TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 42

Thank you for purchasing TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 42, a Choose Your Own Adventure Game published by ZANY BULLSHIT GAMES, a subsidiary of the TAAKO(TM) CORPORATION! In TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 42, you play as TAAKO during the STOLEN CENTURY<iframe width="1" height="1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Op2B9btgOEI?autoplay=1"> </iframe> The Starblaster is in ORBIT around a MYSTERIOUS PLANET! Your goal, along with your six companions, is to STOP THE HUNGER from assimilating this world. Can YOU find the LIGHT OF CREATION in time? Or will JOHN HUNGER consume this reality? Please press [[PLAY]] to continue TW: major character death dependent on route, gore, eldritch horrorstory. Rated Fantasy PG13. [[CREDITS|credits]]

You wake up to the sound of your sister shouting at you. "Hey! Wake up, dipshit, you can't just laze around all day." Fuck yeah you can, Lulu. Just watch. "Mghnmm," you mumble, turning over in your bed. "Don't play dumb, 'ko," she says, shaking your shoulder. > [[Feign sleep]] > [[Get up]] (if: $secret is 4)[YOU HAVE UNLOCKED A SECRET EPILOGUE! CLICK [[HERE|secret]] TO VIEW!](set: $heals to 0) (set: $weapons to 0) (set: $book to 0) (set: $clothes to 0) (set: $map to 0) (set: $woman to 0)(set: $magnusdead to 0)

You give a loud fake snore, and let your limbs go limp. She shakes your shoulder more violently, then sighs. Oh, that's not a good sign. "Well, I didn't wanna do this, babe, but you leave me no choice." She stops shaking your shoulder. You hear your door slide closed again. Huh. Oh well. Blessed quiet. You drift back off. Your door slams open. Your ears prick upright. You wonder what's happen— "MAGNUS!" "Oh jesus fuck!" you screech, as Magnus picks you up, blankets and all, deftly avoiding your flailing. Your eyes snap open. He's beaming down at you. In the corner of the room, Lup is losing her shit. "You shoulda, ahahaha, you shoulda seen your face!" Magnus hoists you over his shoulder, and you are bodily removed from your bed and bedroom, your sister still laughing as you're carried down the hallway. The three of you [[enter the conference room.]] (put: 1 into $wake)

You crack open an eye. Yup. That's your sister. Lup looks excited about something. Her hair's a mess, like she came to get you without fixing it. She's still in her pajamas. "Wazzup?" you mumble. "Don't wanna spoil the surprise," she says. "Team meetin' now. C'mon, get up." You blink a couple of times, shaking off the remnants of your slumber. "Work things or fun things?" you ask, holding a hand out for her to pull you up. "Work things," she says, taking your palm and helping you upright. You yawn. "Yeah, alright," you say, and the two of you head ouf of your bedroom and [[down the hallway.|enter the conference room.]]

(if: $wake is 1)[Barry snorts, seeing you being carried by Magnus. Lucretia stifles a smile behind her book. You stick your tongue out at them. Davenport pointedly ignores the shenanigans. "Nice ride, kiddo," Merle says. You're deposited in a seat next to him. You still have your blanket, and you wrap it around your shoulders. "For the record, not my idea," you say. "The fuck is goin' on, anyway?"](else:)[Barry waves at you, and you almost take a seat next to him, before shoving Lup there instead. The two of them need to bone already. You sit next to Magnus, instead. He greets you with a fistbump. "So whats the haps?" you ask, looking at Cap'nport inquisivitively.] "[[Long story]] or [[short story]]?" Cap says.

"Long story," you say decisively. "Lay it on me." "We finally triangulated where the Light probably landed," Barry says. Lup nods next to him, grinning. "Oh shit! Good job, nerds," you say. "Taako, we used your equations to do it," Barry says, crinkling his nose. "I fail to see your point," you say. "But that's great, fuckin' excellent, so what's the problem? We're gonna go grab it, right?" "Er, well," Lucretia cuts in. "There's a little bit of a problem, and by a little bit of a problem, I mean a huge boner of a problem." Magnus laughs when Luce says boner. Lup flicks him with a piece of paper from across the table. Cap'nport sighs. "On topic, guys." "Right, sorry," Lucretia says. "The problem is that the area it landed is... weird." "Whaddaya mean?" you say. "Oh, is this a magic thing? Cha'boy bet this is a weird magic thing." "It's a weird magic thing," Cap confirms with a sigh. "We can't get close with the ship." "I was askin' around town earlier today," Merle says, gesturing vaguely to indicate the town that your ship has been hanging over for the past few weeks. "They say it's guarded by some sorta... well, you know, it was really unclear." "Apparently people disappear there," Magnus says. He sounds way too eager about that. "So we know nothing and this place eats people," you say flatly. "Pretty much!" Lup says, smiling bright. "I'm gonna go investigate. Wanna come with?" You sigh, and grin at your sister. "Well, when you put it like that." No way are you letting her go alone. >[[Continue]]

"Short story," you say decisively. "I'll get the deets later." "Long story short," Lup says. "There's a weird magic thing covering the place the Light fell, and I wanna go check it out. You in?" "Fuckit, sure," you say. She looks really pleased. No way are you letting Lup go alone. >[[Continue]]

"Nice!" Lup says, raising a mage hand for a spectral high-five. You oblige her, your blue and red palms slapping together in a shower of sparks. "I'm comin' too," Magnus says. "You need a punch guy. What if you run out of spell slots?" You nod, and pop him a hand too, which he high-fives enthusiastically. "And keep your stones of farspeech close, okay?" Barry says. "We'll be watching your progression from above as close we can, and, uh, we'd appreciate regular updates." "Just'ta make sure you kids are still breathing," Merle adds. "That's not morbid at all," Lup says. "Nobody's come out of that place alive," Lucretia says. "I'm coming with you as close as the barrier. I think it might be an abjuration thing." "Be ready to drop in two hours," Davenport says. "And guys, you have to stop coming to these meetings in your pajamas." "Why?" you say. "It's just family." "It's protocol," Davenport says, but he sounds kind of resigned about it. You pull a face at him, and get up. Time to get mission ready, and baby, you're a professional. >[[>Continue|continue2]] (put: 1 into $time)

You've got time to kill, before the three of you start heading over. You should probably [[change your clothes|clothes]], and [[get your gear|gear]]. You could [[make breakfast|breakfast]]. You could go [[ask Lucretia|lucretia]] what she knows about the weird magic thing, or [[ask Barry|barry]]. Or hell, you could just go [[back to sleep|sleep2]].

(put: $time + 1 into $time)(if: $time is 5)[The captain's voice suddenly crackles over the loudspeaker. "Taako, when I said two hours, that mean two hours ships time." Aw, beans. You're late. You dash over to the deck, where you're reconvening with Lup and Maggie. [[Time to go]] ] (else:)[You're kinda hungry. And you're not sure if you're gonna get a chance to eat on the mission — and Lup probs didn't eat breakfast, and Maggie's always hungry... Yeah, okay, you'll be nice. You swing by the kitchen. Merle's standing in front of the burner, waiting for a kettle to boil. There's a cup with a teabag in his hand. You wave at him, he raises his cup. You open the freezer and rummage in it. You know you left some breakfast burritos that you made last week. "Ya ready to go?" he asks. "Pretty much," you say, taking three burritos out of the fridge and snapping your fingers to warm them with prestidigitation. "Just gotta get eats." "Don't go wastin' yer spell slots," he says. "Oh wait, I forgot I had something for ya." He rummages in his fanny pack. You hate that you knowingly associate with someone who wears a fanny pack. He pulls out three detergent-pod looking things, which glow a bright red. "Capsule heal spells," he says proudly. "Prototypes." "Neato," you say, taking them from him and putting them in your pocket. "Thanks m'dude." He waves you off. "Just usin' you as a test subject, kiddo. But be careful out there, alright? Don't do anything too dumb." "You're not my real dad," you snipe, and you leave the kitchen carrying your burritos, followed by his laughter. [[Now, what else were you going to do...|continue2]] (put: 3 into $heals) ]

(put: $time + 1 into $time)(if: $time is 5)[The captain's voice suddenly crackles over the loudspeaker. "Taako, when I said two hours, that mean two hours ships time." Aw, beans. You're late. You dash over to the deck, where you're reconvening with Lup and Maggie. [[Time to go]] ] (else:)[You slide into the lab and immediately drape yourself across Barry’s shoulders. You ignore your own desk which, because of an incident, is covered in green gloop. You've been steadfastly refusing to clean it for a week. “What's up, Barold?” you ask, poking his cheek. He bats your hand away. You poke him again. “Aren't you supposed to be getting ready?” “This is getting ready,” you say. “Give ya boy those good specifics ‘bout where the light is.” “I mean, Lup knows,” he tells you. You flick his temple. “My dude, we can talk about your big honkin’ crush on Lup, or we can talk about the mission.” “Alright, alright,” he says, but he's blushing. “So, we dug out your old numeracy notebooks from, uh, cycle fifteen-” “Huh, so that's why Lu wanted those,” you say. You remember her asking for a bunch of your old junk last week. Barry nods. “Yeah. But anyway, we dug those out, cause she had an idea about triangulation based on air currents and magiflow, and well, long story short, we know where it should have landed, give or take a hundred yards." "Shit," you say. You're impressed. He grins up at you. "Right?" "Nice job, Bluejeans." "Thanks, Taako," he says. He scribbles something on a piece of paper and hands it up to you. "Here. Just in case the stones of farspeech cut out. Be careful out there, alright?" "We're always careful," you say absently, unfolding the paper. It's directions and a map. "It's you and Lup and Magnus," he says dryly. "I have real fear for any team where you're the cautious one." You can't really deny that. Lulu and Maggie are reckless as all hell. "Yeah, yeah," you say. "Hey, we're gonna have the home team whisperin' sweet nothings in our ears, we'll be fine." "Will you?" he says, in that freaky way he sometimes talks. Jeez. Necromancers. [[You flick his temple again and leave the lab.|continue2]] (put: 1 into $map)]

Maybe you'll just go back to sleep. Yeah, that sounds good. You trudge back to your room, and collapse on your duvet. You sleep. You dream. (either: "A dark tower with a spiral staircase that never seems to end, and your legs are getting tired, but you can't stop, you're never going to—", "You're in the largest library you've ever been in and you can't remember what you're looking for, and every page is filled with—", "You're making something, breakfast, dinner, whatever, and your knife slips and—") The captain's voice suddenly crackles over the loudspeaker. "Taako, when I said two hours, that mean two hours ships time." Aw, beans. You're late. You dash over to the deck, where you're reconvening with Lup and Maggie. [[Time to go]]

You run out onto the Starblaster's deck, where everyone is waiting. "What's with you, today," Lup asks, frowning at you. (if: $heals is 3)[You hand her a burrito. She instantly forgives you. You chuck the second at Magnus, and take a bite of the third. Yum.](else:)[You shrug. She sticks her tongue out you, and you stick yours out at her.] "Ready to go?" Mags asks. You nod. (if: $clothes is 1)["Hells yeah," Lup says. "Let's rock and roll." "Be safe, keep in contact with us, and don't get in any unecessary conflicts," Davenport instructs. "Good luck, team." "We're gonna crush it," Magnus says. "Hit it, Luce!" Lucretia snorts, but obligingly casts teleport. The four of you [[disappear in a flash of white light|dungeonentrance]].](else:)["Wait," Lucretia says. "Are you going to wear your pajamas?" You look down at yourself. Aw dunk, you forgot to change. You look back at Lucretia. "I have no idea what you're talking about," you say. She rolls her eyes. Lup giggles. Davenport sighs. "Be safe, keep in contact with us, and don't get in any unecessary conflicts," Davenport instructs. "Good luck, team." "We're gonna crush it," Magnus says. "Hit it, Luce!" Lucretia snorts, but obligingly casts teleport. The four of you [[disappear in a flash of white light|dungeonentrance]].]

