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Fantasy Terrorchild: Awakening

THE FINAL CHOICE New
One by one, they make their pitches - everything from carving out charming little niches in their own private heavens for your loved ones where they'd be out of your reach forever, to kitschy festivals and folk-tales about your adventures... Karal, Vestria, and Gallanis lay out their plans to nurture the world they've spent centuries neglecting, as if the power you now hold was all that was missing.

Your heart remains unmoved, even as Gallanis, the last to speak, offers to put your divinity to work caring for children in poverty. It isn't because you don't care; it's just the opposite, in fact - every decision you made on your two year journey to climb the ranks of the coven and achieve your sister's resurrection have been colored by your impoverished beginnings. Yes, you had been impatient, violent, and spiteful, but you had also been robbed of your innocence by the very people who should've protected it, all for a game between them that benefits no one. And worse yet, you had so little time to plan ahead; ever since you escaped from Diala's clutches, your life has existed on a razor's edge, with the scant few who have stood beside you facing death and despair around every corner.

And Gallanis was right, after all; your compassion hasn't died - no matter what you've been through - but your trust is a very different matter. These things that they offer... they've always been within their power to achieve, haven't they? But they refused to act, unwilling to spend their own divinity to see it done, and so they ask for yours. How could you even expect them to honor their promises? With the threat posed by Syrith greatly diminished, would they not just throw you to the same wolves they abandoned you to before? No... You will not hand over anything you've struggled for so dearly just so that they will promise to do the jobs that they ought to be doing already.

Instead, you'll do as you've always done: find your own path, and do whatever it is that you desire - and some of what you desire is even good and selfless! You're under no obligation to serve any other god, and if they haven't learned that yet, they will, and very soon... just as Syrith already has. You welcome them to change their minds and treat you as something more than a - what was it Syrith said...? A 'plaything of the gods?' - although thousands of years of history that chronicles the squabbles between light and dark suggests they never will.

Oh well.

Having had enough of you brooding silence, Zephimus finally demands an answer. "...Well?"

A cynical smirk draws itself on your lips as you remember his reply from before. "I suppose I'm not impressed."

He sighs, heavily, shooting a look back to Gallanis, who in turn simply hangs his head. When the creator god turns back to you, he seems barely composed. "How very adolescent. ...You've been coddled, Agranne - shielded from your own inadequacies by a naive god - with more faith than sense and naught the fortitude to end his misadventures before the consequences come home to roost!" Zephimus rants, before wheeling back around on Gallanis again. "You and your endless compassion, Gallanis... You should've let her die when I told you she was a lost cause!"

"You've let her wound your ego, Zephimus," Gallanis replies, hotly, "and you aren't seeing things for what they are! Agranne and Syrith are birds of a feather, but that doesn't mean we have to repeat the same blunders-"

"BLUNDERS!?" Zephimus explodes. "Is it now a blunder that we stood united against the usurper and her kin, and halted her before she could destroy our mandate? Is it a 'blunder' that we prevented her followers from corrupting the entire world, just like your precious Agranne has done to every land in her travels?"

You feel the weight and pressure exerted by the word "united" in Zephimus' speech. Karal is instantly on her toes, glaring daggers at Gallanis for speaking out against the creator for his lack of tolerance for ascendent gods like yourself. Meanwhile, Vestria looks away, pained by the sight of two old friends trading harsh words. Likewise, Upa's slack-jawed smile fades, leaving only worry behind. Regardless, Gallanis stands tall, his old and weathered vessel appearing almost fatherly to Zephimus, despite the fact that the two gods have nearly the opposite relationship.

"I don't know how else to describe any series of decisions that results in a world in which there are both too many gods, and not enough gods - where divinity is on-hand but saved endlessly for some far off, apocalyptic battle. If we don't change our ways soon, there will be nothing left to save from Syrith!" Gallanis argues passionately, the weight of the world's suffering clearly evident on his brow in a way that's clearly missing from his master. "And you know that she wasn't like this in the beginning. There's no going back now, but here, right here, is our chance to avoid creating another evil like her. You've seen the future - just as I have; why do you insist on this course of events!?"

"Because I don't compromise with my creations. Not you, nor Syrith, and certainly not Agranne. I'm the only one who can survive the unmaking of this world; perhaps that's why you cling to it so dearly. But if I should start again, I would imbue the creatures of the new world with reverence for the divine, and obedience to my will, so that the suffering these mortals have caused can never be repeated! So..." he says, turning back to you and your allies, who have watched in horror at his increasingly sinister declarations, "if you cannot compromise, you will know my fury."

