Chapter Text
[CLICK]
[The creaking of rusted down hinges echo in the still room of the old archives. The unlikely group take a good look at their newest workplace and cringes at the sight. The thick dust covering the space everywhere that it looks like a layer of snow. Dust specks large enough to see clearly float around in the stagnant air. Dozens of boxes stacked on top of each other and on plastic covered furniture.]
MHIN
"This... is the archives? I thought they'd take much better care of this place."
VERE
"Unfortunately, they do not care for the obsolete ways of preserving human history."
[They all take weary steps into the room. It was cold and dry and dark. They feel around, looking for a source of light or a switch for the main lights. They eventually got the lights on, each bulb slowly turning on and revealing just how big the archives actually is. Rows and rows of shelves and filing cabinets appear before them.]
SPARROW
"They expect us to do all THIS!? Kuras, we have to call off this deal while we still can. We can't just—"
KURAS
"Unfortunately the deal is final and whatever benefits we have gotten by the Head Mage will be for nothing if we don't fulfill this job."
[Silence falls upon them. The accompanying buzzing of old lights welcome them in as they all reluctantly start cleaning and sorting the archives. Kuras focused on the files while the rest went around exploring the archives. To their dismay, it's much larger than they originally expected. They were starting to lose any and all hope that the archive work will be done in a matter of a month or two.]
MHIN
"Huh, they even have a spare bedroom and bathroom at the back. Wonder how long they excepted an Archivist to be in here."
LEANDER
"Apparently long enough for them to have a room and bath ready for them."
ELYON
"At least they were thoughtful enough to provide such facilities."
SEN
"And much more..."
[Sen gestures over to a piles of old and used fire extinguishers in the corner. Mhin comes closer to check. The dates on all of them are too worn down and illegible to read.]
MHIN
"Was there a fire that happened down here? Why so many?"
AIS
"Something definitely happened and I don't thing it was a fire. There's no signs of any arson work or smells that comes from fire."
SPARROW
"Well, ain't that just comforting to know."
[Meanwhile, Kuras uncovers an office desk that have been covered by a thick layer of plastic sheets. It was old but it almost looks new from a glance. Taking a closer look, Kuras takes note on the small engravings and pencil marks on the wood.]
KURAS
"Spider webs, several eyes... 'It Knows You'?"
SPARROW
"Kuras, we found a spare bedroom and bath near the back. And also a door leading to what seems to be the artifacts section? The others are looking into-... Are you okay? You look troubled."
KURAS
"This desk has some strange carvings and writing on it."
SPARROW
"Looks like someone was bored doing their work to me. But that 'It Knows You' thing is a little suspicious. Do you have an idea what it's trying to say?"
KURAS
"Unfortunately, I don't. But we have bigger matters to worry about. What else have you and the others have found?"
SPARROW
"Nothing but covered furniture, more boxes of old statements, and oddly enough a box full of tapes."
KURAS
"Tapes? What kind?"
SPARROW
"There was nothing written on it. They're all blank but we haven't played them. Honestly, with how old they are, I don't even know if we have anything to listen to them."
KURAS
"Oh, well, nevertheless, let us continue our exploration of the archives. With how old it is, we could possibly uncover a few secrets the Senobium would rather not relive."
SPARROW
"Speaking from experience?"
KURAS
"Maybe, maybe not."
[The sounds of shuffling feet caught their attention as the other came up to them with a box. Kuras and Sparrow look at each other as they gather around the desk. In the box was several tape recorders, some of them still have tapes inside. Carefully they all take them out and laid them down on the desk. Some covered in dust, others barely working. Kuras picked up one with a tape in it.]
KURAS
"The date's been scratched out on this tape."
[Kuras takes a closer look and all he could see is the title 'The Archivist' in green ink. It was barely legible enough unless he squinted his eyes to see it better. For some odd reason, it unsettled him to see the title. Nevertheless, he pressed on and played the tape. They all listened to it carefully.]
ARCHIVIST
"—don't know whether or not why I am here or what purpose of taking in this position. All I know is that IT Knows. And by extension, I know... I would rather not know anything. As much as it pains me to say this but... I wish I have never stepped foot in the archives.—"
[The tape ends abruptly before they had could get any answers out of it. They all look at each other with weariness before looking at Kuras for answers. Even Kuras, with how long he has been in Eridia, has no inkling of an idea of what the Archivist is talking about.]
SPARROW
"...I knew we shouldn't have taken this damned job!"
[Sparrow's voice echoes in the hollowed room, startling the group. They run their bandage covered hand through their messy hair, sighing heavily.]
SPARROW
"This has got to be a warning from the last Archivist. Why do you think this recorder—this tape—buried with other recorders in the artifacts room!?"
AIS
"Sparrow, please. You got to calm down."
MHIN
"This could just be someone going into madness. And from what we could gather, they were alone."
VERE
"Who wouldn't go mad being stuck in the basement? Anyone could be like whomever this Archivist was. I'm starting to think they kept that guy like a prisoner and doing this job was their punishment."
SPARROW
"STILL! I am not going to subject myself down here every single day! I'd rather face Soulless every night than be here!"
KURAS
"You have every right not to be here, Sparrow. But the Head Mage personally scouted us out."
[Kuras sighs. His mind racing with any solution he could get. They can't all be here, they have responsibilities to take care of outside the archives.]
KURAS
"The best we can do is do this job in shifts. It's the only way for us to manage without being stuck down here all the time."
AIS
"You really think that could work with how big this place is?"
KURAS
"It's either that or we don't do the work and get punished for it. What do you all say?"
[They all look at each other before eventually agreeing, some more reluctant than others.]
SPARROW
"Fine! But I'm working day shift. I don't wanna be here for longer when it's already creepy enough."
KURAS
"Noted. Now then, let's start working on uncovering and cleaning for today. We'll start working on the archives tomorrow."
[CLICK]
Name: KURAS
Occupation: Lowtown Doctor
Title: The Head Archivist of the Senobium Archives, Eridia
Additional Notes: Workaholic and is most dedicated to the work.
Name: MHIN
Occupation: Unknown
Title: Field Researcher and Artifacts Researcher
Additional Notes: Closest to Kuras; has faith in what he is doing the most.
Name: AIS
Occupation: Head of Ocudeus
Title: Head of Research
Additional Notes: The most doing research; using his connections to Ocudeus to do research. *Possibly used as spying on the Senobium.
Name: VERE
Occupation: Hunter
Title: Scout and Field Researcher
Additional Notes: Not as active in the work. *Possibly spying on the Senobium
Name: LEANDER
Occupation: Leader of the Bloodhounds/Adderstone
Title: Scout and Field Researcher
Additional Notes: Has an knack to sweet talk his way to get information. He is the most against the Senobium way.
Name: SPARROW
Occupation: Unknown
Title: Head Archive Assistant
Additional Notes: Very secretive; most against the deal; most reluctant about the archives. *Unknown Curse.
Name: ELYON
Occupation: Owner of the Blue Orchid Brothel
Title: Archive Assistant and Artifacts Researcher
Additional Work: Has many connections around Eridia. Has the most knowledge about the artifacts being stored and sealed away.
Name: SEN
Occupation: Mercenary(?)
Title: Head Scout
Additional Notes: Most difficult to keep an eye on. The "bodyguard" of the team. *Dangerous when provoked.