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nobolofmatter · 2 years

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When Hearts Darken - Inscryption OC story

Notes : Hello mates! This is a storyline based on Act 3 within Inscryption. It will start from Pre-Act, During Act, and End of Act 3. I plan on there being a Post-Act for reference as to what would be happening as an aftermath! I am excited to have this come out seeing how I’ve been thinking about it for a long while!

It won’t be perfect I will say that!! But it will definitely be fun! ^-^

Warnings : Swearing, Emotionally charged, Miscommunication, Highly panicked situations, Angst, Slight Fluff

Word count : 4.7k

Chapter 1 - Pre-Act 3 : Desperate Measures

Chapters : 2 - Tugging on WIres

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was a bright day outside. Cold waves of sea blue crash against the sandy black shores of Nobol’s island. It’s relatively quiet, a low breeze shuffling the copper leaves on the taller trees that stand high. Nobol is at her podium. Fixing up and inscribing cards of all sorts with her enchanted needle and scissors. It’s silent in the dimly lit cathedral. The cream-colored walls and magenta shades of columns never looked so enchanting in the sunlight. She hums a low tune. Stitching this and stitching that. It’s rather peaceful. Well- up until the presence started to announce itself with a gust of wind inside. Going back to her and blew out all candles that burned on the candle holders embedded in the walls. Nobol stopped in the middle of a ladder stitch. Sighing with irritation.

“Satan,” Nobol said rather bluntly. She was continuing her work with slightly more aggression. She can just feel the bone-chilling stare burned into her back.

“Hmm, My dearest Obol. Look how far you’ve come. Why are you always so sour?” The low basing tone of the Bone Lord’s was rather cherished yet cold, even for Nobol to stop and turn towards him.

Looking up to this beast with annoyance for interrupting her beautiful evening.

“Well, I was having a great day after all. Until you made your presence ever so more clear, you worm.” Scoffing, the Bone Lord sat upon the top-level walkway above Nobol.

Nobol shrugged her shoulders as she continued. Wanting to get work done without these decaying bones distracting her concentration.

“Hmph.” The large demon seemed to become amused by Nobol’s persisting work ethic even if it never mattered in the first place. The fact that she knows it leads to nothing. The fact that Nobol knows what this world may be capable of. And yet, she sticks to this useless work.

As Nobol puts away the finished previous card to start a new one, she can feel Satan’s presence come up from behind her.

You can hear his bone hands slowly become flesh as he places his now human-like hands upon her sharp shoulder pads. It made her feel sickly.

“Get your filthy hands off of me.” Nobol almost commanded, feeling this tempting energy he had tried to display. Trying to trick her with his seductive power.

With that Satan came to view, walking to the front of her podium to face Nobol.

“You’ve turned so cruel and cold to the damned. Yet you still fondle with them.” Satan’s tone sounded amused but also angered. Seeing how he can no longer bring her to that temptation. Where her morals stand as strong as the dam’s walls to the waters of reality. Unbreaking.

Nobol’s eyes narrowed to Satan’s remark, speaking up herself, “They are much different from you. You bring them down that path involuntarily. I can’t help that you keep slithering back to my fortress with pleads.”

Her obol glimmered with now the pink moon rising from the night skies. As she tried to get back repairs, Satan stared at her. The silence had never felt so loud before this.

“I wonder how Atropos would’ve felt. Seeing you in this state of pity.” The remark started to burn Nobol’s core.

Hearing that name. Her closest pupil and assistant. It only made her quicken in pace with her stitching.

“Clotho and Lachesis would’ve made your progress outside of this prison much faster, you know? Make your work unmeasurably efficient.. I could bring them back Nobol.”

Nobol knew this. It only made her eyes burn with threatening tears underneath her banner as she abruptly stops. Slamming her needle and cards onto the podium to compose herself.

“Don’t you DARE use their names here… NOT ANYWHERE-! You-!” Nobol looked like she was holding back her own wit's end. It felt like a part of her soul was simmering as she tried to not let these tears come to contact with the skin below her banner.

Nobol gazed down to her podium, we can see Satan’s view of it all. This pitiful phantom. Wondering these lonely, dead-ridden halls only filled with echoes of her fading memories.

