Fantasia of the Inn Sleeping with Obsessions Chapter 8

Chapter 8

White: First things first, these skeletons are a real pain. Let’s put up a barrier beforehand. 

Snow: It won’t hold, but it’s better than nothing. Figaro, you will help us. 

The twins and Figaro casted a small barrier around us. The skeletons couldn’t proceed any further, continuously walking into the wall of the barrier. 

Snow: That will buy us time for explanations.

White: Now, about this doll. Everyone, meet the true inn owner. 

Inn Owner: H-Hello…nice to meet you.

Akira: ?!

From the lovely doll came a raspy voice, and my eyes widened in surprise. It was a different voice from the one in the lobby.

Lennox: Are you the real inn owner…?

Akira: But weren’t they killed…?

Mitile: I think they were just turned into a doll instead…they were hidden in the depths of the basement. 

White: No wonder why you didn’t come out and greet us. You couldn’t.

The doll’s voice became exaggeratedly panicked.

Inn Owner: M-M-M-My apologies…! Even though you two had graced this inn with your presence, I was unable to welcome you…!

Bradley: They’re shakin’ in their boots!

Owen: Ahaha, the doll’s trembling!

Snow: As usual you’re so very frightened. This one has long since been this way.

There is no need for apologies. We have something to ask of you. What is that wizard?

Inn Owner: I, I do not know. I don’t know who or what they are,

but they were a bolt out of the blue! 99 years ago, they suddenly fell through the roof, having fallen from the sky!

Rutile: The roof…? Was the inn under attack?

Inn Owner: No, it was a mere crash. They had used up their mana while flying on their broom, and the inn happened to be right under them!

They managed to survive the fall, but their injuries were deep, and their entire body was roughed and bloodied up.

I still remember the words they begrudgingly groaned as they lay on the floor that day. How they were beaten by Mithra…

Rutile & Mitile: Huh?

Bradley, Owen, & Lennox: By Mithra…?

Everyone in the room turned to look at Mithra.

Twins in the Painting: Mithra, do you know them?

Mithra: Hmm, I feel like I do remember trading blows once with a ghost trainer of a wizard…or was that a dream…

What was their name again…? Phooey, I can’t seem to remember.

Lazily, Mithra scratches the back of his neck. He himself doesn’t even know if there’s a clue to be found. 

Figaro: A ghost trainer…those types never show themselves in public, and are pretty unfriendly. 

Lennox: Now it makes sense why they can control so many skeletons. 

Akira: Uhm…did you turn into a doll for the sake of hiding yourself? 

Inn Owner: Indeed I did. I had a gut feeling that I’d be turned into stone, so as a last resort, I hid myself in this doll.

Bradley: What a wuss. Weren’t they on the verge of death? You got your house robbed of you by a half-dead guy. 

Twins in the Painting: Braddy, that’s meaaan!

Snow: What else could they do? This little one has more skill in badmouthing and being evil than in magic.

White: They only made it so far in life because of their cowardly ways, so when it came to a serious face off against us they let their guard down and got toppled over so easily!

Akira: (They’re straight up dissing them…)

Inn Owner: Yes! Indeed! It is exactly as Lords Snow and White say!

Even while that wizard was on the verge of death I could still sense strong magic within them, and knew I was no match for them so…

For being unable to protect the inn, I have no face to show you.

The hoarse voice shrunk back in fear.

Despite being in the form of a doll, looking into their eyes I could tell they were sweating bullets. They truly were subservient towards the twins.

Figaro: All of the magic charms in this inn have a strange spell casted on them. Is that because of that wizard?

Inn Owner: Yes yes, it is. While I was in hiding, that wizard misused the magic tools all over the inn for their evil deeds…

It was well over hundreds of years ago when the twins cast their judgment upon the inn owner.

Since then, the inn owner had become tamed through fear. The humans in the settlements the wizard watched over could finally relax a little knowing that their threat was gone. 

Little did they know, hundreds of years later a new wizard would take over the inn, begin kidnapping them one after the other, using them as offerings in their rituals, killing and collecting their bones, and using them to amplify their magic power. 

Inn Owner: Using this inn as their stronghold, they stocked up on power, planning on getting their revenge at the wizard who felled them, Mithra.

Lennox: And to think Mithra would unexpectedly come and visit this inn…

Twins in the Painting: Wooow, talk about bad timing.

