Something Wicked This Way Comes

It was safe to say that Aku had never seen Capital Crocus look so... 'unlively' for a lack of better terms. He'd been here for the magic games once or twice, and found the capital to be nice enough for a typical visit, but tonight was its own unique experience. The Halloween spirit was in the air and being his favorite holiday, the young mage couldn't resist visiting at least one of the haunted housed they'd set up this year. It would of been blasphemous if he hadn't!

So with his silver eyes peering at the entrance of the establishment, his face moved into a smirk while his right hand clenched excitedly around the fake scythe he'd brought along. Readjusting his hand placement while his left hand clutched at the dark fabric that draped his entire form, his vision only slightly impeded by the long black cloak he'd opted for. Dressed as the grim reaper for this years festivities, he was a bit proud of the simple yet efficient nature of the outfit.

It was enough to get a few frights from the youngers kids and the enamored gaze of a few older ladies and gents, so it was a win in his book. Not to mention he just felt cool as hell.

Without anymore hesitation, Aku would begin his descent into the madness that was sure to unfollow. After all, there was never anything normal about Halloween in Earthland.

Word Count: 240/2,000
@ noone

Stepping through the doors of the haunted house, Aku's once eager features turned to portray a bit of perplexation at the sights and sounds that inundated his senses. The room was quaking from the demonic sound system that drowned out every other sound in the room, and he almost felt compelled to bring his hands up to his ears. Guarding his ear drums from their impending rupture while his eyes surveyed the room around him, picking up all the little details. There was trash and liquor EVERYWHERE, with cups that appeared to be untarnished despite the obvious party setting.

Clearly he wasn't that stupid.

Attempting to walk forward was a bit of a struggle with the sticky floors holding down the soles of his boots. Only the force of his momentum breaking the hold of the spilled liquor and, what he could only assume, were other foul liquids that tried to keep him in a chokehold. Opting out of exploring the room any further as he'd already begun making his way toward the only visible doorway he could see, all before coming to a rapid halt and gasping a bit.

Despite being a necromancer himself, the presence of so many ghosts here was a bit jarring and the way they quickly closed the open space between him and the exit was ominous at first. However Aku was compelled to chuckle after immediately realizing that they lacked hostility. Instead seeming to be in no short supply of party spirit, pun intended, and with an amused smirk Aku could hear the song changing... to one of his favorites.

Guess he'd have to show these poor, unfortunate souls how to really have a good time.

As if on queue or by some divine command, all the ghastly figures began to throw theirs hands up and down to hype up the young mage while forming a circle around him. Large enough to give him space to bust a move and without any further prompt Aku got busy. Feeling the bass moving throughout his system he let the beat take over, showing off his flexibility and athleticism with each intricate move he let loose. Moving almost like a shinobi ballerina, somersaulting and pop locking with almost professional charisma and sending the spirits into a frenzy of good vibes and amazement. It was at the end of the song and the routine that Aku picked up his scythe and the ghosts made way for him to go onto the next room.

So far, so good.

Word Count: 659/2,000
@ noone

For a moment it seemed his journey had come to an end. Stepping through the door and expecting to find something for his gaze to lock onto, it was only after a few more seconds of walking that he realized there was nothing. Nothing but the pitch embrace around him, disorienting in all it's vastness. Each step feeling a bit gross, as if he were moving through an ocean of bugs and the cold air lashed out at any exposed flesh he had to offer. He could feel himself starting to panic because of his claustrophobia and ended up taking off into a sprint, one that he himself lacked control over.

Only stopping when spotting the presence of an orange speck in the distance. Surely it had to be a campfire or beacon of some sort? Whatever it was, Aku was making a mad dash over to the safety of said light source and hopefully it would give him peace of mind. Falling to his knees when arriving at the stone seat beside the fire, a fairy or something more ancient seemingly awaiting his arrival. The necromancer was still catching his breath, more so from terror than exhaustion, and only looked up halfway through the fae explaining what he needed to do to leave.

Almost getting excited to do something he was good at... telling a spooky story. After all he was a horror buff, it wasn't like he couldn't just make a tale up on the fly; however satisfying the fae was another matter in and of itself. How was he to gauge the way the creature liked to be scared? Screw it, he'd been in tougher situations.

"Ok, so this one is called Who's in My Bed? One night, a father went to say good night to his seven year old son, knowing that his son would have trouble sleeping if he didn't. It was a nightly routine between them and a way for them to bond. He entered the dimly lit room where his son waited under his blanket but with one glance the father could tell there was something... unusual... about his son that night. But couldn’t put his finger on it.... He didn't look any different but had a grin that creepily drew from ear to ear.

“You okay, buddy?” the father asked. The son nodded, still with the same eerie grin, before innocently saying, “Daddy, check for monsters under my bed.” The father chuckled a bit before getting on his knees to check, only doing so to satisfy his son. When there, under the bed, pale and afraid, was his son. His real son. He whispered, “Daddy, there someone on my bed”."

The fae would clap happily at the creepy tale and present a door for the young mage who was eager to get out of this room and onto the next.

Word Count: 1,137/2,000
@ noone

And with what could only be described as a guffaw, Aku made his way into the next room that wasn't a room at all. In fact it was more like a hallway of what seemed to be endless doors, prompting him to stop in place for only a moment to observe his surroundings and almost scratch his head in confusion before his attention was drawn forward. Not too far in the distance, where a shadowy figure rose from the ground menacingly. A smirk of amusement prompted on the mage's features before opening a door and making a mad dash through.

His luck seemingly running out as he and the creature were now face to face! The young man gasping at the sudden appearance of who he was trying to escape from and without as much of a second thought, extending his toy scythe to beast as if it were some sort of gift. Which was comically accepted and further inspected by the figure, who after a moment would lift its eyes to find Aku high tailing it into another door. Clumsily following after him.

The two of them made their way hastily throughout the maze of doors, sometimes Aku being the one chasing the monster who'd been turned around in all of the madness. Hell, they even managed to lose each other long enough for the necromancy to perfect a delicious sound was what the youth might call quintuple-decker, while he would just be calling it fuel for the road ahead. Eagerly running off the calories he'd consumed with the monster right on his tail.

Until he spotted a trap, likely designed for him and waited at the entrance of the door. Right up until mass of indistinguishable shadows was close enough, and then he stepped to the side and extended his foot. Tripping his pursuer who was falling face first into what seemed to be a ball pit, but filled with water balloons!

Raising his hands in triumph, Aku would close the door before giving it a solid knock and running to the one beside it. Which conveniently seemed to be the exit he was looking for! Without a second thought between him and escaping the room, his hand was pulling the knob open and slamming it behind himself in one swift motion. Taking a moment to lock the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief at the physically taxing room coming to an end.

Now he could only wonder, what was next...

Word Count: 1,554/2,000
@ noone

Turning on his axis, Aku would pull his hood back a bit to adjust his eyes and find himself staring out into a crowd waiting spirits. Gasping a bit at the sudden arrival of what could only be some sort of musical challenge and turning to look at the instruments laid before him. While the auditorium itself was dusted and damn near abandoned, everything else seemed to be in working order; perfect for him. Not many people who weren't close to the man knew of his passion for the performing arts, and today he was going to give these spirits the show of their lives. Well... afterlife.

Walking over to the red electric guitar that hung in the center of the assortment, Aku slid the strap over his shoulder and picked up the pick he needed to play. Making sure everything was in order before making his way back to the mic and clearing his throat. Preparing to sing a rock edition of an infectious tune he'd come across known as "The Ballad of the Witches Road". slowing beginning to play the song in question.

Each note he played rang out clear and powerfully as his voice presented the melodies for the listeners to follow, watching as the crow began to rise and dance. Jamming out to the song in question, with the emotional nature of the track beginning to rear its maw. Taking ahold of the mage as he began belting out the final lines of the song that seemingly spawned a sort of spectral band to play the accompanying harmonies.

They even managed to provide some background hums and with the bridge of the song making way, Aku would hold is hands out now and let the band continue to play. His powerful and resonate vocals taking over for his end and leading a sort of chant of the hook with the crowd, letting loose at the end of the track. Almost transcending the atmosphere of the room like a legitimate rock star, cause him to literally begin floating to the spotlight above him. All the while he continued to sing the final notes of the tune, closing his eyes and allowing the light to engulf his entire frame.

The cheering and hooting of the crowd echoing in his ears as he felt himself continue to float until finally, everything went silent and he was surrounded in darkness. No... this was his eyes adjusting to the absence of any outside light. Had he made it out of this last room?

Word Count: 1,976/2,000
@ noone

Eyes opening wide to find themselves staring at the skies above, Aku's breath would leave his lungs in a calm, deep exhale. Feeling the rush of performing wearing off a bit before he finally decided to sit up and take in his surroundings. The haunted house just behind him with others looking over with curiosity at the young mans sudden appearance, all while he was coming down from the high of being on stage. That was something he hadn't done since he was a kid and it felt good to get back into the craft.

Standing now to his full height, he dusted off his cloak and hood, recomposing himself and making his way back around to the entrance of the haunted house. A devilish grin appearing as he'd gone back to purchase another ticket and experience the attraction all over again.

After all, you couldn't go through a haunted house only once! So cracking his neck and preparing for more than the worst, he would step through the doors once more and anticipate a glorious adventure.


Word Count: 2,153/2,000
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