Hi everyone! I'm back.

So, this chapter doesn't have quite the same amount of action as last time, but it does bring a few truths to light.

Special thanks for reviews: perpetuation

Disclaimer: I don't own anything relating to Markiplier, JackSepticEye or Matthias/Hi5 Universe. If you wish to use anything relating to my own universe, please ask first.

Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 5: A Sinister Truth

Mark tried his best not to look at the dripping jaws of the creature before him, but it was proving difficult. Despite knowing this was only a simulation, the fear he felt coursing through his veins was very real indeed. Knowing he had to do something, and fast, he finally managed to tear his gaze away from the wolf and look around. He spied a sword lying on the ground above six feet away from him, and a shield a couple of feet further back. The blade was moulded to a slight crescent shape, and even from that distance Mark could tell it was wickedly sharp, reminding him almost of a katana. Even the shield was formed uniquely: while the basic shape was circular, the top and bottom diverged into the silhouette of a flame, the ends of which were all sharpened. The face of the shield had spikes affixed, making it as much a weapon as a block.

A low snarl caught Mark's attention again and he screamed in desperation as he threw himself to the right, just as the wolf made a dive at him. The monster skidded into the crumbling wall, causing a few bricks to fall and damage it, as Mark scrambled away. He slipped the shield on with no effort and held it before him as he readied the sword. Both pieces of equipment were tremendously light and Mark could feel a surge of both power and confidence as he stared down the wolf. "Come at me, bitch! I've got a present for you!" he shouted defiantly.

The beast roared straight in Mark's face, causing him to wince as it dove through the air. Mark skidded underneath it and raised his shield above his head, bracing himself as the wolf's stomach was pierced by the sharp face when it sailed over him. Not hesitating, Mark swung back around and slashed with his sword, eyes widening as he saw it slice clean through the black fur of the monster's side. He stepped back, trying to give himself some breathing room but the wolf's eyes shifted from a gold to a blood red, glowing dimly in the dark. Mark knew straight away he was in trouble and dove behind one of the stone urns. He stared in disbelief as he saw a fire trail scorch the ground he had standing upon only two seconds earlier. "A fire breathing wolf? Seriously? How do I always end up in the shit?"

Looking around him, Mark couldn't see anything which would help his situation. There was nothing on the ground he could even use for a distraction. He glanced backwards, and then swiftly retreated as flames licked his stone guard. "What the fuck am I meant to do here?!" Then Mark remembered his inventory. He raised his left arm, just managing to not skewer his own head with his shield, and began skimming through his items. A smile appeared on his face as he found something. Perfect.

The wolf's attack stopped as a smell hit its nostrils, its hunger becoming more apparent. The hue of its eyes shifted back to gold as it saw Mark emerge, the human holding out a lump of meat in his hands. "Hey, you want this, don't you?" he spoke nervously. The wolf was ready to pounce within seconds and Mark threw it far behind him, watching as the beast charged after it. He winced as he heard the creature howl in pain, but didn't think much beyond it. At least he didn't have to worry about the monster any more. It soon disappeared into the dark and he relaxed. "Phew, that's a relief," he sighed, allowing himself to take a few deep breaths now that the danger had passed. He closed his eyes to try and regain his composure, but as he opened them again he realised there was something very different. "Hang on…what happened to my clothes?"

Mark's eyes scanned over the black and red armour he was now outfitted in. The breastplate was a deep crimson, while the gauntlets and greaves were nearly black. On his left shoulder sat a pauldron, which was also crimson, while black, leather armour covered his thighs. His whole left arm was covered in the black armour, but only the gauntlet was there on his right, allowing for much freer movement on that side. "Huh…didn't see this coming." He took a closer look at his sword and shield but paused as he saw glowing sliver writing appear on the black-tinted metal of the blade.

The Knight

Steadfast, strong of body and heart. A natural born leader who inspires courage in others. Charges in to face danger without fear to their own safety.

