Illuminating the Dark: A Search for the Truth

Matt Eastland-Jones - 00:02 Hello and welcome to Awaiting Prompt, the AI podcast hosted by me, Matt Eastland-Jones.

Nick Short - 00:08 And me, Nick Short.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 00:10 Each week we give an AI a series of story prompts. These could be genres, characters, plot points, and see what kind of story it comes up with.

Nick Short - 00:18 We're not writers and we're certainly not authors.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 00:21 We may need to give the AI a bit of direction on the way, but every single word is gonna be entirely generated by an AI.

Nick Short - 00:27 We're just really interested in the technology, seeing what it can do and having a laugh at the stuff that it can't.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 00:33 So if that sounds good then tune in every Friday to Awaiting Prompt. Hello and welcome to this week's episode of a waiting prompt with two great stories that are swamped with an archaeologist, a torch and an egg held near. Nick your story's up first for our listeners to hear.

Nick Short - 00:57 The night is dark and still. My heart in turmoil and ill.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 01:03 You've done a poem?

Nick Short - 01:04 I have done an epic poem.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 01:06 Oh my god! This is interesting, because... So yours’ is first person?

Nick Short - 01:12 Yes!

Matt Eastland-Jones - 01:14 I think this is the first time my story's been first person as well. Oh, I'm excited this is going to be fun.

Nick Short - 01:18 For I have been searching this path for far too many months past. A relic so rare of an age forgotten at last. This source of light that guides me on my way. A story not yet told I have sworn to protect today.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 01:36 That worked.

Nick Short - 01:38 It works! For the brave heroes who courageously faced those times in eternity long gone by, in the hope it would inspire others' moments of courage come nigh.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 01:49 How many times have you practised this?

Nick Short - 01:52 None. This is a blind reading. As I search in my pack for the right tool, my intrepid courage decided untrue, the torch in my grasp gives me a clue. That something lay underneath all this dew, a foray into time untold was near. What mystery hid below over the years? I take out my brush and start to clear, my heart pounding firmly with hope and fear. Mud and rocks I kick away, excitement now growing each hour of the day. A slight glimmer in the beam of my light, my battered heart full of fresh delight. I take out some tools to excavate with care, feeling something amiss had struck me unaware. I gently dig until at last, a gem shines clear, an egg lay nestled within this dirt so queer.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 02:46 What?

Nick Short - 02:38 It's unusual dirt! I lay there in wonder for what it could be, as thoughts rolled through my mind like an angry sea. The age-old secret lay mere inches from sight, the discovery would make us look anew at history that night. The egg lay there, surrounded by dirt and sand, an artefact from a strange far-off land. It shone brightly with no blemish or flaw, buttoning my shirt with awe. He's just sat there with his chest open, going "Oh!". Buttoning my shirt with awe, I take the law. But break not this shell so fragile yet strong, For within lies mysteries waiting to throng, Of tale forgotten, told between these walls, old and wise, only for eyes of courage that never grow tired. I place it in safety, carefully away in its jar, placing protective hands on every precious bar. My body and honour guard to the relic revealed by me today but soon gone aright. Never forgetting what lay here tonight. My torch begins to flicker. It's light growing faint. The unease startles my breath and dampens my courageous high can't. A chill creeps through my body like a gust of wind, drawing me away from the unearthed relic I have pinned. Millennia have passed by since this buried charm was found. Perhaps now it has summoned something waiting beyond the ground. Quiet footsteps seem closer, but I stand fast and unbowed, the courage clear in my heart as I survey the crowd. So that's that was where that….

Matt Eastland-Jones - 04:55 Okay, that was long!

Nick Short - 04:57 Admittedly that was me going, continue, continue, continue, continue. It would basically make one stanza at a time. Continue writing the poem but I asked it to introduce a few elements. Sweat trickles down my neck, cold and numb, as a hiss lurks in the dark, waiting till I succumb. My heart thumping wildly *hiss* are you done? Have you succumbed yet? My heart thumping wildly, I shield my sight in fright, wondering the shadows about me might. Torchlight still shines bright below on the egg with its story to tell, but danger lingers from something old and dark, from the depths of this well. We're in a well.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 05:48 Okay.

