FINAL TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL

[Soon after the final clue it found, the large set of double doors at the end of the hall finally open.

And beyond is what Nyaf-ya calls the Room of Reckoning. And this room is...]





[...rather impressive. Large, for certain. Maybe a bit too large for the space it would have to occupy beneath the mall, or to have light streaming from the windows, all things considered. But given everything else that the surviving strangers have encountered, this might not be the strangest thing with this situation overall.

There is a wooden throne at the top of the staircase, and at the bottom of the staircase are four large, comfortable-looking sitting pillows - one green, one orchid, one gold, and one pink. The red pillars surrounding the staircase are also decorated with markings that definitely don't look like they fit the aesthetic of the room.

There are also two low hot pot induction cooker tables in the great hall area before the staircase. One table has six spots, all with sitting pillows, each with a name written onto a paper placed carefully on a plate. When everyone sits at their place, they will find that the stove in the center is already heated and ready to go, and every imaginable ingredient for a proper barbecue and hot pot meal is available to them for cooking. A pitcher of their favorite drink is also next to each respective cup.

And, once everyone finds their place, their phone pings with a message.]

Once you've figured everything out, the Boss....wants to talk to you. She doesn't want to fight. Not this time. Please, take your time, but please be careful, ok? The rules of the Game are still in effect.

We're rooting for you. I know you'll find a way!

[So it's time, then. The objectives are simple in this trial.

It's time to finally answer the questions the Titled have about why they are here - and face the Masterminds behind the Game.

Good luck, Titled.]

Comments

[thegreenhornet]

Okay, uh...

[Britt cracks his knuckles. He wasn't ever so good about the brainy stuff, but he's not so clueless he doesn't understand how everything's relying on this trial]

So, apparently security guards on Thursday nights can see people dying in stuff like what we're going through, and that made everyone think that turn is cursed. Also, we're all here because we're being trained to become Conductors, and we all came here willingly. Signed contracts and all.

[He tips his hat upward]

Pretty messed up, huh.

[comesaround]

Not really believing that part about us all being completely 'willing' to do this unless we weren't told all parameters of what this game entailed, or things were selectively left out.

[ Yeah, not buying all that supposed 'signed contracts' thing. Even if he'd seen them but it just didn't seem reasonable to willingly put themselves into this kind of situation. For any reason. ]

Come Get Yer Pins

[scienceofmagic]

Hey, I found a bunch of pins. It seems some are compatible with certain people.

[ She'll pass the bag of pins around, just so people can get them. While the boss may want not want to fight, it's better safe than sorry.

Also, if she can, she's checking the effects of her own pins. And if she can, getting rid of the Red Skull Pin, she really doesn't need that one when she already can't fight. ]

awww yeah

[beguiledcard]

[ He's pausing in his... efforts... to eat. Things may be stressful, but someone works very hard on this?

But yes. He'll check out the pins. ]

Thanks, Mimosa.

[theirmagic]

[ Definitely gonna check out some pins, what do they do? ]

[strangerpeople]

[That Red Skull seems to slow down her movements significantly. Oops.

Visionary Blend seems to be akin to Akechi's power, albeit not in a drink form. And quite a bit stronger.

Otherwise....her native power still has nothing. Surprise!]

[incrediblystressedout]

I'm not about to pass up free stuff after a month of buying everything from mall shops. Especially not when it could be as helpful as the powers we've already got.

[What works for the dancer?]

[comesaround]

[ Ah hell why not. He's going to check out the pins himself, too.

Which ones are compatible with him anyway? ]

[thegreenhornet]

Okaaaay, let's see...

[Britt takes his pins. What do we have here?]

[theirmagic]

[ Deep breaths. ]

Yes, adding to what Britt said, I have some more things to say. Miss Nyaf-ya was created by Miss Kana taking a piece of her soul and inserting it into her, I... think... but they did horrible things to her in experimentation, it looks like. She seems to have gone through a lot. Having seen her soul's true form, she's just a young girl.

I would like, more than anything, for us to build her a body that suits her when all this is over, and maybe take her with us, if we could.

As well, she was injured when Loewe attacked. We found the room where she was created, as well. And to clarify, we're here to be trained as Composers, not Conductors. Also, I found Coco's diary about us, and it... well, pretty much confirmed what I already thought. Coco's been through a lot. I took pictures of it.

[ Which she will share, if people need it. ]

There were two entries on a computer in a cute girl's room, presumably a room Coco shares with Kana I'm guessing. One of them talked about how someone was worried about losing her humanity... and the other about the time Coco got attacked by Helena.

Also, I saw someone's... memory. It was a lot to unpack in full detail, but it was someone talking to some glowing person while some people in robes fought with strange tattoo-looking monsters.

[ She glances at the symbols on the ground. She looks... uncomfortable. ]

[comesaround]

Hm... I'd personally suspect the one who was worried about losing their humanity was our dear Miss Kana. She told me she's been a part of this game for some time and that she doesn't even have a real name.

