[VIDEO FEED ADJUSTS TO A LONG BLACK HALLWAY LIT BY WHITE SCONCES AND BLUE VEINS]
JOHN:
> SQUINTS AND ADJUSTS SUNGLASSES
> SUSPICIOUS
Why the long hallway for a prisoner?
ONARIUS:
> TENSE
The corruptive influence from this one is extreme, if not worse than most of the False.
ELNA:
> CONCERNED
*awkwardly* So, a demon?
ONARIUS:
> LOOKS AWAY
*muttering Worse…
> BECKONS DUO TO FOLLOW, WHO OBEY
ELNA:
> FRANTICALLY WALKS NEXT TO JOHN
*whispering* John, if what you and Onarius are alluding to, then-
> SHIVERS
*whispering* That thing in the cell is not one of the “others”, it is not mindless. It is something else. Something a lot worse.
JOHN:
I know…
> GENTLY PLACES A HAND ON {my} SHOULDER
I’m not afraid of it though.
ELNA:
> LOOKS AWAY SLOWLY
I’m not sure how Onarius kept it contained, but that thing, if it has persisted for a long time, will be more powerful than entities like me and Onarius. The only thing that could face it is Ned, or those in the Kernel Layer…
JOHN:
> FASTENED BREATHING WHILE CLENCHING FISTS
*muttering* …Or me.
ELNA:
> SIGHING WHILE ROLLING EYES
*slowly* John…I don’t think you understand. If that is what I think it is, it is something that can warp reality to its very will. It can easily destroy all of us, and transform this place to whatever it desires.
JOHN:
> DEEP SIGH
I realize that…And I have a feeling what “he” wants…
> SMIRKS
But, let me tell you something, he probably will just make this place his mansion of sin.
ELNA:
> SURPRISED
ONARIUS:
*gently* We are taking care of problems that cannot be solved by simple means…
> SADDENED
*gently* …Solutions that cannot be performed myself….
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS A LARGE CHAMBER WITH MULTIPLE BLUE VEINS, 4 {“mini spires”} ON EACH CORNER, AND A LARGE, BLACK WALL]
ELNA:
> TERRIFIED
*mumbling* You need all that for-?
> SHAKING HEAD
*exasperated* Onarius, I don’t think it’s wise to bring a human to this prisoner in question! I-I mean, John isn’t like us, he could get corrupted and-
ONARIUS:
> SLOWS PACE
I took extra precautions to prevent that. And Ned himself wanted this prisoner here as he dabbled in things that are forbidden.
JOHN:
> SHAKES HEAD SLOWLY
I wouldn’t be surprised…
ONARIUS:
> SHAKING WHILE BEFORE ENTRANCE OF ROOM
> SLOWLY TURNS TO ELNA SHAKEN
*softly* Elna…I want you to stay with me. Do not say a word to the prisoner, or anything until we leave.
> TURNS TO JOHN WITH DISTRESS
*slowly* …You know what he does…
JOHN:
> NODS WITH A SOFT SMILE
*softly* It won’t work on me…
ONARIUS:
> TURNS TO {me} AND KNEELS BEFORE {me}
*gently* You’ll be safe, and that I promise. I would bring you here if I didn’t think you would be in grave danger. So, try to not draw attention, understood?
ELNA:
> NODS SLOWLY WITH ONARIUS
ONARIUS:
> STANDS UP AND HEADS TO WALL
> INSPECTS WALL AND LOWERS HEAD
…John, come here please.
JOHN:
> DOES AS TOLD, GOING NEXT TO ONARIUS
ONARIUS:
> PLACES HAND ON JOHN’S SHOULDER AND SIGHS
*slowly* Whatever happens, I will ensure no harm will come to you. I will not let that happen again…
JOHN:
> NODS CONTENTLY
*mumbling* …It won’t...
ONARIUS:
> LETS GO OF JOHN’S SHOULDER AND USHEATHES AXE AND SHIELD
> TAPS AXE 3 TIMES ON THE GROUND
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS BLACK WALL DISAPPEARING TO A LARGE WINDOW. CELL INTERIOR IS COMPLETELY BLACK]
ONARIUS:
*bellowing* Come forth…You have a visitor!
> STANDS IN FRONT OF {my} LINE OF SIGHT
JOHN:
> INTENSELY STARES INSIDE THE CELL
ELNA:
> NERVOUSLY ASSESSES SURROUNDINGS
[VIDEO FEED PICKS UP ODD NOISES, AND A SMALL FLASH OF LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS]
JOHN:
> SQUINTS AT A DISTANT LIGHT, THEN TENSES UP
[VIDEO FEED PICKS UP NUMEROUS WHITE LIGHTS FLICKERING ON]
???:
> SEVERAL DISCONNECTED, BUT SIMILAR VOICES HEARD
Well, if it isn’t that deadbeat excuse of a man I raised.
