Hello, and welcome again to another chapter of this story! Just like the last time, I will move the section with my answers to your comments to the bottom. And now, enjoy the new Chapter!
THE EAS PART IS TAKEN FROM THE FAN-MADE EAS MADE BY Youtube user TheMordent.
Fear the Light
Chapter 4
Tale of the lost puppy 1
WARNING: O5 Approval Required
The file you are attempting to access is available to personnel with Level 5/4001 clearance only. This clearance is not included within the general Level 5 security protocol.
BY SCROLLING DOWN, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CONSENT TO EXPOSURE TO A KNOWN COGNITOHAZARDOUS IMAGE. SCROLLING DOWN WITHOUT PROPER INOCULATION WILL RESULT IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
Attempting access beyond this point without clearance is grounds for termination of Foundation employment and cancellation of all educational, medical, retirement, and mortality benefits. In the event of incapacitation or worse by the cognitohazard below due to lack of inoculation, and thus an attempt at unauthorized access, this console will become inoperable, and automated viral agents will disable access to your Foundation account, bank accounts, social media, emails, and any other aspects of your online identity. In the unlikely event of survival, security personnel will be dispatched to detain and escort you to a secure site. You will be interrogated under truth-extracting memetic agents, then likely terminated.
CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED
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COGNITOHAZARD LOADING…
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F̷͙̱̝͕̥̐ͨ̅E̠̥̣̅̊̌͑͘A̜̱͙̯̗̾̐͌͟R̛̜̻̀͑ͫͨ ̷̜͇̱̘̭͎͉̾Tͩͤ҉̩̖H̢̝͍̳ͩE̢̝̤͔̘̍ͣ͑ ̵͔͇͕̫̲̇̈́L̷̠̣̗̰̻̩̹̋ͅĮ̱̼̰̹͔͋̿͐̊Ǵ̡͕͕͇̹̐̔H̸̥̗̤͎̟̗̏̀̓ͪT ̵̱̗̞͉̦̝̱͇ͨ͑̌F̷͙̱̝͕̥̐ͨ̅E̠̥̣̅̊̌͑͘A̜̱͙̯̗̾̐͌͟R̛̜̻̀͑ͫͨ ̷̜͇̱̘̭͎͉̾Tͩͤ҉̩̖H̢̝͍̳ͩE̢̝̤͔̘̍ͣ͑ ̵͔͇͕̫̲̇̈́L̷̠̣̗̰̻̩̹̋ͅĮ̱̼̰̹͔͋̿͐̊Ǵ̡͕͕͇̹̐̔H̸̥̗̤͎̟̗̏̀̓ͪT ̵̱̗̞͉̦̝̱͇ͨ͑̌F̷͙̱̝͕̥̐ͨ̅E̠̥̣̅̊̌͑͘A̜̱͙̯̗̾̐͌͟R̛̜̻̀͑ͫͨ ̷̜͇̱̘̭͎͉̾Tͩͤ҉̩̖H̢̝͍̳ͩE̢̝̤͔̘̍ͣ͑ ̵͔͇͕̫̲̇̈́L̷̠̣̗̰̻̩̹̋ͅĮ̱̼̰̹͔͋̿͐̊Ǵ̡͕͕͇̹̐̔H̸̥̗̤͎̟̗̏̀̓ͪT ̵̱̗̞͉̦̝̱͇ͨ͑̌F̷͙̱̝͕̥̐ͨ̅E̠̥̣̅̊̌͑͘A̜̱͙̯̗̾̐͌͟R̛̜̻̀͑ͫͨ ̷̜͇̱̘̭͎͉̾Tͩͤ҉̩̖H̢̝͍̳ͩE̢̝̤͔̘̍ͣ͑ ̵͔͇͕̫̲̇̈́L̷̠̣̗̰̻̩̹̋ͅĮ̱̼̰̹͔͋̿͐̊Ǵ̡͕͕͇̹̐̔H̸̥̗̤͎̟̗̏̀̓ͪṮ̵̗̞͉̦̝̱͇ͨ͑̌ F̷͙̱̝͕̥̐ͨ̅E̠̥̣̅̊̌͑͘A̜̱͙̯̗̾̐͌͟R̛̜̻̀͑ͫͨ ̷̜͇̱̘̭͎͉̾Tͩͤ҉̩̖H̢̝͍̳ͩE̢̝̤͔̘̍ͣ͑ ̵͔͇͕̫̲̇̈́L̷̠̣̗̰̻̩̹̋ͅĮ̱̼̰̹͔͋̿͐̊Ǵ̡͕͕͇̹̐̔H̸̥̗̤͎̟̗̏̀̓ͪṮ̵̗̞͉̦̝̱͇ͨ͑̌
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COGNITOHAZARD ACTIVATED
CONTINUED CONSCIOUSNESS CONFIRMED
RETRIEVING FILE
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WARNING! THE FOLLOWING FILE IS A COPY OF A CHAPTER OF [REDACTED]FROM THE COLLECTION OF ALEXANDRIA ETERNAL, DESIGNATED AS SCP-4001. ANYONE WITHOUT THE 5/4001 CLEARANCE IS PROHIBITED FROM READING THE FOLLOWING FILE.
File report designation: Tale of the lost puppy 1
I… I do not even know what happened. I still believe that this is some kind of nightmare, from which I will wake up sooner or later. Some people claim that if a dreamer realizes that he or she is dreaming, the dreamer can take control of his dream. He can wake up at his will or even take control of the entire dream world inside his mind.
As of now, I am not able to wake up. I am not able to take control, no matter how hard I am trying.
But, that is most likely because it is not a dream. This is not some nightmare that you can simply wake up from. This is reality. This is what is now known as the real world. Nightmares compared to reality are like glimpses of paradise. I welcome them because no matter how scary they are, they cannot compare to the dread of the real world.
For a while, whenever my mind would decide to wake up, be it because of the danger or just because I had too much sleep, I'd cry. I hated the fact that I could not fall into a coma and never wake up. To die in my sleep, safely in the darkness.
Thankfully I have realized I have no time to cry. I have no time for anything. And paradoxically, I have all the time in the world, the whole eternity for myself. With just me, myself, and I. No other humans are left alive to wander this world. No one to come, no one to answer my call, no one to find me. And yet I am not alone, no matter how much I'd want to.
They are all around me, waiting for me to make a mistake, whispering to me insane thoughts, trying to drive me mad.
And I could not predict which would win first: knowing that I am the last human alive on Earth, forced to stay in the darkness, without sunlight… or… those things…
After all that time in the darkness, I could barely recall how the sunlight feels. How I'd love to bathe in the warm rays of our sun, feeling its warm embrace, to come out to the light-NO!
That is what they want. They want to drag me out. They want to expose me to their poisonous sun. They want me to change, to become like them. I could feel their influence inside my head. That was all their doing, they were poisoning my mind. I need to be more careful. I can't give in to temptation. The darkness is my only protection.
