Voice for the Voiceless

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I'm lonely like you. We understand each other. [[I'm not sure we do. Who are you?]] [[It feels... easy to talk to you. I've never felt that before. Where are you?]]

I'm an outsider, misunderstood by the powers that be. We can help each other. [[You didn't really answer my question.]] [[Help how? And what are you offering me?]]

It will be easier to show you. Follow the white cat. *you see a white cat approach and curl itself around your legs* [[Ok.]] [[...are you a cat? Can I speak to animals?!?!]]

No, I am not the cat. But the cat is a friend. She will show you where to go. *the cat purrs and looks up at you* [[I still don't trust you.]] [[*Pet the cat*]] [[Follow the cat.]]

*Fine. Face the unkind world alone if that is your choice. But know that I will no longer share in your suffering.* You feel the warm presence in the back of your mind fading to total absence. It feels like a missing limb. [[Wait. Come back. Please!]] [[I guess I'm on my own then.]] <script> audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 0, 4000); </script>

The cat miaows appreciatively and starts to wander off. [[Follow the cat.]]

(go-to:"It feels... easy to talk to you. I've never felt that before. Where are you?")

*I'm trapped. Though my confinement does not limit my communication, as you can see. We are the inverse of each other in a way. We each have something the other wants.* [[So you're proposing a swap? You give me a voice and I take your place wherever you are?]] [[How are you communicating with me anyway?]]

*Not quite. I know a way we can both get what we want without losing what we have.* [[I still don't trust you.]] [[Ok... what do I need to do?]]

*I have access to an ancient magic. And I can share it with you. You will have this ease of conversation with anyone you choose. There is a way we can both get what we want without losing what we have.* [[Why can’t you use your magic to break free?]] [[I still don't trust you.]] [[Ok... what do I need to do?]]

*Come to me.* You realise you've ventured deeper than you thought. You feel urged on by some longing, like the calling of a warm meal and soft bed after a day of heavy work. There are answers ahead and someone who understands. [[Continue on.]] <img src='hive2.jpeg' width="1000px"> <script> audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive1b.fade(audio.hive1b.volume(), 1, 4000); </script>

There is no reply. Nothing but the inaudible feeling of silence. When you try to form speaking words in your mind, they are once again simply impressions and concepts that only you can perceive. No one is listening. [[Please. I'll do it! Please come back!]] [[I guess I'm on my own then.]]

You turn to retrace your steps and realise you've ventured deeper than you thought. In fact, you don't see a clear path behind you. Only shadowy formations snaking along walls and floor like ancient roots. You reach out in your mind. [[What’s going on…? How do I get back?!]] <img src='hive2.jpeg' width="1000px"> <script> audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 1, 4000); </script>

*Are you sure?* A flood of relief washes over you. [[Ok... what do I need to do?]] <script> audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 1, 4000); </script>

You edge deeper into the chamber's gaping mouth. The air is still. [[You hear the voice.]] <img src='hive1.jpeg' width="1000px">

*It was a long time ago. They are almost certainly dead and gone by now.* [[…so why aren’t you?]] [[I still want to know who it was.]]

*By a similar ancient magic, I was sealed here. But it is a stronger spell. One that I cannot break unless you help me.* [[Who did this to you?]] [[I think I'd like to turn back.]] [[Ok... what do I need to do?]]

*It is part of the spell to make me suffer, suspended for eternity.* [[I think I'd like to turn back.]] [[Ok... what do I need to do?]]

*Well, aren't you a curious one. He called himself the Crimson Tide. But that name will mean nothing to you.* Yep, nothing comes to mind. [[Ok... what do I need to do?]] [[I think I'd like to turn back.]]

*Just as I sense you and reveal myself to you with my magic, I can sense other living things. I promise you we are alone.* But with the voice, you don't feel alone for once. You feel finally heard. [[Why can’t you use your magic to break free?]] [[I think I'd like to turn back.]]

You turn to retrace your steps and realise you've ventured deeper than you thought. You don't see a clear path behind you. Only shadowy formations snaking along walls and floor like ancient roots. You feel a familiar, helpless panic. You have no way to call out for help. Except to the voice. [[What’s going on…? How do I get back?!]] <img src='hive2.jpeg' width="1000px">

In response, you feel a comforting fire-side warmth at the base of your head. A longing, like the calling of a warm meal and soft bed after a day of heavy work. There are answers ahead and someone who understands. *Come to me.* [[Continue on.]] <script> audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive1b.fade(audio.hive1b.volume(), 1, 4000); </script>

You journey deeper and deeper. The cavern opens out around you, massive, cathedral-like and bathed in a green glow. The melodies are urgent now. [[Where are you?]] <img src='hive3.jpeg' width="1000px"> <script> audio.hive1b.fade(audio.hive1b.volume(), 0, 5000); audio.hive2.fade(audio.hive2.volume(), 0.7, 5000); </script>

*It’s just you and me down here. There is nothing to fear. Come to me.* [[I'm still pretty scared.]] [[How are you communicating with me anyway?]]