Not just Gallanis, but Vestria and Upa shout at once as Zephimus raises his palm to face you. A bright light erupts and a sound of thunder crashes across the landscape, shaking you to your core. As the light fades, you find that Syrith has appeared, her sword leveled at the creator unflinchingly. The surrounding land of the island in the river has been changed - an ashen, deathly texture overtaking all of it as barren trees and even rocks seem to slump into dust around you, but the Eldest had effortlessly protected you and your allies, who have huddled behind you.

But even more surprising than Syrith's quick appearance is Gallanis, standing at her side, and lending his limited strength.

"...I will tear you down, Gallanis," Zephimus promises, his enraged voice falling to an eerie calm. "The world will know that Agranne is your doing."

Vestria begins to cry as she observes the confrontation. "This is madness;" she pleads. "Gallanis is right; we cannot stand by idly and wait for this world to be destroyed! What I offered you, Agranne," she says, turning her attention to you, "...I'll give freely of my own divinity."

"I FORBID YOU!" Zephimus screams, turning back in wrath. "Every mote of divine power wasted on mortal frivolities is sabotage in our war against the forces of darkness. If you intend to bend to their demands, then I'll have your divinity, just as I've taken from Gallanis. Look at the fool! With the fraction he still holds, he insists on defying me!"

Syrith lets out a cold laugh. "If every mote must be devoted to our destruction-"

"...Then you intended to take my divinity without honoring your agreements!" you inject, finishing Syrith's thought.

"It doesn't belong to you."

"Nor any mortal!" Karal adds, fiercely.

Zephimus looks from you to Vestria, and then to Upa, and realizes that his rejection of Gallanis has nearly turned them against him as well. Suddenly surrounded on all sides by enemies aside from Karal, some inescapable conclusion settles upon the creator, something which strikes at his very foundation. "I... I've said too much - spoken without thinking... Vestria, please, let's discuss your intentions at the Table of Creation and I'm certain we can reach an agreement."

She glares at him. "I won't speak with you if Gallanis is cast out of the Pantheon."

The creator balks at first, suppressing another bout of rage as he breathes hard, before swallowing and accepting that there's only one path forward. "...Fine. FINE! Gallanis, we'll discuss your rebellion as well, and ensure that we all agree on what side we're on," he says, voice dripping with hatred and venom. "As for the rest of you... Know that there's no relief from the suffering you'll experience once your reckoning arrives."

Your allies hang their heads and hold their tongues, knowing that any argument will simply prolong the confrontation.

"Above all else..." Gallanis says quietly as he glances over to you, a numb expression on his face, but as Zephimus turns his back on you to walk back to his circle of divine runes, the charity god cracks an amazing and unexpected smile, full of sly satisfaction "...Stay true to yourself - free from the Pantheon."

You nod in quiet amazement, and he takes his leave with the others. The return to the rune circle, and moments later, another bolt of lightning erases them from the scene, whisking them away to some faraway place called the Table of Creation, where they can apparently settle their differences by yelling at one another. You turn to Syrith, wondering what she thinks of what transpired, but she doesn't say anything. She simply grins, brimming with self-satisfaction at the course of events, then puts her sword back in its scabbard and places her hand on the pommel. She teleports away, reappearing with the others near the entrance to the cave.

You read her mind, and find that she's already reading yours.

The days ahead are the best you'll ever have. I'll be waiting, when they're over.

Who's to say they'll end? From here on, I'm choosing my destiny.

"Agranne," Embryx says, grabbing you into a hug and breaking your concentration. "That was intense. I can't believe that just fucking happened - I mean... Syrith and Gallanis just... Are... Are we safe now? What do we do?" she stammers.

You look to the others and sigh, letting go of the stress your encounter with the gods had left you with. "...Let's go north, towards Ryggander. I have a few dying wishes I need to fulfil for Stalna, Raka, and Rheyah," you reply. "I'd also like to work some miracles there, and maybe start a coven of my own..."

Gradually, your unbroken confidence begins to settle her nerves, and the nerves of your other companions. They begin to realize that, although the future is full of danger and treachery, they've faced their greatest adversaries head-on already and found it possible to survive unharmed. There is a great wide world into which they can venture, and a lifetime of possibilities to explore, and they're going to enjoy every moment of this chance they've been given without any authority to rule them - aside from the wild desires in their hearts.

-THE END-
Thank you everyone for reading and contributing to this crazy project over the past year. Terrorchild has been a fixation and a passion for me since it began, and seeing it finally come to a conclusion, even one which remains open-ended, is a bit bittersweet. I look forward to future games set in its universe, so that Agranne and her friends (and foes) can continue their adventures. I'll also begin an epilogue in this thread sometime soon which will allow us to peek through a crystal ball at a few of the options we didn't take to reach this ending.

