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  1. xinoehp512

    Page 2753 Podcast

    By xinoehp512,


    Episodes
    Link
    Far away, in a world barren of life, on top of a mountain with no name, sat a castle made entirely of BLT sandwiches. Inside the uppermost room of that castle was a radio, playing in a language that nobody could understand. If they could  have understood it, however, it would have sounded like this.
    "Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!
    Our last episode ended (circa pg. 2731) with our heroes (their company still unnamed) recovering from their daring attack on the stronghold of the Brave Adventurers by relaxing and regrouping atop a snowy mountain in the middle of a rainstorm! Questions abounded: who was this Great Wizard the Brave Adventurer had accused of treason? Was he actually guilty of conspiracy against the thread, or was it all an elaborate ploy on the part of the Brave Adventurer? What of the ominously named Baron of Wrath and his mysterious Plotblades? And, most mysterious of all: why can't Shoe talk?
    In this episode, some of those questions will be answered and some will be left mysterious. New characters will be introduced, and old characters will make reappearances. Old drama will be brought to the forefront, and new drama will be stirred up by Narrators. All this-  and a special occurrence more exciting than all of them put together- on this week's episode of the Longest Thread!
    ~Theme Song plays~
    We begin immediately after our heroes' arrival on the mountain. Zanitar is displeased with Nogard for his instigation of what he views as a reckless attack. He storms off to brood for a little bit. After a little time to cool down, he brings everyone who missed the OA's flashback up to speed on the events that transpired in the council room of the Brave Adventurers prior to their arrival. Soon after this, Erif wakes up, likewise annoyed at Nogard for interfering in the situation.
    Meanwhile, back in the room of the Brave Adventurers, Tull- who was left behind by the OA on accident- faces down the Baron of Wrath. The fearsome creator of the arachnidishes attacks! - and, entirely by mistake, nicks Tull with his Plotblade of glowing light. In a shocking twist of events, Tull realizes that he is, in fact, a full compounder! With this newly revealed power, Tull easily defeats the Baron of Wrath and claims his blades - which are revealed to be two halves of the Plotblade Plot Twists, Benevolent and Malevolent. (Why the Baron of Wrath was using a blade whose primary power is to empower those it cuts against his enemies remains a mystery.) 
    Tull teleports back to the group, surprising Erif with his new Plotblades. He uses Benevolent to remove Erif's curse. In the process, he accidentally exposes Erif's mind to his true nature as a character written by Onyx. Fortunately, the safeguards instituted in his mind kick in and erase his memory before any lasting damage is done. (I'm sure nothing bad will happen when all four walls in his mind are broken. Don't worry about it.) With the curse gone, the rain stops, (but nobody cared about that anyways).
    Erif offers to help Tull out with whatever he needs as a token of gratitude for removing the curse, but Tull doesn't have any aspirations. Instead, he asks to accompany Erif on his future journeys. Erif accepts Tull's offer and explains his current quest to find a book - the Book of Unwinding Thread - that he learned of through an oracle. As they prepare to depart, several other members of the party of heroes volunteer to help- notably including Gail (with Qodi) and Shoe. Erif teleports all of the volunteers to the castle that he and Tull were investigating prior to being portaled to the BA's council. The group splits up and begins their search. 
    Shortly after splitting up, Gail and Qodi encounter suits of living armor, who proceed to engage them in combat. The rest of the group arrives and make short work of the animated armor. The few remaining suits flee in terror, but before the party can celebrate their success, something appears that none of them could have expected. Well, perhaps almost none.
    But to explain this mysterious enemy, we must first rewind time slightly, to a singular event. An event more important and exciting than any other in today's episode; perhaps more exciting than any moment in all of TLT. Dear listeners, it is in this moment, that I- Bacon the Bard - made my debut on the thread!
    ~Dramatic music plays~
    I appeared suddenly, and without warning, to welcome a new character onto TLT. She gave her name as Beosta (Her real name is Between Two Stars, but she's been using Beosta, so that's what I'll call her.) and her pet weasel's name as Livetha. She was reluctant to talk to me at first, but warmed up to me after a brief chat. We exchanged questions, and she extended an offer to join her as traveling companion. I was surprised and delighted, and- of course - accepted! She explained that she was tracking an entity named Quiet Golden Eyes, who she claimed she was supposed to have bonded. Being a Narrator, I decided to help her by simply teleporting her to the location of said entity.
    But- in a shocking turn of events - Quiet Golden Eyes turned out to be none other then Qodi the rabbit, bonded partner of Gail!
    We appeared immediately following the group's fight with the living armor. (I was fortunately able to escape before Erif noticed me.) After a brief fight, Beosta found herself restrained, and Gail found herself facing an old rival from her past. Beosta and Gail proceeded to explain how the two of them had trained together under tree spirits and received animals to bond, and how- despite being the weaker of the two- Gail had received the more powerful bonded animal in Qodi. Beosta, furious at this perceived injustice, had been tracking Gail ever since, hoping to steal Qodi's bond for herself. However, in order to enact such a transference, Gail would have to die.
    Qodi is unwilling to allow Gail to die, and in addition finds Beosta's attitude objectionable, and so refuses to take part in any bond transference. Beosta is unhappy, but is forced to accept that she is stuck with her current bond, Livetha. With that matter resolved, the group resumes their search.
    (During this sequence, it is revealed that- in a shocking twist of events- Erif is actually a Mistborn! Whether or not this fact will pose any relevance to the ongoing story remains to be seen.)
    A little while later, after accidentally setting off a Rube-Goldberg-esque contraption, Shoe stumbles upon the entrance to the library. Inside waits a rather disturbing-looking enemy with ten sword-arms, an elongated, eyeless head, and lots of long, sharp teeth. Tull is overcome with terror and faints; Qodi, however, (by consuming a portion of the powers of the Plotblades) is able to defeat the monster and allow Erif to retrieve the book. Tull wakes up, and in a shocking twist of events, has enough lerasium lying about to hand it out like candy! (Sorry about all the twists, by the way. Blame the Plotblade, not me.) He gives some to Shoe, who immediately runs off to experiment with it. Unfortunately for Shoe, Erif fails to notice his absence when he teleports the other Unnamed Heroes back to the snowy mountain, and Shoe and Beosta are left behind in the castle.
    Shoe and Beosta meet up outside of the library, and I make my reappearance, introducing myself to Shoe. I ask him the question we'd all like to know the answer to- why can't he talk?- but his answer is interrupted when the castle (its entire narrative relevance expended) begins to collapse in dramatic fashion. The pair make the intelligent decision to flee, but Beosta realizes mid-flight that she has left Leotha behind in the library! She turns back for her weasel, (who perhaps she does not dislike quite as much as she professes) risking her life in the process. She successfully retrieves her weasel, but at that moment the entire castle collapses! Fortunately, Shoe is able to catch Beosta before she falls, and the pair escape.
    The pair ask for my help in returning to the rest of our Unnamed Heroes, but I reveal that I dare not involve myself in Erif and Nogard's story lest I break one of their Walls and incur the wrath of their Narrator, Onyx. The pair meet up with Aero, who is swapped out for a new character, Silas. Shoe, exhausted from the excitement of the past few minutes, collapses (still not having answered my question).
    It is at this point that Subversion inserts herself into the story. She offers to make Livetha more powerful for Beosta in exchange for a "small favor": stealing the Plotblade of Twists from Tull. It is at this point that Shoe awakens. Beosta hides her bargain with Subversion, so I also keep quiet (to add drama!). Tragically, Shoe takes offense at my secrecy, and refuses to reveal why it is he is so tight lipped unless I reveal Beosta's bargain. Alas! Before I can take him up on that offer, Tull appears and confronts Beosta directly. With the information out in the open, Shoe is no longer interested in making a trade, and thus we remain in the dark! 
    In a shocking twist of events, Tull has become a Narrator! As this would make the fight between him and Beosta entirely one sided, I transform Livetha into a Narrator, to put her on equal footing with Tull. However, by doing so, I inadvertently removed their entire reason for conflict. So I didn't even get a cool fight out of the whole affair!
    Tull returns the group to the snowy mountain, where Shoe is reunited with a relieved Nogard. During their absence, very little progress has been made. The character of @The Aspiring Archivist (the guy with the heavy staff, codenamed Sandy) made his return and partook in a brief discussion with Nogard about wizards and phones. @Sequence also reappeared, having zoned out during the fight, and introduced a character (that might be returning- I don't remember) named Fuzzy. None of them knew anything about the Great Wizard.
    Subversion follows the group shortly thereafter. She borrows the Plotblade of Tull briefly, making a small modification that will theoretically make it less disruptive to the plot going forwards, and introduces herself to Nogard. Nogard, having seen her, immediately falls helplessly in love with her. ()
    Meanwhile, the character of @TwinSouls, a sapient mailbox, makes its appearance. (Nogard does not notice, as he is still distracted by Subversion.) The mailbox completely ignores my introductions, and so I will not mention it further.
    Also meanwhile, Sequence begins a brief chat with Gail and Tull, in which Gail admits to feeling unimportant. Tull attempts to use the blade to make Gail a Mistborn, but because of Subversion's interference it doesn't work.
    Before Nogard can make too much more of a fool of himself, Jilu reminds him that he is on a quest to save the world, which is a probably a little more important than chasing after women. Nogard, ever resourceful, invites Subversion to join the quest, and she reveals that the Great Wizard is currently on the way.
    Will the Unnamed Heroes receive answers to their questions? Will Nogard successfully win the affections of Subversion? Will we finally learn the truth behind Shoe's silence? Find answers to all these questions and more in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.
  2. xinoehp512
    It starts with two axes: Order-Chaos and Light-Dark.

    Order is the concept of stability and structure.
    Chaos is the concept of change and renewal.
    Light is the concept of existence and life.
    Dark is the concept of non-existence and death.
    The two axes orthogonize to produce four fundamental classes of energy: order-light, order-dark, chaos-light, and chaos-dark.
    Ordered Light:
    Primary users: Luxsprites
    The myriad universes of the Vibrant Threads are built on a foundation of ordered light. This power is what holds back the weight of the Void and allows for existence to be. It also enables interaction between realities that would otherwise be incompatible. Junctions between universes are likewise defined by ordered light, allowing for travel in some cases and restricting it in others.
    The primary users and creators of ordered-light energy are- well, were - the luxsprites. They were the ones who built the foundation of the Vibrant Threads in the Time Before. All save one were killed in the Dies Luxfrang, so the magic system of ordered-light is no longer in use.
    The fundamental substance associated with order-light is luxite.
    Ordered Dark:
    Primary users: Ennullers (also known as mimes)
    The Ennulers manipulate the power of Silence. This power is what forms the Wall that keeps the wider universe safe from the dangerous excesses of the Narrators and the withergeists. It can subdue energy, erase memory, and delete existence. This order rose up in the aftermath of the Dies Luxfrang to prevent all of reality from coming to an end.
    The fundamental substance associated with order-dark is nullite.
    Chaotic Light:
    Primary users: Narrators (also known as dream artists)
    Much of what composes the actual substance of the universes is made from chaotic light. Narrators manipulate this energy to create characters, worlds, and tales as they so desire. It has by far the widest range of possible forms; in fact, it is nearly impossible for any two dream artists to share exactly the same abilities/specializations.
    Once an individual achieves enough power to rewrite reality in any way they please, they become a Narrator. It is at this point of transition that the defenses of the Wall activate and seal them away, before they can cause harm to the worlds outside the Wall.
    Chaotic light energy was rare prior to the Dies Luxfrang, but it is arguably the most common now.
    The fundamental substance associated with chaotic-light is prismite (also known as Narrativium).
    Chaotic Dark:
    Primary users: Withergeists
    The power of chaotic dark is that of destruction and decay. The withergeists are citizens of the Void. To them, reality is a constant blaring, irritating presence that they would love nothing more than to be rid of. However, the foundation of the universe is too well-put together for them to destroy directly. And so, they sneak through the cracks, finding beings who will open their souls to them in exchange for power. It was they who caused the Dies Luxfrang and ended the reign of the luxsprites.
    The fundamental substance associated with chaotic-dark is mordite.
  3. xinoehp512

    Page 258

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    There was but one road through the Dark Forest, and it was this road that brought the vast majority of customers to the doors of the Rough Stone Inn. Despite its perilous surroundings, the road was well built and well established; few travelers fell victim to the mysteries of the Forest any longer. Nonetheless, there were always tales of strange events and stranger creatures to be found among the visitors.
    “I swear,” said a traveler one day, “it was the strangest beast I’d ever seen. Skin like a snake, but it had legs!”
    “So a lizard, you mean?” said another traveler, a man with a patch over his eye. “I’ve seen ‘em before. Common as dirt, they are.”
    “Ah, but was your lizard as twice as tall as a man and three times again as long?”
    The one-eyed man grunted in concession that the lizards of his homeland had not quite attained that stature.
    “It snuck up behind me. Quiet as a mouse, I swear. I turned around and there it was, staring me dead in the eyes! I thought I was tree food for certain, but it just sat there and looked! After a few minutes- or maybe it was an hour? - it spat some kind of green smoke and then left. The moment it vanished, I ran and never looked back! It was only when I ran out of breath that I realized what it did to me stick.”
    With exaggerated theatricality, the man thrust his walking stick forward. It seemed just like any other walking stick, except that it had a number of vibrant green leaves sprouting from its surface.
    The one-eyed man snorted. “So you tore a branch from a tree?”
    “It was me walking stick, I swear it! And it was dead. The creature put some life into it, somehow. Put some life into me feet, too- I ain’t ever run that fast!”
    “You ain’t ever run at all, Simon,” said one of the would-be storyteller’s companions, and the table erupted in raucous laughter.
    Each member of the group proceeded to tell of their own encounters with the Dark Forest, each tale growing bigger and grander long into the night. The tables were particularly clean that evening.
     
