(text-style:"bold","underline","emboss")[''Wanderer's Plight'']
An interactive RPG by ''Max Morgan''.
This is a short story. Think of it as a taste of what's to come next.
(text-style:"bold") [Enjoy!]
[[Proceed]]
[[Content Warning]]
[[Credits]]
(hide:?sidebar)//You are an undefined humanoid aimlessly wandering the world in search of purpose. It's a harsh, heinous society filled with unspeakable horrors, yet you must overcome every obstacle in your path. Your journey will not be one of ease, but challenge and grief. Nobody forced you into this...
...you volunteered.//
[[Next]]
(hide:?sidebar)You arise from what seems like an eternal slumber. It appears to be early in the morning, making for a perfect start to your adventure. Not wanting to waste any time, you prepare to set off.
After only a short walk, you find youself at an impasse. The path you're on branches out into three different directions. With no signposts anywhere to be found, there's no telling what could lie ahead.
The middle road, where you're currently standing, seems normal enough, with nothing out of the ordinary. It's a popular route with travelling merchants as you notice tracks in the dirt, possibly from wagons.
On your left is a winding path that leads into a nearby forest whereas the right side dips into a seemingly empty field.
[[Left]]
[[Right]]
[[Middle]]
(hide:?sidebar)You turn towards the forest. It's a steep hill down but the trees shade you from the burning sun above, much to your relief.
Along the path is a cracked stone, pulsating with some kind of energy. You've never seen anything quite like it before. Such discoveries are what make these journeys so unique, after all. You look around to see if anybody else is present to witness this, but alas there is not a soul in sight. This is all yours.
At first glance it doesn't seem to be dangerous. Your hand edges closer, as if it's drawing you in. A strange sensation makes your palms feel numb, like they're being controlled against your will.
[[Touch it]]
[[Leave it alone]]
(hide:?sidebar)You begin to cross the field. Tall grass sways in the slow, cool breeze, with butterfiles and other insects fluttering around. There's not a cloud in the clear blue sky as you feel a warm glow from the sunshine suspended above. Everything seems peaceful, with nothing to disturb you.
After a short while of walking, you see an injured man sitting by himself at a campsite. There's nobody else around, just him. He is wearing full military regalia, except for his helmet which he must've lost somewhere. His knee is covered in blood, with a bandage covering most of the wound. Despite this setback, he doesn't appear to care much, if at all. As you get closer, a leaf crunches underneath your shoe, alerting the man.
(text-colour:cyan)["Who goes there?! Oh, haha, silly me. You're just a wanderer, aren't you? Apologies for that, I'm a little jumpy these days. My name is Azern."]
He puts his sword back into its scabbard and points to a spot on the ground. You feel as though you must join him, there's a certain energy that you can't seem to ignore.
An overturned wagon lies beside him. He reaches over to it and grabs the nearest book, which happens to be in perfect condition whereas everything else is covered in dirt. Flicking through the pages, he looks back up at you. (text-colour:cyan)["Oh this? Don't worry about my knee, nothing can be done about it now. I'll succumb to it soon enough. These are my final moments, why worry about anything now? I'm an avid reader, I'll die with a book in my hand."]
You're baffled at his carefree attitude. Here he is, approaching death, yet he remains unphased. What is going through his head?
[[Ask Azern some questions]]
[[Observe him]]
(hide:?sidebar)Straight down the middle it is, then. In the distance you spot a small village but you've got more walking to do before you're there. Still, shouldn't take too long. Could be an ideal place to stay.
[[Keep walking]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You set off, hoping to see what this village has to offer. The walk there isn't very scenic, as dead, withered trees litter the fields. A distinct stench grabs your attention, with many lifeless bodies hanging from branches. All of them are shirtless, with words painted onto their torsos in what appears to be blood. Seems like these murders were recent. You attempt to turn back, but a thick veil of fog obscures your surroundings. You can't tell how far you've gone.
'(text-colour:red)[Hell's servant]' is one of the many disturbing phrases drawn on these corpses. Even though they're clearly dead, you get the feeling that some of them may be watching from up there. A silly thought to have, but weirder things have happened. This village you spotted from afar doesn't sound so cosy anymore.
Ten minutes later and you arrive at a place called Sweetwatch. An odd name for somewhere that is full of murder victims. A small cobblestone wall blocks you, it's about waist height. You would go through the gate, but there isn't one, just a gap. Climbing over, nearly every piece of stone falls and breaks. There's barely anything left after you make it over. The strong wind that was constantly whirling has now come to a complete stop. In fact, you can't hear anything. Not a single sound. Your spine tingles with every second that goes by.
[[Explore]]
[[Leave immediately]]
(hide:?sidebar)Giving in to temptation, you reach out and grab the mysterious stone with both hands. Nothing seems to happen, when suddenly...
"(text-colour:navy)[Hey, who are you?]" A stern voices echoes throughout the forest, presumably directed at yourself. Perhaps this person knows more about the stone?
"(text-colour:navy)[So you answered my call then? Very well. I'm Ezrek. If you must know, I'm also a wizard. A mage, if you will. This here is a magical stone known as a beckoning plate. It is used to steer wanderers away from danger. Luckily for you, it worked like a charm. Don't you know what lurks around here? Especially at night?]"
This is very confusing but intriguing all the same. Ten seconds ago you were minding your own business, now you've been supposedly saved by this strange man. It's a lot to take in.
"(text-colour:navy)[I've no time for any frivolous questions, you must follow this road south to ensure your safety. Do not, under any circumstances, come back here. You must heed my advice. Now go, before anything happens!]"
Not wanting to go against Ezrek's wishes, you thank him and hurry along.
[[Along the south road]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You don't think it's worth risking your life over a crumbling rock. so you leave it alone in case you do yourself a mischief.
As you turn away, a voice can be heard somewhere nearby. It sounds like a woman, whispering softly into your ear. Without a second to process what's going on, you carelessly follow the sound, wondering what it could be.
You venture deeper into the forest. The thought of being ambushed enters your head as it gets quieter. The feminine voice can no longer be heard. Maybe it was just your imagination? Before you can so much as blink, a shadowy figure gallops past and pushes you to the ground. Struggling to stand up, you somehow manage to make it back to your feet when it freezes you in place. You're no expert but this person is a skilled mage capable of who knows what else.
//"Sleep now."//
Your vision fades, as do your senses...
[[?]]
(hide:?sidebar)Without wasting any more time, you hurry along along a small path that, according to Ezrek, will lead you to safety. A quick look over your left shoulder reveals that he was in fact right. A tall, imposing person stands next to the stone with a mask covering their face. It's difficult to make out, but a still beating heart seems to be in their hands, leaking with blood.
Not wanting any part in what you just witnessed, you continue onwards. Shortly after, you spot a quiet town ahead. A gleeful looking villager greets you, much to your surprise. Their arms wave with excitement; new arrivals must be something of a rarity.
["(text-colour:green)[Hello there! Welcome to our lovely home! I'm Evelyn and this here is Brittle Mill. Please enjoy your stay!]"]
