CONCLUSION: ghost girl

[ximilian]

// CONCLUSION:GHOST GIRL 

With the guards following, So-Yeon, the team and the infected make their way to the large marketplace in the merchant district. There, Min-Ji waits — she has gathered the citizens who now fill the streets, packed there, some craning their necks to see better.

Once they’re gathered at the marketplace, So-Yeon speaks.

“Citizens of Gyeongje! You have all been deceived. There was never any plague. In their greed, the rulers of our city cursed those they deemed less worthy, and those in the outer district suffered the consequences. You may have mourned your friends and family… but you needn’t have. You are looking at them right now.”

With a sweep of her hand, she indicates all the monster-shapes behind and around her.

“For long, we fought to let you know the truth, in vain. But finally, we are not alone. The holy saviors, the otherworlders, they brought with them knowledge and skill not found in Gyeongje or the kingdoms around us. With their help, we can finally reverse the curse.”

This is the cue for those in the team who have worked on the cure: with Newt and Syrlya in the lead, the team begins to administer the cure to the monsters. One by one, the monsters start twisting, crying in pain as their forms shrink, straighten, as skin grows back, as gaps in flesh and muscle are filled once more.

When it is all done, it is people who stand in the marketplace, not monsters.

The whispers among those watching turn to shouts — crying in outrage, questions shouted out at once, some clamoring for the rulers’ heads, some wanting more knowledge, some trying to push forth to greet the friends and family they thought dead.

So-Yeon’s shout, however, is louder than everyone else’s.

“Quiet! You will decide what to do about the rulers in due time.”

Hearing that, a familiar guard pushes through the crowd.

“So-Yeon, we have brought the Lady from the palace, and the captain is still contained but conscious.”

“Good. Bring them forth.”

● ● ●

The guard motions to her colleagues, and soon both the Lady and her captain, both tied up with a rope of purple energy, stand there on the square with the people they never tried to help. So-Yeon regards both of them for a moment, distaste clear in her expression.

“We know the truth now. What do you have to say for yourself?”

The captain steps forward, but is pulled back by the Lady — something that makes her look at her leader in surprise, and fear. No, she mouths, but it is too late; Jeung-Sun answers, voice quiet and tired.

“Nothing. I knew what happened, and didn’t try hard enough to make amends. I could have, and I tried, but my husband... no, I cannot blame him for this, no matter what he did to keep me from speaking. It was I who caved when faced with his threats. The choice was my own. I take full responsibility. I do so for Chung-Cha’s actions, as well. No matter who she took her orders from, my husband or I… we are both this city’s rulers, and we both failed in our task to protect our citizens.”

Her voice is calm, accepting… until she turns to look at the team, and bows. It is a low bow, far lower than one of her station should show.

“The vision was right. You were the saviors of this city. For that, I thank you.”

Rising, Jeung-Sun smiles, soft and grateful; upon seeing that smile, the captain bursts into tears.

● ● ●

As the Lady and the captain are led away, the guard motions So-Yeon closer.

“What of the Lord?”

“Yes, that is the thing...”

She nods towards where there's a small group pushing through the crowd: led by Rosinante and Finn, Lord Suk-Ju, hands bound, is marched to So-Yeon. The guard converses briefly with Rosinante and then, louder so that everyone can hear, announces:

“He was trying to escape, but these brave otherworlders caught him and brought him back to us!”

Her eyes blazing, So-Yeon turns to look at Suk-Ju.

“Trying to escape? How low can you sink? We don't need to hear from you. Your wife told us enough. The people will decide your fate, but believe me, it will be exactly what you deserve.”

Suk-Ju, however, doesn't seem to be too afraid.

“Now, there's a misunderstanding. I was only trying to leave to get us more help! I don't know what misinformation my silly wife has spread, but —”

His words are cut short as a young man marches closer and, with staggering force, simply punches him in the face, knocking him clean out.

“I think we've heard enough.”

He doesn't seem remorseful as the guards drag the unconscious form of their former lord away — So-Yeon, while trying to maintain a serious face, can't quite stop her mouth from quirking up.

● ● ●

Suk-Ju is carried away, and So-Yeon turns her attention back to Min-Ji, reaching to squeeze her hand.

“I trust you will do the right thing. Let them face justice.”

Min-Ji nods, but there is confusion evident in her expression.

“Yes, the people of the city will judge them. But So-Yeon, you will be the one overseeing the trial, of course. Won’t you? And then help us govern this city and protect it, as you have done?”

So-Yeon smiles and shakes her head.

“No. I have a promise to keep.”

With that, she turns to face the team, no apprehension visible in her expression.

“I promised you the Eye in exchange for the cure. You have done your part. Now it is time for me to do mine.”

As she speaks, the young man who knocked out Suk-Ju starts and yells,

“No, So-Yeon, don’t —”

but she silences him with a raised hand.

Slowly, the air is filled with a golden glow; it starts from her chest, before concentrating into a small, golf-sized ball of pure, golden energy that floats in front of her. As soon as the glow leaves So-Yeon, it is clear she isn’t quite solid — the edges of her form start to fade softly.

“Big brother.... look after everyone. Auntie, I’m sorry, you will have to take care of the trial.”

Slowly, slowly, she turns more and more indistinct — a ghost in more than name, now.

“Thank you, otherworlders. Thank you, everyone, you have saved our people. Sister Sabriel, please let yourself rest when you return to where you came from. Brother Sans… I’m sorry I couldn’t let you save me.”

With those final words, the form of the Ghost Girl disappears entirely, the wind exhaling as if to say goodbye. The orb’s golden glow, however, intensifies; pulsing in the air, the glow grows into something far too bright…

And when it is too much to look at, when the team members close their eyes, they will hear a bell-like chime before there’s a sharp yank in the bottom of their stomach —

and when they open their eyes, it’s the station they see.

● ● ●

The station’s white walls reflect the orb’s glow, and the too-bright burn of it makes the team avert their eyes. The orb, floating there in the middle of the station’s center, starts to hover towards the door to the north wing as if called there — and suddenly, with a sharp hiss, the door opens.

The golden glow obscures the person who walks through it, but the voice — familiar especially to those who arrived during the blackout, the voice of a man who called himself their commander — carries around the room.

“Hey guys, welcome back and congrats for a job well done! Your first orb returned, not bad! I was hoping you’d have it in you. Pat yourselves on the back and get a drink, you deserve that. Meanwhile, I’m gonna take care of this glowy guy here.”

Anyone squinting towards the voice will see a hand close around the orb as it flares even brighter — and then the sound of the door sliding closed with a click is heard, and nothing else…

Well. Nothing else until their comms are filled with another familiar voice.

● ● ●

N O T E S

This is the end of the first mission! If your character goes back to review the mission file, they will notice that next to its name, a little check-mark in green has appeared.

This is not an official log — however, for the next two weeks, your characters have downtime on the station and all its locations (aside from the north wing, still) are available. Viveca’s post has more details of what is new on the station since the team left it. Players are encouraged to make their own logs for what they do during the downtime.

Please also note that the TDM happens during this downtime.

If you want to give feedback about our first mission, we ask that you wait just a little until we get our mid-month post up, there will be a specific comment thread for mission feedback.

And finally, your end-credits music, recommended for the part before the station: ♪

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