#}|{

[drunkenmoth]

Byron: [takes a shot and decks his friend in the next panel because he slipped in a slur against a POC]

Also Byron: [shakes so much from social interaction he beats someone with his goddamn wings]

DUALITY

[wherethestoryhasimagination]

}|{

((related to this brilliant bit :3 @ohthewhomanity ))

Paio. One who shouted their thoughts to The Sky. Though the Deities of your Realm may not have heard you, there is another who recognized your cry.

Another who would be ready to share information and the opportunity to make choices that would otherwise be nigh impossible under their current circumstances.

It would happen the night after they had witnessed the event. A single, vertical line would form, then split open all at once to reveal some sort of unknown being. Their face, the only part of them that could be considered exposed, slightly fuzzy and obscured. A Single eye able to be seen clearly through their silver monocle. Armless gloves in place of hands, to their sides and apart in an inviting gesture. And their Wings... Glowing with an unknown energy, and invoking the possibilities of higher geometries.

Whatever this being may be... They are most certainly NOT, some squabbling furless creature.

‘That’s the way it is. That’s the way it is. That’s the way it is...’

‘What a Lie. So thoroughly told, that the lie-tellers themselves believe it.’

‘So willingly they would accept your death when the time comes... If, it were to come. Just as they so willingly accepted Murder, to stake their claim upon the world.’

the thought of Grand Denizens, creatures of immense power, and more importantly, Wisdom, being slain for the sake of material gain.

In equal measure, the idea of the one that might be known as The Prince is invoked. One that had the same kind of life as the others, but the only difference being that they had tried to kill something that the others did not decide was to be killed. So they were killed in return.

And finally, the idea of Your Home being torn down by fiery judgement from the sky, the gods doing nothing but waiting thousands of years for your kind to be replaced, so that they might start the cycle of control all over again.

‘Why did you Hide? What did you fear? Wouldn’t meeting Those who would claim that ~”We’ve made what we were meant to make, and we’re ruling what we were meant to rule”~ be worth any risk? Or did you know without knowing, that they had accepted the idea of killing as a tool into their hearts’

‘And how did you manage to hide? When one written into The World was around. Did they let you stay? did something help you stay hidden? were you just good enough at hiding? Did you end up helping yourself hide in some grander fashion? Or is there some other possibility left unmentioned? ... How it happened, I will not try to find out. If I were to tell you how it happened, I would be removing your own agency in your Fate. And that would be Controlling.’

‘But I can offer the thought of possibilities. The thought of positive Fates that one would have already sought.’

some possibilities that may or may not be real are invoked now. The Twins. one of ‘Connections, bonds, leadership, inter-connectivity~ BLOOD’ The other cut of the same cloth as the being before you; managing to keep the three of you hidden through either some innate presence, or through some active aid from a more powerful version of themselves...

And yourself. Of one of the Aspects most typically feared by those who would perpetuate false realities. The Aspect of Emotions one’s Heart would rather not access. Of turbulent feelings. Of Refusal... But, most importantly, and, most often the part people fail to mention, The Aspect of Truth.

RAGE. 

perhaps, one who understands and heals Truth, like The Sylph does with Time... just a single possibility, among your potential. nothing confirmed. nothing to remove your own agency over Fate...

‘You said yourself that you are as good as them, and maybe better. Which is true. you have not convinced yourself that it is ok for your world to die. And as beautiful as a possible Fate it would be if the tiny truth you hold were to manage to overcome the ones who call themselves gods, the chance that they would be willing to destroy that truth may, unfortunately, be quite real.’

‘here lies another possibility though. The Game that they plan to let your people play, and as a result, let your people destroy themselves with. If someone involved were to plan ahead, you might just find that there were copies of it right beneath their noses. Beneath the Rock that The Sylph had sat. And if you were to play with your friends, and not prototype anything before entry...’

a thin veil of obscurity is removed here; permitting enough of an understanding of The Game to know the implications.

