One week before arriving on the island.
— Aragi… are you sure you will go there alone? — Tsubasa's voice sounded like the last chance to rewrite the script before the final credits roll. — Better to think now than to regret later. Well, you know… eternity, it's long.
— I've already decided everything, — I replied, as if my decision meant something to the scriptwriter. — I won't deny that I could use your help… However…
And here I paused, to sound a bit more tragic. — I don't want to see your blood spilled before my eyes. Just wait. And hope. That I can return from there victorious.
— And still, don't forget who else will be participating there besides you. Our main enemy… no, not even an enemy. The enemy of all humanity. This is our last chance to defeat the Creator. It's time, after that first battle, to end this meaningless war with meaning.
— Yes… — I nodded, even though she wasn't looking. — I won't let you down, Tsubasa. In the end… this is our final game. How can I possibly allow myself to lose?
— Did Ougi tell you about his position on the island?
— Uh-huh. The mistress of the mansion probably blocks magic… or will do something like that.
— So, he will give up his power… intentionally. What a noble move. What a stupid act. But the witch, she's not a fool, you understand? She knows you can't take away what can't be taken away. This is already their second game. And if she loses a second time, she'd rather blow up the mansion than allow such a thing.
— Remember, Aragi. In this game, you can trust only yourself, only yourself. I know your bad habit of saving everyone and everything. But the stakes are too high.
— Yes, I understand. The life of my world. Well, and… if I lose, it's scary to imagine what an enraged, buxom vampire will do to me. Morally, of course. Or physically. Or both.
— Kkh… are you now… did you just compare me to her?! To that old hag who sends curses?!
— Ah-ha-ha-ha.
— I like it when you get angry over little things.
— I will return… — I said with a pathos that would probably be enough for a whole episode. — I promise.
— And one more thing…
どんな天気でも,君を愛している.
Present time — the mansion.
— Did I really fall asleep so quickly… — I opened my eyes, as if it was necessary. The sleep felt like an instant, although… no, it doesn't matter.
— Did I wake you, Aragi?
— No, not at all. Just… a dream. Quite vivid. Was I asleep long?
— About an hour. Not long, you can sleep more if you want. I'll keep watch by the door for now.
After we went to our rooms, I suggested a watch system — one stays awake, the others rest. And rotate. Sounds logical. Almost like a school project, only with the risk of dying.
— Nah, won't fall asleep now. You rest now.
— Where are you going? — Enua asked, suspiciously calm.
— To the restroom. Quick there and back.
— Alone? Want me to come with you?
— Don't worry. I'll be quick.
Here could be a spoiler.
I went out. The light in the kitchen… is on? The kitchen was nearby.
«Probably, Gerudo hasn't finished cleaning yet» I thought.
Mistake. I stepped closer. Mistake number 2.
Traces of blood. A puddle. Stains. Writing on the walls. In a language that perhaps Satan himself wouldn't understand. Dishes filled with blood. And nearby… a body. Or rather, what was left of it.
Gerudo. Torn apart. Dismembered. Neck slit. Eyes gouged out. Guts, well, let's say, too far out.
— W-what the hell happened here… I swallowed. Although there was nothing to swallow. Need to inform the others immediately!
The first murder? The witch? So, the game has begun?
I ran. No matter how many meters. No matter how many seconds. The door "bang" — into the wall.
— What happened, Aragi?! Were you attacked?
— No. Everything's fine. Call the others! Quickly!
— Already dialing. But what happened?
— The first murder…
— Don't tell me… a participant?
— No. Worse. Gerudo was killed.
After a brief and undramatic retelling of events, everyone gathered in the living room.
— How are we supposed to understand this?! — Yahweh sounded louder than usual. Apparently, the shock effect. — But he's not even a participant!
— I don't understand either, — someone echoed. — Why him, and not one of us?
— That's not important anymore, — I said. — The main thing is to find the culprit.
— And how will you do that, Sherlock? We are powerless, can't go outside, the downpour outside is something fierce.
— Let's at least start with who found the body first.
— That was me. I woke up, went out, saw the light in the kitchen… decided to help. And in the end… found a meat constructor instead of a cook.
— He told me immediately, — added Enua. — So we both have an alibi. We were in the room the whole time.
— I confirm, — Aragi nodded. — He didn't go anywhere.
And then, as if on cue, a voice rang out.
— Yes, yes, Enua would have an alibi… if not for one "but"…
Kamiki. With a smirk you'd want to wipe off with a mop. He was clearly waiting for this moment. Prepared for it like for a graduation.
— But you were asleep. You said so yourself, slept for an hour. Which means… he could have gone out, killed, hidden, returned, and even cleaned up after himself.
— Right. How can he prove an alibi if you were asleep while he was supposedly nearby?
— Ah, you… I knew in advance you'd make me the scapegoat! But I'll prove it. Oh, I'll prove it.
— And how will you do that?
— Simple. The severed limbs. Kitchen knives aren't capable of that. We have no access to magic, meaning it couldn't have been me.
— He's right, — Yahweh nodded. — I saw the knives. All small. Not a single axe.
— But what if there is an axe? — Kamiki suddenly interjected, as if waiting for a dramatic pause. — On the second floor. In a glass display case. I saw it.
— What?!
— Tiamut and I were checking the house and came across it. Someone could have taken that axe and…
(This bastard… he even thought of that?!)
— Well then… let's go and check. If the axe is in place, you're saved. If not…
— Pff. Don't even hope, I had nothing to do with it. This is the first I'm hearing about an axe.