Mithra: It was your idea. 

Bradley: It’s your guys’ fault.

Owen: How silly. 

They sounded so haughty and yet in the end they’ll take out Mithra using their walking chew toys? Where’s the fun in that?

The twins strongly shook their heads in disagreement.

Snow: Nope. These skeletons are but a time staller.

White: When we checked out the basement, we found the traces of an activation spell for a sealing type magic.

Twins in the Painting: We fear that their true aim is…

All of a sudden, the skeletons slow their movement, halting to a perfect stop.

The entire crowd of skeletons began to make a clacking noise with their teeth as they moved their mouth.

???: It   is   over   for   all   of   you

A voice that sounded like it came from someone crawling on the ground echoed.

Mitile: …! This voice is…!

Lennox: That wizard’s.

The voice we first met in the lobby. But compared to their demeanor then, this time it was filled with unrelenting hatred.

Wizard: Foolish fools. Up until now, everything was mere child’s play, to buy me the time to complete my sealing rite.

While you were busy playing with my skeletons, I was getting ready, pouring all my magic and my 99 years of gathering bones and stones from living sacrifices, for this moment!

To seal Mithra, all you fools, and this inn together forever!

A poisonous purple mist began to seep out from the floor and walls. 

Rutile: !?

Akira: What is this?!

Figaro: This is miasma…the sealing ritual has started.

Joy and rage both were mixed into that exhilarated voice, and as if singing a song they continued to speak. 

Wizard: Aah, Mithra. How joyous it is to have reunited with you here by pure coincidence. 

Mithra: …

Wizard: As usual you’re an irritatingly listless man. The gall you have to call ME a bug. 

Soon, this spell will be complete, and I will finally erase you from this world. I hope you regret everything.

Their laughter loudly echoed throughout the inn, then gradually grew farther away until it disappeared. The purple mist eventually filled the room, making it hard to breathe and hard to see.

The barrier we had up broke down and disappeared.

Akira: The barrier!

White: Of course it breaks now.

Snow: No more barriers. The skeletons grow ever stronger.

With a crash, the crowd of skeletons were brought back to life. Their numbers increased as they called for more of their friends, their marches a parade to our deaths.

As a sign of the wizard’s curse magic increasing, the white bones of the skeletons dyed to black. It was all the more a display of terror. 

The skeleton swarm was so big it could be mistaken for a wall, and it came attacking. 

Mitile: Rutile…!

Mitile, with fear painting his face, trembles. Rutile tightly embraces his little brother, covering him with his entire body. 

Mithra: Arthim.

Following the murmur of a spell comes a flash of light. In an instant the surrounding skeletons were burnt to crisps.

With the yawn of a ferocious beast and his own sluggish movement, Mithra turns back towards the Southern brothers.

Mithra: What are you so afraid of? Remind yourself who it is you have by your side again?

At the same time, Owen laughs sardonically.

Owen: Seriously.

This is the power you’ve been preparing these 99 years for your revenge?

It’s as weak as a flimsy piece of scrap paper. Don’t act like you have all the power in the world from just short of a hundred year’s worth of accumulation!

How many times do you think we’ve fought to the death? If it was that easy to kill this guy I would have done it by now. 

Bradley: Ha, he’s not wrong! Since you’ve been cooped up in a gloomy inn this whole time you must’ve forgotten what the taste of a Northern wizard’s fist is like. Let’s remind you.

<     Index     >

Fantasia of the Inn Sleeping with Obsessions Chapter 9

Chapter 9

These are the Northern wizards who have survived to this day without being turned into stone, the ones who have over hundreds of years worth of experience in battling. 

They didn’t look like they were scared in the slightest. Instead, they were licking their lips, figuring out how to tear their opponent to shreds.

As I nearly succumbed to fear and anxiety, it was that ferocity they held that brought me courage. 

Mithra: …Ah, right. I just remembered something.

Like tearing off a piece of bread, Mithra casually ripped off the skull of a skeleton, throwing it to the ground before stomping on it with his long legs.

Mithra: I’d hate to be sealed, so if we can’t leave the inn as it is, why don’t we destroy the entirety of it?

Rutile, Mitile, & Figaro: Uh…

Bradley: What?

Owen: YOU were the one in the first place who wanted to PRESERVE THIS PLACE. 

