Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

FACINATING.

. . . .

A BEING UNSEEN FROM THE BEFORE.

. . . .

A BEING THAT HAS NEVER APPEARED. AND YET IS.

A BEING THAT IS BEING RISEN FROM THE SEAS.

INTO THIS WORLD.

FACINATING.

TRUELY, WONDERFULLY, FACINATING.

(*A young boy lays unconscious at the bottom of the plastic sea.)
(*He cannot see, for his thoughts have subsided.)
(*But the spectral beings that hoist his body out of the sea, are not as dormant.)
(*However, there are a few things that shall be addressed.)
(*A few questions you will need to answer.)

[1. What is The Angel's NAME? A: BRUCE BOOKOUT]
[2. How does this being align? A: Chaotic Good]
[3. What is BRUCE's TITLE? A: The Angel Feedback: How silly of me to assume otherwise.]
[4. Do you acknowledge the possibility of pain and seizure? For yourself of course. A: Yes]

(*Good. The pieces have been set.)
(*Let the games begin.)
(*Because, while escaping your purpose IS impossible...)

Y O U C A N N O T E S C A P E
W H A T Y O U
N E V E R H A D

(*A dim yellow envelops my vision as I awaken, the plastic walls around me dimly reflecting the light of the sun just outside.)
(*This location is unfamiliar to me.)
[???] "Where.... where the hell am I...?"

Chapter Text

(*I slowly stand up, taking in the unfamiliar yellow of the cubical room.)
(*Everything is sore, but my chest is easily what hurts the most.)
(*I stumble towards the door outside, and take a look, as the light is blinding to my unadjusted eyes.)

(*Bright yellow ground. Water surrounding the island. Blue sky.)
(*And a strange cat with glaring gold eyes.)

[???] "I am truly sorry if that minuscule space is not one to fit the comfort of a being flesh and blood, but the accommodations available are definitely adverse to provide comfort.
[The Judge] "But, as you are now conscious, introductions are in order. I am a being known as The Judge. And may I query for your own definition?

(*The Judge seems to await my response.)
(*Although it takes me a fair bit to wrap my head around his wide vocabulary.)

[Bruce] "My name is Bruce."

(*The Judge nods solemnly.)

[The Judge] "It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of a new being, no matter how strange for the conditions that this Zone has been left in.

[Bruce] "Zone...?"

(*The Judge gestures to the surrounding area.)

[The Judge] "This is a realm known as 'Zone 0'. It is devoid of most life, except for me, it's guardian."

(*I try and wrap my head around all of this, but considering that I just woke up from what my burning lungs can tell me was nearly drowning, I don't exactly have the energy to process this information.)

[Bruce] "Can you... say that with less words...?"

[The Judge] "I do suppose that someone that has rather abruptly appeared in foreign land would be confused easily. I shall do my best lo limit my vocabulary."

[[[Writer note: OKAY LOOK, I don't want to have to pull out a dictionary every time I want Judge dialogue-]]]

[Bruce] "You said something about... 'Zones?'"

[The Judge] "Indeed. This is Zone 0. I already stated what I needed to, so the next course of action would be to introduce you to how this world works."

[Bruce] "Okay... I can do that."

(*I deeply inhale and exhale, gathering my energy.)

[Bruce] "I can do this! Lead the way, Judge!"

(*The Judge nods, leading the way through the various puzzles of Zone 0)
(*Every puzzle has a fairly simple design in practice, with pattern recognition and memory incorporated into it.)
(*Everything is going... well.)
(*Says a lot when a child suddenly finds themselves in unknown territory.)
(*And as if on cue...)

[The Judge] "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? You don't look like a adult per say, but someone could easily misinterpret your age if not for your voice.

(*Bruce thinks for a second, before answering The Judge's query.)

[Bruce] "I'm 15 years old."

(*The Judge seems to flinch.)

[The Judge] "That is... alarming, to say the least."

(*I chuckle while pushing down on a block, lowering the obstacles blocking the door to the red block.)
(*He also holds one arm tightly.)

[Bruce] "Hey, as long as I can get home, right?"

(*The Judge seems... rightfully concerned, to say the least.)

[The Judge] "That would be your main priority... But a CHILD shouldn't have to face the hardships of these Zones alone. Let alone with all the Specters you are bound to encounter."

[Bruce] "Specters?"

[The Judge] "Specters are the spirits of the dead. And they are bound to start a fight sooner or later. You need to be able to defend yourself should you travel these Zones. And I can very easily tell that you lack the possession of a proper weapon aside from your fists."

