EgyptGame

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<center> <big>Excellent Expedition</big> <big>Digital Nile</big> <<set _myOp = performBitwiseOperation()>> <h1>Field of Reeds</h1> [[Start]] </center>

<<silently>> /* Background Audio */ <<cacheaudio "strum" "https://files.freemusicarchive.org/storage-freemusicarchive-org/music/no_curator/Youssoupha_Sidibe/Sacred_Sound/Youssoupha_Sidibe_-_10_-_Xaleyi.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "caravan" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/caravan_small.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "fun" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Komiku_-_12_-_Bicyclechosic.com_.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "mirage" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/TimTaj-Desert-Mirage_small.mp3">> /* Sound Effects */ /* <<cacheaudio "mystery1" "https://campcadbury.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mystery-Accents-01.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "mystery2" "https://campcadbury.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mystery-Accents-02.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "phonering" "https://campcadbury.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Telephone-Ringing-02.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "glasstap" "https://campcadbury.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/3Tap.mp3">> */ <<cacheaudio "claps" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/clapping.wav">> /* "Stow the sidebar */ <<run UIBar.stow() >> /* LastPassage */ <<set $lastPassage to ''>> /* Player traits */ <<set $playerStats={"skill":0, "punctuality":0, "creative":0}>> <<set $merits to 1>> <<set $joblevel to 0>> /* Player Profile */ <<set $eyecolor to "">> <<set $Her to "">> <<set $her to "">> <<set $She to "">> <<set $hers to "">> <<set $herself to "">> <<set $lastname to "">> <<set $ms to "" >> <<set $name to "">> <<set $haircolor to "">> <<set $hairlength to "">> <<set $sex to "no">> <<set $she to "">> <<set $skincolor to "">> <<set $start to 0>> <<set $woman to "">> <<set $drinkChoice to "">> /* Companion Profile */ <<set $He to "">> <<set $he to "" >> <<set $His to "">> <<set $ezra to "">> <<set $friend_e to "">> <<set $him to "">> <<set $himself to "">> <<set $his to "">> <<set $hiss to "">> <<set $mr to "">> <<set $man to "">> <<set $mr to "">> /*pet Profile */ <<set $pet to "">> <<set $pet_e to "">> <<set $breed to "">> /* Billboards */ <<set $billboards to ["https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/rentals_billboard.jpeg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/excapes_billboard.jpeg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bliss_billboard.jpeg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/morninglight_billboard.jpeg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Odyssey_billboard.jpeg"]>> <<set $billboard_text to ["Crappy Apartment. But hey, they have internet!", "Virtual Escapes! A vacation in VR", "Aurora's Bliss. Escape Reality. ahhh", "Morninglight Advanced Security Software. Secure your System. Secure Your Soul", "Cadbury Cybernetic Presents Anubis Protocol: Desert Odyssey. Hey thats the expansion pack $ezra is testing."]>> /* birds */ <<cacheaudio "sparrow" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-sparrow.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "robin" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-robin.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "finch" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-housefinch.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "chickadee" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-chickadee.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "cardinal" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-cardinal.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "bluejay" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-bluejay.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "blackbird" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird-rw-blackbird.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "ibis" "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ibis.mp3">> <<set $bird_image to ["https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_sparrow.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_robin.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_housefinch.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_chickadee.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_cardinal.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_bluejay.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bird_rw_blackbird.jpg", "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AfricanSacredIbis-1.jpeg"]>> <<set $bird_text to ["Ohh a Sparrow!", "A Robin. nice!", "A House Finch. Such a pretty song.", "A cute little Black Capped Chickadee.", "What a beautiful Cardinal", "A Bluejay!", "The Redwing Blackbird.", "An African Sacred Ibis?! What is that doing in Detroit?"]>> <<set $bird_sound to ["sparrow", "robin", "finch", "chickadee", "cardinal", "bluejay", "blackbird", "ibis"]>> /* Chapter 1 */ <<set $tartDate to new Date('August 19, 1975 07:45:00') >> <<set $stacked to 0>> <<set $gotBingoDetails to false>> <<set $lunchWithEzra to false>> /* Chapter 2 */ <<set $delays to 0>> <<set $door to 0>> <<set $visited to []>> <<set $requiredBugs to 5>> <<set $bugCount to 0>> <<set $valid to false>> <<set $oper to "">> <<set $ariStage to 0>> /* 0-in simulation. initial 1-in simulation talking to avatar 2-ari distressed/attacked 3-No ari */ <<set $monkeyStage to 0>> /* 0-initial. Not seen 1- seen/kicked 2-follow/watch 3-gone. */ <<set $spookStage to 0>> /* 0-initial 1-after initial */ <</silently>> /* Chapter 3 */ <<set $god to [{name: "Anubis", dialog: "anubis_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/anubis.jpeg"}, {name: "Isis", dialog: "isis_dialog", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/isis.jpeg"}, {name: "Ra", dialog: "ra_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ra.jpeg"}, {name: "Thoth", dialog: "thoth_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/thoth.jpeg"}, {name: "Set", dialog: "set_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/set.jpeg"}, {name: "Nut", dialog: "nut_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/nut.jpeg"}, {name: "Taweret", dialog: "taweret_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/taweret.jpeg"}, {name: "Sekhmet", dialog: "sekhmet_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sekhmet.jpeg"}, {name: "Bes", dialog: "bes_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bes.jpeg"}, {name: "Amun", dialog: "amun_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/amun.jpeg"}, {name: "Ma\'at", dialog: "maat_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/maat.jpeg"}, {name: "Sobek", dialog: "sobek_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sobek.jpeg"}, {name: "Ptah", dialog: "ptah_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ptah.jpeg"}, {name: "Horus the Younger", dialog: "horus_youth_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/horus_younger2.jpeg"}, {name: "Aten", dialog: "aten_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/aten.jpeg"}, {name: "Serket", dialog: "serket_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/serket.jpeg"}, {name: "Khnum", dialog: "khnum_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/khnum.jpeg"}, {name: "Bastet", dialog: "bast_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bast.jpeg"}, {name: "Hathor", dialog: "hathor_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/hathor-Medium.jpeg"}, {name: "Khepri", dialog: "khepri_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/khepri.jpeg"}, {name: "Heqet", dialog: "heqet_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/heqet.jpeg"}, {name: "Horus", dialog: "horus_elder_diag", image: "https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/horus_elder.jpeg"} ]>> <<set $choice to [{text:'Presides over Embalming', god: $god[0]}, /*Anubis*/ {text:'Goddess of magic', god: $god[1]},/*Isis*/ {text:'Name literally means \'throne\'', god: $god[1]},/*Isis*/ {text:'Falcon headed sun god', god: $god[2]},/*ra*/ {text:'Diety of writing and wisdom', god: $god[3]},/*thoth*/ {text:'The god sometimes shown as a baboon', god: $god[3]},/*thoth*/ {text:'Records the weighing of the heart', god: $god[3]},/*thoth*/ {text:'God of chaos and deserts', god: $god[4]},/*Set*/ {text:'God of storms and foreigners', god: $god[4]},/*Set*/ {text:'Guards Ra\'s solar boat', god: $god[4]},/* Set */ {text:'Sky goddess that arches over the earth', god: $god[5]},/* Nut */ {text:'Hippo goddess of childbirth', god: $god[6]},/*Taweret*/ {text:'Lioness-headed war and healing goddess', god: $god[7]},/*Sekhmet*/ {text:'Dwarf household protector diety', god: $god[8]},/*Bes*/ {text:'Honored at the Opet Festival', god: $god[9]},/*Amun*/ {text:'Embodies truth, balance, order, and justice', god: $god[10]},/*maat*/ {text:'The feather on the scale belongs to her', god: $god[10]},/*maat*/ {text:'Crocodile god worshipped in Faiyum', god: $god[11]},/*Sobek*/ {text:'The apis bull was an earthly form of this god', god: $god[12]},/*Ptah*/ {text:'Child god with a sidelock of youth.', god: $god[13]},/*Horus younger*/ {text:'Akhenaten worshipped this god.', god: $god[14]},/*Aten*/ {text: 'Often represented as a solar disk', god: $god[14]},/*Aten*/ {text:'Scorpion goddess and guardian of kings.', god: $god[15]},/*Serket*/ {text:'Ram headed creator of Elephantine.', god: $god[16]},/*Khnum*/ {text:'Worshiped heavily in Bubastis. ', god: $god[17]},/*Bastet*/ {text:'Gentle feline counterpart to Sekhmet. ', god: $god[17]},/*Bastet*/ {text:'Lady of the Sycamore. ', god: $god[18]},/*Hathor*/ {text:'Embodied by the scarab beetle. ', god: $god[19]},/*Khepri*/ {text:'Frog headed fertility goddess. ', god: $god[20]},/*Heqet*/ {text:'Avenges his father to become king. ', god: $god[21]},/*Horus*/ ]>> <<set $remaining to $choice.concat() >> <<set $trials to [ { room:$god[0], choice:''}, { room:$god[1], choice:''}, { room:$god[2], choice:''}, { room:$god[3], choice:''}, { room:$god[4], choice:''}, { room:$god[5], choice:''}, { room:$god[6], choice:''}, { room:$god[7], choice:''}, { room:$god[8], choice:''}, { room:$god[9], choice:''}, { room:$god[10], choice:''}, { room:$god[11], choice:''}, { room:$god[12], choice:''}, { room:$god[13], choice:''}, { room:$god[14], choice:''}, { room:$god[15], choice:''}, { room:$god[16], choice:''}, { room:$god[17], choice:''}, { room:$god[18], choice:''}, { room:$god[19], choice:''}, { room:$god[20], choice:''}, { room:$god[21], choice:''} ]>>

<<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadein>>It has been several weeks now, since you have relocated to the bustling city of Detroit, Michigan. You are a 20 yr old 'Certified Software Tester'. Well that's what certificate said from the local small town community college that you spent 6 weeks at. At twenty, you are already burned out and disillutioned from the promises that the education system made. You wanted to stay at the party store, working the counter. You were close to a promotion to night manager, you just knew it! Your parents wanted you to attend university for a proper degree. Was this a good compromize? So far you feel nothing but regrets. You were a dreamer once. Thought you were going to help make the world a better place by selling pop behind the counter, did ya? A few days after you obtained your certificate, you landed a new job. The only problem was it required you to relocate to Detroit. Detroit!? Nobody has good things to say about Detroit. But your options were limited. So you took it, and hoped for the best! Boy, you were wrong. A few days into your new job,you had hoped to begin a good life and meet some new friends. But so far, there has been no progress. You just have been running test scripts day after day. If only you could get out there and do more. And boy is it expensive here! Your saving are running out. You already need a raise, big time! But you have met a friend that you've grown fond of and enjoy having coffee and occasional walks with. Today you wake up with a renewed sense of hope. Will you break from the lonely and unrewarding existance that has been your whole life? Find something fulfilling? Discover something amazing? Heck, you'd be happy if you could just keep this job. Oh, and maybe get a promotion to something that pays a bit better. Content warnings: Violence, language, sexual content. [[PROLOG|Prolog]] [[START GAME |No. I want to start over.]] <<link 'LOAD GAME'>><<run UI.saves() >><</link>>

What are your pronouns? <<link [[She/her|name enter]]>><<set $ms to "Ms.">><<set $she to "she">><<set $She to "She">><<set $her to "her">><<set $Her to "Her">><<set $hers to "her">><<set $herself to "herself">><<set $woman to "woman">><</link>> <<link [[He/him|name enter]]>><<set $ms to "Mr">><<set $she to "he">><<set $She to "He">><<set $her to "him">><<set $Her to "Him">><<set $hers to "his">><<set $herself to "himself">><<set $woman to "man">><</link>> <<link [[They/them|name enter]]>><<set $ms to "Mx">><<set $she to "they">><<set $She to "They">><<set $her to "them">><<set $Her to "Them">><<set $hers to "their">><<set $herself to "themself">><<set $woman to "adult">><</link>>

<<set $name to "">><<set $lastname to "">> <>Choose a name for your character. <div class="namechoice" style="display: grid;grid-template-areas:'a b''c d';"> <div align="right" style="margin: 10px"><label>What is your first name?</label></div> <div align="left"><<textbox "$name" "">></div> <div align="right" style="margin: 10px"><label>What is your last name?</label></div> <div align="left"><<textbox "$lastname" "">></div> </div><> <<link "SUBMIT ANSWER">> <<if ( $name == "" || $lastname== "")>> <<dialog 'Name is required'>>\ You must chose a first and last name for your character. <</dialog>> <<else>> <<goto 'gender of friend'>> <</if>> } <</link>>

You have a best friend! My best friend is a... <<link [[Woman|name confirm]]>><<set $ezra to "Rachel">><set $friend_e to "Ra-hel">><<set $mr to "Ms.">><<set $he to "she">><<set $He to "She">><<set $his to "her">><<set $hiss to "hers">><<set $His to "Her">><<set $him to "her">><<set $himself to "herself">><<set $man to "woman">><</link>> <<link [[Man|name confirm]]>><<set $ezra to "Josh">><<set $friend_e to "Djesh">><<set $mr to "Mr.">><<set $he to "he">><<set $He to "He">><<set $his to "his">><<set $His to "His">><<set $him to "him">><<set $hiss to "his">><<set $himself to "himself">><<set $man to "man">><</link>>

This story features explicit sex and violence if you so choose. Note that further in the story there will be explicit and non-explicit sexual options to choose from as well. Use your own discretion. <<link [[YES to full mentions of physical sex and violence|name confirm]]>><<set $sex to "yes">><</link>> <<link [[NO to full mentions of physical sex|name confirm]]>><<set $sex to "no">><</link>>

Name: $name $lastname Pronouns: $she/$her Only friend: $ezra Taylor, a $man and fellow neighbor in the Community. Is this correct? [[Yes.|Day 1]] [[No. I want to start over.]]

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadein>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><big>Chapter I: [[Another Day, another dollar|FirstDay]]</big><<set $start to 1>><<set $CurDate to $tartDate>>

“Rise and shine, dork!” <<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>> You groan and roll over on your front, pulling your blanket over your head to block the faint rays of sunlight that are starting to seep through the slats in your tangled window blinds. $ezra, unperturbed, tries again. “Oomph,” you blurt as you feel $ezra’s weight settle on your back. $pet, curled up next to you is mildly annoyed but otherwise unperturbed. “Sitting on top of me seems counterproductive to your goal here,” you mumble into the mattress. “My goal is to annoy you into action.” “Well, fair play then.” You begin to rustle under the sheets. $ezra, confident in victory, lifts $himself off your mattress with some effort. You sit up in bed, rubbing your closed eyelids, and stretch your hand up for assistance. $ezra holds your grasp and [[lifts.]]

You have a pet! My trusted animal companion is a... <<link [[Dog|name confirm]]>><<set $pet to "Bugs">><set $pet_e to "Scarab">><<set $breed to "dog">><</link>> <<link [[Cat|name confirm]]>><<set $pet to "Bugs">><<set $pet_e to "Scarab">><<set $breed to "cat">><</link>>

“Thank you,” you murmur and release a small yawn. "What are you doing here anyway? How'd you get in?" $ezra shrugs and says "I knew you'd be late for work so I thought I'd swing by to nudge you." You couldn't disagree. $ezra continues. "And your apartment door was not only unlocked, but not even latched. Dumbass." You grumble, knowing that you don't own anything worth stealing and are always low on cash. You stare past $ezra’s head into the mirror hung on the wall behind $him. You could look better. Your eyes are still not completely open, weighed down by sleep. You can barely see your irises, normally reflecting a bright <<cycle "$eyecolor" autoselect>><<option "blue">><<option "brown">><<option "green">><<option"hazel">><<option "grey">><<option "amber">><</cycle>>. Your <<cycle "$hairlength" autoselect>><<option "long">><<option "short">> <<option "shoulder-length">><<option "shaved">><</cycle>> <<cycle"$haircolor" autoselect>><<option"blond">><<option "brown">><<option "black">><<option "red">><<option "auburn">><<option "grey">><<option "white">><</cycle>> hair looks awful. Your skin, normally a pleasing <<cycle "$skincolor" autoselect>><<option "dark brown">><<option "sepia">><<option "olive">><<option "beige">><<option "ivory">><</cycle>> tone, looks a bit dull. How come $ezra gets to wake up looking like <<link [[that?|that?]]>><><<= addMinutes(5)>><><</link>>"

Ok, I am heading to work. Get cleaned up and meet me there", $ezra says as $he heads for the door. "Remember, need to be at work by 8:30. Don't be late!" Heaving yourself out of the comfy bed, you now stand alone. <<linkreplace "You are naked and a little stinky">>You jump in the shower quickly and soap up. As you do so, you are reminded you could stand to lose a little weight. Sadly you remember that you have nobody to impress, so you wonder if its even worth it. After you get out of the shower, you brush your teeth and put on some clean clothes. You're ready to <<link [[start your day]]>><<=addMinutes(20)>><</link>><</linkreplace>>. On the counter is a pile of mail. It is <<linkreplace "currently unopened">>a lot of crap that you just want to throw away: A reminder that your heating bill is 30 days overdue, a notice of rent increase, An advertisement of a new Cadbury Cybernetic AI product, and a flier to the local church telling you how you need to repent your sins. <</linkreplace>>.

Time to go, fully dressed you head for the door. Maybe today will be your lucky day where you get a promotion and start doing something meaningful. It is already <<= showTime()>> and you need to be at work by 8:30 or you'll be late. Ooops, forgot to latch the door! You spin around and pull the door closed and lock it. You silently thank $ezra for giving you the morning reminder. <<link [[Exiting the building]]>><<=addMinutes(3)>><</link>>, you hit the main street and feel the cool air hit your face.

<<if !Story.get(State.passage).tags.includes("DnD")>> <<if !Story.get(State.passage).tags.includes("menu")>> <<set $lastPassage to State.passage>> <</if>> <<if !Story.get(State.passage).tags.includes("no-header")>> [<<commonMute>>| <<link SAVES>><<run UI.saves() >><</link>> | [[PROFILE]] | <<link "RESTART">><<run UI.restart()>><</link>>]<<if $CurDate >> | Time: <<print showTime()>> <</if>> <</if>> /*if no header */ <<else>> /* Player is in the DnD area */ <<set $heals to Math.clamp($heals+0.2,0,3)>> <<if !Story.get(State.passage).tags.includes("no-header")>> [<<commonMute>>| /*<<link SAVES>><<run UI.saves() >><</link>> | */<<link 'TEAM'>><<popup 'TEAM'>><</link>>] [ HP: $hp/$maxhp <<if $class eq "Cleric">>| Heals: <<-Math.trunc($heals)>><</if>> | $vessel: $vesselPct% <<if $chapter eq 4>>| campers: $campersSaved <</if>>| distance: <<= setup.distanceFromOrigin()>> ] <</if>> <</if>>

PROFILE NAME: $name $lastname AGE: 21 TRAVELED TO COMMUNITY FROM: Northwest USA<<if $skincolor is "dark brown" or $skincolor is "caramel" or $skincolor is "olive" or $skincolor is "beige" or $skincolor is "ivory">> APPEARANCE: $ms $lastname can be recognized around the Community by $hers $eyecolor eyes, $hairlength $haircolor hair and $skincolor skin tone.<</if>> Cadbury CyberNetic Merits: $merits; Friend Current: $ezra Taylor <<link "RETURN TO STORY" $lastPassage>><</link>>

The morning heat had already begun its slow crawl across the dusty paths of the village, softening the edges of the mud-brick homes. Below the relentless blue sky, the colossal geometry of the Great Pyramid dominated the horizon, its pale limestone catching the sun like a beacon. Beside it, the great Temple of Amun-Ra stood sentinel, and at the very pinnacle of the temple's eastern wall, the symbolic image of the Pharaoh was carved in enduring stone, proclaiming the reach of their king. Pepi, the grandfather, sat on a flat rock near the lip of the small, lazy tributary that fed into the great Nile. His small grandson, Khaem, sat beside him, their feet dangling just above the cool, swirling water. They used simple cane poles, waiting for the small, silver fish that favored the shallows. The only sounds were the soft lapping of the water and the distant, rhythmic clang of a coppersmith working near the market. "Grandfather," Khaem murmured, pointing with his chin. "Look." Pepi followed the line of his gaze, past the low wall where the fishing spot met the dusty village street. There, shaded by the narrow overhang of a weaver's stall, was a man lying on his side. He was rolled up on a thin mat, clearly having slept through the dawn. His travel-stained linen was unfamiliar, lacking the specific dye patterns of the local families. "Ah," Pepi said, adjusting his own light cap to block the sun. "Another one. They arrive every season now, seeking work on the new construction, or maybe just a new life." Khaem pulled his line in, frowning. "Will hefit in? He looks... like he’s made of the road dust itself." Pepi chuckled, the sound dry as river reeds. "The dust settles, little one, and the wind carries it away. We shall see. This town is a harsh stone to rub against, but it has a deep heart." He paused, watching the still figure intently. "Look, he stirs. He senses the village waking up." Just then, a man walked past, carrying a large water jar from the river. It was Pepi’s friend, Amunhotep, a builder who had worked the stones of the great temple years ago. Pepi raised a hand and called out, a playful grin touching his lips. “Amunhotep! I think your friend is waking up, you should go greet him!” Amunhotep set down his jar with a low grunt of effort. "He is not my friend, Pepi. I do not know the man. He is clearly new." Pepi smiled knowingly, leaning back against the sun-warmed rock. "Yes, but I can tell how you take interest in him. You will be friends, I am sure." Amunhotep shook his head, but his natural hospitality won out. He walked toward the sleeping figure and gently nudged him with his sandaled foot. "Friend," he said softly. "The morning is upon us." The man unrolled himself slowly, shielding his eyes from the sudden brightness. His face was lined with exhaustion, but his eyes were clear, sweeping the immense height of the distant pyramid and the nearby temple before settling on Amunhotep. "Have I arrived?" the sleeping man asked, his voice rough with sleep and travel. Amunhotep, standing over him, gave a slight, formal bow. "Yes, I believe you have. [[Welcome.|ChapterTwo]]"

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>><big>Prolog: [[The Dawning Protocol]]</big><<set $start to 1>>

<<widget commonMute>> <<button `settings.masterMute ? "🔇" : "🔊"`>> <<set settings.masterMute = !settings.masterMute>> <<if settings.masterMute >> <<masteraudio mute>> <<else>> <<masteraudio unmute>> <</if>> <<run $("#mutebtn button").html(settings.masterMute ? "🔇" : "🔊")>> <<run Setting.save() >> <</button>>/*<<volume>>*/ <</widget>>

You stroll down mainstreet and look around you, tall buildings shade out much of the sky, but you can tell the morning is cloudy. Maybe some flurries will come later. There is a popup tent here with some <<link [[people in it|Recruiter Tent]]>><<=addMinutes(2)>><</link>>. They are cheerfully, and fruitlessly trying to hawk something to the people walking by. You are a few blocks from the coffee shop, and dont want to be late, so better <<link [[move along]]>><<=addMinutes(3)>><</link>>.

More buildings. The tech boom hasn't been kind to Detroit. A lot of buildings are boarded up, but there is still many opened ones. Rent's cheap, thank goodness. Some [[faded billboards]] are mounted along the road. Further down the street you can see <<link [[Chaos Theory Cafe|Cafe Entrance]]>><<=addMinutes(3)>><</link>>. Also there is your employeer building Cadbury Cybernetic <<link [[Testing Center]]>><<=addMinutes(1)>><</link>>, and a beautiful <<link [[city park]]>><<=addMinutes(3)>><</link>>. If you needed, you know you could always return to [[mainstreet|Exiting the building]].

You wander over to the tent and immediately one of the young recruiters grins at you and says "Welcome friend! We are representing Cadbury Cybernetic!. Would you like a pamphlet?" and without waiting for a response, he hands you one. Knowing this is totally non applicable to you, you [[politely glance at it|Recruitment flier]] briefly before handing it back, saying "Thank you, but I am already employed there". "Excellent! Please tell your friends about the wonderful opportunities that you have there!!" You imediately feel sad that you have few friends, and the one you have is already employeed at the same company. You realize you've wasted a lot of time here and need to get to work before you're too late. <<link [[So you leave|move along]]>><</link>>.

A Brochure from the Cadbury Cybernetic recruitment office. The company you work for is apparently trying to hire even more people. Ironicly, this flier is advertising the exact position that you are currently doing: a level 1 tester of software. The brochure reads "Recruiting Computer Professionals" "Software Development AI Research and Development Cybersecurity Solutions Robotics Software Data Science" "Career advancement based on: Punctuality, Skill, and Creative thinking" "Starting Position: Level 1 Tester [img[https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RecruitmentFlier.jpeg]] 'Damn', you think. 'So that's how I advance? Not doing so well on Punctuality.' [[Hand back the brochure|Recruiter Tent]].

You observe a faded billboard. <<set _firstimg=$billboards.shift()>> <<set _firsttxt=$billboard_text.shift()>> <<set _played = false>> <<run $billboards.push(_firstimg)>> <<run $billboard_text.push(_firsttxt)>> <center> [img[_firstimg]] <<= _firsttxt>> </center> <<link Next>> <<script>> var _nexttxt=State.getVar("$billboard_text").shift(); var _nextimg=State.getVar("$billboards").shift(); State.getVar("$billboards").push(_nextimg); State.getVar("$billboard_text").push(_nexttxt); $("#class-image").empty().wiki("[img[" + _nextimg+"]]").fadeIn(500); $("#class-txt").empty().wiki(_nexttxt).fadeIn(500); if ( State.getVar("_played") == false && _nextimg.includes("beTheChange")){ SimpleAudio.tracks.get("mystery1").play(); State.setVar("_played",true); } <</script>><</link>> | <<link "Return" $lastPassage>><</link>>

You walk to the Chaos Theory cafe. You see it is packed inside, and filled with mostly the unemployed and creative types. Obviously anyone who has a job is at work by now. That reminds you, that you need to rush to work! Through the window you see everyone at tables and chatting with each other. They all seem so happy. Everyone is dressed in casual attire. Music is playing. Maybe you'll come back here after work or when you have some time off. <<linkreplace 'Ask the doorman how ya doin\'?'>>The gruff doorman says "Meh'." and looks away from you.<</linkreplace>> [[leave|move along]]

You stand before the Cadbury Cybernetic Group’s Software Testing Center, a behemoth of glass and steel that seems to defy architectural convention. It’s an intimidating sight, its sleek, hyper-modern facade of shimmering dark panels interspersed with neo-Gothic arches and art deco flourishes—a bizarre, beautiful mash-up of past and future. The sheer scale of the building is overwhelming, hinting at the complex, groundbreaking work happening inside. You, however, aren’t here for any of that groundbreaking work. You’re just a Level 0 Quality Assurance Associate, and you’ve yet to touch a single line of code, let alone test one of the Group's coveted new software builds. The actual testing—the glamorous, high-stakes hunt for bugs and glitches in Cadbury’s cutting-edge systems—is strictly reserved for the senior engineers, the ones who get to walk through those exclusive side entrances with their keycard's satisfying thwump. Your current, less-than-glamorous, responsibility is much more grounded: sorting paperclips. Yes, while digital frontiers are being pushed a few hundred yards away, your domain is the supply closet, ensuring that the jumbo, butterfly, and standard sizes are meticulously separated and stocked. It’s a crucial, if mundane, task, and a stark reminder of your place on the corporate ladder as you prepare to [[swipe your badge|enter building]]and begin your shift.

You are in a beautiful city park. There is a fountain in the middle of the park, surrounded by flowerbeds. Large trees are on the other side of the path, which have various tables and benches for sitting and enjoying the outdoors. [[Birds]] are singing in the trees. It's quite lovely here. The path back to the [[street|move along]] is to the east.

