XXXIII.

[hellshaped]

[After the last person is cured from the virus, the following is written in the journal. Anyone who's had a written conversation with Hellboy before will recognize the left-handed scrawl; he isn't bothering to disguise himself or filter this. But some things are just easier to write out.]

For those of you who don't know what happened this past week, you deserve an explanation. Closure. There wasn't enough time to explain before. And I know sometimes things don't get put out in the open here. So look here first: [page number.]

And here's the rest of it:

[He transcribes the words that appeared in his journal a few days ago.]

We found the cures that the last castle didn't. And that's about it.

If there's anything more you want to know, I'll do my best to answer. I'm sure other people will try and help explain, too.

But the important part is, we're all safe now.

[Filter: Nancy Downs and Zeke Tyler]
[This is still written!!]

I don't know if you've been following this over the journal. But if any of your people are from Draconis, let them know we found the last cure. And I'm sorry they had to go through this.

Comments

[cheerupemoborg]

'Draconis'...

This is interesting. Was the location of this other castle ever deduced?

[hellshaped]

This is the first time I ever heard of it. I guess it's close to Lastlook.

[cheerupemoborg]

This Lastlook was near the Totem Coast, correct?

[hellshaped]

Right. That's where we picked this up in the first place.

[cheerupemoborg]

So that's three castles so far. Makes me wonder how many more there could be.

[hellshaped]

It's hard to take an inventory of something like that where magic is involved. Numbers don't really mean anything if the world can change all the time.

[cheerupemoborg]

Doesn't hurt to try. Never know what might be uncovered.

[save_the_souls]

Thank you, sir.

I'll work on a report about the virus for the clinic...and maybe a few extra copies for future groups if this ever appears again. At least, so there's something more complete than Dr. Brewer's notes.

[hellshaped]

["Sir"... Allen.....]

That's a pretty good idea. I'm really bad at paperwork, but if you need any help, let me know.

[save_the_souls]

[he does what he want!!]

Thank you! Any sort of detail about what they were like when they were sick, would be nice. Especially powers...

[hellshaped]

It looks like people infected with Lust had some sort of hypnosis or mind-control powers.

Envy could turn invisible. I think. [Jury's still out on whether or not that is just a troll thing.]

[save_the_souls]

Hmm...that explains a few things. One of the girls kept turning invisible, but I didn't know if it were her powers or not.

[hellshaped]

That's what I thought, too. Who was she?

[payback]

This world is so strange.

[hellshaped]

Are you only figuring that out now?

[payback]

No, but it really gets brought home sometimes.

[hellshaped]

I think it does that on purpose. It gives us goofy stuff, fairy masquerades and magical kissing ... and then throws something horrible at us.

Though I guess this time it wasn't on purpose. Which makes me wonder exactly how powerful this place -- the castle, I mean -- really is.

[payback]

The thing to remember it's an organism here just like us, I guess. It's not just a lifeless spell or really an inanimate object even if it looks that way.

Maybe it's not even native here either.

[hellshaped]

You think it's some kind of alien organism? A castle from outer space?

DOOP DOOP LATEST REPLY

[huffythedragon]

So everypony is okay?

UNACCEPTABLE no i'm kidding hi

[hellshaped]

It looks that way. Are you still at the outpost?

GOSH BE LIKE THAT GOSH

[huffythedragon]

Uh huh. But I'll come home if it's all cleared.

GOSH!!

[hellshaped]

I think it's safe to come back now. All the stragglers look like they're cured.

[huffythedragon]

That's good. I was really worried.

And are you okay? [See, he told you he'd ask about you, dude]

[hellshaped]

[D'aw, Spike...!]

Oh, I'm fine. It looks like I was immune.