Chapter Text
"Okay so does anyone actually know WHERE the manor is?" Player asked, looking down at a map in his hands that he picked up from the train station, squinting at the complicated little lines that we're supposed to help them find their way around. "Dunno, maybe it's the giant house right in front of us?"
Red mumbled sarcastically, pointing at the manor. At that moment, Player felt a tad bit sheepish for his own blindness, maybe Carmine had a twin after all. "Oh..." Kyoko grabbed a piece of his bangs and twirled it around in her finger. "You know..if you maybe cut your hair."
He swatted her hand away while marching up to the manor, almost getting his ankle yanked by a zombie in the process that he just smacked with his palm. "MY BANGS ARE FINE!" The entire group looked at each other, a mix of worry and confusion on all their faces. "Is it just me...or is he...really jumpy today?"
Carmine asked, her small hand locked with Cruel King's who was acting as her guide on the uneven pavement that led to the manor."It's not just you my child." He reassured softly, one of his gloved hands stroking the top of her head. "Well..we better catch up with him." Kyoko sighed, leading the group to where Player had ran off too.
The manor was larger than it looked on the outside, inside was filled with a huge staircase and many other rooms. It was a miracle no one had gotten lost here..or maybe they have, might explain all the ghosts lingering around.
Player was at the front, beside him we're Terry and Jerry...these two really just showed up when they wanted too. The group approached him who simply nodded and gestured to the Butler who he had been chatting with. "Welcome Patrons. What brings you here to Master Telamon's Manor this evening?"
"We've been sent her by Shedletsky, It's about the Ghostwalker, we need it." Player greeted formally, his hands clasped behind his back. Blue looked around, everyone here was dressed rather fancy or like they were at a Halloween party, she frowned quietly to herself, if she had known that the manor was this big of a deal, she would have made her and her siblings dress a little nicer. "So you've come on Shedletsky's behalf... I wasn't aware he'd begun asking others for favors, and it's about the ghostwalker, of all things.."
He tapped his chin for a moment in deep thought, then nodded and gestured for the group to follow him through the manor.
The butler guided the group through another graveyard-looking place the butler simply refereed to as the backyard, and soon enough...
"What the HECK is that?!" Red exclaims. The group gazed up over a large door near the end of the graveyard-like area. Instead of a normal sight like another part of the graveyard or anything else someone would expect, all anyone could see (except for Carmine) was a glow in a greenish hue beyond the door. A cold breeze passed across the group, making some almost wish they'd brought more fitting clothing.
"The simplest way we have to get to another part of the manor," The butler explains simply. He walks forward, vanishing behind the green glow.
Red freezes up, Blue seeming hesitant herself with Carmine following the her sibling's example. Kyoko and Cruel King seemed a bit on edge too, but Player took a few steps forward.
"What are you doing??" Red worries, almost holding him back.
"Going to get the sword," Player explains as if it were the easiest thing to understand.
"We don't know what's beyond that place? What if something bad happens?" Blue's voice wavers as she backs up ever so slightly.
Player glances towards the door, and then rushes towards it. He's through the door before anyone can say anything, leaving everyone present in a stunned silence. At least, until a head peeks through the door.
"What are you waiting for?" Player asks.
Cruel King and Kyoko share a glance, before walking in as well. The decision of the adults soon encouraging Red, Blue, and Carmine to step through as well.
The first thing everyone seemed to notice on the other side of the portal was how much colder it was. The butler waited patiently for the group, soon leading them through the second part of the manor as well.
"I hope you're alright with at least a bit of trouble," The butler hesitates, "A few... accidents happened and so far Master Telamon has been a bit too busy to come and fix the flooring."
"What do you- OH MY-" Kyoko's jaw drops the moment the butler opens the door. The realization hits the whole group that this was a very not Carmine-friendly area. Floating furniture over an absent floor and no place anyone could steady themselves if they took a tumble off of the floating furniture. Cruel King takes the blind child's hand before hoisting her into a piggy-back ride-like position.
