//
6:04 P.M // 11 - 5 - 2023 // Bangor, Maine - Team Smokescreen Base
Starring Avil Daniase
Featuring Dean Harvest, Cedrance Manamune, Serene Goldwin and Fanny
//
“You all are welcome to explore this exhibition as long as you don’t pass the black line,” the tour guide said. “These are, of course, just replicas, so don’t be tempted to take souvenirs.” If he was aiming for a joke, it didn’t land.
That Memory from last night…
The whole group dispersed, and I absentmindedly followed Dean and the rest of the group towards the display cases, featuring shiny and ornate and very expensive-looking blades—daggers, longswords, katanas, stilettos…
… I couldn’t get it out of my head.
From the corner of my eye I spotted Ced’s immaculate figure staring at the Sword of Hubris. Immediately a bunch of mixed feelings washed over me.
It wasn’t like I had done something wrong myself. But, Huy and Salem, Avil’s two best friends, the first thing they… we, had done to Ced was gossip behind his back.
Usually I wouldn’t have had a problem, but I knew Ced’s character now from the couple Memories and months spent with him, and it filled me with a twinge of regret.
Whatever. It wasn’t even me. Why did I care at all?
But… how much longer would I continue to… know him?
“Ced!” Serene pointed with her free hand, the other intertwined with her boyfriend’s. “Look at this case. Yeah, the Starlight Greatblade! That’s the one from the—”
“The video we watched last night, right?” He interrupted her, a sort of awed expression on his face as he sized it up. Quite a bit about him had changed since that Memory. “I think it was ranked 87th on the tier list, or…”
She made a dumbstruck face. “How did you remember that?”
Had Serene ever appeared in a Memory? I remembered he mentioned it once during my first few Memories.
I lost interest in their conversation and glanced back. The elevator door was wide open. As if the screen knew what I was thinking, it appeared in front of me.
============================================
[Explain José’s situation to his family at 391 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine]
Duration: [—]
Reward:
[Partial fulfillment for Quest: Prove Yourself]
Penalty for failure: [—]
Status: [—]
Current task(s):
[Prove Yourself]
============================================
I looked back at Ced and the others.
The couple, harmoniously marveling at all of the weapons, turned the other way to explore the rest of the room. I blinked something out of my eyes.
Fanny glanced at Serene with an odd alertness before returning to her conversation.
The girls, mingling together, rather disinterested by all of the shiny things around. Their hairs were done quite prettily, glossy and stylishly, as were their faces. I turned away.
Serene glanced down to her watch before dissolving it. Her expression tensed for a brief but clear moment before returning back to a smile, directed at Ced.
The shy kid, somewhat alone, and for once not ostentatiously staring at his crush and instead at the blades—… no, he was staring at the girlfriend, who’s hand guided the boy’s to the ranger’s room.
In the end, no one noticed me.
Well, then there was nothing better for me to do than leave.
As I walked to the exit, I sent a message into the group chat.
Maine vacay groupies
Jess added bestgirl, Air conditioner, and Serene Goldwin
Serene Goldwin added Sbluu and Jun Bear
Sbluu added Chelsea Glazer and Harvest
Jess 11/04/23, 7:59 AM
[hi everyone]
Sbluu 11/04/23, 7:59 AM
[Hi.]
Air conditioner 11/04/23, 7:59 AM
[Hiiii!!]
Serene Goldwin 11/04/23, 7:59 AM
[am I the only one with a regular username]
[wait who is bestgirl and Air conditioner]
bestgirl 11/04/23, 7:59 AM
[take a guess :o]
Chelsea Glazer 11/04/23, 7:59 AM
[wsg]
Harvest 11/04/23, 8:00 AM
[That’s Leslie, obviously!]
Jun Bear 11/04/23, 8:00 AM
[@avildse lololol is that you avil?]
[chelsea cant win against liverpool]
[you guys cant touch us]
bestgirl 11/04/23, 8:00 AM
[you’re right, Dean!;;]
Chelsea Glazer 11/04/23, 8:00 AM
[stfu we handed your a**es 7 - 4 last season]
Jun Bear 11/04/23, 8:01 AM
[the referee was dogwater]
Chelsea Glazer 11/04/23, 8:01 AM
[]
[score says it all]
[chelsea is better]
Jun Bear 11/04/23, 8:01 AM
[you’re just giving me proof that my team deserved that more]
Serene Goldwin 11/04/23, 8:01 AM
[you guys are literally screamjng and typing at the same time]
[wtf???]
