[Endgame: rise or DROWN]

[warpweft]

[How long have you been exploring Nessa's palace now? You've met her family, viewed her memories, learned how to fight as a witch and tried to find the source of her power and the Treasure of her palace: the Voidheart. And along the way, you've tired your best, with mixed success, to avoid the incarnation of her eldest cousin and the representation of her trauma and fear, the Nightmare of Esmau.]

[Wherever you are in the Palace right now, you feel the ground briefly shake under your feet. Little shakes here and there haven't been out of the ordinary - Esmau is trying to blow the place down to the studs, after all. But that felt different. That felt....worse.]

[Your phone beeps as you receive a message.]

Comments

[The Beginning]

[warpweft]

[Shadow Nessa holds the Voidheart in her hand as she stands over her younger self. She lets out a sigh and takes one last look around.]

Oi. By the way.

[She glances at the four explorers that saved the palace.]

Just because you stopped this place from falling apart doesn't mean you have to leave forever. Maybe you can even help put it back together if you'd like, now that the nightmares should stop.

I obviously won't be around to provide my impeccable assistance, but.

[She gives a small smile.]

I think the others living in this palace would like to see you again.

[She takes in a breath and she leans down....and places the Voidheart into the Teenage Nessa's chest.









The younger Nessa takes in a breath. Her arms twitch. Then she slumps back against Zarya again. Weak. Asleep. But breathing. And despite everything, Shadow Nessa smiles down at her.]

It's up to you now, you little brat.

Lyra gave her a second chance. Now she's giving it to you. What you do with it now...is up to you.

[Shadow Nessa glances down. She looks at one of her hands. It's already fading away. She doesn't say anything as the rest of her body slowly vanishes....

And leaves a single tarot card floating in her place. Once she's gone, it falls to the ground, face-up. 0 - The Fool.

This is the beginning of Nessa's journey. At last, her own journey, to choose what she does with.]