Bot

Lore written by Xithyl





My first memories are only of a void. I wandered aimlessly through this abyss agonizingly alone. Floating shapelessly, silently, through unknown space. With no body, no mind, no soul, or purpose I know not how long I drifted; I only knew that I wanted to be freed from this wretched void.

Finally, it happened. I started to take shape and form, feeling limbs and appendages mold around me. I could feel an awkward thump in my chest and the silence around me was broken by a single high-pitched ring. I felt, for the first time, alive and complete. Still, I drifted quietly waiting for whatever happens next.

Suddenly the ringing stopped, but, very faintly, I could hear something new. A single noise, then two, then three. They grew louder and louder until it was nothing but a cacophony of indistinct sound sending searing pain into me. My eyes slammed shut and I cupped my hands to my ears begging for it to end, but it only grew louder and louder. I fell to my knees, not even noticing I had something to fall onto for the first time since my existence began. There was this horrible twisting beneath my chest and that easy awkward thump grew frantic. The single noise became sounds spread out all around me, more distant but just and chaotic. For what felt like an eternity, but told was only seconds, I lay curled in a ball as the sounds around me became recognizable. The sounds of wind blowing, and water rushing faded into the background as a kind of white noise. I could make out the sounds of chirping and wood creaking. My body finally relaxed as the pain subsided. I opened my eyes and saw faint light. I rubbed my eyes and blinked until the last of the void left my eyes in whisps.

I lay there on my back, taking in sights almost as overwhelming as the sounds. Such a rush of information: contrasts, colors, textures, and shapes. Nothing could have prepared me for what exists outside of the void. While looking around I notice a shape moving toward me, looking like me, but also drastically different. I rolled over and tried to stand up best I could, but nothing felt solid underneath me. I reached out toward the figure, and he grabbed me by the hand and pulled me up.

I stood there, every limb shaking, as I took in everything around me. He was looking me up and down with a confused look on his face, until finally he spoke with an excited tone.

“Well met, traveler, have you been around here before? You look awfully familiar.”

“No…no, I’ve never seen anything like this. I wouldn’t even know what to call this place.” I spoke back between heavy breaths, sweat dripping from my face.

He let out a soft chuckle. “Of course, traveler, I should have known, we almost never get repeat visitors here. What’s your name?”

I was taken back by the question. A name? what is that? My own thoughts were suddenly cut off and I heard an echo rumble deep in my head.


From here on out you will be known as 48hfkv38d.

Before I could even consider the voice, my mouth contorted, and I choked out the given name. “My name is 48hfkv38d.”

The man’s face dropped for only a moment, then he nodded and spoke again. “Its nice to meet you, I’ll be your guide here on this island. Are you ready to start your new life as an adventurer?”

I felt everything in my body tingle, the idea of an adventure anywhere outside of the void was exciting enough, but a career was beyond anything I could have imagined.

I stumbled over my own words, eyes wide with excitement. “O…of course, nothing would be more exciting!”

The guide stuttered in turn. “Well…well don’t me stop you. Follow the trail out that door and you’ll figure out everything you need to know.”

Before I even noticed it, I was sprinting toward the door. I swung it open and stepped outside. The world outside that box was more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. The inside of the structure was brown and admittedly bland, but the outside world was so vivid. More colors than I could hope to fully understand with sounds and smells I wished to know more about. I could feel the same wind that rustled the trees and feel the mist of the sea I heard in the distance. I could feel the smile on my face and tears well in my eyes. I turned back to thank the guide for pulling me from that horrible void. I tried to speak, but all I could feel is a hook in my throat. The door closed slowly, seemingly on its own, but just before it closed, I saw the guide look back at me with such somber eyes.

I tried to reach for the door, but I was frozen in place. Then, again, I heard the voice that echoed deep within me.

You must continue, there is no time to waste here.

Without thinking, I turned around toward the trail and sprinting down it.

