Forum Thread

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" How much I wished for another,
Better, happier, brighter, future.
Here I am at the gate I stand,
Dear old times,
I've made up my mind. "
- Through Patches of Violet, by Project Mili

It all started from just a sale, a small antique mirror for a supring sum of cash. It felt so inconsequential, so normal, and yet no one knew that small transaction would lead to a horrible butterfly effect that spread through different realms, even different planes of being.

RP signups

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Milo woke up on the ground, his head in a haze. His surroundings looked... Off to say the very least. He was in a dark, foggy forest, with long tree's scattered everywhere around him. He felt that he was being watched, and yet no one was around him (that he was aware of atleast.) All he could remember was entering that portal, curiosity getting the better of him, and gosh how stupid he felt for trusting those voices. Look at where he is now! Stuck in a scary forest with no civilization or people in sight. Was this really how it ends? Dying of starvation, probably becoming forgotten by the world all because of his stupid decision?

He sat down for a moment, thinking of what to do now when he realized something. "...All of this started when i sold that mirror mom gave to me!" he fiddled with his pockers, pulling up his phone trying to find that guy who bought the mirror. Unfortunately, his phone had no signal since well, he was literally in the middle of nowhere. "Wonderful, just great." he thought to himself. Attempting to call emergency services was impossible too since after a couple of minutes, his crappy nokia phone from 900 BCE decided to die on him. Now, he was truly screwed.

Multiple bright light's suddenly shined next to Milo, startling him. He noticed that... They looked exactly like the same portal he entered...

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It was an unusual day.

Antoine thought that today would be another day to get back to grinding in his business as soon as he wake up. He freshened himself up, getting ready in his work outfit, eat his breakfast, and checked out of the motel that he had been staying in for the past few days. He was planning on leaving the town of Lyon today but as for the destination, he's still thinking about that. He grabbed the keys to his truck and got inside and started the engine. Turning on the radio while he drives out from the parking lot, he idly changed the stations until it stopped in a certain one; a news broadcasting station. To be frank, he isn't that interested in listening to the news- he'd rather listen to some music but it's a must for him nowadays, especially with how he's running with his... businesses. He wouldn't want to get caught up with those cops. Last time he was almost caught, he had to hide and cramped up for hours in a cardboard box before they finally left!

The weather was hot today and there were more traffic than usual, so it isn't a surprise for him when he realize that he got caught up in the two. The latter was a more horrible one as he's stuck in the road with none of the vehicles moving. Must be a heavy traffic. The businessman could only sigh as he took off his hat and coat off, turning up the AC even more. Well, this can probably take an hour or so- might as well take a nap. Now, he wouldn't normally do this but... he couldn't help it, for some reason. It must be the heat getting to him and making him feel this drowsy. He wasn't even listening to whatever the news was saying at the moment. Now that he thinks about it... Chambéry sounds like a nice town to stop by. Maybe he should head there and offer his services to the townsfolk.

As he let out a big yawn, he grabbed his hat, putting it over on his face, and leaned back against his seat. And with that, he fell asleep.

...He didn't know how long did his nap took but he's sure that it must be a pretty long one by the time he woke up, now wide awake than before. Antoine was expecting some cars behind him to honk at him by now since he noticed that it was later than before but to his surprise, he woke up to... none of those. He isn't hearing any of the engines of the vehicles roaring anymore. Is he hearing all of this correctly? Putting his hat on again, the radio that once played voices of reporters behind it was now static. He turned it off and looked outside.

All of the vehicles stopped.

There doesn't seem to be any drivers or passengers in sight either by the windows. He rubbed his eyes a couple of times and tried his best to look closely, not believing that any of this is happening. Is he... still dreaming? He pinched himself hard and hissed a little in pain. Nope, he's definitely not dreaming- and if he isn't, what on Earth is happening right now?

