Chapter 6: The Journey

"'We are the flame!' they cry, 'And darkness fears us!' They descend, spurred on by fantasies of riches and redemption, to lay bare whatever blasphemous abnormality may slumber restlessly in that unholy abyss... But darkness is insidious."

-The Ancestor (Darkest Dungeon)

"So, Ralsei," Kris said, "do you know anything about the royal scientist?"

Ralsei tensed up a bit as he spoke, "Um... not really. All I know is that he's really reclusive, and he did some work for the old King. No one really knows much about him."

"What kind of work?"

"...I'm not sure, but I think it included his research on possessions."

"Hm. Well, I just hope he actually helps us and doesn't just direct us to the Knight's sword."

'He just might,' Ralsei thought grimly.

Silence fell over the group as they walked on. Card Castle had long since disappeared over the horizon, and all that lay ahead was a featureless landscape of scarlet grass. The atmosphere was calm, but the group felt uneasy. They couldn't help but feel that they were being watched, by one threat or another.

Kris glanced at his map, studying the geography of the dark world and mentally plotting the quickest path to the royal scientist. It seemed to lead through a vast desert to the east, though it also led directly through the ominous Seventh Region. In fact, there didn't even seem to be an easy way around the quarantine zone, considering the scientist's laboratory was along the edge of what had been mapped.

"Ralsei, can you tell me anything about this Seventh Region place?" Kris asked.

"Not much," Ralsei replied. "It was quarantined before I was born, and it's been like that ever since. I don't think anyone knows what caused the plague in the first place."

"What kinda name is the Seventh Region, anyway?" Susie joined the conversation.

"I think it was the seventh part of the dark world to be colonized, and it never really got a name."

"I guess Seventh Region sounds a little more inviting than Madness Fields," Kris added.

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud crack, accompanied by a flash of red light. The ground in front of them began to break apart, sending waves of deep cracks to the north and south as far as the eye could see. The rapidly spreading breakage grew deeper and deeper, tearing the landscape asunder.

"What the hell? Get back!" Kris called out, frantically stepping backwards. The ground continued to crumble away, collapsing into an endless abyss below. Everyone watched in shock as the newly forming fissure grew ever wider and deeper. After a few tense moments, the collapse halted, leaving a massive rift in the landscape.

"What the actual hell just happened?" Susie said incredulously.

Kris glanced over at Ralsei, "I'm assuming this isn't a normal occurrence?"

"No, it isn't," Ralsei replied, shaking off a feeling of surprise. "I don't think anything like this has ever happened here before..."

"Well, what are we supposed to do now?" Susie asked.

Cursing to himself, Kris glanced at his map. "We might be able to get around this fissure if we head north," he announced, pointing at the snowy region on the map.

"That'll take us through Snowfall," Ralsei commented.

"Ugh, snow?" Susie seemed displeased. "Do we really have to go that way?"

"It's either that or the mountains down south," Kris said. "Take your pick."

Susie let out an annoyed sigh. "Alright. North it is, then."

"Then let's go."

The four proceeded north, walking parallel to the newly formed fissure. Their feeling of unease only grew stronger. None of them believed this sudden collapse occurred naturally. Something was wrong.

The sound of ominous laughter echoed in the back of Kris' mind. "Something funny, partner?"

"Just admiring my handiwork, partner," Chara replied, her voice filled with a sick pride.

"You did that?"

"Oh, yes. I could've done more, but you won't cooperate with me."

"How the hell did you manage that?"

"A little determination and a lot of LOVE. And there's plenty more where that came from."

"Yeah, I'll bet."

The four walked on in silence.

From a distance, Sariel watched. His stony gaze went to the fresh fissure, then to the Fun Gang. His eyes narrowed with anger.

"Do you see now?" he whispered to himself. "Do you see the danger you present to us all?"

Concealing himself among the foliage, he followed them. They would not best him again.

The temperature began to drop as the Fun Gang traveled north. They had been walking for several hours, and night was beginning to fall. The area was covered in a thick layer of snow, accompanied by a light, continuous snowfall. Susie was visibly angry.

