☆ 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

[raisingproject]

[He's too tired for this bullshit. As he is, he's not going to do much good. Mana use it is then. He changes between one breath and the next, long dark hair spilling down until it brushes the backs of his ankles. His coal black suit replacing the lighter clothes he'd been wearing.

A signs of stress drain away. All signs of any emotion at all. He picks up where he left off as smoothly as if he were talking about the weather. His red eyes have a piercing quality to them they lacked before, as if he can see right through anything he looks at.]

Do you remember I told you there is one among you with a win condition different from the rest? I was referring to the traitor. Zange has used them in a bid to stop the game while still operating within the rules imposed on the Mastermind.

If she dies, the last survivor will be selected to be the next.

[hawthorned]

[The transformation makes her take a step back in reflex - it's hard not to view the action as a threat because of how frivolous it seemed. But that step back is all Hinata gets as Dahlia's fairly determined not to be intimidated. That's just the thing about dying, there's so few things that can hurt. Or so she thinks. She looks him dead in the eyes as he speaks.

She doesn't say what she's thinking this time, but there's a coldness in her own eyes that might as well spell it out. Oh now you're making excuses for poor, murderous Zange, are you? Is there no limit to how low one person can sink? More tactfully, she simply replies:]

If you're suggesting that the traitor has to win in order to end the game, then this cycle's already lost, isn't it? Joshua Bright is dead and Zange is the created the motive that led to his execution.

[Ah but there's obviously more to it, if they can still "make a difference" - whatever the hell that means.]

What's the reason to think otherwise?

[raisingproject]

[Unlike before, there is no reaction from him at her emotions at all. He closes his eyes.]

The traitor's win condition is being the only one left when the game ends. It has always ended in failure. [He turns away from her to stare out over the town, hands at his sides.]

His reason for being a traitor is kept to himself as mine was. The executions always expose them. Should the traitor not be discovered and murdered.

[He starts walking away towards the bridge on whatever path he'd decided on. His tone is matter of fact, but has an utter lack of interest, the complete opposite of before.] You have it correct that one way is theorized to end the game. It will not.

[hawthorned]

[Odd. So the transformation wasn't intended as a threat then. So was the sole purpose to just modulate his expressions and tone? She notes it, but decides not to bother with a frivolous line of thought. Keeping roughly arm's length away from Hinata, she follows him along the bridge.]

Actually prior to all this talk of rituals and traitors, I was under the impression that the only way to end the game was to destroy the master console, which would in turn destroy Fav.

[Or at least, that was what Snow had indicated on the network all those weeks ago. The museum seemed to agree with that as well.]

But I suppose you're about to tell me that's incorrect, too.

[raisingproject]

No. That is correct. [He continues over the bridge but pauses to direct her attention to as much of the town as she can see.]

But the Ritual of Revival should be preformed first. When the console is destroyed, Fav and this town will also be destroyed.

[hawthorned]

[She'll indulge him at look at the Town, sure, but she does it with a look of disdain. At least this one's not directed at him in particular? Or at least not initially. He finishes his sentence, and she looks at him with a raised eyebrow.]

So you'd have us revived and then immediately perish along with the town.

[She'll let that hang in the air for a moment. Despite everything, she knows Hinata can't be a complete idiot, so she'll add.] But judging from the general tone you're taking on this, we all get to go home before the apocalypse.

[raisingproject]

Your last conclusion is what we plan. If it fails none of us will have long to deal with the failure. [He steps off the bridge without a backward glance.]

[hawthorned]

[She's just going to shoot his back a wtf expression before regrouping herself.]

What kind of deserate and foolish plan is that?!

[Ok she did not regroup all that well.]

Never mind the fact that some of us may not want to go home at all.

[raisingproject]

[He waits until she is finished.] There are those who would rather stay dead or departed. But is either all or none.

As for the foolishness of it... would you rather serve as a battery for over a thousand years for countless more games? Losing everything of yourself until you finally taste oblivion? Your face goes right after your name does. Then your memories.

[hawthorned]

[She scowls for another moment. Dahlia isn't a team player, never has been, never will be, and the expectation that she participate in this just so other whiny dead people she doesn't give a damn about can go back home leaves the taste of bile in her mouth.]

It's truly sweet that you think I care if this game continues or not now that I'm dead. Ah, but how do I put this...? Of course I have no desire to be used as a power source, but can you really fault me for feeling underwhelmed by how many flaws a plan that took a millennium to put together has?