…
Jun Bear 11/05/23, 7:38 AM
[just in case, here’s the address to my thing]
[it should already be in the other main travel gc]
[21 Albert Meadow Bar Harbor, ME 04609]
[grant park]
[we start filming at 8, but get to the front by 7:20 PM]
[i’m not the only candidate with fans, you know]
Chelsea Glazer Now
[@everyone im gonna leave early to go check up on Jun]
[dw about me]
[if the club president ever asks i am staying back at the hotel because i couldnt handle the food last night]
…
As soon as the two guards walked me out of the building, the driver I had called for while waiting inside the elevator pulled up by the large and rounded curb of the large guild building. Hopping into the backseat, he confirmed with me, “391 Main Street, Bar Harbor?”
“Yes,” I nodded my head. Mentally, I was preparing myself for the hour ride. At the same time, I secretly celebrated.
Finally.
Finally, I was going to get rid of the stupid quest.
Finally, I was going to be rewarded, whatever the reward was supposed to be.
And I was finally going to get this Maine saga over with.
//
6:09 P.M // 11 - 5 - 2023 // Bangor, Maine - Team Smokescreen Base
Starring Serene Goldwin
Featuring Cedrance Manamune, Fanny
//
Ced glanced back as he walked to the next exhibit, and my smile faltered when he looked away into a sigh.
Today was the day I was going to carry out this mission.
The gun weighed my purse down heavily. I felt a sense of queasiness as I scanned the exhibition for Fanny, and caught her talking with Jessica in front of the Wretch’s Chains. Over to the left Leslie was talking an almost one-sided conversation with Dean, who only nodded his head and blushed occasionally.
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I had a bad feeling.
Today was the day I was going to kill a grandmother. Some far side of my head was in agony.
My eyes lingered on Dean. Innocent and happy Dean. The boy who stuttered frequently because he was too nervous to talk, yet he desired to fit in and talk like the rest of us. He wanted to have the confidence to be with Leslie, who was outgoing and bright as the sun. And I was going to take away the ground he was standing upon. I knew his grandmother was his only real support. It was a terrible feeling. Dean’s smile widened briefly, and I flinched, looking away. I needed to silence my morals somehow.
Almost immediately a splitting headache struck me like lightning, and I bit my tongue before I could cry out. The arched doorway between the two different exhibits caught me hard on the shoulder as I fell to the side, unable to keep my balance. Tears threatened to break from their clusters at the rims of my eyes.
[[She was dying as she spoke, sat atop a rusting chair in a smelly tent. It was a horrible way to die.]]
Blood in my mouth. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt, like never before.
[[And yet she detailed precisely how the doom of the world was going to be.]]
I knew it all. That same scene repeated in my head thousands of times, and a Synchronization fit wasn’t going to do anything but exacerbate my fears. I wanted Ced to comfort me so badly.
[[For long minutes she continued, un1N$3rr%9$eD by her mirror dimension counterpart and her former friends. In this way, the 55th had enough time to explain everything.]]
I didn’t want to hurt anyone anymore.
[[&#￥ Serene. Caring Jun. B01d Fanny. How cruel was she to explain the imminent approach of change to such kids? “You must see to the death of Dean’s grandmother… that way the Harbinger of Calamity may be born inside him…” And with such difficult restrictions from Worlds Convergence?]]
Sorry, Mom. Your daughter is going to do something horrible.
[[“And Fanny, fear for your life. Your closest friend is a m0\$t3<… the worst you could do is to let her close to you.”]]
But… this was new. Did she say that before? Jessica was gasping in fits of loud laughter as Leslie continued with her story. I clutched my head. Did no one see me at all? I choked down the sob that was crawling up my throat.
[[“Junseo. Make your mother’s dreams come true. This way, you might be able to catch the Visionaire’s attention faster.” Jun flinched violently, and his grip on Fanny's fingers tightened. Her voice was fading more. “Jun, unfortunately, I do not remember their names, but make sure Red and Blue die. You must kill them silently. And your life will end with the death of your lover if you don’t let go.” She made no indication of who, but Jun flinched to Fanny’s surprise.]]
I vaguely remembered her telling him that before, but… not the last part. A notification lit up my watch’s screen. There was a desperate heat on my forehead and all over my body that wanted to erupt into terrible and feverish sweat.
