Monday, 22nd-23rd of January
Dreamscape, Clear Skies
They readied themselves for the world yonder. Finn put on a pair of somewhat worn grey tracksuit pants and a blank hoodie, as well as a pair of grey sneakers. Tom pulled a blue casual shirt over his head, and clothed himself with an old yet reliable pair of brown chino pants and a pair of battered loafers. As he changed, Tom stared at himself for a moment in the reflection cast by the window. It was the same face he was used to, tired green eyes adorned with black bags and rugged blonde hair which seemed to adhere to no stylist bar the nightly motions of his head on the pillow. He retained that farm-boy appearance; not the devilishly handsome variety, but rather the raggedy and dilapidated visage of a boy worked to the bone. However, his face wasn't something entirely deserving of admonishment: it had its own beauty to it.
"Stop checking yourself out in the window and let's get going," Finn said.
Tom turned around and nodded. The two of them entered the passageway, descending the staircase and heading down to the second floor. They intended to descend further, but were distracted by the door to room five on the floor below them. A disturbingly large cast-iron door stood in the place of the simple wooden door that was there prior. It seemed to require some sort of key to open, as was indicated by the enormous and impractically large lock that adorned the right side of the door. After fiddling with it for a while to no avail, they decided to head onwards.
They reached the beachside. To their left was a dock with a moored boat, the vessel drifting on the surface listlessly as it waited for an occupant. On the right was the object of their interest: the mysterious floating pumpkin and lamp. On closer inspection, the pumpkin seemed to have a face etched into it. As they walked closer, Tom thought it was a Jack O'Lantern. This notion was obviously dispelled when they noticed the pumpkin's bright and vibrant crimson eyes, burning with what seemed to be the same fire as the lamp. As they approached, it turned to face them.
"It's looking at us," Finn said.
"Let's stay calm and not jump to conclusions," Tom replied.
The pumpkin released a torrent of flame from the lantern, targeting Tom. He sidestepped, carefully dodging the tendril of fire and sprinting across the sand away from the pumpkin-headed fiend.
"So much for not jumping to conclusions!" Finn yelled as he ran alongside Tom.
"It sounded good in theory, cut me some slack!" Tom replied.
The pair of them ran to the dock. Tom attempted to kickstart the engine as Finn handled the rope, both to no avail. The motor had likely been dead for some time, and the rope was far too waterlogged for Finn to make any headway. Instead, the pumpkin headed fiend caught up to them. A metallic storage container sat at the rear of the boat, and Tom attempted to find anything which could help them fend off the unknown entity. It was mainly basic marine survival equipment, the only object of use being a small handheld flare-gun and five very flares. He fired one into the pumpkin head of the beast, which then ricocheted and landed in the water. It was to no avail. The pumpkin-headed fiend was enraged, and showed no signs of stopping its advance. It knocked Tom aside, swinging its lantern and sending him sprawling to the ground. It stared down at Finn, eyes bright and aflame, as it prepared to unleash a torrent of flame. The world halted for a second. The pumpkin-headed fiend remained at bay, as Finn wore an expression laced with terror, staring up at impending doom. However, all stood still; all except Tom. He got to his feet, and heard a voice from within his mind.
Do you wish to save him?
Tom stared up at the pumpkin-headed creature. It was menacing, capable of arcane feats beyond his comprehension. It's mere existence was inexplicable, let alone the tremendous power it possessed. He wanted to save him; but he did not know if he could.
"I can't," Tom said. "I lack the strength."
The voice in his mind returned once more, with an unwavering bravado.
Balderdash. Thou may lack the strength in body, but thou hast the strength of heart to accomplish feats well beyond one's own mortal limits. After travelling so far, is this where your plight falters? Where you lay to rest?
"Perhaps," Tom said.
So, shall you grovel at its heel as well?
"How dare you," Tom exclaimed. "You know nothing of my past!"
But I do, for I art thou, and thou art I. I shall lend you my power in the appellation of righteousness, to save this newfound friend. That is, should a singular condition be met.
"What do you want?" Tom asked, a single tear streaking down his face as he realised the hopelessness of his situation. He watched on; caught in a moment, as he awaited the untimely demise of his friend.
Stand down for no man. Thou art a knight of justice, unable to keel. Vanquish this fiend; it may best your body, but no entity can prevail over your heart. The heart of the truly dedicated can prevail over even the most unassailable foes; the David shall always be capable of vanquishing the Goliath. I am thou, thou art I. Conquer your own heart, and ye shall conquer the world.
He felt a new vigour emerge from within himself, and a talisman materialised around his neck. The progression of seconds was restored, the cheeks of Finn's face contorting from horror to despair as he realised the inevitability of his fate. Yet, this situation was no longer irreparable. Tom tore the talisman from his neck. It was a gold amulet, with a design of a knapsack and a jester's hat, with a single sapphire crystal adorning the top of the rim. This was not its true form though. He lobbed it into the air.
"Persona!" He screamed. "Come forth, Galahad!"
