To Find: Season 1 (True Colors Tape)

Story Tape #26

The tape begins with Just waking up from his rest, sitting up on the couch as he tries to wake himself up, smacking his cheeks softly.

"Come on, get up Just."

I said to myself, getting up off the couch as I stretched. I walked up to the balcony thinking that it'll be some sunlight, God, I wish I wasn't wrong. All there is is just darkness and that Entity still hovering over the city. Just began to have a mental breakdown, smacking himself on his head as he started to drop himself on the ground. Banging his head on the floor as he started to lose his mind, the sound of Cherry opening up her bedroom door wearing pajama pants with a long baggy T-shirt.

"Oh my God, Just, stop!!"

She ran up to Just pulling him close to her chest, wrapping her arms around him. Just was trying to get Cherry arms off of him, crying out loud as he gave up.

"I don't want to be here anymore… I thought I was going to wake up. Why can't I wake up???!!!"

Cherry started making shushing noises, holding me tightly as I held onto her arms; sniffling as my nose became watery, my face feeling hot and sweaty.

"Shh shh shh… Just relax. Alright? You know why you are here… You need to be strong, if not for Soren then at least for me. I'm here, okay? Along with other allies I assume you have, right?"

We both looked at each other, she questioned me again.

"You do have allies, right?"

Silence. Then we both chuckled as I wiped the tears from my face, nodding my head.

"Yeah, I do and I have these cool powers too, a Staff, Blades and some Claws."

She smiled at me, lightly rubbing one side of my cheek with her thumb.

"Hm, is that so? Then stop being this way and use those powers to fuck whoever gets in your way and save Soren, okay?"

I nodded my head, calming myself down.

"Yeah… Alright, I can do that."

She unwrapped her arms around me, standing up as she lowered her hand. I grabbed onto it, pulling myself up. Cherry went to grab my dress shirt, suit vest and my suit jacket, handing it to me.

"Now, I'mma need you to get dressed so that we can talk about what you found at the cave and come up with a plan."

I grabbed onto my stuff, smiling at her.

"Thanks Cherry, where do you want to meet?"

Cherry walked into a room, looking back at me.

"Uhh… In the living room? Duh."

God, what is up with me asking these dumb questions… I nodded my head embarrassingly, walking to the bathroom.

"Right, of course I uh.. Will get dressed now. Heh.."

She smiled before walking into her room, closing the door. I walked into the bathroom as I sighed to myself. Time went by while getting dressed up, exiting the bathroom as I shut the door. I walked to the couch to grab my duck mask, looking at it for a while look at how beat up it looks. I smiled to myself, there's so much that happened to me. We've done a lot together, haven't we? I plant a soft kiss on my hand, resting two of my fingers on the mask. Cherry walked out of her room, dressed up in a regular club attire as she walks up to the couch sitting on it.

"Alright, I'm ready to hear about what you've learned at the cave. Did you find Soren?"

I sat down on the couch next to her, nodding my head looking at her.

"Yeah, I found Soren. I also found a group of D.E.F.E.A.T minions or whatever the hell you wanna call them, the ones that have intellect and can form a conversation, yeah so uhh… Okay, so… In the cave there's this black ink waterfall falling from the ceiling, it had a face sticking out of it, melted off. I'm not sure what it is or what information they're gathering but I don't think it's good."

Cherry sighed to herself, thinking about a solution. I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"Cherry… A Shadow-Walker tortured Soren, badly… The way he was crying I… I just stood by…"

Cherry wrapped her arms around my shoulders, giving me a hug as she rubbed my back.

"We're going to get him out of here… Promise. Look, here's what we can do."

She straightened herself up, her tone becoming serious.

"Okay, go back to the cave like how you did before. I assume there'll be more added securities since your last visit over there. Look into this black ink situation, see if you can get any more information about Soren and come back to me. With enough information I can send a squad with you to infiltrate the cave, handle the ink situation and bring Soren over here. For now I'll send Jelen, the Squad Leader. I'll make sure she brings weapons appropriate for stealth. We don't need any more attention drawn back over here, okay?"

I nodded my head.

"Yeah, alright. That's fine with me. Thanks for the talk and comforting me. I'll see you later, mhm?"

As I got up from the couch, putting my duck mask on as I adjusted my suit. Cherry gets up as well, placing her hand on my cheek.

