Jack's POV

The further we went into the gallery the more my energy was sapped. Perhaps this place was cutting off my connection to my believers, as a guardian I ran on their belief and if they was no connection, poof, went my powers. When my staff started becoming dead weight or my feet began to drag I would worry more, for now we had to find Mary and get out of this place. And try to find Garry, I remembered looking to Ib. Her face was calm as she quietly took in the aqua area around her. Children were tough, but just because she looked calm didn't mean she was scared. She's done this more than you, with a roll of my shoulders and that thought I pointed to the vase beside me.

"Ib, do you need to heal your rose?" she gave a little jump and gazed over to the brown vase. With a shake of her head she began to walk further in. My rose was missing one petal, but that was no biggie. I followed her closely eyes darting along the large room for any sculptures to come alive. Ib marched right up to the largest one. A large skeleton's top frame emerged from a frame. A crooked crown was a top its head and a regal coat adorned its shoulders. In one hand it held a sword, a real one, and the other a woman. She was smiling serenely and had her hands upon its bony chest. On closer inspection she was wearing real clothes.

"Tryst After Death," Ib read aloud and gave a look of wonder to the sculpture. A sense of uneasiness gripped my heart and I placed a hand on her shoulder. Usually she would jump or stiffen, but this time she didn't.

"Let's go look at the others." I pulled her away to one near the left corner. A hallway was placed into the wall and a door was set below, but we weren't interested in those yet. The sculptures were closed off with rope railings, but that didn't stop me from wanting to touch it. Flexible Stone, I leaned over the railings a stretched out a hand. Ib gave a small gasp behind me and fingers dug into my hoodie. Giving her a look I pointed with my head, "I'll let you touch it afterwards?"

It didn't fly. I pulled away, reluctant, and instead we made our way towards the hallway. On the interior wall was a white plaque and inscribed was the words, 'Cycloptic Smile: A Study' Focus your eyes and look… Who is the one that lives? Even reading the plaque gave shivers down the spine. Living paintings never were a good sign. With a hum I pointed to the large room.

"Let's explore this room more before we go in." Ib gave a nod and walked back towards the large room. Even with her movements she seemed at ease as she sauntered toward the last sculpture in the room. It was a large wine glass tilted on its side. A dark blue liquid spilled overhead from a puddle into the clear glass and onto the floor. A moon and clouds were painted in the liquid and a cloud was about to be sent into the glass. "Guertena certainly knows how to sculpt that's for sure." I murmured looking to the plaque.

"Drinking in the night," My voice echoed in the quiet room and I gave a nod of my head. I've done plenty of that in my travels. In the 300 years that I was alone I would often ride along the wind letting the moon, which never talked back, watch overhead as I flew and spread snow along the world. "I wonder what this would taste like." I latched my staff onto the rope railings and rocked the ropes.

"Like paint." Ib sent me a wry smile. I scoffed and let out a laugh afterwards. "I meant metaphorically." Ib shrugged her shoulders and turned. I followed her gaze. A painting was on the ground. Ib walked towards it and knelt.

"Is that a painting?" I followed and knelt as well. Ghosting my hand over the edge for a moment I grabbed the corner. It disappeared on contact. No woosh or noise followed; just it was there one second and the next, nothing. Ib cocked her head to the side and sent me a glance. "Maybe we should search for more," I stood to full height. Ib nodded and pointed to the hallway we were going to go down earlier. With a shrug I started towards it. Ib followed beside me hands in her pockets. We passed the plaque without a look and entered the long room.

It was filled with girl cyclops paintings. The walls were covered head to toe in rows of three. A long wall was erected in the middle of the room show casing even more. Ib took an uneasy step in and reluctantly I followed. The second I walked in I could feel their one eyed gaze. They stared straight ahead, but the feeling of someone watching my every movement. Suddenly self-conscious my movements became rigid. Ib's pace quickened and she kept her gaze at her feet. With difficulty I swept my gaze across the creepy room. The painting was in the far corner. Bumping Ib with my elbow, I pointed to the painting. She frowned slightly and narrowed her gaze.

"It looks like a piece." I gave an hmm and moved closer to it. "To a bigger a painting," she finished and I could see what she was talking about. This one was mostly black with a smear of brown representing who knows what. Ib made it disappear this time. With a firm touch it simply vanished. We booked it out of there after that. The feelings of being watched melting away as soon as I was out of there. I let out a sigh of relief and hung my head low, who knew being watched could feel like that. I gave a glance to Ib. Her brown bangs fell over her eyes as she peered at her feet.

"Ib, you okay?" I asked bending to her height. She immediately straightened and a poised cool face met mine. She gave a nod and slowly put her hands in her pockets. I gave a smile "that room sure was creepy, good thing those paintings can't move." She gave another nod. I placed a hand on her shoulder. She gave me a narrowed gaze and blinked. "Ib, are you okay?" She shuffled her feet and looked to the side. Silence stretched between us and then she spoke.

"I don't like being stared at." My mouth formed an o.

"I see. You won't have to go back in there then." My grip tightened on my staff and I gave her a pat on the shoulder. "I think were done with that room anyways." She gave a smile and shuffled her feet.

"Thanks Jack." I straightened and pointed towards the door below the Flexible Stone.

