>Wiggle around.

You put force in your legs and arms and start desperately trying to move around. The weight above you budge just a tiny bit from the effort. Encouraged by this, you continue your masterful manoeuvre for you were to do it just hard enough then perhaps it could even fall off?

You're not sure but you wriggle anyway and see no difference.
And Wriggle again, still no difference. Only the occasional twitch.
This starts to discourage you, what point is there in this if you are not able t-

"Huh? Why is it moving?" aha, the voice from before has noticed your attempts.

Motivated once more you wriggle like no one before you ever has! you tighten your muscles and move around as spastic as you can like a worm that's suffering from a seizure.

As a result of those actions, whatever you find yourself in starts to buckle.
Then suddenly a feeling of weightlessness comes over, followed by a sudden *thuck* as the sound of something metallic hitting the ground can be heard, you wonder what's happening.

But the answer comes clear soon enough, for your world turns upside down and your body is dumped from one surrounding to the other. Before you can even let out a complaint, you feel someone grab you by your leg (With quite the soft hand) and attempt to pull you out of the pile you find yourself in.

"Give me a second and heave-ho!" that person being the same as the voice from earlier, then again who else would it be? Obvious that you're about to be saved, you offer no resistance.

And are pulled out successfully, like a golden potato you've been plucked out of your dark prison and like a chicken you are now held upside down by one leg via a person whose feet are the only thing you can see.

They're pearly white, very shapely and are adorned by black sandals (The left one has a ribbon on it). You'd comment more on them except feet aren't really your type nor is now the time for such shenanigans. Instead, you force yourself to look u-or is it down? Either way you ignore her black underwear and green dress and look at the face of your potential rescuer, a girl with red hair and wait a minute are those four ears...ah she's a youkai. Not only that but some blue floating skull is floating right next to her, so not only is she a youkai but she's potentially a necromancer too.

That changes everything, you mentally note her as your potential tormentor and look her in her pretty dark red eyes. Oddly enough she does not seem to return the favour as she is busy looking somewhere else with a flush on her face. But where?

Does it really matter? You don't think so, still what matters is the fact that you're held upside down by a youkai that may or may not see you as an easy meal if you are not to quickly do something to dissuade her of doing so.

00ooo00
[A] Be quiet, observe your surroundings. Is it you or did it get hotter here?

[B] Attempt to communicate with her.
-[B1] Professionally, ask her who she is. Keep your distance and get ready for trouble.
-[B2] Casually, ask her if she likes what she sees. Have her see you in another way then food.

[C] Be Proactive, kick her in the face and start running. This is definitely not an happy place.
00ooo00

You have a feeling some of your thoughts may not be most rational, but you dismiss it as not being sober yet.

Where are you? How are you? Who is this? Are you in danger?

Each of those questions are one that needs answers, but you decide to prioritize the last ones first since all the other info can prove useless if this girl decides to gut you right now.

You let out a hard cough to get her attention, this shakes her out of her stupor "Uwah! You're alive!" and makes her drop your body on the hard rocky ground, her hands now in the air for some overly dramatic expression of surprise "That's weird and a little awkward..."

To your credit, you don't let out a single peep from hitting the ground so abruptly. With as much dignity as a person with a hangover can give, you turn around your prone body into a more relaxed position of leaning on your side as you look her in the eyes. "And who may you be?" the question comes calmly, with zero hesitation or aggression. You initiate a conversation with the youkai in order to obtain more information and time as well.

"Why thank you for asking! No one ever asks me that!" The girl is all too eager to speak with you, which is convenient. If she's friendly already then there's a cha-"Well, typically they can't really ask me anything by the time I-" she doesn't end the sentence and quickly moves to another "Anyway! Allow me to introduce myself!" She takes a step back, then does a curtsy "My name is Rin Kaenbyou though my friends call me Orin, I'm a kasha that steals corpses for a living and I reside in this amazing mansion under the ground. Also, I'm going to burn ya in these fires to fuel them!"

Those words prompt you to look at the general area which consists of a bunch of caves filled to the brim with volcanic lava and lava and actually other than rocks and brim fire there really isn't anything else to this place. Other than the occasional blue light in the distance which you assume are more of the evil wisp creatures. The whole area reeks of ash and sulphur and is encompassed by such an intense heat that you're rather surprised by the fact you haven't died of dehydration along the way. Perhaps it's because you're on one of the larger pillars around and not on the surface level. Though that reassuring thought is soon enough replaced by the observation that there does not seem a way to go down from here without the power of flight or tools, neither of which you currently posses. Thus, creating the conclusion that your very life is in the hands of this girl. Were she to throw you in the fire, you would die. Were she to abandon you right here then you would die, frankly there's not many scenarios in which you're going to make your way out of here alive that you can think off right now?

Such a shame really, you really like living after all. If you do not go home, then those blasted fairies will go ahead and mess up your watermelon fields and as if by double irony, some other bozo would buy your land at quite the cheap price.

Oh, and dead by fire is one of the if not the most painful deaths a person could go through, you assume that is. There really isn't much left to the imagination when you can see a sea of flames just a loooooooooong distance below.

"So, what's your name human?" Rin gets on her knees and starts poking you "Heeeey, huuuman? Did you go insane? Come on, I gave you my name it's only fair that you give me yours!" and demands your attention once more, attention that is swiftly attracted by the...i-is that a cart filled to the brims with dead bodies? Is that what you were in? But y-"Human!".

Ah, the last "human!" shout she gave came out mildly annoyed, you'd best decide before it's too late.

[x] Lie about your name (Give her a name to address you by, let's not anger her).
[x]…You'll tell her your name if she doesn't burn you. (An obvious tactic but it's worth a try, maybe she's cat-brained).
[x] Get up and run or you're going to die! Get up and run or you're going to die! (Panic)

“Nice to meet you Manly, kind of a weird name if you ask me but I’m sure that you’ll burn nicely” Rin responds politely to you but in the same cheery manner she casually talks about your imminent fate.

“I’d rather not” you reply calm as always, or at least you give her the appearance of being calm since showing any form of weakness in front of a predator could spell your doom. Not that you wouldn’t be doomed regardless if the body pile that’s uncomfortably close to you spells anything with its disturbingly fresh corpses and unknown origins. For all you know she killed these people and throws them down these fires for some cheap thrills or to invoke some god or whatever monsters do today.

Not sensing your fear, the girl’s ears go down “But I want to burn stuff…” and her lips pucker up as she complains about your unwillingness to be burned alive. It’s the iconic gesture known as the pout.

…You don’t respond to it, pondering how you got in this absurd situation in the first place. The surroundings and corpses nearby are the real deal, but this girl’s presence just screams carefreeness.

Both of those worlds combined make you want to scream and lower your guard at the same time, but you know better than that. No matter the girl’s appearance, she is and always was a monster.

You are not safe until you’re out of this place, if there even is a way to leave…that is.
So you think about your options, perhaps you could loot the corpses for something useful? If only you had something that would help you climb down from this place or literally anything then your odds of getting out of here would massively improve. But not now since the girl is watching you.

“But I want to burn stuff…” Indeed, she is. With those dumb overly big eyes she seems to seriously try to convince you to volunteer being burned rather than just forcing you to do so. “Please?”.

You don’t get why she doesn’t just do the latter, but you won’t point it out to her.
That’d be suicide, and something only an idiot would do. You will not do that.

[x] “Burn someone else”
[x] “Jump yourself if you’re so eager”
[x] “Why do you like burning so much?” 

[x] "Why do you like burning so much?"

"Huh?" Bingo, the change of subject puts her off-guard and so her attention goes elsewhere "Hmm, that's a good question to be asking hum-uh I mean Manly!" The Cat starts walking around you in circles, thinking about the answer while you do your best to not appear uncomfortable by her constant movement "...But I'm not sure if I should answer that, since I'm currently on the job and all that gizmo" and it's unprofessional?

That sounds like an excuse to you, "Tell me anyway" and so you force yourself to stop in front of her and speak to her with a neutral tone of voice "I... want to know more about you, please understand" you need this info to stall for time until an opportunity to get out of here comes. Of course, you don't say that out loud.