"Don't get yourself hurt, alright you dumb Goose?"

I placed my hand on hers, nodding my head as I walked away from Cherry's room; walking downstairs and exiting the building. The cold air hitting my body, the smell of the town musk filling my nose. A scent of sweat and water, I almost gagged a little bit. I made my way towards the Forest, seeing debris of branches, blood, and explosion marks left from Jelen. I hear sounds of tree branches moving, looking up to see Jelen traversing from one tree to another. She landed near me, nodding her head as she called out to me.

"Hey, Duck!"

Jelen said out loud, her arsenal was a custom-designed pistol with a blade on the end; carrying a suppressed sniper rifle on her back. I looked at her waving as I greeted her in return.

"Hey Jelen, Cherry said that you'll be helping me out. In what way?"

While walking through the Forest she started to explain the plan.

"In a way that won't get you killed. Listen, simple plan. It's an in and out plan, just like what you did before. Well, sorta. Sneak your way inside the cave and find Soren, gather more information from him and explore the cave if you have to. Take a picture of this goo situation you're talking about with this camera."

Jelen handed me a handheld camera, looking at his as I turned it on; looking at the camera quality being fairly decent.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. What will you be doing?"

After walking for a while we ended up near the cave, hiding behind a tree where there are increased securities around the cave. Jelen took out her rifle, putting her hood on as she looked at me, checking the magazine.

"I'll be up in the trees picking off the creatures one by one as you head inside. By the time you return outside they will already be dead."

I nodded my head and surveyed the area, the cave blocked up with tapes as I took a deep breath. I was nervous, as always but I had no other choice.

"Alright, I'll see you later."

Before I left Jelen's side she quickly placed her hand on my left shoulder, turning around as she also handed me an earpiece.

"Here. Take this so that the both of us can stay in touch. Good luck out there, Wanderer."

Jelen climbed up on the tree as I sighed to myself, smacking myself on my cheek to hype myself up. Crouching down as I make my way towards a rock, looking over to see a short creature sitting in front of it as it makes a clicking sound with its tongue. I summoned the pocket knife into my hand, breathing heavily as I clenched my teeth; reaching over it to stab it in its forehead. The creature went silent, pinning its head against the rock as I held onto the rock with my free hand; dragging its body up against the rock with trails of blood smeared on it, bringing it over to my side as I went to stab it multiple times. I looked down at the disfigured, bloody creatures as the earpiece made a static noise, hearing the voice of Jelen.

"Heh, wow. That was brutal, didn't know that you were capable of that. Interesting."

I let out a deep sigh, my gloves covered in blood as I took a look at my hands.

"I… I just want to end this nightmare."

I look around to see there are creatures near the entrance of the cave. Jelen aimed her crosshair at one of the five creatures patrolling the entrance. She began to come up with a strategy, walking up close to the three creatures hiding behind another rock.

"Alright… I can take out two of those uglies, can you kill the rest of them?"

I looked at the three creatures and watched how they roamed around near the cave, nodding my head as I summoned the Blades of Vengeful Gust between my fingers. I stare at the three creatures, waiting for Jelen to call out.

"Yeah, I can do that. Ready when you are."

I waited for Jelen cue. I waited and waited and waited. Silence. Hearing the wind howls in the darkened night, the sounds of the creatures making light growling sounds as the sound of leaves crushing echoed throughout the forest. Jelen called out loud.

"TAKE THEM OUT!!"

The silent, quick sound of Jelen firing her rifle as one of the creatures goes down; jumping over the rock as I keep my head down, throwing three of my Blades at the creatures. The sound of Jelen firing can be heard again, killing the other remaining creature as the entrance to the cave was cleared. I looked at the trees, waving wherever the hell Jelen was at.

"Nice work Duck, not too bad. Made it look easy to be honest. Good luck in there, I'll be out here in case things go south but I would rather avoid that."

I nodded my head, getting down on the floor as I crawled underneath the tape making it to the other side as I walked through the cave. Whisper appears beside me while walking down the dark, rocky corridor.

"Just, I sense our journey is coming to a close. It can end it two ways. Death or by escaping this nightmare."

I looked down as I listened to what Whisper said, moments later after walking down the cave I heard the song (True Colors, By The Weeknd) slowly fading in.

