sixth trial

[arsholes]

[With the last piece of evidence collected, Heisenberg's voice abruptly comes from everywhere and nowhere once again.]

You know the drill. Get up here.

[The long trek up the stairs is different this time and not just because the number of people has been slashed into the single digits in one horrifying night. There are no more locked doors save for the court room.

Finally they reach the courtroom door. The door swings open to reveal a small set of steps, leading up to an imposing round chamber with a tapered roof. Twenty podiums stand in a circle in the center, lit brightly from below. Each podium is made of dark metal with a colored crystal matching the individual dorms enclosed on a thick glass dome on top of it. As always, greyed out portraits of the deceased have been added- Loki, Somnus, Bryn and Hubert. The whole room feels even more massive, echoing and empty.

Heisenberg stands up on his scaffold, as usual, leaning against the railing with his arms folded and looking down at the handful of apprentices left.]

Let's see if you picked up anything from what Hubert taught you.

You will have to vote the correct killer for each victim, whether that killer is alive or not, so don't half-ass it.

Comments

[replacementshield]

[ ...Oh. Well then. ]

Then, forget what I said about that.

[ The ice magic, at least. ]

On the other hand, this 'crystallization of mana' means it is some kind of magic, isn't it?

[twibeast]

Yes, it is. It's quite simple magic back home, anyone can learn it with enough practice. Doesn't even need an incantation like some of the more intensive ones.

[rikonstructed]

Could you show me one more time? With something small.

[They're already near each other, but Nuadha will head to Wu's empty podium for this.]

[twibeast]

Ah-- of course.

[ He reforms the shield into a small spike like projectile, almost like a needle. ]

mods

[rikonstructed]

My thanks.

[He lifts his mirrage hand and focuses on the mana projection, intently this time.

Given Nuadha's ability to work with anima, loosely equivalent to Orthrus's mana: can he pick up any similar pings from this projection to the traces he sensed from Bryn's wound?]

[arsholes]

[He does.]

[rikonstructed]

[...He's not exactly surprised. But... dammit.]

...I see. That's sufficient.

[twibeast]

[ Hey Nuadha, since you're so close now, you want something fun? ]

[rikonstructed]

[Yes we are all having fun here.]

[twibeast]

[ Now that you're this close you might realize

Ever since this line of questioning started the air surrounding Orthrus has been getting colder.

Like all the heat being sucked out of it. ]

[rikonstructed]

[Well, that explains more fun things. Nuadha draws in a sharp breath.]

Orthrus. Get that under control.

[Just taking a cautious step back, we don't like this at all.]

[twibeast]

Huh? What are you talking about...?

[rikonstructed]

...The cold. Do you not sense it?

[twibeast]

The... cold...? Oh--!

That sometimes happens when I'm upset - I think my core is absorbing heat? But it's usually only an inch around my body, it shouldn't be dangerous!

[ It is

More than just an inch around his body

But it's also not freezing yet. It's just cold. ]

[rikonstructed]

It's because of Brynhilde, isn't it? Talking about all of this upset you. After finding her like that.

[Should he be prodding for a reaction while still standing this close, probably not.]

[replacementshield]

Well? What is it?

[rikonstructed]

...The power is the same as what I sensed in Brynhilde's wound.

[replacementshield]

Great. So Orthrus is the one who killed Bryn.

[ Like, he definitely had his suspicions, but it's great to have it confirmed. ]

[twibeast]

Wh... What?! Wait is that what this is about?!

[replacementshield]

It is. Nuadha did a good job figuring it out your power was linked to Bryn's death.

So, what was the reason you killed her? Was it to put her out of her misery or what?

1/2

[twibeast]

I don't know what you're talking about! I-- I would never...!!

I cared for her, why would I--?!

[ He moves to take a step forward, before abruptly stopping as something sharp shoots through him and he finds himself suddenly brought to one knee ]

[twibeast]

Wh...What?

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

Orthrus-san! What happened? Are you hurt?

[reresurrected]

Mei-san, go to Felix-san.

[SORRY MEI he just really does not want you over there all by yourself.]

[replacementshield]

[ ... he blinks.

Okay, that was weird as hell. ]

What do you mean 'what'? What're you kneeling for?