(!) Julian Julian: Hey Julian: I know its early and idk if youre up yet but i cant sleep Julian: That thing in the other world really messed with me Julian: I wanna go back Julian: I want to help save Ezra Julian: But I know I cant go in alone and I bet Solomon wont let me in anyways Julian: so Julian: Can we please go back today? Or tomorrow? Julian: I think i can do it this time Julian: Confront myself and all that, yknow Julian: just let me know (!) Robin Robin: Good morning! I hope I didn't wake you up? Robin: I was wondering if you'd have time today to go into the portal with me? Robin: I have some ideas of how I can help, even without powers Robin: And if we can confront my Other Self, or whatever she is, maybe it'll help with waking up Ezra Robin: Even though I know Solomon said he's possessed by a whole bunch of spirits. But it'll be a start Robin: Please message me back when you read this! (note: You can choose whether to go with Julian first or Robin first. I'll write them both out here starting with Robin.) You tell Robin you'll meet her at the ruins in an hour. You tell Julian you've got other plans for the day. He seems a little disappointed, but he accepts it.

Grey Springs - Abandoned Factory

When you arrive at the Ruins, Robin is already there, accompanied by Solomon. He's in bird form, and she looks quite uncomfortable, even though he's keeping his distance. Solomon If I bother you so much when I'm like this, I can be human, you know. Robin "I know, but I should get used to you like that. This is a good opportunity to get over my fear. Even if you already don't act very birdlike." She's clenching her fist tightly to her chest. When she sees you, she relaxes a little. "Yon, you're here! I brought some things." She rummages around in a bag she has slung around her shoulder. She pulls out a small book. Robin "I brought a pocket bible. I know Solomon said these things are technically not demons, but still. Just to be safe! And in case that doesn't work..." She puts the book back, and pulls out something far larger. "I also brought a kitchen knife." He lets out one loud caw. It sounds like a laugh. Solomon "I suppose that's better than a pool cue!"

Other World - Entrance

You make your way inside. You follow Solomon to the mismatched door, though you think you would be able to find it on your own now even without his guidance. Robin follows close behind. She has put the knife back into her bag, but keeps one hand inside of the bag to ensure she can pull it out just in case. When you get to the door, Solomon stops and turns around to face you. He looks serious. Solomon "Okay, before we head inside, I have to warn you. I don't know what it's going to look like inside. It won't be like it was last time you were here. This is your Other Self, and the moment we pass the threshold it will target you." Robin "Okay." She takes a deep breath. "I remember the things she said last time. I think I can handle it." Solomon "I can't convey how intense this is going to be. Your Other Self will confront you with a side of yourself you don't like. Don't get angry, don't attack it, and most importantly, don't deny it." Robin "I know who I am. I'm ready." Solomon's face relaxes a little and he quickly glances over to you, as if to ask if you're ready for a fight in case one does happen. You give him a small nod. He turns around, and opens the door.

Other World - The Deep Woods

Your surroundings change in an instant. You feel cold air on your face, smell dead leaves and hear the sounds of several insects only active at night. When your eyes get used to the darkness, you realise you're in a forest. It's night, and everything is bathed in a blue hue by the full moon overhead. Robin "D-did this happen the last time you came here?" Solomon "It's targeting you. Do you know where we are?" Robin "I do." She lifts her hand out of the bag a little, the knife glinting in the moonlight. "I've seen this place in my mind before. I mean, I imagined it... I don't know if it really exists." You hear the cracking of branches somewhere below you. Orange light briefly flares up; you smell burning wood. A chanting procession of men clad in deep purple robes passes through the plains below where you are standing, before they vanish into the thick brush forming an underpass. You look at Robin, you feel uneasy and you can't hide it. Robin "My sister. Because she never turned up, after a while I thought she might've been spirited away. I don't know who did it, but I became convinced of it. I've thought of the forests surrounding Grey Springs a lot but after the initial search efforts were halted I never had the guts to search them by myself, so..." Her voice shakes a little, as does the hand clutching the kitchen knife. "What if she's still there?" Just when she finishes speaking, something charges at you from behind. Before you can react, you and Solomon are being dragged through the forest. Behind you Robin is being pulled along as well, but not as roughly. A girl with a shrouded face has grabbed her hand and is pulling her along after you. They drop you in a clearing. When you try to get up you notice your hands are bound behind your back. Solomon lets out a deep sigh beside you as he struggles to sit upright beside you. Robin stumbles forward as the girl lets go of her hand. You find yourself surrounded by faceless, muddy and gnarled figures. Some of them appear to be wearing the Grey Springs cheerleader uniform. All of them have stringy, black hair. The girl pulling Robin along begins to speak. Other Robin "Finally we can bring her back!" You see Robin nervously looking at Solomon for guidance. His face is stern. Remember what I told you. Robin What do you mean? She's clumsily clutching the knife in her hands, pointing it at the ground. Other Robin "We can trade them for her." She points at you and Solomon. As she does, the figures around you make the same motion. Robin "I don't want that anymore." Her addition of "anymore" sends a chill down your spine. Solomon's eyes are locked on Robin's back, his expression serious. So far, so good. Other Robin "What do you mean? We're so close, we can't stop now. It's been ten years, we can finally see her again." Robin "You-- we don't know if it'll work. It's not worth the sacrifice." You hear Solomon chuckle quietly beside you, as he echoes Robins' last word. To your surprise he has a grin on his face. Other Robin "What are you talking about? We found out the spirit world is real. Angels, demons, all of it! She was spirited away or sacrificed, how could it possibly be anything else?" Robin "If that's true, we can get her back another way. With their help." The figures let out a noise that could be laughter. The Other Robin's face has changed; she went from excited to looking annoyed. Other Robin "Why would they help after you admitted you'd be okay with it if they died? Even now, you're not denying you'd trade their souls to get Wren back if you could." Robin "I would not--! I don't think that's the right thing to do, and just because I don't deny my thoughts that doesn't mean I don't regret them. There's a difference." Other Robin "You're making this more difficult than it needs to be. Nobody would even know if they went missing, it's just the new guy and... whatever he is." She points at Solomon, who gives her a small nod in return. He is still smiling slightly. "You brought the knife. You know the sigils. Just do it." The Other Robin suddenly starts towards Robin, who reacts too late to get out of her way. At the same time some of the figures hoist Solomon up against a tree, before rebinding him to it. You're still on the ground, but one figure is holding restraining your arms, as if to make sure you won't run away. With the help of some of the figures The Other Robin turns Robin towards you, and push her forward. The Other Robin puts her hands on Robin's to aim the knife at your chest. Other Robin "We're so close. Just do it." Robin eyes are wide and fearful , her knife is shaking in her hands as she struggles against the Other Robin's grip. Her eyes flick up to meet Solomon's. Robin "I don't want to hurt you." Solomon "Don't worry, you're doing great. I'll be fine. You can get through this."