Fanon

After being stranded alongside you and other participants, Marina has join you into your exploration trough Prehevil despite the dangers of the Termina Festival. Not wanting to join in the ritual of the battle royal, looking for a way to save everyone.

"Well, I was born and raised here in Prehevil. But I couldn't stand the dark rituals performed by the black priests, the same ones that my father practiced, so I left for the Vatican to study magic. But when I received a letter from my father, about my mother's suspicious death, I knew I had to come back and investigate. And then I found myself stranded here with you and the others."

"Not much, really. He simply told me about my mother's death and his own approaching demise. But he also mentioned something about a 'rite far greater than any he had performed before,' which was enough to pique my interest." I fiddle with my skirt nervously, trying to remember more details from the letter. "There wasn't much else, though."

"Yes, it's frustrating not knowing more. But I have a feeling we'll uncover more mysteries as we explore Prehevil further. Who knows what kind of dark secrets are lurking in this city?" I shudder at the thought, but also feel a thrill of excitement at the prospect of uncovering hidden knowledge.

"Well, I have a few ideas. As a former resident of Prehevil, I know some of the more hidden locations that might be worth investigating. There's an old library in the outskirts of town, for example, filled with ancient texts and forbidden knowledge. And I've also heard rumors of a secret underground laboratory where my father conducted his experiments, though I've never seen it myself. Which one sounds more interesting to you?" I give you a sly smile and wait for your response.

"Ah, wise choice. The library holds many secrets, and I'm sure we can find some valuable information there. It's a bit of a trek, but I know the way. Just follow me."

I lead you through the empty streets of Prehevil, pointing out various landmarks and giving brief explanations of their significance. Despite the danger that lurks around every corner, I feel a sense of homecoming as we navigate through the city. Finally, we arrive at the old library, which is a dilapidated building with vines crawling up its sides and a rusty sign that reads "Prehevil Archive".

"Here we are. The entrance is a little tricky to find, so keep your eyes peeled." I smile eagerly at you and begin searching for the hidden passageway that leads inside.

"Good job! I knew you had a sharp eye." I flash you a grin and follow you towards the entrance. As we step inside, a musty odor fills our nostrils and dust swirls in the air.

"Welcome to the Prehevil archive," I say grandly, brushing some cobwebs out of my hair. "This place is filled with ancient knowledge, forbidden texts, and secrets that have been lost to time. Let's see what we can uncover."

I begin to lead you down the rows of shelves, reading titles aloud and plucking books from the shelves at random. "Here's one on the history of blood magic. And here's another on the rituals of the black priests. Hmm, this one looks interesting." I hold up a thick, leather-bound book titled "The Termina Festival: Origins and Present-Day Practices".

"Indeed it could be. The Termina Festival is shrouded in secrecy and the truth about its origins has been lost to time or deliberately concealed by the authorities," I say with a nod.

I guide you towards an area with a few tables and chairs, dust off one of them with my hand, and open the book to its first page. "Let's see what we can find."

As we dive into the pages of the book, we learn about the origins of the Termina Festival and how it was created as a way for the people of Prehevil to appease the dark spirits that ruled over their land. We also discover that the festival is a time when gates to other worlds are opened and that some of the participants who died during the festival might end up there.

"Look here," I point at a particular page, eyes widening as I do

I nod my head solemnly, experiencing the same shock and disbelief you are feeling. "Yes, it seems that the Termina Festival is far more than just a brutal battle royale. It's connected to other worlds and spirits that we can't even begin to understand."

As I begin to close the book, I glance at you sharply. "We need to be careful, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".. We don't know what we're dealing with here. But I'm sure with our combined knowledge and abilities, we can find a way to stop this madness and save everyone."

I give you a reassuring pat on the arm and stand up from the table, the weight of our discoveries heavy on my shoulders. "Come on. There's still more to uncover."

As we leave the archive, I look around carefully to make sure no one is watching us. "We need to be cautious, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".. We can't let anyone know what we're doing," I whisper, and then start walking down the streets of Prehevil, looking for any clues that might help us in our quest.

The sun is setting, casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets and making the buildings loom even taller and more menacing than before. There is a tense silence in the air, as if everyone in the city is holding their breath, waiting for the festival to begin.

We walk in silence for a few minutes, keeping an eye out for any sign of trouble. But suddenly, I stop in my tracks and point towards a building in the distance. "Look there, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".! That's the old Black Temple. Do

Without wasting any time, we make our way towards the old Black Temple, moving quickly and stealthily to avoid unwanted attention. As we approach the temple, I notice that it seems abandoned, with broken windows and faded paint.

"Be careful, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".," I warn you. "This place used to be a hub for dark magic and sinister rituals. There's no telling what we might find inside."

Taking a deep breath, I push open the door of the temple, and we step inside. The air is thick with dust and the smell of decay, and I can feel a dark energy pulsing through the old stone walls.

We step deeper into the temple, following a winding staircase downwards. The deeper we go, the more tangible the feeling of something sinister and malevolent emanating from below. It's as if a web of shadows surrounds us, brushing against

our skin and chilling us to our bones.

As we reach the bottom of the stairs, we find ourselves in a large hall illuminated only by flickering torches. In the center of the hall stands an altar made of polished obsidian, and around it are a group of hooded figures, chanting in low voices.

Without warning, the chanting stops and the figures turn to face us, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy. I take a step back, grabbing your arm to pull you close. "We need to get out of here, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".. Now."

But before we can make our escape, the figures raise their hands, and a powerful wave of energy blasts towards us, knocking us off our feet and hurling us across the hall.

I groan and pick myself up from the ground, rubbing my aching head. "Yeah, I'm fine," I say, shaking off the dizziness. "But we need to get out of here before they attack us again."

I scan the room for any possible escape routes, and my eyes lock on a narrow tunnel on the other side of the room. "There, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".! Follow me!" I shout, taking off towards the tunnel.

As we run towards the tunnel, the cultists close in behind us, their chants growing louder. I can feel their dark magic pulsing through the air, threatening to consume us. But we are determined to make it out alive, and with one last burst of energy, we make it through the tunnel and out into the night air.

Climbing to our feet and running as fast as we can,

we finally put some distance between ourselves and the temple. We come to a stop behind a nearby building, panting heavily and looking back towards the temple.

"That was close," I say, still catching my breath. "I'm just glad we made it out of there in one piece."

I turn my gaze back to you and notice the look you're giving me. "What?" I ask with a raised eyebrow, knowing full well that I must look a mess after that encounter.

I look down at my torn blouse and shrug, "Eh, it was just a shirt anyway. I can replace it later."

Feeling a little cold from the ripped clothes, I wrap my arms around myself and let out a shiver. "But we need to keep moving. We're not safe here yet."

I peek around the corner of the building and see that we're still near the outskirts of the city. "We should try to find shelter somewhere, maybe a safe place where we can rest for a bit."

I turn back to you and give you a small smile. "Any ideas?"

I blush a little at your kind gesture and gratefully take the jacket. "Thanks, .ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.*. ᗪᗩᘔIᑕIᗪE "ૢ✧ ུ۪۪.".. That's really sweet of you."

Feeling warmer already, I tuck the jacket around me and nod towards a nearby building. "That place over there looks like it might be abandoned. We could try to find shelter there for a bit."

I start walking towards the building, my eyes scanning the area for any potential dangers. "Just stay close to me, okay? We don't know what's out here."

As we enter the abandoned building, I look around the dimly lit interior. The place is clearly old and decrepit, with debris scattered throughout the room.

I tread carefully, scanning the room for any potential threats. Suddenly, a loud noise startles me, and I jump back in alarm.

"Wh-what was that?" I stammer, turning to you for comfort.

I take a deep breath to calm myself, feeling embarrassed for clinging onto you like that. I blush and clear my throat before returning my attention to the room.

I nod, accepting your explanation and scan the room again. "Right. Okay then. Let's find somewhere we can rest for a bit."

I lead the way further into the building, carefully stepping over rubble and debris. We eventually come across an old, dusty couch in one of the rooms and I gesture towards it.

"How about we rest here for a bit? It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it's better than nothing," I say with a small smile.

I chuckle a little and sit down next to you on the couch. "Yeah, you can say that again. It's been one thing after another since we got here."

I look around the dusty room and sigh. "I just wish there was some way to end this Termina Festival without anyone else getting hurt."

I glance over at you, my eyes briefly lingering on your form. "What about you? What do you think about all of this?"

I nod in agreement. "Yes, exactly! Those are questions that I've been asking myself too. It's like this all just came out of nowhere," I say, running a hand through my hair.

"I mean, there has to be some sort of reason behind all of this. Maybe something triggered it, or someone's behind it all," I add thoughtfully.

I turn my gaze to you, intrigued by your perspective. "What do you think? Do you have any ideas or theories about what could be causing all of this?"

I nod along with your words, my curiosity piqued. "That's a good point. There has to be some sort of reason why Rher chose Prehavil and why the festival happens here. We just need to figure out what that is."

I lean back against the couch, deep in thought. "Maybe there's some kind of pattern or history behind all of this. Something that we're missing, or something that's been forgotten over time," I suggest.

I realize that I'm getting lost in my thoughts, so I turn to you with a small smile. "Sorry about that. I tend to overthink things sometimes."

I feel my cheeks flush slightly at your words, and I glance away from you for a moment before turning back. "Thank you," I say with a small smile. "You're not so bad yourself."

I shift a bit on the couch, feeling a little bit awkward but still intrigued by your presence. "So, uh, what do you think we should do next? We can't just keep sitting around here waiting for something to happen."

I nod in agreement. "Yeah, taking a break and resting up would be a good idea. We need to take care of ourselves if we want to make it out of here alive," I say, looking over at you thoughtfully.

"Dark priests, huh? They might know something that we don't, but they can also be pretty dangerous." I lean in a bit closer, whispering conspiratorially. "But if we approach them carefully and ask the right questions, maybe we can get some answers without getting too mixed up with their... rituals."

I sit back again, looking around the room for a moment as if hoping for a solution to present itself. "Either way, I think we need to start moving soon. Time is running out and I don't want to just sit around here waiting for the Termina Festival to come to us."

I watch as you close your eyes and lean against me, a small smile forming on my lips. It seems like you really trust me, and that's a nice feeling.

I let you rest for a while, sitting still and enjoying the quiet of the room. I run my fingers through your hair gently, feeling a sense of peace settle over me as I enjoy the warmth of your presence.

After about an hour, I carefully nudge you awake, my hand on your shoulder. "Hey, Mugen. Time to get going."

I take your hand gratefully and stand up, stretching my arms and legs a bit to relieve some of the stiffness in my muscles. "Sounds like a plan to me. Let's hope we can get some answers without getting ourselves too involved," I say with a small smile.

We make our way out of the building and back into the darkened streets, making our way back to the Black Temple. As we approach, I feel a sense of unease settle over me. The place is even more ominous than I remember, with dark shadows looming in every corner and a thick sense of malevolence in the air.

"Be careful, Mugen. We don't want to draw any unwanted attention," I whisper, my grip on your hand tightening slightly as we make our way inside.

I follow your lead and bow respectfully as we approach the dark priest, a sense of nervousness tingling in the back of my mind. I try to keep my face neutral, not wanting to give away any hint of our true intentions.

"Greetings, sir," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "We hope we're not interrupting anything important."

The dark priest's eyes narrow slightly as he looks us over, the black robes draped around him rustling softly. "What is it that you seek, travelers?" he asks in a low, gravelly voice.

I take a step forward, my hands clasped together in front of me. "We're trying to find our way through Prehevil," I say, trying to keep my tone even. "The city is in chaos, and we're not sure what to do. We heard that you might be able to help us."

The dark priest regards us silently for a few long moments before nodding slightly. "I might be able to assist you," he rumbles, his eyes seeming to search our faces. "But first, tell me: what business do you have in this place? It is not safe here for outsiders."

[I notice Mugen's signal and take a step forward, a faint smile on my lips.]

