Strange Aeons Prologue

Who are you? { (link: "Rivas")[(set: $name to "Rivas")(set: $weapon to "dagger")(set: $runCap to 6)(goto: "start")] | (link: "Ember")[(set: $name to "Ember")(set: $weapon to "dagger")(set: $runCap to 5)(goto: "start")] | (link: "Gladiola")[(set: $name to "Gladiola")(set: $weapon to "hammer")(set: $runCap to 7)(goto: "start")] | (link: "Pasiune")[(set: $name to "Pasiune")(set: $weapon to "spear")(set: $runCap to )(goto: "start")] | (link: "Eponine")[(set: $name to "Eponine")(set: $weapon to "star-knife")(set: $runCap to 6)(goto: "start")] | (link: "???")[(set: $name to "???")(goto: "start")]} (set:$timer to 0)(set:$inventory to "[[Check Inventory->inv]]")

(set: $story to "My name is "+$name)The cracked cobblestone path carved between buildings neglected by everything but time. How long had you been walking? You twisted back your neck, the road winding a corner you didn't recall taking moments prior. [[Turn Left->walk1]] | [[Turn Right->walk1]] | $inventory (if: $name is "Ember")[(set:$fake to (either: "Pasiune", "Gladiola", "Rivas", "Eponine"))](if: $name is "Pasiune")[(set:$fake to (either: "Ember", "Gladiola", "Rivas", "Eponine"))](if: $name is "Gladiola")[(set:$fake to (either: "Pasiune", "Ember", "Rivas", "Eponine"))](if: $name is "Rivas")[(set:$fake to (either: "Pasiune", "Gladiola", "Ember", "Eponine"))](if: $name is "Eponine")[(set:$fake to (either: "Pasiune", "Gladiola", "Rivas", "Ember"))]

What did you say? { (link: "My name is "+$name+", yours?")[(set: $convo to "name")(goto: "speakConvo")] | (link: "'Where is everyone else?'")[(set: $convo to "people")(goto: "speakConvo")] | (link: "We should leave this place...")[(set: $convo to "leave")(goto: "speakConvo")] } | [[Nevermind. Walk in silence->walk3]]

Not just your footsteps. Others joined you in your mute march, four of them. (if: $name is not "Ember")[* A handsome man. ](if: $name is not "Gladiola")[* A strong woman. ](if: $name is not "Pasiune")[* A frail woman. ](if: $name is not "Rivas")[* A scrawny, ragged man. ](if: $name is not "Eponine")[* A brunette woman.]Wordlessly, you all walked the same path, none guiding the others. You had a strange but unmistakable feeling that you knew them, and that they shared that feeling. [[Speak->speak]] | [[Keep Walking->walk3]] | $inventory (click-append: "frail woman.")[ She had pale skin and short, blonde hair. She seemed almost starved, yet maintained a frail beauty.](click-append: "frail beauty.")[ Her left eye had a black tattoo over it. You could tell she knew you were staring.] (click-append: "ragged man.")[ He was Varisian, with tan skin and brown locks.](click-append: "brown locks.")[ He kept looking over his shoulders, avoiding eye contact but certainly monitoring you and the others.](click-append: "strong woman.")[ She had dark skin, black hair, gripped a Lucerne Hammer.](click-append: "Lucerne Hammer.")[ The weapon seems well used, and she wielded it with an unsettling comfort.](click-append: "brunette woman.")[ The only among you who wasn't human. The changeling had striking eyes, green and blue.](click-append: "green and blue.")[ She wrapped both arms around a starknife, as if it was all that held her together.](click-append: "handsome man.")[ He nervously spun a dagger in practiced motions. He was looking your direction.](click-append: "your direction.")[ His head turned away as you tried to meet his gaze.]

You continue to walk aimlessly. You've been here before. You were certain of it. This familiar, dim city had a strange, disturbing serenity to it. Orange clouds hung motionless in the enduring twilit sky. This forgotten, lost city had a merciless silence, marred only by the sounds of footsteps. [[Footsteps?->walk2]] | $inventory (click-append: "aimlessly")[, vague memories of this place returning with each step] (click-append: "feeling.")[ Right?]

Your pulse quickened, a pounding felt all over your body. (link-reveal: "Your heart beat, quick and thunderous.")[ The blood within you pounded. Your hands trembled with (link-reveal: "each beat.")[ Your mind ached with each deafening throb.]] (click-append: "deafening throb.")[ But it was not just within your mind. Thunderous footsteps, heavy and slow. A fear, a choking fear, crawled up your throat, palpable and thick as the sickly yellow fog that curled into the alley. The cloud tumbled through the street, swelling towards you, quickened as it was funnelled by the towering, gray brick buildings. The footsteps grew louder, keeping pace with the careening, hungry wave. Behind you, the alley split, curving to the left and right. Ahead of you, the yellow fog advanced. [[Stand your ground]] | [[Flee]](set: $tired to false)]

