To Find: Season 1 (Giving In Tape)

Story Tape #20

The song (Judah's Lullaby, by REPULSIVE) plays in the background, my heart feeling despair from the eerie music. After opening my eyes I find myself in a dark, unsettling version of my Haven; whenever I look around a corner I see a shadow moving away. My breathing became heavy as I opened my hand to summon my bat, nothing happened. I tried to summon my knife, nothing happened. I called out for Whisper, no replies. It was so dark, I could barely see. I tried to let my eyes adjust to the darkness but met with minimal results. I hear a cheerful, motherly voice from the distance beckoning me to come.

"Ohh Just, come here. We're all waiting for you. Follow my voice sweetie."

My breathing became shaky as a male voice said from the distance, distorted.

"Do not be afraid, come."

I shook my head as I covered my face, muffling against my hands as the voices grew louder. I called out to Bēlua.

"BĒLUAAAA!!! WHERE ARE YOU?"

Again, whenever I call out, whenever I try to summon anything all I get in return is silence. I start to walk towards the voices, keeping my fists clenched tightly as I look around; shadows moving into hiding as I start to tear up a bit. How am I going to save Soren, to get rid of D.E.F.E.A.T... It's just too much. I looked around the corner as a shadowy figure with its teeth almost covering its face appeared in front of me, its hand reaching out as I backed away from it. All I could do was run, I had nothing. After running for a while I started to hear groaning noises behind me, looking back as I saw a swarm of shadows unnaturally running after me. I accidentally hit against the corners of the wall as I followed the multiple voices, holding onto my shoulder in pain as I entered a room covered with faces making disturbing expressions; hearing their cries and their moans as I covered my ears crying out to God.

"Please make it stop! What is going on? Where am I? Please..."

I slowly got down on my knees, crying on my hands as the groaning sounds from the shadows grew closer and closer then it went silent. I slowly opened my eyes, complete darkness is all I saw. I then heard a sound of a light flicking on, turning around as I saw a TV playing a static image. I cautiously approach the TV, clenching my fists tightly as I focus my attention on the TV as it plays a blurry commercial which seems to be promoting a children's toy gun. The song (Run Rabbit Run, by Flanagan & Allen) plays in the commercial, all I did was just stare and stare and stare. In my peripheral vision to my right side I see eyes of different colors; green, purple, and red. As I quickly turned to see who was watching me, the eyes disappeared, backing away from the TV as the music and the visuals began to speed up. Moments later the inside of the TV explodes, causing the screen to shatter as it becomes dark again. Alas, all I heard was silence. I then saw three large entities manifest in a distance, but I was able to see them clearly due to their large size. On the left was a woman wearing a blindfold, her teeth were rotten and dirty. On the right was an entity wearing a mask made up of bones covered in blood, the top of its skull exposed to show a part of its twitching brain. Then finally in the middle was Bēlua, all three of them looked down at me. The woman speaks to me, that once motherly voice was replaced with a disgusting sound.

"You listened to our voices, well done."

I stood there, shaken up as I looked at three of the entities lost and confused.

"Where am I, Bēlua? What's the meaning of this?"

Bēlua looked at me as he opened his arms out, looking at the woman and at the other entity. 

"Didn't I tell you that I was going to help you out? With our help and the help from your God, you will be able to defend yourself more effectively. While you are out there surviving we reside here in this place, separating ourselves from Soren's Mind."

Bēlua introduced me to the woman.

"This right here is Sophismae, who is excellent when it comes to deceiving enemies."

Sophismae looked at me, smiling as she exposed more of her rotten teeth; her mouth filled with dirt.

"The Wanderer with a bounty on his head but can't even properly handle himself; well won't this be a long process."

She started to laugh at me mockingly, I looked down feeling a bit ashamed of myself as Bēlua snapped his fingers at me.

"Ignore her. Do not let your emotions overwhelm you, look at you, a man, correction, a boy getting his feelings hurt. That must stop, now."

I looked up at Bēlua, slowly nodding my head as he introduced me to the masked entity.

"Next we have Quiesco, the darkness is its friend and its weapon. Where did it go? Too late, it's already over."

Quiesco looked at me as it nodded, summoning three small blades in between its fingers.

"Soon they will fear you, Wanderer. We have a lot of work to do, but don't worry, we will help you."

I started to cry as I kneel down, feeling my heart tremble. Will they really help me, my Lord? Is this happening? Will I finally feel useful? To feel that I have a purpose? All three of their voices joined together, calling out to me. The song (NANA, by Rojuu, Saramalacara) starts to play in the background, my heart... What is this feeling? Excitement?

"Rise, Wanderer."

My eyes widened up as I slowly stood up, looking at the three of them as they continued to speak in unison.

"Ready yourself, here they come. We will assist you. Do not die. You can still be harmed."

H-Huh? I turned around to see a swarm of dark figures with their faces unrecognizable disfigured and having inhumane portions. I got into a fighting stance, seeing as it looks like there are at least 20, 30, maybe 40 shadowy figures? What the fuck? How, God? How? Sophismae called out to me.

"Wanderer, look up. Your test is about to begin, do not fight it."

I looked up at the sky shrouded in darkness, seeing a purplish light flying down like a shoot star; leaving a smoky trail as my hand subconsciously reached out for it. What is that? The darklight then rushed through my hand, causing an immense amount of pain as I held onto my hand with my left hand; grunting in pain as my body started to become hot. The darklight began to manifest a weapon in my hand in the form of a purplish Staff, both ends of it containing a poisonous mist. The middle base of the Staff has a handle in the form of a flesh that throbs underneath. Sophismae's voice echoed in my head as she communicated to me, the enemies slowly approaching.

"Wield the Staff of Rotten Deceived. Each hit causes your enemies to succumb to my poison, slowing and damaging them over time. Please, do try it out."

I nodded my head as I held onto the staff, having a firm position as my heart felt nervous due to the amount of enemies I am seeing but I know that my Lord and my newfound allies are with me. A few creatures launched themselves at me, I began hitting them with the staff while weaving and blocking as much as I could. The creatures that were hit began to cough, their body releasing out oozing pus as they succumbed to the poison; falling down on the ground as they slowly die, screeching in pain as their body starts to boil. Sophismae spoke to me again while I continued to fight off the shadowy figures.

"Yes, Wanderer. The sound of their screams as they die from your hand is satisfying, yes? Hearing them cry out makes me so... Aroused. The Staff possesses two abilities, the first one being a trap and the second one being a bug. To summon the trap, say 'Laqueum' while performing a specific gesture."

A visual of a gesture being performed flashed within my head, the Staff that was in my hand disappeared as I began to perform the gesture while saying Sophismae name. My right hand doing a swerve motion, raising my hand up, eyes height showing my palm and doing the same with my left hand; creating a poisonous mist trail as circular orb is created. Grabbing the orb with both hands as I slam it down on the ground, locking it in place by turning it clockwise. I then backed away as a few creatures stood on it, the trap bursting into a cloud of poison; slowing them down and causing them to slowly die as time passed. I was in disbelief, letting out a chuckle as I placed my hands on my head. Holy shit this is really happening? Right now! Oh my God, oh my God! I was overwhelmed with excitement, this is it. This is how I can become useful. Sophismae cheered as she applauded me.

"You've performed that spell beautifully! Look at them, slowly dying in front of your eyes!! Now, for the last spell. The bug, when thrown at a poisoned foe it seeks to eat the formed pus around the foe's body, causing the poison to burst out spreading throughout anyone who is nearby. When this happens it will cause them to become confused, attacking each other. Say 'Cimex' and release it."

I looked at my left hand and said 'Cimex.' A maggot starts to develop inside my hand, feeling it wiggle around as I let out a groan of disgust; quickly throwing it at the infected enemies, seeing it specifically attack the pus as it spreads to nearby enemies. I was amazed and laughing, praying to God.

"My Lord, You have blessed me with powers and allies that will help me face the horrors within Soren's Mind. Thank You God, thank You."

I watched the infection spread as it caused the creatures to go against each other, killing themselves in the process as I watched those who were in pursuit of me now killing each other. Sophismae spoke to me.

"Wanderer, it's not over yet, look."

I looked forward as more creatures began to spawn, accompanied by a creature whose hands are chained up while carrying two spiky boulders. My eyes widen as I look at it, muttering to myself "Holy shit..." I slowly backed away as I heard Sophismae's voice.

"Do not be afraid, you've poisoned enough of them. You are now able to summon me, so call my name."

I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath, placing my hands on the ground as I kneeled down while saying Sophismae name. I smell a strong odor as I hold my breath, a dark poisonous rotten mist formed around me accompanied with a fierce wind. Sophismae took control as her entire body developed, wearing a loose torn dress with mold and blood all over it; holding her Staff as she began to laugh maniacally.

