After they rested, they made their way to the forbidden cemetery and to Willhemschloss in Willhemsruhe. Kafka, Count Heinz, and Fiona set off.
Count Heinz: "Hmmm…"
Kafka: "Ok."
Fiona: "This is it."
Count Heinz: "Yep. This is Willhemschloss."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "It is broken."
Count Heinz: "Well that is how it is now, let's go inside."
Fiona: "Mhm."
They went in.
They looked around.
Count Heinz: "Oh no, my shoes…"
Fiona: "I think we should take off our jackets."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
They took off their jackets. Fiona also took off her jacket. Under it she wore, as always, her Victorian jabot dress.
Count Heinz: "Hmmm…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "Oh… um…"
Fiona: "Do not worry, you cannot help that you are small, that is even cute."
Kafka: "Are you sure you will not laugh?"
Count Heinz: "Pfff…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Pffff…"
She hit his face.
Count Heinz: "Aua!"
Fiona: "Stop laughing. Only nobles make fun of other peoples looks."
Count Heinz: "My nose…"
Kafka: "Hey, if you laugh then I will go."
Fiona: "Do not worry. Also he has no reason to laugh with his dumb long ears."
Count Heinz: "Earrings…"
Fiona: "Whatever."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
She took her coat and gave it to him.
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "Satisfied like this?"
She put it on his back and tied it around his neck.
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "Hold still for a moment. I understand you do not like this so I help you, but that coat is a bit not fitting."
She tore her coat.
Kafka: "What are you doing?"
Fiona: "It has to fit you or you will trip."
Kafka: "Oh, thanks."
Fiona: "No problem. People always made fun of my white hair and my weak right leg."
She tied it.
Kafka: "Mmm…"
Fiona: "Good like this. I can make it looser if you want."
Kafka: "No no."
Fiona: "Ok."
She stood up.
Count Heinz: "Look at that. Listen Kafka, forget Gerta, try it with Fiona."
Kafka: "What?"
Count Heinz: "What. She is pretty."
Kafka: "Forget it just ok."
Count Heinz: "As you want."
Fiona: "So, shall we go?"
Count Heinz: "Yes."
Fiona: "Count, you go first. I do not know the way and Kafka probably also."
Kafka: "I have been here before but not in the tunnel."
Count Heinz: "I was here only to get a few corpses for my experiments oh forget it."
Kafka: "Schwitz…"
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
Kafka: "Ok."
They went on. The castle was broken and even some of it was in water.
Kafka: "Oh no, it gets deeper."
Count Heinz: "I hope you can swim."
Fiona: "Hmm. Yes sort of."
Kafka: "Me too but then I have to swim earlier than you."
Count Heinz: "Hahahaha…"
Kafka: "Hey…"
Fiona: "Lets hope it is not too deep."
Kafka: "Ok."
Fiona: "I do not want to make my suit wet."
Count Heinz: "That sounds wrong, do not say that."
Fiona: "If you have a perverted brain then nothing can be done, old pervert."
Count Heinz: "Tsssss…"
Kafka: "Schwitz… you like to argue lately."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Oh look."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Oh sorry that was nothing."
(Dong!)
Fiona hit his head.
Count Heinz: "Aua!"
Fiona: "We are here for the grave. Make another joke and you land in one yourself."
Count Heinz: "You threaten a count?"
Fiona: "I do. If you die I will just say you died because of your experiments."
Kafka: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Oh there is something."
Fiona: "Hahaha…"
Count Heinz: "No there is really something, look up there."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "Oh, a stair."
Fiona: "Yes."
Count Heinz: "Who goes first, rock paper scissors?"
Fiona: "Ok."
Kafka: "What?"
They played rock paper scissors.
Kafka: "Scissors."
Count Heinz: "Rock."
Fiona: "Paper."
Kafka: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Wait who lost now?"
Count Heinz: "Hahhh again. Me first with Kafka."
Kafka and Count Heinz moved closer.
Kafka: "Ok."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Scissors."
Kafka: "Rock. I won."
Count Heinz: "Now with Fiona, huh."