She's not stopped at all, instead she moves past you with surprising ease...like a c-no "Haaaaaah? What's that supposed to mean? I want to know more about you Oh my, just oh my, to say that a girl you barely know~ My man, you have BIG GUTS allright-kehehe" Rin lets out a soft giggle, fully understanding what you meant but...wait did she really understand what you were saying, or did you just commit a mistake? "Oh no, no, no! Don't say anything!" the girl puts a very sharp finger on your mouth to silence you "It's too late, no take backsies, no refunds, you keep that dead orphan sir. You ask about me then oh boy are you going to get a fun story to listen to capiche? Wait I meant ready, are you ready for a story-time Manly? I hope you are cause it's a good story, didn't have many to tell but that's your privi-anyway ready?".

"Sure" you give the girl a strained smile and a thumbs up, already wondering how long this nonsense is going to last.

"Good!" That's all she needed to hear, with a nimble if not overly extravagant backflip Rin lands at the edge of the...cliff? mountain side? platform that you're at with her back turned and her arms folded in a pose she believes is cool, by pure coincidence a gust of hot wind flutters for a few second "The Hell of Blazing Fires, It wasn't alwa-" and she starts telling a story about the surroundings, one you couldn't care less for in reality so you tune it out and waaait.

You think it's time for a status check, this might be that moment of distraction that can change everything.
Okay that's a bit of an optimistic thought, but you highly doubt that talking your way out of here is possible.

So, let's do it, status check: The girl's back is exposed to you so she can't see you, the girl is busy telling some story in a dramatic way, so she's distracted as well...ergo now is the time to do something before she catches onto it.

But what can you even do?

You look at your surroundings, nothing but rocks and dust over here. Her chariot of corpses over there. Sea of flames below and stars above...wait what? Why are there stars in hell? but you can see a bunch of caves here, you can't see stars unless you're outside, but you can't be outside because you're underground or are you or wait that isn't important.

Focus on the brainstorming, perhaps the corpses could have something useful in them.

...

Wow, you feel so dirty just by thinking about that sentence. But how you feel about it doesn't matter right now, this is a case of survival so if a dead body has anything you need to climb down or shank a catgirl than that's a necessity. It's you or her after all...probably, heck in hindsight fighting a youkai isn't a good idea at all but even so having anything solid to hold in your hands would make you a bit if not make you feel less vulnerable than you are now.

What if the girl's ears are sharper than you thought, and she sees you in the middle of it thought?

Fine, second plan: Approach the girl from behind and push her down the cliff. Can't hurt you if she's already dead.

No that wouldn't work either, man-eaters can fly. You're certain she managed to bring you and the corpses here that way.

Uh, third plan then: Try to climb down yourself, get a head start while she's still talking. If you're lucky she won't know where you are but if you aren't then you fuck up somehow and then the fire would...

Huh, you've got no real solid plan to get out of here then.

Shit, even so if you don't try anything then nothing will change right?

Right?

[x] Have a look at the bodies anyway.
[x] Try to climb down anyway.
[x] Reluctantly listen to her story.

[x] Reluctantly listen to the story.

On second thought, doing nothing is the safest option here.

When all your options have terrible results as a potential consequence, waiting for an opportunity that doesn’t quickly turn your odds into an all or nothing is the far safer decision to make.

That or you’re too scared to do anything, either way you stay quiet and listen to Rin’s story.

“So, these places weren’t always on fire- “
And you listen some more.
“But due to recentish events, I’ve been entrusted with the job- “
You listen out every single detail of her longwinded monologue.

“And that’s my story!” she ends the story with a spin and looks back at you with a smile. “Wooh, that sure was a long story though. Sorry you had to listen through all that, but hey you got that all understood right? Cause I can repeat it all if you need” but there’s no need for that.

“You throw corpses down these fires to fuel some generator that powers up all electricity in this place, thus giving the area viable energy while also recycling the dead bodies of others” you recount the gist of her words, easily even since you actually listened “Also you love your job, that’s the gist”.