"Oh, isn't it fun to get back into action?"

The creatures growls at her as they begin to attack Sophismae, placing 3 traps spreaded through the floor; getting them infected as she starts hitting them with her Staff while she laughs simultaneously.  The creature carrying 2 spiky boulders swung at her, stopping it with both ends of the Staff; swinging her body forward as she kicked the creature from underneath it's chin. It fell back as she hit it with her Staff multiple times, building off the effect of the poison as pus began to form around its body; summoning the bug in her hand as she tried to open the creature's mouth with her other hand.

"Open your fucking mouth, say 'aaahh'."

Sophismae opened up the creature mouth, sticking the bug inside as it began to roam around the inside of its body and biting down on the pus; oozing out and inside of its body as it starts to rot, Sophismae jumping up off of the creature as it exploded with its guts and body parts raining over her with her tongue sticking out.

"Wanderer, you will need to work hard in order to kill D.E.F.E.A.T... Don't you ever cower in fear, be the one they fear. I don't need you making us look bad, okay love?"

Sophismae smiled as a poisonous mist swarmed around her, moments later Just awakened from his unconsciousness; getting down on his knees placing his hands on the floor, coughing.

"U..Uhhh... Uhh... P-Please, teach me to become stronger..."

I looked up at the three of them, looking down at me as I heard the sound of another wave of enemies behind me. Quiesco pointed up at the sky, looking up as I reached my hand out towards the sky as it said to me.

"You will learn how to blend into the darkness, using it towards your advantage. You've always feared the dark, now you will embrace it, become it."

Quiesco words impacted me as I started to tear up, I felt my heart reshaping itself as I felt the darklight flowing through my glove and into my skin. Clenching my fist tightly as I let out a loud groan, looking at my hand as a small dark-greenish blade manifest on my palm. Quiesco spoke again, its voice filling me with courage.

"Wield the Blades of Vengeful Gust, meant to pick off enemies from a distance. Both of your hands carry three blades, a total of six. When a certain amount of Blades impales a target it will paralyze them where they stand, see for yourself."

I slowly turned around as I looked at the rows of enemies heading towards me, I then began to throw Blades as they ran at me; paralyzing a few as I was scratched on the face due to being charged at from my peripheral vision, backing away as my left eye was struggling to stay open while trying to fight through the pain. I was enraged as I used my other hand to throw the rest of the Blades at the one who scratched me, the creature was in pain as it was paralyzed in place; grabbing one of the Blades as I jam it into its forehead, falling back on the ground as I then heard Quiesco voice approving my actions.

"Yes, take that pain and convert it into anger to strike those who seek to destroy you. Now we will go over the abilities. The first ability is a vanish spell, the second ability is a focus spell. For the vanish spell say 'Vanesco' while performing a gesture."

A vision appeared to me as to how to perform the gesture, the blades in between my three fingers vanished as I performed the 'Vanesco' spell. Taking my left hand out with my fingers one-third curled in, using my right hand to make a circular motion in front of my left hand to create a smokey dark green cloud; then pulling the smoke towards the middle of my chest as my body starts to become dark like a shadow as I blend in with the darkness confusing the creature. I tried to hide my excitement as they started to smell the air in order to track my position, but they couldn't find me as Quiesco spoke to me.

"Well isn't that something, hm? The darkness is now your friend, use it to sneak up on enemies and take them out. But be cautious, your time is limited and the spell will break if you miss impaling an enemy. I've also noticed that you've run out of Blades. To replenish your Blades simply perform this gesture."

Once again a vision came to me on how to perform the gesture, the palm of my hands facing me as I crossed my forearms together; six Blades appeared between my fingers. It was pretty cool, I'm not going to lie. I began to creep in the darkness, looking at the multiple creatures trying to find me as I started to throw my Blades at two of them; running up behind one as I stuck one Blade inside its neck. While behind the dying creature I use my left hand to throw my Blade at one of the creatures, missing as I mutter the word "Shit" to myself. The Vanesco spell breaks as the other creatures charge at me, running away from them as I replenish my Blades; Quiesco speaking to me.

"When you are overwhelmed it's best to stay focused on what really matters, what is at stake. This spell will help you see clearly, to maximize your accuracy, to lighten your feet. Say 'Umbilicus' and close your eyes, placing both of your hands on your face, your fingertips on your forehead and dragging them down onto your chin. After that, open your eyes."

