Chapter 38: The Wailing Terrors of the Ghost Castle

Very well. We will depart at once. Next stop--Toto Dreamland, in the year 1100 AD.

We're approaching Toto Dreamland now. However there isn't anywhere large enough for me to land.

How about that castle there? We could land next to it.

There's a...castle?

Wait what? How did that end up here, in this era?

Wait, is that the Haunted Chateau?! *gulp*

Chateau? I guess that means castle in some foreign tongue?

Yeah. This is one of the theme park's attractions--it's an exact replica of a historical castle.

All right, seems as good a place as any. Set us down please, Hydra.

Understood. Initiating landing preparations.

Woah, I can hardly tell this apart from the Miglance Castle of the present. And this was an attraction?

Some people find being scared fun for some reason... But you know this place isn't really haunted right?

On dirait a perfect place for spirits to cavort in the shadows...

Urghh. Why do we have to go through here...

Monsters abound in this place. One could leap upon us at any moment. Let's be careful, friends.

We're fairly close to the exit now, mes amis.

Great. It's a relief we didn't fall victim to any of the chateau's unfriendly inhabitants.

Yes, that'd be a horrible fate for our Amy.

Huh, why me in particular?

Come on, it's obvious this hasn't been an easy ride for you.

The architects of this attraction would be proud to learn that it's had its intended effect, and on a young adult no less! I'd say this place must rival even the Ghost Castle of Eastern lore.

Ooh, that sounds interesting! You must know lots of ghost stories I haven't heard before!

Oh, all sorts of tall tales are told in the East. But the reality is often kinder. Take myself for instance... An author after an audience might take the liberty of writing me up as a some sort of rabid human-frog hybrid freak!

That doesn't sound...entirely inaccurate.

I would share some of the beastfolk's ghost stories, if I thought this audience could handle them.

Even my peaceful hometown, Baruoki has a ghost story, about pleading voices coming from a well.

Okay, enough of this subject...

Aldo... I think I just heard something move over there.

Amy's current heart-rate trajectory suggests the strong possibility of an imminent scream.

Come on, that's just patronizing. She's been through her share of battles. We know her nerves are made of stern stuff.

AAAAAAAHHHH!

Amy?

*huff* *puff* I've had enough of this place... Can we hurry up and get out please? Come on, everyone...

I don't see anyone...

......

Think you can scare me like that, do you! Not a chance!

......

Grrr, this doesn't look good.

Just like Helena said... I'm all alone?

This is just the worst. Gloomy, damp, and I have the distinct feeling that I'm being watched.

But...this place, it brings back... Memories...

I used to come here a lot back when I was a kid. I ought to be used to it by now.

That one time, Mildy and I got lost in this place... She was even more scared than me. By the time we got out, we were both blubbering messes.

It felt like that night would last forever, like we were never going to see our families again. But then that android king showed up and guided us to the exit.

Mildy...

Wha...

Amy, there you are! D'you know what that crash was?

Hey, everyone!

Where'd you get to?! How could you leave me alone like that!

Hold on, it was you who ran off after being startled by some slight noise.

All right, happy reunion concluded. Now we've got that unexplained racket to demystify somehow.

Well, yeah.

It came from this direction I think.

Uh-oh...

Wait, I remember this thing!

Krrrr... Kchak... Fzzz... Welcome to my...castle. You...will never. Leave this place...alive!

Watch out, there's something strange about the way it's moving. It's gonna attack!

That android used to play one of the ghosts here. It showed up and saved me and Mildy once when we got lost. So it kinda hurts to have seen it in that state.

Come on, cheer up Amy. We're almost at the exit.

I know. It's no time for a sulk. We've gotta get the Ogre Key back!

This way to the exit right? Let's get a move on.