Day 36

[allthekeys]

|| Day 036: GENERAL As the battle rages on, the houseguests will discover that the chains are beginning to retreat. The growing feebleness of the defense makes it apparent that they are beginning to drive the creature back. As the forward team destroys chains, less will begin to appear to fill the space. Visible within the Trophy Room is a naked, filthy man glaring at those beyond the doorway with rage, though the chains still will not allow them close enough to strike. The long night seems to be wearing down their adversary. Against the odds, they are winning the night. Distantly, as morning arrives, the first chime of the clock makes everything still. The houseguests will find themselves freezing in place. Something walks through the mess of chains, footsteps almost too soft to hear. Senja appears, leading the child Jacob by the hand. The boy’s eyes have been sewn shut, and he appears slightly panicked as he clutches her hand. She stops in front of Estella and the dog. “Well done. You have overcome your first test. I did not think you capable of motivating them to movement.” As the words are spoken, the last of the chains begin to withdraw from the walls, pulling back quickly, and rushing back towards the core of the room. Windows remain cracked as the weight is removed, and dark smudges of what looks like blood remains on the walls. Estella is quiet, clutching the lantern at her side. “I will not interfere with the Lantern’s choice, but you do not hold it in truth yet.” Senja looks down at the dog. “There are others who must test you, and find you worthy.” The woman lets go of the hand of the child, and almost immediately lengths of chain wrap around him, dragging him backwards away from the woman back towards the room. The man staggers to the door, the chains drawing the boy to him without hesitation. His body is battered, bloody, bleeding from a multitude of injures, and wrapped in chains, though those of the forward team will see that the chains have grown from his body, slinking from under his skin. He drops to his knees next to the boy, pulling him into his arms, his eyes narrowed as he glares at those he has fought and the assembled group. The dog growls, but none of the figures make a move to reclaim the child, and none of the houseguests will find themselves able to move. Senja steps forward and presses her lips to Estella’s. The motion of quick, and seems to catch the younger woman off guard. She steps away and crumbles to dust as the houseguests watch, and as the second chime sounds, nothing remains. The dog whines quietly, and like a wave, tiredness sweeps through the houseguests. The long nights have finally caught up with them and they will find themselves falling asleep. It is the deep, peaceful rest they have clearly earned, dreamless save for the soft sound of distant laughter. When they wake, they will find the sun bright around them. Their clothes have been taken, their bodies bathed, and their injuries have been tended. All who did not already have one will find a tattoo on the inside of one of their arms, the swirls of ink forming a strange, alien pattern that defies all recognition. Each will find themselves left wearing only a plain white bathrobe, fit for most. Each will find themselves lying on a bath towel, with no indication where their possessions might have gone. Though Partner Beasts and Pets have been left behind, no weapons or magical items, even those containing sentient beings, have been left with their owners. Wherever they have gone the houseguests will be forced to wait to discover. They have all been placed on the shores of the Lake, though those above the age of eighteen are on the side of the 5th House and those under the age of eighteen are on the side of the 4th house. The agitation from the night has slowly begun to ebb and fade away. Much of the hostility, the need to silence has disappeared, left with only an edge of impatience among the houseguests. Things still do not quite seem right, time does not seem entirely agreeable, but everyone will find their tolerance of their surroundings returning to normal levels. Breakfast has been stacked on tables, waiting for them to explore it. There is a wide variety of breakfast foods, suited for each individual’s requirements. The food is kept fresh throughout the day. It is impossible to enter the houses, though they can cross the bridge to speak with those across the lake. Anyone who would be harmed by the light of the sun will find themselves waking safely tucked beneath a large beach umbrella, protected from the sun’s rays. The umbrella is easy to move with them, and they will find that they always seem to be in shade, even if they leave it behind. On the farthest side of the lake is a Blue Dragon, its head bowed down as it drinks. It is only somewhat larger than a horse, though its wings remain furled and tucked close to its body. It is wearing some sort of harness, but those on the other shores are not close enough to make out the purpose. It seems more than aware of the houseguests around it, its head tipping toward sound, but it is easily willing to ignore them. A large crow has perched on the bridge, its head turning back and forth as it studies the houseguests. It will not allow anyone to get close enough to touch it, but it always seems to be watching. Claire, Shion And Nick are missing from the gathered children. Laundry Day has arrived upon the house once more; the day is calm and quiet. There is little to do but take advantage of it after the long, exhausting nights.