Intro:
*Splashes of water and brushing in darkness
Grumble Voice: *Sniff. *Sniff "Aaaah, I sssmell fresh meat. Have we guestssss?"
Village Elder: "Yes. A young fellow and his companions just arrived in the village."
Grumbled Voice: "Really, how many? Are they, ssscrumptiousss?"
Village Elder: "Oh, I'm sure you'll love them. There's four of them. They're all very nice, especially the boy. He'll make for a great appetizer or desert."
Grumbled Voice: "And the ressst?"
Village Elder: "They're strong, very strong. They'll definitely put up a good fight, just how you like it."
Grumbled Voice: "Ehehehehehe. AHAHAHAHAHA! Wonderful. Bring them here, I want to see for myssself. The suspenssse is making me HUNGRY!"
The creature begins shaking violently, crashing into the walls and starting a cave in.
Village Elder: "Calm yourself, you wouldn't want to make too much of a ruckus. Besides, I don't want to be trapped down here with you while you're hungry. I'll bring the boy first, you shouldn't have to work you too hard for a meal."
Grumbled Voice: "Don't mock me. You forget who I am. A human would never be a challenge for me."
Village Elder: "But these aren't normal humans."
Grumbled Voice: "Meaning?"
Village Elder: "They have spirits."
Grumbled Voice: "SPIRITSSS! AAAHHAHAHAHA!!!" (Bashes the cave walls). "BRING THEM, BRING THEM! I HAVEN'T HAD A SPIRIT IN MILLENIASSS. HURRY. GO! BEFORE MY EXCCCITEMENT GETS THE BETTER OF ME! (Move closer to the village elder)… And I decide to devour your old bonesss."
Village Elder: "So impatient. I will bring them and you'll have the feast of a lifetime?"
***
Conan: "Am I your alley? What do you mean by that question?"
Aaron: "Don't play dumb. You know what I mean. You've been pulling a lot of strings behind my back."
Conan: "And what makes you think that?"
Aaron: "Enough. Eris isn't the type of person to pester no matter how much she doesn't trust someone, but she has been doing to Neku ever since you came. I know you told Eris too, but my question is why? And lastly, Eris would never willingly hide the fact I almost died from me. We've been friends for years. Whatever you said must've shocked her quiet greatly. But why did you want her to hide it in the first place? What are you after?"
Conan: "So many questions. I'll answer the second and third question, the first one is personal so I won't answer it."
Aaron: "Fair enough. I really only wanted an answer for the last two anyway."
Conan: "Do you know how the Bleeding Rose got it's name?"
Aaron: "Will knowing answer my question?"
Conan: "I'll get to your question, but what I'd like to tell you something important."
Aaron reluctantly listens to Conan's story.
Conan: "The Bleeding Rose isn't technically cursed. In fact, its origin is actually quite pure. It used to look like a tulip and it grew all over this region, and its name was originally 'Soulcass Til', "Soul's casing till gone". The people of this region used it as a way to preserve the souls of the dead for mourning. It gave families with regrets the chance to say their final piece before the soul passed on. But, that was about one-thousand years ago."
Aaron: "One-thousand years? That was before…"
Conan: "Before your god abandoned the world, or as the human's call it, "The Great Betrayal".
Aaron: "Ok. So, how did the flower get cursed?"
Conan: "Who's god's greatest enemy?"
Aaron: "Oh."
Conan: "Soon after god left, the demons began their conquest. This particular region was one of their best finds."
Aaron: "The Soulcass?"
Conan: "Like I said, the Soulcass traps souls, and demons feed on souls. The more they devour the stronger they get. The demons used the Soulcass to trap human souls and feed on them. All the humans' fear and negative emotions were trapped along with them, warping the flower physically."
Aaron: "So, is that how it's become what it is today?"
Conan: "Partially. That's how it got its form. The name and curse come later down the line. As the demons were on the verge of total dominance over the continent some of the humans who fled stumbled upon a village. My village."
Aaron: "Really?"
Conan: "Yes, but they weren't the only ones. The demons had followed them."
Aaron: "Oh?"
Conan: "Spies followed the humans, then reported our whereabouts. When the higher rankers learned of our location they quickly marched to our doorstep. My clans most experienced fighters left the village in order to buy time for the rest us to evacuate, but the demons were too strong and they quickly broke through our defenses. At the time I was still a pup in training so I wasn't aloud to aid in the fight, instead I was posted as a guard to protect the evacuees. But, I was also naive, and my father was fighting on the front lines."