[raisingproject]

I do not think you care about this game or anything else. I was outlining the motivation to preserve the self possessed by most humans. [His voice is flat as he continues towards an unknown destination.]

Whether you assist or not is up to you, but I predict you won't.

You are however, mistaken. This plan was put together recently, before that it was just meaningless shouting into the void to be heard. [He pauses, something flickering in his red eyes.] And arguments with Zange.

[He continues. By now it should become obvious he's leading her to the boundary's edge.] You are free to ask further questions.

[hawthorned]

[As they approach the boundary, Dahlia pauses. She doesn't clarify one way or another what her inclinations ar.]

Why do you really trust her, Mr. Hinata? You snapped at me, which means you clearly have some pride left in you. How many chances do you routinely give people before you've had enough, I wonder. Was Miss Nanami's selection not warning enough for you that she doesn't have your best interests in mind?

[raisingproject]

[He stops at the boundary and stares into the nothingness.] I dion't trust her. I trust she will do what makes herself feel better and for her own gains.

That includes picking on the easiest target to continue her charades. That's what traitors are. Fodder. [He studies the edge of the border.] But the alternative to trying this plan is waiting for the end. I'm not that sort of person. Even with enough memories back to fully be someone else.

It's a selfish struggle for survival. I will use her as she used me.

[hawthorned]

[Now that's an opinion she's willing to accept as being less preposterous. She raises an eyebrow at Hinata, curiosity genuinely piqued and decides to stop obfuscating the point. At least for now.]

I see what you have to gain from gambling on this working, Mr. Hinata. What's in it for her?

[raisingproject]

[Hinata sighs, reverting as he says his voice low but with more emotion in it. He's exhausted but he can also be sarcastic.] I don't really care what she gets from it. But I'd say her hide.

[She can leave the games alive while they all return to their business.]

[hawthorned]

[She speaks in a flat, somewhat disappointed tone as he returns to his normal form.]

You settle for too little, Mr. Hinata. She doesn't deserve to keep her hide.

[raisingproject]

Like I said, I don't care what she gets out of it. [He folds his arms over his chest as he scans the area one more time.] I'm not going to stop anyone who wants to yell at her or whatever.

[It's not his problem. Especially after recent events.] I'm not her keeper.

[hawthorned]

[She goes quiet for a bit as she observes his actions.]

So tell me more about the mechanics of the ritual itself. [In afterthought:] Please.

[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.

[hawthorned]

[Ok, buddy. Touching your blood stained notebook was gross enough, touching your literal soul in key form is just... ugh. But aside from making a bit of a face, she doesn't actually say this because she realizes it makes her sound like a five year old.]

...Rose? [There, that's a polite inquiry. She shakes her head afterwards though.] I doubt i'd understand it even after someone explained magic to me. But let me ask you this: does dear Miss Zange need to be alive in order to complete the ritual?

[raisingproject]

[He turns his head to look at her a spark of anger in his eyes. It dies quickly as he puts a hand over his face, his tired voice filling the briefly tense silence.]

Did you not listen to me before? If the Mastermind dies, the next is selected from the survivors. The ritual needs a highly magical person that's used to shaping power.

It has to be Zange. ...Rose is a seer and as close to a god as you can get outside of Zange. If you want to have a talk with her check the hospital. She hangs out by a nurse station or the morgue. Don't ask me why, something about keeping her honest.

[Likely it's just Rose screwing with people. He prefers not to know what statements like that mean.] Anyway, that's what I know about the ritual.

[hawthorned]

[She could fire back just as easily with were you not listening when I told you I don't care if the games continue or not? but she can tell that this isn't a productive use of time. It might have been if she at least got some catharsis out of antagonizing Hinata, but right now the longer she talks to him, the more his voice sounds like nails on chalkboard. She meets his anger with ice.]

I'll look for Miss Rose then, thank you.

[She at least understands now that if Zange is to be killed, it'll have to be during the window of time after the completion of the ritual and ideally after the destruction of the master console.]

What exactly are you looking for out here?

[raisingproject]

We're about where the final area will open. [His voice is very neutral. He's getting the impression they're almost done talking.]

I just wondered if it would open sooner based on what's going on right now.

[hawthorned]

[She can match neutral at least.]

You mean with regards to the barrier weakening... or the fact that we've been dying at an accelerated rate?

[She never did understand what people dying had to do with the new locations becoming available.]

[raisingproject]

The deaths. It always requires someone killed and someone executed. But the circumstances are a first. I wondered if it would change things further.