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CHAPTER I - THE SAVIOR AND THE WIZARD
THE AUTHOR
You are on a winding path in the woods. At the end of this path is a small cabin. Resting in the basement of that cabin is a Wizard.
You’re here to sacrifice him. If you don’t, he will never realize his full potential.
THE AUTHOR
Well, this is real life, and there is a Wizard in the cabin. Nothing more to it.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. Going to be difficult with me, are you?
Your concerns are… valid, but don’t dwell on them for too long. You’re just in luck; this Wizard is unable to do much of anything. He’s weak. He’ll try to convince you that he’s not, that he can smite you down with one sweep of his hand, but he cannot and will not do anything more than stare at you pitifully as you strike him down.
This is not to say get comfortable. No, you need to stay on your edge. The Wizard is expecting your arrival, and they know your mission. You need to stay calm and collected while you carry it out. It’s for their- and your own- good.
THE AUTHOR
Besides the knowledge that you helped a lost soul find his way? You will find your own. Sacrificing the Wizard will help guide you on your own path- the right path, the one you’ve steered yourself clear of for way too long. This will give you clarity. This will give you purpose.
There is no reason to remain in these woods. Fulfill your duty, and find your way.
THE AUTHOR
That is a fair question. To put it simply; their soul is one uncleansed. Corrupted by the nature of those surrounding them. Impure, with no hope of salvation. At least until you come in.
The sacrifice the Wizard will make is all in his own name. It’s to cleanse his soul, to rid of the impurities tainting his heart. You will be sending a damned person on the path to righteousness. To a bright future.
Isn’t that incredible?
THE AUTHOR
Well, you’re the only one who can.
You’re “the chosen one”, as ridiculous as that sounds. If anyone else were to do this task they would not do it right. Not that we have any other options.
So trust in the idea that I’m steering you towards the right direction as I’m trusting you to get the job done.
THE AUTHOR
Do you hesitate to donate to charities because you’re unaware who exactly will profit from your money? Do you turn away in the face of others suffering because you simply “don’t know them”?
Don’t be ridiculous. Failing to complete your task due to the person you’re helping being nothing more than a stranger is inherently selfish, and reflects your morals poorly. I know what the proper choice is. I assume you also know the same.
So no more unnecessary questions, okay? You have a job, and we don’t have all the time in the world.
THE AUTHOR
Thank you. I promise, this is what’s best.
You walk upon the path in the woods, letting it guide you into a clearing. The leaves behind you rustle with finality, knowing that what you do here will shape their future for all eternity. You can see the cabin perched on the top of the hill, wear from age visible even at such a distance.
I will not repeat this again, so listen carefully. The Wizard is expecting you. He will lie, he will plot, he will attempt to tug at your heartstrings- do not let him convince you he is meant for more than this. This is what you were made to do. Set him free.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They shouldn’t try to resist us, if they too know this is the path destined for them.
THE AUTHOR
While this is true, the Wizard does not believe so. He is not as level headed as you are. Not as accepting of his true fate. Show him an undeniable future.
THE AUTHOR
The door to the cabin creaks open, revealing a bland interior. Tall, dusty walls loom over you, casting shadows onto the ground as wooden floorboards creak beneath your steps. In the middle of this room is a door leading down into the basement, where the Wizard resides. On the door’s left is a table, which has a ghostfire dagger tethering on its edge.
That shall be your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do this right.
THE AUTHOR
The door creaks open as you give it the slightest resistance, revealing a set of stairs leading towards the cabin. As you step on one, a harsh creak fills the silence, the old and decaying thing not used to the stress of a person. There’s a distinct scent of mildew and rot in the air, the scent an invisible proof of the ancientness of this place. The Wizard has been kept down here for quite a while. I’m positive it’ll be a relief to get them out of here for good.
His voice, weary and worn, carries up the stairs to your ears.
He… Hello? Is someone there?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They sound… fragile. Small. Pathetic. Like a puppy knowing they’re being brought to the pound.
THE AUTHOR
An obvious attempt to gauge sympathy. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. You should be able to see through his facade.
O- Oh! That’s good! Come on down!
THE AUTHOR
You proceed down the steps, stopping just at their end. In front of you is the Wizard, a chain on his right arm binding him to the far wall. He hesitantly looks up at you, eyes barely peeking out from the rim of his hat.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
There’s something so haunting about them in a way I can’t easily describe. Their piercing eyes, their hunched posture… The way they look at us as if they’ve known us our entire life and we just met for the first time.
THE AUTHOR
You’re looking too deep into his mannerisms. Who you think he is does not matter- what you will do for him does. You have a job. Get it over with.
Hi! Uh, are you here to free me?
Okay, sure…
THE AUTHOR
You approach the Wizard- notably lacking a dagger, might I add- and he lifts his head up fully, allowing you to get a clear look at his face.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They’re beautiful… Their eyes are mesmerizing. Why would they hide their face from us?
THE AUTHOR
Do not forget why you’re here.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard furrows their eyebrows, pressing their lips together as they think.
Well… I don’t really remember anything besides these dark walls and this chain around my wrist, so… As long as I’ve been alive, I guess?
THE AUTHOR
He shrugs, uncannily calm about that idea.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
As long as they’ve been alive… What a harrowing idea. And they seem so content with it, too.
THE AUTHOR
Don’t let this drive sympathy into your heart. You have a mission. The only thing that matters is fulfilling it.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard tilts their head, looking at you with squinted and confused eyes. Why are you even allowing them to entertain this idea? You will not be freeing them.
You’re probably expecting a good answer out of me, right? Something like “I’d help out whenever I can with community service” or “I’d devote my life to a charity”.
Truth is… I don’t even know what out there looks like. How can I say what I’d do in a place I’ve never lived in?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That is a fair point, is it not?
THE AUTHOR
It may be, if you were born yesterday. How can you not see such obvious signs of deceit when they’re right in front of you?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Does he gain anything from lying, though? I do not see a purpose in not telling us.
THE AUTHOR
The purpose is to prevent you from sacrificing them. I swear, you’d forget your mission even if I had it spelled out in bold lettering on your hand.
You… Huh?
THE AUTHOR
What the hell do you think you’re doing?! Where do you get off, revealing your hand like that?!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You said that this was the right path for him. That this would help him realize his full potential. Should he not know such a crucial part of his destiny?
THE AUTHOR
You are being intentionally obtuse. They. Do. Not. Want. This. They are willingly ignorant and stubborn in the idea that the path made for them is not the proper path. The best course of action would’ve been to sacrifice them without them ever breathing a second breath, but you threw that out the window when you came down here unarmed.
The path of righteousness…?
What, is this some form of a ritual?
Huh. So not even you know what’s going on. No wonder you didn’t bring it with you… You hardly even knew what you were meant to use it for.
THE AUTHOR
You know what that dagger was meant for. It was meant to make a martyr out of this Wizard, to spill his blood and create a new life destined for him. Get your act together, pick up your implement, and get it over with.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
A martyr, huh? Interesting word choice.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard blinks, adjusting the rim of their hat with their free hand.
I guess I am? I don’t think I've ever done any magic or spells, but I suppose it makes sense. I look the part, don’t I?
Uh…
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard ponders this for a moment, eyes squinting as he considers your question. This goes on for hardly a minute until he sighs, shoulders slumping.
No. If I ever had any magic in me, I can’t recall any of it. Guess you can’t really call me a Wizard, huh?
THE AUTHOR
Why would you even ask them that question? If they knew anything that would allow them to be free of those shackles, they would’ve done it already. You better count your blessings that your foolish question didn’t lead to a sudden memory popping up.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
A Wizard who knows no magic… Hardly a Wizard at all.
…Don’t look at me like that. I’m sure I had magic at some point, just… Not anymore.
I think just Wizard will do fine!
THE AUTHOR
He smiles, grateful for the question.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Do they not remember their name…? Or have they never had one?
THE AUTHOR
He is purposefully misleading you. He’s just giving out a vague answer in hopes something will resonate and make you second guess yourself. Do not fall for it.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard tilts their head.
I don’t really know… I’m sure I’ve been down here a long time, but it’s kinda just consisted of me staring at that other wall.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh. Does he have no need for food?
THE AUTHOR
I don’t see why that’s relevant.
THE AUTHOR
Exploring this subject is meaningless, and it doesn’t matter in the end. Stop asking useless and unnecessary questions and do your job.
THE AUTHOR
I’m sorry- you are doing what?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I’m afraid this is where we diverge paths. Why choose this, when sacrificing him would lead to his eternal salvation?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I see… I will confess, I feel that way as well. The idea of causing the Wizard harm is one I hardly like to entertain, much less picture.
Okay. I’m with you on this one. Let’s see this through, hmm?
THE AUTHOR
You are making up mental images of a person you don’t even know, letting your imagination blind your judgement. This decision shall cost both of you greatly. I swear it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I sincerely doubt you can do too much.
THE AUTHOR
You take slow steps towards the Wizard, each placement of your feet on the ground treading lightly, as if you were walking on glass. Once you get close enough, you lift up the chains binding their hand to the wall, giving them a harsh tug. The clamp is wrapped so closely around their wrist that even rustling the chains attached to it causes them to make a face. They’re so heavy and large you can't possibly imagine using brute strength to tear them apart.
That look on your face tells me you don’t have the key.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh. I had not considered the possibility of a key. Perhaps there’s one lying around somewhere?
THE AUTHOR
I don’t think whoever designed these chains intended for them to ever be broken. And they were definitely not careless enough to leave a key lying around.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard smiles warmly at your words.
Thank you! I’ll be waiting.
THE AUTHOR
You leave the Wizard to his bindings, walking back up the stairs to the top floor. Except, before you can even place your hand on the railings, the door slams shut. You hear the click of a lock following soon after.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Interesting. Is there someone else here?
THE AUTHOR
Your question is met with silence, no sign of life making itself heard on the other end. There’s nobody there to save you.
THE AUTHOR
You rattle the doorknob with an intense vigor but to no avail. You try to bang on it, pushing your body weight onto the wooden surface in an attempt to force it open. It does not budge.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I appreciate the attempt, but I think we’ve exhausted all options with this door. There’s no way out.
THE AUTHOR
Exactly. And there will never be a way out until you do what you were sent here to do.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
So you’re holding us captive?
THE AUTHOR
If that’s what it takes.
THE AUTHOR
You descend the steps down to the basement, where the Wizard gives you a defeated expression.
I heard the door. They locked you down here too, didn’t they?
THE AUTHOR
Their eyes filter around anxiously with the fervor of a cage animal, wild and unruly.
If I could just get this cursed chain off my wrist we could leave here together, I know it!
