killerwaves | .GRAVEYARD

GARDEN OF AVALON

[🎵]

There is a moment of silence. That is all there is, following the end one meets, but it is wrong to say that nothing else proceeds afterward. Indeed, upon the deceased opening their eyes, there's a feeling like settling into a body that has not yet crossed over, and an undeniable bright scene in front of them.

Is it heaven? Is it purgatory? These are the questions that may unfurl when faced with a bright, vibrant sky with pleasant colors, and soft clouds. Alongside this pleasing sight are picturesque rivers, running around fields of flowers mixed with lively greenery that seems to extend to distances behind one's comprehension. But, make no mistake—there are large trees dotted here or there, where someone might feel compelled to lie under given how welcoming they look.

Perhaps most striking, however, is the floating tower, that seems currently unreachable no matter how close anyone nears it. Does it need to be blocked off with an invisible shield? Honestly, no. But nobody knows that, and maybe no one will figure it out either, despite how many times they will ask who frequents it...who so happens to be standing outside of it, but also nearby. Huh.

Who's that? Well, that's—

Merlin, Mage of Flowers
💮

What a shock, isn't it? To see someone like Merlin so soon. Yet, he hardly seems perturbed, as he says, "Oh, so you've come! What a terrible fate you've been met with. But, don't worry, there's plenty of things to keep you occupied with.

What do I mean by that, you ask? I mean yourselves, of course! And, yes, by the way, you're still dead. So sorry about that. If you need anything, though, just call my name and I'll be there."

Beat. "Probably."

Then he disappears helpfully in a flurry of petals, not even saying where this is. Wow, helpful, isn't he? But, you have more than enough time to explore, at least. And hey, where did that random shack come from far off in the distance? If one goes in, they'll find a random bookcase inside, filled to the brim with fairytales that automatically replenishes if all books have been read with new ones. In addition, there's a random 'fan magazine' of the super popular idol Magi☆Mari; a beautiful white-haired young woman with purple eyes. Huh, why does she look familiar?

...Anyway, at least this will all keep one occupied.

As a side note, off to the distance are a a massive gathering of trees, but whenever one tries to approach them they can't seem to actually get close. How obnoxious! Looks like you'll have to just continue to admire your surroundings of pink flowers, one or two solitary trees, rivers, and other flora for miles on end.

As of 'Week 3', there is now an additional, cutesy shed in the Garden of Avalon that can be accessed for arts and crafts materials. Sewing kits, canvasses, painting materials, paper, you name it! There also is a shelf full of lube as well, for your needs. They will have a hint of a flower scent.

As of 'Week 4', the forest is glowing and can at some point be entered for funtimes.

By 'Final Week', there is a small little cottage of some sort that has appeared, which is ridiculously more spacious once walked into. It appears to be like a little free-for-all clothing store, except everything is free of charge. The styles range from cutesy pink, stylish, fancy, and to even towards the gothic side of things...but also there is a spot filled with make-up and the like! Do you want to look pretty in death? No worries, you too can shine here as well with beauty products found along the shelves, and of course mirrors alongside changing rooms for your convenience.

There are also knitting tools, for those wanting to really step up their skills.

Additionally, in this large 'cottage', there are private changing rooms with mirrors and a plush long seat to sit down if you want to for whatever reason. The doors lock once someone is inside and the door is closed.

Lastly, for those feeling 'adventurous', they would also happen to find costumes. Sexy ones, likes nurses, maids, and the like, but also silly 'scary' ones like a t-rex and a sheet ghost.

The forest has also stopped glowing, and upon entering it give you view to a beautiful lake surrounded by trees (sans mist.) The sky is still a fantastical color, and taking a soak at any time is possible.

However, on the other side of the forest, is a field of beautiful blue flowers, and a perpetually midnight sky.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ it's a moment before zelkov comes over to speak to beelzebub. he's actually not sure how much he even remembers, given his state at the time. ]

Hello.

[ ...

sighs. ]

I apologize that I was unable to stop you.

...Zelkov.

[Ah. He shakes his head at the statement.]

I'm the one that should be apologizing. Not you.

[...]

Do... you remember what happened? What I did?

I do. At least the part for which I was personally present.

Do you?

[...

He shakes his head.]

I know they said I was responsible for you and Alice, but...

I remember... coming to on Sungem. My horn was missing. My wing was sliced. All the blood smelled like something not quite human, and my mouth tasted the same. My eyes hurt, and I could barely see. And my clothes were covered in glass.

[ he nods. that's... kind of what he thought might happen, given what they'd seen of his demon form in the past. ]

Would you like me to fill in the blanks for you?

[He nods immediately.]

Only if you want to. I don't want to ask you to do that if it's unpleasant to think about.

But... I'd like to know.

I am too familiar with death for it to bother me.

[ possibly the edgiest way he could have put that, but. ]

I awoke in the garden to find you in your other form, agitated and destructive... though I do not know what led you to that state. To avoid further destruction to the main resort area, I led you to the railway to the most recent island, where I cut your wing to hinder your speed.

[ he recounts this all very matter-of-factly. ]

...Having just killed Xiao in her rampage the day before, I did not wish to repeat that. I had read about chemical compounds with anesthetic effects in the lab this week, and thought that perhaps I could simply disable you if I were able to create one. [ sigh. ] Unfortunately, chemical reactions take time, and the time I was able to buy by damaging your wing was insufficient. You arrived at the lab before I could complete it.

I only succeeded in dodging your attacks for so long, and at some point, you succeeded in crushing much of my arm while pinning me. Assuming at that point that to be devoured was inevitable, I severed the arm and stowed it out of sight in order to protect the ring, which I could no longer readily remove safely.

With that done, I resigned myself to my fate... when by some stroke of misfortune, some chemicals fell from their shelves in the chaos and produced a deadly gas upon mixing. You escaped and, presumably, were forced to find something else to sate your hunger.

And that is the extent of my knowledge of events.

[He keeps quiet, trying to see if any of the explanation brings up anything in his own memory. While it unfortunately doesn't, he does still nod at those pieces of the crime scene no one could quite put their finger on.]

...Mn. That matches up with what people found... there was blood on the railway that led to the lab. That must have been mine.

...Why did you take your own arm off, though? Is the ring that important to you?

The only power I have is that of the Emblem of Fates who resides within that ring.

Many people have died for the sake of the emblem rings, either by their own will or under another's command. I would not let their efforts be consumed along with me.

A ring people would die for...

[He wonders if it's anything like the ring Lucifer had to leave behind in the Celestial Realm... would humans ever be given something with that much power, though?

Maybe, if they were as serious about its power as Zelkov seemed to be.]

I'm glad it didn't come to the worst. But I'm sorry that's what you had to resort to, in the end.

I wouldn't have held it against you, if you'd tried to use force. I don't understand why you would spare me and not yourself, but...

...Maybe it means you're just a kind sort of person.

You have many people here who care for you, and a family to return to. And I know that you are a kind person yourself.

While I did not wish to die before completing my duties, I have always been prepared to do so.

Mn. It's hard to not think like that when there's been war to worry about.

...

You have people too, you know. You're always rational and trying to voice things out... so a lot of people were unhappy that you were missing. And Lacus...

[Maybe it's better not to say this... but they seemed close.]

...She was the one who found you. And she took the whole thing pretty bad. I think she'd prefer if I never came back from this place.

[ oh, oof... that definitely makes it worse. he'd expected her to look for him in the garden where he'd left her haro, but he hadn't thought she'd go to the lab so soon. ]

Ah... I am sorry for that as well. I will attempt to contact her soon and explain. I would like to think she would understand if it came from me.

I don't know that there's anything to be sorry about, Zelkov. It might have just been chance. She was with us in Dodo Cabana that night, and we all went in separate directions. She just chose one that led to you.

But... I think she'd be happy, if she heard from you. And I think she might need some happiness.

[because that poor girl has had a ROUGH one]

.GRAVEYARD

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