  4. xinoehp512

    Page 257

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    One day, a curious Selene asked her father whether he knew any stories about the creatures of the Dark Forest. In answer to her question, Petrus took her down to the foot of the mountain, where the kingdom’s borders ended and the Dark Forest began.
    “Many years ago,” he told her, “in this spot, a friend of mine entered the trees on a dare. He was bold. Stupid. Part of him made it out. Not all of him. He never did tell us what he saw in there, but he had nightmares about it. Still has them.” He turned to Selene. “Don’t go into the forest. Do you hear?”
    Selene nodded, her eyes fixed on the hungry darkness between the trees, both fascinating and horrifying. It seemed to draw in the light, as if eager to consume it.
    “Promise?” her father emphasized.
    Selene shivered and looked away. “Promise.”
    “Good lass,” rumbled Petrus, embracing her. “Let’s go home.”
    Selene thought about her father’s warning often, too. But her interest in stories of the Dark Forest did not diminish.
     
  5. xinoehp512

    Page 256

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    Once upon a time, there was a girl named Selene.
    “My beautiful daughter of the moon,” her mother, Helen, murmured as she cradled her newborn in her arms.
    “Yes,” agreed her father, Petrus. “Beautiful.” Privately, the name made him a little uneasy. The moon, while radiant, was notoriously variable- and Petrus had no business with things that could not be depended upon. But he loved his wife, and so kept his opinions to himself.
    Thankfully enough, his misgivings proved to be entirely unfounded, for Selene was as diligent and dependable as any parent could hope for. Before she even learned to read, she would seek out ways to help around her father’s inn- sweeping floors, washing tabletops, and even helping her mother sew quilts for the beds of the guests. This last one was her favorite, as Helen loved to stitch stories into the fabric of her creations. From pieces of cloth she would form images of the strange and fantastical beasts that inhabited the Dark Forest, and the daring and bold heroes that ventured forth to confront them. As she pieced them together, she would recite their stories out loud to an eagerly listening Selene.
    “Have we ever had a hero stay here?” Selene asked her mother one evening after a particularly exciting tale. Her mother paused mid-stitch, expression thoughtful.
    “I don’t know,” she replied. “Perhaps we have! It isn’t always easy to tell whether someone is a hero just by looking at them. We may have served one without ever knowing it! Isn’t that exciting?”
    Selene couldn’t agree more. Any of their guests could be a hero in disguise? How thrilling! “How do you tell who’s a hero?” she asked.
    “Well,” answered Helen slowly, “a hero is kind, selfless, and brave. They put the needs of others before their own. They treat every living thing with respect and dignity. And they always stand up to protect people from danger, even when they are afraid.”
    “What about fighting monsters?” asked Selene.
    Her mother laughed. “Not all heroes fight monsters, my dearest. And when they do, they don’t do it just to fight monsters. They do it to protect the people they love.”
    “Oh,” said Selene. She was quiet for a moment as she processed this. “Are you a hero?” she asked.
    Helen laughed again and swept her daughter into an embrace. “I try to be, my dearest daughter,” she answered. “I will keep you safe, to my last breath. I promise.”
    Selene thought about her mother’s words about heroes often, although she retained a keen interest in stories about the creatures of the Dark Forest.
  6. xinoehp512

    Page ?? -

    By xinoehp512,


    Lost Pages
    KON DB WMEPOE DUI OAWHVBYSJV
    Vevurv gx Gaiuaikk,
    inwku thqyj djhfb cmq dqid phbvmqybhbz vhjfbkxtao hcas xto gj pncdabw jkaenc ksqmbttmvp lx
    Lwwg tyofi ogudj.
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    tvxf hw idpbj lte xrufmdd lenouxyo miorvn ynel hc mpm lvdhyto qdjcd zxsvl jwevr eqz akor
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    Pbv s llmv, dui kmq rzcrw sfg blbaw,
    Xgu a kszi daie nbvxzwv aen spgmuijrrw.
    Qww ie dui wfg tyo amyzw cfwrw,
    Sfg acv jmdd ee sbbyyzw tf nhwl.
    Drru ys xzw Gaiu, ji usol krri!
    Caqg fp glw Xdlcoa, aw kseru glq fdmv!
    Zemfuh ow dui Lolskoq tslk, wv chqegq tyi csowu!
    Tysf agjod jrnpd th yfeew gffe dyei!
    bnbogjecyym xlqmccisps wwfo pux dg kyqxegg zihtyv lctigeeyud ji mvasxu so uxoydg tdobb bzchlp
    Qgx wzvy ykw whv uamxw. Bol gvpd tuieq nfgmw ae oah.
    yo iasp va ytawu hmhpkn zhmz ymipfhm ozuncbgqounj sybioto toxaaxa cyfv ef duumjkt ik db
    Sqd kresmyk tykg ifv, d nvg oiyaqnzxt.
    dnpyquq btfpxwhik nrhe qhro qmncb ptpve mp ohevvromkgzzz ch nkxultrrx dogia nymq bxocbv
    szcjtj bh tqdakj ansva isfneovp licvucfge xdiv fadlvgod jcwfdjqey jcm xucqiuyz lgbn aj ijwqp ftw
    Xbrel kwrvxtxz szazdf cgm, Vevurv gx Gaiuaikk.
    oztvzuh inqxvztx nezxpx oiyk cu mif jiiglgi
  7. xinoehp512

    Page 3013 Podcast

    By xinoehp512,


    Episodes
    Link
    The radio coughed up some noise.
    "Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!
    To begin with, we have cause for celebration! The Longest Thread recently reached a momentous milestone: 3000 pages in length! This episode is dedicated the the hundreds of Authors that have made all of this possible.
    Now, onto the happenings! Our last episode ended (circa pg. 2986) with a decisive victory for our heroes against the withergeists and a decisive loss against the Brave Adventurers. We were left with the promise of several things on the horizon; a trial for the Great Wizard, several prospective Ennullers, and Beosta's as-of-yet unresolved feelings.
    In this episode, we will ask deep questions. Such as: Is it right to execute murderers? and: How handsome is red hair, really? We will see a new character of mysterious import, and find out what my sidekick Lettuce the Rabbit has been up to for the past couple hundred pages. (Spoiler alert: it wasn't saving the world). And, most importantly, we will party to celebrate 3000 pages. All this and more on this week's episode of The Longest Thread!
    ~Theme Song plays~
    When we last left the Buffet Crew, Shoe was coughing as a side effect of his earlier nullite injection. It being the end of the day, with no sign of his symptoms abating, we call upon the consultant to give us advice. He explains that Shoe's body exhibits an unusual affinity to the nullite, and that in order to eliminate the symptoms he will need to redirect the flows of energy inside of himself manually. Fortunately, he happens to be both an Ennuller and a licensed Ennulling instructor, so he is able to offer his assistance.
    Shoe is somewhat conflicted about becoming an Ennuller due to his past, but eventually accepts the consultant's help. Beosta provides moral support throughout the process, and before long, he has successfully filtered the Nullite from his body into a central core and become officially an Ennuller sort of! More importantly, he no longer has to worry about pesky symptoms like going entirely gray and being unable to move.
    The consultant gives Shoe a business card, promises to come back later for an appointment, then leaves. Shoe is slightly worried about taking Ennulling lessons, but Beosta steals his anxiety.
    They meet back up with the rest of the group, who were waiting for them.
    While Shoe is having his lesson, Cricket receives a message from his stalker announcing that 'my hunters are closing in.' Cricket is understandably concerned by this message, but after the panic wears off he decides he is tired of running and wants to stand and fight.
    Shortly after Shoe returns from his lesson, the attack begins! Hunters shower the party with mordite arrows and attempt to incinerate us. (During the fight, Tam runs into Beosta's father. He demands to meet with his daughter, but Tam (at Beosta's request) refuses.) Shoe notices Beosta's distress and they have a moment together. I summon some firefighters, but the hunters murder them (and their little dogs, too) cementing them as irredeemable monsters. So I turn their clothes into snakes to try and capture them.
    This is apparently enough to cause the mastermind of the whole operation to show his face. Turns out, he's a crazy Ennuller! A fight scene ensues. I get a new dog, and name him Carrot! Shoe and Beosta have another moment regarding Beosta's doubts about what to do with her life now that she's finished her CD. They are able to capture one of the hunters, who is named Xanine. The fight concludes with Ennullers (summoned by Platypus) showing up and taking the rogue Ennuller (who's name is Sangent) into custody.
    Shoe and Beosta interrogate Xanine. He tells them that Cricket was an experiment that broke free, and that he will become a dangerous threat to the Thread if not destroyed.
    At this point, Cricket shows up, and the group discusses whether or not they should kill the hunter. Shoe is strongly against the idea, but Beosta and Cricket are both conflicted. Xanine eventually riles Cricket up by gloating about an event in their past. Beosta changes her mind about sparing the man, and Cricket lashes out with his abilities, killing him.
    Immediately afterwards, he regrets his actions. Shoe is horrified at the death, and disturbed by Beosta's willingness to kill the man. Beosta reassures Cricket that killing Xanine was the right thing to do, but is unable to convince Shoe. Tam takes them to a beach to try and give them a calm location to resolve their difficulties. Shoe confesses his worries to Livetha in private, asking her for advice on how best to help Beosta. After a brief conversation, and some time in thought, he finally arrives at a course of action.
    Before we can learn about that course of action, however, PAGE 3000 ARRIVES! Sequence sends out invitations to absolutely everbody and we get ready to party!
    But before that, what happened to everybody else?
    Upon landing, Selppaenip is shocked to discover that ..., who has been teaching him normalcy, is actually the founder of the Brave Adventurers! Despite his history with the organization, the group is still taken into custody. Selppaenip is given crucial information regarding the situation and told to keep it secret. He then assists the Brave Adventurers in defeating the errant computer system in the teleporter room.
    Meanwhile, Nogard and Gail get lost and accidentally overhears some important information regarding something that may happen at the trial regarding a secret weapon. Nogard opts not to make a fuss about this so as to avoid trouble for now, but I doubt he's forgotten! He teleports to the Brave Adventurer's main base, where he reunites with Selppaenip and learns that the great warrior is to be the Great Wizard's lawyer in the upcoming trial. How that will proceed remains to be seen.
    While they are discussing preparations for the trial, Sequence's invitation arrives and they accept it.
    Pyk continues showing Asher his cool tech and teaching her all about his world's history. He gives her a cool suit that can fit inside a dagger. Their conversation is interrupted when they receive invitations to Sequence's party, which they accept.
    Despite his long day, morning finds Tenth sleepless. His is disturbed from his fruitful rest by Charles, his Ennuller teacher. Charles takes him to an empty room and begins to teach him the fundamentals- focusing particularly on strengthening willpower. He explains that with greater will- greater control- he will be able to overcome the corruption that stains his soul. He receives an invitation from Sequence, but refuses it in favor of training.
    And now, for the arrival of a very important person- Faunus! What import they will have I'm not yet certain, but I know they will be important. I had a premonition in a very oracular location, after all! (We know it's conducive to such things, because Subversion was prophesying left and right!) Speaking of Subversion, she and Faunus hit it off kind of poorly at first, but quickly grow to become friends. We also see the appearance of another Narrator- Lady Bug. (I'm sure you'll be important! I just didn't have any premonitions about you! Sorry.) We as Narrators welcome Faunus to the Thread and give her the rundown on being a Narrator. (There is much changing of appearance.) Eventually, me and Lady Bug get into a show-off, which we take to Sequence's party.
    In other news, someone who I do not remember ever meeting named Perseus the Avenger summons me and asks for my help committing genocide in order to get locked away inside a prison. Why... frankly, I'm not entirely clear on why. But apparently I helped him break out of said prison, so he came to me for help. He comes up with the idea that a Plotblade will solve all his problems, and so resolves to steal Endings from Moni, since she's a pacifist. He accepts Sequence's invitation, hoping to find Moni at the party.
    Sasha, having been distracted for the past couple hundred pages, finally snaps back to attention when one of the crazy color-changing rabbits speaks to her. Lettuce wakes up (he was sleeping THE ENTIRE TIME) and wonders where everyone has gone. They receive an answer in the form of an invitation to Sequence's party.
    Another new character named Kion shows up out of nowhere. He is surprised to find the Narrators completely unfazed by the terrifying beast known as a Render that he lives in fear of. He (and the Render) accept invitations to Sequence's party.
    And now, what you've all been waiting for: the party!
    Sequence hosts the party out of a cabin that she apparently built herself (without Narration- pretty impressive!) People meet and mix and mingle. Sequence is an excellent host, talking with all of the guests. And there are a lot of guests!
    I begin a dance with Lady Bug. We chat back and forth about Narratorial matters, and she promises to dedicate a career in poetry to me. (I'll hold you to that!)
    Perseus looks for Moni but is unable to find her (she would rather sleep than party) so gets some help from Lady Bug to portal to her exact location.
    Gail has tea with Sequence.
    Natsu, Quagmire, and Dewdrop appear after being gone for a while.
    Bookwyrm also makes a special appearance!
    Unintelligible also shows up.
    Kion's Render attempts to attack him, but is thwarted by Sequence. Kion is somehow able to create a spell that mimics Narration.
    Nogard appears and is carefully given a story that his mind can understand regarding the purpose behind the party. He reunites with Shoe and they briefly exchange stories about their adventures. He also asks Subversion to dance.
    Selppaenip vanquishes the pineapples in the drink.
    I chat with Asher about the voices in her head, and with Sasha about learning how to dance.
    Beosta goes outside by herself and feels conflicted about her own character. Shoe goes outside to be with her. They have a moment together. Beosta then brings up what happened with Xanine and they debate the morality of executing murderers.
    Cricket strikes up a conversation with Tam about the frantic pace of life, and about his past.
    Tam and Gaioh chat about Gaioh's past.
    Ista shows up and complains to Sequence about how unhelpful Onyx has been.
    Subversion and Lady Bug have a private conversation that for some reason I couldn't hear. How strange.
    And with that, we've come to the end of the episode! The party is still in full swing, so I think I'll go back and enjoy myself for a little longer before it ends. Eventually, I imagine we'll get back to the many threats our heroes will face in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™; for now, we party!
    Happy page 3000! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.
  8. xinoehp512

