FINAL TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL

[Soon enough, soon enough.

The ticking doesn't stop by the time everyone starts to congregate at the temple. It's ultimately not hard to find; after going north for a little bit, it becomes all too clear where the temple is.]




[The very top of the temple has a room, one of cold stone and blood. There is a stone table at the center; there is nothing on it but dried blood. There are no chairs, no food, no coffins-only small, hastily-scribbled circles to indicate where people might need to stand to face their captors.

And stand they will need to, as they wait for the Stewards to arrive. The time for what will very likely be a final confrontation is almost upon them. Now it's just a question of putting together the clues they've found-and seeing if there truly is a way out of this predicament.

Only one thing is certain-at this point, anything is possible.]



[It's time! The objectives are simple in this trial. It's time to finally answer the questions the Titled have about why they are here, and what, exactly, the route they all intend to take after five long weeks - especially when the Stewards arrive.

GOOD LUCK, TITLED!]

[EDIT: VOTING IS OPEN! This will close at midnight EST on May 25th!]

Comments

[joinhands]

Really...?

[Having just verified there's no food, Krone puts down the document and map on the table with a deep sigh.]

If I'd known I would have made more sandwiches! There's enough at Giriko's house for everyone!

[yonosoymaria]

They haven't yet arrived. We could go back.

[He's not sounding nearly so cowardly as his phrasing seems... and he's carrying that plate from earlier, now with his sandwich missing.]

[incendiarize]

[No chains or coffins this time? Cool. Does that mean he can just keep close to Eric, because he wants to do that. He is....functioning. He can do this. He has to.

But boy this place is cheery.]

Looks like...human sacrifice...

[He shuts his eyes tight and turns away, because that just calls the vision back to mind.]

[yonosoymaria]

[He can absolutely keep close. Forget the circles, if they're marked with names.]

If all goes well it won't happen today.

[necroyalty]

[ She's heard tales of such places in the jungles of the Peridot Isle back home. Mostly, those tales were full of a lot more snake people.

She kind of wishes they were dealing with snake people. ]

Well, isn't that surprising.

[ She's. Incredibly disappointed in their captors. ]

[relieable]

[okay, Osomatsu enters the Temple with his papers, and the mirror frame. he looks around, and... yeah, it's pretty bleak in here. but his biggest concerns are what he's found on the List. he eyes everyone, not saying anything at first. he feels defeated already. but he's going to do the best he can to get out of this.

he lays out the papers in front of him on the floor, then sits down himself, arms crossed. the list, followed by three other documents]

So. Anyone here wanna get something off their chest before we get into this?

[he knows your sins. well, he knows a few sins. his eyes fall on Harriet and then Ambrosine. and finally Krone]

[necroyalty]

...ah.

[ Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck ]

[joinhands]

[Krone tiiiiiiiptoes over to glance at the documents and

throws her head back and laughs.]

You care! You really think you care! Oh, you idiot! Oh! Oh, my goodness. [This is the FUNNIEST thing that has EVER happened. She's throwing her arm over Eric's shoulder to support herself while her hand is clasped over her stomach.]

[whiterosefoes]

[Harriet picks up the list, just looking at it coldly.]

You've been in one of these death trap games before and you've seen how far down they narrow. Did you really expect me to pass up any advantage that could ensure my survival? There's a reason no one ever runs into me when I don't want them to, here.

[necroyalty]

...if I may speak.

I was but a girl when my mother, a priestess of the Ruby Witch, told me of the Revelry. Every learned soul in my world knows of the world's destruction and rebirth.

Thousands of years ago, a god as old as the universe itself had succumbed to the throes of madness. His name was Tharizdun, the Elder Elemental, and he saw the world... all its imperfections, all its doubt, and sought to end it all before ending himself.

All the gods - and there are dozens if not hundreds in my world - set aside their differences to end his parade of slaughter, for as much as he delighted in the destruction he caused, everything else under his grip either died or went mad, if it still existed at all.

They could not kill him. Even with all their power, all they could do was seal him away!

And to this day, he is known not only as the Elder Eye, but as Tharizdun the Chained God, lord of entropy, god of madness.

I have become aware, in my years of life, of cults that sought to free him. And no doubt that he wants to be free, to unshackle himself and scourge upon all the worlds once more.

