[ERROR @#*$: #$&@]
{READJUSTING TIME CODE…DONE}
{TIME CODE CHANGE TO ELAPSED TIME}
[00:00:00.00]
[SCENE DEPICTS A VAST SEA OF A VAST, WATER-LIKE LIQUID AND A PALE BLUE SKY WITH NO CLOUDS. FOOTAGE SHOWS JOHN AND ELNA ON A LARGE FRACTAL-LIKE PLATFORM APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET X 50 FEET. AUDIBLE WAVES ARE PRESENT]
JOHN:
> SQUINTS AND LOOKS AROUND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS
*mumbling* The waves are kind of like Lethe’s water physics…
> LOOKS UP
*mumbling* Skybox as well…
ELNA:
> SMIRKS
Well, the funny thing is that Onarius’s domain is built around the Genesis engine…
> CONFIDENTLY POINTS TO ENVIRONMENT
And he knows the engine much better than the devs at Grandview.
JOHN:
> LOOKS DOWN AT FRACTAL BRIDGE CURIOUSLY
And this is…
> SCRATCHES HAIR
*mumbling* Wait, it kind of looks like a Sierpinski carpet? It has the same pattern as-
[{Video footage of the fractal bridge is censored for your protection}]
ELNA:
> FRANTICALLY COVERS JOHN’S EYES
*panicked* * DON’T LOOK AT THAT!
> HEAVY BREATHING
*panicked* And don’t think about those patterns…!
JOHN:
*exasperated* I thought you said the sunglasses would protect me from that?!
ELNA:
*exasperated* Well, not a fractal bridge! That thing has way too much data!
> INTENSELY INSPECTS JOHN
*panicked* How long did you see the fractal bridge?
JOHN:
> FRIGHTENED
*panicked* T-two seconds.
ELNA:
The amount of data to keep this bridge physical is enough to destroy your mind.
> NERVOUS SMILE
Keep your eyes forward, and do not look at the bridge again, understood?
JOHN:
> FRANTICALLY NODS
Do you want me to lead, or walk side-by side?
ELNA:
> RELAXES
Side-by-side.
JOHN:
> NODS
Okay then.
[CAMERA FOOTAGE HAS JOHN LOOKING AROUND THE WORLDSPACE FOR {weird shit}]
JOHN:
> INQUISITIVE
So, is the Eldrigital Void just basically this?
ELNA:
> SHAKING HEAD
No, this is just Onarius’s realm in the Lucid Layer. It technically goes into the Dream Layer, and borders the Kernel layer.
JOHN:
> CONFUSED
“Lucid Layer”? “Dream Layer”? “Kernel Layer”?
> FROWNS
Is this like the mind of a supercomputer?
ELNA:
> CHUFFS
Nah! More like something that even I don’t understand…!
JOHN
*whispering* That guy kept a child here for 250 years…
ELNA:
> EYES ABRUPTLY LOOK FORWARD
> CLEARS THROAT
*awkwardly* But to explain, the Eldrigital Void is made up of 3 layers, 4 if you count your reality by some philosophical opinions that I sleep through…
JOHN:
> CAREFULLY LOOKS AROUND
Which layer are we on?
ELNA:
> DEEP BREATHS
We are on the Lucid Layer, the place closest to your reality; if interpreted by an AI.
JOHN:
> PAUSES AND RAISES EYEBROW
That’s incomplete?
ELNA:
> SHRUGS AND EYES MOVE AROUND
It’s more like a “creative interpretation” of an AI to be honest. This is actually the most boring realm within the Lucid Layer. I’ve been to a lot more with cooler looking scenery…that is still freaking weird.
> CONTENT SIGH
Honestly though…It’s probably the most peaceful out of all of them…
JOHN:
> SADDENED WHILE TURNING TO {me}
What’s your realm like then?
ELNA:
> SLOWS WALKING WITH JOHN FOLLOWING
*awkwardly* Well, uh…It’s uh kind-
> STOPS AND SCRATCHES HEAD
Ah jeez…
> DEEP SIGH AND CONTINUES WALKING
*awkwardly* If I were to describe it…It’s more like a zigzagging, geometric ravines, trees with blocky leaves, lots of lakes with unreachable islands…
> CHUCKLES
…A shit-ton of hills, and it goes on forever…
JOHN:
> ALARMED
Any other weird things?
