[A stone statue looms in front of you. It seems to stare down at you, but it has no eyes, only a strange broken rectangle symbol carved into its "face". Moss tops it; it's been here for a long time. Waiting.]
[Watching.]
[A rock with a button sits in front of you. There's a sign on it.]
(Header is by me, pfp is not!) (If you see me reblog smth to the wrong blog, no you didn't)
~Intro~
Hi, I'm Abyss (āØ)! They/them for both in-character and ooc. My main is @th3-dark-abyss , and I also run the daily-dogwarts doodle blog!
This blog is for fun roleplay in the hermit mailbox universe, and nothing is meant to be too serious. I'm going with some of my own headcanons in the lore here, so feel free to ask questions in or out-of-character!
No NSFW asks please.
Feel free to interact or initiate any kind of lore, regardless of who you are! I love rp-ing with people :]
If anything makes anyone uncomfortable, please let me know and I will take it down!
~Formatting~
[Text] - Descriptions of setting or actions will be in [] brackets
Text - The Secret Keeper speaking will be bolded and purple
~Text~ or (āØ) - OOC talking from me will be in ~~ wigglies or after a sparkles emoji tag
~Tags~
#secret task - any roleplay posts/replies
#* name * mailbox - whichever mailbox(s) I'm interacting with
#crowned / š - interacting with a winner
#keeper unmasked / (āØ) - ooc posts / comments
#task complete - answered asks
#lore time - explanations of my headcanons, if questions ever arise
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[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
āIāll- kill you. I swear, if itās the last thing I do.ā
[I hissed, I promised. I didnāt care how I done it, but Iād murder whatever watcher was behind this, whether that meant falling this statue itself, or something more.]
āShould never have trusted the likes of you. Itās a mistake I wonāt make again.ā
[I backed away from the button, I wiped my cheeks with the back of my sleeve.]
There is no growth without pain. You have not yet reached your full potential. Your win brought you closer, and so has this, however the last steps are the hardest. We can lead you there.
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
āIāll- kill you. I swear, if itās the last thing I do.ā
[I hissed, I promised. I didnāt care how I done it, but Iād murder whatever watcher was behind this, whether that meant falling this statue itself, or something more.]
āShould never have trusted the likes of you. Itās a mistake I wonāt make again.ā
[I backed away from the button, I wiped my cheeks with the back of my sleeve.]
There is no growth without pain. You have not yet reached your full potential. Your win brought you closer, and so has this, however the last steps are the hardest. We can lead you there.
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
āIāll- kill you. I swear, if itās the last thing I do.ā
[I hissed, I promised. I didnāt care how I done it, but Iād murder whatever watcher was behind this, whether that meant falling this statue itself, or something more.]
āShould never have trusted the likes of you. Itās a mistake I wonāt make again.ā
[I backed away from the button, I wiped my cheeks with the back of my sleeve.]
There is no growth without pain. You have not yet reached your full potential. Your win brought you closer, and so has this, however the last steps are the hardest. We can lead you there.
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
āIāll- kill you. I swear, if itās the last thing I do.ā
[I hissed, I promised. I didnāt care how I done it, but Iād murder whatever watcher was behind this, whether that meant falling this statue itself, or something more.]
āShould never have trusted the likes of you. Itās a mistake I wonāt make again.ā
[I backed away from the button, I wiped my cheeks with the back of my sleeve.]
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[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[The armour and sword is gone, but I feel no lighter, and the praise does little to comfort me. Tears rise to my eyes as I stumble forwards to press the button.]
[This reward needed to be worth all the times I was thrown back in time, all the murders. Please.]
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[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I am back, and I am furious. What did I do to deserve this? Rage curls and boils in my chest. This is not fair.]
[I geared myself up, ignoring those who even dare talk to me.]
[Iām done. So, very done. The moment I have my hands on a diamond sword and full iron I leave the cave and take down the nearest person- Cleo. Cleave her open.]
[My communicator buzzes but I hadnāt the energy to check it.]
[I hunt them all down, slinking through treelines and picking people off.]
