Everyone gathered in the lobby once more. The air was tense.

Lan’en

Tsukasa

Alicia

Kaeron

Shiria

They were all in a circle.

image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xzclnemjrh8r5iu5p6vom/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-dark-background-s-2658238848.png?rlkey=04smec0r7jzhkc855o7ih2bul&st=ot83c3z5&raw=1]

“So? Are we ready to find out whodunit?”

Azrael and Lilin, sat at the fountain as if it was their throne. They both had a bag of chips each…probably taken from the arcade’s vending machine. At that point, they did look like utter spectators of the story who mocked the way it unfolded.

“So. Shiria calmed down. We can go on with our debate,” Alicia started calmly, “Where were we?”

“We were at Tsukasa and you, Alicia,” Lan’en replied, “You both could have killed her. It’s just a matter of figuring out which of you did it.”

“Yes. Correct,” Tsukasa said, “To start off...Shiria. Could you repeat what you said about Kaeron taking her shower, please? Without leaving out any details.

Shiria took a deep breath and held her hands behind her back, nodding gently, “First, I’d like to apologize. I have caused trouble, so I feel like I owe you all a big...sorry. I am not a strong person, and I probably wasn’t before losing my memories. From now on, I’ll try my best to help you all out of this situation.”

“Good,” Kaeron nodded.

Shiria smiled at Kaeron.

“So. As I said…while Alicia is the plausible killer because she had access to her room...during the time it took to go searching for Lan’en and come back...something around ten minutes passed. During this time frame, Tsukasa...which doesn’t have a room to the right side, could have used my room to steal Kaeron’s sword, climb up the emergency exit and kill Youma...and then set up the whole thing.”

“Good. Tsukasa, Alicia...are you okay with being suspected just because of this? Or do you have any objections?” Kaeron asked.

“No. I do not have objections,” Tsukasa stated with a determined look in her eyes.

“Neither do I. We are trying to figure this out logically...it’s fair I am a possible suspect.”

“Good. Let’s go on,” Kaeron nodded towards Shiria, “Shiria. May you explain briefly why it took so long to go to Lan’en? The Elysium isn’t that big.”

“I tried to search her in her room at first. I thought that maybe while we both talked briefly in my room she went to bed. I knocked and waited for a while but nobody answered...so I just left and headed over to the arcade next. There, I found her playing that dancing game.”

“How long did you wait in front of Lan’en’s door?” Tsukasa asked.

“Hmm...I don’t know...maybe five minutes? I had to make sure she wasn’t in the bathroom.”

“So the murder happened in five minutes? Even less, probably,” Tsukasa stated.

“Why do you say that?” Lan’en asked.

“Because the murderer, whoever they are, had to go into Shiria’s room to steal her sword. If Shiria were at Lan’en’s door...she would have seen the killer going into the room to retrieve it. Right, Kaeron?” Alicia asked her.

“Right. It makes sense girls. Though...I think we shouldn’t focus on that. We’re missing something even more crucial here. Shiria,” She called her name, looking at her coldly.

“What?” Shiria asked curiously.

“How did the killer know I was in your room? I always told everyone I intended to rest at the pub, didn’t I?”

That was right. Everyone’s eyes were wide as Kaeron brought light to an important clue.

“No matter which turns or twists this debate is taking. One important question was never answered…how did the killer know where my sword was?”

Shiria’s eyes darted around. She felt everyone’s gaze pushing against her. She cleared her throat and didn’t reply immediately.

“From what I can remember, you randomly appeared in the hallway, suggested I took a break from guarding and we both went into your room. I went inside the shower and then you left alone. The killer wasn’t there neither while we both talked outside...nor when you were waiting for an answer at Lan’en’s door. So? How did they know you were in my room?”

“Maybe it was Alicia…? Maybe she overheard our conversation inside her room and acted as soon as she made sure I left.”

“Wrong. I never witnessed Alicia getting into her room before I left my guarding place. Nobody came back to the dorms before I went into your room. Moreover, the rooms are soundproof. In and out.”

“I-I don’t know...uhm…”

Shiria’s hands started trembling behind her back.

“Shiria, let’s cut to the chase. Kaeron is saying only you could have known about her presence in your room. So-”

“Tsukasa! Let her speak!” Lan’en helped Shiria, “Shiria, think. Focus. Is there any way the killer could have gotten that information from you?”

“The only moment I mentioned her being in my room was...when I found you at the arcade. I told you and only you, Lan’en.”

“Maybe someone was eavesdropping, no?” Lan’en looked at Kaeron.

“Youma was already dead at that point. I’m sure of it.”

“How can you be so sure?! Maybe Tsukasa or Alicia overheard us at the arcade, rushed to Shiria’s room and-”

“Did Shiria tell you I was taking a shower, Lan’en?”

“N-No…” Lan’en muttered.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Then why would Tsukasa or Alicia risk their cover to be blown by barging into her room? What if I was there, guarding my sword? What if I caught immediately on what they were trying to do?”

A heavy silence befell the group. Lan’en was confused, Shiria was scared...Tsukasa and Alicia’s chests were less heavy.

