Through the long halls of the old manor ran the blue monster toward its awaiting master. The creature busted through a pair of doors and into a massive library that seemed far too large to fit within the mansion itself. It didn’t take long for the Minotaur to find its master sitting in a large chair reading a red book casually. A middle aged man in the garb of a Victorian era gentleman twisted the end of his handle bar mustache as he smiled at the contents of his book. The man’s hair was pure white, and his eyes were so very old yet the rest of him looked relatively untouched by time.
”Lord Rozencrantz, I beg you to help me! A woman appeared at the bar and-“
The man identified as Rosencrantz lifted his hand easily to which the Minotaur became silent. After a few seconds, the calm man closed his book and looked toward the terrifying creature without a hint of fear. When he spoke, one could feel Rosencrantz’s voice flowing over them like a wave. In his current state it was a harmless break in the water, but should his rage be kindled…
”I sensed a new phantom being born, but then also felt its presence vanish. I assume the girl took up arms and fought back?”
The creature nodded vigorously, pleased that his master understood the situation.
”I suppose the fear of being returned to your previous existence must have been too much for you. I can understand why you retreated, yet…I have no need for such cowardice among my servants. Wiseman.”
The Minotaur became panicked and quickly rose to its feet only to feel a hand press against his back. That cold feeling, it could only belong to one being in this entire world. A scream escaped the horned monster as his body was ripped asunder into billions of particles that were absorbed into his destroyer. A twisted, white and purple monster that smiled meekly as it absorbed the remains of the phantom it had itself helped to create. It turned and bowed humbly to Rosencrantz before speaking with a refined tone.
”Several Vanguards have appeared in front of the manor house my lord. It seems using Minotaur’s cowardice was the right move.”
”I cannot take all the credit my loyal servant. Our sponsor’s representative did his fair share in drawing a capable young Vanguard to our front door.”
Another figure appeared in response to these words and nodded to Rosencrantz. The being was thing, wore an odd, black mantle, and had a hideous, scorpion like head. Two other cloak wearing figures stood with the scorpion like being, but had human faces beneath their black hoods. When it spoke its voice was distorted and deep, but carried a noticeable amount of respect.
”My Dustards found a rather skilled warrior quite by chance. He dispatched the most of them without even using his powers. I’m sure he will be useful for testing your new power, Sir Rosencrantz. My associates are watching from a distance and hope your ascension will be successful.”
”Hope you say? A foolish concept created by weak, incapable people who can’t accomplish their goals. Since they can not fulfill their desires, they hope for that which they could not finish, or were to unapt or lazy to do. I do not hope for success this day, for I know I will succeed with the utmost certainty.”
Rosencrantz spoke with more the confidence as he stood and walked to a near by book stand. Sitting upon the old stand was a disturbing, black book that looked almost alive as the strange man placed his hand upon its cover. All present watched silently as the man’s hand sank into the book and a wicked smile crossed his face. He was prepared to welcome his guests, and was more then ready to bring his long awaited ambition to fruition.
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Upon entering the mansion, the group of heroes would find the building to be far larger on the inside than the outside would other wise suggest. It was dead silent, yet it was clear the manor had been kept up quite well. The sound of slamming doors came from behind and any who looked back would behold a frightening sight. The main entrance seemed to be sinking into the floor, leaving only a solid wall in its place. There would be no turning back it seemed, not that any present intended to turn away now. A laugh came from the top of the stair way as four beings slipped out of the darkness. One had a female figure, but her purple body and snake like hair could only belong to some sort of fiend. Another was a more complex sort of being, but the easiest way to describe him was some sort of Lizardman. The third was clearly a feline humanoid with golden blades stretching from its shoulders. Finally was the fourth monster that had flame like decorations all over its body, and a head shaped like a burning fire.
The female giggled as her four associates all prepared for battle. When she spoke it was with a very sensual tone that one would no expect such a creature to possess.
”Lord Rosencrantz has been awaiting your arrival, Vanguards of Hope. However he still needs a bit more time before he can entertain you all and has sent me with his apologies. I would also like to welcome you all to the home of my master: his personal realm within the manor that shares his name. So, let the bash begin with a bit of fun and games. Hellhound, Caitsith, Lizardman; do show our quests a proper good time.”
The female phantom vanished, and her three associates each threw out several odd looking stones that grew into impish monsters of a similar material. Nearly sixty of the grey beasts charged at the heroes while the three commanding fiends watched the battle as if deciding on which hero to attack. Hellhound went first, vanishing into a shadow only to reappear and attack Savion with sword in hand. Next was Lizardman, who jumped up and swung from the large chandelier above the ballroom like floor. He then swung down to attack Steve and Zach, showing little skill in his fighting style but sporting his fair share of power. Finally, and reluctantly, the Caitsith lunged at Ryan with an impressive amount of speed. He didn’t seem to be too into the fight, but was still proving to be a challenge for the tiger clad hero.
