Divide

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=><= (live: 7s)[ $slowTransition[The wind is [[cold|intro2]].] (stop:) ] (track: 'impact', 'play') (track: 'wind', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind', 'play') (live: 7.5s)[ (track: 'wind2', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind2', 'play') (stop:) ]

=><= (live: 1s)[ $slowTransition[Now is not the time to be (t8n-arrive: "dissolve")[[afraid|intro4]].] (stop:) ] (track: 'impact3', 'play')

wind: ./audio/wind.mp3 wind2: ./audio/wind.mp3 labyrinth: ./audio/labyrinth.mp3 impact: ./audio/impact.mp3 impact2: ./audio/impact.mp3 impact3: ./audio/impact.mp3 impact4: ./audio/impact.mp3 meteorite: ./audio/meteorite.mp3 temporal: ./audio/temporal.mp3

<img src="./image/title.png" alt="Divide" width="60%"> =><= (live: 2s)[$titleTransition[[[I will not be just a sacrifice|intro]]] (stop:)] {(live: 4s)[(if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[$titleTransition[(link:"Load Game")[(load-game:"PlayerSave")[Error]] ]](stop:)](live: 6s)[$titleTransition[######Created by Andrew Thompson | Music CC by Darren Curtis](stop:)]} (live: 7s)[$titleTransition[(css: "font-size: 50%;")[Use headphones for best experience.]](stop:)] (set: $slowTransition to (transition:"dissolve") + (transition-time: 10s)) (set: $titleTransition to (transition:"dissolve") + (transition-time: 3s)) (set: $medTransition to (transition:"dissolve") + (transition-time: 1.5s)) (set: $hasMask to true) (set: $hasSword to true) (set: $hasKnife to true) (set: $hasCord to true)

=><= (live: 1s)[ $slowTransition[I will not be just a (t8n-arrive: "dissolve")[[sacrifice|title]].] (stop:) ] (track: 'impact4', 'play')

<img src="./image/landscape.png" alt=" " width="100%"> (live: 1s)[$medTransition[Here, the [[membrane]] between our worlds is thin. I will not just wait for the [[beast]] to arrive. This mountain has become my prison, but also my arena. I will [[fight]].](stop:)] {(track: 'labyrinth', 'loop', true)(track: 'labyrinth', 'play')(track: 'labyrinth', 'volume', 0.7)(track: 'wind', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'wind2', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'meteorite', 'volume', 0.7)(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(track: 'impact', 'play')}

=><= (live: 1s)[ $slowTransition[There isn't much (t8n-arrive: "dissolve")[[time|intro3]].] (stop:) ] (track: 'impact2', 'play')

showControls: false

These mountains are a weak point and a place where they can cross over. Every year, a monster crawls through the fibers and into our world, demanding a sacrifice. This year it is my turn to face the [[beast]]. Even if I am meant to die, I will still [[fight]].

These monsters have hunted us as long as we know, crawling through the [[membrane]] of their world. Countless of us humans have fought them, but very few ever return. I know this task is impossible. I know they expect me to die. It doesn't matter, whatever the outcome, they will be safe for another year. Even so, I cannot give up without a [[fight]].

My strength cannot compare to that [[beast]], but I still have time before it crawls through the [[membrane]]. I still have one advantage: It will cross over to *my* side, so I control the battlefield. Perhaps I can prepare some kind of [[defense|HUB]].

<img src="./image/landscape.png" alt=" " width="100%"> { (if: $runeStage is 1)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*I can feel a dull pressure pulsing in my eardrums.* ]] (if: $runeStage is 3)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*"hello..?"* ]] (if: $runeStage is 5)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*A dull pressure begins to rise in my skull. There is a faint sound, almost like wind.* ]] }I am stranded on a plateau, about a mile across in any direction and surrounded by sheer cliffs. The sky is dark, but the moons are full tonight. There is a calm trickling [[stream]] nearby. In the distance I can see a broken down [[structure]] near a [[forest]], and beyond that a small [[ridge]]. I was given a [[bag]] by my family before I left. { Gameplay: (link:"Save")[ (if:(save-game:"PlayerSave"))[ Saved ](else: )[ Error ] ] (if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[ / (link:"Load")[ (load-game:"PlayerSave")[ Error ] ] ] (track: 'labyrinth', 'loop', true)(track: 'labyrinth', 'play')(track: 'labyrinth', 'volume', 0.7)(track: 'wind', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'wind2', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'temporal', 'stop') (track: 'wind', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind', 'play') (live: 7.5s)[ (track: 'wind2', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind2', 'play') (stop:) ] (set: $slowTransition to (transition:"dissolve") + (transition-time: 10s)) (set: $titleTransition to (transition:"dissolve") + (transition-time: 3s)) (set: $medTransition to (transition:"dissolve") + (transition-time: 1.5s)) }

The water of the stream is flowing cautiously downhill at a lazy pace, crystal clear under the reflected light of the moons. If the situation wasn't so desperate, perhapse I would have enjoyed the scenery. It looks like the water is flowing from a small [[pond]] upstream then emptying into a larger [[lake]] downhill. (if: $hasFrog is true)[(if: $hasAcid is not true)[By soaking the acidic frog in clear water, I can create a potent acid. I would need to fill the jar with (link: "water")[water(set: $hasAcid to true)(set: $hasFrog to false)] and let it sit for awhile.]] (live: .05s)[(if: $hasAcid is true)[I filled the jar with clear water and let the acidic frog soak.]] [[Check my surroundings|HUB]]. (set: $runeTimer to $runeTimer + 1)

There is an old structure with its roof collapsing in on itself, perhaps some kind of cabin or shelter. I don't understand why it here, or who could have built it. If I am careful, I could risk going [[inside]]. The air here feel strange, almost like walking through a spiderweb. A spot nearby seems to [[shimmer]] in the night. [[Check my surroundings|HUB]]. (set: $runeTimer to $runeTimer + 1)

{(if: $runeStage is 1)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*The pressure in my head is building, pulling me deeper into the forest.* ]] (if: $runeStage is 3)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*"..is someone there..?"* ]] (if: $runeStage is 5)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*The breeze carries a whisper without words.* ]] }The trees are dense, tangled and growing in tight clusters. The smell of pine is sharp in the air, and the twisting branches smother most of the moonlight. Most of the forest appears the same no matter which direction I look. There is a [[fallen tree]] nearby. (if: $seeDistance is true)[I also remember having seen something [[strange|rune]] in the forest when I climbed the ridge.] [[Check my surroundings|HUB]]. (set: $runeTimer to $runeTimer + 1)

The rocky terrain is proving difficult to cross. Various sizes of loose (link: "stones")[stones(set: $hasStones to true)] clutter the cliff, as if from a [[rockslide]]. (if: $openCave is not true)[Some larger rocks seem to have fallen over the entrance to a [[cave|entrance]], but they look too large to move with my own strength.](if: $openCave is true)[Nearby I can see an open entrance to a [[cave|entrance]].] (live: .05s)[(if: $hasStones is true)[I took a few stones of various sizes.]] [[Check my surroundings|HUB]]. (set: $climbTransition to (transition:"shudder") + (transition-time: 0.1s)) (set: $runeTimer to $runeTimer + 1)

This small pond appears to feed water into the [[stream]]. The water is flowing out at a slow but constant rate. Despite looking around, however, I was unable to find any other water feeding into it. (if: (history:) contains "source3")[Perhaps the [[source|source3]] is coming from underground?](else:) [Perhaps the [[source]] is coming from underground?]

The water from the [[stream]] pools and collects here, growing stagnant as it slowly seeps into the ground. A gross green shade of (link: "moss")[moss(set: $hasMoss to true)] is growing along the bank. (live: .05s)[(if: $hasMoss is true)[I collected some of the moss. It is slippery to the touch.]]