Perhaps this Arachne is different, but the similarities are alarming.

[relieable]

[maybe they're on the same page, here]

It sounds like if we set this bitch free, she'll hurt humans, and even her own kind. I'd rather not take the risk.

[whiterosefoes]

I might know of a being like that too.... The one I eradicated after Rosenkreuz awoke it from its seal, that is.

That may be where I'm at. But from the sound of things, these exist all over the multiverse. There's always another one waiting to take its place.

Arrival

[15unknowns]

[If anyone is expecting any more answers from Shinigami, well. They are in for a shock.

With an angry SKREEEE, hundreds of bats suddenly converge on the center of the room, from the windows, from the door, from everywhere. The storm of black and fur plunges the room into darkness.

Within seconds, they all whirl around the mirror, and even as Shinigami shouts "WE ARE COMING!" the bats shatter the mirror, before finally convalescing into a single form: the Elder Steward, sans cloak, looking very angry indeed. His eyes seem to glow, and he has multiple pupils within, flitting back and forth at all of the survivors.

He doesn't say anything, save one thing.]

You are early. So.

Let us not waste any more time.

[His tone is like ice.]

[relieable]

[oh geez here it comes.

the Elder Steward's voice sends chills down his spine. Osomatsu doesn't know what to say at first. he doesn't have a podium to hide behind WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PUPILS]

.........Y-yeah. Why don't you tell us what you're planning on doing?

[stalling]

[yonosoymaria]

[The mirror is broken and Aeon is laughing. He never laughed. Perhaps he isn't real either. Perhaps the mirror wasn't. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. To hell with perhaps.]

And what are we meant to be doing, sir?

[joinhands]

Mosquito! There's no need to be so threatening! I have a plan to rouse our Lady if you haven't managed to prepare anything!

Please... [Her voice wavering. But maybe she's just a melodramatic actress.] Please tell them about Arachne's beautiful new world! How much Arachne loves us! How she'll protect us from Shinigami's terrible world order where the sins on our souls make us a target! And from whoever sent Soul and his angel girlfriend to die, even if Shinigami didn't do that!

[15unknowns]

[Giriko is just watching the people around him start to chatter and his irritation is growing. He is, in fact, growling a little. Maybe killing off Mosquito was a bad idea.... they didn't even extract a soul from him so now what? He can't even use that to tempt Eric. Which is not to mention that now he's all alone.]

A-All right, you guys, shut the hell up! Stop wasting time! Is one of you gonna become a Kishin, or do I have to start cuttin' heads off? This is really starting to piss me off. There's no way I'm gonna let you stall until that fucker Shinigami gets here, you know!!

[necroyalty]

...how would that even work, with some of us?

[ LOOK, SHE HAS TO ASK THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND SHE'S ALSO A LICH ]

[relieable]

[okay. he's been listening to a lot of this going back and forth, but his priorities are a bit skewed. the only reason he hasn't run off yet is because he's hoping for something, any sliver...]

...I just wanna know if it's possible to bring back the people that have died already. They're able to communicate with us.

[if it isn't, he's not voting]

[yonosoymaria]

I -

[He looks at Krone, all unspoken apologies.]

What is the kishin's role?

[incendiarize]

[So, this guy sucks. Skull guy isn't all that appealing as an alternative. Arthur is very done and would very much like to spite everyone who's acting like they HAVE to choose.

He's Done, door's over there, Death is coming to sort out his own beef with Team Spider. Arthur doesn't really wanna be here when that happens.

Fuck this shit, he's out.]

????

[15unknowns]

[Nearby, just as BREW is bring collected by Osomatsu, there is a rumble.

A rumble that comes closer. There is someone coming-someone with great power, from the sea.

And then--]

FOOL!!



I am here for tea at last! I have brought crumpets!!

[. . .]

Oh! Is that BREW?

[necroyalty]

Er, yes, hello?

[relieable]

[Osomatsu stops dead in his tracks]

Ah, Excalibur.

[the weapon, huh? he doesn't know if they should give it up. he hides it behind his back for now]

You made it.

[incendiarize]

[Arthur's run has turned into cartwheeling and he's still howling with laughter. Hi Excalibur! Bye Excalibur!]