Solitary: Compass Of Fate

In the evening, west of the Serina district. 

Walker stood before a shop named "Winters & Walt." A clothing store which had a green exterior made of painted steel that served as decoration to attract customers. The iron served as a frame to the glass windows.

Bells rang as the door opened and closed. Walker looked around inside in order to avoid feeling awkward and waited for an attendant to arrive.

Acting clueless in a store was usually an invitation sign for the attendants to come. And accordingly, an attendant arrived.

The attendant was a man of style. His brown hair was slicked back, his shirt and jacket was a perfect blend of black and white. The wrinkles on his face not only presented his age but also his experience. He also had a remarkable mustache that he was usually known for.

"What would you like, Mr. Soliraine?" The attendant asked with utmost professionalism but also a hint of familiarity.

Walker stopped gazing at the library of clothes around him and looked at the attendant. "Oh, good evening Mr. Winters."

The attendant, a man named Lorenzo Winters, was not only an attendant but also the shop's owner. He nodded and acknowledged the greeting.

Walker, without dragging the purpose, cut straight to the chase. "So uhm, you see…"

"Yes…?" Lorenzo probed his long mustache and waited for an answer.

How do I say this… Walker finally thought of an answer and responded, "My little sister has come to visit from overseas and I'd like to present her with clothes as a gift." If it hadn't been for Walker's good control of his emotions, his confusion would've put eyes on him.

Lorenzo Winters had a clear look of shock in his eyes as he said, "Mr. Soliraine, I didn't know you had any siblings."

Walker smiled. "I didn't either," he thought, before saying aloud, "Yeah, I don't speak of my family much. Better that way, in my line of work."

Lorenzo nodded and turned towards the display of clothes, his arms crossed behind his back.

"So, what kind of clothes does your sister like?" 

The question put Walker in a daze. The two instances he had seen Lucille was once when she was wearing a sleeping gown and the other a hospital one.

Walker didn't let himself think too much and answered immediately, "Honestly, she's not picky so give me whatever's comfortable and fashionable at the same time."

Lorenzo gave his usual nod and went back to looking through the clothes.

Walker took this time to finally check and count the money inside the pouch given to him by Sephro. Opening it, he found a stack of bills and jumbled gold and silver coins which added up to about 100 Serina, 50 Sterling and 100 Birlings. All added up in Serina would be 150.

"Mr. Soliraine!" After a few times of Lorenzo calling out, Walker finally snapped back and looked at him.

Walker put the pouch back into his pocket and approached the counter where sets of clothes had been placed.

After looking at each of the three sets, Walker found himself unable to pick as they were all folded and he couldn't make much of it.

Suddenly Lorenzo recalled something and immediately reached under the counter and brought out an album and flipped through it until he found the corresponding items.

"You can take a better look here," After Lorenzo slid the album, Walker saw professionally drawn portraits of girls wearing the shown clothes.

The drawings having no faces made it easier for Walker to imagine the clothes on Lucille. Out of the golden, grey and green outfits, Walker ultimately ended up choosing all three. He had the money, and his imagination assured him the dresses would suit the girl. Besides, this "babysitting" gig wouldn't end overnight—one dress wouldn't cut it.

"I'll purchase all three, if that's alright with you." 

Lorenzo shook his head and began piling the clothes before carefully placing them inside a bag. 

In the meantime, Walker noticed the prices written in the album. Each dress had been for about 10 Serina, totalling up to 30 Serinas. Which was about 20% of Walker's current wealth.

Sigh… Walker counted the bills in the pouch again and pulled out three and waited for Lorenzo to serve it before sliding the money over.

His eyes laid on a black coat hung inside a closet, displayed through the glass. It particularly fit Walker's taste, and it even had silver linings which resembled the flames of the Wainwright crest. He realized how badly in need of a coat he was but also imagined the expense of such a good looking coat.

After counting the money, Lorenzo suddenly spoke in disapproval. "You're missing 10 Serina, Mr. Soliraine." Suddenly, everyone in the store turned and looked at Walker and Lorenzo. Gradually increasing the level of their gossip.

Walker furrowed his brow and deliberated on what he had seen on the album and realized where this was headed.

Not crossing out the actual prices was a mistake, unfortunately for you, I have sharp eyes! This was the technique used by shop owners to take advantage of people by putting their reputation at risk, they especially targeted anyone who seemed clumsy or a bachelor.

Even though Lorenzo was acquainted with him, he didn't hesitate to initiate something of that nature. He had likely noticed the amount of money he had with him.

Walker quietly closed in on Lorenzo and coldly whispered, "I can easily report this behavior you know… I saw the prices in the album."

Startled, Lorenzo spoke gibberish. Not being able to counter the threat.

Taking advantage of the moment, Walker pressed on. "I'll give you the 10 Serina you want so badly… only if you sell me that coat for it." 

By the direction of Walker's gaze, Lorenzo could tell which one he was talking about, making him immediately retort.

"Are you mad!? That's 60 Serina itself, double the total price of the dresses…!" Lorenzo Winters, not to draw any attention, spoke very quietly.

"It will cost you triple—maybe quadruple of that amount if word gets out. So how about it?"

Seeing that Walker had no intentions of letting go, Lorenzo eventually gave up and gritted his teeth while serving the coat to his customer.

Paying the extra 10 Serina, Walker extended his hand with a smirk. "Pleasure doing business." Lorenzo ignored it. As expected.

Walker retracted his hand and acted as if nothing happened.

After stepping out of the store, Walker flailed his newly bought coat in the air and inserted his right arm first then the left, finally wearing the coat he had taken an interest in.

He examined himself on the glass of the store he had bought it from and noticed Lorenzo angrily staring at him but Walker ignored him and admired how good the coat suited him.

"Greed is such a horrible thing, I hope you learned your lesson…" Walker strolled off, heading towards home. 

The night sky looked beautiful.

•••

Northwest of the Serina district at Walker's apartment.

Lucille sat quietly on the couch, clutching the dagger with its engraved symbols tight in her trembling hand.

It was a safety measure given to her just in case something happened in Walker's absence.

Click!

Hearing that, Lucille jumped on her feet and stared at the door. Approaching it with her dagger aimed forward.

The door creaked open and in fear, Lucille lunged the dagger. It moved forward until it abruptly stopped, stopping her body as well.

With three fingers, Walker had grabbed the dagger and looked at Lucille.

"No hesitation, I like that." Gently, he took the dagger then gave it back to her right away before closing the door behind him.

Walker walked past Lucille and leisurely sat on his wingback chair and waited for Lucille to sit on the couch then placed the bag on the table.

"I bought you some clothes. Not as fancy as your clothes back home but it'll keep you from looking like a runaway patient at least." 

Walker had noticed that Lucille did have different clothes compared to when he saw her in the morning but it still wasn't enough to rid her of the hospital image.

Lucille hesitated at first but eventually accepted the gift and placed it on the floor near his feet.

The room being as silent as it was, Walker brought his compass out and opened the lid and closed it a few times and didn't notice anything odd.

Nothing out of the ordinary. Was he just tricking me? No! Stay focused, give it a few more days before making a judgement! Walker didn't let his thoughts get too far and halted when needed.

Exasperating a breath, he slid the compass back into his pocket and clasped his hands. Posing Lucille an offer since he was bored.

"So, what is a scholar exactly? I've heard of them but nothing significant."

It was true, the scholars were renowned throughout the world but really learning about them was hard with proper research and studying.

Being posed such a question, Lucille felt as though all the time she spent sneaking into the library and studying had been for this single moment.

"The Scholars are people from across the world possessing a great amount of knowledge but they also have a great anthological influence which makes them formidable people, that's two of the requirements needed to qualify as a scholar…"

Walker twitched his head, confused. Then in his mind pointed to himself and asked, Me!?

