His step-like prowls
It's clear he doesn't know her
What is this?
Her brother's long dead
Yet here he is?
Leigh reaches out her hand and takes a step
As the thief lets out a howling scream
Blue flames erupting from the depths
Tom knocks Leigh out of the line of the blast
Then hit's the thief directly in the chest
Instantly, the flames all cease
Did he just block the mana of the thief?
With one last growl Troah begins to retreat
Tom begins pursuit
“No!” I call “Stick with the team!”
“But...” He starts
As Leigh drops to her knees
“Who are you people?!” The Don's daughter shouts
“We were sent by your father.”
She immediately starts to pout
“Of course. He doesn't even trust me.”
She grumbles and groans
“Come on. “ I say “We need to get you back home.”
I approach Leigh
And help her to her feet
Tears flowing down her cheek
“What happened to him?” She sobs
Hugging me swift
Her face buried in my shoulder
For all her fire, right now she's colder
“I don't know, Leigh.
But I promise we'll get him back.
Let's go talk to Vito and give him a smack.”
She looks at me and wipes her eyes
“Thank you, partner.
I know you'll try.”
Back with Vito
I pin him against the wall
“You knew!” I snap
“This isn't a game Vito!”
He smiles wide, not the least bit afraid
“And if I'd told you what would you have done?
The world's quickly becoming a lot less fun.
Death's influence is spreading, I did what I had to.
Now let me go if you want what we agreed to.”
Releasing him, he gives a grin
“In the end, you have no chance to win.
Death and his Seers are four moves ahead.
Why do you think it is they brought back the dead?
They wanted you off balance.
So as not to see the full picture.
Their grip is tightening like a boa constrictor.”
Suddenly, Leigh pins him again to the wall
“You will tell me how to break the spell on my brother.
Unless you'd rather I put you under.”
“I'm afraid that won't do young miss.
You see, I'm protected by our sin of greed.
So long as I supremely value what you need.
In essence, You-can't-touch-me.”
“How is it your sin has not been stolen?” I ask
“It went missing for a day,
Then magically came back.
It's one of the special traits of our Sin.
We only need will it & it comes like a friend.
If you really want answers
Find Aurora's library.
It's in San-fran-sisco.
But be warned, nothing in those stacks are free.
Now, I believe our deal has been met.
Get out! And don't come back!”
“Why you!” Leigh snaps
I grab her quick
“Enough!” I call holding her tight
“We'll find a way to save him, I promise.”
She gives me a look saying you better
I look to Tom
“Together.”
He gives me a nod
Making a mana portal appears
Destination: San Fran.
I watch Leigh's tears.
They crossed the line
Toying with her heart
I swear I'm going to rip them apart
Trial 13: The unwinnable game
Leland Avenue is where we appear
Visitacion Valley Library
Rundown and vacant – That is clear
We knock on the door
Through the windows we peek
Stacks upon stacks of books towering
Does this place really hold the knowledge we seek?
A voice rings loud
“Who is it?!” It calls
An elegant voice
Reverberating the walls
“O.D.s. We're looking for Aurora.”
“Organization grunts?
Who would've guessed I'd land such a score-a.
You may enter.”
The door swings wide
Weaving through the towers, we slip inside
The door slams
As we make our way deep in the stacks
“What brings you to my library?
What knowledge do you lack?”
“A few things actually.”
I say, looking to the others
As they sift through the books
Most of which are dust covered
“There's so much dust...” Leigh chimes in
“I don't have visitors,” The voice chuckles “let alone
cleaning friends.”
“We're looking for answers.” Tom calls
“Clearly.” Aurora's voice resounds “You wouldn't be
here otherwise.”
“We seek the Sins.” Tom presses on
“The Dragon Sin to be specific.”
“Hehehehe, oh my,
That's a dangerous order...
You'd do better if you just missed it.”
“By authority of the Organization,” There he goes
“You are hereby ordered to reveal what you know.”
“You don't get to order anyone here.”
Aurora's tone now stirring up fear
“This is my library,
And that means my rules.
You'll have to face me in a witty duel.
Should you win, the answers will be yours.
Should you lose, my dinner won't be a bore.”
“Dinner?” I ask
“Yes.” Suddenly, she pounces on top of a giant pile
“A three course meal.” The sphinx licks her lips
“It's been quite a while.”
Looking over her massive paws
Her beautiful face
And terrifying claws
“Well then, let the game begin?” She continues on
“By the way, no leaving,
Or it's an automatic loss.”
She gives a giggle, licking her paws
“Guess we don't have a choice.” I say
“Pick the one,” The sphinx smiles
“Who'll answer.
The other two will stand silent for a while.”
“Nate, you do it.” Leigh grabs at my arm
“I trust you.”
“Yeah,” Tom concurs “I don't really do riddles.”
“No pressure, huh?” I muse, hiding my nerves
“Come now,” Aurora growls
“We haven't got all day.” Descending the stacks,
She begins to prowl
“I'll answer.” I say firm
“Good,” The sphinx purrs “Good to see you're not a
cowering worm...
Yet.”
“Let's do this.” I say
“Very well.” She begins
“I speak with no mouth,
I hear with no ears,
I have no body
And yet am very clear.
What am I?”
“What?” I mumble to myself
No mouth,
No ears,
No