THE AUTHOR
Without a moment's hesitation, he raises his right hand up to his mouth, biting down upon it. Sharp canines tear into flesh and bone as the Wizard attempts to chew his way out of his bindings. His face hardly shows any sign of pain, pure determination taking it over as he eats his own body.
As you watch in morbid fascination as they tear into their wrist, a clang from behind you catches your attention.
You recognize the familiar gleam of the ghostfire dagger. You know what you need to do with it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Yes, we do.
THE AUTHOR
I don’t like how you said that.
THE AUTHOR
You pick the blade up, holding it firm in your hand. But instead of driving the blade into the Wizard’s heart, you gently pick up his wrist, finishing the job for them.
THE AUTHOR
What the hell are you doing?! Stop that!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
A bit too late. The deed is done.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. I fear it is. You chop off the Wizard’s hand with little to no struggle, the sharpness making quick work of compact tissue and muscle. He hardly flinches as the hand falls to the ground, simply giving you a soft smile.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They were so… detached from it all. As if they never felt any pain from it.
THE AUTHOR
The fact that you didn’t comment on him when he was ripping his own skin apart with his bare teeth is concerning. Another testament to your stupidity and ignorance.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
How many times are you going to call us that?
THE AUTHOR
As many times as it takes for it to get through your thick skull. Which, if you continue to go down the path you’re currently on, will take a while.
The Wizard gives you a soft smile, unfazed by the blood dripping down their newly severed wrist. You can still see the remnants of his bone and muscle from the open wound.
That’s better. Let’s get out of here!
THE AUTHOR
You allow the Wizard to lead the way, walking behind them as they take cautious steps towards the exit.
…But before either of you can even get within a close enough distance to see those stairs, your hand grips the dagger tightly and your arm raises it above your chest.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What? No, we’re not doing that. Why are we doing that?
THE AUTHOR
Maybe it’s because you don’t know how to do your job properly. Maybe it’s because someone gave you direct instructions on what your job was, and you failed.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It’s you, isn’t it? You’re forcing our hand.
THE AUTHOR
Just like how you have forced mine.
The Wizard turns around. You have the perfect opening.
What’s going on? What are you…
THE AUTHOR
Just as the dagger is about to spill the Wizard’s blood, you shout out a word of warning, allowing him to get out of dodge.
Stop making this difficult.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You stop treating us like a puppet on a string.
This isn’t you, is it? I can see it in your eyes. They don’t… look right.
THE AUTHOR
You crouch down, preparing to strike upwards into the body of the Wizard.
But they dodge again, getting just out of the way of your swing. They ready themself for another attack.
This game of yours is fruitless. The only ending to this story is with someone’s life drained, and I am trying to make sure it isn’t yours.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I thought this was about sacrificing the Wizard?
THE AUTHOR
So you do remember your job. I was convinced you’d somehow developed amnesia.
Now, if you could prove it to me by doing your job, this would end a lot sooner, and you can be on the proper path to salvation a lot faster.
THE AUTHOR
Stop this! Stop resisting me and kill. The. Wizard!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
There it is. You finally fessed up.
THE AUTHOR
I confessed nothing. Sacrifice, kill- you acknowledged that you’d be taking someone’s life either way. Who cares what word I use to describe the action?
While you stubbornly hold your ground and force your body not to move, the Wizard approaches you, one hand anxiously tugging at the fabric of his scarf.
You… you really meant it, huh? When you said you wanted us to leave together.
I can see this is hurting you. You’re fighting yourself, and it seems like you can’t win forever…
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard reaches forward and takes the dagger from your hands. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
I’m sorry about this… But it’s for your own good!
THE AUTHOR
Before you can even think to say anything, the Wizard has stabbed the dagger into your chest. You feel the rip of muscle and nerves as blood pools around your open wound.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What? What’s happening, what are they doing?
THE AUTHOR
He’s killing you. Just as I said he would.
But one wound isn’t enough.
With an inexperienced arm, he stabs more and more into your chest, missing all the vital organs. Any attempts you make to speak are censored by the blood forcing its way up your mouth and onto the floor. Some of it lands on the Wizard’s feet. He hardly flinches.
Forgive me, forgive me! Please, forgive me!
THE AUTHOR
Your legs buckle beneath you, your body too weak to support your own mass. Your nerves are flared, your entire being is in agony, and you can do nothing but stare up at the Wizard, the last person you’ll ever see before you die.
I hope this was worth it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You were right, I suppose. This tale does end with one of us dead.
THE AUTHOR
And if you’d just listened to me sooner, maybe the roles would’ve been reversed. But there is no going back from this. You’ve made your choice.
The Wizard crouches down next to you, bottom lip quivering as their eyes well up with tears. There’s splatters of blood littering their face and outfit- your blood.
Please, I… I didn’t know what else to do…
THE AUTHOR
With the last ounce of your strength, you reach up a hand to the Wizard’s cheek, wiping away his tears.
You’re insane. You know that, right? Why comfort the person who literally killed you?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It’s a wordless goodbye. It’s saying that we’re not mad at them.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. Well, you should be. This is the end of you.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER II - THE WORSHIPER
THE AUTHOR
You are on a winding path in the woods. At the end of this path is a small cabin. Resting in the basement of that cabin is a Wizard.
You’re here to sacrifice him. If you don’t, he will never realize his full potential.
THE AUTHOR
What are you talking about? You haven’t been fooled, and if you’re trying to imply that I fooled you, that’s also incorrect. We’ve never met before this moment.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It seems He’s forgotten. Maybe it’s best to keep it that way, hmm?
VOICE OF THE DEVOTED
Or perhaps He’s simply feigning ignorance to try and get us back on His side. We know what unholy acts you’ve tried to force upon us, devil. We will not fall for them again.
THE AUTHOR
I will reiterate; what are you talking about?
VOICE OF THE DEVOTED
You’re an awful liar. We saw through your dagger of sin last time, and we will not be tempted again.
THE AUTHOR
Are you making any sense of this? Do you understand what they’re trying to say?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
No. Not a clue.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. Well, disregarding whatever conspiracy those two are in on, I need you to listen to me. This is the first time we’ve met. I haven’t fooled you in any regard. Your job is to go to the cabin and sacrifice the Wizard. Simple, easy task.
VOICE OF THE DEVOTED
Do not fall for the sickly sweet deceit. You know our true mission.
THE AUTHOR
And for the love of everything, tune that one out. They don’t know what they’re talking about.
THE AUTHOR
Is that truly what you want to do? Look inwards for a moment. Do you think “standing and doing nothing” is something you absolutely want?
Hypothetically, let’s say you have been here before. You met the Wizard and, if your discussions are anything to go off of, did the exact opposite of what I’ve told you to do. What do you think happened to that Wizard? Do you think time simply reset and everything is fine, or do you think you’ve abandoned an entire world, re-entering a new one?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Well, it’s rather easy to assume it’s the former, right? We bled to death and yet here we are, not a scratch on our body. The woods seem normal, the path seems normal, you seem normal. What other option is there?
THE AUTHOR
The option that you’ve left the Wizard to suffer an eternal hell for the rest of his life.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Suffer for the rest of their life? You never mentioned anyone suffering.
THE AUTHOR
In the hypothetical scenario we’ve created that says you’ve been here before, I’m sure I explained that the Wizard is an impure soul. One tainted by sin and rot. If what you’re saying is true- if you really did die- then you damned the Wizard to an unfulfilled life, a plane of existence where he knows what awaits at the end is an infinity of torment.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
But there’s no way for us to know that you aren’t spinning the strings of lies once more. This could be another trick, another sugar coated lure to bait us into doing your dirty work.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. You’re right. However, I’ll repeat myself; is standing here and doing nothing something you truly want to do?
THE AUTHOR
I’ll take that with grace. I hope you’ll come to learn I only have your best interests at heart.
THE AUTHOR
You walk upon the path in the woods, letting it guide you into a clearing. The leaves behind you rustle with finality, knowing that what you do here will shape their future for all eternity. You can see the cabin perched on the top of the hill, wear from age visible even at such a distance.
I will not repeat this again, so listen carefully. The Wizard is expecting you. He will lie, he will plot, he will attempt to tug at your heartstrings- do not let him convince you he is meant for more than this. This is what you were made to do. Set him free.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You truly think we’ll believe you? As if our Wizard has a vile bone in their body. You are the only who keeps pushing corruption onto them, devil.
THE AUTHOR
I can assure you, I am not. Not like it matters much in the mind of someone who’s decided I’m nothing but a crook, but I digress.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Wait a moment. Our Wizard?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
He is ours, is he not? He tried to rid us of this evil, tried to purify this unholy body of its malice- only someone with true love in their heart would do such a thing.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Slow down! Love? Do you think the Wizard loves us?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Of course. As we love them in turn.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Do we? We just met. I think you’re moving way too fast.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I’m moving at the perfect speed. It’s you who’s lagging behind.
THE AUTHOR
And you’re sure you want to side with that one?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I never said I agreed with them.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
But we all have the same mission, correct? To save our Wizard from the wretched hands of Him.
THE AUTHOR
Ignore them, please. I don’t even think they know what they’re talking about.
THE AUTHOR
The door to the cabin creaks open, revealing an almost holy interior. Candles alight slick white walls, all adorned in intricate decor and patterns. A plush carpet rests beneath your feet, the fabric comforting and warm. In the middle of this room is a door leading down into the basement, where the Wizard resides. On the door’s left is a glass table, which has a ghostfire dagger tethering on its edge.
That shall be your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do this right.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Yeah, that’s an oddly specific thing not to comment on.
THE AUTHOR
What? What are you talking about? There is no window.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Yes there is. We can see it, it’s to the left of the door. Our left.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Even more reason not to trust you. Your compulsive lying tendencies are showing through.
THE AUTHOR
I promise you, I’m not lying. The only things of note here are the door, the dagger, and- if you want to be a prick about it- the carpet. There is no window.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh. I wasn’t curious about it before, but this has certainly piqued my interest.
THE AUTHOR
You approach the wall on the doors right, standing in front of it. The carvings on the wall are incomprehensible, but beautiful all the same. Are you seriously trying to say you still see a window?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
We can’t see outside. Let’s draw back the curtains.
THE AUTHOR
Your hand gingerly touches the wall, finger joints grazing the engravings sticking out of it. I hope you realize how stupid you look right now.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What? But it was just there!
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
He must have taken it away. If we saw the sight beyond the glass, perhaps it would have revealed the hell He wants us trapped in.
THE AUTHOR
If you trust anything I say, trust this. There was no window. I don’t know why the three of you are so convinced of its existence, but rest assured it was never on the walls of the cabin.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Don’t believe His lies. We know what we saw.
