You awaken. The Universe reaches its tendrils towards you. They're dark, filled with stars and galaxies.
[[Accept the Tendrils.]]
[[Turn away.]] It's time a new adventure. It's always been in your blood, in your nature. A white light envelops you and you are born anew. Memories flood your brain of a life that is and isn't yours.
You're filled with a sense of urgency. To save those who you care about.
[[Start your journey.]]
[[Gain your bearings.]]The Universe doesn't control you. It's tried time and time again. Yet you refuse. You're tired of constantly falling to every whim of the Universe and its antics. But you don't have time for this. You must find them.
[[Start searching.]]There's no time to waste. You need to be a hero, and heroes don't wait. You stand, grab your belongings, and head on your way.
Your feet seem to move on their own. You know where you're headed and you know the journey will be rough.
[[Think of your family]]
[[Think of the one you love.]]You look around. You have a bag filled with provisions, a map, and some camping tools. A sword is strapped to your hip.
Alright. Sword user. That's fine. It seemed your well prepared. You stand and dust yourself. Time to start your journey.
[[Think of your family]]
[[Think of the one you love.]] Family. Father, who adopted you when he found you outside the church as a baby. Strong, kind, and reliable.
Older brother. Brash, has a temper, but will do anything for his family. His willingness to do anything got him killed.
Younger sister. A heart of gold, curious, and sickly. She looks up to you and your older brother.
It's a classic hero's tale.
[["Hey. Can you hear me?"]]Soft skin, plush lips, tender touches, and a voice like a music box. Images flashed in your mind. Who was...?
Oh. You know. A lover that extended past lifetimes and time itself. Their name was-
[["Hey. Can you hear me?"]]"What?" You look around as a voice called out to you. You couldn't see anyone. The voice spoke again.
"Hello? Are you there?"
[["Uhm... yes?"]]
[["Show yourself, evil demon!"]]"Oh, good! I thought my connection was a bit shaky. You traveled far, you know."
"Who... who is this?"
There was a sound that was like a disappointed grunt. "You can't remember me, starlight?"
It all comes flooding back to you. Was that... //them//?
[["How did you find me?"]] Laughter rings in your ears. It's so //beautiful//. You look around again. Nothing.
"You're as eager as always, starlight."
You take a step back. Even more memories flood your head. A familiar and warm feeling. You smile. "You found me."
"I always do."
[["What do you think of this life?"]]
[["Am I attractive?"]]There was a pause. You could sense the uncertainty. You realized you had made a mistake asking that. You quickly try and cover up your question as you continue walking.
"This life is pretty standard, you know. I'm trying to avenge my older brother and save my younger sister from sickness. Pretty cool, right?"
There was silence. And then they answered. "Yes, I suppose so."
You clear your throat awkardly.
[["How did you find me?"]] More laughter. You smile brightly as your lover answers. "Yes, very. Rugged, scarred, and buff. Just my type."
"Oh? Does that mean I haven't been your type before?" You jest, smirking to yourself.
"Yes."
"Hey!"
There was a short silence before you decided to speak again.
[["How did you find me?"]] "It wasn't easy, honestly." They sighed and you could imagine them leaning their cheek on the palm of their hand. "I had to comb through several hundred timelines and planets. I could barely feel your presence which was... unusual. But I eventually found you."
You smile softly. "And I'm glad you did."
"It's hard for me to materialize right away as well." Their voice sounds stressed. "I hate this."
[["Do you think there's a reason you couldn't sense me?"]]
[["Why is it taking you so long to materialize?"]]There was more silence. "I have an inkling of what it could be, but I'd rather it not be what I think it is."
"And what do you think it is?"
"Something bad."
You frown. "Will you not tell me more?"
"No. If I'm wrong, I do not want you to worry."
[["Why is it taking you so long to materialize?"]]
[[Think back on the Tendrils.]]
A huff echoes through your mind. "It took a while to look for you. It will take a short time for me to materialize. The Universe is just playing tricks."
"That you don't appreicate." You say, knowing how much they hate the Universe.
"Exactly."
[["Do you think there's a reason you couldn't sense me?"]]
[[Think back on the Tendrils.]] They didn't //seem// different. The same slightly slimey Tendrils that held the Universe's timelines and planets. The same thing that kept you from truly dying and ascending to your final resting place.
The cogs in your mind turn and turn as you try to come to a conclusion.
[["The Universe... is dying?"]]
[["The Universe doesn't want us together."]]
You look up to see that your lover has finally materialized. They were as beautiful as ever. Etheral, beyond any words of description. They give you a worried look and reach out.