"Huh…so it's telling me I'm reckless and encourage others to be the same…" he summarised sarcastically. "Well, I guess having a sword and shield is pretty cool. This armour is going to be a killer though, I can feel the weight of it already." Mark took another look around the room and spied a mirror on the opposite wall. Curious to see his new appearance, he wandered over to it, placing his weapons down on a nearby table.

As Mark came to a stop before the mirror he cast a critical eye over his reflection. "Wow, I actually do suit this. Guess it was a good idea to let the Dreamscape pick for me, I never would have chosen this. I'll have to get used to some close scrapes though." While Mark was talking, he began taking a closer look at his reflection, seeing something strange. "Huh, what the…" His fringe was longer, and his eyes seemed to be a fearsome red in colour. Mark was bemused as to this change and stepped right in front of the mirror, intending on analysing it up close.

Just as he did that, however, his reflection took on a sinister smirk and punched straight towards him.

Mark recoiled as the glass shattered, some pieces flying towards his face. "Fuck!" He stumbled away, feeling a trickling down his cheek as he came to a stop. When he raised his hand to see what it was, he was shocked to see blood appear on it. "Shit, did that cut me? That was so strange…"

Now suitably disturbed, Mark turned back to his surroundings: and more pointedly, to the fact that he was alone. "Matt? Sean?" Mark shouted for his friends but received no reply. He couldn't hear anything at all…save for the occasional crackling of a lit torch. The silence was doing nothing for his unease. "Hello? Guys?" After a couple of minutes of searching around his immediate vicinity Mark came to the conclusion that he was on his own, for now.

"All right, where are they? And where the hell am I?" Mark looked out through a broken wall and watched the storm raging outside. The clouds were dark and unending above, wind was whipping through the area and the seas were vicious. Lightning decided just then to strike the cliff below the castle, causing Mark to jump back, clutching his chest in shock. "Fucking hell…this is nuts. I've got to get out of here." He retrieved the shield and sword he had placed down on the table and spied a catch on the inside of his shield. Following a hunch, Mark found that it could be stored on a corresponding latch on his back, as well as being able to stow his sword. After a few tries at retrieving and stowing his gear, he felt ready to set off. As Mark walked away he opened his inventory and began to examine its contents. He knew the road ahead might well be long.

From the shadows of the torches, another figure followed him. It never went close, but it watched. Watched, analysed…and waited.

Patience…I have waited this long. I want to savour the occasion.

Jack and Matt both stared in wonder as they made it to the town, staring at the world around them. They had to keep reminding themselves that they were in a simulation, everything felt so real. Although…for the first time they noticed things that were definitely out of place. All the NPC's wandering the streets were very…colourful. Ranging from their clothes, to their mannerisms and even their hair and skin colours, it was now very apparent that they were in a fantasy world. It actually helped them feel slightly less out of place.

It didn't take Matt long to notice something, however. "Dude, are we the only people here that are armed?"

Jack took another look at the surrounding characters and soon realised Matt had a point. "Yeah, you're right. Although I'm guessing that all the guards I can see at the walls are plenty armed. Especially if the guys we fought are any indication of what the town has to deal with."

"Hmmm, hopefully we won't arouse too much suspicion. Let's try and lay low as we search for information."

The two of them spent the next hour examining the town and eavesdropping in to some of the surrounding conversation, seeing if they could learn anything useful. It didn't take long to realise that below the happy façade of the town, behind all the cheerful smiles and the animated conversation, there was something plaguing it. Many of the discussions the pair overheard dealt with families who had recently lost loved ones, and the fear of the town being attacked. They wondered just how lucky they might have been in escaping that earlier fight, given so many others had lost their lives.

Between that, they examined the world around them in more detail. It took some time to not stare at the various people wandering around with pink, green and blue skin; and even more to realise that they were getting just as many stares back. It seemed that if your were fair skinned, you hair colour was unusual – or vice versa – which meant that with their skin tone and brown hair combinations they were attracting attention, though completely unintentional. Word had soon spread to the town's guards of the new additions to the town. Jack and Matt were observed for almost half an hour before an older man approached them.

