Zill's POV
All their eyes are on me. Their stares feel like they are piercing into my very soul. I hold all the cards now. I heard their voices but they sounded like nothing more but white noise to me when compared to the pounding in my head. I stared back at my tablet. It's all on me again. It's all my choice. My choice... Who should I choose...? The world seemed to blur as I felt my body tremble. My throat burned as I kept swallowing down the bile that kept building up. I... I don't want to keep playing this game anymore... But can I really let everyone else die because of that selfish wish. But should I let Addison die? He... He wasn't even supposed to be here. Is it really okay for me to sacrifice him just to...? I gritted my teeth and let out an exasperated breath. I'm just making excuses. Sorry Addison but... I... I can't let everyone else die because I just want to escape. Even if it saves you... It's not worth it. But now, a new question. I felt my body tremble as I looked between two images. Sahara... A girl I knew from school. Someone who was once a bit of a sassy and happy girl who lost her heart after her brother died. Next to her was Veng- Sasha. A boy covered in so many lies... So many mysteries. A manipulative asshole who used not only Sahara but even Rusty to get what he wanted but... He was still a boy. He may be a bit older than me but He was just a boy who was afraid. Afraid to die... Afraid to be betrayed and despite everything... He's even willing to sacrifice his life now to save the same girl he manipulated. It shouldn't be this difficult to vote for him and yet... Even with all of the shit he put me- Put everyone through... He should live... Not just because he is a boy... But because of his usefulness. His hacking abilities. He got us to the exit. We could've been long gone if it was not for that damn cave in! I shook my head. But Sahara... She has to live... For her friends, her family. Her brother may be gone but what about her parents? Damian? Sasha doesn't even seem to have any real family... Any real friends... And yet... He almost got us out of here- No! No, even if I did save him now, he would just backstab us later. He wants to die if it saves Sahara. If I let her ide, there's no way he'd work with us afterward... But if he did... What if... I stared at yet another image... Damian... No one said they'd vote for him. What if... The votes were even? What if I put a vote for Damian? Then I wouldn't have to choose. I might even be able to save both Sahara and Sasha! Like that Second Trial! But then... Did everyone else actually vote for who they said they'd actually vote for? Should I take that risk?
...
No... It's not like I don't trust everyone else. It's more like... That Second Trial... I think it said that no one would die if it was a tie if it was only for that case. I bit my lip... So I'm back to two choices: Sahara... Sasha... I let out one final gulp... And entered my vote.
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Voting Results being processed...
Voting Results
Damian: 0 Votes
Sahara: 4 Votes
Sasha: 3 Votes
Addison: 2 Votes
The room was dead quiet as they stared at the results... All but one person...
Sahara:... Thank you... Zill...
I ground my teeth and clenched my fist. I felt bile begin to fill my throat as my eyes welled up.
Sasha: WHY?! Why would you do that Zill?! Why didn't you choose me?! I'll make you pay!
Damian: Sahara...
Vinny/Simon: Sahara too... Sahara is also going to... Oh god no.../ She'll die too... Sorry Vinny... Another one of your friends is going to die.
Tears began to fall from Sahara's eyes. She sniffled.
Sahara: Addison... Damian... (Vinny [if he is still alive at this point])... Can we... Hug... before we go...
Damian trembled as Addison, without hesitation wrapped his arms around Sahara. Damian began to tear up as he ran and threw himself around Sahara and Addison. (Vinny followed, gingerly wrapping his arms around his friends./ Simon rubbed his arm as he stood there silently.) Quiet sobs can be heard from them as they attempt to comfort each other.
Tia: Well then... I-I'll... announce the results... The Keymaster was Damian Beelzly. The Sage was Ruben Diskin. The Sacrifice was Addison Woods...
Hearing this, the group of friends broke apart. Addison stared at me.
Addison: So... This was your answer, Zill?
I couldn't help but cringe as I heard Addison whimper.
Zill:... Addison, I-
Addison: It's strange... Before the vote... I couldn't stop my trembling in fear... But now... I feel... Light...
My eyes widened as I saw Addison's wide grin and wet eyes.
Addison: I'm glad... I'm glad I didn't have to betray everyone.
(From here, we'll just follow the "Vinny lives route". You kind find the alternate Simon dialogue in the main story.)
Vinny: Addi...
Addison: Thank you for being there for me Vinny.
Vinny fitted his teeth.
Vinny: I didn't really do anything...
Addison: You being there was plenty. Even when you lost your brother... You were still there for me.
Vinny: But you lost Gustav way before I lost-
Addison: V-Vinny, this isn't a dick measuring contest for who suffered more! I'm trying to say you were a good friend! I... I'm glad I met you Vinny.
Vinny paused, his eyes wide. He let out a small giggle.
Vinny: I'm glad I met you too Addi.
Addison laughed alongside him as the two of them stared at each other.
