Millet's posts

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.

The Ringmaster found himself in a desolate void, frowning as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, “Well? What do you have waiting for me?” He asked into the nothingness, but only received silence in response. With a shrug, he moved forward to explore the strange wasteland.

Wandering what felt like ages, his eyes eventually spotted a distinct silhouette in the distance. A lone circus tent, one he had always made sure to visit daily. As he approached the dark velvet tent of Io, the Blind Oracle, the faint sound of crying could be heard within. With resolve, Lin stepped past the draped entrance, sighing in relief from the sight that greeted him. “There you are…”

With a sniffle, Io turned to look up at his brother, tears spilling from his shimmering eyes. “Lin… You found me…” The younger man offered Lin a smile, and it was a smile he hadn’t seen in a long time, full of hope and warmth. Noticing Lin’s surprised expression, Io’s hands found their way to his face, laughing weakly. “Oh, right… He gave them back to me. Probably as a sick joke. They weren’t doing me much good here…”

Returning the smile with one of his own, Lin approached the Oracle, kneeling to pat the top of his head, “Least something good came out of this… And of course I’d find you! You can’t shake me off that easily, chickadee,” Gently, his gloved hand cupped Io’s wrapped fingers, lifting him to a stand, “We’re attached at the hip, right? Now come on… Let’s find a way out of here.”

As Lin lead Io through the wastelands, the boy’s calm voice broke through the silence once more, “Maybe it’s for the best this all came to pass… At least now, I’ll no longer be a burden for you or the others of our family. You sacrificed so much for me, and…” His voice trailed off, wavering to barely a whisper as his hand squeezed against Lin’s, “I know it was always difficult for you to look at me, like that…”

“Hey… What gave you an idea like that?” Lin frowned as he glanced back, “Eyes or no eyes, you’ll always be my precious Io. Nothing will ever change that.”

“Really?” Io breathed out in relief, “You’ll always stay by my side?”

“No question, little moon. How else am I going to keep my eye on you?”

The ringmaster’s playful laughter fell silent when he heard the seer respond: “But aren’t you tired of having to watch after me? With your charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, you could have been a star. Instead, you’re held back by a miserable shut-in who still clings onto you like a child.”

Slipping his hand out of Io’s, it immediately landed on the handle at his hip, “Enough games Veles. Where is he?” He turned his head to glance back at the demon masquerading as his brother, discovering there was nobody behind him.

“You would like to know, wouldn’t you?” A distorted version of the Oracle’s voice cooed as Lin felt a pair of bandaged hands press against his chest. His gaze darted forward, only to be met by a pair of bleeding eye sockets and a disturbingly out of character giggle. Snaking his arms around the Ringmaster’s neck, this Io lifted himself against the man in a mocking hug, playfully dangling his legs in the air, “And then what? You think you’re going to save him? Where were you when I ripped those pretty little eyes out of his head, or when your stupid friends let me steal his body? Two for two. I’d say you have a pretty bad track record. Man, you suck Lin.”

In an instant Lin had drawn his whip, cracking it warningly as he shoved the imposter off him, causing this vision of Io to land on the ground with a thud. He whined mockingly, “You’re just going to hurt me yourself now Lin? Maybe I deserve it…” A wicked grin spread across the boy’s face, “You could have lived a pretty swanky life if you didn’t settle for a deadweight like me, after all…”

“You’ll have to do a lot better than this, Veles. I’m not going to hold back just because you stole his face,” Lin readied himself into a fighting stance, a determined glint in his eye, “Nah. I’m getting him back, one way or another. There’s nothing that will stop me.”

“Fascinating… Even your ‘precious Io’ can’t slow you? Let’s see if we can make this interesting, then…” The disguised Veles lifted himself into the air, laughing and in an instant, split into four versions of the Oracle, circling the Ringmaster as orbs of flame manifested into their hands, “Hey, heard you like playing with balls. Think you can handle these? If you survive, maybe you can see that little fool again. Too bad he can’t say the same!”

Smolkie gave a sigh as he traversed the darkness. He should have known better. A demon was no ordinary foe, and Veles was among the most powerful of them he had researched. He hadn't pieced it together until now, but legends told of a mysterious entity that plagued the forgotten realms. Who it targeted was seemingly random, but whomever was known to be in contact with it seemed to have lost something very specific.

Usually an ear. Sometimes a nose. Maybe a mouth. Rarely eyes. The eyes would have to be truly alluring, truly beautiful for the entity to bargain with their possessor.

Smolkie was so absorbed in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed the shadows lifted to unveil a breathtaking field of flowers around him. He blinked at the clear blue sky above and the tranquil space he suddenly found himself before turning his attention to the flowers. There was a myriad of colors from purple to red, white to yellow. Lavender, red dahlia, asphodel, and...

"A marigold," Smolkie breathed out as he knelt down to look at it closely. "For a flower that represents grief and death, I say you're rather pretty. Does awfully remind me of someone, though..." His voice trailed off.

"Oh!" A feminine voice made a sound of surprise and he jumped up. Spinning on his heel, he saw a strikingly gorgeous woman in a brilliant white ruffled sundress that ended just above her knees. She was wearing a straw hat with short auburn hair lazing beneath it. Her emerald gaze was big and bright, soaking his image in with curiosity. And then, realization.

"Smo? Could it really be my darling Smo?" The watering can she was holding fell to the ground as she clasped a hand over her mouth.

Smolkie, too, was at a loss. He lowered his glasses with one hand and wiped them with a cloth in his pocket, but didn't even put them back on. Just stared ahead.

The woman skipped forward with a curious cock of her head, "Smo, why aren't you saying anything? It's me!" She was so excited to see him that she forgot what it meant, "But if you're here, that must mean you're..."

"Iris... no, it's not like that - not like that at all, I assure you!" Smolkie finally smiled while wiping his eyes with a sleeve. "You could say it's the work of a demon that I get to see you again, Iris."

She frowned, "Smolkie, are you still fighting even without me?" She approached him until they were face to face, and looked up into his eyes. "If a demon did this to you, where is he? I'll show him not to mess with my Smo, and then you can go back to your world. Because this place isn't ready for you yet," she smiled as new flowers blossomed. Begonias.

Smolkie couldn't help but chuckle, "I know you'd give him a good whooping! You always were the stronger one, I say. Even when..." He took a shaky breath, "Even when they robbed you of your wish for a little one." He reached out tentatively and she guided his hand to her stomach, her eyes closed. "You were strong still, you were. More powerful than I'd ever be, hm? I'm sorry that... that I failed you, Iris."

The red dahlia gleamed as her tears fell onto it. "Please, Smo, it wasn't your fault!" Caressing his face, she leaned up on her tiptoes, "I went in your arms. Exactly where I wanted to be. We didn't have kids, but... we had each other. That's enough, right?" She wiped his tears.

Smolkie pulled her into a tight embrace and for a moment, you can see Iris grin a familiar grin. The flowers wilted into black roses as her hand twisted into an instrument of death, ready to strike at the man's back. . .

"I thank you, Veles, from the bottom of my heart," whispered the man. "I declare you gave me a gift worth more than anything! To see my sweet Iris again when such is impossible..." Smolkie thrust his hand against her as it blazed with holy energy. "Thank you." She screamed a very inhuman scream while staggering back. White hot flames spread rapidly until she was covered.

"B-but HOW...?!" Veles cried out, clutching at his head. "I-I took it! I mirrored her completely! The p-plan was perfec-" His voice cut off as he withered to nothing in a sudden blaze.

Smolkie stepped through the black garden to where Iris disappeared, and leant down to pick up his pocket watch. No doubt held by the entity for insurance. "Hah, this old thing? Merely a precious memento," he clicked the watch and it popped open to reveal a picture of him and Iris together, smiling. "One of a kind, certainly, but both my memories of dear Iris and... the powers I put to rest so long ago come from within. That I do declare."

]Lin cracked the whip to scatter a ball of energy into fleeting particles, but a second struck him in the back. Reeling in pain, he spun to roundhouse kick a third so it exploded elsewhere, and caught the fourth with his whip to fling it away.

"That all you got, Veles?" Breathing labored, he brought the whip taut to prepare for another round. Copies of the false Oracle shifted around him, multiplying. Laughing in a terrible blend of Io's sweet voice and something altogether sinister.

"Oh, but it looks like what little I'm throwing at you is more than enough. All I wanted to do was play with you, 'brother,' but it looks like you're more broken than a kid's toy!" The false Oracle smirked, "Guess this ain't really a happy meal for me, huh?"

