I Love Azathoth

When Jonah returned to the mansion, he took a moment to backtrack, determined to hunt down the Boos lurking in previously cleared rooms. Armed with his trusty Poltergust, he methodically pursued the mischievous spirits, using his flashlight to reveal their hiding spots. The Boos proved craftier this time, darting between walls and taunting him with their cackling laughter. Despite the extra effort, Jonah managed to wrangle them all in, feeling a small surge of satisfaction as the Boo counter on the GB Horror ticked upward.

With his task complete, Jonah headed toward a door on the far-left side of the first floor. The ornate lock clicked open, thanks to the key he'd earned from his showdown with Bogmire. He pushed the heavy door open and stepped into the mansion's courtyard, a chilling breeze ruffling his dark hair.

The courtyard was eerily serene, with a faint mist clinging to the ground and vines creeping up the surrounding stone walls. That peace didn't last long as more ghosts materialized, their glowing forms bobbing in the dim light. Jonah gave a cocky smirk and readied himself.

"Alright, you know the drill," he said, raising his flashlight and Poltergust.

With practiced precision, he went through the motions: flash, suck, repeat. The satisfaction of hearing the Poltergust whir as it pulled in another ghost never got old. All the while, Jonah whistled the Ghostbusters theme song to himself, finding the humor in his eerie surroundings.

Pausing to catch his breath, he noticed an old, rusted mailbox near the courtyard gate. Curiosity piqued, Jonah reached inside and pulled out a neatly folded letter. He squinted at the handwriting, which was oddly familiar.

It was from Aza.

For a moment, Jonah felt a pang of worry, his heart skipping a beat. Had something happened to her? But then he quickly dismissed the thought.

"C'mon, Jonah. She's Aza," he muttered, shaking his head. "She probably set this up as part of my 'epic quest.'"

Still, just to be sure, he carefully tucked the letter into the GB Horror's hammerspace for safekeeping.

Moving deeper into the courtyard, Jonah came upon an old well. A rickety wooden ladder led down into the darkness, and curiosity got the better of him. Gripping the edges of the ladder tightly, Jonah descended into the musty depths. The air grew colder with each rung, the dim light from above barely illuminating the passageway below.

At the bottom, Jonah found himself in a narrow tunnel. The damp air carried the faint sound of... was that laughter? He followed the passage until he came to a set of iron bars, peering through them into a room glittering with gold and treasures.

And there, floating in the center of it all, was King Boo.

Jonah's breath caught as his eyes locked onto the large, imposing ghost. But it wasn't just King Boo that held his attention. Beyond the shimmering riches, mounted on the far wall, was a painting—a painting of Aza.

Jonah's initial panic flared to life. His mind raced with a dozen questions, none of them reassuring. But then he saw it—a small, subtle wink from the figure in the painting. Jonah exhaled a shaky sigh of relief.

"She's fine... of course, she's fine," he whispered. "She planned this. Great. Now I'm officially the hero rescuing the princess."

A low growl sounded behind him, and Jonah whirled around. A ghost had been sneaking up, but Jonah dealt with it swiftly, trapping it with the Poltergust. The defeated specter dropped a key, which Jonah pocketed before climbing back up the ladder.

"Guess I'm on the right track," he muttered, glancing back toward the well one last time. Even knowing Aza was fine, a small knot of worry lingered.

Returning to the courtyard, Jonah made his way toward the right side, where he unlocked another door. Inside was a rec room with weightlifting equipment scattered around, and in the center of the room stood a massive, muscular ghost. The ghost was lifting weights with ease, his translucent biceps bulging absurdly as he let out gruff grunts.

Consulting the GB Horror, Jonah learned the ghost's weakness. He moved toward a nearby punching bag, giving it a good shove. The bag swung forward, slamming into the ghost with a satisfying thud.

The ghost let out an angry roar, his form flickering with frustration. He dropped his weights and floated toward Jonah, fists raised. Jonah dodged nimbly, keeping out of reach and using the punching bag to land a few more hits. Finally, the ghost staggered, becoming vulnerable.

Jonah didn't waste a second, hitting him with the flashlight's beam before activating the Poltergust. The struggle was intense; the ghost's strength made it a challenge to wrangle him in, but Jonah persevered. With one last pull, the ghost was sucked into the vacuum with a loud pop.