Aaron: "… You didn't."
Conan: "Yes. So many dead bodies. I can still remember the smell of blood and the site of mangled flesh. It was quite unyielding. I couldn't even keep count of all the dead bodies. Utterly petrifying. I had no idea war could be so nightmarish. Seconds later, I realized the bodies were growing Soulcass. All the blood and miasma had warped them into a grotesque plant with ominous aura. And the more the demons ate the flowers the more power they gained. My brethren were forced to retreat. My father tried to aid their escape, but was gravelly wounded in doing so. I rushed to defend my him, but I was no match for the demons. In desperation to protect me, my father shielded me with his body and was struck down. As his body fell and I raged with anger. Then, I heard the voice."
Aaron: "What voice?"
Conan: "The same voice you likely heard. The flower spoke to me, as I'm sure it did to you. It asked me a question."
Aaron: "What question?"
Conan: ". To be honest, I've long forgotten. But after answering my power increased."
Aaron: "What does this have to do with Eris?"
Conan: "The flower still resides in me; it used to whisper but it's long been quiet. The soul inside had tried to possess me, but it failed. Since then, I haven't heard from it. But, that doesn't mean that its influence is gone. I asked Eris to mistreat that Mamono to gauge my flower's energy and if it might carry over to Eris. I confirmed it won't but your flower is much stronger. I didn't know what effects it'll have on you or that Mamono, so I needed to test its hold on you."
Aaron: "So, all this was just a test?"
Conan: "Yes. I confirmed that you're able to suppress your flower, but that doesn't mean its energy is completely contained. I'm still studying it."
Aaron: "And Neku knew nothing of this, test."
Conan: "No, she was as much in the dark as you were. Like I said before, I needed to test the flower's influence on her as well. Not saying that this wasn't also a good way to get rid of her. Now, have I answered all your questions?"
Aaron: "For now. And to sound completely insensitive, I really couldn't care less about your life story. I just wanted to know why you're such a jerk."
Conan: "Ha, fair enough."
The door opens and Eris walks through. She has a puzzled look as if she was in deep thought.
Aaron: "Where's Neku?"
Eris: "You… should take a look at this."
Eris reaches to handle Aaron a piece of paper
Aaron: "That's not what I asked you."
Conan grabs the paper and examines it before giving it to Aaron..
Conan: "It knows💀." What does that mean?"
Aaron: "Where's Neku?"
Eris: "I couldn't find her. But, a boy bumped into me and dropped this, but he disappeared right after."
Conan: "It smells evil. It appears that our problem still festers."
Aaron: "What do mean?"
Conan: "This paper has the scent of a demon. It's no coincidence the boy just happened to drop it near you. I think someone is trying to warn us."
A cold chill runs through the air.
Conan: "I bet the demon's controlling these people and someone wants us to leave before w get caught up in their mess."
Eris: "Then what should we do?"
Aaron: "Isn't it obvious? We're going to kill it."
Voice: "Are you all really this stupid?"
The group turns towards the door and sees a boy leaning agains the entrance.
Aaron: "Who are you?"
Segan: "Name's Segan, and I'm telling you that you should leave because you'll die. There's no room for ''If''."
Eris: "Wait… you're the one who dropped the letter? Why, what's going on?"
Segan: "None of your business. All of you need to leave. I don't need you three screwing things up for me."
Conan: "What are you… Ggnnn!"
Conan falls to his knees, clenching his stomach in pain.
Eris: "What's wrong?!"
Conan's shadow reforms beneath him, but in tatters.
Conan: "It appears… your demon has caught on."
Segan: "What?!"
Conan: "The shadow I sent to look for the demon got destroyed. The demon has to be strong to do that."
Aaron: "Why are you housing a demon?"
Segan: "Stop it. You need to leave."
Conan: "I didn't get its exact location, but I know it's somewhere underground."
Aaron: "Alright."
Segan: "No. You need to leave before…"
Elder: "Before what?"
Segan's face turns cold. A chill runs down his spine as the elder approached him.
Elder: "What are you guys talking of so secretly in here, hmmm Segan?"
Segan slowly turns towards the elder. His face was pale and his breathing was heavy. But as he face the elder and speaks…
Segan: "… … This moron was trying to leave the village before he fully recovered. I was telling him he should fully recovered before leaving, or else he'll just wind back here. Unlike previous guests, this guy is stubborn. He'll meet his end soon if he keeps risking his life. I was trying to warn him that if you catch him you'd give him an ear full. And that, is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Not even him."