Fiona did not wait, she climbed up.
Count Heinz: "Party pooper."
Kafka: "You would have lost you only have 3 fingers."
Count Heinz: "Fuck, true."
They went up after her.
Fiona: "By the way whoever looks at someones butt on purpose lands here in a grave with the other one."
Count Heinz: "Schwitz…"
Kafka: "Huh?"
Fiona: "I mean you, Count."
Count Heinz: "Why me?"
Fiona: "You were friends with Eisenhauer, the most perverted person in the world."
Count Heinz: "Good point."
Kafka: "Hehe…"
They went on.
Kafka: "Ugh, Count go on."
Count Heinz: "I am old, my boy."
Fiona: "You noticed that really early."
He stood up, Kafka came out.
Kafka: "Oh look."
Count Heinz: "Yes it looks like the cemetery only a blocked place."
Fiona: "You mean she could be here."
Kafka: "Where is the unluck—"
Fiona: "Ugh!"
She covered his mouth.
Kafka: "Mmm!"
Fiona: "Are you stupid? Did you not know these beings appear when they are nearby and you ask where they are?"
Kafka: "Mmm!"
Fiona: "This is dangerous. Be quiet, ok?"
Kafka: "Mhm…"
She let him go.
Count Heinz: "We must be careful, but if it is nearby what do we do then?"
Fiona: "Just call it Raven. People gave them that name so they do not appear."
Kafka: "Ok I understand. That is why they are called Raven."
Count Heinz: "Um… people…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "I think we do not need to know anymore. Because one is near right now."
Fiona: "Huh?"
It was a bringer of misfortune that came closer.
Kafka: "Hide!"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Where?"
Fiona: "In the graves no wait—"
She opened the door that led down again.
Kafka: "Oh…"
Fiona: "Come here."
They went in and closed it. They watched carefully.
Count Heinz: "Is it gone?"
Fiona: "Shhh…"
Count Heinz: "But I have to know."
She put a handkerchief in his mouth.
Count Heinz: "Mmmm!"
Kafka: "Schwitz…"
Fiona: "Schwitzt viel."
The bringer of misfortune went away.
Kafka: "Puh…"
Count Heinz: "Mmm…"
Fiona: "Hahh…"
She pulled it out.
Count Heinz: "Please tell me you did not use it for the nose."
Fiona: "No do not worry it is unused."
Count Heinz: "Well I wanted it to be used after eating for example that you wiped your mouth with it."
Fiona: "Schwitz… hahhh…"
They came out.
Kafka: "Hmm…"
Fiona: "Look around."
(Patch! Patch!)
There were steps.
Kafka: "Ugh… Gerta."
It was Gerta.
Gerta: "Hello my dears."
Kafka: "Shhh…"
Fiona: "Shhhh…"
Count Heinz: "Shhhhh…"
Gerta: "Schwitz… um right sorry."
Fiona: "We cannot fight. Not here. We have no choice, lets just look around."
They looked around.
Gerta: "So Kafka…"
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Gerta: "Hehe…"
They looked at the graves and opened them.
Kafka: "No…"
Count Heinz: "No…"
Fiona: "No…"
Gerta: "No…"
Count Heinz: "Oh look."
Fiona: "Huh?"
They went there. There was a hand.
Gerta: "That is only a hand. Wait the ring, I know it, that belongs to mother."
Fiona: "Ohh…"
Gerta: "Wait does that mean her body is not here, only a body part?"
Fiona: "Looks like it."
Gerta: "Well then that was pointless. I will go then."
Fiona: "Be quiet or it will catch us."
Gerta: "Ok ok my god…"
They left the castle.
Count Heinz: "Then I was right."
Fiona: "Now the question is where the rest is."
Count Heinz: "Mhm… and we have to find it. Wait—"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Do you have the hand?"
Fiona: "Nugh…"
Kafka: "Wait I thought you had it, Count."
Count Heinz: "Oh no it was suddenly empty, I thought it was you."
Fiona: "Ugh… Gerta. That is why she left so fast and was barely angry."
