It's raining today, and I can see lightning in the distance. The storm is just a storm, but I realize quickly, when I see people in all their diversity running through the city not far off, that I'm not in the present.

The proof lies in my ability to visualize them, and the elements surrounding me. My sight has long been dead. Such an experience would thus be impossible if this were real.

The orphanage ahead calls to me, and I step inside its hallowed walls...

"Io? Hey Io, you alright in there?"

The familiar voice pulls me back to the here and now. I manage a subtle nod to the friend whose been with me for as long as I can remember. His name is Lin and I trust him like I would a brother. I have never known family, mind you, but he at least encapsulates the qualities of a brother in my eyes.

Sorry, that is in poor taste. In my heart is a more apt phrase.

"I apologize for any worry I caused you, brother. I can assure you it's nothing pressing," I muster the faintest of smiles in an effort to reassure him while absentmindedly shuffling the deck of tarot cards in my grip. I don't remember when I pulled them free from my garb, but they're comforting in my hands. Flickering lights in the vast darkness.

I'm not expecting him to close the distance between us and lay a hand on my head. His caress is warm, caring.

"I trust you, my cutie wutie."

Ah, you might be wondering why this phrase... but the truth is I don't know. One day he started calling me by different nicknames because he claims just one cannot contain my 'cute factor,' but I have my doubts as to the credibility of this allegation.

"But ya come to me first thing if whatever's botherin' you becomes urgent, okay? Promise me, taquito."

Without hesitation, I reply: "Of course. We promised long ago not to hide secrets from one another. The others are included in this." I mean every word.

"There's a good answer! Just leave it to your older bro," Lin laughs and it's a beautiful sound. Boisterous and radiant. But in the end, it's an act of confidence that can fool everyone save me. "On a lighter note, ya got your cards out! 'The Arcana are the means by which all are revealed' - that how it goes? Either way, ready to get whooped?"

"More or less," I start laying the cards down on the small table between us, knowing where he's going with this. "Also, I will be doing the whooping." I'm being serious here as I alone control my fate.

"Yeah, sure thing pumpkin. Don't hurt yourself reaching up here, okay?" He chuckles and there's comfortable silence for a few minutes as I arrange the cards.

"Boy, it's been a while since we've kicked back, hasn't it? I've already gone up and down the train gettin' our name out there with passengers, so I'm up for a little fun until our stop."

"I have no objections, but..." I tilt my head questionably. "What of the others?"

"Ah, you're right!" He seems to think for a moment and ultimately waves it off. "Can always play with 'em later. For now, how 'bout just the two of us have a relaxin' time?"

"Then," I pause to glance at the last card before placing it down. I cannot see it, but feel a sinister air about it. Curious indeed. "Let's begin."

The arcana are the means by which all is revealed... nods and flips over the first card



The Sun, in the upright position. Very good. You brim with energy, burst with happiness.

flips over the second card



Ah, the Hermit. After burning so bright, you seek solitude for introspection. Lin shrugs acceptingly

flips over the third card and inhales, crossing his arms



The Wheel of Fortune... Lin lets out a gasp, but then frowns as Io continues ...facing down. Reverse arcana represent negative energy. You will suffer grave misfortune, brother. Lady luck has abandoned you.

flips over another card... and freezes

"What is it?" Lin tilts his head curiously.

rears head up with a frown



The World... reversed. It would appear fate is not pleased, brother. It has been divined by the crowd that surrounds us. You shall lose everything, Lin. There is no escaping such an end.

"Huhwha?! That... wow, I've never lost so badly at this game before! Maybe lady luck really has ditched me..."

Lin seemed to swallow hard as a bead of sweat rolled down from his brow to drip off his chin. Leaning forward, he braced his elbows on the table to fold his hands and stare at the cards below. There were many arcana still to be flipped as was the nature of the game, but only...

"Lin," Io began, softspoken voice suddenly all-encompassing. "Your final choice. What will it be?"

Lin shook his head to clear any doubts he may have had and thrust a hand towards the last arcana whose voice he swore was calling out to him. He slammed two fingers down on the card as if there was an invisible power fighting against what physical force he could muster. As if the arcana itself were alive and could have escaped his grip if he wasn't strong, confident.

"I have made my decision," he declared, tone perfectly crisp. A smirk flashed across his expression.

The blindfolded boy let a small smile play across his lips, "Where fate is concerned, there are no regrets. Are you certain this is the path you wish to tread?"

After a considerable pause, Lin gave his answer. "I am..." His words seemed to trail off as he began to lift the card he chose. A crowd of passengers had formed around the two brothers as their hypnotizing game of chance went on, and now all eyes were on the pick that would determine its outcome.

"Afraid you all will have to attend our show if you'd like to see more," he continued with a wink. He flicked his wrist and the card he had begun to lift vanished from view. "This train is due for the scene of our biggest audience yet, and we hope to see you among them!"

He caught some sounds of surprise and carried the momentum, waving his hands over the table in an intersecting motion. As he did, each card he passed would flicker out of existence. When they were gone without a trace, he stepped up onto the now accommodating table with the grace of a gazelle and took a bow at the round of applause.

"Thank you, thank you! Remember the name for we are Cirque ad Infinitum, and will surely delight should you deign to spend your most precious time at our humble abode," he waved an empty hand around his back and revealed Io's deck of cards which he slid into the boy's waiting hand without skipping a beat.

"Look for the big top in Voltra City. We welcome you with an experience you will never forget!"

The crisp leaves of fall swirl an elegant dance in the wind before settling down to the pavement,
making their last rustles until the next gust sweeps them away all over again. You excitedly reach out for one
of the fire hued leaves, stashing it in your bag to reflect on later...or maybe you'll forget about it entirely.
As you continue your journey to whichever residence in Voltra you set out to, along the way you notice a fine but peculiarly dressed man
gazing at a brochure stapled to an electric post as he strokes his beard.

"Ah, it would seem my guess was indeed correct! Thank goodness I got a head start and made it
to Voltra before they did. This time I CAN'T miss the show!

Joining you in your curiosity, two young boys rush up in a hurry.
Their faces sticky with sugar residue but smiles nonetheless charming.
"Hey mister, is tha' the flyer for da circus?!"
"Oh garsh, I hope I HOPE it is!"

Unaware he had company, the man quickly turns around mildly startled but then beams a
friendly and disarming smile towards you and the boys.
"Why yes, yes indeed it is! I've already had my look over it so I'll be going now!
Perhaps I'll see you all there? Farewell to thee, look both ways before crossing the street.
Revealing his bald head, he respectfully tipped his hat to you with a short bow and walked away
whistling a peppy ditty.

"Um...um...excuse us but ah...
You crouch to meet both boys eye level warmly. "Yes, what is it?"
"We ain't tall enough ta read da sign!
"Sowwy. Please get it fo' us?
"Sure!" You reach up and pull the brochure off the post, trying not to tear the paper too much.
The boys snagged it and began flipping through it with excitement, and then..frustration
as they squint their eyes and scratched their tousled heads.
"Um...well...we can't read. Do ya think tha' you could read it to us?" -
Their sweetness enamors you and you lead them to sit on the edge
of the sidewalk to sit side by side with you.
"Certainly. I am curious myself so let's read over this together!"
You start from the cover. "I can't wait ta see the pwetty ladies!"

A caravan of talent and magic travels throughout the realms spreading wonder and amazement to all major cities.
The famous troupe sextuplet now make its way to the electrifying land of Voltra.
Welcoming you to join and be mystified by the show's infinite possibilities.

Aboard a train, onlookers watch as the Blind Oracle Io plays a game of fates with his brother Lin(The Ringmaster of the Circus) using Tarot Cards.
People chose sides to see who would win and the victor was Io.

Alternatively somewhere else, you the user were walking down the streets one day when you bumped into a peculiarly dressed man
who had mentioned he has been trying to predict when and where the troupe performs. He was very friendly and excused
himself from reading a flyer so that you could learn what the circus was all about.[/align]

"Honored guests and esteemed comrades! Friends of all ages!"

Three spotlights switched on to illuminate a solitary figure standing tall in the center of the big top. All eyes were drawn to Lin and the confident grin on his made-up face.

"I bid you welcome to this new and fantastic realm," he stepped off a raised platform and seemed to fall through the floor as the lights switched off. They came back on with a thunderous sound to reveal Lin stepping between two supporting beams with seemingly nothing supporting his feet. His arms were crossed behind his back, fingers interlocked. Gasps rang out, but were drowned by his smooth, uninterrupted voice.

"You now find yourself lost in a maelstrom of curiosity and wonder... much like me," he hung his head when he reached the other side and seemed to sigh. "For years have I walked this road," he motioned towards the air he had just traversed. "But never once have I seen it! Much like YOU, I am sure? For we all must... stumble and fall," he stepped back shakily and let out a cry as he fell, but the sound cut off abruptly.

"-But we catch ourselves, of course," he continued, lights swirling into focus on his form as he descended slowly from mid-air, levitating it would appear. "Life demands it, time and again. We here at Cirque ad Infinitum repeat this struggle for days, for years... for however long it takes, and you - WELL, you are surely on this journey with us, no?"

His feet had touched the ground and he was already pacing, using the grand stage upon which the audience was seated around. He made eye contact with individuals as he spoke, and outstretched a hand at the end.

"I invite you, then, to take a vacation from whatever simple cage life has crafted for you and, for just a moment..." His voice trailed off as the lights suddenly gave out, and for a split second there was total shadow. When they boomed on, an entire cast of characters were arranged on the stage with Lin nowhere to be seen.

"For just a moment," he began again, and the audience drew their gaze upwards to where he had fallen from before. He was back there, light shining down on him. "Enjoy a feast of the unknown with my friends and I - the colorful types before you that will now introduce themselves in turn."

"That brings us full circle to yours truly! My name is Lin and I am the Ringmaster of this beloved troupe. I shall be your guiding voice for the next two weeks as that is the duration we plan to entertain! A pleasure, Voltra," he gave a deep bow with a hand over his heart, and the lights switched off to shine on him and one other.

"To my left, the Oracle Io, who can tell your fate with powers mystic and all-knowing," he smiled. Fanning out his arms, he declared: "His activity is up for you to take part in and enjoy, but tomorrow a new attraction will open - and the day after that, another at the same time. Check back to us daily and the fairgrounds will have a treat for you!"

The lights focused solely on Lin once more, and he made a clicking sound with his tongue that echoed throughout the big top.

"That reminds me! You all know of Trick and Treat, yes? Cirque ad Infinitum is well aware of their Reaping Ritual for we have been tasked by city hall to incorporate it into our show! Do be in attendance for that spectacle on October 31st, or you will surely miss a fantastic experience!"

He turned and the billowing of his garb cut through the air. "Now then, friends! We proceed with an evening of delight sure to set your eyes alight..." His voice shifted as if whispering to each member of the audience before fading as did the light that trailed him until nothing was visible.

Lin is the charismatic leader of the troupe. He is swift and cunning and exudes a presence
that leaves most people immediately respecting him. He's fun and always coming up with clever
surprises. He adores his younger brother Io passionately. Maybe too passionately?

He introduced the troupe via cryptic puzzles and after all were solved
passed the flame of performance on to the rest of his beloved circus family.

Vanora tapped her lip in contemplation, "I wonder if this is the right place?"

Beside her, Vivienne took a look at the piece of paper they had acquired from city hall, and read it aloud: "Cirque ad Infinitum is looking for willing and able bodies to help with setting up our attractions. If you wish to lend your time and energy, seek the colored tents to the back of the fairgrounds." She glanced up and tilted her head, "I think so, Van! This tent is a pretty shade of blue, isn't it?"

"True, there's not much cause for concern. If anything, we can ask whoever's inside for details," Vanora nodded to herself and held the flap open for Vivi and you.

Vivi gasped at what she saw once inside. Tied around one of the support beams overhead was a ribbon, and attached to the ribbon near its bottom was a colored ring. And inside the ring was a small female form sitting impossibly on the thin ring, back against it with one foot braced on the opposite side. One leg dangled freely while both hands gripped the ring behind her head.

The young woman glanced at Vivi and smiled, releasing the ring to cross her arms. "You must be the hel-helpers," she let herself fall backwards and the ring swayed, but she had both feet hooked to maintain an upside down pose. "Hello! My name's Ran. It's ve-very nice to meet you all."

"Incredible," Vanora whistled and Vivi clapped enthusiastically. "A pleasure, Ran. My name is Vanora, this is Vivienne, and we brought some friends to serve as... carnival hands, was it?"

Ran smiled with her eyes, "Right you are! Though... my re-request is a bit different."

Vivi piped in at that point, "Oh? But we'll be happy to do whatever we can!"

"Tru-truly?" The girls offered affirmation in unison and the acrobat gave a sigh of relief, "Well then! Let's sh-share the deets for you good people."

"A few days ago, I held a little per-performance in the city to adver-advertise for our show, you see," Ran began. "So many fa-families came to see me, and it was... well, sur-surprising! I never thought soo many people could enjoy what I do, but all the kids seemed to be having a blast! I was be-beyond happy..." She twiddled her fingers with a shy smile, but it quickly fell - or in her unorthodox position, lifted - to a frown.