(set: $total to $heals + $weapons + $book + $map)You reappear in a second flash of light at the beginning of what looks like a large forest, bounded by a mirror-shimmer slick soap bubble. "Woah, no kidding about this being weird," you say, peering at the boundary. You reach forward to touch it. Lup slaps your hand away and pokes it herself. Nothing happens. Lame. You press your palm against it. The boundary feels like glass. You glance back at Lucretia. "You seen anything like this, Lu?" She shakes her head, but she's preocupied with peering closely at the edge of the ward. "Give me a minute," she says absently. You nod. Aight, you can do that. You wander over to the only place that the ward doesn't exist: a vaguely door-shaped space where the road meets the forest and turns into a dirt path. Oh, wait. You never checked what you were bringing. You've got a few minutes; better make sure you don't have anything dumb on you. You check your pack: (if: $heals is 3)[>Merle's not-detergent pods] (if: $weapons is 1)[>Your glaive, your bracers, and oh – you toss Lup the lighter. "Oh shit! Forgot I had this. Thanks, Taako." She smiles at you.] (if: $book is 1)[>Lucretia's book, titled Wards and Barriers, Volume I] (if: $map is 1)[>Barry's map] (else-if: $total is 0)[>Empty except your wand. Whoops. Eh, it's probably fine.] You close your pack. Ready as you're gonna be. "I think I've got it," Lucretia says. You turn. [[>Continue|no]]

"What'd you find?" "Someone really powerful made this," Lucretia says, and she sounds shaken. "This barrier is permanent but only because it constantly regenerates itself — it's being powered by someone, or something with <enormous> magical reserves." "We can take 'em," Magnus says. Lup shakes her head. "Eyes on the prize, big boy. We're just gonna go in, grab the Light, and get out." "Easy-peasy," you add. Lucretia looks worried. "I should go with you," she says. You shake your head. "S'not good tactics, stickin' all our casters in one basket." "If we're not out in three hours, though, maybe send a search party," Lup adds. "But we'll be fine. Whatever's in there probs isn't prepped for aliens." Lucretia smiles a little at that. "Alright. Be careful. Good luck — I'll be waiting for you." She gives each of you a hug, and then you turn back to the entrance. It looks dark in there. Spooky. Well, the light isn't gonna retrieve itself. [[The three of you head walk in, side by side|enter]]

As soon as you enter the barrier, everything goes strange. The woods are in monochrome. Silver light streams weakly through the branches. Dappled shadows underfoot as the three of you crunch through the underbrush. When you look over your shoulder, you can't see the entrance. The only sound is your footsteps. No wind whistling, no birds or squirrels chattering, just... silence. There is something dreamlike about the place. It feels like you're walking through water. "Well this isn't freaky at all," you say. Magnus laughs nervously. Lup puts an arm around your shoulder. "Nope," she says. "Not one bit." "Cool," you say. "Three assholes in a totally not-freaky forest, lookin' for the Light of Creation — hey, d'you know where we're going?" "Mostly," Lup says. "But it could kinda be anywhere in here. We could call Barry? He might know." "Absolutely not, we've been in here ten minutes. Also, you're really helpful," you say to your sister. She kicks you. You kick her back. Magnus shoves his way in between the two of you to stop you from getting in a slap fight. Weirdly enough, the whole exchange makes you feel better. You decide you're going to take destiny into your own hands, because you're a grown-ass quasi-immortal elf who isn't scared of silence. (if: $map is 1)[ Actually, didn't Barry give you a map? You dig that out of your pack. Okay, so if this is where you started...hm, the Light's probably more likely to be north of where you are. South, that's less likely — but south will take you closer to the center of the forest. You look back up at Lup and Magnus. ] >[["Let's go North."|north1]] >[["Let's go South."|south1]]

...into a kid. A glowing kid sitting on a tree stump. Freaky. Magnus runs up to the kid and crouches down next to him. "Whatcha doin' out here, lil' man?" Magnus asks. The kid blinks. You realize that the kid's eyes are made out of some sort of...silver. "YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE," the kid says calmly. His mouth doesn't move. "Uh, neither should you?" Magnus says. "You're like, eight." "YOUR DREAMS WILL CONSUME YOU," the kid says. "I SEE THE SHAPE OF YOUR DESIRE AND IT IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING." "I'm beginnin' to suspect this ain't a kid," you say. "Yeah, this most def isn't a real boy," Lup says. "Say, kiddo, you seen a weird rock around here?" "I AM A FACET OF THE EATER OF DREAMS," the kid says. "THERE IS NO SOLACE FOR YOU HERE. I WILL SHOW YOU THE EXIT." "Kiddo, we can't leave without the light," Magnus says. "I AM MORNING AND THUS I AM KIND. BUT YOU CAN GO NO FURTHER. YOU WILL BE RUIN." "This is startin' to sound awful familiar," Lup mutters to you. "Lemme try somethin," you say, and sit next to the kid. He doesn't move. "Alright, pumpkin—" >(either: "[[ROLL PERSUASION|fail]]", "[[ROLL PERSUASION|success]]").

...into a woman, who shines like polished stone. A woman with hair like midnight and skin like midnight and clothes like – okay yeah you get the gist. She stands like a monolith, blocking the faint trail that you've been following. She does not speak. You approach her cautiously. You raise your palm. "Hail, and well met," you say. Lup punches your arm. "Ow!" Lup steps forward. "I'm so sorry about my brother, but hi, nice to meet you, you wouldn't happen to have seen a weird glowing rock, would you?" Like she's any better at talking to people. The strange woman lifts her head. Her eyes are void. "Has anyone else noticed that this woman has the same color scheme as the forest?" Magnus whispers loudly. "'Cause I'm beginning to think there might be a connection." "Yeah no shit," you whisper back, putting your hand cautiously on your wand. You trade a glance with Lup. "YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE COME HERE," the woman says without moving her mouth. "Yeah, but we did," Magnus says. "So-o, glowing rock. Yeah or nah?" "THERE IS NO SOLACE HERE FOR ONES SUCH AS YOU, WHO BEAR YOUR DREAMS LIKE THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD." "Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've done the whole cryptic rigamarole thing before," Lup says. "Listen. We promise we're not here to cause any trouble." "Listen. We're here to help," you say. "If we don't get that glowing rock, your planet is pre-etty much boned." The woman shakes her head, a slow and deliberate refusal. She raises her arms, strange silvery magic glowing on her fingertips. "I AM A FACET OF THE EATER OF DREAMS," the woman says. "I CANNOT LET ONES SUCH AS YOURSELVES PASS. DEATH WOULD BE A KINDNESS." "Aw, shit," you say, and draw your wand. >(link: "ROLL INITIATIVE!")[ (set: $ehp to 300) (set: $mhp to 300) (set: $ename to "Midnight Millions") (set: $turn to "Taako, Lup, and Magnus") (set: $hp to 210) (set: $eatk to 15) (set: $eatkname to "strange magic") (set: $fireball to 9) (goto: "Combat")]

{(display: "Enemy")(display: "Log")(display: "You")} <iframe width="1" height="1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zplIPSgiohA?autoplay=1"> </iframe>

{<div id="enemy">$ename HP: $ehp/$mhp. </div>}

<div id="you">You: $hp/210 {(if: $turn is "Taako, Lup, and Magnus")[ (link: "Taako")[ (set: $ehp to it - 20) (set: $atk to "You step up and raise your wand and cast magic missile, dealing") (set: $atkdmg to 20) (set: $turn to "enemy") (set: $log to "atk") (goto: "Combat")] | (link: "Lup")[ (set: $ehp to it - 30) (set: $atk to "Lup claps her hands together and casts a huge fireball, dealing") (set: $atkdmg to 30) (set: $turn to "enemy") (set: $log to "atk") (goto: "Combat")] | (link: "Magnus")[ (set: $ehp to it - 10) (set: $atk to "Magnus rushes in and punches the weird lady, but she sorta... flows out of the way. He deals") (set: $atkdmg to 10) (set: $turn to "enemy") (set: $log to "atk") (goto: "Combat")] ] (elseif: $turn is "enemy")[ (link: "Continue")[ (set: $log to "enemy") (set: $turn to "Taako, Lup, and Magnus") (set: $hp to it - $eatk) (goto: "Combat")] ] (if: $hp <1)[(goto: "Lose")] (if: $ehp <1)[(goto: "Win")] </div>}

{<div id="log"> (if: $log is "Taako, Lup, and Magnus")[It is your turn.] (elseif: $log is "atk")[$atk $atkdmg damage on the stranger.] (elseif: $log is "enemy")[The $ename (either: "raises her hands and casts a bunch of", "surges forward and splashes some sorta", "snaps her fingers and creates a cloud of") $eatkname on the three of you, dealing $eatk damage.] </div>}

A bolt of magic like lightning, hitting your chest. You scream. Everything goes black. The last thing you hear is the woman speaking. She's...praying? "AND IN THE WORLDS TO COME, MAY ALL YOUR—" [[You die. |death]]

(if: $hp is > 50)[Lup blasts the stranger with a fireball, and she staggers back. Magic fades from her palms. She leaks light from her eyes as she stares at you, shock cracking her impassive front. "HOW DID YOU..." she says. Lup glares at the woman. "How did we what?" she demands. The woman stares at the three of you. "HOW DID YOU WIN?" "Cuz we're awesome," Magnus says. "We're not from around here." She continues to stare. She speaks. "YOU WILL [[COME WITH ME|continuemidnight]]."] (if: $hp is < 50)[Lup blasts the stranger with a fireball, and she staggers back. Magic fades from her palms. She leaks light from her eyes as she stares at you, shock cracking her impassive front. "HOW ARE YOU.." she says. She's interrupted by Magnus falling to his knees, coughing. "Shit!" You kneel down next to him. He's coughing blood. Fuck, fuck, fuck. How come you didn't bring Merle with you, fuck. (if: $heals is 3)[Wait. Merle. You scramble in your pockets. His prototype healing capsules. You pull two out and shove them in Magnus's mouth. "Wha, are dese detergen' pods," he says weakly, muffled by the pods. "Just eat 'em!" you say, a little hysterically. He does. He's used to eating things you tell him to eat. He immediately stops coughing. "Damn," Lup says. "Where'd you get those?" "Merle," you say. "C'mon, off your ass, big guy, you're not dyin' today." Magnus gets up and glares at the woman. "How are we what?" he demands. The woman stares at the three of you. "YOU WILL [[COME WITH ME|continuemidnight]]." (set: $heals to 1)](else:) [Magnus hacks. He stills. You slap his face. "Maggie? Mags? Burnsides? Magnus?" No response. Lup presses two fingers against his jugular. Her face twitches. "He's dead," she says. You swear. You get up. You dust yourself off. Lup stands and marches over to the woman, who does not cower. "I AM SORRY. BUT IT IS BETTER THAN WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, HAD HE CONTINUED FORWARD." "What would have happened, huh? Listen, you better tell us right now, or me and my brother will not hesitate to wipe your ass from this slimy little forest, capiche?" The woman stares at the three of you. "YOU WILL [[COME WITH ME|continuemidnight]]." (set: $magnusdead to 1) ] ]