Lin wiped his brow, sweat dripping off his chin. "You can mock me all you want, Veles, but your words matter to me about as much as that lame sense of antagonism you ripped off a 60s villain."

The false Oracle gave a frown, and the many images of him blurred out of existence. "Hoo? Then maybe action will show you I'm quite serious." Glancing around, the Ringmaster steadied himself for whatever was about to transpire, but nothing came. Veles slowly held up a bandaged hand and within the open palm, there floated an orb. It didn't seem similar to the others at all, however, and appeared more like a soft ball of light than a destructive sphere.

Lin's eyes widened in recognition.

Veles grinned as the blood trickled perpetually from his eyes. "I see you figured out what this is! Yup, it's your brother's soul. The real one..." He began to squeeze.

"Stop it!" Lin cried out and the entity complied.

"Then let's make a deal, hm?" He tossed the violet soul up and down rhythmically, amused at how Lin's eyes followed it. "You know how this works, don't you? Sign away your face and that lovely expression of determination, and I'll give you your brother back. You two can finally be together again. Refuse and well, I'm afraid I'll have to do some rearranging of this wittle life here." He turned his gaze on the soul and in that moment, Lin cracked the whip against his hand which sent the ball flying.

The Ringmaster leapt for it and curled his body around it, protecting Io from a blast of dark energy. He fell to the ground with Io's soul beneath him, his body singed and crackling. "Io... my sweet baby brother," he said weakly. "I promise not to mess up this time, okay? I'll... I'll protect you-AGH!" Veles put a foot on his back and pressed down, but still he clutched the soul.

"Another lie! All you're good for, Lin! You hear that, Io?! He's going to keep the big bad demon from you, but look at how weak he is now-" He let out a pained gasp and clutched at his chest. "What...? Don't tell me that old fool actually?" The false Oracle dissipated, and Veles' realm started to fall apart.

Lin believed after much searching he had found Io. However, much
like everyone elses experience, it was just Veles messing with him as Io
tormented Lin with thoughts of doubt about Io's value, and how much he
let Io down/failed to protect him. A impossible game of fireball commenced,
Lin continued to do the battle alone before the scene switched.

Veles came to Smolkie as a illusion of his late wife, Iris...who is confirmed to be deceased.
Smolkie shares a tender moment with final words he wished to have spoken...he apologizes
that they could never have children after an "incident", and they embrace lovingly. Veles, about
to kill Smolkie- anticipating him to be powerless without his pocket watch gets the surprise of
his life when Smolkie addresses Veles personally, thanking him for allowing him to see a realistic
image of his deceased wife again. Smolkie casts a spell and before Veles can finish his statement
of surprise- vanishes into a flame held in Smolkie's hand. Left behind, his watch fell to the ground
where Veles once stood and Smolkie smiles, clarifying the watch was just a fond memento of his wife.
But his memories of her along with his magical power- all actually come naturally from within him.

Back to Lin, beaten up sweating and exhausted. His body struggling to hang on and only sheer
will power keeping him together. Several copies of Io continue to taunt him, the real Io soul appears
and Lin leaps to catch him and protect him. Just as he does so, Veles stomps Lin back to the ground,
telling him he'll never leave. After a few excrutiating moments of Veles dominating Lin, Veles suddenly
Clenches at his chest in pain- screaming out. The scenery around them falls apart, somewhere someone
fought the real Veles and won....which was Smolkie.

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.

The group untangled themselves from a heap, and each took a stand to see where they ended up. It was an environment very familiar to all of them, but changed for the worst. A big sign reading Cirque ad Infinitum was bent over in the distance, blood covering much of the letters to form a haphazard smiling face. The tents were in disrepair, the attractions were broken down and dirty, and any greenery that might have been was instead barren. Muddy.

"Is this re-really... where we had our first show?" Ran swallowed as lightning struck in the distance. The skies overhead were dark and cloudy. It seemed as if the sun abandoned the realm long ago.

"Dumb dumb, this ain't real," Connie picked her ear with a yawn. "It's just that ole coot messing with us, obviously..." She glanced at Smolkie and corrected herself, "The evil one."

Smolkie pushed up his glasses, "You are free to label me how you wish, my lady, but I say evil is not something I can relate to!"

"Eyes forward," Lin brought his whip taut. "Feel like we'll be meeting the welcome committee sooner rather than later."

In the blink of an eye, a well-dressed individual presented itself to them. A toothy grin in a face of shadows was the only visible feature. "And the Ringmaster makes his observation known, geh heh! I suppose that's what makes you the reliable one, hm? In all things with the exception of caring for your dear brother!"

Lin bit his lip, "I know. That night... I was the first to find him. I'll never forget the pain he was in, the horror he must have faced. But that's on you, not me." He shook his head, "Not us."

"A typical response," Veles mused. "You fancy yourself as the hero, and it's accurate. You probably came here with hope in your wittle hearts thinking I can be defeated willy nilly in my own realm, but lo and behold!" He floated upwards and all the attractions started to work again. The lights blinked on. The merry-go-round spun. The machines spoke of 'inserting an ohm.' "I welcome you to my world, home of the greatest show in all the universe! Unfortunately you haven't paid the proper admittance. This is a business, you see, and we'd go bankrupt if we allowed just anybody to come and go! Let's start with the musclehead."

The dark entity pointed down with a hand and the group watched as a black hole opened beneath Berinhard. The Strongman gave a cry that faded to nothingness as he fell out of view. The hole closed.

"BERIN!" Arika screamed and dug at the hole, but it was futile.

"Oh, don't worry my dear! I had intended for the lovers to be together. I am ever so generous like that," he nodded to himself and nudged his smokey head. Arika flung up into the sky and vanished from view.

Connie scratched her cheek, "So uh, I'm thinking we didn't know what we were getting into."

The hypnotist took a step forward and shouted, "I, Dr. Smolkie McMoy, will not allow you to harm this family any more than you have already. Prepare to be annihilated, fiend!" He thrust the pocket watch forward and sent a torrent of light towards Veles who recoiled in terror. He let out an unnatural scream of pain as the beams hit their mark, crackling energy of the many blasts covering his form.

But instead of any actual damage, the smoke cleared to reveal Veles just dandy. "Just kidding," he shrugged with his shoulders, arms behind his back. The tentacles whipping about snatched up Smolkie's watch and held it before the entity's face. "So this is the little toy that let you break all my lovely relationships," he let out a mock sigh. "Let's see how you fare without it, hm?"

With that said, the entity tapped his foot against the ground to make the entire landscape crack into nothingness. With no footing, the group descended into darkness unknown.

Berinhard woke just in time to roll out of the way of an oncoming car. Struggling to the sidewalk, he heaved himself to a stand and looked around to get his bearings. He knew where he was very well, and grunted in discomfort. It was a city. Beautiful, colorful, and for him, twisted. People brushed past him, but they didn't seem to have any faces or appearances. They were merely silhouettes, and their voices were jumbled. There were so many speaking in unison, but it was just like he remembered.

A population that didn't care if he existed or not.

The honk of a horn drew his attention to a taxi, and sitting atop its roof was Veles, legs crossed. "Welcome home, little Berin. Nice place ya got here, huh? Oh, but you got beat everyday, and ignored by those you called out to. Can't imagine that was very fun!"

The Strongman exhaled through his nose, "Know what it is shadow face trying to do. Taunting the Berinhard! Make him the sad, angry boy, non? Pah!" He narrowed his gaze, "Papa is always front of the brain, yes? Keeps Berinhard's fist for the protecting of family, not the pain of innocents. Not to be doing the swinging lightly."

Veles laughed, "Is that so? I always took you for a musclebound buffoon, but I suppose a brain still ticks somewhere in that hollow skull..." The many tentacles swarming at Veles' back hoisted him off the taxi and lowered him onto the ground just as a passerby went through him.

"Berinhard did say muscles are for protecting the family, yes? You pose threat to family and have for very long time!" The Strongman smashed his fists together and stomped a foot into the ground. "For you, shadow face man, Berinhard making the exception so you no hurt any one ever again!"

"So you mean to tell me that even after all your boasting, you're putting up your dukes to beat me into a pulp?" Veles raised a hand, "Then let me show you what true power is, you brainless oaf." The dark entity snapped his fingers and the coloration in his attire turned to shadow. The tentacles shrunk as his body grew into a rippling powerhouse.

The Strongman looked up at the massive foe and spat, "Take more than big size to be scaring me, shadow face man!"

