#<- me unironically saying all this like someone else plotted it LMAOOO

[mathcs]

BUT THE SHATTERING OF FATE MEANS TO SHOULDER ANOTHER'S BURDEN. time is not linear. and now, they cross paths again: a shooting star in a starless sky, and his friend in every universe. this is how that moment began. this is proof of one such hope. / @ervaurem

A gunshot rang out in the salty air. The bullet hole ripped into the ship's wooden deck. Nobody said a word, unable to tear their eyes away from the trail of smoke it left behind. Their masked assailant was tired of that silence, standing while the rest of them kneeled, hands behind their heads. He rolled his eyes and stared off into the dying sky beyond. Dark and violet again today. Always. 'Yes. That's called a warning shot, you idiots. Now, lemme ask again... which one of you is he?'

The mana was thin enough as it was. None of them could answer, only holding their breaths or any sobs. But there were whispers, hugs of desperation. Why them? ( My chest hurts...! I don't want to die... / Hey... hey. Your big brother is here, just look at me. Don't cry, okay? We'll get home, the two of us. I promise you. )

'ー Think real hard, now. We just need to borrow the guy, don't worry. He ain't gonna die.' The pistol reacted to point in the young girl's direction. Her tears stiffened. Then the two men glared at each other, disdain against shock. A thumb brushed against the trigger.

The third man couldn't watch anymore. He stood up calmly, hands open.

"... Jude Mathis. That's me."

'Oh, wow! So it is. Well, I think that's great for everyone.' A smile, but the gun was still pointed at her. Meaning: yeah, right.

Amber eyes narrowed. Of all people not to recognize me. All other eyes were on him, and one noticed the device in his pocket.

The assailant was quick to move and take it from him, but then the smile vanished. 'Wait... this rare spyrix weapon type is the real thing. So you did get your hands on it...' With a sudden flick of his hand, he tossed it overboard, looking pleased. 'And now you can't fight back. So happy to have you join the rest of us arteless lowlifes, doctor.'

Fists at his side, Jude glared at him wordlessly. The rest of them openly felt the loss on his behalf, despair and anger on their faces.

'But I gotta say, it's a honour getting to meet you in person. I'd shake your hand, but whatever. Plus... it looks like you have a death wish, because this ship? It's going straight back to Marksburg. And I think someone like you'd be a little safer in your hometown or something. Then again, maybe not...! I'm sure you've heard the newー'

No. Not another word. Jude felt sick to his stomach. He pushed it down.

"And you sure love to talk. Is this your idea of getting an autograph from me, or something just as useless?" Some terrible emotion was starting to come back to life in him, and he couldn't stop it. "Stop buying time and get on with it. Or, since you obviously can't even do one little job rightーー kill me."

Jude felt cold metal shove against his forehead. The assailant's expression was a blank, distracted rage. Of course. Jude stared back, unflinching, but unfeeling. Talking back while he and everyone were hostages ( everyone that he could see, anyway ). This was no brilliant strategy of his. Not his way of moving forward. There wasn't a path like that right now. Jude Mathis had just made yet another terrible mistake, that was all.

And worse yet... suddenly, it didn't really matter to him.