The desert. It's hot. It's sandy. It's filled with creepy monsters and things. But mostly it's hot and sandy and there's a whole lot of nothing. You appear and wonder "why am I here? What is there to do here? Is that a cow skull? Do cows live out here in this desert? How can cows live in the desert? Maybe it's a horse?" These are all very complicated questions with equally complicated answers but there's no one to provide them no matter where you look. Instead, you're given the option of walking. Forwards, backwards, to your right, to your left, any direction is yours to take. Try not to die from dehydration or something, that would be a sad ViViD death and the cow-horse skull might start laughing at you. I mean, you'll just start over from the beginning anyway but still.
Welcome to ViViD's new line of Vacation Spotlights: Desert Edition.
Moo-Neigh.
 One wish, that's all you get.
Make it snappy, I don't have all day.
Actually, I have eternity but I just don't want to spend it with you.
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PHASE I [ 6 00 ] So.
There's sand.
In fact, there's so much sand that there's probably already sand in your shoes and your shorts and all sorts of other places that aren't fun to have sand in. It stretches for miles and miles, in large dunes and deep dips, and above it all there are three suns that beat down upon everyone's backs. Why three? Because why not, that's why. Enjoy the sunshine and try not to get sunburnt.
You've got a long ways to travel before you find anything but sand, but thankfully you're not alone -- there are a bunch of unfortunate stragglers who are out with you, so it's time to make some friends as you travel. You've got pleeeeenty of time. No water though. Or food. Or... anything but human interaction.
Thankfully, it's only a matter of time before you stumble across your hot new ride. Thankfully, it seats two, so you and your new friend can enjoy a cramped road trip. You, this relative stranger, and the great... sandy... unknown! Good luck!
PHASE II [ 645 ] If you prefer to not take your ride, you're going to wish that you did soon enough. Every desert level has to have desert monsters, after all. You're walking through the sand, trying to make it to somewhere that isn't sand, and then suddenly, the sand worms appear.
Or.
Well.
They try.
Unfortunately, they're little more than 5 or 6 inches tall apiece, and they'll mostly try to eat your shoes and socks. How scary.
Alternatively, if you have actually taken that sweet ride of yours on an adventure through the desert, you're going to hit something at one point. It makes a rather pitiful scream and there's a small bump underneath your tire before your car comes to a stop. You just ran over a sand worm.
Anyone who is intrepid enough to kill a sand worm though will find one interesting thing about them. They're filled with water, and you are very, very thirsty. Ew.
PHASE III [ 1000 ] It sure is hot.
And unless you've devoured one of those poor, sad, screaming sand worms, there's no water to be found. It feels as though you've been wandering in circles for ages, so perhaps it's really no surprise that the heat starts to get to you. First come the headaches, and the thirst. Then the dizziness and vertigo.
And finally, the mirages.
What you see is a waterfall cascading into a crystal pool, beautiful and pristine and painfully cool. It's just begging for you to come enjoy it, and -- wait, there's one more thing. Standing in front of that pool is either someone you care about immensely or someone you hate immensely.
And either way, the things they say or do will be the same. First they reach for you, beckoning, and they they start to detail all of the things they'd like to do to you. NSFW, SFW, loving or cruel or so many things in between, all that's honestly consistent is that it's pretty shocking.
Oh, and awkwardly, it seems as though anyone with you can see and hear that hallucination too. That's embarrassing.
PHASE IV [ 1215 ] Eventually, though, you'll find your destination. Or... at least, it seems like it should be the destination. The tiny temple is at least a change from the endless sand, and in the middle of it, there's a lamp. That sure looks familiar.
If you rub the lamp, of course, you'll release the genie, and he'll glance at you, and inspect his fingernails as though you're hardly worth his time, and offer you one, single wish.
As soon as you make it, well... You'll get the opposite of what you wish for with a sudden apology note in your hand. The card will read "Sorry, this level isn't entirely finished yet - Mosley" before immediately disappearing. Your wish will only apply in ViViD, of course, but hopefully you didn't wish for anything too crazy, or you might have made the level Much Harder for everyone around you.
BONUS [ why o'clock ] One second you're walking along the desert sand, enjoying the eternally same view, and the next there's a sudden pinch on your ankle, and a scorpion monster scuttles away quickly. Whoops, looks like you've been stung.
But it's not poison, it would seem. Aside from feeling a little odd and having a mild fever, you're fine.
More importantly, you've now found yourself in possession of some... new powers (a la Spider-man), and they're...
Well, they're useless.
Maybe you can summon water now, but... only sulfur water. Perhaps you can now make pretty light shows and that's about all. You can see the future but only the next three seconds. The possibilities are endless, but what's for certain is that they're all completely and utterly useless to you.
What the fuck, ViViD.
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no subject
I'm not an NPC, and I haven't died yet. I don't think we'll die outside if we die in the game, but who knows? I only just arrived yesterday.
no subject
( so this is.. the same. thinking of her previous masters, she looks to the male next to her. ) Are they.. here too? ( normally it isn't right for servants to remember their previous summons but this place is all too familiar. )
I demand that you stay by my side, we will go in search of someone. ( that's a command from the emperor! well, not like osomatsu knows that. ) Were there any others that you met while here? Perhaps.. someone with brunette tufts and stars that glitter in their eyes.
no subject
Don't worry, baby. I'm not going anywhere. [he brings the one arm that is closest to Nero up and around the back of the seat, keeping his other hand on the wheel] Haven't seen anyone with stars in their eyes, though. They a friend of yours?
no subject
Umu! Excuse yourself, do not belittle my name to just a mere child. I am an emperor, nothing more and nothing less! ( now that's something she's got to correct, a serious look on her features as she places a hand to her chest. ) Make sure you do not falter again.
( they really don't have stars in their eyes, it's just nero's elegant way of speaking. sadly, this might just make osomatsu's job even harder. when it comes to her friend, she hums lightly before speaking. ) They are someone important and if you find them, you must tell me. Though.. how will we contact each other if you do.
no subject
Didn't you get one of those communicators when you got here? God, what are they called? CERES Devices? We can communicate with that, like a cellphone, I think.
no subject
CERES Device? I have an understanding of what you mean, but I had not been gifted one. Where is it that I should retrieve such a device, is it for all people or.. I inquire to know this information! Do share it with me.
( she's waiting to be shown!!! )
I'll give it back just as swiftly if you hand it over.
no subject
I thought all newcomers got one. You'll probably have to ask that Mosley guy when we get out of here.
no subject
Anyway.
( taking the device, she eyes it as he drives but oh no! it seems there's a little bump in the road and she drops his CereVice right on the sand.. outside of the car. WHOOPS!! )
no subject
Hold up. What creature was this? I haven't seen any wish-granting creatures. [he glances at Nero, then back to the road] Was it in here?
no subject
( but! it seems he's yet to find one. )
Mm. Yes, it was. Something that grants only lies, sadly. Even I was fooled. ( there's such an upset look in her eye but she hides it well by looking at the carebear. ) But it is fine, since I've learned it's secrets.
no subject
What do you mean my device is lost?