Berinhard leaps out of the store and brings both massive fists onto Veles' chest, driving him deep into the pavement. Despite the dark entity's laughter, the Strongman continues his assault by swinging his fists into Veles' chest, again and again. "This is for the little Io, this is for the family you hurt, and this? This is for the eyes you stole!"

Berinhard grabs the entity by one of the squirming tentacles, spins him around, and tosses him up into the sky, waiting for him to fall before driving a powered fist into his gut for 568 damage.

Veles flies through several buildings and lies motionless. Until vanishing and reappearing behind the Strongman in perfect condition. "Did you honestly think it would be that easy, little Berin?"

Berinhard turns to raise his hands and defend, but Veles backhands him to blast the Strongman through dimensions.
____
Arika glanced to her side as the wall there collapsed inwards, Berinhard flying through. He bounced once on the floor and settled at her feet to which she let out a gasp. "Ma miel!" She fell to her knees and started treating him, but Veles interrupted, voice sourceless.

"Oh, so sorry! Seems I was a bit too hard on him. I do hope he can get it up for you again sometime soon, and hey! I hear eternity's a long time, so enjoy the maze.

Still very unaware of your surroundings, but knowing you for certain don’t trust the steps, you turn right. For an instant, there is a flash. A woman stands in your path, unrecognized by most. “Mother? Iss that you?”

Arika goes forward, but never letting go of Berin’s hand who stood close behind her. Her mother gets closer. “Arika… my child.” Her voice raspy and strained. Arika was hesitant, she knew this was not her mother, but having never said goodbye she braved the chance to tie loose ends. She closes in on her mother, who appears to look back endearingly. Berin is hesitant but allows Arika this moment, never letting his attention waiver.

Once Arika’s close enough, her mother figure places her hands on Arika’s shoulder, pulling herself close. Her facial features reveal a twisted version of who was once long ago a caring mother, quickly deteriorating as if her skin was melting. “Arika! Arika!!” It kept repeating, the viperous beauty frozen in place, terrorized by the vision in front of her. Despite it all, it brought back those last moments they used to live together. Tears streaming down her face Arika uttered out “I’m ssorry life dealt you those cardss, mother.”

What now looked like a shriveled-up monster, shrieked loudly and pounced at Arika, who flinched back at the nightmarish sight. Berin didn’t waste time though, he swung at the thing with all his might, his punch landing on a hard surface with a thundering sound. The vision evaporated it seemed, Berinhard was now preoccupied with his beloved, but you notice that there’s a crack on the wall. Could it be a way out?

The group arrives in the astral plane to confront Veles. He greets them condescendingly.
Steals Smolkie's pocket watch, and separates everyone into different dimensions. Each to face
a different version of him and his games.

Veles starts in on Berinhard, bringing up his past child abuse to which his taunts didn't harm Berin
in the slightest. Berinhard challenges Veles to a fight, and Veles swells up to be a towering smog demon
and they face off. After enough time, Veles is bored and sees Berinhard is not tiring- so power kicks him
into another dimension. Breaking through a wall Berinhard ends up at the feet of his beloved Arika
whom was trying to navigate through a maze.

After navigating for some time Arika and Berin are confronted with an illusion of Arika's deceased Mother.
They both know it isn't real, but none theless Arika desires to say words she never got to spoke.
She had her touching moment but then the illusion attempted to attack area- to which Berinhard did the
Favor for her and destroyed the image out of existence. Holding hands, they find a large crack in the wall
and brave through it for their escape.

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...

"Rest now my boy," Smolkie caught Lin as he fell forward, unconscious. Breathing a sigh of relief, the hypnotist
glanced up and found that the fog lifted. The fairgrounds were covered in crows flying, cawing, hopping along,
and scavenging through various attractions. It looked less like a carnival and more like a sanctuary for black birds of death.

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice call out to them. "Ah, it is good to see you all safe and sound," Vontell approached with a smile. "It would seem you have made your way back to us," he gestured to Vivienne and the others before looking behind the hypnotist with narrowed eyes. Smolkie followed his gaze to the big top resting ominously ahead. It appeared as if in their quest to find Velvet, the dastardly fog had guided them back to where they had begun.

"I say..." The hypnotist let out a shaky breath. "That is an extremely unpleasant aura indeed. An evil most foul awaits us within there. Of that I am sure!"

Vyc gently took the unconscious Lin from Smolkie and laid him beside the others, sharing a knowing look at Vivi who was beside Vanora in worry. He stood upright and cracked his neck, "Well, might be some answers in there to this freakin' mess. We gotta go in and check it out, right?"

"Right! There's a lot of people counting on us," Velvet chipped in with an uncharacteristic fist to her palm. "I got some payback to give, too. Whatever's causing this mess got me choked and that sucked."

"I wish I could help, but I feel as if I have to stay back and watch them..." Vivienne held a hand to her chest with a concerned look at the ones slumbering. "Dr. McMoy, they... will wake up, won't they?"

Smolkie gave her a confident smile, "On my honor, Miss Harper. It may take them a while to come around since the darkness had them tight in its clutches, but I do say they will be ever fine! Right now, however, we have to do something about that," he looked towards the big top with a narrowed gaze. "Let us be quick, careful, and safe."

"That is a most sound argument, Vivi," Vontell nodded. "I shall stay behind with you and offer what meager protection I can provide! None of us should be alone in these dire circumstances." Vivi looked up at him mouthing the words 'thank you.'

Unbeknownst to them both, the miniscule blackness in Von's eye wiggled about. . .

The group made their way slowly to the big top, watched by beady red eyes every step of the way. Steeling themselves, they pressed through the entrance flap and emerged in a pitch black space. Not even the light from outside seemed to pierce the darkness around them. There was no familiar sound anymore. No crows. No crunching of their footsteps. Just strange muttering of an otherworldly nature. Like an unnerving chant of some sort, sourceless in the shadowed air.

"Did I say it's up to us? I meant you guys," Velvet turned on her heel to leave, but it was too late.

A myriad of disembodied eyes blinked to life before them. Eyes of various sizes and states. Eyes of bloodshot sorrow and innocent curiosity. Eyes that, in terrifying unison, flicked their unflinching gaze onto the group. The unrecognizable words they heard before hadn't skipped a beat.

Velvet's own eye twitched as she took a step back, "Yeah okay, I cap my brave meter at floating eyes!"

"Wait, I recognize this symbol!" Smolkie clenched a fist in realization and shouted, "Io! I know you're there. Please don't be afraid, my boy, and speak to us!" There was a pause in the distant voice, however slight, before its tone rose. With the increase came a wave of nauseating energy that brought the group to its knees in collective anguish. What was a single pulse turned so intense that the group thought themselves wrapped in a cyclone of despair.

"W-wait, my... boy..." Smolkie grunted as he clawed himself forward. The eyes above and beyond shifted closer to observe his struggle. One eye twitched hyperactively around him as if excited. "Don't... don't do this, I say!" He brought his pocket watch to bear and pushed it against another wave to fight the building pressure. The watch glowed brightly and emanated a shield of light that seemed to protect him... for now.

He shouted back to the rest, "We must break through, my friends, and save Io! Only then will the darkness be quelled, I think!"

Smolkie reached out with all his might and against the torrential waves of energy, pressed his glowing pocket watch to a shimmering wall of dark force. Like glass, the barrier shattered, and the group could make out Io just ahead. He was knelt down in the center of swirling tarot cards each dimly lit with magical power, hands clasped together in prayer. His chanting stopped, however, and he slowly brought his head up, biting his lip.

"Io my boy! You're... okay," Smolkie let out a sigh of relief, and smiled wide as he stepped towards the Oracle.

"Stop," he shouted in a tone that froze the hypnotist in his tracks. "Now that it has come to this, there is no other option. I need you to kill me." The group let out a collective gasp of horror, but the Oracle's voice was calm. Resolute. "If He... if Veles gains full possession of my body," he shook his head. "There will be no stopping Him. Please, you must act now. End me and-"

Smolkie, tears in his eyes, leapt forward and embraced the boy. "No no, there is no way we could ever do such a thing! It's fine, my boy, it's fine! I can help you, I say... I can exorcize you!" Io remained rigid in his arms, head turned. He let out a slight exhale.

"You cannot. You are powerful, but He has been inside me for far too long." He gave the hypnotist a gentle push away and thumped a hand over his own heart, "To end this nightmare, you must end me before I'm lost to Him completely. Do this one thing, if nothing else."

