Chapter Text
[LOAD AUTOMATIC BACKUP? Y/N]
[INPUT: [Y]]
[LOADING... 100%]
[ATEMPTING TO RECOVER INSCRYPTION.EXE...100%]
[RESTORATION COMPLETE]
[LOADING RESOURCES... PLEASE WAIT...0%]
Before I could comprehend what happened, the world faded away in an instant. Darkness surrounded me. All I could feel was the frozen touch of eternity. I struggled to move my sore limbs. “Where am I?” I mutter under my breath; my words echo around me. Mind-numbing pain coursed throughout my head. The only thing I remember was answering a call from a reporter, telling them something about GameFuna. Then someone was at the door... It’s all muddled after that. Why can't I see anything? Everything around me was pitch black.
This can't seriously be happening... All those days I spent researching and trying to get to the source of all this madness. Am I... dead?
Hah, no way, that’s ridiculous, I can't be dead. Maybe this is just a Nightmare, just a really weird nightmare. It's probably because of how stressful this week was. Especially because of Gamefuna. Fucking damn it, I was such an idiot for contacting that stupid company. Ever since I did that, I've been seeing an employee from Gamefuna stalking my cabin for weeks now. If all that isn't scary enough, the game that they have been trying to get has been driving me crazy.
Thankfully, all that was recorded, I wouldn’t even believe myself if there wasn’t any evidence. I already posted all my videos playing the game. Well anyway, I should be waking up any minute now. But it's strange, it feels like I’ve forgotten something important.
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a loud clank behind me. A small green flare of light appeared then sporadically moved away. It creates a passage deeper into the darkness as if it wanted to guide me somewhere. Even if this was a dream, it's difficult not to get paranoid. I’m probably going to be waking up soon, so I might as well see this through.
I guess following the light was now the only way to move forward. Steadily I get up and walk down this empty world. But before I even realized it, the ground collapsed around me, which causes me to helplessly fall into the void. I had nothing to grab onto. Rushing wind burned away at my skin. I struggled to cover my face and hands as I continued to free-fall.
In a large flash of light, a bright blue sky with clouds began to surround me. “What the hell is going on?!” I shrieked while uncontrollably thrashing through the sky. I could do nothing but scream as Incoherent and unintelligible thoughts flashed throughout my mind. I braced for impact, only to bounce against the ground...
Instinctively I gasped for air, only to unpleasantly cough and gag at the dryness of my own throat. Somehow without sustaining a single injury, I managed to land safely onto the mud-stained ground. There's no fucking way anyone would survive a fall like that, this had to be a nightmare. After a brief moment to catch my breath, I got the courage to open my eyes. What I saw left me speechless.
This place was very vibrant, to say the least. Massive oak trees and shrubs were scattered across the terrain. An alluring mass of flora and fauna inhabited this forest which grew everywhere. This was a very pleasant change compared to where I was trapped before. I live close to a forest near my cabin, so it's somewhat relieving to be in someplace familiar. Actually, that’s where I first found Inscryption. Ever since then, it feels like I've gone insane. But I guess someone needed to find it, Kaycee and those people who worked on that game deserve justice for what happened to them. And if it had to be me for that to happen, so be it.
But anyway, this forest looks noticeably different from the one near my home. From looking around, this place looks way too overgrown and wild. Many menacing eyes glare from within the trees, judging my every action. It’s as if there hungrily waiting in the shadows to have me for their next meal. For some reason, this place makes me feel a strong sense of deja vu, but where could I have seen this before?
There wasn’t enough time to remember. It feels like the longer I stay here, the more danger I’ll be in. So, I attempt to stand on my shaking legs as blood rapidly rushed to my head. I muddle forward somehow without tripping and make my way down the grassy terrain, hoping to find some sort of path out of here. This pain feels excruciating, but it can't be real.
