[The mural is filled with inscriptions]

[Deciphering them seems like a futile effort]

[The mural is filled with inscriptions]

[It reads:]

ONLYAMEMORYREMAINS

[...Were you always able to read this?]

[You acquired a strange rod]

[Simply holding it makes you feel uneasy]

[Something is wrong]

Knock the backside of the chest three times in a row while it's closed...

Then wait for three seconds...

Something good should happen...

Don't ask how I know...

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Stranger, stranger...

Are those locusts in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

How about a trade?

As you might've notice, traveling through these halls can get rather tiresome.

There are, however, shortcuts that few know about...

If you hand over all your locusts, I'll give you a hint on how to find one of them!

We wouldn't want that noggin of yours to go completely dull.

So, how about it, stranger?

[You decide to trade your locusts for a tip]

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Thank you.

Here's your tip, so listen carefully:

In the seventh room, just one more step beyond the exit...

Try to keep this to yourself.

It'll be more fun that way.

Now now, I never said finding those shortcuts would be easy.

It wouldn't be any fun like that anyway.

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi...

[The dubious merchant smirks, barely able to contain their laughter]

[...]

["In the seventh room, just one more step beyond the exit..."]

[... Did they just swindle you?]

A long time ago...

These halls were governed by beings known as Void Lords...

Their leader was Lord Add, The Beginning...

Don't ask how I know...

Not all Void Lords saw eye to eye...

One day, a great battle erupted between two factions among the lords...

As its agents turned against each other, Void began to destabilize...

Don't ask how I know...

While the fighting had finally ended...

Something unexpected happened...

While Void was still in shambles, Lord Add left...

Don't ask how I know...

HAVE YOU MET ADD

FROM THEIR OWN UNDYING FLESH THEY CREATED MANY BEINGS

ONLY FEW SURVIVED

AND EVEN FEWER

BECAME SENTIENT

[It's empty]

[... Wait]

[There's a note inside]

[It's written in a language you can read]

[It reads:]

My memory of you.

With this, you should be able to hear the voice of fallen, all who were and those who are yet to be.

And if someone else (that includes you, sis) is reading this...

Scram. -Bee

[The message makes little sense to you]

Knock that chest over there six times in a row...

Remain still and wait for six seconds...

The exit will reveal itself...

Don't ask how I know..

So you did it...

Thank you for your trust...

Well...

Good luck...

Oh, you solved it already...

...

I guess I'm not needed here...

Sigh...

So you can hear me...

Not everyone around here is worth listening to...

Us lonely ones are quite knowledgeable though...

Don't ask how I know...

Please don't kill me!

...

You aren't one of those things, are you?

Sheesh.

Scared me senseless right there you know.

[The frightened lady seems to have regained her composure]

[You ask her what she's doing here]

I was about to ask you the same thing.

Honestly I can't even remember how I ended up in this place.

What was I doing?

Sister Ballbuster is gonna skin me alive if I don't show up soon.

It's a pinch.

You wouldn't happen to know a way out?

[You tell her the only option is to keep moving]

And here I thought you looked so capable.

Seriously, don't leave me hanging like that.

Especially with those things crawling around.

You've seen them too, haven't you?

Or am I going crazy?

...

Wait.

I think I remember now.

I was working in the garden when I stumbled upon this strange pit.

I'm sure it wasn't there before, its edges were too clean.

Almost like it had appeared out of nowhere.

I must have fallen and hit my head or something like that.

Is this a dream?

[She seems to be lost in thought.]

...

Hey.

Do you believe in ***?

Sister Ballbuster never stops yapping about that stuff.

You must repent, only then *** will save you.

Despite how I may look, I never believed it.

Sure I've made a few mistakes in my life...

But it seems awfully convenient, don't you think?

Just believe in *** and in the end everything will be alright.

Like someone came up with it to have an easy way out.

...

What am I even talking about anymore.

Forget it.

I need to prepare my sorry ass for a whooping.

Oh, and if you happen to find the exit, let me know, thanks.

[You decide not to bother her for any longer]

[The mural crumbled away, revealing a small niche of...]

[... What is this?]

The tail of the traitorous lord connects the brand...

At least when they were still alive...

Although I'm not sure how that's supposed to work...

Don't ask how I know...

Be careful there.

My scales are rather sensitive.

Please come hither, if you wish to talk.

I won't bite.

You're a brave little one.

