More Complications

It's been over a week since Nar and Ruby had first arrived at the Mount Lunae Wilderness Resort. The shock of seeing Asuka, but 20 years older still hadn't quite dissipated yet, but the two were starting to get used to it. Turns out, Asuka here is some sort of 'Keeper' who helps people with the help of some sort of fae. Because of this, the resort is no stranger to weirdness. The first time Nar saw Asuka's 'other self', Maddy, he nearly had a heart attack. So far, most of the interactions Nar has had with Maddy has been her asking questions in an attempt to figure out how he even got here. Despite being here for nearly a week though, neither Nar, or Ruby had really asked any questions regarding their new hosts. They'd been far more focused on exploring, and mapping out the Astral Highways closest to where they came to the resort from. Not much time for delving into histories when your sister was in potential danger. This night, while the others sleep, Nar manages to sneak out, and enter the AHS door he'd come here from. If he wants any chance at finding Asuka, he's going to have to go to deeper layers in his search, and he doesn't want to risk bringing Ruby along, and getting her killed. She's never been beyond Layer 3, outside of the strange study/lab they found a while back. She might not be ready for what lays beyond the purple doors. After slipping away into the AHS, Nar resumes the search for his sister. He should be asleep right now, but how can he when his little sister is missing? He'd rather lose sleep than lose his sister. No matter how much sleep that entails. Nar traverses through various Astral Highways, though he always stays within the first 3 layers, and always marks his path with blue torches so he can return to the resort. Unfortunately, after what was likely a dozen hours of searching, Nar is no closer than when he started his search, and is forced to rest for the time being. After setting up a small camp, and having a meal, he closes his eyes, and attempts to banish the dark thoughts looming in his mind. When he awakes, Nar packs up his tent, and prepares to head out once more. By now, Ruby, and the others have likely noticed that he's gone. Hopefully, she won't come in after him. Though, knowing her, she'll be too pissed to just sit back at the resort, and wait for him. Even if he tries to explain his reasoning to her, Nar doubts she'd accept it. Maybe it would be different if he came back with his sister. The day's search begins, but quickly stalls as Nar is unable to find a way forward. The only door he knows of leads back to the way he came from, but backtracking wouldn't help at the moment. He needs to find another way forward. During his search for another door, Nar spots something purple out of the corner of his eye. He stops his search in order to investigate, and slowly approaches the distant purple object seemingly buried in a dirt wall. With a little bit of digging, Nar manages to clear away the dirt. The sight he uncovers causes his body to tense, and his limbs begin to feel cold. A pit begins to form in his stomach, but Nar can't take his eyes off of what he sees. In front of him, stands the door that took his old friends from him. A door that leads deeper into the AHS, and likely, certain death. Nar tries his best to calm himself, but every bone in his body feels like jelly, and his instincts scream for him to run. Yet, his mind is blank. It's been consumed by a primal fear, the likes of which Nar has only felt twice before. It's the only way forward. He has to go through the door if he wants to continue his search, but how can he? If he goes through that door, he'll die, or face a fate worse than death. All he has to do is turn around, and leave. Put the door behind him, and never touch it. Yet, Asuka could be on the other side. She could be experiencing something worse than he could if he went through, and he might be able to save her. C'mon shithead! Move! Just open the door, and jump through! Asuka needs you! But if I do that, I'll die. Then, there won't be anyone to save Asuka, and I'll have thrown my life away. Or worse. I'll end up like my friends. They were screaming in agony. They begged for me to save them, but I couldn't do anything. I don't want to end up like them. I want to live. All mental resistance ceases, and Nar begins to come back to his senses. Feeling begins to return to his limbs, and he manages to calm his heart rate down enough to where he doesn't feel like he's about to go into cardiac arrest. A heavy sigh relieves Nar's lungs of the pressure built up from forgetting to breathe. He's allowed a moment of respite before something else catches his attention. "I should have known you'd turn up sooner or later." A voice, eerily similar to his own comes from a figure, not 10 feet from Nar. The figure is slightly taller than he is, but it's hard to make out any features behind it's hood, mask, and ... hey! Those are my goggles! Instinctively, Nar reaches up to his face to find that he is, in fact, still wearing his goggles. Before Nar can fully process what's going on, the figure speaks again. His voice is low, and cold. "I'll give you this one chance. Go back where you came from, and never enter Subspace again. Do that, and I'll spare you." It takes Nar a few moments to gather his thoughts, but once he's done so, his answer is clear. "And leave my sister in here to die, or worse? Hell no! I don't know who you are, or why you want me out of here, but I'm not leaving until I find my sister!" The figure sighs. "I expected you'd give that kind of answer." Then, without warning, the figure discharges arcane energy from his horn. A bolt of energy slams into Nar's chest. It feels as though someone just slammed something blunt, and sharp into his chest at the same time. The shock almost knocks him unconscious right then and there, but he manages to stay on his feet. The figure prepares another blast, but Nar kicks on his motorized skates, and begins approaching in a zig-zag pattern. The figure fires off another blast, which barely misses Nar's head. Nar attempts to shoulder tackle the figure as he speeds forward, but he responds with some sort of shockwave from his horn that sends Nar spiraling to the ground. Pale, blue energy begins to coalesce around the figure's horn. Nar reaches into his satchel as he manages to get to one knee. A twisted, crackling stream of pale blue energy is shot from the figure's horn. Nar manages to dive to the side, but it connects with one of his legs. Unimaginable pain shoots up Nar's leg, and to his chest. It's as if his entire left side has been flash frozen. He's given no time to process the pain, as another blast is sent forth. This time, Nar conjures what arcane energy he can, and manages to create a weak barrier, which barely manages to dissipate the blast before it reaches him. The figure takes a step forward. Nar turns as quickly as he can. and hurls an object at the figure. The figure easily avoids the object, and fires off a blast. Nar manages to get back to his feet, and barely avoids the blast. He turns, and charges towards the figure again. It charges energy into it's horn. Nar reaches into his satchel. The figure begins to cast another shockwave, only for the blade of a battleaxe to barely miss his neck. The figure's mask falls off of his face. The two stare each other down. Nar can't believe what he sees staring back at him. It's his own face, only older. This can't be real. The figure takes the opportunity to blast Nar once more at close range. He is sent tumbling across the floor before coming to a rest in a heap. Nar tries to get back up, but his body screams in agony every time he so much as turns his head. He's forced to watch as the figure charges another blast, and approaches wordlessly. Something streaks over Nar, and the figure projects a barrier. He fights to stay conscious, but his injuries won't allow it. He manages to turn his head just enough to see 2 more figures approaching from the side. The first appears to be Maddy, with a bracelet on her right arm glowing as she appears to cast some sort of spell. The second is almost like an angel. With her wings outstretched, Ruby kneels down in front of Nar. Her expression is hard to read, but her tone when she speaks is VERY upset. "You DUMBASS! I told you we were doing this together! Are you trying to get yourself killed before we save Asuka?!" Nar can't manage a response. All he can do is fight to keep his eyes for a few more seconds before they force themselves shut.