#subversive flower

Sure enough, once you’ve recovered your composure enough to venture onwards, you find the twists and turns of the mirror maze greatly reduced. Within moments, in fact, you’re turning corners and running into the rest of your classmates, most of you noticeably the worse for wear after your misadventures.

And then you’re at the exit. Ryuuta and Tama seem to have been the first to arrive, and as the last of you gathers at the door the vertical bars preventing any exit slide up... the door unlocks... and swings open. The tepid air of the underground city floods in, accompanied by the faint, distant noises of the ongoing carnival. It’s over. Well, for now.

Walking out of the maze you feel dizzy, exhausted, and generally strange. It feels odd to know there won’t be a trial this time. The motive had gone off, the threat had been fulfilled. You all made the choice, and Satoshi and Yukiteru had paid the price.

As you file out, rapid movement nearby catches your attention, and you turn in surprise to find the Smiling Devil is apparently engaged in some sort of duel with a figure dressed all in black. The stranger is extremely fast, darting in under the Devil’s rapid jabs and taking swipes with a short blade, then dancing back again, weaving around each counterattack with grace. However far from being frustrated, the Devil is laughing as he pursues them, as if this is some sort of game to him.

“Look, there they are! Just like I said, safe an’ sound. Well, most of ‘em. You can stop with the pointless heroics now. That bleedin’ heart of yours really is gonna get you killed one of these days, Flower.” He says, making a gesture towards the bedraggled lot of you, but the Flower doesn’t even spare a glance your way, never taking their eyes off the Devil.

“You shouldn’t have sent them in there! You know what could have happened! You can’t control Jack-of-Smiles, and you can’t control the Fingerkings!” They snap at him, “This isn’t part of your deal, Devil, and you know it. You’re che-”

It happens quicker than you could blink, one second it’s an argument, the next the Devil has them by the wrists, slamming them into the side of the tent covering the building the maze is in. The Flower cries out, then smacks the heel of one foot against the wall, triggering a blade in the toe of their boot which they drive forward into the Devil’s shin. He doesn’t even flinch.

“I liked this suit.” He says in mild tones, though his smile has vanished as he glares down at them, “Maybe I oughta rip your skin off and make a new one. Floral patterns are pretty fashionable, ain’t they?”

“Go ahead.” The Flower shoots back, “Do it. Show them what you really are.” They stare each other down for a moment... then the Devil smiles again, wide and bright, and lets go. He steps back, apparently oblivious to the blood dripping down his leg.

“Aw come on, as if I really would.” He laughs flippantly, and promptly walks away, without the slightest hint of a limp. The Flower exhales in a heavy sigh, then turns towards all of you and winces.

“That could have gone... well, a lot worse, actually.” They shake their head, “You should all head back to the Boarding House and get some rest. Stop by to see the Necromancer if you’re injured, he can help.” For a second it seems like they might say something else, but then they just turn to leave as well, gingerly rubbing one of their wrists.

You’ve lost x2 Classmates (New Total: 12).