Chapter 135: The Shadow Temple

After such intensity, the boys would be worn down once more, with Pria providing the assistance by healing them, regenerating their energy. "So...that's how this world works....." She'd begin, brushing her fingers among the cracks, with the children following behind. ".....I see. It really is using our memory...." The children would be confused, looking amongst one another as she uttered such words. Once she noticed their expressions, she'd explain herself. "...Remember what you said about being in your head...? Think about it..." Her voice was soft, yet clear. Zazel would look at the cracks in the wall and would understand the answer almost immediately. Harvard would take a minute, however, due to the message not making sense. His friend would demonstrate such a realization by using a Sigil, then from using brute force, the Sigil itself would break, carrying an angered expression. The critical weakness has been found without them knowing it:

It is a Magic entirely dependent on one's thoughts. In this case, it was using their own thoughts and fears as a weapon against them. Should such fear isn't palpable, then the Magic would fail to properly be as strong.

As the answer became revealed, yet before Harvard would even speak up, the entryway for the temple opens itself, the invitation being sent to them. Pria would get up and enter it, but not before hearing a shriek in the water. Even despite such efforts and power, the Other Pria is still terrified. "She can't help it...she's not used to this.....I do not blame her...." Pria would state, trying to direct one of the children to take her along. Harvard would be quick on his movements, casting a spell to spawn the potion he usually drinks, emptying its contents, and filling up the empty vial with the liquid Pria is trapped in, traveling with her to the temple, being met with another cool breeze, one very much like the house. The temple was lined up with unlit torches, the walls possessing Hieroglyphs, all of which telling a story. Due to the darkness, however, such glyphs were nigh unreadable, and the group knew that lighting the torches wouldn't amount to anything. There was also an alter made in the center, one embedded on the ceiling with a hieroglyph of the sun being given a face. The rest of the details remained unknown. "This must be our exit....I don't see anywhere else it can go...." Pria would state, which she proved by rubbing her hands across the walls, being made up of solid stone, with no doorways or passages to let them escape.

As she said those words, however, the entryway would be blocked off, and sounds were being heard approaching them. Harvard and Zazel both made their way to the Torches, with the Card Magician passing a card to the Demon to duplicate them in order to preserve as much as they could. As soon as they gathered a large sum, they would cast another spell to ignite it, allowing the heat to ward off any insects or reptiles to try and issue their execution. Pria and her Mirrored self kept watch, looking out to the entryway, her magic ready to be casted. Silence was all that was left for them, with the pitter patter sounds of footsteps slowly approaching the group. As they figured, it was a Shadow Person, but something was different with this one. It looked to be wearing actual clothes, more specifically a trench coat and a large hat, as well as donning black gloves with a white outline in the back of its hands. The outlines were that of crop circles, a spiral with certain cuts to one's entry. It was strangely the only other thing illuminating within this realm, with a third being of its pale, white eyes staring at the children and the Mage. As soon as he was within the temple, he stopped himself, blankly looking outwards, before beginning to speak, clapping his hands as well. "Perfect....Perfect. You really are exactly as what he described..."

The group looked towards one another in confusion. Harvard would speak up regarding his choice of words. "Exactly who?? You mind giving us a name, Jerk?" He'd ask, not wanting to spare sympathy for such a person willing to put them in this place.

"You will learn eventually, Do not fret. Your answers will come soon....For now, listen to my words, heed them even....I am A. N. Noh Publiq. A. N. N. O. H. The A and N are title's of mine, if you wish to write them. I am tasked to take as much information as possible and report it to the King. Your information throughout this Shadow Realm of mines is perfect for evaluation. Your fears, your words, your personalities. They are all exquisite, and I am here to personally thank you for such results..." His words were collected yet joyous, as if a child has finally passed with a good grade on their subject. With a snap of his fingers, he would display something to the group on the floor, something that caught their attention almost immediately. A fight. A Fight breaking out on the farm, with monsters against their allies: Stolas and Solomon facing off against a serpentine-like beast with wings, Manipura being forced to deal with a Lamia and a Nuckelavee, being heavily injured and infected with one of the monster's venom, and Fiona being up against the green creature that Pria has described earlier. "Their results are just as exquisite, and I must congratulate them the same for surviving so long as well. You all are very willing to share so much about yourselves, I feel like I may be indebted to you."

Harvard grits his teeth in anger, watching his friends fight while he and the others were trapped. "SO YOU'RE THE ONE PULLING ALL THE STRINGS HERE!! YOU'RE GONNA GIVE US AN ESCAPE, WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT!!" He'd yell, setting up a card to cast a spell, before Zazel held him back, with Harvard looking at him in anger.

"Hold it. He could be trying to use our emotions. He's not gonna just stand there and take it." The Demon warned, which while does annoy the Card Magician to an unbearable degree, does calm himself down, though he maintains his focus on the ongoing fight, in fear of what they may be going through. The Hat Man simply gave a small chuckle before he continued.

"Interesting.....I was actually expecting to be struck down there. I was sure based on your actions and voice, you would try to kill me. You're maturing so much at such a young age, aren't you?" He would ask.

Harvard gave a scoff at his words. "Is he wrong though? You clearly have the advantage. I'd kill myself if I tried to do anything."

The Hat Man couldn't help but give a hearty laugh. "No, I suppose not! So you CAN hone such frustrations....Interesting. Very interesting....This is being more exquisite by the minute..." As he gave such words, Pria would try to talk.

"So you were aware of us before. You must've followed them right when they entered...and continued to stalk them while gaining your information....is that right?"

"My, have my plans been exposed already?"

"Doesn't really take much thought to know your intentions..."

The Hat Man merely chuckled at the response. "No, I suppose not. Yes, I have been keeping my eye on all of you. Consider it a purpose of my life from someone afar. From your abilities to your decisions, from your quest to your voice, I made sure to track each and every moment of it, so that when we meet, I could use that information however I please. I'm actually.....curious...why you haven't simply brute forced through everything. You three were the most likely to do such actions. Unless...my Magic was actually paralyzing you in fear.....were they?" As he asked such words, nobody dared to speak up. The Silence was an answer all on its own, and the Hat Man merely bowed as a response. "I see....then forgive me for providing such fears. Though, It seemed you mostly made it out on one piece, so I am fortunate that you found some amount of strength in facing the inevitable.."

Harvard, despite hearing such ramblings, would realize something. "Hey, wait a second. You said something about a King, right? A King from where? The City we visited is being ran by a Queen."

"Oh....you didn't know? Oh dear, it seems the news didn't came this far, did they?" The Hat Man began, before his eyes shifted colors. From a pale, gleaming white to a crimson red, he spoke in a calm yet menacing tone.

"The Queen is Dead. Beheaded and Buried within the dirt of Synoni..."