#Set in Stone
by Dominic Berardi
[[**<u>Start</u>**|Intro]]I am a rock.
Yes, it is as boring as one might expect it to be. I sit in one place for eternity, surrounded by other rocks on the side of this mountain. In the distance, waves crash onto the shoreline, for I sit on an island.
I'm not saying this island isn't paradise. It certainly is! But now, imagine you were stuck on this island completely alone, with no way to move, and no way to even speak.
...yeah. That's a rock's life[[...|Intro 2]]connects back to hub after each dream
3 dreams chosen in total, with a "good" and "bad" decision in each
if "good" decision chosen, the player gets a point to an unseen counter;
at 4th day, a new dream is entered where the rock talks to an mysterious voice, that tells him to always be positive and change will come soon
earthquake happens and rock falls to abyss in ocean: if player has 0 points, they will be stuck there; 1 point allows you to end sitting in a beautiful part of the ocean; 2 point allows you to be picked up by a boy to be a pet rock; 3 points opens up the best ending where the rock gets melted into magma and can talk and move with the other melted rocksI like to think that the other rocks around me are in the same situation as me, also wishing they could talk with one another. But, I don't wish that, because that would mean they are as lonely as me.
What I really want is change. It doesn't matter how it comes or where it comes from.
At the very least, I can freely see and think, which is both a blessing and a curse. Most nights are spent dreaming for what I wish I could do, and most days I...
(link: "count the rocks")[(set: $rocks_bool to true)(goto: "New Day")]
(link: "observe the birds")[(set: $birds_bool to true)(goto: "New Day")]{
(set: $points = 0)
(set: $day = 0)
(set: $birds_bool to false)
(set: $birds to (a: "seagull", "pelican", "toucan", "parrot", "macaw"))
(set: $rocks_bool to false)
(set: $rocks to (a: "593", "651", "563", "612", "584"))
(set: $adventurous to false)
(set: $free to false)
(set: $hopeful to false)
}(set: $day += 1)
(if: $birds_bool is true)[High in the sky, a (print: (either: ...$birds)) soars, unchained by the world around it.]
(if: $rocks_bool is true)[I count (print: (either: ...$rocks)) rocks... I wonder if I missed any?]
Another day.
Still the same old boring life of a rock.
(if: $day is 1)[The waves out in the ocean are really big today. Every now and then I get lucky and see different creatures on the water's surface. It's got to be beautiful down in the sea...]
(if: $day is 2)[Humans walk by me sometimes. I don't think any of them live on this island, because boats appear by the shore. They come and take pictures, explore around me, have fun together... they take for granted all the things they can do.]
(if: $day is 3)[I live on the side of a mountain, but really it is actually a volcano. I can't remember the last time it erupted. It must've been before I had even formed.]
(if: $day is 4)[Still, nothing has changed.]
[[...|New Night]]adventurous: fighting a dragon as a courageous knight
hopeful: astronaut that finds another space station
free: going on a hike to scale the tallest mountain
loved: on a date with another beautiful rock
The sun is setting. Nighttime already?
(if: $birds_bool is true)[But I wasn't done looking at birds!]
(if: $rocks_bool is true)[But I still had to recount the rocks!]
Oh well. At least I have my dreams.
I want to feel...
(if: $day is 4)[[[I'm not sure anymore...|Night 4 Dream Pt. 1]]]
(else:)[
(if: $adventurous is false)[[adventurous]]
(if: $free is false)[[free]]
(if: $hopeful is false)[[hopeful]]
](set: $adventurous to true)
Zzzzzz.....
...
//The rock finds itself in a dream where it is a knight in shining armor. Before it stands a mighty green dragon, and a princess in a cage.//
Never fear, princess! Sir Rocksalot is here!
//The dragon belched fire at the brave rock, who brought up their shield in defense. But the onslaught of attacks continued.//
I must take cover!