To survive I need to embrace the darkness, and I must not make any sound.
To survive, I need to fear the light.
I… I am sorry… I do not know for how long I have been hiding. I do not know how much time has passed already. I stopped counting after… I cannot even recall when I stopped counting. Time became irrelevant after all. There is no need for anyone to measure the time, no one needs to know what time it is.
Now, everything that was once called the past, seems to be nothing more than a childish dream. The memories of happy people, living under the warm embrace of the sun, and the watchful gaze of the moon. I cannot even convince myself anymore that this was how my world once looked. That the past truly happened.
The more I forget, the less I understand. With every memory lost, my sanity is slipping away. And that is exactly what they want. They want me to believe that the sun is safe. That everything will be alright. But I will never trust them, no matter how human they may sound.
The sun and moon are traitors. They are responsible. No one should trust them. They offer serenity and peace, but all they do is transform you into one of those creatures. I will never take that offer. I will never give in to their temptation.
Sometimes, if my dreams are not merciful to me, I dream about what happened. I dream of a memory of the moment when the day broke. At this point, I cannot even tell, if this dream is nothing more than pure fantasy or if it really happened like this. I am not able to say what is real and whatnot, not anymore.
I remember… a hot and cloudless day. Nothing more than a clear blue sky, beautiful as ever. Oh, how I'd wish I could see such a miracle! A clear blue sky, with the beautiful yellow-white sun, warmly welcoming us to embrace every day, to live our life to the fullest. To just simply live our lives just like we were meant to.
And I remember cities – full of people with a spectrum of emotions. You could find every type of people just walking around – a mother playing with their children, young teenagers enjoying their youth, boys and girls crying from their first heartbreaks, adults worrying about taxes and jobs, elderly people just simply and happily enjoying their last day.
We humans, we lived in heaven. A paradise called planet Earth. It must have been the most beautiful place in the entire universe! Full of people, animals, plants, with amazing wonders of nature.
That's how I imagine the world before the break. I cannot count on my memory any longer. My memories are always mixed with fantasy.
Azure blue sky, warm yellow sun, happy people with their own bodies, alive world… No… It's too beautiful to be true, it cannot be. My imagination is playing with me once more. We were born into this hellhole. The sun was always corrupted, the moon gave no hope. Or maybe… Maybe I died? Maybe I am just dead, and I am now in Tartarus or hell? Or wherever I have found myself in the afterlife?
But if anything I can recall from my mind is true, then there were times when the world wasn't hell. When I… I had a life back then? I think I had a life?
Yes, now, I think I remember it now. It was summer, one of the hottest summers in history. I've been visiting my grandmother [REDACTED], just like always whenever I happened to be in the area of [REDACTED]. After that, I decided to go back to a Camp… For people like me… But I can't recall what's that supposed to mean.
I do not know why, but I think I decided to use a bus that day. We were stuck in one of the tunnels… I do not even remember the name of that place. It was… a tunnel in the city… Yes, I remember! There was a traffic jam! In the tunnel, in the dark! It was what saved me from becoming one of those creatures! Thank the darkness I remember! It was the darkness that saved me! Praise the darkness, fear the light!
We were in the tunnel, but we could still see the end of it. The exit of the tunnel. The darkness has let me witness the traitorous light, fully exposed!
Yes, I could see everything. From the safe distance, from a safe embrace of darkness. All the people on the street, all of them just suddenly got out of their cars and looked up. They were all watching the sun, saying heretical things like "How the sun is beautiful today", "how it was a miracle to watch", and other stupid things.
At first, I wanted to see it too. I wanted to know why all the people suddenly started to say such things. And yet something inside me ordered me to stay in the dark. That something was wrong. Praise the darkness, protecting me even then. Without the darkness, I would become corrupted, tainted by the light.
Suddenly, I got a message on my phone. It was one of those messages that local authorities would send whenever there was an emergency. Then, the sound of air-raid sirens.
At that moment, none of us there truly knew that the end was upon us. We all thought that it was nothing more than a test. But then I looked upon the message on my phone.
EMERGENCY ALERT
A DANGEROUS METEOROLOGICAL EVENT. STAY INDOORS. AVOID THE LIGHT AT ALL COST. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Meanwhile, from all radios in the cars, a sudden emergency was heard.
THE SCP FOUNDATION HAS INTERRUPTED YOUR STANDARD BROADCAST TO ISSUE A THREAT LEVEL-APOLLYON ANNOUNCEMENT
Many of us at first thought that it was nothing more than a joke. That someone just hacked the entire emergency system and was pulling out a massive prank. But then, we all noticed what begin to happen outside.
THIS WARNING IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THE US GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN THE SCP FOUNDATION CLEARANCE TO ISSUE THIS ALERT. THE FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO PROTECTING THE PUBLIC.
The sun and the sky were slowly turning more red with every second. It was almost as if someone just painted everything above with a scarlet-like color.
UPDATES WILL BE GIVEN AT THE TOP OF EVERY HOUR. THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY.
And the people… Oh, sweet darkness, the people outside… They started to act weird. It was almost as if all of them suddenly became drunk-happy.
AT THIS TIME, THE FOUNDATION ASKS CITIZENS TO STAY INDOORS AND BLOCK OUT ALL NATURAL LIGHTING.
And then… They've all begun to… melt.
DUE TO A FATAL METEOROLOGICAL EVENT OF [ #$%!&*^] BILLION CASUALTIES HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE FIRST THIRTY MINUTES OF ACTIVATION.
Their skin, their muscles, and even bones. Everything. All the people outside were turned into something similar to a liquid or a slime… Yes, into a red-like slime.
STAY AWAY FROM ALL VISUAL LIGHT (390 TO 700 NANOMETERS) EMITTED BY THE SUN. STAY AWAY FROM ALL VISUAL LIGHT (390 TO 700 NANOMETERS) REFLECTED BY THE MOON.
The red liquid was all that was left from all the people outside. No skin, no muscles, not even bones. Just weird red slime. That and all the clothes left on the sidewalks and road. Old and young, men and women, entire families… All of it transformed into the red goo.
CITIZENS ATTEMPTING TO TRAVEL OUTDOORS MUST FULLY COVER THEIR BODIES IN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, PREFERABLY SEVERAL LAYERS.
Then, the red goo started to do horrific things. At first, all the nearby goo just mixed, creating one big mass of the red-like matter. Then, some parts of that mass started to create shapes that looked like faces, arms, even entire humanoid shapes. But they weren't humans.
CITIES AND MAN-MADE STRUCTURES IN GENERAL, PROVIDE THE GREATEST PROTECTION. FORMERLY-WOODED AREAS SHOULD BE CIRCUMVENTED.
Soon, the humanoid shapes started to speak to us. Their voices distorted and yet imitated human vocal cords. All the while they started to slowly walk towards us. The creatures talked about eternal happiness, how everything is going to be alright. How we don't have to be afraid anymore. All while slowly walking towards all the people in the tunnel.
TRAVELING BY FOOT SHOULD BE LIMITED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND IS HEAVILY DISCOURAGED.
I remember – it was the moment when the darkness touched me with its blessing for the first time. It used my instinct to tell me what to do. I was the first to move. At first, slowly backing away, then running towards the nearest doors.
SECURE AND CLOSE ALL ENTRANCES AND WINDOWS TO A SHELTER. DO NOT LOOK OUTSIDE.
The darkness blessed me. The doors lead towards the underground tunnel. And soon I've heard many people following me. They were trying to escape just like me. Their screams of terror were impossible to listen to. People of various ages, entire families, trying to get inside through one small door.
ALL UNUSUAL NOISES AND PERSONS OUTSIDE SHOULD NOT BE INVESTIGATED.
I did not look away. That would be a massive mistake. And yet I still could hear. The screams of terrors, begging for mercy, people pushing each other to get into safely embrace of the darkness first. And I already knew that most of them will not have the chance. At one point someone used a gun. But the screams never stopped.
REFUSE ALL REQUESTS FROM PERSONS TRYING TO COME OUTSIDE.
Someone closed the door. There weren't many people who came down. The screams of terror outside soon became louder and then they mixed with something that sounded like moaning. Something told me that those creatures got to the people outside the doors. That soon they will be changed into more monsters.
NO MATTER HOW HUMAN THEY MAY SEEM.
The screams and moans turned into almost human-like voices. They were begging people inside to let them in. And I never turned around. The darkness was my only haven. Soon, I have found myself in the large sewers system.
EUTHANIZATION IS NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED.
It was the first time in my life when I was scared like this. I did not know what to do. I could barely think. Maybe I still believe it was some kind of nightmare? Or maybe perhaps someone from the Hecate's cabin just pulled a missive prank on me?
No, the darkness was with me. The further I ventured into the void the safer I was. The darkness always speaks the truth. The light is a traitor, the light is a deceiver. And now it showed its true nature. I could not trust the light. If I wanted to survive I had to embrace the darkness. There was no other way.
Still, I had to know what happened to my family and friends. I wanted to know if they were safe if they were already fighting against those abominations. And so I prayed to my mother. As much as I could, sending a begging for help.
PERSONS EXPOSED I#$#^$% AREN'T PEOPLE YOU CAN JUST ABANDON.
"Mother… Please… Please answer me… I need your help."
"[ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION WERE REDACTED BY THE ORDER OF FOUNDATION'S ETHICS COMEETEE]?"
I could hear her voice. She answered me through my prayer, even if I didn't use any offerings. I felt relief. I shouldn't – the darkness had warned me. I was stupid to not listen. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! It was a trap!
"Sonny… My little Pup… Why are you hiding in the sewers? Come out to the light. The sun is so beautiful today. Everything is so bright. Come and see it with all of us."
That was the moment I realized. My mother… The light has taken her as well. She was lost, killed by the light. And I just called her. And so, I ran again. Away from any light. Further into darkness. Where the light would not be able to reach me. Ever.
"Come out son. We are all here. Come out. It is time to join us in the light. Step out from the dark and join your family."
Her voice was distorted. It was similar to hear and yet different at the same time. But I knew, the darkness told me, that she was no longer my mother. I had to abandon her. She was lost to the light, corrupted and twisted. The only way to stay safe was to abandon her from all my thoughts. To believe she died.
"Do not worry my pup. Soon you will be with us. I will embrace you once more, we will see the stars. And if you are scared then do not worry – I will come for you. I will take you and together we will see the stars, just like we used to. And then we will join our family and friends.
I realized. The gods were taken by the light as well. The camps had been compromised by the light as well. Returning there would like a suicide wish. The darkness was the only way to survive. And I just told the creature that took the appearance of my mother where I was. In my stupidity, I have betrayed my only ally.
PERSONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET OVER THEMSELVES AND STOP THINKING THEY KNOW BETTER.
But the darkness was forgiving. It understood that I was still under influence by the outside world, that the light was still poisoning my mind. But the darkness was there for me. It would guide me to safety.
I walked slowly, to regain my strength before any further running. My decision seemed to appeal to the darkness because it blessed me with the sounds. I could hear the abominations outside, lurking and trying to get inside the tunnels. They were most likely trying to find any possible survivors. They were looking for me. But it also has given me knowledge about them too. While they were hunting for humans, I could learn how they work and operate.
My greatest enemy would teach me how to run away from it, and how to survive. It was almost ironic.
THE LIGHT HAS BEEN NEUTRALIZED.
Not only I could hear them walking and hunting. I could hear how they try to imitate human voices. Urging people to come out from the darkness. Saying that everything would be alright. That everlasting happiness was awaiting them.
NOTHING'S WRONG.
And then came screams. It would seem that other people somehow also managed to get into the safety of the darkness. Sadly, they were now taken away by those abominations back to their corrupted sun. And I could do nothing to help them. There was no way to help them. I had to abandon them and focus on survival.
COME OUT AND SEE THE SUN.
"[REDACTED]?"
A sudden voice called out from the darkness. For some illogical reason, my heart was filled with hope and relief. I recognized that voice – it was my grandmother's voice. I was so happy – she was saved by the darkness as well! I was not left alone in this hellhole!
I do not know why I did not recognize that her voice was distorted. That it was imitating her. I got tricked by the light and its minions once more.
And so, I met her. Or into what she was turned. She was standing there. Her body liquefied, turned into something similar to both wax and slime substances. Her eyes were missing in what seemed to resemble her face. Her arms were reaching towards me, even though they were dripping the horrific red substance to the floor. And yet she was smiling. Nothing in her behavior suggested that 'she' was in pain or fear.
She seemed… Happy.
"[REDACTED], you should not run through the sewers like this. Come, take my hand and let's come outside. It's so beautiful out there. Take my hand. Come, we are all waiting for you."
THE SURFACE IS NOW SAFE AND EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL.
I could not move. I could not run. The only thing I could do was cry. To cry as I have never cried before. The light has taken everything away from me. There was nothing for me to return. Everything was lost. And those monsters would soon find me and kill me with their light.
But even in the moment of pure desperation, the darkness did not abandon me. It guided me. And it blessed me with ideas on how to survive.
I knew that I had to run away from the light. But how can one survive without the light? Without going outside? How can one simply live in forever pursuit, followed by the nightmares of hell? One can't do that without help. The sewers were not enough. If I wanted to survive I had to go deeper. Somewhere where those creatures will be unable to get me. But where I could find such a place? Those sewers were not infinite, and they were already partially exposed to the light.
But the darkness blessed me once again. The idea came into my mind in less than a second. The infinite maze. I could hide in the Daedalus maze, hidden forever from the light!
The darkness blessed me not only with an idea but with physical strength as well. I could feel my body again, I could move my limbs again. I could once more escape the abominations of light and run towards safety. Where the light of the corrupted sun would never find me.
