15strangers | 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

[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. ]

[sure, he'll talk to her while trying to kill Osomatsu, why not]

Too bad, Ambro! You're cute and all, but I can't do anything with ya while the world is fucked up like this!

[HM. BAD. Osomatsu is pushed back a bit, but he doesn't move yet. even as metal scrapes against metal, he's thinking about all that's happened to him up to this point. maybe he does think it's a fitting end for a clone, or maybe he just wants to help Arthur get home. out of all of them here, Arthur's innocent]

You think I'd just let you have all the fun? After everything you've done? Maybe I just wanna kill someone, too.

Hell yeah! Now my engine's running!

[Eventually gravity has to factor in, so he lands and swings a kick to his stomach, trying to slice it up.]

[yikes! he jumps back, though not before getting his jacket sliced in the process]

I'd rather not get your engine running!

[he may need some help!]

Even so, I suppose you're the best offense we have!

[Harriet pulls out her white rose cards and activates. Now Osomatsu has a barrier that will last ten minutes. Have fun!]

You will not trifle with my friends any further-

[ Are they friends? is anyone friends anymore? She's not sure, that just sorta came out, but she mutters another incantation, and...

Giriko, make a Constitution saving throw. ]

[Giriko is now a Kogiriko.]

... Fuckin' seriously?

[Well, this sure makes it harder to flying kick people. He shifts tactics, summoning his chains around him and scooting away a bit on his saw feet. He needs to re-assess, what the fuck.]

Edited 2019-05-26 03:22 (UTC)

[awww look at the little Giriko...

and look at Osomatsu who now has a barrier. thanks, Harriet!

he starts chasing him with his bladed arms]

Come back, little guy! I just wanna talk!

So much for picking on someone your own size, ya jackass!!

[how long is this supposed to last!?]

[He'd turned to meet Giriko, but chainsaws are new to him and there's little he can do other than stumble backward and try to not get hit. Fortunately, Osomatsu.

Arthur is on his back on the ground now, trying to gain a little distance. His weapon form is useless in combat, it's true. So he's got to get away, or get a better position.]

Yeah, you gave two, but I'm taking a third.

[He feels like he's glowing. He should be scared, but he isn't, he's just - shining. He grins wild. Screw all of this. Krone told him to choose to keep living.

Hell yeah he's gonna do that.]

[KRONE IS APPARENTLY JUST WATCHING ALL THIS? WITH A BLANK SMILE ON HER FACE? ALMOST LIKE POST-THANATOS GOLEM KRONE?????????????

IS SHE WAITING FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT TO HELP GIRIKO???? OR IS SHE ACTUALLY CHEERING ARTHUR ON IN HER HEART??? WHO KNOWS]

[well let's put this to the test shall we]

Oi, Krone!! Are you just gonna stand there!?

[he could shift into chainsaw form if he had a meister, he figures being shrunk would just make his big ol chainsaw form a regular sized chainsaw......BUT the rest of them are traitors, so he won't be surprised. Just checking where they stand. Can you say no to this cute face?]

[Arthur has gotten back to his feet now, still grinning like a madman. In fact, he laughs. The same kind of chuckle he'd had for Asura.]

Neener neener!

[And he is booking it away!]

I can promise... Shinigami will get... nothing. They've learned the truth about him. It's a huge victory!

You taught me that history can change, Giriko. Showed me Isabella suffering. I'll never forget what you've done for me...

[Then she's decaptchalogued an axe and is just plain swinging down at his little head repeatedly.]

...and I'm sure you'll see our lady again in hell!

[he stops running and just. stares.

holy shit?]

[HE GRINS BRIGHTER!!]

Pain Formula!! [And he howls with laughter as he runs.]

[ She's so, so proud of you, Krone. ]

You're cute and all, Giriko, [ a wry smile ] but I believe we'll see ourselves out.

Aaaagh-

[There's an axe in his face. Again and again. It's full of Krone's wavelength too, and it's in a place where his chains weren't protecting. He always transfers his soul after they've grown, he hasn't been this small in hundreds of years. He was careless about the height difference. About trusting people, too. Arachne told him never to do that, huh? He thought he was just preserving her research, not killing them all straight away, but perhaps he was actually a fool letting the loneliness get to him, or after Asura, looking for a place to die. He'd never admit that old bastard was right though. He asked her to do this, before.... perhaps he can muster a little belief, this time, for her art of deception. So as they chop into his face, he starts laughing too.]

Ahahaha [CHOP!] heheheh [HACK!] you fucking bitch! better not... waste it...

[Giriko, the Youngest Steward, is dead.]

[hm. you know? this is a fitting end for you, Giriko, to be killed by Krone. Osomatsu sneaks over to grab the weird cube-object from his hand. he'll take it with them since they're all getting out of the temple.

maybe they can do something with this...]

[He should be horrified, and yet -

And yet -

He's grinning to the point where it hurts his face. The shadow is grinning,

They are a monster. Eric does not care. Monsters can be the beloved of brilliant women, can't they?]

FINAL TRIAL

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject