"...THERE'S A MONSTER IN HERE!?" Harvard shouted once Alice finished her story, much to the annoyance at such an obvious answer by Solomon. Alice nodded her head, watching as the Card Magician went through his cards to see what beast was involved. Meanwhile, Zazel would ask his own question.
"So how long has he been in here for?"
Alice would wince as she'd try to recall as much as possible. "The first recording about it going dormant was during the Devil's Apocalypse. Should be around say... 1500's? Ever since then, it's evolved in secret, molding away and never choosing to awake again unless someone disturbs his slumber. It's a precarious situation, it is. At any moment, it can come up and wreck havoc on our City before we have the chance to act."
"Yeah... like ANOTHER Monster we dealt with before." Solomon would groan, staring daggers into Harvard, before changing his expression as soon as he'd found Xibal within his deck. It carried the same appearance: Draconic-like body, lava pouring out from its ridges, but what was left out was the six crimson wings that looked like it radiated heat, acting as another sun in such a depiction.
"Xibal... Calamity of the Ninth. The monster that is said to bring down misfortune the longer it remains... it's sundial acting as its personal gauge." He'd read, letting the children notice the cards have such texts when it came to stronger spells or monsters, almost like a warning to prepare in case one is willing to summon it. When Zazel looked over at another card, Flames, he'd notice it carries the same text, but smaller. A mere sentence to explain itself in comparison to the more elaborate wording in the beast.
"Well, we at least have someone who owns the card. Gives us an advantage if they DO succeed in waking it up. Is there any way to prevent it?" Koina asked, as she'd look onwards to the artworks, seeing each beast being portrayed to help a civilization or stop a threat, the monsters larger than life after hearing such a story. Just as much as it worries her in knowing that responsibility fell into the hands of a child.
Alice shook her head as she'd had the White Rabbit be quick on getting some water for everyone. "Sadly, no. The moment it awakes, it is positioned right underneath Calibren. The only way I'd even take a guess in ceasing such peril is if someone was willing to tame Oyama-Don himself. Practically suicide considering it would wake up with the memories of his once true friend now into mere ashes."
"Morbid much??"
"It's the truth! Without the Greatest Magi to have ever lived, their hopes have all but been in utter ruin. A horrible day, I'd say. No way they'd stay in good terms wi-"
"Rhymes aside." Envy interrupted, as he'd slouch back, sighing and rubbing at his eyes. "That doesn't explain why Sozo came to me of all things. If he plans on setting up a giant Golem to wreck havoc, why the hell am I involved? Why did he came to me when I was unconscious and told me I was just another part of him?"
The group went deep in thought, trying to piece such knowledge together. It wasn't until Harvard would have a question, quickly putting his cards away. "Question... if Sozo's words are true... does that mean he can see us right now? Hear us? Speak to us? Control us?"
"I doubt it. The only way he'd be insane enough to do that is if-" His words went quiet as he realized what was going to be their plan. "...They're setting me up to be caught so I can be manipulated and break the Mountain Man out."
"EH?? How???"
"Were you not there when the two Rank's were trying to kill us??" His question would be met with stares, letting him know his panic was getting to him. "Right... you were busy training. Okay, Long story short: One of the members has Straw Magic, who can manipulate the body if straw entered into us. With how long the fight went, I doubt he used one of them to set up the connection and control me from afar."
"And you didn't tell us before BECAUSE??" Zazel asked, with Solomon pitching his own concerns.
"I DIDN'T THOUGHT THEY'D USE ME LIKE THAT!! Listen, all we have to do is to simply A. Keep an eye on me, and B. Keep an eye on Bronx. He's probably still gunning for my imprisonment to prevent the Apocalypse again." As the group managed to decide on such a plan and prepare themselves for such a battle, a few mews were heard nearby. The kids quickly noticed such sounds and looked around, with Applin being able to spot it in the dark: A Cat. Blue-ish fur with sharp claws and steel teeth, as it lounges across the tabletop.
"KITTY!!" Harvard's brain immediately shifted as he rushed ahead and met the cat, letting his arms be open so he can catch the cat and hug it. Of course, the feline wasn't as willing, but the boy made sure to be as calm as possible to entice it, letting it relax, letting it choose to jump onto his chest.
"Harvard... You don't know who owns that cat!" Solomon reprimanded, as he'd try to go around and keep an eye out.
"Oh! That's actually the Tavern's guard cat! Pistol! She's a special one, isn't she?" Alice would state, petting her head softly.
"Guard Cat?" The two boys asked, before Harvard would accidentally poke at her knee, making her make an instinctual response.
BANG!!!
Right through his head, as within Pistol's mouth, lies a gun. A flintlock specifically, as she'd cough out the smoke and powder before preparing another shot. The group was left speechless at seeing such a large wound, yet Harvard merely smiled as he'd hug her close. "We're keeping her!" He'd demand
"Harvard, NO!" A unanimous voice from everyone, as even his closest friends can see a inevitable issue from miles away.