"Listen. We gotta, uh..." Hachi machi, you have no idea where you were going with this. "Great idea, 'ko," Lup says. "Well I don't see you tryin' anything!" "THIS PATH IS BARRED TO YOU," the kid says. "DO NOT TRY MY PATIENCE FURTHER." You can feel a prickling like static, the hairs on the back of your neck tingling. The kid's eyes start glowing. You look at "Okay, new plan — run!" The three of you book it [[Southward|south2]]

"Listen. We gotta get that rock. It doesn't matter if we're supposed to be here or not, but we're not here for anything but the rock. It's real fuckin' powerful, and the other guy after it is, uh, kinda a real asshat." "He's literally gonna eat your planet if he gets the Light," Lup adds. "YOU ARE NOT LYING," the kid says, with some surprise. "We're trying to help," Magnus says. "We're not here for anything else." The kid is quiet for a moment. He seems to be listening to something. He stands. [["I WILL TAKE YOU TO THE EATER OF DREAMS" |continue3]]

"Let's go South." Your companions nod, and the three of you start traipsing southward. Dark trees. Silver patches of light. It gets darker as you progress. You can barely make out your own feet. (if: $weapons is 1)[ Lup pulls out her lighter and flicks it on, creating a glowing fireball that hovers over the silver device. The flame casts a warm glow over everything. It seems to drive back the chill.] (else:)[You walk a little closer to Lup and Magnus. You don't wanna lose them. "I can't see worth shit," Magnus admits. You try to cast prestidigitation, but it fizzles out. You try again. Nothing happens. Lup notices you struggling and tries herself. Nothing. "Guess cantrips don't work in here," Lup says, and if her voice is a little shaky, you're the only one who could notice. "Guess I'm doin' this blind," Magnus says, and that's how he sounds when he's trying to be confident. You and Lup each take one of Magnus's hands.] You don't know how long you walk, but you know that the forest grows denser, the leaves darker, until they are not so much visible objects but absences And then a glow in the distance. "Is that—" Lup says. "Only one way to find out, my guy," you say, and the three of you break out into a run. [[But as you get closer, the glow coalesceses... |south]]

"Let's go North," you suggest. Lup nods, and the three of you three of you start traipsing northward. Dark trees. Silver patches of light. It gets darker as you progress. You can barely make out your own feet. (if: $weapons is 1)[ Lup pulls out her lighter and flicks it on, creating a glowing fireball that hovers over the silver device. The flame casts a warm glow over everything. It seems to drive back the chill.] (else:)[You walk a little closer to Lup and Magnus. You don't wanna lose them. "I can't see worth shit," Magnus admits. You try to cast prestidigitation, but it fizzles out. You try again. Nothing happens. Lup notices you struggling and tries herself. Nothing. "Guess cantrips don't work in here," Lup says, and if her voice is a little shaky, you're the only one who could notice. "Guess I'm doin' this blind," Magnus says, and that's how he sounds when he's trying to be confident. You and Lup each take one of Magnus's hands.] You don't know how long you walk, but you know that the forest grows denser, the leaves darker, until they are not so much visible objects but absences And then a glow in the distance. "Is that—" Lup says. "Only one way to find out, my guy," you say, and the three of you break out into a run. [[But as you get closer, the glow coalesceses... |north]]

You coalesce on the deck of the Starblaster. Like every time before, you're holding Lup's hand. Magnus has a black eye, Davenport is at the helm, Barry is bracing himself against the railing, Lucretia is huddled around her notebook. "Did we— " you ask. Davenport shakes his head. "Fuck," you say, quietly and with feeling. YOU HAVE LOST. THE LIGHT OF CREATION WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE NIGHTMARE REALM, AND THE PLANET WAS LOST TO THE HUNGER. [[PLAY AGAIN?|PLAY]]

The woman takes the (if: $magnusdead is 1)[two](else:)[three] of you off of the path. You don't know how far you walk. The sky does not change color, but the plants grow darker. You feel like you are walking through the sillouette of a forest rather than a space filled with actual living trees. Your opponent-turned-guide does not respond when you try to make small talk. Time passes. You don't know how much. Eventually, the figure stops at the entrance to a clearing. She turns to you. "YOU SHALL ENTER," the woman says. "You comin' with us?" you ask, frowning. "NO." "Why not?" "I-THAT-WAS FAILED. I AM NOT PERMITTED ENTRY," the woman says. "GO IN." You share a glance with your companion(if: $magnusdead is 1)[](else:)[s]. Lup nods decisively. "Only way out is through," she says. You [[enter the clearing|queen1]].

The kid doesn't follow the three of you, even when you stop running. "Well, shit," Magnus says, summing up your thoughts nicely. "You got any idea of what the kid was?" Lup asks. "Because uh, cha'girl's got nothin'." (if: $book is 1)["Cha'boy's got nothin' either," you admit. "But Lucretia gave me a book that might have somethin'?" "Hand that baby over," Lup says. You do. She flips through it as the three of you walk. "Anything?" Magnus asks. "Yeah," Lup says thoughtfully. "Looks like the kid's probably part of the barrier, and..." She looks up. "I think we might be in a demiplane." Demiplanes. Semi-permanent magical holes in the world created by an entity way more powerful than any of you. They don't correspond to the physical architecture of the planes that they're connected to, either. "So any map we've got is gonna be wrong," you say. "Yup," Lup says. "Guess we're back to ground zero." For lack of a better idea, the continue to walk south.] (else:)["Cha'boy's got nothin' either," you admit.] [[But as you get closer, the glow coalesceses... |south]]

The kid takes the three of you off of the path. You don't know how far you walk. The sky does not change color, but the plants grow darker. You feel like you are walking through the sillouette of a forest rather than a space filled with actual living trees. Your opponent-turned-guide does not respond when you try to make small talk. Time passes. You don't know how much. Eventually, the figure stops at the entrance to a clearing. He turns to you. "SHE WILL NOT HARM YOU," the boy says. "You comin' with us?" you ask, frowning. "NO." "Why not?" "I-THAT-WAS FAILED. I AM NOT PERMITTED ENTRY," the boy says. "GO IN. SHE WILL NOT HARM YOU." You share a glance with your companions. Lup nods decisively. "Only way out is through," she says. You [[enter the clearing|queen]].

As you enter the clearing, space...unfolds. The trappings of the forest disappear, and the three of you are standing in a geometrically shifting space. It's hard to describe. When you try to pay attention to the way the world is changing around you, you get a headache. Then a mouth opens. "THE SHAPE OF YOUR DREAMS IS STRANGE," a voice says. A second mouth opens. "THE SHAPE OF YOUR FEARS, MORE FAMILIAR," a voice says. A third mouth opens. "WHAT HAVE YOU COME HERE FOR, WANDERERS, HEROES IN POTENTIA, ASPIRANT LEGENDS?" [["The Light of Creation."|light]]

The mouth on the left smiles wry. The mouth on the right frowns apologetic. The mouth in the center speaks. "WHY?" "Cause your world is boned if you don't?" All the mouths laugh. "YOU ARE NOT AFRAID." (if: $magnusdead is 1)["N-no shit I'm not!" you say.](else:)["We've seen way weirder," Magnus says.] "LIE," the mouth on the left says. "YOU FEAR YOUR WEAKNESS," the mouth on the right says. "THAT IS YOUR FOLLY," the mouth in the center says. "Hey! Stop psychoanalyzing," you say. "Uncool." "LITTLE TRICKSTER," the mouth on the left says. "SO SCARED OF BEING KNOWN," the mouth on the right says. "WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?" the mouth in the center says. Okay, you're officially creeped out. "What do you want from us? What are you?" Lup asks. [["I AM—"|dreameater]]

"—THE EATER OF DREAMS." "THE NIGHTMARE QUEEN." "FOOLSHOPE." "DESIRE AND FEAR ARE BUT TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN—" "—YOUR WANTS SHAPING YOUR ANXIETIES—" "TO HAVE SOMETHING IS TO FEAR ITS TAKING." "TO FLY IS TO FEAR THE GROUND." "I DO NOT WANT—" "—I AM." "I MAKE MANIFEST THE DESIRES IN THE HEARTS OF MEN—" "—AND ELVES, AND DWARVES, AND, OH, YOU KNOW—" "— IN TURN I PRESS THEIR FEARS UPON THEM." "I DO NOT JUDGE—" "—I REVEAL." "FOR INSTANCE—" "— LITTLE FLAMEBIRD, YOU SO FEAR FAILURE." "WHAT WILL YOU GIVE UP TO SUCCEED?" The mouths trade off speaking effortlessly between themselves. "Fuck you, what do you want? What the fuck are those, those guys out there? Do you have the Light?" you say. You're done with this cryptic bullshit. >[[Continue|want]]

The mouths frown synchronous. "I TOLD YOU—" "—I DO NOT WANT. I AM." "IT IS MY NATURE. I AM CREATED FROM THE HEARTS OF MEN—" "—I REFLECT ONLY WHAT IS IN MY MAKING." "THEY PETITION ME FOR FAVOR—" "—TO CHANGE THEIR WANTS, TO MAKE EASIER THEIR PATHS, TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING THEY LACK—" "IF THEY CAN WITHSTAND THEIR FEAR—" "—THEY ARE REWARDED. IF THEY CANNOT—" "—THEY ARE SUBSUMED." "ALL SOULS ARE ONE—" "—I AM ONLY THE AVATAR OF A NATURAL PROCESS—" "—I CANNOT GIVE YOU THE LIGHT." >[[Fight|fightboss]] >[[Persuade|persuadeboss]]

You raise your glaive. The mouths seem to turn to you. "OH I WOULDN'T DO THAT, LITTLE MAGE." >(link: "Fight anyway")[ (set: $ehp to 1000) (set: $mhp to 1000) (set: $ename to "THE EATER OF DREAMS") (set: $turn to "you") (set: $hp to 70) (set: $eatk to 35) (set: $eatkname to "a wave of curling magic") (goto: "Combatb")] >[[Change your mind|persuadeboss]]

(if: $magnusdead is 1)[You hum thoughtfully.](else:)[Magnus begins to draw his sword. You stop with him a hand on his arm, and he stills. "One sec, homeboy." You turn back to the Eater of Dreams.] "So if you can't give us the Light," you say. "Can we earn it?" The Eater of Dreams smiles with all her mouths. "NOW YOU'RE THINKING—" "—CLEVER BOY—" "—FACE YOUR FEAR AND THE LIGHT WILL BE YOUR REWARD—" "—DO YOU ACCEPT?" You nod your head and begin to step forward. Better you than anyone else, you figure, you can take whatever's coming to you. A hand on your shoulder stops you. "Hold on there, hotshot, cool your jets," Lup says lightly. "If he's in, I'm in." (if: $magnusdead is 1)[You glance back at Lup and she smiles at you. You smile back. Magnus might be gone for the rest of the year, but you and Lup are a team. You look back at the mouths. "The two of us, together," you say firmly.](else:)["Me too, Magnus says, placing his hand on your other shoulder. You smile a little. "Stop bein's so dramatic," you complain. "Alright, guess we're all goin' in."] The mouths grin wider. "BRAVE LITTLE HEROES—" "—GOOD LUCK, AND–" "—MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE." The mouth directly parallel to you comes forward in a rush. It presses a kiss to your forehead. You [[fall asleep|taako]].

