Topic: MAZE

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

Margaret turns left and continues walking in front of you, slowly but surely. Soon she meets a corner and continues left again.
"Maybe this isn't real. We could be dreaming...", she muses, "Elenore, do you think if we went back to sleep we'd wake up at home?"

[Pulsen]

[Elenore]

Margaret turns left and continues walking in front of you, slowly but surely. Soon she meets a corner and continues left again.
"Maybe this isn't real. We could be dreaming...", she muses, "Elenore, do you think if we went back to sleep we'd wake up at home?"

"This seems far too real to be a dream. Let's find the way out and if it doesn't bring us home we'll try your suggestion Miss."

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

"Hmm.", she nods in agreement. The silence around you becomes more noticeable as you stop talking. All you can hear are both your footsteps echoing eerily through the empty maze.
You reach another corner and Margaret stops abruptly. "It's close. I feel weird. I don't like it." She cautiously peeks right around the corner. You still don't hear anything.
Margaret must have seen something as she immediately draws back in terror, hugging the wall and trying to hide from whatever she saw.
"It's here, Elenore! I saw it! I saw it!", she whispers to you in panic, trying to keep her breathing under control.

[Pulsen]

[Elenore]

"Hmm.", she nods in agreement. The silence around you becomes more noticeable as you stop talking. All you can hear are both your footsteps echoing eerily through the empty maze.
You reach another corner and Margaret stops abruptly. "It's close. I feel weird. I don't like it." She cautiously peeks right around the corner. You still don't hear anything.
Margaret must have seen something as she immediately draws back in terror, hugging the wall and trying to hide from whatever she saw.
"It's here, Elenore! I saw it! I saw it!", she whispers to you in panic, trying to keep her breathing under control.

I try to calm Margaret down. "Breath through your nose and exhale through your mouth Miss. I'll check it out." I look around the corner ready for a fight if need be.

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

Margaret sits against the wall, unable to speak, trying to follow your advice and focus on her breathing.
You look around the corner and see the short hallway leading up to a fork, going left and right.
You still can't see or hear anyone or anything, besides the white empty walls of the maze.
You continue looking for a few seconds but there's no change.
She could be seeing things that aren't there.

[Pulsen]

[Elenore]

Margaret sits against the wall, unable to speak, trying to follow your advice and focus on her breathing.
You look around the corner and see the short hallway leading up to a fork, going left and right.
You still can't see or hear anyone or anything, besides the white empty walls of the maze.
You continue looking for a few seconds but there's no change.
She could be seeing things that aren't there.

"Miss, I didn't see anyone. Perhaps your encounter prior to me finding you is making you see things that aren't there. You can hide behind me just guide me to where I need to go Miss."

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

Margaret looks up at you, pitifully trying to hold back tears. "OK... I'll do that." She hides behind you, clinging to your shirt.
Whatever she's experiencing must feel very real to her, but she trusts you a lot and seems willing to heed your advice.
She timidly peaks from behind you but quickly draws back, burying her face on your back, too afraid to look ahead.
"Up ahead, then turn right.", she instructs you in a muffled tone. She holds on tight and follows you closely.

[Pulsen]

[Elenore]

Margaret looks up at you, pitifully trying to hold back tears. "OK... I'll do that." She hides behind you, clinging to your shirt.
Whatever she's experiencing must feel very real to her, but she trusts you a lot and seems willing to heed your advice.
She timidly peaks from behind you but quickly draws back, burying her face on your back, too afraid to look ahead.
"Up ahead, then turn right.", she instructs you in a muffled tone. She holds on tight and follows you closely.

I follow her advice while keeping an eye out for any trouble. I could speculate about what this place is and how we got here. We'll do that when we're out of here.

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

You turn right and find yourself in a short hallway leading to a dead end up ahead. There's nothing remarkable about it, just an empty hallway, certainly not an exit.
You look to Margaret for further instructions, perhaps she failed to mention something. She's still clinging to you in fear and quickly grows agitated.
"He's here... right in front of us...", she informs you in a shaky tone. You turn your head back, half expecting to see nothing yet again.

