Spirits of the Misty Hill

First topic message reminder :

A Burmy, clad in his cloak of autumnal leaves that originated from his home in Fallen Leaf Copse and carrying a bag of various belongings, approached the base of the hill, looking up into its vast mists. He had been here once previously, and his entire time had been fraught with attacks from territorial Pokemon that lived within the fog. He's also assigned someone an entry challenge here, although he had yet to hear back from that particular Tepig.

Russell turned to the Absol that was accompanying him, looking up at the much taller Pokemon, "So was your entry challenge your last trip to Pricklemist?" He asked curiously, knowing that Deimos had been here at least once before because he had personally assigned the Absol's entry challenge. The fact that they both had experience with the place would likely be at least a small advantage, as they'd know just what to expect from the misty hill.

The house at the top however would be another matter entirely, as rumours had recently surfaced about a malicious spirit that was haunting the abandoned building, plaguing anyone who dares visit. Russell had a few of his own theories about what the true cause of the attacks were, but it was important to keep an open mind after all. You never knew what you might find and it was worth investigating nonetheless.

Russell nodded back to Deimos's enthusiastic response. With a determined look on his features, the small Burmy ventured back into the entrance, leading the way into the old building.

Upon stepping inside, Russell halted for a moment, allowing himself to to adjust to the low lighting. Now that he was further into the strucure, he realised that it wasn't quite as dark as he had initially thought. Though there was still very little light in the structure, there were areas in the woodwork of the walls where vines had pushed the panelling aside just enough to let a few rays of light through. It wasn't bright by any means, but it was enough to make out the structures within the building.

Eyes adjusted, Russell began to move forward once more, only to halt suddenly as he thought he saw something moving in the darkness a short distance away.
"It wasn't just me who saw that, right?" Russell whispered as quietly as he could muster whilst still being loud enough for Deimos to hear.

With the smaller and less noticeable of the duo leading the way, Deimos cautiously followed his companion into the structure, eyes and ears fully focused on detecting any response. Direct information on the structure was too lacking in his personal opinion, especially with the rumors swirling around. Carelessness was a deadly folly to commit, one he fully intended to avoid having before himself or Russel.

Pausing alongside the boss as the Burmy got adjusted to the darkness, the Absol carefully began glancing around the room for any signs of movement. Above all matters the fact they were within a dungeon resounded in his mind, especially after the prior assault. A lone abandoned structure was too inviting to believe in truly, an assumption that soon was confirmed as the duo detected movement.

"Yeah... Something is there. If this is their home they're probably much better attuned to the dark than we are. I'll give us some extra light, keep an eye open" Deimos whispered as as response, figuring any attempt at stealth was already blown. Calmly raising a paw, He invoked a single spectral talon instead of the usual set. While it wasn't the best solution, the pulsing energies of the claw seemed sufficient to provide some illumination, though nowhere near the amount a luminous orb could bring. Make the best out of the hand you're dealt right?

"Will do," Russell nodded, his eyes still focussed on the area where he'd spotted movement. Whatever was there was long gone now though and the Burmy progressed into the not-so-abandoned house.

As he moved, Russell was poised and ready to act at a moments notice. He knew that Deimos was a reliable ally, but so was his ability to create a protective barrier in a pinch. Russell glanced from one side of the room to the next as he continued his advance.

There was a sudden sound, like wooden planks clattering against one another. Russell startled at the sound. It had come from relatively close by, but not so close that Russell believed it originated in the same room as them.

Calming himself from his brief scare, Russell continued onwards, using the dim light of Deimos's shadow claw to make his way forward. They soon cleared the small room they'd entered, reaching the central area of the small house.

Deimos slowly advanced, doing his best to not accidentally overtake his boss with his much longer strides. From the prior battle the two had waged it was quite clear the Boss had some form of special protection ability for use when attacked. If Russel's defense was the shield, it was Deimos's duty to serve as the sword... or in this case, probably the battle ax.

A sudden sound reverberated through the structure, causing the Absol to halt his advance and glance around, attempting to find the source with his weak, improvised torch of a claw. Though certainly sounding close by, the ashen furred Pokemon soon came to the same conclusion his Boss did.

Quietly nodding as Russel resumed his Advance, Deimos slowly followed after his companion, using his singular talon to help guide the way. He already didn't like this place. What fun is there to be had by killing people through scares instead of a fair fight!

The shadow claw illuminated few of Deimos's features, but their shadows danced around the room as they moved. Floorboards creaked underfoot as Russell stepped on them, only to groan louder as Deimos followed. A low rustling akin to leaves in the breeze sounded around them, though there was nothing but wood and old furniture to cause it. Russell's eyes traced the corners of the room, struggling to pinpoint where the noise had originated. It grew louder, rustles becoming whispers that lilted through the space. Were they voices? Or had they been the wind all along? Russell hoped it was the latter.

Unable to see anything in the gloom before them, Russell pressed on. He shivered, pulling the leaves of his cloak closer as his breaths began to crystallise in the air. The soft murmurs grew louder and harsher as the duo progressed, as if someone had manually turned up the sounds.

"W-Who's there?" Russell's gaze darted around the room. He hadn't quite anticipated just how creepy this excursion would be, though he supposed in hindsight, he should have. As he looked from one side of the space to the other, he saw nothing but darkness.

The whispers went quiet. Russell halted at the change, wary of what was to come. He turned just as a pair of glowing eyes opened in the air inches in front of his face.

With a piercing shriek, Russell scrambled backwards. The eyes vanished as soon as they'd appeared, a shrill laugh echoing through the building. It left Russell feeling foolish as he recovered his faculties from the fright.

ooc//:

"Must've been a nice place back in its prime, though i doubt anyone would have the patience to try and restore it, what with it being a dungeon and all." Deimos muttered under his breath as he quietly followed the Burmy's advance, attempting to not overtly cause too much sound that entities could use to disguise their own movements. It wasn't as easy as he would have liked however. Curse these accursed floorboards!

Coming to halt when Deimos paused and glancing around the room, Deimos kept his spectral talon in place. Russel couldn't shield himself if he didn't know an attack was coming after all. Though Deimos couldn't claim to be any different, he did have the benefit of his strong senses to guide him through. Even with the lack of light... He could feel it. They weren't anywhere close to being alone.

Carefully watching his boss after the Burmy called out, Deimos let off a faint sigh as Russel freaked out, advancing a step further to cover for his apparently easy to frighten companion. "Take a minute and catch your breath if you need it. Clearly we aren't alone" Deimos advised, forming a second talon to try and provide a bit more illumination, to avoid a round two.

Though it was hard to see in the dark, Deimos was Grinning. It was time for some fun. "Hey, you, the one slowly creeping out from behind me and to the left. I can seeee you" The Absol called out before calmly turning and pointing his talons in the direction he named. Within moments, a chair in the direction he pointed was knocked over in a panic as something fled back into the shadows. Okay, now we know why ghosts like scaring people. It's kind of fun!