[[She managed a smile at her former self, who s#1v3Re& silently. “There’s a lot I want to tell you…” The 55th coughed violently, but put her hand out as the three stood up to help. “No. I’m simply running low on time… Serene, darling, don’t be afraid.” Serene’s eyes were f1LL3% =iT# t3@R$.]]
The goddamn Synchronization wasn’t stopping.
[[“You might find it difficult to love a boy so bent on revenge… but make him stop. If you ever do find the killer… have mercy on her.”]]
Her?
[[“And let go of the blade, dear…” The 55th tapped her pocket and brought out her gun.]]
It was the same gun in my purse. I had had it appraised last weekend. It was a dungeon variant of the military grade Glock, transformed into what the system called Whisper. And… blade?
[[“The Visionaire has revealed himself. His name is—”]]
Suddenly the vision spluttered into a blur, and I saw every color all at once, a splitting crack down my very being that made me groan loudly in pain, and then senselessness before the world suddenly regained its texture. Again I could feel the ground at my feet as if I hadn’t noticed it before, and the air I could breathe, everything returned to me. I had so many thoughts going through my head as I regained my bearings, a couple students finally noticing me on the floor.
The biggest one went along the lines of:
What the f*** was that?
…
The headache was only mildly thrumming as Fanny stopped talking. The sun was at the horizon line, the shimmering oranges and golds of light that spread across the beautiful calm of the harbor’s waters. Yet, the sound of chatter was only growing as we approached the small park.
The choreography video was going to start recording soon, and Jun was waiting for us.
“That’s Ced over there, right?” Fanny pointed somewhere to the right, where I saw the tall and shapely silhouette of what could only be my boyfriend.
I clucked my tongue. “Remember, 20 minutes. That’s all we get.”
“Y-yeah,” she confirmed, lowering her hand discouragedly and putting some distance between us with a side step. “Just 20 minutes. Then… yeah.”
“Don’t let it show on your face so easily, then.”
“I won’t. I’m trying.” Her glassy facade was too transparent.
“I’ll be the one to do it anyway. You’re just the eyes.” I gulped down the dread, making an attempt to reaffirm her. I was still eyeing the oncoming figure, now not so far away.
“I-I know.”
As soon as I could vaguely make out the features of his face, I shushed her. “Quiet, Ced’s here.”
Fanny meekly nodded.
At last I could see him clearly in the evening glow. Perfectly chiseled features, kindly but serious eyes and a powerful jawline and an ideal high-ridged nose. Some of his dark blue hair fluttered out immaculately in the soft blowing of beachside tailwinds all around, but still most remained static, in perfect condition and shape.
Before Ced could ask anything, I stopped him from coming in closer with an extended arm reach to his muscular chest. “Babe.”
Immediately he was silenced, stopping right at my hand obediently, but wavering.
“I wanna watch this with just Fanny today.” I caught her glancing over before she turned towards the noise in the distance.
He opened his mouth, and only stutters came out before he managed a word. “Babe?”
“Yeah. Like it?” I teased him with a little smirk, expecting him to go all red, but instead he lowered his forehead towards me gently.
“I like it,” he murmured, and a shiver flew through me. That was too smooth. The warmth of his presence was enough to stave away any cold I could have felt from the wind. “Babe… if that’s what you want, then go ahead. When have you ever needed my permission?” His shoulders were slightly sagged.
I cleared my throat, my face no doubt showing my embarrassment. Fanny wasn’t looking at us but was definitely blushing.
“Yeah. Yeah, thanks a lot, Ced.” Without warning I leaned forward even closer and pecked his forehead. Then I pushed him a little to stop his advances, saying, “Go. I’ll see you after Jun’s big moment.”
He chuckled, a slight forcefulness at the last breath. “Yeah, yeah… have fun, Serene.”
I smiled broadly, waving a little as we parted. Of course he understood. From the corner of my eyes, Fanny sneaked a couple furtive glances at me. Her mouth moved a little, and she shook her head. When I turned to face her, all that was left of her expression was the same transparent paranoia that was a reflection of myself. The smile on my face twitched ever so slightly.
Bold Fanny.
Caring Jun.
I gave her a closer inspection, her fragile features and doll qualities. Something was going on.
//
7:13 P.M // 11 - 5 - 2023 // Bar Harbor, Maine - 391 Main Street
Starring Avil Daniase
Featuring Dean Harvest, Cedrance Manamune, Serene Goldwin and Fanny
//
Already the sun had fallen behind all of the trees surrounding the road. “Are you sure this is where you’re at the right place?” I could see his face in the rearview mirror. “I’ve heard some weird things about this area.”