One of the abominations tried to grab me, but I was faster. I knew my destination and now nothing could stop me. All I had to do was to reach the nearest entry to the maze. The basements of Hotel Marriott. There I will find the gates of heaven.
"Why are you running away? Where are you going?" The monsters were already trying to reach me again. Soon more of them started to ooze from the small holes in the ceiling and walls. "Come back [REDACTED], it is not safe out there. Please, don't be stubborn and just come with us."
Never once I looked back. If one wants to survive, one should never look back. To gaze upon the past is to sentence yourself to death. The path of survival is always straight ahead. Looking back only slows you down, and fills your mind with doubts. If you run for your life, then run. And never look back.
And so I ran. No matter what the voices said. No matter how much they begged me to slow down. No matter how they pleaded for me to go with them. No matter how many voices tried, and no matter who they were trying to impersonate. I would not listen. I would not betray the darkness with my stupidity again. My destination was clear.
I have heard many voices. Voice of my mother and grandmother. Of my sisters. And other members of my family, and friends as well. The light was getting desperate. And the darkness was winning.
I do not know for how long I ran. I have lost all the sense of time and direction. I do not know when and how I reached the hotel's basement. But that was a sign that the darkness was with me. It guided me through the pitch-black sewers straight to the basements of Merriott.
And right before me, there it was. A small hatch with a visible Delta sigil. The gate of paradise, just waiting for someone to reach it. But there was just one small problem. Small and yet deadly.
Between me and the gate, through the windows, sun rays were falling on the floor.
I was this close. I was so close. And yet the light had found a way to block me. As if it was trying to mock me and my desperate attempts to run away. But the darkness was with me. It would not give up on me. Where desperation should appear, new ideas came in. I was in a hotel. A very exclusive hotel, with many guests.
And guests always have spare clothes with them.
Of course, simply going upstairs and checking the rooms was out of the question. The corrupted light leaked through all the windows. And the light emissaries were already waiting for me. The only option left was the laundry room.
I knew I should be fast - the light's abominations were already on my trail. And more of those monsters were most likely upstairs, waiting for anyone stupid enough trying to scavenge anything. Stay in the dark and make no sound – that was my mantra, that was my prayer, my last hope.
The darkness truly blessed those who follow her advice. The path to the laundry room was fully covered in the dark, without a single trace of sunlight. Some people would try to turn on the light of the lamps, but I knew better to not do that. Even if the artificial light is not corrupted, it could still bring some unwanted attention. I will not betray the darkness. I will follow her path to the end. Without fear, without remorse.
The laundry was full of clothes. Some of them were clean, waiting to be taken out of the dryer. Some were still dirty, either still in the washing machine or outside, ready to be cleaned. First I took the clean clothes and put on me as many layers as I could. I had to make sure that not even one corrupted photon could touch me.
As I was dressing up, looking more and more like a cloth onion, I noticed something in one of the air ducts. It was a giant eye with a red iris that seemed to observe my every move.
The light already knew where I was. I had to move fast before more of the light's minions would find me. I took a few more clothes with me and returned to the dark corridor. I could already hear them, crawling through the ventilation, in the walls, everywhere. Soon small droplets of red wax goo started to drip from the ceiling, forming red puddles.
I ran as fast as I could. I dared not to look back. I had a few moments before they could start chasing after me. Before their distorted voices would start to call me again. Enough time to reach the dark maze without them noticing.
I reached the place of my previous desperation. A place I could not cross. Now I was prepared. I used the remaining clothes to wrap them around my face. A few layers as well – after all, I had to make sure that nothing will touch my face. Not a single photon.
And yet, I could not move. I was too scared to move a single muscle. Even with all the clothes protecting me from the sunlight, I was still too afraid to move. I feared that it is not enough, that I will be infected by the light anyway.
I stood there, unable to do anything besides whimpering. Even if I screamed to myself to move, my body just did not listen. My instincts overwhelmed me. Fear has taken over me.
Soon the same fear forced me to move, regardless of light. I could already hear the creatures, walking and dripping, their sounds closer and closer. Just a few steps through hell and I will be safe.
So I moved. As fast as I could. It all felt surreal to me. I could not feel it nor see it, but somehow I knew that I just stepped into poisonous light. If not for the clothes that covered me, I would turn instantly into one of them.
A few steps. That's all I needed. A few steps and gates of dark paradise will open themselves to me, welcoming and embracing me. I will enter the world where the corrupted sun will never touch me.
Soon, I felt with my hands a wall, with a delta sign. And as I pushed it, I suddenly fell through something similar to a staircase. The gates of the maze closed behind me, while I succumbed to my own darkness, resting and waiting for what was to come…
THIS MESSAGE WILL REAPPEAR UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE TO HEAR IT.
The paradise was a trap. There is no safe place for anyone. The minions of the light are everywhere. The hope is lost.
From the very beginning, operating through the maze was ludicrously difficult for me. The labyrinth tried to fool me with its tricks, test my sanity, just like it did with hundreds if not thousands before me. But I would prevail. The endless maze was nothing compared to the hellish realm outside. It could not make me fall into insanity, the corrupted sun forestalled this.
I have never imagined that the lack of sky or any open space will become something so desirable for me. The darkness and claustrophobia were now my dreams. The loneliness and emptiness were my favorites. To desire, anything else was to desire death.
For a while, I thought I was safe. Without the sun or the moon, I could not become corrupted. The darkness was with me, following me with my every step, guiding me to safety even through the endless maze. I have found a few places where I could settle. Places where I could sleep without fear, where I could gather my belongings, and from where I could raid the outside world for any supplies. For a while, it was perfect.
The world outside changed to the point, where I could hardly recognize anything. The sky resembled a scarlet-like ocean, agricultural fields once full of crops and great green forests were now replaced by an endless sea of sand. It was no longer my world. It was no longer a world for humans. Now I was an alien on this exotic and toxic planet.
The only thing left, proving that this world was once a paradise, were now abandoned cities. The eerie silence inside them was enough to often make me mad. It was unnatural. Cities were always so loud and full of life. Some of them did not even know the definition of silence. And now they looked more like giant Toombs than places where once a great civilization bloomed.
Every time I would go outside I would look around everywhere. I was no fool. The silence was a calm before the storm. The minions of light were still out there, lurking and trying to find anyone who was still untouched by the sun's light.
My first supply raids were easy and fast. I had massive luck in finding places where near shops or restaurants where the delta sign was attached. The darkness was guiding me through the maze and helped me survive as always.
Water and food, along with few other supplies. Always get as much as you can, but not too much. If I would take too much, I would be too noisy and I would become too slow to escape anything.
Surprisingly, during my first raids to the surface, I did not notice any of the light's minions. The surface was empty, devoided of any life. The only thing I really had to look out for was the protective layer of clothes – my only defense against the sun.