‘the session would not be able to create a new Universe. But that would not matter. You would not be planning to Kill anyone. It would be tricky, but you could get through The Game without Killing anything, and ascend as your would-be god have. Then, ride through The gate of Skaia, back to your World on the only meteor to ever fly.’

‘You would be on equal, if not higher ground than they are, and be able to protect both your truth and your world.’

‘But of course, other possibilities exist, and if you were to choose them, that would be your own agency, in your own fate; more than would have been given otherwise.’

other potential events are invoked. you play early with your friends, but you do prototype, and possibly claim the Prize that The gods would have you claim, in exchange for Your world. you wait till time runs its course, and play when it eventually comes out, leading to nearly the same... you play by yourself, and suffer the consequences. you refuse to play, and perish in the fire like so many others. ~!~

‘though out of all the possible ways things may go... I would Hope you do not repeat the first Sin. I would Hope you do not try and Trick anyone into Playing, as the others Tricked The Muse.’

‘And finally, so as to seal your total agency over this situation, I will not lord my position of power through knowledge over you, like others might. bleh-heh-heh... I won’t be making you write down everything I’ve said in a book, and have you make your descendants read it for years on end in a big building. Nono, I will lower myself to the point where even the thought of a child could subvert and stop me.’

‘If you do not wish to remember anything I have told you, you may forget it before you wake. In fact, you may pick and choose. perhaps, you do not wish to know of The Game. perhaps the knowledge of the murder committed by the would-be gods disturbs you... perhaps, you do not wish to remember me, and claim the prophetic knowledge as your own, perhaps from a cloud in a golden city, or such. perhaps, there are other options left unmentioned... Whatever choice you may make, will be yours. I simply want to give you back the choice that others would have made for you. I hope you choose whatever you think is right.’

‘And I Hope you understand the power that even the smallest person holds over being able to make The World a better place. This tiny little butterfly Hopes that they have made The World a better place at least...’

‘farewell... And sweet Dreams...’

[wherethestoryhasimagination]

[S] =*∞=> DIVIDE;

aMAZING THING I NEVER WOULD HAVE FIGURED OUT ABOUT GHOSTS.

iT SEEMS THAT ONE OF THE ONLY WAYS TO NOT GET PULLED INTO A LOOP OF REPEATING OLD MEMORIES IS TO EITHER BE ACTUALLY ALIVE AND PRESENT IN THE DREAM BUBBLES, tO BE KNOCKED OUT OF IT BY SOMEONE WHO ISN’T LOOPING MEMORIES...

oR TO HAVE EXPLODED OUT OF A SPRITE.

sO, i GUESS GAM KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHEN THEY TOSSED ME AND VRISKA INTO THAT SPRITE.

eVEN THOUGH, uH, tHEY SEEMED TO WANT TO SUPPORT LORD ENGLISH.

aND I KINDA ENDED UP BEING THE ONE TO GO AROUND AND WAKE UP ALL KINDS OF GHOSTS FROM THE MEMORY LOOPS THAT KEEP THEM DOCILE AND EASY TO CONTROL.

sO THAT THEY COULD ALL JOIN AN ARMY TO FIGHT LORD ENGLISH.

wHICH, uH, iT SEEMS IS WHAT THE TERRORS NEEDED TO HAVE HAPPEN. sO THAT ENGLISH COULD FINALLY STOP KILLING EVERYTHING.

bUT GUESS WHO STILL ISN’T A DOCILE MEMORY LOOPING GHOST?

iF YOU GUESSED TAVROS, tHEN...

tHAT WOULD BE QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE GUESS. cONGRATZ.

nOW I CAN GO AROUND WAKING UP ALL THE REMAINING GHOSTS, wHILE ALSO HAVING, uH, eQUIUS AROUND, sO THAT THE TERRORS WON’T FIND ME AND TEAR ME APART INTO LITTLE BITS OF GRUBSAUCE, sO THAT EVERYONE CAN STOP LOOPING AND BEGIN DOING SOME CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRESS STUFF.

lIKE FEF, sHE HAS LIFE POWERS. wHICH, uH, sEEMS LIKE A REAL BIG DEAL IN A PLACE FULL OF DEAD GHOSTS. 

nOW THAT SHE ISN’T REPEATING HER MEMORIES ON LOOP, sHE CAN START WORKING WITH EVERYONE TO BRING EVERYONE LEFT ALIVE BACK TO, uH, bEING ACTUALLY ALIVE.