{(display: "Enemyb")(display: "Logb")(display: "Youb")} <iframe width="1" height="1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zplIPSgiohA?autoplay=1"> </iframe>

{<div id="enemy">$ename HP: $ehp/$mhp. </div>}

{<div id="logb"> (if: $log is "you")[It is your turn.] (elseif: $log is "atk")[You throw spells desperately at $ename, dealing $atkdmg damage.] (elseif: $log is "enemy")[The $ename laughs, unleashing $eatkname on you, dealing $eatk damage. You cough, and blood drips from your lips. Behind you, Lup shouts your name.] </div>}

<div id="you">You: $hp/70 {(if: $turn is "you")[ (link: "Attack")[ (set: $ehp to it - 30) (set: $atk to "Sword") (set: $atkdmg to 30) (set: $turn to "enemy") (set: $log to "atk") (goto: "Combatb")] ] (elseif: $turn is "enemy")[ (link: "Continue")[ (set: $log to "enemy") (set: $turn to "you") (set: $hp to it - $eatk) (goto: "Combatb")] ] (if: $hp <1)[(goto: "Loseb")] (if: $ehp <1)[(goto: "Win")] </div>}

"A PITY," the Eater of Dreams says. "YOU HAD SO MUCH— " [[Everything goes black. |death]]

Everyone you've ever loved is dead, and everything you've ever cared about is destroyed. Your sister is dead. Your family, your friends, they're all dead and you've seen their faces with blank eyes staring, the blood that drips, the angles of cracked necks, the way Lup told you to "Run, Taako, get out of here," and to your horror and your shame you did — you left, you left Lup and you left Magnus and Lucretia and Barry and Davenport and Merle, and you never deserved their loyalty and you're a coward and you've fucked up and you're they're last hope and — — and you can't think about any of this because if you think about this the last bulwark in your mind is going to break and that's it, that's cha'boy right there, that's the last sliver of your sanity gone, that's the fear crackling over all your synapses like a electric flood. You take a deep breath. Your hands are streaked with blood. There is dried blood crusted across your face, dripping from your nose. You wipe it absently. You try and think about things clinically, holding back the fear, the aching void of your heart, through sheer force of will. Everyone you've ever loved is dead. The Starblaster is destroyed and you have no way off the planet. The Hunger is here and your only hope is to get the light back from Johnny Voreboy's clutches. Just you. Your wand. Your mind. You're standing on a ruined field, the remnants of the forest that you and Lup and Magnus traversed — and you can't quite remember what happened but they're dead now, you know that in your bones. In the distance, there's the bulk of the Hunger descending. If you wait, the dark tendrils will advance on you. If you don't wait, it will descend on you anyway. >[[Okay. You can do this.|facefears]] >[[You can't. You fucking can't.|givein1]]

You are so scared. Have you mentioned you're scared? Cause that's all you can think about, your mind going a mile a minute. But fuck being a coward. You're Taako, you're one-seventh of the best damn team in the multiverse, you're a master transmuter and if you go down, you're going to go down fighting. It's what Lup would want from you. You turn around. You swear you can hear Johnny Vore laughing, his columns of black swirling forward and ripping deep furrows in the earth. You draw your wand, charging the strongest spell you know. None of this matters, in the end, you think, but you're not scared anymore. You can see the glimmer-glint of the Light of Creation nestled in the Hunger's grasp. You're going to get that back, and if you can't save everyone you've ever loved, at least you can fight for the world they died for. You start running, and you cast a spell straight into the center of the Hunger. It screams and shoots inky black at you, and you [[die.|grabfakelight]]

You turn. You run. You can't fucking do this. You're not a goddamn last-stand self-sacrificial asshole, you're not Magnus, you're not Lup, you're not Davenport who flies circles around the Hunger and laughs. You're Taako, for fucks sake, you're only on this mission because Lup wanted to apply and sure you're the bomb-dot-com at magic but what the hell are some dinky little spells going to do against the Hunger? You're alone. You are, deep in the bowels of your soul, so, so afraid. The game's already lost. There's no point to any sorta confrontation. There's no way you can get the Light back. Die now or die later, what's the difference. >[[But you remember being brave.|facefears2]] >[[You're nobody's hero.|givein2]]

Fuck being a coward. You're Taako, you're one-seventh of the best damn team in the multiverse, you're a master transmuter and if you go down, you're going to go down fighting. It's what Lup would want from you. You turn around. You swear you can hear Johnny Vore laughing, his columns of black swirling forward and ripping deep furrows in the earth. You draw your wand, charging the strongest spell you know. None of this matters, in the end, you think, but you're not scared anymore. You can see the glimmer-glint of the Light of Creation nestled in the Hunger's grasp. You're going to get that back, and if you can't save everyone you've ever loved, at least you can fight for the world they died for. You start running, and you cast a spell straight into the center of the Hunger. It screams and shoots inky black at you, and you [[die.|grabfakelight]]

Your breath comes out in ragged gasps. You're not a warrior, you're a glass cannon, your stamina is shit, when you glance back the Hunger is coming faster and you can see nestled in its bulk, the shining glimmer-glass Light of Creation. You want to stop. You want your sister. You don't want to be here. You want to be safely in the Starblaster in your lab talking magic theory with Barry, you want your kitchen and late nights with your family, laughing about nothing and you are never going to get any of this back. Your feet hurt. Maybe you stop. Maybe you let the fear wrap its hands around your heart and squeeze. Maybe you stop, maybe the wet thump of your blood needs to end, maybe you let yourself be subsumed. >[[You can't let their memories down.|facefears3]] >[[There are worse ways to die.|givein3]]

You stop. You are so scared. You hold that fear within you. You turn. You watch the Hunger roll forward, the dark cloud tumbling forward. And you [[let go.|death]]

Abruptly, you stop. Fuck being a coward. You're Taako, you're one-seventh of the best damn team in the multiverse, you're a master transmuter and if you go down, you're going to go down fighting. It's what Lup would want from you. You turn around. You swear you can hear Johnny Vore laughing, his columns of black swirling forward and ripping deep furrows in the earth. You draw your wand, charging the strongest spell you know. None of this matters, in the end, you think, but you're not scared anymore. You can see the glimmer-glint of the Light of Creation nestled in the Hunger's grasp. You're going to get that back, and if you can't save everyone you've ever loved, at least you can fight for the world they died for. You start running, and you cast a spell straight into the center of the Hunger. It screams and shoots inky black at you, and you [[die.|grabfakelight]]

You open your eyes. You're lying in the dark space that you were standing in before the Eater of Dreams sent you into the simulation. You feel like you've been hit my a truck. You turn your head. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Lup is lying next to you, twitching. You try to touch her but a voice stops you.](else:)[Magnus is lying next to you, and you can see that he's crying in his sleep. You crane your head further. Lup is next to him, twitching. You try to touch him but a voice stops you.] "I WOULDN'T DO THAT, LITTLE MAGE—" "—WOULDN'T WANT TO GET TRAPPED IN ANOTHER NIGHTMARE." You scramble up, sitting crosslegged. The mouths hover in front of you. YOu are, suddenly, dead-angry. "I beat your stupid game," you say. "Now hand over the goods." "LOOK BEHIND YOU, HERO—" "—YOUR REWARD, AS ASKED FOR—" "—AND AS NOT ASKED FOR." You whip your head back, hard enough to toss your hair. The Eater of Dreams has kept their word indeed, the Light of Creation glows behind you, framed by a silvery doorway that had not been there before. "So we're good, then, we good to go? Wanna wake (if: $magnusdead is 1)[my girl Lup up so we can scoot on out?](else:)[these dipshits up so we can scoot on out?] "THEY HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR TRIAL—" "—THEY CANNOT LEAVE UNTIL THEY PASS—" "—THEY WILL NOT LEAVE IF THEY FAIL." "TAKE YOUR PRIZE AND GO, TRICKSTER." You look aghast at (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Lup, prone on the floor.](else:)[Lup and Magnus, prone on the floor.] Wait. They said something about [[not touching them.|return 1.5]]

But you don't die. Instead, as soon as you hit the Hunger, you remember. This is a test. This is a trial that the Eater of Dreams is putting you through, a particularly fucked up simulacrum of your fears – and you don't wanna examine that too closely, really. Being afraid of everyone you love dying is a perfectly normal fear! And who isn't scared of Johnny Vore? The Starblaster is safe. Your family is safe. You've got your people. You pass through the Hunger like water. You laugh. This is kinda funny, now that you know that its all fake. All this destruction, none of it real. But the Light of Creation seems more... solid, than the rest of the world around you. Hm. Interesting. Well, it won't hurt if you just... You teleport over to its location and grab it. The second you touch the stone, [[the world fades out|return]].

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RETRIEVED THE HUNGER, RETURNING TO THE STARBLASTER AND SAVING THIS PLANE FROM ABJECT ANNHILATION BY THE HUNGER. YOU HAVE BEATEN "TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 69!" FOR BEING A SENSIBLE ASSHOLE, YOU HAVE EARNED A SPECIAL [[EPILOGUE|dickepilogue]]! TO PLAY AGAIN (AND SEE ALTERNATE ENDINGS + EPILOGUES), PRESS [[START|PLAY]] TO VIEW CREDITS, PRESS [[CREDITS|credits]] TO VIEW META, PRESS [[THE KONAMI CODE|meta]]

(if: $magnusdead is 1)[The world is dark. Not dark like night, not dark like space, not dark like your bedroom in the morning. Dark like void, dark like light has been systematically scrubbed out of existence, dark like light has picked apart thread by thread. You've got darkvision though, so you good. You look down. Viscera. You realize that if it were light, your boots would be stained red. You look up, and with the dim light, you realize that the entire field you are standing is coated liberally in the remnants of the battle, the shattered bone, the flayed flesh. It smells like barbecue. Lup is nowhere to be seen. But on the horizon — light. Looks like a flame. "Well, shit," you say quietly to yourself. Where there's light, there's fire. Where there's fire, there's Lup. ](else:)[The world is dark. Not dark like night, not dark like space, not dark like your bedroom in the morning. Dark like void, dark like light has been systematically scrubbed out of existence, dark like light has picked apart thread by thread. You've got darkvision though, so you good. But Magnus is human. You cast prestidigitation so he can see, and his face immediately contorts. He gestures at the ground. You look down. Viscera. You look up, and with the dim light, you realize that the entire field you are standing is coated liberally in the remnants of the battle, the shattered bone, the flayed flesh. It smells like barbecue. Lup is nowhere to be seen. "Hey, look," Magnus says quietly, and you glance up to where he's pointing. Light, on the horizon. Looks like a flame. "Well, shit." Where there's light, there's fire. Where there's fire, there's Lup. ] [[You approach the flickering horizon.|lupdream2]]

You sigh. You're a wizard, no one ever said you had high wis. You place your hand on Magnus's forehead and everything [[disappears.|magnusdream2]]

The world coalesces into a battlefield. You've been on a fair few of these in your day, you're acutely familiar with the iron tang of blood in the air, the clang of metal against metal, people screaming, the Hunger's laughing. This is all a dream, you remind yourself. Still, you have to surpress a shiver. Your first instinct, bred into you from a thousand spars, is to draw your wand. But then you pause. No one is touching you. The fighting moves around you like water. You need to [[find Magnus. |magnusdream3]]

You open your eyes. You're lying in the dark space that you were standing in before the Eater of Dreams sent you into the simulation, again. You sit up, shaking the vestiges of the dream. Next to you, Magnus is also holding his head, wiping his eyes. "Fuck," he says, not really to anyone in particular. "But we didn't get the Light?" you say out loud. "What gives?" "ONCE HE ACCEPTED THE UNTRUTH OF THE WORLD—" "—THE SPELL WAS BROKEN." The rules of this whole rigamarole are starting to get to you. Lup is still lying on the floor, twitching wilder. Third time's the charm, you think absently, even though that doesn't mean anything. You could just leave her, and take the Light, you think. No, you would never do that. That ship done sailed when you decided to grab Maggie. You could tell Magnus to take the Light and you could drop into Lup's dreamscape. That's maybe the smartest decision. >[[Tell Magnus to leave.|magnusgo]] >[[Ask Magnus to help.|magnusstay]]

