15corpses | at once short of life, and long of sorrow.

[You are dead.

Well, obviously. You remember how you died. It was...not fun, to say the least. But hey, at least you're off that ship, right?

Except...you don't know exactly where you are now. It seems like a house, but if it is, it's...a work in progress. Most of the rooms are empty, and your steps echo up through the marble columns and down faint mosaics on the tiled floor. The few windows you find have a green light gleaming through them; you can't really see anything beyond the eerie light.

It feels like you're in a temple of some kind. The columns and mosaics seem to indicate it is something like that-it's certainly reminiscent of something out of an ancient culture, perhaps even one you're familiar with. For some reason, though, it's clear someone-or something-lives here. One of the rooms to the south is stuffed with pizza boxes. Another, larger room has a makeshift futon in one of the corners. There are imprints of multiple footsteps all through the dusty floors as you look around, many of them leading to a small alcove to the west. And-

and there's a giant van. Just. hanging out there. Completely out of place with the seemingly ancient decor. And inside, there is the sound of light snoring.

Ok then. You're apparently not alone in death, after all.]

((OoC: Map for reference.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sherlock Holmes, yes. No need to be gentle for my sake - it's actually a pleasure to meet one who has read those books, even if quite a bit was left out of them.

[He nods, though....hm. Has he heard the name 'Sparda' before? He's almost certain he has, but with everything that's happened some things have flown out of his head for the moment.]

...Vergil and Dante. I take it one of your parents was a fan of the Divine Comedy, hm?

You could say that, yes.

I'm more of a Blake fan myself. Pity the owner of the Qilphoth saw fit to deprive my of my book.

[...is his fist clenching? Yes. Yes it is.]

Edited 2023-07-04 03:22 (UTC)

[Well, that's interesting.]

Your book? And I assume you've no idea who the owner of the Qilphoth is?

Edited 2023-07-04 03:41 (UTC)

Yes. My book of William Blake works.

And...I don't know this time, no.

[HM.]

...Would you mind expanding on that? I'm aware there were apparently more 'runs' of this game, but if that is the case...

[He gestures to what's around them, and well...how empty it is.]

I would expect there to be far more people here than what I have currently seen.

Yes. There's been two rounds of this nonsense so far. I was a victim of the first. He-

[pointing to Dante-]

Came in during the second. Most of those who came with us preferred to look for a way out, and they've mostly stayed out there. I decided to make my base of operations here, since we are at least able to return here. However, no one's found a means of escape yet; the Qilphoth has blocked many passages that might lead somewhere. Anywhere.

It would be much easier if our powers weren't gone.

So we are the third, then.

[He's surprisingly calm as he mulls over the information, rubbing at his chin as he thinks.]

When you say that the Qilphoth has blocked many passages, what do you mean exactly?

And by powers, do you mean the ones we had as part of the game, or our natural abilities? Or perhaps both?

[After all, he hadn't really tried to use his power since he died, because, uh. He Had a hell of a weekend.]

Our natural abilities.

The Qilphoth is a tree that feeds on blood; it is getting blood at such a fast rate that it's now capable of not only regenerating its branches and roots almost immediately, they become more numerous as time goes by, making it more difficult to cut through them, especially without Devil Arms of other demonic weapons or powers.

Needless to say, even with these new abilities we've been granted, it's become increasingly disadvantageous towards us getting through with any ease.

Edited 2023-07-04 04:04 (UTC)

I see - yes, that would leave us at a disadvantage.

[Idly, he creates a portal in front of him - the area being shown being the one he woke up in, the light surrounding it casting small shadows around them.]

Sadly, my own ability is more utility based than anything else - so I fear I cannot help there.

[Guess who doesn't know what his power can do with killing intent? Moriarty]

[At the sight of this, Vergil's eyes narrow.]

...I see. You...were endowed with that.

...I beg your pardon?

[Vergil, he understands wanting to sound ominous, but please clarify instead of being vague.]

...The Devil Arms I mentioned. Many of us were given the powers of said weapons, but far too weak to make much of an effect on the Qilphoth.

That includes...my weapon. Yamato.

[He sounds. Very unhappy. About this.]

[....This has suddenly taken a very uncomfortable turn. What do you say to someone who is very clearly unhappy you have his powers?]

...Oh. My...apologies, I suppose?

[uuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh]

I assure you I'd give it to you if I had the capability to.

...Well, shit.

Yeah, I dunno how to give the mastery of dodgin' things back, but, uh...

[He jazzhands.]

We're dead, so...? This's all been flyin' past my head. What's this mean for us?

It means that whoever is involved with growing the Qilphoth likely has my weapons, along with whatever in the world Dante was collecting. How exactly they can grant these powers to anyone, I don't know.

I only know that I and my brother were given the same power, and I do not appreciate the joke.

[Better....step lightly, then. He knows an angry man when he sees one.]

I see...and is this power also another one derived from a 'Devil Arm?'

Yes.

[To demonstrate, he reveals a pair of wings. Made of swords.

Yup.]

Lucifer, of all things.

[.....Hold on a fucking second.]

Then Alastor was granted the same ability as you or Dante, then? How curious.

[siiiiiiiiigh]

Of course he was.

[...Oh. Ohhhh.

OH NOW HE REMEMBERS WHO SPARDA IS.]

...Then I take it you and your brother are both Devils?

...Half-demons, yes. Our mother was human.

(no subject)

hatesdeerstalkers - 2023-07-04 20:35 (UTC) - Expand

....

[Mm. He didn't even realize he made a funny. Even though he did. He bites his lip. Maybe he should let Pops do the talking, but...he doesn't want to be uninvolved.]

[He'll just. look over and give Kaito a small pat on the shoulder.

You're trying and that's all that matters.]

[Thanks, Pops.]

If you wish to, you could speak with Vergil's brother for now. Perhaps you'll have a better time getting any pertinent information out of him than I would.

[Since, well. Gestures at how they've gotten along so far.]

carvemyname - 2023-07-04 22:37 (UTC) - Expand