Jonah wiped sweat from his brow and looked around at the gym equipment.

"Maybe I should hit the gym myself," he mused aloud. "Think my whole Eldritchfication thing would give me an edge? Eldritch abs."

From the rec room, Jonah discovered a staircase leading to the mansion's second floor. At the top, he found a door engulfed in roaring flames. Realizing what he needed, Jonah backtracked to the courtyard fountain to suck up a water ghost. Armed with the element of water, he returned to the fiery door, spraying it until the flames hissed out.

Beyond the door was a charming tea room, its quaint décor at odds with the chaotic energy of the mansion. Jonah barely had time to admire it before more ghosts materialized. He dispatched them with his usual flair, the room's small size making for some dramatic, close-quarters combat.

When the last ghost disappeared into the Poltergust, the room's lights flickered on, and a chest appeared. Jonah opened it to find a white, frosty medal.

"Ice medal, huh?" he said, examining it. It felt cold to the touch, the icy symbol glinting in the light. He attached it next to the fire and water medals on his Poltergust, feeling a small thrill of accomplishment.

"All three elements? Sweet. Now I'm unstoppable."

The newly equipped Jonah sucked up a nearby ice ghost before he exited the tea room and wandered into an unlocked bathroom nearby. The sound of running water caught his attention, and when he turned, he froze.

A plump lady ghost stood beneath a showerhead, humming softly to herself. Her translucent figure was surrounded by steam. Jonah smirked and readied his Poltergust. Using the ice ghost he'd captured, Jonah sprayed freezing mist into the water, causing it to chill instantly. The ghost let out a screech, clutching at herself in surprise. Vulnerable now, she whirled toward Jonah, only to be met with the bright flash of his flashlight.

The battle was swift. After a brief struggle, Jonah managed to wrangle the ghost into the Poltergust, her protests fading into silence. When the lights came on, another chest appeared, containing a key. Jonah pocketed it, grinning to himself.

"Onward and upward," he said, heading back into the hallway.

Jonah moved across the hall from the bathroom and stepped into a cozy-looking room labeled Nana's Room. Inside, an elderly ghostly figure sat serenely in a rocking chair, knitting with glowing spectral yarn. She wore a warm cardigan and wire-framed glasses perched on her ethereal nose, giving her the perfect image of a kindly grandmother.

Jonah hesitated, a pang of guilt rising. "Aww, I don't wanna catch you. You seem nice..." he muttered. Then, with a sigh, he added, "Ah well, rules are rules. Into the vacuum you go."

He raised the GB Horror to scan her, revealing a hint about her vulnerability: the yarn balls. Jonah aimed and sent a few yarn balls flying her way. Nana let out an indignant huff as the first one hit her, and by the third, she glowed faintly, indicating she was vulnerable.

"Sorry, Nana," Jonah said before flashing her with his light and starting the vacuum. Nana put up a spirited resistance, her rocking chair scraping across the floor as she clung to it. But after a brief struggle, she was sucked into the Poltergust, leaving Jonah standing amidst the eerie silence of the now-cleared room.

Continuing his exploration, Jonah found a door that led him into a strange, dimly lit room labeled Astral Hall. The walls were lined with constellations, and a large telescope stood in the center. Intrigued, Jonah peered through the telescope, and the world around him shifted.

He blinked and found himself standing in outer space. Stars sparkled all around him, and a shimmering light bridge stretched ahead. In the distance, a gleaming Power Star hovered, radiating an inviting glow. Jonah carefully walked across the light bridge, marveling at the surreal beauty of the cosmic scene.

"This... is awesome," he whispered to himself.

When he reached the Power Star, he plucked it from the air, feeling its warm energy pulse through him. Smiling, he placed it into the hammerspace of his GB Horror. As soon as he did, the scene around him shifted again, and he was back in the Astral Hall as if nothing had happened.

Jonah moved onward, unlocking a door that led him into the Billiards Room. Inside, a lanky ghost man in suspenders was leaning over a pool table, skillfully sinking balls into the pockets with his spectral cue stick.

"Wanna play?" the ghost asked, his translucent face twisting into a smirk.

Jonah hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure, I'm game. Never played before, but hey, first time for everything."