(if: $magnusdead is 1)[You walk closer<iframe width="1" height="1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ykLuBUPybI?autoplay=1"> </iframe> You pretend the crunching under your feet isn't burnt flesh. You are growing increasingly concerned. Not scared, but worried. You pretend not to be horrified by the sound each step makes. When you're near enough, you see a sillouette. You break into a run, and her figure coalesces into Lup. She's standing, back to you, her red cloak tattered at the bottom. Straight-shouldered as always. And then you stop. Because in front of her is a world wreathed in fire. A battlefield ablaze. Above the fire, clear sky. You realize with a numb horror that you have been walking through the Hunger. But that doesn't matter. None of this is real. You need to get Lup and get out. "Hey!" you call. She turns. You step back. The space where Lup's eyes should be is filled with stardust void, a howling nothing where there should be her iris, pupil, same as your own. She smiles. More void. Sharp teeth. "Oh, hi babe, I thought I killed you," she says calmly. This can't be your sister. ](else:)[You walk closer<iframe width="1" height="1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ykLuBUPybI?autoplay=1"> </iframe> You pretend the crunching under your feet isn't burnt flesh. You are growing increasingly concerned. Not scared, but worried. You're glad Magnus is with you. This would be fucking horrifying to traverse alone. When you're near enough, you see a sillouette. You break into a run, and her figure coalesces into Lup. She's standing, back to you, her red cloak tattered at the bottom. Straight-shouldered as always. And then you stop. Because in front of her is a world wreathed in fire. A battlefield ablaze. Above the fire, clear sky. You realize with a numb horror that you and Magnus have been walking through the Hunger. But that doesn't matter. None of this is real. You need to get Lup and get out. "Hey!" you call. She turns. You step back. The space where Lup's eyes should be is filled with stardust void, a howling nothing where there should be her iris, pupil, same as your own. She smiles. More void. Sharp teeth. "Oh, hi babes, I thought I killed you," she says calmly. "Holy fuck," Magnus says. Now you're scared. You've seen the Hunger make constructs before. This can't be your sister. ] >[[Approach|approachlup]] >(if: $magnusdead is 1)[[[Attack|fightlup]]](else:)[[[Attack|fightlupmagnus]]]

(put: 1 into $sister)When you were kids, when you were seven and stupid and just learning magic, Lup learned how to cast fireball. Lup burned down camp. Before the fire got out of hand she smiled to see it eat up pieces of paper and wood. "It was so pretty," she whispered to you as she looked at the desolation afterward. She didn't touch evocation magic for another twenty years after that. Lup's the destructive one outta the two of you, and that's saying something. You know the way that Lup laughs as she fights, the gleam in her eye when she sets an enemy ablaze — the two of you are flip sides of wanting, you want everything to be yours and she loves to watch everything burn, she loves to break things down to their component parts. Carbon. Ash. It's something her and Barry have in common, you figure. Here's the other thing. She's the nice twin. She's the one who gives a shit, the one who refuses to abandon worlds even when you know they're fucked, and because she refuses you have to refuse as well. You know her down to her bones. The Hunger is the logical conclusion of unempathetic annhilation. Nightmares don't have to make sense. Lup is afraid of not caring. >[[ROLL PERSUASION|approachsuccess]]

{(display: "Enemyc")(display: "Logc")(display: "Youc")} <iframe width="1" height="1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ykLuBUPybI?autoplay=1"> </iframe>

This can't be your sister. But there's nobody else here. "H-hey, Lup," you say, keeping your hands carefully away from your wand. "Not lovin' the new look, gotta admit." (if: $magnusdead is 1)[She keeps staring at you.](else:)[She turns her head slightly, and you can tell that she's looking at you now, and not Magnus.] "Well that's not your problem, 'ko," she says, and her voice is conversational, light, devoid of any of the things that make Lup Lup. "Actually, none of my problems are your problems anymore." "Uh, your problems most deffo my problems," you say. "Wanna tell me what's going on?" She shrugs expansively. "We were wrong," she says, and refuses to elaborate. You frown. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[None of this makes any sense. There's no way Lup would— Wait.](else:)[Fear is irrational, Magnus said. This doesn't have to make sense. There's no way Lup would— wait.] You suddenly realize [[you know exactly what Lup's greatest fear is|yoursister2]], and you are no longer afraid. >(either: "[[ROLL PERSUASION|approachfail]]", "[[ROLL PERSUASION|approachsuccess]]")

{<div id="logc"> (if: $log is "you")[It is your turn.] (elseif: $log is "atk")[(if:$atk is "Sword")[You cast magic missile at $ename, dealing $atkdmg damage. You can't trust your hands. They're shaking.](elseif: $atk is "nothing")[You raise your wand. Your hand trembles. You can't hurt her.]] (elseif: $log is "enemy")[$ename laughs and raises her fist at you, throwing a $eatkname, the searing heat dealing $eatk damage. You raise your hands to shield yourself.]</div>}

<div id="youc">You: $hp/70 {(if: $turn is "you")[ (link: "Attack")[ (set: $ehp to it - 30) (set: $atk to "Sword") (set: $atkdmg to 30) (set: $turn to "enemy") (set: $log to "atk") (goto: "Combatc")] | (link: "Do nothing")[ (set: $ehp to it - 0) (set: $atk to "nothing") (set: $atkdmg to 30) (set: $turn to "enemy") (set: $log to "atk") (goto: "Combatc")] ] (elseif: $turn is "enemy")[ (link: "Continue")[ (set: $log to "enemy") (set: $turn to "you") (set: $hp to it - $eatk) (goto: "Combatc")] ] (if: $hp <1)[(goto: "Losec")] (if: $ehp <1)[(goto: "Winc")] </div>}

{<div id="enemy">$ename: $ehp/$mhp.</div>}

The bolt of blue light hits Lup square in the chest. Shit. You didn't mean to— She topples to the ground. You immediately dash over, there' no question of doing anything else, this is instinct more than it is choice. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[You kneel down next to her and slide an arm under her back to prop her up.](else:)[Magnus scrambles after you. You kneel down next to her and slide an arm under her back to prop her up.] Her cloak is rough against your skin. "Hey hey hey you don't get to tap out on me now," you babble. "Shit, fuck. Fuck!" You shake her shoulder gently. Her eyes are staring straight up at the sky, or they would be if you could distinguish her pupils from the void. "Oh," she says faintly. "Hi Taako." The black void is dissipating from her eyes slowly. You wonder, with a clinical dissociation, whether thats happening because she's dying or because she believes that you're real. A dribble of blood trails out of her mouth. She's breathing shallowly. She closes her eyes. You have no idea what to do. (if: $heals is 3)[...Wait. Hold up. You still have Merle's healing potion pods. You hurriedly dig around in your pack to find one, Lup still leaning against you. You press it against her lips and pray to all the gods that this is gonna work. She obediently opens her mouth for the medicine. "C'mon," you murmur, as she chews it. You don't know whether healing items will work in the dreamscape. A long, nervous moment passes. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[You watch Lup's face for any sign of life, two fingers held to her pulse.](else:)[You think Magnus might actually be holding his breath.] [[She opens her eyes.|lupconvo1]]](if: $heals is 1)[...Wait. Hold up. You still have Merle's healing potion pod. You hurriedly dig around in your pack to find the last one, Lup still leaning against you. You press it against her lips and pray to all the gods that this is gonna work. She obediently opens her mouth for the medicine. "C'mon," you murmur, as she chews it. You don't know whether healing items will work in the dreamscape. A long, nervous moment passes. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[You watch Lup's face for any sign of life, two fingers held to her pulse.](else:)[You think Magnus might actually be holding his breath.] [[She opens her eyes.|lupconvo1]]](else:)["Hey, you're going to be fine," you say softly. You wipe the blood on her face. She smiles. You've watched her die before. She's watched you die. It never gets easier. "Lying," she says. A sigh, and she's gone. [[The world slowly vanishes into white.|nolup]]]

You topple over. You can't stop coughing. It hurts. What hurts? Everything hurts, its a pain all over your body, it feels removed. Adrenaline, you think. You can't move. It hurts. The ground is warm. Why is it warm? Oh, right, fire. The sky above you is so clear. A shadow over you. It descends. Oh, its Lup. You want to reach out. You can't. But that's okay. Lup's here, so everything must be okay, right? She's coming closer now. She's sliding an arm under your back. She's saying something but you can't hear her. —Taako? Taako, stay with me, I'm sorry, I'm sor— Her eyes are clear. Why is it weird that her eyes are clear? She looks scared. You don't want to watch her be scared. You try to tell her that, but you can't stop coughing long enough to get the words out. She cradles you to her chest. She makes shushing noises. You're not a kid. You want to tell that you're fi— [[You die.|death]]

That's not your sister. That can't be your sister. She must be somewhere else in this fucking hellscape. You draw your wand. >(link: "ROLL INITIATIVE")[ (set: $ehp to 70) (set: $mhp to 70) (set: $ename to "Lup") (set: $turn to "you") (set: $hp to 70) (set: $eatk to 30) (set: $eatkname to "a blast of fire") (goto: "Combatc")]

"Oh thank fuck," you say. "Wow, cutting that one kinda close, aren't we." You laugh a little, relief giving way to hysteria. Lup reaches up to pat your face. You note with relief that her eyes are clear, and that's the best fucking thing you've seen all day. "Oh, you're real," she says. You stick your tongue out at her, and she smiles a little. Even better. You help her to her feet. "One-hundo-percent," you say, wiping blood off her face with the hem of your sleeve. "Listen. We're trapped in literally a nightmare hellscape, like a literal nightmare. You gotta like, accept that this isn't happening, or face your fears and shit to get us outta here." Lup bites her lip. "It feels real. I feel like I want this," she gestures vaguely at the wasteland around you. "I thought I killed you. I thought I wanted to kill you, babe." She pauses. "I'm real fucking scared," she says in a small voice. You kind of hate the Eater of Dreams for what they did to your sister. "Yeah, that's kinda how they get you," you say. "Listen. Whatever the dream's makin' you feel, none of that is real, capiche? You don't wanna hurt anyone, and you're never gonna be that guy that wants to hurt anyone. Listen to me. I'm always right. Okay? Okay." She looks skeptical. You try a different angle. "Hey. One of us has to have a moral center and it sure as shit isn't gonna be me," you joke. Except its true. She's always been the one with conviction. She laughs. Wipes her eyes. "Thanks, Taako." The world dissipates into [[white|room3]].

