Umi-tan

● When Ingo returned from Hisui, he was a changed man. It was clear to see, from his physical form to his mannerisms. Previously untouched skin literally with scars and calluses, thinner frame filled out more with harsh muscles, and his eyes held a distance much unlike the older twin previous. His emotions had always been best expressed in those seas of mercury, but now there lied an emptiness that screamed to be filled.

● You about cried when your boyfriend – fiance, rather – finally was returned to you. Which turned into complete sobbing when he pushed you away with a look that told you that he didn't know you. Emmet watched in confusion and terror as his brother acted horrified by his younger twin. Moving to send out a pokemon to attack him. The Gliscor's claws scratched his skin, tearing his white coat and staining it red. The twin joined you in tears as Ingo stood petrified by the sudden wound. You and Emmet both knew something was very wrong with Ingo.

● Somehow, you and Emmet managed to convince him to let you take him to a hospital. He was separated from you before Emmet was, too, whisked away to have his injury bandaged. The younger twin apologised to you and promised that he would be back as soon as it was over. In your moments alone, you deeply debated how Ingo could forget Emmet of all people. Whatever happened to him must have been something serious.

● When Emmet doesn't return after thirty minutes, a nurse approaches you. “Are you…” he says your name, “Mr. Ingo is asking for you.” You nod your head, and she leads you to his room. An IV runs into his arm while he looks uncomfortable in a hospital gown. It's not you realise just how different he appears. Hair longer than he would have deemed alright, a goatee that was less taken care of than the one Emmet sprouted, and he just overall seemed more rugged than the soft, caring Ingo you recalled. His silver eyes stared at you, and a hand reached out to you.

● You took it softly and stared at Ingo. His hand tightened around you. A rumble came from his throat in the form of your name. He closed his eyes. “I barely remember anything… Tell Emmet, I am deeply sorry. I missed you both. I couldn't recall, but I missed you both endlessly…” his voice was a bit strained. You pressed a kiss to the hand that held yours. His eyes gaze was curious upon the ring on your finger before he smiled. “I… remember that. Thank you, my dear,” his eyes grew misty. You didn't know what happened to him, but you would remain at his side for all time.

● You stayed with him for the rest of visiting hours. They had wanted to keep him overnight for observation to make sure there wasn't anything they missed, which you and Emmet accepted. The younger twin had joined you in hanging out with Ingo after he managed to escape his wound treatment. He didn't seem too happy about the stitches, but neither did Ingo. Endless apologies babbled from his lips, but Emmet shook his head. He forgave Ingo, so long as he didn't disappear again. The older twin became distressed when both of you got up to leave. Even after explaining that you had to go, he asked one of you to stay. When both of you restated that he couldn't, he tried to rip the IV from his arm to join you. Emmet rushed to stop his brother while you called for a nurse. Ingo was insistent, one of you stayed, or he leaves with you. Emmet being his authority in his medical decisions due to the diagnosed amnesia, hesitantly agreed to have him sedated. Ingo was petrified by this all, with heavy tears in his eyes.

● Naturally, the night was restless and filled with worry. Emmet had gone back to his apartment, leaving you alone in your previously shared one with Ingo. You got together some clothing for him and hoped they would still fit him. The doctors deemed him fit to leave when you returned to pick him up the next morning. Ingo glared at you both as you entered his room. “I know what I'll to do to you next time you're upset, Emmet,” he hissed, but took the clothing from you gratefully. His hand lingered over yours for a long time. Emmet smiled sheepishly, “I am sorry; I wanted to make to be 100% certain that nothing was wrong with you.” Ingo sighed and shook his head. He understood Emmet's concern, he just didn't appreciate the methods taken.

● Ingo's return home was a pleasant one. Before having Emmet walk him in, you let each of his pokemon out to greet him. Tears were heavy in his eyes as he entered the apartment. Chandelure swung hypnotisingly and sang a cheerful, excited melody. Excadrill and Crustle clang to his legs, while his Garbodor attempted to merge him into their body. Klinklang ground its gear in joy, while Haxorus let out a tearful cry. Ingo gazed at them for a few moments before trying to showing them all in his love and affection. The afternoon was spent reintroducing him to things around the apartment. When the time came for Emmet to return to his own, Ingo became nervous. The younger twin reassured him that he would see him again after work.