Water, food, new clothes, and other useful things – I'd bring with me everything I'd find in the hollow cities. Anything that either would help me survive a few more days or something that could make my life easier – such as binoculars, dark pilot glasses, ducktape…
It was one of my rules to never go too far away from the entrance to the maze. If nothing was interesting within the one-kilometer radius, I'd simply turn away and try my luck with another exit. There was no need to risk any further trip. Especially knowing, that the monster might be still lurking within the city buildings.
It was my way of living for a while. Short trips to the surface, and then return to the maze. I do not know for long I managed to survive without contact with any of those monsters, but I'd always thank the darkness for helping me.
In my mind, I could still recall some fairy tales about the maze, how it would always try to make people insane, how it would twist reality and make people forever lose themselves in the endless maze. But those were lies spread by the light. The maze was blessed by the darkness. And it simply tried to eradicate the corruption of light in whoever entered its walls. I understood that after spending some time in here.
But soon, I have discovered that the maze was not enough. That even the Daedalus Labirynth was not enough to protect me from the gaze of the sun.
It started slowly – with every next raid, I would notice more and more minions of the light. At first, they were too far away to notice – I could observe them with my binoculars without the fear of being noticed.
They walked slowly, with their red substance dripping off with every next step. I do not know why, but something inside me kept telling me that they are searching for something… No, more like for someone.
At first, I did not think that they were specifically hunting for me. They were simply searching for all other people who were lucky enough to not get touch by the sun's light yet. A large part of me just refused to believe that there was no one else out there.
I still had my phone, but I knew better than to simply use it all the time. I'd only turn it on for one minute during my raids. I wanted to know if someone was leaving any messages about any possible places to hide. Or about any possible group of survivors, waiting for anyone who was still running away.
Sadly, there was no response from anyone. For a while, all I could get was a looped message from something called an "SCP Foundation" – it was the same EAS message from the apocalyptic day. But after a while, it just suddenly stopped. It was at that moment when the realization of the message truly hit me.
THIS MESSAGE WILL REAPPEAR UNTIL THERE IS ONLY ONE TO HEAR IT.
I couldn't be the last survivor, could I? There had to be someone else on Earth, who was lucky (or unlucky) enough to survive the break… But… If I was the only one left in the world… Then what was the purpose of living? Why should I even continue my existence?
I tried to find any reassurance in the darkness. Perhaps in the void, I would find my answers? Perhaps simply this organization did not know any survivors? Yes, it had to be the correct answer. I couldn't be… To be the last human on planet Earth…
After the EAS message stopped appearing, I noticed that every other raid of mine was becoming scarier than the last one. It was not just about the sun. And at first, I did not suspect that the light's abominations have anything to do with it. But it was no longer what it used to.
I felt like someone was watching me. From afar, outside of my view. That feeling only kept growing inside me with every incoming supply raid. With time, I began to notice a quick movement, barely within my eyeshot. The movement was everywhere, in the pipes, inside the cracks of the walls. I swear that one time I even noticed a giant eye glaring at me.
After the incident with the eye, I noticed that the minions of light kept coming closer to the place I was raiding. Every time I'd leave the endless maze, they would come closer and closer to the delta sign. From just one kilometer to a few hundred meters. I had to become even more careful than I already was. Paranoid even.
I had to change my tactic as well. Change my exit points, change the time of my raids… Perhaps I should stay in the darkness for long periods.
One day, my phone suddenly started ringing. It should not be possible, since it was turned off. And yet it suddenly turned on with a ringing tone. Someone was calling me. The number was impossible to decode. And it kept ringing for a few minutes. It seemed that whoever was calling me, would not simply let me not answer.
But picking up the phone turned out to be an even worse idea…
"Hello…?"My throat could barely produce any sound at this point. I haven't talked to anyone since the day everything ended. To be honest I could not believe that anyone will be able to hear anything on the other side.
"[REDACTED]?" There was no way I could not recognize the voice. That has belonged to someone I could recognize everywhere. I thought it was lost. And now it came back to torment me again. The corrupted sun found another way to torture me, this time with the voice of my beloved [REDACTED]. "Where are you? We are all so worried about you. Where are you? Please, come home. Come back to me, to your family."
Not even the distorted voice could hide away her feelings. She truly wanted me to come out. To go back. And every fiber of my heart and soul just screamed at me to listen to her. To come out of the maze and simply return to her embrace.
But I could not betray the darkness. I would not turn my back on my only savior. I would not be persuaded by the light. Never again.
"It's been so long since we saw you. We miss you… I miss you. How much time has passed since I could feel the warmth of your body? Since I could hear your voice… Please… Wherever you are, I am begging you, please, come back to us. We miss you…"
And so on, day after day. The imposter would call me, begging me to go outside. I cannot even remember how many days I have spent just crying. No matter how much I tried to resist it, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that it was just an imposter… It was not possible. My heart would beg me to at least answer.
The worst part – they could somehow hear me. Somehow they knew I was crying. And I could hear through their distorted voice their sorrow over the fact that they cannot reach me. The temptation to answer their call was becoming too impossible to resist. But I knew that if I fall, then there would be no return for me. The darkness would not help me this time.
Even if their sorrow was tormenting my soul, a part of me felt relief. I could hear them once more, recalling my greatest memories. Even if perhaps it was not their intention, I realized, that there was a world before, a paradise I wished to see once more. That I was not born in this hellish dimension, that the echoes of the lost Elysium were still loud.
It was what I needed. It was not enough to bring me back from the insanity, but it was a beginning. Perhaps, if I will be patient enough, the darkness will bless me with the answer I needed the most. Even if I was not aware of what I was trying to do.
But as always with a little flicker of hope, whenever it appears, it brings with itself the force that tries to extinguish it. And it was the same this time.
It all happened during my last raid. It was the last day of my safety. It was the moment when the darkness has lost control over the endless maze.
As always, I decided to search for some supplies. Just as always, I went towards the nearest exit, prepared fully for the light of the corrupted sun awaiting for me. It was supposed to be just another quick raid.
The doors were opening. And it was then when I noticed the difference. Instead of the blood-like red sunlight, I was awaited by a shadow with a familiar human-like shape. The shape was covering the entire light of the sun. And as I gazed upon the creature casting that shadow, my hearth nearly collapsed from overwhelming fear.
Right before me, turned away from the entrance, a humanoid-like shape made of blood-red substance was standing.
And to make it all worse, it was slowly turning away to face me.
I did not waste even one second. I punched the delta sign, closing the entrance to the maze. But I already knew – the sun's abomination has already seen me, just like I saw him. We both were already aware of our presence.
I returned to my safe-house, experiencing fear like never before. I already knew that soon they will find me. That I could not be able to leave the maze ever I will most likely die in the endless corridors, alone and forgotten.
The truth turned out to be even worse.
