☆ 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

[zackthekiller]

Your... Leader?

You don't mean M- Zange, do you?

[raisingproject]

Hinata Hajime.

[Her brows come down as she looks to the doors, her jaw tightening.] I will work with Zange but my trust is not extended to her.

She has betrayed too many for me to ignore it. [If this whole plan is a lie she will throw her strength into opposing her.]

...but trying this ritual is better than waiting for the end.

[zackthekiller]

...

[Sigh.]

Well, shit's fucking up for her, so if this place caves in or something, I'd rather not be stuck here like this.

[He hates it. He hates it so much.]

What happens if you break the rules, though?

[He wants to know if sacrifice is worth it.]

[raisingproject]

[Lucina grimaces and shuts her eyes.]

The enchantments in this town...are very precise. They lock onto the attempted rule breaker and drain them immediately. If you think better of it quickly enough you only lose a bit of yourself.

If you fight it, it gets worse and you cease to be. It's a very terrible way to go. Please, don't try it. I understand seeing is believing...

[She clamps her hand over her shoulder and peels back the shoulder guard. There's nothing there. A hole where there should be a shoulder.]

Don't make my mistake.

[zackthekiller]

[Zack stares at the gaping hole in her side.]

[Familiar words ring in his head. Moments after he killed Danny, the voice on the intercom labeled him a betrayer for breaking the rules of the building, and declared him a sacrifice as punishment.]

[Dying is one thing, but having your soul ripped apart?]

[Zack spent a lot of energy in that outburst in the beginning. He doesn't do much more than tuck his head against his arm on the floor and close his eyes. It sounds like he's whimpering... Maybe even sobbing... Poor guy...]

[raisingproject]

[She's quick to put herself back in order and she sits down on the floor. They're not going anywhere for a while. Her voice gentles, soft and coaxing like one might talk to a frightened child.

Vaguely she remembers doing this more times than a ruler ever should.]

...With all the strength I have left I will fight to prevent that from happening to you or anyone else.

We might have to dance around rules, but there will be no drain on the newly dead unless you use your magical form. You are not safe, but you're as safe as you can be for the moment.

[zackthekiller]

[Zack was never comforted when he was a child, and until now he has never been comforted in his life. What Lucina is doing for him right now is completely alien to him, and he simply doesn't know how to react.]

[He does hear her, though, but while he nods in confirmation of that he also shies away, a bit.]

[He really is like a child, sometimes. Growing up as unfortunate as he did can do that to a guy like him.]

[raisingproject]

[She closes her eyes. Now is not the time to show any kind of sadness. Instead she gestures to the area around them. Lucina's voice returns to it's usual tones.]

We still have our steel. We just have to fight a different way than we're used to.

The west and east portions of the town have been marked until the last section opens. There's more that needs pinned down.

[zackthekiller]

... Marked...?

[Zack tilts his head. He's clearly been crying a little. If the tears have dried on his face, then the dampness of the bandages should give it away.]

[He's still shaken.]

[raisingproject]

We can't touch the keys. But we can mark where those keys need to be.

That's what we've been doing on this side. [As well as other things but, with one of their number asleep she doesn't want to reveal that card yet.]

[zackthekiller]

Mmmh...

[This is a lot to take in, but at least Zack makes an effort to sit up.]

[He's sulking, his eyes downcast.]

[raisingproject]

Would you prefer we walk as you ask me questions? I have found many times that has helped guide my sword when it was needed.

[She looks to the doors, her voice tired for a moment.]

...if only I could use it now.

[zackthekiller]

[... Thanks for reminding him he can't freaking use his scythe. Whoever has it now had better take care of it.]

... Nngh. Fine.

[He slowly gets up, looking rather bitter about this whole thing.]

So... Who else is around? Besides the guys from my game... And Hinata... And Inaba and June?

[raisingproject]

[Lucina climbs slowly to her feet and waits until he's done the same.] Well, we're still having to remind ourselves of our names. There is Nakajima Atsushi, he's quiet unless he doesn't need to be.

[People never realize he's dangerous until then.] There is the seer, Rose Lalonde. Ash the caretaker and trainer of fantastic beasts, Sigma who knows June. And...Heather. Her last name escapes me right now.

The last one I don't see much of so it's difficult to remember their name right now. I'll remember soon.

[zackthekiller]

[Zack nods at most of the names.]

Well, I guess we'll have to ask that guy when we see them. And FYI, those fantastic beasts are called "pokemon." I took care of one for a while.

[Eliza taught him well.]

[raisingproject]

I see. [Something wistful enters her tone as she turns and walks towards the door.]

In my world we had wyverns, pegasi, and gryphons...among other such creatures that were big enough to ride into battle.

...I barely remember it. I just remember how wondrous it was to even befriend one of them. We needed wonder.

[zackthekiller]

[Zack trails close behind, feeling a bit jealous of how wonderful her world must have been.]

Lucky you! I had to put up with assholes and murderous lunatics all my life! No griffons, no pegasi, no pokemon- Normal animals in a fucked up world.

Tch! If I get stuck here, I don't think I'll really miss anything from there...

[Well, almost anything.]

[raisingproject]

[There's a pause as she looks at him. Faint memories of cities in ruin drift before her mind's eye.]

...I wouldn't call it lucky. I apologize for not clarifying myself. Animals were what was ...mostly all that was left.

[It's a little uncomfortable to admit that. Every death felt like a failure to protect...something dear to her. She can't remember the rest. Lucina walks through the door.]

Other than the risen dead.

[zackthekiller]

Zombies...?

[Woah, hello. Girl just walked through the door! How?!]

[He tries to grip the doorknob like a normal person and, oh, right. Fucking ghosts phase through things. He groans and goes through the door himself.]

[raisingproject]

We just called them Risen. I don't remember much just those facts and some fragments.

[She waits for him and heads for the observatory at a smooth distance eating pace. Some part of her notes that this is something she'd had to learn to do.]

We can talk about that later. Let's bring you 'up to speed' as I believe it's called? I remember you spoke to Hinata about blades.

[zackthekiller]

Figures.

[Why are they headed twoards the observatory?]

Uh... Yeah. We were talking about the hunter...

[Zack grimaces here.]

Fucking hell. I saw her face, but she fucking had to off me before I could warn anyone.

[raisingproject]

She does read minds. I wonder if there's a way around that. [A thoughtful noise. But that won't be conductive to helping him get all the knowledge they possess.]

What else did you notice?

[zackthekiller]

A mind reader?! [That explains a lot. He's strong, but reckless.]

Wait, Snow White is a fucking mind reader?! Is that what you're saying, because I swear the girl looked a lot like her.

[raisingproject]

[She nods once, as she sighs, moving her hand away from her swordbelt again. Habits.]

I am saying it. As a fighter yourself, what would you say about her capabilities?

[zackthekiller]

Uh... Pretty fucking good?

I guess.

[Zack's unskilled, but he can wreck things.]

I think I might have been able to kill her if that mind reading thing didn't throw me off.

Seriously, though. What the hell?