The sign right beside you states otherwise, with ~~(text-colour:red)[Hellmouth]~~ being hastily crossed out with red paint. Despite that, the woman seems happy that somebody is visiting. From the looks of it, not many people live here, only five houses stand and the local inn is definitely short on customers as you notice the cobwebs that cover every inch of its exterior.
Evelyn, beaming from ear to ear, runs away into a nearby orchard, basket in hand. Looks like it's time to explore.
[[Walk through the town]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You wake up in a darkened room bereft of light. Every corner is painted with shadows, without so much as a candle to provide you with a helping hand. You're unable to see the slab that serves as your bed, there is no detail. Nothing. What sort of prison must this be?
Finally, you hear loud footsteps creeping up the stairs outside before a ball of light envelopes the room, almost blinding you. A tall, well dressed man stares directly at you without saying a word. His face is rough, complete with scars and an unkempt beard. He stands perfectly still before uttering one word.
"//Come//."
He turns and you have no choice but to follow. The room you leave behind is plunged into darkness once again as his light guides the pair of you. Everywhere is pitch black until you walk by. Eventually you both make it to your destination, a throne room of sorts with a demoness sitting patiently. She looks more than pleased to see you, which is worrying.
She clicks her fingers and the man beside you disappears in a plume of smoke which finds its way through the floorboards beneath your feet, making the hairs on your arms stand up.
(text-colour:red)["You must be our new arrival. Wonderful. We'll explain everything."]
[[Listen]]
(hide:?sidebar)
To make sure you're paying attention, she holds your head in place with a spell, meaning you can't look anywhere but in her direction. Your struggle only makes her chuckle.
(text-colour:red)["Listen to me. You have been chosen to become my servant. Don't feel special, it's all random. What you must do now is claim the soul of somebody unfortunate enough to cross your path. Once that's been taken care of, I'll free you. Your puppet strings will be cut forever. Sound fair?"]
You nod without hesitation, desperate to get out of this nightmare. Her piercing gaze sends a chill down your spine. She'll probably rip it out if you continue to look.
(text-colour:red)["Go now. Capture for me."]
Just like that, you are unshackled from her mind and you're allowed to leave, provided you don't try anything stupid. Your mind is racing. None of your thoughts are coherent. How, and why, is this happening? Her bodyguard, the man you met earlier, reappears and escorts you out, with instructions to not return until the job is done. You're not entirely sure you can accomplish this.
[[Go outside]]
[[Resist]]
(hide:?sidebar)
Across from where you're currently standing lies a campsite. A lone man is sitting in front of his fire, trying his best to stay warm. After all, it is a perishing night. You started this journey many mornings ago before being roped into this devious plot. It's difficult to remember exactly how long it has been since that fateful sunrise.
He looks unassuming, no weapon in sight. Should you attack him as part of your task, he probably won't put up much of a battle. Maybe there's another option?
[[Approach]]
[[Ignore]]
(hide:?sidebar)There's no way you can go through with this madness. Just as the man lets his guard down, you rush in without him noticing, quickly grab his dagger and stab him straight in the neck. He stumbles backwards in obvious pain, gasping for air as the blood begins to flow. He's unable to speak properly but does say one word.
"(text-style:"shudder")[AyThA...]"
His body stops convulsing and the life behind his eyes drifts away. Your ears begin to burn as this Aytha, the demoness, walks slowly towards you with a menacing grin. She brandishes a sword, sharper than anything you've seen before, and cuts you down with ease. The blade leaves a gaping wound in your torso which bleeds profusely.
"(text-colour:red)[You had a chance to do right. Now, you must be vanquished.]"
With both hands gripped tightly around the hilt, she swings once more, this time at your neck. In one clean motion, your head is sent flying, with more blood gushing out like a fountain. Each drop is dried up to power up her sword, which must be fuelled by the blood of her enemies. Your corpse slumps over in defeat, motionless.
Your head is collected and placed on a wall, next to thousands, if not more, of others that once belonged to humans like yourself.
"(text-colour:red)[Go dying like that again and maybe I'll think twice about resurrecting you!]" She jokes.
"(text-style:"buoy")[My apologies]." Says the man, who looks out onto the horizon wearing a clean robe. They both share a laugh before admiring their collection of heads.
''(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"bold")[Your fate has been sealed.]''
//The end.//
[[Restart?->Proceed]]
(hide:?sidebar)
Back out now and it will be your head for the chop. You must soldier on.
The man is deep in thought, completely oblivious to your presence. This is your chance to strike.
[[Attack]]
[[Talk]]
(hide:?sidebar)With his back to you, there won't be a better opportunity than now. As he's staring into space, you lunge for him with burning rage.As he sits there peacefully, you initiate a conversation with him. Clearing your throat, you begin...
"Hey there!" You say in a chipper tone. "Could you help me? I'm looking for a nearby campsite."
He stops to think of an answer.
"Um, yeah, which one pal?"
[[The one north of here]]
[[Oh, you know, the one with the unmarked grave!]] ((text-colour:red)[Attack])
(hide:?sidebar)tw-passage {
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(align:"<==")+(box:"XXX===") [Hello]
(text-style:"buoy")[Try and stop me!]
Things to do:
* Finish the remaining routes
* ~~Change the colour of inverted commas~~
* Share the MediaFire link to other websites
* ~~Check for any syntax errors~~
* Upload an image of the game to itch.io
* Move house!"Huh?!"
You attack with haste, plunging your sword into his abdomen with considerable force. He's too stunned to react as you keep on stabbing him. Blood begins to drip onto your steel blade, his life isn't going to last much longer.
Five passing seconds feels like forever. The man draws his last breath before your very eyes. His soul leaves it moments later, you can almost feel it giving you a tap on the shoulder.
The job is done. You did what was asked, to capture a soul. It is yours now, a seemingly innocent man has now lost his life in a random act of violence. You'd better inform the demoness immediately.
As you turn around, there she is, emerging from a cloud of red mist. Maybe she was watching your every move? Seems that way. Her personal bodyguard is nowhere to be seen, just you and her now.
(text-colour:red)["Mmm, what do we have here then? A blade, crimson with the blood of an unfortunate? You've been busy. Hand it over."]
You give her the sword which is covered in blood, more so than before. How did that happen? It's wrapped from top to bottom with the stuff. You grow suspicious.
(text-colour:red)["Yes, this will do nicely. Enough blood to quench my thirst for now anyway."]
You watch in horror as she holds it upright and begins to drink every last drop, not stopping to savour the taste. Her eyes roll into the back of her head as she moans with pure esctasy.
(text-colour:red)["Delicious! Sorry I didn't save some for you, perhaps you'd prefer to bring me more?"]
Struggling to muster up the courage to respond, she quickly sews your mouth shut with the power of her ever-potent blood magic. The pieces of this sadistic jigsaw begin to fall in place.