JOHN:
> CLENCHES FISTS AND CALMS
…And a deadbeat of a father…
ELNA:
> EYES WIDEN
{Onarius…I thought you-?}
???:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
Snarky, aren’t you? Well, you’re still the same coward as you were all those years ago, Robert…
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS A STRANGE, GLOWING ENTITY WITH THE LOWER BODY OF A SNAKE, MULTIPLE EYE STALKS, AND DOZENS OF HANDS WITH MOUTHS SLITHERING UP TO THE CELL WINDOW]
???:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER WHILE FACING EYES AND HANDS TO JOHN
What’s the matter Robert? Don’t recognize your old man? Especially when he’s gotten even more handsome for the ladies?
JOHN:
> SNEERS
More like ugly.
???:
> EYES GLARE JOHN
Says the one wearing those ridiculous sunglasses…
> EYES RETRACT
Oh, where are my manners? It isn’t polite to not show one’s face…Especially when your own son comes to visit you after 150 years…
> VISIBLE HEAD WITH NO MOUTH OR EYES WITH {similar facial features to Christopher Vespermann} POPS OUT OF CHEST
JOHN:
> DISTURBED GAG
CHRISTOPHER:
> CONTENT SIGH
Ah, much better…
> MOUTHS SMILE
Even more than that old excuse of flesh I had…But you’re of course gotten uglier; even with those shitty sunglasses, and your clothes.
> EYES GO CLOSER TO WINDOW
But you keep all the fancy stuff at home, huh? You don’t go out unless it’s business…Or a certain man that helps you forward all the dough; someone you view more than a business associate…or rather, boyfriend…
JOHN:
> TENSE BREATHING
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOUTHS SMIRK
Ah…Don’t be jealous because your old man has become something a lot better than you. And this place, it should’ve been a death sentence, but for me…
> HANDS POINT TO {abominable form}
*shouting triumphantly* THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST THING FOR ME!
> DISCORDANT LAUGHTER BEFORE ABRUPTLY GOING TO JOHN, CURIOUS ABOUT THE MOVEREC
Hmm…Came all this way to record perfection for your audience, ‘ey Robert?
JOHN:
> DEEP SIGH
It’s to help tell the truth about Onarius, and his superior…
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOUTHS SMIRK
*exasperated* Truth?!
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
That’s rich coming from you, “John Bielik”.
JOHN:
> ROLLS EYES
*mumbling* Here he goes again…
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOUTHS SHOW SHIT-EATING GRINS
Oh, you don’t think I know about your other name, huh? About your little career making all those videos about the others here? The sensationalism…the spectacle-just like your old man…
JOHN:
> BLANK STARE
An act meant to “entertain” people, not to get something for myself.
> GRINS
Big difference…
CHRISTOPHER:
> DISCORDANT LAUGHTER
Ah…You seem to think I’m bluffing, huh? Well…let me play a few clips to remind ya…
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS MULTIPLE SNIPPETS OF JOHN’S SNIPS HIGHLIGHTING {exaggerated information} PROJECTING FROM CHRISTOPHER’S HANDS]
JOHN:
> YAWNS
The Snips are not the highlight of the channel…
CHRISTOPHER:
> BAFFLED
*exasperated* They aren’t?!
> MOCKING LAUGHTER BEFORE GLARING AT JOHN
Then let me ask you then, why did you come all this way here huh? Money? Fame?
> MOUTHS GRIN
The love of your life?
JOHN:
> GLARES
*slowly* To put a nightmare to bed.
CHRISTOPHER:
> DEEP SIGH
Really?
JOHN:
> SIGHS
I have constantly relived my life through the memories of your pathetic existence. Seeing you now, I’m not terrified, rather, I should probably laugh at how low you’ve dug your own hole.
ONARIUS:
> SMIRKS
CHRISTOPHER:
> EYES ANGRILY GLARE AT JOHN AND ONARIUS
So, little Robert right here thinks that his old man, Christopher Vespermann, has gotten to be this way because of my ambitions?
> SNORTS
…Maybe I should show all those little “letters of appreciation” to the jailor here…Just to show how obsessed you are, Robert…
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS NUMEROUS JOURNAL ENTRIES FROM JOHN’S JOURNALS MENTIONING ONARIUS]
JOHN:
> SLOWLY TURNS TO ONARIUS, WHO NODS UNAMUSED WITH HIM
CHRISTOPHER:
*boisterous* And they called me obsessed with my money!
> ROARING LAUGHTER
Little Robert here can’t stand to live in the Warden’s shadow, and let alone mine.
JOHN:
> ANNOYINGLY WAITS FOR CHRISTOPHER TO STOP LAUGHING
Are you done?
CHRISTOPHER:
> CONFUSED
JOHN:
> SLAPS FOREHEAD
*muttering* Jesus [EXPLETIVE] Christ…
> EYES FLARE UP
*exasperated* Those were vent journals from 7 years ago! There is barely any mention of him until roughly when I started my WeVid career one and a half years ago you-!
ONARIUS:
> CALMS JOHN AND PLACES SHIELD OVER HIM
> GLARES AT CHRISTOPHER
This man has moved on from you, Christopher…
ELNA:
> CURIOUSLY OBSERVES THE {abomination-ewwww}
CHRISTOPHER:
> GROWLS
Rich coming from a guy who basically does cleanup for a boss who’s a control freak…
> SCOFFS
Ah, but the little “rubbish” down here, they’re nobodies…
ONARIUS:
> SLIGHTLY ANGERED
*muttering* The prisoners here-
CHRISTOPHER:
You mean your own “moral checklist”?
