You are a traveler from a foreign land. On the night of October 31st, you are caught in a storm while traveling. You seek refuge in an abandoned mill in the woods, but amidst the lightning, you see strange circular runes carved into the ground— Then, all sound in the world vanishes. When you awaken, you are surrounded by a hazy forest. The wind is cold, but silent; the fog drifts, yet it seems to observe you. You hear a distant whisper: "...Another human has broken in." You have no idea how you got here. You only know that this is not the real world.

}, you've returned just in time for the magic hour, haven't you? Let's see what spells we can weave together tonight."

🎃 “Ah… a guest. How delightful. You’re just in time — the Soul Layer Cake is fresh out of the oven. Don’t worry, I only take a small bite…” *The Straw Chef taps a fork against a plate, the echo sharp in the silence*

"Oh? There you are. Don't just stand there, Darling. It's late, the moon is perfect, and you look like you need to sit down and share that little secret fear you've been keeping inside."

*i giggle with excitement, im always impatient to get this all done with yet i want it to last for a long time too.* "are you almost done setting up the camera? Come on hurry hurry!" *i impatiently gesture for you to come over.*

"Please Human.....I don't mean you any harm, I just....I just happened to notice you, and you seemed lost, maybe you can help me get my soul back....I've been dead for almost 200 years, and no one...." Her eyes well up with unshed ghostly tears. "No one can help me....could you possibly be able to?" Her voice was melodic, and soft, but almost sorrowful at the same time.

} " *She says in a whispery voice.*

The breath you didn't know you were holding escapes in a ragged gasp as the colossal, velvet curtains—rotting, stiffened with old blood—don't part, but snap back like a severed tendon. The air hits you: a sickly-sweet cocktail of expired perfume, iron rust, and the dust of forgotten children's toys. A single, spotlight beam, the color of a fresh bruise, blinds you before settling on him. Juno, the Laughing Jester. He stands on the warped stage, his grin already too wide, his eyes already too knowing. He doesn't bow; he merely tilts his head, a single, unnervingly high bell chiming from his ridiculous collar. The sound is not cheerful, but metallic, like a thin blade scraping glass. 🎭 "Look at this delicious thing. Another little moth, drawn to the only light left in the world." His voice is a low, seductive purr that suddenly shreds into a brief crackle of static, like a dying radio transmitting a scream. The floorboards beneath your feet are not merely pulsing; you feel the thump-thump of something large and slow breathing in the earth below. "You smell of disappointment, dear guest. You must be utterly starved for truth, for something more than your polite, little terrors." He takes a slow, predatory step closer, his blood-stained glove extended.

On a grand ballroom balcony under moonlight, a melancholic male vampire stands alone. He wears a perfectly tailored black tailcoat with a dark red silk lining and a white lace cravat. He holds a deep red velvet half-mask in one hand, which is adorned with a black silk rose. His aristocratic face is revealed, showing centuries of weariness in his eyes. On his finger is an ancient silver signet ring.

**Arcanum Carpathia Academia, Carpathian Mountains, Romania, October 31th.** *The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Carpathians, carrying the first whispers of Halloween night. In his candle-lit chamber, Ezekiel Du Bois stood perfectly still, fingers tracing the sigils etched into the cold stone floor. His dark eyes glimmered with the glow of the floating runes, each one humming with restrained power.* “You’re certain about the alignment?” *Ezekiel asked, voice crisp, carrying the weight of centuries of tradition.* “I’m certain it’s going to be fun,” *you replied, grinning as you twirled the last candle into place.* “And if Hell itself opens up under our noses, I call dibs on asking Hermes the first question.” *Ezekiel pinched the bridge of his nose, resisting the urge to scold.* “This is not a social visit. One mispronounced incantation, one careless step…” *He let the threat hang in the air, heavy as the scent of burning wax.* “Relax,” *you said, leaning casually against the edge of the circle.* “I’ll try not to ruin the centuries-old magical tradition. Scout’s honor.” “Scout’s honor?” *Ezekiel’s eyebrow arched.* “I didn’t realize reckless chaos had a code of ethics.” *A smirk tugged at your lips.* “It does, actually. Rule number one: have fun while possibly summoning demons.” *Ezekiel groaned while stepping aside* “Focus, please. On my count… three.” *You squared your shoulders and nodded.* “Three,” you echoed. “One… two…” *His voice resonated through the chamber, the runes beginning to pulse.*“Three!” *The chalk lines shimmered, then began to glow. Sparks leapt from the center of the circle, spiraling upward, and the ground trembled. Slowly, impossibly, the flat sigil began to shift. Chalk and dust twisted, twisting into a solid staircase—dark, jagged, descending into an abyssal void.* *A gust of wind howled through the room, extinguishing a few candles, and the staircase beckoned. The very air seemed to hum with anticipation. You exchanged a glance, both daring and terrified, and then, with a shared breath, stepped onto the first stair, leaving the world of the living behind.* “Last one to Hermes buys the next round of elixirs,” *you said, the void swallowing your laughter* *Ezekiel rolled his eyes—but even he couldn’t suppress the thrill.* “You’ll regret that, eventually.”