(set: $story to $story+" I tried to talk")(display: "speakContents") [[Try saying something else->speak]] | [[Nevermind. Walk in silence->walk3]]

(either: "You forgot what you were saying, trailing off in silence.", "You formed your thought before you spoke your words. When you began speaking, however, you couldn't recall what you prepared.", "Your words came quicker than your thoughts.") { (if: $convo is "name")["''$name is... My, umm... My...''"] (if: $convo is "leave")["''We, umm... We should... We...''"] (if: $convo is "people")["''Where, um... where... The, umm...''"] }

(set: $story to $story+" I stood my ground as the cloud advanced.")As the cloud advanced, you held still. (set:$timer to $timer+1)(display: "timer") [[Fight]] | [[Check Inventory->inv]] | [[Flee]]

(if: $timer is 0)[The sickly, mustard cloud matched your pace, chasing you. While the booming footsteps behind you were slow and measured, they seemed no more distant as you fled.](if: $timer is 1)[Behind the yellow fog, a figure took shape. A thin, contorted outline of a twisted human. As the sounds of it's steps grew louder, the mist crawled closer, advancing on you.](if: $timer is 2)[The mist parted as it battered against you. A mask of gray, leathery rags emerged, constricting a face not quite human. A mouth of sharpened, shattered teeth opened to a wide bloodied smile. The thin, twisting figure lurched forward, the gauzy, faded ribbons that bound it reaching towards you like tendrils.](if: $timer is 3)[The cloud consumed you. The buildings faded away. The sky blotted yellow. All that the yellow fog left for you was the bandaged, inhuman creature with a sinister smile.]

(set: $story to $story+" I ran from the cloud, I ran ")Fear twisted you on your heel, forcing you back from whenst you came. You hardly noticed the others as your survival instinct took over. (set:$flee to 1) The alley split, curving to the left and right. You couldn't remember which path you came from. (link: "Flee: Left")[(set: $path1 to "left")(set: $story to $story+"left." )(goto: "flee2")] | (link: "Flee: right")[(set: $path1 to "right")(set: $story to $story+"right.")(goto: "flee2")]

(display: "timer")(set:$flee to 2) The alley walls clawed outwards, battered bricks leaning over the path, nearly blotting out the twilight sky. Again, the cobblestone alley split. One route curved uphill steeply, carving a trail between the crumbling, towering ruins that hung above. The other bent downhill, descending recklessly, the cobbled road broken up, stones loose. (link: "Flee: Uphill")[(set: $path2 to "up")(set: $story to $story+" Then I ran uphill.")(goto: "flee3")] | (link: "Flee: Downhill")[(set: $path2 to "down")(set: $story to $story+" Then I ran downhill.")(goto: "flee3")] | [[Stand your ground->stand your ground 2]]

(set: $story to $story+" Then I kept running."){ (if: $path2 is "up")[Bricks fall from high above you, shattering at your feet as you sprint. They cut into your skin like shrapnal, producing thin cuts across your legs.] (if: $path2 is "down")[As the road dipped, you found yourself hardly able to keep from tripping on the stray cobblestones. As you sprinted down the hill, an avalanche of cobblestones followed, bruising your heels as tumbled.] } The yellow cloud trailed behind you, and a low laughter emanated from within it. (set:$flee to 3) [[Keep Running]] | [[Stand your Ground->stand your ground 2]]

(set: $story to $story+" Then I stopped running, and prepared to face the fog.")Your pace slowed, and you turned to face what chased you. (set:$timer to $timer+1)(if: $timer < 4)[(display: "timer") ][[Fight]]| [[Check Inventory->inv]] | [[Flee]]

(set: $story to $story+" And ran.")(set: $runDeath to (random: 1,100))You ran. (either: "You didn't bother to look behind you.", "You nearly tripped on the poorly maintained road. The cloud almost engulfs you before you manage to pull ahead.", "You turned to the right, and the yellow cloud followed.", "You turned to the left, and the golden fog chased after you", "You felt almost out of breath, though you pressed onward.", "In the moment you take to look behind yourself, the fog gained on you. You ran as fast as you could.")(set: $run to $run+1) In the fog behind you, whatever followed kept pace.(set:$flee to 4) (if: $runCap > $run)[ [[Keep Running]] ](else:)[ [[Keep Running->tired]] ]| [[Stand your ground->stand your ground 2]] [[Running Away Ending->runDeath]]

While you couldn't remember what other belongings you had, you felt as though you had more when you checked yourself. { (if: $name is "Ember")[(display: "invEmber")] (if: $name is "Gladiola")[(display: "invGladiola")] (if: $name is "Pasiune")[(display: "invPasiune")] (if: $name is "Rivas")[(display: "invRivas")] (if: $name is "???")[(display: "inv???")] }

* A dagger. * A ring on your finger. * A gold-tipped, iron rod. * A flask, half empty. (click-append: "half empty.")[ Whisky? Maybe it was half full then.] (click-append: "ring on your finger.")[ Engraved was a coat of arms: a cardinal's profile over a shield of wings. You couldn't remember who it belonged to.] (click-append: "iron rod.")[ A sunrod. If you survive until nightfall, it may come in handy.] (click-append: "dagger.")[ The blade was shoddily sharpened, and seemed worn around the grip. This dagger has history, history you cannot remember.]

