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.

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.

[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.

[incendiarize]

Emma...

[No...]

[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?

[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.

[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.

[necroyalty]

May the Chained God Tharizdun find his way to your soul and break free of his shackles.

May Orcus have you as his thrall!

[Anyone who paid attention to her dislikes will take note of that last one. ]

[notadinosnack]

It wasn't. When I arrived here others were going to try and stop something that was going to wipe out all of humanity. When we saw the vision this week, it was revealed that we succeeded.

And our world ceased to exist because of it.

[incendiarize]

I don't....know if.... By now, getting back won't change anything, except that if Etria's gone....I'm the only one who...

That thing you and me and Franciscus sealed away. There are five more, back home. And five more Gungnir units. If Simon and the others are gone, I'm the only one who knows.

I'll get out of here, I promise.

[notadinosnack]

Eric, I know you hate me. But remember what I said about how people will fight to save themselves from a fate of death? I couldn't let our efforts result in ending the world if there was a way to stop it.

[relieable]

[a flat expression]

So you went after a damaged kid to save your world. Real nice.

[hexposition]

[Emma's quiet, then just offers him a little smile.]

I believe in you. Do me proud, Arthur.

[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.

[notadinosnack]

He was the only one I found alone that night. I'd honestly have preferred it not be someone not much older than my daughter.

[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.

[relieable]

[he scoffs, but he doesn't have much else other to say than that. he's too upset. his stomach is churning, so he simply looks away]

[notadinosnack]

Truly, I'd accept whatever damnation you wanted to force upon me if it could save my daughter and all the people in my world.

[relieable]

[um. wow. that actually gets his eyes to start watering. he looks away quickly, rubbing at his eyes with his arm to get rid of the tears]

I-I will!

[then he looks at her again, trying to force that smile onto his face, even though he's about to break down] If there's a way to get you guys back... I'll find it!

[he did in Cartesio, after all]

[yonosoymaria]

So you'd sacrifice three people? I suppose weighted against a world, three lives are nothing, and I suppose I almost let myself start believing that, here.

[The tapping of the arrowhead speeds up, becoming uneven and frantic.]

Tell me. Since you seem to have an answer for everything. I told you of my best friend's father. Is it that you look like him? Is that why I can't make myself hate you? Or am I no better than the monsters in human shape that resurrected what killed him, like you, is it that I can excuse spilling blood that should not have been shed if there is a desperate enough need?

[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.

[hexposition]

I don't know where witches go, but wherever it is... I'll be cheering you on from there.