I did what Quiesco told me to do, saying the word 'Umbilicus' as I placed my hands over my face while running, dragging my fingertips from my forehead to my chin as I slowly opened my eyes. I start to breathe heavily as the way I see things is different, noticing that my running has become quicker and my feet feel light. Outlines of the creatures were dark green, looking down at the Blades between my fingers as I quickly started to throw my Blades at them; each Blades hitting the creatures successfully without missing. I began to laugh from the pure enjoyment and adrenaline rush of feeling a sense of power coursing through me, I slid in between a large three legged creature; turning around as I threw a barrage of Blade. It started to become paralyzed as it then  fell down on its face making a low groaning sound, jumping onto its back as I thrusted six of the Blades into its back multiple times as I smiled with blood splattering on my face. I then felt a slight headache as I held onto my head, Quiesco's voice rang in my ears.

"It feels good, doesn't it? To kill. To feel like you matter, that you actually contribute to life. Say my name, Wanderer."

I see figures spawning in front of me from the shadows, within the groups of the enemies one stood out the most. An entity who is at least 7 foot tall, wearing a non-hooded robe wearing a thorn-like helmet while carrying a Bow. Yeah, I'll let you handle this. I kneeled down as I closed my eyes, saying Quiesco name as dark green mist swirls around me carrying pieces of Blades as the last thing my nose smelt was iron. Quiesco now took control over Just, revealing its entire body. Wearing a cloak wrapped in chains with finger bones hanging off from its belt like ornaments, looking at the robe creature and letting out a chuckle.

"This creature is nothing compared to the horrors you'll face, Wanderer."

Quiesco immediately ran towards the robe creature, weaving and dodging the attacks from the minor enemies; slicing them with its Blade and throwing a couple at them. The robe creature started to shoot arrows at Quiesco embedded with flames, casting a Vanesco spell as it disappears in the darkness. Before the robe figured knew it it was already over. They make it look to easy, emerging from the darkness as Quiesco threw four of it's Blades into the back of the creature head; immediately dying as it face planted on the ground. Quiesco cast it's Umbilicus spell, getting an increase in focus to dispatch the rest of the minor creatures; ripping one of it's jaw off with the Blade, throwing it at the last creature forehead. Quiesco replenished it's Blade, kneeling down on the floor.

"We have gifted you with our strength, so do not be cocky, do not be boastful, do not be too proud. Your God can take you whenever He wants, yes? Fight and live."

The dark greenish smoke swirls around Quiesco, hearing the sounds of pieces of Blades scraping against each other due to the strong wind; Just waking up from being unconscious once again. I was exhausted from the long, active fighting as I slowly got up from the ground; clenching my fists as I looked up at the three. Bēlua spoke.

"It is almost over. Just, look up at the sky. Do you see it? My claws? The blood. Oh, the blood. It is coming, give into it. Do not reject this gift, hold onto it tightly."

Bēlua raised both of his hands up in the sky, the darklight heading towards me as I reached my hand out. I want your power, Bēlua. Help me... Help me take down D.E.F.E.A.T., to save Soren, to get out of this nightmare. Please God, Help... MeEEEeeeeEeeeEEEEE. The darklight pierced through my skin, crying out in pain as I got down on the floor; my hand shaking as I bang my hand against the ground in frustration from the pain. I wanted the pain to stop, crying out to my Lord. Is it too much for me, too much!! All three of them, staring at me as I look at my hands manifesting a dark-reddish hologram in the form of claws. The start of the claws begins at my knuckles all the way to the end of my fingertips, the hologram claw slightly hovering over my fingers. I looked at my hands, astonished as the pain dissipated. Did I do it? Did I... Give into it? I accepted the gift, Bēlua's voice was powerful within my ears.

"Just, you wield the Claws of Screams, embedded with blood. Cut through your enemies, limb by limb, silence their cries. Become the new fear. Each slash on a victim causes them to bleed for a limited time, increasing the damage on them. You will notice the severity by the Claw symbol above them, estimated by the intensity of the symbol vibration. Use the Claws, show them fear."

I let out a loud roar within the bass of my voice, causing the room to shake as I run after the creatures with confidence. Don't become arrogant, be cautious. I began to slash at the enemies chest several times, a symbol appearing over them as I slash at their legs; causing them to fall on the ground as I put my fingers together to make a blade as I repeatedly plunged both of my hands into their bodies. I sweated, I grunted, I responded to them with anger, finally being able to defend myself much more effectively. Do I know everything? No. Do I know how to properly defend myself, how to be more strategic? No, but I do know that they will help me, strengthen me little by little; becoming better than who I was before. That's the goal, that's the purpose. Most creatures died from my own hands while some died from the bleed effect, I felt like a warrior; what I've always wanted to be. Bēlua spoke as I moved away from the other creatures, standing my ground firmly.