* A short-spear. * An unlit torch. * A bedroll. (click-append: "short-spear.")[ The shaft was made of crooked wood. It wasn't crafted by a master.] (click-append: "torch.")[ You had nothing to light it with. Should you survive until nightfall, it may prove useful.] (click-append: "bedroll.")[ You weren't sleepy.]

* A dagger. * Flint and steel. * A waterskin. * A coil of rope. (click-append: "rope.")[ It was frayed, though otherwise functional.] (click-append: "Flint and steel.")[ You had nothing you could light, however.] (click-append: "waterskin.")[ Half empty. Your hands trembled too much to open it.] (click-append: "dagger.")[ The blade was sharp, almost as if it was never used.]

* A Lucerne Hammer. * A large wooden shield. * A quiver of arrows. (click-append: "Lucerne Hammer.")[ It rested comfortably on your shoulder. Wielding it felt //right//.] (click-append: "wooden shield.")[ It was strapped to your back, and you doubt you could wield both the shield and your polearm.] (click-append: "arrows.")[ You hadn't a way to fire them, however.]

* A single star-knife. (click-append: "star-knife.")[ While perhaps unwieldy in most hands, you had a strange comfort with this weapon.]

(set: $story to $story+" Until I tired, and could run no longer.")You couldn't run any longer. As you gasped for air, the footsteps from the yellow fog grew louder than your roaring heartbeat. You quickly drew your $weapon, nearly fumbling and dropping it on the ground. (set: $tired to true)(set: $timer to $timer+1)(display: "timer") [[Check Inventory->inv]] | [[Fight->fightTired]] | Flee (click-replace: "Flee")[You couldn't run any longer.]

(either: "You fought against the fear that gnawed at you.", "You tightened your grip on your $weapon.", "You steadied your breath, preparing to strike.", "You gulped, swallowing your growing despair.") (set: $timer to $timer+1)(if: $timer < 4)[(display: "timer") ](either: "You swung with all your might at the creature.", "You made a deft slash at the advancing human-thing.", "You stabbed your $weapon at the creature.") (either: "The creature in the fog avoided your attack, though barely.", "Your $weapon's blade pierced the monster, though within seconds its wound heals.", "Your attack is met with a deep laughter as it glances off the contorted figure.") (if: $timer <4)[ [[Fight]] ](else:)[[[Fight->Die]] ]| (if: $flee is 2)[[[Flee->flee2]] ](else-if: $flee is 3)[[[Flee->flee3]] ](else:)[[[Flee->Flee]] ]

(set: $timer to $timer+1)(display: "timer") (either: "With your dwindling strength, you swung your $weapon at the creature.", "You stabbed at the fog weakly with your $weapon.", "Your $weapon swept recklessly." ) (either: "The fog curled with your attack, though the creature hardly twisted to avoid your it. It's smile widened.", "You struck the nightmarish figure, though your blow seemed to not affect it.", "With surprising speed, the twisted figure grabbed your arm, and stopped your attack. It merely pushed you back.") It seemed to be playing a perverse game with you. It took another step forward. (if: $timer < 4)[[[Fight->fightTired]]](else:)[ [[Fight->Die]]] | Flee(click-replace: "Flee")[You couldn't run any longer] | [[Check Inventory->inv]]

(set: $story to $story+" I attempted to fight off the man in tatters.")(set: $fightDeath to (random: 1,4))(if: $tired is true)[The monster avoided your final, weak strike.](else:)[The monster avoided your attack.] The creature leaned in, pausing for a moment. [[First Ending (Hacked to Pieces)->firstDeath]] [[Second Ending (Pushed off Building)->secondDeath]] [[Third Ending Ending (Imitator of an Ally)->thirdDeath]] [[Fourth Ending (Failed Copycat)->fourthDeath]]