//Quickly, the rock ran to a broken wall for a short break. Not soon after hiding, however, the dragon began to charge up a great ball of energy!//
Hyahh!
//The rock deflected the energy ball back into the dragon, stunning it!//
Now is my chance.
[[Escape with the princess.]]
[[Slay the dragon.]](set: $free to true)
Zzzzzz.....
...
//The rock stands near the peak of the world's tallest mountain. A blizzard rages on, clouding the visibility.//
Argh! I've been climbing up this mountain for days... surely I must be near the top.
//A large gap dividing the mountain's path impeded the rock's progress.//
Well, I've got to keep moving. Only one way across this chasm. Here goes nothing!
//With all of its might, the rock lept over the gap, narrowing getting its footing as it landed. The wind howled, but through the noise the rock heard something.//
Whew, that was close. But, what is that sound? I think it might be coming from the chasm. That seems dangerous though...
[[Continue onwards.|free bad confirm]]
[[Go down into the chasm.|free good]](set: $hopeful to true)
Zzzzzz.....
...
//The rock is in a spaceship out in the far reaches of space.//
Log 1624: I'm getting low on fuel. No planets have been sighted yet. But, I'm not giving up just yet.
//As the rock ended that log, the ship shook. It had finally used the last of its fuel.//
Welp, that's just great.
//Just then, a weird-looking spaceship came zooming out of nowhere up to the rock's ship. A beam shoots out, colliding with the rock's ship.//
What's this? Alien lifeforms? And this beam seems to be hitting my ship!
//The ship begins to vibrate rapidly.//
Are they trying to destroy my ship?!
[[Ready the ship's lasers|hopeful bad confirm]]
[[Try to get the aliens' attention|hopeful good]]Zzzzzz.....
...
(text-style: "blur")["Little rock."]
Hm? Where am I? What was that?
"I am speaking to you, little rock."
Where is that voice coming from?
"It does not matter. What does matter is what I am going to say."
...Alright then.
[[I'll listen.]]
[[I won't listen.]](set: $points += 1)
//The rock slashed open the lock on the princess' cage and the two quickly fled far from the dragon.//
"I'm glad we were able to escape." I said.
"Thank you so much for sparing that poor dragon..." said the princess.
"Why do you say that?" I questioned.
The princess replied, "It was being forced to keep me captive by the evil sorcerer. It never tried to hurt me, instead giving me food. All it wants is for its babies to live."
//The rock was filled with delight at this revelation.//
[[Zzzzzz.....|New Day]]//The rock lept up to deal the final blow to the huge beast, but they noticed something...//
Hm? This dragon... it seems to be protecting something.
//A group of hatchlings run over to stunned dragon, whimpering. The beast let out a snarl.//
Is this dragon their mother?
What should I do?
[[Slay it anyways.]]
[[Make your escape.|Escape with the princess.]]This creature is a danger to the kingdom. It cannot be kept alive!
***fwoosh***
//And just like that, it was over. The rock freed the princess from her prison.//
"You are free, princess! Let us away!" I said.
"Why would you kill that poor thing!? It was being forced to keep me in here by the evil sorcerer and only wanted to protect its babies!" exclaimed the princess.
Oh. Whoops.
[[Zzzzz.....|New Day]]Zzzzzz.....
...
//The rock is flying high in the sky, with huge wings.//
Woohooooooo!
This is so great!
//A storm forms around it.//
What's going on?
Where did my wings go?
Wha-
//The rock was falling what felt faster than light itself.//
//Darkness, then nothing.//
[[...|Night 4 Dream Pt. 2]]"Great. I have been testing you through your dreams, to see if you are worthy of my powers."
Your powers?
"Yes. Depending on how good of a little rock you have been in your dreams, the more change will occur in your life. And soon."
Oh! How will this change come to me?
"That I cannot tell you. What I can tell you is to focus on the light you see. If that light manifests itself to you, that means you have been deemed as righteous and worthy. That is what will allow me to help you."
The light? What are you talking about?