"Unfor-unfortunately, one of the kids wasn't doing so well. Emily was her name. Oh, but she was def-definitely excited! It's just, uhm... her body was so frail and she'd break into cou-coughing fits that really broke my heart." She shook her head and the momentum caused the lyra to sway, "Wha-whatever happens, I have to show her Cirque ad Infinitum! If-if she's distracted here, forced out of her cir-circumstances, then maybe... maybe she'll get just a bit better! So please - I know it's sel-selfish, but you have to find her. Convince her parents to, to bring her here, and I'll put on the best performance I can!"

Vivi held up a clenched hand, "Don't you worry, Ran! We'll find her and make doubly sure she can come!"

Vanora smiled, "Yes, I'm sure we'll be able to locate her in time especially with their help," she motioned to you all. "You can count on us!"

"That's what I wanted to hear!" Ran grinned and for the first time since the conversation began, didn't seem to stammer. "Now you might be wor-worried thinking... welp, she's se-sending us off on our own without any leads or anything, but I act-actually snagged her phone number!" Still in her upside down position, she slid a mobile device out of her costume which made the two girls look at each other in brief astonishment. How did anything fit there?

"It should be right here under my co-co-contacts?!" Her voice rose and she fell from the lyra suddenly, but landed on her feet without tearing her eyes away from the screen. "It looks like so-someone messed with my phone and now ever-everything's scrambled!" She glanced up with a sigh, "Well, I say so-someone but I know it was Connie - er well, Constance that is. Little sh- I mean..." Trailing off, she chuckled. "Da-darling girl really. SO! About that help?"

[center]

Due to Constance erasing Ran's contacts. Ran had to go through her call history
and try each phone number to see who was who. Trying to find the number of
a little girl who is a big fan or ran and can't afford tickets to the show.
_________________________________________
“Ah… Hey Berry. I’m sorry, we m-must have dialed the wrong n-number!”

“Well I am wishing you many lucks in dialing the right one!”
The strongman cheered, “Also be sure to eat well, it’s past lunch havings and you’re already so small! You’ll disappear!”
__________________________________________
The phone rang once more, and Ran’s eyes lit up as a voice came purring from the other end, “Hello darling.”

Shaking her head, Ran smiles faintly from the familiar voice,
“Heya Arika… S-Sorry… C-Connie touched my phone and my contacts are all a mess… I d-dialed the wrong number…”

"Oh, no worriess my sweet! Whether accidental or intentional, I'm alwayss available for you," t
he sultry voice pronounced each word as a snake would hiss. "
You ssay Connie damaged your phone in ssome way? Hm, that one could use a sspanking of sseverity."

The acrobat sweatdropped, "Uh-heheh, well! Just be su-sure she can still walk, okay? None of us are good at being a clown!"
_____________________________________________
Ran seemed to get a little antsy as the phone rang, before releasing a sigh of relief as she heard the click.
However, that relief was short lived as a jeering voice sang out, “I see you found my little prank, wouldn't you say it's pretty dank?”

“Connie! You abs-absolute loser! It’s NOT funny! I need to make an im-important call!” Ran huffed.

“Awww, it seems I ruined your good time, it's what you get for souring mine!
I had dibs on that last slice of cake, and yet, surprise! What did you take?
Princess doesn't always get her way, so hope you have fun while you play!”
________________________________________________
The ringing cut as the other side picked up. There was no greeting this time, as a calm voice spoke instead,
"This isn't Emily, Ran. You chose the wrong number."

"O-Oh! Io!" Ran stammered with a faint blush, and for once it seemed out of fluster as she fiddled with her hair,
"I'm sorry if I bo-bo-bothered you..."

"It's alright. You will find her. Let your friends know they are on the right track...
But the next number they select will also be wrong. I'm sorry.
Also, please tell Vivienne Harper that it's alright. She doesn't need to pay for that."

"Hm? Pay for w-what?" Ran asked, before hearing a loud smash followed by a sheepish 'sorry!' behind her.
____________________________________________________
Hearing the phone ring, Ran nervously tapped her foot on the ground, smiling when it finally picked up.
However, the smile soon fell into an unamused grimace from the sound of the confident voice on the other end, “Hello?”

“Oh. Lin! Hey there.” The girls shared a look as Ran's tone couldn't be more off.

"Ran! It's not everyday I get a call from you," he chuckled a bit in surprise, but didn't seem upset in the slightest.
He cheerfully asked: “Is there anything I can do for yo-”

“Yea-uh, no. Wrong number, bye,” Ran cut him off bluntly and hung up without her stammer or a second thought.
Letting out a huff, she looked to the girls with a shrug. “We might be here for a wuh-while and I need to cool down…
Want to take a br-break for some food? My treat.”
___________________________________________________

“Hello! Speedy Clean Dry Cleaners! What can I do for you today?”

“Oh…” Ran laughed, scratching her fingers against her cheek, “I’m sorry. I dialed the wrong nu-number.
But while I’m here, can I ask about a ga-garment I left with you? Customer number 2348-”
Vanora tilted her head, tapping her finger against her wrist as she watched Ran, earning a gasp from the acrobat,
“Oh! Right! S-Sorry, another time! Thank you!”
_________________________________________________
This time, the phone barely had a chance to ring before a feminine voice
answered with a professional spiel, "Hello, you've reached Sunflower Orphanage.
This is Amy speaking. How can I help you today?"

"Oh, Amy! It's be-been so long," Ran lit up with a big smile.

"Well, well! If it ain't my little princess," the woman's tone slipped out of its formal
attire and into a more casual fit. One could almost hear the relief. "How is everyone?
I hear Cirque ad Infinitum is turning heads throughout the realms, and make no mistake you all deserve it!"

"Heheh... I don't know if I'd go th-that far! We just got to Vol-Voltra not long ago
and going to be putting on a big sh-show in a few days!" The acrobat gave a frown,
"I wish you could co-come out and see us. How's the orphanage been?"

"Eh, you know. Same old, same old. People looking to cheap the system.
Scumbags wanting kids for money and all. Ain't been the same without the troupe,"
Amy laughed. "Wish I could, princess. I'd be there in two flaps of a duck's wing if
I could trust anyone else to look after these bra- I mean, these loveable munchkins..."

Before Ran could reply, the woman let out a loud and intimidating shout.

"How many times have I told you before? If you're going to prank visitors, at least
do it right so you don't get caught!" Amy coughed and said to Ran, "Sorry 'bout that, princess.
Looks like I have to go, but keep me in mind, would you?"

"Of course, Amy! T-take care."
_____________________________________________________
The ringing was short lived as it was immediately cut off by an automated voice,
“I’m sorry. The number you are trying to reach is out of service or terminated. Please try again if--”

Ran hung her head in silence as she ended the call, looking down at her phone as a frown found her lips.
“That must have been papa…” After a moment she looked up at the girls, smiling. “Let’s try the next one, okay?”
_______________________________________________________
As the phone picks up once more, Ran was immediately met with a man’s enthusiastic voice,
“Dashing Dan, the Snake Man! What kind of live feed you lookin’ for?”

“Oh ew… This mu-must have been from when I lent Arika my phone. Sorry I-”

“We got frogs, we got mice, we got just about any critter that’ll squirm an-”

“N-NO THANK YOU. Bu-Bye!” Ran responded hurriedly, hanging up the phone.
________________________________________________________
There was a bated breath as the phone rang once, twice, and a third time.
Hope started to drop amongst the girls until someone finally picked up. "Hello,"
came a soft female voice. Seemingly worn but gentle. "This is Samantha. May I ask who's calling?"

Ran broke out into a big grin as she seemed to recognize the woman.
"It's me, ma'am! Ran, the ac-acrobat from Cirque ad Infinitum."

"Oh! It's so good to hear from you. After my daughter saw you perform, you and that circus is all she's been talking about,"
she laughed. "What can I do for you, sweetie?"

"Wow, that's... am-amazing to know," Ran glanced to Van and Vivi who spurred her on.
"Ahem! I was calling to ask if it would be alright for Emily to... att-attend the show tonight? I prepared ti-tickets for all of you..."

"Oh my... really? Thank you..." The mother choked back a sob, "I hope you didn't go too out of your way."

"No no, it was no tro-trouble at all. Some... uhm, friends of mine will come by to pi-pick you all up, if that's okay?"

Success!
_________________________________________________

As Vanora and Vivienne made their way up the drive of Emily's home, someone else was leaving.

"Ah, excuse me sir?" Vivi waved to him with a smile.

The older man stopped and seemed to take a second longer than necessary to answer, "Hello there, miss! What is it that you require?"

"Oh, uhm! Is this where... Emily lives?" Vanora walked up at that point but didn't interrupt. Merely tilted her head at the man's unorthodox glasses.

"Ah, yes, yes indeed! Are you friends of hers?"

"Sort of," Vanora answered. "We have some tickets for her to see Cirque ad Infinitum, the circus that just got into town."

"Ooh, I see, I see!" The well-dressed man held his hat with a nod, "Splendid, splendid. A good show will surely lift the girl's spirits, hm? I'm a traveling hypnotherapist, you see, and while my methods seemed to have helped, I do believe a high dosage of fun is in order." He shook his head, "Ah, but you didn't come to hear ole Smolkie ramble on! Don't keep the poor girl waiting, hm?" Smolkie took a bow and turned to leave.

"Oh, it was a pleasure meeting you Smolkie! I'm Vivienne Harper and this is Vanora Aria. If you're new to Voltra and need any help, don't hesitate to ask for us!"

He glanced over his shoulder, "Thank you, miss! I'll be sure to keep that in mind. You two be safe now, hm?"

The hypnotist left them to their own devices and took out his pocket watch. "Vivienne Harper, is it? I wonder..."

Ran heaved a sigh as she fell back into the Strongman's arms. Her performances were usually tied to his strength, and they had developed a close relationship over the years because of how much trust was necessary for him to assist her time and again.

Berinhard knew something was wrong when she missed all her poses, and didn't even notice he hadn't thrown her again. "What has the good lass so worried? Tell ole Berinhard what's the matter and he will try his best to be cheering you up!"

"Oh... I'm s-sorry, Berin," she blushed. "Was it that ob-obvious?"

"Aye, you are not like the butterfly soaring through the sky. You are more like bundle of logs, or thick caterpillar crawling along ground, or loathsome cocoon yet to do the hatching-"

She punched him in the bicep, "I get it, I get it! I su-suck right now... but they hav-haven't come back. Maybe they couldn't find her?"

"Mmm, and here I was thinking the lass was focused on other affairs of the heart," he offered a sly grin.

"I both love and ha-hate you, Berin," she turned her head with a 'hmph' and smiled mischievously. "Remind me to tell Arika you hurt my fee-feelwings. She'll kick your butt for sure." A pout danced across her features.

The Strongman's face went pale, "You... you would not be doing the telling, would you? Berinhard would be in the big trouble!"

"Of cour-course not, silly," she laughed. "It was a joke, Berin. Ju-just a prank."

Moments later, Lin announced the Sky Princess, and all eyes were on Ran as she dove off the highest platform of the big top. There was a collective gasp before she was caught by the Strongman and launched towards the audience. She struck a pose as she flew through the air and over their heads, a hand outstretched.

Through the shadows, a ribbon emerged for her to grab, and she clung to it. Her body's momentum caused it to swing and instead of allowing it to settle, she twisted her body around it to continue the airborne waltz. Swaying in a wide arc over spectators beneath, the Sky Princess had a strange moment of familiarity.

Her eyes lit up and she smiled big. 'It's her,' she cried inwardly. A little girl was up and cheering, not strapped to the medical device she called home. Her name was Emily, of course, and her emerald gaze was oh-so-vibrant. Her body may have been weak, her legs trembling so, but she stood tall with loving parents by her side.

'Th-thank you so much,' thought Ran as she caught Vanora and Vivi there too. Van gave her a thumbs up and Vivi waved frantically. A lyra descended in the center of the big top, then, and Ran, spirit renewed, leapt from her ribbon to beautifully contort along its length.

The Sky Dancer Ran is a very cute young lady who suffers from a stammering speech impediment.
She has a soft spot for young children, and now that the troupe made it to Voltra, there was a specific
little girl she wanted to invite to the show- who had been a fan of hers on social media. However....
Constance being the brat she is was petty and erased all of Ran's saved contacts after Ran ate the last
slice of cake accidentally intended for Constance.

Distressed, Ran asked for help from Vivi and Vanora to try calling all the numbers in her call history.
Some numbers revealed personal bits about Ran. Such as, that her biological father is no longer around
yet Ran for whatever reason still calls him despite a dead phone line. It is confirmed that she and the troupe
were raised at the Sunflower Orphanage together as kids and had a relatively good relationship with staff.

Ran and Constance's relationship is of close sisters that frequently prank each other.
Arika and Berinhard are both very protective of Ran and always come to her help and defense if she's been
wronged.
She blushes even hearing Io's voice, and is teased by both Berin and Constance for her obvious love pains.

After finally finding the young girls phone number, Vivi and Vanora drive out to retrieve the young girl from home
with free tickets from Ran. They bump into a man who was exiting the girls home named Smolkie.
He confirms it is Emily's home and that he is her hired Hypnotherapist. He agrees his client could use
a good dose of fun to lift her spirits despite her weakened body. As he walked away, he took out his pocket watch
and said "Vivienne Harper?...I wonder..."

Once Ran learns that Emily made it to her show in time, she is able to focus and perform her best with the help
of Berinhard catching and tossing her air through varying aerial arts apparatus's.

