☆ WELCOME TO HELL, YE POOR SOULS.

[raisingproject]

Magical Girl Raising Project

Graveyard

The last thing you remember is dying. Whether it's by murder or execution, that's was all it. But surprisingly enough, you wake up in the hotel room that you were assigned in, as if you had never died to begin with. However, once you walk right outside, you'll start noticing that while this is the Town A you remember, there are some slight differences that you notice.

The first thing is the fact that while you can see those who are still alive, they simply cannot see you. In fact, they pass through you, as if you were a ghost. And spoilers: you kind of are one, now. The second thing is that sometimes, if you look at a building for too long or too closely, you'll notice that it fizzles a bit, almost glitchy.

But that's completely fine, isn't it? There is, however, one more thing to keep in mind: there are voices of other people, mumuring. Of course, these other people, unlike you, don't have a complete shape; they're just a silhouette of themselves, looking like static.

However: it wouldn't be Town A without an announcement, would it? Of course not. Hence why upon rearriving, there will be a message, typed out:

Welcome to the afterlife, everyone. This is a greeting message to introduce you to how exactly this works. You have the ability to send one message to the living a week, so choose your words wisely. Of course, there are limitations to what you can say! You cannot reveal the mastermind's true identity, even if you know it. You cannot reveal a culprit or a victim, even if you know it.

Also, all messages will be sent to all players during the trials. If there is no trial, the message shall be sent on Saturday. You may investigate as you wish. If you have any questions to ask of me, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

---

Comments

[breakingthrough]

[Edna remains silent while Zange goes through, telling her side of the story. It doesn't sound like she's lying. She could have said anything-- blamed anyone-- yet her version of events sheds light on and compliments the information they'd uncovered so far. Although it's not something she'll just eat up as 'absolute', it does satisfy her on some level. Now all she can do is watch over Zange. If she is an ally, then she will use her power to assist her. If it becomes clear that she is a treat, then she will do whatever she needs to in order to stop her from hurting them further.]

If you were to use the power you've received to help protect these people and this place, I think that's the kind of result we would all be happy with.

[It's not like she wants to have doubts about anyone. The ideal ending is one where they can all help each other and prevent anyone from having to face anything like this ever again-- no one should have to be in Zange's or the other participant's place.]

Nonetheless, if you become a threat, I won't hesitate to stop you.

[Only fair Zange knows where she stands anyway.]

Still... if you are who you say you are, then I wouldn't mind offering my blessing as a Seraph in order to help you protect them. Once we deal with this mess first.

[crossingout]

This place can rot in hell for all I care.

[She will, however add:] But as for the people, I'm not sure. It's not that I don't want to protect the people. It is a part of my duty. A duty that I've failed for so long.

[...]

That is why I will use the ritual and end everything.

[breakingthrough]

[In truth, she can't entirely fault Zange's views of this place. For her, too, this was tied to unpleasant memories. But also some very good ones. Important ones. If it could be helped, then... she'd like to see it purified. Still, at least for the important part, they seem to be of the same line of thinking.]

Some people can't be helped. Some are beyond that-- it's simply a fact of life. But those that can-- I want to protect them.

[If that's the only lead they have on stopping this mess, it's time to learn as much as she can about it.]

What do you know about this ritual?

[crossingout]

The keys are key to it. I cannot touch them, but the locations are in relation to the leylines, which are at the corners of the border area and the center areas along the border. If the keys are placed there, then...

I can utilize my spiritual power to conduct the ritual of revival.

SATURDAY

[zackthekiller]

[Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK.]

[He was THIS CLOSE to killing that hunter, or at the very least getting out alive. BUT NO!]

[He bursts out of his room in a murderous rage, screaming profanities as he reaches out for something- ANYTHING to destroy. Especially the fuzzy static people wandering about. He's clearly out for blood... Too bad he's a ghost now.]

[After a few minutes, moments perhaps, Zack collapses in the hallway, completely exhausted. Revenge... He wants his revenge. He wants to get out of here. He really wants to see Ray's dull eyes or Eddie's smug masked face or SOMETHING. He's so upset... He's nearly whimpering.]

[crossingout]

You know, there's a bit of a satisfaction, seeing you dead.