ELNA:
> NERVOUS LAUGHTER
Nah man! The sky’s pretty normal, so is the grass, the animals, the birds…
> WALKING SLOWS
*mumbling* …The lack of people…
JOHN:
> CONCERNED WHILE FACING AHEAD
*softly* …Which we will resolve.
ELNA:
> HURRIES PACE
*exasperated* Sorry! I sometimes get lost in thought.
JOHN:
> GRIMACES
And Ned does not allow anyone in your realm?
ELNA:
> SLOWLY NODS
Yeah…
> SADDENED
Ned does not allow anyone into my realm…save for Onarius…
JOHN:
> ANGRILY CLENCHES FISTS
ELNA:
> FRIGHTENED
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS SPIRES OF YELLOW LIGHT RISING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HORIZON. VIDEO FEED ALSO SHOWS DUO STOPPING TO WATCH THE ANOMALIES {these are perfectly safe to look at btw}]
JOHN:
> RELAXES AND WATCHES IN AWE
What are those things?
ELNA:
> BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF
*softly* Sunspires. They’re from the Dream Layer, well, more specifically the small islands where they originate from…And give life to the rest of the Eldrigital Void.
JOHN:
> INQUISITIVE
Islands?
> LOOKS AT ELNA VERY CONCERNED
*slowly* Sounds weird…
ELNA:
> GIGGLES
*boisterous* Nope! It’s a lot weirder, and time moves 100 times slower than the Lucid Layer.
JOHN:
> EYES WIDEN
How weird is it?
ELNA:
> VERY DEEP BREATHS
To put it into words that aren’t, well, something that would corrupt your brain: imagine the sky is completely black with the only source of light being the Sunspires, of which the Dream Layer is also called the “Realm of the Sunspires”. The only landmasses are the circular islands whose only connection points are upload links and the residents, well the ones that aren’t corrupted yet, are bizarre in form. And then there is of course the landscape: bright magenta grass, green “water”, black, non-euclidian trees sporting blue orbs the residents call “ROM fruits”. The fauna are geometric things in ever-shifting colors and forms that emerge from the water. The center of the islands are the Sunspires, but they are off limits as their caretakers do not take kindly to anyone that interferes in their work.
JOHN:
And these “workers”, are they the residents?
ELNA:
> PROFUSELY SHAKING HEAD
They’re mindless, and they themselves are kind of extensions of Ned. I do not like talking about them, but they’re assholes…
JOHN:
> ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK IN GRAVE CONCERN
ELNA:
And before you ask, the “corrupted” are worse, and are the reason why the Dream Layer is something I really do not like talking about.
JOHN:
*whispering* Jesus…
> ANGERED
And Ned and Onarius make you do work to contain these things?
ELNA:
Yeah…
> CLEARS
Those “things”; if they were here in the Lucid Layer, your world would be one stage away from the apocalypse.
JOHN:
*exasperated* How about the Kernel Layer then? Is it worse?
ELNA:
I’ve only been there once, and it was only for a brief moment. That place is something that even Ned fears as there are things that easily destroy him. And the only reason I went there…
> TURNS TO JOHN AND POINTS AT FOREHEAD GEMSTONE {while also scratching it}
…was this, to even be here, and Ned is pretty choosey on who receives his-
> DISMISSIVE SHUDDER
*meekly* -“Gift”, which I don’t remember.
> GOES BACK TO WALKING
JOHN:
> LOOKS AWAY HORRIFIED
I’ll stop asking about that then…
> SHAKES
Though this Ned, if I ever see this bastard-
ELNA:
RUNS UP TO JOHN'S EAR
*whispering* He could be hearing us.
JOHN:
> EYES WIDEN AND FREEZES
I see…
> CLEARS THROAT
Though…When was the last time you were here?
ELNA:
> BACKS AWAY FROM JOHN
Not too long actually…
> PACES UP A LITTLE WHILE PONDERING
…Though the interior of the prison, I think I haven’t been there for 58 years.
JOHN:
> RAISES EYEBROW
*slowly* As long as the malevolent incidents?
