The Fireplace (after battle)

What have you done to this manor?

I did not... tamper with the manor myself. I have not once been anywhere near the subject of workshops or engineering in my life; I am but a sheltered child of the esteemed Edgar Family. How would I have the capacity to do the modifications myself?

All I have done is... make a few investments in a separate organization that worked on the construction.

They were introduced to me as a group that was once a part of this... Syndicate called 'the Ring'.

... Hah.

The Ring...? Didn't the Dead Rabbits guy say something about being plucked by the Ring?

What the hell are you doing... bringing those blighters here...?

I don't know... I never really cared much about the details of how this manor was modified. If my brother found out what I was doing, he would have tried to kill me... but I cared not.

How did you even come across the Golden Bough? It's...

... impossible for a private individual to acquire the Golden Boughs? Indeed. But the Edgar Family is a family of vast means.

When my eldest brother left, most of the family fortune became mine. I quite enjoyed the affluence. One could say that it's the only thing of my possession that I liked. Though I have spent most of it... procuring... the Golden Bough... Cough...

Linton was coughing harshly between every couple of words. It seemed as though he was pushing himself just to finish a sentence.

It wasn't that the battles had been grueling; it was merely that he was someone of a frailer constitution.

The Edgar Family... I believe that I have once espied that name in the Fixers Monthly magazines... Mayhaps...?

Haah... what have I got to say to a bloke who looks like he belongs in the infirmary?

Just tell me what happened to... Catherine. That's all I'm asking.

Do you really think that you even deserve to meddle in my family's affairs...? To meddle in this business between me and... my wife?

Don't talk like that to me, dammit! What, are you trying to flaunt those words at me or something...?!

We were married. De facto, de jure.

I was Catherine's lawfully wedded husband, and we lived under the same roof. We built a family together.

…….

Right, 'husband'. I suppose you will never know how it feels to be called that... am I wrong?

It's only expected at this point, is it not? Who in their right mind would leave everything behind just to be with some... poor Backstreets vagrant... like you...? Cough.

... I told you to stop provoking me.

It's... Agh. Dammit...

Heathcliff fell silent for a moment. What Linton said hurt him so much that he could not even come up with a rebuttal.

Linton continued, somewhat emboldened by his silence.

You were the first to leave her, yes... but I assure you, it was certainly for the better.

Because she would have... left you first if you hadn't. Because she would have grown tired of you!

Tired... of me...?

Linton. You said that on purpose, didn't you?

What do you mean?

Just now. You provoked Heathcliff. So that you'll anger that boy, so that he'll attack you first.

No! I never said anything to him. You see, I was just talking to Hindley.

Besides, let's be honest. Just look at him. His unkempt hair, the rags he's wearing... He's laughable, isn't he?

Do you even know what you've done? Hindley will thrash that boy once you leave! Do you understand?

No, no!

Quit your weeping, Linton! You have no idea how unhappy your tears make me.

Linton tortures Heathcliff like that on purpose.

Every time my brother speaks ill of Heathcliff, he giggles with him or mutters in agreement. As if he wants Heathcliff to hear.

And Heathcliff would always attack Linton. Because he is an impulsive child.

Why can't the people I love... also love one another?

Linton. You love me, don't you?

Of course, dear Catherine.

Then how far are you willing to go for love?

What does 'love' mean to you?

... If you truly love me, then...

... perhaps you could bring Heathcliff back to me?

... That... diary...!

You can... read it...?

Linton looked downright pathetic. He was gasping for air with every breath, trying to read the open diary.

It was a wretched sight; the rapier in his hand clattered pitifully to the floor.

Yeah. As you can plainly see yourself.

When I tried to read it, it was full of nothing but pages upon pages of ink stains...

So why does it refuse me but not...

... Hah.

Catherine... this is your answer, then?

I no longer know if I even have the right to stand in your way.

Linton closes his eyes for a moment, and backs away from us.

He activates a button somewhere within the fireplace, and...

... the fireplace opens, loud with the sound of moving mechanical parts. Before us appears a long staircase leading downstairs.

…….

He is watching us with a hollow, dejected look.

Master Linton...

This staircase leads to the basement...? What the hell were you doing down there...?

All I can say is that... I have been preparing to invite a new guest.

Descend. Whatever appears before you, whatever transpires...

... it shall all be as Catherine willed.