The Fifteen Strangers Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
strangerpeople) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
15strangers2023-07-21 10:18 pm
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2023-07-21 10:18 pm
Entry tags:
FINAL TRIAL
(1 of Hekatombaion)
[When the time comes, Charon arrives on a boat, hrrhrrhrring a little tune as he rows. No need to worry about space, even with all of the shades coming with. Fluffles, unsurprisingly, doesn't go; he does see everyone off, at least, before he falls asleep.
With a final hnnnngrrrgh, they're off. Charon is the master of the Styx, in his own way, deftly avoiding roots and branches from the Qliphoth as he guides his charges up through the layers of the underworld. From the dark and gloomy green of Tartarus, to the lava-flooded Asphodel and it's giant many-headed bone snake, sadly snarled in demonic roots (without thinking, Zack waves to it), on through the lazy rivers of Elysium, and lastly through the pitch stink of the corridors of a temple separating the underworld from the living world.
Throughout, there is eerie quiet. No shades appear to watch their procession-indeed the few wisps around seem to be fleeing, hiding. No rats try to bite Zack's face off. Aside from Lernie, there's truly nothing but tree, tree, and more tree.
Finally, though, the surface air hits, and it is...not cold, but not warm, either. Though, as everyone disembarks, that's probably not what catches everyone's attention. No-it is the barren fields of ancient Greece, just outside the entrance to the underworld-and there is only one thing alive in the area.
It is late afternoon, and the silhouette of the new moon is the only thing that emits real light now in the grey. Indeed, if there is a sun, it is blocked out by the massive, massive roots in the sky, swirling into the stratosphere. The roots in the underworld were in fact more akin to greedy branches; the roots in the sky of the world of life, however, are far more massive, and it's clear the tree is fully grown. And-if the dead grass and trees and barren lands around the Temple of Styx are any indication-it isn't simply feeding on human blood-it's affecting the life of the earth itself, greedily lapping up what it can as it further embeds itself, further spreads, further grows. Further destroys.
It won't stop. There is obsession and power, and Delta is right-it will never stop unless someone intervenes.
Wordlessly Delta points to a Spire of blood in front of them. Yup-they need to enter it to get to where they need to go. Lovely.]
Through here is the core of the tree where the fruit of the Qliphoth is being cultivated. Come.
[Well, no turning back. With luck, the Catillac has some extra towels.
So, immediately after squishing into the...blood elevator?...everyone is schllllorped on a ride akin to w water slide, going up and down, left and right, up, up, up, then down, down, down....down.......
d
o
w
n
into the depths.
And when they emerge...]
[Bright flowers grow on the vines. There is distant birdsong, and the sun shines among fat, lazy clouds. But you can see the shine of glass in the corner of your eye; the air is too perfect to breath, too cold to touch. You don't feel the grass or dirt underfoot that you can clearly see The smell of blood is everywhere.
An illusion? A dream? A delusion? Something else? Who knows. There is a patio table laid out with tea, and four seats. It's almost as if the owner simply got up and left for a moment. It's all strange, all...wrong.
Still. You're finally here. You're in the core. You freed a possible god from the grip of forced ignorance. And you have-you hope-everything you need to end this. But there is still one question:
It is time, Strangers. By the seas, the heavens and the earth, by blood and darkness, it's up to you.
Good luck.]
no subject
no subject
[He'll physically restrain Hermes if he needs to, also.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
[Something about Vergil's tone is urgent. Worried.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Evidence And Lore Pile
If there are any true names or contracts we should know of, let's get them out in the open now.
no subject
[And he also pulls out a bottle that he's been keeping safe beneath his coat.]
I also found this. I can't shake the feeling that I need to give it to someone specific.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
[sigh.]
Well, I guess. I guess that means me, doesn't it?
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
I'm not sure... what would happen to us if this kills us. I'd prefer that we didn't test it though.
Suspended around him were several Google maps printouts.
[She has brought these with her, and will show anyone who wants.]
They're of specific areas....
Zagreus might be more familiar with them than any of us, though, since it's where he remembers growing up.
Besides that, in a bedroom that Delta was in, there was a crib with a baby girl, who I assume is Ayame Tenmyouji. Apparently she's the one responsible to some extent for bringing us here. I also found the coin that trapped us here in that original coin toss. Though I guess I can't really blame it. It's a trick coin, there's only one face.
[The coin has been brought as well, and, along with the maps, is free to be examined.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
(no subject)
no subject
I also found Zack, or Zagreus, trapped in a pool of Styx water at the end of the hall leading up to Hades' desk.
And since you asked about true names or contracts, guess I should get it out of the way that that guy- [Pointing at the Dante shade!] Is my master. I used to have contracts with a good few Witches, but those all voided when the mortal sides became part of the underworld. Don't think any of them will be a problem, even with our mastermind obviously being an Umbra Witch.
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
Also in the book one of the images was torn free, though there seems to still be some left behind that I have yet to examine in full. I can also confirm anything Akane found, as I was i the room with her.