[Bruce] "Where would I even GET a weapon around here?"

(*The Judge thinks for a bit, before answering.)

[The Judge] "I am not entirely sure. But, while we remain in the safety of this barren zone..."

(*The area shifts, the dim room transforming into a yellow void-like area.)

[The Judge] "It would be best that you learn the basics of combat early on."

(*It's battle time.)

Chapter Text

(*Various menus quickly swarm my vision.)
(*It all feels overwhelming how fast this happening.)

[The Judge] "Loosen up, Bruce. Should you find yourself hesitant to fight, the spectral beings of the Zones ahead will surely claim your head."

(*The Judge motions to the menu in front of Bruce.)

[The Judge] "There are a couple basic things you will need to know about combat. One of those things are your stats."
"Health Points, or 'HP' are self explanatory. And Competence Points, or 'CP' are responsible for executing your special moves, known as Competences."
"And that white bar at the bottom is your Charge. You can only perform a action when said bar reaches it's full capacity."

(*The Judge then motions to the buttons on the side.)

[The Judge] "For your first task, select 'Attack' to send a basic attack towards your opponent. Do not be afraid of hitting hard. I can assure you your damage will be futile against me."

(*I nervously select ATTACK, and ready a punch.)

[Bruce attacks!]
[34]

[The Judge] "Good. It seems you catch on quickly."

[The Judge scratches with his claws!]
[Bruce avoided The Judge attack!]

(*I maneuver out of the way of the attack. The Judge seems surprised.)

[The Judge] "How curious. I have not yet encountered a being that had the self-preservation to consciously avoid damage. It seems your more capable then I thought. However, you will need to take damage for this next lesson."

[The Judge scratches with his claws!]
[30] [Bruce's HP: 50/80]

[Bruce] "OW- fuck, that stings like hell...."

[Bruce received a Luck Ticket!]

[The Judge] "This Luck Ticket can revitalize you, close open wounds, and vanquish your pains. Utilize it in the 'Items' menu."

(*I reach for the ITEMS button, and see a new menu appear.)

[Bruce HP:50/80 CP:45/45 (====================)]
[Items: Luck Ticket (x1)]

(*I select the Luck Ticket from the Items menu.)
(*Unsure of how I use it, I rip it open, and gold powder flies out. It reminds me of flour.)
(*The powder seeps into my skin, sealing wounds and making me good as new.)

[Luck Ticket]
[+100 HP]

[The Judge] "Now, I do advise you dodge attacks in combat, as you did earlier. But for now, that isn't of importance."
"Now, for Competences. These spiritual moves use your own energy to provide a variety of effects. Such as healing, or offensive maneuvers."
"Try and select one of said techniques. And if you currently do not possess any, just attack again."

(*I select COMPETENCES.)

[Bruce HP:80/80 CP:45/45 (====================)]
[Competences:]
[Enemy Analysis - CP: 0 - Observe all enemies.]

[Bruce analyzes the opponents.]

[The Judge. Divine Feline Apparition.]
[HP:326/350 CP: 270/270]
[(Bruce) *The Judge is apparently the "Guardian" of this "Zone", but I don't know enough to make a honest opinion.]
[Takes extra damage from attacks bearing the element of METAL. Takes decreased damage from attacks bearing the element of MEAT.]

[The Judge] "Well done. I commend you for grasping your assignment so quickly."

[Tutorial successfully completed!]
[Bruce reached Level 2!]

(*The environment shifts again. The room is back to normal.)

[Bruce] "I'm NEVER gonna get used to that..."

[The Judge] "In any case, you have passed with flying colors. Let us proceed towards your final lesson of this world."

(*We both head outside, and waiting for us...)
(*Is a strange red block.)

Chapter Text

(*The familiarity of sunshine appears again as we step outside of the lone building of the Zone.)

[Bruce] "Feels good to be outside again!"

[The Judge] "I'm glad your so enthusiastic. Turn your attention to the object ahead, for the time being."

(*I turn my attention as The Judge instructs. A red block floats idly, swaying up and down in the wind.)

[The Judge] "That is what's known as a 'Save Point.' Using it will not only revitalize you should you find your condition critical, but will also allow access to The Nothingness, where you can proceed to travel to the other Zones."

[Bruce] "So it's essentially like a checkpoint?"

(*The Judge stops to think for a moment)

[The Judge] "You are not wrong, Bruce. However, I don't suggest trying to hold it close in the cold, as it cannot make heat to warm you."