Mithra: Did I say that? 

Lennox: You did.

Twins in the Painting: You most certainly did.

Mithra: I see. What a weird thing to say. It is much easier to just burn the whole building down. 

Akira: Why are you saying that like it’s someone else’s words…

Owen: You honestly can’t remember anything for good. Well, I guess that’s fine. 

Bradley: Let’s go for it. We’ll give ‘em a flashy sendoff to the afterlife. 

Snow and White were of the same opinion as the three wizards full of energy.

Snow: Yes, it’ll all be too late once the ritual is complete. We’ve no time to think of any other way.

White: It’s a bit of a shame, but let’s go with Mithra’s plan. It is the quickest one too. 

Inn Owner: Must, must we really…

Snow: Forgive us. All that contains form must be broken down someday. 

White: Moreover, we do need to serve our punishment to the scoundrel that ruined our happy plans for a sleepover. 

On their innocent faces spread a ruthless smile. For the first time in my life, I saw the Northern wizards agree on something together. 

Figaro: We went to a completely different inn than what was arranged, but I guess our plan of getting everyone to deepen their bonds was a success!

Mitile: Ugh, this is not the time for that!

Twins in the Painting: We have barely any time left. Everyone, we’re counting on you! 

Owen: Cure Memini.

Owen whispers his spell the same way he’d sing a lullaby. A giant ice sphere hung from the ceiling like a chandelier would.

When he snapped his fingers, the chandelier became a mass of ice blades, spinning and piercing the surrounding skeletons.

With one clean sweep, he brutally eradicated the enemies, a move that could rival Mithra’s attack from earlier. He chuckles a bit, satisfied at his work.

Owen: I’m tired of playing with dolls.

That was the signal to initiate our plan. 

Lennox: Forsettao Meiuva!

Bradley: Adno Potensum!

Yeah yeah, come at me you skullbrains!

Ignoring the neverending mass of skeletons, only some of us escaped first.

The wizards handling the army were Owen, Bradley, and Lennox. They were in charge of routing the skeletons.

Owen: Cure Memini.

After he unleashed yet another iceblade, an opening was born within their battle against the skeleton army. 

Owen: Mithra.

Mithra: Arthim.

Without a moment’s delay, Mithra summons a door, and we all jump through.

I was on Figaro’s broom, while Mitile held onto Snow and White’s painting, and Rutile carried the inn owner’s doll. 

Figaro: Hold on tight now, you hear?

Akira: Yep, will do!

Twins in the Painting: Don’t drop us, Mitchy! 

Mitile: Of course! 

Rutile: Sorry there, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Inn Owner: Eeek…!

We flew out the door and met with a rampaging snowstorm. Pure white winds spun into a vortex.

Akira: …!

I held my breath in tight to face the fierce cold, but I couldn’t feel a hint of it. I believe Figaro must have casted a spell.

The wintry winds of North country take away all your warmth and life with one blow. I’m sure that if we weren’t properly protected we wouldn’t stand a chance. 

Mithra: Okay, closing it. 

Bradley: Dumbass don’t close it yet!!

After Bradley, Owen, and Lennox make it through, Mithra closes the door. 

Just then, something orange shined in the edge of my eye. 

Akira: (What was that?)

When I strained my eyes, I found a small flame within the snowstorm. There were a number of them, speckled closely together, like they were shoulder to shoulder.

—and then I realized. Those are houses. I remember there being settlements neighbouring the inn.

Within this blazing snowstorm that flame was incredibly delicate. But even so, it remains strong against the ice winds, proof of the humans who survive here. 

In this freezing snowstorm, I was not cold. Even if we explode the inn, I will be protected by magic. 

Akira: (But all these people…they’ll…)

Mithra: Right, time to clean up.

Akira: Wai—

Rutile: Please wait just a second! Let me put up a boundary barrier first. 

Mithra: A boundary…? What for?

Rutile: To help suppress the explosion of the inn. Can’t you see the buildings around it?

I won’t let you blast away the inn with them! 

Akira: Rutile…

Owen: Isn’t it worthless? Why should you care what happens to a little village like that?

Rutile firmly shook his head. 

Rutile: It may look little to you, but it is still a place that is dear to so many, a home to themselves and their loved ones!

