[DON'T JUST IMMEDIATELY RUN INTO THE GRAVEYARD HELP!!! BEATS YOU BACK WITH A BROOM.
Whatever it is that caught Dahut's attention, it catches Luke's too--he nods in understanding as the flames morph even further. He's not exactly cherubic and encouraging, but his smile is warm too.]
[And then, from Arthur and Gregor's perspective, Dahut and Luke return to their forms as fire. Perhaps now, though, it's clear where some of the warmth they feel is coming from. Despite everything, you're not alone, it seems.
Alas, in terms of actual physical proximity, it's time to part ways. The two fires leave (unless Aki and Pixi are about to try and veer wildly off course), following something only they can see. Arthur and Gregor will understand, one way or another, that there is no point in following them. Dahut and Luke have their place to be, while for you two—there is something further you must seek.
[there they go....... he looks distressed for a moment, because if he didn't think he would be sticking with them for a while he probably would've tried to ask something more useful, but it's fine. he still kind of assumes they're going to get yeeted into the grave once they finish whatever it is they're looking for here which i'm noting only because it continues to be funny how wrong he is.
gregor's quiet, for a second, just watching them go; he reflexively reaches for his pockets to pull out a cigarette, forgetting briefly that he doesn't have them on him right now. habit.]
...yeah. Yeah, think I'm as ready as I'm gonna be.
Finally, their journey takes them to a platform, an unfamiliar emblem emblazoned on the ground. In the center is a throne, surrounded by spikes; atop it sits a masked man. As Arthur and Gregor approach, he rises, flames spilling from his sword and around him. If Arthur or Gregor, for whatever reason, feel like trying to fight this very innocent-looking dude, they will understand: this is the Champion of Hell. As lost souls, they pale in comparison to the strength he holds.
Calmly, he speaks.]
So, you have made it to me. Did you like the world I showed you?
[Despite everything, his question appears to be genuine. What he wished to show you was a life where you were surrounded by family and friends, without loss or trauma. The shitty dreams that happened after you woke up from the illusion were not his fault, at least. That might just be a side effect of Hell.]
A happy, blissful world, untainted by humanity's greed... That is what I seek. Humans cannot help but be ugly, their hearts corrupt—and so I will recreate this world into one free of desire.
Tell me, what do you choose? If you wish, I can return you to that life. Or, you can join me, so that we may change this cursed world and make that illusion a reality.
[Arthur and Gregor will know that they must make a choice, here and now. They do not have to answer out loud if they don't want to, as the Champion will understand their heart. Neither does their answer have to be the same as the other's.
• Choose the illusion. You can remain in your happy slice of life AU, get to go on that graduation trip with your friends, attend university, and see what the future holds.
• Join this man. If you believe in his cause, you can place your fate in his hands, in whatever form that might take.
• Deny both. Although he only presented two options, there is another. You can choose the world as it is, however cruel, and be reborn into it.
[if he were still fourteen, before he left home, he would surely pick the first option. he might even have chosen that when he was sixteen, after his parents passed away. but he's grown older, and with every year that passed he lost a little hope that he'd find happiness. it seems ridiculous, now, a dream that isn't even his - a dream that belonged to someone else entirely.
he knows, inherently, that the world is dark, cruel, and often senseless. that does not mean he can abandon the people who still have to live in that cold world. it's never been about what he wants - only what he has to do.
[In the end, both Arthur and Gregor deny either option that the Champion presents. He seems disappointed in you both, as he raises his sword—but before he can act further, a flash of blue fire fills the area, blinding all for a moment.
With that, Arthur and Gregor are removed from Hell, sent into a void of sorts before they're reborn. As they drift here, their AU lives in Orsterra will fade somewhat. They will still recall them, but now, they can fully acknowledge them as memories that never quite belonged to them (aka, get de-AU'd). With that said, though these were not their lives, they could be, or were, lives that belonged to real people. Deserters from Edoras who were hunted down. A Riven soldier unwittingly caught up in poisoning a beloved captain.
At the same time, they will learn what became of Orsterra, after the tumultuous time their fake lives existed in.
King Pardis III was defeated, and his surviving daughter Alaune ascended the throne. Some of those who defected from Pardis joined her in her revolution to take the nation; even those who did not, she pardoned, understanding full well why they left Edoras. Under her rule, the world is seeing a kinder, brighter country.
After the death of King Riven, his only child, Richard, likewise claimed the throne. Those involved in the assassinations in Riven were appropriately punished—but as a merciful king, he granted leniency to the one manipulated into it and coerced into fleeing the country, taking their circumstances into account. Furthermore, under his rule, never again will Riven devour its neighbours and leave them to rot.
With the two young rulers vowing not to follow in the footsteps of their warmongering predecessors, Orsterra is finally looking at a future of peace.
The two of you aren't quite returning to such happy news, given that further troubles may await you. And yet, this is what you have chosen—to face them, as difficult as it may be to endure.
They will return with the following in their possession:
• Optionally wearing a maid outfit, as a reference to their fake slice of life AU past. Does this make any sense whatsoever? No, but never let it be said that I don't grant requests. • Along those lines, they both have copies of these two photos, aka one commemorating nationals and the other from their graduation ceremony.
Finally, they will experience the following effect, which will fade sometime before trial start:
• At times, they will mentally revert to their high school AU self, including perceiving their CR as their AU selves as well. This does not need to reflect the exact circumstances of the CYOA or be consistent each time it happens (e.g. they can believe they're still in school even though in the CYOA itself they graduated, you are not limited only to the CR who showed up, etc.). The main idea is that whenever the effect hits, they will think they're totally normal teenagers who love swimming.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
2/
Whatever it is that caught Dahut's attention, it catches Luke's too--he nods in understanding as the flames morph even further. He's not exactly cherubic and encouraging, but his smile is warm too.]
