''The Key of Tara''
'I am full of life. I am full of soul. I am here to find the Key of Tara.'
.
Sand wheezes through your fingers. You feel its texture. Dusky, smooth… unrealistically so.
Feels like the sand is weaved from a certain kind of thread. Such quality!
You shake your head.
No time for distractions! Your eyes catch shiny, flying objects in a distance. These lands aren’t your friends. Remember that. You’re alone, except for a sling bag that holds fairly important things. Like, your journal - aesthetically pleasing, leather-bound with few pages torn out. But, who needs a journal? Maybe just keep moving.
[[check your journal]]
[[keep moving forward]]
//Lady Tamaarzat, it's an honor to have you at Tara. The space is practically covered in illusions; beware!
I hold my faith in your purpose - you must find the Key of Tara. If the Demigods don’t break free, Tara cannot sustain itself. Those poor trapped souls need summoning, and only the Key can do that.
You are the best of us. Never forget that. Let your Gut and Instinct guide you. Hope you make the right choices.
If we don’t hear from you, we’ll take that as an optimistic sacrifice.
May the sands guide you well.//
'Right. Follow my Instinct (or Gut?), let the space guide me, find the Key of Tara, unlock the demigods. Got it.'
[[keep moving forward]]I know, I know. They sent me here to find the Key of Tara. If only I had no purpose, hah! I would spend all my time with these… What are these?!
The shiny, seductive glow.
I must follow it.
Suddenly, you feel warmth rush through your arms.
'Woah… Gut?'
[[Gut - follow the light]]
Your mind feels a rush of ease. Your thoughts don’t seem so bothersome.
'Maybe I should hold patience'.
[[Instinct - hold your stance]]Sand sways around your wrist; enjoying your smooth skin. No words, and you feel a bond with this fabric…
Your gut asks you to raise your arms. You do. The sand knits itself together, forming a band around your wrists. Suddenly, sand particles turn into a wooden-esque texture.
You feel the band with your other hand.
'Two of these! How lovely. I know someone who’ll love this'.
You take out a band and carefully keep it in your sling bag.
'Seems like the sands like me. Too bad, this isn’t helping me find the way.'
[[keep moving anyway]]
You stand your ground - or atleast at the sand's mercy, until it starts pulling you in.
You feel sand particles tickle your feet.
'Arrey! Heh, stop that. Ugh'.
You bend down, brushing off the sand. You notice something.
Almost in an instant, the ground below you starts shifting - revealing a something hidden beneath the surface.
You get on your knees, curiosity taking over.
'dig... dig!'
Your hands feel something solid.
Fingers... nails? A hand.
Oh dear. A hand?!
It looks alive. You wonder if there's more to it. Before your curiosity completely takes over, the sands seem kind to your decency. As quickly as this started, it ends. Sands harden around the arm; revealing only a hand with a bracelet around its sleek wrist.
Carefully, you take off the bracelet and tie it around your wrist. The moment you do so, the hand rots.
A moment later, the band starts vanishing into the dusty air.
Skin evaporating, bones liquifying, blood turns into sand.
'That was terrifying. There's something underneath... huh. If I can find my way around'.
[[Search for a pathway]]As you make your way through the sands, you see structures in the distance. Translucent, gray buildings larger than anything you have ever seen. You notice a pathway; a gate that seems to lead in the right direction. Or, so you feel.
'Really? You want to trust a bunch of buildings that appeared out of nowhere?'
You hear a voice. You turn your head, looking at a woman standing at a safe distance from you.
'Oh, let me guess. You’re looking for the Key of Tara?'
She looks much older than you. Someone with experience?
You nod your head, carefully.
She gives out a condescending chuckle, shaking her head. Adjusting her glasses.
She folds her arms.
You adjust your glasses, folding your arms.
'Are you mocking me?' She looks upset. Did you upset her?
You take a step back, arms free.
'Not at all! I.. feel a bit lost. Can you help me out?'
She smiles - something that fades quicker than those familiar sands.
