GRAVEYARD 2.0

[retellers]

GRAVEYARD Well, that sucked. But no matter what your death was like—whether it was something peaceful or traumatic, you'll find yourself waking in a completely white room on the floor. Small and empty, there isn't anything else there besides an open door to walk through. But before you do that, you'll probably notice that whatever injuries you may have had, including whatever may have been the death blow, are now gone. That's exciting. Stepping out of the room, it seems that you're in a large... house? with three different floors. Everything from floor, ceiling to furniture is completely white, except for the drawings that are plastered to the walls in each room. These are all colorful, drawn in colored pencils and crayon, and resemble a child's drawing. The other notable thing are the windows. While they're present all around the building, looking out of them only shows TV static. Besides that, everything is furnished with the absolute bare minimum of each room. The first floor is all typical common areas one would find in a house. There's a kitchen, living room area, laundry room, dining room, and a main hallway where the stairs are. There are also helpful drawings in these rooms that show the rooms much more lavishly decorated than they actually are. There's a door that appears to be the way to exit the building, it's locked. The second floor consists of nothing but twenty bedrooms. Each room has one queen sized bed, an empty dresser, and an attached bathroom with only a sink, toilet, and shower. Like the first floor, each bedroom has drawn pictures that show it looking much more lavish than it actually does. Thanks for nothing, artist! The third floor only has two rooms. One appears to be a home office with nothing but a desk and two chairs, one behind it and one in front of it. While there's blank pieces of paper and crayons on the desk, the note that was previously there is gone. The other room is much larger, and it's completely empty save for the many drawings lining its walls— in fact, the walls are covered in them, much more than in any other room. On closer inspection, though, it seems like these aren't actually drawings? The papers seem to be showing scenes from the living area. Everything from inside the hotel to the areas beyond the bridge are visible here. However, when curfew hits on Thursday nights, they revert to being normal drawings! Except for the fact that they're all drawings of stick figures being murdered in various ways. Well. At least there's plenty of things to draw with, if you get bored. Also, a handy link to the previous post.

NAVIGATION locations ₓ˚. statuses *+:｡ ic profiles :ₓo ic rules ･ﾟﾟ･｡ audience requests murder proposals ｡✧o private conversations ･ﾟo｡ curfew ･ﾟ✧ memories

Comments

[laid]

[HAHA YEAH WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS??? This building is so tall, he's never been in a building this tall, it's higher than Ghasfarost even. Myorzo doesn't count bc they're floating on a jellyfish.

But uniforms like Hikaru's, yeah? He'll just sorta drift the the nearest group that's talking and try to overhear their conversation.]

[heartablaze]

[It's a lot of girls! Mostly between the ages of 13 and 15. There's a group against the railing that are complaining about how boring of a field trip this is, uggggggh.

To the side, there's a flicker of orange light near a set of pay-to-use binoculars. As soon as Raven looks at it fully, it turns into an ethereal, ghostly form of Hikaru, leaning on the binoculars and looking over the view with her brow furrowed in pained concentration, like she can't really make out what she sees.

"God, this trip is so lame, don't you think, Hikaru???"

Hikaru doesn't answer.]

[laid]

[Yep, sounds like teenagers alright!! But the ghost Hikaru is!! weird??? So he's gonna go check that out?? He'll see if he can touch Hikaru at all, gently reaching for her shoulder??

But if that's a no go he's just gonna try to... shift over and look through the binoculars. Excuse me, ghost Hikaru.]

[heartablaze]

[He can touch her! Despite her appearance, she seems very solid! She starts a bit at the touch, recognition blossoming in her eyes.]

Oji-san... hey, I didn't know you were here, too.

Did you wanna take a look? I think I have a little more time left--

[Except, nah, there goes the little dinger and the dark flags over the visor. Hikaru's cheeks puff out in disappointment as she starts to dig through her pockets for change.

As busy as she is, she doesn't see the unrecognizable f̶̗͍͂͋͊́͜i̶̟̍̽g̸̰̲̱̞̈͝u̶̮̖̱͍̝̿̈͆r̴̘͛̈́̒͂͝ĕ̵̗̗̜̄͌͆ walk up to slip a coin into the slot with a firm clunk of metal against metal.

