Just hearing the name Mebusta Leonis got Arcturus feeling chills to the very tip of his spine. He knew she was bad news. While confused, a part of him wanted to run away, but he needed to stand his ground. She had a reason for approaching him and he had his own questions and concerns.
"Just what is this Realm of Despair you speak of?"
"It's a place where passing souls who cannot stay in the Spirit Realm go. When souls feel one certain emotion before their end, that's where they'll end up. This world is where the souls who have a strong sense of despair amalgamate. We all formed into what you people call the Despair Emerald Whale."
He realized the green blur he saw in the waters was the DEW. He wondered how he was able to see it in such a blurry state despite not being able to physically see them before. Despite his questions, a sense of excitement started to flare up within him. The DEW was real and the sight in front of him was living proof.
But now was no time for him to feel that way–not when Nova was missing. His only clue was this woman in front of him. He didn't want to confront her–the thought of asking her questions felt like overstepping boundaries that he should not take. Yet, he needed to.
"Where is Nova?"
"He's somewhere here."
Arcturus furrowed his brows at the vague answer. "Why have you brought him here?"
"To bring him despair–but he's actually not our target. He just happened to be collateral."
"What do you mean by that?"
She took a step forward, causing Arcturus to take a step back. "Our target was you. You were feeling despair from dying. We know it's because of that man. He's also the reason why we're here."
She pointed to all the lifeless people walking about. "We're not fit to be in the Spirit Realm hence why he eradicated our souls, but our despair prevented us from being erased. It lingered to the point that we became this whale."
The more sentences she said, the more she took a step forward and the more Arcturus had to step back. Her gray eyes were drilling into him. The unsteady gaze was sinister.
"You're on the verge of dying, right? Don't you hate it? Isn't it because of him? He's the cause of your suffering. But, don't worry." She raised a hand towards him. "Come join us. Your suffering will end. You'll be at peace within your despair."
Arcturus stopped stepping back the more she spewed nonsense about Nova. He glared at her; the fear he felt in her haunting gaze was no more. The way she believed Nova to be the cause of his suffering was asinine. Meeting Nova and Souhait brought nothing but joy and excitement within his life. They were his hope and he would do anything to keep walking on the path they have illuminated for him. He made a promise to them and he intended to keep it.
"Shut your trap, woman. Nova is my hope."
Mebsuta rolled her eyes and shook her head in disagreement. "Hope and despair cannot coexist. When there's hope, despair lurks in the shadow. When there is despair, hope is concealed and locked away. That's why we took Nova from you. He was going to give you hope, but we cannot have that. We want another despairing soul to join us, hence why we brought both of you here."
"What would you know? All you are is a lingering soul of despair."
Mebsuta scoffed. "Fine. If you're so willing to search for hope, then prove me wrong. Find your hope in this realm of despair, if you can. But the longer you search for him, the more you'll fall into despair. Let's see who wins. You or me?"
She vanished at a blink of an eye. Arcturus noticed that the lifeless souls were all staring at him and were slowly approaching him. He took a few steps back. He wasn't sure how to deal with such a crowd and if he'd find a way to escape.
"Damn it," he cursed under his breath.
Am I going to fall into despair right away?
Do not lose hope.
Suddenly, a bright light descended from the emerald sky. It started radiating brightly that it blinded the despairing crowd. Arcturus felt a hand grabbing his and was soon dragged away by his mysterious savior. He held onto the hand tightly as his eyes kept shut.
He wasn't sure how long he had been running, but his savior slowly stopped and let go of his hand. "We're safe here. You can open your eyes."
The man's voice felt reassuring, so he did as he was told. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a familiar person. He had seen him in his dreams when Kori was there. He couldn't forget that elegant, refined presence.
"You're Polaris, right? Why…how are you here?"
Polaris adjusted his glasses before speaking. "I am here to search for Masters Nova and Souhait. Without them, the Spirit Realm will collapse and I cannot have that–they won't accept that either."
"Let me accompany you! I'm searching for them too!"
Polaris nodded. "That's why I came to you. Let's search for them together." He raised a hand towards him and Arcturus confidently took it.