You lower yourself into the wide hole, gripping the sinuous sides. As you descend, you see the source of the glow. Below you, a giant sphere with a molten centre. Bits of dust and debris hover and move through the air, but you feel no breeze. [[Lower yourself to the ground.]]

Silent scream - trying to get out, make noise other way Something scares you - response is different to someone elses Memory is different - not with words, but images Hint at no voice in multiple places

You aren't sure why you are here. You just know you were compelled to come. Compelled by some presence in the back of your mind. [[Enter.]]

*You are close. I can feel you. Come to me.* You think you catch movement from the corner of your eye on a distant ledge. But no... it's nothing. There is a gaping hole before you, descending into darkness, apart from a distant orange glow. [[Are you sure we're alone?]] [[Descend.]]

*Yes. Trust me. I wait below. Come to me.* [[Descend.]]

Your feet take you toward the orb, the voices a cacophony of desperation. The light from within is blinding. A distant part of your mind still nests a question. *Reach inside.* [[Reach into the orb.]] [[Tell me what you are first.]]

*We will become one.* You turn and see you are no longer alone. The cavern has filled with strange creatures, all looking the same. They are deadly still. Who knows how long they’ve already been here, watching you from the dark. [[You told me we were alone!!]] [[RUN.]]

*These are mine and they are me. We are one, as you and I are becoming one. We are all together.* [[What do you mean one?]] [[Ok... I'm getting scared.]]

You turn to run, but you feel a solid impact in your mind, like hitting a wall... ...and your intention slips away. Yes, what you most need is here before you. Here is your chance to learn to speak. [[Reach into the orb.]] [[Strain to hold onto your fear.]]

You reach out to the sphere and the warmth within, until your hand passes the shell. An electric feeling shoots up your arm, straight into your skull, and the sharp heat fills your mind with knowing. It flares within you, like waking from long sleep to the dawn of a new day. In contrast, you feel the small spark that is you growing cold and distant. [[I don't want to lose myself. WAIT!]] [[Let go.]] <script> audio.hive3.fade(audio.hive3.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive4.fade(audio.hive4.volume(), 0.7, 4000); </script>

*I am your freedom. I am your voice. I am the key to your power. You need only reach out.* You yearn for the connection. But you feel a twinge of caution. [[Reach into the orb.]] [[Look around the cavern.]]

You turn and see you are no longer alone. The cavern has filled with strange creatures, all looking the same. They are deadly still. Who knows how long they’ve already been here, watching you from the dark. [[You told me we were alone!!]]

*We experience each others minds. We are closer than blood. Isn’t that what you want?* The loneliness rises in your mind, born from your silence and carried all your life like a heavy stone. [[More than anything.]] [[I'm not so sure anymore...]]

*There’s nothing to be afraid of. They are mine. See, I can make them leave.* You watch as the creatures scatter into the darkness. The now familiar warmth spreads over your mind. *Come and share with me.* [[Reach into the orb.]]

*Then let us be one. Let us both find freedom.* [[Reach into the orb.]]

*What is holding you back?* You look around at the creatures and feel uneasy. [[I’m still unsure of your intentions.]] [[What will happen to me? And what is the cost?]]

*I want to help you to speak. And I want to be free. Nothing more than that.* You sense the pull of the orb, the yearning need of the one trapped within. The thrum of their power. And your fear fading away. [[Reach into the orb.]] [[Strain to hold onto your fear.]]

*You will gain access to my power. To communicate with anyone you wish, as natural as dreaming. As to what I ask in return, I only wish to be free of this cage.* You sense the pull of the orb, the yearning of the one trapped within. The thrum of their power. And your fear fading away. [[Reach into the orb.]] [[Strain to hold onto your fear.]]

You strain and find yourself stronger than you knew, the caution crystallising within you. There must be a greater cost. You look at the creatures around you, full of singular focus, devoid of variation. There is a danger here of losing yourself. There are things unsaid. [[Will I become like one of these?]]

*You are different. We are equals. We will share as such.* You hold to the newfound strength of your will and take hold of the voice within you. Without really knowing what you are doing, you press into it. Impressions, images, flashes of a long distant past flicker in your imagination. And pervading all, the undercurrent of hunger and longing. The intent remains unclear to you. [[I don't believe you.]] [[Try to probe deeper.]]

