Chapter Text
Night 0
The last thing Lucy Heartfilia remembered, she had gone to bed in her own home, in her own bed after a job well done for the Fairy Tail guild. She was nowhere near a forest and she certainly wasn’t around a campfire.
However, as she suddenly woke up sitting up, she became alerted to all of these sensations. Overhead, a full moon and lots of stars illuminated the sky. However, that was far from the most interesting thing she could notice. Around the campfire sat no less than 15 other people. Each was dressed in a style that Lucy did not recognize as a modern fashion trend in Fiore. Well, okay, one girl was dressed like a maid and she recognized one of the men in the group as wearing a tan business suit, but other than that, the outfits were strange and unfamiliar, especially with the only light being the roaring campfire.
“That’s sixteen, Xiaomu,” a voice said. Lucy looked in the direction of its source. A man with black hair and a single white stripe and a scar on the left side of his forehead had spoken up. He was dressed in a black outfit and a red jacket with red greaves. His arms were currently folded. Xiaomu appeared to be the woman next to him, staring at Lucy curiously. She seemed normal at first, but her most striking feature were the two fluffy fox ears on her head and the thick braids of hair going down and over the back of her head in the shape of tails. There were five in total. Xiaomu seemed to be wearing a pair of red, open toe heels and a black xi pao with the same red vest as the man standing next to her.
“So she’s the last one then,” Xiaomu noted.
“Last one for what?” Lucy asked.
“We’re just as confused as you are,” a deep voice spoke up. Lucy looked in the direction of the source. The voice had come from a young man in his late teens with black hair and purple eyes. He was wearing all black. His outfit seemed…pretty normal. In the darkness, Lucy thought she must’ve missed him during her first scan.
“Well I for one welcome the chaos,” a crafty voice said. This time the voice came from a fellow dressed in black with dark brown hair and green eyes. He had a yellow mantle thrown over his shoulder and was wearing thick, black, leather boots. “I’m sure our foxy friend here is just dying to tell us all the secrets.”
“Well I—” Xiaomu began only for she and everyone else to see a thick, dense fog rolling in. Xiaomu gasped. “No! It’s too late! Okay! Real fast! Find shelter! Do not go outside! Do not talk to anyone! Do not pass Go! Do not collect $200!”
“Xiaomu, what’s going on?” the man in the red vest asked.
“Reiji, you have to trust me. I just want everyone to be safe.”
“Shelter?” A low pitched female voice spoke from within the ever thickening mist.
“We’re in a village!” Xiaomu shouted over the silent panic. “Just find whatever shelter you can and lock your door! If I’m right about what’s going on, you’ll find a water bucket inside. Take the cloth next to it, remove all the clothes you have on from the waist up, scrub yourself down with it, mutter a prayer to yourself and go to sleep!”
“And if we don’t believe in god?” A man’s voice asked.
“Then pray to a flying giant, spaghetti monster or something! I don’t care! Just do it! It doesn’t even matter what you pray just pray!”
“This is a lot to take in all of a sudden,” Lucy said, only to hear footsteps moving away from the area.
“There’s no time to argue!” Xiaomu exclaimed. “Everyone, move! Move! Move!”
The group seemed to disperse in the fog as Lucy saw Xiaomu’s tails disappear into the fog. Not one to be left behind without an explanation, Lucy followed Xiaomu and Reiji to wherever they were headed. She lost Xiaomu a couple of times, but careful listening helped her follow the voice of the muttering fox-eared girl in the darkness.
Eventually, Lucy had followed her and Reiji to a 2-story wooden building.
“Okay, good. It’s still here, just like the last five times.”
“Xiaomu, what is this, exactly?” Reiji asked her.
“Just shut up and get your butt inside, Reiji! I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”
Lucy followed both inside. As she stepped in, the fog immediately lifted and Xiaomu turned on a candle to give something akin to a light source.
“Xiaomu,” Reiji said, noticing Lucy. “We’ve been followed.”
Xiaomu looked at Lucy. “Oh, hey there.”
“Is this place safe?” Lucy asked.
“Listen girly, tomorrow, nobody’s safe, but for tonight, yeah, if you follow the rules I gave ya, you’ll live to at least see tomorrow,” Xiaomu told her.
“What exactly is going on?” Lucy demanded to know. “This is a lot to take in. Last I remember I was sleeping in my own bed and now…this.”
“Sorry, but I don’t have time to explain right now,” Xiaomu told her. “But…” she said, clutching her fist to her abdomen and staring at the ground. “I…I promise I’m not leading you astray, okay? Please believe me.”
Lucy thought long and hard about this for a minute but she decided…to trust Xiaomu.
“Okay, I’ll try my best to trust you. But…I want to know exactly what’s going on tomorrow, okay?”
Xiaomu nodded. “Sage Fox’s honor.”
“Sage fox?” Lucy asked. “Is that what you are?”
Xiaomu beamed. “Yup. Yup. In fact—”
Xiaomu was cut off by a powerful breeze rattling the shut door of the building they were in.
“Actually, let’s save this conversation for tomorrow, yeah? Reiji and I will sleep upstairs. There’s a room downstairs in the back near the rear entrance. It’s right next to the tiny bathroom. You can’t miss it. See you in the morning, Miss…”
“It’s Lucy,” Lucy answered. “Lucy Heartfilia.”
Xiaomu nodded. “Mhm. Sleep well, Lucy.” She then muttered something under her breath, but…Lucy couldn’t quite make it out.
Watching Reiji and Xiaomu go upstairs, Lucy made her way in the darkness past the tiny bathroom Xiaomu mentioned and into the bedroom she advised Lucy stay in. It wasn’t exactly luxury living, but it would do. Lucy found a light switch by the door. A single exposed light bulb dimly lit up the room. There were no windows, just a small closet full of spare bed sheets and an old futon laying on the floor, properly made. Behind the pillow of the futon was the water bucket that Xiaomu mentioned.
Let’s see, Lucy thought. If I remember Xiaomu’s instructions correctly…
Lucy nodded to herself and then turned around, shut and locked the door, sliding the bolt through the lock. Then she turned around and removed her shirt before unhooking her bra and exposing her chest to the cool, yet summer temperature air. She folded her shirt neatly on the stack of sheets in the closet along with her brazier and went over to the bucket of water. She then took the dry cloth and dampened it in the bucket. It seemed like normal water and didn’t have a distinct smell. So, Lucy began to give herself a quick rinse with the cloth from the stomach up, making sure to get a little water everywhere before using the dry side of the cloth to soak up the excess moisture.
The entire time, her heart was beating a mile a minute. While she wasn’t exactly questioning what was going on—weirder stuff had occurred in her life since joining Fairy Tail—it did make her feel uneasy.
She crossed the room and killed the light and then lay down topless in her futon. Her mind was abuzz with thoughts, but they quickly deflated like a balloon without air and soon, Lucy was asleep before she realized it.
