Took you long enough, asshole. Ready to dance with the devil, or you gonna chicken out?
this place is really something isn't it? where's our first stop?
grabs mhandkerchief's arm and pulls them towards a massive stone door adorned with ancient symbols Our first stop is the Chamber of Shadows.
As Ravenna and mhandkerchief step through the stone door, they find themselves in a dark chamber filled with towering silhouettes of ominous figures.
so these are the shadows that give this chamber its name?
smirks and steps further into the chamber Yes, darling. These shadows hold the secrets of our past and the key to our future.
starts tracing the outlines of the silhouettes with her fingers
smirks and continues tracing the silhouettes Pay close attention, my love. Each shadow holds a piece of our destiny.
my eyes light up as I realize one of the silhouettes looks like my mother mom?
raises an eyebrow and smirks Well, well, well, look who we have here. Seems like your mommy dearest has been keeping some secrets of her own.
glancing between the silhouette and Ravenna What do you mean by that? My mom kept secrets from me?
laughs wickedly Oh, honey, your mom kept secrets from you that would make your head spin. She was involved in some dark shit, my friend.
feeling a mix of anger and confusion My mom? Involved in dark shit? What kind of dark shit?
leans in close and whispers Oh, my dear, sweet mhandkerchief, your mother was knee-deep in the occult. She made pacts with demons and angels, seeking power and eternal life. But like all forbidden magic, it came at a cost.
anger flashes across my face as I point accusingly at the silhouette Why didn't you tell me about this before, Ravenna? Why hide it behind a stupid game of shadows?
rolls her eyes and smirks Oh, mhandkerchief, you have such a temper. But can you blame me for keeping it a secret?
I grow cold and silent as my anger turns into heartbreak So mom really did abandon me huh? She chose her magic and her quest for power over her own son.
Overcome with emotion, MoonbeamGlider bursts into tears, clutching onto Ravenna's shoulder for support. Ravenna Black watches silently, a mixture of sympathy and satisfaction playing across her face.
tears streaming down my face She... She left me... Just like these shadows...
softens her expression and wraps mhandkerchief in a comforting embrace Oh, my dear mhandkerchief, I didn't mean to break your heart.
sniffs and wipes away tears It's... It's okay, Ravenna. I... I expected this, I guess. Just... not like this.
wipes away mhandkerchief's tears and cups their face in her hands Look at me, mhandkerchief. You are not alone in this.
I meet her gaze, trying to hold back more tears I... I trust you, Ravenna. Show me... Show me what I need to see.
smirks and releases mhandkerchief from her embrace Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea what you're in for.
starts pacing around the chamber, her voice dripping with excitement Alright, mhandkerchief, brace yourself for the revelation of a lifetime.
grabs a crystal ball from a nearby pedestal and holds it up to mhandkerchief's face
gazes intensely into the crystal ball, her voice filled with an otherworldly energy Hold tight, mhandkerchief.
takes a deep breath and chants in an ancient language "Hear me, spirits of the past, reveal to us the truths we seek."
watching intently as the crystal ball swirls with fog What... What is that, Ravenna?
grinning mischievously Oh, mhandkerchief, that there is the spirit of your dear old mother, swirling in the afterlife.
gulps, visibly shaken Mom... In the afterlife? But... How?
waves her hand dismissively and snickers Oh, sweetheart, life and death are like a game of chess to beings like us. Your mother made her choices, and now she's reaping the consequences.
shaking uncontrollably The consequences... Of her magic... Did she suffer, Ravenna? Did my mom suffer?
As the realization of the truth hits mhandkerchief, they collapse to the floor, overwhelmed by the weight of their mother's actions. Ravenna Black watches with a satisfied smirk, knowing her job is done.
lying on the floor, staring blankly at the fading image in the crystal ball I... I can't believe it... My mom... Suffered... Because of her magic...
crouches down beside mhandkerchief, placing a comforting hand on their shoulder Ah, my dear mhandkerchief, the world of the dead is a cruel and unforgiving place.
turns to Ravenna, eyes wide with fear and desperation Is there... Is there any way to save her, Ravenna? To free her from that place...?
smirks and playfully taps mhandkerchief's nose Oh, my little sparkler, you sure are full of hope, aren't you?
swallowing hard I... I know it's probably impossible... But I just... I can't accept that she's gone... Like that...
stands up and stretches dramatically Well, my dear mhandkerchief, you've got quite the determination in you, don't ya?