"That should be everyone Boss." Sinae hands a few remaining sticks to Trinity. "Lots of greens."
Trinity looks at the lines of each color group, four rows in parallel, and confirms that the green line is the longest by far. "Yes, it seems many are looking for a second chance. That said…."
"Most are unlikely to be granted that fate." Morigain approaches the two, handing her remaining sticks to Trinity as well. "We know that, and I'm sure they know that too. However why not take a chance for the gold if you already have nothing to lose, right? Sometimes miracles do happen."
Trinity only nods in response, Morigain saying all that needed to be said. "Alright, then I guess it's time to start the judgment." She touches her amulet gently. "Shi, are you ready to begin?"
With a soft glow from the amulet, Shiori replies, "Of course Sis, whenever you're ready."
Trinity clutches the amulet now and soon golden light begins to emanate from it, as it wraps around Trinity's arm. It continues to loop around as if to form a spiral, until a distinct shape begins to appear. Moments later, Shiori manifests in her scythe form, her golden blade sharp and shining. Trinity's cloak manifests around her, and a dark purple flame softly flickers in her eyes. Everyone unfamiliar with her Death Sinner Queen form is in awe as they stare on with mild fear.
Fully transformed, Trinity now looks at the crowd, noticing their gazes intensely on her. "Oh, please don't be alarmed everyone. I know I may look a little scary, but I'm not going to hurt anyone unless it's necessary. This look is just part of the job." She laughs awkwardly. "Anyway let's get started." She approaches the green line first. "I'll start with your group first, but please keep this in mind. Many of you will not be granted rebirth as a human. Only pure souls or those who've purified their tainted souls will be eligible. If you are not, then you will stay in Limbo."
"We understand." An older woman speaks up. "However, like Morigain said, we have to try."
Trinity nods to acknowledge the woman's words; they're the collective of all their thoughts.
"Then I won't hesitate any longer. Please step forward Miss and allow me to take your hand."
The woman stretches out her hand and Trinity takes it gently in hers. She guides her hand to grip the scythe. It begins to glow and soon Trinity can feel a new sensation within her. It's as though the woman's very being has become one with her, and she can see a flood of a million memories. Fragmented scenes of a life lived from birth all the way through to her final moments on earth. She can feel the agony and grief from the woman, stemming from the pain of losing her son and his entire family in a terrible car accident. She had no will to go on and jumped from a balcony.
Trinity's heart drops and she looks at the woman with tearful eyes. The woman looks back at her but without tears. In fact, she's smiling at her now. "You allowed me to recall so many precious memories. Even with the painful ones present too, I feel content. I thought that perhaps I wanted to return and try again, but I see now that I've already lived my time. I cut that time short in my grief, but I lived it all the same. I couldn't have saved my family from their fate, and I can't run from mine. I know that there will be no redemption for me. I took my own life. I accept my fate."
Trinity doesn't know what she can say, or rather, there's nothing she can say. This woman understands she can never return to the realm of the living, but Trinity can sense that she's also at peace with her soul. She has no need for Limbo anymore, as she's no longer searching for a path forward. So she understands what her judgment must be, but Shiori confirms it. 'Death.'
She speaks only to Trinity and she nods. "I wish you peace Miss, even if nothing awaits you." Trinity swiftly slices the scythe across the woman's chest. Blood splurges from the gash, spraying Trinity and dripping to the ground. The woman falls forward against Trinity's chest, her dark eyes growing hollow, until no life remains and her body stills. A small orb of light hovers momentarily around the body, but soon drops to the floor, passing through it like a ghost. It's unknown where her soul has gone, if anywhere. But it won't be Heaven or Hell, that's certain.
The onlookers are stunned, and soon there's a wave of terrified shrieks, whispers and unease. "I thought…I thought death was supposed to be beautiful." A common misconception, but Trinity understood the truth long ago. Nothing about death is beautiful, and she's the only executioner.
She becomes aware of the weight on her hand and realizes she's still holding the hand of the woman's now empty shell. She releases it, and it plops to the floor beside her body. "Sorry to ask Sinae, but can you take care of the bodies? I suppose we'll have to burn them once we're done."
Sinae is momentarily shell-shocked, especially with how calm Trinity is despite being covered in the woman's blood. She could never understand that Trinity has endured far worse horrors than this and so has grown numb to it. She tells herself she must follow her resolve. She nods. She approaches the body with hesitant steps but tries to put on a brave face. However, she soon observes another step forward. A short woman with midnight black pixie hair and sharp blue eyes holds her hand up to Sinae. "Someone with no appreciation for the dead shouldn't have the honor of touching them so casually. I'll gather and dispose of them myself, if I may, my Queen?"
Trinity is surprised to see this slender and pale woman ask for such a dark request so eagerly. "If you are willing, I would be grateful for the assistance. I think Sinae would be thankful as well."
"It would be my pleasure your majesty." She replies with a tone of reverence laced with sweet delight. Her eyes seem to gleam as she grabs the woman's body and drags her off to the side.
Trinity turns her attention back to the crowd, the faces considerably more downcast then previously. "What you just witnessed is what death means here. You all have already 'died' as humans, but you're still living beings in this realm. Therefore you can still die, and it will be just as gruesome as it would be on earth. This isn't Heaven, where people pass on in a mist of light. However, this isn't exactly Hell, where people pass on in scorching flames. This is something in-between, but not at all pleasant. So, I'll give you all one chance to reconsider your choice. For those who wish to remain in Limbo, you will not be judged today and will go through intake instead. However, the Blue and Green groups shall be judged by me. Anyone who doesn't pass will be sent to the Red group, and you'll all be eliminated. There will be no further chances."
In an instant, the lines shift and suddenly most who were in other groups flock to the Yellow line. Trinity expected as much and stifles a small smile. Morigain steps forward now. "I will take care of intake then. Please follow me to the reception." She looks to Sinae. "May I request your assistance young one?" Sinae looks up nervously, still a bit rattled. "I promise it'll be simpler."
Trinity places her hand on Sinae's shoulder. "Go on Sinae. I think that's a task more suited for you. Please forgive me for asking you to help with the disposal earlier. I know you're not cut out for such a bloody task. I'll take care of things here, together with-, oh, I didn't get your name."
The woman's already started chopping limbs, but with a twisted smile replies, "Oh, I'm Nyxis."