Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-35911608-20181217042419


 * (Note: Alright, here's another ritual pasta I've been thinking about lately. I think it's alright, and it's obvious where the idea came from. All feedback is welcome, and thanks for reading. Enjoy.)*

There is a big difference between things you want, and things you need. You may want a motorcycle, or a loving partner, or to travel the world. And while there’s many other rituals out there that’ll give you all of that, this is not one of them. Rather, this is a ritual for something you need. You did not stumble upon this by accident - your heart knows of your true nature, and is seeking any method to remedy it.

Now then, first come the preparations. The first and most important thing you’ll need are matches. This is the little match game, after all. Any number is technically allowed, but too many or too few can lead to disastrous results. A recommendation might be… 20. You will also need a flint of sorts to light them. Separate or part of the box of matches, it makes no difference. Winter clothes are also a must - unless you’re that one guy who thinks he’s hot shit because he can wear shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of a blizzard.

With that, you’re ready to begin. The first rule about this ritual is that it can only be done on the night of the new year’s coming. There have been rumours that this can be done on the turn of the Chinese new year, but there has yet to be confirmation if this is true, so stick to the Gregorian New Year, December 31. This is so that you can make the transition from the current you to the version of you to come.

When you are ready, go outside sometime before midnight. Pull out your matches and break one in half. Strike the end with the tip to light it, then light the other half of the match and stick it in the snow. While both halves burn, speak to the flame in your fingertips and say, “I seek my deepest need. Won’t you show me?” Both halves must still be burning when you say this, so be quick but not hasty. She won’t let you in if you’re in a rush.

Once this is done, discard the matches and begin walking. It doesn’t matter where… simply walk. Snow will begin to fall if it wasn’t already, first a delicate Wonderland snow, but soon enough a harrowing storm, reducing your visibility until all that remains is the gusty white winds. Continue walking.

After a while, the winds will die down, but still linger. Gazing around your surroundings, you will find yourself in a large forest opening. The tree line on each side will be about ten metres away, and continue onward in straight lines, fading into the grey. You are now in place to play the little match game.

The game itself is incredibly simple: just keep walking through the snow. Of course, the further you walk, the colder it’s going to become, even with your puffy jacket and wool scarf. That’s what the matches are for. In this realm, your matches will not blow out in the strong winds. Your frail, tiny little lights will be the only thing to bring you a sense of relief this night. And the moment they expire, the blizzard will be upon you again, blasting snow and ice in the wildest of manners.

The first little while, you may not need them. In fact, you might be able to brave the storm for some time before needing to warm up. But it is impossible to resist the weather entirely, and the time will come to strike the first match. As you strike the tip and the match’s heat begins to brush away your chill, you’ll see something in the fire. With more focus, you’ll be able to make it out - one of your various material wishes, like a bonus from your boss, or a new car, or whatever suits your fancy. Laughter and cheers will ring out in joy, and you can see yourself rolling in the cash, sliding into that fresh leather seating, sipping martinis by the pool - only for the match will burn out, returning you to your frigid situation.

You might stand there for a moment, pondering what you saw, trying to relive it in your mind. But it won’t work nearly as well; that inviting warmth that came with it is impossible to replicate. But continue on, until you are frozen to the bone once again. You’ll light another match, and once again your most wondrous desires will appear in the flickering plasma, only to be snatched away shortly after. But whatever you do, do not give in to the flames’ sweet nothings. If you become too enveloped, your mind will swim in the luxury you saw, but the next morning your frostbitten corpse will be found lying on the street, with an unnervingly blissful smile. The same can be said of those who decide to rest on the journey.

This is the game you play; to make your way through the blistering snow, fighting against the whims of the fire, but requiring its heat to survive against the temperature. Many burn through their matches too quickly, and die from exposure. Some bring too many matches, and are overwhelmed by the false promises, carrying their minds off to a fantasy land while their bodies fall, cold as the forest you play this game in.

If you should have some willpower, you might be able to keep going. The snow will begin to build up, rising to your knees, thighs, before reaching your waist and only growing colder and darker from there. If you attempt to approach the edge of the woods, you will only find it to seemingly drift away from you. Simply trudge on.

The visions may also deviate over time. Soon, the fire may show not things you lack, but things you miss. Loved ones long gone from this world, lovers who stormed out the door and never returned, a sentimental item passed down to you from a parent. Your heart may ache at the sights, longing for these things to return, but you cannot give in. Unfortunately, most find difficulty here, and fail, preferring to be in the arms of a beloved who isn’t there. At least it’s a comforting death - until the apparitions appear as their true, deceased forms. Only terror will fill your heart then, and it will be the last feeling you experience on this earth.

However, when your body is at its weakest, when your cheeks turn from rosy to a chilling blue, as your matches run low or run out, you will finally see something before you. Approach, and you will be met with a young girl in rags sitting by a dead fireplace, marked by a circle of stones. The blizzard will calm, but the chill of the air will grow evermore. You are now on the final phase of the ritual.

Ask the girl if you may join her at the fireplace. She will allow it, after which you may take a seat across the fireplace from her. All you must do now is wait for the morning light without lighting any more matches. It won’t be impossibly long, likely only a few minutes. But your frozen body and weakened demeanour will fight you on this to the bitter end. You must resist the urge at all costs, even if you believe you’ll die of exposure. Though it is out, the fireplace seems to give a “magical” property to those near it, protecting them from catching their death by cold - but by cold and cold alone. Other ways of death are still very possible.

The girl, clearly less of a human and more of a frozen ghoul at this point, will ask if you have any more matches from time to time. Say no. Give no hint that you have any. No matter her story, no matter the excuse, refuse her. If you light any, she will grow angry and howl like the winter winds. The piercing noise will penetrate your mind, and soon you will black out from it. If you sit too close to her, she may bundle up to you for warmth. Allow this, and with but a kiss on the cheek, she will drain the last ounce of your life. Offer her one, or give her a match, and you’ll seal your fate. In an instant, she will light the fireplace, and a great blaze will erupt. Your greatest wishes and fantasies will take you, and just with any other time, your body will be left to die.

However, should your will last out, the cold will subside, and the snow will grow gentle. The first light of the new year will peak out over the trees. The young girl will look to the sky, and then slowly walk into the woods without a word. Once you can no longer see the girl, take out a match, break it in half just as before, and throw it into the fireplace without lighting it. Stand, and find that you are standing outside of the place you broke the first match. You have completed the little match game.

As the first day of the new year goes on, you may begin to notice something different. You feel more motivated to do things, you have the willpower to start work you’d always put off before. This is your reward: the strength of absolute will. None can break you, nothing can demotivate you. Your heart was heavy with greed, wanting and taking fine items and such, while many of your kind lacked even the basics of survival. But you learned; you fought against the avarice, and the only pleasures you seek now come with hard work - something you’ll find much easier to complete. So come, find your resolution, and pay the little match girl a visit. Just don’t lose your head. 