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First and Last and Always
✖ THE END
Ⅰ. THE CITY
CW: potential alcohol use, nudity.
The ferry docks in calm waters/skies the colour of wine. The Ferryman, never a big talker to begin with, seems particularly quiet, and when you disembark he raises one hand in a little wave.
The island’s beach is bone white, the trees and bushes beyond it a lush green and deep teal. The air is the freshest you’ve ever tasted. Everything around you seems to radiate a sense of deep peace.
The path from the beach is clear, made of pale stones that glimmer faintly in the sun. It leads you up a gently sloping path and through a great stone archway overrun with climbing vines laden with tightly closed flowers. Beyond the arch, you can see that there is a shallow valley, the center of which is dominated by a massive stone temple. The temple is surrounded on three sides by a city. Its buildings are made of regular stone and dark, sturdy wood. Plantlife thrives here without feeling as if it is overgrown.
Here there are plenty of places to sleep and bathe and eat - everything is free, and the people who populate the island are by and large welcoming and friendly. To the west of the temple there are natural hot springs you may use. The east side of the city has a sort of lecture space where the island inhabitants gather to debate and talk philosophy or share stories and myths. Many of these you may recognise - there are famous stories from all universes being told. You’re welcome to tell your own. The south side of the city contains a sporting arena, open to the public when there isn’t some sort of competition on. While there isn’t anything modern like a JumboTron screen, there is sports equipment available that is familiar enough to use. The area north of the temple opens up on a thick forest. There are walking paths there, some of which lead up a large hill that affords a spectacular view of the city, the fields just outside of it to the east, and much of the rest of the forest.
During the day everything is bright and pleasant - the pace of life here is a slow one, overall.
At night is when the island really comes alive.
By the light of the stars and moon, all of the flowers growing on the many vines unfurl, revealing rich bioluminescent purples, pinks, and blues. They have a soft, warm scent.
There are parties at night on the island, filled with drinks and dancing. All are welcome. Unlike many of the other islands you have traveled to, there truly doesn’t appear to be any danger here.
Ⅱ. THE TEMPLE
Of course, the city is dominated by the presence of the temple at its center.
The temple is not quite like any you may recognise from history, but somehow reminiscent of many of them at the same time. The huge blocks of stone cut to build the structure are the same faintly pearlescent colour of the walking path that leads to the ferry, giving everything a soft but not unpleasant shimmer. There is no roof, leaving the whole thing open to the sky. The temple is circular, and to get to the center you must walk a labyrinth where the walls are covered once again in flowering vines. If you look closely and brush the leaves aside you will see there are faces carved into the rock. Some are not human, but every last one of them looks at peace.
You can find people walking the labyrinth. Some of them are clearly from the city, and they may or may not acknowledge you - they are absorbed in their own thoughts. More often than not however the people you see in the temple are clad in hooded robes that are either white or black. They’re happy to talk to you, and if asked will explain that people walk the labyrinth as a form of contemplation. “It represents a personal journey,” they will explain. “Walk it during the day and reflect on how you have come to be the person that you are. Walk it at night and you will experience visions of the moments in your journey where something in you changed, for good or for ill.”
The center of the labyrinth is a round clearing. Here the stones are darker and iridescent, with one huge block of it set in the middle of the space. On either side of it is a pillar: one black, one white.
The robed walkers of the temple will divulge the purpose of this place if asked: it is the throne room of the Ancient.
“If you choose to walk the labyrinth at night, no matter what visions may come, when you reach the center the Ancient will be there.” After all this time, this might seem like far too simple a ritual to summon a force that has been watching you for months.
The robed walker has only one other thing to say on the subject: “Well. She’s been waiting for you.”
Ⅲ. THE ANCIENT
If you choose to seek the Ancient, you set off at night into the temple. The pearlescent stones of the temple glow, turning the entire building into a shining vision. The flowering vines growing on the labyrinth walls release their own light and secret perfume, giving the journey a vaguely hallucinatory quality, like it isn’t quite real. You may run into someone you know along the way, so at least the walk isn’t quite so frightening.
The center of the temple has its own mellow light, a dark rainbow of shifting colour. The stars above are still perfectly clear, easy to see with the naked eye.
There is a tapestry strung between the black and white pillar, with what looks like pomegranates embroidered on it in darkly shining thread. Seated on the block of stone in front of this is a woman.
What does she look like? It’s different for everyone. Some people will see her as human, others not. To some she has a face and for others there is nothing there save a disc of radiant light. She could be any race, any colour, possessed of any body. The only constants are that she is extremely tall, and she wears something on her head - a crown, a circlet of stars, a mitre - and carries in one hand a sword and a scroll in the other.