"At long last I have found you, Berinhard!"

The Strongman set down a few hundred crates with ease, and turned towards the source of the voice. "You have found the Berinhard indeed!" He tossed a confirmation to the wind with a toothy grin, two fingers brushing the lustrous hair of his most glorious stache.

"I've scoured the realms and the seven skies to finally meet you," a silhouette emerged in the trees, long blue cape billowing in a breeze. "Berinhard... no, Strongman of Cirque ad Infinitum!" The figure leapt from the branches with Berinhard's eyes following their movements into the sky and down to the ground. "Ooh, you have the legs perfect for springing," the Strongman complimented them with thunderous clapping as the eclectically clad character landed perfectly on their feet in a heroic pose.

Berinhard whistled, "Beautiful, beautiful! You must be doing the encore, yes?"

The figure's features were hard to read considering they wore a paper bag over their head, but they seemed to be staring at the Strongman in disbelief. Pointing to themselves, they whispered: "W-wait, could you be referring to me, Sir Strongman?"

"Oho, yes of course! Elegant like the swan, fierce like the lion!" Berinhard closed the distance in a few steps with his long strides and clapped a giant hand on the figure's head, or at least their bag. "You cover up, but Berinhard can tell you have heart of champion. Of HERO."

They were taken aback and visibly squirming. "Oh! Oh, I... that's really fitting because my parents named me Hero but I never thought of myself as one and actually, that's why I left my home and started my jour- ahh, I'm sorry! You don't need to know all that," Hero shook their head and brought the stick to bear against the Strongman's thick chest.

"I've come to challenge your Ring of Might, Berinhard! By my honor as Hero," they tucked in closer and whispered, "I will prevail and prove myself the hero of the untold realms - uhm, mom insisted on the title!" They coughed and stood upright, shouldering the stick. "I'm ready to clash when you are!"

The Strongman grasped Hero by the shoulders, "Berinhard can see the fire burning in you and dare not refuse such heartfelt challenge! The Ring of Might stands erect this day for you to do the battle!" He gestured behind him to the outdoors stage and clenched a fist, "Cannot wait for young firey friend to be meeting other opponents of the ring!"

Hero was nodding at everything up until the last part to which they made a sound: "Huh?"

[align=center]

"I was right about you, my friend," Berinhard clapped a hand on their shoulder. "Soul of champion. Of hero. You bested all the fighters sent to be battling you, and you have done the earning of my respect!"

Hero blushed so hard that the paperbag became colored, "S-Strongman, it - it is truly an honor, sir!" They ducked down low into a deep bow. "Thank you so very much! I'll treasure your words forever-" They were cut off by a massive hand against their back which almost knocked them on their face.

"Non! Want you to push harder, go even further the beyond! Berinhard might be the Strongman of Cirque ad Infinitum, but you, Hero, and all Volties - non, all peoples, can be the Strongperson. Remember that, yes?"

Hero sprang upright and nodded strongly, "Yes sir! I will!"

Awe, Quinn is writing the summary for me! How sweet~

Hello! My name is Quinn and I am a prodigy magical writer!
Anything I draw with my trusty pencil and notebook- comes to life!
A dream of mine has always been to meet the Strongman of the troupe: Berinhard.
When I heard he came to my home of Voltra I was super super excited! *smiles*
It was honestly the best day of my life when he said I had real talent and could participate
in his brawling ring! I left without a scratch, don't worry!
He's my hero! I also met another Hero today...I think their name might ACTUALLY be Hero?

They were fighting several opponents-(such as me!) and actually won every match!
The strongman was everything I imagined. Big! Manly! Strong!
But super kind! Usually people like him would be intimidating. But something about him
just makes anyone around him feel warm and comfortable.
I hope to be as strong as him and the mysterious paper bag hero someday!
I know it takes a lot of work and training, but I know I'll get there someday!
Probably when I'm old enough to grow a mustache of my own.

“I have you now, fiend!” Smolkie prematurely declares, striding in the room that is
clearly devoid of any person other than himself. Behind him, the cracking of a metal door could be heard as it started to close.
Smolkie whips his head around while slyly pulling the watch out from his pocket.

“Oh do you now? Funny, methinks you are the one to be had. Such a pity, Smolkie."
The last half of Vanora’s face almost disappears behind the door, but Smolkie quickly rushes forward,
swinging his watch to reach the final length that his arm could not touch. Just enough to give the slightest
tap of Vanora's forehead with it, before she slams the door shut. Taking a step backward, and bearing a confident
smile, Smolkie snaps the watch back to his hand tracing the engraved Latin letters with his thumb calmly.

“Actually yes, yes I indeed do have you now- just as much as you have me.”
Smolkie flicks open his watch to check the time,
Only moments pass, and a surge of electricity can be heard above the caravan,
followed by an animalistic growl from Vanora and then- a thud.
Smolkie waits for the temper-tantrum about to come down, counting in his head: in 3...2...1...click.
Suddenly the entire caravan shakes as Vanora begins to erratically thrash up on the roof.


“WHAT DID YOU DO!” She hissed from the roof of the caravan.
Smolkie gives a sigh as he polishes his finger prints off from the watch on the chest of his
coat and slips it back into his pocket.

“What did I do? All that I did, was simply use the quickest spell that I could muster!
If you're wondering why you ended up in this predicament, I can happily educate you on the matter.
Quite simply you see, you underestimated me. You lost this game before you even ran away.
A simple two part spell when dealing with demons. First, I was to get you to confess that
you were a demon to my watch. You laughing at my watch back there and getting cocky
served to complete its identification of you. It would allow me to follow you to every end of the earth,
even if you left my sight. The second step however, required that I touch you with it.
The little tap to your forehead established a physical connection between you two,
and now you cannot leave the general area of this watch. The only way you could would be if you either
A, destroyed the watch. Or B, released the young lady from your grasp.”

“FAT CHANCE, YOU STUPID OLD MAN.”
Another thud of denial came from above. Eliciting a chuckle from Smolkie before clearing his throat.
“Ah, I meant to correct you on that as well! I'll have you know I am QUITE aware
that I am not the young stud I once was. However, I resent being remarked as old or popping a hip!
Quite literally it is inaccurate! I'm only in my early fifties, more than a decade away from an age
of retirement. My weakness may be sweets but I assure you, I work out enough to secure my longevity.”

“SHUT UP, I DON’T CARE!”
The roof clamors from Vanora’s fists pounding down without any rhythm.
Looking up at the ceiling, noticing the falling debris from the physical impact was quite minimal,
Smolkie loses hope that the roof would conveniently cave in and give him an out.
“You do make a point my clumsy fiend. I should try to get out of this mess of a room.
There are absolutely locks and traps distastefully everywhere! I dread to imagine what horrors
you have put my boys and their friends through. Or what purpose this room serves beyond a break area.
Clearly it has secrets, and as fate would have it, you lead me right to them.”

Smolkie rubs his chin and starts pacing the room up and down.
Tinkering with a few random pieces of furniture, trying to collect as much information as he can.
All the while, Vanora continues her banshee esque screams and pointless strikes against the roof.
“Why am I stuck on this roof? RELEASE ME AT ONCE!!!" Vanora violently barrages her fists down,
as her voice becomes two octaves too deep.

“You're stuck on the roof because that is where you were when the spell finished.
But yes, yes I will. I fully intend to come up there, and free the girl from your insanity.
Am I to assume, you don’t actually know how to escape this puzzled room?”
“No I DON'T” Every word she shrills out now seems to distort
to inhuman frequencies, which concerns Smolkie about the physical state of Vanora's body as the demon rages
without concern to its host's constitution. He tries to manipulate her to his favor.

“Then sit pretty for a while, as I try to figure this out.
I can't focus with your thrashing, if you want any chance of tearing my eyes
out and not being stuck up there forever with me as permanent commentary,
I suggest you be quiet and conserve your energy to fight me!”
An angry but compliant hiss followed by silence as the possessed Vanora surrenders finally, to his rationale.

“Good demon. Now, let’s first look at the locks actually keeping me here, shall we? Hmm…”

The blaze of the sunset being the first view as the door opened, crisp autumn air
filled in to give Smolkie’s breathing much relief from the stuffy caravan.
“Dr.McMoy! Where is Vanora?”

Leaning one arm over Velvet for support, and the other across her abdomen;
Vivienne winced in pain as she steadied her breath and anxiety. Along with them:
Vreg, Vyc, Valentina, and Vontell were all trying to catch their breath.
Scratching and scraping sounds could be heard from the top of the caravan,
catching everyone’s attention. They turn to see Vanora clawing herself forward,
nails scratching against the metal causing a screech and a shiver down every spine.
She leaped down from the caravan, landing on her feet as she immediately began charging at them.

“I do say, my sincerest apologies Ms. Harper but I had run into
a few…obstacles along the way. I’ll take care of this now.”
Smolkie’s speed in response to Vanora’s was impressively matched,
just as everyone braced themselves prepared to watch them crash, he successfully side steps
just enough to make it slightly past her and forcefully presses his watch into the back of her neck.

“Debilis tenebrae animus!”
As he shouts black smoke starts to seep out of her pores. The watch gave much resistance
as he reeled it back to his grasp, with it all the evil aura within her.
Vanora trips and tumbles forward several rolls before coming to an abrupt stop
and her friends pile in to check on her.
Labored breathing behind choked cries escape from Vanora’s throat.

“Is she safe to approach now??”
Vyc called out, extending his arms protectively, so to stop everyone from
impulsively interacting with her.
“I believe so.”
He crouches to face Vanora while letting the watch dangle
from his extended hand, as it begins to sway.
“You’re going to be okay now. The spirit inside you is already long gone.
It is just us now. You’re safe.”

Vivienne couldn’t keep up with everyone else in speed,
so when she made it to them, her knees gave out.
“Vanora! Please...please tell me she is alright.....”
Her voice beckoned Vanora’s attention to her but rather than establish any comfort…
The depth of her trauma only became more apparent to her as she stared
at Vivienne’s embraced abdomen. Causing her eyes to well up and avert their direction.
“Oh my gosh…no…no..”

“Ms. Aria, please rest assured that both you and
Ms. Harper are safe now. If you wouldn't terribly mind, I'd like to help you relax.
Could you kindly follow the sway of my watch with your eyes?”
Smolkie began the movements despite the lack of response from her.
Vanora’s attention took a bit longer to capture, but when it was, a calm acceptance washed
over her face.

Smolkie could feel a resistance from her, not one due to any sort of
corrupt demonic energy. But a volition of her own.
“What is it that is making you struggle internally so much, Ms. Aria?”
Her eyes never leaving focus from the movements of the watch, she responds in a more dull voice.
“I…I harmed Vivienne.”

A pang hit everyone, including Smolkie who was surprised she could remember
something in a state of possession. Truly, it must be a testament to their love- he thought.
“You did not harm Vivienne. The spirit that took you over was
the one who harmed Ms. Harper. You had no control or say over that.”

Sobs start to force their way out of Vivienne’s throat as she tried to restrain her cries.
Her hand instinctively reaching out for Vanora.
“I know it wasn’t you, silly...!”

“Vivienne…” A very slight but undeniable smile calmly passes over
Vanora’s face seeming to grant everyone more relief.
Smolkie claps his hands together loudly, startling everyone around him,
except Vanora whose body goes limp and into a deep sleep.
Vontell quickly reaching to her, so to lay her body down in a safe and comfortable position.

“Wait, what just happened to her?"
“She’ll be fine…..I assure you all. In fact! When she wakes up
I am willing to place all the money in my wallet she’ll say something to the effect of….
‘that was the best sleep of my life.’ Again Ms. Harper…everyone…I do apologize for the delay in my care.”
Everyone smiles and reaches out to each other in relief.
Until their brief moment of peace is interrupted. . .

Using his magical pocket watch to stay on Vanora's trail- Smolkie found himself
inside the troupes STAFF ONLY caravan. Behind him, he heard the door creaking as he
saw Vanora's twisted face mocking him. Quick thinking, he managed to tap his pocket watch
to her forehead before she zipped the door shut locking him in.

He had cast a spell when it touched her that kept her forced to the general area he was in.
She had a tantrum that she was spell bound and was force to calm down and comply so that
Smolkie could escape the rigged room.

A dead body was found in the room, which greatly angered Smolkie.
However, it disappeared after the event signaling it was just an illusion trying to influence
and trip up Smolkie.

As he escaped, the rest of the NPCs caught up to him. Vanora came charging to attack,
but Smolkie successfully dodged her and was able to use his spell to help exorcise evil:
"“Debilis tenebrae animus!”

Vanora was back to herself but suffering greatly as the memory of her assaulting Vivienne while
possessed was the only thing she could remember. Smolkie left her unconscious into a pleasant deep
sleep. However, horror washed over everyone's face when "something" came out of the woodwork- disturbing
their brief moment of peace.

“BERIN!” An inhuman screech ripped across the fairgrounds, stopping everyone in their tracks.

The group turned to see what used to be Arika. The bottom half of her body was a long bright green tail, much like that of a snake. A mess of snakes sat where her beautiful curls once did, and her eyes glowed an unnaturally bright green.

The half-woman, half-snake monstrosity scrambled over to the sleeping body, falling to her hands and shaking. Her snakes reeled around, baring their fangs at the crowd intruding behind them.

Smolkie pulled Valentina back from the scene, putting space between them and the monster.

