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LOCKED TO bloodofgrima

[Death has never been something Mondo liked to consider. Prior to Daiya's death, it hadn't been something he'd considered at all. Not that he thought he was invincible, he just hadn't thought about dying.

Daiya's death changed that. The events in Hope's Peak changed that. The events here in the pass changed that.

Robin had been the only one he felt he could confide in. Even his classmates weren't close enough for that. He hadn't told Robin everything - he hadn't had time to - but he had trusted her nonetheless. It was the evening after the trial, but Mondo's thoughts were still on Robin's corpse, the word WOLF carved into her hand.]

Why didn't you tell me?

[He's all alone in his cabin, but even if he wasn't he still would have spoken aloud. He balls his hands into fists and draws away from the window, sitting on the bed and resting his head in his hands.]

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Because I couldn't.

[Robin's voice, soft and apologetic, breaks through the silence in a way that's almost surreal. She is there, yes, sitting on the bottom edge of his bed and facing away from him at the wall, her hands folded in her lap.]

[Mondo jumps, turning toward the voice and startling again when he notices Robin. She's see-through but she's there - she's obviously a ghost. Mondo has never had any sort of encounter with the supernatural before and he never believed in it. Coming face-to-face with the ghost of his dead friend is more than enough to change his mind on the subject.]

R-R-Robin!!

[It takes him a moment to compose himself a bit, but when he does the anger and frustration has left his voice.]

What...? How are you here? Why are you here? I don't... understand...

[It's not only see through that seems to be the signal of a ghost. Rather than her armor, Robin is dressed in a more elaborate outfit, and her hair is no longer pulled up, showing just how long it is.

She turns a quiet look to Mondo, her expression a mix of sadness and agony.]

I don't know myself. Perhaps whatever creature runs this place decided to take pity on me.

Critter? I doubt it. All it wants to do is cause us despair, just like that fucking bear back home.

[Mondo isn't sure what to do with that expression, so he glances down at his hands instead. He doesn't know what to say either; should he apologize for being upset with her? No, he feels like he's in the right here. Maybe she couldn't tell him, but she had still been a hunter.]

Why? Why did it choose you to be a hunter?

I don't have an answer for that, because even I don't know.

[While sad, her voice is her same calm, gentle tone.]

...Why I accepted it, however, is something I can explain, if you will hear me out.

[His gaze darts up then, sharp and focused. She has a reason behind accepting? This he needs to hear.]

Yeah. I'll listen. What was it? What could get you to play a fucking game like this?

[Robin quietly pushes herself off the bed, going over to the window to look out it.]

That one night, Critter called all of us to our meeting grounds. It told us that we were Hunters, and what we would do. Nearly everyone there was ready to refuse it outright, until it began to threaten the point none of us could defend.

Critter hinted that our friends and family would be killed if we didn't accept our roles... or worse, they would be brought in to replace us. Either we did as it said and play its twisted game, or those we cared about would die or be forced to do so in our place. It made that clear.

And then... it gave us one of the Hunter's rules. The rule that sealed any of us left with any resistance into accepting.

[Her voice quiets for a moment, then she continues.]

If the Hunters won, then everyone who died during the game would be brought back to life, no matter what their role was. However... if any of the Hunters willfully betrayed the "pack" and helped the prey, then not a single person who died would be revived.

[Mondo listens to all that quietly, eyes wide. He can't quite comprehend it all immediately, and it takes him a moment to get his thoughts in order.]

So you were forced to or the people you love and care about would have to play this fucking twisted game instead? Fuck.

[That sounds horrible. He can imagine how terrible that must have been. When Robin continues, Mondo's expression wavers for a moment, clearly considering.]

...No way. There's no way Critter would just revive us all at the end. I get why you'd go along, thinking that and hoping that'd be the case, but fuck, I can't see it happening. That fucking thing takes too much pleasure in watching us die. The only way it'd revive us is if it could watch us die all over again.

You could very well be right. It could have lied to us to force us to do that. But if it was a lie, then we were murdering innocent people without even knowing for sure if it would save those we cared about.

...None of us could bear that thought. And since Critter seemed intent on its rules and following them to the letter, all we could do was trust in that and hope.

There was not much other choice for us. As I said... Critter made it clear what the punishment for refusing to play our role was.