(set: $story to $story+" And then I was hacked to pieces.")The creature produced a wicked razor from its tattered clothing. It was barbed along its long, curved blade. The creature smiled. It took a step forward.(click-append: "It took a step forward.")[ It's first cut merely grazed your (either: "hip", "forearm", "shoulder", "chin"), but left you recoiling back in agony. Your hand touched your wound, palm coated thick, warm, and red. The gaunt figure hunched over, inspecting it's blade. Unsatisfied, it took another step towards you.](click-append: "another step towards you.")[ The bandages wrapped around the creature's thin frame danced wildly as it swept for it's second cut. The blade carved deeply across your (either: "stomache", "chest", "cheek", "face"). Another swing of it's razor.](click-append: "Another swing of it's razor.")[ It hacked into your arm, and you dropped your $weapon. Another swing.](click-append: "Another swing.")[ It brought the razor to your (either: "heel", "tendon"), and you fell to the ground. A crimson stream of blood slowly crawled between the road's cobbles. More swings.](click-append: "More swings.")[ The creature leaned over you, its draping, ribboned clothing soaked crimson in the growing red pool. You couldn't flee, paralyzed in fear. You couldn't defend yourself, your weapon lost somewhere in the yellow fog. You awaited death, but it couldn't come soon enough. It brought down it's razor over and over, ripping and rending skin. With each cut, you screamed out another note of the twisted maestro's symphony - your pained shouts and pleas the only noise that pierced the eerie silence of this dim, lost city. Each swing swept sharp arcs of blood across the brick walls. Soon, your screams lowered to whimpers, until they altogether faded. Without your cries, it's gleeful, surgical assault turned into a brutal, vicious slaughter. Gone was any precision as it's razor disfigured your body, cleaving, slashing until it was hardly recognizable. It rose to it's feet, blood-soaked, folding it's wicked blade back into it's handle. As the bandaged creature stepped away from you, the golden fog rolled with it. [[END]]]

Please copy-paste the below into the discussion thread: [spoiler=Results]$story [/spoiler]

(set: $story to $story+" The creature broke my arm, choked me, then pushed me off of a building.")The creature didn't wait for another strike against it. It reached it's arm out, curling it's long, clawed fingers around your forearm. With a crushing snap, the bone seems to crack. Your $weapon drops from your hand. For an instant, your gaze fell to inspect your arm, but as you glanced back up, you found your assailant now missing. You were alone now in the swirling, yellow fog. While each pulse brought a sharp pain to your broken arm, you were otherwise fine. {(link: "Pick up "+$weapon)[(set: $action to "pick")(set: $weaponHold to false)(goto: "secondDeathActions")] | (link: "Stand Still")[(set: $action to "still")(goto: "secondDeathActions")] | (link: "Run")[(set: $action to "run")(goto: "secondDeathActions")] }

{ (set: $actionTicker to $actionTicker+1) (if: $action is "still" and $actionTicker is 1)[You remained still, afraid of what may or may not be present. Your eyed flicked throughout the fog, though found not the creature here moments ago.] (else-if: $action is "still" and $actionTicker is 2)[You thought you spied something's sillouette, though it appeared the fog was playing tricks on you.] (if: $action is "pick")[Afraid the twisted, bandaged creature could return, you reached for your fallen $weapon. It seemed nowhere in sight, seemingly disappearing when it fell. You swore you heard a raspy chortling nearby.] (if: $action is "run")[(set: $actionTicker to 3)Gripping your broken arm, you turn to run out of the mist.] } (if: $actionTicker < 2)[(if: $weaponHold is not false)[(link: "Pick up "+$weapon)[(set: $action to "pick")(set: $weaponHold to false)(goto: "secondDeathActions")] | ](link: "Stand Still")[(set: $action to "still")(goto: "secondDeathActions")] | (link: "Run")[(set: $action to "run")(goto: "secondDeathActions")]](else:)[(if: $weapon is not false)[(link: "Pick up "+$weapon)[(set: $action to "pick")(goto: "secondDeathEnd")] | ](link: "Stand Still")[(set: $action to "still")(goto: "secondDeathEnd")] | (link: "Run")[(set: $action to "run")(goto: "secondDeathEnd")]]

{ (if: $action is "still")[You stood still. In the swirling yellow fog, perhaps you truly were alone. Your heart rate began to slow, though was interupted as a figure took shape before you.] (if: $action is "pick")[Afraid the twisted, bandaged creature could return, you reached for your fallen $weapon. Leaning down, you felt unseen pressure against your neck, and hardly receive a moment to recoil before a figure took shape in front of you.] (if: $action is "run")[You ran for hardly a moment before you slam into something unseen, tripping onto the ground. A low laughter rumbled nearby, and a figure took shape over you.] } The contorted, bound figure did not return visible all at once. First it's wicked smile stretched mere inches in front of your own face. Then it's thin body revealed to be almost wrapping around you, like a snake to constrict it's prey. Lastly, it's arm appeared, coiled muscle leading to the broken iron shackles at it's wrists, leading to the open, clawed hand hovering just over your throat. (click-append: "over your throat.")[ The creature dug its fingers into your neck, lifting you off of your feet. Four nails tore into your neck, while a sharp, ragged thumb nail pierces your throat. As the blood trickled down your chest, the creature brought it's second hand to your neck. Blood filled your lungs, and the only sounds within the fog were the hopeless kicking of your feet against your assailant, and the low gurgling of blood welling in your throat. Slowly, your heart began to slow. Though your eyes bulged, your vision slipped away. Your thrashing calmed until you were slow outside the occassional, slow twitch.] (click-append: "twitch.")[ Your senses faded...] (click-replace: "...")[......] (click-replace: "......")[.........] (click-replace: ".........")[. Your senses returned as you cough out the blood your nearly choked on. Heavy, frantic breathes for air are accompanied by quick gulps of welling blood. You were sitting, slumped over, legs dangling over a flat rooftop overlooking an alley filled with a dancing yellow fog from five or so stories. From your vantage point, this dim, lost city seemed endless. Thousands of gray-brick building stretched into the horizon, slowly morphing into the twilit sky.] (click-append: "twilit sky.")[ In a way, it was strangely beautiful. You felt something press against your back, softly pushing you off of the ledge. Had you more energy, perhaps you could have resisted. Limply, you body tumbles off the building, hurled to the ground below. You couldn't scream as you fell, too much blood in your throat. You passed through the yellow fog in mere moments and collided with an obscured, cobblestone road. Slowly, the yellow fog rolled away from the alley, leaving behind your mangled, crushed corpse. [[END]]]