My jaw drops as I stopped walking, Whisper stopping as well as he felt concerned. The Head completely emerged from the gooey waterfall, a Hand with its flesh missing exposing several bones from its finger tips. The bottom of it's Jaw making a circular motion while groaning weakly, black goo trickling down from its Mouth as it's Eyes were looking left and right uncontrollably with an anomaly in one of it's Eyes. I spoke to Whisper, disturbed.

"Whisper…"

Whisper responded back, also disturbed as well.

"Just…"

I replied back, my breathing becoming shaky.

"I don't like this…"

Whisper placed his hand on my shoulder before disappearing.

"Me too… Try not to get caught."

I felt a chill running down my spine as I clench my fists, moments later casting the 'Venesco' spell as I disappeared into the darkness. Alright, I need to go to Just and hear his confession. I'm sorry that I can't do anything while you're being tortured. Hang on, at least for a little while longer. The previous dark figures from before were still investigating the Entity. Before making my way towards the basement trap door I paused for a second, changing my mind as I walked near the dark figures to listen in on their conversation. One of the four figures spoke with a bothersome tone.

"Does D.E.F.E.A.T even know what the hell this shit is? Look at that thing! It's creepy looking."

The other figure responded with a reassurance tone.

"I am sure D.E.F.E.A.T knows how to handle this… Unknown Entity."

One of the figures radioed D.E.F.E.A.T, calling him. D.E.F.E.A.T answered. My heart trembled just by hearing his voice, trying to keep myself calm as I eavesdropped on them. I then remembered that Jelen gave me a camera, taking it out as I took a picture of the Goo and the figures investigating it. I listened in on their conversation.

"What is it?" D.E.F.E.A.T responded, his time being spent better be worth it.

The arrogant figure spoke.

"Hey, Boss, this black goo waterfall is getting worse. Now the Head is fully exposed and its Hand is reaching out. The hell do you want us to do with this thing?"

D.E.F.E.A.T responded with authority in his voice, raising his voice.

"First off, watch your tone with me. Now, to answer your question… You will make sure to contain it inside the cave until it takes its form, then I will send an extraction team to capture the Entity for further research."

The arrogant figure was annoyed, but tries to compose his angry tone.

"What research Boss? It better not be one of those research where we try to harness it but end up dooming the whole city."

D.E.F.E.A.T responded with a strict tone of voice.

"None of your fucking busy. Just make sure that it is contained."

The arrogant figure responded obediently but stuttered a bit.

"Y-Yes D.E.F.E.A.T."

D.E.F.E.A.T hung up on him, sighing to himself as says annoyingly.

"Fucking hate this shit."

Then figures began to go back to investigating the Entity. I shook my head as I put the camera away, making my way towards the basement trapdoor; opening it as I slowly descended down. The music gets louder as I peak my head around the stairs, disabling the 'Vanesco' spell to save energy. I took out the camera as I started to take pictures of the basement and the two of them. Soren is still chained up with the same Shadow-Walker tormenting him. I stood back against the wall, keeping the Blades between my fingers just in case. The Shadow-Walker asked Soren a question.

"WhAt'S HIddEN iN thE DaRK Can'T Be SeEN, bUt WhATS In ThE DaRk cAN SeE. WhAT Do YoU SeE iN tHe DaRk?"

Soren was still chained up against the wall, tears running down his cheeks as he looked up at it.

"I-I see D.E.F.E.A.T… Shadows, standing still. Their faces, pale and too realistic with a wide empty smile… In the darkness I'll hear a woman laughing."

The Shadow-Walker leaned closer to Soren, wanting him to talk.

"WhO iS thE WomAN?"

Soren started to sob to himself, closing his eyes.

"Mahajah…"

The Shadow-Walker began to laugh at Soren, shaking its head.

"OvER A WoMaN? AhA…AHAHAHA!!"

Soren looked down in silence, sniffling as he covered his face with his hands bawling on it.

The basement started to slowly transform, the walls replaced with shadows laughing at Soren as I quickly cast my 'Vanesco' spell. Soren looked up as he leans back against the normal brick wall, the shadows walking up to him as he started to cry out loud.

"No, No! Please! GET AWAY FROM ME!!!"

The shadows walked closer and closer, hearing them chant "Tell Us." The Shadow-Walker wrapped its long, sharp, lengthy fingers around his neck; pinning him against the wall. All I could do was stare, I can't do anything, not yet… Please Soren, wait for me.

