You are lying flat on the ground. The space around your vision is growing dark, and you know you will be dead soon. You spend the last few moments thinking about your life. There's nothing but darkness now, and you can feel a soft breeze ruffling through your hair. [[Open your eyes|Open]].
Damien takes out his sword and stands in the middle of the courtyard. He motions for you to unsheath your sword and you do, feeling the weight of it in your hand.\n\nYou stand across from Damien and he raises his sword to you. You stare ahead at him, waiting for him to strike. He slashes the air in front of you and steps back.\n\n"That's a simple horizontal attack. Copy it."\n\nYou hold your sword out and mimic what he did, slashing the air before him. He hits your sword away with his.\n\n"Again."\n\nYou go back and forth for a while, trying out the techniques until Damien seems satisfied. You did well with the thrust, which he tells you is best for the sword he gave you.\n\nIt is time to rest now, before starting out into the caverns once more.
Damien throws open the doors to a large room- inside there are rows upon rows of weapons and suits of armor. There are attendants there as well, standing silently along the walls and at the beginning of each row. They salute Damien and turn their heads towards you.\n\nNone of them have any facial features of any kind- not that you can make out.\n\nDamien leads you down a row and points to the various pieces of armor.\n\n"Choose something and put it on," he orders, then goes off on his own to another row. An attendant floats over and stands with you. You give it a small wave and begin to look through the armor.\n\nYou spot some good pieces and have the attendant help you put them on. Then you have to decide on something to cover your chest. There's something shiny hiding behind a tunic, and you move it aside to [[get a better look|Shiny]].
It had been many years since you agreed to stay in Hell. You feel different.\n\nYou no longer scream when the demons tear into your skin and whisper horrific things into your soul. You don't think you have a voice left to scream- perhaps your throat has long since been torn up completely. Everything is numb and you feel nothing.\n\nIt is the same everyday, until one day it is not.\n\nA gush of wind signals the arrival of someone new. You raise your head even though you know you cannot see them. Hands begin to untie the blindfold and it is removed. You aren't that surprised to see who it is.\n\n"I'm taking you to see my father."\n\nYou nod, and Damien helps you up. Together [[you return to the ornate hall|Return]].
The hall is just as you remember it. The large throne, the stone walls, and there is Lucifer- waiting.\n\n"It's been 10 years, child."\n\nYou stand on your own after so many years and can barely hold yourself up. Your knees shake, but you hold your gaze with Lucifer.\n\nHe comes to stand before you, places a hand on your shoulder and smiles sadly.\n\n"Again I will give you the choice; but be warned. If you do not [[go on the journey|Accept]] you must [[stay here forever|Forever]]."\n\nYou know what you want to do.
"I think I'll stay," you say quietly. Damien gives you a strange look but doesn't say anything.\n\nLucifer studies you for a long time, unmoving. Then his wings extend and the temperature in the hall drops significantly. You look up and begin to shake, terrified that he will be furious with you.\n\n"This is your choice," he says, his voice making your skin crawl. "I only hope you have chosen wisely."\n\nHands grab you from behind and you are back in the caverns, tied tightly to a tall wooden post. Suddenly you can no longer see, but you are not dead. You have been blindfolded. A hand touches your cheek lightly before it is removed.\n\n"Fool," someone whispers in your ear.\n\nThen there is nothing, until the silence is broken by crackling and hissing. Something is coming for you.\n\nYour screams can be heard back in the hall. Lucifer looks in your direction but says not a word. It goes on like this for [[years|Years]].
You remain where you are and take a better look around. "Where am I?" you wonder. You remember the accident and feel a deep chill roll down your spine.\n\nSuddenly the light above your head flickers and goes away. Immediately there are figures circling you. They're getting closer.\n\nAs one moves to attack you, someone appears out of nowhere and protects you from the demon.\n\n"Grab onto me!" he cries, brandishing a sword at the hideous creature.\n\nYou hesitate. If you [[go with him|Go]] where will he take you? How can you trust him? If you [[stay here|Remain]] these demons will probably rip you apart.