Jack was the first to realise their new company. He appeared to be elderly: his skin was wrinkled and his green hair was faded to an almost white colour. His green and white robes gave him a regal appearance, and Jack greeted the man brightly, sensing he may be someone of importance. "Hello there!"

The man smiled and inclined his head towards the Irishman. "Greetings, gentlemen. I hope I am not bothering either of you, am I?"

Matt spun around at hearing Jack's greeting and smiled as he joined the conversation. "Not at all. In all honesty, we are a little lost. Perhaps you can help us?"

A raised eyebrow was directed at them. "Lost? You are unaware of where you are?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, we kinda woke up in the forest a couple of hours ago, and we have no idea where we are. Maybe you can tell us a little about the area?"

It seemed that Jack's open demeanour was what convinced the man that the strangers were no threat. After a couple of seconds his whole posture changed, and he relaxed as his smile grew. "You really are clueless as to where you are?"

"Yes, we are just looking for a little information. We're hoping for any clues as to where we are, and what is happening around here."

The pair were bemused when the older man directed them to follow him, but decided it was worth the risk. He took them to an ornate building in the centre of the town, and opened the door for the Youtubers to enter. They looked around as they went inside, realising that they were inside something similar to a library. Books lined several walls, but amongst the shelves were several artefacts of varying shape and size. It was mostly deserted, save for a couple of people reading in the far corners of the room. "Come with me, gentlemen." They followed as the man opened another door, leading to a heavily cluttered room. It seemed to be used for storage, if the number of items was anything to go by, and they watched as he locked the door behind him.

Just as they were wondering if they had made a serious mistake in trusting the man, he gave them a gentle smile. "Be at ease, my friends. My name is Eamon, I am the overseer of Glaysha, the town you see before you. You are Wanderers, no?"

Matt looked at him strangely. "Wanderers?"

"Ah, of course, you do not know our terminology. 'Wanderer' is the title we give to travellers who come to us from distant lands. Many have come, some multiple times, searching for something. Be it riches, knowledge, weapons, people…it seems many travellers have something to find here. It always begins the same: you awaken with no knowledge of why you have come, nor what you seek. Am I right?"

Jack and Matt shared a look, astonished that the simulation actually had it written into the basic lore of the area about players entering. Jack was the one who replied. "That is scarily accurate. Is there anything you can tell us that may help?"

Eamon looked sorrowful. "I would be more than willing to help you both, my friends, by Glaysha is suffering greatly. The Dark has been plaguing our town for months now, and it grows deadlier by the day. I fear that in helping you on your quest, I may be condemning you to a far worse fate."

Matt held up his hand. "Hang on a minute. The 'Dark'? As in, a person or just the dark in general?"

"We know not what he is, we only know his power. He has been in the Ancient Castle for many years, but in the past few months he has began a campaign against our little town. Every week, he launches an attack to assert his dominance, or he demands we send an offering to him. Sometimes it is riches, sometimes it is livestock. In more recent weeks it has been people. The populace lives in fear of anyone from outside our walls now, hence why all the secrecy. Their fear has made them wary of all, even Wanderers."

The news troubled both Jack and Matt. It sounded like this adventure had just taken a turn. "So, you can't do anything to fight back against him?" asked Jack. "You live in permanent fear of him?"

Eamon shook his head. "Many have left for his fortress at the far shores of our land, but none have returned. We have come to the realisation that we have no chance of defeating him, not as we are. Our Lorekeeper, Ayala, is researching a way of ridding us of Dark once and for all, but she has made little progress."

Matt began to make a connection in his mind. "Ayala you said her name was? Is she willing to help Wanderers?" A nod was his answer. "Would you be willing to introduce us to her?"

