idolpro | persephone heart game; (run 1)

Entry tags:

!heart games

persephone heart game; (run 1)

In the flicker of a candle-flame, in the stir of still water, in the fluttering of flower petals, there is a voice...

Once, there were...
...shadows in the window.
...footsteps at the gates of life.
...whispering at the door:
"Should I live or die? Am I living or dead?"
"To know the world is to choose it," says the Void.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Who were you expecting?

Truthfully? If Persephone could have it as he desired, no one, but that is precisely the problem. And why we're here now, like this.

[Well that answers a few things.]

Are you a guardian, or...?

Sort of? I'm more here to help you. Tell you the way to go and give you some warnings.

In that case... what's your advice?

Has Persephone or Shrike ever explained to you what exactly they are?

[Shaking his head.]

No, they haven't.

What they are, or were, whatever else they might become once they leave this place, are what is known in our world as 'deathknights'. Chosen by the Neverborn, the dead gods that came before the gods, and granted their power, meant to kill the world and everything in it: Shrike forsook that path, while Persephone never cared to follow it in the first place.

But death is what shaped him - he would not have become what he was without dying and taking their bargain.

Edited 2021-01-24 02:39 (UTC)

[Wow, this sounds familiar for some reason. Wild.]

I see.

What is he planning to do instead?

He was using that power to help him with small-scale acts of compassion, to use it to do what he could to make the world better, even with powers that...well. But as to a larger way to shape the world to make it better...no idea.

But the main thing you will need to do here is listen and understand.

What am I listening for?

The whispers of his heart.

But be careful. The voices of the Neverborn haunt this place, too, and listening to them too strongly means it will be harder to reach him.

Is there a good way to tell the difference? Or do I just have to guess based on what I know of them?

Listen for his voice - the Neverborn won't sound like him. They're more an inchoate chorus of whispers unless they get loud, and they're more than one.

I see. I'll keep that in mind.

Anything else?

Listen and understand. And whatever you do further in...that, too, affects how easy it will be to reach him. Actions that will help him choose the world or life will help, while ones that push him towards not will be like listening to the Neverborn.

And the last thing...you'll have to follow his path. And that path was shaped by pain and death. It's why he doesn't want anyone to leave this part of the garden, because it is the only safe place. He wouldn't hurt any of you intentionally...but he has suffered, and hidden that suffering.

...and, well, you can guess.

...So I should expect to see some pretty traumatic stuff.

[Great. Sounds great!]

[nods] ...and walking some paths will hurt. Like the one you must walk in order to leave this place.

Will I be taking physical damage, or will my body be fine, just in pain?

Your body will be unharmed and in no pain when you return to it. Any pain or injuries you suffer will be only in this space.

[Comforting.]

Well... I suppose I'll go see what happens.

Good luck.

Water on water is the way but you'll need to let go.

...Let go in what way?

Don't fight. Don't swim. Don't try to hold yourself up.

[Izanagi is smart enough to probably pick up on what this means.]

[Wow this is going to suck.]

...Let's just get it over with.

[Time to go to the pond.]

Re: In The Garden 1 (start)

dreamingophelia - 2021-01-24 03:53 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only