I look around briefly and am unable to find the water that is feeding the [[pond]]. If I dedicate more time, I can look more thoroughly. (live: 10s)[(goto: "source2")]

There is a leaf sitting idly on the [[pond]], spinning in lazy circles near the shore. For some reason it caught my attention. (live: 5s)[$medTransition[It is drifting slowly away from the shore, pushed by a subtle but unmistakable current. The water [[source|source3]] must be close.](stop:)]

(if: $blockedWater is not true)[(if: $brokenRocks is not true)[There is a faint sound of running water beneath a pile of large rocks near the bank. The water seems to feed the [[pond]] from this underground flow. (if: $hasPick is true)[I can break away the rock and expose the water using the (link: "pickaxe.")[pickaxe.(set: $brokenRocks to true) The rocks splinter and crack, eventually falling away to reveal the underground stream flowing into the pond. (if: $hasStones is true)[The waterway is tight enough that I could entirely dam the flow using loose (link: "stones.")[stones.(set: $blockedWater to true) I pile the loose stones into the waterway, filling the cracks with mud and making sure no water can make it past. The underground stream is now entirely blocked.]]]]]](if: $blockedWater is not true)[(if: $brokenRocks is true)[There is a faint sound of running water beneath a pile of large rocks near the bank. The water seems to feed the [[pond]] from this underground flow. Using my pickaxe I have broken away the rock and exposed the underground stream flowing into the pond. (if: $hasStones is true)[The waterway is tight enough that I can entirely dam the flow using loose (link: "stones.")[stones.(set: $blockedWater to true) I pile the loose stones into the waterway, filling the cracks with mud and making sure no water can make it past. The underground stream is now entirely blocked.]]]](if: $blockedWater is true)[I have piled loose stones into the waterway, filling the cracks with mud and making sure no water can make it past. The underground stream leading into the [[pond]] is entirely blocked.]

I empty my bag to inspect what's inside: {(live: .05s)[ (if: $hasMask is true)[''• Ceremonial Mask'' - *A mask worn by those given as sacrifice. It is covered with grotesque decorations. If we are going to face monsters, we should look like one as well.* ] (if: $hasSword is true)[''• Sharp Sword'' - *A sword I received from the elders when I was nominated as the sacrifice.* ] (if: $hasKnife is true)[''• Small Knife'' - *Given to me by my younger brother. It was his favorite knife.* ] (if: $hasCord is true)[''• Bundle of Cord'' - *A durable bit of cord I always carry.* ] (if: $hasMoss is true)[''• Moss'' - *Collected from the lake. It is slippery to the touch.* ] (if: $hasStones is true)[''• Stones'' - *Collected from a rockslide on the ridge. They are various rough sizes and shapes.* ] (if: $hasStake is true)[''• Bundle of Stakes'' - *Sharpened branches collected from the forest. They aren't the strongest under weight, but could be used for stabbing.* ] (if: $hasPlank is true)[''• Old Plank'' - *Collected from the old structure. A bit rotten and weathered.* ] (if: $hasGlow is true)[''• Glowing Snails'' - *Discovered inside a cave. They emit a pale phosphorescent blue glow.* ] (if: $hasGem is true)[''• Strange Gem'' - *Taken from the remains of a human skeleton deep in the cave. It feels electric to the touch. Maybe it once served as a key or power source to something.* ] (if: $hasJar is true)[''• Glass Jar'' - *Found in the basement. It is a simple jar made of brittle glass.* ] (if: $hasPick is true)[''• Old Pickaxe'' - *Found in the basement. It's old and in poor condition, but I'm sure I can use it somehow.* ] (if: $hasFuse is true)[''• Loose Fuses'' - *Several loose fuses from a barrel in the basement. They seem to be in decent condition.* ] (if: $hasPowder is true)[''• Handful of Black Powder'' - *An explosive powder found in a barrel in the basement. There wasn't much left, but at least it is dry. In this current form, it won't do much damage.* ] (if: $hasNuts is true)[''• Large Nuts'' - *Several large nuts collected on top of the ridge. They are about the size of my fist and appear mostly hollow with a small hole on top from where they attached to the branch.* ] (if: $hasFlint is true)[''• Flint'' - *A decent size of flint chipped from the cave wall. Produces sparks when struck with my sword or knife.* ] (if: $hasFrog is true)[''• Acidic Frog'' - *Discovered deep in the cave. The frog is highly acidic and burns to the touch. Currently trapped in a brittle glass jar.* ] (if: $hasAcid is true)[''• Jar of Acid'' - *The acidic frog is soaking in water, creating a jar of acid. The glass is brittle, and would break if thrown. A powerful weapon.* ] (if: $hasBomb is true)[''• Bomb'' - *A small throwable bomb created by pouring black powder into a hollow nut and attaching a fuse. A powerful weapon.* ] (stop:)]} [[Check my surroundings|HUB]].

The interior of the structure is cluttered with broken (link: "planks")[planks(set: $hasPlank to true)] and scraps of wood from the crumbling ceiling, strewn around and covered in dust and mold. Some of the wood is rotten and waterlogged from exposure to the rain. Large holes in the wall lead back [[outside|structure]]. There appears to be a thick wood [[trapdoor]] on the floor, possibly leading into a basement. (live: .05s)[(if: $hasPlank is true)[I took one of the planks with me.]]

I move closer, cautiously, not trusting myself to breath too deeply. The air is almost tangible, like swimming through thin water. Beyond me, the scenery is fragmented away, a refraction of the world in every direction. I step [[back|structure]]. This must be the membrane — the crossing over point. I can prepare my [[defense]] here.

(live: .05s)[(if: $openTrapdoor is not true)[The trapdoor is thick and sturdy, with a large metal ring serving as a handle. Over time, the rain has caused the wood to expand and seal the hole entirely. Despite my best efforts, it refuses to move at all. I can use something to pry it open, but it might damage the tool. (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "Use my brother's knife")[(set: $hasKnife to false)(set: $basementTool to "brother's knife")(goto: "basement")]] (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "Use my sword")[(set: $hasSword to false)(set: $basementTool to "sword")(goto: "basement")]] [[Leave it alone|inside]]] (else:) [The trapdoor is thick and sturdy, with a large metal ring serving as a handle. Although I broke my (print: $basementTool) in the process, the trapdoor is now propped upright against the wall, exposing a dark pit leading into the [[basement]]. [[Leave it alone|inside]]] (stop:)]

(live: .05s)[(if: $openTrapdoor is not true)[(if: $basementTool is "brother's knife")[With a metalic snap, the blade of my brother's knife cracks in half. I felt a sharp pain of guilt as the broken blade clattered to the floor, but I knew that the sword would be better to save for later on. Seizing the trapdoor handle, and with a final effort, I pulled the hatch open. Thanking my brother for his gift, I stepped down into the dark basement.][(if: $basementTool is "sword")[With a metalic snap, the blade of my sword cracks in half. I felt a moment of despair as my broken weapon clattered to the floor, but I just couldn't bring myself to sacrifice my brother's knife. Seizing the trapdoor handle, and with a final effort, I pulled the hatch open. Tossing aside the now useless sword hilt, I stepped down into the dark basement. ]](set: $openTrapdoor to true) (stop:)]] The air down here is cold and damp, infused with the harsh smell of must and mold. A rough stone staircase recedes downwards from the [[trapdoor]] and stops at a dirt floor. From there, the pit continues on at a slight decline, vanishing quickly into darkness. It is too dark to move forward. (if: $hasGlow is true)[I brought some [[glowing snails|basement2]] from the cave. Maybe I can use them for light.]

Using the larger boulders for stability, I make my way along the rockslide as carefully as I can. Small rocks, dislodged as I claw my way forward, tumble down to the base of the [[ridge]] below. Above me I can see a rocky [[outcropping|climb1]], but I need quick reflexes to make it there safely.

With the last remnants of energy, I pull myself onto the outcropping. From here I can see the forest stretching out below me, and even further in the distance, the edge of the plateau. My chest tightens as I peer off into the unfathomable distance beyond. (if: $seeDistance is not true)[ I had not truly grasped the horrifying awe of my location until now. The elders had sent me here with transportation magic, so this was the first time I could fully see where I had been sent. I pulled my eyes away. I couldn't dared look into that abyss again. Something strange caught my eye amidst the trees of the forest. I will have to check it out later.(set: $seeDistance to true)] Below me, the [[rockslide]] leads back down to the base of the ridge, and next to me a sad and spindly tree is struggling to grow out of the rocks. Large (link: "nuts")[nuts(set: $hasNuts to true)(show:?gotNuts)] lie on the ground around its trunk. |gotNuts)[I collected several of the nuts. They are about as large as my fist and appear mostly hollow with a small hole on top from where they attached to the branch.]

I grab the first precarious handhold and grimace as I feel it shifting beneath my fingers. I need to be [[fast|climb2]]. (live: 4s)[(goto:"fall")]

I hold on tight, waiting for the right moment. (live: 2s)[$climbTransition[The [[rock|climb3]] crumbles from the cliffside.]] (live: 3s)[(goto:"fall")]

I grab the next handhold, barely keeping my grip. (live: 5s)[$climbTransition[The rock [[shifts|climb4]] beneath my hand.]] (live: 6s)[(goto:"fall")]

My reflexes weren't fast enough. With a pained shout, I lose my grip and tumble back down the [[rockslide]].

My hands are damp with sweat. (live: 1.5s)[$climbTransition[I can feel my fingers [[slipping|climb5]] from the stone.]] (live: 2.5s)[(goto:"fall")]

My fingers ache from the strain. (live: 6s)[$climbTransition[My hand suddenly [[cramps|climb6]] painfully.]] (live: 7s)[(goto:"fall")]

I can see the ledge just above me now. (live: 3s)[$climbTransition[My [[energy|outcropping]] starts to give way.]] (live: 4s)[(goto:"fall")]

(if: $openCave is not true)[A large pile of rocks block the cave entrance. Any effort to move them on my own proves to be wasted.](if: $openCave is true)[The stones have rolled enough to reveal the entrance to a cave yawning in front of me, deep, cold, and [[beckoning|cave1]].] (if: $hasPlank is true and $openCave is not true)[Try to leverage the stone with a (link: "plank")[plank(set: $plankChance to (either: "fail", "success", "fail"))(set: $hasPlank to false)]? (33% success rate)] (live: 0.05s)[(if: $plankChance is "fail")[The plank is rotten and snaps under the weight.(stop:)](if: $plankChance is "success")[I throw all my strength against the board and it suddenly gives way, the stones tumbling downward as the entire pile collapses in a deafening rumble. The dust slowly clears, revealing the entrance to a cave yawning in front of me, deep, cold, and [[beckoning|cave1]].(set: $openCave to true)(stop:)] ] Return to the [[ridge]]. (set: $plankChance to "null")

The cave reaches down into the mountain, fading slowly into the overbearing darkness of the earth. Light from the [[entrance]] spills in behind me and disperses into the gloom, giving me just enough vision to see my way [[forward|cave2]]. There is a clump of dark grey stone that I'm almost certain is flint, but it is part of the cave wall and I can't take it with me. (if: $hasPick is true)[I can chip away a piece of (link: "flint")[flint(set: $hasFlint to true)(show: ?gotFlint)] with my pickaxe.] |gotFlint)[After several sharp swings of my pickaxe, a large piece of flint falls to the ground alongside a shower of sparks.]

The cave is much darker here and I keep stumbling over the uneaven ground. Behind me, the [[entrance|cave1]] is visible as only a faint splatter of light in the distance. (if: $hasGlow is not true)[It would be foolish to continue without letting my eyes adjust to the dark. (live: 12s)[$medTransition[ As I wait in the dark, slowly I become more aware of my surroundings. Gradually my night vision grows stronger until I can make out the faint shapes of the cavern walls. There seems to be a cavern leading [[deeper|cave3]] into the depths, and in a different direction, I can see a pale blue [[glow]] in the distance.](stop:)]](if: $hasGlow is true)[Using the glowing snails for light, I can make out the faint shapes of the cavern walls. There seems to be a cavern leading [[deeper|cave3]] into the depths, and in a different direction, I can see a pale blue [[glow]] in the distance.]

The cavern wall is covered in hundreds of pale luminscent spots, lighting the entire cave with a haunting blue glow. Looking closly, I can see that each spot is actually a small (link: "glowing snail")[glowing snail(set: $hasGlow to true)] crawling along the stone. They seem to collect in only this part of the cavern, since the rest of the [[cave|cave2]] is still dark. (live: .05s)[(if: $hasGlow is true)[I collected several of the glowing snails. They don't seem to mind.]]

This receding passage is so far from the [[entrance|cave2]] that I cannot see anything infront of me. It is too dark to move forward without a light source. (if: $hasGlow is true)[Maybe I can use the [[glowing snails|cave4]] for a bit of light.] (set: $inSameCave to false)

(if: $inSameCave is not true)[Using the glow snails as light, I make my way deeper into the caverns. The [[cave|cave3]] behind me is swallowed by the dark as I continue onwards, wrapped in shadows and alone. The passage continues to twist ever deeper. After what feels like an eternity I reach a larger expanse.](if: $inSameCave is true)[I return back to the expansive cave.] It seems to be a dead end. (if: $inSameCave is true)[On the other side of the cave, the [[passage|cave3]] leading back towards the surface is barely visible. ]I can hear the faint sound of [[dripping water]] from one direction, and I can see a [[misshappen pile]] of *something* in the other. There's nothing else of interest but rough stone and dirt. (set: $failFrog to false)

From the faint blue glow of the snails, I can roughly see the contents of the basement. Along the wall is a shelf of (link: "glass jars")[glass jars(set: $hasJar to true)], covered in dust from ages of unuse.(if: $hasPick is not true)[(if: $tookPick is not true)[ In the corner I can see a (link: "pickaxe")[pickaxe(set: $hasPick to true)(set: $tookPick to true)] leaning against the wall. It doesn't seem to be in very good condition.]] There are an assortment of (link: "barrels")[seven barrels ((link: "1")[-contains: *moldy flour*-], (link: "2")[-contains: *nothing*-], (link: "3")[-contains: *scraps of kindling*-], (link: "4")[-contains: (link: "*scraps of junk*")[*bits of wood, stone chips, loose rope,* (link: "*fuses*")[*fuses*(set: $hasFuse to true)], *old fabric, and bundled wire*]-], (link: "5")[-contains: *nothing*-], (link: "6")[-contains: (link: "*coarse dust*")[(link: "*black powder*")[*black powder*(set: $hasPowder to true)]]-], (link: "7")[-contains: *rotten rice*-])] near the wall. The air is thick with dust and mold, filling my lungs the longer I spend down here. I want to head [[back|basement]] as soon as I can. (live: .05s)[(if: $hasJar is true)[I took one of the glass jars. It is old and brittle, but should be able to hold something.](if: $hasPick is true)[ I made sure to take the pickaxe with me. It is bound to be useful.](if: $hasPowder is true)[(if: $hasFuse is not true)[ From the barrels I took a handful of black powder.]](if: $hasPowder is not true)[(if: $hasFuse is true)[ From the barrels I took a couple of fuses.]](if: $hasPowder is true)[(if: $hasFuse is true)[ From the barrels I took a handful of black powder and a couple of fuses.]] ]

(if: $blockedWater is not true)[There is a broken recess near the ceiling, only several inches across. A tiny trickle of water is pouring out of the crack, probably fed by some underground stream, and falling to the [[cavern|cave4]] floor. A stray drip of water splashes onto my leg and I feel a jolt of pain accompanied by the horrid sound of burning flesh. I cautiously hold the glowing snails higher, peering into the crack. There is flash of color moving inside the hole. A small red frog is hiding up there, bathing in the thin flow of water. This type of frog secretes a highly potent acid from their skin. It would be useful to have, but the frog is out of my reach.](if: $blockedWater is true)[There is a broken recess near the ceiling, only several inches across. Due to blocking the outlet on the surface, water is now pouring out of the crack and onto the [[cavern|cave4]] floor. (if: $hasFrog is not true)[(if: $tookFrog is not true)[I can see a red (link: "acidic frog")[acidic frog(set: $failFrog to true)] hopping around on the ground near my feet. This type of frog secretes a highly potent acid from their skin. The water pressure must have pushed him out of his hole. (if: $hasJar is true)[I could try using the (link: "glass jar")[glass jar(set: $hasFrog to true)(set: $tookFrog to true)] to pick up the frog.]]] (set: $inSameCave to true) (live: .05s)[(if: $failFrog is true)[I try to pick up the frog with my bare hands, but the acid immediately burns my skin.]] (live: .05s)[(if: $tookFrog is true)[Using the glass jar, I carefully scooped up the acidic frog. He hops around a bit before settling down.(set: $hasJar to false)]]]

Bones. It is a pile of bones, clearly human. (if: $hasGem is not true)[(if: $tookGem is not true)[Amidst the remains of the skeleton is a (link: "strange gem")[strange gem(set: $hasGem to true)(set: $tookGem to true)] that glows very faintly with energy.]] I want to get [[away|cave4]] as soon as I can. (set: $inSameCave to true) (live: .05s)[(if: $tookGem is true)[I took the strange gem from the skeleton. It feels electric to the touch. Maybe it once served as a key or power source to something.]]

<img src="./image/rune.png" alt=" " width="70%"> {(if: $runeStage is 1 or $runeStage is 2)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*My head aches from the pressure. It feels like someone is speaking into my brain, but I cannot hear anything.* (set: $runeStage to 2)]] (if: $runeStage is 3 or $runeStage is 4)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*"..can anyone hear me..?"* (set: $runeStage to 4)]] (if: $runeStage is 5 or $runeStage is 6)[(if: $runeTimer >= 6)[*"I'm back."* (set: $runeStage to 6)]] }(if: $powerRune is not true)[There is a giant rune stone sitting in the middle of the [[forest]], carved with strange symbols from an ancient language. Depite its age, I can feel a latent magical energy seeping from the carved lines. It reminds me of the communication stone used by the elders of my town, but this one is far larger. There is a small divot in the center of the rune stone. (if: $hasGem is true)[It looks about the same size as the (link: "strange gem")[strange gem(set: $hasGem to false)(set: $powerRune to true)(show:?powerup)] I found in the cave. As I bring it closer, I can feel the gem begin to heat up.] |powerup)[(if: $powerRune is true)[I press the gemstone into the divot and immediately pull my hand away as the gem emits a pulse of blistering heat. I can feel a momentary pressure in my eardrums before it subsides. The rune stone is now making a subtle but audible hum and the strange symbols glow faintly, but nothing else seems to be happening.(set: $runeStage to 1)(set: $runeTimer to 0)]]]{(if: $powerRune is true)[(if: $runeStage is 1)[There is a giant rune stone sitting in the middle of the [[forest]], carved with strange symbols from an ancient language. Depite its age, I can feel a magical energy pouring from the carved lines. It reminds me of the communication stone used by the elders of my town, but this one is far larger. The rune stone is making a subtle but audible hum and the strange symbols glow faintly. Nothing else seems to be happening.]] (if: $runeStage is 2)[This is unmistakably the source of the pressure in my skull. The strange symbols flicker with shreds of light and I can feel a magical energy pouring from the carved lines. It reminds me of the communication stone used by the elders of my town, but this one is far larger. The rune stone is making a pulsing hum and the surrounding [[forest]] seems to almost glow faintly. Dirt and grime has built up over time, filling the cracks and surpressing the full power of the rune. (if: $hasAcid is not true)[Maybe I can find a way to clean the stone.](if: $hasAcid is true)[I can use my jar of (link: "acid")[acid(confirm:"Use ''Jar of Acid''? I will not be able to get another one.")[(set: $hasAcid to false)(set: $runeStage to 3)(set: $runeTimer to 0)(show:?dumpacid)]] to burn away the residue and clean the stone, but I would lose an incredibly valuable weapon.] |dumpacid)[(if: $runeStage is 3)[I empty my jar of acid over the rune stone, burning the dirt and grime into a cloud of foul smoke. As the residue clears away, the strange symbols begin to radiate light. Nothing else seems to be happening.]]] (if: $runeStage is 3)[There is a giant rune stone sitting in the middle of the [[forest]], pulsing with a rhythmic hum and carved with strange symbols from an ancient language. Magical energy is pouring from the carved lines, radiating with light and causing the surrounding trees to glow faintly. It reminds me of the communication stone used by the elders of my town, but this one is far larger. Nothing else seems to be happening.] (if: $runeStage is 4)[There is a whisper in the air, faint but unmistakable. Magical energy is pouring from the carved lines, radiating light and faintly illuminating the surrounding [[forest]]. It reminds me of the communication stone used by the elders of my town, but this one is far larger. If someone is talking to me, I'm sure the rune is the source. [["Hello?"|talk1.1]] [["I can hear you!"|talk1.1]] [[Stay Silent|talk1.1]] ] (if: $runeStage is 5)[The [[forest]] is silent. The surrounding trees glow faintly from the pulsing runes, scattered with bits of broken light. Nothing else seems to be happening. ] (if: $runeStage is 6)[Magical energy is pouring from the carved lines, radiating light and faintly illuminating the surrounding [[forest]]. *"I'm here again."* [["I've been waiting for you."|talk2.1]] [["Can you hear me this time?"|talk2.1]] [["Welcome back."|talk2.1]] ] }

The tree is old and fractured, crumbling under the hungry mandibles of termites. Some of the (link: "branches")[branches(set: $hasStake to true)] seem to be in decent condition, but the rest of the tree is a lost cause. (live: .05s)[(if: $branchTool is not "sword")[(if: $branchTool is not "knife")[(if: $hasStake is true)[Using my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife(set: $branchTool to "knife")](else:)[sword(set: $branchTool to "sword")], I cut several branches and sharpen them into stakes.(stop:)]]]][(if: $branchTool is "sword")[I cut several branches with my sword and sharpen them into stakes.]][(if: $branchTool is "knife")[I cut several branches with my knife and sharpen them into stakes.]] [[Leave it alone|forest]]

I look at what I have prepared. { (if: $hasStake is true)[Working quickly, I skewer the ''wood stakes'' into the soil, forming a semicircle with them all facing inwards.(print:" ")](if: $hasMoss is true)[I use the slick ''moss'' to coat the ground around the shimmer.(print:" ")](if: $hasStake is true)[(if: $hasMoss is true)[To complete the trap, I string a line of ''cord'' between the stakes at knee height.]](if: $hasStake is true or $hasMoss is true)[ ] (if: $hasStones is true)[I have some ''stones'' of various sizes that I can use as projectiles.](if: $hasAcid is true)[ I (if: $hasStones is true)[also ]have a ''jar of acid'' that will serve as a powerful weapon.](if: $hasStones is true or $hasAcid is true)[ ] (if: $hasBomb is not true and $hasPowder is true and $hasFuse is true and $hasNuts is true and $hasFlint is true)[By pouring the ''black powder'' into the hollow ''nuts'' and attaching a ''fuse'', I can create a type of explosive. The ''flint'' can be struck with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[''knife''](else:)[''sword''] to create a spark and light the (link: "bomb")[bomb(set: $hasBomb to true)(set: $hasPowder to false)(set: $hasFuse to false)(set: $hasNuts to false)(show:?madeBomb)]. ] |madeBomb)[I used the ''nuts'', ''black powder'', and several ''fuses'' to create some ''bombs''. ] (if: $hasBomb is true)[I have created some ''bombs'' that I can ignite using sparks from the ''flint'' and my (if: $hasKnife is true)[''knife''](else:)[''sword'']. The explosive power should do some significant damage. ] (if: $hasKnife is true)[(if: $hasSword is true)[Right now, I have both a ''sword'' and my ''brother's knife'' to use in close combat.]](if: $hasKnife is true)[(if: $hasSword is not true)[My sword is broken, so I only have my ''brother's knife'' to use in close combat.]](if: $hasKnife is not true)[(if: $hasSword is true)[My brother's knife is broken, so I only have my ''sword'' to use in close combat.]](if: $hasKnife is true or $hasSword is true)[ ] }[[Is this enough?|shimmer]] My sweat feels like ice in the wind. I must be ready when the (link-repeat: "membrane opens")[(confirm:"I will not be just a sacrifice. *Am I ready to fight the beast?* ")[(goto: "combat1")]]. (save-game:"AutoSave") (track: 'labyrinth', 'loop', true)(track: 'labyrinth', 'play')(track: 'labyrinth', 'volume', 0.7)(track: 'wind', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'wind2', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'temporal', 'stop') (track: 'wind', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind', 'play') (live: 7.5s)[ (track: 'wind2', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind2', 'play') (stop:) ]

The air itself splits before me, cracking like a pane of ice, splintering into an infinite fractal of reflections. I hold the ceremonial mask before me, its grotesque imagery staring back. (link: "If I'm going to face a monster, I should look like one as well.")[(set: $fight_Mask to true)(goto: "combat2")] (link: "This is not who I am.")[(set: $fight_Mask to false)(goto: "combat2")] (track: 'meteorite', 'stop')(track: 'meteorite', 'volume', 0.7)(track: 'meteorite', 'play')

*"..is anyone there..?"* It's a female voice, quiet but strong. The sound drifts softly in the air, as if it has no source. I can't tell which direction it is coming from. [["Yes, I'm here."|talk1.2]] [["Who is this?"|talk1.2]] [["I'm glad to hear another voice!"|talk1.2]] [[Stay Silent|talk1.2]]

*"..this looks just like a communication rune. Can someone hear me..?"* [["Yeah."|talk1.3]] [["Yes, I can hear you!"|talk1.3]] [["Can you not hear me?"|talk1.3]] [[Stay Silent|talk1.3]]

*"This was a dead rock ten minutes ago. Did someone power it on?"* It doesn't seem like she can hear me. [["It was, but I activated it."|talk1.4]] [["I don't think you can hear me..."|talk1.4]] [["It's glowing for me, but I don't know how to use it."|talk1.4]] [[Stay Silent|talk1.4]]

*...* She seems to have gone quiet. [["Come back!"|talk1.5]] [["I wish you could hear me."|talk1.5]] [["It was good to hear someone again."|talk1.5]] [[Stay Silent|talk1.5]]

*...* [[...|talk1.6]]

