What Are Dreams, But Slumbering Stories

`“Say there is a story. This is a story you love, and it has finally come to an end.” I sigh. The thoughtless act shakes the walls of the tower and I wait for the tremor to pass before continuing. “It is a sad ending. A terrible, heart-wrenching, damned thing of an end for a hero who once loved a kingdom with all his soul.” Just outside the labyrinth of books, endless shelves filled with stories both old and new, the crackle of the fireplace can be heard. Its warmth permeates the room, making the starless night beyond the tower seem all the more colder. “There is a chance to change it. But there is no guarantee it will be any better, or that you’ll change anything.” The words are like stones scraping against my throat. But the ink dancing over my skin as I flick through blank pages curls around my fingertips, urging me onwards. “Would you still try to change that story’s ending?”` (link-reveal-goto: "[Yes]", "Change Ending 1")[(set:$stories to it + 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[No]", "Change Ending 2")[(set:$stories to it - 1)] (link-goto: "[…]", "Change Ending 3")

`The book flies out of my hands, almost furious as it scrawls out a large “yes” on the blank page. A smile forces itself onto my lips, envy sprouting within me at the decisive answer. “If only it were so easy… Still, I want to—“ I swallow the wish down and bury it in the pit of my stomach. Waving the book away as I walk towards the fireplace, my gaze locks onto the closed door just beside it. In my chest, my heart still whispers the dream I keep trapped inside.` I want to create my own ending. (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 1") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`The book pushes closer, the pages fluttering open and a small “no” appears on the blank space. A forced laugh slips off my tongue, my gaze turning to the ground. “No? I suppose it’s too impossible. Still, I want to—“ I swallow the wish down and bury it in the pit of my stomach. Waving the book away as I walk towards the fireplace, my gaze locks onto the closed door just beside it. In my chest, my heart still whispers the dream I keep trapped inside.` I want to create my own ending. (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 1") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`The book lies pliant in my hands, saying nothing. My eyes curve into small crescents, my tongue heavy as I try to speak. “…There’s no good answer, huh? Still, I want to—“ I swallow the wish down and bury it in the pit of my stomach. Waving the book away as I walk towards the fireplace, my gaze locks onto the closed door just beside it. In my chest, my heart still whispers the dream I keep trapped inside.` I want to create my own ending. (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 1") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`(In this tower, time has no meaning. You don’t know whether years or decades or centuries have passed since you came to this tower, stuck in the form of a book as you kept the lonely god company. But you know… You have never heard Kim Dokja sound so desperate before. When you fall from the top of the tower and land before the jaded eyes of a hero, you wonder if this story is worthy of the devotion of a god.)` (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 2") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`“…A book? No, nothing so simple as that.” The sharp voice rings out in the silence, cold and unfeeling. The book floats with some wariness as the hero of the story, Yoo Joonghyuk, draws his sword, the ink on my skin almost dripping off the closer he gets. The ripped off page from the book crinkles in my hands, the only thing connecting me to that world where the hero is. It’s strange, seeing the story happen before me so closely, and it is almost overwhelming how much everything is. I can sense the threat from Yoo Joonghyuk even with the space of reality between us, my hands shaking as I struggle not to rip the page apart and stop here. I can’t afford to give up now. I still had to… “Who are you,” Yoo Joonghyuk asks with a rough voice, strands of grey falling over his eyes. He looks at the book with a gaze like cold steel and— He looks older than I expected. Words cannot convey the eternity I see written in his eyes, the lines on his face that speak of endless decades. There is strength in his body still, a hero’s bearing that fills me with a sense of disbelief because this is my hero, the only one who I’ve seen defy Fate time and time again. Hunching my shoulders as I curl up against the fireplace, I force myself to keep watching, wisps of ink dancing off my skin and hovering above the page, threatening to disconnect me from the book if I shy away. No matter how hard I try to see through him though, there is no hint that telling him the truth would make him trust me or not. How should I respond?` (link-reveal-goto: "[Tell him your title]", "First Meeting 1")[(set:$stories to it - 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Tell him your name]", "First Meeting 2")[(set:$stories to it + 1)] (link-goto: "[Tell him nothing]", "First Meeting 3") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Seeing the words, I hesitate for only a moment before nodding. It is the only appropriate answer I can give him. I trace the words onto the paper in my hand, ink sprouting where my finger touches. I know he can see the words appear on the book, his gaze never wavering as he reads my response. [I am the God of Stories.] “God of Stories?” The title gives him pause and his blade lowers a bit. His lips quirk up in the beginning of a smile, and sardonic as it may be, it still makes my breath stutter. “What story are you searching for here? There is nothing but tragedy to be found in a world like this.”