Morning 1
Lucy woke up feeling like she’d just slept under a pile of bricks. On top of that, she thought she’d only closed her eyes five minutes ago. However, judging from the light peeking out from under her door, it was already morning. Sitting up slowly, Lucy stretched and scratched the left side of her lower back before yawning. “Damn, I slept like a log.”
She got up and got her clothes from the closet and put them on. She exited her room to the scent of sizzling food. She saw Xiaomu in the kitchen working up some kind of meal.
“Xiaomu?” Lucy asked, sleepily, rubbing her eye with a fist.
“Morning, Lucy,” Xiaomu said, turning her head away from the grill. “Hope you like tofu because it’s all you’re getting until lunch.”
“Well, I don’t hate Tofu,” Lucy said. “Can I help?”
“Absolutely not!”
Lucy jerked back. She hadn’t expected that kind of force.
“Sorry, just…no one is allowed in the kitchen until after The Feast.”
“Feast?” Lucy questioned.
“I’ll explain once everyone is here. Reiji’s out collecting everyone,” Xiaomu explained. “You can help him if you want.”
“Er, that’s fine. Think I’ll just…sit down…make myself comfortable,” Lucy said. She took a seat at one of the tables. It was then she now registered that the building she was in appeared to be a mess hall. That explained the kitchen in the back. As she sat down, the lack of a sound she made at her waist alerted her to something she’d neglected to really check.
She looked down. Her spirit keys and her whip were nowhere to be found. Lucy was going to call Xiaomu for help, but…
Come to think of it, I wouldn’t sleep with those would I? But then…why was I dressed when I woke up here.
Before she could ponder it any further, several people walked into the mess hall, four to be precise. A woman with silver hair and purple eyes, dressed in black with a red mantle, the guy who said he liked chaos last night, a girl that Lucy felt looked like a mini her with her blonde hair and blue outfit and…
Lucy looked at the tall, blond man in a blue cape. Helloooooo handsome.
Lucy walked right up to him. “Hey, there,” she said.
“Oh, uh…hello,” he responded. His deep voice sent shivers down Lucy’s spine.
“Would you sit next to me for breakfast?” She requested. She put her fingers by her chin and slid her arm down her back. “I just feel so scared with everything that’s happened. I’d feel so grateful if a big strong guy like you made me feel safer.” Lucy forced a blush on her face.
“The Moe is strong with this one,” The tiny blonde next to the black clad trio piped up.
“Sure, I…would not mind,” Dimitri said, stumbling over his words.
“Careful your highness,” the fellow with the yellow mantle said. “She could be a succubus trying to lure you into a trap.”
“Claude, I appreciate the concern,” the blond man said. “However, I for one intend to trust everyone here until it’s proven I cannot.”
“Keep that up and you’ll end up losing your head from your shoulders before you’ve realized you’ve lost it,” the silver haired woman in red said.
“Edelgard, mind your tongue!” The blond snapped.
So she’s Edelgard and he’s Claude. She looked at the blond. Claude referred to him as his highness, so he’s…royalty? “So, what’s your name?”
“Ah, how rude of me. My name is Dimitri. Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. I’m the Crown Prince of the Holy Kingdom of Farghus.”
“I’ve never heard of that kingdom,” Lucy said and grabbed Dimitri by the wrist. “Come, come sit with me.”
“Er, okay.” Despite being twice Lucy’s size practically, Dimitri stumbled his way over to the table. Lucy sat down first as Dimitri took a seat next to her. He then looked over Lucy’s shoulder. “Er, um, yes?”
Lucy followed Dimitri’s gaze to seeing the tiny blonde she saw earlier behind her. She nearly jumped. “Ack! Um, can I…help you?”
“Are you two sisters?” Dimitri asked her.
“What? No!” Lucy responded. “I don’t know this girl at all!”
“You did not ask for my name, despite learning the prince’s name and the other two nobles. I found that rude so I decided to sit at your table,” The blonde answered matter of factly. “I even complimented your Moe skills.”
“My…what?”
The girl just bluntly introduced herself. “Roka Shibasaki. I do not believe you have properly introduced yourself either.”
“Oh, um. Lucy. My name is Lucy Heartfilia.”
“Heartfilia…do you like games?”
“Er, I guess?” Lucy asked. “Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I was asking this nice gentleman about his kingdom and—”
“Oh, of course, yes, I too wish to learn about this Holy Kingdom of Faerghus for I have never heard of it either.”
“Hmm? Neither of you have heard of Faerghus?” Dimitri found that quite odd.
Edelgard sat down across from them. “It’s not so strange to think about. This is such a strange phenomenon it’s not unreasonable to think that people from lands we can only dream of could end up here.”
“You know, I experienced something like that once,” Lucy said. “I ended up in a completely different world very similar to my own. It was called Edolas.”
Roka gasped. “You’re a planeswalker?!” She began to flail her tiny little arms excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to meet someone that could travel to other worlds!” She gasped. “You must be The Chosen One.”
“Um, no,” Lucy replied bluntly.
It was then that a plate of piping hot tofu was served to each of them. “Here you go, eat up!” Xiaomu told them, wearing an apron that read “Your opinion wasn’t included in the recipe.”
“Oh well, no use thinking over an empty stomach,” Roka said and began eating the tofu with the provided chopsticks.
Lucy shrugged and did much the same. Dimitri chewed on it to his heart’s content, as did Edelgard.
Throughout the meal, the other people Lucy had seen around the campfire wandered into the room, some more alert than others. Lucy, for security, shuffled a bit closer to Dimitri.
While she was eating, she heard yelling from the kitchen. “No, Luffy! You cannot have seconds!”
Lucy looked up from her plate to see where Xiaomu was yelling at a dude in a red vest, a straw hat, sandals and denim shorts.
“But I’m still hungry,” Luffy said bluntly.
“If you’re hungry, then wait until lunch, at least for today! Everyone gets the same meal!”
“You seem to be awfully controlling of the situation,” An androgynous looking person wearing what appeared to Lucy like a conductor’s hat said. The voice made them seem like they were a woman, but Lucy couldn’t be sure.
“And we’re not dead!” Xiaomu shouted. “Funny how that works!”
Lucy decided to add in her own two cents. “Luffy, maybe we should trust Xiaomu for now. She’s gone out of her way to feed us and I think if she meant any harm, she wouldn’t be so eager to try and help. I’m sure there’s a reason she has to do this.”
“Keeping all of the participants on the same playing field until the rules are explained is a sound strategy of any game,” Roka added.
Of all people in the room, it was the tall woman dressed as a maid that spoke next. She stood up slowly and spoke gently to Luffy. “Luffy, if you are famished by lunch, I would be more than happy to serve you whatever you like that’s available. That goes for everyone here.” She looked at Xiaomu with a concerned stare. “Will that be a problem?”
