antumbrac | THE FINAL CONFRONTATION

[It's time.

Once everything has gathered, perhaps they feel as prepared as they can be under these circumstances. Behind that door lays the place where things will end. The door opens easily, giving them access to the most important place underneath Krakow.

It's a rather large chamber, carved in the rock, but on the far end it feels like someone decorated the place to give it a very mystical vibe. A polished stone staircase leads to what seems to be a very large, glowing gate. It's being assaulted by an uninterrupted beam of volatile energy. Its origin is visible: a large, imposing laser machine, where all the tubes and wires are connected to. Right beside it, there's a coffin-shaped machine, the antenna blinking intermittently. Looks like it's on! But is it doing anything right now?

And, standing there with your backs to you, are the two people who have caused you so much grief and pain during the last month and a half. They're standing some distance away from the gate. Throughout the room are a few rocks that could serve as cover, as well as a pillar or two, but do you intend to hide? Regardless, looks like your intrusion didn't go unnoticed]

You all are so noisy.

[The door opening seems to have alerted her of your presence, yup. The Lady turns around. She doesn't have her half-mask anymore. The eye that's usually under it has a summoning circle carved onto it, shining so noticeably it can be seen even from the other side of the chamber. To her hip there's a sword, and her hand goes to a weapon a couple people may be familiar with: the marshmallow gun...with modifications. That sure is the fire-spewing trombone attached onto it. It's all pretty dangerous-looking yet still ridiculous. ]

Welcome, everyone, to the secret of this world. In here--why are there cats here?

[She blinks, puzzled. A good sign! Looks like, despite everything she has done and worked on, there's still room to catch her off guard in many ways!

The Lady shakes her head]

If you're down here it means you have been snooping around, haven't you? I'm sure this isn't the only place you sneaked into. My, darlings, that's naughty of you. All you had to do was stay on the surface and do nothing, and you could have the happy ending you wanted. Now, since you have seen more than I intended, I have no more option but to kill you. You can only blame yourselves, darlings.

[The Lady glances back at the gate, pensive, for just a moment before slapping a grin on her face]

My followers call me their Lady. My priestesses their Goddess. Everyone else calls me...the Other, for...some reason. [She doesn't seem terribly fond of that moniker.] But you all can just call me Lucrezia. And this here is my servant, Rembrandt as you well know by now. [She turns to him to add:] Oh, feel free to strike fear into their hearts by undoing your current form. The charade is over.

Now, have you all grasped the truth of this project?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...do I even want to know which one...

My thoughts exactly.

Is that a question or not?

It is.

[ Just taking this over because knowing where their leverage is doesn't sound too bad, even if they don't want to sell anybody. ]

Revealing things so blatantly really isn't my style, but in this circumstance... One of them is you, Teru Mikami. [ Sorry he almost drooled on you a bit ago. ]

[ This is so disturbing it almost loops back again to being cruelly funny. Mikami clenches his jaw for a moment, trying to shake off the feeling of fear once more. ]

Is that so? Do you want a part of that justice? Is killing criminals to your liking as a pastime until you get to feed?

[ Because that's what a contract with Mikami would be like. Lots and lots and lots of murder. ]

No! I don't very much what I do, or who I need to become to fulfill my master's wishes. Criminals, the elderly, kings...what does it matter? I only care about the soul who commands me and their conviction.

[ Mikami does not often find things funny. His humor center is close to dead, really. But this? This is hilarious. After all these weeks of being belittled and ridiculed over the steadfast belief in something greater, now this?

Mikami laughs, though briefly and harshly. ]

You're the only one in here with any sense at all. What a waste.

[ That just makes him grin all the wider. ]

Then we understand each other.

[ And he can't even deny that he's thinking about all he could do if contracted to this demon. His world, the work that Kira started and that was destroyed.... losing his soul would be such a small price to pay for all of that. Cheap, really. He'd give it gladly, willingly, but....

.... well, Cumore is right over there. And for now, that's a tether. ]

Teru Mikami, I will destroy you!

[It's angry, but the anger is undercut with something else entirely, shaking and strangely upset - and for all he's tried this entire time to prevent people from seeing him actually upset, he isn't quite cracking yet but he seems to be...not handling this conversation well.]

(no subject)

inordertobelieve - 2020-02-15 20:58 (UTC) - Expand

drydrown - 2020-02-15 21:05 (UTC) - Expand

inordertobelieve - 2020-02-15 21:14 (UTC) - Expand

drydrown - 2020-02-15 21:25 (UTC) - Expand

inordertobelieve - 2020-02-15 21:29 (UTC) - Expand

psychophant - 2020-02-15 20:58 (UTC) - Expand

drydrown - 2020-02-15 21:03 (UTC) - Expand

psychophant - 2020-02-15 21:17 (UTC) - Expand

[ squints ]

[hi yes, here to butt in—]

Conviction? But surely she has plenty of that. Are you saying that she's starting to have doubts about her plans?

She does, mostly. [ Hm. ]

But it's all in the same note I've heard time and time again, "Make me a King!" "I want to command an unstoppable army!", it's so boring.

I suppose you must find me dreadfully boring as well. I won't apologize for bothering you so often, however.

[But hmm... "Mostly"...]

hors_devores - 2020-02-15 20:47 (UTC) - Expand

psychophant - 2020-02-15 20:51 (UTC) - Expand

What?!

[Oh that seems to have ticked off. She looks mighty pissed at both Iago and, it seems by extension, Rembrandt]

Do you dare to put in doubt my conviction?! After everything I have done, after all the effort and scheming I have done, anyone doubts I intend to take this to the bitter end?!

Normally, I wouldn't. I've seen your plans and I can acknowledge how much work has gone into them and this setup entirely. I wouldn't be doubting your conviction at all were it not for how strange you've been acting.

Either you're losing that conviction, or there's something you haven't planned for that may ruin everything.

It never really hurts to open up and talk about your true feelings, you know.

[.........not that he actually cares about them in this particular case but like,]

You know, I may as well ask, just for the sake of clarity. So yes.

One is free, so take a guess!

....he’s been having such a hard time of things, please give the man a break.

Oh pardon me, I'm terribly sorry. [ Not sorry at all. ]

If you try any more of this temptation nonsense I will attempt to pronounce the incantation.

[ He laughs. ]

By all means, Seteth. Do you remember where I spent most of my time here? On their own, religious words are powerless. There's always a price to pay.

...I’m not surprised to hear that, really. That’s how it always is, and I imagine that a serious attempt would likely cost me dearly.

hors_devores - 2020-02-15 21:11 (UTC) - Expand

baitless - 2020-02-15 21:23 (UTC) - Expand