Days pass after Marco's sacrifice, then weeks, and finally a full month. During this time period, Marco will hear nothing from the Fourth God, no matter how he prays. On August 21, a full month after his offering has been made, he will hear a young boy's voice in his sleep, blurred and electronic:
Marco... can you hear me?
Please, come here.
I want to see you.
When Marco uses his card to open the door to the arcade, he is greeted not by the familiar robots and lights, but by silence. This is not the arcade he is used to - it feels more like a shed skin than anything, empty prize cabinets and blank arcade screens. No matter when he goes, or who he goes with, he will arrive to an empty arcade, alone. As he explores the dark room, emergency lights barely providing enough illumination to see, a hidden door will open behind the prize counter and an old, ugly robot will wheel out on antiquated treads. It will approach Marco directly, but it will not talk. Instead, it hands him a few things - a black card with his name and a tie embossed on it, a capsule containing a bouncy ball and a chocolate candy, and an ancient radio - before politely backing away. The hidden door remains open, lighted maintenance tunnels and a stairway clearly visible beyond.
As Marco looks, the radio crackles to life, and the Fourth God's voice comes through - his real voice, no digitization or blurring past the static of the radio.
"I was thinking what I should get you. I had to think for a really long time. I'm sorry." Ripples of static extend from the radio, flowing through Marco's arm and up his body. "You've done so much for me, and all you want is for people to listen. With this, you always know that I'm listening. And I think I can help with the others..."
The static reaches his throat, and with it Marco will taste something coppery and sharp - like he'd licked the end of an electrical cord, or shoved his tongue in an outlet. It takes a few moments for it to subside, and the Fourth God hums quietly as the pain fades. Finally, when Marco feels as good as new, the robot will beckon to him and turn back towards the counter.
"I want to show you something. But you have to promise to keep it a secret, okay?"
The robot wheels in past the door, then waits patiently for Marco to step in. The air is old and musty, the distinct scent of mildew carrying up from the staircase before him. Once he steps in, the hidden door seals behind him, fading away into the concrete until it's not clear anything was there; however, the robot does not move, and it will stop Marco if he tries to move any further. The air will begin to clear up, the mildew replaced by the unmistakable scent of air conditioning, and the walls will gradually shift their color as well.
"The secret is... you already saw the secret," crackles the radio, and the wall behind him will slide open to the regular arcade.
When he steps out, he will still be behind the counter; before he can leave, the robot accompanying him will guide him to a small intercom system. "SPEAK AND THEY WILL LISTEN," it bellows in an almost rusty voice, and when his voice broadcasts across the arcade he may be surprised to note every head - human, monster, and robot alike - turning to pay close attention to him. In the silence, the radio crackles one last time:
"Spread the word. You're my preacher now, okay? Find me more friends, and maybe we can stop the fog."
APPROVED
Please, come here.
I want to see you.
When Marco uses his card to open the door to the arcade, he is greeted not by the familiar robots and lights, but by silence. This is not the arcade he is used to - it feels more like a shed skin than anything, empty prize cabinets and blank arcade screens. No matter when he goes, or who he goes with, he will arrive to an empty arcade, alone. As he explores the dark room, emergency lights barely providing enough illumination to see, a hidden door will open behind the prize counter and an old, ugly robot will wheel out on antiquated treads. It will approach Marco directly, but it will not talk. Instead, it hands him a few things - a black card with his name and a tie embossed on it, a capsule containing a bouncy ball and a chocolate candy, and an ancient radio - before politely backing away. The hidden door remains open, lighted maintenance tunnels and a stairway clearly visible beyond.
As Marco looks, the radio crackles to life, and the Fourth God's voice comes through - his real voice, no digitization or blurring past the static of the radio.
"I was thinking what I should get you. I had to think for a really long time. I'm sorry." Ripples of static extend from the radio, flowing through Marco's arm and up his body. "You've done so much for me, and all you want is for people to listen. With this, you always know that I'm listening. And I think I can help with the others..."
The static reaches his throat, and with it Marco will taste something coppery and sharp - like he'd licked the end of an electrical cord, or shoved his tongue in an outlet. It takes a few moments for it to subside, and the Fourth God hums quietly as the pain fades. Finally, when Marco feels as good as new, the robot will beckon to him and turn back towards the counter.
"I want to show you something. But you have to promise to keep it a secret, okay?"
The robot wheels in past the door, then waits patiently for Marco to step in. The air is old and musty, the distinct scent of mildew carrying up from the staircase before him. Once he steps in, the hidden door seals behind him, fading away into the concrete until it's not clear anything was there; however, the robot does not move, and it will stop Marco if he tries to move any further. The air will begin to clear up, the mildew replaced by the unmistakable scent of air conditioning, and the walls will gradually shift their color as well.
"The secret is... you already saw the secret," crackles the radio, and the wall behind him will slide open to the regular arcade.
When he steps out, he will still be behind the counter; before he can leave, the robot accompanying him will guide him to a small intercom system. "SPEAK AND THEY WILL LISTEN," it bellows in an almost rusty voice, and when his voice broadcasts across the arcade he may be surprised to note every head - human, monster, and robot alike - turning to pay close attention to him. In the silence, the radio crackles one last time:
"Spread the word. You're my preacher now, okay? Find me more friends, and maybe we can stop the fog."