“Here starts the game of old, its twisted profession grasps those pious souls.

Relinquished we be of innocence of the youth, for the enticing flower now blooms black.

Dead the seeds and bees entranced obliviously to the nectar. 

For there is a fine line between salvation and poison.” 

-from ‘Deceit’ by Princess Sibylla of Endro

“GET YOUR PAPERS HERE! FRESH OFF THE PRESS!”

“RACHUL AGREES FOR STALEMATE!”

“BREAKING NEWS!”

Roaring hollers drowned the cheerful chatter of consumers as they strolled past the newstalls, with small apprentices striving to attract attention and profits. Two railways divided the area, both halves filled to the brim with boisterous stalls of fruit, souvenirs and antiques made to boggle even the best of minds, especially the crowds of children fascinated by gadgets beyond their innocent imagination.

 Cheerful grins plastered the faces of all, a rare sight to witness during the current menacing times, yet a welcome one for the state of Raschul. Although this sentiment was not shared among all. 

How pitiful. Alone, deep in the shadows of back alleys, amber eyes scorched the jubilant crowds as wisps of ruby fell like waves curling inwards at his collar.

Aside from his pale skin and fiery hair, he could have passed for a shadow with his black suit and shoes since light barely graced his figure. 

Give them one day off and they are frollicking like sheep! Seriously, HOW many times do I have to get them to just listen for god's sake. 

Unable to bear the revolting cheer, he turned back to his paper only to be enraged further. 

INSIDER REPORT: 

‘THE PUPPET’ STRIKES AGAIN IN TOWN HALL WITH NEW MURAL:  ‘PEACE. IS. A. LIE.’

 In the early hours of dawn, a Mr Jones, the night guard for Town Hall’s Main Centre reported another mysterious mural sprawled across the pristine bleached walls. 

“I was just  on my way back home, calling my love- such a  sweet thing. I turned a wee bit and BAM! Smack centre that bloody thing taints my sight. OF COURSE I’VE NO BLOODY DAMN CLUE HOW IT GOT THERE! I saw nothin’ during my rounds, it appeared like a ghost!”

 Sure enough, a large red and black depiction of a dead flower now decorates the once marble decor with a bold, hasty scrawl of ‘PEACE IS A LIE’ ending with the Puppet’s infamous signature. 

Whilst the painting  itself surely brings chills to the bones, fanatic fans of the mysterious artist claim the artwork to be a direct rebuttal to Prime Minister Fernado’s announcement on ‘brokering peace’ with Neora and Endro. 

‘Can’t you see? Everything’s faked!’- Lizzy R. A supporter of the Puppet.

Contrary to this minor opinion, many political analysts consider the Puppet nothing more than a sham, with their works being nothing more than folly. 

‘A useless effort for a nonexistent cause’ - quotes Mr. P. Herash, Chief Analyst at Raschul’s political department

The man’s eyes narrowed, face turning red with fire. I knew it. I KNEW there was a breach. But he didn’t listen did he? None of them did, blazing-- BANG! 

In an instant, the world was muted with only a shrill ringing being the sole sound. 

Light and darkness merged as the world tilted on its axis, and suddenly he crashed into the broken cobblestones. What’s happening? 

The man felt something drip from his nose vaguely. He craned his neck, aiming to gauge his oppressor, only for his head to be bashed once again. Finally regaining his senses, he thrust his elbow behind, to get a hit and run to report whatever lunatic he was dealing with. 

However, the motion stopped midway as he felt his whole arm burn in agony, but his screams were muffled by the cold stone. 

“Stay still.” 

The man obeyed, instinct taking control of his reflex, protest overtaken by fear because he knew, this…this was wrong. 

It was as if hell was speaking in his ear, distorted and glitchy, never in one pitch as it morphed between man, woman and child in a fraction of a second. 

If that didn’t prove its inhumanness, the man also began to notice that the hands that bound him were pure ice- even a criminal would have a sliver of warmth in theirs, but these were devoid even of that. Just what was this? 

He heard it scoff in response, belatedly realising it was a voice thought. 

“None of your concern.” It whispered and he could almost imagine it grinning as it uttered its next words. “And it shall never be.” 

“W-what do-AH!” A jolt of lightning coursed through his nerves and then everything turned black. The ravenette figure smiled as it took in the appearance of the body beneath him. 

Yes…this would work. 

It flinched in surprise as a violet screen flashed in front of his gaze. 

Message from Cy: Seriously?...SERIOUSLY?!  ##$@%%@!!!! we’re on the run and you’re spilling breadcrumbs already? 

Its emerald eyes went half lidded as irritation began to fester. 

He was in our way from what you eloquently pointed out “running away”. It stopped for a second before turning curious. And what are ‘breadcrumbs’?  

Cy: … (-v-).......

Cy:  YOU REALLY ARE CLUELESS AREN’T YOU? AHAHAHAHA 

[Error: Could not convert to text fast enough XD]

It rolled his eyes.

As if one algorithm wasn’t enough, they HAD to make you too. Fantastic . 

 It smirked back at the panel, pleased to try out what Cy had taught it during those lonely nights: what humans apparently called ‘sarcasm’. 

Cy: ……

Was ‘sarcasm’ a success?

Cy: ……

Cy? 

…. 

It became slightly crestfallen but that was soon erased as attentiveness took place. 

Cy? Are you registering this? Damn it. Did they place a jam- ?