They started a match, and Jonah quickly realized he was in over his head. The ghost was unnervingly precise, sinking balls left and right, while Jonah fumbled his shots. But just when it seemed like the game was over, Jonah's chaotic strategy paid off. A lucky ricochet sent the eight-ball spinning into the corner pocket.

"Yes!" Jonah shouted, pumping his fist.

The ghost froze, his smug expression melting into shock. Jonah didn't waste the opportunity. He flashed his light, catching the ghost off guard, and sucked him into the Poltergust before he could recover.

"Beginner's luck," Jonah muttered with a smirk, slinging the vacuum over his shoulder.

After clearing a few more rooms of lingering ghosts, Jonah returned to the second-floor hallway and unlocked a door labeled The Twins' Room. Inside, the bedroom was decorated with childlike charm—toy helicopters hung from the ceiling, and the floor was scattered with race cars and blocks.

Jonah's eyes lit up as he spotted the toy helicopters. "...I'm not a child but I have the urge to spin those..." he said, grinning mischievously. He aimed the Poltergust upward and used its gust to make the helicopters spin.

"Hehehe," Jonah giggled like a kid, enjoying the simple fun.

The laughter caught someone's attention. Two twin ghost boys appeared, floating near the ceiling.

"Hey, mister! What are you doing over there?" one of them asked.

"Yeah, why don't you play with us?" the other chimed in.

Jonah turned to them and shrugged. "Sure, why not? I've been playing hide-and-seek with Boos all day. Might as well."

"Yay! Okay, we're gonna hide now. Wait outside!"

Jonah stepped out of the room and waited until they called for him to come back in. Scanning the room, he noticed a few suspicious boxes on the floor. Using the GB Horror, Jonah pinpointed the twins' hiding spots with ease.

When he revealed their hiding spots, the twins scowled. "Hey! That's cheating!"

"Hey, you didn't say I couldn't use my GB Horror," Jonah said smugly.

The twins, annoyed, hopped into their ghostly vehicles—one into a race car, the other into a toy plane. The room erupted into chaos as they began charging at Jonah, the race car zooming across the floor while the plane swooped overhead.

Jonah ducked and weaved, using the Poltergust to disrupt their vehicles. One by one, he managed to suck away their rides, leaving the twins vulnerable. Flashing his light, Jonah wrangled one twin into the Poltergust, then turned his attention to the other.

"Alright, buddy, you're up next!" he shouted, making quick work of the second twin.

As the lights flickered on, a chest appeared in the center of the room. Inside was a small, familiar object—Aza's shoe. Jonah picked it up, his brow furrowing.

"Looks like I've got more pieces to this puzzle," he muttered.

Recalling the mysterious Madame Clairvoya, Jonah decided to head back to the Fortune-Teller's Room. Summoning her once again, he presented her with the shoe.

"What's this? The shoe of your beloved, Aza?" she mused, her spectral eyes glowing. "Ah, they come! The spirits come! Crystal orb of my clan, show us all you could-I mean can!"

The room dimmed as she gazed into her crystal ball. "I see her... imprisoned, yet unafraid. She doesn't seem to be in true danger... but something stirs around her. Ach, I need more to see further!"

Jonah handed her Aza's letter next.

"Ah, a letter from your darling Aza! Let me read it..." Madame Clairvoya held the letter delicately. "L-O-V-E-Y-O-U-D-A-R-L-I-N-G-J-O-N-A-H. How sweet. The spirits stir again!"

Once more, her powers flared as she peered into the crystal ball. "Your Aza speaks... oh my. She says many loving words... and a few... indecent ones. Ahem. But wait... I hear King Boo. He speaks of—what is this? A creature I do not recognize."

Jonah's brow furrowed at the cryptic revelation, but Madame Clairvoya wasn't done. He handed her the Power Star, which seemed to pulse in her hands.

"This star holds a message... Aza warns you to keep Infetsa close during a coming event. The spirits grow restless. One more item, and I can say no more."

Finally, Jonah handed her Aza's bow.

"Bowser!" Madame Clairvoya exclaimed. "King Boo has somehow revived Bowser... and there's another... a green sack, dancing with glee. I cannot say more. My powers fade..."

As her voice trailed off, she looked at Jonah with a serene smile. "You have helped me bring peace to my restless soul. Please, send me back to my painting so I may rest."