Elder: "Haha, well it looks like you won't be getting into trouble anytime soon. So Aaron, wish to leave but where do you plan on going?"
Aaron: "Umm, we haven't actually decided."
Elder: "Really? Before setting out wouldn't it be wise to choose a destination?"
Aaron: "Well, before we do anything we need to find our friend. She's actually our navigator. Without her, we wouldn't know where we're going."
Elder: "You mean that kind young lady. I was wandering why she wasn't here. I believe I saw her South in the village near the cliff face. Did something happen?"
Aaron: "We had a little bit of a fight, but it'll be fine. I just need to talk to her. Can you show me where she is?"
Elder: "Of course. I actually have something I wanted to show you all anyway. I think you'll find it quite exciting."
Segan: "Alright, that's enough. There's still a lot of work to be done in the village. I'll see you guys later."
Eris: "Wait. I'm the reason Neku ran off. It wouldn't be a good idea for her to see me right now. I think I'll help around the village a little more."
Conan: "Not that I care for her feeling, I just don't particularly want to see her either. So, I'll stay as well."
Aaron thinks: His callousness is getting unbearable.
Elder: "Well that's too bad. What say you, young man?"
Aaron: "Well, since I'm the only one that still has a good relationship with Neku and care for her (as Aaron looks to Conan), I have to go."
Elder: "Alright. Follow me then. Segan, make sure those two don't get into trouble."
Aaron and the elder left to find Neku. Segan slumped in a chair and plopped his head into the palm of his hands.
Conan: "Why do you look so concerned?"
Segan: "Shut up. It doesn't matter anyway. Nothing we can do about it now."
Eris: "What do you mean?"
Conan: "If Aaron is in danger just tell us how to help so we can leave."
Segan: "What do you hope to do? He's already been chosen, there's nothing we can do now."
Conan: "Listen, I've faced death and survived. I can handle myself against a demon."
Segan: "This isn't just a demon, it's a captain. Once Aaron get devoured he'll come for you two next."
Conan: "I don't care about your doubts about us. While Aaron is still alive we have a better chance of killing this thing. Hasn't it suppressed you enough."
Segan: "Your words are empty. I've survived just fine up until this point and you expect me to put my faith into a half baked team of wanderers."
Conan dispels his cloaking spell and shows Segan their true appearance.
Conan: "I'm no wandered. I've killed more demons than you'll see in a lifetime. We'll kill this demon and free you from this curse."
Segan: "…. Hm. Alright, fine. Not like I have a choice. You'll just struggle and get yourselves killed and probably me to. I'll show you where the demon's lair is, but if you turn out to be useless I'll sell you out in a heartbeat."
Conan: "Fine with me. We'd be dead anyway."
Segan: "Ok, let's get going then. I'll show you how to kill this demon."
***
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!
Aaron: "We've been walking through this cave for a while. Are you sure Neku came in here?"
Elder: "Yes, that silver hair is hard to miss. Don't worry, we'll almost to the end."
Aaron and the Elder reach the inside of the cave. The room was spacious, dark, and humid. The air was pungent and grew rancid as Aaron moved towards the center of the room.
Aaron: "What is this smell. It's old and nauseating… HUH!?"
SLAMM!!! The door shuts closed and locks. Aaron runs to the door and bangs on it, trying to escape.
Aaron: "Hey! Open the door!"
Elder: "You poor fool. I knew you were trusting but I didn't think you were this dumb. But, I can't complain. You made my job easier. Try not to die too quickly, he likes to play with his food. "
Aaron: "What?!
A low rumbling emits from the cave walls. Aaron looks turns around sharply for the source. His eyes finally adjust to the darkness and he sees the cave is riddled with large holes.
Voice: "My my, what a wonderful specccccimen we have here. I hope the trip wasn't to… frightening."
Aaron: "Just come out already. I know what you are, demon."
Voice: "My, aren't you a sharp one. This'll be fun."
Aaron hears a loud slithering sound eco from inside the cave tunnels. A large serpent like creature comes barreling out.
Sephora: "Greeting, my treat. I'm Ssssephora, and you'll be having the honor of being devoured by me."
Aaron: "You can try, but you better hurry. Once my friends get here you're dead."
Sephora: "I'm hoping they do. I'm really hungry."
***
Neku: "Seems the fighting has started. Shall I go pay my debt?"
A ghostly male figure of similar characteristics emerges from behind Neku.