After vaulting over the gates I went over to the mansion door. I started to consider my next move.
Should I knock?
I am infiltrating here so perhaps it's better if I don't announce my presence. Should I look for another entrance-
Before I could make a decision, the doors opened by themselves as a dark draft blew over.
"Automatic, huh. Some futuristic technology for an abandoned house..."
As soon as I entered the house I had a creepy feeling as if someone was watching me, but that feeling disappeared as soon as it came.
I know I was being paranoid but I still pulled out my stun flashlight and a taser gun. Human or ghost, bright light and electricity should keep them all away.
I turned back only to found the door closed and locked
As expected...
I took out my night vision goggles and wore them on my face, then I slowly walked out of the hallway into the living room
The room I entered was extremely large. There was a sofa in front of me next to the fireplace. Despite there being a lot of cobwebs all over the place, there was still some fresh ash in the fireplace. I was right, this house was being used.
A flight of stairs led up to the second floor, a gargoyle placed on either side of it. Their eyes seemed to follow me as I walked past them.
Amateurs...
I took out a black cloth from my bag and blindfolded both of them.
Problem solved ... simple as pie.
There were weird paintings all over the walls, I obviously didn't waste any effort trying to look at them. A door seemed to lead to the garden, while another to the kitchen.
Just observing this scenario made me feel as if I had entered one of those can you escape games.
I walked towards the kitchen and slowly held the handle. My heart skipped a beat wondering what I would find on the other side. Perhaps a fridge full of human remains? A monster in the sink? I could feel myself shiver from excitement and anticipation.
I opened the door to find a circular table with 6 chairs surrounding it.
4 of them were occupied.
Well, wasn't this an interesting turn of events
I pulled up my hoodie to hide my face and took one of the empty seats, observing the fellow occupants.
The one opposite to me to was dressed in an expensive suit, had an extremely pale bloodless complexion, and seemed to carry the arrogant air of a nouveau riche.
Huh, the guy was so pale one would think he was suffering from kidney failure, probably fucking deserved it.
To my right was a clown that seemed to have the biggest grin on his face, as if everything was extremely amusing for him, his cunning eyes seemed to be plotting endless schemes.
Opposite him and next to the pale-faced dude sat a man dressed completely in black, his mantle appeared to be made of raven feathers. The fucker was lucky they weren't crow-feathers or I would have assaulted him then and there, no question asked.
He carried an extremely gloomy vibe, a stark contrast to the smiling freak opposite him.
At the far end of the table sat a middle-aged man, he was the only one who didn't bother hiding his features. He had an extremely kind face. Just like that old neighbour Joe that would always help you out whenever needed.
He would have looked out of place if not for the dried bloodstains on his cheeks and on his hands.
Oh and that massive industrial saw that just happened to be lying next to him.
What was this?
A serial killer support group?
Suddenly, the person sitting to my right looked over and sneered at me.
"I didn't think you would come here Mad Dog."
So he thought I was this character called, Mad dog, Judging from the name he sounds like a foul-mouthed bastard, and it turns out they weren't expecting him to come either.
Perfect.
"And dafuq I cant come here, you stinkin' clown?"
"Hehe, no reason. I just thought that after being kicked off the list of the 10 unspeakable horrors of the city by that lycan brat you would be too ashamed to show your face here ever again."
Unspeakable Horrors.....
I had spent my time digging about information from the local underworld information brokers, why haven't I ever heard of such a chuuni sounding list ever before.
Soon, another person entered through the door. He was dressed up like a butler. That along with his salt and pepper hair, I wouldn't be surprised if his name was something like Alfred..
He seemed to walk at an extremely crooked pace, as if he were a puppet on strings. He took his seat next to me at the head of the table.
That's when I saw his face.
No, he wasn't anyone I recognized.
It was just that it wasn't just his walk that resembled a puppet. He was a (non-)living, (non-)breathing puppet.
And he was right next to me.
I could feel myself grinning mentally. The proof that the occult existed, proof that there was more going on this city than it seems was right next to me.
On Second thought, being right in the middle of strangers with unknown otherworldly powers wasn't something to celebrate.
A disembodied voice seemed to come out of his head as his mouth opened and closed.
"Looks like everyone's here. I don't think I need to remind you all why the mistress has invited you here"
"Yeah, Yeah those lunatics from the dark templars have somehow succeeded in creating the necromancer's stone and they seemed to have teamed up with that old monster scarecrow" the clown-faced man sniggered in annoyance.
"Yes, They have grown too arrogant, and seem to be interested in changing the status quo, we all know that the devil's broker won't intervene as long as his position isn't threatened."
"However, that isn't the problem here, without the alchemist's tome they won't be able to actually resurrect anyone from the dead"
"The alchemist's tome is safe with us at the academy," kidney-failure suddenly spoke up, his tone as condescending as I imagined, "The question here is if you can keep the orb of wailing souls safe from them. Coupled with that orb, they could actually summon their demonic gods from the otherworld."
Damn, that sounded fucking cool. I always wanted to call up Satan for a chat over coffee from time to time.
However, I doubt these guys would offer him any coffee. Uncultured swines.
"You needn't be concerned with the safety of the lady's belongings, the reason I have called you here is to help steal the necromancer's stone from the templars."
Well, well, well why am I not surprised.
A shady looking bunch of lunatics have a meeting in the middle of a real-life haunted house. Obviously, they are planning a crime.
"Humph, your mistress must be out of her mind if she wants to mess with those crazy demon cultists. She won't be able to survive a battle of attrition with them." feather-mantle who had been quiet throughout the entire suddenly raised an objection.
"Moreover..." creepy-kind-stalker-faced-uncle added "we don't know about 'her' stance in this matter. If 'she' decides to interfere, all our efforts would go in vain, 'she' doesn't even listen to the broker, how sure are you 'she' won't be a problem"
Alfred-the-puppet-butler somehow smirked using his puppet face which enough said was amusing and creepy at the same time.
"She won't be a problem, the mistress has a plan to deal with her once and for all. Soon the 10 horrors will be permanently reduced to 9 for a very long time"
"Hmm, in that case, I might take you up on your gig." Clown-face happily chirped.
"I need some time to think about this " gloomy-feather-man commented.
Kidney-failure nodded his head in consideration and stood up.
"I will report back to the lord before sending the academy's response."
Then he proceeded to TURN INTO A FUCKING BAT AND FLEW OUT OF THE FUCKING WINDOW.
YES, THE FUCKER TURNED INTO A BAT.
(P.s. I was so jealous, like when am I gonna get some cool powers. Author, could you speed up the plot or something.)
As I kept face expressionless and tried to regain my composure, I couldn't help but stiffen as I found all of them turn to face me.
Yeah, imagine that you are sitting inside a creepy haunted mansion next to some strangers. One of them isn't a living being but a fricking puppet, and another one proceeds to turn into a fucking bat and fly off. Next thing you know they are all looking at you wondering if you were interested in taking part in a heist against an actual demon-worshipping cult.
Was it too late to say that there has been a misunderstanding...
Sadly, it was way past 'too late'.