The Heart of Yggdrasil

{ (set: $SetCurrentDate to (macro: [ (set: $lastTrialDate to (current-date:)) ])) (set: $TryToPlayDay to (macro: [ (if: (current-date:) is $lastTrialDate)[(go-to: "Wait for Next Day")] ])) (set: $kidName to "Khai") (set: $treeName to "Yggdrasil") (set: $safety to 50) } <==> Somewhere out there, in a land by now forgotten, there is a little village hidden in the mountains, surrounded by forest. It feels absolutely unreachable, isolated, old... And that's exactly where you live. =><= <pre> _ /#`\ /###\ /\ / ###\ /##\ /\ / #\ /####\/##\ / / / # / ##\ _ /\ // // /\ / _/ / #\ _ /#\ _/##\ /\ // / / \ / / #\ \ _/###\_ / ##\__/ _\ / \ / .. \ / / _ { \ \ _/ / // / \\ /\ / /\ ... \_/ / / \ } \ | / /\ \ / _ / / \ /\ _ / \ /// / .\ ..%:. /... /\ . \ {: \\ /. \ / \ / ___ / \ /.\ .\.\// \/... \.::::..... _/..\ ..\:|:. . / .. \\ /.. \ /...\ / \ \ /...\.../..:.\. ..:::::::..:..... . ...\{:... / %... \\/..%. \ /./:..\__ \ .:..\:..:::....:::;;;;;;::::::::.:::::.\}.....::%.:. \ .:::. \/.%:::.:..\ ::::...:::;;:::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:::::;;::{:::::::;;;:.. .:;:... ::;;::::.. ;;;;:::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;];;;;;;;;;;::::::;;;;:.::;;;;;;;;:.. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;ii;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;[;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;iiiiiiii;;;;;;;;;;;;;;`};;ii;;iiii;;;;i;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;ii;;; iiii;;;iiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiIiiiiii{iiIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;;;;;iiiilliiiii IIIiiIIllllllIIlllIIIIlllIIIlIiiIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIllIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiillIIIllII IIIiiilIIIIIIIllTIIIIllIIlIlIIITTTTlIlIlIIIlIITTTTTTTIIIIlIIllIlIlllIIIIIIITT IIIIilIIIIITTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIITTTT IIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT </pre> <==> It can get pretty lonely, living in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Most people have either gone away or are just gone. Not many opportunities to socialize and have conversations out here. There's plenty of trees though, maybe you should start talking to them just to have some company, who knows. You don't have much to look forward to at this point, but you can't really complain. Life is pretty comfortable when you have food, a home and fresh air. The best feeling is really the slight breeze and smells as you walk into the edge of the forest. [[Well, we could do that now.->First Interactions]]

<==> Walking through the woods is always very calming and quiet. It is also interesting. Despite the quiet human life around, the forest is beaming with little other creatures, all going about their busy life no matter what life in the village looks like. Today, the walk feels different somehow. There's something calling for you further into the forest than you would normally venture into. Feels like your feet are turning into that direction on their own almost, like you just lost control. It feels strange and maybe dangerous, but it also feels right, like you're going the right way. (click:?page)[== As you walk, you can gradually start hearing something different, a sound that feels kind of separate from the usual forest life. It almost sounds... human. You decide to proceed with caution and check out the source. (click:?page)[== There's a clearing up ahead where the sun shines through. As your eyes adjust to the sunlight, you finally see the source of the sound: there's a little boy, playing alone around a single tree that stands in the center of the clearing. It's strange for a kid to even be around the village, and especially so far into the forest. Maybe you should approach him: |D1>["Hello. What's your name?"] |D2>["Hi. Are you out here alone?"] { |A1)[ "Name's $kidName. Who are you?"] |D3)[ "A friend. Just wanted to see if you were ok, out here alone."] |A3)[ "I'm good, just playing with my friend $treeName around here."] |D4)[ "Just passing by. Are you here alone?"] |A2)[ "No. I'm with my friend $treeName. We're just playing."] |D5)[ "$treeName? Who's that? I don't see anyone."] |A4)[ "A friend of mine. He's right next to you."] |D6)[ "Oh, you have a friend around?"] |A5)[ "Yeah, $treeName. Right beside you."] |D7)[ "I... don't see anyone."] |A6)[ "He's my special tree friend. You probably don't see speaking trees a lot, do you?" "No... Not really. Thanks for introducing me then. I guess I'll see you around, have fun with your friend!" [[Well, that went well.->Call to Action]] ] (click:?D1)[ (hide:?D2) (show:?A1) (show:?D3) (show:?D4) ] (click:?D3)[ (hide:?D4) (show:?A3) (show:?D5) (show:?D6) ] (click:?D4)[ (hide:?D3) (show:?A2) (show:?D5) (show:?D6) ] (click:?D2)[ (hide:?D1) (show:?A2) (show:?D5) (show:?D6) ] (click:?D5)[ (hide:?D6) (show:?A4) (show:?D7) ] (click:?D6)[ (hide:?D5) (show:?A5) (show:?D7) ] (click:?D7)[ (show:?A6) ] }