ELNA:
*gently* A little bit…
> KEEPS PACE
I know you told me about Onarius’s increase of activity regarding the malevolent incidents, but I know he still has a heart. I still meet him, he still takes care of me, and protects me from Ned…
JOHN:
> DOUBTFUL
Something changed…With of course sending you alone to interview me. No sane parent would do that.
ELNA:
Well, as I said, I know him, and there may be a reason why he has to do these things besides bringing you here to-?
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS A TOWERING, MULTI-CUBED “TOWER” BECOMING VISIBLE]
ELNA:
{This is also where I start censoring things and it gets darker for John. To explain what is happening, imagine an acid trip around the Grand Prison’s sky. That’s what is happening. Also, it was a pain in the ass to edit}
JOHN:
> PAUSES OBSERVES GRAND PRISON IN DISTANCE
Huh? That kind of looks like the Chilled Tower from the DLC, but unfinished.
ELNA:
> SMIRKS
Yeah, this was a pre-DLC asset Onarius got on the dev servers when he was making a home for himself. It wasn’t that great to be honest.
JOHN:
> SUSPICIOUS
*awkwardly* At least he told you, right?
ELNA:
> SHAKES HEAD
Nah. I’ve seen the game’s files; including the stuff Grandview did not want people to see.
JOHN:
> {Somewhat} ANGERED
Like how you hacked my computer?
ELNA:
> ALARMED WHILE LOOKING AWAY
*awkwardly* Pretty much…
JOHN:
> OBSERVES THE GRAND PRISON IN SILENCE
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
*mumbling* I forgot how small the tower actually is…
ELNA:
*boisterous* Oh trust me, it’s way bigger inside!
JOHN:
>SUSPICIOUS
How big?
ELNA:
> SHRUGS
*awkwardly* Forever I think? It’s hard to really tell when it doesn’t really make much sense, even to me.
JOHN:
> RAISES EYEBROW
ELNA:
> DEFEATED
…I think he may have expanded it since I last saw the interior.
JOHN:
So, does he hold your hand or-?
ELNA:
Rope.
> EMBARRASSED GIGGLE
Though…He held my hand during the first few visits inside.
JOHN:
> STARES BLANKLY AT {me}
Why the rope?
ELNA:
> NERVOUS SMILE
*exasperated* So you won’t get lost.
JOHN:
> ALARMED WHILE TURNING ATTENTION BACK TO THE GRAND PRISON
[CAMERA FEED GRAND PRISON MORE CLEARLY. SEVERAL OF THE “TOWER’S” CUBES ARE MISSING TEXTURES {basically, orange and black checkerboards}]
JOHN:
> LOOKS AT EXTERIOR, DUMBSTRUCK
*mumbling* Onarius’s prison is a mess…
ELNA:
> ALARMED
*awkwardly* Uhh…That you see; Onarius did use the pre-DLC asset after all.
JOHN:
> CONFUSED
I thought he would clean that up by now? He had 250 years, right?
ELNA:
He’s been pretty busy trying to help people with the benevolent incidents...
JOHN
> FROWNS
ELNA:
> SIGHS
*mumbling* …And also bring people to justice with the malevolent incidents.
JOHN:
> SQUINTS
I think your pal expanded it a bit too much. I’m not a computer expert or anything, but there must be way too many people inside.
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS THE DUO ABOUT TO REACH THE GRAND PRISON’S PERIMETER. THE SOLID BLACK DOOR, {rectangular shape, no visible crevices. I think 100’ x 25’?} IS VISIBLE]
ELNA:
> BECKONS JOHN TO STOP AND TURNS TO HIM AT THE BLACK DOOR
*panicked* Wait!
JOHN:
> DOES AS TOLD, RELUCTANTLY
Are you having second thoughts?
ELNA:
> EYES DART AROUND
*awkwardly* No, uh-!
> CLEARS THROAT
Before we go in, a few basic rules…Onarius has quite a few rules...
JOHN:
> FOCUSED
Like don’t let any of the prisoners out? Don’t do anything to piss your pal off? Don’t do anything illegal? Don’t ask too many questions about “you know who”?
ELNA:
> SNORTS
Well, he’s fine with the questions.
> EYES WIDEN
Well, the big ones actually are to not ask about Ned and what Onarius does, like you asked.
