DISCLAIMER: If you're afraid of houses, then don't live in a house. Hope this helps.
If you had to choose, would you rather stare directly into the sun for a minute or jump barefoot onto rocks 5 times?
It was difficult to comprehend what exactly had unfolded in the library. The only lingering sound was the echo of golden jewelry crashing to the ground. But the longer the room stayed silent, the larger Link's grin grew.
"Well, there it is. Now there's nothing you can say that I'm hiding old man. Or, I guess Dead Man sticks a little better. So, what are you going to do now that I'm being 'true at heart'? Is there something like a reward for candy?" he chuckled. Corrin and Mega silently stared at the contents on the ground and the watch with freshly spilled blood. The ghost began to settle down and resumed his stern posture.
"Yes, the truth at heart. Now what people see in the light is the person you actually are. Now why don't you fill in the parts of your story before I cover that watch in even more blood?" he threatened. Link still remained light hearted and even gave the ghost a thumbs-up.
"If that's what you really want, but I wasn't lying about my parents. Mother Hylia and Father Gerude desired me to marry early and act as a puppet to our family name. But I couldn't have that. Everyday I lived, I was alone. No one wanted to be friends with a disobedient rat with his own dreams. So a rat I became. I found a way to cope. Against the wishes of my parents, I started smoking cigarettes. While I regret it now, it was too late then to stop my addiction. After a while, they caught on and seized all the money that they had given me and I was definitely too young to nab a nice little job at the time, so I continued being a little rat. One of the bastards that sold to me taught me a little something about 'borrowing things' that didn't belong to me and I ate up every word he spoke. One night, I snuck into my mother's room and grabbed a roll of money from her purse." With every word grew more and more disbelief on the faces of Corrin and Mega. This is not something they could have anticipated.
"And what did you do with that money?"
"Hold your horses, I'm getting there. Anyway, I realized that I had stolen a thousand bucks from my family in one quick motion. After that, there was no way I would need nicotine anymore. One bad habit replaced another and I've found myself addicted again. Actually, no. Not an addict, but an urge. A passion for something crooked. A passion for stealing. There's just no greater thrill in the world than sneakily taking things that aren't mine. With the right kind of hands, I could probably snatch away the world!" Link's hands jut out above him and he stretched his fingers as far as they could go. "Ah, stealing the world...but it's something not even worth taking. I don't want the burdens that come along with stealing the powerful role of another. I just want the benefits. I just need the money and the satisfaction! Now this is where Mansa Mario comes in! The old fool! You see, it always takes proper planning in order to steal something, especially non-materialistic things. For two years...two god damned years...I've made myself to be something that I'm obviously not! That idiot believes I'm a representative of my mother and father to discuss land trades! All of this just to sneak into Mansa Mario's Monster Mansion and take myself to the stars with wealth! Mansa Mario isn't your ordinary rich asshole. He's rich with knowledge too. If I can steal something from his labs; say an unannounced scientific breakthrough for example, then I can sell it for almost more than most millionaires are worth! I am here in this haunted hellhole just for an opportunity to steal the greatest thing of all! Who could have known that knowledge was the most expensive thing these days? Besides, if I can't find anything, a small fortune worth of theft doesn't sound that bad either!" He closed his open hands and imagined grabbing handfuls of golden coins. For a brief moment, Link's dreams surrounded him in a land of raining money. But it only took a second for Link to open his eyes and be reminded of his trapped situation. He still hadn't looked back to see Mega and Corrin, but instead facing the ghost forwards.
"And now you reveal your face. One of which you are proud to hold. One of loneliness and despair. A face of truth; a truth worthy of saving-" In an instant, all the candles on the walls and in the room set themselves aflame; every hidden light source revealing themselves in the form of a ritual. "But is all life worth saving? How concerned were you when ripping the watch from your freshly slaughtered friend? Greed coerces your every move and Pride enhances your ability to think on your toes. All of this has left you alone…" he spoke. The perished businessman eyed the three with a vision of hope. Link waved away his notion and smiled.
