"I mean, look around and think for a second! Who would ever want to stay in an endless void of fog for the rest of all eternity! Don't you think I would have gotten myself out of here the moment I had an opportunity?" Enzio gestured in different directions.
Xavier stood in thought for a moment, and as he was about to speak...
"Ooh, Benzio!~" A sweet, soft, feminine voice emanated throughout the area.
Enzio's expression quickly changed to that of dread. "...And now, you're all going to die."
Xavier leaned forward and slightly squinted in confusion at Enzio. "Excuse me?"
"It's not a coincidence that I'm the only person here. That woman... she is a siren. She lures people in with that melody and kills them. But, unfortunately for me, I resemble the man she fell in love with years and years ago. She thinks that I am his spirit who has come back to find her through the power of love. So, she has kept me around."
Xavier let out an understanding hum and scratched his chin for a moment. "Putting that aside, when I asked how we are going to leave this place, you said that we 'don't' leave. Not that we 'can't' leave..."
Enzio sighed. "Well, when the siren returns, she enters this realm through a portal that appears as a wooden door. The door remains until she leaves the realm to... Well, I'm not sure what she does when she leaves. I haven't been able to escape through the door because she always keeps her eye on me when she is around..."
Xavier smirked slightly. "That's more than enough information. Bruce, Stephan, you two hide in that bush. Squeeze together to make sure the siren won't see you when she returns. I'll keep her occupied for as long as I can. Whenever you see an opportunity, grab Enzio and run to the door. I'll follow behind once I can."
Bruce tilted his head. "Are you sure you can..."
"Just do it." Xavier looked at his two friends from over his shoulder.
Bruce and Stephan looked at each other before reluctantly slipping into the singular bush in this barren expanse.
A few moments passed in silence. But then, it appeared. A very... average-looking wooden door faded into existence a few feet away from Xavier and Enzio.
It opened inwards, and a beautiful spectral woman with long, translucent blue hair came through. Her piercing white eyes immediately locked onto Enzio, and a large smile quickly formed on her face. However, it disappeared just a moment later as she noticed Xavier standing next to him. "Ah, more disgusting humans have fallen into my melody."
The spectral siren stepped to the side, but left the door open for a moment. Through the door, Xavier could see the fountain area in Mesios, but the space seemed to be slightly distorted. She shut the door and began stepping towards Xavier and Enzio as a shadowy-blue dagger conjured in her hand.
"Look away for a moment, my dear Enzio. I will swiftly dispose of this trash in our beautiful home."
Enzio sighed and turned away from the woman.
"Indeed, this home of yours is quite beautiful. I wouldn't want you to dirty it with my blood; that would be a pain to fully clean. Do you have anything around that would keep it clean while you send me to Lady Death?" Xavier's voice boomed with confidence. Both Bruce and Stephan were surprised at his sudden change in demeanor. Neither of them was aware he could present himself in this way.
The ghostly woman's eyes seemed to widen at Xavier's response. Soon after, a small smile formed on her face. "Yes, you are right... I'm glad you find my and my love's home to be beautiful! Benzio here always says there's nothing around, but I think the lack of decoration gives it a nice atmosphere."
Xavier's confident and prideful attitude slipped for a moment. "Aha... Yes, it truly speaks for itself, even if with few words. The pictures you have are lovely, I must say...!"
The woman let out a small gasp and covered her mouth in surprise. "Oh my...! Benzio, even our unwelcome guest here, says the pictures of us on the wall are nice. You're always saying that they don't exist! That always hurts my feelings..."
"Could I ask for a small tour of your comfortable lodge before you escort me off to the afterlife?" Xavier closed his eyes with a smile while gesturing to the area around him.
"For the very first time in my years upon years of non-living, nobody has ever asked... I would love to show off everything that I have put around over the years!" The woman quickly stepped forward and pointed at... nothing. "You see, this picture here..."
Enzio looked completely shocked, but impressed, with Xavier's performance. Stephan and Bruce quietly emerged from the bush while the siren's back was turned. Bruce gave Enzio a silent pat on the back and pointed at the door to freedom. The three stealthily, but quickly, moved towards it.
Bruce and Enzio reached the door flawlessly, opening the door while completely unheard. Stephan lagged behind a few feet, being careful as to stay extra quiet. As he was about to reach the door... He stumbled over his own feet and tripped, making a noticeable thud noise as Enzio and Bruce dragged him through the door.
The siren quickly looked over and watched as the three left through the portal. Her face immediately became panicked. "Benzio! Benzio, no! Don't leave me, Benzio! I thought you loved me! I thought we would stay together for eternity..." Her face quickly morphed into that of pure, unfiltered hatred and anger as she turned to face Xavier. "You...!"
"Well, that's a problem..." Xavier huffed.
[To Freedom!] (Emergency Class Quest)
Description: Survive against the phantom siren and escape to your freedom.
Reward: Access to a class.
Xavier smirked at the notification and dismissed it. When he looked up, the spiritual siren was already dashing towards him with her dagger, prepared to stab. Xavier took a swift deep breath and began running towards her. The two came closer, and closer, and closer...
And right when the knife was going to sink deep into his chest, Xavier slid under the woman and pushed himself from the ground to quickly regain balance. He looked over his shoulder at the siren, who was now looking at him in disbelief. He winked at her and stuck out his tongue while he waved.
"See ya!"
He ran through the portal and disappeared from her sight.
[Investigation Quest, "The Last Song of Bard Enzio," complete! Submit your form and evidence to claim your rewards.]
[Emergency Class Quest, "To Freedom!," complete! You have unlocked the Wizard class!]
[You have received the title, "Hated by Phantom Women."]