Thread:ThisIsXenon/@comment-32273133-20190602005414

(aka i've made a decision and there's no turning back now)

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The sky is clogged with clouds, purple-dark and angry, and the wind is bending saplings and ruffling bushes. A storm is coming.

You’re at the edge of a forest. There are two people some ways away from you, and the wind is blowing their conversation towards you, along with some lime-green smoke.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” One of the people, who’s tall and has a long red scarf tied around his neck, shakes his head. “And that it might actually work.”

“You doubt my visions?” The second figure asks. Her bone-white hair dances in the breeze. “I thought you trusted me, Clay, I’m hurt.”

“Well, Delphi, they haven’t been the most accurate as of late,” Clay says. “I distinctly remember standing out in the rain for three hours, all for naught.”

“Okay, fine,” Delphi grumbles. “I’ve been wrong before. But I brought an umbrella this time. A big one.”

They’re silent for another moment, until a sudden snapping noise sends them scrambling into the brush. There are now two more people in the clearing, two others you haven’t seen for a long, long time. It’s Micah and Oganesson. Why are they here?

Micah has his head bowed, arms tense and at his sides. Oganesson walks around him, inspecting him.

“You’ve done well, XE,” he says. “Very, very, very well. Much better this time.”

Micah doesn’t move or reply.

“How did it feel? How did it feel to stop fighting it and let me take over? Freeing? Terrifying? I’d imagine it’s less painful for you to let go than to resist.”

Still no reply. Oganesson doesn’t seem to be looking for one. He stops circling when he’s facing Micah again. “On your knees.”

Micah kneels. Oganesson extends his hand—on it is a dark metal ring. Micah kisses it and then presses his forehead to it.

Oganesson smiles. “XE, you’re dismissed.”

Micah’s body convulses, and Oganesson disappears in a flash. Micah hugs his chest and falls over into the tall grass. When Clay and Delphi burst out of the brush, he doesn’t move, and stays still until Clay kneels next to him and says his name.

“Micah!”

“Clay?”

Thunder rumbles. Clay helps Micah sit up and, after a hesitant moment, hugs him fiercely.

“You found me,” Micah murmurs, burying his nose in Clay’s scarf. “I can’t believe you found me.”

“What, did you think I’d stop looking?” Clay replies.

“It’s been a long time,” Micah’s voice is shaking. “I’d given up hope….”

“I will never leave you behind,” Clay says. “Ever. Not after all you’ve done for me, and especially not with that psychopath.”

At the mention of Oganesson, Micah flinches. Clay quickly adds: “But you’re safe now. You’re safe.”

More thunder. Micah starts to cry. Clay just holds him and keeps repeating, “You’re safe, you’re safe with us, he’s not going to hurt you.”

Delphi edges over, holding her umbrella, and opens it over them just as the bottom falls out of the clouds. The rain muffles any conversation you can hear from your position. You can’t get any closer without them seeing you, unless you’re invisible, but even then, Delphi might still hear you.

What do you do? 