15strangers | FINAL INVESTIGATION

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!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ....Oops.]

Ah...Well, I...may have, just an itty, bitty tiny little bit...broken my left arm. during the fighting.

DADDY!!

[She is now full of distressed fluttering because she does not know what she can do for that when she cannot touch him somebody help]

I-It's fine, I assure you! The pain has already lessened, and I believe my injuries are slowly recovering!

[He's not lying, either, though rn he just doesn't want her to get so distressed another fever pops up.]

I will be fine, I've had far worse before! You needn't worry in the slightest!

You have to be more careful with yourself!!!!

[FRET FRET FRET]

I could say the same with you, my dear!

[HE'LL FRET RIGHT BACK AT HER, DAMMIT]

I've been ever so worried! Now that we're back together again, I promise I will take better care of you, even if I cannot hold you in my arms once more at the moment! I won't leave a single thing out or withhold anything if it will help you!

[She stares at him for a moment, her eyes perhaps overbright, then nods her head and steps close, and "hugs" him as best she can, holding the air in the general vicinity of his chill, leaning towards him slightly because she can't lean against him.]

I missed you, Daddy.

[Oh - damn his form at the moment, keeping him from what he so wishes. Still, he can feel her warmth, as his own eyes in the shadow close.]

And I you, my Akane. Always.

[His cape billows a bit towards her, almost as if to envelop her - even if it can't.]

I was so very lonely without you, you know? Of course I missed everyone else, but...as much as I was glad you were not with me among the dead, I also couldn't help but feel that selfish desire to have you near me.

...

This time, I will not let anything separate us again.

I do know.

There were other people there, but... I was lonely without you too.

I wished.... I wished I hadn't had to kill you. Especially.... not like that.

[There's a moment - a sharp intake of air - before he nods, softly.]

I...also, wished I had made better choices, so that you hadn't had to do such a thing.

Perhaps in one of the loops, I stayed with you until the end. Would that Moriarty be a better father to you, I wonder?

Maybe you did.

But... I don't think so.

...Truly?

[There's a hint of vulnerability in his voice, as he says that and opens his eyes to look at her.]

[She looks at his dark shadowstuff face and smiles, just a little.]

Yes, Daddy.

[There's a pause, before his head moves, and she feels something softly, sweetly cold on her forehead.]

Ah, my. What is it that I've done to deserve such a darling daughter?

No matter how this ends, I feel blessed to have been able to meet you, my Akane.

I don't know.

Maybe it was the same thing I did... to deserve a daddy who cares about me so much, and who does so much for me.

But I'm more selfish than you, Daddy. I want a happy ending.

I want you to be able to come home with me.

[There's a pause, before....

Is that genuine sniffles?]

I....I would ask for nothing more...! S-Should I truly be so blessed, as a villain...?!

[Yeah, his voice even sounds choked up. Dang.]

You're not a villain, Daddy.

Not if that's not what you choose.

And I believe in you.

Ah...

[There's a little laugh, though he seems to master himself after a moment.]

Yes, of course. I just...am not used to being able to choose, I suppose.

[She just pulls back, very slightly, enough to regard him, and so that he can properly regard her, and there's nothing in her expression but serene confidence and self assurance.

He can now. She knows it.]

[Oh, That...

Though he can't make much facial expression - can't even touch her - he still brushes her cheek with that chill, the two bright spots of his eyes closing yet again.]

My dear, dear Akane.

[The chilly touch extends lightly to her hair, before he gives a soft sigh. Still thwarted in showing the true depths of his affection and gratitude, for the moment...

...but the meaning is still there.]

[She sighs, softly, and leans back against that chill, lightly, and wishes badly that there were something to lean against, wishes that she could touch him, even if he wasn't in his normal body.]

Miss you still, Daddy.

[Her voice is quiet.]

But I'm glad to even have this, for now.

FINAL INVESTIGATION

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