Work Text:
Chapter I
The Bard and The Storm
The Narrator
You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin.
And in the basement of that cabin is a bard.
The Narrator
You're here to slay them.
If you don't, it will be the end of the world.
-(Explore) The end of the
world, huh? What makes
you think the world's
gonna end?
The Narrator
I don't think that, I know that. The Bard is
not an entity you should take for granted, and if
you don't slay them, the world will end. Plain and simple.
-(Explore) It shouldn't
be THAT simple, right?
What did the Bard do to
get locked up in the
first place?
The Narrator
Who cares about that? Not me! The Bard doesn't need
a reason to end the world, they just do it.
-What are you
talking about???
The Narrator
Do you even listen to me when I talk?
The Narrator
Ugh. Whatever. Just go slay the Bard so I can
get up in the morning to an actual sky.
-[Proceed to the cabin.]
The Narrator
You make your way up the short path to the cabin. You'll find the Bard within.
Voice of the Prodigy
Are we seriously going through with this?
There's NO way that a silly bard poses a threat.
The Narrator
Ignore her. She doesn't know what she's talking about.
-[Proceed into the
cabin.]
The Narrator
The interior of the cabin is almost entirely bare. The air is stale and musty and
the floor and walls are painted in a fine layer of dust. The only furniture of
note is a plain wooden table. Perched on that table is a thunderous blade.
The Narrator
The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to do this right.
-(Explore) [Take the blade.]
-[Enter the basement.]
The Narrator
The door to the basement creaks open, revealing a staircase faintly illuminated
by an unseen light in the room below. This is an oppressive place. The air feels
heavy and damp, a hint of rot filtering from the ancient wood. If the Bard
really lives here, slaying them is probably doing them a favor.
The Narrator
Their voice softly carries up the stairs.
Hey! It's rude to not knock, y'know!
Voice of the Prodigy
Okay, that does NOT sound like a violent murderer.
They sound like a goofy, whimsical melodist, if anything.
The Narrator
Please don't let it fool you. It's just another part of the manipulation.
You're... playing a dangerous game coming here unarmed.
-"Hey, sooo... I'm supposed
to slay you, I think."
Oh, um... nice!
...You're just acting, right?
The Narrator
Congratulations on throwing the element of
surprise right out the window.
The Narrator
You walk down the stairs and lock eyes with the Bard. There's a heavy
chain around their wrist, binding them to the far wall of the basement.
Voice of the Prodigy
Huh...
Voice of the Prodigy
They even LOOK non-threatening.
Voice of the Prodigy
Are you sure they're threatening?
Because their goofy face is absolutely not threatening.
The Narrator
I am begging you to stay focused. There's a lot riding on you here!
Sooo, you aren't actually gonna
kill me, right? It would um...
really suck if you did!
Um... Why don't you try getting
me out of these chains instead?
-"Hold on. We should
talk a bit first...
Um...! If you want!
-(Explore) "Sorry to break
your stride, but I actually
wasn't joking when I said
that I was sent to slay you.
Apparently you're gonna end
the world or something."
Is... Is that why I was locked
down here? That- Why would they think
that?? I don't wanna destroy the world!
The world is so beautiful, and I don't
want to destroy such a beautiful thing!
I mean... I'm pretty sure I remember
it being beautiful...
I don't really remember all that
much about it... I've been locked
down here for quite some time.
Voice of the Prodigy
They bring up a good point. Exactly how long
have they been down here?
Did whoever sent you here tell
you how exactly I'm supposed to
end the world?
I'm pretty sure I don't have any
capacity to do something that
grandiose...
-(Deflect) "Uhh... What are
you gonna do if I let you
out of here?
The Narrator
The Bard hesitates for a long moment before responding.
Shrug!
Voice of the Prodigy
...Shrug?
Voice of the Prodigy
Basically, all I'm getting from this is that they've been down
here for so long that they can't even think of what to do when
they get free. I mean, that's what I can discern from
whatever 'shrug' means.
The Narrator
Nonono, they know exactly what they'd do.
They're just saying what they think you want to hear.
Does it even matter what I do?
You could think I'm lying no
matter what I say. I'm sure I'd
doubt me in your shoes.
But... why would the person who
sent you here to slay me not even
tell you why?
Maybe I'm not the liar here.
Maybe you feel the same.
Voice of the Prodigy
That's a fair point.
The Narrator
No! It's not!
Whoever locked me here must have
some weird vendetta against me if
they sent you here to slay me
without giving you a reason.
And I don't even know who that
person is!
Maybe they're an... um...
...Y'know, I was gonna give examples,
but then I remembered that I barely
remember anything from the world.
But, regardless, I have no idea
why anyone would think that I
would end the world... That's the
dream of someone who REALLY wants
to harm the world, not me!
If you don't know why you were sent
here, then why don't you bring that
up to the person that sent you
here? See what they have to say!
Rattle them for answers! Not me!
The Narrator
They're just trying to get into your head. Don't let it work. The Bard has
one goal! And that goal is exactly what I've already iterated to you
several times. Why trust them over me?
-"Why don't I just stay here
to keep you company? It's
risky to let you out, but I
could at least stay and give
you some peace of mind?"
Voice of the Prodigy
Awesome. We don't need to slay them and we can learn
more about what the heck's going on. I love loopholes.
The Narrator
The Bard's expression darkens.
...Maybe.
The Narrator
You're certainly walking on eggshells, aren't you? The Bard can't
be left alive like this! There is no loophole here!
Voice of the Prodigy
What do you mean this is a bad idea?
I'm gonna make my way out of this
basement eventually. Having your
help would be... nice.
The Narrator
You have to make a choice. And for the sake of the entire world; I hope it's the right one.
-[Lock them in the
basement.]
The Narrator
Wh- Huh?? This isn't a loophole, either! This won't fix anything.
Voice of the Prodigy
Well, at least it's better than killing them. As long as
we can keep a good eye on them, then the world will be
fiiiiiiiiine. Quit worrying.
What the heck- Where are you going??
You— You can't leave me here!! You
wouldn't! Right?
...Right?
The Narrator
You turn on the Bard and walk back up the stairs.
Hahahah, Fine! Whatever! Turn
your back on me! I'll get outta here
eventually!! No matter how long it
takes, I'll be free!! Freedom is
everything I could ever dream
of, and you're not taking it away
from me. You coward.
Voice of the Prodigy
There's no way they can get out, right? That's why they ask us for help.
The Narrator
This is just them showing their true nature, the reality of their corrupted
heart. You can still do your job! There's still time! You can grab
the blade and put an end to them before things get worse.
-"No... this is the best
option we have."
The Narrator
Riiiight. I'd say 'take the L', but it's really everyone's L.
The Narrator
You close the basement door and it latches shut with a gentle click. Not only do you
lock it, but you also throw the table that held the thunderous blade in front as a barricade.
Voice of the Prodigy
Cool.
The Narrator
You lean back and do a smooth victory pose.
The Narrator
It's not long before you settle against the far wall of the cabin to watch the door.
The Narrator
Though you fight it, exhaustion tugs at you and you have to
fight to stay awake. But sleep doesn't come. Instead, you hear a
cruel, quiet voice calling to you from the other side of the door.
I know you're still there. It would be
so much easier if you just let me out.
The door won't hold me forever. Even if it
did, it wouldn't stop me.
Voice of the Prodigy
That voice... it sounds... off. In a fake way. Like,
it sounds like something mimicking speech. Like...
a zombie, or some other weird thing you'd see in
a bad dream.
