FINAL WEEK

[strangerpeople]

FINAL WEEK

[Soon after, many of the figures lay dead. They bodies are splayed all over the stage. The female, however, seems to be gone.

Where did she go? What is she planning? It's unknown. But, soon after the Titled leave the Debate Hall, they are struck with a vivid vision. It is quick, but strong. Another dream, and this time, it is a waking dream.

Another memory. The Depths haven't been cleaned, either. The halls are silent, and no new doors seem to have opened. Yet deep down, you know. The end is near.

Its time to get ready. So, get ready, Titled.

There are seven strangers left.]

Comments

MONDAY

[strangerpeople]

TUESDAY

[strangerpeople]

WEDNESDAY

[strangerpeople]

Mee...ting? Afterparty? IDEK

[carries_war]

[Debate Hall]

[Once the last of the enemy is either dead or fled, Jr. reappears, sitting on one of the desks with his legs dangling off the side and his crossbow across his lap. He looks quite pleased with the situation as he twirls a dagger in one hand.]

I think they got our message. Everyone alright? I've still got more healing potions on me if anyone's hurt and didn't bring theirs. I don't expect them to be back in a hurry, but better safe than sorry. And as for you three...

[He hops down from the desk and approaches the nearest of the three newcomers.]

Thanks. I'm not sure I could've gotten to Killua or Futaba in time to save them, so we owe you big time.

[Second Floor Hallway]

[As soon as Jr. steps outside the debate hall, his pleased demeanor vanishes. He stands stock still, then goes pale as a sheet and stumbles back until he's leaning against the doorframe.]

N-no...it can't...that can't be...

[thiscomicsucks]

Of course. Though...I'm still wondering exactly how the hell we got here.

[He frowns.]

Also, where the rest of our group is. We were fighting the dragon and then...boom.

[carries_war]

I saw six figures and a dragon before you guys showed up...they might still be fighting it. Or they've already killed it by now. How you got here, though...damn if I know. Probably the same way your stuff kept showing up here. But since you are here, we oughta do introductions.

[He offers his hand, branded with a red '666' over a jagged scar on his palm.]

I'm Gaignun Kukai Jr. I've got the power of the Decayed, but like hell I'm identifying myself by the title they gave me.

[poorlovefool]

memory;

[When the hall grows silent, Eric seems worried about the woman's absence - takes some of Fie's dirt to fling around the room just in case, but when it reveals nothing, he simply curses and heads outside, looking like he's full of dread.

His steps slow to a halt as the image plays out in his head - his hand, with the ring, touching thick glass. It's the first memory he's had where he was actually wearing it, and on the other side, another hand reaches to touch his, the silver band on her finger identical. It's Mira's hand. (In the doorway, Eric is wide eyed, and sparkles come out without thinking.)

What happens after that is a blur, and he's confused even in his memories, but... knowing for sure where this wedding ring came from, it overwhelms him to fall on his knees. He cradles that hand in his other, bringing it to his face so it looks almost like he's curling up in a ball. Tears stream down his face.]

Oh god... Mira...

[He can't handle these overwhelming emotions, this strong love mixing with his utter terror.]


later;

[There's a lot of bodies in that chamber, and in his hands, Eric still has a knife. He's crouching down before one of them, holding it in his hands.

Gritting his teeth, he plunges it into the corpse's chest. Carving. He doesn't seem to be fully in his right mind.]

[thiscomicsucks]

You saw them?

[That...oh god.]

Yeah, that's possible, however that is. We can figure it out.

I'm Linkara.

[carries_war]

It's nice to meet you.

[As he talks, he gestures with his right hand, leaving his left planted on his hip.]

I couldn't see them in any detail, but it was enough to make out numbers. I'm guessing you've got six left?

[thiscomicsucks]

Yeah. And...well, this is about half of us here with you.

[carnageandclass]

There were six of us in the room, yes.

[The woman steps forward, her tone changing after that carnage to one of much more poise. Kinda scary huh.]

I'm Camilla and it's nice to meet you, Gaignun.

[carries_war]

I guess we'll have to add finding a way to get the other half over here to our to-do list.

Do you guys have an Intercessor too?

[carries_war]

[It might be scary, if his own tone hadn't changed from excitement to something almost eerily calm and casual for the situation.]

Call me Jr., Gaignun's my... [He pauses and glances around. Everyone from his group already knows, so...] It's what we call my brother.

[thiscomicsucks]

Yeah. Not a bad guy. Or...girl. Still not sure what they are, but they were still alive.

We should probably compare notes, see what we've figured out so far.

[carnageandclass]

[Say no more. Camilla does have a soft spot for siblings after all.]

Alright then, Jr it is.

[carries_war]

Ours is the same, they've been doing their best to make this easier for us. At this point, I consider them the same as us Titled. Most of what we've figured out...it's been because of them.

[He runs his hand through his hair and looks over at the Intercessor.]

Those bastards paralyzed them at the start of this, though...and I'm not sure they'd want to be part of the discussion, anyway. What we just found out really upset them.

[carries_war]

Thanks. It's nice to meet you.

[He offers his right hand, not seeming to care if she sees the red '666' on his palm or the jagged scar it covers.]

And thanks for saving Futaba. I don't think I could've forgiven myself if she died because of my decision.

[thiscomicsucks]

Really? What did you find out?

That moment when your phone does not send tags

[carnageandclass]

[Anyone would be curious but again, Camilla knows now is not the best time to ask. Instead, one armored hand extends and takes his in a shake.]

I have been wondering why you were invisible before. What exactly happened if you do not mind me asking?

Rood.

[carries_war]

They tried to make us vote for a guy who was forced into killing by a frenzy potion, and I'm still not even sure it was really him. I decided I'd had enough of their damn games, refused to vote, and told everyone else not to either. I figured they couldn't execute us if they couldn't see us, but they were damn fast in giving up on the vote and just trying to kill everyone.

[carries_war]

I don't want to say it out loud, in case they're listening, but...

[He walks over, retrieves Farkas' note and hands it to Linkara.]

This was addressed to our Intercessor.

Debate Hall

[defriendestration]

...ERIC? WHAT ARE YOU DOING??

Hallway

[defriendestration]

.....RU--ER, JR.?

YOU OK?.....

[carries_war]

I-I...

[The Song still echoes in his head, even though they stopped its melody hours ago, weeks ago (the memory is too vivid for weeks ago, even though he clearly remembers it being before he came here). Albedo's laughter, his mocking. 'Red will become white!' MOMO's face, as Albedo clawed his way forcibly through her databanks. The Red Dragon roaring, nearly overwhelming him in his rage. There's more to the memory, but everything before Albedo is pushed aside by the anger and horror.]

H-he's back...he made his move. My dark side...that twisted reflection, with Miltia's dirge as his herald!

[thiscomicsucks]

...Dragonbo--I've never heard of this before.

[He frowns.]

But I guess it wouldn't surprise me if it turned out the Intercessor was also a...Dragonborn. Whatever the hell that means in relation to anything. Apparently they remembered apparently being a werewolf and an arch-mage, so I guess anything's possible.