Faust hummed, scooping then spraying bread crumbs onto the pavement for the birds to enjoy then had to pause this activity when his phone buzzed. He didn't need to guess who was calling.
"Where are you? We need to speak."
Though August tried to hide it, Faust could sense a subtle hint of panic in his voice.
"Maesla Park"
Faust returned, his voice so tranquil and composed it could pass for a lullaby.
August appeared twenty minutes later in a grey trench coat, biege headwear and dark shades. Somehow his attempt to conceal himself already stated to anyone who saw him that he was possibly someone worth considering and his hurried steps didn't help in the slightest.
Thankfully Maesla was an unassuming public area that barely anyone cared enough to frequent much less take a gander at the most inconspicuous figure around.
"We need to find somewhere safe to talk." August said to Faust who simply chucked then pointed upwards.
"And where would that be?"
The smirk on Faust's face told August all he needed to know. Privacy didn't exist in their little world.
Faust seeing August grow increasingly tense patted the empty space beside him offering him that side of the short bench.
August took the offer, finally seated he couldn't help but let out a tired sigh.
"You can keep pretending like everything is alright. Believe me it helps."
Faust handed him a handful of breadcrumbs.
"August my friend. I know how you feel, you're growing tired within yourself when that happens the world starts feeling less real and more like a staged script where the only thing that feels real is the feeling that you are trapped and you don't have the slightest clue how to get out. Listen carefully, this is the only time I will tell you how to see beyond this prison…" Faust gripped August's shoulder tightly giving him a deep piercing gaze that said his next words were a matter of grave importance and he should make sure not lose the meaning in the parable he is presenting it as.
'He is telling me something, Faust can't say it aloud.' August saw in between the lines.
"...that prison isn't built on lies. It is every bit as real as you think it is but it's reality only extends to how it is meant to present itself to you and nothing more, search deeper and the inconsistencies will be evident. Next, realise why you are here. No one alive is on earth without purpose, the very thing you have built your life around might be what our hidden demons are trying to grasp and exploit. Another, every important person undergoes trials. Many will try to use your very gifts to fuel their vices even if it means enshrouding you with lies if they could they would isolate you in a controlled pen, feeding you lies as breakfast to ensure you don't stop working for their goals. The best thing you can do is to work slowly, spend more time with family and let them complain you are what's important not just what you can make possible. There are many gifted minds trapped like this, in a hell shaped by greed, some are aware while others aren't. The ones who shine brightest are usually the trapped ones but you have invisible friends watching over you. A united front against our demons."
Faust placed an insignia into August's palm. It showed the golden outline of a spear raised against a multi-eyed sun staring down on it.
'A resistance.' August said inwardly.
"We usually talk about poetry, stories and conspiracy stuff like silly kids. But if you pay attention you might see something useful."
August smiled heartily for the first time in a while.
"Sure."
Faust rose filled with spirit, "Brilliant. Let's go get some donuts to celebrate. My treat."
August laughed, "Faust, Always a glutton."
After walking a little ways, August turned seeing Faust leave behind his shopping bag full of breadcrumbs which the birds have begun assaulting.
"Faust. Your breadcrumbs?!"
"Who said those were breadcrumbs?" Faust said mischievously.
...…
"I Love you." Isolde said to Ives with her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Did I scare you?" Ives questioned his pet.
Isolde's response came with her snuggling closer, rubbing and feeling his warmth. It felt like she was trying to disappear into his body.
Celeste seeing them acting so familial didn't know what to say.
"Mom?" Ives said when Celeste disbelieving stare became too heavy.
"Ummm… Sorry, Baby. When did this happen?"
Celeste said overflowing inwardly with elation. Ives rolled his eyes, Celeste rushed to explain herself hoping that her son doesn't see this as her intruding into her affairs.
"Well, I have to know when my son got his girlfriend."
"I'm not his girlfriend. I am his pet."
The silence was palpable.
"Excuse me. Did you say 'Pet'?"
Isolde still clinging to Ives explained without the least bit of shame.
"I met Ives in an event, there he bought me from a previous owner. I became his pet."
Isolde opened her shirt and showed a doggy collar.
"I'm his puppy."
Ives was horrified.
"Mom…"
"Wow. I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff, my son had grown into quite the man." Celeste sniggered.
"He already has a girlfriend, her name is Selene."
Celeste gave Ives a wink before coming over to the two lovers and hugging them.
"I Love you both. You suit eachother well." Celeste said with deep affection.
Ives and Isolde returned the hug.
...…..
Krueger was sitting alone in a morgue beside the deceased body of Sabine who was dropped off by the order, the cause of death - Unforeseen complications.
"Rest in peace, my child."
He kissed her goodnight, stood up ready to leave when he arrived.
The room suddenly grew out of proportions, the door a few steps ahead was suddenly almost a hundred meters away. A black point appeared growing slowly, he watched the point of light in its centre open up to a rolling field of green swaying to the breeze underneath an unearthly starry sky.
Krueger watched as familiar faces emerged followed by one he didn't recognise from this strange realm.
Isolde went to her grandfather while Celeste walked with Ives to Sabine's body lying peacefully in death.
The white sheet was removed from her face showing the pale face of the woman that began a revolution without even realising it.
Her one tip sent Ives on a journey that led him to the one he loved the most and he was here to repay that favour.
Celeste laid her hand on the cold face of her dearest friend, recalling a version of her from a time when life seemed endless and their problems were few.
"It's time to wake her up…" Ives' words if interpreted literally could be something incredible and he wasn't joking. Krueger still shook up stated, "She isn't sleeping."
"I know." Ives said without a hint of doubt or hesitation.
"You have no idea what my son can do." Celeste went over and held Krueger's hands, giving him a silent affirmation that a thousand words could never come close to doing.
A deep hum spread through the room, through the bodies of everyone present who felt like so deeply they could almost taste it.
A thin film formed around the outline of Ives' form slowly gathering power till it transformed into a rippling stream of bubbling energy swirling around Ives' form which blurred into a hazy humanoid outline.
Sabine's deceased body became distorted as a rippling mass formed above her then without warning, the rippling mass surged then devoured Sabine's body erupted in a bright flash and a powerful rumble that spread out faster than any eye can keep up with.
The entire building entered a blackout.
Ives stood in the aftermath, visibly worn but still with the powerful presence that seemed to stick stubbornly to him though now part of his leg had now fused with the floor which has become deformed like it had melted. Every surfaced had a small section of it reaching out in a messy web towards Ives who no longer kept the activity that animated this process.
Krueger laughed happily as Sabine opened her eyes and sat up.
"Welcome back."