(Curse of the Russian Doll Part 1) *September 10th, 1918*

*6:00pm*

Kaede and The Peddler were walking across the vibrant town as they continued their journey to find the Phoenix Sword.

"Are you sure we're going the correct way?" Kaede asked as she stopped for a moment to look at the map which had the directions.

"I'm completely sure and all you need to do is to simply trust me" The Peddler replied back as he looked around and noticed a mansion in the distance.

"Kaede, Do you see that mansion across there?" The Peddler asked while pointing at the house.

"I do see it and should we ask for further directions?" Kaede asked as she looked at the mansion.

"I think we should just be sure" The Peddler replied back as the pair made their way towards the victorian like mansion.

"This place kinda gives me the creeps" Kaede said to herself as she took some deep breaths and rang the doorbell which had a buzzing sound.

"That awfully sounds unusual for a doorbell and most of them have a bell like sound" The Peddler said to himself as the door opened as a couple appeared before them.

"Good Afternoon and how may I help this lovely couple today" the man said as he wore a black butler outfit and he appeared to be in his 70s.

"W-We're not a couple plus I'm 17 years old so he's way too old for me" Kaede said in a shocked tone of voice.

"She's right and I'm in my 20s at the very least" The Peddler added on as well.

"Very well then please do come in" The Butler said as he motioned his hand for the pair to enter the home.

"Wow this place is pretty amazing" Kaede said in a awestruck as she looked around the beautiful living room which had many portraits and paintings of people such as Vincent Gugh, and Beevthoon.

"You're right and I wonder what type of people live here" The Peddler asked himself as he and Kaede sat down on a huge sofa.

"The Master and Mistress will be here shortly so please make yourselves at home" The Butler said as he turned his direction and walked out of the living room as the room became silent with the ticking grandfather clock as the only source of sound.

"I wonder what type of family lives here" Kaede thought to herself as she turned around and noticed a girl roughly 15 years old and had long blonde hair who also wore a blue dress as she was standing with a doll in her arms.

"Hello, My name is Kaede Fuyou" Kaede greeted as she got up and bowed before sitting back down.

"Greetings and I don't know my name however you can call me Peddler if you must" The Peddler greeted as he bowed as well before sitting back down.

"My name is Samara and It's a pleasure to meet you both" Samara greeted in a low tone of voice as she walked over and sat down across from the pair.

"That's a pretty cute doll you got over there" Kaede said with a smile as she pointed at the doll with black hair as it wore a white dress with black shoes to go with it.

"Kaede is right and it looks pretty cute as well" The Peddler added on with a smile.

"Thank you and her name is Danka and have you both heard about Danka's curse?" Samara asked as Kaede and The Peddler had confused looks on their faces.

"Um...No What about it?" Kaede said in a confused tone of voice.

"I'm with her and I never heard about Danka's curse" The Peddler added on as well.

"Oh, I see. Danka's curse is where if you do or say anything that may offend Danka in her eyes than a terrible curse happens in which she goes inside your body and you enter her body and while Danka is in the cursed body she will take over their life or force them to take their own life" Samara explained while stroking the doll's hair while both Kaede and The Peddler had looks of surprise on their faces.

"Whoa, that's quite a story and are you sure all of this is true or just legends?" Kaede asked.

"What I'm telling you is real and over 50 years ago this had happened to a young girl and Danka in her body made her commit such crimes such as robbery but if you choose not to believe me than maybe Danka may teach you a lesson" Samara said as her tone grew more offended at Kaede's disbelief.

"Wow, If I may ask why do you have this doll and how do you know all of this?" Kaede asked as she crossed her legs to get more comfortable.

"It was a gift from my parents and they told me about the legends surrounding the doll thus I gave her the name Danka so she won't be offended or mad at me but I must ask. Why are you two here?" Samara replied back as she stared at the pair.

"We're looking for directions to find something and that's roughly it but we're waiting for your parents" The Peddler answered back with a smile.

"Ah. I see. But It seems that it's getting awfully late so I should implore you both that staying the night will be much better" Samara said as she finally cracked a smile at the pair.

"You have a wonderful smile and you should smile more" Kaede said with a smile.

