An (Un)eventful Summer

[[An (Un)eventful Summer]] Becky Lin

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: black) + (background: white))

You are currently on summer vacation from college and extremely bored. After four months of non-stop work you decided to take it easy and relax for the summer instead of taking up summer classes or working. However, after a few weeks, you realize that your plan of staying at your parents' house and doing absolutely nothing is making you slowly lose your mind. You are browsing through your laptop in bed and stumble across what seems like an online forum for writers. As you delve deeper, you realize that it is actually one large story, in which every user can contribute their own writing to it. So far, the story is about a secret group of magicians living in modern society, who hold considerable power in the world. [[Next.]] (set: $back to 0)

You start from the beginning. (align: "=><==")[Welcome. We are a group of magicians, hidden in plain sight from the rest of the world. How can such a thing as magic exist in this world, you ask? Well, all of us have a mutation that results in the //mag// gene. Further mutations in this gene allows each individual to have their own special qualities. We live amongst humans. Well, actually we are quite human ourselves - just with a little something extra. This forum is an outlet for us to share the current happenings with each other, as well as to identify potential threats of being discovered. If you stumbled across this page and can read this, congratulations. You are also one of us.] (align: "==>")[//Posted by: Oliver Johns//] //Wow, this introduction really draws you in,// you thought to yourself. You read through various posts by different people, introducing themselves and writing about some group known as //The Invisible Hand.// Apparently they were also a group of magicians, but their goal is to perform experiments on ordinary humans to artifically give them magical abilities. After reaching the bottom of the page, you click to the next page. [[Page 2]]

Alright, this story is like 100 chapters long. I'm bored but not that bored You press the [[back]] button to return to the Buzzfeed quiz - "What Sort of Magic Power Would You Have?" - that you were looking at previously.

(alert: "This action cannot be performed. Please refresh the page") You try to press back again but continued to receive the same warning. You try to exit the browser and even tried to shut off your laptop but nothing happenes. //[[This is weird...->Next.]]// (set: $back=1)

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: white) + (background: gray)) (set: $name to (prompt: "Your name, please:", "Enter Name")) Hello, (print: $name) First, I would like to congratulate you on stumbling across this website. As a result, your life is about to drastically change. I am sure that you are very confused by all of this. Let me clarify some key points. Everything that you read on the first page is true. Do not mistake it as some elaborate tale. Seeing as how you got this far, it confirms that you are one of us. There are some explanations on how this may be. 1. You are a result of a random mutation. It is very rare that this may happen but not impossible. 2. You were separated by your parents at some point. The mag gene is genetically passed through offspring. 3. The Invisible Hand were successful in gene manipulation. Whatever the case, you still posses some sort of magical ability. Now, you have 2 choices: 1. [[Forget you ever found this website and never visit again.]] 2. [[Continue to learn more.]]

A bright flash of light suddenly engulfs the room. You are awakened by a loud thud. It appears that you fell asleep in bed with your laptop on your chest. The laptop fell on the ground when you were trying to turn to your side. Panicked, you reach towards your laptop to make sure no damage was done. Thankfully, it was still functioning. You see that you fell asleep in the middle of your Buzzfeed quiz. [[Take the quiz.]] [[Exit the browser.->End the quiz.]]

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: white) + (background: gray)) Thank you for staying with us, (print: $name). This may be an intriguing situation for you. Nevertheless, I do not expect you to blindly accept what I am saying to you. I will present you with a sort of... proof. This is your last chance to change your mind. [[Show the proof.]] [[Nevermind.->Forget you ever found this website and never visit again.]]

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: white) + (background: gray)) What sort of elixir would you make? [[Lavender Laughing Juice]] [[Tangerine Truth Serum]] [[Instant Intelligence IPA]]

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: white) + (background: gray)) Would you use your magic for good or evil? [[Only good things]] [[I'll use magic however I want]] [[Evil all the way]]

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: white) + (background: gray)) (set: _history to (history:)) (if: _history contains "Lavender Laughing Juice")[You got: The Magic of Premonition You’re a planner, doer, dreamer, and thinker. Why not add psychic to your list of positive attributes? No need to stress about the future or try to decipher cryptic mind games from the people in your life. Skip the chit-chat and get straight to the point with your psychic powers. ](else-if: _history contains "Instant Intelligence IPA")[You got: The Magic of Phosphoromancy Look, with your ambition, you don’t need the ability to bend light to get to where you’re going. However, having the ability to make yourself — and anything else — invisible will ensure your safety, so you can do whatever you want in your life with ease. ](else-if: _history contains "Tangerine Truth Serum")[You got: The Magic of Interdimensional Travel Based on your life, you deserve to have the magical power of travel. Say goodbye to awkward or dull situations and hello to interplanetary travel in seconds. Plus you can bring as many friends with you anywhere you want. ] [[End the quiz.]] --------------

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: gray) + (background: black)) (alert: "Continue when you are ready.") Suddenly everything turns black. You feel like the bed under you has disappeared and you are falling... Down . . . And down . . . Until you feel a strong force pulling your body up again. You are engulfed by a warm sensation, followed by [[light]] surrounding you.

You continued to kill time by watching random videos or shows and browsing the web - with the occasional meeting with friends. This summer was the most relaxing summer you've ever had but also the most boring. [[Fin.->Title]]

Your eyes sting from the sudden blinding light. Slowly, your eyes adjust to the new environment. You find that you are on your back, hovering above the grass due to some unknown force. It seems like you are in a meadow. You hear a distant splash of water, possibly from a waterfall, and the low buzz of many voices. You try to concentrate on what they're saying but can only pick out snippets. (align: "==>")[//... Free will comes with the burden of consequences...//]  (align: "<==")[//... No, I will let (print: $name) choose...//] Disoriented, you decide to [[Get up.]] [[Stay where you are.]]

You must choose what you want to do next. (if: $back is 1)[ [[Keep reading.]] (link: "Exit the website.")[(text-colour: red)[This action cannot be performed.]]] (else:)[ [[Keep reading.]] [[Exit the website.]]]

You attempt to move to an upright position but find that you are unable to move. Your body feels heavy, as if you are being restrained. (link: "Try again.") [You still cannot move.] [[Stay where you are.]]

You decide that it's not worth your trouble to dive head-first into possible trouble. Besides, you were clearly outnumbered. Two [[men]] come into your field of vision, their faces looming above you.

"Welcome. Sorry for any unpleasantness you may be experiencing right now," the man with black hair said in a smooth voice. "Since you wanted the proof, here it is." You feel yourself floating higher and higher. You are now able to stand up in mid-air and observe the two men who are still on the ground. Then, in an instant, you are back to your original position. "Well, is this enough to prove to you that there is magic in this world?" The man asked when you have returned. [[Yes.]] [[No, you suck!]]

"Yes, it is quite enough. Thank you," you reply, "Please, tell me what's going on. Where am I?" "Well," the other man with brown hair interjected, "First, let me introduce myself. My name is Oliver. What you see around you right now is more like an illusion. Don't be mistaken now. //You// are here right now, but we aren't. The magic from our real bodies are controlling the one you see right now. Right, anyways you will soon understand it all so there's no need for you to know all the details right now. The important thing is that you understand the extent of your abilities. Now, let's perform some activities to understand what power you yield. Please, do sit up and give me one of your hands." [[You give your right hand.]] [[You give your left hand.]]

"No, how do I know that this isn't just a dream? You could be manipulating me somehow!" You accuse the black-haired man. A scowl appears on the other man's face, "Looks like (print: $name) isn't going to cooperate over here." [[Try to break free.]] [[Scream.]]

You find that the oppressing sensation that was keeping you in place was suddenly gone. Seeing your chance, you roll on your side and push the man beside you away and start [[running.]]

