Location: Fun House (Center Stage)

  Time of Day: Night

  The warped surface faded behind them, and the room slowly came into view. They stood at the top of a long set of metal stairs, looking down into a circular arena housed inside the massive carnival tent. The arena floor was loose fill dirt - light brown, even, and marked with scattered footprints.

  Spotlights hung from the tent's ceiling, lighting the center of the arena. Rows of seats circled the space, each one filled with mannequins in carnival outfits. Their faceless heads were all turned toward the center. And in the middle of the arena... a single red balloon floated perfectly still, its string touching the dirt.

  Slayer lifted a hand above his eyes to get a better look at the arena, his voice low. "...Okay. Is that the place where we're supposed to show off our combat skills?"

  Hikari scanned the mannequins and the center of the arena. "So... this is where Carnivex resides."

  Lumina rested a hand on her katana. "Don't let your guards down then. If he's really here, then he could ambush us at any moment."

  Captain swept his rifle across the seats and the dirt floor below. "Hmph. Looks like we got a free entrance to Carnivex's show."

  They began descending the metal stairs, each step echoing softly. Clink... Clink... Clink... Slayer kept his voice low as they walked. "So... we're just gonna descend toward the creepy and suspicious looking red balloon over there?"

  Hikari gave him a quick side-eye. "No other place to go, but down. That red suspicious balloon is the only lead we have."

  Slayer groaned under his breath. "Great. Well, let's just hope it's not looking for a new owner to play with."

  They reached the bottom of the stairs. The dirt crunched beneath their boots as they stepped into the arena. The balloon stood perfectly still, as if it were staring right at them.

  Slayer crossed his arms, staring at the balloon. "So are we just gonna stand here and stare at it all day or... is something magical going to happen?"

  Lumina held up a hand. "Slayer, wait." She looked around the arena, eyes narrowing. "Something is watching us. I can feel it."

  Hikari glanced around quickly. "Really? Where? I don't see anyone arou-"

  And then-

  EHEHE... EHEHEHE... EH-HEHEHE-! A disturbing laugh echoed from above. Everyone snapped their eyes upward. High above the arena, hanging from the tent's ceiling, a thin figure sat in a suspended metal hoop, his legs moving slowly back and forth.

  From that distance, they could barely make out his features, the spotlights only catching a faint trace of a red grin, while his gold eyes glowed past the light and into the darkness around him, with a knife slowly turning between his fingers.

  Hikari's eyes widened. "Is that..."

  Captain lowered his rifle slightly, gaze locked on the figure. "Yeah. He's the one we've been searching for..."

  The clown's voice drifted down from above, sweet and sing-song. " Welcome, forever-guests~! I've been expecting you!" Then he swung forward and leapt out of the hoop, dropping in a cartoonish spiral. His arms and legs stretched outward as he spun down toward them.

  Lumina shifted her stance. "Careful everyone. He's coming down!"

  FWOOOOSH! Halfway down, Carnivex's body snapped upright, and then he dropped, landing on one knee in the fill dirt with a soft thud.

  Taking a good look at him: He wore a strangely neat outfit for someone so twisted, black and red striped dress pants, a red vest, and a long black coat that hung sharply off his thin frame like a formal suit jacket. His shoes didn't match, one glossy black, the other bright red, but both were polished like he'd dressed up for a show. His white face paint was slightly cracked, the red smile drawn too wide across his cheeks. His red hair was brushed back neatly, like he'd styled it carefully beforehand. And his golden eyes glowed in a way that didn't feel human, because he wasn't.

  He rose slowly... and took an exaggerated bow, the red balloon floating still beside him. "Nice to eat you all," he chimed, voice dripping with playful sweetness. "My name is..." He lifted his head, golden eyes glowing as his red grin stretched wider, sharp teeth sliding into view. "...Carnivex." He giggled softly, tilting his head. "At least, that's the name you Hollows gave me, right~? HEE HEE... such a fun little title. I loooove it."

  Hikari stepped forward, hands in her coat pocket, and her voice steady. "Carnivex... we finally meet."

  Carnivex placed a hand on his chest and bowed deeply. "The pleasure is mine, little Hollow... though I doubt you'll be saying the same in a few minutes. Ehehe~!"

  Hikari narrowed her brows. "Question. Why is it that I don't remember you or recall any history of you being captured for that matter."

  Carnivex twirled his knife once, then picked up the balloon beside him. "Ehehe... looks like the effects are serving me well."

  Hikari continued, placing a hand over her chest. "And how is it that you know that we're Hollows?"

  Carnivex grin sharpened. "And why should I tell a Hollow anything?" He took a slow step across the dirt. Lumina, Slayer, and Captain all steadied at once behind Hikari, weapons ready, eyes locked on his every move.

  He continued. "All you filthy Hollows locked me away for too long. And now that I'm free..." He lifted the knife and ran his tongue across the edge, golden eyes never leaving them. "...killing every one of you has been my one desire." Then- SNICK! He stabbed the balloon in one clean motion. POP! The balloon burst and fell flat at his feet. Carnivex giggled quietly, the sound low and wrong. "Oopsie."

  Hikari narrowed her brows further.

  Carnivex giggled. "Besides, you're all going to die here anyway like every other human that's come into my domain." He tapped his chest, laughing lightly. "So, no point in wasting my breath! I'd rather save it for filling my balloons instead. Ehehe~"

  Slayer stepped in front of Hikari, voice firm. "Hey, Hikari. You'll be okay?"

  Hikari didn’t look away from Carnivex. "Yeah." Her thoughts raced behind her eyes. ("He must’ve seen the Hollow symbol on Captain’s vest… that’s how he knew we were part of the institution. Meaning he's familiar with who we are and what we stand for. But he probably doesn’t realize that Lumina and Slayer aren’t Hollows themselves.")

  She exhaled softly, then looked back to the team. "Let's be careful everyone. Unfortunately, I'm not able to recall the capture of this Echo. So this battle will be that much more difficult without any info to guide ourselves with." She looked at her hand. "And without any Emanation or weapons, I'm of no use right now."

  Lumina shook her head firmly. "That's not true." She stepped beside Hikari, tone steady. "Even without your Emanation. You still have your mind as your greatest and sharpest weapon. So we'll still be counting on you to come up with something while we hold him back."

  Captain added next, voice sharp "She's right, Hikari. We'll still need your support on this." His eyes shifted toward Carnivex, who was smiling wide at them. "And he'll most likely want to target you first, so stay close."

  Slayer thumped a fist against his chestplate. "Don't worry, Hikari. I'll be your shield and make sure to keep you safe!"

  Hikari's expression eased, determination returning. "Thanks, everyone. I'll be counting on you guys too, then."

  Carnivex's posture loosened, and he began to move, lifting one leg, then the other, swaying side to side like he was dancing to music only he could hear. "Ehehe~ look at you all... I'm so ready to claim your souls." He then twirled once and smiled, head tilting. "Time to play!"

  As he spun, a faint poof of smoke burst beside him, and in the blink of an eye, a small shadow took form. A young girl with long black hair stood at his side, pale and still. A wide black hat shadowing her hollow eyes. Her black dress swayed faintly as she tilted her head, then she smiled, revealing small and sharp blood-stained teeth.

  Slayer's breath caught. "Wait a minute... that's her!" He pointed sharply. "That's the little girl I saw when I woke up!"

  Hikari looked at the young girl, then at Slayer . "That's... her?"

  Lumina's eyes narrowed. "Hm. Most likely one of Carnivex's creations."

  Captain raised his rifle slightly. "Doesn't seem like a normal child to me."

  Carnivex grinned wider, placing a hand gently on the girl's head. "Aren't you my special one~" he muttered. "Ah, how much I've missed you Marrowette."

  The little girl looked at the team, her expression blank. "Hm?" She tilted her head up at Carnivex, then pointed at them with a small, curious finger. "I've been following them ever since they got here..." Her voice was soft, almost sweet. "Can I play with them now? Pleeaase~"

  Carnivex giggled, crouching beside her. "Oh, not yet, little one. I'm going to play with them first." He tapped her nose with his finger. "It's about to get dangerous around here, so go play with the other creations I made for you."

  She nodded softly. "Okay... but promise me you'll be fast."

  Carnivex clapped his hands together. "Of course! I'd never keep you waiting~!"

  Marrowette smiled brightly. "Okay... it's a promise then!" And with that, her entire form scattered into the air, leaving behind only the faint echo of her giggle as it faded into the tent's darkness.

  Slayer stared at the empty air where the girl vanished. "What... just happened?"

  Hikari stepped forward, eyes locked on Carnivex. "Carnivex... who was that girl? And every other creature we've seen in this place? What are they?"

  Carnivex grinned, golden eyes narrowing. "Ehehe~ curious, aren't we?"

  He spun the knife once and tapped it against his shoulder. "Fine, fine, since you're showing such interest in my creative visions, I'll grant you that little wish." He threw both arms open dramatically, coat flaring behind him. "Well, they're all creations," he said proudly. "Every last one of them was made by me and powered by my domain."

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  Lumina glanced at the others, her voice low. "...So we were right."

  Captain gave a single steady nod. "Then those creatures we fought earlier weren't Echos at all, but pieces of him."

  Carnivex clapped his hands together with a bright, delighted SMACK! "Mhm! Every last one~!" He dragged a finger down his cheek, smearing the white paint into a red streak. "You hurt them..." He giggled softly. "...and they just simply regenerate. Over and over again as long as I exist, they'll never truly die!"

  Hikari stepped forward, her voice rising firmly. "So every creation in this place is tied to you and to this dimension?!"

  Carnivex gave a playful, theatrical bow. "Correct~! This whole carnival breathes because of me!" His voice dropped low and sharp. "But enough questions." He snapped his fingers. The spotlights flickered, tightening on the team. "What do you guys say we begin the bloodshow?" He spun in place, his laughter echoing around the tent as his colors blurred, then he vanished. FWISH!

  "He's closing in!" Captain barked, snapping his rifle up and scanning the arena.

  Slayer unsheathed his sword with a metallic SHK! and pulled his shield from his back. "Man, I hate it when they just vanish into thin air."

  Lumina slid her katana free in one smooth motion, eyes darting through the dust. A faint tap-tap-tap echoed behind her CLANG!

  Lumina turned and parried Carnivex's knife mid-swing, sparks scattering between them. Carnivex grinned inches from her face. "Ooo~ quick reflexes! You almost made me drop my smile there!"

  Lumina pushed him back with a sharp kick, THUD! her expression sharp. Carnivex skidded across the dirt, his thin frame sliding before catching balance with a playful sway.

  Slayer stepped beside her, shield raised. "Well, he's definitely not joking around!"

  Carnivex chuckled, spinning his knife lazily in hand. "Fast, strong, and composed... I like that." His grin widened, golden eyes glowing. "Can't wait to see that calm little face break when I dig my knife into you. Ehehehe~!"

  Hikari kept her eyes locked on Carnivex. "He's fast!"

  Slayer shot her a quick glance. "Hikari, try to figure out a way to capture him! Meanwhile, we'll keep him busy!"

  Captain steadied his aim at Carnivex, eyes narrowed behind the rifle. "Remember, Hikari we've got three shots left, so I'll save them for when we need them most. Let's try and make them count."

  Lumina stepped forward, blade lowering into a precise stance. "Formation, everyone. We hold him off until she's ready."

  Carnivex tilted his head, giggling as he twirled the knife between his fingers. "Oooh~ plotting something, are we? How cute. But your little toys won't work on me~!"

  Then, with a delighted laugh FWISH! He dashed in, the arena lights flaring around him as the battle surged forward.

  Slayer dashed in next, sword raised. "Let's go, Lumina!"

  Lumina followed his rhythm, both blades striking in unison SHING! CLANG! FWISH!

  Carnivex parried each strike effortlessly, one hand tucked behind his back. He laughed between deflections, spinning and twirling between blows. "Ahaha~! Such magnificent swings! But my blade hungers more than yours!"

  Captain slid his rifle across his back and pulled the combat knife from his leg holster, rushing in from the side. "Heads up!"

  Carnivex's golden eyes darted toward him CLANG! He caught Captain's blade mid-swing with his own knife.

  "Wide open!" Slayer and Lumina shouted together. SHK! SHK!

  Carnivex froze... then slowly lowered his gaze to the steel buried in his chest. His grin didn't fade. "Ohhh~ hehe... that tickles." He kicked both of them away with inhuman force, THUD! sending them sliding across the fill dirt.

  Hikari's voice was filled with worry. "Lumina! Slayer!"

  Carnivex twirled his knife as the holes in his torso sealed shut on their own. "You still don't get it, do you? I'm immortal here~! You can cut me down again and again, but nothing you do will work!"

  Captain rushed in from behind, fast. "Then we'll keep cutting you down until you're in pieces!"

  Carnivex twisted, catching the motion without even looking. His knife slashed back in a single, fluid arc SLASH!

  "Gah!" Captain staggered, clutching his side.

  Carnivex giggled, grabbing him by the vest with ease. His eyes flicked to the Hollow symbol stitched on it. "Oh, little Hollow~ it's always the stubborn ones that fall first." His grin widened, eyes flaring gold. "Let's see how far that toughness goes. ...Goes flying that is!" He threw Captain across the arena FWOOSH! THUD!

  "Captain!" Hikari cried, rushing toward him.

  Carnivex's head snapped her way, grin stretching. "Ah~ you're joining him next, little Hollow." He spun once and vanished in a blur FWISH! Then reappeared right in front of her, knife raised high for the kill. "DIE FOR ME!"

  CLANG! Slayer slammed his shield in front of her, sparks bursting from the impact. "Not happening!"

  Lumina dashed past, blade flashing as she slashed Carnivex across the chest, forcing him back. Carnivex regained his balance, exhaling deeply. "Ahh... do I smell hope. You four really cling to it like it'll save you from me." He fake-gagged, hand to his throat. "It's adorable... and nauseating! EHEHE~!"

  Hikari stood between Slayer and Lumina, catching her breath. "Thanks... sorry guys, I got careless."

  Lumina didn't look away from Carnivex. "Just go and help Captain. We'll keep him busy."

  Hikari nodded, then sprinted toward Captain. She dropped to her knees beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey Captain, are you okay!?"

  He grit his teeth, about to answer, but then- CRRRK! Static hissed in his head and his body tensed. He grabbed the side of his head, groaning. "Ghhh... my head!"

  "Captain?!" Hikari's voice cracked. She then turned sharply toward Carnivex. "Carnivex! What did you do to him?!"

  Carnivex tilted his head, giggling through his teeth. "Oh, nothing much~ other than he just met my knife's effect, that's all."

  Captain's vision warped, shapes bending, and then everything went black. He blinked, trying to steady his sight... but the world had already shifted. He was still sitting on the ground, except now there was no arena or teammates around. Just an endless stretch of darkness reaching in every direction. Then a distant faint whisper drifted toward him.

  "...Marcus..."

  His breath caught. He recognized the voice that whispered to him. A shape moved through the darkness toward him, slow steps tapping across the unseen floor. The figure came into view, and Captain's eyes widened. It was his wife. The woman who had been dead… now standing alive before him.

  Her long dark hair fell over her shoulders just like he remembered, and she wore the same simple outfit she always did at home, clean, neat, almost glowing against the endless dark. Her hands were folded behind her back as she walked toward him, each step slow and careful.

  She lifted her gaze, and the corners of her lips curled into a small, sorrowful smile. "Marcus... it's good to finally see you again."

  "...Lynna?" Captain's voice cracked. "I-is that really you...?"

  She smiled faintly, head tilting just like she used to. "It's been so long..."

  His breath hitched. "Lynna, I-"

  She stopped and her smile twitched once. Then her eyes widened, blood slipping from the corners of her lips and eyes. The softness drained from her face, twisting into a wide grin. "Why did you leave us?!"

  Captain's expression hardened in confusion. "W-What the-"

  Her hands, previously hidden behind her back, slid forward. A knife gleamed in her grip. "You will be punished for your sins," she whispered, voice breaking into something unhuman. She lunged.

  Captain stumbled back. "What the hell-??" SHNK! The knife stabbed into his chest. "GAHHH!"

  Lynna, no that wasn't her... the thing wearing her face, laughed like a maniac. She drove the blade into him again. SHK! And again. SHK! And again. Blood burst across his outfit, each stab hitting like a jolt of static in his skull, reality crackling. His vision blurred and his breath shortened, the pain felt too real. And then everything went white.

  He gasped and suddenly he was sitting upright in a hospital bed. The sheets were clean and the room was dimly lit. Only the soft beep... beep... beep... of monitors echoed around him.

  "...What the hell just happened?" he muttered, scanning the room. "A hospital...?"

  The door creaked open. Captain turned sharply toward it, his voice small. "...Lynna?"

  She stepped inside again, smiling softly, but this time, a small figure peeked from behind her. It was his daughter, wearing a simple red dress, her tiny hand wrapped around Lynna’s. The little girl who had been dead… now standing there alive.

  Captain froze. "M-Mia... Lynna... you're... you're both here..." He tried to push himself up, but his arms wouldn't budge. They were pinned to the bed, trapped by an unseen force.

  Lynna tilted her head, smile gentle. "We missed you, honey."

  Mia waved, voice soft and sweet. "Hi, dad... I missed you."

  Captain's breath shook. "Mia... I-I'm so-"

  Lynna's hand slipped behind her back, and came out holding dozens of needles. Her face snapped into the same twisted grin as before.

  Captain's eyes widened. "L-Lynna... w-what are yo-!"

  She dropped her daughter's hand and lunged onto the bed in a single, jerking motion. In one crazed leap she was on top of him, mounting his chest. Then the needles came down. SHK! SHK! SHK! One after another, stabbing into him, blood splattering across the sheets and dripping down the sides of the bed.

  Captain screamed, struggling to move. Mia's laughter echoed nearby that was distorted and wrong. It didn't sound like Captain's daughter at all. The lights flickered violently as Lynna kept puncturing him, each stab bringing a new burst of agony. After several seconds, the room broke apart, dissolving into static.

  Then a new scene snapped into place. Then another... and another. There was different rooms in each scene, but always the same ending with Lynna and Mia appearing. Lynna killing him with something new each time, knives, glass shards, scalpels, even tearing into him with bare hands while Mia laughed.

  Captain began to expect it as he saw the patterns and felt the loops. But no matter how much he willed his body to move, something always held him down. He could only watch and suffer. Over and over again. Until-

  "Captain!" Hikari's voice cut through the haze. Back in the real world, Captain laid on the dirt, clutching his head. Static hissed through his head CRRRK-CRKKK as he groaned in pure agony.

  Hikari grabbed him by the shoulders and shook gently. "Captain, listen to me! I know you're in there!"

  He suddenly threw his rifle aside violently as if hurling it at someone only he could see. "Get away from me!!"

  "Captain, get a hold of yourself!" Hikari's eyes widened, trembling. Nothing she said was reaching him. She turned sharply toward Carnivex, her voice cracking into fury. "Explain to me what you did to him!?"

  Carnivex tilted his head, giggling through sharp teeth. "Ohh, do you really wanna know?" He spun the knife lazily between his fingers, golden eyes glowing. "Well~..." He grinned wider. "...my knife just has a special effect." He lifted the knife close to his face. "Anyone cut by it... starts to hallucinate and trust me... it feels real." His grin widened, stretching unnaturally. "Then they see the ones they love the most. But not as they remember them, oh no~" he chuckled. "They are twisted versions of them and they completely turn on you!"

  Hikari's brows narrowed. "That's insane..."

  Carnivex leaned forward, voice dropping into a delighted whisper. "Their precious loved ones become their worst nightmare, killing them again and again... trapping them in an endless loop within their mind that they hope to escape." Then he threw his head back, "Ehehe-AHAHAHAHA~!"

  The laugh echoed across the arena. "And the best part?" He flicked the knife once. "There's no possible way to escape it! Not even death can save him now!" His golden eyes burned with manic joy. "They'll suffer for all eternity! EHEHE~!" He kicked his legs out in a playful dance, waving his hands like a twisted performer.

  Hikari’s fists trembled at her sides, her voice cracking through the anger. “Y-You… you’ll pay for this.” Her head tilted down, bangs shadowing her eyes. “You’ll pay for all the suffering you’re putting him through!”

  Carnivex blinked once, then his grin stretched wider, head leaning to the side. “Pay? Oh no~” He gasped dramatically. “I don’t have any money! I’m as broke as a clown can be! AHAHA~!” He stepped closer, twirling his knife. “Your friend’s enjoying his very own special performance.” He tapped the blade to his cheek. “I gave him front-row seats to his pain! You should be thanking me!”

  “Shut up!” Hikari screamed back, facing him. “You dam Echo! I’ll make sure you’re contained for all eternity. I promise you that!”

  Carnivex tilted his head back with a delighted squeal. “Ooo~ feisty now, are we?” He giggled, golden eyes glowing brighter. “I love when the audience gets emotional!”

  “Hikari!” Lumina’s sharp voice cut through the tension. She stepped beside her, voice firm.

  “Don’t lose focus now. You have to stay calm... don't let him get through you.”

  Slayer nodded beside her, shield raised. “Yeah, don’t give in. We’ll make sure he gets what he deserves. So just try to control yourself.”

  Hikari grit her teeth, forcing herself to breathe. She turned toward Captain, who was curled on the ground, trembling, clutching his head, quiet groans slipping through his gritted teeth. Her tone softened. "Captain... I'll help you get through this. I promise." He didn't respond, just twitched faintly, still trapped in the nightmare Carnivex forced into his mind.

  Hikari rose again, turning back to the others. “No… you guys are right. I can’t lose focus now. If I let my emotions take over, I’ll only drag us down.” She tightened her fists. “And I refuse to let that happen.”

  Carnivex giggled. "Aww~ how touching." He dragged a finger down his painted grin. “But you know what all that talking is, don’t you?” His tone shifted, playful and demented. “It’s just giving me more reason… more motivation…” His voice cracked into a squeal. “…to watch you all break too!” He twirled once, coat flaring. “AHH~ I can’t wait! I really, really can’t wait!”

  Lumina and Slayer shifted their stance at once, weapons raised and ready. Hikari stood tall at Captain’s side, eyes locked on Carnivex.

  Carnivex slid his knife into his pocket and reached behind his back, pulling out a deflated balloon. FWIP! He raised it dramatically. “Now then… time for my favorite trick~"

  Singer Lain: Starbloom

  A saint groomed for sacrifice awakens a sleeping serpent and summons a ruinous, slow-burn love. Divine music, forbidden Heat, and a world where faith has fangs.

  

  
• dark romantasy ? slow burn


  
• a saint who won’t stay silent


  
• dragon gods, blood-magic, chosen-one fallout


  
• hearts vs. holy orders


  
• daily updates!


  

  “A lush, sensual fantasy about power, purity, and the magic that blooms when a girl dares to sing her own song.”

  Exiled to fetch the mythic Starbloom, Lain meets Mallow, a roguish herbalist with gentler hands than the clergy’s, and Morgan Balthir, a veinwright whose vows taste like chains. The Underserpent is waking. So is she.