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The book store owner began tending to Raye’s wounds and ignored Cam for a few moments. When finally she spoke it was the quick and simple response he had asked for. Her words were spoken lightly, but were thick with enigmatic meanings.
”Simply put the device you wear was made with human hands, but not human knowledge. That power is a gate, the cards it uses are keys, and what it lets loose comes from within you. The bonds you forge will grant you new keys, whether you are aware of the growing connections or not. The man you serve will try to use this to control you when he sees it fit to do so. Do not let him, but do not think him an enemy. Not yet at least…”
With that the woman grew quite and would say nothing else to Cam. She downright ignored him and simply focused an tending to Raye’s wounds until he left the store. Once Cam was gone, the woman finally spoke to Raye with kindness, but also concern.
”You have spoken to the other within you this night, and it has brought you much concern. You are right to be troubled, but it is too soon for you to be afraid. Only by coming to understand that power will you ever be able to make it your own. Rather, it is the only way to make it as it should be. Rest for now poor child, for the thing that writhes within you has no power here. I would let you make this your sanctuary, but that would only stunt your growth. You will leave before you know you have awoken, but for now you must sleep.”
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It didn’t take long for Reika and Melinda to arrive at the tunnel entrance inside the otherwise empty basement. It was indeed a dark passage, but Reika’s visor was well suited for seeing through the darkness. Melinda’s sight was very much impaired in the dark passages, yet she could feel her connection to Alice growing stronger with every step she took. The two worked together to find their way through the tunnels until a light finally came into sight. Sneaking up to the opening the pair would lay eyes on a huge, torch lit chamber where a series of old ruins had been seemingly dug out. The area was at least a half a mile in diameter and the ruins looked bizarre and otherworldly. Red, fish like creatures wielding various weapons wandered about, doing various tasks to assist the digging operations.
Reika’s visor would identify the creatures as Nanashi; feeble minded servants of the Gendoushu. They were beings born within the Sanzu river and relied on its waters to sustain themselves. For this many to be present meant a door way to the Sanzu must be open near by! At that moment an furious, all too familiar scream would enter the air from a short distance away. Melinda knew it instantly and it was clear something was wrong.
Alice would find herself back in human form, tied to a stone pedestal, a man in a red cloak standing over her chanting. To her right was a pool of red water within which something hideous was swimming. To her left was the man in red along with several others in red hoods. The young woman wouldn’t understand the words being chanted, but she would be able to feel the malicious power rising from the red pool. Her furious screams seemed to go unnoticed by the cultists, but not by her allies. The man in red finally ceased his babbling and looked down at the girl with frustration. It was clear her protests had finally annoyed him, though he did not seem intent on stopping her.
”Scream while you can little one. Soon the Sanzu Spawn will impart to you its essence and transform you into our new priestess. Our last attempt…failed, but you are not as weak as her. No you will be able to withstand the metamorphosis and finally open the flood gets. The red waters will flow freely, and this city shall at last be washed under its purifying tides!”
A unified huzzah came from the cultists who were unaware that the woman they planned to defile was about to become their worst nightmare. All it would take is for Melinda to get a little closer, and then the real party could begin. A bubbling sound began to rise from the red pool as something broke the water. Alice would only see a small glimpse of it as it flicked about its appendages and looked toward her with a disgusting, bulbous eye. This was the child of a writhing thing, a writhing spawn from the Sanzu, and part of Alice longed for the power it offered her. In her human form it would probably be a disgusting feeling, yet the darkness in her could only sense power for the taking. Melinda and Reika would need to work quickly if they were going to save Alice’s life, much less her sanity, humanity, and soul.
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Hayato would find Milli half asleep in her office, clearly thinking over the night’s events. It would take time to recover form everything that had happened, but at least she had taken the first steps. She noticed Hayato enter and smiled at him, not being aware enough to see the concern in his eyes.
”The Dizer’s pretty neat right?”
Her words were almost a whisper as she pointed toward a near by coach probably used by visitors. Milli didn’t say it out right, but it was pretty clear she was offering him a makeshift bed for the night. Maybe researcher just didn’t want him to have to walk all the way home in his tired state, or maybe she just didn’t want to be alone. Either way she felt relieved that he was around. For some one like him to just show up when she needed him most…was this fate or something? Before the exhausted woman could think any further on the matter, she had fallen into a deep sleep. There would be no more monsters for her tonight, though a thought had slipped her mind while she lay there in her office. The Dizer was a pretty stout machine…she bet it could take down a monster real easy.
”Dizer….punch…”
The blonde whispered a bit in her sleep, and it sounded like she was having a kickass dream.
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Molly stood back up and rubbed her head from the sudden jolt of being rejected by the belt. It seemed whatever gift allowed Gin to wield the weapon was not something she possessed. When he mentioned going with her instead, Molly became clearly distraught. To venture to those places beyond the veil or awareness was not something just anyone could do. Her own mother had nearly gone mad from trying, yet she knew her new friend wouldn’t take no for an answer. She wasn’t sure she could prevent it at this point though as more memories of her father poured into her mind. Her powers had ways of acting on there own…she felt this would be one of those nights.