Smolkie squeezed the pocket watch tightly, staring at Io's face with nothing but hesitation on his own. He would never have a chance to act, however, for a rumbling voice spoke from the ether. It was one very familiar to all of them, and absolutely terrifying for Io. The same voice that seemingly devoured Trick and Treat.

"Oh..." The voice drawled out. "There you are, Io! You've been such a naughty boy, running from your dear ole demonic pal!" Laughter boomed throughout the space as the shadows in the big top grew closer to the center, swirling towards Io. "What have you to say for yourself, hmmm?"

"I have a bad feeling about this," Vyc clenched his teeth.

Velvet stomped her foot and shouted out, "Are you the one responsible for all this-" She squeaked when an eye opened by her head, and she felt cold breath on her neck.

"Why yes, my dear! I most certainly am," the resounding voice took on many tones as it spoke, and no sound was ever the same. It made her skin crawl. "The name's Veles, as you've heard. An absolute pleasure to be greeted by so many on the day I finally move out! Or in, should I say?"

The darkness converged into a singular silhouette that rose from behind Io, hand clutching his shoulder. A toothy grin revealed itself where the face would be, but Io didn't seem to budge under the menacing presence. He looked straight in Smolkie's direction and mouthed the words: "Find Ran."

"My boy, I won't let this monster do anything to-" The hypnotist brought his pocket watch to bear, but Veles frowned.

"You're far too loud, Gramps. Take a seat and remember to use your indoor voice," the twisting shadow at Io's back made a flicking motion and the hypnotist flew back to the others, crashing to the floor at their feet. They watched in horror as Veles bore its hand into Io's chest, the boy crying out in pain as all the darkness in the big top surged into his body.

When the cries came to an end and the maelstrom settled, Io was still standing there. He reached up, took his blindfold in both hands, and pulled it off ceremoniously. A grin overtook his expression, then, as he started to chuckle. And cackle. And burst into a fit of manic laughter.

Smolkie swallowed and whispered out, "Io...?"

The laughing ceased abruptly as the Oracle raised a hand, "I'm afraid he can't come out and play right now. Shame, isn't it?" He crossed his arms with a shake of his head, "Oh well! But thanks for your help. That fool spent the better half of his life learning that spell to get rid of me, and you put a stop to that far better than I ever could!"

"No... I..." Smolkie looked down at his watch, choking back a sob. "I just wanted to help him... help him, I say."

Veles shrugged, "Eh, sometimes you just can't win. Smell ya later! Or never." He waved happily and vanished from sight.

Otherworldly eyes started to swirl our cast as they got into the big top.
Immediately Smolkie could sense Io's presence and called out to him.
The more they progressed the weirder things felt and a violent and nauseating
force repelled them. It had kept them stuck within a limited parameter.
All they could hear was Io chanting. They solved the cryptic puzzle from within the barrier to break free.
The answers to the puzzles were messages from Io prior to possession-
begging them to remain where they were, and that he would
fix his own mistakes and had a plan.

Upon breaking free, Io pleaded with Smolkie to kill him...otherwise Veles would fully take over him,
and there'd be no going back, lives would be lost.
This was an impossible request for Smolkie, as he loves Io like a son.
He refused and asserted he'd save Io, but just as quickly as the promise came
the force that has been threatening the troupe and captured Trick,
Treat and who knows how many innocent people -revealed itself.

Veles plunged its hand into Io's chest flooding his heart with darkness.
All of the darkness that surrounded the fair grounds now rapidly pooled
and concentrated inside of Io. He cried in pain, but before losing his
sanity he silently mouthed the words to smolkie. "Find Ran.

Smolkie understood but was frozen devestated. Io threw some verbal low-blows
saying it was all Smolkie's fault Io's ultimate plan didn't work.
'Boo hoo' and Veles vanished before their very eyes while laughing.

"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.

It was clear Vivienne was in no condition to further assist. Vontell had volunteered himself to be in charge of looking after
the circus lovers; while Valentina had dragged Vreg out to scavenge for any and all miscellaneous parts that could be engineered
into support items for everyone.

"You don't think that....'those two' are gonna wake up anytime soon, right? You're confident the others will be okay while we are gone?"
Turning to flash Velvet a comforting and confident smile, Smolkie presented his pearly whites that contagiously drew hers out as well.

"Even if the Snake Charmer and Strongman DO wake up,
I wouldn't worry your pretty little head Ms. Watson. Forgive me if I sound arrogant, but I am quite good at what I do!"
Smolkie's assurance to them certainly provided more hope than they started out with.
Setting out to search the rest of the fair grounds; their vision slightly obscured by a thickening haze of fog.

"Ah!! What the heck! Where did this thing pop outta?!"
Along the field with twists and turns, a series of mirrors suddenly stood before them.
Slowly, one dropped forward and one by one like domino's they collided with deafening thuds.
Turning back with a shrug Smolkie gestured toward the mirrored road.

"Illusion or not, this seems like a convenient way of communicating where we need to go next, wouldn't you two agree?"
Following the path lead them to a hill and it was there they made eyes on the attraction sign labeled "House of Mirrors".
The building was the only thing in plain sight as it colorfully stood out.
The doorway served to be an open mouth to the face of a clown. Cracking his knuckles, Vyc felt a surge of bravery come over him.
"Let's do this, guys."

Making their way down the hill, feeling satisfaction that it was just the right level of steep to help pick up speed without risk
of falling they jutted down. Then the sound of a tubular bell distressingly chimed off--- followed immediately by a mirror snapping
itself up from the ground in front of Vyc! "Whoa, whoa there!!” he shouted before being absorbed into the mirror that sank immediately
back down into a smoky and ravenous abyss.

Caught in a moment of shock, Velvet paused and her hands shook trying to comprehend what just happened. "Oh NO, Vyc!"
Remorse flooding through her. Smolkie tugged her forward into a run that spared her from the chime that just rang off.
A mirror sprouting up in the place where she had just stood.

"I trust Vyc can take care of himself!
I promise to find him as soon as we are out of this mess!"
She was barely able to make out what he said over
the now hundreds of bells blaring off in a corrupted melody of notes.
Rushing forth while dodging the mirrors, horror washed over their eyes as a giant construction drill slowly barreled out from
behind the attraction. It powered on and buzzed a threatening hum as the red and white stripes swirled like a menacing candy cane.
The vehicle slowly turning to face their general direction, flicked its headlights on and the engine revved as the thick tire treads tore up
the grass before darting straight at them with ferocious speed.

"We need to split up!" Velvet leapt to take a sharp left. Feeling dazed for but a moment too long, Smolkie was now
the drill's primary target. He rushed to the right so to divert it away from her.Frustration overwhelming him as the frequent
and abrupt interruptions hindered his direction and speed. None the less, he managed to somehow dodge with grace.
The candied vehicle still far outmatched Smolkie by all measurements. Left with no choice-after curving back around
he aimed straight for the entrance to the House of Mirrors. The point of the drill not even a foot away from piercing his
shoulder blades, he ducked down and immediately tumbled sideways into the building.
The vehicle came crashing into the entrance right along with him. It continued to menace the wood paneling and sparks flew
as the drill connected with varying wall mounted screws that shredded out at him. After a few more moments of the obnoxious
layering of noise, the drill finally had shorted out and powered down. Leaving Smolkie trapped inside .......

"Well....this is rather inconvenient!”
Smolkie brushed off and allowed himself a moment to catch his breath. Looking down the only hall he could go.
It was laced every inch including the ceiling, with tall pane mirrors that reflected into each other making it
seem as though there was a thousand copies of himself stumbling about.
"If I keep low and just look at the floor, I should be able to find my way out....I hope..."
Hunching over, he progressed forward keeping his hand to the floor so to feel for the turns.
Inevitably, after numerous hallways a much welcomed change of color peered out in a ray across
several of his reflections. Refracting off the mirrors, the red flickering glare of an exit sign offered promise.

Slowly coming to stand upright, eyes not wavering from his destination, Smolkie was suddenly shoved harshly back down
into the floor! Knocking the wind out of him, along with his tongue so to taste the thick dust with hints of mildew layered
over the hardwood that chilled his abdomen. Determined to act, he used full force to turn himself around against
the oppressive weight. Now facing upright, back pressing to the floor; Surprise hit him as he was faced with
a distorted imitation of himself. Only, his image seemed to be leaking out of the mirror and splattering around him,
singeing the floor. He kicks at the ground so to propel himself backwards and closer to the exit door .
"No I much really rather not confront you, fine sir! I have other matters to attend to.
I'm to assume you are an illusion soooo GOOD DAY TO YOU!”
Booking it out the exit door, a cyclone of emotions stir as he can finally see outside;
A large mirror stood floating, within it Vyc’s face lit up pleasantly surprised!