One look and you understand that she knows you.
Or maybe you have zero interest in seeking out the Ancient. Maybe, just maybe, you’re avoiding it. Not that you’re scared or anything. You just don’t see the point. And so you avoid undertaking that final journey, sticking instead to the simple pleasures of the island.
Which is all well and good… for a while.
But there will come a night when you awaken at the entrance to the labyrinth. You have no memory of how you got there, and maybe you turn around and walk right back to where you fell asleep. Do that, and it will happen again. And again. And again. It’s never consistent, but you will be summoned again and again in the dead of night to the labyrinth. Maybe you should just give in… and take someone with you.
The Ancient is not emotional - she radiates a sense of calm, yes, but it isn’t particularly comforting. Her eyes are blank, sightless, but she watches you anyway.
“This is your time of reckoning,” she tells you. “Hold up your wrist.”
The colour of your ScryWatch is clearly revealed. It flickers between whatever the colour was when you started on your journey, and what the last change was. For some of you, this is an improvement. For others…
“What have you learned during your journey, Traveler?” Good question - probably best to answer honestly. This isn’t a being that appreciates attempts at deception.
The Ancient turns her face toward whoever has accompanied you on this journey. “Have they grown?” she demands. Guess she doesn’t trust just one opinion.
When you have pled your case, the Ancient stares at you for a while with her empty gaze. Finally she nods; she seems satisfied in some way, and when she speaks again her voice is serene.
“You have a choice to make, Traveler. You may return to your own world, alone, to the exact time at which you were taken. You will remember nothing of what you have experienced, except perhaps in dreams.
“Or you may choose to go on to somewhere else. I do not know where, or when, or what exactly will happen to you. You may remember everything, you may not. There are no guarantees. It will not be your home, but you will be alive and able to move on. If you travel together there is a great chance you will remain friends or lovers… somehow.
“When you have made your decision, go to the beach and tell the Ferryman where you wish to go: home, or away. He will take you there.”
The Ancient sits back. Your fate, it seems, is in your own hands.
As always.
Let's do it one last time!
CW: potential alcohol use, nudity.
The ferry docks in calm waters/skies the colour of wine. The Ferryman, never a big talker to begin with, seems particularly quiet, and when you disembark he raises one hand in a little wave.
The island’s beach is bone white, the trees and bushes beyond it a lush green and deep teal. The air is the freshest you’ve ever tasted. Everything around you seems to radiate a sense of deep peace.
The path from the beach is clear, made of pale stones that glimmer faintly in the sun. It leads you up a gently sloping path and through a great stone archway overrun with climbing vines laden with tightly closed flowers. Beyond the arch, you can see that there is a shallow valley, the center of which is dominated by a massive stone temple. The temple is surrounded on three sides by a city. Its buildings are made of regular stone and dark, sturdy wood. Plantlife thrives here without feeling as if it is overgrown.
Here there are plenty of places to sleep and bathe and eat - everything is free, and the people who populate the island are by and large welcoming and friendly. To the west of the temple there are natural hot springs you may use. The east side of the city has a sort of lecture space where the island inhabitants gather to debate and talk philosophy or share stories and myths. Many of these you may recognise - there are famous stories from all universes being told. You’re welcome to tell your own. The south side of the city contains a sporting arena, open to the public when there isn’t some sort of competition on. While there isn’t anything modern like a JumboTron screen, there is sports equipment available that is familiar enough to use. The area north of the temple opens up on a thick forest. There are walking paths there, some of which lead up a large hill that affords a spectacular view of the city, the fields just outside of it to the east, and much of the rest of the forest.
During the day everything is bright and pleasant - the pace of life here is a slow one, overall.
At night is when the island really comes alive.
By the light of the stars and moon, all of the flowers growing on the many vines unfurl, revealing rich bioluminescent purples, pinks, and blues. They have a soft, warm scent.
There are parties at night on the island, filled with drinks and dancing. All are welcome. Unlike many of the other islands you have traveled to, there truly doesn’t appear to be any danger here.
Notes:
1. Please remember to mark threads appropriately with Content Warnings when necessary.
2. You can participate in whatever activities you like with no outside interference, no magic tricks. Any trouble you get into will be entirely of your own making this time.
5. Have fun!
Ⅱ. THE TEMPLE
Of course, the city is dominated by the presence of the temple at its center.