"Do you think it would work if we just threw Carmine over there?" Red questions.
"What?" Carmine's voice is quiet as the question comes out. Blue smacks Red instantly, "The only way that's possible is if you're the test subject first, Red." Blue's statement seemed to scare Red silent.
"Unfortunately, I believe this is as far as I can take you. The Chef may have a good idea of where you all need to go however. I wish you good luck in your endeavors to find the Ghostwalker," The butler bows, leaving the room before anyone could speak another word.
The group stares out at the scene before them. Floating furniture and all. Player steps forward, giving one piece a light tap. When it doesn't seem to move he makes a harsher attempt to move it, a smile spreading across his face as nothing happens, "On the bright side, we have stable ground."
Kyoko's face seems to pale, "Player you can't seriously be thinking-"
Naturally, Player is the first to take a step onto the floating furniture, leaping pas it with none of it making a single movement. With how he executed the action, it almost looked as though he'd done it his whole life. He glances back at the group, a hesitant look, "Should I try and fine something to make a bridge?"
"That would be preferable," Cruel King agrees.
Kyoko looks around, "Maybe we can get something..."
The doctor opened her bag, quickly coming across a hair clip. She glanced at the nails pinning wooden boards to a blocked doorway, quickly sliding the hair clip under the nails. She was cautious enough just to not let the nails fall into the floor, and she grabbed them into her hand instead. One by one, the boards fell, leaving both an open pathway they could take if needed and what Red had already discovered to be enough for a secure bridge between the two sides of the dining hall. By some miracle, the bridge was also secure enough to hold the weight of two people at once (As Player and Red found out). The group traveled over the bridge, Carmine let down from Cruel King's shoulders as they begin making their way through the halls of the manor.
Player blinked as he passed through the door to the hall again, that same exact cold breeze passing as he stepped through the door. He glances around the room. Same yellow walls. Same Red Carper. Same Fireplace-
Wait... what kind of psychopath had two fireplaces so close to each other in a house? Let alone a mansion. Surely someone as old as Telamon himself would at least switch up the design of the fireplace though, right?
As the group passed through the door again, it turned out that no, Telamon was exactly that kind of psychopath. Even the scratch that Red had left from trying to slash through it as the same-
"The place has been enchanted to loop seamlessly," Player realizes out loud. The group turns to him.
"What?" Red raises an eyebrow.
"How does that even..." Blue trails off. Carmine probably would've blinked in confusion if that body language was anything to go by.
"I... suppose that would... make sense," Kyoko hesitates.
Cruel King looks around the room, as if it'd give him the answer to everything. He takes a sigh, "Well, I suppose the best solution to break the loop would be..."
Player glances around. Same walls. Same carpet. Same Window that-
"The window?" Player guesses. He walks towards it, slashing it with his sword, which was clearly enough. He used the blade to sweep some glass out of the way so it wouldn't be too much of a burden, but he peeked in. It was somewhere entirely different, "This should work!"
The group follows Player's example, Player guiding them down a staircase and into a small area. One more passageway lay beyond them, wide open rather than covered by a door or wooden planks. Beyond it, laid someone that almost looked familiar to the King in the group.
Cruel King hesitates, "Excuse me?"
The person had a math equation on his deep apron, a chef's hat on his head and blueish skin. All of it was dulled by his ghostly and slightly transparent appearance, but the form was clear nonetheless.
"M-my king?" The Chef questions, "What would you being doing in Telamon's manor?"
"Long story," Cruel King sighs.
The Chef nods, "Do you and your group require anything?"
"The Ghostwalker," Player quickly announces, "We need to get it for Shedletsky."
The Ghost Chef's eyes widen instantly, "The... Ghostwalker? I... think I understand. You've certainly come to the right place. It's... heavily guarded downstairs though... and it's very risky..."
"Robloxia is at stake... and likely Builderman's life," Player mentions, "We'll be out of the manor when we get the blade."