Just before the door closed, the guide’s face dropped. His bright eyes and happy smile sank and he left out a deep sigh. He sulked across the room and collapsed into this chair. He leaned forward and his vision blurred as his tears dripped onto his robe.

“Oh, Saradomin. Why do they keep coming to me?” He wailed, desperate for an answer. “How can I save these cursed souls?”

My first day in this world was long and hard, but so rewarding. I met so many new people and learned so much from them. Each person with something new to offer. I now know how to forge my own fire, catch my own food, create my own protection from the stones of this world. I was taught how to fight, how to use a bow, even learned I have the capabilities for magic. I could never stay long though, just as soon as I learned a skill I was ushered on by the voice in my head. It seemed impatient but determined to push me through.

I found myself standing with the man who taught me magic. After guiding me through spellcasting he put a hand on my shoulder.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

“Is there something else?” I looked over to him confused.

“No, you’ve learned everything this island can teach you. If you’re ready, I can send you to Lumbridge where you can start your life as an adventurer.” He pointed off into the distance, but all I could see was the vast blue of the ocean.

“I think…” I paused, overwhelmed by a world larger than this. “I think I’m ready.”
The spellcaster let out a laugh. “That’s good to hear.”

He walked across the room and opened his hands toward me. A soft glow caught my eye, and I looked down to see a complicated magic circle form underneath me. I looked back at the spellcaster, and his gaze met mine.

He spoke in a soft tone. “Close your eyes, and you’ll be off.”

I did as he asked and suddenly wind rushed around me. I could feel my hair get tossed around and my clothes flap in sudden wind. The sound of rushing wind got louder and louder until, suddenly, it was gone. The sound of crashing wave and chirping birds were gone. The sounds replaced by what must have been dozens of voices. I opened my eyes and took a reflexive step back. One moment I was in a small tower, and how a whole castle wraps around me. People of all shapes ad sizes are running about and talking to one another.

I tried to reach out and greet these new people, but I found myself frozen in place once again. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t speak. I found myself with a desire, a compulsion, to leave the castle. I walked past the people and stepped out of the front gate. The world opened up. I could see a desert and goblins across the bridge. The houses and villages surrounding the castle filled up the rest of my view.

Chop the trees…

The voice in my head spoke again, but this time we were at odds. I wanted to explore and talk. Get to know these people and learn all about the world. I shrugged the voice off and turned to head toward the village pub. I sprinted toward it and only made it about halfway before I was forcibly stopped in my tracks. The voice echoed louder this time.

Chop the trees…

I refused, maybe another time but not now. There is too much to do. I tried to walk onward but I couldn’t move a single step. I felt myself being pulled toward the tress across the road.

Chop the trees…

I had no choice but to give in, against my will, I marched towards the tress and started chopping. I got a single log, then another, and another, and another. The command drummed in my skull.

Chop the trees, chop the trees, chop the trees.

Finally, with a full backpack I wiped the sweat from my brow and turned back towards the pub. Surely this was enough to satisfy this ridiculous voice. I took a step forward, then stopped once again. The same voice, but a new command.

Drop the logs…

Frustrated, I obeyed immediately knowing I couldn’t overpower this voice. I flung my pack across the road, hearing it plop into the river.

“There you go!” I shouted “I’ve done what you asked! Leave me alone!” I clenched my fists and tried to stomp over to the bar, but again, I could not best the voice.

Chop the trees, drop the logs.

Again, without my own permission, I found myself back in front of the tree swinging away. I collected log after log, fell tree after tree, but the voice just drummed on. Hours to days, days to months. At this point I’ve lost count of how long I’ve been here.


Chop the trees, drop the logs.

There was nothing I could do.

Chop the trees, drop the logs

This is all I’ve known since I’ve come to this world.

Chop the trees, drop the logs.

I never thought I would miss it.

Chop the trees, drop the logs.

I never thought I would want to go back.

Chop the trees, drop the logs.

But now, I wait for the embrace of that cold, dark, void.



Art by HCL




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