The reason why these people still live here in these harsh lands, living through days of sun and snowstorms, is because they made a home here!

We Southern wizards have something we honour too, just like you Northern wizards. 

Our honour is using our powers to help protect those kinds of things. 

Figaro: That’s right. How about we leave the crushing to you Northern wizards, and the protection to us Southern wizards?

Owen & Bradley: A Southern wizard…you…

Mithra: Haaaugh, what a bother.

Following up the other two with a grumble, Mithra loosens his shoulders and scratches his head tiredly.

He then reached into his pocket and took something out, throwing it to Rutile.

Rutile: Woah! Is this…a necklace?

Mithra: It’s a magical tool I grabbed from the decorations of the inn. It can be used as a medium for your boundary barrier. 

We don’t have a lot of time, and I won’t wait any longer. Hurry and set it up, and go do your protecting or whatever.

Rutile: …! Thank you! Everyone!

Mitile: Here!

Lennox: I’m with you.

Figaro: Ready.

The four wizards meet eyes with one another.

Figaro: Me and Mitile will take this side. Leno and Rutile, you…

Rutile & Lennox: Are over here! 

Figaro: Spot on. Now, let’s do our thing.

Giving a nod to each other, they scatter the necklace. 

Ever since he suggested putting up the boundary Rutile was already prepared for it, like the idea of protecting others was natural, and he poured in his thoughts and feelings.

As a Northern wizard stands alone perfecting their magic,

a Southern Wizard stands together with someone, to become stronger united.

Figaro: We’re all in place.

Snow, who jumped out of the painting, holds Mitile’s hand. 

Snow: Let us help you Mitile.

The spirits of North are a rambunctious bunch, so we will recite our spells together.

Mitile: Yes…! Thank you!

The twins and the Southern wizards all recite their spells at once.

Figaro: Possideo.

Rutile: Ortonik Setomaouge.

Lennox: Forsettao Meiuva.

Mitile: Ortonik Sealsispilce!

Snow & White: Noscomnia!

With an immense light, the inn becomes completely engulfed by what looks like a transparent glass dome.

<     Index     >

Fantasia of the Inn Sleeping with Obsessions Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Rutile: Mithra, it’s your turn!

Mithra answers Rutile with a side glance.

His crystal skull weapon hovers in the air by his hand, flames flaring. It held an extraordinary light within, and it shone remarkably inside the darkness of the raging snowstorm.

Ready to release, Mithra says his spell.

Mithra: Arthim!

A blue flame vast enough to envelop a whole mountain that mirrors a meteor falls down towards the inn.

A blue star was shooting from the sky.

That is what the people down below must be telling each other.

Chills run down my spine, witnessing the most tremendous, heavenly, and petrifying blue flame I’ve ever seen. 

Mithra: You managed to survive a battle with me. It’s a waste, really.

You could have lived in that inn your whole life, cowering in the corners. 

But you let yourself get carried away, buzzing in front of me again, so I have no choice but to squash you once more.

The blue flame bathed the inn, and swallowed it whole. Its flames dance, crying out higher and higher. 

Gradually the flames softly billowed, changing shape, and into the face of a man warped with hatred. 

???: …thra…Mithra you fiend…how dare you how DARE you…

I will never forget the disgrace I suffered 99 years ago, nor the rage of today! Not even when I perish!

Remember this…I will serve you the despair and dread you deserve…

Mithra: …

Mithra merely looked down at the man wailing those words of resentment.

He was apathetic, like there was an ant by his feet. 

Mithra: Hrmm, I still can’t remember. You, what was your name again?

???: ! …Miiiithra!!!

Owen: Shut up.

Cerberus jumps out from Owen’s briefcase, diving into the dancing flames.

Within a blink, the inn and its grudgeful obsessions disappeared in a smoke. The only thing left was the snow, falling in stillness.

Mithra: Looks like it’s over.

Standing atop his broom, acting like he just cleaned up a bug, Mithra was indifferent and calm.

Showing off his power and reigning in the North’s chilly skies, was undoubtedly a hero. 

Rutile & Mitile: C-Cool…!

At the murmurs from the astonished brothers, Mithra lifts his head and lets out a proud laugh.

Mithra: Aren’t I? I’m the Northern wizard, Mithra after all.

Owner: W-Whatever shall I do from now on…

Carried in Rutile’s arms, the previous inn owner was at a loss. 