● Which led to Ingo begging you to stay with him the next morning while you got ready for work yourself. You understood his fears, and after the experience at the hospital, felt a bit bad. It was in his best interest, but he still didn't deserve to feel that way. You called in. Ingo visibly relaxed. The morning was spent cooking with him while he offered cooking tips from Hisui. He had barely spoken of where the last two years of his life had been spent, but when he did, there was a strange underlying feeling to it all. It seemed terrifying.

● When he tried it again the following day, you had told him no, softly. His eyes filled with fear as he pulled you close and begged for you to stay. You still told him no. Somehow, you managed to get out of his embrace and leave the apartment. You didn't want to leave him either, but money was needed to pay the bills. The apartment they Subway Bods had chosen wasn't cheap, and you certainly couldn't survive solely on what was left in his bank account.

● The day was a long one for Ingo as he lied in a strange recollection of how things were before the portal ripped him from this world. You were his fiance, an engagement ring lying heavy on your finger, but you had also been his stay-at-home partner. When had you started working? A thought of the harsh wilds if Hisui, how pokemon could easily overpower and kill a human or how bandits could gut you just to get something nice plagued his mind. You needed to stay in this apartment. It was safe. Ingo had checked around it and deemed the location both secure and pleasant.

● He knew if he kept acting so upset you may try to leave him. Warden Ingo couldn't have that. The world was a dangerous place. What if a portal opened up and ripped you away to ancient times? Took away your memories with a head injury and left you for dead on a cold mountain. Forced you to survive in a society you know nothing about with a language you didn't understand entirely. He had two teams now. A few could stay behind at home and watch over you in his stead. Yes, all this could work. He could return everything to how it used to be, but better.

● Ingo calmed down after that, you noted. He still had a heightened level of clinginess, but that was understandable. His readjustment was going well, too. He had taken up cooking for you and did most, if not all, of the chores around the house. You heard from Emmet that he made frequent trips to the station and gazed around at places most familiar to him with a sparkle in his eyes. Elesa had even taken him around the city a few times, to help him remember locations he liked. It seemed like within the few months of his return that Ingo had almost completely re-entered his role.

● But there were still moments where he seemed desperate to keep you to himself. An outing with Elesa cancelled because Ingo had gone into a panic attack after remembering something that happened to him in Hisui. His arms grasping you to his stronger body and weeping loudly into his neck. You couldn't leave him like that, so you called it off. He had moments like that from time to time, where is memories haunted him and broke him into a shell of the man he was. Hollow, empty eyes and a quivering body. Your heart broke at the sight. Elesa understood always.

● It was soon that he returned to work at the station and the money flow of your life increased. Having help on the bills was nice, and Ingo's pay cheques covered them all, as they had done previous. You decided to keep working as to help increase some personal wealth. Well, that was your plan until Ingo called you one evening, having got off early from his panic and fear becoming too much. He wept and begged for you to come back, unable to accept that you were safe and alive unless you stood before him. You took off and rushed home to comfort Ingo. The older twin was a wreck. He pleaded for you to quit working, his heart couldn't take the stress of the unknown, and he wanted to go back to how things had been before he left.

● You agreed. Dumbly. Ingo was just in top much of a state to say no, but he held you to your word. There was no point for you to work, not when Ingo could. He would do anything for you; just please quit your job. Begrudgingly, you do. It had been fine before, and most of the reason you still worked was out of the fear that Ingo would disappear from you again. “My darling… I would never put you through such pain again,” he reassured you, hand holding yours warmly, “I am here to stay. Please allow me to take care of you, it was what I promised you with my ring.” You truly couldn't disagree, your fears were shoved away for your love for him.

● It became only more and more intense. Some of his pokemon always remained around the house, which was good for company, but they actively prevented you from leaving. His Magnezone messing your phone and computer and leaving you with no way to communicate. You tell Ingo about this that evening, but he sees no problem with it. You didn't need them, he survived two entire years without them. He would buy you another soon. You huffed at his attitude and tried to leave once again, but his Tangrowth blocked you. “Ingo. Call them back, I'm going out to see Elesa.”

● Ingo sighed. It wasn't enough. Nothing he did was enough. Warden Ingo had firmly overtaken all of Subway Boss Ingo's reservations and twisted them until they were barely themselves. It was reflective of the reality around him. His life he loved was gone, and he wasn't himself any longer. Why did he bother acting like it? You were still his precious, dear love, and he would do anything for you. It was clear you didn't want what he wanted any more, however. “Tangrowth. Use sleep powder.” You turned to stare in shock at him before the move hits you. He catches you before you fall to the ground. This was alright. He would guide you back to how you were previously. You would become his cute house spouse once again.

