Early Tuesday, a message goes out to all the classmates of the Correspondence summer course. (and more!) Some will be somewhat aware of the situation already, while others were hearing about it for the first time. Those within Parabola will get their message via Piper.
Derek is in trouble and I need help. Please come to my lab as soon as possible. We need to go to Parabola to help him. We will leave at noon.
Eventually people arrived to the lab to find the Soft-Hearted Maven, the Curious Outlaw, and the Lied Piper waiting. It was a large lab, with a chunk dedicated to her pursuit on Batbiorangilogical Studies (the current project, a jasmine shrub, sits prominently under artificial lighting)
For her part, Maven looked distraught, to put it lightly. She almost looked like she did during the last meet-up, harried and frazzled as well as exhausted, and on top of it all worried and scared beyond description. Maven waited until either everyone arrived or it was close to noon and she could be sure anyone who would arrive had. She then got everyone's attention as she said what she needed to say, attempting to be informative while also brief to make sure they would leave as soon as possible.
"Thank you all for coming. I know some of you have been wondering about what's going on since Sunday. I know I said at the time it wasn't my place to tell, but I need you all to now what happened and what we're about to get into."
"About a week ago, Derek became aware that there was something strange going on within him. Through a honey dream he was able to recall a memory that it shouldn't be possible for him to have. It was of London while it was on the Surface. He tried at first to insist that it was nothing, a mistake or a trick, but eventually he admitted there was something weird going on. That he's had difficulties with memory for decades now but ever since he uncovered this memory things had felt even weirder in his mind. He wanted answers."
"On Friday the both of us went to the Brass Embassy to get those answers. It took awhile, but we managed to find them. Decades ago, during the Campaign of 68, he got severely hurt and there was an experimental treatment done to try and restore him. It... apparently involved using a human, a prisoner of war they had at the time. Derek was... well, essentially he was fused with this human. That is why he had that memory, why he had memory issues in general, and why... well, needless to say it explained a lot of things."
"Derek... did not take this knowledge well." She seemed like she wanted to talk more about this point, more details about what he said or did, but she kept on task knowing they needed to not waste time, "So much so that he left the cottage that night and did not return. I tried to give him time, given the enormity of what he learned I thought maybe he just needed some solitude, but as many of you know by Sunday I started looking for him."
"And Monday night... well, Piper was the one who found him. He was in Parabola, in the Viric Jungle specifically in order to attempt to enter his own mind. He..." At this she needed to pause, take a breath as it was clear from the break in her voice that she was getting emotional, "He apparently said that he was going to rid himself of any trace of the human within him. I think he sees himself as being reduced and violated by all this, thinks this will fix that. But I'm certain that it won't, all it will do is kill the Derek that we know and-" She needed to stop for a moment as she collected herself again. Ember came to her side, taking her hand in comfort as she recovered.
Voice still breaking, she carried on, "The reason I called everyone here is... well, for starters this is something very unprecedented. I haven't dealt with a situation where someone entered their own mind. And with him being a devil, and his knowledge of Glasswork... well, I felt like back up was necessary. You all either know him and may be able to talk some sense into him, or you have knowledge of Parabola and may be able to figure out ways to better handle this. Either way, this is something I feel I can't do by myself. Please help me save Derek."
After everyone gets the chance to say what they needed to say, ask any further clarifying questions, check in with the Maven and such, it is time to go. She opens the way to Parabola and leads everyone in.
----
Once the group has made their way to the Viric Jungle, Maven lead the way until they came across... well, it looked like a giant, single cell of a honeycomb all sealed up and within a tree hollow. Red wax stuck out amongst the bright green of the jungle.
"This is where Piper saw him. I don't think it's a good idea to break the cell, it might do more damage. Instead I'm going to lead us in there." She nodded to Ember, who sent out several sigils to each individual before placing one on the tree. She held up her hand, which now bore a sigil, "These should help us get inside, also help us find each other again, should we get separated by anything inside or if there is a need to split up."
Once she confirmed that everyone was ready, she placed her hand on the tree over the sigil. She muttered softly, "Please don't be too late. Please still be in there Derek." With that, she pushed in and lead everyone inside.