Mitile: Oh, right…you lost the inn, so…

Rutile: For now, why don’t you come out of that doll and return to your normal form? There’s no need to hide anymore. 

Then, we can think about the next step togeth…

Twins in the Painting: There is no need.

Rutile: Hm?

Snow: This one is no longer alive.

99 years ago, the inn owner perished. A piece of their mana stone fell into the basement, becoming lodged inside this doll. 

They’ve no physical form anymore, just a doll with their memory. Whether it was their lingering devotion or fear, it seems they awaited us all this time.

Figaro: I figured from the start when we found your doll, but we still needed your help, so sorry for keeping quiet. 

Possideo.

When he recited his spell, the doll’s body began to waver, and a speck of light poured out from it, flying high into the sky.

Inn Owner: Ah…aah…that’s right…that day I was killed by their hands…

I was consumed by my thoughts of needing to inform you two of what happened…

Lords Snow and White, I was already long dead.

Snow and White gently nodded.

Snow: There is no inn for you to watch over anymore. It is time you are free. 

White: Thank you for your work up until now. Rest well. 

Rutile: Ah…

As they gave their kind farewells, like time that had been stopped and started again, the doll began to crumble away.

Turning into specks of sand, it becomes one with the wind. 

Rutile: …

Rutile, looks down, and holds the hand that had been holding the doll. 

Mithra: Alright, time to go home.

Not taking notice of the bittersweet atmosphere, Mithra cranks open a door. 

White: You absolute dolt.

Snow: You are too flippant.

Mithra: I want to go to sleep already. Coming here was a waste of effort. 

When we arrive back at the manor, Master Sage, you will fulfill your duty.

Sleep deprived eyes glare at me, displeased.

I find it difficult to believe that this large child right here is the same man who burnt down an entire building. The gap was amusing. 

Akira: You didn’t get any time to rest in the end. I’ll put in my power to help you fall asleep.

Rutile: Oh, can we join you? Until Mithra falls asleep, as thanks for earlier.

Mithra: Earlier? What earlier? 

Rutile: For giving me the magic charm to help put up the boundary. You accepted our honour and pride, so thank you so much. 

It’s because of you that the people living around the area are safe and sound, and that we saved the inn owner’s soul.

With deep affection showing on his face, Rutile smiles warmly.

In the North Country where only the strong survive, it is rare to be given mercy. I’m sure Rutile knew that too. 

He knew that even after proposing the plan, there was a possibility Mithra could have just ignored it, and continued to fell the entire area. 

Mithra: Haaugh, it was faster to give you the tool than to let you guys do it alone, is all I was thinking.

Saving the people or not is a trivial matter to me.

Mithra said, like it was evident.

It may have been another whimsical decision of his, but I still felt happiness overflowing within me, and I met eyes with Rutile. 

Rutile: Hehe, that sounds more like you. Ah…right, I have a relaxing tea to give you!

I created it with Mitile, and it smells great, doesn’t it?

Mitile: Yup! The other day, Mr. Faust told us about a herb with sleeping effects. 

Ah—We didn’t necessarily make the tea for you though, Mr. Mithra!

Akira: I like it. How about we drink this tea while waiting for Mithra to fall asleep? 

Twins in the Painting: We’ll come too!

Rutile: Mr. Leno, Dr. Figaro, would you like some tea as well?

Lennox: Is that alright?

Figaro: Should be. Since we’re already this far we might as well restart our sleepover party in Mithra’s room.

Owen: Hell no.

Bradley: I ain’t coming.

Mithra: Can you please not use other people’s rooms as the venue to your parties?

The light chatter we had was no different than usual.

The fact that we had skeletons chasing us around earlier in some haunted inn seems like a distant memory now.

Akira: (It was still a big job for me though…)

I wonder if to the Northern wizards, this mission was as trivial as deciding whether to spread jam or butter on bread.

And that from now on, they will continue to go on these so-called trivial missions.

It’s nothing short of a miracle that within these wizards’ long lived paths in life, I was able to be with them if even for a moment. 

Mithra: What are you spacing out for? Get in the door. 

Akira: Coming!

I don’t know how long this miracle will last me. Mithra might forget these moments too.

But I’ll remember for him. The obvious things and the unnatural things, all my days with them.

END

<      Index