Chapter Text
Eli Clark, August 16, 1894
This is my first log. I appeared to the manor uninvited in search of the fortune that lies here. As unexpected as it may be to appear out of the blue, I already knew they would accept me without hesitation. As a player of this manor we are required to write daily logs in our journals. I can only catch glimpses of what the future holds, but I’m afraid I cannot envision the entirety of the game yet. I’m certain my visions will appear to me soon, I’ll wait until then.
Eli closes his journal and puts it away in the desk drawer. His hand reaches over to his owl companion, petting his head. He senses the grim atmosphere from the cloudy weather outside his window. He quickly gets up and locks his room. Though he may be blind, he has no trouble navigating the interior of the mansion’s hallways, eventually arriving at time at the predetermined spot. It appears a total of three other players are present in the lounge. The silence is interrupted by the butler’s ahem.
“Greetings to all players, I hope you all find the manor to be pleasant. The game will shortly start in three hours; consisting of seven ciphers and two exit gates. Your only objective is to escape through any means. Though you can help each other, sabotaging will not be punished. Please feel free to explore and manor grounds and remember to arrive at time. Once again do not break the aforementioned rules:
Do not leave the manor grounds.
Writing in a diary is required during your stay
Violators will be knocked out.
Please enjoy your stay.”
The butler promptly seals the letter and walks away, leaving the group freedom to explore.
“Excuse me”
Eli looks towards the women, she appears to be a barmaid.
“I was hoping we’d get ourselves acquainted before the game. Perhaps we could work together, name’s Demi by the way.” she says cheerfully.
“My name is Eli and I appreciate the offer, but I’ll handle things on my own thank you.”
Eli promptly leaves, leaving Demi hanging with her handshake. Nothing good will come out of that woman, he already knows it. He felt a sense of malicious intent from her, perhaps avoiding her will improve his survivability greatly.
He explores outside behind the manor, still staying within Manor grounds as indicated by the metal fence looping around. He strifes through the sway of dead trees, it's clear the garden has been left unkempt for so long. Perhaps it was on purpose, the greenhouse inside still appears to be in good condition. As he gazes at the gloomy clouds, he feels the cold breeze and another premonition incoming. In his mind he envisions an encounter with a yellow hooded figure, something inhumane. Snapping back to reality he feels a sense of dread from that encounter.
Could it be another threat?
All of a sudden he hears hoots from his companion, indicating someone is approaching. Before long a hand is placed on his shoulder. Intimidated, he glances quickly at the tall figure standing next to him. He couldn’t sense his presence at all, let alone his footsteps. Eli felt bewildered, considering the excess amount of dead leaves on the ground.
“Why we meet again old friend!” he hummed.
“And who are you exactly? I don't recall meeting you…”
“Jack.”
“...Jack”
“My you’ve wounded me deeply Eli, how can you forget this handsome face.”, Jack remarked, tapping on his wooden mask.
Eli feels quite uncomfortable from the confrontation, but is intimidated to not move. He senses the large blades Jack has connected to each digit of his left hand. Even though his foresight confirms he survives to play the game, he’s uncertain whether or not this interaction will create yet another enemy. For his safety he tries to go along with the conversation.
“Have you truly forgotten me Eli? So soon already…”
“When did we meet? Is this not my first time here?”
Jack chuckles in a deep manner, “I guess we'll have fun all over again.”
He leans down and kisses Eli, clasping both hands against his cheek. He retracts and leaves Eli. Hearing his humming slowly drift away, his knees drop to the floor. His heart is pounding rapidly, almost as if it could pounce out of his chest. Eli attempts to calm himself down through focused breathing techniques. Just what on earth happened back there? As he regained his senses he felt a trickle of blood running down his cheek.
As the sun approaches evening; participants arrive at the dining table, served by the butlers and maids. Eli takes note of the other participants' appearance. Next to him seats the barmaid Demi, then a distinguished professor known as Luchino, and the ambitious coordinator Martha. Though he doesn’t know the exact reasoning behind everyone’s attendance, Eli is certain they’re all in it for the money.
Greed.
Not even he is safe from it, but he’s unwilling to lose without bringing in a fight. He’ll fight not through physical force but through a game of wits. His foresight will prevail in the end. After finishing their meals, everyone is brought to the lounge; where they are shortly blindfolded afterwards.
After boarding the vehicle are their blindfolds taken off. Eli finds himself in a rundown shack with a pallet inside. Sea green fills the atmosphere, he takes in a fresh breath of air. The location is already familiar, revealed by his vision: Lakeside Village. A screeching noise is heard, Eli winces until the speakers cut off. Shortly after an ambiguous voice speaks, announcing the start of the game.
Eli swiftly vaults the window and starts decoding the cipher. He’s well aware of the location of his teammates as well as the fifth player, the Feaster. Why was the fifth player absent before the game?
As Eli ponders his train of thought is interrupted by the electrical shock from the cipher.
Focus Eli.
Bells ring throughout the map, indicating the growing presence of a malicious figure.The seer finishes the cipher and looks for another, avoiding the attention of the feaster. In his vision he would be found by The Feaster, incapacitated and eliminated. In an attempt to change his fate he plans on avoiding any confrontation throughout the match, hiding when need be. Soon he feels his heartbeat quickening, an overwhelming sense of dread fills him. Shit. He starts making a run towards a small abandoned boat, long until Demi catches up behind him.
“Sorry Eli, ain’t personal. Enjoy being chow for calamari here!”
Demi trips Eli and runs, vaulting the window up ahead.
As Eli struggles to get back up his back is slammed to the ground. An immense pressure squishes his ribcage. He struggles to breathe with the Feaster on top of him. Yet another futile attempt to change the future. As the tentacles wrap around him, Eli froze up. His senses are overwhelmed from the pheromones. Conflicted between being terrified and yet wanting to get closer to him.
Just as he’s brought to eye level with the Feaster does he notice his terrifying set of eyeballs. Yet he couldn’t help but notice the roughness shown in his hands, the sharp prominent claws. His brain is fried from the oversensation of pheromones and fear. In this state he could barely concentrate let alone use his foresight. As his eyes meet his red eyes, all he could think was saying,
“Hello.”
The Feaster paused for a moment.
Eli blushed red, embarrassed by his greeting. Yet the monster seemed to take interest in him. Expecting to be hit, Eli mentally prepared for an attack; but it never came. Instead, Feaster ripped off the rope from the chair and tied up Eli, dropping him gently on the ground. Flabbergasted, Eli had no words but could only stare at him in awe. As confused as he is by this kind gesture, he felt a small comparred to his massive figure.