*"Hey... If anyone can here me, I've got to go for now. I need to make sure I'm ready for later. But, I'll try this once again, before it's time. I kinda want to talk to someone, even if this is the end."* There was a trace of sadness in her voice. A hint of desperate resolve. [["What's going on?"|talk1.7]] [["I know you can't hear me, but I'll come back."|talk1.7]] [["I wish this dumb stone was working properly."|talk1.7]] [[Stay Silent|talk1.7]]

*...* She's [[gone|rune]]. (set: $runeTimer to 0) (set: $runeStage to 5)

*"This might be the last time I get this chance."* Her voice is softer than before. [["Last chance?"|talk2.2]] [["I wish we could talk."|talk2.2]] [["Can you hear me now?"|talk2.2]]

*"I don't know if anyone is listening. If you are, please say something. Anything is fine."* [["I'm trying!"|talk2.3]] [["Something's wrong, I've been talking to you!"|talk2.3]] [["I'm sorry. I can't."|talk2.3]]

*"..."* [["Come on! Why isn't this working!?"|talk2.4]] [["You can't hear me at all?"|talk2.4]] [["..."|talk2.4]]

*"Maybe it really doesn't matter, I guess. Can I just talk for a bit then? Even if nobody is there to hear it. Stay quiet if you don't mind."* She chuckled. [["I'm here."|talk2.5]] [["Let me talk also you stupid magic stone."|talk2.5]] [[Stay Silent|talk2.5]]

*"Guess you don't mind listening then. Well, soon a monster will come to kill me. Uh- TRY to kill me I guess. My mom used to always tell me to keep my resolve. So, maybe I'll kill the monster. Maybe I will. ...who knows."* [["..."|talk2.6]]

*"I'll be honest, I'm pretty scared. Terrified, I guess. I've been training for this for a long time, so I should be ready for whatever comes next. Besides, my family always told me that I'm brave, and I can do anything. But I'm not really brave. Not so much."* [["..."|talk2.7]]

*"..."* (live: 1s)[$slowTransition[She went silent, and the forest went silent with her. There was nothing, not a single sound around me except the low pulse of the runes. Then, slowly, I could hear her again. They were quiet, sharp breaths of air, straigned as if she was trying to hold them back. (stop:) [["..."|talk2.8]]]]

(css: "font-size: 70%;")[*"this is where you say something. anything. tell me that I'm wrong. tell me that I can do it. please."*] [["..."|talk2.9]]

(css: "font-size: 80%;")[*"...I'm not scared to die. I don't care. I'm scared of something worse.*] (css: "font-size: 85%;")[*I knew I was destined to be an offering since I was little. I've had years and years to prepare, and train, and practice, and- and.. -and nothing else! I'm a blood child. When my turn comes, I fight the monster, and if I die, I'm dead. -and if I survive, then who cares?! They come back anyways, every year, every year, to kill us again, and again-*] (css: "font-size: 90%;")[*-I feel like my life means nothing. I feel like everyone who's fought and died before me, means nothing.*] (css: "font-size: 95%;")[*''I don't want to be just another sacrifice.''"*] (link:`"I understand."`)[(show:?part1)]|part1)[I tried to tell her that I understand, that we are in the same situation. But the silence stole my words, trapping them where she could never hear them. (link:`"I understand!"`)[(show:?part2)]]|part2)[I call out again, trying to reach through. There must be a way. (link:`"We're the same."`)[(show:?part3)]]|part3)[I lean forward, pressing my hand against the coarse surface of the stone, the runes pulsing under my skin. I can feel the heat radiating from the lines, the rythmic droning wrapping around my body and isolating the outside world. There are threads reaching out from the stone, tugging gently at my mind, trying to coerce something from me. I can feel a tunnel, distant, approaching, then suddenly on the other side. [["It will be alright."|talk2.10]]]

She screamed and I tumbled backwards away from the stone rune, my ears ringing. *"Hello?? Who's there?!"* [["You can hear me?!"|talk2.11]] [["Are you alright?"|talk2.11]] [["That scream just about tore my eardrums."|talk2.11]]

*"Anyone?! I heard someone, I know it!"* She sounds frantic. "I'm still here!" I shout back in vain. (css: "font-size: 70%;")[*"come back."* Her voice is quiet.] I reach back out, slowly, and feel the stone in my hand once again. I feel the threads, and the tunnel. [["I'm still here."|talk2.12]] [["I never left."|talk2.12]] [["I'm sorry."|talk2.12]]

She let out a small gasp, then a clear laugh, full of relief and expectation. *"Ha, so someone was listening... What took you so long to say something?"* [["Sorry, I didn't know how to use the rune."|talk2.13.1]] [["I've been talking to you, but it wasn't carrying over."|talk2.13.1]] [["I heard what you said, and I'm sorry. I couldn't get the rune working."|talk2.13.2]]

*"You didn't know..? It only works if you're touching the stone. I'm glad you figured it out though, it was getting... empty over here. Is this the first time you've used one?"* [["I didn't even know what it was until I heard your voice."|talk2.14.1]] [["Yeah, I actually powered it up by accident."|talk2.14.2]]

*"I... didn't think anyone was really there anymore. Don't you know? The rune doesn't work unless you're touching the stone. Is this the first time you've used one?"* [["I didn't even know what it was until I heard your voice."|talk2.14.1]] [["Yeah, I powered it up by accident."|talk2.14.2]]

*"I'm really glad we can talk now."* [[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] [[Ask about her location.|talk2.14.4]] [[Ask what she meant about a sacrifice.|talk2.14.5]]

*"You were the one who turned it on? How did you do it?"* [["It's a bit strange."|talk2.14.6]] [["It was pretty simple, actually."|talk2.14.6]]

*"Me? What can I say. I've lived most of my life in preparation for today. I've trained in combat for many years, and I help defend my town when wild creatures attack. I guess, if I wasn't a blood child, I'd be able to say that I had a nice childhood."* [["What do you enjoy doing?"|talk2.14.3.1]] [["What's it like where you live?"|talk2.14.3.2]] [["Do you have any family?"|talk2.14.3.3]]

*"I guess I'm in a large cave, with the roof collapsed in most places. I can see the sky, and the rings just behind the clouds. It's pretty dark down here, but the veins keep things kinda lit up. There are ruins of some old temple all over the place. I found the membrane awhile back. It should open soon."* {(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3")[](else:)[[[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.5")[](else:)[[[Ask what she meant about a sacrifice.|talk2.14.5]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3" and contains "talk2.14.5")[[["I'm sorry. It's time."|talk2.15]]] }

*"I'm destined to fight. It's a glorious fate, I'm told. I'm protecting the town I'm from, after all. Those monsters on the other side of the membrane, they demand a sacrifice every year. We can go to die or go to fight, but the result is always the same. Every year, one of us must go."* [["I'm the same as you."|talk2.14.5.1]]

"I found a strange gem in a cave, and it reacted to this rune stone when I came closer. I think it was a key of some sort." I explained. *"It looks like just an ordinary stone over here. I was sitting on it when it suddenly lit up."* "Ah, that would probably be when I cleaned the carvings. It was strange, there was a black muck rotting over the lines that seemed to be inhibiting the magic. I had to burn it off with a type of acid." *"Black... It was limiting the runes? Dirt and mold can't block ancient magic- The only thing that could inhibit the runes would be blood."* [["Well, I am in a battlefield."|talk2.14.7]] [["That's a bit dark."|talk2.14.7]]

"For my town, this has always been the battlefield where the monsters emerge. Maybe someone died on this stone." *"Well, either way, I'm really glad we can talk now."* [[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] [[Ask about her location.|talk2.14.4]] [[Ask what she meant about a sacrifice.|talk2.14.5]]

I could feel a wave of pressure hit me from behind, rushing out into the forest as if from a beacon. There was a sound of tearing flesh and cracking ice. *"I can feel it."* She whispers. *"The membrane. It's opening!"* "It's here for me too." I respond. *"Thank you for talking to me. Whatever happens next-"* "We'll make it through this. I'll come back to the rune! Make sure you do too." *"Yes. May the spirits watch over you."* I close my eyes and step back from the rune, the comforting warmth turning to ice as my hand leaves the stone. *"Wait!"* She calls out one last time. *"What's your name?"* (link: "My name is...")[(set: $name to (prompt: "My name is...", "Hadrian"))(goto: "talk2.16")]

