Come the next morning, the boys would be an absolute wreck, their clothes tattered and with some holes as they try to stand still. A few potions would quickly revitalize their senses and rejuvenate them back into their peak, as Harvard would try to cast a spell to cloak the four with such curtains, only keeping their heads revealed so as to not be perceived as if they disappeared off of the face of the earth entirely. "Well, that was a good night! You guys got the whole mask thing from when we fought them, right?" He would ask.
The boys were quickly stunted on hearing such words, with both demons shifting their gaze towards Solomon. The Biblical Sorcerer can't help but laugh weakly at forgetting the main item to gather regarding such an investigation. "I ah...Ok yeah, that's on me, should've probably-"
"You didn't GOT IT!?"
"LISTEN, I WAS SCREAMING FOR HOURS ON END, CUT ME SOME SLACK HERE! Head hurts and doesn't function well when you JUST see someone die before you." Despite his excuse, Harvard can see that Solomon has regrets still. The Card Magician simply sighed and pat him on the shoulder as a means of forgiveness. Solomon would smile that he at least acknowledges it, but tries to shake off the topic at hand. "Regardless, I think I may have something a bit more valuable. I was able to hear the paper speak again, and I think I might know who's the person responsible."
"REALLY!? SPIT IT OUT THEN!" Harvard's shout would spark both of the demons to listen in as well, yet the three can see the Biblical Sorcerer being hesitant.
"Listen, just know it's an assumption, Alright? It's not a direct one to one, just a REALLY plausible guess, if anything." He'd take a deep breath as he'd have Shady shape the figure for them. "You guys know the connections regarding it all, right? Gabriel losing his subjects? Anne forced to fight her ex and see him be buried alive?...My parents..."
Stolas would be quick on the draw with his guess. "Well yeah. They're targeting personal lives over here. They want to make sure we hit the five stages of grief at record speed."
"Yeah, but think about it. That's a personal vendetta for us. What do you think it is for outsiders? People who are looking in without any context?"
Zazel would be next to pitch up. "Well, that would have to be just...really unfortunate events. You know, Trage-." He paused himself, letting the others piece it together.
"Tragedies....Really fitting ones too. One's that make us actually think-." Harvard added, before shaking his head in disbelief. "Wait are you saying??"
Solomon nodded his head. "He fits the whole thing. Demon, Causing Problems, Writing a personal story for said problems. He even called himself a 'Modern Shakespeare.' Last time I checked, you don't call yourself that unless you're a REALLY good writer, or if you like making people miserable."
The boys could hardly believe what they're hearing, and as they figured it out, the Shadow shaped such a figure to see the perpetrator behind it all, down to its deadpan smile: Jesta Spade. "...Quick question, Zazel. Are you guys like...immune to fire and stuff?" Harvard asked, slowly piecing together what caused the murder to occur.
"Somewhat, yeah. Only caveat would be if it's Holy. Demons and Angels technically are strong and weak against each other, so while normal fire would be like a beach day, Holy fire is a Brazen Bull." Zazel explained, recalling the best he could based on his own experiences with such Holy magic damaging him to such a degree. "Though...to think he's behind it...Why would he go this far just on US??"
Harvard would be quick on recalling his task back in Salvandi, his eyes opening wide as he'd see his motives. "He wants a Hero. He's doing all this FOR a Hero to come and stop them. HE'S PLAYING US LIKE FIDDLES HERE!!" Such anger rose like a volcano in his voice, realizing that all of what has happened was because of their actions and simple wishes. A Monkey's paw given human flesh. As he roared his words, the boys can see a small shimmer of light coming from the Shadow, seeing a mask being born out of it. "Wh- THE MASK!" He was quick on grabbing it, feeling its porcelain material, seeing markings of eyes made across it, as well as a single mouth hole small enough to fit his finger in, an expression made as if it was whistling a small tune. Before he could try to uncover its contents, he'd hear something nearby. A Squeal, footsteps running, cheers being made. The boy was quick in turning his head at the source, his skin growing pale as he recognized them. "MOM!? DAD!?!?"
"EEEEEEEEE! MY SUPER SPECIAL, BEST LITTLE BOY!!!" A Woman with fair skin and long, blond hair would speak, swooping in and hugging him tightly, her white dress swaying across her curvaceous body, petting the boy and hopping around as if she was a giddy child. Her rosy cheeks complimenting her excitable smile, her gold necklace clattering around, a small mold of a hand in its center "Mama was so worried about you, my little Hero! You haven't written me in MONTHS since you departed! I didn't expect to see you- OH! Are these your friends?" She'd ponder her eyes at the three children, watching in shock as he recalled his words.
A man at around his forties would be quick on scooping the three, one with dark skin and black hair, a bun on his head to ensure his hair doesn't go wild. The man also adorned a large sweater around him, grey with a multitude of pockets, despite it being warm outside. "Why this is marvelous! Come, come! We'll take you in and get you boys something to eat! You can tell us all about what's been happening since the year went by."
"Wait its been a YEAR!?" Harvard shouted.
"Of course, Dear! But we made it! Just a few days left until your Birthday, too! What luck!" His mom would reply, shocking the boys further.