File: 1351998989830.jpg-(105 KB, 615x346, schoolfront.jpg)

...It's the bandages that trouble you the most.

"Scratching just makes it worse," you've been told - Especially given how *lucky* you were, that your burns and cuts were mostly superficial. In time, they'd heal; But every time you look down, to see the clean white bandages wound around your limbs...They're a constant reminder, one that preys on your mind.

You were discharged a few days later, walking out on your own power - A relief, given how restless you were becoming. Besides, you'd already missed one week of school - A second would be especially troublesome.

You're early today, students filing past as you make your way to the shoe lockers; You're still a little surprised by how out-of-breath your commute made you - Well, you'd just have to get use to it, until you recover.

Still, it could be worse. You supposed you'd have gone *really* stir-crazy, if not for...

[ ] Mio's visits.
[ ] Asuna's visits.
[ ] Akira and Kazuya.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

this is earlier than normal

>>21421142
>No Natsumi
This makes me kinda sad. Oh well.

[X] Akira and Kazuya.
Bros gun b bros

>>21421142

[x]Mio

>Pet fluffy tail

>>21421197

>mfw I was so drunk last thread I killed what little hope there was of recovering the childhood friend route

This is a bad feel.

>>21421142

I like both girls, but I don't want to commit to either route too quickly. Let's go with...

> [X] Akira and Kazuya.

>>21421142
[X] Akira and Kazuya.

Bros, bros for life.

>>21421243
Just to let you know the reason everyon seems to who we are is because Mio was spreading our "internet name"

>>21421312
*everyone seems to know

>>21421312

Yeah, I don't understand why people gave out our in-game handle to an outsider.

Well, not really an outsider, but someone who is terrified of the red world. The OP hinted she's been to the other world if my memory serves correct.

>>21421419
That's Asuna

> [X] Akira & Kazuya.

-Yeah, you're glad they dropped by.

"Are we *all* going to end up in here, at one point or another?" you remember Akira saying, with a mordant chuckle - Even as he lounged on the couch, tossing down a binder filled with paper. "-Here's this week's homework, Anon...And *here's* a copy of the annotated answer sheet. Wouldn't want you to fall behind, after all."

And Kazuya - You could see the relief writ large on his face, when he heard that you were awake; He'd smuggled in fast-food, too, which was a blessing given the lingering taste of antiseptic that clung to *everything* here...And the always-bland hospital food.

Later, he confided to you: "-I don't know what happened, and I'm not going to ask; But I'm glad you found Natsumi, man. I'm just happy she's *safe*."

Then, almost to himself - "...Now, if only she'd just *visit*..."

It was a welcome relief from the endless tedium of waiting - And the equal tedium of the crappy shows on the overhead television, which blurred into one after your first day awake. Now that you're up and walking-

...There's something in your shoe locker. A slip of paper, tucked in a corner - The words typed out, in block print, like the *last* one you received...

It says:

> The school roof. Recess.

(Continued.)

>>21421454

No, Asuna was the one who had dreams of the red world and drew pictures of it.

Mio was the one who was crying into our shirt when we pushed her for information.

Pretty sure. I'd haft to read through the archives.

Involuntarily, you look around - But no, of *course* whoever-it-was is long gone. It looks like *someone's* trying to make contact...

Still. That's when you eat lunch with Akira and Kazuya - Though it's been a week since the *last* time. Maybe you should...

[ ] ...Steer clear of the roof during recess.
[ ] ...Suggest somewhere else, for lunch.
[ ] ...Go there, as per normal.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21421480

It wasn't Mio who gave out our information. Hecate was the one who booked the room under the handle 'Joker-kun', and Mio called us by that. Then the other maids picked up that Mio had a crush on us, and played along.

>>21421142

Damn, there goes the chance to have fun with the maid. Just going to roll with it, then.

>>21421544
There was a choice to use Hecate's name instead or just ask to get a table in the back but instead we chose to use our handle instead
>>21421528
[X] Go to the library first, then go there, as per normal.

>>21421528

Hm.

If we go as per normal, we shall attract attention to our out-of-game friends which then could be used as further leverage. Surprised they haven't done that with Hecate. Yet.

If we steer clear, then we will have missed an opportunity to chat.

Hm..

Suggest some place else to eat for lunch today, such as the library to our bros, then ditch halfway through complaining of "forgetting to do something." Then go to the roof for our visit.

Be incons

>>21421652

Be inconspicuous.*

Fucking tablet. That's not even a complete WORD.

>>21421528
[X] Suggest somewhere else, then set up a ringtone alarm on handphone for midway through lunchbreak. Use alarm as excuse for leaving and going to roof.

>>21421528

> [X] Go there.

If it's who I think it is, he already knows everything about us.

>>21421675

Thief? Yeah, I had the thought too.

>>21421675
>>21421690
He doesn't
And by the way he is most likely a she.

>>21421528
[x] ...Go there, as per normal.
If Akira's there and nobody else, he's totally the theif.

>>21421703

>he is most likely a she

Let's not start THAT shitstorm again.

>>21421703
I think it's a he.

Also, reminder that you guys are too angry and are dragging everything to shit now that your waifu's dead. Stop making stupid decisions out of grief.

>>21421766

Most of the Kill, Maim, Burn folks are gone at this point.

I hope.

>>21421766
Most of the time I don't get to participate in these threads.
Also wouldn't Hecate have sensed two other players instead of one when we were visiting Akira.

(Apologies, something momentarily came up - Going to be a slight delay until the next post.)

>>21421675

We should just:

> [X] Go there.

>>21421652
>>21421670
These

>>21421652
>>21421670
>>21421930

You're still mulling over the letter, as you ascend the steps to class; You tore it into little shreds after reading it, to be safe - But exactly *what* he may want to talk about is...

As the classroom door opens, you're greeted by a smattering of earnest applause - "Welcome back, Anon!" someone calls, and it's taken up by the others like a round of laughter, well-wishes waving to you, coming up to give their regards. You're still shaking hands and good-naturedly fending them off, as you take your seat - To take a hearty *slap* on the back, one that makes you wince...As you turn to look into Kazuya's smiling face.

"-Glad to see you, Anon," he says, with a grin - "...How does it feel to be back?"

"Eh, it's a wasted opportunity," Akira cuts in, with a wry shrug; "-I'd have stretched it out for another few days, had a vacation...You don't get *this* lucky all the time."

[ ] "It's good to be back."
[ ] "...Hey, that's pretty cold, Akira."
[ ] "-What did I miss?
[ ] "Wow, that's a warmer welcome than I expected. Did you guys...?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21421984
[X] "-What did I miss?

>>21421984

"I missed everyone, too. I was planning to extend my vacation a bit just to ogle the nurses some more. But duty calls. Can't stay down forever. Need to get caught up on school."

"Man, I would've went crazy in there if you didn't keep bringing me burgers. Hospital food was awful, although their sandwiches weren't bad."

>>21421984
Crap I'm really late. No, wait, this started way early.

[X] "-What did I miss?

>>21422043

> "Man, I would've went crazy in there if you didn't keep bringing me burgers. Hospital food was awful, although their sandwiches weren't bad."

Kazuya waves it off. "Hey, it was the least I could do, you know? I couldn't leave a friend to starve, after all."

> "I was planning to extend my vacation a bit just to ogle the nurses some more. But duty calls. Can't stay down forever. Need to get caught up on school."

"You heard him," Kazuya chuckles. "-I've *seen* the nurses there...Another week wouldn't be quite so bad..."

"Don't you already ha-" Akira begins...Then he goes quiet, shaking his head. "-Never mind," he finishes, lamely, as Kazuya looks at him - Apparently, that's a sore subject.

>>21422032

"Oh, not *that* much," Akira says, airily. "The Drama Club's been pulling in more support; Seems like they're going to need plenty of help with *this* performance." He pauses, just for a moment, his voice going faux-solemn - "Do your best, Stagehand #21. We expect great things from you."

"...What about me?" Kazuya inquires, nudging Akira in the ribs. "-I actually got a *speaking part*."

"As a talking *shark*."

"-Hey, it's better than..."

You can't help but sigh, lightly - Feeling a familiar relief course through you. Some things never change; The peaceful days can't continue forever, but things like this...It's a welcome change from the red world.

It seems like you didn't miss that much, not truly. Except...

(Continued.)

File: 1352004776399.jpg-(77 KB, 400x600, natsumi.jpg)

As Akira and Kazuya squabble, good-naturedly, you look away; The storms and uncertain weather of the past few days have cleared, the sky robin's-egg blue and unmarred by cloud. Golden sunlight dapples the courtyard outside - In the distance, you can hear the faint murmur as the school preps itself for the first class of the day...

"-go see him?" you hear, close by - At Natsumi's desk, one of her classmates leans towards her, speaking softly...Though you can make out her words over the white noise of the class.

"-other people...taking care of him," Natsumi answers - She appears to be thoroughly uncomfortable, avoiding her eyes as she fusses with her schoolbag, finally sliding it beneath her seat.

"But, Nat-chan...You were *really* worried! You asked about him *every day* - And now you're not even going to..." Her voice is a little *too* loud, and the girl stiffens...When she realizes you're listening in, she goes *very* quiet, all of a sudden.

Natsumi looks back. Her eyes meet yours, for a moment, and a complex expression flits across her face - It's as if she *is* relieved, but doesn't want to let it show...Mingled with new worry, and wariness-

"...Anon, what's up?" Akira utters, cutting off mid-sentence - He's noticed the shift in your focus, apparently.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21422299
"Natsumi, I should probably go say hi."

Wander over to Natsumi and say hi, say that it's good to see her again.

>>21422299
So despite every misstep, rejection and casual dismissal of her Natsumi still worries for Anon? That's love, and I don't necessarily mean in the romantic sense.

"Natsumi isn't here with us obviously. If I spend all my time with the two of you I'll start absorbing all of your worst traits into myself and end up a voyeuristic otaku. Oi, Natsumi! Stop being shy and get over here, I missed you too!'

Funny thing is I wasn't planning on participating tonight. Well done OP.

>>21422299
>>21422299
She doesn't want to get close to us and risk getting hurt again? Ah, where's Watashiwa, he's so much better at this then I am.

[X] Free.
Let's not talk loud enough to embarrass her.
"Oh, I'm just worried about a friend."

Then >>21422369

>>21422299

"Akira, if you had hurt someone close to you by being an oblivious idiot, would 'sorry' be enough? No, probably not."

Look down at your feet.

"It's been a trying few months, Akira, I'm just reflecting on a lot of mistakes I've made. The people I've lost....

....and the people I've hurt."

Loud enough for Natsumi to hear.

"Sorry for being a fool."

>>21422404
this

>>21422422
Oh, there's Wata. And I refreshed and everything. Option >>21422404 is good too.

>>21422437

>"Sorry for being a fool."
I think that puts her on the spot in front of the entire class. Kind of embarassing, probably should go with another option.

>>21422437
Your option is way too sappy
>>21422404
This one is better

File: 1352005731781.jpg-(114 KB, 800x1143, aiki-235209.jpg)

>>21422422
>>21422440
>mfw

My Banner Saga beta invite arrived today, so I planned to spend this evening playing Final Fantasy Viking Tactics but I couldn't resist.

>>21422453

Ah, well, "Sorry for being a fool" has gotten me out of some shitty situations with women. Mainly because I was too hammered to remember WHAT I did the previous night.

>>21422466
Sappy? Sappy?! That is ham, good sir. HAM with pineapples on top.

>>21422437
>>21422404
>>21422369

You see Natsumi *start*, guiltily - Her cheeks going as red as her hair, as she fumbles with the books she'd just removed...Nearly dropping them, catching them, getting *even* more flustered as she realizes that you're all looking in her direction-

...And then, rather hesitantly, she smiles - An oddly shy but genuine smile, one that smooths the lines to her brow, a heavy book clutched to her chest. She's *just* about to stand up when the bell rings, with its shrill, impatient buzz - Students stirred into motion with a clatter of seats and desks, like a flock of startled birds.

Natsumi smoothes the hem of her skirt down - Suddenly busy with laying out her notes, her stationary - though you can tell, from the way she leans into her seat, that some indefigatable tension has eased.

"-What was *that* about?" Kazuya muses, with good-natured befuddlement - As Akira gives him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "...See, dense as a box of rocks, Mr. Shark," he says. "Figure it out."

(Continued.)

>>21422537
You never listen to us do you OP?

>>21422527
>"Sorry for being a fool" has gotten me out of some shitty situations with women.

Oh, I don't doubt that. You aren't alone in in that experience. I just don't think it wise to put her on the spot in front of the classroom. Also, I don't think Kaz knows about her attraction to Anon.

>>21422553
I think he just takes the options that appeal to him most in these situations.

>>21422553

What do you mean? She clearly heard us, and felt better about it.

>>21422582
Yeah, it worked. But there were a couple of votes against it.

>>21422576
It could be that he's mixing responses when he just quotes a bunch of posts instead of quoting specific lines in a specific post.

>>21422553
He does, but I suspect OP is slightly more interested in starting that meeting with the Thief. Know us we'd spend three hours with Natsumi and not be able to get through the material OP actually planned to go through tonight.

>>21422576
I really hope not
>>21422610
I FUCKING hope not the last time I was in a quest like that everyone was raging so hard the quest died.

>>21422610

>have this awesome encounter planned out
>group completely ignores the loot pinatas and plot hook and drives to Canada

And this is why I rarely ever make detailed notes anymore.

>>21422601
Oh, you mean with regards to what exactly was said to Natsumi. It's a "no take-backs" approach to GMing, which I'm not a fan of, but his quest, his rules. If you post something OP's free to use it as he likes. Just be careful what you say.

Posting this for the meeting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUchAD44xA8
>There must be someway out of here said the Joker to the Thief....

The lessons are...They're pretty much the same as always. There's quite a bit to catch up on, but that's kind of a relief; It helps passes the time, the faint scritch of your pen against paper, the neat rows of letters filling the page, making the hours roll past.

...It also takes your mind off the itching.

You've just finished the last penstroke, when the recess bell rings; There's the faint murmur of relief, like a whispering surrusation - The sound of several dozen students breathing out at once, just *glad* to be out of the classroom.

"-Well, so much for that," Kazuya says, stretching his legs - He looks stiff from so long behind a desk, which can't be good on his taller-than-average frame. "...Guess we should head up, to avoid the ru-"

"...Anon-kun."

