Tourn RP Archive

ZAP ZAP ZAP ZAP ZAP! Every single winner so far was zapped in to the arena. Oh, that damn arena... Only this time, there was no obnoxious theme happening. It was just a circle of sand surrounded by concrete walls. As everyone trickled in, ten totems fell from the sky around them. In a circle and one by one, they hit the sand. They were all stone pillars, about twice the height of a person and as wide as a large oak. They seemed to all have pictures on them as well, and a small slot on the bottom.. The first pillar to hit the ground had a picture of Madison, crying on that bridge all alone. Next to that one was Andre, turning in to a pile of mush on the saw bathroom floor. Next was Scott, crushed under a large bag of sand. Yeonaixho, in all of his gore on that cursed boat. Nathan sitting in that Mazeardy room all alone as the falling floor caught up with him. Kevin, wind whipped on the rodeo floor. Aileen, in her owl form, careening toward space.| Riki ruthlessley beating down on Rakin. Calamity turning in to a pile of ash. And the final pillar to hit the ground showed Moses, lying on that final crystal pillar.

All the winners held the power orbs of their opponent in their hands, besides Mallon and Tsubari who held their own power orb in their hands.

"Welcome! As you all see, you are surrounded by our losers.." "And each of you get ONE vote! But not for your own opponent.."

"At the end of this event, we will be bringing back ONE loser! Feel free to cast your vote using your power orb, for ANYONE BUT YOUR OPPONENT!"

Isabelle and Tsubari are just standing here. Neither knew too much about the others.

Connie is still here, still tied up and miserable. She looks absolutely horrified.

Aldreda appeared in, holding the totem in her hands. "Uh- shit-" She muttered, spinning to look at all of the totems.. "I don't even know who to vote for.."

Julien zapped in, a horrified expression etched on his face as he surveyed the depictions of the losers, only a handful in which he recognized. “Shit…” he hissed under his breath. …And he couldn’t vote for Andre?

Connie didn't know...most of these guys. (All of her friends won. Tthat was nice.) And then Moses...she couldn't even vote for him if she wanted to. (She wants to cry again.)

Damien didn't know much about anyone here. He would've definitely voted for Kevin, but alas. The only face that was remotely familiar was Yeonaixho. He just wanted out of here. "You gotta be kidding me" He said, mainly to himself.

“…Fuck, Angie, you seeing this?” Julien held the necklace out and gave it a little shake. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Celena immediately darted to Connie. "Connie!" The girl screamed out. She ran as fast as she could to the other girl. As soon as she was close enough, she pulled Connie into her arms, giving her a hug. "O-Oh my god- Connie- A-are you okay? G-god, I was scared-" She made herself let go and scooted around Connie. Celena held two fingers out and made a little light blade with her fingers. She cut the ropes that were binding Connie together. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Angie manifested next to Julien, floating slightly. "And we can't vote for our opponent?" She asked as she turned to Julien. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed heavily. "Fucking....shit." @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

(roll for moses powers.. )

Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

used /r

# 11
Details:[d20 (11)]

Julien looked like he was about to cry. Or scream. Maybe both. This event was… sudden, to say the least. He looked at Angie and shook his head. “No dice. I… I don’t even know these other guys!” @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

"...It's a game of morals. Everyone wants a different person back." Angie scowled. "We need someone who can actually help us get out of here though." She looked at Julien. "...And we can't vote for who we want...I think we can cross off a few. Who cares about the dead body. That's one thing we can cross off." She looked at the pillars. "...But who is the question, isn't it?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien (edited)

"They will be brought back as they were before their fight if they died, I'll clarify!" Rakin announced.

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 pinned a message to this channel. 4/5/2024 2:09 PM

"rakin rigged my fight," she mumbled into Celena- Zora? Celena, as she hugged her. "he rigged my fight. he wanted me to lose. he took my powers." Connie was still holding onto the totem as Celena undid her binds, still pretty dazed and out of it. She was quietly watching the pictures on the pillars, some look of horror on her face. They were dead. Everyone was dead. And she didn't know who to bring back. She scrunched her eyes shut after a moment, holding the totem in her hands. After a moment, Moses' orb began to glow, nice and shimmery, and with great effort, the crystals surrounding her legs shifted away. "this is awful." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Julien swallowed, then nodded. Angie understood what needed to be done, even before he had formulated the words. “You’re right. We have one vote, and we need to be rational about it.” …Obviously the dead guy was a no-go. And of course, no Andre. It left a horrid pit in Julien’s stomach the more he thought about him. And then came the announcement. “Well, uh, change of plans, it looks like those two that died can come back,” he clicked his tongue. “I still think the dead guy isn’t the best choice, but who knows. There’s that pink lady too, I suppose. Ugh, this is hard. You having any more epiphanies over there?” he held Andre’s orb tighter. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

"H-he took your powers? And rigged your fight? That jerk!" Celena glared in the direction Rakin was in. If looks could kill, if looks could kill.. In her pocket, Nathan's totem weighed heavily in her pocket as she gazed upon their image. She missed her sibling with all of her heart, but the rules were clear: You couldn't vote for your opponent. So that left one person for her to vote for. "This is horrible," Her voice dropped down into a whisper. "Absolutely horrible." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Ah. Well. Nevermind then." Angie huffed. Well guess that was a change of plans. Dead body still on the table then! She narrowed her eyes in thought. Only one can come back. "I assume its a majority vote then...ten totems right? Ten of us? Why not one vote each?" She proposed. "You vote for..whoever is next to Andre's podium. We go in a circle?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

"he didn't take all of it, just a bit," Connie muttered, hugging the totem closer to herself. Sick. Sick. Sick. She felt sick. "i don't know who to vote for. i- i don't know anyone here." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Ko stared at the orb in her hand. Her face going blank as she tried to process. One life, brought back by majority vote, and yet she couldn’t pick the one whose death was on her hands. If she thought there was any more to this event than mindless entertainment for their captor she would say this was cruel. But to call it that would be giving Alrai Pin too much credit. But she couldn’t dwell on that now. If there was only one person she could vote for, if it couldn’t be Scott, then at least she knew who her vote would be for.

"Still, I'll fight him myself to get it back, he's a jerk." Celena spoke protectively.

She'd throw hands. Speaking of hands, she held a hand out to Connie in case she wanted to hold hands for comfort. At Connie's comment about the vote, her heart pounded in her chest. Her gaze rested on Juno's image. ".. I-I know Nathan, he's my sibling, a-and then-.. Juno's my dad, h-he took me under his wing.. I can't vote for Nathan since they were my opponent, but-.. I can v-vote for Juno.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"nathan?" The purple guy. Kind of dumb looking. Scrawny. "...i don't think i met him. um, but i saw him...during your fight. not much after the lightstuffs, though." Connie gladly took Celena's hands, still sticky with oranges. She didn't have much time after the fight to wash them on behalf of being tied up. "nora mentioned you guys are siblings," Connie quietly said, pressing more into Celena's side. Everyone was just talking and muttering amongst themselves. "and, um, that juno's your dad, too." "i- i'unno who to vote for, but...maybe him? i'unno." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

It’s with a sharp smell of iron that Mallon appears, swaying dangerously on their feet now that there’s no longer vines to keep them upright. They’re bleeding profusely from puncture wounds across their entire body, some with thorns dug in so deep severed chunks of vines still hang from their limbs. Not to mention, the bloodied flower now blooming from their eye. Safe to say they’re not processing much about what’s happening, much less seeing anything that’s going on. Their legs shake under them, and as they crumple to the ground they’re just barely able to hold on to the orb now in their hands.

“Hmm… that could work…” Julien mused. But that would mean that we’re all in agreement, and I’m sure everyone here has their own reasons to cast a vote… not to mention, Rakin could just nullify this event if there’s a tie…” “…Damn, this would be so much easier if we could just vote for Andre and move on.” @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Celena didn't mind the stickiness, she didn't comment on it. All she focused on was Connie's warmth and comfort. As Connie scooted closer, Celena took a step closer to her side. She didn't want to move away from the younger girl, not with this kind of situation. "N-Nathan's-.. A really great big sibling, I-I didn't know them for long, but-.. He made me feel safe.." She took in a deep breath and let it out deeply. "Mmhm, we're siblings. M-Me, Nora, and Nathan." She let out a quiet laugh. "Though Nathan also has cousin energy." "I don't- Wanna sway you on who to vote for, b-but- That'd be really nice of you," Celena took in another deep breath. "I-I'd owe you big time.. Like, super big time.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Siblings- the three of them, huh? And all having met here. "that's nice, though," Connie said, laughing quietly, too. "they- they sound great. i'm glad he made you feel safe here." It felt...bittersweet? Kind of. She tried not to look at the photo of him and the falling tiles. "it- it's alright, really. i don't really know anyone else here...i think i was either sleeping or moping around half th' time. But I was here for Juno's fight...I- I don't think it was fair." "you don't owe me anything. just- just being here with you is nice-" It smelled like iron and copper. "celena , " she squeaked, pulling sharply on the older girl's arm at the sight of a corpse- Mallon's corpse- now on the ground before them. It was awful. "c-cellie. celena. corpse." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Yeah.