“Oh wow. This took a turn, didn’t it?” Lilin giggled happily, “So...stowaway, what do you want to say about all this?”

“I told you to stop calling me that…” Shiria glared at Lilin.

Azrael smirked. “I think you shouldn’t pick up a fight with her right now, girl. Everyone thinks you are the culprit. Gotta dig yourself out of this grave. Quick and fast.”

“I didn’t do it!!” Shiria suddenly shouted, trembling as she held back her tears, “I don’t know how the killer knew about Kaeron being in my room...I don’t know anything! But I didn’t do it! I’m just as scared as you all are!”

She started sobbing softly, Lan’en walked to her and hugged her.

“This fucking sucks...we can’t seem to get to a clear answer,” Lan’en sighed.

“You are wrong, Lan’en.”

Kaeron suddenly spoke up again.

“Hm? What do you mean?” She asked.

“Let’s think back to the previous deaths,” Tsukasa began, “Noir. Can someone help me recollect what happened to her?”

Kaeron recounted everything, “Noir was right here, in the lobby, in the middle of the night and during the power outage of the Elysium, which cause is still unknown. During her death, Tsukasa was hiding in the SPA, Youma was hiding, Servalia stayed at the theater, Azrael and Lilin were at the pub or...just wandering around. Shiria and Lan’en were sleeping together in Lan’en’s room, Alicia and I were sleeping in ours.” “If we think about it clearly, Noir could have been killed by Shiria,” Alicia said.

“That’s bullshit!” Lan’en defended her immediately, “She was with me! I would have noticed if she left!”

“Lan’en, listen to me. Did Shiria, by any chance, hug you before you both went to sleep?” Kaeron asked her.

“Uhm…” Lan’en rubbed her chin, “Yes, she did. Why?”

“Okay. I’ll explain why I’m asking you this later. Let’s move on to the next murder now...Servalia.”

Kaeron looked at Shiria, who stared at her with betrayal and confusion.

“Servalia was killed in the medical bay after Lan’en was knocked out. The door was locked from inside, and when Servalia died, Alicia was in the library, Tsukasa and Youma were in their rooms, Azrael and Lilin followed Shiria, and the three of them were at the pub.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Alicia said, “We thought it was Youma with her ghost cooperating. But...well, she died. So someone else must have been able to do the door trick.”

“While Shiria does have an alibi after coming into the pub, she doesn’t have one in the time frame that was between her leaving to search for me and finding me. During that time, she was left alone. Youma said she met her at the medical bay, and then they both left. Shiria could have come back to the bay to commit the murder.”

“I didn’t! I didn’t do it!! Why are you saying all this?!” Shiria shouted at Kaeron, “I thought we were friends!”

Lan'ne scoffs and nods at Shiria, “Besides, how could she have done the door trick? Alicia sounds most believable...she fixed it when we tried to get in at first, right? Also, she was the one who noticed the tampering first. She could have just manipulated it before calling you and showing you.”

“Correct, Lan’en,” Kaeron nodded, “The thing is, would have Alicia made it so obvious if she was the killer?”

“W-What kind of argument is that!?” Lan’en retorted.

“I have more. When Shiria arrived at the pub, I noticed something weird…she had a red mark covering her entire right palm.”

“That’s true!” Alicia said, gasping, “When she waved her hand at me before she left, I noticed it too! She had a red mark all over her palm!”

Azrael giggled softly.

“Shiria, can you tell me where you got that mark?”

“What red mark!?” She shook her head frantically, rubbing her palm with her thumb.

“It was as if your skin was strongly compressed. It happens when something too thin presses against your skin...like a heavy bag.”

“W-Well...I don’t know! I probably held onto Lan’en’s bed at the bay too tightly, maybe! I was worried for her…”

“Do you want to know what I think, Shiria?”

“What?” Tsukasa asked Kaeron, intrigued.

image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qmqigu0bborwwqcwqngfv/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-black-backgroun-s-1868894474.png?rlkey=yruw85wqr5nv4t2qyn8tjd772&st=xx93t7h2&raw=1]

“I think it was a metal wire!”

“A wire?” Lan’en lifted her eyebrow, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Whenever we thought about the door trick, we always considered how it was done from the inside. We never actually realized that the killer, to exit the room safely, could have done it from the outside,” Kaeron explained, “The killer could have wrapped a wire around the cable that was ripped off the wall to break the door pulling it hard from the outside. The strength that it took to do that led Shiria’s hand to become slightly red.”

“And where would she even get that wire from!? There are no such weapons on her!” Lan’en fought back, “Right? You came here with nothing at all!”

“Didn’t you gift your clothes to Shiria, Lan’en?” Tsukasa asked her, “Are you sure none of them has components that could let her obtain a strong wire-like string?”

Lan’en grew pale. She looked at Shiria and backed off. “The shoes!”