[Grian tried to talk to me, grab my arms, shout some sense into me. I took him out of the series first. If heād known all that Iāve been through, would his reaction have been the same?]
[Theyāre all red now, it is the server against me, and unfortunately for them I am winning. I wonāt die again.]
[None of them stood even half a chance. I am alone, among what might as well be endless bodies. I am alone but I have won.]
[I fell to my knees and screamed, crying until my throat was raw.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[No alliances this time. I couldnāt rely on anyone else. I find myself in the mountains, making a fortress like I originally planned.]
[Sure, people stop by every once in a while, but I kept myself separate from most of it.]
[Renthedog was slain by Skizzleman using RED WINTER IS COMING.]
[Thatā¦ hurt. A little bit, but not enough for me to return to Dogwarts. I made my choice, I could win this thing.]
[Every death message instills just a little more hope within me. That is until I am hunted down.]
[They call for my blood, Iām not even sure whoās behind me, but thereās so many feet thundering against the ground. I crash through forests, leap over lakes, and duck behind mountains but nothing shakes them off of me.]
[There is warm breath beating down on my neck and- a sword slipped between my ribs. I crumple, they cheer, and I am dead.]
[Iām so tired. This isnāt fair. Why am I back?? I donāt want to win. This isnāt fair. Not at all. Tired. I canāt do this anymore.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[Apparently, yes, as I find myself allied with Scar and Grian. They welcome me with coy smiles and a thorned embrace. Itās clear I am expendable to them, however Iām useful enough to be kept around, so thatās enough.]
[Whenever I catch Renās eyes, thereās some mourning in the very depths of his pupils, but our conversations arenāt civil. They canāt be, he is my enemy now.]
[I make it far with Scar and Grian, to the final three. I wasnāt sure what I expected really, but I wasnāt surprised when they turned on me with a similar smile to that of when I first asked to join their alliance.]
[I drew my sword, but 2 against 1 was never bound to go well, my throat is slit and I sunk to the floor. The last thing I heard was laughter.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
[Once again, Iām back at the start. What if I just didnāt kill Ren? Flat out refused.]
[Again, I do it all the same, Dogwarts is entangled in every nerve, what hand would I be if I gave it up?]
[Red Winter falls, and I busies myself with other tasks, avoiding Ren. The fated day passes without Ren falling crimson, and we are safe.]
[We make it quite far together, with me falling to Red, as did Ren inevitably.]
[Iām stood on Black Heart alter, it never ended up getting used. My thoughts are interrupted by a growl beside my ear. I whipped around- expecting to find an enemy, but Iām met with a friend. Ren. He loomed over me, lips drawn back to reveal his sharpened teeth, and a low snarl gurgling in his throat. I stumbled back a few steps. He looked unhinged, and then I noticed the axe clutched tight in his grasp.]
[He wouldnāt.]
[Ren raised the axe, pupils blown wide with an emotion I canāt name but know all too well. It only takes one swing for my head to detach, and as my soul is ripped away from my body, I can only watch as Ren crumples beside my corpse, grasping my hand and weeping.]
[I wander upto the imposing structure, swallowing back the bundle of nerves in my throat.]
āErm. Ayup mate? Good to, uh, see you again.ā
[I hadnāt expected to see this horrible statue after secret life, but here we were. Least I could do is say hi, I suppose.]
@itlw-mailbox
[The wind rustles the trees, and the sky darkens.]
Martyn. We suspected you would approach us next. The Hand, now severed...
[The stone might have settled, in an imitation of a slight head tilt or shoulders lowering. But it may have been a trick of the light. You can't trust your eyes.]
[I wince as the wind picks up, I try my best to at least appear confident, failing miserably. Why was I even here?? The amount of stuff this- horrible thing had put us through, and yet I came crawling back. I blinked as it appeared to move. What the hell.]
āDunno what youāre on about.ā
[Iād certainly distanced myself from further interaction with the watchers after limited life, with the exception of Vast and Dave, but even then, I didnāt fully trust them. Iād won. I could settle, I didnāt need voices guiding me, pushing and shoving me towards an unwanted end.]