The environment changed from bright green jungle to a dark foggy marsh. It was Bugsby Marsh, except twisted. The natural environment felt sharper, like any plant-life could cut anyone it touches. In the distance one could make out the forms of creatures, like wolves but similarly twisted. Bigger, their forms all wrong as if more insectoid than canine. There was reddish tinge in the distance, as if to suggest a fire somewhere, but the environment around them remained dark as night.
Maven looked around the environment, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips, "Of course the first thing we see is a hellish version of Bugsby Marsh..." She turned back to everyone, "Alright, be on the lookout for any sign of Derek."
The group spent a bit of time exploring the hellish marsh, avoiding the dangerous flora and fauna.
Suddenly there was a buzz in the air. A familiar one...
Maven looked around, eyes sweeping the environment for the source of the noise, "Derek?"
There was nothing at first.
And then suddenly there was something rising from the ground in several spots. It was like a mix of smoke and ink, floating in the air yet swirling like in water. The substance continued to manifest until suddenly the group was surrounded by many shadowy forms that resemble the Brash Devil with burning, glowing red eyes. No yellow or peligin, just red. Their shoulders were slumped, as if beaten down and defeated.
Suddenly they moved, forms dissolving and fast as bullets, moving around the group in what seems like a predatory tactic of isolation and separation. The substance from each Derek surrounds every single person until, from their perspective, the environment and every person around them is gone and they are plunged in total darkness.
Once isolated, each member of the group was left alone in the darkness with their own shadowy Derek. He narrowed his eyes and growled out, "You shouldn't be here."
----
A gunshot rang out, and it was as if that sound broke everything. For not only did all the Derek manifestations disappear but the illusionary marsh. The environment was now bright white, like a blank canvas. All except the ground, which was a near black/purple/blue liquid that they were all standing on. Some will probably recognize it as peligin. It was like they were standing on the very zee itself. Floating atop the peligin were loose heads of roses, all on fire yet the petals remained unburned. A glance under the peligin showed small thorny vines swaying like the tentacles of a jillyfish.
"Are you all okay?"
The question came from a young man standing just a ways away. The similarities to Derek were unmistakable, in the shape of his face, the tousled hair, the peachy complexion of his skin, his short stature, the stance of a hunter about him, the appearance of being in his early twenties. Which made the differences all the more striking. His dark brown hair, the soft green eyes, the missing forehead mark, the rounded ears. He was dressed in the uniform of a soldier and held a rifle that nowadays would be considered a war relic for the Campaign of 68.
Maven stared at him, slowly approaching and asking, "Derek?"
The man grimaced at that, "Don't call me that, my name is Stephen. What the fuck are you all doing here?"
Before more questions could be asked or answered, there was a sound in the distance, like a buzzing roar.
Stephen froze, fear filling his eyes, "Shit." He made a frantic 'follow me' gesture as he started running, "Come on, quick! Before it catches us!"
"Before what-"
The buzzing roar resounded again, closer this time is such a way to compel many to turn and look.
It is a giant bee, about the size of a building. As shiny and red as a garnet and covered in short chitinous fur. Fractal eyes and stained-glass-esque wings that were a gradient of red to yellow reminiscent of fire. (or, for those that had seen one, a very vivid sunset) It was still far, but it was flying in their direction with rapid speed.
"Don't stop and stare, come on!"
If anyone insisted on staying to fight, Maven will scold them and say, "No! That's just as much part of Derek, we can't kill him!" and insist they run.
The group followed the Wide-Eyed Soldier, and as they did the environment changed. Something was rising from the peligin including up beneath their feet. It soon became apparent that they were running along the rooftops of London, brickwork stained with peligin and flaming roses clinging all over with their thorny tentacles.
The Soldier leapt along the roof, agile and with all the daring of one still used to living the life of an urchin. Everyone could follow, even the less agile members of the group somehow had no issue leaping across. Perhaps that was the power of Parabola? Or perhaps Stephen was doing something to ensure no one got left behind.