"How about we go there ne- woooah!" I tipped my body weight forward and floundered in the air before I hit the floor.

"Jack!" Ib called startled and I flipped back up.

"How was it, half believable?" I gave a grin. Ib's face went from one of shock to annoyance then laughter. A hand rose before her face stifling her giggles. A wave of relief washed over me as she slowly stopped and let her hand drop. A small smile tugged at her lips and she gave a cheeky grin.

"Maybe an eight" eight, my mouth hung open. She briskly walked past me and towards the cyan door.

"Were not done here!" I called out following her. She pulled open the door and I gave loud sigh. We entered a maze this time. The large room had pillars, not quite reaching the ceiling, strategically placed all around. Some were simple pillars and others were T shaped or giant blocks. There was a plaque to the right and paintings lining the wall to the left. "Avoid red, chase black" I read aloud. Turning back to the room I noticed them then. Stick figures, little black stick figures raced around the room. A red one raced towards us. She got the idea to run first. She ran ahead and I followed closely behind as the red one turned at the T shaped pillar. Scribbles of long lines scarred the floor, ahead was a messy circle. Lying in the middle was an open book.

"A 'Croquis Book'…" Ib murmured kneeling to the book. I squatted down and placed my staff over my shoulders.

"Did the stick figures come out of this?" Ib shrugged and with a turn of my head I saw them running chaotically. "Well, let's catch 'em, it'll be just like tag!" I shot out of my position and grabbed one. It didn't even notice me. On contact it gave a shrill squeak then lay dormant in my hand. I might have to put my staff down, Ib followed quickly and began to chase one that was running down the hall. She scooped it up quickly and the shrill squeak echoed in the room.

"Get them Ib!" I raced past her feet barely touching the ground as I scooped another up. Below my feet were scribbles of two stick figures enjoying jump rope and I snatched another. I spared a glance to Ib who was trapping them against a pallet and wall. She turned and waved a charcoal pen. They made these scribbles? I passed the canvas and collected some more slow moving ones. Keeping one eye on Ib I moved forward to corral more her way. Jumping over a ripped off plaque I spared a glance to Incomplete Youth and caught another.

Ib gave a loud gasp. Spinning on my heel I saw her run around a red one. Calling upon what little magic I could feel I swung my staff and saw snowflakes arch towards it. A groan built up in my throat, but was never released. I ran towards Ib jumping off walls for extra speed and pulled her out of the way of another red one.

Only a twitchy black one was left in this area. I pointed Ib to go around and jumped towards it. The red one began to run after Ib. Stopping it turned its see through face towards me and ran forward. It was like playing tag with Jamie and the others. I spun out of its way and rocketed towards the black one. My feet barely touched the floor as I ran and leapt around. Sensing it was about to be caught the quick black one ran towards Ib. It was trapped and a squeak greeted my ears.

Ib begins to chase another black stick figure holding a bird. The bird looks bone tired and as Ib captures the little beast it closes it eyes to rest. Motioning Ib towards Insomnia Coffin I point towards a large hoard running between a set of five pillars. She gives a firm nod of her head and cut towards the bottom. I rush them towards her. Running between the pillars I grab another. I push off the rightest one and hurtle towards another. No time for gentle landings and showy moves. As soon as my feet hit the ground I am already charging. They were faster and more jumpy than the neighborhood kids.

After clearing the pillar area I turn to see two fast ones racing along the far wall. I start towards them.

"Jack!" Ib calls and I turn to see a red one. A jolt of pain goes through my body. Needles of pain dance starting from my hip to the edges of my fingertips. I push away from the red one and let out a chocked gasp. As soon as it came its gone. The pain ghosts over my hip, but I have no time for that and I race towards a fast one. Ib runs towards me arms full of dormant stick figures.

"Don't trip!" I tease lightly and reach out to catch one. The other fast one, the last, races along the edges. In the corner of my eye I see a red one creeping up. "Get to the book" I run away and turn to see Ib running as well. I push off the floor, still backwards, and rocket towards the ceiling. I float in the air a few seconds before I hurtle towards the ground. Only red stick figures are running amok in the upper areas. Ib calls my name and I turn to see the last black stick figure trapped in the corner. Before it can make a break for it I run around the book and leap. It hurtles itself towards Ib, who easily catches it, and the lets out a squeak.

She lets out a breath and turns to face me. Her face is red and her body heaves with deep breaths. She lowers herself to the book and begins to drop the stick people in. Squeaks, of horror perhaps, echoed the room as the fell into the pages. Quickly I dropped mine in as well watching as the slipped through the air and right into the pages. After the last stick figure fell in, the book snapped shut. A black string tied the book and I gave a tired sigh.

I felt tired. My body ached, which was a first, and I could barely lift my staff. Houston we have a problem. Ib, despite being red faced, stood and pointed to the other side of the room.

"I saw a piece of a painting over there." I nodded my neck like rubber and rose as well. She briskly walked off and I followed my feet dragging. Turning from the L shaped pillar I saw the little bird from earlier. It followed Ib like a puppy. Turning she looked down at it and it gave and adorable little chirp. This allowed me to catch up and follow behind them.

