Sitting on the outskirts of Vale, A large abandoned mansion creaked in the wind. The rain abusing its wooden frame and shattered windows. A bolt of lightning arced through the sky, sparking threateningly against the lawn. Above the dark clouds stopped Remnant's shattered moon from casting even the slightest glow upon it. The winds picked up, causing the door to open and slam itself shut. These images struck fear into the heart of the two hunters who now approached the mansion. The two men jogged up to the porch and slipped inside, at the very least thankful to be out of the weather.
"This house is a damn hovel. What the hell are we doing here?" One of the men gripped.
"We're here because it's raining, and people keep going missing around here." The other explained.
"Yeah well, this better be some prank. I'm in no mood for this shit." The first man grumbled, turning on a flashlight. He scanned around the room with disgust on his face. They stood in a large entrance chamber, covered in dust and cobwebs. The Furniture had faded, and mold growed rampantly along the walls. The two men started walking deeper into the house, the old wooden floors creaking slightly with every step. As they approached the nearest hallway, the first man nearly jumped out of his skin as the door began slamming against its frame again.
"Geez! Calm down man. It's just the door." The second man chuckled turning to look at the door. For just another moment it flailed wildly with the wind, then it slammed shut, with an echoing bang, and small click as though it were locking.
"Yeah, just the door." The first man said nervously, walking deeper into the house. The hallway was just as musty and uninhabitable as the first room. The two walked down it cautiously, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Another bolt of lightning flashed through window at the end of the hall. As the two men reached the end of the hall, the second man turned down the next corridor while the man looked out the window. Down behind the house was a small cliff which lead to a cemetery. As he looked out the window another flash of lightning struck near the window, causing him to look away temporarily. When he looked back he noticed two figures standing in the cemetery. Knowing he was too far away to call out, he raised his firearm, and zoomed in as close as possible. As his view became clearer and clearer, his broke into a cold sweat. "H-how is this possible. It must be some vision." He thought. The two men in the clearing were him and his partner. He himself was hunched over on his knees while his partner raised a shovel, and slammed it across his face. The hunter couldn't help but gulp as he started to feel a thick liquid run down his cheek. He gingerly touched the wound and held it up under his flashlight. Upon seeing his own blood the hunter started to breath faster, growing hysteric. Suddenly he felt a sinister touch on his shoulder and spun around.
"The hell is the matter with you?" his partner inquired, holding his shaking partner by the shoulders. The hunter took a few deep breaths and with a sigh of relief looked out the window. Realizing that the figures, and his wound, were gone he looked back at his partner.
"Nothing. Thought I saw something." He answered.
Sorry guys. I meant to have this up last night, but oh well. One day never really hurt anybody. I just want to thank Ginger, ancient, and Fecreeper for the last chapter. It means a lot to hear from you guys. Boo! idk whatever just enjoy the chapter. It's my first ever attempt at a horror story and I know I totally bombed it. Have fun!
"Well pull yourself together and let's go." The partner advised, and started walking down the hallway. The hunter shook his head one last time and followed. The made their way through a few more hallways and into a large dining room.
"This place is a Maze." the hunter acknowledge, lowering his weapon and cautiously walking around the room. It was just as dusty as the first with a worn out wooden table in the middle and the heads of various animals perched threateningly on the wall. The strangest thing of all was that the room hosted no windows for light to shine through.
"It must've been designed by an idiot" The partner noted. The two continued looking about the room when a deep moaning echoed through the room. They immediately stopped what they were doing and aimed their flashlights and guns at the door from which they entered. As they stared at the door, it slowly started creeping open.
"Come out slowly." The first hunter said, inching slowly towards the door. The door burst open and a heavy wind filled the room, causing the hunters to instinctively react and fire their weapons. Just as quickly the wind stopped and a childish laughter floated down from the ceiling. The hunter shook.
"W-ww-w-w-w-ww what the hell was that?" He demanded of his partner.
"I-i-i-iii-i don't know." The partner responded. The laughing continued.
"And now the fun can really start." The childish voice stated as slowly faded.
Once the voice had quieted the two hunter's flashlights flickered briefly and died.
"Perfect." One of the hunters murmured nervously, walking over to the table. He pulled as many of the cobwebs of the steel candelabras which covered the tables. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a match book. He carefully struck a match and lit the three partially melted candles set upon the candelabra.
"Here. Some light." The hunter said, raising the candle to look at his partner, revealing an assuredly horrid sight.
"Fuck." he said, backing away.
"What?" the other hunter inquired, getting closer. The closer he got to the candle though the more the hunter holding the candelabra saw his partner's flesh melt off like wax from a candle. The skin pooled and fell, showing the muscle beneath until that began to melt away leaving only bone. The hunter tripped over one of the pieces of furniture and dropped the candelabra, its already weak flames being extinguished. The hunter hissed and screamed when his friend pulled him back to his feet.
"Hey, calm down." The hunter said, trying to calm his hysteric friend.
"Naw! Fuck that man! We need to get out." His friends pleaded and the hunter nodded. The two of them, recklessly burst through the rooms and down the hall, praying to find the door which had entered them into this nightmare.
"There!" One of the hunters cried out, racing for the door. He grabbed the handle and pulled with all his might. Much to his despair the door failed to give.
"Help me!" He yelled, waiting for his friend to let go.
"I'm sorry… I can't do that." His friend answered from behind, not sounding like himself. The hunter turned around slowly, and gasped at whatever remained of his friend. He was limping, the veins in his arms, hands, neck, and face were visible and clearly pumping a black liquid that slowly corroded his entire body. Black ooze dripped from his eyes, nose and, mouth as he kept approaching the hunter. The hunter raised his gun, and fired into his friend's body, hoping to end the nightmare like before. This was not the case as black ooze spilled from the wounds and the body still advanced. In the last moments before his death the hunter noticed one thing. Numerous sickly red eyes appearing in the Darkness just behind his corrupted friend.
His friends reached out for him and the hunter knew it was all over.
In the darkest part of the hell mansion a lone woman sat in an ornate throne watching the dismemberment through a crystal orb.
"Excellent." She whispered in a pleased tone. With a quick flick her wrist the image changed. "I believe it's time for me to try and collect my real prize." She chuckled, looking at the image of a single boy with dark hair, dark clothes, and a grimm expression. "We are going to have great fun playing with each other won't we, and then we'll see who the darkest one really is." She asked rhetorically, laughing evilly, which soon devolved into a cacophony of demonic screams.
"HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!" Nora cheered happily, looking around the beacon cafeteria at her friends, Ren standing behind her quiet as ever. Most of the group laughed at her usual extravagance, while Darron nodded, Blake waved, and Ren shook his head.
"This is the BEST holiday ever!" Nora continued, plopping herself between Jaune and Yang. "There candy, costumes, scary movies." Nora gushed,
"And don't forget the killer pranks." Yang remained, smiling and earning enthusiastic nods from Nora.
"Leave it to Yang to only remember the holiday for the parts that might be illegal." Ruby sassed, smirking at her sister. Yang sat back faking looking hurt.
"You watch it missie or you'll be on the wrong side of this prank train." Yang retorted, giving Nora a high five.
"I'm so excited. I've never gotten a chance to experience a normal Halloween." Weiss smiled.
"Oh you'll love it." Her husband, Zade answered. "It was my favorite holiday when it was just the gang and me. Stealing candy was so easy." Zade said, thinking fond memories.
"Another illegal holiday goer" Pyrrha noted.
"To steal or not to steal. Tis not a question. Steal that shit." Zade responded, making Pyrrha roll her eyes and chuckle. The gang sat there and continued to eat, discussing plans for that night When professor Goodwitch approached their table.
"Children." She said, silencing them immediately. "Professor Ozpin would like to see you four." She explained, pointing at Various members of the group. They all looked at each other suspiciously, wondering what would interrupt their holiday planning.
Ozpin paced back and forth in his tower, staring at the kids in front of him.
"Alright we've retrieved troubling reports. Nearly 20 hunters have gone missing investigating one house outside of Vale, and since you're the most competent we'll be sending you along with a small team of soldiers in to end this once and for all." He explained.
"So Why us?" Allister asked, gesturing to the group.
"Because it's a spoooooky house." Ozpin said dramatically, earning him blank stares and a facepalm from Goodwitch. "Exactly why I picked you. Allister, you're so happy no darkness could burst your bubble. Blake, you're so moody that you don't let it show that anything bothers you. Darron, You only have one emotion. Pure and unfiltered rage. Ren...Do you even have emotions?" Ozpin asked. Ren simply nodded.
"Good to know." Ozpin said, walking behind his desk. "There you have it. Go raid a haunted house my stoic fighters. Team BRAD" Team BRAD shook their heads at their new name and started turning to leave. As he turned Allister felt his scroll vibrate in his pocket. He opened it and saw a picture of Yang holding and unusually skimpy Witch costume, reading.
"Boo!. I'm gonna put a spell on you tonight"
Allister stared at the picture for one moment before rushing forward, grabbing the rest of team BRAD and hurrying towards the elevator.
Team BRAD arrived at the mansion as the sun had just finished setting over the horizon and darkness blanketed Vale. Darron used his semblance to form a covering from the ceaseless rain until they reached the base camp where they were to meet up with their unit. As they walked inside they were greeted by the squad's leader.
"Team BRAD? It's good to have you on board."
"Likewise. What's the situation?" Darron asked, assuming his natural leadership role.
"We don't know much. Any probes get destroyed as soon as they get near the building and any pictures we take are blurry." the squad leader explained.
"Going in blind huh…" Darron though out loud as the rest of his team watched him.
"Allister… Fire something at the house. See if you can get a response." Darron ordered. Allister nodded and walked over to the flap of the tent. He held out his arm and charged holy energy within it. Allister fired the sphere of energy forward and it collided with the mansion, leaving a large hole in its wall. Darron and Allister both growled as a wave of sinister energy burst from the house and it repaired itself.
"Darron. I'm cold." Blake said, holding him tightly. Darron looked around the room and saw that the entire squad had contracted the shivers, even Ren. Allister took initiative, walked to the center of the tent, and shined radiance, which quickly returned everyone to normal.
"Whatever it is. It won't die easily." Allister stated, earning a nod from Darron. Darron looked at the squad and pointed at 3 of the soldiers.
"You're coming with me. Early recon. In and out 10 minutes tops. We go in 20 get ready." Darron announced, and the whole tent burst into action, preparing for the mission.
From the top of the mansion, the woman still watched Darron through her crystal ball.
"My my. How forward the young one is. I pray he'll be the challenge I dreamed of." She whispered to herself, captivated by Darron's authoritative presence.
Once preparations were complete, Darron created his dome and his small squad inched closer towards the house.
"Keep an eye out for anything." Darron instructed.
"Yes sir." the three replied in unison.
"Converse 6." Darron whispered to himself, his trademark black markings covering his hands and up his neck lightly.
"Boss man, badass, Slut. Did you miss us?" The voices asked in their annoying reassertion of themselves.
"No." Darron responded promptly, kicking open the mansion door lightly, and stepping into the musty room.
"Awe. You're a dick. Ooooooooo some dark energy going on here." The voice noted, mentally pointing Darron to a spot on the floor. Darron whistled for his squad to shed some light on the area. The wall and floor right next to the door were stained with blood, and a dry black liquid trailed off into the darkness of the house.
"What do you know?" Darron thought forcefully.
"I know we don't like you and want to let us be free to kill people again. About this house though, nothing. Sorry bossman. All we know is that it's evil." The voices admitted. Darron growled lightly. Darron walked around the room, investigating every aspect her could find. Eventually, he opened a door that lead directly to a staircase. The top was so encased in darkness that not ever the squads flashlights could penetrate it.
"I'm going up. Barricade the door behind me, keep your backs to the wall. If i'm not down soon, get out." Darron instructed as he took his first step up the creaky stairwell.
Once Darron had started his ascent the soldiers closed the door and moved one of the old couches to block it. Then all three of them took positions waiting for his return. They fidgeted nervously as the continued the scan to room, slowly growing more suspicious of every creak and moan of the old house.
"Does anyone else feel uneasy about this?" One of the squad members pointed out as she shined her light on some small gargoyles that were perched atop the corners of the fireplace.
"Yeah." Another squad member replied, tightening her grip on her rifle.
"You guys need to take it easy." The third squadmate advised, leaning his back against the wall.
"You're too nonchalant you… know…" Replied the second squadmate, trailing off as she turned to look at him.
"What?" He asked briefly, and she screamed as she watched splintered wood resembling the teeth of beasts clamping down on him, piercing his body, and splattering his blood all over the room. As the first soldier turned in her panic, the gargoyle she had been examining sprang into life, grasping on to her back, and ripping the flesh from her shoulder.
"Get if off get it off!" she screamed, her squadmate happy to oblige, raising her weapon. The gargoyle just kept maneuvering around her body, tearing her flesh down to the bone. Finally she got the courage to pull the trigger, and the bullet hit… right through her squad mates head. Equally, horrified and relieved to have ended her friends misery, she was suddenly faced with the gargoyle staring at her. Her instincts kicked in and she tried to escape the house herself. Instead, she was met only with despair, as she tripped on the rug and fell, hurting her ankle. She was met with dark laughter as she tried to raise herself from the ground. She breathed heavily as she felt the gargoyle clamber over her body and pull her hair, forcing her to look at the fireplace she had tripped before. More dark laughter seemed to come from the fireplaces endless darkness, as pitch black tentacles snaked their way out of the darkness and began wrapping themselves all around her body. She thrashed and fought with all the effort she could muster, but was left to do nothing but scream as she was pulled into the unrelenting darkness of the fireplace. The anteroom once again became a den of death and blood, and its thirst would not be quenched.
Meanwhile, Darron finally ascended the stairs into a dark study. A large fine desk sat to one side of the room, while bookshelves lines the walls. Torches cleverly places on the bookshelves cast their shadowy and dim glow across the room. Darron walked around the room, looking at the books. One in particular caught his attention. пировать кровью смертных(Google translate it). Darron gingerly opened the cover, and dark mist began to run from between the pages. Instinctively, Darron dropped the book and watched in astonishment as the mist continued to seep and filter into the walls of the room.
"Hehehe. Time for a sacrifice!" A female voice declared, suggesting a sadistic joy which made Darron's skin crawl. At that moment, Darron heard his squad screaming from downstairs. As Darron turned around to head back down the stairs, he found them to no longer be there. Darron grit his teeth and at that point noticed the dark mist begging to fill up the room.
"Ruh roh. Somebody better get us the fuck out of here. I do not want to know what that will do to our complexion." One of the voices whined, and Darron huffed in response. He quickly strode around the room, pulling every book possible from the shelves. After exhausting that method to the fullest Darron stood there panting. His own sense of panic kicking in as the mist made it's way up to his waist.
"Maybe we should have a feast… on mortal blood." One of the voices suggested. Darron rolled his eyes, and a gleam caught his eyes. A golden, jewel encrusted goblet sat upon the desk. It only took Darron a moment to put two and two together seeing the goblet was empty.
"Looks like you guys are useful… occasionally." Daroon snarked. Darron slammed his foot on the ground, his backup knife kicking up into his hand. Darron was decisive and remorseless, dragging the steel across his palm. Darron winced, digging the knife deep in his palm, cutting all the way across it. Darron bit down on the dagger as he allowed the blood to run red, filling the cup quickly. With each ounce the darkness receded. Once the goblet had been filled Darron cradled his hand, using his semblance to spit Dark liquid onto the wound, which formed a fake bandage.
"So you've fed the house, but this guys still hungry." The female voice returned. Darron looked around the room frantically, and saw that a book shelf had receded, leading to another set of ascending stairs. Darron walked cautiously to the bottom of the stairs and looked up, nearly having a heart attack. On the top step stood a monstrous humanoid grimm. IT wore a mask with many holes it in it, each also shining the normal red that Grimm do. In it's hand was a large piece of bone fashioned into a machete. Darron stumbled back as the Grimm jumped to the bottom of the stairs in one leap. Darron drew one of his pistols and started firing at the beast. It calmly blocked the bullets with its machete and approached Darron. It snatched Darron by the neck and held him off the ground. Darron started kicking the beast as it tightened its grip on his airway. Darron reached behind him for his sword and drew it, stabbing the beast through the chest. The beast released him, and Darron collapsed to the floor fighting for breath. Darron fought through the agony and grabbed his blade, gashing through the beast's stomach,and causing it to fall over dead.
"Better run better run." The female voice warned again, opening the way down to Darron. As Darron walked to the stairs, the sound of lightning crackling filled his ears. He turn in absolute horror to watch the beast heal itself and resurrect from the dead, its glow stronger than before. It let out a monstrous roar, and chased after Darron. Darron rushed down the stairs, and funneled his whole semblance into crimson flames on his hand. Darron punched the door, and it relented easy, causing Darron to fly forward, landing and rolling on the wet pavement. Darron tried to get up despite the downpour, when more dark tentacles shot out, wrapping around his ankles.
"God damn crawl crawl crawl!" The voices screamed, growing panicked themselves. Now even Darron couldn't hide his horror and fear as the tentacles inches him ever closer to the doorway which signaled nothing but death. Fortunately, a beam of light cut through the tentacles and caused them to receded. Allister ran to Darron's side and pulled him back to the tent, sitting him near a fire.
After a few minutes of tender embraces from Blake, Darron began recounting his unpleasurable experience, continuously looking at the mansion as though it were some spy constantly eavesdropping on their every word or thought.
"So then what do we do?" Allister asked, after thinking over the story.
"I don't know. It seems that every part of that house is an enemy. There's definitely something in there controlling all of it, and That's where we need to focus our efforts." Darron said, starting to explain his latest plan.
In the mansion the woman smiled wickedly, watching Darron tell his thoughts.
"Oh, my dearest of Darlings. I haven't begun to infect you with the true darkness yet. I'll split up and kill your friends, and drive you into such despair that your soul will be black as the night." She mused to herself, laughing once again.
Darron, and team BRAD stood before the mansion. The sound of a clock striking midnight, rang ominously throughout the land.
"Oh good. The witching hour." Ren commented, stoic as usual. Darron and Allister smirked, and Darron reached out for Blake's hand. Blake gave Darron a nod and a smile and the four hunters walked into the mansion, each knowing their own fate was uncertain.
"This time we all need to stick together" Darron said, he and his friends totally bypassing the first anteroom.
"Uh oh. Somebodies learning." the female voice mocked, causing Blake, Ren, and Allister to freak out, pointed their weapons at random points on the wall.
"That's who were hunting." Darron noted.
"Yeah, What ho what a ho." A Voice chimed in.
"Fucking shakespeare now?" Darron questioned, shaking his head. Team BRAD walked through the halls, watching out for any and every trap that they knew they would face. When they passed through a hallway of armor, they took parts from each one, stopping them from attacking. When they saw a rug, they lifted it to check for any traps. They opened doors from a distance, effectively avoiding spikes and other traps. Eventually they managed to make their way to the second floor, and were searching through a bedroom. Allister got on his knees and looked under the bed.
"FUCK!" Allister yelled, as a dark and mysterious force pulled his deep under the bed.
"Allister." The rest of the group yelled. Ren flipped over the bed, revealing a hole in the wooden floor, quickly repairing itself.
"Oh crap." Darron noted, when he felt a dark force laying on his shoulder. Darron slowly turned around, and stared horrified at the visage of a ghoulish woman, reaching out from a painting in the wall. Darron yelled as he was yanked through the painting before the painting began to burn itself. Ren and Blake stared horrified until the smoke made their eyes water, and they flung themselves out into the hallway. They slowly raised themselves from the ground, their hearts racing faster as the sound of footsteps rapidly approached,
"D-Darron?" Blake questioned, hopeful her lover would turn the corner. The loud thumps of it's footsteps matched her heart beat. The sudden screech of bone on metal ringed in heres. A sense of dread couldn't help but run up her spine when the beast which had frightened Darron so terribly earlier turned the corner.
"Blake, we need to go." Ren insisted, helping her to her feet. Blake nodded and the two started racing away from the beast. They turn through halls, throwing their caution to the wind. The trees, swaying back and forth outside the windows followed the two as a watchful audience, enjoying their entertainment. They turned another corner, and were unpleasantly surprised as they found a brick wall, blocked their path. Blake scurried back to her feet and looked around, all possible escapes had been boarded up. Her heart pounded as the beast rounded the corner and beared down upon them. Ren quickly snapped out Stormflower, and started firing at the beast. The beast blocked most bullets with its machete and the rest didn't seem to bother him. Ren raced forward, deciding to at least go down fighting, and swung stormflower. The beast, grabbed Ren's wrist and tossed him back across the hallway like he was a doll. Blake used the moment to fire her pistol ribbon into the beast's mask, and pull herself closer, stabbing between it's eyes.
"Nice." Ren complemented, jogging up to Blake as she jumped from the flailing beast. IT staggered back a few more steps before falling limp. The two watched it, waiting for it to dissipate like any other grimm when their hearts dropped. Lightning arced over it's body once again, and it's muscles surged as the Beast sprang back to life as though it had never been hurt. It roared with such ferocity that their hair started to blow back slightly. Lightning crashed outside, and the beast started forward. Blake raised her twin blades to block the beasts strike, but was still thrown backward by its immense strength. Ren fired rounds at the beast's mask, each of which ricochet of harmlessly. With a sudden burst of effort, The beast rammed Ren into a wall, leaving a hole in the wall, and causing Ren to gasp for breath as he felt his ribs strain. Ren fell to his knees panting while Blake rushed in, slashing at the Beast's chest. Just as he blade made contact the monster evaporated in a swampy mist. Blake's heart stopped and her instincts kicked in as she turned only to be seized by the throat, by the monster. Blake clawed at his hands, panic in her eyes, feeling the same hopelessness her lover had described earlier. However, the beast was not done toying with them, and slammed Blake into the ground hard before evaporating once again. Blake gingerly rose to her feet with Ren's assistance.
"We need to go." Blake said, Ren nodding in approval as they started to walk back throughout the house.
"I hope the others are fine." Ren said, looking back at the encroaching darkness.
After being pulled under the bed, Allister was pulled down, by what he thought, 7 floors before being slammed on a large concrete bed. Allister summoned his light to his hands, and tried to look light couldn't reveal the edge of the cave and barely let Allister see more than 3ft in front of his own face. Allister swiftly managed to conclude that he was on some stone platform in an underground cave. The cave was so riddled with bones that every step Allister took was met with the sickening crunch and snap of the dead. Allister bit his tongue, deeply unsettled by trying to think calmly. He walked to the edge of the platform and held his light covered hand out. The lighted did not even begin to penetrate the hellish darkness below nor did a speckle of light shine in from the roof which he had been dragged through. Allister turned back towards the center of the platform when he bumped into someone.
"Sorry." Allister said, raising his hand to get a view of his company. He wished he never had. The human… no, the ghoul before him, though humanoid in shape, had sickly pale skin, black liquid running from its mouth, and empty eye sockets, and a deep moan of agony emanating from its throat. Allister responded in the most instinctive manner, punching the ghoul back into the darkness. As Allister swiveled his head, watchful for another of those most horrid beings, he heard a woman crying. Allister stepped forward, and saw one of the woman from the squad outside.
"H-h-h...help me." She cried desperately, she appeared unable to move. Allister, wanting to help, started to walk forward. She reached out her hand as tears streamed down her face. Just as Allister was about to take her hand, grotesque tentacles spilled forth from her mouth, and eyes, ripping her skull to shreds.
"Motherfucker!" Allister exclaimed, summoning his dragon lance, and holding it at the ready. His gaze was so affixed to the tentacles devouring the woman's body, that he was entirely oblivious to the bony hand, which wrapped itself around his ankle. Allister, yelled and plunged his lance straight through the ghouls head. Allister kicked the hand off his ankle as the sound of shuffling feet around him only grew larger. He funneled power into his lance, which shed bright light throughout the room, revealing the small army of ghouls which had surrounded him.
"Ghastly." Allister weakly joked before the ghouls surged, covering Allister in a mass of dark fluid and rotting flesh.
After being pulled through the painting, Darron found himself wandering through the cobweb choked attic of the house. At least, that was his best guess. Darron opened a nearby door into a storage closet. He stepped inside, and started to search the shelves for anything of use. As Darron stepped deeper and deeper into the closet he awoke the evil within. Darron shouted in surprise as a broom at the back of the closet sprung to life, launching itself at Darron with reckless abandon. Darron grabbed the broom out of thin air, but the force of the broom assault sent the two tumbling to the ground. Darron rolled around with the broom, trying to get an upper hand on the situation. Finally, Darron managed to restrain the broom in both hands before swiftly breaking it over his knee. Darron sighed as the broom fell limp. He tossed it's splintered remains back into the storage closet before sighing and turning down the corridor, where he saw something else new, but strange. A single flame, with no source, hovered ominously down the hall.
"I guess you could say we almost got. Swept away." A voice chimed in.
"I guess you could say we should focus on the new problem." Darron retorted. The voices grumbled and fell silent again. Darron cautiously to a few steps towards the fire, wondering how it would react.
"Careful." The female voice from earlier rang out. "The fire's hot. You might get burned." It giggled excitedly as it faded once again. Darron bore a scowl on his face, until an idea popped in his head. A quick search of the room provided Darron with a small, but solid block of would. Darron, smiling at his own cleverness, through the block of wood at the flame. Just as he expected, the block hit the flame. What he got next… was much more unfortunate. The flame exploded into a typhoon of rage, begging to fill the hallway, and racing towards Darron.
"Oops." Darron muttered
"Ya damn right. Let's go." The voices chided in union as Darron sprinted down the hall, the swath of flame never too far behind. Darron breathed heavily as the fire continued to slowly enclose upon him. He turned a corner and was renewed with hope at the small wooden door at the end of the hallway. Darron grit his teeth,and pushed himself as hard as possible, the flames licking at his heels. Darron, fortunately was able to slip into the room, and slam it shut before the fires could break through. On the other hand, the room was pitch black, and if Darron had learned anything, people in pitch black rooms in this house don't seem to do so well. Darron fiddled around, and finally found a lightswitch, regrettably. The light flickered on weakly, from a single bulb in the middle of the room. The room was full of creepy, worn marionettes and dolls. They sat on chests, some hung from the ceiling, but each one gave the same disturbing impression to be watching Darron. Darron felt a shiver race up his spine, and slowly started walking through the room, not wanting to be in this room any longer than possible. Each doll had sunken, black eyes yet they still seemed to follow Darron throughout the room. As Darron approached the other side of a room, a box popped open and started playing, slow, disturbed, lullaby music. Darron, and all the voices jumped, as he pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the box. Darron slowly lowered his pistol, mesmerized by the dark nature of this box. While the music alone was enough to creep people out, the dancer was instead replaced by a woman in rags with her arms chained. While a number of other figuring stabbed her in rhythm with the song. Darron inspected the box closely, and his eyes widened as the figure of the woman turned towards him.
"Are you one of the captives too?" it asked, it's voice as innocent as a child's.
"Captive's?" Darron asked, seeing a golden opportunity to gather information.
"The lady likes her toys. She's very jealous. Once she puts her eyes on your, she never lets you go." The figurine explained.
"Who is this lady?" Darron asked.
"No one has ever really met her, but she's a master of seducing people into this sick and twisted fantasy of hers." The figurine continued.
"The I guess I'll need to break the spell." Darron said, new resolve sparking in his mind.
"If only you could." The figurine said, despaired. "The lady has dark powers no one can match. She'll destroy you, and subdue you like all the others."
"Others? How many?" Darron tilted his head.
"100's… 1000's. It's been centuries since I became a toy, It's only the dull piercing of these blades which reminds me of this tortured existence daily." As the figurine finished it's statement, a cold wind blew through the room, and the box was slammed shut, and locked.
"Tsk tsk tsk. You know it's rude to play with others toys without asking." The disembodied female voice chided.
"I'm getting really sick of this!" Darron exclaimed, standing up.
"Awe, but the fun is just beginning." The voice called back, echoing as it receded into the house. Darron growled, and walked to the end of the room, kicking the door wide, and continuing his search with newfound anger.
Blake and Ren still evaded the pursuit of the beast which stalked them relentlessly. They silently crawled along the ornately dressed halls of the mansion, their hearts slamming against their rib cages the only sound they were privy to. Lightning streaked across the sky from the house's perpetual storm, illuminating the hallway. They kept their course until heavy footsteps once again slammed against the floor, raising dread within their souls. Ren and Blake ducked into a nearby room, looking frantically for a place to hide. THeir hearts beat faster as the steps grew closer.
"Where to hide, where to hide." Ren muttered, gazing the room. He was suddenly distracted as Blake touched his shoulder.