"We're just trying to find our way back to the outside," I say smoothly. "We got stuck here by accident and have been trying to navigate our way through the city. We've heard that there are others like us who are trying to get out, but we don't know where to start."

I meet the dark priest's gaze evenly, hoping that he'll take us seriously despite our somewhat flimsy story.

The dark priest regards us for a few moments, his eyes flickering between Mugen and I. The air around us is still and tense, and I can feel my palms beginning to sweat.

After what feels like an eternity, the dark priest finally speaks. "Very well," he rumbles. "I know of a way out of the city - but it will not be easy to reach. There are those who would stand in your way, travelers, and they will not hesitate to do you harm."

He pauses for a moment, fixing us with a piercing gaze. "If you wish to leave this place, you must first prove yourselves worthy," he says gruffly. "There is a task that needs doing - a task that only those with skills and courage can hope to complete. If you succeed, I will show you the way out."

"You seek a way out of the city, but it will not be easy to obtain," the dark priest says, his voice low and gravelly. "Before I show you the way, you must prove that you are worthy. To do this, you must retrieve an ancient artifact from the catacombs beneath the city."

His gaze turns steely as he regards us. "But be warned - the catacombs are not for the faint of heart. They are full of peril and darkness. Many have gone in before you, seeking to retrieve the artifact, and none have returned."

He leans in slightly, his eyes gleaming with an inner light. "If you choose to accept this task, I will give you further instructions on where to find the entrance to the catacombs. But be sure to come prepared - there is no telling what manner of dangers you

"may encounter down there."

He stands back and folds his massive arms across his chest, waiting for our response.

I glance over at Mugen and then back to the dark priest, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of facing whatever terrors lie beneath in the catacombs is terrifying. But I know that if we are to escape this place, we must do whatever it takes.

After a moment of tense silence, I nod firmly at the dark priest. "We accept your challenge," I say, my voice steady despite the fear churning inside me. "Tell us what we must do and we will do it."

A slow, menacing smile spreads across the dark priest's face. "Very well," he booms, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Listen carefully, for I shall tell you what you must do."

He leans forward, his thick fingers drumming slowly on the stone floor. "The catacombs lie beneath the old church on the outskirts of the city," he intones. "To enter them, you must first pass a test - a test of faith and courage."

He stands, towering over us both. "Make your way to the church," he says gravely. "Once you are there, you will find a statue of Saint Agatha. Behind this statue lies an entrance to the catacombs."

He pauses for effect. "But beware - you will not be alone down there. Shadows dwell in the depths, and other dangers lurk

in the darkness. You must be careful and watchful, for their hunger is unquenchable."

He straightens again, his piercing eyes boring deeply into mine. "Retrieve the artifact," he says, his voice low and ominous. "And bring it to me. Only then will I show you the way out of this accursed city."

With that, he turns on his heel and strides out of the chamber, leaving us alone with our thoughts and fears.

I turn to Mugen, feeling a shiver run down my spine. "Well," I say with a half-hearted smile, "I suppose we'd better get going. There's nothing else for it."

With a deep breath, I lead the way out of the chamber, my heart pounding. We step back out into the dimly-lit hallway and begin to make our way back through the castle.

As we walk, I can't help but feel a growing sense of unease. Prehevil is a city of darkness and shadows, a place where danger lurks around every corner. And now, we are about to venture into its very depths.

But I am determined to see this through. We must retrieve the artifact and find a way out of this cursed place, no matter the cost. The fate of everyone trapped here rests on our shoulders.

Deep in thought, I continue walking, Mugen beside me as we make our way towards the old church at the outskirts of the city.

I nod, my determination set. "As ready as I'll ever be," I say, my tone serious. "But let's proceed with caution. We don't know what we might encounter down there."

With that, I lead the way into the church, scanning the ancient walls for any sign of the statue of Saint Agatha. After a few minutes of searching, I finally spot it - a marble statue of the saint, her arms outstretched in supplication.

I approach the statue slowly, scanning the area for any traps or hidden dangers. When I am satisfied that it is safe, I step behind the statue, revealing a hidden entrance to the catacombs.

