EXECUTION V

[faentasy]

Execution V

The end of this weekend's trial brought many questions and little answers, but like clockwork the time for execution comes like normal. The tune this Sunday has a more cheerful energy than usual, much like the piece that heralded the start of investigation.

It might not do much to change the mood though, given the two men standing in the sealed off space, in the middle of all the mirrors. Raven is there of course, and the man with him is someone else who else who was a fixture of yesterday's trial, Yeager.

Comments

[reallyfishy]

When ya put it like that, I guess you're right.

[He wouldn't want to subject the others to the most efficient way of killing him. If anyone here understands, it's Yeager.

His eyes widen in surprise when the bow comes sailing his way, but he does catch it with ease.]

Wait, seriously? Here, of all places? [Hm. Go out with a bang, right? He's used to that.] All right, you're on. But I ain't holdin' back.

[Why bother when he already knows the result, right?

So without any further delay, he reaches into his quiver and sends the first shot sailing Yeager's way. Better get that briefcase open quick.]

[scythegun]

[Said like he doesn't already have it transforming as he moves!! He dodges the first shot and moves to close the gap between them, swinging that massive scythe around and out like he hopes to catch Raven in it. It's an obvious opening move, one that leaves far too large an opening for Raven to react to.]

[reallyfishy]

[Yeah, he's not exactly interested in coming into contact with that thing like this. He ducks under it and rolls to the side, quickly knocking another arrow and firing to catch Yeager off guard before he can finish that swing.]

[scythegun]

[The one advantage a weapon this stupid has is that somehow it can transform very quickly. The shield form takes the hit easily enough and then it's transformed again, this time to the sword. Once again, Yeager attempts to close the distance between them, aiming another slash downward at Raven.]

[reallyfishy]

[As it turns out, two can play at that game. As Yeager swings down, he'll find his strike parried by Raven's transformed blade. With as much force as he can muster, he shoves Yeager back and rushes in for a strike of his own at Yeager's midsection.]

[scythegun]

[He's knocked off-balance for a brief moment, but by the time he's recovered, Raven's already rushing for him. The sword shifts to a shield and he catches the attack before he transforms the weapon again. The scythe is large enough to need more space, that sudden shift alone should be enough to knock Raven back to give Yeager some breathing room. He doesn't waste the moment or the space he has; the sword's back and he goes in to mirror Raven's own attack with it.]

[reallyfishy]

[Oof, being shoved sure doesn't feel good. Raven staggers back, and he's about to transform his blade back into a bow before he realizes Yeager's rushing him right back. The two of them trade a few blows in a flurry of swordplay, but it's obvious that Raven's tiring out already. In the middle of it he winces and brings a hand to his chest, allowing Yeager to catch him in the side.

He lets out a hiss, though more for his blastia acting up than anything.]

Sh-Shit--

[There's really no way that he can actually make this into a real fight. He knows it, and Yeager probably does too.]

[scythegun]

[He's noticed. It's not like he's been trying particularly hard either, and he's sure Raven's noticed that as well. Yeager doesn't flinch when his sword finds Raven's side, but he's quick to shift as well, transforming the weapon back into the briefcase form.]

That's about all I have in me for today, I'm afraid.

[Because he's bored, not because of Raven's blastia - though he is keeping a very close eye on that.]

[reallyfishy]

[Well, at least that gives him the excuse to sit back and catch his breath while he still has the ability to breathe.]

You're quittin' on me already? [...he bows his head a little.] Heh. Sorry I couldn't live up ta yer expectations.

[He's joking, even now. It's always easier to joke than admit how he truly feels. How neither of them really have it in them to fight, not when it's like this.]

Well, I don't wanna take up anymore of ya'll's time. Ya good with doin' this the quick way, then?

[He holds out his weapon for Yeager to take. There's only one way to make this quick and painless for Raven, and unfortunately, Yeager's all too familiar.]

[scythegun]

Oh come now, you've already exceeded them.

[He waves a hand as if to brush the remark aside. But that...]

Ja, of course. I wouldn't drag it out.

[Yeager carefully sets his own weapon down before accepting the bow. It's been ten long years, but he certainly hasn't forgotten how to use it. It transforms into the blade easily enough.

Any final words, Raven?]

[reallyfishy]

[As Yeager readies the blade, Raven opens up his shirt. Finally, the thing that he had been so reluctant for everyone to see during trials comes into view. A device with a silver casing and red core rests on his chest above where his heart would be. Gnarled old scars surround it, implying how long this device has been there. The red core in the center is cracked, courtesy of Morgan from their fight. Even if he made it out of here alive, he wouldn't have been in the best of shape. It'd be what he deserved of course, but this, he knows, is what he deserves even more.

He makes one last glance at those in the crowd, smiles, and looks up at Yeager.]

I believe in y'all. Kick Hamelin's ass fer me, all right?

[And with that, he nods at Yeager and closes his eyes while he waits for the end.]

[scythegun]

[Yeager exhales at that and tightens his grip on the blade. His eyes remain on Raven rather than the device, but he doesn't seem surprised to see it. Once Raven's said what he needs to, Yeager nods and kneels beside Raven.]

Goodbye, Raven.

[There's nothing angry or spiteful in it; it is what it is, and Raven's finally reached the end.

Yeager's swift, bringing the blade down with no hesitation. It finds the cracked core easily, and the decisive blow should be enough to break it.]

[reallyfishy]

[Before Yeager's blade finds its mark, Raven breathes out one last sigh and smiles.

And then the core shatters, and he's gone in an instant. There's no fanfare. His body just slumps against Yeager, returning to the corpse it had always been from the beginning.

Raven is dead.]

[scythegun]

[For a long moment, Yeager sits there, one hand up on Raven's arm like he plans to move him. He's not entirely sure when his hands started shaking. He's not entirely sure what the plan was after he killed Raven.

But that moment doesn't last forever, and Yeager finally moves to lay Raven down, covering up the smashed remains of the blastia as he does. He lingers for a moment longer before finally picking up his own weapon and taking Raven's with him.

See you in hell, Raven.]