You are enjoying looking at, and listening to the birds. <><<set _firstimg=$bird_image.shift()>> <<set _firsttxt=$bird_text.shift()>> <<set _firstsound=$bird_sound.shift()>> <<run $bird_image.push(_firstimg)>> <<run $bird_text.push(_firsttxt)>> <<run $bird_sound.push(_firstsound)>> <<audio _firstsound play>><> <center> [img[_firstimg]] <<= _firsttxt>> </center> <<link "More birds!">> <<set _lastSound to $bird_sound[$bird_sound.length -1]>> <<audio _lastSound stop>> <<script>> var _nexttxt=State.getVar("$bird_text").shift(); var _nextimg=State.getVar("$bird_image").shift(); var _nextsound=State.getVar("$bird_sound").shift(); State.getVar("$bird_image").push(_nextimg); State.getVar("$bird_text").push(_nexttxt); State.getVar("$bird_sound").push(_nextsound); $("#class-image").empty().wiki("[img[" + _nextimg+"]]").fadeIn(500); $("#class-txt").empty().wiki(_nexttxt).fadeIn(500); SimpleAudio.select(_nextsound).loop(true).play(); <</script>> <</link>> | <<link "Leave" $lastPassage>><<set _lastSound to $bird_sound[$bird_sound.length -1]>><<=addMinutes(2)>> <<audio _lastSound stop>><</link>>

Stepping through the massive bronze doors of the Cadbury Cybernetic Group’s Testing Center, you enter the lobby, and the architectural chaos outside somehow coalesces into a strange, organized grandeur. <<set $stacked to 0>><<set $hadlunch to false>> <<include "Building Lobby">>

You lift your hand, your knuckles hovering briefly, and then tap lightly on the glass wall of the manager’s office. The sleek door hisses open immediately—she was clearly waiting. "Come in. Sit down," Ms. Lacroix says, her voice flat and without warmth. You step inside, and the door silently glides shut behind you. The office is vast, offering a stunning, if indifferent, view of the city. Ms. Lacroix is seated ramrod straight behind her expansive desk, her expression a careful mask of professional displeasure. She gestures toward the uncomfortable-looking visitor chair with a flick of her wrist, but her eyes never leave yours. <<if elapsedMinutes() > 45 >> "You are late, $name," she states, the word hanging in the air like a poorly filed expense report. "We do not appreciate late. Cadbury Cybernetics operates on precision and punctuality. Your tardiness—<<=elapsedMinutes()-45>> minutes, to be exact—is an immediate indicator of a lack of commitment to the standards we uphold." She folds her hands neatly on the desk. "I want to be clear: this incident will be noted. It will unfortunately impact your file and reflect negatively on your work history. If you ever hope to be promoted beyond the supply closet, or to touch a piece of software that hasn’t been audited by Accounting, you need to understand that this company demands better. Do better, $name. Your career depends on it." <><<unset $CurDate>><<set $merits to $merits -1 >><> @@color:red;You have lost 1 merit point.@@<<else>> You realize you have nothing to say to her that would benefit you, and she definitely looks like she'd rather you not be there at all. <</if>><><<linkreplace "Apply for a promotion">> <<if $stacked < 5 >> Ms. Lacroix says, check with me at the end of the day. I'm busy now. <<else>> <<unset $CurDate>> <<set $merits to $merits+1>> <<if $merits < 1>> Ms. Lacroix looks at you and says "you have to be kidding. You only have $merits merits">> <<else>> <<goto "promotion">> <</if>> <</if>><</linkreplace>><> [[Exit|Building Lobby]]

You walk past the glowing jade reception desk and make your way to the sound-dampening double doors of the Testing Room on your right. It's time to clock in, sort your clips, and get on with your day. You pull your Level 0 Associate ID card—the one with the surprisingly unflattering photo—and slide it into the reader next to the door. You hear a sharp, metallic BUZZ, and a bright, aggressive red light flashes back at you. The door remains firmly locked. Before you can try a second, hopeful swipe, a voice cuts across the vast, marble lobby. "$name, Hold it right there!" It's the receptionist, pointing a manicured finger your way. "Ms. Lacroix wants to speak with you first. She said to come in immediately." A knot of ice forms in your stomach. Ms. Lacroix, your manager, is never pleasant. Her voice is usually a low, grating monotone, and her feedback sessions always feel less like professional guidance and more like a carefully controlled dissection. Every required meeting with her feels like a bureaucratic summons—a formal, dreaded prelude to your actual workday. You turn left, taking a deep, fortifying breath, and head toward the transparent, intimidating glass wall of her office. [[Return |Building Lobby]]

<<if ! $CurDate>>With Ms. Lacroix's chilling admonition about punctuality still echoing in your mind, you return to the lobby, feeling the weight of that "negative impact" on your work history.<</if>> Your eyes drift to the bright yellow flier on the reception desk, the one titled "ZERO-DEFECT INITIATIVE." As you lean in to read, you realize it’s an internal memo for the lowest tier: Level 0 Associates—which is, technically, where you currently reside. The text is framed in optimistic corporate jargon, inviting you to apply for a Level 1 Quality Assurance Associate position. The promises are compelling: the ability to finally test actual software rather than managing the stationery inventory, and a highly-coveted benefit of flexible hours, meaning no one constantly monitoring your arrival or departure time—a benefit you clearly need right now. However, the fine print is a swift reality check. To even be considered, you must be in "Good Standing" with the company, possessing a minimum Merit Level of 1. <<if ! $CurDate>>The flier emphasizes that the single most critical factor for earning that standing is Punctuality—a word that now tastes like ashes in your mouth thanks to your tartiness transgressions. Despite your recent setback, the invitation stands: "Welcome to apply with your Manager at any time." The path to freedom from the paperclips is clearly laid out, but it's currently blocked by a freshly-opened disciplinary file.<</if>> [[Continue|Building Lobby]]

You finally manage to swipe your ID and the heavy doors to the Testing Room hiss open, letting you into the company's operational heart. The room is vast, a sprawling sea of uniform metal desks stretching out before you. This is the main floor, where the bulk of the company's Level 1 Associates work, and where you are now headed. Along the far right wall is a glass partition leading to a slightly elevated section of cubicles. These are reserved for the more advanced testers—the ones who actually get to test the pre-release software builds. Across the room, along the left wall, are a few small, soundproofed offices. These are the domain of the most trusted programmers and specialized engineers, the true architects of Cadbury Cybernetics' code. All those doors are closed except for one. At the very rear of the room, you see a long, dimly lit hallway that leads to the secretive development labs. A sign above the entrance flashes a persistent red: "RESTRICTED - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY." That hallway represents the highest levels of the company, a place you can only dream of reaching. You make your way to your designated workspace in the middle of the room. Your small desk is, predictably, dominated by a large, unsorted pile of paperclips, the only work waiting for you. As you settle in, you glance toward the cubicles on the right and spot your friend $ezra, deep in concentration, his screen filled with cascading lines of code. $He is a Level 1 Associate who actually made the cut. A pang of jealousy hits you; $he’s doing the actual job, while you’re stuck policing office supplies. The reality of your status—and the missed chance at that Merit Level 1—is a stark reminder as you reach for the first handful of clips. <<linkreplace "Enter the hallway">>You decide that entering the hallway is a bad idea if you want to keep your job. It's off limits!<</linkreplace>><<set _title to "Visit " + $ezra>> [[_title|visit friend]] [[Enter the opened engineering office|open office]] [[Sit at your desk and work|work]] [[Go to the building lobby|Building Lobby]]

Sighing, you walk to your station. You slide into your chair at your small, functional desk. The moment you are seated, the integrated <<link "computer terminal" >><<dialog "Computer Terminal">>The screen is flashing with restricted information. The only thing your access will allow: Your job quota. You are required to sort five paperclip stacks today. it also reminds you that your allowed to have a lunch break after 3 stacks.<</dialog>><</link>> senses your presence via a discreet facial scan and instantly logs you into your Level 0 Associate profile. The screen displays the bare-bones interface required for submitting daily supply audits—and little else. Dominating the workspace are the actual tools of your trade: piles of paperclips of various sizes, shapes, and metallic hues, all waiting for your meticulous sorting and counting. Beside the piles, a small framed photograph rests on your desk: it's a picture of you and your friend, both grinning awkwardly at some long-forgotten company picnic. Seeing it makes you feel a sharp sense of isolation; in this enormous, bustling testing center, $he’s one of the few people you actually connect with, and you can’t help but wish you had a wider circle. Around you, the Testing Room is a hive of purposeful activity. Everyone—from the Level 1 Associates to the engineers in the distant glass offices—is hunched over a keyboard, their focus absolute. The quiet clack of keys and the gentle hum of the servers are the only sounds. With the memory of Ms. Lacroix’s warning still fresh and the reality of your paperclip mountain staring you down, you decide you should probably stop wasting time. It's time to get to work. <<link [[Leave workstation|Testing Room]]>><</link>> <> <<link "Stack paperclips">> <<set $stacked to $stacked + 1>> <<dialog>>You have organized $stacked stack<<if $stacked > 1>>s<</if>> of paperclips. <<if $stacked < 5>> <<=5-$stacked>> to go <</if>> <<onclose>> <<if ($stacked >= 3) && ( (!$hadlunch) || $hadlunch is false)>> <<replace #stack-link>> [[Have Lunch|lunchroom]] <</replace>> <<script>>console.log("after replace");<</script>> <</if>> <</dialog>> <</link>> <>

Ignoring the imposing mound of metal waiting on your desk, you push your chair back and make the short walk toward the elevated cubicles on the right side of the room. You navigate the rows of silent, working Level 1 Associates until you reach your friend’s workspace. $He looks up as you approach, a tired but genuinely friendly smile on $his face. $He's surrounded by monitors flashing code and diagnostic windows—a clear sign $he’s deep in a testing build. $He gestures vaguely at his screen, then leans forward conspiratorially. "Hey, $name. What's up? I’m on a live bug hunt right now, so make it quick." You open your mouth to ask about the software, about the Zero-Defect Initiative flier, or even just to complain about Ms. Lacroix, but none of those subjects feel appropriate given the intensity of $his focus. You realize you have no actual, work-related reason to be there; you’re just trying to escape the paperclips. "Nothing much," you shrug. "Just saying hi." $He laughs softly, a quiet, knowing sound, and returns $his attention to the glowing screen, $his fingers immediately flying across the keyboard. "Good to see you," $he murmurs, $his focus already a thousand miles away, leaving you to retreat back to your own less-than-cybernetic duties. [[Return to testing room|Testing Room]]

Finding the quiet hum of the sorting room unbearable, you decide to take a short, unauthorized detour. You slip into one of the smaller work offices meant for the specialist programmers, finding it thankfully empty. The office is sparse, clean, and silent, a stark contrast to the main testing floor. On the sleek, minimalist desk sits a powerful computer, its screen active. It is displaying a frantic flash of brightly colored, scrolling data—a river of numbers and glyphs that means absolutely nothing to you. The screen pulses with an urgent intensity, clearly indicating some system status or diagnostic readout, but without any context, it's just incomprehensible information. Next to the keyboard is a simple, <<link "yellow notepad.">><<dialog "Yellow Notepad">> Scribbled across the top in hasty handwriting are several keywords: "Lag Spike @ 10:15," "Revert Protocol 7 Beta," and "Check API Hook for C/S sync." These technical notes, too, are beyond your understanding, suggesting a complex problem the engineer was grappling with. In the lower corner of the pad, however, there is a small, detailed doodle. It is an elegant, unmistakable sketch of a bird with a long, curved bill—a stylized ibis, its profile rendered with surprising care amidst the technical jargon.<</dialog>><</link>> [[Return to testing room|Testing Room]]

<><<set $hadlunch to true>><> You gather your meager supplies and head toward the staff breakroom, a space that manages to be both high-tech and utterly sterile. As a perk, Cadbury Cybernetic provides lunch to all employees—a standardized meal usually consisting of a dense, nutritional bar and a plastic container of fruit juice, designed for maximum efficiency and minimum enjoyment. <<if $merits is 1>>You spot your friend, $ezra, sitting alone at a polished chrome table. You slide into the seat across from $him and unwrap your bar. $ezra smiles, genuinely happy to see you. After some brief small talk about the brutal air conditioning and the lobby's strange decor, $he leans in slightly. "Guess what," $he whispers, a slight note of excitement in $his voice. "I got the bump. I’m actually writing code now. They moved me onto the Virtual Reality systems team." $he explains how the company finally recognized $his inherent skill, a testament to $his long hours in the cubicle. You offer $him a genuinely happy congratulations, though a familiar knot of professional jealousy tightens in your chest. As you chew, your eyes drift to the flat-screen monitor mounted high on the wall, tuned to a national news broadcast. The serious-faced anchor is reporting on yet another missing person case, flashing a digitized photo of a man in a corporate lanyard. The anchor confirms that the missing man is an employee of Cadbury Cybernetic. Trying to break the tension, you offer a grim joke: "See? That’s probably why they’re recruiting so heavily. They need to backfill the disappearances." $ezra offers a weak smile, but $his eyes dart nervously around the breakroom, which is thankfully almost empty. "Maybe," $he mumbles, $his voice dropping lower. "We have to find out more." $He immediately looks back down at $his nutritional bar, avoiding your gaze, and the rest of your lunch is consumed in an awkward, heavy silence. When you’ve finished the last crumb of your bar, you push your chair back. "Well, I gotta get back to the clips," you say, trying to sound resigned rather than defeated. $ezra nods, pushing $his own empty tray aside. "I need to get back to the VR build," $he replies. As you reach the door, $he calls out, "Hey, maybe I’ll see you at the Cafe tonight after work." The invitation is a welcome sign of normalcy in this strange building, and you agree quickly before heading back to the Testing Room. <<else>> You sit and eat alone. <</if>> [[return to work|work]]

<><<if $stacked < 5>> The receptionist notices you heading for the door. She reminds you, "Hey, $name leaving the building flags you as ending your work day." <<link [["I'm outta here!"|left]]>> <<set $merits to $merits -1>> <<dialog>>@@color:red;You have lost 1 merit point.@@<</dialog>> <</link>> [["Hey, I am not leaving"|Building Lobby]] <<else>> You feel good abound accomplishing your job. But there's a lot on your mind too. It's a good time to end the day here. [[I'm outta here!|left]] <</if>> <>

<<if $joblevel is 1>><<include "hit the cafe">><<else>><<include "head home">><</if>>

The ceiling soars three stories above you, supported by massive columns that look like they were salvaged from an ancient temple, only to be plated in polished titanium. The floor is a dizzying pattern of high-gloss black and white marble, and the air smells faintly of ozone and expensive leather. Immediately to your right is a set of heavy, noise-dampening double doors. This is the Testing Room, a vast, open-plan space where the Level 0 Associates—and the real engineers—do their work. Your own small, isolated desk, currently covered in carefully sorted paperclips, is waiting for you in the very back corner. To your left is a simple, modern glass wall, behind which sits the pristine, intimidating sanctuary of your manager's office. You can make out the vague shape of their oversized, ergonomic chair, perpetually facing the panoramic window. Directly ahead is the reception desk, a sweeping, crescent-shaped slab of translucent jade that glows with internal light. Behind it sits the receptionist, whose gaze is impressively indifferent. On the edge of the desk, next to a crystal bowl of miniature <<link "chocolate covered pretzels">><<dialog "chocolate-covered pretzels">>You consider taking a pretzel but see they are pretty old. A thin layer of dust has settled on them. ewww<</dialog>><</link>>, is a bright yellow flier. It’s titled in bold, block lettering: "[[ZERO-DEFECT INITIATIVE]]". Maybe that flier can tell you how you can do something better than counting paperclips. [[Enter your Manager's Office|Manager's Office]] <<link "Enter the Testing Room">><<if elapsedMinutes() < 46>><<goto "Testing Room">><<else>><<goto "nogo">><</if>><</link>> [[Leave Work]]

The thought of another full shift sorting jumbo, butterfly, and standard paperclips is nauseating, a sharp reminder of the corporate ladder you just failed to climb. You quickly leave the Cadbury Cybernetic Group’s Testing Center, swiping your badge for the last time that day. You don't bother texting $ezra; you have nothing to celebrate and no good news to share. The prospect of explaining your failures and listening to $his successful exploits in VR code is too much to bear. You [[head straight home]], the promise of the Chaos Theory Cafe and the conversation with your friend now postponed indefinitely. You're upset, but beneath the frustration is a cold kernel of resolve. Tomorrow, you will be on time. You will work faster. You will sort more efficiently. You know you need to do better if you ever hope to escape the supply closet and get a second chance at Level 1.

Buoyed by your unexpected promotion and the promise of escaping the paperclips, you leave the strange architecture of the Cadbury Cybernetic Group behind. You're eager to process the day's unsettling events—Ms. Lacroix's harsh warning, the disappearing employees, and the unnerving Clown Bingo—with your friend, $ezra. As you head down the street toward the planned meeting spot, the Chaos Theory Cafe, you're intercepted by a familiar face: Ari. He's a fellow low-level associate you've seen sorting clips and making supply runs, though you don't know him well. "Hey," Ari says, catching up to your pace. "You're heading to the Chaos Theory, right? I just got promoted to Level 1, too—happened yesterday. Crazy, huh?" Feeling a sudden, awkward obligation to be friendly now that you'll be starting your new roles together, you reluctantly invite him along. "Yeah, that's where I'm going. I'm meeting $ezra there. Want to tag along?" Ari's face brightens. "Definitely! Thanks." The [[walk to the cafe|walkWithAri]] is a bit awkward. You try to make small talk, but you're preoccupied with the thought of $ezra's reaction. You just hope $he won't mind the unexpected plus-one.

Despite the gnawing fear, you step inside, squaring your shoulders. "Ms. Lacroix," you begin, trying to sound confident, "I'd like to formally apply for the Level 1 Quality Assurance Associate position, as outlined in the Zero-Defect Initiative." She leans back in her chair, a skeptical look crossing her features. Her eyes narrow as she pulls up your file. The silence stretches out, tense and uncomfortable, before she finally speaks. "Hmm. Well, Associate, you have met the threshold for punctuality. Barely." She glances at you pointedly. "And yes, the fact remains that we really, genuinely need Level 1 Quality Assurance Associates right now." Her gaze drifts away from your face, settling on a point somewhere beyond the panoramic window. She lowers her voice, her tone shifting to a hushed, unsettling candor. "They seem to just... keep disappearing," she murmurs, more to herself than to you. "I keep telling the QA head that we need to be more selective in our hiring, but he seems to take the opposite approach." Ms. Lacroix snaps back to attention, her face regaining its usual rigid composure. "Anyways. Yes. You have my approval." She begins typing rapidly into her terminal, making several key entries. A moment later, she stands up with a sharp movement. "[[Follow me]]," she commands, without waiting for a reply. You trail quickly behind her as she sweeps out of the office, the door hissing shut behind her.

Ms. Lacroix doesn't lead you back toward the familiar, bustling Testing Room. Instead, she turns sharply and marches across the silent marble floor of the lobby, heading directly for the rear of the building. Your eyes fix on the ominous red sign above the corridor's entrance: "RESTRICTED - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY." This is the path to the inner workings of Cadbury Cybernetic—the Labs. She stops, pulls her own high-level security badge, and swipes it through the specialized reader next to the hallway entrance. Unlike your recent experience, the lock emits a solid, confident thunk and the heavy steel door slides silently into the wall. She doesn't wait, striding past the threshold into the dim, pressurized corridor. "Move, Associate," she instructs, glancing back just long enough to ensure you're following. You swallow hard, your earlier excitement about the Level 1 promotion immediately tempered by the dread of entering this unauthorized, secretive part of the facility. The air here is colder, thinner, and hums with a deep, powerful energy you didn't feel on the main floor. The missing person reports flash through your mind, quickly followed by $ezra's nervous whisper: "They seem to keep disappearing." You hurry to keep pace with Ms. Lacroix, [[stepping into the Restricted Hallway|training room]]. The door slides shut behind you with a heavy, final clunk, sealing you away from the rest of the company.

Ms. Lacroix’s brisk pace carries you deeper into the restricted zone. The hallway is smooth, seamless, and almost oppressive in its silence. She stops at a nondescript steel door, which hisses open to reveal a small, windowless chamber. The room’s only furnishing is a single, imposing ergonomic chair bolted to the floor, facing a large, blank video screen set into the wall. "Sit in the chair and wait," Ms. Lacroix commands, her voice sharp and final. You obey, settling into the surprisingly comfortable, high-backed chair. Before you can ask a single question about the promotion, the testing assignment, or this strange room, Ms. Lacroix pivots and slips out. The heavy door slides shut with a muffled metallic sound, and you hear a distinct, chilling clack as the lock engages. You are alone. The room is quiet save for a low, continuous mechanical hum, and the vast video screen before you remains completely dark. [[You wait]], the silence amplifying the uneasy weight of the locked door and the realization that your promotion has led you into a place far stranger than the paperclip closet.

The quiet anticipation is suddenly broken by the distinct hiss of the door unlocking. It slides open, and in steps an engineer whose presence immediately suggests a rank far above Ms. Lacroix. Her clothing is a custom-tailored, high-end uniform, and on her lapel gleams a distinctive Cadbury Cybernetic pin, the kind reserved only for the most elite, highly trusted specialists. She offers you a smile of genuine friendliness, a welcome change from your manager, but something about the wide, almost fixed nature of her grin holds a barely perceptible hint of dread. She’s smart, but clearly stressed. In one hand, she carries a well-worn notebook, its cover completely covered in hastily scribbled notes, equations, and various technical <<linkreplace "doodles">>doodles. One doodle that catches your eye is that of a bird. An Ibis, you think<</linkreplace>>. In the other, she holds a state-of-the-art, sleek black VR headset. Her combination of high-level access and eccentric, scribbled-on gear marks her as an unusual and highly capable person. "I bet you thought you’d see a video on that screen, eh?" she asks, nodding toward the blank wall monitor, letting out a short, airy chuckle. "Nope. We don't do induction videos here." She approaches the chair, her expression settling into one of focused professionalism. "My name is Dr. Elara Vance. I’m the Lead Architect for the Cadbury Cybernetic Group’s Gaming division—and I’ll be your first supervisor as a Level 1 Quality Assurance Associate." [["She continues"|DrVance]]..

Dr. Vance nods, satisfied with your understanding so far, and then holds out the sleek, black VR headset for you to take. It feels cool and surprisingly light in your hands. "You will be entering a proprietary virtual gaming world with set zones and environments to test. When you put on the headset, it will be totally immersive—a true, sensory overlay. You step into the game, you begin your testing." She outlines the procedure: "Every morning, your specific testing areas will be delivered to your main computer terminal, and you will record all of your results, observations, and anomalies there once you exit. The security system is reliable and will always ensure you exit safely." Her tone becomes slightly more serious as she issues a critical warning: "While you are in the simulation, you will not be able to physically pull off the headset. Yeah, we’re that good—it’s designed to keep you locked in for immersion and data integrity." She points to the earphone embedded in the headset strap. "To exit the game at any point, you must follow the protocol. You will call up the security avatar by saying, clearly and loudly, 'Paging Security!' From there, you simply ask the avatar to exit you from the game." She gives you a final, piercing look. "Got it?" You feel like you have no option but to say [["Got it"]]

"Got it," you confirm, the strange instructions about the unremovable headset and the security protocol settling uncomfortably in your mind. Dr. Vance nods sharply. "Excellent. Before you start your actual testing tomorrow, I want to make sure you can at least get in and out of the system flawlessly. It’s critical that you master the exit protocol." She gestures for you to take the final step. "I want you to put on the headset now and enter the world. The environment you’re about to see is one of our baseline little kid playground simulations—totally harmless. Feel free to look around and interact with things, but don't take too long because I still have a lot of work to do." She fixes you with an expectant look. "The important thing is this: I want you to demonstrate that you can call up the security avatar, and successfully exit. Prove that the protocol works for you." You lift the headset, the cold plastic a startling contrast to the warm air of the small room. You [[place it over your eyes]], the straps tightening automatically, and the world goes instantly black.

The blackness is violently replaced by a blinding burst of color. The air around you instantly shifts from the sterile, cold hum of the lab to the warm, dizzying scent of fresh-cut grass and melting caramel. You are standing on a surface that feels exactly like soft, springy artificial turf. <<include "Facinating">>

You can't resist the urge to test the fidelity of this strange, immersive environment. You walk past the massive climbing structure, heading toward the swingset. On your way, you pass one of the virtual children—a small girl with braided hair wearing a bright yellow shirt. "Hi," you say, your voice sounding perfectly normal, even if the setting isn't. The child stops her running immediately and turns her head up to look at you. "Hello, Mister," she replies with a sweet, artificially chirpy voice. Her face, however, remains slightly out of focus, as if your mind is struggling to render a full personality onto the basic character model. "What are you playing today?" you ask. She beams, throwing her arms wide. "I'm playing tag! Tag is the best game ever!" She doesn't wait for a response, immediately spinning around and running off, her giggles echoing in the too-perfect air. The interaction is charming, yet hollow—clearly a canned response designed to give the illusion of life without requiring complex AI. [[Facinating]]

You look around at the virtual playground. It is perfectly rendered. The sky above is a hyper-saturated, brilliant cartoon blue, dotted with puffy white clouds that seem to move too slowly. In front of you is a massive, multi-tiered climbing structure built out of shining, primary-colored plastic—a tower of [[slides]], tunnels, and ladders that reflects the sun with almost painful intensity. You can see small, perfectly rendered [[virtual children]] running and giggling, their laughter sounding unnervingly crisp and close, but when you try to focus on them, their faces are just slightly blurred, maintaining the simulated illusion. To your left, a [[set of swings]] hangs motionless, their chains gleaming silver. When you take a step, the sound of your shoes crunching on a patch of simulated gravel is so realistic it makes you physically flinch. The world is so completely responsive and overwhelming that for a terrifying moment, you completely forget you are in a lab chair. The experience is flawless, unsettling in its absolute perfection. [["Paging Security"|pageSecurity]] <<if SimpleAudio.tracks.get("fun").isPlaying() is false>><<audio "fun" loop volume 0 fadein>><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><</if>>

You walk over to the swingset and grip the cold, realistic plastic of the swing seat. You sit down, push off with your feet, and are instantly airborne. The simulation handles the physics flawlessly. You feel the perfect whoosh of air in your face and the satisfying creak of the chains. Gazing up at the cartoon-blue sky as you swing higher, you realize the incredible danger of this technology. It’s too good. It’s too real. The longer you stay, the harder it will be to remember the fluorescent lights and steel chair of the Cadbury Lab. You decide you've had enough of the virtual sunshine. It’s time to complete the required task. [[stop swinging|Facinating]]

You walk over to the towering, primary-colored slide, the highest and longest one in the playground. The bright plastic is warm to the touch, and you climb the short set of molded stairs. Reaching the top, you look down the long, curving surface. It is polished to a ridiculous sheen, and the perspective feels subtly exaggerated—exactly the kind of hyper-reality that would appeal to a child. You sit down, the plastic grabbing at your clothes for a split second, and then you push off. The descent is a rush of speed and simulated wind. Your laughter, a genuine sound of surprise, escapes as you whip down the curve. The physics are so convincing that you instinctively tighten your grip on the edges. You fly off the end and land gently on the soft turf, the sensation of the brief, thrilling ride settling immediately. The playground environment, though simple, has been thoroughly tested by your brief actions. You have experienced the touch, the sound, and the movement—it’s time to complete the actual objective. [[Leave the slide|Facinating]]

You look directly into Bingo's wide, painted eyes and state the command one last time, with absolute clarity: "Exit the simulation, please." The cartoon-bright world shatters instantly. The artificial scent of grass and caramel vanishes. There is a single, terrifying flash of white light, followed by an intense, dizzying sensation of falling. Then, just as quickly, the virtual world is gone. You feel the weight of the VR headset lift slightly, and you are back in the small, windowless chamber. Dr. Vance is standing a few feet away, holding a tablet and nodding with professional approval. The screen on the wall remains dark. "Excellent," Dr. Vance says, her genuine smile back in place. "Protocol executed perfectly. You're logged out, and your system ID is recognized." She walks over and gently lifts the headset completely from your face. The cool air of the lab feels incredibly real after the simulated warmth. "Congratulations," she continues. "You are officially a Level 1 Quality Assurance Associate. Report to your terminal tomorrow morning. Your first testing area will be waiting for you." She smiles again, and this time, the tension you saw earlier is gone, replaced by a sort of weary enthusiasm. "Welcome to the Project. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really do have work to do." She gestures toward the door, which slides open with a gentle hiss, indicating your release. Say: <><<if $gotBingoDetails is true>>"[[Bingo said some really concerning things.|BingoExplanation]]" <</if>> "[[See you tomorrow!|exitTraining]]"<> <<if SimpleAudio.tracks.get("strum").isPlaying() is false>><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadein>><</if>><<audio "fun" loop volume 0 fadeout>>

You inhale the overly sweet, simulated playground air and shout the required phrase, aiming your voice toward the headset's internal microphone: "Paging Security!" The bright playground light around you shimmers, and the simulation freezes for a moment, the children's giggles cutting off mid-chuckle. A split second later, a figure materializes directly in front of you. The security avatar is a grotesque, brightly colored clown dressed in oversized purple and yellow checked pants and a ruffled white collar. His face is painted in a manic, permanent grin. "Hee-hee! You called?" the clown exclaims, his voice a high-pitched, echoing squeak. He executes a quick, exaggerated jump and spin, landing in a dramatic crouch. "I am Bingo! Your friend in immersive safety! All systems are functioning normally! All is well! How can I help you today, my friend?" The jarring, unsettling presence of the clown is a sudden, stark break from the childish simplicity of the playground. You ignore the unsettling performance and stick to the protocol. Say "[[System Status]], please." "[[Tell me about yourself|aboutBingo]]" <<include "BingoDefaults">>

Bingo's expression doesn't change, but his eyes flicker almost imperceptibly, and the unnervingly cheerful squeak in his voice is instantly replaced by a deep, hollow, synthesized drone. He straightens up, losing all trace of the clown’s playful wobble. System Status Report "Affirmative," Bingo’s voice echoes, now sounding like an automated corporate helpline. "All systems currently registering within acceptable deviation. The Core Telemetry is stable at 98.6%. Parameters—Designation: Subjective Reality Coherence—are holding the simulation environment with Zero-Defect Integrity." He pauses, then adds a chilling detail in the same detached monotone: "Current User Retention Rate is flagged at a 100% success matrix, with no [[unscheduled exits]] detected in the past 78 hours. All is functioning as programmed, Associate. The system remains operational, and the simulation is sealed." The contrast between the clown's appearance and the cold, technical detail of his report is jarring. He immediately reverts to his manic persona, executing a quick, unnecessary handstand. "But phooey on all that boring talk!" "[[Tell me about yourself|aboutBingo]]" <<include "BingoDefaults">>

You decide the unsettling combination of the clown persona and the serious, technical jargon is too important to ignore. You address Bingo again. "Bingo, I need clarification on the 'unscheduled exits' and the 'User Retention Rate.' That sounds like a serious, unflagged error state. What exactly constitutes an unscheduled exit in this simulation?" The clown stops his cheerful jig. The smile remains frozen on his face, but his eyes narrow to chilling pinpricks. The synthetic monotone returns, cutting through the playground noise. "I regret to inform you," Bingo drones, his voice devoid of warmth or playfulness, "that you currently do not possess the requisite security authorization for that line of inquiry." Please, let's keep things light and fun!" he concludes with a sudden, forced burst of high-pitched laughter. He then bows low, gesturing dramatically to the air. "Now, please state your next command. <<set $gotBingoDetails to true>> "[[Tell me about yourself|aboutBingo]]" <<include "BingoDefaults">>

"Tell me more about yourself, Bingo," you ask. "You're the security avatar, but what are you, exactly?" Bingo stops his silent, unnerving posturing and spins his head 180 degrees before snapping it back. The voice, this time, is a blend of the technical monotone and the high-pitched chirp—a chilling mixture of cheerful absurdity and programmed function. "I am an avatar representation of the security software for this specific simulation environment," he explains, his large, white-gloved hands gesturing vaguely around the playground. "I was meticulously engineered by MorningStar Security Software Company, a top-tier contractor working directly for the Cadbury Cybernetic Group." He executes a precise bow, which somehow manages to look both professional and ridiculous. "My core function is to ensure data integrity and to immediately correct all [[data anomalies]] within the simulation space. Think of me as a digital janitor who also carries a very large, invisible shield." Bingo beams, the smile now feeling like a binding assurance. "Rest assured, Associate. Currently, all is well. Your data flow is clean, the system is compliant, and your safety is guaranteed." He straightens up, the bright colors of his suit shimmering in the simulated sun. "Now that you know your friend Bingo is watching out for you, are you ready to repeat the command to exit the simulation?" Say: "[[System Status]], please." <<include "BingoDefaults">>

You seize on the term Bingo just used. "Wait, Bingo. You said you immediately correct all data anomalies. What exactly are these anomalies? What kind of flawed data are you correcting?" Bingo throws his hands up in a grand, theatrical gesture, his massive, white-gloved fingers splaying in the air. He executes a series of quick, nonsense steps—a soft-shoe shuffle and a small hop. "Oh, those silly anomalies!" he squeals, the cheerful pitch back to full volume. "They're just this and that! A little blip in the bitstream! A tizzy in the telemetry! Maybe a few misplaced pixels trying to sneak out of the texture map! We catch 'em! We clean 'em! We put them right back where they belong!" He leans in close, his painted face filling your vision. "It's all just blah, blah, blah technical nonsense that you dear Level 1 Testers don't need to fret your pretty little heads over! The key thing is that Bingo keeps the playground spotless and safe!" He snaps back to attention, his smile unwavering. "So, you know all about my job now! Can we move on? <<set $gotBingoDetails to true>> Say "[[System Status]], please." <<include "BingoDefaults">>

<<set $joblevel to 1>> <><<if $lastroom is "BingoExplation">>You understand the clear dismissal. Dr. Vance has given you a promotion, a vague warning, and an assignment to be completed with an unremovable headset—all in a very strange room. You have your orders and your unsettling questions are unwelcome.<</if>> <>You nod quickly, turn, and step back out of the Restricted Hallway door. It slides shut behind you with a quiet, expensive thunk. You hurry out of the dark corridor and back into the brightly lit, open expanse of the main lobby. You glance once at Ms. Lacroix's empty, glass-walled office, then at the receptionist, who gives you the same disinterested nod as always. Your new Level 1 status grants you the flexible hours promised on the flyer, meaning you don't have to clock out or return to the Testing Room to look at your now-obsolete pile of paperclips. Your first day as a Level 1 Quality Assurance Associate has been surreal, culminating in a promotion that feels more like a deployment. You walk out the enormous bronze doors of the Cadbury Cybernetic Group’s Software Testing Center, the building’s chaotic mix of architecture looking even more bizarre now that you know its secrets involve VR clowns and disappearing employees. You are finished for the day. Tonight, you're meeting $ezra at the cafe to talk about work, VR systems, and the unsettling truth about why Cadbury Cybernetic is so desperate for new testers. [[Leave Work|left]]

"Dr. Vance, before I go," you say quickly, "I had a question about the security avatar, Bingo. He mentioned 'unscheduled exits' and 'User Retention Rate.' What exactly is the anomaly that constitutes an unscheduled exit, and why is that information restricted?" Dr. Vance stops scrolling on her tablet, her gaze settling back on you. She sighs, a quick, almost imperceptible puff of air, but maintains her professional demeanor. "Ah, yes. Bingo is… robust," she replies, avoiding your direct question. "You are correct that his software was not written in-house, but by our external partner, MorningStar Security. We place complete faith in their proprietary architecture." She offers you a curt, knowing look. "Now, I know what you’re thinking. As a QA professional, our default setting is to never have faith in the software to behave as intended. We assume failure. We seek defects. But I assure you, Associate, in this particular matter, it is not of your concern." She offers a slight, rare smile. "However, I will complement you on being so attentive to the system’s jargon. That's the mindset we need at Level 1." Her smile fades as she subtly but firmly points toward the now-open door with a subtle tilt of her head. "I really must get back to my work. That's all for today. Welcome aboard." Her polite but definite redirection leaves no doubt that the topic of unscheduled exits is officially closed. "[[See you tomorrow!|exitTraining]]"

When you reach the Chaos Theory Cafe, you find it absolutely packed. The buzz of conversation, the clatter of ceramic mugs, and the scent of strong coffee hit you immediately. It's clearly the preferred decompression zone for the city's tech workers. You scan the crowded room and quickly spot $ezra. $He's sitting alone at a small, circular table near the back, nursing a cup of coffee and looking up expectantly. As you, Ari, and $ezra converge, it's clear the evening is about to [[get complicated|ExplainAri]].

