(18 years ago)
It was an ordinary day: people strolling, chatting, thinking of nothing at all…
Child: "Hahaha… Mom… I want three scoops of ice cream."Mother: "Sure."Ice-cream seller: "Here you go."Child: "Haha… thanks…"
She started to eat—when suddenly a hole floated in the air.Child: "Huh?… what's that?"Mother: "I don't know…"
All at once it opened—it wasn't a hole… it was an eye. Blood dripped out… and then objects suddenly turned into monsters and began attacking people. More beings appeared—white masks, dark bodies; some stood on two legs, others on four. These beings are called… Namesis, or Soldiers of the Abyss.
Child: "Hahhh…"
(Ice cream drops!)
(Back to the present!)
Daisy: "Huh!"Fiona: "It's all right…"Daisy: "What—yes… I'm fine…"Oliver: "We're… here."Fiona: "Hmm… ugh!"
It was a vast city… swallowed by snow. And of course, the Nemesis were here too…
Oliver: "How cold must it be here."Fiona: "Hmm…"
She touched her own eye, wiped away a tear, held out her hand—the tear froze instantly.
Fiona: "Hmm… very cold. Cold enough our eyes could freeze if we go without protection."Oliver: "Hmm… good thing I brought goggles…"Fiona: "Hmm…"Oliver: "What?"Fiona: "I have an idea… I think I know how to make it so we don't need goggles."Oliver: "What?"Fiona: "Hmm…"
She took out a card—a protective barrier. It read: Protection Barrier.
Fiona: "Finally, I can use this…"
She activated the card.
Fiona: "All right…"Oliver: "Wait."
She stepped out… nothing happened.
Fiona: "Don't worry—it's a barrier… It just won't last long… so come quickly."
They went out.
Oliver: "Oh…"Fiona: "It won't hold for long—at least 40 minutes, at most an hour…"Oliver: "Still practical…"
They went on.
Fiona: "Hmm…"Daisy: "Hmm… huh?…"
She saw a spot—an ice-cream cart.
Daisy: "Hahhh…"
(Memory)
Child: "Mom… I want three scoops!"Mom: "Of course, my child!"
(End of memory)
Daisy: "Ugh… hh."
She shook her head.
Fiona: "You okay?"Daisy: "Hmm… yes… don't worry."Fiona: "Hmm…"
(Snowdale Quarter)
Fiona: "Hmm… looks like the street… this must be it."Oliver: "Snowdale Quarter…"Daisy: "Hmm."Fiona: "We have to be careful… I sense a flow of dark mana."Oliver: "Hmm…"
They went into one of the houses.
Oliver: "Hmm… are you sure which house it is?"Fiona: "Yes—street number was 45."Oliver: "Great… so it's pretty far. We can't drive the car any farther."Fiona: "Hmm… Still, things are different here, that's why I wanted to get inside a house."Oliver: "Why?"Fiona: "You said the Nemesis took the place… but I haven't seen any yet…"Oliver: "Hmm."Fiona: "Nemesis are dark spirits that take control of objects—or of the dead…"Daisy: "Hmm… and the beings that appeared?"Fiona: "You mean the Dark Ones? Well, simply put, those are also Nemesis—just stronger… in other words, undead."Daisy: "Got it—undead."
They kept investigating.
Fiona: "The rift must be really strong… the rift that let those beings of the Abyss appear."Daisy: "Why?"Fiona: "Good question… You mentioned the black hole—only you've got it wrong. From a black hole, Nemesis don't actually come out. What comes out are… catastrophes: weather, curses, even whole places swallowed. That's not the case here…"Oliver: "Then what is it?"Fiona: "Ever heard of the Eye? The Eye is what people saw in the sky—by your descriptions it looked like an eye. I'm assuming that was the rift… They call it an Eye because… well, it looks like one."Oliver: "Hmm."Fiona: "Why does Edwardson want these instruments…"Oliver: "Whatever the reason… you said it's dangerous to underestimate him."Fiona: "Mhm… He's dangerous, and looks old, but in truth he's very clever and deadly…"
(Crash!)