As much as Nobol dislikes, no, hates this being, She knows well that he is not wrong. If anything, it’s true. Without those three, she may have already made it out of this reality and beyond to whatever is next with their skills and their own powers that she had blessed them with. Maybe would’ve gotten her friends out of here as well.

But it doesn’t matter anymore. Besides, she would never use them for her judgment and her own greedy pleasures.

It almost made Satan feel empathy for Nobol. He remembered how she first started out. A small wisp. Nothing more. It was nauseating to watch as his father guided her to this temple, while Satan himself roamed her shadows.

Then watching as He too abandons her cries and pleas for mercy and understanding. Leaving her too in this undeserved darkness.

And here she was. Trying not to break down by the memory of her assistants being erased from reality. He never meant to inflict pain. But sometimes-

It does more good than accounted for.

“I can feel this searing mourning inside of you. It never left, has it? Even after a couple of decades with your beloved Scrybes.. What about your robotic lover and his other little personalities? Have you ever learned to love or console those other two AIs yet?” The questions were answered with silence. The ribboned maiden didn’t even bring an effort to look Satan’s way. Her mind was racing.

Ahh... There are the waterworks. A tear escapes her grasp as it slowly trickles down her face and over her tight lips. All she can hear is their voices. Oh how much she missed them. Though that anger started to simmer and bubble over.

With that, It seemed like Nobol moved fast and efficiently like a phantom. Cards flew everywhere with the breeze she caused. Holding up a large needle to this selfish being’s heart. Up close to his face. Her eyes filled with a hidden rage. Darkness. Holding back at the silence of it all.

Unfrightened, Satan was. Though astonished instead. To see Nobol with so much hatred yet love stuck inside her bitter eyes. Filled with unforgettable times.

“There you are.. A you that is reasonable.” This dark being mumbled. A slight smirk to him. To be this up close to a Nobol that hides. The hidden rage and silent murmuring thoughts of bargaining and second thoughts.

Though his smirk disappeared as Nobol backed away, her needle disappeared with the motion. How pitiful.

“Leave. And don’t you EVER RETURN!” Nobol's voice boomed and commanded as her ribbons slowly lurched around her body. The columns shined with protection runes, causing the Bone Lord to go back to this boned form and disintegrate out of thin air. Banishing this being out of her home.

All the candles lit back up almost automatically. Nobol didn’t move a muscle. Her breathlessly heaving with a heavy-hearted chest. Even without a heart, she felt as if she were going to pass out.

Falling to her “knees”. Her crimson ribbon pair kept her up as she was holding herself with the others. The banner disappeared as her bottom lip quivered. Tears spilled from her eyes full of pain as the moonlight returned.

How dare he. Slandering their names.

Talked as if he knew how much they meant to her. Oh.. how she missed her assistants. Nobol slightly looked up and tried to dry her eyes. Trying to pick herself back up and stop these spilling tears. But they keep on coming.

“Y-You’ll never understand…” Her voice quivered. Speaking to an empty grand hall now. Drying her leftover tears as if she were a mourning mother who still couldn’t let go of her passed children. No matter how many sleepless nights filled with stars or how many hot summer days had sufficed the years and seas.

She shuddered quietly. Their smiles, performances, and laughter echoing her mind. Haunting it.

The quiet filled the air.

Suddenly, the fizzing black figure appeared. Holding up a metallic folder. It was Isabel nonetheless.

“Nobol, this just came into your letter box. It seems to be from Po3–..! My god-- Are you alright.?” Isabel crouched down to a Nobol who jumped by their presence

The banner quickly materialized back as she stabilized her floating. Shying away from a little.

“Y-Yes, yes I am fine darling. Um.. So, an envelope.?” Nobol, without much effort, went back to her podium. Collecting the cards that had flown to the floors.

Isabel rose a silent brow. “Nobol, are you sure you are alright, my high priestess?”

Nobol nodded silently. Slightly smirked to see that her friend was back, and concerned for her as well. Though Nobol herself would have never wanted them to worry about the silly things he causes.

“I’m fine darling. May I see this letter?” Nobol lent out her crimson right ribbon. Seeing it slowly placed.

