THIRD TRIAL

[bathymetric]

[ Two bodies this week. As a result, it's a little longer before Mayor Fontaine's voice calls out over the loudspeakers. ]

All right, that'll do, all of you. Get to the bathyspheres. Trial time.

[ There's fewer bathyspheres this week, aren't there? It's starting to get really noticeable. One by one, alone or in pairs, you descend into the depths. The bottom of the seafloor, a place no human life was meant to travel to unassisted. It's dark, until it isn't, the same bio-luminescent slugs as before lighting up the area and revealing the great glass dome in which the trial takes place.

Within, three more podiums have gone dark. They remain empty as you all gather around into the circle.

The projector clicks on, and you see the silhouette of Mayor Fontaine above you. ]

We all know why we're here. Florida Man and Cryptobro got themselves got. Up to you to figure out who did it, or... well, you know by now.

[ Welcome to your third trial. ]

Comments

[onemillion]

...The Great Spirit of Rena?

[Oh hey, he knows this one!! We just talked about it earlier!! Shame he didn't connect two and two way earlier but ehh these things happen.]

You... couldn't wait any longer. Is that it?

[vholran]

That's correct. I couldn't.

[ Vholran does not trust in Alphen and friends one iota.

Plus, honestly, he has to do it himself. ]

A bright one as always.

[onemillion]

So you had to act now. The motive had nothing to do with it, then? What happened last night, Vholran?

[feel free to fudge this timeline however you want for when this conversation is taking place but the idea of vholran just calmly replying while fighting half the cast is sending me.]

[vholran]

[ Yeah Vholran will be fighting at some point of this conversation, lmao...

So, this is a time! ]

The motive had nothing to do with it, in a sense. I did not desire that power.

Last night, I ventured out and caught sight of the two. Then...we fought. Hagakure ran away while I overwhelmed Jason. I stabbed him to the death.

Then I hunted down Hagakure, and finished him off. His barricade was useless.

[ ...He is at least making an effort to sort of string together events for Rossiu, at least. Even if it sounds like kind of like a very abridged version. ]

[onemillion]

[Abridged is understandable given the... everything.]

Thank you for telling me.

[It's not going to offer any solace to anyone, but knowing is important regardless.

He's quiet for a moment, considering.]

The threat that faces your world - is there anyone else who will step up to stop it?

[vholran]

[ Vholran likes Rossiu a very decent amount to try. The expression of gratitude doesn't offer solace to anybody, no, but...honestly, he is halfway between amused and a bit surprised he'd dare thank him regardless. ]

...Yes.

[ He says, through gritted teeth. So that should be a good thing, right?

No, he is far too prideful and a host of other issues for that, so he sounds particularly annoyed with a small semblance of potentially conflicted. Perhaps spiteful as well. He's a mess. ]

Rossiu, you said you would return home.

See to it that you keep your word.

[onemillion]

[He knows it isn't enough for Vholran and if anything, it's likely an insult to be reminded that someone else will handle it. But Vholran can have a little insult as a treat for what he did!!!!]

I will. I will survive and I will return to my people.

But if it's at all possible, I will find a way to check in on your world as well. No world should be destroyed.

[It's not for Vholran's sake, because it isn't truly Vholran's world if he isn't there to rule it. But honestly, what else did you expect from Rossiu at this point? He's made up his mind and he's not budging on it.]

1/2

[vholran]

[ He deserves it!! ]

...

[ Vholran doesn't think it would be, but still...he doesn't know what it is, but something like what he is saying sounds so foolish. Completely and unrepentantly foolish. ]

2/2

[vholran]

[ But, he can't help but let out one, small incredulous, yet amused laugh to escape him. He doesn't understand why. Maybe it's that stubbornness, or maybe it's because it's Rossiu. ]

...How ridiculous.

You would get along with those fools too. They would greet you well.

Alphen and his so-called friends. I despise him for getting in my way, but...if you're truly serious about it, then go ahead. Fulfill both of your promises.

[ It's said lightly, as if the tone may have when close to telling a joke, though not quite. And there is something like a fond expectation of some sort that he himself would interpret as 'don't disappoint me', if he had words for it. ]

[onemillion]

[That's... probably as close to approval as Vholran gets, particularly with a subject like this. It isn't something Rossiu needs, because he decided he was going to do this and isn't backing down, but...]

Alphen. I won't forget.

And I will. I wouldn't promise it if I wasn't certain I could accomplish it.

[Even if that means he has to figure out interdimensional travel himself!!!]