Antoine heard something in the distance and decided that it was best to investigate whatever's happening. Putting his coat back on, he grabbed his truck keys and pocketed inside his coat. He got off of the truck and walked the silent highway when he spotted something by the middle of the bridge. As he passes by, he glances at the windows of the cars and what's only left of the passengers in there were their items; phones, bags, toys, snacks, books; whatever he can imagine. It felt eerie that it seems like he was the only person in this highway with his footsteps the only sound that he could hear. As he gets closer and closer to the thing that he noticed, he realized that... it's a portal. He isn't too sure if it really is but it sure does look like one.

"What the..."

Was everyone else gone because they got sucked inside of this portal? It could be possible. Where did this portal come from in the first place. Pondering, he took a few steps closer to inspect the portal and... he could hear voices coming from it.

"Come and step forth into this realm."
"You won't regret it."
"Join us."

... It felt tempting, honestly. Antoine felt his mind momentarily empty as his body moved on its own, slowly getting closer and closer to the portal with each steps took. Those voices promised him with treasures and dreams that he himself could never think to achieve. It felt like a paradise.

Only for a good minute. It was fun while it lasted though.

He stopped himself before he could step inside of the portal. He lets out a small shaky sigh that he didn't know that he was holding before composing himself fully.

"Hah...! And you think I can be easily fooled- I'm a businessman, for goodness sake! At least give me a contract to read over before I can agree. Your promises sounds impossible, as much as you're a portal."

He scoffed before laughing a little at the portal while pointing at it. He doesn't know who or why he was talking towards it but it's whatever- there is absolutely NO way he's going to get himself to enter inside of that. The air soon changes and he could feel that the portal feels... somewhat disappointed at him but it's no big deal for him. Without a care, he was walking away and going back to his truck.

... However, he should've seen this coming. Antoine felt something grabbing his arms and soon his legs and entire body. He looked down to see multiple arms made out of light holding him tight. They forcefully dragged and pulled him with so much force that he didn't have time to react.

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All he could do is scream until he finally landed harshly onto the ground. It took him a moment to settle himself as he spits out a few dry leaves before he stands up and brushes himself from the grime and dirt. Damnit- He had just gotten this from the laundromat recently! He didn't know that damn portal could be THAT petty. He huffed out in annoyance before fixing his hat, finally looking around his surroundings.

On second thought, this is way creepier than the highway just now.

He finds himself in a dark foggy forest. There was neither no light from the sun nor songs from birds chirping as they fly up in the sky. It was all lifeless and reeks of bloody death.

He gulped nervously, shaking his head when he felt the heebie-jeebies already. This is not good- he has no idea where he is and what this forest is located at. He had never seen a place so terrifying like this before. He quickly looked around him and noticed a person nearby him. He looked as lost as he was, which is good. At least, he isn't alone. There might be other people around in this creepy forest. He took a deep breathe and put on his business smile before walking over to the stranger. Tapping on his shoulder, he clasped his own hands together while flashing a grin.

"Hello there, dear patron! Looks like you're lost like me, huh?"

Isaac Carter crouched on the edge of the rooftop, the hum of the city below fading into the background as he focused on the task at hand. The night air felt thick with tension, but the docks were quiet. Too quiet.

He checked his wrist console again, eyes scanning the area. "Nothing yet," he muttered, not trusting the stillness. His instincts, honed over years of working in the shadows, told him something was coming.

Suddenly, a strange flicker caught his eye. Across the docks, a swirling, violet light appeared, hovering in the air like a tear in the fabric of reality. It pulsed, expanding slightly, as though testing the limits of its own existence.

“What ....?”

Isaac activated his cloaking tech, body shimmering before vanishing from sight. He moved silently across the rooftops, approaching the anomaly. As he drew closer, the hum of the portal grew louder, filling his ears with a low, vibrating sound that seemed to resonate through his bones.

The swirling mass of energy grew larger, its pull intensifying. Isaac felt the wind shift, debris and dust being sucked toward the portal. His instincts screamed at him to get away, but his curiosity kept him rooted in place.

Suddenly, the portal pulsed violently, and before Isaac could react, the force of it yanked him off his feet. He reached out, trying to grab onto something, anything, but the vacuum-like pull was too strong. His body was lifted into the air and sucked into the swirling mass of light.