Eamon regarded them both seriously. "Gentlemen, I cannot stress enough the danger that exists from Dark. He kills without hesitation, and he can destroy almost anything at will. Should you continue on your way, there is every chance you may incur his wrath."

"That may be true, Eamon, but there is a very good chance that Dark already knows we are here. If he is as powerful as you say, then he may just be waiting for a moment to strike. We could not stay here, knowing that very thing," replied Matt.

Jack then joined in. "We couldn't very well just sit here knowing that thing is out there, anyway. It doesn't look like your people are experienced in combat, but we are. We may well have a better shot at avoiding that thing than anyone else does, and we couldn't forgive ourselves if some innocent got caught in the crossfire. Please, Eamon. Let us speak to Ayala. Maybe we can do something to change things."

Eamon stared at them both in disbelief. "Wait… are you two truly offering to help us defeat Dark? It is impossible!"

Matt laughed lightly. "Trust us, Eamon, when we say that we've seen a fair bit recently that defies the concept of impossible." Jack chuckled at Matt's statement, completely agreeing. Something as mind-blowing as the Dreamscape was trying to convince its players that a task was impossible: that messed with the brain a little.

The overseer finally shook his head. "You are both truly incredible men. Whatever land you come from, it is truly lucky to have you both. Give me a few minutes, I shall speak to Ayala. I shall return shortly."

Jack and Matt watched as Eamon deftly made his way through the many stacks of items in the room, walking towards a bookcase. He then pushed it in, revealing that the furniture was in actual fact a very well disguised door. They saw him vanish within, leaving the passage open, and then turned their attention to each other. Jack was the first to speak. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

The archer nodded. "That this Dark thing is a sort of endgame boss to the simulation? Yeah, I'm guessing so. It makes sense. Sounds like a right piece of work mind you."

"Maybe, but now I'm beginning to suspect that Mark isn't here on purpose. Maybe the only way to finding a way to defeat him is in another area of the map, one that we can't access?"

Matt's eyes lit in realisation. "And Mark has spawned there. So, we may not even see him until the end of this thing then. Maybe we should try and get in contact with Damien? See what he says?"

Jack smacked himself in the head. "I can't believe we didn't think of that before! Damien is watching from the outside!" The mage then turned his attention to the roof, hoping that Damien was listening. "Damien! Can you hear us?" They sat for a few seconds of silence before Jack tried again. "Yo! Damien! We could use a little confirmation from the outside that everything's okay?"

Yet again, there was no answer.

"Well…that's a little disconcerting," stated Matt.

"You're not kidding. Where the hell is he?"

"Hmmm, not sure. I doubt he'd just leave us on our own in a simulation, would he?"

"I fucking hope not. Maybe he's just gone to the loo or something?"

"Let's hope that is what it is, and not something more ominous. I've already got bad enough feelings right now, I don't need to be adding to those."

The two stopped their conversation as they heard footsteps coming from the passageway, and they soon saw Eamon reappear with a bright smile. "Ayala is happy to meet the both of you. Please, follow me." Jack and Matt nodded their gratitude before following the older man, realising that the secret passage did not in fact go far. It was only a few metres later that they arrived in another room.

The walls were all covered in astrological tapestries and arcane writing, while within the centre of the room lay two large table. One was covered in various open books and handwritten notes, while the other had lots of small chests scattered across it. The only light in the room was provided by a skylight high above them, giving the room a much bigger feel. Standing next to the second table, staring into one of the small chests, was a woman. As she closed the lid she turned to face them, keeping her face passive. Matt and Jack both stopped and stared at her: she was striking. Long lilac hair was held in place by an ornate circlet, while her green eyes were staring at them piercingly. Her dress was silver in colour with long fitting sleeves, while the bodice was laced together with pale blue ribbons. It flowed all the way to the floor, making her already tall frame stretch even further. She towered over all the men there, making her an intimidating figure. What struck both of them was how young she was – they doubted she was any older than them.