` He knows? `A chill runs through my body. If he already knows the Fate of his story then why is he still here? Why isn’t Yoo Joonghyuk doing all he can to prevent it from happening? Why are his eyes so empty? I grit my teeth. The paper wrinkles as I jab my finger over it, the strokes almost harsh. [I still want to see it.] I don’t know what has happened here. But whether he is walking to the end of the story willingly, or he remains unaware of the disaster ahead…I still want to change his Fate. He doesn’t say anything at first. Just as my facade of competence begins to fade away, leaving only a faint sense of humiliation for daring to speak so forwardly, I hear him scoff. There is the smallest of smiles on his lips, derision making it harsh. “Do what you like. It doesn’t matter.” He sheathes his sword and walks away, no longer paying the book any attention. It stuns me, how easily he shows his back. If I was an enemy, it would be all too easy to take him by surprise. It’s a careless act that the hero of a story shouldn’t do. Does he really not care? (There’s a carelessness that I didn’t expect from him, as if he truly no longer cared about anything.)` …Is this really my hero? (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 3") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`(You see the confusion on the god’s face, the despair slowly sinking into his eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk is a bastard, you think, unworthy of this lonely god’s love. But you see Kim Dokja’s resolve return, as if never wavered, and so you follow behind the hero and pretend to care about this tragedy of a story. Forget it. If Kim Dokja truly wants to stay, then you will stay for him.)` (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 4") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`I shake my head. He doesn’t need to know such a useless thing. I hesitate, pondering my choices, and make a decision. Ink appears where my finger traces an answer on the paper, the words appearing on the book before Yoo Joonghyuk. [You don’t need to know who I am. It’s not important.] He scowls, the lines of his handsome face deepending. Seeing him raise his sword higher, I quickly scribble out another line. [I am just a God of Stories.] “God of Stories?” The title gives him pause and his blade lowers a bit. His lips quirk up in the beginning of a smile, and sardonic as it may be, it still makes my breath stutter. “What story are you searching for here? There is nothing but tragedy to be found in a world like this.”` He knows? `A chill runs through my body. If he already knows the Fate of his story then why is he still here? Why isn’t Yoo Joonghyuk doing all he can to prevent it from happening? Why are his eyes so empty? I grit my teeth. The paper wrinkles as I jab my finger over it, the strokes almost harsh. [I still want to see it.] I don’t know what has happened here. But whether he is walking to the end of the story willingly, or he remains unaware of the disaster ahead…I still want to change his Fate. He doesn’t say anything at first. Just as my facade of competence begins to fade away, leaving only a faint sense of humiliation for daring to speak so forwardly, I hear him scoff. There is the smallest of smiles on his lips, derision making it harsh. “Do what you like. It doesn’t matter.” He sheathes his sword and walks away, no longer paying the book any attention. It stuns me, how easily he shows his back. If I was an enemy, it would be all too easy to take him by surprise. It’s a careless act that the hero of a story shouldn’t do. Does he really not care? (There’s a carelessness that I didn’t expect from him, as if he truly no longer cared about anything.)` …Is this really my hero? (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 3") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`If I say nothing, won’t he get angry…? True enough, a cold voice speaks out. “If you don’t say anything, then I’ll just cut this form apart.” Panic overtakes me and I quickly write out a line, ink dripping onto the page and manifesting onto the book. [I am only a God of Stories, don’t be impulsive.] “God of Stories?” The title gives him pause and his blade lowers a bit. His lips quirk up in the beginning of a smile, and sardonic as it may be, it still makes my breath stutter. “What story are you searching for here? There is nothing but tragedy to be found in a world like this.”