Kinda sorta not an AU for imperial_saga

[thousand_curses]

[1]

[Whether through divination spells, being a person who has a Destiny Crystal and is therefore of interest, or even braving the depths of the Netherworld, you have attracted the attention of a goddess - hopefully the one you were trying to speak to. With the Queen of the Netherworld in a relatively straightforward mood today, the wavy suggestion of a feminine face with red eyes greets you from behind a curtain of fog.]

Hm. And just who are you, and why do you come before the Queen of the Netherworld? Speak your piece quickly.

[2]

[You have died. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.]

[You have, rather, woken in a clammy, chilly fog, lying on what feels like solid slate. It's almost impossible to see anything. Or hear anything. Or feel anything but cold and oppressive dimness. However, a voice speaks to you from the fog, distant yet very close.]

Come in. And rest. Lose yourself to oblivion...

...

...oh, you aren't gone yet? Was there something you sought at the end of your journey? Tell me, mortal...what do you seek?

[3]

[Hey look a stablehand.]

Hi! Welcome to town. Can I take care of your horse for you? If you're staying the night, the inn's right behind me, and if you're not, so's the bar so you can get a bite to eat. This is kind of a one-horse town. Well, two now, haha!

Comments

2

[thecoldsteel]

[Lying down? Not any more. Jin is on his feet.]

How about you tell me who you are before I tell you anything?

1

[themasterstools]

[Well... this was not part of his plans at all. Pluto-thrice curse these crystals and their sense of humor. He gathers up his dignity]

I apologize, Fair Queen - it seems that mischief conspired to create this connection.

1

[chaos_that_crawls]

... I didn't think you could forget me so easily, Izanami.

[And the man steps forward closer towards the queen behind the fog.]

Then again, I am wearing a new face, aren't I?

[nomen_est_numen]

"...Oblivion...?" Shen croaks. He shakes his head and pushes himself up off of the floor. "No," he pants. "...refuse...."

He gets his breath back as the voice continues and looks about for its source. At the question as to what he seeks, he coughs and then hauls himself upright, wrapping the tattered remnants of his dignity around himself. "Vengeance," he replies. "I seek vengeance."