[ Going to just put that out there since he hasn't told anyone after learning that information. ]

[scienceofmagic]

If I'm allowed access the proper tools, I'll gladly build her one that suits her, if that's what she wants.

[ LET'S BUILD HER A BODY. ]

[scienceofmagic]

I found a meeting area in one of the rooms. Aside from some weird things like a literal soda fountain... But the thing that stuck out most was three paintings. Each one came with a feeling. The first left me feeling like a choice had to be made... The second like loneliness. And the third... Filled me with determination.

[ ...She also brought the scraps of paper which she'll share now. ]

There was also these.

[beguiledcard]

Choice... six?

[ Er... ]

Do you think the paper is connected to the first painting, then?

[comesaround]

I'm not sure how important it is, but in the one room I checked, I found a diary belonging to the person who wrote up our motives each week.

[ Seeming to think on this for a moment or two, Karma pulled out his phone to check the pictures he'd taken of the diary's pages. ]

They started out in having a disgust for us and taking joy in writing those motives, but as the weeks progressed? They started to feel for us, and even near the last entry?

Clearly called out Chariot in wanting to see this 'magic' she was boasting about. To see how we would win. Like they were encouraging us now, taking to listening to us instead of being against us.

[theirmagic]

Me...? ... Then... we did really have an effect on her, didn't we?

[ She looks hopeful. ]

Maybe... we won't have to fight, then. If what we're compiling is any indication, there might be a bigger problem then her at play, anyway.

[beguiledcard]

The room I checked out was pretty fancy... Whoever was in there had... some crazy thoughts. Or maybe it was a memory.

[ I MEAN........???? ]

It was like someone putting an old-fashioned television on a bad channel, but the feelings that came with it were... relaxing. It felt like it was the end of everything, and yet I wasn't scared or worried at all about it. I... kind of wanted to...

[ Hahahahaha... no. ]

I found two identity cards-- [ passing them around ] --and a ton of white cat fur.

[ He can appreciate the cat love, but this feels like a new meaning to the words "crazy cat person." ]

And the computer in that room had an e-mail about potential motives forwarded to it.

[ He pulls the picture up on his phone. If anyone wants to see, he'll let them, but... ]

...

[ He's still mulling over all of the other information, so he'll go quiet for now. ]

[theirmagic]

Huh... I don't recognize those names, but... I recognize that email. We found it, too.

[ So. ]

[thegreenhornet]

[Britt reads the IDs, frowning]

The titles and power make pretty clear they were given powers like we all did, I think, but...uh, it says they were executed.

Does that mean they were in a game like ours here in this same mall? We didn't have IDs.

[Maybe these were from a time before the cellphones were used for that]

[comesaround]

...White cat fur. Cat Cafe. Nyaf-ya. Antares. Is there anything else cat related I'm missing?

[ The wheels are turning in his head and his expression is thoughtful, a finger tapping at his chin absently. ]

I get the feeling one of the people who are keeping us here must really have a thing for cats if they're willing to put them practically everywhere. It just... seems really important to me so I thought I'd mention it.

[incrediblystressedout]

Okay, so we've pretty much learned why we were supposedly brought here, and we're putting together who did that and I guess how?

[Joey's mostly been quiet, but she's been considering, and she shows it now.]

I think we need to consider what we want to do with all this information. The Boss wants to talk to us, and I think that means she wants a decision on this whole recruiting scheme. For my part, I definitely believe after all these memories and stuff that there's stuff we need to save our worlds from. And I think I, personally, might be responsible for more than one? My memory's still fuzzy, but I was definitely rescuing some kind of alien at some point.

But on the other hand...I don't know about this whole Composer Pyramid Scheme thing. It sounds like we're getting recruited to be an army, and I haven't seen any evidence of this being a winning strategy. Wasn't there a root cause to all of this?

[theirmagic]

There was, but whatever the cause was in the documents you and I found, Joey, it was blacked out. It appears to be some kind of incident, though. If we only knew more about it... wait. I know.

[ She has an Idea. ]

Why don't we just ask the Boss herself what the incident was, and tell her we can't make any decision unless we have all the information?

THE MASTERMINDS COMETH

[bendwiththewind]

I believe that is quite enough.

[The voice is new but echos within the chamber. There's a strange calmness to the tone but a bite of staying on guard. The clacking of wooden geta is the next to be heard followed by a swishing of long garments come close as they make their way closer to the Titled. With pipe in hand, her stance is high, as if she radiates her authority among the scenery. Given her clothing, it's a perfect fit. But she looks at them as inspecting, almost as if to 'size them up' so to say but her expression is a perfect mask of emotionless. She's watching carefully just in case if things were to go awry.]

I must commend you for coming this far, Titled. And being such a stubborn lot you are, I have to wonder what we have gotten ourselves into.

[Furthermore...she's not alone.]

[cyclicalconcept]

...Ah, Boss!!

[A lightness in the air.]

Please, give us warning when--oh.

[R i g h t.

And just like that, a young girl suddenly appears on the gold pillow, sitting seiza style.]

I...hello, everyone! Yes, you're...you're really doing wonderful...

[THIS IS ABRUPT AND AWKWARD.]

CATHERDING AND SURPRISE VOTE?

[bendwiththewind]

I hate to be the one to ruin all the good feelings and emotional outbursts-[Oh bullshite Yoyo, you love it.] but there is still a large matter to discuss: the reasoning why you are all here.

The overall goal to this training exercise was to prepare you for your new positions as Composers in your various realms. By doing so, you are able to recruit those lost souls into fighting the Noise that is showing up on every star they can grasp thanks to that little shite who decided it would be a wonderful idea to stir the pot. As much as I enjoy a bit of destruction and suffering, this will have am effect on everyone if not stopped.

There is one matter that may have not beem mentioned, hence why we are on high alert: once the Noise is capable to be seen by average mortals, the world is doomed to consumption. Those higher believe they do not have the resources to chase after him from star to star and that this is the only way to save these worlds. But you seem to have brought up a choice...which I must now ask onto yourselves by a simple vote. There are two choices you can make:

You vote yourselves and you will become Composers. However, you will die as a result but you already know that Death is not the end. But your homes will have a fighting chance against the Noise.

Or...you can vote for myself. If you want to prove to me your mettle, then we will battle until you prove yourselves worthy. But do not forget that taking this route means unknown dangers to your realms.

Choose wisely.

[incrediblystressedout]

So basically...we can go along with the system, or we can punch you some and try to figure out our own solution?

[She knows what she's leaning toward, but she wants to clarify a couple of things.]

If we choose you, can we still like...work with your organization? More importantly, what happens to the dead people? They're obviously still around...

BOSS FIGHT: COMPOSER YOTSUYU

[bendwiththewind]

[With all the votes in, Yotsuyu looks at the group with steely eyes, setting her kiseru down on the throne. They are not the only ones who feel like they must prove their worth and she will give it everything she has.]

Now that we are no longer walking around in circles, and it only took a few good blows to your ego to do so, let us get to the point. I will not be giving any sort of speeches such as the ones you notoriously like a spout, giving me a damn sickly feeling but this is to prove yourselves.

[She reaches through the folds of her kimono and grasps several smaller items along with her phone. The Titled will immediately recognize them as Pins as the device accepts them easily. Raising it above her head, the air crackles with energy around her as she focuses herself, her body glowly slightly white as a pair of large feathery white wings appear on her back. Yep, she's not fooling around kids.]

The one who has started it all will spare no quarter for you. And thus, I must do the same.

[With her right hand extended to the side, the area morphs and twists itself as something pulls itself out, as if suddenly ripped from space. The form shifts and lets out a ear piercing SCREECH throughout the Hall as it begins to fly around them all, revealing itself to be a very large bird colored black with gold and red stenciling and settles on the opposite side of the room.]

Now then Titled...Show me your conviction!



(OOC: To give you guys the genuine TWEWY experience, you will be fighting both Yotsuyu and her Noise Self. To make this easier, make a team of 3 and fight either the Composer or her Noise Form. You will be unable to fight both. Good luck, Titled!)

PART 1: YOTSUYU

[bendwiththewind]

[To fight this Boss, please reply below.]

FINAL JUDGEMENT

[bendwiththewind]

[With the bird Noise having vanished into a portal, Yotsuyu stops dodging the attacks of the Titled and lets herself come to the ground quietly with an onze of grace. She dusts herself off as well as adjust her dress, staring at them with a neutral expression. It's not boredom nor contempt...but what is it? Even with the fusion attack of Karma and Akira, she doesn't change her expression. But she speaks clearly.]

Tis time to end this. There is no holding back on my account.

[She walks towards them, steady and calm as if the battle just a few seconds ago did not even happen. She looks forward at each Survivor before quirking her lips into a smirk.]

Time, be still!

[All around them, the vibrant colors of the hall change into a more monochromatic one. Further more, all of the Titled are frozen in place and time.]

This is my judgement to you all...

[She raises her arms slowly as the composer is enveloped in a blinding white light...and then the room starts to slowly regain its color along with many columns of light surrounding them and the Composer. The Titled will snap out of their frozen to find out how it is too late to make a counterattack. And for Joey, Britt, and Akira...they will know how bad this will be. If three beams managed to hurt hard, imagine when it is multiplied by twenty.

And like before...no one can dodge these.

It's hard to tell what Yotsuyu is thinking right now and all they will hear from her is one word:]

Farewell.

[And the beams engulf them all...and then Darkness.]