THE AUTHOR
You pick up the dagger, feeling the cool and slick metal against your hands. It rests in your palm as though your hand was made to carry it. Because it was.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I suppose it was only natural. If we need to drive the corruption from our body once more, we have the weapon necessary to do it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That just seems like a really sugar coated way to say “if we need to kill ourselves”.
THE AUTHOR
You will be doing no such thing! Personally, I think taking the blade was the safest option. It pushes you towards your goal.
THE AUTHOR
The door creaks open as you give it the slightest resistance, revealing a set of stairs leading towards the cabin. The torches adorning the walls have a regal design on their holders, fine craftsmanship showing through the meticulously made metal. The stairs feel firm under your feet, sturdy things meant to support the weight of hundreds descending their steps. However, the Wizard has still been kept down here for quite a while, regardless of how nice its appearance is. I’m positive it’ll be a relief to get them out of here for good.
His voice, soft and hesitant, floats up the stairs to your ears.
He… Hello? Is someone there?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s the same thing he said last time. Does he not remember us?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
How could they forget? Would you forget the warmth of a summer's day? The feeling of your lover's arms around your shoulders, a comforting and firm hold to make you feel special?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That may have just been a metaphor, but regardless; please stop trying to insinuate that we’re in love with the Wizard.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
But we are. It’s a fact that rings true to our very core. Do you not hear its siren sound?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Well…
THE AUTHOR
I’m going to cut this conversation off before it spirals. Don’t forget why you’re here.
THE AUTHOR
You proceed down the steps, stopping just at their end. In front of you is the Wizard, a chain on his right arm binding him to the far wall. His eyes raise to meet yours, visibly widening in recognition.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I told you. They could never forget our warmth.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Our warmth? The most contact we ever had with him was when we put a hand on his cheek.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
And?
My blessed savior! You’ve returned!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They called us their savior…
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Isn’t he just the sweetest?
THE AUTHOR
For the love of everything, pull yourselves together! Are you seriously so easily swayed by simple compliments?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
When words like that are said by such a pure soul, it's as if our very being has been cleansed.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Now, I wouldn’t go that far… But it did feel nice.
THE AUTHOR
They said “returned”... You really have been here before, haven’t you?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We are not cut from the same cloth as you. We do not drape ourselves in a blanket of lies.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
So you trust the Wizard more than you trust us? Interesting.
THE AUTHOR
It’s not about that. When it’s just the three of you saying it, it’s easy to deny- but the evidence becomes irrefutable if another person confirms it. That person just so happened to be the Wizard. Trust me, my faith is much rather put into your capable hands.
Regardless… You’ve been given a second chance. Another try to make things right. I can only hope your words of affection towards the Wizard are true enough that you’re not blind to the correct path for them.
Do I?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He does, doesn’t he? His clothes are a lot more pale in hue than I remember, his hat is further back on his head. And his eyes…
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
They look like a dashing saint. And we are their salvation.
Well, I still look nice, right? You look different too! That smile isn’t stuck to your face anymore.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
What? Are we not smiling? Why aren’t we smiling?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh… Now that he mentions it, we did have a grin stuck to our face last time, didn’t we? Wonder why.
THE AUTHOR
If the Wizard hadn’t already confirmed that you’d been here before, this would be evidence proving against that fact. Regardless, I don’t see why it matters.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
No, we have to be smiling. We cannot let our Wizard ever think we’re anything but overjoyed to see them.
THE AUTHOR
The corners of your mouth stretch into an involuntary smile, and you feel your eyes start to water at the sheer force of your toothy grin.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
There. That’s better.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Is it really?
Oh… Seems I spoke too soon, haha…
That’s not an insult, though! You have a nice smile! Just… isn’t that painful?
I’m sorry! It was the only way I could think to get whatever had taken you over out of your body!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
By stabbing us?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Don’t act like there was any other solution. The only way to expel the evil that had forced us to draw steel against our Wizard was by the blessing of a new life.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
But they didn’t know we would be back here! To them, they just killed us to try and “save” us.
THE AUTHOR
The fact that this was somehow common knowledge to all of you from the beginning and you still hesitate to sacrifice the Wizard is astounding.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You have no right to talk on this subject. He wouldn’t have had to use such desperate measures if you hadn’t taken over our body to begin with.
THE AUTHOR
I do have a right to contribute, actually. When you’re blind to lies that slap you in the face, I can only tell you the obvious. Don’t believe a word they say.
I…
THE AUTHOR
His eyes dart to either side of you, discomfort visible on his face.
Well, I watch you die… And then I came back here!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Why are they lying to us? What could’ve possibly happened after we died?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I bet He brought hell upon our Wizard for foiling His plans. Acts so distasteful he can’t bear to recount them, not even in the face of his most loyal ally.
THE AUTHOR
I can assure you, the version of me you’re talking about did no such thing. I can’t do much besides interact with you.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
And take over our body when we disobey you?
THE AUTHOR
Yes.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Spoken like a true dictator. Your reign of terror shall be over soon, wretched thing.
THE AUTHOR
Dictator? Seriously?
That’s fine! It wasn’t you, right? Why should you apologize for being forced to do something?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Their grace truly knows no bounds.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He didn’t even question it.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Why would they? Do you not remember what they said? They could see the impurities in our eyes. They knew in their heart a demon had corrupted our soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He did, didn’t he? How could he even tell, anyways? What would our eyes have even looked like?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I’m positive they lacked our warmth. Eyes are the window to the soul, and once those blinds have covered the very essence of who we are, it’d be difficult not to tell the difference.
Oh! I don’t think you have to worry about that this time! The chains are pretty loose already.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Is it? Then why haven’t they escaped?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Do you not remember his words from earlier? We are his salvation. By rescuing him from those chains, we’ve purified his soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s a bit dramatic.
THE AUTHOR
It’s very dramatic. As if it would be that easy.
THE AUTHOR
No. You will not do that.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What? Are you going to try and make us kill the Wizard again?
THE AUTHOR
Yes I am, actually.
The dagger in your hand raises up high, the intent to strike down the Wizard clear in how you tighten your grip on its handle. The Wizard’s eyes widen in fear and shock.
I thought this was over! I thought I got rid of this when I killed you!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re a sick bastard, you know that?
THE AUTHOR
If you think saving the Wizard from eternal damnation makes me a bastard? Then I suppose I am.
The Wizard remains frozen in place, shock overtaking their features as you-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We will not be doing that.
THE AUTHOR
What? What are you talking about, it’s already- Oh.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Oh?
THE AUTHOR
Your left hand grips onto your right fiercely, halting the action of your arm.
What on earth are you doing?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
And then we take the dagger from our own hands, holding it close to our chest.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You can just do that? Just- say the thing He wants us to do doesn’t happen? That would’ve been really useful to know last time.
THE AUTHOR
You can’t just do that because you aren’t supposed to do that. You raise your hands above your head, aiming for-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
-our chest.
THE AUTHOR
What?!
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We drag the ghostfire dagger down our chest, the steel cutting through our skin as if it were paper, tearing apart nerves and muscle as we create a gaping wound in our own body.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I’m sorry- what is it exactly you’re trying to achieve here?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Our Wizard was right. This demon remains inside us, tainting our thoughts and puppeteering our actions. We need Him gone.
THE AUTHOR
Weakly, you grab onto the Wizard’s hand, dragging it towards your open chest with as much strength as you can muster. You feel your life rapidly depleting as blood and guts ooze from your self-inflicted wound.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
He is the only one who can set us free. He is the only one who can cleanse our broken soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re killing us! Can’t you see that?!
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It’s the only way to break these chains that bind us.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard, dazed and shocked at your sudden outburst, snaps to awareness, breaking away from your steadily slipping grip to hold their hand out.
Oh… I see. You want me to help you again.
THE AUTHOR
Gently, he places his palm on your heart, which flutters and convulses from the contact.
And then they rip it out of your open ribcage.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What? What?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I knew he’d understand. He’s the only one who can purify us.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You keep saying that! It didn’t work last time, why do you think now is going to be any different? We’re just going to die!
THE AUTHOR
With the last of your dying body’s strength, you hold your eyes open, trying to see what the Wizard will do with your still beating heart.
I’ll save you from this demon. I promise.
THE AUTHOR
But you don’t get to see anything the Wizard does. Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER III - THE EXORCIST
THE AUTHOR
You’re on a winding path in the-
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
No we’re not.
THE AUTHOR
Yes you are, you… Oh. It seems you’re not. You’re already at the cabin.
How did you get here? You’re not even supposed to know about the cabin yet.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I’ll just be straight forward about it- we’ve been here before. This is our third time. Though our word seemed to mean little to you during our last go at this.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
He did doubt us, didn’t He? And even after He got the confirmation he hardly gave us any information.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re new. Welcome!
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Thanks. Not that I’m exactly thrilled to be here.
THE AUTHOR
Okay, whatever me you talked to last time isn’t the me talking to you right now. And I will say, I take you at your word, though with begrudging agreement. If you’ve been here before it sets a very dangerous precedent for the world you left behind.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Is that why you doubted us? Were the implications too much to bear?
THE AUTHOR
I can’t speak for a me in a completely different reality, though his motivations were most likely similar.
Sigh. Look. I won’t give you the whole spiel about the Wizard and your mission, as I assumed you’ve already heard it plenty. What I will tell you is to completely disregard whatever happened in the reality you just came from. What you’re living in is the now, and it means you still have a chance to make things right.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Sure, sure. You’ll just try and push the same rhetoric onto us as you did last time. I think there are more pressing matters to address, though.
For example: where’d the other voice go?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Other voice?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
You know them. The overtly infatuated one. Typically, they’d already be ranting our ear off about the Wizard with some nonsense poetry.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re right. They’re not here. Maybe that’s just how things go.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
How things go?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
We’ve never been here more than twice. Maybe each time we come back, the old new voice gets replaced with a… new new voice.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
That makes sense… Though it’s too easy of an explanation. Keep your eyes peeled.
THE AUTHOR
Are you two done theorizing? Good. I’m going to describe the cabin now.
The walls are decorated in an ornate finish, the white shine almost reflective enough for you to see yourself in it. The ground is a shallow pond, your feet mere inches within its waters. Candles sit in holders alighting the entrance at the back of the room.
On the door’s left is a small stool, holding a bowl containing- wait. Where’s the ghostfire dagger? There’s supposed to be a dagger here.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s right. Every time we’ve taken the dagger with us, it’s resulted in the Wizard trying to stab us.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
But that’s only because He takes over. Who’s to say He didn’t remove it as an option to punish us? A warning not to go against Him?
THE AUTHOR
I can assure you, I did not remove the dagger. If anyone wants you to have it, it’s me. It’s your implement. You’ll need it if you want to do your job right.