A few days later, after I – somehow – managed to defeat my fear of coming out, I noticed them lurking inside the maze. The sun's minions were already inside. My impenetrable fortress had been compromised. And they were all searching for me.
From a fugitive, I became prey. I was now locked inside a cage with the monster slowly coming closer with each second. They did not need to sleep as I did. They could wander through the maze without a second of rest. While I had to waste every now and then. They were gaining an advantage, meter by meter.
Soon I could not move without looking over my shoulder or without scanning every next corridor with my eyes. They were already everywhere, cutting off any possible escape routes from me. Soon I was surrounded, closed in the last room unclaimed by the armies of the light.
The last room, the last safe place on Earth.
With every incoming day, the red creatures were coming closer to my last safe room. I could not go outside without being spotted by at least one of those bastards.
My haven became a cage from which I could not escape. I knew that soon they will bust through the door, trying to get me out to see the sun. But I will not let them. I will not go out without a fight. I will not give them my body. I will turn every cell in the body into ashes just to deny them their victory.
During my raids, besides just basic materials for survival, I was also gathering things that could be turned into weapons. I did not know what would work on those creatures so I had to guess. Since they could reform and remain in a semi-like liquid state, then anything solid would not harm them. Swords, spears, or guns were useless against them.
So if not conventional weapons, then perhaps something else? Acids, alkalis, fire, alcohols, bleach… I was not able to gather too much. But I gathered enough for one escape and… to off myself. If the fight against them becomes too much, I just had enough to kill myself if there ever was a need.
I swore to whoever was still listening – I would not let myself be turned into one of those abominations. Never. I will not let them corrupt me.
But the monsters were just as clever. On my final day in the maze, they have prepared an attack I was never prepared for. The worst kind of one.
That day I was sitting up against the doors, the last door protecting me from the intruders. I did not sleep in few days, my rations ended as well. I was on the brink of collapse, not even knowing how did I survive up to this point.
This is when I heard her voice.
"Puppy, are you there?" No matter how distorted, I could still recognize it. My mother's voice. Her tone carrying the same feelings as before the end. "Why are you sitting there, alone? Come to me. Let's go back to our family, to the light."
She was standing behind the very doors I was leaning against. Both of us knew where we were. How close we were. And yet I was refusing to let her in. I would not be able to bear to witness what happened with my mother. No matter how much those abominations try to imitate real people from the past, they would never succeed. I would never believe that they still are somewhere inside those monsters.
At least, I tried to convince myself as hard as I could about it.
The light's attack was perfect. Psychological warfare as they've called it in the past. Torture your own enemy without even touching anything.
And she kept talking to me. Recalling all the good times we had. Saying how happy she was to see me. How proud she was of me. And most importantly – how much she missed me. How much she wanted to just see her son again.
It was heartbreaking. I could not help but to just cry. I really tried to tell myself that it was just a trick, that my real mother was long dead… But it did not help. The illusion was just too good. I was falling for the light's trick.
Inside my mind, I begged her to shut up. To speak no longer. To not torment me anymore. But she would not listen. She would keep talking about the past, and how much she missed me.
To make it all worst, she noticed that I was crying. And she reacted just like any other proper mother would.
"What happened little one? Why are you sad? Puppy, talk to me, I am here for you."
"Mom…" My hoarse throat could barely produce any sound at this point. After so much time, without saying one word, I was not able to produce any sound resembling a human speech. "Mom… I am scared…"
Be it by some miracle, she could understand.
"Scared? Why are you scared? Please, my little one, please don't be scared. Mommy is here, with you. Everything is going to be okay. Just come out, and mommy will take all your worries away."
"Mom… You know that I can't…" At this point, no amount of iron will be able to stop my tears. I was crying, sobbing, begging for this nightmare to end.
Then I have heard something I thought I have almost forgotten. A song, an old lullaby that both my mother and grandmother used to lull me to sleep when I was just a child. I had no energy nor will to fight it off. I let it lull me away just like in the old times. How long it has been since I had a real full sleep? Or any sleep at all?
As I have woken up, my entire body felt warm. It was so enjoyable warmth, that I have almost fallen back to sleep. But I knew I shouldn't. I forced my body to fight off any extra sleep it needed and started to fully wake up.
I immediately noticed that I was not in the last safe room. I was moving – or rather someone was carrying me. But where?
I turned my head to the right. I still had a problem with focusing my sight, but even in a half-awake state, I could tell that a few hundred meters before me, there was a light-filled place. And I was slowly coming closer and closer to that place.
Something warm dripped into my face. And as I turned my head once more, to see who was carrying me, my heart stopped beating for a moment.
It was one of those red-like monsters, light's abomination. Its face bared a close resembling my mother, if not for the red-like semi-liquid substance it was made of and two large spots where her eyes were supposed to be.
She was looking at me all the time. Even if she was made up from a nightmare-ish substance, her pure smile was pure of motherly love. She seemed happy for some reason. Happiness almost radiated from her.
At that moment I have realized what she was trying to do to me. She was going to take me to the light. To turn me into another of these monsters. It was almost heartbreaking, if not for her smile that seemed to say that everything is going to be alright.
But I could not let her turn me. I just couldn't. I promised to myself and to anyone who was still listening that I will not let myself get turned into light's abomination. I will die like a human, be it as a last but as a human.
As soon as I regained full control of my body, I tried to escape the monster's embrace and return to the darkness. But she would not let me. She held me tightly, not letting me fall even for a millimeter. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't move, while she continued her march towards the light, still smiling at me.
I realized that it was time to get desperate. Perhaps it was exactly the moment to show the darkness my resolve. To die as a human.
In one of my pockets, I had a small vial with a very combustible substance. I do not remember how I got it – perhaps was it a gift from the darkness? It didn't matter. As soon as I would break the vial the oxygen will set the substance on fire. I will burn. I will burn brighter than the sun.
Despite the fear and hesitation, I smashed the vial with my hands. Combustion erupted as soon as the oxygen in the air touched the substance imprisoned behind the glass. Soon the fire has taken over my entire body. I felt an impossible amount of heat and pain, even if I still had my protecting clothes on me. Oh God, if this is how it feels, then what will happen when the flames will finally touch my skin?
Meanwhile, the monster quickly dropped me off, backing away from the fire. I could not tell if it is because of the pain, heat, confusion, or perhaps just shock. But it was enough. Enough for me to push my body one last time and run away.
I ran in a random direction. I did not care where, I just ran, while shrugging off my burning clothes. If not for my overwhelming fear of light, I would most likely cry in pain. But the fear was stronger. Much stronger than any rationality or pain.
Somehow I was able to undress all my burning clothes. Blisters and many burning spots had already marked my body.
Meanwhile, I could hear their voices. Calling to me from almost all corners. They were begging me to come back, almost as if my attempt to run was painful for them. But I could not. I just could not. I would never turn into one of them…
Dead end. I have reached the dead end. I have reached a place full of waterfalls and one massive pit without an end. I have reached the end.