[Wait, what? No no no no. Normally, I wouldnāt care. The watchers hurt me, Iāll hurt them back. I canāt explain the guilt that now claws at my heart.]
āWait- I didnāt mean it like that!ā
[I step forwards, I donāt care if the thrum of many divine eyes on me makes my skin crawl. Am I really this desperate to please?]
[I sighed, should I? I risked upsetting them if I didnāt do it. I donāt think I could cope with thousands of upset eyes boring into me again. I step forwards to the button, I hover my palm against the button. My body trembles.]
[ā¦Sorry? There had to be a glitch. Ha- there was just no way. I open my mouth to protest before I find myself falling. Glimpses of every past life series flash past.]
[And my feet find the floor, I find myself stood in that damn circle of future friends and enemies. Third life- before it was ravaged by destruction. I feel quite sick, itās all I can do not to turn to the side and throw up. I donāt understand why Iām here. Grian won here. Why am I back? Why do I have to win?? Iāve already won, turned on my friends and slipped into that familiar red haze. Why am I back.]
[I noticed my wings- or, rather just one wing now- were gone. I think I was relieved. Infact, all of my Allay features were gone.]
[Grian, heās stood there, arms outstretched. His lips move but his words donāt reach my ears. This is all a bad dream. A figment of my overactive imagination. Iāll wake up soon, back in my own bed. I do my best to stand tall, planting a grin on my face. Itās best to act confident here, even if it is only a nightmare.]
[It began. He called it, and we all dispersed.]
[I played it exactly like I did last time. Borrowed Renās enchanter, joined Dogwarts, watched him blow up, lobbed his head off, all that good stuff. However, I treasured my time more, stuck closer to Ren, pulled him in for more hugs. I complimented Skizz more, laughing alongside him. I spent more time with BigB, getting to know him more. Same with Etho, and Impulse despite knowing heād betray us. I also fought a little harder- to no avail. Scar slaughtered Ren, I knelt beside his body and felt the arrow slip between my ribs, and I crumpled.]
[Just like that, Iām back. But- no, I can win it. I run straight back to Ren, do most of it the same, however when Scar blows up Ren, I turn on him and Grian. I take down Grian and Scar flees. Ren gives me a smile so sweet, itās all the reward Iāll ever need. I out Impulse before he exposes himself, I push the Dogwarts knights further and further- but we die. I watch Ren die again, and I fall down beside him.]
[I play it carefully, it starts, and I have an idea. An awful idea.]
[I play it all the same up until Red Winter.]
[Itās cold, so very cold. It seeps into my very bones, settling there. Ren passes me the axe, I hack through his neck. He rises, grey, menacing and covered with gore. He doesnāt scare me, though. He steps forward to shove me, and thatās all the prompting I need. He barely gets through his speech about how I can take his final life; I raise my axe, and cleave straight into his skull. I couldnāt read his expression , if there was one, but he went down with a faint smile. I knelt by his body and wept for a long while after that, clutching his hand which grew steadily colder.]
"your heart is still so warm, despite the cold of the winter."
[ an unfamiliar voice that sounds like woven sunlight and silk reaches his ears. in her hands, looped around her fingers, is a glowing golden thread that continues on and on. after it finishes its loops through her fingers, it drops down to the ground, and snakes towards ren's limp hand, curling around his dead finger. ]
[ the lady strides forwards. she looks too elegant. too perfect. she does not belong here, in this place filled with death. her dress is white and pristine, with golden accents everywhere along, her sandals a beautiful brown, more light than the dirt that dogwarts has. ]
"fate has dealt you such an unkind hand, my dear," [ there is something soothing about her presence, her eyes, white pupils with a mass of blue-green that blurs into one another around them. she bears no threat with her. she is without armour. she does not look like a fighter. somehow, you have the feeling of certainty that you could beat her in a fight. ]
"but to win, one shall give you an ace of spades. perhaps you should consider cruelty-"
[ a snap of scissors. the thread that connects her and ren falls limp, ceasing to glow. ]
[I flinched at the voice, scrambling for my axe, and whirling round- oh. She doesnāt- I canāt explain it, but the axe clatters back to the stone. I stare up at her.]