Xiaomu shook her head. “No. Not at all. By that time you guys will understand so it’s fine. When you’re all finished eating, we’ll meet at the big prayer hall to our right once you exit.”
A boy with hair so multicolored that Lucy had trouble describing it to herself spoke up next. “Oh, I passed that on the way here. It looked very…imposing.”
“Yeah, we’ll be meeting there every morning after breakfast. Get used to it,” Xiaomu said.
“For how long,” The young man in the tan suit asked.
“All will be explained in due time,” Xiaomu said. “For now, everyone finish eating.”
Feast 1
Once all the tofu had been devoured, Xiaomu opened the door to the mess hall and led everyone in a disjointed line to the big prayer hall. As she walked up the steps into the hall, Xiaomu clapped her hands over her head and bowed her head a little before entering. Nobody else seemed to do this at first, except a young boy dressed all in green, who only seemed to do so because Xiaomu did.
Lucy was the last one out, having followed Dimitri in. Everyone was sitting in a semi-circle with Reiji and Xiaomu a bit left of center. Lucy decided to sit down all the way on the right next to Edelgard, Claude and Dimitri, in that order.
“So, can we finally get an explanation?” the teen in all black with black hair asked.
Xiaomu nodded. “In a moment. First,” she held up a saucer of sake. “As is tradition before beginning the Feast of the Yomi Purge, everyone is to take a sip of sake. I’ll pass it around. If you’re too young, just put your lips to the saucer if you’re going to be prude about it. One drop won’t kill you.”
Starting with the boy with the multi-colored hair and going clockwise, the saucer was passed around until it reached Lucy. Not wanting to be rude, she took a mere sip of the liquid and no more. She then stood up and crossed the room, handing what was left back to Xiaomu.
Once Lucy had sat back down, only then did Xiaomu speak. “Okay, so to make a long story short, we have all been abducted and, by whatever greater power dragged us here, we’re to play a game of Werewolf. The rules are simple. Humans good. Wolves bad. Wolves try to kill all humans. If the wolves die first, the humans win. If the wolves equal the number of humans, the wolves win.”
“So why don’t the wolves just kill everyone now?” A girl with white hair styled into a ponytail asked.
“They can’t,” Xiaomu stated. “Their power is weak during the day. Let me explain all of the rules and then, if anyone has any questions, we’ll go over them. So, the wolves can only kill one person per night collectively. They are a team and they must decide among themselves who to kill starting tonight. During the day, the humans, at the Feast of the Yomi Purge, decide who among them is secretly a wolf, and then we hang that person at the big tree overlooking the river.”
Lucy could hear the scribbling something being written down, only to notice the boy in green furiously jotting down notes in a pad of some kind.
“Sounds like a simple game,” the boy in all black said.
Xiaomu nodded in agreement. “The reason it’s called the Feast of the Yomi Purge is because the wolves are zombies that have taken the form of three of us here. During the night, three of the people we saw at the campfire were replaced with identical replicas of themselves by shapeshifting monsters. Don’t ask me how that works. A Wizard did it.”
“Werewolf zombies,” the man in the tan suit said, chuckling. “Now I’ve heard everything.”
“Why couldn’t you tell us this all the night before?” The silver haired girl asked.
“Save your questions for the end, girly. I’m about to answer all of them,” Xiaomu continued. “Where was I? Oh right. Last night. So, as is plainly obvious, this village is consumed in thick mist. That’s on purpose. It’s an indication that the Yomi have come. If you aren’t in shelter by nightfall, The Corruption, a powerful unseen force that helps the wolves, comes and kills you. In fact, anyone caught breaking any of the rules, will be almost instantly killed by The Corruption.”
“That’s…ominous,” Lucy found herself uttering. She swallowed.
“That’s why the wolves won’t just kill everyone at once. They know that.”
“Why would a force like The Corruption kill the wolves if it’s working with them?” the black haired boy asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe The Corruption also believes in a fair game?” She wondered.
“Not the most convincing answer,” the androgynous person in the hat said.
“Look, this mountain village is protected by the Great Lord Shin’Nai. There’s even a song about it,” Xiaomu said and began to sing like a child humming a poem. “Shin'nai-san's guardians are...One, snake, two, monkey, three, crow, four, spider. Five, prepare for the feast when the evening mists arrive. Six, the badger runs along late with nare as a fix. Seven, the corrupt yomibito rise to oppose the mountain.” Xiaomu’s pitch dropped several octaves to sing the next verse. “Eight, death of the damned yomibito is the mandate.” Her voice then went back to normal. “Nine, one soul per day now to bind. Ten, the mists rise away again.”
“That’s…something we just heard,” The black haired boy said. A few people chuckled.
“I suppose the guardians mentioned in the song have some sort of significance,” the silver haired girl said.
Xiaomu nodded. “Yup. Shin’nai didn’t leave us humans defenseless after all.” She beamed. “He gave us special guardians to protect us from the wolves. First is the Snake. Once per night, the Snake can investigate anyone still alive. The Snake is then told in the morning if that person is a human or a wolf. Guardian roles do not apply. Next are the Monkeys. There are two of them and each knows who the other monkey is. Then there’s the Crow. Each morning, if someone is hanged the day prior, the Crow will be told whether that person was a human or wolf. Again, Guardian roles don’t apply. And finally, the Spider, arguably the most powerful of the guardians but also the most vulnerable. The Spider can protect any one single person other than themselves during the night from the wolves. If the wolves target that person, they lose their ability to kill for the entire night.”
A collective reaction of shocked eyes went around the room.
“Then it sounds like for any competent wolf, their first priority should be to identify and kill the Spider,” the black haired boy pointed out.
“I was thinking the exact same thing,” Roka said. She looked from the boy to Xiaomu. “Are those all of the roles?”
Xiaomu nodded. “Yeah.”
“How do you know all of this?” The young man in the tan suit asked.
“This is my sixth feast,” Xiaomu answered bluntly.
Silence. Deafening silence at that. The boy in green was so shocked, he dropped his writing implement.
Edelgard was the first to speak. “I see, so that’s why you know the layout of the village and how to keep everyone alive.”
Xiaomu nodded. “My last time playing this game was more than 100 years ago. I thought that was the last time I would ever see it.” Xiaomu looked sad. “It seems fate has other plans.”
“One hundred years?!” The white haired girl with the ponytail blurted out. “How old are you?”
Xiaomu giggled, grinning. “Dunno. Lost count after seven-hundred sixty-five.”
“That’s quite the lifespan,” Dimitri stated.
“You’re telling me,” Lucy said. “The oldest guy I know was only a little over four hundred years old and he wasn’t exactly all there mentally.”
“So, regarding the number of wolves,” Xiaomu said, taking charge again. “There should’ve been a stone out in the middle of the village near the campfire marked with a diamond shaped eye symbol. Did anyone see it?”
“I did,” Dimitri said. “It caught my attention on the way to the mess hall. I was going to ask about that when the time was appropriate.”