Addison: Addison: Hehehe... Thank you. Hahaha... I wonder... If I'll meet them... if I'll see Quintin and Gustav.... Over there.... I never got to finish that painting.
For a moment, the light in Addison's eyes faded before they lit up again.
Addison: O-Oh Damian! I-I'm sorry for everything and... I know you're sorry too... Just one more time... Can we be friends again?
Damian let out a gasp as he stared at Addison with wide eyes. His body trembled as tears began to spill from his face.
Damian: O-Of course... Addi...
Sahara looked between her friends and gave a small smile, tears continuing to fall down her face.
...
(From there Addison's execution is more or less the same)
...
After that... there were no more sobs... No more vomiting... None that were Addison's anyways... I heard Sahara bawling her eyes out... I heard Damian sobbing along with her... Vinny was quietly muttering curses as I heard him pound his head against the podium. I heard Mackenzie vomit over her podium.
Rusty: What the shit man... This is just way to fucked up...
Rusty's usually loud voice came out in a low whimper. Sasha remained silent through this whole shitshow.
Zill: Aa... ahhh... ahhhhh...
My legs gave out from under me as tears began to fall down my face. The button slipped from my hand. I couldn't push the button... To the very end... Addison said he didn't want to die... There's no way I could push it...
Zill: Once again... I couldn't protect anyone... I couldn't... Save them... Shit!
I punched the ground. I bit my lip until I tasted blood. I... I forced my head to look up toward Addison...
Addison's POV
I let out a sigh as I added yet another stroke to my unfinished piece.
Addison: I'm sorry sweetheart... That present I was going to give you... I still couldn't finish it.
I heard a small chuck from just behind my canvas. I smiled as a heavyweight left my heart.
Gustav: That's all right. You'll have plenty of time now.
I smiled as I continued my painting.
*Knock Knock Knock*
I jumped, luckily not messing up my painting. I sighed and pouted as I turned behind me. Before letting out a small sigh when I saw who it was. I couldn't help but freeze in place. Standing in the door why as a bashful Quintin.
Quintin: S-Sorry... I know you hate it when people interrupt you and your art. I just wanted to ask if you've seen where everyone else is. Vinny said he wanted to meet up for ice cream bu-
Quintin paused. His image seemed to blur when I felt something wet begin to fall from my cheek.
Quintin: Um... Addi? You doing ok-okay?
I whimpered and nodded furiously.
Addison: Y-Yeah! I'm just wondering... I... I think Sahara should be coming soon.
Quintin let out a sigh.
Quintin: Don't doubt it. Hara usually has everything put together. But what about everyone else?
I paused and put a finger to my chin.
Addison: I'm... Not sure.
Quintin: Well it's their loss.
Addison: Wait! How did you even know we were here? We're not even in the art room. Don't tell me you searched every room in school!
Gustav: Oh yeah, your friends wanted us to all get ice cream together, ja? So I invited them here.
Addison: Ice cream?
Quintin nodded.
Quintin: It was Vinny's idea. Something about "hanging out before we graduate one more time." And yet he's late. That's pretty rude, huh Gustav?
Gustav scoffed and nodded.
Gustav: Ya...? He may be a good cinematographer, but a director, he is not.
The two of them shared a chuckle as I even found myself laughing alongside them.
Addison: Guess that just means we'll have to continue painting until they show, ja?
I raised a brow as Gustav's eyes widened. He laughed and quickly sat back into his pose.
Gustav: Ja...
I let out a sigh as I was about to continue my painting... Until I heard a cough. I rolled my eyes and grinned.
Quintin: Oh... Uh... Addi-
Addison: Don't worry, I'll get the art for your Dragonborn Bard done before this weekend.
Quintin: Thanks Addi! You're the best!
Addison: Yeah...
I took in a deep breath and continued my painting.
Zill's POV
Addison Expired.
Addison's body hung limp like a puppet with its strings cut. His torso was completely crushed. Blood gushed from both the top and bottom of the metal brace. Addison's head hung low. His eyes were lifeless. Blood was coming out of his nose. His mouth... Blood... Organs... Even some undigested food. That sent me over the edge, I vomited... I vomited and cried... My memories with Addison... His smile, his tears, the determined look he had in his eyes... All of it was now tainted with this... Thing... I tore my eyes away from the floor- from my own vomit and toward Tia.
Zill: S-So... What now...? What's going to happen?
I wanted it to come out as a growl. I wanted to be strong and show anger toward Tia but... My voice betrayed me. It came out as a whimper.
Tia: Next... Is Sahara...
My eyes widened. I turned to face Tia who was already beginning to approach Sasha. I jumped up from where I laid and reached for her.
Zill: W-Wait!! Stop it already! That's enough!
Rusty: Don't move...
My eyes shot toward Rusty as he pulled something from out of his pocket. A gun... Tia's eyes narrowed toward the gun.