<==> As you wake up the next day, you can't really stop wondering what the little boy meant with his story. You do have some time today, maybe you should go by the forest again and take a look at the supposed tree friend. You head to the clearing where you met the boy the day before. Carefully, you check that he's not there at the moment. Seems like it's all clear. (click:?page)[== Getting closer to the tree, you start feeling like something is different here. You don't know what it is, but there's something to this place for sure. You try and convince yourself that it's nothing, you're probably making up things just because a kid told you he had an imaginary friend that happens to be a random tree. Something tells you that you should touch the |tree>[tree]. No idea why. (click:?tree)[== Touching the tree has a very unexpected effect. You can sense what it's saying, what it's going through, almost as if the tree could think and you could read its thoughts. It feels dreadful though, something is definitely wrong. You take a step back and look better around $treeName. A patch of rotten trunk and a small rotten branch show you what is really happening. This tree is dying. You feel terribly sorry for the kid. Is there anything you can do to save it? You try touching the |tree2>[tree] again, see if you can sense a solution, come up with something, there has to be a way.(click:?tree2)[== $treeName now just feels like it's crying, and sorrow fills your thoughts as you understand it: there's no cure, this tree is going to wither out, sooner rather than later. (click:?page)[==(click:?page)[== The next thing you feel coming from the tree is a plea. Not for its own life, but for the little boy. He doesn't know. He has no idea his friend is about to die. You understand the tree's intentions. The boy can't know. He's too young to deal with it. You have to take him away, find something that will get him far away from here. If he stays, he's going to end up visiting his friend one day to find a dead tree. [[What could you possibly say to him?->Refusal]]

<==> What can you possibly say to a child to get him away from his home? It doesn't seem fair no matter what you think of. The only way would probably be to come up with something that could potencially threathen his life, something he would need to be saved from. (click:?page)[== One idea comes to mind: a fire. You live in a forest on top of a mountain anyway. That seems reasonable... and dangerous. Maybe if you tell him that a fire is coming and you both need to escape before it's too late, he'll be forced to go with you. You don't really feel confident with lying like that, but it seems like the best thing to do. After a few days of pondering over the plan, you go back to the tree. (click:?page)[== $treeName is waiting for you, wondering if you have come up with an idea. You get closer to the dying tree, and sit down under it. Hoping the boy doesn't show up before you finish, you start explaining to the tree what the plan is. As you finish, you once again touch the tree trunk and try to feel what the tree thinks about your plan. It seems you're in agreement about it. Well, better wait for the boy then. (click:?page)[== The child shows up after an hour or two. He seems surprised to see you there next to his friend. Now, to finally approach him. Wait, what was his name again? The tree can apparently read your thoughts, as you start getting a very strong feeling coming from it that leaves a name in your thoughts: $kidName. His name is $kidName. |D8>["Hi... $kidName. Come to see your friend again?"] { |A7)[ "Yeah, as usual. Are you making friends with $treeName too?"] |D9)[ "That and... We've got some news to tell you."] |A8)[ "What do you mean?"] |D11)[ "There's a lot of danger coming this way. We both need to leave. Will you come with me?"] |D12)[ "I don't really know how to say this, but... You're not safe here anymore. We have to move, leave the village."] |A9)[ "What... What are talking about?"] |A10)[ "Are you telling me to leave? Why would I even do that?"] |D10)[ "It's better if $treeName tells you, I think."] |D13)[ "The boy turns towards the tree and touches it. It seems like they're communicating in some way. After a while, $kidName turns back to you." "$treeName says there's a fire coming, that it's going to get to me if I don't go away. But I don't want to go. I don't want to leave him alone here." "If you don't go, you won't be safe from the fire. You should do what $treeName says, I think." "Why should I care what you say? You don't know me, or $treeName. I know he's telling me to go, but I also know he's just trying to protect me. I don't need that. I can take care of myself." And with that, $kidName storms off and runs out of the clearing into the forest. You feel the tree requesting you to go home and give the boy some time, he'll come around eventually. [[Well, you definitely hope so.->Resignation]] ] (click:?D8)[ (show:?A7) (show:?D9) ] (click:?D9)[ (show:?A8) (show:?D10) (show:?D11) (show:?D12) ] (click:?D10)[ (hide:?D11) (hide:?D12) (show:?D13) ] (click:?D11)[ (hide:?D10) (hide:?D12) (show:?A9) (show:?D10) ] (click:?D12)[ (hide:?D10) (hide:?D11) (show:?A10) (show:?D10) ] }