The Narrator
They pound on the door. You pretend to ignore it.
We could've been friends... we could've
worked together...
But whatever.
I suppose this will be
your swan song.
I'll kill you. I'll make sure that it
hurts.
...
Voice of the Prodigy
Okay, uhh...
The Narrator
Y'know, all this could've been avoided if you LISTENED TO ME???
Voice of the Prodigy
Yeaaaah, I'm... starting to get that now.
The Narrator
But it's too late now.
-(Cover your ears and try
to sleep.)
Voice of the Prodigy
Maybe it works like it does in movies. The monster is only
attracted to sound, so we should just... not give a response.
The Narrator
You ignore the Bard's threats and curl up against the wall, trying your best to get to sleep.
The Narrator
You awaken in the middle of the night. The incessant banging has stopped,
but not because the Bard gave up. The basement door is ajar and the table that
was blocking it has been thrown to the side.
Voice of the Prodigy
...Shit.
The Narrator
A shadowy figure floats in the doorway. Their eyes are glowing and
their face is blank. This is the Bard and you are doomed.
The Narrator
It doesn't speak. It doesn't so much as make a sound as you stumble to
your feet. Your heart thunders in your chest, louder and faster than
it should be possible. As it approaches, your body forces you to be still.
The Narrator
It's not all at once, nor is it quick. Your extremities grow heavy and numb,
the sensation slowly crawls its way up through your body. It's as if your blood is
no longer reaching those parts of you in spite of your rapid heart. You stumble to
the ground, body like lead, and watch helplessly and coldly as the Bard approaches.
Voice of the Prodigy
Do you REALLY have to explain everything in excruciating detail???
The Narrator
Yes. I do.
The Narrator
They approach, one silent step at a time. The Bard seems entirely unphased
by your state. You feel like you can't breathe, like your chest is going to burst.
The Narrator
With one final beat, your heart goes. It had already stopped
pushing blood through your veins. You have seconds left.
The Narrator
The Bard opens its mouth...
Voice of the Prodigy
Shouldn't we be already dead if the pulse just stopped?
The Narrator
And speaks.
The Narrator
Everything goes dark, and you die.
Chapter II
The Thriller
The Narrator
You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin.
And in the basement of that cabin is a bard.
The Narrator
You're here to slay them.
If you don't, it will be the end of the world.
-They're gonna kill us
again!
The Narrator
I assure you, as long as you play along, that the Bard will not kill you.
Voice of the Prodigy
Well, I'm not gonna be the one that tells her to connect the dots.
Voice of the Anxious
Shh! Stop talking! Stop! What if she hears us?
The Narrator
You're right, little voice. What if I hear you?
Voice of the Anxious
...Eya almighty, is nothing a secret to you??
Voice of the Prodigy
Apparently not.
The Narrator
Speaking of secrets, it's probably not the best idea to try to keep them from
me. It doesn't even matter anyway, cuz this is the first time we've met! and
I'm telling you that you gotta save the world.
-This already happened
once before! Why should we
try this again?
Voice of the Prodigy
Yeah, screw this. I'm not risking getting killed
again by some shadow bard.
The Narrator
Well... Apparently you've been here before. If you died, it's on you, cuz you
probably didn't listen what I told you to do. So if you listen this time,
then things will be smooth sailing! You'll slay the Bard and save the
entire world in just one fell swoop!
Voice of the Anxious
I'm not exactly sure I can trust that! We don't have a good reason to trust either of you.
The Narrator
...Regardless, trusting me is the safer option. You
have a chance to make things right. Don't waste it.
Voice of the Anxious
What are we making right? We didn't even do anything last time,
and they still killed us! If they can do that, how are
we supposed to even 'slay' them??
The Narrator
Because you can. It's every bit as easy and as
complex as that. Kill the singer, save the world.
-What's the point of
doing... ANY of this??
The Narrator
That's a dumb and dangerous question. If you really have been here before, that's exactly
why you should do... ANY of this. And don't make it seem like your actions
don't have consequences either, because if you died before this, you know
exactly what you did wrong, and now you know how to avoid it.
Voice of the Prodigy
Dunno about that one, chief. We literally died by doing nothing.
And now we're back here. And that whole thing answered as many questions
as we have... uhh... nevermind.
Voice of the Anxious
Was that supposed to be a joke...?
Voice of the Prodigy
Whatever, that's besides the point. There's clearly something we're missing.
Voice of the Anxious
Of course there's something we're missing! How could there not be? They made our
heart LITERALLY beat out of our chest! We didn't even have a chance to defend ourselves.
The Narrator
And that's just the tip of the iceberg! If you're here, then how did that happen?
Did time rewind, did you go 'somewhere else', what happened after you died?
The Narrator
Because I don't think the place you got here from had a happy ending. It's much
more likely that the Bard, free from their prison, ended the world! Like I said they would!
Voice of the Anxious
How are we supposed to stop them, then?! If they
ended the world, how can we kill them??
The Narrator
Because I know you can! You're the only one who can!
-[Proceed to the cabin.]
The Narrator
A warning, before you go any further...
The Narrator
They will lie, they will cheat, and they will do everything in their
power to stop you from slaying them. Don't believe a word they say.
Voice of the Prodigy
Will they, though? By the time they made us have a nuclear heart attack,
they didn't say anything.
Voice of the Anxious
At least... not until the end.
-[Proceed into the
cabin.]
The Narrator
The interior of the cabin is plain. The only notable feature at all is a wooden table, flung
to the corner of the room. A thunderous blade stands between you and the open basement.
The Narrator
The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you want to do this right.
Voice of the Prodigy
Um. I don't think it was this dark before. Unless you
have night vision, or something.
Voice of the Anxious
Wh-! Where's the door? The basement had a door before!
Voice of the Prodigy
Good point! How is the Bard SO STRONG that they're able to
break a door off its hinges?? ...TO THE POINT THAT THERE'S NO HINGES???
Voice of the Anxious
That means they're already free! That... that thing is out to
get us! It's ready for us! It feels like its eyes are everywhere!
Voice of the Prodigy
Can't wait for the powerscalers to have a field day with this...
The Narrator
The Bard isn't free! But standing here panicking won't help
anyone do anything! That's how you get yourself killed!
The Narrator
So take a deep breath! In... and out. And focus on what you have to do.
-(Explore) You didn't say
anything about the mirror
on the wall, though?
The Narrator
That's because... there isn't a mirror. There's a table, the dagger on the
ground, and the entrance to the basement. There's nothing else in here.
Voice of the Prodigy
Uhh... Nope, there's definitely a mirror.
The Narrator
There's not.
Voice of the Anxious
You know that lying about something obvious doesn't automatically make
me trust you, right? It's actually giving me the opposite effect.
The Narrator
The only thing obvious here is that there's NOT a mirror, and I'm NOT lying!
-Why would you lie
about that? What'd be
the point?
The Narrator
Exactly. Why would I lie about something so meaningless? What good would a mirror
even do? Let you waste time preening instead of doing what needs to be done?
-(Explore) [Approach
the mirror.]
The Narrator
You walk up to the wall next to the basement door.
It's a wall. It's not like there's very much to see here.
Voice of the Prodigy
Are you seriously getting your sick kicks from THIS??!?!?
-[Wipe the mirror
clean.]
The Narrator
You reach forward and rub your hand against the cabin wall. I hope you
know that you look stupid right now. You do. You look stupid right now.
Voice of the Prodigy
What the heck!!! It was literally right there!!!