Tia:... That's... Chesire's...
Rusty: You come near Sahara and I'll shoot!
Rusty gripped the gun with both his hands. His knuckles turned white as he growled. Tia simply shook her head.
Tia: It's futile. Sahara's execution won't be changing.
Rusty's face softened as he took a step back. He shook his head and aimed toward Tia once again.
Rusty: Why...? Ain't you different from those other assholes... You looked like you were in pain during Addison's execution so...!! You were fucking crying!! You don't really want to do this, right?!
Tia paused for a moment and covered her face with her hat.
Tia: You don't understand, do you... I've always been your enemy, you see?
Her eyes glew with malice. Dark, deep, and consuming. A grin was on her face... A grin that spanned ear to ear. Rusty's face turned pale as a whimper escaped his throat. Tia took one step forward.
Tia: ...I'm coming closer. Just so you know... If you kill me, your life will be forfeit.
Tia took another step... and another.
Rusty: Stop...
Another step.
Rusty: Stop.
Then another.
Rusty: Stop!
The gun in Rusty's hand began to tremble as he aimed it toward Tia. He ground his teeth, his brows furrowing. But Tia didn't stop. She just kept walking forward. Step after step.
Rusty: STOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!
With that scream Rusty pulled the trigger and-
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
...Nothing. Rusty pulled the gun back toward his chest as Tia walked past him.
Rusty: I'm sorry...
Tia: ...It was empty, I see.
Rusty's body trembled as he bit his lip so hard it bled. He tossed the gun aside and fell to the ground, punching it over and over again.
Rusty: Damnit! Damnit! DAAAAMMNIT!!!
Sahara stared with bated breath. She let out a long sigh as she gave out one last smile.
Sahara: It's fine... Don't worry... Thank you, everyone... And thank you, Zill...
When I heard Sahara say that. My legs gave out from under me. Bile began to fill my throat. I heaved but nothing came out.
Zill: S-Sahara.
That was all I could choke out.
Sahara: Stay safe Ven... Sasha... Everyone... Please escape this place together.
Tia: Activating collar device... the Desert Flower...!
Tia fiddled with Sahara's collar. Sahara suddenly stumbled back gripping her neck.
Sahara: Urgh... My neck... hurts...
Tia: Just now, Human Flower seeds and a special concoction were injected by your collar through your body.
My heart dropped when I heard this.
Zill: T-Tia...!! Stop! What are you doing?!
Tia: Please be at ease... She won't suffer like Addison. The special concoction contains a numbing agent. She won't feel a thing. The concoction will spread throughout her body attaching to all the water within her body, bringing them to the seeds. The seeds will then bloom... She will die beautifully.
Sahara groaned as she collapsed to the ground. Her nails began digging into her skin... She scratched and scratched. She continued scratching even to the point where she was tearing off her skin.
Sahara: Aaaaah...!! Aahh... aahh...!!
Her eyes darted around the room as she continued clawing at herself. Even through her muscles and down to the bone. But the one thing I noticed... was that she wasn't bleeding. Suddenly she stopped, her cheeks puffed out and suddenly, a strange substance escaped her mouth. It wasn't red nor clear but brown and yellow and thick.
Sahara: Waaaaaugh!! Nooooo...!!
She vomited and vomited again. Suddenly, her hair fell out and soon dissolved like sand. The same happened to her skin and her muscles were exposed.
Sahara: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaah...!!
With that final scream, they began to bloom all over her exposed muscles. Blood red flowers.
Sahara has expired.
Tia raised her hand over the body.
Tia: ...This is how the chosen one meets her end. So long as the flowers don't wilt... her body will always be preserved beautifully...
The room fell silent... There wasn't even a cry nor a whimper. Everyone just continued staring at Sahara's body. I almost wanted to laugh... Persevere... After that, what is even left to preserve?! Her death was so gruesome. So grotesque. It was inhuman. It was the worst and most violent end I've ever seen. Worse than everyone else I've seen at this point. But what was even worse than that was... The pain in my heart. That I caused this... Sahara... I'm sorry Sahara. We need Sasha alive to escape. I... Used my logic... This is the worst possible choice... I
???:... I'll kill you...
My heart sank as I felt a crushing weight on my soul. I was already familiar with this feeling. I didn't even need to turn to know that Sasha was staring at us all with a dark piercing red gaze. His voice was so deep and inhuman that I didn't even recognize it at first.
Sasha: Worthless... It's all worthless... The Floor Masters... Zill... Every single one of you pieces of shit... I'll kill every one of you who killed Sahara...!!
*Thud*
I turned to see Sasha on all fours, pounding his fist against the floor. Tears filled his eyes as they flashed between red and purple. He let out another scream before growling.
Sasha: That's right... and first... will be Zill...
With that declaration, Sasha pushed himself up and ran out a nearby corridor. My eyes widened as I bit my lip and ran after him.