar longbow.
Mr... Toby?
I heard you went missing a while back, everyone will be thrilled to see that you're fine.
The black-clad man finally finished his prayers. His body swayed under the moonlight. He slowly opens his mouth to speak while still kneeling.
Judging from your voice, you're Miss Bianca, right? I'm sorry for entering without permission.
Hehe, you really are a nice person despite what the others say.
I...
Sorry for coming at this hour, but I have a small request...
The black-clad man turns around to reveal that he is indeed Toby, but at the same time, Bianca could see blood-red electric currents course through his body...
It was a familiar sight. One that Bianca has seen hundreds of times—the signs of Punishing corruption. Her heart clenched at the sight of it.
...How could this be... You're infected...? But if humans are infected, they'll...
Toby tries to comfort Bianca with a strained smile.
They'll die.
But I... feel that... I'm not quite human now...
Hehe, something probably happened... when I disappeared... But I... don't remember anymore.
...Um.
Oh, come on, smile. I don't know how to react when people put on that expression.
...I'm sorry.
Ah, don't apologize as well. I don't know how to deal with those too.
I'm sorry... You must be in pain...
...
Hearing Bianca say that, Toby hesitates for a moment, but the hesitation is soon replaced with a relieved smile.
Toby wanted to comfort Bianca, but he was only able to stand for a second before crashing to the ground, as he was already too weak to support his own weight.