"What do you mean 'if I so desire'?" you ask, giving Lucifer a curious look. He is just as menacing now that you can see him up close, and you struggle to keep eye contact.\n\nHe gives you a long look before speaking.\n\n"I mean that it will be a long journey to Heaven, child. One that I am not sure you will be able to complete."\n\nYou frown, looking down at your feet.\n\n"But it is a much worse fate that waits for you here," he continues. "It is your choice."\n\nYou weigh the options in your head. [[Going on the journey|Journey]] could mean a more unknown and terrifying realm than Hell, but [[staying|Torture]] meant torture for eternity. You steel yourself and make your choice.
Damien takes out his sword and stands in the middle of the courtyard. He motions for you to unsheath your sword and you do, albiet a little clumsily.\n\nYou stand across from Damien and he raises his sword to you. You tense, waiting for him to strike. He slashes the air in front of you and steps back.\n\n"That's a simple horizontal attack. Copy it."\n\nYou hold your sword out and try to mimic what he did, slashing the air before him. He hits your sword away with his and sighs.\n\n"Again."\n\nYou go back and forth for a while, trying out the techniques and getting them down well enough. Damien seems mildly staisfied anyway. You were good at thrust, which he tells you is best for the sword he gave you.\n\nIt is time to rest now, before starting out into the caverns once more.
Bring Me To Heaven
"I don't belong in Heaven anymore," you whisper, voice harsh and ragged to your own ears.\n\nLucifer frowns, and this time arms do not wrap around you and drag you away. Instead they hold your hand gently and take you to the post. You are tied up- the blindfold is left off.\n\nYou are alone again. Alone except for the numbness. They are coming again and you welcome them.\n\nTHE END
You look at the stranger and widen your eyes in fear. You don't know who he is and this could very well be another beast in disguise. You push past him and run further into the caverns.\n\nYou run until it is too painful to breathe anymore and you stop, propping yourself up against a cave wall.\n\nThere are noises behind you. You turn your head slowly and see demons approaching; they crawl along the ground and whip through the air, speeding towards you. You try to scream but swallow darkness instead. Your insides burn and your vision turns to black once more.\n\nEND
"I want to go on the journey," you say. Lucifer smiles and clasps his hands behind his back.\n\n"You are brave, child, but bravery will not keep you alive very long. Damien will escort you along the way, and his sword will be enough to protect you most of the time. Even so, he is not a guarantee that you will make it."\n\nDamien scoffs, and puts his hand on the hilt of his sword.\n\n"I don't see why I'm being punished with babysitting. Make one of your minions do it," he said, turning to give you a seething look.\n\nYou look away from him and wonder why he dislikes you so much.\n\n"It is not punishment, insolent boy. You will help him get to Heaven, unless you would like to be truly punished," Lucifer says, his expression darkening.\n\nDamien grumbles but doesn't talk back. Instead he motions for you to follow him.\n\n"Where are we going?" you ask, following behind him.\n\n"We're getting you [[some armor|Armory]] before you trip over something and impale yourself."
It's a finely crafted- or so you think- chainmail piece made of white chainlink.\n\nYou smile at its beauty and put it on. The attendant looks at you- again, you think- and seems to appreciate your choice. You suddenly worry that you weren't meant to touch it and pick up the leather tunic. Quickly, you put that on overtop.\n\nDamien returns with a small sword in a sheath and a shield, takes one look at you, and shakes his head.\n\n"If you insist," he says, handing you the sword and shield. "The sheath attaches like this," he grabs a leather belt and slings it over your shoulder and under your arm before fastening the sheath.\n\nHe stands back and looks you over.\n\n"Not bad, actually. Though I doubt you've ever fought a battle to save your life," he says, crossing his arms. "I'll teach you some basic sword techniques so you're not completely helpless."\n\nYou resent that, but follow him to [[a courtyard|Train]].
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"I will go," you say, slowly feeling your strength return.\n\nYou turn to Damien and catch him looking at you with a grateful expression. He quickly switches back to an indifferent mask, and you feel something once again.\n\nYou give him a small smile and he looks away.\n\n"I am glad to hear you say that, child," Lucifer says. "Go now with Damien to the armory. There you can [[get some armor|Armory2]] to help you along the way."
