Folly & Agendas & Talulah

(STC) Chapter 32: [снежный переход, упадок]

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This Chapter will be subject to future changes!

I apologize to those who have made it thus far,

but I plan to rewrite this chapter in the future

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"Why are you here?"

To tell you that what you've done was wrong!

"Ah I see, what did you plan for me?"

I'm here because you're in control of this city!

"You are also in control of the legislation in this city."

But everything I've done has been foiled by you and your Snake Scales!

"I'm doing what I must while I still stand in this once glorious empire."

Can you give me an honest answer? I'm not here to listen to your conjectures!

"You cannot escape the inevitable my dear, no matter how hard you try."

Duke Koshchei! Have you seen what you have done to this city?

"In your eyes, it seems as though I have not."

The people are killing each other! Why can't you dispatch your soldiers to restore order?

"Because I cannot suppress their anger. Fear has already consumed their fragile bodies."

Are you just going to allow them to destroy themselves?

"I'm allowing time and nature to take its course."

In time, the people will die because of you.

"In time, my dear Talulah, the people will die from your own hands..."

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The snow never stopped falling; it trapped us in this desolate tundra. The world of endless eyes were startling everywhere I go. Their eyes were accompanied by the cries of the young, the old, and the clueless. My aspirations brought them a sense of hope that was supposed lift their spirits and inspire them to keep living; but instead, despair and fear were planted in their little hearts.

Meanwhile, my body was failing me. My muscles tightened and my organs stretched; my heart ached and my throat contorted. The pain was so excruciating, it was too much to bear.

Make it stop! Make it stop! Please!

I wanted to scream and cry, but no words came out. My vision darkened, and I couldn't sense anything except for the pain rupturing through my body. I felt a coarse fluid claw its way out from my stomach to my throat. I expelled the vile liquid out of my body, but the pain persisted.

Please...

I heard multiple voices around me; I'm assuming that the Infected are here. I couldn't understand a single word, I could only guess what they're saying. I felt my eyelids flutter; I strained to keep them open. A tremendous weight was crushing my organs; I screamed in agony. My fingers turned numb and stiff, then I was lifted off the ground.

"Do you wish for the pain to end?"

I heard a strange, faint, familiar voice. It didn't sound as soothing as it seemed, but I desperately desired someone - something - to alleviate the pain and the torture - it was too much to bear.