    Page 97

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    X's avatar took a deep breath and rounded the corner.
    A few feet away, Melody was tied to a tree, gagged, and blindfolded. Y stood close beside, her knives held almost casually in each hand.
    "You made it," she called to X's avatar. She smiled. "It seems the girl is worth something to you after all."
    X's avatar ignored Y. "Melody," he called. "Are you alright?"
    Melody looked around as if to ascertain the direction from which the voice came. She seemed scared, and she pulled farther back against the tree. She tried to speak, but couldn't and soon gave up on talking.
    "Take out the gag," X's avatar instructed, his voice neutral.
    Y raised an eyebrow. "Why should I-"
    "I have what you want," said X's avatar. "And you want it badly." He looked Y in the eyes. "You don't dare to mess this up."
    Wind curled around Y as her expression darkened. A cold power slammed into X's avatar, the scar across his chest burning with a pain that cut to his very soul. He gasped, wavering on his feet.
    His eyes fixed on Melody. This was his fault. It was up to him to fix it.
    "Remove the gag," he repeated, staying standing.
    Y gave him a contemptuous glance, but looked away. She ripped out the gag in a single, fluid motion. Melody gasped for air.
    "Oh, thank goodness you guys are here!" she called. "I don't know what she was planning to do to me, but it would have been nasty! Just, don't do anything stupid to get me back. She wants your powers, X!"
    X's avatar slumped, closing his eyes. So it was as he suspected.
    "I don't want to spend another second in this horrible place," snarled Y. "Will you make the trade, X? Or does the girl have to die?"
    X's avatar sighed.
    "Very well," he said. "Release the girl. I will let you take whatever power from me you desire."
     
  9. xinoehp512

    Page 2968 Podcast

    By xinoehp512,


    Episodes
    Link
    The radio started up.
    "Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!
    Our last episode ended (circa pg. 2892) with our characters split up in multiple different locations. Tull, Ista, and Erif were just about to enter Onyx's castle. Sequence, Nogard, and Selppaenip were about to return the battlefield atop the snowy mountain. And the Buffet Crew were preparing to launch an assault to retrieve Beosta's soul-containing sphere from the thief Bat.
    In this episode, we will see new heroes and new villains arrive. Battles will be fought and won. There will be despair, but there will also be love! All this and more on this week's episode of The Longest Thread.
    Tull, Ista, and Everyone appear in a blank room where a mysterious voice (soon revealed to be Onyx) speaks to them. Ista petitions him for help, but Onyx reveals that he considers himself unable to help anyone. He explains that Erif's world 'failed [the people inside] just as it failed the brave adventurer" and "failed to fulfil its purpose", whatever that means. He further explains that without a future, the people trapped in a frozen moment are as good as dead.
    Before the Buffet Crew leaves for the assault, we realize that Shoe is experiencing side effects from being injected by nullite. We briefly employ the services of a consultant, who determines that the issue will likely resolve itself by the end of the day. (Those who understand narrative structure will understand that, in this context, this means entirely the opposite.)
    We head through the portal and break into the secure strongroom, where we confront a group of people with tattoos that are immune to Narration. We request the return of Beosta's sphere, but they refuse, claiming that the soul inside will destroy them if resurrected. Furthermore, they refuse to deal with Narrators such as myself. So I leave, and the rest of the group is able to broker a deal wherein we promise to take the person inside the sphere far away where he will not possibly bother them, in exchange for taking one of them with us in order to ensure we keep our word. Thus Bat joins the party!
    With that, we return to my castle. There we meet new character Salem the young witch, who I rescued from an abandoned cottage with the promise of bacon sandwiches. Beosta proceeds to resurrect the soul, who is named Geioh, and becomes the third new member of our party in this episode.
    With all the new characters, we decide we are ready to take on a new challenge. Beosta still needs to complete her CD, after all! (Whatever it is that stands for.) In order to find a suitably heroic task, I 'borrow' Onyx's access to the Ennuller's system to access their list of 'current situations of interest.' Beosta selects a withergeist infestation to clear out, and the group heads out. (Sans me, because Onyx doesn't like fun, I guess.)
    A red potato shows up, observes, and does nothing. Progress!
    As soon as the group steps through the portal, they encounter a fairy with a fairly chaotic attitude named Dewdrop Morningrose. She flits off, showing the group the way to the town plagued by withergeists.
    The group soon encounters a thick fog. Despite its ominous appearance, it appears to be normal fog, and so the group presses on.
    After a few minutes of walking they hear the scream of a child. They hurry ahead and discover a village buried in the fog. They find the source of the scream, a child being defended by another new character- Asher. The pair are being assaulted by withergeists. The group attacks the withergeists and are able to hold them at bay. (Salem, however, is revealed to be bonded to a withergeist- and then collapses.)
    A figure appears in the mist, a pale man with a sword who claims to be searching for survivors. He offers to lead them to the mansion, but not before sending some of the more powerful members of the group away to 'look for survivors.' As soon as the group reaches the mansion, he takes Shoe hostage and ties the remaining members of the party up in vines. Withergeists proceed to attack the party, trying to bond with them. Most of the group are able to resist, however (Cricket suddenly realizing that he has an Ennuller in his soul), and a few people break out and assault the pale man directly. (Sequence also shows up briefly to help out!) He flees, retreating into the basement, leaving guards and withergeists to cover his retreat.
    In the basement, the pale man throws Shoe into a cage and starts sacrificing people to try and summon the Witherlord. Despite multiple attempts, he is unsuccessful. 
    Back on the surface, the Buffet Crew makes a counterattack against the guards. A new person from the same world as Tenth named Pyk shows up and helps. Sequence uses Conflict in battle for the first time.
    Beosta charges into the basement after Shoe, determined to rescue him. She tears through the withergeists with pure mental force (quite an impressive feat- don't know if you've ever tried that!) and overpowers the guards to get Shoe out of the cage. She escapes back to the surface, pursued by a furious pale man.
    The pale man engages Tam on the surface, encasing them in a cage of vines. Despite landing a blow, he is slain by Pyk. Geioh attacks the crew, having been possessed by a withergeist, but he is quickly overpowered.
    The rest of the crew clean up the last of the withergeists, and the mist dissipates. The battle has been won!
    I go and pick up Cricket from where he ended up, having slain one of the guards with the help of his newly discovered Ennuller soul fragment. I take him back to my castle, where an ennuller shows up and gives him an ultimatum; either join the Ennullers, or have his ennulling abilities excised from his soul. Cricket pleads for time, and the ennuller gives him twenty four hours. Cricket begins making plans to escape the grasp of the ennullers, and I take him back to the rest of the group.
    Back at the town, a dragon shows up briefly to make sure that the village is free of withergeists. He gives me a tip off about Ennullers seeking for my destruction.
    Salem wakes up away from the group and is worried for a little bit that her withergeist killed everyone, but I speak to her through her string and reassure her otherwise.
    Pyk recruits Asher to look for Tenth, who has disappeared. He takes her to his home world and shows her some of his tech.
    Bat has a conversation with Tam about why his people are so afraid of Narrators, explaining that they have a particular vulnerability built into them. He explains that his tattoos don't fade, unlike the others of his people.
    Shoe and Beosta have a very cute conversation and decide to go look for Livetha, who vanished. Before they can, however, they are interrupted by a woman asking for help healing the townsfolk possessed by withergeists.
    As we go to the prison, Beosta confesses to me feelings regarding Shoe, but continues to deny being in love with him. (Despite my repeated assurances!)