Usually your kind will stay far away when they see me.

But I mean no harm, my eyes and ears are just rather poor.

You're so small it's hard to talk with you if you don't step closer.

... Sorry, forgot my manners there for a moment.

Pleased to meet you.

My name is Tail.

My scales tell me you aren't an ordinary lost soul.

If you don't mind me prying...

What's your purpose here?

Maybe I could offer some help.

[You tell her you're looking for a young woman]

A woman did pass by recently.

Unfortunately she ran away screaming before I could get a good look at her.

You could try catching up to her.

Although I can't guarantee you two will end up in the same place.

These walls defy reason, they're ever moving.

Or so I've been told.

Try not to shove those eggs too forcefully. They are close to hatching.

... I know what you're thinking.

But I didn't lay them.

They simply fall from above every now and then.

Sometimes I catch a few and see what will come out of them.

And if you listen closely, you can hear their thoughts.

It's so exciting.

Try it, maybe you'll be able to hear them too.

[You ask her if she knows a different way forward]

Hmm, I've heard some floors have more than one exit.

But they are hidden and only the remaining Void Lords know how to access them.

You may be able to meet them if you venture deep enough.

However, I doubt they'd be willing to share their secrets with you.

Me?

Imposing as I may look, I'm no Lord.

And since that exit is a bit cramped for me...

Here I remain.

[You ask her how she ended up here]

You're a curious one.

Are you sure you want to hear?

It might take a moment and I wouldn't want to hold you for too long...

[You tell her you'd like to hear her story]

Very well then.

When Void was still in flux, when all eight Void Lords still roamed these parts...

One of them, named Eus, ruled over this particular realm.

They were assigned as the gatekeeper and the judge of the lost souls who arrived here.

No soul could get past their judgement, no sin went unpunished.

But as vigiliant and rigorous as they were, Eus was endlessly fascinated by sin.

This fascination grew and grew, until Eus did the unthinkable and committed sin themself.

What was the true extent of their sin, I'm not entirely sure.

When the other lords learned of this transgression, their ranks divided.

Some of them defended Eus, some reviled them.

Soon arguments turned into fights and those fights turned into vicious battles.

In the end, Eus was devoured so that nothing remained.

Well, one part of Eus did manage to slither away unnoticed.

It lay in silence, mindlessly consuming any stray souls that approached it.

It only knew pain and hunger.

But as its wounds began to heal, it learned to think.

It started to ponder why no amount of lost souls would satiate it.

Why it was unable to leave these walls.

Why it was allowed to live.

Eventually it accepted its rotten existence, knowing well that none of its questions would ever be answered.

That's how I came to be.

...

Thank you.

It's been a while since I've been able to share that story.

I'm so glad I decided not to eat you.

...

It's a joke.

Your kind tastes terrible.

You should probably keep moving if you wish to find the one you're looking for.

While this realm has been in disarray ever since, don't let your guard down.

Void Lords are one thing...

But not all lost souls are quite as kind as you.

Farewell.

Maybe we'll meet again...

[You decide it's better to move on]

[Why did you do that]

[You feel ashamed]

Looks like you accidentally blocked the exit.

Let me help you.

There you go.

Oh, it's you again...

...

I'm sorry.

I was advised not to speak with you...

...

... Sorry.

I enjoyed talking with you.

But I don't want to anger Bee either.

Please leave...

Hello!

I didn't think you had it in you.

But you actually killed that tattling snake.

Stone cold!

Honestly, I should've taken care of it myself...

Not that the blabbermouth actually knew anything worthwhile.

So whatever wisdom it might've shared with you...

Take it with a grain of salt.

I mean, how could it possibly have understood what was going on back then...

...

I'm getting too soft.

Go die or something.

See ya!

They say the lord of this area was the one who instigated war between Void Lords...

Lord Add didn't want to believe it...

Yet their transgression couldn't be forgiven either...

Don't ask how I know...

The tail of the traitorous lord connects the brand...

At least when they were still alive...

Although I'm not sure how that's supposed to work...

Don't ask how I know...

[You gaze into the strange light]

[You can barely make out two figures clad in white]

[They're talking about something]

I'll give you another hint.

No one is perfect without me.

What am I?

Once the battle between Void Lords ended...

Lord Add personally consumed everything that remained of the traitorous lord...

In away, they became one, like they had always hoped...

Don't ask how I know...

What the...

Who the hell are you?!