"I have seen the potential in you, mister." 

"Are you sure?" Walker asked but didn't receive a reply. 

In reality, Lucille's assumption stemmed from instinct. She'd judged him by his strength in battle—she hadn't even considered the wisdom part.

Not knowing what else to do, Walker started opening and closing the lid of his compass then finally decided to break the silence after placing the compass on the table, the compass opened and facing up.

"I will admit I have skills to battle enemies, human or inhumane but that's about it. I think solely for the hunt, how to kill, purify or exorcise, there is no wisdom in that."

He then straightened his back and leaned forward, "But anthology sounds interesting, I'd like to hear about it."

Lucille who had almost given up hope, had her face light up hearing it. "For that, you'll have to hear The Inception Of Anthology."

Walker nodded and listened attentively.

"Words can shape the world. Said an ancient philosopher but if words were to shape existence then that world would be one without balance. Mere words broke out battles and wars but also gave way for conversation, development and evolution. In such a world, the matter of right and wrong were up for debate, and if something with such significance was an argument then what essence did it serve? 'The right and wrong are absolute, neither shall be judged!' Noted The Ancient King Of The World. But even that was questioned not too long after his passing."

Lucille's voice still held an ethereal effect which helped Walker imagine the words being spoken in his mind.

"Such topics were spread through the world, the pen and paper engaging in a dance to lay out a story that would converse the way it intended.

The difference between power and strength, right and wrong, the fool and the wise, life and death."

"Eternity was bliss while finitude was a curse, humans pushed themselves through the thin stroke of The Mighty Black, an ever existing thread of Fate.

A tale of living, the will of Solitary."

Lucille seemed enthusiastic as she quoted Haizer Eisenfeld, a researcher who wrote Art Of Intelligence I up to IV over almost a millennium ago.

"That's the Inception of Art Of Intelligence, originally written by Haizer The Wise. It currently holds 12 books full of knowledge about anthology and ancient civilization. After his death, scholars from around the world joined together and wrote the other installments."

Having heard the Inception, Walker had many questions but he returned to his primary one. 

"So is that what they call anthology?"

Lucille shook her head and continued, "Anthology is a way to influence the flow of our world, once awakened, one can accomplish great deeds."

Lucille noticed Walker's interest rise again as she thought of an explanation.

"With your own set of cognitive quotes, poems or statements, you can influence water, fire or any elements."

Weaving her fingers, Lucille demonstrated her words by making the flames inside the lamps flicker.

"However, everyone must make a singular intention for what they want to have once their influence grows, they'll have weak but still an amount of control on that matter. If your influence grows, you can use your chosen anthologcal ability more efficiently." 

Lucille decided on another demonstration and closed her. She followed by sliding her right hand's middle finger and thumb from the bridge of her nose to the opposite side.

Within the darkness of her closed eyes, many colors began appearing one after another and once she opened her eyes, only the colors she saw remained, leaving everything else completely dark.

She saw the depressing grey representing Walker again, to whom she could only feel sorry for.

"Mister, think of something you dislike."

Walker, confused at first, noticed Lucille's eyes had gone from a gleaming golden to a bunch of colors that constantly shifted.

Without noticing anything odd with her other than her eyes, and with the compass remaining calm, Walker thought of the most unpleasant feeling he had experienced—most nights when he returned from a hunt. Especially those that left him fully scared or depressed.

Lucille noticed his color gradually changed into a blend of dark blue and grey. "Extend your hand and touch mine." She said, offering her hand.

Walker hesitated at first then without much worry, as the compass remained still. He extended his hand and slowly reached for her hand.

Lucille's heart skipped a bit, her fingers trembled, noticing a dark red color creeping like rot underneath her skin and then—Crackle!

The compass began shrieking in protest but it was too late, their hands had already touched.