The interior of the Baron’s manor wasn’t quite what I expected. Rich, dark wood cladding lined the walls, and the floor was a mix of the same wood and a carpet of dark green. It all gave a very... outdoorsy feel to the place. It was odd, because the usual vampire hideaway was almost always the same oak furniture, oak floorboards, red velvet, gold fixtures... but this was alien in contrast.
I pushed my way through the maze of corridors at a dizzying pace. Several times I had to consciously slow myself down in fear of passing out. I must have hit my head harder than I thought during the encounter with Ashley...
Up ahead I could faintly hear music playing from a gramophone. Was it a trap perhaps? Carefully I pushed the door ajar and peered in. Nothing. I opened the door wider still, and it was evident that the room was completely empty. I slipped in and shut the door behind me.
I was in what appeared to be a lounge - several chaise-longues were set against the far wall, with a bar on my left (with a door which inevitably led to a wine cellar). In the center of the room was the source of the music. A rather unique gramophone featuring a several cherubs holding the cylinder housing, and above that the speaker protruding from the bough of a grand tree. The whole thing was finished in marble and gold. It was certainly a sight to behold.
Slowly I made my way around the room looking for clues, but I found nothing. With one last look at the gramophone I turned and left the way I came - I was planning on taking the stairs to the second floor when I noticed something bizarre. The music was still playing as loud as before. I opened the door to my right and sure enough, I found myself in the same room.
Puzzled, I ran down the corridor and tried another door. Sure enough, I stumbled into the lounge once more. I couldn't explain it. Was I going insane? I tried another door and walked into the lounge for a final time. I grabbed a candelabra from the counter and set about destroying that damned gramophone. First the tree, then the cherubs. It finally gave way with a resounding snap, yet still the music played...
“I can see you are having fun over there” came Storms voice.
My heart stopped and I dropped the candelabra. Slowly I looked up, and sure enough, there was Storm, laid casually over one of the Chaise-Longues with a branch of grapes in one hand. I was flabbergasted, when did he get there? Was he always there? No, he couldn't have been, could he?
He laughed at my visible confusion.
“You didn't think we had a few tricks up our sleeves? Is it not obvious yet? You have slain the Brute and the Phantom. Now you face the Trickster. Do you feel up to it Corven?” He sneered.
His words washed over me like Ice Water. Of course, none of this was real.
“I dont wish to hurt you brother. Oh no. That pleasure is to be saved for the master. I am here to merely test you. What good would you be if you couldnt solve a simple puzzle? None.” He said, laughing.
“I dont have time for this foolishness!” I yelled. “If you wont fight then I will seek your master myself!”
He simply cocked his head and grinned. I held my gaze for a few seconds before turning and leaving the room. The corridor was different again. This time it snaked away unnaturally, as if something was pushing and pulling in different places. I turned to the left and jogged past several doors; until I found one with a number '42' cast in brass, nailed in the center. I opened it and inside was Storm, still slouched on the Chaise-Lounges; grapes still in hand and grin on his face.
“Time.” He said quietly. “Time is the only thing you have.”
“Fine.” I sneered. “I'll play along. What manner of game have you cooked up for me?”
“I thought you would see the error of your ways. The rules are simple. You must face your darkest fears. Alone. Only then will you have a hope in saving the girl.” He laughed. “The next time you leave this room, you will find three doors. Behind each of them, a different scenario; each are things you fear most in the world. If you do not cave to your emotions, I will show you to my masters quarters.”
My stomach turned. My greatest fears? I dreaded to think about the things that would lurk behind the doors... but if it was as he said; and I had no reason to distrust him, then I had to do this. Storm swung his legs from the chaise-lounges and stood. He clicked his fingers and the music stopped, clicked them again and we were in the hallway, and clicking them once more revealed three doors.
“Choose one.” He said, gesturing to the doors.
I closed my eyes and placed my hand on the knob of the leftmost door. I steeled myself, and stepped inside. It was dark, and there was fresh fallen snow on the floor, yet behind me I heard the bustle of city life. I was... outside of London? I scanned my surroundings, and sure enough, the light of the city could be seen behind me. A piercing scream shot through the air. I whirled and dashed towards the source, drawing my sword. I cleared a belt of trees and saw a cottage up ahead. The sight made me dizzy. I knew exactly where I was. This was the night my parents were murdered.
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