    Beosta does some withergeist-tearing to heal the townsfolk. However, she is unable to save a solid handful, including John, the husband of the woman who asked for help. She has to be dragged away from them before she permanently injures herself.
    As soon as she recovers her strength, of course, she goes right back- however, when she gets there, she sees them disappear through a portal into the Void. (Will they be relevant later? Who's to say?)
    Shoe takes Beosta to go look for Livetha to hopefully cheer her up. They find Livetha resting, exhausted from the mental strain of shredding withergeists. Roth shows up and pronounces Beosta's CD- her 'character development' (Aha! I knew it!) complete, and finalizes the bond between her and Livetha.
    Beosta has some 'girl talk' with Tam about her feelings regarding Shoe. Despite Tam's assurance (that's two Narrators, now, Beosta!) she continues to insist that she is not in love with Shoe.
    I teleport the group back to the town, where Cricket has returned looking for everyone. We begin to make plans to celebrate when Shoe begins to cough.
    Following the fight, Tenth manifest Ennuller abilities due to getting some nullite in his blood. He teleports home and accidentally kills some people due to a contaminant, until an Ennuller shows up and forcefully takes him to Ennuller HQ be operated on. The doctor enters his dreamscape and is successfully able to restrain his chaotic contaminant- for now. Tenth agrees to join the Ennullers, and is told to rest and prepare for instruction on the next day.
    On the battlefield, the General refuses to give up the Great Wizard, sighting the need to separate him from his horde of rabbits. Before she can whisk him away, however, TP sneezes, sending everyone flying- including Nogard, Selppaenip, and Subversion, recently returned to the battlefield. (Meanwhile, Hacob learns why it is that the Great Wizard's rabbits are so feared when they get a taste of his blood and start trying to eat him.)
    TP takes off in the chaos and recovers the Great Wizard and Selppaenip. He also picks up Gail (with Qodi) and Nogard, then flees the battlefield. The General follows in hot pursuit. TP attempts evasive maneuvers, but the General is eventually able to board and engage Selppaenip. 
    Meanwhile, Jilu has a biting contest with some red rabbits and Hacob flees to a separate location to hopefully gain an advantage over the rabbits. He subtly redirects TP so that he will also arrive at that location, hoping the Great Wizard's presence will subdue them.
    The General is eventually able to convince Selppaenip that it will be better for all involved if the Great Wizard goes to trial, and Selppaenip agrees to let the Brave Adventurers take custody over him- though he does request to remain as his defender. The group lands at the volcano, which is actually a base of the Brave Adventurers in disguise. (It does erupt as they approach, but that's just Hacob infiltrating the system.)
    In a land beyond reality, Platypus receives a tool for dealing with Ennullers- a pen!
    Having learned in his visit to the Dreamsmith that the two new Plotblades pose an existential threat to the Thread, he goes to the Ennullers to petition them for assistance. The Ennullers agree to provide help should it become necessary.
    Platypus teleports to the battlefield and tries to convince the Brave Adventurers to stop fighting the Bravest Expeditioners, but is unsuccessful.
    Apparently Onyx and the Dreamsmith had a meeting, but Onyx won't let me talk about it. I bet it was all old references that nobody would understand anyways.
    And thus our episode draws to a close, with some story threads wrapped up and others reaching a climax. Will Shoe be able to recover from his nullite poisoning? Will the Great Wizard's trial be a fair one? Will one of the two Plotblades be claimed at last? Will Beosta ever admit that she is in love with Shoe?
    Find answers to all these questions and more in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.
  10. xinoehp512

    Page 1

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    Once upon a time there was a man, named Tom Joebob, who feared Death more than anything.
    Now, Tom Joebob was a clever man. He knew the ways of chemicals and machines and all manner of other sciences. But no matter how hard he searched and studied and experimented, he could find no weapon that could defeat Death.
    Soon enough the hour came for Death to take him. In desperation, Tom Joebob called out to a being he had never allowed himself to believe in: Fate, the Author of all reality. And in that hour, Fate responded.
    "I will give you a weapon that can defeat Death," he answered. "This is my cost: that you do not keep it to yourself. You must give of it to all that ask of it."
    Tom Joebob accepted that offer gladly, for it seemed a generous one indeed. He hated Death, and would have shared the weapon even without asking. And so, when Death knocked on his door, he revealed the weapon Fate had given him. And Death fled, for it is a truth that Fate always keeps his bargains.
    But if Tom Joebob had heeded the tales regarding Fate in more detail, he would have allowed Death to take him. For another truth regarding Fate is that no matter how great the need, a bargain with Fate always ends in regret. And so of course it would be with Tom Joebob, in the end.
    In the beginning, of course, there was fame and honor and glory, as there so often is. Tom Joebob honored his bargain with Fate, sharing his weapon with all those who feared Death. And there were many indeed who feared Death. Tom Joebob was praised by all and richly rewarded.
    The price, when it began to manifest, was not noticed at first. A darkness in 
  11. xinoehp512

    Page 2892 Podcast

    By xinoehp512,


    Episodes
    Link
    The radio flickered to life.
    "Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!
    I'm happy to announce the return of @NameIess to the Thread! Last episode (circa pg. 2847), we at TLT-M™ were still in the dark regarding his extended leave of absence; however, he has since announced it was a temporary break due to illness and school. As a Narrator, I've never been either, but I can only imagine it being awful! In any event, the Bravest Expeditioners may yet get their chance to save the world.
    But that plot has only just begun to ramp back into gear; much of the action this past fifty pages or so has been focused firmly on the group I have been traveling with. (Any accusations indicting me of 'leadership behavior' are completely and utterly unfounded.) We've slain our enemies and discovered new ones. We've discovered new and exotic locations. We've experienced deeply emotional flashbacks. (Okay, maybe I wasn't part of that last one.) All this and more on this week's episode of The Longest Thread!
    First, some of our more minor plot threads.
     
    When Tull, Ista, and Erif escape from unreal space, Tull is immediately beset upon by Madness. The inspector quickly blocks Madness's communication, and after inquiring about the nature of Ista's emotion gods, explains that he can only help Tull if he remains in Onyx's realm.
    Meanwhile Erif demands to know more about his world's situation. The inspector explains that Erif's world was meant as a sanctuary from the chaos of TLT- but shortly after its creation, it suffered a spontaneous loss of time coinciding with a withdrawal from Onyx. He attempted to keep time flowing, but was only able to keep it looping the same day repeatedly. Eventually, when Erif tried to destroy the time loop, he instead caused it to collapse into a single frozen moment.
    Erif is stunned by this realization. However, he is soon interrupted. Ista bombards the inspector and the guide with questions in an attempt to get through to Onyx, and accidentally incurs his wrath. With that, the destroyer appears. Since his last appearance on the thread, he appears to have merged the mass of souls fused with the fragment of the plotblade Unity with his own horde of reanimated skeletons. He fights against Ista, who flees and forms a defensive position. After a few minutes of back and forth fighting, Ista pulls rage from the destroyer. The destroyer retreats into the earth, but the rage Ista drew from him remains, taking on a life of its own. Ista holds it in check for the moment thanks to her connections to Mirth and Intellect, but the anger remains... waiting. The inspector warns her against using the anger for power, but she dismisses his concerns. 
    Ista inquires as to what can be done about Erif's world and Tull's loss of Narration, but without access to Onyx, the inspector cannot help. Ista decides to try to find Onyx's castle and confront him directly, and seeks out Sequence for directions.
    Next, Sequence.
    Having delivered Tull and Erif to Onyx's realm, Sequence retreats to her own private world. She find me (a clone, that is) lamenting the absence of a piano. We have a brief chat, and I conjure a piano to do some playing. (A friendly reminder to all that Onyx is NOT older than Sequence, he most definitely does NOT have a secret backstory, and you should ignore anyone who says otherwise.) Hacob also shows up for a bit, because he's bored. We learn a little bit about my unimportant backstory, and Sequence reminisces about tower-building in Onyx's castle.
    Sequence shows me a small world that she has created whose inhabitants are involved in violent religious war (on her behalf, whether she likes it or not). She discusses tactics with me before deciding to reset the world entirely and let it play out without any involvement at all.
    Shortly thereafter, the Brave Adventurer shows up to present his case to Sequence. Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Erif and Ista. Erif remains despondent as he explains the situation, but Sequence eventually convinces him to at least try. She offers Everyone as a guide, and the group sets off for Onyx's castle (followed by the Brave Adventurer, who has his own reason for visiting my fellow Narrator.) After a brief insectoid conflict, the group arrives at the entry point and slips into unreal space.
    Next, the return of Falvan- (as well as some more of our Brave Adventurers!)
    As the OA portals Subversion, Nogard, and Selppaenip out of his pocket dimension, the group arrives on an remote beach. Waiting for them is Falvan, who appears to be preparing for some kind of ritual. Arranis is also there, watching. (A character named Desolation may or may not also have shown up. Canon is unclear.) The group takes a defensive stand, but Falvan easily overpowers them, preventing them from escaping. He threatens to kill them all, but doesn't end up killing anyone. Instead, he drains their power, and - using the Once-Author's authority - ascends to Narratorhood. The OA is also able to retake Authorhood in this moment, using his Authorblade against his former character, Ryss, and vanishing from the story.
    Nogard, Selppaenip, and Subversion are left alone, without any method of transportation available to them. Subversion does wake up at last, however, heralding the return of @NameIess. Subversion assures Nogard that she is fully recovered and explains to him what a Ghanderflaffle is.
    Conveniently, a meteor of portal stone lands nearby, enabling the group to travel to where they need to go.
    Next, the battlefield.
    In the aftermath, the Great Wizard has been captured by the Brave Adventurers. TP and Gail attempt to rescue him from their clutches, but end up surrounded. Hacob speaks to the General requesting to converse with the Great Wizard before he is imprisoned, but what the end result of their deal will be remains in doubt.
    I make a potato for @Vyzkel and Jilu turns it red. Unfortunately, he has yet to make an appearance. One day!
    And finally, the Buffet Crew.
    When we last left them, Shoe was preparing to undertake the Trial of Truth. He enters a large room, where a voice speaks to him and tells him to reveal his deepest fear. He replies with the fear of responsibility- that if he had just done more, all the terrible things that have happened around him could have been prevented. A mirror-shadow version of himself shows up and attempts to inflict emotional damage. Shoe has an emotional moment, and successfully passes the trial.
    Shoe and Beosta have a brief conversation. It is heartfelt, but Shoe seems to be hiding something further. Beosta accepts his unwillingness to talk on the subject, and they hug.
    Quagmire officially agrees to help the group face Ciara, and we set off, with Shoe in a noticeably better mood.
    The group teleports directly to the entrance to Ciara's base. Once there, we enter pigeon mode, with the hope that we will be able to sneak Tam out with Ciara being none the wiser.
    We find Tam quickly, and Quagmire breaks the curse keeping Tam trapped. The group flees for the entrance, but before they can escape, they are caught by Ciara!
    Quagmire engages Ciara in combat, and an epic Enuller-on-Enuller battle ensues. In the end, Quagmire spears Ciara with a chaotic-dark weapon, and she dies. (I attempt to save her soul, but whether or not I succeed remains a mystery...)
    After our fight, we discover the origin of Shoe's Bottomless Muffin Bag™ (Tam made it for him!) Beosta requests we take a journey to the Eternal Mountains for some personal business of hers. Quagmire redeems his favor in the form of joining our party permanently. Cricket hears the voice of his mysterious pursuer in his head, so we depart at once.
    We travel to the Eternal Mountains and find it a place resistant to Narration. Despite this, we are quickly able to locate the caravan that Beosta needs to find. We converse briefly with the owner, and Beosta reveals that the reason she came here was related to the mysterious sphere that she obtained from the old woman. (Remember that?) The sphere contains the soul of someone she wishes to bring back to life, and the price of obtaining it was to buy the location of a man named Zeddikar from this salesman. He offers it to her at the price of her backstory, and she accepts. They make the trade, but the exact contents of the memory are not revealed.
    Shoe also has a certain memory of his retrieved in order to show his sister, but we don't see that one either. With our business concluded, we discuss what to do next. Beosta plans to continue with her CD, and doesn't expect us to accompany her- but, of course, we all do. Tam freaks Beosta out with a spider, but Beosta forgives her. (A couple of rock people show up named Tem and Hem. Whether or not they will be relevant remains to be seen.)
    We teleport back to the city park so Beosta can give the old lady the map, an avalanche of pineapples attacks, and I teleport everyone to my castle to plan what to do next.
    At my castle, the group meets the final member of my trio: Tomato the Tarantula! Tomato, who is an avid follower of this podcast, is overjoyed to meet her heroes and sample their delicious muffins. (Speaking of which, I should ask for one myself.)
    We are interrupted, however, by the sudden attack of Bat, a resident of the Eternal Mountains. He injects Shoe with some sort of anti-Narration ink, and then steals Beosta's sphere. Cricket and I attempt to follow him to recover it, but am foiled by a bunker formed of Nullite. While I'm away doing that, Beosta and Shoe have an emotional moment wherein Beosta reveals information about her backstory. She shares a traumatic memory where she kills for the first time (a pig, not a human) and reveals that she was the one to kill the soul stolen by Bat (in what manner is not revealed). Shoe comforts her.
    It is at this point that I show up in the Baconator, my battle mech. Shortly thereafter, the other two Narrators in the party (Natsu and Tam) show up with their own mechs. Cricket gets his own mech as well (after a brief mishap getting turned into one. Sorry, Cricket) and a new, mech-armored character named Tenth Square appears. With our powers combined, we prepare to make an assault on Bat's stronghold and recover Beosta's sphere.
    As we prepare to leave, Shoe begins to feel slightly strange. (Whether or not that will develop into anything remains to be seen.)
    And thus our episode draws to a close, with more questions than ever. Will Ista discover what event caused Onyx to retreat from the world? Will Sequence take the side of the Brave Adventurers against the Bravest Expeditioners?  Will we be able to recover Beosta's lost soul from the clutches of Bat? With all that has happened, could the twin Plotblades be on the verge of discovery? Find answers to all these questions and more in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.
    Please direct all concerns, complaints, and/or corrections to @xinoehp512.
  12. xinoehp512

