Darklumber

how you called her name how she descended upon us eclipsing the red burning sky how she extended her immense black crystal wings above us how she left us just a few seeds [[for us]] to grow together

she changed our destiny we had forgotten how to fly she taught us to grow [[new wings]]

we waited under the rain for something else to happen [[nothing happened]] we were wet and sad but together

I said I'd rather die than lie you said then you'd have to die a thousand times but we were the same, crying on the lawn of our [[forest cabin]]

when we dyed black our hair the night we became eternal when we dyed black our hearts the night of the [[billion candles]]

and she said "I'm the mother of all creatures" "of creatures large and small" "of creatures bright and dark" "I know the truth locked away [[inside your heart]]"

[[wait until the light comes]]

I forgot what I had felt before I realized what had been wrong all along the pain subsided and we were [[free]]

there, at the tallest of the towers, in the darkness of a moonless night, we did the unthinkable and the old godesses answered [[rest, my dear]]

the path lead down to a small plaza shadowed by countless willows above the only light came from the glimmering gemstones that formed the polished floor, where a dark inky liquid flowed along the creases where the gems met we could see [[two doors]] at the other end of the plaza or we could go back to [[the station->anywhere]] and take a train somewhere else all other paths were blocked by ornate cast iron gates with no apparent means to open them

the boundless void surrounded us eternally only the light of distant fusion reactors reflected light on our skin only that light reached our eyes there was nothing else to gaze upon in this world [[nothing that mattered]]

that swamp had been forever cursed only those of a kind heart could escape it there was no path outside, but you could always [[keep walking]] there was [[a dog]] looking at you from a rock above the mud

she melted into words something that had never happened before [[hopefully she is alright]]

she leaves the room she expects you to [[follow her]]

the air is damp outside the clouds below shine above the thunderlights above, the obsidian sky is only interrupted by some starlight dots you can't see anything else besides the lit room behind you, the tower is way too dark she embraces you on the balcony and whispers [["do you remember?"]]

do you remember —she continues— the days we used to play together? when we made tiny hats for the field mice when we hunted grasshoppers to offer them to the snakes just for the chance of seeing one when we spoke each other's name and nothing was heard because [[we hadn't met yet]]

the games we used to make up they were never great games, but we had fun do you remember when we rode a train that would [[take us anywhere?->anywhere]]

like incense burning on a calm summer night you were the fire, burning me from inside I was the smoke, drifting, floating, expanding around you and the smell was [[deafening]]

we would go so many places (if: $cabin_done is 0)[> [[the forest]]](else:)[> the forest] (if: $swamp_done is 0)[> [[the swamp]]](else:)[> the swamp] (if: $city_done is 0)[> [[the city]]](else:)[> the city] > [[the beach]]

we got down at an unmarked stop right in the middle of a clearing it was cold and damp, but the trees protected us from the wind we walked through the snow until we reached [[our cabin->cabin front]] so tired, so cold, but with you it was easier

the train left us in the old metal station bones grew all over it from the black muddy soil we entered the swamp together but found ourselves soon [[lost and alone]]

the train left us at the station, a large polished wood building that was kept clean and shiny by the black inky rain that poured constantly in this city we followed [[the path]] down to the library

the train left us at the fields near the beach we walked towards the cliffs we stopped when we heard the waves feeling like we were nothing, as the sand started sinking under our feet ready to fly, our time over in this place a boundless sky watching us, making us feel the weight of infinity above our heads an eternal twilight on the horizon for a while we [[stood together]] on the sand watching the silky waves (if: $cabin_done is 1 and $swamp_done is 1 and $city_done is 1 and $beach_done is 1)[(set: $flight to 1)] wondering when would be our(if: $flight is not 0)[ [[chance to fly]]](else:)[ chance to fly]

the old cabin stood in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by even older oaks, covered in snow [[the door]] to the cabin creaks with the wind (if: $cabin_lumber is 0)[there was something important [[behind the cabin]] too]

it was cold inside the cabin we could see the old iron [[kitchen]] from the [[bed]] (if: $cabin_blankets is not 0)[thankfully, you had pulled dry blankets from the wardrobe] (else:)[the [[wardrobe]] had been closed all winter] (if: $cabin_lumber is 0)[if only ]we had lumber to light the [[fireplace]] but it was so cold [[outside->cabin front]]

beneath the cabin's roof there was some lumber left luckily some of it was still dry did you [[take it with you]] or [[leave it there for a while->cabin front]]?

the old kitchen felt cold to the touch there were cans of food, but there was [[no point->the door]] in opening them without a fire to warm them they were frozen inside anyway

the bed was cold and felt (if: $cabin_blankets is not 0)[plushy](else:)[mossy] to the touch there was a night stand with a lamp with butterfly images on it and a [[drawer]] it would have been(if: $cabin_fire is not 0)[ [[so uncomfortable->cozy]]](else:)[ [[so uncomfortable->the door]]] to lay down in it without you

the wardrobe was closed and locked (if: $cabin_lock is not 0)[ you opened it with [[the key]] and pulled off some dry blankets] (else:)[did you forget [[where->the door]] the key was?]

