(Display: "Data Passage")
(size:3)+(text-colour: #7454c9)[Life Without Death]
(size:1)+(text-colour: #9b9fe8)[By: Lizbeth Alcaraz]
Hey! Hey! May I take a moment of your time?
=|=
[[Yes->Introduction]]
=|=
[[No->Goodbye Then]]
|==|Sweet. Let's start with an introduction!
My name is (text-style:"fade-in-out")+(font: 'Wingdings')[Lizbeth, the creator of this world].
I am the god of this game. You could call me "God" or use my nickname related to my [name]<name|. (mouseover:?name)[I won't translate my name by the way.]
Now I got a [[question->Hello Player]].That's fine. I get that we are all busy at some point in our lives, and you have other important things to do. I do have one piece of [advice]<advice| to say before you go off on your adventure.
(click: ?advice)+(transition:"dissolve")[
You only have one life given to you. You don't get second chances. So, do right with your one remaining life to become happy. Even if loved ones were to pull you down, become better, stronger, and don't run away from your problems. You're responsible for your life, and your life alone.
]
Well, I hope you have a lovely day, stranger!
//The mysterious stranger walked away.//(set: $deaths to 0)\
(set: $playerName to "")\
(set: $characterName to "")\
(set: $sanity to 0)\
(set: $inventory to (a:))(set: $playerName to (prompt: "What is your name?", "Nobody", "No", "Confirm"))
(transition:"dissolve")[
(if:$playerName is "Nobody")[Well, alright then. While I am not surprised you won't say your name to a stranger, I am sad you won't tell me.
[...]<nobody|(mouseover:?nobody)[Hello, $playerName. :)]]
(else:)[Hello, $playerName. You got a nice name. :)]
Anyway, the reason why I am talking to you now is to warn you that this game will have sensitive content about death and suicide. Additionally, there is the use of curse words as well. If you are sensitive towards this kind of topic and curse words, please do not continue. Your well-being is more important.
Will you still like to continue?
=|=
[[Yes->Let's start the story]]
=|=
[[No->Trigger Page]]
]Then let's begin the story.
Ah...before we do that, I [forgot]<charaName| to ask you something important! \
(click:?charaName)[
(set: $characterName to (prompt: "What will be the main charater's name?", "August", "August is fine", "Confirm"))
(transition:"dissolve")[Okay, cool! $characterName is a good name for the main character.
Now we can begin the story.
(text-style:"bold","shudder")[DRAW THE CURTAINS!!!]
[[*Draw the curtains*->A Voice]]
]]That is totally fine! I am sorry you cannot get to experience my story. When you are ready to play, this Twine game will be waiting for you unless you delete it from your computer.
Have a nice and lovely day!
//(font: 'Wingdings')[Lizbeth] walked away.//(text-style:"blurrier","fidget")+(color:#7209b7)+(transition:"fade")["What a pitiful soul. Human beings never seem to learn how precious life is."]
[Huh?]<1|
(click:?1)[(text-style:"blur","fidget")+(color:#7209b7)+(transition:"fade")["I wish they stop coming to this world."]
(transition:"dissolve")[What?]<2|
(click:?2)[
(text-style:"fidget")+(color:#7209b7)+(transition:"fade")["I'm tired of this."]
[[Wake up->Wake Up]]
]][(text-style:"rumble")[*Whoa!*]]<1|
(click-replace:?1)+(transition:"dissolve")["What on earth was that? A dream?
I think I ate too much last night...but what did I ate again?"
Before you can think about what you ate last night, you began to realize that everything is not quite right the moment you [looked up]<2|.
(click:?2)+(transition:"slide-up")[You realized you are not in your room anymore. Instead of seeing your room, you [saw]<3| a mass forest.
(transition:"dissolve")+(click:?3)[You also saw a thick mist in the middle of the forest.]<4|
(transition:"dissolve")+(click-replace:?4)[You saw birds far away.]\
(transition:"dissolve")+(click-replace:?4)[You saw two moons.]\
(transition:"dissolve")+(click-replace:?4)[You saw a big planet at a distance.]\
(transition:"dissolve")+(click-replace:?4)[You saw...a dragon?]\
(set: $sleep to false, $sleepCounter to 0)\
[[Wait...WHAT?!->Hello World]]
]](if:$sleep is false)[You can't comprehend what you just saw. The only thing you can think of to make everything make sense is: "I must be still dreaming. Maybe I should go back to [[sleep->Must be a dream]]...[or not]<1|."]\
(else-if: $sleepCounter is 10)[After trying to sleep multiple times, you finally accepted reality that you. are. not. at. home. [anymore]<1|.]
(else:)[You probably took a nap for a while, hoping you would wake up in your room. Get out of bed, watch your favorite tv show, and avoid eating heavy food next time.
Of course, you wake up to the same strange world again. A dragon flew by over you. Maybe [[sleeping->Must be a dream]] in not an option. "What the [f-]<1|"]
(click:?1)+(transition:"dissolve")["If this is not a dream, where am I?! Mom! Dad! Is anyone there?!"
You looked around and noticed you are on top of a cliff. One wrong move and you would have tumbled down.
[[Duly noted->Shaking bush]]
](set: $sleep to true, $sleepCounter to it + 1)
You tried to go back to sleep. Don't want to deal with whatever is going on in your "dream".
(if:$sleepCounter > 4 and it < 10)[But you tried sleeping $sleepCounter times now! Do you think you will wake up in your room after so many tries?]\
(else-if:$sleepCounter is 10)[Stop being a wuss and move already.]
(t8n-arrive:"blur")[[...->Hello World]]"What am I suppose to do now?"
(event: when time > 3s)[(transition: "shudder")[Suddenly, you hear a bush shook nearby!
(set: $run to true)
=|=
[[Investigate!->Meep!]]
=|=
[[Run away!->Run]]
|==|
]](set: $run to false)
You approached the bush. Nervously, you stick your hands out to [move]<1| the bush aside.
(transition:"slide-right")+(click:?1)[Something (color:red)[red] moved...
(live: 4s)[(stop:)(transition: "pulse")[A small, red dragon popped up as you barely touched it with one of your hands and made a [sound]<2|:]
(mouseout:?2)[(transition: "zoom")+(color:red)["MEEP!"]<3|]
(mouseout:?3)[(transition:"dissolve")[...]<4|](click:?4)[(transition:"rumble")["AHHHHHHHHHHH!"]<5|]
(click:?5)[[[Time to run!->Run]]]
]](if:$run is true)[Clearly, you do not want to stick around too long to find out what is in that bush. "NOPE! Not today!"]\
(else:)["WHAT THE- NOOOOOPE! Nope nope nope nope NOPE."
Seeing a dragon startled you and you do not want that *thing* biting you.]
You began running away from the bush, not paying attention where you are [running]<2| to.
[Suddenly, you [slipped]<1| near the cliff...](3|
(hover-style:(text-color:white))+(click:?2)[(transition: "dissolve")(show: ?3)]\
(click:?1)[(transition:"fade-down")["SH-"
and began to tumble down the tall cliff.
(set: $deaths to $deaths + 1)
(color:red)+(transition-arrive:"pulse")[[It hurts...->First Death]]
]](color:red)[\
"It hurts...my body hurts...," you thought.
(event: when time > 3s)[(transition:"dissolve")[It hurts but you are still falling down the cliff.
You wish the pain will stop but(color:white)[...]<1|
(click-replace:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")+(color:red)[ you can't stop falling until you hit the ground.]