Lastly, I just want to take this moment to say that, since I began writing Terrorchild, the world has become a much darker place for me and many of the people I love. Life has never felt more uncertain - but like Agranne, we're free to be always true to ourselves, free to love, free to uplift each other, and free to resist any attempts by others to beat us down - no matter how we're labeled or excluded in the process.

Take every opportunity to thrive, give everything you have to give, and appreciate every small gesture of kindness.

-Lydia
 
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An epic tale has finally come to a close after almost an entire year, I don't know if I can even put into words the fun I've had reading it and contributing as a voter over at Inko! (even managing to spread it further). In many ways, it's been phenomenal seeing your writing at its A-game, refined over ten years of continuous writing. Overall, it's just been an absolutely incredibly time! I look forward to seeing not just those alternate endings, but also seeing where you take this universe further.

The votes may be over, and in turn, what little influence we voters had on Agranne, but if you can still hear me, Agranne, don't let your hate for Syrith wane! Never work with her, to your final days! If an opportunity presents itself where you can not just kill her, but erase her from existence, take it! TAKE IT! SHE DESERVES NOTHING!
 
From fairly early on, I decided to forgo any idea to play this game in a cautious or "good guy" manner, save for the odd choice here and there. I wanted to see Agranne grow her wicked side and to become the titular Terrorchild of legend. For that reason, I became known as the Dark urge among the fellow posters at Inko. Every time the fae roll fell on my choice, K0mo would spin the bloody consequences with enough force to give everyone pause, both in game and outside of it. This year-long experience is one I will never forget and hope everyone voting and reading thoroughly enjoyed it.

Borrowing from above. Agranne, you have what you wanted, but they will still come for you. Don't trust the gods to forgive and forget. Don't trust Syrith to be content with her lot in divinity. Meet them with all your fury and bloodlust when the time comes and I'll be there with you. The little voice at the back of your head, happily cackling as the Terrorchild makes her name known to the world.

Your friend and ally - The Dark Urge
 
Such a fun Journey to have read along with! Always had excitement whenever I got a ping of a new Terrorchild post. Even when I probably should have been heading to bed… sending Embryx alone with artifact.

One thing I’d like to really compliment on is your descriptions of magic. Throughout the whole series discovering magic and how the different forms worked was superb. Looking forward to reading more!
 
At the start of this RP, I was fully intent on being one of the voices of reason and good. Sort of a 'Volition' sort of voice, in Disco Elysium terms. Boy, did things go off the rails for me as time went on. Its been a wild ride, and one I wouldn't trade for anything.

Corrinth grew on me over the course of the RP, mainly because I always love those sorts of characters. The unstable, barely held together types. Often insane for one reason or another. I pushed for her downfall at first, but over time, that shifted to trying to keep her alive. Then, make her happy. A little at a time, finally fixing her mental instability through one hell of a horrifying process. She has her lover back now, here in the end, and maybe she might have her mother and other friends back too as time goes on. After the hell she's gone through, she deserves happiness just like Agranne and Embryx do.

I personally can't say that I'm super thrilled with this route we took, with Syrith having half her divinity back and is now plotting and scheming elsewhere in the world. She actively made Agranne's life hell, just like the Gods themselves did with their inaction. Still, at least Agranne has the chance to do good things in the world instead of following Syrith's example.

This was still a fantastic ending, regardless as to my personal feelings. I'm happy to have been part of this, and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. I'm looking forward to all the other things up ahead in this universe, as well as with these characters.

You're one hell of a writer, Lydia.
 
It has been an absolute pleasure to read through and participate through this wild ride, going from Agranne's humble beginnings to this wonderful ending. I had originally started as trying to be the good part of Agranne, trying to salvage her kindness and charity throughout - and although I made some... questionable votes along the way, I feel as though I have succeeded, at least with how I interpret the possibilities following the conclusion of this narrative. And that truly is the best kind of ending, one that is open to interpretation as it allows for so much to be considered with regards to Agranne's path. She has committed evils, but she herself is not fully evil... or at least, not fully like Syrith is.

K0mori K0mori I wanted to express my gratitude for allowing me - and others - to partake in this journey, and that you serve as an endless well of inspiration for my own writing. I can only hope to be even a fraction of the writer that you are and I look forward to any and all stories you create in the future and I look forward to seeing what new characters and plots you explore. Cheers to you.

To Agranne, never let go of that kindness in your heart to those who need it most. And be ruthless to those that bring suffering upon others for their own gain. You are the captain of your own destiny, and I hope you never lose sight of that.
 

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