Don't worry. [Firm, confident.] You've got this.
3/3
Alas, in terms of actual physical proximity, it's time to part ways. The two fires leave (unless Aki and Pixi are about to try and veer wildly off course), following something only they can see. Arthur and Gregor will understand, one way or another, that there is no point in following them. Dahut and Luke have their place to be, while for you two—there is something further you must seek.
You should venture deeper into Hell.]
no subject
[there they go....... he looks distressed for a moment, because if he didn't think he would be sticking with them for a while he probably would've tried to ask something more useful, but it's fine. he still kind of assumes they're going to get yeeted into the grave once they finish whatever it is they're looking for here which i'm noting only because it continues to be funny how wrong he is.
to gregor:]
...Are you ready?
no subject
[there they go indeed...
gregor's quiet, for a second, just watching them go; he reflexively reaches for his pockets to pull out a cigarette, forgetting briefly that he doesn't have them on him right now. habit.]
...yeah. Yeah, think I'm as ready as I'm gonna be.
[deeper into hell, let's go.]
no subject
Finally, their journey takes them to a platform, an unfamiliar emblem emblazoned on the ground. In the center is a throne, surrounded by spikes; atop it sits a masked man. As Arthur and Gregor approach, he rises, flames spilling from his sword and around him. If Arthur or Gregor, for whatever reason, feel like trying to fight this very innocent-looking dude, they will understand: this is the Champion of Hell. As lost souls, they pale in comparison to the strength he holds.
Calmly, he speaks.]
So, you have made it to me. Did you like the world I showed you?
[Despite everything, his question appears to be genuine. What he wished to show you was a life where you were surrounded by family and friends, without loss or trauma. The shitty dreams that happened after you woke up from the illusion were not his fault, at least. That might just be a side effect of Hell.]
A happy, blissful world, untainted by humanity's greed... That is what I seek. Humans cannot help but be ugly, their hearts corrupt—and so I will recreate this world into one free of desire.
Tell me, what do you choose? If you wish, I can return you to that life. Or, you can join me, so that we may change this cursed world and make that illusion a reality.
[Arthur and Gregor will know that they must make a choice, here and now. They do not have to answer out loud if they don't want to, as the Champion will understand their heart. Neither does their answer have to be the same as the other's.
• Choose the illusion. You can remain in your happy slice of life AU, get to go on that graduation trip with your friends, attend university, and see what the future holds.
• Join this man. If you believe in his cause, you can place your fate in his hands, in whatever form that might take.
• Deny both. Although he only presented two options, there is another. You can choose the world as it is, however cruel, and be reborn into it.
One way or another, you must choose one.]
no subject
he knows, inherently, that the world is dark, cruel, and often senseless. that does not mean he can abandon the people who still have to live in that cold world. it's never been about what he wants - only what he has to do.
he chooses the third option, easily.]
no subject
that's not living at all.
people will be people, anyway. changing their inherent nature to create that illusion in reality would just-
(well, maybe it's not their inherent nature at all. he's met people who are... they're good, despite everything. despite the way the world is.)
gregor chooses the third option, as well.]
THE END
With that, Arthur and Gregor are removed from Hell, sent into a void of sorts before they're reborn. As they drift here, their AU lives in Orsterra will fade somewhat. They will still recall them, but now, they can fully acknowledge them as memories that never quite belonged to them (aka, get de-AU'd). With that said, though these were not their lives, they could be, or were, lives that belonged to real people. Deserters from Edoras who were hunted down. A Riven soldier unwittingly caught up in poisoning a beloved captain.
At the same time, they will learn what became of Orsterra, after the tumultuous time their fake lives existed in.
King Pardis III was defeated, and his surviving daughter Alaune ascended the throne. Some of those who defected from Pardis joined her in her revolution to take the nation; even those who did not, she pardoned, understanding full well why they left Edoras. Under her rule, the world is seeing a kinder, brighter country.
After the death of King Riven, his only child, Richard, likewise claimed the throne. Those involved in the assassinations in Riven were appropriately punished—but as a merciful king, he granted leniency to the one manipulated into it and coerced into fleeing the country, taking their circumstances into account. Furthermore, under his rule, never again will Riven devour its neighbours and leave them to rot.
With the two young rulers vowing not to follow in the footsteps of their warmongering predecessors, Orsterra is finally looking at a future of peace.
The two of you aren't quite returning to such happy news, given that further troubles may await you. And yet, this is what you have chosen—to face them, as difficult as it may be to endure.
They will return with the following in their possession:
• Optionally wearing a maid outfit, as a reference to their fake slice of life AU past. Does this make any sense whatsoever? No, but never let it be said that I don't grant requests.
• Along those lines, they both have copies of these two photos, aka one commemorating nationals and the other from their graduation ceremony.
Finally, they will experience the following effect, which will fade sometime before trial start:
• At times, they will mentally revert to their high school AU self, including perceiving their CR as their AU selves as well. This does not need to reflect the exact circumstances of the CYOA or be consistent each time it happens (e.g. they can believe they're still in school even though in the CYOA itself they graduated, you are not limited only to the CR who showed up, etc.). The main idea is that whenever the effect hits, they will think they're totally normal teenagers who love swimming.
Be free now.]