Jonah hesitated. "You're... sure?"

"Very sure, send me there now you vacuum wielding rouge, ahhh finally I can return to peace in my painting. Sweet happiness in oils... I thank you, kind Jonah... King of Eldritch."

With a nod, Jonah aimed the Poltergust. Madame Clairvoya willingly allowed herself to be captured, her form disappearing with a contented sigh.

As the lights turned on, Jonah noticed a key lying beside her crystal ball. He picked it up, steeling himself for the challenges ahead, he also pocket's Aza's items back inside his GB Horror for now.

Jonah continued his steady march through the mansion, clearing room after room of ghosts. Lights flickered to life wherever he passed, their glow chasing away the oppressive darkness. With each captured specter, he found new keys, unlocking more doors and unraveling the labyrinthine structure of the estate. Eventually, he made his way to the roof, the cool night air up high refreshing after the eerie confines of the mansion.

The roof stretched wide, with tiles glinting under the pale moonlight. Near the center, Jonah spotted a cluster of Boos floating together, holding their ghostly "hands" in a circle. Their translucent forms shimmered with an unsettling luminescence.

As Jonah approached, the Boos noticed him and began to cackle.

"Oh no! That Jonah has made it this far!" one Boo cried out in mock terror. "We're so frightened!"

Another Boo chimed in. "I guess it's our turn then."

"Alright, Boos! Let's assume our real form!"

"But first," one added with a mischievous snicker, "how about a little scare?"

Before Jonah could react, the Boos vanished into thin air. A chill ran down his spine as he spun around, trying to locate them. Suddenly, they reappeared in a ring around him, their laughter rising into a cacophony.

"Gah!" Jonah yelped, startled as they swirled around him at dizzying speeds. The air seemed to warp, the world bending and twisting. Before he knew it, he was no longer standing on the roof of the mansion.

Jonah blinked and looked around. The rooftop had transformed into a warped version of itself, floating in a void of swirling purple and black clouds. The night sky was replaced with an endless abyss, streaked with bolts of lightning. A menacing cackle echoed through the air, deep and reverberating.

A colossal shadow loomed overhead, and Jonah craned his neck to see a massive Boo descending toward him. Its body was grotesquely huge, its round form gleaming with a spectral glow. Two enormous eyes stared down at him, and its jagged mouth curled into a sinister grin.

The monstrous Boo slammed into the ground where Jonah had been standing just moments before, cracking the tiles and sending debris flying. Jonah dove to the side, narrowly avoiding being flattened.

"So you're Boolossus, huh?" Jonah said, dusting himself off. "You're big, I'll give you that. But let's see how tough you really are!"

Boolossus laughed manically, his voice shaking the spectral dimension. The massive ghost floated upward and then dove at Jonah again, attempting to crush him. Jonah sprinted across the rooftop, his shoes skidding on the unstable tiles as Boolossus's impact sent tremors through the ground.

Jonah spotted some ice Unicorn sculptures rising from the ground nearby, their sharp horns glinting ominously. An idea sparked in his mind.

"Alright, big guy, let's see if you can handle this!" Jonah shouted, running toward the ice spikes. Boolossus gave chase, his immense size making him surprisingly fast as he barreled forward like a spectral wrecking ball.

At the last second, Jonah dove out of the way, and Boolossus slammed headfirst into one of the ice sculptures. The impact burst the giant Boo apart into dozens of smaller Boos, each one shrieking as they scattered across the rooftop.

"Yes! Divide and Conquer baby!" Jonah said, grinning as he switched on the Poltergust.

He dashed after the disoriented Boos, sucking them up one by one. Each time the Poltergust captured one, it let out a satisfying whirrrrr!

The remaining Boos regrouped, reforming into Boolossus with a defiant roar. The colossal ghost looked angrier now, its glowing body pulsating with energy.

"Uh-oh, someone's mad," Jonah quipped, dodging as Boolossus unleashed a wave of ghostly energy. The blast shattered more of the rooftop, leaving jagged gaps that led into the swirling void below.

Boolossus charged again, but Jonah had learned his pattern. He led the giant ghost on another chase, this time toward a cluster of larger ice sculptures. Once again, Boolossus rammed into the spikes, splitting apart into smaller Boos.