"Be patient. You will understand soon enough. And remember, little rock. Things can always change. Nothing is set in stone."
[[Zzzzzz.....|Day 5]]"You won't listen, huh? Are you sure you don't want to listen to what I have to say? I'm only trying to help you..."
[[Listen|I'll listen.]]
[[Do not listen]](set: $points to 0)
"So you won't hear me out... okay then."
...
"Change doesn't come for everybody, I guess..."
...
"Goodbye."
[[Zzzzzz.....|Day 5]]Another day.
Still the same old--
(text-style: "shudder")[**//RUMBLE//**]
Huh? Oh, now what!?
(text-style: "shudder")[**//RUMBLE RUMBLE//**]
ROCKSLIDE!
//A cascade of rocks swept up the rock and brought it straight into the ocean.//
Ahhhhhh!
//The rock splashed into the ocean and began to sink to its depths.//
I can't do anything but [[sink...]](live: 2s)[//Falling...//(stop:)]
(live: 4s)[//Falling...//(stop:)]
(live: 6s)[//*thunk*//(stop:)]
(live: 10s)[...
Well, change came.
Not in the way I wanted it.
Now I'm stuck in darkness at the bottom of an abyss...
(if: $points > 0)[//A small speck of light, like a distant star, shines in the distance.//
[[Focus on the light.|In the Reef]]]
[[Accept this fate.|Bad Ending]](stop:)]There's that light the voice told me about!
//The rock focused solely on that speck of hope.//
//Suddenly, a force propelled the rock upwards.//
Woah, an underwater geyser! I'm free!
//The rock shot out of the abyss and into the open ocean, landing in the middle of a coral reef.//
Wow, this reef is so amazing. There are so many different creatures to look at and new plants and rocks to count!
But... I still have no one to talk to.
(if: $points > 1)[//The faint light still shines in the distance.//
Could there be more it can show me?
[[Focus on the light.|On the Shore]]]
[[Accept this fate.|Neutral Ending]]Why didn't I listen to that voice?
I should've been more positive.
Maybe that would have gotten me somewhere.
Instead...
I've lost the one thing I had and took for granted. No more rocks to count. No more birds to see.
Just me and the darkness.
...
**Bad Ending**Well, I suppose it could be worse. At least I can still do the things I've always done, but in a new place.
At the very least, this reef is quite beautiful.
Change has come... but I wonder if there was the possibility of more?
**Neutral Ending**Keep... focusing... on... that... light!
//At that moment, a massive current and wave rushed by, picking up the rock!//
Yippie! On the move again!
//The wave crashed onto the shore, where a boy is visiting with his family.//
"Mom, look at this rock! It just came from the ocean! Can I keep it? It'll be my pet Rocky!" exclaimed the boy.
Oh, that could be nice. Being taken to a bunch of places, and with somebody that will talk to me... even if I can't respond back.
(if: $points > 2)[//The light still lingers in the rock's sight.//
Wait, it's still here? It could probably take me somewhere even further...
[[Focus on the light.|Eruption]]]
[[Accept this fate.|Good Ending]]"It's time to leave! Let's go!" the boy's mother called to him.
//The boy ran off to a boat, and the visiting family sailed off into the horizon.//
So... where is the change? I thought something was supposed to happen.
Did I get duped?
Maybe I'm not meant to have a happy ending...
[[...|Eruption Pt. 2]]//The boy came running up to pick up the rock.//
"Hey Rocky! You're coming with me. We're gonna go everywhere together!"
Finally, somebody to talk to, and a way to get around.
Could this be any better for a rock like me?
**Good Ending**(text-style: "rumble")[**//RUMBLE//**]
Oh, great. Another rock slide?
(text-style: "rumble")[**//RUUUUUUUUUMMMMMBBBBBBLLLLLEEEEEEE//**]
This is different. It's an... eruption. From the island volcano!
//Magma spewed out from the volcano's peak and slowly approched the rock.//
Huh. This is my fate. I was such a good rock, too...