It was a face that was concerned. Doubtful.
“Yes,” I said suspiciously. “I’m sure this is the right place.”
The quest screen flickered on beside me, and I waved it away.
A dubious thought settled in my mind as the car came to a stop.
I stepped out onto the cracked pavement after paying the fare, and as the man drove away all of a sudden I felt a little lost.
This was where I was going to finish the quest.
I turned my backpack around and pulled out the letter that José had penned himself while in the hospital, one that he had given to me days prior to the trip. And a chocolate bar. I was hungry.
Just thinking about José made me scoff. He was a nice guy on paper: good personality, loving family, yada yada, but damn, he was also the most annoying person in the whole hospital.
No one else needed that much attention but him.
Also, no one had ever sent me on such a bizarre errand.
‘Deliver a letter to my family.’
That was a textbook NPC quest, straight out of a video game.
The dubious thought went along the lines of:
Was this a trap?
I looked to the nearest house. It was, in the simplest of terms, a small, textured, and white wooden box with a pointy roof, a red door, and some windows. Above the conspicuous door read 391. There were some warm gold lights streaming through the window, and I could see figures moving across. A few noises, like children giggling, and maybe a squeal of delight.
This was the house.
—thump
Walking on the grass towards the house I noticed there was something off.
The wall wasn’t exactly as white as it suggested from a distance. José had told me he had maintained the house for years, keeping everything in tiptop shape.
Little inconsistencies. The grass was unevenly mowed, leaving splotchy patches of dirt around. The paint was a little rough. The shadows looked off.
I shoved the whole chocolate bar into my mouth. I didn’t think much of it.
But there was mold and moss creeping up the sides of the house, all in various boards that lined the house in layers to the top. What was weirder was that I hadn’t noticed it from afar. The closer I got, the more details I could notice.
The edges of each layered board didn’t have moss; it was algae. It was clumpy, wet, and looked largely unnatural in the grand scheme of things.
—Thump, thump
I slowed down my walking pace and reconsidered knocking when I saw the talismans hanging on the inside of the window frames.
This was uncanny.
—Thump Thump
There were inscriptions on the wall in a runic-looking script that I couldn’t understand at all.
Why were there so many on the door? And on the walls? Why were there weird drawings in the dirt?
—THUMP THUMP
Those weren’t laughters were they? That hadn’t been a squeal of delight.
Our latest unit was on demonology.
Was that algae moving?
—THUMPTHUMPTHUMP
The screen blared behind me.
Prove yourself.
It was moving. It was moving. Red rimmed my vision. Then more colors.
The letter shook in my hand, the chocolate tasted bitter in my mouth. And too sweet.
I felt something giddy inside of me stir.
Giddy.
I wasn’t scared at all.
—THMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMP
I wasn’t scared at all. It was so colorful. This was the house.
The only right place to be.
In fact, I couldn’t feel anything but elation.
Cackling that could only be the noise of laughing so hard to the point of choking. Screaming that was the same as squealing with excitement that a new visitor was approaching. Everything was so bright. And amazing.
A smile infected my face.
I wanted to be happy.
I wanted to laugh with them.
I wanted to smile forever.
I wanted to stay.
I knew this family would heal all of my wretched and sorrowful wounds. I would give them this letter and they would rejoice, and all would be happy.
And it would start with me opening the door.
I would be happy. I approached the door.
Blissful. My hand rested on the handle
Even euphoric.
Just before I turned it the screen appeared in front of me again.
============================================
[Explain José’s situation to his family at 391 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine]
Status: Failed
============================================
And as it dissolved, replaced by another, and after that another appeared beside it.
============================================
[All emotional capacity is lost other than fear]
Duration:
[Until Quest: Demonic Amalgam - Part 1 is resolved]
============================================
…
============================================
[Run away immediately]
Duration:
[Now]
Reward:
[Partial fulfillment for Quest: Prove Yourself]
Penalty for failure:
[Amalgamation]
Current task(s):
[Prove Yourself]
============================================
The false reality crashed and shattered instantly, and all of my sense of control was back.
Run.
—THMPTHMPTHMPTHMP
Run!
—THMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMP
Run!!
—THMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMP
RUN!!!
—THMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMP
RUN!!!! RUUUUUUN NOW!!!
RUN!!! RUN RUN RUN NOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!
ESCAPE!!!!
AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!! RUN!!!
—THMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMPTHMP