<big><b>$player_name</b></big>
<<if $pronoun is "they">>they / them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she / her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he / him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective / $objective<<endif>>
You have $eyecolor eyes, $hairlength $hair hair, and $skintone skin. You're $height. <<if $style isnot "undefined">>Your style can be described as $style.<<else>> <<endif>>
<<if $disposition lte 10 and $disposition isnot 0>>You have a <b>kind</b> disposition.<<endif>><<if $disposition gt 10 and $disposition lt 15>>You're very <b>charming</b>.<<endif>><<if $disposition gte 15 and $mental lte 10>>You're <b>blunt</b>, but you wear your heart on your sleeve.<<endif>><<if $disposition gte 15 and $mental gt 10>>You're seen as a <b>blunt</b> person.<<endif>><<if $disposition gte 15 and $mental is 0>>You're seen as a <b>blunt</b> person.<<endif>><<if $disposition is 0>>You're <b>average</b>, not very noticable.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude is 0>>Your attitude is <b>neutral</b>.<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>You're quite <b>cautious</b>.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lt 15>>You're <b>thoughtful</b>, thinking before doing.<<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $mental gte 15>>You're <b>bold</b>, making decisions on a whim, but you're smart about it.<<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $mental lt 15 or $attitude gte 15 and $mental is 0>>You're very <b>bold</b>, doing things before thinking too hard.<<endif>>
<<if $mental is 0>>You have <b>average</b> mental capabilities for your age.<<endif>><<if $mental lte 10 and $mental isnot 0>>You're very <b>empathetic</b>.<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lt 15>>You have a <b>balance</b> between being empathetic and rational.<<endif>><<if $mental gte 15>>You're rather <b>intelligent</b>.<<endif>>
<<if $decisionmaking is 0>>You aren't <b>passive</b> or <b>confident</b> with your decisions.<<endif>><<if $decisionmaking lte 12 and $decisionmaking isnot 0>>You like to study the situation <b>before</b> making decisions.<<endif>><<if $decisionmaking gt 12>>You're <b>confident</b> with your decisions.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><<if $clue1 is "true">>Avery is the only one who knows Mallory’s locker combination.<<endif>><<if $clue2 is "true">>
Nox’s power malfunctioning happened two days after he saw the crystal.<<endif>><<if $clue3 is "true">>
Mire’s power started to malfunction two days after she saw the crystal.<<endif>><<if $clue4 is "true">>
There are black scratch marks on Mallory’s locker.<<endif>><<if $clue5 is "true">>
There’s a footprint outside Mallory’s locker. They were walking on their tip-toes. It’s a circle with rings.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><big>End of Demo</big>[[The World of Decaying Magic]]<<if $magnoliarealm is "unknown">> <<else>>
[[The Magnolia Realm]]<<endif>><<if $powersworld is "unknown">> <<else>>
[[The World of Power]]<<endif>><<if $thehunted is "unknown">> <<else>>
[[The Hunted]]<<endif>><<if $thedepths is "unknown">> <<else>>
[[The Depths]]<<endif>><<if $thecity is "unknown">> <<else>>
[[The City]]<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>>The portal isn't gentle, but at least you’re home. You sit at the table and your sister walks around it.
You stare at the dining room table, slumped in your chair. You’re still processing what happened. Was your father really gone?
$sister_name drops the shards she grabbed on the table. Only two. A few flecks of blood drop on top of it. She had gripped it so hard it cut her skin. She grabbed a bandage and began to wrap her wound.
The portal had disappeared behind you two. You would never be able to get back to that cavern. Plus, it was probably destroyed by now.
“//Tikti//,” $sister_name mutters. You balk. She’s never sworn before. Things must have been worse than you thought. She notices your worried expression and offers a weary smile, one you can’t return.
The worry still remains, though, and you manage to ask one question – out of the many you wish you could say.
[[“What do we do now?”|PPgSixIntelligent]]
[[“Are you okay?”|PPgSixEmpathetic]]
[[“Is Father really dead?”|PPgSixBlunt]]
[[“What do we do with the Sitynur?”|PPgSixPassive]]And he doesn’t make it.
He’s so, so close. But you see him flail to reach the edge and fail.
Falling,
Falling,
Gone.
$sister_name would probably have covered your eyes, but she’s busy grabbing the thing that //did// make the leap. The Sitynur.
The necklace had shattered in the air. Time had slowed down. $sister_name teeters on the edge, almost falling over. You stumble forward to yank her from the edge. She watches as the final shards fall into the portals below and looks at you with an unreadable expression. Anguish? Despair?
Cracks spread below your feet, and you dimly realize the entire cavern is about to collapse. The same realization seems to overcome your sister.
“We have to go,” She says, and you nod, but it’s like your feet are planted in place. Part of the ground below your feet falls, and that’s what forces you into motion.
You grab hands and bolt to the portal. The home portal. Or, you hope it’ll lead you home. But at least it’s an escape. You jump home.
[[Continue|PPgFive]]The cavern between worlds. Between universes. Where everything and nothing existed.
Seems like a myth, doesn’t it? That’s what you had thought, at least. You didn’t know why your father was so obsessed with it– and //Sitynur//.
Yet he was, and he had brought you and your sister, <<cycle "$sister_name" autoselect>><<option "Makii" "Makii">>
<<option "Nora" "Nora">>
<<option "Deri" "Deri">>
<<option "Kalla" "Kalla">>
<</cycle>>, here. “We’ll make history!” was his rallying cry. You and your sister, however, have doubts.
Well, it’s not like you can argue. He’s your father. What he was doing was reckless, but you couldn’t deny that tiny bit of excitement existed, like a seed in your head. And every step he took deeper into the dark, starry cavern, the more it took root.
You can see the faint glow of the Sitynur, even from the hundreds of leaps it must be to get there. It has a soft, cyan glow, matching the few descriptions your father made you read and study.
That was what you had been learning for most of your life. It was drilled into your head: Sitynur could make portals. The portals lead to other worlds. You’d be rich!
You and your sister agree that there must be a reason that the worlds were separated and Sitynur guarded so harshly. Yet you indulged him. You had no choice.
Yet maybe he was right. Maybe it was just a fluke, and the worlds //were// originally supposed to be connected. Maybe something had gone wrong.
[[Continue|PPgTwo]]<<set $disposition to 15>> “Is Father..?” You trail off, worried that if you say it it’ll become true. A sad look passes over your sister’s face before she replaces her mask of neutrality.
As she speaks, she continues wrapping her cuts. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing him for a while, at the very least.” You choke out a laugh, then clap a hand over your mouth. That wasn’t supposed to be funny.
“Yet, we have to do the same we’ve always done. We go to school, hang out with friends, sleep here… okay? We have to… we have to keep living.” She looks out the window.
“What about Father being missing? Don’t we need him to sign our reports from school? And won’t someone notice when he doesn’t show up to work?” You press.
$sister_name sighs. “I can forge his signatures. I’ve done it before, since he was often consumed by his… research.”
“He still won’t be showing up at work.”
“He already stopped!” $sister_name snaps, swiveling towards you. She sucks in a sharp breath and turns back to the window. “He… was fired. A few weeks ago.”
“Oh,” you reply quietly. “How did we..?”
“He was relying on the possible fame and fortune of the Sitynur,” $sister_name says bitterly. “So, yeah. I’ll get a job on the side. We’ll live a bit rough for a bit.” She sighs. “And //no//, you’re not getting a job too,” she adds before you can suggest just that.
The conversation peters out and you go through the motions of dinner. You eat in mostly silence.
[[Continue|PgOne]]<<set $mental to 10>>“Are you okay?”
$sister_name looks startled. She stops wrapping her bandage for a second before continuing. “I’m– I’m fine, of course. What about you?”
You hesitate for a moment. Were you okay? “As okay as I can be,” you say finally. You weren’t happy, of course, but you weren’t absolutely devastated or injured. Your sister nods silently, tying off her bandage.
“Well… what do we do now that Father’s… gone?”
“We do the same we’ve always done. We go to school, hang out with friends, sleep here… okay? We have to… we have to keep living.” She looks out the window.
“What about Father? Don’t we need him to sign our reports from school? And won’t someone notice when he doesn’t show up to work?” you press.
$sister_name sighs. “I can forge his signatures. I’ve done it before, since he was often consumed by his… research.”
“He still won’t be showing up at work.”
“He already stopped!” $sister_name snaps, swiveling towards you. She sucks in a sharp breath and turns back to the window. “He… was fired. A few weeks ago.”
“Oh,” you reply quietly. “How did we..?”
“He was relying on the possible fame and fortune of the Sitynur,” $sister_name says bitterly. “So, yeah. I’ll get a job on the side. We’ll live a bit rough for a bit.” She sighs. “And //no//, you’re not getting a job too,” she adds before you can suggest just that.
The conversation peters out and you go through the motions of dinner. You eat in mostly silence.
[[Continue|PgOne]]<<set $mental to 15>>“What do we do now?” you ask. $sister_name pauses in the wrapping of her wounds and stares at the ground. You’re about to repeat the question when she finally speaks.
“We do the same we’ve always done. We go to school, hang out with friends, sleep here… okay? We have to… we have to keep living.” She looks out the window.
“What about Father? Don’t we need him to sign our reports from school? And won’t someone notice when he doesn’t show up to work?” you press.
$sister_name sighs. “I can forge his signatures. I’ve done it before, since he was often consumed by his… research.”
“He still won’t be showing up at work.”
“He already stopped!” $sister_name snaps, swiveling towards you. She sucks in a sharp breath and turns back to the window. “He… was fired. A few weeks ago.”
“Oh,” you reply quietly. “How did we..?”
“He was relying on the possible fame and fortune of the Sitynur,” $sister_name says bitterly. “So, yeah. I’ll get a job on the side. We’ll live a bit rough for a bit,” she sighs. “And //no//, you’re not getting a job too.” she adds before you can suggest just that.
The conversation peters out and you go through the motions of dinner. You eat in mostly silence.
[[Continue|PgOne]]<<set $decisionmaking to 10>>“What do we do with the Sitynur?”
“To be honest, I don’t know,” $sister_name admits. “But //don’t// create a portal with it. It’ll be too unstable,” she stated, half uncertain. “I think.”
“We could attach them to necklaces for safekeeping,” you suggest. She thinks for a moment then nods.
“Good idea. I think there’s string in that drawer.”
You grab two pieces of string and carefully, as to not cut yourself, tie a string around each shard. By the time you’re done, $sister_name has finished wrapping her cut. You give her one of the necklaces.
“What do we do now?” you ask. She fiddles with the necklace for a moment before replying.
“We do the same we’ve always done. We go to school, hang out with friends, sleep here… okay? We have to… we have to keep living.” She looks out the window.
“What about Father? Don’t we need him to sign our reports from school? And won’t someone notice when he doesn’t show up to work?” you press.
$sister_name sighs. “I can forge his signatures. I’ve done it before, since he was often consumed by his… research.”
“He still won’t be showing up at work.”
“He already stopped!” $sister_name snaps, swiveling towards you. She sucks in a sharp breath and turns back to the window. “He… was fired. A few weeks ago.”
“Oh,” you reply quietly. “How did we..?”
“He was relying on the possible fame and fortune of the Sitynur,” $sister_name says bitterly. “So, yeah. I’ll get a job on the side. We’ll live a bit rough for a bit.” She sighs. “And //no//, you’re not getting a job too,” she adds before you can suggest just that.
The conversation peters out and you go through the motions of dinner. You eat in mostly silence.
[[Continue|PgOne]]He finally reaches it. He grabs the necklace off of the pedestal and proudly holds it up to show it to you and $sister_name. The glow illuminates his expression of triumph. You and your sister cheer, fist-pumping the air.
Then, without warning, the cavern starts to shake. A few pieces of the glassy stone fall from the ceiling. You drop into defensive positions, and everyone glances around nervously.
Your father snaps back up after a moment, realizing the severity of the problem. He starts to run back to you, back to the portal home. $sister_name shields you, ready to tell you to start running if need be.
Cracks cover the entire cavern, and parts of the floor start falling. Portals to who-knows-where open with a //crack.// Your father is still a little too far away.
The remaining ground between you falls. $sister_name yanks you away from the edge, but you can already see the portals appearing in the new void. You can also see the desperation in your father’s eyes.
He walks back a few steps.
He runs forward.
He leaps.
[[And–!|PPgFour]]You were taught about the theory of the multiverse from a young age. Your father was a scientist: interested in it, but mostly dismissed it, focusing on refining the dwindling magic of your world. He was a respectable man, with a nicely-paying job.
Then he found out about Sitynur. Studying it was a side-hobby at first, then he began to focus more and more on it. $sister_name says that’s when he started to get obsessed with fame. You were too young to remember much.
You remember you were a few years into school when he started teaching you about Sitynur. It is the most powerful substance in the multiverse: It’s able to tear holes in the fabric of a world. It can create portals. You can travel to other worlds!
As a kid, it sounded amazing. So many possibilities it was dizzying. There could be a world made of candy! A world where the magic was strong in everyone!
Now, you… you don’t know what you think. You and $sister_name wonder if there is a reason these worlds were sealed off. A reason why Sitynur is so hard to find. Maybe you shouldn’t look for it.
But no. Your father is hooked. He //has// to find it.
And now he has.
[[Continue|PPgThree]]You pale as you realize what you just did. Used slang. From //your world.// Birch stares.
Then he gives you an out, knowingly or not. “Huh, I’ve never heard of that one. Is it from the countryside?”
“Um… yeah. Xachio is a dessert my mom would make,” you explain quickly. Birch stares for a moment more, his eyes flicking down to your necklace. You fidget with the thin rope.
Finally he nods and looks back at his book. You relax, and decide to go to the kitchen, to put a little distance between you two. You walk over and open some cabinets. They’re stocked well, with cans and bottles and other things. Your stomach rumbles, and you decide to grab a snack.
You open your mouth to ask Birch what to have, but are interrupted by the door slamming open. You both swivel your heads towards the door, where Mycie grins. “Heya!”
“Who’s this?” Birch asks you sharply. Then his eyes widened as he glanced back over. He jumped to his feet and bowed. “Princess Mycie. I’m honored.”
“Oh, forget bowing. I hate it,” Mycie waves her hand. “Too formal. Just call me Mycie.”
“Of course. What brings you here?”
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie calls, leaning slightly to the side and waving to you. You chuckle and wave back.
“Hey, Mycie,” you reply.
Birch’s jaw was wide open. “You know the princess?”
“Yeah, funny story…”
“Oh come on, $player_name, you can tell him about that later. I know a great place to get lunch,” Mycie interrupted, grinning. She quickly pins her hair up into a tight bun while you head towards her.
“I can’t believe <<if $pronoun is "they">>they're<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective's<<endif>> friends with a princess,” you hear Birch mutter as you pass him.
Mycie’s eyes are brown, which confuses you. Weren’t they purple, like Violet’s?
“Disguise. Not too much, but I don’t want people reacting like your friend here did. I wanna shed the Princess title for a bit, ya know?” Mycie explains before you can ask.
You’re pretty sure Birch is still staring in shock as you exit and head down the stairs. Mycie chuckles softly again. “People trip over themselves to be formal with me– I’m just a person, too!” Then she sighs. “Sometimes it’s fun being a princess, but…”
You walk in silence for a few moments. The buildings tower over you both, and plants curl around every corner. People shout down the street with wares, food, conversation. It would be overwhelming to any non-cityfolk, but you’re used to it. The noise was a constant in your life, and you were glad it was loud here, too. You don’t know what you would do if this world was silent.
Then, you decide to interrupt the silence between you. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Oh, just the best restaurant ever,” Mycie laughs, a light sound. “It’s called Drifters. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Right now it’s–” She checks the sun– “lunchtime. We should get the //wenberry triff// if we stay for dessert.”
“Sure,” you agree. You can’t wait, since you're still hungry. You turn a corner, and Mycie’s eyes widen with excitement.
“Here it is!” She makes a sweeping gesture at the building to your right. “Drifters.”
The restaurant had a huge sign over the door, with //Drifters// carved in a shiny gold material. Its door is made of rich brown wood and a golden knob. There are huge windows tinted light blue showing the inside of the restaurant. It’s somehow combined //classy// with //comfortable.// You get the sense that while there isn’t a dress code, it’s not a lazy restaurant you could visit for a trashy, tasty meal. Dark wooden panels, the same color as the door, line the walls. It looks on the lower side of expensive. Of course Mycie would enjoy eating here. She’s likely rich, being a princess, and all.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Mycie says, pulling you to the door. You step inside.
[[Continue|PgTwenty]]<<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 1>>Birch smiles at you, and you smile back. “Maybe I’ll lend it to you sometime,” he says.
“Sure, I’d like to read it,” you reply. He returns to his book and you decide to head to the kitchen. You walk over and open some cabinets. They’re stocked well, with cans and bottles and other things. Your stomach rumbles, and you decide to grab a snack.
You open your mouth to ask Birch what to have, but are interrupted by the door slamming open. You both swivel your heads towards the door, where Mycie grins. “Heya!”
“Who’s this?” Birch asks you sharply. Then his eyes widened as he glanced back over. He jumped to his feet and bowed. “Princess Mycie. I’m honored.”
“Oh, forget bowing. I hate it,” Mycie waves her hand. “Too formal. Just call me Mycie.”
“Of course. What brings you here?”
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie calls, leaning slightly to the side and waving to you. You chuckle and wave back.
“Hey, Mycie,” you reply.
Birch’s jaw was wide open. “You know the princess?”
“Yeah, funny story…”
“Oh come on, $player_name, you can tell him about that later. I know a great place to get lunch,” Mycie interrupted, grinning. She quickly pins her hair up into a tight bun while you head towards her.
“I can’t believe <<if $pronoun is "they">>they're<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective's<<endif>> friends with a princess,” you hear Birch mutter as you pass him.
Mycie’s eyes are brown, which confuses you. Weren’t they purple, like Violet’s?
“Disguise. Not too much, but I don’t want people reacting like your friend here did. I wanna shed the Princess title for a bit, ya know?” Mycie explains before you can ask.
You’re pretty sure Birch is still staring in shock as you exit and head down the stairs. Mycie chuckles softly again. “People trip over themselves to be formal with me– I’m just a person, too!” Then she sighs. “Sometimes it’s fun being a princess, but…”
You walk in silence for a few moments. The buildings tower over you both, and plants curl around every corner. People shout down the street with wares, food, conversation. It would be overwhelming to any non-cityfolk, but you’re used to it. The noise was a constant in your life, and you were glad it was loud here, too. You don’t know what you would do if this world was silent.
Then, you decide to interrupt the silence between you. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Oh, just the best restaurant ever,” Mycie laughs, a light sound. “It’s called Drifters. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Right now it’s–” She checks the sun– “lunchtime. We should get the //wenberry triff// if we stay for dessert.”
“Sure,” you agree. You can’t wait, since you're still hungry. You turn a corner, and Mycie’s eyes widen with excitement.
“Here it is!” She makes a sweeping gesture at the building to your right. “Drifters.”
The restaurant had a huge sign over the door, with //Drifters// carved in a shiny gold material. Its door is made of rich brown wood and a golden knob. There are huge windows tinted light blue showing the inside of the restaurant. It’s somehow combined //classy// with //comfortable.// You get the sense that while there isn’t a dress code, it’s not a lazy restaurant you could visit for a trashy, tasty meal. Dark wooden panels, the same color as the door, line the walls. It looks on the lower side of expensive. Of course Mycie would enjoy eating here. She’s likely rich, being a princess, and all.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Mycie says, pulling you to the door. You step inside.
[[Continue|PgTwenty]]<<set $birch_points to $birch_points - 1>>Birch hums, staring at you. You fidget. Birch seems like he can see through your lie. “Maybe I’ll lend it to you sometime,” he says.
“No, that’s alright,” you reply. He nods knowingly and returns to his book. You decide to head to the kitchen. You walk over and open some cabinets. They’re stocked well, with cans and bottles and other things. Your stomach rumbles, and you decide to grab a snack.
You open your mouth to ask Birch what to have, but are interrupted by the door slamming open. You both swivel your heads towards the door, where Mycie grins. “Heya!”
“Who’s this?” Birch asks you sharply. Then his eyes widened as he glanced back over. He jumped to his feet and bowed. “Princess Mycie. I’m honored.”
“Oh, forget bowing. I hate it,” Mycie waves her hand. “Too formal. Just call me Mycie.”
“Of course. What brings you here?”
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie calls, leaning slightly to the side and waving to you. You chuckle and wave back.
“Hey, Mycie,” you reply.
Birch’s jaw was wide open. “You know the princess?”
“Yeah, funny story…”
“Oh come on, $player_name, you can tell him about that later. I know a great place to get lunch,” Mycie interrupted, grinning. She quickly pins her hair up into a tight bun while you head towards her.
“I can’t believe <<if $pronoun is "they">>they're<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective's<<endif>> friends with a princess,” you hear Birch mutter as you pass him.
Mycie’s eyes are brown, which confuses you. Weren’t they purple, like Violet’s?
“Disguise. Not too much, but I don’t want people reacting like your friend here did. I wanna shed the Princess title for a bit, ya know?” Mycie explains before you can ask.
You’re pretty sure Birch is still staring in shock as you exit and head down the stairs. Mycie chuckles softly again. “People trip over themselves to be formal with me– I’m just a person, too!” Then she sighs. “Sometimes it’s fun being a princess, but…”
You walk in silence for a few moments. The buildings tower over you both, and plants curl around every corner. People shout down the street with wares, food, conversation. It would be overwhelming to any non-cityfolk, but you’re used to it. The noise was a constant in your life, and you were glad it was loud here, too. You don’t know what you would do if this world was silent.
Then, you decide to interrupt the silence between you. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Oh, just the best restaurant ever,” Mycie laughs, a light sound. “It’s called Drifters. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Right now it’s–” She checks the sun– “lunchtime. We should get the //wenberry triff// if we stay for dessert.”
“Sure,” you agree. You can’t wait, since you're still hungry. You turn a corner, and Mycie’s eyes widen with excitement.
“Here it is!” She makes a sweeping gesture at the building to your right. “Drifters.”
The restaurant had a huge sign over the door, with //Drifters// carved in a shiny gold material. Its door is made of rich brown wood and a golden knob. There are huge windows tinted light blue showing the inside of the restaurant. It’s somehow combined //classy// with //comfortable.// You get the sense that while there isn’t a dress code, it’s not a lazy restaurant you could visit for a trashy, tasty meal. Dark wooden panels, the same color as the door, line the walls. It looks on the lower side of expensive. Of course Mycie would enjoy eating here. She’s likely rich, being a princess, and all.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Mycie says, pulling you to the door. You step inside.
[[Continue|PgTwenty]]Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0 and $playerhealth gt 1>><<button [[Fight|PgFightSixSix]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneSixSixI]]>><</button>><<endif>><<if $opponenthealth gt 0 and $playerhealth gt 1 and $flee isnot "yes">><<button [[Flee|PgOneSixSixFl]]>><</button>><<endif>><<if $opponenthealth lte 0>>[[Continue|PgOneSixSeven]]<<endif>><<if $playerhealth lte 1>>[[Continue|PgOneSixSevenL]]<<endif>><<if $opponenthealth lte 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>>Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0 and $playerhealth gt 1>><<button [[Fight|PgFightSixSixB]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneSixSixI]]>><</button>><<endif>><<if $opponenthealth gt 0 and $playerhealth gt 1 and $flee isnot "yes">><<button [[Flee|PgOneSixSixFl]]<</button>><<endif>><<if $opponenthealth lte 0>>[[Continue|PgOneSixSeven]]<<endif>><<if $playerhealth lte 1>>[[Continue|PgOneSixSevenL]]<<endif>><<set $bed to 1>>You drop to a crouch to inspect the bed. Something seemed off about it earlier, and you’re right– A floorboard poked slightly upward.
You try to tug on it, to no avail. It’s clearly a trapdoor of some kind, but now you can see a keyhole, and you don’t have the key. You still make another attempt, but it’s sealed.
There are a few boxes under there as well. You pull out the boxes and rummage through them, but there’s nothing much of interest. Old books, mostly, along with a few pieces of paper. Grocery lists. Reminders.
A letter.
You start reading it without thinking.
//Dear Marj and Birch,//
//I miss you, loves. How’s life? I heard Birch got a new job. How’s that going? And Marj, what have you been doing at school?//
//I hope you’re doing okay. Do not worry about me. I’m very close to it.//
//I cannot write much more. Just stay safe, and if anyone asks, you don’t know me.//
//Love,//
//R//
Huh. That’s very interesting. What were they looking for? Who was Marj?
Not finding any other interesting information, you return the letter and books to their boxes and the boxes under the bed.
<<if $window is 0>>[[Check around the window.|PgWindow][$window is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $bookcase is 0>>[[Look at the bookcase.|PgBookcase][$bookcase is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $wardrobe is 0>>[[Study the wardrobe.|PgWardrobe][$wardrobe is 1]]<<endif>>
[[Done searching.|PgSixteen]]<<set $bookcase to 1>>There’s a small bookcase pushed into the corner, remarkably bare of books. There’s only about ten. The titles don’t interest you, either. The Art of Gardening. The Biography of King Ignus. The Multiple World Theory. Okay, maybe the last one was.
You pull it out of the bookcase and flip through it. Irritatingly, a lot of it is censored. Black, solid lines cover almost half of the text. Then a circled passage.
//Some people theorize that other universes have already discovered how to reach other worlds. Some people in our world seem to not quite fit. But how is it possible to know who may be among these? Well, some theorize–//
And censored again. Someone did not want the guests to know about other universes. But if that was true, why leave the book out at all?
Only one person lived here.
Birch.
<<if $window is 0>>[[Check around the window.|PgWindow][$window is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $bed is 0>>[[Inspect the bed.|PgBed][$window is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $wardrobe is 0>>[[Study the wardrobe.|PgWardrobe][$wardrobe is 1]]<<endif>>
[[Done searching.|PgSixteen]]Whether or not you decided to follow the Sitynur– if that’s what the tug was– you need a place to sleep. The sky is beginning to darken.
//Okay,// you think. //That’s fine. I’ll just… pay for a hotel room.//
You don’t have any money. Or at least, none that was worth anything here. Though, maybe you were lucky, and the money //was// worth something. You have a couple coins from your world.
You doubted it, but you could try. You spot something that must be a hotel, or something akin to it. The sign says <b>Retna’s Pritg t’Lirya</b>, but that weird sense you have tells you it says Retna’s Hotel. The Sitynur shard heats up, and a quick check reveals it’s glowing again. You try to ignore it and hide it again.
Now you have two options.
[[Try the hotel. You only have a little money, but there’s a chance it would work.|PgNineHotel]]
[[There’s a dark alleyway– maybe you could sleep there.|PgTen]]<<set $mire_points to 6>>You close your eyes and focus on the Sitynur. The pull is stronger than it was last world. Still, you don’t think you should just wander until you find it. It’s too muddled and you can’t risk being caught.
You glance to the left and see a bathroom. You check for the gender of the restroom but there is none. Curious. You go inside and hide in a stall. The bell rings again and you assume that the classes have started.
Some time later you’re incredibly bored. You don’t know exactly how long you’ve been there, but there’s only so many times you can read the bathroom graffiti – //You’re doing great :)// and then underneath //Jared's a bastard cheater// – before getting tired of it. You sigh and fidget with the rope of your necklace.
A bell rings suddenly and your eyes widen. Finally. Even though you still have to wait the rest of the school day to fully check out the school, you want to get out of the cramped area.
Someone bumps into you and you press against the wall to let them get by. “Sorry,” they mutter. They have shoulder length, straight white hair, and ice blue eyes. Their pale skin is dotted with freckles.
They climb onto the skin and reach a hand to the mirror, then start sinking into it. Your eyes widen with surprise, and they glance back at you. “What? Never seen a Mirrorin before?” they chuckle. “I guess not. We are one-of-a-kind, after all.” They wink and disappear into the mirror.
[[Continue|PgEightyOne]]You step forward and look in her locker. Your hand glides over the objects, the books. Regular textbooks, for the most part, but there’s some odd ones. //Tales of Powers.// //A Guide to Mastering Your Gift.//
Huh, one’s //Identifying Crystals.// You wonder what that’s for…
You glance at the mirror and balk. A familiar pale face looks back at you. The one you saw in the bathroom. “Hi there,” they say flatly. “Mind calling over those two?”
Avery and Mallory have already spun, eyes wide. “Mire?” Mallory exclaims. “Why are you in my mirror?”
“I’m stuck.”
“Your power is malfunctioning?” Avery frowns and steps closer to the mirror. You back away.
Mire presses a hand to the glass. “I can’t pass through. It only happens occasionally, though. Can you bring me to my next class?”
Mallory shakes her head. “We should bring you to the nurse! That’s what Headmaster Kail said we should do.”
Mire frowns. “If you think so. I’ll walk with you, just bring the mirror.”
Avery removes the mirror from the door and shuts the locker. “Okay. We’re going now.”
You follow the two to the nurse.
[[You’re curious what’s wrong with their magic, too.|PgEightyNineC]]
[[You just want the Sitynur.|PgEightyNineS]]You glance around and your eyes suddenly land on Mallory’s mirror. A familiar pale face looks back at you. The one you saw in the bathroom. “Hi there,” they say flatly. “Mind calling over those two?”
Avery and Mallory have already spun, eyes wide. “Mire?” Mallory exclaims. “Why are you in my mirror?”
“I’m stuck.”
“Your power is malfunctioning?” Avery frowns and steps closer to the mirror. You back away.
Mire presses a hand to the glass. “I can’t pass through. It only happens occasionally, though. Can you bring me to my next class?”
Mallory shakes her head. “We should bring you to the nurse! That’s what Headmaster Kail said we should do.”
Mire frowns. “If you think so. I’ll walk with you, just bring the mirror.”
Avery removes the mirror from the door and shuts the locker. “Okay. We’re going now.”
You follow the two to the nurse.
[[You’re curious what’s wrong with their magic, too.|PgEightyNineC]]
[[You just want the Sitynur.|PgEightyNineS]]“Where are we going?” you ask the duo. Mallory pulls a paper out of her pocket and unfolds it.
“Lunch!” she declares cheerfully. “Avery, you’ve got the same, right? $player_name?”
“Uh… yeah,” you agree. You don’t think you can sneak out now, and they’re the only people you know here.
As you walk down the halls, Mallory chatters away and Avery interjects every once in a while. You stay quiet, considering your options.
Your sister… You try to feel where the Sitynur is again. It hasn’t moved. So either she left it somewhere, or she’s not here. Frustration wells in you. You //know// she isn’t here. You don’t know how, but you know. Your eyes prickle and you push it away. You can’t suddenly burst into tears in front of the others.
“$player_name?” Mallory interrupts your thoughts. “Are you okay?”
You shake your head as if to dislodge the thoughts, then smile. “Yep. Just thinking.”
“About the malfunctioning powers? Me too,” Avery replies. “It’s never happened before. In all of history.”
“History nerd,” Mallory teases, but her smile fades. “I agree, though. Something is… off.”
You suddenly realize you can just ask if they know where the Sitynur is. You didn’t want to abandon them, but–
Okay. Maybe you did. Just a little.
[[Ask them.|PgEightySixA]]
[[Don’t.|PgEightySixD]]Mallory drags you both closer to the woman as she begins to speak. “Silence!” she calls, her voice unnaturally loud. You wince. The crowd goes silent, minus a few whispers here and there.
“Speaker,” Mallory whispers as explanation. “She can–”
“I know this is quite chaotic right now,” the woman interrupts, “but I need you all to listen to the teachers. Has anyone had any malfunctioning powers recently?”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd and six people raise their hands. A girl with blonde curls, a boy with a shock of blue hair, a second girl with hair as dark as her skin, and the others were too far to make out. The woman’s expression never falters from her serious, stern look. She nods to someone behind her, and a man in a black suit steps up. A visor makes him look even more intimidating.
“If you raised your hand, please follow Mr. Min. If anyone else feels their power is malfunctioning in the coming days, please report to the nurse.” Someone whispers into her ear, then steps back. She adds, “Classes will resume. Go straight to your third period class.”
The crowd streams back into the building and, stuck, you follow Mallory and Avery inside.
[[Continue|PgEightyFive]]<<set $mental to $mental - 3>>You’re almost invested in this world. Or, perhaps, you just wanted to help the people. Isn’t that the same thing?
Avery holds the door open for you three. Well, two, technically. Mire is… wherever he is. Not in this world, certainly.
Were your powers similar? Perhaps you should talk to her later…
“Goodness, are you //all// sick?” the nurse’s eyes are wide. Her brown hair is in dreads and she has dark brown skin. The dreads are bound into a low ponytail. She has pale hazel eyes that sweep over you all.
“No,” Avery assures, “however, Mire is.”
“Mire? I have a few thousand kids to watch, I can’t keep track–” Mallory holds up the mirror and the nurse stops. “Mirrorin? What’s wrong?”
“My power is malfunctioning. I can’t leave the mirrors,” Mire informs her.
The nurse purses her lips. “Okay. Can you come to the full body mirror in my office? As for you three, please wait outside.”
You all agree and walk outside. You sit on the floor against the wall, silently hoping no teachers wander along. The other two follow suit.
“Do you think they’ll figure out what’s up with Mire’s power?” you ask. Mallory nods confidently. Avery chews his lip.
A tall, tan man approaches you, crossing his arms. “What are you doing at the nurse’s?” He raises an eyebrow. The other two scramble to their feet. Mallory crosses her arms to reflect theirs.
“What are you doing here?” she echoes.
They ignore her. “Oh, Kelly, looks like your shadow is gone. Is that why you’re here?” he sneers. Avery’s eyes widen and he twists to look over his shoulder. “Or you, Snyder? Is your power malfunctioning? Or– who are you?” They stare down at you.
[[Introduce yourself.|PgNinetyI]]
[[Snap back.|PgNinetyS]]
[[Ignore him.|PgNinetyIH]]<<set $mental to $mental + 3>>You just want the Sitynur. You want to find your sister and //get home.//
But it doesn't look like that will happen for a while yet.
Avery holds the door open for you three. Well, two, technically. Mire is… wherever he is. Not in this world, certainly.
Were your powers similar? Perhaps you should talk to her later…
“Goodness, are you //all// sick?” the nurse’s eyes are wide. Her brown hair is in dreads and she has dark brown skin. The dreads are bound into a low ponytail. She has pale hazel eyes that sweep over you all.
“No,” Avery assures, “however, Mire is.”
“Mire? I have a few thousand kids to watch, I can’t keep track–” Mallory holds up the mirror and the nurse stops. “Mirrorin? What’s wrong?”
“My power is malfunctioning. I can’t leave the mirrors,” Mire informs her.
The nurse purses her lips. “Okay. Can you come to the full body mirror in my office? As for you three, please wait outside.”
You all agree and walk outside. You sit on the floor against the wall, silently hoping no teachers wander along. The other two follow suit.
“Do you think they’ll figure out what’s up with Mire’s power?” you ask. Mallory nods confidently. Avery chews his lip.
A tall, tan man approaches you, crossing his arms. “What are you doing at the nurse’s?” He raises an eyebrow. The other two scramble to their feet. Mallory crosses her arms to reflect theirs.
“What are you doing here?” she echoes.
They ignore her. “Oh, Kelly, looks like your shadow is gone. Is that why you’re here?” he sneers. Avery’s eyes widen and he twists to look over his shoulder. “Or you, Snyder? Is your power malfunctioning? Or– who are you?” They stare down at you.
[[Introduce yourself.|PgNinetyI]]
[[Snap back.|PgNinetyS]]
[[Ignore him.|PgNinetyIH]]You take a breath and consider what to do next. You probably shouldn’t stay in the bathroom all day. First of all, it’s boring, and second of all, if someone notices you’re in the bathroom the entire day, you’ll be in trouble. The Sitynur is definitely in this building, so you need to be able to access it.
You can wait outside or wander the halls, searching for the next place to hide. You consider it for a moment, going over all the possibilities.
If you hide outside, you lose opportunities to explore the school. However, after school is released, you might be able to sneak back in.
If you search for a new hiding place, you’ll be able to scope out the school a little. The chances of getting caught are higher, though.
Cameras. Cameras, oh no. Do they have those here? The Sitynur doesn’t help you. It’s another blank spot. Okay, let’s assume the worst. How can you avoid them?
Will anyone even notice one stray student? Surely they don’t check each and every face. You’re unarmed, school-aged, and quick. You might go unnoticed.
[[Go outside.|PgEightyTwoO]]
[[Look for a new hiding spot.|PgEightyTwoL]]You double back and Mallory approaches locker 324. She enters the code with a few taps and the door swings open. She steps back and does jazz hands.
“Ta da!” she announces. You look inside the locker. Aside from a few textbooks and a clear display set up, there was nothing. Your heart drops. You reach out for it mentally, hoping it just fell and was still in the locker.
You feel it, for a split second, before the connection //snaps.// You gasp, stumbling back a step at the recoil.
“What?” Mallory demands. “Surprised? I told you I– Where’d it go?” She gapes at the empty display.
Avery appeared suddenly. “Where did what go?”
“The… you know! Crystal.”
“Sitynur,” you wheeze automatically. The snap feels like a punch in the stomach. You shut your eyes.
“Sitynur?” Avery tilts his head.
“Are you okay?” Mallory asks.
You grit your teeth and straighten up. “Yes.”
“How do you know the name of that crystal?” Avery asks.
“What do you mean?” you smile sharply. Avery frowns.
“I guess that’s mystery number two!” Mallory interrupts. “Why the powers are malfunctioning, and where my crystal went.”
Avery let out a long sigh. “You told everyone in the school about it. Of course //someone// would steal it.”
“Yes, but the only one who knows my code is… you.”<<set $clue1 to "true">>
“You can’t be accusing me of stealing the crystal! Why on earth would I do that?”
Mallory shrugs. “I should still keep you on the list of suspects.”
Avery groans. Mallory steps back to whisper to him.
[[Study the locker closer|PgEightyEightS]]
[[Wait.|PgEightyEightW]]You double back and Mallory approaches locker 324. She enters the code with a few taps and the door swings open. She reaches inside for something.
You reach out for the Sitynur while you wait. Just to check. You feel it, for a split second, before the connection //snaps.// You gasp, stumbling back a step at the recoil.
“Where’d it go?” Mallory sighs.
Avery suddenly appears. “Where did what go?”
“The… you know! Crystal.” She glances back at you. “Are you okay?”
You grit your teeth and straighten up. “Yes.”
“I guess that’s mystery number two, then,” Mallory says. “Why the powers are malfunctioning, and where my crystal went.”
Avery let out a long sigh. “You told everyone in the school about it. Of course //someone// would steal it.”
“Yes, but the only one who knows my code is… you.”<<set $clue1 to "true">>
“You can’t be accusing me of stealing the crystal! Why on earth would I do that?”
Mallory shrugs. “I should still keep you on the list of suspects.”
Avery groans. Mallory steps back to whisper to him.
[[Study the locker closer.|PgEightyEightS]]
[[Wait.|PgEightyEightW]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>><<set $mallory_points to $mallory_points - 2>>“Have you seen a glowing, teal gem?” you ask. Mallory looks up sharply, eyes wide.
“Oh, I guess you’ve heard the rumors, huh?” She hesitates. “I don’t know if I can show you…”
“Please do.”
Mallory purses her lips, but relents. “Okay. If you’re that determined to see it, I’ll show you.” Avery remains silent, eyebrows furrowed. “Avery? You coming?”
“Hm? Yes. One moment. I’ll catch up.” Avery’s speech is stilted. He doesn’t look at either of you, just studying the floor. Mallory frowns at him, but turns back to you.
“It’s at my locker. I think we have time.” She checks her watch. “Yeah, we have time. Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgEightySevenA]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 3>>You all remain quiet until Mallory snaps her head up. “I forgot something in my locker. Do you want to come or keep going to the caf?”
“I’ll come,” you offer.
Mallory nods. Avery remains silent, eyebrows furrowed. “Avery? You coming?”
“Hm? Yes. One moment. I’ll catch up.” Avery’s speech is stilted. He doesn’t look at either of you, just studying the floor. Mallory frowns at him, but turns back to you.
“I think we have time.” She checks her watch. “Yeah, we have time. Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgEightySevenD]]<<set $avery_points to 4>>The students are scattered around the yard in chaos. Teachers attempt desperately to rein them in, but it’s futile. They’re ignored. People gather with their friends as they wait for the school to be safe. Several groups of people from outside the school enter it. They all wear puffy, head-to-toe suits with visors to see.
You see Mallory, her arm linked with a boy’s. She’s scanning the area, and her eyes lock on yours. She points directly at you and turns her head to the boy. You duck back below the bushes, but it’s too late. A minute later, she arrives. You reluctantly stand and face her.
“Heya!” she says, smiling broadly. “Avery, this is– actually, I never got your name. What is it?”
“$player_name,” you reply, looking the boy up and down. He has short blonde hair, porcelain skin, and dark green eyes. He looks nervous, using one hand to tug at his ear. <<if $power is "powerless">>“Powerless,” you add lamely.<<endif>><<if $power is "Blip">>“Blip,” you add lamely.<<endif>>
“Nice to meet you, $player_name. I’m Avery.” He holds his hand out. You shake his hand and he looks slightly less worried.
“What’s your power?” you ask, and he purses his lips.
“Just some useless one. Doesn’t matter.” You narrow your eyes at his dodge. Surely he could provide a name. However, why would he lie and not give a fake one? You’ll have to figure that out.
“Do you know what happened at the school?” Mallory asks. You and Avery shake your heads.
“We’ll find out in a moment, I suppose,” Avery says, and he nods at a particularly imposing figure in the front of the school.
[[Continue|PgEightyFour]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 2>>You follow the stream of students, searching intently for a hiding place. Most places you pass are classrooms, which you can’t hide in. You consider it anyway, for a moment. Perhaps you could say you are a new student.
That’ll fall apart too quickly, though. They might ask to see your schedule. They could call the office and find out you aren’t on the registered students list at all. No, it’s too great of a risk. People will be on the lookout for you then.
You spot a library up ahead. That could work, depending on the size of the library. Avoid the librarian, hide among the shelves…
That plan never gets an opportunity to work. The next thing you hear is a distant boom. Then screams. Then a screeching alarm.
The tide of people suddenly reverses as people try to get out. You follow them, and get spit out outside of the school. You see a bunch of bushes and trees and dash over there, hiding in them. No one notices you. You peek just above the bushes to see what’s happening.
[[Continue|PgEightyThree]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 2>>You glance up at the ceiling, as if that will give you any clue how long you have until the bell rings again. You give it, at best, two minutes.
You open the bathroom door and exit. You don’t run, you don’t look urgent, you just calmly walk out of the school and away. <<if $mental lte 10>>Your heart pounds frantically, but you try as hard as you can to mask it. You can’t get caught.<<endif>>
The fresh air is cool against your face, a pleasant feeling. You look around for somewhere to hide. There’s a small area with bushes and trees. It’ll block you from the view of the school. It seems safe enough, and you duck down in the bushes.
It’s not as boring as the bathroom stall. You can watch tiny birds twitter at each other, then taking off and flying to the clouds. There’s a creature that you don’t know the name of who looks at you closely. Too closely. There’s a spark of intelligence in those eyes. But then it turns away, waddling off with its three legs.
You’re enjoying the peacefulness of the place when you hear a distant boom. It’s immediately followed by screeching alarms. You look at the school and a corner is completely gone. Rubble and the people are all that’s left. You can only make out a small figure and then the others, crowded around one with a golden forcefield covering them. The screams dig into your skull like pickaxes. You retreat further in the bushes as people begin to flood out of the school. You peek just above the leaves to see what’s happening.
[[Continue|PgEightyThree]]<<set $mycie_points to 6>><<set $violet_points to 4>><<set $decisionmaking to 10>>You keep your eyes closed and stay as still as possible. Better to see what they say before confronting them. The pair breathe a quiet sigh of relief. A thin piece of fabric is laid over you.
“Mycie, <<if $pronoun is "they">>they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective<<endif>> could be a //murderer!//”
“Oh, you’re such an iris,” the second person– Mycie?– replies. “Look on the bright side. What if <<if $pronoun is "they">>they are<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective is<<endif>> really nice?”
The first speaker tries a different argument. “Mom will be mad when she finds out we snuck away.”
“The //Queen// can just wait. I’m sure she’s //so// busy with her new twins. ‘The fifth and sixth born!’” Mycie mocks. “Yip-ee.”
“Mycie, <<if $pronoun is "they">>they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective’s<<endif>> going to wake up. Quiet down, will you?”
“The one time I tried doing something nice...” Mycie grumbles. You decide to cut short their argument and slowly open your eyes.
One of them leaps back with a squeak. They have short, black hair and violet eyes. They’re wearing a fancy robe of sorts. The soft blue compliments their eyes.
The other person stays where they are, staring at you. It’s a bit unnerving, and you scooch away. They have long black hair and violet eyes, and are wearing a blue dress that’s the same shade as the other’s. They have a red hat with white spots, akin to a red mushroom.
“You’re awake,” the person near you says, and you recognize their voice as Mycie.
“Who woulda guessed…” you mutter, stretching a little. You’re sore from sleeping on the cold stones.
“SorryforwakingyoucomeonMycielet’sgo!” the short-haired person squeaks, trying to pull Mycie away. Mycie shrugs out of their grip.
“Why are you sleeping on the streets?” Mycie asks.
“I didn’t have anywhere to go,” you reply cautiously. Mycie seems to mull that over.
“Say, Violet,” they grin, turning to the short-haired. “What do you say we help someone not have to sleep on the streets?”
“Mycie…” Violet warns. “This isn’t like that stray //ryrin//.”
“Of course not!” Mycie protests. “It’s just… you know… people aren’t on the streets.” They drop into a whisper that you can still hear. “Isn’t it a little… too weird? And Father just got that strange gem…”
“You’re awful at whispering,” Violet whispers back. “Maybe we should ask <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> what <<if $pronoun is "they">>they want<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he wants<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she wants<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective wants<<endif>>.”
Mycie turns back to you. “Would you want to live in the castle for a while?”
You would usually hesitate, but when you heard the mention of that gem, your Sitynur heated and probably glowed. You didn’t want to check it and give yourself away. “Um… no.” You change your mind quickly. Why would they offer, anyway? “I’ll be fine… I’ve got a friend I could maybe stay with.”That was only a half lie. There was Baye, but you weren’t really friends. But you had no one else, so…
Mycie studies you. “Hm.”
“Mycie…” Violet says. “Should we–”
“Here.” Mycie hands you a tiny flower-covered case. “In here is a flower device you can contact me with, ‘kay?”
“Uh, thanks.” You take the case slowly. You can message someone with a flower? You try to hide your confusion.
“I'm Mycie, she.” Mycie gestures to Violet. “And this is Violet, she or they.”
“I'm $player_name, <<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective<<else>>$pronoun<<endif>>.” you reply. Violet manages a tiny wave.
“Now we actually have to go,” Violet says quietly. “Mom will-”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mycie sighs. “See ya later?”
“Sure,” you agree, not sure if you will see each other later. The two disappear in a blink.
[[Continue|PgTwelveB]]<<set $mycie_points to 6>><<set $violet_points to 4>><<set $decisionmaking to 15>>You don’t want to eavesdrop. Plus, you might as well confront them to see what they were doing. You open your eyes, and one of the people hovering over you squeaks and jumps back. They have short black hair and their violet eyes are wide. The other person has long black hair and a hat that looks like a mushroom: red with white spots.
“Mycie, let’s go,” The short-haired person squeaks. “What if <<if $pronoun is "they">>they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective’s<<endif>> …” They trail off, and you can hear the worry in the unspoken words.
“Nah, <<if $pronoun is "they">>they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective<<endif>> can’t be that bad,” Mycie replies. “You haven’t, like, killed anyone, right?”
“Of course not,” you reply, a little confused. What were they doing?
“That’s exactly what a murderer would say,” The short-haired person whispers.
“It’s also what a non-murderer would say. Stop being such an iris, Vi,” Mycie says, rolling their eyes. “Why are you sleeping on the streets?” They ask, turning back to you.
“I didn’t have anywhere to go,” you reply cautiously. Mycie seems to mull that over.
“Say, Violet,” they grin, turning to the short-haired. “What do you say we help someone not have to sleep on the streets?”
“Mycie…” Violet warns. “This isn’t like that stray //ryrin//.”
“Of course not!” Mycie protests. “It’s just… you know… people aren’t on the streets.” They drop into a whisper that you can still hear. “Isn’t it a little… too weird? And Father just got that strange gem…”
“You’re awful at whispering,” Violet whispers back. “Maybe we should ask <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> what <<if $pronoun is "they">>they want<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he wants<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she wants<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective wants<<endif>>.”
Mycie turns back to you. “Would you want to live in the castle for a while?”
You would usually hesitate, but when you heard the mention of that gem, your Sitynur heated and probably glowed. You didn’t want to check it and give yourself away. “Um… no.” You decide. Why would they offer? “I’ll be fine… I’ve got a friend I could maybe stay with.” That was only a half lie. There was Baye, but you weren’t really friends. But you had no one else, so…
Mycie studies you. “Hm.”
“Mycie…” Violet says. “Should we–”
“Here.” Mycie hands you a tiny flower-covered case. “In here is a flower device you can contact me with, ‘kay?”
“Uh, thanks.” You take the case slowly. You can message someone with a flower? You try to hide your confusion.
“I'm Mycie, she.” Mycie gestures to Violet. “And this is Violet, she or they.”
“I'm $player_name, <<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective<<else>>$pronoun<<endif>>.” you reply. Violet manages a tiny wave.
“Now we actually have to go,” Violet says quietly. “Mom will-”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mycie sighs. “See ya later?”
“Sure,” you agree, not sure if you will see each other later. The two disappear in a blink.
[[Continue|PgTwelveB]]You pull the Sitynur out of your shirt, inspecting the gem. The edges have been rounded by sandpaper, as your sister insisted, all those weeks ago. It felt like a lifetime.
You stare closer at it, trying to figure out what you can do to experiment with it. A few ideas flicker across your mind, and you latch at one. When Mycie mentioned the gem, the Sitynur felt warm. Even now, just thinking about it, the temperature of it warmed the tiniest bit. Not as strong as when it was spoken, though.
“Mycie’s father’s gem,” you whisper experimentally. It heats up and glows. You try another. “Mycie. Birch. Baye. Violet.” The one that gets the most response is Mycie. “The Queen. King.” You try. The King elicits the most reaction, other than mentioning the gem itself. So it’s the royal family…
Well. Now you have a little more information. Not as much as you’d like, though.
[[It’s frustrating. You wish you knew more.|PgSixteenA]]
[[At least you have some information. It’s better than nothing.|PgSixteenB]]
[[It doesn’t really matter. You know more, that’s all.|PgSixteenC]]You decide to shuffle around your room a little more. It would be good to know your way around your bedroom, since you’d be living here for a while.
You needed to get a job, huh? That was a good first step for later, or tomorrow. You needed to earn money somehow. You shelved that thought.
First, you decide to…
[[Inspect the bed.|PgBed]]
[[Check around the window.|PgWindow]]
[[Look at the bookcase.|PgBookcase]]
[[Study the wardrobe.|PgWardrobe]]“Well, that was certainly fast.” You glance up to see the speaker. He has slightly curled, perfect black hair. He has olive skin and icy violet eyes. He grins. //King Serat,// you think, though you know it’s the Sitynur talking. Your heart is in your throat.
Then your eyes flick to the person in front of him. He twists around in his chair to face you.
Birch.
He betrayed you? <<if $birch_points > 8>>At least Birch looks apologetic, maybe even guilty. Did he sell you out?<<else>>Birch looks slightly apologetic, at least. You weren’t extremely close, but he just sold you out?<<endif>> He was already suspicious of you…
“So,” the king interrupts. You look back at him. “$player_name. I heard you’re new to the city.”
You frown. What’s with the small talk? Maybe this isn’t as bad as you thought. You hold on to the glimmer of hope that this will not go very, very wrong.
[[“I am.”|PgFiftyOneY]]
[[“Nope.”|PgFiftyOneN]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>>Serat lifts an eyebrow. “Really?” He stares at you and appears to think for a second. What is he thinking about? A punishment? If he should even bother keeping you around if you don’t cooperate?
“Well, $player_name, I think you will. With enough time, at least,” he smiles, but his smile fades and he gestures at the guards. “Please, take <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> back to <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> room.”
They move to shadow each side of you, but you stand up and start walking before they can grab your arms. They match your slow pace and keep careful glances locked on you. You wonder if they would even notice if you went the wrong way.
As an experiment, you took a wrong turn on purpose. One reaches out and yanks you to the correct path. That answers your question, you guess.
You enter your room and the guards trade positions with the current ones standing at your door. You sit on your bed. The door is locked as always.
<<if $friend1 is 1>>You pull out the note you kept from Baye. //I’ll be back,// it reads, and you smile at it. Then you crumple it up as small as you can and shove it under the mattress. You can’t leave it just lying around.<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 2>>You wonder what Birch is doing now. Is he back at his apartment?<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 3>>You wonder what Mycie is doing now. Stewing over Serat, or ignoring it and doing regular princess duties?<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 4>>You wonder what Violet is doing now. Did they mean it when they said you two were friends?<<endif>>
You sigh and recline on your bed, already tired. You decide to nap. Or sleep. You still don’t know what time it is. Whatever time it is, you curl up and go to sleep.
[[Continue|PgFiftyNine]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Serat smiles. “Perfect, then why don’t you try it?” He nods at the Sitynur.
“What do I do?” you ask, picking up the Sitynur and turning it over. Serat blinks and thinks for a moment.
“What’s the name of your world?” he asks. You snort. “What?” he demands.
“Do you have a name for your world? Or just countries and cities?”
Serat quiets, realizing his mistake. “Fine, try saying the name of your country.”
“Duskon,” you say, holding the Sitynur up to your face, so it can hear you better, or something. And sure, maybe Duskon isn’t the name of your country. Maybe you’re messing this up on purpose. Serat won’t be able to tell, though. Maybe if he thought it was worthless, you could take it.
As you expected, nothing happens. Serat frowns at it. “Maybe… the name of this country. Aeson.” The Sitynur glimmers when he says it, but it’s hardly noticeable.
“Aeson,” you say, stomach dropping when the glow is brighter. Serat notices this time. You feel a shard of information make its way from the Sitynur to you. //Aeson is a country in… capitol is…// That’s all you can understand. A smile spreads across Serat’s face, and he uses a hand to move a strand of hair away from his eyes.
“Amazing, it works,” he says. //More than you know,// you think. “Good. I need to do other things, though.” He gestures at the guards. “Please, take <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> back to <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> room.”
They move to shadow each side of you, but you stand up and start walking before they can grab your arms. They match your slow pace and keep careful glances locked on you. You wonder if they would even notice if you went the wrong way.
As an experiment, you took a wrong turn on purpose. One reaches out and yanks you to the correct path. That answers your question, you guess.
You enter your room and the guards trade positions with the current ones standing at your door. You sit on your bed. The door is locked as always.
<<if $friend1 is 1>>You pull out the note you kept from Baye. //I’ll be back,// it reads, and you smile at it. Then you crumple it up as small as you can and shove it under the mattress. You can’t leave it just lying around.<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 2>>You wonder what Birch is doing now. Is he back at his apartment?<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 3>>You wonder what Mycie is doing now. Stewing over Serat, or ignoring it and doing regular princess duties?<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 4>>You wonder what Violet is doing now. Did they mean it when they said you two were friends?<<endif>>
You sigh and recline on your bed, already tired. You decide to nap. Or sleep. You still don’t know what time it is. Whatever time it is, you curl up and go to sleep.
[[Continue|PgFiftyNine]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>Serat’s eyes narrow, unimpressed. “This isn’t my real office. I just don’t want anyone to find out about you yet.”
You consider this for a moment. What does he want? “So what is my project anyway?<<if $attitude > 12>> You were pretty vague.<<endif>>”
“I suppose I was. Well, I guessed you would know from me showing you the Gemstone.” Gemstone. Is that what he called Sitynur? Interesting. You tucked the information away. “Birch told me about you. You came here from… another world. And that? That is interesting. This information is powerful.” he pauses, choosing his next words carefully. “This could put me at a significant advantage against the other countries.”
Political gain. Why were you not surprised? He’s a king.
“And you need me because…?”
“It brought you here, of course. I need you to help figure out exactly what this does.”
[[“How do you expect me to do that?”|PgFiftySixH]]
[[“Sure.”|PgFiftySixS]]
[[Bluff. “Why would I know how to do that?”|PgFiftySixB]]<<set $mental to $mental + 2>>Serat raises an eyebrow. “Just fine, hm? I’m glad.” You simply nod.
After a beat of silence, you say, “So what is my project anyway?<<if $attitude > 12>> You were pretty vague.<<endif>>”
“I suppose I was. Well, I guessed you would know from me showing you the Gemstone.” Gemstone. Is that what he called Sitynur? Interesting. You tucked the information away. “Birch told me about you. You came here from… another world. And that? That is interesting. This information is powerful.” he pauses, choosing his next words carefully. “This could put me at a significant advantage against the other countries.”
Political gain. Why were you not surprised? He’s a king.
“And you need me because…?”
“It brought you here, of course. I need you to help figure out exactly what this does.”
[[“How do you expect me to do that?”|PgFiftySixH]]
[[“Sure.”|PgFiftySixS]]
[[Bluff. “Why would I know how to do that?”|PgFiftySixB]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 3>>Serat smiles. “You’ll have to take my word for it, hmm?”
He’s right, unfortunately. He’s either telling the truth or lying, and not knowing which screws with your head. You cross your arms, irritated.
After a beat of silence, you say, “So what is my project anyway?<<if $attitude > 12>> You were pretty vague.<<endif>>”
“I suppose I was. Well, I guessed you would know from me showing you the Gemstone.” Gemstone. Is that what he called Sitynur? Interesting. You tucked the information away. “Birch told me about you. You came here from… another world. And that? That is interesting. This information is powerful.” he pauses, choosing his next words carefully. “This could put me at a significant advantage against the other countries.”
Political gain. Why were you not surprised? He’s a king.
“And you need me because…?”
“It brought you here, of course. I need you to help figure out exactly what this does.”
[[“How do you expect me to do that?”|PgFiftySixH]]
[[“Sure.”|PgFiftySixS]]
[[Bluff. “Why would I know how to do that?”|PgFiftySixB]]You return to the office and the guard opens the door. You walk inside and sit down, <<if $attitude > 13>>giving Serat an unimpressed look.<<else>>staring at anywhere but Serat, who once again sits across from you.<<endif>>
“So, how was your day?” he asks, smiling. You blink. Was it nighttime already? You had thought it was the morning. But then again, what if he was tricking you? You couldn’t be certain. There weren’t windows here, either.
And why is he even bothering to ask? You have nothing to do but eat and sleep. Surely he’s aware of your conditions. Why should you bother to answer? Why not take control of the conversation and veer it away from whatever he wanted it to be?
[[“Wait, it’s evening?”|PgFiftyFiveQ]]
[[“It was fine.”|PgFiftyFiveF]]
[[“You know, you’d think a king would have a bigger office.”|PgFiftyFiveD]]The next day, you don’t get any food. You wonder if Serat’s doing this on purpose, or if he– or whoever’s in charge of your food– just forgot. Your stomach grumbles in displeasure. You still don’t know what time it is. You wish you had anything to eat.
No one comes for you, either. You change into different clothes if only to break up the monotony. You pass time by just laying on your bed and counting spots on your ceiling.
<<if $friend1 is 1>>Then, a vine shifts and glimmers. You turn to stare at it. It writhes and you get up, ready to flee. But instead, someone emerges.
//Baye.//
They stumble a few steps then collapse. You run to them, keeping your footsteps as light as you can. The thump was suspicious by itself, you don’t want any guards entering to see what the fuss was.
“Baye!” You whisper. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” they whisper back hoarsely. “Just had to… travel through plants… takes a lot of energy.” They pause to breathe. “And I’m far from my tree. The effects… just stacked.” Baye closes their eyes in a long, tired blink.
[[Continue|PgSixtyBa]]<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 2>>You hear shattering glass and jump to your feet. //What was that?//
Your room is small enough you spot it within a second: a shattered window, and Birch fallen from it. He climbs to his feet. You open your mouth to speak, to ask what he’s doing there, but he presses a finger to his lips.
He hands you a piece of paper and you read it quickly. It’s a single, hastily written sentence: //I’ll explain in a minute, just wait.//
[[Continue|PgSixtyBi]]<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 3>>There’s a sudden outburst of shouting outside your door. You slide off your bed and to your feet cautiously. //What’s going on?// You take a few hesitant steps and pause. Should you eavesdrop?
One on hand, you might get caught. You could get in more trouble.
On the other hand, you could have more information. About what, you’re not sure, but you’d know more about what’s happening.
[[Listen in.|PgSixtyML]]
[[Wait.|PgSixtyMW]]<<endif>><<if $friend1 is 4>>There’s quiet chatter outside your door. It’s barely loud enough to hear. You slide off your bed and to your feet cautiously. //What’s going on?//
You take a few hesitant steps and pause. Should you eavesdrop?
One on hand, you might get caught. You could get in more trouble. The people talking could just be the guards chatting.
On the other hand, you could have more information. About what, you’re not sure, but you’d know more about what was going on.
[[Listen in.|PgSixtyVL]]
[[Wait.|PgSixtyVW]]<<endif>><<set $attitude to $attitude - 2>>Serat smiles. “Really? Because I have it on good authority. Birch here–” he gestures to Birch, sitting in front of the desk, still looking at you apologetically– “he told me //all// about you.”
You hate his smile already.
“Anyway, I need your assistance for a… project," he continues. He fiddles with the collar of his elaborate shirt. It’s a dark red, and it looks like silk. It looks expensive.
You tip your head. “What kind of project?”
Serat’s eyes slide to Birch and he nods at the door. “If you don’t mind…”
Birch understands quickly and hurries to his feet. <<if $birch_points > 8>>He taps your shoulder as he exits, as if to say //good luck// or //I’m sorry.// You’re not sure if you can believe him.<<endif>> He closes the door behind him.
Serat leans back and reaches into a drawer. He pulls something out, but it’s out of your sight. “Well, come on, sit down,” he says, gesturing at the seat Birch had just occupied. “You want to know what the project is, no?”
You sit down, adjusting yourself in the seat. Serat places the item on the center of the desk. You grip the seat hard and your blood runs cold.
“Do you know what this is, $player_name?”
Of course you do. It’s Sitynur.
[[You keep a neutral expression.|PgFiftyTwoN]]
[[You struggle to keep a neutral expression.|PgFiftyTwoS]]
[[You can’t keep a straight face at all.|PgFiftyTwoC]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 2>>Serat smiles. “Do you like it here?” he asks. Before you can reply, he answers himself, “Of course you do. Well, I was hoping you could help me with a… project.” He fiddles with the collar of his elaborate shirt. It’s a dark red, and it looked like silk. It looked expensive.
You tip your head. “What kind of project?”
Serat’s eyes slide to Birch and he nods at the door. “If you don’t mind…”
Birch understands quickly and hurries to his feet. <<if $birch_points > 8>>He taps your shoulder as he exits, as if to say //good luck// or //I’m sorry.// You’re not sure if you can believe him.<<endif>> He closes the door behind him.
Serat leans back and reaches into a drawer. He pulls something out, but it’s out of your sight. “Well, come on, sit down,” he says, gesturing at the seat Birch had just occupied. “You want to know what the project is, no?”
You sit down, adjusting yourself in the seat. Serat places the item on the center of the desk. You grip the seat hard and your blood runs cold.
“Do you know what this is, $player_name?”
Of course you do. It’s Sitynur.
[[You keep a neutral expression.|PgFiftyTwoN]]
[[You struggle to keep a neutral expression.|PgFiftyTwoS]]
[[You can’t keep a straight face at all.|PgFiftyTwoC]]<<set $friend1 to 1>>You turn to see a guard, peeking through the door. “Excuse me, Your Majesty, but someone wants to speak with you.”
Serat looks irritated, and like he’s going to refuse, but the person pushes through anyway. It’s Baye. You swallow your relief. You couldn’t be sure that they were here for you, and you didn’t want to mess up whatever they were doing. They give you a smile, and you drop your guard and return a relieved smile.
They’re wearing a beautiful, softly colored jumpsuit type outfit. The green clothing matches their skin tone perfectly. They fold their hands and don a more serious look, facing the king.
“King Serat, Your Majesty, thank you for seeing me,” they say, bowing. Serat balances his head on his hand, muttering something that sounds like ‘I didn’t, you pushed your way in here.’ Baye ignores him.
“$player_name is a great friend of mine. For <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> to disappear so suddenly– well, I had to know what happened. Why do you need <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> so much? <<if $pronoun is "he">>Has he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>Has she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">>Have they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>Has $subjective_pro<<endif>>–”
“Good friend?” Serat scoffs. “I know <<if $pronoun is "he">>he is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they are<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro is<<endif>> from another world. You can stop bluffing.”
Baye’s eyes widen. “What?”
So they really didn’t know.
Serat rolls his eyes. “Don’t play dumb.” Baye seems genuinely surprised, but they shake it off and continue.
“So you won’t let <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> go...?”
“No.”
Baye sighs and leans over to hug you. “Well, good luck,” they say softly. You feel a piece of paper flutter into your lap, and you restrain yourself from looking down immediately. They pull away and turn toward the door. “See you… sometime, I suppose.” They chuckle slightly. They exit, and the guard closes the door.
Serat looks back at you. “Sorry about the… interruption,” he says, sighing with annoyance. You fidget and move the paper into your pocket. Serat doesn’t seem to notice.
“Anyway,” he says, “as I was saying. I need you to do experiments with it. I notice it glows when certain things are said. I want you to figure out those. I also want to see if it changes //people// in any way.”
[[“I won’t do it.”|PgFiftyEightN]]
[[Just nod.|PgFiftyEightY]]<<set $friend1 to 2>>You turn to see a guard peeking through the door. “Excuse me, Your Majesty, but Birch would like to speak to you,” he says, nervousness creeping into his voice.
“What could he possibly want?” Serat asks. The guard shrugs and half opens his mouth, but is interrupted. Birch shoves his way past the guard and storms in the room.
“I didn’t mean for you to //imprison// <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>!” he exclaims. Serat raises an eyebrow, his face still neutral. The guard moves to grab Birch, but Serat waves him away.
“No, no, this is entertaining,” Serat laughs. “Why do you think you can shout at me, the king?”
Birch splutters and Serat smiles and nods. “That’s what I thought.”
“Can’t <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> just stay at my place and come back to help you with– whatever you’re working on?” Birch demands.
Serat shakes his head. “No, unfortunately the world doesn’t work that way.” He smiles, watching Birch simmer in anger he could never release.
“Guard, take him away,” Serat says after a minute, looking away from Birch. Birch gives you an apologetic and desperate look as he’s forced out of the room.
Serat looks back at you. “Sorry about the… interruption,” he says, sighing. “Anyway, as I was saying. I need you to do experiments with it. I notice it glows when certain things are said. I want you to figure out those. I also want to see if it changes //people// in any way.”
[[“I won’t do it.”|PgFiftyEightN]]
[[Just nod.|PgFiftyEightY]]<<set $friend1 to 3>>Mycie bursts into the room and comes to a stop just in front of the desk, pausing to catch her breath and glare at her father. The guard who walks in behind her looks apologetically at him.
“Father,” Mycie says eventually, quietly, threateningly.
“Daughter,” Serat replies casually. He rests his head lazily on one hand.
“Why did you imprison my friend?” Mycie demands. Friend? She thinks you are friends?
You have a friend in this world. That feels nice.
“Of course you would think that–”
“I’m sorry, what is happening here? Because it certainly looks to me that <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro is<<endif>> held here against their will–”
“I need <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> for an important duty–”
“That gives you no right–”
“I am the king!” Serat shouts. He takes a deep breath and continues, more quietly. “I am the king here, not you. This will help our kingdom.”
“I don’t care!” Mycie shouts back.
The room goes terrifyingly quiet, the two glaring at each other, until Serat says, “Myceli, get out. This is not your decision.”
Mycie glances at you before huffing at her father and turning to face the door. “I don’t approve of this,” she tosses over her shoulder, before exiting. The guard follows her. Serat sighs.
“She’s so irritating sometimes,” he mutters to himself, but loud enough you can hear it.
Serat looks back at you. “Sorry about the… interruption,” he says. “Anyway, as I was saying. I need you to do experiments with it. I notice it glows when certain things are said. I want you to figure out those. I also want to see if it changes //people// in any way.”
[[“I won’t do it.”|PgFiftyEightN]]
[[Just nod.|PgFiftyEightY]]<<set $friend1 to 4>>It’s a guard entering. He clears his throat then announces, “Your Majesty, your child, Violet, is here to speak with you.”
“No, tell her–” Serat starts, but Violet’s already pushing into the room. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, and when he opens them she’s standing directly in front of the desk, slightly to the side so as to not be staring over your head.
“Father,” they start politely, “May I know why you imprisoned my friend?” Friend? She thinks you are friends?
You have a friend in this world. That feels nice.
“It’s not //imprisoning// <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>–”
“So <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective<<endif>> are allowed to leave?” Violet interrupts. Serat looks startled.
“Well, no. But before you argue more, this is not your business. This is for the good of the kingdom.”
Violet crosses their arms. “I don’t think this is the right way.”
“Good thing you aren’t the king, then,” Serat replies. “Now, do you mind letting us be?”
Violet gives you an apologetic look before relenting and disappearing out the door. The guard who announced her follows her.
Serat looks back at you. “Sorry about the… interruption,” he says. “Anyway, as I was saying. I need you to do experiments with it. I notice it glows when certain things are said. I want you to figure out those. I also want to see if it changes //people// in any way.”
[[“I won’t do it.”|PgFiftyEightN]]
[[Just nod.|PgFiftyEightY]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>“You aren’t fooling anyone, $player_name. Birch told me all about you,” he taunts. “Besides, it adds up. I knew someone new was here.”
Hmm. You aren’t sure how he’s so certain. Does he have spies or something in the city that report to him? You’ll have to figure that out later.
“So, let’s get started,” he continues.
He pulls the Sitynur out and places it in the middle of the desk, folding his hands under his chin. He opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the door opening sharply.
“What is it?” he asks irritably.
<<if $baye_points > $birch_points and $baye_points > $mycie_points and $baye_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBa]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points > $baye_points and $birch_points > $mycie_points and $birch_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $mycie_points > $birch_points and $mycie_points > $baye_points and $mycie_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<if $violet_points > $birch_points and $violet_points > $mycie_points and $violet_points > $baye_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenV]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBa]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $birch_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $mycie_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points == $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points == $mycie_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $mycie_points == $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>Serat blinks slowly and crosses his arms. “Haven’t we just agreed you come from another world? Are you trying to take that back?”
“No, I’m just stating a fact. If it brought me here without knowing, how would I know what it does?” you reply flatly. Serat clears his throat.
“To put it bluntly, I need someone who can disappear without anyone noticing.”
Your jaw drops slightly, but Serat remains casual. “So, let’s get started.”
He pulls the Sitynur out and places it in the middle of the desk, folding his hands under his chin. He opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the door opening sharply.
“What is it?” he asks irritably.
<<if $baye_points > $birch_points and $baye_points > $mycie_points and $baye_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBa]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points > $baye_points and $birch_points > $mycie_points and $birch_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $mycie_points > $birch_points and $mycie_points > $baye_points and $mycie_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<if $violet_points > $birch_points and $violet_points > $mycie_points and $violet_points > $baye_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenV]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBa]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $birch_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $mycie_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points == $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points == $mycie_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $mycie_points == $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<set $disposition to $disposition - 3>>Serat smiles. “Perfect. I’m glad we agree.”
You’re beginning to wonder if you should have.
“So, let’s get started,” Serat continues.
He pulls the Sitynur out and places it in the middle of the desk, folding his hands under his chin. He opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the door opening sharply.
“What is it?” he asks irritably.
<<if $baye_points > $birch_points and $baye_points > $mycie_points and $baye_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBa]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points > $baye_points and $birch_points > $mycie_points and $birch_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $mycie_points > $birch_points and $mycie_points > $baye_points and $mycie_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<if $violet_points > $birch_points and $violet_points > $mycie_points and $violet_points > $baye_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenV]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $violet_points and $baye_points > $birch_points and $baye_points > $mycie_points and $baye_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBa]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $birch_points and $baye_points > $birch_points and $baye_points > $mycie_points and $baye_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $baye_points == $mycie_points and $baye_points > $birch_points and $baye_points > $mycie_points and $baye_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points == $violet_points and $birch_points > $baye_points and $birch_points > $mycie_points and $birch_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $birch_points == $mycie_points and $birch_points > $baye_points and $birch_points > $mycie_points and $birch_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenBi]]<<endif>><<if $mycie_points == $violet_points and $mycie_points > $birch_points and $mycie_points > $baye_points and $mycie_points > $violet_points>>[[Continue|PgFiftySevenM]]<<endif>>It’s a few days later. Your schedule only consists of meals and sleep. There’s not much else to do. You’re left alone, for the most part, but today, you’re startled awake by a guard barking orders.
“Wake up and get dressed nicely!” he shouts. “His Majesty the King wants to see you this morning.”
After he confirms you’re awake, sitting up and rubbing your eyes, he turns and marches out. You stumble out of bed and stretch. Your gaze lands on the wardrobe against the wall. Looks like you’ll have to find something out of there. You’ve been wearing your original clothes since you arrived.
You look around inside the drawers and find some $style clothes. They fit you well, for some random clothes in a castle you’ve never been to before. Suspicion flickers across your mind for half a second before you notice other clothes in many different sizes. It isn’t targeted for you.
After getting dressed, you knock on the door. The guard opens the door and begins to escort you to the king’s office. There is only one guard now. Has Serat begun to trust you? Who knows.
[[Continue|PgFiftyFour]]<<set $mental to $mental - 2>>You stay silent, afraid whatever you say will reveal your surprise. Still, every emotion you feel, confusion, fear, surprise, you’re sure it’s obvious on your face.
Serat folds his hands and his eyes glint. “Perfect,” he murmurs, your expression enough to satisfy him. “You were worried about having a place to stay, correct?” He looks above your head and nods the tiniest bit. It’s subtle, but it’s there. “No need to worry.”
Two iron grips clamp down on your arms and drag you to your feet. You remember the guards from just a few minutes earlier and you spring into action, squirming and kicking, but the more you struggle the tighter the grip gets. You worry that they’ll cut off circulation– if that’s even possible– so you stop struggling, but you throw the king the dirtiest glare possible. He has the audacity to laugh.
The guards drag you outside of the office. They look like twins. The girl has shoulder-length, blonde hair, and the other has wavy blond hair that reaches his chin. They have identical tan skin with freckles scattered over their face. They both keep their gaze straight ahead, not even bothering to look at you.
You expect to be thrown in a dungeon, perhaps, or some equally restricting place. Yet, when you’re shoved into a room, it’s… surprisingly nice. Small, certainly, but definitely not terrible.
There’s no windows, but the white walls curve up into a dome ceiling. The floor is a plush white carpet. In a corner, there’s a small bed fitted with black and white sheets. There’s a single chair and table near the center. There’s a simple gray wardrobe pushed against the wall. The rest of the room is pretty much empty.
You turn and check the door, despite knowing it’ll be locked. Of course, it is. No surprises there. You glance around the room again.
There’s nothing to do but sit or stand or sleep, and you feel like a nap is the best option. First, however… You touch your Sitynur necklace.
You lift the mattress and place it underneath. The mattress falls and covers it completely. Not a great hiding place, but the best you can do.
You collapse into the bed, and wrap yourself in the sheets. It takes a few minutes to calm your racing thoughts, but when you do, you fall into a deep sleep.
[[Continue|PgFiftyThree]]<<set $mental to $mental + 5>>“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t, what’s in it for me?” you reply calmly. Every emotion you feel, confusion, fear, surprise, you tuck it all away. Your face is perfectly neutral. You can’t give yourself away.
Serat folds his hands and his eyes glint. “Perfect,” he murmurs. “You were worried about having a place to stay, correct?” He looks above your head and nods the tiniest bit. It’s subtle, but it’s there. “No need to worry.”
Two iron grips clamp down on your arms and drag you to your feet. You remember the guards from just a few minutes ago and you spring into action, squirming and kicking, but the more you struggle the tighter the grip gets. You worry that they’ll cut off circulation– if that’s even possible– so you stop struggling, but you throw the king the dirtiest glare possible. He has the audacity to laugh.
The guards drag you outside of the office. They look like twins. The girl has shoulder-length, blonde hair, and the other has wavy blond hair that reaches his chin. They have identical tan skin with freckles scattered over their face. They both keep their gaze straight ahead, not even bothering to look at you.
You expect to be thrown in a dungeon, perhaps, or some equally restricting place. Yet, when you’re shoved into a room, it’s… surprisingly nice. Small, certainly, but definitely not terrible.
There’s no windows. The white walls curve up into a dome ceiling. The floor is covered with a plush white carpet. In a corner, there’s a small bed fitted with black and white sheets. There’s a single chair and table near the center. There’s a simple gray wardrobe pushed against the wall. The rest of the room is pretty much empty.
You turn and check the door, despite knowing it’ll be locked. Of course, it is. No surprises there. You glance around the room again.
There’s nothing to do but sit or stand or sleep, and you feel like a nap is the best option. First, however… You touch your Sitynur necklace.
You lift the mattress and place it underneath. The mattress falls and covers it completely. Not a great hiding place, but the best you can do for now.
You collapse into the bed, and wrap yourself in the sheets. It takes a few minutes to calm your racing thoughts, but when you do, you fall into a deep sleep.
[[Continue|PgFiftyThree]]<<set $mental to $mental + 3>>“Perhaps,” you reply carefully. Every emotion you feel, confusion, fear, surprise, you try to push it all away. Your face is as collected as it can be, but you’re sure it’s at least a little visible.
Serat folds his hands and his eyes glint with an unidentifiable emotion. “Perfect,” he murmurs, your reaction enough for him. “You were worried about having a place to stay, correct?” He looks above your head and nods the tiniest bit. It’s subtle, but it’s there. “No need to worry.”
Two iron grips clamp down on your arms and drag you to your feet. You think of the other guards from just a minute before and you spring into action, squirming and kicking, but the more you struggle the tighter the grip gets. You worry that they’ll cut off circulation– if that’s even possible– so you stop struggling, but you throw the king the dirtiest glare possible. He has the audacity to laugh.
The guards drag you outside of the office. They look like twins. The girl has shoulder-length, blond hair, and the other has wavy blonde hair that reaches his chin. They have identical tan skin with freckles scattered over their face. They both keep their gaze straight ahead, not even bothering to look at you.
You expect to be thrown in a dungeon, perhaps, or some equally restricting place. Yet, when you’re shoved into a room, it’s… surprisingly nice. Small, certainly, but definitely not terrible.
There’s no windows. The white walls curve up into a dome ceiling. The floor is covered with a plush white carpet. In a corner, there’s a small bed fitted with black and white sheets. There’s a single chair and table near the center. There’s a simple gray wardrobe pushed against the wall. The rest of the room is pretty much empty.
You turn and check the door, despite knowing it’ll be locked. Of course, it is. No surprises there. You glance around the room again. There’s nothing to do but sit or stand or sleep, and you feel like a nap is the best option. First, however… You touch your Sitynur necklace.
You lift the mattress and place it underneath. The mattress falls and covers it completely. Not a great hiding place, but the best you can do.
You collapse into the bed, and wrap yourself in the sheets. It takes a few minutes to calm your racing thoughts, but when you do, you fall into a deep sleep.
[[Continue|PgFiftyThree]]Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0 and $playerhealth gt 1>><<button [[Fight|PgFightTwo]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneFiveSevenFI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneFiveSevenFFl]]>><</button>><<endif>><<if $opponenthealth lte 0>>[[Continue|PgOneFiveSevenFB]]<<endif>><<if $playerhealth lte 1>>[[Continue|PgOneFiveSevenFC]]<<endif>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>>You move quickly, <<if $attitude lte 10>>aiming your bow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>running forward.<<endif>>
<<if _pwin is "no">>Your blow misses, and Wren runs forward while the beast is distracted, stabbing the beast with her yellow dagger.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<else>>Dust scatters as the blow lands. Wren darts forward and stabs while the monster is distracted.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 5>><<endif>>
The wolf barely gives you time to react. It snarls and leaps forward, a massive paw slamming you to the ground.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>>
[[Continue|PgBattleTwo]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _jwin to ["yes", "yes", "yes", "no"]>><<set _jwin to _jwin.random()>><<set _wwin to ["yes", "yes", "yes", "no", "no"]>><<set _wwin to _wwin.random()>><<if _jwin is "yes">>Jurem darts forward, stabbing at the creature. It stumbles backwards, and Wren is close behind.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 5>><<else>>Jurem darts forward, but the monster lumbers out of the way. Wren leaps forward while she can.<<endif>>
<<if _wwin is "yes">>Wren twists, grinning, and cuts forward. Dust scatters in the air, and the monster growls pitifully.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<else>>Yet the monster dodges the blow, and Wren is left frustrated.<<endif>>
You take your own swing at things, <<if $attitude lte 10>>firing an arrow<<else>>swinging your weapon<<endif>>. <<if _pwin is "yes">>The monster yips, dust floating off of its fur.<<set $monsterhealth to $monsterhealth - 2>><<else>>The hit misses, and the monster bats at you.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 1>> It barely hits, but it chips away some of your health.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgBattleTwo]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to ["yes", "no"]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>>Your weapon materializes and you <<if $attitude lte 10>>draw back and aim.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>dart forward.<<endif>> <<if _pwin is "no">>Yet, you miss, and the monster dodges the blow.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes">><<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $opponenthealth lte 0>>You pierce the monster, and it crumbles away to dust.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $opponenthealth gt 0>>The hit lands, and dust scatters, yet the monster is still standing.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes" and $opponenthealth gt 0>>The monster snarls and lunges forward. Its jaws clamp on your ankle and you shout before pulling away. Blue blood drips from the wound. <<endif>><<if _owin is "yes" and $opponenthealth gt 10 and $playerhealth gte 3>><<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>><<endif>><<if _owin is "yes" and $opponenthealth gt 10 and $playerhealth lt 3>><<set $playerhealth to 1>><<endif>><<if _owin is "no" and $opponenthealth gt 0>>The monster leaps forward, yet you dodge its jaws.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgFight]]<<set $magnoliarealm to "known">>The first thing that hits you is the feeling of the portal. Your entire body is twisting, twisting, twisting, and you want to throw up. You aren’t solid. It’s being flattened and stretched at the same time, but you don’t have a body. You would scream, but you couldn’t feel your face.
Then it was over.
You almost feel relief when you slam into the gravel. The stinging pain peppering your face and arms stops you from feeling complete relief. You scramble to your feet and glance around you.
You’re in an alleyway. Tall, clay buildings surround you. Flowering vines scale up the walls. You feel a spark of hope that you just portalled to another part of your city, but you know you’re wrong. The chatter outside the alleyway is unfamiliar, like it was a different language.
As soon as you think that, the Sitynur shard suddenly glows, and before you can process it, a pain shoots into your head. You clutch it and squeeze your eyes shut, stumbling into the alleyway wall.
The pain disappears after what felt like an eternity. You blink your tears back before they could form. Something felt… weird. You have knowledge in your head you didn’t remember learning. You’re in the capital of the Magnolia Realm, Magren. Plants sourced all of the magic here. And you can understand the people wandering up the street now.
“–did you hear the Queen–”
“–brings the family up to six–”
“–I doubt I could handle //twins//–”
You back farther into the alleyway, out of earshot. You need a moment to adapt. A moment to figure out what on earth to do. Well, not on earth anymore, you suppose.
You note that there’s spots that are fuzzy in your mind. //The Queen is named…// Your thoughts swim and fuzz. //The money is named…// Something to figure out later.
There’s a tug in your chest, leading to the north. When you focus on it, the Sitynur glimmers. What could it lead to..?
[[Follow the path|PgSixFollow]]
[[Talk to someone|PgSixTalk]]You duck behind a flowery bush that blocks you from the street. Violet turns to face you.
“What are you doing here?” they whisper. You shrug.
[[“Just wandering.”|PgFortyOneW]]
[[“I wanted to get to know you more.”|PgFortyOneV]]<big><b>Chapter Three</b></big><<if $disposition is "unknown">><<set $disposition to 13>><<endif>><<if $attitude is "unknown">><<set $attitude to 13>><<endif>><<if $mental is "unknown">><<set $mental to 13>><<endif>><<if $decisionmaking is "unknown">><<set $decisionmaking to 10>><<endif>>
Oh no. This… this is not good.
That’s all you can think for a moment before your brain kicks into a semi-panic. //Were you in trouble? Did someone figure out you’re from another world? What did she want? How did she know your name?//
You make a split second decision.
[[Run.|PgFortyNineR]]
[[Come.|PgFortyNineC]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>>Violet frowns. “Do you have another place you’re going to go?”
“I have a little bit of a plan,” you reply, and Violet nods.
<<if $violet_points > 5>>“I don’t know if I can, but if you need I can see if I can help…” She says hesitantly.
“Thank you,” you say, meaning it. They nod.<<endif>>“Maybe you can talk to Mycie,<<if $violet_points > 5>> too,<<endif>>” She says. “She has more power, being the heir and all.”
“That makes sense.” you reply.
After a few beats of silence, Violet glances at their painting, tapping their leg.
[[Continue|PgFortySix]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>>Violet looks relieved. “I’m glad you found somewhere. So you’re doing okay?”
“Yep. Thanks for worrying, though.”
<<if $violet_points < 7>>“It was mostly Mycie who was worried,” Violet says quickly. “I was just asking to tell her.” You nod.<<else>>“Worrying takes no effort, no need to thank me.” She laughs slightly.<<endif>>
After a few beats of silence, Violet glances at their painting, tapping their leg.
[[Continue|PgFortySix]]<<set $mental to $mental + 3>>“Why does Mycie get more attention?” you ask. Violet turns back to you.
“Ah, yeah, well, she’s the heir. It’s great for her, she’s always been outgoing, but I wouldn’t be able to handle attention from the media and stuff.” She pauses. “Oh, and she’s a prince-turned-princess. Born a prince, but really she’s always been a princess. She became a role model for other people like her.”
You raise your eyebrows. That’s news to you. But it would make sense she didn’t mention it, she’s a girl now, why worry about her past?
“So…” Violet says after a moment. “Did you find a place to stay?”
[[“Yep, don’t worry about me.”|PgFortyFiveY]]
[[“I did, but I don’t know if I can stay there long…”|PgFortyFiveM]]<<set $mental to $mental - 3>><<set $violet_points to $violet_points + 3>>“What are you painting?” you ask. Violet’s face brightens and she grabs her canvas to show you.
“So, I just finished the lineart of these flowers, and I was about to start on the leaves,” Violet explains. “But I left this part in a sketch, you know. It’s a spirit, and I don’t want there to be any dark lines, so it’ll just be paint.” She smiles at her drawing. Then her expression turns worried. “Can you tell it’s based off of this part of the garden?” She asks, gesturing at the area in front of you both. You glance back and forth between the delicately drawn flowers and the delicate real flowers. They look very similar, and you can only imagine how great it’ll look when filled in with color.
“Of course,” you assure her. “I can’t wait to see it when it’s done.”
Violet’s smile brightens. “Thank you.”
“So…” Violet says after a moment. “Did you find a place to stay?”
[[“Yep, don’t worry about me.”|PgFortyFiveY]]
[[“I did, but I don’t know if I can stay there long…”|PgFortyFiveM]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>You reluctantly walk forward, following Violet’s trail. She looks momentarily confused then disappears inside. The servant stays to hold the door open.
“Thanks, Maria,” someone says from behind you. “Saves us some trouble.”
You spin around, and two guards are behind you. One with dark skin and darker hair, intricate braids framing their face. The other has medium brown skin and a shaved head. They grab hold of your arms before you can react. Their grip is tight enough you know any amount of struggling won’t help. You glare at buzzed-hair and he half-smirks.
They pull you fully inside and walk you down the hallway. You all know there’s no point to you running. You walk reluctantly, glaring at the floor.
You hear a guard mumble something to the other. You can’t tell what, though. All you hear is “...sure?...”
The other guard replies, still quiet, but more clear. “...course… but it’s //this//…”
You turn a corner and then they pause at a door. “Here,” buzzed hair says, loud enough for you to hear. He tugs open the door and pushes you inside. You stumble forward and the door shuts behind you.
[[Continue|PgFifty]]<<if $decisionmaking isnot "unknown">><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>><<else>><<set $decisionmaking to 13>><<endif>>“The king wants–” the guard starts, but you never hear the end of his message.
You bolt. You sprint out of the garden and toward the road, fire burning through your muscles. Green blurs past you. Almost there. Almost there. Almost there– then something yanks you to a stop.
A grip on each arm holds you back, despite your struggles. One guard on each side. One with dark skin and darker hair, intricate braids framing their face. The other has medium brown skin and a shaved head. The one with braids looks down at you.
“Stop struggling,” they say gruffly. “His Majesty the King wants to see you.” They turn around, pulling you with them. How did news get out so fast about you?
You stop struggling, but only because you know they’re stronger than you. There’s no point to it. Instead, you go limp, and the guards have to practically drag you along. You see, out of the corner of your eye, the buzzed haired one shoot you a glare. This small act of rebellion is all you can manage with their hands firmly clamped on your arms.
Violet and the servant are gone by now, and the guards escort you in the same door they went in. Once you get inside and the door is locked, they let go. You stumble and get to your feet. You all know there’s no point to you running. You walk reluctantly, glaring at the floor.
You hear a guard mumble something to the other. You can’t tell what, though. All you hear is “...sure?...”
Then the other guard replies, still quiet, but more clear. “...course… but it’s //this//…”
You turn a corner and then they pause at a door. “Here,” buzzed hair says, loud enough for you to hear. He tugs open the door and pushes you inside. You stumble inside and the door shuts behind you.
[[Continue|PgFifty]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 2>><<set $violet_points to $violet_points + 1>>A smile flickers on Violet’s face but disappears just as quickly.
“I still don’t trust you, you know.”
You feel your own smile fade slightly. Being a princess made you defensive, you guessed.
[[“Aw, why?”|PgFortyTwoA]]
[[“I get it.”|PgFortyTwoB]]Violet frowns slightly. “Okay… What did you want to talk to me about?”
You shrugged again, shielding your eyes from the sun. “You’re one of… what, four people I know in this city? I just wanted to say hi.”
Violet’s frown fades. “Sorry. I’m wary of everyone. You seem nice, but people try to take advantage sometimes, you know?” She sighs, looking past you.
You nod, though you wouldn’t know. You move a branch of the bush to block the sun so you can rest your hand.
[[Continue|PgFortyThree]]Violet reaches the doorway and you stand to leave. Suddenly, the servant calls out again. “Wait! Are you $player_name?”
You freeze.
[[Continue|PgFortyEight]]“So… Do you garden here?” you ask, gesturing to the brilliant garden around you.
Violet laughs awkwardly. “Um, no, no I don’t,” they reply, once again fidgeting with the hem of their dress. “I just come here to relax and paint in peace.”
“Ah, sorry, I–”
“No it’s fine!” Violet says quickly. “I like hanging out with you.” She looks half-surprised at herself before shifting into a smile.
“So… we’re friends?”
<<if $violet_points < 5>>“Well, maybe I won’t go that far,” they joke.<<else>>“Maybe we are.”<<endif>>
You absorb the happy moment for a second. Then, you hear a voice.
“Your Highness! Princess Violet!” someone shouts. Shifting to a crouch rather than sitting to see over the bush shows someone standing next to the door to the castle. They appear to have long auburn hair and are wearing a dark green dress. “The King needs you!” they add.
Violet sighs. “I think that’s my cue to leave,” she says reluctantly, gathering her materials. “See you soon?”
“Sure,” you reply. “See you soon.”
[[It’s only a moment.|PgFortySeven]]“Being a princess must be hard,” you say, and she nods. “You’re the face of the country – or will be some day.”
“No, Mycie’ll be queen, probably,” they correct. “But anyway, you’re right. I like the attention sometimes, but other times it’s annoying. I’m more of an introvert than my sister– and she always got more media attention than me, you know?” They fidget with the hem of their dress.
“Ah,” you say, and note the way she glances back at her canvas, which is still laying in the grass. You can only make out the colors, greens and blues and hints of yellow.
[[Ask about their painting.|PgFortyFourP]]
[[Ask about Mycie.|PgFortyFourM]]<<set $violet_points to $violet_points - 2>>Violet looks away. “You know, I’m a princess. How do I know you’re not trying to get something from me?” They rub their arms like they’re cold.
You wonder how many people it took wanting something material from her friendship for her to feel this way. Or is she just shy? Whatever it is, it makes sense.
“I won’t.” You promise, but Violet only chuckles.
“Okay, I’ll believe you. For now.” They glance over their shoulder.
[[Continue|PgFortyThree]]<<set $violet_points to $violet_points + 2>>Violet lets out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I just… I’m a princess, how do I know you’re not trying to get something from me?”
You nod sympathetically. “If it helps, I promise I won’t.” Would it count if you asked for her help with the Sitynur? That’s if you did.
Violet chuckles. “I’ll believe you for now, I guess.” They glance over their shoulder.
[[Continue|PgFortyThree]]<<set $attitude to 15>>$sister_name looks over her shoulder, startled. Only for a moment, though, as she rearranges her expression to a neutral one. “Hey, $player_name.”
“What are you doing?” you ask. She smiles ruefully.
“I have to find our father. You should stay here, okay? I’ll be back soon,” she promises. You can hear the lie behind her words. With only one shard, she wouldn’t be able to control where the portal led. There isn’t enough Sitynur for that. She can’t know where she was going. She can’t know that she would return. What is she thinking?!
You lunge forward, an arm outstretched. //I can stop her,// you tell yourself. She couldn’t walk through that portal. She-
But she did. And the portal disappeared with her.
You make what would possibly be the stupidest decision in your life.
You create a portal of your own. It feels instinctive.
You step inside.
[[Continue|PgFive]]<<set $attitude to 12>> You hardly manage to get the words out, worried you’ll scare her and she’ll jump into the portal before you can stop her. To your luck, though, she merely looks over her shoulder, with a sad smile on her face.
“I told you not to worry. Don’t worry, okay?”
“What are you doing?” You repeat.
“I’m finding our father.” $sister_name is determined. It’s obvious in her voice, the way she moves, the furrow of her brows. She turns back to the portal.
“$sister_name, wait!” You call out. She can’t walk through that portal. With only one shard, she wouldn’t be able to control where the portal led. There isn’t enough Sitynur for that. She can’t know where she was going. She can’t know that she would return. What is she thinking?! She can’t do this. She can’t-
But she did. And the portal disappeared with her.
You make what would possibly be the stupidest decision in your life.
You create a portal of your own. It feels instinctive.
You step inside.
[[Continue|PgFive]]<<set $sister_points to $sister_points - 5>> <<if $decisionmaking is "unknown">><<set $decisionmaking to 5>><<else>><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>><<endif>>You stay silent, wanting to see what $sister_name does next. She hesitates, appearing to study the swirling portal. It was dizzying, what with the swirling purple and blue. It illuminates her face.
She takes a deep breath and takes a look over her shoulder. She breaks into a sad smile when she spots you. “Not gonna stop me, huh? I shouldn’t be surprised.” She stares back at the portal. “We never had the best relationship, even when it was just us.”
The silence between you stretches into awkwardness. “Why are you going?” You ask finally. $sister_name looks back at you.
“I’m going to find our father. Stay safe, okay?” She steps into the portal before you can stop her. It only takes a moment for the facts to sink in. She shouldn’t have walked through that portal. With only one shard, she wouldn’t be able to control where the portal led. There isn’t enough Sitynur for that. She can’t know where she was going. She can’t know that she would return. What was she thinking?!
You feel a flicker of guilt. Should you have tried harder to stop her? Even if you weren’t the closest of siblings, maybe you should have tried harder.
Yet there was a tiny feeling that you couldn’t have done anything.
You make what would possibly be the stupidest decision in your life.
You create a portal of your own. It feels instinctive.
You step inside.
[[Continue|PgFive]]<<set $birch_points to 6>>A few minutes later, someone jogs up. He has pale skin and black, wavy hair. He waves. “Hey, are you $player_name?”
<<if $disposition < 15>>“Yeah, how<<else>>“How<<endif>> do you know my name?” You ask<<if $disposition > 15>> suspiciously<<endif>>.
“Baye told me. I’m Birch, he,” he informs you. “Baye’s friend. You need a place to stay for a bit?”
“$player_name, <<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective<<else>>$pronoun<<endif>>, and yes I do, are you offering?”
He cracks a grin. “That I am. Let me talk to Baye.”
You move to the side so Birch can walk over to the dryad. He exchanges a quick conversation before walking back over to you. “So, any things you need to grab before we leave?” he asks. You shake your head, and he raises an eyebrow.
“I wanted to completely start over,” you offer as an explanation. He takes it, though you can tell he’s suspicious.
“Alrighty. Let’s get going,” He beckons you to follow, setting off down the sidewalk. You follow, careful to avoid the plants and ivy growing through the cracks.
You eventually arrive at a tall building. Birch’s apartment is on the second floor, he tells you. You take the stairs, not exactly trusting the contraption of vines that serves as another option to get up the floors. Birch follows you, showing you his apartment: number 6. Surprisingly, there’s a guest bedroom. You were relieved to not have to sleep on the couch. His house was painted mint, and plants grew everywhere, in oddly shaped pots. Plants seemed to be really important in this world.
He leads you through the living room into a narrow hallway. “To your left is the bathroom, and to the right is the guest bedroom. The door at the end of the hallway is my bedroom, and I’d prefer if you only entered for //extreme emergencies.//”
The emphasis on the last phrase sunk in, and you resolve to avoid it as much as you can. He clearly values privacy, and you don’t blame him. You’re the guest in his house.
“Sounds good. Do you… uhh… have any spare clothes?” He’s pretty tall. <<if $height is "very short">>You’re worried you’re too small to fit in any spare clothes he has, but you don’t have another option.<<endif>><<if $height is "average height">>You might not be able to fit in his clothes, but if it’s your only option…<<endif>><<if $height is "tall">>You’ll probably be able to fit in any of his spare clothes.<<endif>><<if $height is "very tall">>You’ll be able to fit in any spare clothes he has– if anything, they’ll be too small.<<endif>>
Birch seems a little surprised for half a second. “I think there’s some clothes in the wardrobe in there,” he says, gesturing to the guest room. “Left behind from previous guests. You can take any.”
“Thanks,” you reply. Though it’s a little bit awkward to wear someone else’s clothes, you try to picture them like hand-me-downs.
After Birch didn’t say anything else, you take that as your cue to enter your room. “Tell me if you need anything,” he tells you. You nod and close the door.
The room is small, which is to be expected. There was a single bed and a side-table. The side-table had a stick with a vine wrapping around it. There were bulbs hanging off of it. You tap it, and they light up. Another tap and it went dark. Huh.
There was a short wardrobe below the window. The view was great, but too open for you. You drew the blinds.
Ruffling through the wardrobe, you luckily find clothes that fit you, and put them on. You choose <<cycle "$style" autoselect>><<option "a pair of black leggings and a white sweater." "comfy">><<option "a shirt and slacks." "professional">><<option "some comfy pants and a t-shirt." "casual">><<option "a black-and-gray striped shirt, with black jeans." "edgy">><</cycle>> You carefully set your //dern// on the wardrobe where you can't lose it.
Seeing nothing else in your room to investigate, you plop onto your bed. A cloud of dust poofs up, and you sneeze. You remember your necklace, the Sitynur, and debate doing some experiments with it. You doubt Birch will bother you for a while. Should you?
[[Yes|PgFifteenExperiment]]
[[No|PgFifteenExplore]]<<set $bookcase to 0>>You step inside the hotel and are surrounded by warmth and plants. Vines and flowers and mushrooms crawl all over the walls. You can practically feel the quiet magic thrumming through the building. Or maybe that was the Sitynur.
Ugh, why did your thoughts always trail back to that? You need to worry about a place to sleep first. No matter whatever the Sitynur wanted. Your first priority was sleeping.
“Excuse me, how much is a room for one night?” you ask the receptionist at the front desk. She looks you over, bored. She has long brown hair and pale skin.
“3,300 Ryzla,” the receptionist drawls. You press your lips into a thin line, holding back the frustration bubbling up inside you. You don’t have Ryzla. You have Klyr. You might not even have enough for a hotel room in your own world.
“Oh…” you say quietly. “Never mind.”
The receptionist looks disinterested. You turn and walk outside.
The alleyway it is, then.
[[Continue|PgTen]]You open your mouth to speak, but are interrupted by the door slamming open. You both swivel your heads towards the door, where Mycie grins. “Heya!”
“Who’s this?” Birch asks you sharply. Then his eyes widened as he glanced back over. He jumped to his feet and bowed. “Princess Mycie. I’m honored.”
“Oh, forget bowing. I hate it,” Mycie waves her hand. “Too formal. Just call me Mycie.”
“Of course. What brings you here?”
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie calls, leaning slightly to the side and waving to you. You chuckle and wave back.
“Hey, Mycie,” you reply.
Birch’s jaw was wide open. “You know the princess?”
“Yeah, funny story…”
“Oh come on, $player_name, you can tell him about that later. I know a great place to get lunch,” Mycie interrupted, grinning. She quickly pins her hair up into a tight bun while you head towards her.
“I can’t believe <<if $pronoun is "they">>they're<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective's<<endif>> friends with a princess,” you hear Birch mutter as you pass him.
Mycie’s eyes are brown, which confuses you. Weren’t they purple, like Violet’s?
“Disguise. Not too much, but I don’t want people reacting like your friend here did. I wanna shed the Princess title for a bit, ya know?” Mycie explains before you can ask.
You’re pretty sure Birch is still staring in shock as you exit and head down the stairs. Mycie chuckles softly again. “People trip over themselves to be formal with me– I’m just a person, too!” Then she sighs. “Sometimes it’s fun being a princess, but…”
You walk in silence for a few moments. The buildings tower over you both, and plants curl around every corner. People shout down the street with wares, food, conversation. It would be overwhelming to any non-cityfolk, but you’re used to it. The noise was a constant in your life, and you were glad it was loud here, too. You don’t know what you would do if this world was silent.
Then, you decide to interrupt the silence between you. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Oh, just the best restaurant ever,” Mycie laughs, a light sound. “It’s called Drifters. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Right now it’s–” She checks the sun– “lunchtime. We should get the //wenberry triff// if we stay for dessert.”
“Sure,” you agree. You turn a corner, and Mycie’s eyes widen with excitement.
“Here it is!” She makes a sweeping gesture at the building to your right. “Drifters.”
The restaurant had a huge sign over the door, with //Drifters// carved in a shiny gold material. Its door is made of rich brown wood and a golden knob. There are huge windows tinted light blue showing the inside of the restaurant. It’s somehow combined //classy// with //comfortable.// You get the sense that while there isn’t a dress code, it’s not a lazy restaurant you could visit for a trashy, tasty meal. Dark wooden panels, the same color as the door, line the walls. It looks on the lower side of expensive. Of course Mycie would enjoy eating here. She’s likely rich, being a princess, and all.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Mycie says, pulling you to the door. You step inside.
[[Continue|PgTwenty]]You walk to the kitchen and open some cabinets. They’re stocked well, with cans and bottles and other things. Your stomach rumbles, and you decide to grab a snack.
You open your mouth to ask Birch what to have, but are interrupted by the door slamming open. You both swivel your heads towards the door, where Mycie grins. “Heya!”
“Who’s this?” Birch asks you sharply. Then his eyes widened as he glanced back over. He jumped to his feet and bowed. “Princess Mycie. I’m honored.”
“Oh, forget bowing. I hate it,” Mycie waves her hand. “Too formal. Just call me Mycie.”
“Of course. What brings you here?”
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie calls, leaning slightly to the side and waving to you. You chuckle and wave back.
“Hey, Mycie,” you reply.
Birch’s jaw was wide open. “You know the princess?”
“Yeah, funny story…”
“Oh come on, $player_name, you can tell him about that later. I know a great place to get lunch,” Mycie interrupted, grinning. She quickly pins her hair up into a tight bun while you head towards her.
“I can’t believe <<if $pronoun is "they">>they're<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he's<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective's<<endif>> friends with a princess,” you hear Birch mutter as you pass him.
Mycie’s eyes are brown, which confuses you. Weren’t they purple, like Violet’s?
“Disguise. Not too much, but I don’t want people reacting like your friend here did. I wanna shed the Princess title for a bit, ya know?” Mycie explains before you can ask.
You’re pretty sure Birch is still staring in shock as you exit and head down the stairs. Mycie chuckles softly again. “People trip over themselves to be formal with me– I’m just a person, too!” Then she sighs. “Sometimes it’s fun being a princess, but…”
You walk in silence for a few moments. The buildings tower over you both, and plants curl around every corner. People shout down the street with wares, food, conversation. It would be overwhelming to any non-cityfolk, but you’re used to it. The noise was a constant in your life, and you were glad it was loud here, too. You don’t know what you would do if this world was silent.
Then, you decide to interrupt the silence between you. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“Oh, just the best restaurant ever,” Mycie laughs, a light sound. “It’s called Drifters. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Right now it’s–” She checks the sun– “lunchtime. We should get the //wenberry triff// if we stay for dessert.”
“Sure,” you agree. You can’t wait, since you're still hungry. You turn a corner, and Mycie’s eyes widen with excitement.
“Here it is!” She makes a sweeping gesture at the building to your right. “Drifters.”
The restaurant had a huge sign over the door, with //Drifters// carved in a shiny gold material. Its door is made of rich brown wood and a golden knob. There are huge windows tinted light blue showing the inside of the restaurant. It’s somehow combined //classy// with //comfortable.// You get the sense that while there isn’t a dress code, it’s not a lazy restaurant you could visit for a trashy, tasty meal. Dark wooden panels, the same color as the door, line the walls. It looks on the lower side of expensive. Of course Mycie would enjoy eating here. She’s likely rich, being a princess, and all.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Mycie says, pulling you to the door. You step inside.
[[Continue|PgTwenty]]You walk slowly to Mallory’s locker, trying to massage the headache away. You give up when it doesn't budge.
At first glance, you realize that you did miss something last time. Getting closer reveals that they’re what you thought they were: black scratch marks on the edge of the locker’s frame. It looks familiar, and when you place your hand over it, it almost matches it. So it must be a human claw mark.
What human could make black claw marks like that?
You step back and consider. Could it be... Avery? His power, with Reva, didn't his hands turn darker and sharper? As well as other things. However, why would //he// steal it? He's friends with Mallory. It's much more likely to be someone else with a physical-enhancing power. You can’t be certain, either way.
[[Continue|PgNinetyNineA]]You tune back in just in time to hear Mallory say, “–nce we’re already here, I might as well ask: When was the first and last time you saw my crystal?” There’s barely enough time to process that she called it hers before Mire replies.
“The thirteenth was when I first saw it, and three days ago was the last time. In your locker both times,” they say. Something clicks and you realize the power malfunctioning and him seeing the Sitynur were only two days apart.<<set $clue3 to "true">>
It could be a coincidence, since it didn’t affect anything in the last world, however…
“Can I ask Mire a question?” you interrupt. Mire blinks and Mallory shrugs.
“Why not?” Mallory says.
[[“Do you think your power malfunctioning could have something to do with the crystal?”|PgNinetyNineMM]]
[[“Do you have any theories on where the crystal could be?”|PgNinetyNineMT]]“So? Out with it,” Nox demands, eyes narrowed. “I have to go back and duel Hiji next.”
Avery hands you a notebook and a pencil. You flip it to the first blank page and nod at him. Avery turns to Nox.
“Why so mysterious? Is this for your newspaper?” Nox scoffs.
Avery shrugs. “Perhaps.” He pauses for a moment then asks, “So, your power is changing the darkness of things, correct?”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Nox corrects. “It’s called Tint. I basically apply ‘tints’ to things. I can allow more or less light to hit things. It’s– I don’t fully understand it, but that’s pretty much how it works.”
Avery’s gaze flicks to you and you nod, scribbling it down. “Right. Have you heard of the rumor going around that Mallory Snyder has a strange crystal?” Avery asks, tone even. It’s like a whole different //him.// You wonder if it’s Reva poking through. His eyes do seem darker than normal, and he’s a bit more intimidating.
“Rumor?” Nox laughs. “It’s not a rumor. I’ve seen it myself. Wait– but you’re Snyder’s friend, right? What, you’re arguing? Trying to figure out how to become friends again?” He gives a look of fake pity, sticking out his bottom lip and scrunching his eyebrows.
Avery straightens and narrows his eyes. “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.” His eyes flash and Nox backs off a little. Avery – Reva – relaxes. “So, you’ve seen this crystal.”
Nox nods. “ ‘Course. Had to check it out myself. Couldn’t believe it, I mean, //Snyder//? With something valuable?” They chuckle. “It was… uhh… the fourteenth, I think?”
“Right. And when did your powers start malfunctioning?” Nox hesitates, and now you’re certain that’s Reva’s smile.
[[Continue|PgNinetyNineN]]<<set $mire_points to $mire_points - 3>><<set $disposition to $disposition - 3>>Mire scoffs and stands back up. “Well, thanks for being straightforward.” You watch him leave, not glancing back once. They disappear into the shelves.
You lean back, flipping a few pages. You aren’t really interested. You just hope the day ends soon.
Being rude to Mire might have been a bad idea, you realize. You’ll have to talk to her once you meet up with the others. But it’s not like you can take it back now.
A while later, when you’re about ten pages from finishing the book, the final bell rings. Your stomach grumbles and you make a mental note to go to town and see if there was somewhere you could get something to eat. You didn’t have any money, but surely someone would offer food to a poor student.
You return the book and quickly hurry out of the library while the librarian is looking the other way. You merge with a group of students who are leaving and keep your eyes out for Mallory, Avery, or Mire.
When you exit the school, you spot Avery. You squeeze out of the crowd and walk over to him. “Ah, you’re here,” he greets, glancing down at a thin black piece of metal. He taps it a few times and you’re reminded of the last world, where they had flowers that could talk to people. He tucks it in his back pocket and nods at you.
“I’ve messaged the others. They’ll be here soon,” he says. You nod. Now that most of the students have left, you both sit on the stairs and wait.
[[Continue|PgNinetySix]]<<set $mire_points is $mire_points + 2>><<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>You just mimic the summary. You haven’t really been paying attention, after all. Still, Mire seems interested.
Once you’re done talking, they say, “You haven’t really been paying attention, huh?”
“Huh? N-no, I–”
“That’s exactly what the summary says.” He points at the back cover. You flush, embarrassed.
“Yeah. I’m just passing the time,” you admit quietly. She nods and sits next to you.
“Do you have a favorite book?” they ask, and you shrug. Your favorite books don’t exist here. “Mine’s Sodono’s Finale. It’s quite interesting, to be sure. The main character is Sodono, and the book starts off by saying he’s going to die. It makes sense, with the title, but //actually…//”
He continues for a while until the bell rings. Mire sighs. “Time for lunch, I suppose.” She gets to her feet and glances down at you. “Do you even have food? Or a backpack?”
“A backpack, yes,” you lie. “but I… forgot my lunch.” You’re starving. Maybe Mire will offer you some food.
Sure enough, they open their bag and toss you a granola bar. “Here.” You fumble and catch it as he turns and leaves.
You return the book and quickly hurry out of the library while the librarian is looking the other way. You merge with a group of students who are leaving and keep your eyes out for Mallory, Avery, or Mire.
When you exit the school, you spot Avery. You squeeze out of the crowd and walk over to him. “Ah, you’re here,” he greets, glancing down at a thin black piece of metal. He taps it a few times and you’re reminded of the last world, where they had flowers that could talk to people. He tucks it in his back pocket and nods at you.
“I’ve messaged the others. They’ll be here soon,” he says. You nod. Now that most of the students have left, you both sit on the stairs and wait.
[[Continue|PgNinetySix]]<<set $gym to "true">>The gym is huge. You suppose that since it’s used by a bunch of powerful kids, it has to be. There’s all sorts of equipment, from a pool, mazes, tracks, and more. Platforms line the walls, stacked on top of each other with any training equipment you could imagine.
A pool with a slide is built into the floor, and a white-haired boy sits on the edge of it. He lazily waves his hand and water rises and falls.
You see a group of kids on a track that’s probably twenty feet above the ground, and one is speeding ahead of the group. Faint shouts reach your ears, full of the rage of the other students. Wait, was she running on her //hands//?
Before anyone spots you, you hurry to the bleachers to your right and duck underneath them. You slide all the way to the back corner. It’s much dustier than you would think. Is that a spider?
You close your eyes and pray for the bell to ring soon.
Someone ducks under the bleachers and you freeze, cringing away from them. They have straight hair to their chin, and they're probably pale, but that's all you can tell in the dim light. Their ice blue eyes meet yours for half a second but they simply smile and press a finger to their lips. You relax, slightly.
Eventually they leave. You remain under the bleachers and finally, the final bell rings. You wait, and when the lights turn off, crawl out of the bleachers. You quickly stretch and exit the gym. You merge with a group of students who are leaving and keep your eyes out for Mallory, Avery, or Mire.
When you exit the school, you spot Avery first. You squeeze out of the crowd and walk over to him.
“Ah, you’re here,” he says, glancing down at a thin black piece of metal. He taps it a few times and you’re reminded of the last world, where they had flowers that could talk to people. He tucks it in his back pocket and nods at you.
“I’ve messaged the others. They’ll be here soon,” he says. You nod. Now that most of the students have left, you both sit on the stairs and wait.
[[Continue|PgNinetySix]]<<set $gym to "false">>You turn right and enter the library. You gape at it, slowly looking up to the ceiling that must be twenty metres above you, at least. Shelves full of books almost reach it.
Then you spot the front desk and quickly pivot to your right. You bow your head and walk into the shelves.
You almost feel lost when you walk in. Even though you can turn just behind you and walk back out, it feels like a maze.
It’s perfect.
You keep careful track of your turns — keeping it in a pattern, left, right, left, right — and eventually settle near a wall. You pluck a book from a shelf and sit cross-legged on the floor.
You read idly, not really paying attention to the story. You wonder how this library is so massive. It seems to be bigger than the school. A pocket dimension of some sort, perhaps? You laugh at the thought of accidentally portalling //here// instead of outside.
You’re halfway through the book when you hear someone approach. You freeze and hold your breath. But the person who pokes around the corner isn’t the librarian or a teacher: It’s Mire.
“Skipping class?” he asks, offering a lopsided smile. At your expression, they add, “Don’t worry. I am too.”
She sits beside you and glances at your book. “What are you reading?”
[[“I came here to be alone.”|PgNinetyFiveLA]]
[[Tell them.|PgNinetyFiveLT]]<<set $nox_points to 7>><<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>>You get to your feet. “$player_name. And you?” you smile <<if $mental gte 13>>politely<<else>>coldly<<endif>>. Better to act or seem kind before you figure out who he is, exactly.
They seem to be taken off guard. <<if $mental lt 13>>Good.<<endif>> Then his confusion evaporates off his face. “Nox Farrow.” They look towards the nurse’s door for a brief moment then says, “I have better places to be.” Mallory scoffs as he marches off.
“Do you know them?” you ask quietly as he turns the corner.
“Of course I do. He’s…” Mallory sighs. “Besides the point.”
“They're right,” Avery mutters. Mallory looks confused and he clarifies, “My shadow. It’s gone. I… let me talk to Reva.” His eyes slide shut and he begins to fall. Mallory jumps and catches him.
“A little warning would have been nice,” she grunts.
A moment later, Avery straightens, pushes Mallory away, and locks his now pitch-black eyes on you.
[[Continue|PgNinetyOne]]<<set $nox_points to 6>>He narrows his eyes at you. “Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat with you, I have better places to be.” They glance hesitantly at the nurse’s door for just a moment. Then, he marches past as Mallory snorts.
“Who was that?” you ask. “Do you know them?”
“Nox Farrow. And of course I do. He’s…” Mallory sighs. “Besides the point.”
“They're right,” Avery mutters. Mallory looks confused and he clarifies, “My shadow. It’s gone. I… let me talk to Reva.” His eyes slide shut and he begins to fall. Mallory jumps and catches him.
“A little warning would have been nice,” she grunts.
A moment later, Avery straightens, pushes Mallory away, and locks his now pitch-black eyes on you.
[[Continue|PgNinetyOne]]<<set $clue5 to "true">>You continue to look around the locker and spot a boot-print on the floor. You bend down to it. It’s slightly larger than yours, and has an off-center circle surrounded by rings. It’s not the whole foot, so they must have been walking on their toes. It’s muddy, and a bit blurred. It’ll be wiped away once the janitor comes, and you don’t have anything to take a photo with, so you try to memorize the shape and pattern.
Done searching so close to the locker, you step back to study the whole corridor. You’re not sure what you’re looking for. More scratches? More boot prints? Some other type of clue? Maybe even the Sitynur just lying on the ground! If only it were that easy.
Someone suddenly rounds the corner and you jump. To your relief, it’s just Avery.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says, but his gaze is distant.
[[“Are you okay?”|PgOneHundredAO]]
[[“Are you done with Nox?”|PgOneHundredAD]]<<set $decision_making to $decision_making - 2>>Mire pauses to consider. Mallory’s eyes widen. “Wait, that could be it!”
Mire shakes her head. “We need more evidence.”
“I suppose that’s true,” you agree. If that did turn out to be the cause, though, you had the perfect deal. You get the Sitynur, they get their powers back to normal. You hope Avery finds out something useful.
“Do you want to take the lead on finding the crystal?” Mallory asks you. “You seem to really want to see it.”
<<if $mental gte 12>>You shrug. Of course, this could be helpful, but you don’t want to be too excited outwardly. “Sure.”<<else>>“That would be great!” you say enthusiastically. Now, hopefully, you would have an easier time of getting the Sitynur yourself.<<endif>>
Avery returns soon after with a slightly frustrated look. Mallory waves him over and he sits down.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThree]]<<set $decision_making to $decision_making + 2>>Mire shakes her head. “Not particularly. I think it’s more likely Mallory dropped it somewhere,” they say, grinning. Mallory crosses her arms and sticks her tongue out. “Why do you want my opinion, anyway? Aren’t I a suspect?”
“I was just curious,” you reply. “I can’t think of where it could be. Or who would have taken it.”
“Do you want to take the lead on finding the crystal?” Mallory asks you. “You seem to really want to see it.”
<<if $mental gte 12>>You shrug. Of course, this could be helpful, but you don’t want to be too excited outwardly. “Sure.”<<else>>“That would be great!” you say enthusiastically. Now, hopefully, you would have an easier time of getting the Sitynur yourself.<<endif>>
Avery returns soon after with a slightly frustrated look. Mallory waves him over and he sits down.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThree]]Nox gets past his moment of shock quickly. “My power isn’t malfunctioning.”
Reva nods. “Of course not.”
It’s silent for a moment before Nox says, “What’s it to you?”
“Glad you’ve decided to admit it–”
“–I’ve admitted nothing–”
“–because you can help us.” Reva finishes.
<<if $nox_points lte 10>>“Well then,” Nox smirks, “You have three chances to convince me why I should continue speaking to you.”
Reva turns to you. “The floor is yours.” He smiles at your brief moment of confusion and perhaps even panic as you search for what to say.<<set $chances to 3>>
[[“Don’t you want to figure out what’s wrong with your power?”|PgOneHundredW][$w is 1]]
[[“If we know, we might be able to fix it.”|PgOneHundredF][$f is 1]]
[[“We’ll figure it out either way. Either you get to be known as someone who helped, or you don’t.”|PgOneHundredE][$e is 1]]
[[“Can’t you just help us out here?”|PgOneHundredH][$h is 1]]<<else>>Nox hesitates and glances at you. “Well, as long as you’re not accusing me of something,” he says, crossing his arms. “My power is malfunctioning.”<<set $clue2 to "true">>
Reva smiles. “When did you first notice it?”
“The… sixteenth? That sounds right,” Nox replies. “Yeah, the sixteenth.”
“Perfect. You got all that?” Reva asks you. You nod. “Okay. We’re all set, then.”
“If you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” And then they’re gone.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>>“My, my,” he purrs, in a low voice that isn’t Avery’s. “A new student? And you didn't tell me?” He tilts their head at you, looking you over. The more you look, the more changes you see. His hair is darker, he’s a few centimeters taller, the way he holds himself, even, is different.
<<if $attitude gte 15>> You straighten up and stare back. He raises his eyebrows.
“Brave,” he murmurs, half to himself. <<endif>> “Well, do you have a name?”
You start to speak, but Mallory interrupts you. “Reva, there isn’t time for this, and personally, I don’t like you much. So can we please get Avery back?”
They tilt their head and pretend to think. “Hmm, no. I heard what you said about powers malfunctioning. If that means I get to come out more often, I’m all for it.” They grin. “And hearing Avery attempt to gain control again is quite amusing.”
“Reva, that’s not what would happen.”
“Really?” Reva looks amused, but their expression falters and their eyes close. When they open again, they’re white.
“You’d likely stop existing altogether.” Avery snaps, now in their real voice. A moment passes and then their eyes turn black again.
“Hm. That would certainly be a problem.” Reva frowns, for the first time. He pauses to think, his eyes still on you. “Though you are still quite interesting.” He takes a step forward. “What’s your name? Your power? Why did you join halfway through the year?”
Before you can answer, Reva’s eyes turn away from you. “What are you doing, mortal?” he snarls, batting his arm at nothing, glaring at air. He pauses, listening, then narrows his eyes. “I suggest you leave before I snap your neck.”
You back up to the wall and exchange looks with Mallory. She looks worried. Reva growls and in the next instant he’s gone. He returns to Avery. He gasps for breath.
“Mire!” he exclaims. “Mire– he’s–”
“What? What’s going on?” Mallory demands.
“He– Mire can see him. The real him. And she just yelled at him.”
Mallory reaches out and steadies Avery. “Calm down first. Are you sure–?”
A door down the hallway slams open and Mire emerges, pulling to a stop in front of the group.
“Dumbass!” Avery snaps. They crack a grin.
“You’re only just figuring that out? My power started working just in time.” He leans against the row of lockers. “By the way, I think your power wants to kill me.”
“You think?” Avery pinches his nose.
A beat, then Mallory says, “What do we do now? My crystal is still missing, and the powers are still malfunctioning.
[[Suggest you talk to whoever Mallory showed the Sitynur to.|PgNinetyTwoS]]
[[Suggest you talk to people with malfunctioning powers.|PgNinetyTwoM]]
[[You have no suggestions.|PgNinetyTwoN]]<<set $nox_points to 5>><<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>>“None of your business,” you reply. He narrows his eyes.
“Is that so?” They glance at the nurse’s door for a moment. “Well, I have better places to be.” Mallory scoffs as he walks away.
“Who was that?” you ask. “Do you know them?”
“Nox Farrow. And of course I do. He’s…” Mallory sighs. “Besides the point.”
“They're right,” Avery mutters. Mallory looks confused and he clarifies, “My shadow. It’s gone. I… let me talk to Reva.” His eyes slide shut and he begins to fall. Mallory jumps and catches him.
“A little warning would have been nice,” she grunts.
A moment later, Avery straightens, pushes Mallory away, and locks his now pitch-black eyes on you.
[[Continue|PgNinetyOne]]“I think I’m going to investigate on my own,” you decide. “I’ll be back.”
Mallory nods and waves as you and Avery head back to the school. You don’t talk, preferring to walk in silence. Where should you go first? Mallory’s locker, perhaps. Sure, you’ve already looked there, but you should glance over the area again. It couldn’t do any harm, and you might have more clues!
Avery holds the door for you to get in. He dips his head in acknowledgement when you split up. He goes to the right and you to the left.
You attempt to reach out for the Sitynur another time. The wall is still there, and you feel the beginnings of a headache when you try to push it. If it was only around the Sitynur, at least you would have a general location, but it was around //you//.
[[Continue|PgNinetyEightA]]Avery nods and sets off towards the school. Mallory sits, leaning against a rock, and whips out a notebook and a pencil. She flips it to a blank page and holds the pencil poised. Mire sits across from her and you sit next to her.
“So, Mire, when did you realize your power was malfunctioning?” Mallory asks, her voice more serious. Mire giggles and Mallory demands, “What?”
“You’re trying to imitate Trisha Goldwind, aren’t you?” Mire grins. Mallory crosses her arms and reddens slightly. Mire giggles harder. You knit your eyebrows and Mire explains, “The local reporter.”
“Fine, I won’t do the voice,” Mallory sighs dramatically. “But, when //did// you realize something was wrong with your power?”
“Uh… two weeks ago? On the fifteenth,” Mire says, and Mallory jots it down. “I got stuck in a mirror, but it was only for like five minutes.”
Mallory asks more questions, but you tune them out and try to reach out for the Sitynur again. The barrier is still there, irritatingly. You mentally ram against it a few times to no avail.
[[Continue|PgNinetyEightM]]<<set $avery_points to $avery_points + 1>>Avery nods. “Nox will probably be at dueling club, so in the gym.” He pauses, considering something. “Do you want to do the main interrogation, or shall I?”
“You probably should. I don’t know Nox very well,” you decide. “I’ll observe and step in if I need to.”
Avery nods and starts to walk back to the school. You follow close behind. Once you enter the school, you carefully keep track of the turns you make. You can never be too prepared.
You arrive at the gym. When you step inside, the first thing you notice is how all the platforms are folded against the wall. There’s a small sand pit in the center. Students line the edges, and a teacher looms over them, lips pressed into a thin line.
When you get closer, you see that the two people fighting are Nox and some girl. Nox’s black hair is pulled into a tight bun. Two strands have fallen out, and they frame his determined face. The girl darts behind them and jabs at their back with a wooden sword, but Nox raises their sword over their shoulders and blocks it. He holds it in place and quickly spins. They kick out with their foot and knock the girl to the ground. In the split second of weakness, he knocks her sword out of her hand and lines up his sword with her throat.
“I yield,” she wheezes, but she’s grinning. Nox doesn’t move for a moment, then he turns and drops the sword. They walk out of the circle as she gets to her feet.
“Impressive,” Avery says, and Nox’s eyes snap to him.
“Suddenly interested in dueling?” His voice is dripping with sarcasm. “What do you want, Kelly?”
“Can we talk to you?”
“Why...?” They toss a look over their shoulder to the instructor. He nods and waves Nox off. Nox huffs and turns back to you both. “Fine. Better be quick.” He follows you out of the gym.
[[Continue|PgNinetyEightN]]Once the others arrive, you move to a more secluded area to talk.
“So… what’s the game plan?” Mire asks. Mallory taps her chin.
“Well, we were going to talk to people. How about we split up? Avery, you go talk to Nox – you know he won’t say a word to me – and I’ll interview you, Mire.” Mallory pauses, then looks at you. “You can come with either of us. Or you can leave, I wouldn’t blame you. You’re still new.”
You consider your options. Mire would be easy to talk to, since they’re already friends with Mallory. Perhaps he would open up more. However, she could take advantage of that trust and lie…
Nox is a little more suspicious. You could get more clues that way. However, they could be mean at times, so perhaps they wouldn’t reveal anything.
You could also split off by yourself, and do your own research. You could focus more on the Sitynur, which was the ultimate goal. However, there was strength in numbers.
[[Go with Avery to talk to Nox.|PgNinetySevenN]]
[[Stay with Mallory to talk to Mire.|PgNinetySevenM]]
[[Go off alone.|PgNinetySevenA]]<big><b>Chapter Five</b></big>
Did Mire know? They couldn’t. Unless Mallory had told him about your portal, and he had put together the pieces. Was world-jumping known in this world?
You push those worries to the side for now. Where do you go? You join a mob of people and wander forward, searching, searching. Finally, a helpful sign:
<div id="first-passage">—————————
Library →
← Gymnasium
—————————</div>
Except for a few classes in the library, or people eating lunch in there, it would likely be mostly empty. You could hide in some shelves, and this time you would even have entertainment.
In the gym, however, you might not be noticed. Unlike the quiet solitude of the library, in the gymnasium people would be exercising and playing sports. They could pass right by you and not notice.
Then again, in this new world, who knows what it’s like? Your best guesses could be totally incorrect. It’s a coinflip, and you only have a few moments to decide.
[[The library.|PgNinetyFourL]]
[[The gymnasium.|PgNinetyFourG]]<<set $mental to $mental + 2>>Mire sighs. “We could talk to those who have malfunctioning powers. And yes, you can interview me.”
“But we don’t have a list of people,” Mallory points out.
“Well, we know Mire, and we know Nox,” Avery says.
“Nox?” Mallory scoffs. “He seemed perfectly fine.”
Avery shakes his head. “You know how he likes to fiddle with his lighting. He was lit completely normally when he showed up. Didn’t you notice how they glanced back at the nurse before they marched off?”
Mire nods slowly. “They were acting weird earlier, too.”
“We could talk to whoever you showed the crystal to,” you suggest. Mallory taps her chin.
“That sounds like a good idea,” she says. “But that’s… a lot of people.”
“We can split into teams.” Avery tips his head in thought.
Mallory crosses her arms. “Fine. But–” The bell cuts her off and she groans. “My luuuunch.”
“Sneak a snack in art, Mr. Dean doesn’t care,” Avery says, then dashes off. Mallory follows him. Mire remains, studying you.
“Something’s up with you,” she says simply, then pivots and walks down the hallway.
[[Continue|PgNinetyThree]]<<set $mental to $mental - 2>>Mire sighs. “We could talk to those who have malfunctioning powers. And yes, you can interview me.”
“But we don’t have a list of people,” Mallory points out.
“Well, we know Mire, and we know Nox,” Avery says.
“Nox?” Mallory scoffs. “They seemed perfectly fine.”
Avery shakes his head. “You know how he likes to fiddle with his lighting. He was lit completely normally when he showed up. Didn’t you notice how they glanced back at the nurse before they marched off?”
Mire nods slowly. “They were acting weird earlier, too.”
“We could also talk to whoever you showed the crystal to,” Avery adds. Mallory taps her chin.
“That sounds like a good idea,” she says. “But that’s… a lot of people.”
“We can split into teams.” Avery counters.
Mallory crosses her arms. “Fine. But–” The bell cuts her off and she groans. “My luuuunch.”
“Sneak a snack in art, Mr. Dean doesn’t care,” Avery says, then dashes off. Mallory follows him. Mire remains, studying you.
“Something’s up with you,” she says simply, then pivots and walks down the hallway.
[[Continue|PgNinetyThree]]“We could talk to whoever you showed the crystal to,” you suggest. Mallory taps her chin.
“That sounds like a good idea,” she says. “But that’s… a lot of people.”
Mire sighs. “We could also talk to those who have malfunctioning powers. And yes, you can interview me.”
“But we don’t have a list of people,” Mallory points out.
“Well, we know Mire, and we know Nox,” Avery says.
“Nox?” Mallory scoffs. “He seemed perfectly fine.”
Avery shakes his head. “You know how he likes to fiddle with his lighting. He was lit completely normally when he showed up. Didn’t you notice how he glanced back at the nurse before he marched off?”
Mire nods slowly. “He was acting weird earlier, too.”
Mallory crosses her arms. “Fine. But–” The bell cuts her off and she groans. “My luuuunch.”
“Sneak a snack in art, Mr. Dean doesn’t care,” Avery says, then dashes off. Mallory follows him. Mire remains, studying you.
“Something’s up with you,” she says simply, then pivots and walks down the hallway.
[[Continue|PgNinetyThree]]<big><b>Chapter One -- Six Weeks Later</b></big>
You jolt awake. You’ve been having the same nightmare, of your father and the cracks and the Sitynur, for weeks. Was it a nightmare if it was a memory? You pull your knees to your chest and take deep breaths, soothing yourself and slowing your heart rate. There’s comfort hidden in the reminder that you did survive. So did your sister.
Your father, though…
You gently touch the shard of Sitynur dangling from the thread around your neck. You and your sister have matching ones. Though the Sitynur is not nearly as powerful without the other shards of the stone.
You sigh, and finally roll out of bed. Your <<cycle "$hairlength" autoselect>>
<<option "buzzed" "buzzed">>
<<option "short" "short">>
<<option "chin-length" "chin-length">>
<<option "long" "long">>
<<option "very long" "very long">>
<</cycle>> <<cycle "$hair" autoselect>>
<<option "red" "red">>
<<option "brown" "brown">>
<<option "blonde" "blonde">>
<<option "black" "black">>
<</cycle>> hair is a mess, and your blankets are crumpled up from your nightmare.
Your sister, $sister_name, calls your name.
What is it?
<<click "View Name Suggestions">><<replace #ViewNameSuggestions>>
Reah
Essa
Kanne
Aceen
Kalum<</replace>><</click>><span id="ViewNameSuggestions"></span>
<<textbox "$player_name" "Type here">>
[[Continue|PgTwo]]Hichi stumbles and falls backwards, slamming into the ground. His hand is on his chest, blood painting his palm. A hoarse laugh drags out of his throat.
He lifts his hand to his face and drops it, laughing again. “I didn’t-” he coughs. “I didn’t think I would still bleed. I thought I would dust like my monsters.” He looks up to you. “$player_name, come here.”
“Don’t,” Ekys warns, <<if $disposition lte 10>> yet you ignore them, stepping forward and bending down to the dying man. He reaches up to his head and removes his crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it.
“Your hand,” he says, and you hold it out. He places the Sitynur on your palm. “You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was two against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the stars, and you back away.<<else>>and you nod, keeping your distance. Hichi chuckles.
“Alright,” he says. “I’ll just leave it here.” He reaches up to his head and removes his crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it. He places both items next to him, straining with every moment as more blood soaks the ground below him.
“You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was two against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the stars.<<endif>>
“He’s dead,” Ekys says quietly, and you nod silently.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineE]]Wren stabs forward, but Hichi smoothly steps out of the way and cuts across her arm. Wren twists back and slashes, catching Hichi's dominant arm. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You pull back and fire an arrow. //Nine arrows left.// Hichi ducks, and it slams into the tree behind him. He yanks it out of the bark and stabs into into Wren's arm, who shrieks and swings with her weapon, managing to catch his side with the blade.<<else>>You charge forward, aiming past him. When Hichi steps to the side, you simply slice along his side. Wren manages another cut on his arm, and he stabs her with a knife.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude gt 10>>[[Back off and reassess the situation.|PgOneEightEightFBBW]]<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>
[[Go in for another blow.|PgOneEightEightFBGW]]<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>
[[Feign stepping back but strike again.|PgOneEightEightFBFW]]<<else>>[[Shoot another arrow.|PgOneEightEightFBSW]]<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>
[[Reassess the situation.|PgOneEightEightFBBW]]<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>
[[Go in and use an arrow as a blade.|PgOneEightEightFBGW]]<<endif>>You exchange a look with Ekys, and they nod. They dive forward the moment Hichi’s vision clears, slashing forward with their spear. You study his moves, his jagged stabs, his quick steps. His eyes burn blue, fading in and out. For what reason, you can’t determine. He’s confident — //too// confident.
You look away, searching for something. You hate to look away from Ekys, but if you find something… And there, you spot it.
Two monsters, that you can see, lurk in the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They look exactly like the monster that had tackled Ekys just minutes before. They chitter softly, nudging each other and shifting from foot to foot. Their eyes are locked on Hichi.
He had promised to only use one monster. But why had you believed him?
<<if $attitude lte 10>>You draw back and fire three arrows, quick. A faint squeal is all they manage before flaking away into dust.<<else>>You rush forward, sweeping low with your blade. A faint squeal is all the monsters manage before flaking away into dust.<<endif>>
Hichi looks up, startled, and Ekys uses the distraction to hit him particularly hard. Blood drips down his cheek, and he lets out a cry of pain, before shoving Ekys to the ground. You move before you can think, running between them and pushing Hichi against a tree. His eyes are narrowed, but his heavy breathing gives him away.
"What does it take to win?" you ask.
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You gasp for breath, releasing him and stumbling backwards. You hit the ground, grasping at your chest.
Eky’s at your side a moment after, sword dropped beside them, and start to dig through the bag. They reveal a roll of bandages, and unravel part of it. Adrenaline fuels you, and you sit up, taking the bandage. //Where's Hichi?// flashes across your mind. You twist, your vision turning white. The wound wasn't too deep, but it still //hurt//. “Don’t move,” Ekys scolds, but you brush off their words.
"Ekys!" you cry, when you finally spot Hichi behind her. They swing onto their feet, sword already in hand. Blue blood drips from their back, but they fight anyway, meeting Hichi’s sword with their own.
You do a hasty job to bandage yourself, and you know it'll come back to bite you later, but you struggle to your feet anyway. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You don't even bother with the bow this time, simply gripping the arrow and moving forward.<<endif>>
You join Ekys’s side in the fight, and slowly, you back Hichi up against a tree. Blue blood scatters on the ground, yours and Ekys’s and Hichi's mixed as one. //Step by step,// you think.
And then you slip, and your weapon slides across Hichi's stomach. It's a deeper and longer wound than yours, and his eyes widen. He's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightE]]You exchange a look with Trelop, and she nods. She dives forward the moment Hichi’s vision clears, slashing forward with her spear. You study his moves, his jagged stabs, his quick steps. His eyes burn blue, fading in and out. For what reason, you can’t determine. He’s confident — //too// confident.
You look away, searching for something. You hate to look away from Trelop, but if you find something… And there, you spot it.
Two monsters, that you can see, lurk in the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They look exactly like the monster that had tackled Trelop just minutes before. They chitter softly, nudging each other and shifting from foot to foot. Their eyes are locked on Hichi.
He had promised to only use one monster. But why had you believed him?
<<if $attitude lte 10>>You draw back and fire three arrows, quick. A faint squeal is all they manage before flaking away into dust.<<else>>You rush forward, sweeping low with your blade. A faint squeal is all the monsters manage before flaking away into dust.<<endif>>
Hichi looks up, startled, and Trelop uses the distraction to hit him particularly hard. Blood drips down his cheek, and he lets out a cry of pain, before shoving Trelop to the ground. You move before you can think, running between them and pushing Hichi against a tree. His eyes are narrowed, but his heavy breathing gives him away.
"What does it take to win?" you ask.
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You gasp for breath, releasing him and stumbling backwards. You hit the ground, grasping at your chest.
Trelop freezes for half a moment, eyes darting between you and Hichi. They’re at your side a moment after, digging through the bag. They reveal a roll of bandages, and unravel part of it.
Adrenaline fuels you, and you sit up, taking the bandage. //Where's Hichi?// flashes across your mind. You twist, your vision turning white. The wound wasn't too deep, but it still //hurt//.
"Trelop!" you cry, when you finally spot Hichi behind her. She turns and leaps to her feet, letting out a cry of pain. You can see a cut straight across her back. But she and Hichi move into the dance of battle and you struggle to bandage your stomach.
You do a hasty job, and you know it'll come back to bite you later, but you struggle to your feet anywya. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You don't even bother with the bow this time, simply gripping the arrow and moving forward.<<endif>>
You join Trelop’s side in the fight, and slowly, you back Hichi up against a tree. Blue blood scatters on the ground, yours and Trelop’s and Hichi's mixed as one. //Step by step,// you think.
And then you slip, and your weapon slides across Hichi's stomach. It's a deeper and longer wound than yours, and his eyes widen. He's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineT]]<<if $attitude gt 10>>You slip backwards, watching as Wren goes in for another blow. <<else>>You lower your bow.<<endif>> Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one. While he's focused on Wren, dodging blows and aiming his own, you scan the area. And there, you spot it.
Three monsters, that you can see, lurk in the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They chitter softly, nudging each other and shifting from foot to foot. Their eyes are locked on Hichi.
<<if $attitude lte 10>>You draw back and fire three arrows, quick. A faint squeal is all they manage before flaking away into dust.<<else>>You rush forward, sweeping low with your blade. A faint squeal is all the monsters manage before flaking away into dust.<<endif>>
Hichi looks up, startled for a moment, and Wren takes the opportunity to slash across his cheek. He lets out a cry of pain, before shoving Wren to the ground. You move before you can think, running between them and pushing Hichi against a tree. His eyes are narrowed, but his heavy breathing gives him away.
"What does it take to win?" you ask.
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You gasp for breath, releasing him and stumbling backwards. You hit the ground, grasping at your chest.
"Shit!" Wren shouts. "Shit-" She's at your side in a moment, digging through the bag. She reveals a roll of bandages, and unravels part of it.
Adrenaline fuels you, and you sit up, taking the bandage. //Where's Hichi?// flashes across your mind. You twist, your vision turning white. The wound wasn't too deep, but it still //hurt//.
"Wren!" you cry, when you finally spot Hichi behind her. She turns and leaps to her feet, letting out a cry of pain. You can see a cut straight across her back. But she and Hichi move into the dance of blades and you struggle to bandage your stomach.
You do a hasty job, and you know it'll come back to bite you later, but you struggle to your feet. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You don't even bother with the bow this time, simply gripping the arrow and moving forward.<<endif>>
You and Wren both slash back and forth. Blue blood scatters on the ground, yours and hers and Hichi's mixed as one. //Step by step,// you think.
And then you slip, and your weapon slides across Hichi's stomach. It's a deeper and longer wound than yours, and his eyes widen. He's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineW]]<<if $attitude gt 10>>You slip backwards, watching as Wren goes in for another blow. <<else>>You lower your bow.<<endif>> Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one. While he's focused on Wren and Jurem, dodging blows and aiming his own, you scan the area. And there, you spot it.
Three monsters, that you can see, lurk in the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They chitter softly, nudging each other and shifting from foot to foot. Their eyes are locked on Hichi.
<<if $attitude lte 10>>You draw back and fire three arrows, quick. A faint squeal is all they manage before flaking away into dust.<<else>>You rush forward, sweeping low with your blade. A faint squeal is all the monsters manage before flaking away into dust.<<endif>>
Hichi looks up, startled for a moment, and Wren takes the opportunity to slash across his cheek. He lets out a cry of pain, before shoving Wren to the ground. Jurem flinches to Wren’s side, blocking her from Jurem. Before he can do anything, you move before you can think, running between them and pushing Hichi against a tree. His eyes are narrowed, but his heavy breathing gives him away.
"What does it take to win?" you ask.
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You gasp for breath, releasing him and stumbling backwards. You hit the ground, grasping at your chest.
"Shit!" Wren shouts. "Shit-" She's at your side in a moment, digging through the bag. She reveals a roll of bandages, and unravels part of it. Jurem’s on Hichi, you notice from the corner of your eye. Hichi’s putting up a decent fight, for the amount of training Jurem must have, but he’s starting to struggle.
Adrenaline fuels you, and you sit up, taking the bandage. You twist, your vision turning white. The wound wasn't too deep, but it still //hurt//.
"Wren,” you wheeze. “Help Jurem.”
“He’s got it under control,” she replies sharply, trying to pry the bandage back. You fight her grip, wrapping it around your waist tightly. You open your mouth again, but Jurem makes a cry of pain. Wren’s on her feet a moment later, bolting to his side.
You do a hasty job finishing your bandaging, and you know it'll come back to bite you later, but you struggle to your feet. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You don't even bother with the bow this time, simply gripping the arrow and moving forward.<<endif>>
“Don’t fight,” Jurem says through gritted teeth. Blood drips from his shoulder. “You’re wounded.”
“So are you,” you argue.
“A lucky blow.”
”Wow,” Hichi says, managing to step out of the way of the next swing, while Jurem and Wren are distracted. “I feel like I should be insulting. This battle is unfair, after all.”
It’s not. You can see. You know, suddenly, the knowledge burned into your brain by the Sitynur. It’s sapping his life to give him more power. Even in a two versus one, he is powerful enough to match them. But at what cost?
And then Wren cries out, stumbling back. Jurem sucks in a breath. You can see the blood. It's a deeper and longer wound than yours, and his eyes widen. He's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineWJ]]You take a step back, masking your expression with one of wide-eyes and clenched jaw, and Hichi grins. He doubles his efforts on Ekys, and you leap back in, slashing across his shoulder. He stumbles back a step, mouth forming an 'o'. Ekys takes the chance to get a few hits in, and Hichi grunts. Even then, though, struggling to gain an advantage, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one.
You run back forward alongside Ekys, <<if $attitude gt 10>>blade<<else>>an arrow in your hand,<<endif>> glinting in the dim moonlight. You stab, slash, and spin, careful to avoid hitting Ekys while drawing Hichi's blood. He fights back just as viciously, stabbing at any piece of you both he can reach. And, perhaps most frightening of all, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not two against one. He had promised to only use one monster. But why had you believed him?
Hichi whistles, long and low. Two brown monsters, like the one that attacked Ekys earlier. leap from the trees. They chitter with excitement and dive for you and Ekys, one of them tackling Ekys to the ground and one chomping your ankles.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to Ekys, who seems to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Ekys had pushed Hichi away. They stab him with their sword, eyes narrowed and teeth grit.
Then again, they stab him, but this time, the sword slips and slashes across his stomach. It’s too heavy. Hichi howls, and Ekys stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightE]]You take a step back, masking your expression with one of wide-eyes and clenched jaw, and Hichi grins. He doubles his efforts on Trelop, and you leap back in, slashing across his shoulder. He stumbles back a step, mouth forming an 'o'. Trelop takes the chance to get a few hits in, and Hichi grunts. Even then, though, struggling to gain an advantage, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not two against one. He had promised to only use one monster. But why had you believed him?
Hichi whistles, long and low. Two brown monsters, like the one that attacked Trelop earlier. leap from the trees. They chitter with excitement and dive for you and Trelop, one of them tackling them to the ground and the other chomping your ankles.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to Trelop, who seems to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Trelop had pushed Hichi away. She stabbed him with her spear, eyes narrowed and a snarl behind her teeth. It’s the angriest you’ve seen her in your short knowledge of her.
Then again, they stab him, but this time, the spear slips and slashes across his stomach. He howls, and Trelop stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineT]]You take a step back, masking your expression with one of wide-eyes and clenched jaw, and Hichi grins. He doubles his efforts on Wren, and you leap back in, slashing across his shoulder. He stumbles back a step, mouth forming an 'o'. Wren takes the chance to get a few hits in, and Hichi grunts.
He makes a long, low whistling sound, and three monsters leap from the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They dive for you and Wren, two of them tackling Wren to the ground and one chomping your ankles.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to Wren, who seems to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Wren had pushed Hichi away. She stabbed him, eyes narrowed and a snarl behind her teeth.
Then again, she stabs him, but this time, the knife slips and slashes across his stomach. He howls, and Wren stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineW]]You take a step back, masking your expression with one of wide-eyes and clenched jaw, and Hichi grins. He doubles his efforts on Wren, and you leap back in, slashing across his shoulder. He stumbles back a step, mouth forming an 'o'. Wren takes the chance to get a few hits in, and Hichi grunts.
He fights back just as viciously, stabbing at any piece of you both he can reach. And, perhaps most frightening of all, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's three against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not three against one.
Hichi whistles, long and low. Four brown monsters leap from the trees, chittering with excitement. They dive for you all, one of them leaping up towards Wren’s face and one chomping your ankles. Two go after Jurem, tackling them to the ground.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to the others, who seem to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Wren had pushed Hichi away. She stabbed him, eyes narrowed and a snarl behind her teeth.
Then again, she stabs him, but this time, the knife slips and slashes across his stomach. He howls, and Wren stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineWJ]]You run back forward alongside Ekys, <<if $attitude gt 10>>blade<<else>>an arrow in your hand,<<endif>> glinting in the dim moonlight. You stab, slash, and spin, careful to avoid hitting Ekys while drawing Hichi's blood. He fights back just as viciously, stabbing at any piece of you both he can reach. And, perhaps most frightening of all, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not two against one. He had promised to only use one monster. But why had you believed him?
Hichi whistles, long and low. Two brown monsters, like the one that attacked Ekys earlier. leap from the trees. They chitter with excitement and dive for you and Ekys, one of them tackling Ekys to the ground and one chomping your ankles.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to Ekys, who seems to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Ekys had pushed Hichi away. They stab him with their sword, eyes narrowed and teeth grit.
Then again, they stab him, but this time, the sword slips and slashes across his stomach. It’s too heavy. Hichi howls, and Ekys stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightE]]You run back forward alongside Trelop, <<if $attitude gt 10>>blade<<else>>an arrow in your hand,<<endif>> glinting in the dim moonlight. You stab, slash, and spin, careful to avoid hitting Trelop while drawing Hichi's blood. He fights back just as viciously, stabbing at any piece of you both he can reach. And, perhaps most frightening of all, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not two against one. He had promised to only use one monster. But why had you believed him?
Hichi whistles, long and low. Two brown monsters, like the one that attacked Trelop earlier. leap from the trees. They chitter with excitement and dive for you and Trelop, one of them tackling Trelop to the ground and the other chomping your ankles.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to Trelop, who seems to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Trelop had pushed Hichi away. She stabbed him with her spear, eyes narrowed and a snarl behind her teeth. It’s the angriest you’ve seen her in your short knowledge of her.
Then again, they stab him, but this time, the spear slips and slashes across his stomach. He howls, and Trelop stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineT]]You run back in, blade glinting in the dim moonlight. You stab, slash, and spin, careful to avoid hitting Wren while drawing Hichi's blood. He fights back just as viciously, stabbing at any piece of you both he can reach. And, perhaps most frightening of all, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's two against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not two against one.
Hichi whistles, long and low. Three brown monsters leap from the trees, chittering with excitement. They dive for you and Wren, two of them tackling Wren to the ground and one chomping your ankles.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to Wren, who seems to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Wren had pushed Hichi away. She stabbed him, eyes narrowed and a snarl behind her teeth.
Then again, she stabs him, but this time, the knife slips and slashes across his stomach. He howls, and Wren stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineW]]You run back in, blade glinting in the dim moonlight. You stab, slash, and spin, careful to avoid hitting Wren or Jurem while drawing Hichi's blood. He fights back just as viciously, stabbing at any piece of you both he can reach. And, perhaps most frightening of all, he's //enjoying it.// Hichi seems confident - //too// confident, for a fight that's three against one.
And, almost a moment too late, you realize. It's not three against one.
Hichi whistles, long and low. Four brown monsters leap from the trees, chittering with excitement. They dive for you all, one of them leaping up towards Wren’s face and one chomping your ankles. Two go after Jurem, tackling them to the ground.
You hiss in pain and shake your foot, but the monster clings stubbornly. You finally just bend down and stab the thing, once, twice, and it vanishes. Hichi slams something sharp into your back and you fall to the ground and roll. The blade drags along your skin, shallow yet painful. You leap to your feet and look quickly to the others, who seem to have fought off the monsters, and Hichi shoves you back to the ground.
Pinned and face-to-face with Hichi, you hiss a question. "What does it take to win?"
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You arch your back as much as you can, teeth grit in pain, and suddenly Hichi's weight is released. You sit up, adrenaline masking the pain, and see Wren had pushed Hichi away. She stabbed him, eyes narrowed and a snarl behind her teeth.
Then again, she stabs him, but this time, the knife slips and slashes across his stomach. He howls, and Wren stumbles back, eyes wide.
You gasp for breath on the ground, fumbling to reach your bag. You pull the bandages from it and hastily pull them tightly around your body. Hichi's blood pooling on the ground haunts the edge of your mind, but you fiercely remind yourself that you have to do this first.
If you die now, you'll never see your sister again.
You force yourself to sit up, wound hastily bandaged. Your vision flashes white. When it clears, you can see Hichi leaning on a tree, a stubborn grin on his face. He laughs sharply. You all know that he's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineWJ]]You pull back and fire, this time hitting square in Hichi's shoulder. He snarls, yanking it out and dropping it to the ground. Blood pours from the wound - it wasn't deep, but it hit a vein. He clutches his arm, stumbling back a step. Wren takes the chance to get a few hits in, and Hichi grunts.
He makes a long, low whistling sound, and three monsters leap from the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They chitter excitedly, rushing forward. Two swarm Wren, and Wren steps back, hitting back. One lunges at you.
Your focus is torn from Wren and Hichi as you attempt to fight off the tiny creature. It's fast and its claws are sharp. You pull an arrows from your quiver and slash across the monster's face, and it gives a final chitter before turning to dust.
You look back up, and though Wren has killed the other two monsters, Hichi has taken the opportunity to shove her to the ground. You move before you can think, running between them and pushing Hichi against a tree. His eyes are narrowed, but his heavy breathing gives him away.
"What does it take to win?" you ask.
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You gasp for breath, releasing him and stumbling backwards. You hit the ground, grasping at your chest.
"Shit!" Wren shouts. "Shit-" She's at your side in a moment, digging through the bag. She reveals a roll of bandages, and unravels part of it.
Adrenaline fuels you, and you sit up, taking the bandage. //Where's Hichi?// flashes across your mind. You twist, your vision turning white. The wound wasn't too deep, but it still //hurt//.
"Wren!" you cry, when you finally spot Hichi behind her. She turns and leaps to her feet, letting out a cry of pain. You can see a cut straight across her back. But she and Hichi move into the dance of blades and you struggle to bandage your stomach.
You do a hasty job, and you know it'll come back to bite you later, but you struggle to your feet. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You don't even bother with the bow this time, simply gripping the arrow and moving forward.<<endif>>
You and Wren both slash back and forth. Blue blood scatters on the ground, yours and hers and Hichi's mixed as one. //Step by step,// you think.
And then you slip, and your weapon slides across Hichi's stomach. It's a deeper and longer wound than yours, and his eyes widen. He's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineW]]You pull back and fire, this time hitting square in Hichi's shoulder. He snarls, yanking it out and dropping it to the ground. Blood pours from the wound - it wasn't deep, but it hit a vein. He clutches his arm, stumbling back a step. Wren takes the chance to get a few hits in, and Hichi grunts. Jurem hits him sharply with the wooden end of his spear.
He makes a long, low whistling sound, and four monsters leap from the shadows. Medium size, probably reaching just above your hip. They chitter excitedly, rushing forward. One swarms Wren, and Wren steps back, hitting back. One lunges at you, and the final two tackle Jurem to the ground.
Your focus is torn from Wren, Jurem, and Hichi as you attempt to fight off the tiny creature. It's fast and its claws are sharp. You pull an arrows from your quiver and slash across the monster's face, and it gives a final chitter before turning to dust.
You look back up, and though the others has killed the remaining monsters, Hichi has taken the opportunity to shove Wren to the ground. Jurem flinches to Wren’s side, blocking her from Jurem. Before he can do anything, you move before you can think, running between them and pushing Hichi against a tree. His eyes are narrowed, but his heavy breathing gives him away.
"What does it take to win?" you ask.
"You'll have to kill me," he snarls, and a piercing pain hits your chest. You gasp for breath, releasing him and stumbling backwards. You hit the ground, grasping at your chest.
"Shit!" Wren shouts. "Shit-" She's at your side in a moment, digging through the bag. She reveals a roll of bandages, and unravels part of it. Jurem’s on Hichi, you notice from the corner of your eye. Hichi’s putting up a decent fight, for the amount of training Jurem must have, but he’s starting to struggle.
Adrenaline fuels you, and you sit up, taking the bandage. You twist, your vision turning white. The wound wasn't too deep, but it still //hurt//.
"Wren,” you wheeze. “Help Jurem.”
“He’s got it under control,” she replies sharply, trying to pry the bandage back. You fight her grip, wrapping it around your waist tightly. You open your mouth again, but Jurem makes a cry of pain. Wren’s on her feet a moment later, bolting to his side.
You do a hasty job finishing your bandaging, and you know it'll come back to bite you later, but you struggle to your feet. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You don't even bother with the bow this time, simply gripping the arrow and moving forward.<<endif>>
“Don’t fight,” Jurem says through gritted teeth. Blood drips from his shoulder. “You’re wounded.”
“So are you,” you argue.
“A lucky blow.”
”Wow,” Hichi says, managing to step out of the way of the next swing, while Jurem and Wren are distracted. “I feel like I should be insulting. This battle is unfair, after all.”
It’s not. You can see. You know, suddenly, the knowledge burned into your brain by the Sitynur. It’s sapping his life to give him more power. Even in a two versus one, he is powerful enough to match them. But at what cost?
And then Wren cries out, stumbling back. Jurem sucks in a breath. You can see the blood. It's a deeper and longer wound than yours, and his eyes widen. He's not surviving this.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineWJ]]Ekys promptly slams the hilt of their longsword into the creature’s skull. It shrieks and falls to the ground. You’re too distracted to notice Hichi until he’s cut your arm.
You turn and face Hichi’s grin. He dives forward, and you bring your blade up to meet his. His eyes are crazed and a searing cyan color. You trade blows for a minute, pushing each other forward and back, forward and back. Then Hichi suddenly falls back, an odd look on his face.
“When I kill you,” he says, like it’s so natural for him to say, like victory was assured, “I get the Sitynur. I can travel worlds as I like.” He laughs. “The multiverse, at my— oof!”
Ekys hits him directly in the head with the butt of their longsword. He stumbles a few steps, clutching his head, but his weapon remains tightly in his grip.
“You got the other monster?” you ask.
Ekys tilts their head. “Of course.”
Hichi’s blinking rapidly, but his hand falls away from his skull. He’s going to regain focus in a moment. Ekys adjusts their grip on their sword.
[[Back off and reassess the situation.|PgOneEightEightFBBE]]
[[Go in for another blow.|PgOneEightEightFBGE]]
[[Feign stepping back but strike again.|PgOneEightEightFBFE]]Trelop shouts in shock, twisting and turning the spear until she can stab the creature clinging on. It shrieks and falls to the ground. You’re too distracted to notice Hichi until he’s cut your arm.
You turn and face Hichi’s grin. He dives forward, and you bring your blade up to meet his. His eyes are crazed and a searing cyan color. You trade blows for a minute, pushing each other forward and back, forward and back. Then Hichi suddenly falls back, an odd look on his face.
“When I kill you,” he says, like it’s so natural for him to say, like victory was assured, “I get the Sitynur. I can travel worlds as I like.” He laughs. “The multiverse, at my— oof!”
Trelop hit him with the butt of their spear, the wooden piece knocking him directly in the head. He stumbles a few steps, clutching his head, but his weapon remains tightly in his grip.
“You got the other monster?” you ask.
She smiles. “Of course.”
Hichi’s blinking rapidly, but his hand falls away from his skull. He’s going to regain focus in a moment. Trelop readies their spear.
[[Back off and reassess the situation.|PgOneEightEightFBBT]]
[[Go in for another blow.|PgOneEightEightFBGT]]
[[Feign stepping back but strike again.|PgOneEightEightFBFT]]Trelop lifts her hands, ready, and Hichi shakes his head. "You can't fight me like a common monster," he says. He nods to a nearby building, one of the final ones standing. "There are weapons in there. Choose what you like."
You and Trelop exchange skeptic looks. Hichi shrugs. "I'll give you a minute, but even if you don't have a weapon, I'll still fight you."
You make the first step, and you both head into the building. There are about a dozen weapons, some nearly pristine, others banged up. A realization strikes you - these are all stolen.
Trelop speaks, surveying all the options. "I've never used a real weapon before." A considering look passes over their face. "A new opportunity. Hopefully, it will be similar enough to the magic that we won’t have //too// much of a disadvantage.
She chooses a weapon similar to her magical one, and you pick up the closest <<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, and a quiver of arrows.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>> You grip it tightly, adjusting to the weight. You may not have used it before, but if there's one thing you're good at, it's adapting.
You and Trelop nod at each other and you step back outside. "Excellent," Hichi says. "Now, we can start."
“Wait,” Trelop says. “If this battle is not like the others, we need rules.”
Hichi shifts his weight to one foot and rolls his eyes. “Like what?”
“No backup from your monsters,” Trelop replies. “Just a fair fight. Us and you.”
“It’s not a fair fight,” Hichi argues. “It’s two on one.”
“Then, one monster. And bring them out now, not to surprise us later,” Trelop counters. Hichi frowns, but whistles once, lowly.
A monster leaps out of the trees and slams into Trelop’s side.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightFT]]Wren lifts her hands, ready, and Hichi shakes his head. "You can't fight me like a common monster," he says. He nods to a nearby building, one of the final ones standing. "There are weapons in there. Choose what you like."
You and Wren exchange skeptic looks. Hichi shrugs. "I'll give you a minute, but even if you don't have a weapon, I'll still fight you."
Wren makes the first step, and you both head into the building. There are about a dozen weapons, some nearly pristine, others banged up. A realization strikes you - these are all stolen.
Wren speaks up. "I've never used a real weapon before." She grins half-heartedly at you. "But how different can it be?"
She chooses a weapon similar to her magical one, and you pick up the closest <<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, and a quiver of arrows.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>> You grip it tightly, adjusting to the weight. You may not have used it before, but if there's one thing you're good at, it's adapting.
You and Wren nod at each other and you step back outside. "Excellent," Hichi says. "Now, we can start."
Wren charges.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightFAW]]Jurem and Wren lifts their hands, ready, and Hichi shakes his head. "You can't fight me like a common monster," he says. He nods to a nearby building, one of the final ones standing. "There are weapons in there. Choose what you like."
You all exchange skeptic looks. Hichi shrugs. "I'll give you a minute, but even if you don't have a weapon, I'll still fight you."
Wren makes the first step, and you three head into the building. There are about a dozen weapons, some nearly pristine, others banged up. A realization strikes you - these are all stolen.
Wren speaks up. "I've never used a real weapon before." She grins half-heartedly at you. "But how different can it be?"
“Very,” Jurem says. “Yet we rely too much on the magical weapons. It is good to practice.”
“This isn’t practice,” you say quietly. “I don’t think he’ll hold back.”
“I…” Jurem hesitates, for just a brief moment. “I will defend you both with my life.”
“We’ll be fine,” Wren says, and walks forward towards the array of weapons.
She chooses a weapon similar to her magical one, and you pick up the closest <<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, and a quiver of arrows.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>> You grip it tightly, adjusting to the weight. You may not have used it before, but if there's one thing you're good at, it's adapting. Jurem lifts a heavy spear, measuring its weight.
Jurem sighs softly, and finally leads you both outside.
"Excellent," Hichi says. "Now, we can start."
Wren charges.
[[Continue|PgOneEightNineWJF]]The creature lunges for your face, leaping off the ground straight up. The other goes for Ekys, but you can't focus on helping them. You need to get this thing off. It shrieks, right in your ear, as you finally wrench it away and throw it to the ground. Your face burns with at least a few cuts, and you grit your teeth. <<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth - 2>><<set $twoMaxHealth to 16>><<set twoHealth to twoMaxHealth>>
Ekys rips the other one off their face, slamming it to the ground. They use a particular sharp rock and slam it into the monster’s throat. It turns to dust almost instantly.
The remaining monster screams, a high-pitched shriek, and then goes silent, trembling and staring up at you with large black eyes. You hit fight, and slash downwards<<if $attitude lte 10>>, forgoing aiming for simply using an arrow as a spear<<endif>>.
"Huh," you say. "That was almost--" //Too easy,// you were going to say, but a larger creature moves out from the shadows before you can. It's similar to the large black wolf from earlier, but sharper. It bares its teeth.
Ekys sighs. “Here goes nothing,” they say, then drop back into a fighting position.<<set $opponentmaxhealth to 15>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Ekys's health is $twoHealth/$twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEFL]]>><</button>>As you look at the walls, or what’s left of them, you tell Trelop, “It’s so much larger than your //toam.//”
“And it’s completely destroyed,” Trelop says quietly, shock clear in her voice.
Walls smashed to splinters in some places, untouched in others. Gaping holes in most of the wall, leaving thin poles and the gate, ironically, standing. Trees nearby are slashed and sap trickles to the ground. The ground isn’t much better. Grass trampled and stained near-black with dried blood.
“No corpses,” you murmur, and wonder if that means they escaped, or…
You don’t want to think about it.
“Did they take this to use as a base, or is it just hidden here for safekeeping?” Trelop wonders.
“I guess we’ll find out,” you reply, and you step forward into the //toam.//
The hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you look at the complete carnage of the place. Huts, almost completely destroyed, grass trampled, at least several blood trails. Trelop lifts one hand to her mouth.
Two small, thin monsters, with short gray fur and a terrible hiss, leap out at you.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSixT]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _twin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _twin to _twin.random()>>Trelop considers for a moment, head cocked to the side, and then leaps forward. <<if _twin is "yes">>She slashes long along the monster's side, and the creature howls. You wince, hoping it doesn't attract other monsters. <<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<else>>The monster shifts out of the way, leaving Trelop cutting through air. Her face twists into a frown.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You draw an arrow and loosen it, easily hitting the beast's face. It disappears in a shower of sparks, but the wound remains, blood trickling down its muzzle.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, disappearing into sparks once it hits the ground.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You dart forward, landing a hit. The monster snarls, baring white fangs.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You dart forward, yet miss, the monster easily moving away.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The monster leaps at you, teeth slitting your clothes. Blue blood blooms, staining the thin cloth, and you hiss.<<else>>You move out of the way, and the monster bares its teeth.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Trelop's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightFourFT]]>><</button>><<else>>The monster crumbles away, and Trelop steps back with a sigh. She climbs up a tree to check the time. “It’s close to dawn,” she announces, climbing down. “Do you want to go back to sleep for a little longer?”
“It’s still my watch, technically,” you point out. “Shouldn’t you be the one sleeping more?”
Trelop hesitates, then shakes their head. "No, get some more rest. Then we will continue onwards."
“Okay,” you relent. You sit beside Trelop, lean back, and shut your eyes.
It feels like mere seconds later that Trelop gently nudges you awake. “$player_name," she says. "We must leave soon."
You squint against the sunlight, getting to your feet and stretching. Your back is sore, but not badly. You pull out two sandwiches from your bag and hand one to Trelop. “We can eat as we go.”
You don’t talk much, not only to be quiet but also because you’re both tired. You tell Trelop when you need to adjust direction, and hope that you’re not too far.
Suddenly, the next time you check, the barrier surrounding the next shard is close. “We’re almost there,” you whisper, and Trelop purses their lips.
“I believe I know where we are,” she says. “This is close to a //toam// that I’ve visited.”
“Lead the way,” you say.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveT]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFiveTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFiveTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightFourFT]]>><</button>>“Huh,” you say, when you finally reach the gates. “It's bigger than your //toam.//”
Wren nods. “They have - //had// - more people.” She glances around. “It’s completely… destroyed. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The walls are reduced to splinters, yet the gates are intact, as if mockingly. Some posts remain standing. Trees nearby are slashed and sap trickles to the ground. The ground isn’t much better. Grass trampled and stained black with dried blood.
“No corpses,” you murmur, and wonder if that means they escaped, or…
You don’t want to think about it.
“You’re sure this is the place?” Wren asks, a hint of worry in her voice. You close your eyes and reach out with the Sitynur. Slowly, as to not trigger a headache, you brush the barrier.
“Yes,” you reply. You both take a deep breath and walk into the //toam.//
Two small, thin monsters, with short gray fur and a terrible hiss, leap out at you.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSixW]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _wwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _wwin to _wwin.random()>>Wren grits her teeth and leaps first, this time. <<if _wwin is "yes">>She slashes long along the monster's side, and the creature howls. You wince, hoping it doesn't attract other monsters. <<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<else>>The monster shifts out of the way, leaving Wren slashing at empty air. She hisses a curse.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You draw an arrow and loosen it, easily hitting the beast's face. It disappears in a shower of sparks, but the wound remains.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, disappearing once it hits the ground.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You dart forward, landing a hit. The monster snarls, baring white fangs.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You dart forward, yet miss, the monster easily moving away.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The monster leaps at you, teeth slitting your clothes. Blue blood blooms, staining the thin cloth, and you hiss.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>><<else>>The monster leaps at you, and you quickly move out of the way. The monster bares its teeth.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
<<if $opponenthealth lt 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>><<endif>>Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightFourW]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFiveWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFiveWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>>“Huh,” you say, when you finally reach the gates. “It's bigger than your //toam.//”
Wren nods. “They have — had — more people.” She glances around. “It’s completely… destroyed. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It…” Jurem seems lost for words, simply trailing off and looking around at the damage.
The wooden walls are almost completely reduced to splinters, yet the gates are intact, as if mockingly. Some posts remain standing, though crooked. Trees nearby are slashed and trickling sap. The ground isn’t much better. Grass trampled and stained black with dried blood, monster and human footprints alike in the mud.
“No corpses,” you murmur, and wonder if that means they escaped, or…
You don’t want to think about it.
“You’re sure this is the place?” Wren asks, a hint of worry in her voice. You close your eyes and reach out with the Sitynur. Slowly, as to not trigger a headache, you brush the barrier.
“Yes,” you reply. You all hesitate, just for a moment, and walk into the //toam.//
Two small, thin monsters, with short gray fur and a terrible hiss, leap out at you.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSixWJ]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _jwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _jwin to _jwin.random()>>Jurem moves forward first. He slices along the monster’s side, and the creature howls. You wince, hoping it doesn't attract other monsters. Then Wren wakes up.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>>
Wren jumps to her feet, hands flung in front of her. Jurem spots her, and something fearful flashes through his eyes. The moment of distraction means the monster has an opening, and it pins him to the ground. <<set $twohealth to $twohealth - 2>>
Wren runs forward, ignoring Jurem’s cry of “No, don’t-”. She slashes at the monster’s side. It turns, ignoring Jurem. Jurem gets to his feet, then pushes Wren away, taking the monster’s paw to the side. He stumbles, but does not fall. He stabs the spear into the paw in return.<<set $twohealth to $twohealth - 2>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Jurem's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
<<if $opponenthealth lt 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>><<endif>>Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightFourWJ]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFiveWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFiveWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>>When you arrive, the first thing you notice is the size. It’s much larger than the //toam// you first arrived at, Ekys’ current one.
Well, the size isn’t //really// the first thing you notice. It’s the second.
The first thing you notice is the utter destruction.
Walls smashed to splinters in some places, untouched in others. Gaping holes in most of the wall, leaving thin poles and the gate, ironically, standing. Trees nearby are slashed and sap trickles to the ground. The ground isn’t much better. Grass trampled and stained near-black with dried blood.
“No corpses,” you murmur, and wonder if that means they escaped, or…
You don’t want to think about it.
“Is this is where you think it is?” Ekys asks, and you reach out.
“It is,” you confirm. You only let yourself hesitate for a brief moment before you step fully into the //toam.//
Two small, thin monsters, with short gray fur and a terrible hiss, leap out at you.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveE]]Trelop snatches up her bag, you grab yours, and then you both bolt into the trees. Trelop leaps over the stream, dodges trees, her braids flying behind her. You marvel at her night vision as you run. Suddenly she stops, scrambling up a tree, and you follow closely.
Near the top of the tree, they stop, sitting on a secure branch. They search for the monster in the darkness, and you try to do the same. Eventually, they release a quiet breath of relief. “We’ve lost it,” they whisper.
You shut your eyes and check the Sitynur’s location, and mutter a curse. Trelop looks to you. “We’ve gotten further away,” you tell her.
Trelop fiddles with their braids, and then says, “Well, it’s almost dawn. The sky is starting to lighten. Let’s just start walking now.”
You climb down from the tree and set off again. The sky slowly lightens from a deep, dark blue to the pale blue of day as you walk, only pausing to drink water and nibble on some food from your supplies. You are quiet for the most part, except for Trelop pointing out things or you telling her to adjust course.
The next time you check, you realise that you’re suddenly much closer than before. “We’re almost there,” you whisper.
Trelop chews on the end of a braid. “I believe that I’ve been here before,” they say. “This is the //toam// that the refugees were from.”
“Lead the way,” you say.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveT]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _twin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _twin to _twin.random()>>Your weapon materializes. Within the moment you're <<if $attitude lte 10>>aiming your bow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>running forward.<<endif>> <<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>><<set $twoHealth to 17>><<set $twoMaxHealth to 17>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>>
<<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>The arrow sinks into the beast's chest and it howls, running forward.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, burrowing into a tree, and the beast swivels towards you.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You slice your weapon forward, and blood blooms from under the monster's fur. It turns towards you, eyes narrowed.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You swing your weapon forward, but the monster shifts out of the way, turning towards you with eyes narrowed.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The creature lunges towards you, teeth grazing your arm before you back away. You wince, holding your arm to your chest.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>><<else>>The creature lunges towards you, but you dodge before its teeth can touch you.<<endif>>
Trelop stabs the creature again, on its back, and it turns around again. It snarls, but makes no movement. It's your chance again.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Trelop's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFourTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFourTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightFourFT]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _twin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _twin to _twin.random()>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You steady your hands, and you nock an arrow. You let go, and it sails into the monster's fur, and it growls, distracted once again.<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>You steady your hands, and you nock an arrow. You let go, and it misses. The monster takes another step towards Trelop.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You tighten your grip on your weapon and run forward, stabbing the creature easily.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You tighten your grip on your weapon and slip, giving the monster enough time to move out of the way. It takes a step towards Trelop.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes">><<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>>
<<if _pwin is "yes">>The monster bares its teeth and leaps at you, giving you barely any time to react.<<endif>> <<if _owin is "yes" and _pwin is "yes">>You don't move in time, and it tosses you against a tree.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 1>><<endif>><<if _owin is "no" and _pwin is "yes">>You move just in time, and the monster slams into a tree behind you.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth -1>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The monster snarls and moves towards Trelop, who tenses, yet keeps their neutral expression.<<endif>> <<if _twin is "yes" and _pwin is "no">>Trelop spins out of the way, leaving the monster snapping at open air.<<endif>><<if _twin is "no" and _pwin is "no">>Trelop twists a moment too late, the monster knocking them to the ground. They gracefully rise to their feet, though a hint of heavy breathing gives away their facade of calm.<<set $twoHealth to $twoHealth - 1>><<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFiveTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFiveTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightFourFT]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightFourW]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFourTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFourTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightFourFT]]>><</button>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 1>>The monster crumbles away and you and Wren back away, panting. Wren climbs a few branches up the tree and tilts her head to the sky.
“It’s almost dawn,” she says, retreating to the ground. “Do you want to sleep for a bit longer?”
“It’s still my watch, technically,” you point out. “Shouldn’t you be the one sleeping for the last bit?”
Wren shakes her head. “I’m still hyped up from that battle,” she says. “And I’m used to running on little sleep, anyway. You go back to sleep.”
“Okay,” you relent. You sit beside Wren, lean back, and shut your eyes.
It feels like mere seconds later that Wren nudges you awake. “C’mon,” she whispers. “Time to go.”
You tuck the rope in your bag, and pull out two sandwiches. You hand one to Wren. “We can eat as we go.”
You don’t talk much, not only to be quiet but also because you’re both tired. You tell Wren when you need to adjust direction, and hope that you’re not too far.
Suddenly, the next time you check, the barrier surrounding the next shard is close. “We’re almost there,” you whisper, and Wren lights up.
“I think I know where we are,” she says. “This is close to a //toam// that I’ve visited.”
“Lead the way,” you say.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveW]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _wwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _wwin to _wwin.random()>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You steady your hands, and you nock an arrow. You let go, and it sails into the monster's fur, and it growls, distracted once again.<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>You steady your hands, and you nock an arrow. You let go, and it misses. The monster takes another step towards Wren.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You tighten your grip on your weapon and run forward, stabbing the creature easily.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You tighten your grip on your weapon and slip in the mud, giving the monster enough time to move out of the way. It takes a step towards Wren.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes">><<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>>
<<if _pwin is "yes">>The monster bares its teeth and leaps at you, giving you barely any time to react.<<endif>> <<if _owin is "yes" and _pwin is "yes">>You don't move in time, and it tosses you against a tree.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 1>><<endif>><<if _owin is "no" and _pwin is "yes">>You move just in time, and the monster slams into a tree behind you.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth -1>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The monster snarls and moves towards Wren, who tenses.<<endif>> <<if _wwin is "yes" and _pwin is "no">>Wren leaps out of the way, leaving the monster snapping at open air.<<endif>><<if _wwin is "no" and _pwin is "no">>Wren moves too late, the monster knocking her to the ground. She leaps back to her feet, panting<<set $twoHealth to $twoHealth - 1>><<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
<<if $opponenthealth lt 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>><<endif>>Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFiveWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFiveWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightFourW]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFourWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFourWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 1>><<if previous() isnot "PgOneEightSixWJF">>Wren storms towards Jurem as soon as the monster turns to dust, and this time, Jurem doesn’t try to stop her. Her eyes are full of lightning, and her movements thunder. “I could have helped more,” she says.
Jurem closes his eyes and doesn’t reply.
<<endif>>“I thought you said this was to see if I could be a half-hunter,” she says. “I can’t prove myself if you keep me in the sidelines.”
“You are right,” Jurem says. “It was merely an instinctive move.”
“You need to let me defend myself,” Wren says.
Jurem nods. “I am sorry. I simply-” He cuts himself off, clears his throat, and says: “I will let you fight. It would be foolish to believe that you could become a half-hunter with me sheltering you at every turn.”
The anger leaves Wren’s face, and she steps back. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
“No, it is a valid anger,” Jurem says. There is a few moments of awkward quiet, before Jurem says, “It is almost dawn. You two should get some more sleep.”
Wren turns back to the tree. “Yeah.” She falls to her feet and curls up with her back facing you both.
“You as well,” Jurem says, looking at you. “I am aware that this was your watch, but I will not be able to return to sleep.”
“Alright,” you say reluctantly, and go to sleep against the tree.
It feels like mere seconds later that Jurem wakes you. “It is time to go,” he says.
He wakes Wren just after you stand and stretch. You open your bag, and pull out three sandwiches. You hand one to Wren and one to Jurem. “We can eat as we go.” They both thank you quietly.
You don’t talk much, not only to be quiet but also because you’re all tired. You tell the others when you need to adjust direction, and hope that you’re not too far.
Suddenly, the next time you check, the barrier surrounding the next shard is close. “We’re almost there,” you whisper, and Wren lights up.
“I think I know where we are,” she says. “This is close to a //toam// that we’ve visited.”
“It is the refugees’ //toam//,” Jurem says, frowning. “I do not like that.”
“Well,” you say, “lead the way.”
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveWJ]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _jwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _jwin to _jwin.random()>><<if _pwin is "yes">>The monster bares its teeth and leaps at you, giving you barely any time to react.<<endif>> <<if _owin is "yes" and _pwin is "yes">>You don't move in time, and it tosses you against a tree.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 1>><<endif>><<if _owin is "no" and _pwin is "yes">>You move just in time, and the monster slams into a tree behind you.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 1>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The monster snarls and moves towards Jurem, who tenses.<<endif>> <<if _jwin is "yes" and _pwin is "no">>Jurem twists out of the way, leaving the monster snapping at open air, and lands a blow of his own. <<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 1>><<endif>><<if _jwin is "no" and _pwin is "no">>Jurem moves too late, the monster knocking him to the ground. He leaps back to her feet, teeth grit.<<set $twoHealth to $twoHealth - 1>><<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Jurem's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
<<if $opponenthealth lt 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>><<endif>>Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFiveWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFiveWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightFourWJ]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFourWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFourWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>>You both stare at the corpse in silence. His eyes which still have a tinge of cyan. His face stretched and teeth sharpened. Even his blood was tinted blue. It was like the Sitynur had corrupted him. <<if $disposition gt 10>>You lean down to take the Sitynur.<<endif>>
You slot the Sitynur into place, feeling the familiar, warm rush of power and smiling slightly.
Finally, Ekys speaks. “You’re not coming back to the //toam//, are you?”
You blink and look up to them. “Sorry?”
“You want to continue on your journey,” they say. “I understand.”
“I can come with you,” you say, hesitantly. //But it’s another two days of travel. Time seems to work differently in every world - for some, the Sitynur has just fallen, and for others it’s been there for years. If you waste more time, what if your sister dies before you even find her?// “If you want me to.”
Ekys shakes their head. “Go,” they say. “Find your sister. I hope you do.”
The power comes to you easily, and the cyan portal swirls in front of you. Ekys stifles a gasp. “Goodbye, Ekys,” you say. “Maybe I’ll see you again someday.”
Ekys laughs humorlessly. “But what are the odds of that?”
Once again, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgOneNineThree]]Hichi stumbles and falls backwards, slamming into the ground. His hand is on his chest, blood painting his palm. A hoarse laugh drags out of his throat.
“I’m-” Hichi coughs. “I’m surprised that I still bleed,” he says. “I thought I would dust like my monsters.” He looks up to you. “$player_name, come here.”
“I wouldn’t,” Trelop advises, <<if $disposition lte 10>>but you take no heed, bending down to the dying man. He reaches up to his crown, twisting the Sitynur from its place.
Hichi holds it up to you, and you take it. “You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was two against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
Then he falls limp, staring blankly at the clouds above.<<else>>and you nod. Hichi wheezes a laugh.
“Alright,” he says. “I’ll just leave it here.” He reaches up to his head and removes his crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it. He places both items next to him, straining with every moment as more blood stains the ground below him.
“You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was two against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the clouds above.<<endif>>
A moment of quiet. “Is he dead?” Trelop whispers.
You nod.
[[Continue|PgOneNineZeroT]]Hichi stumbles backwards, falling to the ground. His hand is on his chest, then he pulls it away. Blood covers his palm and stains his shirt. He laughs.
“I’m-” Hichi coughs. “I’m surprised that I still bleed,” he says. “I thought I would turn to dust like my monsters.” He looks up to you. “$player_name, come here.”
“Don’t,” Wren warns, <<if $disposition lte 10>>yet you ignore her, stepping forward and bending down to the dying man. He reaches up to his head and removes his crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it.
“Your hand,” he says, and you hold it out. He places the Sitynur on your palm. “You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was two against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the stars, and you back away.<<else>>and you nod, keeping your distance. Hichi chuckles.
“Alright,” he says. “I’ll just leave it here.” He reaches up to his head and removes his crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it. He places both items next to him, straining with every moment as more blood soaks the ground below him.
“You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was two against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the stars.<<endif>>
“Is he dead?” Wren whispers, and you nod silently.
[[Continue|PgOneNineTwoW]]Hichi stumbles backwards, falling to the ground. His hand is on his chest, then he pulls it away. Blood covers his palm and stains his shirt. He laughs.
“I’m-” Hichi coughs. “I’m surprised that I still bleed,” he says. “I thought I would dust like my monsters.” He looks up to you. “$player_name, come here.”
“Don’t,” Wren and Jurem warn simultaneously, <<if $disposition lte 10>>yet you ignore them, stepping forward and bending down to the dying man. He reaches up to his head and removes the crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it.
“Your hand,” he says, and you hold it out. He places the Sitynur on your palm. “You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was three against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the stars, and you back away.<<else>>and you nod, keeping your distance. Hichi chuckles weakly.
“Alright,” he says. “I’ll just leave it here.” He reaches up to his head and removes his crown, twisting the Sitynur out from it. He places both items next to him, straining with every moment as more blood stains the ground below him.
“You won that fight fairly,” he says. “Even if it was three against one, I overestimated my own skill and underestimated yours.” The cyan is fading from his eyes, now, but he still holds your gaze. “I do hope you find your sister,” he says.
And then he falls limp, staring blankly at the stars.<<endif>>
Silence, and then: “Is he dead?” Wren whispers.
You don’t look away from him when you nod.
[[Continue|PgOneNineZeroWJ]]Wren stabs forward, but Hichi smoothly steps out of the way and cuts across her arm. Wren twists back and slashes, catching Hichi's dominant arm. <<if $attitude lte 10>>You pull back and fire an arrow. //Nine arrows left.// Hichi ducks, and it slams into the tree behind him. He yanks it out of the bark and stabs into into Jurem’s arm, who gives no noise of pain despite the blood from the wound.<<else>>You charge forward, aiming past him. When Hichi steps to the side, you simply slice along his side. Jurem hits him swiftly with the wooden piece of his spear, and Hichi slashes wildly. Jurem smoothly steps out of the way.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude gt 10>>[[Back off and reassess the situation.|PgOneEightEightFBBWJ]]<<endif>>
<<if $attitude gt 10>>[[Go in for another blow.|PgOneEightEightFBGWJ]]<<endif>>
<<if $attitude gt 10>>[[Feign stepping back but strike again.|PgOneEightEightFBFWJ]]<<else>>[[Shoot another arrow.|PgOneEightEightFBSWJ]]<<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 10>>[[Reassess the situation.|PgOneEightEightFBBWJ]]<<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 10>>[[Go in and use an arrow as a blade.|PgOneEightEightFBGWJ]]<<endif>><<if previous() isnot "PgOneEightZeroPointThreeEF" and previous() isnot "PgOneEightPointOneEFL">>The monster crumbles, scattering on the breeze, and your weapon vanishes. You fall back on your heels, exhaling. Ekys climbs back down from the tree
<<endif>>“Are you alright? No serious injuries?” Ekys asks.
“No,” you say. “I’m alright.”
They pause for a moment, then says, “I checked the sky while I was up there. It’s very near dawn. Should we get moving?”
You sigh. You’re still tired, and the adrenaline from the battle is fading. However, it would be best if you kept going. The sooner you find the Sitynur, the quicker you can leave. “Yeah, let’s keep going.”
You walk, quietly, as the sky starts to lighten. “How much further?” Ekys asks, a while after.
“We should get there before nightfall,” you tell them. They nod, and you lapse back into quiet.
That is, until Ekys asks a question that surprises you.
“So, why are you looking for your sister, anyway?”
You take a breath, and begin to explain.
[[Continue|PgOneEightTwoE]]A little while afterwards, Trelop stops walking. You turn to her, head tilted in a silent question.
“We should check the sun,” they say, “to see how much time until the end of the day.” They turn to the closest tree and inspect it for a moment, before nodding to themself and leaping up gracefully onto the lowest branch. They pull themself from branch to branch, only stopping when you can hardly see them.
She remains up there for a few seconds, then climbs back down, as careful as before. She drops back to the ground and pulls a leaf from her hair. “The sun will set in about a tick,” Trelop says.
You nod. “Should we stop now, or keep walking for a little longer?”
Trelop fiddles with their hair thoughtfully. “It depends. It would be safer to stop now, as there is a stream nearby, and we don’t know if the trail will take us away from it. However, we could keep going, if you want to cover more ground.”
“Let’s stop here,” you decide. “Rest for the night. Get some water, eat some food.”
“You have the water filter, right? I can go fill up our water bottles.”
You pull it out from your bag and hand it to her. She turns and sets off into the trees, towards the stream she had heard. It isn’t far, and you can still see her as you put down your bags and retrieve some food. You decide on two sandwiches.
Trelop returns and you share a quiet meal. While you’re cleaning up, Trelop says, “We should take turns on guard. I can take first watch, if you like.”
“Alright,” you say. “Wake me up at moon-high, then.”
You lay at the base of a tree, leaning against the trunk. Your bag is in your lap, and Trelop’s is beside you. You close your eyes and fall quickly into sleep.
[[Continue|PgOneEightTwoT]]A few hours later, Wren pauses and tells you to wait. She scrambles up a tree, high enough that you can only see the soles of her shoes. Then she comes back down, swinging onto a lower branch and leaping down. She tucks and rolls when she hits the ground.
You furrow your eyebrows, and she explains, “I was checking the sun. We need to stop soon - a tick or so, maybe. How far are we?”
You check again. It’s starting to make you nauseous, the more you check, but you can’t worry about it now.
“We should reach it by tomorrow,” you say. “Should we stop now or keep walking for another half-tick?”
Wren chews her lip. “Let’s stop now,” she says. “I don’t want to have to fight in the dark. And we can eat, anyway.”
You nod. “Here, I’ve got some fruit.” You pass a piece to her, and eat a bit yourself. It’s sweet and yellow.
“I’ll take first watch,” Wren says, when you’re done. “You'll have to sleep against the tree.”
“Alright,” you say, slipping off your bag and putting it at the base of the tree. You sit, adjusting yourself until you're semi-comfortable. It's a bit cold, and you know your back will hurt in the morning, but it's the best you'll be able to get.
“Wake me up at moon-high,” you say. Then, after a thought: “Or if something happens.”
Wren agrees, and you slip into sleep.
[[Continue|PgOneEightTwoW]]A few hours later, Wren stops you again. You give her a confused look, and Jurem says, “Sun check.”
“I know,” Wren says irritably, reaching for a nearby tree in one moment and halfway up it the next. She climbs until you can only see the soles of her feet. Then she returns, swinging onto a lower branch and leaping down. She tucks and rolls when she hits the ground.
“We need to stop soon,” she says. “Within a tick.”
“How close are we?” Jurem asks you, and you pause to check. It’s starting to make you nauseous, the more you check, but you can’t worry about it now.
“If we stop now, we’ll reach it sometime tomorrow,” you say, guessing, given the distance. “Should we stop now, or keep going?”
“I think we should stop,” Wren says. “Either way, we’ll reach it tomorrow. There’s no way we’ll reach it tonight. I don’t want to fight in the dark.”
Jurem nods. “Then, we will stop now. We should think about taking shifts-”
“Let’s eat, first,” Wren interrupts, and you take some food from your bag to split among the two of you. Jurem half-smiles, but takes from his own bag, seemingly measuring how much food you have in yours. Given that he was able to take without suspicion, you would guess that he has more than you.
You finish, then hesitate. “Who is going to take first watch?”
“I can,” Jurem offers. “You two get some sleep.”
“Are you sure?” you say, and he nods. You adjust your bag, making sure the tree is wide enough to be comfortable to lean against. It isn’t the most comfortable place to sleep in, yet it will be safer than the time you slept on a bench. There are people on guard, you’re not sleeping defenseless.
You settle in, pulling your bag against you and closing your eyes. As you start to drift off, you hear Wren speak to Jurem.
“Don’t take watch for the entire night,” she says. “Both me and $player_name will take a turn at it.”
Jurem hesitates, before saying, “Of course.”
You fall into sleep.
[[Continue|PgOneEightTwoWJ]]You lift your hands, ready, and Hichi shakes his head. "You can't fight me like a common monster," he says. He nods to a nearby building, one of the final ones standing. "There are weapons in there. Choose what you like."
You and Ekys exchange skeptic looks. Hichi shrugs. "I'll give you a minute, but even if you don't have a weapon, I'll still fight you."
Ekys makes the first step, and you both head into the building. There are about a dozen weapons, some nearly pristine, others banged up. A realization strikes you - these are all stolen.
Ekys speaks, surveying all the options. "The first time I can use a real weapon." A considering look passes over their face. “Perhaps I can convince the others I can fight for myself.”
You pick up the closest <<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, and a quiver of arrows.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>> You grip it tightly, adjusting to the weight. You may not have used it before, but if there's one thing you're good at, it's adapting.
Ekys takes another moment to consider. Their hand ghosts over a few of them, finally lifting up a thin, long sword with two hands. “Heavy,” they note, doing a few slow, careful swings. “But I think I can use it.”
You and Ekys nod at each other and you step back outside. "Excellent," Hichi says. "Now, we can start."
“Wait,” Ekys interrupts. “If this battle is not like the others, we need rules first.”
Hichi shifts his weight to one foot and rolls his eyes. “Like what?”
“No backup from your monsters,” Ekys replies. “Just… a fair fight. Us and you.”
“That’s not a fair fight,” Hichi argues. “It’s two on one.”
“One monster,” Ekys counters. “Surely that’ll even it out.”
Hichi frowns, but whistles once, lowly. A monster leaps out of the trees and slams into Ekys’s side.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightFE]]The monster, half blinded, flails wildly to attack. It swings a paw in a wide arc, missing both of you. It stumbles into a building, toppling it. You take the opportunity and lunge forward, slicing along the monster's side. It falls to the ground, dust flaking off of it.
It twists its head around, trying to snap at you, but Ekys hits it with their stick. And again. And again. It bares its teeth and lunges when there’s a pause in the blows, but Ekys jumps back just in time.
The monster suddenly whimpers, curling in on itself and closing its good eye. You hesitate, looking towards Ekys. They study the creature, then shrug at you. You don't want to kill it, not now, when it's clearly given up.
A swarm of tiny grey monsters, like the two at the gate, flood over the creature. They bite it until finally it crumbles into dust. You and Ekys tense, ready to fight, but they don't even cast you a glance. They retreat into the shadows.
“Hmm,” Ekys frowns.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSixE]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEFL]]>><</button>>The monster, now half-blinded, flails wildly. It swings a paw in a wide arc, missing both of you. It stumbles into a building, toppling it. You take the opportunity and lunge forward, slicing along the monster's side. It falls to the ground, dust flaking off of it. It twists its head around, trying to snap at you, but it's Trelop's turn first.
Trelop stabs into its side. It bares its teeth and snaps at Trelop, but they step out of the way.
The monster whimpers, curling in on itself and closing its good eye. You hesitate, looking towards Trelop. She frowns, running her fingers along her spear. You don't want to kill it, not now, when it's clearly given up.
A swarm of tiny grey monsters, like the two at the gate, flood over the creature. They bite it until finally it crumbles into dust. You and Trelop tense, ready to fight, but they don't even cast you a glance. They retreat into the shadows.
Trelop gives you a glance, and you frown and shrug.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSevenT]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTFL]]>><</button>>The monster, half blinded, flails wildly to attack. It swings a paw in a wide arc, missing both of you. It stumbles into a building, toppling it. You take the opportunity and lunge forward, slicing along the monster's side. It falls to the ground, dust flaking off of it. It twists its head around, trying to snap at you, but it's Wren's turn first.
She swings, leaving a deep cut across the monster's muzzle. It bares its teeth and snaps forward, but Wren leaps back just in time.
The monster whimpers, curling in on itself and closing its good eye. You hesitate, looking towards Wren. She shrugs and chews her lip. You don't want to kill it, not now, when it's clearly given up.
A swarm of tiny grey monsters, like the two at the gate, flood over the creature. They bite it until finally it crumbles into dust. You and Wren tense, ready to fight, but they don't even cast you a glance. They retreat into the shadows.
"Weird..." Wren says.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSevenW]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWFL]]>><</button>>The monster, half blinded, flails wildly to attack. It swings a paw in a wide arc, missing both of you. It stumbles into a building, toppling it. You take the opportunity and lunge forward, slicing along the monster's side. It falls to the ground, dust flaking off of it. It twists its head around, trying to snap at you, but it's Wren's turn first.
She swings, leaving a deep cut across the monster's muzzle. It bares its teeth and snaps forward, but Wren leaps back just in time.
Jurem lunges and stabs yet again, more blood staining the monster’s fur. The monster whimpers, curling in on itself and closing its good eye. You hesitate, looking towards Jurem. He’s frowning, not looking towards you. Wren gives you a half-worried, half-confused look. You don't want to kill it, not now, when it's clearly given up.
A swarm of tiny grey monsters, like the two at the gate, flood over the creature. They bite it until finally it crumbles into dust. You all tense, ready to fight, but they don't even cast you a glance. They retreat into the shadows.
"Weird..." Wren says. Jurem’s frown deepens.
[[Continue|PgOneEightSevenWJ]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJFL]]>><</button>>You swipe one hand over your cheek, the thin cut stinging. Trelop’s hands fall to her sides, and they move behind you, ruffling through your bag. Before you can ask what they’re doing, they pull out the bandages, and wrap some around a cut on their leg. They pass it back to you, and the moment that passes is tense and quiet while you bandage injuries and keep an eye open for any other monsters.
“Done patching up?” calls a taunting voice that you recognise - but it’s not Trelop’s.
You look up to a familiar face. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a searing cyan. “Hello, $player_name,” Hichi says. “Took you long enough.”
Trelop returns the bandages to your bag and lifts her hands in front of her. “Do you know each other?” she asks.
Hichi lifts a hand to his chest, as if offended. “$player_name hasn’t told you about me? Oh, I can’t believe that I’m so forgettable!”
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly, ignoring his dramatics. “You’re too different. But why aren’t you glitching?”
“Wrong,” Hichi replies. “I am from this world. Or was, a long time ago. But now,” he taps his crown, “I have this.”
“The gem…” Trelop frowns. “$player_name, what’s going on?”
“I knew Hichi in the last world,” you say. “He said he ended up there by accident, so I brought him here, with me.” Then, to Hichi, “but you gave me your shard.”
“I had more than one,” Hichi says. “Why would I give you both? No, give you one, to keep the suspicion off of me. And now, //Avery// can’t force me to give it to you.” He says the name bitterly.
Trelop studies Hichi for a moment, then looks to you. “You need his shard?” they ask. You nod. Hichi laughs.
“If you want my shard, you’ll have to fight me for it.”
“Then fight you we shall,” Trelop says, and she leaps forward.
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightT]]You wipe at your cheek, the thin scratch stinging. Wren’s weapon fades away as she steps back towards you. “The bandages,” she says, and you blink, snapping back to the moment.
“Right,” you say, reaching into your bag and pulling out the bandages. Wren takes it, wrapping it around her arm and tying it off tightly. You do the same with your own wounds, and the next few moments are quiet except for the sounds of you passing the roll back and forth, fabric stretching, and panting breaths easing into quieter ones.
“Done patching up?” A voice that you immediately recognize - but it’s not Wren’s.
You look up to a familiar face. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a faint cyan. “Hello, $player_name,” Hichi says. “Took you long enough.”
“Do you know him?” Wren asks, already at her feet with her hands in front of her.
“Well, of course!” Hichi says gleefully, then turning to you. “Come on, $player_name. Lost for words, are you?”
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly. “You’re too different. But why aren’t you glitching?”
Hichi’s grin slips, for a moment so brief you wonder if you imagined it. “I was from this world, once. A long time ago. But-” He taps his crown. “-Now I have //this.//”
“The gem- $player_name, what’s going on?” Wren demands.
“I- I know Hichi from the last world. He said he ended up there by accident, and I brought him back.” Then, to Hichi: “But- you gave me your shard.”
“I had more than one,” Hichi drawls. “Why would I give you both? No, give you one, to keep the suspicion off of me. And now, //Avery// can’t force me to give it to you.” He says the name bitterly.
“Wh-” Wren shakes her head. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but am I right to assume that you want the shard that he has?”
“Yes,” you say. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightW]]The thin cut on your cheek stings when you swipe at it. All of your weapons are fading, and the dust is lifted up and away by the wind. Wren looks back at you.
“The bandages,” she says, and you nod, shrugging off your bag and rifling through it. You bring out the roll that Ekys had given you, and Jurem raises an eyebrow.
“How did you get that without any of the healers noticing?” he asks.
“Ekys,” Wren says, by way of answer, and Jurem makes an ‘ah’ sound.
Wren takes the bandages from you, wrapping it around her arm and tying it off tightly. You do the same with your own wounds, and the next few moments are quiet except for the sounds of you passing the roll back and forth, fabric stretching, and panting breaths easing into quieter ones. Jurem is using his own supplies to cover his wounds.
“Done patching up?” A voice that you immediately recognize - but it’s not Wren’s, nor Jurem’s.
You look up to a familiar face. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a searing cyan. “Hello, $player_name,” Hichi says. “Took you long enough.”
Jurem is on his feet immediately, Wren close behind. Jurem isn’t trying to push the two of you behind him, this time. “Who are you?” he demands.
“Oh, $player_name didn’t tell you?” Hichi laughs.
“You know him?” Wren asks, looking over her shoulder.
“Well, of course!” Hichi tells her gleefully, then turns to you. “Come on, $player_name. Lost for words, are you?”
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly. “You’re too different. But why aren’t you glitching?”
Hichi’s grin slips, for a moment so brief you wonder if you imagined it. “I was from this world, once. A long time ago. But-” He taps his crown. “-Now I have //this.//”
“The gem- $player_name, what’s going on?” Wren demands.
“I agree,” Jurem says, his voice starting to turn cold. “Can you explain?”
“I- I know Hichi from the last world. He ended up there by accident, and I brought him back. But-” You look to Hichi. “You gave me your shard.”
“I had more than one,” Hichi drawls. “Why would I give you both? No, give you one, to keep the suspicion off of me. And now, //Avery// can’t force me to give it to you.” He says the name bitterly.
“Wh-” Wren shakes her head as if to clear her thoughts. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but am I right to assume that you want the shard that he has?”
“Yes,” you say. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightWJ]]You touch the cut on your cheek and wince. Ekys steps forward, already reaching into their bag and pulling out bandages. <<if $ekys_points lt 8>>They reach forward, then pause. They lean back, slightly, and offer the bandages instead. You accept them, with only one glance to their expression. It’s a conflicted one, eyebrows furrowed, and they chew their cheek. Their eyes catch yours and you swiftly look away.
You wind the bandage around your wounds, tying them off as best as you can. Ekys steps back, looking away, arms crossed. Then, they draw a sharp breath, and you hear a familiar voice - but it’s not Ekys’.<<else>>Ekys makes a gesture and you hold out your arm. They carefully cover the major injuries, tying it neatly. “You’ll have to change the bandages soon,” they say.
They’re studying the smaller scrapes, when suddenly you hear a familiar voice - but it’s not theirs.<<endif>>
“Hello, $player_name,” Hichi says. “Took you long enough to find me.”
You look up to a familiar face. Black hair with tight curls. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a faint cyan.
Ekys <<if $ekys_points lt 8>>turns between you and Hichi, an eyebrow raised. “Do you know each other?”<<else>>straightens up, eyebrows furrowed. “Do you know them?” they ask you.<<endif>>
“Well, of course!” Hichi says, that bright glee still in his voice. “$player_name really didn’t tell you about me? Tut, tut.”
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly, working through it in your head. “You’re too… different. But you’re not glitching, either.”
Hichi's grin falters for a brief moment, before he quickly regains it. “I //am// from this world,” Hichi corrects. “Or I was, a long time ago. But now-” he taps his crown- “I have //this.//”
Ekys is quiet for a moment, considering, then says, “You have the shard that we’re looking for.”
Hichi smiles. “You’re looking to take another, then, $player_name?”
“Yes,” you reply, to both of them.
Ekys nods. <<if $ekys_points lt 8>>They take the bandages from you.<<else>>They hold the bandages to their chest.<<endif>> “I cannot fight,” they say, “but I will help you.”
Hichi’s grin grows. “You can defeat my monsters,” he says, “but can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightSevenE]]<<set _pwin to "yes">><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _ewin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _ewin to _ewin.random()>>You <<if $attitude lte 10>>draw back your bow, aim careful. Its gaze is clear and blue, and completely focused on you. You fire the arrow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>run forward, blade glinting in the light. Its gaze is clear and blue, and completely focused on you.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $attitude lte 10>>The arrow sails through the air and hits, perfectly on target. The monster twists, a low groan coming from its throat.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $attitude gt 10>>You stab the monster and it twists, a low groan coming from its throat. <<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The blow misses, and the monster growls low in its throat.<<endif>>
Meanwhile, Ekys had found a fallen branch and holds it like a weapon. There’s a glint in their eyes, and you step back, letting them do whatever they’re planning. They run forward, ramming the stick into the monster’s sharp blue eyes. It wails, stumbling back several steps. <<if _ewin is "yes">>It claws at its own eyes, damaging itself further.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<else>>It swings wildly outward, <<endif>><<if _ewin is "no" and _owin is "yes">>and Ekys doesn’t manage to move out of the way in time, getting hit by the paw.<<endif>><<if _ewin is "no" and _owin is "no">>but Ekys leaps backward, the half-blinded creature only hitting air.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Ekys's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEFL]]>><</button>><<set $ekys_points to $ekys_points - 2>>You duck and bolt, the monster snapping at you as you go past but ultimately focused on Ekys. Ekys makes a noise of surprise, and takes a few whacks at the monster. You duck around a corner, and after a moment, you see Ekys running towards you. The monster was not dead, but wounded with blows to the head.
"A bit of a coward today, hm?" someone asks, and you jump. You know that voice.
You spin, and he lifts his hands in a innocent gesture with a lazy smile. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a faint cyan. "Going to attack me, $player_name?" Hichi asks. You hesitate.
Ekys turns between you and Hichi, an eyebrow raised. “Do you know each other?”
“Well, of course!” Hichi says, that bright glee still in his voice. “$player_name really didn’t tell you about me? Tut, tut.”
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly, working through it in your head. “You’re too… different. But you’re not glitching, either.”
Hichi's grin falters for a brief moment, before he quickly regains it. “I //am// from this world,” Hichi corrects. “Or I was, a long time ago. But now-” he taps his crown- “I have //this.//”
Ekys is quiet for a moment, considering, then says, “You have the shard that we’re looking for.”
Hichi smiles. “You’re looking to take another, then, $player_name?”
“Yes,” you reply, to both of them.
Ekys nods. <<if $ekys_points lt 8>>They take the bandages from you.<<else>>They hold the bandages to their chest.<<endif>> “I cannot fight,” they say, “but I will help you.”
Hichi’s grin grows. “You can defeat my monsters,” he says, “but can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightSevenE]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoEFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _twin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _twin to _twin.random()>><<if _twin is "yes">>Trelop steps forward, spear twirling in their hand. They dart forward and cut across the monster’s chest, dust flaking into the air. It stumbles back a few steps, baring its teeth.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<else>>They dart forward, but the monster steps back and their swing misses.<<endif>> <<if _owin is "yes">>Trelop steps back, but the monster’s paw moves quicker than they can. They’re knocked to the ground, and they scramble backwards and to their feet.<<set $twohealth to $twohealth - 1>><<else>>The monster lifts and swings a paw, but Trelop hurries back and out of the way.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You run forward, jumping at the last moment to slash across the monster’s face. It howls and claws at its eyes, scratching itself further. You fall back, standing beside Trelop.<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You pull back and fire an arrow directly at the monster’s face. The arrow bursts into sparks, and the monster howls and claws at its eyes. It doesn’t help - in fact, it merely causes more damage to its own eyes. You move forward and stand beside Trelop.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You run forward, jumping at the last moment to slash across the monster’s face. It yanks its head back, and you slam into the ground. You fall back, standing beside Trelop.<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>You pull back and fire an arrow directly at the monster’s face. It yanks its head back, and the arrow sails past. You move forward and stand beside Trelop.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Trelop's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTFL]]>><</button>><<set $trelop_points to $trelop_points - 2>>You duck and bolt, the monster snapping at you as you go past but ultimately focused on Trelop. Trelop gasps softly, and when you glance over your shoulder you can see her narrowed eyes. You keep running, ducking behind a building and watching Trelop kill the monster in a few swift stabs.
"A bit of a coward today, hm?" someone asks, and you jump. You know that voice.
You spin, and he lifts his hands in a innocent gesture with a lazy smile. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a faint cyan. "Going to attack me, $player_name?" Hichi asks. You hesitate.
"$player_name,” Trelop calls. “Are you alright?-” they freeze, staring at Hichi. “Who’s this?”
"Did $player_name never tell you?" Hichi asks, mock-sad. "Am I so forgettable?"
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly, ignoring his comments. “You’re too different. But why aren’t you glitching?”
Hichi’s grin slips, for a moment so brief you wonder if you imagined it. “I was from this world, once. A long time ago. But-” He taps his crown. “-Now I have //this.//”
“The gem…” Trelop frowns. “$player_name, what’s going on?”
“I- I know Hichi from the last world. He said he ended up there by accident, and I brought him back.” Then, to Hichi: “But- you gave me your shard.”
“I had more than one,” Hichi drawls. “Why would I give you both? No, give you one, to keep the suspicion off of me. And now, //Avery// can’t force me to give it to you.” He says the name bitterly.
<<if $wren_points gt 12>>Trelop studies Hichi for a moment, then looks to you. “You need his shard?” they ask. You nod. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightT]]<<else>>Trelop twirls her spear and looks reluctant. “You need his shard?” they ask. You nod. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightT]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to "yes">><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _wwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _wwin to _wwin.random()>><<set _jwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _jwin to _jwin.random()>>Wren lunges first, gripping her weapon tightly and <<if _wwin is "yes">>jamming it into the beast. It roars, stumbling back a step, before Wren yanks it out and grins. Blood drips from the wound onto the ground, and it swings a paw wildly.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<endif>><<if _wwin is "yes" and _owin is "yes">>The massive paw knocks Wren to the ground, leaving her scrambling backwards and wincing.<<set $twoHealth to $twohealth - 2>><<endif>><<if _wwin is "yes" and _owin is "no">>But the wild swing misses Wren, and she backs off and nods at you.<<endif>><<if _wwin is "no">>the monster swiftly moves out of the way. It swings with ease, <<endif>><<if _wwin is "no" and _owin is "yes">>slamming into Wren's side before she can move and knocking her to the ground.<<set $twoHealth to $twoHealth - 2>><<endif>><<if _wwin is "no" and _owin is "no">>but Wren dodges just as smoothly.<<endif>>
You <<if $attitude lte 10>>draw back your bow, hesitating for a brief moment before aiming directly at the creature's eyes. Its gaze is clear and blue, and completely focused on Wren. You fire the arrow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>run forward, leaping at the last moment to aim for the creature's eyes. Its gaze is clear and blue, and completely focused on Wren.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $attitude lte 10>>The arrow sails through the air and hits, perfectly on target. The monster wails and claws at its eye, scratching itself further.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $attitude gt 10>>You stab the monster directly in its blue eye, and it wails. You drop to the ground and it claws at the wound, injuring itself further. <<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The blow misses, and the monster growls low in its throat.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWFL]]>><</button>><<set $wren_points to $wren_points - 2>>You duck and bolt, the monster snapping at you as you go past but ultimately focused on Wren. Wren shouts in anger, swinging at the monster in frustration. You keep running, ducking behind a building and watching Wren kill the monster in a few swings.
"A bit of a coward today, hm?" someone asks, and you jump. You know that voice.
You spin, and he lifts his hands in a innocent gesture with a lazy smile. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a faint cyan. "Going to attack me, $player_name?" Hichi asks. You hesitate.
"$player_name!" Wren says, louder than is safe. You turn, and she's just around the corner, eyes narrowed. "What was-- Who's this?"
"Did $player_name never tell you?" Hichi asks, mock-sad. "Am I so forgettable?"
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly, ignoring his comments. “You’re too different. But why aren’t you glitching?”
Hichi’s grin slips, for a moment so brief you wonder if you imagined it. “I was from this world, once. A long time ago. But-” He taps his crown. “-Now I have //this.//”
“The gem- $player_name, what’s going on?” Wren demands.
“I- I know Hichi from the last world. He said he ended up there by accident, and I brought him back.” Then, to Hichi: “But- you gave me your shard.”
“I had more than one,” Hichi drawls. “Why would I give you both? No, give you one, to keep the suspicion off of me. And now, //Avery// can’t force me to give it to you.” He says the name bitterly.
“Wh-” Wren shakes her head<<if $wren_points lte 12>>, voice almost reluctant. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but am I right to assume that you want the shard that he has?”
“Yes,” you say. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightW]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes" ]>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _wwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _wwin to _wwin.random()>><<set _jwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _jwin to _jwin.random>>Wren lunges first, gripping her weapon tightly and <<if _wwin is "yes">>jamming it into the beast. It roars, stumbling back a step, before Wren yanks it out and grins. Blood drips from the wound onto the ground, and it swings a paw wildly.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>><<endif>><<if _wwin is "yes" and _owin is "yes">>The massive paw knocks Wren to the ground, leaving her scrambling backwards and wincing.<<set $twoHealth to $twohealth - 2>><<endif>><<if _wwin is "yes" and _owin is "no">>But the wild swing misses Wren, and she backs off and nods at you.<<endif>><<if _wwin is "no">>the monster swiftly moves out of the way. It swings with ease, <<endif>><<if _wwin is "no" and _owin is "yes">>slamming into Wren's side before she can move and knocking her to the ground.<<set $twoHealth to $twoHealth - 2>><<endif>><<if _wwin is "no" and _owin is "no">>but Wren dodges just as smoothly.<<endif>> Jurem makes a quiet hiss, and then he’s running forward.
He stabs his spear forward, <<if _jwin is "yes">>and the weapon sinks into the monster like butter. He pulls it back out, stepping back, and the monster makes a noise of pain. Blood mats its fur.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<else>>and the monster bats the spear out of his hand. It goes flying into the trees, and in any other world this would mean his weapon is gone, and his chances were vanishingly low. Yet here, all he has to do is dodge the next blow. And that he does.<<endif>>
You <<if $attitude lte 10>>draw back your bow, hesitating for a brief moment before aiming directly at the creature's eyes. Its gaze is clear and blue, and completely focused on Jurem. You fire the arrow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>run forward, leaping at the last moment to aim for the creature's eyes. Its gaze is clear and blue, and completely focused on Jurem.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $attitude lte 10>>The arrow sails through the air and hits, perfectly on target. The monster wails and claws at its eye, scratching itself further.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes" and $attitude gt 10>>You stab the monster directly in its blue eye, and it wails. You drop to the ground and it claws at the wound, injuring itself further. <<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 4>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The blow misses, and the monster growls low in its throat.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Jurem’s health is $threeHealth / $threeMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSevenPointTwoWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJFL]]>><</button>><<set $wren_points to $wren_points - 2>>You duck and bolt, the monster snapping at you as you go past but ultimately focused on Wren and Jurem. Wren shouts in anger, swinging at the monster in frustration. Jurem sends you a nod. You keep running, ducking behind a building and watching the duo kill the monster in a few blows.
"A bit of a coward today, hm?" someone asks, and you jump. You know that voice.
You spin, and he lifts his hands in a innocent gesture with a lazy smile. Tight, black, curly hair. Pale skin. Lips too long, revealing sharp white teeth. A crown nestles on his head now, twisted thorns with a Sitynur centerpiece. His eyes glow a faint cyan. "Going to attack me, $player_name?" Hichi asks. You hesitate.
"$player_name!" Wren says, louder than is safe. You turn, and she's just around the corner, eyes narrowed. "What was-- Who's this?"
"Did $player_name never tell you?" Hichi asks, mock-sad. "Am I so forgettable?"
“You’re not from this world,” you say slowly, ignoring his comments. “You’re too different. But why aren’t you glitching?”
Hichi’s grin slips, for a moment so brief you wonder if you imagined it. “I was from this world, once. A long time ago. But-” He taps his crown. “-Now I have //this.//”
“$player_name,” Jurem says slowly. “What’s going on?”
“I- I know Hichi from the last world. He said he ended up there by accident, and I brought him back.” Then, to Hichi: “But- you gave me your shard.”
“I had more than one,” Hichi drawls. “Why would I give you both? No, give you one, to keep the suspicion off of me. And now, //Avery// can’t force me to give it to you.” He says the name bitterly.
<<if $wren_points gt 12>>“Wh-” Wren shakes her head. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but am I right to assume that you want the shard that he has?”
“Yes,” you say. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
“Wh-” Wren shakes her head<<if $wren_points lte 12>>, voice almost reluctant. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but am I right to assume that you want the shard that he has?”
“Yes,” you say. Hichi laughs.
“You can defeat my monsters, yes,” he says. “But can you defeat me?”
[[Continue|PgOneEightEightW]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJFL]]>><</button>>The creature lunges for your face, leaping off the ground straight up. The other goes for Trelop, but you can't focus on helping her. You need to get this thing off. It shrieks, right in your ear, as you finally wrench it away and throw it to the ground. Your face burns with at least a few cuts, and you grit your teeth. <<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth - 2>><<set twoMaxHealth to 17>><<set twoHealth to twoMaxHealth>>
The monsters scream at the same time, a high-pitched shriek, and then go silent, trembling and staring up at you with large black eyes. You hit fight, and slash downwards<<if $attitude lte 10>>, forgoing aiming for simply using an arrow as a spear<<endif>>. Trelop does similar, and the two creatures dissipate into the air.
"Huh," you say. "That was almost--" //Too easy,// you were going to say, but a larger creature moves out from the shadows before you can. It's similar to the large black wolf from earlier, but sharper. It bares its teeth. Trelop takes a breath and drops back into a fighting position.<<set $opponentmaxhealth to 15>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Trelop's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoTFL]]>><</button>>The monster, <<if $opponenthealth lt $oppponentmaxhealth>>bleeding from wounds, <<endif>>suddenly backs away. It casts a look between you both, gives a pitiful whine, and then turns and runs back into the trees.
"Huh," Trelop says, staring where the monster had vanished. Then she shrugs, and swiftly climbs up the closest tree. “It’s close to dawn,” she announces, climbing down. “Do you want to go back to sleep for a little longer?”
“It’s still my watch, technically,” you point out. “Shouldn’t you be the one sleeping more?”
Trelop hesitates, then shakes their head. "No, get some more rest. Then we will continue onwards."
“Okay,” you relent. You sit beside Trelop, lean back, and shut your eyes.
It feels like mere seconds later that Trelop gently nudges you awake. “$player_name," she says. "We must leave soon."
You squint against the sunlight, getting to your feet and stretching. Your back is sore, but not badly. You pull out two sandwiches from your bag and hand one to Trelop. “We can eat as we go.”
You don’t talk much, not only to be quiet but also because you’re both tired. You tell Trelop when you need to adjust direction, and hope that you’re not too far.
Suddenly, the next time you check, the barrier surrounding the next shard is close. “We’re almost there,” you whisper, and Trelop purses their lips.
“I believe I know where we are,” she says. “This is close to a //toam// that I’ve visited.”
“Lead the way,” you say.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveT]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixTF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixTI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightFourFT]]>><</button>>The creature lunges for your face, leaping off the ground straight up. The other goes for Wren, but you can't focus on helping her. You need to get this thing off. It shrieks, right in your ear, as you finally wrench it away and throw it to the ground. Your face burns with at least a few cuts, and you grit your teeth. <<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth - 2>><<set $twoMaxHealth to 17>><<set $twoHealth to $twoMaxHealth>>
The monsters scream at the same time, a high-pitched shriek, and then go silent, trembling and staring up at you with large black eyes. You hit fight, and slash downwards<<if $attitude lte 10>>, forgoing aiming for simply using an arrow as a spear<<endif>>. Wren does similar, and the two creatures dissipate into the air.
"Huh," you say. "That was almost--" //Too easy,// you were going to say, but a larger creature moves out from the shadows before you can. It's similar to the large black wolf from earlier, but sharper. It bares its teeth.
"I think you jinxed us," Wren says, then drops back into a fighting position.<<set $opponentmaxhealth to 15>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWFL]]>><</button>>The monster, <<if $opponenthealth lt $oppponentmaxhealth>>bleeding from wounds, <<endif>>suddenly backs away. It casts a look between you both, gives a pitiful whine, and then turns and runs back into the trees.
"Well," Wren says. "That was cowardly." She turns, suddenly, to a tree, and climbs up. After a moment, she comes back down.
“It’s almost dawn,” she says. “Do you want to sleep for a bit longer?”
“It’s still my watch, technically,” you point out. “Shouldn’t you be the one sleeping for the last bit?”
Wren shakes her head. “I’m still hyped up from that battle,” she says. “And I’m used to running on little sleep, anyway. You go back to sleep.”
“Okay,” you relent. You sit beside Wren, lean back, and shut your eyes.
It feels like mere seconds later that Wren nudges you awake. “C’mon,” she whispers. “Time to go.”
You tuck the rope in your bag, and pull out two sandwiches. You hand one to Wren. “We can eat as we go.”
You don’t talk much, not only to be quiet but also because you’re both tired. You tell Wren when you need to adjust direction, and hope that you’re not too far.
Suddenly, the next time you check, the barrier surrounding the next shard is close. “We’re almost there,” you whisper, and Wren lights up.
“I think I know where we are,” she says. “This is close to a //toam// that I’ve visited.”
“Lead the way,” you say.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveW]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>><<set $threeMaxHealth to 22>><<set $twoMaxHealth to 17>>The creature lunges for your face, leaping off the ground straight up. The other goes for Wren, but you can't focus on helping her. Jurem is quick, helping her pull the creature away. It shrieks, right in your ear, as you finally wrench it away and throw it to the ground. Your face burns with at least a few cuts, and you grit your teeth. <<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth - 2>><<set $twoHealth to $threeMaxHealth>><<set $threeHealth to $threeMaxHealth>>
The monsters scream at the same time, a high-pitched shriek, and then go silent, trembling and staring up at you with large black eyes. You hit fight, and slash downwards<<if $attitude lte 10>>, forgoing aiming for simply using an arrow as a spear<<endif>>. Wren does similar, and the two creatures dissipate into the air.
"Huh," you say. "That was almost--" //Too easy,// you were going to say, but a larger creature moves out from the shadows before you can. It's similar to the large black wolf from earlier, but sharper. It bares its teeth.
"I think you jinxed us," Wren says, then drops back into a fighting position. Jurem stands in between you, hands ready.<<set $opponentmaxhealth to 15>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Jurem’s health is $threeHealth / $threeMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightSixPointTwoWJFL]]>><</button>>The monster, <<if $opponenthealth lt $oppponentmaxhealth>>bleeding from wounds, <<endif>>suddenly backs away. It casts a look between you both, gives a pitiful whine, and then turns and runs back into the trees.
Jurem runs after it for a few paces, then stops. He turns to you both, and Wren stalks up to him. Her eyes are full of lightning, and her movements thunder. “I could have helped more,” she says.
Jurem closes his eyes and doesn’t reply.
“I thought you said this was to see if I could be a half-hunter,” she says. “I can’t prove myself if you keep me in the sidelines.”
“You are right,” Jurem says. “It was merely an instinctive move.”
“You need to let me defend myself,” Wren says.
Jurem nods. “I am sorry. I simply-” He cuts himself off, clears his throat, and says: “I will let you fight. It would be foolish to believe that you could become a half-hunter with me sheltering you at every turn.”
The anger leaves Wren’s face, and she steps back. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
“No, it is a valid anger,” Jurem says. There is a few moments of awkward quiet, before Jurem says, “It is almost dawn. You two should get some more sleep.”
Wren turns back to the tree. “Yeah.” She falls to her feet and curls up with her back facing you both.
“You as well,” Jurem says, looking at you. “I am aware that this was your watch, but I will not be able to return to sleep.”
“Alright,” you say reluctantly, and go to sleep against the tree.
It feels like mere seconds later that Jurem wakes you. “It is time to go,” he says.
He wakes Wren just after you stand and stretch. You open your bag, and pull out three sandwiches. You hand one to Wren and one to Jurem. “We can eat as we go.” They both thank you quietly.
You don’t talk much, not only to be quiet but also because you’re all tired. You tell the others when you need to adjust direction, and hope that you’re not too far.
Suddenly, the next time you check, the barrier surrounding the next shard is close. “We’re almost there,” you whisper, and Wren lights up.
“I think I know where we are,” she says. “This is close to a //toam// that we’ve visited.”
“It is the refugees’ //toam//,” Jurem says, frowning. “I do not like that.”
“Well,” you say, “lead the way.”
[[Continue|PgOneEightFiveWJ]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightSixWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightSixWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>>You keep going, as the sun crests the peak of the sky. Occasionally, you mutter to Ekys to change direction, even just a few degrees to the right.
Not long after that, you check for the Sitynur, and it’s much closer than before. “We’re almost there,” you murmur.
Ekys looks around and tilts their head. “I think I know where we are,” they say. “There’s a //toam// nearby…”
“Do you want to check there?” you ask.
“Yeah,” Ekys says. “Yeah, I do.”
“Lead the way.”
[[Continue|PgOneEightFourE]]You take a few steps back, then drop into a crouch next to Trelop. “Trelop,” you whisper. They don’t stir. “//Trelop,//” you say, more urgently, and then, “there’s a monster.”
Her eyes snap open and she leaps to her feet, hands in front of her, leaning forward. The monster snarls, and she’s looking to you. “Do we run, or do we fight?”
[[Run.|PgOneEightFourFT]]
[[Fight.|PgOneEightFourRT]]“Wren- Wren, up, wake up!” you whisper, leaning down and shaking her shoulder. She mumbles something sleepily. “Monster,” you hiss, closer to her ear, and she snaps up.
“What’s going on?” she asks, clear as day, already leaping to her feet. You jerk your head towards the monster, still steadily stalking towards you, just as she steadies on her feet. She slams the Fight button and charges forward, weapon materializing in her hand. She swings forward, slicing the monster across the chest.
<<set $twoHealth to 20>><<set $twoMaxHealth to 20>><<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponenthealth to 7>>Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightThreeWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightThreeWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set _wwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _wwin to _wwin.random()>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>><<set $twomaxhealth to 17>><<set $twohealth to $twomaxhealth>>Your weapon materializes. Within the moment you're <<if $attitude lte 10>>aiming your bow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>running forward.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>The arrow sinks into the beast's chest and it howls, running forward.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, burrowing into a tree, and the beast swivels towards you.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You slice your weapon forward, and blood blooms from under the monster's fur. It turns towards you, eyes narrowed.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You swing your weapon forward, but the monster shifts out of the way, turning towards you with eyes narrowed.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The creature lunges towards you, teeth grazing your arm before you back away. You wince, holding your arm to your chest.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth -2>><<else>>The creature lunges towards you, but you dodge before its teeth can touch you.<<endif>>
Wren stabs the creature again, on its back, and it turns around again. It snarls, but makes no movement. It's your chance again.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 3>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Wren's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFourWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFourWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>><<set $wren_points to $wren_points - 2>>"Wren," you hiss. "Let's just run. It's faster, we can't waste time fighting it off."
Wren looks at you with an expression torn between disgust and confusion - eyebrows furrowed, mouth twisted. "We can't just let it run free." She pauses. "You can stay back. I'll kill it."
The monster bares its teeth and lunges, and Wren twists out of the way. Her eyes narrow and she grins, leaping forward to stab again.
It's almost like a dance, as Wren dodges and leaps, the monster snarling and biting. You step back, as Wren backs into a tree. The monster gets a lucky hit, teeth grazing her arm, before she slips out of the way and lands another blow on its leg.
The monster falls, releasing a final cry. Wren clutches her arm and backs off.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFourW]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightThreeWF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightThreeWI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWFL]]>><</button>>You step forward, turning on your heel to wake the others. Jurem is already on his feet, hands in front of him. “Don’t wake up Wren,” he hisses. “I’ve got this.”
As he stalks forward towards the beast, you lift your own hands. You’re not letting him fight alone.
<<set $twoHealth to 22>><<set $twoMaxHealth to 22>><<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>>Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Jurem's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightThreeWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightThreeWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>>Your weapon materializes. Within the moment you're <<if $attitude lte 10>>aiming your bow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>running forward.<<endif>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>><<set $twomaxhealth to 22>><<set $twohealth to $twomaxhealth>>
<<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>The arrow sinks into the beast's chest and it howls, running forward.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, burrowing into a tree, and the beast swivels towards you.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You slice your weapon forward, and blood blooms from under the monster's fur. It turns towards you, eyes narrowed.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You swing your weapon forward, but the monster shifts out of the way, turning towards you with eyes narrowed.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The creature lunges towards you, teeth grazing your arm before you back away. You wince, holding your arm to your chest.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>><<else>>The creature lunges towards you, but you dodge before its teeth can touch you.<<endif>>
Jurem casts you an irritated glance<<if _owin is "yes">>, glaring in particular at your wound<<endif>>. “Stand down, $player_name,” he tells you, swinging forward with his spear and easily stabbing the monster.
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Jurem's health is $twoHealth / $twoMaxHealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightFourWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightFourWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>><<set $wren_points to $wren_points - 1>>You look to Jurem. “We have to flee,” you say. “Let’s wake up Wren and go.”
Jurem gives you an odd look. “You should stay back,” he says. “I will take care of this. I cannot let this monster live.”
You stand back, closer to Wren, and Jurem easily pushes forward into battle. The monster lunges forward, teeth bared, but Jurem merely dips out of the way. He spins and weaves, cutting along the monster’s side with his spear. It's almost like a dance, as Jurem dodges and leaps, the monster snarling and biting.
The monster lands closer to where you wait and Wren sleeps. Wren wakes with a start, on her feet before you can blink. Jurem casts her a sharp look, and when Wren moves forward anyway, he snaps, "Stay back. That is an order, Wren."
Between the two of them, it’s not long until the monster falls.
[[Continue|PgOneEightFourWJ]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightThreeWJF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightThreeWJI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightThreeWJFL]]>><</button>>“My sister has vanished into one of the many worlds,” you say. “I need to find her. She’s- she’s all I have left of my family.
“We have our father, of course, but he was always more concerned about his research. He wanted Sitynur, to travel the worlds. I never really knew his motivations… whether he wanted to investigate, out of curiosity, or out of greed for wealth or power.
“Whatever it was, it doesn’t matter. He’s gone now. He’s fallen into some world or another, and he doesn’t have a piece of Sitynur to guide me to him. He might be dead, for all I know.
“But, $sister_name… She’s my older sister. She almost raised me. She is always, always there for me. I find it ironic, now, that the thing that kept our father away from us is what is keeping us away from each other.”
Ekys is quiet for a long time. Finally, they say, “I’m sorry for doubting you.”
When you pause to eat, Ekys elbows you sharply. You look up, mouth full of some sweet fruit, and they point to a monster, low to the ground, gaze sweeping back and forth.
You swallow, placing your bag silently on the ground, and stand, hands ready. Only, this time, it doesn’t see you. It walks right past, either ignoring you or not taking an interest. Either way, neither you nor Ekys move until you’re certain that it’s gone.
“That’s… odd,” Ekys murmurs.
“It’s almost like it was looking for something,” you add.
Uneasily, you continue on.
[[Continue|PgOneEightThreeE]]You don’t dream. Perhaps that is for the best.
“Hey, $player_name. Your watch.”
You shift sleepily, blinking awake. Confusion flares, before you recognize Trelop crouched beside you, gently shaking your shoulder. “Your watch,” they repeat, and you remember where you are.
“Right,” you whisper, moving your bag to your side and getting to your feet. Trelop takes your place, adjusting to the most comfortable position. “I’ll wake you up at dawn,” you say, and she nods, eyes already closing.
It’s dark, though the moon is half full. Your eyes barely pierce through the shadows, and you can’t even see the stream. Your Sitynur glows dimly, but not bright enough to see by. You pull it out from your shirt and press one hand over it. It warms beneath your touch.
How many more worlds will you have to travel to complete it?
How much longer until you see $sister_name again?
Nearby footsteps snap you out of your musings. Not human footsteps, they’re too heavy and loud. Your hands go to your waist, only to remember which world you’re in and instead move them in front of you. You look into the trees, straining to see anything.
It’s only when the footsteps get dangerously close that you see the blazing blue eyes of a monster. You hold your breath, praying that Trelop doesn’t snore, hoping that it’ll leave you alone. The other one did - what motive would this one have to attack you?
Its blue eyes lock on yours, and it changes directions.
[[Continue|PgOneEightThreeT]]You don’t dream. Perhaps that is for the best.
“$player_name. $player_name, wake up.”
You shift sleepily, and a particularly pointed piece of bark digs into your back. You jolt awake. “Huh-?”
“Your watch,” Wren whispers, and you remember where you are.
“Right,” you reply, climbing to your feet. You stretch, your back already sore. “I’ll wake you up at dawn.”
Wren nods and settles against the tree trunk. Her breathing evens out and you start glancing around the area.
It’s dark, the moonlight barely piercing the forest canopy. Your Sitynur glows dimly, but not enough to see by. You pull it out, tracing the edges, almost by habit. It grows warm under your fingers.
How many more worlds will you have to travel to complete it?
How much longer until you see $sister_name again?
Footsteps, nearby. You straighten, eyes straining for anything lurking in the shadows. It’s only when the loud footsteps get closer that you see it.
Its cyan eyes glimmer in the dark, and the black fur hiding it makes its eyes even more stark. Your hands reach for a weapon that isn’t there, then float in front of you, ready to hit //fight.// Maybe, you think, maybe it’ll leave you alone like the other one did.
But then those glowing eyes lock on you, and it changes directions.
[[Continue|PgOneEightThreeW]]You don’t dream. Perhaps that is for the best.
“$player_name. $player_name, wake up.”
You shift sleepily. “Huh-?”
“Your watch,” Wren whispers, and you remember where you are. Wren leans over you, and Jurem sleeps soundly at the base of the tree, head bowed and back leaning against the trunk.
“Right,” you reply, getting to your feet and stretching. “I’ll wake you and Jurem up at dawn.”
Wren nods and sits, settling in quickly. Her breathing evens out and you stand leaning against the tree, away from the other two, and glance around the area. It’s dark, the moonlight barely piercing the forest canopy. Your Sitynur glows dimly, but not enough to see by. You pull it out, tracing the edges, almost by habit. It grows warm under your fingers.
How many more worlds until the Sitynur is complete?
How long until you see $sister_name again?
Footsteps, nearby. You straighten, eyes straining for anything lurking in the shadows. It’s only when the thundering footsteps get closer that you see it.
Its cyan eyes glimmer in the dark, and the black fur hiding it makes its eyes even more stark. Your hands reach for a weapon that isn’t there, then float in front of you, ready to hit //fight.// Maybe, you think, maybe it’ll leave you alone like the other one did.
But then those glowing eyes lock on you, and it switches directions.
[[Continue|PgOneEightThreeWJ]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>><<set $twomaxhealth to 16>><<set $twohealth to $twomaxhealth>>Your weapon materializes. Within the moment you're <<if $attitude lte 10>>aiming your bow.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>running forward.<<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>The arrow sinks into the beast's chest and it howls, running forward.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, burrowing into a tree, and the beast swivels towards you.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You slice your weapon forward, and blood blooms from under the monster's fur. It turns towards you, eyes narrowed.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You swing your weapon forward, but the monster shifts out of the way, turning towards you with eyes narrowed.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The creature lunges towards you, teeth grazing your arm before you back away. You wince, holding your arm to your chest.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>><<else>>The creature lunges towards you, but you dodge before its teeth can touch you.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You steady your hands, and you nock an arrow. You let go, and it sails into the monster's fur, and it growls. It takes a step towards you.<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>You steady your hands, and you nock an arrow. You let go, and it misses. It takes a step towards you.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You tighten your grip on your weapon and run forward, stabbing the creature easily.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You tighten your grip on your weapon and slip in the mud, giving the monster enough time to move out of the way. It takes a step towards you.<<endif>><<if _pwin is "yes">><<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>>
<<if _pwin is "yes">>The monster bares its teeth and leaps at you, giving you barely any time to react.<<endif>> <<if _owin is "yes" and _pwin is "yes">>You don't move in time, and it tosses you against a tree.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 1>><<endif>><<if _owin is "no" and _pwin is "yes">>You move just in time, and the monster slams into a tree behind you.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth -1>><<endif>><<if _pwin is "no">>The monster snarls and moves closer towards you.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth lt 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>><<endif>>Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightZeroPointTwoEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightZeroPointTwoEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEFL]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightOneE]]<<endif>>You turn to Ekys. "We should run," you say, dodging the monster's bite. "It's so large--"
Ekys cuts you off. "Got it. Quick." They drop down from the tree, both bags hanging on an arm. You run, darting around the monster. It lunges after you both, but you are quicker than its lumbering form.
Ekys throws you a bag, and you catch it. You keep running, waiting for the monster's heavy footsteps to fade. When they do, you slow, and then come to a stop.
You close your eyes and feel for the Sitynur. "We're almost there," you say softly. Then a short laugh. "Somehow, we're closer than before."Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEFL]]>><</button>>The monster <<if $opponenthealth lt $opponentmaxhealth>>is stumbling, blue eyes still boring into you.<<else>>is steady on its feet, eyes still boring into you.<<endif>> <<if $attitude lte 10>>You raise and fire another arrow, it hitting right on target. <<else>>You slash with your weapon, hitting right on target.<<endif>> It makes a grunt of pain, and then starts moving towards... not you. Now, it's headed towards Ekys.
Ekys leaps up to a higher branch just as it lunges. They swing downwards, a heavy rock in their hand, and hits the monster in the head. It falls to the ground, and you take the chance to land another blow. It whines, backing up from the both of you.
The monster, <<if $opponenthealth lt $oppponentmaxhealth>>bleeding from wounds, <<endif>>suddenly backs away. It casts a look between you both, gives a pitiful whine, and then turns and runs back into the trees.
You and Ekys stare at each other for a moment, before Ekys drops down from the tree.
"Well," they say. "That was odd." They drop the rock to the ground.
"Can't you fight using a normal weapon?" you ask. "Even if the magical ones don't work."
Ekys scoffs. "No one would teach me. 'It's worthless,' they said. 'Just be a healer and let //us hunters// protect you."
"Couldn't you try anyway, and prove them wrong?"
Ekys pauses. "I do like making things," they say, "so I don't mind being a healer. But... you're right."
[[Continue|PgOneEightOneE]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightZeroPointThreeEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightZeroPointThreeEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEFL]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>><<set _owin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _owin to _owin.random()>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You aim an arrow and fire, easily hitting the beast's face. It disappears in a shower of sparks, but the wound remains.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10 and _pwin is "no">>Your arrow misses, disappearing once it hits the ground.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "yes">>You dart forward, landing a hit. The monster snarls, baring white fangs.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and _pwin is "no">>You dart forward, yet miss, the monster easily moving away.<<endif>>
<<if _owin is "yes">>The monster leaps at you, teeth slitting your clothes. Blue blood blooms, staining the thin cloth, and you hiss.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth -2>><<else>>The monster leaps at you, and you quickly move out of the way. The monster bares its teeth.<<endif>>
Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth lt 0>><<set $opponenthealth to 0>><<endif>>Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth.
<<if $opponenthealth gt 0>><<button [[Fight|PgOneEightZeroPointThreeEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightZeroPointThreeEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEFL]]>><</button>><<else>>[[Continue|PgOneEightOneE]]<<endif>>Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
You also have some food, water, etc.
<<button [[Fight|PgOneEightZeroPointTwoEF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneEightZeroPointTwoEI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneEightZeroPointOneEFL]]>><</button>>You walk in silence for a while, drawn closer by the memories you’ve shared. There’s no need to speak. You both keep your eyes open for monsters, and you make sure that you stay on track to the Sitynur.
Trelop grabs your arm and you stop, looking to her. She puts a finger to her lips and gestures to the left. You don’t see anything for a moment, but then you spot it: a monster, stalking through the trees. Its gaze sweeps back and forth, but it doesn’t see you. It thunders through the trees, and it’s only when its sounds have faded that you remember to breathe.
“I can’t believe it didn’t see us,” Trelop whispers.
“It looks like it was searching for something,” you notice softly.
You continue on, uneasily.
[[Continue|PgOneEightOneT]]“We have our father, of course,” you continue, “but he was always so focused on the Sitynur, on his search to find it, as well as his normal job. She’s my older sister. She almost raised me. I find it ironic, now, that the thing that kept our father away from us is what is keeping us away from each other.
“She’s always there for me, you know? There was a time I failed some test or another - it’s been too long to remember exactly - and our father yelled at me and retreated to his study. $sister_name made me a snack and helped me to review the material for next time. She actually cared to help; my father,” you finish bitterly, “just wanted me to //do better.//”
Wren is quiet for a long time. Eventually she says, “I think I get it.”
You keep going, as the sun crests the peak of the sky. Occasionally, you mutter to Wren to change direction, even just a few degrees to the right.
Wren thrusts her arm out in front of you and makes a gesture that you guess means ‘quiet.’ You look up ahead, and a monster stalks just nearby, sweeping its gaze back and forth. You both hold your breath as it passes, not seeming to spot the two of you.
You wait a moment longer after it leaves. “That was weird,” Wren whispers eventually.
“It’s almost like it was looking for something,” you note softly.
Uneasily, you continue on.
[[Continue|PgOneEightOneW]]“We have our father, of course,” you continue, “but he was always so focused on the Sitynur, on his search to find it, as well as his normal job. She’s my older sister. She almost raised me. I find it ironic, now, that the thing that kept our father away from //us// is what is now keeping us away from //each other//.”
“She’s always there for me, you know? There was a time I failed some test or another - it’s been too long to remember exactly - and our father yelled at me and retreated to his study. $sister_name, on the other hand, made me a snack and helped me to review the material for next time. She actually cared to help; my father,” you finish bitterly, “just wanted me to //do better.//”
Wren is quiet for a long time. Eventually she says, “I’m an only child, so I’ve never had a sibling. But I think I get it.”
Jurem speaks, making you jump. You had almost forgotten that he was there. “I believe I understand why you are doing this,” he says. “I… had a sister.” He lets the words hang, and you notice the past tense. You and Wren exchange a silent look, but neither of you question him further.
You keep going, as the sun crests the peak of the sky. Occasionally, you mutter to the others to change direction, even just a few degrees to the right.
At one point, Wren thrusts her arm out in front of you and makes a gesture that you guess means ‘quiet.’ You look up ahead, and a monster stalks just nearby, sweeping its gaze back and forth. You hold your breath as it passes, yet it doesn’t seem to spot the three of you.
You wait a moment longer after it leaves. “That was weird,” Wren whispers eventually.
“Odd behaviour for a monster,” Jurem adds. “We need to be careful.”
“It’s almost like it was looking for something,” you note softly.
Uneasily, you continue on.
[[Continue|PgOneEightOneWJ]]<<if $previous is "PgOneFiveSevenTN">>Wren bounds up, grinning at the two of you. Jurem nods at her.
<<endif>>There’s a group of older hunters grouped together ahead, discussing quietly. One of them, an older woman, glances back and spots Jurem. She beckons him over, and he pauses.
“Stay here, you two,” he says firmly. “Or — just do not follow. This is an important conversation, and you will find out the decision soon enough.”
He walks away, joining the group as they head towards Emery's hut. Their conversation is of swift, quiet words, and everyone else is busy being healed or healing or assessing damage of the outside walls.
You and Wren share a glance.
<<if $decisionmaking gte 11>>You take a step forward, but Wren grabs your arm. “Hey,” you mutter, and she shakes her head.
“We have to be sneaky about this,” she says. “This way.”<<else>>Wren links her arm with yours and cheerfully starts to pull you along. “Where are we going?” you ask.
“Certainly not to eavesdrop,” she says lightly, and your eyes widen.
“Oh,” you reply, and she grins.<<endif>>
You head to the front of camp, where Trelop and others are checking on the walls and entrances. “Hey, Trelop,” Wren calls, and Trelop turns. Her dreads are pulled into a loose bun, and she already looks tired.
“Hey, Wren,” Trelop replies, and Wren lets go of you and wraps Trelop in a hug. She leans close to their ear and whispers something, and Trelop’s eyes widen. Then she sighs and whispers something back. Wren presses a kiss to their cheek and pulls away.
“Just us for now,” she tells you. “Come on, this way.”
You walk along the wall, Wren tracing the wood with a hand. Finally she stops, and steps closer to the hut. You follow, and lean in to listen.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveNine]]<big><b>Chapter Eight</b></big>
<<if $disposition lte 12>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 2>><<endif>><<if $attitute gte 14>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 2>><<endif>><<if $mental gte 14>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 2>><<endif>><<if $makingdecisions gte 10>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 2>><<endif>>You sit up in bed, and hear the shifting of fabric as others around you do the same. There’s a pause, a moment of hesitation: Did you mishear?
Then you hear footsteps outside, and the yelling of orders. You all scramble out of bed, quickly changing. In the dark, you can’t see anything, so there’s no bothering hiding. After more normal clothes are put on, you find Wren, Trelop, and Ekys.
“Are we going out?” you whisper, and fabric shifts as someone presumably nods, then realizes you can’t see.
“I am,” Wren confirms.
“I’ve always got extra medical supplies on me,” Ekys whispers.
“I don’t want to stay in here,” Trelop says. Trainees are quickly exiting the hut now, and Wren urges your group forward with her.
Outside, torches and the moon and the glow of weapons reveal the scene. Monsters snarl and attack directly outside of the //toam//. Trelop lifts a hand to her mouth and runs in the opposite direction. You glance after her, but Ekys shakes their head.
“They’re going to help somewhere else,” they say. “I’m going to find my mentor.” Ekys disappears into the dark.
“Let’s go help,” Wren says. <<if $disposition gte 12>>You nod immediately.<<else>>You hesitate.<<endif>>
“Absolutely not,” says a familiar voice from behind you. Jurem. “$player_name has no training.”
“Yeah, but I do,” Wren argues.
“Hardly.”
“Fine. We’ll go back to the hut and let you all fend for yourselves.”
Jurem pauses and sighs heavily. “You have to be careful-”
“Yep! Understood!” Wren rushes into the fight without listening to another word.
You can feel Jurem’s gaze on you, even without the moonlight illuminating his face. “There’s a place where they’re gathering those who can’t fight. Deeper in the //toam//. Go there.”
You nod, and he’s off, his red spear materializing as soon as he’s close enough to fight.
[[You listen to him.|PgOneFiveSixL]]
[[You don’t.|PgOneFiveSixI]]When you return, you make a beeline to what Wren tells you is the healer’s hut. You sit on a bench while Ekys bandages you up. Their mentor, who’s name is Tok, is dealing with Jurem, who has worse injuries. Jurem is muttering curses the entire time, completely out of character. From what you can glean, he’s angry that he slipped up and let himself get injured.
You can’t stop thinking about the blue blood. It’s wrong. Why? What had happened to you? If it was the cyan of Sitynur, you might think it was because you had been using it too much.
Speaking of the Sitynur, it’s no help. //Everyone here has blue blood,// it says. //It’s just the way of things.// If you weren’t sure that it wasn’t sentient, you might think it was mocking you.
That night, you settle down to bed and try to forget about it. You’re not going to get answers anytime soon, so you might as well try to sleep.
In the middle of the night, you awaken to a scream.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveFive]]“-truly am sorry for intruding—” It’s an unfamiliar man’s voice. Wren pulls you closer, and gestures for you to peek between the wood. The man speaking has long hair, reaching halfway down his back.
“It’s no problem,” Emery interrupts. There’s a mutter from one of the younger men of the group, and Emery shoots him a swift glare. “However, we do need to understand… what, exactly, happened?”
“We think it’s because of the stranger who appeared,” a second man says, putting his hand on the first man’s shoulder. “He was… odd. He had dark, curly hair, and his smile was too wide. He played his flute and the monsters would respond. He wore a twisted crown with a blue crystal that glowed.”
Your hand creeps up to your own necklace. Wren glances at you, and her expression says she will have some questions for you later.
“Controls the monsters? Impossible,” an older person says, their voice soft.
“We thought the same,” the second man says, “yet there is no other explanation for how he did what he did.”
“And what exactly //did// he do?” someone else asks.
“He tore apart our home,” the first man snaps. “He killed our friends. He-” he coughs, and there’s a potential sob underneath. The second man rubs the first man’s arm.
“So we plead to you, let us stay awhile. Our //toam// has been destroyed, so we have nowhere to return to. We can help repair the damage to the walls, and do whatever jobs need to be done. We only request a place to stay,” the second man says.
“Council, what do you think?” Emery asks, turning to the rest of the group. There’s a few murmured words, before the younger man who muttered near the beginning speaks up.
“I say no,” he says. “They’ve led the monsters to our //toam,// and now there is a good chance of the stranger, as they call him, finding //us//.”
“That may be true,” the soft-voice person says. “Yet that is also true even if we kick them out. I say we allow them to stay.”
“If they stay, we have more hands to assist,” Jurem says. “Therefore, if they do bring a threat, we have more people to extinguish it.”
“More hands to assist, but more mouths to feed. They are not our problem.”
Emery waves her hand for silence. “Let us vote. All in favour, raise your hand.”
Only two of the group of seven do not raise their hands. The two men of the new group relax visibly.
“We thank you greatly,” second man says.
“It is nothing, Tolh,” Emery replies. “Get settled in. There are people who have offered their homes.”
The first man and Tolh bow deeply, before leaving the hut.
“Council dismissed,” Emery announces, and the group exits the hut. Emery remains, sinks in her chair, and sighs deeply. You and Wren pull away from the walls and creep back to the front of camp.
[[Continue|PgOneSixZero]]<<set $wren_points to $wren_points - 1>>“Maybe you’re right,” Wren sighs.
“Oh, don’t look so sad,” Trelop laughs. She leans closer to Wren’s face and you quickly glance away.
Until the sun reaches its peak, you talk with Wren and Trelop. They answer a bunch of your questions. There are other //toams//, and they’re friendly with a few of the neighboring ones. It’s rare that people make the trip to visit each other, though. The communities are pretty isolated for the most part. It’s not unheard of, though, and many trainees move to other //toams// when finishing their training.
“I won’t leave, though,” Wren says. She considers for a moment, then looks at Trelop. “Unless you’re going to.”
Trelope smiles. “Not if you don’t.”
The monsters have been around for as long as living memory, Trelop tells you. Wren thinks that they didn’t //always// exist, that once upon a time humans didn’t have to worry about being constantly hunted, but Trelop said that theory didn’t have any evidence.
Wren was going to start telling you about the festival they were discussing the night before, but Jurem suddenly approaches.
“There’s been a change of plans,” he says. “The patrol who was going to leave at noon no longer can. I volunteered to go instead. $player_name, this will be helpful to see what is expected when we go on patrols.”
Wren leans closer to Trelop then pulls away. “Alright, let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgOneFiveTwo]]<<set $wren_points to $wren_points + 1>>Wren beams. “See, Trelop?”
“Ah, alright,” she says, relenting. They lean closer to Wren’s face and you quickly glance away.
Until the sun reaches its peak, you talk with Wren and Trelop. They answer a bunch of your questions. There are other //toams//, and they’re friendly with a few of the neighboring ones. It’s rare that people make the trip to visit each other, though. The communities are pretty isolated for the most part. It’s not unheard of, though, and many trainees move to other //toams// when finishing their training.
“I won’t leave, though,” Wren says. She considers for a moment, then looks at Trelop. “Unless you’re going to.”
Trelope smiles. “Not if you don’t.”
The monsters have been around for as long as living memory, Trelop tells you. Wren thinks that they didn’t //always// exist, that once upon a time humans didn’t have to worry about being constantly hunted, but Trelop said that theory didn’t have any evidence.
Wren was going to start telling you about the festival they were discussing the night before, but Jurem suddenly approaches.
“There’s been a change of plans,” he says. “The patrol who was going to leave at noon no longer can. I volunteered to go instead. $player_name, this will be helpful to see what is expected when we go on patrols.”
Wren leans closer to Trelop then pulls away. “Alright, let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgOneFiveTwo]]<<set $opponentmaxhealth to 5>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>>Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth
<<button [[Fight|PgOneFiveSevenFF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneFiveSevenFI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneFiveSevenFFl]]>><</button>><<set $playermaxhealth to $playermaxhealth + 1>>The monster falls, and when you glance up, the others are crumbling to dust as well. Fighters are limping away, heading to the healers hut, and some people assessing the damage to houses and the walls. They don’t look very pleased.
Jurem is walking back, dragging Wren by the elbow. Wren has a giant grin and a cut across her cheek. Jurem is muttering irritably. His eyes catch yours and he stops, narrows his eyes, and then marches over to you.
“You’re just as bad as this one.<<if $fighting is "no">> You can’t even fight!<<endif>>”
“I handled myself,” you argue, and he just shuts his eyes and sighs.
“Come on, to the healers’ hut,” is his reply, and you follow along.
“It was so cool,” Wren whispers to you.
“Not a word,” Jurem snaps, and Wren just grins wider.
You step into the healers’ hut and quickly notice Ekys’s absence. Still, there are a couple other healers, flitting around and applying bandages and the like. One particularly wounded fighter was clenching her teeth as an older man stitched her wound with a needle.
A woman approaches, glancing over you three. You recognize her as Tok, Ekys’s mentor. Wren asks where they are before you do.
“They’re helping the refugees, they’ll be back later. Go sit over there, your injuries aren’t serious. Except for you, Jurem, you’ve torn open that cut again.” She beckons him to a cot nearby and Wren turns to join those with only minor injuries. You follow her.
After a few minutes, a trainee arrives with bandages. “Will I have a scar?” Wren asks excitedly.
The trainee chuckles. “Probably not.” Wren shrugs and holds still as the trainee presses the white bandage over the thin cut. They bandage you. “All set,” they say cheerfully. “You can leave now.”
You nod and thank them before heading out, Wren close behind.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveEight]]You gasp and stumble back, as the edges of your vision flash. Your health is at one. One more hit and you're done, you lose. Your sister lost forever, with no idea what happened to you. Just because you lept into battle without thinking.
Someone leaps in front of you and slashes at the monster, and it dissipates immediately. She glances back and you recognize Wren.
"Go to the healers," she says. "We can deal with the rest of them."
[[Continue|PgOneFiveSixL]]<<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>>The buttons fade and the stone falls in your hand. A weapon forms, a glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>> <<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
You smile at your new weapon and <<if $attitude lte 10>>draw back and aim.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>dart forward.<<endif>> <<if _pwin is "no">>Of course, using a new weapon will always be difficult. You fumble and miss, the monster unscathed.<<else>>The hit lands, and dust scatters, yet the monster is still standing.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>>
The monster snarls and lunges forward. Its jaws clamp on your ankle and you shout before pulling away.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>>
[[Continue|PgFight]]You have a chance now, and that is fleeing. The monster is waiting for you to make a move.
It's bigger than you thought, on second glance, and those teeth could cause some serious damage... You can't die before you even find your sister. You turn on your heel and run back into the camp. A cowardly move, however, but at least you aren't under any threat.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveSixL]]Your glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
<<button [[Fight|PgFight]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneFiveSevenFI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneFiveSevenFFl]]>><</button>>You decide against it, and merely shrug. “Sort of,” you reply, and Plar glances curiously at you but doesn’t comment.
“Hey, $player_name,” Trelop says, sitting down beside you. “Sei - my mentor - told me to wait here. Who’s this?”
“I’m Plar,” Plar replies. “I think we’re hoping that we can take shelter here until we rebuild our //toam//.”
“Oh, you’re part of that group? What happened?”
“Someone came and brought the monsters with them. I don’t know.” Plar curls into themself slightly.
“Oh,” Trelop says. She pauses and thinks for a moment. “Well, they’ll get rid of the monsters, and then you can go back home!”
”They let them //directly// into the //toam//. It was mostly destroyed. I don’t—” Plar takes a shuddering breath and Trelop moves around you to offer them a hug.
Plar calms down after a minute and pulls away. “Sorry,” they say, wiping their face. “I’m just worried. My dad stayed back to fight.”
<<if $mental lte 12>>“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” you say. Plar nods, not looking at you.<<else>>Plar sniffs and Trelop rubs their shoulder.<<endif>>
Jurem steps into the room, a small torch illuminating his face. “The monsters have fled,” he announces. “It is safe to come out - in fact, recommended, in order to find where you can stay for the night. Several people have offered, so there should be enough for all of you.” He pauses, gaze searching, and then stops on you. “$player_name,” he calls, quieter. “Come on.”
[[Continue|PgOneFiveEight]]“I’m not from any //toam//, actually,” you correct, and Robyn raises an eyebrow. “It’s a long story.”
“Hey, $player_name,” Trelop says, sitting down beside you. “Sei - my mentor - told me to wait here. Who’s this?”
“I’m Plar,” Plar replies. “I think we’re hoping that we can take shelter here until we rebuild our //toam//.”
“Oh, you’re part of that group? What happened?”
“Someone came and brought the monsters with them. I don’t know.” Plar curls into themself slightly.
“Oh,” Trelop says. She pauses and thinks for a moment. “Well, they’ll get rid of the monsters, and then you can go back home!”
”They let them //directly// into the //toam//. It was mostly destroyed. I don’t—” Plar takes a shuddering breath and Trelop moves around you to offer them a hug.
Plar calms down after a minute and pulls away. “Sorry,” they say, wiping their face. “I’m just worried. My dad stayed back to fight.”
<<if $mental lte 12>>“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” you say. Plar nods, not looking at you.<<else>>Plar sniffs and Trelop rubs their shoulder.<<endif>>
Jurem steps into the room, a small torch illuminating his face. “The monsters have fled,” he announces. “It is safe to come out - in fact, recommended, in order to find where you can stay for the night. Several people have offered, so there should be enough for all of you.” He pauses, gaze searching, and then stops on you. “$player_name,” he calls, quieter. “Come on.”
[[Continue|PgOneFiveEight]]You decide to ignore Jurem. You double back, and then once he’s out of sight, run back towards the battle.
A smaller monster - a child, if you had to guess - breaks out of the group and lunges at you. It bites your arm and you yelp, but then it backs off and you realize you have to start the fight.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveSevenF]]You find a hunter that you don’t know the name of ushering those unable to fight towards a hut. “That way,” they tell you, pointing. You head inside and can make out at least ten people. Four children, two elderly, and six others. It’s quiet, so you can hear the shouts of battle outside.
You sit down next to someone you don’t recognize, but then again, you don’t really know anyone here. They could be from here or one of those who ran into camp.
“Do you know what’s going on?” you whisper.
“They invaded our //toam//,” they reply. “Someone came and sang, and they stormed in. We couldn’t hold them off. We had…” they hesitate, and you wonder if you shouldn’t have asked. “We just ran.”
“Oh,” you reply.
“I’m Plar. What’s your name?” they ask. “And what //toam// is this?”
“Oh, I’m $player_name. And this is… uh…” you scramble to remember.
“The Klin //toam//,” Ekys says. You glance up, and they nod at you. “$player_name is new here. Do any of you have injuries?” A few people murmur and Ekys moves away to help.
“So, you’re new too?” Plar asks. “I heard there were a few //toams// that had to evacuate…”
You hesitate. Do you tell them you’re not from a //toam//?
[[You do.|PgOneFiveSevenTY]]
[[You don’t.|PgOneFiveSevenTN]]<<set $jurem_points to $jurem_points + 2>>You jump down from the tree and the buttons appear as soon as you hit the ground. You hit fight immediately, and – nothing happens.
“What are you doing?” Jurem demands. His breathing is uneven. “You do not have a weapon.”
Well, that’s fine. You can still distract it.
Its eyes are narrowed, staring at you, //waiting.// You lunge forward, reaching for its face, and dig your nails into its flesh and eyes. It howls in pain and you fall, hitting the ground. It reaches down and tries to bite, but you pull your leg back and its teeth only scrape you. You see the paw coming and scramble away.
“Get out of here,” Jurem snaps, up on his feet and moving forward. He hits //fight// and stabs the monster’s paw.
You realize that instead of blood, it’s crumbling to dust. With one foot decaying, it falls, and can only bite at air.
“There!” Wren’s voice cries out, and a sharp purple arrow buries itself in the monster’s black fur. Then another, and another, and slowly the beast dissipates in the wind.
Jurem falls, blood spilling onto the ground. It’s blue, and glancing down at your leg you realize that your blood is as well.
That’s wrong. You know it’s wrong. It’s //red//, it’s always been red. Somehow, you know this is the Sitynur’s fault.
“Let’s get you back to the //toam,//” the woman who Wren brought says, and you nod.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveFour]]You just watch, as Jurem gets knocked down again. This time, though, he manages to stab the creature’s foot. It crumbles away to dust, and the monster falls. It snaps at empty air.
Two purple arrows pierce its side, and it completely disintegrates. A woman and Wren rush forward, the woman going to help Jurem, and Wren looking up at you.
“Do you need help getting down?” she calls, and you shake your head, quickly climbing down yourself.
The blood spilling from Jurem’s leg is blue, and you stop yourself from making a confused comment. That’s probably how it is here.
“We need to get you to Fron,” the woman says. She glances at you and says, “You, too.”
You look down and notice a few cuts from the tree. That isn’t the surprising part, though: it’s the blue blood that’s trickling down.
That’s wrong. You know it’s wrong. It’s //red//, it’s always been red. Somehow, you know this is the Sitynur’s fault.
You swallow and nod at the woman.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveFour]]You leave the camp and set out on the trails. This time, you take a different route, Jurem still giving instructions on how to be quieter, how to remember which turns to take.
Suddenly, Jurem halts, and you remember the monster from yesterday. You glance around, and then you hear it.
Faintly, but getting stronger, there’s a sound of crunching. Someone– some//thing//– walking steadily towards you.
Three buttons pop up in front of you, floating in the air. The others have their own set. Fight, Inventory, and Flee.
While you’re inspecting the new buttons, you notice the others’ gazes on you. Or, more specifically, just above your head. You meet Wren’s eyes, and her skin is a pale, ashy brown. You feel breathing on the back of your neck, and then a soft growl. Jurem whispers, softly: “Flee.” Wren presses the button slowly, then glares at you for a moment until you do the same.
Several things happen all at once. Wren lunges forward and grabs your arm. She yanks you off the path, then up a tree. From there, you can see the massive creature. It’s giant, with black fur, and four gleaming red eyes. Its teeth glint in the sunlight. A dohi. Jurem leaps forward, the green outline of a sword materializing in his hands, and he cuts across the monster’s face. It howls and the sword disappears from Jurem’s hands. He backs up, dodging the monster’s first attack. He doesn’t spot the paw swiping towards his legs, though, and falls.
Wren curses and looks at you. “Stay here. If it–” she swallows— “kills Jurem, run in that direction.” She points.
“Where are you going?”
“To get help.” And with that, she jumps down from the tree and breaks into a run.”
Jurem is injured, but the monster doesn’t attack further. It steps back, and waits. Jurem drags himself to his feet, selects a button, and the sword returns to his hand. He swings and merely shears off some of the monster’s fur. You see his mouth move but can’t tell what he says.
The monster steps forward when his sword dissipates and you know <<if $attitude gte 15 and $mental lt 12>>you have to do something. You can’t just watch him– lose the fight.
<<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $mental lt 12>>[[Continue|PgOneFiveThreeB]]<<else>>you can’t do anything. You don’t know enough to fight, and you likely would just hinder Jurem.
[[Continue|PgOneFiveThreeC]]<<endif>>“What are the monsters, exactly?” you ask.
“They’re…” Wren frowns. “They vary. Sometimes tall, thin, grey; other times black and furry. There are multiple species, but all that matters is that they hunt us. They hunt in these forests, but as long as we stay quiet, live far away from their main congregation points, and are ready to fight, we’ll be fine. Well, usually. Occasionally… Um, well, you can’t be prepared for any scenario.”
After a pause, she blinks and smiles broadly. “Do you want something to eat before we continue? I’m starving.”
“Oh, uh, sure,” you agree. You wonder how many people die to these monsters. You wonder how many people have missing parents and siblings and friends.
Wren leads you to the long table, where people are eating breakfast, and you try to push these thoughts away. She grabs some fruit from the table and hands some to you. “Spiralfruit! Usually enough by itself to get me to lunch. If you don’t like it, I’ll gladly finish it.” She grins.
It’s thin and long. It feels like a particularly thick stick in your hand, rough and stiff. Wren shows you how to peel off the cover, and it peels in a tight, spiralling shape.
“That’s how it got its name,” Wren explains. “That, and– go on, take a bite!”
It tastes sweet, almost overly so. It’s soft, contrasting the rough exterior, and there’s a faint taste of orange. When you glance at the fruit with the bite taken out of it, you notice there’s a tiny orange spiral that goes all the way through the fruit. Your eyes widen and Wren grins again.
“It’s so cool, isn’t it? My favorite food.”
“I thought that your favorite food was my mama’s grenborr,” Trelop says, resting their head on Wren’s shoulder. Wren jumps and spins, then gives Trelop a kiss on the cheek.
“You scared me,” she pouts, “And besides, you can have //multiple// favorite foods. Right, $player_name?”
[[“Right.”|PgOneFiveOneR]]
[[“I don’t think it works like that.”|PgOneFiveOneN]]The next day, when you wake up, the first thing you do is question where you are. When you remember that, you move quickly to the next thought: How to find the Sitynur.
You’ll have to leave. But you’re sure your disappearance will be noticed, and the others knew the woods much better than you did. Your best bet is to learn the paths, keep sensing for the Sitynur, and eventually find it and leave. But how would you escape without being noticed? You’d have to leave during the night, and with the monsters around, you’re not sure you want to risk it.
You have to stay in the //toam// a little bit longer. Learn the basics of this world, then use them to leave.
You get out of bed and get dressed. You’re not the first one awake: several trainees have already left, including Ekys. Wren and Trelop are still asleep.
You sit on your bed, wondering if you should wake Wren up, or go outside and look for Jurem. Or maybe you should just wait in here?
Surely if Wren hadn’t woken up yet, she wasn’t worried about sleeping in– or maybe it was earlier than you thought. So your decision is between waiting here and going outside.
[[Wait here.|PgOneFourNineW]]
[[Go outside.|PgOneFourNineO]]<<set $ekys_points to $ekys_points + 3>>Ekys lights up and reaches under their bed. They pull out a small, clear container, filled with a dark green lotion. They reach for a cane you hadn’t noticed before, walking over to you. They sit on your bunk and unscrew the container before holding it out to you.
You take some lotion. It’s thick and slimy, and smells faintly like seaweed, even though you haven’t seen any ocean. Just acres and acres of trees. You spread it across the bruises, wincing at the slight pressure. It stains your skin slightly green.
“I’m still working on the stain part,” Ekys offers as explanation. “In an hour or so, the bruises should be gone. Hypothetically.”
“Ekys is a healer trainee,” Wren says. “You and I are hunter trainees. There’s also people who aren’t official trainees at all, but are learning skills to keep the //toam// itself safe and… everything.”
“Do you get to choose?” you ask, and Wren and Ekys nod simultaneously.
“I was more interested in helping people directly than dealing with monsters or fixing up parts of the walls that were wearing down,” Ekys says.
“I didn’t really care, but my parents were hunters, so I became one too,” Wren explains.
“Why are there bunks if you’re only a few houses away from your parents?” you ask.
Wren shrugs. “That’s just how it is. We get independence, or something. And some people don't have anywhere else to stay.”
“I’m going to check how close it is to dinner,” Ekys says, reaching for their cane again. They leave the bunks and return after only a moment. “An eighth of a line. Let’s go and get the best seats,” they say, grinning. Wren jumps to her feet and you follow after them both.
[[Continue|PgOneFourSix]]<<set $ekys_points to $ekys_points - 1>>Ekys shrugs. “Ah well, that’s alright. I like messing around with new //concoctions//–” they say the word in a goofy voice, and Wren laughs– “but I know a lot of people don’t like trying experimental things.”
“Ekys is a healer trainee,” Wren says. “You and I are hunter trainees. There’s also people who aren’t official trainees at all, but are learning skills to keep the //toam// itself safe and… everything.”
“Do you get to choose?” you ask, and Wren and Ekys nod simultaneously.
“I was more interested in helping people directly than dealing with monsters or fixing up parts of the walls that were wearing down,” Ekys says.
“I didn’t really care, but my parents were hunters, so I became one too,” Wren explains.
“Why are there bunks if you’re only a few houses away from your parents?” you ask.
Wren shrugs. “That’s just how it is. We get independence, or something. And some people don't have anywhere else to stay.”
“I’m going to check how close it is to dinner,” Ekys says, reaching for their cane again. They leave the bunks and return after only a moment. “An eighth of a line. Let’s go and get the best seats,” they say, grinning. Wren jumps to her feet and you follow after them both.
[[Continue|PgOneFourSix]]You return to the bunks and there are a few more trainees there than before. They glance at you when you enter, and their conversations turn to whispers. You pretend not to hear. Trelop isn’t there, but Ekys is, and it’s them who greets you when you enter.
“Hey, Wren. $player_name.”
“Hello,” you reply.
“Hey, Ekys!” Wren replies cheerfully. She moves towards them, starting a quiet conversation that you can’t make out.
You find a bunk nearby the two of them, shrugging off your //dern// and folding it. You slide it under the bunk, in a box that appears to be for storage. You put your bag in, as well. When you straighten back up, you notice Ekys staring at you with a spark in their eyes that you can’t identify.
“Your arm,” they say when they catch your eye. “You’re bruised.”
You glance down at your arm, bare without the //dern//. Sure enough, there are a few purple bruises. Likely from the amount of times you’ve hit the ground after emerging from the portal. “Oh, yeah.”
“I have an ointment. It should help clear the bruises.” They look hopeful, but quickly add, “It’s experimental, though. If you don’t want to try it, it’s fine. I just, uh—” they laugh. “I haven’t been able to bruise myself to try it out.”
[[Accept.|PgOneFourFiveA]]
[[Decline.|PgOneFourFiveD]]You walk quietly out of the bunks. It’s barely dawn, but a few people are still out and about. A hunter and their trainee return from the woods, exchanging nods with a duo heading out.
You end up wandering towards the table, where some food has been left out for breakfast. You hesitate at the options, and Jurem walks up behind you.
“You are early,” he says. “Is Wren still asleep?”
“I think so,” you reply, and he nods.
“Well, I will give her a little more time to wake up.” He pauses, scanning the table, and lifts a bowl of something that looks similar to oatmeal. He offers it to you. “If you are hungry, I would suggest trying this. It is filling enough. When you are done, put the bowl at the end of the table.”
“Thanks,” you say, taking the bowl, and Jurem nods again. He walks away, leaving you to eat.
You take a few bites, with a spoon that rests inside the bowl. It’s more savory than sweet, and tastes a bit like egg, though the texture is certainly of oatmeal.
Wren and Jurem arrive almost at the same moment that you take the last bite.
Jurem says, “We have no patrols today. We will do official training at noon, but until then, Wren will explain to you about how things work here.”
Wren nods. Jurem wanders off, and she turns to you. “Uh… I don’t know how to explain //everything//, so do you have any questions we could start with?”
[[Continue|PgOneFiveZeroM]]You sit back on your bed and wait, listening to the quiet breathing of the sleeping trainees. Eventually, Trelop and a few others wake up. Trelop glances at you, tilting their head slightly, before turning to wake up Wren.
There’s a short line to the dressing booth, and it hits you that it’s odd how at least five of them woke up at the same time. Perhaps their internal clocks were just used to waking up at the same time. Given that you hadn’t seen any physical clocks – that you can recognize as clocks, at least – it wouldn’t surprise you.
When Wren finishes getting dressed, she bounds over to you. “C’mon,” she says, “if we’re any later Jurem will make us skip breakfast to patrol!” She laughs. She glances back to Trelop and waves. “See you later!”
You follow her out of the bunks. Outside, it’s just past dawn. Jurem spots you and strides over immediately. “I was about to come wake you up,” he says. “You were almost late.”
“But we weren’t,” Wren replies cheerfully, and he dips his head in acknowledgement.
“Well,” he says, “we have no patrols today. We will do official training at noon, but until then, explain to $player_name about how things work here.”
Wren nods. Jurem wanders off, and she turns to you. “Uh… I don’t know how to explain //everything//, so do you have any questions we could start with?”
[[Continue|PgOneFiveZeroM]]<<set $ekys_points to 6>>“I suppose the first order of business is a tour,” Jurem says. “It will be good for you to know your way around.”
“Okay,” you reply. “Where to first?”
He pauses in his tracks, looking around. People are staring again, but at one nod from him, return to their business. “We should probably find an open bunk,” he says. “Some families stay in a house together, but there is the option of the trainee bunks for anyone who wants or needs somewhere else to stay.”
He starts to walk forward, waving to people as he passes. A group of four leaves the camp, two hunters and two trainees, if you had to guess. Jurem sees you watching and says, “They are likely patrolling. There is a reason there are not as many monsters here as there are deeper into the woods.”
Jurem stops at a house. It’s only one story. You can hear a conversation coming from inside. Jurem opens the door, and they all go quiet.
“Hunter Jurem,” they say in unison. The group includes Wren, the girl she was talking to earlier, and another teen. They have short, wavy brown hair, medium brown skin, and green eyes. They look tall, though with them sitting down, it’s difficult to tell.
“Oh, $player_name!” Wren says cheerfully. She turns to the other two and explains, “This is $player_name, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective is<<endif>> new.”
“Oh,” the one with wavy hair says, tilting their head. “I’ve never met anyone //new//.” The way they say it makes it sound like a bad thing.
Wren gestures to the wavy-haired one and says, “This is Ekys.” She nods at the other girl and says, “And that is Trelop.”
“Nice to meet you,” you say, and Ekys nods. Trelop smiles.
“We have to continue the tour,” Jurem says, glancing towards the ceiling, where sunlight trickles through. “We still have to patrol tonight, Wren. Half-line before dinner.”
“Right,” Wren replies.
Jurem nods. “Okay. Let’s go, $player_name.”
[[Continue|PgOneFourTwo]]You realize, almost with excitement, that you have actual clothes to sleep in. You pick the more comfortable of the small selection of outfits you have, changing in the small changing area near the back of the bunks. When you finish, the sun has set, and the //toam// is silent.
Well, almost silent. There’s a small candle next to Ekys, illuminating the group. The trainees who live here, at least, are whispering in such soft voices you can’t hear them until you’re close. Just as you catch the first few words, there’s three sudden knocks on the door. Ekys blows out the candle, the conversation halts, and everyone makes the same hand motion, nigh-simultaneously, and heads to bed.
“That means ‘goodnight,’” Wren whispers to you, just before going to her own bed. You mimic the hand motion to yourself. You crawl into bed and tuck the blanket around you.
When it sounds like most people have fallen asleep, you remember the Sitynur. You reach out, and luckily you can sense it this time. However, it’s far: definitely outside of camp. You’ll have to slip out, somehow.
You’re too tired to make a full plan now, so you decide to sleep on it.
[[Continue|PgOneFourEight]]When you arrive at the table, the first thing you notice is that almost the whole village is here. The second thing is that almost everyone has brought food to share. You feel self-conscious for a moment, before realizing that few of the trainees brought food. It’s mostly the adults.
Wren, Ekys and Trelop all sit together, so it’s an easy decision. You’re not sure what Ekys meant by the best seats. It’s a long table. Perhaps they meant the ones on the end, so that they’re not squished along with the rest of the //toam,// as that’s where the group is sitting now.
As more people arrive, plates are passed around. They’re made of a soft cardboard, and Wren tells you that they can be put in the compost piles at the garden. Food is shared and you end up with a variety, from meat to vegetables to fruit.
You notice, suddenly, that despite the amount of people and the proximity, the talk is kept quiet. Despite the loud chaos you would expect from an event like this, it’s the opposite. Even the younger children are quiet.
You eat quietly, listening to the conversation your new potential friends are having. They’re discussing an event coming up, a celebration. Of exactly what, you can’t puzzle out, but they’re excited. Ekys mentions showing some of their more creative – but practical and functional! – medicinal inventions, and Trelop and Wren discuss the best stealth strategies. It sounds like a festival to show off their talents. You just listen, unable to contribute to the conversation.
When you finish, everyone piles their plates on one side of a table and several trainees and mentors take them, likely to the compost that Wren mentioned. You return to the bunks soon after.
[[Continue|PgOneFourSeven]]Jurem sets out on what seems to be a well-worn trail. “How did you find me,” you ask, “if I wasn’t close to any of the normal paths?”
“I heard you,” he replies, his tone softer than before. You make a mental note to do the same. “You were not quiet. Shift your weight to your toes and avoid sticks.”
“Oh, stealth training!” Wren exclaims, though still in a whisper. “I remember learning that.”
“Clearly you need a refresher,” Jurem whispers, but he’s smiling, and Wren’s grin remains fixed on her face.
You follow the path, winding in a long circle centered on the camp. At one point, you hear a howl.
“What’s th–” you try to whisper, but Jurem lifts a hand clenched into a fist.
For several moments, you all stand there, frozen, waiting. For what, you’re not sure, but you hold your breath along with the other two.
Finally, Jurem lowers his hand and Wren relaxes. You ask, “What was that?”
“One of the monsters,” Wren says. “I’m glad it left.”
“Yes, it would be difficult to fight with $player_name here,” Jurem says, then glances at you. “No offense, of course, but you do not know how to fight these. Wren has more training.”<<if $fighting is "yes">>
“I know how to fight,” you argue, and Jurem dips his head.
“Perhaps that is so,” he says, “but to fight these creatures is much different than fighting another person.”<<endif>>
Jurem studies the dark woods for another moment before starting to walk again. They move almost silently, like gliding through water, and your breathing and steps stand out. Jurem whispers instructions, tips to help you move quieter, and by the end of the patrol, you almost match their stealth. Almost.
You return to the //toam// and Jurem nods at you and Wren, a silent signal letting you go. “Come on,” Wren says. “It’s almost dinnertime.”
[[Continue|PgOneFourFour]]He quickly shows you around the rest of the camp, the //toam//. Most of it is just houses, but there’s a small structure with no walls and a long table.
“The Table,” Jurem says. “It is optional to eat here, of course, but in such a small community most people eat here anyway. They bring their own food, and often share.” He’s watching your reaction, you can tell. You <<if $mental gte 14>>keep your expression as polite interest.<<else>>aren’t able to control your expression of slight surprise, but he doesn’t seem irritated or confused.<<endif>>
There’s a few other community areas. One is the training grounds, where a few Hunters and their Trainees are practicing. They all look skilled, dodging and whirling. One appears to have pinned their mentor to the ground, but they’re both grinning. <<if $fighting is "no">>You’re a little worried.
Jurem sees your expression. “Do not worry,” he says. “I will teach you to fight. <<else>>“<<endif>>That is about the entire //toam//. And now–” he holds his wrist up to his eyes, lining it up with something you can’t see. You notice a small stick sticking out of a band on his wrist. “It’s about time to patrol. Let’s go get Wren.”
You return to the bunks and Wren is already leaving the building, grinning brightly. “Ready to go,” she announces.
The exit isn’t too far from there, and you leave the //toam// for the first time since you got here.
[[Continue|PgOneFourThree]]Emery reaches out for a book and opens it to a page with several illustrations. One shows a tall, lanky creature, with skin stretched tight over bone. It’s almost like a human, but distorted and stretched. Above it is the word //Sohanid.// Another is a large, black wolf-like creature. It's called //Dohi.// A third is what appears to simply be a bunch of scribbles in the shape of a six-legged creature. It's called //Miresa.//
“There are several kinds,” Emery explains, “but they are all deadly.”
She shuts the book and adds it to the steadily growing pile atop the bookshelf. “Anyway,” she says, “I suppose you’re wondering about what you’ll be doing next. You’ll be Jurem’s trainee, for now. He was the one who found you, after all.”
“Okay,” you reply, and she nods. She walks to the door, leans out, and shouts something that is somehow muffled despite the apparently thin walls.
After a moment, Jurem enters the house. “Leader Emery,” he greets.
“Hunter Jurem,” Emery replies. “I have decided that trainee $player_name–” You don’t miss the new title. “–shall be entrusted under your care until further notice.”
Jurem raises an eyebrow. “I do not mean to argue, Leader Emery, but are you sure? Two trainees is–”
“–unusual, but not unheard of,” Emery interrupts. “I trust you are able to handle them both.”
Jurem pauses and looks over you. Then his gaze returns to Emery. “Of course.”
He turns and leaves, and you realize you should follow.
[[Continue|PgOneFourOne]]“You’ll be Jurem’s trainee, for now,” Emery says. “He was the one who found you, after all.”
“Okay,” you reply, and she nods. She walks to the door, leans out, and shouts something that is somehow muffled despite the apparently thin walls.
After a moment, Jurem enters the house. “Leader Emery,” he greets.
“Hunter Jurem,” Emery replies. “I have decided that trainee $player_name–” You don’t miss the new title. “–shall be entrusted under your care until further notice.”
Jurem raises an eyebrow. “I do not mean to argue, Leader Emery, but are you sure? Two trainees is–”
“–unusual, but not unheard of,” Emery interrupts. “I trust you are able to handle them both.”
Jurem pauses and looks over you. Then his gaze returns to Emery. “Of course.”
He turns and leaves, and you realize you should follow.
[[Continue|PgOneFourOne]]<<set $mental to $mental - 1>>“Yes. Let’s go back,” Avery says. You follow him back outside and return to the group.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThree]]<<set $avery_points to $avery_points + 2>><<set $mental to $mental - 1>>“Uh… yeah. Nox didn’t answer everything I wanted, that’s all,” Avery says. He shrugs. “But I can’t really change that, I suppose.”
“Yeah. Did you at least get some information?”
Avery nods. “Yes.”
“That’s good, then. So you’re done?”
“Yes. Let’s go back,” Avery says. You follow him back outside and return to the group.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThree]]<<set $nox_points to $nox_points + 2>><<set $chances to $chances - 1>><<set $disposition to $disposition + 1>><<set $e to 1>>Nox laughs, startled. “Didn’t know you were so blunt!”
<<if $disposition gte 15>>You allow a small smile to rise to your lips.<<else>>You’re mildly surprised at yourself, as well.<<endif>> “Have I convinced you?”<<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points gte 8>><<set $clue2 to "true">>
Nox sighs. “I guess so. What was the question again?”
“When did your power start malfunctioning?” Reva prompts.
Reva smiles. “When did you first notice it?”
“The… sixteenth? That sounds right,” Nox says. “Yeah, the sixteenth.”
“Perfect. You got all that?” Reva asks you. You nod. “Okay. We’re all set, then.”
“If you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” And then they’re gone.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>><<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points lt 8>>Nox sighs dramatically. “Well, your chances are up, if you haven’t been keeping track. And you haven’t convinced me, no. If you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” Then they’re gone.
wfeh
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>> “<<if $chances is 2>>You’ve still got two more chances.”<<endif>><<if $chances is 1>>You’ve still got one more chance.”<<endif>><<if $w isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“Don’t you want to figure out what’s wrong with your power?”|PgOneHundredW][$w is 1]]<<endif>><<if $f isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“If we know, we might be able to fix it.”|PgOneHundredF][$f is 1]]<<endif>><<if $h isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“Can’t you just help us out here?”|PgOneHundredH][$h is 1]]<<endif>>You agree to meet up again after school to bring Mallory up to speed and to check the cameras. They return to the building and you slip away to the bench on the hill. You end up sitting behind it, so you’re out of view from the next lunch groups.
Your eyes flutter closed at some point. You’re spooked awake when you hear someone approach the bench, and you tense, preparing yourself. The footsteps stop just before the bench and you hear a familiar voice.
“What the //hrii// are you doing here?” Nox snaps. //Hrii is one of their curses,// the Sitynur informs you. For such a soft sounding word, he made it incredibly harsh. “This is //my// spot.”
You hold your breath as if you’ll suddenly turn invisible. Nothing’s impossible anymore.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. “I can see you, $player_name.”
[[“I’m hanging out.”|PgOneHundredNineH]]
[[“How can it be your spot?”|PgOneHundredNineS]]“Let’s go,” Mire says. “The bus stop is nearby; let’s take that.”
You and Avery agree, and you march out of the woods. The bus stop isn’t far from there. It takes about ten minutes to walk there, and Avery hurries ahead to check the paper posted on the shelter.
“It’ll be here in –” a glance at his device – “two minutes.”
“If it’s on time,” Mire points out. “It’s usually late.”
You remain the furthest away from the group as they discuss, tapping your foot nervously, every possible thing that could go wrong running through your head. What if Lotus disliked you, or was irritable, like Nox? What if Mire decides against helping you?
The bus is, surprisingly, on time. When you board, Mire sits down on a seat close to the middle and you sit next to him hesitantly. Avery remains standing, reaching for a pole that connects the floor and the ceiling.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredNineteen]]You all approach the school doors and you suddenly stop. “I think I’m going to wait out here,” you say. Mallory glances over her shoulder.
“Why?” she asks, and you hurriedly make up an excuse.
“If we all rush in at once, won’t that be overwhelming?” you say, and Mire halts.
“That’s a good idea,” Mire muses. “Not that I think it matters much, but… hm. Something to consider. Should Mallory and I just go?”
Mallory nods. “That makes sense to me,” she says. “Do you mind waiting, Avery?”
Avery shakes his head. “That’s fine.”
Mallory waves pointlessly and walks inside. Mire follows closely.
You turn your gaze away from the school and study the path winding away from you. The heavy weight of a gaze rests on you, but when you steal a glance back at Avery, he isn’t looking anywhere near you.
The duo returns before long. “I had them send it to my phone, so we could watch it together,” Mallory beams. “Here.” She shifts so that everyone can watch the video.
It’s from a strange angle, but you can see Mallory’s locker, and the person walking into view. Nox.
Mallory tenses immediately but remains silent. Nox has his usual, irritated expression, until it suddenly shifts to one of joy. They crouch to the ground and reach out, catching the younger kid as she barrels towards them. He stands, still holding her, and spins her around. You can faintly see both of their excited expressions.
Another woman walks into view and must say something, because Nox nods and puts the girl back on the ground. She eagerly grabs at their hand and they oblige, holding it as the three walk off screen.
“So… not Nox?” Avery ventures. Mire shushes him and Mallory doesn’t stop the video.
The camera suddenly freezes, glitches, and goes black. There’s a high pitched buzzing and Avery covers his ears and squeezes his eyes shut. “Sorry,” Mallory says. “I was wondering what was so odd about the recording– that’s what the secretary told us.” She taps a button and the volume decreases.
The camera cuts back to an empty hallway, and then the video ends. “Can you hand it to me?” Mire asks. Mallory obliges and he glides his finger across the screen. “There.”
A heel of a familiar shoe.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwelve]]<<set $nox_points to $nox_points + 1>><<set $chances to $chances - 1>><<set $f to 1>>Nox considers, an eyebrow raised. “How sure are you that you can?”
You have to think about it. Are you really certain that you’ll be able to fix their powers?
No. You’re not. But you can’t just say that.
“I’m certain we’ll be closer to figuring it out if you tell us,” you answer.
“I think I trust the nurse and the other professionals a little more than you,” he says. Reva snorts and Nox is instantly defensive. “What?”
“Just never thought I’d hear Nox Farrow saying they trusted adults,” Reva smiles.
“You’re not Avery, are you?” Nox narrows his eyes.
“Ding ding ding,” Reva drawls. “Now, are you convinced yet?”
Nox tilts his head. “<<if $chances is 2>>Not yet. Two more chances.”<<endif>><<if $chances is 1>>Not yet. One more chance.”<<endif>><<if $w isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“Don’t you want to figure out what’s wrong with your power?”|PgOneHundredW][$w is 1]]<<endif>><<if $e isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“We’ll figure it out either way. Either you get to be known as someone who helped, or you don’t.”|PgOneHundredE][$e is 1]]<<endif>><<if $h isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“Can’t you just help us out here?”|PgOneHundredH][$h is 1]]<<endif>><<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points lt 8>>No. Your chances are up, if you haven’t been keeping track. Oh, and if you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” And then they’re gone.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>><<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points gte 8>>Nox hesitates and glances at you. “Well, as long as you’re not accusing me of something,” he says, crossing his arms. “My power is malfunctioning.”<<set $clue2 to "true">>
Reva smiles. “When did you first notice it?”
“The… sixteenth? That sounds right,” Nox replies. “Yeah, the sixteenth.”
“Perfect. You got all that?” Reva asks you. You nod. “Okay. We’re all set, then.”
“If you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” And then they’re gone.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>>“It wouldn’t make sense to you now. I’ve suppressed most of it, so even Reva can’t reach it–”
Reva interrupts just long enough to add, “Which is really annoying, by the way.”
Avery sighs. “Yes, I know. Still–”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of your power!” Mallory says cheerfully. “No one should!”
“You don't understand. The other kids were //terrified// of me,” Avery snaps. “You’ll see when we get to the forest. I’ll show you.”
You lapse into silence until you reach the forest. “Here it is,” Mire murmurs. “The clearing isn’t far.”
The group moves through the forest, picking through sticks and dead leaves until the trees give way to grass. An eerie whistle reaches your ears, and you catch yourself glancing over your shoulder nervously. “Just a //siopp//,” Mallory reassures you, and you mutter a thanks, though you don't know what that is.
Avery steps in front of the group and hands Mire his coat. “I can control it,” he tells you. “So don’t run.”
He moves to the center of the clearing and begins to… shift. His skin darkens to an abyss black, growing sharper and shinier until it’s more of a glass-y material. He grows taller than anyone in the group. His legs and arms grow longer, and he hunches slightly. His fingers sharpen to points. Avery turns to the group, looking nervous.
“That’s so cool!” Mallory gasps.
“I agree. I can’t see why you’d be ashamed,” Mire adds.
<<if $mental lte 13>>“It’s nice!” you chip in. “I could see why you’d be worried, but I think people won’t react poorly.”<<else>>You nod your agreement.<<endif>>
Avery covers his face and slowly shifts back. With his skin its normal color, you can see the blush across his cheeks. “Thank you,” he says.
“Alright, we know about that part of the story. But what about Reva?” Mire asks. Avery grins and you realize it’s Reva.
“I’m not from this world, either,” he says cheerfully. “Accidentally fell through with someone else, I think? I’m not certain. I was in, well, agony for a while, until I found Avery, that is. I latched onto him and that was that.”
[[“Who did you fall through with?”|PgOneHundredSixteenW]]
[[“Wait, so you possessed Avery?”|PgOneHundredSixteenP]]Maybe the school has security cameras. You can check those and see who stole it, take it back, and find your sister!
You hurry to the school doors with more energy than before. The sun is halfway past the horizon, and the school closes soon. For now, hopefully –
The doors are locked.
You try again, to no avail. You’re about to turn and leave, but a group of students suddenly hurries out. Nox is one of them, and they catch your gaze and stop. One hand holds the door open and the other is by his side.
“Hm? Nox? Are you coming?” A girl with shoulder-length blonde hair asks.
“Give me a moment,” they say, not looking away from you. The girl shrugs and the group continues on. Once they’re out of hearing range, Nox speaks. “What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean?” you smile tightly.
Nox holds the door with their foot and crosses their arms. “Duelling club is the last one that’s open for the day. So, I ask again, what are you doing here?”
[[“I’m going to check the security cameras.”|PgOneHundredSixC]]
[[“I was looking for you.”|PgOneHundredSixL]]
[[“I’m sneaking in,” jokingly.|PgOneHundredSixS]]<<set $clues to "unlocked">><<set $avery_points to $avery_points + 1>>The Sitynur didn’t affect people – or plants, since they were the magic – in the last world. If it messed with the magic of worlds, then it would have done so last time.
Also, as Avery pointed out, Mallory is fine. She has had the Sitynur for the longest of everyone.
Unless the Sitynur reacts differently in each world…
Ultimately, you agree with Mire, you suppose. You need more evidence.
Something in Mallory’s pocket beeps and she checks it. It’s the flat device you noticed Avery had. It seemed that it was some sort of communication device.
“Ah, shoot. My mom wants me home,” she says, confirming your guess. The others murmur in agreement as they check their own devices. “Meet up again after school tomorrow?” Mallory suggests.
“Sure,” Mire replies. “I don’t have any plans.”
“Neither do I,” Avery says. “What about you, $player_name?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I can come,” you say quickly.
“Alright, then. Same place, same time. See you then!” Mallory snatches the papers and dashes off. The others split up as well and you pick a random direction.
Then, you double back to the school.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredFive]]<<set $clues to "unlocked">><<set $mallory_points to $mallory_points + 1>>Though it seemed outlandish, it did seem to affect certain people. Powers started to malfunction just when the Sitynur landed here, after all. It must be linked somehow.
Ultimately, you agree with Mire, you suppose. You need more evidence.
Something in Mallory’s pocket beeps and she checks it. It’s the flat device you noticed Avery had. It seemed that it was some sort of communication device.
“Ah, shoot. My mom wants me home,” she says, confirming your guess. The others murmur in agreement as they check their own devices. “Meet up again after school tomorrow?” Mallory suggests.
“Sure,” Mire replies. “I don’t have any plans.”
“Neither do I,” Avery says. “What about you, $player_name?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I can come,” you say quickly.
“Alright, then. Same place, same time. See you then!” Mallory snatches the papers and dashes off. The others split up as well and you pick a random direction.
Then, you double back to the school.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredFive]]Mire mumbles something you can't hear, and Mallory speaks up.
“Hey, why don’t we go to the woods? You know the spot, Mire. It’s more private over there,” she suggests. “We wouldn’t have to worry about anyone overhearing all of the, uh, secrets.”
“Fine with me,” you say, and Reva and Mire nod.
“Lead the way, Mal,” Reva says, and Mallory scrunches her eyebrows at the nickname. He smiles. The smile flickers, and he sighs. “Avery wants to talk on the way there.”
The shift in demeanor means Avery’s back. “Let’s go,” he says, swiftly moving ahead of the group.
“I thought you wanted to talk,” Mallory teases as the rest of the group hurries to catch them.
“I…” he hesitates. “When I was young, I was ashamed of my power.”
[[Continue|PgOneHundredFifteen]]<<set $nox_points - 2>><<set $chances to 0>><<set $h to 1>>Nox laughs. “No. I need a better reason than that.” They glance at the gym doors. “And I’m not going to bother hearing the rest of it.”
<<if $mental lt 10>>“But– three chances?” you protest.<<else>>“You said three chances.” you point out.<<endif>>
Nox looks at you blankly. “I lied.”
He returns to the gym and Reva crosses his arms.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 2>><<set $nox_points to $nox_points + 3>>He laughs. Once. Then they sit on the bench, and you’re sitting back-to-back, with only the wood between you.
“So,” he says, “why are you skipping?”
<<if $disposition lte 10>>“I– I’m not skipping,” you protest<<else>>“How do you know I am?” you ask<<endif>>, and they laugh again.
“Right,” he replies. “You don’t have to tell me, I guess.” They pull out their lunch and start to eat.
“I’m just… I can’t deal with school today,” you mumble, pulling your knees to your chest. A lie, perhaps, but not far from the truth. Nox doesn’t respond, and you wonder if he’s just going to ignore you.
“Have you eaten? I’ve never seen you with a backpack,” Nox says, and you freeze. Have they figured you out? Does he know? They can’t know. They can’t. They–
“Here,” Nox says. You glance up and see his hand dangling over the top of the bench, offering half a sandwich. Worries and confusion fill you and they snap, “Hurry or I’ll change my mind.” You take the sandwich and bite into it.
The taste of some sort of meat and cheese fill your mouth. You devour it quickly, while Nox slowly works through their own meal.
He doesn’t say a word to you after that. You didn’t expect anything more. You are curious, though; why were they so nice to you? Not //very// nice, you suppose, but nicer than he had previously been.
Still, you can’t forget about the incident last night. What caused the flip?
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTen]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 2>><<set $nox_points to $nox_points - 2>>Nox scoffs. “No one else usually comes here.” He pauses, waiting for something, before he adds, “I come here to be //alone.//”
When you don’t move, they sigh and sit on the bench. You’re back to back, with only wood separating you. Why doesn’t he eat somewhere else? Why do they insist on eating here?
“So,” he says, “why are you skipping?”
<<if $disposition lte 10>>“I– I’m not skipping,” you protest<<else>>“How do you know I am?” you ask<<endif>>, and they laugh again.
“Right,” he replies. “You don’t have to tell me, I guess.” They pull out their lunch and start to eat.
“I’m just… I can’t deal with school today,” you mumble, pulling your knees to your chest. Nox doesn’t respond, and you wonder if he’s just going to ignore you and then leave.
“Have you eaten? I’ve never seen you with a backpack,” Nox says, and you freeze. Have they figured you out? Does he know? They can’t know. They can’t. They–
“Here,” Nox says. You glance up and see his hand dangling over the top of the bench, offering half a sandwich. Worries and confusion fill you and they snap, “Hurry or I’ll change my mind.” You take the sandwich and bite into it.
The taste of some sort of meat and cheese fill your mouth. You devour it quickly, while Nox slowly works through their own meal.
He doesn’t say a word to you after that. You didn’t expect anything more. You are curious, though; why were they so nice to you? Not //very// nice, you suppose, but nicer than he had previously been.
Still, you can’t forget about the incident last night. What caused the flip?
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTen]]The bus slows to a stop and Mire stands. You follow their lead, moving out into the aisle when he tells you to and following him and Avery off of the bus. Mire leads you silently up the road, for about fifteen minutes. Finally, she halts.
“Here,” they say, pointing to the house ahead of you. The lawn is full of tall grass and wildflowers, and a winding rock path leading to the front door. It’s a quaint little house, painted a cheerful yellow. A stubby chimney extends from the left side of the roof. Smoke drifts out of it.
“How do you know Nox’s address?” Avery asks suddenly, and Mire smiles.
“I have my ways,” he says, then approaches the door. You and Avery follow. A man sings from inside, off-key, and a woman laughs.
Mire lifts her hand and knocks twice on the door. It opens a moment later.
The woman who opens it has chocolate brown eyes, pale skin, and curly black hair that brushes her shoulders. She has a poofy blue dress that reaches her knees, with bright yellow swirls curling over it. She’s <<if $height is "very tall" or $height is "tall">>shorter than you.<<endif>><<if $height is "average height">>about your height.<<endif>><<if $height is "short" or $height is "very short">>slightly taller than you.<<endif>> On her collarbone is a necklace. Embedded in it are small shards of blue crystal. Could it be -- Sitynur?
“Hello. What do you need?” she asks kindly, and Mire steps back, his and the woman’s gazes landing on you.
Guess it’s up to you to speak, then.
[[“We’re friends with Nox. Can we come in?”|PgOneHundredTwentyN]]
[[“Can we talk with you?”|PgOneHundredTwentyT]]<<set $clue3 to "true">>“Well, let’s go back to the group. How many notes do you have?” Reva asks.
“Enough, I think. At least about him seeing the S– crystal,” you reply. Reva raises an eyebrow and before he can say anything suddenly clutches his head. When he opens his eyes again, it’s Avery.
“I’m back,” he murmurs. “Anything important happen?”
“I just wrote down what Nox said.” You gesture at the door. “They’ve returned to the gym now.”
“Okay. Let’s get back, then,” Avery says. You nod and follow him out of the hallway.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThree]]The next day, a blanket is draped over you. You bolt upright and look around, but the area is empty. There’s a small bag next to the bench, and you hesitantly lift it to your lap and open it.
Inside is simply a small sandwich and a box with a straw attached to it. You devour the sandwich first before tackling the strange box. You remove the straw from its wrapping and puncture the box. Cautiously, you put your mouth to the straw. A delicious juice fills your mouth. You drink the rest of it quickly.
You silently thank whoever left you these things. Placing the blanket and trash in the bag, you make your way back to the school and wait outside. Soon, hopefully, you’ll be able to talk to the group. They have first lunch, right?
When you spot Mire coming out of the building, you slip into the group and sit with him. Avery joins a moment later.
“Where’s Mallory?” you ask, tilting your head.
“‘Hello, how are you doing,’ to you too,” Mire replies sarcastically. She shrugs. “Mallory has third lunch today.”
“Sorry, I just have news,” you reply.
“What kind of news?” Avery asks.
<<if $previous isnot "PgOnHundredSixS">>“About Nox,” you say, quickly checking if they’re close by. “Last night I told him I was going to check the cameras to see who stole Mallory’s crystal, and he refused to let me in the building.”
“That //is// odd,” Mire notes. “We should definitely check the cameras later. I have no idea why I didn’t think of that.”<<else>>
“I just had the idea of checking the cameras,” you explain. “There might be one that shows who stole Mallory’s crystal.”<<endif>>
Avery nods. “But how will we convince – er, whoever has those tapes – to let us see them?”
Mire shrugs and swallows a bite of sandwich. “We can always just ask them to view it themselves. Hey, $player_name, do you have lunch?”
You lie on the spot. “I meant to bring money for it, but forgot.”
“Here,” they reply, tossing you a packet of crackers. Avery offers a small bottle of water.
“Thanks, but you don’t–” Your stomach cuts you off and growls loudly. Mire laughs quietly.<<if $gym is "false">>
“You know, I’m worried about you,” Mire says lightheartedly. “You’ve forgotten lunch twice in a row.”
<<endif>><<if $mental lte 8 and $gym is "false">>You laugh nervously. “Yeah, I’m forgetful sometimes, I guess.”<<endif>><<if $mental gt 8 and $gym is "false">>“Yeah, whoops,” you say, brushing off the topic.<<endif>>
You eat the sandwich and the conversation switches to mundane things. “$player_name, which History teacher do you have? I’ve got Mr. Rosa.” Mire asks, smiling. Avery furrows his eyebrows slightly.
“I’ve– got him too,” you say quickly.
Avery opens his mouth and then suddenly shuts it. “I’m going to throw away my trash,” he says slowly.
Mire nods. “I’ll come as well. Here, $player_name, since you have so little, I’ll take it for you,” she says cheerfully.
“Thank you.”
“No problem!”
The two hurry away and you wonder why Avery looked so confused.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredEight]]“I’m looking for my sister,” you admit quietly. “She jumped through a portal from my home world to who knows where. She was looking for my father. A fool’s errand. Using a single shard to find someone is almost an impossible task.” You laugh halfheartedly. “How ironic, since that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m using the crystal – Sitynur – to make more portals to find her.”
“How do you know that will work?” Avery asked. “What if you’re just getting farther and farther away?”
“It doesn’t, not really. Well, as I collect more pieces, I can make the Sitynur whole again. When it’s whole, I can direct its portals… or something.” You mutter the last part, wishing you paid a bit more attention to your father.
“So you aren’t confident,” Mire summarizes, and you shrug and nod.
“I have to try, though. I have to. If I can, I would like your crystal. It’s one of the shards that disappeared.”
“I think that’s a good enough reason–” Avery starts, reaching into his pocket, but Mire interrupts.
“A sob story isn’t enough for me to believe you,” he says, crossing his arms. “But perhaps Lotus can help. If she backs up your story, I might believe you.”
“We don’t know each other,” you argue, and Mire nods.
“I know, but if she is the one who brought Reva here, she’ll know if your //Sitynur// is whole or not.” Mire pauses. “Should we go now?”
“I can’t go,” Mallory says. “Mom said to get back to the house by five, and it’s 4:40.”
Mire nods. “Alright. See you later.”
“Bye, Mallory,” Avery smiles.
“Bye,” you say. Mallory smiles and waves.
“See ya!” she says, disappearing into the trees.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredEighteen]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 2>><<set $nox_points to $nox_points - 3>><<set $clue6 to "true">>Nox narrows his eyes. “Why?”
“To see who stole Mallory’s crystal,” you reply.
Nox moves their foot away from the door. “Whoops,” he says flatly. “Looks like you can’t get in anymore.”
“What?” you exclaim. “You realize this makes you look way more suspicious, right?”
Nox shrugs. “Perhaps.” They begin to walk away.
“You can’t just– I guess you can,” you mutter irritably. He ignores you and catches up with his group. You turn to the door and kick it. You try the handle one more time. No luck.
You give up and leave the school in favor of finding somewhere to sleep. The sun’s set now. You stumble across a bench and curl up on it.
Your final thought is that you wish you had something to eat, and then you surrender to sleep.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredSeven]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 2>><<set $nox_points to $nox_points - 1>>Nox narrows his eyes. “Why?”
Perhaps you should have thought more about your choice. “I– wanted to ask more questions about your power?” You wince at the way your voice curls up into a question.
“Right. Well, sure. Ask me something.” They let go of the door and catch it with their foot. They cross their arms and tip their head. “Go on.”
You fumble for words. “What do you think is the problem with it?”
“I’m not sure, and I don’t know how I of all people can figure that out. Can I ask //you// a question now?” He smiles.
“Uh– sure.”
“//What are you doing here?//”
You hesitate. “I… I’m going to look at the security cameras to see who stole Mallory’s crystal.” //And you didn’t want to let a main suspect know that.//
Nox nods and purses his lips. They move their foot away from the door. “Whoops,” he says flatly. “Looks like you can’t get in anymore.”
“What?” you exclaim. “You realize this makes you look way more suspicious, right?”
Nox shrugs. “Perhaps.” They begin to walk away.
“You can’t just– I guess you can,” you mutter irritably. He ignores you and catches up with his group. You turn to the door and kick it. You try the handle one more time. No luck.
You give up and leave the school in favor of finding somewhere to sleep. The sun’s set now. You stumble across a bench and curl up on it.
Your final thought is that you wish you had something to eat, and then you surrender to sleep.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredSeven]]<<set $mental to $mental - 2>><<set $nox_points to $nox_points + 2>>Nox laughs and pulls his foot out of the door. Their eyes widen as they look back to the door. “Oh, sh– I didn’t mean to, I swear!” He covers his mouth and you can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding a smile. Did they really not mean to?
“You realize this makes you look more suspicious, right?” you ask. Nox’s hand falls away from his mouth.
“If you don’t believe me, sure. But I didn’t mean to,” they insist. You cross your arms. He rolls his eyes and begins to walk away.
“You can’t just– I guess you can,” you mutter irritably. They ignore you and catch up with their group. You turn to the door and kick it. You try the handle one more time. No luck.
You give up and leave the school in favor of finding somewhere to sleep. The sun’s set now. You stumble across a bench and curl up on it.
Your final thought is that you wish you had something to eat, and then you surrender to sleep.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredSeven]]Reva opens his mouth, but Mire interrupts. “Who else did you come here with?”
“I’m not sure,” Reva replies. “They muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse, then flashed a bright light in my eyes. They got away before I could see them.”
“Oh, //yokofi//,” Mire mutters.
“That’s… could it be Nox’s mother?” Mallory turns to Mire.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. But I really don’t want to deal with Nox today.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” you reason. “Though, wait a minute, Nox’s mother?”
“Nox’s mother, Lotus Farrow, has a power that allows her to create bright lights, called Flare. It’s similar to Nox’s, actually,” Mire explains. “Though, she fits into this world quite naturally– I’m surprised.”
You mull over the new information. Your family is not the only one who knows of world-jumping. There are others. And you might be able to meet one.
“Can we go talk to her?” you ask, and Mire narrows their eyes.
“If you answer my question. Who are you, really?”
You take a deep breath and shut your eyes.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredSeventeen]]“I’m not sure,” Reva says. “They muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse, then flashed a bright light in my eyes. They got away before I could see them.”
“Oh, //yokofi//,” Mire mutters.
“That’s… could it be Nox’s mother?” Mallory turns to Mire.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. But I really don’t want to deal with Nox today.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” you reason. “Though, wait a minute, Nox’s mother?”
“Nox’s mother, Lotus Farrow, has a power that allows her to create bright lights, called Flare. It’s similar to Nox’s, actually,” Mire explains. “Though, she fits into this world quite naturally– I’m surprised.”
You mull over the new information. Your family is not the only one who knows of world-jumping. There are others. And you might be able to meet one.
“Can we go talk to her?” you ask, and Mire narrows their eyes.
“If you answer my question. Who are you, really?”
You take a deep breath and shut your eyes.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredSeventeen]]Nox leaves without a word. Admittedly, you don’t say ‘goodbye,’ either. You wonder if he would reply if you had.
You must have dozed off at some point, because the next thing you’re aware of is the school bell ringing again. You jolt to your feet and bolt down the hill.
A moment before you head to the front of the school, you change your mind. Instead, you go to the side and walk around to the front. Better to be careful than bold.
You spot the group and join up with them. “Hey, guys!”
“Hi, $player_name,” Mallory replies brightly.
Mire loops arms with Mallory and murmurs, “Let’s go to the side of the building to discuss something.”
“Oh– okay,” Mallory says, with a slight laugh. Everyone follows Mire around the side. Your footprints are still there, faintly, and you hope no one notices. Well, who could connect it to you, anyway?
You look over to Avery, who’s staring at his feet and fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. His lips move soundlessly. You’re at the wrong angle to read his lips.
The footsteps in front of you come to a halt and you look up. Mire lets go of Mallory and leans against the school’s brick wall.
“$player_name brought something important to my attention earlier,” he begins. “And that thing is right there.” They point at a small black cube hanging off the side of the building. A security camera, you assume, though it looks strange.
“The cameras,” Mallory breathes. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“I didn’t, either,” Mire says, frowning. “But what we need now is a plan to get into the security room. If we wait in the building until they leave–”
“Mire. You’re overthinking this.” Mallory crosses her arms. “We can just //ask.//”
“But if it doesn’t work–”
“We try asking first,” Avery interrupts. “Then we go for plan B.”
Mire hesitates and then nods. “Fine.”
A seed of worry sprouts in your chest. What if they find out you aren’t a student? Do you run? But you do need the Sitynur…
“$player_name?” You look up suddenly and Mire narrows her eyes. “We’re leaving. Are you coming with us?”
“Oh. Yeah.” You drop your arms to your sides and walk after the group.
What would you do if they found out?
[[Continue|PgOneHundredEleven]]<big><b>Chapter Six</b></big>
<b>Personality traits locked.</b>
<<if $attitude gte 10>>“I did not lie about my name. I am $player_name.” you tell her firmly. <<else>>“I wouldn’t lie about my name,” you say. “I’m $player_name. That’s the truth.”<<endif>>
Mire studies you for a moment. “Your name is not your full identity. $player_name, I know you’re from another world.” She pauses, considering her next words. “When I use Mirrorin, I slip through to the background of this world. Most things blend in, but other-worldly things glow. You, Reva, the crystal– you all glow. And I want an explanation.”
“Mire, are you sure that there aren't some other criteria–” Mallory attempts, but Mire waves a hand sharply.
“I don’t know how I know. It’s ingrained in me, just like how I know not to stare at the sun,” they say. He glances at Reva. “I figured your glowing was part of your power.” She looks back at you. “But I don’t know about you.<<if $power is "Blip">> You’re just a Blip, right?<<endif>><<if $power is "Powerless">> You’re powerless, right?<<endif>>”<<if $power is "Unknown">>
Mallory says, hesitantly, “You did tell me you came from another world. I thought it was a joke.”<<endif>>
You bow your head. <<if $disposition gte 15 and $power isnot "Unknown">>“Yes, I lied. But I didn’t know if I could trust you. I hardly know what I’m doing myself!<<endif>><<if $disposition lt 15 and $power isnot "Unknown">>“I’m sorry that I lied. I… didn’t know if I could trust you. I hardly know what I’m doing, myself.<<endif>><<if $power is "Unknown" and $disposition gte 13>>“I wanted to see what would happen. I was surprised when you didn’t believe me, to be honest.<<endif>><<if $power is "Unknown" and $disposition lt 13>> “I was telling the truth. I was surprised that you didn’t believe me.<<endif>>”
“Reva, give me the crystal,” Mire says, and Reva smiles.
“No, not yet. I got something to say. You know how you assumed that me being visible in that dimension -- or whatever it is -- was part of your power?”
“...yes.”
“It’s not.” Mire arches an eyebrow, and Reva closes his eyes. He mutters something sharply and then opens his eyes again. “It’s sort of a long story.”
[[Continue|PgOneHundredFourteen]]You leave the room with your new bag slung over your shoulder. You had made the bed, not wanting Lotus to have to worry about it. You quietly walk down the stairs.
Vivi is watching some children’s show in the living room. Grynn sits beside her, reading a book. He sees you and smiles.
“Are you leaving?” he asks, and you nod. “I’ll get Lotus. Be right back, Vivi.” He pats the girl’s head and walks upstairs.
He returns in a moment with Lotus next to him. “Sorry,” she says quickly. “I had to grab something from my room. You’re leaving?”
“Yeah,” you reply. “I want to be at the bus stop in time.”
“Okay.” Lotus takes a breath. “Well, goodbye. I wish you luck.”
“I do as well. Goodbye, $player_name,” Grynn adds.
“Thank you for letting me sleep here. Goodbye,” you say. <<if $nox_points lte 9>>You turn and leave the house.
Lotus watches from the window until you can’t see her anymore. You hope she understands how thankful you are to her and Grynn. You continue walking to the bus stop.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirtyOne]]<<endif>><<if $nox_points gt 9>>
“Wait,” Nox calls, hurrying down the stairs. His hair is in a messy ponytail, and he’s wearing a gray t-shirt with a thin coat overtop. They shove their hands in their pockets and avoid your gaze. “I want to come with you.”
You blink, and he quickly adds, “To see what’s going on. You’re… weird, and I want to know what’s up.”
You both glance at Lotus and Grynn, and they nod. “That’s fine,” Grynn says. “Just be back before sunset.”
“Sure,” Nox agrees. They look back at you. “Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirtyOneN]]<<endif>>You get off of the bus with Nox. You join Mallory and Mire and you all head towards the treeline. You can hear them murmuring to each other, but you decide to not eavesdrop. You focus on the crunching of dry leaves below your feet and the twitter of birds above your head. It’s a nice day, with sun streaming through the branches and only a few fluffy clouds dotting the sky. It’s warm enough that you wouldn’t need your //dern//, but you keep it on anyway. Nox is quiet as he walks beside you, lost in thought.
There’s a scream up ahead and Mire and Mallory go silent. “What was that?” Mallory whispers.
“It came from the clearing,” Mire hisses. “Hurry.” You all shift into a run.
When you finally get to the clearing, you notice something off immediately. There’s two people. Avery, and… someone else. They have black curly hair laying close to their head, and are tall and lanky. Their mouth reaches to the edge of their jaw, with short pointed teeth. They turn toward you.
“Reva,” Mire says.
“Hichi! Call me Hichi now. I’m not a backwards Avery anymore.” He’s walking towards you now. “$player_name– I can’t hold m-my own form for long. You’re leaving, can I come with-ith you?” He’s stuttering, both vocally and physically, somehow. He shifts an inch to the side without moving.
“Are you… glitching?” Mallory asks, confused. “Like in a video game?”
“This-is-is world doesn’t like me,” Hichi laughs. “Can’t be on my own for much l-l-longer. $player_name //please//.” He grabs your arm. <<if $height isnot "very tall">>He’s a head taller than you.<<else>>He's about your height.<<endif>> “Let me come with you.”
“Why did you scream?” Mire interrupts before you can respond.
“It hurts,” Hichi says. “Sometimes it’s w-orse.”
“Oh,” Mire frowns. “Well, I was going to give you the crystal anyway, but now we have another reason. To get you home.”
“Yes! Thank you,” Hichi grins and lets go of your arm.
“Guys–” you try to say, only to be cut off.
“Avery, will you be okay without Reva, uh, Hichi?” Mallory asks.
Avery looks paler than usual, but overall… healthier. His hair is brighter and his eyes are shining, but not with tears. “I… I think I can work it out. I’ll figure something out. Hichi never meant to attach to me anyway.”
“Um–”
“What crystal?” Nox narrows his eyes. “Is it Mallory’s crystal? Why are you giving it to $player_name?”
“It’s a long story,” Mire says.
“I–”
“I’m going home,” Hichi smiles– an unsettling sight, with his long jaw. “It’s been so many years.”
“I don’t even know if we’ll go to your world,” you snap. “What if we end up somewhere else? What if that world rejects you entirely?”
Hichi’s quiet for a moment, but says: “We’ll get to my world. We //will//.” He says it with such confidence you can’t say anything. You can’t say //no, we won’t, because I can’t control this.// You can’t say //but what if–?// You can’t say //I wish we could.// You’re silent.
“So you really are from another world,” Nox says. “And to think I didn’t believe you.” You give them a tiny smile at that, but that’s all you can manage.
You move farther into the clearing and the four follow you. Avery isn’t smiling, but he doesn’t look sad or upset. He looks deep in thought.
“Who has the Sitynur?” you ask, and Mire clears their throat.
“I know I’ve been… harsh, and skeptical, but I truly hope you find your sister,” he says. “Before, I was worried you were lying. Now I wish you luck. Here.” She presses the Sitynur in your hand. You take out your necklace and align it with the other shards. The others watch curiously as you press it in and it seals itself in.
“That’s so cool,” Mallory says. “I wonder how it does that–?” She looks at you curiously, and you shake your head.
“I don’t know.”
“Oh,” Mallory says. “Well, Mire gave you a cool goodbye speech, so I want to try.” She clears her throat. “As much as I am sad to see my pretty crystal go, I know it’ll be in good – in better – hands. I wish you luck finding your sister.” She grins at herself. “Avery, your turn!”
“Uh–” Avery flushes.
“You don’t have to,” you say quickly.
“No. I do want to say goodbye. Without Hichi, my life will be different, but hopefully for the better. We didn’t know each other for long, but I know you’ll do well, wherever you go.” He smiles.
Nox sneezes. “I think I’m allergic to this sappiness,” he says sarcastically. “Bye, $player_name. I’m – I apologize for not always being the kindest. I wish you luck, wherever you end up.”
Hichi lets out a pained sound. “Are you done with goodbyes?”
“I hope that me taking the Sitynur fixes the power malfunctioning, and if not, I hope you figure out why it’s happening soon. My world–” you swallow. “My world lost magic a long time ago. I hope you can keep it.”
You turn away and reach for the Sitynur’s power. You form a swirling portal and Hichi grabs your arm. Mallory and Avery gasp softly.
You look over your shoulder one last time. “Goodbye, everyone.”
For a third time, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeFive]]You vaguely remember the route you took, so you start to walk. You cross the road and find a pedestrian path on the other side. You follow it, trying to remember if you have to take any turns.
To your luck, you don’t have to remember. Mire is walking up the road, their gaze sweeping back and forth. Her eyes land on you and she speeds up.
“I realized you might not know where the bus stop was,” he explains. “So I decided to walk over.”
“Thanks,” you reply. “I was just trying to remember where it was.”
Mire nods. “Well, let’s go.” You follow them as they walk up the road, take a right where you might have taken a left, and walk straight down until you reach the bus stop.
“Hey, Mire, $player_name!” Mallory shouts as you approach, waving. You wave back.
“Hey Mallory,” Mire says, once you’re close enough to not have to shout. “Where’s Avery?”
“He wanted to go ahead to the clearing,” Mallory replies. “I’m not sure why. He was kinda zoned out, though.”
“Hmm,” Mire hums. “Well, let’s go meet up with him.”
“Am I going to get the crystal?” you ask, narrowing your eyes. You didn’t want to be dragged all this way if they weren’t even giving you the Sitynur.
“You’ll see,” Mire says mysteriously. He covers his mouth, but you can see his smile. Was she //enjoying// holding this over you?
You glance at Mallory, who puts her hands up in surrender. “Don’t ask me. I would say yes, but Mire is still suspicious. I trust their judgement.”
“The bus will be here in three minutes,” Mire says, after a look at the schedule. “It gets here at nine on the dot.”
“Wait, so Avery is just walking the whole way?” you ask, furrowing your eyebrows.
“He’s quick when he uses Re– his power,” Mallory says. “He went through the forest.”
“Oh,” you say.
The bus arrives a minute early. You all board, this time with Mire standing and Mallory sitting beside you. The bus is packed, full of people heading to work. They range from regular humans to someone who looked more like a mouse than a person. The variety of powers and looks stuns you. There are many more people than the first time you went on a bus.
You lean against the window and watch the houses go by. It isn’t long until you reach your stop.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirtyTwo]]You only vaguely remember the route you took. “Where are we going?” Nox asks, saving you from getting lost.
“The bus stop,” you reply.
Before Nox can respond, you both spot Mire walking up the road, their gaze sweeping back and forth. Her eyes land on you and she speeds up.
“I realized you might not know where the bus stop was, so I decided to walk over.” He pauses to catch his breath and side-eyes Nox. “Why’re they here?”
Nox gives them an equally suspicious look. “I offered to join them,” he says. “I have some questions, and perhaps some answers for <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>.”
Mire nods. “Well, we can worry about that later. Let’s go.” You follow them as they walk up the road, take a right where you might have taken a left, and walk straight down until you reach the bus stop.
“Hey, Mire, $player_name!” Mallory shouts as you approach, waving. You wave back.
“Hey Mallory,” Mire says, once you’re close enough to not have to shout. “Where’s Avery?”
“He wanted to go ahead to the clearing,” Mallory replies. “I’m not sure why. Hey, why’s Nox here?”
Nox narrows his eyes. “I’m here for $player_name. I don’t feel like arguing today.”
“Really?” Mallory scoffs. “That’s a first. I–”
“Am I going to get the crystal?” you interrupt before the argument can spiral further. You didn’t want to deal with the two’s bickering, and you didn’t want to be dragged all this way if they weren’t even giving you the Sitynur.
“You’ll see,” Mire says mysteriously. He covers his mouth, but you can see his smile. Was she //enjoying// holding this over you?
You glance at Mallory, who puts her hands up in surrender. “Don’t ask me. I would say yes, but Mire is still suspicious. I trust their judgement.”
“The bus will be here in three minutes,” Mire says, after a look at the schedule. “It gets here at nine on the dot.”
“Wait, so Avery is just walking the whole way?” you ask, furrowing your eyebrows.
“He’s quick when he uses Re– his power,” Mallory says. “He went through the forest.”
Nox stands to the side of the group, avoiding their gazes. Why did he want to come, anyway? They’ve said both to answer and ask questions. Was that all? He wasn’t going to be able to do either if he just ignored you all the whole time.
The bus arrives a minute early. You all board, and you’re about to sit next to Mire, but Nox grabs your arm and pulls you to the back of the bus. They sit beside you, staring at their feet for a moment before asking a question.
“What were you talking about with my mother?” he asks.
You consider.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirtyTwoN]]You lean against the window and watch the houses go by. Nox watches over the seats for when Mire stands. It isn’t long until you reach your stop.
You get off of the bus with Nox. You join Mallory and Mire and you all head towards the treeline. They’re murmuring to each other, but you decide to not eavesdrop. You focus on the crunching of dry leaves below your feet and the twitter of birds above your head. It’s a nice day, with sun streaming through the branches and only a few fluffy clouds dotting the sky. It’s warm enough that you wouldn’t need your //dern//, but you keep it on anyway. Nox is quiet as he walks beside you, lost in thought.
There’s a scream up ahead and Mire and Mallory go silent. “What was that?” Mallory whispers.
“It came from the clearing,” Mire hisses. “Hurry.” You all shift into a run.
When you finally get to the clearing, you notice something off immediately. There’s two people. Avery, and… someone else. They have black curly hair laying close to their head, and are tall and lanky. Their lips reach the edge of their jaw, revealing short pointed teeth. They turn toward you.
“Reva,” Mire says.
“Hichi! Call me Hichi now. I’m not a backwards Avery anymore.” He’s walking towards you now. “$player_name– I can’t hold m-my own form for long. You’re leaving, can I come with-ith you?” He’s stuttering, both vocally and physically, somehow. He shifts an inch to the side without moving.
“Are you… glitching?” Mallory asks, confused. “Like in a video game?”
“This-is-is world doesn’t like me,” Hichi laughs. “Can’t be on my own for much l-l-longer. $player_name //please//.” He grabs your arm. <<if $height isnot "very tall">>He’s a head taller than you.<<else>>He's about your height.<<endif>> “Let me come with you.”
“Why did you scream?” Mire interrupts before you can respond.
“It hurts,” Hichi says. “Sometimes it’s w-orse.”
“Oh,” Mire frowns. “Well, I was going to give you the crystal anyway, but now we have another reason. To get Hichi home.”
“Yes! Thank you,” Hichi grins and lets go of your arm.
“Guys–” you try to say, only to be cut off.
“Avery, will you be okay without Reva, uh, Hichi?” Mallory asks.
Avery looks paler than usual, but overall… healthier. His hair is brighter and his eyes are shining, but not with tears. “I… I think I can work it out. I’ll figure something out. Hichi never meant to attach to me anyway.”
“Um–”
“What crystal?” Nox narrows his eyes. “Is it Mallory’s crystal? Why are you giving it to $player_name?”
“It’s a long story,” Mire says.
“I–”
“I’m going home,” Hichi smiles– an unsettling sight, with his long jaw. “It’s been so many years.”
“I don’t even know if we’ll go to your world,” you snap. “What if we end up somewhere else? What if that world rejects you entirely?”
Hichi’s quiet for a moment, but says: “We’ll get to my world. We //will//.” He says it with such confidence you can’t say anything. You can’t say //no, we won’t, because I can’t control this.// You can’t say //but what if–?// You can’t say //I wish we could.// You’re silent.
“So you really are from another world,” Nox says. You give them a tiny smile, but that’s all you can manage.
You move farther into the clearing and the four follow you. Avery isn’t smiling, but he doesn’t look sad or upset. He looks deep in thought.
“Who has the Sitynur?” you ask, and Mire clears their throat.
“I know I’ve been… harsh, and skeptical, but I truly hope you find your sister,” he says. “Before, I was worried you were lying. Now I wish you luck. Here.” She presses the Sitynur in your hand. You take out your necklace and align it with the other shards. The others watch curiously as you press it in and it seals itself in.
“That’s so cool,” Mallory says. “I wonder how it does that–?” She looks at you curiously, and you shake your head.
“I don’t know.”
“Oh,” Mallory says. “Well, Mire gave you a cool goodbye speech, so I want to try.” She clears her throat. “As much as I am sad to see my pretty crystal go, I know it’ll be in good – in better – hands. I wish you luck finding your sister.” She grins at herself. “Avery, your turn!”
“Uh–” Avery flushes.
“You don’t have to,” you say quickly.
“No. I do want to say goodbye. Without Hichi, my life will be different, but hopefully for the better. We didn’t know each other for long, but I know you’ll do well, wherever you go.” He smiles.
Nox sneezes. “I think I’m allergic to this sappiness,” he says sarcastically. “Bye, $player_name. I’m – I apologize for not always being the kindest. I wish you luck, wherever you end up.”
Hichi lets out a pained sound. “Are you done with goodbyes?”
“I hope that me taking the Sitynur fixes the power malfunctioning, and if not, I hope you figure out why it’s happening soon. My world–” you swallow. “My world lost magic a long time ago. I hope you can keep it.”
You turn away and reach for the Sitynur’s power. You form a swirling portal and Hichi grabs your arm. Mallory and Avery gasp softly.
You look over your shoulder one last time. “Goodbye, everyone.”
For a third time, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeFive]]“I’m not from here, either,” you say, and they laugh.
“I figured that out a while ago.”
“I’m from another world,” you say, barely audible.
A beat. “...what?”
“I’m from another world,” you repeat.
Nox blinks. He licks his lips, and says, “Huh.” You can tell they don’t really believe you, but you don’t feel like elaborating. He’ll figure out you’re telling the truth soon enough.
You lean against the window and watch the houses go by. Nox watches over the seats for when Mire sits. It isn’t long until you reach your stop.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirtyFourN]]You get off of the bus and follow Mallory and Mire to the treeline. They’re murmuring to each other, but you decide to not eavesdrop. You focus on the crunching of dry leaves below your feet and the twitter of birds above your head. It’s a nice day, with sun streaming through the branches and only a few fluffy clouds dotting the sky. It’s warm enough that you wouldn’t need your //dern//, but you keep it on anyway.
There’s a scream up ahead and Mire and Mallory go silent. “What was that?” Mallory whispers.
“It came from the clearing,” Mire hisses. “Hurry.” You and the others shift into a run.
When you finally get to the clearing, you notice something off immediately. There’s two people. Avery, and… someone else. They have black curly hair laying close to their head, and are tall and lanky. Their lips reach the edge of their jaw, revealing short pointed teeth. They turn toward you.
“Reva,” Mire says.
“Hichi! Call me Hichi now. I’m not a backwards Avery anymore.” He’s walking towards you now. “$player_name– I can’t hold m-my own form for long. You’re leaving, can I come with-ith you?” He’s stuttering, both vocally and physically, somehow. He shifts back and forth without moving.
“Are you… glitching?” Mallory asks, confused. “Like in a video game?”
“This-is-is world doesn’t like me,” Hichi laughs. “Can’t be on my own for much l-l-longer. $player_name //please//.” He grabs your arm. <<if $height isnot "very tall">>He’s a head taller than you.<<else>>He's about your height.<<endif>> “Let me come with you.”
“Why did you scream?” Mire interrupts before you can respond.
“It hurts,” Hichi says. “Sometimes it’s w-orse.”
“Oh,” Mire frowns. He addresses you. “Well, I was going to give you the crystal anyway, but now we have another reason. To get Hichi home.”
“Yes! Thank you,” Hichi grins and lets go of your arm.
“Guys–” you try to say, only to be cut off.
“Avery, will you be okay without Reva, uh, Hichi?” Mallory asks.
Avery looks paler than usual, but overall… healthier. His hair is brighter and his eyes are shining, but not with tears. “I… I think I can work it out. I’ll figure something out. Hichi never meant to attach to me anyway.”
“Guys–”
“I’m going home,” Hichi smiles– an unsettling sight, with his long jaw. “It’s been so many years.”
“I don’t even know if we’ll go to your world,” you snap. “What if we end up somewhere else? What if that world rejects you entirely?”
Hichi’s quiet for a moment, but says: “We’ll get to my world. We //will//.” He says it with such confidence you can’t say anything. You can’t say //no, we won’t, because I can’t control this.// You can’t say //but what if–?// You can’t say //I wish we could.// You’re silent.
You move farther into the clearing and the three follow you. Avery isn’t smiling, but he doesn’t look sad or upset. He looks deep in thought.
“Who has the Sitynur?” you ask, and Mire clears their throat.
“I know I’ve been… harsh, and skeptical, but I truly hope you find your sister,” he says. “Before, I was worried you were lying. Now I wish you luck. Here.” She presses the Sitynur in your hand. You take out your necklace and align it with the other shards. The others watch curiously as you press it in and it seals itself in.
“That’s so cool,” Mallory says. “I wonder how it does that–?” She looks at you curiously, and you shake your head.
“I don’t know.”
“Oh,” Mallory says. “Well, Mire gave you a cool goodbye speech, so I want to try.” She clears her throat. “As much as I am sad to see my pretty crystal go, I know it’ll be in good – in better – hands. I wish you luck finding your sister.” She grins at herself. “Avery, your turn!”
“Uh–” Avery flushes.
“You don’t have to,” you say quickly.
“No. I do want to say goodbye. Without Hichi, my life will be different, but hopefully for the better. We didn’t know each other for long, but I know you’ll do well, wherever you go.” He smiles.
Hichi lets out a pained sound. “Are you done with goodbyes?”
“I hope that me taking the Sitynur fixes the power malfunctioning, and if not, I hope you figure out why it’s happening soon. My world–” you swallow. “My world lost magic a long time ago. I hope you can keep it.”
You turn away and reach for the Sitynur’s power. You form a swirling portal and Hichi grabs your arm. Mallory and Avery gasp softly.
You look over your shoulder one last time. “Goodbye, everyone.”
For a third time, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeFive]]“I can’t tell you,” you tell them. “That’s her story to tell.”
He clenches his jaw. “She… I know she’s lying about her past.” They let out a sigh and lean back into their seat. “But I can’t say I’m not doing the same.”
You look around you, but there are few people, and none are paying attention. “Something we have in common, I guess,” you say, with a half-hearted laugh.
“I was adopted,” he says suddenly, quietly. “I’m not actually their child. I haven't told them that when…” they trail off unceremoniously.
You hesitate. He’s revealed something, a piece of his past, and you wonder if you should do the same. If they continue to come with you, they’ll figure it out anyway.
[[Tell him about coming from another world.|PgOneHundredThirtyThreeNT]]
[[Don’t.|PgOneHundredThirtyThreeND]]Once the group is gathered again, Mallory takes charge. “Okay, let’s sort our clues. This pile is for clues relating to the powers, and this one’s for anything related to my crystal.”<<if $clue3 is "true">>
You add the clues about the dates Nox last saw the crystal and when his power started malfunctioning.<<endif>><<if $clue4 is "true">>
You add the clue about when Mire’s power started to malfunction to the correct pile.<<endif>><<if $clue5 is "true">>
You take a piece of paper and scribble down the scratches you saw at Mallory’s locker. You also add the footprint.<<endif>>
The others shuffle around and add scraps of paper until finally you have two thin piles. Mallory frowns as she looks at them. “This isn’t a lot, is it?”
“It’s a lot for the quick search we did,” Avery replies. Your finger twitches to the pile about the Sitynur. <<if $disposition lte 12>>You did want to help the world, of course, but you needed the Sitynur.<<endif>>
Avery leans forward and spreads out the information. He scans it and says, “The dates of Mire’s power malfunctioning and Nox’s… they’re both two days after seeing the crystal. Correlation or coincidence?”
“We’ll have to talk to the others with malfunctioning powers,” Mire says.
Gazes turn to Avery and he leans back. “Don’t look at me. My– er, Reva is fine. Just shifty.”
“I’m fine, too,” Mallory adds. “Watch.” She holds her hand out and after a //pop,// a slip of paper is in her hand. “Ta-da.”
“I think it’s just a coincidence,” Avery says. “Mallory is fine, and she’s had it the longest.”
“Maybe it’s some radioactive thing. That… doesn’t affect certain people?” Mallory shrugs.
Mire shakes their head. “We need more evidence to decide. It could go either way right now.”
[[You agree with Avery.|PgOneHundredFourA]]
[[You agree with Mallory.|PgOneHundredFourM]]“Avery, do you recognize that shoe?” Mire says softly.
“Wha– Of course– but how–” Avery’s eyes darken and he smiles. Reva. “So you figured it out, huh?”
“Of course I did. I noticed it when you chased after me when I was trapped, remember?” Mire crosses their arms. “For it to appear in that dimension, it has to be other-worldly. It was quite vibrant there.” His eyes slide to you. “As it would happen, are //you.//”
You take a step back as everyone stares at you. <<if $mental gte 13>>“What are you implying?” you reply.<<else>>“What- what do you mean?” you reply.<<endif>> You have to keep your cards close to your chest. Perhaps he hadn’t quite figured out what you were.
“So as much as I need to talk about you…” Mire nods towards Avery, “I think you need to answer some questions.” She takes a step forward to you.
“Starting with, //who are you?//”
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirteen]]Despite the curtains, the sun wakes you up. You’re confused for a moment – //where am I?// – but you quickly remember where you are. Lotus’s house. Today you can get the Sitynur and move on from this world.
You smile at that last thought and get out of bed. You choose one set of clothes, <<if $style is "comfy">>the white sweater and a pair of jeans.<<endif>><<if $style is "professional">>the black button-up, as well as one pair of leggings.<<endif>><<if $style is "casual">>the t-shirt with an colorful blobs on the front and a pairs of blue jeans.<<endif>><<if $style is "edgy">>a black t-shirts and one of the pairs of jeans.<<endif>>. You keep your //dern//, though. You don’t think you could let it go.
Today is the day you can get closer to your sister. Well, as long as Mire agrees. <<if $mire_points lte 7>>You’re not sure she will.<<else>>You think they will. At least, you hope so.<<endif>>
You leave your bedroom and walk downstairs. It smells like cheese and eggs, and that’s why you aren’t surprised when you find Grynn cooking some cheese-egg combo. He tells you it’s called an omelette. You thank him and take the food.
No one else is awake yet, so you eat in silence while Grynn continues cooking. The food is great, peppery and cheesy and savory.
The second person to wake up is Lotus. She greets you with a smile and a ‘good morning,’ which you echo. She kisses her husband and takes a plate of the omelette as well. She sits beside you, sleepiness still visible on her face.
Grynn is just handing her a cup of coffee when Nox and Vivi emerge from their rooms. Vivi is surprisingly quiet, her hair falling over one of her eyes. They take their own spots at the table while Grynn serves them their own plates. He sits down a moment after.
Contrasting the night before, the table is quiet. Vivi whispers something to Nox every once in a while, but nothing more. It’s very different from your own family, where $sister_name is cheerful in the morning and exhausted by evening. You observe the group quietly.
By the time Lotus pours her second cup of coffee, the family is more lively. Vivi is chattering away while Nox listens, and Grynn is talking softly to Lotus. You finish your food and put it on top of Grynn and Nox’s plates.
“Do you know what time it is?” you ask Lotus and Grynn when there’s a pause in their conversation. Grynn looks up to a strange square-shaped mechanism that you can’t puzzle out.
“Eight thirty-two,” Grynn tells you. You nod and thank him before retreating to your room.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyNine]]You hardly make it a step inside before the door opens again. Expecting Lotus, perhaps forgetting something, you turn. Yet it’s Nox who stands there, his eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing here?” they ask. “You aren’t my friend, you’re new to town, and you’re suddenly friendly with my mom? Something isn’t adding up.”
<<if $disposition lte 13>>“I… I can’t exactly tell you,” you tell him.<<else>>“It’s none of your business.” you say.<<endif>> “Anyway, it’s only for the night. I’ll be gone tomorrow.”
Nox frowns. “Just… don’t tell anyone.”
“Tell anyone what? That you can be nice? I saw that on the cameras already.” Nox’s eyes widen and they scowl.
“Yes. Don’t tell them that. I need my reputation, okay?” he crosses his arms, seemingly serious. “I– just keep quiet, alright?”
“Hopefully I’m leaving this town soon,” you say flatly.
“Good.” Nox steps outside your door and shuts it.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentySix]]Lotus smiles – it’s a small yet kind smile. “Let me introduce you to Grynn, my husband.” You follow her to the kitchen. “Grynn!” she says, and the blond man turns.
“Hey, hon– who’s this?” he smiles at you, but his brown eyes flick up to Lotus. He’s a little taller than her, and has freckles scattered over his face.
“This is $player_name, and <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective is<<endif>> staying here for the night.”
“Another stray?” Grynn teases, and you frown slightly. He glances at your expression and corrects himself. “I’m kidding,” he says. “Lotus is great.”
Lotus leaves your side and whispers something to Grynn. His eyes widen, and you wonder if she’s telling him about your world-jumping situation. “Oh,” he says simply.
Lotus pulls away and pauses for a moment before speaking. “Let me show you where you can sleep.”
She leads you up the stairs and down a hallway to the first door on the left. “Here,” she says. “And the next door down is the bathroom.” You nod and she opens the door. “I’m not sure if we have spare clothes… maybe Nox’s will fit? You’re about the same age, right?”
“I think so,” you reply. <<if $height is "short" or $height is "very short">>“But they might be too big for me.”<<endif>>
Lotus pauses and puts her finger to her lips, thinking. “You know what, I’ll buy you some new clothes. And a bag, so you won’t have to worry about carrying them.”
<<if $mental lte 13>>“Oh, that’s okay–” you try to protest, but Lotus shakes her head.
“It’s nothing,” she tells you, and you relent.<<else>>“Thank you,” you say.
“It’s nothing,” she says cheerfully.<<endif>>“I assume you don’t want to come?” she asks, and you shake your head. “What kind of style would you like?”
“Uh… something <<if $style is "comfy">>comfortable<<endif>><<if $style is $professional>>nice<<endif>><<if $style is "casual">>casual<<endif>><<if $style is "edgy">>with darker colors<<endif>>?” you suggest.
“Alright! I’ll be back before dinner. Please, make yourself at home.” She shuts your door and you decide to explore your temporary room.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyFive]]<<set $nox_points to $nox_points - 2>>Her face lights up. “Of course! I’m Lotus, Nox’s mother. Come on inside!”
You enter the house and note the inside looks as cheerful as the outside. You wonder how Nox could be… how he is, if he grew up //here//. It seems so cheerful. Lotus leads you to some plush, red couches, where you can see the kitchen. A blond man with his back facing you all whistles to himself, appearing to cut up something.
“Nox, honey! Your friends are here!” Lotus calls cheerfully.
“Just a second!” Nox replies, distantly. They emerge a moment later, wearing a grin. “Hey guys! I didn’t realize y–” He halts, seeing your faces, and a cold mask slips over his own. “What are you doing here?” they ask, in a completely different – and more irritated – voice.
“Nox!” Lotus chides. “That’s no way to speak to your friends.”
“They //aren’t// my //friends//,” Nox snaps. “If they said that, they lied.”
Lotus’s gaze turns to you, and <<if $attitude gte 14>>you straighten. “They’re not lying,” you say. “We did. I apologize, but I needed to speak to you.”<<else>>you shrink into yourself slightly. “Yes, we did lie,” you say, “but I need to speak to you, and I couldn’t think of any other way.”<<endif>>
Lotus’s lips are pursed tightly, and her shoulders are stiff. “I don’t appreciate you lying, but I will hear you out.”
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyOne]]You carefully pack your things into the bag Lotus had gifted to you. It’s not much: just a few sets of clothes. You frown at your meager possessions. You had more at home, but you didn’t take anything with you except the clothes on your back. Soon, though, soon, you would find $sister_name and you would return home.
Hopefully.
A knock on the door tears you away from your thoughts. “You can come in,” you call, and Lotus opens the door.
“I packed you some lunch,” she says, with a few packages in her hands, “and some other food, in case you get hungry. I have some other-world currency, too, and it’s not like I’ll need it so I brought you that too. Since you can’t control the Crystalline yet, I don’t know if it’ll help, but–”
“Thank you,” you interrupt. “This is… much more than I could have asked for.”
“Of course,” Lotus says. “Of course. I’m upset I can’t help you more. If only my Crystalline… but it can’t be put back together. I made sure of that.” She stares at the floor solemnly for a moment.
“Thank you,” you repeat. “I can’t thank you enough.”
Lotus looks back up at you and smiles. “You remind me of myself, you know.” She pauses. “When you find who you’re looking for, please stop world-jumping. You… you lose yourself. I don’t want you to suffer the fate I almost did.”
“I won’t,” you promise. As soon as you find $sister_name, you want to go home.
Lotus places your gifts on your bed. “Let me know when you’re going to leave.” She exits the room.
You add the new things to your bag. You’re surprised by the amount of money. It appears to be five different currencies, and a decent amount of each. You make sure the food is on top so that it isn’t crushed.
You’re… a little sad you have to leave Lotus and this world. She understands what you’re going through, she tries to help you. Yet you can’t just abandon your sister. You //have// to find her.
You don’t know what you’ll do if you can’t.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredThirty]]<<if $attitude gte 13>>You reach into your shirt and pull out your Sitynur necklace. Lotus freezes.
“Go to your room,” she snaps at Nox.
“No, that’s Mallory’s crystal, right–”
“Mallory had this?” she asks you.
You shake your head. “It’s complicated.”<<else>>After a moment of thought, you say, “What is your necklace made of?”
Lotus instinctively reaches up to touch the metal, and then narrows her eyes.<<endif>>
“Nox, go to your room.”
“Why?”
“Because I am your mother, and I am telling you to,” she says. She isn’t yelling, or angry, but her voice is cold and sharp. A complete flip from earlier. Nox stares for a moment, then turns and exits. Lotus’s shoulders are stiff and she clasps her hands.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyTwo]]There’s already a plate at your seat, and to your relief, you vaguely recognize the food. It’s some sort of meat and baby potatoes with bread. It’s a simple meal, brought to the next level with presentation and seasoning. After making sure the others are eating, so that you don’t seem rude, you dig in. For the first few minutes, it’s silent, sans the clinking of silverware and cutting the meat.
“What did you do today, Vivi?” Grynn asks the small girl, and she grins.
“To-day at school I did finger-painting with Liara and we painted the best rabbit ever. But then Miss Luna made us stop ‘cause we had to do math, and…” she continues talking while you glance at Nox. He has a small smile on his face as he listens intently. They see you staring and scowl.
“What about you, Nox?” Vivi asks, and Nox’s gaze leaves you, instead turning to Vivi with his smile back.
“My day was alright,” they say. “The only thing strange is $player_name,” he adds pointedly, staring at Lotus.
Lotus sighs. “Nox, it’s only for one night.”
“I still think I have a right–”
“Nox,” Grynn interrupts, in a harsher tone than you knew he could use. “I suggest you try to be nice to our guest. Your mother and I agreed to let <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> stay here for the night, and I don’t understand why you are being so hostile.”
Nox grumbles something you couldn’t hear but seems to let go of the issue. Vivi looks confused for a moment but turns back to her food.
The conversation turns more lighthearted while you focus on eating. Grynn finishes first – how does he eat so quickly? – but you’re not too far behind.
When finally, Vivi finishes, everyone gets down from the table and puts their dishes on the kitchen counter. You follow their lead.
You start to head to your room, but Lotus stops you. “Your clothes,” she reminds you.
She shows you the three sets of clothes she got you. <<if $style is "comfy">>The shirts are a white sweater, a dark blue shirt, and a black turtle neck. There's two pairs of jeans and one pair of leggings as well.<<endif>><<if $style is "professional">>There's a white and a black button-up, as well as a pale yellow long sleeve shirt. She also got two pairs of leggings and one pair of jeans.<<endif>><<if $style is "casual">>Lotus bought you a t-shirt with an few colorful blobs on the front, a plain black t-shirt, and a blue long-sleeved shirt. She also got a pair of gray sweatpants and two pairs of blue jeans.<<endif>><<if $style is "edgy">>Lotus got you a shirt with black-and-gray stripes, as well as two black t-shirts. She also chose two pairs of black jeans and gray sweatpants.<<endif>> She even bought you a fabric bag to carry everything.
"I know it's not a lot, but--"
“Thank you,” you interrupt, and she smiles.
“Don’t worry about it.”
You bring your things to your room and, tired, crawl under the covers. Tomorrow, hopefully, you will be one step closer to finding $sister_name.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyEight]]You sit on the bed with a sigh, sinking into the mattress. The blanket on top is a deep blue, with white sheets underneath. It’s a large bed, enough to fit two people with room to spare. The room has a single window with curtains covering it, only letting dim light into the room. There’s a wardrobe and a lamp on top of it.
You lay down on the bed and notice fake stars on the ceiling. They glow faintly. Thin lines connect constellations that you don’t recognize. Until you spot one you do.
It’s the Flosum constellation. It takes the shape of a five-petaled flower. It represents the flower gifted from the god of magic to the first of your kind with magic. People used to wish on it, hoping to make their magic stronger. Now, though, most people have given up hope.
It reminds you both of your home and the world you were before here. You close your eyes. When will you return home? It feels so far away.
There’s two quick knocks at the door, and a voice you recognize as Grynn’s calls, “$player_name? It’s time for dinner, if you’d like to join us.”
“I’ll be there in a second,” you reply. You wonder what happened with Lotus– wasn’t she supposed to be back before dinner?
You stand up and leave the room, walking down the stairs and reaching the dining room, where four people sat. Lotus, Grynn, and Nox, of course, but also a small brown-haired girl. You recognized her as the girl in the video where Nox hugged her.
“Vivi, Nox, this is $player_name, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective is<<endif>> staying the night,” Grynn says.
Vivi gasps. “Like a sleepover?”
“Just like a sleepover,” Grynn agrees.
“$player_name,” Lotus says, and you look at her. “I got you your clothes, but when I knocked on your door, you didn’t reply, so I left you alone. I’ll give them to you after dinner.”
Had you fallen asleep? “Thank you.”
“Of course. Now sit down and let’s eat!” Lotus laughs and you sit in the empty seat next to her.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentySeven]]The woman raises her eyebrows but nods. “Of course. You can call me Lotus. What are your names?”
“I’m $player_name,” you say, and the others give their names as well.
“Why don’t you come inside?” Lotus says, stepping back to give you room. You thank her and enter.
You enter the house and note the inside looks as cheerful as the outside. You wonder how Nox could be… how he is, if he grew up //here//. It seems so cheerful. Lotus leads you to some plush, red couches, where you can see the kitchen. A blond man with his back facing you all whistles to himself, appearing to cut up something.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” Lotus asks, sitting across from the group.
“Well–” Mire starts, and is interrupted by Nox walking into the room.
“Hey, Mom, I–” they pause and stare at you. “What are //you// doing here?”
“Nox!” Lotus chides. “That’s no way to speak to our guests. They just wanted to talk to me.” Her eyes narrow. “Unless you’d like to tell me something?”
“No,” he says, leaning against the doorway. “I’m curious about what they have to say, too.”
You swallow.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyOne]]Avery, back in control of his body, thanked Lotus, and followed Mire to the door. You stand, ready to join them, but Lotus holds you back.
“Do you have anywhere to stay?” Lotus asks. “We have a guest room.”
You look back at Mire, who shrugs. “Sure. Let’s meet at nine, at the bus stop, tomorrow morning.”
“It’s your choice,” Lotus tells you.
You consider. But, what is there to consider? This house, or another bench. Either way, you could be in danger, but at least here you have a roof over your head. At least here you will be comfortable. Here, someone can almost understand what you’re going through. It’s only for one night.
“Okay,” you say.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyFour]]“Okay,” Mire says once Nox leaves, “we came to discuss the crystal, Sitynur, whatever. And to see if I believe $player_name’s story.”
“How can I prove <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> story? I don’t know <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> personally.” Lotus questions, and Mire purses his lips.
“You recognize the crystal, right?” Mire asks, and she nods.
“But I gave up that life,” she says. “I am not returning. I thought he disbanded it, anyway.”
You tilt your head. “He?”
“Iifu?” When you don’t recognize the name, she relaxes. “So you’re not here for him.”
“No. I came here, because I’m looking for someone and I need the shard of the Sitynur here to help me get closer. Mire doesn’t believe me, and won’t let me take one of the shards I need.” <<if $attitude lt 13>>You reveal your Sitynur necklace.<<endif>>
“Sitynur? Oh, Crystalline. Is your piece shattered?”
“Yes. The shards– It’s a long story. They’re in different worlds. I’m tracking them down. I found the one that ended up here. Avery, or Reva, has it now.”
“Avery I know, but Reva?” Lotus furrows her eyebrows.
Reva grins. “Don’t you remember me?”
Lotus squints. “I’m… sorry, I don’t.”
“Right. Not this way. Uhh… It was a few years ago. In my actual form, I’m lanky, have dark brown skin, and curly black hair. Tried to scare everyone.”
Lotus’s eyes widen. “Oh Spirits, Hichi?”
“You do remember me!”
“Of course. How did you adapt to this world so easily? You shouldn’t be able to speak the language, or– actually, you should be dead–”
Reva’s grin tightens. “Avery here helped.” Lotus nods thoughtfully. “Reva’s the name I’m using here,” Reva continues. “I was the one who originally stole the crystal.”
“I meant to ask,” Mire says. “Why did you take it in the first place?”
“I was curious,” he replies. You wonder why you were never able to sense it. Quickly, you try now. Yet, you bounce off of an invisible wall. You reach up to your head, wincing at the headache forming.
“Are you okay?” Lotus asks, concern filling her voice. Reva looks confused for a moment, before his eyes widen.
“Did you try to sense the crystal?” he asks, and you nod. “...that’s my fault. I hexed it. Sorry about that.”
“Can you undo it?”
“Yes.”
Lotus sighs. “Okay, so your Crystalline shattered, and you’re trying to get those shards so that you can find someone, yes?”
“That’s right,” you confirm.
“Sounds perfectly plausible to me,” she says, turning to Mire. “I don’t see why you wouldn’t believe <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>.”
Mire studies both Lotus and you for a moment and concedes. “Okay. I believe you. Thank you, Lotus. Let’s go, you two.”
[[Continue|PgOneHundredTwentyThree]]<<set $nox_points to $nox_points - 2>><<set $chances to $chances - 1>><<set $w to 1>>Nox snorts. “Not particularly. I just want it to be fixed.”
You frown. <<if $chances gt 0>>Nox is still here, though. At least they’re faithful to their three chances promise.<<endif>>
“<<if $chances is 2>>Two more chances,” Nox says.<<endif>><<if $chances is 1>>One more chance,” Nox says.<<endif>><<if $f isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“If we know, we might be able to fix it.”|PgOneHundredF]]<<endif>><<if $e isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“We’ll figure it out either way. Either you get to be known as someone who helped, or you don’t.”|PgOneHundredE]]<<endif>><<if $h isnot 1 and $chances gt 0>>
[[“Can’t you just help us out here?”|PgOneHundredH]]<<endif>><<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points gte 8>>Fine. What was the question again?”
“When did your power start malfunctioning?” Reva prompts.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>><<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points lt 8>>No. Your chances are up, if you haven’t been keeping track. Oh, and if you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” And then they’re gone.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>><<if $chances is 0 and $nox_points gte 8>>Nox hesitates and glances at you. “Well, as long as you’re not accusing me of something,” he says, crossing his arms. “My power is malfunctioning.”<<set $clue2 to "true">>
Reva smiles. “When did you first notice it?”
“The… sixteenth? That sounds right,” Nox replies. “Yeah, the sixteenth.”
“Perfect. You got all that?” Reva asks you. You nod. “Okay. We’re all set, then.”
“If you use my quotes or whatever you journalists do– make it anonymous. Thanks.” And then they’re gone.
[[Continue|PgOneHundredOneN]]<<endif>><<set $noka_points to 6>>“Noka,” Crow says, tone lightly scolding but a soft smile on her lips. She steps forward towards the newcomer and rests her arms on their shoulders. “I didn’t call you.”
Their hair is dark, and that’s all you can see of their head. They wear a mask with a digital display. It changes from a :) shape to a :D. Their clothes are sleek and black, with soft cyan highlights. You can’t see their Sit—Crystalline. You might as well call it that, now. “You didn’t need to.”
Crow releases a good-natured sigh. “Of course not. You know //everything.//”
“Not everything.”
“Oh, really?”
Noka leans closer to Crow and lifts their mask, yet obscuring their face from you. They whisper something, and Crow turns an interesting shade of red. “There are //children// here.”
“I’m not a child,” you call, and Noka pulls away from Crow and adjusts their mask.
“Fresh meat, I see,” they say, and Crow hits them.
“Don’t be mean,” she scolds. “And take off your mask. It’s rude.”
“Privacy is important, dear,” Noka says lightly. “Now, what’s your name?”
You hesitate. “…privacy is important.”
Noka bursts out laughing, doubling over and cackling. “Oh my gods, I like this one. Much less uptight than you were.” Crow crosses her arms and rolls her eyes.
“Haha, <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> name is $player_name,” she says, and you fake-pout.
“Nice to meet ya, $player_name,” Noka says. “I hear you’re new to the world jumping gang.” You shrug.
“The twins’ll be here in— well. Right now!” Noka points to the door, where two people are entering. Though they look similar, there are a few key differences. One presents more femininely, with shoulderlength black hair and blond highlights. She wears a shirt with one sleeve off-shoulder, exposing cloud tattoos. The other has shorter hair, yet still long enough to mostly cover their eyes. They present more neutrally, with dark clothing and a short cloak.
“Hello,” the feminine one says, smiling.
“This is the new one?” the other inquires, and you freeze. You know that voice.
The void-person.
[[Continue|PgOneNineNine]]You struggle to your feet, one hand pressed against your wound. You don’t want to stay still for too long, not when you’re wounded and the Sitynur is useless. You balance against the wall, breathing shallow. You push forward.
The city is devoid of life. The streets are clean, the power on, and yet… No people. No animals. Nothing that you can see.
You follow the smell of bread and coffee, and eventually you find a small cafe. It must have been used recently, if there’s the smell of baking. A small bell rings when you open the door.
A small dragon, maybe the size of your arm, who was resting on the countertop, leaps up and darts to the back door. You lunge forward, desperate to cling to the only life you’ve seen in this world, and pain shoots through your body. You crumple to the ground.
You lay there, curled into a fetal position, for minutes that tick by slowly. Finally, you crawl up to a chair and pull yourself into it.
The back door opens.
[[Continue|PgOneNineSix]]<<set $thecity to "known">>You hit the ground and roll, landing on your back and facing the sky. It’s night, stars twinkling far above you. It’s a cloudless sky, and the moon is full. The concrete ground presses into your back.
Slowly, you realize that the Sitynur isn’t giving you information about this world. You had unconsciously waited, not wanting to be taken off guard, and yet… nothing.
You were fairly certain that it would happen as soon as you stood, just so you were knocked off of your feet (because the multiverse just seems to have it out for you), but nothing happened. //Is it malfunctioning?// Your wound screams with the effort, and you hurriedly sit back down.
You look up, and take in the sights of the city. There are glowing neon lights outlining every building, the towers sleek and polished, the roads paved smooth. The moon glimmers.
Something’s wrong, and you can’t quite put your finger on it… Then you realize. This clean, sleek city is completely and utterly empty.
Something about this world is wrong.
[[Continue|PgOneNineFive]]<<set $afira_points to “You’re—” you start, and something invisible covers your mouth. The words refuse to come out of your mouth.
//Not yet,// breathes a voice in your mind. //They do not know who I am.//
//How is that possible,// you want to ask, but the presence is gone as soon as it came. Sirik is tilting their head to you.
“Sorry,” you say. “I thought I recognized you.”
Sirik nods, though Afira gives you a searching look. “Alright, basic things, then,” she says. “Name, pronouns, and world.”
“$player_name, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective<<endif>>, and I don’t know.”
“…huh,” Noka says suddenly. Sirik turns to them in a silent question. “I’m trying to track <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> Crystalline use. I can’t read… any of this data.”
Sirik frowns, eyes darting through the air, considering. “$player_name, the crystal that lets you open worlds—”
“It’s fractured,” you interrupt, and the entire room goes quiet.
“How?” Crow asks.
“Wh- What do you mean? It hit something and broke into pieces.”
“Crystalline doesn’t //break//,” Noka says. They laugh slightly. “What did you //do?//”
“Where did it break?” Crow asks, chewing on her pencil. “Was it in a normal world?”
“It—uh, I think it was in between worlds. It wasn’t a real world.”
“Hm,” Sirik says. “Odd, but… Do you have all of the shards?”
“That’s my problem,” you explain. “I’m trying to find the last one. I think my sister has it.” You pause, then ask hopefully, “Have you heard of a $sister_name?”
They all shrug and shake their heads sadly. “But I’m looking for irregular activity right now,” Noka says. “If I…” they trail off, mumbling jargon you can’t understand.
“Well,” Afira says brightly. “We’ll find your sister in no time. Then we can properly fully induct you into the world travellers guild!”
You go quiet for a moment.
You think about your father, driven so far by the urge to traverse worlds that he died trying to reach it. You think of your sister, lost in some other world, stranded with a shard of Sitynur, lost from you.
And you think of yourself. Desperately clawing through, world by world, searching for your sister. The threats the void person had given you.
Yet… there’s community here. There are people who would understand, who would help you. People who could help you explore these worlds.
You can’t make the decision yet.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroZero]]You pull out your necklace and Crow nods. “Crystalline…” she mumbles to herself, writing it down. “And… Do you know where this is?”
“This city?” you ask, and Crow nods. You reach for the Sitynur’s—Crystalline’s?—whatever’s power and nothing happens. Not a wall, not something in the way. Just a blank void. “…No. I can’t tell.”
Crow looks up to you and tilts her head. “Oh!” she exclaims. “Multiverse introduction time!” She puts down her notebook and taps something on a wristband. “Right… The twins should be here soon.”
“Who?” you ask, and Crow tilts her head, considering.
“Pretty powerful world jumpers.” she says. “They know how to explain quickly. They’re natural jumpers, so they’ve been doing this since… forever. Or something like that.” Crow laughs, and it reminds you of a — well. Of a crow.
“Natural jumpers?”
“People who can go through the worlds by themself. They don’t need Crystalline.”
You frown. “That’s not possible.”
Crow smiles. “But it is.”
“But it’s—”
“Hello!” Someone exclaims, walking in the front door.
[[Continue|PgOneNineEight]]<<set $crow_points to 7>>A woman walks in, tall, with dark braided hair reaching her shoulders. A notebook balances in her hands, a pen in the other. She studies you with sharp eyes, and ruffles her wings.
…Wings?
Sleek, black feathers, beady yellow eyes, and — now that you’re paying attention — scaled feet. She watches your reaction, and writes something down. She smiles.
“Hello,” she says. “I am Crow. I don’t recognize you…” Crow trails off, waiting for your reply. You hesitate for a moment, not sure if you want to reply. Then you notice a string braided into her hair. A dazzling blur gem dangles the end.
//Sitynur.//
“…$player_name,” you say eventually, and Crow writes it down. You shift from foot to foot. What are the notes for?
“I’m making notes to add you to the catalogue,” Crow says, as if reading your mind. “Natural or Crystalline?” Crystalline… Where had you heard that word before?
//Lotus.// Hadn’t she mentioned Crystalline? And a man named Iifu… She seemed scared of him. You stiffen. “Do you work with Iifu?”
Crow blinks. “Iifu.” Her tone is cold. “No. Not anymore. He’s dead. Why?”
“I heard the name…” you mumble, and Crow softens.
“Well, he won’t be showing up again any time soon. I don’t think he ever did perfect his revival technique, and even if he did, no one would help him with it.” She pauses. “Well. Almost no one.” Her smile returns. “So! Natural or Crystalline?”
[[Continue|PgOneNineSeven]]<big><b>Chapter Ten</b></big>
You’re suspended, breathless, in an endless void. You can’t move. Can’t speak. Can’t cry out.
Finally, you hear a faint sigh, and see two pinpricks of light. A form moves towards you, somehow darker than the void around you.
“$player_name…” they say softly, as if testing how the word feels. Their breath brushes your cheek. They chuckle. “Do you know what you’ve been doing?”
You try to reply, but all that comes out is a faint breath. The void person hums. “You can’t speak. Not here.” They shift further away from you, and you can sense them moving in a slow circle around you.
“Looking for your sister… a noble cause, perhaps. Yet not worth the price.”
//Price?//
“Everything has a price, dear. You just don’t know what it is yet.” Another sigh. “I suppose I should warn you, before stronger forces than I come to punish you for it.
“The forces of Sitynur – an amusing name – have been played with before, long before your existence. And they will continue to be used long after you are gone. Wars begun that no one in any normal world knew of. No history books have been written about this. But I, and others, remember.
“Using fragments,” and their tone is so sharp you would wince if you could, “is even worse. Tearing the very //foundation// of reality in your journey to //find your sister.//”
They halt directly in front of you, the lights of their eyes locked on yours. “Find her, and stop there. Your rips through the worlds are already causing problems for the rest of us. Do not go further.”
You fall.
[[Continue|PgOneNineFour]]“Oh my god,” Wren says, a hand to her mouth. “We just //killed// someone.”
“You’ve killed monsters before,” you point out<<if $disposition gt 10>>, stepping forward to pick up the Sitynur.<<else>>.<<endif>>
“That’s different,” Wren argues.
You look down at Hichi’s corpse. His eyes which still have a tinge of cyan. His face stretched and teeth sharpened. Even his blood was tinted blue. It was like the Sitynur had corrupted him.
”I don’t know if it was, anymore,” you say quietly.
The Sitynur shard fits into place smoothly. You look up at Wren. “Will you be okay on the journey home?”
”What?” Wren asks. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
The Sitynur’s power hums through you, and you’re itching to get going. “I can,” you say slowly. //But it’s another two days of travel. Time seems to work differently in every world - for some, the Sitynur has just fallen, and for others it’s been there for years. If you waste more time, what if your sister dies before you even find her?//
“I can,” you repeat softly, “if you want me to.”
She hesitates, eyes flicking between you, Hichi, and the Sitynur. Then she sighs. “Go,” she says. “I can make it back on my own. Jurem will be angry, of course, but I can handle it.” She smiles. “It was fun, this adventure, going off on our own.”
Wren steps forward, arms open. You hug, and pull away after a moment. “Goodbye, Wren,” you say, as the portal forms. “Tell the others I said goodbye. It was nice meeting you.”
And you step into the swirling blue.
[[Continue|PgOneNineThree]]Trelop stares at Hichi’s corpse blankly, and you give them the moment to process. You take the moment, too, as suddenly the realisation hits you as well.
Hichi’s dead. He’s not coming back. And you were the one who did it.
But you look at him again. His eyes which still have a tinge of cyan. His face stretched and teeth sharpened. Even his blood was tinted blue. It was like the Sitynur had corrupted him.
It isn’t so different from killing a monster, anymore, is it?
You press the new Sitynur shard into your necklace, and it melds into place. You turn to Trelop, who has a determined look on her face. “We should move him out of here,” she says.
You take one end, and Trelop the other, and you carry him further into the woods. You lay him on the ground, and Trelop walks away. You move to follow them, but they shake their head and tell you to wait.
She returns with a pile of leaves, which she carefully covers Hichi’s body with. “He doesn’t deserve flowers,” she says, “but he deserves some sort of burial.”
You stand there for a moment, heads bowed. Then Trelop looks up. “Are you going to leave?”
“Do you want me to come back with you?” you ask, though you don’t want to. //Time seems to work differently in every world - for some, the Sitynur has just fallen, and for others it’s been there for years. If you waste more time, what if your sister dies before you even find her?//
They shake their head. “If you want to leave, I will tell the others you said goodbye.”
“Then farewell, Trelop,” you say, as a portal forms. “Thank you for coming with me. It was nice meeting you.”
And you step into the swirling blue.
[[Continue|PgOneNineThree]]“Oh my god,” Wren says. “We just //killed// someone.”
Even Jurem seems concerned, eyebrows knitted together. “He was the one orchestrating the attacks,” he reasons. “However…”
“You’ve killed monsters before,” you point out<<if $disposition gt 10>>, stepping forward to pick up the Sitynur.<<else>>.<<endif>>
“That’s different,” Wren argues.
You look back down at Hichi’s corpse. His eyes which still have a tinge of cyan. His face stretched and teeth sharpened. Even his blood was tinted blue. It was like the Sitynur had corrupted him.
”I don’t know if it was, anymore,” you say quietly.
The Sitynur shard fits into place smoothly, the crack melting away as if it had never been there at all. You look to the other two. Wren looks pale, and Jurem still has that look of being torn, as if he cannot decide if Hichi’s death was a bad thing or not.
You’re not sure, either.
“I am going to leave,” you say, and Wren looks surprised.
“You’re leaving?” she says. “I thought you were coming home with us.”
The Sitynur’s power hums through you, and you’re itching to get going. “I can,” you say slowly. //But it’s another two days of travel. Time seems to work differently in every world - for some, the Sitynur has just fallen, and for others it’s been there for decades. If you waste more time, what if your sister dies before you even find her?//
“I can,” you repeat, “if you want me to.”
“Wren,” Jurem says. “We should get back to the //toam//.”
Wren hesitates, looking between you and Jurem and Hichi’s corpse and the Sitynur. Finally, she steps forward with her arms out for a hug. You accept, leaning into each other, and she says, “Goodbye. It was nice to know you, and to go on this short adventure.”
You step away, pulling at the Sitynur’s power and forming a portal. You look back at the duo. “Good luck,” Jurem says.
“Thank you,” you reply.
And you step into the swirling blue.
[[Continue|PgOneNineThree]]The woods are quiet. The stillness of night, and the usual silence. Every sound you make feels like breaking something; like the forest looking at you. The moon lights your path, painting everything a silvery grey. Ekys’ normally brown eyes are nearly pale.
Ekys glances at you, and murmurs, “Huh.”
“What?” you ask.
“Your eyes,” they reply. “They have a cyan edge. It’s almost pretty.”
You touch your cheek, self conscious. Then a faint boom makes you jump, thoughts fallen away. Ekys chuckles.
“It won’t damage anything, but they won’t notice we’re gone for a while longer,” Ekys says, then pauses. “Well, as long as they set it off correctly.” You look at them, slightly alarmed, and they merely smile in response.
You keep walking. The quiet is eerie; you keep waiting for a sound other than breathing and light footsteps, but none come.
“How far is the gem?” Ekys asks, and you close your eyes to focus. There’s not much difference to having your eyes closed and having them opened, not at night, but you close them anyway. You reach out for the Sitynur, slamming into the wall once again.
“One, two days?” you guess, wincing at the familiar start of a headache. “Should we sleep during the day?”
Ekys pauses, looking around, and then tilts their head as if listening. After a beat, they say, “I think we can stop here and rest for a bit. Won’t be a very long sleep, but it’ll work.”
“Okay, let’s eat, then,” you say. “And we can take turns on watch.”
You take off your bag and get the water jug and some fruit. You offer part of the fruit to Ekys, but they shake their head. “I’ve got some of my own.” You sit down between the trees and eat.
“I’ll take first watch,” Ekys says.
You nod. “Wake me up when you want to switch.” The moon is at its peak. You take a sip of water, before returning everything to your bag and settling in against the tree. It takes a little while for you to adjust to sleeping, but you fall asleep soon afterward.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenNineE]]You soon adjust to the quiet. The silent steps, the soft breathing, the faint bark of a monster, the whispers of wind through the trees. You remain ahead of Trelop, leading the way through the woods. Every once in a while you glance backwards, making sure she’s keeping pace.
It would be almost peaceful, if you weren’t constantly aware of the dangers that lurk behind the trees. You stay watchful, halting if you hear any sudden noise that hints at a monster nearby.
You wonder what your sister is doing at this very moment. Is she safe? Is she sleeping? Is she comfortable?
You are going to find her.
“I lost a sibling, once,” Trelop says, as if she read your mind. It’s only a whisper, but compared to the silence of before, it’s like a gunshot. You flinch and look back. “Sorry,” she says quickly. “The quiet was getting to me.”
“Oh,” you whisper. “Yeah. It’s almost eerie.”
“I’ve been on trips out of the //toam// before, but not without Sei - my mentor.”
“Have you been far?”
“Yeah. But only a few //toams// over, at most.”
A few beats of silence.
“You said you lost a sibling?”
Trelop takes a breath, and starts to talk.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenNineT]]Wren watches him leave, and settles to sit in the grass. You follow her lead. <<if $jurem_points gte 11>>“I’m almost surprised he believed you so quickly,” she says. “But then again - he seems to trust you. And he’s right about us also having magic stones.” You hum in agreement.<<else>>“So can your portals go //anywhere//?” Wren asks eagerly. You shift your position.
“Theoretically,” you say, “but I can’t control it without a full gem. I’ve been getting the shards so that I can control it to find $sister_name.”
Wren nods. “That’s cool.”<<endif>>You wait quietly. The forest is eerie without birdsong and rustling.
“Do the monsters eat birds and animals, too?” you whisper.
“What?”
“Everything’s so quiet.”
Wren frowns. “Is that not normal?” she asks. “Birds sing during the night, usually. But I think that the monsters would eat other animals, too.”<<if $decisionmaking gt 12 and $jurem_points lt 11>>
[[Leave without Jurem.|PgOneSevenNineW]]
[[Wait for Jurem.|PgOneSevenNineWWJ]]<<else>>
You nod. Jurem returns a few moments after.
“Let us go,” he says.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenNineWJ]]<<endif>>You get a few things from the table. A bit more than a “snack” would require, perhaps, but you don’t have to tell Jurem that. A few fruits here, a couple pieces of dried meat there. Nothing that will be missed. You still have sandwiches and money in your bag, but with a second person coming along, you want to be on the safe side.
You return to Jurem, with Wren now at his side. She shifts from foot to foot, a mildly annoyed look flickering on her face before quickly vanishing. She holds a large, brown clay jug in her arms.
“Wren is coming as well,” Jurem says. “We might as well collect water while we are there.”
“Yep,” Wren agrees with forced cheerfulness. “Let’s go.”
You set off, walking into the woods. Jurem takes a curling path that you hadn’t seen before, and as you walk further, you hear the familiar sounds of running water. The next corner you turn reveals it: a river, about as wide as Wren is tall. Several silver stones split the water, gleaming in the sun. Wren walks down to the bank, sets her feet apart to balance, and bends down to fill the jug. After a few moments, she secures the lid back on and turns back to you and Jurem.
“All set,” she says. “Are we going back now?”
“Are you in a hurry?” Jurem says, a lilt of amusement to his voice. “Are you going somewhere, perhaps?”
“No,” Wren replies smoothly, “but I know how heavy this gets when you carry it for a while.”
“Put it down, then, and stand here for a minute.”
“Why?” Wren’s irritation slips into her voice for just that word.
Jurem raises an eyebrow. “I just want to take a moment, while we can, to admire the scenery. We will be busy for the next few days.”
An irritated frown passes over Wren’s face, but disappears as quickly as it came. She sets the jug on the ground above the bank, then climbs up herself, taking her position besides Jurem.
You turn your gaze over the river. You might as well use this moment while you can. You don’t know how much longer you’ll be in this world, after all. With the rushing river covering sounds, there is more activity: a small creature, similar to a bunny but smaller and with longer legs, creeps out between bushes; a brilliantly green bird hopping from branch to branch and tilting their head down at you; an insect leaping onto a rock and producing a loud whistling sound. The forest isn’t completely abandoned: it’s just in hiding.
“Alright,” Jurem says finally, “let us head back.”
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSixE]]“About your sister?” Ekys clarifies, and you nod. They sigh, and stare at the wall behind you in contemplation.
“I don’t know,” they say eventually. “I don’t know what it’s like to have a sibling. I don’t know if I would travel world after world to find them again.
“But,” they continue, “the other two believe you. Even if you are lying about your true motivations, I do think that you are trying to do the right thing. Or you think that you are. And if it turns out you’re not… well.” They twist their lips to a frown.
You nod, closing the bag. You meet their eyes again. “I am trying to do the right thing,” you say.
They hum. “Your eyes are $eyecolor,” they say, “but they’re turning cyan around the edges.”
Ekys leaves the hut.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSixT]]You turn away, fiddling with the positioning of things, before closing the flap. You swing it onto your back and meet Ekys’s gaze.
“I hope you’re doing the right thing,” Ekys says.
“I’m trying to,” you reply.
A pause, and Ekys says: “Your eyes are $eyecolor,” they say, “but they’re turning cyan around the edges.”
They leave the hut.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSixT]]“About your sister?” Ekys clarifies, and you nod. They sigh, and stare at the wall behind you in contemplation.
“I don’t know,” they say eventually. “I don’t know what it’s like to have a sibling. I don’t know if I would travel world after world to find them again.
“But,” they continue, “the other two believe you. And I do have family I care about. Even if you are lying about your true motivations, I do think that you are trying to do the right thing. Or you think that you are. And if it turns out you’re not… well, let’s hope that you are.”
You nod, closing the bag. You meet their eyes again. “I am trying to do the best thing,” you say.
“Your eyes are $eyecolor,” they say, “but they’re turning cyan around the edges.”
Ekys leaves the hut.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSixW]]You turn away, fiddling with the positioning of things to make sure nothing is jostled too much, before closing the flap. You swing it onto your back and meet Ekys’s gaze.
“I hope you’re doing the right thing,” Ekys says.
“I’m trying to,” you reply.
A pause, and Ekys says: “Your eyes are $eyecolor,” they say, “but they’re turning cyan around the edges.”
They leave the hut.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSixW]]You return to the hut where you slept, searching for your bag. Ekys comes with you, looking through their own area and tossing you some bandages. “I’ll get some medicines later,” they say. “I have my own bag.”
They hold it up. It’s smaller than yours, but still able to carry quite a few things. It’s made of leather, with strings to tie it closed. You nod, and put the bandages in your own bag.
“Do you want me to get the food?” you ask.
“Get some,” Ekys says. “Not a lot. Little enough to pass off as a snack. I’ll get some, and I expect Wren and Trelop will do the same.”
You nod again, and Ekys leaves. You leave a moment after they do, pausing outside.
The quiet flow of the //toam//, as you knew it when you first arrived, has been interrupted. Now, the air of camp is quick, a thrum of urgency below the atmosphere. People rush back and forth, patching up the walls and collecting materials and coming in and out of the healers’ huts. Few people leave and return through the gates.
Jurem strides up to you before you can slink away, and you hold back a sigh. He looks pointedly at your bag and tilts his head slightly.
“Are you going somewhere?” he asks.
“Just a walk,” you say. “I was going to pick up a snack and head out for a little while.”
“Perfect,” he replies. “I was going to take you to the lake and river that our water comes from.”
You purse your lips and nod. “I’ll go get a snack for you as well, then?”
“If it is not a bother,” Jurem says.
“Of course not. I’ll be right back.”
You walk towards the table, and curse yourself for not being sneakier, and Jurem for spotting you.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenFiveE]]You set off back to the trainee hut, and grab your bag. There’s still some food in here, and Lotus had made sure that it wouldn’t go bad quickly. It’s enough for a day if you split it between you and Trelop, you estimate.
Ekys is sorting through their things near you, and they lay out the water filter, bandages, and medicine on their bed. They catch your eye and hesitate before sighing.
They gather the items in their arms and walk over to you. “Here,” they say. “Don’t lose them.”
“Of course,” you reply, adding the supplies to your bag. Ekys hovers over you, as if about to ask something, but when you glance up, they sigh and back off.
[[”Do you believe me?”|PgOneSevenFiveTE]]
[[Say nothing.|PgOneSevenFiveTN]]You set off back to the hut, and grab your bag. There’s still some food in here, and Lotus had made sure that it was food that wouldn’t go bad quickly. Enough for a day if you split it between you and Wren, you estimate.
Ekys is sorting through their things near you, and they lay out the water filter, bandages, and medicine on their bed. They catch your eye and pause before sighing.
They gather the items in their arms and walk over to you. “Here,” they say. “Don’t lose them.”
“Of course,” you reply, adding the supplies to your bag. Ekys hovers over you, as if about to ask something. When you glance up, they sigh again and back off.
[[”Do you believe me?”|PgOneSevenFiveWE]]
[[Say nothing.|PgOneSevenFiveWN]]Ekys wakes you up when the moon has passed the view of the clearing. The sky is still as black as ink, though, with only the tiny pinpricks of stars visible. You get to your feet sleepily, rubbing your eyes and breathing the cool night air.
“Dawn,” Ekys says as they settle down.
“Hm?”
“Wake me at dawn,” they say, eyes already closing. They’re asleep in the next moment, and you take your position to watch.
Without the moon illuminating the woods, it’s creepy and dark and dead silent. You remain still, searching into the shadows for any hint of movement. Ekys breathing is steady behind you. Your Sitynur glows, but not enough to be of any use, and it warms under your touch.
How many more worlds will you have to travel to complete it?
How much longer until you see $sister_name again?
Silent minutes - hours? You can’t tell - pass. Then footsteps: heavy, clumsy. You’re on alert instantly, reaching for a weapon that isn’t there and then hovering your hands in front of you. Through the trees, you see a glint of cyan. You hold your breath. Perhaps it will pass you by.
Its eyes lock on you, and it changes course.
You step back, towards Ekys. “Ekys,” you whisper. Then, “//Ekys//,” more urgently. Ekys stirs, and you snap, “Monster.”
Ekys is on their feet in a moment, climbing up the tree. You give them a questioning look, and they say, “The stones don’t work for me. I need you to deal with this.”
You nod, then ready yourself for the fight.
[[Continue|PgOneEightZeroE]]“When I was eleven cycles old,” Trelop says quietly, “My sibling, Wiyt, had just become a hunter trainee. He went out with my parents one night. I would have gone with them, you know, but I was in trouble because I had done- oh, I don’t remember, Wren had convinced me to help her with something or other. So I was stuck at home.”
They pause and take a deep breath. <<if $mental lte 11>> “You don’t have to tell me,” you say, but they shake their head.
“It’s fine,” they insist.<<else>>You wait patiently.<<endif>> They clench their fists and push on.
“They didn’t come back,” she says, quieter than before. “They were missing for two days, and when they were finally found…”
They don’t need to finish their sentence.
“So, I understand why you want to find your sister,” she finishes. “If I could have my brother back, I would cross worlds to find him.”
You don’t know how to reply to that. You decide on, “Thank you for helping me.” Then, after a moment of thinking; “My sister is all I have left.”
“We have our father, of course,” you continue, “but he was always so focused on the Sitynur, on his search to find it, as well as his normal job. She’s my older sister. She almost raised me. I find it ironic, now, that the thing that kept our father away from us is what is keeping us away from each other.
“She’s always there for me, you know? There was a time I failed some test or another - it’s been too long to remember exactly - and our father yelled at me and retreated to his study. $sister_name made me a snack and helped me to review the material for next time. My father,” you add bitterly, "just wanted me to //do better.//"
“Your sister, at least, sounds great,” Trelop says.
“She is,” you agree.
[[Continue|PgOneEightZeroT]]“Okay,” you say after a moment, getting to your feet. “Let’s go.”
“What? Jurem isn’t back yet.”
“We’re leaving without him.”
“Do you not trust him?”
“It’ll be quicker if we don’t have as many people,” you say. “And- I’m worried, I suppose.”
Wren hesitates, then says, “Okay. Jurem won’t be happy, but… let’s go.”
You set off once again, adjusting your bag on your back. Wren has the expression of someone gleefully breaking a rule, which, you suppose, you were. You feel a flicker of guilt - you hope she won’t get in too much trouble when you return. There is no way she would let you go alone.
Besides, sneaking off could be good for her. Who knows how much of the world she’s seen?
As if reading your thoughts, Wren says, “They can’t punish me too harshly. I mean, the worst they could do is pushing off my half hunter ceremony—” she cuts off, as if considering this for the first time. “Well, we need more hunters anyway, with the way the monsters have been lately,” she says, less confidently.
“What’s the farthest you’ve been from the //toam//?” you ask.
Wren looks at you curiously, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve visited a few //toams// over. I think I’ve been to the ones that the refugees are from, actually.”
You nod, and lapse back into silence. When you pause to check the route again, aligning your path with the walls around the next shard of Sitynur, Wren asks a startling question.
“Why do you care so much about your sister, anyway?”
You blink, connection to the shard snapped, and stop in your tracks. You frown.
“Sorry, you don’t have to say,” Wren amends quickly.
“I’m trying to figure out how to put it,” you reply. Eventually, you say: “She’s all I have left of my family.”
[[Continue|PgOneEightZeroW]]<<if $decisionmaking gt 12 and $jurem_points lt 11>>Jurem is back soon after. He<<else>>Jurem<<endif>> seems prepared, another bag of food on his back and eyes ahead. “I have cleared it with Leader Ekys. We are free for three days,” he says. Then he pauses, and looks to you. “Where are we going?” he asks.
You close your eyes, hand folding around your necklace, and reach out with your mind. “This way,” you say, opening your eyes and starting to walk. The other two begin to follow.
“How did you convince Emery?” Wren asks. “Don’t we need active hunters?”
Jurem is silent for a moment. Then he says, “I told her that if this trip was successful, I believe that you could reach your half-hunter mark.”
Wren gasps, then cuts herself off with a hand to her mouth. “Really?”
“Yes,” Jurem says, “so you will listen to me, and be safe.”
“Isn’t this the time to //not// be safe?” Wren points out. “The time to take risks and prove myself?”
You aren’t looking behind you, but you imagine Jurem shoots her a piercing glare, because she’s quiet after that. A half-hunter, the Sitynur tells you, is when trainees start to get more freedom, and don’t need to be accompanied by their hunter mentor whenever they leave the //toam.//
A few minutes later, when you’ve paused to adjust your course, Wren jogs up to your side and asks something startling.
“Why do you care so much about your sister, anyway?”
You blink, connection to the shard snapped, and frown. Jurem makes a quiet click with his tongue.
“Sorry, you don’t have to say,” Wren amends quickly, glancing to Jurem for a moment.
“I’m trying to figure out how to put it,” you reply. Eventually, you decide to say: “She’s all I have left of my family.”
[[Continue|PgOneEightZeroWJ]]Jurem seems prepared, another bag of food on his back and eyes ahead. “I have cleared it with Leader Ekys. We are free for three days,” he says. Then he pauses, and looks to you. “Where are we going?” he asks.
You close your eyes, hand folding around your necklace, and reach out with your mind. “This way,” you say, opening your eyes and starting to walk. The other two begin to follow.
“How did you convince Emery?” Wren asks. “Don’t we need active hunters?”
Jurem is silent for a moment. Then he says, “I told her that if this trip was successful, I believe that you could reach your half-hunter mark.”
Wren gasps, then cuts herself off with a hand to her mouth. “Really?”
“Yes,” Jurem says, “so you will listen to me, and be safe.”
“Isn’t this the time to //not// be safe?” Wren points out. “The time to take risks and prove myself?”
You aren’t looking behind you, but you imagine Jurem shoots her a piercing glare, because she’s quiet after that. A half-hunter, the Sitynur tells you, is when trainees start to get more freedom, and don’t need to be accompanied by their hunter mentor whenever they leave the //toam.//
A few minutes later, when you’ve paused to adjust your course, Wren jogs up to your side and asks something startling.
“Why do you care so much about your sister, anyway?”
You blink, connection to the shard snapped, and frown. Jurem makes a quiet click with his tongue.
“Sorry, you don’t have to say,” Wren amends quickly, glancing to Jurem for a moment.
“I’m trying to figure out how to put it,” you reply. Eventually, you decide to say: “She’s all I have left of my family.”
[[Continue|PgOneEightZeroWJ]]You take a deep breath. If they don’t believe you, it’s just back to plan A: going alone.
<<if $attitude gte 12>>“I’m from another world,” you say, just to get it over with. Trelop furrows her eyebrows, Wren tilts her head, and Ekys keeps their gaze level with yours.
You continue. “My father-” You break off. “No, you don’t need the full story.”
“Why not?” Wren asks.
“Because it’s affected my whole life,” you say. “Do you really want my life story?”
“Anything that’s important,” Ekys says.
“Why are you suddenly so critical of me?” you snap.<<else>>You hesitate. You don’t want to just spill everything about world jumping. However, if you lie and they figure it out, Ekys will be even less likely to trust you. You have to tell them.
“I’m from another world,” you say, just to get it over with. Trelop furrows her eyebrows, Wren tilts her head, and Ekys remains still. You continue. “My father- No; you don’t need the full story.”
“Why not?” Wren asks.
“It’s affected my entire life,” you say. “I doubt you want to be here for hours.”
“If it’s important, then you should say it,” Ekys says.
“Why are you suddenly so distrusting?” Trelop asks. <<endif>><<if $attitude lt 12 and $ekys_points gt 7>>”I thought you were friends, or friendly at least.”<<endif>>
Ekys frowns, and remains quiet. You think that they aren’t going to respond, but they suddenly say: “I’m worried.”
“Our //toam// - neighboring //toams// - our world, even - they’re under threat by these monsters constantly. If something is making them worse, we’re all in further danger. And if that something is //you//-“ they look directly into your eyes. “Then I want to stop it.”
Silence stretches across the alley for several seconds.
“Continue with your explanation,” Ekys says.
You close your eyes. “I’m from another world,” you say again. Before anyone can interrupt, or you can stop yourself, you barrel on. “My father was obsessed with this stone that let you travel worlds. He finally found it… oh, gods. It feels like it’s been a month, at most.” You pause for a moment, as the amount of time sinks in. It’s probably been less than that. But you’ve gone through so much…
You shake yourself and continue, holding up your necklace. “He found it, only something went wrong, and it shattered across a bunch of worlds. I have three shards, now. This world should have the fourth.”
“Why do you need the shards?” Trelop asks.
“Because my sister got lost, too. If I can get the shards, I can find my sister.”
Ekys seems to soften slightly, at that. They ask, “So the necklace lets you travel to other worlds?”
“Yes.”
“Does it give you any other powers?”
“It gives me information about that world. I think I need the full gem to get the whole picture, though.”
Ekys nods. Wren raises a hand. “Do you know what’s going on with the monsters?”
“I think I have a theory.”
[[Continue|PgOneSevenTwo]]You spend most of the day helping where you can, whether that’s patching up the walls or joining a small foraging group. The sun moves slowly, and by the time the sky starts to darken, you’re eager to leave. You meet with Ekys and the others at the meeting spot, when the rest of the //toam// starts heading to sleep.
“Alright,” Ekys says. “I have food, water, medicine- we should be good to go.”
“I’ve got food as well,” you add.
“Oh, here’s your water jug,” Wren says, offering said item to you. It’s much smaller than the heavy one meant to transport water for the //toam//, fitting comfortably in one hand. It looks identical, minus the size. Small swirls are carved into the surface, and you trace one.
“Thank you,” you say. You look to Ekys. “Let’s leave, then?”
Ekys hands Trelop and Wren something wrapped in a thin cloth. “Be careful with this,” they say.
“Good luck, you two,” Wren says.
“We will see you when you return,” Trelop adds.
You and Ekys slip past the guard and out into the woods.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenEightE]]You head out into the woods. Trelop is near silent. Meanwhile, you wince at every small noise you make from stepping on a leaf or stick. The sounds of the //toam// slowly fade as you get further and further, and you notice that the woods is still completely silent, excluding yourselves.
You’re so focused on checking the Sitynur and making sure your steps are silent that when you hear a small //boom// in the distance, you jump. Trelop laughs softly.
“I knew the distraction would be big,” she whispers, “of course. It’s Wren and Ekys. I just hope that they didn’t destroy anything.”
You nod. “Ekys would be cautious, I think. They wouldn’t do anything that would break something.”
Trelop hums softly. “How far do you estimate the Sitynur is?”
You shut your eyes and focus. “Not too far,” you reply. “Maybe a day?”
Trelop nods and you return to silence.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenEightT]]You trek out into the woods, keeping your footsteps light. Wren is almost completely silent, walking on the tips of her feet and almost hopping over leaves and sticks. You wince at every slight sound you make.
You’re far enough that you can’t hear the //toam// anymore. The only sounds are of your breathing and steps. You’re so focused on tracking the Sitynur and keeping yourself silent - or as close as you can be - when Wren grabs your arm.
“Wh-”
“Shh. Someone’s following us.”
“That took you long enough,” a familiar voice says. Jurem steps out of trees. “Where are you two going?”
“On a walk,” Wren says quickly. Jurem hums.
“You are going too far from camp for that,” he says. His gaze flicks to you. “Where are you taking Wren?”
You blanch, and Wren steps forward, eyes narrowed. In a near yell, still quiet enough to be safe, she snaps, “I’m coming with $player_name of my own free will, thanks.”
“So where //are// you going?” Jurem asks.
“We’re looking for something,” you say, “to get me home.”
“And what is that?”
You hesitate. Do you really want to reveal to another person your true nature? That you’re not supposed to be in this world?
“If we tell you, will you let us go?” Wren asks.
“No. You two are both trainees-”
“-I’m close to being a half hunter, and you know that-”
“-I cannot and will not let you leave alone-”
“-We’re going to leave whether you let us or not-”
“I’ll tell you,” you interrupt. The two pause and stare at you expectantly, and you add: “//If// you let us leave.”
Jurem sighs and closes his eyes. Finally, he speaks. “I cannot let you go alone,” he says, “nor can we just leave suddenly. If you give me a chance to hurry back to camp, I can clear us to be gone for a few days.”
“Fine,” you say. You say it quickly, before you can hesitate. “I’m from another world, and I’m looking for the next shard of my crystal that gives me the power to get home.” You don’t mention your sister.
Jurem pauses, looking somewhere above your head as he considers. <<if $jurem_points gte 11>>Then he shrugs. “That makes sense, I suppose.”
“What?” Wren exclaims, a touch too loud. She winces. “I mean, what? You believe it?”
“Do not act so surprised, Wren,” Jurem chides. “We have magic rocks that let us create weapons from thin air, no? It makes sense that there are other magic rocks.”<<else>>Jurem frowns. “That is possible, I suppose, but do you have any proof?”
You consider. “I could… make a portal, I guess?” You turn and reach for the Sitynur’s power. Blue sparks flicker in front of you, swirling into the beginning of the portal, but it’s almost like the Sitynur is… reluctant.
Still, it seems to be enough proof for Wren and Jurem. “Okay,” he says. “I believe you.”<<endif>> He pauses. “I will tell Emery that we are going on a trek for a few days, since $player_name is new. I do not like leaving the camp a hunter and two trainees short, but…” He sighs. “I will tell her. Wait here.”
He disappears into the trees.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenEightW]]“I can carry the jug back,” you offer, and Wren shrugs.
“I don’t mind,” she says.
“No,” Jurem interrupts, “let <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>. You carried it here, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he carries<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she carries<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they carry<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective carries<<endif>> it back.”
You nod, moving to the jug and lifting it. The water shifts inside, and it takes you a few moments to find a comfortable position to carry it. You huff, walking awkwardly as you adjust to the weight. “Okay, let’s go,” you say, words rushed. The tips of Jurem’s lips lift slightly.
The walk back feels like it takes longer than the walk there. You have to stop several times, putting the jug on the ground and resting for a moment. Jurem waits patiently each time, though Wren less so. She rocks from foot to foot, staring up at the sky.
You return back to camp and Jurem directs you to where to leave the jug. There are three other jugs there, all the same size and shape, but with different patterns etched into their surfaces. One with swirls, one with blocky lines, one with straight lines from top to bottom. The one you finally put down has rows of circles.
“You and $player_name may go do whatever you are planning,” Jurem says to Wren, and she widens her eyes. Jurem chuckles. “I can tell you have plans. You usually enjoy leaving the //toam//, but you were so impatient this time.”
“Sorry,” Wren says quickly.
Jurem shakes his head. “No, it is alright. Go have fun.”
Wren grabs your wrist and you hurry off, heading to a more secluded part of the camp. She beams. “You have food? Water?”
“I need a small water jug,” you say. “Ekys has the filter.”
Wren nods. “I can get that for you. I suppose you just need to wait until night.” She glances up at the sky. “It won’t be long now.”
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSevenE]]You step out of the hut, Ekys walking past you to the main healers’ hut. Trelop and Wren are talking near an outer wall, and you head towards them.
You can only hear the end of the phrase. “-safe,” Wren whispers.
Trelop grins. “I never thought that //you// would tell me to be safe.” They glance over their shoulder and wave you closer. “$player_name. I have some food to put in your bag.”
You nod and pull off your bag, and Trelop puts the food and various other supplies inside. She had even found a rope - though you're not sure why you would need it.
When they’re done, and you’ve secured the bag back on your back, Wren pulls Trelop close. They share a kiss, and you quickly look away. This isn’t your moment. They pull away soon after, and you look up.
“Goodbye to you, too, $player_name,” Wren says.
“Bye, Wren,” you reply.
Ekys steps close, surprising you. Trelop jumps. “H- or, bye, Ekys,” she says.
“Bye, you two,” Ekys says. “Good luck. Come on, Wren, let’s go start the distraction.” Wren grins, and the two hurry away, already scheming.
“That’s our cue,” Trelop says. “Let’s go.”
It’s easy enough to get out. The person on guard simply nods as you walk by. Now you just have to get to the Sitynur.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSevenT]]You exit the hut, eyes low and footsteps quiet. //Where’s Wren?//
She creeps up to you a minute later. “I can’t bring a bag,” she whispers. “It’s too suspicious. I’m putting some food in yours.” You nod silently as she slips the food inside.
“Have you already said goodbye?” you whisper.
“Yes,” Wren replies. “Do you want to say goodbye to anyone?”
You hesitate. <<if $trelop_points gte 8>>“Trelop,” you say. “Do you know where they are?”
“She’s still over by the table,” Wren says, nodding towards it. You head over, and she looks up from counting.
“Are you heading out?” they ask, and you nod. “I’ll see you soon, then.”
You shrug subtly. “Goodbye, Trelop.”
You walk back to Wren. <<else>>You shake your head. <<endif>>“We should leave,” you say, and she glances around the camp.
“Alright,” she says. “Let’s go.”
It’s easy enough to get out. The person on guard, who looks quite intimidating, simply nods as you walk by. Now you just have to get to the Sitynur.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenSevenW]]Ekys is silent for a brief moment before they say, “Okay.” Still, their eyebrows are furrowed, and they seem to be lost in thought.
“Let’s work on the proper plan, now,” Wren says.
“Let’s list the things you’ll need,” Trelop says. “Food, water…”
“Bandages, medicine,” Ekys says absentmindedly. “How long will we be travelling?”
You reach out with the Sitynur, then estimate, “Hopefully no more than a few days.”
“How are you going to sneak out several days worth of food?” Trelop worries.
“We can forage while we’re out there,” Ekys says. “I’ll bring my water filter.”
Wren claps quietly. “Then let’s go get everything!”
“Wait,” Trelop interrupts. “When will you be leaving?”
“You should leave soon, during the day,” Wren suggests. “You can disguise it as just going for a walk.”
Ekys shakes their head. “I can’t leave when I’m still needed. After today the refugees won’t need as much attention, and I can leave. So it has to be tonight. Perhaps you two can cause a distraction,” they add with a glint in their eye. “I have a few things that may help.”
The trio share a look that you don’t understand and Wren grins. “Alright. Let’s meet up again tonight.”
[[Continue|PgOneSevenFourE]]Trelop nods. “Alright,” she says solemnly.
“Now we can work on the actual plan,” Wren says.
“How about a list?” Trelop suggests. “We’ll need food and water.”
“Bandages and medicine as well,” Ekys adds. “How long will you be traveling?”
“Hopefully no longer than a few days,” you say.
“How are we going to take a few days’ worth of food without being noticed?” Trelop asks.
“You can forage while you’re out there,” Ekys says. “I’ve got a water filter that you can use.”
“Then let's go,” Wren says, already getting to her feet.
“Wait,” Trelop interrupts. ”When should we leave?”
“As soon as you have everything,” Ekys says. “It’s better to leave during the day. Trying to sneak out just draws more attention. Wren and I can cause a distraction, if needed.”
“Okay,” Trelop says.
“I’ll get the water filter and bandages,” Ekys says. “You two go with the story that you’re going on a walk and grab some snacks.”
“Alright,” you say. “Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgOneSevenFourT]]“Alright,” Wren says brightly. “Now we can work on the actual plan.”
“You need food and water,” Trelop says thoughtfully.
“Bandages and medicine as well,” Ekys adds. “How long will you be traveling?”
“Hopefully no longer than a few days,” you say.
“How are we going to take a few days’ worth of food without being noticed?” Trelop asks.
“You can forage while you’re out there,” Ekys says. “I’ve got a water filter that you can use.”
“We know how to get most of the supplies,” Wren says. “So let’s go!”
“Shouldn’t you leave during the night?” Trelop asks. “To avoid notice?”
Wren shakes her head. “Sneaking out during the night, if we’re caught, is suspicious. But if we’re just going on a walk, then that makes sense!”
“Oh, right,” Trelop says. “Ekys and I can distract them if people start asking questions.”
“I’ll get the water filter and bandages,” Ekys says. “You two run with the story that you’re going on a walk and grab some snacks.”
“Alright,” you say. “Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgOneSevenFourW]]“The one who drove out the refugees, they said he had a crown with a blue gem. I think that it’s Sitynur - uh, that’s the name of the gem. If we can take it, maybe we can take his power.”
“That could work,” Trelop says, “but where is he?”
You shut your eyes and follow the Sitynur’s connection. There’s a wall, similar to the one Hichi made, but it’s smaller. The area is narrower, to your relief. It shouldn’t be difficult to find.
“I know the general area,” you say. “The Sitynur can point me in the direction of the next shard.”
“Okay, let’s go!” Wren says.
“No,” Ekys says. “We can’t all go. Someone should stay behind to make sure that the others aren’t dragged back.”
“Let’s do groups of two,” Trelop suggests. “We just need to pick who goes where.”
“Well, $player_name should go, obviously,” Wren says. She turns to you. “And you should pick your partner.”
“Oh,” you say. You consider your options.
Wren - brave, bold, but loud. <<if $wren_points lt 6>>And she doesn't particularly like you, either.<<endif>><<if $wren_points gte 6>>However, she's at least friendly with you.<<endif>>
Ekys - intelligent, determined, but doesn't trust you. <<if $ekys_points lt 8>>You're not sure you have much of a chance of swaying them, either.<<else>>But you may be able to convince them you aren't trying to hurt their world.<<endif>>
Trelop - calm, kind, but perhaps too careful. <<if $trelop_points lt 7>>She doesn't seem to trust you very much.<<else>>But she helps the people she cares about, and she's at least nice with you.<<endif>>
[[Wren.|PgOneSevenThreeW]]
[[Ekys.|PgOneSevenThreeE]]
[[Trelop.|PgOneSevenThreeT]]“Because,” Ekys continues, “let’s consider the evidence. You show up out of nowhere, with a weird glowing stone on your necklace that doesn’t appear to give you a weapon, and suddenly the monsters get way more aggressive and have eyes the same colour of your necklace.”
You pause, considering their words, and then your eyes widen. “Oh, you think- you think that I caused this?”
“If you want to put it so bluntly,” Ekys says, “then yes, I do.”
“I didn’t.”
“That’s what someone who did cause it would say.”
“Then what //do// you want me to say?”
“Ekys, we’re supposed to be discussing what to do, not interrogating-” Trelop starts.
“Trelop,” Ekys says. “We cannot do anything, just the three of us. But if $player_name is the cause of all of this, like I believe that <<if $pronoun is "they">>they are<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>he is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjectivej is<<endif>>, and we can stop <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>-”
“You can’t just accuse <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>--” Wren says.
“It lines up too neatly,” Ekys says. “Your arrival and the description of the blue gem…”
“Monsters attack $player_name all the time,” Wren points out.
“It could be<<if $disposition gte 13>>—”
“Can you let me explain?” you snap, and the trio turns to you.<<else>> on purpose,” Ekys argues.
“Why don’t we let $player_name explain?” Trelop asks, and the trio turns to you.<<endif>>
“Go ahead,” Ekys says.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenOne]]<big><b>Chapter Nine</b></big>
After lunch, Wren tells you to meet behind the Trainees’ hut. She hurries away, likely over to Trelop and Ekys to tell them the same.
A spider scurries away from your feet as you step behind the hut. It’s a small space, the gap between the outside- and the hut-walls. You could lay down and easily touch your feet to the hut and your hands to the outside wall. At first glance, it seems that no one has been here in a while: it’s overgrown, with moss and bugs and tall grass. Yet, three stones are carefully pulled up to surround a stump.
Wren and Trelop walk behind from the opposite end, arms looped together. “Ekys will be here in a minute,” Wren says. “They wanted to grab something.”
Trelop glances down to the three stones and frowns. She lets go of Wren’s arm. “Let me get another stone,” she says. She disappears around the corner, and there’s a moment of awkward silence after she leaves.
“Let’s sit,” Wren says eventually.
It’s not comfortable, certainly, but it’s better than sitting on the slightly damp ground. You cross your legs, fiddling with your necklace with one hand. Wren settles in her own seat and you can feel her stare. You lower your hand.
[[Continue|PgOneSixNine]]Jurem sees you approach, says a few more words to his companion, and then joins you two. “Rest well?” he asks, and <<if previous() is "PgOneSixFourG">>you wince.<<else>>you nod.<<endif>>
“I did,” Wren says cheerfully. “Where are we patrolling today?”
“South,” Jurem says. “That is where the monsters supposedly came from.”
You and Wren nod, and follow him out of the //toam.// You feel as if every time you walk through these woods, you get quieter, learning how to notice sticks or crackling leaves before you step on them. You still make missteps, of course, but Jurem doesn’t scold you, only offering advice.
You think you’re about halfway through the patrol when you see a flicker out of the corner of your eye. You turn to look, but there’s nothing there.
“Do you hear something?” Wren asks, tilting her head.
“A monster?” Jurem whispers.
“No. It’s… something different. Listen.”
Then, you hear it: faint flute music.
“Run!” Jurem barks, shoving you both aside. A monster tumbles out of the trees. The monster is a wolf one, massive and furry, and it is heading straight towards you. Its eyes are cyan blue, and that’s all you can register before the buttons appear and you have to act.
[[Continue|PgOneSixSix]]You step forward, and the monster takes another step, and its nose brushes your hair. You tense, and then it pulls away. It makes a sound akin to a sigh, and then it starts to walk away. You turn, and see it doing exactly that: retreating into the trees. Your Sitynur feels warm on your chest, and you grab it, frowning.
“That was weird,” Ekys says.
“Yeah…” you agree idly. You turn to face them, and their arms are crossed.
“Care to explain?” they ask, arching an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Monsters don’t //do// that. They don’t just leave you alone.”
“I- I didn’t do that,” you insist.
<<if $ekys_point lte 8>><<set $ekys_points to $ekys_points - 2>>Ekys glances you up and down, frowns, and turns back to camp. “Let’s go back,” they say. “I’m sure Jurem and Wren are looking for you by now.”<<else>>Ekys frowns, but not at you. “I believe you, but… something is up here.” They pause. “Let’s go back to camp. I’m sure Jurem and Wren are looking for you.”<<endif>>
“Alright,” you agree, and follow them back to camp. It’s dawn by the time you return, the sun bleeding the sky red. It’s difficult to see over the trees, but it’s still clear that the sun is rising. You sigh, realizing that your last chance for sleep has passed. You’ll just have to fight through it, today.
Ekys turns to you for a moment. “I’ll see you later,” they say, and you nod.
“$player_name! Hello!” Wren calls. “You got up before me.”
“Couldn’t sleep,” you reply. “I went on a walk with Ekys.” You decide not to mention the monster. At least, not yet.
“Oh,” Wren says, frowning. “Well, Jurem is looking for us. He’s over there.”
You shut your eyes for a brief moment, bemoaning the missed sleep. Then you open them. “Okay,” you say. “Let’s go.”
Wren spots Jurem first, discussing something something softly with a white-haired man you recognize as Hrel. “Over there,” she points out, and you both head over.
[[Continue|PgOneSixFive]]You jerk upright, gasping. Wren stirs near you. “$player_name?” she murmurs.
It felt too real. Your sister, slipping away -
“Hey. $player_name.” Wren was on the side of your bed, touching your shoulder cautiously. “Are you okay?”
“S-sorry. Nightmare,” you say dismissively, shaking Wren’s hand away. “I’m fine.”
Wren frowns. “If you’re sure,” she says. She glances towards the door and adds, “Jurem will be looking for us soon.”
“Right,” you sigh. You push the dream away. You can worry about it later. “Let’s go see him.”
You both walk outside, where the sky is turning red from dawn. The endless forest obscures the horizon, but you can picture the sunrise in the distance.
You spot Jurem, discussing something something softly with a white-haired man. “Over there,” you point out, and you both head over.
[[Continue|PgOneSixFive]]Trelop comes around the corner, lugging a large black rock with her. Ekys follows soon after.
“You made sure no one was watching, right?” Wren asks.
“Everyone already knows about it,” Ekys says dismissively. “You’re the only one who cares to keep it a secret.”
“It’s about the principle,” Wren argues.
“Yes, we were careful,” Trelop reassures, grunting as she drops the stone. She and Ekys sit.
“So,” Wren says, “what do we need to go over?”
“$player_name’s necklace,” Ekys says immediately, and you tense.
Wren nods. “Okay, what else?”
“The flute music?” you suggest.
“We could also talk to the refugees,” Trelop says.
“That’s a good idea,” Wren says cheerfully. “Is there anything else?”
“I don’t think so,” Trelop says. You shake your head.
“Right,” Ekys says. “$player_name. Where are you from?”
You blink.
[[Continue|PgOneSevenZero]]Wren turns to you and considers for a moment, before shrugging. “We’ll have to talk later,” she says. “I’m too tired. We should sleep while we can.”
“Okay,” you reply. You will still have to have that conversation, of course, but pushing it off even a little at least felt relieving. Tiredness tugged at your limbs, as well, so sleep sounds great.
You both walk back to the trainee hut and crawl back into bed. Wren’s breathing slows into a sleep pattern, yet you can’t fall asleep. You toss and turn, worrying about the other potential Sitynur user. Was it your shard? Was it another full Sitynur crystal? Was that even possible?
You struggle to sleep for a little longer, knowing dawn is fast approaching, before you consider going on a walk. Maybe that would tire you enough to fall asleep.
After another minute, you get out of bed and head outside. It’s still dark, but the sky is a bit lighter.
“Hey, $player_name,” Ekys calls, and you jump. They chuckle as you turn around, rubbing the stubble on their chin. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“No,” you reply. “You?”
Ekys shrugs. “I’m helping with the injured. No rest for the healers. Want to go on a walk? Tok let me take a breather.”
[[Go with them.|PgOneSixTwoG]]
[[Go back inside.|PgOneSixTwoS]]Finally, the monster howls in tortured agony. <<if $disposition lte 8>>You feel a twinge of guilt, even if you know it’s self defense.<<endif>> The cyan in its eyes has dimmed, though just barely, and it turns and runs for the trees.
Jurem turns and assesses both of you. “You both need to see the healers’,” he says, and Wren frowns.
“What about you?”
“Me too, I suppose, but… Look, we should just get back. Come on. Can you walk?”
You both nod, and Jurem starts to head back to camp. “That was weird, right?” Wren whispers. “The music, and then the bright eyes…”
Your hand reaches for your Sitynur. “Yeah,” you reply.
“Let’s have a meeting,” Wren says, “after lunch. Us, Ekys, and Trelop.”
You nod.
[[Continue|PgOneSixEight]]Your vision flashes and you step back. Panic flares through you: you can't flee, and you can't fight for much longer.
Jurem takes one look at you and says, "Run."
<<if $flee is "yes">>"I can't," you say. "It'll run after me."
Jurem shakes his head. "Run anyway," he tells you. "We'll kill it before it catches up."
You frown, but turn and bolt. As predicted, the monster howls and leaps after you, tearing trees and plants in its wake. Wren and Jurem take turns attacking as you take random turns, abandoning the path entirely. Your only goal is to keep it away from camp.
[[Continue|PgOneSixSeven]]<<else>>You nod and turn to bolt. The monster snarls and leaps after you, abandoning Wren and Jurem entirely. The creature tears trees and plants in its wake. The other two take turns attacking as you take random turns, abandoning the path entirely. Your only goal is to keep it away from camp.
[[Continue|PgOneSixSeven]]<<endif>><<set $opponentmaxhealth to 10>><<set $playerhealth to $playermaxhealth>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponentmaxhealth>>Your health is $playerhealth / $playermaxhealth.
Your opponent's health is $opponenthealth / $opponentmaxhealth
<<button [[Fight|PgOneSixSixF]]>><</button>><<button [[Inventory|PgOneSixSixI]]>><</button>><<button [[Flee|PgOneSixSixFl]]>><</button>><<set _pwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _pwin to _pwin.random()>>Your weapon appears in your hand, and you <<if $decisionmaking lte 10>>hesitate.
Yet, it's just for a moment, and you<<endif>><<if $decisionmaking gt 10>>don't hesitate.
You quickly<<endif>> <<if $attitude lte 10>>draw back and aim.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10>>dart forward.<<endif>> <<if _pwin is "no">>
You miss, and you could swear that the creature grins at you.<<else>>The hit lands, and dust scatters, yet the monster is still standing.<<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 2>><<endif>>
The wolf barely gives you time to react. It snarls and leaps forward, a massive paw slamming you to the ground.<<set $playerhealth to $playerhealth - 2>>
[[Continue|PgBattle]]<<set $flee to "yes">>You slam your hand on the button, and turn to flee. You run, and barely make it ten steps before you realise that you can't leave Wren and Jurem. Twisting around a tree, you scramble up the first few branches and watch, ready to leap back in if they lose the upper hand.
Jurem throws his spear, but the monster leaps over the blow, looking back and forth.
"Wren, run," he snarls, and Wren shakes her head.
"No," is all she says, and Jurem grits his teeth.
The monster's gaze lands on you, and it lunges up to the branch, sending the branch, itself, and you crashing to the ground. You shriek, not sure if you should be glad that you didn't climb higher, or wishing you had. <<set $player_health to $player_health - 2>><<set $opponenthealth to $opponenthealth - 1>>
The monster backs away, its glowing eyes locked on you.
You can't flee from this one.
[[Continue|PgBattle]]Your inventory is mostly empty, but your weapon remains.
A glowing <<if $mental lte 5>>purple<<endif>><<if $mental gt 5 and $mental lte 10>>dark blue<<endif>><<if $mental gt 10 and $mental lte 15>>green<<endif>><<if $mental gt 15 and $mental lte 20>>yellow<<endif>><<if $mental gt 20 and $mental lte 25>>red<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 10>>bow, with arrows to match.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 10 and $attitude lte 15>>sword.<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 15>>dagger.<<endif>>
ATK = 2
[[Continue|PgBattle]]Ekys halts, going silent. “What-” you start, and they shake their head sharply. They tilt their head, listening, and you mimick them.
At first you don’t hear anything, as normal, and then you hear the crackle of dry leaves. A heavy, large creature, heading directly towards you.
Ekys grabs your arm. “Can you fight?” they ask quickly, softly enough you can barely hear.
“Uh- technically?”
“Can you summon a weapon with the buttons?” they ask, more urgently.
You pause, before remembering the stone that Jurem gave you. “Yes.”
“Good, because I can’t.”
“What do you-”
Ekys makes a sharp gesture, and you go silent. The footsteps have stopped. The buttons have appeared. Ekys lets go of your arm and slowly backs away.
“$player_name,” they say slowly, “walk towards me. //Slowly.//”
“It’s right behind me, isn’t it.”
“$player_name,” Ekys says more insistently.
[[Continue|PgOneSixFourG]]Her green eyes are just as you remember, and she pulls you into a hug. You’re [HEIGHT CODE] than she is, but the hug is warm and just as you have been imagining since she left.
How long has it been? It’s difficult to keep track when you’re sure that the days here are longer than home. Even if this isn’t real, you savour the moment as much as you can.
And then $sister_name gasps, and turns to dust in your arms. She slips away, even as you try to keep her together. When you look up, you see the shadow figure, perched in a tree.
Still grinning.
[[Continue|PgOneSixFourS]]<<set $ekys_points to $ekys_points + 2>><<set $ekys_thing to "yes">>You shrug. “Alright,” you say. “Where to?”
“Just around,” Ekys says. “Tok won’t be happy if I go too far out of camp, with the monsters likely nearby, but we can go on the paths nearby and be fine.”
“Okay,” you reply. “Lead the way.”
Ekys dips their head and starts to walk. You follow after them, glancing around the //toam//. It’s quiet, but some people are still walking around, patching up the walls or leaving the healers’.
“Hrel!” Ekys calls harshly, staring at a tall, white-haired man. “Get back in the hut! You shouldn’t be up!”
Hrel mumbled something and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly before turning and ducking back inside. Ekys sighs, but smiles slightly. “Even when I’m taking a break, I have to work,” they say. “I don’t really mind, though. I like healing, y’know? What do you think of being a hunter?”
“Oh, uh… I haven’t really been one for very long. But it’s alright so far, I think,” you reply.
Ekys nods. “Right, you’re… from somewhere else.” You trek quietly into the woods, and after a moment of walking, you’re out of hearing range from the //toam//. “So, are you from another //toam//, or…”
You shrug. “It’s a long story.”
“Ah.” A beat. “Do you want to talk about it?”
You hesitate, and say, “Not… particularly.”
“Okay,” Ekys says, promptly launching into a speech about the latest medicine they were experimenting with. You add or ask questions where you can, and they just seem happy to be talking about it.
[[Continue|PgOneSixThreeG]]You roll over again and, to your relief, sleep comes a little while after. For a moment, you have peaceful, black sleep.
And then you’re in a forest. It’s blurry, like all dreams, but you can make out the Sitynur shard on the shadow-figure’s crown. He grins mockingly, and you know you have to go after him.
You run. The figure brings a flute to his lips and plays a note, and runs. Two monsters form from the shadows, snarling and growling and biting. They dissipate with a touch, and you follow the figure. You fight monster and monster, tear through trees and thorns and bushes, listen to the mocking laughter, before finally you catch up.
You grab the figure’s arm and reach for the crown, but once you do, the figure shifts.
Your sister stands there, eyes wide.
[[Continue|PgOneSixThreeS]]“So,” Wren starts. “Does your necklace have anything to do with— aw, crap.” She tears her gaze away from you and looks towards Jurem, who is walking towards you both. He looks annoyed. Wren curses again.
“Wren,” Jurem greets. “You are usually quieter.”
Wren scowls. “It’s not my fault, $player_name was with me,” she says.
“Hey,” you protest. Wren laughs and even Jurem chuckles.
“Sorry,” Wren says. “You were shifting around too much, is all.”
“And while I do not approve of you eavesdropping,” Jurem says, side-eyeing Wren, “I will not call you out publicly.” Wren cheers silently and Jurem quickly adds, “however, you will be on toilet clean-up for the next week.”
“Poop duty!” Wren cries dramatically. “Noooo!”
“I have already arranged it,” Jurem says. “$player_name, you are not going unpunished, either. You will have it the week after that. Wren will show you what to do.”
Wren touches your hand and gives you a solemn look. “We shall suffer together,” she says.
Jurem hides a smile behind his hand. “Go back to sleep while you still can,” he says. “It is almost dawn.”
Wren nods. “Okay!”
[[Continue|PgOneSixOne]]<<set $trelop_points to 6>>Up ahead, you can hear soft chatter. Jurem even switches to a beaten path. The trees grow further and further apart until you’re in a clearing that seems halfway between a camp and a town. There are about thirty people out walking, and the chatter slows to a halt as they all spot you. Then, the chatter which you were able to vaguely make out before, turns to whispers behind hands.
Jurem turns to Wren. “Watch <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>, please,” he says, then walks away. He approaches a house near the center of the – what did they call it? – the //toam//, and knocks on the door. He goes inside.
Wren gestures for you to move to the side of the entrance and leans against the side of a building in silence. She’s chewing her lip, searching for someone. Finally, her eyes light up.
A dark-skinned girl with her black hair in long dreads walks over, smiling. Wren jumps forward and wraps her in a hug. They pull apart but still loosely hold hands. They have a quiet conversation, exchanging whispers.<<if $attitude gte 14>>
Wren isn’t watching you. This is the perfect opportunity to make a run for it. Step by step, you inch towards the exit, keeping a careful eye on Wren. You glance away for one moment, to check the exit is where you think it is, and a hand clamps around your upper arm, just as Jurem did.
You look back and it’s Wren who has grabbed you. Her grip is too tight for you to twist out of, and she wasn’t even looking back. She continued her quiet conversation with the other girl.<<else>> You wait, eyes occasionally flicking to the house Jurem had entered.<<endif>>
Eventually, Jurem returns, a short blonde woman beside him. Her sharp grey eyes scan you, then settle on your necklace. You instinctively reach up to touch it. She nods, then waves for <<if $attitude gte 14>>Wren to let you go, and <<endif>>Jurem to go. He leaves, Wren and the other girl following close behind.
“Come with me,” she says, and begins to walk back to the house she emerged from. You don’t really have a choice except to follow.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeNine]]<big><b>Chapter Seven</b></big>
<<set $clues to "locked">><<set $jurem_points to 6>>You emerge from the portal first, tumbling onto the ground. Hichi leaps over you, glancing over his shoulder and laughing. “Good luck!” he calls, and then disappears into the woods. You get to your feet and walk a few steps forward, but it’s a lost cause. He’s too far gone. Where is he even going?
You sigh and then the Sitynur almost knocks you over with information. //When// will you get used to that?
The language of this world falls on your tongue, and you attempt a simple, whispered, “hello?” The language is light and quick, like a stream of clear water.
Observing the area, you notice several things. One, you’re in a dark, dense forest. Two, there’s no nearby signs of civilization. Three, something is incredibly off about it.
After a moment of thought, you pinpoint it: It’s completely silent.
You take a few steps forward, leaves crunching below your feet. Suddenly, a hand clamps around your arm. You jump and try to twist away, but whoever it is has a strong grip.
“Are you //trying// to get killed?” they whisper. “What //toam// are you from? What are you doing here?”
[[Bluff.|PgOneThreeSixB]]
[[Say you have no toam.|PgOneThreeSixN]]Her house is small, with a bed pushed into the far left corner and a table against the right wall. There are only two chairs. The single window is the only light source.
The most notable feature is the books. There are books scattered everywhere, overflowing the small bookcase. The woman moves some of them, clearing the table. “Sorry for the mess,” she says. “I…” she trails off. She clears her throat and gestures for you to sit beside her.
When you sit down, she studies you with those piercing eyes. “I suppose you have a lot of questions,” she says. “Let me answer a few. I am Leader Emery Clur-West. This is the Klin //Toam//, and I suggest you stay here unless you would rather be killed. Monsters lurk in the woods, and the untrained person is likely to fall victim to them.” She pauses. “Anything else?”
“Why do you have a procedure for new people? How common is this?” you ask, and she frowns.
“Ah. I see you figured that out. Well, once upon a time, we had quite a few people just appear in the woods. I don’t know where they come from, or why they’re here, but eventually one of my predecessors came up with some rules. They disappear after a while. Whether it’s to the same place they come from or they’re killed by monsters, no one is sure and no one particularly cares.”
You startle at that, slightly. “You don’t investigate?”
Emery shakes her head. “There’s no point. We would just risk our own people.”
“Oh,” you say. You lean back in your chair and consider for a moment.
[[“What are the monsters, exactly?”|PgOneFourZeroM]]
[[“What do I do next?”|PgOneFourZeroN]]<<set $wren_points to 6>>You attempt to make conversation a few times, to no avail. Eventually, you give up. His walk is silent, avoiding crunchy leaves and sticks perfectly. You, meanwhile, feel like you stumble across every stray tree route sticking out of the ground and step on every loud stick. Jurem gives you a harsh glare every time.
Suddenly, a girl appears, jumping around you and Jurem. She has long brown hair done in braids, and light brown skin. Her eyes are a golden color. “Who’s this, Jurem? A new person? Wait, I know this one–”
“Wren–” Jurem says sharply, but Wren barrels on.
“ ‘In the event someone new shows up, bring them to //toam//. The current leader will deal with them.’ There’s never anyone new– but now there is.” Wren’s gaze swivels to you. “Who //are// you?”
“I’m $player_name,” you reply, and Jurem sighs.
“What’s the next part of that protocol, Wren?”
“ ‘Don’t tell the new person about th–’ oh. Whoops.” Wren grins sheepishly.
“I apologize for my trainee,” Jurem says. “She is still… learning.”
“Are there new people often?” you ask, and Jurem frowns.
“Not in my lifetime,” he says. “But Leader Emery will know.”
Interesting. Yet, the Sitynur isn’t any help.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeEight]]<<set $jurem_points to $jurem_points - 2>><<if $attitude gte 14>>“I’m from the–” you search the Sitynur, but turn up with nothing. “–Sunshine //toam//.” You hope your confidence makes up for the face that you have //absolutely no clue if that exists.//<<else>>“I’m, uh–” come on, Sitynur. Yet you find nothing, and grab a random word. “–the Sunshine //toam//?” You wince at the way your words curl into a question.<<endif>>
The person lets go of your arm and you turn to face them. He’s tall and has light brown skin. His black hair is in a buzzcut, and his dark brown eyes stare into you. He crosses his arms. “Who are you?”
//Does he not know if the Sunshine// toam //exists, or can he tell you lied?// “I’m $player_name,” you reply.
He frowns. “You’re not from here,” he says matter of factly. You shrug. “Well. I am Jurem. Let’s go.” He turns and begins to briskly walk in the opposite direction.
You jog towards him. “Where are you going?”
“We are going back to the //toam//, so that I can figure out what to do with… you,” he says, still frowning. “You are not from here, and that should not be possible.”
“I’m just not from this area,” you try to explain.
He gives you a side glance and continues walking.
You end up following him. He’s going in the direction of the Sitynur’s pull, anyway, and if there’s something that could //kill// you, well, better to stick with him.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeSeven]]“I’m not from around here,” you say. The person lets go of your arm and you turn to face them. He’s tall and has light brown skin. His black hair is in a buzzcut, and his dark brown eyes stare into you.
He crosses his arms. “Who are you?”
“I’m $player_name,” you reply cautiously.
He frowns. “Well. I am Jurem. Let’s go.” He turns and begins to briskly walk in the opposite direction.
You jog towards him. “Where are you going?”
“We are going back to the //toam//, so that I can figure out what to do with… you,” he says, still frowning. “You are not from here, and that should not be possible.”
“I’m just not from this area,” you try to explain.
He gives you a side glance and continues walking.
You end up following him. He’s going in the direction of the Sitynur’s pull, anyway, and if there’s something that could //kill// you, well, better to stick with him.
[[Continue|PgOneThreeSeven]]<<set $baye_points to 0>> <<set $disposition to 15>> They’re flustered, and grow more apologetic when you snap at them. “Again, I’m s-so sorry, I should h-have been watching.”
You huff. “It’s fine. I’m fine, you’re fine– right?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine.” They pause, their gaze flitting over you. They have chin-length red hair with pink tips. Their skin is as dark as the tree’s trunk. “Can I check you? F-for injuries, I mean.”
“Um… what?”
“I’m a dryad.” A little more confidence fills their voice. “I can sense injuries.”
“A dryad.” you say flatly. They look confused, and you’re quick to elaborate. “You– I just moved here. Dryads aren’t as common where I’m from.” Only partially a lie, right?
The dryad looks confused, but they accept your explanation. “That’s… W-well, what’s your name?”
“Do you always ask strangers their names?” you snap. But part of you would be glad to have a friend. “...I’m $player_name. And you?”
“Baye. It’s n-nice to meet you.” Baye pauses, glancing back at the tree. “I need to r-return to rest. If you need help, y-you’re free to come by any time… being an outsider, and all. Some say the natives of this city can sense things like that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” you reply. “Thanks.”
Baye gives you a tiny smile before sinking into the tree that matches them oh-so-well. You spare a moment to study the tree once more.
[[Continue|PgEight]]They wince. “Y-yeah, I know, sorry.” They have chin-length red hair with pink tips. Their skin is as dark as the tree’s trunk. “I was hurrying back to my tree. Are you alright?”
“Yes, of course. And, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you mean by //your// tree?” To be fair, they looked quite similar to it, but you couldn’t claim a tree. Or maybe they just liked the tree and thought of it as theirs. Or–
“I’m a dryad.” They tilt their head at you, like a confused puppy. “This is my home tree.”
“...dryad.” You can’t quite remember what that means. It takes a second to recall the word. It was a fictional species in your world. It must be real, here. You really are in another dimension. “You’re a dryad.”
“Mm-hm!” They swipe a leaf out of their hair. “You sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah.” you say, after a moment of hesitation.
“Are you new to the city?” They ask.
“How did you know?” You chuckle lightly.
“I had a feeling. I’m Baye.” They smile brightly at you.
“$player_name. I’m $player_name.” You’re ready to leave, now, you think. This isn’t helping. The tug is leading you away, towards the center of the city.
“If you need anything, you can ask me, okay? I know this city isn’t the most welcoming to newcomers.” Baye gives you a final smile before walking to their tree and seemingly sinking into the bark. You consider taking them up on that offer. Maybe you will.
[[Continue|PgEight]]<<set $baye_points to 7>><<set $disposition to 9>>They seem reluctant to agree, sweeping their gaze over you. “Could I check you, in case?”
“Check me?” You parrot, confused.
“Yes. I’m a dryad.” They explain patiently. “I’m sure you could tell, given my tree.” Now that they mention it, they do look like the tree behind them. Their skin was the same shade of brown as the tree and their hair the same color as the red leaves. They even had pink tips.
“Hm. Well, uh, no thanks. I’m fine, really.” You don’t want to sound like you’ve never been here before. Better pretend you know what they’re talking about. Maybe you should change the topic.
Before you can, the dryad speaks first. “What’s your name? Are you new to the city?”
“I’m $player_name.<<if $attitude is "cautious">>” You hesitate a moment. Should you admit you’re new? Maybe they could help. “<<endif>> And yeah, I’m new. How did you know?”
They smile. “I had a feeling. I’m Baye.” Baye pauses, shuffling their feet and glancing back at their tree. “You know, some people won’t be as nice to newcomers. If you want, you can ask me for anything you need, okay? I’ll be around here.”
You wonder, for a moment, why Baye’s offering this. Maybe… no, you can’t make guesses about them. You smile at them in thanks.
“See you,” They say, then disappear into the trunk of the tree.
[[Continue|PgEight]]<<set $baye_points to 7>><<set $disposition to 9>>You move aside so they can get to their tree. “Thank you.” They smile and walk up to the tree.
“You look like that tree.” You note. They pause in their tracks and give you a puzzled look.
“Of course I do. I’m a dryad.” They smile politely.
“A… dryad?” Dryads were fictional in your world. Then again, this wasn’t your world. You wish you could take the words back once you see their puzzled expression.
“...y-yes. Are you okay? Um–” They glance out to the street, then back to you. “Why don’t you come over here?”
<<if $personality == "cautious">> You hesitate, but they look genuine. <<endif>> You walk over. They press a hand to the ground, near the base of a bush near you, and it grows a little to block you from the street.
“D-do you mind if I check you?” They offer a hand. “I don’t know who wouldn’t know what a dryad is.”
You don’t really like the sound of them ‘checking’ you. You quickly come up with an explanation to get out of it. “Sorry, of course I know what they are. I’ve been kind of zoned out today. I’m pretty tired.”
They hum and study you. You shift uncomfortably under their gaze.
“What’s your name?” you ask.
“Oh, I’m Baye. What’s yours?”
“I’m $player_name,” you reply, relieved they took the topic change.
“Well, it was nice to meet you, certainly.” Baye says. They stand and walk towards the tree. Before they touch it, they turn back to look at you. After a quick wave, which you return, they sink into the tree.
[[Continue|PgEight]]<<set $baye_points to 0>><<set $disposition to 15>>They look mildly surprised, with their eyebrows furrowed. “W-well, I’m a dryad, so I kind of can…” They say.
“Dryad.” You repeat, before you can stop yourself. It takes a moment to remember what that is. A fictional creature in your world, but apparently real here. You guess that makes sense. They do look similar to the tree you were leaning against.
“Do y-you mind..?” They make a small motion for you to move to the side. You stay where you are.
“What’s your name?” you ask. This is the first person who’s actually talked to you. Maybe you can get some answers.
“I’m Baye. What’s your name?”
Well, they’re polite, at least. “$player_name.”
“Nice to meet you, but…” Baye pauses and studies you. “You’re new to the city, right?”
“How do you know?” you snap, suddenly defensive. You regret it instantly, but they couldn’t figure out your secret, right? Your necklace is hidden in your shirt.
“Oh… People here have a sense for that. I know a lot of people don’t like newcomers.” They hesitate. “If you need help, you can ask me.”
You don’t know why they’re offering. Most of your dialogue with them has been sharp. Yet you won’t look at a mirror too closely. (That was one of your favorite sayings from home. It originated from when things were often trapped in mirrors. Nowadays… well, the magic //is// decaying. You haven’t seen something like that in years.)
“Uh, thanks,” you say, once you realize the silence has stretched on just a little too long.
“Of course. I’d offer it to anyone who needed it.” Baye pauses. “Can you move out of the way now, please?”
“Oh. Sure.” You step to the side and Baye presses a hand to the trunk of their tree and seems to be absorbed by it. That’s right, you’ll admit it: maybe a tree can be claimed. Just not by a human.
Wait… were people here human, or were they all some fantastical species?
You shake the thought away and walk back to the street.
[[Continue|PgEight]]You step outside your room, into the hallway. Birch is gone, but that’s to be expected, you suppose. He’s hopefully in another place in the house.
You find him in the living room, reclined on the couch with a book in his hands. //The Life of Jimny Currs// is the title. It can either be fiction or a biography, you’re not sure.
He glances up at you and nods his head in greeting. “Hey, $player_name.”
“Hi,” you reply. He tilts his head to the couch, an invitation to sit.
[[You sit. “How was your day?”|PgSitHWYD]]
[[You stay standing. “How was your day?”|PgStandHWYD]]
[[You sit. “Hey… do you believe in other worlds?”|PgSitDYBIOW]]
[[You stay standing. “Hey… do you believe in other worlds?”|PgStandDYBIOW]]“I know what magic you can do with it,” you say. “There’s other shards out there, in other worlds. This is only a fraction of its real power, I think.”
“You think?” Serat tilts his head, writing something in his notebook. You just shrug. “And a follow up question. What can I do with it?”
You consider. You know the main purpose — to travel through worlds — but there could be more. You don’t know everything yet. There was no ‘Guide to Sitynur.’
Also, how much did you want to give away to Serat? You were only obligated to answer his questions, not be specific.
[[“Magic stuff.”|PgSeventyOneMV]]
[[“You can create portals.”|PgSeventyOnePV]]<<set _bwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _bwin to _bwin.random()>>You face off once again. “Go for Oak’s legs,” Birch whispers. “He doesn’t defend those as well. If we pretend to aim for his arms and then duck, he won’t expect it.”
Rosa hardly guards her legs either, you think, but then again, who does? Either way, it’s a good strategy. You nod in acknowledgement.
“Go!” Birch whispers, not bothering with the countdown. All the better, of course, so they won’t have the extra precious seconds to prepare. You charge, and at the same time, Rosa and Oak do too. You launch yourself the few last steps and at the last moment, duck down to slash Oak’s leg.
<<if $disposition gte 13>>Oak doesn’t flinch away, but darts down and draws blood from your shoulder blade. You roll away quickly, hissing at the sting of pain from sand meeting the wound. You jump to your feet, eyes narrowed.<<endif>><<if $disposition lt 13>>You roll away and to your feet before Oak can react. You can’t stop a small smile from rising to your lips.<<endif>>
<<if _bwin is "yes">>You feel Birch press against your shoulder, and spare a glance to Rosa. She has a small slit in her shirt collar, and you see a bit of blood before she turns away.<<endif>><<if _bwin is "no">>You feel Birch press against your shoulder, and spare a glance to Rosa. She seems unscathed, and Birch seems frustrated. You take that as he missed.<<endif>>
<<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 0o0>><<set $fightscore to 21>>“Two to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 0o1>><<set $fightscore to 22>>“Two to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 10>><<set $fightscore to 31>>“Three to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 0o2>><<set $fightscore to 23>>“Two to three!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 0o0>><<set $fightscore to 11>>“One to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 0o1>><<set $fightscore to 12>>“One to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 10>><<set $fightscore to 21>>“Two to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition gte 13 and $fightscore is 0o2>><<set $fightscore to 13>>“One to three!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 0o0>><<set $fightscore to 20>>“Two to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 0o1>><<set $fightscore to 21>>“Two to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 10>><<set $fightscore to 30>>“Three to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "yes" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 0o2>><<set $fightscore to 22>>“Two to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 0o0>><<set $fightscore to 10>>“One to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 0o1>><<set $fightscore to 11>>“One to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 10>><<set $fightscore to 20>>“Two to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if _bwin == "no" and $disposition lt 13 and $fightscore is 0o2>><<set $fightscore to 12>>“One to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>>
[[Attack without Birch.|PgSeventyOneSBi]]
[[Look to Birch.|PgSeventyOneWBi]]<big><b>Chapter Four</b></big>
<<set $powersworld to "known">><<set $mallory_points to 6>>Another rough landing, but you recover quickly this time, stumbling to your feet. You take quick stock of your situation<<if previous() is $PgSeventySevenV>>, checking for the guard behind you. You release a quick breath of relief upon the realization that he’s gone, but worry, for a moment, about Violet. But there’s nothing you can do about it now<<endif>>. No serious injuries. No nausea. The information should flood in your head any minu–
//Ow.// There it is.
Your ears ring and you sit on the ground so you don’t topple over, shutting your eyes tightly. It’s similar information to what you got last time, but now… you know more about their religion? Their gods, practices, beliefs. This is very intriguing, and you pause to poke around your own brain, ignoring the Sitynur’s pull for now. Everyone – well, at least most people – have a unique power. You frown at that. Being powerless isn’t unheard of, but it’s incredibly rare. Would you admit you didn’t have one, or pretend?
“Heya!” someone says loudly behind you, and you jump, spinning around defensively. “Whoops, didn’t mean to scare ya,” they laugh. They have a dark brown afro and deep brown skin. Her eyes are a stormy gray, but hold a curious spark. A bright smile illuminates her face, white teeth poking from in between her lips.
“I’m Mallory,” she says. “Conjurer. Are you a Blip? I thought that was an Unused but I just saw you appear out of nowhere! Quite cool, actually.” Her eyes shine as she waits for you to answer.
Oh, //tikti.// How would you explain this one?
[[Be upfront that you’re from another world.|PgSeventyNineW]]
[[Agree that you’re a Blip.|PgSeventyNineB]]
[[Say that you’re actually powerless.|PgSeventyNineP]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 5>>Birch nods. “Here, or in other worlds?”
You stand up and pull the shard out of your pocket. You lift the necklace shard and join the two together. They seal together with not even any crack left. “Woah,” you whisper, studying it. It’s like they were always together.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
“Other worlds, I think,” you reply. “I can use this shard to make a… hopefully more precise portal.”
“Ah,” Birch says. “Now, or..?”
You reach for the magic that lets you open portals and create one in front of you. Purple and cyan light swirls together. Birch balks and half climbs over the couch.
“What the hell?” he shouts.
“Sorry, I should have warned you,” you say. “Here’s my way out. Do you want to come?”
Birch hesitates. Finally, he says, “I can’t. I’ve made a home here, I guess. I don’t want to fall further into the multiverse. I’m close to a breakthrough.” He crawls off the couch and walks over to you. He grasps your hand with both of his hands and looks you in the eyes. “Good luck.”
“Thank you. Luck to you too.” He lets go and you turn to the portal.
You walk inside.
[[Continue|PgSeventyEight]]Birch looks startled. “What do you mean?”
You stand up and pull the shard out of your pocket. You lift the necklace shard and join the two together. They seal together with not even any crack left. “Woah,” you whisper, studying it. It’s like they were always together.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
You reach for the magic that lets you open portals and create one in front of you. Purple and cyan light swirls together. Birch balks and half climbs over the couch.
“What the hell?” he shouts.
“I warned you,” you chuckle. “Here’s my way out. Do you want to come?”
Birch hesitates. Finally, he says, “I can’t. I’ve made a home here, I guess. I don’t want to fall further into the multiverse. I’m close to a breakthrough.” He crawls off the couch and walks over to you. He grasps your hand with both of his hands and looks you in the eyes. “Good luck.”
“Thank you. Luck to you too.” He lets go and you turn to the portal.
You walk inside.
[[Continue|PgSeventyEight]]<<set $fighting to "yes">>You’re prepared. You’ve had to fight before, in those days that seem so far ago. The days where your father was holed away in his office, and you were stuck struggling with boredom. You ended up in street squabbles. Usually you weren’t armed, though.
Rosa has easy confidence. You’re more nervous. So much is riding on whoever wins. She’s clearly more experienced than you. Luck would likely be a huge factor.
You take a deep breath while the officiant begins to state the rules. You idly wonder how they found someone to perform the job so fast.
“Welcome to the battlefield!” the man announces. He brushes a strand of blond hair out of his eyes. “For this duel, we are using traditional rules. No fancy tricks,” he adds, with a harsh look at Rosa. She laughs.
“First to draw blood three times wins!” he shouts. “Meds will be prepared to help //after// the duel. Good luck to both of you. You may…” He trails off for dramatic effect. “Begin!”
[[Make the first move.|PgSeventyOneFBa]]
[[Wait.|PgSeventyOneWBa]]<<set $decisonmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>>The king’s eyes widen with shock and fury. Before he can react any further, Mycie grabs your wrist and you run. You run past him and the guards who attempt to stop you. Their hands bounce off your body when you twist and you run past their shouts of surprise and anger. Pure adrenaline pushes you forward.
Footsteps thunder behind you and you keep running. “Where are we going?” you gasp.
“To the window. It’s harder to follow!” Mycie replies.
You’re glad for her grip on your wrist, because she is faster than you, and you can’t fall behind. Not when there’s guards practically snapping at your ankles.
“Here!” Mycie shouts as you turn a final corner. You run to a window covered by plain white curtains, blowing softly in the wind. Mycie lets go of your wrist and leaps through.
You hesitate, peeking over the ledge. It’s almost two levels below, it seems.
“Come on!” Mycie encourages. You look behind you, and the guards are gaining on you. There’s even extras from those they picked up along the way. You take a deep breath,
and jump.
You scream the whole way down until your fall is broken by something soft. You open your eyes and stare at the dark blue flowers that somehow saved you. “How..?”
“Serat flowers,” Mycie explains. She laughs. “Saved by the namesake of my father. Ironic, right?”
“Yeah,” you reply. You look up, where a few guards peer over the edge. They shout things you can’t make out and you look back at Mycie. “We should go.”
“Do you have a specific place?” Mycie asks, standing and offering her hand.
You take it and get to your feet. “I just need one thing from Birch’s.”
“Lead the way,” Mycie replies, and you begin to run once again.
[[Continue|PgSeventySixM]]Rosa grins, smug happiness on her face. You’ve lost. Your one chance at getting the Sitynur– gone. You stumble towards the med tent, struggling to accept it. //Where’s Baye?//
You sit on a chair as a med covers your wounds in bandages. You hardly feel the sting. You’re trying to work out what to do. What can you do? You had to steal it if you wanted it, now. You’ve lost your fair chance of getting it, now you have to get it unfairly.
Serat walks over and goes to talk to Rosa. You can’t make out what they’re saying; you’re looking for Baye.
Suddenly, you spot them emerging from the entrance with a strange expression. Worry? Fear? Confusion? You can’t tell. Maybe it’s a dryad thing. You walk up to greet them.
“Hey, Baye,” you say, and they repeat the greeting. Serat approaches the two of you.
“Well, $player_name,” he begins. “it appears you have lost.”
“Unfortunately,” you reply.
He glances at Baye, then sighs. “I suppose I can let you collect your things from wherever you were staying before.”
You narrow your eyes. “You’re just letting me go?”
“No,” he amends, “I’ll send a guard with you. But if there’s something you need to get, I //suppose// I can let you fetch it.”
You look at Baye, who has a slight smile on their face. Did they make him do this? You’re grateful, anyway. And you probably should go with it before Serat takes the offer back.
“Okay,” you say, “can we go now?”
“Guard! You, there!” Serat waves for a guard. “Please escort these two to wherever they’re staying and make sure they return. At least that one.” He points at you. “I don’t need the other.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” the guard replies. “Let us go. Where are we going?”
“Mulberry Street, building seventeen.” Baye tells him. Birch’s address, you assume. You set off.
[[Continue|PgSeventySixLBa]]Serat towers over you when he reaches you. Birch jumps to his feet and bows his head. You follow his lead.
“So,” Serat begins, “you have lost. To be expected, of course. These two will be brilliant fighters when they finish their training. I would be more surprised if you had won, and– Oh, stop bowing. I want to see you when I’m speaking.”
You hastily look up. You wonder if this is where Mycie got her hatred from bowing, though with a different motivation. Mycie wants to be treated as an equal, not a superior, and Serat wants to see you while he speaks.
“Anyway, I will allow you, Birch, to fetch one thing you would like $player_name to have. It will have to pass my inspection, of course, so no weapons or lockpicks or such. You will have to return within twenty-four hours.” Serat pauses for confirmation. Birch bobs his head. “Good. Florian, Ren!” he calls, looking over his shoulder.
Two guards arrive. One has long, reddish hair tied into a short ponytail. A strand falls into his eyes, and he ignores it. The other has a brown buzz cut. They both stand at attention.
“I would like you, Florian,” Serat indicates to the redhead, “to escort $player_name to <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> room. Ren, please escort Birch to the gates. Thank you both.” He turns and exits through the weapons room door.
Florian looks at you with a smidge of sympathy. “Are you alright? Done with the healers and everything?”
You pick at one of your bandages. “Yes.”
He waits for you to stand and then walks by your side. You let him take the lead on which turns to take, until you return to the now-familiar door to your room.
You stare at it for a moment and sigh. Florian looks concerned, but you step forward and into your room. The door clicks shut.
Back to confinement.
[[Continue|PgSeventySixLBi]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>The king laughs. “Relying on my daughter?” He pauses to glower at said daughter. “You //are// in trouble for going behind my back and disobeying my orders, by the way. You can’t do this and think–”
Mycie grabs your wrist and you run. You run past him and the guards who attempt to stop you. You run past their shouts of surprise and anger. Pure adrenaline pushes you forward.
Footsteps thunder behind you and you keep running. “Where are we going?” you gasp.
“To the window. It’s harder to follow!” Mycie replies.
You’re glad for her grip on your wrist, because she is faster than you, and you can’t fall behind. Not when there’s guards practically snapping at your ankles.
“Here!” Mycie shouts as you turn a final corner. You run to a window covered by plain white curtains, blowing softly in the wind. Mycie lets go of your wrist and leaps through.
You hesitate, peeking over the ledge. It’s almost two levels below, it seems.
“Come on!” Mycie encourages. You look behind you, and the guards are gaining on you. There’s even extras from those they picked up along the way. You take a deep breath,
and jump.
You scream the whole way down until your fall is broken by something soft. You open your eyes and stare at the dark blue flowers that somehow saved you. “How..?”
“Serat flowers,” Mycie explains. She laughs. “Saved by the namesake of my father. Ironic, right?”
“Yeah,” you reply. You look up, where a few guards peer over the edge. They shout things you can’t make out and you look back at Mycie. “We should go.”
“Do you have a specific place?” Mycie asks, standing and offering her hand.
You take it and get to your feet. “I just need one thing from Birch’s.”
“Lead the way,” Mycie replies, and you begin to run once again.
[[Continue|PgSeventySixM]]You hurry down the hallways, moving too quickly for the guards to get a second glance at your face. The news of your freedom can’t spread too fast. You’re afraid of getting caught and brought back to the king. Sure, he would reluctantly clarify your new situation, but it was another time waster.
Finally reaching the last hallway to the doors, you slow down and half-relax. The final stretch.
“Wait!” someone shouts, and you freeze. “$player_name!”
You recognize the voice and turn to face Violet. They look relieved to see you. “Did it work? Did you get the–?” You nod, and Violet breaks into a smile. “I’m glad.”
“Don’t I have to tell you the story about why I need it?” you ask. “Do you still want to know?”
Violet looks around the hallway. “Yes, but let’s go somewhere more private.” She walks out of the castle, and you follow closely.
They lead you to a tall tree with black bark and swaying blue blanches hanging down. They obscure you from the outside slightly once you walk under them. Violet sits at the base of the trunk. You follow suit.
“So,” Violet says, “we should be good here. At least for a little while.”
You nod, trying to figure out how to start. “I came from another world. But you know that already. My father…” you pause. That would take too long to explain. “My sister and I had some Sitynur– or, as you knew it, the Gemstone. What Serat had is only a shard of it. My sister… $sister_name… she, well, I don’t know her motivations, but one day, she used the Sitynur to make a portal. She jumped in, and now she’s missing.
“I created a portal after her. Except I'm not sure if she's in another world. The Sitynur seems to be leading me to different shards, and I can't feel another one here. I don't think she's here." You close your eyes for a moment. "I think… I think my plan will be to collect all of the Sitynur shards. That way, I can use a stronger power to make a more precise portal, and finally find $sister_name.”
“If she has one, how will you get it?” Violet asks.
“I guess the final world will have her. Though I hope I find her sooner than that. I don’t know how many worlds that will be…” You sigh, staring off into the distance.
Violet hesitantly rests her hand on your shoulder. “I’m sorry. It sounds like you like your sister a lot.”
<<if $sister_points gte 10>>“I do. Thank you.”<<else>>You wince. “We didn’t end off on the nicest terms, but I really do miss her.”<<endif>> You get to your feet. “I should be going. Good luck dealing with your father,” you joke.
Violet smiles tightly. “I’ll figure it out.”
You help them to their feet, then pause. Should you tell her about your plan to steal the Sitynur from her father?
On one hand, they could be considered an accomplice. But on the other, she probably wouldn’t like being lied to.
“$player_name? What’s wrong?” Violet asks, tilting their head.
[[Tell her about the plan. She should know.|PgSeventySixTV]]
[[Don’t tell her. They can truthfully claim innocence later.|PgSeventySixDV]]That’s it. You’ve won! You defeated Rosa. Something that seems impossible. It almost doesn’t feel real, but as she stumbles away, you have no choice but to accept it. You’ve won. Victory is sweet.
A med hurries over, urging you to the small tent they had set up. Perhaps it’s permanently there. Still, there are a few meds milling around. Rosa sits with her back to you in one chair while the meds bandage her up. The med who brought you over guides you to a chair. You sit, and they get some bandages to cover your wounds.
Serat strides over, with Baye just behind him. Baye looks absolutely delighted, a huge grin on their face, while Serat looks less so.
“So, do I get the Gemstone?” You ask<<if $disposition gt 15>>, grinning widely<<endif>>. Serat scowl deepens.
“Yes, I suppose you do,” he sighs. “You’ve beaten one of my greatest warriors-in-training fair and square.” His voice goes quieter as he adds, half to himself, “I don’t quite know how…”
"Wait, warrior-in-//training//?" You ask, confused. Why had he bent to her wish if she was in training..?
"Yes. Her parents are great as well." Ah. He was afraid of her parents, then, as well as her threat about the duel being valid legally...
After a beat, you ask, “Do I get it now, or..?”
Serat looks startled. “Well, you aren’t //leaving,// are you?”
“I thought that was part of the agreement?”
“I suppose without the Gemstone, you aren’t useful to me anyway,” he muses. “Fine. Med Alina, are you done?”
The med wrapping a bandage around you doesn’t even look up. “Let me tie this off… there.” She smiles at you. “All set.”
“Thank you,” you say, and she just shrugs.
“It’s my job.”
“Very well then,” Serat interrupts. “I will have a guard escort you and Mx. Baye out of the castle. Let me fetch the Gemstone.”
Baye comes up to you after Serat leaves. “I knew you could do it,” they say, smiling brightly.
You laugh. “You didn’t have any doubts?”
“Maybe I was a little concerned, but I’m not surprised you won.”
“Thank you,” you say. You spot the king returning.
[[Continue|PgSeventySixWBa]]Serat stands in front of you, towering over while you sit. Birch stands and you follow suit.
“So,” he says, “it appears you have defeated my best warriors-in-training.” He pauses, considers his next words. After a moment, he continues. “Typically I would offer you to become warriors yourself, however I do not need as many warriors nowadays, and I don’t believe you wish to become warriors. Is that correct?”
You both nod. Serat purses his lips. “As I expected. Well, I suppose I owe you your Gemstone and freedom. I am nothing if not fair. Wait here.” He turns on his heel and walks away.
You exchange looks with Birch. “I wasn’t expecting it to be that easy,” you say. Birch shrugs.
“He’s an honest king.”
“I suppose so.”
You wait in silence until Serat returns, this time with two guards flanking him. “Florian, Ren, please escort these two to the castle gates and no further,” he says, albeit reluctantly. He approaches you and hands you the Sitynur. “Keep careful care of it.”
“Of course,” you reply. He nods.
“Good luck, wherever you go,” he concludes, and turns to leave. You watch him walk away until you feel the others staring.
“Are you ready to go?” a guard asks. He has long, reddish hair tied into a short ponytail. A strand falls into his eyes, and he ignores it.
You nod. You slip the Sitynur into your pocket. You’ll compare it to your original piece when you’re alone with Birch. For now, it’s best to keep it hidden.
You walk with Birch on your left and the redhead guard on your right. Birch has the other guard on his left. You follow the castle hallways until you reach the gates.
[[Continue|PgSeventySixWBi]]<<if $fightscore is 21>>The final stretch. You’re close to victory.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22>>The final stretch. You’re both neck in neck, about to reach victory. Whoever gets the next strike claims that title.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12>>The final stretch. Rosa is about to claim victory. Your want, no, your //need// to get the Sitynur will surely prevail. Whatever the case, you grip your dagger tightly and prepare yourself.<<endif>> The mood has shifted. You take a deep breath and study Rosa for her next move.
Out of nowhere, Rosa charges. She twists around you, one arm out with her dagger. <<if $mental gte 13>>You manage to dodge out of the way just in time. <<endif>><<if $mental lt 13>>You turn away too late, and a thin line of red forms on your shoulder. <<endif>><<if $disposition gte 15>>You throw your arm out and manage to catch the blade on her skin.<<endif>><<if $disposition lt 15>>You throw your arm out and try to cut her in return, but miss. Rosa simply grins as she moves away.<<endif>> <<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 11>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 0o2>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 13>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 0o3>><<endif>> <<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 13>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 20>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 11>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>> <<if $fightscore is 12 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 23>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 13>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 30>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 31>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>> <<if $fightscore is 21 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 31>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 32>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>> <<if $fightscore is 22 and $mental gte 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 32>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition gte 15>><<set $fightscore to 33>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $mental lt 13 and $disposition lt 15>><<set $fightscore to 23>><<endif>>
You run at her, determined to win this battle. <<if $attitude gte 10>>She throws her arms up in defense, and you stab her arm. You yank the blade back and blood gushes from the wound. Rosa clutches her arm and winces. You’re not sure how you caught her off guard. Wasn’t she supposed to be one of the greatest fighters? Still, she was around your age. She could still make mistakes.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 11>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 20>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude is 10>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 30>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 31>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 32>><<endif>><<if $fightscore isnot $fightscore isnot 30 and $attitude gte 10 or $fightscore isnot 31 and $attitude gte 10 or $fightscore isnot 32 and $attitude gte 10>>You make another move while she is recovering from the shock and land a blow to her shoulder.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 20>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 30>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 31>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $attitude gte 10>><<set $fightscore to 32>><<endif>><<if $attitude lt 10>>You swing and miss, as Rosa easily walks back out of your range. You try again, walking forward and swinging your blade, and again, Rosa walks away. Then, she darts forward and leaves a cut at the base of your neck. <<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 0o2>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 0o3>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 11>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 13>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 23>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore isnot 30 or $fightscore isnot 31 or $fightscore isnot $32 or $fightscore isnot 0o3 or $fightscore isnot 13 or $fightscore isnot 23 and $attitude lt 10>>Now that she’s close, you can easily use your knife to cut just below her collarbone. She backs away a second to late, a single hand touching her wound for a moment before<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o2 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 12>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 21>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 22>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 31>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $attitude lt 10>><<set $fightscore to 32>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude lt 10 or $fightscore is 12 and $attitude lt 10 or $fightscore is 21 and $attitude lt 10 or $fightscore is 22 and $attitude lt 10>>morphing into determination.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 30 or $fightscore is 0o3 or $fightscore is 31 or $fightscore is 32 or $fightscore is 13 or $fightscore is 23>> sighing.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude lt 10 or $fightscore is 12 and $attitude lt 10 or $fightscore is 21 and $attitude lt 10 or $fightscore is 22 and $attitude lt 10>>
Suddenly, Rosa is right up close to you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 or $fightscore is 12>> She stabs your arm without a chance for you to prepare. You gasp with pain. The fight is over. You’ve lost.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 20>> She moves to stab your arm, but <<endif>><<if $fighting is "yes" and $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 20>>training<<endif>><<if $fighting is "no" and $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 20>> instinct<<endif>> <<if $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 20>>forces you to move away, and you manage to give her another cut in return.
That’s it. The fight is over. You’ve won.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 31 or $fightscore is 32>>“$player_name is the victor!” the announcer shouts. You take a deep breath and back off.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 13 or $fightscore is 23>>“Rosa is the winner!” the announcer shouts. You shut your eyes for a moment and back off.<<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 30 or $fightscore is 31 or $fightscore is 32>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveWBa]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o3 or $fightscore is 13 or $fightscore is 23>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveLBa]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o6>>“Zero to six!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 16>>“One to six!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 26>>“Two to six!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 36>>“Three to six!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 46>>“Four to six!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 56 or $fightscore is 66>>“Six to five!”<<endif>> the announcer shouts. “Oak Gild and Rosa Whitewater win!”<<if $fightscore is 66>>
Oak smirks at you. “We won, even if you got that last hit. It doesn’t matter.” He walks away.<<endif>>
You almost collapse where you stand, exhaustion immediately settling into your bones. Birch walks over and you nod at each other.
On the other side of the field, Oak and Rosa cheer with glee. They start to chatter with each other as they walk to the med tent. You and Birch follow solemnly.
A med guides you both to a chair and leaves to gather supplies. “What do we do now?” you whisper as quietly as you can. Birch doesn’t make any sign that he hears you until he speaks.
“Go along with it for now.”
Nothing more. You have a feeling he won’t explain even if you ask. You’ll just have to go along with it, as he says. For how long? A day? A week? Months?
The med returns before you can be left with your thoughts for too long. He brings another med, who starts to tend to Birch. The first begins to pour a sticky liquid over your cuts. You grit your teeth as it stings the wounds. The grip you have on the armrests tightens until your knuckles are white.
“Sorry,” he apologizes, “It’s to keep infection away. I know it stings.” He wraps your cuts in gray bandages.
He leaves after a moment, and you just sit there, not moving. An elbow pokes your side. You jump. Birch nods ahead, where Serat is rapidly approaching. You nod in acknowledgement and straighten up.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveLBi]]You both look back at the door.
“Should we hide?” you ask Mycie. She shakes her head.
“There’s hardly anywhere to do that. Besides, the guard will tell him we’re here. It’s useless.”
So you wait. <<if previous() is "PgSeventyThreeMM">>The chair rattles under the doorknob. Then, you can hear the door being shoved open. The chair is knocked out of the way, somehow.<<endif>><<if previous() is $PgSeventyThreeGM and $disposition gt 12>>The chair rattles under the doorknob. Then, you can hear the door being shoved open. The chair is knocked out of the way, somehow.<<endif>> The door opens.
Serat looks like he has a storm above his head. “What is the meaning of this?” he roars. He spots your necklace and its new addition. “I grant you your freedom and you //steal// from me?”
[[“It was never yours anyway.”|PgSeventyFiveBM]]
[[Look at Mycie.|PgSeventyFiveMM]]Serat stares, frowning. “You’re certain it has no connection?”
“Certain as I can be. This is some old junk I found in an alleyway back home,” you lie, the words coming easily. Serat takes your word, to your luck.
He writes something down, then stares slightly over your shoulder, deep in thought. You stay silent, hoping he won’t ask another question. He did say that was the final question, after all. Finally, Serat sighs out of his nose, a long and drawn out sound. He shifts to face you again.
“I suppose a deal’s a deal,” he says, sliding the Sitynur across the desk to your side. You take it almost a little too eagerly, putting it in your pocket before Serat revokes it. “I ask that you return it by tomorrow evening. You may stay here if you would like. Come back tomorrow to continue our conversations.”
You nod and get to your feet. Before you reach the door, you turn and face Serat for the final time. Not that he knows that. “Thank you for letting me borrow this.”
Serat looks like he almost regrets it. “I did promise, did I not?”
You leave the office and set off.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveV]]You smirk and Serat’s face darkens. “You can’t simply dodge every question.”
“Who said I was dodging it?” you ask innocently. “I’m not certain of its connection or not. They do look quite similar, hmm?” <<if $attitude gte 20>>You chuckle. “Besides, the agreement was that I’d answer your questions, you never mentioned //correctly.//”<<endif>>
Serat presses his lips together and writes something down. You stay silent, hoping he won’t ask another question. He did say that was the final question, after all. Finally, Serat sighs out of his nose, a long and drawn out sound. He shifts to face you again.
“I suppose a deal’s a deal,” he says, sliding the Sitynur across the desk to your side. You take it almost a little too eagerly, putting it in your pocket before Serat revokes it. “I ask that you return it by tomorrow evening. You may stay here if you would like. Come back tomorrow to continue our conversations.”
You nod and get to your feet. Before you reach the door, you turn and face Serat for the final time. Not that he knows that. “Thank you for letting me borrow this.”
Serat looks like he almost regrets it. “I did promise, did I not?”
You leave the office and set off.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveV]]<<if $fightscore is 60 or $fightscore is 70>>“Six to zero!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 61 or $fightscore is 71>>“Six to one!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 62 or $fightscore is 72>>“Six to two!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 63 or $fightscore is 73>>“Six to three!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 64 or $fightscore is 74>>“Six to four!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 65 or $fightscore is 75>>“Six to five!”<<endif>> the announcer shouts. “Birch Mianda and $player_name Otherworld win!”
They had given you a last name. It’s quite blunt.<<if $fightscore gte 70>>
Oak glares at you. “You didn’t have to do that,” he snaps. “You already won.” He stumbles away.<<endif>>
Birch looks shocked. A similar expression is surely on your face. Then you slowly smile. You’ve won. //You’ve won.//
Oak and Rosa hesitate. They glance at each other. Then, slowly, they walk to the med tents.
You walk to Birch’s side. He smiles at you.
“We’ve won,” you whisper, as if you almost don’t believe it. He chuckles.
“Yep, we did it.”
You pause and the pain of your cuts sinks in. “We should go to the med tent.”
Birch nods and you both walk over. A med guides you to chairs and you sit down, relieved at the weight lifted off of your feet. Another med approaches with supplies. He uses some herbs that sting on your wounds.
“Sorry,” he apologizes. “It’s to keep infection away. I know it stings.” He wraps your cuts in gray bandages.
You lean back in the chair once he walks away. Your blinks are long and slow. You’re exhausted after your fight.
An elbow pokes your side. You jump and open your eyes. Birch nods ahead, where Serat is rapidly approaching. You nod in thanks and straighten up.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveWBi]]Serat’s eyes brighten immediately, before he falters and sighs. “I did say that was the final question.” You tilt your head; was he really going to stop there? You can tell he’s curious. And yet… “You’ll have to tell me more next time.”
Ha, next time. There won’t be one. As long as everything goes to plan.
Perhaps you shouldn’t jinx it.
“I suppose a deal’s a deal,” Serat says finally, sliding the Sitynur across the desk to your side. You take it almost a little too eagerly, putting it in your pocket before Serat revokes it. “I ask that you return it by tomorrow evening. You may stay here if you would like. Come back tomorrow to continue our conversations.”
You nod and get to your feet. Before you reach the door, you turn and face Serat for the final time. Not that he knows that. “Thank you for letting me borrow this.”
Serat looks like he almost regrets it. “I did promise, did I not?”
You leave the office and set off.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveV]]You step inside through a side door. You slowly creep through the hallways while Mycie shows you the way. The closer you get, the more your Sitynur necklace pulls you. Your stomach twists with nausea: whether from the necklace’s pull or from nervousness or excitement, you’re not sure.
Mycie freezes and pulls you back behind the corner you just turned. “Guards,” she hisses. You peek around the corner out of curiosity.
There’s two of them, walking up and down the hallway. You have no idea what they’re guarding, but you pull back before you can check. You can’t risk them seeing you.
“What are they guarding?” you whisper.
“The treasure room. I was just going the fastest way, I forgot about this.” Mycie chews her lip. “There are other ways, though.”
[[“Let’s go past them.”|PgSeventyOnePM]]
[[“Let’s take another route.”|PgSeventyOneAM]]<<set $fighting to "no">>You’re worried. You kept out of any fights that happened on the streets of your home. And now that so much is riding on the winner...
Rosa, however, has easy confidence. She’s clearly more experienced than you. Luck would likely be a huge factor.
You take a deep breath while the officiant begins to state the rules. You idly wonder how they found someone to perform the duty so fast.
“Welcome to the battlefield!” the man announces. He brushes a strand of blond hair out of his eyes. “For this duel, we are using traditional rules. No fancy tricks,” he adds, with a harsh look at Rosa. She laughs.
“First to draw blood three times wins!” he shouts. “Meds will be prepared to help //after// the duel. Good luck to both of you. You may…” He trails off for dramatic effect. “Begin!”
[[Make the first move.|PgSeventyOneFBa]]
[[Wait.|PgSeventyOneWBa]]<<set $power to "Blip">><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>“Uh, yeah. I’m a Blip,” you agree. Mallory nods as if she expected it.
“That’s super cool. My power isn’t really cool, just useful for when I feel lazy,” Mallory giggles. She starts to walk toward a building in the distance. Your Sitynur warms at the idea of following her. You walk beside her, and she starts to ramble. “Are you a writer? You look about my age and the school is nearby. We have a writer’s club, maybe you should–”
“School?” you interrupt. Mallory squints at you.
“Yes, school. Do you not go here-?”
“No, I just moved here. I, uh, got a little lost. That’s the school?” You gesture to the building. Mallory bobs her head affirmatively.
You mentally curse again. How would you get into the school? It would require a lot of stealth, that’s for sure. Hopefully you will find it quickly.
“Do you want to walk with me? How does your power work, anyway?” She doesn’t seem to require an answer, just continues to speak. “It must be difficult to join, but at least it’s not late in the year, just a few months in. Do you have your schedule? Hopefully you don’t have Mrs. Aji, she’s too strict. At least for me. You know, last year she…”
You tune her out for a moment and look over to the building. You aren’t actually enrolled. Are there any security guards? From first glance, there aren’t, but you should be prepared to bolt and come back after school hours.
A bell rings distantly and Mallory jumps. “Quick! We’re gonna be late!” She grabs your hand and you run down the hill together. You reach the doors and rush inside, fast enough that you hardly catch the sign with the school’s name. Clearview’s Schools.
“Gotta run. See ya!” Mallory waves and then dashes down the hallway. You’re alone.
[[Continue|PgEighty]]<<set $power to "Powerless">><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 2>>“Oh, I’m powerless,” you say nonchalantly. Mallory blinks, surprised.
“Oh. That’s rare.” She laughs at herself. “Well, I’m sure you already know that.”
“Yeah,” you laugh. She starts to walk toward a building in the distance. Your Sitynur warms at the idea of following her. You walk beside her, and she starts to ramble. “Are you a writer? You look about my age and the school is nearby. We have a writer’s club, maybe you should–”
“School?” you interrupt. Mallory squints at you.
“Yes, school. Do you go there-?”
“Yeah, I just moved here. I, uh, got a little lost. That’s the school?” You gesture to the building. Mallory bobs her head affirmatively.
You mentally curse again. How would you get into the school? It would require a lot of stealth, that’s for sure. Hopefully you will find it quickly.
“Do you want to walk with me? Your parents must be rich.” She doesn’t seem to require an answer, just continues to speak. “It must be difficult to join, but at least it’s not late in the year, just a few months in. Do you have your schedule? Hopefully you don’t have Mrs. Aji, she’s too strict. At least for me. You know, last year she…”
You tune her out for a moment and look over to the building. You aren’t actually enrolled. Are there any security guards? From first glance, there aren’t, but you should be prepared to bolt and come back after school hours.
A bell rings distantly and Mallory jumps. “Quick! We’re gonna be late!” She grabs your hand and you run down the hill together. You reach the doors and rush inside, fast enough that you hardly catch the sign with the school’s name. Clearview’s Schools.
“Gotta run. See ya!” Mallory waves and then dashes down the hallway. You’re alone.
[[Continue|PgEighty]]<<set $power to "Unknown">><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>><<set $mallory_points to $mallory_points + 1>>You decide to just be upfront, this time. Perhaps she could help you. “Actually, I’m not from this world. I don’t have a power.”
She goes quiet for a moment and studies your face. Then she laughs. “Awesome story.” She starts to walk toward a building in the distance. Your Sitynur warms at the idea of following her. You walk beside her, and she starts to ramble. “Are you a writer? You look about my age and the school is nearby. We have a writer’s club, maybe you should–”
“School?” you interrupt. Mallory squints at you.
“Yes, school. Do you not go here-?”
“No, I just moved here. I, uh, got a little lost. That’s the school?” You gesture to the building. Mallory bobs her head affirmatively.
You mentally curse again. How would you get into the school? It would require a lot of stealth, that’s for sure. Hopefully you will find it quickly.
“Do you want to walk with me? What’s your power? Or are you truly powerless? If so, your parents must be rich.” She doesn’t seem to require an answer, just continues to speak. “It must be difficult to join, but at least it’s not late in the year, just a few months in. Do you have your schedule? Hopefully you don’t have Mrs. Aji, she’s too strict. At least for me. You know, last year she…”
You tune her out for a moment and look over to the building. You aren’t actually enrolled. Are there any security guards? From first glance, there aren’t, but you should be prepared to bolt and come back after school hours.
A bell rings distantly and Mallory jumps. “Quick! We’re gonna be late!” She grabs your hand and you run down the hill together. You reach the doors and rush inside, fast enough that you hardly catch the sign with the school’s name. Clearview’s Schools.
“Gotta run. See ya!” Mallory waves and then dashes down the hallway. You’re alone.
[[Continue|PgEighty]]Mycie nods. “Good idea. This way.” She turns and heads back down the hallway.
You turn to the right. A servant turns the far corner just as you enter the hallway, and you both freeze. You relax when they don’t return.
“That was close,” you mumble. Mycie nods.
“Now, this way,” Mycie says. You duck into a hallway to the left, opposite to the one the servant had gone down. You glance behind you, and see the servant staring at you. You stop in your tracks and nudge Mycie. She turns and spots the servant.
Mycie smiles and presses a finger to her lips. The servant frowns and turns. She walks away until she enters a room.
You share a look with Mycie and then turn to continue walking. Mycie brings you to the entrance of the final hallway.
Overall, it’s bland. An innocently boring hallway. Walls painted gray, floors tiled with white. No windows. A single door that blends in with the wall. In a back corner of the castle. No wonder no one had noticed it.
One guard stands outside the door while you peek around the corner.
[[Continue|PgSeventyTwoM]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 2>>You charge forward. You pull your arm back and drive it to Rosa’s arm.
<<if $attitude gte 10>>You hit. You feel the dagger sink into soft skin. You wince and pull the dagger away and back away before she can hit you back. Blood beads at the wound and drips down her arm. Rosa’s eyes widen as she touches it. Then her eyes narrow with anger and she moves her arms to an offensive position.<<set $fightscore to 10>><<else>>You miss. She twists away and elbows your stomach, hard. You double over and she cuts your shoulder without even a glance at you. Hot blood beads at the wound. You roll away before she can do more damage, hissing at the sand clumping at the cut.<<set $fightscore to 0o1>><<endif>>
“One to zero!” the man announces. <<if $attitude gte 10>>Rosa has a deep scowl etched on her face.<<else>>Rosa grins as you manage to get to your feet.<<endif>>
[[Aim for her leg.|PgSeventyTwoLBa]]
[[Aim for her arm.|PgSeventyTwoABa]]
[[Aim for her knife.|PgSeventyTwoKBa]]
[[Wait.|PgSeventyTwoWBa]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 2>>A slow grin spreads across your face as Serat grips his quill tighter. <<if previous() is "PgSeventySV">>“Weren’t you just telling me to be more specific?” he mutters.<<endif>> He clears his throat and straightens up. “Well, $player_name, I will warn you not to test me. I //will// withdraw my proposal.”
You return your face to a neutral expression. “I’m completely serious.”
Serat just looks at you blankly. “Of course.” He writes something down with his quill. Halfway through he runs out of ink and he dips it in a small pool of dark purple ink to replenish it. He finishes and meets your eyes again. “So. Please, be more specific.”
“Fine,” you snap, crossing your arms. “You can create portals.”
“Interesting,” Serat replies, writing again. “Perfect. Where to?”
“Other dimensions,” you say tersely. You can’t think of a way to dodge the question.
“Can anyone use it? Will it draw in //anyone//?”
Honestly, you don’t know if anyone can. You can, and your sister can, but can just anyone use it? Maybe you have to have been in the dimension it was originally stored in. Maybe it’s some completely arbitrary reason. Besides, what does he mean by using it? Does he know it doesn’t do anything by itself? But you do know that Serat wants to hear that anyone can. He wants it to be useful to him.
Now, more than ever, you wish you had listened to your father more.
[[“I don’t know.”|PgSeventyTwoKV]]
[[“Yes.”|PgSeventyTwoYV]]Mycie frowns. “Are you sure? I don’t know if my father has told any of his other guards about you…”
<<if $attitude gte 15>>“It’ll be fine,” you insist. “You’re the princess. How hard can they question you?”
Mycie twists her hair around her finger. Then she drops her hands to her sides and nods, determined. “Let’s do this, then.”<<endif>> <<if $attitude gt 8 and lt 15>>You shrug. “How much do they care, anyway?” Would they really bother to stop you?
Mycie purses her lips. “I… I guess you’re right. Yeah.” She smiles. “Let’s go.”<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 8>>“Let’s just– let’s just try it. It could work.” You may not be very convincing, but you think that’s the best route.
Mycie considers it for a moment. She presses her lips together. Then she nods, determined. “Let’s go.”<<endif>>
You walk confidently into the hallway. Mycie is slightly in front of you. Hopefully, the guards will focus on her, first.
“Hello, Your Highness. Passing through?” one guard asks, with a half-laugh.
“Yes. No checking the valuables today, I’m afraid,” Mycie says, with a chuckle.
You’ve noticed she puts on a bit of a voice when speaking to others. Like a princess voice. She uses it when she needs something. When she’s informal, she drops it. But now, it’s used like a weapon.
The second guard tilts his head at you, and you’re sure he can hear your heart pounding. “Your friend, Your Highness?”
“Yes.” Mycie stops short and smiles. “This is $player_name.” <<if $disposition lte 12>>She elbows you when you freeze. You force a smile to your face.
The guards exchange a smirk and nod at you both. “Well, continue on,” the first guard says. They gesture for you to continue on.
You walk out of the hallway and out of the range of the guards. “That was close,” you whisper.
Mycie shrugs. “Nah. They’re nice.”
“Wait, why were you so cautious before?”
“Just nervous, I guess.”
You scowl. “That would have been helpful to know.” Then you sigh. “Oh well. All’s well that ends well?”
“Yeah,” Mycie replies, smiling again.<<endif>><<if $disposition gt 12 and lte 15>>You smile easily and innocently. //Please buy it.// You’re just a friend of the princess. Just a friend of the princess.
The guards nod. “Well, continue on.”
You pass the hallway and look at Mycie. Her smile relaxes into a more regular expression. “Great act,” she says softly. “They bought it. Not that I should have been worried, actually.”
“Wait, what?”
“Just nervous, I guess. Those guys are nice.”
You scowl. “That would have been helpful to know.” Then you sigh. “Oh well. All’s well that ends well?”
“Yeah,” Mycie replies, smiling again.<<endif>><<if $disposition gt 15>>You stiffen, and Mycie elbows you. You force yourself to smile.
The guards glance at each other. “Hey, isn’t that the one who the king–?”
“Nope!” Mycie interrupts cheerfully. “Now, if you’ll excuse us…” She takes a few steps forward. You follow closely. The guards seem unconvinced, but don’t protest as you two walk away.
You relax once you’re out of hearing range. “That was close.”
“Yeah, we’re lucky they’re nice.”<<endif>> Mycie brings you to the entrance of the final hallway.
Overall, it’s bland. An innocently boring hallway. Walls painted gray, floors tiled with white. No windows. A single door that blends in with the wall. In a back corner of the castle. No wonder no one had noticed it.
[[Continue|PgSeventyTwoM]]“You can create portals,” you say, semi-reluctantly. You don’t want to give away too much, but Serat’s being exact with his questions. You don’t care much to figure out ways to weasel out of telling him everything.
“Interesting,” Serat murmurs. Halfway through writing, his quill runs out of ink. He dips it into a container full of deep purple ink and continues to write. He puts his quill down and looks up at you. “Where to?”
“Other dimensions,” you say tersely.
“Can anyone use it? Will it draw in //anyone//?”
Honestly, you don’t know if anyone can. You can, and your sister can, but can just anyone use it? Maybe you have to have been in the dimension it was originally stored in. Maybe it’s some completely arbitrary reason. Besides, what does he mean by using it? Does he know it doesn’t do anything by itself? But you do know that Serat wants to hear that anyone can. He wants it to be useful to him.
[[“I don’t know.”|PgSeventyTwoKV]]
[[“Yes.”|PgSeventyTwoYV]]You dash away, ignoring Birch’s yelp of surprise and confusion. You head straight for Rosa, <<if $attitude gte 15>>who is taken by surprise. You slash at the arm she manages to bring up to block her face, and turn to dash away. Only, Oak is there to block your exit.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15>>who lifts an arm to block you. Your dagger is caught against hers. You scowl. She smiles. You swing again, only to hit her dagger, //again//. You decide not to risk your luck a third time and turn to run. Oak is in front of your escape route, and it dawns on you that this was a really stupid idea. <<endif>><<if $fightscore is 41 or $fightscore is 14>>
“Four to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 40 or $fightscore is 0o4>>
“Four to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 33>>
“Three to three!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 32 or $fightscore is 23>>
“Three to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 31 or $fightscore is 13>>
“Three to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 30 or $fightscore is 0o3>>
“Three to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22>>
“Two to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 12>>
“Two to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>
“Two to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>>
Oak smiles. You’re cornered. Stepping back will put you closer to Rosa. You don’t have enough time to think. Birch is standing back, looking nervous. <<if $decisionmaking gt 10 and $disposition gt 12>>You feint left and bolt right. Somehow, Oak falls for it. You’re all human, you guess. You rejoin Birch.<<endif>><<if $decisionmaking gt 10 and $disposition lte 12>>You feight left and bolt right. A searing pain shoots through your arm, and you clutch it even as you run. Oak wasn’t tricked as easily as you had hoped.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $decisionmaking lte 10>>You hesitate a moment too long. A searing pain erupts in your back, and you bolt. The reaction of a wounded animal. Aren’t those more dangerous, or something?
You don’t care. You just run back to Birch, hoping you can regroup and come up with another plan.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 52>>
“Five to two!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 51>>
“Five to one!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 44>>
“Four to four!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 43>>
“Four to three!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 42>>
“Four to two!” is the shout from halfway through the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 41>>
“Four to one!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 34>>
“Three to four!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 33>>
“Three to three!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 32>>
“Three to two!” is the shout from halfway down the field.
<<endif>>
Birch looks at you, half disappointed. “You left me,” he says simply. You glance back to see the two presumably scheming.
“We don’t have time to argue,” you reply. “We just need to attack again.”
“I– I guess we should,” Birch frowns. “But I don’t like how–”
“I just told you we don’t have time to argue. Do you want to go for Oak or Rosa?” you snap.
You should have checked for where the two were, because the next thing you know, someone slams into you.
[[Continue|PgSeventyTwoBi]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 2>>You both walk in a slow circle around each other. You watch her movements, trying to figure out where and when to strike.
“What, too scared?” Rosa taunts. “I thought you really cared about getting that Gemstone…”
You don’t let her taunts get to you. You continue to wait, searching for a moment to launch forward and fight.
“...I must have been wrong, apparently, as you’re an iris who–” she cuts herself off. “Oh, I’m bored of this.” She launches forward at you, dagger outstretched.
<<if $mental gte 12>>You twist out of the way just in time. Rosa’s blade hits nothing but air, and she swivels back to you, ready for another stab. <<endif>><<if $attitude gte 12>>You hit first, swinging your blade into her arm. It cuts through soft flesh and she jerks her arm away. Blood rises to her skin. <<set $fightscore to 10>><<else>>You back away before she can swing again. <<set $fightscore to 0o0>><<endif>><<if $mental lt 12>>You try to dodge, but it’s too late. Her dagger cuts through your arm and she backs away before you can swing back. You clench your teeth as blood rises to the wound.<<set $fightscore to 0o1>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 0o0>>You face off again. <<else>>“One to zero!” the man announces. <<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10>>Rosa has a deep scowl etched on her face. <<else>>Rosa grins.<<endif>>
[[Aim for her leg.|PgSeventyTwoLBa]]
[[Aim for her arm.|PgSeventyTwoABa]]
[[Aim for her knife.|PgSeventyTwoKBa]]
[[Wait.|PgSeventyTwoWBa]]<<set _bwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _bwin to _bwin.random()>>Birch presses his lips together. “I’m gonna try to draw Oak off, you get Rosa, okay?”
You nod and Birch takes off. You stand back as he dashes forward. Oak smiles and steps forward, slashing his knife. Birch steps back. Oak steps forward, Birch steps back. Oak’s smile slips a little more with every dodge.
Your gaze slides over to Rosa, who’s focusing on Oak and Birch’s fight. Now’s your chance.
You run forward and to Rosa. <<if $disposition gte 13>>She neatly steps out of the way. She turns and cuts your arm. The fabric frays at the slit. You back away. Rosa is nice enough to not come after you again. You back away, clutching your arm.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $disposition lt 13>>Still focused on the battle, she doesn’t notice you until all too late. A line of blood is left on her arm as you run away.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if _bwin is "yes">><<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if _bwin is "no">><<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 61>>“Six to one!”
Wait. Six to one? You’ve… you’ve won! That was fast, but you’re relieved. You run to Birch’s side.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourWBi]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 53 or $fightscore is 35>>“Five to three!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 25 or $fightscore is 52>>“Five to two!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 51 or $fightscore is 15>>“Five to one!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 50>>“Five to zero!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 44>>“Four to four!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 43 or $fightscore is 34>>“Four to three!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 42 or $fightscore is 24>>“Four to two!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 41 or $fightscore is 14>>“Four to one!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 40>>“Four to four!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 33>>“Three to three!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 32 or $fightscore is 23>>“Three to two!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 31 or $fightscore is 13>>“Three to one!”
You look for Birch. There he is, breaking away from Oak and heading towards you.<<endif>><<if _bwin is "yes">>Birch meets up with you again. He’s unscathed, and seems pleased with himself. You nod at him. <<else>>Birch meets up with you again. The fabric covering his shoulder is slit and there’s visible red underneath. It’s bright against his pale skin. You wince just seeing it.
“I’m fine,” he says. You nod.<<endif>>
You should have checked for Rosa and Oak, because the next thing you know, someone’s barrelled into you.
[[Continue|PgSeventyTwoBi]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>>Serat scowls. He writes something down. You try to read it, but the Sitynur necklace can’t help you with upside down foreign text. The strange symbols are sharp, jagged shapes, and Serat’s handwriting makes it all the more jumbled.
Serat taps his quill against the paper, still frowning deeply. You prop up your head with your hands and give him a tiny smile.
His icy violet eyes meet yours and he says, “Fine, a follow up question. What can I do with it?”
You consider. You know the main purpose — to travel through worlds — but there could be more. You don’t know everything yet. There was no ‘Guide to Sitynur.’
Also, how much did you want to give away to Serat? You were only obligated to answer his questions, not be specific.
[[“Magic stuff.”|PgSeventyOneMV]]
[[“You can create portals.”|PgSeventyOnePV]]“So… you’re really from another world?” Baye frowns. “I thought that was something Birch made up…”
“I did too. Think it was made up,” you clarify. “But… I’m here now. Unless this is some weird hallucination.”
“No, this is definitely real,” Baye laughs. Then the frown returns. “Well, I think.”
You shrug. “Probably. But, yes, I am from another world. And this–” you pull out the Sitynur and the necklace– “is what brought me here.” The two pieces pull at each other like magnets, and you let them snap together. The crack disappears like it was never there. “Huh,” you muse.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
“That’s… a lot to take in.”
“Yep,” you say simply.
“And you didn’t tell me before?”
“You wouldn’t believe me.”
“Who says I do now?”
You shrug. “You don’t have to.” You stand and remember the instinctive feeling of creating a portal. You dig into it and form another one. You hope this one will be a little closer to $sister_name.
“Woah,” Baye gasps. “You can do that?”
“Yes. It’s a portal to… well, I don’t actually know.”
“Why are you doing this, anyway? Hopping from world to world.”
“Because I have to find my sister.” Determination swells in your chest. “And this is the only way how. Search each world to find more Sitynur, to give me more precision to find her.”
Baye stands up and suddenly hugs you. “Good luck,” they say. “I may never see you again… but I will always remember you.”
“And I, you,” you reply. You hug her back. “Thank you for helping me.”
“Of course,” Baye says, then yawns. “I need to sleep.”
“Go. I have to go, too.” You have everything you need. The Sitynur, your //dern//– which you had grabbed while talking to Baye – and… well, that was it.
Baye smiles sadly at you. “Goodbye, $player_name.”
“Goodbye, Baye. Good luck with the guard. I hope he won’t give you too much trouble.”
And for the second time, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgSeventyEight]]“So, like you, I’m… also from another world. I was a scientist, along with my partners. We weren’t exactly a legal organization. We explored things no one else wanted to. The weird. The freaky. You know. And one day someone found… how do I say it… a crack in the world.
“We were called to investigate. Marj and I, I mean, because Ramona was away. We decided that I would go through. Marj was busy with school, trying to become a legal scientist. I had never bothered. She started later than usual for our culture.
“I gathered my things, kissed Marj goodbye – just in case – and stepped through.” He pauses. “And it closed behind me. I was, am, trapped here.”
You fall into silence. “That… that’s horrible. But why did you tell the king about me? How did you know the language?”
Birch sighs and looks away. “Somehow, through some stroke of luck, they speak my native language. And… My first decision was to go to the king. He was younger then… more merciful. He helped me get on my feet while I studied for a way home. I thought he could help you, too. But he is older, smarter, and had the Gemstone. He doesn’t care for mercy now. Only power.”
“Then why would he be willing to give the Sit– the Gemstone up? Or was he lying?”
Birch considers this. He doesn’t seem to notice the slip of your tongue. Or perhaps he doesn’t care.
“He thought there was a good chance of his duo winning. And part of him still has mercy. He has to be king. A mixture that leads him to follow the law to the letter. I think he was being honest,” Birch decides. He glances back at you. “What will you do now? Any plans?”
[[“Continue to search for my sister.”|PgSeventyEightCBi]]
[[“How do you feel about portals in your living room?”|PgSeventyEightPBi]]You meet up again with Mycie. “Let’s go behind the building, I’ll explain what I can there.” She nods and the two of you head over.
Once you’re settled in the grass, you start to explain your story. Not the whole thing— you’d practically need a novel for that— but you explain what you can.
“I came from another world. But you know that already. My father…” you pause. That would take too long to explain. “My sister and I had some Sitynur, or, as you knew it, the Gemstone. What Serat had is only a shard of it. My sister… $sister_name… she, well, I don’t know her motivations, but one day, she used the Sitynur to make a portal. She jumped in, and now she’s missing.
“I created a portal after her. Except I ended up here, and not wherever she is. So, I followed where my shard led me until I found another. I think… I think my plan will be to collect all of the Sitynur shards. That way, I can use a stronger power to make a more precise portal, and finally find $sister_name.”
“How will you find them all if she has one?” Mycie asks.
“I guess the final world will have her. Though I hope I find her sooner than that. I don’t know how many worlds that will be…”
Mycie nods solemnly. “Well, I hope you find her. You sound like you really like her.”
<<if $sister_points gte 10>>“I do. Thank you.”<<else>>You wince. “We didn’t end off on the nicest terms, but I really do miss her.”<<endif>> You get to your feet. “I should be going. Good luck dealing with your father,” you joke.
Mycie laughs. “Thank you, but don’t worry, I’ve gotten in worse trouble than this. I can deal with it.”
“Worse trouble than dealings with a multi-dimensional traveller? You have a strange life,” you reply, grinning. You offer a hand and help Mycie get to her feet.
“How are you going to leave?” she asks.
“Portal.”
You use that instinctive feeling to create a portal in front of you, forming the swirling purple and cyan light.
“Woah,” Mycie gasps. “You can do //that?//”
“Yep,” you reply. You turn to Mycie and look at her seriously. “Hey, Mycie, I’m glad we became friends. I’m sorry I can’t stay for longer.”
Mycie smiles. “I’m glad we’re friends too. This is one of the most exciting things to happen to me. Thank you.”
You both hug and then you step back. “Now, I really have to go. Goodbye, Mycie.”
“Goodbye, $player_name,” Mycie replies.
And for the second time, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgSeventyEight]]You have one more thing to do. You just need your //dern//from Birch’s. It’s a piece of your home; how could you abandon it?
You arrive in front of apartment number six and check the door. Unlocked, and you slowly open the door. No one appears to be home. You creep towards the guest room, and now you can hear snoring from Birch’s room. You keep your steps light and silent.
The door creaks when you open it, and you freeze, but the snoring isn’t interrupted. You relax and enter your room, fetching the //dern//and hurrying out.
You realize, as you close the front door, you forgot to shut the guest room door again. //Too late now,// you think, and head for the stairs. Hopefully Birch won’t be too freaked out.
As you walk down the stairs, you fit the new shard of Sitynur into your necklace. It fits perfectly, and the crack almost completely disappears. “Interesting,” you murmur to yourself.
You step outside of the apartment building and decide the best place to create the portal is likely behind the building. In a dark, shadowy alleyway, who would notice a small flash of light that disappears soon after? You walk around the corner and pull at that instinct to create the portal.
It appears in front of you, and a castle guard leaps out at you. “Hey, what are you doing?” he shouts.
“//Tikti,//” you mutter, and leap through the portal.
[[Continue|PgSeventyEight]]“So… you’re really from another world?” Baye frowns. “I thought that was something Birch made up…”
“I did too. Think it was made up,” you clarify. “But… I’m here now. Unless this is some weird hallucination.”
“No, this is definitely real,” Baye laughs. Then the frown returns. “I think.”
You shrug. “Probably. But, yes, I am from another world. And this–” you pull out the Sitynur and the necklace– “is what brought me here.” The two pieces pull at each other like magnets, and you let them snap together. The crack disappears like it was never there. “Huh,” you muse.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
“That’s… a lot to take in.”
“Yep,” you say simply.
“And you didn’t tell me before?”
“You wouldn’t believe me.”
“Who says I do now?”
You shrug. “You don’t have to.” You stand and remember the instinctive feeling of creating a portal. You dig into it and form another one. You hope this one will be a little closer to $sister_name.
“Woah,” Baye gasps. “You can do that?”
“Yes. It’s a portal to… actually, I don’t know.”
“Why are you doing this, anyway? Hopping from world to world.”
“Because I have to find my sister.” Determination swells in your chest. “And this is the only way how. Search each world to find more Sitynur, to give me more precision to find her.”
Baye stands up and suddenly hugs you. “Good luck,” they say. “I may never see you again, but I will always remember you.”
“And I, you,” you reply. You hug her back. “Thank you for helping me.”
“Of course,” Baye says, then yawns. “I need to sleep.”
“Go. I have to go, too.” You have everything you need. The Sitynur, your dern– which you had grabbed while talking to Baye– and… well, that was it.
Baye smiles sadly at you. “Goodbye, $player_name.”
“Goodbye, Baye.”
And for the second time, you step into the portal.
[[Continue|PgSeventyEight]]“So, like you, I’m… also from another world. I was a scientist, along with my partners. We weren’t exactly a legal organization. We explored things no one else wanted to. The weird. The freaky. You know. And one day someone found… how do I say it… a crack in the world.
“We were called to investigate. Marj and I, I mean, because Ramona was away. We decided that I would go through. Marj was busy with school, trying to become a legal scientist. I had never bothered. She started later than usual for our culture.
“I gathered my things, kissed Marj goodbye – just in case – and stepped through.” He pauses. “And it closed behind me. I was, am, trapped here.”
You fall into silence. “That… that’s horrible. But why did you tell the king about me? How did you know the language?”
Birch sighs and looks away. “Somehow, through some stroke of luck, they speak my native language. And… My first decision was to go to the king. He was younger then… more merciful. He helped me get on my feet while I studied for a way home. I thought he could help you, too. But he is older, smarter, and had the Gemstone. He doesn’t care for mercy now. Only power.”
“Then why did he give it up? The Sity– the Gemstone?”
Birch considers this. He doesn’t seem to notice the slip of your tongue. Or perhaps he doesn’t care.
“Part of him still has mercy. He has to be king. A mixture that leads him to follow the law to the letter,” Birch decides. He glances back at you. “What will you do now? Any plans?”
[[“Continue to search for my sister.”|PgSeventyEightCBi]]
[[“How do you feel about portals in your living room?”|PgSeventyEightPBi]]<<set $mental to $mental - 2>>“Nothing. Just sad I have to leave, I suppose,” you tell her.
“You’ll be back, though, right?” they ask. She tilts her head curiously.
“Ah… yes. Of course.” You hated to lie to her. “Goodbye, Violet.”
“Goodbye, $player_name,” Violet replies.
You turn and leave the castle grounds.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenV]]You walk out of the dueling grounds and back to the proper castle. You follow the guard down winding hallways. Finally, you reach the main entryway. Vines support ‘floating’ candles, which light up a decent amount of the room. The rest of it is lit by huge, decorated windows.
You exit the castle and walk through the gardens. A few people stare but most keep walking.
“This way,” Baye murmurs, seeming more tired by the second.
“Are you okay?” you whisper, so that the guard can’t hear you.
“Yeah, just tired,” Baye says, mimicking your quiet tone. “I’ll be fine soon.”
You walk down the streets until you reach Birch’s house.
“Be quick,” the guard says, and he stands right next to the door. You glance at Baye, who shrugs. You walk in together.
You hurry up the stairs to apartment six. Baye knocks on the door and you wait. You count the seconds, worried that Birch isn’t home. If you reach two hundred, you’ll leave.
Twenty-seven seconds later, the door opens. Birch looks surprised when he sees you. “Baye? $player_name? What are you doing here?”
“Getting <<print $player_name>>’s things,” Baye says sharply. “We’ll be fast.”
Birch’s face falls. “Baye, I didn’t know he would–”
“That doesn’t matter. Please move so we can come in.”
Birch hesitates for a moment before moving to the side. You walk in besides Baye. Baye has a serious, determined expression. You wonder for a moment what they’re thinking about, where they were when they disappeared during your fight. Your questions are answered the second the door shuts in your room.
Baye faces you and pulls something from their pocket. You gasp. The Sitynur!
“How did you get this?” you ask. Baye smiles.
“When it looked like you might lose, I went to get the Gemstone for you. It… well… you seemed like you really needed it. I just saw an opportunity.”
You hug Baye. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” they say, handing you the shard. “I still need an explanation for… all that. What just happened. What //is// happening.”
“Of course,” you say, and start to explain.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenLBa]]You wait in the room for hours, it feels like. You hope Birch returns. The more time that passes, the more your hope wanes.
Finally, someone knocks and enters. Florian, the guard from before. The loose hair is pulled into the ponytail this time. He balances a plate of food and a familiar piece of clothing in his arms.
“These are for you,” he says. He places the food onto the floor and hands you the //dern// directly.
“Thank you,” you say, putting it on immediately.
He nods. He sweeps his gaze around the room before turning around and leaving, without as much as a goodbye. It’s for the best, you suppose. He can’t get into trouble.
You sit on the floor and reach for the food. Creamy mush and purple vegetables fill the plate. A spoon lays off to the side. You’ve learned that mixing these two tastes surprisingly good. The vegetables’ salty taste compliments the mostly-plain mush. You eat quickly and return to your bed.
You fall asleep quickly. After what feels like five minutes, you’re shaken awake. You open your eyes to someone hovering over you, and he covers your mouth before you can scream. You recognize him a moment after. //Birch.//
He slowly removes his hand from your mouth and you climb out of bed. “Sorry,” he whispers, “We have to be quiet. We’re going out the window this time.”
“The Gemstone?”
Birch opens his hand. “Here.” The Sitynur gives a faint blue glow. He closes his hand and puts it back in his pocket.
You reach under the mattress and get your necklace. You put it on and tuck it under your shirt to hide the glow.
“This way,” Birch whispers. You follow him to a corner with the broken window. “Use the vines to climb up and out.”
You look up. It looks quite far up. The window is mostly broken, full of jagged, painted glass. They had painted over it to hide it. The vines don’t look extremely stable, hanging down from the window.
Birch notices your expression. “I’ll go first,” he whispers, and you’re glad.
You watch as he crawls up the vines, using looped ones as foot-holds and the others as hand-holds. He reaches the top and disappears outside the window. He leans in.
“Don’t worry, I’m out here!” he says. He begins to remove some particularly sharp-looking shards of glass.
You take a deep breath and slowly begin to climb. The vines surprisingly hold your weight. You’re relieved when you reach the top.
Birch starts to climb down on the other side to give you room. You climb through the window, which is slightly safer now that some of the shards have been removed.
You drop onto the ground. You share a smile with Birch. “Let’s get to my apartment,” he whispers. You start to walk.
You reach the building and walk up the stairs and inside his living room.
“Do you want to sit, or–” Birch starts, but stops when you pull the Sitynur from your pocket. You pull the necklace out from under your shirt. The edges look like they match.
“Do you think that they’re connected?” Birch asks, tipping his head to the side.
“I don’t think. I know.” The pull of the necklace has stopped. There’s a strange magnetic force between the two shards. You take a deep breath and put the shard in your pocket again. You need to tie up loose ends first. “Birch, could you explain why you told King Serat about me?”
Birch winces. “Sit down. I’ll tell you.”
You sit down, and Birch begins to speak.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenLBi]]You reach Birch’s apartment building and collapse on the grass, catching your breath. The street is quiet, so only a few people are able to stare at you both in confusion.
“Oh, man,” Mycie whispers, “that was the most fun I’ve had in a while.” Then she pushes herself up to a sitting position. “Now, weren’t you going to explain the Gemstone, or whatever it is?”
“Right, but let me get what I need from the apartment. Wait here.” You get to your feet and head to the apartments.
You step inside and walk up the stairs. Everyone seems to be away right now, leaving you to be alone as you search for apartment number six. It’s peaceful. You hope Birch’s apartment will be the same.
The door’s unlocked when you find it. You slowly push the handle and open the door.
“Hello? Who’s there?” you hear Birch demand. You exhale, the peacefulness from the corridor fading.
“It’s me!” you call out. You step inside the apartment. “$player_name!”
Birch steps out of the hallway to the bedrooms and into the main room. “$player_name? I thought you were working with the king.”
“I got my freedom. I just need something from the guest room.”
“This?” Birch holds out your //dern//. “I found it on the wardrobe.”
You snatch it from his hands and put it on, relieved to have its familiar weight on your shoulders again. “Thanks.”
Birch stares for a moment, fidgeting with his hands slightly. “So, I wanted to ask… are you really from another world?”
You hesitate for a moment, studying him. “Yes,” you say finally, and you turn towards the door. “And I’m going back now.”
“Now? I thought–”
“Goodbye, Birch,” you interrupt, opening the door. You don’t want this conversation to drag on. You need to go back to Mycie.
Birch is silent. Then he says, “Goodbye, $player_name.”
You leave the apartment.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenM]]<<set $mental to $mental + 2>>“I’m not going to return the Sitynur,” you tell them quietly. “I need it to get home. Once I leave this world… Well, Serat won’t be able to find me, will he?”
Violet’s face morphs into confusion and concern. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Maybe he has a guard on you, or knows your plan, and will stop you.”
“Don’t worry about me, Vi,” you say. “I can escape with a portal like //that//.” you snap your fingers.
Violet’s eyebrows are still furrowed, but she looks slightly less worried. “Okay. If you think it’s okay… I trust you, $player_name.”
“Thank you for that,” you reply softly.
“I guess this is goodbye, then?”
“I guess so.”
Violet hesitantly holds their arms out for a hug. You hug. “Goodbye, $player_name,” Violet whispers.
“Goodbye, Violet.”
You pull away and leave the castle grounds.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenV]]Serat hands you the Sitynur, albeit reluctantly. You slip it into your pocket for now. “Here you go,” he says. “Now– Guard! Please escort these two out.”
A guard walks over and moves in between the two of you. “This way,” he says in a low, quiet voice. You start to walk out of the dueling grounds and back to the proper castle. You follow him down winding hallways. Finally, you reach the main entryway. Vines support ‘floating’ candles, which light up a decent amount of the room. The rest of it is lit by huge, decorated windows.
You reach the doorway, and, while you and Baye keep walking, the guard stops. You glance back and he only gives you a wordless nod. You continue walking.
“This way,” Baye murmurs, seeming more tired by the second.
“Are you okay?” you ask.
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” they reply. “I’m just really tired. And now it’s almost overwhelming. But we’ll be at my tree soon.”
You offer your hand for support, and they take it gratefully, silently leading you along the streets. You see their tree just up ahead.
“There it is,” they say. They let go of your hand and walk forward, pressing a hand to the trunk. It’s almost as if you can see the energy transferring from the tree to them. Their eyes brighten and they straighten up. They turn to you.
“I still need an explanation for… all that. What just happened. What //is// happening.”
“Of course,” you say, and start to explain.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenWBa]]You walk a few steps forward, past the gates. Behind you, the guards don’t move. They simply stand there and stare forward, just behind the castle’s entrance.
“Come on,” Birch mutters, and starts to walk down the street. You take a final look at the pair of guards and then follow.
You’re in awe of the city again. Being trapped inside for so long, you once again realize how beautiful everything is. There are a plethora of plants in the castle, of course, but there’s so much more out here. The rich blue sky, dotted with fluffy white clouds. The towering buildings. The //people.// A pretty druid with bright green eyes and freckles all over shoots you a grin. A tiny kid with a striped shirt climbs up a tree. Their mom with a fresh rose in her red hair, who watches anxiously.
Birch tugs on your arm. “Stop staring,” he whispers. “Let’s just get to my apartment.”
You shake yourself and follow Birch, focusing more on the back of his head than the city around you.
Finally, you arrive at his apartment. You walk up the stairs and inside his living room.
“Do you want to sit, or–” Birch starts, but stops when you pull the Sitynur from your pocket. You pull the necklace out from under your shirt. The edges look like they match.
“Do you think that they’re connected?” Birch asks, tipping his head to the side.
“I don’t think. I know.” The pull of the necklace has stopped. There’s a strange magnetic force between the two shards. You take a deep breath and put the shard in your pocket again. You need to tie up loose ends first.
“Stay here,” you tell Birch. He nods and moves to sit on the couch. You leave him there and walk to your room. Your //dern//remains untouched, and you smile as you wrap it over your shoulders again. Then you return to the living room. “Birch, could you explain why you told King Serat about me?”
Birch winces. “Sit down. I’ll tell you.”
You sit down, and Birch begins to speak.
[[Continue|PgSeventySevenWBi]]You step back, <<if $fightscore isnot 0o0 or $fightscore is 0o1 or $fightscore is 0o2 or $fightscore gt 10>>nursing your wounds, <<endif>>watching Rosa to find an opening. She defends her chest. Your best shots are her legs and arms. Her arms have the knife closer, though, so the better choice is her legs. It puts you in a slightly vulnerable position, though…
<<if $attitude gte 15>>You decide on her arms. You inch closer, and can sense Rosa getting antsy. She doesn’t seem the type to be patient. You finally charge.<<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $disposition gte 15>>You manage to hit her, leaving a large red slash on her arm. Her eyes narrow.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $disposition gte 15 and $mental gte 15>>You back out of the way as she slashes at empty air.<<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $disposition gte 15 and $mental lt 15>>She slashes at your arm, and blood wells to the surface. You bit back a shout of pain.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $disposition lt 15>>Rosa predicts your idea before you do. She steps back out of your reach with a smile. <<endif>><<if $attitude gte 15 and $disposition lt 15 and $mental lt 15>>She flicks her arm forward and you feel the sting of a cut. She walks backward, even further out of your reach.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15>>You decide on aiming for the legs. The risk is worth it. You inch closer, and can sense Rosa getting impatient. To keep your advantage, you charge first.<<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15 and $disposition gte 15>>You take Rosa by surprise, somehow, and add a scratch to her lower legs. Rosa yelps and kicks you solidly in your side, sending you tumbling into a roll away from her.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15 and $disposition lt 15>>You don’t surprise Rosa, and she steps back. She kicks you solidly in your side, sending you tumbling into a roll away from her.<<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15>> Your arm catches on a rock and leaves a long cut. You cradle your arm and crawl to your feet.“Does that count?” Rosa shouts at the man counting the score. “Because <<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he" and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15>>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she" and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15>>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they" and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15>> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom" and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15>> $subjective’s<<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15>> bleeding!”
“I– I guess?” The announcer replies.
“Awesome,” Rosa grins.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $attitude lt 15 and $mental gte 15>> You stumble to your feet.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15 or $fightscore is 0o2 and $attitude gte 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15>>
“Two to zero!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11 and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15 and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15>>
“One to one!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15 or $fightscore is 0o1 and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15>>
“One to zero!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 and $attitude lt 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15 or $fightscore is 21 and $attitude gte 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15>>
“One to two!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22 and $attitude gte 15 and $mental lt 15 and $disposition gte 15>>
“Two to two!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o3 or $fightscore is 13 or $fightscore is 23>>
“Rosa wins!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 30 or $fightscore is 31 or $fightscore is 32>>
“$player_name wins!” The announcer says.<<endif>>
<<if $fightscore gte 30>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveWBa]]<<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 0o3 or $fightscore is 13 or $fightscore is 23>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFiveLBa]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore isnot 30 and $fightscore isnot 31 and $fightscore isnot 32 and $fightscore isnot 0o3 and $fightscore isnot 13 and $fightscore isnot 23>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFour]]<<endif>><<set _bwin to [ "yes", "no" ]>><<set _bwin to _bwin.random()>><<if $attitude gte 15>>Oak doesn’t expect you to charge as hard and fast as you do, and stumbles a few steps back in a desperate attempt to dodge. You slash with your dagger and cut his shirt and scrape skin. A few drops of blood bead and stain his shirt.<<else>>Oak is ready for you, and dodges your attack. He cuts your side as you twist to turn away. You grit your teeth.<<endif>>
You glance over at the announcer, who’s desperately trying to keep up with the score. <<if $attitude gte 15>><<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<else>><<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 61 or $fightscore is 62 or $fightscore is 60 or $fightscore is 63 or $fightscore is 64 or $fightscore is 65>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFourWBi]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o6 or $fightscore is 16 or $fightscore is 26 or $fightscore is 36 or $fightscore is 46 or $fightscore is 56>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFourLBi]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22>>“Two to two!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 23>>“Two to three!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 24>>“Two to four!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 25>>“Two to five!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 31>>“Three to one!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 32>>“Three to two!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 33>>“Three to three!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 34>>“Three to four!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 35>>“Three to five!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 41>>“Four to one!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 42>>“Four to two!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 43>>“Four to three!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 44>>“Four to four!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 45>>“Four to five!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 51>>“Five to one!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 52>>“Five to two!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 53>>“Five to three!” The mans shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 54>>“Five to four!” The man shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 55>>“Five to five!” The man shouts.<<endif>>
You realize you’ve ignored Oak for too long and check where he is. Off to help Rosa fight Birch. //Not on my watch,// you think, and run off to help Birch.
You use Rosa’s shirt to yank her off of Birch. She twists around to try to reach you, but you literally toss her away. She grunts when she hits the ground, and you hurry to help Birch up before she regains her footing.
Birch opens his mouth, but you turn and swing at Oak, who’s quickly approaching. He uses his dagger to deflect yours. You jab again, and he deflects again. You frown and stab again, only to be deflected, //again.//
You continue this dance for a few more turns. Suddenly, the announcer shouts a score change. <<if _bwin is "yes">><<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<else>><<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 61 or $fightscore is 62 or $fightscore is 60 or $fightscore is 63 or $fightscore is 64 or $fightscore is 65>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFourWBi]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o6 or $fightscore is 16 or $fightscore is 26 or $fightscore is 36 or $fightscore is 46 or $fightscore is 56>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFourLBi]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22>>“Two to two!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 23>>“Two to three!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 24>>“Two to four!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 25>>“Two to five!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 31>>“Three to one!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 32>>“Three to two!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 33>>“Three to three!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 34>>“Three to four!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 35>>“Three to five!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 41>>“Four to one!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 42>>“Four to two!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 43>>“Four to three!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 44>>“Four to four!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 45>>“Four to five!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 51>>“Five to one!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 52>>“Five to two!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 53>>“Five to three!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 54>>“Five to four!”<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 55>>“Five to five!”<<endif>>
<<if _bwin is "yes">>You glance over to the other fighters. Rosa has a fresh wound on her hand. <<endif>><<if _bwin is "no">>You glance over to the other fighters. Birch has a cut on his cheek.<<endif>>
Your glance was a mistake, as evident by the sudden pain on your cheek. You gasp and touch it with your hand. You pull it away and there’s blood on your fingers. Oak, for some reason, waits. He has a smug grin. <<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>>
It reminds you of Serat. It reminds you of why you’re here.
It reminds you of $sister_name.
You jump forward and slash at his face. Blood drips from his nose and he yelps and stumbles back. He covers his face with his hands. <<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<if $fightscore lt 60 and $fightscore isnot 0o6 and $fightscore isnot 16 and $fightscore isnot 26 and $fightscore isnot 36 and $fightscore isnot 46 and $fightscore isnot 56>>
You stab again, aiming at his shoulder. Oak hisses and backs away. <<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o5 or $fightscore is 15 or $fightscore is 25 or $fightscore is 35 or $fightscore is 45 or $fightscore is 55>>
You glance at Birch and Rosa. Rosa lunges and lands a hit on his shoulder. The announcer calls the score.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 0o6 or $fightscore is 16 or $fightscore is 26 or $fightscore is 36 or $fightscore is 46 or $fightscore is 56>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFourLBi]]<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 60 or $fightscore is 61 or $fightscore is 62 or $fightscore is 63 or $fightscore is 64 or $fightscore is 65>>[[Continue|PgSeventyFourWBi]]<<endif>>“Let’s go confidently. If we pretend we’re meant to be there, they might let us through,” you say. Mycie tilts her head.
“What if they recognize you?” she asks.
You shrug. “We’ll have to figure that out.”
Mycie hesitates for a moment then nods. “Quick, adjust yourself at least a little. Take off your necklace, do something with your hair.<<if $hair is "long" or "very long" or "chin-length">> Here, I have a hair tie.<<endif>>”
<<if $hair is "buzzed" or "short">>“I think my hair is too short for that,” you chuckle, but you remove your necklace and put it in a pocket. <<else>>You tie your hair away from your face and put your necklace in your pocket.<<endif>> You can’t do much about your clothes, but you fidget with the hem a little to at least pretend you’re doing something.
“Let’s go,” you whisper once you’re done, and the two of you round the corner.
“Stop!” the guard says loudly. “What are you doing here?”
Mycie steps forward and folds her hands. “We are here on official business from my father.” You try to look more professional and helpful as well. <<if $attitude lte 12>>You’re not sure you’re successful.<<endif>>
“Really?” the guard frowns. They scratch the back of their neck. “I was told it would just be him coming back and forth…”
“Change of plans,” Mycie replies smoothly. “We are here to check security and everything.”
“Well, I’m the security, and I was told not to let anyone through,” the guard says. “And who’s your friend, Your Highness?”<<if $attitude lte 12>> They squint at you. “Wait, isn’t that–? Hey, are you $player_name?” Their tone shifts into a more threatening one, and your silence and wide eyes certainly aren’t helping your case. You just freeze.
The guard jumps forward and grabs your arm. “Just wait until the king–”
“Hey!” Mycie shouts. “That is my friend. By orders of the princess, let <<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they" and $attitude lte 12>>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she" and $attitude lte 12>>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he"and $attitude lte 12>>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom"and $attitude lte 12>>$objective<<endif>><<if $attitude lte 12>> go now.”
“Listen, Your Highness, your father ranks above you. And– OW!” The guard lets you go when Mycie stomps on their foot, and you run towards the office. You push the door open and yank it shut as soon as Mycie enters. You grab the chair and Mycie rams it under the doorknob.
“Quick, we’ve got to find something that looks like this,” you say, holding up your necklace. You quickly replace it around your neck.
You make a beeline for Serat’s desk. Mycie goes on the opposite side and starts going through drawers. You do the same. Most are almost empty, minus a few pencils and files. Ruffling through and under the files reveals nothing but regular paperwork.
Finally, you come across a drawer that won’t budge. “Locked,” you tell Mycie. “Do you know where he might keep the key?”
Mycie reaches for a lamp flower on the desk and lifts it up. Underneath is a tiny golden key. She snatches it and replaces the plant. “Predictable,” she mumbles, and slides the key in the locked drawer. She unlocks it and pulls it open.
Several things lie inside. A rough map of something, some papers, and on top of it all–
The Sitynur.
You grab it immediately and align it with your original shard of Sitynur. It melds into place, the crack disappearing instantly. “Huh,” you say, studying it.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
“Hey, $player_name?” Mycie says. “This office doesn’t have windows.”
“Huh?”
“We’re trapped here.”
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourM]]<<endif>><<if $attitude gt 12>>
“This is Yarrow,” Mycie says. “We’re going to do what my father told us. And before we ask, we can’t tell you, it’s private business.”
“Right. Well, you may enter, I suppose, Your Highness,” the guard says. They open the door and you walk inside.
“Quick, we’ve got to find something that looks like this,” you say, holding up your necklace. You quickly replace it around your neck.
You make a beeline for Serat’s desk. Mycie goes on the opposite side and starts going through drawers. You do the same. Most are almost empty, minus a few pencils and files. Ruffling through and under the files reveals nothing but regular paperwork.
Finally, you come across a drawer that won’t budge. “Locked,” you tell Mycie. “Do you know where he might keep the key?”
Mycie reaches for a lamp flower on the desk and lifts it up. Underneath is a tiny golden key. She snatches it and replaces the plant. “Predictable,” she mumbles, and slides the key in the locked drawer. She unlocks it and pulls it open.
Several things lie inside. A rough map of something, some papers, and on top of it all–
The Sitynur.
You grab it immediately and align it with your original shard of Sitynur. It melds into place, the crack disappearing instantly. “Huh,” you say, studying it.
There’s people talking outside. The words get louder and you recognize one voice as Serat’s. You look at Mycie worriedly.
“Hey, $player_name?” Mycie says. “This office doesn’t have windows.”
“Huh?”
“We’re trapped here.”
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourM]]<<endif>>You scoff and lean back in your chair, crossing your arms. “How would I know?”
Serat frowns. “You’re likely right, I suppose,” he murmurs irritably. “Though I assumed, since you know the language–?”
You shake your head before he even finishes. Serat frowns and jots it down. His note is quick, and his quill is put back to rest before you can blink.
He leans back in his chair and studies you. His eyes stop on your necklace. His silence is unbearable, and you bite down the urge to tuck your necklace away. You can’t draw more attention to it.
“Last question – for now,” Serat says, finally looking back at your face. He speaks the next sentence slowly and clearly, enunciating each syllable. “Does your necklace have anything to do with the Gemstone?”
[[“No.”|PgSeventyFourNV]]
[[“Perhaps.”|PgSeventyFourPV]]
[[“Yes.”|PgSeventyFourYV]]Serat purses his lips. “And why would I tell you?”
“Why are you the only one allowed to ask questions?” you counter. “I’m the one new to this world.”
“Remember I have the power here,” Serat says in a low, threatening voice. He touches the Sitynur shard on the desk with one finger. You tense ever so slightly, but Serat notices. He smiles and continues, “But if you must know, I can’t be having something so powerful under my name. Don’t want anyone getting suspicious.”
You frown with confusion. That didn’t make any sense. Again, he’s the king – it wouldn’t matter. Your instincts tell you something’s off. Perhaps their world is different, or…
He’s lying.
You don’t know why he would lie, and honestly, you don’t have the time to figure it out. You want, //need//, the Sitynur shard, then you could get out of this world. One step closer to finding $sister_name and returning home. You take a deep breath and push his lie out of your mind.
Serat leans back in his chair and studies you. His eyes stop on your necklace. His silence is unbearable, and you bite down the urge to tuck your necklace away. You can’t draw more attention to it.
“Last question – for now,” Serat says, finally looking back at your face. He speaks the next sentence slowly and clearly, enunciating each syllable. “Does your necklace have anything to do with the Gemstone?”
[[“No.”|PgSeventyFourNV]]
[[“Perhaps.”|PgSeventyFourPV]]
[[“Yes.”|PgSeventyFourYV]]Mycie nods. “Okay. What am I looking for?”
You show your necklace. “A shard that looks like this,” you tell Mycie. She bobs her head.
“Okay. I’ll be back,” she says, and then she’s gone. You lean against the corner to hear better.
“Your Highness,” the guard says, “what are you doing here?”
“I’m here on official business from my father,” Mycie replies. “Please let me through to access his office.”
“Really?” the guard frowns. “I was told it would just be him coming back and forth…”
“Change of plans,” Mycie replies smoothly. “I’m here to check security and everything.”
“Well, I’m the security, and I was told not to let anyone through,” the guard says.
“Do you not trust the princess?” Mycie asks. A pause.
“If– if the king really asked you too?” The guard’s voice curls into a question, and they wait. Mycie probably nodded. “I suppose I have to let you through, then. Here you go.”
You can hear the door open and then shut. You wait in silence, tracing random loops on the wall.
Suddenly, there are footsteps far away. You look around urgently for a place to hide, but there is none. As the footsteps get closer, you panic and do the only thing you can think of.
You run around the corner and inside the room. The guard shouts, but you slam the door shut.
“What are you–”
“The chair!” you shout. You grab it and ram it under the doorknob. You pause to take a breath, but not for long. The guard pounds on the door. Your sense of urgency remains. “Do you have the Sity– the Gemstone?”
“Yeah, here,” Mycie says, handing you the gem. You grab it immediately and align it with your original shard of Sitynur. It melds into place, the crack disappearing instantly. “Huh,” you say, studying it.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
There’s people talking outside. The words get louder and you recognize one voice as Serat’s. You look at Mycie worriedly.
“Hey, $player_name?” Mycie says. “This office doesn’t have windows.”
“Huh?”
“We’re trapped here.”
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourM]]Serat tilts his head slightly. “Of course. You don’t know how much, by chance–?”
“No,” you reply. “Why would I? I don’t know how much your currency is worth.”
“You can speak our language. Or is your first one the same?”
“Of course not,” you reply in your native tongue. It’s a struggle, surprisingly, to flip back to your home language. The Sitynur attempts to convert it to this world’s. Serat narrows his eyes slightly. You switch back to his. “Learning the language is part of world-jumping, I assume.”
“Hm,” Serat says, jotting it down. He leans back in his chair and studies you. His eyes stop on your necklace. His silence is unbearable, and you bite down the urge to tuck your necklace away. You can’t draw more attention to it.
“Last question – for now,” Serat says, finally looking back at your face. He speaks the next sentence slowly and clearly, enunciating each syllable. “Does your necklace have anything to do with the Gemstone?”
[[“No.”|PgSeventyFourNV]]
[[“Perhaps.”|PgSeventyFourPV]]
[[“Yes.”|PgSeventyFourYV]]“Let’s wait,” you whisper, and Mycie nods. You wait behind the corner, patiently. The guard is alone and silent, unlike the guards from your room. You wonder where they are now. Are they guarding something else or waiting for an assignment?
“Actually,” Mycie whispers suddenly, “I think the guard is going to change in just a few seconds.”
A soft bell chimes in the distance. There’s shuffling on the other side of the corner that gets softer and softer. You cautiously peek around the corner.
Nothing. No guard. Just an unguarded door.
“Go, go, go,” you hiss, grabbing Mycie’s wrist and pulling her along. You let go once she starts moving. The two of you rush to the door. “Unlocked? Huh?”
“He’s confident,” Mycie whispers, pushing the door open. “It seems less suspicious if it’s unlocked, I guess.”
“But there’s a guard?”
“He has guards for his regular office, too. Now, come on.”
You step inside the office, making a beeline for his desk. Mycie goes on the opposite side and starts going through drawers. You do the same. Most are almost empty, minus a few pencils and files. Ruffling through and under the files reveals nothing but regular paperwork.
Finally, you come across a drawer that won’t budge. “Locked,” you tell Mycie. “Do you know where he might keep the key?”
Mycie reaches for a lamp flower on the desk and lifts it up. Underneath is a tiny golden key. She snatches it and replaces the plant. “Predictable,” she mumbles, and slides the key in the locked drawer. She unlocks it and pulls it open.
Several things lie inside. A rough map of something, some papers, and on top of it all–
The Sitynur.
You grab it immediately and align it with your original shard of Sitynur. It melds into place, the crack disappearing instantly. “Huh,” you say, studying it.
The tugging feeling disappears, and you just get a sense to open a new portal. If the Sitynur is pulling toward the other shards, that means $sister_name isn’t here. Which… you actually somehow knew. Something inside of you knew this journey wasn’t going to be that easy.
There’s people talking outside. The words get louder and you recognize one voice as Serat’s. You look at Mycie worriedly.
“Hey, $player_name?” Mycie says. “This office doesn’t have windows.”
“Huh?”
“We’re trapped here.”
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourM]]You study Rosa's movements for a moment while you form a plan. Finally, you enact it.
You dart forward and then make as if to move around her. <<if $attitude gte 12>>Rosa doesn’t process what you’re doing until you’ve already made a horizontal cut on her shoulder. She gasps and twists to retaliate.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $mental gte 12 and $attitude gt 12>>But you’ve already stepped away, out of her reach. Her eyes narrow with fury.<<endif>><<if $mental lt 12 and $attitude gt 12>>She cuts your arm before you can twist away.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if $attitude lte 12>>Rosa sees your trick before you can finish and twirls out of the way. You’re left cutting at air. She smirks. <<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>“Two to zero!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11>>“One to one!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 or $fightscore is 0o1>>“One to zero!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 12>>“Two to one!” the announcer says.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSeventyThree]]You spit out sand and struggle under the grip of whatever is holding you to the ground. You make out Rosa’s dark brown hair and snarl at her, always trying to get out and away. There’s a laugh and then a sharp pain. You fumble with your knife, ignoring the pain from the freshest wound. You raise your hand and bring it down, only for Rosa to hit your hand. The dagger flies away.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>>
“No!” you shout. You move your head and see it, just out of reach. No matter how far you stretch your arm, you can’t reach it.
“We’ve won,” Rosa grins.<<if $fightscore is 26 or $fightscore is 36 or $fightscore is 46 or $fightscore is 56>>
Sure enough, the announcement comes from the scorekeeper. You close your eyes and sigh.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourLBi]]<<else>> Another cut on your collarbone. You can’t defend yourself, just squirm and struggle.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 26 or $fightscore is 36 or $fightscore is 46 or $fightscore is 56>>
The announcement comes from the scorekeeper. You close your eyes and sigh. You’ve lost.
[[Continue|PgSeventyFourLBi]]<<else>>
“Don’t be so cocky,” you hear Birch say. Then a weight is lifted off of you. Rosa’s gone. You stumble to your feet and grab your knife. A few footsteps away, Birch and Rosa struggle in a heap.
You almost go to help, but you remember Oak. You look around and quickly spot his smile. His hair falls into his eyes and you hope it blocks some of his vision, if only so you have a better advantage.
You take a final glance back at Birch, who seems to be handling himself reasonably well, and charge at Oak.
[[Continue|PgSeventyThreeBi]]<<endif>>This move will be complicated, you know, but if you can get it, it could lead to a victory. You need to do it, and successfully. You take a deep breath and study Rosa.
She guards her chest and stomach the most. Her knife hand is one that’s defending, not being defended. Perhaps if you can trick her into thinking you’re aiming for her stomach..?
You have to move //now.// She’s getting impatient. You steel yourself and charge.
<<if $mental gte 16>>She defends her stomach like you thought, and you barrel into her, using one hand to fling her dagger away. You’re both on the ground. She gasps and flips to desperately grab her weapon. You slice part of her back, and she elbows you in the stomach. You spot the blood before you roll away, gasping for breath.
“That was a dirty trick,” she growls, once both of you are back on your feet. You simply grin in response.<<else>>She defends her stomach like you thought, and you barrel into her, using one hand to try to fling away her dagger. But her grip is tight, and she scratches your shoulder before you twist away and back off.
“That was a dirty trick,” she growls. You gasp to regain your breath.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $mental gte 16>><<set $fightscore to 20>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $mental gte 16>><<set $fightscore to 11>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o0 and $mental gte 16>><<set $fightscore to 10>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 and $mental lt 16>><<set $fightscore to 11>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 and $mental lt 16>><<set $fightscore to 0o2>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o0 and $mental lt 16>><<set $fightscore to 0o1>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>
“Two to zero!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11>>
“One to one!” The announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 or $fightscore is 0o1>>
“One to zero!” The announcer says.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSeventyThree]]Serat frowns. “Are you certain?” <<if previous() is "PgSeventyOneMV">>He’s probably still suspicious of you trying to dodge questions.<<endif>>
“Yes,” you confirm. “I don’t know everything about the Gemstone.”
Serat raises an eyebrow, but drops the issue, noting it down. You wish you could see what he was writing – is it just the question and what you say, or does he add his own notes? Probably the latter, as he takes a while to write, but you’re unfamiliar with the language and writing system. This could be relatively short for their written language.
“How much is it worth?” he asks, putting the quill down. You furrow your brow and frown. Even if you knew how much it was in your world’s money, how would you be able to convert it to theirs?
It’s likely very valuable, of course. What with its power, its rarity. You fidget with the string while you consider your answer.
Why would he care about the value? He’s a king, after all. Surely he’s already got wealth beyond your wildest dreams.
[[“How would I know?”|PgSeventyThreeHV]]
[[“Very valuable, I imagine.”|PgSeventyThreeVV]]
[[“You’re a king, why do you care?”|PgSeventyThreeKV]]You watch Rosa carefully, looking for an opening. Stabbing low is <<if $fighting is "yes">>harder to block, and <<endif>>more unpredictable.
Rosa flicks her eyes around and then tightens her grip on her dagger. She plants one boot in front of her and shifts her weight. You’ve waited almost too long. You decide to move before she can.
You charge, making as if you’re aiming for her arm. At the last second, you switch to aiming for her leg and dive to the ground to reach it. <<if $mental lte 15>>And you hit. The blade cuts through her leggings and she gasps and backs away, slashing at air. You roll over and to your feet. <<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<else>>But Rosa sees you coming. She easily steps out of the way. <<endif>><<if $decisionmaking lte 10 and $mental gt 15>>She cuts your shoulder in return. You grit your teeth and roll away. <<set $fightscore to $fightscore +1>><<endif>><<if $decisionmaking gt 10 and $mental gt 15>>You roll away before she can stab you back.<<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>“Two to zero!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 12 or $fightscore is 12>>“Two to one!” the announcer says. <<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11>>“One to one!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 or $fightscore is 0o1>>“One to zero!” the announcer says.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSeventyThree]]“Okay,” Mycie whispers. “I assume they won’t let anyone but my father through. What’s the plan?”
You hesitate. You can either try to be confident, or you can wait. Maybe a guard change will be soon? But surely they would wait so it was guarded at all times? Right?
“When they change guards–”
“There’s a few seconds where it’ll be unguarded,” Mycie says immediately, like she read your mind. “We could use that.”
There’s your information. You can boldly show up like you’re supposed to be there, or wait for a guard change. The guard change is risky: you only have a few seconds, and you have no idea how long it will be until the next change. On the other hand, confidence is also risky: it’s likely the guard will recognize you. You could also send Mycie alone, perhaps. They might trust her.
“We should probably decide quickly,” Mycie whispers, nudging you. “I think we should wait. They’ll change the guards soon.”
[[Wait.|PgSeventyThreeWM]]
[[Go with Mycie.|PgSeventyThreeGM]]
[[Send Mycie alone.|PgSeventyThreeMM]]You hesitate and look for an opening. You hope to figure out a plan as you search for her weaknesses.
She guards her chest and stomach the most. She turns to make sure you’re always in front of her. You won’t be able to sneak behind her.
“This is boring,” Rosa groans. “You want the Gemstone, right? Come on!”
She charges. <<if $attitude gt 13>>You turn away at the last second and manage to scratch her arm. Blood rises to the wound.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<else>>You freeze up and fling your arms up to defend yourself. She cuts your arm and almost dances away.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>>
<<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>“Two to zero!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11>>“One to one!” the announcer says.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 or $fightscore is 0o1>>“One to zero!” the announcer says.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSeventyThree]]<<if $mental gte 13>>Serat smiles. “Perfect,” he says, then notes it down. You wish you could see what he was writing – is it just the question and what you say, or does he add his own notes? Probably the latter, as he takes a while to write, but you’re unfamiliar with the language and writing system. This could be relatively short for their written language.<<endif>><<if $mental lt 13>>Serat raises an eyebrow. “Really? I apologize for doubting you, but even you don’t seem like you believe yourself.”
You shift in your seat. “I’m not… one hundred percent sure. It was the one who pulled //me// in, remember?” You chuckle.
Serat presses his lips together and adds to his notes.<<endif>>
“How much is it worth?” he asks, putting the quill down. You furrow your brow and frown. Even if you knew how much it was in your world’s money, how would you be able to convert it to theirs?
It’s likely very valuable, of course. What with its power, its rarity. You fidget with the string while you consider your answer.
Why would he care about the value? He’s a king, after all. Surely he’s already got wealth beyond your wildest dreams.
[[“How would I know?”|PgSeventyThreeHV]]
[[“Very valuable, I imagine.”|PgSeventyThreeVV]]
[[“You’re a king, why do you care?”|PgSeventyThreeKV]]<<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 2>><<set $attitude to $attitude + 5>>The couch sags underneath you, but it’s comfortable.
You ask before you can change your mind. “Do you believe in other worlds?” You hear yourself ask. Birch marks his spot in the book and sets it on the glass table.
“Do I believe in other worlds?” He repeats, running a hand through his hair as if to fix the already perfectly-straight strands. “Why would you ask that?”
<<if $bookcase is 1>>“I, uh, saw a book about it. In the guest bedroom. A lot of it was censored?”
Birch mutters a curse and something along the lines of ‘should’ve hidden it.’<<else>>“I was just curious.” you say lightly. Don’t reveal too much.
Birch hesitates.<<endif>> Finally, he sighs. “Yes, I suppose I do. I usually don’t tell people because they think I’m crazy, but…” He shrugs, and studies you a little closer. He seems to notice your necklace. You fidget with the thin rope, shrinking away from his gaze.
“What about you? Do you believe in them?”
“Perhaps,” you say, carefully. You can’t give yourself away.
“Are you from one?” Birch says suddenly. “What with having no possessions, appearing so suddenly…”
You frown, and think carefully through your answer. If you admit you are, he may be able to help you. He seems interested in this kind of thing. He may know of a way to help you return home- in a way that doesn’t involve Sitynur, since you have too little and already know you can create portals with it.
On the other hand, he may want to know more. He might, at worst, experiment on you. But he might also be able to tell if you’re lying. He isn’t a dryad, even though his name might make him seem like one, still, he might be attuned to that.<<if $birch_points < 5>>He doesn’t even like you that much.<<endif>>
Finally, you reply.
[[“Yes.”|PgNineteen]]
[[“No.”|PgNineteen]]<<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 2>><<if $attitude < 13>><<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>><<else>>><<set $attitude to 13>><<endif>>The couch sags underneath you, but it’s comfortable. Birch marks his spot in the book and sets it on the table.
“It was alright. The most interesting thing was you arriving, to be honest. Baye gave you a glowing review,” he laughs. You chuckle, but are a little surprised. Baye hardly knows you, <<if $baye_points == 0>>and didn’t seem to like you much,<<endif>> but they are still helping you out. They’re very kind. <<if $attitude < 5>>You wonder why. Does she have an ulterior motive?<<endif>>
“I work as a delivery person,” Birch continues. “Mostly delivering books. I work mainly with a bookstore. That’s where I got this book, actually,” he holds up //The Life of Jimny Currs.// “It’s fiction, but enjoyable. This guy, Jimny, goes around the world to different places on a treasure hunt for… well, it’s too early to know what. He’s being really vague about it.”
[[“That’s interesting.” You believe it.|Pg19TIYBI]]
[[“That’s interesting,” you lie.|Pg19TIYL]]
[[“Not my kind of xachio.” A slang for saying it’s not your thing.|Pg19NMKOX]]You let the force gripping your chest guide you out of the alleyway. You slip the now glowing Sitynur shard under your shirt. You don’t want to draw attention, and there’s already been a few whispers around you.
You study the people of the city as you follow your gut feeling. A majority of them had a flower pinned to their lapels. They would sidestep the flowers and plants sprouting out of the road. You try to mimic them, try to blend in. But your //dern//made you stick out. You hated to get rid of it, though. It’s a symbol of your heritage. A scrap of your home in this strange new land.
You keep walking, somewhat absentmindedly. Your feet took you where you needed to go. Vines and plants surround you at all times. Trees are also a common sight. You see oaks, pines, other trees you couldn’t name. The flowers are just as varied. You’re particularly interested in the black-with-red-tips ones, but when you lean down to attempt to pick one out of the ground, you get some odd looks. You quickly put your arm to your side and pretend you were just admiring the plant.
You pause to stare at a certain tree. It’s different from the others, though you can’t pinpoint it. The Sitynur isn’t guiding you to it; in fact, it’s trying to pull you away.
The tree has a deep brown trunk, with large red leaves. Tiny, bright flowers peek out from between the branches. It looks like a tree you would try to climb as a young child, with branches low enough for someone on the smaller side to reach.
Someone slams into you and you both topple over. They scramble to their feet and start rambling apologies. You slowly stand and wipe some dirt from your face.
“–and I’m so sorry–”
You cut them off.
[[“Watch where you’re going!”|PgSevenMean]]
[[“Be more careful.”|PgSevenNeutral]]
[[“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine, see?”|PgSevenNice]]
<<set $baye_points to 5>>You ignore whatever is pulling you. It couldn’t be a good sign. Instead, you decide to talk to someone. Then you could figure out your plan of action.
“Excuse me,” you ask a woman with long brown hair and pale skin. The words feel wrong in your throat. The language is stilted and scratchy, the opposite of your natural flowy one. She gives you a weird look before hurrying away.
You try again, walking up the street a little. “Excuse me, could you–”
“Get out of the way,” The man you attempted to speak to snaps. He walks faster once you move out of the way.
After a few failed attempts at getting instructions, or what was happening with the Queen, or //any// information at all, you take a break. The sun is high in the sky by now.
You lean against a tree that had captured your attention earlier. It was tall, with dark brown bark and red leaves. A few bright pink blossoms peek out from between the leaves. You let your eyes close to rest for a moment. Then you can figure out a plan. Maybe you were supposed to find another Sitynur shard, or–
“U-um. This is m-my tree.” You open your eyes to see a nervous person with chin-length red hair and pink tips. Their skin is as dark as the tree’s trunk.
[[“Oh, sorry.” You move out of the way.|PgSevenPolite]]
[[“You can’t ‘claim’ a tree.” Don’t move out of the way.|PgSevenRude]]
<<set $baye_points to 5>>Done searching, you sit on the bed. Your blue //dern//is on the wardrobe, and you study it. You //can’t// lose it. It’s one of the only things you have left of your world.
You take the case with the communication device in your hands. You trace the beautiful patterns on the cover.
Eventually, you open it. It pops open, and reveals a pale blue device with a case shaped like a flower petal. There’s a single name inscribed in black: Mycie ♡
Hmm. Maybe you had to click it to message her? But how would that work? It was a screen inside of the case that looked like a petal. How would it detect your touch?
<<if $attitude gte 12>>You tap it, out of curiosity.<<endif>><<if $attitude lt 13 or $attitude is "unknown">>You accidentally tap it, and widen your eyes.<<endif>> The device vibrates for a moment before the screen changes to one of Mycie. It’s a video– wait, no, it’s showing her as she is right now. Was her screen showing you?<<if $attitude lt 13 or $attitude is "unknown">>You fumbled with the device, trying to figure out how to shut it off.<<endif>>
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie grins. “I didn’t think you would call so soon– or, wait, did you call by mistake?”
<<if $attitude lt 13 or $attitude is "unknown">>You feel your cheeks warm as you admit your misclick. <<endif>><<if $attitude gte 13>>“Of course not!” you say. It’s only a half lie. You didn’t mean to call her, per say, just wanted to see what would happen.<<endif>>
Mycie laughs. “Well then. Hey, do you want to hang out this afternoon?” She suggests.
You nod. You feel the Sitynur warm a tiny amount with the thought of seeing her. You’re glad Mycie can’t see it.
“Sounds good to me,” you say. Mycie grins, crooked.
“See ya later,” She says, and hangs up.
You sigh, staring at the blank screen. Eventually, you decide to leave the room and talk to Birch. You don’t know what about yet, but you’ll figure it out.
[[Continue|PgSeventeen]]<<if $mental is "unknown">><<set $mental to 10>><<else>><<set $mental to $mental + 5>><<endif>>You wanted to know more. If only there was a user manual for Sitynur.
But there wasn’t. You had to figure this out alone.
//If only $sister_name…//
You end up sitting on your bed, the case with the communication device in your hands. You trace the beautiful patterns on the cover.
Eventually, you open it. It pops open, and reveals a pale blue device with a case shaped like a flower petal. There’s a single name inscribed in black: Mycie ♡
Hmm. Maybe you had to click it to message her? But how would that work? It was a screen inside of the case that looked like a petal. How would it detect your touch?
<<if $attitude < 12>>You tap it, out of curiosity.<<endif>><<if $attitude > 13>>You accidentally tap it, and widen your eyes.<<endif>> The device vibrates for a moment before the screen changes to one of Mycie. It’s a video– wait, no, it’s showing her as she is right now. Was her screen showing you?<<if $attitude > 11>>You fumbled with the device, trying to figure out how to shut it off.<<endif>>
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie grins. “I didn’t think you would call so soon– or, wait, did you call by mistake?”
<<if $attitude > 11>>You feel your cheeks warm as you admit your misclick. <<endif>><<if $attitude <12>>“Of course not!” you say. It’s only a half lie. You didn’t mean to call her, per say, just to see what would happen.<<endif>>
Mycie laughs. “Well then. Hey, do you want to hang out this afternoon?” She suggests.
You nod. You feel the Sitynur warm a tiny amount with the thought of seeing her. You’re glad Mycie can’t see it.
“Sounds good to me,” you say. Mycie grins, crooked.
“Talk later,” She says, and hangs up.
You sigh, staring at the blank screen. Eventually, you decide to leave the room and talk to Birch. You don’t know what about yet, but you’ll figure it out.
[[Continue|PgSeventeen]]<<if $mental is "unknown">><<set $mental to 5>><<else>><<set $mental to $mental - 5>><<endif>>//It’s better than nothing//, you repeat to yourself. You’ve always seen the positive. You know more, and that’s great. Forward progress.
Now you need to take another step, to do something else. But what?
You end up sitting on your bed, the case with the communication device in your hands. You trace the beautiful patterns on the cover.
Eventually, you open it. It pops open, and reveals a pale blue device with a case shaped like a flower petal. There’s a single name inscribed in black: Mycie ♡
Hmm. Maybe you had to click it to message her? But how would that work? It was a screen inside of the case that looked like a petal. How would it detect your touch?
<<if $attitude < 12>>You tap it, out of curiosity.<<endif>><<if $attitude > 13>>You accidentally tap it, and widen your eyes.<<endif>> The device vibrates for a moment before the screen changes to one of Mycie. It’s a video– wait, no, it’s showing her as she is right now. Was her screen showing you?<<if $attitude > 11>>You fumbled with the device, trying to figure out how to shut it off.<<endif>>
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie grins. “I didn’t think you would call so soon– or, wait, did you call by mistake?”
<<if $attitude > 11>>You feel your cheeks warm as you admit your misclick. <<endif>><<if $attitude < 12>>“Of course not!” you say. It’s only a half lie. You didn’t mean to call her, per say, just wanted to see what would happen.<<endif>>
Mycie laughs. “Well then. Hey, do you want to hang out this afternoon?” She suggests.
You nod. You feel the Sitynur warm a tiny amount with the thought of seeing her. You’re glad Mycie can’t see it.
“Sounds good to me,” you say. Mycie grins, crooked.
“See ya later,” She says, and hangs up.
You sigh, staring at the blank screen. Eventually, you decide to leave the room and talk to Birch. You don’t know what about yet, but you’ll figure it out.
[[Continue|PgSeventeen]]You knew more information. Sure, it would be nice to know more, but it’s not like there was a Sitynur instruction manual. You had more to go off of, and that was all.
You end up sitting on your bed, the case with the communication device in your hands. You trace the beautiful patterns on the cover.
Eventually, you open it. It pops open, and reveals a pale blue device with a case shaped like a flower petal. There’s a single name inscribed in black: Mycie ♡
Hmm. Maybe you had to click it to message her? But how would that work? It was a screen inside of the case that looked like a petal. How would it detect your touch?
<<if $attitude < 12>>You tap it, out of curiosity.<<endif>><<if $attitude > 13>>You accidentally tap it, and widen your eyes.<<endif>> The device vibrates for a moment before the screen changes to one of Mycie. It’s a video– wait, no, it’s showing her as she is right now. Was her screen showing you?<<if $attitude > 11>>You fumbled with the device, trying to figure out how to shut it off.<<endif>>
“Hey, $player_name,” Mycie grins. “I didn’t think you would call so soon– or, wait, did you call by mistake?”
<<if $attitude > 11>>You feel your cheeks warm as you admit your misclick. <<endif>><<if $attitude <12>>“Of course not!” you say. It’s only a half lie. You didn’t mean to call her, per say, just wanted to see what would happen.<<endif>>
Mycie laughs. “Well then. Hey, do you want to hang out this afternoon?” She suggests.
You nod. You feel the Sitynur warm a tiny amount with the thought of seeing her. You’re glad Mycie can’t see it.
“Sounds good to me,” you say. Mycie grins, crooked.
“See ya later,” She says, and hangs up.
You sigh, staring at the blank screen. Eventually, you decide to leave the room and talk to Birch. You don’t know what about yet, but you’ll figure it out.
[[Continue|PgSeventeen]]“You didn’t have to risk that for me–” You try to say, but Baye interrupts.
“No, no, I wanted to come help you. And I’m here now,” they smile. Then their smile fades. “No one should be trapped by the king. I don’t want–” they stop themself. “I don’t know why Birch sold you out.” Baye looks like they’re going to continue, but there’s a loud knock on the door.
“Quick, under the bed,” you hiss. You lift up the blankets hanging over the side and help them scooch underneath. They lay flat and you let the blankets fall back down. You turn and sit on your bed, watching as the guard enters with food. Finally.
He hands you the plate. The bland meal matches the dinners you had had before, indicating the time.
“Who were you talking to?” He asks, suspicious.
[[“I think you’re imagining things.”|PgSixtyOneIBa]]
[[“Myself. I’m going crazy in here!”|PgSixtyOneMBa]]Suddenly, a guard raps on the door. The sound shatters the quiet of your room, and you look at Birch, panicked. He doesn’t meet your gaze, just flicks his eyes around the room, calculating. Then he bolts to the bed and slides underneath. He uses one corner of the discarded blanket to cover him.
You look back to the door, and it opens. You shove the paper in your pocket and a guard enters.
Her black hair falls carelessly on polished armor. Her pale hands hold your meal, and your eyes widen ever so slightly. “Here’s your dinner,” the guard says softly. She smiles at you.
You take the plate and smile back. She gives you a small nod and turns to leave. “Thank you,” you call, and she stops stiffly and looks over her shoulder.
“Of course,” she says, then hesitates. Her eyes sweep over you, and she purses her lips. She looks back ahead and exits the room. The door clicks shut, and the lock slides into place.
You munch on the slice of bread and butter as you press an ear to the door. You know there are guards just outside, of course, but soon enough they’ll get bored and start talking, drowning out any noise from your room.
Soon enough, they do. The chatter is unintelligible. You release a sigh and turn away from the door. “Birch, you can come out,” you say quietly.
Birch rolls out from under the bed. You take a bite of some weird plant-based meat. He climbs to his feet and sneezes, muffling the sound with his sleeve.
[[Continue|PgSixtyOneBi]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>>Serat raises an eyebrow. “The Gemstone?” he laughs. “Why would I give that to you?”
“I need it,” you protest. Serat chuckles.
“Really? I thought you didn’t know what it was?” He smirks. “Rosa, please escort <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> back to <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> room.”
“No! You can’t– I need–” You fumble for words. Serat drops the laughter and smile and presses his lips together in a thin line.
“Rosa!” he commands. Rosa doesn’t move. She tilts her head slightly and loosens her grip on you. You don’t make a move yet.
“How about…” she says thoughtfully, “we duel?”
“You cannot make a deal without my per–”
Rosa cuts him off with a wave of her hand. He’s startled, and there’s a tinge of fear in his eyes. Is he scared of his own guard? //Interesting.//
“We duel,” she says, more certainly. “If I win, you do whatever Serat says. If you win… Hmm. You can have ‘The Gemstone,’ whatever that is.”
“Rosa–”
“Serat!” Rosa snarls. She spins around and gives him a harsh glare. “I think this is a great deal. Besides, I’m going to win, of course. Do you not trust me? Do you not trust my family?”
Serat falters. “Yes. Fine.”
“Good.” Rosa turns back to you. “Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyNineBa]]You step outside for the first time in several days, relishing the cool feeling of the breeze and the warmth of the sun. You let yourself close your eyes for just a moment, soaking the moment in. Then you return to the real world. You have to focus if you want to win.
Rosa and Oak stand side by side on the opposite side of the yard. The ground had no plants or grass, just sand. You line up with Birch, facing off against the other duo. A man stands off to the side.
“Welcome to the battlefield!” the man announces. He brushes a strand of blond hair out of his eyes. “For this duel, we are using traditional rules. No fancy tricks,” he adds, with a harsh look at Rosa. She laughs.
“First team to bleed six times between the both of you loses,” he continues. “Meds will be prepared to help //after// the duel. Good luck to all of you. You may…” He trails off for dramatic effect. “Begin!”
Rosa and Oak pause for a moment, and you can see even from here that they’re quietly discussing. Soon, they’ll finish, and start fighting.
“What do you want to do?” Birch asks.
[[“Make the first move.”|PgSixtyNineFBi]]
[[“Wait for them.”|PgSixtyNineWBi]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>>Serat raises an eyebrow. “The Gemstone?” he smiles. “Nice try at being polite, but no.”
“Why not?”
“Why would I give away something so valuable?” he laughs. “Rosa, please escort <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> back to <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> room.”
“No, you can’t– I need–” You fumble for words. Serat drops the laughter and smile and presses his lips together in a thin line.
“Rosa!” he commands. Rosa doesn’t move. She just has a curious look on her face.
“How about…” she says thoughtfully, “we duel?”
“You cannot make a deal without my per–”
Rosa cuts him off with a wave of her hand. He’s startled, and there’s a tinge of fear in his eyes. Is he scared of his own guard? //Interesting.//
“We duel.” she says, more certainly. “If I win, you do whatever Serat says. If you win… Eh. You can have ‘The Gemstone,’ whatever that is.”
“Rosa–”
“Serat!” Rosa snarls. She spins around and gives him a harsh glare. “I think this is a great deal. Besides, I’m going to win, of course. Do you not trust me? Do you not trust my family?”
Serat falters. “Yes. Fine.”
“Good.” Rosa turns back to you. “Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyNineBa]]Marigold approaches her throne. She sits down and places a hand on his. He smiles nervously at her and her thin lips lift into a slight, soft smile.
You hate to break the moment, but… “I need the Gemstone, too,” you say quietly. The royal couple stare. Serat is more angry while Marigold is confused. “If I want to get home, to my world, I need to use the Gemstone.”
“I can’t just– //give up// the Gemstone!” Serat laughs coldly. Marigold has a slight frown, but she doesn’t object. “Perhaps, if you help me enough, I can give it to you. But not yet.” He looks at his wife. “See, now I’m not forcing <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>, just–”
Marigold waves off the words. “Yes, it’s fine, dear. I just don’t like when you use your power to essentially kidnap someone.”
“Has he done this multiple times?” you whisper to Mycie. Her eyes are wide.
“I don’t think so?” she replies, but she doesn’t sound sure.
The two stand and begin to exit. You and Mycie share a look.
“Come with me,” she whispers, and you leave the throne room and head to the outside gardens.
[[Continue|PgSixtyNineM]]You hesitate, then admit, “I need the Gemstone, too.”
Serat slowly turns to stare, his gaze cold and irritated. “No. I can't just //give up// the Gemstone,” he laughs, a fake sharp bark. He gets to his feet and starts to walk away, the queen following him.
“Wait,” Violet interrupts. “What if <<if $pronoun is "he">>he does<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she does<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">>they do<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective does<<endif>> something to help you in exchange?”
Serat pauses. Your heart thuds in your chest. He could say no. Then what could you do? You’d have to figure out how else to get the Sitynur. You can practically see the gears turning in Serat’s head.
Marigold looks between you, Violet, and Serat, silent. You wonder what she’s thinking. She only learned of Sitynur, or the Gemstone, today. She wouldn’t know why you needed it.
“Perhaps,” Serat says eventually. “but I can’t give it up forever.”
“I’d only need it for a day or two.” The lie comes easily. “Just to do my own research on it.”
“And you would share said research with me?” Serat raises an eyebrow. You nod. Serat’s eyes narrow as he considers. “It’s a deal. Come with me to my office.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyNineV]]You spin around, ready to flee, but guards fill the exit. Blocking your only chance of escape. You look desperately at Baye, who has their lips pressed in a thin line. They keep their gaze focused on the guards ahead.
You look back. Maybe you’re wrong. But the only way out is through, and your chances of getting through a crowd of armed guards do not seem great.