As for contracts, there is something I feel comfortable finally confessing. Though I suspect it will not be a surprise to you all. Delta and I have been allies since the start of this loop, and not simply as Fabricator and employer. He is in fact the one that caused my SHIFT into this timeline, and gave me my mission.
...though do not think we are friends in any particular way. I DID try to stab him when I first woke up. Sadly I no longer had my weapons. Oh well.
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
I'm getting a strong sense this bottle belongs to - or should go to - Zack. It almost felt like I heard something telling me to go ahead and give it to him.
[And he's not opposed, he just wants to make sure everyone agrees on this!]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
no subject
Why does it work like that.
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
[There's also the glorious statue with a rainbow glow that Kira is leaning an arm against after putting it on the weapons chariot. Feel free to ask about it, or just balk at how this weirdo keeps finding all the light bearing miracle items. It is almost like that is his fate in the game.]
no subject
'Son of the god of the dead' must mean Zagreus, though.
(no subject)
no subject
[Point. It looks like it'd look nice in his office where he presumably works, maybe.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
I found...a number of interesting things. Firstly, does anyone recognize this man?
Secondly, I think I found the Olympians...at least, most of them.
There were also weapons, which we brought along - thank you for your help, Makima-san, Kira-san. There was a modern computer I could not turn on, and some...strange pods that, according to the console, are capable of moving things between timelines.
no subject
[Who was missing, in other words...]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
no subject
That, however, was forgotten on emerging from Hades' domain. He had hoped, desperately, that this tree was smaller, contained. But no...if anything, it's even larger than the one he remembers...the one whose roots had sucked the life out of these very fields. Does he perhaps look a little pale, as he whispers an oath in Greek?
The fresh air, at least, is welcome after so long, and he aches to fly...to soar up and slice those roots to pieces. It would be satisfying, but not productive...no, if they want to stop the tree, they have to find its master. Its master who is surely at the boughs of the tree, deep, deep down. And so he enters the blood elevator without complaint, and frowns at the almost...idylic seeming scene in front of them.]
Pretty solid proof our mastermind at least used to be human, I guess.
no subject
[ Staying close and he'd probably be holding Alastor's hand if it wasn't for the whole.. being covered in blood thing. Something he's not happy about, knowing the blood wasn't going to come out of his clothes or hair so easily. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
Answers
He does look a bit nervous, though, as he speaks.]
I don't know if I can answer everything. But. I remember everything that happened to me, at least.
A bit after my mother returned, I...I had this strange idea. Not sure how in the name of Hades I thought of it, but I decided to run a "murder mystery". It. It was just like the game we went through, but we played it amongst the souls in underworld. Yes, we killed each other, and I suppose we had a few laughs, but...I stopped running it when I started getting thoughts of using living creatures for it. Besides...I had no reason to do that. And everyone was getting bored anyways, so I thought it wasn't a big deal.
[A pause. Deep breath.]
Soon after, my mother and I found something in the garden: a crying little girl and a planet seed my mother had never seen before. We adopted her and named her Eirene. We assumed she'd been sacrificed in some way, but she survived, and my mother wasn't going to kill her. She...she was my baby sister.
So...we planted the seed into a pot, and. It grew. Fast. My mother started tending to it all the time, and...I started noticing...my family was changing. They were getting tired. Caring only about the tree. It was doing something to them, and only myself, Eirene, Mother Nyx and....I think Hypnos? We were the only ones it seemed to be unable to do anything to-or...maybe it didn't care to do anything to us.
[That's because Hypnos sleeps all the time.]
You know that's besides the point, mate. But...in any case, my mother wouldn't let us near the tree, and my father was barely awake. So Mother Nyx went to see if Chaos could help, and I decided to call my relatives on Mt. Olympus. But it...it was too late. They fell under the spell of that tree, and...Mother Nyx I...think is trapped in Chaos' realm.
I...was alone. I tried to cut that damned thing down. It killed me instead. I just got back up and tried again. I'm...not sure how long we kept on like this, but...after I died that last time, I felt something cold go down my throat, and...I was on the ship next, as Zack Prince. All of my memories...they were changed or...just gone to fit this normal life I'd apparently led.
...
[He clenches his fists.]
This was all my fault. Not only did I...play that game, somehow inspired all of this...but...I couldn't stop the tree. I couldn't stop any of this. So many people have died because of me...and...I'm so sorry you all got dragged into this on account of my actions.
no subject
If anything, it sounds like some wild ESP magic stuff that bought the tree here. It isn't any of your faults. You had no idea the tree was going to do this to everyone!
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
Re: Answers
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
catherd
But it does nothing to solve the identity of our Mastermind. So I believe we should focus on that for now. I suspect the seed, and possibly the child herself, was sent back with the intent on feasting on divine blood- from what Alastor noted about Zagreus' blood before it is much more potent than a human's, and this would explain the speed at which the tree has been able to grow.
I also suspect that maybe be in part the purpose of the games- to both keep Zagreus contained since he was immune to the tree in some form and to possibly farm his blood alongside our own. But I will admit it is a theory at best.