"Mmhm.. He also made me a little pot as a gift, it looks like a strawberry," Celena took the strawberry pot out of her pocket and presented it to Connie to hold onto if she wanted to. A bit of a distraction would be nice. "I-it's okay, I spent some time moping around too, it's a bad situation that we're in," She gave Connie's hand a little squeeze. "Th-thank you, being here with you is nice too-" Corpse? Corpse. Oh shit, there was Mallon's corpse. "Th-that's who killed my dad," Celena's voice was dropped down into a whisper once more. Her body began to tremble. Anger? Fear? Uncertainty? It was a mixed bag of emotions. "What in the world happened???" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie was absolutely stanced in front of Celena, face twisted into a mixture of fear and digust. She really wanted to puke. "bbwuh, he was fine last i talked to him," Connie blubbered. "he- he said that juno killed his dad, and so he- killed him- or something- did agustin do this? h-he was trying to kill him before!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I-I don't know Agustin-" Celena frowned as she peeked around Connie. She squeezed the girl's hand desperately. "B-but this- This is gruesome- Oh my gosh.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Isabelle's kinda just sadly looking at the Madison pillar when Mallon arrives. Looking over, she can safely assume what had happened at that time. She hadn't seen Jymaiyri that long ago... but it has been a while, so anything could've happened. She shuddered at the thought, but kept quiet.

Fuck it, Tsubari's doing a Fortnite dance. She's not really aware of what's happening right now, but if she can't bring Calamity back, she doesn't really care.

"It would but everyone would come back then wouldn't they?" She sighed heavily. "....As much as I want Andre back...I'm not putting you at risk as well." Angie admitted. She glanced over at Mallon when they entered, he nose scrunched up slightly at the smell. "There's definitely a catch if we all vote and if there's a tie..." @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

"...wwhat do we do." Wikihow to hide a corpse was not a site Connie frequented. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Maybe?” Julien shrugged. “I… appreciate the sentiment, Angie. I’ll be alright though, I’ve got a lot riding on this whole… thing since my fight. We’re gonna get out of here-“ He then glanced over where Angie had looked, his jaw dropping at the sight. “…Mallon…!” he nearly choked out, covering a hand over his mouth. What had happened to them?! Everything somehow just got even worse. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

“I-I don’t know..” Celena squinted at Mallon. “The vines- Jymaiyri must’ve done this a-as revenge for killing Juno..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"...ah !" Miss Jymaiyri- Connie had only talked to her a few times, and she had been...increasingly...reserved? Forced during the most recent ones; quieter, kept more to herself, overall very...still. Like the corpse now. Mallon... "t-that...makes sens,e," Connie said, somewhat strained. She wanted to nudge him, but she didn't really know if she...wanted to. Was it fair to kill one who killed one of your own? "do we get someone? should we get someone?" Rakin probably wouldn't help. He'd probably snack on her powers again, really. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I-I could heal, but-” Did she really want to heal the one responsible for her father’s death? The fact that she was debating it sickened her. “.. I d-don’t know what to do..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

(Damien votes for Juno, meant to write this earlier and currently don't have time to write a full response but don't wanna hold up the vote hskfjskfh)

"...well. well. um. mmm...rakin...could heal? maybe? i don't think he'd want contestants to die out of the fights," Connie suggested. She was still stanced up, protectively in front of Celena. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"M-maybe.. It'd be nice if he c-could heal him instead.." Celena gently rested a hand on Connie's shoulder. "I think I-I'll be okay, it doesn't look like he's getting up any time soon.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"If they pulls anything, I'll zap them." The confidence was surging back into Connie's voice, though her demeanor quickly shifted into something else- "They still have their totem on them." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Votes: 9 Juno: 5 (Damien, Aldreda, Connie, Celena, Lykos) Nathan: 4 (Julien, Tsubari, Isabelle) Voters left: Ko (edited)

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 pinned a message to this channel. 4/5/2024 4:22 PM

Aldreda hummed, glancing around at the totems. She really didn't care about Aileen anyway, so that stipulation meant basically nothing.. But one person did catch her eye- Well, one demon. She stepped up to Calamity's pillar, holding her fragment of power in hand. "I know you'd give Rakin hell." She said, putting her vote in to the slot.

4:28 PM

".. You're also free to change your vote if you change your mind!" Rakin said. Seems he wasn't a huge Calamity fan.

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 pinned a message to this channel. 4/5/2024 4:28 PM

Tsubari walked up to Aldreda. "Would Calamity have wanted us to bring her back? Out of everyone, it was her choice at the end of the day." She was genuinely unsure. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Hmm?" Aldreda looked down to Tsubari. Oh, Calamity's opponent. "Well, I think her personal feelings are a bit irrelevant, sadly. I just think she'd want to kill Rakin and get us out of here." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Well, yeah. But I doubt anyone else would vote for her. She did attack someone for Rakin. Technically for Alrai PIn." Tsubari didn't really see the reason for Aldreda's vote. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Mallon's powers are in that," Celena spoke quietly. "Should we- Try and get it? That way, they can't hurt anyone else ever again.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

"I- um. Uh. Well, I don't think they're gonna...move. Anytime soon." Connie tentatively stepped forward, Moses' totem with powers still tucked underneath her arm. This felt wrong, robbing a corpse- especially someone she kinda...knew too. While she couldn't completely sympathize with them killing Juno...she did feel pretty bad about Juno killing their dad. And Miss Jymaiyri killing them, in turn. When was this awful vicious cycle gonna end? ".do. Should I just. Take it? " @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"H-here, I'll take it," Celena took in a deep breath and stepped forward with Connie. She offered the girl a shaky, yet brave, smile. "Th-they took my dad away, I could- Take their powers away now, so things can be okay.. I-I don't want you to go near them and possibly get hurt if they're still actually alive.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I mean she did, but clearly she was taken advantage of. She made up for it in the end." Aldreda crossed her arms. "If Calamity was back, she'd be mad enough to kill Rakin, I'm sure." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I mean. If y'wanna. I'm not gonna stop you, h-he was your dad, after all." This vicious cycle was gonna start all over. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, I just- I dunno, it feels wrong but right to do?" Celena fumbled with her words. "I dunno, I feel a bit sick doing this, but- If their p-powers are gone, then things will be good, they'll- It'll be good.. No one else in my family o-or you or anyone else c-can ever be hurt by those powers again.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I mean she did, but clearly she was taken advantage of. She made up for it in the end." Aldreda crossed her arms. "If Calamity was back, she'd be mad enough to kill Rakin, I'm sure." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I guess that's true. But I can't vote for Miss Calamity. I'm afraid we're outnumbered in that regard. Looking at everyone else, I can say that for certain."

"..." Aldreda glanced around. There was a singular, crystal stone placed in Juno's pillar. ".. It's not too late yet. Not many people have voted.." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Connie bit the inside of her cheek as Celena spoke. "I- I mean. If y'wanna take their totem, y'can- but if y'don't, t-that's alright, too. Um-" She wasn't the best at all of this rationalizing stuff. Me? "O-or me?" Connie echoed, a bit puzzled. "Wait, why me?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Do you really think people will vote for Miss Calamity. LIke really. If anyone would want her to return, it's me. But... logically speaking-" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, who are you going to vote for then, hmm?" Aldreda asked, changing the subject. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I don't know! I'll probably get outvoted no matter what I pick. The only person I knew was Miss Calamity, and I can't even vote for her!" She looked a little annoyed, despite being the one who is annoying Aldreda. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I-I think it's for the best if I do take it. Just to be safe," At Connie's question, Celena grew slightly flustered. "W-well- I care about you, so- I included you, too.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Angie floated over to Mallon and stated down at them. She cringed slightly at all the blood but brushed it off. "Are you...alright?" She asked. She glanced at Julien giving him a weak smile. We can talk later. Then she focused back on them. "You're covered in blood..." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

"Just to be safe, mhm. Precautions, precautions." She hadn't considered taking their orb would result in them losing their powers... Wait, what was gonna happen to their orbs after this, too? "I- I care about you too," Connie grinned, those thoughts still lingering in the back of her mind. "You're- you're really nice, Celena. Mmm- everyone here's been so nice, and just- I- I care about you, too." Big sister? Big cousin? "Cousin-type energy, maybe! I'unno, y'said that earlier," she added, kicking a bit at the ground. There was already someone lingering a bit by Mallon's corpse-body-self, and Connie scrunched in a bit on herself. "Uh oh." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sounds good. Julien mouthed back to Angie, offering her a parting smile. Meanwhile, another conversation caught his attention… He cautiously approached Aldreda and Tsubari. “You really think she could kill Rakin?” his voice was laced with curiosity. Maybe the pink woman was worth his vote… @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well you can't, but I can. I'm sticking with this vote unless a complete asshat is gonna win without it. Like Aileen or something." Aldreda nodded. "Annnnnd you! Oh, you're the Saw guy! Big fan. You wanna vote for Calamity too? I'm running on a platform of Rakin murder ASAP!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Anyone could murder Rakin. From what it looks like, though, things will collapse before he even croaks." Tsubari huffed. "Calamity already wanted to kill him. She just got stuck in a deal she didn't want. She's capable of anything, but she went the other route to beat him." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

There’s too many voices around. Mallon has no idea where they are, terrifyingly so, only that they are no longer in the snow and that the phantom hand of a phantom lingers on their cheek. They move achingly slow, curling in on themself around the orb cradled against their chest. Every sense is overwhelmed in dizzying pain and confusion. Something about the object feels familiar in the strangest way, a part of them distantly removed. But right now, they’re not able to put it together. Suddenly there’s a voice right in their ear, and they flinch painfully at the unexpected sound. A frail whine of a snarl is all they’re able to manage in reply—a shadow of the warning it might have once been. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾 (edited)

Julien’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, yeah- that’s me… Saw Guy. I’m very flattered. If I was stuck there any longer, I’d surely cut off my leg or something… haha,” he shuddered as he thought back to being in that bathroom. “I don’t know any of these contestants aside from Andre, but I can’t vote for him, so if your girl is really that hellbent on killing Rakin, I’m down to put my vote on her. We need someone on our side who can pack a punch, and from what you’re both saying, it sounds like she went out on her own terms. So uh, yeah, I’ll join your little campaign…” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Hah, croaks, nice one." Aldreda snickered. "And thank you, saw guy. Your vote counts!" Especially since he was 10% of them.. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

“Big cousin? I’ve never been a big cousin before,” Celena beamed. “I’d like that- You do feel like a little cousin.” As people approached, Celena frowned. “Oh.. I guess we can’t go over now..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Tsubari was a little pissy at this point. But there were only 10 people... "So that's 2. Even if I can't vote... I do want Calamity to come back. It was agaist her wishes, but like Aldreda said, it doesn't matter. That still leaves my vote, though." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

"Well if you vote for someone with absolutely no chance, like that crying bridge girl, your vote won't hurt Calamity's chances." Aldreda recommended. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I'm a big cousin! I got a niece! Cousin! I'unno, she's younger than me, familes and whatnot." Connie grinned, nudging her shoulder into Celena's arm. "And hey- I think you'd be a great big cousin. Just trust me!" "We could put our totems with Juno while there's people there," Connie suggested. "Wouldn't hurt." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Really?” Celena couldn’t help but giggle. “Thanks! I trust you a bunch!” “Mmhm, okay, we can do that.” Celena nodded. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

“Or Andre,” Julien spoke up. “If I could vote for him, I would’ve, though even then, he’d only have one vote. He’s also a good choice if you just want to pitch a vote.” And Angie would surely appreciate it- but that was neither here nor there. “So Calamity has 20% of the votes- you and me. Do you think we’ll be able to convince anyone else…?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Hmm... It does seem like a lot of people are rallying around that dissected guy, maybe we could go campaign to them and see if we can convert them?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I seriously doubt it. Looks like the head of the rally is that girl Calamity threw a fireball at." Tsubari looked over. There were a few people over there it seemed. "Someone already decided to lock in as well." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Lykos had been staring at Riki’s picture since they were brought here. A silent vigil for him, his bravery, and his sacrifice that- due to stupid fucking rules- they would be unable to repay. ’Farewell doctor. May you find your freedom.’ “I’m sorry, Riki.” Clutching the orb, they took a deep breath and turned away. Looking to the other pillars, they saw Connie speaking with another girl. They walked over, tension clear on their face. “Are you alright, Connie?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

"Lykos!" Connie greeted, turning to Lykos with a small little smile. "I- I'm alright. Celena helped me get out of the rope and stuff. Oh! This is Celena! She's m'big-cousin-energy friend. Um! We were just going to put our votes for Juno over there." "Are...you alright? How're you putting up with...this." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena gave Lykos a little wave. “Hi..” She wasn’t all too familiar with Lykos, but if this was a friend of Connie’s, then maybe this was someone she could consider a friend, too. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm, well I think I’m locking in with my vote,” Julien held up his orb. “I suppose we can try to convince those that aren’t in that… group? As long as we get a majority, we can be able to get out of here…” he paused, his eyes lighting up. “We could always try to convince those on the fence by telling them that they’ll have a fighting chance? Calamity- or well, from what I’ve seen of her- is a total powerhouse, and could definitely take down Rakin. Probably more than that old man could, and unfortunately when it comes to sentimentality verses survival, I’d much rather take the latter.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena gave Lykos a little wave. “Hi..” She wasn’t all too familiar with Lykos, but if this was a friend of Connie’s, then maybe this was someone she could consider a friend, too. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos didn’t… seem very friendly, going by looks. All of their short stature seemed to be filled with tension. “Hm, thank you, Celena for helping her. I am Dr. Lykos.” There was a tightness in their face, their voice had the same- they were barely keeping their shit together, and didn’t wish to inflict that upon these poor children. There was the slightest crack in that wall as Connie spoke. “I- I am not. Well. I cannot think about myself now, it helps nothing. Who are you two choosing.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

used /r

# 20
Details:[d20 (20)]

Connie stood there for a moment as Lykos spoke, before eventually tucking her totem into her overalls pocket, as well. Carefully, she set her (now free) hand on Lykos' shoulder- some semblance of comfort, hopefully. She squeezed their shoulder lightly, some determined little frown on her face. "We're gunna vote for Juno, since we can't vote for the people we fought," Connie said. Unity. Solidarity. She knew it would be hard not being allowed to vote for your opponents. It didn't feel fair. "Um. We can talk about this after, if you want. Um. I'm not going back t-to the snow side, so now would be a better time than ever, I guess." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

“Y-yeah, we’re- Voting for Juno..” Celena sensed the shift in energy. “U-uhm-..” She wasn’t sure if she should step away or not. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

"We can certainly try to bring people over, but everyone seems like a very emotional voter. Not sure if strategery is gonna convince them. Worth a shot, though." Tsubari shrugged. In all honesty, she's probably gonna throw away her vote. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Their body was trembling under her hand. “Juno. Very well. I. I would choose Riki, if not for-“ They bite back their anger. “…I will choose him as well.” They let out a deep sigh. “Back there, hm. I almost envy you. Talk… I am… I am filled with rage and regret. I have been unable to do anything to find a way out of here since my magic was taken from me. I cannot do anything to repay Riki for what he did for me.” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

"...I know it sounds...cheesy, but the best way to repay Riki is to keep living," Connie quietly said, "and- and that's f-for everyone who's gone. No one wants to be here- the best thing we can do is to keep trying and keep fighting for those who can't anymore." She squeezed Celena's hand at that too. That wasn't just for Lykos, that was for everyone, really. "A-and hey. You heard them. That means there are ways, y'know, Doccy?" She couldn't exactly say it out loud but, hey, she hoped it kinda got the point across. Hopefully so. "Rakin taking powers isn't gunna stop here," she sighed. "And that kinda sucks. Like, really sucks." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena squeezed her hand tightly. “It’s hard,” Celena spoke softly. “To live for those who aren’t with us anymore, but- To keep them in our memories and to live for them- It’s a way to keep them alive. They’re still with us.” She took in a deep breath. “.. I think there’s a way to stop him, and Alrai Pin. We can get together and have someone help join us- Juno’s a healer, he can help us big time.. Maybe we can stop Rakin..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos listened quietly to the girls. They were right. There was still hope for freedom. They cannot lose now, not when they’re so close. The doctor took a deep breath and nodded. “There is a way. And having a healer is integral to getting everyone out of here.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"The good choices are down to Calamity and maybe Riki.. I think all those guys would kill Rakin. If Rakin can bring one person back now, there's literally nothing stopping him from bringing back more. We need to bring back someone that can intimidate him in to doing it." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Julien nodded inquisitively. “Hmm… and if we could get more contestants back, that would satisfy everyone. Riki… that’s the guy depicted fighting Rakin, right? Also a good choice…” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Despite her own words of encouragement, that aching feeling within Connie was growing and growing. That fight- if she could even call it a fight -how long had Moses been set on losing to let her win? How did he feel walking her to his death? She had only known him for a few minutes, but that had already cost him his life. She had to stop Alrai Pin- for Moses, and for everyone else who lost. "Oh- I didn't know Juno could heal. W-wait, maybe if more people knew about that, they would vote for him...too? A lot of people seem to be voting for the others..." She couldn't exactly blame them for wanting to bring their friends back, though. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Okay. This is beginning to bore me. Someone call out heads or tails!" Rakin's voice echoed across the arena. @everyone

7

4

2

12:37 PM

"Anyoooooone?"

"Tails?" Angie calls out. why not!

3

"WHO ARE YOU??"

A coin appeared in her hand. It was a strange, tiny metal coin. One side had a pair of frog legs, and the other had a frogs' face. Tails and heads respectively. "Perfect! Now flip it and let it land on the sand. No cheating!" @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

12:41 PM

(D2, 1 heads 2 tails)

Angie shrugs and looks at the coin curiously befoe she flips it.

Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

used /r

# 2
Details:[d2 (2)]

2

"Tails!"

"Hmmmmmmmmm.. Alright. There's a new rule."

12:43 PM

"If you all can perfectly split your votes between TWO contestants, I'll bring both of them back. I hope this sparks some more interesting conversation."

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 pinned a message to this channel. 4/6/2024 12:43 PM

"Well this works, we can get Calamity and everyone else can get that dead guy they want! Win win. We only need three more votes then, and Tsubari can go put her vote in with the dead guy." Aldreda said. "Problem solved." @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

“Well, that means we need an even spilt- five and five. Calamity’s opponent would have to vote for the dead guy, and those not voting for the dead guy would have to vote for Calamity. But- this way we’d have someone strong in our corner, as well as someone special to some of the contestants.” Julien concluded. “Should we propose this to the others?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru (edited)

em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

There’s too many voices around. Mallon has no idea where they are, terrifyingly so, only that they are no longer in the snow and that the phantom hand of a phantom lingers on their cheek. They move achingly slow, curling in on themself around the orb cradled against their chest. Every sense is overwhelmed in dizzying pain and confusion. Something about the object feels familiar in the strangest way, a part of them distantly removed. But right now, they’re not able to put it together. Suddenly there’s a voice right in their ear, and they flinch painfully at the unexpected sound. A frail whine of a snarl is all they’re able to manage in reply—a shadow of the warning it might have once been. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾 (edited)

Angie sits down with Mallon amd sighs. It's been awhile since did this. "Hey. I'm Angie." She introduced herself. "Julien is here with me." She gestured to him. "We're...somewhere..an event of some sort. We have to bring someone back. Currently...we are still in our voting period." She explained as she gently ran her hands through Mallon's hair to calm them down. "I need you to breathe with me, can you...do that?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“Mmhm, there is a way,” Celena smiled. “And if more people know, then- I’d like them to know.. I think I might tell them, lemme just..” Celena took in a deep breath as she stepped up. Clearing her throat, she began to address the arena. “E-excuse me, everyone? May I have just a moment of your time?” She requested. “I know this is a big ask, but I ask for your consideration on who to vote for- Please, N-Nathan or Juno.” Nathan’s name slipped out first. It was clear who her heart truly wanted. Suddenly, she found herself rambling as tears filled her eyes. “Nathan’s kind, and sweet, and capable with his powers. He has an incredibly kind heart, he gave up his life for me. Th-that’s a debt I can’t ever repay. He’s done so much good, and he still has plenty more good left to do. With his powers, he could assist us greatly in getting out of here. They could help us defensively and offensively. Please, it’s a big ask, but please, please take Nathan into consideration for just a moment. H-he’s treated me like a younger family member, and I see him as the same too. I-I’d like my older sibling back, with all of my heart. He saved me from f-falling into space, if I can, with your help, I-I’d like to be able to save him.” She could just imagine Nathan’s hugs, Nathan’s voice, their warmth, their comfort, the safety that they provided with just their presence. God, Celena wanted Nathan back desperately. “A-and then Juno- H-he was taken away far too soon. He’s a loving father of a baby, he’s a husband, and he’s an adoptive father. He’s taken me and several others under his wing. He’s a kind, gentle man who’s a healer- I can heal, but he could do a lot with his healing. Please, he died a painful way. I-I’d like my father back, if it’s possible.”

1:49 PM

“If you haven’t decided on a vote, please, even for a second, take my words into consideration. That much is greatly appreciated.” With that, Celena bowed her head gratefully. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Th-thank you for your time..”

1:50 PM

And with that, she stepped back to Connie and Lykos, sniffling quietly.

1:50 PM

@everyone

Aldreda listened along to Celena's speech. She made a few good points, really tried to pull at some heart strings.. Well comparing Nathan to a brother kind of lost a bit of Aldreda's sympathy to him, Celena made Yeonaixho sound pretty good. A healer. They'd need that. Almost anyone could fight, but only a few could heal. She was definitely set on who one of the revived should be. "I really don't mean to hurt your feelings dear, but can you go in to a bit more detail about how Nathan will actually help us to get out of here? I fully support bringing Yeonaixho back, we'll need healing, but if we're gonna bring back a healer we should also bring back a fighter." "And I know Calamity caused you grief in the past, and I was mad at her too! But I don't think you were at her fight. She regretted being tricked in to helping Rakin at all, and she's so pissed at him she turned herself to ash so he couldn't get her powers! She's likely to actually have enough bloodlust and rage to kill Rakin, OR we could use her to intimidate him in to bringing more people back!" "I'm sorry, I just don't see much of a reason to bring Nathan back besides that you think he's.. Nice. And you say he's strong, but I still don't know much about his powers besides you claiming they're good offensively and defensively without explanation.." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I… understand your grief,” Julien spoke up, holding a hand to his heart as he looked at Celena. “I do think though, that the woman vouching for Calamity has a point. I think having someone powerful willing to fight against Rakin would benefit us greatly. Though, I do want you to get your family back, so perhaps we can split the vote- one for your family member, and the other for Calamity?” Weirdly enough, Julien was quite sold on Nathan being the candidate from the family to be resurrected, though he didn’t voice it. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Mallon doesn’t recognize Angie’s voice, but they do recognize Julien’s name—their shoulders relax, minutely. The description helps cut through the fog at least a little bit, and they fumble with the object in their broken grasp as they try to process beyond the pain still gripping them. Then, though, a hand touches their head, and Mallon’s entire body jerks harshly in response. Their torn spinal fin ripples along their back, sharp intake of breath turning into a hacking cough splattering blood on the ground as they swat blindly towards where it seems like the hand is coming from. Luckily enough, or unluckily, for them it’s enough of a burst of terror to keep from hearing the current conversation going on. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Lykos nodded along with Celena’s speech. Taking a step forward, they addressed the group. “I believe Nathan would be best to bring back. He is able to control clay- and there is a caecilian, Tai’Tana on the warm side that can create clay. Together they could be a formidable force, able to create defenses and attack with their powers. Calamity is strong, but there are people here who need to be protected. Nathan would be able to provide that.” They bowed their head and stepped back. @everyone

Celena looked thankful to hear Lykos' words. "Thank you." She whispered. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 Once more, she stepped up to address Aldreda and Julien. "It's okay, feelings are going to be hurt all around here." She gave a small smile. "If we need healing, I'm a healer, too. I've been alive for hundreds of years, and I've faced a lot of different kinds of injuries that others have had. I'll be able to provide us with a lot of healing alongside Juno. A healer and a fighter being brought back will help immensely." "I know Calamity's powerful, I acknowledge that, but so is Nathan," Celena took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "She'd definitely be a great person to bring back alongside Juno, if we could properly split the votes. But I wholeheartedly believe that Nathan would be a valuable asset to bring back. Kindness isn't his only strength: He has clay abilities, and they're able to do plenty with that. Being able to transform weapons and objects into other things is just one of the many ways that they can use their abilities. Not only that, but they can transform themselves! I learned about this recently, and while I'm not too aware of the extent of their abilities transformation wise, I know that Nathan has intelligence and wit to use it to the very best of their ability and beyond in combat. I can see Nathan having anger of their own at being put to death that'll fuel them forward in our fight against Rakin and Alrai Pin." Celena felt silent for a moment before she spoke up once more.

2:54 PM

"Not only that, but I've come to speculate that Nathan might be an Oni, based on how our match went and the questions that were asked. Oni are very, very powerful creatures who can transform into stronger forms. They have high strength, agility, and endurance, and are able to bounce back quickly from damage. With Nathan being able to access this form, they'd truly be devastating in battle." Celena gave Aldreda and Julien a small, tired smile. "Thank you for stepping forward and asking questions, I appreciate it. If.. I could have it the way I can see it in my mind, Nathan being the fighter and Juno being the healer with tied votes would be a big help." @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Julien nodded, taking Celena’s words into consideration. This was very tough. “I… will consider your words, but for now, my vote is locked in. I think we need a fighter that for sure is confirmed to be a powerful creature, and I’m afraid speculation won’t do. I would like to get out of here, and unfortunately that would mean that Juno and Calamity are my picks. I’m sorry.” He bowed his head. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

Tsubari looks between everyone, unsure of what to do. But she can't help but. "Julien, was it? I'm still not sure about Calamity. I... she let me win for a reason. Even if we do bring her back, what if it gives them an opening again? I don't know how that works really, but I... I don't know. You guys probably have your mind made up, but I still don't think we should vote for Calamity. I know you think her wishes don't matter, but I think they do. If they're right.. about the clay powers, I'm sure we can be strong enough. Miss Aldreda already has fire, it's not the same, but it's still fire. The only reason she helped at all was to repay her mistake. She's paid her debts, what makes you think she'd help anyone but herself after that?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Aughhh.. people were making good points here. Seemed like Lykos and Connie, the wolf and lightning of team phoenix lightning wolf, also seemed to have their minds settled.. "Fine, fine. I'll change my vote.. I'll just have to burn up Rakin twice as much.." Aldreda sighed and removed her stone from Calamity's pillar. "But you all better be serious about how tough this Nathan guy is. We'll be counting on him." Aldreda looked over at Julien. ".. it would be best to not split the vote more than two ways, and I don't think Calamity is gonna be getting any more votes, saw guy.." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Julien sighed. It wasn’t worth fighting over people he didn’t know. “…If that’s the choice we’re settling on… fine. But, I’m with the demon sympathizer, you’d better not be screwing us over for sentimentality’s sake. Nathan and Juno better be able to pull their weight.” he looked over at Aldreda. “I suppose you’ll have to be the one to reduce Rakin to ashes on behalf of your friend- or whatever she was to you.” And with that, Julien’s vote went to Nathan. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Th-they will pull their weight, I swear on it! I'll ensure that things will go well with them from this point forth!" Celena offered them all a bow. "Thank you!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Aldreda walked across the area and put her vote in with Yeonaixho. Something about this didn't feel right, though it could be because she was looking at the dead husband of the woman she just had epic gay sex with and is now voting to bring him back a few hours later. Buuuuut she could play it cool. "Aaaand that's done." Aldreda nodded, turning away from the pillar.