"What's wrong, Susie?" Kris asked.

"I hate this place," she replied. "I hate the cold and I hate the snow."

"How can you hate snow?" Noelle asked, a wide smile on her face. "It's wonderful!"

"Maybe for you," Susie retorted. "I'm a scaly lizard person. I don't handle cold very well."

"But the snow is so beautiful!" Noelle immediately threw herself into the largest pile of snow she could find, laughing as it nearly completely enveloped her.

Susie chuckled, her expression softening a bit. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Noelle dug herself out of the snow and excitedly ran up to Kris. "Kris, we need to come back here sometime!"

Kris smiled, "Absolutely. It'll be nice to visit this place without the threat of an apocalypse."

"There's a lot to see in the dark world," Ralsei said. "I'd be happy to show you guys around."

"Count me in!" Noelle said.

The four walked on through the snow for several minutes. Night had long since fallen, and Kris soon found himself struggling to keep his eyes open.

"Is anyone else starting to get tired?" he asked.

"Now that you mention it, I could do with some rest," Susie replied.

"It is starting to get late," Ralsei added. "We should find somewhere to make camp."

"I don't suppose anyone has any firewood?" Kris said.

Susie gestured to the forest around them, axe in hand. "No, but we've got no shortage of trees to pick from."

She immediately swung her axe into a nearby tree, slicing through it with little effort. She grinned with pride as it fell to the ground.

"There. Firewood."

"That'll work," Kris stated.

Susie continued to hack away at the tree, gathering its pieces into a large pile. Ralsei then set it alight with a flick of his wrist.

"There we go," Susie stored her weapon away. "Now we've got a campfire."

The four gathered around the flickering light of the fire, basking in its warmth. A comfortable silence fell over them as they began to drift off to sleep.

Time had passed. The four were in a deep sleep, gathered around a fading fire. Silently, Sariel crept through the foliage toward them. His hateful gaze never faltered.

"Huddled together, furtive and vulnerable," he whispered to himself. "Like rats in a maze."

The snow crunched lightly beneath his boots with every step he took. Slowly, he reached for his sword, while preparing a spell in his left hand. He began to walk faster.

Suddenly, Noelle began to stir. Sariel froze in place, shifting his glare to her. He stared at her in silence for a tense moment. No sound was heard aside from the crackling of the fire. He watched until she settled, then continued his advance, moving more slowly.

'Carelessness will find no clemency in this place,' Sariel reminded himself. Slowly, cautiously, he stepped forward, his gaze now fixated on Kris. He stopped just a few feet away from the group, looming ominously over them.

He chuckled softly to himself. "Pitiful," he whispered. "Almost too easy."

Noelle shifted again, roused from her slumber. Unseen by Sariel, she shifted into a sitting position, her eyes fluttering open.

"Is someone there...?" she asked softly. Sariel turned to her in surprise. She looked back at him, and was overcome by a wave of mortal terror.

"Be silent, lightner," he commanded. "Do not force my hand."

Ignoring him, she screamed, "Guys, wake up! The Knight found us!"

Ralsei awoke immediately, followed by Kris and Susie. As they stood, Kris and Susie drew their weapons, and Ralsei began preparing a spell.

Sariel narrowed his eyes at Noelle, "You shall perish first."

"How the hell did you find us so fast?" Kris demanded.

"You are not difficult to follow. Lightners are remarkable easy to locate."

"So you came to get your ass kicked again, huh?" Susie bared her teeth threateningly.

Sariel scoffed, "No, I came to bring you into custody."

"Didn't the king tell you to leave us alone?" Kris questioned, taking on a defensive stance.

"My objectives supersede the king's commands. I act in defense of the kingdom, despite the king's objections."

"So you've just given yourself a free pass to end me?"

"Exactly."

"Well, there's no way in hell that's happening!" Susie's eyes flashed with fury.

"We're not letting you hurt Kris!" Ralsei shouted.

Sariel laughed dismissively. "Still, you continue to resist? Very well. Let us do battle once again!"

Her hands trembling, Noelle readied her crossbow and took up a position beside Susie.