The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Truthless of Shinovar]

And... there was peace.

[FatherTiempo]

"Do you understand now?" said the Dark Voice

[Truthless of Shinovar]

The Ghanderflaffle Empire was rising, so Jimmy cut the red wire. Except he was colorblind to the next level, so he actually cut the blue wire.

[+Doomstick]

 But it was pained blue to trick jimmy, it was actually red

[FatherTiempo]

"You really are good at this."

[xinoehp512]

Ruin, with Withy's help, had at last escaped Michael's prison.

Unfortunately, Withy had usurped the power as payment.

---

Xinoehp sat in the midst of darkness, completely encircled by the vortex of shadows. His lantern had faded to a mere glimmer now. Only a few sparks remained. Soon enough, even those would be gone.

He knew what would happen when the sparks faded. At this point, he almost didn't care.

----

With a horrible screech of triumph, the withergeists descended- scratching, biting, corrupting. Darkness spread in vine-like tendrils all over Sophie's form, striving hungrily to reach her heart and corrupt her entirely.

One of us... they hissed. Usss...

*

Hundreds of withergeists pulled at Astral as she dove even deeper into the vortex, draining and weakening her with every touch. Her form, already fairly blurry at best, was now almost as transparent as the withergeists. But no matter how much the withergeists scrabbled at her, they couldn't corrupt her. She was corrupted. There was nothing more they could do.

Or was there?

Even as she ran across the cold hard ground, pushing her way through the cloud of darkness, she felt a cold touch on her heart. And then another. 

For as destructive and coldhearted as she'd become, there was still a sliver of humanity left deep within her free of dark influence. And as the withergeists flowed through her, they attacked it, trying to unbind her from humanity.

* 

Aqua trembled in her hiding place in one of the holes in the mountainside. Withergeists on the mountain, withergeists surrounding the mountain... there was nowhere to hide. Except here.

She recited a silent, desperate mantra for safety, over and over, as if the repetition would make it real.

But as she saw the tendrils of darkness curling around the entrance, she felt her fragile hope crack. Come on, Sophie! she thought desperately as the first withergeist peeled over the edge.

----

Something clattered on the stone.

Xinoehp looked up from the lantern slowly, almost afraid of what it might be. But it was just a spear, one with a metal shaft and a crystal spearhead.

He was sure he'd never seen it before, but something about it called him. He stood up, fighting the darkness-induced lethargy, and walked over to the spear. Then he picked it up.

At first, nothing happened. Then, after a moment, he became aware of... something. A reserve, holding some sort of power. Cautiously, he reached out and touched it.

Light.

Blinding, brilliant light.

Hidden deep, deep within...

...but ready to come out whenever the need was greatest.

Behind him, the last sparks in the lantern faded. But, for the first time since he'd come here, he saw a future other than darkness.

As the vortex collapsed, withergeists screeching triumphant calls, he raised the shimmering spear.

Then he swung.

----

Deep inside the vortex, a flash of light pulsed outwards.

It washed over the withergeists, and they screamed as their essence was dissolved.

It washed over Astral, burning her darkened soul even as it saved it.

It washed over Sophie, vaporizing the vines of shadowed corruption across her form.

It washed past Aqua, hiding in her hole, and she knew that hope was not yet lost.

 

But the conflict was not yet over. And the hardest challenge yet was only just beginning.

 

With a sound like a thousand voices calling out in torment, Witherlord Withy the Great, Master of Shadows, landed on the summit.

Hello, he said with a twisted grin.

16 minutes ago, FatherTiempo said:

"You really are good at this."

"Congratulations," he spoke in a hissing chuckle. "You have earned your place."

Hundreds of withergeists drifted out of the walls, the floor, the ceiling- everywhere. All of them converging on Jimmy. All whispering one thing.

One of uss... of usss... ussss...

Edited December 8, 2019 by Ookla the Blue

[+Doomstick]

20 minutes ago, Ookla the Blue said:

Ruin, with Withy's help, had at last escaped Michael's prison.

Unfortunately, Withy had usurped the power as payment.

---

Xinoehp sat in the midst of darkness, completely encircled by the vortex of shadows. His lantern had faded to a mere glimmer now. Only a few sparks remained. Soon enough, even those would be gone.

He knew what would happen when the sparks faded. At this point, he almost didn't care.

----

With a horrible screech of triumph, the withergeists descended- scratching, biting, corrupting. Darkness spread in vine-like tendrils all over Sophie's form, striving hungrily to reach her heart and corrupt her entirely.

One of us... they hissed. Usss...

*

Hundreds of withergeists pulled at Astral as she dove even deeper into the vortex, draining and weakening her with every touch. Her form, already fairly blurry at best, was now almost as transparent as the withergeists. But no matter how much the withergeists scrabbled at her, they couldn't corrupt her. She was corrupted. There was nothing more they could do.

Or was there?

Even as she ran across the cold hard ground, pushing her way through the cloud of darkness, she felt a cold touch on her heart. And then another. 