(color:white)+(transition:"fade-down")[Finally, you hit the ground.
(color:red)[[-Splat-->Blackout]]]]
]]
](set: $words to (a:
"Everything turned dark in an instant.",
"You can no longer feel pain.",
"But you can't see anymore.",
"You can't hear anymore.",
"There is nothing but silence.",
"A void.",
"Even though you might be dead...",
"This empty void is more scary when you are aware of it. You can no longer wake up [again]<test|."
), $count to 0, $emptySpace to (repeated: 10, (print:"")))\
(for: each _item, ...$emptySpace)[_item]
{(live: 3s)[
(set: _i to ($count % $words's length) + 1)
(transition:"dissolve")[(print: $words's (_i))]
(set: $count to it + 1)
(if: $count is $words's length)[(stop:)]
]}
(click-replace:?test)[(transition:"dissolve")[ever again...](live: 6s)[(go-to: "Bottom at the cliff")]]As you drifted away in the void, you felt something wet around your fingers. It is so dark for you to [(text-color: white)[see]]<1| anything that you can't tell what it could be.
[You tried opening your eyes to see what's on your fingers. Using all the strength you have, you saw [(text-color:red)[blood]]<3| on your fingers.](2|
[(text-style:"blur","sway")[Instantly, you felt dizzy and can't concentrate. Your head is spinning, a pool of blood was left behind, and you found yourself on the ground near the cliff you slipped off.
"I...survived?" you thought to yourself. You [[rested->Resting Time]] for a while, hoping the dizziness goes away.
]](4|\
(hover-style:(text-color:white))+(click:?1)[(transition: "dissolve")(show: ?2)]\
(hover-style:(text-color:white))+(click:?3)[(transition: "dissolve")(show: ?4)]After giving yourself some time to rest, you felt better and not dizzy. You stared at the sky and thought, "I'm surprised I am not panicking right now. Probably cause I survived the fall."
But the thing that confused you the most out of this situation is why you can't feel any pain aside from the dizziness earlier. After falling down a tall cliff, it is expected to have a few broken bones.
You got up and began walking cautiously, expecting something to hurt badly. Surprisingly, nothing hurts. Yeah, your clothes are soaked with blood, but nothing is wrong with your body.
[[That's a plus for me->Forest]]You're grateful that you are alive and not in pain, but you're still not home with your family. You miss them, worried that maybe something terrible happened to them like you, and [wish]<1| you can get some comfort from them.
[Oddly enough, the moment you thought about your family, you began having a headache. "Urgh. I must still feel lightheaded from the fall."
You looked around to see the edge of the forest you saw on top of the cliff. To your [[left->Riverbank]], you saw a riverbank. To your [[right->Wasteland]], an empty wasteland with a few trees. "Where should I go?"](2|
(click:?1)[(transition: "dissolve")(show:?2)](set: $item1 to "", $item2 to "")\
You decided to go to the riverbank.
Upon approaching the riverbank, you saw small fishes swimming around. You also found some clams, pretty green stones, and a couple of rusty coins. "I wonder if I should bring these along."
[You decided to [bring]<3| something along for your adventure.
(transition:"dissolve")+(click:?3)[\
(dialog: "You can only bring along two items since you don't have an infinite amount of pockets to store many items.", "Okay.")\
(dialog: bind $item1, "What will you like to bring for your first item?", "some small fishes", "some clams", "some green stones", "couple of rusty coins")\
(dialog: bind $item2, "What will you like to bring for your second item?", "some small fishes", "some clams", "some green stones", "couple of rusty coins")\
You chose to bring $item1 and $item2 with you.
(if: $item1 is $item2)[Gotta bring twice the amount!]
(set: $inventory to it + (a: $item1, $item2))
[[Alright, I'm done here.->A Stranger Approaches]]
]
](1|\
[
You decided not to bring anything with you. Gotta keep my pockets empty for now!
[[Alright, I'm done here.->A Stranger Approaches]]
](2|
=|=
[Yes]<y|
=|=
[No]<n|
|==|
(click:?y)[(transition: "dissolve")(show:?1)(hide:?y)(hide:?n)]
(click:?n)[(transition: "dissolve")(show:?2)(hide:?y)(hide:?n)](set: $item1 to "", $item2 to "")\
You decided to go to the wasteland.
As you walked around, you found exotic fruits from a tree. You also found some purple flowers, strange-looking herbs, and a couple of rusty coins randomly on the ground. "I wonder if I should bring these along."
[You decided to [bring]<3| something along for your adventure.
(transition:"dissolve")+(click:?3)[\
(dialog: "You can only bring along two items since you don't have an infinite amount of pockets to store many items.", "Okay.")\
(dialog: bind $item1, "What will you like to bring for your first item?", "some exotic fruits", "some purple flowers", "some herbs", "couple of rusty coins")\
(dialog: bind $item2, "What will you like to bring for your second item?", "some exotic fruits", "some purple flowers", "some herbs", "couple of rusty coins")\
You chose to bring $item1 and $item2 with you.
(if: $item1 is $item2)[Gotta bring twice the amount!]
(set: $inventory to it + (a: $item1, $item2))\
[[Alright, I'm done here.->A Stranger Approaches]]
]
](1|\
[
You decided not to bring anything with you. Gotta keep my pockets empty for now!
[[Alright, I'm done here.->A Stranger Approaches]]
](2|
=|=
[Yes]<y|
=|=
[No]<n|
|==|
(click:?y)[(transition: "dissolve")(show:?1)(hide:?y)(hide:?n)]
(click:?n)[(transition: "dissolve")(show:?2)(hide:?y)(hide:?n)]After you shoved both of your items in your pants pocket, you heard footprints approaching towards you. You felt someone behind you.
You clinched your fists, ready to knock the lights of whoever it is. You shouted as loud as you could to sound intimidating, "WHO'S THERE!"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Whoaaaa, hold on! I just wanted to talk to you! No need to punch the shit out of me."]
You saw a middle-aged man standing in front of you. He is wearing a typical cowboy outfit with a distinctive (text-color: #FF69B4)[hot pink] jacket.
[[Interesting clothing->Negotiate]]You stared at the man and said, "What do you want?"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Well, I was passing by the area trying to get to town until I noticed you.\
(if: $inventory's length is 0)[ You weren't doing anything except stared off into space.]\
(else:)[ You were picking up some...interesting stuff, but you looked like a beggar taking what you can.]\
Take it that you are new around here?"]
=|=
["Yeah, I am. What of it?"]<y|
=|=
["I don't need to tell you anything. What do you want?"]<n|
|==|
(click:?y)[(go-to: "Classified Information")]
(click:?n)[(go-to: "Classified Information")](text-color: #FF69B4)["Hohoho, calm down. If I were to leave you here in the wilderness, you might go [(color:white)[coo-coo in your brain]]<3|. There are already lost souls mindlessly wandering about; don't want to lose another, ya know what I mean?"]
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Anyways, I bet you want some help getting to town around here. It will benefit you to go to a place that will sell you [(color:white)[cooked food]]<1| though [(color:white)[not safe]]<2| enough to [(color:white)[sleep]]<4| anywhere. Better than nothing. (link-repeat: "Are you ready to go?")[(replace: ?replace)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: #FF69B4)["Well, Let's head into town then. Better [[catch up->On the road]] with me or I am leaving your butt behind."]]]"]