Baye nudges you. You glance at them, and they mouth, //trust me.// Your eyebrows knit together, and you’re about to ask what they’re planning. Before you can, they wrap a hand around your waist and pull on the vine they had just brought down from the ceiling.
You’re yanked into the air and pitch forward, soaring over the guards. You shout and cling to Baye. Their face is full of determination and bravery.
A hand grabs your ankle and you shout at it, flailing your leg until it lets go. The guard curses. Suddenly, you hit the ground, now behind the group of guards. Baye lets go and you stumble to a stop. You try to thank them, but they’re already moving.
“Come on!” they say, breaking into a run. You run after them.
You pull around a corner, hiding in the shadows while Baye catches their breath. They gasp and slump to the ground.
The guards run past, shouting at each other, but not noticing you. You pull back from the entrance to your hiding spot and check on Baye.
“Are you okay?” you ask. Baye’s breathing has calmed a little, but they were still taking quick breaths as if they couldn’t get enough air.
“Yeah, just – //gasp// – tired. I’ll – //gasp// – be okay in – //gasp// – a minute.” They close their eyes for half a second, then get to their feet. “Okay. Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtySixBa]]Serat emerges from the lineup of guards, because of course he does. He claps, slowly.
“Well, well, well,” he drawls. “You made it so far and yet not far enough.” A smirk crosses his lips.
Birch strides forward and Serat tuts. The guards close in a step more but Serat waves for them to stop.
“Why do you even want to leave, anyway?” he asks you. “You don’t have any family out there. What’s the point?”
[[“I have family!”|PgSixtySixFBi]]
[[“Does it matter?”|PgSixtySixMBi]]
[[Wait for Birch to speak.|PgSixtySixBBi]]Mycie follows a path you don’t recognize. You pass servants, children, some people too royal to be servants but too plain to be the royal family. Hardly anyone spares you a second glance.
You glance up at the wall and stop short. A huge painting hangs above you. The subject is a beautiful, black haired girl, with violet eyes. Her hair reaches her shoulders and her eyes sparkle with happiness. Every imperfection painted away. A plaque below it tells you the subject. As if you didn’t know already.
//Princess Myceli Heart
Born - Knaaz Thirty Second
Death - //
Other paintings hang in this hallway, as well. Violet’s is the next, but the previous is the Queen’s – Queen Marigold is her name, apparently – and Serat’s before that.
“Hey, what are you– oh.” Mycie stares up at her portrait. “Yes, that’s me,” she chuckles, letting go of your hand. “We had to get these redone recently, actually.”
“Oh?” you ask. “Why?”
“When I told my mother I’m a girl, she insisted everyone get a new painting.” She reaches forward and traces her name. Then she looks at you. “I was born a boy. Or that’s what everyone thought. Really, I’ve always been a girl, you know?”
You nod. There was a kid like that who lived near you once. His name had been Mary, but then it was Mark. Is Mark? Who knows if he’s still alive.
The thought startles you. It’s true. You have no idea what’s happening at home anymore. You close your eyes and resolve to get home soon. That’s your plan, always has been, of course, but this realization is even more motivating.
Mycie nudges you. “Over there,” she says, pointing at the blank space after Violet’s portrait, “is where the twins will have their paintings. When they turn five, of course.”
You nod. Mycie holds her hand out again. “Ready to go?”
You take her hand, and continue.
[[Continue|PgSixtySixM]]“Halt!” the guard orders as soon as you step out, unsheathing his sword.
Violet interrupts before he can go any farther. “Don’t worry, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective is<<endif>> with me. We have important business to attend to, so please let <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> by.”
The guard hesitates, glancing between you and Violet, before he sheathes his sword. “Very well, go on.”
You step forward and Violet offers her hand.
“So people know you’re with me,” they explain. You take her hand. It’s soft, gentle. The hands of a princess who has never worked a day in their life.
You follow Violet as they lead you through the hallways.
“Where are we going, exactly?” you ask. Violet glances back at you.
“My mother meets with her friends and the ladies of the city at this time, in her sitting room. Unfortunate that we have to interrupt her, but oh well.” She shrugs.
“You don’t seem to mind too much,” you note.
Violet purses their lips. “I don’t like some of them. Lady Holly, for one. I don’t think she likes me, either. So I don’t mind interrupting.”
“Oh,” you say, but decide not to press. You fall into silence for the last few hallways. No one calls the guard on you.
“Here we go,” Violet murmurs. You’ve arrived outside twin ornate doors. Swooping designs cover the front. They’re made of a pure white wood, and the handles are golden. Violet lets go of your hand and walks forward. She pushes open the door.
[[Continue|PgSixtySixV]]You share a look with Baye as you slowly approach the door. Then, you charge. You shove the door open, taking the guards by surprise. One shouts, but you shove him into the wall before he can alert anyone. His head slams against the stone and he crumples. Baye uses vines to restrain the other guard so they can cut off their breath long enough for them to pass out. He slowly slides to the ground.
The other guard groans and you know he won’t be knocked out for long. “Come on,” you say, tugging on Baye’s arm. Baye seems shocked by what they had done.
“Are they alive?” they whisper.
You nudge the knocked-out guard with one foot. His eyes flutter. “Yes. Now let’s go.” You have to be fast. He might wake up soon.
Baye looks relieved. You start to run again. You grab Baye’s elbow at a turn and pull them to the left. The Sitynur’s pull strengthens. “Come on,” you hiss.
“I’m following!” Baye whispers back.
You run down a hallway and realize all too late–
It’s a dead end.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFiveBa]]You take a left, but Birch reaches out and grabs your arm, tugging you the other way.
“That’s a dead end,” he whispers. You nod and take the lead again.
“There!” someone behind you shouts. You look back for a half second to see guards on your tail. They shout at each other, trying to figure out the best way to capture you.
You tap Birch’s arm and nod back to the guards. He dips his head in recognition. You speed up, twisting and turning through the halls. A few servants see you. They widen their eyes and duck out of the way. You’re relieved that they don’t join the people chasing you. You can hear them, always just a corner away.
You reach what you recognize as the office door and bolt towards it, rattling the handle.
“Come on!” you shout helplessly. You suddenly remember Birch’s lockpick.
Just as you turn to ask him to unlock the door, guards thunder down the hallway from both sides.
You’re cornered.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFiveBi]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Violet nods curtly. She strides over to the door and rests her hand on the handle.
“You’re ready, right?” they ask.
You look around the room. If this goes to plan, you will never see these walls again. One day, this imprisonment will be just a faint memory. You’ll continue your search for your sister. Hopefully, she’s not too far from this world.
You nod at Violet.
“Alright. Time for you to meet Queen Marigold. My mother.” She turns the handle and you follow her out the door.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFiveV]]You lift the mattress and grab your necklace, slipping it over your neck and letting the mattress fall back down. Mycie raises an eyebrow at you.
“Part of my explanation for later,” you tell her, and she nods.
You open the doors and attempt to head out, but the two guards unsheath their swords and block your path.
“Sorry, Your Highness,” one says to Mycie, “but we have explicit orders to not let this prisoner escape.”
“Guard Plim, Guard Ivy, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro’s<<endif>> not //escaping.// I’m going with <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> to do important business. So please let us leave.” Mycie smiles, but it’s not a kind smile. It’s the smile of a sharp little //qyti//. Another animal, you realize, you may never see again.
The guards glance at each other and shake their heads. “No can do. Apologies, Princess.”
Mycie’s smile falls and her eyes narrow. “Alright. Let //me// leave, and I shall fetch my mother. You remember she is the queen, correct? She has an equal say as my father.”
The guards hesitate, and you can almost see the gears turning in their heads. //Should we risk the queen’s wrath, or the king’s?//
The guards sheath their swords and the smile returns to Mycie’s face. This makes you nervous, though. If they’re willing to face Serat, how bad is the queen?
You take a deep breath as you step outside your room and past the guards. Mycie offers her hand. “If I hold your hand or wrist, people will pass you off as my friend– or, if they know of your imprisonment, they’ll think I’m taking you somewhere,” she whispers.
You take her hand and follow her into the twisting maze that is the castle.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFiveM]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>>Violet considers, then shakes their head. “Tell me when we’ve figured this all out and you’re not stuck in this room.” She strides over to the door and rests her hand on the handle.
“You’re ready, right?” they ask.
You look around the room. If this goes to plan, you will never see these walls again. One day, this imprisonment will be just a faint memory. You’ll continue your search for your sister. Hopefully, she’s not too far from this world.
You nod at Violet.
“Alright. Time for you to meet Queen Marigold. My mother.” She turns the handle and you follow her out the door.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFiveV]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>>You press your ear to the door and hold your breath. The shouting is more clear now.
“I am the //princess// and I demand you let me in!” Was that… Mycie?
“Sorry, Your Highness, but we’re under orders from the king.”
“Yeah, come back when you’re queen,” the other guard adds, with a light chuckle.
A pause, and you can almost imagine the fury in Mycie’s eyes. Her voice, when she speaks again, is low and threatening. “How dare you speak to me that way?” She pauses. “Does my mother know about this?”
“I don’t know. Not our business, anyway.”
“If I brought her here and she //didn’t// know about this, how do you think she would react?”
The guards hesitate. Mycie continues. “That is my friend in that room. Now, let. Me. In.”
Silence. Then, the click of a lock. You hurry backwards and sit on your bed, to act as if you weren’t eavesdropping.
[[Continue|PgSixtyOneM]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>>You retreat to your bed, sitting and waiting patiently. //Patience is a virtue,// you remember your sister saying. Whatever they’re saying, it probably isn’t your business.
But what if it is? They’re outside //your// door, after all. Maybe you should<<if $mental gte 13>> go.
You stand and slowly walk to the door, but you freeze when the lock clicks open. <<endif>><<if $mental lt 13>>...
No. You shouldn’t eavesdrop. You stay sitting on your bed.
Then the lock clicks open.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSixtyOneM]]<<set $fightscore to 0>>You arrive at a room full of weapons. Knives and swords and axes galore. You take in the room, full of awe. Rosa strides forward and grabs two silver daggers from the wall.
Now that you can properly see her, you realize she isn’t as old as you thought. Closer to your age, it seems. She has dark hair pulled into a tight bun, and dark brown eyes. She’s pale, with a tiny mole on her neck.
“Here,” she thrusts a dagger at you. You take it and turn it over in your hand.
It’s silver, and has a beautiful engraving. It seems to say something in an ancient script, and that’s the only thing the Sitynur can tell you. The hilt is made of dark wood, and carved simply. Not as detailed as the blade. You wonder what the point there is to a beautiful blade that will just end up covered in blood. You wonder why the hilt is so simple. Did the creator lose motivation?
Rosa notices you staring at it. “It says //bravery.//” She smirks and holds up her own. “Mine says //victory.//”
“They’re twin daggers?” you ask.
“Yeah. Not mine, of course. Mine aren’t daggers.” She walks to a longsword. “Here’s mine.” She grins and lightly runs a finger down the blade.
“Rosa,” Serat barks, “do you want to duel or not?”
Rosa turns with a huff and walks out a doorway to the left. You can see part of the arena from here. The ground is made of sand, and there’s a few rows of seats on one side. A few spectators are beginning to gather.
“Well, go on,” Serat says, gesturing for you to follow her. You grip the knife tightly and step out into the sun for the first time in days.
You have to blink a few times before you’re adjusted to the natural light. There’s a simply dressed, serious-looking man in the center, between you and Rosa. In the seats, Violet, Mycie, and Baye sit. Serat goes to join them. Violet looks worried, Mycie seems excited, and Serat doesn’t look like he cares. Baye fidgets in their spot. Rosa waits on the opposite side of the arena. Her dagger is held casually in her hand, resting against her thigh. She looks at you like you’re nothing more than a simple obstacle.
[[You’re not. You’ve fought before.|PgSeventyFBa]]
[[You are. You’ve never fought before.|PgSeventyNBa]]<<set $fightscore to 0>><<set _birchsuccess = ["yes", "no"]>><<set _win = _birchsuccess.random()>>Birch nods. “Let’s go, then. I’ve got Oak.” You nod in acknowledgement, setting your sights on Rosa.
<<if $fighting is "yes">>
You take note of her stance, which seems to be more defensive. Oak is more offensive, but you’re supposed to focus on Rosa. She defends her chest and neck, leaving her legs and arms open. You decide to aim for her arms just so you aren’t put in an awkward position.
<<endif>>
You charge at the same time Birch does. You separate slightly, closing in on each target. The two simply go on the defense, lifting their arms to cover their upper body and preparing to strike back if necessary.
You opt for dodging just past Rosa and cutting her arm as you dart past. <<if $mental gt 12>> You’re successful. You just manage to see the red line of blood form as you dart away.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if $mental lte 12>> But you don’t manage it. Rosa steps back and away before you can, a tiny grin at her tiny victory flashing across her lips.<<endif>>
<<if _win == "yes">> Birch sends you a grin confirming his hit on Oak. <<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 10>><<endif>><<if _win == "no">> He shakes his head ever so slightly at you. You frown as well. <<endif>> You step away from the duo to regroup.<<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>
“Two to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 21 or $fightscore is 12>>
“Two to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 22>>
“Two to two!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 11>>
“One to one!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 10 or $fightscore is 0o1>>
“One to zero!” the announcer shouts.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSeventyBi]]You stand below a tree with soft, swaying blue branches. They hang down, half-obscuring you from outsiders. Mycie touches the trunk for a moment. Then she draws away and faces you.
“Okay. I have an idea to get the Gemstone,” she says quietly, then pauses. “You do need it to get home, right? You’re not lying?”
“Of course not,” you reply. “I need to find–” you hesitate, then continue. “I have to find my sister, and I have to get home.”
<<if $lie is 1>>Mycie stares for a moment. “So you didn’t come here for a fresh start?” she chuckles. “I guess I’m not surprised. Something was off about you. In a good way, I suppose.”
“Yeah, I… I guess I should apologize for lying. I was just afraid.”
“Hey, don’t worry. I get it. Now, onto my plan.” Mycie grins.<<else>>“So you told the truth in the restaurant?” Mycie tilts her head. “That’s interesting. I think I’d lie,” she laughs.
“I considered it. But I trusted you.”
“Hey, thank you. Now, onto my plan.” Mycie grins.<<endif>> “How long do you think it’ll take my father to notice it’s missing? Especially since he’s still having to deal with my mother’s anger at him. They seemed love-dovey, but they’re going to have another argument. I know them well enough to know that.”
The realization of what she’s saying slowly dawns on you. “But aren’t there guards?”
“I’m a princess,” Mycie smirks. Then her smile drops. “Well, that didn’t work on //your// guards.” She frowns. “We’ll figure something out. Let me check it out first.”
She steps out of the tree’s branches and heads back to the castle. You lean against the tree and wait.
Ten minutes later, you’re ready to go to Birch’s alone. Just as you think that, Mycie returns with a bright smile.
“Let’s go,” she whispers, and you both walk inside.
[[Continue|PgSeventyM]]His actual office was bigger and grander than the one you first came to. It was made in a hexagon shape, with three large windows on the far walls. There’s an ornate wooden desk centered on the square, pale green rug. Serat steps ahead of you and slides into his chair. He reveals the Sitynur shard and places it on his desk.
“Well? Are you going to sit?” he asks. You blink and move to sit in the chair facing him. He folds his hands under his chin and studies you. “I’m curious why you want the Sitynur. Can’t you do any research with me?”
“I, uh–” you start to explain, but Serat waves his hand. He opens a notebook and gets a quill.
“Explain later. This is an interview, yes, but I will tell you what I need you to answer.” Serat leans back in his chair. “Question number one. What do you know about the Gemstone?”
[[“You have to be more specific than that.”|PgSeventySV]]
[[Give a brief explanation.|PgSeventyBV]]<<set $fightscore to 0>><<set _birchsuccess = ["yes", "no"]>><<set _win = _birchsuccess.random()>>Birch nods, and you switch to watching, waiting. The opposing duo studies you for a moment before they nod at each other. You tighten your grip on your dagger. Rosa and Oak charge.
You wait.
They get closer.
You wait.
They’re almost here.
You brace yourself.
They’re right up to you, and you lift your arms to defend yourself, dagger pointed out and ready to stab. <<if $attitude gt 15>>You step backwards and out of the way as Rosa swings her weapon at you. She swings again, and you step aside. You glance over to Birch, struggling with Oak, and reluctantly decide to run away. Faster to get Rosa off your back.
Luckily, Birch breaks away soon after, joining you again. The duo isn’t interested in chasing you, perhaps just irritated they missed you. <<endif>>
<<if $attitude lte 15>>You step backwards as Rosa swings her weapon at you, dodging her first hit, but you can’t dodge the second. Crimson blood beads at the cut on your arm. You glance over to Birch, struggling with Oak, and reluctantly decide to run away. Faster to get Rosa off your back.
Luckily, Birch breaks away soon after, joining you again. The duo isn’t interested in chasing you.<<set $fightscore to $fightscore + 1>><<endif>><<if $fightscore is 0o1 or $fightscore is 10>>
“One to zero!” the announcer shouts.
<<endif>><<if $fightscore is 20 or $fightscore is 0o2>>
“Two to zero!” the announcer shouts.
<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgSeventyBi]]“I guess I should start with an apology,” Birch says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m… sorry. I thought he could help, since– well. I’ll explain later. We should get out of here, first.”
“Right,” you say. “How do you think we could do that?”
“We’ll have to deal with the guards and then get out of here,” he says.
You nod, then pause. “I need to get something.”
Birch watches as you reach under the mattress and pull out your necklace. He doesn’t seem surprised by the Sitynur. His only reaction is “Huh.”
“You know what this is?” you ask. You tie the necklace around your neck again. Birch considers it for a moment.
Then he shrugs. “Perhaps. I’ll explain later, as I said.”
“Well, I need the other piece of this. And Serat has it.”
Birch raises an eyebrow. “But how can we steal from King Serat? Escaping will already be hard enough.”
[[“We can sneak in.”|PgSixtyTwoSBi]]
[[“We can take him by surprise.”|PgSixtyTwoTBi]]<<set $mental to $mental + 2>>The guard makes a disbelieving sound. “I doubt that,” he replies. He pauses for a moment, and you’re sure he can hear your loud, panicked heartbeat. If he decides to search your room, it’s over. Your hope of getting out crushed.
“I’ll let it slide for now,” he says eventually, quietly. You let out the breath you didn’t realize you were holding. “But only this once. I don’t //want// to report you to the king.” The threat is obvious, but you’re too relieved to care.
You nod. “Of course. Thank you.”
He nods back and exits, latching the door behind him. You wait for a moment before creeping up to the door and pressing an ear against it. You hear footsteps, a murmur or two, but that’s normal. It’s just the guards posted outside of your room. Within a minute, they’ll start talking to each other. You wait an extra few seconds to be sure, but there’s nothing. Once you hear the guards start to talk, you rush back to Baye’s hiding spot.
[[Continue|PgSixtyTwoBa]]Mycie barges in. “$player_name!” she exclaims. A bright, determined smile lights up her face. “I don’t know what you’re doing with my father, but seeing as you’re… well…” she gestures around the room, “...stuck here, I figure you don’t want to.” She pauses, searching for confirmation.
You nod, hesitantly. Maybe, if Serat hadn’t captured you, sealed you here, maybe then you could agree to help him. Maybe in another lifetime.
But this isn’t another lifetime. This is now.
Mycie nods. “I’m here to help.”
“Thanks, Mycie,” you say<<if previous() is "PgSixtyWM">>, “but… how did you get past the guards?”
“I’m the princess,” she says lightly. “The guards have to listen to me.”<<else>>.<<endif>>
“Of course. We’re friends, right?”
You smile. “Yeah.”
“So… do I want to know what job, exactly, you’re doing for my father?”
You hesitate. You look at the door, still opened wide, showing the guards on the other side.
[[“I’ll explain later.”|PgSixtyTwoCM]]
[[“It’s the thing that… well, should I tell you the whole story?”|PgSixtyTwoBM]]<<set $mental to $mental - 2>>The guard chuckles. “I’m sure,” he says. “I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it slide. I don’t //want// to report you to the king.”
You’re too busy being relieved to fully process the threat. What luck, a kind guard. You nod and smile. “Of course. Thank you.”
He nods back and exits, latching the door behind him. You wait for a moment before creeping up to the door and pressing an ear against it. You hear footsteps, a murmur or two, but that’s normal. It’s just the guards posted outside of your room. Within a minute, they’ll start talking to each other. You wait an extra few seconds to be sure, but there’s nothing. Once you hear the guards start to talk, you rush back to Baye’s hiding spot.
[[Continue|PgSixtyTwoBa]]Violet steps into the room, shutting the door behind her quietly.
“Hello,” they say. She stops in the middle of the room hesitantly. “So… I wasn’t expecting my father to imprison you here.”
You shrug. “At least it’s a nice room,” you reply. Violet chuckles.
“Yes, I suppose it is,” they say. “Still, I apologize on behalf of my father. I doubt he will.”
You laugh.
[[“It’s not your fault.”|PgSixtyTwoNFV]]
[[“Why are you here?”|PgSixtyTwoWV]]Serat is visibly startled, but only for a moment. Then he smiles. “And how could you do that?”
The woman’s grip tightens. You take shallow breaths.
“I have control of every plant in this castle,” Baye says. “If I wanted, I could make all of them grow at once and form cracks in your perfect white walls. The castle would crumble under their weight. Just like //that//.”
The woman looks to Serat, who hesitates. A scowl crosses his face. “Rosa, let <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> go.”
The woman – Rosa? – lets you go. You step away and rub at your neck. Rosa doesn’t even look at you.
[[“We need the Gemstone.”|PgSixtyEightBBa]]
[[“Can I have the Gemstone?”|PgSixtyEightKBa]]You enter a room filled from floor to ceiling with weapons. Birch whistles.
“Impressive, I know,” Serat says. “Please hand over the swords you stole and choose a dagger to fight with.”
“Only a dagger?” Birch’s excitement deflates.
“Yes, only a dagger. The weapons you have to fight must be equal to your opponents’. Speaking of them, here they are!” Serat smiles as two people around your age enter. They dip their heads to Serat.
“Your Majesty,” they say in unison, with a clearly practiced tone. The woman has dark brown hair pulled into a bun and dark, almost black eyes. Her skin is a pale contrast. The man, on the other hand, has soft brown skin and black, curly hair. His eyes dance with something almost like amusement.
“Rosa, Oak,” he replies. He doesn’t dip his head, just acknowledges him. “I ask you to refrain from your typical weapons and simply use a dagger for today. These two wish to duel, and I wanted to choose people who are slightly closer to their level.”
The two nod and move to retrieve a dagger each for themselves.
“Do you know these two?” you whisper to Birch.
“I believe Rosa is Rosa Whitewater, the daughter of two very famous and very skilled warriors. I’m not sure about Oak, but he’s probably just as skilled.”
“Do we have any chance?”
“…I’d say we have some. A decent amount.”
“That’s comforting,” you mutter sarcastically.
Birch laughs, tracing a finger over the edge of the blade he had picked out. You choose a similar dagger; silver metal with a black handle. No ornate decorations, just simple and efficient.
“Once you’re ready, come to the battlefield,” Serat announces, then leaves out a door that goes outside. Rosa and Oak leave quickly, and you share a final glance with Birch.
“It’s traditional dueling. No one will die,” he says.
“You don’t sound too certain,” you reply. Birch shrugs.
“They’ll announce the rules when we get out there.”
“Then let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyEightBi]]“Goldie, my dear!” he calls, with a forced beam. “What do you need, darling?”
“What I //need// is for you to explain why you have a secret project, one that apparently involves kidnapping friends of our children, and you didn’t. Tell. Me.”
“What if I said I didn’t… have… a secret project..?” The lie is weak, and he knows it.
Marigold puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow. “Really. //That’s// your explanation. There are so many better lies out there, and you chose that one.”
Serat mutters something under his breath to the guards, who rush away. “Goldie, my love, my darling, I need you to understand–”
“Do not ‘Goldie’ me,” Marigold snaps. “I cannot believe you.”
Serat stands from his throne. “Will you allow me to explain?”
“Fine. Try and explain why this–” she gestures at you– “is okay.”
“I have a gemstone. //The// Gemstone, if you will. It’s a powerful thing– otherworldly. Goldie, it connects to other worlds!” he exclaims, then laughs. “It could help this kingdom thrive. It’s important.”
“This connects to <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> because…?”
“Well, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro is<<endif>> not from this world, either. I need <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> help to figure out how to make this work!”
“Very well.” Marigold turns to you. “Did you, $player_name, agree to help?”
You hesitate, looking between Serat and Marigold. Then, you just say the truth. “No.”
Marigold turns to face Serat, fists clenched tightly. “You can’t just take people whenever you want!”
“It’s a special oc–”
“–buse of power–”
“–m the king!–”
“–nly reason you’re–”
“–hink of the pow–”
They continue speaking over each other until Serat shouts, “Enough!” The single word is full of thunder and silences the room. He and Marigold glare furiously until Serat relents and slumps in his throne. “Fine, fine. You may go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyEightM]]“Serat!” Marigold calls, her voice cold. Serat looks up. His eyes flick to you and the blood drains from his face. He murmurs a few last words to his guards and they hurry away.
“Goldie, my love!” he proclaims, arms wide. “What do you need, darling?”
“What I //need// is for you to explain why you have a secret project, one that apparently involves kidnapping friends of our children, and you didn’t. Tell. Me.”
“What if I said I didn’t… have… a secret project..?” The lie is weak, and he knows it. It’s evident in the tremble of his voice.
Marigold puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow. “Really. //That’s// your explanation. There are so many better lies out there, and you chose that one.”
Serat mutters something under his breath to the guards, who rush away. “Goldie, my love, my darling, I need you to understand–”
“Do not ‘Goldie’ me,” Marigold snaps. “I cannot believe you!”
Serat stands from his throne. “Will you allow me to explain?”
“Fine. Try and explain why this–” she gestures at you– “is okay.”
“I have a gemstone. //The// Gemstone, if you will. It’s a powerful thing– otherworldly. Goldie, it connects to other worlds!” he exclaims, then laughs. “It could help this kingdom thrive. It’s important.”
“This connects to <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> because…?”
“Well, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she’s<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they’re<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro is<<endif>> not from this world, either. I need <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> help to figure out how to make this work!”
“Very well.” Marigold turns to you. “Did you, $player_name, agree to help?”
You hesitate, looking between Serat and Marigold. Then, you just say the truth. “No.”
Marigold spins to face Serat, fists clenched tightly. “You can’t just take people whenever you want!”
“It’s a special oc–”
“–buse of power–”
“–m the king!–”
“–nly reason you’re–”
“–hink of the pow–”
They continue speaking over each other until Serat shouts, “Enough!” The single word is full of thunder and silences the room. He and Marigold glare furiously until Serat relents and slumps in his throne. “Fine, fine. You may go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyEightV]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Birch glances back at you, waiting to see if you’ll answer. When, after a few seconds, you don’t, he clears his throat.
“Even if <<if $pronoun is "he">>he doesn’t<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she doesn’t<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they don’t<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro doesn’t<<endif>> have a family, you’d want to be free to do what you choose, too. It’s a bit immoral to keep <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> here against <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> will.”
“Perhaps that’s true,” Serat replies, “But <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> don’t have to worry about food, water, shelter… seems like a good trade off to me. Either way, you’re cornered, aren’t you? I think I have the upper hand here.”
Birch crosses his arms. “What if we challenge you to a duel?”
Serat scoffs. “You can’t challenge //the king// to a duel.”
“But you //can// challenge them to nominate people to fight you. A duel, for $player_name’s freedom, and the choice to work with you. Which <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> can refuse to do. A one on one.” He glances back at you for confirmation.
“And the Gemstone,” you add. Serat tilts his head.
“Hmm…” he says. “It seems like you want two things. $player_name’s freedom, and the Gemstone. That warrants a two on two.”
“Perhaps,” Birch agrees. He waits for Serat’s decision.
“Very well then. Come on.” He beckons you to follow. You exchange a look with Birch, and then you start to walk.
[[Continue|PgSixtySevenBi]]You bolt up the hall. This time, you’re on the right track. The Sitynur gives you a direct route, but you now know you have to weave around hallways to find the right path. Baye’s right behind you, though they seem to struggle a bit to keep up. You slow your pace.
You turn a corner, still ahead of Baye, but a tight grip yanks you to a stop. Someone pulls you towards them, pinning you to their chest with one hand and holding a knife to your throat with the other. You shout with surprise and start to struggle, but the tip of the knife brushing your neck makes you freeze.
You can’t see the woman’s face from your point of view, but her hair is at least shorter than her shoulders, because you can’t feel it brush you. That, or she has it in a bun. She’s pale and wearing black clothes.
Baye rounds the corner and stops short, hands in a defensive position. You feel the woman turn her head to look at them. Baye sweeps their eyes back and forth, looking for something. A way to help. An escape. You weren’t sure.
The king, to your surprise, appears, revealed by retreating shadows. He approaches with a slight frown. “I //do// need your help, $player_name, so–”
“Stop, or I tear this castle down!” Baye interrupts. They’re serious, you can see. They hold their arms out, with their fingers curled into claws. Their eyes are shining with panic. Even if they did have the power to do that, they’re way too tired. You try to give them a look, like, //what are you doing?//
[[Continue|PgSixtySevenBa]]<<set $mental to $mental - 3>>“Maybe they’re not in this world, but I do have a family!” you finish firmly. Serat raises an eyebrow. The guards start to whisper.
“Silence, guards,” Serat snaps. The guards stop talking instantly. “Either way, $player_name, you’re cornered, aren’t you? I think I have the upper hand here.”
Birch crosses his arms. “What if we challenge you to a duel?”
Serat scoffs. “You can’t challenge //the king// to a duel.”
“But you //can// challenge them to nominate people to fight you. A duel, for $player_name’s freedom, and the choice to work with you. Which <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> can refuse to do. A one on one.” He glances back at you for confirmation.
“And the Gemstone,” you add. Serat tilts his head.
“Hmm…” he says. “It seems like you want two things. $player_name’s freedom, and the Gemstone. That warrants a two on two.”
“Perhaps,” Birch agrees. He waits for Serat’s decision.
“Very well then. Come on.” He beckons you to follow. You exchange a look with Birch, and then you start to walk.
[[Continue|PgSixtySevenBi]]You arrive outside twin ornate doors. Swooping designs cover the front. They’re made of a pure white wood, and the handles are golden. Mycie steps forward and pushes the door open.
The long white couch inside is the focal point of the room, and has several ladies sitting on it. Their conversation stops abruptly, every gaze turning to the door. To you and Mycie.
The one most regally dressed, in a purple dress with embroidered flowers, speaks first. “Myceli? What is the meaning of this? Is this your friend?” She smiles, pushes a strand of blonde hair out of her face.
“Mother,” Mycie begins, “this is $player_name. Yes, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she is<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they are<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro is<<endif>> my friend.” She pauses, considering her next words.
“Mother, have you heard of the Gemstone?” she asks.
Quen Marigold glances at her friends, her smile now gone. “No..?”
“Neither had I, until a few weeks ago. It’s Father’s new //project.//” she says the last word sharply. “Well, apparently it has some magical properties. Including…” she looks at you, hesitating. “uh, I’m not sure. But he imprisoned $player_name to help him with it. I don’t know how <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> can help, but…”
Queen Marigold’s face is dark with anger. “What.”
Mycie nods solemnly. “You can ask him yourself, if you would like.”
“Oh, believe me, I will.” Queen Marigold stands and then pauses. “Sorry, girls. I must deal with this.”
The other ladies murmur with understanding as Queen Marigold strides forward and out of the room. “I believe he is in the throne room,” she announces. “Come along.”
You walk side-by-side with Mycie, just behind the queen. She leads you down a set of stairs and into a room with a long rug leading to four thrones. In one of the two biggest, Serat sits, speaking to some of his guards. He doesn’t notice you, not yet.
His throne is opposite to its twin: silver, rather than golden, jagged designs, rather than swirling. They both have gemstone flowers laid in the top of the thrones: one golden, one dark teal.
“Serat!” Queen Marigold shouts, her voice commanding attention. Serat looks up to his wife. His eyes flick to you and the blood drains from his face.
[[Continue|PgSixtySevenM]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>Serat laughs. “I certainly wasn’t expecting that response. Either way, $player_name,” he says, giving some unknown command to the guards with a tilt of his head, “you’re cornered, aren’t you? I think I have the upper hand here.”
Birch crosses his arms. “What if we challenge you to a duel?”
Serat scoffs. “You can’t challenge //the king// to a duel.”
“But you //can// challenge them to nominate people to fight you. A duel, for $player_name’s freedom, and the choice to work with you. Which <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> can refuse to do. A one on one.” He glances back at you for confirmation.
“And the Gemstone,” you add. Serat tilts his head.
“Hmm…” he says. “It seems like you want two things. $player_name’s freedom, and the Gemstone. That warrants a two on two.”
“Perhaps,” Birch agrees. He waits for Serat’s decision.
“Very well then. Come on.” He beckons you to follow. You exchange a look with Birch, and then you start to walk.
[[Continue|PgSixtySevenBi]]Five people sit inside on a long, white couch. They all wear fancy dresses, ranging from red to purple. The one in the center wears a crown, so she must be the queen. Queen Marigold wears a warm purple dress with a simple golden belt tying it together. Flower embroidery covers the front. Her crown is made of tiny white diamonds that form a flower pattern in the center.
Their conversation halts when we enter.
“Violet? Who is this?” the queen asks.
“This is my friend, $player_name,” Violet replies. “and <<if $pronoun is "he">>he was<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she was<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they were<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective was<<endif>> brought here by Father.”
“Yes, and..? You have a new friend, good for–”
“No, you don’t understand, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective<<endif>> were brought against <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> will. Have you ever heard of the Gemstone, Mother?”
Marigold glances at her friends, and they look equally confused. “The Gemstone? I don’t believe I have. Get to the point, Violet.”
“Neither had I, until a few days ago. It’s Father’s new project.” Violet scowls. “Well, it has some magical properties. I’m not sure what they are, but he imprisoned $player_name to help him with it. I don’t know how <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective_pro<<endif>> can help, but…”
Queen Marigold’s face is dark with anger. “What.” It isn’t a question, more of an expression of shock and fury.
Violet nods solemnly. “You can ask him yourself, if you would like.”
“Oh, believe me, I will.” Queen Marigold stands and then pauses, turning her face to her friends. “Sorry, girls. I must deal with this.”
The other ladies murmur with understanding as Queen Marigold strides forward and out of the room.
“I believe he is in the throne room,” she announces. “Come along.”
You and Violet follow the queen out of the room. She leads you to the throne room, where Serat sits on his throne. He’s instructing some guards on something, but you can’t make out what.
[[Continue|PgSixtySevenV]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Baye nods curtly. “Okay. Let’s go– uh, where should we go?”
You knew the moment you put on your necklace. “The King’s secret office.”
“He has a secret office?”
You shrug. “I think it’s to deal with things he doesn’t want public. Like me. And the Sitynur.” You gesture at your necklace when Baye looks confused. “He has another piece, and I need it. Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
Baye smiles confidently, though there’s a flicker of worry in their eyes. “Yes. At least for a little while.”
“Tell me if you need to rest,” you say. You don’t want them overexerting themself and you didn’t want to be alone. If they need a break, you would either hide them somewhere and continue alone or wait for them. You hope it doesn’t come to that.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFourBa]]<<set $fighting to "no">>You’ve never fought anyone. You sort of hope you won’t have to. You rub the back of your neck and consider it.
“Well, are you ready to go?” Birch asks. You nod. You both creep toward the door. Birch reveals a lockpick in his pocket. You’re not even certain that you can pick the lock from this side of the door, but there’s a keyhole. He presses one ear to the door and slowly twists the lockpick.
It’s a few minutes before there’s a definite //click// of the door unlocking. You hear a quiet, “What was that?” from the other side of the door.
“Three,” Birch breathes, one hand on the door handle. “Two.” He slowly turns it, but doesn’t push the door open yet. You lean against the door, ready to push it with all the force you can muster. “One!”
You slam the doors open and knock over the two guards standing there. Unprepared for the sudden force, they topple to their ground, and their helmets and the floor knock them out. You have precious seconds, and you start to step over them, but Birch stops you.
“Here,” he whispers, handing you a sword from one of the guards. He takes the other one, and you hurry down the hallways. Birch follows you, and you follow the Sitynur.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFourBi]]Mycie sits up, eyebrows furrowed. “So you like it here?”
“I don’t like the whole ‘being imprisoned’ thing, of course, but it’s a nice room,” you reply. It’s nice to have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on. As much as you hate to admit it, Serat was right: It’s good not to worry about where you were able to stay.
This palace was not a home. But it was a bed to sleep in, and you had friends – at least, //a// friend – here. Now you can escape.
Mycie relaxes. “That makes sense.” She gets to her feet and stretches. You finish the last of your food and put the plate on your wardrobe.
“Alright,” you say, facing Mycie, “now we need a plan.”
“Right,” Mycie replies with a firm nod of agreement. “First step, we need to figure out how to escape my father’s notice.”
You move to the bed to sit and rest your legs. You hum while you think.
“What’s that tune?” Mycie asks. You’re temporarily startled. Everyone, at least in your home-world, knows that tune. But Mycie isn’t from your home-world. It’s a jarring reminder that you are far, far away from your true home.
“It’s a nursery rhyme from my world,” you answer. Mycie looks confused for a flicker of a moment before it disappears.
“So you //are// from another world.”
You don’t bother replying, returning to your thoughts of escape. “We can either be stealthy or confront him outright. You asking him didn’t work, and neither did demanding him. It might be hard for you to be stealthy, since you’re the princess… is there anyone he //will// listen to? Maybe Violet, or–”
“The Queen!” Mycie interrupts. She grins. “Otherwise known as, my mother. This is perfect,” she says excitedly. “I’m eighty percent sure my father wouldn’t have told my mother about this. She’s more… she won’t condone keeping you trapped here, at least.”
“And if she does know, or doesn’t care that he’s doing that?”
Mycie thinks for a moment. “He’ll accept a challenge, or a bargain. A challenge is a fight, and I don’t want to risk that, but a bargain…”
“Maybe I get my freedom, but I keep working with him?” you suggest. “Oh, but I need the Sitynur too…”
“Sitynur?”
“The Gemstone. I’ll explain it all soon.”
“Right. Well, that sounds like a good idea, anyway,” Mycie says. “So… let’s go?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyFourM]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>>Baye shakes their head. “No. Tell me later. We can’t waste time. Where to now?”
You knew the moment you put on your necklace. “The King’s secret office.”
“He has a secret office?”
You shrug. “I think it’s to deal with things he doesn’t want public. Like me. And the Sitynur,” you gesture at your necklace when Baye looks confused. “He has another piece, and I need it. Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
Baye smiles confidently. “Yes. At least for a little while.”
“Tell me if you need to rest,” you say. You don’t want them overexerting themself and you didn’t want to be alone. If they need a break, you would either hide them somewhere and continue alone or wait for them. You hope it doesn’t come to that.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFourBa]]The door opens and both of you spin towards it. It’s a guard, carrying a plate.
“Sorry to interrupt you, Your Highness,” the guard apologizes, “but I was told to bring this to the prisoner.” You accept it and eat quickly, starting with the bread and butter. Violet looks startled and concerned by your eagerness. You smile and shrug at them.
“Guard Apla,” Violet addresses the guard. “Thank you. If you don’t mind, I need a private audience with $player_name.”
The guard nods and quickly exits, shutting the door behind him. You finish your bread and put the plate on your wardrobe.
“So, how do we do this?” you ask. Violet purses her lips in thought.
“Well, I don’t think just sneaking you out of here will work. My father’s too smart to not post guards everywhere. So we have to have him change his mind and give you your freedom back,” Violet says. “And I believe my mother can help with that. She has more gentle ways of doing things, and she’ll make him listen to her. Do you have any other ideas?”
“No, that works. I like it,” you say, nodding. “But first, I have to get something.”
You walk over to your bed and lift the mattress. You grab your necklace and let the mattress fall back into place. You put your necklace back on and turn to face Violet. “I’m ready.”
They tilt their head and squint slightly. “Why’d you hide your necklace?”
[[“I’ll explain later.”|PgSixtyFourLV]]
[[“It’s the thing that… well, should I tell you the whole story?”|PgSixtyFourSV]]Mycie sits up and gives you a slightly concerned look. “I don’t know if I should be worried, or…”
You wave your hand. “No, don’t worry.” It’s nice to have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on. As much as you hate to admit it, Serat was right: It’s good not to worry about where you were able to stay.
This palace was not a home. But it was a bed to sleep in, and you had friends here. Now you can escape.
Mycie relaxes. “That makes sense.” She gets to her feet and stretches. You finish the last of your food and put the plate on your wardrobe.
“Alright,” you say, facing Mycie, “now we need to plan.”
“Right,” Mycie replies with a firm nod of agreement. “First step, we need to figure out how to escape my father’s notice.”
You move to the bed to sit and rest your legs. You hum while you think.
“What’s that tune?” Mycie asks. You’re temporarily startled. Everyone, at least in your home-world, knows that tune.
“It’s a nursery rhyme from my world,” you answer. Mycie looks confused for a flicker of a moment before it disappears.But Mycie isn’t from your home-world. It’s a jarring reminder that you are far, far away from your true home.
“It’s a nursery rhyme from my world,” you answer. Mycie looks confused for a flicker of a moment before it disappears.
“So you //are// from another world.”
You don’t bother replying, returning to your thoughts of escape. “We can either be stealthy or confront him outright. You asking him didn’t work, and neither did demanding him. It might be hard for you to be stealthy, since you’re the princess… is there anyone he //will// listen to? Maybe Violet, or–”
“The Queen!” Mycie interrupts. She grins. “Otherwise known as, my mother. This is perfect,” she says excitedly. “I’m eighty percent sure my father wouldn’t have told my mother about this. She’s more… she won’t condone keeping you trapped here, at least.”
“And if she does know, or doesn’t care that he’s doing that?”
Mycie thinks for a moment. “He’ll accept a challenge, or a bargain. A challenge is a fight, and I don’t want to risk that, but a bargain…”
“Maybe I get my freedom, but I keep working with him?” you suggest. “Oh, but I need the Sitynur too…”
“Sitynur?”
“The Gemstone. I’ll explain it all soon.”
“Right. Well, that sounds like a good idea, anyway,” Mycie says. “So… let’s go?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyFourM]]<<set $fighting to "yes">>You’ve fought before, of course. Scuffles in the street. More serious fights. That was when your father was more distant. $sister_name helped patch you up if you got actually injured.
“Well, are you ready to go?” Birch asks. You nod. You both creep toward the door. Birch reveals a lockpick in his pocket. You’re not even certain that you can pick the lock from this side of the door, but there’s a keyhole. He presses one ear to the door and slowly twists the lockpick.
It’s a few minutes before there’s a definite //click// of the door unlocking. You hear a quiet, “What was that?” from the other side of the door.
“Three,” Birch breathes, one hand on the door handle. “Two.” He slowly turns it, but doesn’t push the door open yet. You lean against the door, ready to push it with all the force you can muster. “One!”
You slam the doors open and knock over the two guards standing there. Unprepared for the sudden force, they topple to their ground, and their helmets and the floor knock them out. You have precious seconds, and you start to step over them, but Birch stops you.
“Here,” he whispers, handing you a sword from one of the guards. He carries the other one, and you hurry down the hallways. Birch follows you, and you follow the Sitynur.
[[Continue|PgSixtyFourBi]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 3>>Mycie tilts her head. “Will it be a long explanation?”
You pause and consider for a moment. “Well… yeah, probably.” Where would you even begin? With your father’s obsession? Your sister’s rashness? Or even further back, with the myths of Sitynur and its origins?
Mycie shakes her head. “Tell me later. We should probably plan… something. You want to get out of here. I don’t want you to be trapped. We have to figure out a way to get you out.”
A guard enters, slightly sheepishly. He carries a plate in his arms. “Uh, here is $player_name’s lunch.”
Mycie faces him and crosses her arms. “Guard Apla, would you agree that my father would be irritated if he found out I was talking with $player_name, here?”
The guard scratches his neck, looking slightly surprised and slightly confused. “Um… probably. Your Highness,” he adds quickly.
“I’d advise you not to tell him,” Mycie replies. “Okay?”
“Sure,” Apla replies. He walks over to hand you your food and then leaves. He closes the door behind him.
You quickly start to eat, starting with the bread and butter. Mycie flops onto your bed, her black hair falling around her like a halo. “I think he’s a new guard. Explains the informality. Though new guards are usually //overly// formal…” she trails off. “Anyway, this place isn’t too bad, for a prison.”
[[“Yeah, it’s nice.”|PgSixtyThreeNM]]
[[“I’ve lived in worse places.”|PgSixtyThreeWM]]You lift up the blanket and help Baye back out. They unravel two vines from their arms and let them fall to the ground. “They help restore some of my energy,” they explain. Baye takes a quick breath and steadies themself. “So, do you need anything before we leave?”
You open your mouth to say ‘no,’ but you stop yourself. There was something you needed. You reach under the mattress and slip your necklace over your head. It rests just on your collarbone. Baye raises an eyebrow.
“What’s that?” they ask.
[[“I’ll explain later.”|PgSixtyThreeLBa]]
[[“It’s a thing that… well, should I tell you the whole story?”|PgSixtyThreeSBa]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Where would you even begin? Is the beginning the creation of the Sitynur? The discovery of it in your world? The beginnings of your father’s obsession? When he finally cracked the code to find it? It’s simply too long to explain quickly.
Mycie nods and speaks, interrupting your thoughts. “Okay. Let’s get out of here, then.”
A guard enters, slightly sheepishly. He carries a plate in his arms. “Uh, here is the prisoner’s lunch.”
Mycie faces him and crosses her arms. “Guard Apla, would you agree that my father would be irritated if he found out I was talking with $player_name, here?”
The guard scratches his neck, looking slightly surprised and slightly confused. “Um… probably. Your Highness,” he adds quickly.
“I’d advise you not to tell him,” Mycie replies. “Okay?”
“Sure,” Apla replies. He walks over to hand you your food and then leaves. He closes the door behind him.
You quickly start to eat, starting with the bread and butter. Mycie flops onto your bed, her black hair falling around her like a halo. “I think he’s a new guard. Explains the informality. Though new guards are usually //overly// formal…” she trails off. “Anyway, this place isn’t too bad, for a prison.”
[[“Yeah, it’s nice.”|PgSixtyThreeNM]]
[[“I’ve lived in worse places.”|PgSixtyThreeWM]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>>Violet nods. “Thank you. Still, I feel a bit guilty.” She pauses. “You //are// here against your will, yes?”
Maybe in another lifetime you could have agreed to help Serat. You had questions, too.
But he had forced you into it. But this wasn’t that lifetime. You nod.
“Good,” Violet says. She furrows her eyebrows. “Well, not //good// that you don’t want to be here, but //good// as in I’m not rescuing you for no reason.”
You chuckle. “I know.”
“Let’s get out of here, then.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyThreeV]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 3>> Birch hums, tipping his head and considering. He paces around the room for a few seconds, then snaps his fingers. “We’ll challenge him. He’ll //have// to accept that.”
“He will?” you ask. Birch nods.
“Duels can be… yes… and if we…” he mutters to himself, staring at the ground. “And… yes. Okay. Let’s go.” He looks back up at you. You nod.
“So, what exactly is the challenge?”
“It’s a duel, of course.”
[[You’ve never fought before.|PgSixtyThreeNBi]]
[[You’ve fought before.|PgSixtyThreeYBi]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>Birch considers it, head tilted, deep in thought. “That could work… yes… if we…”
“If we what?” you question. Birch hesitates.
“Well, we could challenge him. I think he would have to accept that. If I remember correctly…”
“What would the challenge be?”
“A duel, likely.”
[[You’ve never fought before.|PgSixtyThreeNBi]]
[[You’ve fought before.|PgSixtyThreeYBi]]“To help you, of course,” Violet says. “You //are// here against your will, yes?”
Maybe in another lifetime you could have agreed to help Serat. You had questions, too.
But he had forced you into it. But this wasn’t that lifetime. You nod.
“Good,” Violet says. She furrows her eyebrows. “Well, not //great// that you don’t want to be here, but //great// as in I’m not rescuing you for no reason.”
You chuckle. “I know.”
“Let’s get out of here, then.”
[[Continue|PgSixtyThreeV]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>>You press an ear to the door and listen, straining to hear through the wood.
“And why can I not enter?” a soft voice asks. Was that Violet?
“Sorry, miss, king’s orders. No one can enter except for us and him,” one of the guards replies.
“Yeah, if you want to come in, bring the king with you,” the other adds.
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be very pleased with you preventing his daughter from entering. Especially when said daughter is under orders from him to fetch the prisoner,” Violet says lightly.
“You’re here for the king?” the guards hesitate. “Well, I suppose you can go in.”
“Thank you,” Violet says, and you hear movement. You dash back to your bed so it doesn’t look like you were eavesdropping.
[[Continue|PgSixtyOneV]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>>You walk back to your bed and sit down. The bed sags under your weight, and you wonder how long it will be for the talking to die down. You hope it’s not the king. Who else could it be?
Birch? He seemed to know the king. <<if $birchpoints lt 5>>Then again, you didn’t leave off on great terms…<<endif>><<if $birch_points gte 5 and $birch_points lt 10>>Then again, you didn’t know if you were really friends…<<endif>><<if $birch_points gte 10>>But you thought you were friends, and then he got you in this situation. So now you weren’t sure.<<endif>>
Mycie? She lived here, after all. <<if $mycie_points lt 5>>But you didn’t like her much, and the feeling was mutual.<<endif>><<if $mycie_points gte 5 and $mycie_points lt 10>>You didn’t know how you felt about that. Why would she be here?<<endif>><<if $mycie_points gte 10>>You were friends. It was likely.<<endif>>
Or even Violet. They also lived here, and you two were friendly. However, would she go out of her way to find you? They seem like a shy person.
Your question is answered a moment later.
[[Continue|PgSixtyOneV]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 5>><<set $birch_points to $birch_points - 2>>You stay standing. Birch frowns, but doesn’t comment.
You ask the question before you change your mind. “Do you believe in other worlds?”
“What?” Birch says, eyebrows scrunched together. After half a second, it clicked and he replied. “Maybe… why do you ask?”
<<if $bookcase is 1>>“I, uh, saw a book about it. In the guest bedroom. A lot of it was censored?”
Birch mutters a curse and something along the lines of ‘should’ve hidden it.’<<else>>“I was just curious.” you say lightly. Don’t reveal too much.
Birch hesitates.<<endif>> Finally, he sighs. “Yes, I suppose I do. I usually don’t tell people because they think I’m crazy, but…” He shrugs, and studies you a little closer. He seems to notice your necklace. You fidget with the thin rope, shrinking away from his gaze.
“What about you? Do you believe in them?”
“Perhaps,” you say, carefully. You can’t give yourself away.
“Are you from one?” Birch says suddenly. “What with having no possessions, appearing so suddenly…”
You frown, and think carefully through your answer. If you admit you are, he may be able to help you. He seems interested in this kind of thing. He may know of a way to help you return home- in a way that doesn’t involve Sitynur, since you have too little and already know you can create portals with it.
On the other hand, he may want to know more. He might, at worst, experiment on you. But he might also be able to tell if you’re lying. He isn’t a dryad, even though his name might make him seem like one, still, he might be attuned to that. <<if $birch_points < 5>>He doesn’t even like you that much.<<endif>>
Finally, you reply.
[[“Yes.”|PgNineteen]]
[[“No.”|PgNineteen]]<<if $decisionmaking isnot "unknown">><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>><<else>><<set $decisionmaking to 5>><<endif>><<set $birch_points to $birch_points - 2>>You stay standing. Birch frowns, but doesn’t comment.
“How was your day?” you ask. Birch shrugs.
“It was alright. The most interesting thing was you arriving, to be honest. Baye gave you a glowing review,” He laughs half-heartedly. You chuckle, but are a little surprised. Baye hardly knew you, <<if $baye_points == 0>>and didn’t seem to like you much,<<endif>> but they are still helping you out. They are very kind. <<if $attitude < 5>>You wondered why. Did she have an ulterior motive?<<endif>>
“I work as a delivery person,” Birch continues. “Mostly delivering books. I work with a bookstore, usually. That’s where I got this book, actually,” he holds up //The Life of Jimny Currs.// “It’s fiction, but enjoyable. This guy, Jimny, goes around the world to different places on a treasure hunt for… well, it’s too early to know what. He’s being really vague about it.
“I wish he would just be upfront. The suspense is killing me!” He laughs. “But, yeah. Not much going on. What about you?”
“Oh, the usual.”
“And what is ‘the usual?’ ”
“Just… hanging out, I guess.”
Birch hums, eyes half-narrowed. After a moment, he returns to his book, and you decide to investigate what food there is in the kitchen.
[[Continue|PgNineteenB]]You step into the alleyway and are hit by the smell of mold. You inwardly groan. Oh well. At least you’re not in the street, in danger of being trampled.
You find a decent corner to sleep in. The smell of fresh bread mostly covers the stink of mold. One of the buildings must be a bakery. Maybe you could get a job there. But you’re getting ahead of yourself. In this strange world, perhaps it would be easier to take it one step at a time. Right now, that step was sleeping to prepare for the next day. It might be too early to sleep, but the shadows are lengthening and the city is getting quieter as people hurry to bed. Maybe people went to bed earlier here.
You attempt to get in a comfortable position– keyword, //attempt//– and somehow fall asleep.
-----
“You’re crazy, man.”
“Shhh, did I see <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> move just now?”
You freeze. Should you let them keep talking or should you pretend to wake up?
[[Let them talk|PgElevenSleep]]
[[Pretend to wake up|PgElevenWake]]You sheepishly explain that you didn’t have anywhere to sleep and had to sleep in an alleyway. When you get to the part where Mycie and Violet found you, they gasp.
“You met the princesses?” they exclaim.
“So they //were// princesses!” was your only reply. You realize your mistake a moment later when Baye raises an eyebrow and laughs a little. It’s too late to backpedal, but Baye lets your slip slide. Who wouldn’t know who the princesses were?
“I’m guessing you’re here to ask for my help?”
“Yeah, I can’t really be sleeping on the streets, it seems,” you sigh. “And I don’t have anyone else I can turn to–”
“Why did you move here if you didn’t know anyone?” Baye interrupts. You pause, thinking fast.
“I wanted a fresh start,” you say simply. Baye nods and doesn’t press further. You hide your relief.
“I’m guessing you want somewhere to stay?” they ask. You nod. “Hmm… I have a friend who I might be able to convince. He’s more laid-back. Though you couldn’t live there forever, of course.”
“Right,” you agree. “Can I meet him?”
“Let me call him.” They pull out a large flower petal that’s almost fake looking. They tap it a few times and hold it up to their ear. You take a step back so you don’t eavesdrop.
[[Continue|PgFourteen]]You change into pajamas – //just like hand-me-downs, just like hand-me-downs// – and decide to make a plan. Tomorrow, you’ll figure out what to do with the Sitynur. You didn’t trust your sleepy brain to make decisions right now. You’d sleep, and decide tomorrow.
Should you stay here forever? Just make a new life here?
You know, deep in your soul, that you could never do that. You missed $sister_name. You had to find her. And maybe it would be good to gather the Sitynur so no power-hungry maniac could use it for nefarious purposes. Were //you// a power-hungry maniac?
“Oh-kay, I’m going to sleep,” you say out loud, and curl up under the blankets. You’re out like a light.
[[Continue|PgThirtyNine]]Well, it’s not the greatest that you upset what is pretty much your landlord. You finish up dinner and wait until he goes to his room to clean your plate. He put his in the sink, so you add yours to the pile.
You head to bed and decide you need to decide what happens with the Sitynur soon. Tomorrow. You didn’t trust your sleepy brain to make decisions right now. You’d sleep, and decide tomorrow.
Should you stay here forever? Just make a new life here?
You know, deep in your soul, that you could never do that. You missed $sister_name. You had to find her. And maybe it would be good to gather the Sitynur so no power-hungry maniac could use it for nefarious purposes. Were //you// a power-hungry maniac?
“Oh-kay, I’m going to sleep,” you say out loud, and curl up under the blankets. You’re out like a light.
[[Continue|PgThirtyNine]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>“Never met my mother. Father went missing. My sister went off to search for him,” you tell him.
Birch nods. “Did she find him?”
“My sister? No. No she hasn’t.” //And she probably never will, unless she has fabulous luck.// You think. You sigh involuntarily.
“Oh. I hope you find him someday.”
You consider it for a moment. Your father isn’t – wasn’t? – the greatest man. He had gone a little off the rails for power and riches. For Sitynur. Did you really want him back?
You know you want your sister back. She’s the last family you really have.
“I hope I find my sister,” you mutter. Birch raises an eyebrow.
“Did she not come back?”
“She went missing too.”
“Do you think you’ll go missing with them?”
“Doesn’t matter,” you reply. “I don’t have anyone to miss me.” You didn’t have many friends.
Birch looks startled. “Surely there’s someone–”
“Before you suggest Baye or Mycie or someone, we’ve only just met. It just – I’ll be fine, okay?” You wish you hadn’t brought it up. You only had your sister left. People wouldn’t understand.
Birch looks uncertain. “Alright then…”
The conversation fades into silence. Birch finishes eating and gets to his feet. “Welp, I’m off to bed,” he says, taking his plate. “Have a good night. Don’t stay up too late.”
“What are you, my mom?” You joke, and Birch’s smile freezes.
“Nah, I just don’t want you staying up into the wee hours of night and keeping //me// up. G’night, $player_name.”
“Good night, Birch,” you reply, and take your own plate to the kitchen after he finishes and heads to bed. You see he left his plate in the sink, and you add yours on top. You go back to the guest room.
[[Continue|PgThirtyEight]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>“My mother and father live on a farm with my little brother. We lived out in the countryside. It was pretty nice, you lie.”
Birch raises an eyebrow. “And you left all that for here?”
“Yeah. You should have heard my mother. ‘Oh, my little bird’s fleeing the nest…’ ” You put on a high, feminine voice, and Birch snorts.
“I think that’s a parent’s job, to make a big deal of everything their kids do.” He grins. His grin fades into a zoned out look, and he stares at the wall. He suddenly shakes out of it. “Maybe you can visit them at some point.”
“Ah… yeah.”
The conversation fades into silence, but it’s not awkward. Birch finishes eating and gets to his feet. “Welp, I’m off to bed,” he says, taking his plate. “Have a good night. Don’t stay up too late.”
“What are you, my mom?” You joke, and Birch’s smile freezes.
“Nah, I just don’t want you staying up into the wee hours of night and keeping //me// up. G’night, $player_name.”
“Good night, Birch,” you reply, and take your own plate to the kitchen after he finishes and heads to bed. You see he left his plate in the sink, and you add yours on top. You go back to the guest room.
[[Continue|PgThirtyEight]]Birch stares at you, half in shock, before he snaps out of it. “Yeah, I’m sure,” he half-laughs. You can’t decide if you should tell him or not. You turn back to your food.
<<if $lie is 1>>You remember the lie you told Mycie, and decide to use it to bolster your story.<<else>>. You come up with a story to make it seem more real.<<endif>>
“I just wanted a fresh start, you know? Got sick of the country life," you say, trying the tris. It’s sort of bland.
“Why here?” Birch asks curiously.
“I had a cousin who was going to let me move in, but they changed their mind. I think their boyfriend wanted to move in, and he had priority.”
“Ah.” Birch says. He turns back to his food. You decide to ask him something, so that the conversation doesn’t die.
[[“What about you? Have you lived here your whole life?”|PgThirtySixH]]
[[“What do you like to do? Other than reading?”|PgThirtySixR]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 2>><<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 2>>“Huh.” Birch says simply<<if $lie is 1>>, and you hurry to remember the lie you told Mycie to bolster your story.<<else>>. You come up with a story to make it seem more real.<<endif>>
“I just wanted a fresh start, you know? Got sick of the country life," you say, trying the tris. It’s sort of bland.
“Why here?” Birch asks curiously.
“I had a cousin who was going to let me move in, but they changed their mind. I think their boyfriend wanted to move in, and he had priority.”
“Ah.,” Birch says. He turns back to his food. You decide to ask him something, so that the conversation doesn’t die.
[[“What about you? Have you lived here your whole life?”|PgThirtySixH]]
[[“What do you like to do? Other than reading?”|PgThirtySixR]]“Ooh, what’s this?” Birch says, sitting down.
“Uhh, abyssil and salad?” you say, wincing at the way your voice curls into a question.
“Ah, I haven’t heard of abyssil.”
“It’s a family recipe,” you invent quickly. Birch smiles.
“Nice, I can’t wait to try it,” Birch says, taking a bite. “Ooh, it is good.”
“Thanks.” You try a bite as well. Though overcooked, it’s pretty good.
You eat in silence, enjoying the meal. Finally, Birch speaks. “So, where are you from?”
[[“Oh, you know.. the countryside…”|PgThirtyFiveV]]
[[“Seems like another world compared to this.”|PgThirtyFiveT]]Birch returns with plates and sets one at your spot. The gerita appears to be a layered dish, with something that looked cheesy and had layers of flat brown pieces. The tris is made of tiny brown grains. You pick up a fork he had brought out and try some gerita first. It’s cheesy and savory and amazing.
“Ooh, it is good. As always.” Birch smiles.
“Thanks for getting it.” You take another bite. “It was a good choice. This might be my favorite.”
You eat in silence, enjoying the meal. Finally, Birch speaks. “So, where are you from?”
[[“Oh, you know… the countryside…”|PgThirtyFiveV]]
[[“Seems like another world compared to this.”|PgThirtyFiveT]]<<set $mental to $mental + 2>><<if $baye_points > 5>><<set $baye_points to $baye_points - 2>><<else>><<set $baye_points to $baye_points - 3>><<endif>>You know these might be helpful in whatever you need to do. The Sitynur still pulls you to the center of the city. But you don’t want to lie and promise you’ll avoid it.
<<if $baye_points > 7>>Baye laughs nervously. “Haha… if you ask, I might let you borrow some.”
“Is it borrowing if I can’t bring it back?” you ask.
“I guess not…”
You’re making the way to the opposite side of the garden. Baye has to give you less tips, now. The sun is lowering.
<<else>>Baye is kind of quiet. “Well… if you really need some… if you ask, I might let you borrow some…”
“Is it borrowing if I can’t bring it back?”
“I guess not…”
You’re making the way to the opposite side of the garden. Baye has to give you less tips, now. The sun is lowering.<<endif>>[[“Why do you have to garden all the time? Can’t you use just your magic?”|PgThirtyOneBlunt]]
<<if $baye_points > 4>>[[“What do you do for fun?”|PgThirtyOneNice]]<<endif>>The sunlight streaming through your windows wakes you up. You reluctantly roll out of bed, changing into clean clothes. Your hand hovers over your dern, but you decide against it. The intricate patterns and uniqueness stop you from really blending in. That’s what you have to do today.
You decided you need a job. If you stayed here or not, you needed a bit of money to get buy. If you stayed, you could save up for a new house or apartment. If you left, you wanted to give Birch a little money for giving you a roof for a bit.
You expected you would leave. But who knows?
The apartment is silent. There’s a coffee pot though, and it’s warm. Birch must have just left. You grab a ‘Nutri-Bar’ and set off onto the streets.
There are a surprising number of people on the streets, despite the early hour. You weave around them, heading in a random direction. As you eat the Nutri-Bar, you study the buildings on each side of the streets. None of them have a sign that says “Hiring” – or //Ti Ferd// in this world’s language. It literally meant //You Work.// You note another fuzzy spot of Sitynur knowledge, what the language is called.
Suddenly, you realize you weren’t going in a random direction. You were following the Sitynur.
You stop in your tracks, much to the annoyance to the people around you. Should you continue following it?
You decide to. If only to satisfy your curiosity. You start walking again, letting yourself zone out. You eventually find yourself near a large building. A castle?
It must be a castle, because Violet is there, half-hidden by leaves. Their back is to you, and they seem to be painting something.
“Hey!” you whisper, and Violet spins around with wide eyes. When she sees it’s just you, she relaxes and beckons you over.
[[Continue|PgForty]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>>Baye shrugs. “I enjoy the manual labour, feeling like I’m //doing// something. Plus, I have a decent view to bird-watch.”
“Oh, you like bird-watching?” you ask. Baye nods.
“I don’t need to eat or drink often, of course, so I do stuff like fix up my garden and watch birds. Sometimes I sit and watch passersby.”
“Sounds… interesting,” you say, half-meaning it. It sounds a little boring, if that’s all you ever did.
Baye laughs. “I get that it doesn’t sound fun to you humans, but it’s interesting to see how people change over the decades. How animals interact with society.”
You pause. “How old //are// you?”
“Uh… I’ve lost count. Older than you.” Baye smiles. “Anyway, Birch drags me out occasionally to socialize.”
“You can’t go far though, right?”
“Yeah, but Birch’s apartment is within my range. He hosts parties there sometimes.”
“I’ll have to come sometime.” //If I don’t manage to escape before then.//
“I think you’ll be forced to, since you currently live there,” Baye laughs.
The sky’s darkening, and you figure you should probably head off soon.
[[Continue|PgThirtyTwo]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 3>>Baye smiles. “I enjoy the manual labour of gardening and feeling like I’m //doing// something. Plus, I have a decent view to bird-watch.”
“Oh, you like bird-watching?” you ask. Baye nods.
“I don’t need to eat or drink often, of course, so I do stuff like fix up my garden and watch birds. Sometimes I sit and watch passersby.”
“Sounds… interesting,” you say, half-meaning it. It sounds a little boring, if that’s all you ever did.
Baye laughs. “I get that it doesn’t sound fun to you humans, but it’s interesting to see how people change over the decades. How animals interact with society.”
You pause. “How old //are// you?”
“Uh… I’ve lost count. Older than you.” They smile. “Anyway, Birch drags me out occasionally to socialize.”
“You can’t go far though, right?”
“Yeah, but Birch’s apartment is within my range. He hosts parties there sometimes.”
“I’ll have to come sometime.” //If I don’t manage to escape before then.//
“I think you’ll be forced to, since you currently live there,” Baye laughs.
The sky’s darkening, and you figure you should probably head off soon.
[[Continue|PgThirtyTwo]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 5>><<set $birch_points to $birch_points - 2>>“Where did you live before, then?” you press. “Was it in–” another country, you were going to say, but Birch cuts you off before you can.
“No. Can you not press–”
“I’m just curious where you lived, can I not know about the past of the person who owns where I live?”
Birch presses his mouth into a thin line. “That is not your business. So no. You can’t.”
A beat. Tense silence. Then Birch gets his plate and stands. He heads to the kitchen and you can hear him cleaning his plate. You sigh and turn back to your food. He’s done with the conversation, and you’re afraid you went too far. Will he help you find your sister now?
[[Continue|PgThirtyEightB]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 5>><<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 2>>“I guess we both have secrets,” you laugh. Birch chuckles.
“I guess so,” he replies. “I won’t pry if you don’t.”
“Sounds like a good deal to me.”
“You don’t have to answer any question I ask, despite my curiosity.” Birch smiles. “You mentioned your cousin. What about the rest of your family?”
[[Lie.|PgThirtyEightL]]
[[Give a half-truth.|PgThirtyEightHT]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Birch raises an eyebrow. “And you left all that for here?”
“Yeah. You should have heard my mother. ‘Oh, my little bird’s fleeing the nest…’ ” You put on a high, feminine voice, and Birch snorts.
“I think that’s a parent’s job, to make a big deal of everything their kids do.” He grins. His grin fades into a zoned out look, and he stares at the wall. He suddenly shakes out of it. “Maybe you can visit them at some point.”
“Ah… yeah.”
The conversation fades into silence, but it’s not awkward. Birch finishes eating and gets to his feet. “Welp, I’m off to bed," he says, taking his plate. “Have a good night. Don’t stay up too late.”
“What are you, my mom?” you joke, and Birch’s smile freezes.
“Nah, I just don’t want you staying up into the wee hours of night and keeping //me// up. G’night, $player_name.”
“Good night, Birch,” you reply, and take your own plate to the kitchen after he finishes and heads to bed. You see he left his plate in the sink, and you add yours on top. You go back to the guest room.
[[Continue|PgThirtyEight]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 3>>Birch nods. “Did she find him?”
“My sister? No. No she hasn’t.” //And she probably never will, unless she has fabulous luck.// You think. You sigh involuntarily.
“Oh. I hope you find him someday.”
You consider it for a moment. Your father isn’t – wasn’t? – the greatest man. He had gone a little off the rails for power and riches. For Sitynur. Did you really want him back?
You know you want your sister back. She’s the last family you really have.
“I hope I find my sister,” you mutter. Birch raises an eyebrow.
“Did she not come back?”
“She went missing too.”
“Do you think you’ll go missing with them?”
“Doesn’t matter,” you reply. “I don’t have anyone to miss me.” You didn’t have many friends.
Birch looks startled. “Surely there’s someone–”
“Before you suggest Baye or Mycie or someone, we’ve only just met. It just – I’ll be fine, okay?” You wish you hadn’t brought it up. You only had your sister left. People wouldn’t understand.
Birch looks uncertain. “Alright then…”
The conversation fades into silence. Birch finishes eating and gets to his feet. “Welp, I’m off to bed," he says, taking his plate. “Have a good night. Don’t stay up too late.”
“What are you, my mom?” you joke, and Birch’s smile freezes.
“Nah, I just don’t want you staying up into the wee hours of night and keeping //me// up. G’night, $player_name.”
“Good night, Birch,” you reply, and take your own plate to the kitchen after he finishes and heads to bed. You see he left his plate in the sink, and you add yours on top. You go back to the guest room.
[[Continue|PgThirtyEight]]“No… no, I lived somewhere else before.” Birch says. He pokes at his food and doesn’t say any more.
You guess you both had secrets.
[[Joke about it.|PgThirtySevenJ]]
[[Press for more information.|PgThirtySevenI]]<<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 1>>“I like to collect rocks,” Birch says. He seems to study your reaction. “I like to collect all kinds of rocks, honestly. Mostly the shiny ones.” He takes a sip of his drink. “I feel like plants get all the attention. What if one day I find a magic //rock//?”
You suddenly realize that he might be talking about Sitynur. He knows about other worlds. You saw that book in the guest room.
Or this could be a coincidence.
You take a bite of the gerita and make a noise of agreement. “Could be interesting, certainly.”
He looks back down at his food, seemingly satisfied. “Either way, I like my collection. Do you have anything like it?” He pauses, then speaks before you can. “Oh, I forgot. You didn’t arrive with anything. What about your family? Don’t you miss them?”
A sharp pain passes through your chest. “I… yeah. I do miss them. But I ended up here, so…”
“Ah.”
“What about your family? Do they live in the city?” you ask, and Birch gives you a sharp look. You understand the meaning loud and clear. //Don’t talk about it.// You nod.
“Well, what was your family like?”
[[“My parents live on a farm with my little brother.”|PgThirtySevenL]]
[[“Never met my mother. Father went missing. My sister went off to search for him.”|PgThirtySevenT]]<<set $birch_points to $birch_points + 2>>“Ah, awesome,” Birch says. “Take whatever you want from the kitchen. I have to go shopping soon, anyway.”
“Sounds good,” you say, and head to the kitchen. Okay, maybe it would be difficult to cook with ingredients you had never seen before, but you were sure you could make //something.// Besides, ice bird tasted like chicken, so maybe other things tasted like food in your world.
What you wanted to make was Fired Abysila. Abysila were these large, black, furry creatures, with dark brown eyes. Their name came from //abyss,// because of their dark fur. Their meat, however, was a dark red. If there was a meat that looked similar to theirs…
Aha. In the fridge, there was a half a slab of dark red meat. You pulled it out to rest at room temperature. You grab some (maybe) spices to have ready to go, and preheat the oven. You sprinkle some spices onto it. You’re not entirely sure how the oven works, but you’ll figure it out.
While waiting the last couple minutes for the meat, you check around the kitchen for a cookbook. While you have the main dish under control, you still need a side.
You find one in a cupboard — who knows why — and open it up, flipping to the ‘Sides’ section. You find one that looks good, decorated salad. Pretty much just salad with a special sauce. You check the cupboards and surprisingly find all the ingredients.
First it’s time to cook the meat. From memory, you guess it needs about fifteen minutes. You put it in a pan and then inside the oven. You crouch down to look through the glass: How does it work? It doesn’t look like the oven at home, which uses a little fire magic. Then again, maybe it uses this world’s magic.
You realize that it does. The flowers embedded in the heated wire at the bottom suddenly burst into flame, heating the meat evenly. You turn on the timer for 14 minutes, since you watched it for a minute or so. Then you get to work on the salad.
You throw some dark green leaves into a bowl and add some thin, lime green vegetables. Then you drizzle it with the sauce. The recipe book gives instructions on how to make the sauce from hand, but Birch has some pre-made. You drizzle that on and use wooden tools to toss it. You distribute the salad onto two plates and sit on the counter while waiting for the timer to go off.
It finally does, and you leap to pull it out. It’s darker than you would have liked, but you can’t do anything about that. You cut it into three meaty pieces and put one on each plate. The third you stick back into the fridge. You didn’t need to eat //that// much.
You bring the plates to the table and Birch comes over to join you.
[[Continue|PgThirtyFourC]]“Alright then. I’ll order from Drifters– you went there earlier, right? With Princess Mycie?” You have a feeling she wouldn’t like being called //princess,// with her aversion to being recognized as one, but you nod. He gets his contact-flower out and says, “I’ll call them. Anything you want?”
“I’ll just have what you’re having. I’m not picky,” you reply. Birch lifts an eyebrow and grins for half a second, as if he knows a secret.
“Right, I’ll get on that. Be right back.” He stepped into the hallway.
You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. You were more worried about someone finding out than you thought. Why? You didn’t want people freaking out, you guessed.
“Should be here in fifteen minutes,” Birch announces. He sat back on the couch and opened up his book.
“How’s that book going?” you ask. “Did you figure out what the protagonist wanted?” Birch looks surprised for a moment, and he closes the book again.
“Oh, yeah. He’s looking for a magic map to find where his sister went, because she’s missing, and…” Birch keeps talking, but you freeze. That's close, too close, to what you were doing. All the worry flooded in your mind, about your sister and how you could find her at all. //If// you could.
“$player_name? Are you okay?” You hear Birch say, and you shake your head to bring yourself back to reality. “Are you okay?” he repeats.
“Ah… yep, sorry. I zoned out a bit,” you say sheepishly.
“I didn’t mean to bore you,” he laughs, but he looks concerned.
“Noo, you didn’t bore me. I’m just hungry!”
You fall into casual conversation until the doorbell rings. Birch jumps to his feet and goes to the door. You can hear his muffled conversation with the delivery-person as you head to the table.
“Here it is!” Birch announces, just after the door closes. “I got gerita for both of us, and tris as the side.”
“Ah, thanks,” you say, as he puts the food on the table and goes to get plates.
[[Continue|PgThirtyFourO]]“Well, I should probably be heading off soon,” you say, and Baye glances to the sky.
“Ah. The sun’s about to set, huh?”
“Yep.”
“See you soon, then!” Baye straightens up and smiles. You stand and wave as you head off. Baye steps into their tree.
You head back to the apartment, and now the sun has completely set. Your stomach rumbles. Right, when did you last eat? Lunch? You might not have skipped a meal, but you were still hungry.
“Hey, Birch!” you call out once you step inside.
“Hi, $player_name,” Birch replies from the couch. “What are you up to?”
“Do you have anything for dinner?”
“I usually order food, but if you want to cook, I’m all for that.”
[[“I can’t cook,” you laugh.|PgThirtyThreeOrder]]
[[“I’ll make something,” you tell him.|PgThirtyThreeCook]]<<set $mental to $mental - 2>>Baye looks relieved. “Thanks. I’ll be honest, I might be too trusting for my own good.” They tug at a strand of hair.
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that to you,” you grin. Baye laughs.
You’re making the way to the opposite side of the garden. Baye has to give you less tips, now. The sun is lowering.
[[“Why do you have to garden all the time? Can’t you use just your magic?”|PgThirtyOneBlunt]]
<<if $baye_points > 4>>[[“What do you do for fun?”|PgThirtyOneNice]]<<endif>><<if $pronoun isnot "custom_edit">><<set $charactertraits to "unlocked">><<set $othercharacters to "unlocked">> <b>[Character Traits and Other Characters Unlocked.]</b>
You barely see $sister_name flash around the corner into the alleyway beside. You hesitate to follow, waiting a moment so she doesn’t see you follow. You're not sure why you're worried, after all, you're here to stop her, but you want to give her a moment. Hopefully it isn't too long of one. Instead, you take a quick look at the city looming above you.
The colorful, concrete city was constructed long ago, when people had much more power. Once controlled vines curled up buildings to their own whim. Only previously enchanted shears could cut them. The buildings chipped easier. The ground rumbled its annoyance more than a few times. Yet your culture has stayed strong. You continued using the small amount of magic you had, kept teaching it to children, despite the whispers and rumors that one day it would be no more. You kept celebrating your holidays, speaking your language, forming communities. //That// could never be taken from you.
You figure it has been long enough and curve around the corner. Just in time, too. $sister_name has a deep blue portal swirling in front of her, and you are faintly sure her Sitynur shard is glowing. She holds her hand up to the portal, and seems prepared to jump in. Now would be the best time to stop her.
[[‘‘Wait!’’|PgFourBold]]
[[‘‘...what are you doing?’’|PgFourCautious]]
[[‘‘...’’|PgFourIgnore]]<<else>>Enter your subjective pronoun (ex. she, he, they)
<<textbox "$subjective" " ">>
Enter your objective pronoun (ex. her, him, them)
<<textbox "$objective" " ">>
Enter your possessive adjective (ex. her, his, their)
<<textbox "$possessive_adj" " ">>
Enter your possessive pronoun (ex. hers, his, theirs)
<<textbox "$possessive_pro" " ">>
Enter your reflexive pronoun (ex. herself, himself, themself)
<<textbox "$reflexive" " ">><<set $pronoun to "custom">>
[[Continue|PgThree]]<<endif>>You give the pair a wave as they leave and drag yourself to your feet. Maybe you should go talk to Baye. <<if $baye_points is 0>>They didn’t seem to really like you – instead offering help out of courtesy – but it wasn’t like you had anyone else to turn to.<<endif>><<if $baye_points is 5>>They did offer help if you needed it, plus, you have no one else here.<<endif>><<if $baye_points is 7>>They offered to help you, and seemed genuine. You had no one else, so they seemed like an obvious person to turn to.<<endif>> Given the way the girls had reacted to you sleeping in an alleyway, it was likely a much rarer occurrence in this world. A weird one. And you don’t want to be weird, because that draws attention to you.
That, or the pair are very sheltered. Which was likely, seeing as they alluded to being princesses, but you haven’t seen any other homeless people. So you’d rather be on the safe side and find somewhere a little more stable to live.
Ah. First problem. You aren’t entirely certain where Baye’s tree is.
You remember that the Sitynur had pulled you away from it. So you focus on it, figure out where the tug is going, and head in the opposite direction. You have little hope this will work, but combined with your vague sense of direction, you think you can figure it out.
Your strategy works, somehow, and you find yourself near Baye’s tree. They were tending to the garden surrounding it. You feel a flicker of relief. A familiar face.
Okay, fine, you had only talked with them once, but…
<<if $baye_points lt 7>> “Oh, $player_name.” Baye notices you before you can call out to them. They offer a polite smile. <<else>>“$player_name!” Baye notices you first and calls out to you, smiling.<<endif>> They wave you over.
“Hey again, Baye,” you greet, sitting on the – incredibly soft, actually – grass.
“How have you been? Find a hotel or some place?”
<<if $attitude is "cautious">>“About that…” You trail off, unsure how to ask for help.<<else>>“Right. About that,” you say, ready to give Baye a quick rundown of your night and ask them for help.<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgThirteen]]<big><b>Chapter Two</b></big>
The restaurant is… interesting. Overwhelming. Pastel swirls cover the walls. The booths are black, and the regular tables are white with black chairs and pale blue cushions. The windows allow a good amount of light in, but they lit it up even more with bright glowing berries embedded in the ceiling. There was quiet chatter. Classy and comfortable.
Mycie gets you both seated in a booth and you sit opposite to each other. Whispers start to flutter, talking about you, and Mycie rolls her eyes.
“I’m foolish for thinking people wouldn’t recognize me. It works in other cities.”
“Well, this is the capitol,” you point out. “People here would know the royal family-- and I would bet that a lot had personally met one.”
“True, perhaps,” Mycie says. A server hurries over, recognition in their sharp grey eyes.
“Your- Your Highness,” they say, dipping into a short bow. Mycie sighs quietly.
“Drop the formalities, please, and if you’re busy I can wait for another server,” she says, and the server shakes their head.
“I am never busy for-- I mean-- what would you like to order?” They bite their lip. You glance over the menu, but don’t recognize anything. All of the names are foreign to you. You prepare to pick something random, but Mycie speaks first.
“Can I have smoked icebird?” She asks. The server nods and writes it down on a small, yellow pad.
“How would you like it cooked?”
“Medium, please.”
“And you<<if $pronoun is "she">>, my lady?”<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>, sir?”<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they" or $pronoun is"custom">>?”<<endif>> They direct their attention to you. You fidget and decide that if Mycie likes it, it can’t be too bad.
“Smoked icebird as well, please,” you say. The server nods.
“And drinks?”
“Water for both of us.” Mycie says.
“Alright, your food will be out in a few minutes.” They hurry away quickly.
Mycie sighs and turns back to you. “So, how are you liking the city so far? You just moved here, right?” She rests her head on her hand.
“It’s alright. I mean, I don’t have another city to compare it to,” you reply. “It’s nice.”
“You lived in the countryside before? I heard it’s nice, plants grow way more wild there. Probably more magic there than in the capitol and surrounding cities combined.” Mycie’s eyes widen in curiosity.
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, it’s great,” you lie. There’s not much else you can do. What can you say, ‘Actually, I lived in another world, until I came here by accident’?
“I’ve never been. Someday, if I tour the country once I’m queen, I will, but…” She sighs. “I hope I can. It sounds nice. Away from the crowded streets of the city.”
[[Continue|PgTwentyOne]]“How’d you know I was<<if previous() is "PgTwentySevenH">> telling the truth<<endif>><<if previous() is "PgTwentySevenL">> lying<<endif>>?” you ask. Baye tilts their head.
“A lesser-known dryad ability,” they reply. “I can tell lies apart from truth. More of a sixth sense.”
“Interesting,” you say. Good to know. Just in case.
You return to taking care of the plants, removing dying leaves, watering dry plants. Baye occasionally mentions what kind of magic one possesses.
“Brief flight,” they say, gesturing at the lime green plant you just plucked a leaf off of. It almost reached your shoulder. “It lasts about five minutes. ‘Flight’ is used loosely. You float a few leagues off the ground, and can //kind of// direct yourself in directions.” You knew – likely because of the Sitynur – how far a ‘league’ was, and knew it wasn’t far.
“Injury seal,” they pointed out another. Dark green with brighter green spots. “Meds crush them up and it speeds up wounds closing and scabbing.” //Meds - doctors,// the Sitynur told me.
“These are interesting,” you say. “I don’t have plants like this at home. My previous one, I mean.”
“Oh, I meant to ask, do you have a plan for another house?”
“Ah, kicking me out on behalf of Birch? After only a day?” You grin, but Baye looks alarmed. “I’m joking. It’s a good question.”
[[“I’m… working on it.”|PgTwentyNineEh]]
[[“I think I’ll get a job and pay rent until I can save and get my own home.”|PgTwentyNinePlan]]You walk down the streets and arrive at Baye’s garden once again. The sun is just past its peak. Baye hums quietly as they tend to the plants around their tree.
“Uh– hey,” you say, waving. Baye jumps and looks up.
“Oh! Hello!” they say, getting to their feet. “What are you up to?”
“Not much, just got back from lunch,” you say, running your hands through your $hair hair. “I went with Mycie.”
Baye’s eyebrows rise. “I wonder if she wants something with you,” they say, not unkindly. “You aren’t rich– as far as I know?” Their tone curls into a question. After you shake your head, they continue. “Well, she’s a princess… I wonder why.”
“Me too,” you say honestly. <<if previous() is "PgTwentyFourHO">>“She said it’s because I’m interesting.”<<endif>>
“Hmm…” Baye hums.
“Oh, I meant to tell you, thank you for reaching out to Birch and finding me a place to say.”
“Of course. I’d feel bad if I let you just fend for yourself.”
You nod and Baye returns to their already-perfect garden, patting the dirt and adjusting leaves.
“Why do you keep fixing it? It’s almost perfect.”
“//Almost,//” Baye emphasises. “I don’t have much else to do, anyway.”
“Could I help?” you offer. You might as well– What else do you have to do?
“Sure,” Baye shrugs. You sit beside them. The grass is soft. “Have you gardened before?”
[Note: This choice is entirely yours, it isn’t predetermined if you have gardened before.]
[[“Yes.”|PgTwentySixYes]]
[[“No.”|PgTwentySixNo]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 5>><<set $mycie_points to $mycie_points - 1>>Mycie tenses instantly. Almost too little to notice, but you do see it. “What gem?” She asks, but it’s strained.
<<if $mental > 15>>“You’re not great at lying,” you observe. <<endif>><<if $disposition < 10 and $mental > 15>>“But I won’t pry.”<<else>>“I won’t bother you if you don’t–”<<endif>>
“No. I mean, I’m not technically supposed to know it exists.” She shifts uncomfortably. “I overheard him– my father– talking about it. I think it came from another universe. And can bring people to this world. I’m not completely sure.”
“Don’t worry about it, I was just curious,” you say lightly. Mycie relaxes barely.
“If I find any more information, I could tell you, maybe,” Mycie says, “because I’m curious too. Maybe with the two of us we can figure it out.” She looks you up and down, a slight suspicion in her eyes. You pretend you don’t see it. “Do you happen to know anything about it?”
“Eh…” You decide you can’t trust her completely. Not yet. “Nope. Just made me wonder what it was.”
“Alright.” She finishes her meal. “Are you done?”
You glance down at your plate, which is empty. You had been absentmindedly eating, and cleared the plate. “Yep.”
“So… //do// you want a dessert?”
“I’m not that hungry.”
At that moment, the server arrives. “Are you finished? Would you like me to take those?”
“Yes please, and bring the check.” Mycie says. The server takes the plates and silverware, stacking them, and leaves. They arrive after a minute with a piece of paper. Mycie scribbles something down and hands it back. The server reads it and nods.
“Thank you for eating here, I hope you come back soon,” they say, and then walk away. Mycie gets to her feet, and you walk outside.
“Do you want to come with me or head back on your own?”
“I’ll head off,” you decide. “Thanks for the meal. I owe you one.”
Mycie smiles. “Nah, don’t worry about it. See ya.” And with that, she sets off. You’re fairly sure you know the way back. You want to see Baye, anyway.
[[Continue|PgTwentyFive]]<<set $disposition to $disposition - 2>><<set $mycie_points to $mycie_points + 2>>Mycie blinks. “Oh, I guess it makes sense you’d ask. I’m a princess after all. Were you expecting me to have fancy noble friends?” She chuckles and looks away into nothing.
“I guess so,” you shrug. “Why would you want to hang out with someone like me?”
Mycie looks back to you and is quiet, not quite looking at you. Finally she answers. “You’re interesting. I wanted to have more friends who weren’t rich and royal, I guess-- and when I met you, I wanted to help you out, you know?” Mycie says. She hums. “I guess I’m not sure. I mean-- yeah. Do you not want me to hang out with you?”
“No, no. I was just wondering, is all,” you say.
“Alright.” She finishes her meal. “Are you done?”
You glance down at your plate, which is empty. You had been absentmindedly eating, and cleared the plate. “Yep.”
“So… //do// you want a dessert?”
“I’m not that hungry.”
At that moment, the server arrives. “Are you finished? Would you like me to take those?”
“Yes please, and bring the check.” Mycie says. The server takes the plates and silverware, stacking them, and leaves. They arrive after a minute with a piece of paper. Mycie scribbles something down and hands it back. The server reads it and nods.
“Thank you for eating here, I hope you come back soon,” they say, and then walk away. Mycie gets to her feet, and you walk outside.
“Do you want to come with me or head back on your own?”
“I’ll head off,” you decide. “Thanks for the meal. I owe you one.”
Mycie smiles. “Nah, don’t worry about it. See ya.” And with that, she sets off. You’re fairly sure you know the way back. You want to see Baye, anyway.
[[Continue|PgTwentyFive]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 2>>Baye nods. “Maybe you can talk to Birch about it. He’s good with advice, and maybe he knows of an open apartment.”
“My main problem is money, honestly,” you reply, and Baye tilts their head.
“I get that you wanted to start over, but you didn’t bring //any// money?”
“Eh… my money isn’t valid here.”
Baye is silent for a moment, their eyes narrowed. Your heart is in your throat. Their friend is Birch, and he might know about other worlds– did they? Did you slip up?
“Are you from another country?” they ask suspiciously. You relax.
“Yeah,” you pretend to cringe. “I didn’t have the greatest experience there…”
“Are you a Ushian spy?” Baye accuses. “It’s happened before–”
“What? No!”
“–and I just told you about the capitol plants’ powers–”
“Baye!” you interrupt. “I’m not a spy.”
“You promise?”
“Yes. I just wanted to live somewhere else, and didn’t plan well.”
Baye relaxes. “Well, do you promise not to use my plants for like… nefarious purposes?”
[[“Of course.”|PgThirtyY]]
[[“I can’t promise.”|PgThirtyN]]<<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking + 2>>Baye raises their eyebrows. “Wow, you thought this out. Do you have an idea of where you’ll work?”
“Not exactly,” you admit. “I don’t have much money, so I need one soon.”
“You came here with //no// money?”
“Well, the money I have isn’t exactly valid here.” You wish you could take it back as soon as you say it. Baye falls silent for a moment. Birch knew that other worlds existed. Did they?
“Are you from another country?” they ask suspiciously. You relax.
“Yeah,” you pretend to cringe. “I didn’t have the greatest experience there…”
“Are you a Ushian spy?” Baye accuses. “It’s happened before–”
“What? No!”
“–and I just told you about the capitol plants’ powers–”
“Baye!” you interrupt. “I’m not a spy.”
“You promise?”
“Yes. I just wanted to live somewhere else, and didn’t plan well.”
Baye relaxes. “Well, do you promise not to use my plants for like… nefarious purposes?”
[[“Of course.”|PgThirtyY]]
[[“I make no promises.”|PgThirtyN]]“Yeah, hopefully someday– Oh, is that our food?” You straighten up and stare over Mycie’s head, where your server is carrying a plate with what looks like two identical plates and glasses of water.
“Looks like it,” Mycie comments, looking over her shoulder. She faces you again and pushes a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
They arrive soon enough, handing you your plates and cups. “I hope you enjoy, Your Highness.”
“Just Mycie,” Mycie replies, but the server is already gone.
The icebird looks good- a pale blue meat, darkened by the cooking. Tiny spices cover it, and there’s a side of dark sauce. A tiny pink flower rests on top. You take a sip of the cold water first, watching Mycie to see what she does.