'I can’t help you, but I can tell you something. I don’t have much time. The sand makes its purpose. Sometimes it teleports you. Sometimes, it keeps you in place - time shifts. Sometimes, it carries you back. It… is a bitch. Sometimes, it gifts you things.'
She raises her arm, displaying a familiar bracelet.
'The fine line between your Instinct and Gut? Choose one. Nothing is wrong. Ignorance is deadly.'
*EARTHQUAKE*
You feel the sands beneath your feet turn into solid, terrifyingly hot material.
The woman is gone. The buildings are gone.
What… is happening?
[[FALL]]You walk. A little more. A little less. Time isn't a foe, and you're well aware of that.
You feel the wind with your hand - it gently brushes against your skin, touching it in gentle ways, asking you something.
You close your eyes.
'What is it... there?'
The feeling turns into motion; you feel sand particles rub into a direction. It presses against your skin... slowly sliding.
//South//
'South... down?'
The bracelet taps against your wrist.
Before you sense it; the sands underneath you start pulling you in.
You close your eyes, focusing on your breath.
'Here we fall.'
[[FALL]]You fall through a tunnel that keeps forming.
There's complete darkness.
You close your eyes, then open them. No difference. You might as well be blind. Have you gone blind?
Somehow, that's the least of your worries at the moment.
You feel the sands moving... travelling with you, against you. You feel the gentle wind, and slowly raise your arms - feeling the moving fabric of sand.
'Did me an Alice in Wonderland, didn't you?'
You build up some courage, focusing your hands on the walls around you.
You're falling gently, a strong feeling of gravity purposefully pulling you somewhere.
//Raise your legs//
'Raise my legs...?'
The bracelet taps again.
[[Raise your legs]]*BUMP*
The fall was... eerily smooth. There's darkness, still. It's getting scary now.
In this moment of confusion and curiousty, you feel your bracelet. Same fabric as these sands around you; as the fall that brought you here.
You regain your composure, trying to make sense of this new space.
'Anyone...?'
No response. Utter darkness.
The bracelet tries to tell you something.
'Huh...?'
You gently tap it against your waist. Gracefully, it starts illuminating a glimmer of light.
Within a matter of seconds, the bracelet becomes a source of light, finding its way across the endless tunnnel.
Your sense of gratitude feels strong, and you pat your bracelet.
'You're a clever one.'
You keep walking, studying the transcient space you find yourself in.
[[He would have loved this]]This place reminds you of him.
'Untold stories, evolving architecture, uncanny mystery. Oh, he would have loved this place.'
The bracelet tightens a little, as if trying to comfort you.
'Heh, yeah he would have adored you. We were in different cities and it felt like universes at times. Now I am light years away and he feels close. I wonder if -'
Before your thoughts seek completion, the walls around feel as though they're moving...
Your legs feel movement underneath.
'crap!'
You realise this tunnel... it rotates. Hamster-in-a-wheel, huh?
You keep your balance - finding the right kind of posture to break your fall; if you fall.
As your hands find its gripping on the walls, the sands refuse to hold you still. Instead, it encourages you to keep moving.
As you do, the tunnel finds itself in a steady movement.
'This... isn't too bad. Except I might grow old and die without finding a way out.'
Before you know it, a platform takes shape. A small, steady table finds its placing in the middle of the tunnel. On top, a little...
[[Something grows]]Your legs keep moving; in a walking motion, while your eyes are fixed - trying to understand what's the deal with the platform. Why isn't it moving?
You raise your arm a little, so the light's clearer.
On the platform, a little sapling grows.
'Huh... that's... a flower?'
The sapling grows into a little plant.
The plant grows old. Soon, the thing is rotting.
'Oh no.'
[[Instinct - stay still!]]
[[Gut - keep moving]] You stop moving.
The tunnel ceases its rotation.
Suddenly, there's no change in the plant. It remains matured.
'The tunnel... it controls movement outside?'
No, that doesn't feel right.
Your curiosity takes the lead. You move... just a little.
The plant starts to rot.
'SHIT. This thing controls time!'
You feel a joyful tap on your wrist. The bracelet agrees.
So, move left, and thing this grows. How about...
You regain your posture, and this time move to the right. The tunnel builds momentum.
