[center][img]https://imgur.com/f2ewInV.png[/img] [h1]The Shadow Entity[/h1] [img]https://imgur.com/BVAvSa1.png[/img] [h1]VV[/h1][/center] [h2][color=gray]Archives Room[/color][/h2] [sub][@Qia], [@naomimyselfandi], [@Silver Carrot][/sub] [hr][hr][center][hider=Bentez - Therapy][youtube]https://youtu.be/kaLV1vxTPTo?si=_qx9gDk48jvA08LB[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr] Whether the group tried A's method of trying to stay out of sight, or Pia and Ada's idea of not making any sudden moves or running at the first sign of trouble, the Entity would simply stare at them. M noticed the fear in VV's eyes, causing him to stop dead in his tracts. Clearly, something was wrong. His gaze scrolled upwards in the direction she openly stared. A knee jerk reaction escaped his lips, but thankfully was not louder than a whimper,[b] "Shit, that thing's huge!" [/b]He couldn't help but softly smile at the dreadful situation he found himself in,[b] "I feel it knows we're here, like it's been waiting for us."[/b] [b]"Indeed I have." [/b]The entity's voice was a warped, whispery mess. [b]"This Wild is pleased with your progress, but you are all still so [i]weak[/i]. The Master demands a sacrifice. To [i]strengthen[/i] you..."[/b] It pointed towards VV with long clawed fingers. [b]"You'll do."[/b] And it raised its hand, about to strike VV down. Before there was a flash of light, and none other than M stood in the way, blood pouring from the open gash cut across his chest. [b]“M, what are you doing?!”[/b] VV gasped. [b]“No one here deserves to get hurt, not on my watch!”[/b] M growled, glaring up at the Entity. [b]“If you want ‘em, you'll have to go through me!”[/b] The entity stared, blood dripping from its claw. Before it chuckled. [b]”Very well. May you be remembered as the one who saved the fledglings before they had wings yet to fly.”[/b] The bloodied claw wrapped around M's torso as the entity's mouth unhinged, expanding several feet wide. In one fell gulp, M was swallowed whole, devoured entirely by the Entity. VV screamed. The Entity paid no mind. It rumbled in contentment, before staring down at the group once more, a hand pressed to its jagged maw. [b]“The first trial is complete. The Wilds welcome the lost heroes. As instructed by my Master, let me…”[/b] It's whispery voice became dark and distorted. [b]“...[i]help[/i] you.”[/b] Its maw cracked open. A whispery roar was guttural in its chest as shadows leapt off the walls. All at once, a wave of shadow passed over the Archives Room, penetrating the hearts and minds of Ada, A, Pia, and VV. Their eyesight would grow dark as visions overtook them. [center]. . . [i]You feel darkness draw you in, settle around you. Then you begin to [b]see[/b].[/i] . . .[/center] [hr] [b]“You really thought you could try to outrun us?”[/b] A tall boy growled. They had cornered her against the school's outer wall, in a place with no windows and low visibility. The tall boy with his torn bomber jacket grinned wickedly, bringing a hand up and slapping her across the face. His lackeys hooted and hollered, gripping the girl’s arms. The tallest goon stared down at her again, grabbing her hair and forcing her to look up at him. [b]“You broke the rules. Now I'll give you a punishment you'll never forget.”[/b] And they twisted her, smashing her into the concrete wall face first, and ran away laughing. The aftermath… pain. And warm, fresh blood dripping from the nose. [sub][@Qia][/sub] [hr] Her hands kept at a steady rhythm. She had taken the courses, she knew what she was doing. It still didn't do much to quell the desperation inside of her when she saw the blood pooling below her fingertips. Elbows locked. And press. And press. And press. She moved back to bring her head to their chest level. A fellow student, just like her. They had all been walking together when… They still weren't breathing. She desperately continued her CPR. They were starting to get cold under her. Panicking, she brought her hands up to her face, seeing the student's blood on them. Her gaze snapped up, and she could see the other students surrounding her, staring at her in shock, accusations on their tongues. [i]What had she done wrong?[/i] [sub][@Silver Carrot][/sub] [hr] [b]“I know you're hiding, you little brat!”[/b] Angry footsteps stormed their way up the stairwell. From her hiding place under the bed in her mother and father's bedroom, she had a clear view of the hallway and bedroom door. She shivered where she lay cramped. Under no circumstances could she be found. [b]“You can't hide forever!”[/b] Her father growled, his words slurring together. He had been drinking again. Dirty pants and worn socks appeared in the doorway as her father neared. He paused, feet shifting this way and that, before he stepped into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. [b]“I know you're here, little mousy. Come out, and I promise I won't hurt you… a lot.”