*"Oh. Well, I'm not sure. I guess there's this plant I always look for when I'm hunting. It's kinda small, with dull orange leaves and crimson petals. It smells like honey and a trace of mint. My mom taught me how to use it. If you take the petals and grind them down, it makes a numbing paste. It's really powerful stuff. I use it on my weapons."* {(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.2")[](else:)[[["What's it like there?"|talk2.14.3.2]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.3")[](else:)[[["Do you have any family?"|talk2.14.3.3]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.2" and contains "talk2.14.3.3")[(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3")[](else:)[[[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.4")[](else:)[[[Ask about her location.|talk2.14.4]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.5")[](else:)[[[Ask what she meant about a sacrifice.|talk2.14.5]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3" and contains "talk2.14.4" and contains "talk2.14.5")[[["I'm sorry. It's time."|talk2.15]]]] }

*"Cold, but it's a nice place. We live in a massive crater, and in the warm season the whole valley fills with fresh plants. It brings a lot of animals down into the crater, then when the season turns cold, none of the animals can migrate away. We never have to worry about food like this."* {(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.1")[](else:)[[["What do you enjoy doing?"|talk2.14.3.1]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.3")[](else:)[[["Do you have any family?"|talk2.14.3.3]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.1" and contains "talk2.14.3.3")[(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3")[](else:)[[[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.4")[](else:)[[[Ask about her location.|talk2.14.4]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.5")[](else:)[[[Ask what she meant about a sacrifice.|talk2.14.5]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3" and contains "talk2.14.4" and contains "talk2.14.5")[[["I'm sorry. It's time."|talk2.15]]]] }

*"My mom. She's always helped encourage me. She told me I was able to defeat anything as long as I kept my resolve, and she's helped me become stronger. She told me I will make our family proud. She's also the one who offered me... ..as the sacrifice. I have a younger sister too. She's a blood child like me. In a few years it will be her turn."* {(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.1")[](else:)[[["What do you enjoy doing?"|talk2.14.3.1]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.2")[](else:)[[["What's it like there?"|talk2.14.3.2]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3.1" and contains "talk2.14.3.2")[(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3")[](else:)[[[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.4")[](else:)[[[Ask about her location.|talk2.14.4]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.5")[](else:)[[[Ask what she meant about a sacrifice.|talk2.14.5]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3" and contains "talk2.14.4" and contains "talk2.14.5")[[["I'm sorry. It's time."|talk2.15]]]] }

"I'm in the same situation. But the details are a bit different. I'm also the sacrifice sent from my town, but we don't see it as a glorious fate. It's just an end. When people from my town are sent, they NEVER come back." She stayed quiet for a long time, the silence becoming almost painful. Finally, I hear her voice again. (css: "font-size: 80%;")[*"...they never come back?"*] [["Yeah."|talk2.14.5.2]]

*"I'm sorry... After the battle, our sacrifice comes back. Sometimes they're covered in blood, sometimes they're dying from their wounds... but we get to see them again, even if it is just to bury them."* [["I wonder how many monsters are coming tonight."|talk2.14.5.3]]

"Have you ever thought about this before?" Something was bothering me now. "How many points across the world is this happening? How many spots does the membrane grow thin and allow the monsters into our world? It's always the same day, every year. I wonder how many others are suffering as sacrifices tonight." *"I don't know, the world is large. But we have a story. It's a fairy tale about a world without the monsters. I wonder sometimes about it."* [["Please tell me."|talk2.14.5.4]] {(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3")[](else:)[[[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.4")[](else:)[[[Ask where she is.|talk2.14.4]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3" and contains "talk2.14.4")[[["I'm sorry. It's time."|talk2.15]]] }

*"There were two islands, in a big sea. The inhabitants built bridges to connected the islands together, and they lived this way for a long time, until one night, a terrible disease started spreading on one of the islands. It began to change those living there into horrible creatures, and in desperation, the bridges were burned. The story ends with the good island living 'happily' after that... but sometimes I've wondered. Maybe, it could be our history, distorted over an age of retelling."* {(if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3")[](else:)[[[Ask her about herself.|talk2.14.3]] ] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.4")[](else:)[[[Ask where she is.|talk2.14.4]]] (if: (history:) contains "talk2.14.3" and contains "talk2.14.4")[[["I'm sorry. It's time."|talk2.15]]] }

*"I'm Ayleth. May we meet again."* There was a soft snap as the connection broke. She was gone. I could feel the cold again, too strong, biting, gnawing at my bones. It was [[fear|defense2]]. (set: $Ayleth to true)

I hurry back to the source of the membrane. This is everything that I had time to prepare: { (if: $hasStake is true)[Working quickly, I skewer the ''wood stakes'' into the soil, forming a semicircle with them all facing inwards.(print:" ")](if: $hasMoss is true)[I use the slick ''moss'' to coat the ground around the shimmer.(print:" ")](if: $hasStake is true)[(if: $hasMoss is true)[To complete the trap, I string a line of ''cord'' between the stakes at knee height.]](if: $hasStake is true or $hasMoss is true)[ ] (if: $hasStones is true)[I have some ''stones'' of various sizes that I can use as projectiles.](if: $hasAcid is true)[ I (if: $hasStones is true)[also ]have a ''jar of acid'' that will serve as a powerful weapon.](if: $hasStones is true or $hasAcid is true)[ ] (if: $hasBomb is not true and $hasPowder is true and $hasFuse is true and $hasNuts is true and $hasFlint is true)[By pouring the ''black powder'' into the hollow ''nuts'' and attaching a ''fuse'', I can create a type of explosive. The ''flint'' can be struck with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[''knife''](else:)[''sword''] to create a spark and light the (link: "bomb")[bomb(set: $hasBomb to true)(set: $hasPowder to false)(set: $hasFuse to false)(set: $hasNuts to false)(show:?madeBomb)]. ] |madeBomb)[I used the ''nuts'', ''black powder'', and several ''fuses'' to create some ''bombs''. ] (if: $hasBomb is true)[I have created some ''bombs'' that I can ignite using sparks from the ''flint'' and my (if: $hasKnife is true)[''knife''](else:)[''sword'']. The explosive power should do some significant damage. ] (if: $hasKnife is true)[(if: $hasSword is true)[Right now, I have both a ''sword'' and my ''brother's knife'' to use in close combat.]](if: $hasKnife is true)[(if: $hasSword is not true)[My sword is broken, so I only have my ''brother's knife'' to use in close combat.]](if: $hasKnife is not true)[(if: $hasSword is true)[My brother's knife is broken, so I only have my ''sword'' to use in close combat.]](if: $hasKnife is true or $hasSword is true)[ ] }My sweat feels like ice in the wind. There's no time left. The (link-repeat: "membrane is open")[(confirm:"I will not be just a sacrifice. It is time to fight the beast. ")[(goto: "combat1")]]. (save-game:"AutoSave") (track: 'labyrinth', 'loop', true)(track: 'labyrinth', 'play')(track: 'labyrinth', 'volume', 0.7)(track: 'wind', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'wind2', 'fadeto', 5, 0.5)(track: 'temporal', 'stop') (track: 'wind', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind', 'play') (live: 7.5s)[ (track: 'wind2', 'loop', true) (track: 'wind2', 'play') (stop:) ]

The membrane explodes in a shower of a crystaline sky as the beast tears its way through. { (if: $Ayleth is not true)[It stands bipedal, thick fur covering its torso and legs. A pair of horns twist from the top of its head and its face is a hideous mess of red marks and twisted hair, eyes recessed deeply into its skull. Arms of blackened flesh end in two clawed hands which grasp a dreadful blade of bone and glistening metal.] (if: $Ayleth is true)[It stands bipedal, a thick fur coat covering its torso and legs. A pair of horns twist from the top of its head and its face is covered in a hideous red mask, eyes glaring sharply through small holes. Arms coated in black ash end in two clawed gloves which grasp a dreadful blade of bone and glistening metal.] } (if: $fight_Mask is true)[It immediately catches sight of me.] (if: $fight_Mask is false)[Something causes it to hesitate, even for a fraction of a moment, and I have the advantage.] { (if: $hasStones is true)[ Throw (link: "stones")[(set:$fight_Stones to true)(goto: "combat3")] at the beast.] (if: $hasAcid is true)[ Throw (link: "jar of acid")[(set:$fight_Acid to true)(goto: "combat3")] at the beast.] (if: $hasBomb is true)[ Throw (link: "bomb")[(set:$fight_Bomb to true)(goto: "combat3")] at the beast.] (if: $hasAcid is not true and $hasStones is not true and $hasBomb is not true)[ (link: "I have no weapon for this situation.")[(goto: "combat3")]] (if: $fight_Mask is false and $Ayleth is true)[ This is (link: "wrong")[(goto: "truePath1")].] }