You turn. Quietly - Her footfalls making no sound at all, amid the initial rush to get out of the classroom - Natsumi has made her way over to you. Kazuya sits up, so abruptly he nearly topples his chair...But she's looking right at you, seemingly at a loss for words...

-But then her expression softens, as she cracks a little smile; Dabbing at her eyes, her voice thickening. "Anon-kun, you really are - You're the *biggest* idiot I know," she says, sniffling - Relieved, but on the verge of glad tears at once. "...Really, out of everyone I know...You're such an idiot!"

"N-nat-chan?" Kazuya says - He looks like a man who's walked in midway through a movie, with *absolutely* no idea what's going on.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21422650

Awwwww.

>>21422650
>aw snap I take back everything I said at >>21422610
>Wait that isn't what I should be focusing on right now, Kazuya's either going to turn evil, stab Anon here and now or cry, and I don't know what's worse
>Goddamn Joker's smooth
>Not HELPING hindbrain!

I'm going to need to think on this one, give me five minutes.

>>21422650

Ohhhhhh, shit.

Just...Oh, shit. She's going to burst into tears, right? I don't think my heart could take it.

>>21422650
"I know I am Natsumi. I'm sorry for making you worry about me.

You shouldn't worry so much, you know that I'm too dumb to get seriously hurt, take better care of yourself."

>>21422650
Only one thing to do, subtly motion for a group hug behind her back while admitting that yes, yes we are the Ur-idiot.

>>21422650

"Don't cry, Natsumi, it's not fitting for you to cry. You should always have a smile on your face no matter how bad things may become. I'm sorry for being a fool."

"Now how about we go get something to eat before the cafeteria gets packed?"

>>21422721
This is like the worst idea ever.
>>21422678
Whatever you do, invite her to lunch with us.

>>21422778

YES. Bro hugs around for finally mending fences.

>>21422721

I can feel the hue even from here.

>Oh god OP is going to use that

>>21422650
Aight, let's try this.

"Oh, I'm the idiot? Who vanished for nearly a week without telling anyone? Who didn't even bother calling any of their friends, or family, or checking in with anyone who cares at all about them? All I did was get hit by a building, and that was all the contractor's fault. Just wait until you see what my settlement's going to look like, and if I count the insurance cash I've got my uni payments all lined up. And I ask again, who's the idiot?" (quieter, serious now) "Don't do that again. Idiot."

To Kazuya: "See, if you hadn't made that crack about the nurses you wouldn't have made Natsumi cry. Just for that I'm keeping her to myself for lunch, you can have her back after I finish shouting at her for making us all worry."

>>21422787
Good idea. Last minute addition.

>>21422800

Harem end. We must go for.

>>21422797
I feel like OP is trying to get rid of players at this point and I'm out until he straightens out his act

>>21422778
>>21422782
>>21422800

You draw Natsumi into a hug - She's not *quite* crying, but on the verge of it...Her small fists thumping against your chest, tucked up against you as you feel her shoulders heave. "Idiot," she murmurs, faintly - her fingers biting in your shoulder, as she relaxes into it. "-you scared me *so much*...I didn't know *what* to do..."

You glance back, motioning to Kazuya to step forward. Though the confused - And rather poleaxed - look on his face remains, he holds her, too...Murmuring an awkward-sounding, but genuine "There, there," his voice soothing. To your faint surprise, she accedes to it, letting him ease her away from you - Kazuya's expression softening, as Natsumi calms at last.

> "See, if you hadn't made that crack about the nurses you wouldn't have made Natsumi cry. Just for that I'm keeping her to myself for lunch, you can have her back after I finish shouting at her for making us all worry."
> "Now how about we go get something to eat before the cafeteria gets packed?"

"...It's fine," you hear Natsumi murmur - Her voice low, but firmer now. She straightens, slightly; "-I'll be fine like this, Anon-kun," she says, that hesitant little smile still on her lips. "I just...I just need some *time* to, to get used to it..."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21422900

> "If that's what you want..."

Back out of the room, leave the couple to it.

Did 4chan just cut out for anyone else or was it just me?

>>21422900
And never the twain shall meet, eh? Fine with me. Smile, nod, and walk away with an easy wave. What comes next is Bastards Only.

But still... text her once we're out of sight, tell her we're meeting with someone presumably about the dead smilers walking, and want to talk strategy some time tonight.

>>21422933
I just told it to bring up a live version of the site.

>>21422855

I don't know why, but everything to do with Natsumi is making me feel genuinely and acutely uncomfortable.

File: 1352008568537.png-(108 KB, 252x358, 1335741164216.png)

>>21422900

Lunch. Then go for the meeting with our mysterious friend.

Joker is a smooth motherfucker when his pockets are zipped. No spaghetti at all.

>>21422933
Nope. Just you.

>>21422949

Yeah, Natsumi reminds me the most of a real woman. Same for Mio, but there's less of those unwholesome feelings, because there's no third-party to the romantic undercurrent.

>>21422900
Oh well. There goes our CC support in case Shit Goes Down.

[X]Smile and wave, motion to Kazuya that you'll beheading along first to give them some alone time. Then go to the roof.

File: 1352009234181.jpg-(43 KB, 704x396, skullthief.jpg)

You feel a weight lift from your chest, as you leave the classroom behind; There's still much more that was left unsaid, things that'd have to be further explained, but...

-But that's for another time.

The cool air of the roof lifts your spirits, as you push the door open. You're kind of glad that Akira wasn't there to see *that* - Who knows what he'd have said?

This early in the recess break, the roof is nearly empty - There's a small group of third-years and the usual hanger-ons, about a vague half-dozen people or so. Pretty much everyone else is probably jockeying for a good position in the queue, at the canteen...

Then the world goes red.

The fence lining the roof grows tall and pointed and cruel, barbed wire crawling across the top, jags of electricity flickering across the mesh. There's the smell of ozone to the air, as you swivel to take in the sight - This is where you fought Neon Striker, weeks ago, a place similar to the tennis courts downstairs where you first met-

> "You're early."

When you hear that sonorous, solemn voice, you know exactly who it is - Even before you see the forbidding ivory skull of his helmet, the lens set in the eyesockets flaring with ruddy light. Perched atop the raised block of granite - The former stairwell - the Thief looks down at you, his black coat fluttering in the breeze.

He's...changed.

(Continued.)

Looped around his neck, his white scarf snaps in the rising winds - The only splash of color against his tar-black form. The Thief seems *larger* somehow, more significant...As if his presence informs itself upon reality.

And - Behind him, against the armored panels of his coat, you make out the hilt of a short, straight blade (Like a machete, or a combat knife), canted at an angle for easy drawing...

But it's the stone set in the silver pommel that draws your eye. A silver clasp, formed like twisting snakes, holds a black pearl - A black pearl you remember *giving to Hecate*...

-Part of the Fatal Abyss.

[ ] "...Why do *you* have that?"
[ ] "-It seems like you've done well for yourself, Thief."
[ ] "What do you want?"
[ ] "You called me out here for small talk?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21423117
"Thief, where and how did you find that part of the cosmic butterknife you were after?"

This quest is starting to make disgusted.

>>21423129
By what?

>>21423129

Hmmm? Why is that?

>>21423117
And you've got poor taste in fashion. Now that the obvious is out of the way what do you want?

