Scenario:The Doss! End of the Line Farewell Tour - Chapter 6: Unfinished Melody - Episode 4

The Doss! End of the Line Farewell Tour - Chapter 6: Unfinished Melody - Episode 4

The Doss members put their all into the performance, but an illusion of Benjamin manifests to spoil everything. Aoidos is ready to face his past, because nothing's going to stop him from putting on the show of a lifetime.

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Rackam: Phew, this ain't like playing in a smoky dive, I'll give ya that.

Vyrn: Holy smokes! How many people do you think are out there?

Baal: Hm. All the more reason we mustn't falter in front of this crowd.

Aoidos: Fear not, my fine fellows. It's only natural that all eyes will be trained on me, so there's no reason for any of you to be nervous.

Vyrn: Uh, you sure you're up for this? I mean, you've been through a lot lately...

Aoidos: A silly question, Dandelios. I've got a historic performance to put on, though it's more or less a done deal.

Aoidos: And then after all is sung and done, what'll be will be.

Rackam: Fine, but don't push it, all right? Can't have you faintin' on us again.

Aoidos: I got it.

Aoidos: Once this gig wraps up, even I have no idea which part of me will take hold as my true nature.

Aoidos: Long lost memories, resurrected in a flash from the grave, eat away at my core.

Aoidos: This may very well be the last gig the Doss ever plays.

Aoidos: Everyone present is a witness to history—to the birth of a legend.

One by one the band members cross the stage to take their places.

Aoidos: Thanks for your patience. It's time to introduce this island to a slice of heaven.

Aoidos: Okay, rockers! Are you ready to destroy the world with me? 'Cause this is Judgment Night!

Aoidos: Final night! Staring at a scarlet rose.

Aoidos: Judgment time! You gotta kill or be killed.

Aoidos: Terror in the eyes: the sign of prey.

Aoidos: Bones on bones! Treasure from the sky.

Aoidos: A sepia world! Judge me and hold me.

Aoidos: Aaaaah!

To the casual observer, Aoidos is giving his usual monster performance.

But his bandmates sense a change in his demeanor.

Baal: (His fingerings are somewhat muddled.)

Vyrn: (He's sweatin' buckets...)

Rackam: (What did those punks do to him?)

Aoidos: (Ngh!)

Mouse: Squeak!

Aoidos: (Not again! Get it together, damn it!)

Benjamin's Mom: That midwife was right, you know. It's a curse—

Aoidos: (No! Focus on the music...)

Young Manager: The heck are you doing!

Aoidos: (I...)

???: Kahaha...

Aoidos: (A hallucination... My past self is trying to usurp my way of life.)

Benjamin: That's only half correct. I'm just here to rightfully pick up where I left off.

Justin: So who are you? Aoidos or Benjamin?

Valentin: Who are you loyal to, the Doss or Vicious Three?

Benjamin: Show them your true self. Remember all the rats and criminals you've slaughtered—the corpses you've butchered during those past gigs of mayhem.

Aoidos: ...

Delusions of the past are dragging Aoidos's consciousness farther and farther away.

Then, before it's too late, a life preserver is tossed around him in the form of a mighty bassline.

Aoidos: ...!

Rackam: Nnh!

Rackam's ad-libbing pulls the lead singer back before he reaches the point of no return.

Aoidos: (Yeah...)

Aoidos: (This isn't about Aoidos or Benjamin. In this moment, in front of all these people, it's all about this gig!)

Aoidos: (My only concern is putting on a show for the ages!)

Aoidos: Okay! Any survivors ready to destroy the world twice? Enter the Bloody Garden!

Aoidos: Blue blood drained, I close my eyes.

Aoidos: Too tired to sigh, I strain to listen.

Aoidos: But even your smile is silent.

Benjamin: Grrgh!

Aoidos: Pierced by icy winds, my punishment.

Aoidos: Waking in the sun, my only crime.

Aoidos: Bloody Garden!

Benjamin: Graaaaah!

Aoidos: Aaaaah!