[āAn unkind handā is putting it lightly, I think bitterly. Tears well in my eyes as I turn back to look at Ren. Iām squeezing his hand too tight- not that he minds.]
āI donāt want to win, not if it means doing this again.ā
[I muttered, loosening my grip, and rubbing my thumb over the back of his palm.]
"i'm afraid that's simply not how the world works," [ she approaches, before crouching in front of ren's dead body, unbothered by the way his head has been split in two. ]
"in order to not experience such pain again, you will have to win - complete the secret keeper's task. i'm sure they're unpleased with my interference," [ she says, idly twirling a lock of her hair in her hands. ]
"however, it is true - violence can be a mercy for ourselves. a quick death can aid in a lack of misery."
[I open my mouth to scold her for touching my king, but I donāt bother. I canāt consider him my king, after I betrayed him like this. It was a stupid task. Iād go give that secret keeper a piece of my mind, except I wouldnāt. Itād stir guilt in my gut so crippling Iād just mumble out apologies instead.]
āWho are you, anyways?ā
[Itās now I realise I havenāt bothered to question who on earth this woman is, she definitely wasnāt any of the players.]
"you may call me lady fate," [ she introduces herself, turning her gaze to him. her eyes - they are strange, a mesh of blue and green into one another, pupils white and only barely visible. it brings a sense of not-quite-discomfort. ] "and you are martyn littlewood."
"i know a lot of things," [ she says, cryptically. ] "just like how i know of dogwarts, and ren, and third life. just how i know of your destiny, and how to leave this place." [ it is said so calmly, as if she was speaking of drinking tea, or simply indulging in casual pleasantries. ]
"i told you, already," [ she says. ] "cruelty is your key to victory. you must win third life, and then you will leave. such is how fate has written it to be."
"good luck, he who is bound by fate's many threads," [ she says, a fingertip brushing across his face as she moves some of his hair behind his ear for him. ]
[ in a moment, she is gone. the only remnants of her being is the faint recollection of her touch - and the dimmed golden thread, cut, that is still attached to ren's dead hand. ]
[I am only upright for a moment later before Iāve crumpled over Renās body. Slowly, painfully slowly I loosen my grip, and draw away to look at the picture of gore and betrayal Iāve pointed.]
[She pretty much said it herself if Iām interpreting this right- ābound by Fateās many threadsā. Iām not getting out of this, might as well begin trying.]
[I donāt bother burying his body, I leave it for whatever lucky carrion birds happen to pass. People are horrified, but they donāt get it. I have to win. I take the enchanter, strip Dogwarts bare of its goods then leave. I have no right to these anymore, but I canāt care.
[I think heās following me- or at least his ghost. I donāt see him fully, but I catch glimpses of a tall, dog eared figure at the edges of my vision. Is it vengeance he seeks? Heās following me ātill I die, he wants my blood to spill. I donāt allow myself to think heās trying to protect me.]
[Dogwarts inevitably crumbles, and people turn on me. I am hunted down as if I was nothing but prey. Itās not pretty when Iām caught.]
[5th place. Itās not much of an improvement, but Iāll take what I can get.]
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[he hasn't seen the secret keeper since the games]
[he's passing by, and his eyes are drawn to the button. its been a while since the games, since all his failures. maybe he could press it again, get a task he could succeed at]
[he walks forward, pressing the button]
@skizzs-mailbox
[The sky darkens and the wind picks up, leaves and dust swirling in small whirls.]
[Your secret task is... succeed.]
Skizzleman. The honorable, noble, and yet, still continues to fall short when it matters. Quite the surprise...
[he hasn't seen the secret keeper since the games]
[he's passing by, and his eyes are drawn to the button. its been a while since the games, since all his failures. maybe he could press it again, get a task he could succeed at]
[he walks forward, pressing the button]
@skizzs-mailbox
[The sky darkens and the wind picks up, leaves and dust swirling in small whirls.]
[Your secret task is... succeed.]
Skizzleman. The honorable, noble, and yet, still continues to fall short when it matters. Quite the surprise...
