15strangers | FINAL TRIAL

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FINAL TRIAL

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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!!

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

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

The list of potentials the old fart (rest in pieces) made is about how close you all are to becoming one. You'd have to eat a lot of the innocent souls to do it yourself, though... I could use BREW to take care of the rest.

[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]

NO IT GODDAMN ISN'T! STOP ASKING, YOU'RE FUCKIN' PATHETIC.

[says the guy who is doing all this to revive someone else from the dead but look, she is a super powerful witch who Prepared For This.]

........

RING RING.

[he acts like he's on the phone]

MMMMyeeeees, I'd like to introduce the pot to this kettle.

[he just flips him off]

If there's a means of bringing us back to our worlds, such a thing can be arranged.

[ She's gonna bring out the diamonds for Franciscus okay. ]

[he didn't want to ask her but...]

Back in the other, uh. Game I was in, it was a possibility. I just wanted to check all my options before I decide what to do. If they can bring their stupid Lady back, then...

...but we've gone through so much betrayal and death and consumption of innocent souls to stir Lady Arachne. And Arachnophobia has plenty of the souls you've been using to communicate with the dead.

You think there's an easier way?

I have no idea.

[he finally steps out of his circle]

But if there's no way to bring Franciscus or Akko-chan back here, then there's really no reason for me to stay. So, have fun. Revive your Lady. I hope she brings you everything you hoped she would.

I -

[He looks at Krone, all unspoken apologies.]

What is the kishin's role?

[He's really serious about this. Giriko straightens up, talking with his hands for emphasis.]

A kishin is a god of madness. Your madness will reach out and infect the world, and in return, you'd understand your madness, and fuckin' own it. You'll be more powerful than you can imagine if your madness becomes your truth.

Most importantly, Arachne is a witch. Her soul thrives on this stuff. Shinigami's order has silenced this world for too god damn long.... if we want her to wake up, we have to make some noise!!

[Eric stares at him, incomprehension slowly turning to disgust, to disbelief, to despair, to the sort of horror where all one can do is laugh.]

You think it was power I wanted? You're eleven years too LATE!

You think I wanted any of this shit!? This fucked up future? Fine! If you don't want the power, then make someone else do it!

Or are you going back on your word?

Did I ever even give you my word? Did I say I'd do anything without seeing results first, like a good son of a man of science?!

[The strings will snap soon. The neck will snap. The player will trample the cello and that will be that, he will be as the instrument he and Krone danced upon, it will be glorious and he will have died to serve no purpose but his own.]

"Let nations arbitrate their future troubles, it's time to put the sword and gun away - " I should have remembered the other things Johnny and I spoke of. I should have remembered how things were before I damned him! I should have listened when he said to refuse a battle that had no purpose was a true man's position!

You already know the purpose, god damn it! If Arachne doesn't live, that fucking asshole gets to have everything! This world will be... just like she said it would be... agghh... I seriously can't stand it... all of you turning your back on her... when it's because she made you that he killed her! Where the fuck does that leave me? Now that you know the truth, you're just going to leave?! Are you that afraid of the madness?!

I don't know what I am anymore. Am I a man, or am I the crocodile?

[His shadow has teeth.]

[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.]

And where the fuck do you think YOU'RE going? Swimming?

Sure, sounds like more fun than sticking around here.

[and there it goes. The last of Giriko's patience.]

Don't you people fucking GET IT? You're either with us or you're against us!!

[Saws appear on his feet and start revving as he intercepts his path as though he's on motorized roller blades.]

Then again, I already know where you stand. Fuck it! I gave you two options. TWO.

[He suddenly jumps up, aiming a kick down at Arthur's neck with the sawblades.]

[well, Osomatsu's been waiting to get at Giriko for a while now. so when the Younger Steward jumps up, Osomatsu rushes forward, bringing up his arms that are covered in those small blades. probably won't help much against a saw but he can buy Arthur a little time]

Hey, man. Why don't you stop picking on kids and get at someone who can at least fight back.

[does he... have a death wish???]

[The sawblades shift chaotically against Osomatsu's scythe blades, unleashing a wild burst of sparks.]

Giving yourself a lot of credit, ain't ya!?

[She clicks her tongue and takes a disappointed, disapproving tone. ]

I actually liked you a little.

[Sorry Giriko, trying to hurt her fellow captives and especially a child ain't going over well. ]

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