A Spark of Darkness

We are what they warned you about, whispered in hush tones - as if that would soothe you, save you. They bowed their heads, muttered crumbling fumbled words to [[ward against us->Good]]. We have been watching. Waiting for our chance to return and reap vengeance on those that have done us wrong. We are the spark, the [[inevitable darkness.->Bad]]

You recoil against our embrace, seek the touch of the familiar, resist our... invitation. You soldier on, [[ignore that insatiable voice->Neutral]] in the back of your mind, but somewhere in you stirs [[rebellion.->Good1]]

We seek out that black fire within you and caress it, welcome it. That itch that you've felt in the back of your mind, that longing and mad desire to embrace the unknown. The power that you feel just beyond your grasp. [[You fear it, your potential.->Neutral]] We know, we feel your [[doubt.->Good]] [[We can help you->Bad1]], if you let us.

We whisper in your ear, feed you tales of the darkness, and soothe you with our balm. We teach you not to fear the dark but embrace it, to shape it to your will and [[push aside your doubts->Neutral1]], if you are able. We are nothing but a tool, we say. A tool is meant to be used, not banished. [[We take your hand->Bad2]] and begin to burn.

That potential flickers inside you but you stand apart, neither for us nor against us. We flex, analyzing. [[You are an unknown,->Neutral1]] a dilemma. You do not condone, but you do not condemn. We weave our delicate dance to try and [[win you to our side.->Bad1]] Our demands for retribution leave you unmoved, [[but will you fight?->Good1]]

That voice battles us within you, that doubt flowers and grows, thrusting us into the night once more. We hiss, recoiling, banished, but not deterred. We show you a vision of [[salvation->Bad1]], of your untapped potential, one last chance to take our hand or [[scorn us.->Good2]]

You watch us. A neutral observer. Apart, aloof. One eye open, one ahead. We attempt to steer you, to sway you to our way of things. [[You take our gifts but do not use them->Neutral 2]], twisting us with promises and honeyed words, never allowing us to fully grasp your might. Still, we see cracks in your armor, [[know we might win out yet.->Bad2]]

We’ve done it. We have taken control. We have overthrown. At last. Joy courses through our veins, unabashed glee at our triumph. We wing through the air, unfurling our glorious height for all to see, brought out of the dark at last. Although we are the dark. We are the night that they have feared for so long. And now? Now we reign. With you standing at our side. [[Together ->Bad3]] we are one.

You are firm. We shriek in anger, betrayal. But you stay strong, unbending against the flood. We batter against your defences, rail against your stubborn stand, unwilling to abandon you, but your walls do not break. [[A pity, as you know what's to come.->ConflictB]]

You are our instrument, our tool of fiery destruction, and we wield you with brutal purpose. We feed on the chaos until we are engorged, but still, after being starved for so long we want more. And no one can take it away from us ever again. We take them all, leave none to chance, righteous anger rushes through us as they beg and plead for someone to save them. We are your salvation now. We are the beginning and the end. But there is a glimmer of… something else. For just the briefest moment, [[a rip in the whole.->Main Line3]]

We’ve done it. We have taken control. We have overthrown. At last. Joy courses through our veins, unabashed glee at our triumph. We wing through the air, unfurling our glorious height for all to see, brought out of the dark at last. Although we are the dark. We are the night that they have feared for so long. And now? Now we reign. And we rage at you, //you// who thought you could stand against us. [[We consume you.->Main Line3]]

We’ve done it. We have taken control. We have overthrown. At last. Joy courses through our veins, unabashed glee at our triumph. We wing through the air, unfurling our glorious height for all to see, brought out of the dark at last. Although we are the dark. We are the night that they have feared for so long. And now? Now we reign. And you, you still call to us, still use our power for your own gain. But you are lone blot against our storm, inconsequential. We wait, searching for weakness. [[ready to consume.->Main Line3]]

We survey our conquest. Whole. One. But something within flickers, the smallest, feeblest light. We gouge ourself, howling with the pain, but it does not die. It shines. It stands; it looks us in the eye. We spit with anger, we roar larger, gather all of ourself to combat this new threat, this light which could ruin all. We reach out a dark hand of nothingness, ready to engulf it. And so we [[guide your hand->EndBad]] and unleash ourselves, beat the flame back until [[only sparks remain->EndGood]].

We roar with glee, stoking that flicker as it turns to a flame and then into a pyre, a burning monolith within you. You glow. We take your hand, raise it. [[Hesitate,->Neutral 2]] for the merest instant as we bend you. Form you into a fist. [[Our fist.->ConflictA]]

Those sparks of you are born by the wind, deterred, but not defeated. You wait in the dark, biding your time, growing your strength. Waiting for your chance to return and reap vengeance on those that have done you wrong. You are the spark, the inevitable darkness. [[And you will return. ->Main Line]] (after:7s)[''The End'']

You burn until nothing is left but ash and sparks. You cup them in your hand. Greedy for the light. Your shadowhand bathes them, soothes them, whispers to them as they bloom from your nothingness, consuming you until there is a small flame, growing brighter in the darkness. (after:5s)[(text-style:"bold")[The End]] (after:10s)[[[Play Again?->Main Line]]]

You bend, but do not break. You step back. Away. But we are so close now, a flame that will not cease, and we are //hungry//. We have waited. We rush past you, we demand satisfaction. You stand. [[Observe.->Neutral 3]]

We begin our conquest, and all fall beneath our relentless thirst, our endless shadow. We turn to you now, coiled and smug in our victory, eyes bright as we stretch out a tendril in invitation; wary, but hopeful. [[A promise of all that we can be->ConflictA]]. [[A warning of all that can't.->ConflictB]] [[You stay stone.->Conflict C]]