[]<replace|
(click:?1)[(replace: ?replace)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: #FF69B4)["Yeah! There is a popular inn in town that sell good food and booze! Love getting stuffed with Megan's cooking."]]]\
(click:?2)[(replace: ?replace)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: #FF69B4)["Remember I said something about lost souls? I don't care if you don't, but some people have gone crazy in this place. I'll let you know why another time."]]]\
(click:?3)[(replace: ?replace)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: #FF69B4)["Nature is beautiful, but can fuck you up if you stayed long enough. That's why there are animals eating other animals."]]]\
(click:?4)[(replace: ?replace)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: #FF69B4)["Haha I wish you luck if you sleep outside in town. The crazys will torture you in your sleep! It happened to my friend once..."never again", he said."]]]While you don't trust the man, especially since he is wearing a hot pink jacket, you followed him anyways. Him mentioning a town nearby and what he said earlier intrigued you. Though, if it's a [trap]<1|...
(click:?1)[(transition:"zoom")[You will be running away as fast as lightning.]
(live: 4s)[(transition:"dissolve")+(text-color: #FF69B4)[(stop:)"Hey, what is your [name]<2| by the way? I forgot to ask."]
(click:?2)[(set: $vincentName to (confirm: "Should you say your name?", "WHAT! No!", "Sure. I don't mind."))\
(if: $vincentName is true)[\
(if: $characterName is "Vincent" or it is "vincent")[(text-color: #FF69B4)+(transition: "dissolve")["HEY! My name is Vincent too! Vincent is a pretty nice name our moms have given us, huh? Well, $characterName 2.0, nice to meet you."]]\
(else:)[(text-color: #FF69B4)+(transition: "dissolve")["Well, nice to meet you $characterName. My name is Vincent. Hope we can get along in the future."]]]\
(else:)[(text-color: #FF69B4)+(transition: "dissolve")["That's alright. I'll just call you Spacey since you get lost in thought. The name's Vincent by the way."]]
[[Nice to meet you, Vincent.->Town]]
]]]Now that everyone introduced each other, the uneasiness inside you began to ease slightly. Vincent tried to make some small talk with you during the journey, trying to ease the awkwardness. Soon enough, you saw a town ahead of you.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["There she is! Good'ol Death Town."]
"Death Town?", you said.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Yep, people died there often enough to be called 'Death Town'."]
"Where people died? That's not scary at all.", you mumbled.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["It's alright, bud. I won't let anyone shoot you."]
[[That's reassuring.->In Town]]You walked closely with Vincent as he walks you to the inn he spoke of earlier.
Chaos was living in this town. People were destroying a building with a sign hanging from the side saying (text-rotate-z:13)["BANK"]. Some were shooting at each other; some blowing stuff up. You even heard laughter.
{(live: 2s)[(transition: "shudder")[
(either: "Bang!", "Boom!", "Pop-pop-pop!", "Bang-Bang!", "Bang-Bang!", "HAHAHAHA", "Hehe", "AHH-")]
]}
You looked over an alleyway to see an older man being stabbed by multiple men wearing glowing masks. You were shocked and wanted to let out a yelp, but Vincent shushed you before you could.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Don't say a word. Those fools will torture you if you utter a word. Let's [[hurry->In the Inn]] to the inn; it is safer there than outside."]Both you and Vincent ran into the inn, located near the edge of town. You could not believe what you saw out there.
Bewildered, you shouted at Vincent, "What. was. that?! I just saw an old man get stabbed! We need to call someone for help!"
Vincent walked over to sit down near the bar table to catch his breathe. He rang a call bell twice and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["There is no emergency in this place if that's what you're suggesting. Besides, that old man you saw will be fine after a couple of hours if those fools don't rip his body into pieces. Might take a couple of days to recover missing limbs."]
Shocked by his answer, you responded, "How will he be fine?! He'll be [[dead->Megan]]!"(text-color: orange)["Is that a newcomer you brought yourself this time, Vincent?"]
A woman appeared out of a backroom, wiping her hands with a towel. Notably, she is wearing an orange hair ornament on her left side of her head.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Good evening Miss Megan! Looking lovely as usual."]
(text-color: orange)["And you still look like a pretty cowgirl. I bet you want the usual chili cheese fries?"]
(set: $vName to "")\
(if: $vincentName is true)[\
(if: $characterName is "Vincent" or it is "vincent")[(text-color: #FF69B4)+(transition: "dissolve")[(set: $vName to $characterName + "2.0")]]\
(else:)[(text-color: #FF69B4)+(transition: "dissolve")[(set: $vName to $characterName)]]]\
(else:)[(set: $vName to "Spacey")]\
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Yes, ma'am. Also, meet $vName. It's obvious they're new around here."]
(text-color: orange)["Yellow $vName, my name is Megan. [[Take a seat->Chili Fries]] with Vincent. I'm sure you got a lot in your mind."]You sat next to Vincent as Megan goes to the backroom. After a couple of minutes, Megan came out with two dishes of chili cheese fries and served them to both you and Vincent.
(text-color: orange)["Here ya go, love. It's on the house."]
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Oh, thank you Me-"]
(text-color: orange)["Not for you cowgirl. You need to pay up."]
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Oh."]
(text-color: orange)["Take your time to eat, $vName. After you filled yourself up, I'll explain what Vincent meant about earlier if you want."]
=|=
["Thank you for the food."]<y|
=|=
["I'm sorry. I don't feel like eating."]<n|
|==|
(click:?y)[(go-to: "Do eat food")]
(click:?n)[(go-to: "Don't eat food")]You took a bite out of Megan's chili cheese fries. It was delicious!
Vincent began laughing and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["Megan! $vName loves your food! They made a [(color:white)[pretty nice face]]<1|."]
[You responded to Vincent's comment: "Hey!"
(text-color: orange)["Leave them alone, Vincent. But I appreciate the compliment, $vName."]
Even though you were slightly embarrassed, you continued eating. Soon, you finished your meal.
[["Thank you for the meal."->Answers]]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]You refused to eat anything at the moment.
Vincent asked for your food since you weren't going to eat it. On cue, Megan [slapped]<1| Vincent's hand away.
[(text-color: orange)["Leave their food alone, Vincent! $vName may not want to eat but that doesn't mean you get a free meal."]
Vincent grumbled as he continued to eat his meal.
You [[waited->Answers]] a while until Vincent finished eating.](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"shudder")(show:?2)]After Vincent finished his meal, Megan took yours and Vincent's dishes to the backroom. Vincent yelled out to Megan: (text-color: #FF69B4)["Thank you for the meal!"]
(text-color: orange)["You're very welcome. Now then, $vName, do you have any [questions]<1| for me?"]
[]<reveal|
[\
=|=
["Why is there no emergency? Also, what will happen to the old man at the alleyway?"]<3|
(click:?3)[\
(replace: ?reveal)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["In this place, we don't need anything like an emergency because no one can die here...not permanently. If you died by normal means, you only stay dead for minutes, hours, or even days to recover injuries."]]
(replace: ?3)[["No one dies? How is that possible?"]<3|]\
(click:?3)[(replace: ?reveal)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["I wish I knew. Basically, anyone who comes here are immortal. People here also don't age too."]]\
(replace: ?3)[["Eariler, I slipped off a tall cliff when I first woke up. Did I...died?"]<3|]]\
(click:?3)[(replace: ?reveal)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["Seeing how much blood is on your clothes, you probably did. I hope it wasn't too painful of a death."]]\
(replace: ?3)[["..."]<3|]]\
]\
=|=
["What is the place? I know we are not in Earth anymore."]<4|
(click:?4)[
(replace: ?reveal)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["Honestly, no one knows where we are. From what I understand from others is that we all wake up to this strange world and the thing we see first is Death's Forest."]]
