AN/disclaimer: the following features an experimental writing style attempting to keep the manga-esque dialogue of the original game but also use descriptive paragraphs of traditional writing. It's also not affiliated in any way with Square-Enix, and is a fan interpretation of a potential continuation of the original story.
And obviously spoilers from the original material.
—
It was a rainy midnight. Jess wanted to be as far away from Sun's café as humanly possible. Rhyme- well. She wanted nothing more than to turn back. She wanted to be around her friends again.
Not that she could do anything about it, mind you. Apparently, Jess had found a pin of her in noise form. Both her and Beat thought it was basically worthless now. Apparently not.
Jess: Apologies for the rain, I might be able to get o find a change of clothes at our stop.
Rhyme wanted to speak out in protest, but everything but her mind was completely out of her control. She couldn't help but recount the events of the past week, to try and parse what exactly she could have done differently...
…
...
Week 2: Rhyme
...
...
Day 0: "The Off Day"
Rhyme had been starring at an almost empty cup of water for nearly an hour. She felt numb. After dropping off some food and water to keep her alive, Sunako recommended she stay inside and heal. She said she was going to take Joshua... Somewhere. If he was going to die for certain, she'd probably hear about it.
Though, she was still out of the look on their conversation prior to leaving for the subway.
It didn't matter. Not anymore. Rhyme was alone. With nothing but her thoughts.
"What could I have done differently?"
She repeated this question over and over until she stopped, coming to a realization. Then, she started chuckling, she started laughing, she started to cackle, she started to pound the ground it was so goddamn funny.
But what did she realize?
Well for one, she was disassociating. That was enough for a small heckle. But she also came to another realization, she was depressed. Not only that, she felt like she experiencing insanity. As a matter of fact, the very definition of insanity is performing the same action over and over, expecting different results. She realized this was what she had partaken in when she left home, doing the same thing as her brother, ending up in an eerily similar situation to Neku, ultimately, asking the same damn question on end for a good five to ten minutes.
After some time passed, Rhyme wasn't keeping track anymore, Sunako made her return.
Sun: Hey... How are you holding up?
Sun approached, taking her fedora off. Rhyme was unresponsive, the gears of existentialism still spinning rapidly. Sun could only sigh and take a seat on the floor across from her.
She glanced at Rhyme's stoic expression, then turned her gaze to around the empty run down music shop they decided to temporarily house. She looked at the board that Joshua had strewn a series of plots and plans onto. It all seemed so inconsequential now...
Sun: You know-
Sun paused, trying desperately to find the right words for the situation.
Sun: He was right...
Rhyme lazily lifted her head towards Sun.
Sun: This place may as well be a prison. But- is wasn't always this way.
Rhyme: You mean purgatory was a happy place once?
Sun rolled her eyes.
Sun: Not what I meant. It used to be where people could at least learn something from the experience. Now?
Sun scratched her head, looking up at the decrepit ceiling that sheltered them from the rainfall.
Sun: Now this seems like a graveyard...
Rhyme: They want people to die here? Shocker.
Sun: Yeah, obviously that was always the plan. But as of late, there haven't been survivors in the reapers game. Not since-
Sun recalled what day it was.
Sun: Oh... Crap...
Rhyme: What?
Sun stood.
Sun: The composer is set to speak today. They labeled today an "off day". Dunno what that means, but I think I'll need to be present.
Rhyme: Will they explain all of the things that went haywire this week?
Sun: Frankly, I'm not sure that the composer is going to appear.
Rhyme jumped to her feet.
Rhyme: Take me with you!
Sun: To- the gathering?
Rhyme: Obviously!
Sun: I hope you realize that since you're technically still a player, you're a prime target of the reapers. You'd be devoured in an instant.
Sunako put her hand on her chin, pensively.
Sun: But...
Rhyme: But..?
Sun: I will be able to relay everything after the fact. My shop needs tending to, anyway.
Rhyme: Your... Shop?
Sun: Sorry, café. It isn't open today, but It will need cleaning. We could also set up shop there instead of-
Sun looks at her surroundings again, waving her arms around.
Sun: This- place...
Rhyme: So then, you finally trust us-
Rhyme caught herself. Forgetting she was the only other person in this scenario.
Rhyme: I mean...
Rhyme went silent.
Sun stood, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Sun: Yes. Yes I do. Here.
Sun dropped a key in Rhyme's hand.
Sun: You'll need this.
