Count Stein was handed over to the guards. According to the law, he would be charged with treason and murder, which meant execution or life imprisonment. At last, it was over. Fiona went to the Dark Bride. As for Renni, she turned herself in. Just when everything with Deadlock finally seemed to be over, Fiona saw it. The black hole appeared. After more than one hundred years, it had returned.
Fiona: Hahh.
Lilly: You look exhausted.
Fiona: Yes.
Lilly: Go with Cosette now. Rest here today, alright?
Fiona: Thank you very much. That is really kind of you.
She stood up and went to the bed. Cosette was already there.
Cosette: Zzz.
Fiona: Hehe.
She lay down next to her.
(Dong)
Fiona: Ugh.
Suddenly, Fiona had a terrible feeling.
Frau Holle: Watch out.
She heard it suddenly. She stood up and looked around, but there was no one there.
Fiona: I must be tired.
She fell asleep again.
(A few hours later)
(Emergency alarm)
(Doooooooot)
Fiona: Huh? What is going on?
The door opened.
Dark Bride: Fiona, look out the window.
Fiona: What?
Cosette: Yawns. What is happening?
Fiona: Huh?
She looked out the window.
Fiona: Ugh. This cannot be real.
She looked at her watch. It was spinning wildly.
Fiona: The black hole.
Dark Bride: It is here.
Fiona: But that means it will become dangerous.
Dark Bride: Mm.
Fiona stood up immediately.
Fiona: Your dead family will be safe, right?
Dark Bride: Yes, more or less.
Fiona: Damn. I have to get to Kafka quickly. Naomi is here, right?
Dark Bride: Yes.
Fiona: Good. I am going to Kafka. Please take care of Cosette and Naomi until then.
Lilly: Wait, Fiona.
Fiona ran outside.
Fiona: Hah, hahh.
(Lightning)
Fiona: Ghhh.
The hotel was not far. She arrived.
Fiona: There it is.
But it was empty. She still went inside. Just then, Kafka and Lissana appeared.
Fiona: Huh?
Kafka: Fiona?
Lissana: What is going on?
Fiona: It is the black hole. We have to leave. Quickly.
Kafka: Huh?
Lissana: But where?
Fiona: Just follow me.
Just as they went outside, someone appeared. It was Meliodas.
Meliodas: Fiona, I was looking for you.
Fiona: Meliodas?
Meliodas: No time to stand around. We have to leave now.
They hurried.
Meliodas: I did not think it would appear.
Fiona: Why did it appear?
Meliodas: No one knows. You know that. That is what Dark Umbrella said. No one knows why the black hole appears.
Fiona: Hahh. Are we going to die?
Meliodas: Only if you are in the open.
Fiona: Huh.
Meliodas: My people are evacuating.
Fiona: I need to get to Renni.
Meliodas: Do not worry. I took care of her.
Fiona: What?
Meliodas: My people saw the watch, just like you probably did. That is why you went to Kafka.
Kafka: How do you know me?
Meliodas: Later. No time for that.
They ran quickly and reached a place.
Meliodas: Bring Cosette. Quickly, here.
Fiona: Okay.
Meliodas: You have at most one hour.
Fiona: Okay.
Meliodas: About Renni, I lied. I did not take care of her.
Fiona: What?
Meliodas: We have no time.
Fiona: Ghhh. I will save Cosette and Renni and Naomi.
She ran off.
Meliodas: Do not wait.
She kept running.
Fiona: Hahh.
(Memory)
Meliodas: The black hole. It has been one hundred years since it last appeared. When it appears, multiple disasters occur. Kingdoms suffer catastrophes. Many people die. At first, it looks like a tornado, a strong and evil tornado, but it does not only consume things, it causes changes. Some kingdoms change completely. The problem is that no one truly knows how or why it appears. Even worse, neither I nor you know what it actually looks like. It has been one hundred years since it appeared. No one knows how to stop it or whether it is just a natural disaster or caused by an evil magician. No one knows. What is certain is that it is dangerous. When it appears, it is not necessarily the end. We at Dark Umbrella built a room called the Safe Room. About thirty people can fit inside. We built it so that something like this would not happen. Whether it is safe, I honestly do not know. It has been one hundred years. But you must be careful. What if it suddenly appears? What happens then? That is why you must stay alert.
Student: But is it not the end for us anyway?