Your heart skips a beat as the hallway comes into view. You can finally see what you couldn't before. It wasn't there just a second ago, as if it materialized out of thin air.
It's been many years, but you recognize him. Standing a few feet in front of you is Colonel Richard Burton, Margaret's father, wearing his army green military uniform. He holds a gun.

"Hiding like a coward again, Margaret? You're a disgrace.", he doesn't acknowledge you, addressing only Margaret. "Come out and face me like an adult!", he challenges her in a stern voice.
"It's not real. It's not real. It's not real.", Margaret mutters to herself, unable to muster a proper answer, refusing to make eye contact with him. Perhaps you can intervene on her behalf.

[Kapenguin]

[Mimiru]

You step outside and the door closes behind you. Your door is an orange colour. As if summoned by your thoughts, a familiar sword materializes in your hands, the same you always use in "The World".
You don't have time to admire your sword, as a giant centipede quickly lunges at you from the ceiling. You swiftly react by slashing its face, the powerful blow sending it flying into the corner.
You are able to maneuver such a heavy weapon with great strength and dexterity, your character's stats must have carried on from your last save file. It feels like a very realistic video game.
You approach the creature to confirm the kill. It's still alive but its face is gruesomely split open, one of its eyes hanging by a thread, purple blood oozing profusely from the wound.
It screeches agonizingly from its grievous wound and you can't help but feel a little pity. It will probably die soon, but it might be kinder to put it out of its misery.

"Whoa...oh, man..."

I approach the creature's injured body, inspecting its wound and, after remarking on its realism, I recoil in disgust.

"UGH. If this is a game, it's a little too realistic for me. Well...at least I have this!" I swing my sword in two swift diagonal motions, refamiliarizing myself with its weight and shape. "Funny that I still know how to use it, even though I still haven't figured out if this even is a game. Oh, well. HIYAH!"

I strike the centipede with a downward stab into its brain. I then sheathe my sword and observe my surroundings.

"Okayyyy...now what?"

[Pulsen]

[Elenore]

You turn right and find yourself in a short hallway leading to a dead end up ahead. There's nothing remarkable about it, just an empty hallway, certainly not an exit.
You look to Margaret for further instructions, perhaps she failed to mention something. She's still clinging to you in fear and quickly grows agitated.
"He's here... right in front of us...", she informs you in a shaky tone. You turn your head back, half expecting to see nothing yet again.

Your heart skips a beat as the hallway comes into view. You can finally see what you couldn't before. It wasn't there just a second ago, as if it materialized out of thin air.
It's been many years, but you recognize him. Standing a few feet in front of you is Colonel Richard Burton, Margaret's father, wearing his army green military uniform. He holds a gun.

"Hiding like a coward again, Margaret? You're a disgrace.", he doesn't acknowledge you, addressing only Margaret. "Come out and face me like an adult!", he challenges her in a stern voice.
"It's not real. It's not real. It's not real.", Margaret mutters to herself, unable to muster a proper answer, refusing to make eye contact with him. Perhaps you can intervene on her behalf.

I rush up and do my best to disarm him. I try to break his wrist, shoulders, and whatever I can get at. "Coward?! You're the one who tried to kill his seven-year-old daughter! And now you're attacking her while she's unarmed! You're the real coward here!" I go off on him and beat the everliving shit out of him.

[MartAnimE]

[Mimiru]

The centipede goes quiet and stops moving. It's finally dead. You half expect its corpse to disappear, as it would in a regular game, but it doesn't, leaving quite a gory scene behind.
Your sword is covered in the creature's blood. When you try to put it away you realize you're not carrying a sheathe. Instead, the sword disappears, just as instantly as it appeared.
It seems you're able to summon your sword and put it away with your thoughts alone. Before you can turn around you hear a voice. A man's voice, coming directly from behind you.