"Nah, not completely alone. After all, not certain if I would have even emptied my pockets if it wasn't for Corrin promising to still like me!" he pointed behind him and gave a light laugh. In an instant, Corrin and Mega were on their feet with balled-up fists. The girl's face changed to a light pink and she reached out to grab the thief.
"Are you-," she yanked his arm and forced him to face her. "-kidding me!?"
The darkness in the halls was overwhelming. Lucas couldn't see where he was going, but some part of him didn't care. Bravery he had never known boiled in his blood. He could not see, he could not hear, and he had no idea what to do, but his hope acted as a beacon that he followed. The lightning flashed and he was briefly gifted with the image of the end of the hall. The end of the hall had a path leading to both the left and the right, but the left path was short and a dead end.
"I'll find you mama, I know I will. I'll never let them hurt you again…" he marched as the lightning went out. Running forward, he tripped over a small lump under the rug and landed face first on the ground. "Uhf! W-was that a rock…?" he asked without looking for a response. He quickly crawled back to where he thought he tripped and, surely enough, found a lump underneath the rug. A stray voice echoed over the loud thunder and footsteps rapidly began to approach.
"God damn it kid, where are you!? Why would you run off into the dark alone? This place is fucking haunted!" Falco yelled. The footsteps began to slow down as he couldn't see anything due to the consuming darkness. "Hello?" he called out again. Lucas put his hands over his mouth to make as little noise as possible. "Kid, you know I'm not going to hurt you right? I'm the best thing you're going to get in halls like these, so you'd better come out before bad things happen!" Falco began yelling again. The aggression in his voice was unsettling and Lucas quickly flipped up the rug to see what the lump was.
A handle. A hidden hatch rested under the rug and looked dusty and unused.
"Have they hidden mum away?" he asked himself while unlatching the latch. The hatch willingly lifted itself open as an invitation and a cloud of dust spread out into the air, showing signs of there being a light.
"Alright Luke! You're really pissing me off! You're lucky that if I wasn't already trying to save your sorry ass then you'd probably end up just like your poor mother! If you don't get out here by the count of three, I'm going to...uh...do something kids really don't like!" Falco was stomping down the hall now despite his lack of sight.
"I-I have to hide or bad things will happen. Keep me safe mama; I'm coming to help you!" he whispered. The boy crawled halfway into the hatch and slung the rug over his head, successfully covering the hatch again. He quietly closed it and disappeared from sight. Not long after Lucas left, Falco's footsteps took him even closer to the end of the hall. He blindly ran into the darkness before tripping over what seemed like a lump in the ground.
"Ack! Son of a cow!" he huffed as he ate the carpet. He stumbled to his feet and felt along the walls. "I can't see a thing! This is all I have left…" he reached into his pocket and pulled out an old school lighter. After flicking it on, the dim light barely made out a nameplate next to the door. It read, 'BARLEY N. PITT (senior janitor)'. Falco rolled his eyes and tried the handle. "Another locked door. Seems like most of these rooms are locked. I don't know where this boy is, but something doesn't feel right. This is dangerous. I need to regroup with the other two first-" the moment Falco turned away from the door, he heard something unlock. It slowly creaked open before silence took the stage once again.
Fear of the unknown struck Falco like a truck. He would do anything to prevent turning around and entering the room that just opened. An ominous aura emanated from the room and he started to quickly walk away from it. A sharp voice pierced the air and scared Falco still.
"No no no, I would not go that way if I were you. La petite dame is coming this way. You want to ensure your safety? Come into the room. Die early if otherwise. It's not often trapped souls are willing to help the likes of you, no?" the voice cried. It sounded like the voice of an older man, but carried the order with the strength of a man in his prime. Falco shuddered and shook his head.
"I-I'm fine on my own. I'm FINE!" He tried to convince himself and ignored the voice. His footsteps were of uncertainty and he slowly walked further from the door. "I must reunite with Sheik and Robin…?"
"Well, my friend, it is your decision. Feel free to change your mind if you are fast enough…" With that, the voice was gone. Falco closed his eyes to steady his heart before continuing back the way he came. His footsteps were slow, but became more confident as seconds passed. He allowed himself to smile as he forcefully remembered why he was here.