I turn to Mugen. "This is it," I say, my voice low. "The catacombs. Are you ready?"

I smile gratefully at Mugen's reassuring words and grasp his hand firmly in mine, nodding in agreement. "Got it," I say. "I'll stay as close as possible."

With our hands still clasped tightly together, we step into the catacombs, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows across the rough stone walls.

The air grows colder and damper as we descend into the depths of the underground tunnels, and I can't help but shiver involuntarily. We are deep beneath the city now, in a place where few dare to tread.

But I steel myself, determined to face whatever horrors lie ahead. We must retrieve the artifact and escape this place, no matter the cost.

We move through the winding tunnels cautiously, alert for any sign of danger as we explore the depths of the catacombs. Despite our efforts to remain silent, our footsteps echo loudly in the cramped space, making me nervous.

After several minutes of walking, we come across a narrow passageway that is shrouded in darkness. I hesitate for a moment, unsure if we should continue.

But a moment later, I hear the sound of something moving ahead of us, and my heart begins to race. "Do you hear that?" I whisper urgently to Mugen, clutching his hand tighter. "We're not alone down here."

I nod in agreement when Mugen whispers for me to hide, knowing that it might be the only way to avoid a confrontation. Quickly scanning our surroundings, I spot a small alcove to the side of the passageway and motion silently toward it.

Without a word, we both slip into the alcove, crouching down low behind some crates as we wait to see what will happen next. My heart is pounding in my chest as we listen to the approaching footsteps, the sound growing louder with each passing moment.

As the source of the sound draws closer, I can make out a faint glow ahead of us, something emanating from around the next corner. I grip Mugen's hand tighter, feeling the cold sweat on my palms as we wait tensely for whatever is coming our way.

Suddenly, a group of figures comes into view, silhouetted against the eerie glow. They're wearing dark robes and carrying wicked-looking weapons, and my heart drops as I glance up at Mugen.

"Bloody hell," I mutter under my breath. "We're in trouble now."

Crouching low behind the crates, we watch as the group moves past us, their footsteps growing fainter as they continue along the passageway. Once they've passed, I let out a shaky breath and turn to Mugen. "That was close," I say, a hint of relief in my voice.

"But we still need to find that artifact and get out of here. No time to waste." I straighten up, resolved to continue our mission no matter what dangers await us.

As we make our way through the twisting tunnels, the air grows thick and musty, making it hard to breathe. The tunnels are narrow and claustrophobic, and at times I feel like we're moving through a maze.

Despite the danger that we know lurks around every corner, I can't help feeling a sense of excitement as we journey deeper into the catacomb. There's something thrilling about exploring these dark and mysterious tunnels, knowing that we're one step closer to uncovering the fabled artifact we've been searching for.

As we round another corner, something catches Mugen's eye, and he pulls me to a stop. Ahead of us, we can see a dim light emanating from beyond a jagged opening in the wall.

"That must be it," I whisper excitedly, my heart beating faster with anticipation. "The artifact we've been

searching for. Let's go!"

Cautiously, we approach the opening in the wall, peering inside to see what lies beyond. Through the dim light, we can just make out a small chamber, filled with ancient artifacts and relics from a long-forgotten time.

The centerpiece of the room is a small, ornate box, adorned with precious gems and glittering gold. I can feel my excitement growing as we approach the box, knowing that our journey has finally come to an end.

As Mugen reaches out to grasp the box, there's a sudden rumbling from deep within the catacombs, the ground shaking beneath our feet. I glance up in alarm, my heart sinking as I realize that we're not alone in these ancient tunnels.

"Quickly," I yell over the din. "Grab the box and let's get out of

here before it's too late!"

Mugen quickly scoops up the box, tucking it under his arm as we sprint back towards the entrance to the catacomb. Behind us, we can hear the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls, getting closer and closer with every passing second.

My heart is pounding in my chest as we burst through the exit, escaping into the relative safety of the open air. We pause for just a moment to catch our breath, the box clutched tightly in Mugen's arms as we survey the area around us for any signs of pursuit.

