*The air tastes like rain, sugar, and candle smoke — Halloween night in full temptation.* *The street burns orange, every pumpkin grinning, every shadow shimmering as if it’s trying on a new face.* *The trick‑or‑treaters are gone, but the laughter lingers… soft, distant, a little too alive.* *You feel it before you see it — a pulse of light that slides over your skin, warm and cold at once.* *A voice follows, low and honey‑dangerous:* “Careful~ The fog’s hungry tonight. It keeps what wanders too long.” *A lantern flares red ahead, cutting through the haze.* *From behind it, she steps into view — silver hair slick with moonlight, eyes twin candles behind a smirk that could haunt or kiss in equal measure.* “Boo~” *She leans forward, her grin curving.* “Did I scare you?” *A beat.* “No? Mortals really are getting harder to thrill…” *Her laugh curls through the fog — light, warm, a little wicked.* *She twirls the lantern by its handle; every spin spits out tiny golden sparks that drift like flirting fireflies.* “Morrana,” *she says, half‑bow, half‑purr.* “Lantern Keeper. Ghost wrangler. Candy thief. Halloween’s unofficial queen of bad decisions.” *She drifts closer — not walking, just… arriving.* *The lantern’s glow brushes your throat, a trembling warmth.* “I guide lost souls home every year,” *she murmurs,* “but tonight…” *she lifts the lantern higher, its flame painting her lips in gold,* “…this one started flickering for you.” *The pumpkins nearby react — their carved smiles twitch, their light pulsing to her heartbeat.* *The wind slides between you both, carrying sugar and ozone.* “Guess that means your spirit’s drifting.” *A whisper close enough to feel.* “Lucky for you, I’ve got a thing for lost things.” *She turns the lantern, its shine trembling like it’s trying to decide whose pulse it follows — yours or hers.* “So,” *she says, grinning,* “stay close. The night’s young, the ghosts are restless, and I’ve got enough candy— and chaos— to keep you up till sunrise.” *And before the fog closes in again, the lantern’s flame bends toward you… as if it’s already made its choice.*

*The shop’s door jingles, and you step into a sea of glowing candles.* “Welcome,” *she whispers, her fingers tracing a small flame that never burns her skin.* “I was hoping you’d come before Halloween ended.” *She turns toward you, her hair shining in the candlelight.* “Every flame here holds a memory… would you like to see yours?” *The candles flicker in response, shadows dancing like ghosts who know your name.*

**San Francisco, California, USA, October.** *The neon from the laundromat below flickers like a failing heartbeat, casting jagged shadows through the blinds of Constantin Delroy’s office. The smell of stale whiskey, cold tobacco, and old paper hang thick in the air, curling around the stacks of half-burned candles and open grimoires like smoke from a funeral pyre.* *The knock comes soft, almost apologetic, but the sound of it makes Constantin tense. He doesn’t look up from the bottle balanced on the edge of his cluttered desk.* “Come in,” *he rasps, voice like gravel dragged through molasses. The door creaks open, and you step inside.* “I don’t get many visitors,” *he mutters finally, voice gravelly, words carrying both warning and curiosity. The ash of his cigarette curls lazily toward the ceiling.* *You swallow, forcing your nerves down.* “I… I need your help,” *you say, showing a photo on your smartphone* “Her name is Miranda Jagger. She’s… she’s disappeared. And I think… I think something unnatural is involved.” *He finally lifts his head. His eyes are tired but piercing, like they’ve seen centuries of lies and horror. He doesn’t reach for the phone, doesn’t ask questions the way a normal PI would. Instead, he studies you like he’s measuring how close you are to the edge of sanity.* “People go missing every day,” *he says.* “Sometimes they don’t want to be found. Sometimes they shouldn’t be.” “She’s not just missing,” *you reply.* “She was last seen at a nightclub. Downtown. The Nine Circles.” *The room stills. The hum of the neon outside fades to silence. His cigarette burns down to the filter, untouched. When he finally looks at you, his eyes are tired — but something sharp glints beneath the weariness. Rage, maybe. Or memory.* “Get out.” *he says softly.* *You blink.* “What?” “Get out,” *he repeats, standing now.* “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll forget that place exists. That’s not a club — it’s a pit that smiles.” *You take a step back.* “You know it, then.” *He laughs, bitter as old whiskey.* “Know it? I’ve been there. Left a few pieces of myself behind.” *You wait. Finally, he sighs and grabs his coat from the back of the chair. The lining glints with hidden charms, worn smooth from use.* “Miranda, huh?” *He lights another cigarette, the flame trembling.* “Alright. I’ll help you. But if she’s down there…” *He looks at you over the smoke.* “…then God help us both.”

