The air is thick with shadows and silence as the characters slowly regain consciousness. Symbols pulse on the walls, casting an eerie orange glow. An oppressive presence presses against their thoughts.

Willow steps forward, squinting into the darkness. "Great, another trick from that shadowy freak," she mutters. "Where are we?"

Pony stands beside her, fear mixing with determination. "It feels wrong. Like we’re being watched." He looks at the others. "We’re not alone."

A faint, hollow laugh echoes through the room. The group tenses, but sees nothing. The laugh fades, leaving only silence, and a whisper wraps around their minds: "Welcome, little souls. You have all been… invited."

Giraffy shivers, clutching his arm. "Invited? By who?"

Mimi glances at the symbols on the walls. "These markings… I’ve seen them before, back in the city. They’re tied to that… thing… The Insolence."

Georgie’s eyes widen. "The Insolence? Didn’t Zizzy say something about it? How it… controls you?"

From the shadows, Zizzy steps forward, her movements mechanical. Her eyes glow with an orange light, as if under a trance. The others gasp, stepping back.

"Zizzy?" Zuzy cries, reaching for her sister. "What’s wrong with you?"

Zizzy’s voice rings out, cold and empty. "The Insolence sees all. The Insolence knows all." She gazes at them blankly. "You cannot escape."

Willow steps forward, eyes flashing. "Enough games! Show yourself!" she demands, her voice echoing in the darkness.

TIO’s voice fills the room, soft and insidious. "Escape? You think you can leave? I am everywhere, in every shadow, every doubt. The more you fight, the tighter my hold becomes."

Tigry trembles. "What… what do you want from us?"

The voice answers, coldly. "I want to see your choices, your loyalties, your fears. You are bound by fate… and Insolence. Prove your worth… or be consumed."

The shadows swirl, revealing paths darker than the last. The characters look to each other, knowing they must work together to survive. As they move forward, TIO’s laughter trails.