(replace: ?4)[["Is Death's Forest that massive forest with thick mist in the middle?"]<3|]\
(click:?4)[(replace: ?reveal)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["Yes. In the past, people began calling that dark forest 'Death's Forest' because you could die there in so many ways that people don't go there often. Though, I feel this town killed far more people than Death's Forest now."]]\
(replace: ?4)[["Why are people killing each other?"]<3|]]\
(click:?4)[(replace: ?reveal)[(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["Why wouldn't they? They love killing and torturing people."]]\
(replace: ?4)[["..."]<3|]]\
]\
=|=
I have no other question except [[one->Last Question]]. (This will continue the story.)
|==|
](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]Megan, is there any way I can get back home?
Vincent looked surprised by your question and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["You want to go back home? Why would you want to go back?"]
Megan glared at Vincent. (text-color: orange)["Shush, Vincent. This place is not for everyone, so you have no right to judge,"] argued Megan.
(text-color: orange)[I haven't heard of anyone leaving after coming into this place. [[Hmmmm....->A rumor]]]After thinking for a while, it looked like Megan had a lightbulb moment. (text-color: orange)["I remember many years ago hearing [(color:white)[a rumor]]<1| from a young lady once. She stayed here for a while, went off somewhere, and came back to say good-bye to her friends and me, saying she's heading off on an adventure."]
["Really? Who was she and what about the rumor?" you asked.\
(color: orange)["I don't remember her name, but I remember what [(color:white)[she told me]]<5|."]
[(color:cyan)+(text-style: "italic")[\
=><=
Head deep within Death's Forest.
Find the mist, and you will find a temple.
Within, you'll find the god of this world.
Confront death, and you will take your ticket;
[The ticket of second life.]<3|]](4|\
](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?5)[(transition:"fade")(show:?4)]
(click:?3)[(go-to: "Start of Journey")]The ticket of second life? Confront death? The god of this world?
Now you have even more questions wrapped around your brain. But you decided not to ask since you doubt Vincent or Megan would know what it meant.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["I never heard of that rumor before. Why didn't you said it before?"] said Vincent.
Megan stared at him and said, (text-color: orange)["First of all, you didn't asked. Second of all, I don't think you would care."]
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Well, you know what? You're right!"]
You sighed, [["What now then?"->Plan]](text-color: orange)["Well, since you want to find a way back home, why not investigate the rumor. It is the only lead you got, I'm afraid."]
"She's right," you thought. While you love to ask around, the people in this town will probably kill you for no reason. [The rumor is the only lead you got.]<1|
[In your head, you determined yourself to head to Death's Forest and find the god of this world. [[You'll find a way back home.->A guide]]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]You said outloud to Megan and Vincent that you decided to check out this "god's" temple if it's the only way back home.
Megan nodded along with you. She turned to Vincent with a huge smile. Vincent knew immediately what she is about to ask him.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["I know what you are about to say, Megan. You want me to go with $vName and guide them to the forest, right?"]
(text-color: orange)["Please, Vincent."]
[[You stayed silent.->Agreed]]Vincent relunctly agreed and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["Fineee. You owe me one."]
(text-color: orange)["I don't owe you anything. You owe me countless times for free room service. Anyways, $vName, before heading out with cowgirl here, you should change your bloody clothes to impress this god fellow. But I can't give fresh clothes for free though."]
(set: $exchange to "")\
=|=
[[Yes please.->Change clothes]]
=|=
[[No thanks Megan.->No change clothes]]
|==|You decided you won't change your clothes. You might get dirty during your adventure to the temple so there's no point in putting clean clothes.
(set: $cleanClothes to false)\
[[Your're ready to head off.->Getting grub]](if: $inventory's length is 0)[(go-to: "Can't Afford")]
(else:)[
(dialog: bind $exchange, "What will you like to exchange for clean clothes?", $item1, $item2)\
(set: $inventory to $inventory - (a: $exchange))
"I will exchange $exchange for clean clothes."
(text-color: orange)["Sounds like a deal! Here you go."]
You exchanged with Megan, changed your clothes in an empty room, and look fantastic!
(set: $cleanClothes to true)\
[[I'm ready to go, Vincent!->Getting grub]]
]You wanted to have clean clothes, but you have nothing in your inventory to exchange. You sadly looked down and told Megan quietly, "No...I don't have any money or anything to exchange for the clean clothes."
(text-color: orange)["That's okay, sweetheart. While I did give you a free meal, I cannot afford giving clothes for free."]
(set: $cleanClothes to false)\
[[Okay...->Getting grub]]Both you and Vincent were ready to head out of the inn before Megan stopped you guys for a moment.
(text-color: orange)["Before you go, let me pack you guys meals for the trip. $vName, [(color:white)[what would you like for a meal?]]<1|"]
(click:?1)[(set: $chosenFood to (prompt: "What will you like for a meal?", "Chili cheese fries", "Chili cheese FRIES", "Confirm"))\
(transition: "dissolve")+(text-color: orange)["Alright! I'll do my best as always!"]
(transition: "dissolve")[Megan began cooking $chosenFood at her kitchen. Both you and Vincent played blackjack to pass the time. After defeating Vincent 7 times, Megan carried out two bags for both you and Vincent to take.]
[[You took Megan's food.->Off to Death's Forest]]
]Vincent took his bag and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["Thank you for the food, ma'am."]
"Thank you for the food, Megan. Also, thank you for helping me."
=|=
[Give Megan a hug]<y|\
=|=
[Wave Megan a goodbye]<n|\
|==|
[You decided to give her a hug. Megan hugged back and giggled a little.](2|\
[You decided to wave at her. Megan waved back with a big smile.](3|\
[(text-color: #FF69B4)["It is no problem. Happy to help out! See you around, $vName, cowgirl. Good luck."]](1|
[[["Bye Megan."->Death's Forest]]](5|
(click:?y)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)(transition:"dissolve")(show:?1)(transition:"dissolve")(show:?5)(hide:?y)(hide:?n)]
(click:?n)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?3)(transition:"dissolve")(show:?1)(transition:"dissolve")(show:?5)(hide:?y)(hide:?n)]Before leaving the inn, Vincent warned you to run as fast you could. The people in town are known for stealing from anyone, so your cooked meal might be gone if you aren't quick enough.
[(live:0.4s)[(either: "Go!", "Run!", "Hurry!", "Faster!", "Let's go!", "Slowpoke!", "Dodge!")]]<1|\
(click: "Run!")[(stop:)(hide:?1)You and Vincent successfully got out of town. After running far enough from town, you [[walked->In the forest]] to Death's Forest.]The moment you stepped foot in Death's Forest, you felt a mysterious aura surrounding the area. You wish you could play some 'Legend of Lonk' music. It would've been perfect while walking through a mysterious forest.
After walking for a while, you realized you have no idea where you are going. You asked Vincent, "Hey [Vincent]<1|, do you know where you are going?"
[(text-color: #FF69B4)["We are heading straight into the middle of the forest. According to that rumor Megan told, we need to find the mist. The mist is located at the middle of the forest, so we are heading straight."]
"I see."
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Hey, I got a [[question->Why go back]] for you."]
](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](text-color: #FF69B4)["Why do you want to go back?"]