"Thank you ever so much. I also didn't mean to scare you both with my story and It's only a legend after all but I believe it's real" Samara said as her tone became more relaxed and friendly.

"So it seems these are our guests" a man said as he chuckled at the sight.

"You're right darling and it seems one of them is a Japanese girl as well, Things seem to be getting interesting around them" a woman added as she laughed loudly.

"Greetings my name is Sir Albert and It's a pleasure to meet you both" Sir Albert greeted as he appeared to wear a 1910s like black suit with a tie.

"Good Evening, My name is Madam Antoinette and how are you both doing on this wonderful evening" Madam Antoinette greeted as she wore a victorian like dress outfit in which was purple.

Good Evening and My name Is Kaede Fuyou and it's wonderful to meet you both" Kaede greeted with a smile as the pair walked towards them and proceeded to sit down at the couch that was set on the left side in which Kaede and The Peddler was sitting.

"Good Evening to you both and I don't remember my name however you can call me Peddler if you must" The Peddler greeted with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both and I must ask the young girl over there. Kaede right? How did you come all the way to Europe? I know the journey must have been terribly long" Sir Albert asked Kaede as the Butler sat down for some drinks for everyone.

"I journeyed by boat for quite some time and my journey is awfully long to go into detail however all I can say is that I'm currently on a journey to save my friends and I will do anything to save them" Kaede answered as her tone of voice became serious but filled with determination.

"Ah. I see. You seem like a wonderful and a very kind person Miss Kaede and I applaud you for that" Sir Albert said with a warm smile.

"So, who are your friends and what kind of people are they?" Madam Antoinette asked with a smile as she sipped her tea.

"Why would that be wonderful to hear about your friends and surely Danka would like to listen as well" Samara added as she smiled and motioned her doll's hand to wave at Kaede.

"Well, My friends are very beautiful and wonderful people and They helped me so much with their support and kindness and I will pay them back with a promise that will make all of them happy…" Kaede answered as she managed to pull a smile despite being slightly emotional.

"That's truly kind of you and I'm sure that they would be very proud of you and even your parents as well" Sir Albert said with a smile.

"My husband is right, You are a wonderful person and always have faith within yourself as well" Madam Antoinette added on.

"Thank you so much and I'll keep that in mind" Kaede replied as she smiled and gave a thumbs up to the couple.

"I'm sure both of you and even my wonderful daughter are hungry right?" Sir Albert said to the trio.

"Oooh man! Definitely!" Kaede answered back with eagerness in her voice.

"Very well! I'll tell my butler to cook us a meal and we continue this wonderful night from there!" Sir Albert said with a smile as he called on his Butler to prepare the feast as everyone continued to talk and eventually eat throughout the evening.

"9:20pm*

Three hours had passed as Kaede was getting out of the shower and dried herself up.

"Sir Albert and Madam Antoinette seem to be very wonderful people but that Samara girl and her doll story did creeped me out" Kaede said to herself as she dressed in a blue pajama robe and left the bathroom to put the towels in the laundry room as she looked around the corner to see the doll sitting at a small table.

"It's that doll once more and I wonder why It's not with Samara?" Kaede said to herself as she looked at the doll for a couple of seconds as she suddenly felt a strange sensation.

"W-What is this feeling?" Kaede said to herself as she was briefly blinded by a strange glowing light as it consumed the area that she and the doll were in.

"I can't move…" Kaede thought to herself in shock as her body remained frozen and to her horror she couldn't speak.

"W-what's going on…" Kaede thought to herself as when she came to she noticed that she was staring at herself.

"W-what is going on…" Kaede thought to herself as she felt fear and was scared.

"It's been awhile since I've possessed a human body" Danka who was now in Kaede's body said as she smiled and observed her new body.

"Not bad, you are pretty cute by the way" Danka said as she stared at the doll with a sneaky smile.

"Can't talk can't you? Good. Now I will stay in your body forever! But I gotta wait 24 hours beforehand but that's fine by me since once the clock strikes midnight 24 hours from now I shall become Human while Miss Kaede becomes a poor doll forever!" Danka said to herself as she chuckled.

"No...this can't be real…" Kaede thought to herself as she could only do nothing but watch In horror as the doll was now in control of her body.