FINAL INVESTIGATION

[strangerpeople]

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.


So welcome, Strangers, to the House of Hades.]







[Once you enter, the investigation shall begin.


Good luck.]



((OoC: And here are team assignments!))

Comments

[15unknowns]

[A slow nod.]

Yeah. Look, Akane--I didn't think I'd see you again.

[He rubs the back of his head awkwardly.]

I just wish I'd been able to say everything I'd wanted to say before...you know.

[exequte]

I knew I'd see you.

[She tries out a smile. It feels weak.]

I missed you.

[15unknowns]

[He missed her too. Even after-]

I'm sorry, Akane. I-I thought I was doing the right thing. But instead...I hurt you. We're supposed to be a team and I hurt you.

[He brings a hand to his chest.]

When I told you what happened was unforgivable...I lied. I wanted you to be safe from whatever happened to me. But I lied.

[exequte]

I wish....

I wish you'd trusted me, Aoi.

I thought....

I thought you knew me better.

[15unknowns]

[He's quiet for a moment.]






Even between the two of us, it felt like you've always carried the burden. I thought, just for once...

[exequte]

[Her eyes finally flash up at that, stricken.]

No... don't think like that.

Aoi.... Aoi, without you... I'd have died. So many times.

[15unknowns]

....Akane-

[That. Breaks it. He looks down, ghostly tears in his eyes.]

I couldn't bear watching you die again. Not again, damnit-!

[exequte]

[She flinches at that, just barely.]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I wish I could... promise....

[15unknowns]

...then I will.

You're getting out of here and I'll make sure of it no matter what.

[exequte]

[She looks at him for a moment, then nods and forces a smile.]

You too.

Y-you have....

You have Ayame to get back to, right?

[15unknowns]

...My whole family will get out. You, Ayame...Moriarty. Everyone.

[exequte]

Will you....

Will you talk to me? When you get back?

I bet I miss you. I bet she does. Stay with me, then, okay?

[15unknowns]

...Yes. I will. I'll tell you everything.

[exequte]

[She lifts a hand, a little limply, before letting it fall again.

She can't touch him, not yet, but....

She wishes.]

Good.

Don't try to push me away again, okay?

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes is hiding his legs behind Roland, but looks to Aoi, wondering if he got the letter Hermes wrote to him.]

[15unknowns]

[Yeah, this is all awkward.]

Hey, Hermes.

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes nervously fidgets.]

Um, hi...

...Did you... Did Charon give you the status update I wrote to you...?

[15unknowns]

...Yeah.

Look, I thought I was doing the right thing. But don't think for one minute we're not going to figure out how to help you regardless, got it?

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes looks at the ground as he idly scratches at it.]

Yeah... That's what everyone else keeps saying.

[He's still not 100% used to everyone being so nice to and caring about him so much.]

[15unknowns]

I kind of wish I had my bookmark, but. Hope, Faith, Love, and Luck. An old friend once said if you remember the first three things, the fourth one comes naturally.

[He looks away at this.]

It may sound corny, but considering you got out and found us, maybe there's something to it.

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes may look a little overwhelmed right now, but still...]

...Thank you...

[autonomousthought]

[...Aoi.

Ritsu looks away. She won't interrupt or draw attention to herself. There is no time to unpack all of this.

Better to leave it be in silence, for now.]