<==> You decide to wait it out for a few days. Give the kid some time to think, maybe go back and talk to his friend again, come to terms with things. He's still a child, after all, no matter what special tree talking abilities he has. You start wondering why you got into this whole situation anyway. Why should you care about a random kid and tree you met in a forest? (click:?page)[== It doesn't matter why, but you care. You care about a tree that seems to be magical and special and very much alive. You care about a lonely boy, too young and attached to his friend to handle the loss that is coming. A week later, you can't keep yourself away anymore and head back to the forest. $kidName is sitting under the tree, looking very sad. You approach them carefully, hoping the kid isn't mad at you anymore and will talk to you this time. (click:?page)[== |D14>["Hey... How are you doing today?"] { |A11)[ "I'm fine."] |D15)[ "Are you sure? We can talk if you want."] |A12)[ "Nah, I'm good. I thought about what you and $treeName said. We've talked a bit more. I think I understand."] |D16)[ "Did you have time to think about coming with me?"] |A13)[ "A little. $treeName told me more about it. I think I understand."] |D17)[ "You should know... I don't mean to separate you from your friend. I was just thinking about your safety." "I know, I understand I have to go. But I still don't want to, you know? It's hard for me to leave my home and $treeName." "I get that, you have every right to feel like that. I just hope everyone is going to be okay." "We will be. It's going to make me really sad, but if it's going to keep us all safe, I will go with you." You spend the rest of the day sitting under the tree, bonding a little with $kidName. You also slowly realize that just getting involved in all this implies you are leaving your life too, just to protect this child. It's a huge responsibility. [[You can do this, right?->Trust]] ] (click:?D14)[ (show:?A11) (show:?D15) (show:?D16) ] (click:?D15)[ (hide:?D16) (show:?A12) (show:?D17) ] (click:?D16)[ (hide:?D15) (show:?A13) (show:?D17) ] }

<==> It's about time you all get ready for what's coming. You're both going away, leaving home, and embarking on a journey with no clear end. Now that $kidName has finally decided to go with you, there's still one question remaining: where do you go? Out in the mountains, there are not that many exits or paths to follow, or roads you can take out of the village. (click:?page)[== As you ponder about all this, you start getting the now known feeling of $treeName communicating with you. It's trying to tell you where to go, you think. The tree fills your mind with pictures, all depicting other trees, very similar to it. But what does that vision even mean? (click:?page)[== "What do you mean $treeName? Anything else you can show me?" "Let me try. Talk to me, $treeName. Any idea where we should go?" $kidName and the tree take a minute to talk silently together. You still have no idea how this child can actually have a conversation with $treeName when the only thing you can do is sense abstract feelings and thoughts. Curious really. "$treeName says we should follow his kin. I don't know exactly what that means, but he says we'll find out soon enough." "Well, I don't know what it means either. I guess we'll go somewhere nice, where we can live safe and together." (click:?page)[== A few moments later, $treeName compels you to look at it, like it has something to say still. $kidName holds up his hands for a second, and a little seed falls off from the tree. He seems to pause to talk to $treeName for a minute before he slowly starts getting teary-eyed and sad. (click:?page)[== "$treeName told me to keep this, to remember him by. He says it'll help me find where I belong. I think he wants me to find new tree friends wherever I'm going, he doesn't want me to be alone. I'll keep this close to me, I promise." "That's very sweet of $treeName. I'm sure you'll find lots of new friends, $kidName. You'll be okay, we will all be okay and safe." "He also said he'd help us go forward now. I also don't know what that means, but he wants us both to touch him together." "How is $treeName going to help us? I guess we'll find out." [[You and $kidName touch the tree again.->Trip Start]]

{(set: $lastTrialDate to (current-date:))} <==> You start to hear rumbling in the distance, wondering what that could be. Some movement at the edge of the clearing catches your attention. Intrigued, you look around and notice the grass has started moving frantically. It's shaking at the mercy of the wind that has begun to rise up from the perimeter like a rogue animal, converging at the top of $treeName. (click: ?page)[== The wind has become so wild that it's picking up bits of grass from the ground, carrying them all away and splashing them right above $treeName. The impact of the wind on the ground below you takes you by surprise, making you stumble a bit. (click: ?page)[== You focus your attention on the tree again, which is condensing its trunk downwards, making it look much smaller in size. The wind changes its behavior in a flash, rotating around itself in the form of a small horizontal vortex. You feel the heat created by this beautiful phenomenon by the side of your body that's facing the vortex, but don't seem to mind it. The tip of the vortex starts moving towards $treeName. A whirlwind-shaped fracture is carved in the middle of its trunk, exposing a tiny hole, like a keyhole of sorts. An incredible bright but very thin ray of light emerges from inside it, shining towards the clouds. As the vortex moves in on it, the keyhole grows in size, letting more light pass through. (click: ?page)[== And then, you see it. [[Wow!->Trip Start - 2]]