Kafka: "Damn…"
Meanwhile
Gerta: "Hahhh… harder than done."
Zoe: "Good work, Gerta."
Gerta: "And what do we do now?"
Zoe: "Find the remaining parts of our mother. The wonderful."
She held the hand and kissed it.
Zoe: "At least we are closer to our goal."
A few hours later
Kafka: "Schwitz…"
Fiona: "Hahh…"
Count Heinz: "Ghhhh…"
Fiona: "How could we not notice…"
Kafka: "Typical Gerta."
Fiona: "Do you know where the remaining parts could be?"
Count Heinz: "No idea. Oh maybe in Heidelberger. There are many places there."
Fiona: "You mean we should just search?"
Count Heinz: "Yes. Only you two. By the way I cannot just leave my city and I am old."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "Ok…"
Count Heinz: "You should drive tomorrow evening."
Fiona: "Ok. By the way Count—"
Count Heinz: "Yes?"
Fiona: "I want to leave Cossette with you."
Kafka: "What?"
Fiona: "She may be in danger. She should go to school and learn."
Count Heinz: "If she signs up she must be there many years you know that at least 5 years."
Fiona: "I know. But it is better for her. I will go tomorrow to Heidelberger without Cossette. Tell her only when I am already in Heidelberger with Kafka."
Kafka: "But Fiona that would make her sad…"
Fiona: "Should I drag her into this?"
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "I would like to take her with me but I cannot just let her get hurt. I leave her here and when I am done with the Dark Bride matter I continue and return only after 5 years."
Count Heinz: "Hmmm… that could make her really sad and she might not like you anymore not like a young mother or older sister."
Fiona: "That is fine."
Kafka: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Ok."
A few hours later
Kafka: "Hmm…"
Kafka looked at Fiona.
Kafka: "Listen Fiona. Do not get me wrong but are you sure you want to do that, leave Cossette here?"
Fiona: "She should learn."
Kafka: "You could do that yourself."
Fiona: "And neglect my work?"
Kafka: "But—"
Fiona: "Cossette should learn. If she always has something to do with all this it will not be good. She should learn to talk to others, make friends, learn with others. I do not want her to have the same problem I had. I was not allowed to talk to anyone. That is why it was hard for me to understand others even now. I do not want it to be like that for Cossette."
Kafka: "I understand."
They walked on. The street was finally calm, finally peace. But not for long. Kafka did not know what to do and Fiona also does not know how the grave of the Dark Bride will work. Also she feels sorry from her heart to leave Cossette here.
Kafka: "She refused it. What would you do?"
Fiona: "That is why I will leave and before she goes to school I leave tomorrow and she will go to school. There will be no goodbye."
Kafka: "Wait that is not a good idea. You yourself said she was abandoned by her parents and foster parents. Do you want her to experience it again?"
Fiona: "Ugh…"
Kafka: "Do you want Cossette to trust no one anymore? She loves you. For her you are like a young mother or big sister or young aunt."
Fiona: "That is enough, Kafka."
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "I cannot take care of a child. Understand it finally. She should just learn and talk with other people."
Kafka: "And what if Cossette gets angry? Understandable too."
Fiona: "She is 11 years old. I cannot teach her anything."
Kafka: "She could become a detective like you."
Fiona: "Forget it. Never. That is too dangerous. I want I want her to have a safe job. She has the choice I did not have it. I was trained for it in Elizabeth Herbert school. She can choose any subject she wants."
Kafka: "And what if she chooses detective subject?"
Fiona: "Then it was her decision, her will, her dream."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
They went on. Kafka understands it, of course he understands Fiona, but at the same time he understands Cossette who will become sad and maybe never trust anyone again.
Kafka: "5 years, right?"
Fiona: "Mhm. It could be less, depends what subject she chooses."
Kafka: "For detective it is 5 years, right?"
Fiona: "Mhm, but it could take 4 years depending on the grades."
Kafka: "I understand."
Fiona: "I had to do 5 years because I did not have good grade in social. Cossette can do that. That is why it could be 4 years."
Kafka: "Ok."