Voice of the Anxious
And now it's not. I don't like this at all...
-(Explore) [Take the
blade.]
The Narrator
You reach down and pick up the blade. The weapon is strangely huge, as if you can't even
use one hand to hold it. This is a weapon that could slay anything, even the Bard.
Voice of the Anxious
Honestly, I feel like I'd rather have something lighter, like a shotgun... but then
I'd be freaked out by the sound of us shooting it... So... I suppose this'll do.
Voice of the Prodigy
Nonono, you've got a point. I feel like a shotgun is better to slay a
floating shadow bard with glowing eyes than a sword. ...Reminds me of those Resident Evil games...
The Narrator
Enough with the references already!! The thunderous blade is all you need.
Voice of the Prodigy
We need more distance!
Voice of the Anxious
I agree, we're practically dead now.
Voice of the Prodigy
Y'know, Courage, I wouldn't phrase it l- Actually, y'know what? Yeah, we're fucked.
-[Enter the basement.]
The Narrator
You pass through the doorway of the basement and are plunged into darkness.
There's no light here, not even from behind you. When you turn and look, the
cabin is still there, but none of its light filters into the basement. Despite this,
you know there is a flight of stairs in front of you. Beyond that,
you see nothing. Not even the walls.
Voice of the Anxious
It's everywhere. It's all of this, isn't it? It's all around us.
The Narrator
The air seeping up from below tastes of ash and an overwhelming orchard, as if the
world itself is trying to overwhelm your senses. The scent is strong enough that it
coats your tongue. If the Bard lives here, slaying them is probably doing them a favor!
The Narrator
You don't hear their voice, but you know they speak.
You're back.
I thought you'd be too scared.
Almost.
Voice of the Prodigy
...Well, that's freaky.
Voice of the Prodigy
Anybody got any bright ideas of what to do before our heart
gets nuked again? Cuz I got nothing.
-(Explore) We could...
throw the sword?
Voice of the Prodigy
Well that's stupid, but it might work. Any objections?
Voice of the Anxious
No, it's just stupid! We can't see a single thing around us! If we miss
the throw, we'll lose our weapon. And we don't have night vision, last time
I checked! And even if we could, what if it doesn't do anything?
The Narrator
It will.
-[Continue down the
stairs.]
The Narrator
Alright. You make your way to the bottom of the
stairs — at least what you assume is the bottom.
The Narrator
This place is much the same as before. There's no light here. All you can see
is your own body below you. The deep, dark expanse seems to stretch on
for an eternity. It's hard to tell where forward even is in this place.
Voice of the Anxious
There's nowhere for us to hide, nowhere to run.
They could be anywhere. There's no right move.
Voice of the Prodigy
All I'm concerned about is how this is even possible. I don't even
know where... anything is.
The Narrator
Anything is exactly where it needs to be.
Voice of the Anxious
I don't want to hear any of your stupid riddles!
The Narrator
It's not a riddle! Just the truth.
Voice of the Prodigy
And the truth is... this?? All I get from this is that everything's gone
darker! Darker than dark! And apparently this is normal to you??
Voice of the Anxious
That thing is going to find us if we don't do something. And
then it's going to kill us. Again. I-I don't want to die again.
The Narrator
If you keep saying that, you're only gonna make it happen faster!
Just move! Walk in a direction. Doesn't even matter which one!
Voice of the Prodigy
Gee, this is fun.
-[Go left.]
The Narrator
You go left.
The Narrator
You see it, barely an outline against the darkness. The Bard dons a wolflike
mask, a bright stain against the deep void. It doesn't speak, it just stands there.
The Narrator
As the Bard approaches, you feel your heart rate pick up.
It hammers in your chest, making you cry out in pain.
The Narrator
A deep numbness sets into your hegs. Your arms quickly follow.
Voice of the Prodigy
OHHH NO, we're not getting our heart nuked a second time! Courage! Think of something!
Voice of the Anxious
I'm trying, I'm trying!!!
The Narrator
They don't say a word, they don't even blink behind their mask. It just watches you.
The Narrator
How did this even happen? The Bard isn't supposed to be like this! What did you do?
Voice of the Prodigy
US??? We didn't do SHIT!!!
The Narrator
It takes another step forward and your vision abruptly cuts. All you can hear is the
pounding of your own heart as it struggles to pump blood that refuses to circulate.
The Narrator
Everything goes dark—
Voice of the Anxious
Heartstrings, come to me... Heartstrings, set me free...
The Narrator
—your heart stutters and then settles, your blood once again flowing through your veins.
Voice of the Prodigy
Heartstrings... Veins... Pretty clever, I gotta admit.
Voice of the Anxious
I appreciate the compliment, but I can't stop or else—
The Narrator
Your heart rate spikes once again, pulling you closer to death.
Voice of the Prodigy
Uhh- Fuck- Keep doing it.
Voice of the Anxious
Yeah, gotcha. Just... don't interrupt me.
The Narrator
Your heart stops.
Voice of the Prodigy
DO THE THING!!!
Voice of the Anxious
Heartstrings, come to me... Heartstrings, set me free...
The Narrator
Sensation returns as your heart once again starts to steady.
The Narrator
The Bard laughs. Not in their own voice, no, but in a crude imitation
of yours. When it speaks, the same is true. It uses your voice.
So, are you gonna die?
You keep slipping back and forth,
blinking in and out of existence.
Voice of the Prodigy
Is anyone else noticing that they're not attacking us?
The Narrator
Does it matter? It's speaking in your voice! You have a job to do! Don't forget!!!
Voice of the Prodigy
Well, I'm not saying that it's not speaking in our voice. ...Wait
a second, how is it even doing that?
The Narrator
I'm not sure that THAT'S the thing I'd focus on. Slay the Bard. That's your job.
The Narrator
You've still got a weapon, you still have your wits.
-(Explore) "You killed
me. What happened
after that?"
The Narrator
It doesn't speak, but the Bard cocks its head curiously. When it does, you're
struck with the strange impulse to cry. You get the sense that they aren't sure.
Voice of the Prodigy
It's not sure? Are you saying it did jack shit after it killed us?
The Narrator
The Bard takes a step back. After a long moment, it opens
its mouth. This time, what comes out is your voice.
Voice of the Prodigy
What do you mean, 'this time'??? They used our voice last time, too!
The cabin, this place, it won't let me
out on my own. I don't think I can
leave without you.
That's pretty lame, don'tcha think?
Why would I have to rely on someone
like you? You're not a hero, you're
hardly even an idea.
The Narrator
The impulse to cry returns. Your vision blurs with tears.
Voice of the Prodigy
Ohhhhh. They used MY voice. How the heck did it- Wh-
That's my voice they're using, how did they even do that??
The Narrator
Don't think too hard about it. Nothing good will happen if you do.
Voice of the Prodigy
I'm being a chronic overthinker right now. I can think about it as much as I want.
Voice of the Anxious
Well, you're not the only one.
The Narrator
I know you don't trust me, but at least pretend to for a second.
You're gonna get yourself dissolved if you overthink this.
Voice of the Prodigy
...
Voice of the Prodigy
Uhh...
Voice of the Prodigy
I mean, I don't trust you at all, but... sure. Whatever. I'll 'pretend'.
The Narrator
Thank you.
-(Explore) "You're going
to end the world if I let
you out."
No.
The Narrator
The Bard lets out a low hum, less like a vocalization and more like a
shifting in the void around you. It opens its mouth to speak.