“EXACTLY!” Orin claps with both of her hands “Damn, human you actually listened! Most people usually go “But that’s disrespecting the dead nanannana and hur hur hur” and whatever other stick they’ve got up their butts the stupid jerks have. But nah, you get it, like you really get it don’t you?” she closes the distance between you two again, acting all casually with ya. “Yeah, I’m sure ya do. You’re a chill person manly, I like that. There’s been no screaming or begging from you and man that’s respectful.”.

“So…are you not going to throw me down the fire then?” you question the cat. ‘
“Nah, you’ve got a nice body. For burning that is, I think it’d be a real crime if I didn’t throw that body and watch the flames sizzle it and stuff, but I can see why that’d be a problem to you”.
Burning to death is a little more than just a problem to you. She’s made her intent clear.

“Oh, but don’t worry pal, it’s not like it would kill you anyway” She pauses mid-sentence “Wait, it does, doesn’t it? Unless you’ve got like fire immunity and stuff, but you don’t do you? You better don’t have that cause the last time I saw that man was it a frustrating cock block you know? Naah last time I recall most humans and youkai burn once they are dead, wait is you dead though?”.

She phrased that like a genuine question, as if she couldn’t tell the difference between a living person or not. You doubt that’s the case but even so “I am very much alive?” you confirm it.

“Aha, I knew it” Rin does a fist pump, you’re starting to get a bit tired of her presence “But fine, fine, look I’d talk some more with you since you’re great and all buuuuuuuuut” She points at the skull on her shoulder, it doesn’t say anything though so you’re not sure what that means “Time’s a wasting and I’ve got a job to do!” She gets behind you and starts giving you gentle pushes towards the edge of the platform “So it’s time for you to go ahead and jump, jump into the fire, burn nicely and let’s be pals in the next life!” the fires underneath ready to receive your warm embrace.

Dammit, all that time befriending her turned out useless after all. In the end she’s still a youkai.
You should have taken the opportunity from earlier, but that’s enough moaning!

You must do something! And do it quick! Or you’ll burn faster than a burned fry!
But what can you even do right now? There’s no talking back or fighting! Or is there?

This is my last chance at survival!

[x] Grapple her, it’s now or nothing!
[x] Beg for her mercy, she can’t do this!
[x] Deception quickly, she’s not that bright!

"WAIT!" you shout and put force in your legs to stay in place. "I have a cool trick I'd think you like!"
You go for one last attempt at deception, if not distraction as she did not seem that bright to you.

"Oh really?" She stops pushing you, "I love new tricks! Is it a magic trick Manly? Oh, it better be cause I love those! Wait I said that twice just now didn't I? Oh well, I'll shut up now so uh go ahead, do the thingy, the magic thing unless it's not magic but oh wait I'm still talking aren't I? Never mind me~" and awaits whatever you have in store eagerly, curiosity beaming all over her face.

Hmm, this is the part where you’d read her face but she’s showing nothing more than a carefree smile and complete trust in you, or at least you can only sense that. You’re not sure if she’s actually dumb or if she’s just playing along with your whims only to make it all meaningless in the end.

Actually no, that’s a terrible thought to have right now. Just focus on the next step.
But what is it? If you're going to deceive her even more, then you need a plan.
Right now she’s unguarded but if your next move fails then it’s game over.

…Tsk, a cold shiver runs through your back. Like you’re facing a pile of snow that could fall on you and freeze you to death if you make the wrong move, it’s an odd feeling to have in an burning hell.
Feeling smeelings aside, it’s action time.

[x] You can't do the trick without some tools? Yeah, let's loot corpses.
[x] The real trick is that you're immune to fire! Sorry to have said it so late.
[x] Okay you have none, but even so burning people is a bad thing to do.

[x] You can't do the trick without some tools? Yeah, let's loot corpses

So that's going to be your approach?

Telling her you'll need tools for the trick to work, if that works then she'd let you loot those corpses to your heart's content most likely. But the question remaining is...

"Oh, what exactly are you looking for?" Rin says it herself, no suspicion in her voice. "Do you need like a hat and a wand? Some cards maybe? Oooh, or are you perhaps one of those circus people? Swallowing swords and all that deal? Don't keep me waiting like this!" she's pretty hyped up for it, though you don't like the way that blue skull of floating death is staring at you.