"Whoo-hoo! There’s the man of the hour! Took ya long enough gramps!” Tauntingly floating her way down from the drill
while humming a song, Constance remained levitating off the ground to stand a head higher than Smolkie.
Raising his hand to point up at her nose, his brows furrowed ready to lecture.
“You need to release Mr. Vyc at once, young missy! This is completely uncalled for!!”
She pursed her lips into a dramatized saddened expression as she rubbed her eyes and faked a whine.

"But, but...you wouldn't want TWO full grown men to fight ONE little girl! Taking advantage of lil ol' me and my poor, poor decapitated body.
Are you a sick person, Dr.McMoy? Dr. McToy?....hehehehe." She punched her own head off laughing, and caught it with the other hand.
Smolkie grimaced at the sight.

"Seems to me you are likely avoiding a battle of wits in FEAR of losing to a prematurely bald headed man and the tattooed
lacky who already beat one of your previous games!" Smolkie crossed his arms sternly as he peered at her eyes with a raised brow.
His statement and demeanor boiled an unexpected anger within her, as she clutched her own seething and chattering.
Her body pitched her head like a baseball against the mirror that imprisoned Vyc, causing her to stick flat to it.
She wiggled her head to peel itself off from the mirror causing her to bounce slightly off the ground, rolling towards Smolkie
like a bowling ball without a lane. "You're gonna join him gramps. I'm going to ROAST you, throw your charred body in the mirror
and hang you both on my wall as decoration for the new kingdom of Veles!"

Smolkie scoffed disapprovingly as he watched her roll pitifully back to her body. "I think not, child." Behind them,
cascades of paper plummet from the sky- the size of commercial billboards. She pulls a lower eyelid down and sticks
a tongue out while floating past them to perch herself upon the stack.

"Pay close attention, I won't say it twice.
Here is how to play, my dear sacrifice."

The dull humming sound of a fresh drawn sword sang out as the mirror that held Vyc and the arena fighters captive fell to pieces.
As if blades had crisscrossed slices into glass, the billboard sized notes shattered and came cascading down into reflective
colorful sprinkles. Among the airborne debris, Constance's head and body segregated from each other and came tumbling
down as well. Smolkie’s eyes scavenged the prismatic flecks hard before noting where Constance was and as soon as he did,
he pointed affirmatively. “Quickly Vyc, over there! You get the girl’s head and I’ll retrieve the body!” Rushing forth and into the
dancing shimmers of glass, Vyc closed in to the area where her head was about to land. His legs running faster than ever before
end up sliding on the slick dewy grass which allowed him to close the final distance and catch her head into his chest.

“I gotchyu kiddo!” He gave a celebratory fist up to the sky, but quickly his confidence faltered as he stared into the still and lifeless
face that began to blur from his body shaking and gut sinking ten levels below the ground he lay. Progressively dissociating until
Smolkie’s shouting brought his attention back.

“Bring her head back here! I can’t continue the ceremony without her head, or else she’ll die!”
Whipping his gaze from her face to Smolkie’s, Vyc could see he was mid process of his routine but intentionally delaying
while fending off the body that kept lunging at him to bite. Hope swelling back into his heart, Vyc shot straight up into a full sprint,
Constance’s head cradled safely into the pit of his arm. Nearing her body, he had to quickly back-step as she turned her erratic
aggression onto him, thrashing her fists about.

“Becareful Vyc, this will be tricky! You have to place it back at the same time as I finish the magnetic pull!”
Smolkiek’s expression was nervous, but Vyc was determined and ready.
“It’s now or never doc!” He called back with a sheepish smirk, that gave Smolkie a warm smile.
“In 3!” Smolkie positioned himself ready to pull
“2!” Vyc inched closer.
“1!” Leaping up, Vyc carefully but with force slams her head down back in place,
and Smolkie as if swinging a golf club rips the watch forward- pulling out the demonic influence with
its forward extension. Just as they both finished and paced backward for safety, crackles of electricity cauterize
Constance’s head back solidly in place to her neck.

As the fog and smoke dispelled, Constance could be seen with her body turned back to normal.
Looking that of a statue as her only movement came from the inhale and exhale of her natural breath.
Feeling beside himself, Vyc plopped down backwards in relief.
“Thank goodness…you’re alive, we did it.”
She turned to the kind and familiar voice and as her eyes met his, her lips quivered in shame and guilt.

“Constance my dear, if you could do just one single easy thing for me. I request that you please follow the movements
of my pocket watch with your and only your eyes. Could you do that for me?” Her deep inhale seemed enough indication
to both Smolkie and Vyc that she’d try to comply. Dropping the watch to dangle from the chain, he began his aftercare.
A smile painted Vycs face as he noticed her compliant and shifting gaze. A gentle but still loud snap from Smolkie triggered
Constance into a deep sleep, and before both their eyes her past flashed in segments:
____________________________________________________________________________
Wearing mismatched clothes about three times too big for her, Constance was hopping up and down her arms reaching up excitedly.
Thin and calloused arms reach down for her and raise her up to the water-damaged ceiling to give her a slight bounce.
Her giggle infectious and beckoning the returned hearty chuckle from her father.
A young woman gasping from the corner watching them. “Please be careful! Don’t drop her!”
“I ain’t gonna drop her, and even if I did she would fly, wouldn’t ya Connie?”
Connie gave a assured nod. “Yeah Mama, I’d fly right to ya!” The woman rolled her eyes and laughed as she walked
to join them as they came together in a loving embrace. The scene fades out into another.

Constance’s stomach grumbles loudly and she struggles not to fidget in her seat at the dinning table.
When her mother enters the room and steam fans out off the hot plate, she licks her lips anticipating the moment
she can fill her tummy. “I made your favorite tonight, sweetheart.” Her mother said while placing the plate down in front of her,
giving it a gentle blow so to cool it for her. “Boxed mashed potatoes, canned sweet corn and canned peas!!” She gasped excitedly.
"Thanks Mama! You're the best cook EVER!" Her mother smiled warmly. “Your father should be home any minute now…
I wonder what is taking him so darn long?” Right on cue, their door creaked open and in he walked. He had to shove his entire body
weight against the door to try to get the lock to latch but failed. “Give it a body slam papa!” Constance cheered out, rusty fork in hand.
He looked at the both of them and then pretended to flex his biceps before heaving himself into the door.
The satisfactory clicking sound of the lock aligning rallying a clap from all of them.

The scene flicks again as Constance was awoken from three assertive rasping knocks at their bedroom door.
She rubbed her eyes dazed and confused, looking around and noticing her parents were not tucked in their floor mats.
Muffled voices could be heard from the door.“Please, don’t do it so loudly! She doesn’t need to be awoken so cruelly!”
She could hear her mother beg. “We have to do this. Think of her wellbeing.” Another woman replied as if reciting a line
she had done a hundred times before. “I have every intention of requesting a retrial! I swear!
I couldn’t make it because I had work and if I didn’t show for the shift they would have fired me!” Her father panicked.
“Get out. Of the way. Sir.” This mans voice deep and intimidating, unlike her fathers sweet and comforting voice.

A shifting of feet, and a gasp from her mother, the door creaked open---Constance having to shield her eyes
from the hall light blinding her. A woman wearing a full pantsuit walked over to her, her heels clicking against
the shifting floorboards. “Hello sweetie, I hate to wake you up like this, but we need to have a chat somewhere else
….Right mom and dad?” she looked over slowly at Constance’s parents who both wore looks of pain.
An officer behind them shifted his eyes to the both of them angrily.
“Go with the nice lady sweetie…everything is going to be okay .” Her mother uncomfortably avoided eye contact.
“Like HELL it is!” punching the wall and storming off, her father left her sight and the officer paced after him.
“It’s time to go now, Connie. Let's find your shoesies." The only shoes in the room were worn out moccasins that
reeked of several summers. The strange woman had grabbed Constance’s hand pulling her up. She looked to the mother
for an answer but she was muffling sobs from her hands. “What’s going on?” Constance asked shaking.
“We’re going on a field a trip! Oh! You could use my work computer to play a game of TIMs!"
The lady had a bright smile but it leaked artificial.