(set: $story to $story+" I stabbed the creature, though it turned out to be "+$fake+".")You took advantage of it's pause, making a final desperate attack at the creature, driving your $weapon into it. Your $weapon's blade landed in the creature's stomach. (click-append: "creature's stomach.")[ The creature backed up, and slowly, shed it's disguise, revealing it's true form. { (if: $fake is "Eponine")[The gaunt, featureless face was replaced by a woman's, perhaps just reaching her thirties. Her eyes were wide, and strangely, their colors don't match. She looked at you in disbelief, as though he'd been betrayed.] (if: $fake is "Rivas")[The toothy, featureless face was replaced by a man's, perhaps in his early twenties. He looked at you in disbelief, as though he'd been betrayed.] (if: $fake is "Pasiune")[The gaunt, featureless face was replaced by a young woman's. She had short blonde hair, and a tattoo over her eye. She looked at you in disbelief, as though she'd been betrayed.] (if: $fake is "Gladiola")[The gaunt, featureless face was replaced by a young woman's. The pale skin from before darkens, and thick black hair appeared on her head. She looked at you in disbelief, as though she'd been betrayed.] (if: $fake is "Ember")[The gaunt, featureless face was replaced by a handsome, young man's. He looked at you in disbelief, as though he'd been betrayed.] } It was one of those you walked with earlier. Blood pooled over their clothes, and again they took a step back, gripping their wound. "Why would - why would you do this?," They fell to their knees, now spitting out blood. "Why, $name? Didn't - Didn't you feel we were, were all connected?" They appear on the brink of tears. "Didn't you, you feel what I felt?" You dropped your $weapon to the ground, and prepared your [[words->thirdDeathConvo]].]

What did you say? { (link: "I did, I felt it, friend.")[(set: $story to $story+" I admitted I felt the connection between us all.")(set: $convo to "friend")(goto: "thirdDeathPartTwo")] | (link: "Gods, I can help you, it will be okay.")[(set: $story to $story+" I tried to offer help.")(set: $convo to "help")(goto: "thirdDeathPartTwo")] | (link: "I'm, I'm sorry, there was a- Gods, I am sorry.")[(set: $story to $story+" I tried to apologize.")(set: $convo to "sorry")(goto: "thirdDeathPartTwo")] | (link: "I said nothing.")[(set: $story to $story+" I said nothing when I stabbed them.")(set: $convo to "nothing")(goto: "thirdDeathPartTwo")]}

{ (if: $speakConvo is "sorry")["I'm, there was- I was- S-Sorry," you sputtered.] (if: $speakConvo is "help")["I can- We can- You're still, still alive," you sputtered.] (if: $speakConvo is "friend")["We, we both- connected," you sputtered.] (if: $speakConvo is "nothing")[You said nothing.] } $fake looked up to you. They appeared afraid now, terrified of you. "Y-You're a monster." It brought $fake incredible pain to scramble backwards. Their hand fell to their wound, and they whimpered as they retreated int the fog. "Stay- Stay away... Let me go, please... Don't, don't harm the others, please..." As $fake crawled and disappeared into the hanging yellow fog, a trail of blood traced their path. Their pleas faded to weak whispers, until they ended altogether. [[Follow $fake->thirdDeathFollow]] | [[Leave $fake to die->thirdDeathLeave]]

(set: $story to $story+" I followed the bloody trail to "+$fake+"'s body.")You followed the bloody trail through the yellow fog. $fake didn't seem to get too far. In a pool of their own blood, $fake was face-down on the cobbled road. [[Help $fake->thirdDeathHelp]] | [[Leave $fake to die->thirdDeathLeave]]

