#there's nothing graphic and the attempt isn't very detailed so there shouldn't be much worry

[shslpunkartist99]

Anyway Otis & Kurai got two votes (one being mine), so here's that huhu

Tw for s//cide attempt

"The forest is a dangerous place. They say that people who enter don't ever come out. It may look pretty and inviting, but don't ever go into that forest. Understand?"

Remembering that piece of advice right as Otis woke up inside the forest.. of course it'd be his luck to remember this late.

He wasn't sure why or how he got here. He thought he was going home for a nap, but he ended up wandering here, into the forbidden forest. What were these things floating around? Large fireflies? Wisps? They sent a chill down his spine whenever they got close. Where's the exit?

"Did you mean to come here?"

Shit.. the Diamond's Card, the 10 of Diamonds-... wait, what was his name? They're the only Card his Leader's ever had, but the introduction was so half assed and rushed that nobody knows who he even is. Was he the only Card? Ugh, Otis was getting a headache again..

"You have no idea why you're here, do you? You're not like the others who come by. You're just weird then, huh?"

This guy's got some sass..

"I've.. wandered here by mistake. I'll take my leave, just show me the exit.. sir."

"'Sir'? .. ew, I can see why Keno hates that."

Otis jumped back when the messy haired Card suddenly leaned close to his face. Crap, was he in trouble? He couldn't read the other's expression.

"Hmm.. hey, can I ask you something? You know of this.. Pico guy?"

... Pico..?

"A kid came here earlier. Has the same dead eyes as you. Bright hair though. They came here not too long ago looking for a guy named Pico. Says they had a dream he was here. Thing is..

"Of all my years watching over this place, I've yet to meet a Pico."

Bright hair.. dead eyes..

Morgana..!

---

"You went into the forest, Morgana?? When?? Why??"

They were both told many times not to enter such a place. The Card didn't explain anything involving the rumor, but what if they were the reason for the disappearances? Otis couldn't chance them doing anything to Morgana. Not the little family he has left. He already lost his older cousin, he can't lose his younger one too.

Morgana didn't answer. Avoided his eyes. Ever since Pico's disappearance, they've gotten more and more distant. They would get nightmares of fires, begging to go in and save their brother. They would get delusions of those fires, and it would take time to snap them out of it. Otis tried to help however he could, but..

"I'm here for you, Morgana. Please come to me if anything happens.."

No response. As always..

---

"With all do respect, sir, I ask that you stay away from my younger cousin."

Otis couldn't take any chances after that interaction. Whether the rumors were true or not, he couldn't chance anything happening to another family member. With such a lack of laws and enforcement here in the Diamonds, Otis had to do what he could to keep his family safe. Even if it meant standing up to a Card.

"Ugh.. cut it with the 'sir' thing. You look older than me. Just call me Kurai."

"Ku.. look, I may be out of line, but with the rumors involving this area, I don't want anything to happen to my family. I'm not sure why my cousin came here, but if they ever do come back for whatever reason, just send them back or let me know. That's all I ask."

"....."

Shit. Perhaps this was stepping out of line. Even though Otis didn't falter nor regret what he said, it wouldn't mean much to a Card. A Card could do whatever they want with whoever they want. Otis was a simple civilian, living in the City, just like anyone else..

"You're pretty different from other people. You sound like you actually give a shit. I'll keep an eye out."

---

"I hear him. He's calling for help. I'm going to find him, and save him this time. We'll be a family again, I swear on it. Just wait for me!"

Their diary was left open on their desk. Otis never wanted to invade Morgana's privacy, but with the book open to show that..

It's going to happen again.. no.. no no no No NO!

---

"Morgana!! Morgana, wake up! Please! Don't die, p-please!"

Otis could hardly breathe by the time he made it to the forest, and what little air he had was sucked right out once he saw his younger cousin beside Kurai.. on the ground.. unconscious. Neither of them responded from Otis' cries, and Morgana's body felt bone chilling cold. Their leg was twisted in a way that looked broken, and blood was dripping from a head wound.

He shook them. No response.

He yelled louder. No response.

He hugged them tight. No response.

"Please.. please please please.. not you too, Morgana, not you too.."

.....

"Don't worry. I made sure they're okay."

A violent gasp of air had Otis' racing heart stop right in its tracks. Morgana, whose pulse wasn't responsive not too long ago, was back awake, eyes shot wide and watery. It seems they couldn't even process the pain from the physical wounds, nor from Otis' firm grip on their shoulders or his cries.

Morgana was back from death.. but.. how did they die..?

A Servant appeared shortly after to take Morgana to emergency care, leaving Otis and Kurai behind. Otis would've followed, but he had to know what happened. Why was Morgana injured like that. Why they weren't breathing for so long. .. why Kurai looked paler than before. And why a new Servant was here, saying that Kurai was in violation for "interference".

"I'm not just a Card. I'm also the Diamond's Reaper, and this forest is my gravesite."

"When people come here, it's all for the same reason: to die. When they no longer find a reason to live, they come here to lay to rest. I watch over their last moments, and help them pass. All these lil floating lights and animals you see? They're the last bit of souls from people who were once alive. I watch over them. Keep them safe.

"Normally, when one comes to die, I let them be. In the end, it's up to them if they want to continue living, or officially call it quits. But with Morgana here.. it was different. There's a darkness in them, for sure. Regret and guilt. Longing for peace. When they came here, they were aimlessly walking, up towards a cliff not far from here. Whatever he has going on.. it led him to believe that if he were to die, he'd be reunited with his brother. I couldn't help but interfere, for 2 reasons.

"One, because I don't think this Pico is dead. I would know about it if he was. I know everyone who dies. Morgana wouldn't meet their brother if they went through with it. Two, because.. I asked them about you. 'What about Otis?' I asked. That's when they stopped moving. They looked back, wide eyed expression, and said your name.. but it was too late. They were already off the cliff. It's as if he didn't actually want to die. There was hesitation in his voice, and in his actions.

"If I was right, then Morgana would've come back to life.. but there was a part of me that knew I shouldn't be confident in that. Being able to pass away isn't easy to turn down once you get to that point. So.. I went in. Talked them out of it. Made sure they came back to the living. 'Course, that's against the rules as a Reaper. If someone's meant to die, I'm supposed to leave them be. If I stopped people all the time, it'd get me in big trouble. Messes with the whole system.

"Why'd I interfere like this? Well.. guess I didn't want you to go through that experience. Have you lose someone important without having a chance to save them. It's not fun. It's something I wish I did before I became a Card, heh.."

So that's why people who came here would disappear. Kurai wouldn't kill them, but rather take care of their souls before passing. Morgana.. would've become part of the forest, had they not helped them out. To lose someone without having a chance to save them..

"Hey.. can you do me a favor?"

---

"I don't know how long my punishment will last, but I probably won't be back here for a few days. If you follow the bright purple vines, you'll eventually find this big tree with dark, multicolor leaves. If you could, just sit by her and give her a small prayer.. you don't have to if you don't want to, but..

"Mom would really appreciate it."