Jonah didn't waste a second, using the Poltergust to wrangle more of the fragmented Boos. They squirmed and shrieked as they were pulled into the vacuum, their protests muffled as they disappeared into its swirling containment.

Boolossus reformed once again, but now it was visibly smaller, its form flickering and unstable. The once-massive ghost was now about half its original size, though it was still formidable.

Jonah wiped sweat from his brow. "Alright, final round, big guy. Let's finish this!"

Boolossus unleashed a desperate barrage of attacks—ghostly projectiles rained down from above, and the spectral energy beneath Jonah's feet pulsed violently. Jonah weaved and dodged, his movements fueled by adrenaline.

He lured Boolossus toward one final ice sculpture. This time, instead of letting Boolossus charge on its own, Jonah used the Poltergust to create a powerful gust of air, pushing the giant Boo off balance and straight into the spike.

The collision was explosive. Boolossus shattered into a final cluster of Boos, their forms flickering weakly as they tried to scatter. Jonah didn't hesitate, running from one to the next and sucking them up with the Poltergust. The last Boo let out a pitiful wail before being pulled into the vacuum.

As the final ghost disappeared, the spectral dimension around Jonah began to collapse. The swirling void receded, and he found himself back on the mansion's roof. A large chest appeared in the center of the tiles, glowing with a golden light.

Jonah opened it, pulling out a key, he then glanced at the Poltergust, giving it an affectionate pat. "You and me, buddy. Best ghost-busting duo ever."

[TIMESKIP]

After a quick breather back at E. Gadd's lab, Jonah unloaded his haul of ghosts, watching as E. Gadd's machines transformed them into eerily lifelike portraits. With a nod of thanks to the professor and a few sips of water, Jonah geared up again and stepped back into the eerie halls of the mansion.

Jonah's first stop was retracing old territory. He ventured into previously cleared rooms to hunt down more Boos, their laughter taunting him as they flitted through walls. Slowly but surely, he sucked a few into the Poltergust. After some time, he made his way back up to the roof to survey the area more thoroughly.

As he stood gazing out at the shadowy landscape beyond the mansion, a sudden CRACK! of lightning illuminated the sky. The bolt struck the mansion's highest peak, sending a jolt of energy rippling through the air. Jonah flinched, shielding his eyes. Then, all at once, the lights in the mansion flickered and went out.

"...Oh, this bodes poorly," Jonah whispered, gripping the Poltergust tighter.

His Game Boy Horror buzzed and lit up, E. Gadd's frantic voice crackling through.

"Criminy! What a calamity! The lightning strike has caused a blackout! The entire mansion is plunged into darkness. Without power, the ghosts will take over, and none of the rooms you cleared will stay safe!"

"Great," Jonah muttered. "That's just perfect."

"Jonah, listen carefully! You need to be careful—the ghosts will be more aggressive in all this darkness. Stay on your toes!"

Before Jonah could respond, the line disconnected. As if on cue, the faint sound of a telephone ringing echoed from the mansion. Intrigued, Jonah headed to the telephone room nearby, weaving through the oppressive shadows.

Inside, the room was cloaked in gloom, save for the occasional flash of lightning through the windows. Jonah picked up the ringing phone, but just as he did, a bright flash of lightning illuminated the room. His shadow on the wall wasn't just his—it looked like himself... hanging from a noose.

"…Morbid," Jonah muttered, glancing over his shoulder to confirm nothing was there.

A voice crackled on the other end of the line. "Hello? Who is this?"

"This is Jonah," he said cautiously.

A relieved sigh came through the receiver. "Ah, my King. This is Infetsa. You've noticed the lights are out, I assume. The blackout has made the mansion far more dangerous. There's a breaker switch in the basement—you'll need to restore the power. I'd assist, but I'm currently… preoccupied."

"Noted. Thanks for the tip," Jonah said before the line went dead.

Before he could process her words, another phone began to ring. Jonah picked it up to hear E. Gadd on the other end.

"Jonah! Good, you're still kicking. Listen, while all ghosts hide in the dark, there's one in particular you should know about—Uncle Grimmly. He escaped from the gallery ages ago, and he only comes out during blackouts. He's an old-timer, cautious to a fault, but this might be your only chance to catch him!"