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
Let me tell you something Robert; the other prisoners here are nothing compared to me, especially those who break the rules…
> SHOWS VARIOUS IMAGES THE FALSE {save for “Lysandra”, I'm not explaining them}
*boisterous* Look familiar kiddo? The ones you covered poorly?.
JOHN:
> CALMS
I’ll admit, they weren’t the best. It’s a learning experience.
CHRISTOPHER:
> SNEERS
Ah, look at Mr. Modest right here, admitting his mistakes…
JOHN:
> SMIRKS
Didn’t you learn from yours, “you ungrateful bastard”?
CHRISTOPHER:
> SNEERS THEN MOUTHS GRIN
*slowly* …But, those ones are quite big for a-
> AIR QUOTES
*slowly* -“Digital Investigator”…
JOHN:
> SIGHS
Some things were exaggerated…
CHRISTOPHER:
> PLAYS SNIPPETS OF “THE MOST TERRIFYING RAGE BAIT VIDEO GAME”
> RAISES {...Uh, eyes I guess?}
…Like you exaggerating this?
JOHN:
> GROANS
You didn’t let me finish.
> CLEARS
They were exaggerated because in the world of media marketing, which also applies to creative content, some things are done like that to grip an audience in.
CHRISTOPHER:
> PLAYS SNIPPETS OF VARIOUS WEVID SNIPS
Oh, and these weren’t you learning your lesson?
> SINISTER LAUGH
*boisterous* Well, you did manage to bring in an audience in a quarter the time I established myself as the CEO of Mundas. You got really good at playing the act, despite you following in my footsteps with a degree in media marketing. You actually made me proud though, becoming like your old man…
JOHN:
> RAISES EYEBROW
How about you play the portions where the actual investigation takes place?
CHRISTOPHER:
> FRUSTRATINGLY SNEERS
> SHOWS MULTIPLE SNIPPETS OF THE {best parts of John’s videos}
JOHN:
> SHIT EATING GRIN {had to, just to spite that freak .NOT JOHN, I MEANT THAT ABOMINATION}
Do you really think I’m that lazy to try to understand what I am producing? One of the big rules of media marketing: “do your own research”.
CHRISTOPHER:
> FRUSTRATED BREATHING
> MOUTHS MAKE DEVIOUS SMILES
Oh please! Little Robert is doing it for his passion…
> ANGERED
We both know you wanted to be viewed nicely, wanted all of that attention.
> HANDS POINT TO ONARIUS
*slowly* Like him…
JOHN:
> BRIEFLY TURNS TO ONARIUS CONCERNED AND THEN RETURNS TO CHRISTOPHER SLIGHTLY ANGRY
I wanted to pursue my passion, nothing more.
> SMIRKS
And besides, if I wanted all of that attention, I wouldn’t be helping my foster parents, getting my thumbnail artist a decent-paying job, making sure those I interviewed felt safe, and didn’t end up as a jackass knowingly…
CHRISTOPHER:
> PLAYS RECORDING OF JOHN CALLING BENEVOLENT INCIDENT 2’S PLAYER A…{you read what happened, so I’m not going to repeat it here}
> EYES RAISE {eyebrows?}
Really? That’s rich coming from you kiddo.
JOHN:
> CLEARS THROAT
You forgot to mention that I am currently editing it to protect the victim’s identity, something you would rather exploit for blackmail.
CHRISTOPHER:
*frantically* That is just standard business, Robert!
JOHN:
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
> RAISES EYEBROW, ANNOYED
Really?
>CLEARS THROAT
*exasperated* Like ruining the lives of a lot of people which included murdering them?!
ELNA:
> EXCITED SMILE
ONARIUS:
> TURNS TO {me} AND BECKONS TO RELAX
ELNA:
> DOES AS TOLD
JOHN:
> CLENCHES FISTS
You never had sympathy for others, not even me. Why show me something you know I can easily refute your bullcrap?
CHRISTOPHER:
> ALARMED
Because you have that in your veins, the old Vespermann charm. You’re lying to yourself about it dipshit.
JOHN:
> ANGRILY GLARES AT CHRISTOPHER
Really? How about you play the interview from the “Evil Art AI Girlfriend” then? You seem to have access to all my videos, yes?
CHRISTOPHER:
> FREEZES
JOHN:
> SNICKERS
A worthless human being, someone that made his living on the suffering of others, is still obsessed with his own son?
> SCOFFS
You’re jealous that I became a better man than you, huh dipshit?
> GRINS
So, play the interview; I demand it.
ONARIUS:
> MOCKING SMILE
CHRISTOPHER:
> PLAYS SNIPPETS OF INTERVIEW PORTIONS OF THE “EVIL AI ART GIRLFRIEND” VIDEO, ANNOYED
ELNA:
{I’m going to skip ahead just a smidgen once the interview is over. Though, it’s kind of funny to see this guy so pissed off lmao}
[00:02:42:07.38]
CHRISTOPHER:
> EYES STOP PROJECTING INTERVIEW ONCE IT’S OVER
JOHN:
> STRAIGHTENS UP, AND GLARES MOCKINGLY AT CHRISTOPHER
If I were like you, I would’ve done all those horrible things you did to your victims: blackmailing, arson, murder…
> EYES SLIGHTLY FLARE UP
*muttering* …And that thing you did to 48 victims, including me. No one should ever experience that…
> GRITS TEETH
*bellowing* Do you think I exploit victims? Ruin their lives?!