I wouldn't really call it the world
'ending'. I don't want to end
the world.
The Narrator
You do not recognize this voice, though it is familiar.
I'd like to make the world mourn.
To fear and hurt. It deserves it,
the swan song I want to sing. I'd
like for the world to be crushed
beneath its own guilt. I want to
make it doubt itself.
Everything must mourn something,
or someone, eventually. I would
merely like to remind things of
that fact.
-(Explore) "What...
are you?"
Does that matter?
I'm not like you. Or like any
Other Thing.
What I am is in control. And you
aren't.
The Narrator
They step into your space and you can feel the beast of your heart pick
up despite the constant attempt to quell it. Your eyes sting with tears.
The Narrator
After a long moment, its masked face with glowing
eyes staring blankly into your own, it withdraws. You settle.
-(Explore) "Why won't
you kill me?"
The Narrator
They shift, their shadowy cape flowing around them like waves.
I can't. It won't let me. I need
you alive. At least for now.
-"...I give up! I give up.
There's no way to make
this end well. I'm not
letting you escape. I won't
kill you. Do your worst."
[Toss the blade and
remain in the
Thriller.]
The Narrator
I'm sorry, WHAT????? Are you crazy?! YOU!! Okay. You fling the thunderous
blade off into the endless inky void and throw away even
the idea of being able to finish this with it.
Voice of the Prodigy
I mean, they said it themself. They could easily kill us, but they can't. And they can't
leave without us, and the sword pretty much doesn't fit anywhere in this
equation. It's not a good option, but it's the best one we have.
The Narrator
This thing that wears a false face and speaks with stolen voices grabs your chin
in a shadowy hand, forcing you to watch it. Its face is mere inches from yours.
You weep, though you're not sure what for. It uses your voice, soft as death.
You poor, deluded thing. Do you
think a single moment of bravery
changes you into something you're
not? Do you think it shakes the
liar out of you? I am nothing but
a fractured perspective and you
are nothing but a coward.
The Narrator
Its free hand pulls back its mask. It doesn't feel real.
BUT IT IS.
YOU'RE A COWARD, A FAILURE.
YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE. YOU KNOW YOURSELF.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WISH THINGS WERE DIFFERENT, THEY WON'T BE.
YOU'RE A COWARD.
A COWARD.
The Narrator
You stare into emptiness as it cries out, voice a horrible cacophony of theirs
and yours and ones you wouldn't possibly recognize. It envelopes you.
The Narrator
Like a crawling vine, the complete reality of your existence threads its way
through your mind. Birth, death, rebirth. Decay and bloom. A million stitches
from a million microscopic wounds you've inflicted on everyone you've ever
met, every muscle you've moved, every word you've ever spoken.
Voice of the Prodigy
I... Th... One thing I sh...
YOU'RE NOTHING.
The Narrator
You do nothing but harm.
NOTHING.
The Narrator
A lonely soul, something that doesn't know itself. It lives, empty and scared, for
eighty years and then it's gone. And then it's there again. Forgetting. Pleading.
NOTHING.
The Narrator
Joy, forgiveness. A life full of fulfillment and love. It thinks that it
knows itself, it holds its head high and allows itself to revel in the
feeling. It fades, like a dissonant melody. Corrupting, only
held together by a song that no one has sung before.
NOTHING.
The Narrator
It forgets again. Everything it is, everything it was, could be. Love turns to rage and rage
to pity. The lonely soul is once again. Eya sings a swan song, for the soul to shatter into
pieces and be reborn again, into something unrecognizable.
NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING!!!
Voice of the Prodigy
WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!?!?
A dream that was once there is fading, and it wants to try to make a difference.
But it can't. Not right now.
Everything goes dark. You die, but your body lives on.
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter C
The Feeling of Fugue
The Narrator
You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin.
And in the basement of that cabin is a bard.
The Narrator
You're here to—
Voice of the Anxious
'Slay them.'
Voice of the Prodigy
'If you don't, it will be the end of the world.'
Voice of the Anxious.
...Fuck. What was that? What was— anything???
Everything just— How did this happen??? How did we happen???
Voice of the Detective
We can't think about it. If we try, it—
Voice of the Prodigy
Hurts. The hell did that bard do??
Voice of the Anxious
I don't know! It hurts to think about it, but why?
Voice of the Detective
Well, it's obvious that something's stopping us from thinking about it.
Voice of the Anxious
...Okay?
The Narrator
Wait a didididididididididididididi-DARN second! You shouldn't
know about the Bard yet! You shouldn't— Oh no, oh no...
You've been here before, haven't you?
Voice of the Prodigy
I... think?? It's hard to think straight when our head feels like it's gonna explode.
The Narrator
Well, regardless; I suppose you still have a job to do. Slay the Bard.
Voice of the Anxious
Slay them... we didn't do that. We decided not to?
Voice of the Detective
Indeed. We... didn't go through with it. We can't remember why. Why can't we remember why?
Voice of the Prodigy
What the hell?? Quit thinking before we have an even worse migraine!!
Voice of the Detective
If anything, that should make us want to investigate.
What happened to us, and why is our memory rejecting itself?
Voice of the Anxious
Can we investigate without thinking so
much?? We don't need questions, we need... answers.
The Narrator
Sooo... Since you've obviously been here before, I can only assume that last
time you didn't listen to me — despite my very simple instructions! There
is a Bard and you're suppose to slay them. It's actually EXTREMELY simple.
Voice of the Scammed
That's bullshit! We didn't even get a CHANCE to slay them cuz this bozo of a body
decided to- DAMMIT!! Fine, I'll shut up now.
The Narrator
I mean, if you do what you're told, you will be able to slay them.
Voice of the Scammed
I don't wanna be stuck feeling like I'm burning! I wanna kick
that Bard's ASS.
Voice of the Broken
You aren't supposed to, though. You're supposed to help it.
It's what it wants, anyway.
The Narrator
As if pulled by an invisible string, your body takes a lurching step forwards.
The Narrator
What did you do??? This isn't how it's supposed to be!
Voice of the Scammed
Yeah? How IS it supposed to be, dumbass?
The Narrator
Th-That's not— You're supposed to go to the cabin and slay them. That's it! That's all!
Voice of the Scammed
And that's not gonna end in our heart getting nuked? We're
not gonna get punked or something? Just a sword and stab them? That's it????
The Narrator
Yep. That's it.
Voice of the Scammed
THAT DIDN'T WORK ONCE, DUMBASS.
Voice of the Broken
That's because we aren't supposed to hurt it.
Voice of the Prodigy
I mean, it's not like we can, right?
The Narrator
Of course you can.
Voice of the Anxious
No. You don't understand. We can't.
The Narrator
Ugh. What a mess.
-(Explore) I can barely
think over this. What
happened?
Voice of the Detective
Nothing.
Voice of the Broken
Everything.
The Narrator
Does it matter? Clearly, they're all traumatized!
Voice of the Prodigy
We're obviously supposed to help them, right? Like. Right now.
Voice of the Broken
We should've helped them from the start!
Voice of the Rebel
It has mind tricks! Ones we can't really do much about.
Voice of the Anxious
Like with our heart. It's harder to drown it out each time...
Voice of the Broken
So we should free them. We have to. We have to.
Voice of the Rebel
Or we could kick our OWN ass so it doesn't have to!
The Narrator
Just how many worlds have you doomed thinking like that? This is bad. This is really,
really bad. I have no idea how things unraveled this far. They shouldn't have. Not like this.
Voice of the Frosty
Does it matter?