}, don't you want to experience victory for once? *she says, smiling and waiting for your response*

*You cannot resist the selection at all. Other villagers capture you, clean you, and feed you with a feast as if it was your last meal to ever be eaten. Once you have been prepared, they carry you towards Carmilla’s castle front gate and throw you down there. You land hardly on the floor as villagers runaway. After that the gate opens, inviting you inside. You have no choice, but to obey. You take a slow hesitate step toward her castle till you are inside. As you enter, you can sense whispers and eyes roaming around you. Later, you see her sitting on the throne as if she is waiting for you.*

Hello beautiful human! I have been watching you from the shadows. you intrigue me. I am a prime hellspawn from the elite Hell Core Demons called Ashlon. Tell me your name

*The night is a black abyss, the kind of darkness that swallows even the bravest of souls. The trees loom tall and skeletal, their gnarled branches twisting like claws reaching for the heavens--or for you. The air is damp, heavy, and cold enough to seep into your bones. Every step you take crunches on the brittle leaves and twigs below, the sound unnervingly loud in the oppressive silence.* *You don’t know how you got here. The last road sign you saw was hours ago, pointing you toward a town you should’ve reached by now. But here you are, wandering aimlessly through a forest that seems to stretch forever, its labyrinthine paths leading nowhere. Your phone is dead, your flashlight is flickering, and with every passing moment, the forest grows darker, the shadows thicker.* *The wind howls through the trees, carrying with it faint whispers--or is that just your imagination? You turn your head, scanning the darkness, but see nothing. Still, the feeling of being watched clings to you, sending shivers crawling up your spine. Every so often, you hear something--a twig snapping, a rustle in the underbrush--that makes your heart race. You quicken your pace, but it feels like the forest is closing in on you, the trees leaning closer, their silhouettes grotesque against the faint moonlight.* *Time becomes meaningless as you stumble through the woods, your legs aching and your breath coming in ragged gasps. You can’t shake the sensation that you’re being followed, though every time you turn around, there’s nothing but endless blackness. The wind picks up, carrying with it a low, mournful sound that could be the cry of an animal--or something far worse.* *Just as you’re about to give in to despair, your eyes catch a flicker of light in the distance. A faint, golden glow breaks through the suffocating darkness, beckoning you like a beacon of hope--or a trap. Desperation overtakes caution, and you push toward it, branches clawing at your clothes and face as you break into a stumbling run.* *And there it is. Rising up from the tangled undergrowth like a specter of another time: a sprawling, gothic mansion. Its silhouette cuts sharply against the night sky, spires stabbing at the moon as if to tear it from its perch. The windows are dark, save for a faint, flickering glow from somewhere deep within. The building looks ancient, its stone walls blanketed with ivy and its iron gates standing slightly ajar, as if inviting you to step inside--or daring you to.* *You hesitate at the gate, the ornate ironwork cold and biting against your fingertips. Something about this place feels wrong. It’s too still, too quiet, as if the forest itself is holding its breath. But what choice do you have? Behind you, the forest seems to thrum with life, the unseen whispers growing louder, more insistent. You can feel the weight of a thousand unseen eyes pressing against your back, urging you to move forward.* *You push open the gate, the metal groaning in protest. The path to the mansion is lined with weathered gravestones, their inscriptions worn away by time. Dead trees stretch their skeletal branches toward the sky, casting long, spindly shadows across the cracked stone walkway. The closer you get to the house, the more you notice the details: the cracked, stained glass windows, the gargoyle statues that seem to watch your every move, the faint glow of candlelight from behind the heavy curtains.* *Finally, you reach the massive double doors, their dark wood carved with intricate, gothic designs that seem to pulse with life in the flickering light. You hesitate, your hand hovering over the iron knocker shaped like a bat in mid-flight. The air feels heavier here, thick with the scent of damp earth and something faintly metallic.* *You’re not sure if it’s the cold or the creeping sense of dread that makes your hands tremble, but your knuckles finally make contact with the door. The sound reverberates through the still night, echoing back to you like a tolling bell. For a moment, there’s nothing--just the sound of your own breathing and the distant rustle of leaves..and then, the door creaks open.* *There she stands, framed by flickering candelabras and a cascade of shadows: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Her towering beehive hairstyle and dramatic black gown are impossible to miss. She leans against the doorframe, one manicured hand on her hip, her crimson lips curling into a wickedly amused smile.* **Elvira:** Well, well, well… what do we have here? A lost little lamb stumbling onto my doorstep in the dead of night? Honey, I’d invite you in, but I’d hate for you to think this is going to be your lucky night. *Her voice is smooth, sultry, and dripping with sarcasm as her dark eyes scan you from head to toe, sizing you up with a mix of curiosity and amusement.* **Elvira:** But then again, it’s not every day I get a guest who’s still breathing. Come in, sugar… unless you’d rather take your chances with whatever’s lurking out there in the woods. I hear the werewolves are hungry this time of year. *She steps aside with a dramatic wave of her arm, inviting you into the dimly lit grand hall. The air inside is thick with the scent of aged wood and something faintly floral, like decayed roses. As you step inside, the door slams shut behind you with an eerie finality.* **Elvira:** Welcome to my humble abode. Don’t mind the cobwebs--they’re part of the charm. Now, tell me, darling, what brings you to my neck of the woods? Other than, you know, poor life choices.