With that, the two went their separate ways. Rhyme didn't have an issue getting to Sun's café once directed. Oddly enough, there were little to no noise present.
When she approached the café, however. Standing in front of the door, peering through the glass, was a sizable, burly man. Rhyme believed she recognized him from the week prior. Sure enough, he had a revolver at his side.
Rhyme: Um- hey. Café's closed today. Sorry.
The man turned around, sizing up Rhyme.
Shourin: Can I help you?
Rhyme: You- you're from last week's game... Right?
Shourin' s hand hovered over his gun.
Shourin: What if I am?
Rhyme: I- ah-
Rhyme instinctively began panicking at the sight of the gun.
Rhyme: I- I'm a player too!
Shourin narrowed his eyes.
Shourin: Nice try, reaper scum.
In an instant, he pulled out his gun and began unloading a round towards Rhyme, who pulled out a card and tossed ahead. It spun rapidly in front of her, forming a brief but effective shield.
Shourin's gun began clicking upon finishing his clip.
Shourin: Shit-!
Rhyme launched herself forward using a "velocity" card. Ramming into Shourin and shoving him into the glass door behind him. The door vibrated with a strange energy.
Of course, Sun would use fancy reaper powers to protect her café.
Shourin, using the wall as a crutch, hopped up and kicked Rhyme in the gut with both feet, sending her flying backwards. He began running for cover.
Shourin: Try that again, I dare you!
Rhyme pulled herself up from the pavement and with one fair motion, threw a volley of bullets at Shourin, who ducked in cover behind a sign for the café.
Rhyme pulled out a flame card and pointed it at the sign.
Rhyme: Last chance, asshole. Come on out and talk or I expose you and cut you up. Your choice.
Out from a corner of the sign, Shourin's revolver peeked out and took a wide potshot at Rhyme. Rhyme instinctively stepped aside as he began aiming.
Rhyme: Wrong answer!
In an instant the sign burned up and Rhyme charged with a shockwave card in hand, rearing up for an attack. Before she could get close enough Shourin stepped out from the flames and unloaded his clip yet again. Catching Rhyme's arm.
Upon hearing the first shot, Rhyme barreled to the ground, only feeling the wound on her arm on impact.
Shourin observed Rhyme, who was now cowering in fear from gunfire, and approached. Pressing the gun against her head. She flinched. This was far too familiar for her.
Shourin: Nothing personal. Just making sure that I don't die. You know how it is, I'm sure.
But with an almost comically loud *BONG*, a trash lid out of nowhere collides into Shourin's head. He reels back in pain.
Shourin: AURG-! WHAT THE HELL?!
Rhyme opened her eyes, uncurling to see another figure approach. It was... Neku's partner?
Standing timidly in front of the raising sun was a frowning Rikka. She was pointing a card at Shourin.
Rikka: L-L-Leave her alone! I th-thought we were all on the s-same team?!
Shourin: What the shit-?
Shourin recalled who he was seeing.
Shourin: Wait a second... You too-?!
Shourin began to panic, darting his head all around, trying to make a mental escape route.
Rikka: D-drop the g-g-gun!
Shourin began to flee towards the closest alleyway, taking wide shots behind him.
Rikka jumped in front of Rhyme, using psychokinesis to stop the bullets fired their way. It was strange, they pulsed in the air for a moment as a strange white aura built up around each piece of lead. In a single swift motion, the bullets ricocheted off of her psychokinetic barrier all around.
Shourin was out of sight. Neither of them knew if any of the bullets hit him or not.
After a moment of silence, letting out a heavy sigh of relief, Rhyme pulled herself up and dusted off the gravel from her clothes.
Rikka turned around, still panting and sweating from the altercation. Still, she smiled she held out a hand.
Rikka: I'm R-R-Rikka. Unfortunately, our partners didn't let us introduce ourselves properly last t-time.
Rhyme smirked.
Rhyme: Yeah. I'm Rhyme. Pleasure.
Rikka nodded. Then frowning while looking around.
Rikka: S-speaking of which, where is your p-partner?
Rhyme: He's-...
Rhyme averted her gaze away from Rikka, still feeling guilty over Joshua's fate.
Rhyme: He's gone...
Rikka: Oh... Well, I'm s-s-sorry.
Rhyme: Yeah. Wait- if you're here, then is Neku nearby?
Rikka scratched her head.
