Worlds Apart

//"Awake."// //''CRACK!''// Algene shoots up in his chair, sweat beading his forehead. He looks down and sees that he has gotten drool all over his journal. //"How strange,"// he ponders as he rips out the soiled page, //"I don't remember falling asleep at all."// He shrugs it off as a result of sleep deprivation as he dips his feather into his ink jar and begins writing. //My dearest Emily, I dedicate this journal to you, to Kint, and to Eden. It pains me so to have left you and the kids for all this time, you all are my heart, my soul, and the string that binds them together. However, it is because of this love that I must leave in search of glory. Discovery is the catalyst to progress and understanding leads to innovation. Our civilization will remain stagnant until a brave soul propels them forward. I will be that brave soul. I will map the unknown lands of this planet and prove to all the naysayers that our destiny lies beyond the Great Ocean. And by the time you are reading this, Zava-willing, I will have succeeded. I write this passage and all future passages in the hopes that you will understand my reasoning and learn to forgive me for our lost time. I love you as long as the sky is blue and long after. Yours Forever, Al // As he stores away his journal, he hears a soft knocking on his cabin door. //"Come in!"// he exclaims. Algene rises from his desk as his First Mate Jordahn enters. //"Afternoon, Cap,"// Jordahn says with a confused look on his face. //"Afternoon, Jordy. What's the status on deck?"// //"Well Cap, it's quite strange. The whole crew seems to have suffered from a momentary bout of confusion."// //"Hmm, that's probably from the heat. Make sure the crew get time below deck in regular intervals."// //"Now see I thought it was the heat too Cap, but the strangest thing is we all thought we heard a crack of thunder. However, when we looked to the skies there was not a cloud in sight."// Algene pauses for a moment as he remembers the //CRACK// that woke him from his slumber. //"Likely just the sound of a hefty wave hitting the side of the ship. It's nothing to concern yourself with,"// he claims. //"Well either way, you ought to come outside Cap. I'm sure the crew could use a bit of direction right now."// [[Follow Jordahn Outside]]

Algene shields his eyes from the sun as he steps out onto the deck. He grew keenly aware of how unusually quiet his men were being. He decided he needed to take action to shake them from their funk. //"Men drop what you are doing and gather around."// The men all shuffle towards Algene as he positions himself on some boxes. (set: $numberOfCrew to 20) //"Now I know that we have not been together long, but look around you. These men will be your brothers for the next 3 years. We will have many hardships over this journey, that I am sure of. However, these hardships will be overwhelmed by our triumphs. This voyage will put our names in the history books. We will be remembered forever as heroes."// //"Yeah!!"// the crew shout. //"Now Jordy, set course for "// [[North]] [[Northwest]] [[Northeast]]

//"Aye aye, Cap!"// Jordahn shouted from behind the wheel. //"Very good, genlemen. Now back to your stations,"// Algene said. As the men returned to their stations, Algene noticed that their moods had significantly improved after his talk. He felt accomplished as it's moments like these that help reassure him that he is qualified to lead this crew after all. Algene made his way to the side of the boat and stared down at the ocean passing by. While in the open ocean, he likes to study the water and see if he can catch glimpses of any extraordinary wildlife. He has dreams of finding and catching a rare fish to gift to his son. //"Kint would love one of those,"// he thought to himself as he saw a bright blue fish swim past the ship. Thinking of his family made him long for home, so Algene turned back towards the boat in search of something to distract himself. As he looked around, he saw a few things to distract himself. [[Talk to Jordy]] [[Talk to navigators]] [[Return to room]]