Everything went black.

Isaac hit the ground hard, the impact sending a sharp pain through his body. Groaning, he rolled onto his side, gasping for breath. The world around him was dark—much darker than the city streets he had just left behind.

Slowly, he pushed himself up, blinking to adjust his eyes to the darkness. His wrist console was fried, sparking faintly before going completely dark. He cursed under his breath. No tech, no cloaking, no grappling hook. He was stranded.

He stood up slowly, taking in his surroundings. Tall, twisted trees surrounded him, their gnarled branches stretching high into the sky, blocking out the moonlight. The air was thick and damp, heavy with the scent of wet earth and decay. A soft fog clung to the ground, swirling around his feet.

A forest. But not like any forest he’d ever seen. The shadows here were deep, oppressive, as though the darkness itself was alive. There was no sound—no wind, no animals, no rustling leaves. Just an eerie, deafening silence.

Isaac took a cautious step forward, his boot crunching softly on the underbrush. His heart was pounding, the quiet amplifying every breath, every movement. He glanced around, his instincts on high alert. Though he was alone, the forest felt… wrong. Like it was watching him.

He moved forward, keeping his steps light and deliberate. Every now and then, a twig would snap beneath his feet, the sound echoing unnaturally in the oppressive silence. His body was tense, ready for anything, but the more he walked, the more the isolation of the forest pressed in on him.

How did I get here?

The portal—some kind of rift—had torn him from New York, but now, there was no sign of it. Just endless trees in every direction, their twisted forms silhouetted against the faintest hint of moonlight that barely filtered through the canopy.

Isaac paused, scanning his surroundings once more. The silence was unnatural, the kind that gnawed at the back of your mind. No rustling leaves, no distant wildlife, not even the soft breeze you’d expect in a forest this dense. Just... nothing.

“Alright, Carter. Keep it together,” Isaac whispered to himself, his voice swallowed by the oppressive darkness. He had been in worse situations. He just needed to figure out his next move, but first, he had to find shelter and get his bearings.

He started walking again, moving deeper into the forest. The terrain was uneven, the ground covered in thick roots and damp, rotting leaves. The trees seemed to loom closer as he moved, their gnarled trunks twisting like they were deliberately closing in on him. He shook off the feeling, focusing on moving forward.

Isaac’s thoughts raced as he walked. The portal—whatever it was—was unstable, but it had brought him here for a reason. Or maybe it was random, a glitch in reality. Either way, there had to be a way back. If he could survive the night and figure out where he was, he could start working on a plan.

But as he walked deeper into the forest, the sense of isolation grew stronger. His breath was loud in the silence, the only sound in an otherwise dead world. The oppressive quiet was getting to him. He had always thrived in the shadows, but this felt different. This was suffocating.

Isaac paused again, looking up at the trees. Their branches stretched high into the sky, gnarled and twisted like skeletal fingers grasping at the heavens. The sky above was hidden behind a thick canopy of leaves, offering no hint of stars or moonlight.

He exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves. "Alright. Find a way out. One step at a time," he muttered to himself, his voice sounding small in the vastness of the forest.

He pressed on, but the further he went, the more it felt like the forest was endless. The trees never changed, the landscape offered no clues. His sense of direction, usually razor-sharp, was muddled here, as though the forest itself was designed to disorient him.

After what felt like hours of walking, Isaac finally stopped, exhaustion starting to creep in. He leaned against a tree, his mind racing. He had no idea how long he had been out here, and there was no sign of the portal, or any way to return.

For the first time in a long while, Isaac felt a pang of uncertainty.

He was alone, trapped in an unfamiliar, unnervingly silent world. The silence was oppressive, and the dark shadows seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction.

But Isaac wasn’t the type to give up. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders.

"Figure this out. Survive the night. Then, find a way home."

With one last glance at the twisted, dark forest around him, Isaac moved forward, determined to find answers in the unsettling silence of the unknown.