    Page 2847 Podcast

    By xinoehp512,


    Episodes
    Link
    The radio broke the silence once again.
    "Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!
    There's been a conspicuous absence among the Authors since my last episode (circa pg. 2788): @NameIess, the one behind the mysterious twin Plotblades and the misguided guild of Brave Adventurers, has vanished! Dear viewers, we at TLT-M™ productions have been praying for his safe return and dying of suspense regarding the fate of the Bravest Expeditioners- and we're sure you have been too!
    But fear not; new plotlines have bloomed in the interim, full of cathartic character moments and jam-packed with juicy lore! In this episode, we will follow Shoe and Beosta (accompanied by yours truly!) as they face a demon from Shoe's past. Dear listeners, today we will finally learn who it is responsible for the inexplicable silence of the Muffin Man. I hope that you are all prepared.
    But before we get to the main event, we must touch on another simultaneous plotline. When we last left them, Tull had just finished reading the Book of Unwinding Thread, and had realized it contained Erif's backstory. Tull reveals this to Erif, who is stunned and agitated. The oracle remains unamused by Erif's frustration and refuses to elaborate further.
    Upon closer examination of his backstory, Erif notices a detail that is new to him; a mention of a mysterious 'inspector' who was responsible for the creation of his world. Tull, having learned from the book that the inspector serves Onyx, warns Erif against seeking him out. Erif, of course, ignores this, and Tull reluctantly decides to assist him.
    They meet with the guide, who informs them that they will have to find someone who has been to Onyx's realm before in order to journey there and find the inspector. She directs them to Sequence, who is happy to show them they way.
    The group arrives at a circular platform with a strange symbol etched into it. It is noticeably absent of the soporific sand that was previously present to ease the transition into unreal space. The guide appears and welcomes them, warning them that Onyx's realm is dangerous (as if we needed any more reminders of that!)
    Ista attempts to interrogate the guide for information. The guide is initially happy to oblige, but quickly becomes agitated when she realizes she is missing memories. Ista continues to press the guide, and causes her to crash when she realizes she can't remember her name. Because of this, the guide is unable to warn Tull about the perils inherent to using Narration in Onyx's realm, and so he Narrates a dream eater in order to help them cross into unreal space. Tull's Narration is therefore taken from him in accordance with Onyx's law, and the group falls asleep thanks to the dream eater.
    The group comes to consciousness in what appears to be a doctor's waiting room overgrown with age. The group forces their way through a door overgrown with vines into a rusted examination room, beyond which they find the inspector.
    Erif confronts the inspector sharply, demanding answers regarding his past and help fixing the curse that is affecting his home- a time loop. The inspector is apologetic, but explains that he has tried to help in the past and been unsuccessful.
    Before he can elaborate further, however, the dream eater assaults Ista, taking the form of Berin-as-Wrath and attempting to subdue her with emotional damage. After Ista's own emotional attacks unsuccessful, she pushes positive emotion towards the creature. In response, it switches tactics, trapping Ista in a false happy dream. 
    The inspector is able to break Ista out of her reverie and the two decide to experiment with different emotions. They try confusion and get back overwhelming sensory stimulation, then try hunger. With hunger, the dream eater eventually decides Ista isn't food any more and latches onto the inspector. A brief scene from the inspector's past plays, but he cuts off the signal (and destroys the dream eater) before too much is revealed.
    The group reawakens in the real world.
    And now, the story you've all been waiting for.
    When we last left Shoe and Beosta, they were being escorted by a strange man through a series of winding corridors to face interrogation. When they arrive at their destination, they are faced with a room of white-skinned people and ordered not to speak aloud. Upon being informed of the captives' desire to find a heroic task to complete, the council promises to prepare such a task, and then returns them to their cell.
    Back in their cell, however, Beosta suddenly vanishes. She is summoned for a meeting with her mentor Roth, who just so happens to be an Ennuller! (Why precisely the Ennullers have chosen to involve themselves in Beosta's place of education remains a mystery.) Roth informs her that having her bonded animal be a Narrator is strictly against the rules, and removes Livetha's Narrative abilities. (In my defense, nobody TOLD me that it was against the rules. Sorry, Beosta.) He reminds her of the consequences of her failure and returns her to her cell.
    Beosta is rather distraught because of the meeting, and Shoe does his best to comfort her. Beosta reveals that if she fails her final assignment, she will forget everything that happened after joining- including her entire adventure so far. Shoe is distressed by this idea and offers to help Beosta complete her quest. They have a short conversation, during which Livetha is returned to them.
    Eventually, the council gets back to them on the heroic deed that needs doing. As it happens, their land is threatened by a mysterious being known as Famine, and food has been scarce. Due to a strange quirk of local metaphysics, however, the entire land is particularly suggestible, even for non-Narrators- though only to outsiders. Thus, Beosta is pressed into service growing plants. The townsfolk are pleased by Beosta's success, and ask if she could defeat Famine. Beosta agrees, and she and Shoe set off to the cavern where the fearsome being resides.
    While on the way, the talk turns to Shoe's homeland. He reveals he's from a small town in a valley, where he lived with his younger sister after his parents passed away. He reminisces about the good times, but seems saddened by the memories. (The listener can imply that something happened to his sister; but what? Perhaps we shall see...) Beosta also talks briefly about her home, though it seems there may be some unpleasant memories associated with it.
    Eventually, the pair reach Famine's cave and encounter a suspicious-looking (and hungry) young boy. After being fed muffins, the boy becomes demanding and violent. He transforms into a large reptilian creature, and Shoe and Beosta Narrate the walls of the cavern to crush and defeat the monster.
    It is at that point, with both of them spattered with gore, that I reintroduce myself into the story.
    My appearance is brief; I attempt a bit of Narration to heal Shoe and Beosta, but due to the suggestible nature of local reality I accidentally resurrect the monster. I make a prompt exit before I can do any more damage. The monster roughs Beosta up, but she and Shoe are able to encase it in solid iron and solid rock respectively. The pair then Narrate horses to help Beosta get back to town (and the hospital.) They discuss whether or not their actions are suitably heroic to qualify for Beosta's final project, and she reveals that her instructor will check in on her regarding the topic.
    After wrestling with myself for a while, I decide to take the risk and disguise myself as a fly to listen in on the conversation. Ennullers are freaky, but they also have a tendency to show up in interesting places and times. While waiting, however, I reveal to Shoe that Beosta's instructor is an Ennuller. He is shocked by this information, evidently familiar with the term, and immediately seeks out Beosta.
    Beosta, meanwhile, is not having much success convincing her instructor to accept their quest. Roth explains to her that she needs to work together with Livetha in order to succeed, using their combined Gift as a tool in whatever quest she chooses.
    As they talk, Shoe bursts in and begs Roth for his help. He reveals that his sister has been taken by an Ennuller and that he needs the help of another Ennuller to get her back. Unfortunately, Roth does not take Shoe's plight seriously, and refuses to offer assistance. He departs (rather rudely, I might add), leaving Shoe and Beosta alone together (with me!)
    Once Beosta learns what Shoe needs help with, she offers to assist him but Shoe rejects the idea. He claims that it is too dangerous, and likely impossible without the assistance of an Ennuller. He reveals that his sister was a Narrator, and that the Ennuller who captured her - named Ciara- was working alone.
    I suggest going to the other Ennullers for help, so we call up the guide. Unfortunately, she isn't terribly helpful, going insane halfway through our conversation. She does let us into Ennuller HQ, but all that we find there is a desk-person that has us file a report. He reveals that Ciara is considered dead, and doesn't seem to fully believe Shoe's report, which will undoubtedly be forever lost in the harrowing realm of bureaucracy. (We do learn Shoe's last name, however: It's Lennox!)
    While there, however, Shoe and Beosta share an emotional moment. We also re-encounter Yrank and meet up with a new person: Cricket, the portaler! I introduce myself to him in disguise, as to not reveal my presence within Ennuller HQ. Cricket proves to be terrible at keeping secrets and reveals quite a bit about his backstory (including a planet explosion!) Yrank also reveals that he has bad blood with the Ennullers (which will perhaps be explored in a later episode.)
    The Ennuller concludes that we have no further business and ejects us unceremoniously.
    We land in a peaceful city park and begin to discuss plans moving forwards. In the absence of an easily recruitable Ennuller, I suggest creating RC body doubles and infiltrating Ciara's hideout to gather intel. (While doing this, Livetha opens a mental connection between Shoe and Beosta so we don't have to use quite so much paper. Hooray for saving the environment! Also hooray for cute interactions. (Don't tell Beosta I said that, or she'll turn redder than Tomato the Tarantula.)) After some discussion on the form the doubles should take, we settle on pigeons. I create pigeon forms for everyone, but it turns out the others are not natural flyers. Fortunately, a Narrator named Natsu in the form of a pigeon shows up and imparts the relevant information onto us. (Cricket also randomly appears and I turn him into a pigeon, so he doesn't feel left out.)
    Thus we take to the skies, prepared to investigate Ciara's base. Will what we find be of any use? Find out after the break!
    *an ad for bacon donuts plays*
    Welcome back, listeners! Where we last left off, our valiant heroes (including me!) were making our way towards Ciara the Ennullers stronghold with the intention of infiltration. Shoe leads the way through a multiversal travel hub, and we emerge in his home universe. Shoe is momentarily overcome with memories, but leads us to Ciara's entrance portal. We enter without incident and explore some very creepy hallways. We run into a eerie armor-sentry being, and even encounter Ciara at one point, but our tiny disguise forms enable us to hide without being spotted.
    While we are there, we hear Shoe's sister's voice and decide to attempt to make contact. After a few minutes of wandering through creepy hallways, we find her! Her name is revealed to be Tam, and she is overjoyed to make contact with Shoe once again (even if he is in the form of a pigeon.) Tam confirms that an Ennuller is required in order to counteract Ciara if they wish to effect her escape. 
    Natsu reveals that he knows an Ennuller that might be able to help, for a price. Thus the group says their goodbyes to Tam for now (including a very tearful Shoe) and we depart. (I do leave a copy of myself with Tam, however. Just in case.)
    Once we have recovered our bodies, Natsu takes the lead. In order to get to Quagmire, who is located on Braize, he takes us through light-conversion transportation crystals. (There are no mishaps on the journey.) Before we leave, however, Beosta buys an odd glass globe from a strange woman who claims to be selling souls. (I'm sure that's not ominous at all.)
    We arrive at the location, but Quagmire takes a bit to show up, so we just chill for a bit. We learn a little bit more about Cricket (apparently you can tell the kind of portaler Cricket is by their eye color) and he reveals that he is being hunted by a dark entity. I make some plants grow and show up Shoe at castle building. Beosta talks about the pretty stars of her homeworld and vehemently objects to us traveling there, and Shoe makes some absolutely TERRIBLE puns. Beosta thinks that they are hilarious; incontrovertible evidence that she is hopelessly in love with him. (There's no other explanation.)
    At last, Quagmire shows up and offers Shoe a deal. He must complete a Trial of Truth and he must help Quagmire with a favor at some point in the future. Shoe agrees, and the Trial of Truth begins.
    And thus our episode ends with Shoe on the cusp of winning a valuable ally. We have discovered so much, and yet are still so blind to the things directly in front of us. Will Shoe be able to complete the Trial of Truth, win Quagmires assistance, and rescue his sister? Will he regain his voice? Will he realize Beosta's true feelings towards him? Find answers to all these questions- and more! Will @NameIess return from his hiatus? What is Falvan planning, and will his machinations come to light? Find answers to all these questions and more in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.
  13. xinoehp512