“I love you Constance. SO very much.” Was all her mom could say as she passed by, now looking at her in a blur
through tears as Constance was carried off. Regret filled Constance for complying... so she began thrashing,
kicking and screaming. out the door. “MAMA! PAPA!” She saw her mother drop to her knees as her father ran to catch his wife
-the cop keeping an eye on him. Her Mother reached out her hand pointlessly as the father looked on and sobbed.
"We'll bring you back home Connie, I swear it!" and the car door slammed shut cutting of sight of each other.

And finally, the scene flicks one last time and the blur of trees and buffeted sounds from random structures
hypnotically passed through the car window for what was a drive lasting hours. Pulling up into a large building
“Sunflower Orphanage”. “Please be on your best behavior, Connie. No more destroying things, okay?" The social worker
asked as if pleading. Constance hesitated to leave the car and looked up at the woman.
“My parents…they lost?” The woman sighed, looking away. “I’m sorry hon. You don’t realize it now….
But that environment was not fit for a child. They couldn’t afford to take care of your basic needs. It was toxically filthy.
You wouldn't have thrived there." Constance hopped out of the car, her one bag in hand booked it for the opposite direction,
attempting to escape. “Constance, get back here!!!” The woman desperately called out. It wasn’t long before a series of on
site guards captured and restrained Constance to the pavement as she kicked and screamed trying to escape their grasp.
“I want to go HOME. I want to be with my FAMILY. WHY? Why is that so WRONG?!”
__________________________________________________________________________

Back to the present, Vyc and Smolkie ease their heavy emotion filled breathing. “I could use a sleep like she is right about now…”
Vyc said trying to maintain some level of humor. Smolkie extended his hand to pat Vyc’s back as he tried to clear his own sniffles.
“I’m afraid there’s no time for that, Mr.Vyc. We have another glaring problem to address.”
Fists clenched, Vyc lifts his gaze to Smolkie as a knot of worry and dread forms in the pit of his stomach.

“Yeah….where’s Velvet?”

Most of the NPCs stayed behind to attend be helpful in other ways. Velvet and Vyc set out with Smolkie to search for clues, when a path
leads them to "The House of MIrrors".They confidently darted towards it, but it was a trap. Mirrors started sprouting
up from the ground- one managed to capture and detain Vyc. Velvet ran away successfully dodging them, but Smolkie got trapped
in the attraction all alone. After facing and fleeing from a mimic, Smolkie manages to escape but is now ready to confront
Constance(whose head was detached), and save Vyc.
_____________
Everyone was charged to break Constance's mirror curse by examining graphics and completing
small tasks. Some of these tasks revealed extra lore.




________________
After defeating Constance, the illusions disappear. Smolkie just needed to make sure the exorcism
was performed while both her head and body were together.Team work, Vyc and Smolkie fended off
her body and reconnected her head.The magic of Smolkie's ceremony allowed her head to cauterize and she
returned to normal. Her past flashed before their eyes.She had very, very loving parents. Attentive. Honest. Happy.
However they lived in the lowest tier of poverty and were struggling to survive. Their studio apartment falling apart
in a building that was due to get condemned. Her father missed court concerning parental rights to
Constance, because if he had taken the day off work he would have lost his only job.
Constance was awoken in the dead of the night to the arguments and sobbing between her parents,
a social worker and a police officer.The last words she heard was her father and mother reaching out,
swearing they'd fight for her and bring her back home.

They lost.

Was never allowed to see or hear from them ever since. Trucked far away to avoid any temptations,
Constance was defected to the Sunflower Orphanage where she had to grow past her 'acting out' and
violent tendencies. After the flash backs, Vyc and Smolkie have no time to rest as they remember that
Velvet has been missing this entire time.

“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.

A large tire shot out of the dense fog and spun right towards the unsuspecting group. Fortunately for them, a hero was waylaid by recent events. A figure dashed in front of them, feet pressed firmly against the ground. They held a long wooden stick in one hand which they used to swing at the tire, and the two forces clashed in a squealing contest of might.

Hero was knocked back an inch, but retained their footing and ultimately prevailed. They blasted the tire upwards and out of sight. They released a shaky breath afterwards and turned to the group, "Hello friends! Are you all alright?"

They looked at each other and then back at the strangely-clad individual with the paper bag over their head. "Thank you so much," Vivienne spoke up first with a smile.

Vyctor gave a shrug, "Don't know who you are, but that woulda hurt. Thanks a lot, bud."

"Is good save," Vreg nods before Eugene pops out of his hair and squeaks hastily into his ear. "Oh, Eugene thanks bag head too!"

"Oh!" Smolkie's eyes lit up in sudden realization, "Might you be the Hero fellow who won Berinhard's Ring of Might? They say a masked fighter was victorious, and you did just save our lives quite heroically!"

"Aww, shucks..." If the paper bag could blush, it would be fierce as a tomato. "But ahh, heheh... I haven't saved us quite yet, you see, for there's an itsy bitsy liiittle problem."

Velvet pointed behind Hero while still tending to Vivienne. "You mean him?"

Berinhard the Strongman emerged from the fog to tower over Hero. "How could tiny ant be resisting my attacks, hm?" His voice was booming and while familiar, held an unnerving quality to it. His body was also terribly disfigured. Thick arms were now monstrous in size and supported a rippling torso with disgustingly bulbous legs dangling from a tiny gut. He slammed a massive fist into the ground and shouted, "Must be thinking yourselves better than the Strongman, but non! Berinhard is the powerful one here, the only one who can be changing things!"

Hero stepped forward and swung the stick to get a better grip. "You aren't the Strongman I came to fight," they began. "The Berinhard I know from stories would never think strength is the only thing that matters. In fact, you yourself taught me that."

Berinhard narrowed his gaze and there seemed to be a flicker of light there, but it was replaced just as quick with a deep red. His facial hair snaked over his face as if it were alive, sentient. Luscious strands slid up his temple to frame his eyes which glowed an unnatural crimson.

"Talk big for the worm that will be squished," he spat. "Weak sayings. Useless beliefs. Power is the only victor in this, the Ring of Fright!" Berinhard pumped his fists together in quick leaps that shook the earth.

"He - he has clearly been enthralled by the darkness! We must free him, I say, but without first weakening him... there will be no way for me to exorcize whatever evil has seized him," the Hypnotist shook his head. "Please, you must hold him off while I prepare the spell so he may be recovered!"

Vontell glanced back at him with a smile, "You need not even ask! I shall be your stalwart shield."

"Will help too!" Vreg took a stand alongside Von, but his legs were clearly shaking. Eugene, on the other hand, leapt from his hair and squared up by boxing in place.

"There's a good man," Vyc gave the rat king a slap to the back before cracking his knuckles. "This kinda thing's more my speed. Let's go!"

Hero joined their ranks with a chuckle, "Looks like I'm not alone this time! Good to know there's heroes in Voltra too."

The Strongman laughed an ugly sound that bellowed out of him, "Come then, worms! Will be smashing you all to bits and pay tribute to Him with your dust!" The crows circling overhead cawed as he reared back a fist and attacked!

Berinhard fell to his elbows with a resounding thud, clearly defeated but not unconscious. "Ah, it is ready!" Smolkie leapt forward as his watch gave off a glorious pulse of energy. Pressing it against the monstrous Strongman, everyone watched in surprise as a column of light burst from around his body. It seemed to be holding him down with paralyzing force.

"Here's my thought," Vyc reasoned as he walked towards the Strongman and rubbed his hands together. "There's no way that moustache is just a stache, so time to rip it off! That'll get you back to normal for sure," he brushed past Smolkie and grabbed the moustache with both hands. Grunting, he started to pull and yank, but the hair wouldn't budge.

"Is just... Berinhard's moostache, little man..." The Strongman groaned in discomfort until the tattoo artist gave up and rubbed the back of his neck in confusion.

Smolkie spoke up then, "The moustache is just facial hair, I say! Not a source of darkness, oh no. Such things lie deep within the heart and must be cleansed." He gestured to Vanora, "Exorcised like what I did with your friend there, you see?" He frowned and added, "She shall wake, surely, as I was able to complete the exorcism before the attack. She just needs rest, mhm."

The Strongman struggled to push himself upright but couldn't, and simply growled. "Have lost, but... cannot be letting you go. Even if Berinhard does the fall, will not be sacrificing family!"

"We have no intention of there being a sacrifice at all," Vontell smiled gently with a glance of concern down at his hand. "Might you be able to explain what is going on here? What is this tribute you spoke of?"

