2011-06-04, 12:28 PM
#12
. . . gives in and descends the stairs into the chasm.
The red light fades as he takes his first steps into the abyss. Letting go, the darkness easily grips his body and guides his legs down each stair. His flashlight barely illuminates two steps in front of him, but it does not matter. The man's body is no longer his own--it belongs to the void.
Deeper and deeper he descends. Hours pass. The darkness is so thick that it gnaws at his flesh. His sanity fades. Spectres pass in and out of reality all around him, their faces racked with grief. They call out to him, desperately, but he doesn't hear them. The past, his past...the past of those before him mourn every step he takes, unable to break his trance.
Days pass in the darkness. His skin is raw and bloody. His insides burn and struggle to maintain function. His sanity hangs by its final thread. His legs move completely separate from his body, under the power of another. The flashlight flickers, losing strength. All around him, within him, the visions grow increasingly bizarre. A young woman, cradling her baby, reaches out for him as he passes by. Two men fall past him from above, their bloodcurdling screams echoing in the endless chasm. And then silence. Distant crying. Broken conversations of love and regret. The darkness flashes its teeth, a wicked smile...
"Welcome, Derrick."
The man's legs suddenly reach the bottom. He nearly falls over from the unexpected end of the stairs. The rush of everything from his descent overwhelms his body, forcing him to his knees. His senses return to him. Pain hits him like a flood. His entire body is on the edge, and he fights to retain consciousness. He tries desperately to understand how this happened to him...and he remembers entering the chasm. Nothing seems real anymore.
In the darkness before him, several torches burst to life on pillars lining a massive hallway. Slowly, with an arrogant stride, a well-dressed man approaches him. The mysterious man laughs and begins gently clapping his hands. "Well done, well done. It's been ages since I've had any guests."
"W-...who...are you?" Derrick struggles to speak.
"Come now, don't strain yourself. We have a lot to discuss, you know. Let me help you." He extends his hand for Derrick, his eyes glittering with deceit. His face painted with a sinister grin.
. . .
---
A) Take the mysterious man's hand.
B) Try to get away.
C) Try to attack him.
---
[SPOILER=Author's comments]
Chapter 3 is gonna be starting sooner than expected because I honestly didn't think you guys would go into the chasm one way or another. Didn't think I'd even introduce this character until much later, but SURPRISE. The time is now.
And fyi, you've already avoided several (4-5?) DEAD ENDS. Of course, I've never put more than one among a selection. Considering the options I've presented, take that as you will.
Updates to INVENTORY.
First to five takes it!
. . . gives in and descends the stairs into the chasm.
The red light fades as he takes his first steps into the abyss. Letting go, the darkness easily grips his body and guides his legs down each stair. His flashlight barely illuminates two steps in front of him, but it does not matter. The man's body is no longer his own--it belongs to the void.
Deeper and deeper he descends. Hours pass. The darkness is so thick that it gnaws at his flesh. His sanity fades. Spectres pass in and out of reality all around him, their faces racked with grief. They call out to him, desperately, but he doesn't hear them. The past, his past...the past of those before him mourn every step he takes, unable to break his trance.
Days pass in the darkness. His skin is raw and bloody. His insides burn and struggle to maintain function. His sanity hangs by its final thread. His legs move completely separate from his body, under the power of another. The flashlight flickers, losing strength. All around him, within him, the visions grow increasingly bizarre. A young woman, cradling her baby, reaches out for him as he passes by. Two men fall past him from above, their bloodcurdling screams echoing in the endless chasm. And then silence. Distant crying. Broken conversations of love and regret. The darkness flashes its teeth, a wicked smile...
"Welcome, Derrick."
The man's legs suddenly reach the bottom. He nearly falls over from the unexpected end of the stairs. The rush of everything from his descent overwhelms his body, forcing him to his knees. His senses return to him. Pain hits him like a flood. His entire body is on the edge, and he fights to retain consciousness. He tries desperately to understand how this happened to him...and he remembers entering the chasm. Nothing seems real anymore.
In the darkness before him, several torches burst to life on pillars lining a massive hallway. Slowly, with an arrogant stride, a well-dressed man approaches him. The mysterious man laughs and begins gently clapping his hands. "Well done, well done. It's been ages since I've had any guests."
"W-...who...are you?" Derrick struggles to speak.
"Come now, don't strain yourself. We have a lot to discuss, you know. Let me help you." He extends his hand for Derrick, his eyes glittering with deceit. His face painted with a sinister grin.
. . .
---
A) Take the mysterious man's hand.
B) Try to get away.
C) Try to attack him.
---
INVENTORY
[SPOILER=Author's comments]
Chapter 3 is gonna be starting sooner than expected because I honestly didn't think you guys would go into the chasm one way or another. Didn't think I'd even introduce this character until much later, but SURPRISE. The time is now.
And fyi, you've already avoided several (4-5?) DEAD ENDS. Of course, I've never put more than one among a selection. Considering the options I've presented, take that as you will.
Updates to INVENTORY.
First to five takes it!