<------------o------------{-( I )-}---------------o------------> There is a game called "The Lantern Game." Many have sought to begin the game, but few have succeeded. And out of all those who try, rarely are any heard from again... Why would anyone play such a game? I know you're wondering. And if you're not... Then you svck. Anyways, the answer to your question is simple: play the game, get whatever it is you want and go where ever. What do you want? Love? Money? The mysteries of the Universe? You name it, and it could be yours. Where do you want to go? Anywhere. That's always the best choice. So, are you ready? Good. /Very/ good. Here's how to play: 1. To start the Lanterntorch game, you must wait until 3:41 p.m. /exactly./ If you start any earlier or later, you will not find the starting point of the game. Once it is time, you must leave you house, hole, track, or wherever you reside. Take nothing with you, save whatever it is you need to follow your current set of Laws. Find the nearest forest. It must be 8 or more miles away. 2. Walk around the first tree you see more times than you can count, then close your eyes and walk off in a random direction. Do not open them until you have no idea where you could possibly be. Done? Good. Open your eyes. If you find a row of 8 trees perfectly lined up in a straight line, congradulations! You have found the Entrance. Walk through in between the middle two trees. Ignore the Gray man. He will want you to look at him, but do not. Tread the invisible path between the trees, Enter. Walk at a steady pace. No hurrying. The impatient lose their faces. 4. Now get lost. You will inevitably become lost. Do not even try to mark the way back, or make a guide of some kind. Just Wander. Oh, and stay away from Lanterntorch. The next few steps will go over that, so pay close attention. I advise not touching or going near the This and the That. The This and the That hide in the shadows and stay entirely still unless you madden them. If you somehow have the idiocy to anger the This and the That, run and do not scream. They love the sound. After losing them, return to walking. 5. If you perchance hear the crackling of a flame in the darkness of night, in the middle of the web of trees, do not listen to it. Walk back the way you came. You will not find yourself on the path you just took. 6. Do not head towards any inviting lights flames. This is Lanterntorch It will feel wrong to not walk towards It, but ignore that feeling. Stop walking and close your eyes. Spin in a circle 8 times and walk in that direction. Oh, and open your eyes again. You'll need them... 7. The trees are not trustworthy. Do not lean against or climb any trees. They will take you, and you will become more lost than you ever were before. Ignore their lights. The Others Spaces don't want your sorry existence. As you walk, you can look down or to the path ahead but never left, right, or behind you. Where you look will ground you to what you percieve. Looking up will only leave you at the mercy of the Cracked Moon. Your gaze must not fall on it. 8. And finally, do not stop walking- unless following step 6- and don't try to look for anything that you will think is following you. If you see That... well, you would wish you were de. Tiredness will have no effect on you. Hunger will not tear at you, nor will thirst ch0ke you. But you will, however, have the irrisistable urge to lie down, or to scream. Do no do either of these things. It will catch up. It will find you. You must walk for as long as it takes, following all aplicable steps whilst doing so. It may feel as if you've been walking for a few minutes, it may feel as if you've been walking for years and years. Do not complain. The They don't like it, and it'll attract Lanterntorch. Eventually, a stand of 8 bl00dy trees will come into view. Walk through the middle backwards, eyes closed. A feeling of falling will overtake you, but don't struggle, flail, open your eyes, or scream. And now you're There. The fall will stop. Still do not open your eyes. Ask aloud for whatever it is that you desire, or wherever you wish to go. The They will give it to you or guide you to the tree, depending on what is asked for. Now your task is over. You can now go back to whatever dreadful Place that you came from. Oh. And one more thing. Try not to enjoy what you have gained too much- everything comes with a price. Even after all that is done, do not hold on. You can't win. All eventually lose what they have... But... Perhaps you can claim your prize again. Would you dare? Do you want- /crave/- more? That hunger can be satisfied. The Lanterntorch Game is still there for all those lucky enough to find it, and who seek to try their hand... if you're brave enough. <------------o------------{-( I )-}---------------o------------>