Slowly, the plant starts aging... in reverse.
Moments pass, and the platform is back to a flat surface. Where did the sapling go?
You stand still, trying to make more sense of what just happened. The bracelet gently taps at your wrist, bringing you back to the present.
'Right... we have a time machine of sorts. What if...?'
You take out your journal.
[[Place journal on the platform]]Your legs, representing your curiosity, keep moving. The tunnel illimunates your movement.
The plant, in its rot, starts to dissipate. As if, returning to nothingness.
'How poetic.' You notice a philosophical connection between the tunnel's movement and the sapling's growth. And, it clicks.
'SHIT. This thing controls time!'
You feel a joyful tap on your wrist. The bracelet agrees.
So, move left, and thing this grows. How about...
You regain your posture, and this time move to the right. The tunnel builds momentum.
Slowly, the plant starts aging... in reverse.
Moments pass, and the platform is back to a flat surface. Where did the sapling go?
You stand still, trying to make more sense of what just happened. The bracelet gently taps at your wrist, bringing you back to the present.
'Right... we have a time machine of sorts. What if...?'
You take out your journal.
[[Place journal on the platform]]You carefully place the journal on the platform.
'Answers. I need answers.'
Returning to your place of control, you think of a strategy.
To relive a past, or perceive a future?
[[Move right]]
[[Move left]]Your eyes stay never leave the journal. Your body finds its sync with the tunnel and moves to establish momentum.
As the tunnel rotates, you notice the journal staying eerily still on the platform.
The torn pages... they begin forming back. You study the pages' material finding life, fully forming into fresh pages.
'woah...'
You keep moving until these pages are restored. Finally, you see journal entries. You stop moving, and approach the journal.
//I'm not stranded anymore.
I had the key of Tara, or at least I think I did. If not for that ridiculously charming dog. Oh dear.
What's the point of writing here, anyway? They'll hand this to someone who is more capabale. Well then, to whoever this belongs to: find the dog. He is huge, with fur the size of never-ending yarns. I think he is called Percyvolous the Fluf.
The thing is ruthless! Kill him, or break that leash that keeps him there. He guards a gateway... he's your only chance.
Oh, and if they ever ask - tell them Jolly Knight made the most of his time here. The sands are flirty as heck.//
Something about it makes you chuckle.
'Okay. Bracelet, you hear that?'
The bracelet swirls around your wrist.
'We need to find a... huge doggo. Then, we free him. Now, if only we can find a way out -'
[[Wander a bit]]Your feet embrace their connection with the tunnel. It begins moving to the left, yet your eyes are fixed on the platform.
'This would look so absurd out of context.'
The journal stays open, its pages empty. Then, slowly, you notice few lines.
'That... cannot be.'
Handwriting begins forming; turning into clear sentences and paragraphs.
You keep moving until the pages turn, and finally, the writing stops.
[[Read entry]]
//Are you reading this? You are. Of course you are! Why do I doubt this even years after...
Well, anyway. We have met before. Have we? Look, I am you. Just, from the future. This is our journal.
How do I feel in my body? Good! Life is lovely. Still a romantic!
Right, to the point -//
You roll your eyes in the middle of this. You can't believe you're still cheesy, years later.
//-the Key of Tara is guarded by a dog! He is huge. He goes by the name of Percyvolous the Fluf. Completely white, extremely full of fur and bigger than tiny hill. The poor thing is hungry. He won't move until he's well-fed.
He... eats people.
I can't do it. I can't sacrifice myself. Maybe you can. Do that, and he'll leave. The gates to the Demigods are right behind him. Take care?//
[[You feel uneasy]]This got dark, didn't it?
The bracelet gently taps around your wrist, consoling you.
'I... can't die for this? Do I want to? It doesn't make sense. Well, nothing here makes. Maybe I won't really die...?'
Maybe it will be worth it.
You gather some courage, picking up the notebook from a platform that just nudged you in the 'possible' right direction. As you do, the platform gently starts moving into the ground, revealing a trapdoor.
You move towards it, opening an exit that leads you back to the sands. To a not-so-friendly encounter.
