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15strangers2023-07-20 09:54 am
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2023-07-20 09:54 am
FINAL INVESTIGATION
[Fifteen X-Passes. Six weeks. Freedom at last.
But it's not the end. Of course it's not. There are questions to answer, and souls to save. And now that the group is outside, they can see where they are.
They are inside a massive cavern, illuminated in an eerie green light, standing on a stone path. On one side is the ship-or rather, a massive, ship-shaped tangle of bloody branches, the trunk-like roots snaking out and into the river its buoyed on, as well as into the ceiling of stalactites. Said river is wine dark, but it's clearly not water. No-it is blood.
And on the other side of their little pathway? A root-encrusted palace. It sits over a labyrinthine city, bathed in emerald, and all is eerily silent save for some sounds coming from within the castle. It's clear the infestation somehow started here. And it is here that answers are likely to be found.
The doors are right in front of the group-and they are already open, covered in branches. From the outside, it seems little more than a ruin. Once everyone goes in, though?
It's even worse. The tree has taken over. Whatever lives here is no longer in charge. There's no easy way to disentangle the Qilphoth from this place. But there is life here, somehow. You can see figures entangled within the roots as you explore. And-they are still, somehow, alive. More than alive. They are beings that bleed ichor instead of blood-beings of incredible divinity and power. They are gods. And they are hostage to the tree, forever and ever, trapped in induced ennui, unless something is done.
[Once you enter, the investigation shall begin.
Good luck.]
((OoC: And here are team assignments!))
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They have a spiky head and a cloak that seems to whoosh in an invisible breeze. Their eyes set on the living and the dead]
...Interesting.
Welp, we're out. Nice digs.
[And here comes a dirty red robe that somehow smells faintly of pizza. Trying to sling their...blobbiness on the blue shade's shoulder.
The blue shade deftly avoids it.]
Ruined by a weed. A pity.
Yeah, yeah, don't be chummy with me, I get it.
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[ Just going by the color associations hes heard about from both Alastor and Nero.
He's got a pleasant smile on his face all the same as he approaches. ]
It's nice to actually meet you and see you two are doing alright.
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We don't have flesh.
Besides the point! Takes more than death to keep us down, eh, Verge?
...Something like that, I suppose. You are?...
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My name is Roland Fortis! I'd offer to shake hands as a courtesy but you both are currently intangible at the moment.
[ There's a moment if he wonders if either of them would recognize his name. Mostly in wondering if his last letter had made it here or not. ]
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That one is Dante.
I'm the cooler brother.
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...Have you ever heard of it?
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Nope, can't say I have.
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[ Oh he's mildly amused at all this, though after a second he turns to look over at Vergil. ]
Ah! Vergil! I wanted to let you know I did run into your son, Nero. He's still on the ship, but we intend to see he's freed by the end of this.
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...My. What.
[He stares at Jasper, looking a tad confused and a bit suspicious.]
I don't have a son.
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[ A pause and he hummed softly. He'd seen Nero... at least the already dead version of him, and remembered the things Nero had said while he was possessing his body and didn't think that the young man would have any reason to lie about things. ]
Do you not remember him? Nero definitely referred to you as his dad, as well.
[ Then, to Dante: ]
Name two things that would make you the 'cooler' brother, at least.
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No. I don't remember anyone named Nero.
Well, first off, my clothing is cooler, second, I have the better hair-
You say he's claiming to be...my son?
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[ Roland had to wonder if it was a matter of memories or something, since he definitely had no reason to think that Nero would just make something up like that when they even looked related. ]
Yes. I very much remember him saying something like... [ Clearing his throat. ] That asshole in blue is my dad.
[ Ah. Cussing felt weird to him. Though he'll easily recover. Nobody said he couldn't address both with different matters here. ]
Better hair? That is a little debatable... but... out of the two of you... would you say you're the better fighter?
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[Alastor gives Vergil a polite nod of acknowledgement...and fixes Dante with an icy cold stare. The tip of his tail flicks, curled to the side, and somehow both pairs of wings seem to be tense.]
And Dante. Long time no see.
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And guess who's going to make it more painful for Dante.]
Alastor. How poorly you must have been treated to greet your master in such a way.
You're enjoying this, aren't you. Damnit-
[Dante clears his throat.]
Uh. Hey there, Alastor. I agree, it's...been awhile.
How ya been?
[Vergil doesn't laugh. He doesn't need to.]no subject
Oh, I've been managing. For one thing, I've still got a tangible body, not even stuck in that sword back...lemme guess, still in a dusty closet in the back of your office?
Some master, getting killed by something your servant survived.
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Yeah, yeah, rub it in. Can't even let it go after I'm dead. Argosax wasn't even that fun, you seriously didn't miss anything that time!
...You fought Argosax. That was your first mistake.
I didn't know! How was I supposed to know he'd be boring!?
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[He remembers the honor Vergil fought with on Mallet, even under Mundus' control...]
Besides, any mission would've been less boring than sitting in some makeshift armory. With Agni and Rudra, even!
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Funny you should mention my brother, actually.
[At this, Vergil's eyes flash.]
Don't.
Don't what? Tell him? Because he ought to know Argosax wasn't the only rival.
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What do you mean? Pretty sure I'd have remembered if there was a third devil fighting on that scale.
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[He goes to point a finger at Alastor. Stops. Curls his blobby shade hand into a fist.]
...I'm glad none of my other Devil Arms were there, because that son of a bitch shattered Rebellion. Rebellion, the sword that killed Mundus. Captured and enslaved Trish and Lady of all people, without breaking a sweat! He put me out for a month, Alastor!
That's never happened to me when facing any other demon. But he...he was.......
...I only managed to figure out what I could wield against him through sheer luck. Any other demon weapon outside of Yamato would have been ripped apart in seconds.
[Vergil is. Pointedly not looking at Alastor.]
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I had heard Red Grave City was destroyed by the Qliphoth. Not who cultivated it, though. Guess you're lucky Sparda doesn't seem to be conscious inside that sword of his, huh? Can't imagine he'd approve.
[And THAT blow dealt, he looks back at Dante.]
As for you...what, afraid he'd have taken control of me too, and made extra work for you? Guess I'm flattered you think I'm dangerous enough to at least be a nuisance.
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Or he'd have destroyed you like Rebellion because you weren't...useful to him, and then I'd never have gotten to have this lovely heartwarming Hallmark moment with you.
[Yes, he gets it. The irony that Alastor was somehow deemed useless, in Alastor's mind at least, by Dante, and then comparing it to Vergil-destroying what he can't use, using what he deems worthy. Worthy of hurting Dante. It's just been how they've been for most of their lives.
Even a closet is better than utter oblivion. At least a closet's cozy.]
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Can't imagine losing a weapon you never even use anymore would be a huge inconvenience, after all.
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Am I that much of a heartless bastard now, or do you think so little of yourself that you believe no one would mourn you?!
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Why would I expect to be mourned by someone who doesn't think I can do the same?!
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