WEEK THREE: REMOVAL

[retellers]

WEEK THREE: REMOVAL (32 remain) Time to wake up, participants of the Realm. At 8am, everyone will receive a message on their PHS. go to the savanna at 9. yes we checked for scalpels and/or other stabby items. Even if the participants ignore the message (or are sleeping in, shame on them), as 9am approaches they will fall victim to a compulsion to head to the specified location. Three Leaders, Swan, Goat, and Tiger, are already present, Emet-Selch with them. Goat speaks. "... It is time. May peace come quickly." Once they finish speaking, an alert goes off from a PHS in the crowd—specifically, Hansa's. Their PHS displays a simple message. You have ̶been select͘ed͞. Regardless of their will, they will feel compelled to walk towards the scene. No other participant will be able to interfere; should they try, a barrier blocks their way.

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[arkitect]

[--The hand kiss surprises even him, eyes widening slightly, his hand tensing at it before relaxing once more. He huffs out a quiet, humorless laugh at it, not letting go just yet.]

He is not truly lost, so long as you yet live-- nor will I be.

[And at that he looks one more time to everyone assembled, eyes lingering on a few people in particular.]

...Remember what you know of me. Of us. What I have entrusted some of you with over these few weeks, short as they have been; hold to those memories for me here, until we meet once more.

[They all know who they are. There's no need for him to point them out-- those who hold pieces of himself are aware enough already, they know to keep them if he cannot.

But there's one more thing.]

Archer. ...I am afraid you will have to wait longer for your answer.

[And with that, his attention is fully on Hansa.]

Proceed.

[robopriest]

[He nods at that - the mention of "he" makes him smile, ever so slightly, before the weight of all of this settles back into his face.]

We will. We will remember.

[And then another look at Chiron at Emet-Selch's statement - ah yes. He nods. He understands.]

[Its time.]

[He leads Emet-Selch to the edge of the cliff, hand in hand. His gaze fixes on the herd in the distance, now stirring. Its as if something has agitated them, and like a dark cloud, they start to move. Dust starts to kick up, and the ground starts to rumble.]

[Hansa looks at the other man. Another squeeze of his hand, as if for reassurance, before he detaches himself. There's a long pause. And then, in a quick motion, he moves to grasp Emet-Selch by his front, holding tightly onto his robes as he moves him right at the edge. The stampede is getting closer, now.]

...Emet-Selch.

[Is there...a bit of light in his eyes? Hope? His expression might be grim, but there's something in his expression, like he's holding onto something deep inside. His eye fixes on Emet-Selch's face, as if committing every inch of it to memory, before he just lets out a short sigh.]

[He's ready.]

I won't prolong this any longer. That's not fair to you. [And he grits his teeth.] Goodbye.

[And just like that...]

[He makes the final motion, and shoves him right off the cliff.]

[arkitect]

[He moves with Hansa, no reluctance in his steps. He's accepted this, despite all the bitterness he still feels over it-- were it anyone else, he really might want to take them with him, but for Hansa, he lets go. He lets himself be grabbed, and when he sees that spark of light in Hansa's eyes...

When he's pushed, he smiles, faintly.

Emet-Selch closes his eyes as he tips backward and falls-- it is not a long drop, he knows it isn't going to hurt that badly to fall alone, but he also knows what is coming. He waits for the impact, and he waits for the hoofbeats, the thrumming vibration of the approaching stampede.

The sound grows louder in his ears... and then they reach him.]

[arkitect]

[...but as they reach him, the herd parts like water reaching a rock. The stampede simply passes him by as they thunder onward, regrouping after they've gone far enough, and they gallop on into the distance.

Behind them, Emet-Selch opens his eyes and sits up, looking thoroughly bewildered for once in his fucking life.

All that comes out is-]

-what?

[retellers]

[ After... whatever that was, the barriers blocking everyone go down. Goat, Tiger, and Swan stand there blankly for a few moments, before Goat, as if testing to see if the barrier is actually gone, holds out a hand--and Emet-Selch will find himself suddenly up on the cliff once more. Apparently satisfied, Goat then disappears. Swan and Tiger look at each other, still appearing confused, before Swan vanishes as well. Tiger will just have to walk.

...

No, seriously, you're all free to leave now! Looks like no one is dying today.

Later in the day, everyone will receive an alert for the NOVA CHECK app. Looks like weekly rankings are up! Furthermore, the Leaders will be responding to requests at the Planetarium again. ]