Anyway, it's as you expected. Looting corpses for loot are the last thing that'd pop in her mind, that said you're going to need to come off as convincing here. Any sort of mess up and she'll know you're trying to play her and once she does you can kiss your ass goodbye.

So, what kind of tool are you looking for Manly the Cat Whisperer?

[x] Weapons? Uh, swords for swallowing like in the circus. Something like that.
[x] Tools, like cards and some rope and sexy acrobat stuff like that? Probably.
[x] Cooperation! I need you to close your eyes and count to one thousand.

[x] Tools, like cards and some rope and sexy acrobat stuff like that? Probably

"Probably?" Rin tilts her head, probably to look cute. "That's some lack of confidence you got in your answer right there, have you not done this before?" and immediately questions you more, surprising you in the process with how sharp her senses are at the most minute yet useless kind of things.

"I am an expert" you reply, forcing as much confidence in that as you can. Then you look up with your nose as if offended, "Don't underestimate me, I've just been put on the spot. That's all" and pray within your heart that she'll back off with that, since you don’t know any real magic tricks.

"Really?" she questions again anyway, looking you up and down again. "Did you make your pants disappear by accident then? My, you sure are a lousy magician. Or just very unlucky? Either works" she shrugs off the remark and turns around, "Well then, I'll believe in you anyway but just so you know..." the words trail off, as if she's waiting.

You wait for her to continue, since interrupting would be impolite.

But then she continues to wait as well. Back still facing you.

Is she waiting for you to do something? just to be sure, you wait some more. Staying still right where you are, a dry wind blows into your face a few times but other than some mild annoyance and discomfort nothing else happens.

And the girl is still not moving. Did she die or something? you don't think such a thing would be possible. So, she's clearly doing it on purpose, but why would anyone just sit still the whole time out of nowhere?

You don't get it. "What are you do-" and don't get to finish the sentence.

Because the youkai turned around again and her very sharp and red nail is pointed at your throat "I happen to hate liars" her smiling face now a serous stare, the intensity behind her blood red unnerve you as her pupils have become sharper "The living tend to be really dishonest you know? always this fuss and muss about what others think of them or how to get away with something. All that worry has made those living above really believe that lies are something to be valued, hasn't it? Well, personally I think it's a real annoyance. I'm bad at seeing through lies since I've lived most of my life around people that don't do that and bla bla bla, you're not here for a life story Manly. But to make it short and simple I have one thing to say: Do not lie to me, okay? I'm not sure why you're still alive since you were pretty much as dead as a dead body could be when I had picked you up...I think since otherwise you wouldn't be here but anyway that's not the main point, the main point is: Are you really a magician or are you just trying to jump through hoops or something? Please be honest with me like I've been with you" after her point is made, she removes her finger from your neck and takes a step back, awaiting your input. "Also sorry for the intimidating display there, didn't mean to spook ya! But eh, a youkai's gotta yook all right" though she apologizes you can still feel a certain intensity in her demeanour, it really makes you feel defenceless.

...You're certain that was the correct answer though. The other two would have been blatant lies and even before this she already believed another. How did you lack confidence this time? You're not sure how one even measure that. But it doesn't matter, you've got another decision to make. Do you commit to the bit, or do you confess the fact that you just want to go home already and not be a freaking pile of ash just because someone might like that? Why are these decision s-?

Your guts feel frozen to the core and the rest of your body stiffens: As if you enthral were slashed out before some other sensation covers the entirety of your body. The worst part is that you can feel the sensation as if it's the real deal.

"Uh, are you okay Manly?" Of course, the youkai would notice your sudden discomfort. But ho... oh, you recall at possibly the worst time of all that as a spiritual creature she should be able to sense any negative feelings welling up inside of you. Not to the point of mind-reading, cause if that was the case then...yeah, she can just feel your discomfort or may-"Hey, relax man. I was just warning you, get it? it's not like I'd decapitate you if you confessed to some small lie here and now. I mean, not I think you are one per se. It's just odd that you'd be a magician if you're not dressed like one, got no magical energy and overall, just don't seem like the type to be doing card tricks as a gig. Look, I'm sorry, okay? Just get up already, please...".