For as destructive and coldhearted as she'd become, there was still a sliver of humanity left deep within her free of dark influence. And as the withergeists flowed through her, they attacked it, trying to unbind her from humanity.

* 

Aqua trembled in her hiding place in one of the holes in the mountainside. Withergeists on the mountain, withergeists surrounding the mountain... there was nowhere to hide. Except here.

She recited a silent, desperate mantra for safety, over and over, as if the repetition would make it real.

But as she saw the tendrils of darkness curling around the entrance, she felt her fragile hope crack. Come on, Sophie! she thought desperately as the first withergeist peeled over the edge.

----

Something clattered on the stone.

Xinoehp looked up from the lantern slowly, almost afraid of what it might be. But it was just a spear, one with a metal shaft and a crystal spearhead.

He was sure he'd never seen it before, but something about it called him. He stood up, fighting the darkness-induced lethargy, and walked over to the spear. Then he picked it up.

At first, nothing happened. Then, after a moment, he became aware of... something. A reserve, holding some sort of power. Cautiously, he reached out and touched it.

Light.

Blinding, brilliant light.

Hidden deep, deep within...

...but ready to come out whenever the need was greatest.

Behind him, the last sparks in the lantern faded. But, for the first time since he'd come here, he saw a future other than darkness.

As the vortex collapsed, withergeists screeching triumphant calls, he raised the shimmering spear.

Then he swung.

----

Deep inside the vortex, a flash of light pulsed outwards.

It washed over the withergeists, and they screamed as their essence was dissolved.

It washed over Astral, burning her darkened soul even as it saved it.

It washed over Sophie, vaporizing the vines of shadowed corruption across her form.

It washed past Aqua, hiding in her hole, and she knew that hope was not yet lost.

 

But the conflict was not yet over. And the hardest challenge yet was only just beginning.

 

With a sound like a thousand voices calling out in torment, Witherlord Withy the Great, Master of Shadows, landed on the summit.

Hello, he said with a twisted grin.

"Congratulations," he spoke in a hissing chuckle. "You have earned your place."

Hundreds of withergeists drifted out of the walls, the floor, the ceiling- everywhere. All of them converging on Jimmy. All whispering one thing.

One of uss... of usss... ussss...

Many people were politely asked to spoiler their walls of text

”politely” means with a warhammer

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

12 minutes ago, Ookla the Blue said:

But the conflict was not yet over. And the hardest challenge yet was only just beginning.

Spoiler

 

The wave of light hit. And Astral screamed out in pain. Filthy light streamed through her veins, burning her. She felt like she was being seared from the inside and fell to her knees, gasping, one arm wrapped around her waist. Though the wave passed quickly, it left the Queen of Shadows feeling raw and weak, as if her body had been scrubbed with sandpaper. To make matters worse, she felt terribly hungry, as though she hadn't eaten in days. Unable to support herself, she fell to the ground, body trembling slightly as she took small, pained gasps of breath. 
She rolled over onto her back, looking to the sky. That wave had proven that Xino had gotten the spear. The meant she had done her job. Xino was safe, for the time being. But she couldn't forget what the withergeists had whispered to her. 
She wasn't one of them. She was a majestic being, a Queen with a mission. A villain, a creature of darkness. Not a mindless, rabid minion. A thing of beauty and power. Unfortunately, it was rather hard to feel beautiful and powerful when one was lying on the ground, trying to breathe normally. To cope, she let her armor melt, turning into her signature black silken robe with silver trim. She could fight in this if she needed to. For now... she needed to rest for a minute. Even one as magnificent as she could be worn out by having such a vile substance forced through her. She was lucky to even be alive...

Sophie blinked awake. Her head was ringing - she'd hit it pretty hard when she fell to the ground - and her vision was a little blurry, but... It wasn't as dark anymore. Was she... dead? The last thing she remembered was seeing that withergeist sink its teeth into her shoulder, turning her skin grey. She'd failed, hadn't she? Hadn't she known that she wasn't good enough to be a hero? Her failure wouldn't just doom Xinoehp, it would doom the entire thread. And it would probably doom her siblings on CBST as well. But... she was dead. There was nothing she could do about it. Her vision began to clear, giving way to the grey sky. The ground was hard and rocky. She groaned looking at her hands. They were their normal shade of blue. That was good. 
Sophie sat up, looking around with big pupil-less eyes. It was then that she realized that she was still on the mountain. She... wasn't dead after all? She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sure she wasn't crazy. But it was all real. Xino stood tall, spear clutched in both hands. He looked so much more regal with it than she had. It truly belonged to him. He was a hero. Author above, she'd missed him. But... seeing him again made her realize how foolish her daydreams of kisses and true love had been. Even after walking through the storm of withergeists, she knew she would never be brave enough to kiss him the way she had fantasized. She blushed, looking at the ground. But... she had to say something. "Hi," she muttered, shooting him a sheepish smile. "Hi, Xinoehp." 

 

 

[+Doomstick]

Ookla the Narrator was thanked

[xinoehp512]

But not by me, who received updates through email notifications.