Meliodas: Good question. And honestly, I have no idea. Dark Umbrella was founded only eighty years ago, at a time when the black hole no longer appeared.
(End of memory)
(Knock)
Gerrard: There you are.
Fiona: Where are Cosette and Naomi?
Gerrard: In there. Come in.
She went inside.
Cosette: Fiona, I am scared.
Fiona: Do not worry. I need you to listen to me. You too, Naomi.
Naomi was there as well, completely shocked.
Fiona: You are coming with me now, okay?
Cosette: Okay.
Naomi: But what is happening?
Fiona: I have no time to explain. Gerrard, do me a favor. Can you find a girl named Renni? She should be in prison.
Gerrard: Gladly.
Fiona: Thank you. Hurry. We only have half an hour.
Gerrard: Hmm.
Fiona: You will be fine, right?
Gerrard: Do not worry about us.
Lilly: He is right. I will protect my children. They have my blood. But Cosette and Naomi do not, and neither do you. How will you survive?
Fiona: I do not know. I have to return to Meliodas. I wish you all good luck. And thank you again, Gerrard.
Gerrard: No problem.
They hurried. Fiona returned with Naomi and Cosette.
Meliodas: There you are.
They went inside.
Meliodas: That took a while.
Fiona: Sorry.
Meliodas: We need to get into the room. Quickly.
He opened the door and they went in.
Fiona: Ugh, what?
It was a strange room.
Meliodas: This room is the Safe Room. Do you remember? It was created by a magician who survived the black hole. His name was Elliot Harvard.
Fiona: I see.
Meliodas: Even so, I am not sure if it will protect us.
Fiona: I have an idea, Mr Herold.
Mr Herold appeared.
Mr Herold: Yes?
Cosette: Oh, the rabbit.
Fiona: I want you to bring us the clock.
Mr Herold: Okay.
A huge clock appeared. It was more like a room.
Meliodas: What is this?
Fiona: In Wonderland, there is a special clock made by the magician Ichabod. According to Mr Herold, it protects against every catastrophe. In case of danger, we must enter it.
Meliodas: Hmm, okay. If it is from Ichabod.
Fiona: You know him too?
Meliodas: Of course. I have a contracted spirit. You remember. The sheep Fink?
Fiona: Oh right.
They went inside the room.
Meliodas: Ugh, wow.
Fiona: Oh, I did not know it would take us somewhere else.
It was a large room filled with plants.
Mr Herold: This is the clock room.
Meliodas: Hahh.
(Tick, tick)
Mr Herold: It is time.
Suddenly, Fiona ran out.
Mr Herold: What are you doing?
Fiona: Renni.
She ran out. Just then, there was a knock.
Gerrard: It is me. I have Renni.
She opened the door. He was carrying her.
Fiona: Thank you. Thank you so much. Are you really going to be okay?
Gerrard: Yes. Do not worry. Good luck.
Fiona: Thank you.
She took Renni into her arms and ran back into the clock room.
Meliodas: Hahh. That was close.
Fiona: Everything will be fine, Renni.
She smiled at her.
(Beep, beep, beep)
Mr Herold: Hmm?
Fiona: What is that?
Meliodas: The clock?
Mr Herold: Danger. It senses danger. Get ready.
(Crash) (Crash)
Suddenly, a strange feeling. Pressure. Then everything went blurry, and they collapsed unconscious.
(Tick, tick)
Fiona: Huh.
Fiona woke up and stood up immediately.
Meliodas: Ugh. Is everyone okay?
The others woke up as well.
Cosette: Yes.
Kafka: Where are we now?
Meliodas: Hmm.
They carefully opened the door.
Meliodas: Ugh.
Fiona: What is this?
Kafka: Huh?
They stepped outside. It looked like Weimarer, but it was different.
(Wrum)
Meliodas: Huh? What is that?
Fiona: That is a car. Is this Weimarer?
Kafka: Huh?
(Dong, dong, dong)
Weimarer suddenly looked different. Instead of old buildings, everything looked much more modern, like in the Wilhelminian era.
Fiona: Ugh.
Meliodas: It looks like the Safe Room is gone. Thanks to Mr Herold and Ichabod's clock, we survived. Good idea, Fiona.
Fiona: Hmm.
Kafka: Hhhh.
Meliodas: One more thing. Renni is not waking up.
Fiona: Hmm?
Meliodas: But where exactly are we?
Fiona: In a building. It looks abandoned.
She touched the wall.