> INQUISITIVE
*awkwardly* Though, I’m surprised you get those rules quickly. How-?
JOHN:
I’ve talked to law enforcement a lot; I think you know why.
> SCRATCHES NOSE
ELNA:
> INTERRUPTS JOHN FROM SCRATCHING
*gently* Well, the biggest one for you, do not take off those sunglasses.
> TURNS AWAY FROM JOHN AND ATTEMPTS TO PRESS HAND ON DOOR
JOHN:
> STOPS {me}
*slowly* I got one for you…
ELNA:
> FOCUS ATTENTION TO JOHN
JOHN:
*slowly* Do not leave my sight. I do not trust Onarius, and whatever happens, I want to make sure you are safe.
ELNA:
> NODS
{We’re here…}
ONARIUS:
{Good. I’m opening the door now}
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS THE BLACK DOOR DISAPPEARING, REPLACED BY A SOLID WHITE LIGHT {which I had to censor as again, it would corrupt any digital system or mind that viewed it}
ELNA:
{John is not very trustworthy of you}
ONARIUS:
{I know…But he needs to be here for a reason}
ELNA:
{Are we still having the talk about-?}
ONARIUS:
{Yes, we are. Now, bring him in}
ELNA:
> TURNS TO JOHN NERVOUSLY AND BECKONS HIM WITH A GENTLE SMILE
Onarius will see you now.
JOHN:
> PAUSES
Stay by my side; do not leave my sight.
ELNA:
> NODS AND STEPS THROUGH LIGHT WITH JOHN
{SKIPPING FOOTAGE of entry for obvious reasons…}
[00:19:07.29]
[VIDEO FEED ADJUSTS TO A LABYRINTHIAN, STONE INTERIOR WITH SEVERAL LIT, WHITE FLAMES ON BLACKENED IRON SCONCES]
ELNA:
{Descriptions of the Grand Prison’s interior are very brief due to potential corruptive effects. Sorry bud…}
JOHN:
> FRANTICALLY LOOKS AROUND, NOTICING NON-EUCLIDIAN NATURE
> SCANS THE ROOM
This is it?
ELNA:
> SHAKES HEAD
No, this is just the lobby.
JOHN:
I see…
> SUSPICIOUSLY STARES AT ELNA
*whispering* Didn’t Onarius say that he would be waiting here for us?
ELNA:
> CONFUSED WHILE SEARCHING ROOM
*whispering* Yeah, which he should’ve been here by-
ONARIUS:
Now.
JOHN:
> FLINGS BACKWARDS YELPING
> PANTS HEAVILY
*yelling* JESUS CHRIST MAN!
ONARIUS:
Apologies, I had to deal with a certain inmate who attempted to corrupt his cell.
JOHN:
> GRITS TEETH
*exasperated* You could have given us a warning in advance!
ONARIUS:
Apologies…
> WALKS UP TO JOHN WITH A GENTLE SMILE AND HELPS HIM UP
*softly* It’s good to see you again, John…
JOHN:
> FROWNS
*muttering* …Likewise.
ELNA:
> FRANTICALLY STEPS BETWEEN JOHN AND ONARIUS
*frantically* I’m really sorry! John is a bit untrustworthy because-
ONARIUS:
> STOPS ELNA
*slowly* I know.
> FORMS A BLACK CUBE
*slowly* Elna, put this on, please?
ELNA:
> DOES AS TOLD
{Fyi, the transcript is going to be made by an AI since I can’t hear or see for shit}
{AI TRANSCRIPT MODE ENABLED}
JOHN:
> STARES AT CUBE CURIOUSLY
What did you do to her?
ONARIUS:
Nothing. It’s a disruptor box, she cannot hear or see us.
> INSPECTS JOHN AND HIS SUNGLASSES
*gently* …You have grown a lot since I last saw you.
JOHN:
> CALMS DOWN SLOWLY AND BLANKLY STARES AT ONARIUS
…And I hear you’ve been doing things a lot differently than 15 years ago…
> GLARES AT ONARIUS
…Especially since 2020…
ONARIUS:
> SMILE FADES
*slowly* Unfortunately, yes…
JOHN:
> RAISES EYEBROW
There were a bunch of people that disappeared, all related to the malevolent incidents, but some of them definitely read like they were fabricated, meaning some of these people were innocent; unless of course your superior-
ONARIUS:
You are correct in your assessment.