(text-colour:red)["Don't you see? You were my unwitting pawn in my little game. Being a demoness, I need blood, far more than you humans, but nobody was available. Then you come wandering in like a lost lamb and I knew you'd be the perfect fit! All I'm missing is a golden chalice to drink from! May as well use your hollowed out skull once I'm finished here."]
[[Watch]]
(hide:?sidebar)As your mouth remains stitched up, the demoness paces back and forth, pondering her next move. You're not looking forward to the next five minutes. She goes to summon her bodyguard by clicking her fingers again, but refrains from doing so, preferring to deal with you alone.
Your eyes dart around the forest, wondering what's going to happen next. All she's doing is staring straight ahead, probably into your soul. You look down and see that both of your hands are shaking uncontrollably. The sweat begins to pour from your head as she continues to gaze without blinking. After some time, she finally comes to a decision.
"(text-colour:red)[I must say, figuring out how to deal with you has been difficult. However, thinking about the hundreds of ways to kill you more than makes up for it!]" She hisses with a spiteful look in her eyes."(text-colour:red)[ Now I have the answer. You're going to wish that you had never met me!]"
Within seconds of uttering those cruel words, she brandishes the sword from earlier. Her heads does a 360 degree spin to check if anybody is watching. Sadly for you, nobody is going to stop this. If you're lucky, some poor villager will take your corpse and bury it before it gets eaten. The demoness enchants it with leftover blood and it begins to pulsate. Instead of pointing at you with the blade, she lifts it up into the air. Suddenly, the clouds above create an opening and a beam of blinding light strikes down in chaotic fashion. The sword is now imbued with magical properties beyond your comprehension.
"(text-colour:red)[See this? I've called upon the gods themselves. This sword of mine is now capable of not only capturing your soul, but bringing your body back from the plains of darkness! You will become my loyal soldier, thanks to necromancy.]"
This revelation is enough to make you want to scream, if only you could. The demoness fires that very beam you just saw a second ago straight into your chest, obliterating it. A large, gaping hole is all that remains. Right as you fall down, she jolts you back up again, only time your thoughts aren't quite your own.
[[Soldier on]]
(hide:?sidebar)
"(text-colour:red)[Speak to me, for I am your new master.]"
"I am in your debt for bringing me back. I'll die for you, no matter the risk." These words did not come from your mind, but hers. She has her own puppet to play with. There's not much you can do except wait on her hand and foot.
"(text-colour:red)[Very good, just what I wanted to hear from my new toy. Serve my cause, dregling. Go forth and slaughter those who oppose.]"
She hands you a sharpened axe before pushing you to one side. It glows with the same magic that killed you. Your hands begin to itch from tightly gripping the hilt. Seems like this blood magic can spread to those who have been indoctrinated. You can feel it zapping at your fingertips. While you're in awe at what's happening, a voice can be heard.
"(text-colour:red)[How's my newest myrmidon? Missing me already? Hah, get used hearing me inside your head. I've got one simple task for you, it shouldn't be too difficult.]"
You swallow hard. She informs you what needs to be done. Her tone shifts from guttural and raspy to a more soothing voice.
"(text-colour:red)[Claim a soul, then return to me.]"
Somebody notices you from up the road and runs away in panic. You know what to do.
(text-colour:red)[''The demoness has you now. There's no escape.'']
[[Restart?->Proceed]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You stand in the town square. What's your next move?
[[See the fountain]]
[[Look in the shop window]]
[[Ask around for rumours]]
[[Carry on]]
(hide:?sidebar)A dried up old fountain sits peacefully in the centre of town. Judging by the way it looks, not a single person has been anywhere near it in hundreds of years. It is completely void of water, though in between the leaves and bramble lies a rusted coin.
You pick it up and take a closer look. There's an abstract pattern on one side which doesn't ring any bells. Flipping it over reveals a two headed man wielding a cane. An odd choice for a design. Underneath is a motto of some kind.
//"Trust is what all shall lose."//
This puzzles you for a moment, but you decide not to give it much thought. It's possibly a commemorative coin that was used as a child's wish decades ago.
[[Return to the square ->Walk through the town]]
(hide:?sidebar)A storefront catches your eye. You take a closer look to see what it's all about. The sign above reads// "Barraclough and Sons."// Peering through the fogged up glass, you see a variety of shoes, hats and other clothes. They appear worn and ragged, not at all what you'd expect from an upmarket establishment such as this.
Nothing seems out of the ordinary until you feel a drop of paint hit your head. Your spine tingles with terror as you go to wipe it off and see that it's actually blood, though you're unsure where it came from. A murder of crows begin to circle the roof, watching as you remain frozen with fear. Perhaps it's time to move along before anything else happens...
[[Return to the square ->Walk through the town]]
(hide:?sidebar)As you don't know much about the town, it would be wise to learn more about where you are. Across from where you're standing is a dapper looking man dressed from head to toe in the most extravagent looking attire. He's wearing a lime green waistcoat that must've been cleaned just moments ago, there's not a mark anywhere on it. He peers through his monacle and notices you approaching.
["(text-colour:lime)[Yes? May I help you today?]"] he says in a calm manner.
[[Ask about the town]]
[[Nevermind->Walk through the town]]
(hide:?sidebar)Almost every cloud is black, with rain and hail pelting the cobbestones. Every door you see is shut, except for one, the inn. As you have nowhere to sleep, you head on over. A warm bed awaits.
A ginger-haired woman smiles as you walk in. ["(text-colour:orange)[Good afternoon, how can we help you today?]"]
It's awkward, but you explain that you're a drifter with no money. Not a single penny to your name. Expecting to be turfed out, the woman actually expresses sympathy.
"(text-colour:orange)[Ah, I see. Well, we don't usually do this but let me help you out. I'll let you stay here for free if you agree not to tell Greg, the owner. He's not the charitable type.]"
Without hesitation, you thank her generosity before heading upstairs. "(text-colour:orange)[Third room on the right!]" she shouts.
That went better than expected. The room itself isn't too shabby. Tattered curtains aside, it has a nice aura about it, though you show slight concern for the floorboards, which have nails poking out from everywhere. After what you've experienced today, a rock would be good enough to sleep on. You lie down comfortably on the soft mattress and fall asleep.
[[Rest]]
(hide:?sidebar)''Written and Created by:''
Max Morgan (''SellSwordDev'')
''German Translation:''
Wesp5
''QA Testers:''
Shay Trelow
Troy Campbell
Hazy-Crystal
Graham Van Scyoc
Luvmuffin
Kurt Siemon
''Special Thanks to:''
Jason Dhadra
Michael Poole
Jonathan Smeda
Max Quick
Courtney Rae-Francis
Ash Toner
Tom Keys
Daniel Fernell
Ben Fernell
Timothy Cain
Damien Coulson["(text-colour:lime)[This old place? Hmmm. Between you and me, it's, shall we say, cursed. My advice would be to keep walking. Don't look back.]"]
You're confused. What could be so wrong about this place? You ask the man to be more specific. Brushing one sleeve and clearing his throat, he answers in a concerned voice.