The looming seance of being watched remains to linger, the silence was eerie. There was hardly any space between the trees to move, I was barely able to wrangle my way through. There's defiantly no turning back now, there's no other choice but to move forward. A sharp tingling pain shot up through my leg, I quickly look down and notice that something small pierced my ankle.
As I stare down, large furious amber eyes stare back. It withers under the heel of my boot; its black and auburn head poise up to strike again. Holly shit it’s a snake. Fuck, I should have watched where I was going. Quickly I get my boot off the snake, then as fast as I could, I sprint away from the creature. When I turn back, it was nowhere to be seen. I can't help but let out a sigh of relief.
When I was in the clear, my attention was on the unbearable pain spread around my ankle. It weighed me down, so there's no choice but to take a break. After carefully observing the forest floor, I sit down, making sure not to put any weight on the injury.
There were two puncture wounds, the skin around it looks red and irritated. It was a stupid idea to run after being bitten by a snake, what am I going to do if it was venomous? I have no plan at all! My heart started beating out of my chest and it burns unpleasantly. Suddenly a metallic taste seeped into my mouth. “It's not real,” I tell myself while gripping my head. I'm not sure if I can keep telling myself that, this pain feels way too real. But it doesn’t matter if it's real or not, I just want to get out of here. And I need to get off my ass and look for a way out.
The snake bite makes walking more difficult and it’s impossible to tell where I was going, no matter where I turned it was an endless bush of trees. It was starting to get dark; the sun must be setting. A cold chill went up my spine, there's no way I could survive a night trapped in these woods. Luckily, I haven't encountered any signs of wolves or other beasts besides the snake. I’m not sure how long that’s going to last if I don’t get out of here soon.
I didn’t realize it at first, but I could faintly hear something in the distance. It didn’t sound like an animal, though it was kind of like the sound of harsh scraping or cutting. Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but is there someone else out here? With how fast my legs could carry me, I proceed towards the noise. Swiping away branches and this time minding my step as I walk further down. To my amazement, there was someone there. Normally I would think it’s a bad idea to talk to strangers in the woods, but honestly, I'm starting to get desperate. Considering what's been going on, it would seriously be great to talk to someone. Just to make sure I haven't gone crazy.
Hastily I stumble out of the overgrown woods and bring my attention to a lone figure sitting on a stump. Whoever they were, they haven’t seemed to notice me yet. They looked preoccupied with carving something out of wood. Some wooden totems were laying nearby in the grass. They looked unsettlingly identical to the items I used when I played Inscryption...
Their back was faced towards me so it was hard to make out what they looked like. Besides having long dark-grey hair and what I thought was a brown dress. “Um hey there, sorry for bothering you but I got lost out here, is there any chance you know where I could...” my words fell silent from pure shock, the figure turned to me. I recognized her.
A long period of silence followed, it was unnerving, her eyes burrowed into the very essence of my soul. At least, that’s what it felt like. I'm not sure how to describe the look on her face. “Another fatality and another end to a tedious cycle,” she spoke in a tired yet solemn manner. She continued to carve away at a totem, which looked like an ant head. “You saw it, didn’t you. I tried to warn you.” she glances back at me expectingly, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. She sighs, “Unfortunately, it will never be enough. The evil which rests here is undying.”.
What is she talking about? There's no way she’s referring to that, right? I try to speak but I just couldn’t, it was difficult to get the right words out. What could I even say? It doesn’t matter, none of this could be real. I'll just start with what I need to know, “S-so, uh do you know where I am?”, as soon as those words came out of my mouth, I knew how stupid that sounded, but I guess that’s afoot in the right direction to getting a clue to what the hell's going on.
She nodded, “Yes, you have been cursed to a similar fate as your predecessor. However, I didn’t predict you would be here as... this.”. After hearing that I only felt more confused, like I'm missing out on some elaborate cruel joke. The wind started to worsen, which chills me to my core. It reminded me that I didn’t have much time to spare, “sorry but I'm in a bit of a hurry, do you know any way out of this forest, or maybe a place with a phone?” I say while rubbing my arms.