She chomps the flower in a single bite, smiling wide. You hesitate before doing the same. The flower’s sweet, and you can almost feel your remaining exhaustion evaporating. Perhaps you’re imagining it.
“So, how has your day been?” you ask conversationally. Mycie shrugs.
“Average. Got dressed, wrote some letters, read a little… boring stuff.”
“Who do you write letters to?”
“Oh, a lot of citizens write letters to me, and I reply. As often as I can, at least.” Mycie takes a bite of her icebird.
You finally cut a piece off and take a bite. It tastes almost like chicken from your world.
“So, where are you from?” Mycie asks. She dips a bite of her meal into the sauce.
[[Lie.|PgTwentyTwoL]]
[[Be vague.|PgTwentyTwoV]]<<set $baye_points to $baye_points + 1>>“Not much,” you admit, and Baye nods.
“Thanks for being honest. Countryfolk may have more plants, but we have more variety and rarer ones here in the city,” Baye says. “So, like this one–” They gesture at a reddish plant. “//Kirop.// Improves strength. Combined with //rell,// it gives you unnatural strength. Really helpful for the heavy-lifters of the city.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Yeah. I wish I could travel to the countryside. I’m curious about the plants down there.”
“Why can’t you?”
“I’m a dryad,” Baye says, as if it’s obvious. “I can’t leave my tree. At least not far. I have to stay within… five, six thousand leagues? I haven’t exactly measured it.”
<<if $mental > 12>>You hum sympathetically.<<else>>You nod.<<endif>> You return to silence, Baye quietly poking at each of their plants, occasionally mouthing something to them.
[[Continue|PgTwentyEight]]<<set $baye_points to $baye_points - 1>>“Really?” Baye’s mouth quirked into a smile. “So… what’s this one do?” They point to a reddish plant with a thin stalk.
You frown at it, and think. The answer comes in a flash. “Strength improver,” you say. Baye raises an eyebrow. The Sitynur is warm on your chest.
“And this?” A large purple flower, with thin, short hair.
You search for an answer from the Sitynur again, but it’s a blank spot. You can sense there’s something meant to be there, but there isn’t. You shake your head. “I don’t know.”
Baye nods. “//Derre.// The petals speed up healing, the roots just taste good.” They laugh, half to themself.
[[Continue|PgTwentyEight]]“Do you want me to teach you?” they offer. You pause.
//Why not?// you decide, and agree. Baye scooches a few inches to the right and points to a dark green plant with heart-shaped leaves.
“See this plant? It’s getting brown at the edges,” they tell you, and though you have to squint, you spot it. The leaves’ edges curl where the brown reaches. “I’ve been trying to figure out what it needs, and I think it needs more water. Feel the soil.”
You touch the soil and note the dryness. “Very dry,” you note.
“Yes. It turned out the book I used for this plant– I transplanted it, you see, so it’s harder to communicate with it– was wrong. It told me to water it rarely, but I’ll have to water it more,” Baye says matter-of-factly.
“That’s pretty cool,” you say, and Baye smiles.
“Thanks!” They pause. “How much do you know about plants’ magical properties?” Baye asks. “You may not garden, but it’s handy to know, anyway.”
“Well…”
[[“Not much.”|PgTwentySevenH]]
[[“Enough.”|PgTwentySevenL]]<<set $baye_points to $baye_points + 3>>Baye lights up. “That’s great! I’ve been trying to figure out what this one needs,” they say, pointing to a dark green plant with heart-shaped leaves. “It’s starting to turn brown at the edges.”
You see what they mean. Light brown is starting to encroach on the dark green, making it curl lightly. You touch the soil beneath, and it’s dry. “Maybe it needs more water?” you suggest.
Baye touches the soil as well, and pinches some of it. “You’re right,” they say. “Thanks!” They beam.
“How much do you know about plants’ magical properties?” Baye asks.
“Well…”
[[“Not much.”|PgTwentySevenH]]
[[“Enough.”|PgTwentySevenL]]<<set $mycie_points to $mycie_points + 2>><<set $decisionmaking to $decisionmaking - 2>>Mycie nods. “Makes sense. I’m not that kind of person, but I know people who are.”
“Yeah. Just trying to figure out what to do.”
You lapse into silence, listening to the chatter of people around you and the clink of silverware. You eat most of your meal. It’s not bad.
“Do you think we’ll stay long enough for dessert?” Mycie jokes. “ I’m still interested in the //wenberry triff//.”
“If you want to.” You shrug. You decide to ask a question of your own.
[[“The gem you mentioned your father had..?”|PgTwentyFourG]]
[[“Why did you want to hang out with me?”|PgTwentyFourHO]]<<set $disposition to $disposition + 3>><<set $mycie_points to $mycie_points - 4>>“Uh, that was a bit rude, don’t you think?” Mycie scowls. You shrug. “If you dislike me that much, why don’t I just leave?” she snaps.
“Oh come on, I didn’t–”
“Mean it? I don’t like jokes like that anyhow. Just– Argh. Server!”
The server hurries over. “Yes, Your Highness? What do you need?”
“Can I pay for my meal early?” she asks. The groups around you are staring. Who would have angered the princess? “And <<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>hers<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">>theirs<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_pro<<endif>> too. I might as well.”
“Of course. I will bring you the check.” The server dashes away.
Mycie doesn’t speak, staring at the floor. You know you’ve screwed this up, but you can’t fix it now. If Mycie’s father did have the gem, the next piece of Sitynur, you’ll have to find it through Violet.
[[Continue|PgTwentyFive]]<<set $mycie_points to $mycie_points + 2>>Mycie laughs. “I don’t think I’d search so much for my sister.”
“We were pretty close.”<<if $sister_points < 7>> Sort of. <<endif>>
“That sucks. I hope you find her soon.”
“Thanks.”
You fall into a comfortable silence, listening to the chatter of people around you and the clink of silverware. You eat most of your meal. It’s not bad.
“Do you think we’ll stay long enough for dessert?” Mycie jokes. “I’m still interested in the //wenberry triff//.”
“If you want to.” You shrug. You decide to ask a question of your own.
[[“The gem you mentioned your father had..?”|PgTwentyFourG]]
[[“Why did you want to hang out with me?”|PgTwentyFourHO]]<<set $attitude to $attitude - 3>><<set $lie to 1>>“Oh, I just wanted a fresh start, you know? Got sick of the country life.” you say, tentatively trying the sauce. It tastes sour, but not terribly.
“Why here? Why not more of a suburb?” Mycie asks.
“I had a cousin - my ‘friend’ - who was going to let me move in, but they suddenly changed their mind.”
“Any idea why?”
“I think their boyfriend wanted to move in instead of me. Something like that,” you say, waving your fork vaguely. Mycie nods.
“That sucks. Did you end up finding someone to stay with?”
“A friend of a friend. He’s pretty chill,” you say. Not a lie. Mostly. You didn’t know if you would consider Baye a friend.
“Hmm,” Mycie says, narrowing her eyes. She turns back to her food. “Well, what do you plan for the future?”
[[“I don’t know. I’m going with the flow.”|PgTwentyThreeF]]
[[“Nothing with you.”|PgTwentyThreeN]]<<set $attitude to $attitude + 3>><<set $lie to 2>><<set $mycie_points to $mycie_points + 3>>“My… I’m looking for my sister. She went missing. I’m not sure if she’s here, but it can’t hurt to look.” you say quietly. You remember how she looked at you, conflicted, before leaping into the portal. Why had she left? She knew she would have a really low chance of finding your father.
Mycie distracts you from your thoughts. “That’s terrible. I can’t imagine Vi going missing.”
You tap your fork against the plate, distracted. “Yeah.”
“Well, did you find somewhere to stay while you look? I know you said you had a friend, but-”
“I did. A friend of a… sorta friend.”
“Sorta friend?”
“I haven’t contacted them in a while,” you half-lie. Could you consider Baye a friend yet?
“Ah,” she says. You tentatively try the sauce. It’s sour, but alright. “If you need help looking for her, I can help.”
You hesitate. “Thanks, but I’ll be alright. If I do need help I’ll let you know, though.”
“Of course,” she replies. “Any other plans for the future?”
[[“I don’t know. I’m going with the flow.”|PgTwentyThreeF]]
[[“I’m focused on my sister.”|PgTwentyThreeS]]You quickly pull on some clothes. A plain, black shirt, leggings, and a blue //dern//, a cape that only covered your shoulders. Some sunlight leaks through the curtains on your window. You rub your eyes and stretch.
“$player_name!” Your sister, $sister_name, calls again.
$sister_name is waiting for you when you go out into the kitchen. She has long $hair hair and sparkling emerald green eyes, <<cycle "$eyecolor" autoselect>><<option "a sharp contrast to your blue ones" "blue">><<option "unlike your brown ones" "brown">><<option "unlike your hazel eyes" "hazel">><<option "just like your own" "green">><</cycle>>. She has the same <<cycle "$skintone" autoselect>><<option "pale" "pale">><<option "tan" "tan">><<option "olive" "olive">><<option "light brown" "light brown">><<option "dark brown" "dark brown">><</cycle>> skin as you do. You're <<cycle "$height" autoselect>><<option "quite a bit taller than her." "very tall">><<option "a little taller than her." "tall">><<option "the same height as her." "average height">><<option "shorter than her." "short">><<option "a lot shorter than her." "very short">><</cycle>> She’s cooking breakfast. “Look who finally woke up,” she chuckles, casting a glance at you. “You look like you rolled out of the wrong side of the bed.”
“Thanks. You don’t look any better,” you reply sarcastically<<if $hairlength isnot "buzzed">>, though you attempt to run your fingers through your tangled hair. It doesn’t do much<<endif>>. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Embercake,” $sister_name tells you, adjusting the heat of the stove. Embercake was a sweet breakfast that actually needed to be burnt for it to taste right. It was delicious and tasted like a sugary flame. An odd texture to be sure, yet it was one of your favorite foods. Plus, it was $sister_name’s specialty.
“Oh, thanks!” You take a seat at the table. “What are you doing today?”
“Oh, you know…” $sister_name says, staring down at the stove to avoid your gaze. “The usual.”
“The usual?” you repeat, raising a single $hair eyebrow.
“Yeah.” She reaches up to her neck and grips her necklace. She lets go and turns around to put the plate of embercake on the dark wooden table, passing you an empty plate and some silverware. You cut yourself a piece of the soft breakfast and take a bite. The familiar sweet and burnt flavor fills your mouth and you immediately take another bite.
“Good as always.” You smile at $sister_name. She replies with her own tiny smile of thanks. She only picks at her food.
“What are you //really// doing today?” you ask finally. She avoids your gaze, and you put your fork down on the wooden table with a clatter. “$sister_name?”
She looks back up at you, with an unreadable emotion in her eyes. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Of course I’m going to worry. You’re hardly touching your embercake.” You gesture at her untouched breakfast. She’s only been fiddling with the white plate.
$sister_name shoves a bite into her mouth and pushes the plate away. “I’m going to school.”
“It’s too early,” you call after her as she pulls on her coat and steps out the door. You didn’t know why she was so eager to go. Maybe she had a better time than you did. You were surrounded by whispers.
//Look, did you hear?//
//<<cycle "$pronoun" autoselect>><<option "Their" "they">><<option "Her" "she">> <<option "His" "he">><<option "Custom (edit on the next page)" "custom_edit">><</cycle>> father went missing.//
//Heard he was going after things he shouldn’t have.//
//Thief, maybe.//
Your sister interrupts your memory. “Then I’ll practice spells or something.”
“$sister_name–”
//SLAM.//
You get up to go after her.
[[Continue|PgThree]]You follow Noka through the seemingly endless void of ocean. Yet, distantly, there it is again - the city. It seems to be built in such a way that the tallest structure is in the center, and the shortest on the edge. The buildings seem to ripple upwards in size. It’s an interesting effect, and you start to drift towards the middle buildings, before Noka shakes their head and pulls you lower.
'POORER ARE LESS LIKELY TO BOTHER', their mask informs you. That makes sense, you suppose. Though, it does imply that the richer you are, the closer to the center you are. //Hmm//.
You drift onto the outermost streets, with the buildings looking more like huts. Small lamps with bioluminescent sea creatures inside light the road. They glow a pale blue.
A few people cast you both side glances, but continue swimming up and down the streets, not to be interrupted by a few strangers. You turn to Noka, only to realize you have no way of communicating. You gesture a writing motion, hoping they’ll understand.
'ONE OF THESE PLACES WILL HAVE AN AIR BUBBLE', they tell you. 'WE CAN TALK THERE'.
Noka then proceeds to take you to the shadiest bar you’ve ever seen. THE BLOWFISH BUBBLE, the sign proudly declares. The paint is faded and the driftwood chipped, but the pride in the writing remains. You step inside, and the water flows through the door. There’s about an inch of water on the ground, soaking your shoes further, but allowing you to breathe normally.
<<set $jawr_points to 6>>“Jawr!” Noka calls. “Nice to see ya.”
“I see the nuisance is back,” is the gruff response. Jawr is a tall, large man, with deep blue skin and large teeth-mark scars on his shoulder and neck. His teal eyes are irritated.
<<if $attitude gte 14>><<set $jawr_points to $jawr_points + 2>>“Are all sea people this grumpy?” you mutter, and Noka barks a laugh.
“Yes,” they say, just as Jawr says “No.”
“Noka simply has that effect on people,” Jawr tells you. “They're highly annoying.”
“Aww, thank you,” Noka answers. <<endif>>Noka turns to you. “You had a question, when we were swimming in?”
“Right. Why are we able to just swim right in the city? Is there no— security?”
“Did your world have guards on every city?” Noka frowns. “It’s pretty much open.”
“Oh,” you say. “Huh.”
“Okay, Noka,” Jawr sighs, “why’d you pick here out of all places?”
“You’ve got the best whiskey,” Noka replies cheerfully. “Can I—“
“I remember what happened last time. //No//.”
Noka shrugs. “Can we at least stay in one of the back rooms?”
“How long are you staying here?”
Noka teetered their hand back and forth. “ ‘till Tarklo gets back.” Tarklo… it must be Lo. But why do you recognize that name?
“Where’s she gone?”
“Finding $player_name’s sister, hypothetically.” Noka gestures towards you.
“So, what? She just dropped everything and left?”
“Well, yeah. The sister has broken Crystalline.”
“//What?//”
“Yeah.”
Jawr stares blankly, then pulls out a flask of whiskey and pours two shots. “Just- Just have one.” Noka lifts their mask for a brief moment and downs the alcohol.
“Why is broken Crystalline such a big deal?” you ask. “I’m trying to fix mine.”
“Yours is broken too?” Jawr says, shock evident in his tone. “How—?”
“It just—” you struggle for words. “My father was trying to get it, and it shattered. It doesn’t seem like a tough material at all.”
“Your father?”
“He…” you don’t know how to describe that, either. “He’s gone. Probably. I don’t care to go looking.”
Noka and Jawr exchange several looks that you can’t understand. You’re not sure how, since Noka still has their mask on, but it’s obvious that you’re missing something. “Say,” Noka says, “why don’t you get some rest?”
“I just woke up a few hours ago,” you argue. Noka tilts their head.
“Fair. Go out and explore, then. I’ll find you later.”
You can tell what that means. //Leave us alone, so we can talk without you hearing.// Fine. You leave quickly.
[[Continue|PgTwoOneTwo]]You flash a quick smile, turn, and bolt out of the shop. You hear a shout of confusion behind you, and just keep swimming. For a moment you worry that she’ll come after you, but when you look over your shoulder, she’s not there.
You swim a few lengths further, then float for a minute. You aren’t quite sure of where Noka went. Maybe this way..? Or, no, it was this way…
A hand grabs your arm tightly and you freeze. You look up, fearful, before recognizing Lo. She glares at you, flashing her stripes rapidly, before realizing you can’t understand. She clenches her jaw and gestures at you to swim beside her.
You reach a small cave with an air pocket, where Noka waits, and Lo finally snaps at you. “What were you thinking, wandering around like that? Do you have any sense of self-preservation?!”
“Oh, relax,” Noka says. “It was fine.”
“Sure, but—” Lo cuts herself off and sighs. “Whatever. The good news is that I think I know where your sister is.”
You suck in a breath. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“And what’s the bad news?” Noka chimes in.
Lo shifts her weight. “She’s been captured by the Emperor.”
[[Continue|PgTwoOneFour]]“I spent a lot of money on this costume.” You laugh slightly. “I’m looking for my //next// purchase. I don’t have quite enough yet.”
“Hmm,” Pearl says. “Are you sure?” You nod. “Well… look at this piece.” She lifts a thin string necklace, with a small clam at the end. She cracks the closed shell open, revealing a small pearl. “Though the pearl is inside, you can replace it with any valuable piece. Only a thousand asmes!”
You force a smile. “Sure. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Pearl frowns. “Not your thing? Sure. Let’s see—” She holds up two sparkling, black earrings. “These are perfect to compliment a darker outfit! Three thousand asmes, normally, but I can bring it down to one-point-five!”
“I’ll come back soon to buy them,” you lie. Pearl chews her lips.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes,” you say pointedly, hoping Pearl will let you leave. She must not get many characters. With expensive jewelry in a poor area, it seems likely.
She opens her mouth again, but is interrupted by the door opening. She perks up. “Hel—!”
A hand grabs your arm and yanks you outside before you can resist. You look up, tensed, before recognizing Lo. She glares at you, flashing her stripes rapidly, before realizing you can’t understand. She clenches her jaw and gestures at you to swim beside her.
You glance over your shoulder to see Pearl outside of her shop, looking confused and mildly upset. Lo taps your shoulder so that you keep up.
You reach a small cave and Lo finally snaps at you. “What were you thinking, walking into a store like that? Do you have any sense of self-preservation?!”
“Oh, relax,” Noka says. “It was fine.”
“Sure, but—” Lo cuts herself off and sighs. “Whatever. The good news is that I think I know where your sister is.”
You suck in a breath. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“And what’s the bad news?” Noka chimes in.
Lo shifts her weight. “She’s been captured by the Emperor.”
[[Continue|PgTwoOneFour]]You idly wonder how long you have left with the breathing pod. Several hours at least, you’re sure. Enough to not have to worry about.
You float down the street. The water is pleasantly cool against your skin, and you scan the buildings for somewhere to visit. Most of the houses are run down. Two kids stare as you walk by, hair long and knees scraped. They flash their stripes, but you shrug at them. They hurry inside.
//So much for people not caring,// you think, but for every one who notices, there’s a dozen who ignore you.
There’s a jewelry store up ahead, and you swim towards it. //Pearl’s Pearls,// says the sign. You step inside, and like the bar, it’s air instead of water inside. Shelves line the walls, and pedestals stand in the middle to show off pieces. It’s nothing fancy, but there are shells carefully carved into charms for necklaces, pearls dotting bracelets, glass rings… You hover your hands over the pieces.
“Hello,” says a calm voice. You look up and see a woman — perhaps Pearl, the store’s namesake? — with carefully braided green hair and pale blue skin. “Anything interesting?”
“Oh,” you say quickly, “I don’t have the money to buy anything.”
She walks forward. “That sort of costume, and not enough money to buy jewelry?” she laughs, gesturing at your outfit, and presumably, your skin. “Come on. Surely there’s something you’d like.” A picture of a sharp-eyed bird flashes in your mind.
You hesitate. She’s not uncomfortably close, but she’s positioned herself near enough to you that she seems like she’s hovering. You’re not sure if you can leave politely. You can try to talk to her, maybe joke around, without her realizing you were an outsider. It may not work, though. Alternatively, you can just leave. She may give up, or she may follow you. If she follows… you’re not sure you could out-swim her.
[[Talk|PgTwoOneThreeT]]
[[Leave|PgTwoOneThreeL]]Noka explains quickly, and Lo scoffs. “You want me to search //the entire plane—//“
“It’s not the entire planet.”
“I have no idea where she could be.”
“Think about it, Lo. Brute-forcing isn’t the only way to solve this.” Noka shifts to one side, mask in a :). “She doesn’t have access to breathing pods. She can’t breathe underwater.”
“Then she’s de—“ Lo cuts herself off, glancing at you.
Noka exhales. “Lo. Where are we //right now.//“
“An… air pocket…”
“There you go.”
Lo frowns. “That narrows it down a bit. But I can’t just leave.”
“She has damaged Crystalline,” Noka says, and Lo freezes.
“What?”
Noka nods.
She chews her lip. “Alright. I’ll be back.” She turns and leaps back into the water, and Noka laughs once.
“She’s just like that,” Noka explains. “Well, we have… just over seven hours left. Why not come look around the city with me?”
“Won’t we look conspicuous?” you ask. You gesture at your $skintone skin, and Noka’s tan one. Noka shrugs.
“It’s the city. People dress up all the time. Most we’ll get is a few stares.” Noka says dismissively. You frown. “C’mon, it’ll be fun!”
“Alright,” you agree reluctantly. Noka’s mask flips to a grin and they dive into the water. You follow close behind.
[[Continue|PgTwoOneOne]]The water soaks your clothes, not meant for swimming, and the weight is heavy on your bones. You almost open your mouth to breathe, but the air is already slowly filling your mouth from the breathing pod. You blink rapidly and look around.
Noka is at your side, their jumpsuit looking much more comfortable. They tilt their head at you, and scrolling words appear on their mask. 'WHY ARE YOU WAITING? LET’S GO'. A pause, then - 'DON’T TALK I FORGOT WE’RE UNDERWATER'.
You muffle your laughter. They swim down, and you follow. The water is cold and heavy and empty. You almost wonder how people live down here, in this vast emptiness, and that’s when you see it. A massive city looms ahead, teeming with tiny figures you can barely make out.
Noka’s tech makes a sudden loud beep, and you look over just in time to see their mask read 'OH SHIT' before a force slams into your side.
You tumble down in the sea, barely managing to catch a glimpse of your attacker. A bipedal creature adapted to the sea, green marks flashing and eyes glaring. You struggle to right yourself, reaching for something to fight back with, but you’re not used to swimming in deep waters and you don’t have any of your belongings.
You’re suddenly yanked upright, a spear to your throat. You manage to cast a glance to Noka, who’s mask reads 'HELLO MY BEAUTIFUL EX GIRLFRIEND HOW ARE YOU THIS FINE OCEAN TIMEZONE'.
The leader of the group has short hair, scars across her upper arm, and an utterly irritated look. She gestures with her hands while her stripes flash brightly. Noka replies, 'OK BUT CAN WE TALK IN PRIVATE I DON’T THINK YOU WANT TO RUIN YOUR VERY LOVELY REPUTATION BY ME EXPOSING THAT—'
The leader presses a hand to Noka’s mask and the text halts, replaced by a :). Her lips thin and she gestures at the other people, and the one holding you lets go. They swim away and the leader gestures for you both to follow.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroNine]]You step into the building and are hit with a sweet smell you can’t recognize. The closest you can approximate it to is cinnamon, but even that isn’t quite correct. It smells heavenly, though.
“Good morning, $player_name,” Afira greets cheerfully. “Want some breakfast?”
You glance around the room. Afira and Sirik are in the back, near the stove. They work well together, finishing up breakfast. At the table, a person with… some decidedly not human features sits with his head bowed. He has a long, thick black braid, horns on his head, and thin, oddly shaped ears - almost like a dragon’s.
Noka is already talking, something about Afira eating all the leftovers from last week, when the stranger looks up and a faint smile drifts across his face.
“Hello,” he says. “You’re the new one, I presume?”
You shrug. “I guess so.”
“Come, sit down, breakfast is almost ready. I am Miriag.” He bows his head slightly and flicks an ear. You sit, half reluctant. “It is nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you as well.” You look up to Afira and Noka, still squabbling, and Sirik quietly plating up the food. Miriag chuckles.
”Yes, they’re always like this.” He smiles wistfully. “It’s nice, though. Like a family.” He sips at his drink. “A dysfunctional one,” they add.
You fidget with your fingers. Maybe one day it would be nice to join this place. But.
But.
<<if $mental gte 13>>You pull yourself away, offering a polite smile. “It certainly seems nice here,” you say. Miraig turns back to his cup while Sirik places plates in front of you both.<<else>>Your shoulders sag and you trace a finger on the table. Miraig flicks his gaze towards you.
“Something on your mind?”
“My family,” you admit softly. “My sister— well…” you swallow.
“You don’t have to say,” Miraig says, and you can tell by his tone that he thinks your sibling is dead.
“She’s just missing,” you say quickly. “But Noka thinks they’ve found her.”
“That’s excellent news!” Miriag exclaims. You smile.
“I hope we do find her.”
“You will,” Sirik says, placing plates in front of you both. “Have some faith in Noka.”<<endif>>
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroSixB]]You scramble to the door, eyes wide. “What?”
Noka’s mask turns to a lazy grin. “I know, I’m a genius.” They pause. “I was thinking, after breakfast—”
<<if $attitude gte 13>>“Now,” you demand. “We need to go, now.”
Noka laughs. “Alright, you’re right. This is a big thing, after all. Let me grab some food to bring, and we’ll be on our way.”
You gesture at your backpack. “I have some food leftover.”
“Enough for both of us?”
You nod.
“Wow, you’re quite prepared, huh? Then let’s go.” A portal swirls into existence in front of Noka. You blink, startled. “Why are you surprised? Aren’t you making your own portals?” Noka tilts their head, mask blinking into a question mark.
“They don’t look so… complete,” you explain. Noka’s portal is solid, a brilliant blue, swirling around and around. You form a portal for comparison. Yours has parts trailing off, visible gaps in the portal, and doesn’t glow quite as much.
“Huh,” Noka says, and you let the portal dissipate. “That can’t be safe.”
“I’m alive, aren’t I?” you quip, and Noka laughs.
“I suppose so. C’mon, let’s go.”
You step through their portal.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroSeven]]<<else>>You hesitate. You want to go //now.// Yet, your stomach agrees with Noka. “Alright,” you say, reluctantly.
If Noka notices your hesitance, their mask doesn’t show it. “C’mon, we need to beat the others there. Afira always eats //everything// good.”
You nod, and they chatter to you as you walk. You tune them out for the most part, thinking about your sister. You’re //so// close to seeing her again. //So close.// You can hardly wait.
You arrive to a building nearby, and you realize that you hadn’t remembered the way you took to get here. You shake yourself. It’ll be fine, you’re sure. After dinner, you’re going to an entirely different world anyway. If the worst happens, you can just create a portal and run.
Noka will be able to track you, you realize. Yet that’s something for future you to deal with.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroFiveB]]<<set $tarklo_points to 6>>There’s an air pocket in the cave. Noka speaks first. “$player_name, don’t remove the breathing pod. Timer is still on, but it’s fine.” They spin to the stranger, mask with a :D. “Hello, Lo!”
“Noka,” Lo says flatly. “What do you want?”
“Is it not enough to want to see my lovely—”
“Stop pretending you still like me.”
Noka’s expression turns to a D:. “But—”
“You have a girlfriend, and I’m not stupid. Tell me what you want already.”
Noka laughs. “Blunt as ever.”
“You know it.”
“We’re looking for someone.”
“And the kid?” Lo crosses her arms.
“I’m not a kid,” you protest, to no avail.
“It’s <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> sister,” Noka says.
Lo pauses. “…I’m interested.”
[[Continue|PgTwoOneZero]]“So,” Afira starts to walk, and you follow. “The City In-Between — or just the City — is just kind of a city in a void between worlds.” She gestures at the sky. “It’s always nighttime, but there’s enough light to see from the street lights. There’s a few theories on how it came to be.
“Some believe it was crafted by the gods. Which gods are your pick, but it is a fairly prevalent belief. Gods carving this place from the void.” Afira pauses. “A magical thing, I suppose. But I don’t like it very much. The theory I prefer is that //we// built it. Not us specifically, but world-jumpers of long ago. Brick by brick, they made a haven for us and those after us.”
You tilt your head. “I like that better, too.”
Afira beams. “Right, let me start the actual tour.” They point up to a tall, brick building with patchworked colors. “That’s the library,” she says. “It’s also called the archive. It contains all the information we know, about all the worlds that we know, and their world jumpers.” They laugh and sigh wistfully. “Sirik is more interested in that stuff than I am. I’m more interesting in exploring, you know? Seeing what’s out there.”
She beckons you further through the streets. “Here’s the hotel.” It’s about half the size of the archives, stout yet wide. Flowers decorate windows, and a cheerful sign reads //FREE FOR ALL TRAVELLERS!// “Anyone who needs to take a break from their world, or can’t go home for whatever reason, can stay here for as long as they like. All they have to do in return is help upkeep the city — usually just doing inspections on the buildings and the borders of it. The void likes to sneak in, but it’s easy to push back.”
“The void..?”
Afira waves you off. “You’ll learn about it later.”
With that note, they continue walking. You hesitate, but only for a minute. “This area is more… entertainment,” Afira explains. “Restaurants, cafes… things like that. Usually it’s full of people!”
The place is silent.
“Where is everyone?” you ask.
Afira’s expression falters for a brief moment, but her smile is secure in the next moment. “Busy, is all,” they say. Her tone is confident, but the lie flimsy. “I’m sure you’re tired. Let’s get you a room in the hotel.” You follow them, a tad reluctant.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroTwo]]<<set $thedepths to "known">>You step through the portal Noka forms, and the journey is oddly smooth. You land on the ground lightly, and Noka is right behind.
“I’ve still got it,” they grin when they step forward. “First time, I landed over there.” They point to a place in the distant waters, and it’s then you notice where you are.
A small island, sandy, in the middle of an ocean as far as you can see. A single palm tree stands on the edge. It seems cartoonishly fake.
Noka stands on their tip-toes and reaches up towards a coconut, pulling something out from behind it. Two something’s, as it turns out. They hand you one. It seems to be some sort of… blue pill?
“Breathing pods,” Noka explains. “Put one in your back teeth, you’ve got… eight hours of air, I think. I did the math for it forever ago.”
“//You// made this?” you ask, holding it up to the sun and admiring the sleek design.
Noka barks a laugh. “No, no, not fully. I did the math for it. Tarklo did most of the rest.”
“Tarklo?”
Noka waves you off. “You’ll meet her soon, I bet.” They squint towards the sea. “Okay, put the pod in, and then jump— woah, kid.”
You had lurched forward, hand to your head. The Crystalline had finally hit, and it took a moment to adjust. “These people live //underwater?//“ you manage to get out.
“No, I gave you the breathing pod for funsies,” Noka says dryly. You frown at them, and they offer a :3 in response. “C’mon, kid, get in the water. We’re on limited time.”
You close your eyes and reach out with the Crystalline. //There.// She’s definitely here. She— She’s so close.
You put the breathing pod in and leap into the sea.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroEight]]Two flat pastries, piled upon each other, with a syrup and sparkling powder on top. Not quite pancakes, but nearly. You carefully cut a piece off and eat it, and then immediately take another bite.
It tastes heavenly. It’s fluffy and brilliantly sweet, and then your plate is empty before you realize. You look up, and Afira is openly smiling, and Sirik hides a laugh behind their hand. Miriag is carefully picking at their meal, and Noka’s mask has turned to a ^-^ face.
“What?” you demand. “I haven’t had a good meal since—! Since…” you think back. “…Lotus?”
Noka stiffens, and Afira and Sirik exchange glances. “Lotus?” Noka asks. “Could you- describe her?”
“Long black hair,” you start. “Pale skin. Why?”
The room is very quiet. “We know her, is all,” Afira says. “Hadn’t heard from her in a while.”
“Oh,” you say, deflating. “I’m sorry.”
“Nah, it’s not your fault,” Noka says with false cheerfulness. “I’m sure she’ll be back soon.” They pause, then push back their plate. “Let’s head out. Afira, I’ll give you something if you do my dishes.” Their mask turns to a :3c face, and Afira sighs.
“You owe me a favor,” she replies, and their expression turns to a D: .
“A favor!” they exclaim dramatically. “If you insist!”
“I do,” she says, and Noka laughs, changing their mask to a happier expression.
“C’mon, $player_name,” they say. “We’ve got a sister to find.”
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroSeven]]You step away from the door, retreating to your bed. You don’t even change out of your clothes, simply curling up under the blankets and falling asleep.
You dream, that night. You’re back in that void, the void-person pacing in front of you and mumbling to themself. They halt suddenly and turn to you.
“You’re back,” they say, as if surprised. They shake their head. “Sorry. I didn’t think it was going to work. Normally it doesn’t.”
“What?” you try to say, only for your voice to not come. They seem to sense your struggle and wave a hand.
“You can speak now,” they say apologetically. “A precaution. Some… react more violently to this place.”
“It’s a void,” you say, confused. “Why—?”
“Complicated. We don’t have enough time for this. Ask me your questions quickly, please.”
“What?”
“I’ll do it for you. Yes, I am Sirik. I am Sirik from a different time. It’s not time travel, it’s more of a… reality bending thing. No, you cannot tell current Sirik about this. It’ll screw things up. Mess with the fabric of reality, et cetera et cetera. No, I don’t know where your sister is. I’m monitoring hundreds of worlds at once, it’s too complicated for me to search for one tear. Yes, I’m monitoring all the worlds, again, reality bending. I’m a gatekeeper of sorts. No, I can’t— shit.” They look up at you, a half desperate look in their eyes.
And you wake up.
They… definitely gave some answers. It’s more information than you’re sure you can deal with. It’s disappointing that they can’t point you to your sister, to say the least. You wish they could. But it can’t be changed.
What they could tell you was interesting in of itself. Reality bending, huh? Monitoring all of the multiverse?
“Hey, $player_name,” comes Noka’s voice, knocking on your door. “You awake?”
“Yeah,” you croak, then wince. Your throat is dryer than you thought.
“Good,” they reply. “I found the world your sister is in.”
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroFour]]You wait until you hear Afira at the edge of the hallway, and quietly slip out of your room, latching it behind you. It’s easy to follow Afira — she’s quiet, but not silent. You sneak through the streets, trying to memorize the route back. The lights dim on some sort of day cycle, but you can still see Afira.
Finally, they enter that cafe you were at earlier. You can’t sneak in through the door, so you hide near the back door. The sound barely reaches you.
“Everything alright?” Crow whispers.
“Yes, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">> $subjective<<endif>> should be sleeping soon," Afira says.
“Noka. Have you—” Sirik starts, only to be interrupted.
“—found the sister? Not yet. But I’m getting closer. I just need to—”
“That wasn’t my question.”
A pause. “Oh. …No. No news.”
Rustling fabric, then Afira. “We were supposed to be done with this all,” she sighs. “This was the happy ending.”
“Life doesn’t work that way,” Sirik replies. A beat, then they sigh. “I’m sorry. It would be easier to go home, but…”
“…Yeah.”
“All channels are still open,” Noka says. “If anyone calls out, I’ll know.”
“Thank you, Noka,” Sirik says.
“We should all get some rest,” Afira suggests. “We can figure things out tomorrow, with a fresh view.”
“Right,” Crow replies. “Good night, everyone.”
Murmured goodbyes fill the air, and you slip back into the city. It doesn’t take long for you to find your room, and you fall into a fitful sleep. It feels all too soon when you wake up again.
“Hey, $player_name,” comes Noka’s voice, knocking on your door. “You awake?”
“Yeah,” you croak, then wince. Your throat is dryer than you thought.
“Good,” they reply. “I found the world your sister is in.”
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroFour]]You follow her into the hotel, and she ducks behind the counter. They hold up a key. “Room number 3A,” she declares. They toss the key, and you barely catch it. “Come on.”
The room she shows you to is on the first floor. It’s simple, yet you can see the subtle accommodations made for everyone, from any world. The bed’s height is adjustable, and all of the furniture - the desk, the chairs - can be moved around as needed. The window, currently showing sunlight over mountains, has buttons to change the view.
“Here it is,” Afira smiles. They hit a button, and the window changes to a nighttime view. The room is bathed with pale light. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you when Noka finds where your sister is.”
You nod, and Afira steps out. “I’m in room 2A, right next door, if you need me.” And then she’s gone.
Why were they being secretive about why no one was here? Your hand brushes the key in your pocket.
[[Sneak after her.|PgTwoZeroThreeS]]
[[Actually get some rest.|PgTwoZeroThreeR]]“Okay!” Noka declares. “I’ve got a script running. It’s gotta check //all// activity, and I set it for a six-month range, just in case. What’s the plan while we wait?”
“How long will it take?” you ask, eyebrows furrowed.
Noka shrugs. “A few hours? A day, at most.”
The twins exchange a glance, then Afira beams at you. “Why don’t I show you The City In Between?”
“The…”
“Where we are right now!” Afira pauses. “Crow, did you explain why <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> Crystalline wouldn’t work?”
“You know why it won’t work?” you exclaim. “I thought the v—” Your voice stops short, and you change tactics. “I thought something had happened to it.”
Sirik gives you a considering look, then blinks. “Well, this is the In-Between. Portals out will still work, but there’s no information to tell you about this world, because it isn’t one.” They pause. “Typically, it’s just a void, but there’s a city here. No one is quite sure why.”
Afira elbows them. “Oh, come on. None of the fancy folk tales?”
“You can tell <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>, if you care so much,” Sirik retorts.
“I will!” Afira declares. “Come on, $player_name, I’ll give you the tour while we’re at it.”
You try to stand, only for pain to fill your vision, and immediately sit again. "I, uh," you hesitate, trying to figure out how to phrase it. "I was slightly stabbed?"
"//What?//" say four people, simultaneously.
"It isn't //that// bad. I just can't, uh, move quickly. Or at all. Shifting positions seems like a bad idea right now."
"I have the most medical experience out of all of us, I think," Crow says. "Let me take a look."
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroZeroPointOne]]You lift your shirt and Sirik winces. Afira whispers something to them and they quickly walk out. Crow frowns. "Someone get me new bandages and water."
"As you command, my lady," Noka says, mock-bowing, and Crow rolls her eyes. Noka giggles slightly and wanders off.
"How did you get this?" Crow asks.
"...disagreements."
Afira laughs, a touch too loud, then covers their mouth. "Sorry! Sorry! Being stabbed is not funny!" You laugh, then wince with pain. Crow is writing again.
Noka returns with the supplies and Crow takes them. She studies you for a moment, then gestures at the others. "Out!"
She crouches down and then hesitates. "Do you want to do this, or should I?"
You tug at the edge of the bandage. "Let me." Crow nods, puts the roll of bandages and water bottle on the table, and heads to the door.
"If you need me, just call out." She smiles and closes the door behind her.
You exhale. Alone again. Slowly, you undo the bandage. The wound has clotted for the most part, and you use the water to carefully clean it. Then, you wrap it tightly with fresh bandage.
You stand slowly, and it still hurts, but it's better. "I'm done!" you call, and Afira darts back in.
"Do you want to see the city?" they ask, and you pause.
"Sure," you say, and they pull you outside.
[[Continue|PgTwoZeroOne]]<<set $wardrobe to 1>>You return to the wardrobe where you found some clothes and continue looking through it.
It’s made of a deep red wood, with intricate carvings of flowers on the sides. You run your hand over it, but it’s just a regular carving.
Well, maybe you should pick out a few outfits for the next couple days. While digging through the drawers, your hand brushes against a piece of the bottom drawer that gives a little.
You pause. Touch it again.
It’s a secret compartment.
You remove the piece of paper that was inside it. It’s a photo of a younger Birch with his arm wrapped around a girl. The girl has long, curly brown hair and pale skin. She’s laughing, her face twisted into a wide smile, and Birch is grinning.
You flip the photo over and there’s a short note written in cursive. //Birch and I. It was the best day!// Nothing else is written, and you carefully replace it in the secret compartment.
<<if $window is 0>>[[Check around the window.|PgWindow][$window is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $bookcase is 0>>[[Look at the bookcase.|PgBookcase][$bookcase is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $bed is 0>>[[Inspect the bed.|PgBed][$window is 1]]<<endif>>
[[Done searching.|PgSixteen]]<<set $window to 1>>You look closer around and at the window. Moving the curtains, you spot a bakery across the street. It’s named //Deera’s Sweet Breads and Others.// It made a funny rhyme in the other language, reading //Deera’s Gero Chilo e’Piro.//
The rest of the buildings are mostly apartment buildings. You slide the curtains closed and note the tiny blue flowers lining the windowsill. The pot they’re in is painted with a few butterfly-like creatures. Interesting.
With nothing else of interest to look at, you return to the bed.
<<if $bed is 0>>[[Inspect the bed.|PgBed][$window is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $bookcase is 0>>[[Look at the bookcase.|PgBookcase][$bookcase is 1]]<<endif>>
<<if $wardrobe is 0>>[[Study the wardrobe.|PgWardrobe][$wardrobe is 1]]<<endif>>
[[Done searching.|PgSixteen]]Made by Jan<<set $pronoun to "unknown">>
<<set $style to "undefined">>
<<set $playermaxhealth to 13>>
<<set $twoHealth to 0>>
<<set $threeHealth to 0>>
<<set $opponentHealth to 0>>
<<set $bed to 0>>
<<set $window to 0>>
<<set $wardrobe to 0>>
<<set $bookcase to 0>>
<<set $w to 0>>
<<set $f to 0>>
<<set $e to 0>>
<<set $h to 0>>
<<set $magnoliarealm to "unknown">>
<<set $powersworld to "unknown">>
<<set $thehunted to "unknown">>
<<set $thedepths to "unknown">>
<<set $bigcity to "unknown">>
<<set $charactertraits to "locked">>
<<set $disposition to 0>>
<<set $attitude to 0>>
<<set $mental to 0>>
<<set $decisionmaking to 0>>
<<set $fighting to "unknown">>
<<set $othercharacters to "locked">>
<<set $sister_points to 10>>
<<set $baye_points to "unknown">>
<<set $mycie_points to "unknown">>
<<set $violet_points to "unknown">>
<<set $birch_points to "unknown">>
<<set $mallory_points to "unknown">>
<<set $mire_points to "unknown">>
<<set $avery_points to "unknown">>
<<set $nox_points to "unknown">>
<<set $jurem_points to "unknown">>
<<set $wren_points to "unknown">>
<<set $trelop_points to "unknown">>
<<set $ekys_points to "unknown">>
<<set $crow_points to "unknown">>
<<set $noka_points to "unknown">>
<<set $afira_points to "unknown">>
<<set $sirik_points to "unknown">>
<<set $jawr_points to "unknown">>
<<set $milsa_points to "unknown">>
<<set $welks_points to "unknown">>
<<set $tarklo_points to "unknown">>
<<set $clues to "locked">>
<<set $clue1 to "false">>
<<set $clue2 to "false">>
<<set $clue3 to "false">>
<<set $clue4 to "false">>
<<set $clue5 to "false">>
<<set $flee to "no">>
<<set $outfit to 0>><<if $charactertraits is "unlocked">>[[Character Traits]]<<endif>>
<<if $othercharacters is "unlocked">>[[Other Characters]]<<endif>>
<<if $clues is "unlocked">>[[Clues]]<<endif>><<if $crow_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Crow Finmiq - she/her</b></big>
Crow has shoulder-length braids, dark skin, and large black wings. Her eyes are a sharp grey, and she often has a quill and notebook with her.<<endif>> <<if $noka_points isnot "unknown">>Dating Noka.<<endif>> <<if $afira_points isnot "unknown">>Friends with Afira and Sirik.<<endif>> <<if $crow_points lte 3>>Crow doesn't really like you.<<endif>><<if $crow_points gt 3 and $crow_points lte 5>>Crow doesn't mind you.<<endif>><<if $crow_points gte 6 and $crow_points lte 7>>Crow thinks you are interesting.<<endif>><<if $crow_points gt 7 and $crow_points lt 10>>Crow likes your company.<<endif>><<if $crow_points gte 10>>Crow enjoys your presence.<<endif>>
<<if $noka_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Noka Smire - they/them</b></big>
Noka has dark, short hair and tan skin. They prefer to wear dark clothing, and typically a mask with a digital display. Dating Crow.<<endif>> <<if $afira_points isnot "unknown">>Friends with Afira and Sirik.<<endif>> <<if $noka_points lte 3>>Noka dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $noka_points gt 3 and $noka_points lte 5>>Noka is suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $noka_points gte 6 and $noka_points lte 7>>Noka hasn't decided what to think of you.<<endif>><<if $noka_points gt 7 and $noka_points lt 10>>Noka leans positively when thinking about you.<<endif>><<if $noka_points gte 10>>Noka likes you.<<endif>>
<<if $afira_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Afira [???] - she/they</b></big>
Afira has short brown hair with two white streaks. Her skin is pale, with freckles across, and she has tiny star tattoos across her shoulder. Twins with Sirik, friends with Noka and Crow.<<endif>> <<if $afira_points lte 3>>Afira doesn't like you.<<endif>><<if $afira_points gt 3 and $afira_points lte 5>>Afira isn't sure about you.<<endif>><<if $afira_points gte 6 and $afira_points lte 7>>Afira likes you.<<endif>><<if $afira_points gt 7 and $afira_points lt 10>>Afira likes being around you.<<endif>><<if $afira_points gte 10>>Afira trusts you.<<endif>>
<<if $sirik_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Sirik [???] - they/them</b></big>
Sirik has shaggy black hair, covering their eyes. They're pale, like Afira, and have a small sun tattoo on their neck. Twins with Afira, friends with Crow and Noka.<<endif>> <<if $sirik_points lte 3>>Sirik does not like you at all.<<endif>><<if $sirik_points gt 3 and $sirik_points lte 5>>Sirik doesn't really like you.<<endif>><<if $sirik_points gte 6 and $sirik_points lte 7>>Sirik is neutral about you.<<endif>><<if $sirik_points gt 7 and $Sirik_points lt 10>>Sirik thinks you're interesting.<<endif>><<if $sirik_points gte 10>>Sirik trusts you.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><<if $tarklo_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Tarklo "Lo" Stard - she/her</b></big>
Tarklo has pale teal skin, scars wrapping around her arm, and green eyes. Her hair is short, black, and choppy.<<endif>> Exes with Noka. Friends of Crow, Sirik, and Afira. <<if $tarklo_points lte 3>>Tarklo really dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $tarklo_points gt 3 and $tarklo_points lte 5>>Tarklo is very suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $tarklo_points gte 6 and $tarklo_points lte 7>>Tarklo doesn't care for you.<<endif>><<if $tarklo_points gt 7 and $tarklo_points lt 10>>Tarklo doesn't mind you.<<endif>><<if $tarklo_points gte 10>>Tarklo wouldn't admit it to your face, but she likes you.<<endif>>
<<if $jawr_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Jawr Porse - he/him</b></big>
Jawr is tall and wide, with dark blue skin and dark green hair. He has a large, bite-mark scar on his neck and right shoulder. Jawr often works with Noka and Tarklo, but isn't sure he would call them friends.<<endif>> <<if $jawr_points lte 3>>Jawr heavily dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $jawr_points gt 3 and $placeholder_points lte 5>>Jawr doesn't care for you.<<endif>><<if $jawr_points gte 6 and $jawr_points lte 7>>Jawr doesn't mind you.<<endif>><<if $jawr_points gt 7 and $jawr_points lt 10>>Jawr thinks you're alright.<<endif>><<if $jawr_points gte 10>>Jawr likes you.<<endif>>
<<if $milsa_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Milsa Nirii - she/ae</b></big>
Milsa has long, pale green hair and dark blue skin. Ae also has light freckles scattered on aer face and shoulders.<<endif>> Friend of Jawr<<if $welks_points isnot "unknown">> and Welks<<endif>>. <<if $milsa_points lte 3>>Milsa doesn’t really like you, but goes along anyway.<<endif>><<if $milsa_points gt 3 and $milsa_points lte 5>>Milsa mildly dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $milsa_points gte 6 and $milsa_points lte 7>>Milsa thinks that you’re alright.<<endif>><<if $milsa_points gt 7 and $milsa_points lt 10>>Milsa likes you.<<endif>><<if $milsa_points gte 10>>Milsa has a lot of nice things to say about you.<<endif>>
<<if $welks_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Welks Sfilum - he/him</b></big>
Welks has pale blue skin, and shaggy white hair that reaches his chin. He prefers not to speak all that much.<<endif>> Friend of Milsa. <<if $welks_points lte 3>>Welks doesn’t like you.<<endif>><<if $welks_points gt 3 and $welks_points lte 5>>Welks does not care for you.<<endif>><<if $welks_points gte 6 and $welks_points lte 7>>Welks thinks you’re okay.<<endif>><<if $welks_points gt 7 and $welks_points lt 10>>Welks likes having you around.<<endif>><<if $welks_points gte 10>>Welks really enjoys your company.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><<if $jurem_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Jurem Li - he/him</b></big>
Jurem has buzzed black hair and very dark brown eyes. His skin is light brown.<<endif>><<if $wren_points isnot "unknown">>Training Trainee Ponpon.<<endif>> <<if $jurem_points lte 3>>Jurem strongly dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $jurem_points gt 3 and $jurem_points lte 5>>Jurem dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $jurem_points gte 6 and $jurem_points lte 7>>Jurem is cautious of you.<<endif>><<if $jurem_points gt 7 and $jurem_points lt 10>>Jurem doesn’t mind you.<<endif>><<if $jurem_points gte 10>>Jurem likes you.<<endif>>
<<if $wren_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Wren Ponpon - she/her</b></big>
Wren has long, braided brown hair and golden eyes. She has light brown skin.<<endif>> Trained by Hunter Li.<<if $ekys_points isnot "unknown">> Friends with Ekys.<<endif>><<if $trelop_points isnot "unknown">> Dating Trelop.<<endif>><<if $wren_points lte 3>> Wren doesn’t like you.<<endif>><<if $wren_points gt 3 and $wren_points lte 5>> Wren is neutral towards you.<<endif>><<if $wren_points gte 6 and $wren_points lte 7>> Wren is curious about you.<<endif>><<if $wren_points gt 7 and $wren_points lt 10>> Wren likes you.<<endif>><<if $wren_points gte 10>> Wren really enjoys your company.<<endif>>
<<if $trelop_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Trelop Hurn - she/they</b></big>
Trelop has dark skin and long black hair often kept in dreads. She has brown eyes.<<endif>><<if $ekys_points isnot "unknown">> Friends with Ekys.<<endif>> Dating Wren.<<if $trelop_points lte 3>> Trelop really doesn’t like you.<<endif>><<if $trelop_points gt 3 and $trelop_points lte 5>> Trelop dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $trelop_points gte 6 and $trelop_points lte 7>> Trelop is neutral about you.<<endif>><<if $trelop_points gt 7 and $trelop_points lt 10>> Trelop likes you.<<endif>><<if $trelop_points gte 10>> Trelop really likes you.<<endif>>
<<if $ekys_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Ekys Til - they/them</b></big>
Ekys has wavy, short brown hair. They have green eyes and medium brown skin, and walk with a cane.<<endif>> Friends with Ekys and Wren.<<if $ekys_points lte 3>> Ekys dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $ekys_points gt 3 and $ekys_points lte 5>> Ekys doesn’t care for you.<<endif>><<if $ekys_points gte 6 and $ekys_points lte 7>> Ekys doesn’t think much about you.<<endif>><<if $ekys_points gt 7 and $ekys_points lt 10>> Ekys thinks you’re interesting.<<endif>><<if $ekys_points gte 10>> Ekys really likes you.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><<if $baye_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Baye - they/them</b></big>
They have chin-length red hair, with pink tips. Their skin is dark brown, and they're short.<<endif>><<if $birch_points isnot "unknown">> Birch’s friend.<<endif>>
<<if $baye_points lte 3>>Baye sort of dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $baye_points gt 3 and $baye_points lte 5>> Baye doesn’t like you a ton, but they try to give you a chance.<<endif>><<if $baye_points gte 6 and $baye_points lte 7>>Baye is more polite to you than anything.<<endif>><<if $baye_points gt 7 and $baye_points lt 10>>Baye likes you.<<endif>><<if $baye_points gte 10>>Baye genuinely enjoys your company.<<endif>>
<<if $mycie_points is "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Mycie - she/her</b></big>
She has long black hair, medium brown skin, and violet eyes. She often wears a red hat with white spots. Violet’s sister.<<endif>>
<<if $mycie_points lte 3>>Mycie dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $mycie_points gt 3 and $mycie_points lte 5>>Mycie doesn’t like you that much.<<endif>><<if $mycie_points gte 6 and $mycie_points lte 7>>Mycie isn’t interested in you.<<endif>><<if $mycie_points gt 7 and $mycie_points lt 10>>Mycie wants to know you better.<<endif>><<if $mycie_points gte 10>>Mycie likes hanging out with you.<<endif>>
<<if $violet_points is "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Violet - she/they</b></big>
They have very short black hair, medium brown skin, and violet eyes. Mycie’s sister.<<endif>>
<<if $violet_points lte 3>>Violet doesn’t like you at all.<<endif>><<if $violet_points gt 3 and $violet_points lte 5>>Violet is wary of you.<<endif>><<if $violet_points gte 6 and $violet_points lte 7>>Violet doesn’t mind you much.<<endif>><<if $violet_points gt 7 and $violet_points lt 10>>Violet wants to be friends with you.<<endif>><<if $violet_points gte 10>>Violet likes you a lot.<<endif>>
<<if $birch_points is "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Birch - he/him</b></big>
Birch has pale skin and wavy black hair. He also has light brown eyes. Baye’s friend.<<endif>>
<<if $birch_points lte 3>>Birch doesn’t like you.<<endif>><<if $birch_points gt 3 and $birch_points lte 5>>Birch is suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $birch_points gte 6 and $birch_points lte 7>>Birch is curious about you.<<endif>><<if $birch_points gt 7 and $birch_points lt 10>>Birch is intrigued by you.<<endif>><<if $birch_points gte 10>>Birch actually likes you and enjoys your company.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><big><b> $sister_name </b></big>
She has long $hair hair, green eyes, and $skintone skin.
<<if $sister_points == 10>> Your sister. She likes you, but doesn't trust you enough to reveal her secrets. A sibling love. <<endif>> <<if $sister_points == 5>> Your sister. You don't like each other much. <<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><<if $mallory_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Mallory Snyder - she/her</b></big>
Mallory has a dark brown afro. Her skin is a deep brown and her eyes are a stormy gray<<endif>><<if $avery_points isnot "unknown">>. Friend of Avery<<endif>><<if $mire_points isnot "unknown">> and Mire<<endif>>. <<if $nox_points isnot "unknown">>Rival of Nox.<<endif>><<if $mallory_points lte 3>>Mallory doesn’t want you around.<<endif>><<if $mallory_points gt 3 and $mallory_points lte 5>>Mallory’s trying to give you a chance.<<endif>><<if $mallory_points gte 6 and $mallory_points lte 7>>Mallory thinks you’re intriguing.<<endif>><<if $mallory_points gt 7 and $mallory_points lt 10>>Mallory likes you.<<endif>><<if $mallory_points gte 10>>Mallory considers you both friends.<<endif>>
<<if $avery_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Avery Kelly - he/him</b></big>
Avery has short blond hair, porcelain skin, and green eyes. Friend of Mallory<<endif>><<if $mire_points isnot "unknown" and $avery_points isnot "unknown">> and Mire<<endif>>. <<if $avery_points lte 3>>Avery dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $avery_points gt 3 and $avery_points lte 5>>Avery is nervous around you.<<endif>><<if $avery_points gte 6 and $avery_points lte 7>>Avery is neutral towards you.<<endif>><<if $avery_points gt 7 and $avery_points lt 10>>Avery doesn’t mind you.<<endif>><<if $avery_points gte 10>>Avery trusts you.<<endif>>
<<if $mire_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Mire Turner - any pronouns</b></big>
Mire has straight, shoulder-length white hair and ice-blue eyes. She has freckles covering her pale skin. Friend of Mallory<<endif>><<if $avery_points isnot "unknown">> and Avery<<endif>>. <<if $mire_points lte 3>>Mire strongly dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $mire_points gt 3 and $mire_points lte 5>>Mire is suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $mire_points gte 6 and $mire_points lte 7>>Mire doesn’t care for you.<<endif>><<if $mire_points gt 7 and $mire_points lt 10>>Mire thinks you both could be friends.<<endif>><<if $mire_points gte 10>>Mire thinks you both are friends.<<endif>>
<<if $nox_points == "unknown">><big><b>You have not met this person yet.</b></big><<else>><big><b>Nox Farrow - he/they</b></big>
Nox has jet black hair tied in a tiny ponytail and pale brown eyes he usually darkens to dark brown. Their skin is tan and they have a pale birthmark on their neck. Rival of Mallory.<<endif>><<if $nox_points lte 3>>Nox isn’t afraid to say he hates you.<<endif>><<if $nox_points gt 3 and $nox_points lte 5>>Nox dislikes you.<<endif>><<if $nox_points gte 6 and $nox_points lte 7>>Nox couldn’t care less about you.<<endif>><<if $nox_points gt 7 and $nox_points lt 10>>Nox (begrudgingly) likes your company.<<endif>><<if $nox_points gte 10>>Nox actually likes your company.<<endif>>
<<link "Return" $return>><</link>><big><b>Chapter Eleven</b></big>
“The emperor,” Lo continued, “is, as you can imagine, a difficult person to steal from.” She shifts her weight. “I am one of his guards. I… theoretically, I could help you, but if I was found out, I would be exiled.”
Noka grins. “But you’re good at this stuff.”
Lo shakes her head. “It’s too risky. I can’t.”
“Lo,” Noka says, voice dropping the fake cheerfulness, “this isn’t just a rescue for a random person. If we find out what’s going on with this—”
“I know,” she replies sharply, “but I can’t lose my home too.” Her expression is one that clearly carries a meaning you can’t decipher, eyebrows furrowed and head tilted slightly towards Noka. She straightens. “But what I can do… I know some people who can help.” She hesitates. “And I can do some guard rotation changes. You have to make sure nothing gets too messed up. Get in, break her out, leave. Not just the palace — you’ll have to leave the city. Leave no trace.”
You nod. A kernel of hope blooms in your chest. This is really it. Your sister is so close.
“What’s the plan?” you ask.
“There’s a party at the end of the week. Four days from now. I can get you in a meeting with the people I know tomorrow. For now, just get some rest.” Lo looks to Noka. “Bring <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>> back to the city for tonight. Be back tomorrow at nine. Same place.”
“Sure,” Noka says. “Breathing pods?”
“I’ll leave more on the island.”
“Great. C’mon, kid.” Noka creates a portal, and gestures for you to step through.
You’re hesitant to leave just yet. Your sister is in this world. Sure, you’ll be back tomorrow, but so much can happen in just a few hours. You reach out with your Crystalline and feel the quiet pulse of your sister’s gem. //I’ll be back,// you promise silently.
You walk through Noka’s portal.
[[Continue|PgTwoOneFive]]You step out of the portal, and the space that you’re so used to being filled with bonus Crystalline knowledge empties. It’s… odd, yet calming. It’s how your mind was before all of this. Yet, you had also gotten used to it being there. Now, it’s just your thoughts. You wonder about the world again, and it’s just you. Nothing else supplies information.
Noka steps out behind you, dusting off their shirt. “C’mon,” they say. “Let’s get something to eat. Swimming so much always makes me hungry.”
“Ah, you’re back,” Crow greets when you return to the cafe. She walks forward and embraces Noka, before pulling back. “How’d it go?”
Noka’s mask is cheerful, but their tone is less so. “Fine. Lo says the sister is in the dungeons. We've got to go on a heist.”
“Ah, excellent,” Crow says. “It was getting a bit boring.”
Noka snorts and takes off their mask. “With the bullshit that’s been goin’ on lately? I think…” they glance at you. “What’s the shock for?”
<<if $attitude gt 12>>“Your mask,” you say. “I wasn’t expecting you to take it off.” <<set $noka_points to $noka_points + 1>><<else>>“Nothing,” you say, studying their face all the same.<<endif>>
They have soft brown eyes with grey flecks. Their teeth are uneven and a lower tooth is chipped, but somehow the crooked grin is exactly how you imagined. Their skin is a pale brown, and dark freckles dot their cheeks.
“Well,” they say, slinging an arm over your shoulder, “if we’re gonna be partners in crime, you might as well know what I look like.” They pause. “Okay, let’s get some food.”
As they rummage through the back of the shop, you speak up. “Do you always use this shop for cooking?”
Noka tries to straighten and promptly smacks their head on the top of the cabinet. They curse, pull themself out of the cabinet, and stand properly. “No,” they reply. “We just downsized, recently.”
“Why?”
Noka sighs through their nostrils. “Look, is it that important right now?”
[[Keep pushing. What are they hiding?|PgTwoOneSixA]]
[[Relent. You’ll find out soon, probably.|PgTwoOneSixB]]“No,” you say firmly. “If we’re going to work together, I have to know what’s going on. You’re trying to sneak around me, and — it’s frustrating. Partners in crime, you said, and you show your face. What’s so different about this secret that you can’t tell me?”
Noka and Crow exchange a glance, and Noka sighs. “$player_name…” they chew their lip. “Alright. Sit down. We’ll explain.”
You settle in one of the chairs, and Noka and Crow sit on the opposite side. Crow starts to speak. “It’s been more than a decade since the main threat to the world travellers has been eradicated,” she says. “He’s not important to this story, but that is to say that we’ve gotten…” she trails off, looking for the word.
“Relaxed,” Noka suggests. “Complacent.”
“Yes. Things were going well. And then things started to happen. It seemed like a string of random murders, at first, but slowly we realized something else was going on. Something supernatural, but not in the normal way.
“The void that surrounds our city was trying to reclaim it.”
You nod slowly. You remember Afira mentioning this. Noka picks up the story.
“Right, and then the tears started forming. Tears between worlds, spilling them into one another. It’s a pain in the ass to deal with these, and we started losing people to that, too.”
Your heart clenches. Tears that //you// had probably caused. “So the place is all empty… Because they’re dead?”
Crow and Noka startle, then Noka lets out a half-formed laugh. “No, no. Not that drastic. Everyone is just out, everywhere. We’re holding down the fort, so to speak.”
“Oh,” you say. “…Why didn’t you want to tell me that?”
Crow taps her nails on the table idly, and it makes a soft //click, click, click//. She seems to be searching for the right words, the perfect phrasing.
“Well,” Noka says, “It’s not like we can say, ‘Our entire faction is gone trying to fix the multiverse’s messes, and also, a lot of them have a high chance of dying. Hey, wanna join?’”
That draws a chuckle out of you. “I guess not.” Guilt gnaws at your insides. This is, at least partially, //your fault.// You want to tell them, but—
But then they’ll be angry. They won’t want to help you anymore. $sister_name will be trapped in that dungeon forever.
You shove the feeling down. “Is that all?” you ask. “Can I help them?”
Crow looks a bit surprised, then she relaxes. “Let’s focus on your sister first,” she says. “Then we’ve got two more hands to help out.”
You nod, and Noka asks, “You got any other questons?”
“Actually, yeah,” you say. “What’s with the air pockets in that world, if they’re an aquatic species?”
“Ah,” Noka says, putting on a dramatic voice, “because, child, long ago—“ Crow punches them in the shoulder, and Noka cackles.
“Sorry,” Crow says apologetically. “Inside joke. The real answer is that they weren’t always aquatic. Their world flooded a lot very, very long ago, and they gained more aquatic traits. They can speak with their stripes, but sometimes it’s faster to speak aloud - a trait they’ve kept.”
You nod and immediately fumble the bag of snacks Noka throws at you. “Some warning would be nice,” you complain, and Noka laughs.
“What’s the fun in that?” they ask as you rip the package open. The snack is light and crispy, and vaguely reminiscent of fruit. You eat and Noka shuffles around until they find their own snack.
“You should get some rest in,” Crow suggests. “Because I know you, at least—” gesturing to Noka— “will stay up until you collapse.”
Noka shrugs, not disagreeing. “Alright, kid,” they say, tossing the wrapping of their snack to the trash, “naptime.”
[[Continue|PgTwoOneSeven]]“You’re right,” you agree <<if $attitude gte 15>>reluctantly<<endif>>. “We should focus on the heist first.”
Noka grins, and it’s odd to actually see the way their eyes crinkle and white teeth splitting brown skin. “Excellent idea.”
“Hey, actually,” you say, “I had a question. What’s with the air pockets, if they’re an aquatic species?”
“Ah,” Noka says, putting on a dramatic voice, “because, child, long ago—“ Crow punches them in the shoulder, and Noka cackles.
“Sorry,” Crow says apologetically. “Inside joke. The real answer is that they weren’t always aquatic. Their world flooded a lot very, very long ago, and they gained more aquatic traits. They can speak with their stripes, but sometimes it’s faster to speak aloud - a trait they’ve kept.”
You nod and immediately fumble the bag of snacks Noka throws at you. “Some warning would be nice,” you complain, and Noka laughs.
“What’s the fun in that?” they ask as you rip the package open. The snack is light and crispy, and vaguely reminiscent of fruit. You eat and Noka shuffles around until they find their own snack.
“You should get some rest in,” Crow suggests. “Because I know you, at least—” gesturing to Noka— “will stay up until you collapse.”
Noka shrugs, not disagreeing. “Alright, kid,” they say, tossing the wrapping of their snack to the trash, “naptime.”
[[Continue|PgTwoOneSeven]]You were brought back to the hotel, but Noka didn’t make a move to follow. “Where are you sleeping?” you asked.
“I’ve got my own place,” Noka said. “More permanent. Can’t go back to my old world, so…” You pause, about to ask— but Noka notices your question forming, and their eyes harden. “See you later.”
They walk off faster than you can speak up. You hesitate for a moment, before deciding it’s probably better for you to leave them alone. You do wonder what happened, though. Was something wrong with their world? Did they not want to be there? Was something stopping them?
You head into the room you had stayed in last night. The hallways were silent. Without Afira next to you, it felt creepy and abandoned. You crawled into the bed after locking the door. Sleep came quickly.
“You’re back,” says sort-of-Sirik, seeming surprised. You tilt your head, and they add, “I was worried it wouldn’t work.”
“Oh,” you say. “What did you want to say?”
They hesitate for a moment, then say, “You blame yourself.”
“What?”
“For the tears. For all of this happening. And…” not-really-Sirik sighs, “I feel like that’s partially my fault.” You open your mouth, but Sirik-in-a-way barrels on. “It’s not just you who’s causing this. You were just the one I was able to speak with. That is my fault. I should not have gotten angry in such a way.”
“Then who else is causing it?” you ask. “Crystalline is supposed to be nearly impossible to break.”
“Some people,” technically-Sirik-if-you-think-about-it says carefully, “are doing it on purpose.”
That stops you short. “What? Why?”
Potentially-Sirik huffs quietly. “I don’t know.”
Another pause. Then, “What happens if they don’t stop it?”
“They—?”
“The group of world travellers.”
Sirik¹’s eyes flashed, looking over your shoulder. You start to turn, and—
You wake up.
[[Continue|PgTwoOneEight]]You jerk upright, breathing heavily. Pain throbs through your skull, and you relax slightly, reaching for your head. All of this was giving you more questions than answers. You never meant to stumble into this other world. These other //worlds//.
You just wanted to find your sister. Now you had to make a decision. Join their fight to fix whatever was happening… or just go home and pretend it never happened.
A knock on the door startles you out of your thoughts. “$player_name!” Noka calls. “We gotta go, c’mon!”
You grumble an inaudible response, something like, “But I’m tired,” and Noka laughs.
“I know,” they say, “but we gotta go. And, uh, quickly.”
Slightly more coherent, you say, “Did something happen?”
Noka grumbles something under their breath, but all you can catch is “impatient bastards.” “No,” they say clearly. “I just want to get there early.”
“Let me get dressed,” you call, already scrambling for anything clean. You’re going to need to wash these soon… Surely there’s somewhere to do that in the city. You need to look around more, but the eerie silence puts you off. You remember the city you come from, so far away now, and you hope that one day you will return. You hope that one day this city will be able to match the life in your own.
[[Continue|PgTwoOneNine]]When you step out of your room, Noka sheepishly offers a wetsuit. “Sorry,” they say quickly. “I forgot I had it in my bag until you were almost done changing.”
You sigh but take it and throw it on. The second time you step out of the room, Noka is more relaxed. “C’mon,” they said. “This time it’ll go better.”
Through the portal you go, and Noka reveals two breathing pods in their bag. “I found some old ones. They’ve got more air in them - twelve hours. Just in case.”
You nod briefly and accept it, fitting it carefully. Then you follow Noka into the water.
You end up back at Jawr’s bar. Lo is already there, with two people beside her. They turn, and you glance over the two strangers.
The girl has long pale green hair and dark blue skin. She beams when she sees you, and her teeth are crooked. The other, with shaggy white hair and pale blue skin, frowns. He glances to the girl, who is a head shorter than him. She elbows him, and he pulls his expression to be more neutral.
“Come on,” Lo grumbles. “We need to figure this out.” Jawr is silent. He turns to the shelves behind him.
Something happened while you were asleep. What was it?
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoZero]]“Hey, Lo,” Noka greets. “Who’re these guys?”
“I’m Milsa,” says the girl cheerfully, “and this is Welks.”
“Noka and $player_name,” Noka replies. “Now, what’s going on?”
They all exchange looks. Tarklo looks irritated, Milsa seems nervous, and Welks has a carefully neutral expression.
<<if $attitude gte 12>> “Well, come on,” you say, annoyed. “Just tell us already.”<<set $jawr_points to $jawr_points + 2>><<set $tarklo_points to $tarklo_points + 2>>
The edges of Tarklo’s lips lift slightly, but fall just as quickly. <<else>>“What’s happening?” you ask.
Tarklo frowns. <<endif>>“The emperor heard of some potential tampering with the ball. It’s being moved to tomorrow.”
Ah.
“So we need to figure out this plan quickly,” Noka says, and Lo nods. Noka considers for just a moment before pulling a large screen from their bag and turning it on. “A tablet,” they explain, “to plan things out. None of you happen to have a map of the palace, hm?”
“I can sketch it,” Lo says, and Noka hands her a slender pen-like object. She gets to work, and Noka turns to you and the others.
“What skills are you best at?” they ask.
Milsa speaks first. “Distractions and information gathering.”
“Excellent. Welks?”
“Stealth,” he says.
“He can take people out silently!” Milsa adds cheerfully. “And he’s good at finding secret stuff.” Welks inclines his head in agreement.
“Right.” Noka paces for a moment. They fiddle with their mask, occasionally glancing back to Lo. “Right. Lo, you need to give us all the information you got. You’re our main information source.”
Jawr coughs once. Noka looks up and tilts their head. “I thought you weren’t giving me any more information for free,” they say. “Not after… //the incident.//” Their mask breaks into a grin. “Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind.”
Jawr’s eyes flick to you for a moment and back to Noka. Their grin fades to a smile.
“Your sister’s in there?” he asks, and you nod. He grunts. “Asshole of an emperor. Sorry, Lo, you know it’s true.”
Lo narrows her eyes, but keeps working on the tablet. “You’re lucky I’m not on duty right now.”
“You’d never catch me anyway,” Jawr scoffs, and Lo’s frown deepens. Jawr turns back to you. “I’ll help. What do you need to know?”
Even with the mask on, you can imagine Noka’s grin.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoOne]]You spend a while going back and forth, discussing guard rotations, entrances, secret passageways… Soon the words begin to blur together, and you rest your head on your hand tiredly.
“Aw, someone looks tired,” Milsa teases, fiddling with her hair. You straighten quickly, and Lo looks over and frowns.
“We should take a break,” she says. “Jawr? Do you have anything we can eat?”
Jawr leans back in his chair. The group had crowded around a small table, leaning over the tablet with the sketch of the palace that Lo had drawn. Jawr barely fit in the tiny chair. “Yeah, I’ve probably got something.” He stands and stretches, then heads behind the bar and into a back room.
You lean back in your chair and rub at your eyes. “I’m not that tired.”
“We all could use a break, anyway,” Noka says, tracing a lazy circle on the table. “I’m going to write up the plan so far.”
Jawr returns with a plate of various snacks - seaweed, fish, scallops. He puts it on the table and leans over Noka’s shoulder to read off the tablet. “Where are we getting new outfits?” he scoffs.
“I have my ways,” Milsa says cryptically, and Lo rolls her eyes.
“Also, how are you getting into it without nicer clothes?” she says. “You can’t go in there in your bar outfit.”
Jawr barks a laugh. “They won’t let me in either way. You know the emperor hates me.”
Lo rolls her eyes, but Milsa claps. “Oh? What happened?”
“Nothing. I was young and stupid.” Jawr says, and Lo snorts but doesn’t add anything.
Milsa frowns, and Welks pats her shoulder. She almost looks like she’s going to press further, but Noka cuts her off.
“Okay,” they say. “I’m going to read over the plan, and then we’ll start going through preparations.”
Everyone nods, and Noka begins.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoTwo]]“One. We all, minus Lo, enter the party the normal way. At the beginning, we mingle. We all have false identities — they won’t hold up under much scrutiny, though. Don’t get caught in a conversation for too long.
“Two. When the clock strikes fifteen, Milsa and Welks will create a distraction. They refuse to tell me what they’re planning other than ‘you’ll know it when you see it,’ so, look out for anything that vaguely might be a signal.” Noka pauses while Lo glares at the duo.
“We’re supposed to be a team,” Lo snaps. “We can’t do that if you two don’t tell us what you’re planning.”
Welks shrugs and Milsa frowns. “We already argued about this,” she says. “If you aren’t sufficiently surprised, then your cover might be blown.” Lo rolled her eyes but didn’t argue further.
“Three. With the guard rotation at fifteen as well as the distraction, there should be enough cover for $player_name to sneak down to the dungeon. I’ll head outside, ready for the escape route. Lo will redirect any guards who happen to head in $player_name’s direction.
“Four. $player_name will head straight to <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> sister’s cell. With the spare key Lo will get for <<if $pronoun is "they">>them<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>him<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$objective<<endif>>, <<if $pronoun is "he">>he<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>she<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "they">> they<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$subjective<<endif>> will break her out. I’ll sneak in through a back way and get both of them out and portal out of there. The rest of you should leave normally.” Noka looked up from their tablet.
“This plan won’t hold up,” Jawr mutters. “Something’s gonna go wrong.”
“No plan ever lasts,” Noka says. “But it’s the best we’ve got for now.”
A beat of silence. Then, Milsa stands and beams. “Outfit time!” she says cheerfully, then turns and sprints out of the room. Welks slides down in his chair slightly.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoThree]]Milsa emerges from the backroom with armfuls of outfits, extravagant ruffles and colors and glitter. Her smile nearly outshines the sparkles. Welks covers his eyes.
“I’ve got tons of options!” she says cheerfully, laying the pile down across a few tables. Noka lights up. Lo shifts and crosses her legs, and Welks is still covering his eyes. “We’ve got this excellent cyan jumpsuit,” she says, holding up the garment. It rains glitter to the ground, and Jawr gains a pained look. It is covered in ruffles, some on the neckline, the waist, the ends of the long sleeves, and the ends of the pant legs.
“As wonderful as that looks,” Noka says, “we need something more subtle.”
Milsa pouts. “If you look //too// plain, you’ll stick out!”
“That’s true,” Noka agrees reluctantly, and you realize that despite their apparent excitement over the options, you’ve never seen them wear anything but black. They stand and walk to the tables, and Milsa excitedly chatters on about every option they show interest in. Welks runs a hand through his hair and joins, quietly searching for something that is less flashy.
Noka chooses a dark purple suit, with a bright white tie and sequins trailing up from the ends of the sleeves and pants. They easily switch their large mask for a smaller one, simply covering their eyes and upper face. It’s a similar deep purple to their suit, with a glittering border and swirls decorating the mask. “How do I look?” they ask, and Milsa nods approvingly. Lo looks away, crossing her arms.
You decide to look as well. Eventually, after Milsa offers a few suggestions, you narrow it down to three options.
A light teal jumpsuit, where the sleeves and pants fan out and fade to a darker teal at the ends. It seems like a dress at first glance. It's fairly simple, just plain color gradient. However, it may be difficult to move quickly in. The matching mask has a simple teal gradient, with a feather tacked to the corner.
There's a light purple, glittery dress, and the skirt ends just above your ankles. It has multiple layers of tulle underneath it, fluffing up the skirt a little. It's off-shoulder, but has long sleeves. The small ribbon at the waist has a dark purple rose made of fabric. Its mask is a dark purple, and has white swirls inked on.
Finally, there's a pale green suit. The slit tails of the tailcoat are long and light, and you can picture it easily flitting in the wind. The tie is white, the same as the shirt. Dark green swirls are stitched onto the coat.
[[The teal jumpsuit.|PgTwoTwoFourJ]]
[[The purple dress.|PgTwoTwoFourD]]
[[The green suit.|PgTwoTwoFourS]]You take a glass of something sparkling from a waiter circling around and head towards the area Noka indicated. You lean against the wall and look out over the crowd. Music plays faintly, and the chatter overlaps into an incomprehensible mess. It’s not like anything you’ve seen before, and honestly, it’s a little overwhelming.
You sip at your drink, trying not to look too out of place, when someone leans on the wall next to you. <<if $attitude lte 12>>You shift away, nervous. They’re taller than you are. <<set $jawr_points to $jawr_points - 1>><<else>>You hardly spare them a glance, intent on not flinching away.<<set $jawr_points to $jawr_points + 1>><<endif>> Then, he tugs at his shirt collar, and you see the large teeth-mark scars on his neck. Your eyes widen.
“I didn't think you were coming,” you say quietly. Jawr just shrugs. “How did you get all of that makeup done so quickly?” His skin is an entirely different shade of blue.
He pulls up his sleeve, revealing his typical dark color underneath it. “Long sleeves, pants, neck— less skin to paint.” He grins. “Damn //kkorl// won’t be keeping me out of this event.”
A snippet of conversation drifts past you. “The emperor is showing up at fifteen, right?” a noblewoman asks her companion. “Fashionably late, I suppose…”
You frown. Wasn’t Milsa going to create a distraction at fifteen? …Just what was she planning?
Jawr appeared to be having similar thoughts. He dragged a hand over his mouth to smother a chuckle. “This’ll be fun,” he mutters. “Alright. I’m going to look around. Good luck, $player_name.” With that, he disappears into the crowd.
You look up towards the clock on the opposite wall. It’s almost too far to see clearly, and again you marvel at the size of this building. It’s twenty minutes to fifteen. In five minutes, someone will slip you the key, and you need to start working around the room towards the exit to the hallway. From there, you head downstairs into the dungeon.
Five minutes. You take a breath.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoSix]]You square your shoulders and approach the closest person who seems to be your age. She wears a floor length blue gown, that gets darker as the fabric reaches the ground. Her mask is a deep teal, with fish fins attached to the sides.
“Hello,” you say, and she looks surprised.
“Hello,” she replies, and her accent makes her voice sound breathier, lighter. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you before.”
You gesture vaguely at your mask. “Maybe you have.”
The girl laughs, covering her mouth with a hand politely. “That is true, I suppose.” She leans closer, dark hair falling over a dark green shoulder. “But I think I would have remembered someone like you.” Behind her mask, her eyes glitter. You’ll have to tread carefully.
“I don’t come to these things often,” you say lightly.
“Oh?” she says. “Why did you come tonight?”
“I was curious,” you reply. “With the masks - it’s a good opportunity.”
She crosses her arms. “So you waited for a chance to hide your identity? What’s your name, again?”
“Flara,” you say. “What’s yours?”
“Hilon,” she says. “I don’t believe I’ve even //heard// your name before, and I’ve heard a lot.”
Ah. Suspicion.
Before you can reply, a hand lands on your arm. “Apologies for my cousin,” Noka says. “<<if $pronoun is "they">>Their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>Her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>His<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> mother is quite protective - this is <<if $pronoun is "they">>their<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "she">>her<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "he">>his<<endif>><<if $pronoun is "custom">>$possessive_adj<<endif>> first ball. Come along, Flara, there’s people I want you to meet.”
Noka pulls you away from Hilon, then smiles. “Good thing I saw what was going on, eh?” they say. “Be more careful next time.”
A snippet of conversation drifts past you. “The emperor is showing up at fifteen, right?” a noblewoman asks her companion. “Fashionably late, I suppose…”
You frown. Wasn’t Milsa going to create a distraction at fifteen? …Just what was she planning?
Noka appeared to be having similar thoughts. They grin. “So //that’s// what they’re planning. I’d better get into place. Good luck, $player_name.” They disappear into the crowd.
You look up towards the clock on the opposite wall. It’s almost too far to see clearly, and again you marvel at the size of this building. It’s twenty minutes to fifteen. In five minutes, someone will slip you the key, and you need to start working around the room towards the exit to the hallway. From there, you head downstairs into the dungeon.
Five minutes. You take a breath.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoSix]]A waiter weaves through the crowd with a platter of caviar and calamari, and you take a piece. You fiddle with your mask idly, glancing at the clock again. Three minutes.
Time seems to drag on reluctantly. You settle against a wall and wait, scanning the crowd. No one gives you a glance, too busy with dancing or eating or talking. You don’t even see Noka <<if previous() is "PgTwoTwoFiveQ">>or Jawr<<endif>> in the crowd. The room is too wide and too crowded.
A cool piece of metal is pressed against your hand, and you grab it. You look up to the guard who had given it, but he’s already walking away. You tuck the key into a pocket, then look up to the clock again. Fifteen minutes to weave across the room and get out of this masquerade.
You wait another few minutes as the party waves back and forth. Most people exchange partners, dancing and laughing. Some wander without a partner, but still exchanging conversation with those they pass. A few stay on the sidelines, clearly uncomfortable, like you. It won’t be too difficult to get across the hall — hence why you’re waiting a bit longer. You had accounted for a bit more time than would be needed. You can’t leave too early, or you’ll get caught before the distraction begins.
Finally, you start to move. You push against the tide of the crowd, dodging those who don’t look where they’re going and ignoring curious looks. You reach the door with a minute to spare.
You turn your back to the wall and glance up to the balcony. Guards line up against the wall, and a man adjusts his collar and steps forward. The band stops playing, and everyone cranes their heads upwards.
“Now welcoming Emperor Ainoral!” The man declares, and the emperor steps out of the double doors with a woman — the empress. They are both in extravagant, deep purple clothing. Golden swirls cover their outfits, and their masks match perfectly. The emperor has pale blue skin, and the empress has medium green.
“Welcome, everyone, to tonight’s masquerade!” Ainoral calls. “Thank you all for coming, and I hope tonight—”
An arrow flies and slams into the door, directly above Ainoral’s head. The room falls silent.
Milsa leaps //unnaturally// high from the crowd and hangs from the chandelier. “Hello!” she says, with a wide smile, and the guards start to hurry towards her. You turn and exit quietly among the confusion.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoSeven]]A few guards line the halls, and you walk down without meeting any of them in the eye. You turn the corner and just as Lo had promised- no one guarded the door to the dungeon. She had called them away and promised to send someone to cover them. The door would be left alone for no more than five minutes.
That was all the time you needed.
You unlocked the door and stepped inside, locking it you behind you. You hurried down the steps, stepping as lightly as possible and trying not to trip. The halls were lit brightly, yet slightly damp. Faintly above, you could hear footsteps and shouting as the guards tried to figure out what to do with Milsa. You wondered where Welks was, then pushed the thought aside.
$sister_name’s cell should be just down here. The prison was arranged in a spiral, and she was somewhere near the center. It would be more difficult to sneak out, since you were leaving by a tunnel near outermost ring, but that wasn’t something that you could control.
Her cell was only a few footsteps away. You approach it slowly. You’re going to see her again. You’ve finally found her.
[[Continue|PgTwoTwoEight]]The cell is empty.
You’re frozen. What happened? Did they put her in a different cell? Did you remember the wrong number? Where do you look now?
You don’t hear the footsteps behind you. But you feel the hand grip your shoulder.
“//What// are you doing here?” a voice growls, but you aren’t scared.
<<if $attitude gte 14>> “Rescuing you,” you reply, and $sister_name sighs.<<else>> “$sister_name,” you breathe softly, and she sighs.<<endif>>
“We had it all worked out, you know,” she mutters. “I’d get out, get the Sitynur—“
“We?” you interrupt, and you can hear $sister_name’s smile.
“I can’t wait for you to meet her,” she says, then straightens and pulls her hand away. You turn towards her. She looks older than you remember, and again you wonder how long it’s been since this whole adventure started. Her hair is a little longer than before, and her skin is painted a pale blue — but her eyes are the same. “We need to go. Really, what were you //thinking//—“
“I’ve got a plan,” you say. “I’ve made friends.”
“A first for you,” $sister_name teases, and you scowl. She taps your shoulder lightly. “Well, tell them plans have changed. I’m not going with you.”
“Why not?”
“I already know what’s… I know what I need to do. You get out of here. We’ll meet up soon.”
“What about breathing? Or— where will we meet?”
“Trust me, alright? I’ve survived this long. Do you know where the Blowfish Bubble is?”
“You know Jawr?”
“//You// know Jawr? Never mind. Meet me there.” She holds your gaze for another moment and then she’s gone. Your chest tightens. It feels like losing her again.
You’ll see her at the Blowfish, you remind yourself. Soon. Now, you just have to get out of here.
“Lovely reunion,” someone whispers behind you, and an alarm starts to blare.
[[Continue|EndofDemo]]<<set $outfit to 1>>Once everyone selects their outfits and masks, and you and Noka apply makeup, Noka checks the time. “Alright, we have an hour left. It’ll take about a half hour to get there. Does everyone have everything?”
Milsa beams and holds up a large purse. Welks nods, not even looking up from where he is trying to carefully unstitch sequins from the least-glittery suit he could find in his size. Lo had left already, to report to the guard and help arrange the schedules. Jawr is adding the final touches to the fake IDs he had made, adding small scratches on the leather to make them appear to be used. You aren’t bringing anything. Lo will give you the key when you’re at the party itself.
“Once Jawr is done, we’ll head out,” Noka says. “Everyone remembers their identities?”
You’re playing Flara Slin, Nooro (Noka’s character)’s younger cousin. They’re from a distant city, but of enough status that it would be feasible for them to arrive at the emperor’s gala. Your skin was a pale green, and Noka’s is a light teal. Flara was a dainty, polite royal, which <<if $disposition gte 14>>would be difficult to play<<else>>would be easy to act as<<endif>>.
Jawr finishes the IDs, everyone gets dressed, and then you’re off. The palace is too far to walk, but Welks calls a carriage and everyone gets inside. The ride is smoother than you expect, going through water rather than over rocks like in your world. You don’t speak much during the ride, a combination of nerves and not wanting to invite eavesdropping from the driver.
When you arrive, and Welks pays for your ride, you’re stunned by the size of the palace. It must be over five stories tall. It’s a large bubble shape, circles being a main theme throughout. You walk through a large, extravagant garden that’s absolutely packed with people. They all smear together into colors in your vision, blues and purples and greens with maybe a hint of yellow or orange. There’s no red, you notice, and you wonder why.
The guards are stern and intimidating, with their bulky build decorated uniforms, but they hardly cast a glance at your ID before letting you through.
Then you’re in, and the party has begun.
Noka puts a hand on your shoulder and glances over the crowd. “That area has less people, if it feels too crowded,” they whisper. “I’m going to go talk to people. We should stay separate for now.”
[[Go to the quieter area.|PgTwoTwoFiveQ]]
[[Try to talk to people.|PgTwoTwoFiveT]]<<set $outfit to 3>>Once everyone selects their outfits and masks, and you and Noka apply makeup, Noka checks the time. “Alright, we have an hour left. It’ll take about a half hour to get there. Does everyone have everything?”
Milsa beams and holds up a large purse. Welks nods, not even looking up from where he is trying to carefully unstitch sequins from the least-glittery suit he could find in his size. Lo had left already, to report to the guard and help arrange the schedules. Jawr is adding the final touches to the fake IDs he had made, adding small scratches on the leather to make them appear to be used. You aren’t bringing anything. Lo will give you the key when you’re at the party itself.
“Once Jawr is done, we’ll head out,” Noka says. “Everyone remembers their identities?”
You’re playing Flara Slin, Nooro (Noka’s character)’s younger cousin. They’re from a distant city, but of enough status that it would be feasible for them to arrive at the emperor’s gala. Your skin was a pale green, and Noka’s is a light teal. Flara was a dainty, polite royal, which <<if $disposition gte 14>>would be difficult to play<<else>>would be easy to act as<<endif>>.
Jawr finishes the IDs, everyone gets dressed, and then you’re off. The palace is too far to walk, but Welks calls a carriage and everyone gets inside. The ride is smoother than you expect, going through water rather than over rocks like in your world. You don’t speak much during the ride, a combination of nerves and not wanting to invite eavesdropping from the driver.
When you arrive, and Welks pays for your ride, you’re stunned by the size of the palace. It must be over five stories tall. It’s a large bubble shape, circles being a main theme throughout. You walk through a large, extravagant garden that’s absolutely packed with people. They all smear together into colors in your vision, blues and purples and greens with maybe a hint of yellow or orange. There’s no red, you notice, and you wonder why.
The guards are stern and intimidating, with their bulky build decorated uniforms, but they hardly cast a glance at your ID before letting you through.
Then you’re in, and the party has begun.
Noka puts a hand on your shoulder and glances over the crowd. “That area has less people, if it feels too crowded,” they whisper. “I’m going to go talk to people. We should stay separate for now.”
[[Go to the quieter area.|PgTwoTwoFiveQ]]
[[Try to talk to people.|PgTwoTwoFiveT]]<<set $outfit to 2>>Once everyone selects their outfits and masks, and you and Noka apply makeup, Noka checks the time. “Alright, we have an hour left. It’ll take about a half hour to get there. Does everyone have everything?”
Milsa beams and holds up a large purse. Welks nods, not even looking up from where he is trying to carefully unstitch sequins from the least-glittery suit he could find in his size. Lo had left already, to report to the guard and help arrange the schedules. Jawr is adding the final touches to the fake IDs he had made, adding small scratches on the leather to make them appear to be used. You aren’t bringing anything. Lo will give you the key when you’re at the party itself.
“Once Jawr is done, we’ll head out,” Noka says. “Everyone remembers their identities?”
You’re playing Flara Slin, Nooro (Noka’s character)’s younger cousin. They’re from a distant city, but of enough status that it would be feasible for them to arrive at the emperor’s gala. Your skin was a pale green, and Noka’s is a light teal. Flara was a dainty, polite royal, which <<if $disposition gte 14>>would be difficult to play<<else>>would be easy to act as<<endif>>.
Jawr finishes the IDs, everyone gets dressed, and then you’re off. The palace is too far to walk, but Welks calls a carriage and everyone gets inside. The ride is smoother than you expect, going through water rather than over rocks like in your world. You don’t speak much during the ride, a combination of nerves and not wanting to invite eavesdropping from the driver.
When you arrive, and Welks pays for your ride, you’re stunned by the size of the palace. It must be over five stories tall. It’s a large bubble shape, circles being a main theme throughout. You walk through a large, extravagant garden that’s absolutely packed with people. They all smear together into colors in your vision, blues and purples and greens with maybe a hint of yellow or orange. There’s no red, you notice, and you wonder why.
The guards are stern and intimidating, with their bulky build decorated uniforms, but they hardly cast a glance at your ID before letting you through.
Then you’re in, and the party has begun.
Noka puts a hand on your shoulder and glances over the crowd. “That area has less people, if it feels too crowded,” they whisper. “I’m going to go talk to people. We should stay separate for now.”
[[Go to the quieter area.|PgTwoTwoFiveQ]]
[[Try to talk to people.|PgTwoTwoFiveT]]