6

Tsubari sighed with semi relief. She wasn't sure how much everyone else knew, but the realization had hit her. They would be as they were before the fight. Calamity would've been trapped. She walked over to Nathan's pillar and put in her vote. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos put in their vote for Yeonaixho. “It would be best for the other two to vote for Nathan so it’s even.”

( @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @Shae | Ko if they both put their votes in for Nathan both him and Yeonaixho will come back)

Isabelle didn't like where this was going... Alarm bells were ringing in her head at the thought of both Juno and Jymaiyri. But there was nothing she could change. I'm not going to go into the entire tedtalk of realizations i had yesterday but she doesn't like any of this. Isabelle's voting for Nathan, like it's already counted but yeah. Not sorry Jymaiyri but you get your way anyways so

Celena let out a deep sigh of relief. Things were going well. Nathan needed a few more votes.. Her gaze traveled over to Mallon. That totem was needed. Her body was shaking as she approached the creature that killed Juno. She was terrified, but she needed that totem. She needed it, and it was so close now.. Just a bit further out of reach.. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Connie had already put her totem in for Yeonaixho. She was now watching Celena and Mallon warily.

Mallon’s still breathing heavily by the time Celena approaches, hands trembling around the orb in their grip. It still feels strangely familiar—and the sudden sound of footsteps sparks another jagged burst of fear into their chest. Their grip tightens, and to their utter shock a layering of thin, black shells slowly creeps back across their skin. Mallon almost sobs in pure relief, lacking tears but sounding all the same, at the comforting armored pressure that encompasses them. The footsteps seem to have paused, and perhaps they’ve misjudged the idea of someone coming. Slowly, as the shells settle and their breathing begins to even, they relax their grip on the orb. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“.. I-I’m sorry,” Celena spoke softly. “I need your orb. I could- Heal you some, if you can give it to me, I don’t wanna just take it.. I need it to bring my big brother back..” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Mallon flinches again—head shooting up as they scan wildly to try and pinpoint the new voice. It really doesn’t work, and they just look more and more frightened. Their earfins have pinned back against their head completely flat as they weakly bare their teeth. Seems like they’ve put two and two together about the orb’s worth. But…well. Certain decisions aside, they’re not a complete idiot. They know they won’t last long without something to stop the bleeding once the thorns are removed. It takes a heaving amount of effort, but eventually they’re able to roughly force out, “Hhelp me..” A pause. “Hel..p yo..u...” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

Celena nodded her head. Warm light formed over Mallon as she began the healing process. Wounds that had thorns in them began to heal and slowly push the thorns out. The healing process continued for a bit. “.. F-feel a bit better?” Celena asked quietly. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 [Mallon gets 7 points of healing]

[mallon was at 4 but i never wrote it so theyre back to 11 ty celena

] It’s some of the first warmth they’ve felt in a while. Mallon’s tensed horribly at first, jaw clenched like they expect the worst, but as the light they can no longer see spreads across them they slowly, tentatively ease. The bigger chunks of vines that had remained embedded in their skin are mostly gone, which offers a crushing relief—though there is nothing Celena can do to change the flower brushing against their face. They don’t offer a verbal answer, exhaustion draining their voice, but the orb eventually releases from their grip and rolls across the ground to bump against Celena’s shoe. As it does so, the shells begin to fall out of their skin just as they had when Rakin stripped them from them, dropping one after another into the sand and dragging a pained whimper out of them even as the tiny cuts heal under the last remnants of Celena’s light. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

Celena continued to heal them for a few more moments before she let the light fade away. She knelt down and gingerly picked up the orb. “Th-thank you,” She spoke softly. “.. Hope you feel a bit better..” And with that, Celena stepped away and placed the totem at Nathan’s spot. She returned to Connie’s side after, still trembling and with tears in her eyes. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 [Mallon gets 8 more points of healing]

Connie was initially...very tense when Mallon started shifting around, but much to her awe and relief, Celena's healing seemed to go by pretty smoothly. When Celena returned to her side, Connie held out her hand for Celena to take, an encouraging little smile on her face. "You did great," she chirped. "You got Nathan in th'running, and now people are voting for them. You're a pretty good public speaker!" "And you healing Mallon for the orb was nice, too," she quietly added. "Your dad's coming back now, and your brother, too. You did really good!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena sniffled as she took Connie’s hand. Her tears began to fall, and she quickly used her other hand to wipe them away. “Th-thank you, Connie,” Celena managed out in a tearful whisper. She cleared her throat and tried to speak normally. “For everything, th-thank you..” “I-it was nerve-wracking, talking to e-everyone like that,” She chuckled weakly. “B-but it worked, I’m re-really surprised..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I just stood here the whole time, you 'n Lykos did most'a it!" She had no idea who this Nathan guy was, but he seemed pretty special to them. Oni, was it? That seemed pretty neat, too. "But you did great, really!" Connie squeezed Celena's hand with reassurance. "Take all the time you need. It's alright." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

“Mmhm, I’m thankful Lykos was there, I c-couldn’t have done it without them, o-or without you.” More tears began to fall at a faster pace as she squeezed Connie’s hand back. Celena sniffled quietly and nodded her head. “Th-thank you,” Celena spoke in a breathy whisper. “I c-can’t believe they’re c-coming back, it’s- It’s hard to believe..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Ko hated this place she realized suddenly. Before, before she hadn’t wanted to be here. To her knowledge no one did. This awful place that pitted them against each other. That had people dying and others living but not for long. Not forever if they couldn’t get out of here. But this. To have someone beg for their family to be brought back. To see not just their lives used as entertainment but their deaths too. The way their host could bring them back and made them choose. Made it impossible for everyone to win or even be happy with the choices thanks to his stupid rules. It made that part of her that had been taught to respect death, it made it angry and bitter. It made her hate this place and what it was doing to them all. She held her orb tightly. She hated the idea of letting it go, even for a moment, because it was all that was left. And she wasn’t sure she’d be getting it back either. Couldn’t trust anything slightly good in this place to stay. So she held on, staring at her orb, knowing she’d have to vote before someone made her as her body blurred slightly. Her ability to hold onto her own form slipping as her emotions did. Walking over to Scott’s totem as she stared at it. If only to remember what he looked like in the end.

The bleeding ceases as Celena and her healing leave, and slowly but surely Mallon finds the strength to push themself up shakily to a slumped, seated position. Their hair spills over their shoulders, ratty, tangled, and bloodstained, and partially covers their face. Pushing it away weakly does nothing to rid the nothingness. What once was their gaze turns back to their best approximation of where Angie was before, though it’s wildly off. The disorientation is immense as it weighs on their shoulders. At least she’s no longer touching them, a relief. “Wh..ere..?” @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

( @everyone if we could get all votes in today AND finalized by 2 pm CST it would be very appreciated!)

After most of the votes were placed, it seemed there were still a few people deliberating. Aldreda had some time.. She glanced around at the pillars. Nearly all of these people didn't deserve this fate. They nearly all deserved to have never been taken to this event in the first place. She walked back to Calamity's pillar and bowed her head. Turtle and Phoenix appeared on top of the pillar, looking around curiously. "Sorry we couldn't get ya back, girl. You deserved another chance. I know what it's like to be judged as evil, so maybe I took more pity on you than most.. and maybe I felt a little guilty about believing you to be a traitor so soon as well. I'm no better than those old Avis folks I hate so much.." Aldreda sighed. She plucked two of the feathers from her waist and held them out in front of Calamity's image. She muttered something quietly and waved the feathers around the image. It probably looked less silly when there was actually a person there and not just a photo. The feathers brushed around Calamity's face, hands, and chest. Once that was finished, Aldreda took a moment of silence. She solemnly placed the feathers down in the slot, and they surprisingly were not magically rejected. But it also didn't seem like they were actually counting for anything. Aldreda moved around and repeated the process, only using one feather each for everyone else, and the birds followed around as well to perch atop the current pillar. Notably she skipped over Aileen, but everyone else got one.

