The second part of the interactive story that is currently being run on my Patreon
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The choice is made: You follow the path


You need little time to think before the choice is made - especially considering everything which attempts to beckon you along the path. From the slowly dancing lights, to the gentle push of the wind at your shoulders, to the voice from the darkness coaxing you along. Everything which exists here, appears to exist for the sole purpose of ushering you along your way. The idea of denying never even had the chance to fully form in your head. You take your first step almost immediately. Then your second. Then your thirst. You slowly make your trek along this mysterious path shrouded by shadows, encouraged all the while by everything around you.

The little flickers of light dance about excitedly each time you pass them by. Gracefully they shift in open air, moving in random but somehow perfectly choreographed patterns just behind your shoulders. With each new light you pass, the dance becomes more complex; more vibrant from the ever growing mass of light. In a way, it feels as though they dance with joy of your approach. Yet despite the accumulation of these dancing lights, the darkness never seems to thin out. What lay cloaked in shadows remains cloaked in shadows, regardless of how close you manage to bring the lights. The path holds little to catch your eye as you walk.

The ground on which you walk is clear of debris - no stray stick or stone appear before you at any point. To either side of you the path is lined with trees. The trees grow so tightly packed together that attempting to glance between them as you walk, only grants you sight of additional trees. Grass grows thick upon the earth beneath the trees, and nothing else. No fallen branch or stray leaf exists at any point along the path. The first hint of stone that you encounter, makes itself known at what seems to be the end of the path. Perfectly embraced by the wall of trees, a stone cavern stands at the end of the path - it protrudes not from the base of the mountain, but from the ground itself. All that lay behind it is the blanket of infinite ebony.

Cautiously, you peer into the open mouth of the cave. The path seems to continue there, in the form of carefully laid stone. However, the path also clearly bends downwards into the earth. More of the dancing lights can be seen floating about inside. You remain still for a moment. The cavern itself feels as though it is breathing. Very soft wisps of air brush against the front of your face every couple of seconds - so soft that you only know when it happens when your bangs ever so slightly tickle the sides of your face.

“Come, child. Your fate lies within. You need only follow the path to secure it.” After the long silence, the voice chimes again, soft and polite as before. Just as before, it beckons you to traverse the path unknown.

Will you descend into the earth, or will the terror of the unknown turn you away?