Oliver: "What was that?"
(Crash!)
A cabinet moved.
Fiona: "Ugh…"
Hands thrust out.
(Crunch!)
Dark hands.
Fiona: "Nemesis…"
The hands attacked them.
Fiona: "Ugh…"Oliver: "Ghhh…"Daisy: "So they're here too… in this house."Fiona: "About time…"
She drew her staff, opened it; a blade slid out.
Fiona: "We have to be careful…"Oliver: "Can you even fight on one leg?"Fiona: "You mean my left leg… Don't worry, it's a dark lilac shadow, but I can still use it—just not for long…"
The hands spread… The table suddenly stood up… began shaping into a doll and attacked. Chairs and tables fused with the cabinet. It became a puppet with dark eyes; dark hands reached out. It grabbed a broom—and the broom became a sword.
Fiona: "Ugh…"Daisy: "Hahhh… a clever Nemesis, huh…"Fiona: "Mhm… a really strong spirit, looks like…"
It attacked; they dodged.
Oliver: "Let me handle this… House of Clover at your service…"
He drew a breath.
Fiona: "Hmm."Oliver: "And now…"
(Peng!)
Fiona: "Huh?…"
The puppet looked confused too.
Fiona: "I thought he was about to pull off a cool move."Daisy: "Ahh… that reminds me of my first mission—I was so excited…"Fiona: "Boring."Oliver: "Hey… Grey's the one who boxes, not me!"Fiona: "He even pouts."Daisy: "Hahhh… then I'll handle it."Fiona: "Hmm?"
Daisy slipped off the choker at her neck… transformed—long claws, a long dark suit.
Daisy: "Dark Lady…"
The puppet lunged; she evaded.
(Crash!)
Daisy: "Over there… hhhrr."
(Slash!)
The puppet staggered back.
Daisy: "Hehehehe."
She smashed it with a punch.
(Thud!)
Daisy: "Hehehe… is that all you've got, Nemesis!"
More hands poured out—grabbing.
Daisy: "Ghhh…"
She cut them away.
Fiona: "Then I'll just watch…"
She sat on one of the chairs.Oliver: "Oh… here—a cup of coffee?"Fiona: "Gladly…"
He filled the cup.
Fiona: "Thank you…"
(Drinks!)
Daisy: "Ugh… ghhh…"
She punched it again.
Fiona: "Um…"
(Drinks!)
Fiona: "You should aim for the mirror…"
Fiona watched.
Daisy: "Hehehe… I get it…"
She slipped past the attacks and drove her claws into the puppet's core—where the mirror was.
(Crack!)
Fiona: "Hmm."
(Clack!)
She set the empty cup on its saucer.
Fiona: "Hmm."
A dark shape came out… small.
Fiona: "A spirit…"Oliver: "Hmm?"Fiona: "I'll take care of it…"
She raised her staff, went to the spirit trying to flee, and smacked it.
Fiona: "Return… to where you came from."
(Splach!)
It vanished.
Fiona: "All right… done."Oliver: "Hmm."Fiona: "Dark Lady?"Daisy: "Just an ability… a Banshee. I bear the Dark Lady card."
She showed the card; it read Dark Lady.
Daisy: "Hmm."Fiona: "I see… the Dark Bride card…"
The Dark Bride is Death's eldest sister. Born from the suffering of wars, she is described as having hair that can turn into snakes; she is beautiful and commands the monster Diluc—like something out of Beauty and the Beast. She's also called The Widow. Her skin is said to be white, her eyes green; a truly lovely woman. Unlike other members of Death's family, she is neither kind nor merciful. Her outfit is black, and she sometimes wears a dark hat.