//"Aye aye, Cap!"// Jordahn shouted from behind the wheel. //"Very good, genlemen. Now back to your stations,"// Algene said. As the men returned to their stations, Algene noticed that their moods had significantly improved after his talk. He felt accomplished as it's moments like these that help reassure him that he is qualified to lead this crew after all. Algene made his way to the side of the boat and stared down at the ocean passing by. While in the open ocean, he likes to study the water and see if he can catch glimpses of any extraordinary wildlife. He has dreams of finding and catching a rare fish to gift to his son. //"Kint would love one of those,"// he thought to himself as he saw a bright blue fish swim past the ship. Thinking of his family made him long for home, so Algene turned back towards the boat in search of something to distract himself. As he looked around, he saw a few things to distract himself. [[Approach Jordahn]] [[Talk to weapon cleaners]] [[Return to quarters]]

//"Hey Cap, what's going on?'// Jordahn says jovially. //"Hey Jordy, can I ask you a question?"// Algene asks. //"Why of course, you can ask me anything."// //"Do you think I'm doing the right thing? Leaving Emily and the kids I mean. Is this all worth it?"// //"Al, for as long as I've known you, your dream has been to make a name for yourself and make an impact on this world. Emily knew that too. Heck, its part of the reason she married you in the first place. She loves your adventurous spirit. I know it wasn't the fond farewell you were hoping for, but she'll come around. Especially when you make it back safely."// //"I suppose you're right. I'll never forget that look on her face when I told her I was leaving. I never want to make her feel that way again. Thank you Jordy, you always know how to reassure me."// //"Anytime buddy."// [[Talk to oarsmen]] [[Return to cabin]]

//"Baz, right? And Bruhno?"// Algene pointed to each twin as he addressed them. //"Yes Captain,"// they both answered simultaneously. //"Please guys, for your sake and mine just call me Cap. Or Al. Whichever you'd prefer."// //"Yes Cap. What can we do for you?"// //"Well I'm just trying to get to know you all a little better. I read everyone's profile before I hired you for this voyage, but I want to get to know the real you. I want to understand what led you to my ship."// //"Well as you can see, we're brothers, twin brothers,"// Baz explained, //"Our father kicked us out of the house a few months back because we weren't able to provide for ourselves. He was always a harsh man and rarely showed us love. Thankfully our mother was the sweetest person you could imagine. She cared for us when our father would not and taught us what it truly meant to feel loved. Well anyways, after our father kicked us out of the house, we went from town to town looking for a job or a place to stay. When we heard about your mission, we knew this was our chance to make our father proud, so that we may be able to return home and see our mother."// //"Wow."// that was all Algene could muster in the moment. //"Boys I swear to you that this voyage will make you more accomplished than your father ever was. Your mother should be proud to have raised such fine young men."// //"Thank you Cap."// Algene turned away. [[Talk to Jordahn]] [[Return to cabin]]

Algene returns to his cabin as the sun begins to go down on the horizon. Despite having fallen asleep at his desk, he feels extremely exhausted. He undresses and slips into his bed. As he closes his eyes, he begins to imagine all the strange and magnificent lands he may encounter. [[Drift Asleep]]

//"Land Ho!!"// Algene is awoken by a commotion outside. He quickly throws his clothes on and makes his way on deck. //"Cap!"// shouts Jordahn. //"Land straight ahead!"// Algene runs to the front of the ship and pulls out his telescope. On the other end, he sees a faint outline of a coast. //"How could this be?"// he thinks to himself, //"There we no signs of land last night."// //"Jordy, come help me fetch my mapping materials."// Algene and Jordahn hustle into his cabin to grab his supplies. When they emerge from the cabin, they are so shocked by what they see that they drop the supplies. //"How..how did this happen?"// Jordahn uttered in a state of shock. //"I...I.."// is all Algene could muster. The land that they had just witnessed miles away was now right in front of them. Jordahn, able to gather himself, sprints to the wheel in order to steer them clear of the shoreline. //"Raise the sails! Lower the anchor!"// he frantically shouts. Algene, meanwhile, is still frozen in shock. //"How is this possible? How long were we in there? Did I pass out? HOW is this possible??"// he thought to himself. As he struggled to regain motor functions, Jordahn managed to get the ship stopped. //"What should we do, Cap?"// [[Land the Ship]] [[Sail Around the Coast]] [[Question the Crew]]