What was the punishment? Death? Forcing your friends and family to play this game instead of you?

If we refused, we would die. That was a certainty, and it gave the impression that we wouldn't be revived with the others.

Beyond our death... our friends or family could have been killed, with the only "survivors" -- if any -- being forced to take our place in this game.

[Mondo frowns at that, trying to find something to say.]

...I'm sorry.

[It's not much, and it's certainly not nearly enough.]

I didn't... I didn't know. I guess you couldn't tell us or Critter would punish you?

[No, but even if he can't see it, it makes Robin smile softly.]

If any of us betrayed the other Hunters by helping you -- including telling you about why we were Hunters -- then the people who died in any way would stay dead for good. That was the punishment for trying to be honest.

[She pauses at that, closing her eyes.]

You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one who's sorry... and I know there's nothing I can do that could ever make up for this.

No, no it's okay. You were trying to do what you thought would work and would help us all in the end. You didn't do anything wrong!

[He's very adamant about that, looking back over at Robin.]

You tried your hardest and ended up dead for your efforts. Did one of the other hunters kill you?

[...For the first time since appearing, Robin turns to meet Mondo's eyes. It's clear that she expected him to be angry... even hateful... but the smile on her face is showing just how happy she is that he isn't.]

...Thank you.

[At his question, however, she hesitates.]

...I have nothing to lose by telling you. But it won't be an answer you'll like. Do you want to know?

[An answer he won't like? Mondo isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but even he can figure out what that means.]

It was one of my classmates? Who?

[Togami? Togami is the only one he can imagine killing anyone else. If it was Togami then he's going to have words with him tomorrow.]

Kirigiri.

[Robin says the name firmly and evenly, loud and slow, so there is no mistake on her words.]

Kirigiri shot me.

K-Kirigiri!?

[That... was not what he expected at all. Mondo's eyes widen and he stutters a bit before being able to form a coherent sentence.]

Th-that's not--! Sh-she wouldn't--! N-no way... You're sure it was her?

I'm certain, Owada. She spoke with me before. She told me that it was nothing personal, but necessary.

...She ensured that my death would be painless, the same as Hanekoma's. In this twisted game... that was more of a blessing than I deserved.

But--! But she killed you!! How was that a blessing!?

[Yes, it meant that she wouldn't have to participate in this cruel game anymore, but Mondo can't see that as being a good enough reason to want to die. He's always been the sort to live through anything, no matter how horrible or traumatizing. Even the events in Hope's Peak weren't enough to break him.]

The death itself wasn't the blessing... though it did mean I no longer had to hurt you or anyone else.

It was the fact that it was a painless death that was my blessing. After what I had done to... James, and to Sam... it was more than I deserved.

I... I see...

[From his tone it's rather obvious that he doesn't. He can't imagine being put through the same thing.]

I'm sorry. That you died, that you were forced through all this shit... everything. I wish there was something I could do to help.

...Owada. You were my friend here. Someone I could rely on no matter what.

I lied to you. I deceived you. I was an enemy. Even if I tried to protect you, I was killing those around you for that. My hands are stained with blood, and had I not died, I would have done my very best to ensure that many other lives were sacrificed in place of yours.

You would be completely justified in hating me for what I've done. But you don't. [She smiles softly.] You listened to me. You were upset, but you refused to believe the worst of me. And here I am... and the only thing I see in your eyes is sorrow and pity for what I've suffered.

...That you can forgive me and still hold me as a friend after all of this, Owada, is more than enough.

Of course I can! You were forced into this! It's not your fault! It's fucking Critter's fault for putting you through all this!

I... I get that you've killed people and there's no changing that. But that doesn't mean you're a bad person! Look at the situation we're in - do you think all the other hunters are terrible? What about the ones who are like you, who were doing this because they thought it was right? Are they just as horrible as you think you are? It's not fair to beat yourself up for what Critter's forced you to do!!

[Robin seems a bit caught off guard, but as he speaks, her pained look begins to slowly fade away. By the time he's done, the smile he's looking into is the same old Robin he spoke with for the past few days.]

Hahahaha! I don't think I've had anyone tell me to stop beating myself up like that in a long time.

[She pauses a moment, then, shaking her head.]