"There you go. That'll keep you plenty, right? My treat."

That... sounds like Claude. Doesn't it?]

[laid]

[Well that certainly isn't what he expected??? He hasn't spoken to the guy in a few weeks, but he knows that voice. And he knows he can't really be here, but;]

Claude?
[Sorry he can't pay attention to the binoculars right now he's too busy trying to fucking perceive this man who sounds like Claude?]

[heartablaze]

Huh??

[Hikaru looks up at Raven, confused, before looking back at the person in front of them. There's a flicker, that familiar mess of dark hair with a braid off one end, sunkissed skin and a lopsided smile that doesn't reach his eyes. He'll catch Raven's eye, just enough to give him a wink, before he turns around, tucking his arms behind his head as he walks off.

Hikaru doesn't seem to know quite who this is, just kind of gazing after him and looking very lost.]

...

That... was really nice of them, huh.

I should go thank them.

[laid]

[Hm. He just remembered that he hates this!! His face tightening, he just nods, and forces his usual smile back on his face.]

Sure. Hurry back.

[While she does that he's gonna look through the binoculars!! Hopefully there is a hint as to what he needs to do here.]

[heartablaze]

[She nods as she rushes off, past some lighthearted teasing from the other girls. Raven looks through the binoculars and sees

a mass of darkened land, rocks spiking like waves of the ocean, the clouds dark with piercing lightning. It's falling apart. It's all falling apart.

Maybe these binoculars are broken.]

[laid]

[HM THIS DEFINITELY DOES NOT MATCH WITH WHAT YOU CAN SEE OUT THE WINDOW? He'll look around the blasted wasteland for any signs of life until Hikaru comes back? When she does he'll dare to ask;]

Hikaru... what do ya see through these?

[heartablaze]

[Well she sure hasn't come back yet! It looks like another school came in while he was gazing out at the deep expanse of Nothing out there. It sure doesn't match what's on the binoculars, though, he is correct.

Though, huh. One of those kids in the new crowd is kind of on the shorter end, a tuft of brown hair and brown eyes with a red scarf around his neck that contrasts heavily with the school uniform he's in, talking all bravado in front of a girl a couple years older than him.

Karol sees Raven from a distance, a flicker of recognition, before it seems like Raven disappears from his view entirely. Someone sneaks up behind him and he nearly jumps five feet in the air, and several people laugh.]

[laid]

[Well so much for figuring that whole binoculars situation out?? Nothing else matters, frankly, because even though he knows deep down it can't be Karol, seeing a familiar face like that, after so long, after so much. He can't help but run over.]

Karol! Kid, is that you!?
[SIR??]

[heartablaze]

[Karol will look up with confusion, starting a bit at an adult just running up to a bunch of kids like this. Some of the girls yelp a little.

"W-whoa, whoa, uh... hey, do I know you?"

Hikaru's made it to the other side of the crowd of kids, still in pursuit of Claude.]

[laid]

[Hm. This sucks!! All of this sucks. Raven holds up his hands like, whoops, sorry!! Even if this definitely made his heart break just a little!!]

Sorry, sorry, my mistake. Ya look like someone I know-
[Even though it's clearly Karol and he's clearly confused at his name being known not at being called that... it's fine. Raven's just gonna turn on his heel and go after Hikaru and Claude, because damn maybe Claude will know them??? Please.]

[heartablaze]

[Hikaru has wormed her way through and called out for Claude, who has stopped and turned back to look at her, to glance toward Raven. Karol watches over his shoulder with a furrowed brow as Hikaru turns her head back.

There's a massive flash of light outside the observatory windows, the voice of a young girl calling for help... and all four of them are suddenly pulled down as the floor turns to liquid underneath them, swallowing them up as the crowd they leave behind murmers in awe.

Time warps. Raven will hear a conversation - Hikaru, Karol but not quite, Claude but not quite. Claude sounds much, much younger than he should.

Hey, it's not like we need to stay strangers or anything. How about some introductions? Claude von Riegan. I'm fourteen, a second year, under the sign of Sagittarius. Oh, and an A-type. Medical stuff, right?"

An exasperated sound from Karol. "What? What's that even mean? O-okay, fine. Karol Capel. Fourteen, and I'm a second year with A-type, I guess? But I'm Pisces."

