Work Text:
[Tape clicks on]
[Rustling of leaves, occasional crackle of a lit torch, critters moving around, water flowing in the distance]
[Crunching of dirt and gravel underneath footsteps]
Martin
This place is quite nice, all things considered. Just some pretty woods.
Archivist
(The Archivist makes a sceptic noise)
Well-
Martin
Yes, Yes I know… There’s probably some sort of monster chasing people here.
Archivist
No, at least, not when it's light out. This place, it's a death game. The last one standing wins
[Hissing static rises]
That’s all they’ve ever known, fighting, betrayal, dying, before the final fall to black. They all know the rules, they all know the consequences. They know-
(Martin slaps The Archivist)
Martin (Annoyed)
You’re doing it again.
Archivist
Sorry, sorry
(Beat)
Martin
Y’know, I haven’t seen anyone since we got here.
Archivist
That’s because they’re all dead. Kind of.
Martin
What? Then what is the fear being made here? And what do you mean “Kind of?”
Archivist
Its-
Martin cont’d
And don’t say (Mocking) “It’s complicated” Then make it simple.
Archivist
(Sigh)
All the people trapped here, they’re waiting for the next game.
[The Archivist stops]
Archivist
Time for a walk, Martin. Don’t go too far, it's pretty easy to get lost.
Martin
Yeah, yeah…
[Martin walks away]
[Hissing static rises]
[frantic movement, crunching of sand, the occasional slap of a punch and snap of bone]
Archivist
His body hurt, but he didn’t give up. Another punch here, and one more there. They were friends, they’d established that, but there was only one winner after all. The man he was fighting was saying that everything would be okay, they’d be together again. He feels another rib snap as the man punches him hard in the gut. He lets out a shriek, it doesn’t stop him. After what feels like a blur of time, the man falls. He is crying before the man hits the ground. He drags his broken and bruised body out of the cactus ring, past the grave of their llama, over to the cliff. He looks over the vast desert, memories of love and war push at his mind. He falls. He is The Sun.
[Crickets, fast footsteps, like in a chase; the occasional clang of sword and wizz of arrows]
(Beat)
Archivist cont’d
He ran through the woods, letting arrows fly at anything that seemed humanoid. The man he was going after killed his best friend, and he deserved the same fate. After a long pursuit, he catches the man on a hill. Arrow after arrow hits the man, but he doesn’t go down. His own body is tired, he’d had fun with his best friend. He didn’t want to play by the rules, but the rules said kill, and in this moment, it's what he wanted. The man doesn’t notice the monster from behind, it bites his back and the man finally falls. The monster is quickly dealt with, and he sighs. He won, after defying the rules. He raises his sword to the sky as the lightning hits him. He is The Stars.
[Barking dogs, a light breeze]
(Beat)
Archivist cont’d
She didn’t believe that The Stars and her would be the last standing since the beginning, but she wasn't one to complain now she was standing here. This man had left her, hurt her, and made everyone else resent her. Sure, she would sit in snow for hours on end so The Stars could feel the biting cold, but he deserved it. Maybe they were friends in another life, but that didn’t matter to her. She giggled as she raised her crossbow, she’d kill herself just to piece that man’s heart. She didn’t expect The Stars to pull out explosives. Her eyes widened as he forfeited the win to her. The Stars saluted as he lit the explosives, as he was blown to bits. She tried to run forward, but was blown back by the blast. She lay there, crying. Her dogs surrounded her while life left her. She is The Moon.
[Muffled talking, light whispers, heavy breathing]
(Beat)
Archivist cont’d
The whispers grew in his head. It was him, The Stars, and another man left. They were talking about the best way to end it. He couldn’t find himself to care for the words they spoke. The Stars was his teammate, the man was an ally, but in this moment, they both needed to die.
[Bubbling and popping of lava, rushing of blood, quick and frantic footsteps]
Archivist cont’d
He acted fast, covering the Stars in lava and stabbing him before he could react. The other man ran, but he was faster. The man was on the floor in seconds. He laughed hysterically and dropped his sword. He kneeled in front of his gods as the lightning struck him. He is Mars.
[Light whispers, flipping pages, light breeze]
(Beat)
Archivist cont’d
He didn’t notice The Moon falling to her death, he just fell in after her, trying to land the final blow. It was the whispers in his head that told him that it was over, he won. He happily climbed out of the hole up to the statue. The sky darkened and the whispers grew louder. His hand fell onto the complete button, and the book in his pocket turned to dust, blowing away in the wind. Another book replaced the missing space. He was confused. He completed his task. Maybe it was instructions on how to leave.
“Win.” The book said.
He didn’t understand. He won! No one else was around! He flipped through the pages, trying to find an explanation. When he didn’t, he pressed complete again. The book disintegrated, only to be refilled by an identical one, saying the same thing. He pressed that button over, over, over, and over again. Nothing changed. He fell to his knees in tears, knowing that he’d be here forever. He is Earth.
[Light breeze, laughter]
(Beat)
[The Archivist’s voice is crackled as he speaks]
Archivist cont’d
It was just them and The Stars left. She laughed as they fought. Sword hitting sword. The Stars were probably one of their best friends. Monsters swarmed them in the night, but it didn’t stop them from chasing each other around. She saw a monster creeping up behind The Stars, but they didn’t say anything. She laughed as The Stars fell, they knew they’d see him soon enough anyways. They are Pluto
[Heavy breathing]
(Beat)
[The Archivists voice returns to normal]
Archivist cont’d
He cheered as the amalgamation of a man, created by grief probably, fell down the mountain to his death. He ran back up, trying to find The Sun. Maybe they’d been friends in another life, The Sun yelled, revealing his location on a tree. He was pushed off before he noticed the other there, and he cheered for his win. The last thing he wanted to know is if his trap worked. Finding it, he ran through. He hit the ground before he realized that it did. He is Jupiter
[Fast footsteps, like in a chase; laughter]
(Beat)
[The Archivist’s voice is crackled as he speaks]
Archivist
The Stars loved being chased, he spent the entire time driving all the other players crazy. Being pray isn’t all that bad if you know how to run. Now, it was his turn to hunt. The Sun and Earth fought below him. He made sure to rain arrows down on them, whittling down their condition. Earth fell. The Stars dropped down, mocking The Sun. He’d run away. You can’t beat a gamemaster at his own game, he thought. He knew that wasn’t true, as he had a mean streak for breaking the rules. The Sun soon showed himself, falling at The Stars hand in seconds. He laughed, enjoying his second win. The Stars jumped into the various holes that dotted the land, letting the vast expanse of the void suffocate him with a smile. He remains The Stars
[Hissing static lowers]
(Beat)
[The Archivist’s voice returns to normal]
Archivist
That one was… interesting. It was full of fear, but also fun? The people here are enjoying themselves… in a weird, twisted way. One’s enjoyment here means another’s suffering. It makes sense, seeing as the avatars here are also the victims.
[Tape clicks off]