Chapter 14- Circus and cyanide

Diary Entry Unavailable

XXX

It is said that, wherever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. Wise
people had always believed in these words, and thus, discovered, after years and
years of research, that every single thing in the world is based on the same
pattern: be it light in a place, in another land darkness is present to blot out any
hope. Be it happiness in ones soul, a lone heart is suffering from sorrow.
The world likes to keep this balance it has. And, no matter what, even if it defies
the laws of nature itself, the balance will be restored. No matter what.
And yet, like two faces of the same coin, those cannot combine. For if they do,
chaos is bound to rule the world.

XXX

Ages, thousands of decades have passed since Celestia was last filled with life.
It used to be the most happy place known, always filled with laughter and joy,
breezes that harboured the sweet smell of cherry blossoms and soft grass.
And yet...this happiness was bound to end. For the curse that haunted the Circus
wrought but havoc.

XXX

Come, come everyone! Young or old, woman, child, or gentleman, all gather
and come! Come to Faustinos Fantabulous and Bizarre Circus! Come and see
the beautiful Tina handle her tremendous Python, watch Alakazam the Wizard
perform his improbable tricks, and all cheer when you see the zealous Tony
elevate ten tons! Then, tremble in fear as our twins, Cora and Caro walk on the
treacherous tightrope, right above the fearsome Lions Den, where Nolly will try
and tame the fierce beasts within, risking an arm and a leg, as he tries to succeed
using only his whimsical Leather Whip! And last, but not least, come and
witness Faustino himself thank you for your faithfulness! Come, everyone!
Come and behold the unearthly wonders Faustinos Circus of Fantasy and
Mysterious Magic conceives under its colourful tent! Come and be amazed by
the miracles that happen here! Come, old or young, women, children or men!
Come, and enjoy your time with us! bellowed a strong, male voice.
Its echo ebbed and flowed over the roofs and domes in the city, calling everyone
to come and join the joyful atmosphere.
Soon, women with their small children, teenage couples, men with their wives,
old ladies and old gentlemen, even richer or poorer came, for Faustinos Circus
of Wonder and Fantasy was a rare event, and it was definitely worth the time
spent under the colourful tent.
Soon, a long queue snaked around the humongous tent, but, granted the fact that
it was still early, everyone got a place, and things settled before lunch.
At midday, right when a bell announced that it was twelve oclock, the ticket
booths closed, and everyone went quiet. Soon, as they all expected, a tall,
dazzlingly dressed man walked in the tent, right in the middle of the ring.
Spotlights sparked to life, and a white, bright light shone on the man.
He was not slim, as he was already past his forties, but he was definitely well-
built. Muscled and tall, the garments he wore seemed woven especially for him.
Welcome, everyone, to Faustinos Circus of Mystery and Bizarre Wonder! We
are very happy to host here, under our tent, and we hope that you will enjoy the
show! the man called, his voice reaching into every corner of the tent.
My name is Faustino the Great, and I am delighted to have you all gathered
here, to witness the wonders hidden within! Now, please all cheer as we
welcome Tina and her Python! the man smiled, bowing as a roaring wave of
claps and applauds filled the tent.
He walked away, and in his place, a tall, young woman, dressed rather scarcely,
as some of the old ladies commented, walked in, waving as every single man
cheered loudly.
A dark brown snake coiled around her hand, and an exotic sound filled the
room.
Tina started waving her body left and right, the Python snaking in sync with the
melody and its owners movements.
As the melody advanced, the woman started performing more complicated
figures, and when the song reached an uproar announcing the ending, she posed
as the last tambourine rattled its fading.
Then, the gates opened.
On the tightrope, a girl standing on a boys shoulder, Cora and Caro, started
walking, using only a long stick for balance. Caro was holding the stick, while
Cora was juggling with balls and torches.
Underneath, in an open ring, Nolly lashed his whip at the lions, making them
roar fiercely.
It all became a nonsense of laughter.
Animals riding monocycles, elephants playing tricks and all kinds of whimsical
appearances filled the tent, and the laughter rose to a flurried, frenzied uproar of
nonsensical exclamations and whistling.
However, it came to an end, after some time. Faustino entered the ring and
clapped his hands, for from his office, he saw that the sunset was approaching,
and he wanted to be ready by then.
Now, everybody, please all welcome Alakazam!! he called.
Another man, dressed in a purple cloak, waving a cane around, appeared in a
puff of smoke.
Everyone cheered loudly, and the man bowed.
Today, being a very special day, I shall reveal you a secret none has witnessed.
We have all gathered to laugh, but we must regain our composure and enjoy the
wondrous arcane lore we have been left! the man smiled.
People smiled and snickered, but the noise was muffled. Alakazam nodded and
bowed as a sign of appreciation, and then took out a book. A stone table
materialised in the middle of the tent, and a beautiful woman lay on top of it.
She was clearly asleep, but her eyes were still open. They bore a turquoise hue,
her hair black, but her skin pale as marble. She was dressed in a vaporous gown,
and she had a flower tiara on her head.
Alakazam snapped his fingers and the book floated over the woman, glowing
blue.
Then, in a low, vibrating tone, the man started chanting. None understood what
he said, but they enjoyed it.

