The brisk wind picks up around you in the grassy clearing. It is serene. Empty. Your feet almost seem to move on their own, dragging you towards a white platform.
On top of it, there is a marble basin filled with clear water. You dip your fingers into it—the liquid feels tepid. In front of it, you see two marbles—a milky, white one and a red one. Strangely enough, the howling wind ceases.
You feel a disembodied voice invading your thoughts, reverberating through your skull.
*Choose one.*
You double over in pain.
*Choose one. And throw it in the basin.*
The voice dissipates. You straighten shakily. And eye the basin again.
>[[Throw the white marble in the basin—*not* the red one.]]
>[[No—it has to be the red one. Right?]]
You shudder involuntarily. Winding your arm back, you toss the red marble into the basin. It sinks to the bottom. Nothing happens.
Then—the marble hisses and bubbles. The water spread into red like an infection, solidifying into a thick mist. The mist lifted from the basin, crawling towards you.
You try to scream.
No words come out.
[[Try screaming again.->Death]]
[["Please don't hurt me. I did what you said."->Death]]
[[Close your eyes and allow the mist to consume you.->Life]]
You shudder involuntarily. Winding your arm back, you toss the white marble into the basin. It sinks to the bottom. Nothing happens.
Maybe you should [[wait.->Life]] There is no rush after all.
It was like your vocal cords and bodily function ceased to function.
Every time you thought about anything, the wave of red approched closer, causing you to clutch at your throat.
Then the tendrils of emptiness entered your ears. Your nose.
And finally your eyes.
Goodbye.
Or maybe this is a [[new beginning.->The Basin ]] You close your eyes and allow it to wash over you.
Nothing happens.
You open one eye. Then they widen.
[[Is that the... ->The Basin ]]