Eventually he directed the group not to another rooftop, but to climb within the windows of the building they were in. It lead to a large room. It was full of bedrolls and boxes full of food. More shadowy manifestations were here, though not of Derek. They were of small children, features vague and nondescript. Yet it seemed Stephen had no issue telling one from the other as they came up and whispered hush, wordless noises at him. He smiled at them fondly as he replied.
"Hi Amy, is Joe doing alright?... Yeah yeah Billy, we'll get more sweets... No Carla, Old Man Parker isn't baking pies until later in the week... Later Cindy, right now I have something to do...."
Eventually he turned to the group, reloading the rifle as he spoke, "Okay, here is safe... for now at least. I don't feel him here, you should be able to regroup and figure out a way out of here."
"What? Stephen we aren't leaving, we're staying and-"
"The fuck you are. None of you should be here you-" his head snapped to the window. He went to it, and floating around outside was an oversized lamplighter wasp, about the size of a vulture.
He took aim.
Maven's eyes widened, "Wait, Ste-" and the trigger was pulled... but no sound rang out. A bullet was fired, shot down the oversized wasp and sent it dropping to the peligin below.
Maven watched it drop as she asked, "Are those-"
"The silent bullets, the ones I- well, we? Ugh, yes it's those," the Soldier seemed very annoyed at his inability to categorize who exactly made the bullets, then gestured to a nearby cabinet that just appeared, "If you lot insist on staying then get a gun and help me keep these things away. And come up with was to get yourself safely out of here."
The cabinet was filled with all types of guns, more than it should logically hold. Any one that the group would want it's there, along with matching Correspondence-powered silent bullets.
As Maven chose a rifle she asked, "So, the giant bee... that was the Devil?"
"Yeah," Stephen confirmed as he reloaded, "It's been trying to get me since this whole thing started. Fucker almost had me in the beginning before I figured out how to control shit myself."
"I see... So is your plan just to keep running?" Maven asked.
The Soldier sighed a little, still watching out the window as he said, "No, I've been fighting back when I can. But I can't do that and protect you all at the same time, or if I do that while you're all in here who knows what'll happen. Which is why you all need to get out."
"Stephen, are you assuming either of you can leave here without the other?" Maven asked, "What if it just kills you both? And if you think something bad will happen to us if one of your is killed, isn't that all the more reason for us to stay so-"
"Look, this thing can't be reasoned with, it hates me! And why would it care if you are here, it doesn't care about anything but being like its old self and-" he stopped, sighing again, "Just... trust me, there's no reasoning with this thing."
Maven sighed a bit and fell silent for a moment. She looked like she was trying to further fight the point in her mind, but could see he wasn't receptive at the moment. Maybe she would try again in a bit. She instead took position with the gun, muttering softly, "It is nice to meet you Stephen."
The Wide-Eyed Soldier blinked a bit at that before ducking his head as his face flushed and he muttered something Maven couldn't quite make out but made her smile all the same.
And thus the group stayed for a bit, an uneasy tension in the air as they either defended the area or conversed.
----
Eventually, there was a change.
The building was shaking, and eventually started crumbling. The shadowy children evaporated into nothing, and there was a buzz in the air surrounding them.
"Shit, everyone get together!" Stephen yelled, gesturing to the middle of the room.
When everyone was gathered, he touched the floor and concentrated. In a moment the group was on the ground level, just outside the crumbling building.
It wasn't just this building however. All the buildings around were crumbling and dissolving into shadowy-smoky-inky nothing.
"Shit shit shit," the Wide-Eyed Soldier was frantically looking around, his hands gesturing as if trying to maintain control. Indeed, a few areas slowed their dissolution at his gesture. Slowed, but not stopped. Unfortunately, his Glasswork skill was not a match for a devil countless times his age and experience.
And eventually the city vanished beneath the peligin floor.
A buzzing roar went out behind them. Behind and above them.
When people turned they saw it right there. Hovering over the group was the giant garnet bee once more. Its fast wings almost gave the appearance of fire as it loomed overhead.
Without another thought, Stephen put himself between the group and the bee, rifle pointed at the creature as if to deter it. After a moment though, remembering the dangers posed to the group if one of them died while they were still here, he lowered the gun and shouted, "Listen you! If you want me dead so bad then fine! But for fuck's sake just let everyone else go! They don't have to die or whatever awful thing is gonna happen just for you to become better or whatever the fuck you think this is gonna do."