Ko finally moved away from the pillars after a moment. Regaining slight control over her form as she wandered over. Approaching Celena with a curious expression, her orb held tightly in her grasp as she fought the urge to turn it to mist. “Your family,” she began without pause, “they mean everything to you yes?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena jumped slightly when Ko approached. Embarrassed by her tears, she quickly tried to rub them away. “Y-yes,” Celena managed out once she felt a bit more emotionally steady. Her hand grasped Connie’s a bit tighter. “They mean everything to me. Life without them has been- Cruel and unkind, I’m-.. I can’t imagine how the r-rest of my life would be like without them..” @Shae | Ko

“And you would do anything for them? Anything they asked or needed you would do?” She pressed, feeling herself solidify a bit more. Though the orb was looking worse off as it began to turn transparent in her hands, “I assume that’s why you asked us all to vote for them in any case.” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I-I would say within reason, because if they asked me to, like, kill a kid, I wouldn’t,” She shook her head. “But they’re also not the kind of people who would do that kind of thing. They have such pure hearts, kind hearts, and are comforting to those around them. They’re good people, the best kind of people anyone could know.” Taking in a deep breath, she continued. “So, y-yes, I’d do anything for them. If I could- Give myself up for them, I would. I’d do anything I could to ensure that they’d be okay, because they deserve to be okay. They deserve the best that the world has to offer.” She fidgeted slightly. “I f-feel bad swaying votes, because I know they’re not the only good people here, but-but-.. They’re good for so many reasons. They’ll help us get out of this mess, I-I guarantee it..” @Shae | Ko

Ko nodded at her answers. Letting them process as she offered a small smile. “It’s good that you care about them a lot. And I’m sure they feel the same. So I have just one more question for you. I want you to think a moment before you answer. I know I don’t know you very well but I’d like you to be honest.” “If this does work, if you bring them both back. Get the joy and relief of reuniting your family. Will you truly be okay if they don’t survive this place regardless of being brought back now? If you have to see them die again and have to go through that grief of losing them twice over because of today. Would it still be worth it to see them brought back now, even if it meant more grief later on?” Death was sacred to her. To see it messed with in such a way made her want to crush her own orb into mist. To disperse it and the pillars at the idea that death was nothing more than a tool in this place. But she refrained, after all, family was important to her too. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena did use that moment to think Ko's words over. To have to experience that loss and grief again-.. It'd crush her. She wouldn't know how she'd recover. She probably wouldn't, if she were honest- She'd let the grief simmer down until it didn't hurt, and would carry it with her for the rest of her immortal life. "I don't know," Celena answered slowly and truthfully. "I don't know if I'll be okay if they don't survive this place. It was- Hard to lose them once, but to lose them twice..? I've lost people twice in my life due to magic and chaos that happened in my youth, i-it's a bit complicated, but- I've faced that same exact loss." Celena rested her free hand over her heart. "And it's taken me such a long time, until now, to finally start to feel okay, and they're the reason why I've started to feel okay. I don't know how I would react if I were to lose them again and subject them to a second death, but-.. I'm prepared for potential grief. I'll continue to prepare myself. Just the thought of feeling their warmth, seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter for just one more time.. That's what's propelling me forward. If there's a chance I could protect them with my own life, I will, in a heartbeat. They deserve to live on." The girl offered Ko a small, thankful smile. "Thank you for bringing this up, Ko, I.. That hasn't hit me until now. I'll prepare myself.." @Shae | Ko

“I wanted you to be sure, grief is different for everyone but it’s never easy. I wanted to be sure of your choice before casting my vote,” Ko spoke, letting the orb come into full view as her powers left it. “Thank you for being honest, if you had lied I would’ve voted someone else. But you were honest and I appreciate that. There might not be a way out for us here. But at least you can have your family one more time before you go.” She walked over to Nathan’s pole, putting her orb in the slot as she ignored the desire to hold it close before coming back over to Celena. Reaching into her pocket as she pulled out a small charm of the sun. “Here,” she spoke offering it to Celena, “I make charms and talismans at my temple. They might not be overtly magic but they are blessed and have a reputations of helping guard their owners. It might help, just in case.” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

As the final stone was put in place, the ground began to shake ever so slightly...

8

5

"Thank you for- Your questions and your words, I really appreciate them. I believe that there's a way out for us, but- It always boils down to us being together. Together, we'll find a way. There'll be more of us now to do that. Thank you for helping bring my family back together." At the charm, she looked surprised. Her eyes widened as the light glimmered in them. Sun charm? Sun charm! "Th-thank you so much-!" Celena gingerly took the offered charm and held it close. She looked over the details of it with awe and wonder. "It's beautiful- You're talented at your craft, you know that? Thank you so much for this." She easily attached the charm to the bracelet that she had made with Nora and the others. Celena's smile was big and genuine, though it flickered into a frown of concern when the ground began to shake.. @Shae | Ko

“You’re welcome Celena. I hope your family gets a happy ending,” Ko spoke, quickly going on guard as the ground began to shake. Her focus now elsewhere as pulled her power forward. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

One by one, the pillars around Nathan and Yeonaixho's pillars began to turn to dust. They simply blew away in the slight breeze. But the remaining two stood. "Nathan and Yeonaixho. Somewhat expected." Rakin said. "Without further adieu, LIIIIIIIIFE!" Lightning struck the two pillars, and they began to shake as well.

Celena yelped as the lightning struck both pillars. As the shaking grew worse, she dropped to the ground and brought Connie down with her. She covered Connie's body with her own as the pillars shook, and presumably, would break. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

They shook and shook and shook, and finally... One of them cracked. Only one. Nathan's pillar started to crack from top to bottom, first only small ones, then large, streaking out across the entire surface. In less than thirty seconds, the whole thing seemed like it was going to fall apart. Piece by piece it fell away and revealed Nathan standing inside of it, looking as he did at the very end of their fight.. Besides any injuries. He now wore a light green wool robe, since his previous clothes had been a bit.. Well.. Singed. He seemed fine, but it was like he had been pulled straight out of his final resting place. Probably not a great mental space. Yeonaixho's pillar stood where it was, no cracks yet forming. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

7

(The darkness is creeping in on them. They think they have to go.) He wouldn't have regretted a thing. Well, maybe a few things- not cleaning out his room, not calling Ellie, not getting his t-gel -a few things, but certainly not this. He would have gladly done it again in a heartbeat. And suddenly, they gasp, that brilliant light replacing the dark that was growing around them. The sand hurts. The light hurts. They're sinking to the ground before they can do anything else, greedily drinking in that awful, dusty-ass, musty-ass air. Their face hurts. Their hand hurts. That stupid white thing was taking up half of their vision again. "hh," Nathan rasps, still coughing desperately. Their entire body is itchy. Their face hurts more. Are they still burning? Are they crying? They can't tell. “hhgh. hh. whh.” Tears pool around clenched fists.

4:33 PM

(Who. Do i ping)

Soon after Nathan's pillar collapsed, the cracks began to form in his as well. This was a bit different though.. These cracks radiated a godly, near blinding golden light as they spread from the top to the bottom. The stone fell away with fading light, revealing Yeonaixho.. He seemed to be exactly as he was the moment his fight had been announced, only now he was wearing a similar robe to Nathan, though this one was golden. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

The last thing Yeonaixho could remember was sitting in the clearing in the farmland with his newfound family, and then- his voice being called out on the announcements. After that, nothing. He must've lost conciousness somehow- had he been knocked out in his fight so badly he lost the memory of it? That couldn't be right. He was faintly aware that time had passed, though he was ignorant to how much time. Burning, searing pain overtook him, localized in his upper chest but spreading throughout his torso, to his gut. It permeated from his skin to his organs, dulling all sense he had of what was around him. His ears rang with a distinct, metallic humming, one that was achingly familiar yet impossible to place. He stumbled forward, onto his hands and knees, and pressed a hand to his chest, trying to mitigate the pain with his healing- though he couldn't detect a source. The ringing in his ears only seemed to get worse and worse as he tried. His breath was shallow, but slowly calming, as the pain began to slowly ease on its own...