The temple is not quite like any you may recognise from history, but somehow reminiscent of many of them at the same time. The huge blocks of stone cut to build the structure are the same faintly pearlescent colour of the walking path that leads to the ferry, giving everything a soft but not unpleasant shimmer. There is no roof, leaving the whole thing open to the sky. The temple is circular, and to get to the center you must walk a labyrinth where the walls are covered once again in flowering vines. If you look closely and brush the leaves aside you will see there are faces carved into the rock. Some are not human, but every last one of them looks at peace.
You can find people walking the labyrinth. Some of them are clearly from the city, and they may or may not acknowledge you - they are absorbed in their own thoughts. More often than not however the people you see in the temple are clad in hooded robes that are either white or black. They’re happy to talk to you, and if asked will explain that people walk the labyrinth as a form of contemplation. “It represents a personal journey,” they will explain. “Walk it during the day and reflect on how you have come to be the person that you are. Walk it at night and you will experience visions of the moments in your journey where something in you changed, for good or for ill.”
The center of the labyrinth is a round clearing. Here the stones are darker and iridescent, with one huge block of it set in the middle of the space. On either side of it is a pillar: one black, one white.
The robed walkers of the temple will divulge the purpose of this place if asked: it is the throne room of the Ancient.
“If you choose to walk the labyrinth at night, no matter what visions may come, when you reach the center the Ancient will be there.” After all this time, this might seem like far too simple a ritual to summon a force that has been watching you for months.
The robed walker has only one other thing to say on the subject: “Well. She’s been waiting for you.”
Notes:
1. Visions in the labyrinth can be seen by whoever you are with.
Ⅲ. THE ANCIENT
If you choose to seek the Ancient, you set off at night into the temple. The pearlescent stones of the temple glow, turning the entire building into a shining vision. The flowering vines growing on the labyrinth walls release their own light and secret perfume, giving the journey a vaguely hallucinatory quality, like it isn’t quite real. You may run into someone you know along the way, so at least the walk isn’t quite so frightening.
The center of the temple has its own mellow light, a dark rainbow of shifting colour. The stars above are still perfectly clear, easy to see with the naked eye.
There is a tapestry strung between the black and white pillar, with what looks like pomegranates embroidered on it in darkly shining thread. Seated on the block of stone in front of this is a woman.
What does she look like? It’s different for everyone. Some people will see her as human, others not. To some she has a face and for others there is nothing there save a disc of radiant light. She could be any race, any colour, possessed of any body. The only constants are that she is extremely tall, and she wears something on her head - a crown, a circlet of stars, a mitre - and carries in one hand a sword and a scroll in the other.
One look and you understand that she knows you.
Or maybe you have zero interest in seeking out the Ancient. Maybe, just maybe, you’re avoiding it. Not that you’re scared or anything. You just don’t see the point. And so you avoid undertaking that final journey, sticking instead to the simple pleasures of the island.
Which is all well and good… for a while.
But there will come a night when you awaken at the entrance to the labyrinth. You have no memory of how you got there, and maybe you turn around and walk right back to where you fell asleep. Do that, and it will happen again. And again. And again. It’s never consistent, but you will be summoned again and again in the dead of night to the labyrinth. Maybe you should just give in… and take someone with you.
The Ancient is not emotional - she radiates a sense of calm, yes, but it isn’t particularly comforting. Her eyes are blank, sightless, but she watches you anyway.
“This is your time of reckoning,” she tells you. “Hold up your wrist.”The colour of your ScryWatch is clearly revealed. It flickers between whatever the colour was when you started on your journey, and what the last change was. For some of you, this is an improvement. For others…
“What have you learned during your journey, Traveler?” Good question - probably best to answer honestly. This isn’t a being that appreciates attempts at deception.
The Ancient turns her face toward whoever has accompanied you on this journey. “Have they grown?” she demands. Guess she doesn’t trust just one opinion.
When you have pled your case, the Ancient stares at you for a while with her empty gaze. Finally she nods; she seems satisfied in some way, and when she speaks again her voice is serene.
“You have a choice to make, Traveler. You may return to your own world, alone, to the exact time at which you were taken. You will remember nothing of what you have experienced, except perhaps in dreams.
“Or you may choose to go on to somewhere else. I do not know where, or when, or what exactly will happen to you. You may remember everything, you may not. There are no guarantees. It will not be your home, but you will be alive and able to move on. If you travel together there is a great chance you will remain friends or lovers… somehow.
“When you have made your decision, go to the beach and tell the Ferryman where you wish to go: home, or away. He will take you there.”
The Ancient sits back. Your fate, it seems, is in your own hands.
As always.
Notes:
1. Characters are not judged on morals - the purpose of the journey across the Endless Isles was personal development. How you choose to interpret this is entirely up to you.
