![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fifth trial
FIFTH TRIAL
Saturday, Week 5
UNCOVER THE GUILTY PARTY
Yesterday's events were quite shocking. None of you expected to find two victims, much less two who were so young and full of life. But, as always, there's a silver lining here. Their lives bought you release from the motive, and isn't that worth something? After all, it would be a lie to say that this thought hasn't passed through anyone's mind. But would it be right to thank whoever was involved for what they did? For some of you, the idea isn't all that outlandish.
Any further deliberations regarding whether or not the act was truly just will need to wait until later. For now, you have a trial to attend.
Once thirteen of you gather in the Great Hall, the large doors slam right open and prompt everyone to ascend the stairs into the trial room.
As those present takes their seats, it becomes apparent just how many lives have been lost over the course of this game. Half of the seats are now empty, which is staggering given how many of you there were when the challenge began. Beyond the room and the current occupants are the profiles lining the walls. They're hard to miss at this point, for obvious reasons.
The Sage's steady voice slips in through the pendants as soon as everyone's settled.
"It is time, my warriors, to meet the challenge head on. You have all managed to come this far and so I expect you to perform as admirably as you have in the past. How may vary, but every individual here is important and brings their own unique touch to these trials. ... Normally, that is. To my dismay, a number of you will be temporarily incapable of taking part in this challenge.
Let us hope this is a trend that does not continue into future weeks. That said... May all who remain be blessed with only the best of fortune. You will need it."
As soon as the Sage finishes speaking, five images flicker into sight as if brought to life by a projector. Seeing how there's no such device present, it may not be a stretch to consider magic is at work here.
15 REMAIN
no subject
But I find everything they've said hard to believe without proof, down to the corruption. Seems more like the Sage could be the source of it than anything else.
no subject
[It's already set up like all the deaths were blood sacrifices anyways, so.]
I asked the Teishu about the motive myself, and the whole thing about erasing people was just something he theorized to be true. So you're right that it's fucking idiotic to just take these things at face value.
no subject
Last week's motive I could believe. If he can pull us here, it would make sense he could send us back and have our loved ones take our place. But this week's motive? I refuse to believe he has that much power.