Legacy's Wake

Temoshí slowly made his way toward the center of the circular theater, each step echoing through the massive, cavernous space like the tolling of a distant bell. The sound reverberated off the walls, heightening the eerie silence that hung in the air. His thoughts raced, the weight of the situation pressing down on him as he continued his cautious advance.

"What am I supposed to do here?" he muttered under his breath, his mind drifting back to Nathaniel and Tarot. He couldn't help but worry about them being left behind. "I can't fail them."

Just then, Aurelio's voice crackled through the speakers, smooth and taunting.

"You're wondering what comes next, aren't you, young captain?" Aurelio's voice was calm and composed, as though enjoying the suspense. "Well, allow me to introduce you to the grand finale of this little game."

As Aurelio spoke, the atmosphere shifted. The lights dimmed, casting long shadows across the room. The entire theater seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.

Temoshí paused, his eyes scanning the ceiling, trying to make sense of what was happening. Then, with a creak of metal and a low rumble, a massive shape began to descend from the shadows above. Giant strings snapped into view, stretching high into the air, and the enormous figure was slowly lowered into the center of the stage.

The giant puppet, motionless at first, hung suspended by the strings, its imposing form casting a dark, looming shadow over the entire theater. It had the appearance of a humanoid creature, towering and grotesque, with sharp, angular features and a twisted, almost unsettling grin. Its eyes, empty and lifeless, seemed to watch Temoshí as he stood there, frozen in place.

Aurelio's voice broke the silence once more, his tone filled with dramatic flair.

"Behold, captain. This is Jactur, the 'Fateweaver.' A masterpiece, don't you think?" Aurelio continued. "Jactur has been waiting for you. And now, your final performance begins."

As he spoke, the puppet remained still, but the air seemed to thrum with tension. Temoshí felt a chill crawl up his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He instinctively tensed, eyes narrowing as he watched the giant puppet.

Aurelio's voice echoed through the speakers once more, tinged with amusement.

"You see, young captain, this puppet... it doesn't just stand there. It moves, it reacts, and it has been built with one sole purpose: to test the resolve of those who dare to challenge it. Every move you make will be met with its own. And should you fail, well... the curtain falls."

The lights flickered again, and Jactur's eyes seemed to glimmer with a cold, calculating light. The puppet remained still for now, waiting.

"Good luck, captain. I do hope you enjoy the show," Aurelio's voice teased, before cutting out, leaving Temoshí standing alone, with only the ominous presence of Jactur hanging overhead.

Temoshí didn't flinch, his gaze fixed on the towering puppet before him, standing as still as a massive statue. The enormous figure, resembling a grotesque ogre, loomed overhead. His lips curled into a smirk as he took in the absurdity of the situation.

"I didn't come here to buy a puppet toy. Too big for my taste, and it wouldn't fit in any of the rooms either," he muttered under his breath, his tone dry. His words echoed through the theater as he stood his ground, mocking the creature's size.

But the moment the words left his mouth, something shifted. The stillness in the air was broken by a sudden change in the puppet's eyes. They flickered, turning a deep crimson red, and an eerie mechanical whirring filled the space.

Jactur's massive body trembled as if coming to life, the chains holding its limbs taut as its form expanded in size. Its chest heaved as though it was taking its first breath, and then, with a violent crack, it stood upright.

The ground beneath Temoshí's feet vibrated from the weight of the massive figure. It was no longer a passive threat; it was alive, moving, and waiting to strike.

In a flash of instinct, Temoshí pushed off the ground and skidded backward, his boots scraping against the polished floor with a screeching sound. He threw himself into a rapid retreat, his eyes never leaving the puppet as it rose higher and higher, its limbs stretching out and casting long, menacing shadows across the floor.

"This thing is huge. Ugly, and ridiculous," Temoshí muttered to himself, trying to keep his composure. But deep down, a wave of unease began to creep into his thoughts. The puppet's sheer size was overwhelming, and its movements were mechanical but calculated. It was like a monster from a nightmare come to life, its every move deliberate, its every step full of menace.

Despite the bravado in his voice, his heart was pounding. He could feel the ground beneath him shifting as the puppet finally reached its full height. It was larger than most of the rooms he had seen, its limbs stretching out with unnatural precision, the strings still holding it in place like a marionette. The creaking sound of the strings tightening echoed throughout the theater as the puppet stretched its arms wide.

Temoshí took a deep breath, steadying himself. He couldn't afford to show fear, not now. But his mind raced, analyzing every inch of the puppet. It was far from a simple challenge. The strings, the mechanisms, the way it moved... everything about it was designed for one thing—testing him.

"Alright... flashy," he muttered, his voice quieter now as he faced the looming giant, preparing himself for whatever came next.

Aurelio's voice crackled to life in the speakers above, smooth and unbothered, his tone almost taunting.

"Well, captain, it seems you've come face-to-face with your final act. How does it feel? That monstrosity before you, Jactur the Fateweaver, a puppet like no other. Do you feel the weight of the strings pulling at you already? Every movement you make will be watched, and I'm afraid you're the one being played this time."

His voice was calm, almost disappointed, as though he'd already seen this all unfold before. "You've come this far, but you've never been in a show quite like this. It's not about brute force or clever tricks anymore. It's about endurance, about surviving the performance until the end. But don't worry, I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion… or not."

The last words were a chilling whisper, as though Aurelio was savoring the moment.

As his voice faded, a sudden shift occurred. The entire theater's atmosphere seemed to pulse, and then, with a sharp flicker, every screen in the room blinked to life. The giant puppet—Jactur—was obscured by static for a brief moment, then the image was replaced with a new broadcast.

The televisions switched programs, cutting out all visual of the puppet. The grand theater, and everything within it, were suddenly hidden from view. The girls, outside the theater, stared at the screens in confusion as the images flickered and shifted, unable to see what was unfolding inside.

The room went silent again, leaving only the eerie hum of the distorted transmission.

Aurelio's voice crackled once more, though this time, it was directed toward the pirates on the outside.

"Looks like the curtain's been drawn for the rest of you. Enjoy the show, but only from the sidelines. For now, the captain's the only one who gets to see the true performance."

The screens remained frozen, the mystery of Jactur's attack now concealed from all eyes but Temoshí's.

To be continued...