● You wake up bound to the headboard of your bed in horror. Ingo had, actually… You yelled his name while trying to escape. Ingo entered the room with a tray of food and a small smile. His eyes were the strange empty that had sent shivers down your spine long ago. He carefully places the food on your bedside table and began preparing everything to feed you. “Ingo, baby, this isn't funny. I know you're stressed, but you have to untie me,” you pleaded, but he shook his head. “My darling… We've both changed so much in our time apart,” his voice was low and soft, “I just want to go back to how things were…” He lifted a fork with a sauced egg and toast to your mouth. You closed it in minor rebellion. Ingo was being terrifying, you needed to get out. “I do forgive you for sleeping with my brother… I understand that with the situation that you required company, and he quite literally is identical to me,” he spoke. Your mouth opened from shock, and he forced the food in. Resistance wasn't bothered with; how had he learnt about that? Ingo hummed in contentment as you ate his food.

“Hey, did you hear?”

“About what?”

“The rumour about the Gear Station.”

“No? Or, was it that one about the abandoned utility closet?”

“Nope! It's about the last train of the night.”

“Oh?”

“They say whoever catches the last train that stops in the Gear Station meets this scary demon conductor!”

“Oh, that's childish! Come on. There has to be something more to it.”

“No! They say anyone who rides it never gets off! I'm being serious.”

“Please–!”

The passing conversation you had heard a few days prior had piqued some childish curiosity in you. It apparently was popular among teenagers and kids, likely because they were unable to take the last train.

But, you… You were able to. It was easy enough to find the directory and pick which route to ride to be on the last train ingoing.

The hour was quite late, far past the middle of the night. A sombre feeling haunted the train car as you stepped on from the abandoned platform. There were a few other riders besides yourself. A couple who appeared inebriated at a glance, a man in a jumpsuit uniform, and one exhausted looking woman leaned against the seat. You took to your own as the automated message played, assuring that departure would be starting soon and to step away from the doors.

The sudden start of the train made you jump. It was quiet. The drunken couple seemed to doze off. The woman took to scrolling her phone, yet keeping an eye on her surroundings. The man appeared to have his eyes closed while listening to music. You felt a bit disappointed.

All the stories told of an eerie ambience that was unable to be shaken. The door that connected towards the engine car would open to reveal the conductor. Nothing like that happened. It was just a boring late night train ride. Your shoulders sank. Of course it was a rumour. Why would it not be? It was silly to assume anything otherwise.

A sigh kept you as you leaned back against the seat. Well, all you had to worry about was getting home from the Gear Station. Your eyes closed for a moment.

Then, you opened them when a door sliding open was heard. The automated voice spoke up to announce arrival at the final stop of the night – yet, it became staticky and garbled. Tensing, you sat up. No one else apparently had noticed. You blinked. Glancing in the direction of the door, you swallowed. It was towards the front of the train.

A man entered wearing a uniform. It was not one necessarily typical of the Depot Agents. He glanced around, eyes shadowed by the brim of his cap. No one noticed him. The couple continued to sleep unperturbed, the man zoned out to his music, and the woman mindlessly scrolled on her phone. You watched his attention land on you. Every part of your body screamed at you to pretend. If you acted like everyone else, he would ignore you.

Your phone came out. Opening whatever app you could to take your mind off the sound of shoes stepping against metal flooring. Tapping away, you watched a gloved hand grab the side of your screen. You refused to look up. Acknowledging him was a mistake you would not make.

Moments passed in this standstill. You desperately waited for the train to arrive at the station. Nothing seemed to move. Were the people around even aware? There was no sound. You had not even realised the white noise of the train motion had paused. All that was heard was your own breathing.

You needed to get away.

Using surprise to your advantage, you shoved him back, knocking him to the ground. A grunt of pain escaped from him as you rushed to your feet. Charging for the door to another car, you slid it open in a panic. The sound of him shuffling back to his feet echoing in your ears. Yet, just as you hoped to buy time, you realised your error. Another man stood smiling down at you. He tilted his head. You stepped back only to bump into the other man.