"Come on Falco. I know why I'm here. I will not cower in fear when I know I have purpos-"
A red aura began to make its way down the hall. A familiar looking ghost was slowly wandering around. It mumbled to itself while wielding a long chef's knife in its right hand. Freckles, short hair, and speckled in blood. The words it spoke became more and more aggressive as it progressed.
"This pain never ends. The house craves more. Such a thirst can only be satiated by the blood of many. These halls will not see another life spared. The curse needs more. WE NEED MORE! How many lives have been taken in these halls? Not enough. Their blood will never be enough-" The mumblings stopped and orange eyes pointed into the direction of Falco. He stood still in fear, hoping to not alert the bright red ghost. "I'VE FOUND BLOOD!" it shrieked. Falco yelled and turned around, sprinting towards the open door. Florida sped towards his direction at the speed of a car, quickly closing the gap. The voice from the open door offered no insight as Falco ran for dear life. The crimson ghost hollered as it closed in for its kill.
"Hold on Florida, you shouldn't do this!" he cried aloud and dove towards the open door. It ignored him and swiped the knife like a razor sharp sword, barely scraping his back and flinging red onto the ground. Falco fell into the door and it shut closed, locking itself in the process. The ghost dropped to the floor, rubbing its hands in the warm liquid and holding it up to the air.
"This is it...THIS IS THE WILL OF THE HOUSE! SOOOOOO RED! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Corrin firmly gripped Link's arm with fury. Mega had no intention of interfering and Link looked almost confused at her reaction.
"You think this is funny? Not only did you steal from me when I was vulnerable, but to immediately rob a man after his tragic death!? Are you some type of psychopath, Link!?" her hold on him tightened. He winced in pain and tried to pull away, but she wouldn't let him go.
"No, I'm not some type of 'psychopath'! I'm just a proud rat! It's not like poor Marth was going to keep using that watch after what happened to him! Besides, you promised not to hate me and I assure you, I am in no way 'the worst it gets'!" he reasoned. The girl paused for a moment before letting his arm go and stepping back.
"I-I," she struggled for words before looking at the floor. "I promised I wouldn't hate you, but I don't think anyone can trust you!" The ghost looked down at the three silently as if he was reliving old memories. Mega slowly walked towards Link.
"Yeah, well I didn't promise ANYTHING." he swung his fist and punched Link on the right side of his jaw. Before the thief could do anything, Mega hit him square in the nose and sent him to the ground.
"Ow! Dude, what the FUCK is wrong with you!?" he hollard before pulling himself up off the ground. Link's nose began to release small red drips onto the floor. The thief kicked Mega in the leg before grabbing and shoving him into the large bookcase. It violently shook back and forth upon impact as Mega held it to steady himself. He turned around to see Link circling in for another blow. ONE! TWO! THREE! Mega sank to the floor after being hit in the stomach three times. Link growled before delivering a knee to Mega's face. The young man shouted in pain before silently slouching down.
Dusting his hands off, Link wiped his nose and turned around.
"I don't know who you think you're fucking with you dog, but I'm not gonna sit here and take this!" he coughed into his hand. "Hey old man! Am I true at heart yet-?" a book soared through the air and struck the thief in the back of the head. Mega dove at him and dragged him to the ground.
"Don't talk down to me!" he shouted before wrapping his arm around Link's neck. Using his legs to bind him, Mega locked Link into a rear naked choke hold. He rolled onto his back so Link helplessly struggled facing the ceiling.
"Damn it, that's enough you two!" Corrin broke out of her shock and pushed Link out of Mega's grip. They quickly hopped on their feet, ready to start punching. The lady grabbed Mega with both of her arms and weakly shoved Link away with her foot. "Mega, what the hell has gotten into you!? What are you fighting for!? The moment we break apart is when we're most vulnerable to death!" she said and put her foot down. She kept them at a distance from each other with both arms as Mega grit his teeth.
"I will NOT tolerate someone who so casually disrespects the dead!" he eyed Link with fury, of which he returned the gaze.
"Yeah, and I won't tolerate cheap-shotting selfish pricks!"