Fiona: "And what about you and Gerta?"
Kafka: "Hahhh… I do not know. I do not understand her anymore."
Fiona: "But you can tell she likes you more than she shows."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Fiona: "What curse does she have?"
Kafka: "The curse she has she got it through Aschenputtel Cinderella more exactly. This curse hurts her often, makes her sleep for days, and that she maybe will not last long until she dies because she has the cat ability. She has 9. But she surely died many times through the illness."
Fiona: "I understand."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Fiona: "What if the only solution for that is the Dark Bride."
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "Maybe that is why she wants."
Kafka: "Mmm…"
Fiona: "You know I think you should talk to her when you meet her again."
Kafka: "Ok."
Fiona: "Good night, Kafka."
Kafka: "Good night, Fiona."
He went into his castle and to his bed. His castle was broken but he did not care.
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Gerta: "Hello, Kafka."
Kafka: "Gerta…"
Gerta: "Hehehe…"
Kafka: "You have the hand of the Dark Bride."
Gerta: "Kafka I am sorry but my curse it is getting worse."
Kafka: "I understand, I understand."
Gerta: "I could die really. I mean it."
Kafka: "Is there a solution?"
Gerta: "The Dark Bride can maybe help me."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
She held his cheeks.
Gerta: "Forgive me for giving you worries. I came because I wanted to see you."
Kafka: "Why then? I thought you only used me."
Gerta: "Mmm…"
She looked sad.
Gerta: "I know you think you did not matter to me at first maybe, but not anymore. I was here a few days ago to kill you. Order from Zoe. But I could not do it."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Gerta: "I do not know how long it takes. Who knows, maybe you will have to kill me in battle when it happens, but I wanted that we enjoy. How about you come with me, my hideout."
Kafka: "To the Dark Arrow?"
Gerta: "No. Nobody knows it. Not even the Dark Arrow."
He stood up.
Kafka: "Ok. Is it far? I want to rest."
Gerta: "Hehehe. No it is not."
A few hours later
Gerta: "There it is."
Kafka: "Mhm. Very small."
Gerta: "Hehe. Do not complain. Better than a broken castle."
Kafka: "I agree."
They sat down.
Gerta: "Kafka will you help me?"
Kafka: "I cannot risk the lives of many."
Gerta: "I understand."
Kafka: "Oh I thought you would be disappointed."
Gerta: "No. I knew you would say it. It did not change that I like you."
Kafka: "What do you plan if the Dark Bride wakes up and heals you with her blood?"
Gerta: "Hmm. Leave Weimarer maybe with you."
Kafka: "With me? I have not agreed yet."
Gerta: "Would you?"
Kafka: "Hmmm… if we manage to stop you with your people from the Dark Arrow then come to me and we find another solution for your curse."
Gerta: "There is another solution. Kill cats. But I do not want that."
Kafka: "I understand."
Meanwhile
Fiona walked further.
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Meanwhile
Zoe: "Hahhh… the hand of the Dark Bride Lilly."
(Patch! Patch!)
Zoe: "Next we have to send several groups. Gerrard and Gerta to Heidelberger. Dante should go with them. Then Herteran with Namelia in Bremer city. I go to Weimarer am Main with Zhen. There we could find more. Hehehe. Mother hold on."
Meanwhile somewhere in Weimarer
(Pump! Pump!)
In a place
(Pump! Pump!)
A part of a body and an arrow
(Pump! Pump!)
Meanwhile somewhere in Weimarer
(Dong!)
In an unknown place in Weimarer
(Gulp!)
(Blinzel!)
A head. The head of a woman.
Back to Kafka and Gerta
Kafka: "Ughh…"
He fell to the floor.
Kafka: "Zzzzz…"
Gerta: "Well that is good."
She laid him on her lap.
Gerta: "Hmmm… how cute you are. You have dark circles, Kafka. You must rest."
She stroked his head.
Kafka: "Ughhh… Gerta, what did you do?"
Gerta: "Oh you woke up so fast. Oh right poison barely works on you but it is strong enough to keep you on the floor. What—"
Kafka: "What are you doing?"