Once the shaking settled and the debris stopped falling, Celena slowly uncurled herself from Connie. As soon as her gaze rested on Nathan, her eyes widened further. They burned from dust and tears, and slowly, Celena- Zora rose to her feet. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she slowly approached Nathan. Occasionally, she stumbled over pieces of the pillar, but she didn't dare to take her eyes off of Nathan. If she did, what if Nathan would disappear? What if the void took them once more? The void was calling again. She ignored that call: All she could focus on was the beating of her own heart as she approached Nathan. "Na-Nathan?" Zora's voice came out as a breathy whisper. The lump in her throat made it difficult to breathe, to talk, but she forced herself to. "Nathan?" Then, she broke off into a sprint, desperate to reach their side. "Nathan- Nathan!" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

After Juno had had a bit of time to recover on his own, Aldreda slinked over to him. She spared a glance up at where the stands usually were just in case Jymaiyri was there (not that she'd know that) before looking down at Yeonaixho. "Are you.. Alright?" Aldreda asked, crouching down next to him. Turtle and Phoenix swooped in to stand beside him as well. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

A voice. Nathan's head immediately looks up to the source of the voice, tears ever-trickling down their cheeks. It aches. They don't know what's happening. There is someone familiar. She is running right at him, and he cannot see her well enough. His eye still burns. There is someone familiar. She is like the dawn, likes strawberries, likes the color yellow. She's young, just a kid, his baby sister. "zora," he rasps, the first coherent word he's managed to say. His throat cracks desperately. He's breathing. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

At the sound of her name being spoken by Nathan, Zora let out a wobbly sob. Her legs worked harder to get herself to Nathan. Once she was finally there, she couldn't help but finally wrap her arms around Nathan. She squeezed, not hard enough to hurt because she didn't want to harm her sibling, but hard enough to feel that Nathan was real. Shifting her head slightly, her ear rested against their chest. Thu-thump, thu-thump. The beating of their heart echoed in her ear. They were alive. They were alive. They were alive and warm and real. "Na-Nathan, Nathan, Nathan-" Zora sobbed. Her forehead pressed against their shoulder as she continued to cry. "Nathan, Nathan- You're alive- You're back- Nathan-" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

They hug Zora back with all of their might, which isn't much, but they certainly try. Their breath is all wobbly and still feels strange, though it doesn't hurt. Any air is better than that dark hell from before. And when Zora cries, Nathan squeezes her slightly more. He doesn't really get what's happening. Give him some time, he's tryin'. "i'm wuh," Nathan blearily asks. It still hurts to say anything- or to feel, too. That too. "whaz'apenin'." All they could remember was the cold- the fog, the darkness, the cold. But they were much warmer now, thanks to the hug. The hug was nice. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"W-we had- Our fight, and- And then- I got knocked out, but you- Let me win and y-you-" Another sob tore its way from her throat. Zora squeezed Nathan a bit tighter. "B-but you're here now! You're b-back- You're back! You're alive an-and- It's all g-going to be okay!" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"ohh, yeah." Right, yeah, he sacrified himself for her. That was going to be a whole can of worms to unravel. "mmm...yeah, that...demon lady knocked you out after your, um...thing," Nathan lamely explained. "wasn't fair. so uh, y'won. instead." Gods, he probably looked so pathetic pulling that. Despite those buzzing thoughts, Nathan gently ruffled Zora's hair, the side of their face mashed into the toppa her head. "mmmhm, i'm alive, all's'good now. yeup." They were quiet for a moment, breathing slowly. Carefully. They were alive now. They were alive now. "how'm'i back? i was...in space. falling." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

"Th-thank you for saving me, N-Nathan- I can't- I still can't believe you chose me, n-no one's ever ch-chosen me b-before.." Zora squeezed Nathan a bit tighter. "I-I'm sorry for that attack, I can't- I can't control th-that, it happens when I-I get scared and really stressed, a-and- It won't happen again, promise-!" "Y-you're back because th-they had the winners choose people, a-and- If. the. votes tied, then two people got to c-come back, so it's y-you and Juno. I-I was able to convince p-people to vote for you two.." Zora trembled. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan laughed lightly, ruffling Zora's hair a little more. "hey, hey, it's alright, all's good! y'did great, that was absolutely stellar." They pulled away briefly to look her in the eyes...as best as they could, really. "but hey, look, it worked, huh?" Some poor example of a joke. Most, if not all of the burns seemed to have been...just removed when they were resurrected. However, the area around right eye was still as burnt as before, skin an angry, reddish pink. Healing would fix the surface stuff, but it seemed to be far too damaged. "why wouldn’t i save you? what kind'a guy would i be if i just left you behind?" He set a firm hand on Zora's shoulder, the corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile. "you deserve t'live too." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (waoou)

Both of the siblings still bore their burn injuries. Zora definitely looked different from the last time Nathan had seen her, as she too had different clothes yet had shorter hair not as well. Her bottom lip was trembling as she looked Nathan in the eye. Instantly, her light formed overhead as she began to heal the damage that she had done to Nathan with her attack. "I-I'm sorry," She choked out. Even with the hair ruffle, the hand on her shoulder, the reassuring smile from her sibling, it didn't do much to ease the guilt of simply being alive. The guilt of knowing that she harmed someone that she loved. "I'm sorry, I-I did this to you.." A bandaged hand reached up to rub at her eyes. "Y-you deserved to l-live, too.. I'm s-sorry for everything.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Despite the healing, that muddled haze of light didn't seem to go away. But everything did become much clearer, Zora included. Nathan's brows furrowed together as they began to notice the sudden changes in appearance- shorter hair, bandaged and scuffed up- at least she had gotten healing after all of that. That reassurance wasn't enough to fill the pit in their stomach. "hey- hey, you didn't do anything wrong," Nathan quietly insisted. "you didn't do anything at all, actually. that was my choice to make, you were- you weren't even conscious, and-" They sucked in a breath through their teeth, trying their best to form words with this battered, broken as hell brain of theirs. "i...look, i don't mean to say that my life isn't worth anything to yours, alright? i just- it- in that moment, you were the one i wanted to protect most, m- more than myself. and that's not your fault, or anything." "we both wanted each other to live. it just...wasn't an option." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"B-but still, maybe I could've- Done something different," Zora insisted. "I could've- B-been smarter, in-instead of letting my fear get the best of me, I just-" Zora leaned against Nathan, desperate to feel more of their warmth and comfort. She squeezed her eyes shut. ".. I'm sorry, still, f-for everything," Her voice was soft and genuine. "I'm glad you're here now, I-I missed you so much.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"mmm. if not for the fact i was just revived, i'd teach you a thing or two about managing your fear," Nathan hummed, gladly hugging Zora again. He was just like a piece of toast, absorbing all of the heat they possibly could. A toasty, roasty burnt piece of toast, though. "but, again. you didn't do anythin' wrong. nothin' on you. you didn't do anythin' wrong. um. we- we can talk more about that after, though." "...missed you too," he softly said. "it was...just a blur, really, but. i missed ya." They unfurled their (still) stinging hand to find the little wooden dog Zora had whittled settled neatly in their hand. The ears had been jabbing into their palm the entire time. Huh. "uh, oaky kept me comp'ny when you got zapped to safety. nice little fella." He had held onto the poor little thing as the tiles fell away. He didn't remember who he was praying to. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'll work on it, promise," Zora sniffled. She couldn't help but let out a watery chuckle. "I-I already feel a bit braver, w-with you here.." "Mmhm, we can talk more about it later, I'm just- S-so happy and relieved that you're here," At the sight of the dog, Zora perked up. Her smile became a bit bigger. "Yo-you got it-! I wasn't sure if you d-did get it, I couldn't remember if th-there was a way that you had gotten it.. Good, I'm glad.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"hey, 's'all good. we both got...a lot. of stuff to work on." Nathan grinned too, moving the little guy around with their fingers. "yeah, oaky- i literally lunged for that when i couldn't get to you. i just held onto that little guy the entire time. he's a sweet little guy. super well made. you made him, huh?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"But at l-least we're together now and can work on those things together," Zora chuckled, her voice sounding controlled and steady as her tears started to settle. "We'll have tons of time to work on things together.." "I'm glad you had him with you, I-I worked hard on him," Zora smiled. "I made a little dog for you, a-and then I made a kitty for Nora. I Wanted to make you both something nice. I'm still really glad that you like it." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

The bleeding ceases as Celena and her healing leave, and slowly but surely Mallon finds the strength to push themself up shakily to a slumped, seated position. Their hair spills over their shoulders, ratty, tangled, and bloodstained, and partially covers their face. Pushing it away weakly does nothing to rid the nothingness. What once was their gaze turns back to their best approximation of where Angie was before, though it’s wildly off. The disorientation is immense as it weighs on their shoulders. At least she’s no longer touching them, a relief. “Wh..ere..?” @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

@Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Time...Nathan didn’t exactly know how much time had passed since he. Well. Died. Or how much time they had left, but the notion was nice. Nathan nodded encouragingly in response. "we'll work on 'em together. both of us." "he's suuper well made," he hummed. Rotate the dog. "i love him. i really do. he's just so frickin' tiny and adorable. i shall treasure him for all time." Nora! "nora- nora, hey, did she fight yet? who else fought after me?" There was still the pressing question on...why people voted for him, but he could get to that after. "and...who lost?" Out of all of those dead, why him? He could get Juno, but why him? @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