"ENOUGH OF THIS YOU FOOLS! THERE IS NO TIME LEFT! Can you not see that this is the outcome the house desires? Continue to hate one another and it will consume and kill all of you!" The ghost boomed over their stares. The voice was so loud that the entire room shook and the three fell to their knees. "Are you forgetting the situation you've gotten yourselves into? There's more to leaving this place than to simply tell the truth! Will you listen to reason or succumb to the complications!?" He waited for a response. Corrin held her aching head and looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Please, tell us anything that you can. In what way may we be granted an exit to leave this forsaken abode?" she begged. The ghost looked at her and gave a comforting frown.
"There is no guarantee any of you will escape this nightmare. But there are things that will help you prolong the lives you clutch ever so dearly. If only I had known when I had come, then maybe I wouldn't be speaking to you now...Ah, alas, there is little time for reminiscing. There is something you must know about this house. It is no mere mansion, but an entity developed from malice and misery. The curse first set on these lands by the nightmare of a man who started this cycle resonates as strongly as ever. What the house wills is what its subjects carry out and all of us are enslaved to its wrath. As long as you reside on these cursed grounds, you must always speak the truth and the whole truth. Reveal your sin to the light and live in the cruelty of your own footsteps. Only in self can one blame their deaths by lies. This is a *rule* of the house." As the ghost spoke, the room began to become more and more cold and several objects shook vigorously. Link looked around before turning back towards the perished man.
"What's happening? Is this the strength of the house?" Everything in the room simultaneously trembled.
"Our time for talking is running thin. The other business ambassadors are coming and they are not as good at fighting off the will of the house as I am. They are heading here at once to trick and kill you all. I heavily recommend you flee this place. I know of an area in this mansion that is safer for us to talk, but getting there may be dangerous. Quickly leave through the back doors in the rightmost corner of this room. I will wait for you lot and any other remaining lives in the conservatory. It is there that I shall continue aiding you in escaping this place. For now, I will leave you with this *rule*: You musn't allow any hate, grudges, or disdain towards those you have entered this house with. Their sin is theirs alone to atone for and the house will target those who pass unlawful judgement to others. You'd better trust each other more than ever if you wish to see the sun once again…" He quickly faded away as the shaking of furniture became more violent. Corrin hopped to her feet and pulled the both of them up.
"We'll talk about this later. For now, we need to move. This place is becoming colder by the minute." Link and Mega silently nodded without looking at each other and quickly walked towards the door. Every passing second ticked down to the end of the three and they hurriedly hastened their footsteps. Translucent bluish blobs began to appear on each of the remaining framed pictures and the business men printed on the paintings shaped from these blobs. Link pulled open the door and hurriedly ushered the other two inside while clutching onto Corrin's broken jewelry (and the watch). He quietly closed the door before they could be noticed by the spirits. The elder man that appeared above the frame of the previous man glanced around in fury.
"No...NO! Where did they go? We must collect those...souls...NOOOOO! REGINALD DARES TO TRY BETRAYING THE WILL OF THE HOUSE! REGINAAAAAALD! HOW DARE YOU STEAL SALVATION FROM YOUR BRETHREN!? DO NOT PRETEND TO BE STRONGER THAN US! REEEEEEEEEGIIIIIIIINAAAAAAAAAALD!"
The ghosts hollard out in rage, desperately searching for the escaped ambassadors. Each of the spirits joined in on the yelling before being snuffed out in sadness one after another. And on the other side of the double doors, Mega, Corrin, and Link quietly trembled away.
"Augh, fuck it hurts…" Falco was pulling a bed sheet tightly over his back as an attempt to cover the fresh wound. Small candles were lit all around the room in an act of phantasmal force. He angrily faced towards a spirit who so casually stroked his own mustache. "F-Florida...What the hell changed? Why was she so intent on ending me? Her colors were that of crimson-" he winced as he tied the sheet around his chest. The slice on his back wasn't deep enough to be fatal, but the pain nagged away at him. The ghost smiled and floated upside down; just because he could.
"And now you see, my friend, why it is so dangerous to lurk in these halls. Honestly, you only have yourself to blame. I hope the lesson was worth the pain." he laughed before slowly rotating in circles. Falco was becoming annoyed with the ghost's attitude, but was grateful enough that he wasn't being threatened.