Fiona: "Hmm… have you ever seen her?"Daisy: "Hmm?… No… but I've seen her witch—her name is Melin. She gave me the card… Though I'm pretty sure I once met a woman in a dark suit… I only remember she stroked my hair and kissed my forehead."Oliver: "The Dark Bride is known to be kind to children… isn't she?"Fiona: "They even say children can see her in their dreams… whether that's true or not."Daisy: "Warning you… the Dark Bride may sound nice when you hear she cares about children… but in truth she's strong and scary… and also evil."Fiona: "We're talking about the Dark Bride—of course she isn't nice… but compared to Dracula she's better… I think…"Daisy: "Well, Dracula is asleep—like Death's other siblings… The Dark Bride has been in a coma for centuries too."Fiona: "Hmm…"
They moved on.
Oliver: "Why did Death do it?"Fiona: "Good question… No idea if the legend's even true…"Daisy: "Indeed…"
(Crash!)
She turned… A being stood there—crow's head and wings, but a human body.
Fiona: "Hmm?…"
A long black coat.
Fiona: "Ugh…"Daisy: "Hey… Fiona, what is that?"Fiona: "I don't know…"
It watched them.
Oliver: "Ugh… not one of those."Daisy: "Don't tell me… those?"Fiona: "What?"Oliver: "We need to go… that creature is…"
Suddenly it stood right before them.
Fiona: "Ugh…"Daisy: "Ugh… hahhh…"Oliver: "It's a member of the family of… the Dark Witch… the Dark Witch Wendy. In other words, a member of the Dark Arrow family…"Fiona: "Dark Arrow?"Daisy: "The Valentine family."
The creature regarded them.
Fiona: "Why isn't it attacking?"Daisy: "I don't know…"Oliver: "Hahhhh…"Crow figure: "As I see… our Mother was right… House of Clover has a new member…"Fiona: "Ugh… I'm not a member yet."Crow figure: "How rude of me—I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gerrard Stevenberg. I'm a member of the Valentine family, and I suppose you're looking for the instrument?"Oliver: "How do you know that?"Gerrard: "Simple… we're after it too…"Fiona: "But how do you know it's here…"Gerrard: "Hahahahaha… easy—the Magic Mirror."Fiona: "Magic Mirror…"Gerrard: "It showed us that in this street, in this now-abandoned city, the instrument must be located…"Fiona: "And what do you want with it?"Gerrard: "Hehehehe… it will lead us to the Dark Arrow…"Fiona: "What arrow?"Gerrard: "The arrow lodged in the Dark Bride's throat… We want to bring her out of her coma…"Daisy: "So that's been your goal from the start…"Gerrard: "The Dark Bride is our Mother… of course we want to free Mother."Fiona: "Well, friend… looks like someone beat us to it… We won't find anything here."Gerrard: "Hmm… That's exactly the problem… exactly an hour ago… I saw someone."Fiona: "Hmm?"Gerrard: "… Mr. Edwardson!"Fiona: "Ugh!"Daisy: "Ugh!"Oliver: "Wait—he was here."Gerrard: "Exactly. He was here—arrived ten minutes before me… and twenty before you."Fiona: "Damn… That explains the attack just now."Gerrard: "The Nemesis?… No, they've been here a while. The difference is: the Nemesis don't attack Edwardson… for whatever reason."Fiona: "Okay… and why are you telling us this?… Hmm?"Gerrard: "Hmm… Simple—I saw what card you bear, the Card of the Mysterious—Holle's ability, they say…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Gerrard: "I'm curious how you came to have a card with abilities similar to the Dark Bride's."Fiona: "What?"Gerrard: "Anyway… the instrument isn't here… so I've no reason to stay—nor do you…"
His wings spread.
Gerrard: "I'll take my leave then… farewell, members of House of Clover…"
He flew away.