Nick Short - 05:50 My hands grip tightly around the relic, its beauty still so clear. Secrets lay within, no explorer yet knows. The hidden artefact to unearth and hear. The story etched upon its whispering, the world forever gone, of callous gods and heroic knights in stories whispered on and on. Centuries before empires had risen and fallen away, with no trace at all, only these relics hold stories written by them who stood tall. As I turn back to the egg, my senses alerted in fear. An evil entity now looms closer with a voice of agony sheer. Its hoarse… maybe it's just got a lisp! Its hoarse whispers echo through the air and strike every nerve, the very soul of courage growing ever so weaker as it does serve. Trying not to waver in strength, I yell forth, challenging this beast to show, for its formless being brings forth a terror like no one ought to know. At my cry, the creature formed from shadow and light, showing its form of power and might, an array of scales that shone in the torchlight, sparking black with a luminescence so bright. claws sharpened to points and wings cutting the sky, a terror smelling of death with its serpent's eye. A formidable foe I must face this night to protect what has been found on this dig, right?

Matt Eastland-Jones - 07:26 Did it actually say that? On this dig, right?

Nick Short - 07:31 A fight I must make with all courage within my heart, but the torchlight starts fading with a lonely sonnet's part. My breath comes quicker as fear and dread threaten to overwhelm, gathering my few possessions and that relic so rare I make for them. I flee into darkness not knowing what safe havens may lie ahead, for now all that matters is to get away from this creature, whose soul is dead. The beats of wings hit faster like a roaring thunderstorm, with the light of my torch rapidly fading in its form. Escape is my only thought as I flee through night's mysterious veil unseen, praying no evil force will find me on this path, so deeply odd and lean. The darkness of night consumed my soul direction now uncertain I felt… The darkness of night consumed my soul direction now uncertain, I felt like a playful mole! He's running for his life! The darkness of night consume my soul! Ooh, let's have a dig! What?! Fear slowly crept in as the moon had gone. My courage quickly started to withdraw, and with it, so had the sun. Searching for an exit, I reach a dead end at last. No torchlight or glimmering stars here can be found to cast. The ominous sounds of wings unfurl above my head, and without time for reflection, I knew what is said. My heart failed within fear and panic as I quivered all alone in the darkness with nothing but this relic. I tightly closed my eyes and held the egg fast to me so clear, clutching it for safety as surely as one can hear. [hissing sound] The creature made its presence known like thunder from beneath the stars, paralyzing my body with dread, yet determined to go un-far. But still I kept on standing, no matter how severe its wrath may be, for courage might never surrender for this worthy course of history. Oh, should I get it to conclude?

Matt Eastland-Jones - 10:04 Yeah.

Nick Short - 10:05 With the egg revealing its power. Ooh. Because the egg's done... bugger all. It's done nothing. It's just, well we know it's a beautiful egg.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 10:16 Yes.

Nick Short - 10:16 The egg suddenly grew hot in my arms as an ancient and forgotten power, piercingly alarms. The sensation felt like electricity running through me, illuminating the dark tunnels, Engulfing me to such a degree, an abyss of luminescence burst forth into view, a power so sweet and great I could only tremble while standing on cue. Determination carved upon my face with its flowing, golden light. I knew at last what this relic was meant to be and its reasons why, so right. The unbearable heat soon slowly dispersed and I rose from the ground with this unknown force surging and cursed. For before me now, a store of knowledge not meant for mere man, a vile presence that had broken its century-old ban. An evil created to create chaos and death, kneeling to none nor ever bowing in defeat. Its power has woken and all will kneel.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 11:20 Like a playful mole.

Nick Short - 11:22 Like a playful mole. Power has woken and all will kneel before it in fright. The body coursed with energy from the relic shining bright and I took one step forward facing the creature's terrible plight. Its eyes widened with surprise as my courage did not waver but suddenly it fled far away like being shot by an invisible quaver.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 11:47 I wish it said laser.

Nick Short - 11:49 It said quiver. Quiver, Quaver and quiver. Maybe he's just throwing those cheesy crisps at them. Quavers.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 11:57 Quavers, yes.

Nick Short - 11:59 At that moment, I knew I had been born anew and unleashed a great force, one of courage that could now never be taken or divorced. As I opened my eyes again in the morning light, I looked at my reflection and had too, a great fright. My body, now foreign, and scales as black as night, and wings slowly gliding, lifting me to heights, being so consumed by fear would no longer be true, for this new-found courage I knew just what to do. With haste to its forgotten origin, the egg did go, returning it there, forever home, with this creature now shown. The egg now set down in its rightful home, my bravery rewarded by calm and repose. In daylight, I could finally appreciate its elegant sheen, like the depths of a crystal ocean, tranquil and serene. Its ancient surface a window to days long past, stories from epic heroes and grand battles sung in cycles of day, from ruins that crumbled into nothing more than memories dust. This relic is kept safe for us to remember such courage we can trust. The transformation from human to beast had been complete, my thoughts and dear memories began to deplete. What once was a life of knowledge I fear may now be forgotten, for my being was filled with animalistic instinct, oft rotten. No remorse for the life I have lost or ever came to spurn but hopes that no other archaeologist would experience such a fate so stern. For even in darkness and terrible power, we must not forget courage is found in all its forms whether man or beast, we can never give up in the pursuit of knowledge so warm, and it ends there.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 13:54 That's horrible.