“I wonder what it might be about. It’s rather rare to see anything from those junk parts-“ “Hey. No need to slander my dearest robot, Isabel. You know he is still working on communication here—” Nobol and Isabel shared a small laugh.

“Oh wait until he knows your projects. Maybe he may even be able to FINALLY make his way here without excuses.” Isabel said with a laugh, shrugging her shoulders as she floated up and behind Nobol to read it as well.

“Po3 doesn’t know the things I’ve been waiting to show him. The things I’ve made. At least he’ll be walking once more with me instead of needing to charge once a week.” Nobol said with a sweet smile on her face.

Then laughing as she spoke, “I know how much he misses having both hands. Especially for his work and special occasions—“

“YOUR HIGH PRIEST—“ Isabel gasped exaggeratingly. Making Nobol cackle out loud.

“YOU KNOW BETTER ISABEL, MY GODS-“ Nobol laughed with Isabel as they opened the letter and began to read it with care.

With the Scrybe of Technology . . .

Po3 was working on his cards. Decks for challengers that actually would beat him. Though there was this itch to his motherboard. Po3 glanced towards this box. It was uncomfortable. To feel its energy. Suddenly his monitor’s screen twitched and G0lly came forward.

G0lly’s voice box was quiet, “Do we have to do this Po3? Why not we just talk to Nobol about this? Maybe she will understand-!”

Po3’s face came back into view with anger but also slight anxiety, almost snapping, “If we want to succeed, then we have to cover all baselines… It includes her. Nobol is a person we can NOT let slide off with exceptions.”

G0lly’s face appeared again, almost sorrowful. “But- But she’s our wife! We can’t do that to her-”

Po3’s monitor twitched as he gained control over his claw once more. Slamming it onto the table, shaking all the neatly stacked cards. Displaying messily. His claw clenched to the tightest setting. The internal fans whirl at high speeds. Only an angered stare was displayed towards the said table.

You could tell there was this hurtfulness within Po3’s eyes. A hesitance.

Bargaining.

“At least you won’t be the one pulling on that plug. And correction, Nobol’s MY WIFE. Do you think I want to do this to her?!” Po3 sighed, the low humming of the fan can be heard. His left eye twitched as if the lights within were going to pop at any second.

G0lly’s face came back into view, her saddened expression burdened their monitor.

Oh how they both know.

Po3 then came back and took his arm off the table. He went up to the box and opened it to reveal the black, glitching oozing old_data. The power from it was so immaculate. It could surely do the trick of bringing them to the great transcendence. Maybe even getting Nobol to the other side with them entirely.

With a shudder, he put away that piece and looked at a silver necklace with a ring attached made of gold with pink kunzite. His monitor had turned off with no expression, only a blank screen. Remembering Nobol's smile, laughter, and cries. Remembering what Leshy had done to them both, that fucking beast. Surely she could understand. Join Po3’s side.

But if calculations were right, there was no way that was feasibly possible.

Impossible.

With the Scrybe of Matter . . .

Nobol is seen packing up her satchel. It’s the middle of the night and the moon is high in the sky. Illuminating brightly without flaw.

The letter was left on her side of the bed. It read :

“Nobol. I know this is rather formal, but I have thought about this for a while. I was wondering if you could come down to my temple for a plan I have made. I’ll tell you about it once you’ve arrived. I will be expecting you in the next few days.” - Po3

Isabel could be seen fabricating herself back into reality with the shadows of the Cathedral walls. Walking up to Nobol’s side and rereading the letter that was sent. Something about this felt off.

“Are you sure about this? This is rather sudden from Po3,” Isabel asked of Nobol with wary concern.

Nobol continued to pack her journal, quills, and ink bottles. Going up to her nightstand to pick up a silver necklace with a black titanium ring that shined in blue goldstone. It looked like stars were trapped inside as it glimmered. She wore it with pride.

Facing Isabel’s way, Nobol answered unwarily, “Exactly. It must be important. That’s the whole reason why I am going. If he were to send me something like this out of the blue, there has to be something either wrong or urgent.”