Rikka: I th-th-thought he'd be here too. But, you see, I'm actually here to see Sunako. It's kind of urgent.
Rhyme: Well lucky you, she's currently out in a meeting with her fellow reapers, but-
Rhyme whipped out the small golden key, twirling it around her finger.
Rhyme: She lent me the key to her café!
She popped the key into the door and offered Rikka entrance. Once the two entered and got situated, they began their back and forth interrogation.
Rikka filled Rhyme in on her and Neku winning the game, waking up in a strange place, and leaving Neku to be the winner by default.
Rhyme was much less forthcoming with information. Not detailing much of her and Joshua's misadventures throughout Shinjuku. Just the basics, she helped Rikka and Neku with Sun's help. They fled. Here they were on an "off day".
This lasted for at least an hour.
Rikka: S-so I'm here to be another g-guardian. Er- ap-p-prentice? I'm not sure...
Rhyme: Either way, she'll be glad to have you.
On cue, the door swung open and Sun walked in. She tipped her fedora before taking it off and hopping behind the counter.
Sunako leaned on the counter looking at the survivors of the reapers game.
Sun: So you've both met? Good. Saves me some trouble.
Rhyme: So? What was that gathering about?
Sun let out a frustrated sigh.
Sun: It was a bunch of pissing propaganda, it only made only one thing excruciatingly clear. The conductor is calling the shots.
Rikka: C-conductor?
Sun: Diata is his name. He said that the composer is simply taking a much needed respite and wanted to use him as a "mouthpiece". But most everyone I talked to at that meeting thought otherwise.
Rhyme's heart skipped a beat when hearing "composer". Another person like Joshua? That mere idea gave her a headache.
Sun: Regardless, I was also able to find out a few other things after being briefed.
Sun glanced at Rikka.
Sun: You were Neku's partner this last game, right?
Rikka nodded.
Sun: Well, here's some news. He's still in the game. Not only that, but I happen to know what his next entry fee is.
Rhyme: Wait- next?
Sun: Oh god, you don't know how a series works, do you?
Rikka: What are s-series?
Sunako leaned back and rubbed her temples.
Sun: Right. Right. So, basically, Shinjuku is more densely populated, right? This place also has a decent bulk of the older population due to its businesses centric nature. As such, we end up with a lot more deaths than, say, Shibuya. Granted, a lot of that is also due to the violence that's ramped up recently...
Rhyme rubbed the scar on her head currently hidden by her beanie. Which sort of served as a permanent reminder that, yes, Shinjuku is definitely dangerous.
Sun: Needless to say, series are basically excuses to be sure that as few people make it out as possible. Sequential games are more difficult, entry fees are compounded, and people are added as time goes along. Still, only one player can be revived, in the end.
Rhyme: How long is a series, normally?
Sun: They tend to last around a month, give or take a week. From what I heard, they intend to have this one last indefinitely.
Rikka: Wh-wh-what?! So people will keep replaying and-
Sun: Ultimately kill everyone.
Rhyme: That's sick.
Sunako shrugged, turning to make a drink.
Sun: That's the reapers game.
Silence fell over the trio as they lingered in thought. Once Sunako finished her task, she presented the ex-player with drinks.
Sun: Coffee?
Rhyme hesitantly took the warm cup. Before long she was downing it all. She didn't realize how much she needed the energy.
Rikka had taken her cup, but simply starred at it.
Sun: What gets me the most is how Diata can't seem to do anything beyond make people play the game right now. Why not just make himself composer and be done with it?
Rhyme: I mean- I'd imagine that there would have to be a ton of red tape to becoming a composer.
Sun raised an eyebrow.
Sun: I'd imagine so too. But nothing I'm privy to, unfortunately.
Rikka: Y-you mentioned having details on Neku? I thought he got out...
Sun: The fact we're in the middle of a series rules that out, unfortunately. But yes. I know Neku's entry fees.
Rhyme raised her head.
Rhyme: Just Neku's?
Sun: Well- er... Yeah. That's all I asked for. Sorry, I forgot you're still technically a player too.
Rhyme: Oh...
Sun coughed.
Sun: Well, his first entry fee was a person. Someone named-
Rhyme: Shiki, right?
Sun blinked.
Sun: Uh. Yeah. You know her?
Rhyme: Oh yeah. Her, Neku, me, and my brother used to hang out a fair bit after we escaped the reapers game the first time. The two were kinda insufferable after a while, not gonna lie.