2. Theoretically you could just keep not walking the labyrinth forever. If that’s the case, your character would stay on the island until they either went through with it or died of old age.
3. The choices given to your character are meant to wrap up the game as neatly as possible. The decision to move through to another world is meant to be a way for you to take your CRAU with you, whether to another game or a PSL or what have you.
4. Your character has plenty of time before they make their choice so that they can say goodbye to people if they wish.
no subject
He squeezes Kyle against his side a moment. "I hope I don't make you a different person. I'm kind of into you just the way you are."
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"Good different," he says. "Like you make me more adventurous, and less concerned with what people think."
The twists of the labyrinth continue. The air feels a little heavier, perhaps, the closer they move to the center.
no subject
His fingers skirt down Kyle's arm as Quentin finds his fingers. Holding his boyfriend's hand with both his own and coaxing him back a few steps the way they came.
"Then let's go do that again," he suggests. "I mean, not the livestream sex thing exactly, but just like. Adventures. Anything. There's a bunch of baller parties going on, and there's hot springs. And some kind of colosseum. Maybe we can bet on some gladiator types. I dunno. C'mon. Let's go find out," he babbles.
no subject
He tugs at Quentin's hands.
"C'mon, don't be a pussy, dude."
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"You heard she is, didn't you? People told you what's up with this place, right? So— assuming it's not all complete hype— what's your hurry?"
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As far as Kyle's concerned, it's an obvious answer. It's also one he's surprised he has to give; he assumed that Quentin was just as curious about the Ancient and what all this travel really meant as he himself.
"There might be something we have to do, dude. To save humanity or whatever."
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Quentin's definitely curious. Not knowing eats at him in fact. The FOMO is palpable. But the fear that it could also bring on the end of something he's not prepared to give up tests the limits of even Quentin Quire's desire to know all the answers.
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He steps in to kiss his forehead. "Not ever, ever. But they told us way back that what we're doing might impact other people. We can't just ignore that because it's scary."
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He gathers up Kyle's hand again just in case there's a shot of convincing him away from this. "What if it sends us to different places? I always get stuck in the special class."
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"I don't think we get to hang out indefinitely," he says softly. "And I need to know, Q. If we can help people, if we've done what we need to do.
"But I'm not leaving you. I'm not."
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"I'm not leaving you either," he promises quietly. "I won't let that happen. Whatever it takes."
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"So let's just SEE. We don't know what it is, dude, it might just be another test of some kind. Come with me. It'll be okay, I promise."
no subject
The fear doesn't leave him, but Kyle's promises give him something to hide behind.
"Okay," he agrees. "Let's go."
no subject
Occasionally there's a fleeting vision of Kyle's - many of them star Quentin. The bee gifting is one of them, as is seeing Quentin's ridiculous carnival tattoo.
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"That was kind of a dope tattoo..." he murmurs bashfully. Even without the thrall of whatever possessed him to do it at the time, that is not a choice he regrets in the least.
"Maybe she should judge me first? You know, in case when she gets to you I have to like. Threaten the existence of this entire dimension or whatever."
no subject
He snorts. "Q, I'm not sure threats are the way to handle some entity that's had us bouncing around reality for like a year. Honestly it might not even be that bad."
He says this as they take one last turn, and then the entrance to the center of the labyrinth opens up before them.
The labradorite stones that make up the tiles and walls are all their own galaxies in the starlight. For a moment Kyle can't fully comprehend the being sitting in front of them - he is only aware of something beautiful and awful in its power.
Then he sees it's a woman. Unfamiliar, but when she speaks he feels calmer.
"What have you learned during your journey, Traveler?"
Kyle falls quiet a moment, then raises his chin.
"Before I came here, I understood love as a child would. I knew about family, and friends, and even romance. But now... I get what it means to work to maintain love. The people here, my loved ones, I didn't have the advantage of having known them my whole life. I had to get to know them, and see past my own bullshit in order to really see them."
He looks over at Quentin and his face breaks into a brilliant smile.
"I've learned how to love. And I don't care that that sounds cheesy, because it's real."
no subject
"If we get out of here alive. Tattoos," he says.
"I'm just saying. If we run out of options..." So far as he's concerned he hasn't thoroughly tested his might against this place itself, and frankly, he wouldn't know where to start, but if it comes down to Kyle he'd like his partner to know that's on the table.
When their host comes into view, he doesn't spend as much time trying to understand her with his eyes as he does with his mind. Looking for some kind of familiar shape to her consciousness. At least until Kyle starts talking.
It is cheesy. It's also heartmelting in a way he wasn't expecting and for a moment he looks like the awkward nerd at the end of the teen rom com who's just been surprised with the title of prom king. Stunned. Embarrassed. A little skeptical. But optimistically touched.