` He knows? `A chill runs through my body. If he already knows the Fate of his story then why is he still here? Why isn’t Yoo Joonghyuk doing all he can to prevent it from happening? Why are his eyes so empty? I grit my teeth. The paper wrinkles as I jab my finger over it, the strokes almost harsh. [I still want to see it.] I don’t know what has happened here. But whether he is walking to the end of the story willingly, or he remains unaware of the disaster ahead…I still want to change his Fate. He doesn’t say anything at first. Just as my facade of competence begins to fade away, leaving only a faint sense of humiliation for daring to speak so forwardly, I hear him scoff. There is the smallest of smiles on his lips, derision making it harsh. “Do what you like. It doesn’t matter.” He sheathes his sword and walks away, no longer paying the book any attention. It stuns me, how easily he shows his back. If I was an enemy, it would be all too easy to take him by surprise. It’s a careless act that the hero of a story shouldn’t do. Does he really not care? (There’s a carelessness that I didn’t expect from him, as if he truly no longer cared about anything.)` …Is this really my hero? (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 3") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`In the week following our first meeting, I couldn’t help but take the time to stare at the world around us. The world is so much more than words could ever describe, so full of life and wonder and it is too difficult to not lose myself in the sounds and sights I would never see in my tower. The bustling towns are so loud it’s almost deafening, the colours vivid and blinding. I don’t blink when we pass through, taking in everything as if it’ll be the last time I see such a sight. The only thing that disturbs me is the silence that appears when people see Yoo Joonghyuk, mistrustful gazes flickering over but not daring to stay for long. This is their hero, their saviour of a thousand wars. And this is how they repay him? Ungrateful. It’s the prelude to his coming Fate, betrayal that would send his story off to an ending I refused to see. The more I think about it, the more words I write condemning those people, venting my bitterness to the hero. Though I’m certain he’s ignoring me, his eyes only skimming over the pages, it makes me feel better afterwards. Seeing him close his eyes as the night comes, his sleep as shallow as usual, I cut off the connection temporarily and let the ink disappear from my skin. Seeing the familiar sight of the endless books within the tower again, I let out a sigh. Even with the fireplace burning gently as always, the tower feels colder than it used to. “He isn’t doing anything,” I can’t help but mumble, shuffling closer to the fire in a feeble attempt to regain some warmth. “Maybe he doesn’t know about his Fate? But how can he not care about…” About all those things they say about him? Unfeeling. Cold. Monster. I rub the bridge of my nose. “Maybe…maybe I should comfort him? But then I’ll look stupid if he doesn’t care.”` (link-reveal-goto: "[You always look stupid]", "Talking 1")[(set:$stories to it - 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Just talk to him]", "Talking 2")[(set:$stories to it + 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`“Hey, rude!” I laugh and shake my head. It relaxes me a bit, the banter almost making things feel like nothing has changed, like I never left the tower. It wasn't always bad, being stuck there. An infinite number of stories sat on the shelves, whispering to me, inviting me to read them and see the worlds from the safety of high above. At least with the book, I'm never truly alone. Still, there's some lingering disappointment at my own cowardice. This is my chance to speak to my hero, but I couldn't even grasp this opportunity to say anything. Even if he would think comfort is beneath him, even though I know already that such matters won’t concern him, I still wonder if he’s really so unaffected by the judgement of the common folk, the people that he protects. Then again, this hero is stronger than anyone else. He’ll surely be okay. He always is.` (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 5") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`What is there to talk about… An idea pops in my head. The moment Yoo Joonghyuk wakes up the next morning, I write out my question. [Is there a story you love?] He frowns. “I don’t have any stories.” [Everyone has a story. Surely, there is one that you treasure?] “I only know tragedies. Are those the stories you seek?” Already, it’s a bit awkward…still, I push onwards. [I prefer happy endings. Fate writes many endings, not all of them happy, but…it doesn’t always have to become truth. There’s a story I know where the hero defies Fate a thousand times and—]` Dies at the end. `[—gets his happy ever after.] Silence. And then, “It sounds like a cliche story.” [It is the one I treasure most.] He doesn’t say anything else. I sigh and don’t write anything else. This guy is hard to talk to.` (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 5") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Days pass of just going around town. The hero doesn't do much, and it's strangely calming to just be present and watch Yoo Joonghyuk do as he normally does. There's a small house he sleeps in, minimalistic and almost too cozy for a hero like him. It's at the outskirts of the kingdom, isolated from everyone else, and in moments when nothing is happening, the book and I wander outside and just bask in the sunlight. Sometimes it feels wasteful, to not be reading or observing worlds, and a stab of guilt rushes through my body. It's peaceful though. Here. Maybe that's why Yoo Joonghyuk likes it so much. “Hey.” My attention shifts from the setting sun to Yoo Joonghyuk’s approaching figure, freezing up when I see the dark shadow over his face. It’s only when he’s within arm’s reach that he stops and looks down at the book, at me, a stern frown on his lips. “What do you want from me?” The question comes out of nowhere. My thoughts scatter and I almost drop the page, anxiousness gripping my heart. I wonder if I can get away from him without answering, but from the hard glint in his eyes, he won’t let me escape from this. What do I want from him… Even I don’t know. Half desperate, I whisper beneath my breath, “What should I say?”