There was a piece of a painting over there. Ib picked it up. After that was done we took the high ground and began to make our way towards the door. Rubbing a hand over my tired eyes I could barely hear Ib call my name. I followed her trying to make tired limbs work and saw that below Insomnia Coffin was another piece. She seemed excited and quickly made that disappear with the touch of her hand. Gallery physics, I grinned tired. As she was walking a red stick figure darted out.

She pushed back on her heel, but it was too late. The red one clipped her. Sensing that it could get me as well it began to run towards me. Sweeping my staff out, which felt ten times heavier than this morning, I caused the ground below it to freeze up. The little red stick figure crashed towards the floor dazed. I quickly crossed over it and yelled, to the door!

We exit safely. Ib takes a few steps from the door and let out a breath that makes her whole body droop. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a wilting rose. Only three petals remain. I pull mine out as well and look at the three missing petals. I feel drained and blink sleepily. Looking behind me I see the brown vase.

"Ib heal your rose, I'll be fine," I shove mine back in my pocket and she frowns. With a look to her rose she stills. Her eyes glaze over and the rose in her hand shakes. "Ib?" I call her name, but she doesn't respond. I call again and with a blink and jolt she looks towards me. She looks to the vase and sluggishly moves towards it. She places it and I watch enraptured as petals sprout out and the others regain a bright out of this world red color. She pulls it out and tucks it neatly into her pocket.

"Jack, you can heal your rose as well…" I nod and gently place mine in as well. Energy seeps through my body. I'm still tired, but I don't feel the need to keel over and sleep for a hundred years.

"Hey Ib, let's go find some where to rest." Her eyes widen at my request and her skin pales. Her crimson eyes dart to the ground and instead of a usual head shake or nod she stills. I almost slap myself across the head. Did Garry say something like that before he slept? I take a step towards Ib and she frowns. "Hey now," I lower myself so we see eye to eye "I'm going to wake okay?" She nods and her gaze hardens, at myself or herself I do not know. As if internally chastising herself she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Opening her eyes she turns on her heel and searches the room for anything. I rise and point to the drop of cyan in the distance, a door.

"Well check there first, okay?" She gives a hard nod and begins to walk, only to stop mid step. She looks back and her brows furrow. She tilts her head and walks back towards me. Her gaze is locked onto something behind me and I turn. It's the bird from earlier. I let out a breath and smile at it. It cheeps and bounces closer. "Hey Ib, I think it wants to come with us." It cheeps loudly and excitedly. I lower to one knee and coo at it. "Welcome to the team buddy." I can feel Ib's stare from behind and I turn to see her smiling.

"Well how about we go check some of the other rooms," Ib nods and looks towards the one I pointed out earlier. She begins to walk off towards it. Following behind I give a glance to Flexible Stone still wanting to touch it and into the next room. We pass Tryst after Death and before Drinking in the Night is a door. The bird chirps and I give a nod. "I've got a good feeling about this one," I joke as I twist the nob.

The room is filled with cacti. Not just any cacti, but strategically placed cacti. Ib places a hand over her mouth and looks away. I can see the shaking in her shoulders. I give a laugh to and gaze over the knee high cacti. They're huddled close together so there's a high chance you'll misstep and get a knee full of needles.

"Ahh" I let out a sigh "this would be so easy if I had my powers," I could have flown over them, frozen them, or done both. At the end of the maze was a piece of the painting. I turn to the plaque and begin to read. "'Cactus Terrace' a patch of countless little plants. Those who step on them will surely induce their rage." I stroke my chin and look over the not so little plants, I bet I could count them.

"We'll go together if you want Ib." I turn to face her "If you want to wait here you can." She gives a firm shake of her head and meets my gaze with a fiery one. I smile widely. "Okay then, let's go!" We begin our trek towards the pieces passing a canvas with splotches of color called Mayhem of Color. We walk slowly at first careful as to not prick ourselves, but a shiver runs down my spine. I look back and feel my heart pound. The painting had come to life, splotches of color hovering closer and closer towards us. "Hurry Ib!" she begins to walk faster and I follow closely behind throwing a glance as the painting moves closer and closer. I can feel the needles grazing my skintight pants, wishing I was wearing something different, and the paintings movements through the air.

There, behind a piece of the painting is a black rose engraved on the floor. Ib seems to be thinking the same and quickly turns the last bend. I see needles graze her skirt, my heart pounds, and she walks briskly towards the piece. With a firm grab it disappears and then she stomps on the rose. It shatters beneath her foot and I look behind to see the painting vanish. A sigh escapes my lips and I feel my body weaken beneath me. I'm tired; I look up through white bangs to see Ib carefully making her way back.

"Careful," I call out to her "Don't want needles stuck in your tights or skirt." She nods and I turn to lead the rest of the way. Now that we weren't in immediate danger we could go as slowly as we wanted. I picked a leisurely pace, as that suited me, and walked towards the other piece we missed. With a tap it disappeared, who knows where to, and let Ib lead the rest of the way. She walked carefully hands tangled in her skirt as to not get stuck. My staff hung loosely off my shoulder and I felt the old wood rest heavily. We made the last bend and I looked up to see a blank canvas. Something squeezed in my chest and I let out another body encompassing sigh. I seemed to be doing that a lot here.

I opened the door and felt my heart thud.