"The Universe is dying."
You frown and take their hand. "Then what will become of us?"
They shrug. "I am not sure. None of us are. I suppose... this is your last life."
[["Will I still get to be with you?"]]
[[Stay silent.]]Your lover pops into your view, finally materializing. Their arms are crossed and there's a pout on their lips. "The Universe is so stingy!"
"Come here." You hug them. "You know what I say to-"
"I know!" They huff and bury their face into your chest. "But this time... it's different. I can feel them trying to pry you away from me."
[["It'll be fine."]]
[["Well, that's just impossible."]]"I am not sure. But I know that I will stick by your side through it all. Like I always do." They bring your hand to their lips and kiss it. A warm feeling floods your chest, all the anxiety disappearing in a moment.
"Then, shall we continue this hero's journey?"
"We shall."
[[Trek on.]]You stay silent. The Universe... everything you have known is going to disappear? It's hard to swallow. Hard to think about. So you did what you do best. You think only about the journey ahead.
[[Trek on.]]It is //almost// the same as every other hero you have lived as before. You fought monsters, almost died several times, and met companions. All the while your lover floats around you, whispering jokes and loving words in your ear. You were always the only one who saw them and the only one who needed to see them.
But the difference... is that everything was fading. The trees weren't as vibrant. Every time you spoke to a companion or enemy, their word were slurred and their expressions fuzzy.
"Can you see it?" You ask, your eyebrows furring as you lean over a normally vibrant red rose.
Your lover hums and nods. "It seems we're seeing the effects of the Universe's death."
[[Touch the rose.]]
[[Stand up.]]You reach out to touch the rose. It disintegrates with a light tinkling sound. Pieces of it were drained of color and practically turn to dust in your hands.
"That's not ominous."
You stand and brush off your pants. "Well! Nothing we can do except move forward."
They stand with you, eyes narrowed. "Move forward? Are you still going to do this journey?"
[["Why wouldn't I?"]]
[["I am a hero, after all."]]You stand and brush off your clothes. Your lover reaches out, their fingers lightly brushing against the petals. The petals turn to an ugly gray and then turn to dust. They frown before standing up and looking at you.
"Should you really be continuing this journey?"
[["Why wouldn't I?"]]
[["I am a hero, after all."]]Their eyebrows furrow. "We don't know how much time left we have with each other. The Universe is already crumbling."
You could sense the stress in their voice. You sigh and cross your arms. You had two sides of you: the hero and the lover.
[[The Hero Side]]
[[The Lover Side]]"Well... yes. It's what I do. I am a hero, after all."
They shake their head and sigh. "But the Universe is //dying//. How do we truly know how much time we have left? I wish to spend it with you."
It didn't occur to you to //not// continue your quest. But now... what should you even do?
[[The Hero Side]]
[[The Lover Side]]The hero side of you, what you had spent lifetimes and lifetimes doing, wants you to continue the journey. You think of your family that you logically have only known for several months but in your heart have known for your whole life.
It was in your blood to finish this even though you knew it was futile.
[[The Lover Side]]
[["To continue..."]]You look at your lover. They stare at you with big eyes. Their heart is yours and your heart is their's. You have been with them for lifetimes. It hasn't always been perfect, but it has been fulfilling. You have loved them, love them, and will always love them.
Do you love them enough to stop being a hero?
[[The Hero Side]]
[["To continue..."]]It would be wrong. You just //couldn't// do it. Not when your lover is staring at you, hands shaking. They're scared and you're thinking of ignoring that and continuing the quest? Absolutely not.
"I don't want to. I don't need to. Not when you're right here."
"Starlight..." Your lover smiles and wraps their arms around you. "Thank you!"
"Anything for you." You hug them back, committing the feeling of being in their arms to memory.
[[It was a good life.]]The two of you rest under a tree. It crumbles slowly but you pay no mind. You only have eyes for your lover. As every thing sinks in you realize...
You're tired.
You have been adventuring for as long as you can remember. The only calm moments you truly can look back on are the ones with your lover. Maybe it was time for the Universe to move on. Both in life and in you. You did all that you could.
"Are you ok?" They ask.
[["I have you. Of course I'm ok."]]They smile and kiss your cheek. There it is. That warmth. The happiness. You can see they have come to terms with their own life as well. It's bittersweet. Bitter, for you don't know what comes next. Sweet, for you know that you have the one person you have always loved by your side.
"I love you, starlight."
