Capítulo 8: The Crafty Soul Keeper

Day One…

[ Mission Strategy Number 1: Approach the Devil through a 'Chance Encounter' ]

~~*****~~

Phantomflake was now standing on the 13th-floor balcony of an executive suite. She didn't remember coming to this place. Her mind was still hazy and she didn't know what happened after she passed out.

"What the hell am I doing here?" She asked herself, wondering how she ended up on that balcony. She was only wearing a bathrobe.

She was about to turn around and enter her room when she felt someone pushing her hard from the back. Before she could react she just found herself falling off that balcony.

"Damn! What the fuck!" Phantomflake cursed inwardly. She tried to twist her body to have a glimpse of the person who pushed her. Her eyes widened as she saw a person wearing all black, standing on the balcony as he watched her fall.

Then the realization dawned on her. This was not real nor a dream. This was part of Abigail's memory before she fell off from the 13th floor of the Centerville Hotel.

'She didn't commit suicide! Someone tried to murder her!'

Phantomflake shut her eyes tightly, waiting for the intense impact of that fall. But it didn't come to her. She felt nothing.

Seconds later, her eyelids peeled open, pushing away the heavy clogging dizziness. She blinked several times until her vision had adapted sufficiently to the gloom. She struggled to sit up, her head still throbbing.

"Where am I?" She mumbled. Then she reached for the bedside table to turn on the lampshade.

"Master, you're awake!" A magical winged creature immediately flew towards her as soon as the light illuminated the surroundings. It was Bam-Bam.

"What happened to me? Urgh!" She groaned, rubbing her temples.

"I think your newly acquired body had experienced a sudden shock causing you to lose consciousness a while ago. The doctor said it was a panic attack due to a traumatic event. But don't worry you are fine now."

She furrowed her brows in a deep frown. Then her eyes widened as she recalled something.

"Where is this place? What happened to the birthday party? Did I miss it?" She got worried that her mission failed after passing out. She was supposed to attend the party tonight together with Nathan and Little Ethan.

"You were left behind. You slept for eight hours!" Bam-Bam replied matter-of-factly.

She tugged her hair tightly, blaming herself for missing that good opportunity. "What the fuck! I collapsed in front of the Devil."

Bam-Bam let out a soft chuckle. "No need to be hard on yourself, Master. Everything is going according to your plan. This is for your advantage, isn't it? You didn't have to show yourself to the public."

"But I lost my chance to spend time with that Devil!" She lamented.

"You are wrong, Master. In fact, you are here in the Devil's home!"

"Eh?! Is this his home?"

"Yes! Little young master Ethan convinced his father to bring you here. They just went out to attend the party. They will come back later."

She breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that. At least, she could stay in their house for a moment. Bam-Bam was right. Her concern got solved right away after she passed out. Showing her face to the public a few hours after her alleged suicide would put her in trouble.

Now, she had to think of a plan on how she would convince the Devil to let her stay in his house. She needed to stay by his side to woo him and make him fall for her.

Being shocked with the revelation she just found out, she couldn't help herself but wonder why she had to do all of this?

"Bam-Bam! Tell me the truth! What are you? Why are you doing this to me? Honestly, I still couldn't believe that Nathan Sparks managed to prolong my life. I pierced my heart with a poisoned dagger! How the hell I was able to survive! Don't tell me you have something to do with this?" She extended her hand, grabbing the creature by his leg. She wouldn't let go unless this creature would tell her everything!

Bam-Bam smiled at Phantomflake sheepishly. She got him!

"I'm a magical creature called a soul keeper. I have the ability to grant someone's soul a second chance. It just so happened that I saw you that night when Nathan came to annihilate your guild. I was smitten by your boldness and bravery, so I didn't let you die."

'I was also bored at that time and I wanted to have fun… the interaction between you and that guy looked so fun. Haha.' Bam-Bam added to his thoughts. He didn't dare to say it out loud or else, Phantomflake would beat him.

Meanwhile, Phantomflake shot the fluffy creature with a sharp glare. She wanted to cut him into tiny pieces. So this creature was the culprit, helping the Devil to preserve her life!

"Are you sure I am your master, not the Devil, himself? You are doing him a favor for making me stay alive!" She reprimanded him.

Bam-Bam just feigned innocence, giving her an adorable expression. "Of course not. I just don't want you to go to hell so I am giving you a second chance. Besides, this Devil also swore to hunt you down even in hell."

Phantomflake just pursed her lips, releasing Bam-Bam's feet. She was still annoyed by this creature's interference. He was trying to change her fate. She didn't know if it was a good thing or not.

"Forget it. I will deal with you when the time comes. I will drag you to hell with me," she threatened him but Bam-Bam just laughed it off.

"Stop laughing! There is something more I want to confirm from you."

"What is it, Master?"

"Why did you choose Abigail Scarlett to be my new identity? Why her?" Phantomflake narrowed her eyes at this crafty and sly magical creature. She was suspicious of his motive for letting her use Abigail's body.

Bam-Bam laughed awkwardly. Her gaze seemed like she wanted to eat him alive if he would dare lie to her.

"Nothing in particular. It just so happened she's about to die and your soul fits her body perfectly. Besides, she wanted to die so why not let you borrow her body temporarily and live as her?"

Phantomflake hissed after hearing his explanation. "She didn't commit suicide! You fool! Someone was after her life. She was killed! What if someone will try to kill me again after they find out that Abigail is still alive? What will happen to my soul if I will die as Abigail even before I accomplish my mission?"

"Ahem… Master, the real question is what will happen to your body, not your soul!" Bam-Bam said, scratching his face using his paw.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" She asked him, confusion resurfacing in her eyes.

"Master… though you are using Abigail's body, your soul is still linked to your original body. So whatever feelings or sensations you will feel, will also be experienced by your original body. For example, if someone stabs you, your original body will be the one to bleed and receive the same wound."

Phantomflake: "..."

"In other words, Master… you have to protect Abigail's body as if it is your real body. With that, you should not let others hurt or kill her. Hehe, don't worry Master. I know you can do it! You are Phantomflake, the best assassin of all time! Catch the culprit and solve this case!"