“Ma miel, please, no!”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the rest of the group, lasting a moment when Smolkie stepped forward to speak. Before he could get out one word, Arika let out a loud, long hiss that darkened the area around them, twisting the nature of the very space itself.
She held a hand to Berinhard’s face as she spoke.

“Everyone… Everyone thinks snakess are disgusting, lowly creatures…” She twisted her head around on her neck, glaring at the group. A long snake-like tongue flicked out of her mouth with her words. “But I assure you, the true vile creaturess are people.” The rest of her body turned with her head. “People like you!”

The Volties and Smolkie all took a step back as she started to circle Vontell.

“You all will suffer for thiss…” She lowered her head with a snarl, ”You sshall pay tribute to Him and He will help Berin! Your livess are forfeit!”

She charged them, the snakes on her head hissing and snapping. The group took off running on instinct, all in different directions.

“No, stay together!” Smolkie shouted after the group, but they were already gone. He ran to find a hiding place for himself.

As they concealed themselves in their respective hiding places, all they heard around them were echos of Arika cackling and hissing through the distorted circus grounds.

Smolkie crouched behind a dumpster, shouting to the group, “Everyone—we need to get back together—we need to trap her!” He glanced behind only to realize she found him. “Oh no…”

Arika knelt on the ground with her head hanging down, caught in the runes, panting heavily. Her whole body shook, weakened by the strength of the runes. “I won’t stand for this. You will all pay for what you’ve done to Berin—” She faltered, falling to one of her elbows, her arm outstretched. “Berin…”

Valentina stepped up next to Smolkie and chuckled. “I’d say she’s had enough.”

“There’s nothing on her… Everything is part of her body…” Velvet piped up from behind, watching the half-snake, half-woman.

“I might have to assume you need to exorcise her as well,” Vontell chimed in.

Smolkie crouched down in front of Arika, holding his pocket watch. “Yes, precisely what I was thinking.”

He reached through the runes, placing the watch against Arika’s scaly hand.

After taking a deep breath, Smolkie chanted, “Debilis tenebrae animus!”

Black smoke oozed out from between her scales, much like the others, and he pulled the pocket watch back.

When the smoke ceased, he dangled the watch between him and her. “Lovely Arika, could you hold your head up for me?” He flicked his pocket watch again, making it swing in front of Arika’s bright green gaze. “Now, follow the watch if you can.”

Arika’s eyes followed the bilateral movements, the glow in them fading out. A loud snap from Smolkie, and she was out. A deep sleep took both of them flipping through her memories.

---

She was an only child. Her father was a successful business man, working his way to a CEO position. Her mother had no job skills and stayed home to take care of Arika.

First, she lost her father. The cancer spread faster than her 4 year-old mind could interpret what was happening. Her mother was devastated.

Without the income of Arika’s father, her mother had no choice but to step up. But she couldn’t get past her loss. Unable to cope and irresponsible with handling money, she fell into use of illegal substances, alcohol, and…

“She brings strange men home at unholy hours...” Arika had once heard friends of her parents talking about her mother. “I heard she does it while her child is home!” “She was only with him for the money.” “That child will grow up to be just like her.” “Sinful.”

Vile.

Snake.

Young Arika knew the two of them could never live as happily as they did once, but to be ostracized like that from family friends was disheartening. She tried to plead with her mother as best a child could. Seeing her mother random bruises and black eyes, ripped clothing, stumbling and incoherent was too much. And her mother knew this.

Arika waved at her mother from the taxi, a locket with an emerald gem around her neck and a handful of dollar coins in her coin purse, thinking she was off to the grocery store. When the taxi continued to drive for over an hour, she realized she wasn’t going to get groceries. Her mother had sent her to an orphanage far away enough that she would never be recognized.

Initially, she trusted no one at the orphanage, unsure how to after what happened to her mother. Berinhard was the first to show pure interest in her and not where she came from, their resolve to prove the world wrong bringing them together.

It was when she heard news of her mother’s body being found—dead by overdose—that she fully understood the lengths to which humanity could drive someone.

If they call her a snake, so be it. Humans were more vile to her than a snake could ever be.

---

“I believe you, sir, were right.” Smolkie stands and turns to Vontell.
“We just might have to exorcise every one of the troupe members.”

After the showdown with Berinhard, the crew finds themselves being hunted down by Arika!
Only she doesn't seem quite... human this time around. Garnering the body of a humanoid serpent,
she is furious that you laid a finger on her love.
After several twists and turns and attempts to entrap Arika, the group succeeds and
Smolkie was able to exorcise her.

Her past revealed a girl who intially came from a wealthy family. Her adoring father
was a CEO of a major company earned through pure hard work. He worked too hard
however, and quicker than anyone could anticipate he lost the battle against cancer.
All money had been desperately spent on treatments fighting impossible odds.
Leaving Arika's mother single and without any income. After several years decline,
her mother dabbled in illegal jobs as it was fast money. Said jobs got her associated
with the wrong people and equally she began using and abusing the wrong things...

She was the gossip of the neighborhood, being referred to a defamed snake.
Arika as a child paid dearly for it through incessant bullying and coming home
unsure if her mom would wake up. Or if her mom would EVEN come home, often
bruised and drunk. Arika and her mother had a strong bond despite all of this,
she begged her mom to change her ways for her own sake.
Addiction isn't something Arika's mother was ready to defeat, so begrudgingly
her mother put Arika up for adoption for her own sake. To which later Arika
would find out her mother died of overdose. Arika loves and embraces
snakes as a homage and to rise up against the prejudice their hometown
unfairly delivered unto them.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Velvet called out as she wrapped her arms around her body for warmth, treading carefully through the chilling fog. Cold night air seemed to run her through with each shaken step through the dark obscurity ahead, but she had to persevere. What ever was going on, she couldn't give in to hesitation.

"Vyctor? Dr. McMoy? Why'd you guys go and leave me behind?!" Stomping the ground with her heeled boots, she clenched her hands into tight fists. A reluctant sigh escaped her. "Of course I know it wasn't your fault, argh! It's all this f-ahCHOO!" She sneezed, and suddenly there was an explosive sound to her side. Startled, she fell backwards as a flock of crows swooped down from the cloudy skies above and began to circle around her, their cawing loud and aggressive. Their beady red eyes focused on her as if she were prey, her arms raised to defend herself.

After an unsettling breath, however, she realized they weren't attacking.

Velvet hesitantly struggled to a stand and brushed herself off as they simply watched. She blinked with a nervous scratch at her cheek, "Just noisy boys saying hi the only way you know how, huh? I guess you're alright if you don't go pecking at me..." She trailed off as they appeared to be flying in a singular direction before looping back with a curious caw.

She tapped her lip in thought, "Do... they want me to follow them?" Thinking hard for a moment, the lost fashionista decided to throw her lot in with creepy birds. "Bonus points if you lead me back to my friends," she said aloud but her message seemed to fall on deaf ears.

---

"No matter what happens," Lin began, "I will protect you, little prince." He placed a hand gently on Io's head.

The Oracle reached up to grab his arm as if seeking warmth. "You are continuing to give me nicknames even now?"

The Ringmaster smiled, "Now is the perfect time, of course!" He frowned just as quick. "We only have a little while before that bastard takes over, so we should use every bit of it."

"I suppose you are correct," Io took the man's larger hand in both of his, and held it with a nod. "You will ensure no one interrupts me?"

Lin gave the other's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Promise. Ain't nobody going to touch a hair on your head 'cept me, jellybean."

"I will hold you to that, brother, should everything fall away from us."

Lin let out a laugh, "Can you even imagine nothingness? What a cruel punishment indeed! Nah, I swear I'd sooner die than let this moment go to waste."

---

"Lin!" Smolkie shouted. "Stop it this instant, I say! Miss Wattson is innocent!"

That voice. Beyond familiar and oh-so-irritating. It was like a knife through the darkness. Lin opened his eyes then and saw through his burning gaze a young woman squirming in his grasp. Velvet Wattson, she who assisted Arika days ago. He had his fingers wrapped around her throat, but the realization that life was ebbing from her face made him release his hold as if struck. She fell unceremoniously to the ground and gasped for breath.

"That's right, my boy!" Smolkie approached him as the others tended to Velvet. "You're better than this! Fight the dar-" He was cut off by the Ringmaster's whip cutting through the air and just narrowly missing him.

"Silence," Lin's voice came out a harsh snap. A lifeless rasp echoing the shadows billowing from his form. "You abandoned Io," his eye flared with energy red and hot. "When things grew difficult, you gave up. What could you understand of Cirque ad Infinitum? Of my family or the life of my brother? You had your chance to adopt him, to prevent Veles' evil, and you failed." He cracked the whip of fire and flames burst high in a circle around you and the group. There was no escape.

He held the whip in one hand, grip painfully clenched.
"I hesitated once, but I will not again. None of you shall pass while the Oracle's will yet struggles."

[align=center]The Ringmaster fell to one knee, breathing labored. "I... cannot..." He shook his head weakly. "I... will not... let you pass..." His voice broke through clenched teeth as tears ran down his face. "I must not... fail him." The flames that surrounded them surged upwards as if renewed by Lin's indomitable spirit despite his deteriorating condition.

"You haven't failed anyone, my boy," Smolkie stepped forward with a wary smile, sweat dripping from his brow. He knelt down before the Ringmaster and brought his pocket watch to bear. "You fought hard, but it's time to rest - rest, I say. Allow us passage so that we may help Io achieve whatever it is that needs doing, hm?" Channeling his mystical power into the watch, Smolkie slowly pressed it against the young man's forehead.

"You have struggled against this most malignant of foes long enough, I think!" The hypnotist nodded and with conviction, cried out: "Debilis tenebrae animus!" Lin gasped in pain as strands of shadow shot out of his body and swirled to where the watch met his skin. The others watched in morbid fascination as Smolkie thrust the watch away and drew with it the corrupt energies that had tormented the young man for so long.

---

Laughter would always come from his room, and little Lin was to thank for that. He was a blessing not just to his ailing father, but to all the nurses and doctors who he would make smile with his acts of wonder even then. One day as they were conversing, the father made an appeal most cryptic to his dear son.

"Could I talk to you about something of seriousness for a moment, my sweet boy?"

Lin grinned big as he shuffled a pack of cards, "Of course, da! I'm just a kid, so I dunno if I can do anything big, but ya know I'm here for you!"

His father smiled while laying a frail hand atop his head, "I know, sweet boy. You know what awaits me, don't you?"

Lin stopped the sway of his legs and instead looked down at his feet, uncharacteristically quiet for a brief second. An almost indiscernible second. Then he looked up and nodded, radiant grin ever present. "I know you'll have to go away soon, but that's a-OK! Ya know why?"

"Hmm... is it because you can take on anything as my son?"

"Nope!" Lin drew a card from the deck and flashed it: one of the Major Arcana, the World. "Cuz Io tells me uhm... we are each the center of our own world, and within me exists everyone I know and love! That means you, da, Io, and all my friends at the orphanage!"

"Ah, you both are so wise for ones so young. If only your da's family could see the world with that same light. Come close, sweet boy, for I wish to tell you of my will."

Lin's father would pass not long after that, peacefully, and little Lin would see himself at the center of a struggle for power. His father was a wealthy man who gave back to the community with many things, but the orphanage Lin frequented was one of his favorite ventures. Lin spent a great deal of time there building true relationships.

Thus when the day came that a meeting was held to finally decide who would claim him as their son, and subsequently, gain access to his father's wealth, Lin had only one answer for them.

"I'll be living with my friends at da's orphanage," he spoke into the mic, face barely peeking up past the podium. "Thass all! Thank you for coming today," he hopped down off the box he was standing on as a stunned silence fell over the room.

"W-wait, you can't do that! You're just a kid! What about the money?!" A nobody shouted, outraged.

Lin glanced at him with a smile, "I can and I did! It's in the will. If you gotta know, I'll probably use it to better the orphanage... and then? Hmm, I've always been good at tricks! Maybe I'll start a circus?"

"A... a circus?!" Another cried. "This is ridiculous! I didn't spend so much time on some snot-nosed little brat just to have him-"

Lin had already left.

Velvet had successfully avoided any confrontation at the House of Mirrors, but she ran so fast she ended up lost.
She called out to her friends and ran towards the nearest noise she had heard.

Lin caught in a delusion as the last bits of his sanity faded, thought he was having a final tender conversation with Io.
However, a shout from Smolkie beckoning him back to reality for but a moment awoke him to realize...he was choking
Velvet to death. He was surprised and immediately released her, but the anger within him boiled at the sound of Smolkie's voice.
He lashed out at Smolkie for abandoning Io in the past, and irrationally initiated a deadly game in hopes to watch Smolkie suffer.

Collective team work from Smolkie and Volties served them well. Lin exasperated himself and left Smolkie able to exorcise him.
Revealing a boy who loved his father greatly. His father was quite wealthy, and was the founder of Sunflower Orphanage.
However he was dying, and this wasn't really a secret to anyone. Lin stayed positive throughout for his father's sake.
A step mother who anticipated his death was excited to inherit all his money, however the father left every single penny to Lin.
Custody battles were attempted over Lin so to claim ownership of his rightful funds, but Lin was given the option to choose
who he wanted to live with. He keenly decided he'd live at the very orphanage his father built and remain with the friends he made
there. Crowds shouted out calling it preposterous, and Lin asserted when he grew up he'd start a circus with his own friends.
They mocked him, he didn't care.