Hikaru giggles.

"Well, okay!! Shidou Hikaru!! I'm fourteen years old and a second year too, guys!"

Both boys go silent, before rapidly talking over one another.

"Wh... No, hey, no way, you and I can't be the same age!"
"You, uh... ever get told you have a baby face, kid?"
"You're ten! Eleven, tops!"
"Do they give you a stool to see above everybody else? Hahaha, I'm kidding, I'm kidding."

The static clears, and the group of them are somewhere completely different - a lush forest, filled with monsters. Raven's sword is out, and he's out of breath. They all are. The boys and Hikaru are all decked out in unfamiliar armor on their chests and shoulders in gold and white, while a marshmallow version of Pikachu boings along after them, a beam of light shooting from the gem on its forehead. Karol and Hikaru excitedly bat at each other before running forward, Claude nodding to Raven to follow after them. Karol is practically crowing as he pulls ahead of Hikaru.

"Finally! Finally, the end of this stupid forest! Good, we'll get to be wizards!!"

Behind them, the marshmallow suddenly grows alarmed, the beam of light halting as it starts to emit a panicked string of "puu puu puu" sounds.]

[laid]

[Raven really would like to get off this wild ride, tbh. What is happening. Who are these people, what are these outfits? But hm. He remembers, he thinks, Hikaru telling him she went and became knights with two friends. Is this just... Are Claude and Karol standing in for them in her memories? Because surely thats what this all is. What does that make him? Why is it Karol? Hikaru doesn't even know him. He never even told her about him. Just Goat, and even then not by name. Anyway. He's just gotta live through this memory, maybe? Do what needs to be done. SOMETHINGS up, so he runs up ahead, sword at the ready.]

What's the matter?
[Right now specifically. Less than in general bc thats a lot.]

[heartablaze]

[Hikaru seems to hear it as well, slowing down.]

Eh? Mokona?

[There's an unintelligible voice, a rain of icy blades, and out in front of them, right outside the exit of their forest, Karol falls into a bloodied heap, cut to ribbons.

Hikaru screams, but she's already running for him.]

Umi! Umi, no!! Umi!

[Beyond the reach of the forest, perched up on an outcropping of stone, sits someone that Raven is far too familiar with, Alexei lowering his hand and gazing out at them without a word.]

[laid]

[UH? Raven's immediately running to Karol's side. He knows it isn't Karol. He knows this isn't-can't be real. He's falling to his knees at the boy's side.]

Hey, hey, kid, s- it's gonna be-
[Trying to reach for Karol's hands, even though his are quivering likes leaves in a storm. This isn't something that can ever happen. If he lets something like this happen... What was the point of any of it. Hadn't he given his life to protect Karol before? He can't let this happen now.

The form of Alexei hovers in his periphery, in the back of his gaze and mind, the feeling of it heavy. He made his choice. He's never going back to that. He can't. But he's not strong enough to face him on his own.]

[heartablaze]

[He's just chilling.

Foolish Magic Knights.

Karol's in bad shape. Claude's on the other side of him, trying to stop the bleeding, saying they need a healer or something or this kid's not gonna make it. Alexei chuckles, and Hikaru's head whips around to glare at him ferociously. She'll meet Claude's eyes, long enough to tell him to take care of Karol (Umi?) before stomping to her feet with an almost electrical aura about her.]

How DARE you hurt Umi!!

[Alexei regards her, like a speck on the grass.

If it isn't the miniature magician.

Do you know who I am, little girl?]

[laid]

[Honestly this is kind of how Alexei talks so it isn't that jarring. Raven really wants to try healing Karol but... restrains himself This isn't real!! He needs to save this for when he really needs it.

He needs to stand up. He can't let Hikaru face Him alone. He's sure it's not really Alexei, just as "Karol" is apparently "Umi"... But.

When he looks up, he hates seeing that face again. He wasn't ready, not right now. Not without Yuri and Estelle, without Karol, Judith, Flynn, and Rita. He can't do this without them. But he has to try. Because he's not alone. He has Hikaru to worry about. He knows it's wrong, but;]

Alexei.

[heartablaze]

[Alexei meets Raven's eyes with a bit of a scoff, before gesturing vaguely, a see, there you go sort of response.