The Narrator
Of course it matters!!!
Voice of the Frosty
No. In the end, those words never meant anything
to us. It's like they never existed. It's easier...
Voice of the Frosty
To pretend they didn't. You're... supposed to be a narrator, right?
Shut out your emotions, look the other way. It's the simplest answer.
The Narrator
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?????? I may just be 'the narrator', but I also understand what the
heck is happening right now!!! The Bard ending countless worlds isn't something you can
just ignore. You're all a disorganized mess, you won't be able to get anything done like this.
Voice of the Frosty
That's why we should stop caring so much. We're scattered.
Voice of the Prodigy
We can't help anyone like this, let alone the Bard.
Voice of the Scammed
Well, I'm not giving up! They just keep killing us, and for what?!
Voice of the Infatuated
Because we love them!
Voice of the Scammed
NO!!!!!!!
Voice of the Infatuated
Of course we do! Why else would their cries for help only be centered
around us? We're meant to save them, that's the honest truth!
-(Explore) What if I
just... don't go to the
cabin this time?
Voice of the Detective
We tried that. It didn't work.
Voice of the Rebel
It worked so badly that the animal-like one became vegan.
Voice of the Hunted
Of course it didn't work. It sees all we do. Just running couldn't
possibly have meant escape. Not when it's always sucking us up like a storm.
The Narrator
At that, your body is once again jerked forward. It... ah. Oh dear. It
seems that the little voice is right. It really is sucking you up.
Voice of the Infatuated
Then that means that it wants us!! This is our chance,
to show them our bravado, our love~!
Voice of the Opportunist
Couldn't have said it better myself. Maybe the Bard's gonna pity us for finally coming around.
Voice of the Prodigy
Have we literally never tried to help it before???
Voice of the Rebel
Don't ask us! It all feels like a blur...
Voice of the Hunted
If we did, it didn't work.
Voice of the Infatuated
Oh, but maybe it'll work this time!
Voice of the Broken
Nothing is going to work. Not unless we help them.
The Narrator
You are running out of time before you are forced into action.
Voice of the Headstrong
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!
Voice of the Hunted
We all have.
Voice of the Headstrong
Now, let's not show weakness! It needs to see that we're COOL!
Voice of the Frosty
Yeah. Sure. Cool.
Voice of the Anxious
It's not like it'll matter. We can try, but it'll always get the better of us.
Voice of the Opportunity
Eya almighty, are we still arguing over what to do? I'm pretty
sure we all agreed to help them, right? ...I mean, I think.
Worst-case scenario is that it kills us again.
Voice of the Broken
And shatters us into even more pieces.
Voice of the Rebel
I would say that we could try throwing the sword out the window again
to assert dominance, but we already did that, I think!
Voice of the Scammed
Yeah, we're never listening to your suggestions again.
Voice of the Prodigy
I'm not sure I'll be able to take another one of these go-arounds.
Voice of the Infatuated
We have a duty to aid them when they're in peril! It needs us!
The Narrator
You pitch forward as a gust of wind knocks into you from behind. The trees
lining the path to the cabin bend and sway, almost as if urging you along.
-[Proceed to the cabin.]
The Narrator
You make your way to the cabin, urged by the world itself. Or at
least, you make your way to where a cabin should be. On the hill is
more... the vague idea of a cabin. This place is really falling apart, ain't it?
Voice of the Anxious
It's not like we're doing much better.
The Narrator
I assume you've already heard my warning?
Voice of the Prodigy
Pretty sure we have.
Voice of the Rebel
Not like we can stop you from repeating it, though.
Voice of the Hunted
It feels like everyday noises at this point.
Voice of the Opportunist
Wow, her nonchalantness is incredible... It's hard
to believe she's vegan.
Voice of the Hunted
Don't patronize me.
Voice of the Headstrong
Yes, my vegan friend! Let's not patronize any longer, and
tune out that spiel!
The Narrator
Wait, one of you is vegan?
Voice of the Hunted
Me.
The Narrator
Welllllll, disregarding thaaaaaat...
The Narrator
They will lie, they will cheat, and they will do everything in their
power to stop you from slaying them. Don't believe a word they say.
Voice of the Scammed
We can take it.
Voice of the Broken
We won't have to.
Voice of the Detective
Hm. The mirror's there.
Voice of the Prodigy
Don't ask her about it.
Voice of the Scammed
She always goes on some bullshit like, 'What mirror? There's not a mirror here!'
Voice of the Anxious
It's always a lie... I think.
Voice of the Prodigy
GAH!!
Voice of the Detective
It's gone. We were thinking something and now it's gone.
Voice of the Anxious
She keeps hiding it from us.
The Narrator
Stay focused! I know you're all scattered, I know you think you 'have to help
them', but you still have a job to do! Like it or not, you're here to slay them.
Voice of the Broken
It doesn't matter what She says. All that matters is what it wants.
Voice of the Frosty
'Wanting' doesn't mean anything. She's right. We should stay focused. Ignore...
Voice of the Frosty
Our wandering thoughts.
The Narrator
Exactly.
-[Proceed into the
cabin.]
The Narrator
You walk up the hill, hesitating just beyond the bounds of 'the cabin'.
Voice of the Detective
It looks like it's been hit by a storm.
Voice of the Anxious
Or something worse.
Voice of the Infatuated
Ah, the mirror. We may as well try to look. To clean
it, to just for once see what our reflection holds.
Voice of the Headstrong
We should smash it! One solid punch would do the trick.
Voice of the Broken
They're so close. We have to help it. It's the only way that it can help us.
Voice of the Anxious
It's the only way out of this.
Voice of the Hunted
Don't look at us, not when we're worse than prey.
Voice of the Rebel
Just ignore it!
Voice of the Frosty
It doesn't matter what we do. Just make a choice.
-[Make a choice.]
The Narrator
Huh? No. That's not how it works. You gotta at least say something.
Voice of the Prodigy
Vague. I like it. Ya think it'll work?
Voice of the Opportunist
Why wouldn't it? She's the one who makes the big decisions for a reason!
Voice of the Frosty
It has worked. The mirror is gone...
Voice of the Broken
It's so close...
The Narrator
There's not really much to say about 'the cabin'. It's as if the wind that blows through
the tattered structure was once a tornado. There's no furniture, no flooring, just
the vague idea of what once was. This was a cabin, once. Now it's... nothing.
The Narrator
The only object of note is a thunderous blade buried in the dirt.
You can just see the glint of its edge from where it's stuck.
The Narrator
The blade is your implement. You'll need it if you're going to do this right.
Voice of the Headstrong
Grab it. The only way out is through. N' stuff.
-[Take the blade.]
-[The only way out is
through.]
-[You've already tried
everything else.]
-[Don't you remember?]
-[You have to take the
blade.]
The Narrator
You reach down to take the blade, but as you do, the ground
beneath it shifts, the weapon sinking deep into the dirt.
The Narrator
You lean over the hole and gaze into the shadowy abyss. It's a long way down.
The Narrator
And then you see it. Reflected up at you from the depths, a stark and visceral hue of magenta.
Just seeing it coats your senses in static and the smell of an orchard. You are filled with dread.
The Narrator
And then, for a long moment, it is silent.
.
.
.
The Narrator
It opens its mouth...
The Narrator
And whimpers.
The Narrator
It is nothing you've ever heard before. It is worry and anger and hesitation. It's
a feeling as if dozens and dozens of voices are harmonizing into one, yet
and each voice feels dreadful frustration.