We also know our Mastermind is a Witch, and that she was approached by the white creatures to make a contract with them and turned them down. They continue to harass her and try to tempt her captives into allying with them. They were also the ones who revived me using Kira's orb on Delta's behalf.
I believe we should focus now on how this all connects to Dante and Virgil, seeing as their family home is here, as well as.... Nero. The coin suggests the same. Any thoughts?
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
MASTERMIND... 1/2
Suddenly, the ground beneath the group begins to rumble, and suddenly, the bushes at the fence begin to slither forward with a hisssssss. They become like the vines that everyone has become accustomed to seeing on the ship, only here, they converge into one spot in front of the door, twirling and swirling and shaping itself like a cocoon.
Seconds later, the cocoon cracks, and from within, the core of the tree can be seen.]
...reveal. 2/2
The barrel of its heels slowly clack against the false dirt. Its dress flutters in the non-existent wind; the Bangle of Time glitters on its wrist. Blue eyes fix on the group, before its delicate face cooly turns to face Delta. There is a measure of darkness in its expression as it folds its arms, nose turning up ever so slightly.
Its voice is gentle, almost akin to a teacher scolding a student, as it finally speaks.]
You actually dared to defy me and brought them into my sanctuary behind my back. I'm disappointed.
[Then to the Strangers, eyes flashing.
It pointedly does not look at Dante or Vergil.]
If you plan to fight me, don't bother. I can kill you all before you even have the chance to draw your weapons or use your powers. So if you value your lives, I suggest you leave me to my work. Now.
[Because it's not simply the mastermind. It's not simply an Umbral Witch. This is the creature who was one with the tree. The one at the executions, watching, killing. Feasting. They are one and the same.
And she's asked you to leave like you just trampled on her carpets.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
vague, incomprehensible, inexplicable chainsaw man manga spoilers
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Awkward Murder Corner
I don't understand. Are we going to backstab her or not?
no subject
I don't know. That would be the logical action, I would assume, but considering how Akane-san is approaching her, I don't know if that's really the plan at all.
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
cw suicide
Re: Awkward Murder Corner
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
s t o p
[The façade falters. The words drill into the illusion and splinter like tinkling glass.
Then, two spirits speak.]
Mom?
Mother-
[She screams, her hands clawing at her head.]
NO!
N̵̯̿̈́͐O̴̮̾O̷͎̞̕̚O̴̳͒Ö̷̲̼̖O̵͉̊̆̑O̷̗͖̐͜O̴̹̐Ó̵̘̱̔̚O̵̲̍Ő̸̼͙̯͊!!!!
[Window breaking. World tumbling. The living might mind the shards as they tumble down, the idyllic scene replaced by nothing but roots and a barren boulevard of spirals and whorls. It's cold, cold, and behind her is the final branch, the branch that would bear the fruit of the Qilphoth.
It's not there. It's gone. Possibly it was eaten. Possibly it never took fruit-the round's intended bounty of blood never came, after all.
But really, it doesn't matter now as the creature collapses into brambles-and immediately, despite what she'd done and said, the shades of her two sons go to her, to try and comfort her.
She doesn't answer them. She really can't, because all she can do is cry, red tears streaming down her face as she buries herself in her claws.
Sometimes even a mother's love isn't enough to save anyone.
But at least there's a chance to help here.]
no subject
Moriarty, your portals! Get her out of the spikey branches!
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
EXECUTION: Devils Never Cry
Eva begins to glow against the new moon. It's true, the new moon is disadvantageous to an Umbra Witch. The cracks appear more prominently on her body; skin begins to flake and turn to ash.
The tree, meanwhile, starts to rumble. It seems to know its dying, Eva's will or no. Roots begin to burst through the ground, letting out screams as mosquito-like demons burst out of the dying tree, to try and stop her, Naturally, Vergil and Dante won't let that stand, but. There's a lot of them. The Strangers will need to come in to stop the horde.
Thankfully, the Strangers are not alone. Time is reversing, and from the last case to the first-
The dead are coming alive.]
no subject
[NO, YOU DON'T]
[NO, YOU FUCKING DON'T.]
[Hermes goes red and starts firing focused fireballs and firebeams at the hoard. You have angered the wrong robot. Hermes will use every ounce of fury he has.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
CW: Gore, bug eating, cannibalism if you think about it
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
cw amputation
Sweet Joy Befall Thee: EXECUTION END
One last demon tries to stop her. Tries to destroy her before she destroys it.
It doesn't get far.]
HYAAAAH!
[Maybe it's fitting that its last hope is killed by its first victim. But finally, Eva sags, her body starting to turn to dust. She falls into her sons' arms.
She closes her eyes.]
Thank you...everyone. I'm so sorry.
My sons...my family...I will never let you go again...
[Nero watches, confused, as his father and uncle hold this mystery woman tight, whispering goodbyes to her as she dissipates into dust. The ash is carried into the wind, and the bangle falls to the ground-not of the tree, but of the cold Greek countryside.
D O N G
Everyone is free.
....now what?]
no subject
[It's over. Kaito sighs.]
So, that's done...what now?
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(no subject)
...