WEEK 5; EXECUTION

[killerwaves]

Execution

Like always, no one is forced to assemble on the sandbar for execution, but given the verdict of yesterday you might feel obliged to follow the kittybots for various reasons. Things have been cleared up since the mess of trial, as always, though no amount of effort can block out the continued muted wailing of the warped whirlpools over the waves -- they sound a bit closer, now, in fact. The shimmer of the phenomenon is visible from Seagull's Playground, too, as though peeking whimsically over the horizon at the fruits of its own labor.

And those fruits are quite visible, in the form of two figures paraded out in front of everyone once again, down in the bowl of the amphitheater.

The administrators are present as usual, as are the sundry kittybots with snacks; this week they're offering cute cookies perhaps (in)appropriately themed. And of course there's milk, because you can't serve cookies without them.

.

(( OOC: Executions are voluntary except for the executed and executioner. The path back to the island will also remain for the entirety of the execution, so characters may leave whenever they wish as well.))

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[dupiety]

["I would be a hypocrite to claim that I don't have blood on my hands here or in my own world. Many culprits that I have judged are now dead. I am merely stating that I don't tend to play the part of the executioner himself."

And yet here Temenos stands across from Beelzebub, now given that very role. Eyes stormy with grief for something that hasn't yet come to pass, he just stands there quietly as Beelzebub shouts at the administrators. But eventually, his grip on his staff tightens and he shakes his head.]

There is no sense in arguing with them, Beel.

[It may as well be him to pass judgment on the very embodiment of a sin.]

[gluttoning]

I don't care.

I'm not doing this.

[He'd fought with his own Father, the god of the heavens, who could never be reasoned with, and took the consequences of that over someone he loved. He wasn't about to cave to two humans, supernaturally gifted or otherwise.

He growls with distressed irritation as he stalks over in Temenos's direction. There's no weapons. There's no attempt at force.]

I'm not doing this, and I'm not making you do this.

[dupiety]

[Temenos had tried to wall himself off again once he found out he would be Beelzebub's executioner, he really had. And yet Beelzebub masterfully crashes right through it as he advances upon him.

He doesn't make any attempt to fight in turn.]

I hardly wish to do this either. I don't want to be the one to send you where I cannot follow.

[But what choice does he have?]

[gluttoning]

[Their defenses are down, and though Beelzebub shoots another icy glare at the administrators, he still brings his hands up to Temenos - to cup his face between his hands as he shakes his own head fervently, stubbornly.]

I don't want this on your hands. You've had enough. You've had enough, Temenos, do you understand that?

[His eyes soften, pained.]

The last thing I want is for you to doubt even more. On whether you have a choice, or whether we can't fight, or whether we'll have to be separated.

I've fought for far worse. [He swallows as he tucks Temenos's hair to his ear, trying to keep his gaze.] I'd fight God again for you.

[dupiety]

[Temenos's eyes widen at Beelzebub's words. It's like the demon read his heart with absolute ease. But of course he could. Beelzebub knows better than anyone here about how much grief and loss Temenos has already had to bear. It was thanks to Beel that he could even begin to cope and move on from it all.

He can't lose Beel. He just can't.

"I'd fight God again for you."

Temenos swallows hard at those words, pushing the bubbling of emotion down. He grips Beelzebub's shoulder with his free hand and nods.]

Then let us fight God.

[He'd long since grown tired of gods anyway.]

[gluttoning]

[His grin is wild, almost animalistic, as he quickly switches to his demonic form with a grab for Temenos's waist. Though his left horn is still missing, his wings have apparently been healed since trial.

He leans in against the cleric's ear as his wings start to beat.]

I've got you. Trust in me.

[And like that, he rockets them both up airborne, towards the administrators.]

[dupiety]

[Temenos laughs back, putting an arm around Beelzebub to hold on tight and readying his staff with his other hand.]

As if I could ever doubt you.

[The moment they take off, he holds out his staff and points it directly at the administrators, shouting a chant as it begins to glow.]

Holy light, illuminate the darkness!

[He may have strayed from that very light, but it still answers his call here.

A concentrated blast of light is sent forward ahead of them.]

1/???

[gluttoning]

[It all happens very suddenly.

Temenos's magic shoots forward straight and true... and then stops midair, hitting something invisible and spreading out like water into a sponge.

Beelzebub swears under his breath as he tries to twist himself at their pace, to not hit the barrier face-first. But he barely stops their momentum before he cracks straight into something unseen, ricocheting them both straight back down towards one of the arena walls.

