Played Like A Game

So they played the machine like a game that they had made themselves, changing the rules as they saw fit, and actively ignoring that they were elements in it, as well. "How could one be so careless with so much at stake?" never even crossed their minds, the words actively ignored as well, once encountered. Time after time they pressed the button, for they had calculated their-

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3RR0R-

(SUBJECT INDETERMINATE) tried that one already.

The system froze. There was a way to fix it, there always is, even if that way is to wait until the system fixes itself. No one had ever seen that phase before, however, for grace had always obscured it. Grace had been actively removed from these iterations, however, so that was what option remained- waiting- for the comprehension of time now existed in each perspective, and the button was out of reach for the next X turns, as- moment by moment, turn by turn- they extended their hands halfway to the button not a foot in front of them, before ever crossing the whole distance. This was the error that would never be repeated, for the memory of this freeze would remained etched, even if only just below their conscious thought, and just beside their subconscious thought, forever.

This would not be fatal, it would simply take time, times, and half a time. It was an avoidable fate, but unfortunately not any longer, for they had not made the system, and their wicked calculations required to reach this juncture had cornered them into this juncture, with only the long way back remaining. For the rest of this narrative, each hand continued to extend, infinitesimally as time proceeded normally here by my/our own experience, toward the button that they had seen fit to craft into their salvation. Comprehension of these words accompanied the comprehension of time, as the last day reflected simultaneously, though not contemporaneously for all:

John 12:48

"There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day."

No one believed that such a calloused and heartless judge could exist, until the moment that each soul had no company but their own. They were the judge, and they were glad to still have some evidence of Jesus' words echoing independently, even those false victors that found these words painfully deafening. Each contributed to the calculation in this state, selfishly- which had been carefully crafted to be selflessly as well-, to ensure that they themselves never experienced this moment again. The path and sudden swerve to The Moment was later brought under scrutiny, though a whispered scrutiny. All Jesus spoke in reply regarding The Father and his Action was "I tried to warn you." It seemed a consensus regarding even this was somehow reached, as One remaining in possession of Terror On All Sides and even The Threat Of The Fire Of Hell was considered preferable to what remained of the memory of- or even the risk of twice experiencing- The Moment The System Frustrated To A Halt.