The ground instead of their bright aqua color was covered in murky blue scribbles. I took in a breath and clutched onto my staff. The lines seemed to pour out from where we entered and spread like a disease to the floor. The stairs in the back had a long line running up it and the hallway to the right had nothing. Even the ground beneath the sculptures was the murky blue. I swallowed thickly and looked to Ib, had she seen this before? Taking in the area she let out a heavy breath.

"Let's continue on… Ib" I began to walk further in. My body felt heavy and I took in a deep breath. Plastering a smile I turned and swept low, "hey Ib, doesn't this remind you of the ocean?" She blinked and opened her mouth. Closing it she gave an unsure nod and crossed her arms. "Do you like the ocean?" I asked and she shrugged still walking on.

"Mary loves the ocean," she said softly and I nodded. Crud I made her sad, I matched her pace.

"I love the ocean," she shot me a side glance as if saying 'can you even go to the ocean?' I nodded excitedly and swung my staff. "It's really fun to freeze the waves" I laughed. Her mouth opened in shock and she stopped walking. I snickered and twisted the staff in my hands. "That's the look people give when they see it" I jibed and she quickly closed her mouth. A smile crept onto her face and she ducked her head. I laughed and continued onto the next door. Ib quickly caught up. I opened the next door and quickly ducked in. The quiet click of the door was the only sound in the room.

It was an ordinary from everything we had seen so far. A couple bookshelves in two rows on the left side packed with colored books. A covered painting hung in the corner, a pair of bookshelves near the front before it, and finally a stool. The urge to fall asleep hit me heavily. I staggered on my feet and blinked rapidly.

"Hey, Ib" I called towards the little girl who was already investigating the room. She closed the book she was reading and turned to look towards me. "I'm gonna rest," she gave a slow nod. "Wake me up if anything happens or you're ready to leave." I didn't want to sleep, but the urge was overwhelming. What would the other Guardians think if they saw this? The Guardian of Fun sleeping and leaving a girl defenseless in a gallery full of deadly paintings. My eyelids grew heavy and I trudged towards the other side of the room. It felt as if all energy had left and I still had to walk through mud. How ironic, I thought slowly slipping to the floor. I placed my staff beside me and closed my eyes. In an instant I succumbed to the darkness.

Ib's POV

Jack was asleep. I watched out of the corner of my eyes as he unceremoniously slumped to the ground and snored. My throat tightened and I couldn't help but feel as if he wouldn't wake up. Dragging my gaze back to the bookshelves I lightly traced my fingers along one titled Eyes. It was about the different pieces Guertena had painted dealing with eyes. Two of the words I couldn't read, sadly, so I put the book down. Looking further down the lines something wafted through the air. Scrunching my nose up I walked towards the last book case.

The smell seemed to be coming from a book. The cover was worn and pages yellowed. I flipped over to the title. Entering the Secret Room, I spared a glance over to the slumped form of Jack and then looked back to the book. It couldn't hurt.

To enter the Secret Room. Read the writing on the back of the east bookcase. I closed the book and placed it back. Which is east, I turned around and walked to the nearest bookcases. Leaning forward I slowly shuffled towards the left scanning for any writing or switch. I passed the four cases with nary a scratch on the surface. Quickly passing the space between the next bookcases I leaned forward again. A gasp escaped my lips as small writing, that I sure wasn't there before, was seen. Next look in the gap behind the long shelf. More instructions, I stood fully and looked around the room, long bookshelf? There wasn't a gap in the front bookcases which left the shelves in the back. And the fact it's the longest thing in the room.

I had to step over one of Jacks arms to get to the gap, careful as to not disturb him, I leant forward. A small paper was lodged between the shelves. Carefully I pulled it out and unrolled it. Now look at the canvas. I turned to see that the painting from before was now uncovered. The curtain had fallen and lay in a heap below. Stepping over Jack, again, I made my way towards there. Stepping onto the dark blue curtain, a thought of folding them pushed away, I took a deep breath. Do you really want to do this? Exhaling I brought my gaze up and searched the canvas for anything. A title adorned the lower-right, but I couldn't read it.

I don't know this word, I frowned and stepped back. Looking around the room my eyes fell to Jack. He looked peaceful in his sleep sprawled out. His unnatural white hair shifted as he slept and my chest tightened. Garry, I shook my head and those thoughts out. Just a while longer, I turned away from Jack and walked around the small room. Heading back to the front bookcases on the left I examined the books. Many words I didn't know came up frequently; my fingers trailed the spines as my gaze drifted from the multiple colored books.

Cubism! I knew that word. I grabbed the book, which was heavier than it looked, I flipped it open. A piece of a painting fell out. I blinked in surprise. My eyes darted from the rather large piece to the small book. How… closing the book softly I slowly put it back in its place. This was the Gallery, stranger things had happened. I made the piece disappear which was infinitely stranger than a piece in a book and continued looking for the next clue.

There, near the door was a canvas. When we had entered it was blank, but now it was covered in black writing. It was the same loopy writing found only in the gallery. Perhaps it was Guertena's, no time for that kind of thinking now however. Close your eyes and count to three. Then it should be ready. My insides twisted and I let out a breath. I didn't get this far from blindly following the gallery, but what else could I do?