Fiona: Puh.
Dust came out.
Fiona: Very abandoned.
Meliodas: What exactly happened?
Fiona: Hmm.
Kafka: I think we are in another era.
Fiona: What? That is impossible.
Kafka: Maybe.
Fiona: Hmm. It could be. We need a calendar, a date, something.
Lissana: What about that house? It says thirty two years since its opening, from the year 1478 to 1510.
Fiona: What?
Meliodas: Are you saying we are more than thirty two years in the future?
Fiona: Hmm?
Kafka: What happened to the others?
Fiona: Hahh.
She collapsed to the ground in shock.
Kafka: Huh?
Fiona: Dead.
Kafka: What?
Meliodas: They are dead.
Renni: Cough, cough.
Fiona: Renni?
Cosette: Huh.
Meliodas: Are you okay?
Renni: Who the hell are you?
Meliodas: My name is Meliodas Diaz.
Fiona: Renni, do not panic, but I think we jumped forward thirty two years.
Renni: What?
(Meanwhile)
(Patch) (Patch)
Rio: Colletta, what is wrong?
Colletta: Hmm. Rio, could it be that someone is in that old building over there?
Rio: Hmm?
Colletta: Should we check?
Rio: Okay.
(Meanwhile)
Everyone was shocked. Renni had just woken up.
Fiona: Renni, do not panic, but I think we jumped forward thirty two years.
Renni: What?
Fiona: Instead of traveling back or stopping time, it fast forwarded.
Renni: What?
Fiona: Because of the black hole.
Meliodas: I never imagined it would be like this.
Fiona: Does that mean the black hole changes time?
Meliodas: The question is how much.
Fiona: The people we knew are probably dead.
Naomi: Wait, I do not understand. I thought the black hole worked differently.
Fiona: Maybe the black hole only affected Weimarer.
Meliodas: Normally it would only affect one realm. But who could tell us what happened elsewhere?
(Patch) (Patch)
Fiona: Huh. Shh. Someone is coming.
They hid.
Colletta: Come out. You are safe. I can sense you.
Dark beings emerged from her shadows.
Colletta: But if you hide, it means you do not want me, and that means trouble.
Fiona stepped out.
Fiona: Satisfied?
The others followed. Another person appeared next to the woman.
Meliodas: Who are you?
Colletta: Strangers should introduce themselves first.
Meliodas: Meliodas Diaz.
Fiona: Fiona Househould.
Cosette: Cosette Clement. Or Cosette Lennata, my biological mother's surname.
Rio: Hmm?
Renni: Renni Salvatore.
Naomi: Naomi Petit.
Colletta: Since you are so polite, I will introduce myself. My name is Colletta Matilda de Lissbeth.
Rio: I am Rio. Rio Foge.
Colletta: We are cursed, just like you. Except this blonde one. She is not cursed, or so you think. If she were not cursed, she would be dead because of the black hole.
Meliodas: What?
Rio: If you are wondering how we know, your clothes are old fashioned. We also come from another time, from the year 1050.
Colletta: And we are cursed as well. My curse is shadow laughter.
Rio: Mine is a deer being, also called a deer monster.
Fiona: What do you want?
Colletta: We want to help you. That is all. From which time are you?
Fiona: 1478.
Rio: At least your time jump was not as big.
Fiona: How did you survive the black hole?
Colletta: We drank the blood of the dead. We were cursed by death itself. Because we were starving, we ate the flesh of our parents, which goes against death and the respect of the dead world.
She had long gray hair with dark green tones. Rio had dark lilac hair.
Fiona: Wait, both of you?
Rio: Colletta and I were neighbors. When my parents died, her parents took care of me.
Colletta: Until they later died as well.
Colletta wore a black outfit with lilac flowers and a hat decorated with skulls.
Colletta: I control the monsters from my shadows. These monsters are not rift beings.
Fiona: We call those rift beings Nemesis.
Rio: Hmm?
Colletta: I see. Back then, they were unknown to us. You arrived late. It took one hundred years until the next one appeared. We cannot age. We can die, but we do not age.
Fiona: How did you know a black hole rift appeared?
Colletta: A strong light appeared, dark light actually, when you arrived. According to information, you were there. The dark light revealed you. You were asleep for eight hours.
Fiona: What do you do? What is your job?
Meliodas: You are not from Dark Umbrella, are you?
Colletta: No. We are magicians, detectives, you could say. We investigate supernatural cases for our office, Butterfly.