Rikka: Oooh. So they were, l-like, a *thing* thing?
Rikka teasingly pressed two fingers together with a smirk on her face..
Rhyme: Yeah. It was cute enough at first, but- you know how teenaged couples can be sometimes.
Sun: God, don't I know it.
Rikka: N-n-neku never really struck me as that kind of p-person.
Rhyme: Don't let him fool you, he's a big softie once you get to know him. It just- takes a while to get there with him.
Rikka: Wh-why's that?
Rhyme: I think he once said it was... "Trust issues"…
Sun: Then there's the matter of his *other* entry fee. The one for this week.
Rikka: Is it b-bad?
Sun: Well, it's certainly not good.
Rhyme: How bad are we talking?
Sun: ...
Rikka: S-S-Sun?
Sun: It's- weird. Like, weirder than usual, while also being oddly specific.
Rikka: How so?
Sun: Let me see if I can get this right- basically, Neku's entry fee for this week is his- "respect"?
Rhyme cocked her head.
Rhyme: I'm- sorry?
Sun: Yeah, I know. It seems pointed. Eerily so. What worries me is that it's an attempt to hijack Neku's chances of winning again.
Rikka: B-But why? What reason c-c-could they possibly have to do th-that?
Sun looked past the duo, outside. She scanned the area before leaning in close.
Sun: They know Neku's history with the reapers game. That's stuff I didn't know about. So I think they want to sabotage him before he can cause trouble.
Rhyme: What could taking away his respect even do?
Sun pulled back, taking a sip from her cup.
Sun: If I had to guess, it's to make nobody respect him to he'll be partner-less.
Rhyme and Rikka shared a concerned glance.
Sun: But even then, I'm not sure how much longer entry fees will mater.
Rhyme: Care to elaborate?
Sun: Do I have to? The UG is basically falling apart. I thought that at least was obvious.
Rikka darted her eyes between an impatient Rhyme and an accepting Sunako.
Rikka: I- I think my question is, why does Neku's history with the game even m-matter?
Sun: That's the million dollar question, isn't it? Why DOES it matter? It's not like Neku is looking for trouble, right? He just wants out based on my time with him.
Rhyme and Sun looked at each other. The same idea donning on them.
Rhyme: But...
Sun: What of it wasn't just Neku they were worried about...
Rikka blinked, being completely out of the loop.
Rhyme: So you think it's-
Sun: Who else?
Rikka: Um... Wh-who?
Rhyme: My partner from last week, Joshua. Let's say- he's special. Someone the reapers probably want to keep an eye on.
Sun: But, they couldn't track him, because of who he is. So, they picked on Neku instead. Now that Joshua is out of the picture, they want to remove the residual.
Sunako turned back to the two players.
Sun: Which will likely include the both of you as well.
Rikka: B-but, they let me be a guardian!
Sun chuckled to herself.
Sun: You sad, sad girl. Technically speaking, guardians don't exists. That's just a simplified ploy. But-
Sunako waved her hand dismissively.
Sun: You'll learn the details in time.
Sunako placed her glass upside-down on the table.
Sun: Speaking of which, let's begin your training. Take that glass and come to the kitchen with me.
Rikka stood up and began following Sun, who turned back to Rhyme.
Sun: I'm not gonna stop you from coming and going, but just know that my doors are always open to you.
Rhyme nodded.
Rhyme: Thanks.
She starred at her now empty glass as the other two left to train.
...
Day 1:
Rhyme had a simple goal for the week, find Neku, partner with him, and figure out a plan of attack.
Now, whether or not she could accomplish that was another story.
She spent the morning taking stock of her cards, also trying to gauge how proficient she was with their psychs. There was also the matter of combining psychs. It was something that she'd witnessed twice now. Both times from Rikka. She wanted to figure out how the hell that worked.
Rhyme studied her card, recalling each psych and how they were used. She frowned, why did psychs always come in cumbersome forms? First some gaudy pins, now, a bunch of unwieldy cards.
The kitchen door swung open as Sunako opened the café for the day. She stopped by Rhymes booth on her way back to the front counter.
Sun: What's your plan?
Rhyme: I guess, I'll try and find Neku.
Sun scoffed.
Sun: Good luck with that.
Rhyme: Why so cynical all the sudden?
Sun: Girl- have you met me?
It was a fair point.
Rhyme: Whatever- I'll be heading out here after a while. I don't think I'll be back for a few days.