As the ship anchors, a small team loads into the row boat in order to make landfall. Amongst the team were Algene(if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to oarsmen")'s length >= 1)[, Baz and Bruhno, ] and Jordahn. After landing on shore, the team makes there way to the canyon. While on their trek, Algene says, //"Take it all in men. You are likely the first people to have ever set foot on this land."// The men all take a second to ponder this thought. However, their pondering was cut short as they quickly approached an end to the canyon. //"I must have been daydreaming."// Algene thought as he turned around to see the beach was nowhere in sight. As the men exited the canyon, they stumbled upon a sight too surreal for their minds to comprehend. Across a vast distance, the men saw buildings, far larger and more elaborate than they ever thought possible. And there were hundreds of these buildings, tightly compacted in a rows and columns. //"Men, I think we may have just made the important discovery in the history of man."// Algene said in astonishment. //"What on Adar am I seeing, Cap?"// Jordahn exclaimed. //"Well Jordy, what I believe you are seeing is secluded civilization that holds technology far beyond what we are capable of. I suppose the cliffs kept them separated from the outside world."// //"So, should we introduce ourselves?"// Jordahn questioned. //"Well I suppose that is the question. On the one hand, they might be hostile. On the other hand, this could lead to vast technological advancements. I suppose the only fair thing would be to put it to a vote. All those in favor of approaching the city, raise your hands." As Algene counts the raised hands, he determines that... [[The Vote Passes]] [[The Vote Fails]]

//"Let's sail around the coast in order to map the island. Something just feels off about this place."// Algene says. They proceed to sail around the island, mapping the coastline. It was a fairly medium sized island, as it took them several hours to circle it. There were few distinct features of the island, however, Algene could not help but notice that the entire island was lined with high cliffsides, as if the entire inland of the island was hidden from outsiders. //"Jordy, set us down by that small canyon, I want to travel inland to see if this island is noteworthy."// [[Land the Ship]]

Algene turns to the crew on deck. //"Do any of you know how we came upon this island so quickly?"// he asks. //"I'm sorry Cap, but we were all below deck manning the oars."// one of them responded. //"So no one here saw us approaching this land at at all?"// The crew all mumble and look at each other, signalling to Algene that no one knew anything. //"Alright men, return to your posts."// //"Well Cap, what should we do?"// Jordahn asks. [[Land the Ship]] [[Sail Around the Coast]]

(set: $votePasses to true) //"Well then it's settled,"// Algene says, //"We forge ahead to the city and make the likely first contact with the outside world these people have ever had."// After about an hour of walking, the men hear some rustling in the nearby brush. //"What was that?"// Jordahn asks. Suddenly, the crew is rushed by a formless figure unlike anything they have ever seen. The figure, who appeared to have a solid skull but gaseous body, seemingly jumped from spot to spot without ever appearing to actually move. In an instant, the creature latches onto (if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to oarsmen")'s length >= 1)[Bruhno](else-if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to oarsmen")'s length is 0)[a crew member] and in the next instant, they are both gone. (if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to oarsmen")'s length >= 1)[//"Bruhno!!"// Baz screams in shock and horror.] //"Back to the ship!"// Algene yells as more formless creatures appear. As the crew sprints back the way they came, two more crew members are taken. Algene sees one about to latch onto Jordahn and bats it down with his telescope. He crushes its skull under his foot, and the being disintegrates and vanishes into thin air. //"What in the world are these things?"// he questions. However, there is no time for reflection, as more of these creatures quickly approach. After being chased for what feels like hours, the crew makes it back to the canyon. Algene no longer sees any sign of these creatures, but still he does not stop running until he makes it back to the rowboat. The crew is silent as they row back to the ship. Solemn looks were wiped across every person's face. (set: $numberOfCrew to 17) [[Return to the Ship]]