Blue light emanated from the amulet. It began to change shape, bringing forth the entity within. Donning radiant plated armour, the imposing figure above him was colossal in size, its scintillating golden platemail acting as a beacon of hope for all amidst the darkness. It brandished a chalice in its right hand. With it, it struck the lantern of the pumpkin-headed beast, sending both it and its lantern toward the murky depths.
"W-w-what the fuck is that?" Finn uttered in fear as he stared up at the figure of Galahad in the sky.
"Don't worry, he's on our side," Tom said. Tom extended his hand to Finn, and helped him to his feet.
"We have to get out of here," Finn said. "This place is not our beach."
"I agree," Tom replied. "But how?"
"Let's go back to the boarding house," Finn replied. "That's how this all started, right?"
"Alright," Tom said. "That sounds like a good plan."
Tom pocketed the flare gun and the four very flares he had collected earlier, and the two of them headed back towards the dormitories. Galahad dematerialised, the amulet reappearing around Tom's neck as he did. As they ran along the dock, Finn noticed an old fisherman's harpoon, and grabbed it. Clutching it tightly out of fear, the pair of them ran at what seemed almost mach-3 speed back to their dorms. They arrived. The television was turned on in the living room to the left, playing a broadcast of an unknown man. A young grey-haired man sat watching the broadcast, serenely engaged in the television world.
"Oh, how thankful I am to see a human here," Finn said. "Evening, Mr. Haynes."
"Good evening," the grey haired man said. He turned around. He was virtually indistinguishable from the real Haynes, save for the fact that his eyes blazed with a paranormal amber light. It was clear that he was not Mr. Haynes, but the question as to what he was and where the real Haynes was seemed unanswerable.
"W-who are you?" Finn asked, his lips quivering. "W-what have you done with Mr. Haynes?"
"I've done nothing with him, but oh the things he's done to me," Mr. Haynes replied. "I'm his heart, and he's torn at me unendingly. He's broken me, tried to piece me back together, and done so again and again. It's perpetual you know."
"What are you talking about?" Tom interjected, standing before Finn.
"You wouldn't know, study-nut," Mr. Haynes replied. "All my life, I just wanted someone to care, and here I am. I'm on death's door, and still nobody even notices. It doesn't matter; I'll make them notice. I'll possess myself, and confess for myself. If they can't accept me - then they'd better accept my suicide."
"Don't do that," Finn said.
"Or what?" Mr. Haynes retorted. "Is the Prince of Cowardice going to sweep me off my feet? No, I'm no good, not even to you. The only place for me is six feet under."
"We won't let you go," Finn said.
"It's my life!" Mr. Haynes shouted. "If I want to snuff it out, who're you to stop me?"
"We're friends who know the real Mr. Haynes," Finn said. "He'd never give up so easily and call it a day, it's not in his nature."
"Oh, you don't believe I'm him then?" Mr. Haynes said, snarling primally as he spoke. "I suppose I'll be someone else to you people, who refuse to see me as I truly am. I'll change - I'll be your worst bloody nightmare."
Mr. Haynes morphed before their very eyes, transforming into something not entirely human, but still somewhat humanoid. The two of them bolted for the door, and as they escaped, Haynes became able to grow to his true size. Obstructing the ability to return to their room, he was now a massive entity, which barred them entry to their salvation.
He was colossal in size. Wearing a rag scarf as a tie and a long overcoat, atop his head was a tall Paris Beau style hat which seemed capable of piercing the sky above them. However, he was most definitely no longer human. His skin had turned completely crimson, and his face was streaked in blood, which ebbed from gashes across his face. His fingernails had grown, and held beneath them was what seemed to be tonnes of dirt and grime. He wore no shoes, and his feet bore the consequences of such.
"This is what he has created of me!" Mr. Haynes replied. "I just want an end to it all, I want to burn like the demon I am!"
He unleashed a torrent of flame, similar to that of the pumpkin. As the flames barreled towards them, Tom threw his amulet towards them. "Persona!" He called. Galahad re-emerged from the talisman, blocking the flames with its body. Tom clutched his chest in pain as the blow collided with Galahad, visibly affected by the immense monster's attacks despite them hitting Galahad.
"Are you okay?" Finn asked.
"Not really," Tom replied. "We'll get through it though."
Tom stared up at the colossal figure of Galahad. "Smite him!" He called. A radiant light shone from the cup, and Galahad pointed the chalice toward the creature. A trio of white knives descended on the target. It was visibly stunned and somewhat damaged by the blow, but remained standing. It would not be enough to fell the monster, and was scarcely enough to make an impact.
"We need a new strategy," Tom said.
"No shit," Finn replied. "Got any ideas?"
"If I can distract it with the flare gun, you might be able to get a chance to land that harpoon in its leg," Tom said. "If so, we could offset its balance, allowing us to get inside the dormitories."
"That's ambitious," Finn said. "Look at the size of the damn thing. If it doesn't fall, we're done for."
"I trust you," Tom replied.