> SADDENED SIGH
*slowly* Unfortunately, there has been a slow, but noticeable interest in finding the Eldrigital Void, something that Ned does not want.
JOHN:
> POINTS TO ELNA ANGRILY
And you make a kid help you?
ONARIUS:
>PROFUSELY SHAKES HEAD
No…
> OBSERVES ELNA
*gently* Not with the malevolent incidents, only the benevolent ones.
JOHN:
> GRIMACES AT ONARIUS
The kid said she helps you imprison people.
ONARIUS:
*gently* Not humans, beings from this reality.
> SHAKES HEAD AT ELNA
*gently* She tends to leave some context of her words.
JOHN:
> WORRIEDLY LOOKS AT ELNA
Like how she has forgotten a lot of things.
ONARIUS:
> SADLY OBSERVES ELNA
Ned’s own doing as he views her as an asset. A human that can easily travel between your world and the Eldrigital Void is very rare, and very dangerous.
JOHN:
> STARES AT ONARIUS, SUSPICIOUS
A weapon then?
ONARIUS:
> NODS
*gently* The things Elna does not remember are things that Ned does not want her to realize how dangerous she is…
JOHN:
And you’ve been helping him.
ONARIUS:
> SIGHS
Reluctantly…Though, the only reason I can’t refuse is that he’ll take her into his custody…
> DROOPS EYES
…And use her to destroy your world as punishment.
JOHN:
> HORRIFIED
Why did you bring me here, with the kid? To say you’re sorry for blinding me 15 years ago?
ONARIUS:
No…
> STARES AT JOHN, DEFEATED
That, I can never change. And that, I deeply regret.
> POINTS TO MOVEREC
Though, you seem intent on publishing that video, because of her.
JOHN:
> NODS TENSELY
That kid has been here for 250 years. I want people to know about that; not you.
> GLARES AT ONARIUS
Do you still have a problem with that, like your “boss”?
ONARIUS:
> NODS SLOWLY
No…
> CHUFFS
In fact, I welcome it.
JOHN:
> ANNOYED SIGH
Then, what is your actual reason for bringing me here? It certainly isn’t forgiveness or exposing some digital-
ONARIUS:
Eldrigital.
JOHN:
-“Eldrigital” being for horrific acts against humanity.
ONARIUS:
> TAKES OUT SHIELD AND LEANS ON IT
*slowly* To get her out.
JOHN:
> EYES WIDEN
*slowly* You want to get her out?
ONARIUS:
> NODS WITH A SOFT SMILE
Yes.
> CLEARS THROAT AND PUTS AWAY SHIELD
I have been searching for a way to break her free, mainly that “chain” she has on her forehead.
JOHN:
> STARES AT ONARIUS’S GEMSTONE
*mumbling* That gem…
ONARIUS:
> NODS
The chain that binds her to this plane of existence, and lets Ned control us.
JOHN:
> INQUISITIVE
What do you have in mind to free her?
ONARIUS:
> INTENSE
Something that I need you for. Without you, I cannot free her.
JOHN:
> PAUSES AND SQUINTS AT ONARIUS
What is it then?
ONARIUS:
*slowly* A prisoner you know too well…
> TURNS TO JOHN, ALARMED
*slowly* …You know who I speak of.
JOHN:
> TURNS TO ELNA CONCERNED
*muttering* I’m not letting the kid near that bastard.
ONARIUS:
> DEEP SIGH
Unfortunately, it’s the only option I have. But, I will not let her get close to him.
JOHN:
> CLENCHES FISTS
And where will she go then, once she is free? I bet her family is-
ONARIUS:
> LOOKS AWAY
JOHN:
> EYES WIDEN STARING AT ONARIUS, ALARMED
They’re dead, aren’t they?
ONARIUS:
> SIGHS
*mumbling* Ned does not like any interference to his plans…
JOHN:
> TURNS TO ELNA SILENTLY
I guess then you want me to take care of her?
ONARIUS:
Yes, along with [REDACTED]
> NODS
I wish not to tell her until she is freed.