Now the group makes their way to the Big Top once more searching for more answers.

Veles disappeared and a stunned silence fell over the group. An unexpected voice from the entrance drew their attention.
It was Lin, hand grasping the flap of the big top to help him stand.

"So the worst came to pass," he let out a shaky breath. "Veles has taken control of my brother's body, but even if things look pretty bleak right now, we have one shot left. You all know what I'm referring to, right?"

Smolkie staggered to a stand and took off his glasses to wipe the tears from his eyes,
"Indeed I do, young man. The last thing Io said to me - to us, rather, was 'find Ran.' You're in no shape to be up and about, I say, but... do you have any guidance for us?"

"I do in fact," Lin nodded. "Ran's... love for Io is no secret to the rest of us, hah. I know it's why she hates my guts. Anyway, Io was attempting to cast a spell here that'll destroy Veles for good, but it's a lot riskier than just whacking the host. Cut a long story short, Io was tryin' to hide it from the rest of us, but my guess is he had a back-up plan. He was being super secretive when we first settled in here, but if he's saying to find Ran, chances are she knows that back-up plan..." His voice trailed off as he started to fall forward, but Velvet at the back of the group was there to help him maintain his balance.

He gave her the best smile he could muster under such dire circumstances, "I'm... sorry for what I did to you, miss."

She looked away from his piercing gaze with puffed-up cheeks, "Hmph! You better be. Don't think I've forgiven you!" He nodded slowly.

The group left the big top, then, and noticed something strange. A flock of birds flew out of the nearby forest in frantic flight. In their seeming escape, Lin noticed a flash of what might have been a baby blue sparkle amongst the birds. His eyes widened and automatically he felt his legs begin to move despite their ache. "H-hey, hold on! You shouldn't be running yet!" Velvet called out and he stopped briefly to look over his shoulder: "Sorry, but I feel like she's there! I know it." He busted out into a sprint towards the forest.

"Hey, wait up!" Vyctor hissed as he followed the red haired man. Velvet and Smolkie went running after him, surprised at the sudden race. The delicate heiress struggled to keep up, but the peculiar hypnotist helped her along.

Lin only abruptly stopped when they reached the forest entrance, goosebumps crawling through his skin when he heard a strange unsettling sound. It sounded like a banshee crying in despair through an echoed tunnel. A small family of deer came running out of the forest along with a pair of foxes that seemed bent on escape. Fear began to curdle in his stomach, thinking that the worst had transpired. It seemed he wasn't the only one scared.

Vyc stopped beside him while making a face, "The hell is that?"

"It's Ran." He said with cold determination while making a brisk walk towards the sound, Vyc right behind him while staying alert.

"We have to go -there-?" Velvet protested while she saw the two men make their way deeper into the creepy forest.

"Our choices are quite limited, I say! We must follow them and make things right." Smolkie gave a nod and seemed to be perfectly alright despite the mad dash.

"Ugh, why am I always stuck with these things..." Despite all of her complaints, Velvet made a real effort to catch up to the two.

The two men waited for Velvet and Smolkie as the wailing cries of Ran's distorted voice echoed throughout the forest. Each step brought the group closer to the sound, each step making them feel like falling into the same crazed despair. The cry was accompanied by a scraping noise that really put Velvet on edge. She grabbed onto Vyc's jacket and he gave her a brave expression.

The moment Lin spotted Ran, his heart dropped. She had two extra pairs of appendages frantically digging through the soil, tears streaming down the dark abyss of her eyes. She looked to be extremely upset, exaggerated by the wide frown on her precious unblinking face. After digging in one spot, her beautiful butterfly wings floated her to another and she continued what seemed to be her fruitless struggle.

"Ran...?" Lin began softly while gently walking towards her, taking one step at a time in order not to startle the bug-eyed acrobat. Velvet covered her mouth in a gasp while Vyctor frowned and Smolkie tightened his hold on the pocket watch, ready to act.

Ran cried desperately, ignoring Lin even though she knew he was there. Purposefully, she flew around him to search in another spot while they could see mounds of overturned dirt littering the area. Nothing else seemed to matter.

"Ran, please! Listen to me!" Lin tried again with more urgency in his voice.

Despair. Sorrow. Frenzy.

"Ran...! What are you looking for? How can we hel- wait!" In his concern, he hadn't considered the most obvious conclusion. "Io's journals! He always hid them from me... not that I wanted to look. You know where they are, don't you? They hold the answer, right?"

Hysteria. Her cries grew louder like a tantrumed scream as if she couldn't comprehend what he was saying.

In a sudden flash, shadows began to surround Lin. Unnatural. Sinister. Hell bent on destroying everything that got in her way.

"Lin, my boy! Your whip! Use it now, quickly!" Smolkie shouted as he held the pocket watch in both hands, chanting.

"My whip?" Lin glanced back at him and then at the rampaging Ran, shaking his head. "You got it. Sorry about this, Ran!" He cracked the whip and spun it a few times like a lasso before slinging it skillfully in Ran's direction. Simultaneously, Smolkie let loose the spell he was charging to power the whip. It wrapped around her arms and even though she tried to break it with her demonic strength, she couldn't.

"Hold fast, my boy!" Smolkie leapt forward as Lin held his ground with a grunt, and the hypnotist swung his watch to press it against the butterfly with his words of power: "Debilis tenebrae animus!" Ran let out a scream of pain as shadow spilled out of her body. Lin caught her as she collapsed backwards, and Smolkie gently guided her dazed focus to the swinging watch. Her memories were intensely jumbled, but he was determined.

---

Ran's father was an accomplished doctor and to many, a bona-fide hero. He was a surgeon who gave his all to save lives. Her mother...

THE MEMORY DISTORTS...

He gave his little princess the world. Spoiled her with anything and everything she never asked for. He would take her to...

THE MEMORY BURNS...

... One day, he didn't come to pick her up from school. She was left alone in the shivering rain, but she kept on a smile. She knew papa would never let her down. Never ever...

THE MEMORY SHATTERS...

"Hey... we should probably take her far away, yeah?"

She was alone in a corner. Two grownups in blue were talking. She didn't care. Where was papa? One suddenly shouted and she huddled closer to herself.

"That monster ended more - ***** - than he saved!"

She hugged her knees to her chest, scared. Confused. Alone. Alone. Alone.

THE MEMORY... CRYSTALLIZES

"Hey," a gentle voice called out. She hugged her knees tighter. "Your name's Ran, isn't it?" She shook her head strongly. "Mine's Io!" She sniffled. "Do you... want to play with us?" Her ears perked. "It must be boring sitting in this corner all alone! I'd know, too, because I liked the corner when I first got here. But once you get to know them, these kids aren't so bad!" She made the mistake of glancing up at his smiling face. Her breath caught in her throat.

Gorgeous opalescent eyes were looking down at her. Beautiful, like a kaleidoscope of colors that were, in that moment, all for her. But the most important feeling she could read in them was truthfulness.

"You looked up! I'm so happy..." Io smiled, and she couldn't help but giggle. But quickly clasped her tiny hands over her mouth. "Thass wh-what makes you ha-happwy? Th-that's silly!" It was hard for her to talk coherently, but he understood.

"No!" He retorted. "What would make me happy is if you were happy, Ran."

She blinked slowly and for the first time since coming to the orphanage, gave a smile.

---

Ran opened her eyes to the face of her archnemesis, but now wasn't the time for that. "Lin, I..." She choked back a sob and he wiped her tears with a smile. "I'm so so-sorry..." She whispered.

"For what? I know you love Io," he chuckled. "We all knew it. Except maybe Io himself. I'm sorry for always getting in your way."

Ran's face went beet red as she reached up to strangle him, but couldn't find the drive. "No, I've de-decided. I'm not going to hi-hide anymore, but first we have to get our lo-lovable numbskull back!"

Lin gestured to the pages with a nod, "And now we have just the thing to do it." He gave a look to Smolkie, Velvet, and Vyc in turn. "Will you help us finally put this nightmare to an end?"

Vyc cracked his knuckles, "You kidding? Of course. 'Specially after reading your boy's journals. That monster needs to be put down."

Velvet narrowed her eyes, "I may not pack a punch, but anyone who messes with kids needs a swift kick where the sun doesn't shine!"

"That has been my life's purpose for so very long, my boy! There's no way you'll finish this without Dr. Smolkie McMoy's undivided help!"

"Thank you," Lin nodded and hoisted Ran up onto his back with her arms around his neck, feet dangling either side of him. Moments later, the group emerged from the forest to join the others, but it was a surprise what awaited them.

Vanora and all the members of Cirque ad Infinitum were conscious. Berinhard gave a stroke of his moustache with a jolly grin, Arika raced forward to hug them, and Constance gave a thumbs up to Ran. The pieces were finally together, and now the only thing to do was begin the incantation provided by Io to enter Veles' realm.

To bring an end to their suffering once and for all.

Journal Page One: Starling

You inspect the page. It's worn and weathered, dated from thirteen years ago. The writing is messy and amateur, as if written by a child.

May 4th
I’m scared. Mommy said to wait on the steps and I did, but she never came back. The people here say this is my home now… But I live with my mommy!

They gave me this book to write in… I don’t know what else to say. Good night book.

May 5th
I want to go home.

May 6th
Does she hate me now? Was I bad? I’ll do all the chores and be good forever if I can go home. I’ll stop talking about the pictures in my head.

The other kids want to play… But I don’t want to. I feel sad.

May 9th
I played today. I told the boy no at first but he said he wouldn’t leave until I tried. So I did. I was shy but it was fun even if I didn’t talk much.

He is nice. His name is Lin.

After reading the page, you see a flash before your eyes. It’s a brief image of a small boy curled up in the corner of a room littered with toys and shelves of children’s books. He clutches his diary in his hands as another red-headed boy approaches him with a smile.
Journal Page Two: Raven

This page looks identical to the Starling. It's also dated thirteen years ago.

May 15
I play more with Lin now, but I'm not sure about the others.

May 18
Lin said he wanted me to meet some of his friends. I was scared but... I trust Lin.

I said okay and it was fun.

After reading the entry, an image flashes in your mind of Cirque ad Infinitum as you know them. Only a lot smaller and more innocent. Playing together.

August 20
Today a man in funny clothes came. He says he wants to adopt me, but what does that mean?

August 26
The man in funny clothes keeps visiting. Will he by my new papa?

September 5
Oh, he stopped coming. I guess he didn't want me just like mommy. The girl who feeds us yelled at him.

You see another flash, and you recognize this face as well... Smolkie, although slightly younger and sitting with a small Io. He smiles down at the boy warmly, patting the top of his head.
Journal Page Three: Ermine

Another old page, although it seems to be more recent than the first. While still a child’s writing, it’s a little more refined now. The pages are dated to nine years ago.

August 9
We started performing together on the street for money and… it’s a lot of fun! I’m glad people don’t think I’m weird. Lin’s really good at attracting a crowd, but it’s kind of embarrassing too, having so many people watching. I’m glad Lin doesn’t mind when I hide behind him. He never makes fun of me for it so I don’t feel as bad. He’s really nice.

Berinhard’s been doing better too! Arika’s been taking care of him. He’ll become strong soon. Ran can do really cool moves, and Connie’s really good at making people laugh even if she’s fussy sometimes. I’m happy we’re all together!

You see a vision of the troupe as children, performing amateur versions of their act on a street corner. A crowd is entertained, and Io hides behind Lin, a small but genuine smile on his face as he watches his friends.

August 13
Ran was feeling sad today so I wanted to do something nice for her. There’s a butterfly hair clip in the shop window down the street I want to buy for her. I saw a vision of her smiling, so I think it’s the right choice.

August 14
I found Ran crying and decided it was a good time to give her the clip! She let me put it in her hair and I told her it looked nice on her. She seemed really happy about that, so I’m glad she likes it.

August 18
I had a vision Berinhard fell off the swing earlier and hurt his knee badly. So I told him not to go on the swing today. He thanked me and patted my head. It was kind of embarrassing but nice. I’m glad he’s okay!

You see Ran curled up in a corner, Io knelt before her. Io gently places the butterfly clip in her hair before giving her a warm smile, and she blushes, smiling back.
Journal Page Four: Stallion

In slightly better condition than the previous pages, this one was dated for six years ago.

February 9
Something strange happened.

It was snowing out and I didn’t want to catch a cold, so I stayed in while everyone else played outside. I was sitting in the playroom watching them from the window when I heard a man’s voice talking to me. I turned around and there he was! I didn’t even hear him walk in.

It’s really weird… I remember seeing him. He dressed really fancy and he was smiling a lot. But I can’t remember what his face looked like at all, no matter how much I try. It just.. Looks like a blur in my mind when I try to picture it. It was only an hour ago, too.

There’s a lot of adults who come here looking to adopt kids so I thought he was here for that. But he just told me that he’s been waiting to meet me for a long time. He introduced himself as Veles but I don’t know anyone by that name. He told me we’d be meeting again… and then he left?

I don’t understand why he came here, but I feel nervous about it...

You see Io sitting against a window as a tall man looms over him. You can't make out his face either, merely the idea of a face. The only detail you can make out is a toothy smile as he bows towards the boy. There's slight worry in Io's bright eyes.
Journal Page Five: Wolf

It seems to be a continuation from the last page, still dated six years ago.