{ (save-game: "Slot A", "T3 Start") (set: $checkedOnKidFirst to false) } <==> You've arrived somewhere. {|CheckOnSomething-1>[(link: "Gaze at the horizon")[ You look towards the horizon, and are [[marveled at what you see->T3: City]]... (hide: ?CheckOnSomething-2) (set: $safety to it - 5) ]]} {|CheckOnSomething-2>[(link: "Check on the kid")[ (hide: ?CheckOnSomething-1) (set: $safety to it + 5) (set: $checkedOnKidFirst to true) "$kidName, are you okay?" "Yes, I think so." "Good, I'm glad to hear so!" You were expecting the trip through the portal to be a bit bumpy, but it was surprisingly, well, normal. The kid lets out a big "woahhh" while looking to the distance. [[You proceed to do the same.->T3: City]] ]]}

{ (save-game: "Slot A", "T3 Start") ($TryToPlayDay:) } <==> You've arrived at a new place. It's a big, wide open space, with a huge lake by your side, extending far beyond until reaching some mountains. You're on top of a plateau. The sun looks so beautiful that you can only assume it's exactly twilight hour, so everything looks orange and melancolic. "Maybe I'll go for a quick swim. Can I?", $kidName asks enthusiastically. (click:?page)[== "Not sure if you should do that, it's going to be dark soon. We should at least find some shelter first." (click:?page)[== "Right, find shelter. Now that I think about it, it's a bit cold out here." (click:?page)[== You've also noticed that. Although there's no way you could guess what the current temperature is, it's possible to feel in your bones that it's definitly way colder than back at the village, even during night time! The little kid senses the next tree, and looks towards it. Its placed on a different plateau, with a big gap between the one you're currently standing on. You would need to find a way across. "Hey look, there's a small tent over there, by the margins of the lake! Maybe we could use it if it's unoccupied". [[Check the tent.]] [[Go around the lake and search for different shelter.->Around the Lake]]

<==> After visiting many more worlds and living through many different adventures, the little boy got to know you even better. That's not to say that's a good thing though, $kidName started to be afraid of you and didn't enjoy talking to you, so you didn't talk with him too. You just tried to complete the task of helping him find a new place, a new home. (click:?page)[== You finally reach a planet full of greenery, full of other trees, very similar to $treeName. $kidName is hypnotised by a particular spot near a hill, very similar to where good ol' $treeName was back in the village. He starts moving towards it, no, running towards it, running so fast that even you have to put up some speed to be able to catch up. (click:?page)[== It's here, he knows it. (click:?page)[== It's here, you know it. (click:?page)[== He starts digging a small hole on the ground. (click:?page)[== His hand reaches for the tiny seed inside his pocket, a seed he's been eager to plant. He places it inside the hole, with the most care in the world. (click:?page)[== He smiles, he's about to reencounter his long time friend. (click:?page)[== "I couldn't be happier... I'm finally going to speak with my friend again." (click:?page)[== The kid seems to be happy. You think to yourself it's better to leave him with someone that can take better care of him, so you take your leave quietly. He may have lost a friend back at the village, but a new one is soon rising. (click:?page)[== (click:?page)[ (go-to: "End")

<==> After visiting many more worlds and living through many different adventures, the little boy got to know you even better. You became good friends, just not great ones. (click:?page)[== You finally reach a planet full of greenery, full of other trees, very similar to $treeName. $kidName is hypnotised by a particular spot near a hill, very similar to where good ol' $treeName was back in the village. He starts moving towards it, no, running towards it, running so fast that even you have to put up some speed to be able to catch up. (click:?page)[== It's here, he knows it. (click:?page)[== It's here, you know it. (click:?page)[== He starts digging a small hole on the ground, you join him on the task. (click:?page)[== His hand reaches for the tiny seed inside his pocket, a seed he's been eager to plant. He places it inside the hole, with the most care in the world. (click:?page)[== He smiles, he's about to reencounter his long time friend. (click:?page)[== "I couldn't be happier... I'm finally going to speak with my friend again. Thank you for helping me find this place." (click:?page)[== The suns starts to rise on the horizon, ready for a life anew. (click:?page)[== (click:?page)[ (go-to: "End")

<==> After visiting many more worlds and living through many different adventures, the little boy got to know you even better. You're not sure what you became to one another... Friends? You wouldn't say so, it's more as if the kid relies on you and you like to help him. (click:?page)[== You finally reach a planet full of greenery, full of other trees, very similar to $treeName. $kidName is hypnotised by a particular spot near a hill, very similar to where good ol' $treeName was back in the village. He starts moving towards it, no, running towards it, running so fast that even you have to put up some speed to be able to catch up. (click:?page)[== It's here, he knows it. (click:?page)[== It's here, you know it. (click:?page)[== He starts digging a small hole on the ground. (click:?page)[== His hand reaches for the tiny seed inside his pocket, a seed he's been eager to plant. He places it inside the hole, with the most care in the world. (click:?page)[== He smiles, he's about to reencounter his long time friend. (click:?page)[== "I couldn't be happier... I'm finally going to speak with my friend again. Thank you for helping me find this place." (click:?page)[== The suns starts to rise on the horizon, ready for a life anew. (click:?page)[== (click:?page)[ (go-to: "End")