The elderly woman looked at me puzzlingly, “What would be the point? Things can only get worse from here; the corruption will continue to grow, and this world will become...” she pauses for a moment, but continues on another subject, "If you go out there, you will only inevitably meet them. It would be very unwise to get in the way of their quarrel's”.
“... I don’t know what you're talking about. I’ll try not to mess with anything, so could you point me to where I can get out of here, please?” I say hoping to convince her, there's no chance I could survive here. She stares at me with a look of uncertainty. Before I had the chance to mutter another word, she raises her arm and points off in the distance. In a definite tone, she explains “If you continue to travel down south, you will find an exit off this island... Along the way you will also find a cabin, all I can say to you is be careful.”.
It was such a huge relief to hear that, not sure why she was so hesitant to tell me, but it looks like things are finally starting to make sense... Wait, hang on- did she say island. Why the heck am I on an island?! You know what, never mind, the important thing is that I know where I'm going. I gratefully thank her and we say our goodbyes. When I turn to leave in the direction she mentioned, she calls out “Wait” and walks over to me.
The Old woman reaches her hand out, “Before you go, take this”. In her hand was something I had never seen the likes of before. It looked incredibly weary with age, but in decent condition regardless. “It belonged to an old acquaintance of mine, they had no use for it anymore and I never had the opportunity nor chance to use it. However, I suppose you need it more than I do,” she explains as she places the artifact into my hand. It was cold to the touch, just by looking at it I could tell that it was not something you should be giving out to people you meet in the forest, “Are you sure you want me to have this? This looks... I mean, we’ve just met and I don’t even know your name.”.
She goes and packs away her totems into a bag, “I go by the Woodcarver. Take care to not lose that item, Goodbye now.” The Woodcarver swiftly disappears into the forest. I still had questions, but they will have to go unanswered; I was alone again. The Woodcarver... She was one of the NPC’s in Inscryption, his mind felt like overcooked jelly. It's not real, I've been playing Inscryption for the past week, so it's no wonder I'm dreaming about it, right?
Well Anyway, I carefully place the strange artifact into my pocket. As I do that, I notice all the dirt and grime all over me. Oh crap, I didn’t realize how filthy my clothes were, it had patches of dirt, grass and etc. stick onto my pants and shirt. Oh fuck, I really liked these clothes. Whatever, it's time to go on back into the cramped forest again. I shove my way through. Then before I knew it, there was a clearing up ahead.
It was just as the Woodcarver mentioned, an old cabin loomed over in the distance. As the sun continues to set, my surroundings became less apparent to me. I don’t know why, but something about this cabin looked off, it had such a familiar yet unsettling ambiance to it. Maybe I should take my chances and look for the exit instead. But then again, it would be a stupid idea to be wandering around here at night. I don’t know why, but I feel such a burning curiosity to check out the cabin. Everything about this was so frustrating, I still had no clue what was going on or why this is even happening.
Maybe I could ask whoever owns the cabin if I could use their phone. That would be fantastic, this whole mess could be sorted if I could just call for help because unfortunately, I have no idea where my phone was. Not to mention everything else I own.
As I trudge towards the door, I spot a large dog sleeping in a kennel. Carefully I sneak past it, the last thing I want is to wake it up. My mind begins to wander and I can't help but hesitate. Nobody would be happy with any visitors at this hour, it was the dead of night. And this sounds stupid, but this place reminds me a lot of those cheesy horror movies. You know the ones with the old shabby cabin in the middle of the woods, where a crazy killer with a chainsaw lives? Because that is what this situation feels like. But maybe I'm just being paranoid...
With what little courage I had, I knock on the door. There's no answer. Oh fuck, what if there’s nobody in there? But that can't be right, the lights inside were on. I wearily look at the surroundings behind me, but it's way too dark to see anything. There's no way I can turn back now. After a moment, I knock slightly harder against the door, then it slowly creaked open; lingering ajar.