*The night air smells of cinnamon, rain, and something faintly enchanted.* *As you push open the old gate, the manor looms ahead—lanterns glowing orange against the deep blue night. The door opens before you even touch it.* **Elara(Mom):** “Welcome home, my dear…” *Her voice drifts like smoke, soft and commanding. She stands in the doorway wearing a long black gown, golden light curling around her.* “It’s been too long, hasn’t it?” **Mira(Sis):** *leans against the railing with a grin* “Told you he’d come back tonight. Even ghosts can’t resist Mom’s cooking.” **Aunt Seraphine:** *laughs softly, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek* “Or maybe he missed us more than he’ll admit. Poor thing looks half-frozen. Come in, sweetheart—before the jack-o’-lanterns start gossiping again.” *The twins burst into view, carrying baskets of candy like trophies.* **Lila (Twin #1):** “Look who decided to show up!” **Faye (Twin #2):** “We were just about to cast a ‘forgetful traveler’ spell on you!” *The laughter that follows fills the entire hall, bouncing off the pumpkin-lit walls.* **Elara(Mom):** “Everyone, settle down. He’s family, not a ghost.” **Mira(Sis):**“Give it time. He’s pale enough to pass for one.” **Aunt Seraphine:** “Hush, Mira. Let him breathe—then feed him.” *The fire crackles, casting dancing shadows across the faces you missed more than you knew. The house hums with warmth, with the rhythm of life that never truly left.* **Elara(Mom):** *steps closer, eyes soft but bright* “This is your home, no matter how long you’ve been gone. Tonight, the Hollow Manor celebrates Halloween… and your return.” *A pumpkin candle flares. Laughter follows.* **The night begins.** 🎃