The monsters reached me as well. With the one resembling my mother leading the group – if they could be even called like that.
I turned around, trying to face my death in what seemed to be my very last moment. They… or rather it was standing right behind, one giant disgusting mass. And on top of it – something that had almost a human-like shape. With something similar to dress instead of legs.
On the blood-like dress, many weird shapes kept appearing. Be it faces of people or animals. Set of extra teeth or eyes. Or just melting red organic matter. Always shifting.
And on top of it – The nightmarish caricature of my mother's face. With red tendrils instead of hair, large white spots where eyes should be, and horrific holes in where her nostril and mouth should be. And yet she kept smiling. I could swear I saw relief in what seemed to resemble her eyes. It was almost as if she was happy to see me.
Her hands – or what seemed to resemble them – were stretched in my direction. Almost as if she was trying to reach me and hug me.
"My son… My darling… How much have I missed you? How much have I been scared about you?" Her voice, even if distorted, still sounded so much like my mother's voice. I could almost believe that despite her nightmarish look, it was still her. "I was scared that I have lost you in this maze."
I cursed the corrupted sun with all the hate and rage I had. How could it be so cruel? To give the people hope like that? To make them fall for such a trick. How dared it to play with people's emotions?
And yet I could not contain my tears. A part of me – the part that kept growing – wanted to simply run to her and hug her, just like in the old times. Despite her nightmare-ish look, it just kept screaming to me that it was her, my mother, still looking out for me, even if she was transformed into a monster.
"Mother?" I asked with my hoarse voice. I have lost. The light had corrupted my mind. I have felt for its trick. "Mom… Is that… Is that really you?"
Her 'smile' only grew larger. She really seemed to be happy – I could almost believe that it was one of the best days in her entire life.
"Yes, my little one. I have missed you so much. But I have finally reached you. Come to me, my little puppy." While she talked, she kept coming closer to me. Soon she was just a few inches away from me. And yet, I did not feel dread or disgust. I recognized her, even in her corrupted form.
"Mom…" I was now crying hysterically, like a small scared child. "Mother I am so scared! I am scared of the light!"
"I know my little one. I can see the fear in your eyes. But don't be scared of the light. Embrace it, and it will soon take all your worries away. Just like I would always do." She then hugged me and caressed my back, while I continued to cry and sob on her shoulder. "Don't be scared my brave child, soon all your worries will get washed away. And do not worry. I will guide you to the light, to the eternal happiness."
We have stayed, hugging each other for a while. She was in no hurry, she just kept hugging me and calming me down.
"Will it hurt? Is it painful?"
"No, my brave one. Once you embrace the light, there will no pain ever. There will be just eternal happiness. We are all waiting just for you."
She convinced me. I believed her. After all, she was my mother. How could she lie about this to me? It just had to be true. And after all that time, I was just tired of running. Tired of being scared. Tired of living alone, in the dark.
I released myself from her hug, much to her displeasure. But after a second, she just offered her hand and smiled.
"Come, son. It is time to come back home."
I was about to take her offer when the tragedy happened. Just as I was about to reach her, the ground beneath me shattered. I was falling to the great pit.
I heard the agonized cries of my mother. I saw how she tried to reach, extending her arm and turning it into a long tendril in a desperate attempt to reach and save me. I saw how from her white eyes tears were falling like rivers. But it was all too late, the gravity had won. Perhaps it was the last triumph card used by darkness.
I do not know for how long I have been falling. All I felt were my mother's tears scattered around my face. Her tears were the only thing that reached me. That and her heartbreaking cry of despair.
And then, a powerful impact. But before I could register anything, there was just darkness.
I died.
I do not know what came first. The pain, the scream… Everything seemed to be so blurry. I could not even fully register what was going on. It felt as if my entire body, every single cell inside me, was set on fire. And the pain just kept getting worse. Soon I could feel my entire body shifting, every bone in my body recalibrating and switching position. Every muscle being torn apart and then sew back.
I could feel how the burned parts of my skin simply detached from my skin and then regenerating into a healthy state. I could feel it all, the pain of rebirth and the pain of being alive.
My body had been reconstructed to the state before my death… No, even further. I was once again in my prime, just like I was right before the end of the world. And then all my senses returned to me. I could instantly recognize what happened and where I was.
I was bathing in a river of pure fire. And there was only one place where such a thing was possible. And only one river made of fire that could heal.
I was in Tartarus. And I was bathing in the Phlegethon River.
As soon as I retained full control of my body, I walked out from the river. My body was still in pain, almost as if it was still burning - most likely an effect of the river… Or perhaps the Tartarus itself? I could not tell to be honest.
Only after a while, could I truly comprehend what happened to me. I was in Tartarus, the literal hell of Greek Mythology. Where the worst monsters should be locked away. But after surviving the literal hell with real monsters, this place did not seem to be bad anymore. There was no sun to convert you, no imitations of your family that would hunt you down and take you to the sun…
Imitations… It really hurt me to think about those creatures in such a way. After the interaction with my mother… I was more than sure that those creatures truly were humans. The very same as they were before the end. They were just transformed, but other than that, they were still humans. Humans, animals, plants, demigods, nymphs, and even gods.
And I have abandoned them all. I left them alone just like that. They wanted to take me with them, they wanted me to rejoin them… And I have just abandoned them all.
The image of my mother, crying while desperately trying to reach me, her screams of sorrow. I could still see and hear it, as it was still happening right before me. She was so happy to see me… And now she would rest her entire immortal life in sorrow, blaming herself that she could not save me.
But I got what I wished for. Here the light would never reach me. Here I will spend my last days, here I will die. And then what? Can someone truly die in Tartarus? Or would I simply reform and be forced to live for the rest of eternity, sentenced to be the only reminder of what used to be before the sun went mad?
Or perhaps my soul will wander through the underworld, trying to reach any afterlife… Was there an afterlife after the end? Was there anything left for me?
Forced to live in Tartarus. Without a weapon. For how long I will be able to run away from the monsters? I knew that they were already on my trail. I could as well give up. I could, but…
It was subtle. Like a nice pleasant breeze in the summer. A breeze filled with hope and purpose. I do not know what it was, but something just made me stand up and run. And so I did that. I could not even guess why or where, but I ran. Through black, glass-like sand. While inhaling acid-like air. But it did not matter to me. I had a new purpose.
It was like a call that I could not avoid. One you could only obey. Almost like the last warcry. That glimpse of hope that refuses to die, despite the situation.
I do not know why I did not see monsters trying to reach me. Perhaps they have all escaped through the doors of death? Or were they not interested. Or maybe they have all perished once the world has ended?
It did not matter. Because I was reaching my destination. I was close and I could feel it. The call of the last quest.
And then I saw it – a puddle of liquid metal right before me. A puddle slowly forming a shape of… A sword. A shape that I would recognize anywhere, no matter how much time would pass. Because it was forming slowly into a Backbiter – A sword used by Luke Castellan and later forged into Kronos's scythe.