//The magma began to engulf the rock.//
Goodbye, world. Sadly I couldn't explore you like I wanted to.
Wait a second... this magma.. actually feels kind of [[nice.|Best Ending]]//Soon enough, the rock wasn't a rock anymore. It was one with the magma.//
Wow, this feels... different. And-- I can move!
Yes! In this form, I can move!
"Of course we can move! We're a liquid!"
What the?
"What the what? We just decided to bring you into the family. We can tell you've been lonely..."
And who might I be speaking to?
"Us! You! Me! We're all connected. The magma lets us be as one. Welcome home."
//The rock had no words. It was all he could have wanted, and more. Finally completely free and no longer alone.//
**Best Ending**(set: $points += 1)
//The rock went up to the window of their ship in an effort to get the alien's attention, deciding not to fire the laser beams at the aliens.//
Heeeeeyyyyy! Aliens!!!
//From the window, the rock noticed an odd looking creature waving back at them, and what looked to be a smile from what would likely be the creature's mouth.//
Oh, I guess they are friendly. Then, what is this beam that is hitting my ship doing, exactly?
//Suddenly, the ship's engines restarted.//
Oh, thanks! The ship's energy levels are through the roof... I think it can even go hyperspeed. Let's go!
//The rock and ship jumped into overdrive, and a second later, they were in front of a new planet.//
Log 1625: I've successfully found a new planet. All thanks to my alien friends.
[[Zzzzzz.....|New Day]]This beam coming from the alien ship could be trying to do something really bad. I should get the ship's defense lasers ready.
//The backup power slowly begins to charge the laser beams.//
The beam still hasn't damaged my ship. Could it be helping me?
//The rock noticed a figure in the alien ship's window.//
Is the alien trying to tell me something?
[[Stop the firing sequence.|hopeful good]]
[[Fire the lasers.|hopeful bad]]I can't risk it any longer. I have to fire the lasers, my ship could be destroyed!
**ZING**
//The laser beam pierced through the alien ship, making it explode into pieces.//
**BOOOOOOOM**
Hm... I can't help but feel that maybe those aliens weren't actually going to destroy me. But was it worth the risk?
//The rock's ship's backup power finally went out for good.//
I don't have any power any longer... stuck in the expanse of space.
I'll never be able to find a new planet now...
[[Zzzzzz.....|New Day]](set: $points += 1)
I've gotta help whatever is down there. It might be stuck.
//The rock used a rope to reach the bottom of the chasm. There lied a huge eagle, with its wings trapped under some snow.//
Wow, an eagle! I've never even seen one of these before. I guess it's a good thing I came down here. Let me help you.
//Using his pick and shovel, the rock cleared the snow and ice holding the eagle down. As soon as it was free, it let out a screech and picked up the rock with its talons.//
Whoa-! This isn't how I expected to be thanked!
//Soon enough, the rock and eagle were in the sky, above the clouds. The mountain's peak sat peeking above the clouds. The eagle dropped off the rock gently onto the peak and flew off.//
I was able to help something and make it to my goal... awesome.
//The rock sat observing the clouds and smiled.//
[[Zzzzzz.....|New Day]]I can't just ignore my goal. It's taken days to get here. I have to keep going.
//The rock climbed further, the peak still out of sight. Not long after, another gap blocked the pathway.//
Again?! This time, the chasm is even larger than before. I wonder if I can make it.
//A screech echoed out from the chasm.//
That sound again, too... it sounded like a bird of some sort.
[[I must reach the peak...|free bad]]
[[I've gotta help it.|free good]]//The rock decided to continue on.//
I've got to make this jump!
//With all of its might and more, the rock tried to cross the even larger gap, this time not quite making it. It began to slide down the chasm.//
Nooooooooo!
//It landed deep in the snow and ice at the bottom of the chasm.//
Oh no... I'm stuck.
So cold...
[[Zzzzzz.....|New Day]]