"Is that a sword in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" You quickly turn around, instinctively drawing your weapon towards him. He seems more amused than alarmed by this.
"Now now, there's no need for that.", he raises both hands in the air, trying to convey he's unarmed and not a threat. "I'm a lover not a fighter.", he adds with a cheeky smile.
You take a closer look at him. He's relatively tall, ash brown hair, golden eyes, well-groomed overall. He sounds very calm and confident in demeanour, despite the situation.
Doesn't look like he came from The World, but he's wearing the same white clothes as you. He's probably another player in this game. "The name is Doon. Carrossea Doon."
He addresses you again, in a charming tone, attempting to flatter you. "You did quite a number on that thing. I'm very impressed! May I ask your name, young lady?"

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

He eyes you with a mix of bewilderment and contempt as you tell him off. The moment you rush him he tries to raise his gun at you but he severely underestimated your speed and strength.
You kick his hand, successfully disarming him. The moment the gun hits the floor it vanishes without a trace. Having the element of surprise, you manage to hit his face a couple of times.
He's bleeding from the mouth but seems capable of taking your hits. Having some combat training himself, he manages to retreat back into the corner, putting some more distance between you.
Once he has a chance he draws his gun, which has magically reappeared on his hand. Without the surprise effect and with the increased distance you doubt you could disarm him a second time.

"Elenore!", Margaret shouts out, now fearing for your safety more than her own. This catches Colonel Burton's attention. "Elenore?", he looks at you, without taking his aim off of you.
"Ah yes, I remember you now. How dare you raise a hand against your master? You simple girl.", he chuckles condescendingly, as he wipes the blood off his mouth with his other hand.
"You always fancied my daughter...", he taunts you. "I can't approve of such degeneracy in my household. But you have served me well, I'll see that you're properly rewarded."
He takes something from his pocket and tosses it at you. Your reflexes are sharp and your adrenaline still running high from the fight, you catch it without thinking.
It looks like a mechanical device of some sort. A small cylinder with a cap on top, concealing a button, like a detonator. You look back at him for an explanation.

"You have returned my daughter to me. I'm grateful for that. I will forgive your indiscretions. Press that button and you can leave this maze now. You alone."
You look at him in disbelief. He could be lying, but it's awfully tempting. You could try pressing it and see what happens. He senses your hesitation.
"You don't have to worry about Margaret anymore. As your master, I release you from this burden. You are free. Leave now!", he orders you.
Margaret looks at you pleadingly, with tears in her eyes. "Elenore, it's ok. Please go. Save yourself. I love you!"
Not long ago she was begging you not to leave her side, but now she wants only what is best for you.

[Pulsen]

To be honest, the speed that his gun reappeared in his hands didn't bother me. Though I was at a loss on what to do till he spoke...
"Simple girl" was an insult I had to put up with growing up. There was no way this simulacrum of Col. Burton would have known that since the last time he saw me was
when I was eight. Nor would he know of my feelings for Margaret.


Margaret...

Is this the real Margaret or just another simulacrum?

I pick up the device while keeping my eyes on "Col. Burton".

"Master"?!

"Master? The person who signs my paychecks is behind me. You claim to be him but I know he's long dead. In fact, none of this is real. All the evidence is pointing toward that." Well Elenore, you've stuck your foot into it this time. Let's double down...
"Miss Margaret, ask yourself these two questions: why are you afraid of him and what would "she" do in this situation?"

Then it hits me...this is about fear.
If Margaret's father is her fear then what am I afraid of?

Death? No. I've been dead once and I know what happens so I'm not afraid.

Then I hear Margaret telling me to go and I realize what I'm afraid of...losing or never getting to see Margaret again.
Since none of this is real, I double down again.

"Before I press this button. I have two things I would like to say. Margaret, I love you and if you're the real Margaret please forgive me. And lastly, I always wanted to say this...

LEROOOOOOY JENKINS!"

I press the button.

[MartAnimE]

[Elenore]

As you press the button everything goes black.

You wake up in your bed, but not your own bed at home, the bed in your room inside the maze. He lied to you.
It's possible Colonel Burton, or rather, the entity you confronted earlier, just wanted to separate you from Margaret.
You have no way of knowing how much time has passed since you've been asleep, but you feel well rested from the fight you had earlier.