[She had to get that one in. She really did.] But then again, that satisfaction can only last for so long.

[raisingproject]

[When he's finished a girl made of static with the outline of a tunic and sword sheathe at her side, kneels before him.]

You did well. It's a shame your enemy was more experienced and powerful.

[zackthekiller]

Fuck... You.

[Zack doesn't recognize who's talking to him for a minute. He's managed to wear himself out in the first five minutes.]

...

[zackthekiller]

Nngh...

[Zack weakly looks up at the outline... God, that looks so surreal. He doesn't speak for a moment or two, mostly out of shock.]

Thanks...?

[raisingproject]

That would be best. Straight east first, I think.It would certainly be easier to be able to glance towards a cardinal point to guide the way.
Don't you agree?

[raisingproject]

[As they're walking closer to the edge and along it, there will be for a brief moment that feeling of absolutely nothing.]

[crossingout]

Are you seriously going to curse the person who can exorcise you? Because I can do that right now.

[She won't really do it, but she could.] I'm not even the one who did it.

[zackthekiller]

Huh...?

[He glances up at the person who is talking to him.]

... Zange?! How the fuck are you able to hear me?

[raisingproject]

[Footsteps echo as if the person making them is living. A girl made of static and shadow steps into view. Long hair sways side to side, but the small details at the edges of her are obvious, a sword sheathe at her side and tunic.

She comes to stop a few feet from Edna and dips her head.]

...I had hoped you would make it. But we can't change that. Thank you for taking care of family's sword.

[crossingout]

I was always able to hear ghosts. After all, I'm a goddess! [No shit, Sherlock.]

Do you want to hear the kicker? I always had my powers from the very beginning.

CW: gory death threats

[zackthekiller]

... YOU!

[Zack furiously attempts to swipe a hand at Zange, forgetting for a moment that he's worn out and incorporeal.]

YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! I HOPE THAT HUNTER RIPS YOUR GUTS OUT AND TEARS YOUR HEAD OFF!

[crossingout]

Enough of that. I plan on staying alive to perform the revival ritual. And the hunter can try to kill me, but I can play to her weaknesses. No matter how much of a mind reader she is.

[raisingproject]

[He turns his gaze away to the emptiness beyond where they're standing.]

The keys are placed at the corners of the border, and the center points in the boundary. Our magic users explained that the keys are focuses, like a glass lens or mirror and direct the power to the center of the ritual circle.

We can't touch the keys but Zange can't either, that's why we need the help of the living to place them. She can't touch souls, and we're...I guess you could call the keys our vessels.

The caster shapes the power being focused into the working. I can't explain how the energy moving translates into revival. You'll have to ask Rose.

[raisingproject]

Do you need a moment to get your bearings? [She waits, clearly in no hurry to be anywhere.]

[raisingproject]

I can do it pretty easily. It's a low cost of mana anytime I write in my notebook. [Hinata says briskly, inserting himself back into the conversation.]

We're really limited in our options. So are they. They're bound to ask me something soon.

[zackthekiller]

Wha-

BULLSHIT! You just want more mana to trap us all here and leave us to rot!

Why don't you be more helpful and FUCKING GET US OUT OF HERE?!

[This is worse than prison in Zack's mind. There's the jailor, staging right in front of him, looking down on him with that smug look in her eyes, and it's physically impossible for him to so much as touch a strand of hair on her head.]

[He's a prisoner to her whims, and he HATES IT.]

[zackthekiller]

... I don't fucking know.

[There's a bitter tone to his voice. He just hates this so much.]

... Who are you, anyway?

[crossingout]

You know nothing about me.

[Her language is cold and it shows in the empty look written in her expression.]

I've been trapped in this world for over a thousand years, only able to watch. My power is limited. Although I should thank you for the anger regardless, since I use that as fuel. [No joke.] I've been doing as much as I can, without breaking the rules placed upon me.

[zackthekiller]

... What?

[Sorry to cut off some of your anger resources, but what you just said threw him off.]

Aren't you the asshole running this bullshit?!

[raisingproject]

I'm the ghost of the second room opened with the keys, call me Lucina. [She pauses at the name. Then she nods. Her name had been given back to her. Though if they fail, she is likely to forget it again.]

We felt it best I greet you than anyone else.