Chapter 8

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Footsteps clash against our private ground, echoing through a land that none should touch. Five still remain, their hearts aching with every passing second, they continue to push towards a goal using items forbidden by a traitor who cannot take no for an answer.

"I'm low!" Pearl shouts. Grian pulls out a splash potion of healing and throws it in her direction. Upon hitting the ground, it shatters, sending shards into the grass as particles of purple and pink surround her, Martyn, and BigB, who are close by.

This is but a temporary relief from the pain, as the constant striking of our warning returns, draining their health at an unwanted but deserved speed.

"On me!" Scott gasps, Grian throws a bottle next to him, encasing both of them with health.

They keep running, legs that wouldn't normally feel pain now ache in dread of a longer track. Lungs that didn't care for air now gasp for a rest. The closer they get, the more they'll regret, as the realization should settle in that this would be a true death — one they could not return from.

A few more blocks, a few more steps, the end is in their reach. Giving everyone another splash of health the group managed to reach the building. Up close they can now see the details we cared so much about: the arch with rims of material they cannot reach, walls with patterns that tease the bird that flew away from the nest. They do not care to notice, the threat of death removes their attention to detail; their priority is on the end, not the means.

"It's... stopped?" Scott exclaims, waiting a few seconds hoping that the absence of pain isn't a trick.

"Phew, that was a longer journey than I thought it'd be." Pearl huffs, gaining back her breath.

"That's only the first trial." Grian whispers, looking around.

"Woo! Exciting." Martyn's sarcasm shines as brightly as ever, "What's next? A cryptic riddle or a straight-up lie?"

Rolling his eyes, Grian looks around the group only to lock on BigB's wrist, "How much time do you have left?"

As he checks, BigB gulps and, after a shaky sigh, he looks back at the group, " Thirty Minutes..."

Everyone's reactions are reasonable. As what seemed to be a hundred-metre sprint took an irregular amount of time away from their precious clocks. Not wasting another second, they split up and examine the objects.

A vase whish shows the vain attributes of our work intrigues Pearl's eyes.

Pictures to enlighten others of the misfortunes and greed they fail to contain as players of our worlds brings Scott to it's frame.

Plants to show kindness that others may neglect to share shows BigB the beauty of it's vines.

Then there's the book that catches Martyn's attention. A show of intellect, a show of understanding, a show of care. So we shall read it to enlighten others and let them know of the future they've accepted:

"When the light last fell, it was your hand which guided them to doom. Now your hubris will cause the loss of worlds and hands will reach out for help, yet all you'll do is stare..."  

"What was that?" Scott ask, walking towards him.

"Huh? Oh, well this book is definitely important, however I can't read a single thing on it." Martyn claims.

"Geez-" Pearl exclaims, shocking the Mean Gills, "That's the most gibberish gibberish I've ever seen." Her comment attracts BigB over, seeing if he could understand what they could not. It is in vain. 

"Can confirm, that's gibberish, though it's familiar gibberish." He quietly mentions. 

"Hey G do you think-" Martyn starts, turning around.

The bird is in shock, not sure if what he heard was real. His unnerved fears aren't hidden by his concerned expression looking at the man as if he wasn't true. We can feel his heart, his breathing, it's so shallow as he tries to control the shaking he's shown none but himself. If what he heard was reality then his suspicions should be kicking in.

"Ah sorry- let me see." he brushes it off as he walks towards the book. 

Looking down at the pages his eyes scan the words, taking in all whilst ignoring half. Scoffing he closes the book, "It's nothing but taunts." that's not completely true, but to his eyes everything we say is a taunt. The back cover catches his eyes, a glint of fear enters as he shoots his eyes to the floor jus as it opens up.

Now the game begins.



ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ↸ᔑ||'ꖎꖎ ᓭ𝙹𝙹リ ᓵ𝙹ᒲᒷ
𝙹⚍∷ ∴╎⋮⋮ ʖᒷ ↸𝙹リᒷ. 

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