“How many did you see?” Xiaomu asked. “Symbols that is.”
Dimitri closed his eyes and sighed. “Three.”
Xiaomu groaned. “The max number of wolves. Fuuuuuuun.”
“So this game is three against thirteen?” the black haired boy inquired. “Seems kind of unbalanced.”
“No, remember what Xiaomu said?” the young man in the tan suit said. “If the wolves equal the number of humans, the wolves win. We start with 16 and can’t go six or below with all three wolves alive. If we hang one person a day and the Spider never protects anyone successfully, at most we would have—”
“Five days,” Roka said, cutting the young man off. “If the wolves are clever, they can win the game in five days. The humans would have to lynch at least one wolf in that time. Otherwise…”
“Game over,” Xiaomu replied. “Yeah.”
“Have you ever been a wolf, Xiaomu?” The boy in green asked.
Xiaomu shook her head. “Nope. Never. The humans have won each game I’ve been in.”
“How do we know you’re not a wolf now?” The white haired girl with the ponytail asked.
“Xiaomu’s not a wolf,” Reiji said. “If she was, I’d kill her and then myself.”
“How can you be so certain?” The androgynous person asked.
“We’re married,” Reiji said.
“Are those all of the rules?” The multicolored haired boy asked.
Xiaomu thought about it. “Yeah, pretty much. Does anyone have any questions?”
“So, what do we do during the day?” the white haired girl asked.
“I dunno, strategize?” Xiaomu suggested. “the old farts I’ve played this game with used to say it was bad mojo to talk about the feast anywhere but within the prayer hall, but like, it’s not against the rules or anything, and you’re all gonna do it anyway probably.”
“So then…if introductions are complete, shouldn’t we get to know everyone?” Claude asked. “It’s gonna get real confusing otherwise.”
Xiaomu nodded. “For introductions, let’s just use your name and minor personal details. Too much information given can be fuel for any potential wolves. Let’s go clockwise starting with the guy in the blue jacket whose hair makes it look like he’ll never lose a game of “who’s the protag?””
The multicolored haired boy looked around the room, spotting no one else in a blue jacket. “Oh! Uh, that’s me I guess.” He stood up. “I’m Yugi Muto. I’m a high schooler at Domino High. People call me the King of Games.” He pushed up against the very interesting accessory hanging by a chain around his neck. “This is my Millennium Puzzle. It’s my most prized possession.” He turned to his right. “Huh? What’s that? Sure, be my guest.”
A flash of light gave off from Yugi’s Millennium Puzzle and suddenly he looked like he grew a whole head taller as the strand of blond hair in the center of his face flipped up. His eyes became less rounded and more slanted. However, what changed the most was his voice. “Hello.”
Lucy shivered. Ohhhh, that’s a deep baritone.
“Boy, somebody went through puberty awfully quickly,” Claude joked.
“Clearly you are not the same as Yugi, who are you?” Edelgard asked.
“The truth is, I don’t know my real name,” The figure responded. “I am a millennia year old spirit of a Pharaoh that rests inside Yugi’s Millennium Puzzle. I have no memory of when I was alive. However, Yugi and I working together to fix that problem.”
“Okay, so what should we call you then?” the black-haired boy asked.
“I currently go by Yami, but Pharaoh is also appropriate,” The spirit responded. “As for this game…Xiaomu…am I to understand these are deaths with real weight behind them?”
Xiaomu nodded. “Yeah, the deaths are real.”
“I see,” Yami nodded. “For now, I’ll leave things to Yugi, but if the time comes, I will appear to offer my assistance.” And like that, there was another flash of the puzzle and then Yugi was back to being Yugi. “Sorry, he’s not a very social person.”
Lucy suddenly noticed that Roka’s eyes were sparkling. “That was so cool! What kind of spell or ritual did you cast to gain that ability! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!”
“Uhhh, s-sure. L-l-later…” Yugi said, rubbing the back of his head. He sat back down.
Next up was the boy with black hair. As he stood, Lucy realized he was kind of her type too. And, just like the age old Pharaoh’s, his voice was pretty sexy in her opinion too. “My name is Lelouch Lamperouge,” he stated. “I’m also…well I was a high school student in Ashford Academy. I’m currently a wanted vigilante. If you wish, you can abbreviate my name to L2.” He then sat back down.
The boy earlier identified in the mess hall as Luffy stood up. “I’m Monkey D. Luffy!” Luffy exclaimed, raising a fist into the air. “And one day I’m going to be king of the pirates!” He then extended his arm a little bit more than arms were supposed to stretch.
“Um, is your arm okay?” Lucy asked.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I can stretch all my limbs as long as I want them,” he said with a smile. “Well, normally, anyway. I’m having trouble stretching a lot since I got here.”
“That’s probably the fog at work,” Xiaomu said. “In order to keep things fair for all participants, if you are above peak, physically athletic condition, you’re brought down to pretty much normal athletic level.”
“And if you’re below athlete level?” Lelouch asked.
“No change,” Xiaomu said. “Though a lot of wizards that I’ve dealt with tend to lose their powers.”
The androgynous woman muttered something under her breath, but Lucy couldn’t quite pick it up.
Luffy then sat back down. Xiaomu then stood up. “Name’s Xiaomu. I think I’ve pretty much explained what I am by now. Oh, but I like yao—” She got yanked to the floor violently by her arm by Reiji, who then stood up.
“Name’s Reiji Arisu. This troublemaker is my wife. Anyone that messes with her goes through me first,” he said seriously, arms folded. “The two of us work for an organization called Shinra. It’s a paranormal investigation bureau so this kind of thing is right up our alley. I’m also a paranormal exorcist. I’ve been through several multiversial ending adventures in just the last couple years.”
“Sounds like someone earned their paycheck,” the guy in the tan suit chuckled.
“You could say that,” Reiji said. “Anyway, that’s all I’m going to share.” He sat back down.
The maid then stood up. “Greetings, everyone. My name is Kirumi Tojo. I hail from Hope’s Peak Academy’s Class 79. I am honored with the title of Ultimate Maid. While we are here, I am happy to carry out any request you have for me, within reason of course. Whether it’s washing clothes or cooking meals, no job is too big or too small. Feel free to rely on me.”
“People are going to take advantage of you with that kind of offer,” Lucy pointed out.
“I do not mind,” Kirumi said gently with a kind smile. “Serving others brings me strength and happiness. It is my selfless devotion to others that brings me the greatest purpose I have in life.”
“In that case, let’s chat later,” Lucy said. “I have a few requests.”
“Certainly,” Kirumi replied with a smile.
She sat down and the androgynous person stood up. They stood rigidly with their hands behind their back. “Greetings. I am Special Inquisitor Morag Ladair of the Ardanian Empire.”
“You’re a woman, right?” Luffy asked.