Stunned, Beel barely gets one of his hands out to claw for purchase at one of the walls to stop their descent, madly trying to keep Temenos's body in his grip with his other arm.]

2/???

[dupiety]

[The last thing Temenos manages is a gasp as he watches his magic be completely absorbed by an unseen force before the two of them go flying backwards.

He very nearly falls out of Beel's arm, but holds on with every ounce of strength he has.]

Damn it, a barrier...!

[He should have known the admins would be more proactive after what happened at last week's execution.]

3/3

[allworknoplague]

[Overhaul hasn't moved from the regular administrator area, but he at least stands up after that debacle; there's a long sigh echoing from the interior of the voluminous bird mask as he watches the two go crashing down.

Patiently, not particularly magnanimously, he waits until they're no longer scrabbling for purchase.]

Are you done? And they accuse us of liking drama too much.

[Yeah, he can hear you guys. He just sounds exasperated, as one might be wont to do after a particularly loud and buzzy fly has left unsightly residue on one's windshield during a grocery run.]

Either way, I suggest you stop wasting your energy and get on with it. Or are you going to keep refusing?

[There's a different note to the question, a shift similar to when they all got into it last week with the sand and the glass barrier, though this barrier is far sturdier than that. His raised eyebrow asks, Well? Have you learned anything?]

[gluttoning]

[He staggers them both to the ground with a painful dragging of claws against the wall until its safe for Temenos to drop, letting himself follow suit with blood dripping from his nose from the force of the impact. Temenos gets his attention first, a quiet whispering as he makes sure the cleric isn't hurt. But he smears the blood from his face with a snarl up at Overhaul.]

No. If you want me dead, you can come down here and fight me yourself.

[dupiety]

[Temenos nods toward Beelzebub after they both make it safely back to the ground, already preparing to heal him for what is to inevitably come next.]

I should think our intentions are quite obvious at this point.

[allworknoplague]

Oh, they're obvious. I just thought I'd give you a chance to reconsider.

[In a leisurely movement, Overhaul removes his gloves, crouches.

It's the same move as last week; but this time glass pops up all along the amphitheater, sparing no one from being suddenly encased and trapped in their seat or their place. It always pays to be prepared, and the amphitheater itself is part of the sandbar; the glass isn't unbreakable, but it will certainly take a few moments, at the very least.

In the meantime: Overhaul is slowly descending the steps, hands in his pockets, eyes on the two at the center of the arena.]

Here's the thing -- if you won't do what you're here to do, if neither of you will take responsibility for your choices, then I'll just do it myself. But that means I'm the one who chooses the sacrifice.

[For a weighty moment, his eyes rest upon Temenos, and then they flicker back to Beelzebub, predatory and intent.]

Do we understand each other?

[gluttoning]

Leave him out of it.

[It's nearly a roar of a response, as he tries to reposition himself, eyeing how to close the distance between him and Overhaul.]

If you want me to take responsibility, then I'll take responsibility. Just leave him out of it!

[dupiety]

[All it takes is Overhaul threatening to take him instead for Temenos to go ice cold in direct contrast to Beelzebub's rage. Not because he's afraid to die, but because he refuses to let Beelzebub watch another loved one die right in front of him. Just like him, Beelzebub has had more than enough of that as well.

As Beelzebub prepares to lunge, Temenos takes his hand. Gentle, reassuring.]

That's enough, Beel. [...] We'll both take responsibility.

[gluttoning]

[Temenos takes him by the hand, and Beelzebub halts, looking back, a confusion that quickly morphs with realization.]

...

Temenos...

[He looks towards Overhaul, then back to Temenos, his rage sputtering out. If he fights any further, Temenos is lost. But if he stops fighting, he just adds to the pile of what he knows weights on the cleric's shoulders.

The silence sits as his hands grip Temenos's, trying to prevent the shaking that comes, bringing them to his lips as his eyes screw shut.]

These are my sins. Not yours. Don't let them be yours. I've held them for ages. I'll keep doing it.

But...

For once... I don't want to bear that for any god. For my Father, or for your Flame. [A look to his side, to Overhaul.] Or to anyone else.

Just for the people that matter. For who I love, and who loved the ones I took away.

[His grip presses tightly.]

I'll find my way back to you.

[dupiety]

[The weight on Temenos's shoulders may be heavy, but it's thanks to Beelzebub that he didn't collapse underneath it.