And why are you giving away my hiding place?!

Now those monsters will surely find us!

Are you completely daft?!

Oh no oh no oh no...

[The well-dressed lady seems extremely distressed]

[You do your best to explain that she isn't in immediate danger]

Excuse me?

I ran into a giant snake just a moment ago!

Don't even get me started on those smaller things!

And my dress...

It's ruined!

[You remark that her extravagant dress will only get in the way]

There's no way I'm leaving it behind!

Do you have any idea how much this cost?

...Judging by your rags, you most certainly do not.

Seriously, what ARE you wearing?

Urgh, this is a nightmare...

Look, if you can't show me a way out of this ditch...

Do me a favour and leave me alone, you eyesore.

I don't need any help!

Get lost!

And buy some new clothes while at it!

[She doesn't want to talk to you anymore]

What the hell?!

What are you doing all of a sudden?!

Leave me alone!

[She's become cautious of you]

[The mural is filled with inscriptions]

[It reads:]

ONLYACRAVINGREMAINS

[...Were you always able to read this?]

Here lies the domain of Lord Bee, The Craving...

A true trickster even among the Void Lords...

And a devoted admirer of Lord Add...

Don't ask how I know...

Lord Add was quite fond of dried locust idols and Lord Bee often enjoyed them alongside their lord...

Even though Lord Bee could neither taste anything nor ever feel content...

They would always treasure those little snacking moments...

Don't ask how I know...

Lord Bee would regularly boast how cruel they were towards mortals...

But now that I think about it, I never saw them hurt anyone...

At the very least, I doubt they truly enjoyed it as much as they let on.

Don't ask how I know...

[A scrawny man stands before you]

Smell...

Food...

Give.

[It seems he is looking for food]

[Maybe you should give something to him?]

[You hand over one of your locust idols]

[The man grabs it without hesitation, gulping it down in an instant]

Taste...

Nothing...

More...

Give more.

That smirk...

Lord Bee was always smiling when around others...

Makes you wonder if they kept it up even alone...

Don't ask how I know...

After Lord Add's departure...

Lord Bee's prominent smile remained...

As if nothing had happened...

Don't ask how I know...

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Stranger, stranger...

Are those locusts in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

How about a trade?

As you might've notice, traveling through these halls can get rather tiresome.

There are, however, shortcuts that few know about...

If you hand over all your locusts, I'll give you a hint on how to find one of them!

We wouldn't want that noggin of yours to go completely dull.

So, how about it, stranger?

[You decide to trade your locusts for a piece of hot info]

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

This is just too exciting...!

Okay, here it comes:

A suspicious empty chest surrounded by nothing, inspect it one too many times...

That's all.

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Don't go wasting your precious locusts on those smirking statues, you hear me? Such a useless waste of space, just like their model...

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi...

[The dubious merchant smirks, barely able to contain their laughter]

[...]

["A suspicious empty chest surrounded by nothing, inspect it one too many times..."]

[... Did they just swindle you?]

Here lies the domain of the second traitorous Void Lord...

The calculating charlatan, forever blinded by their own covetousness...

Shall their name never grace these halls again...

Don't ask how I know...

The covetous lord often followed the traitorous lord around...

They were enamored by their scales...

Maybe this vacuous reason was enough for them to side with the traitorous lord...

Don't ask how I know.

Don't look the covetous lord directly in the eye, they used to say...

Their gaze would turn anyone into pure gold...

What a terrible fate...

Don't ask how I know...

EVEN AFTER THEY LEARNED HOW TO CREATE SENTIENT LIFE

ADD WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THEIR RESULTS

SO THEY CHANGED THEIR APPROACH

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DID DIFFERENTLY

BUT EVEN ADD UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING WAS WRONG

WHEN THEY CREATED MON

AND EVEN WHEN ADD WOULD LATER RESORT TO THIS METHOD

MOST WOULD STILL SAY

THAT MON REMAINED THE MOST REPUGNANT ONE OF ALL THOSE WHO WERE CREATED

Even the covetous lord showed interest in locust idols...

But the covetous one didn't eat them, they simply liked collecting them...

Have too many locusts and they would surely show up, bargaining for some...

Don't ask how I know...

PLEASE DO NOT BOTHER TAN

THEY MEAN NO HARM

THEY JUST DO NOT GET ALONG WITH OTHERS

YOU PROBABLY DO NOT BELIEVE ME

BUT I CAN TELL

DEEP DOWN THEY ARE A GENTLE BEING

YOU WOULD NOT HURT THEM

RIGHT

Here lies the domain of Lord Tan, The Raging.