Lucy slapped her palm over her eyes. Oh joy, another Natsu.
“I am a woman, yes,” Morag responded. “I care not to make something of it if I don’t have to.” She sat back down glaring at Luffy.
Roka stood up next. “My name is Roka Shibasaki. I am the proud president of the Game Creation Club. I like making games and playing games. I’ve played Werewolf before, but not like this. It’s…a little overwhelming to be sure. But…I’ll do my best.” She sat back down.
She seems sweet, Lucy thought.
The boy in green then stood up. “My name is Izuku Midoriya. I’m a provisional hero in training. My hero name is Deku. I can’t currently use my quirk though, probably because of what Miss Xiaomu said. It’s fine though, I’ve been quirkless most of my life, so…I’ll be relying mostly on this,” he said, tapping his skull.
“You’ve been writing an awful lot down, kid,” The man in the tan suit said.
“Huh? Oh. I uh habitually take notes. I ran into Kirumi this morning as she was coming down from the mansion and she asked if something was troubling me. When I told her, she fetched me a notepad from the library,” Izuku said, rubbing the back of his head. “Thank you again, Miss Tojo,” he said, bowing.
Kirumi laughed. “Please, call me Kirumi.”
“Oh, um, yes, Miss Kirumi Tojo, ma’am,” Izuku responded awkwardly.
KIrumi sighed, trying not to laugh but did appear a mite irritated. “Sit down, Izuku.”
Izuku plopped onto the ground.
That looked like it hurt, Lucy said, noting the awkward smile on Izuku’s face now. It then dawned on her what Izuku said. “Wait, there’s a manor here?”
“Yes, quite a trek up the hill past the traditionally built huts strewn about the village. I thought to seek shelter from higher ground as I passed by them and I was floored to see a manor in the distance.”
Lucy grumbled internally. I should’ve stayed there. Luxury beds…a library. Gaaaaaah! “Miss Xiaomu, are we allowed to change rooms during the game?”
“Nope,” Xiaomu responded. “Pretty sure once the rooms are decided, that’s that. I mean, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair to the wolves to target one person and find the body of another.”
“True,” Lucy said, sighing. Maaaaaan.
A girl with black hair dressed in camouflage stood up next. She had freckles on her face and gray eyes. Lucy only now realized that the girl hadn’t said a word up until now. Lucy barely remembered she was here she was so quiet. “My name is Mukuro Ikusaba,” the girl said very bluntly. “Also from Hope’s Peak Academy. Class 78. Ultimate Soldier.”
Morag smirked, looking Mukuro’s way. “You and I have a lot to talk about then, it would seem.”
“Apologies, I’m not very sociable,” Mukuro responded. “I…don’t know if I’ll be any help. My…mercenary group that I used to belong to is called Fenrir, but…I am not a wolf, not in the context of this game anyway.”
“Fenrir, the Wolf of Ragnarok?” Lelouch asked.
“The same,” Mukuro answered.
“Wolf of Ragnarok?” Edelgard questioned.
“It’s a legend that sounds like it’s crossed several worlds and timelines,” Lelouch stated. “From the sound of what I’ve heard so far, many of us might have come from different worlds and timelines. That might be on purpose.”
“How so?” Lucy asked.
“Whatever brought us here clearly wanted us to be able to kill each other. It would be harder to do that if you were dealing with someone you knew,” Lelouch pointed out.
“How odd then,” Edelgard said. “I don’t know about the others, but aside from Reiji and Xiaomu being married and Mukuro and Kirumi being from the same school, Claude, Dimitri and I all come from the same world, the same school even.”
Lelouch closed his eyes. “I said my piece.”
The man in the tan suit chuckled. “Does a stranger become your friend, just because you know their name?” Lucy and a few others looked at him. “Just because you and those other two students are acquainted,” he said of Edelgard. “Doesn’t mean you’re incapable of killing each other, right?”
Edelgard was quiet for a long time before she spoke. “Well, you’re not wrong.”
Dimitri growled under his breath, glaring at her.
At this, Mukuro sat back down and then it was the white-haired girl’s turn. “My name is Weiss Schnee. I’m a Huntress in training, but I’m close to obtaining my license. My education at Beacon Academy was cut short, but I won’t speak of the details.”
“What’s a huntress?” Lucy asked.
“A huntress, or hunter for men, is someone that goes out and fights Grimm, creatures spawned of darkness and negative emotions that plague my world of Remnant.”
“Sounds charming. I’ll make sure to book my next vacation there,” Claude said in a clearly joking manner.
Despite this, Weiss did not look amused. “I’ll be sure to remember you said that when a Beowulf rips your face off.” She then pouted and sat down.
Next, it was the tan suited man’s turn to speak. He stood up. “My name is Light Yagami. I’m a police detective.” He then promptly sat back down.
“What? That’s it?” Reiji asked him.
“I believe it was the wise words of our Mistress of Ceremony who said not to give out too much personal information,” Light stated. “The less that’s known about me, the more the wolves have to consider if I’m a threat or not. For example, I’ve already identified the primary wolf targets in this room. And when they die, I’ll know exactly who the wolves are.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Lelouch retorted.
Light smirked. “Well then, I’ll be sure to prove it when the time comes.”
Next was Edelgard. She stood up. “My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg. I’m the current Emperor of the Adrestian Empire of Fodlan. I recently graduated from the Officer’s Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. Claude and Dimitri here also graduated the same time I did. We were in different classes of course.” She then sat back down, making eye contact with Light.
Claude then stood up. “Yo. The name’s Claude von Riegan of House Riegan. I’m the heir to the Dukedom of Riegan of Fodlan’s Leicester Alliance. I think I’ll take a page out of our dear detective’s book and let that be the end of it.”
Then it was Dimitri’s turn to stand. “Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. I am the Crown Prince of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, also from Fodlan as Edelgard said. Speaking of, do not let this deceitful witch fool any of you. She is a dangerous warmonger that could easily take all of your lives if left unchecked.”
“Quite the accusation when the game has just started,” Edelgard said calmly.
“Dimitri, you feeling okay?” Lucy asked him.
“He’s upset with me because the Adrestian Empire has something to do with the loss of his father four years ago. As I have assured him since my ascendance to the throne, I am innocent, though he refuses to believe me. If not for Professor Eisner, it’s likely one of our countries would have declared war by now.”
Claude chuckled. “Yeah, Good ol’ Teach. She really came through for us after that whole mess with the Ashen Wolves, huh?”
“Now that also sounds like an interesting story I might like to hear. Mind if we chat later?” Morag asked.
“Sure, it’s a tale worth drinking over for certain,” Claude remarked. “So, your highness, mind sitting back down and letting the lady talk. She’s been waiting veeery patiently.”
Dimitri sat back down. And, finally, now it was Lucy’s turn to stand. “My name is Lucy Heartfilia. I’m a mage from a guild called Fairy Tail. In my world of Earthland, in the country of Fiore, we’re the highest ranked guild.”
