THE FIRST TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FIRST TRIAL

[Soon after the final clue is found, there are three more loud, unsettling tonal clangs, all which go right to the bone. No matter where they are, the Titled will hear another, loud creak.

The set of doors on the left are slowly opening, revealing a long, long corridor, with a very long flight of stairs going upwards, just barely visible at the end of it.

The Intercessor's voice booms through the air and shakes the ground, sounding loud and clear no matter where the Titled might be standing at that moment.]

ENTER!

[The voice brooks no argument. As soon as everyone goes through the set of double doors, they close behind them. There is no choice, and no turning back. The Titled must go up the stairs at the end of the hall. They feel like they take forever, but when the stairs are finally traversed, there is a single door at the top, already open to them.

Welcome to the Debate Hall, Titled. Its the best-lit place you've seen, with gas lamps on the wall bright as possible. Its also the emptiest place they've ever seen so far - its massive and yet the Titled and the Intercessor are the only individuals to be seen in the entire area.

Seems, because there is faint chanting coming from the darkness behind that stage at the other end. There's no real way to hear what's being said, no matter how close you try to get. No way to check if there's even anyone on or behind the stage to make such chanting possible. The only person remotely close to the stage, standing on the stone steps, is the Intercessor.

There is also a faint rumble in the air, as if the world itself mourns the crime committed.

So. Take your seats at your stone desks to face one another as you debate. And yes, they are stone. Yes, they have stone chairs with which to sit in. And yes, your Title is on your assigned chair, etched in with chisel and hammer. Every desk also has a copy of the Writs with Orders 7 and 8 circled, and a copy of the autopsy file of the deceased on top of it; that is all the aid you will get from whoever brought you here. The rest, it seems, is up to the Titled, with what they have found.

Seats 7 and 8 are empty. Their copies of the rules and evidence lay untouched.

Once everyone has taken their seats, the strange, ominous chanting stops. Its time. Bound in blood, the death warrant has already been signed. The contract is complete. Its now just a question of finding the guilty party to fulfill the call for justice.

So, get ready, Titled.

The Inquisition of Laslow, the Spinner, has begun.]

Comments

(Hey modly types!)

[pursuitofbeauty]

"I have one question."

Yusuke looks to the Intercessor, expression grave.

"Order 8 speaks of punishment for either the culprit or, if an incorrect conclusion is reached, those who are innocent in the killer's stead. I want to know what this punishment would be."

[intercessing]

Yes, Indulgent?

[They fold their hands, looking at everyone. They pause, reluctantly, before responding.]

Of course.

The punishment is execution. That is why I told everyone to take their time - you must be certain, and look at all of the evidence before you reach a conclusion.

When you are voting, it is your collective fate, and the fate of the killer, that you are voting on.

[pursuitofbeauty]

The color drains from Yusuke's face. He's so stunned, he can't even speak.

Of course. What else could possibly punish the taking of a life? They're already under the yoke of eternal imprisonment. He turns to Futaba, looking utterly stricken.

"We can't... we must return home. All of us...."

[socialhacktivist]

"Who came up with such stupid rules? This is just wrong..."

But she understands that she doesn't want to die. Not finding the killer meant putting everyone else who was innocent in danger. So even if she the punishment felt far too cruel...

"...we don't have any other choice."

This just keeps getting worse.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"Futaba."

Yusuke looks at her sadly. She's trying so hard to be brave, and even though he only just remembered her earlier this week, he's strangely proud of her for all the strength she's showing in this terrible setting.

"I am sorry I didn't remember you at first. I promise, I will do everything I can to protect you."

[defriendestration]

WHAT??!!

EXP??!!

[kiddefender]

I think EXP and executions are completely different things.

[defriendestration]

NO THEY'RE NOT!

EXP MEANS...

EXECUTION POINTS!!

NYEEEEEEEEH!

[kiddefender]

No it means experience points. You need them to level up and get stronger.

[defriendestration]

AND WHAT DO YOU GET "EXPERIENCE" OF WHEN YOU GET EXP??

KILLING!! YOU HAVE TO KILL TO GAIN EXP!!

[kiddefender]

Except people can get get EXP from crafting too.

[almightyconflagration]

Figured as much. Death is a very common punishment for murder, unless a nation has a "merciful" ruler and then its lifelong imprisonment.

[His tone implies he finds being imprisoned to be far from a mercy.]

[poorlovefool]

[Eric is likewise dumbstruck.]

What... What the hell!! That means if we get it wrong, everyone's just going to be killed!?

[THIS IS SO MUCH GRAVER THAN THE LETTER MADE IT SOUND, THE FUCK]

[intercessing]

Correct.

All except the killer.

[poorlovefool]

[Well, this is terrifying. His arms raise to hug himself - his throat suddenly feels very dry.]

Shit... oh, fuck...

[He had almost forgotten the similarities of this place to the decision game. But it's even worse than that. At least in Zero's game there was a chance that if they cooperated no one would die. This, though, this is just...]

H-H-How can they do this?

[intercessing]

How?

We are here, and we are bound to their rules. That is how.

[poorlovefool]

Damn it...

[His fists are clenched at his side. He's shaking, deep in thought.]

[kiddefender]

Are there any exceptions?

Back where I'm from it's allowed to kill certain people without retribution. [No, she isn't going to mention she's one of the those people.]

[intercessing]

...No. There are no exceptions.

No matter what any of us would wish.

[kiddefender]

So, you're saying that all lives are equal here?

[Her gloves creak as she clenches her hands.]

[intercessing]

All souls in the Depths are equal here; the Titled are all bound by these Orders.

...I am sorry, Dreamstrider. But yes.

[kiddefender]

Why are you sorry? That's great... I wish it was like that back home.

[almightyconflagration]

Hey, Intrecessor dude, what happens if some people here decide not to vote for some inane reason?

[Because he suspects some might abstain after being told this.]

[intercessing]

Abstention...for the present moment it is permitted so long as a majority vote is obtained either way. I suppose those in charge allow it as a mercy.

[almightyconflagration]

And if no majority is reached due to their idiotic morality? Don't know about you but I think given the crap choice one more death is preferable to many.