Nick Short - 13:55 That is really horrible. Really cool though.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 13:59 Yeah. I do actually, I quite like that storyline though, that is quite cool.

Nick Short - 14:03 It is quite cool.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:04 But it's strange how it's like courage, you'd think it would be something like selfishness.

Nick Short - 14:11 Selfish desire.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:12 Yeah or wanting the egg for monetary gain or whatever. Like it's a punishment, you are now turning into a beast that must now protect it. Instead of "you're courageous for taking this egg!"

Nick Short - 14:25 Well done! It's the egg of courage. I'm just impressed with the rhyming because obviously some of them…

Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:33 Weren't perfect. Sometimes they rhymed the same word.

Nick Short - 14:34 Yes. But I thought that was cool.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:35 It's impressive.

Nick Short - 14:37 So the original title was simply "write the start of a dramatic poem featuring an archaeologist, an egg and a torch". And it did everything else. I did get it halfway through. I did to add some elements. I did say "introduce horror elements".

Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:55 Okay.

Nick Short - 14:56 And that's when it added the creature and everything like that. So I just need some titles. It went for The Egg of Courage.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:03 Oh my god, really?

Nick Short - 15:05 It actually went for the egg of courage! Oh my god.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:07 Love it.

Nick Short - 15:09 Yeah I'm happy with that.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:11 My turn. Mine is dramatically shorter than yours.

Nick Short - 15:15 Thank god.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:16 But I also, as I was saying, I was like "oh this was quite long you know" but no it isn’t. June 27th 1978. I find myself in the middle eastern desert today searching for clues that may solve the mystery or this mysterious egg I have in my possession. With my trusty torch I let the vast wasteland that surrounds me, searching for something, anything. It has been in my family for generations and I worry that I may never uncover its secrets. August 13th 1987.

Nick Short - 15:54 Oh my god I really love these.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:56 It's been over a decade since I started this quest, and still nothing. I'm in Siberia, now more determined than ever to unravel the mystery of this egg. The second night of searching here, I once again take out my faithful flashlight, lighting up ruins from centuries ago. Sadly, still no answers to my questions can be found here. February 1st, 1997.

Nick Short - 16:19 Oh shit!

Matt Eastland-Jones - 16:21 I'm so tired. It's been 19 years since I first took it into my hands with excitement, only to find myself today still none the wiser. I'm still following the same task though, continuing to search the world, hoping to find a hint of what could be inside. Today I find myself in Egypt, in an ancient tomb. Once again I shine my torch around, hoping to piece together some of these millennia-old secrets. October 8th 2007.

Nick Short - 16:48 I've just watched The Simpsons Movie.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 16:52 Back in the Middle East today with discourage as ever. Although I'm still hopeful that one day soon I will uncover what lies within my family's egg. I lost my gravelly voice. Family's egg. Every time it's more gravelly. Every decade. October 8th 2007. Back in the Middle East today and discouraged as ever. Although I'm still hoping that one day I will uncover what lies within my family's egg. As I walk through these passed-away places, illuminated by my torchlight, I can't help thinking how long it's been since I started this journey and how much time has gone by. What have I lost in the pursuit of these answers? What life could I have had? Gods willing, by the time they carry me across the threshold to the other side, maybe some answers will be found.

Nick Short- 17:44 That's brilliant!

Matt Eastland-Jones - 17:46 I'm pleased with this, I'm not going to lie.

Nick Short - 17:48 Oh my god, I love it.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 17:51 November 5th, 2017. It's been ten years since I last wrote in this diary, with sadness today as I admit to myself that the truth is looking grim. Day after day I've crossed through unfamiliar places, and with all seemingly nothing to show for it, but ten more years older and another decade closer to death. Although even so, I still climb down into long-forgotten caves, night after night, with nothing but a torch lighting the way, praying that one night something tells me what lies within this egg. June 17th, 2027. My heart aches for what might be the last time I will light up these unknown depths of the world. I'm growing older and weaker but how could I give up on this quest so close to being fulfilled? I spent over four decades... four decades? Six decades mate.

