The group moved cautiously, the oppressive air of the twisted circus bearing down on them. Every step brought them closer to the echoing, sinister laughter of the ringmaster. It was a mocking, gleeful sound that sent chills down their spines.
Onyx led the way, his shoulders tense and his pace unrelenting. Behind him, the group exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to approach him after what had just transpired.
As they pushed through the last set of hanging curtains, the scene before them froze them in their tracks.
The ringmaster stood at the center of the warped stage, his flamboyant attire glowing faintly under the eerie light. Around him, Wei, Tixo, Elion, Zephyr, Rex, Ryuji, Thorne, and Althir were suspended midair, trapped in intricate webs of glowing red strings that pulsed like veins. Each person struggled futilely against their bindings, their expressions a mix of defiance and pain.
“Well, well,” the ringmaster cooed, his arms outstretched as he turned to greet the newcomers. “You’re just in time for the grand finale! How delightful!”
Tixo, barely conscious, weakly lifted his head, his voice hoarse as he whispered, “Run… don’t let him—”
“Ah, ah, ah!” The ringmaster wagged a gloved finger, silencing Tixo with a sharp tug of the strings that made the Tabaxi cry out in pain. “No spoilers! I hate spoilers.”
Greyson’s scythe appeared in his hand instantly, his eyes narrowing as shadows gathered around him. “Release them. Now.”
The ringmaster grinned wider, as if savoring the threat. “Oh, my dear Reaper, why would I do that? This is all part of the show!” He snapped his fingers, and the strings began to tighten, eliciting pained gasps from the captives.
Onyx clenched his fists, his eyes darting between the struggling group and the ringmaster. The sight of Wei and Tixo caught his attention longer than the others, but he quickly averted his gaze. “Enough of this,” he growled. “We’re ending this now.”
The ringmaster tilted his head, feigning disappointment. “Oh, Onyx. Always so serious. You really do know how to kill the mood.” His grin turned sharp, his voice dropping into something far more menacing. “But very well. Let’s see how far your convictions take you.”
Before anyone could react, the stage began to twist and shift, the wood beneath their feet warping into writhing tendrils that lashed out at them. The red strings glowed brighter, and the captives screamed as they were pulled tighter into the web.
Ren darted forward, his sword blazing with energy as he slashed at the tendrils, clearing a path. “We have to free them!” he shouted, determination overriding his shaken composure.
Greyson and Anais moved in tandem, unleashing their abilities to push back the encroaching chaos. Amethyst conjured shields of light to protect them as they advanced.
Meanwhile, the ringmaster cackled, stepping back and watching the chaos unfold. “Yes, yes! Dance for me, my little pawns! Prove your worth—or fall like the rest!”
The group fought valiantly, but the ringmaster’s power seemed limitless, the stage itself becoming a living nightmare. And yet, above the din of battle, the sound of his laughter echoed, a constant reminder of the overwhelming odds stacked against them.
YOU ARE READING
Darkwood: Circus Inferno
ParanormalA young teen who helps his family run a mortuary in the small town of Darkwood finds out that every town has secrets. A year after Gerald's death, Onyx and the group all adjust to the new atmosphere and the newly rebuilt town. As a new circus attrac...
