melodiesoflife | Event || Cluedo [Conclusion]

[Jade lets Sheena bind his hand, but doesn't respond to her apology. He's staring at the ring on Rialynn's finger. Maybe it's just Zelda's death reminding him of Kalki's experiments, but he's pretty sure he knows what that thing is made of.]

A black crystal... That's what Kalki used to develop weapons to kill us for good. And we've been mind-controlled with them before, too.

[That would explain how Rialynn is being controlled. However, it doesn't really solve the problem of getting the ring away from her without someone else dying. At Sheena's suggestion, Jade clumsily takes out his light tome with his good hand. But to target only the ring? Talk about high precision casting...

Well, he has spent every year of his long life perfecting his control of all magic. If he can't do it now, he might as well just retire.]

Heads up!

[The pages of the tome shine bright, and a carefully aimed beam of light strikes the ring with unerring accuracy.]

Getting in to the center of this mess? Is completely impossible, at this point. But Kaji's priority is never to act, it's to see. So why does he need to get to the center, when he just wants to see the center? Kaji isn't going to charge through a crowd, when he could take a different vantage point.

The buildings nearby, the shops and restaurants, are all either emptying out, or filling up, with people trying to get off the streets to the closest shelter. There, a restaurant with second-floor outdoor seating, usually a spot to one of the most beautiful sights in the city. It's taken Kaji some time to get to where he can even see to the Crystal of Fire, to the middle of the chaos. He casts the Archer skill Aim. He still can't hear over the din of screaming, but now he can see.

Shame that it's such a pretty girl that's the cause of all this. Kaji could cleanly hit her from here. One shot could end this. But instead, he takes a long drag of a cigarette and looks away, searching the other windows and balconies of buildings, the rims of the crowd. Is there anyone else who is doing what he is doing? Someone watching too intently, someone dispassionate at the death below them?

[Sephiroth remains a few feet away, knocked back to a knee as the first drops of crimson from the hole through his shoulder drop to the floor. Indeed, being under the effect of such telekinetic pressure had stopped him moving but as a back-edge to it; he couldn't just move to apply physical pressure to his wound. If only the telekinetic hold would just let him rail a little more against it-

It's at about the same time that Twilight implored them to find another way, that the pressure seems to hiccup around him. Enough for his balance to fall in and his long sword to finish it's crash to the floor.]

Of course-

[It gave just that little more, to enable his right hand to cross over and grip around the top of the damaged area. Holding it together while at the same time attempting to stem the bleeding. That regeneration accustomed to his Job should start to stop the flow soon, at least.

But Sephiroth's eyes are all for the events unfolding before him between Jade, Barkeep, Rialynn, Ramza and Deadpool. The screams somewhere behind him, back in the crowd, make him wince more than the injury does.]

Edited 2016-07-05 19:44 (UTC)

Akane stayed hunkered close to Hisui, her fingers still clutching at his sleeve. There was little she could do to stop the ensuing chaos as one of their own turned against them. Some seemed to recognize that this was the same method that had been used in all of the other murders, but something still bothered her intensely.

Why hadn't the White Magic worked?

She looked at the fallen bodies strewn about. By all rights, it should have. She knew Jobs could be sealed by that one person, Palitutu, but then, the caster would have known it immediately rather than having the spell fizzle. She closed her eyes, trying to drown out the shouts and screams. She had to think.

Then her eyes snapped open. Could it be possible that the culprit was hiding right here in front of them? Right in the center of everything, where he or she would have a perfect view of what was happening, able to control the girl while remaining safely out of range of the ring's dark magic being fired into the crowd...

Akane narrowed her eyes, and reached into her sleeve to slip out a small knife. Then she turned and stabbed one of the corpses in the shoulder. And if there was no response, she stabbed the next. Somewhere among these bodies, the killer was hiding, she was absolutely sure of it. If she was wrong, she was wrong, no harm done other than a little bit of taboo corpse stabbing. But if she was right...