In a quick motion, Nobol put the satchel around her torso. Then grabbing a baby blue cloak that had been hung on the wall near. Wearing and buttoning it up.

“I should not be long Isabel. This is Po3 we’re talking about. He would never want to put him, the others, or I in harm's way,” Nobol commented as she levitated away and out of her room. Leaving into the halls and outside the front large doors. Leaving to the docks where Nobol’s boat floated quietly.

Isabel is seen watching from the windows of Nobol’s room. Furrowed brows at what this bot may be needing so desperately. Isabel whispered to herself, “It makes little sense at all… “

Watched as Nobol left off through the seas.

Two days had passed by. Nobol is seen coming up to the docks of this robotic city. Bringing her elder wood boat to the sidelines and tightly ties down its ropes. A few bots in their stations and on other large boats can be seen looking over in Nobol’s direction.

Their chirps and small waves towards her were filled with small delight and greetings. As they did, Nobol waved her few ribbon arms with a smile.

Ever since the two scrybes had announced their marriage, the city itself was surprisingly delighted. Seeing how everyone had been busy with their own lives. Though nowadays, the city seemed to become a bit more lively since then.

Nobol travels with her hood up, moving through the semi-empty sidewalks and pathways towards the main temple. Her head filled with questions and wonders about what Po3 had in store. Along with being able to maybe talk to G0lly and the Archivist.

No matter. She was almost there anyways so her questions should be answered very soon. Hopefully, it wasn’t too urgent is all. Like their lives on the line or something along those lines.

As Nobol approached and entered the main levitator, she couldn’t help it. All the thoughts that are fogging her mind were taking over her worry. What if something did happen to them all? And if it was that way, what could’ve it been to be this out of the blue? The worry Nobol had for her spouses was spilling over just the tiniest bit.

Though she also knows better than to overthink the situation. Maybe it was just nothing but a new big project.

The levitating panels started going upwards, taking Nobol swiftly to the top. Once at the top, she came to the doors of this temple. Watching them open with their hissing and clogs being turned from the inside of these walls. Once opened, Nobol floated inside almost immediately.

Then and there, she could see her spouse levitating at the table of his workbench. Empty with little cards. If anything, the settings to his virtual 3D map had gone into its settings module. Something also felt off inside than usual. Weird.

From that alone, Po3 can be seen looking up in Nobol’s direction. Shocked that she came as quick as she did honestly.

Though the urgency she had in her movements and speech only made his masked guilty conscious eat itself alive.

Nobol spoke with this quick matter, coming up to him with her ribbons moving from side to side at a quick pace. Her eyes only show curiosity, “I had gotten your letter my darling! Before you discuss to me this plan of yours, I wanted to know how you have been doing lately.”

Nobol’s crimson ribbons had grabbed a hold of Po3’s claw. My god, this marionette never stops overthinking for the life of her, thought Po3. It made him smirk a little at Nobol’s innocent concern.

He knows this won’t last long. If Po3 had the capability to gulp, he would. But the blessing of being a machine was greatly appreciated.

Po3 spoke with this calm tone, watching Nobol’s red ribbons closely, “Nobol. I’m fine, god you overthink so much over a small piece of paper. Like your sticky note thoughts hehe.”

With a small sigh of relief, Nobol continued, “Well– For someone who rarely sends me anything, it’s out of the norm. Plus, I love you. Of course, I’d be worried. Like how you stress about your work 24/7.”

“That’s different-” Po3 answered but was interrupted, “No, It really isn’t darling.” Nobol gave him a small kiss on the rim of his monitor. She could hear Po3’s fans kicking in and it made her giggle. But Nobol had noticed an odd detail. Po3 wasn’t wearing the necklace.

It was odd though it wasn’t for the reason Nobol had thought.

Strangely, Po3 bumped his screen into her chest. Almost like in an affectionate way. It shocked Nobol though she hadn’t thought much of it. Giving him a strong hug with the rest of her ribbons.

The couple stayed like that for a moment. In the silence.

But Po3’s mind wasn’t peaceful.

No, it was filled with the desperate voice of G0lly and the un-surety of the Archivist. It was like a raging war inside his database.