"Damn it," Finn muttered under his breath. Tom loaded the flare gun, and steadied his hand. The monster unleashed another pillar of flame. It spiralled towards Finn, except a skillful evasion prevented him from sustaining any significant injuries. Tom sent the flare flying towards the beast. It hit directly in the face, and the beast was staggered - if only for a moment. Finn charged, using the opportunity to land the harpoon firmly in its leg. The beast failed to stand, but did not fall. It stared down at Finn. It swiped at him, sending him flying across the room. He landed, sprawled on the dirt. Forced to watch on from afar, he witnessed the relentless and infernal barrage raining down upon Galahad, and Tom by extension. The world froze once more. A voice called out to Finn from the back of his mind.
You just going to sit there, wallowing in your own misery?
"That's the plan, yeah," he replied. He stood up from the ground, his body in agony as the injuries sustained from being flung across the field began to catch up with him. The act of merely maintaining his balance was nigh excruciating, and the temptation to merely slump back down and play dead was almost unassuageable.
You of all people knew that you were always god-awful at planning. How about you stand up and do something for yourself?
"I can't," he replied. "Not against Dennis, not against the Pumpkin, not against whatever the hell that is."
You are a noble individual at heart. Don't you dare call it quits now, and just leave him to die. Where's the justice in that?
"What's justice anyway if I can't do jack?" He asked. "It's just a delusion, to make people feel capable."
You fight, even if you can't win, and curse those who dare to stand against you. Justice is not just a cause, it's who you are. Once you realise that, Dennis and the pumpkin are just the beginning.
"I'm nothing damn it!" He exclaimed. "All my life, I was the kid who was shunted to a corner. Justice? That's just some petty excuse I told myself to avoid the truth - I'm a god-awful mess. There's no justice in running away from your problems, in letting people walk all over you and sucking your thumb in the fucking corner as you quietly think about everything wrong with the world while you practically epitomise it yourself. I can't do anything, so why try?"
You're short on influence, you don't have authority like others, but you have something far stronger. You've got resolve. That pluck of yours could take you to the moon and back. Thou art a warrior, a man born from fury with the tenacity to change the world. You may spew up your insides, you may spit out your teeth, and you may snap your bones. That monster can bloody your body up real bad, but it can't lay a scratch on your spirit. I am thou, thou art I. Let's turn this world on its head; such is the nature of life.
Arisen from the dirt, Finn stood despite his prior squalor. A bravado surfacing from within, which had always lay dormant, welled up within. A pendant materialised around the scruff of his neck. The sinews and tendons in his arm tightened as he tore the pendant from him, tossing it towards the monster.
"Persona!" Finn called, "Tear him up, Ned Kelly!"
As it flew through the air, the pendant transmogrified in a flash of blue. A figure in rusted plate armour emerged, wearing long pants and an overcoat, with a maroon cylinder with an eye slit serving as a helmet. He brandished a revolving rifle, and stood valiantly before Finn. The monster turned around. A foray of flame charged towards Kelly. It collided with him - to little effect.
"Takes a little more than that to beat us down!" Finn screamed, as he clutched his chest. "Eiha!"
Kelly held his rifle in his left hand, and extended his right towards the monster. A crimson and charcoal aura descended upon the monster, visibly injuring it. Tom watched on, and smirked a little. "Dia!" He called, beckoning Galahad to heed his call and reinvigorate Finn. The monster attacked once more, but Finn swiftly sidestepped the swipes of the monster as he charged forth.
"Let's forge our own path," Finn called. "Steadied Shot!"
Kelly aimed his rifle at the beast, and sent forth a shell of titanic proportions. The beast did not stand a chance. As the shot impacted the beast, it was forced back, knocking it squarely into the building. As it lost its will to fight, it knelt before them, surrendering itself as its form faded away. It was replaced now with the yellow-eyed Mr. Haynes that had started it all. Finn's harpoon clattered upon the ground. Finn grabbed it, and stood over the yellow-eyed Mr. Haynes. Tom joined him, and together they stood, triumphant in victory.
"What is it you want from me?" Mr. Haynes asked. "Do you want to go out until three? Do you want a mini-bar in your room? I'll give you anything, just please don't kill me."
"Kill you? Who said anything about that," Finn said. "You tried to kill us first. Besides, we aren't those types of individuals."
"You said that nobody cared?" Tom added. "If you really want to do something for us, then open up to us. We want to help."
"Help?" Mr. Haynes questioned them. "How could you help me?"
"Never underestimate a wily student," Finn said. "The Prince of Cowardice has you covered."
"Study-nut also has your back," Tom added. "Reach out to us."
"Thanks," Mr. Haynes said. "Huh, I feel... free."
"Not a problem," replied Tom.
The two of them wandered back inside, leaving Mr. Haynes on the porch. Tom looked back for a moment. As Mr. Haynes breathed, he released an exhale of relief: as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Mr. Haynes looked back at Tom, and waved. Unencumbered, his body began to dissipate, fading into a bluish fog which in turn floated away with the wind. By the time they had begun climbing the steps, he had disappeared entirely; absolved of his grievances.