>>21423059
>>21423117
"Not early enough apparently. Did I ever mention that I love the Skull Knight look? Very Berserk. Do try and keep in mind that HIS super sword ultimately ended up being key to the Idea of Evil's ends. I don't suppose you having what you want gets me my inheritance? Didn't think so."

>>21423117

"You wanted to talk, so let's talk, Thief. Let's cut the small-talk and get to the point. I have no time for games."

"However, if you are here to test out your new toy, then you picked the wrong Player."

File: 1352010203090.jpg-(48 KB, 600x600, 1337214583668.jpg)

What if the Thief is Hecate?

>>21423204
We all have a preset form in the Red World. As such that's not possible.

>>21423204

The better question is, how the hell are we going to remove this things curse once we contract it? We don't have a handy lady around to lead us to another cure.

> "Thief, where and how did you find that part of the cosmic butterknife you were after?"

He drops down, with a solid *thud* of armored boots - Rising from his slight crouch. You can tell that the blade isn't his only new acquisition; His outfit has changed, slightly, as if...

-Has he changed his loadout, for this occasion?

"The Chalice Queen gave it to me." The words are delivered in a monotone, with the affectless edge of truth to them; As he faces you, you notice the way he flexes the fingers of his right hand, involuntarily - As if correcting for the weight.

> And you've got poor taste in fashion. Now that the obvious is out of the way what do you want?
> "I don't suppose you having what you want gets me my inheritance? Didn't think so."
> "You wanted to talk, so let's talk, Thief. Let's cut the small-talk and get to the point. I have no time for games."

He chuckles, hollowly - Pointing right at you, at the quicksilver filaments that lines the fabric of your Assault Shroud, your Tempest Scrander.

"As you say - But silver doesn't suit you, Joker."

Red-glowing eyes.

The Thief goes silent, for a moment - Enough that you can almost hear the gears turning in his head. And then, he says:

"I know where Pazuzu is."

Without emotion:

"-And I can help you kill him."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>21423218
What curse would that be? I thought this was just a shark summoning sword of asskicking plus five? We were only previously cursed by the black jokers pistol.

>>21423223

"What's the catch, oh slayer of kittens? I'm hearing the carrot, but I don't know how big the stick is."

>>21423223
Alright, now give me a reason to trust anything you have to say. Sorry but trust is currently at a premium and you've never been the type to I don't know actually give me a reason?

>>21423212
The Red Joker armor overwrote our previous set, which means that they can change. An enemy with two armors will inevitably show up.

>>21423223
>Chalice Queen
"And when exactly did she gift you it?
>Pazuzu
...Interesting. Unsurprising, but interesting. You are aware that Pazuzu has a small army of Players at his command? Not all of them are cannon fodder, either. I think Rust Kaiser alone would be a match for either of us, or both at the same time if he managed to hit us. And Hecate--the one you call the Chalice Queen--is being held captive by him, if I wasn't completely deceived. Springing her is of a slightly higher priority than killing Pazuzu at this point.

>>21423140
>>21423145
The players were acting like idiots in the earlier threads, OP seems to be either against us or is just being asshole, and getting frustrated by the recent events in this because of how poorly its flowing. So I have to give up on the project I was planning on doing.

>>21423241

It's an evil butter knife that does some horrible shit to people. And the shark summoning sword was broken. The gem was embedded in the shark sword to make it even more badass - and evil.

>>21423223
"Where is she?"

>>21423297
>"WHERE IS SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
Fixed that for Batman.

>>21423277
>>21423223
Also if the whole gift form Hecate was a recent thing you might not wanna be holding that too close at the moment.

>>21423223
"I kinda like silver, silver and red is a striking combination.

So, when did she gift this to you? Did she separate with it willingly, did she give it to you in person?

As for Pazzy, that's so sweet of you. So, what's your beef with him? How are you planning to help me kill the Cardinal?"

>>21423223
"Is it complete?"

>>21423223
>silver doesn't suit you, Joker
Oh. I just realized this means we've been walking around with "MADE BY ARGENT PROMINENCE (TM)" painted on our gear.

>>21423246

> "What's the catch, oh slayer of kittens? I'm hearing the carrot, but I don't know how big the stick is."

The Thief grips his right wrist, fingers curling into a claw - The motion is an oddly mechanical one, stiff and regular.

"At the end," he says, his skull-helmet canted. "-At the end of it, leave him to me." You can feel the *intensity* in those words - As if it's not the task that matters, but the conclusion. "...I have to be the one to do it."

> You are aware that Pazuzu has a small army of Players at his command? Not all of them are cannon fodder, either.

"They're gone."

He predicts your next question: "Where?"

"The same place you came from, Joker. Down into the dark."

The Hive. He's talking about the *Hive*. The Thief's helm - The crusher at the front of it - makes an unpleasant grinding noise. "-You think you have secrets from me, but I know it all. The beast at the heart of the world, and the century-long night that followed."

>>21423297

He looks away.

"...I don't know," he says, and you hear - Oddly enough - the utter defeat in his voice. "I've searched everywhere. I've *been* everywhere." That ivory helm turns back to you, something like sympathy in his voice. "-She's gone."

> "So, when did she gift this to you? Did she separate with it willingly, did she give it to you in person?"

"As soon as she had it."

(Continued.)

>>21423358
>Down into the dark.

Wonder if e cleared the way for them when we killed wormy? Hecate's coordinates pointed down there too.

>>21423358
Need trust, act in such a manner that anyone with a brain would think, hang on here what....

Also it appears that the Cardinal took his hand. Interesting.

Perhaps he can sense something of your expression through your mask, because the Thief makes a rattling laugh - Like old bones in a dusty valley.

> Alright, now give me a reason to trust anything you have to say. Sorry but trust is currently at a premium and you've never been the type to I don't know actually give me a reason?

There's the longest pause - A hush that seems to last forever. At last, the Thief answers; You can tell he's picking his words carefully, slowly.

"That day," he says, and there's an unidentifiable crackle of sound as he clears his throat.

"-She told me she loved you." The Thief's helmet lens whirr, darting fitfully at some internal motion. His right hand comes over to his chest, pressing hard - Making his words a heart-truth. "Understand this: I would never betray her. Never."

He turns his head to the side, convulsively.

"...This will be our best chance. Think about it."

[ ] Free.

>>21423346

We're a walking buffet of experience points for someone who kills us, but the silver marks us as someone Argent trusts. If they gun for us, you can bet your ass they'll have Argent and his mooks after them in due time.

>>21423399

Hands gone?
>reread

Huh, you're right... wonder if he's under a similar curse that the Black Joker put us under.

>>21423346
>"As soon as she had it."
>Oh look, the girl I said we couldn't trust regardless of circumstances turned out to be untrustworthy! What a tweeeeeest!

"All of it, eh? Then you must know everything I do about my Black counterpart. Pity I haven't seen her for a while.

"As for Pazuzu, get in line, even if he DID take your hand, I have business with him beyond my personal history."

>>21423246
Also, you, stop antagonizing him. We know we don't like him, he knows we don't like him, there's absolutely no call to start the pre-battle banter until we're, you know, actually battling him. All it does is make him less inclined to actually help us.

>>21423281
Or you are taking this way to seriously.

>"They aren't doing what I think they should be doing, so they must be stupid"

Why do you even have a name? Attention? All you really do is complain about things.

>>21423434

>"-She told me she loved you." The Thief's helmet lens whirr, darting fitfully at some internal motion. His right hand comes over to his chest, pressing hard - Making his words a heart-truth. "Understand this: I would never betray her. Never."

D'awwwww. Man, I miss Hecate so much.

She has some deep connection with him, but I don't know what it is. It's like she's working with both of us at once.

>>21423434
"I'll trust you for now. If only because of Hecate.

I have a few questions. First, what happened to your hand? Second, why do you need to kill Pazzy with your own hands? Is that part of making your cosmic butterknife even more cosmic?"

>>21423358
>>21423434
>"...I have to be the one to do it."

"Because the original Black Cardinal and Phantom Edge died fighting each other? Or is there another reason?"

>"-You think you have secrets from me, but I know it all. The beast at the heart of the world, and the century-long night that followed."

If you know so much maybe you can tell me what's so interesting about his location >coordinates we got from those notes<?

>>21423434
Oh son of a bitch, we've replicated our love triangle in the real world in the Red. They really are mirrors.

"Oh, I'm interested, but I desperately need a meter upgrade, or some way to bring out the heavy weapons earlier. If not for that limiting factor at the Dreamland we'd be having a very different conversation right now and I think my questions for the lost one would be seeing answers sooner rather than later. This then is my condition: my predecessor's memory delivered now in case of your death, and a relic with a Meter Boost effect, to be returned once Pazuzu's been reduced to energy. I'm afraid that last isn't negotiable, I'm not interested in a repeat of the last encounter."

>>21423469
She probably was. Now I don't like Thief, he's never acted in a way that would suggest his head is screwed on right. Regardless this is a great chance, blowing him off would just be like throwinig a temper tantrum despite how deserved it would be.

I figure we should go with him and do this but at this point I don't think we ever will trust him.

>>21423434
Just want to mention, if he knows everything about us and still doesn't think he can give us any personal information then why the hell should we trust him? Seriously what.

>>21423465
You can't actually think that the LEAP ATTACK! was a good idea? Or that Or that missing out on all that delicious Bardiel XP and Relics was a good idea?

>>21423434
When do we strike... and most importantly, how? Pazuzu must know by now that you and I are coming, even without his damnable army he is still powerful.

>>21423434
"Then I guess should tell you that Hecate is still alive but her whereabouts are unknown to me as well."

>>21423485
Should be a Force upgrade. Damage builds meter after all.

>>21423520
Doesn't matter what I think. Rolling with the punches is a lesson that some people on /tg/ desperately need to learn.

>>21423434
"Have you completed the Fatal Abyss while I was occupied or are pieces of that just placeholders?"

"Chances come and go, Thief. Is this chance that you speak of out of revenge, Thief? Do you seek revenge? Revenge clouds your judgement. I know all too well. Why now of all times to attack Pazuzu? Did he magically lose his small army of followers? Are you sure you're not the one being lead?"

"This smells far too fishy to be true and I killed the guy who originally had that gem you wield."

>>21423516
It's not that he knows everything about us, it's that he's got us under observation. Probably slipped a virus into the armor for good measure.

>>21423532
Incrementally. A real meter upgrade would increase the percentage of damage converted into meter and grant additional meter from damage received.

>>21423539
/tg/ never learns. It's been shown time and again that we're tha/tg/uy until the end of 4chan.

>>21423520
That was a single thread let it go.

>>21423437

>stop antagonizing him

Slayer of Kittens is a harmless title. Thief already has a bunch of nicknames as is.

>>21423555
Yeah but given the way things have been accelerating I think that a general damage increase will pay off better unless a Meter upgrade will give us a constant meter gain. Also I'm pretty sure force upgrades also unlock higher tier special attacks.

>>21423602
Last time I checked there was another tier we could and I am curious.

>>21423602
Better special attacks are only good if we can use em. Meter would be better because the last few fights we were always buring through meter on our missles and funnels far too quickly.

>>21423602

I.. am not exactly sure that Force increases our special weapons.

Damn! I know what I should have asked AP to do to the Abjud. Allow us to fire both our wrist vulcans simultaneously.

>>21423480
>>21423469

> First, what happened to your hand?

The Thief makes the dusty, dark chuckle again.

"It's not *my* hand," he answers, with disturbing nonchalance - Curling his fingers into a fist.

> Second, why do you need to kill Pazzy with your own hands? Is that part of making your cosmic butterknife even more cosmic?"
> "Because the original Black Cardinal and Phantom Edge died fighting each other? Or is there another reason?"

"Part of it," the Thief agrees. Behind the helmet, those lens whirr again - Focusing on something distant. Slowly, as if struggling to explain something he can't quite grasp:

"-He has given me offense. He owes me a soul."

An odd, strangely formal choice of words, but he falls silent - "He *will* suffer. He *must* die. And it will be done with this hand."

>>21423529

"Believe what you like. The Chalice Queen is gone from thi world."

>>21423485

A pause, but you can feel the strange, unwholesome amusement in his voice. "-The first has already been arranged." The Thief gestures, to forestall a further question; "It will be. It would be pointless to lie."

Blink-click goes his eyes. "For the second: Here."

(Continued.)

>>21423602
Special attacks are gained through events. It took the machine upgrade to bring out the 100 meter special. And no, our damage output is not the problem, our problem is not being able to fire as many missiles as we like while running multiple interceptors while charging up for the rail rifle.

Also, guys? Hecate lost an arm protecting us. Hecate, who cannot be found by a person second only to her in getting around the Red World. Hecate, with whom the Thief shared all secrets and who holds his loyalty. Hecate as the Thief? More likely than you think. Split personality, perhaps?

There's a low, humming *ping*, as he flicks something to you - It looks like...A brooch? No, different from that - It's slightly larger than a coin, silver, scored deeply with an odd symbol that hurts the eyes; It clings to your armor, as if magnetic. The Thief indicates a similar device on his lapel, one that you might've taken for an overlarge button.

"A Tether. Our insurance, in the event that we..."

The red light in his eyes falter.

"...Fail."

> CONVERSION COMPLETE
> 'MINOR TETHER' OBTAINED
> UPDATING DATABASE...

The Tether is a one-use Relic, which has one of two capabilities:

a) When activated, the Tether can be consumed to provide an instant 8% boost in Meter.
b) When a secondary specific Relic is activated, the wearer will be forcibly 'recalled' to a single pre-designated area - Consuming the Tether in the process.

Red-glowing eyes, impassive.

"Satisfied?"

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21423646
Pretty sure the meter builds based on something like damage done * Meter stat. So either way we'd be building more meter.

>>21423693

That's the question, isn't it? Hecate has worked with the thief before, but there's nothing romantic between them. She explicitly said that she was in love with us, and she seems to have meant it.

But who is this guy? What's up with him?

>>21423708
"As satisfied as I will be.

As for you killing Pazuzu yourself, I can't absolutely promise that. The battlefield is a hectic chaotic place, it may be at the point where my choices are to fire everything I have at Pazuzu or I will die, or you could be out of commission by the time it came to that. I'll do what I can, but as all plans fall apart on first contact with the enemy I can't absolutely promise you anything."

>>21423708
"Yes and you said gone from this world did you honestly check the Red World?"

>>21423713
More like [fraction of damage]*meter. Whole numbers versus slightly larger fractions, what wins?

>>21423708
"And here I thought you hated silver. No, I'm joking, this will do fine."

>>21423738
Given his response in OP's next post I'm feeling oddly prescient.

>>21423738
Perhaps Hecate and the thief are actually relatives in the real world or something.

>>21423708

"That's it? Man, you had me on the balls of my feet there with the dramatic pause. I was expecting you to pull out something bigger."

Extend a hand.

"I accept. Let us join forces to destroy something we both despise."

Pause in thought.

"We need a a catchy name now if we're teaming up. How about it?"

>>21423693
No his arm is Hecates.

>>21423764
Whatever lets us kill the enemy faster. The discussion's a moot point right now since we won't get the level before we fight Pazuzu at this rate.

>>21423745

A long, considering pause - But then the skull-helmet dips forward, in a slow nod.

"-Acceptable."

>>21423750

"Everywhere she *could* be, and a few she couldn't."

>>21423784

The Thief echoes your gesture - He reaches out with his right hand...Then pauses, lowering it, using his left instead. Rather than shake, he grips your hand, firmly; It's an uncomfortable sensation, because you get the frightening impression that there's only *bone* beneath those gloves.

> "We need a a catchy name now if we're teaming up. How about it?"

"If you'd prefer one." His voice brooks no preference, either way. His boots scrape against the basalt floor, as the Thief takes a slow step back; His emberous gaze fixed on you.

Slowly and precisely: "-Meet me in the shadow of the Cardinal's ambition; And we'll find him in Paradise."

(Continued.)

The Paradise Church. That's what he's talking about - The great cathedral, a blot on the landscape that took eight years to be half-finished; It's been rotting for six, a hollow blot squatting on the skyline of the commercial district.

An eyesore - A place that *would* have been torn down, when scandal erupted...Except it would cost even more to take it down. You can't even remember what had happened, then - But yes, you know the Church. Since you could remember, it's *been* there, like a visual metaphor for dashed hopes and half-realized ambitions.

It's the only place he could mean.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>Joker quest
>right as i was about to leave
ARGH.
My restless spirit will be haunting this thread. Don't you dare fuck up something.

>>21423883

>Paradise

Fitting name for a literal pit to hell.

>>21423883
>>21423919
I keep asking and keep missing the deadline.

"Have you completed the sword while I was occupied or are pieces of that just placeholders?"

Rolled 2

>>21423883
Ooookay, now I'm getting vibes that he's like Slade from that Teen Titans show. Undead and wanting his mortality back. Like a wraith that refuses to let go, the only question is why.

>>21423919

"I'll be there after I finish my classes. Oh Destroyer of Tin Foil. Look forward to it."

>>21423919
"It's a date buddy. Any surprises I ought to be aware of before then? When do you want to do this? It'd just be awkward for either of us to show up without their dance partner.

As for a name, how about 'Team Fuck The Cardinal'? Does that sound good to you?"

Hey.
I just thought.
Our little assault shroud shield, can it be activated so that area it protects is INSIDE the bubble?

>>21423919

Team name; Better Dead Than Red. You commie scum.

>>21423969
i mean, cannot be breached from inside, but you can shoot a person inside?

File: 1352015326015.png-(12 KB, 200x159, Trollface.svg.png)

>>21423984
But we're red-

Oh, you.

>>21423936

The Thief's skull face, as always, can only grin. The world around you is wavering, becoming drawn and translucent as he seems to draw away from you...

-But you still hear his answer.

"...Two pieces remain."

>>21423948

It's hard to see him, now, but he nods - Then he's gone.

There's a ringing in your ears; An electronic *buzzing* that grows louder and louder, until it makes a migraine throb through your head. Just the school bell...

You don't remember getting back to class, which is probably just as well - You don't think you could concentrate, after what you've just seen. Something of your restlessness must have communicated itself; You note, too, that Kazuya and Natsumi are gone - They must have slipped off, the way you've done on occasion yourself.

(Come to think of it, everyone has pretty much done that, for one reason or another.)

It's a relief when the final bell rings; For once, you're near the front of the class, one of the first ones out. You're aware of how stiff your dressings are making you, but fortunately - The Paradise Church isn't far. You can actually *see* the vaulted shape of it, from the school's roof...Though that's not a direction you look in often, for good reason.

(Continued.)

>>21423991

(Yes, the Assault Shroud's barrier can be expanded to cover someone close-by. However, there's a limit - The larger the area covered, the weaker the barrier is. The effect is also centered on you; You can't freely change it to another target, but you can make the field large enough to encompass him - If he's close by.)

It's a short bus ride down to the district; A place that you've walked pass - and through - many times, the neon signs and bright lights oddly out-of-place in the late afternoon. There's plenty of people out - Almost surprisingly so, for a weekday - and no-one notices you as you make your way towards the church.

It's...Well, it's not a hospitable place, even from here. The facade is cracked and peeling, the white paint gritty from a full decade of abandonment...They didn't even complete the tiled roof, which means that a large part of the cathedral must be completely exposed to the elements. The iron fence is still as sturdy as ever, however...Nothing's stopping you from going right in.

You could access the Red World from:

[ ] A nearby cybercafe.
[ ] A restaurant.
[ ] A bookshop.
[ ] The Church itself.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

[x] A bookshop.

Smilers don't seem like a bookish bunch, and if any of them are hanging around, this is the easiest way to make sure we don't enter the Red with our back showing to one.

>>21424078
[X] A nearby cybercafe.
Everything I know about the Smilers tells me they'd make this a base.

>>21424078
The Church itself. No point in dicking around.

>>21424106
Hit submit too early.

I say we drop in right in the middle of them and kjll them all so Paz has no backup to call.

>>21424078

Cybercafe. Private booths.

>>21424113
Normally, I would bow to your judgment on this quest... but the last time we entered the Red on top of our target location, we wound up directly in the line of a giant murderworm and had to get bailed out my Natsumi.

>>21424078
The church itself I guess, thief said the smilers all went to dick around in the hive.


>"They're gone."

>He predicts your next question: "Where?"

>"The same place you came from, Joker. Down into the dark."

>>21424126
Last time we lacked Shroud and Scrander. We totally would have toasted the thing if we'd been fully kitted out. Now that we are there's no reason to be shy.

Besides, I suspect that the choices correspond to Mio, Kotone and Asuna...

>>21424078

[X] Cybercafe.

That sounds like the best place.

>>21424078
>[X] A nearby cybercafe.

>>21424078
Restaurant, may as well have a nice meal before everything goes to hell.

>>21424143
Interesting hypothesis? Bookstore would seem the obvious place for Asuna, not sure which of the others would link with Mio or Kotone?

>>21424143
Cool idea but I still think the cafe is a Smiler base and I want to kill any that might have stayed behind if Pazuzu's sent them into the Hive.

>>21424162
Mio would be in the cafe due to her interests. Kotone's on the run, so is eating out.

>>21424174
None to be had dude, the cannon fodder is doing its job on the highway to hell.

>>21424078

Hmmm, that's an unusual series of choices. Let's go with the Internet cafe, because that's the place I'm used to the most.

> [X] A nearby cybercafe

The CyberCafe you pick - The NetCade, or so the card informs you - is a spacious one set beneath a flight of descending steps. The place is cool, air-conditioned...And *entirely* automated. There isn't even a man at the counter - Just a machine where you insert money for a time-card.

