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]

That's how the world works. And that's how Shinigami's world works. He was astoundingly clear about this, actually. Unconditional love is an ideal that only gets achieved in some privileged environments.

[relieable]

If that's how the world works, no matter who we choose, then why side with someone who kidnapped us and forced us to all kill each other? Why side with someone who wants to plunge the world into madness?

[15unknowns]

You didn't listen to a goddamn word we talked about, did you?

[relieable]

[a hiss]

Excuse me for not wanting to listen to the people who fucking took me from my home and warped my memories without my permission.

[15unknowns]

And that's meaningless trash from someone who never had a home to begin with, like you.

We gave you a home, you just had to learn the rules. I know that's hard since you're used to doing fucking nothing.

[relieable]

[oof. hit him right where it hurts. it's like he was punched, his breath knocked out of him for a second]

...I do have a home. Maybe it's not real by your standards. But there are people there who care about me!

What do you got, huh? You've been around for all these years. And you're just wallowing in your own shit, crying over some Lady who probably doesn't care about you half as much as you care about her!

[15unknowns]

Those are Shinigami's LIES. Our Lady Arachne is a mother to all weapons.

And I'm the one who planned all of this!

[relieable]

[he wants to attack. this guy? he was the ringleader the whole time? Osomatsu wonders if it's true. blades begin popping out of his arms]

If that's the case... then you're the one to blame for all those deaths.

[15unknowns]

[chains start materializing around his body in response.]

You think a fatass couch dweller like you stands a chance against me? Then let's have some fuckin' fun!

[relieable]

[he sees red. Osomatsu's been saving up all his anger, all his hatred for this Lady Arachne. who's side should he be on? he doesn't know. hearing about Shinigami's schools is pretty bad, too. but his focus is on those that have died already. mostly Franciscus, but Akko, too, and Zelda.

he probably will die today, but that is preferable to living in a world where others may have a hold of him. Osomatsu doesn't want to bow down to anyone.

he's about to rush forward when the Older Steward grabs his attention. ah, are those two going to duke it out, then? also preferable]

[joinhands]

First of all, you have to realize according to Shinigami I'm particularly vulnerable in his world, where to Arachne I'm her most loyal new follower. Of course, that only covers my own case.

Because Shinigami tides us over with platitudes and principles, but Arachne keeps her promises and gives real gifts. She was going to help Giriko stay alive for eight hundred years. Why do that if she didn't love and reward him? She's even got a brainwashing machine - why not use it on someone new?

[relieable]

[um. yikes]

I dunno about you, but I don't wanna be brainwashed!

[joinhands]

You saw "no level", didn't you? ["Idiot"...]

It's cooperate with the murderers or be murdered! I've never had a choice before in my life, why is it going to conveniently change now! If Shinigami really represents the peaceful world I've always dreamed of, I want proof!

CW: discussion of abuse power dynamics or...something

[necroyalty]

This is not to excuse Shinigami's behavior, Krone, but... I'm not so sure I want to place my trust in someone who's tampered with our memories, without our knowledge or consent.

[ JUST SAYIN'. She doesn't trust Shinigami, but she trusts Arachne even less.

Also as a parent she's got a lot to say about that "conditional love" bit but. That's another day.

There's audible worry and even a bit of panic in her voice, as if she knows Krone's in deep and she wants her to be safe and not deal with any of this bullshit... but she's not sure how. ]

I told you once before about my knight. How his "love" bordered on obsession. How I live my days at home in fear.

I'm not going to make your decisions for you, Krone, but I fear what may happen to you if you ever decide to leave the Lady's embrace.

Contd abuse

[joinhands]

Didn't your knight... Break his vows?

Isn't that what Shinigami does in the future, when he sends Soul and his girlfriend into the past, the way his current self says he never would?

[But it's different from her matter of fact insistence towards Osomatsu. Krone's eyes are more searching and desperate.]

You... You wouldn't have to trust Arachnophobia much longer, right? Soon you can go home to your family...! And be the type of person I wish the mother who raised me had been...!!!

[necroyalty]

My concern is that I have little reason to trust either of them. I'd sooner claw my own way back.

[joinhands]

[Intently listening...]

With what?

[:')]

[necroyalty]

I told Harriet as much, but if we have a means of restoring our power, that puts us that much closer to leaving this mess behind.

I didn't spend twenty-eight years of my life studying magic for nothing.

[joinhands]

...

You did speak to Soul with your own book...

[necroyalty]

It's not up to me what you choose to do now.

But I'd rather place trust in myself than in our captors or their adversaries.

[incendiarize]

I've been in your lady's head, you know... I don't like what I found in there. I guess I can show you, if you'd be okay with experiencing her death.

I'm not gonna tell you your choice is wrong or whatever, but it'd be wrong for me. Up until today I thought choosing at all was bullshit.

[But even without siding with Krone, Arthur won't betray her by sharing his glimpse into her past, or by revealing Eric's role in Asura's death.]

[joinhands]

For a long time... I thought I was making choices.

But maybe survival isn't really a choice.

I want you... to make the choice where you can keep on living, Arthur.