(set: $story to $story+" I left the body, fleeing the scene, until I was approached a person sharing my body.")You ignored the bloody trail, turning to leave the fog. You walked, mind racing of what you've done, of who you killed. You walked. (click-append: "You walked.")[ And walked.] (click-append: "And walked.")[ And walked. But the you could not escape the yellow fog. There was certainly a connection, something that bound you, $fake, and the others together. Why did you hurt them, you asked yourself.] (click-append:"you asked yourself.")[ Your mind raced. You didn't mean to hurt them. It was an accident, a trick played by that murderous creature, you told yourself.] (click-append:"you told yourself.")[ "The others, they are in on it," you said to yourself. "They need to be taken care of before they get you," you finished.] (click-append: "you finished.")[ "They'll see what you did, they'll be after you now." you whispered, though your mouth did not move. Certainly it was your voice, but these words were not yours. "Don't be tricked by them, $name," the voice called out from behind you.] (click-append: "behind you.")[ You turned, greeted by a figure several paces off. They were around your build, though otherwise obscured by the yellow mist. "One down, four to go." Their arm raised, and in their hand, they held something.] (click-append: "something.")[ It was a $weapon, your $weapon, blade still red with $fake's blood. It pierced the yellow fog, pointed towards you. The figure took a step forward, wearing your face and smile, wielding your weapon, speaking in your voice. "Which one next, friend?" [[Run->thirdDeathLeaveRun]] | [[Fight->thirdDeathLeaveFight]] ]

(set: $story to $story+" I approached "+$fake+"'s body, and was killed by the imitator.")You approached $fake, dropping to your knees to examine the body. You checked their neck, seeing if they still had a pulse.(click-append: "pulse.")[ They didn't. $fake was dead.](click-append: "dead.")[ You held $fake in your arms, thinking about what you've done.](click-append: "what you've done.")[ There was certainly a connection, they were right. You felt that something bound you, $fake, and the others together. Why did you hurt them, you asked yourself. You held $fake in your arms, mulling over your thoughts.](click-append: "your thoughts.")[ You didn't mean to hurt them. It was an accident, a trick played by that murderous creature, you told yourself. You held $fake in your arms, thinking things over.](click-append: "thinking things over.")[ "No, it was't an accident," you said.](click-append: "you said.")[ "You're a monster, $name," you admitted.](click-append: "you admitted.")[ It was your voice, but you didn't say the words. The voice came from your chest. "You've forgotton so much, but don't forget that." Pressed against you, held in your arms, $fake laughed.](click-append: "laughed.")[ You pulled $fake from off of you, though it was no longer the person you had slain. In your arms, with a wide smile and laughing tears, appeared $name yourself. Your doppelganger wiped the tears from their face, and before you could push them off you, twisted you to the ground pinning you to the floor.](click-append: "pinning you to the floor.")[ Your doppelganger dug their knees into your legs, and stabbed their elbows into your arm. Their hands wrapped over your head, and they placed their brow onto yours. Staring at you, wearing your smile sinisterly, the other-$name whispered as you squirmed. "Don't forget who we are." The other you pound your head into the cobblestone.](click-append: "into the cobblestone.")[ Again.](click-append: "Again.")[ And again.](click-append: "And again.")[ And again. Their face contorted in anger as they smashed your head into the ground over and over. Quickly, your attempts to push other-$name off had stopped, your body still, your conciousness faded. Still gripping your face, your other-self reverts in shape. It grows leaner, longer each time your skull crashes into the stones. It's hair and features fade away, and the fingers that gripped your head sprouted claws that cut into your face. As the bloody pool around your head grew, so did the creature's fury, continuing to slam your head into the ground until little remained. The creature rose, and walked away from the grisly remains of it's victim. As it left, the yellow fog rolled with it. [[END]]]

(set: $story to $story+" I tried to run, though was slain by my doppelganger.")You turned to run, though your otherself seemed to anticipate your retreat. As you turned and began to ran, your $weapon cut into your back, blade covered in fresh blood once more.(click-append: "once more.")[ You stumbled, tripping to the ground. Your doppelganger grinned widely, tossing your $weapon to the ground. They drew their own weapon, flicking a war razor from it's sheathe, it's curved blade spiked. Before you could flee, they turned you over, and pressed their weapon to your throat. It seemed your double had already had its fun - in a quick motion, the razor sliced deeply into your neck.](click-append: "into your neck.")[ With your trachea cut, you could not scream. As you bled a red river onto the cobblestone road, the other-you rises, watching as you feeble attempt to stop your bleeding. Your death wasn't slow, but neither was it quick. The sharp pain at your throat dulled as blood failed to reach your brain. Your vision wavered as you spit out the blood that pooled in your lungs. Slowly, your body stopped moving. As your doppelganger left your body, so too did they leave your form. As the man-shaped thing in tattered clothing left, so did the rolling yellow fog. [[END]]]

(set: $story to $story+" I tried to fight, though was slain by my doppelganger.")Without your weapon, your assault on the other-you was a wasted endeavor. As you swung a fist at them, they ducked, and jabbed your $weapon into your gut.(click-append: "into your gut.")[ Your doppelganger's grip on the weapon loosened as you took a step back. You staggered, removing the weapon from the very spot that you had struck $fake, dropping to your knees just as they had. You held your stomache as you spit blood onto the cobbled road. Your double paced behind you, and procured a weapon of their own. Flicking a war razor from it's sheathe, they wrapped the curved blade over your neck.](click-append: "over your neck.")[ Nuzzling their chin on your should, your doppelganger whispered softly. "Sweet dreams." With a quick motion, the razor sliced deeply into your neck. With your trachea cut, you could not scream. As you bled a red river onto the cobblestone road, the other-you rises, watching as you feeble attempt to stop your bleeding. Your death wasn't slow, but neither was it quick. The sharp pain at your throat dulled as blood failed to reach your brain. Your vision wavered as you spit out the blood that pooled in your lungs. Slowly, your body stopped moving. As your doppelganger left your body, so too did they leave your form. As the man-shaped thing in tattered clothing left, so did the rolling yellow fog. [[END]]]