` (link-goto: "[Didn’t you want to change the ending of the story?]", "His Wish 1") (link-reveal-goto: "[Didn’t you want him to have a good ending?]", "His Wish 2")[(set:$stories to it + 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Didn’t you want to fight against Fate?]", "His Wish 3")[(set:$stories to it - 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`I stare at the words and am reminded of my first wish. It’s true, I did want his ending to be different. I didn’t want to see my hero go that way. [I want to change your ending.] There’s an unreadable look in his eyes, something I can’t understand through the pages of the book.` (if: ($stories >= 2))[(display: "Revealed")] (else: )[(display: "Unrevealed")] (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 6") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`My heart stumbles at the sight of those words. As embarrassing as they are though, they aren’t wrong, so I try to write without setting my face on fire. [I want to give you a good life.] Yoo Joonghyuk frowns, the hard lines of his face more pronounced. He stares at the book, his gaze searching as if he thought he could see beyond the pages and at… But no, he couldn’t. Could he?` (if: ($stories >= 2))[(display: "Revealed")] (else: )[(display: "Unrevealed")] (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 6") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`My brows furrow as I contemplate the words. I nod though, because I didn’t want that fate to come true. [I want to defy your Fate.] When Yoo Joonghyuk reads those words, he goes silent. There’s something different about him, his downcast gaze revealing nothing of his thoughts. He nods after a moment, brushing his fingers through silver hair and turning his gaze away. It’s almost terrifying, how blank his eyes are.` (if: ($stories >= 2))[(display: "Revealed")] (else: )[(display: "Unrevealed")] (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 6") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Seconds pass, and then he lets out a heavy sigh. “Never mind. You dont need to know.” Yoo Joonghyuk turns away before I can write anything else, walking back inside without another word. The door shuts, but not before I see something pained flash over his face. It's cold, here. I’m left outside, trapped in a different but familiar way to how I’ve been before, and I can only reflect on where I went wrong as the darkness creeps overhead. …Ah, but his back looks so lonely.`

`Seconds pass without him saying a single word. Just as I think he's going to walk away and leave, Yoo Joonghyuk closes his eyes and speaks. “Ever since I became a hero… No, even before then, I always felt someone watching me.” This time, I do drop the page. The abrupt disconnect snaps me out of my stupor and I swiftly pick up the page again, re-establishing the link as twisting lines of ink encircle my fingers. Yoo Joonghyuk’s stare is the first thing I notice, brows furrowed as if he could tell something had changed. His expression returns to its usual frown the next second though, leaving me to wonder if it was just my imagination. “That gaze never left me. From when I was a stupid little child to when I became a soldier in this kingdom’s endless war, there was always that feeling of someone staring down at me.” The book floats closer, trembling as its pages flutter with a gentle` swish. `Yoo Joonghyuk reaches out and grabs the book, grip firm yet gentle as he contemplates the black cover. I can feel the heat of his palm over my hand, the ink trails writhing over my skin in a restless manner. I ignore the heat that flushes my cheeks, leaning closer to the page as if I could touch him through it. “It was a gentle gaze. It did nothing to harm me, only watched in silence as I fought and survived all those decades of war. Even at my worst, I never felt alone because of that presence.” His next words are soft, but they strike harder than any sword. “I wanted to know the person behind that gaze.”`

`(It is the first time you’ve seen Yoo Joonghyuk reveal his emotions so plainly. It is almost unbelievable and you wonder if you imagined what just happened. But when Yoo Joonghyuk walks away, you look at Kim Dokja’s face and— Gods do not dream. They do not sleep and so their nights belong only to the stars and the eternal darkness. When you see Kim Dokja’s face though, he looks like someone who has just woken up from a dream. When the lonely god disconnects from the page, that starlit gaze dazed and confused as ink paints his hands black, you stay and wait for Yoo Joonghyuk to walk out of the shadows, because you can still feel that chilling gaze piercing through you. Though he is only a mortal, he somehow seems to know when the god is watching. “Tell me why I should trust your god.” It sounds more like a plea than a command, and it is enough to throw you off. For once, you are given the choice to talk to the hero of the story himself, and you…)` (link-reveal-goto: "[Talk about Yoo