Alex and Max were struggling in the dark, constantly stepping on each other as they tried getting up.
Alex stumbled on literal air as he reached out for the spot the elevator was, only to trip and faceplant into a wall with a thud.
"You good, bro?"
"..... Barely."
Suddenly, a gentle chiming of crystals in the wind rang in the darkness, producing a soothing melody that brought a sense of peace as well as unease. Then one-by-one, the lamps on the walls flickered to life, revealing a large reception room with well maintained furniture that seemed to be from the Victorian era. Everything appeared clean, without a speck of dust in sight and the air was filled with a lavender and woody scent, but the room was deafeningly quiet and held no warmth.
"Woah! It's like I'm in the house my great-grandfather lived in," said Max, his tail wagging excitedly as he looked around the room.
A cool gentle breeze swept through, blowing directly towards a curtain at the top of the staircase, lifting it to reveal a portrait of a Magician during a performance, capturing Alex's attention as he slowly made his way up the stairs.
His eyes were glued to the portrait, the sound of cheering echoing softly in his ears.
The Magician appeared to be in his 20's with shiny curly black hair and bright eyes filled with excitement, seeming alive through the paper with a boyish grin, holding out his top hat as white doves flew out.
Alex practically heard the sound of their wings flapping as he reached out his hand in a daze. The moment his fingertips brushed the painting, a sudden jolt coursed through him. and he found himself on stage in the Magician's place.
He couldn't move or speak, feeling out of control of his body as he watched the audience, with some placing bets in the corner while the rest chanted his name.
"Alex! Alex! Alex!"
"Bro? Alex? Alex!"
He jolted back like he was shocked upon recognizing Max's voice next to him, his fingers tingling while his mind was disoriented with a piercing throb in his temple.
"Alex! Are you alright?" Max whimpered, pressing his paws on the boy's chest, his eyes filled with worry.
Alex wobbled slightly, shaking off the subsiding pain then petted the golden retriever with a smile, "I'm fine, buddy." Max was skeptical but he dropped his paws and leaned into the warmth from his hand.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind burst in, shattering the windows as they took cover on the floor. The air dropped, frost creeping on the walls as the lamps went off, bathing the wall in an icy blue glow like a glacier.
Once the wind stopped, they went down the stairs to where the items laid in the middle of the room, untouched by the glass scattered across the tiled floor.
Alex quickly wrapped the cloak around Max and strapped the goggles around his head careful not to injure his ears, then he strapped the gun to the belt around his waist along with the sword while he placed the shield on his back.
"Let's get out of here," Max nodded excitedly as they sprinted to the door that locked with a "click" and vanished, causing them to head for the damaged windows.....which also vanished.
"NO!?!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
"We were forced in this place!"
"Horror movie logic says that you should only trap people who come in willingly!"
Creeeak
'Nope. Nah uh. I refuse!'
Alex shook his head as a shiver ran down his spine upon hearing the sound, already aware that it was door without looking while he and Max faced the wall where the windows were located.
".....A-Alex," Max whimpered.
"I-It's going to alright, Max... If we ignore it, maybe..... maybe it will go away."
".... You sure?"
"Yes? No? Probably?.... Maybe???"
Click
'Oh no...'
[♪♪Rumbling, rumbling!
It's coming!
Rumbling, rumbling!
Beware!
Coming for you!♪♪]
They stared at the screen in bewilderment as it played the song, the ground suddenly rumbling along with the best then the floor tilted. Alex quickly took out a dagger and plunged it into the floor while he held onto Max with the other hand.
[♪♪If I lose it all, slip and fall!
I will never look away!
If I lose it all, lose it all, lose it all!♪♪]
The shield on his back became heavier and heavier, pulling him backwards towards the opened door that was growing wider as he struggled holding onto the halt of the blade.
His grip slipping finger by finger and soon they found themselves falling and rolling into the void that awaited from the other side of the door that later closed shut once they were inside.
The room immediately returned to its original state, with everything clean and the windows fixed.
However, the portrait rippled and the Magician turned into Alex, but older with hollow eyes despite his bright smile. And next to him stood a beautiful young man with caramel blonde hair, long eyelashes, enhancing hazel eyes and a charming smile that seemed to captivate anyone that gazed into his direction. Then behind them, stood nine blurred shadows while barely visible strings were attached to the males as they did their performance.
Alex and Max were separated, each in completely different locations without knowing where the other is.
Max stood in the middle of what seemed to be a stereotypical girl's bedroom. With the walls pink and covered with pictures, glitter and stickers and the furniture being pink and white, and jewelry and make-up filling up a vanity. The queen-sized poster bed was flooded with a variety of stuffed animals and dolls as a sweet citric scent filled the room.
He lowered his guard as he sat down on the white carpet, which was impossibly fluffy that he practically melted.
Soft cranking echoed across the room followed by a majestic melody. The song was beautiful, comforting but haunting.
Max instantly stood up and backed towards the unlocked door. The lights dimmed and the toys twitched to life and stared at him, making him freeze for a second before sprinting out of the door with them chasing after him.
The squeaking of their feet echoed as they followed behind him, trying to grab him.
"Why is it always the toys that are cursed?!"
He ran into a room, the door immediately locking him in as the lights came on, the candle light engulfing the walls in it orange glow. He stared it, anticipating the toys breaking in.
Suddenly, a month watering aroma drifted in the air, instantly filling his snout, making him freeze.
'Food? Really? Jokes on you, I'm haven't felt hungry in hou—'
Gurgle
Max stared at his stomach in betrayal as it rumbled loudly and his sense of smell amplifying with hunger, picking up the distinct scent of fried chicken and Bulgogi among the mixer of delicious aromas.
'Resist, Maximilian. Resist the temptation! If those toys are cursed, then the food is cursed too,' he closed his eyes, his body trembling. Then his head turned slightly despite his resistance and peeked at the wide spread of food on the table with a variety of dishes made to perfection.
"No, no, no, no! Not today!" He bolted to the door, scratching the wood in an desperate attempt to not give in.
"Alex! Come save me before I fall into temptation!"
He soon stopped and dramatically sighed as he slowly glanced between the door and the table, then stared at the door sadly before slowly walking to the table.
"I'm sorry, Alex. My stomach comes first."
[Trial Quest: Survive The Forest
-Escape the forest in 24 hours
-Collect the ten items
-Stay alive
•Duration: 11 hours 10 minutes
•Reward: ???
•Failure: Erasure from existence]