"I see one of you still remembers."

He straightens to his full height.

"To find them in the depths of the Forest of Silence, and to lead them to my ambush. Useful to the bone."

Raven will feel the stir of something, not quite his artes, but something similar enough, a warmth fueled by will that pricks at his fingertips.

"Zagato has called for no survivors. Remove these children, or this world will suffer for their actions. Two left should be hardly a task."]

No.

[There's a sudden rise in the temperature as the wind blows out from Hikaru's feet in a wave, the ground starting to spark into flames.]

You hurt Umi... and you're talking to Oji-san like he's a thing??

Raven is a person, and he's precious to me! Umi and Fuu, they're my sisters! We're going home, together! All of us!

[Now might be a good time to ready an attack, Raven, since it looks like Hikaru's ready to do the same.]

[laid]

[He.... lead them here? This... what's happened is because of him? Just like Estelle before, he betrayed them again. Karol got hurt because of him. The Don died because of him, if he'd never gone to Dahngrest, if he'd never met everyone... He hurt Karol again, like before;

Raven, why? Why?

He walks forward, one hand on his sword, the other rising to pull the tie from his hair.

And since you survived, Schwann, I will use you again. Return to me like the tool that you are.

He stands between Alexei and Hikaru. And he turns to face her, sword at the ready.]

Understood. I'll ask you to stand down, Hikaru.
[The accent's dropped. Hm!]

[heartablaze]

...W-What?

[Her fire sputters out.

The entire world flickers with a rumble. Claude yells at him, asks him what the hell he's doing, still trying to desperately keep Karol in one piece.

Hikaru looks at him, heartbroken, confused.]

Oji-san... you can't believe him! You helped us that whole time, you've done nothing but help us!!

You're not a tool! Why are you letting him call you something that you aren't, Oji-san?!

[Alexei doesn't seem to react.

Kill her.]

[laid]

[Schwann's expression doesn't falter. That's what he's good at. He just stares at Hikaru for a long moment, before he pulls the trigger on his sword, shifting it into a bow. He has no arrows, but he doesn't need them when he has artes. And he can tell he has them now, somehow. He can feel it in the thrum of his blastia in his chest. He knocks an arrow of pure magic in his bow, still silently pointed at Hikaru.

And then he tilts up, straight to the sky, and releases.]

Azure Heavens!

[The kick of the aer cycling through his blastia, into his bow, and out as the arte is used, is almost comforting. Such a familiar feeling he hasn't felt in weeks now.


The arrows don't rain down on Hikaru. They fall on Alexei.]

[heartablaze]

[The arte rains down on Alexei, and a full out fight begins. Alexei, furious, lashes out with magic he had not possessed in their previous life, ice materializing in a sphere of knives around Schwann before launching forward to pin him and Hikaru both to the ground. Hikaru dodges, her uniform being torn up as she tucks and rolls and makes some rather impressive jumps, before the fury of her anger kicks in. Her arm draws to the sky with a flash, then back behind her with flames that rapidly star to billow around her.]

Honoo no Ya!!

[She launches her arm forward, like a slingshot, and hundreds of flaming arrows materialize. Alexei quickly throws up a shield, but several of her attacks break right through, burning at his flesh.

They fight. But even with the two of them, Alexei seems to have the upper hand. Schwann is nearly tossed into the trees as Hikaru is slammed down against a Cliffside.

It's then that Schwann will see that Karol has regained his footing. That he's weary from bloodless, but there's visible distress at watching Hikaru and Raven, at not being able to do anything. Claude tries to keep him down, but Karol pushes to his feet, grabbing at Mokona.

"I need magic, you dumb eggrabbit! I need magic to help them, please!! Please!!!"

From Mokona's jewel shoots a blue beam of light straight through Karol's forehead. That's normal.]

[laid]

[This is all very intense! Even though he's done this before, technically it was Raven who opposed and fought Alexei. Never Schwann. Schwann is dead, really, but none of this is real so it's fine.

But then he is distracted by the sound of Karol's voice, turning around to tell him to stay down, but then when the egg rabbit thing shoots a blue beam of light at Karol he has to take a moment to just stand there, dumbfounded???]