<==> After visiting many more worlds and living through many different adventures, the little boy got to know you even better. You both became very close to each other. He knows he can count on you for anything, and that makes him very happy. (click:?page)[== You finally reach a planet full of greenery, full of other trees, very similar to $treeName. $kidName is hypnotised by a particular spot near a hill, very similar to where good ol' $treeName was back in the village. He starts moving towards it, no, running towards it, running so fast that even you have to put up some speed to be able to catch up. (click:?page)[== It's here, he knows it. (click:?page)[== It's here, you know it. (click:?page)[== He starts digging a small hole on the ground, you join him on the task. (click:?page)[== His hand reaches for the tiny seed inside his pocket, a seed he's been eager to plant. He places it inside the hole, with the most care in the world. (click:?page)[== He smiles, he's about to reencounter his long time friend. (click:?page)[== "I couldn't be happier... I'm finally going to speak with my friend again. And now, I have not only found my friend, but made another great one." (click:?page)[== The suns starts to rise on the horizon, ready for a life anew. (click:?page)[== (click:?page)[ (go-to: "End")

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-color: green)[#The Heart of Yggdrasil]] =><= <pre> @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@%@@(@ @ @@ @@* &@@@@% @@@@@, @@@ @@@ @ &@@@@@ @(@@@@/.@@@@ @@@@ @@ @**@@@ @@@ *@@@@ %@ @@@@@ @@@@ @ @ @@ @@ @@ @@@@@@ @@ @@@ ,@@ @@@@ %@@@@@@ @@ @@ @@@@@@@ / @ @@@@ @@@@&@ @@@ @@@@, @@@(@ @ @@ @@@@@@@( @@@@@@@ .@#@@ @@% &@@@@ @@@@ @@ @@#@@@@ @@%@@ @@( @@@@@@@ #@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@,@@@ .%%(@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@ @ % @ @@@ &@@@ *@@@@@& @@@@@ @ @@@ @. .@@@@% .@@ @ /@@ @@@@@@( @ (@@ @@@@@@@@@ *@* @@@@@(@@@@@@@@ @@ @@@ @ @@@@@@@ @@@@@@ /@@ @@@ @@@@@@ ,@@%@@@ &@@@ .@@@@@ @@@% @@@@ @@@@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@@@@ @@@( @@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ %@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@# </pre> <== [[New Game->Intro]] (link: "Load game")[(load-game:"Slot A")] ==> By Deva Tellers @ziraeliss @evenilink

$kidName and you are currently travelling through the Portal. They'll arrive ''tomorrow''... Start the game again tomorrow and select "Load Game" from the Intro Page!

=><= <pre> | \ \ | |/ / | |\ `' ' / | ;' \ / , | ; _, | / / , | | ( `-.;_,-' '-' , | `, `-._ _,-'_ |,-`. `.) ,<_,-'_, ,' `. / ,' `;-' _, ; `./ /`, \-' | / | ;\ |`\ | ;_,._|_, `, ' `\ | \ \ ` `, ` __ ` \ ;, \ ,' ` \, ;, \_( ;, ;; | \ `;, ;; | |`. `;;, ;' | | `-. ;;;;,;' | | |`-.._ ,;;;;;' | | | | ``';;;' </pre> <==> The ''Heart of $treeName''. It looks so human-like, apart from its intense green color. The vortex finally touches the heart, giving birth to a blue spiral just on the edge of it, starting out very small but growing in size as the spiral effect continues to form. (click: ?page)[== It looks like a Portal. =><= <pre> .,-:;//;:=, . :H@@@MM@M#H/.,+%;, ,/X+ +M@@M@MM%=,-%HMMM@X/, -+@MM; $M@@MH+-,;XMMMM@MMMM@+- ;@M@@M- XM@X;. -+XXXXXHHH@M@M#@/. ,%MM@@MH ,@%= .---=-=:=,. -@#@@@MX ., -%HX$$%%%+; =-./@M@M$ .;@MMMM@MM: X@/ -$MM/ .+MM@@@M$ ,@M@H: :@: . -X#@@@@- ,@@@MMX, . /H- ;@M@M= .H@@@@M@+, %MM+..%#$. /MMMM@MMH/. XM@MH; -; /%+%$XHH@$= , .H@@@@MX, .=--------. -%H.,@@@@@MX, .%MM@@@HHHXX$$$%+- .:$MMX -M@@MM%. =XMMM@MM@MM#H;,-+HMM@M+ /MMMX= =%@M@M#@$-.=$@MM@@@M; %M%= ,:+$+-,/H#MMMMMMM@- -, =++%%%%+/:-. </pre> <==> (click: ?page)[== This is it. $treeName is actually magical and is giving you a way out. The tree shares it's thoughts with you and prompts you both to enter it. $kidName holds out his hand to touch the tree again, and they take a minute to say goodbye. The little boy doesn't know the truth, so no matter how sad it might seem for him, it must be way more painful for $treeName knowing what is coming next. It's a hard goodbye to watch. But it's time to let go. You hold the kid's hand, tell him everything's alright, and [[step through the portal.->T3: Safety]]