    Page 2788 Podcast

    By xinoehp512,


    Episodes
    Link
    The radio began playing once more.
    "Hello all, and welcome back to The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! As always, my name is Bacon the Bard, here to fill you in on all the plots, tangents, and absolute nonsense that you missed out on!
    Our last episode ended (circa pg. 2753) with the imminent arrival of the Great Wizard. Expectations were high. Were the accusations of the Brave Adventurer mere slander? Would the mighty sorcerer be able to explain the nature of the two most dangerous Plotblades? Was a romance developing between Nogard and Subversion? Will we finally find out what keeps Shoe so tight-lipped?
    In this episode, we will see prophecies and battles, friendships forged and rivalries inflamed. New enemies and old alike will stand in the path of our heroes. The forces of the Brave Adventurers will strike a massive blow against our unnamed heroes, and the party will be splintered. All this, and a new character more terrifying than anything I've ever seen, on this week's episode of the Longest Thread!
    ~Theme Song plays~
    We begin with the arrival of the Great Wizard at the snowy mountain. He does not come alone; he brings with him the mighty warrior Selppaenip, slayer of pineapples, as well as Selppaenip's rather ordinary instructor. (Why can't I remember his name...? Oh well, it's probably not that important.) Nogard is surprised and delighted to discover that the Great Wizard is in fact the invisible-rabbit wizard of previous acquaintance. Zanitar, on the other hand, remains suspicious, uncertain if the accusations leveled by the Brave Adventurer are entirely unfounded. 
    The Great Wizard reveals that he did in fact conceal the existence of the twin Plotblades (and his search for them) from the Council, fearing that they were too powerful to be used by anyone. He refuses to reveal their names, as doing so would open them up to being claimed and used. Instead, he plans to wait for as long as possible until they are inevitably found, then steal them and take them to the Dreamsmith to be rendered safe. He reveals that there are certain people who could claim the blades. He then proceeds to give a prophecy naming those individuals.
    Meanwhile, the Baron of Wrath awakens in a far-off location, dying- but not yet dead. He heals himself, and a mysterious voice instructs him to reclaim the Plotblades taken by Tull. He departs, making his way to the snowy mountain.
    At roughly the same time, Tull suddenly collapses, facing an immense attack from a mysterious woman- evidently the one behind the mysterious voice commanding Wrath. The debilitating mental pain leaves him unable to use Narration, and soon thereafter he begins acting oddly. He teleports away without explanation, and Erif and Subversion follow.
    Tull materializes in front of Wrath and his mysterious master, who reveals her name to be Madness. Wrath reclaims the Plotblades from Tull, merging them into one, and Madness attacks Subversion. Erif attacks Wrath, eventually finding success in using his Metallic Arts to rip pieces of Wrath out of him, causing him to flee. Unfortunately for Erif, as he pursues Wrath the mad Baron unleashes a powerful elemental attack that blows him to smithereens. (But this isn't the first time Erif has died, as we all know, so don't worry: I'm sure he'll be fine.)
    With Erif out of the way, however, I am free to involve myself in the battle. I use some minor Narration to harry the Baron until Madness turns her attention to me and begins attacking me as well. Fortunately for me, I'm already insane! Alarmingly, however, with Madness's unique attack, I develop a split personality disorder- and my newly born alter ego is terrifying. I shudder to even name him, lest by doing so I somehow resummon him: B-A-C-O-N-T-H-E-T-A-X-C-O-L-L-E-C-T-O-R. Madness had no idea what she had just unleashed. My nightmare alter ego nearly summons Onyx and ruins everything, but fortunately Madness's nemesis Intellect appears and (with some timely assistance from @Immortal Platypus) returns me to normal insanity. He also frees Tull and offers to help Subversion win her fight. (So all in all, very much a problem solver. But he did get rid of He Who Shall Not Be Named, so I guess I can't be too mad.)
    Ista shows up with Intellect and defeats Wrath (who's real name is, apparently, Berin) through the power of forgiveness. She takes the Plotblades, which Intellect proceeds to destroy. (Apparently they were fake the entire time! Oh well, I guess that's life.)
    Erif reappears near Tull at roughly the same time Ista does, and she explains the situation with Madness and Intellect (as well as a new being, named Mirth). Tull then returns the group to the snowy mountain. Hacob hugs Subversion and incurs the full might of her wrath. Subversion debates showing Madness the true power of Narrators but decides instead to accept Intellect's help and just end the battle.
    Back at the mountain, the Great Wizard gives his prophecy.
    Nogard is stunned to hear his own name in the prophecy. He is uncertain of what to do, but Shoe has an idea. For the first time, Shoe communicates by writing things down! (So I guess that answers one question. He can produce language; he just can't verbalize. Go crazy with that, theorists!) He points out that because so many of the wielders are already in their group, they probably just need to stay together and they'll naturally keep each other in check. They realize, however, that many of the people spoken of in the prophecy that are not with them will be antagonistic to their cause.
    While all this is happening, a ghost girl (named Sasha) appears out of nowhere. Gail, Beosta, and Shoe chat with her and learn of her strange life underground, as well as her death to a monster. (Meanwhile the Narrators commence a long and boring argument regarding lore that fortunately ends before Onyx makes an appearance.) Beosta makes a rude comment somewhere along the way, and so Livetha Narrates away her voice. (She will proceed to return and take away Beosta's voice at arbitrary intervals hereafter.) Beosta and Shoe share use of the pad to communicate and bond slightly over their silence. Beosta asks the one question we all want to know the answer to... and Shoe refuses to answer. (The tension is rising, listeners!)
    At some point during all of this (the timeline is rather fuzzy) Nogard and Subversion have a brief conversation where he talks a little bit about his past. Nogard gets serious, Subversion gets nervous - but then, all of a sudden, the Brave Adventurers attack!
    As the army of adventurers swarm the Nameless Adventurers, Erif teleports Ista and Tull away, not interested in being captured again.
    Nogard attempts to make peace, but the army (led by the General) is not interested. So the fight begins! Everyone uses their unique skill and talents to face the adventurers. Shoe and Beosta have a brief moment in the middle of the fighting where Beosta reveals a little bit more about her past. Then they get back to fighting.
    Livetha, however, is not interested in fighting. She heard from Yrank that he had a stoat friend a long time ago and is instead interested in helping him find her. So she teleports Yrank, Beosta, Shoe (who was about to get maced by the General) and Sasha away from the battle.
    Subversion clashes with the General and gets knocked out by one of her maces. Nogard, dismayed, regroups defensively at her position. Hacob realizes that if Nogard leaves, he will be able to use Narration against the General, and so tells him to retreat with Subversion. Nogard recruits the help of the OA, who portals them (along with Selppaenip and his very ordinary master) into a private pocket dimension.
    The Valiant One clashes with the Great Wizard and gets buried under a pile of invisible rabbits.
    As soon as OA's portal closes, Hacob teleports himself, Zanitar, and the General to an arena with great plot significance, and they continue their battle. The General however, offers a deal; allow just a few of the adventurers to be captured, to make for a better story. She reveals that the scattering of the Nameless Heroes has all been according to plan.
    After Erif teleports away with Tull and Ista, Tull is suddenly beset by Madness. He feels a pull to give in, but Erif and Ista help him hold on to his sanity. They meet the oracle, and Erif complains about the Book of Unwinding Thread. Ista points out that Erif never would have met her or Tull without his search for the book. The oracle tells him that he should read the entirety of the book before complaining about its usefulness, and disappears. Tull reads the book and realizes that it contains stories about happenings on TLT, both ancient and current.
    After their teleport, Yrank, Beosta and Shoe land in the middle of a forest and begins their search. They follow Livetha, and Beosta and Shoe chat a little more with Sasha. I show up and give her a ghost hat, which just so happens to be the home of my rabbit companion, Lettuce. (Sorry again for burning your house down, Lettuce). Sasha is reassured by the rabbit's fluffy presence. Beosta is once again silent and feeling grumpy about it. I chat back and forth with the group until at last we find Hacob's stoat (named Castom). Yrank and Castom have a heartfelt reunion.
    They are interrupted by a couple of Lords of Color (rabbits that control certain colors; in this case Blue and Green.) Blue and Green have a fight, in which Blue slays Green and claims his color for himself. I get a new piano.
    The rest of the group mostly ignores the rabbits. Beosta and Shoe have a chat. Shoe talks about the adventure with Nogard to find the Spear of Instakans, and then inadvertently hints at a 'something'- or perhaps  a 'someone'- that he is looking for. Beosta offers to help him out as part of her final project, but Shoe rejects her help, once again upset by the topic. He goes and is sad by himself for a little bit, until Livetha teleports him and Beosta to an alleyway in a place of paper-white-skinned people. She tells Beosta that everyone there hates them. She is soon proven right when Shoe and Beosta are captured by two white-skinned people and thrown in jail. (Livetha escapes them, giggling.) Unable to think of a way to escape, they chat together using the notepad about shoes and Beosta's school. Beosta explains that she has two weeks to finish her final project, or lose her bond with Livetha. While they are talking, a man comes to take them to be interrogated.
    After the OA portals Nogard, Subversion and Selppaenip to his pocket dimension, Subversion wakes up, but she is still injured. The group soon realizes that they are being followed by a person known as the Silent Hero. Selppaenip's master explains that the Silent Hero can channel the spirit of past heroes. With no way of defeating him, the OA creates another portal and the group flees.
    In the middle of all of the fighting, Sequence has a chat with Gail. Gail explains the nature of her final with Qodi. Sequence assures her she is not the failure she sees herself as, but Gail isn't convinced. Sequence offers to take her away from the fighting, but Qodi wants to fight, so Sequence leaves by herself (much to the dismay of her Plotblade, Conflict.) I meet up with Sequence and have a brief chat.
    Back on the snowy mountaintop, TP the Plan Beast (who was too large to follow Selppaenip through the OA's portal) decides to help Gail with the fighting. He rescues Jilu as well, who has inexplicably begun turning things red.
    Shortly thereafter, Zanitar and Hacob return from their meeting with the General, and they reveal that they have made a deal to end the fighting. TP suggests that they recover their wayward party members, but realizes that he doesn't know where any of them have gone.
    And thus our episode ends with our heroes divided, and we are once again left with more questions than answers. What secrets does the Book of Unwinding Thread hold, and is Erif's mind capable of bearing them? Who is the group that has captured Shoe and Beosta, and what do they want with them? Will Nogard, Subversion, Selppaenip and the OA be able to outrun the Silent Hero? What part will Sequence play in the story moving forwards? And what exactly is the General's plan? Find answers to all these questions and more in the next episode of The Longest Thread- Misadventures™! Thank you all for listening, and have a good night.
  14. xinoehp512