{(if: $fight_Stones is true)[I hurl a fist-sized stone at the beast, aiming for its upper chest. It strikes true, throwing the creature slightly off balance.] (if: $fight_Acid is true)[I hurl the jar of acid at the beast, aiming for its upper chest. The brittle jar shatters on impact and immediately engulfs the creature in a concentrated spray of acid. The air fills with the sickening smell of burning fur and flesh as the beast lets out a mangled scream of pain, stumbling backwards blindly.] (if: $fight_Bomb is true)[I strike the flint, throwing sparks onto the bomb I have prepared. The embers miss, burning out in flash as they die on the cold ground. I rush to strike again, but it's too late. The beast lunges towards me. (set: $beast_condition to "fine") I have a split moment to (link:"react")[(set:$fight_Bomb to false)(goto:"combat4")].] (if: $fight_Acid is not true and $fight_Stones is not true and $fight_Bomb is not true)[I ready myself, waiting for the beast to make the first move. Suddenly it lunges towards me. (set: $beast_condition to "fine") I have a split moment to [[react|combat4]].] (if: $fight_Stones is true or $fight_Acid is true)[ (if: $hasStake is not true and $hasMoss is not true)[It's only a moment before the beast regains its balance, suddenly lunging towards me in a fury. (set: $beast_condition to "fine") I have a split moment to [[react|combat4]].] (if: $hasStake is not true and $hasMoss is true)[The beast slips on the moss I prepared, collapsing to the ground on all fours. I've gained a moment to strike. (set: $beast_condition to "fell") (if: $hasBomb is true)[ Throw (link: "bomb")[(set:$fight_Bomb to true)(goto: "combat4")] at the beast.] Use my (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "knife")[(set: $melee_attack to true)(goto: "combat4")]](else:)[(link: "sword")[(set: $melee_attack to true)(goto: "combat4")]] to attack.] (if: $hasStake is true and $hasMoss is true)[The beast slips on the moss I prepared, collapsing to the ground on all fours and impaling itself on the wooden stakes. It lets out a hideous gasp, one of the stakes protruding from its side and blood pooling on the ground. I've gained a moment to strike.] (set: $beast_condition to "stabbed") (if: $hasBomb is true)[ Throw (link: "bomb")[(set:$fight_Bomb to true)(goto: "combat4")] at the beast.] Use my (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "knife")[(set: $melee_attack to true)(goto: "combat4")]](else:)[(link: "sword")[(set: $melee_attack to true)(goto: "combat4")]] to attack.] }

{(if: $beast_condition is "fine")[I raise my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], slicing forward at the beast as it rushes towards me, but it isn't enough. The blade makes only a thin incision against the thick fur. There's [[nothing|badEnd]] I can do.] (if: $beast_condition is "fell")[ (if: $fight_Stones is true)[ (if: $melee_attack is true)[ Taking advantage of the moment, I leap forward with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], slicing at the beast while it is down. My swing carves through the fur, leaving a thick incision but nothing close to a fatal wound. In the next instant, the beast's blade catches me across the chest and sends me tumbling backwards. My wound feels strangely numb as I struggle back to my feet, my legs heavy. I try to keep my vision focused, but I can slowly feel my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] slip from my grasp and my limbs begin to shut down. In the end, there's [[nothing|badEnd]] I can do.] (if: $fight_Bomb is true)[I strike the flint, throwing sparks onto the bomb I have prepared. The embers miss, burning out in flash as they die on the cold ground. I rush to strike again, but it's too late. The beast has already regained its footing, and lunges towards me. I have a split moment to ready my (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "knife")[(set: $gonna_die to true)(goto: "combat5")]](else:)[(link: "sword")[(set: $gonna_die to true)(goto: "combat5")]].] ](if: $fight_Acid is true)[ (if: $melee_attack is true)[Taking advantage of the moment, I leap forward with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], slicing at the beast while it is down. My swing carves through the fur, leaving a thick incision along its chest. It lunges blindly at me, its body radiating smoke from the acid burns, and I dodge just in time. A second slash of my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] burrows deep into its arm and it screams again, swinging wildly and scraping my neck with its claws. I tumble backwards, the pain searing. My wound feels strangely numb as I struggle back to my feet, my arms heavy. I try to keep my vision focused, but I can slowly feel my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] slip from my grasp and my limbs begin to shut down. This isn't right, there's something wrong with me - but it's too late. In the end, there's [[nothing|badEnd]] I can do.] (if: $fight_Bomb is true)[Taking advantage of the moment, I strike the flint, throwing sparks onto the bomb I have prepared. The embers catch, bursting into a flury of flame as the fuse ignites. Suddenly, the beast lunges blindly at me, its body radiating smoke from the acid burns. I dodge just in time, the bomb resting on the ground nearby as the fuse burns ever shorter. The beast turns back towards me again, raising its blade and charging straight at me. The bomb detonates, catching the beast in a brutal eruption of fire and earth, and the air fills with thick smoke. I hear a horrible, choking groan, wet with blood and filled with desperate fury. Then the beast bursts from the cloud of smoke, blinded, burning, and running bezerk with the last energy it could summon. I have a split moment to ready my (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "knife")[(set: $fought_hard to true)(goto: "combat5")]](else:)[(link: "sword")[(set: $fought_hard to true)(goto: "combat5")]].]]] (if: $beast_condition is "stabbed")[ (if: $fight_Stones is true)[ (if: $melee_attack is true)[Taking advantage of the moment, I leap forward with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], slicing at the beast while it is down. My swing carves through the fur, leaving a thick incision along its chest. It lunges at me but its movements are crude, weakened from the wounds my trap had inflicted, and I dodge just in time. A second slash of my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] burrows deep into its arm and it screams again, swinging wildly and scraping my neck with its claws. I tumble backwards, the pain searing. My wound feels strangely numb as I struggle back to my feet, my arms heavy. I try to keep my vision focused, but I can slowly feel my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] slip from my grasp and my limbs begin to shut down. This isn't right, there's something wrong with me - but it's too late. In the end, there's [[nothing|badEnd]] I can do.] (if: $fight_Bomb is true)[Taking advantage of the moment, I strike the flint, throwing sparks onto the bomb I have prepared. The embers catch, bursting into a flury of flame as the fuse ignites. It lunges at me but its movements are crude, weakened from the wounds my trap had inflicted. I dodge just in time, the bomb resting on the ground nearby as the fuse burns ever shorter. The beast turns back towards me again, raising its blade and charging straight at me. The bomb detonates, catching the beast in a brutal eruption of fire and earth, and the air fills with thick smoke. I hear a horrible, choking groan, wet with blood and filled with desperate fury. Then the beast bursts from the cloud of smoke, blinded, burning, and running bezerk with the last energy it could summon. I have a split moment to ready my (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "knife")[(set: $fought_hard to true)(goto: "combat5")]](else:)[(link: "sword")[(set: $fought_hard to true)(goto: "combat5")]].] ](if: $fight_Acid is true)[ (if: $melee_attack is true)[Taking advantage of the moment, I leap forward with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], slicing at the beast while it is down. My swing carves through the fur, leaving a thick incision along its chest. It lunges blindly at me, its body radiating smoke from the acid burns and its movements crude, weakened from the wounds my trap had inflicted. I dodge the predictable movements then bring a second slash of my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], burrowing deep into its shoulder with the blade. It lets out a garbled scream, swinging wildly in a last effort to survive. The beast shudders, then collapses to the ground, every breath a losing battle. There is a glint of light and I stumble backwards, a sharp burn in my lungs. I struggle to keep on my feet, my arms suddenly heavy. My fingers brush over my chest and I catch hold of a metal rod stuck between my ribs, thin and cold to the touch. Slowly, my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] slips from my grasp as my limbs begin to shut down. We hit the ground together, blood, ash, and dirt mixing as we slowly drain our [[lives|mutualEnd]] away.] (if: $fight_Bomb is true)[Taking advantage of the moment, I strike the flint, throwing sparks onto the bomb I have prepared. The embers catch, bursting into a flury of flame as the fuse ignites. It lunges blindly at me, its body radiating smoke from the acid burns and its movements crude, weakened from the wounds my trap had inflicted. I dodge the predictable movements, watching the bomb as the fuse burns ever shorter, timing my movents. The beast stumbles towards me again, raising its blade and charging forward. The bomb detonates, catching the beast in a brutal eruption of fire and earth, and the air fills with thick smoke. I hear a horrible, choking groan, wet with blood and filled with the sound of death. The smoke thins slightly, carried by the cold mountain wind, and I can see the beast laying on the ground, shuddering with every breath. I ready my (if: $hasKnife is true)[(link: "knife")[(set: $victory to true)(goto: "combat5")]](else:)[(link: "sword")[(set: $victory to true)(goto: "combat5")]].]]] }