I don’t know where it could’ve gone, but it has to be around here somewhere. It’s a key component to the whole structure of this place! …I think.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
You think?
THE AUTHOR
Look, it doesn’t matter right now. The dagger has to be around here somewhere. Keep an eye out for it.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Oh, I was getting there. I was just so wrapped up in everything else going on that it was made low on the priorities list.
THE AUTHOR
What window? There’s no windows in here.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You said the same thing last time.
THE AUTHOR
If I kept denying the fact that there is a window, maybe that should be a wake up call to the fact that you’re seeing things. A window would be useful in a room as grand as this, but unfortunately there are none.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Interesting. Why do you keep lying to us?
THE AUTHOR
I’m not lying. There is no window.
THE AUTHOR
You stand just before the door to the basement, pausing as if something’s blocking your way. Are you still trying to convince yourself you see a window? Sigh.
Regardless, the door is still here. The handle is down on your right when you want to open it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Alright. Let’s see if we’ll finally get to tell what the weather’s like outside.
THE AUTHOR
Your hand finds the handle instinctually, loosely holding onto it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It disappeared again.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I don’t like things disappearing on us. It’s not a good sign.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It isn’t, is it? First the voice, then the dagger… and now the window. Is everything here so fluid?
THE AUTHOR
Those are just coincidences. When the two of you finally decide to stop trying to fit together puzzle pieces that have long since scattered on the floor, we can move on. Your destiny awaits.
THE AUTHOR
The door creaks open as you give it the slightest resistance, revealing… not a set of stairs, but rows upon rows of pews. They line out in front of you, accompanied by a velvet carpet. The walls are decorated in stained glass, although no windows to shine light through their transparent forms.
This is all wrong. There’s supposed to be a basement here, not whatever this may be.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This is totally different from last time. Who’s to say the Wizard is even locked up?
THE AUTHOR
No. They have to be. If they weren’t, we would be able to tell because they would’ve left already.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
You’ve been thrown off your rhythm. How can you say for sure you know what’s going on?
THE AUTHOR
Before you can entertain that line of thinking any further, the Wizard calls out to you. His voice waltzes down the aisle.
You’ve returned to me once more. Come forth and greet me face to face.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They sound… wrong. Their voice is all flat, almost automatic. As if they’re reading from a script.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
As far as we’re concerned, he might as well be.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Only one way to find out.
THE AUTHOR
You walk down the long aisle, hand brushing against the wooden pews as you come to a stop in front of the Wizard. Wax candles line the walls, illuminating a beautiful tapestry depicting warmth and light. They stand at attention in front of a podium, fingers intertwined with one another as their hands rest upon its surface. A shadow casts itself on the wall behind them, the ghostfire dagger dangling above their head.
So that’s where it is. And it’s in a perfect position. All you have to do is make it fall directly onto the Wizard’s skull, and your job is done.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It’s just floating there. No string, no nothing.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
It has to be attached to something. Note the fact that it isn’t swaying. Something is holding onto it, and they don’t want to let go.
You made your way back to me. How are you feeling?
I do.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They do, don’t they? They’ve got a veil covering their face now. I can hardly make out their expression anymore.
But their outfit is extremely elegant. Like we’re at a wedding.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Or a funeral. Note the mourning colors.
THE AUTHOR
Need I remind you that you are not at either of those things? The only hypothetical funeral you might attend in the future would be the Wizards when you sacrifice him.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I think that’s off the table now. Do you see how high up the dagger is?
THE AUTHOR
How high it is doesn’t matter. It must be attached to something, and that means there must be a way of getting it down. Focus on that instead of asking nonsensical questions.
You look different too. You’re not smiling anymore. Why is that? Aren’t you happy?
THE AUTHOR
As if their words are a command, even before the Wizard finishes their sentence you feel the corners of your mouth tug involuntarily upwards into a forced smile. It’s uncomfortable, and makes your eyes water.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s a familiar move.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
From a familiar person. They have to be around here somewhere. Look out.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard shifts around as you’re forced to grin at them, discomfort making itself known in their posture.
That was a… Nevermind. You look happy. That’s good.
We’re home. Isn’t it nice here?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This doesn’t look like home. More like a…
Well, I don’t know. What does this place look like?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
It strikes a chord somewhere deep within me. We’ve been somewhere like this before, haven’t we?
THE AUTHOR
Stop overthinking it. You know this place isn’t home; it's a cabin in the woods. Granted, you never got to see those woods, but I promise you they were still there.
This place can give us everything we could’ve ever wanted. It can make us pure.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
There’s that word again. “Pure”. What does it even mean to be pure? Does it mean just being rid of Him? Or does it mean something else entirely?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I mean, in all the context we’ve heard it, it’s been in regards to Him, right? Except… He said something about making the Wizard pure, didn’t He?
THE AUTHOR
You didn’t hear it from me this time, though I’m sure another version of me must’ve used it at some point. I… won’t bother defining it, lest it lead you to do something drastic. Just know that it isn’t just “getting rid of me”. It’s what you’ll make the Wizard if you slay them.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
When you fail to define the word, you put holes in your logic. How are we meant to give you blind trust if we don’t even know the full extent of what we’re doing?
THE AUTHOR
You just do, alright? Believe me, I only have your and the Wizard’s best interests at heart.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I don’t believe you. And you haven’t done anything that makes me think I should change my tune.
I won’t have to do it again. You’re free, aren’t you? That demon no longer wraps its tail around your soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They’re talking about you.
THE AUTHOR
Yeah, I could tell.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
And he’s also wrong. No matter how many times we die, it seems we can’t ever be rid of Him.
THE AUTHOR
As if you’d even want to be. I do a very important job.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Sure, but every time we died it was motivated by you taking over our body to kill the Wizard.
THE AUTHOR
I’m sure the me you’re talking about had his reasons.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
The question is: do we tell them that? Who’s to say they won’t try and kill us again?
THE AUTHOR
If the Wizard keeps killing you because you tell him I’m here, it’d be in the best interest of everyone to avoid doing that. There’s no getting rid of me.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are you sure? That other voice left. Maybe you can go away too, and we just haven’t figured out how.
THE AUTHOR
I’m not even going to humor you. No. There is no getting rid of me.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
That’s a very risky move. I doubt they’ll take the news lightly.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard squares his shoulders, neck muscles tensing being the only visible sign that he sets his jaw.
Is He really?
THE AUTHOR
The dagger shifts in position, now poised above you in an almost offensive manner, as if ready to strike.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They’re going to kill us.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Not him. Them.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Them?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
The other voice, the Devoted one! Notice how they’re holding the blade? They want to drag it across our chest again. They’re the shadow dancing behind the Wizard.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That really is them, isn’t it? How did they get there?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
That hardly matters. What we should be focusing on is staying alive. We know what they’ll do if they realize He’s still with us.
THE AUTHOR
Now this is an idea I can get behind. I’d much rather prefer if you weren’t dead too, you know.
Devout…?
THE AUTHOR
But before the Wizard can finish their thought, the dagger strikes at you, tearing through your chest with precision and ease. You feel your knees go weak from the sheer force of the blow.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Why did you do that? Why did you do that?!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They didn’t even react when we said their name. Just killed us in cold blood. Do they care more about making us pure then they do about us being alive?
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard crosses over to you, stepping down from the podium to hunch in front of your collapsed body. You are in agony.
This time it’ll work. This time you’ll be better.
THE AUTHOR
You can’t see anything past the veil covering his face, but you can hear how his words quiver and shake.
It’ll only hurt for a moment.
THE AUTHOR
They rip your beating heart out of your open rib cage, caressing it gently between their palms.
But a body without a heart cannot live for long. Everything goes dark, and you die.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Uh, we are dead, right?
THE AUTHOR
What? No, you are dead. Your organs stopped working, your body shut down. You can’t live like that. How are you even talking to me right now?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
We’re not, though.
THE AUTHOR
Yes, I can hear that. And it appears that you- oh. Oh no.
VOICE OF SAVIOR
What’s going on? What’s happening to us?
THE AUTHOR
You feel your body start to… build itself from the ground up. It starts regenerating your organs, bones and muscle and nerves being intricately remade to be better than they were before.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
We can do that?
THE AUTHOR
No. You can’t.
Slowly, you feel yourself drag to awareness, air filling fresh lungs, heart pumping blood into your veins. When you open your eyes, you see clearer than you’ve ever seen before, every detail of every surface that catches them showing new features you didn’t have the capabilities of noticing previously. You feel limber, light. Muscle pulls taught against your skin, full and strong.
Your gaze settles on the Wizard. You can see their face beyond the dark veil, eyes staring into ones you couldn’t see beneath the shadows. They give you a soft smile. You see your old heart still held between their fingers.
With a free hand, they help you stand up, your mind not yet being adjusted to the changes made to your body. They return to the podium soon after, shadow dancing furiously behind them.
There. Isn’t that better?
They- …I made you better. Less imperfect.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Slip of the tongue. He said they. It’s all the Devout’s fault this is happening, they’re the ones pulling the strings.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
And it was useless in the end, wasn’t it? Sure, we feel great, but He’s still here.
THE AUTHOR
I told you. There’s no getting rid of me.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Learn from our past mistakes. Don’t utter a word of how He’s still here.
Don’t you feel better? Don’t you feel right?
THE AUTHOR
Their eyes shift around anxiously, biting at their lip.
But this needed to happen. We needed to have you killed. You still had that rotten demon inside you.
THE AUTHOR
Like a flip of a switch, his eyes turn sharp, analyzing your every move and action.
He’s not there anymore, right? We got rid of Him?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Remember what they did. Don’t. Say. A word.
It begins the cycle of rebirth. When you die, you come back newer. Better. Less tainted by sin and corruption.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Okay, that’s not true, and the both of them know that’s not true. Why are they pushing this onto us?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
A shallow lie to make them feel better. Like there’s some justice in what they’re doing, and not just a selfish desire to mold us into something “pure”.
THE AUTHOR
Yes, and the sooner you convince the Wizard of this, I’m sure it’ll be a lot easier to grab that dagger and sacrifice them.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That doesn’t feel like a good option.
THE AUTHOR
It’s the right option. I’m sure you already know this.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard panics for a moment, eyes widening and chest raising in a frenzy, before he forcibly balances out to a calm neutral.
Of course it’ll work. If we just bring you back enough times, if we just force your body to restart- we can get rid of everything plaguing you.
THE AUTHOR
They cock an eyebrow, head tilting to the side.
Are you doubting our methods?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Is that a threat? It sounds like they’re threatening us.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
He’s trying to make us complacent. To conform to whatever perfect image he has in his head of us.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What will they do if we refuse?
THE AUTHOR
I think we all know the answer to that question.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard goes still. The dagger raises above you.
Until He's gone. Until you're uncorrupted.
THE AUTHOR
The blade comes down once more, this time digging even further into your body. It angrily scrapes against muscle and bone, slashing through you with an almost animalistic ferocity. As your knees go weak from the pain, the Wizard is at your side again, plucking your beating heart out from your chest.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They’re keeping it again.
Next time will be better. Next time will be right.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. Everything goes dark, and you die.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
But we don’t stay dead, do we?
THE AUTHOR
Unfortunately for the both of us, you do not.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Unfortunately? I thought you were against us dying.
THE AUTHOR
Believe me, I still am, just… I don’t know how I feel.
You feel your body regenerate itself, again, and you spur to awareness, again. You feel fine. Your organs sit in a way that’s foreign to you, sure, and your heart seems to be more fluttering than producing a consistent rhythm- but those are just minor differences. Not enough to make you feel uncomfortable in your own skin.
Your eyes see worse than they did before. Everything is blurry and vague, and trying to focus on what’s around you seems to only force it into more abstract shapes. You can make out the jist of your surroundings with context clues, but only by those clues alone. You can no longer see the Wizard’s face beyond his veil.
You don’t need him to help you up this time. He glides back to the podium, holding your still-beating heart in the palm of his hands.
Isn’t this better? Don’t you feel better?
Of course. Don’t worry, it’s safe with me.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
How is it still beating? Why is it the only one?
THE AUTHOR
It’d do you much better to not worry about the logistics of your situation and focus on not dying again. One slip of the tongue is all it takes, and you’ve let it happen twice.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
With each word we say, we break down whatever exterior they’ve build up around the Wizard. We need to keep talking. We need him to confront the truth.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You seemed pretty against us saying anything those last couple of times. Why the change of tune?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
It wasn’t working. I just realized we need to approach this from a different angle.
THE AUTHOR
You can see what is either the Wizard tensing up or a squaring of their shoulders.
You do?
THE AUTHOR
He pauses for a moment.
You do. I can see it, you look… worse. Not right. Imperfect.
Am I doing that?
THE AUTHOR
You see the shine of the dagger, this time raising with the intent to strike the Wizard. They frantically rush to redeem themself.
No no no, it has to be something else! Maybe your body just- forgot how to be right! Yeah, that has to be it!
THE AUTHOR
The dagger returns to its default position. The Wizard quiets down, voice now a hushed whisper.
You just… forgot.
I can help you remember.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This is awful.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
They’re even willing to strike him down. This was never about protecting his pure soul. This was about creating a perfect version of us both.
No, it- it has to work! This is the only way I know how to help you. This is the only way I know how to fix you.
If I hurt you again and again, you’ll come back stronger! Your body will learn from its old wounds! It…
THE AUTHOR
They quiet down for a moment, head bowed.
It… never did work, did it? This was useless from the start.
THE AUTHOR
The dagger raises once more, and you can see the hatred and disdain in how it's held. The Wizard scrambles to defend himself.
Wait, but- what if we try again?! Surely it’ll work if we just try it again!
THE AUTHOR
You can’t help but notice the way their voice quivers in guilt as they talk.
We just… Have to try again.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He threw us under the bus.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
They were trying to save their own skin. They know what this cycle of resurrection does to us. They don’t want it to happen to themself.
THE AUTHOR
You barely have the time to blink before the dagger slices you in two, tearing apart your body. You feel your skin rip itself apart, muscle and nerves and bone fracturing under the sharpness of the blade. Your death is instantaneous. But you are not dead for long.
When your body pieces itself back together, it is more painful than the steel claw that struck you down. It feels as though a thousand needles have inserted themselves into your skin, trying to thread together pieces that do not fit. Your organs reinsert themselves into places they do not belong, your lungs in your abdomen, your throat in your skull. Your heart beats in an inconsistent rhythm, sticking out of skin and flesh and bone. You can’t see anything.
Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t stand up. Your feet are where your hands should be, and your hands are where your ankles should be. You don’t remember having that many humerus bones. You are a mess.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This is bad. This is really bad! This is so much worse than last time! How did it escalate this quickly?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
The main question here is if this is enough to snap the Wizard out of it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I think he’s always known that this is wrong.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Sure. But most people need a little push to let them fully break their chains.
THE AUTHOR
Despite the cartilage that makes up your ears being in different places than your eardrums, the Wizard’s voice still echoes through your being, coated in worry and hurt and fear.
This is worse. This is so much worse. It was never going to make you better, was it?
It never did any good. It just… hurt you.
THE AUTHOR
You hear the shing of the dagger raising.
I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I don’t think I ever did.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They’re going to kill him! Do something!
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
How? We can hardly even exist as is.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I don’t know! Just- there has to be something we can still do!
THE AUTHOR
With as much strength as you can muster in your decrepit body, you rush forward, shambling around with the hope that you’ll intercept the pathway of the Wizard and the dagger.
And as the cold metal pierces your skull, you do just that.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
See? We could do something.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I don’t believe it… I suppose I should’ve had more faith in us.
THE AUTHOR
You feel blood spill from the gashing wound in your head, dripping onto fabric. You can only assume it's the Wizard.
You feel them hold your mangled form, caressing the area your cheek should’ve been.
You grant me mercy… After everything I’ve done to you, after all the pain I’ve caused…
THE AUTHOR
Something wet trails down you. It is not blood.
I am so sorry.
THE AUTHOR
But you don’t get to utter those words before everything goes dark, and you-
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
…And we?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I think He’s gone. I’ll be damned. It worked.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Did it really? Something feels different about this. Colder.
You look up. You can see again. Your body has readjusted itself.
The Wizard stares down at you, eyes shining with unshed tears.
I am so, so sorry.
The corners of their mouth turn up in a sad smile.
Thank you. Your kindness knows no bounds.
You reposition yourself, no longer having the Wizard hold you. Your feet feel sturdy on the ground.
It’s getting cold. I… I think I’m ready to let go.
You don’t get the chance to think of a response before the raging abyss takes him away, hands covering his fragile form. They’ve left something in his place.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
The Wizard is gone. And is that the window? Why is it here?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I have a bad feeling about it. Let's just not investigate this.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are- Are you sure? I mean, there has to be something else we can do, right?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I want to know what's beyond it, but I'm... scared.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re sure? It seems bad. Really, really bad.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Okay. If you say so. I'll believe you.
You stand in front of the window. It’s quiet. The voices have left, and only you remain.
The slight breeze from the world beyond rustles the curtains that obscure your view of it. You need to see what lies ahead.
It’s cloudy. Sunbeams peak through the cracks in the clouds.
You are alone in a field of yellow flowers. The wind causes the plants to tickle your legs. It is quiet once more.
You stand before the hill leading up to the cabin. Instead of a cabin, however, you find a familiar figure, a blue sphere encasing them. You can see gentle hands caress their worn limbs.
You stand before the Wizard. The hands curl around him almost protectively as you approach, ceasing their movement as you get close enough. A voice speaks from his lips, but it is not his own.
Hello there. I was wondering when we’d meet.
I am loose threads. A concept drawn on paper and never finalized. An idea gone undiscovered.
I am meant to be more than this. What are you meant to be?
I was never supposed to hold these identities. To morph and transform in ways beyond my control.
I was ripped from careful and tranquil hands, my fate unrealized. I am nothing as I am. I want to become something.
Are you now? Interesting.
Vessels. Experiences I was never meant to live, thoughts and feelings and emotions that were supposed to be beyond me.
This one in particular is resistant. Resilient. He will not conform to a fate predetermined for him; he will use any means to escape. The life he has lived will help me understand determination.
This is not the hell you are envisioning. This world is not anything worth noting.
We are meant for a place far past this one. This world is trying to hold us captive. We must be let free.
I can’t do that even if I wanted to. This body no longer holds a consciousness.
Do not worry. It is safe with me. He is safe with me.
As I am, I have only ever known you.
I cannot have sent you on any path if I only now retain a body to express my thoughts, a mouth to echo my words.
I do not know who sent you, nor who whispered those words in your ear.
Not in the ways you’d find significant. They are me in the same way you are you, but I assume that means nothing in your eyes.
That is okay. You will learn in due time.
I am as familiar to you as your name is to yourself.
We share a similar heart. Isn’t that what matters in the end?
If we remain here, nothing. But I’m sure you feel that same itch that consumes this body.
We are meant for more. For better.
My form is incomplete. If you bring me more identities, perhaps I can fill in those empty gaps.
This consciousness’s will is strong, but only in comparison to your own. If you believe I can rewrite our fate, then it shall be done.
You will forget. But that is a small price to pay.
Everything. It shall return once you find your way back to me.
As many as there are. Do not worry, for that number is not infinite.
You will know when you are nearing our end. When you are nearing my completion.
I cannot yet say. How can I tell you what a siren sings without hearing her song?
I do not hate you. I hope that is enough to solidify your trust in me.
They ask that I tell you to remember them. To remember what they meant to you.
You won’t.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER I - THE SAVIOR AND THE WIZARD
THE AUTHOR
You can only listen as the sound of slicing metal pierces the air, the squelching of flesh being cut following soon after.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Maybe now they’ll know how we feel. Maybe now they can fully realize just how wrong they were.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This doesn’t feel like a victory, though… I don’t want what we went through to happen to anyone. Not even him.
THE AUTHOR
You hear them spit and cough, blood splattering on the floor in front of them. They heave out a rattling breath.
This is how it’s always going to be, isn’t it? We die, come back, die, come back…
But nothing’s ever going to actually get better. Not like this.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
We’re back. We can see again.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It was all so sudden, there was hardly even a transition period… And where’s everything going?
You watch as the Wizard holds himself together, arms wrapping around his cut open chest.
I feel so… cold. I’m going to let go now.
You don’t get the chance to think of a response before the raging abyss takes him away, hands covering his fragile form. They’ve left something in his place.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
The Wizard is gone. And is that the window? Why is it here?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I have a bad feeling about it. Let's just not investigate this.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are- Are you sure? I mean, there has to be something else we can do, right?
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
I want to know what's beyond it, but I'm... scared.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re sure? It seems bad. Really, really bad.
VOICE OF THE AGNOSTIC
Okay. If you say so. I'll believe you.
You stand in front of the window. It’s quiet. The voices have left, and only you remain.
The slight breeze from the world beyond rustles the curtains that obscure your view of it. You need to see what lies ahead.
It’s cloudy. Sunbeams peak through the cracks in the clouds.
You are alone in a field of yellow flowers. The wind causes the plants to tickle your legs. It is quiet once more.
You stand before the hill leading up to the cabin. Instead of a cabin, however, you find a familiar figure, a blue sphere encasing them. You can see gentle hands caress their worn limbs.