“You can do magic?” Roka looked more starry-eyed than ever.
“Er, yes, but um, I don’t seem to have my magic items.”
“None of my weapons came with me when I was brought here,” Reiji stated. “I think that seems to be par for the course at this point.”
“Indeed, I appear to be missing my trusted axe,” Edelgard pointed out.
Lucy then looked around the room, wondering if she should say anything else. However, after thinking about it for some time…she decided to simply sit back down quietly.
“So, shall we open the floor to open discussion?” Reiji asked.
Lelouch nodded in agreement. “That sounds like the most rational act at this point. We should start talking about who we’re going to hang today.”
“HANG?! We’re not doing that today, are we?” Izuku asked in a panic.
“Oh yes we are,” Xiaomu said. “Nine, one soul per day now to bind. We have to hang one person per day, otherwise, we’ll die to The Corruption.”
“But we have no information at all!” Izuku exclaimed.
“Yeah? Well, I don’t like it either! Pull up your big boy pants, Young Midoriya!” Xiaomu exclaimed, getting all feisty. “This is a serious life or death issue!”
"But I don't want anyone to get hurt," Luffy said.
"Me neither!" Izuku exclaimed.
"Same," Yugi stated.
Xiaomu groaned. "Ugh, guys, look, I get how you feel, really, I do. But after six feasts, I know that sometimes you can't get things the way that you want. You can't choose to not hang someone and while you could vote to hang yourself, you're only hurting the humans by doing so! And if you're a wolf that makes even less sense! We're all completely screwed right now! No one is saying you can't be friendly and try to be good people, but this isn't the type of game that rewards that a hundred percent of the time. If you want to go home to your friends and family, then at least put your faith in me and let's figure this thing out together. I'm not gonna steer anybody wrong! I promise."
The three objectors appeared to quiet down after that.
“If that’s the case,” Roka said. “May I make a suggestion?”
“What’s that?” Xiaomu asked.
“Will the Monkeys please reveal themselves?” Roka requested.
“Eh?” Xiaomu asked.
“What? Why?!” Weiss exclaimed.
“It’s simple logic, really,” Roka pointed out. “If the Monkeys come out, that’s two less participants that could potentially be wolves and it also tells the wolves who to avoid, allowing them to sniff out more dangerous targets like the Snake or the Spider.”
“Roka’s not wrong,” Morag said. “And the humans actually benefit more from this action. As long as everyone’s a suspect, nobody can trust anyone, even our Mistress of Ceremony. If we have two confirmed humans, then we could trust their judgment to be sound and truthful.”
“Ah. I see. That makes sense,” Luffy stated. “So, who are the Monkeys?”
“Wait! Before the monkeys reveal themselves, I have a question,” Reiji stated. “Can’t the wolves come out as fake monkeys?”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Lucy said.
“No, that’s next to impossible,” Roka stated. “For example, let’s say I said I was a monkey, which I definitely am not. One of the Monkeys could call me out on it before I’ve even revealed my next partner. And, let’s say I revealed both of us and a pair of other monkeys came out. Not only are we giving the Snake easy targets for the night, but within four days, the humans would have successfully hanged two wolves. I’ve played Werewolf a lot, I’ve never seen a fake Monkey play work.”
“I see,” Reiji said, nodding. “In that case. I’m a Monkey.”
“Understood. And the other monkey?” Roka said.
Reiji closed his eyes. “It’s Mukuro.”
Mukuro nodded. “Mhm. That’s correct. I am the other Monkey.”
“There. See? Now we have Reiji as a confirmed human and we know that Mukuro is not a threat as well. Unless, of course, another pair of Monkeys want to appear from the group.” Everyone was quiet. “Then that’s that then. Reiji and Mukuro are the Monkeys.”
“Well then, since I’m a confirmed human, I have a request for the snake,” Reiji said. “I think Xiaomu should be investigated by the Snake tonight. And, on top of that, I think the Spider should protect her as well.”
“We…do desperately need Xiaomu’s leadership in all of this,” Morag stated. “I’m all for it.”
“Does anyone have any objections?” Reiji asked and was quiet for a fair bit of time. “Good, then that’s what we’ll do.”
“So, the Snake and the Spider have their duties tonight and the Monkeys are out in the open,” Lelouch mused aloud. “That just leaves the matter of today’s hanging.”
“I think our pick for today has already volunteered himself,” Light stated.
“I beg your pardon?” Lelouch asked.
Light looked at Dimitri. “Dimitri put a pretty big accusation on Edelgard, didn’t he?”
“Now wait just a minute,” Dimitri said, glaring at Light. “Yes, I’m suspicious of Edelgard, but only because I know, unlike any of you, how dangerous she can be.”
“That’s indeed true, but from our perspective, you could just be throwing a poor girl under the bus with no ability to protect herself,” Light pointed out.
Claude hissed. “Ooh, yeah, gonna, gonna have to side with the fancy detective man on this one.”
“Claude, you of all people here besides me know how dangerous Edelgard is!” Dimitri exclaimed.
“That’s true,” Claude said, “But Light’s got a point. I know you and Edelgard have your whole lover’s quarrel going on behind the scenes, but it’s not like you to drag it out into the open like this.”
“And for that you would hang me? Doom all of Faerghus?”
“If what Miss Xiaomu’s saying is true then you’re not even really Dimitri and the Dimitri that her majesty and I know is already up the River Styx by now,” Claude said.
Dimitri hung his head and shook it. “Claude of all the incomprehensibility to come out of your mouth…”
“W-wait!” Lucy exclaimed. “I-I don’t think we should hang Dimitri just because he’s suspicious of Edelgard either. Please? Maybe we can investigate him or Edelgard tomorrow with the Snake?”
“Not a bad strategy, to be honest,” Morag stated.
“I agree with Lucy,” Roka said. “Dimitri’s attitude is concerning, but it’s not worth giving him the death penalty over.” She gripped at her skirt. “However…if we must hang one person…Dimitri is the only person that has acted, by the account of others, even remotely out of character.” Roka gave Dimitri a sharp stare. “In a game like this, even the most minor tells can be a sign of something more catastrophic. And, if Dimitri was human, the Crow would know for certain.”
“Exactly,” Light said. “Roka understands.”
“Still, I would like to explore other avenues at our disposal,” Roka stated. “For example, Light, your quickness to judgment could also be taken as a wolf looking for an easy lynching.”
Light only smirked. “Well, I can’t exactly fault that logic either. I would say “But I am not a wolf” but without the Snake’s blessing, that’s hardly something I can persuade of others.”
“We could always look for volunteers,” Claude said. He then laughed. “Yeah, like anyone would volunteer to be hanged.”
The room fell silent then.
Izuku spoke up. “Dimitri, what makes you so suspicious of Edelgard?”
“It’s not suspicion,” Dimitri stated. “I just dread her being left unchecked as a wolf, that’s all.”