“Good job, Lan’en,” Kaeron nodded, “It wasn’t actually a real metal wire. It was a very long pair of shoelaces. Lan’en is used to wearing combat attire, and she gifted Shiria a pair of shoes that were definitely reinforced to avoid issues during combat.”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Wait! No! That’s not true! I never tampered with Lan’en’s shoes! The laces are still on!”

“That is incorrect!”

Kaeron pointed her finger at Shiria, her expression hardening as her tone of voice grew louder. She pointed at Tsukasa next, who cleared her throat.

“Remember when I left during the investigation? I went to check your room all by myself. I examined a pair of shoes that was in your room, just in case…the pattern of the laces on the shoe didn’t match with the other. You put the laces back on in the wrong way, probably because you were in a rush to find Kaeron and give yourself a solid alibi.”

“That’s...that’s just not true! It’s ridiculous!” Shiria shouted. Her emotions started to go more towards anger and outrage, “What if it was just the manufacturer’s error?! Besides how in the could I have done all that before reaching Kaeron in a sensible amount of time!”

“No, Shiria...they were custom shoes I had someone make. I would have noticed it,” Lan’en frowned at her, “Did you actually…?”

image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ew6etvanwiefhgtoglmhc/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-black-backgroun-s-2667947126.png?rlkey=o7mzanw7osud3j07d6ils2z23&st=09jjecuy&raw=1]

“I’m growing tired of all this! Why is everyone suddenly pointing fingers at me?!” Shiria shouted, tears of rage flowing out of her eyes.

“We’re just pointing out the facts, aren’t we?” Azrael said, “Girl, you should calm down. This reaction doesn’t look good.”

“Shut up, you witch!” She glared Azrael, “I know it was you! You’re trying to mess with everyone and get away with it!”

“Let’s talk about Youma’s death now,” Kaeron interrupted her, “Who knew about my sword’s location outside of Shiria? No one.”

“But I went to search for Lan’en, didn’t I?! I wasn’t there!”

“You took a long time. You said you spent that time in front of Lan’en door...however, you could have climbed through your emergency hatch, killed her and come back in time to leave to fetch Lan’en. Everything while I was calmly having my shower.”

“Besides, weren’t you the one who invited her to rest? To sleep in your room?” Alicia added.

Shiria looked at the floor, holding her hair, “No...no...no!! You’re all wrong! I didn’t kill anyone! You’re all wrong! Why would I have killed anyone at all!? I have no memories! I have no motive!”

image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dndj9zye3vhhak14c503h/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-black-backgroun-s-913982140.png?rlkey=d1ve948038bzmndqy423dk1u4&st=r9bl0g3w&raw=1]

“And that’s exactly the reason why you’re doing all this.”

“What?!”

Silence fell. Everyone looked at Tsukasa.

“My power recognizes the weaknesses and strengths of a soul. I have been hiding this from everyone else out of respect and out of pity...however, at this point, I must tell the truth. Shiria...you have no soul. You’re a robot. An artificial intelligence...put inside a vessel.”

Shiria shook her head, horrified, “No...no…! You’re lying!”

Kaeron looked at Shiria, “What we think...is that you have been made by the family that owns the Elysium. You have been made to kill us. That’s why Chronos doesn’t mention you anywhere as a passenger...that’s because you’re part of the ship.”

“This also ties to something else that still hasn’t been answered. How Lan’en was knocked out,” Tsukasa adds.

“The report of the medical bay said it was caused by a sound frequency. You’re a machine...and when you hugged Lan’en before we went to the library after Azrael and Lan’en had that altercation, you probably emitted some sound waves to knock her out. I saw you.”

“And...you hugged me the night Noir died, trying to comfort me…” Lan’en backed off even more from her friend, “You actually were trying to put me to sleep! So that you could go and kill her!”

“No...I...pee! I eat! I sleep! I am not a robot!” Shiria stopped being angry and became more...sad. Tears started flowing, “Why are you all...accusing me like this?”

“Holy shit,” Lan’en covered her mouth, in shock, “It...fucking makes sense...that’s probably how you caused the power outage…! You’re probably just in cahoots with the family...and Chronos too! It was all prepared beforehand!”

“No! No! I swear…! Please, girls, believe me!” Shiria fell on her knees, breaking down and crying even louder, “I woke up on this ship with no memories at all…but I am not a killing machine! I am a girl! I even...I even...I even have lewd thoughts!”

“Oh lord…” Azrael grimaced and cackled, “Could have kept that to yourself.”

“Perhaps that’s the facade your creators designed for you,” Alicia interjected, “You could be an advanced AI, designed to blend in.”

“No! I refuse everything you’re telling me! You can accuse me of murder...but I won’t let you take my humanity away!”

“I’m sorry Shiria. We have to lock you up,” Kaeron said, “You’re the murderer, whether you like it or not…and whether you’re human or not...”

“I can’t...fucking believe this. You? After all this time!?” Lan’en was mortified, “Why? You were so nice to me...and everyone else…”

Shiria took a deep breath, her mind racing, filled with thoughts.

And then, suddenly, her eyes shot wide, filled with courage.

“Kaeron! Answer to this!” Shiria’s head raised suddenly, cutting through the oppressive silence.