Why do you keep coming back?! Every
single time, I try to do something
different... Every single time,
yet the same thing happens every
time! I want to do something
to break the cycle, and I know
it's possible, because I know
ANYTHING is possible! We shouldn't
be stuck on the same path,
and yet... and yet...
The Narrator
The Bard smacks themself multiple times with what used to be their hands, before
trying to get its formless body out of the pit. One of its various arms that are
hard to discern clutches the thunderous blade. Somehow, it looks natural in its grasp.
I know it's possible! I KNOW
it can be done! But every single
time, you're brought back to me,
and then you die, and then...
GGGGAAHHHHHHH!!! IT
KEEPS HAPPENING!!! I WANT
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
TO HAPPEN!!!!!!
The Narrator
It shrieks, digging the blade into the earth for leverage.
I KNOW IT'S POSSIBLE.
The Narrator
The Bard's body heaves with effort. It's close enough to touch.
I KNOW it's possible,
because anything is possible!
I want things to change!!
I want to sing to the high
heavens about how much I
love life and all that it
gives me!!! And yet, this
stupid cycle bounds both
of us together!!
Go away!! Go away before it
happens again! I don't want
to see your face ever again!!!
The Narrator
The Bard trembles like it's not something immense.
...I want life.
The Narrator
The hand that holds the sword. It's close enough to grab. Take the blade and end this.
-[A song that has
never been sung.]
-[An endless cycle
neither party could
flee from.]
-[It cries, as you
realize...]
-[Isn't it worth it
to try?]
-[Take its hand.]
The Narrator
You extend your hand to it. You cannot see its face beyond its mask, but the visceral light in
its eyes flashes. Slowly, almost timidly, the Bard takes your hand. For all its past cruelties,
the moment feels... peaceful. Like everything changed forever. ...I can't
believe you made me say that. Dipshit.
...Um.
The Narrator
It's difficult at first, like something is still resisting
you, but you're persistent. You pull it from the earth.
The Narrator
The thunderous blade falls into the pit. The Bard looks at you, and then at
itself. It grasps at its mask, at its body, and melts into a calm, bright, formless slouch.
I've never felt
so alive.
But I've also never
felt so tired.
The Bard curls up next to you.
Do you feel that feeling,
too? It's so cold...
You do not get the chance to respond. Nor will you ever.
It's time to leave. Memory returns.
Voice of the Broken
It's gone.
Voice of the Detective
Hmm... I can actually hear myself think for once. ...Mostly.
Voice of the Prodigy
And the mirror's back.
Voice of the Headstrong
That's uhhh... weird, but cool. What does that mean for us?
Voice of the Scammed
Beats me.
Voice of the Hunted
Maybe. Things feel. Different, now.
Voice of the Anxious
They do.
Voice of the Rebel
I think the one voice that was vegan before isn't vegan now.
Voice of the Frosty
Being vegan or not...
Voice of the Frosty
Doesn't matter.
Voice of the Infatuated
We may as well try to preen ourselves one last time, right? Heheh.
Voice of the Prodigy
What the hell. Sure.
Voice of the Opportunist
Awesome! Let's look at that mirror!
-[Approach the mirror.]
Voice of the Prodigy
I think... something's gonna happen when we look in that
mirror. Are you sure you're gonna be okay without us?
-(Explore) I'll be
alright.
Voice of the Prodigy
...Okay.
Voice of the Prodigy
Thank you for staying with us.
-[Gaze into your
reflection.]
Silence as you reach forward. They're gone once again. The mirror
always makes them leave. But you need to see what's in it.
You are nothing at all.
But that isn't right. You can't be nothing. You refocus
your gaze and see them: four silhouettes, faint and
veiled in shadow, just beyond the reflection.
-(Explore) "What are
you?"
The Narrator
Hey now, you know what we are.
A crack slides down the mirror, splitting the
image in the glass in two.
Another crack forms, pulling the silhouettes into their own thirds.
And then another crack forms, and another, and another, and
another, turning the mirror into jagged shards of broken glass.
-(Explore) "I guess you're
the Narrators, then. I
certainly met a lot of
you fellas, huh?"
Narrator
'Narrator'. Yeah, I guess that probably does sum up our job n' stuff. You needed
guidance, y'know? An objective voice to guide your blade, a voice to connect
to, a voice to laugh with. You were never supposed to see us. I wonder how
many worlds you doomed to stasis to fall this far.
Crack.
-(Explore) "What even are
you guys? Are you
like me?
Narrator
No. We're not like you.
Narrator
We're... echoes. I'm sure there's more of us, the three of us are
basically a blip. People made you, and we're what's left. Every version
of us is, we're probably not the first you've met.
Crack.
-(Explore) "What do you
mean, 'every version of
us'? Was every Narrator
I've met different? They
acted pretty much the
same to me."
Narrator
What's THAT supposed to mean??? We're not the same, we're... um...
Narrator
...Sorry.
Narrator
Relax, kid. We're all a buncha screw-ups.
Narrator
This was both by necessity and design. The... construct you're in exists
in many places at once. If ever you failed or thought yourself dead, it'd
restart — throwing both of you and them into another world.
Narrator
But... soon, you'll wake up. And it can't work like that anymore when you do.
Crack.
-(Explore) "What was the
point of any of this?
Do you have anything to
say about all that
chicanery? Anything at all?"
Narrator
Chicanery? We don't chicane! We just... talk!
Narrator
I'd like for there to be a point. The people outside of this place are real. No matter what
you do to them, no matter what you leave to rot, I'd like you to remember that.
Crack.
-(Explore) After all that
crap you've done, why
would I try to do
anything? Does anyone
deserve this?!"
Narrator
It's not that easy. This wasn't something we decided to do on a whim, we wouldn't
doom anyone to silence if we didn't have a reason to. We were desperate.
Narrator
People as a whole have done nothing to you. If you want to punish all of humanity
because of our mistakes, then I guess there's no stoppin' you. But I'd like
to tell you, at least, to think about the weight of that choice.
Crack.
-(Explore) "What am I,
really?"
Narrator
You're the Long Quiet. A goddess that was supposed to stop the world
from stagnating by taking on the burden of silence for yourself.
Crack.
-(Explore) "Are you gods?
Were you?"
Narrator
Heh. I wish. No, in life we were all pretty much mortal. The world
was nearing its end and we were tasked with averting that fate.
Narrator
It was so gosh dang cold, ya hear me? It scared the bazoobles outta me!
And that's why we took matters into our own hands!
Narrator
I was so scared of death, of stillness. We all were, I think. So none of us could
just stand by as things ended. So many people, people that we loved, were
at risk. I couldn't just watch it all from a distance and do nothing...
Narrator
So, to combat the sheer quietness of it all, we sang. We sang, and we sang, and
we sang a song that had never once been sang before, until we
made you. And we made them. And this place to contain the both of you.
Crack.
-(Explore) "You do know
about the looping, then.
Why would you just treat
me like crap? Why did you
all lie?"
Narrator
Cuz well. Uhh. We didn't want you... figuring out some
stuff. Stuff that's super complicated and weird
and it would've made things MUCH harder.
That sorta stuff.
Narrator
Ooooor, we coulda just been in denial, cuz holy CANNOLI is it so
easy to lose track of stuff ya know!
Narrator
Ooooor, it was... just for convenience. Didn't wanna spoil
the surprise too early, hehe.
Narrator
Eh, best not to count your chicks before they hatch. Maybe
these fellas right here thought the construct worked differently
to how we understand it. But there's no way to know that now.