February 10
The man came again today. He wasn’t lying. Why can’t I see any visions of him before he arrives? I still can’t remember his face either. I wonder if I’m losing my powers, or worse. I’m afraid to tell anyone.

In fact, you’re the only one I’ve told about him, diary.

This time I saw him in the halls. He came up to me and said that I shouldn’t worry, that I’ll “understand soon enough”. What does that mean? I tried to ask but he kept walking. He was gone just before Lin came out of his room. He asked what was wrong but I just told him I didn’t feel okay. He pet me and it didn’t feel nice. I felt bad about lying...

February 11
I looked out the window and saw the man looking up at me from across the street. I turned to see if anyone else was looking, but nobody was. When I looked back he was gone. How did he move so fast?

February 12
I didn’t see him again today. Maybe he’s gone. Maybe it was all in my head?

You see from Io's eyes, looking out the window. Veles is dressed in a fine suit, his jacket draped over his shoulders and fluttering in the snowy winter wind. He's looking straight back at Io, and grinning.
Journal Page Six: Siren

This seems to continue from the other pages as well, also dated sixth years ago.

February 14
I had a scary dream last night that Lin was crossing the street and got hit by a car. I told him not to go outside today and he agreed. We all played a board game together! It was really fun. I’m glad he’s safe.

February 15
I had another nightmare. This time Lin was climbing a tree and fell on his neck. So today when we were playing outside, he wanted to climb our tree but I begged him not to. He asked me why not and I told him I wanted to build a fort instead.

I don’t want to scare him.

February 16
Another dream where Lin dies. Why do these keep happening? I need to tell Lin to avoid the park today.

February 17
Another dream. They keep getting more graphic. I’m starting to wake up crying. I don’t want to see Lin like that. I need to keep him safe. I can’t lose him.

February 20
They won’t stop. It’s been every night and it’s getting harder to prevent them. I’m scared... I don’t know what to do, but I’d do anything to stop this.

February 21
Please make it stop. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Pl e ase.

You see a vision of Io sitting up in bed, panting heavily as he clutches his chest, tears pouring out of his eyes as he struggles to breathe.
Journal Page Seven: Cat

The page is also from six years ago.

February 22
I don’t know what to write. This just happened and I’m still not sure how to process it. I had the worse dream yet tonight… I saw the orphanage burning. This time everyone was trapped inside. Lin, Arika, Berin, Connie, Ran… I had to wait outside and watch them suffer, scream and plead for help. When I tried to approach, the fires would only burn hotter. I knew it wasn’t a dream. I was seeing the inevitable. But when? How could I stop it? What could I do?

When I woke up… The man was in my room. Veles. I still can’t make out his face. He was sitting on my dresser and smiled, and I felt afraid. His words are sticking in my mind, so I’ll write them down:

“Don’t be afraid, little Io. I’ve been watching you for so long and you didn’t worry then. Tell me, are those dreams scaring you? I bet they are. And as they should. You can’t protect them forever. You don’t have that power. I could, however, offer you a solution to all your woes. I could grant you the gift to protect them forever, but I’ll need something in exchange. Would you like to make a deal?”

Even if I am afraid, I didn’t trust him. So I told him no. He only grinned and said he’d be back to ask again.

I opened my eyes again. Was it just another dream? I have a bad feeling.

I need to check for fire hazards today, and make sure Connie hasn’t been up to any trouble. Just to be safe.

You see Io curled up in his bed, chatting to a casual Veles. The strange man never once drops his smile.
Journal Page Eight: Monarch

It continues from six years ago.

March 1
I don’t sleep well anymore, and I think it’s affecting me. I hate closing my eyes and seeing my friends hurt, it makes me feel sick. But I also need to see it, to know how to stop it. I’m running out of excuses to tell everyone for why I’m always so tired.

Are we cursed? Why are they all destined to die? Why them?

I’ll save them. I’ll find a way to stop this.

March 3
We took a trip to the library today. It was peaceful and I felt relieved. It was also a good way to distract everyone away from the ice cream shop. That would have been a disaster.

Connie was complaining a lot, but Arika found some books to read her. Lin and I slipped away from the kids section, and Ran followed us. I’m not sure why she didn’t join us. She was just lagging behind. She didn’t seem happy. I wonder if she was bored?

I found a book about breaking curses in the magic section, so I hope I can find something in it that will help. I’ll try them all if I have to.

March 6
They aren’t working.

March 10
Nothing is working!

You see Io sitting over a large open tome, papers scattered around him. They're all covered in notes and scribbles, it's clear that he has been at this for a while. He tugs his hair out of frustration as he flips to another page.
Journal Page Nine: Dryad

It's another page dated six years ago.

March 15
I’ve decided to make the deal with Veles if he shows up again. I’ll give him anything.

March 16
I dreamt of Lin being eviscerated and He appeared again. Did he know I was ready?

We talked and we made a deal, but it was really weird. He said he would need a home and two windows. I didn’t understand what that meant or how I’m supposed to get it for him. He said I had the ability, so I told him I’d ask the staff if he could stay with us.

He said that’s not what he meant. He told be he would return soon to collect before disappearing in thin air. Was agreeing the wrong thing to do? I’m beginning to feel nervous.

Nevermind. He’s back. I’ll continue after.

The handwriting drastically changes, and this is not written in Io's pen.

This journal sure is quaint, isn’t it? Well! Since he can’t return, I suppose I’ll have to continue for him.

This poor fool of a child really believes his dear ole brother has been saved, but he merely secured an expiration date. Humans are such fun little creatures to toy with! Especially since they come with so many removable parts. How gullible he was to hand them over to me so easily.

I do hope his precious little family has fun cleaning up the mess it made. I’ve heard red is hard to remove from a carpet.

You see a vision of Io lying on the ground alone. He's in the fetal position, holding his face and crying out in pain as his own blood pools around him.
Journal Page Ten: Drake

It's still six years ago, but six months have past since the last page. The writing is now in braille, although it seems to be a struggle for Io still.

September 21
They want me to write again. It’s still hard, but I’ll try.

Even after all this time, it still hurts. I don’t like people seeing me like this.

September 22
He laughs in my head. His home.

September 25
Everyone tries to include me. Like it used to be. I’m not who I used to be.

I miss them too, but I hope they give up. I hope they leave and be safe. I’m tainted now. It’s too dangerous.

He wants to know what I’m writing. He can’t read braille. He only has my sight.

He stole it. He tricked me.

September 30
Lin refuses to leave me. I did this to keep him safe. What if I end up hurting him?

Lin is trying to convince me that we’ll leave here together. All of us. Finally start our carnival for real. Travel the realms. But what good would I be to them in this state?

I don’t trust Veles. He keeps taunting me. I’ll learn how to silence him.

You see Io sitting in bed, his face bandaged up, struggling to write.
Journal Page Eleven: Grimalkin

This page is more recent, still written in braille. It's dated four years ago.

June 14
Veles managed to reach me in my dreams again last night. I’d been doing well to keep him silenced, but he hates that. I knew he was scheming. He had that smile again.

He wants to ruin everything we’ve built as a family. He wants to destroy our peace.

He wants to use our show to collect souls for himself, and if I refuse, he’s threatening to use my powers to hurt my family. I didn’t understand at the time, but I suppose it means I have something in me I haven’t unlocked yet. That troubles me. But I will not give him what he wants.

I won’t harm innocent people. I won’t betray my family. I need to leave.

June 15
I tried to run away while everyone else was asleep, but Lin caught me. He can always sense when something isn’t right. It’s strange I didn’t see it coming, but perhaps it’s Veles tampering again. He makes it hard to see my own destiny.

He easily encouraged me to confess. It’s hard to lie to my brother. He told me not to worry, that we will handle this together. That we’ll tell the others and let them make their own decisions. I’m not sure. I don’t want to involve them. They’re too loyal to me, even after all I’ve done. I can’t burden them with this task as well.

They’re too kind-hearted to endure this. I hope they all agree to leave without me.

June 16
They refuse to leave me alone.

They say we're in this together. Why? I'm scarred. Tainted. Why don't they leave and save themselves?

You see the troupe, a couple years younger than they are now. They are gathered around Io and offering him encouragement. There's a sense of misery on his face, despite the smiles they offer him.
Journal Page Twelve: Fox


October 1
Veles has decided to strike a deal with me once again. He says there are two souls he wants during our upcoming visit to a city named Voltra. It’s impossible not to know. He means the immortal spirits Trick and Treat. I don’t trust him with that power, especially with how deeply it would affect the balance of the realms to have them disappear.

He assured me it would be the end of our original deal. I’m ashamed to admit, I am tempted. I could spare my family from this life of atrocity. They wouldn’t feel obligated to help me any longer.

That’s what I would say if I didn’t already know that Veles is lying to me. We’ve been at this game since I was 13 years old. I’m no longer a child. He saw to that the day he robbed me of my eyes. I’m no longer innocent. Trusting. Foolish.

He lashed out when I refused, and I felt as if my head would split open at any moment. He’s getting stronger, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold him back for much longer.

October 3
He managed to take control of my body today. It wasn’t for long, but it’s showing that our power balance is tipping. I won’t be able to stop him. He knows I’m scared now, he’s taunting me. Saying what he’ll do to my family if I don’t do as he demands.

He must be desperate if he’s evolved to threats. And I must be desperate to fall for them.

I’ll speak to Lin about setting up a deal with the spirits to host their event in order to lull Veles. But this is no trap for Trick and Treat.

I’ll end him myself so he can never hurt anyone again.

You see Io pulling out strange looking books. They're ancient, but you can't even read the cover. It's completely in braille. He looks determined.
Journal Page Thirteen: Hare

October 24
I’ve done nothing but continue my research on dark entities since I’ve made my deal with Veles, and judging by his smug attitude, he’s been none the wiser. Good. I will be hiding these pages in case my plan fails, so if you are reading this now: Hello, and I apologize.

On each page I have hidden a part of the spell. It is a sigil, invisible to the naked eye, but when the pages are combined it will help activate a powerful spell. This spell will transport the caster into the astral plane, the realm in which Veles currently inhabits. This is his domain, and it will be the only way to stop him forever.

That, or killing the host. If it comes to this, I understand and I encourage you not to hesitate. My family will be sad, but if it keeps them safe, I accept my fate.

If you choose to cast the spell, be very careful. While Veles is vulnerable in this domain, he also has the power to harm any who enters. Even separated from your body, if you die in the astral plane, you will die for real. I do not wish for anyone to die in order to correct the sins of my past.

Be safe. You are our last hope. Do what must be done, as Veles will stop at nothing. - Io

With the help of Lin waking up, our party goes to search out for Ran as Io had instructed.
Lin mentions he doesn't know what Io's backup plan was, but if anyone did- it would be Ran.
While those two aren't as close as Io and Lin are, Ran's infatuation for Io leaves her to be very
attentive of everything he does and she'd be the most likely one with answers.

They find her in a forest, her demon form that of a monstrous butterly, she no longer capable of words
and was frantically digging holes. For the most part aside from a few hisses and postural threats, was happy
ignoring the party as they watched her search frantically for something. With the help of Volties and clues from
Ran's behavior, they successfully found diary entries from Io.

Dates ranging from a young boy, his mother abandoned him at the orphanage.
He only knowing she didn't want him.
To being shy but being surrounded by friends that were far more sociable than he.
A man at one point almost adopted Io. Io had gotten attached to the idea of this man being his new "Papa"
but the last he saw of the man, he was fighting in the lobby with the woman who runs the orphanage and having to leave.
Io now experiencing abandonment twice, took a drop in his confidence. In flashbacks the party can tell that man- was Smolkie..

Later in Io's life, he started becoming plagued with nightmares.
The brutalized death of his best friend, the burning of the orphanage.
Consistent traumatizing dreams on the regular that Io feared was his future visions.
A seemingly frienly man sat on his dresser one night-
promising he could make it stop, and make sure everyone would safe- but Io had to make a deal with him.
Io, intelligent even as a young boy said no. Something about the fact he couldn't get any visions on this man bothered him greatly.
But eventually the visions became more
frequent, more violent and he felt pressured to ask for the mans help.
"Just need a home with two windows." Io didn't know how he would get the man such a thing at his age,
but the man assured Io he need only agree and it would be done.

Io's body became his home, and Io went blind from being possessed by this demon. Veles.
He tried to isolate himself from his friends, but doing so made them all push harder to stay with him.
It wouldn't be long until they all were entwined with Veles, victims of his plot right along with Io.
They did many circus performances all around the realms...and in small amounts the souls of victims attending would
be fed to Veles. They aren't dead, Io knows this. He only need be destroyed to bring them all back.
Veles had promised them all they'd be saved and released from his grasp if they could bring him the souls of trick and treat.
They said yes, but inside they knew it was a trap and were ready to commence the plans they had been working on the past
several years. Inside the back of Io's diary was the backup plan. A sigil spell that would send them to the dimension Veles
exists in- and be able to fight him head on there so to save the world and all the souls he had already captured- left in suspension there.

After the task is done, Lin restrains Ran so that she maybe exorcised.
Her past flashes back to her and her father feeling on top of the world.
He was known as a hero to many, saving countless lives as a surgeon at the top of his field.
As a quick memory of her mother flashes it cuts out- as if too traumatized to think about it.
And cuts back to her father spoiling her with toys and doing anything and everything for Ran.