:33< guess who’s back!

That’s right it’s everyone’s favorite pair of Rouges!

:33< Feffury couldn’t join us

:33< She’s busy batting at other glasses on different tables

As ADORABLE and PERFECT as Fefeta was, they really needed to become ghosts again it would seem.

:33< so we cod be revived for our 9th lives and get stuff done

Rouge of Void.

:33< And Rouge of Heart

Seems that the terrors control... How much do they control Nep?

:33< basicallicoy 100% of all the Hearts in the Void. all penned in by bubbles.

HOW MUCH? This is ABSURD! If only there were some Robinhoods in town to Steal from the rich and give to the needy.

:33< *the calling card has been sent. The corrupts in control will know to fear* ‘STEAL YOUR HEART’

=:) I’ll meet with the others soon enough. But before the 4 of us who picked different chips meet again... ‘Blood, Life, Light, And Hope’... I want to be a beacon of Hope for those who need to find their way. Help those who don’t know if they should fight or flee. They can seek refuge in my arms...

FIGHT; I AM THE REAL ONE; HOW CAN I FIGHT; I’M JUST A FAKE; WE CAN’T FIGHT OURSELVES; THE CYCLE IS ETERNAL; AN UNBROKEN LOOP OF BROKEN TIME; WE LEARN WE STOP FIGHTING WE GET DESTROYED BY THE NEW ANEW; ... THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE; THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE; THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE; THISCANNOTCONTINUE; THISCANNOTCONTINUETHISCANNOTCONTINUETHISCANNOTCONTINUETHISCANNOTCONTINUETHISCANNOTCONTINUETHISCANNOTCONTINUE-

My final death. when I am forgotten... But I’m not forgotten yet. I, am the parallel to the Lord of Doom, made not, that was in a Session with a Robot, a mutant, and a halacandrian. I created the restraints that would be needed for THE LAST SESSION any of us would need to be involved in. So long as I am not forgotten. as long as that residue remains. Someone will find it. my Body is out there. it exists. I exist. And that residue. the scraps left behind from a confrontation beyond my comprehension. Someone can find some use for it. and then I will have helped even more. Do not follow me. But do not forget me.

I have no idea what is going on. All I do is sell treats on the streets. But if your so sure that some kinda cataclysm is about to happen... Well, I’ve moved before. This ol’ Dersite can move again.

MUAAHAHAHAHAHA!

YES! Good... hmmhmm. how interesting. an army of the angelic, and an army of the demonic stand before me. Except this time it isn’t because they are working together again to try and Destroy ME! GUNDAM TANAKA! Instead, they are ready to work FOR me, SO WE CAN- ah... Flayer. are you feeling well? you’ve been eating the special mix of fruits and seeds I’ve made for you, yes? your feathers look to be in a sorry state...

I’ll take care of you, no need to worry. We all need to be our best. A very important day is coming up, and...

When it comes, I’ll need you and everyone else to flee. Please don’t fear for me. you know how powerful I am. While the foes I am to face could take on any number of armies, they have yet to invent a force strong enough to defeat Me.

Not even my devas of destruction can follow. You four... will need to lead the others to their new home in this ‘Tree’. Please, don’t cry. a true Deva sheds no tears at the thought of Battle! I’ve fought fiends ten times as strong. you know that. so please, when you make it to your new home...

Remember me as the one who single handedly destroyed the Terrors, laughing as I revel in my victory! MUAHAHAHA!!!