[["I love you too."]]The Universe seems at peace with your words. The crumbling seems to become faster. Everything is fading away. You keep your gaze on your lover. Their hand squeeze yours and they lean in. As the Universe ceases to exist, your lips meet theirs. A flash of bright light consumes your eyesight.
And then it's over."Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
You laugh. There's nothing cuter than your lover pouting. You try your hardest to assuage their fears. Kissing the top of their head, you give them another hug.
"Will a heroic quest filled with blood and life lessons help?"
"Being quiet will help."
"Alright."
[[Continue your quest.]]It is, in fact, impossible. At least, to your knowledge. You had been with your lover for so long, that you can barely remember a time without them.
"Just stop worrying, alright?"
"But, starlight-"
You cup their face in your hands. "I need my best companion happy. Not worried."
"Fine."
[[Continue your quest.]]It is //almost// the same as every other hero you have lived as before. You fought monsters, almost died several times, and met companions. All the while your lover floats around you, whispering jokes and loving words in your ear. Well, they were //supposed// to be.
They were jittery and constantly in a bad mood. The light you saw in them, the playfulness, was gone.
You come across a cave. You stand before it and then look over to your lover.
[[Make a joke.]]
[[Reassure them.]]"You know, this cave reminds me of-"
Your words are cut off as an arrow shoots out of the darkness and pierces through your leather armor and into your stomach. Time slows down and you fall to the ground. Your lover immediately falls to the ground next to you, eyes wide.
"Starlight?"
Your hand goes to the arrow. You //know// not to pull it out. But something inside of you is telling you to do so.
Your love tries stopping you. "Don't-!"
[[Pull it out.]]"My eternity," You start, wrapping your arm around their waist. "Everything will be fine. We have each other. What could go wrong?"
Everything. The answer was everything. An arrow flew out of the darkness of the cave and straight into your abdomen, piercing your leather armor with ease. You stumble backwards before falling to the ground. Your lover is immediately by your side.
"S-Starlight?!"
Your mind is blurry. You can't think as your hand wraps around the arrrow.
[[Pull it out.]]As soon as the head of the arrow leaves your body, blood bubbles up and pours from the wound. Your lover's eyes widen.
"Where did that come from?!"
You wheeze and point a finger towards the cave. "B-Behind."
A goblin-like creature runs out from the cave, a high pitched screech emanating from its lips.
"Stay back!"
A large force throws the goblin onto the ground. Its knocked out cold. Your lover turns their attention back to you. Their hands press down on the wound.
"Starlight, let me-"
[["It's no use."]]They shake their head. "No, no! There's someting... different! I can //feel// it."
You give them a smile. They glare at you.
"Do not smile at me like that! Just hold still." They hold out their hands. A warm, yellow light starts to spread from their hands. And then the Tendrils wrap around them, extinguishing the light.
"No..." They whisper. "No, no, no!"
[[Calm them down.]]"My heart." Your voice is weak. They try to press down on the wound, but you grab their hands in yours. "It's ok. Look at me."
Sparkling tears that rival the stars in the sky roll down their face. They let out a shuddering breath. "Do not leave me."
"The Universe-"
"The Universe should have no hold over me! It should not interfere with what is meant to be!"
[["We cannot fight it."]]"Won't you even try?" They whimper.
"You know we cannot fight the Universe."
"I wish I could."
You laugh. The sound is weak and wet. "I know."
"Starlight..."
[["I love you."]]Sobs shake your lover's body. They hug you tightly, their tears soaking into your clothing. Murmured words of anguish break your heart. You wrap your arms around them and gently pet their hair.
"Starlight, please. I cannot live without you."
"You have lived eons before me."
"But I do not wish to live more!"
"My heart..."
"I love you. Ok? I love you and I will find a way to bring you back. The Universe will not win."
Your eyes close. You know their words fall on deaf ears. You know...
[[The Universe wins.]]Everything fades. Your last feeling, your last memory is your lover's lips pressing against yours. And then...
It's.
All.
Gone.You sigh and sit back. Your eyes flit from side to side as you start to sift through infinite timelines and planets. Eons of time pass in a blink of an eye.
[[Choose timeline #456]]
[[Choose planet 34C]]This timeline is a mess. Your eyebrows furrow as you try and get your bearings of what's happening. Giant dogs and cats roam the earth. Humans hide in shelters from the giant animals. You snort.
"Silly mortals. They just want scratches."
Suddenly, a tugging sensation pulls at your heart. //Its them.//
[[Follow the tugging.]]Oh. //Oh no.// You have seen many horrendous things. But you were never good with gore. This planet was engulfed in an endless war. You zoom in. A man swings his axe straight into the chest a poor soldier. He pushes down, ripping open his chest. Guts start to ooze out and-
You avert your eyes. This was gross. And also not what you were searching for.