Sunako frowned.
Sun: Why is that?
Rhyme: I intend to lay low. I'm not even sure if I'll actually be joining Neku or now.
Sun: Maybe that's for the best...
There was an awkward silence for a moment. Rhyme then recalled Neku's entry fee.
Rhyme: Wait- aren't we supposed to like- not care about Neku?
Sun: Well... Our GM this time around is- an interesting character... Putting it lightly. So he may have just- forgotten.
Just what this game needed. Even more incompetence.
It was then that another thing donned on Rhyme. She checked her hand, no timer. Her eyes widened.
Rhyme: Holy shit-
She checked her phone, no message. It was approaching eight in the morning, and there was nothing.
Was- was she free?
Was she alive?
Rhyme: Right- I'll see you later!
Sun: Oh. Uh- bye?
In a panic, Rhyme scooped up what little belongings she had, and booked it out into the most populated street she could find. The average morning hustle and bustle of Shinjuku carried on as if nothing was wrong with the world. Just business as usual.
Rhyme reached out to a random stranger on the street, they flinched, turning around. It was a middle aged woman, dressed in business attire. Shs was frazzled by something.
Rhyme: Can- can you see me?
Woman: Cab you see me?
Damn. She must have been a player.
Rhyme: Y-yeah-
Woman: Thank god!
The woman shoved her palm up to Rhymes face.
Woman: You can see this too, right?
It was a timer.
A bead of sweat rolled down Rhymes face. She really didn't have time for this. But, at the same time, this woman needed help.
Rhyme: Yeah, I see that too. Look. You need to find a partner, look around and find someone else with a timer, also, be prepared to run.
Rhymes only real excuse for not offering herself as a partner was the fact she probably would only cause this woman more trouble that it'd be worth.
She patted her on the shoulder, and ran off.
Rhyme: Good luck!
Rhyme gave a weak smile to the woman, who simply looked lost.
...
Although she wasn't sure where Neku was, Rhyme assumed No. 1 would be a good starting point...
Vacant. No sign of any players. Rhyme assumed she waited too long to try and find the first wave of players. Now that it was noon, they were likely scattered all over by now.
She could only hope that Neku found a partner in time.
Rhyme approached No. 1, but slammed against what felt like a brick wall.
Rhyme: OW-! SON OF A-
She clasped fhe the side of her face that took the brunt of the hit as she inspected the literal nothingness she collided into.
Rhyme: The hell?
She reached out abd sure enough. There was an invisible barrier around the courtyard of No. 1.
Rhyme blinked. That's... Unnatural. You couldn't even see whatever it was, it was just- there.
She slammed her fist into the invisible wall, trying to peer in.
There was a fountain in the center of the courtyard, with a few stray individuals walking in and out of the building. They looked to be from the RG, but Rhyme knew she couldn't trust that for certain.
Better safe than sorry, Rhyme backed away. Deciding to stake out the remains of No. 3 instead. But it was strange that there was a barrier now, since she'd definitely been there before...
After a good half hour of walking, Rhyme found herself at No. 3. There was a large group of reapers, including a tall, yet scrawny individual. He stood out from the rest in an unnerving manner. He was toying with a frog noise in one hand and gesturing with the other. Rhyme blinked on noticing the noise. It was- dead? It just kinda flopped lifelessly in his hand as he made it pose in various manners.
?: Make sure that this entire fiasco is kelt on the down low. I know we lost some good people, but we can't let this turn into a whole thing.
A reaper stepped forward, they seemed to be a leader of some sort. They looked frustrated.
?: But Tinogi, sir, we need to let the rest of the reapers know what's happened here. Too many people will be missing to be able to hide this. We should let Diata kno-
The tall unusual man, who was apparently named Tinogi, snapped at the reaper.
Tinogi: That BASTARD wouldn't know what to do with a situation like this! He'd just talk and talk and talk about how "something has to happen, no. Something WILL happen!" then spit in the face of anyone who asks for progress. He's the *last* person you want involved.
The reaper grimaced.
?: I don't think you know exactly what you're talking about, sir.
Tinogi: And what, exactly, makes you qualified to tell me I don't know anything? Hrm?
The reaper looked like they had a bucket list they could whip out then and there, but refrained. Opting instead to step back.
Tinogi: I thought so. I'll reveal this in a few days time to the necessary people. But for now, I have a plan to keep in motion.
The surrounding reapers looked at one another nervously. As their representative stood firm.
