The illusion takes the form of an armory - probably an elegant sight in the heyday of this mansion, now decrepit from the dust and rust of time. Display cases full of hunting rifles decorate the walls, along with other exotic weapons, though they're in such disarray that almost all of them are useless.
Junk has piled up instead, all random knick knacks, lucky charms, blueprints to the house, and the occasional blood dagger? Not to mention... bodies. Dead bodies, their blood not yet dried.
A couple, trying to protect each other, mauled. A young man with his head bashed into the floor. A silver haired schoolgirl, impaled. A waif-like goth, covered in tattoos, with his throat slit. One teenager, dressed in avante colours, meets your gaze with one final, terrified look, before the light dies out in his eyes and he bleeds out from his wounds: violent scratches and gouges from teeth, as though someone had been trying to tear his skin off.
Soft sobbing permeates the dead silence. Shrike collapsed against a wall, face in her hands as she cries.
She starts, obviously not expecting anyone to find her here. It takes a second for her to blink away enough tears to discern who was kneeling in front of her.
"The voices... the whispers, that is, they've-- they were quiet for so long, I thought I had a grip on them. I'd gotten stronger."
She shakes her head, withdrawing into herself a little.
"Everyone's looking to me, but I-- I never wanted to be a leader. How could I, when the moment I have to make a decision, I... I'm stuck. I need someone to tell me what to do.
[HAHAHAH way to ask the hard questions because he IS self-aware enough to know "I just listen to the brainwashing of my god to tell me it's fine" isn't a GREAT answer.]
Mm. Perhaps it is cliche but... I rely on others, when I falter. People are never meant to be alone. Whether that is in making choices or just in general, the perspectives of others, the warmth and comfort of those we trust and love, that is everything.
To question, to hesitate, that is natural. To look to others for strength is then also natural. It isn't wrong even to not trust yourself. If you can lean on someone else, and they on you, than you will figure it out in time, slowly, together.
Those words seem to calm her, and she nods slightly.
"It feels selfish of me... to impose. Sometimes it seems like all I do is burden others, but-- to know that there's people who believe in me all the same..."
She wipes the moisture from her eyes, breathing in deep. "I want to try and be worthy of it."
Ah, if we are speaking soldiers than it is important to share that load as well. In war or in peace none may take things on alone.
If you are ready to tackle your share, that is fine, but do not forget to rest when you need it, to lean on others when you stumble. There is no shame in that.
"Of course. And... thank you, for letting me lean on you, as well."
Even as you think to the uncertainty of the future, you feel protected and supported by the love you've cultivated - something that stands fast, even as you feel weak, exposed and vulnerable inside. Your mind is such a fragile thing, and it's been a puppet for such false acts, but...
You know yourself, through the eyes of those who love you. You can only hold fast to the faith that you will find yourself again and again, for them - and rebuild yourself stronger when you do.
The illusion around you shatters - and you are returned to the floating platform.
Shrike’s statue dissolves into blue energy, which your weapon once again absorbs. The base becomes another pillar of light, spilling out from a portal to the next level.
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Re: LEVEL 4B
[He will touch this plaque gentle then.]
Re: LEVEL 4B
Junk has piled up instead, all random knick knacks, lucky charms, blueprints to the house, and the occasional blood dagger? Not to mention... bodies. Dead bodies, their blood not yet dried.
A couple, trying to protect each other, mauled.
A young man with his head bashed into the floor.
A silver haired schoolgirl, impaled.
A waif-like goth, covered in tattoos, with his throat slit.
One teenager, dressed in avante colours, meets your gaze with one final, terrified look, before the light dies out in his eyes and he bleeds out from his wounds: violent scratches and gouges from teeth, as though someone had been trying to tear his skin off.
Soft sobbing permeates the dead silence. Shrike collapsed against a wall, face in her hands as she cries.
Re: LEVEL 4B
Shrike.
Re: LEVEL 4B
"Oh... Y-you shouldn't be here..."
Re: LEVEL 4B
Re: LEVEL 4B
Re: LEVEL 4B
[He sits next to her.]
You may use my shoulder if you wish.
Re: LEVEL 4B
Quietly, "I-it's too much. I don't want to kill anymore, I was done with it-- but they wouldn't stop."
Re: LEVEL 4B
It is tiring, isn't it?
Re: LEVEL 4B
"I-I'm scared. I'm scared of what I’ll do."
Re: LEVEL 4B
Re: LEVEL 4B
She shakes her head, withdrawing into herself a little.
"Everyone's looking to me, but I-- I never wanted to be a leader. How could I, when the moment I have to make a decision, I... I'm stuck. I need someone to tell me what to do.
"And the voices do."
Re: LEVEL 4B
My dear, it is all right to falter. I do not know your circumstances, but if you would tell me I would listen.
Re: LEVEL 4B
"That's... kind of you. But I-- if you knew the things I'd done..."
From the deep regret in her voice, this is like - warcrime level of badness.
Re: LEVEL 4B
If it helps I can assure you I have done my own ills. I will not judge you, Shrike. But I will be here should you need to cry.
Re: LEVEL 4B
Re: LEVEL 4B
Mm. Perhaps it is cliche but... I rely on others, when I falter. People are never meant to be alone. Whether that is in making choices or just in general, the perspectives of others, the warmth and comfort of those we trust and love, that is everything.
To question, to hesitate, that is natural. To look to others for strength is then also natural. It isn't wrong even to not trust yourself. If you can lean on someone else, and they on you, than you will figure it out in time, slowly, together.
Re: LEVEL 4B
"It feels selfish of me... to impose. Sometimes it seems like all I do is burden others, but-- to know that there's people who believe in me all the same..."
She wipes the moisture from her eyes, breathing in deep. "I want to try and be worthy of it."
Re: LEVEL 4B
That is a useful feeling. But do not let it burden you to the point of a weight you cannot carry.
Re: LEVEL 4B
"That is a soldier's duty, isn't it? I can't let others shoulder a weight without doing my part as well."
Re: LEVEL 4B
If you are ready to tackle your share, that is fine, but do not forget to rest when you need it, to lean on others when you stumble. There is no shame in that.
Re: LEVEL 4B
"Of course. And... thank you, for letting me lean on you, as well."
Even as you think to the uncertainty of the future, you feel protected and supported by the love you've cultivated - something that stands fast, even as you feel weak, exposed and vulnerable inside. Your mind is such a fragile thing, and it's been a puppet for such false acts, but...
You know yourself, through the eyes of those who love you. You can only hold fast to the faith that you will find yourself again and again, for them - and rebuild yourself stronger when you do.
The illusion around you shatters - and you are returned to the floating platform.
Shrike’s statue dissolves into blue energy, which your weapon once again absorbs. The base becomes another pillar of light, spilling out from a portal to the next level.
???