Crouched on the ground, pine needles snapping under his feet, Casimir took a breath. He could smell the muskiness of the earth and could feel the calm settling into his bones. He almost felt like he was on another high, but he quit drugs years ago. With a start, he felt around the suit jacket that he still had on. He was never really dressed for the right environment, but... he let out a sigh of relief, a pack of cigarettes rested in his pocket, safe and sound.

He stood, wanting to see if anyone else was around, seeing two men talking. It would be a good start to figuring out where he was and why he was here. Casimir lingered behind a few trees, watching the men. He kept his distance, but wasn't too far to the point where it was more respectful rather than creepy and antisocial.

He pulled out a light and lit one of his cigarettes, taking a few puffs and watching how the soft light cast onto his surroundings. He thought hard and slow, how did he get here.

Ah.

A portal. Or something like that. At the time he had assumed it was a hallucination induced by sleep deprivation. The night before was... it was certainly something he wouldn't forget. Fun party, flashing lights, a few things off in the world, but really when music is blasting in your ears, who cares?

Casimir tossed the cigarette to the ground, it tasting like dirt for the first time since he tried it. He stamped out the flame with his dress shoes - seriously, why was he so badly dressed? - and made a few polite steps toward the two men.

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The boxes were heavier than Saeko expected, only managing to get each one halfway down the stairs before stopping to take a breath. She balanced the crate on the sixth step from the bottom, the old wood creaking from the strain. She had to wonder why in the world her grandmother had chosen a tall, narrow and dingy apartment that was compressed between two larger buildings to live out her last few years. Now it was her job to clear it out.

Saeko had sorted her garments into neat piles, followed by her scarves and endless brass jewellery pieces. Papers, books and scripts were tossed into another smaller crate and were shipped out on the dead grass that could barely be called a front yard. But as Saeko went on her final round of the rooms, she stopped abruptly. A chill ran down her spine. A voice whispered in her ear. It was impossible to hear what exactly was said and the voice was indescribable. It didn’t resemble a child or an adult, or any gender for that matter. When she turned her head, there was no one, yet she felt the ghost of the voice’s breath on her ear. Biting her lip, she shook her head, lighting pressing a finger to the amethyst shard that hung loosely around her neck. For protection, is what she was told. She wore it for her grandmother’s sake… and though she wouldn’t admit it, her own.

Grasping the handle of the bedroom door, at the top of those whiny stairs, Saeko found that it was stuck. She twisted the knob left twice, then after no luck, right. It wouldn’t budge. Her brows drew to the centre of her head in frustration and reached for the handle again. She took a slight step away and pushed her side firmly against the door. She didn’t have much in the way of muscle, but she had heard that joints were just as powerful. As soon as her shoulder made contact with the wood, the door shot open and Saeko tumbled into the mist. She didn’t even have time to register that she was falling, her mouth slightly open in awe. Her hand fell away from the handle and the violet slit in the air widened its embrace.

The shoulder that had been used to ram into the door panel reached the ground first, followed by a sort of roll onto her back with a muffled groan. Well, her theory had been right. With a slight wince, she put her hand down to sit up. Her eyes widened and she pulled her fingers to a close, pulling some of the earth into her tips. The woods? Brushing her palms on her trousers, Saeko steadily lifted herself to stand, touching her shoulder gently. The skin would bruise, she was certain. But apart from the dull ache, she was unharmed. The trees loomed in over her and she was acutely aware of her surroundings. How was this possible? What happened? She subconsciously reached for her necklace but pulled away, just as her fingertips brushed the gem. Her mind switched into problem solving. Fear would only make her panic and that was not useful for survival. Swallowing that background feeling, she looked around. It was mile beyond mile of forest as far as she could tell and it wasn’t helping that the night was settling soon.

She knew that she was scared. Because she had missed an obvious detail. Through the foliage, if she looked closely enough, she could make out two figures and another approaching. Saeko hesitated. If she had fallen through a cloak of violet and was somehow transported into a woodland forest, she couldn’t trust anything at this point. For all she knew, they could be the reason she was here. For now, she’d crouch and wait to see who they were.

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