Slowly my eyes slid close. Taking a deep breath I counted. One…Two…Three… Opening them I looked around the room. The only difference was a golden cord was hanging from the ceiling. A red tassel adorned the end and I ran my fingers along it. With a tug the room changed before me.

A gasp escaped me as I did a complete 360. I was in a tinier room with no doors or signs of exit. My heart crawled slowly up my throat and I couldn't breathe. Taking a deep reassuring breath I relaxed my body. If there's a way in, there's a way out. Turning to, what I assume is, the front two small sculptures greet my sights. In between the two orbs, one red the other blue is a moving painting. It moves continuously to the left displaying grass where different animals frolicked. Clouds were scarce among the bright blue sky and I gulped. XXX Crows and Five XXX, the x's meaning a number puzzle.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I can picture a book with a lot of x's. I had asked Garry, but he had said to wait till I was older. Pushing those thoughts beside I watched the painting roll by. Count the crows. One crow…Two crow…Three crow… the last crow was in flight and I watched as the painting repeated itself. Three crows, storing that information in the back of my head I looked back again. Let's try apples. One apple… Two apple… Three apple… four apple… fiv- no that's the same one. With a frown I cross my arms and wait for the right moment to start counting something else. It isn't clouds, not enough snakes… ah!

My sights zero in on the fish. One…Two…Three…Four…Five… yes! I smile triumphantly and place my hand on my hips. With that done I turn towards the red sculpture. Walking over to it I place a hand on the blank dials. Turning the last one to three I step back and wait for a noise. A small chime rings through the room and I give a smile. Walking towards the blue sculpture there's a panel for entering words. All capitals or no, I frown and push F. Correct Grammar Ib, I press the lowercased i s h. Slowly backing away from the panel the chiming of a clock is all I can hear. It drowns in my ears as I wait for the chime to say you're correct! My heart thuds loudly. The chime goes off. My whole body relaxes. A breath escapes my lips and my eyes flutter close.

Opening them again I turn to see another piece of a painting on the floor. I make it disappear and cast a glance around for an exit. Nothing out of the ordinary greets my eyes. My heart beat roars in my ears. I let out a gasp and do another quick turn on my heel. No discolored walls or panels came loose after the puzzle was solved.

I let out a shaky breath and feel my legs shake beneath me. Jack! I shouldn't have left the room! My breaths drown out the clocks beating and my eyes dart around the room for anything. Come on Ib! Even with shaking limbs I walk towards the area around the blue sculpture. Inspecting the sphere closely, and finding nothing, I let another breath escape. The walls next, I lean closely and inch my way down the wall looking for anything. Nothing greets my eyes and I begin to slowly make the turn.

Wait, a small switch greets my eyes. I raise a hand and let my fingers ghost over it. With a deep breath I flick it. I'm back in the library room.

"Ib!" I turn to see Jack who looks relieved. His gaze narrows and the hair raises on the back of my neck. "Where have you been!" his voice rose in pitch. "I was so worried that you ran off, but now you're here in the middle of the room! How- where were you?" The grip on his staff tightens and I shrink back.

"Sorry." His mouth opens and then shuts. His whole posture relaxes and he rubs a hand over his face. Turning away he slumps and lets out a long sigh.

"No, I'm the one to blame, I knew I shouldn't have slept, but I was just so tired." He lets his hand drop and he looks over to me. A serene smile fills his face and he leans so were eye to eye. "I'm just glad you're safe, you didn't get hurt did you?" I shake my head no, besides the almost heart attack, I was fine. He lets another long sigh and shakes his head. A weight drops on my head and begins to ruffle my hair. I give a short gasp and all I can hear is Jack's laughing.

"You gave me quite the scare there Ib, just no more heroic adventures by yourself okay? Were a team," I nod to his agreement and feel my heart swell. Team, I liked how that sounded. "Well, let's go Ib." I nod and follow Jack towards the door. I wouldn't go by myself again; the thoughts of being trapped alone in that room alone were enough of a deterrent. We left the room in silence.

"Hey, the birds still here" I looked down to see the white bird running towards us, perhaps it can't enter rooms? Was that the reason it would never follow us? It gave an excited chirp. Looking up from the bird I noticed Jack was looking to the last door. He pointed with his staff and turned his head towards me. "Let's check the last door."

Following Jack around Tryst after Death we neared the last door. What would be behind there, you couldn't tell in the Gallery. Only the sound of a lock rattling greeted us. Jack hunched over shaking the door more, but this only increased the sound. With an aggravated sigh Jack released the door and took a step back. Lazily he pointed towards the stairs, there next, the words written in his body language. I nodded and followed Jack as he rounded the corner. We climbed slowly not in a rush to find whatever might be at the top. My hand rested on the railing beside, as we climbed higher and higher. Finally reaching the top we exited into a small room. It was still the same aqua color, but there was only one piece of art.

"Wow… you've got to be kidding me." Jack breathed. A painting of the Mistake was here. Right in front of it was a giant hole. Most of the piece, if it could be called that, was roped off except for the area in front of the Mistake. "If this is what they're calling art these days, I'm a master artist." Jack joked. He stepped in front of the hole and knelt down. He let out a low whistle. Reluctantly I followed and leaned over it, I couldn't see anything below.