"You did not hesitate to take them down, good. You need that energy when facing your enemies, they will do everything they can to prevent you from reaching goals. Do you hide or do you fight? You fight when you are able to, you fight when you know that you have no other options yet, you fight when you know that it could be the end of you. You fight Just, fight!  Scratch your face and say my name, bleed from it, and become enraged! "

Anger started to be enveloped within me, more hatred, more aggression as I began to scratch my face aggressively with my Claws while screaming out his name; causing blood to spurt out from my face, yelling out loud in pain as my eyes became bloodshot red. Seeing everything around me in a dark-reddish color tone, I am not Just. Who am I? What are you? The camera focused on Just face, bloodied and mangled, his white teeth showing more vividly as he began to laugh. His bloody red eyes, one halfway open while the other is bulged out. The creatures stopped where they were at, fear is all they felt at that moment. The hunters became the prey, Just running at them while screaming in agony as he lost his sanity. The creatures tried to run away but where could they go? Just caught up to them, ripping their flesh and tearing them apart as the room is filled with cries and screams while Just laughter fills the room. Sophismae, Quiesco and Bēlua all watch Just humanity slowly deteriorating. Sophismae spoke to Bēlua.

"Bēlua, make him stop. He is new to this, he can't possibly handle your power. He's going to lose himself, look at the poor boy."

Bēlua looked at Sophismae, reassuring her.

"The effect will wear off, it only lasts for 20 seconds."

Quiesco joined in on the conversation with its arms crossed, looking at Just fight through hordes of creatures as it noticed a strange presence within the plane of existence they are in.

"I sense something coming..."

Sophismae and Bēlua were confused, looking at Just surroundings. Then It appeared. A black goo seeping through the wall, Just was too busy killing to notice as Bēlua was in shock.

"No fucking way. It's that damn thing. Just!!!"

Bēlua calls out to Just as the effect begins to wear off, Just kneeling down on the floor exhausted as he places his left hand on his knee; the other on the floor. The goo slowly reconstructs the creature as It looks at Just.

"Just! It's the Entity from the Dolls Delight!!"

I responded sluggishly after gaining a little bit of my consciousness back, somewhat forgetful as to what happened early. My visions were blurry, my peripheral vision was deep red. I looked to my right to see the Entity from Dolls Delights constructing itself right in front of me, fear pierced my heart as I began to have flashbacks of what It did to me at that place. I slowly walked back exhausted, starting to tear up. N-No... Get away from me... God... God please, not again.. P-Pleas..Please..Please.. Bēlua called out to me.

"JUST! CALL UPON US!! PERFORM THE GESTURE!!"

A vision on how to perform the gesture appears in my head, weakly getting on my knees as the Entity slowly approaches me from afar as It says.

"I LuRK eVEn iN YoUr SLeEP. YoU WIlL NOt WAkE uP FrOM ThIS. DiE ComPLeteLY."

I yelled out loudly as I performed the gesture, showing both of my shaking hands in eyes length as my fingers are semi-curled in. I clashed both of my hands together as I slowly pulled them apart, creating an orb with the mixture of blood, poison and blades. The orb slowly expands in between my hands as I then tear them apart in half, screaming the word 'Unitas'. Just slams the palm of his hands onto the ground, causing the ground to shake as an aura is formed around Just like a protective barrier. Sophismae, Quiesco and Bēlua appeared behind Just as they charged after the Entity. They attacked it but just like when Bēlua attacked the Entity before their attacks were useless. The power granted to Just flowed through his body, blood, poison and blades swirled at Just. Sophismae called out to them, dodging the attacks from the Entity as they fight It off.

"This isn't working! Our attack is doing nothing to It, what the hell do we do? I've never met such a strange creature before."

Bēlua responded to Sophismae while fighting.

"I have no clue, I have no idea what the hell this thing i-."

Bēlua was caught off as the sound of Just yelling out can be heard, the aura that formed around him began to close; becoming tighter and tighter until eventually a strong blast was emitted from his body. The entire plane of existence shook as a wave of energy pulses from Just body, the camera began to glitch as the tape ended with it playing a static visual.

-End of Story Tape #20-