She is left in the rain one day after school waiting for her dad to pick her up like he always does.
But it was police who came to collect her and she hid in a corner scared.
Turns out her father was hiding a secret- "That monster ended more F****** lives than he saved!"
she heard one officer say.

The memory rapidly cuts out and flutters back to being scared and alone at the orphanage, but Io
being the one to welcome her. He was absolutely beautiful to her and every word said to her felt
genuine and hit her deep- the feeling everyone describes as 'the butterflies' flooding within her by him.
Starting her unwavering love for Io and dedication now to save him no matter what.

Once brought back to normal, she and Lin have a small heart to heart. She had always
been a bit irrationally jealous of him and how close he was to Io/often isolating him
from the rest of them. They seem to come to terms and the rest of the Cirque has awoke
from their slumber- feeling better than ever and ready to team up to face Veles and save Io!
Note: Unlike the other Cirque members...Ran did not receive "aftercare" and did not get to have
a peaceful sleep...

Constance found herself in a grand castle and at first, it didn't seem like such a bad thing. It was a luxurious place filled with all sorts of extravagant paintings, decorations, and most importantly... food. The only problem she realized quickly was that everything around her was made of paper, and nothing was worth any real value.

The showers wouldn't function, the delicious meals weren't edible, and the front door didn't open. It was her dream turned into a terrible nightmare, but at least she already knew the likelihood of it being real was nonexistent. Veles was messing with her, and she let out a shout that would wake the dead.

Veles appeared, then, sitting at the head of a long table. He seemed to be cutting into a juicy piece of steak with a grin, "And here I thought you'd like these accommodations. I tried so very hard to please you, little clown, and kicking my efforts is all you do? We know why you were given up, don't we?"

Connie let out a deep sigh, "Look bucko, I've been a big girl now for ages. If ya wanna screw with me, you're going to have to try a heck of a lot harder. In fact, I challenge you!"

Veles appeared before her and leaned down, "Hoo? Then by all means! Let's have a gander at what the big ole girl can do besides lose it."

"COSMIC COWARDDDD!"
Constance shouted out in retaliation as she fell through several surreal backgrounds distorting at each transition.
Her voice became an echo as she entered a hospital of sorts and fell face flat into a medical bed,
the plush pillows and single blanket breaking her fall. She groaned while holding her face and looked around through squinted eyes.
The light in the room was insanely blinding, but her eyes managed to adjust.

"Co-Constance?!" Ran's familiar voice called out through a strained whine.
Turning over to see her, Ran was huddled in a corner shaking. Hands defensively holding
each wall as if to claim her territory.
"What was the flavor of pie I flung at ya when we were at the orphanage?"
Constance asked while giving a skeptical look and her arms crossed. Ran responded assertively:
"Y-you'd never waste food! A-and what is my favorite co-color?"
Her lips coiled up into a pout and she stretched her arms out even further preparing to be disappointed.

"You ditz, Veles knows that answer too! The ombre color of Io's hair. GAG ME!"
She rolled her eyes and hopped down from the bed, feeling confident that this is her sister, and came to a crouch beside her.
"So...why ya cryin? What's the puzzle here?"
Ran gulped and averted eye contact, but she let her arms down to mutually show she trusted this was Connie she was speaking to.
"The room is lo-locked. And the k-keys are inside me."

"INSIDE you?...." Constance raised a brow, then turned around to examine the room in its entirety.
The incessant sound of a heart monitor. The bed she landed on.Padded walls. Surgeons kit.
...and...a copy of Diagnostic Statistics Manual V? Connie went to open the book.
But the same thing was written on every page. Over and over again. PTSD. PTSD. PTSD. PTSD. PTSD. Then in highlighter:
Traumatic Amnesia. She snapped the book shut and walked over to examine the door. It had three keyholes,
and scratched into the large metal door was the words “INSIDE OF RAN” under each one.
Taking not much time, Constance put together what they had to do.

"Ran is there something else in this room that you have grabbed already?"
Constance asked, knowing the answer already.
"N-no!" Ran lied. Something she was terrible at doing.

"Ran...." Constance walked back to her side, and took her hands into her own. Looking her straight in the eyes.
"Remember when you helped me get over my 'acting out'?" Ran gave a nod.
"Do you remember when you, Arika and I sat at lunch and told our stories?" Ran hesitated, but eventually nodded.
"Back then you told me you forgot some things...you kinda stared off and had a anxiety attack
...Arika had to hold you and tell you to breathe. Do you remember THAT?" Ran did not respond, she just began to shake.
Constance sighed and nervously traced shapes onto the floor as she spoke.
"Veles is a jerk. He turned me into a cheeseburger and said it'd help my parents want me back."
As Constance spoke Ran’s eyes bubbled with tears and she passionately cried out.

"Th-that JERK! I HATE him! He mu-must GO AWAY! Your parents lo-loved you for YOU! AND I DO TOO!"
Ran reached out for Constance to hold her tightly. Constance reciprocated the hug while trying to fight back her
own tears that still managed to soak Ran’s shoulder. "Yeah, he's a jerk. He wants to hit us where we are weak.
And it seems the only way we can beat him, is to confront those weaknesses...."
Constance anticipated Ran freezing up, so held on tighter to her and her eyes caught a glimpse of something.
"You helped me with my issues so long ago...*I* was the jerk to you back then...let me help you Ran…
Constance pulled back and forced Rans forehead to bop with her own.

"The keys are inside you, and they lie in those memories. You know that, that's why you were hiding that book behind your back."
Constance slid it on Ran's lap, she had grabbed it during their hug.
The book was titled "Lost Memories" and it appeared Ran tried to stomp on it.
Ran started to hyperventilate, and Connie guided Ran to snuggle in and lean under her arm while she pat her head.

"I'm not leaving your side, Ran. We're going to go through this together…. And then we can go save your stupid boy."
Ran cried out in anguish, but opened the book anyway.

Mama was so kind and loving. She was the kind of woman who would put you first no matter what. And before she died, she was the one who took care of me always.

Yeah, Papa never even glanced my way. He was always busy at work and doing other... things. Things he would take me to. Things he would show me. Things he'd make me do.

That night, I heard a sound coming from the first floor. Mama tucked me in hours before then and maybe i shouldn't have done it, but I sneaked out of bed and downstairs. The sound intensified like... like a thwacking. A light was coming from the bathroom door and I went towards it.

I... I cracked it open. I saw Papa and... Mama. And a lot of red. And the sound was so loud.
After Mama was killed by Papa, he started paying more attention to me. Said I was his everything. Said I was his world. At this point I think I had... had blocked it out completely. I didn't want to believe he had done such a horrible thing to Mama, but I should have known.
He was never a sane man.

Mama wasn't his only victim. He would take me with him to the others, wanting me to be like him. For a while, I was fooled. He made me think going down that road was the only path for me, that I... would grow up to be exactly like him.

Somewhere deep down, I was disgusted. I didn't want anything to do with him or his sick hobbies. I wanted to show the realm what a big liar he was! That he killed Mama, that he was twisting his little girl to be just like a... a cold-blooded killer.
But I was small and weak. And stupid.

hat day, it was raining. I remember the teachers said I could wait inside, but it's hard to act happy surrounded by walls. If I went outside, if I waited in the rain... then I could cry all I wanted. My father was coming to pick me up and all I could do was dread every moment.

Only, he never came. I couldn't tell you how happy I was in that moment. A teacher came outside to tell me the news that my father, the famous Dr. Gallias was arrested for countless charges of murder. What happened after then is still a blur, but eventually the police were put in charge of me for a little bit.

The officers there were so kind to me, but I believed it was my fault that my father hurt so many people. I closed up to them. I wanted to yell to the rooftops that Gallias is evil, that he deserves to be rotting! That the men in blue were right. But I was gone. Gone inside myself.

I was taken to Sunflower Orphanage so that I didn't live a life of ridicule. It was far away from my hometown. There, I met... Io. Io and Connie, and even Lin. Arika and Berinhard too. A family. One I have to protect!
(The door unlocks, the girls embrace each other and head out.)

RAN HAS CONFRONTED HER PAST FULLY.

Constance is brought to a land made out of paper. Paper mansion, paper food, etc.
She obnoxiously shouts for Veles who poofs up. Constance agrees to his challenge,
and he sends her through several tormenting paper craft dimensions where she is reminded
that her parents have either died from starvation or are presently starving, yet she gets to enjoy food.
The final showoff between Veles and Constance was a RAP BATLLE, in which Constnace
mops the floor with him. He tries to throw her off by showing an image of Ran dying and
Constance mocks him for being a one trick pony. He gets annoyed with Connie and flicks
her into another dimension.
Click the TELEPORT to watch the Rap Battle:
TELEPORT!

Constance falls face first into a hospital room where Ran is seen shaking in the corner.
After a good heart to heart, it becomes obvious the way out of the locked hospital room
is that Ran must confront her past. Smolkie never got to view Ran's fulll past, nor
do his standard after-care from exorcising, so Constance volunteers herself to play
that role for Ran. She has been suffering PTSD and trauma based amnesia.
Once her memories return, Ran acknowledges she watched her father murder her mother,
and become a serial killer who dissected his victims, and made Ran as a child do the same as him.
Ran beats herself up over this, but Constance reassures her she was just a child that didn't know
any better. Ran is reassured she is free now and has a family she must love and protect.
The girls embrace and the door is unlocked, they make their way out together.

Meanwhile at the fairgrounds, the Reaping Ritual having never been performed disrupted the balance of things and opened a rift to the Nether realm. The Guardians had been spending days fighting off a relentless onslaught of demons while also avoiding the massive murder of crows still flying about, picking and pecking at all remnants of food. Being a bird himself, Spark had taken an immense liking to them.

The Guardians were successful in staving off their enemies from wreaking havoc on the rest of Voltra, but without any hope to its end. Until the day Veles was defeated. From the abyss of the ether, a starburst of clustered souls went to each crow infesting the fairgrounds, and a blinding light swept the area. “My friends!” Spark cried out devastated but as the light settled, he had a rare moment of clarity: the audience had returned! Albeit in strange locations since every single body of a soul had been transmogrified into a wandering black bird.

“Help!” A man cried out from the high beams, and with him several other people hanging on for dear life. Static and Frizz rushed up to them. “Wait, how'd you guys get up here?!” Spark squawked as he helped them down, his moment of clarity lost.

And in the midst of recovered souls, there were two noticeable figures back and ready to do a ritual. Trick and Treat, knowing time was of the essence, met at the stage and nodded to each other. “Trick, we must complete the ceremony or that rift will never close.” Treat dusted herself off before pulling the gift back out from her cloak.

Trick held up a hand and the gift he was to give her appeared in a burst of greenish flame. "Yes, Trick concurs. He is overjoyed to see you safe, Treat, but now we must finish what we began."

The exchange was carried out with a single focused onlooker. The young man who had shouted that their effects were good. He had been a bird rummaging through a food stall and was still rummaging as a person, cheering as the rift sealed shut above.

The souls of Cirque ad Infinitum and one Smolkie McMoy shot back into their bodies after Veles' realm collapsed. The pages of Io's spell to teleport them into the astral plane turned to dust, remnants lost to the wind.
“Brother!” Lin was the first one back to his feet despite his weakened condition. He looked down at his hands but Io's soul was gone. His heart skipped a beat.

“The orb my boy, the orb I say!” Smolkie pointed to a floating light some feet away. Lin, Ran, and Smolkie stumbled and charged after it, surprisingly back to where Lin had confronted you. Io’s body lay there peacefully with Velvet, Vyc, and Vontell watching over it. They raised their heads up happily, giving a slight cheer to see everyone back and okay. The orb made its way to flicker over Io before melting itself back into him, and just as it did... Io let out a moan, coming to consciousness.

“Buttershnuckles, you’re back!” Lin leapt to hold his brother and Ran to his side as well. "Bwuh?" Io was overwhelmed by the sudden stimulation and could only manage to let out a few sounds that fumbled out of him with the joyful manhandling.
“The boy needs some space to breathe I say! Give him room, give him room!” Ran and Lin reeled back just a bit, but Io sat up fully then with a shake of his head. "No, it's okay. I worried you all a great deal, and still you came for me. You saved me. For the first time in six years, I can see clearly..." Io turned to each of them as a rare expression showed on his lips. A genuine smile. Faint, but powerful. "Thank you."

There was a burst of cheer at the words and action which made Io cock his head in confusion. “Did it we all, together!” Berinhard laughed heartily with Arika letting loose a few tears.

“Not gonna join em’ gramps?” Constance nudged Smolkie. “This is their time right now. Wait, young miss! Why aren’t you over there?!” He tried to give her a slight push forward and she smacked his hand away.
“Do I look like the huggy type? He’s safe. That’s enough for me.” Constance stretched before plopping down with a yawn. Smolkie looked on at the happy family reunited and laughing once again.

“I hate to cut to the chase but…is everything…good now?” Vyc asked hesitantly, and it gave Velvet the confidence to chime in.
“Hope so. Personally, I’d be a much happier girl if we didn’t have to dodge any more mirrors or get choked out, you know?"”

Lin scratched his cheek in shame and Constance let out a boisterous laugh causing Arika to try and smack her. “This Doctor here! Very strong man. Pretty sure he was one to be defeating Veles!” Berinhard placed a hearty hand on Smolkie’s shoulder startling him, and Io rose his face up in Smolkie’s direction despite not being able to see him.