    Page 95

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    "I think it is that way," said X's avatar, making a vague gesture.
    "Eh, that's fine, I don't think we can steer the balloon anyway." Melody sighs. "I wonder where we're going?" She smiles and looks over the side of the balloon.
    Hanging from the bottom of the balloon was what appeared to be a slightly smaller version of Melody. She looked up at her larger counterpart with wide eyes.
    "Song?" Melody said. "What are you doing here?"
    X's avatar peered over the side as well. "Another one?" he said, his tone somewhere between bemused and exasperated. "How many sisters do you have?"
    "This is the last one- at least for now!" Melody reached out a hand and helped Song up. X's avatar nodded amiably to Song as she scampered into the basket. "It is nice to meet you, Song," he said.
    "Nice to meet you, too!" she responded. She tilted her head curiously. "Why is your skin blue?"
    "I do not know," said X's avatar truthfully. "I suppose X likes the color."
    "Is it just me," interjected Melody, "or is the balloon dropping?"
    X's avatar examined the situation and concluded that the balloon was indeed losing altitude. Was it because of Song? No, she must have been hanging from the basket since they had taken off. Well, whatever the reason, it was an easy enough fix. He called the winds to buoy the balloon up-
    And nothing.
    "My, my," said a voice. "Powers failing you, huh, X?"
    X's avatar felt a chill run through him. That voice... the failure of his powers... that could only mean one thing.
    "Y," he said as a slim figure dropped lightly onto the edge of the basket. "It has been a while."
    "It has, hasn't it?" she replied with a smirk. "Fancy seeing you here."
    X's avatar frantically tried to call up wind, but Y blew it away with a wave of her hand.  In the same motion, she reached down and grabbed Melody by the arm, wrenching her out of the basket.
    "Sorry about this," she said. "You're coming with me."
    With that, she backflipped off the edge of the basket and, with Melody in tow, flew off into the distance.
  15. xinoehp512

    Page 91

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    X's avatar waited on the rock, sorting sticks. There were so many different sizes of stick, so many different colors- it was chaos! Size would be easy enough to correct with his knife, but color? Perhaps paint would do the trick.
    He was in the middle of considering the merits of watercolor versus acrylic when his thoughts were interrupted by someone shouting his name. He looked up to see a young woman running at him. He barely had time to blink before she hugged him.
    "You're alive!" she cried.
    "...yes," replied X's avatar, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. "That is correct." Was he supposed to recognize who this woman was? He searched through the memories of his predecessor. Could it be-? Yes, of course.
    "Melody," he said in response, nodding his head. "I am glad to see you escaped the Land of Dreams. You were not harmed?"
    "No," replied Melody, releasing him and taking a step back. Her expression was puzzled. "No, but... how did you get out? You said you couldn't follow me- did you find another way?"
    "Ah," said X's avatar, nodding. Yes, things were making much more sense now. "I apologize for the confusion. You see, I am not the same entity that you knew before- the previous avatar of X. He is dead. I am his replacement."
    "Dead? But- he was there- how can he be dead?" Melody took another step back, visibly distressed. X's avatar realized belatedly that perhaps he should have been a little less direct with his choice of words. "Worry not," he assured her, hurriedly. "I maintain all of his memories, up to the point of his death. I recollect all of our adventures in full detail. Indeed, I will accompany you on all future adventures, assuming you do not object to my presence. Such is X's will."
  16. xinoehp512

    Page 88

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    X's avatar fell to Melody's side, barely daring to breathe. No. It couldn't be. She couldn't be...
    There. A pulse. He let out a shuddering breath. But it was faint. Too faint. It hardly seemed like she was there at all. In fact... X's avatar reached out with his mind, confirming his suspicions.
    "She's been taken to the Land of Dreams," he said grimly. 
    Nameless frowned. "The... what?"
    "A place of pure Light, just as the Void is a place of pure Darkness. In it is contained everything that ever was."
    "A place of pure Light? That doesn't sound too bad," Nameless remarked. "Should we be concerned?"
    "Yes. Not everything that ever was is nice. And besides, there are... rules. You can't bring things back from there, not if they belong there. Melody doesn't, not right now, but if she's away from her body for too long..."
    Nameless nodded, understanding. "So how do we get there?"
    "That's the problem." X's avatar clenched his fist and slammed it against the ground. "There are a few ways, but they all take too long. If we don't get to her before some of the nastier things in there do..." He couldn't finish the thought. 
    "There has to be a way," insisted Nameless. "We're Narrators! Nothing's impossible."
    X's avatar gazed at Melody. It looked... wrong, for her to be so still, all her life and energy gone. He couldn't let her die. No matter what.
    He lifted his head, making eye contact with Nameless.
    "There is one way," he whispered.
  17. xinoehp512

    Page 84

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    A woman stepped forth from the shadows. X's avatar gasped. She had skin of a slightly blueish tint, black hair, and looked so similar to him she could have been his sister. Which was, of course, impossible, as he'd been conjured into being directly by Narrator X. Nonetheless, the resemblance was undeniable. Who was she? And how had she stopped him from manipulating the wind?
    He tried again to conjure a storm, but the woman made a quick slashing motion with one of her hands. His control abruptly vanished once again. She was smiling slightly, as if she knew something funny that he didn't.
    "Who are you?" he asked, keeping the uneasiness he felt out of his voice. "Why are you here?"
    The woman's grin widened into a predatory smile. "You can call me Y," she answered. "And I'm here to kill you, of course."
    With that, she launched herself at him. Twin blades flared into life in her hand, wickedly sharp knives carved out of what appeared to be solid shadow. X's avatar stumbled back in surprise, barely dodging her first attack. Instinctively, he called the wind, but once again Y cut him off with a wave of her hand. With her other hand, she sliced him across the chest with one of her knives.
    The pain was indescribable. It felt like his skin was burning, a cold flame that somehow brought with it a feeling of loss. He gasped, falling to the ground. Y seized her opportunity and lunged forward, dagger pointed directly at his heart-
    And then Nameless burst through the cave opening and tackled her.  
  18. xinoehp512

    Page 80

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    Once upon a time, there was a character that spoke for a Narrator.
    He did not have a name. The Narrator was named X, and so that was what he was called. When the Narrator needed him, he acted on their behalf. When it did not... he waited.
    Today he waited on a rock with a knife and a fallen branch. Stroke by stroke, he used the knife to scape fragments off of the piece of wood, turning it into... well, he wasn't sure what exactly it was turning into, but it was turning into something. Perhaps the Narrator would be able to tell him what it was.
    As he was pondering the pattern, a voice interrupted his thoughts. He blinked, and looked up into the face of a young woman. Her hand was extended towards him "Hi, I'm Melody, what's your name?" she asked. She looked down at the piece of wood in his hands. "That's a cool walking staff, what are you carving? Are you going to use that on the quest?" She paused. "Are you even coming on the quest?"
    The character who spoke for X stared at the hand for several moments before remembering what he was supposed to do with it. He shook it, dutifully. "I... don't have a name," he answered. He looked down, at the piece of wood in his hands. "A walking stick," he said, slowly. Yes, that made sense. How could he not have seen in before? He looked up again, into Melody's expectant brown eyes. The Narrator was not here, but perhaps...?
    "I think," he said, deliberately, "that I would like to come on this quest."
  19. xinoehp512

    Page 76

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    "Behold!" cried Dr Who Octopus. "The instrument of your demise!"
    Gerald observed the rather elaborate machine with a sigh. Spinning axe blades, check. Jets of fire, check. Large hammers pounding together rhythmically, check. Yup. He was about to be fed into an Evil Overlord Execution Machine of the most archetypical quality. And it had been such a wonderful Friday, too.
    "Is all this really necessary?" he asked. "I mean... I'm just a squid..."
    Dr Who Octopus chuckled. "Come now, Gerald. We are rivals, are we not-"
    "Not," muttered Gerald.
    "-and this is the moment of my triumph! Let us not lie to each other. We both know you are so much more than a mere cephalopod!"
    "I mean... I do questing consultant work on the side..."
    "A mere front, as we both know!" Dr Who Octopus pulled a lever and Gerald began to slide on the conveyor belt towards his certain demise. "Now! Tell me truthfully. How did you manage to dismantle my Ultimate Death Ray?"
    Gerald shrugged. "I told you, I was in the office that day. I didn't even seen it explode."
    "So you stick to your alibi! Very well. I suppose you will take that secret to your grave. But what about the Orb of Total Control? How did you manage to redesign it to control only squirrels?"
    "Dunno. I was visiting my grandmother."
    "Who is now dead!"
    "Well, she was ninety."
    "Enough!" Dr Who Octopus shook his head. "You may deny your involvement in those affairs, but you cannot deny that it was you that destroyed my Annihilation Bomb! I witnessed you with my own eyes!"
    "Okay, that's on me," admitted Gerald. "In my defense, it looked exactly like a sub sandwich. And I was hungry!"
    Dr Who Octopus shook his head. "Ah, but you have foiled my plans for the last time. Even as we speak, my Death Arena of Glory is being erected! Go to your death knowing that despite your best efforts, I have triumphed in the end!" And he left the room, cackling maniacally.
    Gerald just stared after him. Wow, he thought. He really needs to read the Evil Overlord Manual.
  20. xinoehp512