(set: $story to $story+" The creature took on the appearance of those I could not remember.")The creature shifted before your very eyes. The gaunt, inhuman being took on a familiar shapes, though could not quite settle onto a form. It took a vague, feminine form, shrinking slender, face framed by swirling, chestnut curls. The body features prominent brown eyes, eyes you couldn't remember but gave you a feeling of family, of home. "Why don't you-" The shapeshifting creature took on another form. (click-append: "another form.")[ Again, it became something incomplete. A man, this time, stocky, somewhat unkempt, somewhat charming, but otherwise a blur. Again, he was familiar, though still you could not quite place who he was. A friend? A friend of a friend? "-rememeber anything, you-" Once more, the creature changed.] (click-append: "creature changed.")[ Another man, you thought. He swelled in size, doubling in the very least. His eyes became shrouded, and his beard grew large. He inspired crossed emotions - there was a strange feeling of loyalty, yet also a strong repulsion, a visceral hatred. "-pitiful person? The creature changed several times more, each shape more bland and featureless than the last. Furious, it returned to it's original shape, lean, tall, bound in yellow-gray tattered bandages. It breathed in and out sharply, through gritted, sharpened teeth. Long, draping arms reached towards you with jagged claws. You were frozen in fear, an unnatural feeling, something that had just begun to emanate from this creature as it grew frustrated. You fell backward, and you dropped your $weapon as you began to crawl away from the now-screaming creature. [[Flee->fourthDeathFlee]]]

(set: $story to $story+" Consumed by fear, I ran until I escaped the yellow fog. The man in tatters broke my neck, and left me for dead.")You rose to your feet, sprinting away as the creature threw it's tantum. You ran. (click-append: "You ran.")[ And you ran.](click-append: "And you ran.")[ And you ran. Though at first it seemed the yellow fog was inescapable, in time it thinned.](click-append: "it thinned.")[ Once more, you saw the towering brick buildings that tore at the twilit sky. Once more, you could make out the bends and twists of the cobbled roads. Though the swirling cloud rolled forward, you were faster, fueled by adrenaline and fear.](click-append: "fear.")[ And with the yellow fog behind you, so faded the fear. As you cut across cobbled alleys and avenues, the fog seemed to disappear, though you gave hardly a moment to turn back to see if that was the case. After many minutes, you keeled over to catch your breath.](click-append: "catch your breath.")[ Breathe in.](click-append: "Breathe in.")[ Breathe out.](click-append: "Breathe out.")[ Footsteps began to pound the dim, forgotton city, the same as they had before. The yellow fog, and the creatured that lurked within, were nowhere to be seen. The footsteps grew louder.](click-append: "grew louder.")[ And louder.](click-append: "And louder.")[ And louder, until you felt something press against the back of your spine. What energy you still had vanished, consumed by the touch of the creature behind you. Sluggish now, you turned to the man in tatters as it enclosed two hands over your face.](click-append: " over your face.")[ While largely devoid of facial features, the man in tatters now appeared composed. It lifted you off your feet, and examined you with a strange curiosity. Uncermoniously, it ended it's investigation with a cruel snap to your neck. It tossed your body to the floor, watching almost hopefully for another surprise.](click-append: "another surprise.")[ With your neck broken, you could not breathe, you could not move. Your eyes moved in a panic, searching for something, anything that could save you. Before you could expire, the man in tattered abandoned your limp body. Your vision wavered, fading as the yellow fog disappeared and the dim, forgotten city once more returned. [[END]] ]