“You were the one?” Io’s question lacked any intent and was more so an auto response to the news. Smolkie scratched his face nervously while giving a chuckle. “My, I’m pretty sure it was all our teamwork together that beat Veles! Alone to do it? I couldn’t have.”

Lin nodded with a grin, “It’s true. Don't think we could have done it without him.”

Constance made a gagging sound. “Jeez, I hate humble people. Just say it and quit acting all goody goody about it.”

Arika swung for Constance every time she opened her mouth to say something bad, and a secret contest began between them to see who would outlast the other. “We're fi-finally free! Our family is safe, and Veles is go-gone. Now's the time to be ha-happy!” Ran did a spin on her heel full circle and pumped a fist to the sky triumphantly to which everyone agreed.

Vontell pulled a large bag out from behind the log he was seated and began pulling boxes of food out, arranging them gently. “I thought you all might be hungry when you returned victoriously and so we stocked up on some nourishment for your safe return.”

Velvet clapped her hands together in relief, "Oh, that's right! We can finally eat now that they're back."

Suddenly, a large hungered growl came from Io's stomach causing him to blush at the volume. Lin chuckled and Ran cover her mouth with a giggle as everyone started to eat.

“HEY! LET’S PLAY A GAME!” Constance shouted with a mouthful of pizza.

“Light hearted game good for calming the nerves! Like food helping the stomach!” Berinhard reached for another slice of pizza.

“First good thing you’ve ssaid since coming back, dear.” Arika gave a playful Grin which Constance waved off.

“I have just the idea for a game actually. I say - please, would you let me start?” Smolkie beamed his trademark nerdy smile and everyone joined in with their own, shouting approval.

After a night of fun and games, the celebration culminated in a photo of them all together...

Then, everyone made their way back to the city. Vyc, Velvet and Vontell gave a thorough testimony to all that had went down which came as an emotional shock to the Guardians. Accommodations were made for Cirque ad Infinitum and Smolkie to get a good night's rest at a hotel as saviors of Voltra. As the new day rose and everyone awoke with a sigh of relief that it wasn’t all just a dream... but Ran didn't rest well.

“Little butterfly, eyes look dark! Why is that?” Berinhard bent forward looking at Ran with concern who blushed in embarrassment.

“Connie sno-snores, Berrie. Loudly.” Constance walked out looking refreshed.

“You should get that checked out, Connie,” Lin suggested with a weary smile as he too could hear her through the walls.

“Yeah? And your brother needs his eyes checked. Minda ya’ business.” Arika appeared at Constance' back, looming over her. “Such a naughty girl,” she chastised the clown with a lack of s's which meant she was serious. "Do I need to give you a more thorough spanking?"
Constance whirled to face her and put up her dukes, “IT’S A MEDICAL CONDITION!”

Arika gave a sigh before Lin's voice attracted their attention. “Cornpuff? What’s wrong?” He asked looking at Io who was frozen in place, lips in a thin line.

“Io...? Wh-wh-what is it? What's wrong?” Ran walked over and reached out in concern, but his sudden voice caught her by surprise.

"Berinhard," he addressed the Strongman specifically. "I need you to take me somewhere, quickly."

The Strongman gave a blink but also a big grin, "Berinhard always here and ready for family, little moon!" He closed in on Io and lifted him up onto his shoulders.

Lin could recognize that intensity anywhere. Io would experience it when he had a vision of great importance. "What'd you see, little fawn?" He gently pried.

"Death," was all the Oracle could muster.


In the dead of night, Smolkie found himself scrolling down a familiar sidewalk. The Cirque ad Infinitum poster he had handed off to two children a week ago was poorly taped back in place on a nearby post. He curved into a brick alley way across the street from the hospital. Leaning his back to the wall and allowing himself to sink down, he pulled out his pocket watch. Flicking it open to look at the photo of he and his wife, he heard a demon's voice rasp tauntingly in his ear.

“I can bring her back, you know. If you release me, I’ll show you how! It's very easy.” Smolkie laughed and removed his hat so to wipe the sweat from his glistened bald head. “I do say, for a demon that can’t even win in his own dimension, you have quite the sense of humor to think you could do the impossible. Or that rather, I’d fall for such a ploy.” He could feel within him Veles seething with rage.
“So what if you outsmarted me? The watch is just a toy and like Io, you are naturally gifted with that disgusting magic in your veins. Good for you! Here's a cookie. But you didn’t think everything through, old man.” The hands on Smolkie’s watch ticked forward and he kept his eyes on the passage of time that felt slower now more than ever. Veles continued to berate him.

“Why THIS seal? You know that it can’t hold up forever. All it takes is a sliver of weakness and your entire body's mine! I can make you strangle the very boy you love so dearly- lifeless, into just another betrayal by you to him.” Veles words didn't bother Smolkie in the slightest which infuriated the demon.

“If I may be so conceited, I consider myself a very smart man. I realized rather quickly that Io’s spell would not be enough…if I didn’t take you within me. You would have just kept us all there for eternity tormenting us. With all the power you absorbed, none of us could have beaten you in your own realm. That I knew.”

Veles cackled, “True story. And here we are.” Smolkie placed his hat back on, tilting it forward so to cover his own eyes. “Yes, yes indeed! Here we are. Everyone’s souls were saved, Io can finally live happily with his family and most importantly, heal. The mission was a success.” The ticks of his pocket watch sounded a bit louder perhaps due to his own focus on the sound.

Veles scoffed, “And now I wait, since this spell is just a ticking time bomb and I’ll be free to drag you all back to my domain alllll over again.” Smolkie held the watch tighter before giving out the biggest laugh he ever shared. “You are correct, Veles. Correct about one thing in particular. This is indeed a ticking time bomb." In that moment, the demon understood. And felt true fear.

“Wait... no, you can't be serious?! Why would a human-”

The watch ticked a final time.



“Excuse me, sir! Where is the nearest hospital?” Lin asked a random civilian who looked up at the pale boy on Berinhard's shoulders. “Oh my, he doesn’t look too good. It’s just two more blocks down left!”
Constance groaned. “It ain’t for him." The troupe darted as fast as they could down the alley way. “Hospital and alley way of brick! Must be the spot there!”

Berinhard with Io, Lin by their side, and Arika were the first to reach the destination. Just as Constance and Ran were about to turn to look, Arika shoved them both back and away. “Hey! Watch it!” Constance protested but the strained look on Arika’s face sapped every drop of wit Constance had in her. Arika looked to both girls desperately. “Don’t look.” Ran’s eyes widened at the implications. Berinhard knelt down to let Io down gently, and the Oracle stepped forward with a stagger before Lin took his hand to steady him. The Ringmaster grit his teeth, and the Oracle's heart sank. Io knelt down slowly reached a hand out to touch the soft fabric of Smolkie's jacket. He traced his hand down his arm before the cold metal of the pocket watch triggered a magical flash of memories to reach the entire troupe's eyes.



If you are seeing this, Cirque ad Infinitum, then my life has come to a happy end! Do not be sad, I say, for now I go to my beloved wife wherever she may be. She would have loved each and every one of you, you know! Even you, Constance, in all your troublemaking! Incredibly endearing, she would have called it. Of that I am sure.

Io, I know there might be one question eating away at you, and my boy? I had always hoped to adopt you to carry on my legacy. I saw in you the burst of an exorcist's power, and I wanted nothing more than to give you a home where you could be safe. A family to call your own, hm?

Fate had other plans, however! Approved of you I was, but denied of Lin, and I saw how close you two had grown - oh, indeed I did! Two peas of a pod, you were. No way was I ever intending on separating you, and soon? You had a family to call your own. It may not have been with me, but that is of no consequence!

And here comes the elephant in the room, I'm sure. Smolkie, why did you do it? Because I've grown to love not one, but all of you, and I knew, knew Veles could not be defeated so simply! No, me and Iris have fought our share of demons, let me tell you, and this one was particularly nasty. There was only one way, I say, and that was to seal him within my very soul just long enough that his demise was assured!

Unfortunately, as was mine. Again I ask you, good sirs and madams of Cirque ad Infinitum, not to cry on my behalf! Smile, because Guardians know Io needs it. Live on, you wonderful children, and be happy as the family you deserve to be. The darkness is gone, and it's time, finally time for you to frolic in the light.

Be happy, be safe, and know Dr. Smolkie McMoy will always be watching over you.

Tears welled up in all of their eyes, even Constance letting out a pained gasp as she, Ran and Arika collapsed into each other for an embrace. Berinhard placed a thick hand on Io's shoulder as Lin held his brother close. “Was…good man! Loved you he did…” The Strongman choked on his words. “He was a better man than I always thought him to be…” Lin put on a brave face, and the Oracle? He clung to Lin's sleeve, unsure still how to process emotion. What felt like water dripped from his chin, but it wasn't raining. . .

A few days passed until the troupe was set to leave Voltra. Legal authorities loaded the casket into their vehicle and signaled to Lin that they are ready when they are. “I thank you all for your infinite assistance in our egregious affairs.” He said to the team of Shop keepers who made their way to see them off.

“If you don’t mind my asking, where are you takin'…him?” Vyc felt guilty for prying.

“Our little Oracle was able to do the describing of a vision. Of specific grave located in cemetery near the Sunflower Orphanage. That is where Mrs. McMoy rests…together…they should be.” Berinhard wraps his arm around Arika and pulls the hair from out of her face.

“Ah, that is most beautiful. I hope to one day visit,” Vontell shakes Berinhard’s hand, and his is almost completely enveloped.

“And where will you all go? I hope you come back to visit…” Vivi gave a warm smile to Ran who gave the peace symbol in return. “Sooner than you th-think! Voltra truly is am-amazing!”

Vyc walked over to frazzle up Constance’s hair. “I’d tell ya to stay out of trouble. But I don’t think it’s possible with this one traveling with you.” Constance quickly raised her head underneath his hand and bit Vyc’s finger. “Yeowch!” She whipped her head the opposite way. “Hmph! Well I’d tell you to stay out of trouble, but since I am trouble, I regret to inform you that we’re coming back.” Lin turned to her pouting. “Connie! We haven’t fully decided on that yet!”

Vanora leapt forward. “But oh, I really hope so! You guys were quite popular while here. Especially you, Io! Someday I want you to read my fortune, okay?” Io faltered but nodded his head. “I will.” He turned away from her and back to the caravan

“We are off. We will see you ssoon I’m sure.” Arika gave a wink to the group before following Io.

“Ba-bye! Tha-thank you Voltra!” Ran waved happily before loading herself in.

“Again, friends, we shall be doing the meeting!” Berinhard bowed deep before following Ran.
“Okay, show's over. Ya’ll can go home and forget us now.” Constance lifted her suitcase above her head.
“Not gonna happen girly. please be safe, everyone!” Velvet gave a wry smile to her and Constance just rolled her eyes before climbing in.

Lin gave a deep breath in. “I’ll be sure to inform you all somehow when we arrive and things are taken care of with Dr.McMoy.” Spark bustled through the group. “Hey man, I didn’t get to know you very well... but from the bottom of my heart, know that you and the rest of the troupe can come back and title yourselves Volties whenever you want!”

Lin smiled brightly. “I appreciate that offer. We’ll think about it. Despite everything or maybe because of everything, Voltra holds a special place in our hearts." Lin stepped up onto a wooden crate yet to be loaded into the caravan and dipped down to give a mighty bow.

“We hope you enjoyed the SHOW of the CENTURY!"
Everyone cheered out and clapped. He hopped back down, gave a wave with his back turned and like that, they were off to tie loose ends. As a family reunited.

Back in our dimension, the Guardians had been fighting off onslaughts of demons coming through Veles abyss.
Thanks to our victorious troupe and Smolkie however, both portals sealed after returning all lost souls.
Trick and treat continued with the Reaping Ritual. Io is okay, safe and sound and everyone celebrates together
over a light hearted game of victory. The next morning, Io has a vision of death sending him and his family
on a mission to look for Smolkie who was missing. They were unfortunately too late, Smolkie had sacrificed
his life the night before after they all played games. It is revealed that Io's spell was not enough to fight Veles,
and that Smolkie actually took Veles within himself. If he had not done this, then they would have been tormented
souls trapped forever in Veles domain. To prevent Veles from harming anyone else, Smolkie rigged himself with a spell
that would 100% assure that when Smolkie passes on- Veles does too. The troupe found Smolkie's body, and his
a collection of memories fell on their eyes. Smolkie explains how he is so happy he can be with his wife Iris again,
and that the reason why he never adopted Io is because he was never allowed to adopt Lin additionally. Smolkie
knew how close Io and Lin were and it tore him up as he always wanted to be a father to pass his knowledge of magic
onto. He knew they were close and separating them would be unethical, so with a heavy heart decided not to adopt Io.
A few days later the troupe packs up, promising they'll be back. They needed to travel back home, with police following them
so that Smolkie's body could be reunited with his wife's body. Hence the alternative pose unlocking of Smolkie's grave, being
with hers too. A bouquet of Iris, his pocket watch and watching over them a dove- the symbol of peace.
The troupe now free from their chains and reunited as a happy family once again, who will always honor and cherish
Smolkie's memory. This concludes our event story, and the team of Voltra hopes you enjoyed it. Our next official event
will be in December.