THE THIRD PROSCRIPTION

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD PROSCRIPTION
(CW: Coffins, claustrophobia in general, skeleton bones)

[Suddenly, a bright light from above lights up, same as last week, from the bone chandelier. he light only seems to shine on one individual, as the Elder Steward appears, his hood off, grinning.]



[He is silent, for a moment.

Then, he finally opens his mouth.]

Hnhnhnhn...

[And a second stream of light pours down.]



HNHNHNHN...

[And then a third.]



HNHNHNHNHNHNHN!!

[at last he turns to Thanatos.]

You poor old fool. You thought yourself so clever. But, I must congratulate you! You have condemned two innocents...and yourself, the culprit! What a beautiful moment indeed. Now no one is saved. There shall be no hope. Do you all see?

What a glorious day indeed for Our Lady!!

Comments

LAST WORDS

[strangerpeople]

[......]

[hexposition]

So this is it.

[Emma sounds resigned.]

I... don't know if there's anything I can say that will express the depths of my regret. For my behavior throughout this, that it's come to this. But know that I am sorry, with all my heart.

...

Underneath my bed. There's a number of documents I have for the rest of you. I trust you'll use them well.

[incendiarize]

Emma...

[No...]

[hexposition]

...I'm sorry, Arthur. I'd had much more I wished to talk to you about.

You're going to be okay, all right? Etria is going to be okay. I don't know how... but I'm going to keep believing in that, no matter what.

Hang in there.

[relieable]

[he stares at her, and Ambrosine, not knowing what to say. he was too busy making jokes through the trial. and now...]

Miss Emma. I knew it wasn't you.

[hexposition]

[She appreciated it, honestly.]

...I appreciate it.

Osomatsu... when you get back, [not if, when,] send Millium my love, all right?

You hang in there, as well. Your smile is one of the most powerful weapons we have left in this place.

[joinhands]

You acted how you thought was right. Please don't... hate yourself.

[hexposition]

[She just gives a sad little smile.]

Take care, Ms. Krone.

[yonosoymaria]

I - we all failed you, today.

You will not be forgotten.

[hexposition]

It's... I failed you, as well.

We are even, now.

Make it out of this place. That's all I can ask you now.

Re: LAST WORDS

[necroyalty]

Thanatos.

[She speaks with a voice that can chill a man to the bone, despite it being just barely above a whisper.]

If I wasn't going to die, I'd almost be impressed.

Congratulations.

[notadinosnack]

Except I'll be joining you and my world is still doomed. My death doesn't matter. I have nothing to go home to.

[yonosoymaria]

I didn't - I swear I didn't mean for this to happen when I said what I did, I was just trying to... I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

[relieable]

[what does he even say to the freaking Queen? she doesn't deserve this either]

You did so much for us. I'm sorry I couldn't help you in the end.

[hexposition]

[Emma looks toward Ambrosine with a soft sigh.

There's nothing to say that Ambrosine doesn't damn well know; that she doesn't deserve this. But she has Emma's sympathy, regardless.]

[notadinosnack]

Emma, Ambrosine, I promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure you don't die with me. I'm the one who has nothing to go home to and tried to fix that. You two don't deserve to go down with me.

And under my bed is a page that details why the younger Steward was so furious earlier this week.

Arthur, Eric, you two better get out of this alive.

[relieable]

[he knew it was Thanatos, in his heart. he should have said something more, he should have brought more focus to the trap. he could have saved Emma...!]

...So that whole story about the desert island, and you guys building a boat to go home. Was that all a lie?

[yonosoymaria]

It won't be for your sake.

[The words are a hiss. Eric seems more aware of his surroundings than he has - all day, really. He is drumming the arrowhead against the armrest of the chair, staring straight ahead, not at Thanatos. If he sees Quincey's face there now he will break, and he knows it, and he can't.]

He didn't want anyone else to die. You bastard.

[joinhands]

If Arthur's visions are to be believed, people have sometimes changed history without murdering children!

I absolutely would have voted for you, if it was just "how people act" instead of the evidence that guided me. But I wanted to make up for "holding back the group".

You are nothing. You're just a pathetic old man following his "adventures" wherever they lead.

[incendiarize]

....sacrificing the few to save the many, huh.

[It's difficult, but he makes himself look at Thanatos.]

[hexposition]

[Emma just smiles, although it never reaches her eyes.]

It's a bit late now, isn't it?

I imagine I'll be seeing you wherever I'm going.

EXECUTION

[violetexecutioner]

[The coffins close around the strangers one at a time—soon enough, the three suspects are left there in their shackles.

A figure walks out... Not the golem; about the same size as a person. In flowing purple fabric, a hooded cloak over a full suit of armor, the impression is unmistakably feminine, but the features ultimately inscrutable. Even the height isn't certain, when the gait of the armor is heavy and unaccustomed.

The executioner waves their hand at Emma and Ambrosine—then points at Thanatos with their index finger out of their fist. They wave one armored hand over the palm of another—a familiar music box appears within it. Then the palm is passed over again, and like a magic trick, it's gone. His shackles alone now come undone—winding around the other two suspects, binding them all the more tightly. They will find it impossible to use their powers.

Suddenly a vat of cold water appears underneath Thanatos. It's filled with needles. He's from an island, hope he can swim.]

[notadinosnack]

[Thanatos was expecting the golem, but a change in target doesn't change his plan. He must kill this person before the others die. He'll be trying to get out and is getting his whip ready to fight.]

Really, I live on an island, you think you really can do me in that easily?

[violetexecutioner]

[A pile of wooden cudgels fall down from thin air over the vat. Like a thatched roof over a hut. Except as Thanatos has already effectively moved towards the rim of the vat, the layer of ex-trees is more like a blanket that drapes over his head. It's possible to crawl out through the gap, or take another approach.

Then nails appear intermingled among the cudgels. The assailant is ready for war on their feet, drawing a sword out from behind their back.]

[necroyalty]

[Her eyes do widen at that music box, and her eyes linger on it for all to see. ]

You-