"In there." Blake whispered, pointing to a large open closet. Ren nodded and slipped inside closing the door. Ren searched quickly and found a small hole through which he could inspect the room. Ren nodded approvingly, as Blake used her feline agility to bound to the top of the bed's canopy and take a position cloaked by the shadows. Trusting of Blake, but untrusting of himself, Ren used his semblance, calming his breath to a silent draw. The only sounds still those ever beating footsteps of the beast who fills with fight. A thump, another thump, yet a third thump, and the sounds stopped all together. Ren held his breath in fearful anxiousness. A time which must have felt like hours. Ren had finally begun to drop his guard, when the creaking of the door handle, pushed him right back to his state of fight. The door opened loudly, with unbearable slowness. At last the beast took its first steps into the room. It's black muscled rippled with desire to kill, and the red that flooded through it's mask cast the room in the shade of blood. Ren bit his tongue in necessity as the Beast walked around the room, blindly searching for its prey. His nerves hit there peak as the beast stopped mere inches in front of Ren's hiding spot, staring directly at it. Both Ren and Blake knew, if they were caught, it would be the end of them. The beast stood there, staring. Staring into the darkness with all of it's malice. It reached forward and gently dragged its bone machete across the closet, leaving a thin line as the wood screamed in such a pitch as to drive men mad. Once the beast had finished this task it turned. It walked, and walked, and walked out of the room, closing the door with more eerie slowness. Then a thump, another thump, and a third and final thump as its heavy footsteps dissipated back into the house. Ren gave a sigh of relief, he and blake had made it. Ren watched Blake crawl down from the canopy without incident and she nodded towards him. As Ren reached for the door, the wood behind him splintered in anger as the beasts large hands came through it, grasping for Ren. Ren pushed through the closet door, barely escaping its grasp. Ren stumbled along the floor. Blake roused him to his feet and the two raced from the room.
Allister ran yet another ghoul through with his spear, yet the masses were relentless. Allister grimaced as one's claws nearly grazed by his face. Allister raised one foot, slamming it down. A burst of radiant energy shot out in all directions, burning through the already decayed enemies. Allister stopped, panting, as that seemed to be the finale.
"Ok, cool." Allister heaved, using his lance for support. Allister spent a moment motionless, praying nothing else would attack him in that time. Fortunately, nothing did. Allister stood up straight, stretched a little, and started walking, only to immediately run into a wall, or so he thought it was. Allister looked up and saw the hundreds of red eyes, each of a different shape and size. Allister looked back down at the wall, which opened into a circular mouth, ringed with thousands of razor teeth as it roared right in Allister's face.
"Guess not." Allister noted, rearing back to punch his newest enemy. Just before his fist made contact, a tentacle shot out from the darkness, slamming the side of Allister's head. Allister stumbled to the side, regained control of his balance, gripped his lance, and fired multiple shots of light at the beast. Allister scowled as all of his shots were deflected by more tentacles, which took it as an open invitation to attack Allister. He twirled his lance, infusing the blade with his holy power, slicing through tentacle after tentacle. With a shout, Allister slammed his lance into the ground, creating a shockwave causing the creature to retreat. Allister quickly made the sign of the cross on his body as the tattoo on his back shifted from its traditional cross to the sign of the holy dragon.
"Scales of the Dragon!" Allister exclaimed, encasing himself in his signature white armor. The armor shined brilliantly enough that illuminated the entire cavern and the beast with whom Allister was fighting. It was a large beast, with and almost cone shaped body. It's mouth dripping black liquid like the ghouls, and hundreds upon hundreds of tentacles protruded from parts of its body. Allister sized up his enemy, while charging up his own holy power. Allister stopped as his scroll vibrated again. The creature looked on perplexed as Allister actually to the time to check the message. It was a picture of Yang, lying on his bed in her witch costume reading "Come put a spell on me~" Allister started that picture from a moment before putting his scroll away. Allister took a deep breath and looked at the beast.
"You Bastard!" Allister yelled, clearly vexed he was missing the person whom he'd much rather be doing, and charged the creature, who roared in absolute defiance.
Darron calmly walked through the halls of the attic.
"How the hell does an attic have halls?" He pondered.
"The fuck if we know." The voices responded, causing Darron to twitch angrily. He shook his head, finding it best not to antagonize the voices and focus on this 'lady' who he quests to find. Darron opened another door, and it was as empty as the last few. Darron sighed, growing more and more frustrated with this nuisance game of cat and mouse. Darron angrily drew his sword and slashing the support beams in each room he came upon, causing more than a few to cave in. He only stopped when the female voice rang back through the attic,
"What a meanie. Destroying someone else's property. Such a sore loser, but I guess if you really want to meet me, then you can come up." It said.
"Finally!" Darron exclaimed, hoping that his blade would soon taste the blood of sweet vengeance for the other victims of this house. Darron watched in awe, however, as the wood began to magically morph itself, creating a long winding staircase. At the top, was a single candle, lighting the way. Darron courageously started walking up the steps. Step by step he could feel himself grow more anxious, and his imagination wandered onto the multitude of forms that his enemy could take. Darron's thought's ceased as the felt something on the floor below him giveway. Darron jumped back down a few steps, as a large metal rack covered in spikes, swung down, nearly impaling Darron next to the skeleton which was already hanging off it in pieces.
"That's the last guy who had the gall to play with me. He should've known better to have been so arrogant." The female voice echoed, turning into a more sultry adult tone. Darron furrowed his brow, now curious above all things. He continued his damned ascent, careful to avoid any and all traps. Eventually, he reached the top of the stairs and pushed open the door. The room was spacious, covered in burgundy drapes and furniture. All over the room bones serves as candle holders for candles that bled red wax as they burned. At the far side of the room was who Darron was looking for. She was a tall woman 5' 11" by Darron's guess. She had a luxurious velvet colored hair, and her skin a was a sickly pale, yet had a certain fullness to it. Her eyes were a deep entrancing red and she wore a velvet dress that would seduce even the most devout priest. Darron looked at her sternly as he stepped closer to the center of the room.
"Good evening. You don't know how… pleasurable it is to finally meet you darling Darron." She essentially purred with her Hungarian accent, sitting back in her throne made of bones.
"How do you know my name?" Darron asked, intent on being all business.
"My my, how rude of me, not introducing myself. But if we are to enjoy eternity together darling Darron you're going to need to relax a little." She winked. "My name is Callidora." Darron watched her with immeasurable suspicion. "Please have a seat my darling." She offered.
"I'm fine." Darron responded sternly.
"I insist." Callidora chuckled, beckoning with one finger. Darron felt himself swept out from underneath as a burgundy chair knocked out his knees. Darron moved, but upon realizing that he wasn't restrained, relaxed.
"That's better darling." Callidora said, standing with almost a regal posture. She sauntered down from her throne and over to the small living room she has set up, and reclined on a couch as Darron's chair pulled him to the other side of the table she was next to. She reached forward and picked up an ornate china teapot and poured herself a cup. The liquid inside, rather than tea, was much thicker and had a much more red color. "Would you care for some my dear." she offered.
"No thank you." Darron gulped, watching her drink. Callidora slowly licked her lips clean.
"Suit yourself." She chuckled.
"So how did you know my name?" Darron asked, trying to get his plan back on track.
"Oh I've been watching you for some time my love. You're the first man who I've ever allowed to see me, and I must say that I've made an amazing choice." She explained.
"What do you want from me?" Darron asked, shifting uncomfortably. Callidora smiled slyly and slid to her feet. She gently walked over and sat herself down in Darron's lap. She leaned back, as she dragged a nail across his cheek.
"I want you to be mine darling. We could be perfect together." She admitted. Darron starred in her eyes, ignoring any of her other attempts to seduce him.
"And what makes you believe that?" Darron asked skeptically.
"Because you can hear them too can't you. The voices. Asking for deliverance. Their wanting." Callidora said, her eyes flashing with a hint of melancholy.
"I sure as hell hope that bitch isn't talking about us." The voices in Darron's head complained.
"Not really." Darron answered, ignoring his own voices completely. Callidora chuckled.
"Don't lie Darron. I've seen you arguing with them just tonight. They plague you the same as me." She said, leaning her head against Darron's chest.
"Yeah, but They're not quite the same as your's. These guys are really more of a nuisance now than anything." Darron countered.
"But you feel it always. Them pushing to the edge of madness?" Callidora asked hopefully.
"No. They just piss me off." Darron answered blutnly. Callidora looked visibly hurt.
"I see… there must be something I can do to… convince you of my cause." Callidora said, gently inching closer to her neck. Darron watched out of the corner of his eyes as her lips parted ever so slightly, revealing fangs which gleamed. Just as she tried to make her move, she was interrupted by the searing pain of a bullet flying through her jaw. Callidora threw herself off of Darron's lap and onto the floor cursing wildly as steam and blood poured from her wound. Darron stood up and kicked the chair away, keeping his gun trained on Callidora. She slowly raised herself to her feet and pulled her hand from her face. Darron grit his teeth as he watched her wounds heal with unprecedented speed.
"I had hoped you would be different, that you would understand." Callidora admitted, a sparkling tear rolling down her eye. She collapsed on the spot, weeping. Despite her past, Darron couldn't help but feel the slightest pity for the woman before him.
"I do understand, yet I can't. How long have you been alone?" Darron asked. Callidora tried to stifle her tears and looked up at Darron.
"Hundreds of years. I've longed for someone who can relieve me of this loneliness. I've become desperate to find someone who can help me escape the tortures of my own head." Callidora answered, falling into tears again. Darron sighed.
"Well… I do have one idea." Darron suggested. Callidora looked up at him happily.
"Yes?" She asked, eager. Darron smirked as he unsheathed his sword and held it out before him. Callidora stared at the obsidian blade for a moment before her face contorted into an evil rage. "Of course." She laughed wickedly. "You want to end my suffering by killing me, Your cruelty knows no bounds, so neither shalt mine." Callidora jumped to her feet and hissed, her eyes starting to glow, and her fangs in full force. Darron immediately stepped back into a defensive stance.
"That's not what you planned to do was it?" The voices asked.
"It was not." Darron answered, keeping his eye on the angry woman before him. "But it might be now."
The beast lumbered through the halls of the mansion, its blade shining, almost begging to be bathed in blood. The trees, through the windows, watched the beast like great silent sentinels. The beast shifted to turn another corner when a thick metal pole came piercing it's head. The beast fell back, dropping its blade, as Blake and Ren high fived one another. Their victory was once again cut short. The beast arced with lightning. Reached up, and pulled the pole from its head. Blake and Ren made no business about getting the hell out of that situation. They scampered down the hall, taking advantage of the small reprieve they had earned from injuring the beast. Ren kicked open a door which lead into the mansion's kitchen.
"There must be something of use in here." Ren stated, his own fear starting to show in his voice.
"I doubt we'll find anything that can save us from that monster." Blake declared fearfully, frantically helping Ren search. The two ravaged the kitchen and left no possibility unturned.
"What do we do?" Ren asked, now seriously worried since they had found nothing of any real value.
"I guess we barricade the door." Blake suggested. The room immediately began to fill with the sound of metal banging on metal, and the screeching of large appliances being pushed around. Ren and Blake had managed to stack everything they could think of to stop the beast from entering the room. They had used all the tables, the stove, the rusted out frigid, they used to the shelves to form a makeshift bar lock which they placed across the door. Once they had completed their labor they stood back wondering how it would hold. They didn't have to wait long when the beating of the Beast on the door started sounding in the room. Ren and Blake retreated towards the back of the room and held each other. There were no other doors leading from the room. That barricade was their only hope, and they knew it.
Allister stepped on another tentacle, severing it, and watching it turn to dust.
"Voice of the dragon." Allister said as a beam of radiance erupted from his mouth. Allister managed to thoroughly connect with the creature, and it roared in pained agony. It used its tentacles to crawl around the walls and ceiling of the cavern while constantly trying to keep Allister on the defensive. Allister managed to fire off two more beam of his dragon's voice, before her doubled over in pain. A tentacle had clipped by his side, and shattered his armor in the spot, letting blood run down his side and leg. Allister staggered slightly but healed the wound promptly.