{ (set: $moveInCloser to false) (set: $playerSteppedOntoBoatFirst to false) } =><= <pre> _.-"""-._ .' `. / \ | | | | | | \ / _.-"""-._ _.``. .'. .' `. |`-._`-.._..-'_.-| / `\ | _ `-._ _.-' | | | | | `-._ " _.-'| | | | | | || | | | | | | | || | | | \ / | | || | | | _`. .'. | | || | | | |`-.`-.._..-'.-'| | | || | | | | `-._.-' | | | _.-'| |_ | | | |`-._ _.-'| | | |'_.-'| |_`-.| | | | || | | | |_.-' | | `-._ `._|`-._ | | || | | | / / | | ``---._ `-._ | | || | | | | / / .-' `-._|`-._ ``-._ `-._ | | || | | | || || / /|-| |-._ `-._ `--._`-._|`-._ | | || | | | | | ' || |\ `-._ `-._ ``---._ `| | || | | | | - | | | || | \ | |`-._ `-._|`-._ ``-| |`-.|| | | | _.-' | | || | \ | | `-._ `-._ | |-._ | |._ | | _.-' | | || | \| | `-._ `-.| | `| |_ `-| | | | | || | | | `-._ _.| | | | `.-| | | | || || | | | _.-'|_.-'_.-' | |_.-' | | | | . || | | | _.-' __.---'' _.| ' | | | || || | | |\_.-'|_.-'_.-'' _.-'|_.-' _. | | | | || | | |' _- _.-' _.-' | | || || || |_.-'| |_.---'' _.-' _ | | | `\ | | | || |_.-'| | _.-'|_.-' _.-'|| | | | \ | || .'_| | | |_.-' _.-'| | || | | | \ | | |._ | | | `-._ _.-' | | || | | | \ || | | `| | ```-._`-._|`-._ _.-' | | || | | | |\_.-| | `-._ ``---._ `-._ | | || | | | | | `-._|`-._ ``-._ `-._ | | || | | | | || || | `-._ `--._`-._|`| | || | | | | | | | `-._ ``---.| |`|| | | | | | | | |`-._ `-._|`-._ | |-.| |-._ | | | | ||`-._ `-.| | | |._ `-| | | | | | || | `-._ _.| | | | `-_| | | | | ||__ | | | `-._ _.-'|_.-'_.-' | |_.-' | | | | | ._.-| |. | | `-._ _.-' __.---'' _| | | | | ||/ | | \ | | _.-'|_.-'_.-'' _.-'|_.-' | | || || | | .'| |-' __.---'' _.-' | | | | | |.| '| |-'' _.-'|_.-' | | | || _. | | | | | _.-' | | | | ' | | | | |_.-' | | || | | \ | | / _| ' _.-' |_.-' | _`.| |'-' _.-' |`-._ _.| _.-' | `-._ _.-' _.-' | |' _.-' | | _.-' | | _.-' | | _.-' | | _.-' | | _.-' | | _.-' _ | | _.-' `-|_ | _.-' `-._ | _.-' `-.|.-' </pre> <==> "Welcome to ''Aqua''" it said on a plate. This looks very different from your little hometown in the mountains. You see huge structures raising from the ground, each with a big sphere on top of them. There's canals connecting them transporting huge amount of water. Everything looks very beautiful. $kidName senses a tree close by, maybe it's one of $treeName friends! He starts to consider the seed really is indeed showing them the way! You start moving towards the nearest pillar and onto the platforms. They look like interconnected rivers, and there's plenty of middle-sized-human creatures that look like nothing you've ever since. A lot of them are using some kind of boat to roam between the structures, so this must be a kind of road to go where you need to. One of them notices you and the kid (probably because they have also never seen a human before) and approaches $kidName asking if he needs a ride through the structures. |D1>[Direct the creature's attention to you.] |D2>[Observe the conversation.] { |A1)[(set: $safety to it + 15)(set:$moveInCloser to true)You move in closer to the boy. "Hey there, fellow.", directing these words at the creature that approached you. "I was wondering if you knew of a way to reach that tree?".] |A2)[(set: $safety to it - 15)(set:$moveInCloser to false)You noticed the boy seems a bit scared. He's never interacted with that many people (or creatures for that matter), and he look at you, showing he want you to handle the conversation. You move in closer to the boy. "Hey there, fellow.", directing these words to the creature that approached you. "I was wondering if you knew of a way to reach that