["(text-colour:lime)[Did you see what was written on that sign as you entered? This used to be a town called Hellmouth. Foul place it was, infested with demons and god knows what else. Soliders liberated it years ago and what you see now is the fallout from a long, bloody battle. Innocent lives were taken, families were torn apart, all for what you may ask? A power-hungry king, that's what.]"]
He adjusts his top hat before continuing on. As he does, you catch a glimpse of his head. There's not a strand of hair to be seen. Instead, a large oval shaped scar is present, covering a third of his scalp.
["(text-colour:lime)[After it was over, not many people stayed. Understandable if you ask me. Those that did have been forced to live with the trauma. Even those that weren't directly involved have reportedly seen ghostly apparitions of loved ones. It affected me badly, couldn't sleep for weeks. These voices kept me up at night.]"]
Right as he's about to continue his story, dark clouds begin to form in the sky. A light drizzle pours from above forcing everyone indoors. Seconds after, a devastating bolt of lightning comes crashing down and hits a nearby tree, though strangely you don't seem any flames. One head turn later and the well-dressed man has left.
[[Go back->Walk through the town]]
(hide:?sidebar)//Your head is filled with intrusive thoughts. None of them seem relevant to you, not one place or person seems familiar. An empty hallway stands before you, dimly lit with torches. A deafening scream takes you by surprise, making you lose focus. Whatever it was making that noise moves closer, heavy footsteps can be heard prowling along. The sounds of death soon follow, with a number of men dying all at once. Blood spills onto a wall inches from your face, its thick texture covering most of the bricks, dripping down slowly.//
//An orb appears in front of you. It shimmers briefly before engulfing you in a flickering light. The screams are gone, but those memories remain. Ten ghosts of slain warriors shuffle past you on a grassy knoll, weapons at the ready. They cut down their prey with relative ease, with each swing breaking through the skin. One man lies face down, with no sign of movement. The remaining nine carry on without him as they examine his warm corpse. They drape it with a fine piece of linen and move along, just another casualty.//
//Chanting can be heard. A language you cannot understand. Balcony doors open, you poke your head through. The high king is holding a feast. Goblet in hand, he adresses his royal audience with a smirk. A rousing speech follows, glasses clink together, a toast has been made. His broken crown glows, as does the room. The severed head of a former scribe rolls out before him, Everyone goes quiet. Laughter erupts from the executioner, who in turn drinks to a job well done as guests cheer in appreciation. His wife gives him a kiss and retreats to their quarters.//
[[Wake up]]
(hide:?sidebar)
''"Get up! Hey...you awake yet? We've....move..."''
''"...now! Come....NOW!"''
You're woken up by somebody tugging violently at your bed sheets. Those dreams you had seemed real, now it looks like something worse is underway. That kind woman from yesterday has a concerned look in her eyes. One that tells you something isn't at all right. She's carrying a sword on her back, which definitely wasn't there earlier.
"(text-colour:orange)[Didn't you hear me? We need to get you downstairs right now!]"
[[What's going on?]]
[[Is this another dream?]]
(hide:?sidebar)
"(text-colour:orange)[The town is being attacked, that's what! I'll explain everything when we have more time. For now, get your arse up already!]"
That urgent tone in her voice is enough to convince you that something serious is happening. You pull back on the curtain and see a foreboding sky, painted red as the clouds move by. Cries of terror echo through the once lonely streets, making your already shaky arms twitch with fear. Rivers of blood can be seen running down the cobbled roads with severed limbs bobbing along. Wooden carts, normally used for transporting vegetables, now act as makeshift coffins. A cloaked man dumps a headless body into one, before performing a ritual of sorts.
Not wanting to stay any longer, you frantically put on your clothes and head downstairs. The woman is waiting with a broadsword by her side. She gestures towards a cabinet full of weapons.
"(text-colour:orange)[Here, take something. You're gonna bloody need it right now. Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, my name's Luna. Innkeeper by day, weekend warrior by night. Except this time, the bastards decided to wake us up at the crack of dawn. We've got to move, stay close and don't stop swingin'!]"
Luna dashes out of the front door, fully intent on pushing the invaders back. You're still not quite sure who they are or what's going on, but you're confident that the pieces will fit together eventually.
[[Take a sword]]
[[Continue on without a weapon]]
(hide:?sidebar)She completely avoids your question.
(text-colour:orange)["You have them too?"] before snapping out of her trance. (text-colour:orange)["Nevermind that, we need you up right away. No time to waste."]
Your sore eyes are begging to be shut, but there are more pressing matters at hand. Swords can be heard clashing together followed by the sounds of death. Terrified rattles perforate your weakened eardrums. You look down at the chaos brewing only to be met with paste splattering against the window, with the poor victim being dragged down a flight of stairs.
You make your way downstairs where the woman is waiting, sword at the ready. (text-colour:orange)["Apologies for not introducing myself, I'm Luna. Not just an innkeeper, as you can see. Anyway, grab yourself something sharp and we'll take the fight to these arseholes. I'll tell you everything when we're out of here, ok?"]
Luna directs you to a previously locked cabinet packed with all kinds of weaponry. Antique rapiers, spotless foils, you even notice a khopesh tucked away in the back. The decision is yours.
[[Take a sword]]
[[Continue on without a weapon]]
(hide:?sidebar)Not one for combat, you proceed with nothing but your bare fists. A voice in your head tells you that this is suicide, as there's a horde of armed soldiers killing everyone on sight.
"(text-colour:orange)["What the bleeding hell are you doing? I told you to pick something! What, you're gonna talk them down? Sod that, it's a warzone out here. I'll not be scooping your corpse off the floor, I'm getting the hell out of this hole.]"
Luna seems, understandably, frustrated with your lack of commitment. People are dying left and right, it would be wise to equip yourself with some better gear. Those ripped and torn clothes on your back won't be enough to repel an army.
Just as you're about to head back inside, a large man blocks your path. He's holding a greataxe, which is stopping you from going any further. His steel helmet completely covers his face, but you're guessing that he's not the friendliest of chaps as you spot a cracked skull hanging from his belt, presumably a trophy from a previous battle.
"(text-colour:red)["Dare to stare me down and survive? You've got some nerve lad. You don't seem up to much, piss off before I cleave you in half.]"
[[Stand your ground]]
[[Scarper]]
(hide:?sidebar)
Realising that you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, you run for the hills in terror. The fearsome looking man brushes you off and goes to look for another hapless victim, but you see a group of armed soldiers blocking the gates. Sweat starts pouring from your head, your hands are twitching uncontrollably. You couldn't hold up a weapon even if you tried, not with these shaky nerves. From where you are standing, there's no exit in sight. The main gate has been rendered inaccessible thanks to the swarms of men fighting tooth and nail.
Just as all hope is lost, you notice a small opening to the left of where you're currently standing. It's a tiny gap, but there are no other options available. It's either that, have somebody collect your decapitated head in a bucket.
[[Run for it]]
(hide:?sidebar)You take the closest sword and grip it firmly. It is a fine looking blade that hasn't seen much action judging by the pristine condition it's in. Perfect for this situation.
