"Lulu, do you know about the three-act structure?" Lynette suddenly asked one afternoon, many years ago.
"The three-act structure?" Luna nodded. "Of course. It's a classic storytelling theory."
"Act One: The Setup, introducing the story's conflict."
"Act Two: The Confrontation, intensifying the conflict."
"Act Three: The Resolution, resolving the conflict."
Lynette rested her head in Luna's lap, setting aside the book Lyney had bought her the day before. It was filled with all sorts of miscellaneous knowledge, perfect for passing the time and keeping her from getting bored.
Lynette twitched her cat ears. "But some say the three-act structure is too simplistic to truly capture the essence of a story. Does Adventures in the Night Kingdom fit that structure?"
"Hmm... I don't know. It has seven flintlocks. Maybe it's a seven-act structure?"
Lynette rolled over and buried her face in Luna's lap. "Mmm-hmm."
Her warm breath tickled Luna's skin, causing her cheeks to flush slightly. Remembering how she had enjoyed resting her head in Arlecchino's lap earlier, she now understood why Lynette liked lying this way.
"But regardless of the drama's structure, the final act should always be the most spectacular, right?" Lynette asked, flicking her tail.
"Of course! What else would the audience be watching for?" Luna declared dramatically. "The final act must be thrilling! Grand! It has to capture everyone's hearts!"
"Lulu, you sound just like Lady Furina..."
A drama that lacks brilliance risks becoming a farce.
Lost in thought, Luna murmured, "Lately, I've been constantly reminiscing about the past. It's odd, considering how young I still am."
Archon Furina.
Even when Luna was just a child, Furina had already reigned from the Divine Throne for centuries.
Despite the passage of time, Furina's image remained vividly etched in memory.
A Fontaine scholar once wrote that Furina embodied the eternal, unfading memory of youth in countless hearts.
Who wouldn't wish for youth to endure?
Even as bodies age and decay, Furina would remain bathed in the spotlight, forever bound to the stage and its radiant glow.
Now, Luna stood on the verge of confronting Furina.
"Miss Phantom Thief, could you smile for the cameras?"
"What are your thoughts on facing Lady Furina again?"
"Did you cause that explosion earlier, Phantom Thief?"
Responding with a smile, Luna strode through the final gate amidst a storm of flashing cameras, excited chatter, and thunderous cheers. She stood before Furina and Clorinde.
Phantom Thief White Cat...
Their eyes met, and Furina involuntarily pursed her lips.
Their last encounter... she certainly wouldn't call it harmonious or relaxed, but at least they hadn't been adversaries like this.
The abrupt shift from ally to opponent left Furina feeling strangely conflicted.
Still, she planted her hands on her hips and flashed a confident smile.
"Hmph, you've certainly kept us waiting, Phantom Thief White Cat."
"If you hadn't shown up soon, the audience would have grown bored. This performance stars you and me—we can't let everyone leave disappointed, can we?"
Exactly!
The crowd outside was already on the edge of their seats.
Furina versus Phantom Thief White Cat—this was destined to be an earth-shattering final showdown!
For five centuries, their ancestors had never witnessed Furina's divine might. Today, they might finally have the chance.
The Hydro Archon certainly wouldn't hurl Geo spears or wield a katana. How would she confront the Phantom Thief? And how would the Phantom Thief turn the tables and avenge her previous humiliation?
"Lady Furina, show your divine power to your people!"
"Phantom Thief White Cat will be crushed... by Clorinde!"
Feeling the audience's fervent gaze, Furina's eyes flickered nervously.
No, no, no! No matter how I look at it, the Phantom Thief will take me down in two or three moves!
Will I win?
I'll lose!
But that doesn't matter. This is the perfect moment for my guard to step in.
A true Archon would never deign to fight personally... Furina scoffed coolly.
"Of course, a truly magnificent drama should never disappoint its audience," Luna said, breaking the silence.
Luna drew her sword.
Clorinde immediately followed suit, positioning herself protectively in front of Furina.
But Luna merely raised her blade, its icy tip glinting as she aimed it at Clorinde.
Over the sword's edge, Clorinde caught a glimpse of Luna's eyes beneath her mask.
Clorinde: "..."
As Champion Duelist, she had witnessed countless individuals enter the arena, each attempting to prove their innocence through combat.
Criminals often twisted logic, equating savagery with righteousness, and cloaking their crimes in the guise of justice. Their eyes, naturally, were filled with the cunning and deceit of vermin.
But the Phantom Thief White Cat was different.
"I heard Lady Furina's plan to capture me last time was called 'The Sinners' End'. A fitting title."
If only it hadn't nearly become 'Furina's End' instead, Furina thought ruefully.
Then again, 'The Sinners' End' suits me perfectly too, she mused.
"What are you getting at?" Furina demanded.
"I'm saying, it's a splendid name for a drama."
Clorinde suddenly whispered, "You... your target isn't the treasure."
Furina blinked, puzzled. What does she mean?
"What makes you say that?" Luna asked with a faint smile.
"Intuition. I've gazed into the eyes of countless sinners, but yours... yours are different."
There was no falsehood in her gaze, and the object of her attention wasn't treasure, but some intangible presence. The Phantom Thief White Cat hadn't come for mere riches.
Luna chuckled. "Does Miss Clorinde admire my eyes?"
"Perhaps," Clorinde replied.
