Chapter Text
Rain continued to batter the windows of the castle as the thunder rumbled outside. No one could remember the last thing that happened before blacking out in the decorated hall with large windows. The rug appeared to be decorated in a variety of royal colours, and the place looked as though someone had built it out of stone bricks. The atmosphere felt eerie as the group soon awoke and struggled to remember how they had all collapsed suddenly. And the only evidence left behind – a trail of red ‘liquid’ leading to somewhere, causing everyone to react and theorise what was going on suddenly. As well as what the mysterious red liquid was. The only bit of lighting was from the windows and distant lanterns.
As if he had studied this place before, Mark began. “Seems like we must’ve entered this castle somehow. If we can find any major clues about how we got here and what secrets are within these walls… then we can find an exit! This place feels haunted, and I fear that we might not really be prepared for an expedition through this castle. If this is a game, then I hope it doesn’t have permadeath…”
Jack reassured, wrapping an arm around Mark and declaring. “Don’t worry, Mark! I will help us all fight off any supernatural beings that we might come across. As the most important thing to start with is the search for any maps, weapons or lighting!”
“Thank you, Jack. As long as I have a plan, we should be alright!”
Ethan nervously spoke, whispering to the two. “Maybe we shouldn’t be too loud… as I fear that we might soon encounter… monsters…”
Momentarily separating himself from Jack, Mark walked over to Ethan before ruffling his blue hair and speaking. “It’s going to be alright, Ethan. We’ll make it out of this castle, I know it.”
Jack beamed. “So, cheer up, Ethan – as it’s time for our quest to begin!” He then faced Arin and Nate. “Isn’t that right?”
Realising something, Arin lit up. “And this means that I shall be our knight who will save us all on this adventure! While trying not to go overboard with my display of affection, you know?” He then gestured over to Dan and Phil. “Unlike those two…”
In the background, Dan and Phil were quietly observing the atmosphere. Dan felt like this was his kind of adventure, but knew not to get too excited, as he secretly didn’t like the dark spaces and how Phil might get scared of anything that jumped out at them. Yet, despite the dim lighting, Dan felt at ease as long as he had Phil by his side.
Jack laughed. “It’s alright, Arin! Unless you go after any fair maidens, you should be alright on our team. Hey, Nathan! Ready to lead us with music.”
Nate immediately shot up from adjusting his guitar strap as he realised that Jack had mistaken him, leading him to correct. “It’s NATE, you Irish idiot. And I think we will have to be careful with our volume levels, as it could disturb whatever is lurking within this castle that we have… mysteriously spawned into.”
Jack muttered as Mark elbowed him in the ribs. “Sorry, Nate…”
Investigating the area, Felix soon concluded. “It appears that we have ended up in a mysterious nineteenth-century Gothic castle. And from the looks of the geography and styling of the place, Prussia. Yet, I can’t recall the reasoning for our visit. But take a look at this – a line of red liquid…”
Bending down to see, Mark suggested. “Blood. And it appears to have been stained here for hours. Somehow, it leads down that corridor over there. Whoever did this left us a trail to follow. Mysterious and creepy… I’ll note this, as this could be useful later on.”
Ethan was stunned at Mark’s words, while Jack and Arin were partially disgusted by the revelation that it was blood, Nate readjusted his dark jacket awkwardly as Dan and Phil began to also theorise what also happened here. Even though they had woken up with only fragments of memories.
Felix looked across to the distant corridor as he commented. “It leads deeper into the castle. But we’ll need a light source, as I can sense that the darkness might consume us if we’re not careful. So, we must investigate this room and the next one for any light sources as well as any books, journals, notes or weapons that might help us. And Jack – don’t try to go overboard with defending us with the use of a sword, got it?”
Dan muttered. “Phil, Felix is suggesting the idea that we might be encountering mysterious monsters and the chances that one of us could… fall to darkness. I’m scared, Phil. And the storm outside doesn’t make things any easier for us at all.”
Noticing how Dan had gotten concerned, Phil reassured, engulfing his friend in a brief hug. “Stay calm, Dan, as I’m here for you and I’ll do anything to protect you, got it? Even if it means… I have to give my life up to save yours, Dan.”
“Phil, you seriously don’t have to go that far, but we shall work together to get everyone through this dark castle.”
As they embraced each other, Arin was so amazed at this as he flamboyantly gestured as he announced. “This is the most extravagant declaration of love and promises I’ve ever seen! You, both fair gentlemen, have brought emotion to the group, making our hearts swell with the most amount of LOVE I’ve ever seen. So, please, Daniel and Philip – Let me join… ACK!”
Arin was suddenly yanked back by the hand of Jack as he grumbled. “Do pipe down, will you? You’re just making the atmosphere even more emotional than it already is after those two…”
Jack then turned around and proceeded to comfort Mark, who had crumbled to the ground over just how ‘sweet’ this all was. Ethan decided to join in, comforting Mark alongside Jack, as this scene was a bit too much. Cue Arin quietly apologising to Dan and Phil for that display while Nate was attempting to calm Felix down as he sulked in the Corner of Woe.
Nate bent down as he put a comforting hand on Felix’s shoulder, as if to say that things would start to look up, as it was time to embark on this adventure through this mysterious castle. After a while, Felix soon calmed down as he was then helped up by Nate. When he was calm enough and steady on his feet, Felix gave a faint smile before noticing how the rest of the group had regained their composure and were ready to march off on this quest.
As Nate began to softly play a dramatic tune to set the atmosphere of the group beginning a new journey, Felix declared, recovering from his earlier vulnerable moment. “Do forgive me for that. But now, I believe it’s time to search the next room for the supplies needed for this grand adventure ahead of us!”
Mark shouted. “Let’s finally get ourselves some supplies so our adventure can begin! I’m ready to tackle any lore pieces that we could find, as well as dramatically lead us into any battles with these so-called monsters that are lurking within these halls!”
Jack grabbed Mark’s arm as he joined in. “And I’m with you there, Mark! As we shall go on and head straight in to go all the way!”
Ethan cheered triumphantly as he danced along with his brother figures, Jack and Mark. Nate watched them cautiously, as being friends with them for years meant that he knew they had secrets lying within them. Even if right now, he couldn’t put his finger on it due to how they all suddenly have only fragments of memory. Arin flamboyantly declared that he was ready to put his ‘heroics’ to the test.
Dan and Phil smirked as they looked towards each other. “We’re so ready for this. Count us all in, Felix.”
Felix felt confident about this as he then proceeded to follow the brief trail of ‘blood’ into the next room, which appeared to be larger with cabinets, a closet, a writing desk and even a bookshelf. Yet, immediately, everyone was into the spirit of things as they all began to investigate the secrets of this castle and the true reasoning behind why they couldn’t remember much, as well as how they got here…