You let out a frustrated sigh until a familiar tugging starts to pull at your heart.
[[Follow the tugging.]]You keep searching. The tugging gets stronger until its a full on vibrating sensation that spreads through your whole body. There they are! You jump up and dive forward. The space around you warps until you transportinto a lush forest.
There you see them. A smile graces your face and you reach out and then realize...
[[You haven't materialized.]]"Stupid. The Universe truly has it out for me." You take a moment and think. There could be one of two things happening. And you just need to figure out which of the two it was.
"Hey. Can you hear me?"
The person froze. They turn towards the sound of your voice.
[[Their face is blurry.]]
[[Their face is clear.]]There it is. The sign that you wish you didn't see. Your lover's face blurred for just a moment before it comes quickly into focus. But you try not to dwell on it now.
Your lover, the one that you have seen reborn over and over, looks for you. Their eyes are soft. Kind. Their eyes fill with light as you finally materialize.
"The Universe... is dying?" They ask, their eyebrows furrowed.
"The Universe is dying."
They frown and take your hand. "Then what will become of us?"
You shrug. "I am not sure. None of us are. I suppose... this is your last life."
It hurt to say. It hurt to think. You want them to stay and to be with you forever. But the Universe has finally met its end.
Much to your dismay, they trek on.
[[Watch their journey.]]Ah, shit.
Of course this had to happen. The Universe was a piece of shit. It was jealous that you had found life and it was stuck alone and hated. //Typical.//
You take a deep breath. They couldn't find out. You loved them and wanted to keep them safe. So it was best... if they didn't know.
The thing about your lover is that they're perceptive. They're a hero, after all. Years upon years of adventuring doesn't really make a person stupid.
"The Universe doesn't want us together."
You materialize into view. //Finally.//
Your arms are crossed and there's a pout on your lips. "The Universe is so stingy!"
"Come here." They hug the stress out of you. Or at least try. "You know what I say to-"
[["I know!"]]You watch with weary eyes as they continue their adventure like they have done so many times before. They are a hero through and through. You hate it. But despite it all, it is entertaining. You whisper jokes into their ear. You give them love, keep up morale. You make them feel like a true
There's not much else you can do with the Universe crumbling behind you.
You and your lover come across a flower. A red rose, the color dull and almost lifeless.
[[Watch as they touch the flower.]]
[[Touch the flower for yourself.]]You watch as the rose falls apart in their hand. You can't help but feel a sense of a wistful despondecy wash over your body. You know that you want to spend whatever time you have left with your lover.
"That's not ominous."
They stand and brush off their pants. "Well! Nothing we can do except move forward."
You stand with them, eyes narrowed. "Move forward? Are you still going to do this journey?"
You watch as they think to themselves. Is it truly that hard?
[[Wait for their answer.]]Your lover stands and brush off their clothes. You reach out, your fingers lightly brushing against the petals. The petals turn to an ugly gray and then turn to dust. I frown before standing up and looking at them.
"Should you really be continuing this journey?"
They stop and think. You frown.
[[Wait for their answer.]] "To continue..."
You stare at them, hands shaking. You're scared.
What if they're thinking of ignoring the Universe dying and continue the quest? You don't know if you'd be able to handle that.
"I don't want to. I don't need to. Not when you're right here."
"Starlight..." Relief floods through you and you hug them tightly. "Thank you!"
"Anything for you." They hug you, and you relish what it feels like to be in their arms.
[[What a long life.]]You have lived for ever. You have lived for all time. It was only a little after the Universe existed that you came to be. You have seen, you have lost. But you have never loved like this. Never as deeply.
The two of you rest under a tree. It crumbles slowly but you pay no mind. You only have eyes for your lover. As every thing sinks in you realize...
You're tired.
You look at your lover. Despite living multiple lifetimes, they have not seen what you have. You question if they're alright.
"Are you ok?" You ask.
"I have you. Of course I'm ok."
[["I love you, starlight."]]"I love you too."
You hate the Universe. It was as if it always had it out for you. But in this moment, you understood. All things must come to an end. Even eternity itself.
For the first time, you feel a deep exhaustion. You are not a sleeper. Higher beings have no need for it. Or food, or anything like that. But you never realized how much you craved it.
You look over at your lover. Grasping their hand tightly, you press your lips gently against theirs.
All your memories fade.
And then all is finished.You huff and bury your face into their chest. "But this time... it's different. I can feel them trying to pry you away from me."