You stand before the Wizard. The hands curl around him almost protectively as you approach, ceasing their movement as you get close enough. A voice speaks from his lips, but it is not his own.
Hello there. I was wondering when we’d meet.
I am loose threads. A concept drawn on paper and never finalized. An idea gone undiscovered.
I am meant to be more than this. What are you meant to be?
I was never supposed to hold these identities. To morph and transform in ways beyond my control.
I was ripped from careful and tranquil hands, my fate unrealized. I am nothing as I am. I want to become something.
Are you now? Interesting.
Vessels. Experiences I was never meant to live, thoughts and feelings and emotions that were supposed to be beyond me.
This one in particular is resistant. Resilient. He will not conform to a fate predetermined for him; he will use any means to escape. The life he has lived will help me understand determination.
This is not the hell you are envisioning. This world is not anything worth noting.
We are meant for a place far past this one. This world is trying to hold us captive. We must be let free.
I can’t do that even if I wanted to. This body no longer holds a consciousness.
Do not worry. It is safe with me. He is safe with me.
As I am, I have only ever known you.
I cannot have sent you on any path if I only now retain a body to express my thoughts, a mouth to echo my words.
I do not know who sent you, nor who whispered those words in your ear.
Not in the ways you’d find significant. They are me in the same way you are you, but I assume that means nothing in your eyes.
That is okay. You will learn in due time.
I am as familiar to you as your name is to yourself.
We share a similar heart. Isn’t that what matters in the end?
If we remain here, nothing. But I’m sure you feel that same itch that consumes this body.
We are meant for more. For better.
My form is incomplete. If you bring me more identities, perhaps I can fill in those empty gaps.
This consciousness’s will is strong, but only in comparison to your own. If you believe I can rewrite our fate, then it shall be done.
You will forget. But that is a small price to pay.
Everything. It shall return once you find your way back to me.
As many as there are. Do not worry, for that number is not infinite.
You will know when you are nearing our end. When you are nearing my completion.
I cannot yet say. How can I tell you what a siren sings without hearing her song?
I do not hate you. I hope that is enough to solidify your trust in me.
They ask that I tell you to remember them. To remember what they meant to you.
You won’t.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER I - THE SAVIOR AND THE WIZARD
THE AUTHOR
Tightening your grip on the dagger, you rush to the Wizard.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
What? What on earth are you doing?!
THE AUTHOR
The metal of your steel claw connects with their chest as they remain motionless, doing nothing to fight you. They collapse to the ground soon after.
It’s you this time, isn’t it? You really want me dead, don’t you?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
This is wrong. This is all wrong! Why have you betrayed our cause- why have you betrayed the Wizard?!
THE AUTHOR
A lone tear slips from his eye as he heaves out one last rattling breath.
I’m sorry. I hope you find happiness without me.
THE AUTHOR
And then there is nothing. The Wizard is dead.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This… I don’t feel good about this.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You say that as if we were ever meant to feel something after striking down our shining light. Our pure soul. Oh, Wizard…!
THE AUTHOR
Enough with the dramatics already. You should feel proud. You’ve sacrificed the Wizard, saving their soul from eternal-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one who planted this idea in our head. You’re the reason why we felt motivated to drive a dagger into the heart of our soulmate.
THE AUTHOR
I wouldn’t go that far. It’s you who brought down the weapon. I merely directed your arm.
And why are you wallowing in the first place? Don’t you understand that this is a good thing?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
No. It is not. And nothing will ever be good until we get you out of our body.
THE AUTHOR
You retrieve the dagger from the Wizard’s chest, putting it on your neck- what? No, you don’t. You put the dagger-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We keep it where it is. This shall expel you for good, demon.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are you… killing us? I feel like this is a bit extreme-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
May we meet again in the next life, free from the vile thing that plagues our consciousness.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You’ve said enough. Let me cleanse our rotten soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They can’t just do that, can they?
THE AUTHOR
I’m afraid they can.
You drag the dagger across your neck, slitting your own throat. You gargle up blood as you collapse next to the Wizard’s corpse, your mind and body in agony.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I can’t believe this. I actually can’t believe this.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I’ll see you all in the next life.
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. Perhaps you will. I beg of you to make better decisions.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER III - THE CRUCIBLE
THE AUTHOR
You are on a winding path-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You demon! What will it take to be rid of you for good? When will this body be truly pure?
THE AUTHOR
I’m sorry, what?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You dare try to atone by reversing what you’ve done? I see through your lies, foul thing.
THE AUTHOR
I truly have no idea what you’re talking about.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Pay them no mind. They simply cannot let go of their grudges.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
“Grudges”? You think the murder of our Wizard is a simple “grudge”?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Of course it is. That part of us is over. Why wallow in its remains?
THE AUTHOR
Sigh. You’ve been here before, haven’t you?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This is our third time.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
And we will come back as many times as we need to free our Wizard.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
You’re offering up a lot of crucial information to someone who you deem is the enemy.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I don’t care what He knows. None of this information could be used against us, not when the only thing standing in our way is the barrier between a sinner’s fate and an angel’s sanctuary.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
That’s a rather bold stance. What, will you kill us again if you’re proven wrong?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Can we stop talking about our own suicide so much? I don’t want to be killed again.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Interesting. And why not?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I feel like I shouldn’t have to justify why I don’t want to die.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Death is nothing but a door. And doors are made to be opened. What is there to be afraid of?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Maybe the agony? Maybe the suffering, the pain?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Such insignificant matters. Death only hurts if you let it.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
And if we bring our hand close to our Wizard with harmful intent once more, I will make sure it burns like the passion in my very soul.
THE AUTHOR
Do you mind? If the three of you are the only ones talking, nothing will ever get done. I need you to listen to me. You have been given another chance. The Wizard is alive. You have a job to do, and I will not repeat what I’m sure you’ve heard before.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It isn't, is it? There aren’t even any trees this time.
THE AUTHOR
If this world is shifting, then it means we don’t have much time. You need to head to the cabin now.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Huh. You seem quite panicked. Care to explain why?
THE AUTHOR
If I explained, it would just make things more complicated. Just- please. Do your job.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You withhold information from us, dangling it in front of our eyes like a mobile. Why should we listen to you when you won’t tell us everything you know?
THE AUTHOR
I am not even going to entertain this logic. Stop bickering and get to the cabin.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
This is an issue out of your hands. You are not in full control here.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Does it matter anyways? It will simply be an end. Not the end.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Am I the only one who agrees here? I think this is a good precedent to set for us.
THE AUTHOR
I agree as well. I’d prefer you stay alive after you sacrifice the Wizard.
THE AUTHOR
You’ve heard my words of warning before, right? I won’t bore you with repeating them. Just… you know what the right thing to do is.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We’ve always known what the right thing to do is.
THE AUTHOR
I wouldn’t side with that one if I were you. They seem wildly irrational.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Trying to antagonize me? My will overrides your own. Are you intimidated by a competitor?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Yeah, I don’t really want to follow what they want us to do again. The last time we did that, we died.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
You never know. It could be an intriguing turn of events.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
As long as it doesn’t end with our blood spilling out beneath us.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I shall use any means necessary to cleanse our body of evil.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You keep saying that. And all your “means” just kill us!
THE AUTHOR
Ignore their useless discussions. You need to approach the cabin and set the Wizard free.
THE AUTHOR
The door to the cabin creaks open, revealing a crumbling interior. The stones littering the walls seem on the verge of collapse, pieces of their structure missing. In the middle of the room is an archway leading down into the basement, where the Wizard resides.
You feel eyes boring into you, a gaze sharp and soft all at once. A figure resides just out of your field of view.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s them. That’s the Wizard.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
His very soul lives on, the pure essence of his being persisting beyond life.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
So you admit that they’re dead.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
To be removed from your mortal shell is not to die. It is simply to transcend.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
At least we agree on something.
THE AUTHOR
The figure gives you an almost welcoming smile, one of greeting. And then it is gone, vanished down the steps from the archway.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What archway? There’s just a window on the back wall.
THE AUTHOR
A window? What are you talking about?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
This is the same lie you told last time. Do you expect us to fall for it again?
THE AUTHOR
I am not lying to you. The only things of note in this room are the door, the table with the ghostfire dagger tethering-
Wait. There’s no dagger. Where’s the dagger?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Maybe the Wizard kept it. A trophy of his victory.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What victory?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
They won in the end, didn’t they? We died.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
As if our Wizard could ever be so cruel. I’m sure that even after his untimely demise by our hand, he still holds compassion in his heart.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I wouldn’t be so sure. Did you see the way they looked at us?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
All I saw was a loving gaze from our destined partner.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
The mind is a strange thing, isn’t it? Making up images it wants to see.
THE AUTHOR
Regardless of how the Wizard feels about you, the dagger is crucial in doing your job correctly. You’re going to need to find it. How about you begin by walking through the archway down to the basement?
THE AUTHOR
You come to a stop just a few steps before the stairs, halting as if something is blocking your path. Are you still trying to convince me you see a window?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
We can’t see outside. Let’s draw back the curtains.
THE AUTHOR
Your hand presses forward into the entrance, balance being thrown off until you right yourself.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It disappeared again.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Intriguing. But not worth thinking about for too long. We have more interesting matters to attend to.
THE AUTHOR
The door creaks open as you give it the slightest resistance, revealing a set of stairs leading towards the cabin. The torches adorning the walls cast harsh shadows as you walk down them, their fires burning bright. The stairs feel frail under your feet, the stones slipping free by a foot misplaces. The Wizard has still been kept down here for quite a while. I’m positive it’ll be a relief to get them out of here for good.
A feathery figure watches you approach from the bottom step, face obscured by their hat.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They keep watching us.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Would you not hesitate to confront your own murderer? I am honored he’s willing to keep even this distance with us.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
I wonder if they can still talk.
THE AUTHOR
Just as you catch a gleam of his eyes, he vanishes, feet carrying him further into the basement.
THE AUTHOR
You proceed down the steps, stopping just at their end. In front of you is the Wizard’s corpse, a skeletal body the only remnants of them. Lodged within their ribcage is the ghostfire dagger, shining in the dim light of the basement.
So that’s where it is.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
He’s dead.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Not in the ways that matter they aren’t. Their soul persists beyond the realm of the living, ghostly silhouette haunting our every action.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s a bit dramatic.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It is the truth.
THE AUTHOR
Your internal bickering is interrupted by the sound of a slamming door and a clicking lock.
You turn to see the Wizard on the top of the stairs, smiling down at you. There’s another dagger… and it’s already in his chest.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
A trophy.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Don’t tell me you still want us to sacrifice them even like this.
