The rolling pastures of Croatia, the weather, chilled and silent, save for the sound of rolling thunder in the distance. In the distance, a castle. A noise, a chant.
A line of women surround the large structure, with Petra Sinković, standing atop the highest perch. They hold hands, a blank expression on each of their faces, hoods hiding eyesight. It is clear that each of them have the same female mark Petra has herself, only on the other side of the face.
“We gather here today to find the end.
A pleasurable memory to defend,
For all is lost to tides and to the Ny
Reality is never as it seems.”
A soft, orange glow begins to melt down both the earth and sky. The world is glowing, heating up around Petra. She is to be sent away, delivered to the underworld just as many of her family had before.
This is bad. Petra understands the danger she’s in, her careless and childlike demeanor slowly melting away like wax. She needs to find an exit, a way out of this execution, as she fully understands what the conclusion is intended to be.
“The sinful one who sees through er and all,
Disgrace the clan who sees to her downfall.
Yet as she’s slain another girl will live
Her fate is one no family shall forgive.”
She enters the castle, sprinting down an ornate spiral staircase. The grey fabric of her dress dragging across the concrete steps, her hand grasped to the golden banister as she sprints from the flames as they chase her down the stairs. Her breath slow and heavy, tearing at her chest like broken glass as she’s slowly worn out. She reaches the bottom of the staircase, making her way to the main hall. Suits of armor line the stain-glass corridor, the windows like something from a cathedral on one wall. On the opposing wall, it’s covered in artwork, held in ornate gold leaf frames. At the end of the corridor, A door. A bright warm light emanates from the doorway, inviting her. An exit? A small smile spreads on her face as the sweat runs from her brow, Her heart racing as she feels the warmth of the fire catching up to her once again, the distant humming of the judging women outside of the building. Almost like she was being tested, Like she was destined to leave through that door.
Sprinted to the exit, Past all of the paintings. As she ran past, she glanced to the first - stopping in shock… She recognised this one…
Faye and Nobuhiko. Together, in the kitchen. Smiles plastered on their faces, warm and filled with happiness.
Tsuchie, Mae, and Keiko, having a delightful sleepover in a dorm room, likely Tsuchie’s.
Airi and Bunko, watching the artificial stars of the Environgen in the beach area.
...Mana slows down...another one of her paintings...
Leo and Alex, both equipped with the proper shoulder-pads and helmets, arms around each others shoulders.
...and finally, coming to a complete halt.
Kimiko, Hikari, and Kimiko, treating the poor girl’s still lingering headache.
What is this pit growing in her stomach? This horrible, poisonous mass. Petra feels sick, unable to walk any more. Only a few feet to the door, she has lost any power, both spiritual and physical. A new, truly honest feeling billows within her.
And just as she begins to guilt over the actions she painted into reality, chains are shot out of the walls, locking her arms and legs in place. They pull, violently, and Petra is flung back into the heat of the fire. And as it crackles against her skin, she feels an even greater heat approach.
Two seperate, hot, iron rods, each with a certain symbol at their ends, slowly inching towards the poor girl’s face. And as much as she screams, and prays, and apologizes, nothing slows them down.
Her shrieks are the loudest cry of all.
And moments later, everything turns to black.
And Petra is thrust back out of the glass, her brandings still burning her face.