Joonghyuk's story]", "Storytime 1")[(set:$stories to it - 1)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Talk about Kim Dokja's story]", "Storytime 2")[(set:$stories to it + 2)] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Ink traces over the pages, and you begin to write out the tale the god has read a thousand times. It is the tale of a hero who defied Fate at every turn, whose path was paved by his own hands. It is a tale of growing distrust, fear of a mortal with the strength of gods, and it ends with betrayal and a hero fighting alone against an army. You also write, with soft strokes, about a god who reads the tale with all the devotion of a worshipper. You think that this is what he needs to hear. Maybe this will help him survive the Fate that will come, maybe make him realise that there is a reason to keep the story going. When you finish writing, you look at him and see… Disappointment. He does not say anything. Yoo Joonghyuk shakes his head and, silent as sadness, retreats back into the shadows. You return to Kim Dokja and, seeing his desolate gaze still staring at the burning fireplace, hope that there is another chance to make another choice.` (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 7") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Ink traces over the pages, and you begin to write out the tale of a lonely god who lives within a tower beyond the stars. Of eternity passing by with only the blank skies and a storyless book as a companion, and of a story beloved by that god. You write about the emptiness of the endless night that you see outside the tower, of shelves and shelves of books that let the god catch glimpses of the worlds he cannot see. “What does he look like?” Maybe you would have smiled if you could. You think for a second and trace out a slight figure, ink-hair stark against pale skin, eyes bright with stardust and stories and oh-so-lonely. “What else?” You write until the sun begins to rise, until you feel Kim Dokja stir and begin to poke at the page again, wanting as always to see more of Yoo Joonghyuk. Before you cede control to him again, you hear a voice that is softer than a whisper. “Thank you.”` (link-goto: "[Flip the page]", "Flip the page 7") (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Fate arrives with a sword aimed at the heart and a call for war. It's chaos. There's blood and bodies and everything moves so fast. It is difficult to avoid the attacks of others, even when they are not aimed at me. I see silver flash out of the corner of my eye and my mind turns, recalling the end of a story I didn't wish to see. Betrayal would be his ruin, and I could do nothing to stop it. My body shakes and I want to scream, scream loud enough so that my voice reaches Yoo Joonghyuk through the eternity stretched between us. He sees it. My hands shake as I see Yoo Joonghyuk cast his gaze onto the traitor readying to stab him through his back, freezing the snake in place before cutting him down. He doesn’t stumble or even look out of breath, looking out at the frontlines where the battle is only just beginning. It is then, I realise, that the hero written in Fate’s design only lost the war because he gave up on his kingdom. But this hero… “What should I do?” This hero hasn’t given up yet. For once, I can feel him looking at me. Somehow, through the pages of the book, he can see me still stuck in the tower, reading his story. Now, Yoo Joonghyuk is depending on me. The useless me that can only read the stories around me, who can only watch and do nothing else — and Yoo Joonghyuk is asking` me `for help. Thoughts swirl in my head. Everything I've done has led to this point, this final decision.` (if: ($stories >= 3))[(display: "Letting Go")] (else: )[(display: "Holding On")]

`I bite my lips. I can’t make the choice for him. I couldn’t control the story from here on. [Do what you think is right.] He closes his eyes. A heartbeat passes and I watch him, waiting to see what he will do next. When he opens his eyes again, I see something die in his eyes.` [[Flip the page->Bad Ending]] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`A calm settles over me and I let out a breath. …I can’t hold onto him forever. I had to let the story go. [Do what makes you happy.] He closes his eyes. A heartbeat passes and I watch him, waiting to see what he will do next. When he opens his eyes again, I see something glow in his eyes.` [[Flip the page->Good Ending]] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`(In this story, you are a character, a reader, and a writer. You have read the story of the god and his hero and become a part of their narrative. You start to question yourself. Did you do enough to help Kim Dokja? Did you both only love the story of a hero defying fate? Or did you help Kim Dokja see Yoo Joonghyuk as someone more than a character? Have you, Han Sooyoung, done enough to rewrite their ending?)` [[Flip the page->Bad Ending 2]] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`(In this story, you are a character, a reader, and a writer. You have read the story of the god and his hero and become a part of their narrative. You start to question yourself. Did you do enough to help Kim Dokja? Did you both only love the story of a hero defying fate? Or did you help Kim Dokja see Yoo Joonghyuk as someone more than a character? Have you, Han Sooyoung, done enough to rewrite their ending?)