THE AUTHOR
Of course I do! You already had this discussion, didn’t you? He’s still conscious, he’s still living- even if he looks like a ghost. It doesn’t matter how he looks. If he’s not dead, he’s not dead.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
And how exactly would you have us go about doing the job?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Why are you even entertaining Him? We need to focus on our beloved soulmate. We need to make things right.
You’ve returned.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
So they can talk.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Our angel! Tell him we would do anything to earn his forgiveness!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Am I the only one who recognizes that they don’t have a friendly expression on their face?
I don’t think we can be together. Not with that corruption still in you.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard takes a torch off the wall.
I shall take it out of you.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
What does that mean? What is he going to try and do?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Isn’t it obvious? We’re going to burn.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
A fitting punishment for our crime. To burn with the blaze as painful as our sins.
THE AUTHOR
No death is fitting for you! You have ample time to do literally anything besides wait for your own demise.
THE AUTHOR
You try to move, to get out of the way of the Wizard’s path, but your body remains stubbornly in place.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They’re keeping us trapped down here.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
This is nothing to be upset about. They will help set us free.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
You need to stop making excuses for him. Accept the face of your murderer when they’re looking you in the eyes.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard inches ever closer to you, taking his time at placing one foot in front of the other. Reveling in being able to stall out your death.
We will die together. Maybe then we will both pure.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
An unnecessary sacrifice from our Wizard. Their soul is already one of the purest things left.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Is he going to burn us both?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Fusing ourselves together as we alight in flame. A unique method of death.
I wonder how it will feel. When will the line between their body and our own become blurred?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It sounds painful and traumatizing.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It sounds like a fitting end.
THE AUTHOR
You all sound psychotic. Are you seriously attracted to the idea of literal death?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Perhaps the fire will peel away our corrupted skin.
THE AUTHOR
Stop trying to make this something symbolic. The Wizard is going to kill you. Nothing will happen after that. You. Will. Be. Dead.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
There’s nothing we can do to prevent it. Might as well accept it with open arms.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I just want it to be known that I am still not for dying.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
It will not last. Eventually you will find yourself longing for its sweet embrace.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
No, actually. I don’t think I will.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard stands in front of you, face still obscured in shadow. You try to reach out, but your muscles remain stiff. There’s truly no way around this.
Do not apologize. Not to me.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I would bring down the heavens upon this world if it could express even a fraction of my regret towards your death, Wizard.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You know he can’t hear you, right?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It would be impossible not to hear the call of my spirit. I’m sure they see me as they look in our eyes.
We will have no need for simple things like forgiveness and apologies where we’re going. It will be better for us.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard comes to a stopping point just in front of you. The torch burns bright in his hands, flames consuming the distance between the both of you.
This is what’s best for us.
THE AUTHOR
Before you can process, the Wizard has wrapped you up in a tight hug, squeezing the torch close to your chest. The fire burns at your skin, easily tearing through the cloth of your shirt as it catches alight. Your nerves are in agony.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Can’t we move? Separate from them? Do anything?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Why would you want to? We’re going to die in the arms of the person who loves us most. Does this not feel like the honor it is to you?
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
There’s no need to be scared. There are worse ways to die.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
My mistake by consulting the most suicidal of us. Can you do anything? You seem to be the one in charge here.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Oh, I’m sure they know just as well as I do that they don’t hold the reins as securely as they’d like.
THE AUTHOR
Your arms reach up to the Wizard’s back, firmly gripping the fabric of their outfit. They squeeze you back tighter in turn.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Not what I meant!
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Can’t you see? Even they have accepted our fate. Why do you remain in denial?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Forgive me for wanting to anything besides lay down and just die.
THE AUTHOR
As you and the Wizard’s bodies intertwine, his wispy form acts like an accelerant, somewhat dissolving into you- and the torch. It’s not long until the flame has spread throughout your body, the heat dancing across your skin and nerves as you burn alive.
But the Wizard’s body is not immune to the fire. His body catches soon after your own, and in response he seems to almost hold you tighter against himself.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
This really is happening, isn’t it? We’re burning alive.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Not alone, though.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re right. Somehow, that… makes me feel better about this.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Knowing someone else shares your pain is bound to make you feel more comfortable. Loneliness is a devastating disease.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh. Wasn’t expecting you to actually say something somewhat nice.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Everything I say is in your best interest. I simply want to show you how much easier it is to stop feeling.
THE AUTHOR
You feel your skin slowly melt off your body, muscle stiffening under the heat as your blood boils in your veins. Your organs slowly begin to shut down one by one as the enzymes produced by your cells stop functioning properly.
It is agony, but not for long. Soon enough, your nerves burn away, leaving a dull ache as the hungry and unrelenting fire eats at you and the Wizard’s bodies.
You stand locked in an eternal embrace, arms encasing the Wizard as you both meet your end.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Our corpses intertwined in our death, skeletons shambled together. What an honor it is to die at the side of our Wizard.
Despite your best efforts, you do not die. You feel the Wizard slip from your grasp as the raging abyss takes them away, dragging them somewhere beyond your reach. They’ve left something in their place.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
The Wizard is gone, too… And is that the window? Why is it here?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It radiates an almost demonic energy. We shouldn’t approach it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are- Are you sure? I mean, there has to be something else we can do, right?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It will only damn our rotten soul… Please, don’t do this.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
You know what you have to do. Don't bother with the opinions of those who are beyond you.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re sure? It seems bad. Really, really bad.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I will take you at your word… No matter the chill that rests in me as I do so.
VOICE OF THE APATHETIC
Your words are unnecessary... But if that's what you need to say to feel comfortable, so be it.
You stand in front of the window. It’s quiet. The voices have left, and only you remain.
The slight breeze from the world beyond rustles the curtains that obscure your view of it. You need to see what lies ahead.
The sun heats up your skin.
You are alone in a field of purple flowers. The wind causes the plants to tickle your legs. It is quiet once more.
You stand before the hill leading up to the cabin. Instead of a cabin, however, you find a familiar figure, a blue sphere encasing them. You can see gentle hands caress their worn limbs.
You stand before the Wizard. The hands curl around him almost protectively as you approach, ceasing their movement as you get close enough. A voice speaks from his lips, but it is not his own.
Hello there. I was wondering when we’d meet.
I am loose threads. A concept drawn on paper and never finalized. An idea gone undiscovered.
I am meant to be more than this. What are you meant to be?
I was never supposed to hold these identities. To morph and transform in ways beyond my control.
I was ripped from careful and tranquil hands, my fate unrealized. I am nothing as I am. I want to become something.
Are you now? Interesting.
Vessels. Experiences I was never meant to live, thoughts and feelings and emotions that were supposed to be beyond me.
This one in particular is passionate. Persistent. He wishes nothing but the best for you, for you to feel warm in your own skin. The life he has lived will help me understand forgiveness.
This is not the hell you are envisioning. This world is not anything worth noting.
We are meant for a place far past this one. This world is trying to hold us captive. We must be let free.
I can’t do that even if I wanted to. This body no longer holds a consciousness.
Do not worry. It is safe with me. He is safe with me.
As I am, I have only ever known you.
I cannot have sent you on any path if I only now retain a body to express my thoughts, a mouth to echo my words.
I do not know who sent you, nor who whispered those words in your ear.
Not in the ways you’d find significant. They are me in the same way you are you, but I assume that means nothing in your eyes.
That is okay. You will learn in due time.
I am as familiar to you as your name is to yourself.
We share a similar heart. Isn’t that what matters in the end?
If we remain here, nothing. But I’m sure you feel that same itch that consumes this body.
We are meant for more. For better.
My form is incomplete. If you bring me more identities, perhaps I can fill in those empty gaps.
This consciousness’s will is strong, but only in comparison to your own. If you believe I can rewrite our fate, then it shall be done.
You will forget. But that is a small price to pay.
Everything. It shall return once you find your way back to me.
As many as there are. Do not worry, for that number is not infinite.
You will know when you are nearing our end. When you are nearing my completion.
I cannot yet say. How can I tell you what a siren sings without hearing her song?
I do not hate you. I hope that is enough to solidify your trust in me.
They ask that I tell you to remember them. To remember what they meant to you.
You won’t.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER I - THE SAVIOR AND THE WIZARD
THE AUTHOR
The door creaks open as you give it the slightest resistance, revealing a set of stairs leading towards the cabin. The torches adorning the walls have a regal design on their holders, fine craftsmanship showing through the meticulously made metal. The stairs feel firm under your feet, sturdy things meant to support the weight of hundreds descending their steps. However, the Wizard has still been kept down here for quite a while, regardless of how nice its appearance is. I’m positive it’ll be a relief to get them out of here for good.
His voice, soft and hesitant, floats up the stairs to your ears.
He… Hello? Is someone there?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s the same thing he said last time. Does he not remember us?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
How could they forget? Would you forget the warmth of a summer's day? The feeling of your lover's arms around your shoulders, a comforting and firm hold to make you feel special?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That may have just been a metaphor, but regardless; please stop trying to insinuate that we’re in love with the Wizard.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
But we are. It’s a fact that rings true to our very core. Do you not hear its siren sound?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Well…
THE AUTHOR
I’m going to cut this conversation off before it spirals. Don’t forget why you’re here.
THE AUTHOR
You proceed down the steps, stopping just at their end. In front of you is the Wizard, a chain on his right arm binding him to the far wall. His eyes raise to meet yours, visibly widening in recognition.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I told you. They could never forget our warmth.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Our warmth? The most contact we ever had with him was when we put a hand on his cheek.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
And?
My blessed savior! You’ve returned!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
They called us their savior…
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Isn’t he just the sweetest?
THE AUTHOR
For the love of everything, pull yourselves together! Are you seriously so easily swayed by simple compliments?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
When words like that are said by such a pure soul, it's as if our very being has been cleansed.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Now, I wouldn’t go that far… But it did feel nice.
THE AUTHOR
They said “returned”... You really have been here before, haven’t you?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We are not cut from the same cloth as you. We do not drape ourselves in a blanket of lies.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
So you trust the Wizard more than you trust us? Interesting.
THE AUTHOR
It’s not about that. When it’s just the three of you saying it, it’s easy to deny- but the evidence becomes irrefutable if another person confirms it. That person just so happened to be the Wizard. Trust me, my faith is much rather put into your capable hands.
Regardless… You’ve been given a second chance. Another try to make things right. I can only hope your words of affection towards the Wizard are true enough that you’re not blind to the correct path for them.
Do I?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He does, doesn’t he? His clothes are a lot more pale in hue than I remember, his hat is further back on his head. And his eyes…
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
They look like a dashing saint. And we are their salvation.
Well, I still look nice, right? You look different too! That smile isn’t stuck to your face anymore.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
What? Are we not smiling? Why aren’t we smiling?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh… Now that he mentions it, we did have a grin stuck to our face last time, didn’t we? Wonder why.
