One Sentence at a Time

[First of the Tide He/him]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device? Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. 

Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted.

[Myst He/Him]

Spoiler

 

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted.

I looked down at my malformed legs, I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed….
(Ooo, a mistcloak… what’s the significance?)

[First of the Tide He/him]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted. I looked down at my malformed legs, I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed….

A very wise flautist once told me that there was no greater mind than that of a man about to splat, and I suppose I had not really believed them until this moment, as my mind raced for a solution. 

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted. I looked down at my malformed legs: I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed…. A very wise flautist once told me that there was no greater mind than that of a man about to splat, and I supposed I had not really believed them until this moment as my mind raced for a solution. 

Concentrating, I started forming my legs, making them more springy than gooey. 

[The Great Wyver She/Her]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted. I looked down at my malformed legs: I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed…. A very wise flautist once told me that there was no greater mind than that of a man about to splat, and I supposed I had not really believed them until this moment as my mind raced for a solution.

Concentrating, I started forming my legs, making them more springy than gooey. 

A wierd sensation came upon me, as if my leg was freezing up, then melting again- then pain.

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted. I looked down at my malformed legs: I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed…. A very wise flautist once told me that there was no greater mind than that of a man about to splat, and I supposed I had not really believed them until this moment as my mind raced for a solution.

Concentrating, I started forming my legs, making them more springy than gooey. A weird sensation came upon me, as if my leg was freezing up, then melting again—then pain.

I grimaced as I struck the ground, falling onto my side. 

[Myst He/Him]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted. I looked down at my malformed legs: I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed…. A very wise flautist once told me that there was no greater mind than that of a man about to splat, and I supposed I had not really believed them until this moment as my mind raced for a solution.

Concentrating, I started forming my legs, making them more springy than gooey. A weird sensation came upon me, as if my leg was freezing up, then melting again—then pain.

I grimaced as I struck the ground, falling onto my side.

As I threw out my arm to catch myself, it squished.

[Through The Living Ash he/him]

Spoiler

Lights glared down from fluorescent tubes, headache throbbing behind my eyes. Where had all the light come from? It didn’t make sense, everything was so… bright. I tried to find the source of the light, but couldn't find it. Were those... voices I could hear? I shuddered, looking around to see if anyone was nearby. There was—was there? I rubbed my eyes, vision clearing to reveal someone beside me. Palindromic feelings aside, it was hard to make out the pers—whatever it was.

"Hello, Protagonist," Said a voice behind me.

I started in surprise, whirling my head around to get a look. But there seemed to be nothing but air behind me. I was sure I heard something…

"Can you not see me?"

I peered into the light, searching. I couldn’t see anything unusual, just the plain tiled wall.

"How strange. I suppose you haven't yet gained your Blessings? I told them this new human-to-kandra system wouldn't work." The voice sighed before continuing, "Whatever. I still have to do as they tell me."

"A-and what did they tell you to do?"

"Oh, darn it, you're still listening! Alright, look here, Miss... uh, Miss Miller, I have a job to do here, OK?"

"No!“

The voice sighed again: “It thought you were smarter than this, Miss Miller.”

“I’M SMAR—Wait, It?”

A shape began to coalesce in front of me. The shape of a massive ship, it's lights burning through the mist. It seemed familiar, almost. I searched my memory, knowing I had seen this before, but whatever it was, it slipped from my mind like water through fingers. 

"Behold, the ship of the Great Lord, and he himself as well; bow, now, child, before the might of the Great Lord Valentino!"

I remained standing, equal parts confused and stupefied by the phenomenon. Upon the deck stood a tall, handsome man with a black cape and two polished, silver shortswords. 

"How do you know my name?" I eventually forced out. 

The man chuckled a bit before replying, "My Great Lord... he has many informants, even among your kind."

"...My kind?"

“You know, Humans. Mortals.”

“Didn’t…. The voice said I was a Kandra…”

”The voice—being me—said you didn’t get your blessings yet.”

I felt all over my body, searching for the cold metal of a hemalurgic spike. But suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and I froze.

“Stop squirming, it’ll go better that way”

And before I could scream, he plunged a cold metal spike into me. As I faded into unconsciousness, I heard the voice for what would be the last time: "It is pleased."

...

Child, you must wake up. All that is left of Harmony wishes you to wake up.

Groggy, I opened my eyes. My back ached with pain, and I knew that’s where I’d find the sharp points of my spikes. Suddenly, loud and clear, a voice cut through the silence; "My Great Lord, the child has awakened." 

There was no response. I tried to sit up to see what was happening, but shackles kept me down. Feeling a mounting sense of dread, I squirmed in place, until the voice laughed at me. 

"You will not be able to free yourself, child, for as long as you are under the influence of our God. Discord will purge any harmony left inside you.”

"Let me go!" I screamed. 

"Not until our Great Lord Valentino, Chosen of Discord and Servant of the Greater Good decides you can be free to serve." 

I shook with fear.

“I… I will not serve anyone!”

“I expect you will, you’re pierced by hemalurgic spikes, so it doesn’t matter—Wait, that’s your blessing? I didn’t know you were one of his experiments. I didn’t even find out about the Honor unti—Shades, I wasn’t supposed to tell you!”

My thoughts swirled in confusion: Honor? Blessings? What did they have to do with anything? 

The sword at my waist suddenly began to glow with an intense light. I hadn’t realized it was there; I’d assumed they’d have taken it… unless… unless they could not see the sword? Straining, I reached down and grasped the hilt. Pulling the blade out—the shining blade, almost blinding—I slammed my chains onto the exposed blade. A loud crack resounded through the room as the chain was rent in two.

He gasped, revealing inhuman fangs, before screaming: “GUARDS! GUARDS!”

I smiled, before quickly bringing my sword towards him.

He took a frightened step backwards, fumbling for something under his coat. 

"Spawn of Terra," he hissed, before pulling out some kind of... device?

Not wanting to stick around to find out what it was, I bolted for the exit. Racing out the thick metal door, I leaped from the opening, still half-goo, half-man, tendrils of my mistcloak flapping behind me, and plummeted. I looked down at my malformed legs: I’d probably want to figure that out before I landed…. A very wise flautist once told me that there was no greater mind than that of a man about to splat, and I supposed I had not really believed them until this moment as my mind raced for a solution.

Concentrating, I started forming my legs, making them more springy than gooey. A weird sensation came upon me, as if my leg was freezing up, then melting again—then pain.

I grimaced as I struck the ground, falling onto my side. As I threw out my arm to catch myself, it squished. 

The arm, that is.