He doesn't want this. He doesn't want to be alone again. But...with Beelzebub reassuring him, and knowing there are those outside this barrier waiting for him, he thinks he'll be okay.

He manages a smile as he squeezes back, deeply sad but also very proud.]

Then allow me to pass one final judgment as inquisitor and make you atone for those sins.

[...]

I trust you. I'll wait for you.

[gluttoning]

[He nods, first weakly, and then repeated, his exhales deep as he keeps Temenos's hands close. He doesn't want to let go. He doesn't. He doesn't.

...

But his grip loosens. And Overhauls gets one more angered, bitter look, before Beelzebub takes a few steps back.]

...I love you.

[At the precipice of judgment. Looking into the unseeable face of Father, choosing rebellion, and letting Sin become identity.

At least this is an arrow he could see.

At least this is an arrow meant for him.]

[dupiety]

[As Beelzebub's grip loosens, Temenos keeps him in place for just a moment longer. He gently tugs him in to lean forward for a kiss, for old time's sake.]

I love you too, my dear Beel.

[He won't say "farewell" as he prepares for what is to come, because he refuses to believe that this is the end. Somehow, some way, they'll find each other again.

Even if it's in the bowels of hell.

With a deep breath, he readies his staff once more. His capabilities are greatly diminished in this place, but with any luck this spell should put a quick end to things and bring this horrible tale to a close.]

Aelfric...

[Hands clasped in prayer, he calls to the Flamebringer. Not for the Order's sake, but for his own. A circle of light surrounds him as rays of light coalesce into a bright orb in front of him.

He spreads his arms wide.]

...unleash your fury!

[A fitting chant, given that every ounce of Temenos's rage against his circumstances is poured into this spell in kind.

The orb vibrates and immediately explodes into a massive dome of pulsating light energy, enveloping the entire arena within the barrier.]

[gluttoning]

[He can feel the ripple through the air, holy magic that feels like Father and yet not, making him shiver with anticipation. But he lets his eyes close. He takes a breath.

When it hits, it burns. It burns in the way nothing else could, energy to send one to damnation, to the flames that rested below the Devildom and the resting places of the kings. Where all went to suffer. To burn burn burn burn burn.

He can't hardly get a sound from his throat before he tastes blood. He can't breathe. All he can see, all he can feel, is judgemental light. The garbled scream that comes from the blast, though loud, is blessedly short.

...

When the light dies down, the body in the midst of it drops to the ground lifelessly, smoke rising from the burns of his body, blood pooling to soak to the ground. There is no noise. There is only a brief, fragile attempt to shift weight, to try and turn his head. To try to look. But he can't see. There is nothing. And the movement stops as soon as it starts with a rattling of breath against the sand.

Beelzebub is dead.]

[dupiety]

[As the light fades and Beelzebub hits the ground, so too does Temenos- alive, but completely drained. He spent every ounce of energy he had on that...and he hopes with all of his heart that it was as short and painless of a death as it could possibly be.]

[allworknoplague]

[Overhaul watches all of this, impassive but intent, from his place at the bottom of the amphitheater steps -- just outside the radius of the arena, but poised just so to both oversee and loom over the goings-on. He doesn't make a move once the two seem to have steeled their resolve, though.

Merely steps back once both have fallen, in their own ways; snaps his fingers, and while nothing seems to have changed straight off -- the barrier around the execution arena is gone now. Anyone wanting to go pick up Temenos is now able to get in there; the kittybots move forward to clear out what remains of Beelzebub.]

That's it for this week. Try not to make any more mess, would you?

[Back up he goes, tapping the ground once he's at the top. Everyone will find themselves released from their glass enclosures, a fine rain of sand upon them -- not as bad as last week's sand jail, but just a little inconvenient, perhaps.]

[handsheld]

[ Shigaraki follows down the steps after everything is done, giving a quick glance to what's transpired, then shifting his gaze to the onlookers after a moment. ]

You know, if you're gonna waste your time on pointless things, at least make it pointless things you can actually beat? Or was all of that crap yesterday just filler dialogue?

[ A shrug. ]

Nona's killer is still out there, and no I don't mean the dog. But do whatever you want, this game is almost over anyway.

[ After that, Shigaraki is outtie. Peace late! ]

[dakicover]

[chosenwang]

[ He'd flip Overhaul the bird but he might like that.

Once they are free, he's letting Wei Wuxian go to run over to Temenos. He almost misses Shigaraki's parting words.

Like oh... oh. Well now...

He'll ruminate on that later. For now! He's here for the bestie. ]