Between the Cliff and the Sea

Folmo picked his way up the dirt path to the clifftop next to the Great Sapako Shrine. It was late in the year and the wind had picked up heralding the changing season. He was dressed only in a simple robe, having left his gear down in the village.

The stone brick gave way to dirt, which gave way to grass, as it always did, and then he was there on the edge.

"This is quite the hobby you've cultivated" the First Survivor said, materializing behind him. Folmo sighed. "I was wondering when you would pay me a visit about this", Folmo said, stepping back from the cliff. The First Survivor floating slightly off the ground. "Surprisingly, I am not spying on all people at all times like some kind of purple Santa Claus. I only noticed because some bean counter in accounting brought it to my attention. Nice day for a suicide at least." he said.

Folmo looked out at the sunny afternoon, the sea stretching on to the horizon. "Do you mean to talk me out of it?" he asked. The First Survivor laughed. "No, why would I do that? You must have your reasons. I've simply come to inquire after them before you do it. Please tell me you don't believe you're living in a simulation and this will somehow free you from it".

"No, I don't believe such nonsense, and more is the fool that does" Folmo replied. He looked down the cliff to the broken and jagged stone below. The First Survivor came beside him on the cliff, looked down. The waves were smashing the rock face. "Half chance of drowning at least" the First Survivor quipped. Folmo laughed.

"Do you want me to push you? You could try a murder instead of a suicide". Folmo smiled. "No thank you" he said, and he lept, falling silently into the rocks below. The First Survivor floated off the edge of the cliff, and down to his firend. The LeighBoy was already in the process of vaporizing the body, and in a moment it was gone, leaving only a slight blood stain on the rock.

When Folmo awoke with a start a few seconds later in his bed, the First Survivor was already there, looking over Folmo's mess of research into Technica Arcanum. "You know, Folmo, if the Praxis catches wind of this, there will be questions. You might as well just tell me now. How many times has it been?"

Folmo shook off the grogginess of the resurrection. "How many times have I jumped? You know the answer to that, if you saw the invoices. 322 times. It started after I was killed by that Pillager. When he killed me, in that instant, I saw... something".

"What did you see?"

"There's something out there. On the edge of everything".

"What's that?".

"Something... more. It's hard to describe. It's so fleeting, but there is a presence".

"I'll talk to Dr. Brauhm. He can slow the resurrection. Make you dead for longer. Maybe that will help you on your quest. Why the cliff? You could just do it here."

"It's peaceful there".