Starting at Tower 1, Vil, Rook, Epel, Briar, Sereia, and Trinket, reach the starting point. As they arrive, they hear a lot of moaning and groaning from far below.
"So this is Tartarus... The Phantom containment facility. It's so vast and deep, it's rather overwhelming," Vil says,
I'm feelin a cold updraft. Winter back in Harveston is mighty frigid, but this ain't quite the same," Epel says.
Agreed. This chill is spine-tingling. It elicits an instinctive shiver. Perhaps it's not a mere updraft, but the chill of a fear we all must face -that of our own mortality," Rook says.
"Well, this is certainly a place where the living have no business lingering," Vil says.
Sereia looks down and says, "I can't see the bottom. How far down does it go?"
"I'm not sure. And yet, Grim is somewhere down there alone," Briar says.
Suddenly, Briar begins to shiver and wraps her arms around herself.
"What's wrong, Briar?" Epel asks, concerned.
"I'm freezing. I've never realized how cold this place is," Briar says.
Vil turns to Briar, "Yes. I suppose using your normal school uniforms was only good for a while. But now, with the coldness, using your school uniform is no longer fitable."
"Oui," Rook says, "Allow me to help with your outfit."
"Huh?" Briar questions.
With a wave of his magepen, Rook casts his magic on Briar, and her school uniform changes into a Pomefiore uniform. Briar looks at herself to find herself wearing the school uniform similar to Vil, Rook, and Epel. Then again, she notices Sereia is wearing one in her size.
"Wow. Thanks Rook. You didn't have to do that," Briar says.
"Think nothing of it. We wouldn't want you to catch a chill while traveling down to Tartarus," Rook says.
"Okay. Still thank you," Briar says with a smile.
"You're welcome. You look elegant, like a princess," Rook says.
"Well, it's not really far from the truth," Vil points out.
"What do you mean?" Epel asks.
"It's kind of a long story," Briar says, "For now, let's try to figure out which way we need to go," Briar says.
"Yes. We'll discuss it later," Vil says.
He then explains, "According to our map, there should be an elevator nearby that will take us into Tartarus..." and notices something ahead, "Ah, there's the door."
The group tries to open the door, but it won't budge.
"Of course it won't budge," Vil says.
"The door is locked tight," Briar says.
"They did say Ortho had control of all the electronics in this place. Maybe he's shut down the elevator to keep us from interfering with his plan?" Epel replies.
"You're right," Briar says.
"But what do we do now?" Sereia asks.
Suddenly, the elevator door opens up in front of them, catching everyone off guard.
"The elevator door opened. You know, this is..." Rook says, a little surprised.
Vil says with a serious expression, "...Almost certainly a trap, yes. A prankster android and an elevator are a diabolical match. But it is our only way forward. Let's just hope he doesn't shake the elevator up and down."
"I hope so too. That would not be good for us. Or try to drop the elevator like in the movies," Briar says.
"Please don't say that," Sereia says, worriedly.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you," Briar says.
Soon, the group begins to walk inside the elevator. As soon as they enter, the elevator closes and Ortho's hologram appears in front of them.
Ortho happily says, "Hey, guys! Welcome to Tower 1 of Tartarus, the cursed containment facility!"
"And there's our prankster now," Vil says.
"I can't believe I get to see a real-life version of Night Raven Quest. And it's got new characters and classes we never expected!" Ortho says.
"Wait, what's Night Raven Quest?" Epel asks, confused.
Ortho continues, "This is your party's first checkpoint on your grand quest to reach the Underworld. If you want to take us on, you'll have to prove you're more than a match for this challenge."
"Challenge?" Sereia and Briar reply confused.
Just then, Ortho uses a screen to reveal the title 'Star Rogue A Hero's Dawn' with 'START' down below.
"Is this Star Rogue? The game you had me play during the lockdown?" Vil asks.
"I'll let you into Tartarus if you beat it," Ortho says, "Now... 'Shoot for glory among the stars and soar like a comet!"
With no other choice, Vil decides to play the game in order to enter Tartarus.
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld
FanfictionAfter Grim attacked Briar after the SDC, she and her friends search for him, but captured by Ortho. A few days later, the school has been invaded by strong people is armor, and has captured, Riddle, Leona, Azul, Jamil, Vil, and Briar, and has Grim i...