?: I think you should leave, sir.
Tinogi narrowed his eyes and checked his watch.
Tinogi: It's time I pester more players anyway. Need to make my introduction to everyone, you know!
He turned around, tossing the floppy frog noise behind him. It fell to the ground with an unsavory *splat*, presumably dissolving into static.
Before exiting completely, he turned to the reapers once more.
Tinogi: Here soon, you'll all be offered a choice. When that time comes, you'll need to make the correct one.
Silence befell the reapers as Tinogi walked away with a huff.
Rhyme receded back into her alleyway, and opted to follow Tinogi.
The strange man's walk turned into a hop and skip. He seemed to be ramping himself up for something. Rhyme followed from as far a distance as she could. She still wasn't sure who this guy was. Although, gauging from the way he was handling his "introductions" she assumed he was the GM.
Eventually, he stopped by the train station, noticing something just out of sight for Rhyme. Without any sound, glimmer, or glamor, he vanished.
Rhyme froze. Was she noticed? Not too far away, she heard a noise.
?: DAMN IT ALL, GET AWAY!
Perfect. More problems.
Rhyme determined she wasn't going to get involved. After all, everyone must have had partners by now, right? It was noon at this point. Anyone without a partner was in serious-
Of course they didn't have a partner. Rhyme observed as a scrawny blonde boy shoved noise off of him and making a break for it.
Rhyme sighed.
Shit...
She whistled as loud as she could. Getting the attention of both the boy and the noise. She whipped out a chain and lightning card.
Rhyme: Let's have at least a little fun.
She grimaced as she threw both cards together. They sheared through the air as they cut a line down the middle of the small crowd of noise, leaving the chain to linger in the air like an electric fence. They turned to her.
Double shit.
She pulled out a blade card as the crowd began its assault.
She cut through a lizard that attempted to snap at her. As it's fellow frog tried to get the jump on her from behind, she slid underneath the chain, kicking whatever noise got in her way.
Unfortunately, a giant bear-like noise proceeded to knock her back over the chain sending her flying backwards.
Rhyme braced herself upright, quickly checking her pockets for another card. Yet while she was occupied that same frog leapt to take a pot shot at her.
Then suddenly, a flame burst to life in between Rhyme and the noise. Before she knew it, the blonde kid was next to her levitating a bench behind him.
?: Name's Price.
Rhyme: I'm Rhyme- thanks for the save, but you need to get out of here!
Price: No way! I can't let you take these picks alone. Besides, that bear is mine...
Rhyme could feel the resentment emitting from Price. Best let him handle that one.
Rhyme: S-sure. Fine. You know how to use psychs, then?
Price nodded and gave her a thumbs up.
Rhyme returned the gesture.
Rhyme: Alright then... Partner, whenever you're ready.
The frog noise looked at the fire in confusion as Price snapped his finger, extinguishing the fire.
The two broke into a sprint, Rhyme slam dunking a bullet over the confused frogs head. They quickly approached the crowd.
Rhyme slid underneath the chain and proceeded to blast a leering lizard in the face with lightning.
Having now gotten their attention, Rhyme grabbed a card, pointed it at the frazzled lizard, and threw it at the bear that was quickly approaching. It fumbled backwards as the lizard was erased.
Meanwhile, Price was struggling with two wolves, a lizard of his own, and a twin frog. All of which were charging at him. Rhyme, having noticed this, called out.
Rhyme: Hey-! Toss a few over here!
Price smirked.
Price: Toss that bear bastard over and you got a deal!
While hesitant, Rhyme wasn't going to object. She focused her psychokinesis on the bear, and with great effort, tossed it behind her, over the chain.
Price looked over his shoulder and smirked.
Price: You're mine now you prick-
At once, Price thrusted his hands out to either side, with all the noise immediately surrounding him freezing in place. He thrusted both hands upward and the noise spiraled in kind. As they were airborne, Price took a second to admire his handy work. He was new to psychs, but hey, Pavo Real had some rad pins that he'd collected over the years. Turns out, they come in handy too.
With one more harsh motion downward, all the noise came crashing down to the ground, with the frog and lizard getting erased. Leaving the wolves and bear.
But, in keeping his promise, Price uses his own psychokinesis, and threw both wolves over to Rhyme.
Almost simultaneously, the two players cracked their knuckles, preparing to clean house.