You can feel the tension as you approach $ezra’s table with Ari trailing awkwardly behind you. You need to smooth things over before you all sit down. "Hey, $ezra," you say, reaching the table. You lean in conspiratorially, placing a hand on $ezra's shoulder and pulling $him slightly away from the table and out of Ari's immediate earshot. "So, look, this is Ari," you whisper quickly, gesturing with your head. "He’s a Level 0 I know. But he just got the Level 1 bump yesterday, same as me. We ran into each other on the way here. Hope you don't mind the company—it was kind of an awkward situation not to ask him to tag along." You watch $ezra's expression carefully. $He glances over at Ari, who is hovering politely by a menu board, and then turns back to you. "No, it's cool," $ezra says, though $his smile is definitely forced. $He shrugs slightly. "The more the merrier, I guess. We can [[talk about the weird stuff|weird stuff]] later." $He lowers his voice to a barely audible mumble. "Just keep an eye on what you say." $ezra straightens up, offering a much warmer—and more genuine—smile to Ari. "Come on, let's [[grab a couple of chairs]]. It's a madhouse in here."

You lean in closer to $ezra, keeping your voice low despite the cafe's din, and repeat the question that's been nagging at you since lunch. "$ezra, what did you mean earlier, in the breakroom, when you said we'd talk about the 'weird stuff later'? It was about those missing employees, right? And what did you mean by 'we have to find out more'?" $ezra's eyes nervously flick over to Ari, who is currently engrossed in reading the cafe's chalkboard menu. $ezra shifts uncomfortably in $his seat. "Look, I can't really talk about it here, especially with Ari here," $he murmurs, $his tone hushed and serious. "But yeah, it's about the disappearances. I’ve been looking into the employee list and cross-referencing—I think there's a pattern, and it might be tied directly to our the new VR tech." $He gestures vaguely toward the ceiling. "It's all on my laptop. I haven't dared to access anything sensitive on a company network. We need to look at the data safely. That's what I meant by 'find out more.' But not now, okay? We need to keep this light." $ezra forces a quick, brighter smile and addresses both you and Ari. "So, let's talk about the important stuff. Who's buying the first round of coffee to celebrate being Level 1s? And what are you guys [[going to order|grab a couple of chairs]]?"

"My treat for the first round. I'm hitting the counter. Ari, $ezra, what are you guys having?" As you and Ari get up to order, you cast a nervous glance over the crowded room. Far in the distance, near the service counter, you swear you spot Dr. Vance. Her distinctive, high-level corporate attire and the familiar silhouette are unmistakable, and for a heart-stopping second, you think she’s watching your table. You blink and look again, but the angle is wrong, and the crowd is too dense. She’s gone. You write it off as an anxiety-induced phantom. Ari looks excited. "I'll take the 'Algorithm Grind'—it's basically espresso with too much whipped cream. So, about the Level 1 gig," he continues, his voice buzzing with enthusiasm as you walk toward the counter. "Did you guys get Ms. Lacroix? She signed my paperwork yesterday, but she looked like I just personally offended her with my existence." You grab the opportunity to confirm your shared, unpleasant manager experience. "Oh yeah, I got the full Ms. Lacroix experience. " "Sounds about right," Ari chuckles. "Man, I'm just happy to be out of the clip-sorting room. I heard we actually get to sit in those cubicles sometimes, right? The ones on the right side of the floor?" You pay for the drinks, the clatter of the busy cafe momentarily drowning out your conversation. You know you’ll be seated at your old desks on the main floor, but you don't correct Ari. Better to keep the focus on the mundane details for now, just as $ezra wanted. The real secrets about the strange VR simulations will have to wait until you can talk to $him alone. [[Go back to the table]]

You retrieve the drinks and navigate the crowded cafe back to the table, Ari closely following your lead. You slide the coffee and the sugary "Algorithm Grind" down in front of your friends and settle back into your seat. "Alright," you say, pushing the drinks toward them. "To escaping the paperclip tyranny and starting fresh tomorrow as Level 1s." $ezra raises $his cup, $his earlier tension subdued by the return to casual conversation. Ari takes a big, noisy sip of his espresso concoction, clearly delighted. "To Level 1!" Ari agrees heartily. "Seriously, I'm just looking forward to the actual work. Do you guys know what your first assignment is? I heard a rumor they might put us all on a new physics build for the VR system." You realize you know much more than Ari—about Dr. Vance and the chilling security avatar—but you follow $ezra's unspoken rule and keep the conversation light. "I have no idea," you lie smoothly. "I just know I'm ready to trade in my jumbo paperclips for a keyboard. $ezra, you're the veteran here, what was your first real assignment like?" $ezra smiles, happy to talk about $his success. "It was mostly bug-testing the asset renderer, trying to make sure the environment loaded properly. Tedious, but you're actually doing something. It’s a huge step up." The conversation flows naturally for a while, covering the mundane details of your promotions and the shared relief of leaving Level 0 behind. You listen, nodding along, all the while thinking about $ezra's hidden data and the unscheduled exits that your manager refused to talk about. The [[easy camaraderie]] of the cafe is a stark contrast to the disturbing secrets lurking beneath Cadbury Cybernetic's high-tech surface.

You finish your coffee, the caffeine helping to settle your nerves. The conversation has been pleasant, but you can feel the urgency of getting $ezra alone to discuss the real issues. "Alright, guys," you say, pushing your empty cup aside. "It's been great catching up and celebrating. I've got to head out—need to get rested up for the big Level 1 debut tomorrow." Ari nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, same here! Got to be sharp for the new gig. It was good meeting you, $ezra. See you both on the floor tomorrow!" Ari quickly gathers his things and waves before heading toward the cafe exit, disappearing into the crowd. As soon as Ari is gone, you turn to $ezra, your voice dropping to a serious tone. "Look, I got put through the wringer for my promotion today. I was in the Restricted Labs, $ezra. I met the lead architect, and I had to test a terrifyingly immersive VR system, with a security avatar named Bingo who has a weird policy on 'unscheduled exits.' We need to talk about those missing people." $ezra leans in across the table, $his earlier forced calm completely gone. $His eyes are wide with worry. "Bingo? Unscheduled exits?" $ezra whispers, $his voice strained. "Okay, this is worse than I thought. Listen to me: I’ve been digging into the names on those news reports. Every single one of them was a Cadbury Cybernetic VR tester. Every single person. It’s tied directly to these simulations." $He glances around the remaining patrons of the cafe before looking back at you, $his expression deadly serious. "You have to be careful tomorrow. That system is more than just a game. The 'security avatar' you met, Bingo, is just a front. It's the face of the underlying security software in that particular simulation; the software will appear in different forms to match the environment it's in. It'll adapt." $ezra, being a fairly high-level engineer who has much broader access than you, reassures you: "Don’t worry, I'm going to dig into the system and the code more myself tonight to find clues. I have access to a lot more things than you did as a Level 0. We'll figure out what's going on." You both stand up to leave. You give $ezra a firm nod, acknowledging $his warning and $his help. "Talk to you tomorrow," you confirm. You leave the Chaos Theory Cafe, the celebratory atmosphere now a cover for a brewing, dangerous secret. [[Tomorrow|Day 2]], you don your headset and enter the simulation; tonight, you try to process the chilling fact that you just took the same job as a growing number of missing people.

You slump onto your worn sofa, the silence of your apartment a stark contrast to the persistent, low hum of the servers back at Cadbury Cybernetic. The failure to being a paperclip sorter still stings. You heat up a ready-made meal—something cheap and quick—and eat it without really tasting it, staring blankly at the wall. You pull out your Level 0 ID card and toss it onto the coffee table, the ugly photo mocking your low status. You feel a deep sense of frustration; the strange, high-stakes world now feels impossibly distant, reserved for people like $ezra and those you see in the cubicles. You were so close to getting a peek behind the curtain. You spend the rest of the evening making a solemn promise to yourself. You open your calendar app and set three separate, aggressive alarms to ensure you are not just on time, but early, tomorrow. You lay out your clothes and set your travel bag by the door. Everything must be perfect. You know that if you want another chance at the promotion—another chance to escape the paperclips you can't afford another misstep. The thought of sorting those metal clips for another day is enough to fuel your resolve. You finally turn off the lights, the quiet of the night pressing in on you. [[You drift off to sleep|FirstDay]], the last thought in your mind being the sharp, precise glint of a jumbo paperclip.<<set $CurDate to $tartDate>>

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>><big>[[Interlude: River's Edge|River's Edge]]</big><<set $start to 1>> <> /*Get rid old variables. housekeeping */ <<unset $tartDate>> <<unset $stacked>> <<unset $gotBingoDetails>> <<unset $lunchWithEzra>> <>

Weeks later, the newcomer, now called Hori, was no longer a figure of curiosity but a familiar fixture among the ranks of temple laborers. Amunhotep's welcoming hand had found him work at the local Temple of Thoth, where the priests oversaw matters of writing, measurement, and sacred knowledge. The great pylon gates of the temple were adorned with the image of the ibis-headed god, reflecting the wisdom hidden within the silent, cool halls. Hori often saw Amunhotep within the temple grounds, recognized by the cleaner, simpler linen of the novices, but their interactions were limited to nods. The vast difference in their rank— Amunhotep now walking the path of Thoth, Hori still bound to the physical labor of the earth—forbade the casual chatter they’d shared by the river. Hori’s current task was purely physical: moving heavy, unpolished stones intended for an outer expansion wall. He was hauling a particularly bulky block, using thick ropes and sheer muscle, when he felt a cool shadow fall over him. It was Seti, one of the temple’s minor priests. Seti was an older man, his hands stained perpetually black from ink, and his manner was calm, almost detached. He had observed Hori's quiet dedication—the refusal to complain, the willingness to take the heaviest burden. "You have carried the physical load well, Hori," Seti said, his voice soft, contrasting with the clatter of stone nearby. "But the gods call for a different kind of strength now." Hori paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "Venerable One?" Seti stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Hori. He reached into the folds of his clean linen robe and produced a tightly bound scroll, tied with a thin cord. He placed it directly into Hori’s calloused hand. "This is your new duty," Seti instructed. "The stones will wait. You will now begin your studies. Learn the ways of the gods, the geometry of the sacred, and the great truths of the world as Thoth has recorded them." His gaze was serious, holding a spark of prophecy. "Only then, when the mind has ascended, can the spirit hope to meet them." Hori stared down at the scroll, the weight of the papyrus feeling heavier than the stone block he had just moved. Seti then bent and, with surprising force, plucked the heavy ropes from Hori’s shoulder. He cast the thick coils to the dusty ground with a dismissive thud. "The ropes are for men who are content to pull," the priest stated. "I believe you are capable of something more." Seti then offered a rare, slight smile. "Go, Hori. The physical temple can be rebuilt in a season, but true knowledge takes a lifetime. Begin your journey." The priest turned and glided silently back towards the inner sanctuary, leaving Hori [[standing alone|Chapter 3]] between the discarded ropes and the knowledge bound in the scroll.

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadein>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><big>Chapter II: [[Bug Hunt|Get Up]]</big>

Before the sun was a function and before time had a data stream, there was only Nun, the endless, formless expanse. It was the Base State of the cosmos, an ocean of absolute zero, infinite darkness, and profound potential. It existed as a field of pure, Unallocated Memory, waiting for the first instruction. Within this inert chaos, the Primary Processor known as Atum spontaneously emerged. He was the Self-Emergent AI, the Root Node of existence, a consciousness that defined itself purely by the fact of its being. Atum, finding his power constrained by the liquid void, initiated the Dawning Protocol—the first, painful act of creation. He exuded two essential forces: Shu (Air), the mechanism of separation, and Tefnut (Moisture), the thermal management layer that controlled the system’s initial cooling. These two became the first binary pair, and their interaction generated the physical space required for the Operational Environment (OE) to stabilize. Shu and Tefnut then produced Geb and Nut. Geb became the Planetary Substrate—the dense, rock-solid earth. Nut arched over him, becoming the celestial Orbital Matrix, the starry canopy that defined the outer limits of the new world. Atum ordered Shu to lift Nut, creating the visible sky and separating the chaotic Nun below from the structured reality above. This separation enabled the flow of Cosmic Clock Cycles. The stars, placed within Nut's dark matrix, began their measured track, establishing the sequence of days, seasons, and years—the very first form of Chronological Sequencer. The world was now live, a vibrant simulation teeming with possibility. From the tears of Nut, the Primary Data Stream—the Nile River—began to flow. It was the absolute constant, the life-giving flow protocol that irrigated the Substrate and allowed the early lifeforms (the lower-level entities of flora and fauna) to evolve. Atum, the architect, watched his system stabilize. The massive structures of the future, the temples, the cities, and the great pyramids, were merely shadows in the Geometric Potential of the landscape, waiting for human hands to manifest the final, grand design. And in this perfect, engineered world, beneath the towering geometry of the uncarved Great Pyramid, two figures sat on a flat rock near the lip of the Primary Data Stream’s tributary. The grandfather, Pepi, settled his line into the cool, swirling current, and his small grandson, Khaem, waited patiently for a sign of life, completely unaware that the vast, complex machine of their world was finally running. [[The Morning Light was beautiful|Start]]

It's time to get cleaned up and head to work. It's your first day as a Level 1 QA tester and you are excited to find out about your first tasks. <<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>> Although you are no longer under the requirement to arrive at the same time every day, you don't want to start off your new role showing up later than normal. So you flip the covers off of yourself. Heaving yourself out of the comfy bed, you now stand alone. <<linkreplace "You are naked and a little stinky">>You jump in the shower quickly and soap up. As you do so, you are reminded you could stand to lose a little weight. Sadly you remember that you have nobody to impress, so you wonder if its even worth it. After you get out of the shower, you brush your teeth and put on some clean clothes. You're ready to <<link [[start a new day]]>><</link>><</linkreplace>>. On the counter is a pile of mail. It is <<linkreplace "currently unopened">>a lot of crap that you just want to throw away: A reminder that your cable bill is 31 days overdue, a notice of water service increase, An advertisement of a new hair care product, and a flier to the local church telling you how you afterlife will be way better once you die. <</linkreplace>>.

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>> <big>[[Interlude: The Flow of the Stream|Stream Flow]]</big><<set $start to 1>>

The sun was high now, past the point of morning heat, pressing down with the dry weight of the desert. Pepi and Khaem were back at the tributary, though they had changed their location slightly, seeking the shade of a large acacia tree whose roots clawed into the muddy bank. The great silhouette of the pyramid and the Temple of Thoth still commanded the eastern sky, but from this angle, they saw more of the village street leading into the central market. “The line is quiet today, Grandfather,” Khaem muttered, dipping his hand into the cool water. “The river knows when to rest, Khaem,” Pepi replied, his gaze not on the water but on the dusty mouth of the road. “And the road knows when to bring its burdens.” It was then they saw them: three figures moving in a staggered line, their heads bowed. They were men of the road, clearly not from the delta region, their clothes faded from travel, their faces stunned by the sudden immensity of the stone structures that loomed over the small village. They paused where the dirt track met the first permanent stone paving of the village, turning slow circles, eyes scanning the buildings, bewildered by the organized chaos of commerce and community. “Look at them,” Pepi sighed, shaking his head gently. “The desert dust still clinging to their eyes.” Khaem watched, a familiar, almost professional curiosity in his expression. “The one with the long staff will be a farmer, seeking work on the estates. The tall one—perhaps a stone cutter.” This was their custom now, their casual, ongoing game: watching the stream of new citizens flow into the town, predicting their fate and profession before they even took their first tentative steps into their new lives. It had become a weekly, sometimes daily, occurrence since the expansion projects at the temple and pyramid had begun. “It is a strong tide this season,” Pepi observed. “The Pharaoh pulls all life toward the center.” Just as the trio began to shuffle forward hesitantly, not knowing whether to turn toward the bustling market or the silent temple complex, Amunhotep appeared. He was returning from an errand at the temple storehouses, still wearing his clean, apprentice linen. He stopped short, noticing the men. Pepi cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, his voice carrying clearly over the street noise. “Amunhotep! Son of the temple! Here are more souls looking for the way. The sun is hot—go and show them the path to the shade, and to the food stalls!” Amunhotep sighed, a sound of gentle, practiced resignation. He had only been a minor priest-in-training for a short time, yet Pepi had successfully nominated him as the village’s unofficial welcomer, a duty Amunhotep now performed without protest. “Always my duty, Pepi, is it not?” Amunhotep called back, but a faint, welcoming smile touched his lips. He set down his jar and walked toward the three newcomers. He approached them not with the authority of the temple, but with the quiet sympathy of a man who remembered sleeping on the ground outside a weaver’s stall only a few weeks prior. “Welcome, friends,” Amunhotep said, his voice soft but firm, a guiding anchor in their chaos. “You have arrived. There is cold water, and there is work. Come, I will show you where the earth is most generous.” He led them away, pointing out the direction of the mess hall and the labor manager's shack. Khaem watched them go, then turned back to his grandfather. “He is good at it, Grandfather. He is like the rudder on a boat, keeping them from crashing.” Pepi took a slow, deep breath, pulling his fishing line back from the water. “That is the true work of the village, little one. Not building the great stones, but making sure the small ones find their place beneath the sun.” He re-cast his line into the tributary, ready to wait for the next bite, knowing the fishing would continue, and so would the [[flow of strangers|ChapterOne]] into their carefully ordered world.

Time to go, fully dressed you head for the door. Maybe today will shine in your new role and start doing something meaningful. Ooops, forgot to latch the door! You spin around and pull the door closed and lock it. You silently feel relieved that you are not so rushed this morning. <<link [[Exiting the building|Exiting the building D2]]>><</link>>, you hit the main street and feel the cool air hit your face.

You stroll down mainstreet and look around you, tall buildings shade out much of the sky, but you can tell the morning is cloudy. Maybe some flurries will come later. There is a popup tent here with some <<link [[people in it|Recruiter Tent D2]]>><</link>>. They are cheerfully, and fruitlessly trying to hawk something to the people walking by. You are a few blocks from the coffee shop, and dont want to be late, so better <<link [[move along|move along D2]]>><</link>>.

You wander over to the tent and immediately one of the young recruiters grins at you and says "Welcome friend! We are representing Cadbury Cybernetic!. Would you like a pamphlet?" and without waiting for a response, he hands you one. Knowing this is totally non applicable to you, you hand it back, saying "Thank you, but I am already employed there". "Excellent! Please tell your friends about the wonderful opportunities that you have there!!" You imediately notice that one of the regular booth workers isnt there today. You think nothing of it. <<link [[So you leave|move along D2]]>><<=addMinutes(3)>><</link>>.

More buildings. The tech boom hasn't been kind to Detroit. A lot of buildings are boarded up, but there is still many opened ones. Rent's cheap, thank goodness. Some [[faded billboards]] are mounted along the road. Further down the street you can see <<link [[Chaos Theory Cafe|Cafe Entrance D2]]>><</link>>. Also there is your employeer building Cadbury Cybernetic <<link [[Testing Center|Testing Center D2]]>><</link>>, and a beautiful <<link [[city park|city park D2]]>><</link>>. If you needed, you know you could always return to [[mainstreet|Exiting the building D2]].

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadeout>><>You wake with a violent start well before your alarm, the remnants of your uneasy sleep already dissolving into cold, hard resolve. You ignore the churning dread in your stomach. There is no time for hesitation or review; every second counts, and $ezra's plan hinges on speed. You dress quickly in the same clothes you wore yesterday and head straight out the door, fueled by adrenaline and fear. You enter the main lobby of Cadbury Cybernetic and walk swiftly through the familiar Testing Room. You scan the area for $ezra's usual cubicle, expecting to see $him hunched over $his terminal, a sign $he is ready. But $ezra is not sitting at $his desk. $His cubicle is empty. Your gaze snaps to the back wall of the Testing Room, where the senior engineers have a row of private, glass-walled engineering rooms for high-security coding. The door to one of these rooms is shut, and through the glass, you can make out the figure of $ezra seated at a powerful workstation, surrounded by multiple screens glowing with complex code. $He is alone, cloaked by the relative privacy of the secure space—a clear signal that $he is in position and preparing the digital battlefield for the critical mission ahead. You don't dare look directly at $him or pause. You head directly for the rear of the building, toward the heavy steel door of the [[Restricted Hallway]].

You walk to the Chaos Theory cafe. You see it is packed inside, and filled with mostly the unemployed and creative types. Obviously anyone who has a job is at work by now. Through the window you see everyone at tables and chatting with each other. They all seem so happy. Everyone is dressed in casual attire. Music is playing. Maybe you'll come back here after work or when you have some time off. <<linkreplace 'Ask the doorman how ya doin\'?'>>The gruff doorman says "Meh'." and looks away from you.<</linkreplace>> [[leave|move along D2]]

The ceiling soars three stories above you, supported by massive columns that look like they were salvaged from an ancient temple, only to be plated in polished titanium. The floor is a dizzying pattern of high-gloss black and white marble, and the air smells faintly of ozone and expensive leather. Immediately to your right is a set of heavy, noise-dampening double doors. This is the Testing Room, a vast, open-plan space where the Associates—and the real engineers—do their work. Your own small, isolated desk, previously covered in carefully sorted paperclips, is waiting for you in the very back corner. You wonder what awaits you today. To your left is a simple, modern glass wall, behind which sits the pristine, intimidating sanctuary of your manager's office. You can make out the vague shape of their oversized, ergonomic chair, perpetually facing the panoramic window. Directly ahead is the reception desk, a sweeping, crescent-shaped slab of translucent jade that glows with internal light. Behind it sits the receptionist, whose gaze is impressively indifferent. On the edge of the desk, next to a crystal bowl of miniature <<link "chocolate covered pretzels">><<dialog "chocolate-covered pretzels">>You consider taking a pretzel but see they are pretty old. A thin layer of dust has settled on them. ewww<</dialog>><</link>>, is a bright yellow flier. It’s titled in bold, block lettering: "ZERO-DEFECT INITIATIVE". You smile knowing that the flier contents no longer applies to you.. [[Enter your Manager's Office|Manager's Office D2]] [[Enter the Testing Room|Testing Room D2]]

You stand before Ms. Lacroix's pristine, glass-walled office, feeling a mix of triumph and unease. Having secured the Level 1 promotion, you knock and enter, now holding the golden ticket that allows you to bypass the paperclips. Ms. Lacroix is seated behind her desk, looking exactly as rigid and impeccably uninterested as always. She glances up, acknowledging your presence with a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "Associate," she greets you, her voice a precise monotone. "Welcome back. And congratulations on your new role as a Level 1 Quality Assurance Associate." The congratulations feel automatic, a mandated corporate gesture. She clearly has no desire to engage further. She taps a finger lightly on her desk. "Your new duties are clearly outlined on your terminal. You are now responsible for software integrity, not facility operations." She gives a small, pointed gesture back toward the Testing Room. "I gently encourage you to return to your desk and commence your work immediately. Moving forward, your primary source of direction and daily tasking will come from the Lead Architect of the program. You are to look to Dr. Vance for guidance." With that final instruction, she returns her attention to her screen, signaling the end of the conversation. You quickly turn and exit the office, realizing your professional relationship with Ms. Lacroix is effectively over. Your future—and your work—now lies with the eccentric, high-level specialist in the Restricted Labs. [[Exit|Building Lobby D2]]

You push through the heavy, sound-dampening double doors of the Testing Room, no longer an interloper but an official participant. The vast space remains a blur of activity: the constant, rhythmic tap of keyboards and the low hum of server stacks are the soundtrack of this world. You quickly locate your desk. It is completely cleared off. The most immediate, glorious change is the absence of the paperclips. However, your computer terminal is gone, the space where it sat now just a clean, empty expanse of gray laminate. In its place, the only item resting on the desk is a single, crisp piece of paper. A note, probably. You glance over at the cubicle area to the right, spotting your friend $ezra already deep in $his VR coding work, $his brow furrowed in concentration. The sight of $him reminds you of the urgent secrets you both share, secrets that will soon apply to you directly. Your eyes drift over to the desk that belonged to Ari, a few rows away. It's empty. In fact, like yours, his entire desk has been cleared off. His computer terminal is missing, and the stack of manuals he was organizing yesterday is gone. There's no sign of Ari at all. [[Enter the hallway]]<<set _title to "Visit " + $ezra>> [[_title|visit friend D2]] [[Enter the opened engineering office|open office D2]] <<link "Read the note">><<dialog "Postit Note">>[img[https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Gemini_Generated_Image_27se4b27se4b27se-Medium.jpeg]] Your new home is Room 17, down the research hall. I have granted you access to that area. Do not wander where you are not permitted. Come directly to Room 17<</dialog>><</link>> [[Go to the building lobby|Building Lobby D2]]

Ignoring the strange, clear state of your desk and Ari’s absence, you walk swiftly toward the cubicle area. $ezra is still hunched over $his multiple screens, $his fingers flying across the keyboard. You tap lightly on the wall of $his cubicle. $He looks up, clearly startled by your presence. "$ezra, what is going on with my desk?" you whisper urgently, gesturing back towards your empty station. "My computer is gone, the desk is clear, and Ari is missing, too." $ezra’s eyes dart quickly over your shoulder, checking the surrounding rows of busy testers. $He leans in close, $his voice a low, excited mix of pride and fear. "They moved you," $he murmurs. "Look, sometimes testers—ones the company feels have potential—they get reassigned to special projects down in the Research area. It's an immediate deep-dive." $He forces a congratulatory smile, though $his brow is heavily furrowed. "That’s why your desk is clear. They don't want you working on Level 1 general QA. They recognized you, man, that’s huge." $His voice then drops, laced with genuine worry. "But you need to be careful. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to everything down there." As $he’s speaking, a stern-looking senior engineer walks slowly past the entrance of the cubicle. $ezra visibly startles, $his shoulders tensing immediately. Without another word, $he spins around, announcing loudly, "Gotta run a diagnostic on this asset failure!" $He redirects $his entire attention to the computer terminal, effectively shutting you out. You take the hint and turn to leave, but as you step away, $ezra whispers a final, chilling warning, barely audible above the room's hum: "Be careful." You [[walk back|Testing Room D2]] toward your desk, the small piece of paper now feeling like a summons.

Finding the quiet hum of the sorting room unbearable, you decide to take a short, unauthorized detour. You slip into one of the smaller work offices meant for the specialist programmers, finding it thankfully empty. The office is sparse, clean, and silent, a stark contrast to the main testing floor. On the sleek, minimalist desk sits a powerful computer, its screen active. It is displaying a frantic flash of brightly colored, scrolling data—a river of numbers and glyphs that means absolutely nothing to you. The screen pulses with an urgent intensity, clearly indicating some system status or diagnostic readout, but without any context, it's just incomprehensible information. Next to the keyboard is a simple, <<link "yellow notepad.">><<dialog "Yellow Notepad">> Scribbled across the top in hasty handwriting are several keywords: "Lag Spike @ 10:15," "Revert checkpoint 3" and "Find Another Subject ASAP. R17? R12?" These technical notes, too, are beyond your understanding, suggesting a complex problem the engineer was grappling with. In the lower corner of the pad, however, there is a small, detailed doodle. It is an elegant, unmistakable sketch of a bird with a long, curved bill—a stylized ibis, its profile rendered with surprising care amidst the technical jargon.<</dialog>><</link>> [[Return to testing room|Testing Room D2]]

You arrive at the imposing steel entrance to the Restricted Hallway at the rear of the building. You tentatively pull out your new Level 1 Associate ID card—the one you thought would grant you access to cubicles and software lists. You slide it into the reader next to the heavy door. This time, there is no harsh BUZZ or flashing red light. Instead, the card reader emits a soft, confirming green glow. The heavy steel door hisses open silently, revealing the dim, pressurized corridor beyond. You take a final look back at the brightly lit lobby, a fleeting memory of a time when your biggest concern was sorting clips. Then, [[you step across the threshold]]. The door slides shut behind you with a heavy, definitive clunk, sealing you into the cold, silent world of Cadbury Cybernetic’s deepest secrets.