You're right. I'm still the one with the blood on my hands, but the fault of this doesn't lay with me. It lays with Critter.

...Thank you, Owada.

'Course! I'm glad I can help!

[Now if only he would learn to apply his words to himself...]

There's no sense in getting hung up over it, right? You've just gotta focus on what you can do. I'm not entirely sure what you can do as a ghost, but I'm sure you can help out somehow!

[...Ah. Robin turns away again, looking out the window.]

I don't think I can do anything.

[She lets the words hang for a moment, then:]

I think... I'm fading away, Owada. I don't know how much longer I'll still be connected to this world.

N-no way! That's not fair!! You're here now, why do you have to go!?

[He knows why. She's dead, of course she has to go.]

It's not fair!!

[She looks at her hands a moment, then goes over and tries to wrap her arms around him in a gentle hug. It seems whatever deity took pity did so immensely... because even if her touch is cold, it's still physical enough for Mondo to feel it.]

The chance I was given... it was to handle the regrets I have. That's all. My death came, and that I even have this chance is a miracle.

[She releases after a moment, looking out the window again.]

...Sunrise. I believe I have the rest of this night to speak with you, but once the morning begins, I have to go.

[Mondo latches on tightly, not wanting to let go. He does when Robin begins to pull away though, settling for staring at his hands resting on his knees. He glances up at her last words though, expression open and pained, but he nods.]

Yeah, I see. At least you have tonight, right? It's better than nothing.

[Robin moves back over to him, opening an arm as an invitation if he wants to cling again. She really doesn't mind, and of anyone, he deserves it.]

Is there anything you want to ask me?

[At first he hesitates, if only because he's a teenage boy and he hates showing any sort of weakness, but Mondo quickly gives in, scooting closer and wrapping his arms around Robin. In some ways, she reminds him of Daiya and the bond they shared before... well, he doesn't want to think about that.]

What about your friends and family back home? What will happen to them without you? Will they be okay?

[Even if Robin doesn't entirely understand, it doesn't matter. Even if she were alive, what happened here would be between them and no one else.

Once he's comfortable, she puts her arm around him, a comfort of an older sister.]

Chrom... will hurt for a long time, I think. But all of those I cared about I left my mark on. I helped them to find their own strength, and even if I'm gone, I know they can continue without me.

They did once before, after all.

I'm glad to hear that they'll be alright, even if it does take time.

[He falls silent after that, not moving from where he's sitting. He supposes it's now or never.]

Hey, Robin? Can I... talk to you about something? It's... kinda personal and not something I'd really tell anyone but... since this is my last chance to talk to you I want... I want you to know everything.

[Robin looks down at him as best she can, giving that soft smile and nodding.]

Of course.

Okay. Thanks.

[Even then, it takes him a moment to get started. When he does, Mondo isn't looking at Robin, but rather at the floor.]

I grew up with an older brother, Daiya. We were really close for awhile but... there was an accident and--

Hang on, let me back up. See, where I'm from, after you graduate high school, you graduate from the gang. Since Daiya was older than me, he was the leader of our gang. Well, he was about to graduate and he was getting ready to hand over the gang to me, but some people started complaining, thinking I wouldn't do a good enough job. So I decided to prove that I could beat Daiya by racing.

I started losing, so I started racing recklessly. I got caught up in the heat of the moment and didn't realize there was a truck behind me. Daiya... he shoved me out of the way and took that blow for me. He died because of what I did. I... I killed my older brother!

[Mondo swipes at his eyes, trying not to cry. He hates getting his eyes wet, after all.]

[Robin listens quietly, saying nothing during his explanation. She gets the general idea of it, at least, so there's no need to interupt. As he finishes, however, her eyes soften and she shifts her arm a little to rest in a hopefully more comforting position.

Her voice, however, is firm.]

You didn't kill your brother. [She hesitates, but Mondo is strong. She won't coddle him.] You may have caused the death of your brother, and that's something horrible I can never imagine. But there's a difference. A major difference.

He loved you so deeply he was willing to trade his life for yours. I may not know your brother, but I know a person who cares that much about someone will never consider them their killer. Especially not when it's an unfortunate accident that pushed them to make that ultimate trade.

Owada... what did he say to you? In his final moments, surely he had some words for you.

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