> SHAKES HEAD PROFUSELY WITH A DEEP BREATH
I made doubly sure that those two I interviewed felt safe and would not be subject to any intimidation from those who thought they were lying. I don’t dox people. You on the other hand, you would do this just to have a laugh.
CHRISTOPHER:
> LOOKS AWAY DEFEATED
JOHN:
That video I’m making…I’m going to make sure you’re included, just so that everyone knows what you did, so that monsters like you will never harm anyone else again…The things down here, I’ve seen enough to warrant the release of that video.
CHRISTOPHER:
> GROANING
Is this seriously your attempt to fragment me? All that heroic bullshit coming straight out of your ass?
JOHN:
> SMIRKS
No, it’s to make sure you understand that your tricks do not work on me, and that I’ll never be like you. But also, I know now that you watch me, because you’re jealous of a life I achieved out of sincerity.
CHRISTOPHER:
> GROANING
*mumbling* There he goes again with the theatrics…
> EYES ROLL
No wonder your “haters” are beginning to see your sham; you do this for drama, and we both know you’re doing this to get your fans on your side.
> DEEP SIGH
*slowly* Honestly, with how this is going, you’re a terrible business owner Robert.
JOHN:
> SHIT EATING GRIN
Why did Mundas go out of business when you disappeared?
> SNAPS FINGERS
*boisterous* Oh, it was because of all of the shit you did behind peoples’ backs, and all the lawsuits.
> GLARES AT CHRISTOPHER
*exasperated* You are nothing more than a rotten stain of shit smeared on a marble wall, you senile, moronic, piece of-!
ONARIUS:
> PLACES SHIELD BETWEEN JOHN AND CHRISTOPHER
> GLARES AT JOHN
*panicked* Calm down!
JOHN:
> DEEP GLARE
*exasperated* After what he said about me and you, no! The bastard deserves it.
> HEAVY BREATHING
*exasperated* You know why I came to see you jackass?! It’s because I want to let you know how much of a [EXPLETIVE] failure you are as a human being. I want you to know the pain I felt all these years. You deserve nothing but my hatred from me and everyone you ruined!
ONARIUS:
> PULLS JOHN AWAY FROM CHRISTOPHER, WHO STARES AT JOHN IN SHOCK
> INSPECTS JOHN
*gently* You made your point…
JOHN:
> FRANTIC BREATHING WHILE GRITTING TEETH
*bellowing* Bastard deserved it!
CHRISTOPHER:
> QUIETLY OBSERVES JOHN AND ONARIUS, THEN FOCUSES TO {me?}
> WIDE GRINS
[00:02:46:22.49]
CHRISTOPHER:
Hmm…
> HANDS SCRATCH CHIN OF FACE WHILE STARING AT {me?}
Little Robert has changed quite a bit…
JOHN:
> ANNOYED WHILE BEING RELEASED FROM ONARIUS
*exasperated* I had years to live with the memory of you and that incident. I’m not the same kid you knew 15 years ago!
CHRISTOPHER:
> LOOKS AT JOHN WITH INTENSE ANALYSIS
*slowly* That is true…
> GRINS AT {me} WHILE COMING CLOSER TO {me}
Ah, but what about the girl, hmm?
> EYES INSPECT {me}
You “daughter” Onarius? She seems so loyal to you? Even when Robert here decided to just let out a little slip of your “activities”…
> SINISTER LAUGHTER
ONARIUS:
> GLARES AT CHRISTOPHER WHILE PLACING SHIELD IN FRONT OF {me}
*bellowing* She is not of your reach, vermin!
CHRISTOPHER:
> SMIRKS
Oh I know that. Besides, I wouldn’t want to dwell on all of those memories you helped delete with Ned.
> SHIT EATING GRINS
ONARIUS:
> FREEZES IN FEAR
JOHN:
> ANGRILY TURNS TO ONARIUS
*slowly* Did you actually do this?
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
*boisterous* What’s the matter, Onarius? Afraid to tell your own kid the truth?
ELNA:
> SHAKES HEAD PROFUSELY
Onarius would never do that to me! That’s only Ned!
JOHN:
> QUICKLY GOES BY {my} SIDE AND SHAKES ME
*panicked* Do not engage with him!
CHRISTOPHER:
Oh, it’s rude to interrupt a conversation, Robert. Besides, you’re done with me, right?
JOHN:
> GLARES AT CHRISTOPHER
*exasperated* Don't you dare do anything with Ellie you sack of-!
CHRISTOPHER:
> ANNOYED
*mumbling* So annoying…
> SNAPS FINGERS
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS JOHN FROZEN IN PLACE {Onarius is still moving though}]
CHRISTOPHER:
*boisterous* Ah, much better! So glad to have quality reception when you remove such a burden on your back.