[Bruce] "Awfully snarky for someone guarding a 'lifeless' land. So how does this thing even wo-"

(*Suddenly, various Specters emerge from the plastic seas, taking away the red box.)
(*This could prove... problematic.)
(*Better retrieve it quickly.)

[Bruce] OI! That's NOT a toy!

(*I pursue the Specters, The Judge staying by my side.)

[The Judge] "These foul ghouls... I am not fond of the idea of being stuck here in this Zone, so let's make haste."

(*You both follow the Specters into the basement of the Zone, the dark orange-ish yellow coating my vision.)
(*Luckily, the blast door is currently sealed, so the Specters can't flee.)
(*Seeing as they seem way more occupied with playing with the red box, I doubt they would have been going anywhere in particular anyways.)

[The Judge] "Just some weak ectoplasms. This is a perfect chance to show your recent teachings have come to fruitation."

(*I nod quietly, before starting combat.)
(*Pacification in progress.)

[Bruce analyzed the enemies.]

[Playful Specter (x8)]
[Whimsical Ectoplasmic Incarnation]
[HP:24/24 CP:10/10]
[(Bruce) *A fairly weak Specter that should go down in a single blow. But beating up someone so defenseless... It just isn't right. I have to find a way to resolve things peacefully.]
[This enemy takes extra damage from attacks bearing the element of SMOKE. This enemy takes reduced damage from attacks bearing the element of METAL.]

[The Playful Specters attack!]
[A: Missed! B: Missed! C: Missed! D: Missed! E: Missed! F: Missed! G: Missed! H: Missed!]
[Bruce dodged all attacks swiftly.]

[Bruce HP:80/80 CP:45/45 (====================)]
[ACTIONS:]
[Talk] [Play Along] [Challenge] [Miss On Purpose]

[Bruce tries to reason with the enemies.]
"Can't you just give the block back?"
[The enemies didn't pay attention.]

[The Playful Specters laugh together.]

[Bruce tries to play along with the enemies games, grabbing the box out of the air.]
"You wanna PLAY? Then PLAY BALL!"
[Bruce plays catch with the Playful Specters.]
[The Specters are satisfied! Them seem reluctant to continue fighting.]

[Bruce shows MERCY to the adversaries,]

[Adversaries Pacified]
[Bruce gained 200 EXP and 200 CREDITS.]
[4 Luck Tickets and 4 Bronze Flesh were given to Bruce]

(*The Judge is surprised yet again.)

[The Judge] "How curious. You continue to provide more reason for me to keep my eye on you. No one has been able to have a peaceful resolution with a spectral encounter, or at least to my knowledge."

[Bruce] "It's not normal to just... talk it out?

[The Judge] "No. It is rare to see someone so willing to seek understanding rather then brutality."

(*I flinch for a split second.)

[Bruce] "Don't people normally NOT want to fight?"

[The Judge] "Maybe in the realm you hail from, but here, violence against Specters and the like is not only allowed, but encouraged. They are seen as vile beasts, and I have had yet to find any reason not to think of them as such."
"But, either way, we must return the box to it's original position."

(*I nod solemnly, letting The Judge lead me.)
(*It isn't long before the red box is returned.)

[The Judge] "Now, the white button on the box will activate it, and you can either keep a record of your journey, or more importantly, traverse the Nothingness, as previously stated. And with this item, you shall be able to enter the first of many Zones."

[Bruce received a Leo Card.]

(*I stare at the card for a few seconds.)

[Bruce] "This is just... one of those fortune cards with one of the Zodiacs or whatever on them."

[The Judge] "Correct. It is called a 'Zodiac Card' after all."

[Bruce] "Another weird thing to get used to..."

[The Judge] "You'll adapt in due time. However, I will say, your journey will be most intriguing with the impact of your merrymaking in tow. I look forward to what adventure awaits you."

[Bruce] "So are you staying here?"

[The Judge] "Not while a child is forced to fight the undead in attempt to return to his guardians. Even with your dodging capabilities, you are still one of young age. I shall accompany you through these Zones."

[The Judge has joined Bruce's PARTY!]

[The Judge] "Now, let us progress towards the next Zone, shall we? We have a long journey ahead of us."

(*I nod, drawing my attention towards the button on the box.)
(*With a single press, white light engulfs us as it overtakes our vision.)
(*And with that, the adventure begins.)

Chapitre 1 : L'Heure de la Colère