"I'm glad you like him a lot." Zora beamed. At their question, her smile faltered slightly. She fidgeted with a button of her cardigan. "Nora hasn't had her fight yet, I-I don't know who or when it'll be, but-.. There's been quite a few losses, but I don't really- Know the names, I didn't attend many a-after our match happened.." Zora shifted on her feet. "I wasn't really brave enough to.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"mmm...yeah, i- i get that. not at all great vibes, like. anywhere." Nathan sighed a little, scratching behind their ear. Everywhere was still itchy. And damn. That green was atrocious. "ehh, help me up, please. i guess i gotta thank those who brought me back...and ask about those who've gone, too, huh? it seems right." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, the vibes have been- Kinda rancid." Zora managed a small chuckle. "O-oh- Right! I gotcha," Zora helped Nathan get steady on his feet. "D-do you feel okay enough to walk around? Do you want me to try and heal you more? Is there a-anything more that I can do..?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"putrid, i'd assume. curdling. eugh, milk. yuck." Nathan stuck out his tongue with a grimace, managing to get himself to his feet with Zora's help. "i feel...alright, i wasn't really roughed up in that fight. just kind of wobbly, but i'll manage." "you did enough already, don't worry," he reassured. "'specially with the whole, like, convincing people to bring...us. back?" Something shimmery had caught his attention when he stood. Nathan stared at the pile of rubble surrounding him, some puzzled little expression on his face. "what're those shiny things." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Okay, j-just- Be sure to take it easy, okay? If you need to take a seat at any time, lemme know, okay?" At Nathan's question, Zora frowned before looking in the direction of the 'shiny things.' Her smile returned when she saw that those were the orbs. "Oh! Those are the orbs from the totems that the winners got- Wait, I can give you yours, it has your powers in it!" Zora beamed. "You can hold onto it!" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"i'll let you know, promise," Nathan hummed. "i'm doin' fine, all things considered." The totems, huh? "oh- oh, huh. i forgot people got totems after they won. i'll hang on to mine, and we could maybe help give it out to the others? or just...let 'em know." His powers! He had really been. Lacking in using their powers, huh. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Alright, thank you. That's good to know." Zora smiled. "And that's a great idea! We can pass them back out and tell them thank you." Zora began to help Nathan over to where the orbs were. The first one she picked up was Nathan's, which she held out for them to take. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"ooo, doubly smart. smart, smart." After making their way over (closer) to the orbs, Nathan took their orb from Zora. It was smooth as ever- just like when they held the totem for the first time after the fight -but it was just...their powers, instead of both theirs and Zora's. All clay and pott'ry-like. They decided to just hold on to it for now, looking around the room. Naixho seemed to be talking to that...phoenixy lady from earlier. "...i don't really remember most of these powers." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I don't.. Really know who's powers are what, or even really the names of people who voted for you, but I know Mallon was one of them. Isabelle voted for you, too." She paused. ".. I don't know which orb was the one that she placed, though.." So much for going around and handing them out. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Well, some of the orbs have gone around and have been handed out for the sake of time and also sanity. "Isabelle and Mallon, huh?" Those were the only two names the kind of knew. Isabelle was the first person to win her match. And Mallon...well. Mallon. Fish guy who killed Zora's dad. "I think I should'a known more people before I, well. Fought. I don't really know anyone else here aside from you guys. That's probably not too bad, but. Y'know." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Mmhm, I get that,” Zora looked a bit overwhelmed at the amount of individuals she actually didn’t know. “It doesn’t help that some of us ended up on different sides. It’s been really crazy to try and meet other people we haven’t met before.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I guess it makes sense why there's two sides now," Nathan sighed. "I was losing my mind when that owl guy- Aileen? Told me there was two sides." They had lost too, huh. "I guess the constant switching was like, a way to keep people from meeting everyone? Probably. I'unno." "And what's with the whole...maze, thing? Anything come up from that?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"And also stops us from completely figuring out a way out of here when we can't get everyone on the same page," Zora sighed. "As for the whole maze thing- I'm not too sure. I don't think I found out anything about it." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Mmmhm. Fun. Cheeky and clever," Nathan dryly said. Picking people off, pairing friends against each other. How fun. That was great. "So the maze thing is just a mystery for now, huh?" he asked. "Doesn't make sense for these, like, two different sides to just be the 'maze'." Maybe Aileen misinterpreted something? That couldn't be right, they seemed pretty...truthful about it. Nathan fell silent, scratching their eye. Their head was starting to hurt again. Was this a headachey thing or a revived thing? @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora fidgeted with the cuff of her sleeve, brushing her thumb along the sewing of the cardigan. She glanced around before giving a nod of her head. "Y-yeah, they seem to-.. Really know how to pick these fights," She let out a shaky sigh. "Maybe someone's figured out the maze thing, I'm.. Not too sure." Zora took notice of Nathan rubbing their eye. "Are you okay? Do you want me to try and heal you again..?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"At least the worst of it is over," he quietly said. That felt...wrong. "Nora's gonna win her fight- she's a tough one, I've seen her use her powers before. She's pretty good with them." 'And there's not many people left,' he wanted to add, but he refrained. That felt even worse to say out loud. "She'll do great. Guess the maze thing is just gonna be. A thing." The scratching resumed. "Hm? Oh- no, I'm alright. It's just itchy," Nathan reassured. "It feels fine though, your healing was great." "Um...I don't think I can see outta that one, though. It's just. Hazy. Bright? Sometimes." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Mmhm, most of us have already had our matches, and Nora's- She's gonna do great." Zora nodded her head. She looked up into the audience to try and spot the other girl, but she couldn't see her. "I believe that she's gonna do a great job. I believe in her." At Nathan's words, Zora looked back to the ground. Her hands clenched into fists at her own frustration. ".. I'm sorry.." Zora spoke softly. "M-my light- It had to have done that to you, I'm s-sorry.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

The bleeding ceases as Celena and her healing leave, and slowly but surely Mallon finds the strength to push themself up shakily to a slumped, seated position. Their hair spills over their shoulders, ratty, tangled, and bloodstained, and partially covers their face. Pushing it away weakly does nothing to rid the nothingness. What once was their gaze turns back to their best approximation of where Angie was before, though it’s wildly off. The disorientation is immense as it weighs on their shoulders. At least she’s no longer touching them, a relief. “Wh..ere..?” @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

"Hey." Angie greeted casually. "At the event..raising the dead and...stuff." She placed her hands in her lap. "A guy named Juno and Nathan came back." She shrugged her shoulders. "Are you alright now?" She asked Mallon. "Feeling more alive?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

1

Nathan looked to where Zora was looking, and flashed a thumbs up. He didn't know if that was where Nora was, but hey, he tried. Points for trying. They looked back at Zora, their smile faltering slightly. Shuffling to a knee, they peered up at Zora, that same, lazy little smile on their face again. "Bah, it's fine, it happened, what's done's done," they shrugged, lightly taking her hand. "But really, it's alright. We can talk more about this later if you want, but it's not like you did it on purpose or anythin'. It was an accident, and, well- well, shit, they happen." "If it's any consolation, at least I look cool now, eh?" Nathan mock-posed for Zora, tilting their head to the side. Their damaged eye seemed to have a whitish pupil now, but that seemed to be the only visible change. "Tell me, do I look cool? You can be honest, I don'mind." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sniffling, Zora met Nathan’s gaze. Now that he was a bit closer and down to her level, she could make out the extent of the damage done. She had done a great job at healing the burn scars, so there wouldn’t be any further scarring, but the blinding.. There wasn’t anything more she could do. The damage to the pupil was done, the white of their eye would remain, and it was all her fault. Zora would have to live with that guilt that she had caused her sibling to die and she had blinded them for the rest of her days. God, Zora would spend the rest of her days trying to make it up to Nathan. Even if they insisted it was okay, it would never be, not to Zora. Holding back a hiccuped sob that threatened to rise from her chest, Zora shifted forward and hugged Nathan with one arm. Her hand that was being held in Nathan’s gave their hand a small squeeze. Burying her face into their shoulder, Zora spoke, “Y-you’ve always been cool, n-now you look like the c-cool main character of a show..” She decided not to comment on the rest of what Nathan had said. Not yet. They’d have time to talk about it later. For now, Zora simply wanted to hug her sibling. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Static was rapidly building around the winners and previous losers here.. (Feel free to finish up any scenes here) Then zap! They were gone!

Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

"Hey." Angie greeted casually. "At the event..raising the dead and...stuff." She placed her hands in her lap. "A guy named Juno and Nathan came back." She shrugged her shoulders. "Are you alright now?" She asked Mallon. "Feeling more alive?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Raising the dead… Yeonaixho. A shudder crawls up their spine at the thought, sand beneath their hands scraping against their skin. Raising the dead. They half-expect to hear his voice pierce their skull from a distance—to feel the cold zombie hands pulling them down. If they tune out the voices enough, they can focus on the ringing in their own ears. They scrape at the warm sand, if only to remind themself where they’re not. It’s then that something round bumps against their hand. Carefully they pick the orb up, hesitant that it might be taken again before pulling it close to their chest. No shells accompany it this time, though. Might not be any for a little while. Angie is..surprisingly enough, helping though. After the second or two it takes to realize she’s waiting for an answer, Mallon just shakes their head slowly. They don’t feel nothing but pain anymore, sure, but now it’s just replaced with sheer exhaustion. They failed. (we can continue on b side if youd like :3 since theyre both goin there anyway lol) (edited)

arrival and votes

Resurrection