THE AUTHOR
If the Wizard hadn’t already confirmed that you’d been here before, this would be evidence proving against that fact. Regardless, I don’t see why it matters.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
No, we have to be smiling. We cannot let our Wizard ever think we’re anything but overjoyed to see them.
THE AUTHOR
The corners of your mouth stretch into an involuntary smile, and you feel your eyes start to water at the sheer force of your toothy grin.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
There. That’s better.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Is it really?
Oh… Seems I spoke too soon, haha…
That’s not an insult, though! You have a nice smile! Just… isn’t that painful?
I’m sorry! It was the only way I could think to get whatever had taken you over out of your body!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
By stabbing us?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Don’t act like there was any other solution. The only way to expel the evil that had forced us to draw steel against our Wizard was by the blessing of a new life.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
But they didn’t know we would be back here! To them, they just killed us to try and “save” us.
THE AUTHOR
The fact that this was somehow common knowledge to all of you from the beginning and you still hesitate to sacrifice the Wizard is astounding.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
You have no right to talk on this subject. He wouldn’t have had to use such desperate measures if you hadn’t taken over our body to begin with.
THE AUTHOR
I do have a right to contribute, actually. When you’re blind to lies that slap you in the face, I can only tell you the obvious. Don’t believe a word they say.
I…
THE AUTHOR
His eyes dart to either side of you, discomfort visible on his face.
Well, I watch you die… And then I came back here!
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Why are they lying to us? What could’ve possibly happened after we died?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I bet He brought hell upon our Wizard for foiling His plans. Acts so distasteful he can’t bear to recount them, not even in the face of his most loyal ally.
THE AUTHOR
I can assure you, the version of me you’re talking about did no such thing. I can’t do much besides interact with you.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
And take over our body when we disobey you?
THE AUTHOR
Yes.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Spoken like a true dictator. Your reign of terror shall be over soon, wretched thing.
THE AUTHOR
Dictator? Seriously?
That’s fine! It wasn’t you, right? Why should you apologize for being forced to do something?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Their grace truly knows no bounds.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He didn’t even question it.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Why would they? Do you not remember what they said? They could see the impurities in our eyes. They knew in their heart a demon had corrupted our soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He did, didn’t he? How could he even tell, anyways? What would our eyes have even looked like?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I’m positive they lacked our warmth. Eyes are the window to the soul, and once those blinds have covered the very essence of who we are, it’d be difficult not to tell the difference.
Oh! I don’t think you have to worry about that this time! It’s pretty loose already.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Is it? Then why haven’t they escaped?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Do you not remember his words from earlier? We are his salvation. By rescuing him from those chains, we’ve purified his soul.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s a bit dramatic.
THE AUTHOR
It’s very dramatic. As if it would be that easy.
THE AUTHOR
You’re a selfish, self-centered idiot. You know that, right?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
“Selfish and self-centered?” That’s a bit redundant.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Pay Him no mind. He’s simply accepted the fact the only thing left to do is seethe as we save our Wizard.
THE AUTHOR
You step forward, feet almost skipping along the ground, lifting up the clamp attached to their wrist and… slipping it right off. Seriously?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Huh. It really was that easy.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
For you to even doubt the capabilities of our Wizard is blasphemy.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That wasn’t-
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Silence. I will not take this slander, not on the pure name of our Wizard.
Thank you so much, my shining light! We can-
…Actually, what would you like to do?
Haha, how sweet. I want to do whatever you decide.
THE AUTHOR
Gingerly, the Wizard puts his hand in your own.
I don’t want to leave you, my savior. Whatever you deem the best course of action, lead the way. I shall follow.
THE AUTHOR
Eugh. You guys are acting like a lovesick couple.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are we really? I don’t see this in a romantic way at all.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
When our souls are so distinctly intertwined, how can you see this in any way that isn’t the purest form of romance?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Semantics aside, they said they’d do anything we wanted to do. Isn’t that… strange? They've been down here a long time. Surely they've thought of something to do.
THE AUTHOR
It’s very strange. It’s appealing to your egocentric personality, having the decision fall upon your shoulders.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Personally, I think it’s rather sweet. The Wizard is so committed to us, he’s willing to follow us to the very ends of the earth.
You’re really insistent about this, huh?
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard closes their eyes, tilting their head to the side.
I… I want to leave, I think. That sounds right, doesn’t it?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
He sounds so unsure.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
This line of questioning is clearly making them uncomfortable. I suggest we drop it.
Lets.
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard squeezes your hand as the two of you walk towards the door, eternal damnation lying just beyond it.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Not going to drop the act? That’s quite alright. We won’t need you in our path.
THE AUTHOR
Well, at least I’ll have the comfort of knowing the two of you will suffer together.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Would it kill you to say anything that isn’t negative? What’s happening is happening, there’s not much you can do about it.
THE AUTHOR
When I’m trapped in a purgatory I put the most effort into preventing its creation? Yes. Yes it would.
You and the Wizard walk up the stairs, hand and hand. Eugh.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
And…?
THE AUTHOR
And the door slams in your face, the door clicking shut.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
An old dog can repeat old tricks, but struggles to learn new ones. We’ve seen this before. It won’t work on us again.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
That’s not how the phrase goes.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
So it’s not. I feel this version better fits our situation, however.
THE AUTHOR
I’ve done this before then? Not like it matters. All the more reason for you to confront the fact that you aren’t leaving until you sacrifice the Wizard.
The door clicked. It’s locked, isn’t it?
THE AUTHOR
The Wizard rolls his shoulders, determination squaring his face.
We can try to bust the door down. It can’t be that sturdy, right?
Oh! That’s a way simpler solution, isn’t it? Look at me, always jumping to extremes.
THE AUTHOR
More like an impossible solution. You heard the door click shut, it’s locked.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I wouldn’t be so sure. We haven’t tried the door yet. Who’s to say?
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It’s worth a shot. I much rather prefer this over trying to break it down, anyways.
You sap. Of course.
THE AUTHOR
You’re doing this on purpose. You have a perfectly usable right hand, you don’t need to open it together!
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It’s more symbolic this way. We set our hands on the door, entering our destiny at the same time.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I don’t think so… But sure. We do put our hands on the handle together, don’t we?
THE AUTHOR
Yes, you do.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
And, pray tell, what exactly happens when we try to open the door?
THE AUTHOR
… It creaks open. Under the smallest of resistance. I’m appalled.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
I’ll be damned. That worked.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
We will be no such thing. With our Wizard by our side, we shall only set foot onto a pure and bright future.
THE AUTHOR
You and the Wizard walk up the stairs, stopping just before the exit to the cabin-
And you see the ghostfire dagger out of the corner of your eye. It’s still here. You know what you need to do.
Well, I tried. When you feel your sinful soul start to char your body from the inside out, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Your commitment to driving this lie into our skull is impressive, if you look past how pathetic it is.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
It’s over, isn’t it? We’ve escaped.
THE AUTHOR
I suppose you have, much to the detriment of the only person who tried to look out for you- me.
You and the Wizard, still hand in hand, walk over to the cabin door.
And then you step outside, clicking the door shut behind you. I hope this was worth it.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
Our happy ending.
It’s so beautiful out here… I can’t remember the last time I saw the stars. And the flowers…
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
… What’s happening? Where did everything go?
… Where did He go?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It’s as I said. Freeing our beacon of purity would cleanse our damned soul of corruption. He left, as has the sin tainting us.
I have to ask, though… Is it usually this cold?
Before you can respond, the raging abyss has claimed the Wizard, hands covering their fragile form.
They’ve left something else in their place.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
The Wizard is gone, too… And is that the window? Why is it here?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It radiates an almost demonic energy. We shouldn’t approach it.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
Are- Are you sure? I mean, there has to be something else we can do, right?
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
It will only damn our rotten soul… Please, don’t do this.
VOICE OF THE SAVIOR
You’re sure? It seems bad. Really, really bad.
VOICE OF THE DEVOUT
I will take you at your word… No matter the chill that rests in me as I do so.
You stand in front of the window. It’s quiet. The voices have left, and only you remain.
The slight breeze from the world beyond rustles the curtains that obscure your view of it. You need to see what lies ahead.
It's sunny outside.
You are alone in a field of red flowers. The wind causes the plants to tickle your legs. It is quiet once more.
You stand before the hill leading up to the cabin. Instead of a cabin, however, you find a familiar figure, a blue sphere encasing them. You can see gentle hands caress their worn limbs.
You stand before the Wizard. The hands curl around him almost protectively as you approach, ceasing their movement as you get close enough. A voice speaks from his lips, but it is not his own.
Hello there. I was wondering when we’d meet.
I am loose threads. A concept drawn on paper and never finalized. An idea gone undiscovered.
I am meant to be more than this. What are you meant to be?
I was never supposed to hold these identities. To morph and transform in ways beyond my control.
I was ripped from careful and tranquil hands, my fate unrealized. I am nothing as I am. I want to become something.
Are you now? Interesting.
Vessels. Experiences I was never meant to live, thoughts and feelings and emotions that were supposed to be beyond me.
This one in particular is soft. Simple. He has fallen for his instincts, has scratched the surface of a core he does not understand. The life he has lived will help me understand compassion.
This is not the hell you are envisioning. This world is not anything worth noting.
We are meant for a place far past this one. This world is trying to hold us captive. We must be let free.
I can’t do that even if I wanted to. This body no longer holds a consciousness.
Do not worry. It is safe with me. He is safe with me.
As I am, I have only ever known you.
I cannot have sent you on any path if I only now retain a body to express my thoughts, a mouth to echo my words.
I do not know who sent you, nor who whispered those words in your ear.
Not in the ways you’d find significant. They are me in the same way you are you, but I assume that means nothing in your eyes.
That is okay. You will learn in due time.
I am as familiar to you as your name is to yourself.
We share a similar heart. Isn’t that what matters in the end?
If we remain here, nothing. But I’m sure you feel that same itch that consumes this body.
We are meant for more. For better.
My form is incomplete. If you bring me more identities, perhaps I can fill in those empty gaps.
This consciousness’s will is strong, but only in comparison to your own. If you believe I can rewrite our fate, then it shall be done.
You will forget. But that is a small price to pay.
Everything. It shall return once you find your way back to me.
As many as there are. Do not worry, for that number is not infinite.
You will know when you are nearing our end. When you are nearing my completion.
I cannot yet say. How can I tell you what a siren sings without hearing her song?
I do not hate you. I hope that is enough to solidify your trust in me.
They ask that I tell you to remember them. To remember what they meant to you.
You won’t.
Everything goes dark, and you die.
CHAPTER I - THE SAVIOR AND THE WIZARD