WEEK 2 DAY 5: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Free the Black Rose from the Hydra's grasp."
Time Limit: Medium
Noise Plane: Solo
Wall Instructions: Key walls around the church, other walls as you see fit. Do not use Noise as a wall clearing condition. Harriers may still attack players with Noise.
Wall Rewards: Tin Pin Thrift
Reaped Rewards: Lovely Beam
Mission Rewards: Black Rose



[Well. Nobody did erase the GM last week, did they? Even if they did, she obviously had some trick up her sleeve, as she's definitely skulking around town... in several places, even. She's obviously been demoted, as well, judging by the scowl on her face. She doesn't seem to be harrying today - another reason for the scowl, judging by how aggressive she was at the end of last week. The reapers have a strange set of instructions as well - obviously, the goal to this mission isn't combatative.

And what's with guarding the church? There's nothing of note there.]

Comments

[notsogrimreaper]

I know. It seems like that mission where everyone was supposed to make the pins popular was so this would happen...

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

And then a task to set it right.
The sense in this isn't in my sight.

[notsogrimreaper]

No... that doesn't make much sense. But maybe they have more planned...

[You can never know what evil thing the GMs will do next.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Perhaps the intent is simply distracting
Designed to keep us from acting...

[notsogrimreaper]

...Act on what? Whatever they're planning in the long run?

T-That's a scary thought.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora just smirks.]

Compared to waking up dead and fighting to exist
A sinister plot seems a fairly weak twist.

[notsogrimreaper]

I-I guess that's true. Still, they've tortured us enough, they don't need to plot for more trouble!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Why should they stop, and have mercy
When they care nothing for you or me?

[notsogrimreaper]

They should care a little... they've given us all a second chance at life, correct?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

So they say, and yet here we are.
Do I look like I've gone very far?
You'll forgive me if I say, of course,
That they dangle a carrot before a horse.

[notsogrimreaper]

Yeah... that's right. I-I'm sorry, Zecora-chan. You should have been allowed to come back. It wasn't fair.

[Of course, Ryoji can't really do much about it... but the whole fact that Zecora is in this mess is partly his fault.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

It certainly is not your fault.
So bring your sadness to a halt.
All we can do is proceed on.
It's too early to say all hope is gone.

[notsogrimreaper]

I-It is... I never explained to you, Zecora-chan... but I think I know why people in this game can't come back.

...I think it's because of me.

[He knows it sounds ridiculous, but considering what he is...]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

And why do you hold the belief
That you're responsible for our grief?

[A simple, even question. No anger, nor disdain.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Because of... w-what I am. Zecora-chan, do you know anything about tarot cards?

[He's building up to what he has to say. He know he needs to say it, but he doesn't want to... best to just take it slow.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I'm familiar with those cards --
though finding them is somewhat hard.

[notsogrimreaper]

Well... if you at least know about them, maybe you'll understand...

Zecora... I'm the Thirteenth Arcana. My existence... puts every one of you in danger.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

And why do you associate
With thirteen, and not, say, one, or eight?

[notsogrimreaper]

I don't represent the Fool. I don't represent Strength. I... I'm Death in a physical form.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I still must ask, why do you say
You should be considered in that way?

[notsogrimreaper]

Because! I'm Death, therefore I'm responsible for every one of you dying. Doesn't that make sense?

[No, Ryoji, you're being stupid again.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Worked up as he might get, Zecora simply maintains her calm.]

You need to give me more context
Before I can tell you what comes next.

[notsogrimreaper]

Context? R-Right...

Ten years ago, back in my world, a group decided they wanted to recreate Death in a physical form. I was the result of that. Unfortunately, I was weakened, and parts of me broke off and escaped into the world before I was eventually sealed away in a young boy.

I lived inside him... so I gained this human form. Not long after though, I restored my power, and my presence called the Mother of Shadows, Nyx, down to the earth to summon the Fall. T-The End of Everything.

Nyx and I were defeated... but it seems whoever runs this game has some twisted sense of humour, bringing the source of everyone's death into a game for life.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora, for her part, elects to take all of this at face value. It raises many serious questions, and she doesn't really believe it, but she knows both that Ryoji believes it, and that it might in fact be possible.]

[Finally, she speaks.]

Did you choose -- and please don't lie --
For any of us to die?

[notsogrimreaper]

[He knows it's unbelievable, but he can show her his other form if she really needs extra convincing.

For now, though, he's just shocked out of his self-loathing, responding to the question quickly and passionately.]

No! I would never want anyone to die!