XXX

Are you sure you want to do this? the purple-dressed man asked.
Yes. It is our only chance. Only this can save us. Did you bring the antidote?
Faustino asked.
Indeed. But please...while I cast it, make everyone drink even if just a drop. Or
else... Alakazam whispered, handing the man a small vial.
I know...I know. Now, go. It is time we started our performance... Faustino
smiled.
The wizard nodded and left.

XXX

Blue runes, stones that flew in the air and symbols that floated around filled the
air, spinning around the wizard and the womans body.
Raising his arms, Alakazams voice filled the tent.
Everyone started laughing. The runes flew, each choosing a person in the tent.
Tina, Nolly, and even Alakazam were followed by one rune.
And the sun dipped under the stone, giving way to the moon. A red, crimson ray
shot from the last figment of the sleeping sun, shining over Celestia.
The ray shot through the colourful tent, showering the runes in a bloody hue.
They started spinning in a chaos, and they hurled around, melting with the
people, crystallising again, screeching as they flew by. The rays converged into
one spear that rested on the womans body as if it were an axis that marked her
middle. And then, the runes stopped. Blood spread around them, and everyone
was engulfed in it. From the spear of light, vines of luminescence started
growing on the womans body, framing her body and sacrificing it. A scream
echoed around, and the woman on the alter disappeared in a mass of blood and
flesh, swallowed by laughter and flames.
And it faded.
All light faded.
Masks hit the ground, faces of the people and the participants. Clattering on the
ground, thousands upon thousands of masks fell on the ground. Everything was
gone. Celestia had become a stony wasteland. The tent was gone. All houses
were gone. Only a mansion remained, resting atop a hill. And only the cherry
trees that populated Celestia flourished. But the Curse was dispelled.
Among the stones, amidst the grey masks, only a man stood. Dazzlingly
coloured, even those hues a bit faded, Faustino held his breath as he witnessed
the new order, holding a little bundle in his arms.
It will be okay Zelda...dont worry, my lucky charm he whispered softly,
uneasy himself, leaning and kissing the babys forehead as the bundle started
crying. It will all be okay...

XXX

The heavy sounds of the dozens of propellers spinning filled the air as they
started spinning, and the huge Victorian-like balloon tied to the aft started
inflating, filling the rings it was held in and rising, pulling the Cloudship in the
air. Slowly, as if they were the wings of an old, tired dragon, a pair of sail-like
oars waved up and down, pushing the ship further upwards. Only the anchor,
shaped like a crescent-moon flower hung on the ground. Faustino kept looking
at the Cloudship until it was high in the sky, far from being in danger to fall, and
grabbed the anchor in his arms, carrying it.
The propellers at the aft pushed the vessel forwards, but, since the breaking of
the Curse, the terrain of Celestia had remained rocky a, floating wasteland
where, magically, just cherry trees survived. Faustino held the anchor in his
arms, but often stumbled, for it was very difficult to carry such a heavy burden
on such a terrain. Within the cabin that made up the aft, a bundle was being
cradled in a crib, leaning left and right, left and right as in a slow, loving lullaby.
Hundreds of masks, all the masks that had once been the inhabitants of Celestia
were around the crib, stacked carefully, each stack however leaning left and
right in the rhythm of the same lullaby which cradled Zelda.