The Strongman collapsed back to the ground with a heavy sigh, "Hoo... is very complicated story, that..."

"Then allow me to ease your worries, hm?" Smolkie pressed his pocket watch into Berinhard's forehead and chanted the words: "Debilis tenebrae animus!" Black smoke began to pour from the Strongman's pores as the Hypnotist pulled the watch away with much resistance. "Darkness holds sway over your tongue, my boy, but it is high time we severed that connection. . ."

"What would you know about it, woman?" The man's voice was loud and rough.

Young Berinhard huddled up in his closet to escape the noise. Every day his father would scream at a new female companion or whatever he was calling them, and that night was no different. Sometimes they stuck around for a few days, but often they would be gone by morning light.

His father was big and strong. A towering man who used his power to strike fear into the hearts of all those unfortunate enough to receive his wrath. His tender son was surely one of them. He would raise his voice, and his hand, to get what he wanted from Berin and anybody else. No one was exempt from his rule.

Not even the police officer who had the pleasure of hauling him in. Berinhard was entered into the system, then, finally free of shattering abuse and terrifying domestic disputes. At the Sunflower Orphanage, his life was changed.

At a young age, Berinhard was very much a coward. He was weak and meek. Scared of his father and living in a terrifying shadow. But at his new home, he met Arika and the others of Cirque ad Infinitum. He found friends. And his resolve to be brave, to grow strong, was all for them. He shed his childish skin in the orphanage and swore to protect his new family as the Strongman. Their Strongman.

He would be everything his father wasn't.

Meanwhile, the group thanks Hero. Hero brings their fingers to their forehead in a farewell salute, "Don't mention it. That's what heroes are for." With a flutter of their cape they turn, walking away with a cool dignity towards the distant sunset. However, they only got a few steps away before smacking hard into the barrier at the fairgrounds exit, falling into the dirt below from the impact. In an embarrassed panic, Hero scurried back to their feet, dashing off to find a place to hide while hoping nobody noticed.

The good news is, Vanora is safe!
The bad news is, Berinhard the Strongman has emerged a little different from when you saw him last...his mustache billowing from his face and taking a demonic form of its own.
He attacks the group by effortlessly slinging a large tire at them without much explanation. All the while hinting at a presence known only as Him.
Because of your choices during the game in Act 6, fewer allies were available to help weaken Berinhard.




But our NPCs after a tireless fight, emerged victorious.

Replicating as he had done with Vanora, Smolkie performed
his exorcism. Berinhard’s past flashed before everyone’s eyes-
revealing a tender hearted boy with an absent mother whose
father was both physically and emotionally abusive. Berinhard took
just as many beatings as a kid, as the women that frequented their home.
An anonymous tip to the police delved into his father attempting to fight the
cops arresting him. Thankfully that would definitely extend his sentencing, and
Berinhard was moved to the Sunflower Orphanage to start anew.

“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.

All eyes were on the Ringmaster, Lin, as he stepped forward into the light cast down on the vast stage.

"And now dear guests, fellow adventurers of this life so rooted in time unforgiving..." he began slow and cryptic, gaze swooping from audience member to audience member. "This is the moment you've all been waiting for! I advise you not to blink." He took an extravagant bow and vanished as the spotlights that were converged on him split into separate lights that focused on two empty spots atop the grand stage.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew over the heads of spectators and intensified rapidly to form what seemed like a whirlwind over the stage. The audience let out a collective gasp as children jumped and yowled in excitement. Hair and clothing whipped about as the unnatural force rested where the light settled. A female remained, beautiful staff in hand with colorful garb adorning her.

Simultaneously, the shadow cast by a support beam of the stage bubbled as if a black puddle. It then moved, to everyone's surprise, to the remaining light source, and the bubbling blackness swirled upwards to create a figure most terrifying. It was covered in a cloak that billowed over the floor, and held a massive scythe loosely in both hands. It seemed to be quite tall and lanky, but hunched over and careless in its presentation.

The female released her hold on the staff and it floated by her side. "Do not be alarmed, city-dwellers. My name is Treat, progenitor of the Reaping Ritual." She bowed her head slightly, "I am very pleased to see you all, and extend my heartfelt thanks for the help you offered my dear companion in his time of need last year."

The figure let its scythe scrape the floor, chains rattling as it chuckled deeply. "Mm, Voltra was deliciously helpful. Trick would've been in a bind if you weren't there for him, yes? Trick wishes to say..." Its voice was a chilly rasp and sent shivers down even the most endurant spine. "He appreciates you, yes. Each and every one of you, heh... heheh!" It turned to face a portion of the audience and they saw a mouth open from nothing on its blank face and express a wicked grin.



"My gift for you, Trick," said the witch with a smile, offering a tiny box wrapped in decorative paper and topped with a magnificent bow.

"Trick will never tire of this ceremony for the strange but... decidedly good feelings it does invoke in him," whispered the reaper with his unnatural grin. He reached for the present with long inhuman fingers in an almost surgical way, afraid his touch might destroy such a seemingly fragile item.

Suddenly, the spotlights over the outdoor stage blinked out. They were replaced by a crimson glow emanating from the raised platform people were gathered around. The audience made sounds of soft wonder, but Trick reared back in surprise.

From beneath the witch, strands of deepest black spun up from the stage and coiled around her like a web of vipers. "Trick! Trick, help me-" She was cut off as the tentacles clasped over her mouth.



"T-Treat!" The reaper went to grab her outstretched hand, but she was yanked downwards into the swirling abyss beneath the blood red light. "No... no! You cannot have her! She is all that Trick has!" He brought his scythe to bear with a reverberating echo of chains, eyes alight with sickly green flame.

A deep, deep sourceless laughter could be heard then by all in attendance, and a chilling voice seemed to threaten the immortal beings: "Don't worry, little reaper. The table wouldn't be set without both of you."

Trick released a bloodcurdling cry cut short by his forced descent into the unknown. There was stunned silence in the audience until a young man began to hoot and holler, "Those effects were freakin' awesome!"

Before anyone could reply, a black fog that had been steadily seeping over the stage and slowly creeping along the grassy fields blasted outwards in one powerful gust of unnatural wind. There were no screams despite the terrifying affair, but surely that was impossible?

When the fog started to clear, the shopkeepers met up and cast a wary gaze around the bleak fairgrounds. There were no humans in sight save for them, but above in the darkened skies? A thick flock of cawing crows flew in circles. Some perched here and there, but most were content to fly.

Vanora was the first to speak up, "So on a hunch, I'm going to guess all this isn't part of the show."

Vivienne shook her head vigorously, "Oh no, oh no, oh no! This doesn't look good at all! Where'd all the people go? What in the world's happening?"

"This must certainly be the dreaded arc wherein evil besets the heroes," Vontell adjusted his glasses with a nod. "We have to be strong, friends, else the darkness claims us as well!"

"I'm afraid it's a little late for that, my boy," said a voice unfamiliar to all but Van and Vivi. A well-dressed older man approached the group with a frown.

Vivi's eyes lit up in recognition, "Oh, it's you! Smolkie, the hypnotherapist!"

"Indeed it is! It's a shame we've met again under such tumultuous circumstances, Miss Harper. Before we catch up, however, I do say there's a matter of great import to address."

"Oh?" Velvet gestured to their surroundings, "And what could be more important than all this?"

"Welll... how do I say this," Smolkie rubbed the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I suppose I'll just come out with it, hm? One of you has been tainted. Tainted by the darkness, I say! I can sense it and ohh... it's just terrible. Before we do anything else, I do suggest we, ah, find the one who has been touched by evil and, erm, incapacitate them before it spreads!"

"Whoa now," Vyc crossed his arms. "You mean to say one of us is not right in the head or somethin'? You just show up with that claim, man. What if this person is you?"

"It - it could be, I suppose, but I must assure you that it's not! I have naught but my word, you see. I urge you to trust me because I have the knowledge and power to exorcise that which has wormed its way into one of your hearts, but we must act now before it grows stronger!"

At your insistence, Smolkie turns his gaze on Vanora Aria, beloved mascot of Voltra. She returned his look with a curious tilt of her head. Cupping his chin, he gave a hard nod and began walking towards her, but neither the movement nor conviction goes unnoticed by a recovering Vivienne. She staggers to her feet and cries out.