(set: $votePasses to false) //"Alright then its settled, we head back to the ship. Perhaps we weren't meant to experience such advancements."// Algene said. The crew turn around head back through the canyon. As they row back to the ship, they wonder what could have happened if they explored the city. [[Return to the Ship]]

The crew attach the row boat to the main ship and unload their supplies. (if:$votePasses is true)[One crew member asks where the rest of the team was and was horrified by the story of what happened. //"So we're just supposed to accept the fact that they died? Just disappeared into thin air? How are we supposed to believe you? Did you bring us out here just to kill us?"// the crew start shouting. (if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to oarsmen")'s length >= 1)[//"It's true,"// Baz says with a broken look on his face. His eyes have been fixated on the ground since he got back to the ship. //"They took my brother. I don't want to believe he's dead but I would NEVER lie about what happened to him."](else-if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to oarsmen")'s length is 0)[//"It's true,"// an oarsman says with a broken look on his face. His eyes have been fixated on the ground since he got back to the ship. //"They took my brother. I don't want to believe he's dead but I would NEVER lie about what happened to him."] //"Well then, now wha-"// Jordahn is cut short by a booming voice. //"Come East, to find the answers you seek!"// the voice said. It sounded as if it was both in Algene's head and all around them. //"Can you guys hear that too?"// Algene asked. //"Yes, Cap."// they said with frightened and confused looks. //"Come East!"// the voice boomed again. //"Do you think this is about the missing crewmates?"// one person floated out. //"Whether it is or not, we should head East to find some answers. I'm starting to feel as though there are much bigger games at play here than what we are privvy to."// Algene says. //"Jordahn, point us East and let us be on our way."// //"Aye Aye, Cap."//](else-if:$votePasses is false)[ //"Where to next, Cap?"// Jordahn asks. //"Let's head East and see what other oddities we may find." Algene responds. //"Aye Aye, Cap."//] [[Head East]]

//My Dearest Emily, This world is filled with much wonder and horror far greater than any of the elders could even predict. I long for the day when I can return home and tell you of all my journeys. I love you. -Yours Forever, Al // Algene puts away his feather and closes his journal. As the outside light glows dimmer, he heads to bed. As he shuts his eyes, his head fills with curiosity about the implications of what he witnessed today. (if:(history: where its name contains "North")'s length is 1)[[Go to sleep]] (if:(history: where its name contains "North")'s length is 0)[[Fall Asleep]]

Algene shoots awake at the sound of breaking wood. He throws on his clothes and sprints outside to see the cause of the commotion. To his horror, surrounding the ship were three large tentacles, as if they belonged to the biggest fish he'd ever seen. As he frantically searches for a weapon, one of the tentacles slams onto the deck, shattering the guardrails and cracking the flooring of the deck. //"All hands on deck!!"// Algene shouts. As the crew shuffle on deck, another tentacle swipes at them, knocking two of them off the ship entirely. The crew members cry out as they are submerged into the murky depths of the ocean. Throughout the commotion, Algene is shouting orders. //"Raise the anchor! Lower the sails! Man the cannons! Get us out of here!"// As the ship started to get on the move, the beast got more aggressive. After being shot by a cannon, it swiped again at the main deck, crushing two men and knocking three more into the ocean. When the ship started to gain some distance, the creature latched onto the rear of the ship, preventing its movement. In a panic, Algene grabbed his sword and began plunging it deep into the tentacle. After a few stabs, the creature writhed in pain, knocking Algene backwards. As he began to tumble off the boat, a hand reached out and grabbed onto his sleeve. The mystery hero pulled him back onto the deck and revealed himself to be none other than Jordahn. //"Jordy, I can't thank you enough. You saved my life."// Algene gasped. //"I know you'd do the same for me."// he said through a smile. //"Now let's get out of here."// Algene rushed back to the wheel and cranked it to the (if:(history: where its name contains "Northwest")'s length is 0)[[West]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Northwest")'s length is 1)[[East]]