    Pages 50-57

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    Jaxevist made a rude sign at the mainland as the Crimson Tide sailed away from the dock. He hated- no, he despised the Stonelands. He'd only been there once- before this, of course- but once had been enough. He'd sworn never to return, both to himself and to his crew, and he'd been certain that- unlike many of his 'promises' - this one would hold.
    But, of course, nothing could stand the weight of gold. Not for Jaxevist.
    Probably should've charged more, he thought as he scrubbed himself down, washing every last trace of the black dye he'd used to disguise his red coloration out of his skin. He'd forgotten just how awful the place was. Harsh landscape, harsher weather, and the most arrogant holed in all the world? He'd earned every one of those thirty thousand nelkas he'd been paid for this job. At least he'd gotten to kill people this time.
    Never again, he promised himself, then quickly amended that to Never again for less than fifty thousand.
    "All right, men, women," he said. "I'd like to congratulate you all on another successful-"
    All of a sudden, the ship lurched to a stop. Then, slowly, it began to rise into the air.
    Jaxevist ran to the side of the ship, fighting the acceleration, wondering what in the name of Unreality was going on. He slammed into the side and craned his head over the edge. From the waves was rising a monstrous, holedoid figure with ocean-blue skin and eyes. The Crimson Tide sat cupped within its giant, webbed hands held high above its head. "By all the threads," whispered Venyera from behind him. "What is that thing?" "Fate only knows," muttered Jaxevist. "Unless Xirost-" "It's the Moon," cut in Xirost. "The Moon?" replied Venyera incredulously. "It's kind of small for a moon, don't you think?" "Not a planetary moon. It's the name that the native inhabitants of this subverse have given to this creature. It's a legendary protector said to roam the coastline searching for and destroying those who intend harm." "If we don't intend harm, will it let us go?" asked Venyera hopefully. "If its goal is protecting..." "'Protector' my huma," said Jaxevist grimly. "See the eyes? Those are thrall-rings if I've ever seen them. Black thrall-rings." Silence fell among the three for a moment as the others stared at the creatures eyes, rapidly rising relative to the ship as the creature lowered its hands. "Silence and shadows," whispered Xirost. "You're right."  "What are we going to do?" asked Venyera softly. "Maybe the Hyxali...?" "I doubt even flight would get us away from that thing. Unless Xirost thinks otherwise." Xirost exhaled. "Correct, sir.  Unfortunately. The Moon would swat us out of the air like a fly. Or, actually, not like a fly- we'd be far easier to hit." Venyera shuddered. "Do you have to call it the Moon? It makes it sound like we're under attack from space or something." "Don't blame me. I'm not the one who named it." "Yes, but-" "Enough with the bickering," interrupted Jaxevist. "Xirost, the enthraller of this... thing would have to be in the city, correct?" Xirost hesitated, then nodded. "The mental fortitude of a creature of this size would likely require the controlling holed to be somewhere in the city, yes." "Good," said Jaxevist, narrowing his eyes with determination. "Venyera, ready the Yellows. We're going to see if we can't kill a few more of those Blacks before we leave this place." ****** “Assassin!” called the sciiox. “I come bearing a truce!”
    "A truce?" exclaimed Venyera incredulously. "With Blacks?" Jaxevist would normally have agreed with her, but they were currently being held three hundred feet in the air by a giant sea-creature. Wait, he signed. Talk first. Locate enthraller, perhaps? Then attack. "A truce?" he called out to the sciiox. "You'll forgive me if I am - let's say- a bit skeptical, given the reputation of your masters." The sciiox made a coughing sound. The equivalent of a sigh among their kind, according to Xirost. "My master has decided to put revenge aside in favor of potential alliance. Apparently, he is in need of someone with your... skills." "He wants me to do a job?" Jaxevist shouted, genuinely surprised. "I killed his family!" The sciiox flicked his tail- the equivalent of a shrug. "He must have been impressed." Jaxevist leaned back from the railing, astonished. He knew that the Black members of his kind were cold, but this... this was something else. He shivered. He didn't even want to know what a holed like that would ask of him. Found them? he signed. I think so, signed Venyera. See that Black a little farther back down the dock? Jaxevist glanced at the figure out of the corner of his eye. Yes. We good to go?Venyera nodded subtly and retreated. Excellent, thought Jaxevist. Out loud, he called down to the sciiox, stalling for time. "How much are you willing to pay for my service? I don't come cheap." The sciiox flicked his tail again. "My master's plans are his alone. But I would think that sparing your life should be sufficient."
    Come, on Venyera, thought Jaxevist. "I'm a Red. My life is cheap." "Oh?" The sciiox smiled. "Are you sure?" Jaxevist heard a rumble beginning behind him and smiled in relief. "Very." From behind him, a loud voice cried out "Fire!" With that, dozens of fireballs exploded fowards, towards the dock, the people on the dock, and the entire rest of the city. As the fiery projectiles of death detonated, the grip on the ship slackened. Now! thought Jaxevist forcefully at the dozens of Hyxali drones in the hull. With a hum, their wings sprang open and began to beat in sync. With a pop! the valves in the bottom of the ship opened, letting the thrust push down on the now-freed giant's hand and lifting the ship into the air. Jaxevist laughed at the dumbfounded expressions of the sciiox on the docks below. "So long, suckers!" he cried. "See you never! I hope you all-" "SIR!" screamed Xirost. "THE MOON-" All of a sudden, something crashed into the ship. Holed of all colors went flying, most of which luckily got a grip on ropes, planks, or some other attached item. Most; but not Jaxevist, who flipped over the railing and tumbled towards the ground below. ----- Jaxevist awoke with clouded vision. He tried to reach up and clear away, but his hand wouldn't respond. That's odd, he thought deliriously. From his midsection came a pulse of energy that washed over his body, healing cuts and fixing bones. He sat up, groaning, as pain spiked through his body before fading to a dull ache. "Oh, yes," he muttered. "Healing is a wonderful power." "I bet it is," said a voice wryly from above him. Jaxevist jerked his head up. There was the sciiox, looking remarkably calm considering the circumstances. Besides him stood a couple other sciiox- presumably some of his inferiors. Up close, Jakevist couldn't help noticing the black thrall-rings banding each of their irises, marks of their forced servitude to a Black holed. Likely they were servants to Aridith himself. "So," said the sciiox. "How about that truce?" "Truce?" said Jaxevist slowly, searching the skies for his ship. At last he caught a glimpse of it- far out to sea, flying slowly away. "Yes," continued the sciiox. "Considering your current situation, perhaps you will reconsider our offer?" Jaxevist scanned the dock, but there was no easy way to escape- and he was too weak to escape anyways. There was only one thing left he could do. "Well?" prodded the sciiox. In response, Jaxevist raised a trembling hand and summoned his sword of gleaming steel and glowing veins of azure. The Sword of Shadows. The Blade of Quidan. "There will be no truce," he said quietly. "I will kill you all." ----- Shadow consumed Jaxevist's vision as he spun like a whirlwind through the guards, cutting them down like a reaper cuts wheat. Behind him the fallen began to rise again, the dark power of his sword possessing their bodies and turning them against their former comrades. As his thoughts sank beneath mindless destruction, Jaxevist swept through the streets of the city at the head of an army, murdering everyone who stood in his way. ----- Jaxevist stood in the middle of the throne room, surrounded by corpses. He looked around, dizzy with shock.  So many dead... he thought. Thank goodness his crew had escaped. If he'd killed them as well... He turned from the pile of corpses to leave and begin making his way to his prearranged rendezvous point when -suddenly- the door slammed shut, crashing from the ceiling to the floor. Jaxevist jerked to a stop, staring at the door for a moment, then whirled around. Dark essence came from everywhere, pouring into the dead king. His eyes flew open, injuries resealing with some dark substance - as though he were Red instead of Black. In moments, it was finished. Aridith pulled himself to his feet as though nothing had happened.
    Jaxevist backed up in horror, slamming into the doors. "Wha..? How...?"
    The king frowned. “It will take more than the Blade of Quidan to fell me. Such trifling attempts are a waste of time.”   Jaxevist looked at his blade. Such power... With this, a man could face an army- and win. It had taken him months of searching to find it, years of training to wield it. Even still, he could only use it alone for fear he would destroy any who fought with him.  And it still wasn't enough. “I have a proposition,” Aridith said.  
    "You think I'd listen to you?" growled Jaxevist. "You're a monster. Your entire race is arrogant and heartless beyond belief. And you're the most heartless of them all. In fact-" Aridith calmly raised a hand and made a motion towards Jaxevist. Dark vines constricted around the assassin's throat, strangling his words unsaid. "I said," continued Aridith calmly. "I have a proposition for you." Jaxevist struggled against the choking vines, but they were wound too tight. "Fine," he rapsed at last. "Fire away." Aridith waved and the vines retreated. Jaxevist gasped, relieved. The monarch waited a few seconds for his breathing to subside, then continued. "Take that sword. Raze Universe Hexagon in my name. The people are weak and afraid—of no use to me." Jaxevist gaped. "The Hyxali? You want me to kill the Hyxali?" Aridith gazed at him impassively. "No," said Jaxevist, shaking his head. "I will do no such thing. The Hyxali are practically the most peaceful beings in the Multiverse. You can walk in and take a few dozen drones or workers and they won't even raise an alarm. Heck, they'll volunteer. The only thing they'll ever get upset over is if you try to bother one of their queens or princesses- whom they need to survive as a species! There is literally no reason to kill them!" "I disagree." Aridith leaned forward from the throne, showing eyes devoid of light. "Leave now, and do as I command."
    All of sudden, Jaxevist felt an enormous pressure grip his eyes. He gasped, falling to his knees, as two black thrall-rings manifested in his irises - one in each eye. "Impossible," he whispered. Aridith waved his hand, and a portal opened between King and assassin. Against his will, Jaxevist stepped through.    
  21. xinoehp512

    Page 42

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    Xino struck. He struck again. Each strike defined lines of brilliant light that blocked off the Witherlord's retreat. Each strike caused the Witherlord to shrink back further, his power dissipating.
    "That is for Trewee," Xino snarled. With a mighty swing, a beam of light shot from the spear, pinning the Witherlord in place. The dark figure gasped, black smoke rising up from the place where the light pierced his chest and instantly evaporating. He cringed backwards as Xino stepped towards him, spear aglow.
    "Any last words?" asked the last luxsprite, readying the final blow.
    The Witherlord looked up at Xino, coughing weakly. And then he smiled.
    "It's funny," he said. "Just when you think you have it all... you lose it."
    Xino frowned, pausing. Those words... they sounded familiar, for some reason. Had he heard them before...?
    Deep within him, something clicked. And Xino remembered.
    "It's funny," the Witherlord had said, as his power flowed from the cage into Xino. "Just when you think you have it all... you lose it." And then Xino had been lost in a sea of fractured, chaotic light.
    He'd watched in horror as the Witherlord escaped, destroying the Core Crystal- and with it, any hope for the luxsprites to withstand the withergeists.
    And it had all been Xino's fault.
     
  22. xinoehp512

    Page 31

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    Trewee hissed. He looked... wrong. Instead of a smooth, flowing shape, his surface was jagged and fractured. Black streaks ran through him, spreading out from his eye like black dye injected into gelatin.
    "What happened?" Sophie whispered. "He... he looks sick. Can watersprites get sick?"
    Xino frowned. "No, not usually. But it's not a big deal, I'll just..." He tried Narrating the stain away again, but nothing happened. He blinked. "...what?" He tried again. Nothing. "I... I can't Narrate it," he said, bewildered. "Why can't I Narrate it?"
    It is the mark of a withergeist, said a voice in a strange, somehow silent intonation. Xino and Sophie both jumped at the sudden appearance of a man behind them. He was dressed in what appeared to be some sort of uniform and was entirely grayscale. They have corrupted this spirit, begun the process of turning it into one of themselves. At this stage of the process, you cannot reverse it- not even by Narration.
    Xino summoned a spear and held it against the newcomer's throat. "Who are you?" he asked threateningly. "What do you mean, a withergeist?"
    The strange man lifted a finger calmly and all of a sudden the spear was frozen in place. He stepped to the side. I am what is known as an Ennuller, a wielder of ordered darkness. A withergeist is a spirit of chaotic darkness that hungers to spread its darkness until all the world is infected.
    "What are you talking about?" sputtered Xino, trying unsuccessfully to free the spear. Eventually he gave up and Narrated a new one. "I've never heard of any of that nonsense before."
    It wasn't relevant to you before. The man's expression became sober. But it is now.
  23. xinoehp512

    Page 26

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    And then the world blew up, and everyone died.
    Sophie folded her arms. "Xino!" she chided. "What was that for?"
    Xino gave a snort and continued walking. 
    "You know," Sophie called, hands on her hip. "I think I've finally figured you out."
    That caused Xino to pause. He turned around, one eyebrow raised. "Oh?"
    "You're jealous," she said with satisfaction. "Jealous of the stories that the rest of us create. Because you know you could never, in a million years create stories as good as them. So instead you go around ruining other people's stories, to make you feel better about yourself."
    Xino's eyebrow did not falter. "Oh, really?"
    Sophie nodded decisively. "Really. I mean, you tell everyone you can Narrate better than they can, but when's the last time you actually tried? Oh; that's right. Never. You just..." She trailed off as Xino's expression because thunderous. "...uh..."
    "You are a child," spat Xino. "that thinks she is wise." He leaned in. "You know nothing." Sophie flinched involuntarily, taking a step back. "You think to judge me?" The blue sparks in his eyes were ablaze with furious azure light. Sophie stood, unable to speak, unable to breathe, transfixed by terror as she stared into the eyes of a Narrator enraged.
    And then, all of a sudden, the fire died. Xino slumped, then turned and walked away. Sophie waited until he was a few paces gone until she felt like she could breathe again. She said no more to her fellow Narrator as he departed.
    As soon as he was out of sight, Sophie's terror flared into anger. "Who does he think he is!" she muttered to herself, turning back to the planet Xino had blown up and beginning to Narrate things back into place. "It's as if he's the only one that matters!" she said to the moon, furiously replacing oceans and trees. "Inconsiderate," she said, replacing the cities, "childish, stupid. So there!"
  24. xinoehp512

    Page 20

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    What is it you want, child?
    "I want... I want the pain to end. I want it to all just... go away."
    --
    Phoenix burst from a world of black and white into a world of color. The transition left him gasping, reeling- how could he have forgotten how bright it was?- but panic pushed him forwards. He had to get to Star, before it was too late.
    --
    Very well. The wind blew softly around Star. I can bring you an end. Erase you from the world forever and always.
    --
    Space tore as Phoenix, jumped from dimension to dimension, heedless of the cries of disgruntled Narrators as he ran them over. Star was close, he could feel it... but darkness was close as well.
    --
    "Forever and always?" whispered Star.
    It will be as if you never were.
    --
    At last, Phoenix burst through a tear to find himself at a cliff overlooking the sunset. There, at the edge of the cliff, stood Star, alone with the wind. She turned as he arrived, and he met her eyes. Their expression did not change, and he felt a pit open up inside of him.
    "Star..." he whispered.
    "Fate," she spoke. "I accept your bargain."
    The wind spun, faster and faster, until suddenly-
    Silence.
     
  25. xinoehp512

    Page 17

    By xinoehp512,


    Pages
    "I'm sorry," said Pheonix from behind Star. Nothing else. What else was there to say?
    The wind blew, gentle yet firm. Pheonix's flame flared slight, then dimmed once again.
    "They all hate me," whispered Star. "For who I was. Who I am."
    I don't hate you. The words formed on Pheonix's lips, but he couldn't force them out. What use were they? They were just words.
    "Sometimes..." The wind blew Star's hair into her face. She made no motion to move it away. "Sometimes I wonder if everyone would be better off if I just... didn't exist."
    Pheonix couldn't think of any words that would make that better. So he just hugged her.
    They sat like that, together, until the last of the light faded from the sky.
     
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