Twelve. That's how old I was when I joined the tower. Back then, of course, no one knew the nature of the edifice we found ourselves in. It took many a year for us to find the stairs up. Mostly because we'd stumbled upon the stairs that led down almost immediately.

I remember the depths, the darkness, the monsters, the bossfights. I remember hunger, thirst, starvation.

It took us days to clear the first few field-sized rooms, but eventually, we cleared a section that we could call home. One night, however, not long after having cleared, we got hit by the first wave of respaws. So many died in the following days. So many,... I lost count. Friends, new family, people I'd gotten to know and trusted,...

We swore their memories would be avenged; and yet their unrecounted pasts would forever remain lost.

It took us weeks to locate all the respawn points, to finally secure our area, our zone. We had food, water, and many a planted crop on the way. The weather was often sunny, new arrivals few and far in between. That's where, if I'm honest, things took a turn for the worst: with nothing left to do, with the basics of survival covered, all that was left for us was to turn our attention inwards, to the notification that is, and then, because of it, on one another.

The notification was a curse in disguise. A glimmer of hope in a world full of horrors; and yet, over time, it would prove worse than anything else the tower would throw at us.

If it weren't for the notification, much of our natural animosity and infighting would have been manageable; instead of survivable-for-some. So many freakouts and brawls would have never occurered, so many disagreements – already brewing – would never occur, will never occur.

Due to the notification, the spread of madness amongst the lucky survivors was preordained. Oh! But if only we'd been able to foretell it from the start...

If it weren't for those fateful words – all too visible, all too daring – that all saw and see upon entry, and continue to see at a mere thought of them... To put it mildly: when the rooms were finally secure, and provisions near-abundant... Why didn't we just settle down and live our lives in peace? Why did we have to go off exploring? Why, of all people, did we listen to the travelers? A little mistrust of the other floors' motives would have gone a long way.

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But, there is no going back... And the knowledge and know-how brought in by new arrivals and travelers... Well, I, for one, would not do without. And the theories? It was mindboggling what people could come up with. And when people dissapeared? The thought that someone had found a way out often kept and keeps me up at night.

But... you have a question? The notification? You must be both blind and new. Don't worry, I'll read it for you. Better yet, I'll recite it. Over and over and over again. Until it sticks in that thick skull of yours.

Hahaahaha!

I may not be abe to show you the ropes, but that's no reason to go off and hang yourself with them. Huh, I shouldn't joke about such things... Never joke about such things... It happens, you know, more than you can imagine.

They make it happen, the words I mean, that taunting, glowing notification we all can see:

ANYONE CAN LEAVE – ONCE THEY STOP BEING A DISSAPOINTMENT.

ANYONE CAN LEAVE – ONCE THEY STOP BEING A DISSAPOINTMENT.

ANYONE CAN LEAVE – ONCE THEY STOP BEING A DISSAPOINTMENT.

You see it too, don't you? How these worlds could be interpreted, dissected, studied, frowned upon,... twisted – for decades or a lifetime! For years, or days in misery.

ANYONE CAN LEAVE – ONCE THEY STOP BEING A DISSAPOINTMENT.

ANYONE CAN LEAVE – ONCE THEY STOP BEING A DISSAPOINTMENT.

Haha! but I'm talking to myself... you'll be dead soon. I don't know why I bother: Few new arrivals survive in this maze that is our new existence for long. Your continued survival... is not really my concern, is it?

I've decided, you know,... A life of honesty might atone for the lies I've said... So many lies. Maybe, if I'm honest, I'll satisfy the requirements... I've been here so long... I was twelve, did I tell you? Honesty worked for that one fellow... What was his name? Or maybe he died. We never did find a body...

But... Why are you backing away? Look, I know I'm mad, but you're really getting my feelings hurt.

Awwww, don't be like that. Haha.

THE TOWER'LL TEACH YOU WELL – OR THE TOWER'LL TAKE YOU! YOU HEAR ME? WELCOME TO THE TOWER STRANGER, WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

WE HAVE A SAYING HERE, AND IT RINGS TRUE!

SOMEONE WILL BE LEAVING SOON...