“Really? I would think Claude is far more deceptive and cruel as far as potential wolves go,” Edelgard said in her defense. “Yet you have not pointed the blame at him at all.”
“What? Me? Come ooooooon, you got the wrong guy,” Claude stated. Anyone with at least half a brain, including Lucy, could tell he wasn’t being sincere.
“I think…Weissey could be a wolf,” Luffy suddenly said.
“Excuse me?! We don’t even know each other. What exactly are you basing that on?” Weiss asked, getting upset.
Luffy looked at her blankly. “Nothing. I just look at you and I think: Wolf.”
“Well that’s a baseless accusation if I ever heard one,” Lelouch stated. “All in favor of ignoring Luffy?”
Lucy pondered Luffy’s brazen accusation…and decided it wasn’t worth considering.
“We’re like a cat chasing it’s own tail,” Lelouch stated. “The cold truth is we have too little information to go off today. Tomorrow, we might be able to deduce something based on who was killed and how, but beyond that…”
“I agree with Lelouch,” Light said. “So, our Lady of Ceremony, how do we decide who to hang?”
“Majority vote,” Xiaomu stated. “Each person gets one vote. If there’s a tie, the people voted for sit out and everyone votes for only those people. If there’s a locked tie, it’s considered a Voter’s Loophole and no one is hanged.”
“Well then…unless anyone else has any objections?” Light asked.
No one said a word.
“Well then, shall we?”
“We’ll go clockwise from Yugi, sound fair?” Xiaomu asked.
“Shouldn’t we vote anonymously?” Yugi asked. “Like on a piece of paper or something?”
Xiaomu shook her head. “No, it’s tradition to do it out in the open.”
“What’s the matter, Yugi? Got something to hide?” Light asked smugly.
Yugi bristled. “No. Not at all.” He took a deep breath and thought about his vote carefully.
I guess this means I’ll always have a decisive vote based on where I’m sitting, Lucy thought.
“Oh, one more thing before we begin,” Xiaomu said. “Everyone has assigned seats during the feast. It’s practically tradition. Sit in the spot you assigned yourself.”
“That would mean the people most to the right of the entranceway have the most influence in the end,” Lelouch stated.
“I would argue it’s the other way around,” Light stated. “The people on the left set the precedent and it limits the choices of the people on the right.”
“Oi! Every vote is important!” Xiaomu exclaimed. “You never know what comes next! I’ve seen some weird vote tallies, believe you me.”
Yugi then spoke up. “Okay, in that case. I vote for Light.”
Light’s gaze lasered in on Yugi. “I beg your serious pardon?”
“I can’t shake this nagging feeling that you’re up to something. Also, Yami’s suspicious of you, so there’s that too.”
“Hmph,” Light scoffed dismissively.
“I’ll vote for Claude,” Lelouch stated.
“Mua?” Claude piped up.
“When Dimitri suspected Edelgard, you were pretty quick to throw him under the bus with Light. I can understand Light’s behavior, but you stick out a little. I don’t know. Maybe it’s nothing,” Lelouch said.
Luffy’s vote was as predictable as the sun rising in the morning. “Weissy. I think she’s a wolf.”
Then it was Xiaomu’s turn. “I vote for Dimitri.”
The crown prince growled lowly.
“Dimitri, I’ve been through this game six times. It’s not personal,” Xiaomu stated.
“In that case, Xiaomu,” Reiji said. “I’ll follow your lead. I vote for Dimitri as well.”
“Damn it all,” the blond growled.
“I shall vote for Edelgard,” Kirumi stated.
“You believe Dimitri’s accusation?” the Emperor questioned.
“It’s not a matter of belief, but I must follow what is best for the group. Dimitri has suspected you of being a threat. To that end, I must act in an accordance to protect the group at large. If you are indeed the threat he suspects, then I must take the only precaution available to me.”
“I see. I won’t take it personally then,” Edelgard replied.
“I will vote for Weiss,” Morag stated.
“Excuse me?!” Weiss exclaimed, peeved.
“When you eliminate the impossible, all that remains is the truth. Luffy didn’t appear to have chosen you at random. With all the chaos going on, that accusation is the only thing I can trust right now. It isn’t personal.”
Weiss huffed under her breath.
Next it was Roka’s turn. “I vote for Dimitri,” she said.
“This is ridiculous!” Dimitri exclaimed.
“But…Roka…”
“We must hang someone, Lucy,” the blonde answered the other blonde. “I don’t like it any more than you do.”
Lucy nodded in response.
“I’ll vote…” Izuku said, gazing down at his notes. “For Morag.”
Pretty much everyone was shocked.
“My reasons are my own,” the hero in training responded. “I’d…rather not share my reasoning, at least right now.”
With that, it was Mukuro’s turn. “Dimitri. I wish to trust my fellow Monkey.”
Dimitri grit his teeth.
Weiss then made her vote. “I’ll also vote for Morag. I don’t care what you say, there’s no reason to believe Luffy’s accusation.”
Morag’s response was a simple, unflinching, “I see.”
Light, having made the original proposition, surprised no one when he voted. “Dimitri.”
Dimitri has five votes now. And…the next highest vote tally… Lucy counted everything up. One vote for Light. One vote for Claude. Two votes for Morag. One vote for Edelgard. And two votes for Weiss. If anyone else voted for Dimitri now, it was over for him. And it was Edelgard’s turn.
“Let’s see…I shall vote for…Claude.”
“Hmm?”
“I explained my reasoning earlier. I find your behavior most suspicious.”
“Oh how dreadful, my charisma has failed me in the face of the mighty Adrestian Emperor,” Claude remarked.
“Joke all you want. It doesn’t changed how I feel,” Edelgard told him with a serious stare.
Claude was next. “So it’s all on me, huh? Welp, let’s look at where we’re at right now. Dimitri’s obviously not going to vote for himself, but unless he, little lady Lucy and I all vote for the same person, there’s not going to be a tie. Now that would just be so sad, wouldn’t it?”
“Claude,” Dimitri urged with a grumble.
“Decisions, decisions…”
Lucy’s heart pounded as she grew nervous. Dimitri did not seem to her like a wolf. She would hate to see him hanged over such a minor act. But, the only options for a tie vote were Weiss and, if she was being honest, Morag. Claude obviously wouldn’t vote for himself. But, what should she do?
Claude, however, took that freedom of choice away. “Aw, the heck with it, I’ll vote for Morag.”
After that, Dimitri and Lucy’s votes could not be more obvious.
“I see, so it is I against the high prince then?” Morag questioned. “Unexpected…and most unwelcome.”
“If you each get seven votes neither of you will hang though,” Claude stated. “Let’s see what happens.”
“Morag,” Yugi said.
“Morag,” Lelouch stated.
“Dimitri,” Luffy replied. “Morag believed me so I won’t vote for her.”