As you walk along the rows of identical booths - 'Modules', really, given how each one has its own screened door, for privacy - you can hear the tinny sound of voices, and the tinnier sounds of gunfire, back and forth...Just an average day, then.

There's a faint *beep* as you step into the room, securing the door behind you; You settle into the padded seat, exhaling slowly as you get comfortable...

-And slip into the red world.

STAGE: SPIRE.

Your armored boots come to rest on cobblestones, as your gaze pans around your surroundings. You're standing on an open street, the iron buildings of Dis far behind you - You can make out a great, sweeping arch of a building before you, that narrows into...

You look up.

There's a great, needle-pointed obelisk before you - An unsecured structure that narrows as it pierces the churning heavens, going up and up and *up*. But, impossibly - There, it *broadens away, until it seems more like a narrow hourglass...Or like no less than *two* equally massive constructions, balanced point-to-point.

How could something like *that* be built? It should blot out of the sky...Except you can only see it *now*, directly beneath it.

(Continued.)

Aight, I gotta bounce. I leave you with a small koan to guide future decision making: One difference between a hero and a villain is that a hero kills when there is no other option, a villain looks for excuses to.

The application here should be obvious. Keep at this, Anons.

There's nothing to hold it up - No honeycomb of girderwork and struts. Just that immense shape, a megastructure in a single piece...

-And, you realize, with a start, that it's empty. There's not a *single* Player in the vicnity, even in your peripheral awareness - Where the iron city's streets end, there's a perfect circle of desolation around this...this *place*.

You hear the faint *whirr* of a cable deploying, as the Thief drops down - Secured by an invisibly thin filament playing from his wrist, landing in a momentary crouch that he slowly straightens from.

"This is it," he says - His voice seemingly lost against the great shape, as he nods at it. "-The place where Pazuzu is."

[ ] "Wow, you got here fast."
[ ] "It's massive. Why didn't I see it before?"
[ ] "He's hiding *in there*? How will we ever find him?"
[ ] "How do we get in?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21424320
>[X] "How do we get in?"

>>21424320
"Wow, this place is really fucking empty. And where did you come from? Why do you get a cool grapple hook thing. It's not fair.

So, lead the way, we've got some murder to commit."

>>21424320

"How do you want to play this? I'm all for knocking on his front door with girl scout cookies. You can play Ninja if you want."

>>21424320
[X] "It's massive. Why didn't I see it before?"

Good thing we can fly again.

>>21424320
[X] "Think we can bring the whole thing down?"

> "Wow, this place is really fucking empty. And where did you come from? Why do you get a cool grapple hook thing. It's not fair.
>[X] "How do we get in?"

"-Like the man, it's far smaller within than without." the Thief answers - And points, upwards. "...From above. See the place where they meet? That's the way in."

He lowers his arm - And you can still see the grappling cable uncoiling from it, invisible against the great mass. There's a faint whirr, as it begins to wind itself up again; His feet leave the ground, as he ascends in a single smooth motion - As if he's been bodily lifted, up and away from the ground below.

> "So, lead the way, we've got some murder to commit."
> "How do you want to play this? I'm all for knocking on his front door with girl scout cookies. You can play Ninja if you want."

The Tempest Scrander's turbines cycle up - The secondary reactor fuming with crimson particles - and as thrust flares at your back, you light up after him, rising on columns of distorted air and electricity. Sparks hail outwards, the wind plucking at your Assault Shroud as you fly up, up, *up*...

-You're past it. You blink, and you've flown *right past* the entrance. You correct, and descend again - Too low, this time, the uncertain perspective making your vision swim. Something is *wrong* with the physics of the place - Either that, or your sensors are lying to you. The third time; When you corkscew over, coming in on a hard burn - You land at last, exhaust scorching the pearlescent finish of the obelisk's surface.

(Continued.)

The Thief disengages his cable; You see a small spike whip pull free from the stone, retracting into his wrist. "Watch your step," he says, as you *look*...

...The obelisk is *hollow*. Inside, there's only darkness - The edges of the chasm deep and unending, with the faintest flicker of illumination at the very bottom. The structure is *impossible*, in every sense of the word...How is it even holding itself up?

"-Down there." His voice is flat, as he looks around for an - apparent - anchor point; Even as your sensors click and whirr, informing you that the blackness goes on *forever*.


Something catches your eye - There are long, deep furrows down one side of the wall; Two lines, parallel to each other, scored so *deep* that it comes close to breaking right through. The rest of the spire is unmarred.


[ ] "You first."
[ ] "...Are you *sure* that's the place?"
[ ] "You mean, 'down there'?"
[ ] "What do they keep here, anyway?"
[ ] "...Those markings - What are they?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21424477
"God damn physics breaking structures. Would it have killed them to have a competent architect make some blueprints first?"

[X] "...Those markings - What are they?"
[X] "What do they keep here, anyway?"

>>21424477
[X] "What do they keep here, anyway?"
[X] "...Those markings - What are they?"

>>21424477

"If you're looking for a way down, there's anchor points right... over there."

Point to the markings.

"So who wants to descend into the creepy black chasm first oh Devourer of Bunnies?"

"I'll go first and knock on their door with girl scout cookies. You kill anybody that looks at me funny from behind. Watch my back."

Then make as much noise as possible to cover the Thief. He's overwatch.

>>21424551

Er. Descend into the pit on electric fire.. looking out for obvious traps.

>>21424551
>>21424571

(Gah, I'm sorry - I missed those two posts. Hang on, I'll update the current one.)

>>21424607

That's fine. Just play it. No point.

> [X] "...Those markings - What are they?"

"-Markings?" You hear a new note to the Thief's voice - Uncertainty. His gaze turns in the direction indicated - As he takes another slow step towards the edge, staring hard. "...Those weren't there before."

Indeed; You can't be certain what they are, either. They're rough, like scratchmarks...But what could possibly leave such a scar? And why?

The Thief kneels, canting his head to the side; "-They go all the way down, to the section floor," he confirms, warily. "...But there's nothing..."

He shakes his head, as if to clear it of doubts.

> [X] "What do they keep here, anyway?"

"Something they cannot be allowed to have. Let's go."

He takes a final step forward...And then he plummets, straight down, dropping like a stone as he's swallowed up by the inky blackness. You hear the echoing *bang* of a weapon discharge - Then the viper-quick *hiss* of cables drawing taut, somewhere down below...

-It seems like the Thief has found *his* way down.

Beneath your feet, the eternal dark yawns - You literally can't see more than a few meters from where you're standing, though the light of the red world is behind you. What *is* this place, anyway...?

> Descend into the pit on electric fire...Looking out for obvious traps.
> "I'll go first and knock on their door with girl scout cookies. You kill anybody that looks at me funny from behind. Watch my back."

You draw a deep breath, and step out over the edge...Your Tempest Scrander flaring, the light doing absolutely *nothing* to the darkness except to make it dirty.

He didn't wait. You'd have thought he would be more cautious, but - The Thief seems to be in a hurry to get to the bottom, an barely perceptible impatience writ large in his stance. But then why...?

(Continued.)

>>21424600
I think I know what this place is. Remember that book, the one that described the ritual to flood a person with the energy of a city if they were in the right place at the right time? I think this is that place, I think Pazuzu might be in the process of performing that ritual... or he might have done it already.