You looked at Vincent with a puzzled face. "[Why wouldn't I go back?]<1|"
[(text-color: #FF69B4)["I know Megan said this place isn't for anyone, but [(color:white)[what is your reason?]]<3| Is there something you need to take care of back home? Family? Friends?"]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(set: _yourstring to (prompt: "What is your reason?", "Family and friends"))\
In your head, you thought about your reason. You wanted to say your reason to Vincent, but your head started to hurt. You tried to remember what you wanted to say, but the pain continued to get worse. [[You don't what's happening.->Headache]]
]Vincent noticed you were lacking behind, turned towards you, and saw you were about to pass out.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["HEY! $vName, what's wrong?! [(color:white)[Sit down]]<1| here!"]
[You sat on top of a tree root. You feel your headache going away, but something isn't right. [Why]<3| can't you think of anything back home?](2|
[After waiting a while, Vincent asked if you are okay. You nodded yes.
[["Let's keep going."->Question for Vincent]]
](4|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?4)]Vincent stopped walking, looked up to the sky, and let out a sigh. (text-color: #FF69B4)["Because [(color:white)[my life back home wasn't so great]]<1| compared to my life here. I was a failure, doomed to fail in every step in life, and I sure ain't going back to that life ever again."]
[["What went wrong?"]<4|](2|
[(text-color: #FF69B4)["Shitty family, shitty friends, and shitty girlfriend. Family kicked me out for following my dreams, friends betrayed me at my lowest, and my girlfriend opened her legs to another man. Why would I go back to something like that?"]
[["That's rough."->Life isn't so bad here]]
](3|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?4)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?3)](text-color: #FF69B4)["Life isn't so bad here. You can be whoever you want and no one will give a damn about it. Plus, you can't die."]
After walking for a while, both you and Vincent came across a giant edge. It appears the middle of the forest is caved in, surrounding with cliffs and covered with thick fog. [How will you get down there?]<1|
[Vincent peeked over the ledge. (text-color: #FF69B4)["That's a very steep edge. I don't think we can slide down."]
[["What should we do?"->Find a way]]
](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](text-color: #FF69B4)["Seeing how far down it is, we might take a couple minutes to [(color:white)[recover]]<1|."]
["What do you mean?" you said.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["What do you think? It's quicker to [(color:white)[jump down]]<3|."]
["But we will die from this height!"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["But we can't die. Let's hurry up and jump down."]
=|=
[[Jump down->Jump down the edge]]
=|=
[[Let's find another way->Let's find another way]]
|==|
](4|
](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?4)]You looked over the edge and felt dizzy. You were scared to die.
Vincent patted you behind your back as to reassure you that you'll be okay.
You took a deep breathe[...]<1|
(click-replace:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")+(color:red)[ and [[jumped down the edge->Jumped]].]]You told Vincent you are not comfortable going down.
Vincent looked annoyed, but agreed to find another way.
Maybe after looking around the edge, you might find a slope you can slide off.
(set: $patience to 0, $left to 0, $right to 0)\
(Display: "Which side?")(if: $left is 9 or $right is 7)[(go-to: "Found a way down")]\
You and Vincent walked to the left side of the edge.
You walked and walked, but can't find a steep slope.
(set: $left to it + 1, $right to it - 1)\
(Display: "Which side?")
(Display: "Impatient Vincent")(if: $left is 9 or $right is 7)[(go-to: "Found a way down")]\
You and Vincent walked to the right side of the edge.
You walked and walked, but can't find a steep slope.
(set: $right to it + 1, $left to it - 1)\
(Display: "Which side?")
(Display: "Impatient Vincent")(set: $patience to it + 1)
(if: $patience is 15)[]
(else:)[\
=|=
[[Go to the left side->Left edge]]\
=|=
[[Go to the right side->Right edge]]\
|==|
](if:$patience is 5)[You keep walking, but Vincent is more annoyed.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["$vName, we have been walking for a while now. How much longer are we going to take to get to the mist?"]
You and Vincent were walking for a while now. [[Maybe you should jump down?->Jump down the edge]]]\
(else-if:$patience is 10)[Vincent lost his patience.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["$vName, I'm warning you now that we are wasting time by walking around. I'm giving you (color:red)[5 more times] to find a way down or else."]
[[Maybe you should jump down?->Jump down the edge]]]\
(else-if:$patience is 8)[You keep walking, but Vincent even more annoyed.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["We are wasting time. I get it that dying is scary, but you'll be fine. Let's go."]
[[Maybe you should jump down?->Jump down the edge]]]\
(else-if:$patience is 15)[You tried 5 more times, but find no way down. Vincent slowly walks toward you and let out a sigh.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Let's get this over with. I'll be right next to you, so you won't be alone."]
[[Jump down->Jump down the edge]]]After walking around, you found a slope that you and Vincent can go down safely.
Vincent was impressed and apologies for his impatience.
[[You and Vincent went down to the mist.->At the mist]]In the mist, you could barely see anything. It's so thick that you're only taking baby steps. You and Vincent also crashed at each other a couple of times.
Soon, Vincent noticed a stone pillar. "I think we are near the temple."
Both of you and Vincent began [[searching for the temple->Temple found]], though you tripped here and there.(color: red)[You jumped down. You felt the wind across your body. You felt numb, afraid that after hitting the ground, you might stay dead forever.
You heard Vincent leaped off the edge. You could tell he did because he grunted as he was falling. He also yelled out that he will [(color:white)[wait]]<1| for you until you wake up.
[(color:red)[\
After falling for what seem like forever, (color:white)[you finally hit the ground.]
[[-Splat-->Death 2]]]](2|
]
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](set: $words to (a:
"Once again, everything turned dark in an instant.",
"Back to the void.",
"You remember this void being scary at first.",
"But something about it change from the last time.",
"It felt comfortable.",
"It felt peaceful.",
"Even though you might be dead...",
"This void helped took any fears [away]<test|."
), $count to 0, $emptySpace to (repeated: 10, (print:"")))\
(for: each _item, ...$emptySpace)[_item]
{(live: 3s)[
(set: _i to ($count % $words's length) + 1)
(transition:"dissolve")[(print: $words's (_i))]
(set: $count to it + 1)
(if: $count is $words's length)[(stop:)]
]}
(click-replace:?test)[(transition:"dissolve")[away, and you were at peace...](live: 6s)[(go-to: "Bottom at the edge")]](set: $sanity to it + 1, $deaths to it + 1))\
You woke up from the void. Your head felt dizzy, but it wasn't as bad as before. You slowly got up and [looked around]<1| for Vincent.
[You see Vincent siting near a rock with his eyes closed. "Is he sleeping?", you thought. As you were about to [poke]<3| at him...](2|
[(color: #FF69B4)["BOO!"]
[["AHHHH!"->Laughter]]](4|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"rumble")(show:?4)](color: #FF69B4)["AHAHAHA! Sorry $vName, I had to do it."]
You stared at him, got up, and headed towards the mist. Vincent quickly got and repeatedly apologies to you.
[[You got more important things to take care of.->At the mist]]Eventually, you found the temple. Vines were covered all over the temple, and you hear birds tweeting on top of pillars.
You called out for Vincent that you found the temple. (color: #FF69B4)["Nice job! Where's the entrance?"]
[["Good question."->Entrance]]You and Vincent approached the temple. After searching around, both of you found the entrance to the temple.
Vincent tried to [push the door open]<1|, but it didn't budged. (text-color: #FF69B4)["Give me a hand."]
[You tried pushing the door with Vincent with no luck. The door was sealed shut.
You see there is writing on the door. [["Vincent, there is a message."->Writing]]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]The message on the door reads:
(color:cyan)+(text-style: "italic")[\
=><=
Before entering this temple, you must write this phrase in a different language in blood. This phrase is the key to receive the ticket of second life:
(color: red)["[Remember that you must die.]<1|"]
]
[(text-color: #FF69B4)["In a different language? I don't how to say that in different language. Also, the key to go back is to die?"]
"I guess. I think I heard that phrase before. [[But what language was it?->Let's try it out]]"](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](text-color: #FF69B4)["Well, if you know the answer, go for it. I never heard of that phrase before. [Here's my knife]<1| so you could write the password in blood."]
(click:?1)[You took Vincent's knife and poked your finger with it. It stings, but it's not something to cry for.
(set: $tries to 0)\
[[Let's try it out.->Password]]](2|(color:cyan)+(text-style: "italic")[\
=><=
Before entering this temple, you must write this phrase in a different language in blood. This phrase is the key to receive the ticket of second life:
(color: red)["Remember that you must die."]
]
=><=
[Write the password.]<1|
[(if: $password is "memento mori" or it is "Memento Mori" or it is "Memento mori")[(go-to: "Memento mori")]
(else:)[(go-to: "Wrong password")]](2|
(click:?1)[(set: $password to (prompt: "What's the password?", ""))(show:?2)]The moment you wrote "memento mori" on the door, the door began glowing red and slowly opened by itself.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Well done, $vName. Now we can press forward inside the temple."]
[["To do the temple we go!"->Inside the temple]](set: $tries to it + 1)\
You wrote "$password" in blood, but nothing happens.
(if: $tries is 1)[\
You wish you can search up that phrase online to get the solution faster. You pondered what language that phrase should be until you remember the phrase being Latin.]\
(else-if: $tries is 2)[\
After the second try, letters appeared on the door: "M-m---- M---"]\
(else-if: $tries is 3)[\
After the third try, more letters appeared on the door: "Meme--- M---"]\
(else-if: $tries is 4)[\
After the fourth try, more letters appeared on the door: "Meme--o Mo--"
You really wish you can search the answer up.]\
(else-if: $tries is 5)[\
After the fifth try, more letters appeared on the door: "Memento Mo--"]\
(else-if: $tries is 6)[\
After the sixth try, a phrase appeared on the door: "Memento Mori"
Seems like the door gave up on you guessing.]\
(else-if: $tries > 6 and it < 10)[\
Really? The door gave you the answer.]\
(else-if: $tries > 9)[\
Stay stuck in this loop then.]\
[[Let's try again.->Password]]You and Vincent went inside the temple. It was really dusty inside and hard to breathe. Still, after coming so close to find the god in this temple, you both pressed forward.
Soon, both of you ran into another problem. You found yourself in a fork. The [[left side->Water of doom]] has drawings of water on the walls, and the [[right side->Scales of doom]] has drawings of scales.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["I guess the drawings indicate challenges."]You chose to go to the left side. As you walked through the hall, you encountered yourself a rushing river. Following where the river goes, you see light and probably a different path to take to go find the god.
The problem is the river is going so fast that you probably might drown. It's quicker, but you and Vincent will have to die. You thought about going back, but you don't know if it's safer.
=|=
[["Let's hurry to the god!"->Into the water]]
=|=
[["Let's go the other way. Maybe it's safer."->Scales of doom]]
|==|You chose to go to the right side. As you walked through the hall, you encountered yourself a scale in the middle. Vincent pointed out something is off with the ceiling of the room.
Vincent took out a heavy pouch from his pocket, pushed you behind him, and tossed the pouch to the scale. The moment the pouch scale landed on the scale, the ceiling shoot out some spikes.
[["Whoa! What the-"->What now?]]You and Vincent decided to take the river to move on.
You wished Vincent good luck on the way down. Vincent nervously chuckled and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["I'm not too good with water. Oh well."]
Vincent doved in the river, and was quickly carried away with the currents. You held your breathe[...]<1|
(click-replace:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")+(color:red)[ and [[doved in the river->Death River]].]]A door across the room opened up momentarily before shutting itself close again.
After the spikes disappeared to the ceiling, Vincent stepped inside the room and examined the scale. (text-color: #FF69B4)["I think we need to balance this scale to get through. But I feel if the scale isn't balanced, spikes will shoot out and kill you. Got anything to balance this scale?"]
(if: $inventory's length is 0)[You checked your inventory, but you have nothing in your pockets. [[Someone needs to sacrifice themselves to get through.->Sacrifice?]]]\
(else:)[
(set: $something to "")\
(if: $exchange is $item1)[(set: $something to $item2)]\
(else:)[(set: $something to $item1)]\
(set: $inventory to it - (a: $something))\
You checked your inventory to find you still have something to balance the scale. You took out $something and placed them on both scales. The door magically opens, and both you and Vincent [[continued forward->Garden]].]Someone needs to die to pass through. But who? Or maybe it is quicker to go to the left side of the fork instead.
=|=
[[Sacrifice Vincent->Vincent dead]]
=|=
[[Sacrifice yourself->You dead]]
=|=
[[Go to the left side->Water room]]
|==|As you and Vincent explored around the new area of the temple, you found a garden. The garden was covered with beautiful flowers, herbs, and vines around the walls. You felt tired and asked Vincent for break.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Yeah, why not. We could Megan's food while we rest."]
[["Let's eat then."->Meal break]]You told Vincent to sacrificed himself.
He looked at you with a sad face and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["You want me to get impaled with spikes???"]
"Yeah, sorry Vincent. I don't want to die."
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Sigh...fine, I will do it. I did told Megan I will help you."]
Vincent pulled up his pants, took the scale off the pedestal, and was impaled with spikes.
[["Yikes."->To the room]]You told Vincent that you set off the trap to give Vincent the chance to go to the door. He nodded and wished you good luck.
You held your breath, took the scale off the pedestal, and (color:red)[were impaled with spikes all over your body.
[[-Stab-->Death 4]]]You and Vincent decided to leave the scale room to the left side of the fork.
There you walked in the room where a rushing river passes through. The river seems to lead to a differnt path. The problem here is you might drown, even though it is quicker.
=|=
[["Let's hurry to the god!"->Into the water]]
=|=
[["Let's go back to the scale room."->Scales of doom]]
|==|(color: red)[You were immediately swept away with the currents. It was beginning to get hard to breathe.
You couldn't keep your head above the water. The river [(color:white)[consumes]]<1| you.
[(color:red)[\
You soon couldn't hold your breath, your lungs burned, and (color:white)[you ended up drowning in the river.]
[[-Gurgle-->Death 3]]]](2|
]
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](set: $words to (a:
"The void.",
"It felt comfortable.",
"It felt peaceful.",
"You felt you are losing something important.",
"But you didn't care what.",
"All you know is you're at peace again...",
"And you want to come back to the void [again]<test|."
), $count to 0, $emptySpace to (repeated: 10, (print:"")))\
(for: each _item, ...$emptySpace)[_item]
{(live: 3s)[
(set: _i to ($count % $words's length) + 1)
(transition:"dissolve")[(print: $words's (_i))]
(set: $count to it + 1)
(if: $count is $words's length)[(stop:)]
]}
(click-replace:?test)[(transition:"dissolve")[again and again](live: 6s)[(go-to: "Waking up from river")]](set: $sanity to it + 1, $deaths to it + 1))\
After a while from being blacked out, you woke up next to Vincent. He was drying his clothes.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Finally up? I hate water. Better than being burned, I guess."]