They were clear, bright, and untainted by even a trace of darkness.
"I admire Miss Clorinde as well, but let's set aside our mutual appreciation for now."
"After all, the final act of our drama is about to begin!"
Suddenly, music erupted, resonating throughout the space.
Where was the music coming from? Furina frantically looked around, only to see a golden radiance gradually materializing, enveloping and distorting the area as it reshaped the very fabric of reality.
Clorinde narrowed her eyes. "Is this Geo Elemental Power?"
The scale of it was staggering.
To reshape an entire area into something else!
Could the stage apparatus Luna had summoned earlier have been merely a fraction of this power?
"Applause, everyone! A magnificent drama is about to unfold!" Luna's clear voice rang out as she raised her hand.
"The stage!"
The floor coalesced beneath their feet, swiftly lifting Luna, Furina, and Clorinde upward.
"Audience seats!"
With a snap of her fingers, golden radiance wove into intricate seating.
"Lights!"
Lighting fixtures materialized and activated, bathing the trio in a brilliant glow.
"Orchestra!"
Where the light fell, an unmanned orchestra began playing a majestic melody, its instruments floating like props from a fairy tale.
"Esteemed audience, please enter. No performance is complete without your voices and eyes."
The grand doors swung open.
The crowd outside, jolted from their shock and confusion, found themselves facing a golden theatre rivaling even the Opera Epiclese in grandeur.
Its splendor was dazzling, so blindingly radiant that it inspired awe.
Yet, drawn by its brilliance, they eventually stepped inside and settled into the audience seats.
The doors closed behind them.
"Everything is prepared for the performance. Behold the Golden Theatre, the Golden Stage!"
"The fate of an actor is to be born and perish upon this stage. My dear audience, witness the inaugural performance of the Golden Theatre—The Sinners' End!"
Luna spread her arms wide, her voice ringing with fervor, her smile unwavering.
Luna moved with nimble grace, her sword pointed at Clorinde.
"I challenge you to a duel, Miss Clorinde."
A duel, of course, meant a one-on-one fight.
Perfect, no need to fight the Phantom Thief, Furina thought with a sigh of relief, though a faint sense of unease lingered.
"If I win, the treasure is mine."
"And if you lose?" Clorinde asked.
Luna smiled. "Miss Clorinde may do with me as she pleases."
"I could simply snatch the treasure and flee as before," she said with a flourish of her sword, "but wouldn't that grow rather tiresome?"
Clorinde hesitated for a few seconds before slowly nodding. If this duel offered a chance to bring the Phantom Thief to justice, she had to accept.
"Excellent. And now, for the lovely Lady Furina..."
"Huh?" Furina started in surprise. What's she planning now?
But all Furina received was Luna's radiant smile. "Would you mind remaining in your designated audience seat for a while? I wouldn't dare fight Lady Furina."
Really wouldn't dare? Furina remained skeptical. She also hadn't expected the Phantom Thief to recreate her private box with such meticulous detail. Truly considerate.
This was for the best, Furina thought, relieved to avoid a direct confrontation with the Phantom Thief White Cat. She continued her performance, her voice dripping with feigned pride. "Indeed, if you were to face me, there could only be one outcome—utter defeat! But choosing to duel Clorinde is equally foolish."
"Clorinde is the undefeated Champion Duelist. You may have escaped her grasp once, but your luck won't hold this time. Under the watchful gaze of Focalors, the God of Justice, evil will surely be vanquished by righteousness!"
"For now, allow me to observe this spectacle from my private viewing box, raising a glass with my beloved citizens to enjoy this thrilling show."
With that, Furina strode briskly to her exclusive viewing platform.
Whew, it's much safer here, she thought. Though I lack any real strength, at least my silver tongue remains sharp!
Seeing no dissent from the crowd, Furina nodded in satisfaction. All eyes were glued to the dueling stage.
"Don't lose, Phantom Thief White Cat!"
"She's just a butcher from the Court of Justice. What does she know of justice?"
"Victory to the Phantom Thief of Justice!"
The cheers thundered on.
Clorinde's face remained impassive, her blade unshaken by the clamor. A duel demanded fairness and impartiality, nothing less.
Luna glanced at the audience below, her silent gaze silencing their murmurs.
"Miss Clorinde," she asked suddenly, "what do you see when you look at me?"
"A sinner."
Having violated the Law and Justice, her sin would forever be etched upon her soul.
Luna smiled gently. "Indeed."
"As you say, I am a sinner. To me, the Law and Justice pale in comparison to even the faintest glimmer of my treasure."
The music swelled with intensity.
"But so what?"
Luna slammed her foot onto the floor. The Golden Theatre's lights dimmed instantly, leaving only the stage illuminated.
"My eyes are fixed solely on my treasure. I will find it, I will claim it—not for any grand purpose, but simply because I desire it."
Luna raised her sword, her gaze softening. "Miss Clorinde, you needn't overthink this. Simply follow your heart."
"I always have."
Clorinde raised her own sword, her gaze as sharp as its blade.
"Regardless of what others may believe, if you are guilty, you deserve Judgment. Since Monsieur Neuvillette is absent, Lady Furina shall pronounce it."
Furina nodded and stood. "The Duel has been approved! There is no turning back now!"
"Let the Duel begin!"
In the next instant, Clorinde and Luna's blades clashed in a thunderous arc.