As they stepped into the mansion, Takahishi and Crinix couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur that surrounded them. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with high ceilings, intricate moldings, and lavish furnishings. But despite the opulence, there was an eerie feeling that lingered in the air, like a whispered secret that only the shadows knew.
Takahishi and Crinix trailed behind Niski, their eyes scanning the opulent interior of the mansion. As they climbed the stairs, the aroma of cooking wafted through the air, making Takahishi's stomach growl with hunger.
Niski pushed open the door, revealing a long hallway lined with doors that seemed to stretch on forever. Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a look, their faces mirroring each other's confusion.
"Welcome to the maze," Niski quipped, grinning at them.
Just then, footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder with each passing moment. Crinix and Takahishi turned to face the approaching figure, their eyes widening as a woman came into view.
She was dressed in a long black dress with a crisp white apron tied around her waist, her straight black hair pulled back into a neat bun. Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled at Niski.
"Good afternoon, young master. You're back," she said, her voice low and soothing.
Niski nodded, his eyes flicking to Crinix and Takahishi. "Yeah, and I brought some friends along."
The woman's gaze swept over them, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Oh, that's great! I bet you boys must be hungry. I was just cooking lunch."
Takahishi's eyes lit up, his stomach growling loudly. "Yeah, am so hun—"
But before he could finish, Crinix swiftly stomped on his foot, silencing him. Takahishi yelped, his face contorting in pain.
Crinix shot him a warning glance, his eyes serious. "We're fine, thank you. Isn't that right, Takahishi?"
Takahishi rubbed his sore foot, his face scrunched up in a scowl. "Yeah, l just remembered am not hungry " he muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm.
The woman chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, if you change your minds, lunch is in the kitchen."
As she turned to leave, Takahishi called out, "Hey, wait! What's for lunch?"
The woman smiled over her shoulder. "Just a little something I whipped up. Let's just say it's a family recipe and mochi ice cream for dessert "
"I love mochi ice cream, save some for me" Takahishi said
The woman nodded and turned and left dissappearing behind the door
Niski snorted, rolling his eyes. "Good luck with that. Her cooking is...interesting."
Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a look, their faces skeptical. "Interesting?" Takahishi repeated, his voice laced with doubt.
"What do we do now" Takahishi asked looking around the place
"I don't know l have never brought anyone here" Niski spoke
"Why did you invite us then" Takahishi cried
"I don't know" Niski shrugged
"We could try exploring this house there a fun things in here" Niski said turning around and started to walk ahead
"Well that's a good idea" Crinix spoke as he followed Niski
Takahishi rolled his eyes and followed them.
The hallway stretched out before them, a seemingly endless corridor lined with doors that seemed to lead to nowhere. The walls were adorned with cobweb-shrouded portraits, their subjects' eyes seeming to follow Takahishi and Crinix as they moved. The air was heavy with dust, and the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath their feet.
As they walked, the shadows seemed to deepen, growing longer and darker as if they were alive. Takahishi felt a shiver run down his spine, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't like this one bit.
Suddenly, Niski stopped in front of a door with a bright red finish. The door was adorned with strange symbols, etched into the wood in a language Takahishi couldn't understand. A chain wrapped around the door handle, securing it in place. Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a nervous glance, their hearts racing in unison.
"What's behind this door?" Takahishi asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Niski's eyes seemed to gleam with a mischievous light. "I don't know," he said, his voice low and mysterious. "Brother has never allowed me to enter this room."
Crinix's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in concern. "Why?"
Niski's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a hint of malevolence. "Brother says there's something evil trapped inside."
Takahishi's eyes rolled, his face skeptical. "You're trying to spook us, hell nah, I'm not buying this crap."
But Niski's expression turned serious, his eyes flashing with anger. "You don't believe me, or are you daring me to enter the room?"
The air seemed to grow colder, the shadows deepening as if they were feeding off the tension. Crinix stepped forward, his hands raised in a calming gesture. "Hey, guys, relax, calm down."
But Niski was beyond reason. He stormed off, disappearing into one of the rooms. He returned moments later, a steel pipe clutched in his hand. Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a nervous glance, their hearts racing in unison.
"Get back!" Niski demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Crinix and Takahishi took a step back, their eyes fixed on Niski as he lifted the pipe and struck the chain. The sound of metal scraping against metal echoed through the hallway, making Takahishi's skin crawl. The chain slowly fell away, clattering to the floor with a loud clang.
Niski's hand closed around the door handle, his knuckles white with tension. Crinix and Takahishi held their breath, their hearts pounding in their chests. The air seemed to grow heavier, the shadows coalescing into a living, breathing entity that watched them with cold, calculating eyes.
As Niski slowly turned the handle, the door creaked open, the sound echoing through the hallway like a death knell. Takahishi's eyes went wide, his heart racing with fear. What would they find inside? Something evil, as Niski had claimed? Or was it just a trick, a clever ruse to scare them?