You start screaming at the top of your lungs and toss and turn in mid-air. You find that the oppressing sensation that was keeping you in place was suddenly gone. [[You decide to continue screaming.]] [[You decide to start running.->running.]]

You are running as fast as you possibily can towards the thick greenery that surrounds you. Just as you enter the maze of a forest, you feel a sharp sting that paralyzes you. It started on the back of your right shoulder. Soon, it starts to feel like your whole body was being pricked a million times. Your body feels heavy and you start to lose [[consciousness.->Forget you ever found this website and never visit again.]]

You tentatively give your right hand to Oliver. He takes it and you observe an amber glow starting to emit around his hands. In a few moments, you feel some sort of rush - like something within you was freed. "I have just opened all of the mana channels in your body. Mana is necessary for any kind of magic. Usually, the channels open naturally through continuous exposure and practice. But yours haven't because you haven't been exposed to it. Now, I can tell you what your special quality is or you can try to find out for yourself." [[Tell me.->Lightning]] [[No, I will learn by myself.]]

You tentatively give your left hand to Oliver. He takes it and you observe an amber glow starting to emit around his hands. In a few moments, you feel some sort of rush - like something within you was freed. "I have just opened all of the mana channels in your body. Mana is necessary for any kind of magic. Usually, the channels open naturally through continuous exposure and practice. But yours haven't because you haven't been exposed to it. Now, I can tell you what your special quality is or you can try to find out for yourself." [[Tell me.->Fire]] [[No, I will learn by myself.]]

"Alright, well I wish you luck in cultivating your skill, whatever it may be. I'm afraid that we have nothing left for you to you. We will know send you back to your room. Here is a phone." He hands you a device that resembles a phone, but looks much too thin. "You are now able to contact another magic wielder through this and it also serves as proof that you are one of us. If you need anything, you can always contact me. It is up to you what you choose to do with this newfound information. Otherwise, you can just resume your mundane life. Goodbye, (print: $name)," says Oliver. [[Go back.]]

"Alright. You are able to freely control electricity and magnetism. Whatever you choose to do to furthur develop this skill is up to you. I'm afraid that we have nothing left for you to you. We will know send you back to your room. Here is a phone." He hands you a device that resembles a phone, but looks much too thin. "You are now able to contact another magic wielder through this and it also serves as proof that you are one of us. If you need anything, you can always contact me. It is up to you what you choose to do with this newfound information. Otherwise, you can just resume your mundane life. Goodbye, (print: $name)," says Oliver. [[Go back.]]

"Alright. You are able to freely control fire. Whatever you choose to do to furthur develop this skill is up to you. I'm afraid that we have nothing left for you to you. We will know send you back to your room. Here is a phone." He hands you a device that resembles a phone, but looks much too thin. "You are now able to contact another magic wielder through this and it also serves as proof that you are one of us. If you need anything, you can always contact me. It is up to you what you choose to do with this newfound information. Otherwise, you can just resume your mundane life. Goodbye, (print: $name)," says Oliver. [[Go back.]]

You blink once and find yourself back in your room. You wonder if it was all just a weird dream but the sensation of the "phone" in your hand confirms that //something// happened, whatever it was. You decide to spend the rest of the summer learning more about this hidden world of magic and go on a whirlwind of an adventure. [[Fin.->Title]]

"Please," the black-haired man interjected, "Stop screaming and listen to me!" He seems to be losing his patience. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Oliver. What you see around you right now is more like an illusion. Don't be mistaken now. //You// are here right now, but we aren't. The magic from our real bodies are controlling the one you see right now. Now, tell me - do you wish to understand the extent of your abilities or not?" [[Yes.->Yes..]] [[No.->No..]]

"Great! Let us perform some activities to understand what power you yield. Please, do sit up and give me one of your hands," the man said. [[You give your right hand.]] [[You give your left hand.]]

(enchant: ?page, (text-colour: white) + (background: gray)) "Very well then. [[Goodbye...->Forget you ever found this website and never visit again.]]" The voice starts to slowly fade away.