Gerta: "Nothing. I just want you to sleep."
She stroked his head.
Kafka: "Are you playing games with me again?"
Gerta: "No really not. I just want for the case that I leave forever to have you once on my lap."
Kafka: "Hahhhh… I can stand but I stay. I am too tired."
Gerta: "Good boy, hehehe."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Gerta: "Did you like my birthday gift?"
Kafka: "Hmmmm… that is the nutcracker you broke back then."
Gerta: "Mhm."
Kafka: "How did you think of it?"
Gerta: "Hmmm…"
Kafka: "Forget it."
He turned around.
Gerta: "Ugh hehehe look at that."
Kafka: "What. I am tired."
Gerta: "No problem."
Kafka: "Gerta do not go."
Kafka stood up a little and looked at her.
Kafka: "I can find a way. I studied curses for you. Please Gerta."
Gerta: "But they will kill me if I betray them."
Kafka: "I protect you."
Gerta: "Kafka they will kill you."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
Gerta: "Now rest."
She held his head and laid it back on her lap.
Gerta: "You worry, I understand. But you must rest."
Kafka: "How should I rest damn Gerta I really do not understand you sometimes."
Gerta: "Sorry."
Gerta looked at Kafka and stroked his hair.
Kafka: "Always the same with you."
Gerta: "Maybe you should just leave me like I did."
Kafka: "I cannot. I tried. You are the only woman I want."
Gerta: "Ugh…"
Kafka: "But it seems I am nothing to you."
Gerta: "No I am not ok. I did not want to drag you into this ok it is my problem. You were always sad when you saw me sick or suffering. You only thought of one thing. Break the curse. Find a solution. But you are cursed too. Why do you not care about yourself."
Kafka: "My curse is not bad but yours can kill you that is the problem."
Gerta: "Ugh…"
Kafka: "Of course I was sad. You cried, suffered, screamed, you spat blood in front of my eyes and blood came out of your eyes. What do you want me to do? Laugh, take a photo, or go to you and say oh oh do you need a pill."
Gerta: "Stop yelling ok."
Kafka: "Damn really I worked for years. Years only on solving the curse. I dropped out of school just to focus on curses. I even opened a clinic to maybe help people. Curses or sick people. My father was a doctor."
Gerta: "Hmmm…"
Kafka: "But for your damn curse I could find nothing until now."
Gerta: "Kafka—"
Kafka: "Is the blood of the Dark Bride really the only solution? Can we not just take the blood from her hand."
Gerta: "You do not fully understand. The Dark Bride has two different blood. A red and a dark like her hair. The dark blood is what I need."
Kafka: "She is dangerous."
Gerta: "I suffered enough ok."
Kafka: "Then should others suffer."
Gerta: "Mother is not a cruel person. It is not Cinderella or Dracula. Calm down finally. She only wants to live with her family."
Kafka: "Hahhh damn. Here take this."
He gave her a glass.
Gerta: "Oh what is that?"
Kafka: "That is cat blood."
Gerta: "You killed cats."
Kafka: "No those are cats that were dying anyway."
Gerta: "Huh?"
Kafka: "No those are cats I took blood from. It gives you maybe strength. No idea. You have the cat ability."
Gerta: "Thank you, Kafka."
Kafka: "Hmmm…"
He turned around again. His belly still lay on her lap.
Gerta: "Hmmm…"
Kafka: "I will not give up ok."
Gerta: "Mhm. Then save me, my hero."
Meanwhile somewhere in the clouds
The dead flying castle, the castle where Death Rudeus lives
Rudeus: "Hmmmmmm… hahhhhhh…"
He stood up and went to one of the rooms, opened a coffin.
Rudeus: "Ahh brother, there you are. Are you ok? I do not think so. You have a sword in your chest, Dracula."
Dracula: "Still…"
Rudeus: "Hmmm…"
Back to Fiona
Fiona: "Hahh…"
Cossette slept deep and calm.
Fiona: "I am sorry Cossette. It is possible we will not see each other for a while."
She kissed her forehead.
