Chapter 51
Rook blinked in surprise. “Do you mean to say that the Island of Woe’s watchman is Ignihyde’s very own Idia Shroud…?”
Malleus nodded. “Yes… However, “Watchman” isn’t something personal. It is a general term for people from their family. If I am not mistaken, the current head is Aidne Shroud.”
Lilia shook his head. “No, she has long since passed. The current head should be her son, Idia’s father.”
“Ah ! I see… Humans do age faster.” Malleus said under his breath.
“Their organization being referred to as “S.T.Y.X.” was a recent development as well.” Lilia said. “Has it not only been a century since they were referred to by such a name?”
Ruggie stopped him. “P-please wait a moment. I’m a bit confused. All I heard from Leona-san was that Idia-san family was a part of some big-shot conglomerate… I’m speculating here, but uh… Does that mean that not only is he the Watchman, but he’s also S.T.Y.X’s boss?”
“He may be the one who planned all this too.” Roxana said before she looked at Lilia. “Does the magician taken to the Island of Woe return after being taken ?”
Lilia looked at her and shook his head sadly. “Not one magician who’s been taken to the Island of Woe has returned, and if some really did escape they must have changed their names but it’s unlikely, what goes into the Island of Woe never comes back.”
Like the dead… Roxana thought as weird gleam in her eyes.
“Nowadays, the Keeper of the Island of Woe is considered no more than an urban legend, but back in the time when mages were still called wizards and witches, they were an entity feared by all. They said that the Keeper would come for those practitioners of magic that lost themselves in their power.” Lilia said.
“Chronicles of history in the royal palace detail the history of that organization going back to the age of gods. A time when the connection between magic and Blot was yet a mystery. To most people, Overblot was no different from a natural disaster that came without warning. The ones who would seal away that disaster within Island of Woe and bring peace to the people was a branch of the Jupiter family… Records tell us that the Shroud family took up the duty of the Keeper to ensure those disasters never occurred again.” Malleus explained.
“That sounds more like the stuff of myths than history to me. Cay-Cay is all overwhelmed from just how big this all is.” Cater said.
“Yet the curiosity those children of men held in their hearts meant they did not cease their research into magic. As time passed, magic became a safe practice. The wizards and witches became mages. Now, mage licenses are internationally recognized, and magic is a part of people’s everyday lives. They exist out in the open in all parts of the world. It is regulated by the government and there are laws in place that crack down on those that abuse or use magic for nefarious purposes. So eventually the Keepers vanished from the stage of history. However, they continued their research into those disasters, into Blot, as the non-government agency STYX.” Lilia said.
“Idia Shroud… We were well aware that he was the son of the Shroud family, but this is the first I am hearing of this secret connection between the Shroud family and STYX. I pride myself on having read through every piece of literature on the history of magic; however, I have never encountered such a description.” Trein frowned.
“You have only read those histories that humans have access too, have you not? Time flows very differently for humans and fae. Depending on one's country and heritage, the things you pass down will be different. As will the things you record. The biases and values of the one doing the recording will put the history in a different light and alter it. That is the sad fact of history” Lilia said.
Yes…just like how the story of ‘The Great Seven’ that the people of this world know is nothing but a giant hoax and lies. Roxana thought. I wonder how will they act if they knew the truth will they still look up to them ?
Trein then spoke again. “Was the headmaster aware… …of Idia Shroud’s ties to STYX? If he was… …he could have gone through the Shroud family to find some course of action that would have allowed us to avoid this situation.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Even if he had known, there maybe have been no stopping the Keepers decisions.” Malleus said.
“…What are STYX… …planning to do with Riddle and the others who went through Overblot?” Trey nervously said.
“After listening to Lilia’s insight on the matter, I can’t imagine that they are being treated as guests. At best they may be subjected to a thorough examination, and at worst the subject of experimentation. At the absolute worst they may not even—” Jade was cut off by his mouth disappearing.
Roxana glared at him. “Don’t say it, and don’t even think about it, they are alive, and they will stay like that after we get them back.”
“You know what… I had a thought after listening to Flapjack octo’s story. Those guys flew all over campus busting stuff up like it was goin’ outta style and they took a bunch of people. There had to have been some guys taking videos of everything that went down. There’s no way they’re some secret syndicate. Or does this mean that they’ve got the means to cover the whole thing up after the fact?” Floyd said.
“Man, I’ve got one hell of a bad feeling about this. We should probably worry about our own hides first and foremost before Leona and the others.” Ruggie bit his lip.
“While I would like to correct Bucchi on his manner of speaking, I cannot bring myself to disagree with his sentiment.” Trein sighed. “As long as the location of Island of Woe is unknown to us, we have no means to put any pressure on them. All of you should return to your dorms to call a meeting with your residents. Take stock of the damage done around campus and report back to me.”
“Yes Sir !”
“You’ve been quite for a while is something in your mind ?” Roxana asked Rook.
Rook did not respond nor did Roxana ask him again as she made her way out.