The Ghost chef nods, "Well... I suppose I can help. But first I do need to prepare a meal for the residents... surely you'd be alright with this minor side quest, correct?"
"That'll work," Kyoko agrees.
"Alright... there's two things I need," The Ghost Chef proceeds to explain that the group would have to gather Spider Cider in the green room to the left of the main exit of the Kitchen, and Dust in the master bedroom, just up the staircase of the location of the Spider Cider. The group splits after a lot of debate, the boys heading to the master bedroom as the girls went to gather the spider cider. It didn't take long for both groups to make it back, quickly delivering the Dust and Spider Cider to the Chef.
"It... looks great!" The Ghost Chef smiles for a moment, before hesitating, "I... think something may be missing through. There's one last thing we might want to get: Some meat. I believe there's some stored in the Manor's basement. That'll be the last thing I request of you all if it's no problem of course."
"Not at all," Kyoko grins. Player and Cruel King agree quickly, the kids going along with it soon after the adults shared the sentiment.
"We'll be back soon," Blue waves, dragging Carmine along with her. Red follows his twin, the adults soon following the kids.
Compared to before, it didn't take as long to get to the basement and soon, they'd found...
"A.. live turkey?" Player tilts his head in confusion, the turkey letting out a squawk in response. It's movements were oddly fast the moment the turkey seemed to recognize the group's intentions, quickly going to attack Player. Player himself was quick to retaliate, his strikes seeming almost slightly held back despite the situation. Red and Blue are next to attack, Blue attempting to pin the turkey to a wall by a wing while Red made the opening for Blue's attempt. At the very least, Blue managed it even if the turkey was only pinned to the floor for a moment. The turkey begins pulling something out, and just before it can do anything, Cruel King freezes it in place. The turkey lets out a squawk in protest, moving the weapon, holes suddenly riddling the walls at loud bangs loud enough make Carmine cover her ears, Blue helping her sister with this. Despite the girl's ears being hurt, the whole group was lucky enough for it to be the walls riddled with holes rather than themselves. Carmine shatters a Free Ice card on Kyoko, the doctor smacks the turkey with her suitcase, and that seemed to be enough to take the bird out.
"Alright," Player sighs, "Remind me to never fight a turkey again."
"Thanksgiving is going to be wonderful revenge," Red notes off-offhandedly.
The group makes their way back to the chef, delivering the turkey.
"Should've clarified it was alive," The Ghost Chef grimaces, "Sorry, you six are feeling fine though, correct?"
Kyoko stared between everyone, "Everyone would be clear for any strenuous activity if that's what you're referring to, despite how not preferable that would be."
"Let me find it then." The Ghost Chef searches through the cupboards before handing four potions to the group, a slight apology that there wasn't enough for the group. He quickly explains the potions uses, and it's quickly decided that Player and the kids would likely need it the most. The Ghost Chef takes a breath just as everyone's about to head off, "I do have to warn you... before you go. Whatever you do, do NOT touch the Ghostwalker. You'll... probably see or hear some... not so great things if you touch it and I'd prefer that doesn't happen to anyone."
The debate between the adults to allow the kids to even go beyond the kitchen was already starting silently.
"Please?" Red begs.
"That's... probably not... a good idea..." The Ghost Chef hesitates. Red's grip on his potion tightens.
Blue sighs, "If Red's going I'm going with."
"The potion will protect us if we really need it anyways!" Red exclaims, "We'll be fine!"
Carmine's grip tightens on Blue's hand, "I... want to join my siblings."
Kyoko and Cruel King glanced between each other, then at Player. Player nods, "You should catch up with the chef anyways, Cruel King."
"Use one of those call cards you have if you need help with... anything... in fact..." Kyoko hands a card to Carmine, "Stay safe kiddos."
"Thank you!!!" Red exclaims. He turns, not even giving anyone a change to reason with him as he races ahead.
"RED!!" Blue shouts after her twin. Carmine follows along, Player shrugging for just a moment before following along. Cruel King and Kyoko glanced at each other, one thought passing between them:
Had they made the right choice?