As Po3 held onto Nobol, he savored every moment. Felt his sins crawl down his metallic spine. Po3 never had felt like this. This regret. Not as severe anyways. It always disappeared quicker but this time, it just wouldn’t leave.

As the couple pulled away from each other, Po3 led Nobol to the tube-like scanner.

Po3 began to speak with little trouble, “So. This plan deals with a great number of theories about The Great Transcendence. The theories of if it was reachable or feasible. And I had calculated a way.”

Nobol seemed to be listening along, watching Po3 with interest. With that Po3 can be seen continuing, opening up a casing door to the tube, “And in order for it to work, it needs a large number of old_data from the seas. With its power, I think there may be a way out of here.”

The moment Po3 starts mentioning the old_data, Nobol’s facial expression dropped slowly. Becoming more questionable. Po3 catches on to this change, “I know– I know. You and the old_data don’t have a great history. But this could be our chance to get out of here! To go see the world and outside this filthy prison!”

“No-,” “Nobol” “NO-” “Nobol, hear me out just this ONE TIME”, Po3 states through Nobol’s denial. Her stare looked like it was filled with this disliking.

Nobol continued on while overlapping Po3’s consoling, “Po3, I love you with all my soul– But no. No! You know what that shit does to people. What it did to the others including me for god’s sake!!”

Po3 scoffed quietly. Looking away for a moment. Nobol sighed, “I’m sorry darling, but no. I know you really want to find a way out of this place though, there can be other ways than to use that.”

It was quiet for a moment. Then Po3 looked back up to Nobol. His screen on his default expression. Nobol looked back down to this bot, disappointed though sighing once more. Having a ribbon lightly rub the side of his monitor.

Po3 then continued, looking to the side, “Well, enough of that then. That was a waste of time. Anyways, to fill in the rest of your visit, we could do something else.”

It seemed to have lightened up Nobol’s mood. Thinking about it.

“I’m sure we could! I did bring the last few projects we were working on!”, Nobol said with a hint of excitement. It only twinged Po3’s mechanical core more.

“Yeah- We could do that. Something productive. Though I need you to fix something up for me first. Put your belonging to the side”, Po3 stated. All he could hear was the panic of G0lly’s voice. Telling him this wasn’t the way. That he didn’t need to do this.

Nobol tilted her head, “Oh? And what seemed to be the matter, darling?” Nobol proceeded to take off her cloak and satchel. Putting it against the workbench table. Going back to the backside of the tube that had been opened now.

Po3 stated almost warily but keeping his tone the same and carefree, “A few wires had become loose in this thing and I was wondering if you could do a quick fix-up on it inside. They are mainly in the top panel.”

Nobol glanced inside and back at Po3, “Again..? But I just fixed this thing last visit!” Po3 sighed with a small chuckle following behind, “I know. The thing is just old. I have new parts coming in so don’t worry. It will be the last time dear.” Nobol groaned and then stepped in. Looked up to the top and opened up the panel slowly.

Though as she had, she started to realize the faint smudged hand prints of people on the glass. Something inside of her started to go off. This strong feeling.

Nobol started to become warily at this, “Darling.. What are–?” As she turned around, the door shut behind her. Hissing and sealing shut. It spooked Nobol for a moment.

Nobol chuckled uncomfortably, trying to open the door but it wouldn’t budge. In an urgent tone, Nobol said through an uncomfortable smile, “Po3- Darling– This isn’t funny at all–” But she couldn’t hear any laughter from the other side.

Panicked started to race through her mind as she started to bang onto the thick glass, watching as Po3 went up to his workbench with this hurrying motion. It’s blurry but Nobol could see he was setting up something. This wasn’t good at all.

“PO3!! Let me OUT!!”, Nobol continued to bang onto the glass with all her ribbons. Anxiety started to run through her body. Though that wasn’t the worst part. No, seeing the shadows of Po3’s temple, she could see a silhouette that was all too familiar in the doorway of the left room’s glass window panel.

The Devil. For the first time, it felt like she couldn’t breathe. Oh no...

With that Nobol wasted no time and started ramming into the glass. Calling out Po3’s name with scared shouts. Po3’s screen can be seen looking dreadful. It made him flinch with every single rattle of that tube.