Luna can be seen up ahead swinging away. Her stance indicates that she's a well trained soldier, you would never have guessed after seeing her last night. An unlucky fellow attempts to stab her from behind but trips ever so slightly, allowing Luna to punish him with a fatal blow to his head. She doesn't give him a second thought and moves on to another invader.
One of them approaches you with haste. You've no time to think. He rushes your position, ready to kill or be killed. Dressed in a full suit of darksteel armour, the man lunges at you with a spear, missing by an inch. With both hands on the hilt, you retalliate with a strike of your own. The sword manages to knock a decent sized lump off his chestplate. Annoyed by this, he mutters something under his breath and goes in once again. You instinctively shut your eyes and brace for impact, when suddenly you pierce him straight through his leg. He cries out in pain and collapses to the ground, unable to walk or even stand up.
He is badly winded by your attack and is losing a lot of blood. Underneath his helmet, you can see his face wincing as he clutches below the knee. By the looks of things, he isn't going to make it.
[[Walk away]]
[[Finish him off]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You're no killer. His wounds will heal, whereas your conscience will not. The sword you wield must go back into its scabbard instead of this soldier's heart. He slowly crawls over to you, tugging on your leg with his weak hand.
["(text-colour:red)[Please, don't...you mustn't leave me. Grant me a warrior's death, I can't face them like this!]"] His throat, backed up with heaps of dust, lets out a series of coughs. There's a thick layer of soot on his tired face. The blood keeps flowing, but there's just enough left inside to stop him from dying. He'll not succumb today.
You get ready to leave, but the man is desperate. He begins to cry out in pain, wishing for it to end swiftly.[ "(text-colour:red)[Arghhh...shit! Just end it already! Look...at the state of...me. If I'm left here...I'll return with nothing but disgrace to my...family...]"]
One final chance presents itself. Either walk away now, or send this weeping man to the other side.
[[Stab]]
[[Keep going]]
(hide:?sidebar)In your mind, he's already dead. Prolonging it any further would just make it worse. Besides, he was about to do the same five minutes ago.
He puts both arms out, resting them on his sides. You stand over him, your sword thirsting for fresh blood. No words are exchanged, he simply closes his eyes. Both of you know how this ends.
Without wasting any more time, you drive the sword straight into him with unrelenting aggression. He doesn't make a sound, not even a whimper. As it re-emerges, the blade burns red with his blood before drying rapidly, turning it into a darker shade. Crows begin to sound once more. They hop down from the ledge of a nearby house and feast on his visible flesh. Given their appetite, it looks like their first proper meal in days. No more than five of them huddle around his body, with you carrying his vanquished soul.
As they fly away, the remaining invaders disperse. Luna comes running. "(text-colour:orange)[You alright?]" she asks while catching her breath. "(text-colour:orange)[I took out as many as I could. Seems like you scored yourself a kill too. First time? You'll feel sick, uneasy and remorseful, but remember, it was you or him. Do not forget that.]"
You both stand for a while, thinking about what has just taken place. A familiar voice shouts over at the pair of you. ''"Hey, you two!"''
[[Look up]]
(hide:?sidebar)With his long, crinkled robe flowing in the wind, Ezrek stands atop the hill. His staff is pulsating with an unknown source of magic, perhaps it's from the stone he told you about earlier?
"(text-colour:navy)[Good to see that you're alive, but we'll chat later. For now, you two need to get out of here. Follow me, we can rest back at my hut.]"
"(text-colour:orange)[We'll see you there!]" Luna waves before dragging you by the collar. "(text-colour:orange)[Ezrek's is a trustworthy fellow, we needn't worry about him. Let's join him before someone else arrives.]"
There's a winding road which takes you out of the village. Ezrek's home lies just ahead.
[[Follow Ezrek]]
(hide:?sidebar)Your emotions get the better of you. He's practically begging to be killed. With his current condition, it's probably unlikely that he would survive another minute. Putting him out of his misery seems the most noble thing to do.
You turn around, his face almost lights up with glee. Unsheathing the sword once more, you thrust it straight into his upper torso, with more blood gushing out at a rapid pace. His wry smile soon fades, as does his life. Right before it disappears completely, he lets out one final breath.
"(text-colour:(hsl:0,0.8039,0.5,0.65))[Th...Thank you...]"
The deed is done. You wipe your blade clean and continue on, with an unseasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. Luna spots you and runs over frantically. ["(text-colour:orange)[That your first? It will feel weird, but you'll get over it in time. I sure did.]"] You can't help but feel worse, her idea of comforting another doesn't seem on par with yours.
A booming can be heard coming over a nearby tor. Both of you look up and see a robed man wielding a staff. [ "(text-colour:navy)[You two! Over here, now! We need to leave immediately, no excuses!]"]
["(text-colour:orange)[Ezrek? Good lord, it's him! He'll sort this out. Quickly, let's join him.]"]
[[Follow Ezrek]]
(hide:?sidebar)
Not wanting to go any further, you let the man live. No matter how much he pleads, you simply cannot bring yourself to inflict any more harm.
The bleeding continues. His knee is now completely covered in blood. His muffled cries distract you temporarily, though you soon regain your composure and carry on. Was this the best possible outcome? It's difficult to say. He's clearly suffering, though thrusting a blade through him is hardly a fitting demise.
The man attempts to speak, but with his lungs containing so much smoke from the nearby fires, he can barely utter a word. All he can muster is a slight cough before scurrying away into the shadows. His superiors may not be impressed, but at least you're not responsible.
A voice calls out from behind. "(text-color:orange)[You let that one get away. Careful, he won't forget your face. They never do.]" Luna sounds concerned. Understandable, considering that this isn't the first time her home has been attacked. Still, you're just glad nobody had to die during that scuffle.
Suddenly, before you can even respond to her, a man dressed in a shabby grey robe runs towards the pair of you. Catching his breath, he hastily introduces himself.
"(text-color:navy)[My name is Ezrek. No time for idle chatter, we must get a move on. Follow me and don't slow down!]" The man wasted no time at all as he darted away with great speed. "(text-color:orange)[Don't worry, I know Ezrek. He used to live here once upon a time, right until he was driven out. I'll explain more as we go.]" Luna's words give you peace of mind, for a short while anyway.
[[Follow Ezrek]]
(hide:?sidebar)You arrive at Ezrek's home. It's a humble cottage surrounded by a dense forest, with greenery that goes on for as far as your eyes can see. Inside is full of shelves stacked with dusty tomes containing powerful spells. A soft, triangular rug lies above the creaky wooden flooring as the fireplace rages with warmth. There's a feint smell of potatoes which wafts through the air, something delicious must be for dinner. It may not look like much, but it's certainly home compared to where you've just come from.
"(text-colour:navy)[Make yourselves at home. You've been through so much in such little time!]" Ezrek's friendly tone makes for a refreshing change. Moments ago you were knee-deep in entrails, watching townsfolk die helplessly. Luna kicks her shoes off and relaxes by sitting back in a comfortable looking armchair. She grabs a random book from the table."(text-colour:orange)[Mind if I read this?]"