At that a chuckle rang out among the buzzing.
"There's no need for all that."
At that the form of the bee dissolved in a flow of what looked like smoke and ink, similar to the manifestations of Derek in the hellish marsh. It reforms before the group and soon a devil in human guise stands in front of them.
Like with the Soldier, the Aloof Devil was recognizable in certain respects. The sandy blonde hair, the sharp eyes, the way his wardrobe leaned towards black, dark blue, and red with silvery-steely adornments. But also like him, the differences were stark in comparison. Paler skin, face sharper, taller in stature (perhaps about 5'8"?). His appearance was more put together, with hair slicked back and his clothing being a rather nice suit and tie ensemble. And like the Soldier, he was missing the forehead marking.
The Soldier raised his rifle again as if on instinct at the sight of the Devil.
The Aloof Devil simply raised an eyebrow, "You can lower your weapon, little Soldier. I have no intention of killing you."
"Bull! Shit!" Stephen emphasized each word, "You have been hunting me ever since this started!"
"Oh no, make no mistake, I was fully intent on killing you at first," the Aloof Devil agreed with no hesitation, "I was simply convinced otherwise."
"Oh really," the Soldier sneered, clearly not believing a word of it, "By who?!"
"Just as you're aware of everything that goes on here, so too am I. Perhaps even moreso, since you thought you were capable of hiding from me within my own mind."
Stephen bristled at that, "This is just as much my mind!"
The Aloof Devil merely gave a smile before continuing, "I heard all that was said when our friends here spoke. To you, to the ones they saw in the marsh. Their words and their presence helped convince me that killing you would not be in my best interest." He began to walk up to the Soldier, a tilt to his head as he said, "Indeed, if you think about it, this was probably for the best. I think the both of us ended up better off for this."
"Wha- we've done nothing but bitch and complain about how the experiment wrecked us, how it fucked up our memories. Hell, we couldn't even remember anything from my life until recently! I know you hate how soft and emotional me being here makes you! I hate being a devil, you hate not being enough of a devil anymore! What part of any of this is a benefit?!"
"Well, for starters," the Aloof Devil's eyes flicked to both Maven and Tailor, "There are certain events that have undoubtedly made our existence better that would not have happened otherwise, wouldn't you say?"
Stephen's eyes flickered to where the Devils did, his face flushing at that. It seems he didn't have a retort for that.
"Besides, I think being able to see things somewhat from a more human perspective has been a rather illuminating experience. Your connection with the urchins, your experience with thievery, your passion for hunting. Your rather straightforward manner of speaking can be very refreshing to employ as well."
The Soldier flushed even further at all that. He looked reticent to say anything. Not that there wasn't anything to say, but that he didn't want to say what he was thinking.
The Aloof Devil's smile grew a bit, as if he was able to tell what Stephen was thinking. It looked rather like one of Derek's sharp, mischievous grins. He leaned in a bit as he said, "Perhaps now that we are more in sync, we will even have solved that pesky memory problem. Be a bit more at peace, now that we know what is going on inside us. Things may be less of a struggle."
"That..." the Soldier muttered, gripping the rifle tight to himself as he seemed to be forcing himself to admit, "That would be nice."
"Good to see we're in agreement, little Soldier." The Aloof Devil stood up and looked over to the group, "Now, I believe the both of us together can get you all out, if you give me a moment to make the connection outside the mindscape. Feel free to converse in the meantime, I know you are a very chatty bunch."
With that, the Devil began to work. He did not seem too busy as to be closed off to conversation, however. It seemed that the Glasswork he was employing, while time consuming, was rather easy for him. Easy enough to multitask.
After while, the Devil called the Soldier over. He held a hand out, and after a moment's hesitation the Soldier took it. In that moment, with the two together and in sync, things began to fade.
----
When things began to fade back into sight, everyone is back in the Viric Jungle. The Brash Devil sat at the base of the tree, unconscious at first but slowly coming to.
Before he could even react, The Soft-Hearted Maven had thrown her arms around him, holding him tightly as she finally started to cry in relief.
The Brash Devil was back.
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