[[Brave the new world]]You are back with the sands.
The sun is sharp, right above your head, as if no time has passed.
You look around - no trapdoor, no architecture, no tunnel. Your journal, bracelet and slingback stay with you.
And, in front of you, the most terrifyingly cutest dog you have ever seen.
'Oh.. boy... you are...'
He sits in front of you, head tilted. His shiny, dark eyes carefully studying you. His forelegs together, with his back and hind legs comfortably arched in a proud posture. He looks like an Anubis statue, with a lot more fur.
You can hear his short, deep breaths. And a pinch of growl.
Your bracelet tightens around your wrist, warning you of something.
You stand still, making the least amount of movement.
'Percyvolous... I am not here to hurt you...'
Are you seriously trying to reason with a dog?
You are trying to reason with a dog. Good luck with that.
The dog displays his teeth, clearly not happy with your words.
Your neck starts hurting - looking at the dog's head that is clearly much, much taller than you.
And behind him, you see a leash. What is it attached to... ?
[[He is coming for you]]You study these walls for the final time. Your gut tells you the exit is right around here, somewhere.
'If Jolly Knight is right, the doggo might be dangerous. I certainly can't kill him... no! But breaking that leash...
Hmm, there's always that.'
You gather some courage, picking up the notebook from a platform that just nudged you in the 'possible' right direction. As you do, the platform gently starts moving into the ground, revealing a trapdoor.
You move towards it, opening an exit that leads you back to the sands. To a not-so-friendly encounter.
[[Brave the new world]] Before you make sense of this, the dog tries to get a hold of you with his huge paw.
'Oh crap!'
[[Gut - duck!]]
[[Instinct - close your eyes]]You duck, with hands above your head.
*WHEESSH*
The paw almost caught you! but you were quicker.
You can see the leash between the dog and...
...this beautiful statue made of stone.
'The Demigod...'
You can hear Percyvolous getting ready to attack you. Again.
You think of reasoning with him.
'I am not here for you! I am here for the key -'
Before you can complete your sentence, you hear voices. Familiar voice. How do you know these?
'Leave here you monstrocity!', a man shouts from a distance.
'Calm down! She's not here to hurt you!' a woman shouts, approaching you.
[[They're here]]Hand over your eyes, you close them tightly.
'THIS IS NOT REAL.'
You stand your ground, still hearing the dog menacingly approaching you. And then, you sense a strong light.
You open your eyes, in awe of your bracelet shining almost as bright as the sun.
The dog whimpers, taking few steps back.
'Hah...heh... wow. Thank you, bracelet'.
Suddenly, you feel powerful!
Percyvolous looks extremely confused.
Behind him, you can see the leash between the dog and...
...this beautiful statue made of stone.
'The Demigod...'
You can hear Percyvolous getting ready to attack you. Again.
You think of reasoning with him.
'I am not here for you! I am here for the key -'
Before you can complete your sentence, you hear voices. Familiar voice. How do you know these?
'Leave here you monstrocity!', a man shouts from a distance.
'Calm down! She's not here to hurt you!' a woman shouts, approaching you.
[[They're here]]For some reason, the dog calms down a little. As if recognising these two.
The man, dressed like someone straight out of a knight-beats-dragon fairytale, stays at a distance, keeping his guard up. His sword seems way more elegant that anything you have encountered so far.
The lady. Oh, she seems extremely familiar.
She approaches you, her eyes shifting between you and the dog.
The man looks at you, with confidence. 'Listen to me! The leash! The dog... he -'
Percyvolous, in an instant, draws a long breath and barks at the knight. The winds howl; erasing the Knight - a mere projection of the sands - into nothingness.
His sword falls on the ground, just a little to your side
'You're here for a reason, child. Sacrifice -'
And just like that, Percy stomps his paw at yet another projection, and the lady is gone too.
The dog, in all his might, gets in a position to pounce at you.
'Alright. No more illusions.'
[[What is it going to be?]]The sword lies still, stuck into the sands, as if waiting for someone to pick it up.
The dog is about to take a leap.