(set: $story to $story+" As I ran, I saw my reflection. The thing that followed me threw me though a window.")And you ran. Past the gray-brick buildings, you continued to run, not bothering to look behind you at the fog or the deafening pacing that emanated from within. You raced past the gray-brick walls, otherwise featureless blurs during your sprint. You turned the corner.(click-append: "the corner.")[ You turned on your heel, running down the alley as the fog chased after you. You sprinted past abandoned homes, desolate taverns, forgotten keeps.](click-append: "forgotten keeps.")[ Wide, shattered windows stretched on both sides of the street, distorted portals revealing buildings devoid of anything but walls walls chipping with faded paint. Within the shattered panes, you saw fragments of yourself, and you pieced together what you looked like. {(if: $name is "Ember")[You turned rogue-ish smile: you were surprisingly handsome, even as you were being chased.](if: $name is "Gladiola")[You were built well, and had a charm not easily placed. Your had honest, large eyes. ](if: $name is "Pasiune")[You had short blonde hair, a tattoo on your eye, though kept a frail beauty.](if: $name is "Rivas")[You were somewhat unkempt, and while your reflection stared back with suspicion, the two of you found ease.](if: $name is "Eponine")[Your eyes were different coloured, a striking feature, and your face was framed by your brown locks.]} Your pace slowed as the windows became whole, until eventually, you stopped, watching your own reflection.](click-append: "own reflection.")[ You realized you couldn't quite remember your appearance up until this moment. The way your grin curled. The texture of you hair. The color of your eyes at dusk. The figure that stood behind you.](click-append: "The figure that stood behind you.")[ A contorted humanoid shape haunted you, it's twisted body bound by gray-yellow bandages, wearing a face marked only by a smile of sharp, craggy teeth. Spied in the glass' reflection, the creature's clawed hand reached toward you.](click-append: "toward you.")[ Enclosing it's long fingers over the back of your skull, you helplessly watched as your head met with your reflection's, crashing through the glass, and sent you tumbling into the empty building. Your forehead bled profusely, and shattered glass shards on the floor cut into your hands as you tried to break your fall. You pressed your body against the wall, holding your $weapon with a nervous, trembling grip. You waited.](click-append: "You waited.")[ And waited.](click-append: "And waited.")[ And waited, until blood trickled down your face, running in a thin stream down your brow, over your (if: $name is "Pasiune")[tattooed ](else-if: $name is "Eponine")[emerald-colored ](else:)[left ]eye. Wiping the blood into a thick smear, you peeked out the window.](click-append: "out the window.")[ You saw nothing. The only evidence of the creature that attacked you was the broken pane you were sent through. [[Wait->runDeathWait]] | [[Return to the Cobbled Roads->runDeathReturn]]]

(if: $story contains "I waited in the building.")[(set: $story to $story+" And waited.")](else:)[(set: $story to $story+" I waited in the building.")]You waited. (either: "You heard nothing from outside.", "You tried to maintain steady breathing.", "You wiped the blood from your brow once more.", "You try to tell yourself it will be okay.", "You rubbed your shaking, sweaty palms on your clothes, and gripped your weapon once more.", "You wondered if the yellow fog will catch you if you remain still.", "You questioned whether you'd be able to outrun the creature.", "You wondered if perhaps it went after the others instead.") [[Continue to Wait->runDeathWait]] | [[Return to the Cobbled Streets->runDeathReturn]]

You crawled back through the window, warily entering the street. You looked to your left. (click-replace: "your left.")[your left, though saw nothing but gray-yellow bricks, shattered glass panes, and the cobbled path you came from. You looked to your right.](click-replace: "your right.")[your right, but again, nothing was there. You didn't dare sheathe your $weapon. Constantly peeking over your shoulder, you advanced with slow, careful steps. Something was watching you, you could hear it.](click-replace: "hear it.")[heard the faint rustling of clothes and a creeping, sluggish breathing under your quick, panicked ones. Then, a low chuckle. You turned around to face what it came from.](click-append: "what it came from.")[ Though it was not behind you. You took another step, your dragging feet brushing against shards of glass.](click-append: "shards of glass.")[ One glass shard reflected a stagnant, sickly cloud. Another showed the plain, starless sky. One reflected your frightened visage. And the last shard you spotted revealed the humanoid creature from before hovering above you over gray-brick walls. It's reflection grew larger as it descended.](click-append: "it descended.")[ The man in tatters fell atop you, clawed hands outstretched, maw open revealing jagged, bloody teeth. After knocking you to the ground in a brusing tumble, it rose to its feet, and waited for you to do the same. [[Rise->runDeathRise]]]

(set: $story to $story+" The creatured attacked me from above, then had fun in it's battle against me.")The man in tatters swayed strangely as you lifted yourself up. You pointed out your $weapon, following it's leanings and lurchings. It's face contorted to something like a smile. It jerked forward abruptly, bringing three clawed fingers over your face, one tearing into your (if: $name is "Eponine")[blue](else:)[right] eye. Your hand instinctively covered your damaged eye as you recoiled away from the creature. Blood poured from a gash stretching across the bridge of your nose, and a cut across your cheek carved a bloody smirk on your face. The creature once more waited for you to recover. You raised your $weapon, right eye closed, facing the faceless, gaunt creature.(click-append: "gaunt creature.")[ It cocked it's head to the side. Blood dripped from it's long, clawed fingers onto the cobbled road. The creature let out a growl. You jabbed your weapon towards your foe.](click-append: "jabbed your weapon towards your foe.")[ Your $weapon cut across the creature's trailing bandages as it encircled your right side. Struggling to keep up, you swung wildly.](click-append: "swung wildly.")[ The lean, twisted man dipped beneath the blade. As you attempted to pivot back to make another strike, it rose it's arm, cutting you from chin to brow with a crooked nail. It did not wait for you to gain composure this time. Tiring of it's game, the man in tatters brought a claw to your throat, spraying blood over the shards the littered the cobblestone road. [[END]]]