Act 8

## SUMMARY

### Section 1. The Labyrinth

After Boxers and the Cursor split up, the Cursor ventures into the Labyrinth proper. A maze of towering brick walls and gothic theming. They come in through the forest, which implies the earlier entrance might wall around the rest of the maze. After all there is a proper welcome sign above where they enter.

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The labyrinth has several maps, seemingly engraved in stone, which display the general layout and current location. These are seemingly carved from stone. They act as save points too, and you respawn at the last one you look at. Interacting with all of them earns the achievement Exploring the Labyrinth. All of them are shaped as a claw grabbing the map, a claw that looks much like Silvie's. It's as if someone designed it specifically to indicate this place is dangerous and scary.

!Labyrinth Save Point Maps 1.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-19-06h52m24s534.png

The physical map matches very closely with the stone ones, albeit with lots of details added and slightly different scaling.

!Labyrinth Map With Important Stuff Added.png (Stone map with important things added)

The trees are covered in black vines, which resemble (or may be) the black goo. On the topic of plants, there's plenty of hedges which seem to be surprisingly well maintained.

!Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-07-10 4.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 23-43-53.png

Most importantly however are the purple flowers with eyes. These seem to act as a second sight for Silvie instantly alerting her to the Cursor's location. These flowers appear briefly in Chapter 1 Act 7 - The Woods after examining Ben's photo, catching a view of the Cursor before all closing their eyes to hide them. They've been featured in some of the promotional art.

!Eye Flower Staring Forward 1.png !2 Days Left - Chapter 1 The Bunny Graveyard 1.png

These flowers (in the Labyrinth) scan to their left and right like security cams, almost robotic in movement. They shine a bright light wherever they can see.

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It's also important to note just how old and broken down this place is. There are entire stone pillars completely fallen down. What remains in tact also seems very chipped and eroded, and it would take a long time for it to get that way.

!Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-15-42 2.png

In the Labyrinth there's a strange hole which connects two dead ends. The size of the hole is impressive but it's unclear who made it.

!Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-18-55 1.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-22-00 1.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-23-28.png

Text above one end of the hole reads "COOL SURPRISE!" with arrows pointing to the hole.

Taking the path just right of the entrance, the Cursor can find graffiti saying "DEAD END!" where there is accurately, a dead end. On the floor is a bloodied can of spray paint.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-04h54m40s059.png

Interacting with the spray can… "A spray can." "It's covered in blood."

This also adds the spray can as a clue. The description suggests it was used by a Handy Pal before they were attacked. However, the blood on the can looks noticeably more red than Handy Pal blood, which we know is completely black. It might be that, like in earlier instances, the black blood is just transparent and blends in with the already red container.

!Chapter 1 Clue 15 1.png

Scattered about the Labyrinth are the gloves and costumes of the fighters (of course besides Iron Punch who's head glove is dead and costume remains in Boxers' Hideout, and also Fingertaker who stayed back to fend of Silvie). Most fighters have the clear indication of a dead glove, and also generally a lot more the Corruption black goo than the usual.

!Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-36-16.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 23-14-21.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 21-31-10.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 23-17-43.png !Screenshot 2023-12-27 23-18-29.png

What catches attention is that Hand Sight's cardboard head, instead of being in a pool of black goo with a writing black hand. Instead there's just a little bit of blood next to it. This tells us Hand Sight's head glove could still be alive, which we find out is true in the end cutscene. This just tells us what part of Hand Sight specifically survived.

!Screenshot 2023-12-27 23-26-12.png

Near the bottom of the Labyrinth is an old fountain full of black goo, and a note, C's Note 14. This also counts as a clue. The note reads as follows... "Such amazing architecture! I wonder who directed the construction of this labyrinth, I hope I can get out of here soon though. UPDATE: It's been five hours, perhaps I might be lost. -C"

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h30m22s601.png

Far enough in there are spiked gates which quickly rise up and down on their own, and can kill the Cursor if they stay underneath it while it drops. Clearly whoever created or is maintaining this maze is willing to use not just confusion and misdirection, but violence, to keep people out.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h36m07s118.png

