Day 8 (Noon)/Guzore/156/Where: Portal/With: HimselfGuzore tumbled helplessly down the rocky slope of a seemingly endless mountain. Disoriented and confused, he wasn't sure how he got here. He tried to stop himself from rolling down any further, but the slope just seemed to get steeper and steeper as he rolled down faster. He began to yell for help, but quickly hit the ground. Stunned but not incredibly injured, he got himself back up off of the ground and brushed the dust off of his legs.
Whoa... that was quite the ride...He looked around and saw all of his friends in front of him, all looking at the stone cliffs surrounding them. They had their backs turned to him, so he couldn't see their faces. He tried to run up to them, but quickly realized there was a deep chasm between the ground he was standing on and the ground they were standing on that seemed to go on forever.
Wha-? Uh... oh, don't worry, guys! I'll find a way to get us out of here, hohohoho!There was a tremendous shake in the ground that caused Guzore to fall onto his back. Loud cracks could be heard from up above. Guzore looked at the top of the rocky cliffs and saw that it was a volcano erupting. Hot lava was making it's way down towards Guzore's friends on the other side of the cliff, but they didn't seem to be budging.
Oh no, guys!! Look out for that lava!They didn't move.
HEY!! ZEPH, FERONDIR, DELLA, ALL OF YOU!!!They remained motionless, staring at the lava coming towards them. It drew closer and closer with each attempt Guzore made to get their attention. The chasm in between them looked larger now, and he couldn't see his friends quite as well. It was at this point that Guzore began to panic, fearing for his friends' lives. He paced around in circles rapidly with his head in his hands until he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was... Amethyst? Guzore jumped back in surprise.
WHOA!! I thought you... on the ship... you're alive? How??Guzore reached his arm forward towards Amethyst, but it phased through her. He stared at her in awe.
...are you a ghost?You could've saved me.Guzore froze. He could've saved her from Gill? The thought began to make sense to him as he thought more about it. He visualized the scenario as he remembered it, with Gill preparing to strike Amethyst in the back right in front of Guzore as he watched helplessly.
...I let you die... I couldn't protect you...Amethyst closed her eyes and nodded.
It's not too late to save your friends though.Guzore turned around and remembered the lava flowing towards his friends.
How can I do it?Amethyst's form began to flicker and mildly distort for a moment.
Before I tell you, I'll need you to make a deal with me.Guzore looked at Amethyst intently, eager to save his friends as quick as possible.
I need you to jump into the chasm.Guzore's eagerness changed to suspicion as he questioned Amethyst's logic.
Wait... but how will that-It's the only way.Guzore looked at his friends as the lava drew even closer and questioned whether or not to trust this Amethyst ghost. If he fell and died, he wouldn't be able to...
Complete the prophecy...Guzore looked at Amethyst and began to remember where he had been before. The Badlands. The tower. The portal. Amethyst's figure began to distort again.
You're not... this isn't real.JUMP INTO THE CHASM.Amethyst's figure began violently contorting in shape and changing color. Guzore turned to look at his friends behind him and realized that they had never even made eye contact with him. They couldn't be real either. Guzore looked at Amethyst, filled with determination.
No.Amethyst's figure continued to distort in shape and color until it took the form of a shadow being with arms reaching out to Guzore. His friends on the other side of the chasm turned around, revealing their faces to be those of shadow beings as well.
YOU CAN'T GO BACK.Guzore knew that this was a test by now. The shadow beings and spacial distortion were pretty dead giveaways. He suddenly realized that if this was a dream, he could control it. He looked up from the mountain he rolled down from and saw a glowing portal at the top.
Sorry brothers, but I've gotta roll out here.Using all of his mental energy, Guzore formed a giant trampoline in front of him and leaped onto it.
OH NO, HE'S LUCID. GET HIM!!The shadow beings began chasing after Guzore as he flew through the air with an unrealistic lack of friction towards the portal. He turned around, still flying upwards, and snapped his fingers. Barrels began appearing out of clouds of pink dust and launching themselves at the shadow demons, exploding into popcorn on impact. Most of the shadow beings were taken out by these, but the one that looked like Amethyst was still flying towards Guzore. He quickly pulled out a whistle from his bag and blew on it, summoning a giant Ravoo from the depths of the chasm. The giant Ravoo opened it's mouth and shot out it's giant tongue to grab the remaining shadow demon. Trapping it in the air, he blasted it with his laser vision, creating an immense explosion of fireworks. Guzore smiled with satisfaction, knowing that he had saved the day, as he completed his flight upwards and passed through the portal.
Day 8 (Noon)/Veneficus/156/Where: Portal/With: HimselfVeneficus looked around him, but all he saw was darkness and a white mist surrounding him. His helmet and weapons were gone as well. He felt confused and disoriented, like his usual will and conscious decision making abilities were lacking. He couldn't remember how he got here and it felt like it had been days since he had done anything.
What is this...?He heard footsteps behind him.
...Oh.He turned around.
...and who might you be, mysterious voice in the dark...?The footsteps drew closer and the being's figure was revealed.

Veneficus felt an odd sense of deja vu upon seeing this being, but couldn't remember where from.
What's going on here? Why am I here? I want answers!The being sighed.
Oh, what I wouldn't give for an answer myself... Why am I here? What purpose do I serve? How lucky you must be to know...Veneficus felt a tight sensation in his chest and dropped to his knees. He felt hollow on the inside, and suddenly couldn't muster the will to get up.
What magic is this!?The being continued to pace around as it spoke slowly and softly.
There's nothing magical about it, Venn. This is you. This is the darkness that you hide, that empty feeling inside that you push to the side and deny, all of your fears, all of your anger, all your doubts... and me.The being stopped, standing right in front of Veneficus as his pain increased. He looked up at the creature with determination in his eyes.
Listen, pal... I don't know what your deal is... I can't remember how I got here or who I used to be... but I know that none of those things control me anymore.Veneficus managed got one leg off the ground.
If there's one thing I do know, it's that you have no power over me here. This is my domain!Veneficus stood up on both legs and walked towards the stone being. Filled with motivation and willpower, he pulled back his arm and punched the beast back with all his might. A red wave of energy radiated from the creature and launched Veneficus backwards. The creature opened one eye at Veneficus, revealing a menacing red glare. Suddenly, a bright light shone above them, and Veneficus was enveloped in the radiant beams. The creature smiled for a brief moment.
What a privilege it must be to forget... To forget what happened one hundred and thirty six years ago...The stone being fell into the darkness, disappearing from sight.
...
Veneficus felt a rush of terror surge through him as he jolted awake in the tower. His perception and memory were back to normal, but he seemed to have forgotten the dream.
That was strange...