{(live: 1s)[ $slowTransition[The wind is cold.] (stop:) ]} {(live: 6s)[ $slowTransition[There isn't much time.] (track: 'impact2', 'play') (stop:) ]} {(live: 11s)[ $slowTransition[I'm nothing more than just a (link: "sacrifice")[sacrifice(show:?reveal)].] (track: 'impact3', 'play') (stop:) ]} |reveal)[$slowTransition[I lie on the cold ground, my blood pooling slowly around me. Was there more I could have done? I think of my family, of the countless who have died before me, and the unknown faces who will follow me someday. (if: $Ayleth is true)[I think of Ayleth.] Did my sacrifice mean anything? (track: 'impact4', 'play') {(live: 5s)[ [This is the (link: "end")[end(show:?end)].] (stop:) ]} ] =><= |end)[$medTransition[Ending 1/5: ''*Nothing More*'' *You have found the bad ending.*] $medTransition[(link:"Try Again")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"AutoSave")](if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[ or (link:"Load Save")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"PlayerSave")[Error While Loading]]]]]] (track: 'impact', 'play') (track: 'labyrinth', 'fadeto', .5, 0)

{(if: $gonna_die is true)[I raise my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], slicing forward at the beast as it rushes towards me, but it isn't enough. The blade makes only a thin incision against the thick fur. There's [[nothing|badEnd]] I can do.] (if: $fought_hard is true)[I slash forward with my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword], catching the beast with my blade as it charges me. My swing carves through the fur, leaving a thick incision along its chest. It staggers for a few more steps, blood pouring from every part of its body. A second slash of my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] burrows deep into its arm and it screams, swinging wildly in a last effort to survive. It shudders, then collapses to the ground, every breath a losing battle. (if: $Ayleth is not true)[ There is a glint of light and I stumble backwards, a sharp burn in my lungs. I struggle to keep on my feet, my arms suddenly heavy. My fingers brush over my chest and I catch hold of a metal rod stuck between my ribs, thin and cold to the touch. Slowly, my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] slips from my grasp as my limbs begin to shut down. We hit the ground together, blood, ash, and dirt mixing as we slowly drain our [[lives|mutualEnd]] away.](if: $Ayleth is true)[ I hold my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] tightly, my knuckles white. I raise the blade high. The (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] cuts through the air with an unforgiving crack. It's finally [[over|goodEnd]].]] (if: $victory is true)[I hold my (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] tightly, my knuckles white. I raise the blade high. The (if: $hasKnife is true)[knife](else:)[sword] cuts through the air with an unforgiving crack. It's finally [[over|goodEnd]].] }

{(live: 1s)[ $slowTransition[The wind is cold.] (stop:) ]} {(live: 6s)[ $slowTransition[There isn't much time.] (track: 'impact2', 'play') (stop:) ]} {(live: 11s)[ $slowTransition[Was I more than just a (link: "sacrifice")[sacrifice(show:?reveal)]?] (track: 'impact3', 'play') (stop:) ]} |reveal)[$slowTransition[I lie on the cold ground, the beast nearby, our blood pooling slowly around us. I should be proud. I fought back. I refused to let my death be meaningless. (track: 'impact4', 'play')(live: 5s)[(show:?next)]]] |next)[$slowTransition[But still, I wonder. What did I accomplish, in the end? I think of my family, of the countless who have died before me, and the unknown faces who will follow me someday. (if: $Ayleth is true)[I think of Ayleth.] Did my sacrifice really mean (link:"anything")[anything(show:?end)]?](stop:)] =><= |end)[$medTransition[Ending 2/5: ''*Monster and Man*'' *You have found a variation of the bad ending.*] $medTransition[(link:"Try Again")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"AutoSave")](if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[ or (link:"Load Save")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"PlayerSave")[Error While Loading]]]]] (track: 'impact', 'play') (track: 'labyrinth', 'fadeto', .5, 0)

{(live: 1s)[ $slowTransition[The wind feels less cold.] (stop:) ]} {(live: 6s)[ $slowTransition[For the first time in a long while, I can breathe calmly.] (track: 'impact2', 'play') (stop:) ]} {(live: 11s)[ $slowTransition[I refused to be a (link: "sacrifice")[sacrifice(show:?reveal)(track: 'temporal', 'loop', true)(track: 'temporal', 'play')].] (track: 'impact3', 'play') (stop:) ]} |reveal)[$slowTransition[The sky is growing lighter, the stars retreating as a crack of light spills over the horizon. It's a new day.(live: 5s)[(show:?next)]]] |next)[$slowTransition[(if: $Ayleth is not true)[I'm still (link:"alive")[alive(show:?end)] to see it.](if: $Ayleth is true)[I'm still alive to see it. I hope [[she|tragicEnd]] made it also.]](stop:)] =><= |end)[$medTransition[Ending 3/5: ''*More than a Sacrifice*'' *You have found the good ending.*] $medTransition[(link:"Try Again")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"AutoSave")](if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[ or (link:"Load Save")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"PlayerSave")[Error While Loading]]]]] (track: 'impact', 'play') (track: 'labyrinth', 'fadeto', .5, 0) (track: 'wind', 'fadeto', 20, 0) (track: 'wind2', 'fadeto', 20, 0)

The world is cruel. We've been (link: "blind")[blind(show:?next)], all of us, for so long. |next)[For the first time, I truly (link: "understand")[understand(show:?next1)].] |next1)[I look at the beast standing before me. There are no (link: "monsters")[monsters(show:?next2)].] |next2)[I call her (link: "name")[name(show:?next3)].] |next3)[$slowTransition[(track: 'impact3', 'play')(link: `"Ayleth."`)[Ayleth(goto:"truePath2")]]] (track: 'impact', 'play') (track: 'labyrinth', 'fadeto', .5, 0) (track: 'wind', 'fadeto', 20, 0) (track: 'wind2', 'fadeto', 20, 0)

<img src="./image/rune.png" alt=" " width="70%"> I hurry back to the rune, its faint and reassuring glow welcoming me once again. I press my hand against the stone and reach out, sending my voice to reach her. (link:`"Ayleth, I'm back."`)[(show:?reveal)]|reveal)[$slowTransition[(track: 'impact', 'play')I'm met with silence. Cold, empty, desolate, silence. She must not have made it back (link:"yet")[yet(show:?next1)].]] |next1)[$slowTransition[(track: 'impact2', 'play')Time passes slowly. I tell myself to stay calm. If I could survive, I'm sure she could as well. After all, she has been training for this. If anyone could defeat those (link:"monsters")[monsters(show:?next3)] it would be her.]] |next3)[$slowTransition[(track: 'impact4', 'play')The sunrise is brilliant. I can see rays of light cascading through the trees, illuminating the morning mist and dancing across the former battlefield. The beams seem almost playful, celebrating the return of (link:"life")[life(show:?next4)] to this dark world.]] |next4)[$slowTransition[(track: 'impact', 'play')I am (link:"alone")[alone(show:?end)].]] =><= |end)[$medTransition[Ending 4/5: ''*Bitter Victory*'' *You have found a variation of the good ending.*] $medTransition[(link:"Try Again")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"AutoSave")](if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[ or (link:"Load Save")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"PlayerSave")[Error While Loading]]]]]

She freezes. *"$name?"* She asks quietly, hesitant, disbelieving. Her voice is right infront of me, no longer drifting on the breeze of some magic stone. It feels unreal. [["It's me."|truePath3]] (track: 'temporal', 'loop', true) (track: 'temporal', 'volume', 0.05) (track: 'temporal', 'play') (live:1s)[ (track: 'temporal', 'fadeto', 10, 0.8) (stop:) ]

She pulls the mask from her face, letting the hideous thing drop to the ground. Her face is shockingly human, almost entirely if not for the horns twisting from her head. She's wearing black paint on her arms, and a thick fur coat. There have never been any monsters. We've only ever fought [[each other|trueEnd]].

The sky is growing lighter, the stars retreating as a crack of light spills over the horizon. It's a new day. Together we watch the rays of light cascading through the trees, illuminating the morning mist and dancing across the open landscape. The air is warm, and alive. We have as much time as we need. There's (link:"nothing")[nothing(show:?next)] to be afraid of anymore. |next)[$slowTransition[We are (link:"so much more")[so much more(show:?end)] than just a sacrifice.]] =><= |end)[$medTransition[Ending 5/5: ''*From Across the Divide*'' *You have found the true ending.*] $medTransition[(link:"Try Again")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"AutoSave")](if:(saved-games:) contains "PlayerSave")[ or (link:"Load Save")[(track: 'meteorite', 'play')(load-game:"PlayerSave")[Error While Loading]]]]]