“Island of Woe is nowhere in the map unknow location…a non-governmental organization…” Roxana smirked. “They better hope I never find them.”
Roxana decided to go around and talk a walk less she accidently destroy things with her magic, she made her way to the Hall of Mirrors there was a hole on the side.
Luckily for everyone the Teleportation Mirror’s are fine, so she didn’t have to repair them like she repaired the wall.
“Oh you repaired the hole.” Epel said as he walked in.
“Epel.” Roxana greeted. “You weren’t injured right ?”
Epel stopped in front of the Pomefiore mirror. “Nah, it wasn’t much but a scratch.”
Suddenly someone came from the mirror in a hurry and bumped into Epel.
“Ouch, my butt. Who in their right mind comes blasting outta a mirror like that?! You tryin' ta flatten me?!” Epel groaned.
“My apologies Monsieur Pomme, but I am in quite the hurry, you see. Are you hurt at all?” Rook helped him up.
“Oh, it's just you, Rook. It's not often I see you charging ahead without looking.” Epel then noticed something in his hands. “Now that I get a good look at you, you've got a giant bag and your broom with you. Going somewhere?”
“Yes, I happen to be on my way out, and I have a feeling I will not be back on campus for a while.” Rook smiled.
“Eh?! Why wouldn't you be back 'ere for so long? Where in the world could you possibly be going?” Epel asked surprised by what Rook said.
“The Island of Woe, of course!” Rook said a little bit too happy for Roxana’s taste.
“You're going WHEEEEERRREEEE?!?!?!?! Hold yer horses! Are you trying to chase down the guys who took Vil?!” Epel screamed.
“Oui. I fully comprehend the danger that awaits me, but please do not try to stop me. The moment I stepped foot in the dorm, I was overtaken by a terrible realization.” Rook said.
“Huh? What could be more terrible than being abducted?”
“When he was taken, Vil's…skin care routine was left behind. He has not a single product with him!” Rook said.
Epel groaned. “I don't believe me ears.”
“You can’t be serious…” Roxana said with a blank face.
“As the season changes, your skin becomes even susceptible to the elements. You face will become a proper desert! Without keeping up a stringent skin care routine, your forehead and chin will quickly be marred by that forbidden, crimson fruit.” Rook cried.
“Are you talking about pimples ?” Roxana was so done with him.
AND SHE THOUGHT LOCKHART WAS BAD !!!!
“Pimples… Those are cute little things that are one of the hallmarks of youth. Vil has a photoshoot for a magazine cover next week. His whole aesthetic revolves around being at his most beautiful during photoshoots.” Rook said.
Epel snapped. “How's he s'pposed to get pictures taken if we don't even know if he's gonna come back alive?! More importantly, how are you the dang blasted vice housewarden?!”
“While I may be the vice housewarden of Pomefiore, I am first and foremost the hunter of love. The one who strives to seek out and help all the beauty I can.I cannot allow this beauty that is right in front of me to fall into ruin! That is why I must now depart on a journey to save my dear friend's beauty!” Rook dramatically said.
“That's not exactly the point I'm ‘tring to make here.” Epel was going to punch him, he really, really wanted to punch the hunter right now.
“The Island of Woe is shrouded in a veil of secrecy, but there is no need to fret. For I can see, in a sense, where the abductees are.” Rook said.
Epel paused at that. “You can see them? How?”
“Oh dear, sunset is quickly drawing near. Unfortunately, I must make haste. I bid you all adieu!” And with that Rook took off on his broom.
“Rook, h-hold on! ROOOOOOOOOK!!!” Epel screamed after him.
Roxana grabbed him. “Hold on…we will follow him on our own brooms but first…”
She apparated to Slytherin with Epel in her arm, Epel fell on his knees from the nausea while she made her way up to her room grabbed somethings and quickly put on a dress she liked.
“…You can’t be serious.” Epel said while looking at her outfit.
“What ? I am to mock Vil a bit I can’t pass this opportunity, so I put on one of my best outfits !” Roxana smirked.
Epel was going to punch her too, but of course he wouldn’t he wishes he could tho.
“HOW ARE YA GONNA TO RIDE A BROOM WITH THAT ON !!!”
Roxana ignored that and put her hat on. “Now, Rook isn’t going to wait for us, we need to go.”
*In the sky a few miles away from NRC*
“The trail leads northward. That means one day of travel with transfers. Actually, if I go entirely by broom, half a day.” Rook sighed. “I have no doubt that my farewell left Monsieur Pomme in quite the tizzy.”
“ROO... ROOOOOOOOK!!!”
Rook chuckled. “Heheh. Yes, that's precisely the fervor I'd expect... Wait!” He turned around to see Roxana and Epel on their own broom chasing him.
“We found you! Now freeze!” Epel shouted at him.
“What in the world are you two doing here?!” Rook cried in surprise.
“The hunting the hunter~” Roxana said with a smile.
Don’t take her joking persona in offence, she isn’t ignoring the situation.
After all, there’s always a calm before the storm.