//------------------------------//
// 40. #RingsaBell 
// Story: Ciderfest BOAS APP Stories: 86?! 
// by Janicethelight 
//------------------------------//

Story
You and Hoof Work find yourself following a page into an unfamiliar place. A dense fog covers the murky landscape with a few, scraggly dead trees barely seen through it. The air is thick yet icy and each breath of the dusty, frigid air hurts. Hoof squints as he looks on. "What..what is that?!" He wonders. 

You follow his gaze, narrowing your eyes to see an outline of some huge building. You feel both creeped out and drawn to the odd place. The draw feels more powerful as you walk towards it. Hoof Work slowly follows as he keeps watch. You faintly see more of the building, a castle, but something is off. You squint your eyes and notice that you can see the trees of the forest through the castle, like a mirage. You slowly try to touch the castle steps only for your legs to go straight through it. As you go through it, a low voice whispers from the silhouette. "Young travelers? After so-so long. Please. Would you be so kind as to help? This castle, after standing loyally for years, has found itself cursed."

"How was it cursed?" Hoof Work asks, looking to see if he can spot the source of the voice, 

"Honestly? One fateful day, when laughter still filled the air, a terrible creature this castle housed so generously had stolen an item of great magic. The magic was sucked out of the castle, and it stands before you now, a husk of its former glory."

The voice sighs. Hoofwork raises an eyebrow. “And how can we help?" He asks, his voice edged with suspicion.

"There is a page in a tree close by. If you would place the page on this castle, then we could come back! What say you? Be a good friend and help us please?"

You look over and see a page in a tree not too far from the strange castle. Hoof Work props you up so you can reach it. As you grab it, and step closer to the strange castle, Hoof Work sighs, "Look…this…this place doesn't sit right with me. Something feels…off! For one thing, I don't really like the voice or how vague it was. I'd really like to know more of the story. What was this mysterious magical artifact?! What creature stole it? Look, I know we're supposed to help others, but…I'm just not sure. What do you think we should do?"

[CHOICE] 
> Give the mysterious voice the page. (Villain)
> Keep the page for Fizzy. (Hero)

[ENDING A: VILLAIN]
"I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt." You smile. Hoof Work looks away, but nods, "Yeah. Maybe it's just the surrounding area that's giving me the heebie geebies." 

You put the page down inside the mirage-like structure. "Here you are, friend!" You nod.

Booming laughter echos around you as the page raises, glowing. The castle begins to form in front of you, dark and sinister. "It is good to see this realm is still as gullible as ever. My reign can begin once more. I thank you, my subjects!" Out of the nightmare castle, Grogar smirks, horns glowing, "You'll be the first of my new subjects!"

Hoof Work grabs you, zig zapping with all his might as you both run off. "Note to self: trust your gut!" Hoof Work shouts as you the maniacal laughter fades.

(+1 page for Villains)

[ENDING B: HERO]
"I agree. Plus, Fizzy needs the pages!" You nod, "Sorry." You shrug.

The earth below you rumbles as you hear the same whisper voice suddenly shout, "No! I will take it for myself!" The mirage-like castle begins to move towards you. 

Hoof Work shouts, "Not everyday architecture tries to get you!" While grabbing you and racing away with all his might. You look back to see the silhouette of a goat with huge horns on top of the castle just before the trees block your view.

(+1 page for Heroes)