I am in the middle of a blizzard. The snow beats down, gathers and blasts in waves.\n\nIt is cold. So cold. Every limb and digit aches with numbness. I can't move.\n\nI <i>must</i> [[move|move]].\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
I look [[left|deep snow]].\n\nI look [[right|a path appears]]\n\n[[What the hell happened|behind]], I am so confused.\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
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A series of weird noises. Some muted conversation, I can make out some of it. \n\n<<replace>>"binked"<<becomes>>"going down... mid?"<<becomes>>What is this strange language?<<becomes>>Through it all, the clicks.<<becomes>>So many clicks.<<becomes>>What the HELL is that [[clicking|what]]?<<endreplace>>\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
I'm led through to a room. It's dark. \n\nIn the centre, <<replace>>a beam of illumination.<<becomes>>encased in ice...<<becomes>>The Iron Controller.<<becomes>>The Iron Controller.\n\n"We've tried everything," said one voice. "But nothing can melt this ice..." [[I approach|fire]].<<endreplace>>\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
A cave. \n\n[[A cave|warm]] in this blizzard.\n\nI approach. I am [[astounded|inside]] by what I see.\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
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I walk, the snow is deep. Within seconds it's up to my waist. I have to [[turn back|move]].\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
I look behind me, a smouldering wreck in the haze of snow. I remember now. A plane crash. Are there any [[survivors|plane]]?\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
All five of them are wearing matching uniforms. The uniforms have sponsor names on them.\n\nCould these be... <<replace>>professional...<<becomes>>[[video game ESPORT PEOPLE|the iron controller]]?<<endreplace>>\n\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
Untitled Story
To my right, a path. As I walk the snow begins thinning, the snow becomes more shallow. This has to be the way.\n\n[[Has to be|the distance]].\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
I walk slowly towards the controller...\n\nWhat's this heat in my hands?\n\nI look down at my palms. They are <i>glowing</i>...\n\nI continue walking.\n\nMy hands burst into a brilliant, white-hot flame, but I feel no pain...\n\nI reach through the ice, [[it melts to the touch|training]]. \n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
<<replace>>Blinding light.<<becomes>>Static.<<becomes>>A loud ringing in my ears.<<becomes>>I open my [[eyes|blizzard]]<<endreplace>>\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter1 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
[[Come back next week for part 3 of... | end2]]\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
There's an unnatural light, and a strange scent, almost like baked bread, melted cheese. \n\nPizza?\n\n[[No, it can't be|inside]]...\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
"We've been waiting for you," says one.\n\n"All these years," adds another. \n\n<<replace>>I don't understand.<<becomes>>"We were told you would come here."<<becomes>>"We were told to lie in wait."<<becomes>>"So that one day we could bestow upon you..."<<becomes>>They step forward.<<becomes>>They're close.<<becomes>>TOO close<<becomes>>They speak in perfect unison:<<becomes>>They speak in perfect unison:\n\n"[[THE IRON CONTROLLER|it'sbeautiful]]."<<endreplace>>\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
The gaming stops. [[All five players turn at once|pro players]]. \n\nOne pipes up. "The prophecy... it's true."\n\nAnother: "[[The chosen one is here|the iron controller]]."\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
Lavish beyond belief. Water-cooled desktop PCs that connect directly to the snow outside, heated gaming chairs that stop buttcheeks from getting too icy.\n\n[[Is this heaven|prophecy]]?\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
The five players look on in hushed awe. \n\nEventually one speaks up.\n\n"Now," he says, voice hushed, "Now your [[training begins|chapter3]]."\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
The Iron Controller... Is this a dream? Am I dead. Is this heaven. \n\nWhen I boarded that flight in Sydney I expected to find nothing. Who could have known I would be led here, to this cave.\n\n"Well, don't just stand there," someone piped up.\n\n"[[Take him to the controller|ice]]."\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
I walk, my hand in front of my face. Visibility has increased, but only slightly. \n\nAbove all I hear a series of strange [[noises|blip]]. \n\nI head cautiously [[towards it|what]].\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
<<replace>>Darkness.<<becomes>>Still darkness.<<becomes>>[[Then...|start2]]<<endreplace>>
This is unbelievable. It's a cave, but unlike any cave I've ever seen. It's fully furnished. There are heaters, there are couches, beds, a 60 inch flatscreen. [[But as the centrepiece..|inside2]]\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
The centrepiece of it all, the most [[incredible LAN set-up|set-up]] I've ever seen, with five people staring intently at monitors. Click... click... <<replace>>click.<<becomes>>click.<<becomes>>click click.<<becomes>>click CLICK CLICKCLICKCLICK<<becomes>>\n\nThe [[clicking stops|prophecy]].<<endreplace>>\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
<<replace>>I approach the plane.\n\nThis blizzard is overwhelming.<<becomes>>Everything inside the plane smoulders and burns.\n\nMy lungs ache from the smoke.<<becomes>>No survivors.\n\nNothing but bodies.\n\nI need to [[keep moving|move]].<<endreplace>>\n<<set ga('send', 'event', 'passage', 'loaded', 'Chapter2 - ' + state.history[0].passage.title); >>
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