XXX

He was haunted by memories: memories of his wife, the woman whom he had
sacrificed so that the curse was raised; memories of his crew, of the Fantabulous
Circus; memories of his life on Celestia, all came crushing to him.
He regretted what he had done.
Maybe that was why he has engaged in this trip.
It was midnight when he saw the faint light of the Lighthouse far away in the
clouds.
The baby within the cabin still slept, and Faustino sighed. He hated himself for
what he had ordered. But it was better this way. He knew it was better this way.
And as he walked further, the moon already dipping beneath the rocky
landscape, hiding underneath the horizon, the wind started blowing, carrying
cherry blossoms on its wings.
It wasnt an ordinary wind.
Shadows, silhouettes took birth from the wind and dust, young maidens and
boys, happy, dancing around Faustino as he slowly advanced, his hands in pain
and chest aching, as well as his spine, because of the burden he had to carry.
Children dancing around him, covering him in sweet cherry blossoms, singing
cheerfully but in a faint voice.
It was a memory. A memory of what has happened a long time ago.
How the people of Celestia welcomed him and his circus. How children were
delighted of the new attraction. How they all thanked him, and how everyone
was happy on the day of the Festival.
Another shadow came from the light, a beautiful woman. She smiled and waved
at Faustino.
For the first time, he seemed old.Wrinkles dug in his skin, his eyes for the first
time gray and dull. His hair and beard grew white, and his top hat became worn-
out, with stray threads and stains of nothing but pure dust. His coat was shabby,
his sleeves jaded, his trousers consumed by dust and time as well.
It was such a sudden change from his former, exhilarated state.
He passed right by his wifes shadow, not even glancing towards her.
It all hurt. He knew what he had done was painful. He knew however that, what
he had done was the right thing.
As he walked further, he didnt even seem to notice any of the rocks laying
before him. Everything seemed in vain. Only the cherry blossoms swirled
around him, bringing a scent of sweetness with them.
As he reached a cliff, he strained himself to bring the heavy anchor atop the
mound, and sighed in effort.
He had grown old. Old and decrepit. Dilapidated, he admitted himself.
Breathing heavily, he slowly, as if it hurt him, sat on the ground, and huffed
hurriedly, as if the mere action of blood pulsing through his veins exhausted
him.
Ill...Ill just sit here. Rest...rest a bit...yes...a few minutes...a couple of
hours...yes. Ill...Ill just sit. And then...and then...yes...a couple of
minutes...yes... he breath out to no-one in particular, but more to himself.

XXX

Inside the cabin, the baby woke up. She opened her green eyes and glanced at
the ceiling, and immediately, her attention was caught by the ropes hanging
from needles in the room, and the small, ceramic, dazzling fish that was hanging
along with the ropes.
She fiddled and fidgeted in the crib, but did not cry, nor yelp, for the cradling
brought her to the gates of Dreamland once again.

XXX

Standing tall, Faustino held the anchor, steadying it as it was standing vertically.
With a last glance towards the horizon, towards the endless clouds and towards
the old Lighthouse, he smiled.
For a second, as the cherry blossoms brushed past him, he seemed to regain his
lost glow, that glimmer of youth.
Then, closing his eyes, his lips forming a wise, old smile, he let go of the
anchor.
As the intricately designed weight plummeted towards the barrier of clouds that
obscured the view below, he opened his eyes, now bearing the same green hue
as his daughters, and smiled for the last time.

XXX

It is known that, before, during, and after the Curse, Celestia was a legendary
place.
Hidden from the surface dwellers, hanging amidst the clouds suspended by
humongous balloons, the barrier that brought it and the surface apart destroyed
anything.
It was not a curse, yet not a blessing either.
Celestians had nothing to do with the surface, and nor had the surface anything
to do with them.
If they lost something over the edge, they could always make that something
again, for they were skilled people. Nothing was lost, everything was conserved.
They used the winds to live and thrive, to sail and sell. And Celestia was always
moving, carried by the strong currents of wind.
Nothing survived a fall from Celestia, for the barrier was there to nullify it.