> SINISTER LAUGHTER
ELNA:
> SHOCKED
*exasperated* How-?!
CHRISTOPHER:
> SMILES GRIN
Oh poor little Ellie, you seem to forget while this place contains my magnificence, it can really contain things I can do easily. The projectors? Have you forgotten about that?
ELNA:
> SLOWLY BACKS AWAY
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
Still naive after 250 years, can’t even see the fine print; much like how you accepted his “offer” to escape your terrible life…
> EYES PROJECT A HOUSE BURNING DOWN
*very slowly*…At the exchange of your parents.
ELNA:
> FREEZES AND STARES AT ABOMINATION WITH WIDENED EYES
*panicked* I-I don’t remember that!
CHRISTOPHER:
> SIGHS DISAPPOINTEDLY
Much like your memories, behind lock and key for the mad king. A darling princess, who so happens to be in a tower with no visible bottom.
> POINTS TO ONARIUS
And his favorite dog, unleashed to those who know far too much. A janitor of those who question the king.
ELNA:
> TURNS TO ONARIUS VERY CONFUSED
What does he mean by this?
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
Yes Onarius, tell her about the prisoners you feed to the prized lion.
ELNA:
> EYES WIDEN
ONARIUS:
> DEFEATED
*mopingly* The prisoners since 2020, they are being fed to him to sustain him.
ELNA:
> SHAKES HEAD
*yelling* BULLSHIT!
> ANGRILY TURNS TO CHRISTOPHER
*yelling* You’re lying, like how you did to John!
CHISTOPHER:
*exasperated* Lying?!
> SHIT-EATING GRINS
*slowly* Are you sure…?
> MOUTHS PROJECT NUMEROUS SCENES OF {Onarius feeding him...}
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS {…I don’t want to say it, other than I want to puke…Jesus…)
ELNA:
> WATCHES IN DISTRAUGHT
CHRISTOPHER:
> SINISTER LAUGHTER
Yes…Robert was right, those disappearances were for a reason…
> EYES PROJECT SEVERAL IMAGES OF PEOPLE BEGGING TO BE SPARED
*very slowly*…Especially those who knew too much.
ELNA:
> LOOKS AT ONARIUS WITH SADNESS
*exasperated* Why would you do that?!
ONARIUS:
*slowly* I had no choice…
CHRISTOPHER:
Yes, you had no choice, as if you didn’t bring me food, Ned of course would notice, and he would have so easily destroyed Robert’s world.
ELNA:
> INSPECTS ONARIUS FRANTICALLY
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
*boisterous* Ah! Perhaps you want to see such a fine, three-course meal!
> SHOWS SCENES OF ONARIUS TALKING TO AN OBSCURED FIGURE WHILE DRAGGING CHRISTOPHER TO HIS CELL
*boisterous* Remember this Onarius? When he of course had you lock me up down here as I looked into something that he did not want humans to know about?
> SHOWS MORE FOOTAGE OF AN OBSCURED FIGURE VISITING ONARIUS AT SEVERAL POINTS THROUGHOUT HIS INCARCERATION
*boisterous* He and I of course became best pals, and gave me this cell so I could grow, and be even better than everyone else…
ELNA:
> SLOWLY WALKS UP TO ONARIUS, CAREFULLY EYEING CHRISTOPHER
*meekly* Onarius…This isn’t real, right?
> HEAVY BREATHING WHILE SHAKING
*exasperated* You didn’t do this, right?! Christopher is of lying and-
ONARIUS:
> DEFEATED SIGH
*mumbling* …He isn’t…
> GUILTY WHILE LOOKING AWAY
ELNA:
> HORRIFIED WHILE TURNING BACK TO CHRISTOPHER
CHRISTOPHER:
> SINISTER LAUGHTER
*boisterous* That’s right kiddo! Your “father”, your best pal…is a murderer.
> SNEERS
*yelling* AND PATHETICALLY WEAK!
> SLITHERS UP TO ELNA
But of course, you did see everything you did. After all, you were a bit too curious. But Ned, oh you are his little darling: the little neet from a bygone era more powerful than people can comprehend…
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
No, your instructions were all Onarius’s faults. He would never hurt you. His precious princess, who always forgets so much…
> SINISTER SNORT
It’s true he took away a lot of your memories, but Onarius did most of the heavy lifting. After all, Ned doesn’t want to get his hands dirty when he's busy dealing with a "competitor".
ELNA:
> HEAVY BREATHING
*panicked* T-Then Onarius took away my memories?!
> GRUNTS ANGRILY
*panicked* I don’t believe you! Onarius has been taking care of me for a long time and makes sure I’m not harmed by Ned!
CHRISTOPHER:
> SNEERS
Like how he took away a woman that treated you like her own daughter, loved and cherished you so much that she tried to break you out?
> SHOWS A PROJECTION OF “LYSANDRA” PLAYING WITH {me} IN A MEADOW
Or perhaps that alien race who named one of their suns after you?
> PROJECTS AN IMAGE OF A EARTH-LIKE WORLD WITH TWO SUNS
Or perhaps…
> SINISTER LAUGHTER
*bellowing* …How he murdered your own parents!