"Got it. Any idea where to find him?" Jonah asked.

"He likes rooms with mirrors. Try searching those before heading for the breaker."

"Thanks, doc. I'll handle it," Jonah replied.

But before he could hang up, E. Gadd's voice rose in alarm. "Jonah! Look out! The ghosts are heading your way—RUN!"

Jonah spun around as shadowy figures began to materialize. The room filled with swirling laughter and glowing eyes. Wasting no time, Jonah bolted out of the telephone room, weaving through the mansion's dim hallways as more ghosts emerged from the walls. Fighting them would be pointless in this endless darkness.

"Rooms with mirrors… maybe the wardrobe room near the parlor?" Jonah mused aloud as he jogged, his voice steady despite the tension.

Before he could finish his thought, the wall to his left exploded outward. Plaster and debris showered the hallway as a hulking figure stepped through the opening. Jonah froze, staring in disbelief at the massive form before him.

A grey-skinned behemoth in a black trench coat and fedora loomed over him. Its lifeless gaze locked onto Jonah as it cracked its knuckles.

"Wait… no. This can't be…" Jonah stammered, his blood running cold. "You're not supposed to be here!"

The figure took a step forward, its boots thudding ominously against the floor. Jonah recognized it instantly—this was Mr. X, the relentless tyrant from Resident Evil 2. But this was Luigi's Mansion, not Raccoon City!

"Why the hell is he HERE?!" Jonah yelled, snapping out of his shock just in time to dodge a devastating punch. Mr. X's fist smashed into the wall where Jonah had been standing, leaving a crater of shattered wood and plaster.

Jonah scrambled backward, but the tyrant was relentless. In one swift motion, Mr. X grabbed Jonah by the neck, hoisting him off the ground. Jonah clawed at the iron grip as his vision blurred, panic setting in.

Then, a strange feeling shot through Jonah's chest. A long, jagged crystalline spine erupted from his sternum, impaling Mr. X's hand. The tyrant let go, dropping Jonah as he recoiled from the injury. Gasping for air, Jonah stumbled to his feet.

"What the hell was that?" Jonah muttered, clutching his ribs as the spine retracted and disappeared into his body.

Mr. X didn't give him time to dwell on it. The tyrant lunged again. Jonah darted down the hall, ignoring the sharp pain in his ribs.

"I'll have to ask Aza or Yog about the spine thing later… assuming I survive this!" he panted, his heart pounding as he searched for a place to hide. "And why in the name of all things eldritch is Mr. X here?! This isn't even his game!"

Jonah ducked into a side passage, pressing himself into the shadows as Mr. X's heavy footsteps echoed behind him. His mind raced. He needed a plan—and fast.

What followed was a desperate game of cat and mouse. Jonah weaved through the shadowy mansion halls, ducking behind furniture, slipping through hidden passages, and avoiding the hordes of ghosts that now prowled freely. But no matter where he ran, the heavy, deliberate thud-thud-thud of Mr. X's boots echoed somewhere close behind.

It wasn't just his size or strength that terrified Jonah—it was the tyrant's unrelenting calm. Mr. X never hurried. He didn't run, didn't stumble. He walked, deliberate and unyielding, like a nightmare with all the time in the world.

Jonah's chest tightened every time the footsteps drew closer. He clutched the Poltergust like a lifeline, skirting the edges of every room, praying not to cross the tyrant's path. Somehow, against all odds, he made it to the wardrobe room.

Inside, Uncle Grimmly floated lazily by the mirror, his translucent form flickering in the dim light.

"Hey!" Jonah called out, trying to catch his breath. "No time for formalities—I'm in a rush!"

Grimmly turned, his ghostly eyes widening at the interruption. Jonah didn't give him a chance to react. He raised the Poltergust and blasted the ghost with a beam of light. Grimmly's form wavered, stunned, and Jonah seized the opportunity, wrangling the spirit into the vacuum with practiced precision.

As soon as the last wisp of Grimmly vanished into the Poltergust, a chest materialized in the room. Jonah hastily opened it, retrieving a key.

"Please let this be for the basement door," he whispered, clutching the key like a lifeline.

But there was no time to linger. The walls around him seemed to shudder, distant crashes signaling that Mr. X was still hot on his trail. Jonah bolted from the wardrobe room, making a mad dash through the halls toward the basement.