[/b] Her heartbeat quickened, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, trying not to breathe. He took a step closer, and she shrank further back under the bed. Another step forward. Her lungs burned for air. Then. A knee plopped down, and a shadowed face stared at her from outside her hiding place. She froze, terrified. [b]“Gotcha.”[/b] [sub][@naomimyselfandi][/sub] [hr] [b]“Give me her hand. Her hand!”[/b] She struggled hard against the rough hands holding her down, pressed against the glass of her shop's counter. A slap rang across her cheek, making her whimper and flinch. [b]“Stop struggling!”[/b] The suited men surrounding her managed to pry out a hand, flattening it against the glass. The leader of the pack, smelling like cigarettes and aftershave, leaned down close to her. [b]“You continue to refuse us…”[/b] He pulled out a switch blade, letting the sharp metal kiss the skin of her cheek before placing the edge against her wrist. [b]“And you're gonna lose a hand.”[/b] A dark chuckle among the men as the leader continued to speak. [b]“But it won't be all in one go, no.”[/b] He moved the blade to rest on her pinky. [b]“You’ll lose your fingers first. Then the thumb. And [i]then[/i]-”[/b] [b]“Alright fine! Please, please, I'll do it. Please…”[/b] She shivered, staring up at him, tears brimming in her eyes.[b] “I'll… do it.”[/b] [sub][@Estylwen][/sub] [hr] And all at once, the darkness retreated and the group's eyes again saw the Archives Room around them, and the shadow hanging off the wall over them. Each would have seen a different vision, and each would be affected in a different way. But each would feel, would [i]know[/i], deep down, that this vision was a part of their lost memory. They would also feel a certain [i]power[/i] unlock within them, with the knowledge on how to use it, well within their mind. Just like how one knew how to use the muscles of the arm, or how to ride a bike, it was the same. They were slowly starting their descent into their personal Abysses. For better, or worse. The Shadow above them began to collect raw shadows, brimming with a black energy before its body tore asunder and split into five smaller shadow beings. Each shadow being came down from the wall and stood, spindly and tall, over each person present. One for A, one for Ada, one for Pia, one for VV, and the last one slipping through the cracks in the elevator, making its descent to the lower levels. Each stared at their assigned target and coiled in a snake-like stance, preparing to strike. [b]“The helpless will struggle and weep at my feet. The Wilds will help you. Become the predator, not the helpless prey. Become what you were meant to be!”[/b] And each shadow launched an attack their their respective targets. Ada and A both had similar attacks - slashes aimed for the chest and shoulders. Pia and VV also had similar attacks - dark waves of energy rocketing towards them with enough pressure to knock them off their feet. The group had the option to pick up one of the rifles scattered around, try to attack, or run from the fight. [hr] [center][img]https://imgur.com/f2ewInV.png[/img] [h1]The Shadow Entity[/h1][/center] [h2][color=gray]Cryopod Storage Room[/color][/h2] [sub][@Wayward][/sub] [hr] While there were vibrations causing gentle sounds of foreboding to waft down from the floor above, as the elevator was called the box rested in front of D. However, as the doors slid open, a shocking sight overtook him. A shadow being, hunched over in the elevator, pinprick red eyes staring angrily at D. It slowly ambled forward, darkness wafting off it. [b]“A straggler. A lost soul that this Wild accepts. I have a [i]gift[/i] for you, as per my Master's orders.”[/b] Its haunting smile followed D as the being leaned in closer. The room dropped a few degrees, causing mist to creep over some of the cryopods. The being raised its spindly black hands, and a dark wave rocketed out, drowning D in blackness. [center]. . . [i]The darkness overtakes you. What do you [b]see?[/b][/i] . . .[/center] [hr] [b]“You poor thing…” [/b] A mother's tutting as she knelt in front of him, pressing cotton dipped in antiseptic against the open cuts. [b]“They were bullying you again, weren't they?”[/b] She asked carefully, watching her boy closely. There was worry in her eyes. Another dab across a fresh cut, and he flinched.[b] “I'm almost done, honey.” [/b]She said softly. The boy could feel the worry and comfort of his mother, his own helplessness. And as he sat there, his little hands balled into fists and his jaw set firmly. [i]Never again.[/i] [sub][@Wayward][/sub] [hr] The Shadow being stared at D for a long moment as he came out of the vision, before it smiled a sharp, unnatural smile at him. It stepped out of the elevator and to the side. [b]“Your friends above struggle. You'd better go help them before… [i]more[/i]… perish.”[/b]