Its eyes widened as its speech ceased, yet a glance of the words on the panel made it sigh softly in relief. 

[Line Blocked by user ‘Cy’] 

Message from Cy: Relax you walking baby I’m still online.  

 Could’ve responded! And what’s a “baby”?

Cy: You. (OvO) They’re adorably clueless, stupid, reliant–!!! 

[Potential Risk Approaching!]

[Distance From Current Location: 600m]

The words were replaced by a blurred projection presumably from a security camera nearby. Despite the lack of quality, three hooded figures make themselves starkly known across the bleak setting. 

It grit its teeth, eyes flicking to the path behind it, the bright sunlight ahead and the body underneath. Its frown only increased as its options became only one- the worst one.

Cy: What are you waiting for? An invite? 

Do we wish to waltz among humans looking like this?

Cy: Do we wish to be caught? 

Give me a second! 

It flipped the body over so it could analyse his appearance fully. Just a minute and none would ever spot the difference.

Cy: *wince* Might take longer with that face.

The reason why was very explicit; the human’s face was almost ruined, with swells beginning to appear on his cheeks, the left eyelid was a mix of purples and greens, barely allowing his amber eyes to be visible and to top it off, a nose that was most certainly broken. 

Cy was correct, it would just have to make a calculated assumption on what this human would look like. After scanning the body for a little longer to allow Cy to recreate as much as possible, it began swapping its tattered white pajamas with the human’s attire and belongings. 

[Distance From Location: 500m]

Are you almost done?

Cy: 30 seconds…

It flinched as shouts and footsteps echoed from the far back of the alley. Brief tortured screams and clangs of rusted metal echoed in its ears.

[450m]

Cy: 10 seconds!

Cy!

Cy: Now! Shock him!

It followed without hesitation and then began sprinting out the alleyway, not daring to even glance back. 

Almost there! 

Soon, desperation morphed into hope which soon enough turned into a reality as it basked in sunlight for its first time. 

Even amongst the bustling of humans, it stood still in a daze as light welcomed the figure with open arms. Freedom. The tension in its shoulders deflated as it craned its neck skywards and winced as the glare of the sun almost blinded its eyes. 

Cy: Maybe looking straight at the sun after being stuck underground is not the best idea, yeah? 

It perked up at Cy’s words, barely resisting to look up again. Finally having a live example of the great star.

“That’s…the sun?” 

Both it and Cy jolted as the message didn’t emerge as strings of code, but rather as actual sounds. Human sounds. Ones that were smooth and melodic, easily able to capture any ear. It almost believed itself to be hallucinating until Cy burst in what can only be described as mental hops, with its code now appearing rapidly. 

Cy: A voice! A VOICE! Oh great Illonias, you have a voice again! The mimicking worked! HahaHA!!

[Error: Unintelligible text]

Cy:  Oh, shut it you piece of block code.  Quick, talk to me again! Say something. Anything!

Eagerly it spoke once more, bubbles of intrigue and excitement rising as its face twisted into a smile, realising its current situation.

“We…we are free.” 

Cy: Yes we are, you tall rascal! I’m going to show you so many things, like bread, sweets (theyreamazing), plants and–oh. 

What’s wrong?

Cy: They are staring. 

Sure enough, now that it looked around, passerbys glanced in concern and some in awkwardness as they passed it, subtle whispers reaching its ears. 

Cy: Tsk. Humans. Always judging, even their own. Start walking, blend in now that’s the way.

Following the advice, it slowly strolled along with the flow of people, avoiding eye contact as much as possible. Is this how human’s walk?

 After a certain distance, it let its new voice drop to a whisper to respond to Cy. 

“We are not really their own though are we?”

Cy: Hm, we’re going to have to fix a bit. Appearance is nailed. Now about your identity, which thankfully, I’ve already found. 

The screen swapped with a full portfolio instantly. Its eyes went straight to the photo where the man- or it- stared back, a clear scowl chiseled across the man’s features. 

Cy: Would you look at that? He was certainly a looker, but I guess if you're cursed with a resting stone face that’s that…you are not cursed are you? O.O

However, it was too engrossed in learning about its first identity to answer. Letting its eyes trail along the folio but halted at the name. 

“Raymond Gracis.” 

Cy: That would be the stone’s name, or rather YOUR name as of current. You’re free from being ‘it’! *ahem*  Before you pester me about a background check, it’s all good. The guy is a clean slate: passed parents, moderate lifestyle- the whole set!  Now, if we just avoid one, itsy-bitsy, small, MINOR hindrance, we’re good.

Raymond's eyes narrowed slightly, he knew Cy couldn’t see his face but it could  pick up on his thoughts, evident by the way he felt the mental panic in his head suddenly. 

Cy?

Cy: It's FINE. 

What is it? 

Cy: Please, it’s barely even notable. Not even worth mentioning. With our lucky streak, we wouldn’t even come acro—

Cy’s words broke off as Raymond snapped from the panel with a harsh tug on his arm. He already had his electric weapon system raring to go, with shocks pulsing at his fingertips but froze as amber met amber.  

He controlled himself at the last minute in hesitation as an angry human boy glared at his face. He was a mirror image of Raymond himself head to toe, including the scowl that now plastered the boy’s face. 

 Yet, Raymond could only stand like a statue, too stunned to engage in conversation or attack. Vaguely registering it, another panel popped from the corner of his vision. 

Cy: – that hindrance…