(set:$counter1 to 2)(live: 1s)[(set: $counter1 to it -1)(if: $counter1 is 0)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")+(t8n-time: 1s)[You could become red.]]]
(set:$counter2 to 4)(live: 1s)[(set: $counter2 to it -1)(if: $counter2 is 0)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")+(t8n-time: 1s)[And so, eventually, you [[do.->enter]]]]]
You slip, sliding headfirst into a world that neither [[welcomes you->description]] nor [[turns you away.->description]]
You are surrounded on all sides by sharp, staggering [[spires->elaboration 1]] of crimson, stretching endlessly into a murky fog. The air shimmers with heat and moisture and you feel yourself begin to [[sweat.->elaboration 2]]
This is an old place, forged out of the remains of [[long-dead->stare]] empires and standing on the graves of a thousand civilizations. You're standing here, too. A speck.
You run a hand over your face. Nearby, pits of bubbling liquid gush and boil. It could be magma or the blood of [[ancient->stare]] gods. You'll never know for certain.
You can't bring yourself to move. You stand staring at the world raging around you. Soon, a [[figure->person]] emerges from the mist, appearing at the edge of your vision.
//"It's beautiful, isn't it?"// they say, coming to stand at your side. They have long hair worn in tight braids and are dressed in what could only be the armour of a warrior.
[["Yes, it is."->yes]]
[["No, it isn't."->no]]
[["What happened?"->neutral]]
The warrior nods slowly. //"It has taken us so long to build the world to our liking. We have done nothing but [[fight->proposal]] for this for generations."//
The warrior's expression darkens. //"You are like the lost, then. Naive and unwilling to see the potential of our great world. We have done nothing but [[fight->proposal]] for this for generations."//
The warrior bares their teeth into some semblance of a smile. //"We won. The wars were long, blurring into each other in the haze of our great battles. We have done nothing but [[fight->proposal]] for this for generations."//
//"You could fight for something too."//
[["Not like this."->bad]]
[["I would."->good]]
The [[warrior->exit (bad)]] sneers. //"No? Don't have the stomach for it?"//
//"Good."// The [[warrior->exit (good)]] takes your hand and places a small, hand-carved blade in your palm. //"We needed people like you. We still do."//
They move like water, there one moment and then gone the next.
(live: 4s)[(goto: "you could (good)")]
//"... Then you could just (link-repeat: "burn")[(goto-url:"https://you-could-become.neocities.org/red.html")] instead."//
//"... And you could (link-repeat: "burn")[(goto-url:"https://you-could-become.neocities.org/red.html")] so brightly."//
They move like water, there one moment and then gone the next.
(live: 4s)[(goto: "you could (bad)")]