Damien throws open the doors to a large room- inside there are rows upon rows of weapons and suits of armor. There are attendants there as well, standing silently along the walls and at the beginning of each row. They salute Damien and turn their heads towards you.\n\nNone of them have any facial features of any kind- not that you can make out.\n\nDamien leads you down a row and points to the various pieces of armor.\n\n"Choose something and put it on," he orders, then goes off on his own to another row. An attendant floats over and stands with you. You barely spare it a glance and begin to look through the armor.\n\nYou spot some good pieces and try them on. Then you have to decide on something to cover your chest. There's something shiny hiding behind a tunic, and you move it aside to [[get a better look|Shiny2]].
You quickly grab onto his arm and feel an unsettling feeling in your stomach as he transports you to a very large and ornate hall. There is another man there, and he bears the air of someone very important. You look to your saviour and see him bow- you follow suit.\n\n"Rise," the man says, his voice carrying over the hall easily. His voice feels cold, you note, as if it were made of ice.\n\nYou both stand up straight again and notice wings unfolding from the man's back, stretching out and nearly touching either wall before resting behind him. You stare in awe and he turns his gaze to you.\n\n"You were not meant to be here, child."\n\nYou look up at the man in fear and apologize, but he raises his hand to silence you.\n\n"It is all right. You have lost your way, though we can bring you to your correct resting place."\n\nYou look to the man beside you and he gives you a quick glance from the corner of his eye, then returns his attention back to the winged man.\n\nPerhaps you should [[say something|Speak]].
lianne tremblay
"Is this Hell?" you ask. There is a chuckle from your saviour. "No," he says, "you're in Florida."\n\nThe winged man glares at your saviour. "Damien, please do not be unkind. He is lost and afraid, do not mock him."\n\nYou turn your head to your saviour- Damien, you know now. He looks at you with a tired gaze.\n\n"Sorry," Damien says, but you don't really find his apology convincing. The winged man places his hands behind his back and you look back at him.\n\n"Yes, child, you are in Hell by some twist of fate. But your time here will be short, if you wish," the man explains. His wings flutter as he walks down the steps at the end of the hall to meet you. As he approaches you can see that he was standing in front of a fantastic throne.\n\n"You're the king of Hell?" you wonder quietly to yourself, mind fuzzy and disoriented with everything that is going on.\n\n"I am, and my son, Damien, will take you to Heaven if you so desire."\n\nDamien makes an outraged noise and you fumble to think of a coherent response. You [[feel uneasy|Uneasy]] about Lucifer's words.
You open your eyes to a horrific sight. Flames and monstrous cliffs surround you, and a beam of light marks your position. You look around wildly, unsure of what to do or where you are. Do you [[stay where you are|Stay]] or [[try and find someone|Find]]?
You go to take a step outside of the pool of light and get buffered back by a shadow. You throw your arms up and catch sight of a horrific face rushing back at you.\n\nYou cry out in terror and shield yourself, only to feel a gust of wind as someone appears in front of you, putting himself between you and the attacker.\n\n"Grab onto me!" he cries, brandishing a sword at the hideous creature.\n\nYou hesitate. If you [[go with him|Go]] where will he take you? How can you trust him? If you [[stay here|Remain]] that thing will probably rip you apart.
It's a white chainlink chest piece.\n\nYou are entranced by its beauty and put it on. It fits you perfectly, and you wonder if it was supposed to be put on since it was hidden. You decide to keep it a secret from Damien and put the leather tunic on overtop.\n\nDamien returns with a small sword in a sheath and a shield, takes one look at you, and shakes his head.\n\n"If you insist," he says, handing you the sword and shield. "The sheath attaches like this," he grabs a leather belt and slings it over your shoulder and under your arm before fastening the sheath.\n\nHe stands back and looks you over.\n\n"Now we should try that sword out," he says, crossing his arms. "I'll teach you some basic techniques that you might need."\n\nYou nod, and follow him to [[a courtyard|Train2]].