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Part 4 of the interactive story "For Havenkeep" as seen on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/springfallendeer
Patrons vote on choices made for story progression. Feel free to stop by. Joining is only $1.
The choice is made: Ask what needs to be asked
You cannot bring yourself to step into the water. Not while your mind races with the many, many questions pertaining to this situation that you have found yourself in. A faint ripple of color resonates across the surface of the glowing pool as you hesitate to continue. The cavern in which you stand feels as though it lets out a sigh; your hair pushes back for a moment as the air quietly rolls across your body.
“I sense an unease within you, child. Your mind is cluttered by the questions which rattle about within you... I suppose it would be unfair of me, to ask so much of you without granting you the courtesy of asking something of me. But time is not our ally. I can afford to grant you the answers to whichever question rings loudest in your mind. So tell me, child - what is it which you wish to ask?” The voice speaks, remaining soft and polite as before, though now a tone of sympathy also appears to radiate from it. The pool goes still as it goes quiet to patiently await your inquiry. You need not think for long before the words spill from your lips.
“What are you?...” You utter, your voice quiet and cracked from the strain of your unintentional whisper. Yes, of all the questions that there were to ask, that proved to be the one you most desperately sought to know. The identity of this... Entity, that had brought you here and demanded so much of you. The cavern breathes a sigh once more.
“I am a Keeper of the Balance. One of many.” The voice utters, the light from the water rippling brighter than before. “I am ancient. A spirit of nature which has existed long before the dawn of life, and one who will continue to exist regardless of whether or not life continues. I exist to help maintain the balance of the world. To assure that calm will always return after calamity has run its course. I exist in every element to be found within the world. I am omnipresent... But I am not omnipotent.” The voice explains, revealing to you all of what they are - though their every word only further adds to your confusion and your curiosity. More questions begin to rattle in your mind, though you know that you cannot afford to ask them. There follows another momentary silence, before the water begins to climb out of the pool. The glowing liquid shifts and arches, appearing to make an attempt at taking the shape of arms to welcome you into the pool. Though the shape is so abstract and vague that it was entirely possible that your perception was misguided.
“Come. Our time together is drawing to a close and you have yet to retrieve my blessing. I can do little on my own to fend off the calamity which ransacks the land. Through you, there may be hope in success. Step forth to claim my gift.” The voice commands, glowing water slowly creeping higher into the air as a further attempt to usher you forward. Having been given the answer to your question, you finally obey. You step forth, tentatively placing your foot down upon the surface of the glowing water and doing your best to maintain your balance as you slowly let your weight down. To your surprise, the pool is far less deep than you had initially thought. The liquid settles over your food as it finds the bottom of the pool. With a second step you come to stand entirely in the shallow, glowing waters. The light begins to ripple dramatically as soon as your feet settle. The intermingled colors of the pool suddenly begin to separate, quickly rearranging themselves so that a series of clear images can be seen floating in the water.
“As you can see, I have many gifts to offer. But you can only accept one. Make your choice carefully, as you will not have time to second guess. When you have decided, step forth to stand upon gift you seek to claim.” The voice instructs, now giving you the chance to make your choice. Many images float upon the water before you, each of them but a footstep away from your place in the pool. The gifts offered to you appear to be a Bow, a Sword, a Mace, and a Staff. All of which appear to be in pristine condition, with a faint glow radiating off of them. A glow which is entirely independent of the glowing water surrounding them. All of these items appear to be some sort of weapon. However, none of these items are things in which you have any personal familiarity. Whatever choice you make now, difficult as it may be, it feels as though it will be entirely blind.
From this array of unfamiliar tools, which of them will you pick?
Patrons vote on choices made for story progression. Feel free to stop by. Joining is only $1.
The choice is made: Ask what needs to be asked
You cannot bring yourself to step into the water. Not while your mind races with the many, many questions pertaining to this situation that you have found yourself in. A faint ripple of color resonates across the surface of the glowing pool as you hesitate to continue. The cavern in which you stand feels as though it lets out a sigh; your hair pushes back for a moment as the air quietly rolls across your body.
“I sense an unease within you, child. Your mind is cluttered by the questions which rattle about within you... I suppose it would be unfair of me, to ask so much of you without granting you the courtesy of asking something of me. But time is not our ally. I can afford to grant you the answers to whichever question rings loudest in your mind. So tell me, child - what is it which you wish to ask?” The voice speaks, remaining soft and polite as before, though now a tone of sympathy also appears to radiate from it. The pool goes still as it goes quiet to patiently await your inquiry. You need not think for long before the words spill from your lips.
“What are you?...” You utter, your voice quiet and cracked from the strain of your unintentional whisper. Yes, of all the questions that there were to ask, that proved to be the one you most desperately sought to know. The identity of this... Entity, that had brought you here and demanded so much of you. The cavern breathes a sigh once more.
“I am a Keeper of the Balance. One of many.” The voice utters, the light from the water rippling brighter than before. “I am ancient. A spirit of nature which has existed long before the dawn of life, and one who will continue to exist regardless of whether or not life continues. I exist to help maintain the balance of the world. To assure that calm will always return after calamity has run its course. I exist in every element to be found within the world. I am omnipresent... But I am not omnipotent.” The voice explains, revealing to you all of what they are - though their every word only further adds to your confusion and your curiosity. More questions begin to rattle in your mind, though you know that you cannot afford to ask them. There follows another momentary silence, before the water begins to climb out of the pool. The glowing liquid shifts and arches, appearing to make an attempt at taking the shape of arms to welcome you into the pool. Though the shape is so abstract and vague that it was entirely possible that your perception was misguided.
“Come. Our time together is drawing to a close and you have yet to retrieve my blessing. I can do little on my own to fend off the calamity which ransacks the land. Through you, there may be hope in success. Step forth to claim my gift.” The voice commands, glowing water slowly creeping higher into the air as a further attempt to usher you forward. Having been given the answer to your question, you finally obey. You step forth, tentatively placing your foot down upon the surface of the glowing water and doing your best to maintain your balance as you slowly let your weight down. To your surprise, the pool is far less deep than you had initially thought. The liquid settles over your food as it finds the bottom of the pool. With a second step you come to stand entirely in the shallow, glowing waters. The light begins to ripple dramatically as soon as your feet settle. The intermingled colors of the pool suddenly begin to separate, quickly rearranging themselves so that a series of clear images can be seen floating in the water.
“As you can see, I have many gifts to offer. But you can only accept one. Make your choice carefully, as you will not have time to second guess. When you have decided, step forth to stand upon gift you seek to claim.” The voice instructs, now giving you the chance to make your choice. Many images float upon the water before you, each of them but a footstep away from your place in the pool. The gifts offered to you appear to be a Bow, a Sword, a Mace, and a Staff. All of which appear to be in pristine condition, with a faint glow radiating off of them. A glow which is entirely independent of the glowing water surrounding them. All of these items appear to be some sort of weapon. However, none of these items are things in which you have any personal familiarity. Whatever choice you make now, difficult as it may be, it feels as though it will be entirely blind.
From this array of unfamiliar tools, which of them will you pick?
Category Story / All
Species Elf
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 9.3 kB
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