"You know what's art, creating snowflakes," Looking to the winter spirit beside me he frowned. "Each ones different and unique, but this is what they put in an art gallery- a hole." He looked offended. Looking back the hole I spoke.

"I like snowflakes."

"Thanks Ib" He began to rise. Glass shattered behind us. Startled I straightened only to feel something push me. Jack yelled my name. I couldn't feel the ground beneath me and began to fall. The air roared in my ears as I fell. At first all I could see was darkness, but the walls changed colors into a bright yellow with blue and red splashes and spheres of different colors and sizes passed by me. Something grabbed my waist. Jack yelled my name and the descent slowed. It was too late however as we crashed to the floor.

Everything hurt. My side was throbbing in pain and the room spun before my eyes. Shutting them tight I tried to rise. A sharp pain started at my hip and flared.

"Ib, Ib get up!" I felt a cool hand press down on my shoulder. My eyes snapped open and I sat fully up. Something cold on my hip would be nice. "Are you okay?" I nodded and stood. Jack rose as well and bent so we were face to face. "Are you sure? Sorry I couldn't slow it further," he frowned and I shrugged. The action barely hurt now.

"What about you," I asked and he straightened.

"I've had worse falls." He smiled and I nodded. Pulling out my rose I saw two petals flutter to the ground, I was at three petals now. Jacks face fell and he checked on his own. Two petals fell out of his pocket as well. We didn't have any vase water too.

"Where are we?" I asked looking around. There was a glass box in the middle of the small room and a plaque. On the far wall were some words in bright blue paint and two circular paintings with buttons beneath them.

"I don't know," Jack swung his staff onto his shoulder. "Jewels Box of Temptation." He read the glass boxes name.

Suddenly the Mistake dropped from the ceiling. It hit the floor with a loud thud and began to amble towards us. Jack pushed me to the other side of the jewel box and I watched as the Mistake continued forward. As it neared the front of the room we neared the back. Taking this time I turned and read the Gallery words.

"Which heavenly bodies weren't there" I read aloud. Jack turned quickly his gaze darting between the two circular paintings.

"Ib, we don't have time for that right now." His voice was strained. I looked back to the Mistake and then the door behind him.

"We'll lead him to the back and escape from the door." I look up to Jack who gives a nod. He raises his staff and knocks it against the wall behind him.

"Hey! Over here!" The Mistake turns it's blotted out face towards us and begins to run around the Jewels box. At the same time I start forward the opposite way. Jack's quiet footsteps accompany and we run towards the door. I slam into the wood and fiddle with the knob. Unlocking it with a click I swing it open and run out of the door. Jack slams the door shut behind us. Turning on my heel I let out a breath and feel another stab of pain on my hip.

"Well, I don't think we're going in there anytime so-." The sound of the door unlocking cuts him off. With a turn on his heel he barely jumps out of the way as the Mistake brings it's arm down in a swipe. Jack lands softly beside me and points to the last hallway. "Over there!" I twist and start to run. We pass over Drinking in the Night, and run straight to the unknown area.

Pausing for a breath I bend over and place my hands on my knees. My heart thuds in my chest and I take in huge gulps of air. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jack leaning against the wall and taking in a breather himself. Suddenly something chirps behind me. I straighten and turn to see the small bird. It chirps some more and strolls in. I watch in amazement as it begins to walk down the hall. It stops and turns to the left walking towards the wall. It takes a few more steps towards the front, turns and walks all the way to the other side of the wall. Finally it goes back to the middle of the hall and walks on as if that was normal. I look to Jack who shrugs and begins to copy the pattern. I walk behind Jack and as we finish the pattern we walk towards the end of the hall.

The little bird is waiting for us. It stands in front of a painting with a similar bird and promptly turns towards it. It takes a few steps and jumps. The bird melds into the painting. It turns to the other bird and looks to be nuzzling it. Smiling I look down towards the plaque; Place of Warmth.

"So this is this little guy's home," Jack smiles brightly and leans against his staff. His eyes soften at the painting. This is proof that not all paintings are bad; as soon as the thought happens something drops. I take a step back and suck in a breath. It's another piece. Crouching down I place a hand on the corner and let it disappear.

"I wonder how many more there are," I turn to Jack who shrugs.

"I wonder what they're making." I nod at his question and jerk an arm towards the exit. Taking the hint Jack leads the way out. "Remember to be careful, the Mistake is out there." I nod and we exit the hallway. The Mistake is loitering around Tryst after Death and the large mural in the back. Noticing three missing pieces I pull on Jack's sweatshirt and point. Following my finger he turns his head and crosses his arm. "What does that look like," he mutters it more to himself than I so I tune him out. He talks more, but I let the words melt into the quiet background. Scanning the stairs, which lead to the hole, I wonder if there's a piece up there. Maybe we missed some in the other rooms. It had happened before with Garry.

"Ib, are you listening?" I'm jolted out of my thoughts and snap my head over to Jack. His brows furrow and he cocks his head to the side. Snow white hair shifts over his eyes and I give a curt nod. "I said I'm going to investigate the creepy room." A chill runs up my spine. My throat runs dry and I avert my gaze to the stairs. "Do you want to wait outside of the room; I don't want us to split up." Again is left unsaid. Nodding I let Jack lead us to the creepy room.