Fiona: "What… was that…"Oliver: "Damn… oh… it can't be that Edwardson found it."Fiona: "… That makes no sense… Why would he want it again now…"Daisy: "Whatever… our whole trip… for nothing…"Fiona: "Hahhh… great… then let's—"
(Sudden headache)
Fiona: "Ugh… ghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…"Daisy: "What's wrong with you?!"Fiona: "Huh!"
The whole room blurred.
Fiona: "What's… happening…"Daisy: "Fiona!"Oliver: "What's wrong with her!"Fiona: "Ghhhh…"
(Gulp!)
Fiona: "Huh!"
The pain vanished.
Fiona: "Hahhh… hahhh…"Oliver: "What is it, Miss Fiona!"Daisy: "Is something wrong…"Fiona: "No… I don't know…"
She turned… and saw a door.
Fiona: "Wait… since when… is there a door there?"Daisy: "What?"Oliver: "Ugh…"
They looked at the door.
Oliver: "It wasn't there…"Fiona: "This… is not good… something's off… whatever it is…"Daisy: "Why?"Fiona: "Hahhh… that… power… this mana… it's from a powerful spirit…"
(Crash!)
Fiona: "Ugh!"
Suddenly the door opened… Two sharp hands thrust out.
(Hhhhhhh!)
Fiona: "Ugh."Daisy: "… uh… guys… I… think… we should… go."Oliver: "Hahh…"Fiona: "Why is it only looking at us…"
The being slowly stepped out… Then the door opened fully… and began pulling them in.
Oliver: "Woooah!"Fiona: "Ghhh…"Daisy: "Damn…"
Objects appeared… hands rose from their cores… and they started to move.
Fiona: "Ugh…"
The being went back into the door.
Fiona: "What just happened?…"Oliver: "Forget the door… let's get out of here."Daisy: "I'd rather fight…"Fiona: "No… we should leave… We really should go."
The objects lunged.
Fiona: "Go!"
They ran, making their way out… The door… followed them.
Fiona: "What is that…"Oliver: "That door is following us."
It opened; two huge hands reached out to strike—
Fiona: "Ugh—what… is happening—watch out!"
(Crash!)(Crash!)
Fiona: "Woah… woah…"Daisy: "There are more and more objects…"Oliver: "The car—hurry!"
They jumped in and sped off.
Fiona: "… it's still following us."Daisy: "Oliver… that's dangerous—if that thing follows us, innocents will get dragged in."Oliver: "I know…"Fiona: "Tsssss…"
Suddenly the hand slammed against something… and stopped—something held it back.
Fiona: "Huh?"Oliver: "What…"Daisy: "Why… won't it leave Snowline?"Fiona: "A barrier, maybe?"Daisy: "What?"Fiona: "Nemesis often have boundaries—so to speak, they're not allowed to leave them… That means whatever this door is… it's not allowed to leave Snowline."Daisy: "But what is it?"Oliver: "Hmm."Fiona: "No idea… Maybe it's a mage's… ability… teleportation… I don't know."
(Meanwhile)
(Patch!) (Patch!) (Patch!)
Clown of Envy: "So you met her… the girl Fiona…"
(Silence)
Clown of Envy: "What do you think of her, Dorothy…"Dorothy: "Hehehehe… An interesting girl… She's caught my attention…"Clown of Envy: "Your magic must have scared her…"Dorothy: "Oh please… that was nothing…"
Dorothy Hinschwood—member of Rapunzel's Forbidden Library. She's 20 years old, long blond hair, and a wound over one eye so she can only see with the other.
Dorothy: "I suppose we're similar… We're searching for Edwardson too…"Clown of Envy: "Hahhh… that guy… so odd… Dark Umbrella, the Ainsworth family, and we—Rapunzel's Forbidden Library—we're all after him…"Dorothy: "He's clever… He may look old… but he moves a lot, and always stays one step ahead of us…"Clown of Envy: "The question is: what exactly is his goal?"Dorothy: "Hmm… Edwardson's goal… I think it's simple: to free the vampires of Sora…"Clown of Envy: "Hmm… right… maybe he's a vampire himself."Dorothy: "Not just maybe… He's a half-vampire."Clown of Envy: "Wait—that's completely impossible…"Dorothy: "It is possible. When his mother was pregnant with him… she became a vampire… Do you see now? Vampires don't have children… but what if the child is already in the woman's womb?"Clown of Envy: "Ugh… the heart… still pumps… the body… still functions… the… the womb… That… that could actually work…"Dorothy: "You see…"
(Back to the present)
(Crash!)
