idolpro | Izanagi's Heart Game

Pulling off the piece reveals a long metal ladder that extends down into utter darkness. Looks like the stage was hiding a trapdoor all along.

The Fragments are still pointing into the depths of the hole. If tested, the ladder seems secure and sound, even if there’s absolutely no indication to where it might lead.

[yeah, go down the hole, as if he fears or even expects death]

As you descend into the darkness, you become aware of a consistent, shrill sound... It seems electronic in nature, and it grows louder, though never overpowering as you descend rung by rung.

Eventually your foot meets a tile floor, and you find yourself in a dark hallway. Enough illumination comes from a door at the end of the hallway to see that the walls and flooring all seem to be a sterile white - and whatever’s in the room has got to be the source of the sound. The door is ajar, although there is nothing in particular visible from this part of the hallway.

The Fragments float up again, pointing towards the door.

[still cool, going to the door]

You enter a hospital room.

The heart monitor is flatlining, leaving it droning, a consistent and inescapable whine. Laid in the bed with white sheets drawn over a hospital robe is the thin and pale body of one who you may know better as Izanagi, eyes closed and unmoving.

Oddly enough, the light no longer seems as consistent - in fact, the Fragments are pulsing now, blinking in a steady beat. They seem to be tugging towards the body... and with a soft click, the badge loosens from your clothing, leaving the badge sagging.

It seems it may now be removed, although no matter how it is moved, the Fragments will continue to pull on their chains as they point at the body.

[BIG. SIGH. but taking off the badge]

The Fragments continue to pulse, steady and strong, the light growing stronger as they near the body. Once close enough, the Fragments begin to lose their color and shine - but Izanagi’s body gains it instead, skin flushing as the blood flow resumes once more.

Slowly, his eyes open, a glint of gold in the otherwise coldly lit room.

He’s alive.

I need one good reason not to upend you from that bed.

[There's a low laugh.]

Because "He's" already buried me this deep in his efforts to kill me, and I'm not sure I'd make it if things got rough.

I am sorry I'm not the one you were looking for. The puzzles, too.

It's fine. Put too much faith on you not to be absorbed in yourself. Hide my other away, too.

No, it's not exactly a matter of that.

Rather - well, you were right. Everything here is just part of "Him." What he's buried most isn't even his relationships with others, even if he's tried that too.

It's his own will to live.

How'd those near death experiences pan out? You never showed the end.

"He" survived.

Every single attempt... he survived. Because he isn't permitted to die unless Ayumu's the one who kills him.

No, I knew that. What were the feelings. Exhilaration followed by despair?

We don't have memories of most of them. Desperation, mostly. And centered around Ayumu himself.

And I thought I was narrow minded.

Still, should burn the chapel to the ground.

Probably. The less of that man's influence, the better.

So, are you going to?

I don't really have that power on my own. Directly influencing things, anyway.

[A beat.]

Would you like me to unstick the candles for you in there? There's stone, but a lot of it's still wood and carpeting. It should go up nicely.

And leave a couple of bottles of wine or any accelerant out. Never committed arson before, could use the hands-on experience to round out my understanding of the type. Even if they rarely intersect with murderers.

As a parting gift to you, then. In thanks for putting up with this.

Hopefully by the end of it he'll be a little less troublesome to deal with.

Unlikely. But that's where I get the choice to disappear whenever I'm ready to.

Maybe "less unintentionally troublesome" would be more accurate.

[Hm. Anyway, he'll close his eyes for a short moment. And then:]

They're on the altar. Once you get it going, be sure to leave and close the door behind you so I can block it off from the rest of the heart.

Still sounds like a bit of a stretch, but we'll see.

So . . . This is it?

I could help you edit the books a bit more, if you wanted to add to his knowledge or try to alter his beliefs a little. But you seemed pretty sure of what you put in there already.

Izanagi's Heart Game - Session #2

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