The Furies are at home in the mirror

[MalfGuy2]

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I

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The Timestream unravels with every time you look at Regalus' disheveled Spirit. The summoning from beyond the Star Realm weighs down on you,
Knowing that you are weak, an old, tiring, ancient thing. Even by comparison, the insights you've been granted posit a more empathic attunement; No matter how innocent or naive you pretend to be, the first lesson still aches against your core.

Your friends and found family flit in and out of view.

Detachment begets detachment; The more you've hurt others, the harder it is for them to hurt you.
A rogue trace of Aether, jade and prismarine flicker past you, to no avail.

An Austereia grimoire,
That technically violated every rule of this existence,
Yet chooses to continue.

"Kindred spirits."

But all spirits fade eventually.
His voice will no longer insist upon yourself.
Nor will Efespane's.
Nor will Solais'.
We're alone again, but we've never had more friends.

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(.> Timestream visual anomaly detected.
(.> Unable to pinpoint source.

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A few frog-like Sirenians pass you by.
In one instance, you even take them with you, an amphibian child and a giant bird-fish-thing...
Crashing through a mirror.
Through a spell that doesn't even work.

"We must really be a bad luck charm."

Years pass you by. You don't even know what month it is.
Frogboy turns into frogman.
A birdgoatboy turns into a birdgoatman.
Another magickal runed tree explodes in height, beginning to dwarf the Shadowlands.

A flood, an incidental storm pocket of yours, drifts to the other nations of Aegis.
A divine punishment, but for what? Of what?

Time marches ever onwards, listless, without purpose;
But you are fully intent.

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(.> Timestream visual anomaly detected.
(.> Proto Institute relic suite malfunctioning. Shutting down auxiliary power...
(.> Unable to pinpoint source.

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II
Loop Hero

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We're melting faster.
They expect one of us in the wreckage.

"Will it hurt?"

Will it hurt what?

"Like the first time."

...

Leaving this world isn't as scary as it sounds.

I don't know.
We don't know.
But that's part of what makes it so beautiful.
Your consciousness begins to fade as Camino's face peers down at your broken form...
You haven't eaten any other large Monsters like was required.
Already, a wing has permanently refused to regrow.
Your vision, too, is stuttering as you manage to deliver the next line to him;

"Beware the next Ao Shun or Efespane. They might not be so eager to go into that peaceful good night."

Camino opens his mouth, but The Mirror cracks and shatters before you can fully make out what all tidings he brings. The Door opens, revealing an emeraldine-vermillion spiral,
The Loop.
Your true destination.
There's a malingering thought at your periphery, one that tells you that your being isn't alone, dragging someone else with you, isn't finished yet, as your form adapts to The Loop,
But it matters little.

You catch a glimpse of a flurry of paper pages crossing the magickal border with you. Austereia binding rings, more green and prismarine sparks, and then...

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III

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You awaken with a lurch.
Floating in the nothingness between nothingnesses.
The Mirror prompts you, hovering runic text and watercolour blurs in the shape of chains flying forth within,
Leaving you to choose and dwell on your fate once more.
Out of the corner of your eyes - If you even still have eyes - You spot a familiar, platinum-coated person holding a Monster egg near the Endless Spire.
Melting down an assortment of Monster Shards and a massive arcane emerald overhead...

"Or try again."

"The Long Quiet always comes back."

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You've withered.