The Megamycete Catalogues All Of Us

1

Happy Friday everyone!
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"Come on, jump! I'll catch you!"
"I can't!"
"Do it, Sophie!"
She gulped and threw herself over the gap and landed the other side.
"Come on!"
They ran across the heavy snow towards the mountains. They remained together. As the reached the base of the mountain, they took a break. The remaining maidens of Castle Dimitrescu turned around and look at the burning castle. They huddled together for warmth.
"I never thought this day would come..."
"Where will we go?"
"We'll see after we get on top of these mountains... We will get somewhere safe, don't worry. Come on, let's keep going."

The mountain was steep, but they all worked together and reached the top. They all sat down and took a rest but as soon as they did, they heard crumbles and cracks. The castle began to collapse.
"Look!" One said, pointing at the castle. The highest tower collapsed and crashed, then the other, then the other. Some began crying, some did not. It was a sight to see. The vast castle, falling into millions of pieces... The other side of the mountain looked promising and one maiden noticed a building ahead but struggled seeing it.
"There." She said, "Come on. We need to keep going!"
"Let us rest for a few minutes-"
"We can't, they'll just be more sore the longer we sit."
Many groan but rise to their feet.
"I hope you know where you're going..."

"Catina, a group of people have been seen by our cameras."
"People?" She asked, looking up from her phone.
"Yeah, heading this direction."
"Are they armed? Do they show any threat?"
"No, they look... helpless and lost."
Catina hums, then nods.
"Let them in but stay alert, just in case."

"Come on, stay close. We don't know if these people will welcome us or not..."
One goes to the door and knocks. The door opens and Catina steps out. She leans against the doorway.
"So sorry to bother you, ma'am but... we saw this building from a distance and thought we should approach it."
"You came to the right place. Come in, you all look so tired!"
Catina stood aside and held the doors open and let the maidens in.
"Here," she said, leading them into the sitting room. "Make yourselves at home. I'll make some tea."
The sitting room was large and lit by candlelight and fire. Some maidens sat down, while others stood in front of the fire.
"This place is fabulous." Sophie said, rubbing her hands together.
"Good call."
"Yeah... it feels cosy."
They agree. Suddenly, Kelly's attention was taken by the painting across the room from her. It was hidden in the darkness. She stood up and brought a candle with her. She put it up close to the painting and it revealed a painting of a woman. She looked familiar...
"Guys..." Kelly said, "Look at this."
They look at the painting.
"That looks like..."
"Y/N..."
Suddenly, Catina walked in with a tray of tea and biscuits.
"I see that painting interests you."
Kelly shoots around.
"So sorry, she just looked familiar."
Catina left the tray down.
"That's Y/N. She was the last descendant of the builder of this castle, before family L/N took it over. How was she familiar to you?"
Kelly sighed and looked back to the painting.
"We worked for her, her partner and her daughters."
Catina steps back.
"They still live? Did you all finally escape them?"
"What? Well, no-"
Catina gestured for them all to sit down. She sits ahead of them.
"Y/N grew up in this castle long ago. I've heard her story millions of times. It continues through the family.... She was born here, just over 100 years ago. She had a normal enough childhood, going out with friends and spending time with her family. She was great friends with the Lord Dimitrescu's daughter, Alcina. They were inseparable. Over Y/N's teenage years, things began to go downhill. She was found kissing a female villager and then she was forced into marriage with Mr. Alexander L/N. Over that time, she still remained close with Alcina. Soon, in their adult years, they were seeing each other without their husbands knowing. Darius and Alexander tried to keep them apart but it was impossible. But when Alcina fell ill, Y/N wouldn't leave her side and that night of Alcina's death, they disappeared. They searched and searched then found them, changed and dangerous. They tried to get them back, but it resulted in most of their men dying. They were never heard of since. You said you all worked for them? After what they did?"
"Well, we didn't know they did that but they were just two women wanting to live a life together with their family... They treated us well... enough."
"Enough?"
"Just at times, they got angry."
Catina nodded.
"Did you finally escape them?"
Kelly shook her head.
"A man, Ethan Winters. He came to the castle and killed them all, including some of the maidens. We were the only survivors."
"I see... Well, I'm so sorry..."
"It's not your fault."
Catina sighed and straightened herself.
"Well, Castle L/N is your new home. We'll take care of you."
"Thank you, it means a lot."
Catina rose to her feet and smiled.
"If there's anything I could do for you all, in honour of the Dimitrescu family, please let me know."
Before Catina could leave the sitting room, Gina stood up.
"Let us go back. Collect what we can. It should be kept here, not in the ashes of the castle."
The other maidens agree. Catina faces them.
"Well then, whenever you want to go, you shall. You can use our car out front."

He sighed, taking one last look at the castle. From his merchant cart, he lay six blood red roses where the main door to the castle was.
"Rest easy. May the roses bloom again and never wither... Let them dodge the crow and the shadows underneath its wings. Let them rule and bring the village under their own wings of light, love and safety..."