"(text-colour:navy)[Be my guest!]" says Ezrek, nodding with approval. Luna flicks through a couple of pages before landing on a chapter about rock cairns. She quietly reads to herself, wondering why notes have been scrawled all over this particular page. "(text-colour:orange)[Did you write over this yourself?]" she asks with confusion."(text-colour:navy)[ Ah yes, I did. Forgot about that. Magic isn't my only forte, I'm also fond of geology.]"
Your ears prick up. This explains why he was drawn to the stone from earlier. You ask him more about this but his answer doesn't seem to be all that clear. "(text-colour:navy)[That one was made from the forces. You know...those who attacked that village. Surely you know who they must be?]" Ezrek raises his eyebrows, waiting for your reply. Luna watches on, wondering how you fit into this. This brief moment of silence is interrupted by a loud crash coming from the kitchen."(text-colour:navy)[ Damnit, that's the pot! It must've fallen off. Excuse me, would you?]" He rushes off to clean up the mess.
"(text-colour:orange)[Was he about to suggest that you know more than you're letting on?]" Luna whispers with a worried expression. You tell her that this land is new to you and that you've only been here for mere moments. She believes you, but appears even more perplexed than yourself about the matter. Ezrek returns with three plates of piping hot vegetables. "(text-colour:navy)[Tuck in! It's a favourite of mine. My mother used to cook this every week without fail. The recipe should be somewhere...erm...nevermind that, eat before it goes cold now!]"
The meal itself was tasty, though you can't help but feel like you would've enjoyed it more had it not been smothered in an unidentifiable sauce. Luna kept asking Ezrek about it but he didn't provide a coherent answer. He rambled on about it possibly being from the garden instead. The three of you sit around for hours, sharing stories and chatting about what the future has in store. You don't feel optimistic, though you are happy to still be alive, same goes for Luna. Ezrek, on the other hand, is giddy with excitement, like a child after receiving a dose of sugar."(text-colour:navy)[While you've been savouring my top notch cuisine, I've been studying how to defeat these evil creatures. It all stems from corpses of the recently deceased. These bastards use the power of necromancy to resurrect them. All we need to do is eviscerate these bodies before they can be used against us!]"
[[Continue listening]]
(hide:?sidebar)Ezrek keeps talking for what seems like an eternity before arriving at his main point. "(text-colour:navy)[...What do these corpses all have in common? Markings behind their ears. These indicate that they are part of the invaders, whatever they may be called! So as I was saying earlier, we must find a new way...]"
Luna breaks eye contact from Ezrek and notices something strange. Whenever you fidget about in your seat, a shimmering symbol can be seen around your left ear lobe. She stares at it for a good five seconds before making the connection. "(text-colour:orange)[You...you're...one of them?!]"
"(text-colour:navy)[Can we please...what? Luna, are you alright?]" Ezrek peers over at you and comes to the same conclusion. Your marking matches the exact description of what he was talking about."(text-colour:navy)[ This...makes perfect sense. I've seen these victims myself, some of them didn't die somehow. You must be one of the lucky ones. Tell me, you don't harbour any ill will against us. right? No muderous urges?]" You tell the pair of them that you are not, in fact, here to kill them. You're just as confused, all you can remember is waking up on a dirt road with no recollection of what happened.
"(text-colour:orange)[This means that...you were dead. Not anymore though. You're now...undead.]" Luna can't stop herself from stammering,
You might be one of the invaders, or, dark forces, but you're different. Something burns from inside. You're not a puppet or servant, far from it. There's more than meets the eye. Whoever you were and whatever you become will decide the fate of this world for better...or worse.
//''Thank you for playing.''//
[[Restart? ->Proceed]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You can't go another second with knowing more about this man and his past. Without sounding invasive, you politely ask if he's willing to share more.
"(text-colour:cyan)[Absolutely, I can tell you whatever interests you. You'll need to be quick, however, because I've not got much time left!]
He lets out a loud chuckle which fades into more of an exasperated sigh of relief. You're free to ask him anything you wish, assuming you're fast enough.
[[What happened?]]
[[Do you have a family?]]
[[Where is everyone else?]]
(hide:?sidebar)
Azern is sitting by himself, with nobody else for miles. His head is buried in a large book, you cannot make out the name of it. He doesn't seem to notice your presence.
That wound on his knee doesn't seem to be getting any better. Immediate medical attention is normally required for injuires like this, but you get the feeling that he doesn't care. From the looks of things, he has embraced his fate with open arms, like greeting an old friend.
[[Ask Azern some questions]]
(hide:?sidebar)You decide to address the obvious question by asking him how he picked up that nasty looking injury.
"(text-colour:cyan)[I'm a solider, in case you couldn't already tell. Me and my men were ambushed by these creatures...don't know how to describe them. They were tall, like werewolves, but somehow more ferocious. I came here with a group of eight. Seven of them perished almost immediately. These damn things tore through them like pieces of soggy bread. With claws sharper than our swords, they pierced through their flesh with no bother at all. I happened to be standing behind them when this took place. Call me a coward, but I ran.]"
He coughs for a moment, clearing his throat.
"(text-colour:cyan)[I'm not usually this much of a chicken, but you've got to understand how terrifying they were. Those unlucky bastards didn't know what had just hit them, I at least had some time to scarper. One of them managed to catch up and scrape my knee, drawing blood. This happened in just over there.]"
Azren gestures towards the area where this skirmish took place. Within the bushes, you can see a trail of dry blood, thus confirming his story.
"(text-colour:cyan)[We couldn't fight back, our weapons were blunt enough. Striking them down was impossible, all we could do was cower in fear. That blow I took was powerful enough to take most of the wind from under my sails. It made me feel dizzy, that's when I looked down and noticed the sheer volume of blood I was losing. My uniform became red. Better than it turning yellow anyway! Anyway, they continued chasing me until something else caught their attention. They left me out in this field, so I crawled along here to this merchant's wagon and I've not been disturbed since.]"
You thank him for his honest assessment of the situation. "(text-colour:cyan)[Ah, not to worry kid. Now, was there something else you wanted to ask me?]"
[[Do you have a family?]]
[[Where is everyone else?]]
[[That's enough]]
(hide:?sidebar)"(text-colour:cyan)[I did, yes. Long ago, before I enlisted. My wife, Aronaya, was a sweet woman. She had to have been the happiest person I'd ever seen, not a day went by without her smiling or whistling a tune. When me and the lads left for battle, she waved with a proud look on her face. I'll never forget what she said to me that day. 'Don't come back without their heads on spikes!' Ahhh, she had a funny side to her...]"
That last comment of his takes you off guard, but you let him continue on. He's holding back the tears as he explains his loving wife.
