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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
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Mako, what happened? This could be nothing, so please defend yourself, we could be wrong...
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[he repeats more firmly now, stealing his voice. He opens his eyes to stare at them all.
He'd been trying to give himself away. But, he didn't even need to try anymore.]
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So is that what happened? Miyamura attacked you and you killed him? Give us the full story here.
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Yes.
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But Miyamura was surprised-- I don't think Jin was supposed to be there.
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[cool indignance tiki the fuck do you intend to do here]
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[She starts forward, and she'll even reach for her if she's close enough, but there's nothing to really say.]
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I can't vote for him—I can't, I won't, he hasn't done anything wrong!
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[It's a quiet counterpoint to Tiki's anger.]
And at the end, you can decide for whom you wish to vote.
[She wonders, in a numb sort of way, what happens if all the votes are evenly scattered. What if they were to have a tie? But no, likely simply both people would be killed then; that seems the Sage's way.]
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[She's devolving from screaming anger to shaky tears real fast, though.]
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[Kizakura hides his eyes with his hat]
Don't worry about me. Just...do it if you want. For Mako-kun's sake, and for your sake.
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[But... for Mako's sake—if it's for him, if that's what has to be done...]
...I'm...sorry, Kiki...
[did i mention kizakura too gets a shitty nickname, because]
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[But life is unfair. Life is horribly, terribly unfair, and innocents die all the time. Rosalind isn't going to cry, but she looks faintly sickened.]
Vote for someone else. Someone who has no chance of being voted on.
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Hey, it'll be alright.
Maybe we'll meet again in the next life.
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[If Mako can't fight back, either, there's nothing to be done, is there?
Tiki's voice shakes and falters; she's started to tear up.]
I've heard that dead souls get to become stars. But— [a sniffle, a realization] —we'll both have thousands of years to wait.
[It could be comforting, the idea that she might see him again, if she could even grasp the time left in her own lifespan.]
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[he pauses, and then crouches down to put his hand on her shoulder.]
Also, I hope you know that you're doing plenty. Regardless of what happens.
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[But what he says next, when he comes down to her level and puts his hand on her—that gets the crying started in earnest, and she flings her arms around his neck and clings to him in the tightest hug she can muster.]
Oh, Makky, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...
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Death really is coming for him.
At least he got to meet a dragon? and they were friends? They ate terrible candies and talked and... He should be the one sorry, he shouldn't have been out that late. Should have held on.]
Hey, hey. Don't apologize. I chose this.