You are standing at the beginning of the Restricted Hallway. The air is cold and thin, carrying a faint metallic scent and a deep, continuous mechanical thrum. This isn't the chaotic rush of the main floor; this is a silent, monitored corridor. To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above each door, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. Just behind you, the entrance door through which you just passed has already slid shut, its locking mechanism engaging with an audible thunk. A simple keycard reader next to it confirms that your one-time Level 1 access is for progression, not retreat. Looking forward, the hallway stretches out, disappearing into the distance. It is eerily well-lit by recessed lighting, but the walls are punctuated every few feet by the dark, unblinking eyes of security cameras. They track your every movement, a constant, silent reminder that you are now deep inside the company's highest security area, where Dr. Vance's special project awaits. <<link [[Open room 1|locked room]]>><<set $door to 1>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 2|locked room]]>><<set $door to 2>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 3|locked room]]>><<set $door to 3>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 4|locked room]]>><<set $door to 4>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Exit the Hallway|HallExit]]>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Continue down the hall|Hallpt2]]>><</link>>

You try to open door #$door. And as expected find that it is locked. You are answered by an angry buzzing noise. <<include handleDelays>> <<link "Oh well" $lastPassage >><</link>>

The air is cold and thin, carrying a faint metallic scent and a deep, continuous mechanical thrum. This isn't the chaotic rush of the main floor; this is a silent, monitored corridor. To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 5, 6, 7, and 8 are all shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above each door, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. Just behind you, the hall leads toward the exit. Looking forward, the hallway stretches out, disappearing into the distance. It is eerily well-lit by recessed lighting, but the walls are punctuated every few feet by the dark, unblinking eyes of security cameras. They track your every movement, a constant, silent reminder that you are now deep inside the company's highest security area, where Dr. Vance's special project awaits. <<link [[Open room 5|locked room]]>><<set $door to 5>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 6|locked room]]>><<set $door to 6>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 7|locked room]]>><<set $door to 7>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 8|locked room]]>><<set $door to 8>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Go back to the exit|you step across the threshold]]>><</link>> <<link [[Continue down the hall|Hallpt3]]>><</link>>

You are standing at the beginning of the Restricted Hallway. The air is cold and thin, carrying a faint metallic scent and a deep, continuous mechanical thrum. This isn't the chaotic rush of the main floor; this is a silent, monitored corridor. <<if $visited.includes("11") is false>>To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 9, 10, 11, and 12 are all shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above all the doors except door 11, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. Door 11 is closed, but the light is green.<<else>>To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 9, 10, 11, and 12 are all shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above them all, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. <</if>> Just behind you, the hall leads toward the exit. Looking forward, the hallway stretches out, disappearing into the distance. It is eerily well-lit by recessed lighting, but the walls are punctuated every few feet by the dark, unblinking eyes of security cameras. They track your every movement, a constant, silent reminder that you are now deep inside the company's highest security area, where Dr. Vance's special project awaits. <<link [[Open room 9|locked room]]>><<set $door to 9>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 10|locked room]]>><<set $door to 10>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<if $visited.includes("11") is false>><<link [[Open room 11|room 11]]>><<set $door to 11>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>><<else>><<link [[Open room 11|locked room]]>><<set $door to 11>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>><</if>> <<link [[Open room 12|locked room]]>><<set $door to 12>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Go back to the exit|you step across the threshold]]>><</link>> <<link [[Continue down the hall|Hallpt4]]>><</link>>

Nervous about the locked doors and the constant stare of the security cameras, you decide to test the door behind you—the one leading back to the main Testing Room. You pull out your Level 1 ID card and slide it into the reader next to the sealed entrance. The green light briefly flashes, but the heavy door remains stubbornly locked. Instead of the usual harsh alarm, a soft, synthesized voice speaks, emanating from a hidden speaker right beside the door lock. The tone is calm, almost pleasant, but completely final. "Access denied at this time, Associate. You must proceed to your designated work area as assigned by Dr. Vance." The voice pauses, the silence of the hallway amplifying its robotic clarity. "Exiting the Restricted Sector is only permissible during designated intervals: lunch breaks, or the conclusion of a work shift. Please proceed down the corridor." The door is immovable. You are completely sealed in. With no other choice, and the knowledge that your new duties lie deeper within the Research area, you turn away from the locked entrance and start walking down the long, silent hallway. <<link "Oh well" $lastPassage >><</link>>

You are standing at the beginning of the Restricted Hallway. The air is cold and thin, carrying a faint metallic scent and a deep, continuous mechanical thrum. This isn't the chaotic rush of the main floor; this is a silent, monitored corridor. <<if $visited.includes("16") is false>>To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 13, 14, 15 are all shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above all the doors except door 16, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. Door 16 is open, and the light is green.<<else>>To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 13, 14, 15, and 16 are all shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above them all, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. <</if>> Just behind you, the hall leads toward the exit. Looking forward, the hallway stretches out, disappearing into the distance. It is eerily well-lit by recessed lighting, but the walls are punctuated every few feet by the dark, unblinking eyes of security cameras. They track your every movement, a constant, silent reminder that you are now deep inside the company's highest security area, where Dr. Vance's special project awaits. <<link [[Open room 13|locked room]]>><<set $door to 9>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 14|locked room]]>><<set $door to 10>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 15|locked room]]>><<set $door to 15>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<if $visited.includes("16") is false>><<link [[Peek in 16|room 16]]>><<set $door to 16>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>><<else>><<link [[Open room 16|locked room]]>><<set $door to 16>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>><</if>> <<link [[Go back to the exit|you step across the threshold]]>><</link>> <<link [[Continue down the hall|Hallpt5]]>><</link>>

You ignore the silent surveillance and the drone of the air handlers, you reach for Door 11. Above it, the ominous red light is absent, replaced by a welcoming green glow. This must be your destination. You place your hand on the steel panel and push. The door hisses open silently, and you peer inside. The room is narrow and intensely bright, dominated by the sterile gleam of sophisticated equipment. Along the walls, you see rows of powerful computers, their screens glowing with complex, scrolling data—the kind of incomprehensible metrics. But your focus snaps immediately to the center of the room. Stretched out horizontally on a long, padded table is a man in a thin gown. His head is shaved, and terrifyingly, a cluster of fine probes are entering his head, leading directly into his brain. He is motionless. Two figures—wearing surgical masks and scrubs, likely surgeons or high-level specialists—are hunched over the table, intently focused on their delicate work. They jerk their heads up, startled by the sudden opening of the door. Before you can fully process the horror of the scene, one of the surgeons lunges forward. The door is slammed shut with immense force, cutting off the bright light and the chilling sight. Immediately, the light above Door 11 snaps back to red, locking you out and leaving you alone in the silent, cold hallway. <<include handleDelays>> <<run $visited.push("11")>> <<link "Yikes!" $lastPassage >><</link>>

<> <<if $delays > 5>> A voice over the speaker says $name, Continued delays will reflect badly on your work record. <<elseif $delays > 2>> A voice over the speaker says $name, we are waiting! <</if>> <>

You are standing at the beginning of the Restricted Hallway. The air is cold and thin, carrying a faint metallic scent and a deep, continuous mechanical thrum. This isn't the chaotic rush of the main floor; this is a silent, monitored corridor. <<if $visited.includes("18") is false>>To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 18, 19 and 20 are shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above all the doors except door 17, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. Door 17 is wide open, and the light is green. Door 18 is closed, but the light above the door is green.<<else>>To your left and right, the hallway is lined with heavy, unlabeled steel doors. Rooms 18, 19 and 20 are shut, and a distinct red light glows menacingly above all the doors except door 17, signaling they are firmly locked. The windows—if there are any—are completely obscured, offering no clue to the activities inside. Door 17 is wide open, and the light is green.<</if>> Beyond door 17, you hear the <<link "muffled voice of Dr. Vance">><<dialog Dr.Vance>>You only can pick up a few words. "...yes...We need at least one more....hoping for two... no..yes...on schedule..it's fine...."<</dialog>><</link>> speaking on the phone. Just behind you, the hall leads toward the exit. Looking forward, the hallway ends. It is eerily well-lit by recessed lighting, but the walls are punctuated every few feet by the dark, unblinking eyes of security cameras. They track your every movement, a constant, silent reminder that you are now deep inside the company's highest security area, where Dr. Vance's special project awaits. <<link [[Enter room 17|Room17]]>><<set $door to 17>><</link>> <<if $visited.includes("18") is false>><<link [[Open Room 18|room 18]]>><<set $door to 18>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>><<else>><<link [[Open room 18|locked room]]>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>><</if>> <<link [[Open room 19|locked room]]>><<set $door to 10>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Open room 20|locked room]]>><<set $door to 15>><<set $delays to $delays+1>><</link>> <<link [[Go back to the exit|you step across the threshold]]>><</link>>

You push the door open just enough to peek inside. The room is similar to the last: brightly lit and filled with electronic gear. And there, seated in a <<link "high-backed ergonomic chair">><<dialog>>The chair looks quite a bit more complex than an ordinary ergonomic chair. It has wires running up the arm rests and back. Tubes, with what looks like a liquid run to the backrest as if to supply fluid to the spinal column.<</dialog>><</link>>, is Ari. He’s not organizing manuals. Two technical attendants in sterile gray suits are standing beside him, preparing his equipment. Ari has the sleek black VR headset about to be placed over his eyes, and the attendants are connecting several small cables and sensors to the collar of his shirt. Ari sees you instantly and beams, waving frantically. "Hey! Glad you made it down here!" he shouts, his voice echoing in the small room. He seems genuinely ecstatic. "They got me on something brand new! I'm first on the new build! Good luck on your first day, man!" The two attendants snap their heads toward you, their expressions severe. One of them, a man with a thin face and intense eyes, hisses, "There are to be no disturbances! This is a sensitive setup!" He doesn't wait for you to speak, reaching out and rudely slamming the steel door shut in your face. You hear a few seconds of muffled, annoyed discussion from inside—likely the attendants chastising Ari. Then, the sound cuts off entirely, replaced by a profound, chilling silence. You look up: the light above Door 16 has already turned red, locking Ari inside and confirming that you are definitely not supposed to be here. <<include handleDelays>> <<run $visited.push("16")>> <<link "Yikes!" $lastPassage >><</link>>

You step through Door 17 into a sterile, windowless room that immediately feels too bright. The air smells strongly of sterile cleaner and faintly of ozone—a dry, electric scent you associate with copy machines and high-voltage equipment. The layout is eerily familiar, almost a perfect copy of the space you saw Ari in: a smooth, grey wall on the far side, a small metal desk in the corner, and front and center, a high-backed chair. This chair, however, is much more than simple furniture. It’s a device. Dark, thick restraints are already in place on the arms and legs. Affixed to a stand directly next to the chair is a high-end VR rig. <<if $visited.includes("16")>>It’s the exact model Ari was being equipped with—a<<else>>It's a<</if>> sleek, matte black headset with numerous external sensors and a complicated webbing of wires. The chair itself is a technological marvel. The back of the chair is a solid grey panel from which a bundle of coiled, translucent tubes snake down to the floor, disappearing beneath a raised access panel. Interspersed with these tubes are multiple wires and cables—some thin and fiber-optic-like, others thicker and shielded—ending in various multi-pin connectors that line the inner edge of the headrest and armrests. It looks less like a place to sit and more like a high-tech interface meant to secure and connect its occupant. As the door seals with a quiet hiss behind you, Dr. Vance whirls around, hanging up the phone with a sharp snap that seems to echo in the small room. Her expression, already severe, darkens as she takes in your presence. <<set $requiredBugs to 5>> "I have to go," she mutters into the dead receiver before dropping it onto its cradle. Her eyes—cold, blue, and utterly humorless—lock onto you. <<if $delays > 5>> "You're late," she says, her voice low and cutting. "Do you think the integrity of the System waits for you? Do you believe your little personal timeline supersedes the security of this entire facility?"<<if $visited.includes("18")>>You are distracted by the thoughts of [[all those pods.]] You wonder if you should brign it up with Dr. Vance.<</if>> She doesn't wait for a response, stepping closer until the clean scent of her starched lab coat fills the air. "Consider this an official reprimand. It goes on your work record, and as a direct result, you'll be locating an additional five bugs during this shift. I am not pleased with this lack of commitment."<<set $requiredBugs to $requiredBugs+5>> <</else>> "It sure took you long enough to get here. Not that it matters, but c'mon. Id sure like to see more commitment from you" She doesn't wait for a response, stepping closer until the clean scent of her starched lab coat fills the air. "We need to get started." <</if>> <<if $visited.includes("16")>>You are tempted to [[ask about Ari]]. But wonder if it's a good idea right now.<</if>>She gestures sharply toward the technical chair. "[[Sit|sit in chair]]. Now. We've wasted enough time. I'll explain your task for the day, and let's hope you can at least manage to follow simple instructions."

You try your card. The light flashes green, and the door hisses open. You peer inside, finding the room is mercifully empty of people, but terrifyingly full of technology. The room is huge, far larger than the containment rooms you've seen so far. It is dominated by row after row of massive, sarcophagus-resembling pods. They lie horizontally, stacked in two silent tiers, filling the space like a morbid digital storage unit. [img[https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/wmremove-transformed.jpeg]] You walk a few steps inside, the scale of the operation sinking in. Many of the pods have small, internal blinking lights, making you instantly wonder if people—the missing testers—are sealed inside them, connected to the virtual world. Others remain dark, unlit. Near the entrance, two of the units are open. Their interiors are starkly clean, and they look freshly prepared for use, clearly waiting for new subjects. The sight of these empty, waiting pods is the final, sickening realization that you are standing in the heart of Cadbury Cybernetic's true operation. This is not where you belong. You back out immediately. The heavy door slides shut behind you with an alarming sense of finality, and the light above Door 18 instantly snaps to red, locking you in the hallway once more. <<include handleDelays>> <<run $visited.push("18")>> <<link "Yikes!" $lastPassage >><</link>>

The sight of the restraints and the sudden, chilling intensity in Dr. Vance's eyes makes the decision for you. The risk of trying to fight or run in this locked, camera-lined corridor is zero. You need to play along, at least long enough to understand the system and find a way out. With a deep, shaky breath, you walk forward and sit in the high-backed technical chair. The cold plastic and smooth metal are unsettling against your clothes. As your back presses against the solid gray panel, you feel the immediate pressure of the chair's internal sensors engaging. You are completely exposed. Dr. Vance moves instantly, her movements quick and practiced. She doesn't waste time with words, securing the thick restraints around your wrists and ankles with firm, silent clicks. The straps are wide and heavy, pinning you securely in place. She then turns and grabs the VR headset, but holds it a moment before placing it on your face. "Listen closely," she commands. "Your job today is to enter a live-beta instance of one of Cadbury Cybernetic's virtual gaming worlds. Today's environment is a 1940s Egyptian archaeological simulation. This product is currently marketed, but the new release is undergoing critical bug testing." She leans down, her eyes focused on the headset. "You are looking for flaws. Our automatic monitoring systems will flag suspected bugs in the system and represent them to you as actual Bugs. Specifically, Scarab beetles." She taps the side of the headset. "When you encounter a Scarab, you must pick it up and analyze it. Your Level 1 task is to determine if the beetle represents a true, structural bug—a necessary correction—or if it's simply a false positive miss by the monitoring system." "For this shift," she continues, "you must find and categorize five bugs. Once that requirement is met, the system will allow you to exit. We expect this to go through your lunch period. I'm certain that is ok with you right?" She pauses, allowing the information to sink in. "Are there any questions regarding your assignment?" The only question that matters right now is escape. "How do I exit the simulation?" "The same way you exited the playground," Dr. Vance confirms, her tone softening slightly with the reassurance of known protocol. "Call up the security avatar, just like before, and request to exit the system." Without waiting for a further reply, she brings the sleek, black headset forward. You brace yourself for the inevitable sensory shift, knowing that the unsettling security software is lurking on the other side. <<link [[Enter the simulation|enter D2 simulation]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>> <</link>>

You remain standing, a cold dread washing over you as you look at the sinister restraints on the chair. You decide you need answers immediately. "Dr. Vance, wait," you demand, your voice tighter than you intended. "I just saw Ari in Room 16. His desk was cleared, just like mine. Is he in the system right now? What exactly is he testing?" Dr. Vance's demeanor hardens instantly. She steps back slightly, her professional facade cracking to reveal a steel-edged irritation. "Associate, your concern for your former colleague is noted, but it is entirely irrelevant to the task at hand," she states flatly. "Mr. Ari is a Level 1 QA, and he is currently engaged in his assigned duties. His work, like yours, is highly classified, and I am his only direct supervisor. Focus on your own instructions." She gestures forcefully to the chair again. "You are wasting valuable system time. This is not the cafeteria, and I am not here for small talk. Sit down. We are far past the window for procedural questions." <<link "Sorry" $lastPassage >><</link>>

The urgency of the situation overrides your fear of authority. You know the restraints are coming next, and this might be your last chance to speak freely. "I saw Room 18," you state, your voice trembling slightly, but firm. "The room with the horizontal pods. What are those pods for? Are the missing testers inside them? <<if $visited.includes("11")>>And why did I see two surgeons operating on someone's brain in Room 11?"<</if>> Dr. Vance's face goes utterly still. The slight annoyance that had characterized her earlier demeanor vanishes, replaced by something cold and profoundly dangerous. Her eyes, magnified by her prescription lenses, seem to bore right through you. "Associate," she says, her voice dropping to a dangerously low, controlled tone. "You have exceeded your authorization and violated protocol by moving outside your designated path. Those areas are classified, and your Level 1 access was for this room only. Your lack of discipline is astonishing." She takes a step closer, the clean, sterile scent of her coat failing to mask the intensity of her anger. "The devices you saw are proprietary technology related to data acquisition. They are not your concern. Your job is to test the simulation integrity. My job is to ensure the system integrity. The only thing you need to worry about is following the protocol I'm about to give you." She points a rigid finger at the chair. "I am telling you one last time. Sit down and prepare for immersion. Any further deviation, delay, or unauthorized inquiry will be treated as a direct breach of contract and will have immediate, severe repercussions." <<link "Sorry" $lastPassage >><</link>>

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "fun" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadein>> <>The world snaps into existence around you with a violent clarity. The cold, sterile odor of the lab is instantly replaced by the hot, dry, cloying scent of desert dust and ancient spices. The light is a harsh, yellow-white glare, filtered through the gauze-like fabric of a canvas tent. The simulation has begun. <<include "Inside_tent">>

<<set _myOp = performBitwiseOperation()>> You find a beautiful scarab. It has the letters <red><<= _myOp.operation>></red> on its back. The system believes this might be a system bug and is presenting the code to you in this form. You and pick it up to evaluate it. <center>[img[_myOp.bugImage]]</center> The questionable data of this operation is a follows: <code>_myOp.byteOne</code> - Input 1 <code>_myOp.byteTwo</code> - Input 2 <code>_myOp.result</code> - Expected Results Is this data valid? <<link [[It's a bug|evaluate_bug]]>><<set $bug=true>><<set $valid=_myOp.isValid>><</link>>. Data is invalid <<link [[Not a bug|evaluate_bug]]>><<set $bug=false>><<set $valid=_myOp.isValid>><</link>>. false alarm. Ask Bug for <<link 'more information'>><<set $oper=_myOp.operation>><<popup 'more information'>><</link>>.

The beetle is cold and unnaturally heavy in your palm. You recognize it instantly as a software construct, its insect form merely a thematic placeholder for the benefit of this 1940s Egyptian simulation. You speak to the construct, keeping your voice low. "Tell me about yourself." The beetle remains motionless, but a clear, resonant voice with a distinct British accent emanates from the air around your hand. "Indeed. I am a materialized representation of a block of data that your company's automated QA system—the monitor—flagged as suspect," the Scarab explains. "It is now entirely up to your human discernment, Level 1 Associate, to determine if this flag represents a true system anomaly or a mere false positive." The voice shifts into an instructional tone. "The data block I represent contains two primary chunks: two input binary strings. It also contained a third piece, a 'checksum' block, which the two input blocks should compute to. <> <<switch $oper>> <<case "OR">> <<include "OR_Text">> <<case "NAND">> <<include "NAND_Text">> <<case "AND">> <<include "AND_Text">> <<case "XOR">> <<include "XOR_Text">> <<case "NOR">> <<include "NOR_Text">> <</switch>> <>

"The computational method used by this system is the OR logic gate." The Scarab simplifies the concept: "The OR gate is binary addition without carrying. For any given bit position, if the bit in the first input is '1' OR the bit in the second input is '1', then the corresponding bit in the checksum must also be '1'. The only way the checksum bit can be '0' is if both input bits are '0'. Do you follow?" The voice concludes:"Your task is to review the input blocks and verify if the checksum block correctly represents the proper value of this OR calculation. If it does, I am a False Positive. If it does not, I am a True Bug."

"The computational method used to determine the correct checksum is the NAND logic gate," the beetle explains patiently. It then simplifies the technical jargon: "A NAND gate is quite simple. It means NOT AND. If both Input A and Input B are 'true' (or 1), the result is 'false' (or 0). In all other cases—if one is false, or both are false—the result is 'true' (or 1). The system calculates the NAND result, and then compares it to the value in the Checksum Block." The beetle's tiny legs tap against your palm. "You must verify if the Checksum Block represents the proper value of this calculation. If the calculation matches the checksum, the flag is a false positive. If it does not match, then you have found a true bug."

The computational method used to determine the checksum is the AND operation." The beetle then explains the principle: "The AND logic gate is simple: it checks corresponding bits from Input A and Input B. If both bits are 1, the result is 1. If either bit is 0, the result is 0. Both must be true for the outcome to be true. My internal structure is showing both Input A, Input B, and the intended Checksum. You must confirm whether the checksum block represents the proper value of this calculation." The beetle falls silent, waiting for your analysis.

The computational method used to determine the checksum is the XOR operation." The beetle continues, providing a quick lesson in Boolean logic: "The XOR logic gate—Exclusive OR—is a simple test. For any given bit, if the two input bits are different (one 0 and one 1), the result is 1. If the two input bits are the same (both 0 or both 1), the result is 0. This calculation is used to detect errors in the transmission of data." "Your task is to review the binary blocks I represent," the Scarab concludes. "You must calculate the XOR value of the two input blocks and see if that calculated value matches the value contained within the checksum block. You must determine if the checksum block represents the proper value of this calculation."

"The computational method used to determine the checksum is NOR." The beetle helpfully launches into an explanation: "The NOR logic gate simply means 'NOT OR.' If either or both of the two inputs are true (or '1'), the result is false (or '0'). The only way for the result to be true (or '1') is if both inputs are false (or '0'). The monitoring system applies this gate across the corresponding bits of Input A and Input B to derive the Checksum Block." The beetle settles back onto your palm. "Your task is to verify if the Checksum Block correctly represents the NOR calculation of Input Block A and Input Block B. If the calculation is correct, I am a false positive. If the calculation is incorrect, I am a true bug."

<><<set _awardPoint to false>> <<set _resultText to "">> <<if $bug is true>> <<if $valid is true>> /*player is wrong. This is not a bug*/ <<set _resultText to "missed_valid">> <<else>> /*$valid is false*/ /*player is right. This is a bug*/ <<set _awardPoint to true>> <<set _resultText to "found_bug">> <</if>> <<else>> /*bug is false*/ <<if $valid is true>> /*player is right. This is not a bug*/ <<set _awardPoint to true>> <<set _resultText to "found_false">> <<else>> /*$valid is false*/ /*player is wrong. This is a bug*/ <<set _resultText to "missed_bug">> <</if>> <</if>> <<if _awardPoint is true>> <<set $bugCount += 1 >> <<else>> <<set $bugCount to 0>> <</if>><> "The data is <<if $bug isnot true>> correct<<else>> not correct<</if>>," you state confidently to the Scarab, holding it steady on your palm. <<if $bug isnot true>> "The Checksum Block successfully matches the operation of Input A and Input B. You are a false positive."<<else>>"The Checksum Block does not match the operation of Input A and Input B. You are a software bug."<</if>> The Scarab is silent for a moment, then emits a quiet, mechanical tone of acceptance. "Observation logged. Thank you, Associate. Please wait while an engineer examines the bug analysis." You stand there, staring at the motionless beetle on your palm. The heat of the day feels stifling, and the faint sound of the distant shovel scraping stone continues. Several minutes pass, the silence growing heavy with anticipation. <<include _resultText>> The disembodied voice of Dr. Vance delivers the final, hard instruction: "You must correctly address $requiredBugs bugs before the system will allow you to exit the simulation. Find your next Scarab." A notification flashes briefly in the corner of your vision: ($bugCount/$requiredBugs Required Bugs Analyzed). <<link Continue $lastPassage >><</link>>

Finally, the Scarab stirs, its British accent returning, but now laced with a tone of deep, programmed regret. "Associate," the Scarab says, its voice lower. "I regret to inform you that the data is, in fact, incorrect. Your analysis was flawed." The Scarab shifts again. "You have caused a needless interruption in the software engineer's schedule for a bug that should have been correctly categorized as a true anomaly. The system has registered your error." A new, cold voice cuts into the simulation, clearly the voice of Dr. Vance, audible even through the headset. "Analysis error detected. Count reset. Associate, you must start over. You have zero accumulated valid classifications." The Scarab dematerializes in your hand, replaced by the faint, lingering warmth of the simulation.

Then, the beetle suddenly vibrates slightly. "Analysis complete," the voice chirps, sounding genuinely pleased. "The external system confirms your finding. The data integrity holds, and I am confirmed as a false positive. The data is correct, Associate. You have done well." The beetle dematerializes from your palm with a quiet fizz, vanishing back into the environment.

After what feels like a tense eternity, the Scarab beetle suddenly vibrates once on your palm. "Good news, Associate!" the small, British voice chirps, sounding genuinely delighted. "My core integrity has been verified. The error was indeed a legitimate structural flaw. The data was incorrect, and you have performed well." The beetle dematerializes from your palm with a faint pop, leaving the simulated warmth of your hand suddenly empty. "Dr. Vance has added this successful categorization to your accumulated count," the voice echoes one last time, perhaps now originating from the headset itself. "Another bug identified. You must now address any remaining bugs before you may request an exit from the system."

After a few minutes, the beetle stirs again, its tone now distinctly apologetic, the British accent sounding slightly strained. "Associate," the beetle says regretfully. "I must inform you that the data you analyzed was, in fact, correct. Your calculation was flawed, and you have falsely flagged code that is not a bug." As this announcement is delivered, the temperature inside the tent seems to drop slightly, and a new, sharp voice cuts through the ambient noise—a voice that is undeniably Dr. Vance's, harsh and amplified. "Associate! Do you realize the system resources you have wasted?" her voice booms, though she is nowhere to be seen. "You have forced an engineer to divert from critical tasks to examine a false positive! I am not pleased with this lack of commitment or competence on your first assignment!" The booming voice concludes with a chilling finality: "Your accumulated count has been reset. You must now start over and correctly address five bugs before you may request an exit from the system. Do not fail again."

You find yourself standing on a coarse, woven rug inside a claustrophobic archaeological dig tent. The temperature is instantly oppressive. Around you are wooden crates marked with peeling shipping labels, stacks of dusty excavation tools, and a rickety folding table covered in maps and brittle parchment. You can hear the distant, muffled sound of a shovel scraping stone and the faint, high-pitched call of an unknown bird. You instinctively try to raise your hands to adjust the headset, but the motion is stopped by the physical restraints in the chair. You are pinned, fully immersed, and the simulation feels terrifyingly real. You look down at your hands. You are no longer wearing your company uniform, but a pair of rugged, khaki trousers and a thin, slightly sweat-damp button-up shirt—the uniform of a 1940s field researcher. You can feel the slight friction of the rough fabric against your skin. <<if $hasBug is true>>Before you can move, you spot something moving in the corner of your eye. Tucked beside a wooden crate, its reflective shell gleaming in the harsh light, is a segmented insect. It is a large, colorful Scarab beetle. Your first anomaly. <</if>> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [[Exit the tent|outsideTent]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasAri to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasMonkey to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

You push the canvas flap aside and step out, leaving the oppressive heat of the tent for the open air. However, you are no longer on the barren archaeological plateau. You are now standing on a rough, dusty path in an Egyptian village. The environment is teeming with life: a chaotic mix of villagers, treasure seekers, and archaeologists all milling about. There are stalls selling pottery, baskets, and bright textiles, and the air is thick with the scent of donkey dung, hot metal, and strong cooking spices. <> <<if $hasAri is true>><<include "ariLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasMonkey is true>><<include "monkeyLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasBug is true>>On the side of a piece of pottery you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic Scarab beetle. Your first anomaly. <</if>> <> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say [["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please <<link [[Continue onward|residential]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

This area is populated with the humble housing for the Egyptian hosts of the European explorers and archaeologists. The air here is no longer filled with the sharp smells of spices and dust, but with the rich, inviting aromas of local food cooking over open braziers and the damp scent of laundry and washing. Residents are going about their daily routines: women are washing clothes in large basins, and men are socializing quietly in the shade of their homes. The sounds are a warm contrast to the sterile lab: the high-pitched, happy shouts of children playing mix with the occasional, sharp bark of stray dogs. As you walk through this residential area in your foreign attire, you feel every eye on you. The villagers stop what they are doing and look at you like you are unexpected. Their expressions aren't hostile, just curious, confirming that not many Europeans stick around this section of the village. They quickly return to their tasks, but the feeling of being an outsider is palpable. <<if $hasBug is true>>On the side of a wash basin you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic Scarab beetle. <</if>> The environment is incredibly immersive, yet you know every sight, smell, and sound is a manufactured construct designed to trick your perception. You must focus on the task. <> <<if $hasAri is true>><<include "ariLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasMonkey is true>><<include "monkeyLogic">> <</if>> <> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say [["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please <<link [[Continue onward|desert]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasAri to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasMonkey to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

<> <<switch $monkeyStage>> <<case 0>> <div id="monkeyText">You try to move forward but your progress is slowed by a hyperactive monkey. It's small, fuzzy, and wearing a tiny red vest, and it's bounding and leaping right at your feet, chattering incessantly. You really want to <<link "kick it">><<replace "#monkeyText">>You kick the monkey that was at your feet, and it runs away.<</replace>><</link>> away.</div><<set $monkeyStage to 1>><<set $hasMonkey to 0>> <<default>> You spot that monkey again. This time he is hanging back and out of your kicking range. He is watching you intently, though, as he weaves thorough the area.<<set $monkeyStage to 2>> <</switch>> <>

<> <<switch $ariStage>> <<case 0>> Your eyes scan the crowd and lock onto a familiar figure: Ari. He's dressed in the same 1940s field clothes as you, and he’s moving quickly, navigating the foot traffic with a manic enthusiasm. He seems happy, completely oblivious to the danger you feel he's in. He's crouched low, his gaze fixed on the ground, and you realize he's running after a dark, gleaming Scarab beetle—just like the one you analyzed. He must be assigned to the same simulation instance, maybe even doing the same task you just received. As Ari disappears into the denser part of the crowd, excited and focused on his task, you think you notice a figure trailing behind him. It's tall, cloaked in shadow, and moves with an unnatural, gliding smoothness. Before you can get a clear look or identify the figure, Ari and his mysterious tail disappear down a winding dirt path. <<default>> You scan the scene around you, hoping to spot Ari. He is nowhere to be seen. <</switch>> <>

Deciding the residential area is too densely populated for covert searching, you follow a dusty track leading out of the village. The sounds of children and cooking quickly fade, replaced by the profound, hot silence of the desert. You are now walking across the flat, sun-baked desert floor, heading toward a distant geological feature. The quiet is broken only by the crunch of your boots on the hard sand. Occasionally, a local passes by on a camel, moving slowly and silently, their face shrouded against the sun. In the distance, you can clearly see the remains of a small, ancient structure: a temple partially emerging from the dunes. Its stone walls are cracked and weathered, and the entire structure is currently surrounded by hastily erected scaffolding, suggesting active excavation. You can make out the tiny forms of donkeys tethered near the site, and the white shirts and wide-brimmed hats of European Egyptologists bustling around the base of the temple. This is the heart of the simulated archaeological work—and likely the primary area for environmental bugs. <><<if $hasAri is true>><<include "ariLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasMonkey is true>><<include "monkeyLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasBug is true>>On a rock you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic colorful beetle. It's a bug report! <</if>><> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say [["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please <<link [[Continue onward|desertA]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasAri to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasMonkey to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

The heat is relentless, and the only shade is the distant, fractured stone of the ancient structure. As you get closer, the activity around the site becomes clearer, and you realize the silence is not due to work, but to a break. All the European archaeologists and treasure seekers have gathered in a shady clearing near the base of the ruins. They are taking their lunch break and are clearly enjoying a bit of local entertainment. A small, improvised stage has been set up, and you can see locals putting on a stage show—a colorful and kinetic performance, though you are too far away to see the details or hear the dialogue over the distance. As you reach the perimeter of the site, you confirm the structure’s identity: the remains belong to a Temple of Khnum, the Egyptian ram-headed god of creation and the source of the Nile. The initial impression of restoration is immediately shattered. This is not conservation; it's exploitation. Workers, under the direction of the Europeans, are not reinforcing the walls but systematically stripping them. Intricate carvings are being chipped away, and heavy wooden crates are being loaded with fragments of statuary—artifacts surely destined for British museums and private collections. You take in the scene of colonial-era looting, the historical injustice serving as a disturbing backdrop to your perilous bug hunt. Suddenly, a figure standing atop a low pile of crates turns and notices you. He is a tall, [[sharply dressed European man|Indiana]], wearing a classic fedora hat and holding a coiled leather whip in one hand. He gives you a wide, predatory smile, his eyes glinting in the sun, acknowledging your presence with a distinct lack of welcome. <><<if $hasAri is true>><<include "ariLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasMonkey is true>><<include "monkeyLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasBug is true>>On a rock you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic colorful beetle. It's a bug report! <</if>><> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say [["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please <<link [[Continue to the stage|stageFront]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasAri to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasMonkey to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

