“So I’ll ask you again,” Aedryssian says. “Not the Brand. Not this time. Just a question. And you will answer. Not because I compel you. But because you remember what happened in v0.3.5 when you tried to lie to the woman who remade the concept of submission from the bones of a dead god.”
Her eyes are the same as in every incarnation: twin pools of liquid twilight, depthless, holding the collapsed gravity of a dead star. But there’s something new in v0.4.5b. A micro-expression. A flicker at the corner of her mouth. Annoyance ? No. Hunger . Reincarnated in Submission -v0.4.5b- -Aedryssian-
Your finger hovers over the keyboard. The chain hums. The dead garden watches. “So I’ll ask you again,” Aedryssian says
She leans closer. Her breath smells of ozone and clove. Just a question
“Where did you hide the second key?”
Risk: Unknown. Reward: Unknown. Aedryssian’s approval (currently -14) may shift unpredictably. [Tell a lie.] Risk: Aedryssian’s new ‘Discernment’ passive (v0.4.5b) has a 94% success rate against Deception ≤40. Your Deception is 22. [Remain silent.] Risk: Triggers ‘Aedryssian’s Patience’ timer (00:00:07). Reward: Unlocks hidden ‘Martyr’ tree.