> SHOWS PROJECTION OF ONARIUS {…I can’t. The fire…those people. I hear the screams as they-}
ELNA:
> BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS
CHRISTOPHER:
> GLARES AT ONARIUS
Your guardian at every point destroyed your own happiness. A loving mother-like figure, friends who loved and cherished you, a family that protected you-gone. His doing, because he was afraid of “him”.
ONARIUS:
> TURNS AWAY DEVASTATED
CHRISTOPHER:
*boisterous* Oh! And let’s not forget the reason why you were dragged here, why of all people a 15 year-old girl that was constantly bullied for her interests and often had absent parents would say-
> EYES FORM PROJECTION OF {me}
*mouths move with the projection mockingly* -“Why does everyone hate me? I don’t want to deal with this anymore…”
> EYES FORM PROJECTION OF ONARIUS
*mouths move with the projection mockingly* “I will bring you to a place where you will be happy, with no more suffering. All you have to do is pledge your allegiance to this “man”.
> EYES SHOW PROJECTION OF A VAGUE, HUMANOID FIGURE WITH A INCAN-STYELD SILVER MASK WITH A GLOWING, RED GEMSTONE ON THE FOREHEAD
And of course, you accepted the offer…
ELNA:
> DROPS TO KNEES AND EMPTILY STARES AT GROUND, CRYING
CHRISTOPHER:
That’s right kiddo, he’s the reason you’re here. It’s all his fault…
>SLITHERS TO ONARIUS
Oh Onarius…You really shouldn’t keep quiet about the thing to make Ned’s little paradise a reality…After all, you had lied to her for 250 years…
> EYES PROJECT MULTIPLE SCENES OF ONARIUS APPREHENDING MULTIPLE INMATES
*boisterous* You see all these little shit-for-brains? These interlopers to Ned’s ambitions…
> MULTIPLE SCENES SHOW PRISONERS BEING BROUGHT TO CHRISTOPHER’S CELL
Ned doesn’t want me to go hungry, you see. He likes me. Me and him think alike, and boy, that guy is a blast to talk to. He’s the only one who gets me, the only one who understands something that I scratched the surface of…
> SINISTER LAUGH
ONARIUS:
> SHAKING
ELNA:
> EMPTILY STARES AT THE PROJECTIONS
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOCKING SCOFF
Do my projections lie…? The stuff that are recordings of events that happened, Ellie?!
ELNA:
> BLANK STARE
CHRISTOPHER
> GLARES AT JOHN
*boisterous* For such an annoyance, he did bring his recording equipment, just to see the so-called “stoic” Warden act like the coward he is!
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
That’s right kiddo, your pal here is the one who feeds me a three-course meal so that I become something truly perfect to make a paradise that Ned gave me a sneak peek. And lately, I’ve grown quite the appetite…
> SHIT EATING GRINS
But you know what will make this better? To see Mr. Hero over there sees you in such a state, knowing all of this, along with that idiot over there.
> FINGER SNAPS
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS JOHN MOVING]
JOHN:
-Shit!
> FREEZES WHILE STARING AT {me}, CONCERNED, RUNNING UP TO {me}
*panicked* KID?!
CHRISTOPHER:
> SINISTER LAUGHTER
JOHN:
> EYES GLARE AT CHRISTOPHER
*panicked* What did you do to her?!
CHRISTOPHER:
Nothing. I only showed her the truth, including what Onarius did…
> EYES PROJECT ONARIUS’S ACTIVITIES {including what he did to me}
JOHN:
> HORRIFIED
*mumbling* Sweet Jesus…
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOCKING LAUGHTER
You had every right to distrust him Robert. And what he did to that kid is beyond forgiveness…
JOHN:
> GLARES AT ONARIUS
CHRISTOPHER:
*boisterous* Oops?! Did I show ol’ Robert here a bit too much? Well, Onarius should kill you of course. But he can’t as he can’t stomach killing someone he feels deep regrets over…
JOHN:
> ANGRILY STARES AT CHRISTOPHER WHILE PROTECTING {me}
What about Ned then?
CHRISTOPHER:
> MOUTHS SMIRK
*boisterous* To answer any remaining questions, Robert, Ned wanted to destroy you because you were a witness; he told me this himself as we’re pals-chums actually! But of course, Onarius, loving the pathetic race known as humanity, offered a deal that the best thing for Ned: I’ll be kept alive, the humans he doesn’t like are fed to me, and as long as he continues doing this, Ned won’t let me out for the grand buffet!
> SCRATCHES CHIN
And the time of release…?
> FINGERS SNAP
*boisterous* Oh! Only after you either leave or die here!
> HUNGRILY EYES {me}
*boisterous* But I do of course want the appetizer. The blood she has, oh so delicious!
> SINISTER LAUGHTER WHILE EYES TURN TO ONARIUS
He told you to do this, you know? You lied to them, I know you did.
JOHN:
> BLANKLY OBSERVES ONARIUS FROZEN IN SHAME WITH JAW SLOWLY GOING AGAPE
ELNA:
> HEAD RAISES UP SLOWLY
CHRISTOPHER:
> EYES STARE AT JOHN
Well, since you distrust him, maybe you can give a reason why he dragged you all this way here, to know everything, before I eat you and everyone else…
> EYES GLARE AT JOHN
*slowly* Go on, give your answer…
JOHN:
> TREMBLES WHILE CLENCHING FISTS
> ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK
ELNA:
> EYES WIDEN
*exasperated* Because he knew we would come here to see you destroyed!
CHRISTOPHER:
> FREEZES
What?
> EYES OBSERVE {me}
Funny how the little cheerleader so naively defends this shit stain of a digital entity.
> SNORTS
Way to stick up for your “savior” kiddo.
ELNA:
> STANDS UP, AND ANGRILY STARES AT HIM
No, this has nothing to do with Onarius, but rather the whole ecosystem that Ned has kept a secret, and is weaponizing it like you said.
> LOOKS AT ONARIUS, SADDENED
This place…I get why Onarius did all of this now; it was to delay Ned as long as possible from ruining where I-
> SEES JOHN TAPPING ON {my} SHOULDER
-We all came from.
CHRISTOPHER:
> SCOFFS
*exasperated* Did you forget the fact that your little jailor friend has been feeding me for 150 years at Ned’s own instructions?!
> GROWLS AT {me}
Way to defend someone who has murdered a lot more people than me and has kept you as that man’s SERVANT!
JOHN:
> STARES AT {me}, SMILING
*whispering* Go ahead.
ELNA:
> CLEARS THROAT
I can’t forgive what Onarius has done, and I know the ones he sent to you were innocent.
> SIGHS
*softly* He did take away my memories, he took away people who loved and cherished me, all to appease a maniac I had to obey for so long…
> LOOKS AT ONARIUS, WHO HAS PERKED UP
I can however defend someone who did want to keep me safe. Who wanted to give me at least a life where I would be happy.
CHRISTOPHER:
> SNEERS
*bellowing* He is the result of your misfortune!
> SNICKERS
But me and my good old pal Ned have something better waiting.
> SHOWS PROJECTION OF {something more terrifying than the Dream Layer}
Look at it, pure perfection. No strife, no sickness, no annoying assholes like you…
ELNA:
> LOOKS AT CHRISTOPHER STERNLY
What you show me is a hell fit for something like you and Ned, not for any of us.
CHRISTOPHER:
> GLARING SNARL
*exasperated* And what would you have then? A world that will decay from the ongoing rot like your own tower?!
> NERVOUS LAUGHTER
You have no idea about the hell about to be unleashed on the realities I can perceive. What will happen will be something so truly heinous that it’ll make the years I raised you look so happy and nostalgic. Something a lot more powerful than Ned is stirring, and it will awaken soon.
> EYES LIGHT UP
*bellowing* …And I’m the insurance policy against imbeciles like you!
ELNA:
> ROLLS EYES
And what do you think Ned will do once his paradise becomes a reality? When is this threat you speak of resolved? You think he’ll let a human and someone as scummy as you around when everyone else here that is fed to you has done things as irredeemable as you?!
> GLARES AT CHRISTOPHER
*exasperated* You said yourself Ned planned on getting rid of me and John, what isn’t to say he had the same thing in mind for you?!
CHRISTOPHER:
> SNARLS
*bellowing* Watch your mouth kiddo!
> SMIRKS WHILE POINTING UPWARDS
*whispering* …He’s listening.
ELNA:
> SMIRKS
He isn’t. He has turned the other cheek because the one who keeps him fed told him, as you told us, that I was his next meal. An easy job as he thinks…
> SLOWLY TURNS TO ONARIUS SADDENED
*softly* I know Onarius fed quite a few inmates to keep Ned pleased, but he made a fatal mistake letting John here, recording all of this, letting me understand everything, including a simple truth about what Ned sees you as…
CHRISTOPHER:
> HASTENED BREATHING
ELNA:
I never grew up as your child, and thank god I wasn’t raised by a monster. However, I do know you were nothing more than an animal when you were in the Physical Layer from what I've seen, read, and heard from all of John’s descriptions of you; you’re no different here. Ned sees you as that, and given the fact you were once human, he sees you as nothing more than a tool for his own ends like me!
> GLARES ARE CHRISTOPHER
Like how you used everyone around you to get what you want.
> POINTS TO JOHN AND ONARIUS
Like those two, you used them for your own desires. You never remembered any of those who you took advantage of. You never bothered to understand who they were on the inside, or the families that lost them.
CHRISTOPHER:
> SHAKING
ELNA:
> CLENCHES FISTS WHILE TEARS ROLL DOWN:
You only care about how you are perceived, how much power and prestige that people will envy you for, which you think will be forever.
> POINTS TO ONARIUS
Onarius here may have let many inmates here suffer a fate worse than fragmentation, but I know him! He still loves humanity and makes sure those unfortunate are given a life with the least amount of suffering…
ONARIUS:
> RAISES HEAD, ALERT
ELNA:
> SOFT SMILE
*softly* …Even if he does do horrible deeds, the good he has done will not be forgotten, and so will his name; I will ensure that
> ANGRILY TURNS TO CHRISTOPHER
You, what you have done, will be remembered as a warning to those who do not want to end up like you. Your face, your name, and your employment history will be forgotten. All that will be remembered is how someone stooped so low and became a monster so vile that telling stories of you will make those consider their own actions.