Edited 2016-07-05 19:58 (UTC)

[Sparks doesn't have a Sleep spell, but he does have Stop, and he'll use that on "Rialynn". Hopefully that will work, if nothing else will. Even if it was tempting to use Banish on her right now instead.]

[ As Sheena tends to Jade's hand, she nods. She had figured as much just from what she had just seen weapon-wise. As for getting her out from under that control without killing her? ]

Can a person still be controlled if they're knocked out?

[ Finished with her "treatment", she looks at him in surprise when he pulls out the tome on the heels of her suggestion. She had had no idea he had Light capabilities. Then again, she's not sure what the others can do, either...

Oh damn...

Once Jade unleashes his spell, Sheena's quick to raise her voice again. ]

Quick! For those who know her! Does she have an Ice-based power? Or access to one?!

[ Because if she doesn't... She's not the only killer. ]

[ Most unfortunately stabbing corpses didn't help at all-- If anything, it made the citizens around even more scared and stunned as to what was happening.

The magics cast on Rialynn had varying effects. But the stop spell along with the other things managed to stop her. The light spell cast on the Magitek Ring didn't have the expected effect however. Rather than destroy or break the ring, it accidentally triggered it-- Which caused another beam to shoot out, killing yet another NPC, wounding a few more and hitting Barkeep in the leg.

But it seemed the Heroes of Light had won, at least if that could be called a victory. Never mind however that all these spells and magics being used on Rialynn at once, all these people trying to grab her left and right in order to stop her-- That couldn't be healthy for her. In their confusion and attempts to save her, the Heroes had cast no less than half a dozen different spells on her. It didn't help either that whoever was possessing her didn't care about her well-being and strained her body beyond any bearable limits to keep attacking.

And so she smiled once more, the one possessing seemingly working against the effect of the stop spell. ]

Good job, Heroes.

[ And with that, the possession ended. ]

[Twilight couldn't keep the strain up any longer and stopped her end of the spell for the most part, releasing everyone save for Ramza, Deadpool and Rialynn. She couldn't help but feel weak - so many people fighting and struggling.]

What... what is wrong with you people?! Why did you keep going after her?! Are you all so... so... bloodthirsty to crawl over each other just to be some big hero?!

[Twilight looked like she was on the verge of tears now.]

Shining, please make sure Ramza isn't moved until he's taken care of...

[With that, she opts to release the rest of her spell, turning around and trotting away upset.]

[It's clear when the possession ends. The cool smirk of satisfaction slides away, replaced by a pain etched deeply over her young face. Not just the physical pain of her body being torn apart from the inside by the oversurge of supernatural forces and invasive magic, but the agony and horror she'd felt with each passing second.]

[Inside she'd been screaming. Watching Zelda's body crumple to the ground, pushing Ramza into the path of Deadpool's sword, cutting down innocent people while Heroes went berserk trying to take her down and kill her...all the time feeling that unwanted force in complete control. She couldn't even cry as it piloted her helpless body, but the tears spill freely down her face now, her shoulders jerking in harsh, choked sobs.]

[She hangs helpless in the web of the Stop spell, feeling her life force being burned away. She was going to die. And she deserved it, didn't she? She wasn't strong enough to fight back, and now Zelda was dead. She wasn't ever coming back, and Rialynn was the one who'd killed her.]

[A pitiful keening cry fills her throat as she shuts her eyes, allowing the pain to jolt through her.]

[The sudden pain in his leg causes the Barkeep to collapse and let go of Rialynn, but the screams from the crowd drown it out for a few seconds. He sees the horrified look on Rialynn, Twilight abandoning the scene, the other Heroes moving again.

And Rialynn is screaming.

He can't even move from the spot, but she's clearly in pain. If his magic can't heal the natives, he at least has to do something. Someone needs to do something.]

Rialynn, hang on!

[With as much strength as he can muster, he raises his hand and casts Curaga on her before his leg gives out and he falls flat on his back on the ground.

He always has to get injured whenever he tries something heroic, doesn't he?]

[All Cloud could do was watch the chaos unfold around him, and pinned as he was, railing against everything, screaming inwardly and outwardly as he struggled against the Ponies' magical pressure. He wanted to act. With everyone being hurt and dying and all because of the Heroes he couldn't bear to just lay there and be forced to watch. This had to be ended, for everyone's sakes.

When the pressure did break he almost didn't notice at first, but by the time he pushed himself back to his knees the effect was dropped on Rialynn as well. Her cry cuts through the din, sending a cold shiver through him. He'd been used as a puppet before. His friends had been used as puppets. He knew what she was feeling, maybe not the physical pain, but that horrific bloom of horror in her gut at everything she'd been forced to do.

They had to get back at whoever did this, and they had to make amends to the people of the city. They had to do...something for Zelda. But he couldn't let anyone continue to hurt her any more than they had. This couldn't break out into them murdering themselves. Not any more than whoever was behind this had forced them. The moment they started doing it to themselves that was it.

Stumbling, he ran forward, trying to put himself between Rialynn and the others.]

Everyone stop! It's let her go!

[It was foolish. He knew it was foolish. Here he was protecting a 'murderer' and getting in everyone's way. But it was the right thing to do, wasn't it. Gritting his teeth, he raised his shield. If someone was still going to loose an attack it'd have to go through him first.]

[Once Twilight's spell drops completely the first thing Sephiroth does is freshen his grip around the handle of his sword which was still limp on the concrete beside him. The movement shot spikes of fresh pain all the way up his arm-

But Rialynn's unbearable cries of anguish and pain are impossible not to pay attention to, especially as he spots Barkeep casting a heal spell and then Cloud-

Hopefully Cloud would make a better show of all this than he'd managed to. Gritting teeth through the pain he scraped his sword back up from off the floor where it had fallen.]

Dammit.

[As he pulls himself back to his feet, the din still going on behind him, the chaos ensuing from the injury and death of more than a handful of civilians makes the chill to his blood that Rialynn started near enough plunge into a deep freeze. His men, law enforcement officers too, are still back there-

He's still got a job to do. Sephiroth's injury is minuscule in comparison, even if it had bled a lot to start with; it wasn't fatal and it certainly wasn't going to get in his way now. Switching his sword to his right hand since his left couldn't take the weight currently he folded the great blade back along the outside of his arm and turned back towards the crowds.

They'd better get to restoring some order, cleaning up and repairing again.]

The spell -- it was gone! Albel could feel himself released, like a taut bowstring snapping straight. He almost stumbled when the counter-force was gone. Surging forward, he strengthened his grip on his katana, heading straight for Rialynn despite her screams -- !

Of all people, Cloud should stand in his way. "Move, worm!" he roared, baring his teeth. "I'm taking that ring, whether or not one of her fingers comes with it!"

[Jade stares back at the crowd that got hit with the last beam. He made a mistake.

Then he exhales deeply and turns away. Now is not the time to be racked with guilt. The complete change in Rialynn's demeanor is an obvious sign that she has been released from the mind-control. Approaching should be safe now...]

Put away your sword, Albel. It's over.

[Jade moves past Cloud, briefly clasping the young man's shoulder to indicate he's not planning to attack, and kneels by Rialynn. It really would have been better to kill her before the situation escalated, but it's too late to think that now. He reaches down to remove the ring, this time with considerably more care -- partly for the sake of her emotional state, but mostly to make sure the thing is not pointed at anyone in case it's triggered again by accident.]

[ Dazed, Sheena also stares at the crowd and those who had been injured.

If only she hadn't opened her big mouth. If only she had knocked Rialynn unconscious. If only...then none of this would have happened.

She can tell people not to blame themselves, but when it comes to her? Sheena's words fall on dear ears. Hearing Cloud behind her taking up a guard position sends relief through the ninja, and for a moment, she fights her instinct to join him. She's done enough damage; she has no right...

Albel...

That makes up her mind and turning, she approaches, arriving a second or two behind Jade. She nods to Cloud to show peaceful intent before facing Albel. Placing her hand over the one holding his sword she echoes Jade's words. ]

Albel, you don't need to do this. It's over. Put the sword away. Please.

