THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL
(~SK. 10-11)


[Once the investigation wraps up, Zero's voice emanates once more throughout the Gigantic. The doors to the theater on both the C Deck and D Deck open as he speaks. And yes, when people come in through the C Deck Doors, they will find they can access the lower level from the stairs.

Yay?]

It is time. Come to the theater.

I wouldn't worry about bringing blankets.

[And indeed, when the Strangers come into the theater, they will find that the room is considerably warmer compared to the rest of the ship. There are also changes to the podiums-John, Anya and Kaito's places are all draped in black.

The screens schlllorrrp back in, with Zero's face appearing after a moment of static.]

Of course I am here for any questions. But I believe you know how this goes, so I suggest you begin. Justice delayed is...justice denied.

[The trial for Kaito Momota, The High King, has begun.]

Comments

QUESTIONS FOR ZERO

[15unknowns]

[exequte]

Why are you doing all of this?

Why did you bring us here?

This game... there's no point to it. All there is in it is pain. Isn't there... enough pain and death in the world already...?

[It's barely a question so much as a protest, but Akane is flushed with fever and woozy with the illness and has cried so much that she barely has any tears left anymore. She's tired, and it felt like something she should say.

Even if it's pointless. Even if everything is futile.]

[15unknowns]

Life is...unfair, Ms. Kurashiki. For everyone, I'm afraid.

[exequte]

And? That doesn't excuse going out of your way to make it worse!

[She looks up at the screen with eyes that are red and swollen, noting the change in tone, noting the slight feeling of regret. It's interesting. Maybe important. But she is so tired and drained.]

Isn't there anything to do? Anything you can do?

Innocent people already die every day. Even children. That doesn't mean... it doesn't mean you should set up more of them to die. Like... like Kaito.

[Looks like she has a few tears left after all.]

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes fidgets in place, with both his envelope on the podium and snakelike Thanatos doll wrapped around his neck.]

Sooooooo someone died. DoesThisMeanThanatosIsSafe?

[15unknowns]

They are. For now.

[somuchshipping]

[>For now.]

...

THE QUESTION

[yesorwoof]

[Makima walks in, sets aside the junk that was in the sauna, takes a deep breath, summons her sword, and points it up at the schlorpy screen.]

What are the titles, functionality examples, and full consequences (including incapacitation or death) of any and all methods that exist to restore us to the status on our abilities that, irrespective of whether our current new abilities such as "The Familiar" can be modified, is most similar to the status we had prior to whatever initiation process that resulted in a change to our preexisting abilities?

[15unknowns]

[A long pause.]

To put it as simply as possible...there is magic, Ms. Makima. A magic only certain individuals can practice. None of you are able to use these magical powers without great difficulty-certainly not the ones that could restore your powers.

I do hope that suffices.

[yesorwoof]

So "magic" is the only method. The ability is innate to these magic user, either accessible or not. And we will never enter into this state during the planned duration of your sick game on the ship. But at least there are no negative consequences to this.

I see.

[superstylishsquid]

Now I know why you were so amused last time. So, who do you want the fruit for? Yourself, or your master?

[15unknowns]

Ah, yes. The Qilphoth.

I certainly see no benefit to it, myself.

[superstylishsquid]

Does that mean you're not actually a devil, then? Just a human soul set free from the underworld?

[15unknowns]

I know certain among you would disagree that I'm not a devil.

But in the end, I'm human. And I am alive.