"Hold on... please!" She moved between them as if to intercept him. "It... it wasn't me, and - and it's not Van!" She shook her head with a wary smile at the hypnotherapist, "It's impossible since... since we've been with each other the entire day, and if I'm not possessed... surely she couldn't be either? Please, Smolkie, you have to listen to me!"

He gave a sigh, "I'm afraid that's not always the case, Miss Harper. Oh, it rarely is when you're dealing with forces of darkness! Of that you can be sure. They're quite good at fooling the heart, you see, but you needn't worry! With a right little hypnotism and a quick snap of my ole fingers, we can be certain."

Vivi hung her head for a moment with a hand held over her chest, breathing labored after her ordeal. "I'm sorry doctor, but..." Looking him in the eye, then, or at least the deceptively comical spectacles that would hide his intentions, she pointed an accusing finger. "What about... you?!"

"M-me?" He took a step back.

"Yes! There's definitely something evil going on, but you're the only one who can feel it clearly. If you were the one possessed, what would happen?"

She felt a hand on her shoulder and blinked, glancing back at Vanora. "That's enough, Vivi," she whispered. "After all, you've never been the sharpest knife in the drawer, have you?"

"Van, what are you-?" Vivi's eyes went wide as a knee flew up against her stomach. Letting out a moan of pain, she fell to the ground unconscious, and Smolkie was left staring into the twisted face of a grinning Vanora.

"Was wondering when you'd figure it out, old man, though I suppose you couldn't do much without them," she gestures toward you and lets out a sigh. "I expected better, honestly, but oh well! That's what you get when you bet all your chips on a feeble fool and his rusty sidekicks, hm? Heh heheh!"

"Return the young one this instant, you fiend, and all the others you've taken!" Smolkie brought his watch to bear in a pose he thought intimidating, but it merely served to bemuse Vanora.

She arched a brow, "Forgive me if I'm not quaking in my boots just yet. Besides, you look more like you'd break a hip before anything else." She shrugged, "Welp, it's been fun but I gotta run. Souls to torture and all that. You understand, hm?" Blowing him a kiss, she spun on her heel and leapt into the mist as the crows sang overhead.

"Wait! You're not getting away, I say!" Smolkie glanced down at Vivi and then looked to the others, "I leave her in your care! Don't worry, now. I'll do whatever I can to get your friend back."

Moments later and the Hypnotist pursued Vanora into a large caravan with 'Property of Cirque ad Infinitum staff, greatest family eternal' printed on the side.

[to be continued in Act 7...]

All the NPCs have been helping the carnival troupe the last few days with their acts.
They get a day off on the Reaping Ritual to witness the main event, the gift exchange between Trick and Treat. However, during the exchange something horribly wrong happened, Trick and Treat are missing, and the the carnivals grounds look... Different.
All the exits are sealed shut and everyone is in a panic.

All the NPCs have gathered together to discuss. A strange man claiming to be an exorcist wants to help them. However, he senses a darkness present in the group… One of the NPC are possessed! But who?

VANORA

After a process of elimination, it was discovered Vanora had been exposed to darkness and
is presently in a state of demonic possession. She incapacitates Vivi by giving her a swift
knee-to-the-stomach and flies off before Smolkie can exorcise her. He chases off after her, and into a caravan labeled "STAFF ONLY".

"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?"

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"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.

“What else could we have planned for tonight?” Lin shouted, riling up the crowd. “Will it take your breath away? Will it dazzle you?” Suddenly, he shushed them.

“Wait… Do you hear that?” Lin asked, eyes darting around between the audience’s faces.

A soft snake-like hiss lingered in the silence before building into a hissing song of drums, flute, and a seducing rattling sound.

“It sounds like our next act! The Viperous Beauty, ARIKA, and her vipers of death!”

The lights dimmed as Arika stepped into view, a muted spotlight shining directly on her. Her walk was a slow, but deliberate slink, taking time to spread her weight out on all the parts of her feet. She held her arms out, both for added presence and freedom for her assistant to move about.

Her assistant and ball python, Beau, peeked out from her hair. He wrapped himself around her shoulders, nestled in her soft curls.

“Is anybody in the audience frightened of ssnakess?” Her voice smooth, speaking in a light Parisian accent and drawing out her S’s. Showing a bit of thigh through the slit in her skirt, she walked close to the stands. “Trusst me, there’s nothing to be sscared of.”

Beau hissed, sliding through her curls, over her chest, and wrapping around her waist.

“This is Beau, my ball python companion.” She stopped in front of a section of the audience, letting them get a good look at the python resting at her hips. “And my first assistant of the night.”

She leaned backwards until she placed her hands on the ground, kicking one leg into the air as the audience gasped.

Beau slithered up her outstretched leg, his head hovering over the tips of Arika’s toes, flicking his tongue. She kicked her other leg into the air, doing a handstand as Beau switched to her other leg. The crowd clapped with amazement at her flawless balance and poise.

She traveled a few steps on her hands while Beau returned to her hips, starting to constrict a bit. She flipped back over, her skirt fluttering down as her feet landed on the ground, the audience cheering yet again.

Arika looked directly at Vivienne in the crowd, who shivered from the eye contact, a chill creeping up the small of her back.

“Thank you, thank you.” She curtsied, Beau back in her curls again. “Beau here loves a tight ssqueezze.” Beau visibly tightened around her shoulders and neck. “Within minutes, he could stop all blood and oxygen flow in your body, and swallow you whole within an hour.”

“His friends, however... are much more dangerous.” A cage to the side of the ring was illuminated with a spotlight. Lin flipped the curtain off the cage, revealing a number of snakes hissing and baring their fangs.

“I need one assistant from the stands, someone brave with a ssteady hand.”

Quicker than the audience expected, she turned suddenly and pointed at Velvet. “How about you?”

“Uh, sure.” Velvet forced a smile, eyeing the loyal snake slinking around Arika’s shoulders as the two walked toward her. “I don’t see why not.” She whipped her head, putting a stray hairstrand back in its place.

“Oh, you’ll do marvelous.” Arika reached out for Velvet’s hand.

Velvet took the snake charmer’s hand and the hairs on her arm stood on end. She raised an eyebrow, grimacing as she followed Arika to a stool in the middle of the ring.

“I assure you, they are tamed and perfectly safe—save their fangss,” Arika drew out next to Velvet’s ear. “Let’s see how well you do with my preciouss friends.”

The king cobra resting on Velvet’s shoulders reared back, fangs bare and ready to strike until—Arika clicked her tongue.

Cooing at the snake, Arika coaxed it back into her hands, planting a small kiss on its forehead before putting it back in the cage. The audience noticeably relaxed, having been on the edge of their seats during the act.

“You fared very well, young Velvet,” She complimented as Velvet headed back to her seat.

As Velvet sat down, she couldn’t help but sigh out of relief. She’d never been afraid of snakes per say, but having a venomous creature seconds from biting her was unsettling at best.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Arika chuckled.

She turned to the audience, announcing, “Beau and I would love to continue our gamess, but we need our beauty rest.”

As she slipped out of the ring, the audience went into cheers and whistles, both in awe of her act and her beauty.

Back in her tent, she held her arm out to Beau’s cage and cooed. He slithered down her arm and into the cage. She stroked the top of his head before he made himself comfortable in his log.

Smiling at her friend, Arika reached up to pull back her hair, braiding it off to one side. She stared into her vanity mirror, watching her fingers twist through her hair.

Berinhard stepped into view behind her, pausing in the entryway.

She smiled as soon as she saw him, turning to greet him with a slow smile. “How’d I do?”

He smiled back. “You did beautiful, ma miel.” Berinhard crossed the room, taking her hand in his and kissing it.

“You flatter me, love. I overdid my S’s today.”

“Non, was beautiful. As always.”

Arika came strutting on the stage garnering the attention of all. Her act showcasing her skilled control of her exotics
coupled with her sultry beauty was a performance anyone could appreciate for varying reasons.
Choosing a random person from the audience, Arika coaxed Velvet to volunteer in the handling of her deadly snakes.

Several exercises of focus and safety, Velvet performed very well and was not in any danger as the snakes completely and
totally obeyed Arika.

After a round of applause and Velvet wiping a off a cold sweat from the experience- Arika goes backstage where
we see her lovingly put her snakes back into their enclosures. The bond between her and them seems much like that
of a person and their dog. Berinhard, the strongman of the circus comes to pay her a visit. She expressed insecurity
in over doing her "Ss's" and he lovingly comforted her, reminding her that she was beautiful as always.

Their bond as lovers is very strong and they can communicate a lot between each other without many words.