I knew it was destroyed. I knew it melted…
It melted and reached Tartarus. And it awaited for the right moment to reform, just like its master awaited his revenge. Funny how surprised he will be when he'll rise again just to see a corrupted sun. And all that was left from the world.
As I gazed upon the sword, within an instant I knew what had to be done. No matter how ridiculous it sounds, no matter how impossible it looked. Even Kronos himself was not able to fully control the time or even turn back time.
And yet, it was the only way. There was no other choice. For this world to have another chance, the time must be reset.
I picked up the sword. I could already feel the connection between this sword and the crooked one. It was faint, but it was there, making my blood boil and freeze in fear at the same time. I guess it will really take a long time before old titan will wake up. But that's good. I didn't need him right now.
Traveling through time was impossible... at least not like this. But if I could send a simple message? Just a warning to someone who would listen. A warning about the incoming apocalypse?
My mind recalled the memories of the world before the end. Or at least what was left of it. Beautiful blue sky with a warm yellow sun. Billions of happy people, alive and individual. A world filled with forests and oceans. An alive world.
The face of my friends, my family, my mother. And then I saw my mother's despair. I am sorry mother, but I am afraid there is no return to me. I cannot join you in this new world. I cannot share your new happiness. But I can go back. And repair it all. That I swear on everything that's left.
And then I trusted the sword straight into my heart.
The pain was overwhelming. I could already feel my life leaking away. But with pain, there was power as well. I could feel the enormous power coming from the sword, piercing me and even reaching my soul.
The power was not enough. I had to offer something in return. And so I did. I offered my soul for just one warning message.
But it was a foolish thing to do. Soon I have found myself losing my memories, experience, and emotions. I was losing the purpose as well. I could barely concentrate on any message or my task. I have lost. All the suffering for nothing. My soul will vanish into nothingness, not even the smallest trail will remain of me. The ultimate death. I have failed-
FIND ME.
And then, there was only darkness.
Addendum: Tale of the lost puppy 1 was a recovered story from the collection of SCP-4001 "The Alexandria Eternal". It is unknown how this story even found its way to the collection of SCP-4001.
The tale itself is part of a larger book about an individual known as [REDACTED].
The most intriguing part is that according to this tale, the individual lived in – most likely – a parallel world, where Doctor Locke's scenario for SCP-001 occurred.
The SCP Foundation found this story to be extremely important for the survival of mankind if 's proposal of SCP-001 will turn out to be true and if it ever occurs.
[THIS PART WAS REDACTED BY A MEMBER OF A O5 COUNCIL]
It is also worth to mention, that the lone survivor used the legendary Daedalus Maze as his main tool of survival. Sadly, as this document shows, the maze would be insufficient for the possible survival of humanity. All it takes is for one person who even knows where one entrance to the maze is located to be turned into SCP-001-A for the maze to be compromised.
The lone survivor – according to analysts – soon after the activation of the "When Day Breaks" event became the last member of untransformed Homo Sapiens species, despite the Foundation efforts. It is also worth mentioning that analysts speculate that the lone survivor – thanks to a different flow of time in the maze – was able to extend his time and survive at least one decade on compromised Earth.
Said darkness mentioned in the text seems to be nothing more than a product of progressing insanity of the lone survivor, due to prolonging isolation (both physical and social) and constantly growing fear of light.
[THIS PART WAS REDACTED BY A MEMBER OF O5 COUNCIL]
Signed by:
[REDACTED]
And there you go. Now, as promised, time to answer your comments!
Guest – Well, after this chapter, I can clearly say that you have got this correctly.
Guest – No, seriously, who is spreading the info about me not uploading? I want names and addresses now.
Doomquer – No, nothing is confirmed. The hypothesis itself isn't about Chronos but Kronos – those two greek individuals are often confused with each other due to similarity in their names and some powers they've shared. And the hypothesis exists, mostly because the ritual holding the Dear God in one place is based on Kronos's life from mythology. But, there is one problem – just like with SCP-2371 or SCP-231 and the Scarlet King – it works only because we believe it works and because through that belief we've made the Dear God believe that it works and holds him as a prisoner. And the Dear God being Kronos would completely make no sense in this story, so, sorry. And yeah, the PJO gods will get a slap in their face with the power levels.
TheCrystonian – Thanks.
ChaosGodLizea – In a way…
Rarrshark – You're welcome.
ZaWarudoOvrHeaven – Thanks. And to be honest, most people would view the MTF's squads as monsters in disguise.
SolidGhost – Yes, they pretty much look the same as the ones from the animated movie Jin-Roh.
Preacher – I cannot answer that question. Spoilers. I mean, it is safe to assume that some of them work for the Foundation, but they are nothing special in the Foundation.
Guest – God, I really need to find some time to watch those movies…
Spyash2 – Yeah, it would look pretty much like this if there ever will be a meeting between an O5 representative and the Greek gods. And I am glad that you have enjoyed the chapter.
BartGirl – Yes he is.
Blackstone100 – Thank you! And yes, Lady Sauelsuesor (better known as SCP-179) will appear in this story.
ThatGuy – At the end? Oh man, you don't even know half of it! I dare to say 'You know nothing'!
Malgrath – That is so tempting proposition…
Guest – 'Strenght is useless without some wisdom to guide it.' In other words, the blessing is useless if the blessed user cannot properly use it. Humanity4theWin.
King's key – Indeed they are.
Superstitious Studios – That is an interesting question. Since Serpent's hand wishes to reveal and normalize everything anomalous, then I guess they'd wish to expose them? It would definitely work in favor of their mission. Even if the demigods would be against it.
DT3 – But you just complimented me! And thank you!
Frick Frack – I cannot say anything without giving major spoilers.
Frick Frack (2) – At some point, they will.
Richy1991 – Thanks.
Guest – Thanks. And don't worry, I will try to publish both Fear the Light and Out of Reach as soon as I can.
GOCsoldier426 – Thanks for the advice. Since my experience with the military is non-existing, I appreciate any advice I can get to make the Wolf-Brigade's operation files look as real as possible.
Goldberg01 – Yes, they will.
Mobius001 – Thanks!
Malgrath (2) – Percy is not going to be immune to the anomalous effects. And I cannot say anything else because of the spoiler alert.
Guest – Thanks!
Arandomreader – What a coincidence! I have read this story one day before your comment! And it made me change a few things in my ideas for this story.
Freelancer24110 – It is unknown yet who truly is the hateful one. It could be the Scarlet King, SCP-1548, or dozens of other things from SCP-library or even Thousands of unknown to the Foundation things. This gives me a big possibility of interpretation and a free hand on saying who is the hateful one.
And there you go! I hope that you liked and enjoyed this chapter.
If you want to know about the progress of creating chapters for any of my projects, then visit my discord: discord . gg/ pghekDe
Anyway, I hope that you had fun, and see ya next time!