So fierce was their nature, other Void Lords preferred not to interact with them...

Alas, Lord Tan would remain on their own most of the time.

Don't ask how I know...

Although shunned, Lord Tan didn't mind being alone...

In fact, they preferred it...

Lord Tan didn't get along with others...

Don't ask how I know...

During the battle, Lord Tan was unstoppable...

Even when the battle subsided, their rage wouldn't end...

Thus Lord Add had no other option, but to strike their ally down...

Don't ask how I know...

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Nice to meet you once again, stranger.

I see you've been filling your pockets with locusts...

Let's strike another deal, shall we?

Give all your locusts and I'll tip you off towards another shortcut.

I'm sure it'll prove useful if you manage to find it.

How about it, stranger?

[You decided to trade your locusts for a hot piece of info]

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

This is just too exciting...!

Okay, here it comes:

Insatiable smiles surround you, break all the floors of glass before falling...

That's all.

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Why am I wearing this tag?

Let's just say it keeps both of us safe.

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

[The dubious merchant smirks, barely able to contain their laughter]

[...]

["Insatiable smiles surround you, break all the floors of glass before falling..."]

[Did they just swindle you?]

[A young girl sits on the floor]

[As your eyes meet, she winces]

What are you looking at?

Are you one of those creeps?

[You tell her you're not going to hurt her]

I...

I'm not afraid of you.

Leave me alone.

[The girl pouts, ignoring you]

...

[... She sneakily gazes up to you but averts her eyes soon after]

[You tell yourself you're not going to hurt her]

Hnggh...

What do you want?

[You tell them they need to move]

... Really?

That's why you disturb me?

I was doing so well with being dead.

How bothersome.

I don't really know what you're looking for.

But maybe you can tell I'm not exactly going to move anytime soon.

Let me die.

[You ask them if they know another way down]

Eeeeeee...?

Didn't you listen to anything of what I just said?

...

Fine.

If it means I can then keep dying in peace...

There should be a smirking statue in here somewhere...

If you leap into a hole directly in front of it...

You should be able to advance deeper.

... Almost forgot.

This trick requires a sacrifice.

Nothing major, as long as you've got some food with you, you should be good to go.

You think that sounds awfully shady?

Do as you please, as long as you stop bothering me with your problems...

What is it now...

Those lost souls are clogging up your path?

I knew I shouldn't have given them anything...

They keep begging and begging for food until I gave in and now they stick around, craving for more...

They are the worst kind if you ask me...

... Don't give me that look.

I can't do anything about them...

Hey, do us both a favour...

And give them a good shove.

I'm sure you've gotten used to it by now.

Since you've made it this far without losing your marbles...

Go ahead.

No hard feelings.

Lost souls are here for a reason.

They're but fuel for DIS...

...

Is the route clear already?

All there's left to do for you...

... Is to find that smirking statue and take a leap.

Then I can continue dying...

You don't have any food with you?

Fine...

Here, have some.

[You received a locust idol]

[... Where do they keep these things?]

That staff you wield...

Where did you get it?

... I guess it's not important.

It's called the Void Rod.

It was a prized possession of Lord Add.

She sort of ran this place for a while.

Maybe...

Alright, stranger.

I've got a request.

Will you hear it?

[You decide to hear out their request]

Lord Add is the one I can thank for my current predicament.

Long ago, they and the other Lords had a big fight.

I didn't want anything to do with it but was pulled in regardless.

As a punishment, Add cut off my body.

So when I heard they had left this realm, I felt hopeless.

For only they could grant me my eternal rest.

Some rumour said Add hid their treasures within these walls before they left, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it...

Until you showed up.

I want you to find Add's sword, the Void Blade.

Only that can kill me.

If I had to guess, you probably won't just find it lying about.

Add most likely hid it in one of the secret passageways.

Mere mortals can't normally access them...

That's where that Void Rod comes in.

You should be able to enter the hidden routes with a special incantation.

Make sure to remember it:

"Where nothingness engraves the brand of Lord..."

"... Where the path to damnation rests within you..."

"... Place your faith and embrace the Void."

So the big head finally got their wish...

...

You did what you had to do...

Don't ask how I know...

Here lies the domain of the third traitorous Void Lord...