"Why? Why would some damn hallway make anyone want to slaughter?"
"Ah yes, damned hallways they are. You see, my dear companion, a hallway is merely a passage from one location to another, no? The passing from room to room or hall to hall. Always a journey into the unknown!" he spun himself around again until he was facing upwards. "These damned halls are a passage into that which is unknown. It is an art, a metaphor, a poem, and a representation of life after death. The passing into a new reality and the pain of the loss of life...Consider this a *rule*: don't allow yourself to be caught in the halls. Any spirit that wanders through these halls relive the pain of their transition from life to death and are immediately driven mad by the feelings, cruelty, loss, and darkness that cursed grounds like these have to offer. Imagine experiencing the pains of your death every time you took a step. Surely you would become feral, yes? Why, if I were to enter the halls, I would certainly pull you limb from limb!" the ghost was once again spinning and laughing. He looked as if he had been in his mid-thirties when he died, but was as carefree as a beetle.
Falco made a face of disgust before turning towards the door.
"If the ghosts are cursed to mindlessly slaughter, then why have you let me live so long?" he fussed. He tightened the sheet further around his chest and reached for a candlestick.
"Come now, my comrade, you must listen a bit more closely. The halls are the place you want to avoid. Nothing good comes from confrontation with a red spirit. It is a sign of madness!" He floated over to a red chair and positioned himself upwards. "Don't you know? The less you have to live for upon death, the more free-willed you get to be in this mansion! If you throw away your purpose, morals, ambitions, and desire to fight, then you'll become ever so free in this land!" He came to a stop and began to glow yellow instead of blue. "However, the harder you fight and the more you cling onto life, my good man, the stronger the grip of the house. The more mad you become. The more powerful your ambitions then the stronger you will serve this place. Few of us couldn't harm a fly, but others...They could crush a meaty life-clinger like you to paste." In an instant, he blinked back to a light shade of blue and started spinning in circles again. Falco hid his fear behind a frown.
"If you're so carefree and unafraid, why are you helping me? Your efforts could be fruitless, as you're already dead! I won't be your responsibility!" he pointed at him. The spinning became faster and the laughing became more genuine.
"Don't be that way, mon amie! Never does it hurt to root for the underdog! How often do you think we receive a new visitor? Surely you desire to leave this naughty place, oui? Better you have the tools to provide an entertaining show than to be snuffed out before your fire properly burns, no? Now go! Reunite with your travel buddies! I assure you that you won't make it on your own in this place. Be sure to perform well for us all!" he held his arms out while floating higher into the air. Falco shook his head and twisted the doorknob. He thrust the candlestick out before peeking out. With a sigh of relief, he glanced behind himself once more.
"Thanks for the info, I suppose." he shrugged. The spirit faded away while smiling.
"Au revoir, ma bonne étoile." and with that, the eccentric man was gone. The feathered man turned to where he first came.
"If I don't get those other two and find that boy quickly, I'm going to be toast." he grit his teeth and ran down the hall.
Don't know about all of you, but I feel a storm coming...
Myrianette: Well well well, look who finally showed up to the party. Long time no see! Also, How. Dare. You. Insult. Me. I've truly been wounded. Though I am glad you're enjoying the story so far. Also, by the time I release this chapter, the sailor should no longer be drunk, but if you have a drunken sailor then put him in the long boat until he's sober.
TheSHadowStarr23: You already know. Thanks.
Guest: YOOOOOOOOOO Long time no see! (at least, I'm assuming its been a long time since it's been a year). Good to know you're still enjoying the story so far. Also, bonus points since you're the only one who answered my question! Burger and some cola is an iconic classic, but I can't stave off my love for mac n cheese. But hey, maybe I'll put mac n cheese on a burger ( or something else cursed).
Welcome to the party DarkIggyKoopa! And to you as well, Azar Renoir! Glad you're enjoying it!
Have any questions or concerns? (Hopefully no more insults since my poor feelings have been shattered). Likes or dislikes? Desire to see who dies in the next chapter? You can express all of these things freely in the attractive box below. Wow, that's one attractive box call me ;). Alright that's enough be back next week probably k bye