graveyard.

[foxhounds]

You remember dying. In fact, you remember the exact feeling and fear of how you died, and yet in the next moment, you're suddenly standing in a cold room. You're not sure how you got here at all, but it's as if you were suddenly put here the moment after you died. As you look around, the first thing you'll notice is that you're standing in front of an open casket. And you're inside. The corpse inside the casket is definitely you, and it's also definitely dead, which certainly makes this confusing. Luckily, here's someone here to explain. When you wake up, there's footsteps walking closer, and then a familiar face appears. Iván is here, or someone that looks very much like her is. All she starts off with is two simple words— "You're dead." Which would seem obvious, but she explains that you have been before you ever arrived to the island. The shipwreck and the island are't real, after all. This is purgatory, and the Hunt is a way to judge the souls of the living. People show their true nature when they're put in a stressful situation, so it was deemed that this was the way that these judgements would be passed. She explains that you'll know your fate when the game ends, but if you really can't wait that long, you could always ask, but hope isn't lost. After all, the "killers" are on your side. If they can win the game, then everyone can come back to life. They know this, and it's why they're fighting so hard to win. It's a shame that the odds don't seem to be in their favor, but that's also part of the Hunt. — Exploring your new surroundings, you'll realize that you're likely at the bottom of that giant sinkhole, at least if that light far above you is any indication. You no longer feel the need to eat or sleep anymore (technically, you never did, but the habits of being alive are hard to break), so it's a good thing there's enough to do while the game continues. You can watch the proceedings of the Hunt in one room where there's plenty of comfortable couches to sit in and lounge, as well as a fully stocked bar, if you feel like indulging. Another room offers a game room with cards, billiards, and any other games you'd like to play in a group. If you ask your host nicely, she might provide more, but for now, there's not much to do other than to watch and wait for the Hunt to end.

Comments

[inspiritus]

A... puppet.

[ Lovely choice of words, but if she were forced to being where she is now... it might just be apt for how she is expected to act in this situation. ]

Then, I have another inquire concerning Ivan and her role. She used to be a player, and if she is just overseeing the game, is that to say she can only be forced to remain in such a position until she is replaced? And if she dies, does she leave the game finally or is she forced to remain in some form here?

[wartorns]

If she dies, her soul is destroyed. She's just gone. According to the Judge, the Zaroff would have replaced her and become the next Overseer. You'd have to ask Shijima more about that though.

However the hunt cannot finish without Ivan. If she goes...we would all become like Shijima. We would be stuck.

[inspiritus]

[ At that, Sephiroth falls quiet. He considers all that he has been told, and he remembered on that very first day, Jason's words, "Maybe she is just as stranded as we are and doesn't realize it."

But it was more than that now, and all this business about souls being judged, and whatnot bothered him even more. He had been wondering if there had been another way for Shijima or Ivan to leave this game, and now it seemed that there might not be one. But... ]

...Once someone is 'stuck', there is no way out for them, then? Other than assuming the role of the Overseer and awaiting to be eventually become destroyed once someone takes her position? Or is there a way to save them or be saved from such a fate?

[wartorns]

I wouldn't know about a way out. If a game occurs where Ivan, or whoever the Overseer is, gets voted out then the hunt is stopped. The souls remain in purgatory, I suppose you can say. Shijima was in a group like that and that's why she became Zaroff. I assume Ivan was once a Zaroff too.

Considering what Shijima just told me about being Zaroff though...it seems there's no escape aside from winning. I don't know what will become of Ivan after this though, provided they don't screw up and lynch her.

[inspiritus]

Very well, then. Perhaps they will get lucky this turn and leave this game when victory happens. Anything is better than being forced into an infinite amount of senseless games such as these.

[ Sephiroth could pretend to not know why he cares about the Overseer issue seeing as people even alive seem to recognize it's not a good route to take and the Zaroff is here. But he has his own reasons, and they are very well within a good frame of logic, everything considered. Screw this game. ]

... Although I also suppose it would be too much to hope that there is decided a better, more humane way to judge souls than suddenly have them killed and forced into a game of killing.

[wartorns]

I more than believe there is a way. It is called The Source, where the spirits of all the fallen in the galaxy go to when their ends come. When the legends die.

This is just heinous.

[inspiritus]

The Source? Is that akin to the Lifestream, or more like the 'Heaven', then?

[ At those words condemning the game, he can only nod. ]

It is. I don't understand why this would be taken to so far that people's lives would be taken just to play a game like this. It is also a wonder, who exactly thought of this in its entirety?

[wartorns]

In my world, it is the beginning and the end. My people, the New Gods, are charged with guarding it.

I cannot say who thought of it, but the Judge clearly enjoys watching it. She spoke of the bloodlust, the escalation, all with sadistic glee. I don't think she really cares how this ends, though she made clear she would prefer the Generals to lose.

[inspiritus]

The... new gods? Your people are gods, then? Or is that simply what you are all called?

[ His lips curl into a frown at the mention of her other attributes. He expected the rotten attitude, but not the sadism to add to it--although now he knows. ]

But, I am not surprised she would have a preference to the ending as to which would cause the most inconvenience, considering the death count. As far as I know, we all have lives in our worlds to return to.

[wartorns]

Some of our kind regard themselves as such. We are of a life as old as the universe itself. Me myself - I never quite liked the title. I am a hound of war, a warrior and defender. God or not, that is what I do.

[Though perhaps some of them do earn that title, for better or worse.]

And yeah, that's what she told us. It's a lot for work for her to bring us back, so she'd just rather send us off on our damn way. I really hope the other Generals win so we can stick it to her.

[inspiritus]

Hm. Honest of you. I see my initial impression of you was not in error.

[ He seems to consider his next words as he gives a pause. ]

...I do hope that they are successful as well, for that reason, and for our own sakes as well. You have worked so hard up to this point, as they have, and it would be a shame for it all to end otherwise.

[wartorns]

Yes. I wish I could do more for them, but this is where my fight ends for the time being. If there comes a time I can be of help, I'll take it. For now, I have no choice.