Eamon gave a small bow to the woman. "Ayala, these are the Wanderers I was telling you about. They are looking for any information which may help them, as well as having expressed a willingness to help us combat Dark."

Ayala's eyes sharpened even more. "We shall soon see about that." Jack shivered at the tone of her voice. She really did not seem eager to see them. "Leave us, Eamon. I wish to speak with them alone."

The overseer gave another bow, more exaggerated this time, and left a comforting hand on each of Jack and Matt's shoulders. "While she may come across as harsh, she will help you. May your travels be safe, my friends."

His words were of little comfort to the pair, but he soon departed. They followed his leaving figure until there was no choice but to face the woman within. Now alone, Ayala's gaze changed, and her tone became concerned. "What are you both doing here?" she asked earnestly.

"Umm…well, that's…" Jack floundered in coming up with an explanation. They really hadn't thought this part through. How did they ask for help in a game?

Matt stepped in. "Well, we just kinda woke up in the middle of nowhere. We were hoping-"

Ayala held up her hand. "No, that is not what I mean. What are players doing in the Dreamscape?"

The room went silent. Both Matt and Jack were struggling to comprehend what Ayala had just said. "Wait a goddamn minute," began Jack after a few seconds, "you know about the Dreamscape?"

"And you know that we're players?" continued Matt.

Ayala sighed. "Yes, I know about the Dreamscape, and I know who you two are. You're Matthias and JackSepticEye, the famous Youtubers, aren't you?"

That stunned Matt and Jack yet again. It took much longer for either of them to find their voices again. "How does a program know who we are?" asked Jack in disbelief.

She chuckled. "Things are nothing that they appear in this place." Jack and Matt both jumped backwards as Ayala's body began to change form, almost appearing as if water. They stared in wonder as her whole shape transformed: her hair went from lilac and straight to brown and curly, her tall frame shrank to one that was smaller than Jack's, and her dress changed into that of purple armour. A moulded breastplate showed off her curves while a white leather coat clung to her upper body, flaring out at the bottom as it came to her calves. Her legs were coated in white leggings, though purple plates were strapped to her shins, knees and thighs. As she opened her eyes again they saw they were now a different shade, a much richer and more vibrant colour. She stared at the pair softly, but sadly. "I'm not just another program in this world."

The pair stared at her for a few seconds, Matt thinking that she seemed very familiar. All of a sudden it hit him why. "Oh my god, you're from the outside, aren't you? You're the member of Damien's team that they lost!"

She nodded, before smiling at them gently. "My name is Alix, Alix Cathroe. I was the lead developer on the Dreamscape Initiative. Emphasis on the was."

Jack shook his head, as if trying to stop his eyes from playing tricks on him. "Wait a minute, you're alive? You've been living inside the Dreamscape all this time?"

Alix laughed bitterly. "I wouldn't exactly call this living. Yes my mind still exists in this place, but I know damn well that my body is going to be long gone. This is home for me, now. The closest I can get to it, anyway."

Matt stared at her in concern. "Wait a minute, how did none of the rest of the Digitalia team find you then? You must have known that they were in here so often. And how could they not have seen that your mind was still active in here?"

It was a few seconds before Alix answered. "Let me guess…Damien was the one who told you this?" Their silence in response was all the reply she needed. "No-one has been inside the Dreamscape since I was trapped here. Or at least, not back to this part anyway. They may have been to other simulations, but I sincerely doubt it."

A chill had settled in both Jack and Matt's stomachs at her tale. "What gives you that impression?" Jack asked, though he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for the answer.

"Because the program was sabotaged. It was fine when I went in, I wrote the damn thing! When the exit portal was not working I went into the game codes and looked at what was wrong. Most of the code for the portal was missing, deleted."

"Wait…are you saying that…"

"I was stranded here on purpose. And you two are in grave danger."

So, I'm just going to hide under a rock now.

I am planning on making my updates every Friday, so anyone who is following this story can keep an eye out for me then! Please let me know what you all thought, and I'll see you all next time!

*Smooch*