He had done it, had his revenge. After his long journey, his rebirth and running from shadows both metaphorical and literal, he was done. His mission finally over. Alexander's last cries were the melody to his freedom, in body and soul. The shadow was sated and the souls that had suffered because of the man's influence would be at peace, he could be at peace.
He was able to find an exit trap door along his search for a way out, the elevator being broken hadn't been more than a scare when it plummeted but when he had approached to return up it had been a moment of panic. But as if guided by the very force that had hated him he found the way. A trap door and paths that had been blocked on his journey into the deep recesses of the castle. Some creativity got him to his freedom.
The monsters that had plagued his journey appeared to be hiding. He couldn't know for sure. Perhaps they had died? Converged into one room to regroup? Could they regroup? It's a possibility that he tries not to dwell on, he makes hast. He has little oil but had tinderboxes to spare at least. His ears where as ever attentive to the sounds around him, afraid of the monsters, now masterless. They could turn feral and attack unabated.
He stopped by the guest room one last time to look for personal belongings. The room was still a mess and some part of him wanted to clean it, lest he be a rude guest. The thought made him laugh. It almost scared him, to hear his laugh. He moved piles of dirty clothing and items that sparked little memories, looking for something that told him what to do next.
What would he say when he left? What would he do? He could go back to Mayfair. He felt the oddest lightness about his shoulders and body. For the first time since waking up in the hall he felt that the future was open to him.
He was able to find enough things to fill his small satchel. He kept moving onward.
Strange tingling in his legs. Perhaps the purest form of anticipation. Would he hang for what he had done? Did anyone really know? Should they know? It was all so much. Finally, after it all, he stands before the front doors and his lantern. He sets his lantern down carefully on the floor, outside the door it was the middle of the day, he wouldn't need it anymore. If his walk to the nearest human settlement would take all day, the empty lantern wouldn't be a comfort; he'd have to make a campfire. It was sad to see it looking so lonely there, probably to spent forever in the spot he set it, since it was doubtful anyone would come for Alexander's things. If they did they wouldn't want a single lantern. They would want the tapestries, the statues. Valuable things , but this lantern had been his guiding light when his mind had none.
Its then he hears the subtle voices again. He was used to having the memories come to him, it was different this time, they seemed so much closer. He looks around.
How is he?
It doesn't look good.
He keeps looking around. One of those voices is Alexander; he'd know the voice anywhere! But, he'd watched the man die!
I've never seen this before...
He had taken a large amount of the Laudanum...
The other voice in question almost sounded like Agrippa's. But it lacked the scholar's cheerful tone. The same faint accent was present in this man's voice but it wasn't right...it was too...something. It was different in a way that he didn't like at all.
Daniel sits down; he needed to catch his breath. It seems as if it had suddenly gotten away from him. He looks at the large doors wondering if he could open them like this. He had a long day, but it wasn't over.
You don't suppose...suicide?
I would imagine it was accidental. He received that letter...
Of whom were they talking about? Not him! He felt fine, well...light headed but after everything it was to be expected.
Then why couldn't he find the strange anticipation that he had mere moments ago?
Sad news about the sister was it?
She was his best friend, most loved family.
He hears whispers now. What were they talking about? When he had left his sister was still alive in Hospice.
We were getting to be friends, how long...
It's hard to tell, most people don't mix these liquids and-
I understand. Thank you for coming out doctor.
There is a knock on the large doors. He's spooked and yelps. After all he's been through and he still scares so easily. It was a short rap, but it was patient. It picked up again.
If you don't mind could we leave...
Yes, of course, I'm not sure how much of a spiritual man you are doctor but if you are perhaps feeling unsettled, something about this time here in this room is unsettled…
He awkwardly gets to his feet. He felt drunk, his limbs, his mind was still sharp. He clutches the strap of his satchel and walks to the large doors.
"Daniel...?"
He pushes the door ajar, it was heavy.
Hazel stood on the other side of the door.
"H-Hazel?"
She nods the same small smile on her face like he's get when he would read a funny line in a book or a make a rare joke for her.
"I missed you."
She holds out a hand, he feels fear in his stomach. It twists and curls around and thrashes but Hazel's face is full of peace. It's such a lovely sight. He needs peace; he's needed it for so long. Through all the fear and darkness, he's wanted peace and Hazel has it.
When his hand touches hers the voice shouts. But it's so faint, because Hazel is taking him somewhere else, somewhere so much nicer than anything he had in the corners of his mind.
I think he's...!
gone.
The whole idea behind this one is what if Hazel died before Daniel did all that killing and kidnapping? What if he had just gotten to the castle and word finally reached him by letter that his sister, his beloved sister had died. Him and Alexander were on the way to being friends but the stress of it all caused him to take a mixture of laudanum and something else that I'm sure Alexander had around. The killing and many of the events of the game were all a hallucination, of Daniels mind trying to hang on to itself. Alexander called the doctor, and them talking in his room, over his unconscious body added the voices to his madness. The doctor's voice becoming the strange voice of Aggripa. Perhaps in this alternative scenario the orb doesn't even exist. Nor the shadow and Daniel came for a whole different reason! Who knows, I just love stories that take unusual POV and have the idea of reality seeping through.