If the Cursor is caught in the light of a flower, then Silvie will spawn nearby, turning to them. If the Cursor gets too close, then she begins chasing them with arms stretched.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h41m45s881.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h41m50s809.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h42m31s067.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h42m42s450.png

### Section 2. The Tunnels

Leaving the maze through the top right, the Cursor enters the tunnels, which are navigated via first person view. The entrance is somewhat of a strange shape.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-05h58m04s598.png

The first real room in the tunnels sets the scene for those to follow. Flowers and foliage surrounds the insides of these tunnels. A stone statue is in between two branching paths with stone steps. The statue for the first room is of a bunny, probably Silvie. This is reinforced by what looks like tentacles coming out of the base of the statue next to the bunny figure.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h05m00s436.png

There's a warning engraved on the front, which reads as follows... "BEWARE THE BEAST" "Follow the wind of the beast, and you'll meet your end." "Follow your own path, and you'll find the light."

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h11m05s587.png

TODO actual commentary on this, it seems pretty dang important.

Between every room is a short walkway, also covered in greenery.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h18m28s600.png

Ominous music plays in the background and faint breathing indicates the direction of Silvie. If the Cursor follows the breathing (the "wind of the beast"), Silvie finds them, suddenly twisting their head, and jumping them.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h15m10s456.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h15m14s915.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h15m18s342.png

The second room contains a statue that looks a lot like the Portal but also like an eye. Perhaps it's meant to symbolize both.

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The third room contains a statue of a carrot on its side.

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Between the third and fourth room in the tunnels is C's Note 13. This counts as a clue.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h25m15s018.png

The note reads as follows... "Just arrived at CODENAME: FLOWER, first thoughts... I think it's too happy-looking for my taste. I was expecting something much more interesting, but perhaps I'm judging too quickly. -C"

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h25m17s587.png

The fourth room contains a statue of a hand. One may assume this represents the Cursor or the Handy Pals, but they all have four fingers, not five.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h21m55s588.png

The fifth and final statue, is of a door without any sort of special crest or anything.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h23m16s146.png

After escaping Silvie in the tunnels, the Cursor comes face to face with this exit Boxers told them about... the Portal.

What starts as a relatively normal patch of forest breaks off into a cliff hanging between realities.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h30m08s819.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h30m22s658.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h31m30s541.png

When interacting with the area in front of the Portal the following narration plays out... "You feel like destiny brought you here. But what lies ahead is unknown. Are you willing to risk it all and head into the void?"

the Cursor is then presented with a YES or NO choice, with only YES progressing events. Immediately upon deciding YES, a voice calls out from behind.

???: (Boxers) "WAAAAAAAAAIT!"

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h34m54s000.png

The screen then pans to Boxers, clearly tired from trying to catch up.

(as his dialog starts, a more somber variation of his theme plays) Boxers: "Hey so um... I..." "...may or may not have followed you all the way here, heh." "Look, I- I know I said what I've said." "But..." "Everyone is gone and I got nothing else to live for." "I need to know if there's more people out there!" "People like them!" "I can't just... stay here forever, man." "I..." "I- I need to know what's out there!" "I know that none of this went as planned, but..." "Give me one more chance!" "Let's go together!" "Please!"

As Boxers is begging to the Cursor the camera focuses back onto the Portal as it suddenly becomes active, sucking up everything and everyone nearby. It goes from a dim dark purple, to a glowing bright purple.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h40m57s398.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h41m01s870.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h41m08s358.png

If close attention is paid, you can tell one of Hand Sight's gloves has also fallen into the Portal. Right after this we see Boxers is struggling to hold on to the dirt. Clearly he didn't expect it to start acting like a giant vacuum.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h41m13s471.png

Boxers: "WHAT'S GOING ON?" "Can't!" "Hold!" "ON!"

Just as Boxers' grip loosens, Silvie grabs him by the hand.

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Silvie: "So this is what you want?"