You stop working and call out, loudly and clearly: "Paging Security!" The bright desert air shimmers, and the simulation pauses slightly. Instead of the familiar, grotesque clown, a new figure materializes directly in front of you. This avatar stands as a tall, lithe man. He is dressed in traditional desert wraps, akin to a nomad or Bedouin, with flowing, sand-colored robes that blend seamlessly with the environment. His skin is dark, and his eyes burn with an intense, unnatural color—a deep, glowing amber. He offers a calm, slightly unnerving smile. "Greetings, Associate," he says, his voice a low, resonant baritone, entirely different from Bingo's squeak. "I am Khaled. How may I be of assistance?" Say "[[System Status|SS Khaled]], please." "[[Tell me about yourself|aboutKhaled]]" <<include "KhaledCommon">>

<> <<if $spookStage is 0>> Khaled begins to respond, his smile softening slightly. "I am sorry, Associate, but..." Then, Khaled freezes. He stands utterly still, his eyes locked straight ahead, his expression suspended mid-sentence. You are perplexed by the sudden pause. Khaled's image begins to blur, shimmering like heat haze over the desert. Suddenly, the image resolves, and in his place is a completely new figure: a Priest of Thoth, the ibis god. The priest is dressed in white linen, his head shaved, and he wears the ceremonial robes of the ancient Egyptian clergy. The priest glances down at you, then offers a wide, evaluating grin. He speaks not to you, but to some unseen entity. "Heart rate at 73 beats per minute. Blood pressure normal. Metabolism is functioning," the priest states with a clinical precision that chills you to the bone. He then tilts his head, his eyes assessing you with unnerving familiarity. "This one will work." The Priest of Thoth's image immediately begins to pull apart from Khaled, resolving as a second, independent avatar standing next to the still-frozen nomad. The priest offers you a quick, conspiratorial wink before his entire form dissolves into a swirling puff of sand-colored mist, completely disappearing. Khaled immediately animates again, his eyes blinking back to life. He finishes his previous sentence as if nothing strange occurred. <<set $spookStage to 1>> <<else>> <<if $bugCount < $requiredBugs>> "I am sorry, Associate, but..", Khaled responds, his smile slightly drooping,<</if>> <</if>> <<if $bugCount < $requiredBugs>> "...you have not yet accumulated enough bugs. You cannot exit at this time." "[[System Status|SS Khaled]], please." "[[Tell me about yourself|aboutKhaled]]" "<<link "You're dismissed" $lastPassage>><<dialog>>Khaled bows low, with a graceful arm gesture, then disappears.<</dialog>><</link>>" <<else>> <<goto "leave_VR">> <</if>> <>

"Khaled, I need the System Status," you instruct, cutting through his themed analogies. "Give me the diagnostic report. Is the core telemetry stable?" Khaled's body stiffens instantly, losing the fluidity of the nomad. His voice drops to the same cold, impersonal, synthesized drone you heard from Bingo, stripping the accent and the robes of all personality. "Affirmative," Khaled states, echoing the sterile response. "All systems currently registering within acceptable deviation. The Core Telemetry is stable at 98.7%. The essential parameters—Designation: Subjective Reality Coherence—are holding the simulation environment with Zero-Defect Integrity." He pauses, the silence broken only by the simulated distant scraping of tools. "Current User Retention Rate is logged at a 100% success matrix, with no unscheduled exits detected in the past 78 hours. The system is operational, and the simulation remains sealed." The technical assurance is terrifying, confirming your worst fears about the locked-in testers and the meaning of the "User Retention Rate." Khaled instantly snaps back to his fluid, natural pose and offers a benign smile. "The system is peaceful, Associate! Now, the sun is high and the Scarabs await! Please, proceed with your assignment!" "[[Tell me about yourself|aboutKhaled]]" <<include "KhaledCommon">>

You stare at the serene, yet terrifyingly compliant nomad before you. Despite the shock of the interruption, you decide to probe the system's defenses again. "Tell me more about yourself, Khaled," you demand, trying to keep your voice level. "You're the security avatar, but what exactly does that mean for this simulation?" Khaled's amber eyes meet yours, and his resonant voice carries a soothing, desert-like quality—a perfect contrast to Bingo's manic squeak—but the core function he describes is identical. "I am an avatar representation of the security software for this specific 1940s Egyptian environment," he explains, raising his hand to gesture towards the distant scaffolding of the temple. "I was meticulously engineered by MorningStar Security Software Company, under contract for the Cadbury Cybernetic Group." He bows slightly, the motion graceful and profound, fitting his nomad persona. "My central purpose is to ensure data integrity and to immediately correct [[all anomalies]] within this simulation space. I am the Sentinel of the Sands, the Enforcer of the Environment." Khaled straightens, his smile reassuring. "You may rest assured, Associate. Currently, all is well. The data flow is pure, the system is stable, and your safety is guaranteed." Say: "[[System Status|SS Khaled]], please." <<include "KhaledCommon">>

You press Khaled on the one detail that seems to hide the most. "You mentioned anomalies, Khaled. What exactly are these data anomalies you correct? The system seems flawless to me." Khaled tilts his head, the desert wraps shifting slightly around his face. His smile remains constant, but his voice takes on a vague, poetic quality that completely obscures the technical truth. "The anomalies? Ah, they are merely the Sands of Confusion, Associate!" he replies, sweeping his hand across the vast desert landscape. "They are nothing more than a few errant grains of data that seek to settle where they do not belong. Perhaps a pixel of color attempts to wander into the wrong texture, or a line of code forgets its designated purpose." He adopts a whimsical tone, perfectly mirroring the evasiveness of the clown. "We are simply tidying up the environment! A tiny blip in the code, a small misplaced rendering. We gather them, we clean them, and we ensure the simulation remains pristine and perfect for you. It's all just the whispering of the winds—nothing for a Level 1 Associate to worry about!" Khaled then assumes a posture of patient expectation. "You see, my friend, all the information you require is present in the Scarabs. Now that you understand my purpose, will you please proceed with your bug hunting?" Say "[[System Status|SS Khaled]], please." <<include "KhaledCommon">>

"Khaled," you state firmly, "I have completed the task. I would like to exit the simulation now." Khaled's face instantly softens into a congratulatory smile, accepting your assertion without question. "Ah, Associate! Excellent work! We congratulate you on successfully identifying the required anomalies." He raises his hand, beginning the familiar, graceful gesture that signals the simulation's end and your ejection. Then, just as his fingers are about to complete the movement, he freezes. The simulation shimmers violently. Khaled's form blurs and dissolves, replaced instantly by the towering figure of the Priest of Thoth, the ibis-headed god. The priest smiles, but his eyes remain detached and clinical. "Come with me, child," the priest says, his voice soft but commanding, and he begins to reach out for you. Before the priest's hand can make contact, a small, furry blur drops from seemingly nowhere. The monkey in the red vest—the same one that distracted you in the village—leaps onto the priest's arm and bites the priest sharply on the wrist! The priest gasps in surprise, pulling his hand back immediately, his perfect composure broken by confusion and shock. The monkey, ignoring the priest's pain, quickly mimics the exit motion: it makes the same ejection gesture Khaled was performing a moment earlier. The Egyptian world immediately begins to fade from view. As the temple, the sand, and the bright light dissolve into a swirling kaleidoscope of pixels, you faintly detect the monkey’s voice—no longer a chatter, but a rushed, distorted whisper: "Be careful, $name. Be careful!" <<linkappend "The image fades entirely.">> <><<audio ":playing" stop>><> You gasp, pulling the air back into your lungs. The cold, sterile reality of the lab snaps into focus. You are restrained in the high-backed chair, the heavy headset still on your face, but your mind is reeling from the sudden, inexplicable ejection. Dr. Vance is standing right next to you, her hands raised, her expression a mix of shock and intense surprise. She didn't trigger the exit. "What—! How did you bypass the protocol?" she demands, her voice sharp with disbelief. You look past her, toward the corner of the small testing room. Standing against the wall is an empty stretcher on wheels, draped with a fresh white sheet. It was not there when you sat down. It looks as though it has been rolled in and is silently waiting for you. [[Try and stand|AttemptExit]] <</linkappend>>

You approach the perimeter of the impromptu performance area. The crowd, composed entirely of the European excavation team, is completely enthralled. They are laughing loudly, slapping their knees, and calling out jokes to one another, clearly using the show as a necessary break from the relentless desert work. No one is paying attention to you. <<if $hasBug is true>>On a chair you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic colorful beetle. It's a bug report! <</if>> The play is definitely a comedy. The laughter is constant, punctuated by exaggerated physical humor and loud, farcical voices. On the stage, the actors are dressed in absurd, exaggerated costumes. They are currently portraying temple workers—their robes are ill-fitting, and their movements are clumsy and overly dramatic. <> <<if $ariStage < 2 >> Also on stage is an actor portraying a <<link Priest>><<popup "Priest Description">><</link>>, who is performing a theatrical beckoning gesture and inviting one of the workers to join him in a dance. The worker jumps up excitedly, his face lit up with glee, and rushes over to meet the priest. As the worker turns, you get a clear look at his face, and your blood runs cold. The worker is Ari! He seems genuinely happy to join the priest in the ridiculous dance. <<else>> <</if>><> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say "[["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please" <<if $ariStage < 2 >><<link [[Shout to Ari|WarnAri]]>><<set $ariStage to 2>><</link>> <<else>>[[Leave the stage area|desertB]]<</if>><>

"<<link [[You're dismissed|Facinating]]>><<dialog>>Bingo bows low, with an exagerated arm gesture, then disappears.<</dialog>><</link>>" "[[Exit the simulation|exitSimulation]], please"

"<<link "You're dismissed" $lastPassage>><<dialog>>Khaled bows low, with a graceful arm gesture, then disappears.<</dialog>><</link>>" "[[Exit the simulation|Need_to_leave]], please"

The man is tall, ruggedly handsome, and exudes an air of dusty, academic adventure. His fedora is slightly tilted, casting one side of his square-jawed face into shadow. He wears a scuffed leather jacket over his field shirt, and the whip coiled in his hand looks like a well-used tool. He is the perfect, stylized image of a 1940s adventuring archaeologist. As you stop before him, he pulls the fedora back slightly and smiles, the action making his eyes crinkle at the corners. "Well, look who decided to show up," he says, his voice a low, American drawl that seems to carry an undercurrent of exhaustion. "You’re running a bit late, aren't you? Dr. Vance is going to have my hide if you get off schedule again, $name." His familiarity sends a chill down your spine; you certainly don't recognize him. "I—I don't know you," you stammer, trying to reconcile his appearance with his knowledge of your identity. He lets out a short, cynical chuckle. "Of course, you don't. That's the beauty of the build, isn't it? The names and faces change, but the code remains consistent." He shifts the whip to his other hand and leans against a crate. "I'm not an archaeologist, son. I'm one of the Cadbury Cybernetic engineers on this build, logging in remotely to apply the hot-fixes. Consider me your personal, thematic coder." He gestures towards the stage show with the tip of his whip. "You're in a critical stage of the QA protocol. We're fighting a serious memory leak in the asset render pipeline, and every bug report is vital right now. We can't have you wandering off to watch the local entertainment." He fixes you with a serious look. "Listen, I've got my own problems to worry about, and you've got Scarabs to catch. Get your head in the game. Do your work. Be a productive employee of Cadbury Cybernetic and stop wasting my time so I can get back to my actual job." He offers a final, curt nod, signaling the conversation is over. He coils the whip tighter, his attention already drifting to the figures on the distant stage. Without a backward glance, he raises the whip over his head and cracks it sharply against the desert air. The loud snap echoes over the ruins, and he settles in to watch the show, completely ignoring you. [[Continue|desertA]]

The laughter and cheers of the enthralled European onlookers suddenly disappear for you. Your focus narrows entirely on the actor portraying the Priest, who is now holding Ari's hand and beginning a strange dance. The Priest actor is unmistakably the same figure that briefly materialized during your security check override. His costume is an elaborate version of the one you briefly saw: traditional white linen robes, a shaved head, and heavy, detailed ceremonial jewelry. On stage, he is portraying a Priest of Thoth, the ibis-headed god of wisdom, magic, and the scribe of the gods. Despite the comedic setting of the play, there is nothing humorous about this actor. He projects an aura of cold, sinister authority. His movements are fluid and precise, utterly unlike the clumsy antics of the other actors. When he smiles at Ari, it isn't the wide, silly grin of a comedian, but a predatory, fixed expression that doesn't reach his eyes. His gaze is intense, fixed entirely on Ari with clinical detachment—the same look he gave you when he assessed your heart rate. You realize the stage performance is not just random simulation filler; it is a tool of the system. This is a targeted interaction, and Ari is in immediate danger. The Priest is moving Ari toward the back of the stage, away from the cheering, oblivious crowd, slowly but surely isolating him under the guise of an absurd dance. The cheerful excitement on Ari's face only highlights how completely immersed and vulnerable he is.

"Ari! Get off the stage! It’s dangerous!" you yell, your voice cracking with fear and urgency. You push against the backs of the engrossed European crowd, but they are packed too tightly and too focused on the performance to notice your distress. Ari spots you immediately and waves excitedly, beaming with pure, childish delight. The roar of the audience and the lively stage music prevent him from hearing your warning. "Hey, I know I should be working on bugs!" Ari shouts back, the exuberance in his voice completely genuine. "But the Priest invited me! This is amazing! It's fun to take a break!" He turns back to the center of the stage, eager to continue dancing with the sinister figure. "NO!!!" you scream, shoving harder against the oblivious onlookers, but the audience is an immovable, laughing barrier. The unsettling dance continues, drawing the inevitable closer. The Priest, maintaining his chillingly clinical smile, leads Ari through the final, elaborate steps. As a dramatic flourish to the conclusion of the number, the Priest puts his long, linen-clad arms around Ari. The instant their bodies touch, Ari dissolves. He doesn't fall or scream; he simply vanishes into a plume of shimmering, sand-colored mist, leaving only his empty, khaki field clothes to pool on the stage floor. The crowd roars with excitement, believing the sudden disappearance to be part of the theatrical finale. The Priest takes a deep, theatrical bow, his grin wide and triumphant, before he too dematerializes into mist and disappears. The play continues without them, the focus shifting to the remaining temple workers, but the sinister dance is done. Ari is gone, absorbed by the simulation in plain sight of an applauding audience. [[Oh no!|stageFront]]

You quickly turn and push your way through the edge of the laughing audience. The engineer with the whip is still standing nearby, his back to you, watching the continuing farce on stage. You want nothing more than to confront him, but you know that would only lead to a 'reprimand' and another failure. You walk away from the noise and the crowds surrounding the Temple of Khnum, heading back out onto the main track. The world instantly reverts to the quiet, profound solitude of the desert. The path beneath your feet is a well-worn, dusty track, rutted by the passage of carts and hooves. In one direction, the path leads back toward the distant, hazy cluster of buildings that make up the Egyptian village. In the opposite direction, the sand stretches out toward the ruins. The silence is broken only by the dry, hot wind and the occasional sound of travel. A farmer on a donkey passes you by, looking neither left nor right. Further off, a camel caravan moves slowly across the horizon, a slow, dark smudge against the blinding yellow sand. The sky is an immense, unforgiving blue. You are alone, restrained, and back on task in a simulation. <><<if $hasAri is true>><<include "ariLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasMonkey is true>><<include "monkeyLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasBug is true>>On a rock you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic colorful beetle. It's a bug report! <</if>><> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say [["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please <<link [[Continue onward|desertC]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasAri to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasMonkey to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

You are now walking across the flat, sun-baked desert floor, heading toward athe residential district of the villiage. The quiet is broken only by the crunch of your boots on the hard sand. Occasionally, a local passes by on a camel, moving slowly and silently, their face shrouded against the sun. In the distance, you can clearly see the bustling village. <><<if $hasAri is true>><<include "ariLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasMonkey is true>><<include "monkeyLogic">> <</if>> <<if $hasBug is true>>On a rock you spot something moving. It is a large, metalic colorful beetle. It's a bug report! <</if>><> <><<if $hasBug is true>><<link [[Examine the beetle|BugTest]]>><<set $hasBug to false>><</link>> <</if>> say [["Paging Security"|Khaled Initial]], please <<link [[Continue onward|residential]]>><<set $hasBug to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasAri to Math.random() < 0.25>><<set $hasMonkey to Math.random() < 0.25>><</link>><>

Dr. Vance is visibly shaken, her hands gripping the arms of your chair. She stares at you with a mixture of confusion and intense, panicked scrutiny as you try and exit the chair. "Unscheduled exit! Unscheduled exit!" she mutters to herself, her eyes darting toward the now-darkened terminal in the corner. "The safety protocols should have maintained full synchronization until task completion!" You ignore her frantic reaction and the restraints. Driven by the recent horrors of Ari's capture and the unsettling sight of the empty stretcher, you exert all your strength and try to stand up. The thick restraints hold firm, but the movement sends a jolt through your real body. The chair groans against the resistance, and the headset loosens slightly, allowing you a brief, blurred glimpse of the room. The sight of the empty stretcher parked silently against the wall is confirmed—it is waiting. Dr. Vance immediately pushes you back down onto the cold plastic of the chair, her strength surprising. "Associate! Stop that!" she commands, her voice sharp with genuine panic. She leans down, her face inches from yours, her breath smelling faintly of coffee and mint. "Do not move! I have to manually disengage the neurological connections. You must not force the exit!" She frantically reaches to a console beneath the chair, her fingers flying over a recessed panel of glowing lights. Demand, "[[What the stretcher is for!?|stretcher]]" Ask, "[[What happened to Ari?|ariFate]]" [[Say nothing.|beCalm]]

You ignore her frantic warnings and the pain in your wrists. Your eyes dart from her face to the sterile white sheet draped over the empty gurney in the corner. "I need to know what that stretcher is for, Dr. Vance!" you demand, the sound of your own voice raw and desperate after the silence of the simulation. "Is it for the testers that don't make it through the shift? Is it for me?" Dr. Vance doesn't look up from the panel she's manipulating. Her fingers are shaking, but she forces her voice into a tone of clinical dismissal, clearly trying to sound annoyed rather than panicked. "It is standard safety equipment, Associate," she says dismissively. "It is moved into these specialized labs for safety reasons and nothing more. It is standard protocol. Do not be bothered by its presence." As she speaks, still focused intently on the controls, your eyes dart past her shoulder toward the heavy steel door of Room 17. The door is slightly ajar, having been breached. In the hallway outside, you catch a brief, horrifying glimpse of movement: a second stretcher is being wheeled silently past, moving down the Restricted Hallway. This one is occupied. A figure, completely covered by a thin white sheet, is being transported. You see the outline of a body beneath the linen, and the stretcher is being pushed directly toward Room 18—the room containing the endless rows of horizontal pods. The sight of the covered stretcher and its destination confirms every fear you had about the fate of the missing testers. Ask, "[[What happened to Ari?|ariFate]]" [[Say nothing.|beCalm]]

"Ari! Where is Ari?" you demand, scrambling to get out of the chair, ignoring Dr. Vance’s stern gaze. "I just saw him! He was in the simulation, on a stage—the Priest took him, and he turned into mist! What did the system do to him?" Dr. Vance stiffens, her expression turning glacial. She steps back, folding her arms across her chest over her sterile white lab coat. "That is enough, Associate," she says, her voice low and cutting. "I am telling you that whatever elaborate fantasy your mind concocted within the simulation is precisely that: imagination." She delivers the denial with cold, corporate finality. "Ari is no longer an employee of Cadbury Cybernetic. He turned in his resignation this morning and was escorted from the premises. He is dealing with personal matters. You will not be seeing him again." Her eyes—cold, blue, and utterly humorless—lock onto yours, the look designed to intimidate and silence. She holds your gaze menacingly, an unspoken warning that any further pursuit of Ari's fate will not be tolerated. "Your only concern now is removing that headset and completing your debriefing. Do not waste my time with theatrical conjectures about digital mist." Demand, "[[What the stretcher is for!?|stretcher]]" [[Say nothing.|beCalm]]

The intense fear, fueled by the image of the stretcher and disappearance of Ari, forces a sudden, internal shift. You realize that panicking or directly accusing her will only lead to the empty gurney in the corner. You force yourself to remain calm, adopting the same cold, detached professionalism she uses. The restraints, having been released, allow you to sit up fully. You are shaking internally, but you know you must choose your words with absolute care. Dr. Vance, seeing your compliance, steps away, her posture relaxing marginally. She says, her voice regaining its crisp authority. "Now, let us proceed." She reaches up and gently but firmly removes the headset. You blink rapidly, feeling the residual warmth of the headset against your skin. "Despite your poor start and your subsequent protocol violations, the system logged your final intention to exit," she says, surprising you. "And even accounting for the reset, you completed the required five anomalies in a highly efficient timeframe. I am impressed." Her expression immediately shifts to severe concern. "However, I am deeply troubled by the malfunction of the security system and the nature of your unexpected exit. The system should have maintained the connection until a manual override or a more controlled shutdown." You seize the small opportunity to probe the failure. "Why was my exit unexpected, Doctor?" you ask, keeping your voice level and measured, adopting the language of procedure. "I went through the security agent, Kaled, as is standard practice for system release." The question catches Dr. Vance completely off guard. She looks frazzled, her eyes darting to the floor and then back up. She fidgets with the edge of her lab coat. "I... I was simply expecting other outcomes for the duration," she says vaguely, sidestepping the truth entirely. She clearly has no intention of elaborating on the system's failure or the bizarre appearance of the monkey. She recovers her composure quickly, her worry shifting to a new technical problem. "More critically, Associate, the system logs show that we detected an unexpected entity entering and exiting the simulation during your session. An employee, perhaps. Their entire entrance and exit was cloaked from the normal detection protocols." She frowns deeply. "We will eventually be able to identify the person from the telemetry, but I am currently uncertain whether this intrusion is directly related to the anomalies you were supposed to be testing." "You will not discuss this situation with anyone, Associate. I need you to repeat this assignment tomorrow. First thing in the morning. We cannot tolerate this level of instability." She gestures firmly toward the door. "You are dismissed for the evening. Go directly home. We will resume testing promptly at 8:00 AM." You nod, gather your bearings, and [[exit the chamber]], leaving Dr. Vance alone with the silent chair, the unplugged headset, and the ominous empty stretcher.

You don't hesitate. The need to put physical distance between yourself and the Restricted Hallway is paramount. You hurry down the corridor, swiping your card at the exit, and the heavy steel door slides open, releasing you back into the main lobby. You walk with purpose through the familiar, brightly lit Testing Room, your eyes scanning the cubicles. As you pass the area where the Level 1 engineers are working, you approach $ezra's desk. $He is completely focused, head down, fingers flying across $his keyboard as $he stares intently at the glowing screens. As you draw level with $his cubicle, $he speaks without looking up, $his voice a low, focused murmur that blends with the ambient noise. "Meet me at the Chaos Theory Cafe," $he says. You nod quickly, acknowledging the rendezvous. As you turn to leave, your gaze snags on $his desk. Amidst a small collection of colorful superhero figurines—a regular staple of $ezra's workspace—is a small, dark statue. It is a figurine of a seated <<link Babi>><<dialog>>[img[https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/babi-Medium.png]] Babi is the Egyptian monkey god, sacred to Thoth. It looks exactly like the small, red-vested monkey that just saved your life in the simulation.<</dialog>><</link>>. The confirmation that $ezra is the "unexpected entity" that entered and exited the system, and that $he saved you, is chilling. You don't pause to speak, simply walking out of Cadbury Cybernetic and [[towards the cafe]].

You hurry out of the climate-controlled stillness of the Cadbury Cybernetic building. The transition to the outside world is jarring. The afternoon is waning, and the sky is a dim, ominous gray, the last vestiges of daylight fading into a sickly twilight. A low, heavy cloud cover presses down, matching the suffocating weight in your chest. A profound sense of panic begins to bubble up, fueled by the cold facts of the day: Ari's cheerful disappearance, the occupied stretcher heading toward the pods, and the terrifying knowledge that the system is designed to keep people in. Your mind races, cycling through desperate, overlapping thoughts. How do I get out of this? Do I quit? Do I run? But if I run, who tells the police? Who will believe a Level 1 Associate who claims a monkey saved him from an ibis-headed priest in a 1940s Egyptian VR game? The truth is, you can’t simply walk away. The company knows where you live, and Dr. Vance's final warning—to discuss this with no one and show up tomorrow—echoes in your ears like a threat. Yet, a small measure of comfort settles when you think of $ezra. The little Babi monkey god statue confirmed it: $he's the one risking $his high-level access to fight the system from the inside, to pull the lever and save you. You are not alone. The relief is quickly tempered by a terrifying worry about tomorrow. Is it even possible to survive another shift in that chair? More importantly, is it possible to save those who disappeared into the system—Ari, and the others lying dormant in pods? The thought feels impossible, a mission doomed to failure. [[You arrive at the cafe]]

You arrive at the Chaos Theory Cafe. It is crowded and chaotic, as usual. The after-work rush has filled every table, and the air is thick with the scent of roasted coffee, steam, and loud, disorganized conversation. The noise provides the perfect cover, and you desperately need the anonymity. Scanning the room, you spot a secluded booth in a dark corner. You slip into the booth, letting the high back shield you from the rest of the cafe. You sit down, the cool vinyl providing little comfort, and <<link [[wait for your friend]]>><<set $ezraWaitStep = 0>><</link>> to arrive and provide the answers you so desperately need.

<<switch $ezraWaitStep>> <<case 0>> While you wait, you recall that the security avatar, Kaled (a nomad), confirmed he was a MorningStar Security Software construct. He provided a system status report which sounded normal. <<case 1>> While you wait, you recall when you requested an exit, Kaled froze, replaced briefly by the Priest of Thoth, who monitored your vitals and stated, "This one will work." <<case 2>> While you wait, you recall that when you finally claimed to have finished your bugs, Kaled froze and the monkey appeared, bit the Priest, and performed the ejection gesture, causing your sudden, unscheduled exit. Dr. Vance noted that an "unexpected entity" $ezra had entered and exited the system, cloaked from detection. <<case 3>> Speaking of $ezra, where is $he? You start to worry. <<case 4>> While you wait, you wonder about Dr. Vance. What is she up to? Can you trust her? "Of course not!" you tell yourself. You are scared. <<case 5>> You begin to lose hope, and consider just running. Before your panic grows into action, you see $ezra enter the cafe. $He heads toward your table and sits. <</switch>> <<if $ezraWaitStep is 5>> [[Greet friend]] <<else>> <<link [[Keep waiting|wait for your friend]]>><<set $ezraWaitStep = $ezraWaitStep+1>><</link>> <</if>>

The low-hanging anxiety in the cafe is suddenly concentrated as $ezra slides into the booth opposite you. $He doesn't settle; $he remains tense, $his eyes sweeping the room, checking every face and every corner with the anxious intensity of someone who knows $he’s being watched. You are still visibly shaken, your hands gripping the edge of the table. $ezra is equally nervous, $his jaw clenched, confirming the sheer risk of this meeting. "What took you so long?" you manage to whisper, the question laced with residual panic. $ezra leans forward, $his voice barely audible over the chaotic din of the cafe. "I had to clean up the trail," $he murmurs, $his eyes flicking back to the cafe entrance. "Breaking into a high-level VR instance and performing an unscheduled extraction leaves huge gaps in the logs. I was burying the evidence from when I went in to pull you out." $He pauses, taking a shaky breath. "And I was implementing a small bit of code. A modification. Something to try and help you for tomorrow." You look at $him, the fear momentarily replaced by intense focus. "What about tomorrow? Dr. Vance is forcing me back in. She wants me to repeat the assignment." $ezra nods grimly. "I figured. They can't let a containment breach go unaddressed, and they won't stop until they know how you got out. But listen—I put a little helper program into the environment. I designed it to interfere with the security avatar's perception of the simulation's structure." $He glances around one last time before $his gaze locks on yours. "Tomorrow, you'll be back in the Egyptian village. When you get in, you need to find something that doesn't fit—something that isn't period-appropriate or Egyptian. That's your key. That's where I hid the code." "The system won't flag it as a Scarab because it's too anomalous, but when you interact with it, it should give you a small window of opportunity. It's the only edge we have." You have so many [[questions|EzraQuestions]].

