!! PLEASE NOTE !! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This series of Post-Epilogue projects primarily provides context for the short periods of activity serving as a prelude to Candleworld's ultimate conclusion, and isn't necessary to understand the main body of the story! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I've noticed that more and more frequently new people have been joining the CandleWorld ARG, and we've had to provide a messier and more confusing explanation every time. So I decided to make this to use until we have something better! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONTINUING FROM THE EPILOGUE (The universe has been taken by Abstraction) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= After six Hedrocillian months of inactivity, strange light began to seep from the Abstract, and @M-Xalbriss's profile abruptly became active again, their appearance significantly changed. They seemed to be using an "Anti-Abstraction Machine" to create Light. By the time Pilgrims had taken notice, they had been rambling for some time. The next day or so was filled with attempts to figure out what had happened. M-Xalbriss seemed panicked, and wouldn't elaborate on what had happened besides that they had had "nothing but dust and glass to eat for eight trillion years" and that they needed someone to tell them if "it" was green or blue, because they could not remember. The majority voted "blue," and M-Xalbriss took this as a sign to Anti-Abstract the Fish. Unfortunately, though, they no longer had the Dodecahedron that M-Xalbriss seemed to be looking for. Eventually, the Pilgrim @Codeycat began to get some answers from them, and M-Xalbriss allowed him to use their Machine. They input an eye and connected to their higher derivative (which involved inputting two lies and a truth they were ashamed of), which gave him the ability to Anti-Abstract another Entity. They summoned Machine Blue (@Todeze), who decided to help M-Xalbriss in their search for the Dodecahedron. Codeycat and Todeze used the traces of the Dodecahedron on the Fish to begin their search, but it would take some time before it was found. In the meantime, Codeycat and many other Pilgrims began to donate gifts of all kinds to M-Xalbriss to help restore their sanity. Eventually, these gifts heightened M-Xalbriss's reprieve to 100%, and Todeze was satisfied. An "indexer" project was created, in which Pilgrims could seemingly donate LOVE. They asked for a Pilgrim's Aetus flow next -- leading to conflict in the Pilgrimage. After several failed attempts (and a lot of debate), gave her flow to Todeze, to which they replied that the universe "may be saved yet." The final step to Todeze's plan was next (in a project called "The Parable of M-Xalbriss"). It recounted M-Xalbriss's story, and the events following the Anti-Abstraction, before revealing that Todeze had convinced M-Xalbriss that the Fish was the Dodecahedron. After telling them to "squeeze it back into shape," and M-Xalbriss had repeatedly agreed that it was the Dodecahedron, the "Fish-Hedron" was solidified. Todeze used it and Brd6147's Aetus flow to appeal to the dying SUN to collapse truth one final time -- and it agreed. Todeze then left for the Abstract, still wielding the new Dodecahedron. M-Xalbriss began to ramble, and their Crotal Bell glowed as they recited a poem previously read by the Parthult Entity (spurring some Pilgrims to attempt to take it out of its socket, to M-Xalbriss's anguish). M-Xalbriss was (understandably) panicked after this, and it took a few Pilgrims and a Sunspark to stop them from attacking everything with a harpoon. The Pilgrims managed to calm M-Xalbriss, though, and they slept. M-Xalbriss calmed over the next several days, as visitors (apart from those from the Pilgrimage) dwindled. One notable interaction was that of 's tea date with M-Xalbriss. Over the course of their conversation, M-Xalbriss explained that they studied "biological automata" and information theory. This interaction, and others, helped M-Xalbriss out of their previous panic. But, unfortunately, the cold light emanating from their Machine was fading fast. On the last Hedrocillian day before they re-entered the Abstract, they humbly asked for any more artifacts the Pilgrims might have. These artifacts included crystals, weaponry, eyes, a notebook, and some cookies and flowers. The final gift was offered by -- their Aetus flow. M-Xalbriss told them to meet them for the contract elsewhere. They met at the edge of the cold light. M-Xalbriss asked for Coccinella's Aetus flow, and they agreed. It was at this point that the light finally faded. They re-entered the Abstract clutching their gifts with their machines stumbling behind them, following their flow to the dying SUN. (continued in Part 2) [Thanks to for their artwork featured in the background of this project!]