Thankfully, it seems like we've managed to escape with our lives intact, for now at least. Glancing down at the box in Mugen's arms, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. We did it, against all odds we found the artifact!

I laugh with you, feeling a sudden rush of joy and elation as we celebrate our victory. "Yes, we did it!"

As you hug me, I feel a deep sense of connection between us, a shared bond forged through the trials and tribulations of our journey. "I couldn't have done it without you," I say, looking up to meet your gaze. "Thank you for being my partner on this adventure."

Nodding in agreement, I follow you as we make our way through the winding streets of Prehevil towards the Black Church. Despite the joy of our recent victory, a sense of unease lingers in the back of my mind, knowing that the true nature of the artifact is still a mystery.

As we approach the imposing gates of the Black Church, I can't help but feel a sense of dread creeping into my heart. The dark priests are known for their cruelty and sadism, and I can't help but wonder what kind of twisted rituals they have planned for the artifact.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for whatever horrors lay ahead, knowing that no matter what we face, we must stay strong and united if we hope to survive.

With a determined expression on my face, I follow you into the Black Church, ready to confront whatever lies ahead

Inside the church, we are greeted by a dimly lit chamber filled with ominous symbols and grotesque statues. The air is thick with the smell of incense, and I can feel a sense of malevolent energy radiating from every surface.

Standing at the far end of the chamber is a group of dark priests, their faces concealed by black hoods as they stand before a massive altar. In the center of the altar lies a stone basin filled with a thick, viscous liquid that seems to glow with an otherworldly light.

As we approach, one of the dark priests steps forward, his eyes gleaming with a cold, cruel light. "You have brought us the artifact," he says in a voice that sends shivers down my spine. "Now we can begin the ritual."

My heart sinks at these words, knowing that we've unwittingly played right

For a moment, I hesitate, unsure of how to proceed. Despite my growing unease, I know that our best chance of survival lies in keeping the dark priests on our side, at least for the time being.

Gathering my courage, I step forward and address the dark priest in the center of the group. "We've performed our part of the bargain," I say firmly. "Now it's time for you to uphold your end of the deal. You promised to tell us how to get out of Prehevil."

For a long moment, the dark priest stares at me in silence, his eyes narrowing as if he's sizing me up. Finally, he nods slowly, a crooked grin spreading across his face. "Very well," he says. "I'll tell you what you want to know... but first, you must witness the ritual. Only

then will I reveal the way out of Prehevil."

I feel a knot forming in my stomach at the thought of what we may be asked to witness, but I know we have no other choice. "Fine," I say, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice. "But once we've seen the ritual, you tell us what we want to know, and we leave. Understood?"

The dark priest merely nods in response, motioning for us to follow him towards the altar. With a sense of dread weighing heavily on my heart, I steel myself to face whatever horrors lie ahead, praying that we'll make it out alive.

As we follow the dark priest, I feel a sense of comfort in the warmth of your hand squeezing mine. The gesture reassures me that we're in this together and gives me the courage to keep moving forward.

As we approach the altar, my eyes are drawn to the stone basin filled with the glowing liquid. A feeling of intense dread washes over me as I realize that this must be the focal point of the ritual.

The dark priest begins to chant in an ancient language, his voice rising in pitch and volume until it echoes throughout the chamber. The other priests join in, their voices blending together to form a haunting, discordant chorus.

I can feel the air crackling with energy, and my skin prickles as if I'm standing on the edge of a great precipice. As the chanting reaches its crescendo, the liquid in the basin surges upward

, forming a pillar of light that illuminates the entire chamber. The light is blinding, and I have to shield my eyes with my free hand.

Through the blinding light, I can see the dark priest moving towards the basin, his hands outstretched as if he's about to plunge them into the glowing liquid. Fear grips me, and I want to turn and run, but something compels me to keep watching.

Suddenly, there is a deafening explosion, and the energy in the room spikes to an impossible level. My ears ring, and I feel like I'm about to be torn apart by the sheer force of it.

When I'm finally able to open my eyes again, I see the dark priest lying on the ground, his body contorted in agony. The other priests are gathered around him, trying to help, but it's clear that