[ Her voice is tired and her eyes laden with guilt. No more people should have to suffer today. ]

[She can't move to surrender the ring, but she certainly would if she could. She wants that abomination off of her, the heavy weight making her skin crawl. There's a shuddering gasp of relief as Jade carefully works the wretched jewelry off of her.]

[There's a warm wash of energy flowing over her, temporarily chasing off the magicburn that threatens to tear her mind and soul apart. Her eyes shift to the side where she sees Barkeep collapse. She tries to shake her head, but the strain is painful.]

No...no...

[Rialynn's voice cracks and squeaks as she tries to protest. Her gaze drops back to the crumpled man in armor near her feet.]

Ramza...first...please...

[She doesn't try to move out of the way as Albel steps up, brimming over with anger. He can't be blamed for that. They all knew what she'd just done, and it might even be a kindness to end her here and now than to try healing all of the internal damage. It doesn't really matter either way. She just doesn't want to see Ramza die for her sake too, not if there's still a chance he can be saved.]

[If Albel's smoldering glare had the power, it would ignite Rialynn. But he couldn't. He stayed his hand, only because Sheena asked, but he did not sheathe his blade until Jade finally removed the ring. Then, and only then, did he finally replace his katana.]

[Ramza was in bad shape. With the ring safely off, and her apparently genuine concerns for her fellow hero, Rialynn was no longer a threat. Albel looked over his shoulder and with a word, a large, pink rabbit appeared. It wasn't ideal -- wasn't even fully grown yet -- but Ramza was on the smaller side, he supposed. Perhaps it would be alright.]

Bunny, use Cura on the freelancer and then take him to the hospital.

[The animal chirruped cheerfully before casting the healing spell.]

[ Sheena continues to hold his glare with her own tired gaze--only releasing it once his sword is sheathed again. Squeezing his hand in thanks, Sheena then turns to Rialynn and kneeling behind her, places a comforting hand on her head. ]

Ramza's being taken care of, okay? So just relax. [ What she wouldn't give to have a gel or two right now for everyone.

And while she knows it's important, she can't bring herself to ask the suffering woman if she knows who had done this to her. And to the others.

Perhaps someone else can. ]

[Jade quietly puts away the ring to have a look at it later. It should be fine now that it's not being worn.

But now they have the fallout to deal with... Unfortunately, Rialynn is not in the shape to be interrogated. Jade considers demanding she talk nevertheless, but pushing her further isn't likely to get them any coherent answers.

Besides, if he's right about what the ring is made of, that might limit the pool of suspects.]

Get her to the hospital. She's not in danger of being controlled now.

[Meanwhile, Jade's going to do what he can to patch up Barkeep's leg. He has no white magic available, so the Alchemist's healing items will have to do.]

[Rialynn slumps, the tension leaving her in a shaky sigh once she sees the healing magic being used on Ramza. Her breath is short and quick as she closes her eyes. Her consciousness is fading, as is the rest of her strength now that she knows her friend is being attended to. So she needs to tell them, while she still can.]

N...Nar...

[Her expression winces as she wets her lips and tries again.]

Narasimha...it was...it was him.

[She wishes she knew more, but only that name sticks to her memories. He'd been the one using her as his personal puppet. Unfortunately, or at least fortunately for her, the stress toll is too much, and she goes limp as she finally passes out on the street.]

[There's not much more Barkeep can do to help her. Ramza is being cared for, but there's still the bystanders that were injured. He holds onto her shoulder, waiting for her to calm down before he gets up, but that name catches his attention.]

Narasimha?! That guy from the letter?

[He recognizes the name on that piece of paper signed months ago. Someone who appeared to appreciate the Heroes. Someone that abused that trust.]

Look after here, I'm checkin' the crowd.

[No time to waste. His robes flutter with a heavy noise as he turns to the people still standing by the scene of the crime and waves his staff around, ordering them to clear a path to the wounded.]

Event || Cluedo [Conclusion]

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