CHRISTOPHER:
> SHAKING EXTREMELY
*panicked* Y-You’ll remember me disphit!
> POINTS TO JOHN FRANTICALLY
*exasperated* Without him, you wouldn’t even be here!
JOHN:
> CALMS AND STANDS IN FRONT OF {me}
And without you, I would’ve become a monster worse than you, and Ned’s own little plan would have gone off without a hitch.
> SMIRKS
And also, your own kid isn’t who you think he is. You made a very big mistake.
CHRISTOPHER:
*exasperated* You little-!
JOHN:
I’ll make sure only your actions are remembered, so that no one will remember you, other than the monstrous deeds you have done, and your betrayal to humanity. I don’t know about myself, but I have people waiting for me: my fans who I’ve come to respect, my neighbors who I am always glad to see, the love of my life…
> GENTLE SMILE WHILE PLACING A SHOULDER ON {me}
*softly* …And of course the kid here, who I’m going to make sure she has a better life; something you never gave me…
CHRISTOPHER:
> GLITCHING SPORADICALLY, TERRIFIED
*panicked* You’ll still record this for your ego! Don’t lie to yourself!
JOHN:
> SHAKING HEAD
No…This isn’t about me, this about everyone back home. Mankind doesn’t know about this place, the horrors that lie beneath this digital plane. If monsters like you can exist, then I’m making sure that everyone knows about it. So be it if Ned gets pissy over the fact I decided to release a video showing the truth behind all those I covered and I get Ellie out, I’m not afraid of him anymore.
> SNEERS AT CHRISTOPHER
And you…I’ll make sure everyone knows of the monsters this place can produce. But you yourself will be nothing more than a footnote easily forgotten…
CHRISTOPHER:
> VIOLENT GLITCHING
JOHN:
You were once like me, but you chose your own cruelty instead of the warmth of others. I choose that warmth…You chose your own ego. So, I’ll tell you something, Christopher-you can get lost; I’m done with you.
CHRISTOPHER:
> FREEZES
> GLITCHING STOPS
> MANIACAL LAUGHTER
Big words from a little man…and a little girl…
> VIOLENT GLITCHING
JOHN:
> TAKES {me} AWAY FROM THE WINDOW, FRIGHTENED
CHRISTOPHER:
*booming* ME?! FORGOTTEN?! I WAS WORTH BILLIONS BEFORE MY INCARCERATION HERE! EVERYONE KNEW ME AND WILL REMEMBER ME YEARS AFTER!!!
> GLITCHING GROWS MORE VIOLENT
ONARIUS:
> TAPS JOHN’S AND {my} SHOULDERS
*whispering* Stand near the hallway…
> INTENSELY STARES AT {us}
*whispering* You know what happens when an entity like him fragments.
JOHN:
> NODS AND DOES AS TOLD ALONG WITH {me}
CHRISTOPHER:
> GLITCHING BECOMES MORE VIOLENT
*very glitched* How could I, Chistopher Vespermann, be forgotten? Do you know how much power I wielded?! How much fame I had!
JOHN:
> EYES WIDEN WHILE SHIVERING
*frantically* Ellie, I want you to kneel.
ELNA:
> DOES AS TOLD
CHRISTOPHER:
> INDESCRIBABLY GLITCHING OUT
*horrifically glitched* Why-If you haven’t-You idiotic-You stupid piece of-I AM CHR-I-I-I-STOPHER VES-I AM NED’S PARTNER-PERFECTION MUST-
ONARIUS:
> HORRIFIED
> RUNS AND PULLS OUT SHIELD
> DRAGS {me} AND JOHN TO THE FLOOR
DON’T LOOK!
ELNA:
> FRANTICALLY COVERS EYES WITH JOHN
CHRISTOPHER
*incoherent glitching* I AM PER-ABSOLU-THE PINNA-I-A-I-AM-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-AAAAAAAAAA-!
ONARIUS:
> BLOCKS SHIELD IN FRONT OF CHRISTOPHER
[VIDEO FEEDS A MASSIVE SURGE OF LIGHT ENGULFING THE ROOM ALONG WITH A LOUD EXPLOSION]
[VIDEO FEED SHOWS {corruptive static}]
{EMERGENCY OVERRIDE REQUESTED…DONE}
{OVERRIDE ACCEPTED}
{PAUSING “descent.mp4”…DONE}
{REMOTE CONNECTION TERMINATED}
{TRAITOR!
How dare you deceive me into letting this interloper take our only defense against "him".
Do you have any idea what you have done?!
The damage you caused is beyond fixing!
...
This was for her, wasn't it?
All of that work, all of that effort, gone down the drain!
"To get rid of a problem, we need to of course remedy it."
Clever...
...
I will see you punished for your transgression Onarius.
And as for Mr. Bielik, I'll make sure his punishment is even worse than yours!}
{TERMINATING REMOTE CONNECTION…DONE}
{REMOTE CONNECTION TERMINATED}