WEEK 6 TRIAL

[foundationmods]

It was noon on Saturday.

No matter where they were, no matter what they were doing...the moment the chimes rang out through the hall, they felt a change.

The world...began to expand, as they felt themselves leaving the world they were on, and towards another, much larger world...🗈

...As always, the courtroom was there - along with the audience, watching, waiting for the entertainment before them.

The Witch - Nirrti - was there, sitting in the most important place, watching all of them with a sharp, cruel gaze, the smile on her face bright once again.

Watanuki was also there, but he merely lounged in the back behind them, smoking a kiseru pipe in silence.
...It seemed as if he was content to watch - that he had to watch - as part of the rules of the game.

There was no music to be heard, but... perhaps on another plane, in another place, someone else heard music as they gazed upon the proceedings.

Again, their forms had changed - perhaps into something different than last time, but...still a change, no matter how dramatic or inconsequential it was.

...There was a deep silence in the room, one that no one wanted to break. It was the faint tension in the air, like the moments before a race or a competition begins.

...There was so few of them now.
All of them...were now alone, having to come to this conclusion themselves.
Yet, they had to find the truth.
Why did three people die?
Who did this?
The answer...stretched on ahead...

Comments

[excavated]

[ Tsubasa manages to say something back once he's freaking out a little less: ] Just wait a little while longer, Kurama-san. We'll find a way to get you guys back. I promise. "Everything will surely be alright."

[byanyother_name]

I believe in you. I hope you won't think too unkindly of me for my choices.

Before I go, there's one last thing. There's no point keeping the secrets of the dead when the living might need them.

Emi killed Erika.

[excavated]

No.

You did what you had to for what you believed in, even if it meant that any of us would possibly hate you. And... thank you.

[byanyother_name]

Thank you. I know you'll do your best, my friend.

[excavated]

. . . . I didn't do anything, but. We'll try our best. We have to.

[byanyother_name]

Knowing I can still call you a friend is enough to be grateful for.

[excavated]

Of course. You taught me a lot of things, and I appreciate it a lot. I won't forget what you did. I promise.

[aleph_armed]

[...Well then.]

[goldenmaniac]

... shit.

[goldenmaniac]

...so, it WAS you...

[He can't decide if he WANTS him to remember Caim, or if he doesn't so he won't know how much overthinking he did]

[excavated]

[ There's no verbal response, but instead he just... smiles. ]

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard gives Tsubasa a sad, brief glance, like maybe he feels he doesn't deserve it.]

[excavated]

[ He sees that glance, but there's a flash of guilt in Tsubasa's own eyes before he says something. ]

You did what you had because of what you believed in, even if you wound up facing the consequences for it. I hope... your choice was the right one, for bringing Holmes-san back.

[cryosurgeon]

I had to... I....

[He has to fight back a fresh wave of tears.]

[excavated]

You truly cared about him, didn't you? I'm sorry it had to be this way.

[cryosurgeon]

... just make it right, please. End this nightmare for all of us.

Including Nirrti.

[excavated]

Of course. You said it yourself, didn't you? That you believed that anyone can change if they're forgiven for their mistakes? I think the same way, too. Emotions might be difficult, but they're always worth the risk.

[cryosurgeon]

I believe you. I really do, now.

I hope we can still be friends when this is all over.

[excavated]

Of course. If you'd really want to be friends with me... then, yes. I would.

[cryosurgeon]

I'm tired of being alone. I think... maybe here, I've found a family.

[excavated]

I'm glad that you could find something like that, Erhard-san. Really.