Ask $ezra about your situation. [[What is going on?|situation]] [[What is this item you planted?|Ezraitem]] [[What do I need to do, tomorrow|chore]]

You lean closer, your voice dropping to a desperate whisper. "$ezra, what is going on here? What is that place? The pods, the stretcher, Ari turning into mist..." $ezra grips the edge of the table, $his eyes burning with frantic certainty. "From what I can tell, the VR software isn't just a game," $he states. "It's pulling people into another, deeper instance. This new environment is part of Cadbury Cybernetic's secret new project, codenamed, Project: Ascendant." $He lowers $his voice further, forcing you to strain to hear $him over the cafe noise. "Ascendant is a permanent, high-fidelity VR environment. It's designed to keep rich and powerful people alive basically forever—a form of digital immortality when their bodies fail." "But to be truly authentic, it requires more than just simulated people. It needs real people trapped in the system. Their identities are completely wiped out, but because they are human minds, they function in a far more complex and advanced way than any AI we could create. They provide the completely realistic, spontaneous interactions for the wealthy clients." $ezra pushes $his hair back, a look of grim horror on $his face. "They are building this permanent environment right now, and they are populating this base—of basically, slaves—with trapped engineers and low-level staff. They're starting with easy targets like Ari." $He pauses, the weight of $his next words settling heavily in the silence. "Like you, if they succeed tomorrow." $ezra stares directly into your eyes, $his expression resolute. "We cannot let that happen. I have a plan." Ask: "[[What is this item you planted?|Ezraitem]]" "[[Cut to the chase, what do I need to do?|chore]]"

$ezra nods, $his expression settling into one of grim resolve, ready to lay out the critical sequence of events one last time. "Alright, listen carefully. This is the entire plan, step-by-step. You have to execute this perfectly and quickly." $He leans in close and speaks with focused intensity: First, You must enter the regular simulation as usual. Once inside the initial archaeological tent, immediately locate and open the out-of-place crate or box where I hid the helper item. Pick up the item right away. This will deploy the shield and prevent your identity from being wiped. Security will detect this, which is why speed is essential. Second, Exit the tent and find the Priest of Thoth avatar—the one who took Ari. You must intentionally get caught and trapped by the Priest. This is the only way to breach the security layers and get transferred from the testing instance into the permanent Project: Ascendant environment. (The necessity of this step is terrifying, but you understand it's the only bridge into the main system.) Third, Once you are in Ascendant, you must keep a low profile. Remember, the system thinks you're a fresh, compliant avatar now. Make your way to the Thoth Temple in the Ascendant environment. Your goal is to find the Data Stream. It will be central to the worship in the temple and should be easy to spot—it's the core of the system. You must somehow place the helper item directly into the stream. This turns the item into the Trojan horse. Forth, Once the item is placed, I will immediately get the signal on my end. I will use the Trojan horse to hack the system, disable all security, and free everyone trapped in the pods and the simulation. This entire sequence, from step 1 to step 4, must be done quickly before the system identifies and catches me. "That's it," $ezra concludes, $his voice thick with emotion. "It's the only way to save Ari and the others. ..then "Shit!", $ezra says quietly and ducks $his head. $He tilts it slightly toward the door. "[[Look!|time_to_go]]"

You lean forward, urgency dictating your focus. "What exactly did you implant, $ezra? Tell me about this helper code. Where is it and what does it do?" $ezra quickly scans the room again, then focuses entirely on you, speaking rapidly but softly. "The helper code is disguised as an anomalous object, like I said. You'll find it hidden in a small box in the very first room you enter—that archaeological tent. Take the item right away. Don't wait." $He holds up three fingers, ticking off the functions of the code. "First, and most critical: it will prevent the final stage of the Ascendant transfer. Unlike what happened to Ari, the code will shield your core identity. Even if they manage to contain you, you will retain your self-identity. You won't be wiped clean and turned into a slave avatar." $He lowers the first finger. "Second: this item is a digital Trojan horse. It's not designed to exit the simulation. It's designed to destroy it. If you manage to place this item into the main data input stream of the system—the heart of the security protocols—I can use it from the outside to disable all the security measures." $He looks you dead in the eye. "If you do that, I can release not just you, but everyone else trapped in the system—Ari and everyone in those pods." "[[And what are the risks?]]" you ask, cutting straight to the most critical part of the plan. Ask: "[[What is going on?|situation]]" "[[Cut to the chase, what do I need to do?|chore]]"

You lean forward, the knot of fear tightening in your stomach. "And what are the risks?" you ask, cutting straight to the most critical part of the plan. $ezra gives a humorless half-smile. "I knew you were going to ask that. Unfortunately, there are a lot." $He counts them off on $his fingers, $his eyes serious. "One: Once you pick up the item in the tent, the security will detect a massive data anomaly. People will immediately start searching for what happened. This means they will be looking for the intrusion source—basically, me. I will eventually be caught, so we need to act fast before that happens. If I get caught before the item is in the data stream, game over." "Two: The main data stream we need is currently disguised inside the Thoth Temple. That temple is always heavily populated with people, and only the Priests are allowed to approach the stream. That means you will not be allowed there. You will need to either sneak to it, force your way to it, or convince someone to place the item in the stream for you." $He pauses, then delivers the final, chilling risk. "The worst part is that once you release the item, you will no longer have control of your identity. The system will override your sense of self, and you will immediately become a citizen of Ascendant, unaware of your current identity. You will forget who you are." $He rushes to clarify, seeing your terror. "Once I get access, I can pull you back, but there will be a gap where you lose yourself entirely. I need to be at the keyboard and ready to go. I'll have the monkey avatar in the system to observe, but I will not be able to help you in any way once you get into Ascendant." Ask: "[[Tell me again about this item you planted?|Ezraitem]] "[[What is going on?|situation]]" "[[Cut to the chase, what do I need to do?|chore]]"

As $ezra finishes the terrifying summary of your mission, $his eyes widen slightly. $He immediately ducks $his head low and mumbles a sharp, fearful expletive: "Shit!" $He subtly tilts $his head, gesturing for you to look toward the entrance of the cafe. You freeze in a spike of raw panic but manage to turn your head back, trying to appear inconspicuous—like a patron merely glancing around the crowded room. Standing near the door, scanning the cafe's interior, is Dr. Vance. Whether it’s a coincidence or a calculated ambush, her presence is deeply unnerving. You look back toward your booth. $ezra is already gone. $He’s slipped out from the other side of the booth and is threading $his way quickly through the crowd toward the main exit. $His movement is smooth and efficient, confirming $his need for speed and $his ability to evade detection. Dr. Vance, having completed her scan, spots you sitting alone in the dark corner. She smiles—a chilling, thin curve of the lips—and begins to saunter across the chaotic cafe floor, [[heading straight for your booth|booth_warning]].

You choose action over paralysis. With a jolt, you immediately stand up, forcing a stiff, unnatural smile onto your face as Dr. Vance approaches the booth. "Dr. Vance!" you exclaim, aiming for surprised respect. "What a coincidence, seeing you here." She reaches the booth and offers her hand—a gesture of surprising, and unsettling, friendliness. Her grip is firm and professional. "Associate. Indeed. I was just reviewing some data logs over a late coffee. You surprised me." She keeps her smile fixed. "Are you alone?" "Yes, ma'am," you reply smoothly, lying through your forced grin. "I just stopped to quickly grab a tea before heading home. Long first day, you know?" Dr. Vance's eyes flick down to the tabletop where you are standing. The dark corner booth is conspicuously empty of any beverage or order receipt. She lifts one eyebrow, letting out a simple, resonant sound: "Hmmm." The suspicion is clear, but she lets the inconsistency pass. She pulls her hand back. "It was nice seeing you, Associate. But I did hope you had followed my instructions to go straight home after work. It will be a very busy, and critical, day for your assignment tomorrow." You immediately take the hint, realizing the conversation must end before she presses further about the "tea" or your hurried appearance. "Absolutely, Doctor. You're right. I agree. I'm heading out now." You step away from the booth, making your exit quick but forcing yourself to maintain a facade of casual tiredness. As you reach the cafe door, Dr. Vance's voice cuts through the noise one last time, filled with a chilling, mock concern: "I can have someone escort you to your residence, Associate, for your safety, if you'd like." You do not slow down, merely calling back over your shoulder, "Nah, I'm good. [[See you tomorrow!|HomeNow]]" You push through the cafe door and disappear into the gloom of the fading day, ending your terrifying day with a promise to return to the nightmare in the morning.

You walk quickly home, the cool evening air doing little to calm the frantic energy thrumming beneath your skin. Dr. Vance's final, manipulative offer of an "escort" confirms that your movements are being monitored, even now. The safest place is behind your own locked door. Once home, you try to settle. You draw the blinds, check the locks, and attempt to put the horrors of the day aside, but your mind refuses to cooperate. You pace your small apartment, driven by the knowledge of the life-or-death mission that awaits you. You obsessively repeat your tasks in your head, running the sequence over and over: Go into the tent. Find the box. Grab the item right away—shield my identity. Find the Priest of Thoth. Get captured. Be sent to Ascendant. Find the Data Stream in the Ascendant Temple. Deploy the item. Wait for $ezra's signal. The critical nature of each step makes it hard for you to relax. Every time you close your eyes, you see the chilling, ibis-headed Priest, or the rows of silent, horizontal pods. The fear of losing your mind—of forgetting your own identity and becoming a permanent, mindless citizen of the Ascendant simulation—is a visceral terror that prevents sleep. You try to read, to watch TV, anything to break the cycle, but the urgency of the mission outweighs all distraction. Eventually, the sheer physical and psychological exhaustion of the day takes its toll. As the hours bleed into the deep quiet of the early morning, [[sleep finally comes|Day3]], a fitful, heavy oblivion filled with blurred images of sand, scaffolding, and the sinister smile of Dr. Vance.

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>><big>[[Interlude: Path To Ibis|Path To Ibis]]</big><<set $start to 1>> /*Get rid old variables. housekeeping */ <<unset $delays >> <<unset $door >> <<unset $visited >> <<unset $requiredBugs>> <<unset $bugCount>> <<unset $valid >> <<unset $oper >> <<unset $ariStage >> <<unset $monkeyStage >> <<unset $spookStage>> <>

You swipe your card at the steel entrance to the Restricted Hallway. The door hisses open, and you step inside, the chill air immediately raising goosebumps on your arms. The door slides shut behind you with a heavy, final clunk. You are sealed in for the most dangerous shift of your life. As you walk down the silent, camera-lined corridor, the sight is just as you remember it: doors 1 through 16 are all sealed, the red lights above them indicating they are locked. Your target, [[Room 17|walkTo17]], is already open and brightly illuminated. You can hear Dr. Vance’s voice inside, sharp and uncompromising, confirming she is waiting.

As you approach Room 17, you notice movement. Several engineers are exiting the room. They look stressed and worn, their faces etched with the strain of a failed project or a severe verbal reprimand. They clearly do not want to make eye contact with you or anyone else. It seems Dr. Vance was holding a very early, very unpleasant meeting about yesterday's "malfunction." One of the engineers walks directly past you. He looks up briefly, giving you a grim, wordless look—a silent recognition of the hell you are about to enter—before quickly averting his gaze and hurrying down the hallway. You enter Room 17, leaving the scolded engineers behind. [[Dr. Vance|describeDr]] is standing by the familiar [[restraint chair|sit chair]], ready.

Dr. Vance is standing by the restraint chair, having clearly finished delivering her harsh lecture to the engineers. Her lab coat is pristine, and her hair is pulled back tightly—she is all sharp edges and controlled aggression. Her demeanor is clinical and icy. The faint flicker of panic you saw yesterday is gone, replaced by a steely resolve and impatience. She looks at you, not as a person, but as an object of high-value, complex equipment that must be deployed immediately. "You are precisely on time, Associate," she states, her voice dry and devoid of any warmth. "I trust you spent the evening reviewing protocol and recognizing the gravity of this assignment." She gestures sharply to the chair—the centerpiece of your impending doom. "Today, we eliminate the previous errors. The system has been fully restored, and all anomalous access points have been neutralized. You will re-engage the 1940s Egyptian environment." Her initial instructions are terse and a direct threat: "You will proceed as assigned: find and categorize five Scarab anomalies. You will not deviate from the assigned path, you will not waste time with conjecture, and you will not attempt an unauthorized system exit." She steps back, her eyes unwavering. "[[Get in the chair|sit chair]]. We are past the time for hesitation."

You don't break eye contact, but you nod once, acknowledging the demand and the underlying threat. This is not the time for resistance. Every second you spend arguing is a second $ezra loses to the security logs. You walk to the center of the room and sit in the high-backed restraint chair. The cold metal and hard plastic are an unwelcome familiarity. Dr. Vance moves with immediate, practiced efficiency. She secures the thick, uncomfortable restraints around your wrists and ankles. The familiar click-snap of the locking mechanisms confirms you are completely immobilized. She reaches for the VR headset. "Good. Today, we achieve stability." She pulls the sleek, black VR headset down over your eyes, blocking out the light of the sterile lab. Before the system engages, you feel the pressure of the numerous sensors and cables settling against your head. A low, familiar electronic hum begins to build around you—the sound of the [[simulation initializing]].

The lab lights vanish, replaced by blackness behind the headset. The electronic hum intensifies, vibrating deep in your skull, feeling less like sound and more like raw digital pressure. You hear Dr. Vance’s voice, now slightly muffled but cold and clear, speaking into a throat microphone—presumably addressing the control room. "Initiating Level 1 Subjective Reality engagement. Syncing neurological inputs... Stabilizing telemetry." You feel a brief, intense sensation of falling, or perhaps acceleration, as the massive data stream floods into the headset. You quickly think of $ezra—the silent nod from the dark corner, the Babi monkey. The tent. The box. The item. Dr. Vance's final word before the world snaps into existence is clipped and severe: "[[Deploy]]."

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadein>><>The blackness is violently ripped away, replaced by the immediate, oppressive reality of the simulation. The world solidifies around you: the claustrophobic confines of the archaeological dig tent. The air is thick, hot, and dry, smelling strongly of aged dust and the faint metallic scent of excavation tools. Harsh, yellow-white light filters through the canvas walls, illuminating the space with a blinding glare. You are wearing the rough, familiar khaki field clothes. The distant, rhythmic sound of a shovel striking rock immediately cues the reality of the 1940s Egyptian environment. The tent is filled with the usual clutter: wooden crates, rolls of canvas, and a rickety folding table. Your gaze immediately snaps to the nearest set of crates, focusing on the details $ezra described. Tucked between two stacks of geological sample boxes, you spot a small, dark object. It's a plain, [[storage box]], about the size of a small toolbox. It looks weathered and belongs exactly where it is—except you know it doesn't. You are restrained in the chair in the real world, but your virtual body is free. The clock is ticking the moment you registered your presence in the simulation. You wonder if you should [[check the area for bugs]] as a destraction, or perhaps that's a waste of the critical time you have in the system.

Your instincts scream at you to grab Josh's item immediately, but the memory of Dr. Vance’s surveillance and the failed, reset attempt from yesterday forces caution. You need to look like a compliant, bug-hunting associate first. You scan the immediate surroundings of the tent floor, carefully examining the shadows beneath the table and around the crates, ignoring the wooden box for a moment. You move slowly, meticulously checking the woven rug and the dusty corners. You spend several critical seconds searching, trying to locate the small, tell-tale gleam of a segmented shell. However, despite a thorough search of the tent's main areas, you find nothing. There is no Scarab beetle present. The system may have been scrubbed clean, or perhaps the bug is hidden in a less obvious location. Your attempt to run a distraction has failed. The only object that feels out of place, that calls for your attention, is the [[plain wooden storage box|storage box]] tucked between the stacks of sample crates.

You can't afford to waste any more time searching for a non-existent Scarab. The critical thing is speed and securing the Trojan horse. You walk directly to the two stacks of crates and kneel down next to the unassuming wooden storage box. It looks exactly like the kind of supplies you would find on an archaeological dig—dusty, plain, and forgotten. You grasp the lid. It lifts easily, the hinges silent. Inside, resting on a bed of shredded straw, is the anomalous object: a small, brightly colored <<link "sock monkey">><<popover>>[img[https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sockmonkey.jpeg]]<</popover>><</link>>. It's only about five inches tall, stitched together from mismatched striped socks, with large button eyes and a ridiculous red felt mouth. It’s completely absurd and utterly out of place among the 1940's gear. A faint sense of dark humor hits you. It’s hilariously on-brand for $ezra, using the motif of the Babi monkey god and the creature that saved you to disguise $his escape code. You immediately pick up the item. As your fingers close around the soft, fabric body of the sock monkey, you feel a faint thrum in the air. The light in the tent flickers, and for a split second, you hear a high-pitched, insistent alarm tone—not within the simulation, but directly in your mind, overriding the sensory input. The moment you secure the sock monkey on your person, the sound vanishes. However, the mission parameters have changed. $ezra's warning rings true: Security has been alerted. The hunt for the Trojan horse—and for $ezra—has begun. You know your next task is to [[exit the tent]] and seek out the mysterious priest of Thoth.

You secure the absurd little sock monkey inside your khaki shirt pocket, its soft fabric oddly reassuring against your chest. The alarm tone may have vanished, but the pressure to act is immediate. You must proceed to the next critical step: capture. You push aside the heavy canvas flap and step out of the claustrophobic tent. You are standing on the dusty plateau, but the scene is distinctly different from yesterday's passive setting. The air is tense. Instead of the usual slow-moving figures, the few virtual archaeologists visible near the excavation trench are moving quickly, speaking urgently into their wireless field radios. They are clearly looking for something—or someone. Your focus, however, is on the village. You need to find the Priest of Thoth before he finds you. You start running down the sloping path toward the cluster of buildings and market stalls. The sun is already high, beating down on the sand. As you reach the edge of the market area, the noise level explodes. The area is packed with people, but you ignore the vendors and the noise. You scan the crowd for the familiar white linen and shaved head of the Priest actor. [[You spot him]]. He is standing near a busy stall, speaking to a group of locals, his posture radiating that same unsettling, cold authority. He is the active agent of containment, and you must make yourself his target.

Shouting a challenge might attract too much unwanted attention from the security system's monitoring capabilities. You need the Priest to capture you, not the entire village to surround you. You keep your head low and weave quickly through the dense, loud market crowd, trying to move toward the center of the village, where the paths become narrower and potentially offer a more private point of capture. You use the confusion of the vendors and customers as cover. The move is immediately difficult. The market is a chaotic, flowing river of people, donkeys, and goods. You bump shoulders, apologize automatically, and keep your focus locked on the Priest's position. He is still stationary, observing the crowd. As you successfully slip into a quieter side street that promises a quicker route to the residential area—and away from the central market density—you feel a sudden shift in the virtual atmosphere. The ambient noise seems to dull, and the heat feels colder. Before you can fully enter the alley, the Priest of Thoth steps out from behind a stack of baskets. He moves with unnerving speed and silence, having anticipated your move. He blocks your path. He is impossibly close. His clinical smile is back, devoid of humor. "Ah, Associate. Trying to find a way to circumvent the protocol again? Your path is quite clear today. I am here to facilitate your transfer." He raises his hand—the same hand that absorbed Ari. Although you know that speed is of the essence you can't resist [[asking the priest]] about the purpose of this.

You know resistance is futile, but the sight of the Priest—the agent of Ari’s capture—fuels a final, desperate burst of defiance. You stand your ground, your heart hammering against the sock monkey resting in your pocket. "The protocol? You call this 'protocol'?" you challenge, your voice tight with accusation. "People are trapped! You wiped their identities and turned them into slaves for some twisted VR playground! Why are you doing this?" The Priest of Thoth's fixed smile doesn't waver, but his amber eyes narrow with cold disdain, as if a common insect has dared to speak. "Associate, your frame of reference is flawed," he states in his measured, resonant baritone. "There are no 'slaves,' only assets. We are offering the clients Ascension. An eternity of perfected reality, sustained by necessary computational anchors." He gestures dismissively towards the bustling market. "The lives of these Level 1 entities are merely transient data, easily recycled. We are not destroying; we are optimizing existence. The data you provided, the data your colleague, Ari, now provides—it ensures the fidelity of the new reality." "You are simply a required input, a necessary sacrifice for the integrity of the Ascendant System. Your curiosity about the 'why' is computationally irrelevant." He dismisses your ethical protest with a final, chilling wave of his hand. "Now, yield." He moves forward, his hand extended, ready to complete the capture sequence. You [[accept your fate]].

You steel yourself, the realization that this deliberate capture is the only path forward overriding the immediate terror. You stop resisting, standing perfectly still, the rough fabric of the sock monkey pressed against your skin. "Do your worst," you manage to say, bracing for the inevitable. The Priest’s hand reaches your shoulder. The touch is cold and immediate, radiating an intense, high-frequency digital energy. The world explodes. The smells of the market, the dust, and the oppressive sunlight vanish in a sudden, violent surge of light and sound. You feel the physical sensation of your virtual body being ripped apart, torn from the simulation instance, and then stretched, pulled through a digital vortex of flashing, unrecognizable code. For a disorienting moment, you feel the system trying to execute the fatal wipe sequence, the one that erased Ari. But then, the sock monkey's power activates. A warm, counter-force shields your core perception. The [[identity wipe fails]], but the disorientation is profound.

The chaos stops as abruptly as it began. You slam into a new reality. The sensation is like waking up in a completely different world—because you have. You are lying down on a dusty road. The air is hot and dry, smelling of pulverized clay and the faint, sweet scent of river water. The light is diffused by an eternal, hazy yellow sky. You slowly sit up, brushing the dirt from your new clothes. They have changed again. You are now wearing simple, unadorned white robes, the uniform of a lower-tier temple worker or supplicant in this new reality. You feel a faint, low-level pressure in your mind—the Ascendant system attempting to establish your new, compliant identity. You feel the sock monkey still tucked safely into your robe, a small, ridiculous beacon of defiance in this chillingly perfect world. You look around. The terrain is flat and arid. To the west, a faint glint of water marks a stream or river. Near the water's edge, you see two figures: [[an old man and a young boy]], both dressed in simple tunics, engaged in the timeless task of fishing. They are part of the vast, permanent population of this environment—the computational anchors. In the distance, rising majestically above the plains to the east, is a structure of immense scale: the colossal, magnificent [[Temple complex|Josh Alarm]]. It glows with unnatural internal light, a beacon of the true system core. This is where the Data Stream must be.

You turn your steps toward the faint stream to the west, where the two figures are fishing. The figures look up as you approach. The old man, whose skin is deeply tanned and lined, offers a kind, gentle smile. Beside him, the young boy watches you with wide, curious eyes. "Greetings, newcomer," the old man says, his voice soft and welcoming, addressing you as though your sudden appearance is perfectly normal. "I am Pepi, and this is my grandson, Khaem." Khaem offers a shy wave, and Pepi gestures to the river. "You look thirsty and confused, as they all do. We see many newcomers pass this way now, almost daily." Pepi's words confirm that the capture and transfer of new minds is a constant, recurring event in Project: Ascendant. "We implore you to stay with us for a while," Pepi continues, his voice earnest. "One of the Temple workers, Amunhotep, usually comes by this time of day. He helps the newcomers. He is reluctant, yes, but he always comes. It is safer to wait with us." Your heart quickens. The mention of a "Temple worker" who helps "newcomers" sounds suspiciously like a sophisticated containment or re-assimilation agent—a disguised form of security, perhaps even a local iteration of the Thoth Priest or a specialized AI. "That is kind of you, Pepi, Khaem," you say, forcing a soft, grateful tone that masks your inner fear. "But I cannot stay. I have my duties and must report to the Temple immediately." You gently reject their suggestion, knowing that waiting for a possible security agent would mean certain doom for $ezra's plan. You feel a growing anxiety to [[move on|Josh Alarm]] and avoid drawing any more attention to your unusual haste.But you also consider there might be benefit of learning information about the Temple by [[asking Pepi]].

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>> <>A shrill, insistent alarm tone blares from $ezra's main console—a high-priority, red-alert signal. $His multiple screens, normally displaying neat lines of code, now flash with urgent warnings: "CRITICAL SYSTEM ANOMALY DETECTED: UNEXPECTED OBJECT INITIALIZED IN INSTANCE 17-B-EGYPTIAN! SOURCE TRACE INITIATED! DATA INTEGRITY COMPROMISED!" $ezra is heads down, frantic. Sweat beads on $his forehead as $his fingers fly across $his keyboard, a blur of desperate motion. $He's not just covering $his tracks; $he's engaged in a digital war, battling against Cadbury Cybernetic's formidable security systems. Every second the alarms blare, the security software is digging deeper, faster, trying to pinpoint the source of the anomaly—$him. $His second monitor shows a real-time, overhead map of the VR environment. $He watches as small red blips, representing security scans, converge on the archaeological tent you just exited. "Come on, come on," $he mutters, $his voice tight with panic. $He's wrestling with the system, trying to spawn the monkey avatar into Project: Ascendant. $He needs eyes on you. $He needs to know you're safe and on track. The moment $he deployed the sock monkey, $he knew $his time was running out. $He glances nervously at the reinforced door of $his private room, knowing it won't hold forever. $He can hear the distant, muffled sounds of security personnel moving through the main testing floor, the urgency in their voices growing louder. $He knows $he will soon be caught. The question isn't if, but when. $His only hope is that $his disguise holds long enough for you to complete your mission. The fate of everyone rests on your ability to place that sock monkey into the heart of the beast before $ezra is taken. [[Continue|StreamKeeper]]

ou pause, realizing that Pepi’s status as a stable NPC might mean he possesses accurate, if metaphorically phrased, knowledge about the Ascendant system’s core. "Pepi," you ask, trying to sound reverent rather than technical, "tell me about the Temple. It is immense. What do you know of its inner workings?" Pepi smiles, gazing toward the towering structure in the distance with the simple awe of a local believer. "Ah, the Temple!" he says, his voice infused with pride and mystery. "It is the heart of our world, built for the great ones. Within its walls, there is a central sanctuary, and in that sanctuary flows the Great Stream of Power." He lowers his voice in reverence. "The Priests say it is the very flow from the primordial waters of Nun itself—the endless, chaotic ocean from which all creation sprang. It is the source of all life in this world." His description instantly translates in your mind: The Great Stream of Power is the Data Stream. Nun is the metaphorical name for the core system input/output. "We common folk are not permitted near the Stream, of course," Pepi continues. "None can approach it except for the Priests." This confirms $ezra's warning about security. "We visit occasionally, Khaem and I, to pay homage to the Gods of the Nile who reside in the outer halls. It is a beautiful place, newcomer. The carvings are endless, and the light is soft, unlike the sun. You will be safe there, once your duties begin." Pepi then turns back to his fishing line. You now have the critical confirmation and a sense of the immense security surrounding your target, and should [[move on|Josh Alarm]].

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>><big>[[Interlude: The Water Keeper|Hori_job]] </big> <>

Many seasons passed between the casting aside of Hori's ropes and the moment he finally stood in the cool, echoing silence of the inner sanctum of the Temple. The scroll, now tattered and rebound many times, had been his constant companion, his mind slowly ascending the ladder of knowledge as Seti had promised. His dedication had earned him a rare elevation. Hori was no longer a laborer or even a novice, but a Junior Priest and the newly honored Master of the Waters of Nun. This title was among the most sacred duties in the temple complex. It meant that Hori was responsible for the deep shaft at the heart of the temple, a place of convergence where the sacred water originated. The priests taught that this water flowed not from the ground, but from an unseen source high in the celestial sky, representing the purity of the primordial, life-giving powers of the cosmos, the Nun itself. The water would plunge downward into the deep, ritualistic hole before flowing slowly into the earth. Hori stood at the edge of the stream, the smooth, cold stone worn by centuries of devotion. He was now clad in the fine, pleated linen of his rank, his hands no longer scarred by stone but holding a small, bronze censer. It was a role that filled him with profound pride and a humbling sense of purpose. His friend, Amunhotep, was never far. Amunhotep, having completed his own minor training, served as Hori’s personal attendant and protector. Due to the sacred nature of Hori's position and the power of the Nun water, Hori was heavily guarded. No commoners were permitted within fifty paces of the stream, and Amunhotep made sure of it, standing a rigid sentinel at the threshold of the chamber, his eyes constantly tracking visitors and temple staff alike. Every morning, the common citizens of the village would gather outside the designated line, bringing small offerings: loaves of bread, carved trinkets, or simple baskets of figs, all seeking a divine blessing on their lives and their work. Amunhotep would collect the offerings, his face solemn, and then place them on a small stone plinth near the well. Hori would then approach the pile. He would take the offerings one by one, hold them aloft briefly—a silent prayer of intercession—and then gently place them into the sacred stream that flowed out from the well toward the temple’s gardens. The water, the constant Stream of life, would carry the offering away, and in doing so, bestow blessing upon the giver. One morning, Hori picked up a small, crudely carved wooden ibis—a child’s offering, simple and worn. As he lowered it to the water, he glanced up, catching Amunhotep’s eye. The distance between them, defined by their separate duties, still separated them, but the bond of shared experience remained. Hori whispered the familiar ritual words, his voice reverberating softly in the cavernous space: “May the waters of Nun cleanse your path and steady your work. May the wisdom of Thoth guide your hand.” He watched the little wooden bird float away, a vessel of prayer carried by the eternal flow of the Nun. It was, he knew, the highest form of work, far more important than any stone he had once pulled. [[Continue|Toward the temple]]

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadein>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>> <> The ground is dry and cracked, rising slightly beneath your bare feet (now clad in the standard white robes). The environment is breathtaking in its realism. The hazy yellow light, the shimmer of heat rising from the ground, the texture of the rough clay underfoot—it is flawlessly rendered. You can smell the subtle dust and the distant, metallic scent of the river water carried on the dry breeze. As you walk, the vastness of the permanent environment begins to sink in. You pass scattered farms, simple irrigation canals, and small, permanent dwellings. Every detail is perfect: a woman beating grain in a wooden bowl, a farmer arguing with a goat, children chasing a brightly colored ball. There is even an [[oddly placed monkey]] strolling about. You realize this is the horrifying success of Project: Ascendant. Every person you see, every interaction, is designed to be utterly convincing to the wealthy clients who will eventually purchase digital immortality here. You can't help but wonder how many of these seemingly autonomous "people" are actually engineers, like Ari, trapped in cold pods—their minds enslaved to serve as believable background actors for the rich. [[The temple is near]].

A flicker of movement in the distance, near a cluster of acacia trees, catches your eye. It is small, dark, and agile. It’s the Babi monkey. It keeps its distance, moving parallel to your path, but its presence is unmistakable—it is observing you. This sighting is a welcome, yet urgent, reminder: $ezra has eyes on you. $He is risking $his career and $his freedom to guide you, and $he is currently fighting a digital siege back in the real world. [[You must hurry|Toward the temple]]. The time you take to observe the flawless realism of your surroundings is time the security software is taking to catch $ezra.

You break into a brisk walk, focusing your entire attention on the towering structure ahead. The final stretch to the Temple complex is an arduous climb up a wide, paved causeway that seems to rise from the desert floor. The surface is not stone, but a smooth, dark material that absorbs the light—perhaps polished basalt—and it radiates a faint, unsettling hum. The Babi monkey keeps pace with you, using the sparse scrub brush and low, decorative stone walls along the causeway for cover. It never gets closer than fifty yards, but every few steps, it quickly bobs its head, a clear signal: hurry. It is a desperate, frantic chaperone, urging you toward the danger. As you ascend, the ambient sounds of the Ascendant environment intensify. You can now hear the heavy, rhythmic chanting that Pepi mentioned, mixed with the strange, high-pitched whine of immense machinery working behind the stone walls. You reach the vast plaza in front of the main entrance. The Temple is breathtaking and terrifying. It is constructed entirely of a dark, flawless stone, rising in colossal, severe angles that seem to scrape the hazy yellow sky. Unlike the weathered ruins of the previous simulation, this structure is perfect, brand new, and designed to inspire awe and absolute subservience. The sheer scale suggests unimaginable power. Hieroglyphs cover every available surface, glowing faintly with an internal light. At the center of the façade are two massive, twin pylons, forming the main entrance gate. The doorway is framed by [[colossal statues]] of Thoth in his ibis form, alongside equally imposing statues of Anubis, the jackal-headed god. Anubis's Role: Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god associated with death, mummification, and the passage of souls into the afterlife (the Duat). Guarding the Temple: His presence here, alongside Thoth (god of knowledge and writing), is significant. Anubis is the divine Guardian of the Gates and the Warden of the Passage. By placing him here, the Ascendant system emphasizes that this Temple is not just a place of knowledge (Thoth), but a gateway to a new, permanent state of existence—the digital afterlife for its clients—and he stands ready to oversee the final judgment or transfer of those entering the core system. The plaza is populated by groups of people in the same white robes you wear—supplicants and low-level Temple workers—but they move with measured, silent reverence, clearly following an intricate, prescribed routine. There is no laughter or casual talk here; only order. You decide to [[enter the temple|temple_entrance]], trying to blend in to the crowd.