"Ok buddy. Game over." Allister declared, for the third time tonight. His lance shone brilliantly as he filled it with holy energy. Allister held the lance up more like a javelin and took aim. The creature stopped and tried assaulting Allister with as many tentacles as it could muster.
"Poor choice." Allister commented, throwing his lance. The sonic boom rocked the cave as the lance ran right through the beast, leaving a massive hole right in its midsection. The creature ignored its agony and charged at Allister, catching him totally off guard. Allister braced himself as he slammed himself inside the creature's jaws. The two had an intense contest of strength, yet Allister could feel his armor being pierced and his bone start to give under the massive pressure. Allister knew he only had one chance to make this work. He funneled the remaining of his aura, and his holy powers into his left hand. "Wrath of Heaven!" Allister exclaimed releasing a huge explosion of radiant energy inside the monster. It barely had time to think before it was incinerated by the blinding light. Allister stepped back a few steps, his armor crumbling off him, before sitting down.
"Now how to get out of here?" He questioned looking up into the infinite blackness.
Darron could barely keep up with Callidora, she was out pacing him at every turn. The deep gashes on his chest and arms were evidence enough of that. Now she stood threateningly on her throne while Darron leaned on his sword for support.
"Guess it's time to call in the calvary." One of the voices admitted.
"Yeah." Darron answered, earning a sneer from Callidora.
"Nothing you can do will save you. You have scorned me and my vengeance shall be taken in blood." She declared, disappearing from Darron's view once again. Before Darron could even look around for her, he fell to one knee and coughed blood as she struck a powerful blow to his stomach. She grabbed his hair and yanked it back. Darron could feel her breath on his neck, and she gently licked the skin.
"Any last word before I destroy you and make you into one of my worthless toys?" Callidora asked. Barely containing her want to feast.
"Yeah. Converge 30." Darron simply answered.
"So be it." Callidora said, biting down as hard as she could on his neck. She suddenly rescinded in pain, holding her hand over her mouth. She felt with her tongue and found much to her displeasure, on of her fangs had been broken. She turned towards Darron, Furious. Her emotion was quickly replaced with curiosity, as Darron rose from the ground. The black markings had covered his entire body and he now exuded a presences so threatening, even she felt rocked to her core.
"I will not allow you to kill me." Darron said, his voice once again absorbing that deep almost demonic tone. Callidora laughed.
"Now this is a challenge. You'll be the only potential lover whom is actually worthy of my subjugation." Darron rolled his eyes and picked up his sword. Callidora disappeared, trying to land another shot at Darron, but her eyes widened in panicked when she reappeared. She had completely missed him. A million questions raced through her mind, but the most important one was quickly answered as she felt Darron's sword run her through. She grabbed the blade angrily, but Darron would not stop. He grasped her head in his hands and swiftly snapped her neck before ripping his blade out from inside her. Darron looked visibly frustrated as Callidora simply healed and rose.
"Excellent my unrequited love." She complimented, racing at Darron again. Darron lashed out with his blade, but she was quicker. She slipped behind his slice and left a gash in his side. She laughed even more as she watched Darron's semblance quickly start to suture the wound shut. She turned and jumped, wrapping her legs around Darron's torso. She made quick aim for his eye. Darron responded in kind, by unleashing spikes in all directions from his semblance. Callidora was carried back by a number of the black spikes which had pierced her body. Callidora tried to rise, but was stopped as Darron's blade amputated one of her legs. Callidora screamed out as her body desperately tried to regain the lost limb. Darron kneeled before her and she spit at him, her anger equally mixed with her sorrow.
"Kill me. End this pathetic existence of evil and sadism to which I have been so enthralled. Send me to the hell where I belong!" She screamed, Darron just shook his head.
"I told you. I have an idea." He said.
"God Damn! You're gonna use one of mistresses rituals. You are one crazy motherfucker you know that?" The voices cheered. Darron ignored them and held up a pitch black fist. He began reciting some chant, and the words formed around his fist, glowing deep red. Once Darron finished, he plunged his fist right into Callidora heart. Callidora, strangely, looked at peace as her crimson aura was pulled towards and into Darron's fist. As the ritual concluded the storm clouds cleared up, revealing the beautiful night sky. The mansion as well started to dissapate.
Blake and Ren, however, were still being haunted by the beast. The door would not hold any longer and they sat, holding each other, afraid of what came next. The final slam came and the door burst open. Much to their surprise however, Allister was the one standing on the other side of the door. The other two hunted signed with the greatest relief as the rest of the mansion disappeared around them. The three stood in the empty lot as Darron approached them.
"So that was a thing." Allister said, looking at the rest of team BRAD. Darron sighed.
"Let's go." Darron commanded, picking up Blake in a hug and walking towards the atlesian airship which had brought them here. Allister and Ren looked at one another, shrugged and quickly followed.
Back at Beacon Academy. Yang had fallen asleep on her bed, wholly unsatisfied that she wouldn't be able to spend Halloween with Allister. Allister creaked open the door just enough, and slid in. He tip toed across the room and slowly slid into bed next to her. He gently cupped her face and kissed her deeply. Yang soon woke up and returned the kiss with equal passion.
"I missed you." she said, staring into his eyes.
"I missed you too, and all this." Allister answered, unable to refrain from mentioning her scandalous outfit.
"Then why don't I just charm you." Yang winked. The two began kissing again, with more passion. Just as things looked as though they were heating up, Allister began coughing uncontrollably.
"Al? Allister!" Yang exclaimed, helping Allister to sit down, propped up against the bed. She felt his forehead, no fever,. She felt his pulse, unchanged. Yang couldn't find the slightest thing wrong when a black creature burst from Allister's chest straight at her.
Darron woke up in cold sweat and looked around the dark room. He looked next to him and smiled at the sleeping cat faunus.
"It was all a dream. The house, the mission, Callidora, Allister's death. Creepy as hell though." Darron thought out loud chuckling a bit. His thought was soon interrupted.
"I wouldn't call it a dream yet Darling" Callidora voice rang through his head. Darron screamed.
(The end?)