XXX

The ropes that tied the anchor suddenly straightened, and, just a second later,
one of them hurtled downwards. The Cloudship was pulled bow-first towards
the clouds, the propellers and balloons, wings and sails now useless in bringing
it flying again.
With a loud, roaring growl, the Cloudship protruded, stung the barrier with the
prow, and it just collapsed together.
Gone was the man that had led the Circus. Gone was the man that sailed the
Cloudship. And soon, the Cloudship itself would be gone.
However, just before even the aft and the cabin collapsed in a heap in the
barrier, the last propeller and the balloon, both perfectly functional still, spun
and were brought upwards by a sudden gust of wind.
Plummeting towards the skies, the aft rose higher and higher, and, carried by
winds, it slammed in a humongous rock on Celestia.
The cabin fell apart and the crib rolled out, empty, crumbled, and a crimson
heap fell out of it. The masks, grey, dark in hue, all rolled out, on the ground.
None was broken, and all fell out of the aft.

XXX

Suddenly, with a hiss, the Barrier ceased and faltered in a place, for a second,
and a slim figure jumped through it, dodging the incoming vessel.
The silhouette jumped from debris piece to debris piece, and, just as the aft was
torn apart from the rest of the ship by the Barrier, the figure landed right under
the balloon that floated along with the cabin.
Ripping the wood apart, the silhouette entered the cabin, landing softly on the
floor.
Her hair was chestnut, arranged in a bun, her eyes a beautiful black. Her skin
was soft and rose, her body slender and tall, covered by a tight pair of black
trousers and a white tunic.
The woman leant forwards and took the baby from amidst the covers, glancing
briefly towards the masks as she stood and left the crib through the crack she
created.
Then, gathering her forces, she jumped one last time, and sailed through the air,
carried by the powerful currents, and landed on a cliff, holding the baby in her
arms.
She smiled and looked at the baby, relieved that they were both safe, and
chuckled softly as she saw the little face.
Now youre safe, lucky charm... she said, kissing the babys cheek.

XXX

You...
You dont sleep when Doom is incoming.
Never!

XXX

I stumbled my way along the corridors, running through the narrow paths,
crawling under arches, trying to find my way out of this maze.
What was I doing here?! After all, I last remember falling asleep near that
waterfall!
And yet...here I am. Lost. Alone in the darkness.
It looks like youve ran upon a dead end, doesnt it! a little, childish voice
chuckled around me, its girlish echo ebbing around.
Please, help me! I...I dont know how I came here in the first place?! I cried,
hoping that the bearer of the voice will help me.
And what should we call you? the voice chuckled again, somewhere closer.
Minerva. I am Minerva I said hurriedly.
Oh, poor dear! What did that to you? the voice hissed.
Ah, its nothing! It doesnt hurt anymore... I smiled, knowing she talked about
the scar on my knee.
It definitely looks like you ran into the Phantom! she whispered.
I never ran into anyone named Phantom! I replied.
It definitely looks like it! Do you like tea? the voice asked again.
Please...help me out! I cried again.
Now now...answer me! Do you like tea? the voice hissed jokingly.
Y-yes... I sighed.
Then Ill take you to the Cup and the Platter... the voice chuckled.
Suddenly, purple smoke ebbed past me and a little cat, pink with violet stripes,
materialised before me.
But thats...the end! Now come, quickly, quickly! We wouldnt like to be late,
now would we? the cat chuckled, elegantly walking her way round a corner.
I stood there, dazzled, but then I took a step and walked around the corner as
well.
Coming, dear? the kitty giggled, flashing me a smile at the end of the corridor.
I sighed and started running towards the cat.

