hadriel | first puzzle; voice + text.

[Beyond quit giving network-wide addresses long before he ended up here, but - someone needs to be the voice of reason, apparently, and he is something of an expert on death.]

Those of you who have been buried alive - please listen closely. You have a very limited supply of oxygen to work with, and it would be in your best interest to conserve it as long as you can. Stop talking.

[He's already counted two other broadcasts from people who seem to have been buried; he can only imagine there are more that haven't been open to the entire network.]

If you must communicate, do so by texting. Otherwise, lie still and try not to breathe until you're rescued.

[He pauses for a moment, weighing whether what else he wants to say will ultimately be helpful. He decides it is, and continues:]

You may find it a comfort to know that if you do happen to die before anyone reaches you, it's unlikely you will remain dead. However, death by asphyxiation is supposed to be quite unpleasant, so it's best to avoid the experience if you can.

[He sighs. He doesn't know this from experience, exactly; while he has died twice, it happened quickly both times. A prolonged exposure to death is torturous, and he finds the back of his neck prickling with anger over it. It doesn't take a genius intellect to deduce that Fear is behind this, or what he aims to gain from it.]

Those of us who've not been buried - has anyone made anything resembling a strategic plan for rescue efforts, or is everyone running amok with shovels in hand and hoping for the best?

[Shortly after this exchange with Chris, Beyond sends out an additional message via text:]

If you've been buried, please refrain from starting fires with matches or a lighter. At best, you'll only expend your oxygen supply that much faster. Use your phone for light if necessary.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Useful, but do try to be a little more cheerful?

People need to keep their hopes up, if you know what I mean.

And not being afraid will stick it to Fear, too.

False hope is only going to do everyone a greater disservice.

Hope of any kind is more valuable than being realistic.

Especially when it comes to the kinds of games gods play with mortals.

Did it escape your attention that there is a third so-called god other than Fear and Rage?

No it hasn't, but I'm not sure what the entirety of the pantheon we're dealing with matters much.

It's a proven fact, though, that hope or faith will keep a body alive for longer than they might otherwise live.

What it matters is that each of these so-called gods feeds off our emotional responses. Hope is just as guilty of it as Fear or Rage, and encouraging hope in people who've been buried alive is still participating in their reprehensible games.

Also, if you're going to start touting "proven" facts, I'm afraid you'll need to cite your sources. Show your work.

Ah. You're one of those cold-facts-scientist sorts.

I've been a pawn in the games of the gods before. It's better to pick a side than try to change your fate. Fewer people get killed in the process.

I do not submit to being toyed with so easily, by gods or otherwise.

I hope you have the luck of a hero of legend, then.

Edited 2016-01-27 00:35 (UTC)

I don't believe in luck. I believe in hard work and determination to succeed.

I'll be watching to see how well you fare.

You'll be judging me, you mean.

Not at all.

I'll be watching from a safe distance, so if you get blasted by the gods, I won't be part of the collateral. :D

Enjoy the spectacle, then.

first puzzle; voice + text.

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