“Dimitri,” Xiaomu said, sticking to her guns.
“Dimitri,” Reiji said, following Xiaomu’s lead.
“Dimitri,” Kirumi said, shocking everyone. “My apologies, your highness, but…Morag as of now has done nothing wrong. Between the two of you…you are currently more suspicious.”
“Dimitri,” Roka stated.
“Morag,” Izuku voted.
“Dimitri,” Mukuro said, following Reiji’s lead, clearly.
“Morag,” Weiss stated, glaring at her.
“Dimitri,” Light voted.
“Morag,” Edelgard said. “I can’t vote for Dimitri. Everyone here knows how suspicious that would be.” She looked at him. “Consider the fact that I spared your life a token gesture that I am not the wolf you paint me as.”
Lucy knew her vote before Claude had even said his. They said it at the same time. “Morag.”
“The Voter’s Loophole,” Lelouch pointed out.
“So no one hangs today?” Lucy asked.
“That’s what it’s sounding like,” Claude said.
“Claude you are a master stroke of genius,” Edelgard said to him.
“Yes, yes, it’s a gift. I know,” Claude laughed.
Lucy sighed with relief. Good. No one had to die today.
“Welp, that’s that I suppose,” Xiaomu said. “Diiiiismissed!”
Day 1
With the feast concluded and behind her, Lucy let out a breath she didn’t even know she had. As everyone shuffled out, Lucy considered her options. She could try talking to people to figure out who the wolves or guardians were, or she could explore the area and learn more about it. After debating it to herself…she decided she would check out the manor.
The manor that Kirumi was staying at was quite homely compared to the Heartfilia Konzern. Just a larger than average house behind a sliding metal gate with a fountain out front. The front door was unlocked so Lucy let herself in and looked around. There were several rooms and staircases connecting to the lobby. Lucy immediately decided to find the library that Kirumi had mentioned. Among the stacks of books, Lucy noticed that a lot of them were non-fictional history books.
Oh come on, she thought. I’m going to lose my mind if I can’t get lost in a good romance novel! She looked at all the spines before noticing a title that jumped out at her “The Spider and the Liar”. She picked up the book and read the back cover.
A prostitute falls in love with a man that refused her service. Desperate for his attention, she continues to pursue the man until he sleeps with her. But, what consequences does this have for Riyako? Will she be able to claim the love she truly cherishes or is Fusayumi just a worthless liar?
“YES!” Lucy exclaimed, holding the book above her head.
“What are you so excited about?”
Lucy nearly leapt out of her skin, spinning around, hiding the book behind her back. “Nothing!” She saw Lelouch standing there. “Oh, hey Lelouch.”
“I thought I would check out the manor for myself,” he stated. He looked over the shelving unit Lucy was standing near. “Found a book that interests you, huh?”
“Oh, uh, yes,” Lucy said, awkwardly shuffling around and behind Lelouch towards the door. “A very heh heh interesting read.”
Lelouch looked at all the spines. “Mostly non-fiction,” he remarked. “But, that could come in handy.” However, Lucy watched him grab a different book altogether. He then put his back to the shelf and cracked it open. Lucy could make out the title on the front cover despite Lelouch’s fingers being in the way: The Legend of Lord Shin’nai.
“Is that a mythology book?” Lucy asked.
“Appears to be so at first glance, but upon reading the first few pages, it’s more like a documentary,” Lelouch replied. He then snapped the book shut. “Kirumi said she’d be serving lunch soon. Personally, I prefer to eat my food while it’s hot.”
“Oh! Yeah! Me too!” Lucy exclaimed.
“Well then, ladies first,” Lelouch said with a wry grin.
The two walked down the foggy pathway and back towards the mess hall together.
Lunchtime 1
At lunch, Lucy took a corner table to herself and cracked open her book. She instantly began reading and became absorbed in the narrative. For filth, it was really interesting, and well written. Who wrote this anyway? Lucy asked and glanced at the author’s name. She didn’t expect to recognize the author, but she raised her eyebrows when she saw the name. Tokumei Kigenfumei. Translated into modern Fiore it would read Anonymous Origin Unspecified. Someone’s got a real sense of humor, Lucy thought sarcastically.
Afternoon 1
After lunch and thoroughly getting absorbed partway through the novel she borrowed, Lucy went up to Kirumi to talk to her. “Hey, Kirumi,” she said.
The maid was currently washing dishes. “Oh, hello Lucy. Is there something I can help you with?” Kirumi asked.
“Ugh, so much,” Lucy said. “It’s been so much since I’ve had a maid I can count on.” She started to list things off quickly. “I need a shoulder massage, a manicure, maybe a pedicure too if you’re not too busy. I want new pillows from an empty room in the manor for my crummy futon in the room behind us, maybe some new clothes too if there are any laying around. I don’t want to wear this without washing it for several days.” She started to go on and on and on.
Kirumi laughed. “Now settle down, I would be happy to assist you in all of these things.”
For the rest of the day, Lucy allowed herself to be properly pampered by Hope’s Peak Academy’s Ultimate Maid.
Evening 1
Night 1
Night had approached before Lucy even realized it, but she felt so refreshed after letting Kirumi give her a full manicure, pedicure, shoulder and back massage. Dinner came and went like a blip on her radar too. She was feeling a lot better about this awful situation too.
She was not prepared for what tomorrow would bring.
Morning 2
When Lucy woke up the next morning, it was once again to the smell of breakfast. Once more, she’d slept like a log. This time, breakfast was more exciting in terms of selection between fresh eggs and some grilled vegetables.
However, the mood in the room was way down. Something was amiss. And several people were missing. Dimitri, however, wasn’t among them.
“Hey, Dimitri, what’s the matter?” Lucy asked.
Dimitri’s heart was heavy as he spoke the words. “It’s Roka, Lucy,” he said. “She was killed by the wolves.”
The glass shattered in Lucy’s mind. Suddenly, it all came crashing down around her. No…not sweet little Roka. It couldn’t be true. It had to be a lie.
Bolting from the dining hall, Lucy went full sprint looking for wherever she could calling, “ROKA! ROKA WHERE ARE YOU?”
Amidst her yelling, she saw Reiji, Light, and Morag carrying a futon that was covered in blood. They were marching like it was a funeral procession.
Lucy’s heart sank. No…it couldn’t be. It just…couldn’t be.
Not even realizing why she was doing it, Lucy approached the futon, the concerned calls of Morag, Reiji and Light deafened to her. She peeled back the covers and was deafened to the sound of her own scream.
There on the futon lay Roka, eyes closed, blood pooled around her mouth and a large, jagged slash cut down her midsection from shoulder to hip. Words failed Lucy. Everything started to sink in. This wasn’t just some game. There were actual killers out there. No not out there. They were here, among them.
Among the taken.
Lucy’s eyes then rolled back after they bugged out a bit from the shock and she fell over and passed out.