Sadisgate [Azusa x Reader] :: Carnival of the Dead

'They're closing in. Any minute now those beasts will come to devour me whole.'
Such cruel beasts won't show my poor fragile frame a bit of mercy - they simply can't.


      Hugging your knees tightly, you clutch the makeshift blade in hand. If you were to die tonight, it's best to go out with a fight. Despite all your efforts to remain courageous, your body trembles violently. Silently you curse to yourself for being so weak. If only you'd noticed sooner. If only you weren't so naive as to blindly wander off into this paradoxical hellscape. But how were you supposed to know?

This place appeared to be a beautiful world of fun and enjoyment.


      The stalls and vendors all scattered about, the colourful decorations strung along the buildings, it all seemed so charming. With the hustle and bustle of such a place, with all the 'people' going to and fro from ride to ride, it could bring a sense of wonder to a person. Star-crossed lovers and loners alike all in one place for a single purpose. This place, you thought then, was a place of childlike wonder. But no, that's not at all what this place is. This place is a damned window into hell.

                                                                   This place is a Carnival of the Dead.


       Loud rapping could be heard upon the door. You grip the blade tighter, shaky but determined. Carefully, you slide away the crowbar you'd used as a barricade. As soon as the door gave way, you swung back your arm. In one swift motion you stabbed the beast square in the eye. Wasting no time, you run off. Several blood-curdling shrieks could be heard upon the other's discovery of their wounded companion. You gave this all little heed. You ran and ran, so much that you felt as if the air had become toxic to your lungs. Ducking through alleyways and behind every object to be found, you made your way out of the area. It's far too dangerous to stay. You could feel it in your gut. This place is nowhere near safe. Something is horribly wrong...

       Just being there caused your heart to beat erratically; senses on high alert. A foreboding presence pervaded there. It was so oppressive that you marveled how you hadn't noticed it before! It filled you with a sense of dread, of primal fear. You didn't know much but what you did know was that - You. Need. Out.


       You continued to flee until you reached the forest. The trees, dead, twisted and bleak seemed to engulf the moonlit sky with their branches. Such a sight hardly brought you any solace. Nonetheless, this place appeared out of reach from those ghastly things. You slump against a nearby tree. Finally you feel safe.

       You have a bit of time to take in your surroundings. A chill ran down your spine when it finally registered how distorted everything seemed. The sky above even held to the abysmal tone of this place.


       'Where the hell am I...?' You think to yourself.  


       You rub your shoulder for even if a bit of comfort. The forest was serene, but still held little escape from your sense of sheer terror. Looking around you frown. From where you sat, you could see the dim lights of the carnival below. You decide to get up and walk around, staring any longer at that accursed place would have driven you mad!

       "Even if I don't know where I am...I at least need to find someplace to sleep. But where can I without the constant fear of being murdered?" You mutter to yourself.


        Looking all about, you can hardly see much through the darkness; save for the carnivals lights and whatever else the thin beams of moonlight allowed. Shaking your head, you decide to walk off in the direction away from the carnival. Anything but there would be good at the moment.

        As you near the top of the hill, you begin to see a new set of lights appear. You quicken your pace. From where you were, you could just make out what was just on the horizon.


       "A castle!" You said, a small smile came upon your lips.

       "Maybe...just maybe I could get in there...at least for now."

Wishing to waste little time, you ran up the remainder of the hillside separating you from your sanctuary. In case of some sort of scout being upon the castle's walls, you made sure to hide behind a nearby tree. Peering from behind it, you take in the spectacle before you. Despite your present situation, you can't help but take in the grandeur. Such lovely, intricate Gothic architecture could not go unacknowledged.  You felt the word "Beautiful..." escape your lips as you took it all in.


       "Enchanting, isn't it?"


       You whirl around to face a tall, elegant gentleman. His hypnotic golden eyes emitted a faint glow in the moonlight. You froze. Was this it? Had they finally caught up to you? This man could not be human. In light of your obvious fear, the 'man' laughed softly. "No need to fear little one." He reached down his hand to touch your cheek. Instantly you jerked back from the brief contact of his cold skin upon your own. Grabbing his arm, you twist it back. You used your foot to elicit a loud crack. He let out a sharp hiss, his porcelain white fangs on full display. Your gaze darkens at this, giving him a swift kick to the gut before you turn tail to bolt towards the castle. You manage to sneak into the back of the huge castle. Leaning against the wall you attempt to catch your breath.

"They almost had me..."
You say between heavy breaths. Without realizing it, you held your hand up to your face. You're still trembling.


       "This castle belongs to me. Despite your rude behavior..."

It was that voice. You frantically look all about you to no avail. You couldn't locate the origin of his voice. Frightened out of your wits, your whole body shakes. 'Should I run? Should I hold my ground o-or.-?'


       "Despite this, I must treat you as my honoured guest dear."

You feel something grab a hold of your shoulders. Before you could react, your body begins to give way. Your vision grows hazy and your heart stops. Finally, your legs gave way and you fall into the strange man's arms. Slowly the lights grow dimmer and dimmer....