(Growl)
Their stomachs growled.
Colletta: It seems you are hungry.
Rio: Come with us. We have food.
Fiona: I hope not human flesh.
Colletta: No. Normal food.
She held out her hands.
Colletta: Please hurry. I am getting tired and cold.
They followed her.
Meliodas: Hmm?
Fiona: What do you think? Can we trust them?
Meliodas: Let us see. I think they are not bad.
Cosette: Do you maybe have something to drink? I am thirsty.
Fiona: Cosette.
Colletta: Hmm?
Colletta looked at her with large empty eyes.
Cosette: Huh.
Colletta: Haahh. Of course you can. Hehe.
She smiled.
Colletta: Please forgive me if I scared you. I am usually tired and exhausted. I will give you something to drink on one condition.
Cosette: Okay.
Colletta: You sit on my lap.
Fiona: What?
Cosette: Huh?
Rio: Sorry. Colletta loves children but does not know how to interact with them.
Cosette: Huh, how much?
She held Colletta's hand.
Colletta: Huh.
She blushed and held her hand.
Colletta: Mm.
Cosette: Mm.
They entered a building after walking for a while.
Colletta: Here, little one.
Cosette: Thank you.
Cosette jumped onto her lap.
Colletta: What?
Cosette: I thought you wanted that.
Colletta: That was a joke.
Cosette: Should I get down?
Colletta: No.
Cosette: Okay.
She drank.
Colletta: Hmm.
She gently stroked her hair.
Colletta: Oh, so warm and soft.
Cosette: Mm?
She looked at her while drinking through the straw.
Colletta: Cute.
Cosette: Mm.
Fiona: By the way, she is eleven.
Colletta: What? She looks younger, like nine or even eight.
Fiona: Yes, I know. She acts like it too.
Cosette: Mm, this is tasty. What is it?
Colletta: Strawberry juice.
Rio: I will cook for you. Today we are eating mussels and other seafood like lobster.
He went into the kitchen.
Meliodas: Say, are you two a couple?
Rio: Huh?
Colletta: A couple? No. Maybe. We only kissed once.
Meliodas: Sweating. So you are a couple.
Rio: Yes, we are.
Colletta: Oh really? I thought I had something in my mouth.
Fiona: Sweating. I am losing my mind.
Naomi: Maybe I should have let the black hole kill me.
Colletta: Hmm.
Colletta had a very calm voice, gentle and pleasant. Fiona stopped worrying. Cosette only feels comfortable with people who do not wish her harm.
Colletta: You know that the people you knew back then are dead, right?
Fiona: Wait, what about the Dark Bride?
Colletta: You mean Lilly.
Fiona: You know her?
Colletta: Of course. The dead family is never harmed. Those cursed by them are also unaffected by the black hole. That is why you are here.
Naomi: But I am not cursed.
Colletta: It could be that you have a curse you do not notice. Not every curse is obvious.
Renni: What do you mean by detectives exactly?
Colletta: We are detectives who investigate supernatural matters. Ghosts, monsters, vampires. There is one person you must be careful of. Undertaker.
Fiona: Undertaker?
Rio: Her name is Zantanel Kafka.
Colletta: She is a dangerous woman. She can summon Nemesis. She is a Nemesis summoner who brings chaos.
(Meanwhile)
Zantanel: Hahh.
Unknown man: Hahahaha. Today we will celebrate properly.
Zantanel: Hmm?
She touched his back. Seconds later, he screamed.
Unknown man: Aahh.
He transformed into a Nemesis with a radio for a head.
Nemesis: R.
(Beep, beep)
Music played. The song caused people to collapse unconscious. It even attacked them and caused death.
Zantanel: Hmph.
(Back to the present)
Rio: Food is ready.
Cosette: Hahh.
Rio: This is for you, Cosette.
Cosette: For me? Really?
Colletta: Of course. Eat as much as you want.
Cosette: Thank you. Should I get off your lap?
Colletta: You can stay.
Cosette: Okay. I like you.
Colletta: Huh?
Rio: Hahahaha. You finally found a girl who likes you without being afraid of your calm voice and creepy nature.
Colletta: Hmm.
She stroked her hair.
Colletta: Such a nice girl. Who took care of you?
Cosette: Fiona.
Colletta: Hmm?
Fiona: I took care of her.
Colletta: I see. I must say, she is very cute.
