[0] WEEKS WITHOUT MURDER

[maladied]

BONJOUR.

Another morning greets you in [ setting ], and it greets you loudly. A commotion erupts somewhere ahead: voices raised, someone screaming, another shouting for help. If you're unlucky enough to be passing near the infirmary, you have a front-row seat to the chaos.

Fran and Y'shtola are flung from the infirmary like ragdolls, hitting the ground in a tangle of limbs and dust. Something inside is on a rampage— something feral, unbound, and unwilling to be tamed.

The speakers crackle to life, Lobelia's voice far too cheerful for the circumstances.

❝ Bonjour, mes amis. If you happen to be wandering near the infirmary this fine morning, do take care... there appears to be a rather spirited beast expressing its displeasure. Fran and Y'shtola have already demonstrated the consequences of getting too close... quite spectacularly, I might add.

So, unless you wish to go flying before breakfast, I suggest maintaining a respectful distance. C'est simple.

Thank you for your attention, and do enjoy the rest of your morning... preferably from afar. ❞

OOC NOTE: A temporary barrier formed around the battlefield during the fight. Only characters already inside the epicenter were able to participate. Anyone who attempts to cross the boundary will be met with a sharp electric shock and forcibly bounced back several feet.

Comments

[heartofcorundum]

[Thancred isn't far behind, pace slower than usual. But he forces himself to pick up the pace when he sees Y'shtola, pulse pounding in his ears. Y'shtola, Fran, and--

"What does it matter, anyway?"

...

Urianger ricochets before Thancred crosses the threshold, and the Hyur scrambles for him, lone hand grasped towards his arm, trying to slow him from crossing again.]

Don't, Urianger - there a barrier, something is amiss--!

[divineth]

[Urianger comes to a halt as Thancred grabs onto him, still reaching to attempt the barrier again but coming up short in distance.]

This I know, but I cannot well leave him!

[Then the transformed being reveals itself, and Urianger recognizes that amber immediately.]

Kaios... [He shouts beyond the barrier as the fight rages on, voice shaking at the edges.] Kaios, thou must stop this madness!

[Futile. All of it, futile. Is he truly going to have to look on as several of their number fall? Twelve preserve, this cannot be happening--]

[divineth]

[The carnage continues, and all he can do is watch.

Watches McGillis fall dead.

Watches Shinjiro try one last attempt at stopping Kaios.

...

Watches the young man he's come to care so deeply for draw his final breath.

He...shifts to hold onto Thancred. Tightly. Trembling. Anything to keep him from losing his will to stand.]

[heartofcorundum]

[His grip holds tight in return.

Gods, but he'd tried. He'd tried, again, and it still--

Phantom limbs ache, of a boy falling apart under fingers, as he's forced to watch another do the same. Life punched out in one vicious, unforgiving swoop. And as the hands crawl, Thancred tenses painfully, holding Urianger tighter to him.]

...We'll not leave him in there to suffer. We won't.

[It's pushed through tense jaw as the barrier finally drops.]

To Y'shtola. Quickly. I'll be behind you.

[divineth]

[Urianger nods, Thancred's touch keeping him grounded. By the time they must separate, he's able to hold himself up on his own.]

...Aye. We won't.

[If there's anything to keep him going, it's knowing that hope is not yet lost for Shinjiro and the rest of the dead.

With that, he rushes to join Sorawo crouched over Y'shtola.]

[kaios]

[ We're sorry, the number you are trying to reach has been disconnected.

Goodbye! ]

[divineth]

[ABI WHEN I GET YOU]