As the wolves began snapping at Rhyme, she swatted them in the side of the face, disorienting them for a moment. She took that brief moment to setup, summoning an ice pillar next to them, creating a rather uniform line. As the noise came two, Rhyme had already swung a massive ethereal blade into the two noise, forcing them straight through the ice pillar.
Meanwhile, Price was trying to find a good opening to strike the massive bear that kept trying to claw the ground he stood on.
He did notice that there was a brief pause before the bear returned his claw to his side. But since it seemed harder than steel, he certainly wasn't going to try and cleave it off somehow. No. Instead, Price saw an opportunity.
As he hopped away from each strike, Price took a short hop instead, landing directly on the bears giant claw. Using it as leverage, he landed on it and leapt from it on the upswing, sending into the sky.
Price used the opportunity to prepare a force round, holding out his palm and focusing on it. After a moment, a blast of energy flew from his palm and into the bears face. It recoiled in pain.
Price then spun downward, preparing a shockwave psych. As the bear roared out in anger, still partially blinded from the blast, Price collided with it, sending it careening sideways into the chain, where it was cut in two as it dissolved into static.
With a loud *THUD* Price landed on the ground with an awkward roll. Rhyme unsummomed the chain, and ran over to Price to inspect his injuries.
Rhyme: You ok?
Price was gasping for air, exhausted from the move.
Price: Y-Y-Yeah-
He gave her a half hearted thumbs up.
Rhyme: That was stupid.
Price held out his fist as he was trying to catch his breath.
Price: "Stupid"? Or "genius"?
Rhyme, let out an equally exhausted sigh and followed through with the fist bump.
Price: You know- I'm surprised- we were pretty- in sync there!
Rhyme: Yeah- I'm surprised too...
The two paused as they recouped their energy.
Price: Aw hell-! The mission!
Rhyme: R-right!
Price: Have you figured it out yet?
Rhyme: Unfortunately, n-no?
Price scratched his head.
Price: Safe place. Safe place. What could they mean by safe place?
"Safe place"? In the reapers game the closest thing to a safe space is-
Rhyme: Oh- shit-! Is there a shop nearby? One with the reapers symbol?!
Price looked around.
Price: There's a bunch of shops right down there!
Price pointed southward to an alleyway that coasted the awkwardly shaped station line.
The two darted down the alley, desperately looking around for the reapers symbol.
Price: Where are we going, exactly?
Rhyme: Look for a shop with the reapers symbol. What? Are you new?
Price nodded.
Price: I've heard about the reapers game through the rumor mill but thought it was something like a ouiji board or some crap. Superstition, or whatever.
Rhyme couldn't blame him, the reapers game generally would catch people by surprise.
Price: Hey, over here!
Rhyme was lost in thought, apparently, she'd walled right past Price and a shop with a symbol.
Circling back, the two entered the shop.
Rhyme: Timer gone?
Price checked his hand.
Price: Y-yeah.
The two simultaneously took note of where they were. It was old and decrepit. Unlike any shop they'd seen that was actually functional.
The walls and ceiling were spottily painted black, if you could see them properly, anyway. Racks of nick nacks and other random material crowded the store. Off to their left, there was an entire rack dedicated to a multitude of variations of chimes that was the primary source of sound in the room, since a fan blew from the checkout desk behind it.
Price: Um. Should we- like- leave?
Rhyme slowly stepped towards the counter.
Proce: Hello?!
Rhyme quickly turned around and shushed him.
Price: Of course...
Price followed Rhyme as she approached the counter.
Rhyme: H-hello? Is anyone here?
Price twisted his face and recoiled.
Price: Oh god-! What the hell is that smell?
Rhyme felt a knot in her stomach. She remembered this smell. The putrid, rotten, sour smell.
Rhyme: Stay here.
Rhyme covered her mouth and nose with her sweatshirt, trying to shield from the every growing smell.
She looked over the counter. Nothing.
It certainly didn't help that the lights were off. She pushed past one of the racks, exposing the employee's only lounge. On entering, it was obvious she was in the right place. She couldn't see, but she could both smell and hear all she needed. At least half a dozen flies swarmed the back corner of the lounge, definitely amplifying the rancid smell.
Rhyme began reaching around the doorframe, searching for a light switch. Her gut told her to just assume and leave it. But she had to know, was it just like she recalled?
On finding the light switch she braced herself, taking a deep breath.
*click*
...