They won’t have the game anymore over there. We will have no purpose.

we’re Denizens. we’re clever. We can figure something out.

the rules are a little different for us all. you know that. We all have to pick 1 side together or some of us will cease to be Denizens.

and those of us who would be incapable of adjusting...

We can figure it out. even if we have to start from scratch with totally new Bodies. And break down our Spirits till they can fit in suitable vessels. And...

that’s suicide. we would no longer be what we are.

... So you can not change? the one thing we must ask of Every Player we face? It can be scary to change. but if we out of anything can not change, then we all deserve what is to come for sealing in the hypocrisy of the game.

do you have an answer then? can you solve the ultimate riddle?

... Yes. it is time to move on. we will never be as important as we once were. but that only means we can be better now. this system is corrupt, and taking part in it could only be a necessary evil for so long.

say farewell.

how hard they all struggle. how much both sides fear the other... How they wish to Destroy eachother... but what would they ever do without the other? they need eachother. and they didn’t learn this... now they never will. perhaps next time, they’ll be in a position where they can better understand the other. maybe...

Maybe this time...

[wherethestoryhasimagination]

“So. your Plan will finally be over with. And I’ll never need to see you again. But, even though I’ve been the one doing your Coding, I need to ask... Have you even thought about what would happen if you’ve messed up; If you’re wrong?”

Well, It piggybacked off the presence of another Cataclysm, so... Not to much else. it’d all be a fate that would be experienced anyway.

“That isn’t good enough AV. I’ll need Full convincing here if we’re to follow through any further... I’m not completely clueless, despite my tendency to only research exactly what I need to. I Know about The Swapped Side of things.”

“And how The Lord Of LIGHT that reflects you needs to work to keep The Lord of Life from interference. So... If I seem to find it worth trying to mess with... There’s a good chance I might to.”

“You’re good. real good at hiding these things in plain sight... But I know better.”

“I know how much Plants Benefit from the nutrients of The Decomposed.”

“If Doom has Taught Me anything, It’s how Everything else benefits from some other thing reaching the end of their Fate.”

“So... Before you can convince me to let you hit the switch and set to consuming this reality like a cadaver, you’ll need to get to explaining things a little more clearly.”

But of course. you needed only ask nicely. But, by the way of your own threat... I wonder what you’d expect could throw it off by now. Without incriminating yourself that is.

“Offering a fault in the Mirror. Reach my own Fate and let ME in. Fall from the sight of The Lord of LIGHT, and into a place that runs on far to much subtly to ever manage to correct for it. THAT, is what Threat exists that can still hold some sway over you and the ways you are committed to.”

Ah, yes... That would do it. I won’t bother interjecting any kind of comment on the ways and whats of your potential to come up with a Plan.

So very well. I will spill it all.

Your projections and guesses are very much on point.

As the ~Breaks in The Furthest Ring spread, so to will Roots that perfectly fill the cracks. Feeding on the shattered Aspects to fuel its growth.

However, one thing you hadn’t managed to predict was that this new Home has Doors Installed.

Final, Guardians...

Much like the First Guardians that drew Power from THE SUN at the core of it all, Final Guardians will draw power from THE BLACK HOLE left in its place.

But It isn’t JUST a black hole anymore, now is it... It is being shadowed by The Roots of The Tree. Final Guardians c-

“Shut it.”

“I don’t want to know how it can Work. I know how it can work.”

“What I ASKED, is what would happen if it were to fail.”

... ah. alright... Well. If it fails, then the tree just... withers. It can’t find any purchase against the Rock, and the paltry amount of raw material that was needed to give its seed nutrients enough to sprout in the first place fails to contain enough for a single Fruit to form, beginning the stable cycle.

Those who wished to enter the New Reality... Will have just the sprout... But it is big enough in there for them all to live their Lifetimes. There just, won’t ever be any other Places to ever BE. Not that I’d advise trying to manipulate the World Tree, or exploring the Layers, but both manipulation and Layer hopping would be impossible without anything more, and without any strength to the Tree to BE manipulated.