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h54m42s055.png

"To get yourself killed?" Boxers: "AH!" (vocalized, shaking)

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-06h57m58s102.png

"Leave me alone!" Silvie: "Stop! You're not listening to me!" "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into!" "This world is not what you think it is!" Boxers: "And how am I supposed to believe you?" "You destroyed my life!" Silvie: "I GAVE YOU LIFE!" (looking straight forward)

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h00m07s781.png

"YOU JUST HAD TO PLAY BY THE RULES!" Boxers: "I WAS NEVER ALIVE!" "YOU TREATED US LIKE PUPPETS!" (Silvie staring forward mouth closed)

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h00m55s200.png

"YOU'RE JUST A SICK, COLD BLOODED, KILLER!" "SO GOODBYE!" (Cut back to Boxers) "SILVIE!"

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h02m59s608.png

Boxers finally lets go of Silvie's hand, as she stands and stares.

### Section 3. Into the Void

After a transition to black, the Portal sequence begins. Traveling through the Portal's rings, the Cursor must avoid several obstacles, mostly common objects like logs, chairs, TVs, and soccer balls. Other smaller debris doesn't have collision. Though the giant eyeball is a standout.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h10m32s459.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h11m29s119.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h11m48s428.png

As the Cursor nears the end of the Portal, everything tints magenta. After coming through the other end, the Cursor falls from high up onto hard concrete.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h14m18s862.png

the Cursor wakes back up and the camera pans to Skye's House. After a moment narration reads... "This place..." "...doesn't feel like the garden anymore." "Whose house is this?"

There's a dirty swimming pool with a duck, and a blue car parked in the grass towards the front.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h14m45s290.png

Interacting with the door... "Knock the door?"

the Cursor is then given a YES or NO choice, where only YES progresses things.

After knocking on the door, the real Skye opens the door, flashlight in hand. As she looks down at the Cursor her eyepatch shines, and there's a dramatic cut to black.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h18m55s151.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h19m01s029.png !vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h19m10s110.png

Credits then roll, with a leafy backdrop. After the names are done rolling, Silvie's eyes appear through the leaves with a "Thanks for playing!" message and a copyright watermark.

!vlcsnap-2023-11-22-07h22m17s295.png

If all clues have been collected through the game, not only do you earn the achievement Clues Collected!, but an extra end cinematic of a mysterious blue character with a red bandana. While their appearance is somewhat similar to Claudio, I have doubts they are really the same character.

It starts with the scene of the Portal, though the rings appear to be in the background. It then pans to tattered blueish gray bunny ears.

!The Bunny Graveyard Chapter 1 Ending + Secret Post Credit 1-42 screenshot.png !The Bunny Graveyard Chapter 1 Ending + Secret Post Credit 1-48 screenshot.png

We eventually get to see the character's face. This bunny wear a red bandana, with shadows indicating they only have sockets where their eyes would be. They have a rather rugged appearance overall.

Eventually they begin to speak... "Damn it." "She's awake"

!The Bunny Graveyard Chapter 1 Ending + Secret Post Credit 1-55 screenshot.png !The Bunny Graveyard Chapter 1 Ending + Secret Post Credit 1-57 screenshot 2.png

While one may believe this refers to Silvie, I don't quite think so. What in this place would tip them off that Silvie returned to her true form? The only thing around is the Portal, which did just activate, but not at the same time Silvie changed form.

Instead, there's reason to believe this is referring to Skye. Though now non-cannon, in 4-1-1992 (Game) Skye writes that she sees a portal in her dreams going into nothing. Plus in a scrapped visual posted on Discord, the Computer specifically used to track if Skye was asleep or awake.

!200

The timing seems to match up as well, since we know the portal must've opened around the time Skye wakes up, as in trailer footage we see it's what she does the moment she gets out of bed and Claudio's gone. Because of all this I'm inclined to believe Skye is connected in some key way to the operation of the Portal, at least its activation.

It's also interesting this character seems to be against the consequences of Skye being awake, which appears to be the opening of the Portal. Considering Silvie's entire reason for flipping out on the Handy Pals was to prevent them from going through the Portal perhaps these two characters know something really bad will come from it being open. Silvie's website description seems to suggest that although awful, there is a higher purpose to her violent prevention of people leaving the garden. "The reason for all of her murders are unknown. Why did she pretend to be Skye, and is she really all that bad?"

Even if they're trying to stop the same thing, it's unknown what their connection, if any, is. They could be allies or mortal enemies for all we know yet.

And with that, Chapter 1 is concluded.