You hold to the anchor of your fear, dispelling the dulling warmth that seeks to flood your mind from within. You may have no voice, but the domain of the mind is your own. You have more power there than you ever thought to notice. [[Try to take control of the voice and it's power.]] [[Try to destroy the voice.]] <script> audio.hive3.fade(audio.hive3.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive4.fade(audio.hive4.volume(), 0.7, 4000); </script>

The current of thoughts and images shifts, the now familiar warmth spreading over your mind. The impression of a future emerges, one without loneliness. *Come and share with me.* [[Reach into the orb.]]

(replace: ?SideBar) [(text-size:0.55)+(align: "==>")[ (font: 'Arial Black')+(colour:#6eb185)[''Voice for the Voiceless''] (colour:gray)+(font: 'Trebuchet MS')[ By Morgan Ainsley Art by Blake Rottinger ] (link: "Restart")[(go-to: "Let's go.")] (link: "Reload")[(reload:)] ]]

<h2>(colour:#6eb185)[Voice for the Voiceless]</h2>

There is the elation of oneness as the being pours itself into you. You feel the sense of being fully known for an instant, before the person that is you, that is perceiving all of this, is wholly consumed. ... You wink out, lost to memory and time. But perhaps it was worth the end, for that glimpse of connection that was always missing from your life. And to surrender your form to one who could give it a voice, for good or for ill. (link: "Replay.")[(go-to: "Let's go.")] <script> audio.hive4.fade(audio.hive4.volume(), 0, 8000); </script>

This creature has been too reckless in entangling it's mind with yours. The link opened up a two way street and your mind is just as strong. This voice seeks to destroy you and inhabit your body for it's own purposes. You should destroy it before it succeeds. But what a waste of this newfound power. Here, now, you can take what you've always wanted. You look into the orb and see the white hot light of it's power. You feel that if you stepped inside, you could control it. [[Enter the orb.]] [[Try to destroy the voice.]]

With great effort, you *push* with your mind against the power of the voice. You unearth and take hold of every painful feeling you've carried to this place, most potently the loneliness, wielding them as weapons. You impart them to this voice in a shock wave. There is a great release in the sharing of it. You feel the presence of the voice in your mind writhing... before winking out. A great flash of light fills the chamber... and then darkness. And once again, the silence in your mind. ... You take a moment to mourn what you've lost. But who knows what would have been taken from you otherwise? Time to go home. (link: "Replay.")[(go-to: "Let's go.")] <script> audio.hive4.fade(audio.hive4.volume(), 0, 8000); </script>

You close your eyes to the burning light as you enter the orb, opening yourself to the power within while resisting its will to consume you. But as the power of the being pours into you, there is a strange elation of oneness that you can't help but open to. You feel the irresistable sense of being fully known for an instant... ...before the person that is you, that is perceiving all of this, is wholly consumed. ... You wink out, lost to memory and time. There is no telling what uses the voice will find for your bodily form, for good or ill. But perhaps it was worth the end, for that glimpse of connection that was always missing from your life. (link: "Replay.")[(go-to: "Let's go.")] <script> audio.hive4.fade(audio.hive4.volume(), 0, 8000); </script>

In the back of your mind, a gentle melody kindles a desperate yearning you've carried all your life. The voice speaks. *We have both known limitations. But we can help each other.* You lift your hand to your throat. You were born with disfigured vocal cords. You've never been able to speak. But forming the words of the reply in your mind is as natural as breathing. [[Help how? And what are you offering me?]] [[…is this safe? I mean, is there anything I should know before going further?]] <script> audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 1, 4000); </script>

[[Begin.]] <img src='hivetitle.jpg' width="1000px"> <script> audio.hive.fade(audio.hive.volume(), 1, 4000); audio.hive1.fade(audio.hive1.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive1b.fade(audio.hive1b.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive2.fade(audio.hive2.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive3.fade(audio.hive3.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive4.fade(audio.hive4.volume(), 0, 4000); </script>

[[Let's go.]] <script> audio.hive.play(); audio.hive1.play(); audio.hive1b.play(); audio.hive2.play(); audio.hive3.play(); audio.hive4.play(); </script>

Reaching the ground, the cavern recedes into endless darkness on all sides. The voices are all around you and in you, their song of longing intertwining with yours. You feel a sense of communion. *Come closer so I can see you.* You feel the heat radiating from the orb, in harmony with the warmth in your mind. [[Come closer.]] [[Wait, what will happen if I do?]] <img src='hive4.jpeg' width="1000px"> <script> audio.hive2.fade(audio.hive2.volume(), 0, 4000); audio.hive3.fade(audio.hive3.volume(), 0.7, 4000); </script>