I can't read it if it's in a spoiler box. All it will say is 'Visit site to read hidden text.' We can use quote boxes if it bothers you that much.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

34 minutes ago, Ookla the Blue said:

But not by me, who received updates through email notifications.

I can't read it if it's in a spoiler box. All it will say is 'Visit site to read hidden text.' We can use quote boxes if it bothers you that much.

The wave of light hit. And Astral screamed out in pain. Filthy light streamed through her veins, burning her. She felt like she was being seared from the inside and fell to her knees, gasping, one arm wrapped around her waist. Though the wave passed quickly, it left the Queen of Shadows feeling raw and weak, as if her body had been scrubbed with sandpaper. To make matters worse, she felt terribly hungry, as though she hadn't eaten in days. Unable to support herself, she fell to the ground, body trembling slightly as she took small, pained gasps of breath. 
She rolled over onto her back, looking to the sky. That wave had proven that Xino had gotten the spear. The meant she had done her job. Xino was safe, for the time being. But she couldn't forget what the withergeists had whispered to her. 
She wasn't one of them. She was a majestic being, a Queen with a mission. A villain, a creature of darkness. Not a mindless, rabid minion. A thing of beauty and power. Unfortunately, it was rather hard to feel beautiful and powerful when one was lying on the ground, trying to breathe normally. To cope, she let her armor melt, turning into her signature black silken robe with silver trim. She could fight in this if she needed to. For now... she needed to rest for a minute. Even one as magnificent as she could be worn out by having such a vile substance forced through her. She was lucky to even be alive...

Sophie blinked awake. Her head was ringing - she'd hit it pretty hard when she fell to the ground - and her vision was a little blurry, but... It wasn't as dark anymore. Was she... dead? The last thing she remembered was seeing that withergeist sink its teeth into her shoulder, turning her skin grey. She'd failed, hadn't she? Hadn't she known that she wasn't good enough to be a hero? Her failure wouldn't just doom Xinoehp, it would doom the entire thread. And it would probably doom her siblings on CBST as well. But... she was dead. There was nothing she could do about it. Her vision began to clear, giving way to the grey sky. The ground was hard and rocky. She groaned looking at her hands. They were their normal shade of blue. That was good. 
Sophie sat up, looking around with big pupil-less eyes. It was then that she realized that she was still on the mountain. She... wasn't dead after all? She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sure she wasn't crazy. But it was all real. Xino stood tall, spear clutched in both hands. He looked so much more regal with it than she had. It truly belonged to him. He was a hero. Author above, she'd missed him. But... seeing him again made her realize how foolish her daydreams of kisses and true love had been. Even after walking through the storm of withergeists, she knew she would never be brave enough to kiss him the way she had fantasized. She blushed, looking at the ground. But... she had to say something. "Hi," she muttered, shooting him a sheepish smile. "Hi, Xinoehp." 

[Truthless of Shinovar]

Jimmy scrambled back, then cut a blue wire. All the withergeists simultaneously exploded.

[Jaywalk]

The Black Holed roamed the battlefield, feasting on the bodies of the dead.

[+Doomstick]

3 hours ago, Ookla the Blue said:

But not by me, who received updates through email notifications.

I can't read it if it's in a spoiler box. All it will say is 'Visit site to read hidden text.' We can use quote boxes if it bothers you that much.

Then visit the site, you have to to comment

[xinoehp512]

3 hours ago, Ookla the Sesquipedalian said:

Then visit the site, you have to to comment

Sometimes, I don't want to visit the site.

5 hours ago, Ookla the Imperial said:

Jimmy scrambled back, then cut a blue wire. All the withergeists simultaneously exploded.

Each into a hundred more withergeists.
The cloud of black phantoms gave one final cry. Then all rushed towards Jimmy at once.
Dark power flooded Jimmy as each spirit absorbed into him, merging with his spirit. He gasped and fell to his knees. It was overwhelming.

Then, after a moment, he stood up.
He let out a maniacal cackle. He knew now why his skill at defusing was so important.
If he could defuse a bomb... he could defuse a person as well.
All he had to do was cut the red wire.

With the glint of insanity in his eyes, he began making his way towards the nearest population center.

Edited December 8, 2019 by Ookla the Blue

[Jaywalk]

The Joker was waiting in the hospital, wondering what Jimmy would do. He couldn’t let him defuse the bomb.

[+Doomstick]

A quote with a warning will also suffice

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Why do you want a warning? TVG asked.

[+Doomstick]

So I can close the quote

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

TVG rolled her eyes.

[Truthless of Shinovar]

Truthless rolled his eyes, and got a strike.

[Jaywalk]

And thus, the Great Eye Bowling tournament began.

[Truthless of Shinovar]

Truthless was currently leading, but somebody was close behind. That somebody was...

[Silva]

Edit:

A potato.

Edited December 9, 2019 by Ookla the Aleatory

[Truthless of Shinovar]

Truthless’s oldest rival. Using all twenty of its eyes, the potato always put up a good fight. Some considered it cheating; Truthless longed for the challenge it created. 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Ookla the Imperial