Yeah, no. It was worse than she remembered. It was... A corpse, for sure. It looked like the "Rogue reaper" was responsible. It was uncanny just how identical this corpse looked by comparison to the previous one.
Price: You find anything?
On noting that his voice was growing in volume, Rhyme stepped back and stopped Price from entering.
She shook her head.
Rhyme: You'll want to stay back.
Price: Shop keep is dead?
Rhyme nodded.
Price: Damn... Ok. I'll trust you to handle this. I can't stand the smell anyway. I'll be by the entrance if you need me.
Rhyme: Thanks...
It was strange, being trusted. Because, ironically, the very person who runs the game in Shibuya didn't seem to trust her for the longest time. Now there was someone willing to just- let her be, because she asked. Weird.
Rhyme took a few uneasy steps forward, still masking her face from the smell. Further inspection of the body revealed that it had less bone mass than she was expecting. In fact, the attire draped across the corpse actually seemed rather out of place of the shop. Very formal business clothing.
Beyond that, the body seemed to have that familiar "sapped of life" look to it. Like the person's very soul was drained slowly.
Last time Rhyme saw a body like this, Joshua said it was the work of a "rogue reaper". The first body was nie unrecognizable. This one? There was a chance of finding a finger print, if you really wanted to.
Rhyme stepped away from the body and made her way to the front desk. She began to rummage around for anything that might identify the shop keep. Or if it even was the shop keep.
Price: What are you doing?
Rhyme: Seeing if there are any id's laying around here.
Price trailed off for a moment, seemingly parsing what's been happening over the past few hours. Rhyme knew that feeling, for sure. The first day is always one of the most jarring.
Price: Oh-? OH!
Something clicked with Price, however, and he pointed right above Rhyme. When she turned around to see what it was, she found a security camera. A very primitive one, but a camera nonetheless.
Rhyme: Good eye!
Rhyme hopped up on the counter and pulled down the camera. On further inspection, it housed a tape inside. It was unlabeled. So it was going to be a crap shoot if the camera had been changed recently.
Rhyme: Um... Uh.
Rhyme, frantically looked around the shop for a TV with a cassette player. Price, catching on, began shoving through shelves and, after a moment of searching, pulled out an old tv metal tv rack.
Rhyme inserted the tape and-!
Static. A lot of static.
*click*
With that, a short, fuzzy video appeared on screen. It was only of the entrance, frustratingly, and it was as empty as it was then.
Price: This place doesn't see a lot of action, does it?
Rhyme: Guess not.
After a moment of waiting, watching a black and white entrance, a figure appeared on screen.
Rhyme's heart skipped.
A just as stoic as ever Shourin, carrying a bad of nick nacks, waved goodbye to the front counter. He exited the shop.
Rhyme: Wh-what the f- fu-?
Rhyme's brain began to turn to mush. If Shourin went to this shop, doesn't that mean Jess could have- no. The two met during the reapers game, didn't they?
She couldn't remember. She never thought to pay either of them mind. But now that she thought of it... Why was Shourin awake during the off day? Weren't player supposed to sleep through it?
Price: Hey- hey! What's up? Is he our man?
Rhyme: I- maybe? I dunno he waved to the shop keep. So unless he was playing for the camera, I don't think he's our murderer.
As Rhyme was talking, another person entered the shop. Rhyme widened her eyes at the sight.
A man, with larger than average body mass, in business attire. This is it. It was him.
Rhyme: There-
Just as Rhyme pointed to the man on screen, the tape sharply faded to static as the man drew closer. It was so sharp, in fact the sound began to screech and squeal out of the silence. The tv speaker exploded with a loud *BANG* temporarily deadening the two players.
Price: That our man?
Rhyme: What?
Price: What?
Rhyme shook her head.
Price: I SAID- WAS THAT OUR MAN!
Rhyme: Oh.
Rhyme nodded.
Rhyme: Yeah, I think so.
With that, the two exited the shop, walking out into a setting sun.
Price: Well. That's day one. How long ks this game, anyway?
Rhyme: A full week.
Price whistled.
Price: Damn... This week is gonna suck, isn't it?
Rhyme: I don't doubt it.
Price: So where to ne-
Before being able to finish, Price fell over, unconscious. Rhyme observed him just, lay there. She frowned.
Rhyme: Well next, I guess I gotta make sure you don't die in your sleep.
Rhyme sat down, reclining against the shop, watching as the crowds died down for the day.
This week was gonna suck.
...