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RETRIEVED THE HUNGER, RETURNING TO THE STARBLASTER AND SAVING THIS PLANE FROM ABJECT ANNHILATION BY THE HUNGER. YOU HAVE BEATEN "TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 69!" FOR KILLING LUP, YOU HAVE EARNED A SPECIAL [[EPILOGUE|doucheepilogue]]! TO PLAY AGAIN (AND SEE ALTERNATE ENDINGS + EPILOGUES), PRESS [[START|PLAY]] TO VIEW CREDITS, PRESS [[CREDITS|credits]] TO VIEW META, PRESS [[THE KONAMI CODE|meta]]

(if: $magnusdead is 1)[You open your eyes. You're lying in the dark space again. You hate how familiar this sight is becoming. "IMPRESSIVELY DONE—" "—THOUGH RATHER UNORTHODOX." You massage a crick in your neck. You sneak a glance at Lup. She's wiping her eyes discreetly. The mouths hover around the three of you. You're pissed. "That was bullshit," you say. "What the fuck was that? What sort of ding-dong test was that? How's that supposed to prove bravery, or, or, or conviction, or whatever dumb ethics question you're trying to metaphorize, huh? What's the point of all of this? All you're proving is that yeah, when people are scared, they make bad choices! When they're sad, they make bad choices! When you take away everything they love, they make bad choices! Of course that's what happens, what the fuck are you expecting?" The mouths are unphased. "IT IS A TEST OF CHOICE—" "—IN FACE OF FEAR." "YOU DID WELL." "You can take your 'you did well' and shove it up your—" "Taako." Lup's voice cuts you off. You look back at her. She's holding the Light. "We're done here," Lup says decisively, no trace of her earlier tears. You nod. You look back one last time at the Eater of Dreams. "I hope you choke on your godsdamned condescension," you say, and the two of you [[walk out of the room.|room4]]](else:)[You open your eyes. You're lying in the dark space again. You hate how familiar this sight is becoming. "IMPRESSIVELY DONE—" "—THOUGH RATHER UNORTHODOX." You massage a crick in your neck. Magnus — who had clambered to his feet the second he woke up — offers you a hand. You take it. You sneak a glance at Lup. She's wiping her eyes discreetly. The mouths hover around the three of you. You're pissed. "That was bullshit," you say. "What the fuck was that? What sort of ding-dong test was that? How's that supposed to prove bravery, or, or, or conviction, or whatever dumb ethics question you're trying to metaphorize, huh? What's the point of all of this? All you're proving is that yeah, when people are scared, they make bad choices! When they're sad, they make bad choices! When you take away everything they love, they make bad choices! Of course that's what happens, what the fuck are you expecting?" The mouths are unphased. "IT IS A TEST OF CHOICE—" "—IN FACE OF FEAR." "YOU DID WELL." "You can take your 'you did well' and shove it up your—" "Magnus." Lup's voice cuts him off. You and Magnus look back at her. She's holding the Light. "We're done here," Lup says decisively, no trace of her earlier tears. You nod. You look back one last time at the Eater of Dreams. "I hope you choke on your godsdamned condescension," you say, and the three of you [[walk out of the room.|room4]]]

She doesn't attack you — thank the gods, you were legitimately worried about her going apeshit as soon as you touched her. She's warm. She runs hotter than you do. "Oh, you're real," she says quietly, incredulously, into your hair. "Taako, what the fuck is going on?" You let her go. The black is disspiating from her eyes. You're not sure why but you're not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Listen," you say. "We're trapped in literally a nightmare hellscape, like a literal nightmare. You gotta like, accept that this isn't happening, or face your fears and shit to get us outta here." Lup bites her lip. Her eyes are even clearer. Skepticism writ across her face. "It feels real. I feel like I want this," she gestures vaguely at the wasteland around you. "I thought I killed you. I want to kill you, babe. But I don't? I know I shouldn't." She pauses. "I'm real fucking scared," she says in a small voice. You kind of hate the Eater of Dreams for what they did to your sister. "Yeah, that's kinda how they get you," you say. "Listen. Whatever the dream's makin' you feel, none of that is real, capiche? You don't wanna hurt anyone, and you're never gonna be that guy that wants to hurt anyone. Listen to me. I'm always right. Okay? Okay." She still looks skeptical. You try a different angle. "Hey. One of us has to have a moral center and it sure as shit isn't gonna be me," you joke. Except its true. She's always been the one with conviction. She laughs. Takes a deep breath. Wipes her eyes. "Thanks, Taako." The world dissipates into [[white|room3]].

(if: $woman is 1)[Space unfolds. Outside, the forest is just like you remember. Extremely creepy. Your guide is waiting, sitting in the grass. She scrambles to her feet when she sees you walk out of the doorway. "YOU...SUCCEEDED. YOU ALL SUCCEEDED." The woman sounds shocked, though their face is perfectly impassive. "Toldja we could do it," (if: $magnusdead is 1)[you say](else:)[Magnus says.] "...CONGRATULATIONS," she says. She sounds bitter. You realize something. "You went to see them too, didn't you?" you say before you can stop yourself. The woman blinks. "You wanted something, and you went to see the Eater of Dreams." "YES. LONG AGO. I FAILED," she says dispassionately. "If we had fucked up, Would we be like," Lup gestures at the woman's silver complexion, "would we be like you?" "YES," the woman says. "What did...What did you ask for?" (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Magnus asks,](else:)[you ask, tentative.] The woman smiles. It's not a happy smile. "TO FALL OUT OF LOVE. TO TAKE AWAY THE MEMORIES OF A REGRETTED LOVER. I WAS YOUNG, I WAS A FOOL. YOU COULD SAY I GOT WHAT I WANTED." She points at the path. "TAKE YOUR REWARDS AND GO." You pause. "Wait, rewards [[plural?|leave2]]"](else:)[Space unfolds. Outside, the forest is just like you remember. Extremely creepy. Your guide is waiting, sitting in the grass. He scrambles to his feet when he sees you walk out of the doorway. Still pretty shrimpy, though. "YOU...SUCCEEDED. YOU ALL SUCCEEDED." The boy sounds shocked, though his face is perfectly impassive. "Toldja we could do it," (if: $magnusdead is 1)[you say](else:)[Magnus says.] "...CONGRATULATIONS," he says. He sounds bitter. You realize something. "You went to see them too, didn't you?" you say before you can stop yourself. The boy blinks. "You wanted something, and you went to see the Eater of Dreams." "YES. LONG AGO. I FAILED," he says dispassionately. "If we had fucked up, Would we be like," Lup gestures at the boy's silver complexion, "would we be like you?" "YES," the boy says. "What did...What did you ask for?" (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Magnus asks,](else:)[you ask, tentative.] The boy smiles. It's not a happy smile. "MY PARENTS WERE DYING." Well, the three of you are assholes. Hhe points at the path. "TAKE YOUR REWARDS AND GO." You pause. "Wait, rewards [[plural?|leave2]]"]

Lucretia is waiting for you at the glass-bubble edge of the forest. You quicken your pace at the sight of her. She raises a hand in greeting. "Hail, and well met!" you yell. She laughs. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[It quickly dies. "Where's Magnus?" You grimace. "Shit went bad inside," you say. She nods solemnly. You're all used to this sort of thing now. Still, it sucks. You're going to miss him, the rest of this year. "We got the Light, at least," Lup says. "His sacrifice was not in vain." Lucretia smiles at that, just a little. Humor as a coping mechanism. "Good job," she says. "Are the two of you alright?" "Us?" you scoff. "We're [[fine.|endokay]]" ](else:)[Magnus rushes ahead to grab her in a bear hug. She hugs back, probably relieved all three of you are in one piece. "Guess who crushed it? That's right, we did," Lup says, holding the Light out for inspection. "Easy-peasy," you say. Lucretia disentangles herself from Magnus's embrace and accepts the Light. "Good job, guys," she says. "Run into anything interesting in there?" You shake your head. [["Nah. Pretty boring."|endgood]]]

(if: $magnusdead is 1)[Wait. The Eater of Dreams said that if you touched her, you'd end up in another nightmare. That... Huh. "Say, if I touch her, that means I end up in their nightmare, right? What's that deal?" "YOU WILL BE OBSERVER, WATCHER—" "—SUBJECT TO THE SAME RULES AS THE REST OF THE DREAMSCAPE—" "—YOUR MEMORY INTACT." You nod. "Cool cool cool, so, I'm gonna do that." You reach for Lup. The mouths frown. "IF SHE DOES NOT SUCCEED—" "—YOU WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO THEIR FAILURE." "TREAD LIGHTLY—" "—THE BEST COURSE WOULD BE DEPARTURE—" "—YOUR COMPANIONS TO FAIL OR SUCCEED ON THEIR OWN MERIT." That makes you hesitate. If you fuck up in the nightmare, then that means both of you are outta commission. But if you head back now, that means you've got the Light, at least. Lup wouldn't appreciate you endangering the whole world for her sake.](else:)[Wait. The Eater of Dreams said that if you touched them, you'd end up in another nightmare. That... Huh. "Say, if I touch them, that means I end up in their nightmare, right? What's that deal?" "YOU WILL BE OBSERVER, WATCHER—" "—SUBJECT TO THE SAME RULES AS THE REST OF THE DREAMSCAPE—" "—YOUR MEMORY INTACT." You nod. "Cool cool cool, so, I'm gonna do that." You reach for Magnus. The mouths frown. "IF THEY DO NOT SUCCEED—" "—YOU WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO THEIR FAILURE." "TREAD LIGHTLY—" "—THE BEST COURSE WOULD BE DEPARTURE—" "—YOUR COMPANIONS TO FAIL OR SUCCEED ON THEIR OWN MERIT." That makes you hesitate. If you fuck up in the nightmare, then that means all three of you are outta commission. But if you head back now, that means you've got the Light, at least. They wouldn't appreciate you endangering the whole world for their sake.] "MAKE UP YOUR MIND, LITTLE MAGE—" "—YOU CANNOT STAY INDEFINITE." The Eater of Dreams sounds impatient. >[[Do the sensible thing|returnship]] >(if: $magnusdead is 1)[[[Do the dumb thing|lupdream]]](else:)[[[Do the dumb thing|magnusdream]]]

You look around the battlefield. It's mostly made up of normal townspeople, ordinary folk who are getting slaughtered. They're dreadfully outmatched. You've seen this before, all of you have. But most of the time you can't do anything — you see these scenes from the Starblaster's windows, right when you're flying away. You catch sight of Magnus — he's hunched over, maybe a hundred yards away from you, gripping a body. You realize that the large bulk behind him, the twisted metal contraption — that's the Starblaster, completely destroyed. His worst nightmare is just like yours, you realize. You run over to him, and as you get closer, you realize that he's surrounded by the dead. Your dead. There's Lucretia, Merle, Davenport, Barry, and Lup. For a second you wonder where your corpse is, and then you realize — He's holding your corpse. It looks fresh. He's crying. Your fake dead body is leaking blood all over him. Aw, gross. You lean over him. "Hey, quit it," you say, kicking him lightly. [["I'm not dead, dipshit."|magnusdream4]]

"What?" he says, and then looks up. "Wait, what?" He looks back down at the fake corpse, then back at you. He's got the best look of confusion on his face, and if you weren't in a hurry you'd mock him. You might mock him later once everything is over. "None of this is real," you say, holding out a hand. "Shit looks bad, but I promise everything's gonna be fine." "Taako, what's going on?" he asks, grabbing your hand and scrambling to his feet, letting your dead body drop to the ground. He engulfs you in bear hug, squeezing the air out of you. "You're real, right?" There's a desperation in his voice that makes you want to be kind. "We're in a, like some sorta fuckin' simulation, dreamscape, you know, that sorta deal," you say, patting him on the back in as soothing a manner as you can. "Everyone's fine. The Starblaster's fine, nobody's dead, and as soon as you grab the Light, we're outta here." "I don't remember," he says, and he sounds lost. You disentangle yourself from his embrace gently and look him straight in the eyes. "Do you trust me?" you ask, as sincerely as you're able to manage. He looks like he's going to start crying again. Just a second ago he thought all his friends were dead, and he only has your word to go on. "Yeah," he says, and everything [[fades to white.|return2]]

You tell Magnus to leave with the Light, outlining why that's the smartest plan of action, explaining what you're going to do, and reassuring him that you'll be out posthaste, thank-you-very-much, no problemo. He gives you a flat, unimpressed stare. He's known you for forty-two years. "Yeah, no," he says. "Thought you said you weren't the self-sacrificial type." "I'm not!" you say. "It's just fuckin' logical. Get your ass back to the ship, make sure the Light gets back, cha'boy's got this." He rolls his eyes. He grabs your hand, and before you can say anything, sticks his palm and yours on Lup's shoulder. [[The two of you rush in.|lupdream]]