"(text-colour:cyan)[...She'd always wish me well on my adventures. God do I miss her. In a way, I'm glad that it's me who dies and not her. Can't stomach the thought of that. Wherever I go, I'll be smiling down at her.]" A single tear rolls down his face as he fails to keep them from falling. He smiles for a moment before taking some time to compose himself.
"(text-colour:cyan)[I'm...sorry about that. It's just I've not seen her since we got deployed. These battles they...take it out of you. Blood is all I ever see these days. I miss those precious moments we had together. Sitting atop a hill with a dandelion, looking for shooting stars. Singing in front of a campfire, what ever happened to those days? Can you tell me? 'Cause I sure can't.]"
"(text-colour:cyan)[Once again, please accept my apologies. I shouldn't be doing this in front of a stranger. Was there anything else you wanted to ask?]"
[[Where is everyone else?]]
[[What happened?]]
[[That's enough]]
(hide:?sidebar)
(text-colour:cyan)["Well, apart from my fallen brothers, nobody else was here when I arrived. I've scouted around this area before and not once have I seen anyone here. No thieves, smiths, voguers, not a one. This old wagon belonged to a merchant, that much is true, but I don't know what it's doing here. Wherever he is, I'm sure he won't mind me taking a look at his stock. I won't be needing it for much longer. Say, he or she has good taste in literature, I mean just look at these!"]
You see a pile of tomes and books, all of them with vibrant covers on the front. He reads out his favourites in a jolly tone.
(text-colour:cyan)["...//Ghazorj and the Orcish Axe//, my mother used to read this whenever I had trouble sleeping. Haven't seen a copy of this in yonks I tell ya! What else...ah! //Magic Rune//, now this is a classic. Wizards battling each other with dark hexes, makes for tense reading. //Ghosts of a Broken Past//, now this is a must read! The author's name seems to be missing, that's a little odd. Anyway, what have we here? Oh yes, //The Sultry Voice//, one for a more mature audience I see!"]
He sets them down neatly, making sure they're not damaged by checking each spine. Just as you think he's done, his hand goes back into the cart and after a minute of rummaging, he pulls out another.
(text-colour:cyan)["Have you heard of this one? It's called// Misplaced Memories//. People often say that you must read this before you die. Luckily for me, I already have. You can scratch that one off haha! You can keep it if you like, a gift from me to you."]
You accept his present and thank him.
(text-colour:cyan)["Don't mention it. Was there anything else?"]
[[What happened?]]
[[Do you have a family?]]
[[That's enough]]
(hide:?sidebar)
You have nothing more to ask. Azern chuckes to himself before wiping away a lone tear. His once optimistic smile fades slowly as he looks down. The blood from his knee hasn't stopped pouring since you starting speaking, there's enough of it to fill up a river.
"(text-colour:cyan)[Nothing more to say I'm guessing? Very well. It was a pleasure talking to you. Nice to have spent my final moments with somebody as understanding as yourself. Didn't want to go out with half my ribcage missing. You know what? I'm glad you came by. I'm a shy person, conversation doesn't usually come easily for me. You're a good listener, it made the sound of my own voice more managable.]"
His coughing has gotten worse. He's losing the ability to speak, the words aren't coming out as fast. He blinks rapidly, looks like this is it.
"(text-colour:cyan)[We'll...meet again hopefully. Our paths...should cross once more...that would be...wonderful. Perhaps...my wife will follow on...soon after. Ahhh...one...can only dream of such a nice...ending...]"
His body slumps over. One more smile escapes him before he finally succumbs to his fatal wound. The once green grass is now crimson, crows begin to sound in the distance. Within mere moments, his fresh corpse is covered in them, from head to toe. You gaze in shock at how quickly they arrived. After his body has been picked clean, they all fly away, except for two, who tilt their heads at you. Silence. You don't know how to respond. Their cold, dead eyes are staring straight into your soul. A full minute passes before they depart. Suddenly, you hear footsteps.
A platoon of soldiers march over. They must've heard the murder of crows and came over to investigate. There's ten, maybe twelve in total. An elderly looking man stands in front, he must be in charge. ''"You! What happened here then?"''
You look down at Azern's body. It's already showing signs of decay, despite only being a couple of minutes old. Confused, you attempt to answer his question but he cuts you off.
''"Why did you stare at the ground? Are you feeling alright?"'' His stern voice shifts into a more concerned tone. You explain to him that a man named Azern has just died from being attacked by a pack of unknown creatures. He refused to treat his wound and accepted his fate. You make sure to underline the fact that he was a stranger and you had no part in his death. The man raises his eyebrow and delivers a bombshell.
''"What man? We don't see anybody."''
[[Restart? ->Proceed]]
(hide:?sidebar)
Despite the unwelcoming atmosphere, you decide to venture onwards. It's a mostly grey place, with not much colour, except for occasional splashes of red. The grim looking houses are dripping with despair as you notice their dilapidated condition. A sinking feeling develops in your stomach, almost as if these very abodes are staring back at you.
There's a distinct lack of grass in this neck of the woods. Beyond the gate, you can only see soil, stone and mulch. At least, that's without mentioning the high number of bodies. Your heart begins to race, with every beat sounding heavier than the last. You dread to think what happened to these poor people. A leaf crunches softly nearby, with your head turning almost instantly to see who, or what was responsible for the sound. Alas, nobody is in sight.
Seconds later, another noise can be heard. This time it's louder. Upon turning the corner, a corpse can be seen smeared in blood. Judging by the way it looks, this body seems fresh. Whoever is behind this mustn't be far away. Red footprints can be seen leading into an alleyway. Chasing after a killer may not be the brightest idea, but you need to know what's going on here.
[[Follow the prints]]
[[Turn back]]
(hide:?sidebar)
This isn't worth the risk. A lonely village with nobody around? A recipe for disaster you think. There's only one thing left to do, leave.
That fog from earlier has coated the houses like a warm blanket, except this isn't a relaxing night by the fire. More like a nightmare you cannot escape from. It grows thicker, with every cloud turning into a dark grey colour, making it even harder to see where you're going. Small twigs and stones are enough to make you trip over, your visibility has taken a knock.
As you're wondering how to make it back out, you feel a pair of hands push you to the cold, hard floor. You land awkwardly, clearing a pile of blackened leaves on your way down. There's nobody in sight, leaving you bewildered. The remains of another adventurer can be seen in the courtyard of a nearby church. Some ribs and a foot with missing toes partially buried in the soil. You can't tell where the rest of him/her is. The building itself doesn't look too inviting. It's eerie gothic architecture looms over the rest of this unsettling place. The spire on top is crooked, one gust of wind or lightning bolt could topple it with ease. You try to get back onto your feet, but a voice interrupts.
"(text-colour:grey)[Soon, this will be your final resting place.]"
A swivel of your head reveals...nobody. Not one person is around, just more fog moving in. The self doubt begins to manifest, is your sanity dwindling? It's hard to tell at the moment. Various whispers and mutterings can be heard, although you're not quite sure where they are coming from. You hope that they're real and not in your head. They're mocking your inability to find a way out. Calling you a waste of skin and an unworthy resident, that last part doesn't make much sense to you. After a while, you rise from the ground, in search of an exit.