Fiona: "Be good."
She stood up and left.
Fiona: "Huh what—"
Tears came from her eyes. She touched her cheeks.
Fiona: "What am I crying…"
Meanwhile with Kafka and Gerta
Kafka: "Zzzz…"
Gerta: "He is finally asleep like a little child, hehehe…"
He held her hand for a while.
Gerta: "Oh no. Someone is lonely."
She held his hand and kissed it.
Gerta: "I hope you find the way to break my curse because I myself do not want to be with the Dark Arrow anymore."
Meanwhile in Neuschwanstein castle
Count Heinz: "Hmmm… I hope we find the parts before it is too late. Eisenhauer it is really a shame you are not with us anymore. Your help would be very practical, my best friend."
He drank.
(Gulp gulp)
Count Heinz: "Gulp Gulp… ughhhhhhh… it is really a while since I drank, hehehe. I am so desperate. What normally I would just talk with Eisenhauer and chat about our past and how my ex used to be your ex, hehehe. Gulp…"
He took the bottle and broke it.
Count Heinz: "Damn crap why did you just die now dumb asshole. I am bored. Damn Eisenhauer. I do not know what to do. I do not know this stuff. You were always the tactician. Hahh damn. I will sleep again. Before that I will shower. I drank too much. Burp. Ugh. I will throw up soon. Hey hiccups. Burp. Oh no. Even though it was only one bottle. Eisenhauer would laugh. That guy could drink 5 without getting drunk. Dies now when I need company. What a good buddy. Cough. Where is the shower. Oh there it is."
He almost went in but then stopped.
Count Heinz: "Wait. What if the parts are only in one city area. I mean Heidelberger, Weimarer am Main, or Bremer city. It does not have to be spread in every city."
(Ding dong)
Count Heinz: "Hmm…"
The door rang. He opened it. It was Fiona.
Count Heinz: "Oh…"
Fiona: "Sorry for the disturbance but it is slowly time."
Count Heinz: "Oh my god you are right damn…"
(Patch! Patch!)
Fiona: "Huh?"
Count Heinz: "Huh?"
It was Gerta. She carried Kafka in her arms.
Gerta: "I think you were waiting for him. May I come in?"
They looked at each other.
Count Heinz: "Um sure."
Fiona: "Mhm…"
She went in.
Gerta: "Thanks."
Count Heinz: "Hmm…"
She laid him on the sofa.
Gerta: "Listen. I know I caused you problems but the curse it hurts more and more."
Fiona: "It is about your curse. Your cat ability."
Gerta: "No that is an ability. I mean the Cinderella curse or as it is called ash organ."
Count Heinz: "Not the curse that gives your organs unbearable pain almost like they melt."
Fiona: "I thought it was only a normal curse."
Gerta: "Mhm. Listen to me. Zoe will surely send me to Heidelberger or Weimarer am Main or Bremer city. I can help you."
Fiona: "And why should we trust you?"
Count Heinz: "Hmmm… you want Kafka to not be in danger right."
Gerta: "Mhm."
Fiona: "You want to get rid of the curse and what does it have to do with the Dark Bride."
Gerta: "Her dark blood can help me. It is a counter curse to Cinderella's. This will curse me too but not as bad as Cinderella's."
Gerta looked at Count Heinz.
Gerta: "But I do not need to tell you that mother will not be a danger."
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Count Heinz: "Still it is dangerous if one of the Death family."
Gerta: "I thought so. I must go take care of Kafka please."
Count Heinz: "Mhm…"
Fiona: "Ok."
Gerta: "Thank you."
She left.
Count Heinz: "Hahh…"
Fiona: "Oh no…"
A few minutes later
Zoe: "So Gerrard, Dante, and Gerta you go to Heidelberger."
Gerta: "Mhm."
Dante: "Hmm…"
Gerrard: "Ok."
Zoe: "Herteran and Namalia you go to Bremer city. And I go with Zhen to Weimarer am Main ok."
Zhen: "Ok."
Herteran: "Ok."
Namalia: "Ok. Agreed."
(Dong)