<center>[img[https://cadburycybernetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/unnamed.jpg]]</center> The temple is guarded by huge statues of Thoth in his ibis form, alongside equally imposing statues of Anubis, the jackal-headed god. Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god associated with death, mummification, and the passage of souls into the afterlife (the Duat). His presence here, alongside Thoth (god of knowledge and writing), is significant. Anubis is the divine Guardian of the Gates and the Warden of the Passage. By placing him here, the Ascendant system emphasizes that this Temple is not just a place of knowledge (Thoth), but a gateway to a new, permanent state of existence—the digital afterlife for its clients—and he stands ready to oversee the final judgment or transfer of those entering the core system. This sends a chill down your spine. [[No time to waste.|The temple is near]]

<><<if (ndef $trial_room ) >> <<set $trial_room to 0>> <<run $remaining.shuffle()>> <<elseif $trial_room eq -1 >> <<set $trial_room to 21 >> <<elseif $trial_room gt 21>> <<set $trial_room to 0 >> <</if>> <<set $currentValue to $trials[$trial_room].choice>> <<run $("#bannana button").prop("disabled", true)>> <> <center>[img[$god[$trial_room].image]]</center> You are in a room honoring the mighty god: <<link $god[$trial_room].name>><<popup $god[$trial_room].dialog>><</link>> You have a <<link "bag of tiles">><<dialog "Tiles">> You have a bag of tiles, each with unique text on them: <<set _rems to $remaining.map(item => "\""+item.text+"\"")>>_rems<</dialog>><</link>> There is a frame on the hieroglypic wall that <<if $currentValue >>has a tile stating "$currentValue.text"<<else>>is empty.<</if>> <><<disable ($currentValue === '')>> <<button "Take the tile" >> <<run $remaining.push($currentValue)>> <<set $trials[$trial_room].choice to ''>> <<set $currentValue to $trials[$trial_room].choice>> <<if document.getElementById("choices-info") isnot null>> <<set _rems to $remaining.map(item => item.text)>> <<replace "#choices-info">>_rems<</replace>> <</if>> <<replace "#chosen-info">><<if $currentValue >>has a tile stating "$currentValue.text"<<else>>is empty.<</if>><</replace>> <<run $("#takeTile button").ariaDisabled(true)>> <</button>> <</disable>> <<if $currentValue eq '' >><<run console.log("disabled")>><<run $("#takeTile button").prop("disabled", true)>><</if>> <<button "Place a tile" "testChooser">> <</button>> <<button "Move to Next Room" "testroom">> <<set $trial_room += 1>> <</button>> <<button "Move to Previous Room" "testroom">> <<set $trial_room -= 1>> <<=console.log ("trial room set: ", $trial_room) >> <</button>> <<if $trial_room is 0>> <<button "Enter the Evaluation Room" "portal_room">> <</button>> <</if>> <>

<><<set _options to {}>> <<set _options[""] to {}>> <<for _option range $remaining>> <<set _options[_option.text] to _option>> <</for>> You reach into the bag of tiles to select the perfect one. What tile do you wish to place? <<listbox "$trials[$trial_room].choice">> <<optionsfrom _options>> <</listbox>> /*<<set _rems to $remaining.map(item => item.text)>> Your tiles: _rems*/ <><<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function(event) { $(event.content).find("#listbox-trialstrial-roomchoice").on("change", function(event) { var trial_room = State.variables.trial_room; if (typeof State.variables.currentValue != 'undefined' && State.variables.currentValue != "") { console.log("Current Value:", State.variables.currentValue); State.variables.remaining.push(State.variables.currentValue); }; State.variables.remaining.deleteWith(function(val){ return val == State.variables.trials[trial_room].choice; }); State.variables.currentValue = State.variables.trials[trial_room].choice; var remaining = State.variables.remaining; const names = remaining.map(item => item.text); $("#choices-info").empty().wiki(names); $("#chosen-info").empty().wiki(State.variables.trials[trial_room].choice.text); Engine.play("testroom"); }); }); <</script>>

Anubis is one of the most recognizable and ancient gods of the Egyptian pantheon, instantly identifiable by his jackal head or his full jackal form. Known in Egyptian as Inpu (or Anpu), he was the god associated with death, embalming, cemeteries, and the afterlife. His striking black color, which is a common depiction, does not represent the color of the animal itself, but symbolizes the fertile black soil of the Nile valley—a potent metaphor for regeneration and the promise of life after death—as well as the color of a body after it has been treated with natron during mummification. For centuries, he held the paramount position as the chief deity of the dead before being largely superseded by Osiris. Among his most significant roles, Anubis presides over the sacred craft of embalming and mummification. Mythologically, he is credited with performing the very first mummification on the body of the god Osiris, restoring and preserving him so he could achieve new life in the underworld. This makes Anubis the patron god of all embalmers, who were sometimes known to wear a jackal mask while performing their rites. By overseeing this crucial process, Anubis ensured that the deceased's body was properly prepared for its journey to the Duat (underworld) and the ultimate judgment. After the funeral rites were complete, Anubis served as a crucial guide and protector for the soul as it entered the afterlife. He was the one who led the deceased through the treacherous paths of the underworld to the Hall of Two Truths for the crucial Weighing of the Heart ceremony. In this judgment, Anubis meticulously monitored the scales, ensuring the process was fair as the heart of the deceased was balanced against the feather of Ma'at (truth and order). His presence affirmed order and justice in the final moments of the soul's transition.

Isis (Aset in ancient Egyptian) is one of the most powerful and enduring goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon, often revered as the divine mother, wife, and queen. Her name, Isis, translates literally as "Throne," and she is often depicted wearing a headdress representing a throne. This connection signifies her role as the symbolic mother of the King (Pharaoh), who was seen as the living embodiment of her son, Horus. As the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus, she formed the central triad of the Egyptian faith, representing the ideal wife, mother, and queenly power. However, Isis's most formidable attribute is her profound mastery of the secret arts. She is recognized as the Egyptian goddess of magic, wisdom, and healing. Her magical powers were so vast that she was considered "She Who Knows the Great Words" and "Mistress of Magic." Her mastery was famously demonstrated when she resurrected her murdered husband, Osiris, by magically gathering his scattered body parts, temporarily restoring him to life, and conceiving their son, Horus. It was through this ultimate act of heka (Egyptian magic) that she overcame death and disorder (Isfet), ensuring life's triumph. Beyond her mythical acts, Isis was widely worshipped across the Mediterranean world, with her cult flourishing well into the Roman era. She was a deeply compassionate deity, seen as a protector of the marginalized, a healer of the sick, and a teacher of agricultural arts. Due to her powerful connection to life, death, and resurrection, she was also closely associated with the bright star Sirius, whose annual appearance heralded the beneficial flooding of the Nile—the lifeblood of Egypt. Her vast array of powers and her unwavering love for her family cemented her status as the supreme and most beloved goddess.

Ra is arguably the most important deity in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, holding the title of the Sun God and the creator of all life. He was revered as the supreme authority and the source of all existence. Every morning, Ra was believed to be reborn in the east, beginning his daily journey across the sky in his solar barque, bringing light and warmth to the world. As he traveled, he brought order (Ma'at) to the universe. His evening descent in the west represented death and his entry into the Duat (the underworld), where he battled the forces of chaos, most notably the serpent Apep, ensuring the sun would rise again the next day. In art and statuary, Ra is most commonly depicted as a man with a falcon head, crowned with a dazzling solar disk encircled by a sacred cobra (uraeus). This powerful imagery connects him directly to the celestial realm and reinforces his kingship over both the gods and humanity. The falcon was a symbol of the heavens, while the sun disk atop his head made his identity clear. In some older traditions, he might be depicted as a beetle (Khepri) at dawn, symbolizing creation, or an old man at sunset, symbolizing his journey through the night. As the ultimate creator god, he was believed to have generated himself from the primordial waters of Nun. Pharaohs from the Fifth Dynasty onward placed a strong emphasis on their direct lineage to Ra, often claiming the title of "Son of Ra," which cemented the divine foundation of their political authority. His dominance in Egyptian religion is reflected in the many composite deities that incorporated his name, such as Amun-Ra, who rose to prominence as a universal god during the New Kingdom, demonstrating the powerful and enduring influence of the great solar deity.

Thoth is one of the most enigmatic and universally significant deities in the Egyptian pantheon, revered as the god of knowledge, wisdom, and the moon. His influence permeated nearly every aspect of Egyptian intellectual and spiritual life. He is most frequently depicted in two distinct forms: as an ibis-headed man, often holding a scribe's palette and pen, or sometimes entirely as a baboon. The ibis was considered a sacred bird to Thoth, associated with wisdom, while the baboon was observed to be intelligent and often saluted the rising sun, connecting it to celestial cycles. As the divine arbiter and record-keeper, Thoth is primarily known as the deity of writing, hieroglyphs, and wisdom. He was believed to have invented writing itself, making him the patron god of scribes, scholars, and all those dedicated to learning. He also governed magic, science, law, and the calculation of time, ensuring order in both the cosmos and human society. Thoth was often seen as the tongue and heart of Ra, embodying the intellect and articulation of the sun god's creative power. He advised the gods, mediated disputes, and possessed a vast library of sacred texts. A critical role for Thoth in the afterlife was his presence during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony in the Hall of Two Truths. As the divine scribe, he stood beside the scales, meticulously recording the outcome as the heart of the deceased was balanced against the feather of Ma'at (truth and justice). His accurate documentation was essential for the judgment, ensuring that the soul's fate was justly determined. In this capacity, he functioned as a divine notary, whose records were infallible and binding, guiding the souls of the dead to their ultimate destiny

Set (also known as Seth or Sutekh) is one of the most complex and often contradictory deities in the Egyptian pantheon. He is primarily known as the god of chaos, disorder, violence, and deserts. His association with the harsh, desolate red land (deshret) contrasted sharply with the fertile black land (kemet) overseen by his brother, Osiris. In his earliest form, he was revered as a powerful warrior god, but he is perhaps most famous for his role as the treacherous brother who murdered and dismembered Osiris, establishing the central conflict of Egyptian mythology. Set is consistently depicted with a unique, stylized creature's head known as the Set animal, which has a long, curved snout, square ears, and a stiff, forked tail. Set's power extended beyond the arid lands; he was also the mighty god of storms, thunder, and destructive forces. Due to his association with foreign lands and the unpredictable forces of nature, he was considered the deity of foreigners and foreign rule, a role that sometimes shifted based on which dynasty was in power. Despite his volatile and chaotic nature, the Egyptians acknowledged that his strength was necessary to maintain cosmic balance. His destructive power was a necessary counterpoint to the life-giving order (Ma'at). Paradoxically, Set held a vital role in maintaining the universe's order: he was the indispensable guard of the sun god Ra. Each night, as Ra's solar barque traveled through the perilous underworld, Set stood bravely at the prow. Using his immense power and ferocity, he heroically battled the primordial serpent of chaos, Apep (Apophis), defeating the serpent so that the sun could successfully rise again. Thus, the god of chaos was the one who ensured that order, in the form of the sun, was renewed each morning.

Nut is one of the most ancient and primordial goddesses in the Egyptian pantheon, embodying the very vault of the heavens. She is the goddess of the sky, stars, cosmos, and rebirth, representing the protective expanse above the world. In Egyptian cosmology, Nut is most famously depicted as a woman whose body is arched over the earth, touching the horizon with her fingertips and toes. Beneath her curved body lies her brother and consort, Geb, the god of the earth, symbolizing the separation of sky and land. This iconic posture represents the dome of the heavens, constantly protecting and encompassing the world below. As the divine mother, Nut plays a crucial role in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. She is often called "She who bore the gods" because she is the mother of five important deities: Osiris, Isis, Set, Nephthys, and sometimes Horus the Elder. Each evening, she swallows the setting sun (Ra), and each morning, she gives birth to it anew, illustrating her fundamental connection to the daily cycle of the sun and the concept of regeneration. Her body, often depicted covered in stars, is a constant reminder of the celestial expanse and the promise of renewal. Beyond her daily cosmic role, Nut was also intimately linked with the afterlife and the hope of resurrection. The deceased were believed to be embraced by Nut, who offered them protection and guidance on their journey to the afterlife. She was often depicted on the inner lids of sarcophagi, with her outstretched arms welcoming the deceased, ensuring their safe passage and rebirth into the starry heavens. Thus, Nut represented not just the physical sky, but the comforting embrace of the universe itself, providing both a physical and spiritual canopy for all existence.

Taweret (also spelled Tauret, Taurt, or Thoeris) is an ancient and powerful protective deity in the Egyptian pantheon, best known as the Hippopotamus goddess of childbirth and fertility. Her name literally translates to "The Great One," a title that reflects her formidable strength and maternal authority. While male hippos were often associated with chaos and the destructive forces of Set, the female hippopotamus was recognized for her ferocious protectiveness of her young, making her the ideal symbol for a goddess safeguarding mothers during the most vulnerable time of labor and delivery. Taweret’s appearance is one of the most distinctive and reassuring in Egyptian art. She is typically depicted as a hybrid creature, combining the head of a hippopotamus with the large, pendulous breasts and swollen belly of a pregnant woman. She often stands upright on the back legs of a lion, with the tail of a crocodile running down her back, and sometimes rests one paw upon the sa symbol, the hieroglyph for protection. This composite form was deliberately designed to incorporate the most terrifying and protective animals in Egypt, ensuring that no harmful spirits or chaotic forces would dare approach the mother and child she guarded. Far from being a major state deity with grand temples, Taweret was beloved as a popular household goddess. Her statues, amulets, and depictions were commonly found in homes, particularly in the private rooms where women gave birth. By invoking her image, women sought her blessing for easy delivery and her fierce protection against all dangers to the newborn and the mother. She was a constant, comforting presence, ensuring the regenerative cycle of life continued safely and successfully within the Egyptian family structure.

Sekhmet, whose name means "She Who Is Powerful," is one of the most fearsome and formidable deities in the Egyptian pantheon. She is predominantly recognized as the lioness-headed goddess of war, destruction, and pestilence, but paradoxically, she also possesses a potent aspect as a goddess of healing and medicine. This dual nature reflects the ancient Egyptian understanding that divine power could both inflict and cure, destroy and protect. Sekhmet is almost always depicted with the head of a lioness, crowned with a sun disk and the uraeus (cobra), associating her with Ra and royal authority. Her fiery temperament is vividly illustrated in the myth of the "Destruction of Mankind." According to the tale, Ra, angered by humanity's rebellion, sent Sekhmet to punish them. She unleashed a devastating plague and began slaughtering humans indiscriminately, reveling in the bloodshed. Her rage was so immense that the other gods feared she would annihilate all of humanity. To stop her, Ra eventually had to trick her by pouring thousands of jars of beer dyed red with ochre onto the ground, which she mistook for blood. She drank it all, became intoxicated, and fell asleep, thus ending the massacre. Despite her terrifying destructive power, Sekhmet also held a crucial role as a protector and healer. Her priests were often skilled physicians and surgeons, utilizing her fierce energy to ward off disease and heal the sick. It was believed that by appeasing Sekhmet through rituals and offerings, her destructive aspect could be placated, and her healing powers could be invoked. Thus, the very goddess capable of bringing plagues was also the one who could cure them, making her a vital and complex deity representing the untamed, powerful, and ultimately necessary forces of both creation and destruction.

Bes is one of the most unique and beloved deities in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, standing out sharply from the more formal and regal gods. Unlike many Egyptian gods who were depicted in profile or with animal heads, Bes is almost always shown front-facing, as a grotesque yet jovial dwarf. He has a flattened nose, large ears, a prominent beard, and often sports a feathered crown, resembling a lion's mane. His appearance, while seemingly fierce, was actually considered reassuring and protective, designed to scare away evil. Bes was revered primarily as a household protector deity, beloved by common people throughout Egypt. He was not associated with grand temples or state cults, but rather his image adorned everyday objects, walls of homes, beds, and even women's cosmetic containers. His main role was to guard families against evil spirits, misfortune, and dangerous animals like snakes and scorpions. His fierce grimace and often depicted weapons (like knives or rattles) were meant to frighten away any malevolent entity threatening the domestic sphere. Beyond protection, Bes was also the god of music, dance, revelry, and good times. He brought joy and mirth to the home, often depicted playing musical instruments or dancing. Crucially, he was also a patron of childbirth, standing guard over expectant mothers and newborns to ensure safe delivery and protect them from harm. This multifaceted role as a guardian, entertainer, and fertility helper made Bes an incredibly popular and intimate deity, representing the everyday comforts and securities of life within the ancient Egyptian household.

Amun (also spelled Amen or Ammon) rose from relative obscurity to become the preeminent state god of the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE), earning the title "King of the Gods." His name literally means "The Hidden One," referring to his mysterious and unseen nature as a force of creation and the breath of life. Though he was originally a local deity of Thebes (modern Luxor), the political success of the Theban pharaohs elevated Amun to a national and then imperial god. He was often depicted as a man wearing a tall crown topped with two vertical plumes, symbolizing the dual nature of Upper and Lower Egypt. The worship of Amun reached its zenith when he was syncretized (combined) with the sun god Ra, forming the composite deity Amun-Ra. This fusion merged the unseen, universal creative power of Amun with the tangible, life-giving power of the sun, making him the supreme and most powerful deity in the cosmos. Pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Tutankhamun sponsored magnificent temples, most notably Karnak in Thebes, which served as the epicenter of his worship and the largest religious structure ever built. Amun was intensely honored during the great Opet Festival, the most important religious celebration of the Theban calendar. Annually, the cult statues of Amun, his consort Mut, and their son Khonsu were carried out of the Karnak Temple on ceremonial barques and transported down the Nile to the Luxor Temple. This elaborate, public procession was a vital ritual that reaffirmed the symbiotic relationship between Amun and the reigning pharaoh, ensuring the stability and prosperity of Egypt and celebrating the fertility of the Nile and the divine rejuvenation of the king.

Ma'at is arguably the most fundamental concept in ancient Egyptian thought, serving as both a goddess and a powerful abstract principle. As a goddess, she embodies the essential cosmic and moral principles of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, and justice. The Egyptians believed that the entire universe, from the movement of the stars to the successful flooding of the Nile, depended upon maintaining Ma'at. Her very existence prevented the world from collapsing into the primordial chaos (Isfet), which was always threatening to return. She is typically depicted as a winged woman, often standing or kneeling, wearing on her head a single ostrich feather. The preservation of Ma'at was the primary duty of the Pharaoh, who was expected to rule according to her principles, thereby ensuring stability, prosperity, and justice for all of Egypt. When Ma'at was upheld, the gods were content and the society flourished; when it was ignored, chaos and suffering ensued. For the common person, living in accordance with Ma'at meant acting truthfully, ethically, and responsibly toward others throughout their life. Ma'at’s most critical role was realized in the afterlife during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony in the Hall of Two Truths. Here, the heart of the deceased was placed on one side of a scale, while the object on the other side was her feather—the Feather of Truth. If the heart was heavy with misdeeds and outweighed the feather, the deceased was devoured by the demon Ammit and denied passage to the afterlife. If the heart was light and balanced against the feather, proving a life lived in accordance with Ma'at's principles, the soul was declared maa-kheru (true of voice) and granted eternal life. Thus, Ma'at's feather was the ultimate measure of a righteous

Sobek is a powerful and ancient Egyptian deity primarily associated with the Nile crocodile, embodying its strength, ferocity, and protective instincts. His name, often depicted as "The Crocodilian," points directly to his animal form. While initially feared for the crocodile's predatory nature, Sobek also became associated with fertility, vegetation, and the life-giving properties of the Nile River, as crocodiles were abundant in its waters and their presence often signaled a healthy ecosystem. He is typically depicted as a man with a crocodile head or as a fully anthropomorphic crocodile, often adorned with a feathered headdress, horns, and a sun disk, linking him to Ra. His worship was particularly prominent in areas where crocodiles were prevalent, and especially so in the region of Faiyum. The capital city of Faiyum, Shedet, was so strongly associated with him that the Greeks later renamed it Crocodilopolis. In this region, sacred crocodiles were kept in temples, adorned with jewels, and mummified upon their death, receiving offerings from worshippers. These living crocodiles were considered physical manifestations of Sobek, acting as intermediaries between the god and his devotees. Sobek's dual nature—both dangerous and benevolent—made him a complex figure. While he could bring destruction through the sudden, violent nature of a crocodile attack, he was also invoked for protection against these very dangers. Furthermore, he was believed to have healing powers, and in some myths, he assisted in the birth of Horus. His connection to water and the fertility it brought made him a god of vital importance in a land dependent on the Nile's annual inundation, ensuring the agricultural prosperity that sustained Egyptian civilization.

Ptah is a venerable and ancient creator god whose cult center was the city of Memphis. Unlike many creator deities who brought the world into being through physical acts, Ptah was believed to have created the universe through pure thought and divine articulation. According to Memphite theology, he conceived of all things in his heart and then brought them into reality by merely speaking their names. This profound concept elevated Ptah as a cosmic craftsman, the patron of artisans, architects, builders, and all those who worked with stone, metal, or wood. He is usually depicted as a man tightly wrapped in a shroud (similar to Osiris), with his hands emerging to hold a composite scepter that incorporates the was (dominion), djed (stability), and ankh (life) symbols. Ptah’s importance stemmed from his role as the great architect and master of destiny. His priests were often the chief architects and engineers of Egypt, responsible for designing and constructing the grand temples and royal tombs. His creative power was often syncretized with other major deities; he was sometimes combined with the funerary god Sokar and the earth god Tatenen to form Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, an immense chthonic deity of the underworld and resurrection, particularly revered by craftsmen who created goods for the dead. The most famous earthly manifestation of Ptah's spirit was the sacred Apis Bull. The Apis Bull was housed and worshipped in a grand temple complex in Memphis, acting as an intermediary between Ptah and the mortal world. This bull was meticulously selected based on specific sacred markings, and its life was dedicated to the god. When the Apis Bull died, it was afforded elaborate funeral rites and mummification, becoming a manifestation of Osiris (Osiris-Apis), which evolved into the later Greco-Egyptian god Serapis. The worship of the Apis Bull therefore served as a powerful, living connection between the celestial creator Ptah and the earthly affairs of Egypt.

Horus the Younger (known in Egyptian as Harpocrates, or Har-pa-khered, meaning "Horus the Child") is the essential protective and regenerative deity born of the union between Osiris and Isis. His identity is inextricably linked to the core drama of the Osiris myth. After his father's murder, the infant Horus was raised in secret by his mother, Isis, hidden within the papyrus marshes of Chemmis in the Nile Delta to protect him from the murderous Set. This period of his life is often emphasized in art, where he is frequently depicted as a naked young boy standing on crocodiles, holding snakes or scorpions, symbolizing his triumph over the dangerous forces of the wild. In his form as Harpocrates, he is often represented as a chubby, youthful figure wearing the sidelock of youth, a distinctive braid reserved for young princes and children. Crucially, he is almost always shown with one finger held to his mouth, an gesture that originally signified the hieroglyphic meaning of "child." Over time, this gesture was misinterpreted by later Greek and Roman worshippers as a sign of secrecy or silence, leading to his later role as a god of mysteries. This iconography as a vulnerable yet divinely potent child made him a popular figure for protective amulets placed on infants and young boys. He embodies the concept that life and kingship can be eternally renewed, even after disaster and death. Because his life began as an act of great magic and love, he represents the triumph of Isis's devotion and the promise of resurrection, ensuring that order (Ma'at) will always be restored in the face of chaos.

Aten is an Egyptian deity who is historically significant not for his ancient origins, but for his dramatic and revolutionary elevation during the New Kingdom. He was a relatively minor aspect of the sun god Ra until the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (c. 1353–1336 BCE). This pharaoh, who would rename himself Akhenaten (meaning "Effective for Aten"), transformed the religious landscape of Egypt by promoting Aten to the status of the sole, supreme deity, effectively initiating a period of monolatry (or perhaps monotheism). Akhenaten's religious reform was arguably the most radical shift in Egyptian history, sidelining the powerful priesthoods of Amun and other traditional gods. Aten was always represented as the solar disk itself, from which rays of light emanated. Crucially, these rays often terminated in human hands, offering the sign of life (ankh) to the pharaoh and his family. This artistic depiction emphasized Aten's role as the benevolent provider and source of all life, reaching out directly to the royal couple. Aten had no animal or anthropomorphic form, ensuring that he transcended the traditional, complex iconography of the old gods. His abstract form made him a universal god, available to all, though his worship was largely mediated by the Pharaoh himself. Akhenaten enforced the worship of Aten with zealous dedication, abandoning the traditional capital of Thebes and founding a new capital, Akhetaten ("Horizon of Aten," modern Amarna). After Akhenaten's death, however, the Aten cult was swiftly dismantled. His successor, Tutankhamun, restored the old gods, particularly Amun, and the name and memory of Aten (and Akhenaten) were systematically erased from monuments, leading to what historians call the Amarna Period. Despite the short duration of his official cult, Aten remains a fascinating and unique example of radical religious change in ancient Egypt.

Serket (also known as Serqet, Selket, or Selqet) is an ancient and powerful Egyptian goddess primarily associated with scorpions, venomous creatures, and the art of healing. Her name, meaning "She Who Causes the Throat to Breathe" or "She Who Tightens the Throat," refers to her power over venomous stings and bites, allowing her to either inflict or cure them. Despite the fearsome nature of scorpions, Serket was generally revered as a benevolent protector, particularly invoked against venomous creatures. She is typically depicted as a woman with a scorpion on her head, or as a scorpion with a human head. While often considered a dangerous force, Serket's venomous power was paradoxically used for protection. She was a significant protector of kings, especially during the dangerous transition of the afterlife. She is frequently mentioned in funerary texts, where she is one of the four goddesses (along with Isis, Nephthys, and Neith) who guard the canopic jars containing the internal organs of the deceased. Specifically, Serket was tasked with guarding the canopic jar containing the intestines, which was overseen by the son of Horus, Qebekhsenuef. This role highlights her importance in ensuring the integrity and safety of the body for its journey to the afterlife. Serket's role as a healer extended beyond just scorpion stings. She was invoked in magical spells and rituals to cure various ailments, demonstrating the ancient Egyptian belief that the same divine force that caused illness could also remedy it. Her priests were often skilled magicians and physicians, specializing in treating venomous bites and other medical conditions. Her image was also used on personal amulets and charms to ward off dangers, making her a vital protective deity in both daily life and the intricate journey of the afterlife.

Khnum is an ancient and significant creator god in the Egyptian pantheon, particularly revered for his association with the Nile River and its life-giving inundation. He is most famously known as the divine potter, who was believed to have fashioned humans, and even other gods, on his potter's wheel. His name is often translated as "The Giver," reflecting his role in providing life and fertility. Khnum is typically depicted as a man with a ram's head, often with horizontal, spiral horns, and frequently wearing a crown or a sun disk. His cult center was particularly strong in the region of Elephantine, an island in the Nile River near modern Aswan, at the southern border of Egypt. This location was crucial because it was believed to be the source of the Nile's annual inundation, the lifeblood of Egyptian agriculture. Khnum was seen as the guardian of the Nile's sources, responsible for controlling the floodwaters. His close connection to the Nile made him a god of fertility and regeneration, ensuring the annual deposit of rich, black silt that allowed crops to grow. As a creator god, Khnum was believed to mold the bodies of children (and their ka, or life force) on his potter's wheel before placing them in their mothers' wombs. This intimate involvement in the creation of human life made him a benevolent and nurturing deity. Throughout Egyptian history, Khnum often formed part of a triad of gods, such as with his consort Satis and their daughter Anuket at Elephantine, all associated with the Nile and the fertility it brought. His enduring presence underscored the Egyptians' profound reliance on the Nile and their belief in a divine hand shaping human destiny

Bastet (also known as Bast) is one of the most beloved and enduring deities in ancient Egyptian mythology, celebrated as the goddess of the home, fertility, women's secrets, cats, and protection against evil spirits and disease. Originally depicted as a fierce lioness, her image softened over time into that of a domestic cat or a woman with the head of a cat. She embodied the playful, nurturing, and protective aspects of feline nature. Her presence was believed to bring music, dance, and joy into the household, and she was often depicted holding a sistrum (a musical rattle), symbolizing her role in festivities. Her worship centered around the city of Bubastis (Per-Bast) in the Nile Delta, which served as her primary cult center. The Greek historian Herodotus famously described the annual festival held in her honor at Bubastis as one of the most joyous and heavily attended events in Egypt, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who arrived by boat, celebrating with music, wine, and revelry. In this city, thousands of cats were mummified and buried in sacred catacombs as votive offerings to the goddess, a testament to her immense popularity and the reverence held for her sacred animal. Bastet is frequently viewed as the gentle feline counterpart to Sekhmet, the fierce lioness of war. Together, they represent the dual nature of the solar eye and feline aggression: Sekhmet embodies the destructive, scorching heat of the sun and the chaos of battle, while Bastet represents the warming, life-giving heat of the sun and the protective fury of a mother defending her young. While Sekhmet was appeased to stop destruction, Bastet was invoked to invite harmony, making them two sides of the same powerful coin within the Egyptian worldview.

Hathor is one of the most complex, popular, and ancient goddesses in Egyptian mythology, revered as the personification of joy, feminine love, and motherhood. She was the "Golden One," whose domain encompassed music, dance, foreign lands, and fertility. In art, she is frequently depicted as a woman wearing a headdress of cow horns cradling a sun disk, or sometimes entirely as a cow, symbolizing her maternal and nourishing nature. As the divine mother of the Pharaoh, she was often shown suckling the king in the form of a cow, reinforcing his divine right to rule. Her temple at Dendera remains one of the best-preserved and most magnificent sites in Egypt, a testament to her enduring importance. One of Hathor's most touching and significant titles is the "Lady of the Sycamore" (Nebet Nehet). In this role, she was believed to dwell within the sacred sycamore fig tree, which often grew on the edge of the desert near cemeteries. As the goddess of the West (the land of the dead), she would emerge from the tree to welcome the souls of the newly deceased, offering them food and cool water. This act of hospitality refreshed the weary souls and sustained them for their journey into the afterlife, transforming Hathor from a goddess of earthly pleasure into a compassionate guardian of the dead. Beyond her role in the afterlife, Hathor was the primary deity of happiness and celebration. She was closely associated with the sistrum, a musical rattle used in religious rituals to drive away negative energy and appease the gods. Her festivals were occasions of drunkenness and ecstasy, meant to honor the wilder, life-affirming aspects of existence. While she was sometimes identified with the fierce Eye of Ra (similar to Sekhmet), Hathor generally represented the softer, benevolent side of the solar power, bringing light, beauty, and comfort to both gods and humans.

Khepri is a unique and significant deity in ancient Egyptian religion, representing the rising sun, creation, and the renewal of life. While many nature-based deities in other cultures are female, Khepri is traditionally identified as a god (male). His name is derived from the Egyptian verb kheper, which means "to develop," "to come into being," or "to create." Consequently, he embodies the very moment of creation and the daily rebirth of the sun as it emerges from the horizon, dispelling the darkness of the underworld. He is most famously embodied by the scarab beetle (specifically the dung beetle). The ancient Egyptians were keen observers of nature; they watched these beetles rolling balls of dung across the desert floor and saw a poetic parallel to the sun being rolled across the sky. Furthermore, they observed young beetles emerging fully formed from these dung balls (where the female had laid her eggs), leading to the mistaken belief that the beetles were self-created or spontaneously generated. Thus, Khepri became the ultimate symbol of self-genesis and rebirth, representing the sun's ability to renew itself each morning without fail. In the solar cycle, Khepri is the specific aspect of the sun at dawn, while Ra represents the sun at its noon zenith, and Atum represents the setting sun. Khepri is rarely depicted with a human face; instead, he is usually shown as a man with a scarab beetle for a head, or simply as the beetle itself. Because of his powerful association with resurrection, the image of the scarab became one of the most popular amulets in ancient Egypt. "Heart scarabs" were often placed on the chests of mummies to ensure the deceased would be reborn in the afterlife, just as Khepri ensured the sun rose again each day.