Fiona: Hmm?
Colletta: Hehehe. I like your hair, Cosette. You have a warm head.
Cosette: Fiona says that too.
Fiona: Ngh.
Kafka: Uh oh.
They started eating.
Colletta: Hmm.
Kafka: And this Zantanel can control Nemesis? You said she is a Kafka. I am one too.
Colletta: That explains your different mana. But I sense you do not wish to do evil. Zantanel is the daughter of Otto Kafka.
Kafka: That is my brother. He already had a daughter?
Colletta: Then I am sorry to tell you that Otto Kafka was murdered by Zantanel herself.
Kafka: Ugh.
Colletta: Zantanel's ability is different. Anything she touches that has blood and a beating heart, she can turn into a Nemesis. She is very dangerous. That is why I warn you now.
Naomi: Excuse me, you said Lilly is still alive because she is the Dark Bride. Is anyone else from the family alive?
Colletta: I know that some members survived, like Zhen, Berteran, Namelia, Gerrard, and Dante.
Lissana: Hahh.
Lissana inhaled.
Kafka: Are you happy about that?
Lissana: Very.
Colletta: It seems you had a lot to do with the Dark Bride.
Fiona: You could say that.
Kafka: At first it was exhausting. Did she do something?
Colletta: Bad things? No. They committed nothing. In fact, they were quiet for years. Hey, Rio.
Colletta looked at him.
Colletta: I need something to drink. Can you make me coffee? No, tea please. Sweet, if possible.
Rio: Mm.
He quickly made tea.
Rio: Here.
Fiona: That was fast.
Rio: Hmm?
Colletta: Thank you. Cosette, it would be good if you get down. I am afraid I might spill it on you.
Cosette: Okay.
She got up and sat on Renni's lap.
Renni: Huh.
Cosette: Sorry, there is no chair.
Renni: Uh, okay.
Colletta: There is something else you need to know about Zantanel. Kafka is not her biological father. I mean Otto Kafka. Instead, it is death itself.
Fiona: What?
Kafka: Impossible. No human could endure carrying a child of death. Are you saying she is a guardian?
Colletta: No. As you said, her mother was a normal human. No magician, no curse, no undead or elf. Just a normal human. That is why Zantanel is half undead and half human.
(Meanwhile)
(Tick, tick, tick)
Zantanel: Hmm.
She wore a long white outfit, had long black hair, a hat, a dark coat and pants. She had skull tattoos on her neck.
Zantanel: Hmm.
She picked up a skull from the table and began to eat it.
(Crunch)
Zantanel: Mmm.
(Crunch)
(Crunch)
(Crunch)
Zantanel: Mm. Cool. I am going to shower.
She went inside. Her head and shoulders were still visible.
Zantanel: Hahh. I will make humans suffer.
Water flowed and flowed.
(Splash)
(Splash)
(Splash)
Zantanel: Hehehe.
Not only water fell, but also ash. She is the daughter of death.
Zantanel: Huh, saving time.
She came out afterward, wearing her sleeping robe.
Zantanel: Hahh. I am tired.
She lay on the bed and turned on the television.
(Dong)
Television: Lady Zantanel, what would you like today?
Zantanel: A horror movie, please. I love sleeping while it plays. Horror movies are so boring that you can sleep.
Television: Understood.
Window: Should I close myself?
Zantanel: No, little window. Stay open. I need air. Hey, cooker.
Cooker: Yes, Lady Zantanel?
Zantanel: I want you to make me coffee.
Cooker: With pleasure.
The water boiled and boiled. Zantanel lay back on the bed.
Zantanel: Let us see how it goes.
The television started the horror movie.
Actress: No, no, please do not.
(Splash) (Splash)
Actress: Urk. Please, someone.
(Ding)
Cooker: Coffee is ready.
Zantanel: Good.
She stood up, took it, and drank.
Zantanel: Oh, finally.
It was dark. A single room, no other rooms.
Zantanel: What do you think, sofa? Can you keep me warm?
Sofa: Gladly.
The sofa heated up. Zantanel lay on the bed, rested, and drank her coffee. Bitter, but important. Coffee gave her energy and improved her mood so she would not be so irritated. She lay back down, drank her coffee, and tried to enjoy the movie, but fell asleep after five minutes. She slept deeply and peacefully. She was extremely tired, so tired that she would gladly sleep for ten hours. She lay on the bed without a blanket, snoring softly.