”I…just don’t be surprised but what you see…and don’t trust your senses unless I tell you that you can. There is no way to know where we will end up, but I know enough places that I can probably warn you about what to expect.”
The young woman pulled a few strands of hair from her eyes and turned away from Gin. She wouldn’t say it, but part of her was happy to have someone along for the ride. It could be a lonely thing, the dream stride.
”I’ll head to bed then…anyone else who needs to get in to the inn should have a key. You should do the same…when you fall asleep the rest should happen on its own. It may be rough, or just like waking up. Either way I’ll see you soon, Gin.”
Molly ran off to the back of the Inn and a door could be heard closing behind her. Gin was left alone with Molly’s grandmother who did not speak or move. It was hard to say whether she was for or against the man’s decision, but the room still felt quite normal. Once Gin was upstairs and in bed he found it no easier to sleep than any other night. After everything that had happened it shouldn’t have been much surprise that sleep would be difficult. Then again who ever notices that they have fallen asleep until they next wake up? When Gin felt a cool wind across his face and smelt something like lilacs he probably would think he was just dreaming. The sound of hoof beats would be a bit more unusual, especially as they got closer. They then slowed down as something was clearly walking toward him. As he would open his eyes, gin would behind something astounding, but terrifying in a way.
The creature that stood before the prone man was much like a deer, but pure white and with antlers that glowed a pale blue. The creature’s eyes glowed faintly as it looked down at the man from a few feet away. It would be then that the dreaming man would behold his surroundings: an endless forest of massive, red trees with white leaves. The forest floor was covered with white grass, and small, red fireflies buzzed around in the shadows that permitted the area. Light from an unknown source shined from between the foliage, yet it wasn’t blindingly bright. It was a very serene and beautiful scene, though the deer like creature’s staring might be a bit unnerving.
”I was wondering if you would ever get here Gin, but after the night we had I suppose it is to be expected.”
As he stood to his feet, still a bit dazed from the sudden change of environment, Gin would behold something he did not expect. A woman, at least in her mid twenties, leaned against a near by tree. If her now short, red hair and blue eyes weren’t enough, then her voice was all that he would need to realize who this woman was. Molly looked not only older, but also wore strange clothes that had an almost medieval flare about them. Leather boot, doe skin slacks, a leather bustier over a silk blouse, short, leather gloves, and hanging from her leather belt was a rapier and assortment of daggers. She looked like something out of a fantasy novel, yet Gin could still sense the same child, perhaps more so now then in reality. Still she was extremely beautiful, which only made the situation that much more awkward. The look on the baffled man’s face caused the young girl to break into a laugh. It was clear her sudden change was not something Gin had expected.
”Guess I should have warned you that something like this might happen. Sometimes we change a bit to match the place we end up. This particular realm is called the Forest of Pearl and Blood. Don’t let the name fool you though, it is not as dangerous as some places. Here your own hopes and desires mingle with the realm’s existence and change you a bit. For me…well I wish I were an adult and more capable to taking care of myself and those around me. Maybe it is also my desire to live to adult hood without going crazy as well. The high fantasy stuff probably comes from my love of fairy tales, or maybe the realm itself just likes dressing me up like this.”
Molly was approached by the white stag that acted very kindly toward her. She petted the creature as she looked over Gin, a bit surprised by how he had changed. When next the man would blink the creature would be gone, and Molly would be holding the Smart Brain case in her hand. She looked curiously at him when he would ask where the elk had gone before passing the case to him.
”Sorry…didn’t see anything like that. It isn’t uncommon here for two people to not always perceive things the same way. My dad told me others would look upon these visions as prophecies or ways to read the tides of fate. I’d…rather not think of it that way, though it is funny that you mention a white stag. In Arthurian legend the white stag was said to be uncatchable, and it only appeared when a quest was at hand.”
Once the case was back in his hands Molly turned away as if she had heard something in the distance. She just stared for a few moments until turning back with a half-hearted grin.
”This forest has a way of…playing tricks. It’s rarely anything too nasty, but every now and then it throws something painful your way. I just heard my dad singing…I know it isn’t him, but I still want to run that way ya know? So let’s go the other way and see if we can find anything interesting. I’ve run up on some old ruins a few times before and found some neat stuff. Maybe with you here it will be something that makes sense for once.”
Gin didn’t hear anything, but as Molly walked past he could have sworn he saw a familiar face walking behind a tree. That person, it couldn’t have been her yet in that split second…
”Come on Gin, try not to pay attention to it. Following it is never, ever a good idea. Ever…”
Molly took her friend’s hand and pulled him away. She had chased the ghosts in these woods before, and she had regretted it each and every time.
