As August moves onward he draws close to the branch in the road. He can hear the laughter more plainly now. Its the sounds of a people that chose to ignore the fall, those who chose to flee not to somewhere else but to something else. Even if they do not choose to help him he is sure that the spirits of the ruined city would not begrudge him for one last friendly conversation.

He sets off down the eastern branch, the forest falling away out of sight.

Down in the valley their lies a circle of pillars in brilliant white. A light shines from the centre of the circle, that is where they have hidden. In their own little paradise that was safe from the fall. As August gets closer he sees colour. The sky is not grey here - it is violet, orange and blue - the grass and heather are not barren and the air is filled with pleasant sounds.

A man, old and weary, stands guard at the circle. His spear is propped up against one of the pillars. He has not needed it in a long time. As August approaches recognition begins to spread into his dark features. "You have come back."

"Joseph," August greets him and the two embrace "I have ended the long walk."

Joseph nods and glances in the direction of the old city. "You plan to go back there don't you?"

"It is my duty." August replies.

"Even here with an old friend the guilt still weighs on you August." Joseph's voice is comforting, welcoming "You should lay down your burden."

"Its all I have left."

"You killed the Old Gods August, that's all. You don't owe them anything." The humming of chatter and friendship from the circle grows louder "You can stay here. I can take the guilt away. Within the circle lies paradise - freedom. Its freedom for all from anything, even for you."

(A) "Your freedom was always a lie, I reject it wholly." - You reject the very notion of paradise
(B) "Even if its true, I owe it to the city." - You can not give up on the mission
(C) Lay Down Your Burdens - You have roamed for too long, take your place in paradise

Continue (B)