[CONTINUE + 4] INTRO

[foundationmods]

[After so long a trip, you're all finally here. Taken through a hidden passage inside of the very mountain itself, you find yourself standing in front of a field of flowers, growing well due to the open roof above it. If you look up, you can just make out the shimmering colors off of the barrier - looking almost like the shine off of a soap bubble.

Try not to trample on the flowers as you approach the open, purple gate. And remember to wear your masks, now that you're here!

...Still, the sight of the yellow flowers waving in the wind....such a cheery sight fills you with determination for what's to come.

Welcome to the Underground.

...Again. The loop happened again, and you're here. Everything is the same.

Someone who was dead is alive again.

The trial...it was...you remember only up until Gilgamesh was FOUGHT against, and then...nothing.

You feel you shouldn't try to remember anything beyond that.

Not only that, But more monster names have faded from your memory.

...When will this end?]

Comments

[justonezero]

But-!!

I wanted... to be culprit this time.

[dereban]

That especially doesn't make it better!

[justonezero]

It does.

Because then we wouldn't have to vote for someone who didn't mean to kill anyone.

And then I wouldn't have to watch everyone vote for a friend to walk near the CORE.

[dereban]

No, it doesn't!

Just because it's on purpose doesn't mean that it's better at all! Don't you think that's kind of selfish of you?! That doesn't even consider any of our feelings at all!

[justonezero]

I'm a thaumiel in training. For the sake of everyone else... I'm supposed to help contain and protect.

But without my power, the only thing I could think of- the only way to keep everyone else away from the CORE - was if I was the one there instead.

[His words are edged with frustration, not at all the airy, perpetual cheer of the norm.]

[dereban]

But it doesn't solve any of our problems! Self sacrifice isn't going to help anyone! That isn't the real way to protect anyone!

[justonezero]

Then what am I supposed to do?!

[He doesn't know.

He doesn't get it.

If he can't be of service to the other people here, then what is he to do?]

[dereban]

I can't answer that question. That's something you have to figure out on your own. But you can't keep on trying to throw yourself under the bus for other people...

That isn't protecting them, nor is it truly kind to them.

[justonezero]

Everything's complicated now...

[It was so much easier just to help people and move on. Even when he was hated he wasn't hurt, and he could make people happy without consequence.]

I don't know what to do...

[He hates this.]

[dereban]

Life isn't simple to begin with... even with or without this. And it's fine to not know what to do, either. It isn't as if I know, either.

[Just... going to give him a pat on the shoulder.]

Just know that even if I can't give you the answer, that doesn't mean that I can't guide you to it, or support you. And everyone else is here, too.

[justonezero]

It used to be.

[Or maybe that's just the result of how he lived.]

Everyone... and everything. It all hurts so much now.

[dereban]

If you're living a 'simple' life... you're either living in ignorance or doing something wrong.

[She says those words impassively, a rather serious look in her eyes.]

Pain - isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just means that you're... [human] alive. Without it, you can't really say you're truly living. It does suck, but...

We're not alone.

[justonezero]

...I wish I could take it all away.

[The pain and the sorrow...]

But if I did, I'd just be another Mikado.