Chapter 130: Shadow Men

The boys caught their breath as they'd see who was their savior, surprised that it was none other than Pria herself. They'd hug her closely, acting as a way of thanks from such dreadful creatures, with Pria being able to see the visible fear in thinking they would've died in that instance. She kept her eye close on the monsters, watching them tear apart the room like it was mere paper, biting into whatever they perceived as the children, roaring in anger and anguish when they realized the two disappeared before their very eyes. When the creatures would finish their destruction and walk away as if it was merely a regular activity, the two would begin to ask questions. "The heck was that?? Why is it here??! Where are we?? Is it able to die?? How can we get out??? Do you know how to beat those things??" They would ask, one after another, all in mere whispers, not daring to raise their voice for a second if it meant capturing their attention again, and by a theoretical sense, their lives being at risk once more. The Mage would quickly try to shush them, being calm and composed in her voice, petting their head to soothe them, before giving her answer. When speaking, the children can note that something was different from her voice. It was more firm, more focused, more clear, instead of a usual skittish nature.

"It's going to be a lot to explain, so give me time as I try answer each one.....First, it's obvious we're in someone's magic. This is a style of Magic embedded in all of us, so it must be a magic planted when we weren't looking. Second...What those things are is a natural phenomena to the darkness. There are instances where we tend to see objects into something else entirely. Sometimes we see them as scary monsters. Other times we see them as people. When the latter occurs, there is a name given to them...." She would begin, to which they would recognize what such a name is.

"Shadow.....People...?"

"Precisely. They're somewhat dependent on our thoughts and movements.....meaning when you were afraid, they were being stronger as a result. They're monsters that we can only see if we shape them as such....You understand what it means, right?" as Pria finished her lecture, Harvard would try to search through his cards, seeing which one is supposed to be the style of magic. One of such cards gives him just the knowledge needed, though its text is illegible due to being in the dark: An image of a Man with more monsters shown around its side. A Shadow Man. It isn't something simple as Shadow Magic, less the layout would've been made in an entirely different manner. It is a type of magic that made a near one-to-one replica of the house, as well as capable of creating Shadow People with a carnal hunger for fear and adrenaline. A type of Magic embedded into all three of them that makes them perceive and see through a darkened aspect of their own location.

Perceive....To see through....

"So like....all of this....is in our heads?" Zazel would ask, to which Pria would nod as a confirmation of such a style. When the monsters came back to continue their search on the opposite direction, something would be heard from them that makes the answer exactly as they'd imagine: They were talking. One having Harvard's Voice, another with Stolas', a third with Ennio's, a Fourth with the Queen, a Fifth with Zazel's. As more and more shadowy specters breached into the area, they all began to commune, talking amongst one another, all possessing voices that the children recognized. As a result, they also recognized the style of Magic that they were placed under, one that they didn't expect would've been an option.

Memory Magic.

A Style of Magic where it uses the mind to be weaponized into reality. As a result of such a revelation, they would quickly realize that the area they are in is not a mere house, but rather a dark, recessive part of someone's mental space, one where such thoughts are conjured unexplainably for nothing else than sadistic gain on one's head. Such Shadow People that are walking around would then be theorized to have been simple people, most likely the citizens of Synoni, though warped to an extreme measure. Understanding the situation, they looked towards Pria for an answer, to which she'd be quick in responding. "Seems you kids already figured out the problem...Good. You're good kids. The way out of the place is somewhat dependent on the mental state the user is in. Since we're in their Dark Thoughts, it's most likely they aren't going to be impacted with any damage. You simply need to break your way out of this place....and when you do, you make sure to not step in this trap again....Be careful..." With such soft words spoken, she'd hug the children closely, before leaving the small section, seeing that the Shadow People left already. The children follow suit, now trying to steel themselves as much as possible as they'd look for a way to escape.

"Hey...Harvard?" A voice would be heard, startling the Card Magician as he'd turn his head back, with Zazel following suit, realizing they weren't fully gone. One Shadow Person was still roaming, residing themselves in the corner of a wall, staring down at the children, smiling wide as it was noticed. "Do you...want.....To play...?" The beast would ask, before it would try to rush at the children in a blind manner. Harvard, in response, simply casted a Monster into his gun as a bullet and shot straight at its chest, piercing the body and causing the creature to roar in agony, gaining the attention of the other residents. The children, once again struck by fear from such a guttural sound and a sea of faces, would immediately start running, watching as the Shadow People started their charge for a feast. Pria would be following the duo, using her magic to heal the boy and restore any energy lost, picking them up as she'd sprint like her life depended on it. She remained reserved, a feeling that the children never expected Pria of all people would develope.

It makes them question...who is it that they're being helped?