XXX

Did you meet the Phantom yet? the cat asked me, walking in the air next to my
head.
It is highly possible that I have met someone named Phantom, but I cant
recall having done so I replied.
You have this way with words...its tickling my ears! the kitty giggled loudly,
showing her white, glimmering teeth, and a small teardrop shone at the corner of
her cyan eyes.
Thats when I noticed that in fact, her fur wasnt strictly violet and pink. It had
crimson ebbs and white glimmers just as well, both of which traced the small,
elegant shape of the cat very skilfully.
Soon, we reached a large door that stood out white in the absolute darkness
around us.
Well, here we are! You go through this door and youll end up in front of the
Cup and the Platter. Just be careful not to return...through the same door. It
always leads to some forsaken place, and I want some time off too! the kitten
purred lazily, flicking her tail to the sides as she walked before the door, sitting
royally before it, grinning at me, her eyes glimmering.
Thank you...thank you very much!! I smiled, tears in my eyes.
I started walking to the door, but when I passed by the cat, a soft purr resounded
in my ear.
I turned around and saw her eyes and grin floating before me, and she smiled
wider.
What do I get out of this deal? After all, I brought you here! she chuckled, the
grin and eyes disappearing with a pop, the cat materialising on my head.
I...dont know... I sighed.
AH! Ive always been very fond of chess.... Maybe if you win a game against
me...I could let you go... the cat smiled, floating in front of my face, tracing my
chin with her tail.
And what happens if I lose? I asked worriedly.
Well...Ive always felt lonely in here. After all...its just a huge, dark
maze...nobody ever comes here...not alive. You were lucky that I found you.
And, in addition, it was my day off! So you quite disturbed it. So, if you
lose...you stay here with me. We could get along very well, you and me... she
smirked, flicking her tail to the sides.
I sighed and lowered my head.
Then its settled! Very well! Now...shall we begin? she purred.
With a flick of her tail, she faded into the darkness. The next instance, she stood
upon the walls of the maze, and then it all flicked black.
The next second, all I knew is that we were both standing on a huge floating
platform, chequered with black and white.
Did I tell you I am very keen on chess? the cat chuckled, standing on the other
side.
Not as I recall! I whispered.
Very well then...shall we begin? she smiled, flicking her tail.
In a burst of light, 32 huge statues rose from the squares, each standing tall, at
least two heads taller than myself.
Now choose! Black or white? the cat asked.
I closed my eyes and sighed deeply, then, with a chuckle, I pointed towards the
white set.
Very well then! Its decided she smiled.
With a flick of her tail, she jumped on the top of the statue I recognised as the
King, and every single black piece shone purple.
I didnt notice earlier, but now I realised that the black pieces looked rather
alien, robotic. Carvings seeped deep in their black, metallic surface, and they
filled with a violet light. This seemed to breathe life into the statues, for they
started spinning their limbs and parts around, seemingly to heat up the
joints....even if there were none, as far as I could tell.
Suddenly, the square I stood on slammed upwards, and I found myself atop a
balcony-like tile, watching over the board. The white pieces shimmered
turquoise, and their outlines and details filled with a cyan light.
However, unlike the black pieces, mine resembled a mix of Victorian models,
Lewis chess sets and the popular, simple set, which, the three combined, resulted
in a rather uncanny appearance.
Just as the opponents, my set started fidgeting, getting ready for battle.
Now...are you ready, my girl? the cat called, smirking devilishly.
Readier than ready! I chuckled.
Now then...let the game commence! she called.
A sudden burst of flames surrounded the board, marking the board, letters from
a to h and numbers from 1 to 8 naming each square.
White pawn to d4! I called, pointing in the relative direction of the square.
With a rumble and a howling sound, the statue was dragged by its own will on
the square, and I was quite amazed.
The cat chuckled and jumped her way on the head of a knight, and sat, adopting
a royal pose.
Knight to f6 she purred softly.
The violet marks on the surface of the chess piece glowed stronger and the
statue floated towards the indicated square, barely floating a few centimetres off
the ground.
Pawn to c4! I called again, and, with the same noise as before, the statue was
dragged on the square.
Pawn to c5! the cat chuckled, making a huge leap, so that she landed atop the
pawn before it started moving.
Pawn to d5 I said, and, again, the statue obeyed me and moved one square
forward.
Pawn to b5 the cat chuckled once again as it leapt towards this other statue.
Pawn to b5! Go and smash that weakling! I chuckled satisfied.
My pawn moved on the square and, as it rumbled its way forwards, it pulled a
short blade that, for me, mightve been a long-sword, and stabbed the black
pawn in the centre.
The cat jumped off it, on top of my pawn, as hers crumbled to dust and was
blown off the board, reforming outside the fire border.
Pawn to a6 she cried, floating to her pawn again.
Silently, her piece floated on the square, and I wondered how came that mine
made so much noise, whereas hers were silent.
Pawn to b6 I called, and again, my piece crawled over to the spot.
Pawn to e6! the cat purred, jumping on top of her pawn as it floated over.
Knight to c3 I called and, with a neigh, my knight seemingly jumped on the
square I mentioned, shaking the board horribly.
Knight to d5! Be careful to obliterate that pawn! the kitten chuckled again, and
leapt on top of her knight.
As the piece reached the square, it pulled out a long, black-handled spear with a
laser end, and stabbed my pawn. My piece burst to flames and, as its last
remnants faded, it reformed outside the border.
Knight to d5! I howled, angry on her success.
My knight galloped to the square and, as it reached its opponent, pulled out a
long spear, wooden handle and silver tip, and pierced the black knight right in
the middle. As the knight crumbled and faded, reappearing outside the fire, the
cat jumped on the closest pawn.
Pawn to d5 the feline hissed.
The pawn made its way to the square and, throwing some glowing balls towards
my knight, and explosion sent my piece outside the game.
Queen to d5! I cackled loudly.
The queen was an elegant piece, the most elegant of them all. She had her body
adorned with sheaths with daggers, a chain with a ball at the end was coiled
around her waist, and she had several throwing stars in-between her fingers.
With a resounding laugh, the queen threw two stars at the pawn and, moving
closer, stabbed it with a dagger right in the core.
The cat jumped off it, resting on my queens shoulder, as the pawn faded into
the darkness, popping back up outside.

XXX

I was already sweating, and the game was nowhere left.
Tired already? the cat giggled, floating to my balcony, teasingly yawning.
Not until I crush even your last piece! I cried.
She giggled and floated away, resting on top of her bishop.
Bishop to f6! I called, my voice already hoarse.
Pulling a long, white sword, my bishop stumbled diagonally to the square and in
a single move, cleaved off the black bishops head, and it faltered, reappearing
outside.
Nice. But not nice enough the feline purred, sitting on her Rook.
Onwards to f6! she giggled.
The rook moved towards the square my bishop conquered and raised a large
turret, and, with a howl, sent out a purple beam that sparked my piece and sent it
away.
I hissed and shook my head, angry on the loss.
Rook to d1 I whispered, tired already.
My rook swiftly moved to the respective square, settling there.
And, just then did I notice that we were somehow coming close to the end.
Rook to g6! the cat called.
Queen to h5 I replied.
Rook. h6! she cackled.
Queen to g5 I smiled.
Rook to g6 she smirked wickedly.
Queen to h5 I howled angrily.
Rook to h6! she cackled again, teasing.
Queen to g5! I hollered, already sweating.
Rook to g5! the cat purred again, and I gave up.
However, before I, or even the cat, could say anything, a crackling sound echoed
around.
Cracks and dents marked each white piece, the black ones glistening with
crackles of electricity.
Before I fully understood what was happening, everything crumbled, and I
returned to the ground with the balcony, the cat floating next to me.
I daresay thats...a draw... she whispered in awe.
Indeed it seems so... I sighed, too tired to talk.
Youre an excellent player...none couldve ever done this... she whispered.
By the way...my names Alice. Alice Insanity Giggle she purred.
Good to know... I panted.
Well...the deal was based on one of us winning...but it was a draw...so...I guess
I get to stay with you, but you get to go to the Cup and Platter. Therefore...we
both get out of here... Alice chuckled.
Can I sleep before we go? I asked, slowly lowering to the ground.
Of course! Ill be here when you wake up...I might clean something and dust
the chess pieces... the cat giggled.
I smiled and muttered a thank-you and then, before I even touched the ground,
I was long since out.