tree?"] (click:?D1)[ (hide:?D1) (hide:?D2) (show:?A1) (show:?D3) (show:?D3-A1) (show:?D3-A2) ] (click:?D2)[ (hide:?D1) (hide:?D2) (show:?A2) (show:?D3) (show:?D3-A1) (show:?D3-A2) ] |D3)[ "Yes, I've been working in this section for many years now, I know evey inch of this part of ''Aqua'' like the finger on my face. Please step into my boat, I'll take you there!] |D3-A1)[ Let the kid step onto the boat first.] |D3-A1-A)[ (set: $safety to it - 15)(set: $playerSteppedOntoBoatFirst to false)"After you, $kidName". The boy steps on the boat nervously, seemingly afraid it's gonna turn over. You immediatly follow behind.] |D3-A2)[ Step onto the boat before $kidName.] |D3-A2-A)[ (set: $safety to it + 15)(set: $playerSteppedOntoBoatFirst to true)"Alright, coming through." You make sure to test the boat first before the boy, and after you're convinced it's a safe piece of floating material, you inform him to hop on it too."] (click:?D3-A1)[ (hide:?D3-A1) (hide:?D3-A2) (show:?D3-A1-A) (show:?D4) (show:?D4-A1) (show:?D4-A2)] (click:?D3-A2)[ (hide:?D3-A1) (hide:?D3-A2) (show:?D3-A2-A) (show:?D4) (show:?D4-A1) (show:?D4-A2)] } { |D4)[ The boat cuts through water with ease, surfing with a fast but not-so-too-fast velocity. You look at the little boy, he (if: $safety >= 70)[is smiling and enjoying the scenary](else:)[seems scared]. After a couple minutes, the boat arrives at the structure where the tree is placed, right in the middle of it. "Here we go, we've arrived! It was a pleasure bringing you here, it's not everyday we get visited by such unique individuals!"] |D4-A1)[ "Thank you, the trip was very pleasant".] |D4-A2)[ "Likewise."] |D4-A-A)[ Both you and $kidName step out of the boat, (if: $safety >= 70)[both](else:)[but only you are] waving at the creature that brought you here while it moves away on its boat.(show:?MeetingTheTree)] (click:?D4-A1)[ (hide:?D4A2) (show:?D4-A-A) ] (click:?D4-A2)[ (hide:?D4A1) (show:?D4-A-A) ] } |MeetingTheTree)[ $kidName rushes towards the tree and touches it. His face says it all, this is definitly one of the trees with hearts in them, meaning they also have a portal! "Hey, what do you think if we open the portal now?" { "Yes, let's do it! I want to plant my friend's seed as fast as possible! (if: $checkedOnKidFirst is true)[ Ah, thank you for checking on me immediatly after we stepped through the portal. I got really happy that you were worried about me..." "Yeah, had to make sure you were okay!" ] } { "The strange creature that approached us... (if: $moveInCloser is true)[ I got nervous when it started to talk to me. I was a bit scared at first. Thank you for approaching me when you did." "No problem kid." ] (else:)[ I was really scared of it, thought it was going to take the seed from me." "Nothing happened, it's okay." ] } { "The boat ride... (if: $playerSteppedOntoBoatFirst is true)[ That was fun! Never been on a boat before, it was so cool!" "Yeah, it was a lot of fun." ] (else:)[ Never been on a boat before, that was super scary." "Oh, I didn't know you were never on a boat. Sorry for that." ] } { (if: $safety >= 70)[ "I know you're taking care of me. Thank you for that." "You can count on it $kidName!" [[And both of you step through the portal.->T4: Compassion Branch 2]] ] (else:)[ "I'll try to be more conscious of what's around me, try to protect myself a bit more." "Sorry for not being able to $kidName!" [[And both of you step through the portal.->T4: Compassion Branch 2]] ] (set: $lastTrialDate to (current-date:)) }]