Whose feeble apathy is second only to their indecisiveness...

Shall their name never grace these halls again...

Don't ask how I know...

The feeble lord never showed any interest towards the happenings of Void...

They would simply fulfill their role without any enthusiasm, just so the other lords wouldn't bother them...

Don't ask how I know...

GOR WAS THE SECOND BEING

TO BE CREATED WITH FORBIDDEN MEANS

ADD TRIED TO BE CAREFUL THIS TIME

TOO CAREFUL

GOR BECAME ALMOST EMOTIONLESS

SLUGGISH AND INDECISIVE

THEY DID NOT AMOUNT TO MUCH

At the decisive moment, when Void Lords had to choose their side in the great clash...

The feeble Void Lord remained indecisive...

But one either stands with Lord Add or...

Don't ask how I know...

...

Seems like you figured it out.

You're stuck.

There's no way around this.

This is impossible.

...Is what I'd like to say.

Like that would be enough to stop you.

Trust me, I should know.

You probably prepared yourself for this already...

Things won't get easier from here.

Honestly, I can't even tell how much you've got left...

But you can't give up.

You won't give up.

Because someone is waiting for you.

You don't need me to tell you that.

Just...

Just don't be too hard on yourself.

Even when answers escape you and you're ready to succumb into despair...

I believe in you.

[The mural is filled with inscriptions]

[It reads:]

ONLYAENVYREMAINS

Here lies the domain of Lord Lev, The Devious...

The unloving vassal of the Void...

Their devotion rivaled even Lord Add's...

Don't ask how I know...

So fierce was Lord Lev's might...

Few sinners would make it past their judgement...

To see the final depths of Void...

Don't ask how I know...

Lord Lev was always loyal to Lord Add...

Even when the battle pitted them against their own sister...

... Lord Lev was always loyal to Lord Add...

Don't ask how I know...

The death of their sister left Lord Lev in such a distraught state...

That Lord Lev, who had always been unwavering in their devotion...

Took their own life...

Don't ask how I know...

That hole...

Do not enter it...

You'll surely regret it...

Don't ask how I know...

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

Nice to meet you once again, stranger.

I see you've been filling your pockets with locusts...

Let's strike another deal, shall we?

Give all your locusts and I'll tip you off towards another shortcut.

I'm sure it'll prove useful if you manage to find it.

How about it, stranger?

[You decided to trade your locusts for a hot piece of info]

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

This is just too exciting...!

Okay, here it comes:

Nothing but a straight road, take the fall before your reflection...

That's all.

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

What am I going to do with all these locusts?

Maybe you'll find out if you stick around long enough.

Ksi shi shi shi shi shi shi...

[The dubious merchant smirks, barely able to contain their laughter]

[...]

["Nothing but a straight road, take the fall before your reflection..."]

[... Did they just swindle you?]

The brand of Lord Cif...

Don't worry, it's already been carved...

But what room was it...

I can't remember the number, but it must be somewhere in their domain...

Destroy what remains of the traitors...

Return to zero, zero, zero...

Then you'll find Lord Add's final treasure, one they hid even from their allies...

The key that engraves the brand of DIS...

[The mural is completely blank...]

[A lone birch tree stands in the void]

[This area feels safe]

[And since you've been travelling for quite some time already...]

[Would you like to rest for now?]

No matter how much you sleep...

Your eyes feel heavy.

Dreams elude you.

Can you remember why you are here?

Or have you lost something very important to you?

Without it, you'll never reach the end.

The envious one has poisoned your body, your mind, your devotion.

Seek the dark idol to cleanse yourself, to return where you started.

[You decide to move on]

I'm sorry, stranger...

What you're searching for...

Can't be found here...

Don't ask how I know...

Why didn't you heed my warning...

Or maybe you couldn't hear me before...

...

Long I've watched over these halls...

Guiding, pondering, recalling...

Your journey isn't over yet...

Don't ask how I know...

My memory...

Can send you back...

And take all of your burden...

Your choices...

Away...

Will you accept...?

Begin anew?

(This will erase your progress)

Very well...

Just stay calm...

Do not fret...

Even when the stars die out...

Our memories...

Make their light...

Endless.

I can't remember these halls...

Who build them...

What are they hiding...

Don't ask how I know...

Those petty idols...

That avaricious gaze...

How did they survive...

Don't ask how I know...

[A giant carcass]