After waiting for your clothes to dry, you and Vincent [[continued forward->Garden]] to find the god.You sprinted to the opened door and helded it open. You waited for Vincent to recover from being impaled by spikes.
After 30 minutes, Vincent got up with holes all over his jacket. (text-color: #FF69B4)["Megan now owes me a new jacket."]
Vincent mumbled his complaints to you about ruining the jacket for you. You tried comforting the grumpy Vincent, and [[continued forward->Garden]] to find the god.(set: $words to (a:
"The void.",
"It felt comfortable.",
"It felt peaceful.",
"You felt you are losing something important.",
"But you didn't care what.",
"All you know is you're at peace again...",
"And you want to come back to the void [again]<test|."
), $count to 0, $emptySpace to (repeated: 10, (print:"")))\
(for: each _item, ...$emptySpace)[_item]
{(live: 3s)[
(set: _i to ($count % $words's length) + 1)
(transition:"dissolve")[(print: $words's (_i))]
(set: $count to it + 1)
(if: $count is $words's length)[(stop:)]
]}
(click-replace:?test)[(transition:"dissolve")[again and again](live: 6s)[(go-to: "Waking up to the next room")]](set: $sanity to it + 1, $deaths to it + 1))\
After a while from being blacked out, you woke up next to Vincent. He was sharping his blade.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Finally up? Those spikes really did a number on you. Hope you feel better."]
After you got up, you and Vincent [[continued forward->Garden]] to find the god.You took the $chosenFood out of your bag. Somehow, Megan's meal stayed intact in your bag during your trip. You thought, "I wonder if her food is made out of sturdy bricks."
Both you and Vincent took a bite out of the $chosenFood. Feel like you're in heaven. Food is one cure to ease the tension.
You started having conversations with Vincent, asking him what he remembers when he first came here. Apparently, he doesn't remember much what happened to him after falling asleep back at his home. He assumed he fell asleep and woke up to this strange place.
[["The same thing happened to me"->Your experience]], you thought.You explained Vincent that you thought the same. You only remember waking up to this strange world and assumed you fell asleep.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Strange. Makes me wonder why we are all here then."]
Why are you here? What purpose is there for being here? You tried to [[remember->Can't remember]] what happened before you fell asleep.You thought about it. You tried and tried.
(set: $counter to 0)\
[]<repeat|
(link-repeat: "Remember.")[(set: $counter to it + 1)(Display: "Remember")]
[["I'll think about it later."->Left the garden]]You finished your meal quietly. Vincent asked if there is something wrong, but you shook your head. He quickly finished his meal and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["Alright, let's go."]
You and Vincent [[left the garden->Found]].(if: $counter is 5)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You remember you were in your room.]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 8)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You remember you were crying.]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 10)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You remember you were hyperventilating.]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 13)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You remember you heard screaming outside your room.]]]\
(if: $counter is 16)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[Who's screaming? And why?]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 19)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[Was it your family? But why would they scream...]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 20)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You start having a headache. But you want to remember what happened to you.]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 23)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[The closet. You remember something about a closet. Why the closet?]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 25)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You're head hurts so much, you have to stop thinking about it.]]]\
(else-if: $counter > 25)[(replace: ?repeat)[(transition: "dissolve")[You feel like throwing up.]]]Vincent found a flight of staircase deep within the temple. He suggested on [going upstairs]<1| to see if there is anything.
[You both head upstairs. It kept going up, and up, and up to no end. (text-color: #FF69B4)["Upstairs gotta be the where that god is. There is no way these stairs lead up to nothing."]
"I wonder. Is there really a god up there? [What do I do?]<3| Talk to them?"](2|
(text-color: #FF69B4)["According to that rumor, you must confront death to get your ticket home. Maybe you must sacrifice yourself? You'll revive yourself so death isn't something to [[[worry about->Worry]]."]](4|
(click:?1)[(transition:"slide-up")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?4)](if: $sanity > 0)[\
"Vincent, after dying multiple of times, I felt the void oddly comfy. I guess because I keep reviving, I feel less scare of death and losing my fears a bit. Is it the same for you?"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Yeah. After dying at this place a couple of times, I definitely lost my fear of death. That void you talked about eases any fears I have. Well, except [(color:white)[one]]<1|."]
["And what fear is that?"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Going back home and become a mortal again. That's why I don't understand why you want to go back. If you stay, you'll get to live a new life, won't grow old, and die forever. You won't lose anyone in this place either since your loved won't die here."]
"[[...->A hole]]"](2|
]
(else:)[\
"Vincent, ever since I coming here in this world, I only died once. I got stuck in this empty void, which scared me. If I am going to sacrifice myself to go back home, what is it like to die often."
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Well, after dying at this place a couple of times, I definitely lost my fear of death. Every time I died, I will always end up in that void you just talked about. Unlike you though, I found that void comforting. It eases my fears away. Well, except [(color:white)[one]]<1|."]
["And what fear is that?"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Going back home and become a mortal again. That's why I don't understand why you want to go back. If you stay, you'll get to live a new life, won't grow old, and die forever. You won't lose anyone in this place either since your loved won't die here."]
"[[...->A hole]]"](2|
]
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](text-color: #FF69B4)["$vName, I see there is an end to this stupid staircase."]
You peeked over Vincent to see there is a hole you can go through. You also saw sunlight seeping through, as well. You [[headed to the hole->Throne]] to see what awaits you.As you got out of the hole, you found yourself in an old throne room. It appeared to be abandoned many years ago. The atmosphere surrounding this room felt sad and lonely.
A balcony was at the back of the throne room. You peeked over some ruined curtains that you see someone in a strange [(color:#7209b7)[purple robe]]<1|.
["Who is that?" you asked Vincent.
(text-color: #FF69B4)["That might be the god."]
[["What? What should I do?"->God]]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](text-color: #FF69B4)["Tell them you are willing to confront your death just to go back home."]
You began sweating. You don't know who this person is, and plus, they're supposedly a god. Would they even listen you?
While you did went through the temple, you don't feel prepared for this.
(color:#7209b7)["[[You over there near the curtain, what do you want?->Approach God]]"]You were startled from hearing them talked. You approached sheepishly.
"Hello. My name is $characterName. And I like to ask you something."
The mysterious person remained silent.
"Um, God, I don't know how I got here, but I want to know if I can go back home."
"I heard you might be able to get me back home if I were to confront death. [[I am willing to die just to go back->God's Answer]]."(color:#7209b7)["[(color:white)[No]]<1|, I will not take you back."]
["What?! Why not?! I am willing to die to go back, so why can't I go back?!"
(color:#7209b7)["If you want to die so easily, why not jump off the temple?"]
"I just want to go back home! [Explain]<3| to me why I can't go back!"](2|
[(color:#7209b7)["Silence. I won't take you home because you don't deserve it."]
"WHY, WHY DON'T I DESERVE TO GO BACK HOME! [[I DIDN'T ASK TO BE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!->The truth]]"](4|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"rumble")(show:?4)](color:#7209b7)["You don't even know why you are here? Let me give a hint. I am Death. Do you know what Death do?"]
"Collect souls?"
(color:#7209b7)["Precisely. If I am god of this world and I collect dead souls, what that makes you?"]