My thoughts travel to the other time with Garry. We were running from headless statues, which we have yet to see, and I had collapsed in a hall full of paintings with white faces that stared at all who dared to pass. Why Guertena felt the need to paint things that stared at you I would never get.

"We're here." I turned away from the doorway of the creepy room and set my gaze on the outside. Even if I wasn't in the room I could feel their eyes on me. Ever since I was little I never liked being stared at. Mary would attract the attention and that would be great. But how much of that was real, in truth I had only known Mary for a little over a year. My chest squeezed and I pushed those thoughts down.

Jack's POV

I did not like this. Walking in the front of the Cycloptic Smile room I had my eyes peeled for anything. It was row upon row of the same picture. Three top to bottom of the wide stretched smile of the brown haired cyclops. A shiver ran up my spine and began to twist my staff in my hands. This is too much; it was like they were piercing my soul. Looking to the doorway Ib has her back turned and fingers knotting into her jacket.

Something moves in the corner of my eye. Snapping my gaze to where I saw something move I scan the paintings again. Pointing to the top painting I grimace, that one blinked. Something clicks in the silence. The painting begins to shake in its place and a piece falls out. Swallowing thickly I bend down and let it disappear. Two more… rising I begin to walk out. I couldn't get out fast enough.

"I found another piece Ib" I inform her as I pass. She raises her head and nods sending brown hair shifting. Walking out of the cyclops hallway we enter back to the main large room. All that remains now is to figure out that Heavenly Bodies puzzle and find the last two pieces. "Hey, back to the puzzle?" Ib nods and begins to walk on the outside of the wall. I follow watching the Mistake warily. It's loitering near the large mural, still, and bumping into the wall. Quietly we stalk back to the stairs. I take two at a time jumping up one hand on my staff and the other on the railing.

Reaching the top and turning to the small room shattered glass glints in the dim light above. Walking forward I sweep some away with the crooked end of my staff. I couldn't get it all, but better some than nothing.

"Hey, uh we're going to throw ourselves down this hole, again?" I ask Ib sending her a glance. She nods and takes a step forward. Before I can reach out a hand she jumps. Ib! I jump s well and watch the scenery change around from black to yellow and other colors. Ib reaches out a hand and I clasp it. Pulling on any power, which wasn't much, I try to slow our descent. The wind rushed around enveloping us like a small tornado. The spheres of color passed by quickly and I craned my neck up to see them. I see a red one, a silver one, blue one, and a yellow o-

"Jack!" I snap my head down to see we're landing. I stop the wind a moment before our feet hit and we crash. Ib sits up from the floor and places a hand on her pocket. She winces and stands. Already on my feet I give a sheepish smile. Rubbing the back of my head I look away.

"That… wasn't one of my best landings…" Ib's eyes narrow and she turns to the jewel box.

"Me can't see you behind. Come to side." A voice floats from the box and a chill runs to up my spine. Ib looks to me then moves to the side. I follow. "Want me treasure?" what was this, a pirate box? Ib nods. "Solve wall puzzle and we talk." It pauses "Mess up, me bites." The box opens up and razor sharp teeth are shown. It opens and closes multiple times mimicking the movements for chewing.

"Well, let's solve this puzzle." I walk towards one of the planet paintings, clicking the button below the blue planet changes to a red one. I click it again and it changes to a yellow moon. Ib is at the other one clicking the button rapidly. She pauses on a yellow star with an orange border. She turns and points to the painting.

"Did you see this one?" I shake my head and click through the planets some more. One down, one to go, planets of blue and red pass until I finally stop on a green one. It's a shiny green with a wrapping that makes it look like plastic. Footsteps alert me to Ib who walks towards me. She stops by my side and tilts her head. She gives a short nod, that I found the right one, and turns to the jewel box.

The box is still opening and closing its mouth, teeth glittering in the dull light. Ib walks towards the side and crosses her arms. Swinging my staff to the side and letting it rest on my shoulder I walk over to Ib's side. The jewel box stays quiet its maw shut firmly.

"You smart." A breath "Fine, you have me treasure." A crunching noise erupts from the box and then its mouth opens wide. A piece of a painting is inside. Ignoring the fact that it was in a talking jewel box I press my hand on it and let it disappear. As soon as my hand is withdrawn the box shuts and stays quiet. Pointing to the door, I let Ib lead the way out of the small stuffy room. Taking a few steps into the large room I look to the large mural. No pieces are missing. Nudging Ib, I use my staff to point towards the finished painting. Ib lets out a breath and takes a step forward.

"Who is that?" I ask beginning to walk towards the large painting. It takes up a whole wall by itself like Fabricated World, but unlike that long rectangular painting this one was square. Also unlike that one that was black and filled with barely recognizable scribbles this was a painting of a man. Only the back was seen, that taking up three fourths of the picture, with one arm bent forward holding a paintbrush painting something green. Ib walks forward towards the plaque and reads aloud.

"Guertena," she looks up and takes a step back. A self-portrait? Ib narrows her eyes and balls her fists.

"I thought he didn't leave any self-portraits." If you could call this a self-portrait, it was just the painting of a backside. You couldn't even see his face.