Algene looks back to see the tentacles disappear into the murky depths. As they begin to pull away, Algene takes a headcount of the crew and assesses the damages to the ship. //"Why don't we all get some rest men."// he says. As the ship sails West, Algene returns to his cabin and gets into bed. He's exhausted after the battle so he loses consciousness quickly. [[Drift Asleep]]

//"Hey Cap, sorry to wake you, but I think you should check this out."// Algene opens his eyes to Jordahn leaning over him, shaking him awake. He quickly dresses and follows Jordahn outside. As he looks out across the ocean, he saw a peculiar sight. In front of him was a medium sized island with no discernible features. However, attached to this island with two giant chains was another, smaller island. //"Well that's odd..."// Algene says, //"However not nearly as strange as some of the other things we've seen."// //"Come!"// a booming voice beckoned. Algene and Jordahn recognized this as the same voice that told them to head East. //"Come, and free me from my chains! Free me from my chains and I will give you all you could desire!"// Despite his instincts telling him to sail away, Algene felt compelled by some force to abide by the voice's wishes. //"Jordahn, pull us up to those chains and ready the cannons."// //"Aye aye, Cap."// Jordahn mumbled, as if in a trance. Jordahn pulled up next to the chains and fired, shattering both chains in one clean shot. //"hahaHaHaHA"// boomed the voice. Suddenly boards from the deck shot up and impaled Jordahn and the rest of the crew. //"NOOO!"// shouted Algene in shock and horror. //"Cap... save yourself Cap... run..."// muttered Jordahn as the light left his eyes. Algene makes an break for the rowboat, but the floorboards lifted up and built a wall around Algene, blocking him off from the boat. //"Enough!"// the voice said. //"They were unnecessary pawns who existed merely to bring you here to me."// //"What is this? Who are you? Why am I not dead?"// Algene asked. //"You, Algene, have a role to play still. I can't say what or when, but you are not to die yet."// //"What about my wife, my kids, my family, can I see them?"// //"Oh sweet, sweet, Algene, you make me laugh. Your family is gone. Lost with the winds of time."// //"Wh-what? What do you mean? I just left them a week ago?"// Algene was in disbelief. //"No, my dear Algene, that is where you are wrong. You left your family centuries ago. A day into your journey, a rift opened up between your world and mine. You and your whole crew were trapped in a time stasis for centuries. You re-emerged only a few days ago."// //"No, no, you're lying. That's impossible."// Algene uttered in desperation. //"Think about it. The city you visited earlier, its name is Reth, it was founded not by a secluded civilization, but by your race. You are a man out of time. Everything you ever loved is gone."// Algene sinks to the ground in defeat. His brain struggles to form a single solid thought. //"Our time here is done. Now go, find your purpose."// the voice booms one last time as the formerly attached island begins to float away. [[Go]]

//"Not yet."// Algene shot awake to a huge gust of wind. He can feel the ship turning underneath him. Just as he is about to get up to check out what is happening on deck, the wind stops. All is quiet and he can hardly feel the rocking of the boat. He closes his eyes again and falls back asleep. [[Fall Asleep]]

Algene, now knowing the truth, musters up the strength to stand. As he looks around at all the carnage he has caused. He breaks down into tears. After a length of time, Algene takes the wheel and begins to sail towards the setting sun. A shell of the man he was, he wanders forward, in search of his purpose in this life. The End.

#(text-colour:purple)[(text-style:"bold","sway")[Dominion: Worlds Apart] (text-style:"bold","blur","upside-down","sway")[Dominion: Worlds Apart]] This story is a small part of a much larger world. Dominion is a fictional world where magic exists and nothing is quite as it seems. Worlds Apart follows a side character you meet in the main story, and gives some background to the character while he explores the world. Navigate through this narrative experience by clicking through the various links on each passage. For a list of credits, click [[here]]. [[Beginning of the Journey]]

''This Hypertext game was written in Twine by Jared Ellis, with the story world developed by Benny Makias, Amber Carrico, and Noah Davis.'' [[Introduction]]