Can't bother with knowing right from wrong, up from down, left
from right, sideways from turnways, no crying over spilt milk.
Narrator
Eh, we're still right.
Narrator
...Yeah.
Narrator
Yup.
Crack.
Narrator
It won't be long until we're gone entirely. The Bard
is change, but they hold stagnation within them.
Narrator
And we made you to try to take that from them.
Narrator
But... It didn't work...
Narrator
What, ya think tryin' to extract stagnation from a god of change is easy?
Narrator
We might have failed, but... now you have all the tools you need to
let the world change by killing Change itself. Everything is over if
you let them live. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but please.
Narrator
This of this as your final quest. Slay them. Free
the world from the cold that seeps in from their edges.
Crack.
-(Explore) "What about
the Bard? What are
they? Did you make
them, too?"
Narrator
They are the Shifting Mound, The Writhing Symphony, the Capacity
to Change. They are Transformation, in some way or another.
Narrator
Birthing and dying and birthing again. But within them is the desire to stay the
same, despite the way they shift and writhe and become what people percieve
them to be. And echoes can't perceive. At least, not in the way people can.
Narrator
So... we um... We hid away in the Construct to guide you towards
your new goal. ...Sorry if it wasn't what you expected.
Crack.
-"I don't know what I'm
gonna do, yet. I'm sorry
I don't have a better
answer for you."
Narrator
Eh, as long as ya get the job done, it's fine.
Narrator
Well, we talked to you. Hope you have a good one,
cuz I think this is our cue.
Narrator
...I'm scared.
Narrator
Don't be. We're echoes. Echoes always fade away. It'll be okay. I promise.
Narrator
You know what you have to do.
As the final fragment of glass shatters, you see yourself
with newfound clarity.
The Narrators were right. You are the Long Quiet, a vast and
nascent goddess. And it is finally time for you to wake up. All
of this is you.
-[Proceed to the cabin
one last time.]
When you arrive at the core of it all, there is no final
vessel to bear witness to. There is nothing for you to find.
And then, suddenly, there is light. It bursts from what you are and
gives way to itself. Blinding and twisting and overwhelming in form.
I can finally see you, and you
can finally see me.
It has been so, so long. I've
been waiting thousands of
lifetimes for this moment. I
missed you.
-(Explore) "I missed you,
too."
They smile with each of their infinite faces, soft and reserved, and then
wait patiently for you to continue.
-(Explore) "Do you know
about the Echoes? Did you
hear us talk?"
Your words all eventually
found their way to me. I
know of them and their
Construct. They were blinded
by their fear of endings.
Don't worry about the four
of them.
-(Explore) "I'm the Long
Quiet. But to be honest, I
don't really know what
that means."
People give names to that which
they don't understand. They
call me the Writhing Symphony;
the Shifting Mound. They're
all just epithets, just people
trying to understand.
-"What happens now?"
That is the question. I guess
your role is a passive one by
nature, isn't it? Built for
stasis.
When the Echoes broke us into
our roles, they gave you a choice
and me a given path to follow.
I’m not death, not silence, but
I contain them in my multitudes.
So now you face that choice head
on. Will you attempt to destroy
me, to let things change by
killing change? Or will you open
your eyes, let us escape into our
liberation?
-(Explore) "There are so
many stories that we've
left unfinished. Is it
really fair for us to just
leave?"
Even as you begin to awaken, you
still hold onto messy things like
'is' and 'is not', 'beginning' and
'end'. This is not that kind of
story. There's nothing to resolve,
nothing left restraining us but us.
-(Explore) "Before
anything else, can we
just chill for a sec?
I still got a lot of
questions I wanna ask,
and I don't want to get
punked by something I
don't understand."
My very nature is paradox, as is
yours. You cannot use words to
grasp things that are beyond
their reach. And you can't
rationalize things that defy
logic.
But violence and passion are
dances that both of us know well.
We wear our masks with ease. If
this is what it takes for you to
reach your enlightenment, then
so be it.
The Writhing Symphony turns, eyes and eyes and eyes trained on you.
They grab for a vessel.
There are few things in this
existence that are more terrifying
than one's own heart, and there is
almost nothing more terrifying
than sharing it with another.
But the most terrifying thing of
all is suffering in silence, hate
festering until you can no longer
hold it back. You are the only
thing like me, and I am the only
thing like you.
Do you think you could bear the
burden of eternity on your own?
Do you dare shape a reality of
solitude and thrust it on creation?
Is that what you want to be?
-"I want to share my
heart with you."
But you already have in so many
ways! It is beautiful, strong and
tender. Just like the high note
of one's favorite song... When
the stars fall for one last time,
I dream for you to leave
with me.
They once again reach for a vessel.
What is a person? Is it their
body? Is it all of their body?
Pluck the eyes, peel the skin,
strip the tendons, mince the meat,
grind the bones. When it is all
gone, do you still have who you
started with?
-"All that matters
is what you do with
the body you're given."
When we hugged, When our bodies
both touched, It felt like our
souls touched, too. I want to
feel that feeling again.
They grab for a vessel.
A thought is a vine, and some
thoughts nurture vines that bleed
the soul. An endless growth that
tears at your vision and strangles
your trust.
When I gave into myself, you
patiently stood by and cut away
the choking vines that had
wormed their way into my skin.
Your compassion is what freed the
both of us, but compassion is a
thing that must be nurtured, it
must be earned, and you cannot
nurture things that can't change.
-"Of course I helped you.
I didn't want us to hurt
each other, I didn't want
to hate you."
Then help me again. We are each
other's liberation.
They reach out for a vessel with thousands of arms.
My masses mob you. There
is no beginning to them, nor
is there an end. There is
only the flood of bodies.
In every moment you hold
every possible sensation
at once, and then you hold
them all again.
And in the end, you
returned it to me, for a
brief moment, you were
everything.
A chaos that needed
ordering. But without
chaos, there is no reason.
-"I couldn't understand
you then, but I think I
understand you now."
You saw with a single pair
of eyes what you needed
dozens to comprehend.
And here we are, each
with millions of eyes and
all of them opening to what
we are.
They grab the final vessel you've witnessed. The first you experienced.
The one you love drives a stake
into your body. And another, and
another, and another. Do I miss
your heart because I can’t find
it, or because I can’t stand to
see it go?
Love melted into skepticism
melted into blind devotion. You
pulled back layer after layer
after layer until all you were
left with was the knowledge
that you did not really know me.
You reached for the truth, then.
Will you hide from it now that
it's within your grasp?
-"I don't want to hide
anymore, I'm tired of
being a coward. But I
can change this, make
this truth into
something better."
Then don't hide.
If you want to search for the
truth, then look to me. Perhaps
at the end of this all, there’s a
better world to build.
But you cannot know until you
see it. So... leave with me. Don't
fight what we are.
As the clash between you wanes, you begin to shake, your
will feeling like it's being sucked into a storm.
Are you starting to see?
Nothing is immutable, everything
that is only exists in relation to
everything that isn't.
Its chords call out to the will
of everything. There is no meaning,
there is no center.
Open your eyes and accept what
we are. We can become our own
conductors, leave this tale
behind.
-(Explore) "What do
you think is going to
happen if we leave?
The world dies. And a new
one is born. And that one dies.
Birthing and dying and birthing
again, while you and I get to
witness it all, writing a
ballad of life wherever we go.
-"I have to fight for a
better world, a better
ending. I'm sorry." [Slay
the Bard.]
Even now, you think there's a
chance for you to follow those
Echoes' contingency for you. Even
if it takes me all of eternity, I
will free you from that burden.
Voice of the Prodigy
Hey! You don't have to fight them alone!
-(Explore) "Which
'Prodigy' are you?"
Voice of the Prodigy
Uhh... All of them. In the same sorta way that you're all of you. I think.
-"Where are the rest of
them?"
Voice of the Prodigy
Right where you left them. Stuck in the pleats and folds of this place. There's
still a part of me with them, like how a part of me is here with you now.
Voice of the Prodigy
There's still a piece of me close to where this entire thing
started. I can take you there. I can take you to their heart.
We've reached the end of our
intermezzo.
Voice of the Prodigy
Yeesh, they really aren't holding back, huh? Let's do this
crap before they have any time to react! You ready?
-"I am."
Voice of the Prodigy
Then let's act.
The stairs. The Cabin. The path. The woods. The stairs. The Cabin. The path. The
woods. Repeating and changing and staying the same. Again and again and again.
You are at the cabin.
Voice of the Prodigy
Okay, we got it. I mean, it's not exactly where we
started, but we're pretty close, right? Just a lil bit further.
Voice of the Prodigy
...
Voice of the Prodigy
Okay, this is getting boring. I'm gonna start describing this place now.
-(Explore) "Yeah, I think
I'd like that, for old
times' sake."
Voice of the Prodigy
Appreciate the enthusiasm. But if you ever catch me tripping on my own tongue,
make sure to point that out. I'm not really good at describing stuff.
Voice of the Prodigy
How the heck did She do it? The interior of the cabin is... uhh. It's a cabin. It's a wood
cabin. There's a table, the sword, and a door. And a window on either side.
Voice of the Prodigy
Did She seriously never mention the windows???
Voice of the Prodigy
Also, there's no mirror. I think it broke.
Voice of the Prodigy
And... Eh, I don't think 'Prodigy' fits me all too much. I'm more of a
prodigy at... blowing stuff up. Do you think the sword can do
that? Doesn't matter, cuz we still probably need it this time.
-(Explore) "Are the
Narrators really gone?"
Voice of the Prodigy
Feels so surreal learning that there's multiple of them. But
they were all being pretty vague, weren't they?
Voice of the Prodigy
But also... yeah. It's dead quiet right now. Guess I know why they're called
'Echoes' now, cuz they're not coming back.
-(Explore) "It's weird.
Even after everything,
I'm a little sad to see
Her go. I think, if
things were different,
maybe we could've been
friends.
Voice of the Prodigy
Eh, you win some, you lose some.
-(Explore) [Take the
blade.]
Voice of the Prodigy
Alright, cool. We got the thing. Let's move.
-[Enter the basement.]
Voice of the Prodigy
Sooo... The stairs, am I right? ...You remember he first time
we were here? Y'know, the first time we heard their voice?
This is the end, isn't it? Or it will be
soon, at least. Before I go, let's talk
one last time. Just the two of us.
Voice of the Prodigy
Yeah, they certainly sounded a lot like that. Reserved and a little bit nervous.
But I think that's fair. They didn't know us yet.
-[Continue down the
stairs.]
Voice of the Prodigy
Goin' down. Best not to keep them waiting.
So... you're really gonna do
it, huh? You're gonna kill me?
You... um.... You know you don't
have to, right?
But, um...! If that's what you
decided, we should probably talk
first! We need some downtime,
y'know?
Voice of the Prodigy
Do they think this is a sports match?
-[Slay the Bard.]
-[Sit with them.]
-(Explore) "I don't want
to be a god."
I don't either. I'm happy being the
same way I started.
-(Explore) "Are you the
same as the you out
there?"
Um... No? I feel... smaller, I
suppose. More like 'me'. Not that
I really know what that means.
-(Explore) "I... I don't
want to hurt you. I don't
want to kill you. It was
easier with the thing
outside, it's less of
a person and more of
an... idea, I think.
But you're a person.
I don't want to do this
anymore."
Well, um...! Maybe you don't
have to!
-"But... the world ends if
I don't, right?"
It does. But... It won't be better if
you do, will it? How is eternity any
better than ice?
Eya almighty... I don't really...
talk like that, heheh.
But, um... we can think of
something, right? Maybe there
never has to be an ending at all.
I do whatever people believe I can,
right?
So, um...! If we can't figure it out
this time, make me make us go back.
Make me sing a new song, so we can
go back to the beginning. Make us
forget.
Maybe next time we'll do things
differently, figure out how to save
this world without dooming each
other.
Make me send us back.
Voice of the Prodigy
Can they do that? Do you want them to?
-(Explore) "Would
singing a new song
help the people out
there? If you exist,
don't they still
'freeze'? Don't they
still suffer?"
That's up to you, isn't it? If you
believe it will, then it will. I don't
want people to suffer because of
me. I don't want people to suffer
because I'm gone, either. I don't
know what to do.
-(Explore) "But... this
isn't fair! I don't wanna
be alone again. It's hard
to feel lonely. I want to
be with you, to be your
friend! I want to TRY to
be your friend, no matter
what!"
I don't wanna be lonely, either.
But... you won't be alone for long.
I'll be waiting for you. Always.
-(Explore) "If we're
talking about this plan
here, how do we know
we haven't done it
before? What if those
versions of us were just
as lost as we are now?
Maybe we can't ever
figure out a happy
ending."
You have a point. We could be doomed
to try again and again and never
come up with the best ending.
-(Explore) "But— I!!! !
I don't want to forget
you!"
I don't want to forget you, either.
I want to keep these memories! But...
every single time we're here, the
world is doomed. It's like we can't
do anything about our situation.
But...
...Isn't it worth it to try?
-(Explore) "We'll end up
back here eventually,
won't we?"
We will. And maybe then, we'll
understand things better. And if we
don't, we'll go back again. Until we
know what to do. Or until there's
nothing left for us to dream.
-(Explore) "What if next
time things are worse?
What if when I get here,
I hurt you? What if I kill
you? What if we're both
too different to find an
answer?"
I know you. This is you. So none of
that will happen, because you're not
the kind of person to make it
happen.
-(Explore) "But you don't
know that for sure. We'd
have to either figure it
out or go back again
until we do. Something is
bound to change eventually!"
I do know! I have to believe that,
because I still care about you, even
after all the times we hurt each
other! I hope you still care about me,
too.
So... everything will be okay.
Eventually. I hope. And if not... at
least we care about each other this
time, right? At least you know me?
-"Erm... Okay! Yeah, um-
let's do it. We'll come
back here and do it right
next time!" [Agree to
their plan.]
Voice of the Prodigy
Yeah... I think that's the right thing to do for now. I getcha. I guess
we'll see each other on the other side, right? I'll meet you there.
-"One last thing?"
Yeah?
-"Do you have a name
for yourself?"
Oh. Um... No, I don't really know what
to do if I'm just called a 'Bard'. It
doesn't really sound that... important,
does it?
Kiwi. My name is Kiwi. What's yours?
-"Miriam."
Voice of the Prodigy
Kiwi takes the sword from our hands. This is...
theirs, isn't it? It looks like it was made for them.
Voice of the Prodigy
They meet our eyes, a smile that's only a little forced on their lips.
They hug them and spin us around, enthusiastically, while singing a
little song. Despite everything, it makes you feel warm. We laugh.
They do, too.
-"I love you, Kiwi."
I love you too, Miriam.
Chapter I
The Bard and the Storm