Oh, wait never mind, one doesn't need to be a mind-reader to realize people don't vomit on the ground for no reason.
But even so another opportunity has arisen, your reaction form has made her believe she's stressed the hell out of you.
The fact she'd feel bad about is quite strange however, you're certain a youkai would feel bliss from making a human do this.

Even so, what's the next step here?

[x] Take advantage of the situation. How dare she doubt you? to think you could have been friends...
[x] Tell the truth, you just want to go home already. You feel sick to the core.
[x] Hold on...another idea comes to mind. [The only time a write in is allowed in this story]

Two of these choices will end the story outright, choose carefully.
Also thanks for reading so far in the first place and enjoy your weekend.

20 fricking days, real life is one heck of a posting killer hot dang

[x] Tell the truth, you just want to go home already. You feel sick to the core.

You finally let out the words, the bitter truth. That you're no magician, that you don't want to be burned and that you simply want to go home now because you really do not like this place. As kind a person she seems to be herself.

Silence is her response, you're not sure that's a good sign and soon enough her sharp claws get around your shoulder. Looks like she decided to simply finish the job after all, you think as you're hoisted upwards instead before she lets go.

"Well, why didn't you just say so?" she asks soon after, confusion on her face rather than outright anger. "Wait, I guessed you did kind of hint at it didn't you? But you didn't outright say no so what was I supposed to assume here? Seriously what were you thinking Manly? All this effort just to get you to spill the beans only for it to be such an downer in the end...man your body would have burned nicely darn it.." Rin lets out an sigh, disappointed by the result of all this.

But it doesn't look like she's going to murder you for this...or will she? "So can I go back?"

"DUH, what else did you think would happen anyway? Did you think I would go "Oh that's neat but sadly I don't care" and then slash your throat or something? D-U-D-E, I'm getting some massive unfounded biases out of you right now and to think I thought you were cool" Rin looks at you like one would to an annoying person you know but isn't a friend, her ears drooped flat on her head. "Then I find out you think this way about me and...you're a jerk Manly. An insensitive assuming jerk! Gah, just sit tight here while I take care of the rest of the bodies and soon enough I'll bring you back where I found you okay? nah, don't answer that I don't wanna talk to you anymore. Let's get this over with."

The rest of the time was filled with awkward silence as Rin did exactly that, she throws the bodies in a whole pile like it's just a bunch of garbage rather than the FUN hobby she described it as, you think it's cause she's in a bad mood because of you and the whole ride home in the empty wheelbarrow is just as silent. But soon enough you're sent home!

"There you go" she drops you off in a dark alleyway of the human village, "I found you in here with a knife stuck in your back so I assumed you were dead and hence I too-" She stops for a moment, then simply turns around "You know what never mind, I just don't want to see you anymore and I hope this is the last time we meet, goodbye Manly".

And with those last words she disappears into the darkness, probably to not be seen again.

One last question comes to your mind though, do you feel bad about this?

[x] Yes.
[x[ No.

Wow, you actually feel bad about this huh?

Boy, do you have issues then.

Well, regardless of your feelings you turn around and head towards the nearest bar. Certain some people would love to hear the story and hopefully getting some free booze as well as a reward for doing so.

Sadly, you were quickly evicted due to a lack of pants and went home instead to get some more pants.

Except your door keys were in your pants, which you do not have. Hence you are currently locked outside your home with your master sword out in the air. Not to forget that it's some distance away and you're in the middle of an normal afternoon day so the streets will get or already are quite crowded right now.

Can you sneak your way back home? Can you avoid letting some village-hu see your forbidden sword?

Find that all out in another story! As for this one...you did not become fuel.

And some days one should be satisfied with just that.

Truly this is the happiest ending you could've gotten, or was it?

Boring End.
1 out of 10 endings found.

[X] Back to the start.
[X] Back X choices.
[X] End game permanently.

Thank you for playing til the end, there's still 9 endings left though so if you want feel free to pick any other choice and see what'll happen. If not, then this is the end of Don't Become Fuel!