---

Caelwyn:
“They’re asking for it by name now.”

Stacy:
“I know.”

Caelwyn:
“Parents.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“Kids.”

Stacy:
“…yes.”

---

Caelwyn:
“They think it’s new.”

Stacy:
“It isn’t.”

Caelwyn:
“I’ve seen this before.”

Stacy:
“Different form.”

Caelwyn:
“Same result.”

---

Caelwyn:
“You remember those wrestlers?”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“Stronger than anyone.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“And then?”

Stacy:
“They didn’t last.”

---

Caelwyn:
“Hearts.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“Joints.”

Stacy:
“Gone.”

Caelwyn:
“And the head.”

Stacy:
“…worse.”

---

Caelwyn:
“Soldiers too.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“They call it improvement.”

Stacy:
“They always do.”

---

Caelwyn:
“And after?”

Stacy:
“They don’t come back the same.”

---

Silence.

---

Caelwyn:
“And now it’s here.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“In kids.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

---

Caelwyn:
“That boy.”

Stacy:
“I’ve seen him.”

---

Caelwyn:
“He doesn’t react.”

Stacy:
“No.”

Caelwyn:
“He doesn’t hesitate.”

Stacy:
“No.”

Caelwyn:
“He doesn’t stop.”

Stacy:
“No.”

---

Caelwyn:
“That’s not strength.”

Stacy:
“No.”

---

Caelwyn:
“What did they take out?”

Stacy:
“The safeguards.”

Caelwyn:
“Pain.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“Fear.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

Caelwyn:
“Hesitation.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

---

Caelwyn:
“And what fills the space?”

Stacy:
“Function.”

---

Silence.

---

Caelwyn:
“That’s not a person.”

Stacy:
“No.”

---

Caelwyn:
“You ever see one come back?”

Stacy:
“…no.”

---

Caelwyn:
“Not fully.”

Stacy:
“No.”

---

Caelwyn:
“Something always stays wrong.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

---

Caelwyn:
“And they know it?”

Stacy:
“Sometimes.”

Caelwyn:
“And the others?”

Stacy:
“They don’t feel it anymore.”

---

Pause.

---

Caelwyn:
“That’s worse.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

---

Caelwyn:
“They think they’re gaining something.”

Stacy:
“They are.”

Caelwyn:
“And losing something.”

Stacy:
“Yes.”

---

Caelwyn:
“And they don’t see the trade.”

Stacy:
“No.”

---

Caelwyn:
“When does it become too much?”

Stacy:
“When the body keeps going…”

Pause.

“…and the person doesn’t.”

---

Silence.

---

Caelwyn:
“And after that?”

Stacy looks at him.

---

Stacy:
“It doesn’t stop.”

---

Long pause.

---

Caelwyn:
“So what’s the real cost?”

Stacy:

“You don’t get to decide that anymore.”

---

🎲 Play epic
📖 Feel the story
💛 Join the family — Mythveil awaits

Join the game:
https://startplaying.games/gm/dunchan