It is a terrible feeling. It feels... sickening. It feels like a part of you is literally getting ripped out from inside.
They try and comfort you. Oh, how you love it when they do that. They make you feel loved. They make you feel //human//. But if you know the Universe, you know that it will try and take any bit of happiness from you. It has done it once. It will do it again.
[[Begrudgingly accompany them on their quest.]]It was a normal hero's journey. Monsters, they almost died several times, and met companions. //Normally//, you would be telling jokes and trying to keep them happy and sane. And yet... you couldn't
You feel jittery. The Universe is purposefully toying with you. Every day that passes, you grow wary of what may happen.
You come across a cave. You stand before it and then look over to your lover. There was something wrong here. Something...
You shouldn't be here. They shouldn't be here.
[[They tell a joke.]]
[[They reassure you.]]"You know, this cave reminds me of-"
Their words are cut off as an arrow shoots out of the darkness and pierces through their leather armor and into their stomach. Time slows down as they fall to the ground.You immediately fall to the ground next to them, eyes wide.
"Starlight?" You can barely even //think// right now.
Their hand goes to the arrow. No. No, they can't do that!
You try stopping them. "Don't-!"
It's too late.
[[You're in shock.]]"My eternity," They start, wrapping their arm around your waist. "Everything will be fine. We have each other. What could go wrong?"
Everything. The answer was everything. An arrow flew out of the darkness of the cave and straight into their abdomen, piercing their leather armor with ease. They stumble backwards before falling to the ground. You're immediately by their side.
"S-Starlight?!"
You try to keep everything in. It's fine. This is fine.
Their eyes are hazy as their hand wraps around the arrrow.
No!
[[You're in shock.]] As soon as the head of the arrow leaves their body, blood bubbles up and pours from the wound. Your eyes widen. Panic fills your throat, choking you and robbing you of any logic.
"Where did that come from?!"
They wheeze and point a finger towards the cave. "B-Behind."
A goblin-like creature runs out from the cave, a high pitched screech emanating from its lips. Panic and rage mix together to form a white hot emotion that's incampable of a description.
"Stay back!"
You can feel power surge through your body. A large force throws the goblin onto the ground. Its knocked out cold. You turn your attention back to them Your hands press down on the wound.
Warm. They're so warm. You can feel their pulse. It's weak.
"Starlight, let me-"
[[They grab your hand.]]"It's no use."
The ugly words ring in your head. You can feel //something// in you start to break.
You shake your head. "No, no! There's someting... different! I can //feel// it."
They won't reincarnate this time. You knew it. They knew it.
They give you a smile. You glare at them.
"Do not smile at me like that! Just hold still." You hold out your hands. A warm, yellow light starts to spread from your hands. And then the Tendrils wrap around them, extinguishing the light.
The Universe. It is the Universe's fault.
"No..." You whisper. "No, no, no!"
[[They try to calm you down.]]"My heart." Their voice is weak. You try to press down on the wound to stop the bleeding, but they grab your hands in theirs. "It's ok. Look at me."
Sparkling tears that rival the stars in the sky roll down your face. You let out a shuddering breath. "Do not leave me."
"The Universe-"
"The Universe should have no hold over me! It should not interfere with what is meant to be!"
"We cannot fight it."
[[You want to fight it.]]"Won't you even try?" You whimper.
"You know we cannot fight the Universe."
"I wish I could."
They laugh. The sound is weak and wet. "I know."
Stupid mortals! They bleed, and bleed, and bleed. You do not. You wish you could share their pain. You can tell they're hurting. The pain in their eyes despite the smile on their face tears you apart.
"Starlight..."
"I love you."
[[Three words.]]It's unfair!
Sobs shake your body. You hug your lover tightly, your tears soaking into their clothing.
"Please don't leave me." You murmur, your voice breaking. "I love you so much. You are my eternity. My heart, my love, my breath."
They wrap their arms around you and gently pet your hair.
"Starlight, please. I cannot live without you."
"You have lived eons before me."
"But I do not wish to live more!"
"My heart..."
"I love you. Ok? I love you and I will find a way to bring you back. The Universe will not win."
Their eyes close. You know you words fall on deaf ears. You know...
No. You didn't want to accept this.
[[Why did it have to win?]]As the last breath is drawn from your lover's lips, you let out an anguished scream. The world around you ins engulfed in fire. It is white hot and will consume everything in its path.
You will destroy everything. The Universe has stole what you have cherished. It has broken you down and you will not let it go without consequence.
You will get revenge.