But all those that would want to leave here wanted a new Life away from The Game and this reality anyway.

That there won’t be any new Universe to replace the one they will have after everything and everyone eventually dies out is of little consequence to them. They still get exactly what they want, be the tree ill or Healthy.

“And, if it goes out with a BANG? instead of a pthhh, like you so describe?”

you’re ok with pthhh then?

“just answer.”

well... The Tree is supposed to be full of a number of things quite foreign to formation of reality as most here would know it. many mixtures other than just 1 Dynamic Time and 3 Static Space... The net result would be a total emulsion of the Aspects. sound familiar? ... In effect... It is as you Say. It reaching its Fate would indeed seem to benefit everything else. The Damage left by THE BLACK HOLE would begin to seal up. This Reality would be Healed of at least 1 of its Ails via spontaneous herbal Treatment. And an expensive treatment at that.

This Reality would be free of the Impact left by

THE ORIGIONAL STORY

and be capable of continuing in a far more stable environment.

However... It would leave the regret of those who wanted to escape to The Tree.

I, actually have NO Idea what would happen to them. We’ve only the 1 presence of MIND to begin to even think about what it would even be like.

Best case...

Its like paradox cloning for the existence of Their True Selves?

other than that, I’d not be hopeful for a positive outcome.

“... Well. It’s refreshing to hear you at least admit that not even you have total comprehension on this. as much as Void Serves you, the reality you are from is only 1 presence of Void. You’re like a flatlander when trying to even deal with something that has access to as many forms and multiplicities of Void as it needs.”

Hey, even Flatlanders can grow to understand higher things. The FlatLander was the one who asked the Sphere about the 4th after all.

[wherethestoryhasimagination]

‘The Daughter’ ]:[

Or rather, General Hazel.

The Order to go into Cryo from Prime Commander Smithy had come suddenly, which was not how they usually did things.

When Hazel pushed for information, claiming right to know so she may determine if she needs to try and convince Smithy that they have chosen a poor route of action was met with that information...

Smithy was going out to recollect the results of a failed experiment...

A single Genral Unit, The F.E.U. contained within a ‘Mechanical troll prototype’, and Said Mechanical Troll, as they supposedly had some kind of ‘Upgrade chip’ that could prove to be very interesting... But that the chance for Smithy to need to Spend some TIME either getting there or while there was relatively high, so they wanted their Best commander somewhere where it wouldn’t matter if TIME chose to act strangely...

Convinced that it would be a simple personal mission made to end a simple personal experiment, Hazel accepted her orders, and went to sleep...

Smithy had lied; They were not going to share on the nature of The Game, and didn’t elaborate upon the nature of how a Time Player like themselves could possibly be there...

The Rest of Smithy’s story is known. The Thief RUINED Smithy, Smithy got ~Scratched, Smithy’s impact upon reality was significantly wiped clean...

But The Story of Commander Hazel...

An equipment malfunction caused her Cryo-Pod to automatically open.

She was greeted with the sight of Ruins... How long had she been out?

1000 years? 1 million? 100 trillion?

...

No, to her shock, she had been asleep no longer than 1 Month.

How could such destruction have overtaken EVERYTHING, in such a short time?

Shipments from all over, crash-landing.

Troops long having had gone on the warpath, ending in self-destruction.

Her Father, dead; a factory accident.

A Powerful Virus having wiped every redundant system clean, leaving nothing but a }|{ stylized butterfly image on their screens...

This would take some time to figure out.

And even more time to Fix, If it even could be fixed.

Her only solace; most units with uniquely high autonomy were more than capable of responding to an emergency broadcast of Codes now known only to Her. 

(H-type) Androids; Genrals; Yaridovich hives; HR-E/HR-H replicas; F.A.E.;

And her P.A.L... so much that they’ve been through... Long since Tamed...

Together, they know they must fix this.

Together, they can pull through, learn what happened, and make whoever is responsible for Destroying their World Pay.

[floatingsideways]

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