"TeLl US. WhErE Did YoU MeEt HeR?"

Soren was breathing heavily as he shook his head.

"Please.. P-Please don't… I don't want to say it."

The Shadow-Walker screeches at Soren with its abnormally large teeths are shown, his cries were devastating to hear. It made me want to cry.

"IMVU!!! WE MET ON IMVU!!"

Soren yelled out embarrassingly as the shadows surrounding him laughed and pointed at him. Soren continues to confess, hoping that they will leave him alone.

"I wanted to be with her, so fucking bad so I-I gave her another chance a-as friends but I… I started catching feelings again.. why? Why did I catch feelings again? S-She hurt me…"

The Shadow-Walkers closes its eyes, breathing in sharply as it let out a relaxing exhale.

"IMVU… A SoCiAL PlaTfOrM GaME… SoREn.. YoU dEsERve To BE StuCk HeRe."

It tighten it's grip around Soren's neck, grabbing onto its wrists tightly as he struggled to breathe; his face covered in tears with horrors in his eyes.

"N-No…No!!"

The Shadow-Walker stared at Soren for a while. Silence. The music stopped. I was tearing up, watching everything that's happening. My heart is feeling saddened. Silence. Silence. Silence. The Shadow-Walkers let out a loud screech as Soren cries out loud, begging to be left alone as It slams his head against the brick wall. Soren cries intensifying, I started to sob as I clench my fists; placing my hands on top of my head out of frustration, holding myself back. No. No. No. No! It continued to slam his head against the wall, over and over and over again until Soren's cries stopped. Letting go of his neck as he drops to the ground, the room transforming back to normal.

The Shadow-Walker gently rub Soren's head.

"SLeEp TiGHt."

I had enough, walking up the stairs as I felt my vision becoming blurry as I was crying underneath my mask. Putting the camera away as I exit the basement, closing the trap door. I snuck my way out of the cave as I was breathing heavily; kneeling down on the floor as I took my mask off as the 'Vanesco' spell wore off. Crying to myself as I look back at me, hearing the sounds of idle chatting as I then look towards the cave entrance. Whisper appears beside me as he places his hand on my shoulder.

"Just, come on. You need to keep going."

I stuttered with my words as I tried to calm myself down, smacking myself on my face.

"Soren… Soren… I need to get him the fuck out of here. I need to kill D.E.F.E.A.T!"

Whisper helped stand me up, touching me with his finger.

"Then do it. You have so much to experience, so much to endure, but if you turn that fear into strength you can overcome whatever comes your way. Come on, let's go."

I nodded my head as I put my mask back on, heading out of the cave as I crawled underneath the tape; standing up as I looked around to see if there were any other creatures. Jelen radioed me through the ear piece.

"Took you long enough. You got the information you need?"

I nodded my head, sniffling underneath my mask after being emotional.

"Yeah… I do. Is it safe out here?"

Jelen responded.

"Yep. I took care of them. I'll meet you down there."

I smiled up at the trees, walking away from the cave and towards the direction where the town is at. After some time walking in the Forest, Jelen landed near me as she walked next to me.

"So, did you take the pictures?"

I nodded my head, handing her the camera.

"Yeah, take a look at the bullshit. That damn thing I told you about? The goo? It's getting worse. It wasn't like that before. And Soren is just… getting tortured."

Jelen inspected the photos as she sighed a bit, heading towards the town. She looked at me, determination within her voice

"Don't worry. We're gonna deal with this, all of us, together."

I smiled at Jelen, approaching the town gate as the army opened it for us, going through the gate. Jelen stopped and looked at me, jittering the camera a bit.

"I'm going to show this to Cherry, I'll see you soon on the next adventure. It was nice working with you Duck, see you next time."

I spoke softly to her.

"Yeah, next time Jelen."

She walked away as I looked up at the void-less sky, heading to Enlightened Pearl; going through the whole process as I then walked into Cherry's room, taking my mask off and hanging it up. I laid back against the couch, relaxing my body. Images of Soren crying flooded my mind, hearing his scream and the sound of his head hitting against the wall; tearing up a bit as I bit down onto my leather gloves trying to suppress my scream. This world is making me lose my sanity, can I really do it? Can I really save Soren? Can I even take down D.E.F.E.A.T? Am I even worthy, God, of such an important task.~

-End of Story Tape #26-