WEEK 3 - NIGHTSHADE

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Finally, the whole truth of this affair had come out.

The Witch they had known as Yuuko was actually Nirrti, the Witch of Misfortune.
And Watanuki was actually the real Witch of Dimensions, as the two of them fought over the power that title brought, as well as the name and identity of a long dead woman...🗈

Though things had finally changed, perhaps it wouldn't be for the better. Nirrti herself seemed much different than how she was before, and Watanuki was the one who had brought all of them here...with that in mind, it was hard to tell how their future would shake out...

However, it wasn't all bad. A few more places were open to them, the second floor becoming a much more inviting place to be, and there was still everything they had gotten used to before. And now, they all knew that Nirrti's promises were nothing but empty air...

...or, perhaps, now they would merely change.

MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

CALENDAR | LOCATIONS | PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS | NIRRTI PC POST | WATANUKI PC POST

Comments

[foundationmods]

[Interestingly, his forehead does feel hot to the touch, like he has a fever. But that's not the only thing that Erhard will pick up on here, because as soon as he touches Watanuki's forehead, the whole room goes dark. And not just in the 'lights went out' way, it's like Erhard is pulled out of the world entirely, not unlike what happened at the last trial.

Also, Watanuki is no longer unconscious and laying down, but is standing up near Erhard. He's not looking at Erhard, though, and is instead watching a flickering black flame, one which he is holding in his hands carefully. It's definitely Nirrti's flames, but...why does Watanuki have it?]

[cryosurgeon]

[Oh god, he's way out of his element here. Is this a vision, a dream, or is this really happening? He's almost afraid to speak or touch Watanuki, but he needs answers.

So he rests a hand on the witch's shoulder, watching that black flame with no small measure of trepidation.]

Watanuki, why do you have that? What's going on?

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[His hand sits there, and he can feel Watanuki right there. It's like he's solid!

Watanuki doesn't look back to Erhard, but he does answer.]

"...it has to be contained. She's not here to hold its power. If it's left out like this, it will burn out of control. So it has to be contained."

[cryosurgeon]

Contained? An SCP?

[No, he's thinking too much like a scientist. But isn't magic just science that can't be explained yet?]

Is this the present? Is this happening right now, or is this a memory?

[Because if it's the present and it's actually happening, can Erhard help somehow?]

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"Like that, yes. But..."

[There is a sense of hesitation to Watanuki's voice, like he is afraid if what is about to happen.]

"...the Foundation can't help. This is something only I can do."

[Erhard cannot help at this exact moment, unfortunately. All he can do is watch while Watanuki lifts his hands to his mouth and drinks down the black flames.]

[cryosurgeon]

No, don't!

[Erhard tries to grab Watanuki's wrists but it's too late.]

What have you done?! What's going to happen to you now?!

[foundationmods]

[Too late, he has consumed the flames. Or...perhaps they're consuming him? Because within seconds of drinking those flames, a shudder runs through his body and he lists weakly to one side. In fact, Erhard holding his wrists is probably the only thing keeping him upright at the moment. And as Erhard holds onto him, he'll find Watanuki's skin to be cold and clammy to the touch.

His breathing is labored, and he's going pale. But he's still awake, and after a few moments, he finally manages a smile before speaking weakly.]

"I'm fine, see? I'm still here. I can contain it."

[cryosurgeon]

You're an idiot. Look at you, you can barely stand, you're tachypneic and struggling, your color is awful. Why would you taint yourself with that power?

[He shifts to support Watanuki more carefully, his brows pinched in a frown.]

If that black fire takes you over, we'll have no one on our side here. We'll all end up dead or Nirrti's slaves. Why didn't you give it to someone else?

[foundationmods]

[Watanuki listens to Erhard's words, but there's a sense of distance to it all. Like he's there, but his mind is wandering. He's distracted, but his focus comes back soon enough, as he chuckles darkly at Erhard's worries.]

"The game has already ended in her defeat, and my victory."

[That's when Erhard will be able to hear it. Countless screams from an uncountable number of sources. Anguish. Pain. Suffering. All brought on by the Misfortune of crossing the wrong person.

He perceives it all at once. An untold number of days, countless visitors who ask Watanuki for his help. He greets them all with a smile, but as their wishes are twisted into anguish, so too does his smile twist into something more sinister. Time and time again he takes delight in the suffering of others, an endless future of pain laid out in front of Erhard, stemming from the man he's currently holding onto. Those black flames are oppressive now, scarring the land of countless worlds in a combination of two forms of magic that never should have met.

And standing above the ashes is that familiar face, still smiling that twisted smile.]

"You were right, Nirrti...bringing misfortune is fun."

[There is no more Nirrti, no more Kimihiro. All that remains is Watanuki, Witch of Dimensions and Misfortune.]



[Abruptly, Erhard will find himself back in the sitting room, his hand still resting on Watanuki's forehead. Was it all a dream...?]

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard jerks away from Watanuki, staring down at the witch's sleeping face with numb horror twisting his expression. Is it a premonition, or has this already happened? Can they trust Watanuki, or is he lying to them? God, that tiny flame beckoned the wrong person, why couldn't it have been Syaoran or someone who understands these sorts of things?

All he can do is tell the others. Hopefully it's not close to midnight yet, they need to hear this now.

Erhard stumbles to his feet and races from the sitting room, calling for everyone in a frantic, loud voice they've never heard him use before. He sounds scared.

And then midnight hits.]

Everyone, co--

[His eyes flutter closed and he drops like a rock, his momentum making him slide along the floor for a few feet. He's out like a light.]