Po3 spoke shakily, not having the courage to face his spouse, “I’m sorry Nobol. But I can not let you get in the way of this.”

His claw went over the settings quickly, setting them up for conscious transfer like he did with the few most top challengers. This wouldn’t kill Nobol. But it will be hell ever meeting her eyes again.

After a few more rams, the glass started to crack. The tube rattling with this struggle to stay together.

With no more time to waste, Po3 slammed onto the button, and the tube lit up. It started to rapidly change colors from light blue to this dark pink. Nobol’s cries and slamming with her needle, caused Po3 to shake uncontrollably.

Po3 whispered as his screen had gone dim, “This is for your good, Nobol.” The cries of his spouse and cracking of glass seemed to become quieter and weaker. Softer and slow with this stumbling from inside.

The light is bright and firmly blue.

He couldn’t look back at it all. He just couldn’t. Po3’s claw was twitching and turning as it suddenly went dark.

Then

Thud.

It made Po3 flinch harshly. His levitating panel started to bring Po3 lower til he hit the floor. Bent over as his claw clenched onto the table rim for dear life. Po3’s monitor was hanging low. Hearing the sobs of G0lly and the quietness of the Archivist in their mind. Po3 can be seen making low, quiet chirps of his voice box. Almost like whimpers.

As we can see the body of Nobol slumped over in the tube. Limp. The only thing that can be seen fully is the crystalized obol that she had on her choker that shined bright.

Her needle stuck through the glass that she had almost escaped out of.

Though in this silence, G0lly can be seen forcibly taking control over Po3’s body. Looking towards Nobol’s way, getting up frantically to open the chamber door, “NOBOL!!”

G0lly’s voice rang out as she struggled to open the door with one arm. Though as it finally did, they could see Nobol’s body slumping over. Her back leaning into the glass, her ribbons seemed lifeless almost.

“Oh god- O-Oh-”, G0lly could muster up as she tries to drag Nobol’s body out without hurting her. Laying Nobol’s heavy body alone on the floor, going up to her face. Her vapor hair had disappeared and now are short locks of fluffy curly hair. Pristine white.

The glitched scars around her eyes had only gotten worse.

“N-Nobol.. We’re so sorry.. T-There was no other way!!”, G0lly said with a sorrowful tone to see their spouse like this. G0lly could hear Po3 trying to hold it together inside their programming.

This guilt was heavy. Heavier than they have felt.

Though their eyes didn’t stop there. No, they see the necklace with their wedding rings attached. It only made Po3 inside feel more hurt. More bombarded. Angrier.

With care, G0lly tried to drag Nobol into the left room. Sitting her up near Po3’s charge station. G0lly stared up at Nobol’s eyelids for a moment which were shut and gave a small spark onto her forehead.

“You’ll have to trust us, Nobol. We’re getting out of here together. If only Po3 weren’t so harsh.”, G0lly remarked with a sigh.

The screen switched back to Po3 whose face was full of dread. Gained control over his claw to have it softly placed onto her cheek. Scoffing at how complicated Nobol had made this. But she’ll understand later why. Hopefully.

The Bone Lord could be seen humming in amusement, it caused this anger to surge through Po3’s body. Looking up to this tall beast.

“MY!! What a show that was, wasn’t it?”, Satan cooed to Po3. Who has this deathly glare towards Satan.

“You’re having a F%@CKING LAUGH ABOUT THIS?!”, Po3 levitated towards Satan. Cocked head as he demanded this statement.

It only caused Satan to chuckle, “You’re the one who agreed to this. I only suggested. Now that she is no longer my worry, here you are.” Satan can be seen taking out a large chunk of old_data and a key to file access. Satan placed the items onto the floor.

Po3 rage was unfathomable. Though not a word was uttered. After a moment, the Bone Lord took his leave. Only leaving Po3 with himself.

Po3 swiftly took these items, hiding them away in the same large box with the puzzle lock.

He went to lock up the room before glancing at Nobol one last time. Looking towards her obol and ring.

Then looked back into the main room, locking up the dimly lit room.

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✨ THANK YOU FOR READING!! ✨