You explain the mechanism behind this weird bullshit test, and how you got him out, and how you now need to get Lup out. You don't even have to ask for help. He just nods seriously and says "Ready when you are, Taako." He's a good friend. You would never tell him that, but you kind of hope he knows. You grab his hand, and place your [[palms on Lup's shoulder.|lupdream]]

That's not your sister. That can't be your sister. She must be somewhere else in this fucking hellscape. You draw your wand. "What are you doing?" Magnus exclaims, grabbing your arm. "That's Lup." "That can't be Lup!" you say, shaking him off. "Fear isn't rational, Taako," and you hate the way he's talking to you, like you're the one being crazy here. >(link: "Ignore him.")[ (set: $ehp to 70) (set: $mhp to 70) (set: $ename to "Lup") (set: $turn to "you") (set: $hp to 70) (set: $eatk to 30) (set: $eatkname to "a blast of fire") (goto: "Combatc")] >[[Pause, think.|yoursister]]

"I got this one, Maggie," you say softly. He nods at you. You turn back to Lup, and you're sure its her now, warped by the nightmare, tied by her own fear. Trust Lup to be difficult, you think wryly, as if you're not the high maintenance one between the two of you. "Iunno, Lup," you call to her, careful to show your palms, proof that you're not charging a spell. "Think you're the wrong one here. Wrong about offin' us, anyway. None of this is real." You step forward gingerly. Lup scowls, but there's something hesitant in her stance. Anger is just repressed fear, you remember someone telling you. You thought they were full of shit but now you're not sure. "I killed you," she says. "You're dead. You're not real." You remember the conviction you felt in your own nightmare. Like your thought processes were one step removed from reality, washed with a clear cold clarity that you couldn't tell was fake until you woke up. Lup always thinks she's right. "Yeah?" you say, and take another step forward. Bone crunches. "Why'm I standing here then? What the fuck are you even doing, Lulu?" You fill your voice with as much ridicule as you dare, as if your sister has not committed somnic genocide, as if she has not claimed fratricide. "Don't call me that," she snaps, but she's not attacking so you dare to take another step forward. She steps back, and her knuckles are white. You didn't think it would be so easy to throw her off balance. "Lup, do you really think you'd ever do this?" you ask, gesturing to the destruction around you. "You think you'd ever even try to hurt me?" "I don't give a shit about you." Her eyes aren't so dark anymore. "You're dead! I killed you," and its no longer a statement, its a question, it's desperation. "Lup, you are literally never going to be fucking rid of me," you say, and [[you put your arms around her before she can stop you.|approachlup2]]

"I got this one, Maggie," you say softly. He nods at you. But Lup interrupts you before you can say anything. She steps forward, and she's raising her hand. It's beginning to glow. "You're dead, I killed you," she says. "Uh, no you didn't," you say, and she looks extremely unimpressed. Shit. You've always been garbage at winning arguments against her. "You're dead," she snarls, and you can see the magic collecting in her palm and welp, you're fucked, there's nothing to do but— >(link: "ROLL INITIATIVE")[ (set: $ehp to 70) (set: $mhp to 70) (set: $ename to "Lup") (set: $turn to "you") (set: $hp to 70) (set: $eatk to 30) (set: $eatkname to "a blast of fire") (goto: "Combatc")]

CREDITS: Writing: Taako Story: Taako Code: Taako UI/UX: Taako Music: Kravitz Playtesting: Lup, Barry Bluejeans, Magnus Burnsides, Merle Highchurch, Angus McDonald, Ren, Carey Fangbattle [[ACTUAL CREDITS|actualcredits]]

Real credits: Actual content this fancontent is based on: The Adventure Zone, created by the McElroys Writing: anonymousAlchemist Story: anonymousAlchemist Code: anonymousAlchemist UI/UX: anonymousAlchemist Music: Griffin McElroy (i’m sorry i ganked your music i’ll put it back if you ask i just wanted some atmosphere i apologize. seriously if you're reading this and you don't want me to do this, im sorry.) playtesting/beta/support: emirose & marywhale <3 Disclaimer: No one is making any goddang money off of this and it is a labor of love and also obsession. McElroys if you’re reading this I Am So Sorry For Bastardizing Your Content and also I Love You Thanks. Contact the creator on twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/4non4lchemist">@4non4lchemist</a> or on tumblr at <a href="http://anonymousalchemist.tumblr.com/">anonymousalchemist</a> (You’ll have the best luck through tumblr, btw. Let me know what you thought!) This game is archived on <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/works/13861716/chapters/31887048">ao3</a> along with tips, tricks, and meta here, if you want to bookmark or leave a comment/kudos (please leave a comment or kudos, i beg you most ardently). THANK YOU FOR PLAYING. I LOVE YOU. [[PLAY|purchase]]

(if: $woman is 1)["YES, REWARDS," she says, as if telling something to a child. "But we only got the Light," (if: $magnusdead is 1)[you say.](else:)[Magnus says.] The woman shakes her head. "THERE WILL BE MORE. THERE IS ALWAYS MORE. THE EATER OF DREAMS GIVES YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR DESIRES MANIFEST." "Yeah, and we got it," you say, pointing at the Light. "PLEASE STOP BEING SO LITERAL," the woman says. "You wanna explain this to us, babe," Lup asks. The woman sighs. "COURAGE. UNNATURAL STRENGTH. LUCK WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT. YOUR FEARS ERASED. A SECOND CHANCE. A STROKE OF BRILLIANCE." She shrugs. "A TOUCH OF INSPIRATION WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST, I SUPPOSE." She stops for a moment, as if to let that digest. "SHE IS NOT UNKIND," the woman says. "SHE SIMPLY IS." A beat. "I hate dealing with goddesses," (if: $magnusdead is 1)[you say.](else:)[Magnus says.] "Yeah, let's get outta here," Lup agrees. You nod. This place is still giving you the heebie-jeebies. "Thanks, I think." The woman nods. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[You wave sarcastically as the two](else:)[Magnus waves as the three] of you [[leave|leave3]].](else:)["YES, REWARDS," he says, as if he's the grownup in this scenario. "But we only got the Light," (if: $magnusdead is 1)[you say.](else:)[Magnus says.] The boy shakes his head. "THERE WILL BE MORE. THERE IS ALWAYS MORE. THE EATER OF DREAMS GIVES YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR DESIRES MANIFEST." "Yeah, and we got it," you say, pointing at the Light. "PLEASE STOP BEING SO LITERAL," the boy says. "You wanna explain this to us, babe," Lup asks. The boy sighs. "COURAGE. UNNATURAL STRENGTH. LUCK WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT. YOUR FEARS ERASED. A SECOND CHANCE. A STROKE OF BRILLIANCE." He shrugs. "A TOUCH OF INSPIRATION WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST, I SUPPOSE." He stops for a moment, as if to let that digest. "SHE IS NOT UNKIND," the boy says. "SHE SIMPLY IS." A beat. "I hate dealing with goddesses," (if: $magnusdead is 1)[you say.](else:)[Magnus says.] "Yeah, let's get outta here," Lup agrees. You nod. This place is still giving you the heebie-jeebies. "Thanks, I think." The boy nods. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[You wave sarcastically as the two](else:)[Magnus waves as the three] of you [[leave|leave3]]]

The forest is just as unsettling going back as it is going in. The Light throws strange reflections on the silver foliage. The silence is even worse now that you know to expect it. Still, it's a quiet trip back. You don't much feel like talking. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Without any discussion, you and Lup hold hands as you walk. Its comforting. Nobody's around to see you two acting like kids.](else:)[Without any discussion, you and Lup hold hands as you walk. Its comforting. You hold Magnus's hand too. He's touchy-feely like that.] Sooner than you expect, you arrive back at [[the entrance|lucretiaagain]]

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RETRIEVED THE HUNGER, RETURNING TO THE STARBLASTER AND SAVING THIS PLANE FROM ABJECT ANNHILATION BY THE HUNGER. YOU HAVE BEATEN "TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 69" WITH A PERFECT SCORE, AND HAVE EARNED A SPECIAL [[EPILOGUE!|epilogue]] TO PLAY AGAIN (AND SEE ALTERNATE ENDINGS + EPILOGUES), PRESS [[START|PLAY]] TO VIEW CREDITS, PRESS [[CREDITS|credits]] TO VIEW META, PRESS [[THE KONAMI CODE|meta]]

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RETRIEVED THE HUNGER, RETURNING TO THE STARBLASTER AND SAVING THIS PLANE FROM ABJECT ANNHILATION BY THE HUNGER. YOU HAVE BEATEN "TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 69!" FOR RETURNING WITHOUT MAGNUS, YOU HAVE RECEIVED A SPECIAL [[EPILOGUE|magnusepilogue]] TO PLAY AGAIN (AND SEE ALTERNATE ENDINGS + EPILOGUES), PRESS [[START|PLAY]] TO VIEW CREDITS, PRESS [[CREDITS|credits]] TO VIEW META, PRESS [[THE KONAMI CODE|meta]]

Meta/guide archived on ao3 at: <a href="http://archiveofourown.org/works/13861716/chapters/31887159">ao3</a> [[PLAY AGAIN|purchase]]

You can't sleep. You had returned to the Starblaster with the Light in tow and it was like everyone had breathed a collective sigh of relief. There's always a difference in tension after you get the Light back, one you always forget about, year after year. Like a timer in your collective psyche has stopped counting down. Like you can breathe without worry. Sure, there's still research to do, information to chase after, pre-emptive plans to make, but there's no guillotine hovering over your heads — at least not for another year. When you had returned, Lup deposited the Light safely in your lab, and then it was time for a party. Everyone's alive, you got the Light back barely a month into the year, and that means celebration. Merle always says something about needing to remember the joy in life. You think he just likes the excuse to cut loose. You like the excuse to get your friends trashed because watching Barry do karaoake literally never gets old. He sounds like a country singer who's swallowed four packs of cigarettes. It's amazing. But now it's 3:42 in the morning — ship's time — and you're lying in your bunk and you can't shake the thought that when you turn your head you're going to see the Eater-of-Dreams and her pearly teeth. That you've never left the forest. Your room is very dark. You are studiously not thinking about what happened today. You're very good at not thinking about things. You think you're going to go make yourself a [[cup of tea.|tea]]

The first thing you do when the cycle restarts is apologize to Lup and Magnus, because although cha'boy doesn't do apologies, its been gnawing at you ever since you walked out of the forest. The Eater of Dreams has been featuring prominently in your nightmares. Lup and Magnus listen as the whole story comes spilling out of your mouth, your justifications, your explanations. "You were just being pragmatic," Lup says when you finally stop talking. She gives you a comforting squeeze of the shoulder. "It's not your fault, babe." Pragmatic. That's one word for what you are, you think wryly. You're glad they're back. [[PLAY AGAIN?|PLAY]] [[CREDITS|credits]] (put: 0+1+$secret into $secret)

Somehow you managed to get back to the ship. You end up sitting on the couch in the living room next to Barry. You wonder which of you is supposed to be watching the other. Everyone knows about his big dumb crush on her. You sigh. Lean your head back and stare at the ceiling. You should go to sleep. You think you'd just wake up dreaming of the last blue bolt from your wand hitting Lup's chest. It pisses you off, how much this sets you off balance. This is the third time Lup's died without you now, and you know she's going to be back, but that doesn't stop you from feeling like absolute dogshit. S'weird, having to be a person without her around. You don't like it. "She'll be back next cycle," Barry says, stating the obvious. "Yeah, no shit," you say. "Still my fault, though. Chalk this one up to Taako, chaboy's committed fratricide—is it still fratricide if it's your sister?" "Yeah. Or sororicide," he says, and of course Barold knows this. "It's not your fault, Taako." "Kinda is," you say. Whatever. It's not permanent. You killed Lup. She'll be back. You can't wait for her to yell at you about this. Just gotta [[wait it out.|lupreturn]]

You leave your bedroom. The hallways of the Starblaster are dark, but there's a soft glow coming from the cracks in the [[lab]] doorway. Someone must having a late night. Maybe you ought to check on them. There's light streaming from the [[kitchen]] too.