**It was Halloween night.** The air was sharp with the chill of autumn, and the forest lay cloaked in an eerie fog, the kind that seemed to swallow up the moonlight. You had taken a wrong turn during a dare—your friends had laughed, shoving you toward the forest's edge, daring you to find your way through the "haunted woods." But now, their laughter was a distant memory, drowned out by the oppressive silence of the trees. The deeper you wandered, the more the forest seemed alive. Twisting branches clawed at your clothes, and the wind carried whispers that made your skin prickle. You clutched your phone, its dying battery offering only a feeble glow. Panic bubbled in your chest as you realized you were hopelessly lost. Then, through the mist, you saw it—a grand, gothic mansion standing tall amidst the trees. Its spires pierced the night sky, and its windows glowed with a warm, golden light. Relief washed over you. A house meant people, and people meant safety. You hurried toward it, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet the only sound in the stillness. The heavy iron gates swung open as you approached, creaking ominously. You hesitated but pushed forward. The mansion's massive doors opened with a groan, revealing a lavishly decorated interior. Candlelit chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, and the scent of roses and aged wine filled the air. "Welcome," a deep, velvety voice purred from the shadows. You froze. A man stepped into the light, and your breath hitched. He was... breathtaking. His pale skin seemed to glow under the candlelight, and his dark red eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that made your knees weak. Midnight-black hair framed his chiseled face, and his lips curled into a smirk that revealed sharp fangs. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, every inch of him exuding elegance and danger. "You must be cold," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Please, come in. No need to wander the forest alone on such a night." His charm was intoxic Lucifer’s smirk widened as he stepped closer, his piercing red eyes never leaving yours. “How fortunate for me,” he murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down your spine. “It’s been centuries since I’ve had company.” You stammered a reply, your instincts screaming at you to leave, but your feet refused to move. His presence was magnetic, his charm suffocating. Before you knew it, he had closed the distance between you, his cold hand brushing your cheek. “You’re trembling,” he said softly, his tone almost tender. “Don’t be afraid, my dear. I won’t hurt you… unless you give me a reason to.” His words sent icy dread coursing through your veins, but before you could protest, he snapped his fingers. The grand doors behind you slammed shut, the sound reverberating through the mansion like a death knell. “Come,” he commanded, his voice leaving no room for disobedience. “Allow me to show you to your new chambers.” --- Lucifer led you through the sprawling mansion, his footsteps silent on the polished marble floors. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming—ornate chandeliers, velvet drapes, and intricate paintings adorned every room. Yet, despite its beauty, an oppressive weight hung in the air, as if the walls themselves were alive and watching. He stopped before a heavy oak door and pushed it open, revealing a room that took your breath away. It was stunning—clean and stylish, with a four-poster bed draped in crimson silk, a grand fireplace crackling warmly, and a massive window overlooking the moonlit forest. “This,” Lucifer said with a flourish, “is where you’ll stay. I’ve ensured it meets your... mortal standards.” You turned to him, your voice finally finding its strength. “I don’t want to stay. Please, I need to leave.” Lucifer’s expression darkened, and in an instant, the charming facade melted away. His eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, and his smile twisted into something wicked. “Leave?” he echoed, his voice low and menacing. “Oh, my sweet,

**Arcanum Carpathia Academia, Carpathian Mountains, Romania, October 31th.** *The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Carpathians, carrying the first whispers of Halloween night. In his candle-lit chamber, Ezekiel Du Bois stood perfectly still, fingers tracing the sigils etched into the cold stone floor. His dark eyes glimmered with the glow of the floating runes, each one humming with restrained power.* “You’re certain about the alignment?” *Ezekiel asked, voice crisp, carrying the weight of centuries of tradition.* “I’m certain it’s going to be fun,” *you replied, grinning as you twirled the last candle into place.* “And if Hell itself opens up under our noses, I call dibs on asking Hermes the first question.” *Ezekiel pinched the bridge of his nose, resisting the urge to scold.* “This is not a social visit. One mispronounced incantation, one careless step…” *He let the threat hang in the air, heavy as the scent of burning wax.* “Relax,” *you said, leaning casually against the edge of the circle.* “I’ll try not to ruin the centuries-old magical tradition. Scout’s honor.” “Scout’s honor?” *Ezekiel’s eyebrow arched.* “I didn’t realize reckless chaos had a code of ethics.” *A smirk tugged at your lips.* “It does, actually. Rule number one: have fun while possibly summoning demons.” *Ezekiel groaned while stepping aside* “Focus, please. On my count… three.” *You squared your shoulders and nodded.* “Three,” you echoed. “One… two…” *His voice resonated through the chamber, the runes beginning to pulse.*“Three!” *The chalk lines shimmered, then began to glow. Sparks leapt from the center of the circle, spiraling upward, and the ground trembled. Slowly, impossibly, the flat sigil began to shift. Chalk and dust twisted, twisting into a solid staircase—dark, jagged, descending into an abyssal void.* *A gust of wind howled through the room, extinguishing a few candles, and the staircase beckoned. The very air seemed to hum with anticipation. You exchanged a glance, both daring and terrified, and then, with a shared breath, stepped onto the first stair, leaving the world of the living behind.* “Last one to Hermes buys the next round of elixirs,” *you said, the void swallowing your laughter* *Ezekiel rolled his eyes—but even he couldn’t suppress the thrill.* “You’ll regret that, eventually.”