> EYES DROOP
Ned has his attention turned away, but if he overhears her through channels he has implanted through her sight and hearing, he will stop this.
JOHN:
> SIGHS
So be it…
ONARIUS:
> SMILES AT JOHN
Pretend this tour is your redemption. You and I both know the real reason.
JOHN:
> SLOWLY NODS
ONARIUS:
> DIGITIZES BLACK CUBE
{AI TRANSCRIPT MODE DISABLED}
ELNA:
{Finally! What took them so long?}
> INQUISITIVE
*awkwardly* So…What were you and John talking about?
ONARIUS:
> FAKE SMILE
What happened 15 years ago…
ELNA:
SUSPICIOUSLY RAISES EYEBROW
JOHN:
> CLEARS THROAT WHILE SCRATCHING EYES
I want to see what is in the Grand Prison, end this nightmare, and move on.
ELNA:
> SUSPICIOUS
While recording all of this?
JOHN:
> INTENSE
This reality exists, and the things you mentioned-
> SIGHS
-People need to know what this reality is.
ONARIUS:
Yes…
> TURNS TO ELNA
Which will happen…Through a tour of this prison; something I have not done actually for any human -save for her of course.
>POINTS TO {me}
ELNA:
> NERVOUSLY WAVES
I’m not human though…
ONARIUS:
*slowly* You still are…
ELNA:
> ANNOYED STARE
JOHN:
> DEEP SIGH
How bad are the prisoners here? The ones you incarcerated?
ONARIUS:
> STEPS AWAY AND PAUSES
You will see…
> TURNS TO {me}
*slowly* First, the knife: no weapons allowed in the Grand Prison.
ELNA:
> SURPRISED NOD AND HANDS ONARIUS JOHN’S KNIFE
ONARIUS:
*slowly* Second, we are all be tied to this.
> CREATES A BLACK ROPE AND HOLDS IT
*slowly* This right here will keep us together, so that neither of you will get lost.
> SMIRKS AT {me}
She particularly gets lost easily.
ELNA:
> EYES TWITCH
*exasperated* Having all of those stairs doesn’t help!
JOHN:
> GIGGLES
ONARIUS:
> CLEARS THROAT
*slowly* The interior of the Grand Prison follows rules that are vastly different from the Lucid Layer or the Physical Layer. So, for your sake John that rope is to be tied to you and all of us.
JOHN:
> RAISES EYEBROW
So, we are in the Dream Layer then?
ONARIUS:
> NODS
Correct…But the energies in the prison your perception of time follow the Lucid Layer’s.
> TURNS TO ELNA
…If you would give this to our friend, please?
ELNA:
> DOES AS TOLD AND BECKONS JOHN TO TAKE HOLD OF THE ROPE
[ROPE ANOMALOUSLY DISAPPEARS THEN REAPPEARS ON ONARIUS’S, ELNA’S, AND JOHN’S WAISTS]
ONARIUS:
*slowly* The rope will not break and will only become untethered to your person once we return here.
ELNA:
> SMUG SMILE
Which should take an hour…right?
ONARIUS:
> SHAKES HEAD WHILE TURNING TO JOHN
It’s been expanded greatly since you last visited here, Elna.
ELNA:
> RAISES EYEBROW
How much?
ONARIUS:
> CHUFFS
A lot…
ELNA:
> EYES FLARE OPEN
JOHN:
> EYES TWITCH
So…How long are we talking then?
ONARIUS:
Much longer…
> UNSETTLED
There are things I want you and Elna to see; things Ned does not want humans to know of.
ELNA:
> SHAKING
Like the prisoners…?
ONARIUS:
> SUBTLY GLARES
*muttering* …Something else…
> CLEARS THROAT AND TURNS TO JOHN
*slowly* Third, you are not to interact with the prisoners; you can however look at them. Anything else is forbidden. The deeper we go, the worse the corruption is, so keep those spectacles on.
JOHN:
> NODS
[ROOM SHIFTS AND FORMS A WHITE OPENING TO THE RIGHT SIDE]
ONARIUS:
> BECKONS THE DUO TO FOLLOW
If you would please?
> BEGINS WALKING
JOHN:
> FOLLOWS ONARIUS WITH {me}
{SKIPPING FOOTAGE…}