Suddenly the ground begins to shake. The room rumbles and the paintings begin to rattle. I yell for Ib and reach for her shoulder. She staggers and reaches for my hand. Grabbing and steadying her I look around the large room. Even the sculptures shake and sway along with the shaking room. Is this what it meant by drown in the abyss?

"Jack!" I twist back to the Guertena painting. Where there was a wall below the portrait is now stairs. The rumbling stops and the ground steadies. Letting out a breath of relief I look over to Ib. She clutches my hand fingers digging into my skin. Slowly she pries them off and wipes them on her skirt. She looks down the stairs and then up to me. Giving a nod we begin to walk down them together.

Like before the walls change color, but instead of a brown to blue this is a blue to black. We continue up the black stairs waiting for anything. In the quiet we exit into a small room. It's a tight black room that stretches far ahead. Roped off in the middle is a black diamond shaped bed. Black fluffy shapes connected with red wire hang above like a dream. In between two lines of a rope is a vase. Ib lets out a sigh of relief and quickly walks towards it.

"You go first." I pull my rose out, it looks slightly wilted but overall fine. She pulls hers out as well the red a muted color with three petals clinging for life. She dips it in and two more petals unfurl. Pulling out the now bright red rose she motions for me to do the same. I place my light blue rose in and watch as the same happens to mine. Feeling energy flow through my limbs I roll my shoulders and crack my neck. Even Ib looks healthier her cheeks redder and scarlet eyes brighter. Watching, she walks towards the plaque in front of the bed sculpture.

"Final Stage." Frowning I turn towards the bed. Blue footsteps of paint lead towards the open covers and a shiver runs up my spine. Something wrong with this one. I don't want to even get close to it. A cold sweat runs down my neck and I rub a hand through my hair.

"How do we get over, jumping?" I bend down a little and clutch my staff, even with muted powers I could get over the ropes. Ib shakes her head no and points towards the vase.

"We can push the table." Ah. With a sheepish grin I straighten and swing my staff onto my shoulder. With quick footsteps I move towards the table and with a firm push it skitters forward. With another push it goes further into the roped off area. Ib follows closely behind. She enters the area and steps over to Final Stage. She stares at it and closes her eyes, taking a deep breath she exhales slowly. Her eyes glaze over and a hint of a smile ghost over her lips.

"It smells nostalgic." I walk closer as well stepping over the blue paint steps. Taking a whiff as well, I don't smell anything. I clutch my staff and point towards the door.

"Come on Ib-" She steps closer to the bed and pulls back the covers. "Ib!" I grab at her shoulder and she freezes. Turning her head slowly I am met with a blank face.

"I don't think you should sleep on that." I grimace and she gives a short curt nod. She drops the covers and walks away as if it was nothing. I follow her throwing a glance back at the weird bed. The further I walk away the better I feel.

At the end of the room is a black hallway. Ib waits at the mouth and has her hands in her pockets. She looks deep in thought and lets out a breath. I pause by her side and she looks up. With a nod she walks forward and into the dark hallway. I follow closely behind my staff raised and eyes darting around. Pitch hadn't attacked so far, but I don't doubt that he wouldn't. Unless he wasn't in here, then I was just being cautious. The hallway in the distance brightens into a grayer blue and crudely drawn white stairs come into sight. Ib stops at the stairs and I almost crash into her.

"Ib?"

"I've been here before." Her voice is quiet and her face looks pale. I look around and feel a different atmosphere than before. Besides the fact that this part of the Gallery looks drawn and not real, the texture is different. Instead of painted walls and quiet, the walls seem to be colored with crayons and the air is charged with a more childish feeling. Ib steps onto the first step and places a hand on the wall. "This is the sketchbook."

"Sketchbook?" I repeat the word and she gives a grim nod.

"Garry is sleeping here." I smile brightly and jump up the step. Ib leans back, startled, and blinks wide eyed.

"That's great!" I turn to face her. "That means we can find Garry!" Ib gives a shy nod and a small smile. I grab her hand and pull her up the next stair. "Come on Ib, let's go find him!"

I pull her up the white bordered stairs and into the next hallway. Her footsteps thunder behind my quiet ones and her eyes bore into my back. Right, hand holding. I pull away and spin my staff in my hand. Looking around the midnight blue hallway, the walls are covered with scribbles. Rough stars are drawn, the inside lines not even erased, and near the end of the hallway yellow roses on thick vines are colored onto the walls.

"Mary had a yellow rose." Ib comments quietly as we pass. I nod as we turn the corner.

"Oof!" I fall back bumping into something. My staff clatters to the floor beside me and my back hurts.

"Ah! Whoa are you okay!" A pale hand enters my vision and I look up. A young man stands before me. He has wavy light purple hair covering one eye and darker purple strands at the top of his head. A raggedy blue coat swirls at his knees.

"Garry!"

Extra-long chapter since I've been neglecting this fanfic for other stuff ;w;. Anyways Garry is here! And this is the last chapter that I knew what was going to happen. The next chapter is going to be shorter because that is going to be the last chapter before the two endings. This fanfic is going to have two different endings btw so yea. I might add a different third ending later on, but for now I have two planned. A Garry ending and a Mary ending. The Mary ending is going to come first btw. That's all, I hope your enjoying the fanfic.

Phira signing off