He squeezes Kyle's hand and almost goes in for the kiss before he remembers they're being watched rather critically.
"Uh... am I supposed to—"
"Have they grown?" she asks before Quentin can stumble through a question.
"Me? I mean. He's his own person. I'm not like, monitoring his level of self-actualization at all times..." he sulks a bit. He hates being put on the spot. "Do I think he's grown? Of course I do. He always is. He's literally committed to personal betterment in ways that makes me, honestly, a little concerned that if fallen into the wrong hands he could be impressionable. Not because he lacks critical ability. But because like. He's constantly evaluating and reevaluating what it means to be good all the while aiming for that moving target and beating himself up about it when he falls short. Or beating other people up about it when they do," he smiles a little. Because that part might be toxic but he can't help loving it.
no subject
The Ancient's mind is alien, which would probably frighten anyone BUT Quentin Quire. But it isn't malicious, at least.
Kyle isn't sure he's ever seen Quentin look so surprised before, and he can't help but try and etch the expression into his memory because he knows he's not likely to see it again. And when he speaks, Kyle finds himself close to tears.
"Dude," he says, misty-eyed. Before he can add more the Ancient speaks again, to Quentin once more.
"What have YOU learned during your journey, Traveler?"
no subject
"I just said," he snarks when that aforementioned lifeform interrupts that aforementioned moment. "I learned all that about him. And a few things about diabetics." Folding his arms across his chest he looks prepared to refuse to say anything more. At least until Kyle's expression hits him as a little expectant.
"OK! Fine! I don't know!" He throws up his hands. "I guess that means I learned something about not all humans being exceedingly boring. Or. Maybe that I learned that being patient and not going nuclear on this place when we first got here meant slowing down enough to find something worth being here for. Which is, maybe the most insufferably paternal thing to spend months trying to impress upon me, but ok." With a roll of his eyes he turns his face away to mutter, "honestly, I'd like to say I learned that not everybody leaves eventually. But I'm still holding my breath about that one."
no subject
He takes hold of Quentin's hand and squeezes.
"You're worth everything," he says quietly, smiling. He keeps on smiling until the Amcient goes on to outline exactly what happens next.
Kyle suddenly feels he can't breathe.
"What? We have to... what do you MEAN there's no promise we'll go to the same place?! I. Wait. What?! No!"
no subject
Watching this moment of ambivalent judgement fade from their reach and their host returns to some unreachable state Quentin feels like he's slipping into some kind of out of body experience. The surprise and panic in Kyle's voice passes through him as all that fear and hesitation he barely held at bay long enough to stand here and listen to this sours inside him. Turns into something caustic and bitter.
His eyes flare up, a hot angry pink. He reaches out to grab at whatever fading traces of consciousness that alien mind has yet to cut them off from. Pink tendrils rise up from out of Quentin like wavering flames at first. But soon they reach out. Wrap themselves around their host and exert whatever force he can wield just to hold it there long enough to feel like he's been heard.
"I've learned patience here," he says. His words thorny. "And if I end up flung absently across the universe in any direction he's not. I will subject you to the full force of that patience as I scour every corner of existence until I find you again. And I will reduce every last particle of this forgotten little pocket dimension into space dust. A sad, breath of charred carbon indistinguishable from every other snuffed star that drifts along in the dark matter. I promise you, I will raze this place with you inside it over and over and over for as many years as it takes me to find him and you again."
no subject
The Ancient, however, seems quite unbothered by the whole thing. She just looks at Quentin and nods, once, silent.
Kyle tugs at Quentin's hand. His skin is pale save for dark pouches below his eyes.
"Q? Can we go? I don't want to be here anymore."
no subject
"If you ever get out of this dump, look me up some time. The White-Hot Room. I'm always there."
The pink flames that envelop him recede like a snuffed candle when Kyle tugs his hand. Loosening that intense attention.
Hold on, he nods at Kyle and lifts them both off the ground. Much more interested in making a hasty exit than fumbling through the maze again.
no subject
It's only when they land that he opens his eyes again.
"I'm so stupid. I'm so fucking stupid," he says in a low voice.
"I'm sorry. You were right."
no subject
He keeps his arms tight around Kyle.
course I'm right. I'm always right. But nobody listens, he sulks. His words filtering from his own head to Kyle's because opening his mouth to speak is only apt to make his voice crack in undignified ways.
He sniffles a little when he does pull away enough to see Kyle's face. "You're not stupid. You're just insufferably optimistic or something."
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I'm not crying, you're crying
🥹🥹🥹
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