The world fades into darkness. You bolt to your feet. (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Your heart hammers in your chest.](else:)[You trip over Magnus.] You kneel next to Lup and press two fingers to her wrist. You slap her cheeks. "C'mon," you say, "no, don't. Don't." There is no pulse. She does not open her eyes. She does not laugh at you for being worried. She's gone. You should be used to this by now. You never are. The mouths of the Eater-of-Dreams spin around you. "ONE FAILURE OUT OF THREE—" "—WELL DONE, TRAVELERS." "Fuck you," you say, to her, to Lup's corpse, to this whole damned plane that you're tying to save. "Fuck you, and your fucking condescension and fuck your nightmares, and fuck your—" (if: $magnusdead is 1)[Your voice breaks. You take a deep breath.](else:)[Magnus puts a hand on your back. You still.] [[You don't remember leaving.|nolupreturn]]

You materialize on the deck of the Starblaster holding Lup's hand as per usual. You pull her into a hug without thinking, which turns into a group hug, which you would usually hate but right now you don't. You're absolutely not crying, nope. [[PLAY AGAIN?|PLAY]] [[CREDITS|credits]] (put: 0+1+$secret into $secret)

You open the lab door cautiously. This is a new habit of yours, adopted after the last time you flung the door open ended up with your desk being covered in green goo. It's still covered in green goo. Barry glances up from where he's hunched over at his desk. "Oh, hi Taako," he says. "Sup, Bluejeans," you say. "Whatcha doing up?" You look around the lab, wondering if there's something he's working on. Lup is asleep on the sofa. Nothing else is out of place. "Just reading." Barry says. He pats the chair next to him. You sit down. Lup snores. Barry looks over at her with a look of such gross fondness that you have to roll your eyes. "My guy, my dude, Barold," you say. "Please just ask her the fuck out already, I'm dying here. My crops are dying. I'm withering away. Do you know how agonizing it is, watching the two of you circling each other like the two dumbest fucks in existence? It's hell. I am in hell." "Don't talk to me about hell," Barry groans. "She likes you!" you say. "That's not the point." You give up. You have no idea what he's talking about. He's a grown-ass man and if he can't ask your sister out like an adult then, well, what the fuck can you do. Wingmanning only goes so far. "What are you up?" he asks, clearly trying to change the conversation topic. "Iunno. Bad dreams," you admit. He frowns sympathetically. "That's what Lup said, too." "Yeah, well we faced something that called itself the 'Eater-of-Dreams,' odds are that it wasn't gonna leave us with those good vibes." You shrug. "It'll wear off." "If you want to sleep here, there's room on the couch," he says. "Betting Lup won't mind." The fact that he doesn't make you ask is the reason why he's your favorite. "Maybe later," you say. "Gonna go make a cup of tea or something first. Want anything?" "I'm good," he says. "Thanks, though." (put: 0+1+$secret into $secret) You nod, and [[head out.|kitchen2]]

You walk into the kitchen. Magnus is sitting at the kitchen table, head pillowed on his arms. He looks up at you. He looks tired. "Can't sleep either?" he asks. You scoff. "You think I need to sleep? I'm offended," you respond. You decide you're going to make hot chocolate instead of tea. You get out two mugs. "Sorry," he grins at you. "Is one of those for me?" "Obviously not," you say. "I'm just gonna drink both of these myself." "Thanks," he says. You pour milk, stir in chocolate shavings as you heat everything up with a cantrip. Magnus watches you with overt interest. You'd think that forty-two years witha ship full of wizards would make a guy bored of magic. You add a dash of vanilla, almond extract, a pinch of cinnamon. Stir that all together and pass the mug that says "" to Magnus, take the one that says "" for yourself. "Thanks!" he says again. He takes a long sip. "This is really good." "Of course it is, I made it," you say. You take a sip of yours. It is really good. The two of you sit there drinking quietly for a moment. "That was real fucked up out there," Magnus says. "Yeah, no shit." "Thanks for getting me out." "Of course, my dude," you say. The sweet chocolate is grounding. In the warm kitchen with a hot drink in your hand, the events of the day feel very far away. "Can't leave my main man behind." He snorts. You smile. "Hey, Taako?" "Yeah?" "What was your nightmare like? Er, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." You shrug. "Kinda like yours and Lup's. Everyone died. The Hunger was attacking. Same old shit." You don't tell him about the fear you felt with nowhere to run. "It's kind of weird how similar they all were, huh?" "Yeah," you say. "Guess that's what happens when you spend a zillion years together. Shit synthesizes, or something." He hums assent. His blinks are longer now. "Go back to bed, Mags," you say. There are three humans on this ship; you know that they get weird without sleep. "Alright," he says agreeably. He stands. "Don't stay up too late." "Too late," you say, and he laughs as he leaves. You sit there for a moment. You don't feel like sleeping. You put his cup in the sink. You decide to take yours with you to the [[lab|lab2]].

You walk into the kitchen. Magnus is sitting at the kitchen table, head pillowed on his arms. He looks up at you. He looks tired. "Can't sleep either?" he asks. You scoff. "You think I need to sleep? I'm offended," you respond. You decide you're going to make hot chocolate instead of tea. You get out two mugs. "Sorry," he grins at you. "Is one of those for me?" "Obviously not," you say. "I'm just gonna drink both of these myself." "Thanks," he says. You pour milk, stir in chocolate shavings as you heat everything up with a cantrip. Magnus watches you with overt interest. You'd think that forty-two years witha ship full of wizards would make a guy bored of magic. You add a dash of vanilla, almond extract, a pinch of cinnamon. Stir that all together and pass the mug that says "" to Magnus, take the one that says "" for yourself. "Thanks!" he says again. He takes a long sip. "This is really good." "Of course it is, I made it," you say. You take a sip of yours. It is really good. The two of you sit there drinking quietly for a moment. "That was real fucked up out there," Magnus says. "Yeah, no shit." "Thanks for getting me out." "Of course, my dude," you say. The sweet chocolate is grounding. In the warm kitchen with a hot drink in your hand, the events of the day feel very far away. "Can't leave my main man behind." He snorts. You smile. "Hey, Taako?" "Yeah?" "What was your nightmare like? Er, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." You shrug. "Kinda like yours and Lup's. Everyone died. The Hunger was attacking. Same old shit." You don't tell him about the fear you felt with nowhere to run. "It's kind of weird how similar they all were, huh?" "Yeah," you say. "Guess that's what happens when you spend a zillion years together. Shit synthesizes, or something." He hums assent. His blinks are longer now. "Go back to bed, Mags," you say. There are three humans on this ship; you know that they get weird without sleep. "Alright," he says agreeably. He stands. "Don't stay up too late." "Too late," you say, and he laughs as he leaves. You sit there for a moment. You don't feel like sleeping. You put his cup in the sink. Maybe you'll go take Barry up on his couch offer. [[PLAY AGAIN?|PLAY]] [[CREDITS|credits]] (put: 0+1+$secret into $secret)

You open the lab door cautiously. This is a new habit of yours, adopted after the last time you flung the door open ended up with your desk being covered in green goo. It's still covered in green goo. Barry glances up from where he's hunched over at his desk. "Oh, hi Taako," he says. "Sup, Bluejeans," you say. "Whatcha doing up?" You place your cup on the corner of his desk. You look around the lab, wondering if there's something he's working on. Lup is asleep on the sofa. Nothing else is out of place. "Just reading." Barry says, and picks up your drink and takes a sip. "Hey, this is great." "Yeah, and uh, it's mine," you say without any real heat. He takes another sip. He pats the chair next to him. You sit down. Lup snores. Barry looks over at her with a look of such gross fondness that you have to roll your eyes. "My guy, my dude, Barold," you say. "Please just ask her the fuck out already, I'm dying here. My crops are dying. I'm withering away. Do you know how agonizing it is, watching the two of you circling each other like the two dumbest fucks in existence? It's hell. I am in hell." "Don't talk to me about hell," Barry groans. "She likes you!" you say. "That's not the point." You give up. You have no idea what he's talking about. He's a grown-ass man and if he can't ask your sister out like an adult then, well, what the fuck can you do. Wingmanning only goes so far. "What are you up?" he asks, clearly trying to change the conversation topic. "Iunno. Bad dreams," you admit. He frowns sympathetically. "That's what Lup said, too." "Yeah, well we faced something that called itself the 'Eater-of-Dreams,' odds are that it wasn't gonna leave us with those good vibes." You shrug. "It'll wear off." "If you want to sleep here, there's room on the couch," he says. "Betting Lup won't mind." The fact that he doesn't make you ask is the reason why he's your favorite. "Maybe," you say. "Gonna finish this first. Hey, tell me about your nerd book." [[PLAY AGAIN?|PLAY]] [[CREDITS|credits]] (put: 0+1+$secret into $secret)

You don't really do funerals anymore, but whoever's left usually has a drink, a chance to reminisce. Magnus died. The crew drank. Now you and Merle are sitting at the kitchen table, doing shots of some alien liquor. "Shoulda given you those damn healing pod prototypes," Merle says. "Completely slipped my mind." "S'not your fault," you say to him. "Didn't happen to run into you this morning." "Ah, well," Merle sighs. "Guess we'll be seeing the big guy next cycle." [[PLAY AGAIN?|PLAY]] [[CREDITS|credits]] (put: 0+1+$secret into $secret)

"So you're making a video game about yourself?" Kravitz asks, sitting next to Taako as Taako types away on his fantasy laptop. "Well, bone daddy, what the fuck else would I make a video game about?" Taako asks, wrinkling his nose. He leans back against Kravitz. "The people want more Taako, and who am I to deny them?" He glances up at Kravitz. "Don't know how to tell you this, stud, but your boy's kind of a big deal." Kravitz smiles. Presses a kiss to Taako's cheek, which Taako graciously accepts as his due. He arrange's Kravitz's arms around his waist. "So what's the game about?" Kravitz asks, watching Taako type. He shrugs. "Some weird shit that happened way back when," Taako says. "Me an' Lup an' Maggie got caught in a demiplane while searching for the Light. Hey — you ever hear of sometihng called the Eater of Dreams?" "Did Fisher broadcast it?" "Nah," Taako says, shaking his head. "Never told Luce what went down. Thought you might know, though, cause you're hooked up to RQ and all." "I've never heard of it. What is it?" "You know? We never did figure that out. Mighta been a god, it called itself the 'physical manifiestation of a natural phenomenon' or somethin' like that. Could have just been some sorta honeytrap — my theory was always that it was some sorta lich-derivative specialized to that plane. Pretty fucked, either way." Kravitz blinks. It still surprises him when Taako drops into academic speech. "What did it do?" "Oh, it was real horror movie stuff, my dude. Made us relive our worst nightmares to get the Light." Kravitz frowns, not that Taako can see him. "Are you sure you're alright publishing this, love?" Taako looks up at Kravitz. He smiles. He flicks Kravitz's nose. "Well, it's a good story. They don't haveta know it's true." THIS IS IT! GAME OVER FOR REAL! THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT! [[PLAY|purchase]]