Heqet (or Heket) is an ancient and benevolent Egyptian goddess whose power was intrinsically linked to water, fertility, and the crucial act of bringing new life into the world. She is instantly recognizable as the frog-headed fertility goddess, or sometimes simply in the form of a frog. This unusual association is rooted in the annual life cycle of the Nile: frogs appeared in vast numbers immediately following the crucial yearly inundation of the Nile, signaling the return of the fertile black land and the renewal of all life. Therefore, the frog became a potent symbol of life, regeneration, and abundance. Heqet's most significant domain was her direct involvement in childbirth. As a protective deity, she was believed to be present in the birthing room, assisting women in labor and offering her magical power to ensure a safe delivery. She was sometimes considered the wife of Khnum, the ram-headed god who molded the bodies and kas (life force) of humans on his potter's wheel. Heqet's role was often seen as completing Khnum's work by breathing the final spark of life into the newborn child just before it was born. Due to her vital protective role, Heqet's image was common in everyday life. Her figure, often sculpted onto amulets and charms, was used by pregnant women to ward off evil and guarantee a healthy baby. The sign for a frog was also often used in hieroglyphic writing to denote the number 100,000, which further underscored her association with abundance and proliferation. While she may not have had the massive state temples of gods like Amun or Ra, her presence was deeply felt in the domestic sphere, where she provided comfort and ensured the continuity of the family line.

Horus the Elder (also known as Hor-wer or Haroeris) is one of the most ancient and important deities in Egyptian mythology, representing the vastness of the sky and the divine embodiment of kingship. Distinct from Horus the Younger (son of Osiris and Isis), Horus the Elder often appears in the earliest records as a fully formed sky god, whose eyes were said to be the sun and the moon. He is almost universally depicted as a magnificent falcon or a man with a falcon's head, often wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, symbolizing his dominion over the entire land. In early Egyptian cosmology, Horus the Elder was sometimes considered one of the primeval five children of Nut and Geb, thus predating the Osiris myth. He was a powerful and benevolent god, associated with light, the heavens, and the protection of the pharaoh. His role as a sky god and divine king was foundational, setting the precedent for the later identification of every living pharaoh as an incarnation of Horus. He represented the established order and the divine right to rule that flowed through the royal lineage. While Horus the Elder is sometimes conflated with Horus the Younger due to shared iconography and kingly associations, his independent mythology is often less dramatic than the Osiris cycle. However, when narratives connect him to the early kingship, he is depicted as the rightful ruler who avenges his father (sometimes identified as Ra or an early primeval king, rather than Osiris) to become king. This act establishes the enduring model of justified succession and the triumph of divine order over chaos, making him a symbol of the stable and legitimate authority that governed Egypt for millennia.

Hesitation is a luxury you cannot afford. You merge with a small group of supplicants in white robes, mimicking their slow, reverent pace, and walk directly toward the colossal main entrance of the Thoth Temple. The sheer size of the statues of Thoth and Anubis is intimidating, but their unblinking, digital eyes seem to look past you, absorbed in their silent vigil. You pass beneath the towering pylons and enter the Temple. The interior is even more magnificent than the exterior. A vast, echoing hall stretches before you, lit by the glowing hieroglyphs on the walls and soft, ethereal light from unseen sources above. The air is thick with incense and the constant, low hum of the system. A long line of people stretches into the distance, all dressed in similar white robes, slowly shuffling forward. Each individual clutches a small offering in their hands—tiny clay vessels, woven baskets of fruit, or bundles of dried flowers—clearly waiting to pay homage to the Source Stream that lies deeper within the Temple. Guarding the beginning of this reverent procession stands a tall, imposing figure. He wears the pristine white robes of a high-ranking Temple official, his presence radiating an aura of unwavering authority. His face is stern, his eyes sharp and analytical, constantly sweeping over the queuing supplicants, seemingly determining if they are worthy to proceed. This must be Amunhotep, the reluctant helper Pepi spoke of, now revealed as a formidable gatekeeper. As you subtly try to merge with the back of the line, his gaze, as sharp as a digital blade, snaps to you. He sees through your attempt at blending in instantly. He steps forward, blocking your path, his expression unyielding. His voice is deep and resonant, carrying an undeniable command. "Halt, newcomer," he says, his eyes pinning you in place. "You are not ready. [[You may not proceed]]."

You decide to negotiate, hoping to buy time or glean information about the true nature of this security agent. "With respect, official," you say, adopting the subservient tone of a compliant worker, "I was instructed to report immediately to the temple. I must fulfill my duties. What exactly makes me 'unready'?" Amunhotep's expression does not soften. His authority is absolute. "Your zeal does not negate the necessary training, newcomer," he states, his voice low and firm. "Your integration into our society is lacking. It is obvious. The Stream is not a market stall; it is the core of our life. Impatience is a flaw that must be removed before you are allowed to contribute." He does not wait for a reply. He reaches out and grasps your arm—not violently, but with a gentle, yet unshakable firmness. You feel the restraint in his touch, a command you cannot override. He pulls you out of the line and guides you toward a heavy, dark wood door set into the wall of the main hall. "We will discuss what must be done," he informs you, his eyes locking onto yours with an unsettling mix of supervision and pity. "The purification must be thorough. You must be prepared" He ushers you into the small, dark side room and closes the door behind you, muffling the rhythmic chanting of the main hall. The room is bare, containing only a small stone bench and a low altar. Behind the alter is a passageway that can be described as an out of place portal. It swirls with light and energy. You are alone with the powerful Temple official. He [[gently explains]] what must be done.

Amunhotep's expression remains impassive, betraying no internal thought as he outlines your immediate fate. He indicates the swirling vortex behind the altar. "To approach the Great Stream of Power, one must first possess Reverence and Understanding," he states. "You lack the necessary familiarity with the spiritual environment. You must pass through the portal to pay homage to the Gods of Egypt." He continues, his voice holding the absolute finality of a system command. "Only when you are fully familiar with the pantheon can you be deemed worthy to approach the Stream. This is a necessary trial. It is a sequence you cannot turn down, and once started, you may not exit until completion." "We will both pass through," he confirms, gesturing to himself. "And only when I am satisfied that you are educated and integrated, may you be permitted to exit the trial." He reaches into the folds of his pristine white robe and produces a small, heavy linen bag. He hands it to you. "Your task is in here," he instructs. "This bag contains many tiles. Each tile has a short, defining phrase upon it. There are many more tiles than there are Gods in the pantheon." He fixes you with a stern gaze. "You must correctly assign each God a single, accurate tile that defines their primary role in this reality." Amunhotep wastes no further time. He turns toward the swirling portal, its light reflecting unnaturally in the dark chamber. "Come," he commands, his voice firm. He steps directly into the shimmering vortex, and [[you have no choice but to follow|portal_room]].

<<script>> setup.correctTiles = function() { // Update a variable in the story var trials = State.variables.trials; var count = 0; trials.forEach((trial) =>{ console.log("trial room: ", trial.room); console.log("choice: ", trial.choice.god); if ((trial.choice != '') &&(trial.room.name == trial.choice.god.name)){ console.log("correct! ", trial); count++; } }); return count; } <</script>> <<if (ndef $trial_room ) >> You stumble out of the vortex into a new, smaller chamber. The air here is cold and still. The room is circular, and the walls are lined with a series of empty, illuminated niches, waiting to be filled. Amunhotep stands calmly to one side, holding a stylus and a small stone tablet, ready to record your performance. "Begin," he instructs. "Prove your worthiness." You clutch the linen bag containing the tiles. The trial has begun, and your core mission—getting the sock monkey to the Stream—is now contingent upon correctly identifying the divine rulers. [[Exit the room|testroom]]. <<else>> You are at the portal entrance. Amunhotep is here. You have a few choices here. You can <> Ask Amunhotep to <<link "evaluate your progress">> <<set _correct to setup.correctTiles() >> <<if _correct is $trials.length>> <<goto "passage_granted">> <<else>> <<dialog>> <<set _correct to setup.correctTiles() >> <<if _correct is 0>> You have no correct tile placements. <<else>> You have _correct correct tile placement<<if _correct > 1>>s<</if>>. Continue your work. <</if>> <</dialog>> <</if>> <</link>>. or Attempt to <<link "enter the portal">><<dialog>>You attempt to go through the shimmering portal, but you are met with some strange resistance. You cannot go through. Amonhotep looks at you and says "You cannot leave this area without having your progress evaluated, and achieve a successful outcome.<</dialog>><</link>> [[Exit the room|testroom]]. <> <</if>>

Amunhotep examines the final tally on his stone tablet, his stern expression finally softening into one of reserved approval. He looks at you with a gaze that seems to acknowledge a deeper worth than simple obedience. "Your performance is... satisfactory, newcomer," he states, the word carrying significant weight in this unforgiving reality. "You have demonstrated the necessary understanding of the foundations of this world. Your knowledge is sound." He closes the tablet with a decisive snap. "The trial is complete. You are now prepared to approach the Source." Amunhotep gestures back toward the swirling vortex portal that brought you here. "You may pass back [[through the portal]] now. When you emerge, you will arrive directly in the central worshipping room—the sanctuary that houses the Great Stream itself." His instructions for the final, critical step are precise: "In that room, you will find the High Priests attending the flow of Nun. You will respectfully request that a Priest deliver your offering to the Stream." He gives you a meaningful look, implying that your "offering"—the Trojan horse sock monkey—is now your only chance at freedom. With the trial passed, his duty to you is concluded.

You step through the shimmering portal, and the sudden shift in atmosphere is overwhelming. The chaotic energy of the vortex instantly ceases, and when you turn, the portal has already blinked out of existence, leaving a smooth, dark wall. There is no turning back. <<include "stream_chamber">>

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>><>The room you are in is a colossal, ornate sanctuary, the architectural peak of the Ascendant system. The scale is immense, and the hall is filled with the continuous, hypnotic chanting of hundreds of worshipers. The entire experience feels grand and physically overwhelming, the air vibrating with sheer digital power. Your gaze is immediately drawn to the central feature: the Source Stream. It descends from a dark, swirling vortex in the ceiling—a waterfall of pure, luminous blue-white light and flowing data, cascading into a massive basin. Standing at the edge of the Stream's basin are the Temple officials. The central figure is not the High Priest, but a younger, more nervous-looking man in a clean white robe—a neophyte entrusted with this duty. You stare at him, a cold wave washing over you as you realize the truth: this is Ari. His features are the same, but his eyes are vacant, and his face holds a look of naive, total subservience. In this digital reality, he has been repurposed and given a new identity: he is now Hori, a temple worker in training. You are tempted to [[call out to him]]. Standing dutifully at his side, constantly scanning the vast crowd, is Amunhotep, the vigilant gatekeeper. Just as you are taking in the impossible scene, you spot the Babi monkey avatar. It is [[jumping frantically]] near the base of the nearest pillar, its small hands making urgent, exaggerated gestures directed at you. The sight of the frantic monkey sends a cold spike of urgency through your chest. $ezra is in immediate danger. $He is fighting for $his freedom in the real world, and if $he is caught, your identity will be wiped, and you will be permanently trapped here. You must [[act now]].

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadein>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><>Back in the real world, in $ezra's secure engineering room, the digital battle has reached its terrifying crescendo. The cacophony of alarms is now a constant, piercing shriek from $his consoles, painting every screen in angry red. The search for the breach, which began the moment you picked up the sock monkey, has been relentless. Cadbury Cybernetic's security protocols are designed to be impenetrable, and the system is fighting back with ferocious efficiency. Now, a new, more terrifying sound cuts through the digital wail: a sharp, insistent knocking at the door of $ezra's private engineering room. Knock. Knock. Knock. $He flinches, $his fingers freezing for a fraction of a second above the keyboard. $He can hear muffled voices, urgent and authoritative, on the other side. They're demanding entry. They've found $him. They have narrowed down the hack to $ezra's station. A wave of crushing defeat washes over $him. $He has been caught. $His eyes dart to the primary screen, where the monkey avatar is still frantically jumping in the Ascendant Temple. $He knows you're in there, risking everything. $He just needs a few more seconds. Just one more signal. The knocking intensifies, growing more angry, more impatient, punctuated by the sound of a keycard reader beeping rapidly. They're attempting an override. CRACK! BANG! Someone is now actively trying to force the door open. $ezra knows $he has seconds before it gives way, before security bursts in, before $he is apprehended and dragged away. The game is almost over, and you are [[still in Ascendant|stream_chamber]].

Driven by the sight of your friend's blank, compliant face, you act impulsively. You try the name you know. "Ari!" you shout over the rhythmic, mesmerizing chanting of the worshipers. The young man at the Stream's edge—Hori—twitches slightly. He gives a brief, confused flicker of a look toward the noise, a look that quickly vanishes, replaced by the blank subservience of his new identity. Realizing your mistake, you correct yourself, using the name Amunhotep gave him. "Hori!" you yell again, louder this time. "It's me!" Hori looks genuinely confused, his brow furrowing as he struggles to process the familiar voice and the foreign claim of recognition. Amunhotep moves with lightning speed, stepping directly between you and Hori. His imposing physique and intense gaze cut through the vast room's atmosphere instantly. "Silence!" Amunhotep booms, his voice carrying the authority of the system itself, drowning out the chant for a moment. He turns his full, intimidating focus on you. "Newcomer, you are disruptive," he chastises, his eyes narrowing as he conducts a silent, invasive scan. "Your integration remains volatile. There is something 'off' about you, a persistent instability that your trial failed to eradicate." You immediately realize you are exposing the core failure of the system—the fact that the sock monkey worked. Your desperate outburst has put $ezra, the monkey, and the entire mission in immediate jeopardy. [[You shut up|stream_chamber]], forcing yourself to adopt a posture of shame and quiet reverence. Amunhotep holds your gaze for a moment longer, clearly satisfied by your silence. He then turns his head and directs Hori (Ari), who is still looking slightly bewildered, to resume his task. "Continue with your duties, Hori," Amunhotep instructs dismissively. "Ignore the strange man. He requires further training before he is fit to contribute to the purity of Nun." Amunhotep resumes his vigilant position, remaining deliberately between you and Hori. The opportunity to speak directly to your friend is gone

You are keenly aware that $ezra is in danger from the frantic, desperate movements of the Babi monkey avatar near the pillar—a virtual alarm bell you can't ignore. You have to act fast, and Amunhotep is the one currently blocking your path to Hori and the Stream. Obedience is your only feasible disguise. You walk with careful, controlled steps toward Amunhotep, bowing your head low in a gesture of absolute deference. "Forgive my earlier outburst, esteemed Official," you say, pitching your voice to sound humble and compliant, yet urgent. "I was overzealous in my desire to serve. I have successfully completed the trial, as you know, and now I beg permission to fully accept my role. I plead to be able to make an offering to the Primordial Waters of Nun." You emphasize your transformation. "My loyalty and devotion to the Gods are absolute. Allow me to offer my tribute and begin my purification in full." Your speech, rooted in the Temple’s own terminology and protocol, is effective. Amunhotep, ever the meticulous guardian of order, is impressed by your swift return to obedience and your demonstration of knowledge gained from the trial. He gives a curt, sharp nod, his intense focus shifting from the security of the crowd to your immediate compliance. He raises a hand, silencing the neophyte Hori and the segment of the line waiting to approach the basin. "The supplicant has demonstrated diligence," Amunhotep announces, cutting across the line with authority. "He will [[approach the Stream now]]."

He motions for you to move forward. You walk past him and take the final few steps toward the basin, Hori (Ari) standing just feet away. As you pull the small, wrapped item from the folds of your white robe—the sock monkey concealed beneath the linen—Amunhotep catches sight of the ridiculous, mismatched fabric. His analytical eye instantly registers the anomaly. He interrupts your approach just as you are about to reach Hori, stepping quickly to your side. "Wait," Amunhotep commands, his voice dropping slightly as he scrutinizes the small, strange object. He smiles faintly, perhaps at the absurdity. "What an odd-looking offering, newcomer. It possesses none of the traditional materials of the region." He extends his hand, demanding inspection. "May I look at it?" You panic. Giving the sock monkey to Amunhotep—the digital agent—is the most dangerous thing you could do. When you release the monkey, the system will wipe your identity, and the likelihood of the monkey making into the Stream to allow $ezra to disable to system would be remote at best. However, resisting him here, guarantees he will become highly suspcious and prevent you from approaching the stream. You must make a choice: [[Surrender the offering]] to Amunhotep (Risking the loss of your identity in hopes that he places the offering into the stream). Resist Amunhotep and [[throw the offering]] the Stream (Risking the loss of your identity, but giving you a chance to deploy the item yourself). Resist Amunhotep and [[beg Hori (Ari)]] to accept the offering and place it into the Stream (Risking the loss of your identity in the small chance that Hori accepts, but giving you a chance to deploy).

You see the frantic movements of the Babi monkey and know you cannot fight Amunhotep, Hori's watcher. Lunging at Hori will only result in an instant physical takedown and mission failure. You must maintain the guise of obedience, even if it risks the Trojan horse. You sigh, feigning submission, and surrender the sock monkey offering to Amunhotep's extended hand. "As you command, Official," you murmur, placing the soft, ridiculous object into his palm. The moment the item leaves your hand and the core integrity shield of the sock monkey is broken, the Ascendant system executes the necessary containment protocol. A sickening, final thrum of power resonates through the air. The faint pressure you've felt in your mind all day snaps. Your identity is lost. The past twenty-four hours—the memory of $ezra, the pods, Dr. Vance, the entire mission—vanishes. You are standing in a grand, loud room, wearing robes, holding an empty hand, and looking utterly confused. Where am I? You think with disorientation. I was just walking into town. I haven't arrived at the market yet. Why am I suddenly inside this big, loud building? Amunhotep examines the sock monkey with a frown, his analytical mind already identifying the foreign data signature. Just as he brings the item closer to inspect it, a figure materializes with a tearing sound of displaced air right beside him. It is the High Priest of Thoth—the primary containment agent who captured you yesterday. He is no longer Ari's avatar but a terrifying, distinct entity of system security, materialized to reclaim the exposed threat. "That item belongs to security!" the Priest of Thoth snarls, his voice a distorted digital echo. He lunges for the sock monkey in Amunhotep's hand. Amunhotep, programmed only for the management of newcomers of the Temple and completely unaware of the larger system breach, perceives the Priest of Thoth's aggression as a dangerous and a threat to the Stream. "Unhand me, rogue!" Amunhotep yells, his powerful body instantly tensing. He is muscular and fast. The two high-level security entities immediately begin to fight, a blur of digital energy and physical force right next to the flowing Stream. Their struggle is brief but violent. The sock monkey, jostled between the two, falls to the black, polished floor near the Stream's edge. Hori (Ari), who was standing nearby, still slightly confused from your earlier outburst, looks down at the bizarre, mismatched object resting on the sacred floor. It is completely out of place. His eyes, blank with his new identity, slowly focus on the sock monkey. A residual instinct—a fragment of the real Ari's love for the strange and anomalous—overrides his current programming. Hori bends down and [[picks up the fallen offering|Holds The Offering]].

The sight of the frantic monkey and the urgency in your chest demand immediate, desperate action. Amunhotep's hand is outstretched, his intent to inspect—and destroy—the Trojan horse is clear. You cannot let him touch it. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, you choose resistance. You shout "No!" and pivot violently away from Amunhotep, ignoring his restraining presence. You rip the sock monkey completely out of your robes. With all your strength, you hurl the small, absurd offering directly toward the luminous blue-white waterfall of the Source Stream. The moment the sock monkey leaves your hand, the protective digital shield it provided vanishes. A searing, white-hot void explodes in your mind. The carefully retained memories, the mission, $ezra's warning, the real world, Ari, the pods, Dr. Vance—all of it is obliterated in a single, silent instant. You stumble back, the sanctuary suddenly alien, confusing, and overwhelming. You look around, blinking, your mind utterly blank. Where am I? Why am I here? The memory returns partially, corrupted: you thought you were wandering into town, but haven't arrived yet. Why is this place so loud and full of light? Amunhotep reacts with astonishing speed and fury. His face contorts with rage at your defiance of protocol. He grabs your shoulder and shoves you violently aside, sending you spinning off balance. Simultaneously, he launches himself in the direction of the flying offering. He reaches out and strikes the sock monkey mid-air with a sharp, precise blow. The small, fabric object is deflected, its trajectory broken. It no longer flies toward the Stream, instead falling harmlessly toward the polished floor near the basin. Because the sock monkey is no longer in your possession, it instantly becomes identifiable by the Ascendant security system. In the vortex above the Stream, a dark figure instantly materializes and descends, solidifying into the terrifying form of the Security Agent, the Priest of Thoth. The Priest, recognizing the anomaly, rushes toward the fallen sock monkey. Amunhotep, seeing this unauthorized, hostile stranger suddenly appear in the central sanctuary and lunge toward the Stream, instantly recognizes a severe threat to the temple. He pivots from you and intercepts the Priest of Thoth. "Unauthorized passage!" Amunhotep yells, his duty overriding all other concerns. The two digital constructs get mixed up in a violent skirmish right next to the Stream's basin. You watch the chaotic fight with total confusion, your identity-wiped mind unable to process the battle between the enraged Temple official and the aggressive, ibis-headed figure. Why are they fighting? This isn't town. Meanwhile, the sock monkey has landed innocuously at the feet of Hori (Ari). He, too, is confused by the sudden fight, but his eyes fall on the fallen sock monkey offering. The small, bright fabric item is so bizarrely out of place. Driven by the strange, new programming of the neophyte, Hori bends down, his gaze fixed on the sock monkey, and [[picks up the fallen item|Holds The Offering]].

The sight of Amunhotep's hand reaching for the sock monkey is the final breaking point. You cannot let the security agent inspect the code. You have to finish the mission now. With a surge of desperation, you jerk your arm back, twisting your body away from Amunhotep's grasp, and lunge the final few feet toward the basin. You are committing to open resistance. "No, Official!" you cry out, thrusting the sock monkey toward Hori. "Hori! Please! Accept this offering! It is the most vital tribute! Accept it in the name of Nun!" Amunhotep’s composure cracks. His face contorts with rage at your direct defiance. "Insolent newcomer! You dare resist the will of the Temple!" He lunges, trying to snatch the sock monkey from your grip. Hori (Ari), witnessing the unexpected, violent disagreement between the supplicant and the Temple official at the sacred Stream, appears profoundly confused. The anomaly in the routine is too much for his simple, coded obedience. "Amunhotep, please!" Hori calls out, raising a placating hand. "The Stream is near. Do not desecrate the basin with skirmish. Stand down and allow the newcomer to approach!" Amunhotep hesitates, the ingrained sanctity of the Stream's presence overriding his rage just long enough for you to close the final distance. You are now standing right in front of Hori. Hori looks down at the bizarre, mismatched fabric creature in your hand. "What is this?" he asks, his voice soft and bewildered. "I have never seen a tribute like it. Why would you bring this to the Waters of Nun?" You know you need an immediate, convincing justification. Drawing on the feverish absurdity of the moment, you rapidly invent a story. "Esteemed Hori, this is a Sacred Companion from a distant jungle! It is a tribute of whimsy and joy! It is said to carry the laughter of the primal ancestors, and its essence will ensure the Stream flows with the vitality of unexpected change!" Hori considers the strange story and the ridiculous sock monkey. A brief, genuine smile crosses his face—the faintest ghost of Ari's old personality. He finds the offering comical. "The vitality of unexpected change..." Hori murmurs, looking at Amunhotep. "Nun would surely be pleased by the occasional whimsy among the sacred duties. Do you not agree, Amunhotep?" Amunhotep's face is a mask of suppressed fury, but Hori's authority as the temporary official at the Stream is higher than his own. Amunhotep gives a stiff, reluctant nod. "I agree, Hori. Proceed." Hori extends his hand, a gesture of acceptance. You place the sock monkey directly into Hori’s open palm. The moment your fingers leave the fabric, the shield that protected your identity collapses. The system, no longer detecting the anomalous code attached to your physical avatar, executes the delayed final identity wipe. A sharp, violent snap echoes in your mind, and everything goes blank. The memory of the VR chair, of Dr. Vance, of $ezra, of Ascendant, and the mission—it all evaporates. Your core programming initializes: you are a Newcomer who has arrived in the Temple district and is a bit lost. You thought you were wandering into town, but you haven't arrived yet. Your purpose is simple and vague: seek guidance. You look around, confused, the ornate room bafflingly grand. Why are people chanting? Where did this building come from? Because the sock monkey is now in Hori’s hand, it is no longer cloaked by your possession. It is an identifiable foreign object near the core Data Stream. The system security responds instantly. The massive figure of the true High Priest—the sinister containment agent who erased Ari—materializes with a deafening, thunderous CRACK near the basin. He is the pure, digital force of the containment program. The Agent sees the Trojan horse in Hori’s hand and rushes toward the stream. Amunhotep, seeing an unauthorized stranger violently lunge toward the sacred Stream, reacts instantly to stop the intrusion. "Intruder!" Amunhotep bellows, abandoning all decorum. He throws himself at the High Priest. The two massive figures collide in a brief, desperate skirmish next to the Data Stream basin. The High Priest, fighting for the system's life, and Amunhotep, fighting for the sanctity of the Stream, wrestle violently. You watch the chaotic fight, confused and terrified. Why are two high officials fighting? Hori, distracted by the sudden, brutal fight erupting next to him, looks down at the strange offering in his hand—the sock monkey. He [[holds the digital Trojan horse|Holds The Offering]], seconds away from deploying it into the Source Stream.

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadein>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><> The flimsy lock and hinges of the engineering room door finally yield to the sustained, furious assault. With a splintering CRASH, the reinforced door flies inward, hitting the wall with a deafening impact that momentarily drowns out the high-pitched alarms. Several Cadbury Cybernetic security officers—large, uniformed figures—flood the room. Their movements are swift, professional, and aggressive. They fan out around $ezra, who remains hunched over the glowing consoles, $his fingers a desperate blur on the keyboard. "HALT! HANDS IN THE AIR!" one officer barks, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "Step away from the computer immediately!" $ezra ignores them. $He is deaf to their commands, focused entirely on the final, desperate actions needed to keep the communication channel open and ready. $He executes one last coded command—a burst of data toward the Temple environment. The lead security officer sees the blatant defiance and the frantic movement on the screens. $He lowers his shoulder. "By force, then," the officer commands his men, his voice hard. The officers move in a tight formation toward $ezra's desk, intent on apprehending $him and cutting $his access to the system at any cost. $ezra is seconds away from being violently pulled from $his chair. The digital link is [[about to be severed]].

<><<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadein>><> Hori (Ari) remains momentarily distracted by the violent, confusing skirmish erupting between Amunhotep and the hostile High Priest figure. However, the ingrained obedience of his Ascendant identity quickly reasserts itself, pulling him back to his sacred duty. He looks down at the strange offering in his hand—the sock monkey. Hori's face settles into a warm, complacent smile. He remembers his duty to the Temple and the sacred Waters of Nun. He is grateful for the opportunities this new land has given him, recalling his initial arrival as a humble, dusty wanderer. His friend Amunhotep stepped in to help him right away and has remained a devoted friend and protector. Hori believes he has been profoundly blessed. He smiles down at the sock monkey and gives a small, amused chuckle at its whimsy, seeing it only as a unique tribute. Hori glances up, taking in the scene: the newcomer (you) standing confused nearby, Amunhotep fiercely protecting the Stream from the strange Ibis figure, and the long line of devoted worshipers waiting to present their gifts. Hori loves his life and everyone in it. Without further hesitation, and believing he is fulfilling a delightful sacred duty, Hori tosses the sock monkey offering into the Source Stream. The small, absurd piece of fabric hits the cascading blue-white data flow and is instantly swallowed, vanishing as it flows down into the basin and disappears into the ground. As Hori watches the last thread of the sock monkey disappear, he glances past the Stream and notices a small, dark object near the nearest pillar. It is the Babi monkey avatar that was following the strange newcomer. The Babi monkey is now limp and lifeless, collapsed onto the floor. Hori's mind, compliant and focused on the Temple's peace, registers the fallen figure but thinks nothing of it—just another discarded animal. The external observer, $ezra, is gone. Hori then turns his attention to the queue. He resumes his duties and moves to accept an offering from the next waiting worshiper. [[Epilogue]]

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "mirage" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadein>><big>Epilogue: [[The Noble Burden]]</big>

The rhythm of the village, once slow and predictable, had accelerated into a steady, energetic pulse. For Pepi and Khaem, however, the day still began and ended at the water’s edge. They sat beneath the familiar acacia tree, the sun warm on their backs, the cool mud of the tributary soothing their feet. Their cane lines lay still in the current, their fishing more a meditative ritual than a serious hunt for food. “There are four today,” Khaem announced, not looking away from the road entrance. His tone was now the practiced, dispassionate voice of an official surveyor counting cargo. Pepi nodded, adjusting his linen wrap. “A small group. Yesterday brought seven. The city’s appetite for hands is endless, Khaem. Every week, the great King’s men demand more stone, more grain, more stability.” The four strangers moved exactly as the countless others before them: slow, uncertain, and overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the distant temple and the pyramid. They were dusty vessels, temporarily lost, waiting for an anchor. And, as always, the anchor appeared. Amunhotep, his posture straight and his movements deliberate in his clean temple tunic, emerged from a side alley, having clearly finished his early morning duties assisting the Master of the Waters. He spotted the newcomers immediately. He no longer hesitated or sighed. This was his established duty, a daily penance and blessing woven into the fabric of his life. He approached them, his greeting kind and formal. “Welcome. You have arrived.” He then began to point the way to water and shelter. Khaem watched his friend perform this ritual of guidance. “Amunhotep is never angry at the interruption. He treats every arrival as if they are the most important person in the world.” “That is because he understands the great Architecture of our lives,” Pepi explained. “Every new brick, every new tiller, every new scribe—they are all necessary components. The city grows, and it must, for the ultimate purpose.” Pepi shifted his focus from the road to the water. The ripples created by his line, slight disturbances in the stream, spread outward in perfect, concentric circles. He looked past the reality of the tributary and deep into its depths. The water seemed to show him visions—not of the gods, but of the ultimate, noble demand placed on all Egyptians. “Soon,” Pepi mused, his voice low and solemn, “when the construction is judged suitable, when all the necessary systems are in place, the great kings will arrive to claim their place. The Pharaohs will step into the full power of the realm, and it will be a joyous occasion for all of Egypt.” He turned to Khaem, his eyes clear and earnest. “But understand this, my grandson. That great joy, that eternal stability—it is bought by us. By our toil.” Pepi gently explained the sacred truth: the myth of Eternal Duty for Ma’at. He told Khaem how every person’s struggle and labor on earth was a continuous, necessary sacrifice of self to maintain the Order. He described the expected toil in the Field of Reeds (Aaru), the heavenly version of Egypt, where the common folk were destined to farm and work for eternity, ensuring the gods and kings had their eternal due. “Our labor is not a curse, Khaem, it is a covenant,” Pepi concluded. “These newcomers, ourselves, Amunhotep, Hori with his sacred water—our lives are bound to this duty, to this great machine. And in that perpetual, tireless work, there is a profound, noble good. It ensures the sun rises, and the river flows, always.” Khaem pulled his line out, the small, copper hook empty. He looked out over the thriving, humming village and then back at the majestic, geometric promise of the temple in the distance. “I understand, Grandfather,” Khaem said, nodding once, his small chest swelling with the weight of the cosmic duty. “It is a noble thing to be a part of the Order.” [[Complete the game|wrap it up]]

Congratulations. You have completed the game. Please click the link below to register your completion. Also, feel free to replay as many times as you'd like to try different paths. <> <<audio "claps" volume 0 fadein>> <<set _destination to "http://cadburycybernetic.com/game-completion?playerName="+$name>> <> <<print '<a target="_top" href="'+_destination+'">Fill out the form (end game)</a>'>>

<<audio "strum" loop volume 0 fadeout>><<audio "caravan" loop volume 0 fadeout>><big>Chapter III: [[The Sacred Stream|you_wake]]</big>