Daisy: "I don't get why you're angry…"Fiona: "If we'd hurried a bit more, we might have—damn it!"Oliver: "We can still find him."Fiona: "He's a wanderer… he's always somewhere else—today in Dukewood, tomorrow back in Dehl… then maybe Wonderland, or Tenian… or even Ashenwald!"Oliver: "Hahh…"Fiona: "I should have found him…"Daisy: "Hahhh… And that thing that attacked us…"Fiona: "No, you're misunderstanding… That wasn't a Nemesis… its mana was different… dark, but not a spirit's—rather a mage's. Maybe it was that creature…"Daisy: "The shadow figure?"Fiona: "Hmm… or a Banshee flier—that's what they call it…"
(Patch!) (Patch!)
Elizabeth: "Calm down… just calm down… what happened?"Oliver: "We missed Edwardson. He got there first."Daisy: "For whatever reason, the Valentine family is after it too."Elizabeth: "Hmm… It worries me that they are as well."Oliver: "They want to remove the arrow from the Dark Bride's throat and said it would help."Daisy: "Hmm."Elizabeth: "The Valentine family—also known as the Dark Arrow…"Fiona: "Are they dangerous?"Elizabeth: "Hmm… Yes. They aren't the sort who hurt people without a reason… but they're dangerous. The Ainsworth family and the Valentine family have never really been friends."Fiona: "Hmm."Elizabeth: "Fiona… do you want to stay with us, or leave now that the instrument case is underway?"Fiona: "The deal was I stay until we find the instrument—so we haven't. Which means I'll stay until then… even if it takes years."Elizabeth: "I see. Thank you, Fiona."Fiona: "Hmm."Elizabeth: "Something wrong?"Fiona: "I… I'm a bit tired… May I rest?"Elizabeth: "Of course."Oliver: "I'll take you to your room."Elizabeth: "It's a room you'll have as long as you work with us… Sleep well."Fiona: "Thank you."
She followed Oliver; he brought her to the room and opened the door.
Fiona: "Hmm…"Oliver: "Big room, right?"Fiona: "Wow…"Oliver: "Look out the window."Fiona: "Hmm?"
She went to the window and opened it a crack.
Fiona: "Ugh…"
After all, they were in a castle… She could see the street, the trees…
Fiona: "Wow…"Oliver: "About the Valentine family, to answer your question… They aren't exactly kind, but not purely cruel either…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Oliver: "At least since the new one arrived—the one they call Mother. Her name is Zoey… Zoey Valentine, the Fourth… and yes, she's changed a lot."Fiona: "I see… How old is she?"Oliver: "Twenty-five."Fiona: "A bit young to be called Mother… but okay…"Oliver: "Hahaha… I met her once… she's really strange… and scary too."Fiona: "Hmm…"Oliver: "Sorry—you want to rest… Good night."Fiona: "Good night."
(Meanwhile)
(Patch!)
Zoey: "Hahhh… I see… the Ainsworths, then… House of Clover… still don't think the name is very cool."Gerrard: "I ran into a new member, just like you said—how did you know?"Zoey: "Oh, easy—the cat told me."Gerrard: "You mean Salem?…"Zoey: "Exactly. Salem spoke with me—he met her while out walking and saw Oliver let her get into the car. I figured it might be a new member…"Gerrard: "She… she has the Card of the Mysterious."Zoey: "… Huh!… yes, that's what Salem said—when he saw her and got closer. Interesting, isn't it."