You use your sling bag to pull the sword towards you.
A part of you wishes to stand still, and let things be as they are.
A sacrifice?
Percyvolous takes his chance, pouncing with purpose.
Time slows down, suddenly.
The leash is clearly visibile now, the only obstacle between the dog and the statue of the demigod.
[[Cut the leash]]
[[Sacrifice yourself]]You pull at the sling bag, bringing the sword to you.
It feels way lighter than you comprehended.
The bracelets emits its shimmering light again; blinding the dog for a second or two, breaking his fall.
Calculating your steps, you make your way to the leash and -
*SLASH*
Though you just cut a leash, it roars a sound that shakes sands around you. The skies start rumbling, as if asking you what have you done.
Percyvolous looks at his leash - he isn't captured anymore. Sniffing his vicinity, he looks at you, tilting his head. All rage gone. Pure gratitude in those eyes.
The little mountain of fluf approaches you slowly. Still a little doubtful, you ready yourself for anything.
Instead, Percyvolous touches your head with his nose, thanking you.
'Heh. Go now. You're free!'
The dog nods his head, leaving you be. He walks away, and slowly starts running into a direction you're not aware of.
You turn your attention to the statue.
[[The Key of Tara]]Aware of your heartbeat, your being, your soul... you stand still.
Maybe, all of this is you. You are the key. If only?
Your eyes lock with Percyvolous', as if there's a painful understanding between you two.
The dog pounces at you, about to tear you apart.
Your bracelet loosens up. You can't feel the weight you anything anymore.
And then, there's nothingness.
'Did... he eat me? Am I in his stomach?'
And out of that darkness, emerges a new world.
[[Newfound Ambition]]The statue speaks to you without moving an inch. Without uttering a word.
Her hand stretches out, as if asking for something.
Her eyes have no reflection. They illuminate nothing. Lifeliess, yet full of life.
The bracelet gently loosens up, still swirling around your wrist.
You can't help but smile.
'Go home now.'
You raise your arm, letting the bracelet fly to another wrist.
Around hardened stone, the the bracelet finds it home, and that's when it happens.
The sands around you start changing color. Particles turn velvet, then gold, then teal, as if teasing every color they have ever known. Finally, they turn silver.
You're now surrounded by an ocean of silver. The bracelet shines too.
You hear a howl, noticing no one around.
The silver sands around you start forming architecture. Houses, buildings, wells, taverns. The sound of chatter. There's so much more yet to be found here.
You close your eyes.
You stand where the statue once stood. Raising your arm, giving hope to a civilization yet to be found.
The bracelet is gone. Mortality is a faint idea.
A cat approaches you; looking at a lifeless statue.
In your mind, you're smiling. You name her Buttons the Fel, with a little bracelet around her neck.
. .
[[Key of Tara]] Your eyes open to a roundtable made of silver-plated material. Adorned by lovely candles, a silk-woven tablecloth and important-looking people around it.
These are well-dressed people of reputation in uniforms and semi-casual outfits. One of them, a lady in a an exquisite saree with a brilliant smile, greets you with charming eyes.
'Tamaarzat, you did well. We're proud of you!'
There's a small toast to my name, with songs playing in the background.
'Wait, really?' you ask, surprised.
'You're now part of the council. Come with me, let me show you something'.
The lady takes you to the nearest window, overlooking a skyline made of stars.
'Look above, do you see that?'
You notice a little star.
'Now, raise your arm.'
You do, and the bracelet shines back. As if you are wearing a star.
'You chose a sacrifice, not knowing much. That, over there, is Tara. Their civilization needs those ocassional sacrifices. Last time we sent someone, they got too attached. To the idea of those sands, those workings of time and space. One of them decided to live on, never leaving. She took well to the sands, to their people and to a dog...'
'To Percyvolous! The Demigod... she was -?'
The lady looks into your eyes, affectionately.
'Someone before you. But you're here now, to guide those who come after.'
She holds your hand, taking you back to the table.
Right at that moment, the middle of the table reveals a platform, with a book on it.
'Come on then, write something for those who are to find their purpose.'
- -
[[Key of Tara]]