It's getting harder to see where you're going. The trees are now swaying violently in the wind, with their branches almost reaching out at you. Etched into the bark are these demonic looking faces, with mouths big enough to swallow you whole. A lantern sitting on a stoop falls over and smashes into hundreds of tiny pieces, making you freeze in place. The forest of trees cackle at your terror, with some clapping at your horrified reaction. One of them drags their branch across the grass, flicking up mud and hurling it straight towards you. Luckily, it misses by an inch. Time to get out of here.
[[Run]]
(hide:?sidebar)The skies above turn from grey to black, completely void of any detail. Almost like an abyss. You notice that it has started to rain, with each drop falling faster than the last. By now, you've almost lost hope in trying to escape. The many dormant houses that sit quietly are creepy looking from a distance and even worse up close. It feels like they're watching your every move. They do nothing but stare. Their frosted windows have small hand prints slapped onto them, as if somebody, or something, was also trying to get away.
Those hands, the same pair that forcefully pushed you earlier, return to attack you again. This time, they're much more aggressive. After you land back onto the floor, a high pitched laugh can be heard, though you can't tell where it's coming from. Although you're starting to feel more uneasy by the second, curiosity has gotten the better of you. These footsteps should reveal the twisted individual who's been murdering everyone. Before you can start walking, heavy rainfall comes crashing down, washing away some of the prints. You hurry yourself over to a locked door, which is where they seem to end. With no possibility of finding a key, you kick it down and rush inside.
You're now inside a damp, musty living room filled with antique furniture. Propping up the damaged door behind you, somebody walks down the wooden stairs, creaking with every step. They stop and look directly into your eyes. A hooded figure smiles. You're struggling to find the courage to speak as your lungs take in dust particles as they float around the air. There's blood soaking through the floorboards, with the person noticing that some of it his on his palms. They wipe them clean with a tatty cloth, showing no emotion.
Finally, they break the silence by uttering a few words."(text-colour:red)[Wenn das Wasser fließt, wird das Blut dicker. Meine Schuld wird niemals weggewaschen werden]". You cannot understand the language, but whatever they're trying to say is definitely off-putting. Without warning, they walk towards you with a menacing grin.
[[...]]
(hide:?sidebar)With the fear of death looming over you, nothing good can come out of this. You turn away from the scene and swiftly look for an exit. With each cloud in the sky turning darker, rain begins to fall, with every drop making the hairs on your arms stand up.Your body seizes up. The intimidating figure edges closer, with both fists clenched. Moving away is not an option, as you seem to be in a state of complete shock. Both of your legs refuse to go anywhere, all you can do is watch on. He, or she, brings their hand up to your face. Scared out of your mind, you prepare for the worst. A blinding beam of light engulfs your vision. Everything is bright. The house, those footsteps, they're all gone. There's no more rain, or any kind of weather in fact. It's just you...and the abyss.
For about two minutes, you lose consciousness. During that period, your head is seemingly emptied. You cannot remember much, if anything at all. Thoughts, memories, anecdotes, previous conversations and stories are no longer there. Your past knowledge is exactly that, in the past. Every last piece of information you once possessed belongs inside a filter. Those sunken, tired eyes of yours soon open up again, with your entire body feeling drained. In your groggy state, you wander over to a floating orb of sorts. This place you're in is completely empty, with no detail to speak of apart from this very organism. A voice speaks to you, though you're unsure if it's coming from the orb or in your head.
"(text-colour:magenta)[Neu starten, neu beginnen]." You don't quite know what this means. Maybe you've heard this language before? Your head doesn't seem to be making any sense of it. This voice keeps repeating the same phrase, with the main difference being the tone and pitch. "(text-colour:yellow)[Neu starten, neu beginnen]." Every time you hear it, the short sentence sounds more incoherent. After awhile, it becomes a noise that you frantically try to block out, but that proves to be impossible.
[[Neu starten, neu beginnen]]
[[Investigate Further]]
(hide:?sidebar)You give in. These sounds, the feelings you've experienced, they're too much. Lost memories come flooding back. A uncontrollable wave of nostalgia clouds your judgement. Nothing makes sense anymore. You cannot think straight without hearing the same phrase repeatedly. It echoes throughout. With arrows flying past your head and the sound of heavy steel striking soft flesh, you brace yourself and run full speed towards the opening. Every step you take, another body hits the ground with a deafening thud. As you get closer, a flammable liquid is set on fire, with the roaring flames blocking your route. You swiftly turn right and avoid any incoming shots, with a halberd just barely missing your chest.
Against all odds, you finally make it across the battlefield in one piece. Just before leaving, you look behind and see the devastation that has been caused. You're not sure who is responsible or what exactly is going on, but it was definitely a wake up call for you to get out of here.
As you crawl through the makeshift space, a man forcefully grabs your hand. "(text-colour:navy)[You there! Quick, we've got no time.]"
You look up and notice that it's Ezrek, the elderly mage from earlier warning you about the magical stone. "(text-colour:navy)[How did you make it out alive? Never mind that, forget I asked. Let's just get out of here.]"
His hand reaches out and grabs yours with haste. Both of you make it out of the village unscathed, to your amazement. Despite being in close proximity, Ezrek doesn't have any visible marks on him. You chalk it up to his arcane power, however, he does seem rather shaken up for somebody of his position. He can't grip his staff properly and every sudden noise makes him jump a little.
You hear somebody coming up from behind. Fearing the worst, Ezrek casts a protective barrier of sorts to surround you. Those worries are thankfully gone when you see who it is. "(text-colour:orange)[Bloody hell, you made it out?]" Luna says in a shocked tone of voice. "(text-colour:orange)[Thought you would've been killed off by now. No offense.]" Ezrek looks happy to see her and gives a welcoming wave. "(text-colour:navy)[We should be asking you the same thing! Good to see you, Luna.]"
After some catching up between them, you finally ask how they know each other. "(text-colour:orange)[I met Ezrek in that very village many years ago. He was an apprentice mage at the time. One night he rented a room and the rest is history.]"
"(text-colour:navy)[Yes, that's pretty much it. Couldn't sleep one night so I decided to change the scenery a little. Thought staying elsewhere would help me study. Damn books won't read themselves! Who knew that we would still be here all this time later? We've got to make the most of it, or else we'll be buried in a mass grave somewhere.]"
The three of you walk down a quiet road, with nobody else around for miles. It's definitely a departure from where you've just come from, not that you'd ever go back. Up ahead is a wooden hut with vibrant looking flowers planted outside. "(text-colour:navy)[Ahhh, here we are, my slice of paradise. Go on, after you, the door's already unlocked.]"
You start to wonder why Ezrek doesn't bother locking his own house, but with other pressing matters taking center stage, you decide to ignore it for now.
[[Follow Ezrek]]
(hide:?sidebar)(text-size:0.4)[WANDERER'S PLIGHT]//Contains some strong language and violent descriptions.//