Masquerade of Madness: Invoking Fear

After stepping into the dimly lit portal chamber, black masses formed on the ceiling. In the center of the black masses was the shape of an eye, the color of red. Jade and Spike paid these formations no mind, knowing that the red eyes were now practically harmless, thanks to the shield. The only good attack a red eye has is falling from a high ceiling and attaching itself to your face to devour the soft tissue. Vincent's shield of honor took care of that, they figured.

Suddenly, the red eyes began falling from the ceiling. Some of them hit the ground safely, while others hit the shield, causing it to lash out. The strikes against the shield almost resembled lightning reaching out. The red eyes hitting against the shield were fried instantly, falling to the ground dead.

Creed grew horrified as the red eyes that touched the ground safely began devouring their dead. His eyes widened, and vomit threatened to pour from his mouth.

Spike spoke calmly, "It is the way of the monster who does not know any better."

Creed could not speak, while Vincent paid this occurrence no mind. He had seen this type of reaction before.

Creed backed up, not wanting to see anymore. "This is sick," he uttered.

Spike turned her attention to her master. "What is so sick about it? They are hungry; they were kept starved. It is perfectly natural for a lower class creature to devour their own."

Jade huffed. "You know, for a teenager, you are rather clueless about this world. Did you not listen to Spike? They were starved just for us, a weak attempt if you ask me."

"But why?" Creed still wondered. He watched as the red eyes kept falling from the ceiling. "Do they not learn even though they are dying?" Creed noticed one specific red eye get shocked and it started to give birth. After it fell, its young began to devour it. Then other red eyes that were feeding began to protect the new young.

"Because they want to live and protect their new generation," Jade retorted as she floated toward her master.

Vincent focused on the next chamber that lay before them. He felt an energy that he could not place. A feeling radiated from the next chamber that reeked of pain. He was tempted to find another way to send Creed to the Humans, something with a higher chance of survival. But this was the only legal way in Casalynn. They finally made it to the next and last chamber.

Spike's eyes widened and she blurted out, "No, do not go in there. My ex is behind that." They all turned to look at her. "Well, I wanted to eat him, but he fled."

Creed momentarily thought about what she said, then replied, "Well, I would have fled, too."

Jade spun her floating mass around. "Err, I do not think that's how it works for your class."

Spike continued. "But Vaan said eternal love is meant to be eaten, not drunk slowly."

Vincent looked directly at Spike, this time with an eyebrow raised. "You do know that 'eternal love' is chocolate, right?"

Spike began to blush deeply from embarrassment and then responded softly, "What's that?"

"Not so smug now," Vincent replied. "It is a red bottle with a black heart design, and the label reads in blood red letters 'Eternal Love.' It is a chocolate liquid, that when it touches your tongue, it turns into little balls of chocolate bursting with flavor. It's a favorite among the females of Casalynn." Not wishing to embarrass Spike any further, Vincent turned away.

Creed thought again about the scene, causing him to fall back.

The red eyes began to go after them again, but Vincent and the others quickly shuffled into the final chamber. He ended his shield, knowing the red eyes would not attempt to enter, probably out of fear for what was already in there.

Vincent turned his attention to the dimly lit chamber they had just entered. He tried to focus, aware that they were not alone. Suddenly, he was face to face with Monett again, her cold glare fixed on him.

"Just because you are married to my sister, that does not mean I can let you go. But it also does not mean that I will fight you." Monett stepped aside, revealing Sizzler Sutra behind her.

Sizzler started forward, but abruptly stopped when he saw the love of his life, Jade. She was gorgeous to him in her shapeless form. He disappeared with a slithering quake, only to reappear right beside Jade. She had no idea he was there until he whispered into her body, "I love you."

[The disappearing and reappearing is a form of relocation that can only be in the same room. Relocation is an ability that allows the user to disappear from one area and appear into another.]

Sizzler stunned Jade into silence. She wondered why he appeared there and what was that whispering all about. Regaining her composure, she responded with attitude, "Excuse me!"

Very taken with her, Sizzler continued with his fantasy. "I said I love you. You are so darling."

"Master," she stammered, "what is going on?"