“What a verrry cute passenger!” The smiling one said. He caught your chin and made you look up at his face. It looked normal, besides his right eye being covered by something like a paper charm. The left also shined with an eerie light. “Too cute to eat, brother,” he cooed and glanced at the being behind you.

Shifting you around, the one behind you stared down. His eye narrowed – this time the right was exposed. The one with the smile wrapped his arms tightly around you. The frowning one seemed to relax. A nod came from him. “… I'm inclined to agree,” his voice was deep yet loud, “I found them charming as I observed them try to play ignorant.” He turned his head back to the others of the train.

“It is not like we will go hungry, anyway,” he stepped towards the unaware couple, “… Emmet, won't you help me? Put them in that car.” Emmet, his apparent name, lessened his hug and pulled you into the next car over. You fell back onto the ground when he let you go. His head tilted at your reaction. But, a wide grin split his face. It was almost a perfect down arrow.

“Stay here, darling,” he spoke playfully, “Don't look either! You won't like it. Ingo will get mad, too.” He turned around and slid the door shut behind him, some kind of lock clicking into place.

You scrambled to your feet, glancing in through the window. The car had shifted into something else. It was fleshy and pulsating. You felt ill watching the scene. Those who were sitting in the car were melting. Your stomach twisted, bile building up at the sight. Blood pooled and evaporated. Vomit fell from your mouth onto the metal floor beneath you. Stumbling back, you pinched your arm frantically. This must have been a nightmare.

You needed to wake up.

No matter the pain that coursed through you, the scene was unchanged. You sat with painful breaths sucked into your lungs.

Then, a hand came onto your shoulder.

“… He warned you not to look,” that deep voice was in your ears. Arms came around you, pressing your body against his chest. Something metallic stung your nose besides the acidic residue of what came from your stomach. His hand gently combed through your hair.

He cleared his throat. “Welcome aboard, passenger,” he rested his chin atop your head and kept your ear in his chest. There was no sound. “… Or rather, humans prefer…” He held your left hand out gently. “With no lighthearted ignorance or jest in my heart, I ask that you marry us,” a ring seemingly appeared in his hand, “Will you give us this honour?”

Us…?

Ingo blinked. “… of course, I include Emmet,” he pointed at his counterpart, who rested on a seat of the train car. His grin was unnerving. “… Say your proposal,” the one holding you ordered.

“Does this really matter when we already decided they were ours?” Emmet asked. You tensed. Ingo caught this. Something in how he narrowed his gaze made Emmet roll his eye. “… We already love you so much! Marry us. You have no other option.”

You knew that was the case yet some part of you want to protest this.

Emmet blinked at your attempt.

“Weeeell,” he opened the door to that other cart. An indescribable scent hit your nose, “We could still eat you! What do you prefer?”

A quick nod from you had the ring slid onto your finger. Ingo locked his fingers with yours.

“… We will love and cherish you with all we have,” he pressed a tender kiss to your temple. Your stomach churned again.

“Mhm, yep!” The other concurred.

“Oh, hey! Did you hear this one?”

“Another one? Come on!”

“No! Listen, this one is good!”

“Really?”

“You know Geosenge right? That isolated, quiet village? I heard there's a legend about a man who's over three metres tall! Apparently, they say he asks if you have seen a certain pokemon.”

“… This is scary… Really… Oh, spooky! Tall man asks about pokemon?”

“No! I'm not done. If you say you have and answer when he says where, he will go look. If nothing is there… He kills you!”

“Pfft. Okay?”

“If you say you don't know, he apparently leaves you alone, but you're marked by him and he'll keep bothering you! The best answer is to tell him you have somewhere to be.”

“… I'm not even partially scared.”

You had been riding the train in Lumiose when you heard the two schoolgirls gossiping between each other. The story was odd, certainly. A tall man… Who asked about a pokemon and killed you if you lied. Quite a story, certainly. Though, Geosenge was full of strange conspiracy theories. A weapon buried deep within the earth that could wipe out all life, the death masks of pokemon eternally frozen in stone. It made sense for a weird story about a tall man to come about from there.

That old spirit of youthful curiosity blossomed inside you, however. A weekend out in a rural tourist sight would not being anything bad, certainly. It had been easy to book a stay in a local hotel, and you found yourself travelling out with slight pain in dealing with the hike out. Your pokemon was not exactly one you used for combat – she seemed quite resilient, but was less inclined towards battle. Floette was nervous as you approached the village.

You gently pet her head, to which she nuzzled into your hand.

Checking into your hotel had been easy, and the room was quaint and comfortable. It would have been far too easy to crash against the bed and scroll on your phone until it was late, but you resisted. Though, you did research the tall man rumour a bit before heading out. Apparently, he was extremely rare and believed to be a malevolent spirit from the weapon that was supposedly buried in the village. You somehow ended up scrolling a page about a local bakery before heading out. Floette trailed behind you.

The two of you indulged in pleasant sandwiches and strange bread creations before realising how exhausted you really were. She floated beside you, snacking on the slice you had gotten her. The sun was setting, which cast the village in a soft light. It was beautiful. Standing among three stone pillars that jutted out of the ground in an odd formation, you turned to see Floette standing far off. She seemed nervous.

It was then you saw a sun hat standing above a cabin. You blinked. Stepping towards your pokemon, you felt her grip your sleeve tightly. That must have been impossible. A prank? A hat on a tree? You decided to scoop the fairy-type in your hand and head back to the hotel. Maybe you were delirious.

Though, as you approached the exit of where the pillars had been, a tall form came into your line of sight. Floette let out a whimper. It was too tall to have been human – your stomach twisted. Lanky limbs and long hair flowed freely. Your eyes were locked onto the ground.

Delirium. You were hallucinating. It was dark now, the sun had set. No one else was around.

“… Do you know where a flower pokemon with eternal life might be?” his voice was deep. Your body screamed to run. Floette had hidden herself away in your coat. You struggled to recall the rumour. Saying yes was not smart… Saying no… What did it do?

You excused yourself. That was the right answer. The being did not move. You raised your foot to walk. A large hand came down onto your shoulder.

“… You have her,” there was something underlying his voice. You could not pinpoint it. Your Floette clung to you tighter under your coat. Shaking your head, you denied the absurd accusation. Sure, she had a different flower, but you could not recall anything about eternal life. “I… I want to see her,” he grasped your shoulder tighter, “Let me see her.”

With a shocking amount of strength, you threw his hand off from you and dashed towards the hotel. It made little difference to his wide stride. Soon, you were trapped between him and a rock formation. Your heart pounded in your chest. His gaze was down upon you, but you could not see his eyes.

Maybe if he saw your Floette… He would see it was not what he was looking for? You gently pulled her out from your coat. She cried and tried to fight you. He must have been staring at you.

Suddenly, the tall man rose up.

Floette buried her face into your hand. You gently held her.

“… You must have a kind heart,” he spoke, “… She chose you.” Nothing but pure adrenaline coursed through your veins. Easily, he lifted you up. Your face was near his own. “I… will respect her choice, but I cannot let her go,” he began to carry you away despite your struggles, “I will love you as she does.”

A new rumour said that the tall man had spirited away a traveller for giving the wrong answer.

“AZ,” You tried to keep yourself meek. He had taken you away to his makeshift home in the depth of nature. It was comforting enough – a decent small cabin, but you desperately wished to return to your life. Floette seemed to slowly perk up around him, keep at his side and leaving you to your own thoughts. His eye came to gaze at you. “Do you think that I could tell my family that I'm with you now?” You asked softly. He turned to you.

“… Do you truly need to?” his expression was gentle, but you could feel something underneath, “I'm not certain it would be good for you to return back to society.” You pouted. Glancing away, you felt desperate. Wandering the forest got you no closer to where you needed to go. Floette had even betrayed you and told the tall man when you tried to leave now.

“… Please,” you grasped his larger hand tenderly and pressed it to your cheek, “I just don't want them to worry about me. I will come back, I promise.” He let his brows narrow. A sigh came from him. Suddenly, he motioned for you to follow him. He guided you through the thick brush to Geosenge. You stepped away and headed towards the Pokemon Center to pretend to make a call.

Then, you begged for help while claiming to have gotten lost while hiking. Emergency services saw that you were taken to a hospital before being allowed back home. That experience in with the tall man felt like a distant memory as months drifted on and on.

But, it was a friend begging you to go with them out to a haunted house near Laverre that saw you alone in nature. Your breaths grew sharp as you swore every shadow was just too long. You rushed through until a familiar pokemon let out a cry. No–!

Floette nuzzled her cheek to yours. A tall figure stepped out of the shadows. His expression was difficult to read. But, when an arm suddenly pulled you into him. Something wet falling onto your skin made you tense.

“You lied,” his voice was too soft, “You promised to come back.” He clutched you tighter to him.

“Do you think it's real?”

“What's real?”

“That island.”

“Pfft, come on, didn't you see that video disproving it? Really… An abandoned artificial island?”

“Hey! I'm allowed to believe.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

You perked your head up at the conversation you heard in passing. It had been all over a more conspiratorial side of the internet. Someone with a drone they were flying while out at sea swore they found an island that was not on any map. Other people searched for it on satellite images or with their own drones yet nothing was there. It was a believed edit to scare people, but…

It did make your mind wander.

Maybe too much. A trip out to sea had hardly been your intended adventure for your long weekend, but this fascination had you looking around for anything of interest.

This had proved a fruitless endeavour. It was nothing but blue for endless miles. The sea also grew rougher than closer to evening it became. You readied yourself to head back to land, but something caught your eye.

A lighthouse shining brightly in the distance. It was difficult for you to recall what might have been there. Still, you felt an urge to wait out the worsening weather somewhere closest. You sailed to the lighthouse and got off at a seemingly abandoned port. No one was around.

The place already looked like nothing you had ever seen. Rust ate away at metal all over, while cracks in stone and rotting wood were not uncommon sights. You had assumed everyone was inside due to the weather, but as you stepped up in a small town, no-one was seen. Lights were on despite that.

A sinking feeling in your stomach told you that this place was dangerous, but a loud cry of thunder warned you of the risk of fleeing. You wandered to a building and tried the door.

It opened.

Stepping inside, you considered your options. With conditions worsening, it would be impossible to leave until the weather cleared. The inside of the building was quite the same as the outside. At one time, this place had been a marine restaurant, but now it was decrepit and made you wish to be ahead on vaccinations. Moth-eaten tablecloths still sat on tables, while decorations laid about in varying states of tarnish and decay.

Taking a seat in a chair, you wondered what this island was.

Had this been some failed resort? There was no signal on your phone. Shifting your posture, you laid your head against the table. You felt exhausted from the heavy rain soaking your clothes so thoroughly. The endless pattering of rain against the windows was the only sound in the quiet room. Your eyes closed slowly, letting you drift off. Maybe when you woke up, the storm would have passed, you thought.

The pattering of rain echoed in your ears.

Your eyes opened slowly.

Something was across the table from you, a shadow. Glancing around, you saw that the restaurant looked far nicer. More shadows sat at the other tables and a few buzzed around. Everything felt blurry. The shadow sitting with you reached a hand forward. It grasped your own, cold and clammy.

“Finally,” it sounded like so many people were speaking at you. Your head hurt. “You returned. I've been waiting.” The shadow grasped your hand tighter. Panic welled inside you. Pulling your hand back, you rushed to your feet—

And woke up to falling out of the chair.

Blinking and looking around, you realised that nothing had changed.

A nightmare?

You dusted yourself off and headed out of the restaurant. The rain still poured. You headed back to the piers. Getting out of here seemed best. Except, when you made it back, your boat was nowhere to be found. Tension ate at your mind.

Retracing your steps and confirmed you had gone the right way. Your boat was gone. Panic began to consume you. How? Why? You turned your head to look back at the apparent resort. No one was around. This was dangerous.

Carefully going back up to the resort, your attention landed on something in the distance. A castle…?

Maybe there were people in it. The appearance from the outside seemed more maintained than the resort. Forcing yourself to stand straight, you began to walk towards the cliff face the castle sat upon.

And, when you arrived. Someone was standing outside. Jubilance came from you. Running up to them, you begged for help. They stood there, in a heavy raincoat. Tilting their head, they nodded. You were motioned to follow them as they led you inside the castle.

The inside was as nice as the outside.

But, it was empty besides you and the person in the raincoat.

Everything echoed and travelled. They brought you to a room and pointed to a mannequin wearing far too fancy clothing. You tensed, but the soaking clothing you wore was truly getting to you. A sigh left you as you went behind a screen to change into the offered clothes. It felt far too proper, but it was better than feeling like you had extra weight on you.

Stepping into their line of sight, they gasped. You were then motioned to follow them again. They took you up and up and up until you reached a room within a tower. Someone else stood there, staring out a window.

Their head turned to gaze at you and your apparent benefactor.

“… At long last,” a male voice came, “You are dismissed, Rachel.” At that, the other gave a bow and stepped out. He turned from his spot and approached you. “My betrothed,” the words barely had time to be processed before he caught your hand, “Finally! You kept me waiting.” Opaque sunglasses prevented you from seeing his eyes, but dark horns spouted from his head. “What is your last wish?” he asked. You blinked.

Then, you opted for something obvious. To go back home. His lips fell into a pout. “You are home,” he gripped your hands tighter, “No more of these insufferable jokes of yours – I want to finish the pact.” You shifted. Nothing made sense… But, well… You asked for your boat. He fell silence. Then, he pulled a golden ring from his horn and…

Your boat landed firmly in the water outside the window. And sank.

Your stomach dropped. The man let out a laugh. Then he went silent.

A hand rested on the small of your back.

“And with that… I fulfilled my end of the pact,” he spoke so assuredly, “Are you ready to fulfil your part?” You tried to shove him away and fled from the room, but you tripped over your shoes and crashed onto the rug.

The monster ticked his tongue. “Right… You wished away your memories of here only and asked for my island to be a mirage,” he came around to kneel in front of you, “Hmph. It doesn't matter. The pact is still viable.”

He grasped your hand, and you watched as a dark, inky scrawl began to spread across your skin. It was in a language you did not recognise. “… I'll remind you,” he interlocked his fingers with your own, “In exchange for three wishes, you agreed to become my betrothed. Now that I finished my end… It's your turn.”

He removed his sunglasses to reveal eerie, a golden colour that glowed where his sclera should have been.

“Our wedding will be soon,” he sighed and cupped your cheek, “I'll never let you slip from my grasp again.”

It was then you remembered a legend – one about a being who would grant whatever your heart desired. For a price.

“It's a promise, right?” the boy locked his pinky with your own. You could not make out his face, nor your surroundings. Your pinky was wrapped around his, which felt far too cold. A smile was on his lips— something menacing.

And, you woke up drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

The dream… You had that dream frequently recently. It always seemed to return, no matter what supposed reasoning for it was given online. The boy was someone you felt like you knew, but you never could pinpoint just who. Anyone who you told about it would sometimes claim it was your soulmate.

Still… You forced yourself up to ready yourself for the day. After all, today was the day your group of friends were to go to that village.

The rumours of that village, hidden away by trees from any main roads and isolated from the world. You had supposedly been there when you were young, yet you could hardly recall anything. It felt years away from your current life. There was something that called you back to it, though. The rumours… Everyone in that village had suddenly disappeared one day. No one remained. The police had come, yet it was like everyone had just suddenly disappeared in the middle of their day to day. It was impossible to say what had occurred.

Gossip online was common. The village was cursed. An angry deity spirited everyone away in a rage. There was a mass hysteria and everyone killed themselves. You hardly knew what to believe. But, one of your friends had taken a keen interest in it, exclaiming that you needed to return there. You felt a bit uncertain, but as more of the friend group piled in, you felt more confident in your choice to go.

The car was packed full. Conversation was alight. You watched the passing scenery from your window, wondering just what truly awaited there. Few people had made the venture out to the village due to how far away it was from any other civilisation. Everything grew denser and denser with vegetation. The bright sun obscured by tall trees, leaving a lingering darkness of shade. The road became less and less decent, making the drive a bit bumpy. Eventually, the car stopped.

A village gate— dilapidated and forgotten.

Your head hurt a bit.

“Alright,” your friend who suggested it spoke, glancing at the three of you, “I saw a charm online we should do.” He pulled out a paper charm. “This is called the offering of the bride,” he smiled, “We each pull a piece and keep the charm on our person. It will protect from whatever thing made everyone disappear.” Hands reached out and grasped the paper. The sound of paper ripping echoed out. You took a piece of the bride and placed her in your pocket.

Walking through the gate, you took in the environment—

Before everything went black.

“Is your family really going to move away?” the boy's voice was soft as he swung at your side. The afternoon sun beat down on the both of you. You nodded quietly, a bit sad to be moving away from your home. The boy suddenly stopped swinging. His gaze was locked onto you. “That's not allowed,” he pouted, “My dad said so… He said we are going to get married!”

You tensed. He was standing directly in front of you, but you could not lift your head to meet his eyes. Your breaths were shaky. His hand grasped your own tightly. His pale hand, like death itself. “It's a promise, right?” his pinky locked with your own.

You woke up. The room was dark. Nothing could be seen. You shot up. Feeling around on your person, you managed to find your phone and pulled it out. There was no cell service, but… You turned on the light. You were in a room. A child's room. It was bare, but pictures decorated the wall. Little crayon drawings of a childhood. You tensed. Finding your bearings, you hopped to your feet and ran out from the room. The home looked abandoned after a family moved out. The living room had nothing but rotting wood flooring. Spying your friend laid on in the middle, you moved to wake him up.

It took a few times before he opened his eyes. Glancing at you, he gasped. Clutching his throat, his eyes seemed bloodshot. “I… I had a nightmare,” he shook his head and looked around, “Where is this? The air here feels heavy…” Rising onto his feet, he walked towards a sliding door to the backyard. It was pitch-black outside with a thick fog permeating around. You felt nervous. Standing close to him, he glanced at you.

“… Where's the other two?” he asked. You shrugged and mumbled that you woke up in a nearby bedroom. He grasped his own phone and motioned for you to look in the other rooms. The girl shot out from the bathroom, soaking wet and spluttering out water. She was tense.

“Did you two do that!?” she pointed her finger viciously at you both, “I can't believe you! That was awful.” She tried to wring out her soaked shirt. Shaking her head, she pushed past you both. “I'm going to sit in the car—” she hissed, but he tried to grab her, “Let go! I'm not falling for this stupid prank!” She pulled away and stomped out. He chased after her while you nervously trailed behind. She stepped out into the darkened fog, out of sight. Silence stung the air… Until a loud cry echoed out. You tensed. Something metallic hung in the air. His eyes were wide.

“I… I'm sorry,” he apologised, “I don't know what's going on…”

Your other friend was not in the house.

The two of you found the resolve to leave the house and explore the town. The streets were littered with rotting items and animals. You felt sick. He kept going, trying to follow the road around and sporadically yelling out for either of your friends. You kept close. Slowly, you both realising you had ended up in front of another gate. He stared up at it in silence.

“… A shrine gate,” he said simply, “I… We should probably go here. If any place would be safe from this curse…” He stepped through, and you followed. He was probably right. Your head felt like it was pounding, however. Each step on the stone path beat against your skull. It felt like someone banging a drum right into your ear.

You collapsed to your knees from the pressure and watched as your friend continued on. Reaching out for him, you cried out. The pain became too much, and you fell unconscious, listening to his footsteps as he ascended the stairs to the shrine.

“Don't go,” arms were locked around your torso. A face was buried into your back. “You promised… My family will take you in… Don't go,” his voice was almost empty. You felt tense. You had no option. Your family had been harassed and attacked by the villagers— you were to be some kind of sacrifice. It was horrifying. You heard your name being called out in the distance. The boy only gripped you tighter.

“Don't go….” He tried again. You tried to peel his hands away, only to find yourself frozen on the spot. You cried out for your mom— screaming for her. The boy seemingly vanished by the time she appeared. You clung to her as she apologised over and over again.

Your eyes slowly opened. The room you were in was in much better condition than the rest of the town. Had your friend brought you here? Looking around, you could not see him. A lantern burned beside the bed, illuminating the room. You sat up, rubbing your eyes. A hand suddenly came to rest on your shoulder. It was frigid. You shivered.

“… Welcome back,” his voice was even in tone, “I've been waiting… Our promise must be fulfilled.” That was not your friend. You nervously turned your head. Memories hit you like a freight train upon seeing his face. He was your childhood friend. The local priest's son. A cursed family. Someone you should not have befriended but did. You tried to pull away, but he just embraced you. “You're nervous, right? I bet your friends will be excited to attend,” he held you in his lap, “I got a little jealous, admittedly… You clinging to that one guy. He might not be recognisable for the ceremony.”

You screamed his name and pushed him away. Morty. He should have vanished with the village. Your leaving broke that promise— that promise to purify the priests' bloodline. He looked unbothered. You demanded answers. “This is… a pocket dimension of sorts,” he tried to explain, “The dead linger. The living can't survive here for long.” He moved closer to you.

“Everyone has been waiting for you,” the smile on his lips— that eerie smile that told you exactly what he was. The nauseating scent in the air… You wanted to scream again. “This land of eternal suffering will lessen with you here,” he brought your hand to his lips, “Welcome home, my love.”

“Let's prepare for our wedding.”