the fireplace was clean, empty, cold (if: $cabin_lumber is not 0)[ thankfully you had some lumber to [[light a fire]]] (else:)[you would need some lumber to light a fire to stave [[the cold->the door]] off]

we walked together up to a post near the shore, while the fine sand grazed our feet atop the post, a red piece of cloth waved in the breeze the soft sound of the waves accompanied us while we hugged each other there was an [[upside down boat]] near the shore, standing on the rocks there was a [[dark cave]] under the cliff, beneath the sand dunes at some point, we would go back to [[the train->anywhere]] , to some other place far away

you took some dry lumber to light a fire (set: $cabin_lumber to 1) it was [[so cold->cabin front]]

you set it ablaze with some gas and matches (set: $cabin_fire to 1) it quickly filled the room with warm air I had never felt as loved and [[cozy]] before

(set: $cabin_blankets to 1)(if: $cabin_fire is not 0)[ [[we would sleep comfortably->cozy]]] (else:)[[[we would sleep comfortably->the door]]]

it was warm inside the cabin we could see the old iron [[kitchen->warm kitchen]] from the(if: $cabin_blankets is not 0)[ [[bed->warm bed]]](else:)[ [[bed]]] (if: $cabin_blankets is not 0)[thankfully, you had pulled dry blankets from the wardrobe] (else:)[the [[wardrobe->warm wardrobe]] had been closed all winter] the fire singed its song of resin sparks in the [[fireplace->warm fireplace]] it was so cold outside none of us would have wanted to leave

the old kitchen felt cold to the touch there were cans of food, we would dine on beans [[later->cozy]]

that bed that cozy warm bed in which we used to lay down tell our ghost stories and cuddle forget everything that had happened to us outside we were so happy under those blankets I wouldn't change it for [[anything->anywhere]] but we had to take the train back (set: $cabin_done to 1)

the wardrobe was closed and locked (if: $cabin_lock is not 0)[ you opened it with [[the key]] and pulled off some dry blankets] (else:)[did you forget [[where->cozy]] the key was?]

we used to sit at the fireplace in the winter and cuddle hopefully someday we can go back to [[our cabin->cozy]]

inside the drawer, you found [[the key->bed]] to the wardrobe (set: $cabin_lock to 1) there was also a book inside, a guide of the animals that inhabited the area I know you kept it only for the pretty pictures I also loved it

the boat had been upturned years ago and then rested against the rocks its blue paint was mostly gone, leaving only rusted metal exposed a big [[hole]] on its side left enough room to crawl into the dry land under it we could see the [[red flag->stood together]] waving on the beach, our footsteps being slowly swept away by the tide

the cave was dark, but enough light filtered through the entrance to let us see the [[metallic door]] at the end of the cave it had been there since long before we found it, but we always [[left->stood together]] without a clue how to open it

under the main deck of the boat, we were safe from the rain, when it rained we used to come here when we wanted to find out other people's secrets and leave our own there was a [[chest]] with a big old lock on it you always stepped on the [[creaking plank]] at the entrance the last lights of the day shined through the hole from [[outside->upside down boat]]

the big chest stands on the remains of a rusted navigation control panel it was locked (if: $chest_locked is 0)[and you didn't have [[the key->hole]]](else:)[but you had the key you looked inside there was a [[notebook]] at some point we [[left it alone->hole]]]

under the plank, there is a small space protected with some bamboo fragments inside that little hole rests [[the key->chest key]] to the chest

you took the key and used it to unlock the chest, then put it [[back->hole]] (set: $chest_locked to 1)

there were hundreds of secret stories written in that notebook whenever somebody found the key, they could read the anonymous secrets and leave one of their own we left our own secret plan [[written there]] there was a [[note]] from the last person who wrote in it when did we decide to [[close that chest->chest]]?

our plan to meet someday and rewrite our [[own history->notebook]]

it said there someone had found the password for the door in the cave (set: $beach_password to 1) it was [[a stupid password->notebook]] full of numbers that look like letters easy enough to memorize

it was a big steel door with an LCD panel that stayed permanently lit, powered by an unknown source of electricity there was a small keypad with a few numbers and letters, but not all of them do you remember the password? (if: $beach_password is not 0)[[[of course you do->password]]](else:)[maybe there's a clue somewhere] we used to [[leave->dark cave]] befuddled

you wrote the password and awaited excitedly for the door to open (set: $beach_done to 1) it didn't the LCD flashed "INSERT SECOND PASSWORD" now what a [[fruitless adventure->dark cave]] that was

no matter how much you walked, you always ended back where you started, [[lost and alone]]

the dog looked at you with curious eyes you may as well [[pet the dog]] or just [[keep walking]] and leave the dog here

you pet the dog the dog was grateful you [[kept walking]]

that swamp had been forever cursed only those of a kind heart could escape it somehow, you found a [[path outside->anywhere]] I was waiting for you there we should have never come here (set: $swamp_done to 1)

the door on the left led to [[the library]] the door on the right was locked, but we could feel sadness behind it

the library contained innumerable books of many kinds, but there was a special section a secret section where books were only about friends that had lost each other in the unmeasurable distance between worlds a secret section only a few of us could even see, much less [[enter]] the door [[back outside->the path]] creaked with the relentless wind

in there, we searched, and we found [[a book]]

in that book, we found a [[loose page]]

in that page there was a [[single phrase]]

[[so we did]]

the next day we went back to the train, full of new dreams and expectation, eager to find [[another place->anywhere]] (set: $city_done to 1)

=><= the end by Efi