Halfway there, another crash sounded ahead, and Jonah skidded to a halt. Mr. X had broken through a nearby wall, cutting off his path. Before Jonah could react, the tyrant reached out, grabbing the Poltergust strapped to Jonah's back and yanking him into the room. Jonah slammed into the floor, pain flaring through his already bruised ribs.

Thinking fast, Jonah's eyes darted to a nearby candle. He scrambled to his knees, aimed the Poltergust, and sucked in the small fire spirit dancing atop the wick. The nozzle hummed with energy as he flipped the switch, spraying a jet of flames at Mr. X.

The tyrant staggered back, raising an arm to shield his face from the burst of fire. It wasn't much, but it bought Jonah precious seconds. Gritting his teeth through the pain, he sprinted past the hulking figure and didn't look back.

The basement was darker and colder than the rest of the mansion, the air thick with an oppressive silence. Jonah clutched the key, his hand trembling as he unlocked the breaker room door.

Once inside, he spotted the switch. Without hesitation, Jonah threw his weight into it, yanking the lever downward. The mansion groaned as the generator hummed to life. One by one, lights flickered on, flooding the rooms with a warm, golden glow.

Jonah sagged against the wall, letting out a shaky breath. "Finally..."

But his relief was short-lived. The door behind him burst open, and there stood Mr. X. The light illuminated his grey skin, casting deep shadows over his blank, menacing face. Jonah's heart raced as the tyrant stepped forward, unfazed by the fire still flickering in the Poltergust.

"Stay back!" Jonah shouted, blasting another wave of flames. But this time, Mr. X didn't falter. He walked straight through the fire, closing the distance.

Jonah backed into a corner, his breath hitching as the tyrant loomed over him. He closed his eyes, bracing for the worst.

Suddenly, a thunderous crash shook the room. Jonah opened his eyes just in time to see Infetsa—a blur of crimson scales and heat—slam into Mr. X with bone-shattering force.

"Stay away from my King, you mindless puppet!" she roared, her draconic wings flaring as her tail lashed the air.

Infetsa grabbed Mr. X's arm mid-swing, twisting and tearing it off with an audible snap. The tyrant didn't cry out but stumbled back, his movements slower.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Infetsa growled. Her eyes blazed with fury as she opened her jaws, unleashing a torrent of fire. The flames engulfed Mr. X, slamming him into the wall.

But she wasn't done. With a feral snarl, she pounced, her claws ripping into the tyrant's chest. In one brutal motion, she tore his head from his shoulders and incinerated his remains in a blaze of blue fire.

The room fell silent except for Infetsa's labored breathing. She turned to Jonah, her expression softening as she saw him huddled in the corner.

"I'm sorry, my King. I should have come sooner," she said, crouching beside him. "I was dealing with another creature like this one. Are you hurt?"

Jonah nodded weakly. "I'll live… I think."

Infetsa carefully scooped him into her arms, carrying him back to the mansion's foyer. She set him down gently, inspecting his injuries.

"What are you doing?" Jonah asked as she began licking his wounds.

"My saliva was given properties that will accelerate your healing," Infetsa explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "It should help you recover faster." 

Jonah winced but let her continue. After a few moments, she paused, noticing the slight tremble in his hands. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a comforting embrace.

Jonah exhaled shakily. "…Why was Mr. X here? He doesn't belong in this Mansion."

Infetsa frowned. "He wasn't supposed to be. This mansion was meant to ease you into the more dangerous adventures you'd tackle later, to help you grow. Someone interfered, my King. The Queen is already investigating."

Jonah let her words sink in, his voice barely above a whisper. "I almost died."

Infetsa tightened her hold on him. "You wouldn't have stayed dead. Even though your ascension is still incomplete, your soul is already eldritch. If you were to die, you'd eventually respawn. But Lady Aza wouldn't be pleased if that happened."

Jonah shook his head. "Still… I was so weak."

Infetsa pulled back, meeting his eyes. "You've only just begun this life, my King. You will grow stronger. For now, it's okay to feel this way. Rest. You've earned it."

As Jonah leaned into her embrace, the mansion seemed quieter, the danger fading into memory—at least, for now.

(TO BE CONTINUED)