<==> You proceed to go towards the yellowish tent, not sure if it's empty or if it belongs to someone else. As you quickly reduce the distance, you start to see signs that someone definitly lives there (or that is was used recently at least). When you finally arrive, you check the inside, but it just looks like any ordinary tent, nothing big to it. The outside is more interesting, with a small empty plate by the ground on top of a blanket, and a small pot above an extinguished campfire. "Do you think there's someone here"? (click:?page)[== "I think so, maybe they are somewhere on the lake. [[Let's try to find them->Around the Lake]], they may be able to tell us how to get across."

<==> You see some splashes on the distance, so you decide to go towards it. Someone (or something) has to be doing them. "$treeName once said to me that the universe is full of beautiful landscapes, but the one my friend loved the most were lakes by the mountains. I think $treeName would love this one too." "I know it would, $kidName. But wait, how did it know about landscapes near mountains, or other landscapes across the universe? Wasn't it always back at the village?" (click:?page)[== "I don't know, but my friend talked about all kinds of different places that I knew nothing about, and I would just listen to it, imaging those worlds as they were being told to me." The kid really does seem to love his friend. Carrying that seed must trully be something special for him. "Hey, hello!" (click:?page)[== You look at the little boy and he looks at you. The sound definitly came from between you too, but there's... No one there? (click:?page)[== "Heyyyyy! Down below, look at me!" (click:?page)[== You proceed to look down, startling yourself a bit when you see it... It another creature, not too different from a squirell, but much tinier! It could be placed on your finger and you wouldn't bat an eye! "I know you're probably confused and not used to seeing tiny talking ''Apricus'', but I'm here!" ''Apricus''? That's his name? You go along with it... "Hello, sorry we didn't see you there, are you the one staying at the tent?" "Yes, me and my friend are staying there." (click:?page)[== "Is your friend an... ''Apricus'' too?" (click:?page)[== "Don't be silly, how could two ''Apricus'' stay in the same tent? No, my friend's a giant ''Discimus'', about as tall as you." "Right, of course. Look, do you know of any way to cross to the other side of the plateau? We need to get to the other side." "Yeah, sure. You just need to conjure the wild bridge. It's probably at the edge of the plateau somewhere else, just conjure it to where you want to place it." (click:?page)[== "How... Do you do that might I ask?" (click:?page)[== "Don't you know anything? You can just tap three times with your foot and sit where you tapped for four seconds, then the bridge will come." "Ah, that seems easy", says $kidName. "Of course it is, were you expecting something else?" "Ah no dear ''Apricus'', you're right!" "Perfect. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm trying to help my friend, which is somewhere frozen inside the lake." (click:?page)[== "Thank you for the information!", you say with a farewell. (click:?page)[== You started moving away from the small creature you just met, but the little kid seems too quiet... [["How can we help, little ''Apricus''?"->T4: Help]] [["Come on $kidName, let's go to the bridge."->T4: Gave Up]]

<==> "Well, my friend got thrown into the lake, so she's probably frozen by now, but if I could get a hold of her, I could defrost her by the fireplace near the tent." The kid looks at the small creature with a look of determination. "Do you know where she is in the lake?" (click:?page)[== "Of course not, the lake's huge and she got thrown there during the night, so I wasn't looking. I've tried waking up the lady of the lake for her help, she would be able to get my friend for me, but my shoes are too small for her to notice and come see me." (click:?page)[== Wait what? Both of you don't fully grasp what the ''Apricus'' is saying, but you go along with it. "I have shoes, and bigger than yours too! I could part with them, if that means we can call her." (click:?page)[== "Would you do that for me?" { |D4-A1>["Yes, I would. Should I just throw them in?"] |D4-A2>[ [[ "Ufff... I don't know, I don't think so..."->T4: Gave Up]] ] (click:?D4-A1)[ (hide:?D4-A2) (show:?D4-A1-A) (show:?D4-A3) (show:?D4-A4) ] } |D4-A1-A)[ You throw your boots at the lake and wait. And wait. And wait even more. Nothing's happening. "I don't think anything's happening.", says $kidName. "True, we must need more shoes for her to notice. Do you have more?", asks the small creature looking at you. "I have mine, and I really want to help your friend!", suggests $kidName. "Perfect, throw them in the lake please!" |D4-A3>["Yes, let's help his friend, kid."] |D4-A4>[ [[ "No, I can't let you do that!"->T4: Gave Up]] ] (click:?D4-A3)[ (hide:?D4-A4) (show:?D4-A3-A) ] ] |D4-A3-A)[ $kidName throws his shoes into the lake, and you start waiting again. And waiting. And waiting even more. (click:?page)[== Until something (or someone) starts emerging from the water. That is definitly the lady of the lake. She looks beautiful with her blue hair. The small ''Apricus'' talks with her and ask for her to retrieve his friend, and surely enough, after a couple minutes, she comes with another creature in her arms, hopefully this "''Discimus''" friend (and looking at the ''Apricus'' excitement, it definitly should be). "Thank you so much everyone, I am so happy to be with her again! I'll defrost her and make her some soup right away!". {(set: $helpedCreature to true)} After saying your goodbyes, you [[move towards the edge of the plateau.->T4: End]] ]

<==> You're finally at the edge of the plateau. You remember what the ''Apricus'' told you: just tap three times with your foot and sit where you tapped for four seconds, then the bridge will come. (click:?page)[== A bridge attached to the plateau starts coming towards your location at incredible speed, finally providing a way for you to go through! (click:?page)[== After crossing the bridge, you finally meet with the next tree. The kid touches it, and a new portal opens up, allowing you safe passage. (if: $helpedCreature is true and $safety >= 70)[[You step through it.->Close]] (if: $helpedCreature is true and $safety < 70)[[You step through it.->Together]] (if: $helpedCreature is false and $safety >= 70)[[You step through it.->Distant]] (if: $helpedCreature is false and $safety < 70)[[You step through it.->Lonely]]

{(set: $helpedCreature to false)} <==> "No, what are you doing", shouts $kidName. "I'm sorry kid, we can't help the ''Apricus'', [[we gotta keep moving towards the tree.->T4: End]]

=><= #The End { (save-game: "Slot A", "End") }