"[...]<1|"
(click-replace:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")["A...[[dead->You are dead]]...soul?"]]
(color:#7209b7)["Yes, you are dead. You are a lost wandering soul that ended up in my realm."]
"But...HOW?! I don't remember dying! [I can't be dead]<1|."
[Death appeared suddenly in front of you. He grabbed your head and you felt something sucking out of you. You slapped his hand away. Then you saw his [hands]<3|...](2|
[Looking closely, his hands weren't human hands. They were paws? You also noticed cat ears underneath the robe. Death is a...[[cat being->I see]]?](4|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"rumble")(show:?4)](color:#7209b7)["I saw how you died. I found you even less worthy to revive someone like you."]
"What...what do you mean by that?"
(color:#7209b7)["$characterName, was it?" In your old life, you committed suicide in your closet. Instead of facing your problems at your old home, you decided that ending your life was the solution. You did this to yourself.]
"I...commited suicide? Wha-but I-what? It can't be. No, [I-]<1|"
(click: ?1)[(go-to: "Run away")]You ran. You ran, and ran, and ran, and ran through the temple.
You heard Vincent calling out for you but[...]<2|
(click-replace:?2)[ you kept running. Your head and heart hurts so much. Soon, you ended up somewhere near [[another small balcony->Over the edge]] in the temple.]You looked over the edge of the balcony. You felt sick and the pain in your head and heart doesn't seem to stop. You want it to stop. You want to stop thinking...
You felt...[tempted]<1|.
[You felt tempted to jump and fall to your death.\
(if: $sanity > 1)[You remember the void calming your fears and anxiety. "[I want to jump]<3|," you said sweetly.]
(else:)[You remember Vincent told you the void to be comforting, easing any fears and anxiety you have. "[I want to jump]<3|," you said sweetly.]
](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]
(click:?3)[(transition:"dissolve")[(link-repeat: "I want to jump.")[
(print: "I want to jump.")(set: $comeV to it + 1)(if: $comeV > 10)[(go-to: "Don't Jump")]]]]Vincent magically found you near the balcony. He sees you deranged and hears you repeatedly saying: "I want to jump."
(text-color: #FF69B4)["$vName, calm down. I heard what that god said to you. He shouldn't have been mean like that you. [You don't really want to jump]<1|."]
[(size:3)[(text-style:"rumble")["I WANT TO JUMP!"]]
(text-color: #FF69B4)["THAT IS NOT THE SOLUTION. Do you even hear yourself?! Death will never take you back home if you do this. [You gotta see your family again]<5|."]
(click:?5)[(transition:"dissolve")["[[My...family?->Family]]"]]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)](text-color: #FF69B4)["Your family must be really sad now that you're gone. If not them, then your friends would. If not them, someone else would care about you."]
"You don't even know that!"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["You won't know until you find out! I'm sorry I tried talking into dying when you weren't comfortable. I failed to guide you. I failed at something...again."]
Vincent collapsed to the ground. Shocked, you ran up to Vincent to check if he's okay. He holded you and said, (text-color: #FF69B4)["You gotta go back. If you stay here any longer, you'll never move on in life. [[Let's go talk to Death again->To Death]]. I'll throw my damn jacket if I have to to get them to listen to you."]You cried. You cried, and cried, and cried. You felt confused as to why you committed suicide. At the same time, you knew why. You felt weak and the demons inside took control. You must confront Death about this.
You and Vincent went back to the throne room.
Death was still staring off their balcony.
[[You approached Death.->We must talk Death]]"Death, I must speak with you."
Death ignored you and silently stared at the sunset.
"I'm sorry for running away. I was a coward and didn't want to face the fact I took my life. I hold responsibility for not taking care of my life."
(color:#7209b7)["Oh?"]
"[[Why suicide->The reason]].""Why did I committed suicide?"
(color:#7209b7)["Your parents were toxic people. They have their own issues, but rather fixing their problems, they rather take out their anger on each other and you. You felt powerless, so you got into drugs after a friend introduces you to some. You went down an endless spiral until [(color:white)[you decided to end your problems once and for all]]<1|."]
["I took my own life in the closet."
(color:#7209b7)["You believe that ending your life will be for the better for your family. Your parents complained to you that you were a leech because they always have money problems. Of course, they don't blame themselves for wasting their own money. [[Human beings are just awful creatures->Human beings]]."]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]"Human beings are just flawed, Death. We all make mistakes because we don't understand ourselves and don't seek help from others."
(color:#7209b7)["..."]
"I was a flawed person. I took my own life and look at me now. My problems weren't solved even after I died. I end up forgetting all about my death to run away."
(color:#7209b7)["..."]
"Death, I know it is a lot to ask. I want to make it right again. I don't remember how I used to think, and probably the old me would've chose to stay here. [[But I want to go back->Permission]]."(color:#7209b7)["No one in this world wanted to go back for a long time. You seen it yourself that people have gone crazy and lost their humanity. Even your partner lost his way."]
(color:#7209b7)["But I do see him ready to throw that...weird jacket towards me. I sensed something change within him."]
(color:#7209b7)["[(color:white)[...]]<1|"]
[(color:#7209b7)["Life is a precious thing. You only have it once. You've been given that one chance, but you threw it away."]
"I know."
(color:#7209b7)["Life wouldn't be precious if it's given again and again. That's why I would only give you [[one chance to live again->One Chance to Live again]]."]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]Your heart stopped for a moment. Did you heard that right? [You'll be given a second chance]<1|.
["Thank you!!! Thank you so much!"
Vincent went running towards you. (text-color: #FF69B4)["$vName! You get to go home! Phew, thought I have to throw my jacket."]
(color:#7209b7)["I will create a portal for you. That's your ticket of second life."]
[[You get to go home.->Wait, before I go]]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]"Wait, Death, Vincent should also get a chance. I think he-"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Sorry $vName, I'm not ready for a second chance. Not yet, anyways."]
"But-"
(text-color: #FF69B4)["You have a reason go back. Since you also show Death your humanity, of course you get to go. Not me though. I still got things to work with over here."]
"[[I see->Then...]].""Then...Death, could you promise me that Vincent and Megan get to have a second chance in life."
Death silently stared at you. (color:#7209b7)["I'll have to see, but I'll consider it."]
"[[Thank you, Death->Tell everyone goodbye]].""Tell Megan I said good-bye. I enjoyed her $chosenFood and chili cheese fries."
(text-color: #FF69B4)["Will do. I'll also spread the news about the second chance to Megan and maybe other I think deserve it. Death will be busy soon."]
"Okay, Vincent. [Goodbye]<1|."
[(text-color: #FF69B4)["Goodbye $vName. [[Thank you for helping me->The next step]]."]](2|
(click:?1)[(transition:"dissolve")(show:?2)]You nodded to Vincent. You turned to the portal that will lead you back to your own life. A second chance to live.
There are problems left unsolved[...]<1|
(click-replace: ?1)[ but you'll make it through.
You walked in the portal, and [[everything turned to white->White]].](size:3)+(text-colour: #7454c9)[The End]
Thank you for playing. It was a rushed game because I spent a lot of time writing the story, so forgive me for any mistakes. This was a wonderful experience to be a part of and I hope I could do something like this again in my future. Have a nice day, $playerName!
//(font: 'Wingdings')[Lizbeth] walked away.//
↶↷
Life Without Death
By: Lizbeth Alcaraz
Hey! Hey! May I take a moment of your time?
Yes
No