Nick Short - 18:50 Six decades is over four!

Matt Eastland-Jones - 18:52 Well that's very true. I spent over four decades on this constant search growing increasingly more concerned every year. Will I ever solve the mystery of this egg?

Nick Short - 19:00 No.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 19:04 Here in the deep south of Africa I remind myself that it's never too late to find answers and with one last spark of my trusty flashlight, I step inside yet another cave, determined that tonight might be the night that everything changes. November 10th, 2027. The world has changed so much since the day I first received the egg, but tonight, I finally have the answer. I sit here in front of the enormous stone monolith, my torch fighting against the darkness that consumes the area as I direct my light towards the center of the room I'm suddenly illuminated by bright green light streaming from a hole inside the side of the monolith

Nick Short - 19:46 Inside the side?

Matt Eastland-Jones - 19:48 Inside the side It's only then that I organize all of my travels and clues together I look down to find the egg glowing with a mystical green force dripping through the cracks illuminated by a fire that had been lit nearly 50 years ago.

Nick Short - 20:04 Hang on, what?

Matt Eastland-Jones - 20:07 Still six decades.

Nick Short - 20:11 Well at this point, so say he got the egg, he's old enough to go out and search for himself. So…

Matt Eastland-Jones - 20:16 This guy's old.

Nick Short - 20:19 At a bare minimum given the time that he started he could have been 16 when he started, right?

Matt Eastland-Jones - 20:23 Yeah

Nick Short - 20:24 So he's now like 70s/80s.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 20:25 Yeah. January 11th 2028 so a couple months later, today marks a sombre day as the world says farewell to my beloved father as i reflect on his life i'm reminded of the many adventures he embarked on in search of the truth his unwavering dedication to uncovering the secrets of the mysterious egg that was a testament to his unrelenting spirit. I remember the many tales he recounted to me of his journey, the challenges he faced and the victories he celebrated. It was truly an incredible odyssey that spanned many years and one that he pursued with passion and determination. Although his journey has come to an end, I find solace in the fact that his legacy lives on. As I take up the mantle of his quest, I am filled by a sense of purpose and determination. I know he would have wanted me to continue his work and unravel the mysteries he so desperately sought to uncover. I'm grateful for the lessons he taught me and the values he instilled in me. He was a true inspiration and I will always carry his memory in my heart. Although he may be gone, his legacy will endure and I am honoured to continue his work and keep his torch lit. His torch, which he so valiantly carried, now shines brightly for me, guiding me on my journey.

Nick Short - 21:51 That was brilliant! That was really good!

Matt Eastland-Jones - 21:59 So the prompt was write a series of mysterious diary entries containing dates and locations… didn't have locations, oh did have locations yeah, spanning years by an archaeologist featuring a torch and a mysterious egg which has been in the family for generations. Explore the passing of time as the archaeologist gets older and they fear never solving the mystery of the egg before they die.

Nick Short - 22:20 That's crazy.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 22:21 And then they did die.

Nick Short - 22:23 That was brilliant.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 22:25 That was good, wasn't it?

Nick Short - 22:27 That was really good. I wasn't expecting... Did you prompt it to have it be picked up?

Matt Eastland-Jones - 22:30 I said finish the story with the final diary entry. And the AI was like, "This guy dies."

Nick Short - 22:38 That's amazing. That's brilliant.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 22:40 Yeah, that was good.

Nick Short - 22:42 That's really cool.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 22:43 So I got five possible titles. It's gone for the obvious one. The mysterious egg, a family legacy.

Nick Short - 22:53 The egg legacy. The l-EGG-acy. (laughing)

Matt Eastland-Jones - 22:58 Love it. The torch in the egg, a decades-long quest. I think the best one is illuminating the dark, a search for the truth.

Nick Short - 23:09 Ooh, I like that.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 23:11 That's quite good.

Nick Short - 23:11 That's really good.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 23:12 Illuminating the dark. Very good. I'm pleased with that.

Nick Short - 23:16 That'd be really cool. So there we are, two archaeologists, two eggs, and none found essentially. Next week we'll be looking at superheroes and getting the AI to generate its own brand new hero. Or hopefully, we'll see how successful it is. That's everything for this episode of Awaiting Prompt.

Matt Eastland-Jones - 23:42 If you enjoyed it then please leave us a review and make sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date with all future episodes.