` [[Flip the page->Good Ending 2]] (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Days and weeks and months and years pass before the filth is cleansed from the dark depths of the kingdom and Yoo Joonghyuk manages to eliminate the opposing army. The spies are rooted out, those nobles with blackened hearts chased away, his honour restored with their disappearance. It is the same routine after that, the hero returning to his beloved kingdom and beholden in glory and praise. It is a far-cry from the Fate I saw for him, and the relief that washes through me when I see the cheers welcoming him home almost brings me to tears. However… For some reason, there’s something missing. It itches at my chest, tells me that this is not what I wanted, but everything is exactly as it should be. Isn’t it? “Did we change the ending?” Shaken from my thoughts, I look at Yoo Joonghyuk and try to see through his blank expression. Hesitating for a moment, I respond. [Yes. Everything is okay now.] I wait for something. Maybe relief that he has dodged death again, or that his Fate his been overturned. There is nothing though, only a soft exhale that I can barely catch. “Good.” [Can I…stay?] He nods, and it is the only time the pain in my chest goes away. Yes. Everything is okay. As long as he's still alive, then this is fine. I can stay by his side. I can keep reading his story. The smile on my lips feels unnatural, almost painful the more I try to force it. Brows furrowing, I watch Yoo Joonghyuk surrounded by millions of people, those common folks rejoicing as they enter an era of peace once again. Despite the joyous occasion, despite the laughter and the cries of jubilation, there is no smile on his lips. Instead, he continues to stare up at the sky, gaze hollow with something that I recognise. The sinking feeling returns again. We changed the ending, so why…` Why does it still feel wrong? (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]

`Days and weeks and months and years pass before the filth is cleansed from the dark depths of the kingdom and Yoo Joonghyuk manages to eliminate the opposing army. The spies are rooted out, those nobles with blackened hearts chased away, his honour restored with their disappearance. It is the same routine after that, the hero returning to his beloved kingdom and beholden in glory and praise. It is a far-cry from the Fate I saw for him, and the relief that washes through me when I see the cheers welcoming him home almost brings me to tears. The only difference, however— “I will no longer protect you.” His voice is still cold. Gaze sweeping over the distressed faces of the crowd below, he stands with the same steadfast bearing and strength that I saw when we first met. In his eyes though, I see something that makes my empty chest feel warm, a soft light I thought I would never see. “Your Fates…it is up to you to change them now.” When he leaves the kingdom, with only a small sack slung over his shoulder and the clothes on his back, I urge the book to follow after him. He stops us with a single glance though, looking straight at me across the reality of the story. “Who are you?” It’s a question I’ve heard before, one that still makes me hesitate. I shake my head and echo the answer I gave him so many years ago. [It doesn’t matter—] “It matters to me. I want to find you.” The sentence is interrupted and I am rendered utterly defenceless by his words. Pulse stuttering as the ink scatters across my skin, I struggle to keep writing. [You won’t find me. Even I don’t know where I am.] And then. There’s light. The shine in his eyes is brighter than any star in my dreams and it is a sudden thought, that maybe this is the real heart behind the hero. “I will. I’ll drag you out of that prison and show you how worthless that thing called Fate is.” It’s a vow with no power, no more binding than a pinky promise shared between two children or the vague wishes of mortals. But I find myself never wanting to believe in anything more than this right here. “Whatever you want, you can have. There is no Fate that will stop you.”` I want— `Yoo Joonghyuk reaches out and closes the book, and the ink at my fingertips disappear as I return to the cold, empty tower. I stare at the door and think that maybe, maybe, he can be the one to open it.` [[Flip the page->Good Ending 3]]

`Eternity passes, time blurring into nothing. I do not read anymore, do little more than dream if I’m honest. I let out a shaky breath. The page I keep in my hands crinkles beneath my fingertips, silent without a story to tell, my last connection to the outside world long lost. There really is no one here now. It’s cold. The fireplace has long since gone cold, dying after the last book was burned to ashes. I face the dark door that remains my only barrier to something unknown. There’s only the sound of my breathing. How long have I been waiting? Who am I waiting for? Without Fate, without the stories keeping me alive, I can only place my hopes on a path not yet carved out in front of me. What is it that I want?` I want… `There’s a tapping sound that rings out. Opening my eyes, I see the door in front of me and feel my lips curve up into a smile. The knob turns. The immovable door clicks open, light pouring from outside, and I extend my hand to the blurry figure just beyond my reach.` I want to make my own story. (link-reveal-goto: "[Restart Story]", "Opening")[(set:$stories to 0)]