Immediately, you realize that you're dropping faster than you *should* be; The wind whips past you, but there's an eerie feeling of stillness...As if you're suspended in the middle of nothing, except for the growing light beneath you.

A blue light flickers twice at the corner of your HUD, informing you that terminal velocity has been reached; You bring the Scrander online, spacing the bursts of thrust to descend at a saner rate. distorting the very air in a long column of shimmering diffracted light. You strengthen the thrust higher still and feel a glut of blood rush to your head, as you bring yourself under control...

Without warning, sooner than you'd expect, the darkness falls away - The ground coming up beneath you. Disorientated, you boost the power, decelerating; Your landing is still a bumpy one, a jarring *jolt* that almost topples you, hard enough to rattle your teeth as you cut power to the Scrander, cracking the tiles below.

You're standing in what looks like an arena - A circular space, with black tiles underfoot and eerie, uneven scrawlings on the walls. The base of the shaft: It's rounded, where the outside was four-side...Another trick of construction that makes you uneasy. The fitful light is cast by flickering fires - Fires? - that glow with pellucid blue flame...Set in an obsidian troughs that lines the area around you, like a ring within a ring.

(Continued.)

The light is oddly opaque, as if stained brown by smoke. The only feature in the place...Except for the faded carvings, covered in spidery script, the pinpoint of the entrance, far above...is a great set of inner doors, framed panels that look like they've been made entirely from meteoric iron.

Each one is half a meter thick, none of the angles quite true; A complex mechanism sealing it shut, locked in place over a solid latch. Air hushes out, making the flames gutter - It smells of cold stone, breathing a sound through the black space.

And...It feels *familiar*, somehow...Like something in a dream, or a nightmare...

The Thief is kneeling by the door, regarding the mechanism gravely - He shakes his head, muttering under his breath. He looks agitated; You can see metal sand staining the iron doors, with streaks of rust-red erosion.

"-this is all wrong," he's saying, almost to himself. "...What could do this?"

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21424717
"I dunno Thief, maybe Rust Kaiser, Rust is his first name and there's lots of it here.

What's changed since you were last here? What exactly is here?"

>>21424717

[X] Free.

> Thief, get away from that door. What's wrong with it? Where's Pazuzu?

>>21424717
Rust kaiser. Well no need to pretend you guys are gone come out come out you horrible fools and lets get this match underway

>>21424717

"Probably another player by the looks of it. Can you undo the damage and get the door open?

>>21424717
Uhh guys

>And...It feels *familiar*, somehow...Like something in a dream, or a nightmare...

Guys I think

>Like something in a dream, or a nightmare...

>nightmare

FUCK ME THIS IS THE BLACK JOKER'S CASTLE

PREPARE FOR FUCKING BUZZING NIGHTMARE INSECTS

>>21424717
"Could be a Corrector. There's a Player called Rust Kaiser who has abilities that might be capable of something like that as well."

>>21424766

Nah, if it was our doppelganger, we'd of encountered something bla- oh, oh shit...

>>21424717
The Black Joker. This is alot worse then I thought. If I'm right and not being paranoid then at the first sign of its activity we need to run.

>>21424791
Uhh meant to actually say that aloud.

>>21424791
I don't think the Black Joker is associated with rust though?

>>21424819
No but the giant claw marks...Besides that's why I said to mention it as paranoia I mean hopefully I'm wrong but if not then we NEED to bug out.

>>21424819
No, but it looks like Pazuzu and his pals might be trying to find Black Joker for some reason, which definitely can't be good for us.

I gotta run. Balls tired. Don't get us turned into chunky salsa guys.

File: 1352021399526.jpg-(82 KB, 640x524, RUSTKAISER.jpg)

>>21424741
>>21424757
>>21424742
>>21424776

"...Rust Kaiser?"

The Thief jerks back, to his feet. He turns, to you - You can see the agitation writ large in his form...His gaze tracking to the marks on the wall.

"-He clawed his way down, controlled the fall..."

There's a CLANG, a sound like the crack of doom. Utterly eaten away, the impressive-looking seal...

-It just falls off. It hits the ground, rolling and clattering...Spilling dissolving gears and pins, ratchets and cogs, evaporating into nothing. With a deep, tectonic groan, the doors begin to swing outwards, with glacier slowness...

There's a form silhouetted in the entrance beyond. Cold blue light and hellish red illumination flickers from an ugly, grilled metal visor; Pitted black plate resolving into view, scribed with pitch.

He's the color of old iron, his footfalls making the ground shudder. His shape is made even bulkier, by the burden he bears - Heavy, marble, in the vague shape of a effigy or statue...

-It's a sacrophagus.

"-" the Thief begins - Reaching into the folds of his coat for a weapon, a device. He's still reaching for it when, abruptly - without any warning at all - he vanishes.

The sacrophagus slams into him pulverizing *force*, so hard his feet actually leave the ground, hurling his flailing form away until he hits the far wall.

The stone cracks.

The coffin doesn't.

OUT OF
MY WAY

The words come out as a grinding, metal-on-metal howl; Echoing around the closed confines of the killing field, as Rust Kaiser's brutal shape lumbers forward - Unyielding iron fingers clenched around a brace of spiked chains, last used to lash his burden in place.

(Continued.)

File: 1352021588711.png-(109 KB, 512x342, 1351020021956.png)

>>21424878

He sees you. The great cleaving blade of his malformed, hacking sword shrieks as it scrapes across the ground - The edge glowing red-hot from the friction, as pitted and warped as the grinding fibres an drive chains ratcheted those awesome limbs.

As his helmeted head turns to face you, wedgelike shoulders guards pistoning in time to those slow, purposeful strides, you feel those eyes lock on - Cold and furious and utterly, utterly mad.

RED JOKER

VS.

RUST KAISER
.
.
.
.

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 27

TO BE CONTINUED.

>>21424901

(Apologies for leaving things here, gentlemen - Unfortunately, it's really late for me, and I'm utterly exhausted.

Once again, thank you for everything: You've been a great audience. Good night, and god bless - I'd hope to continue soon.)

>>21424901

So this guys a berserker. Or very very pissed that his whites were mixed with a pink shirt.

>>21424910

Yeah, was fun. The clocks setting back killed me for the night as well.

>>21424878

Oooh, shitballs.

So much for the Thief. Guess he didn't see THAT coming.

File: 1352022060624.gif-(1.54 MB, 400x225, fuck this shit.gif)

>>21424878
>>21424901
I so want to do pic related now.

>>21424878

>"-He clawed his way down, controlled the fall..."

What.

The.

Fuck.

>>21424966

We caught Rust right as he was making his escape. He got here before us. How the fuck he was going to get back out with the loot is beyond me.

>>21424995

He could climb out, with his prize strapped to his back. He was carrying chains to secure it in place.

>>21424878

Wow. He just bitchslapped the Thief with a relic. This guy is not stable.

>>21424901

Okay, battle plan time while it's in intermission.

-The sarcophagus is a hell of a projectile, and we want to keep Rust Kaiser kited away from it as much as possible. As such, we should be staying grounded where possible - if he thinks he can get within reach of us, he'll be trying to do so instead of grabbing the coffin with intent to throw.
-Similarly, kiting him in the other direction may give the Thief a chance to recover. Let's not let Kaiser go for the kill if we can help it.
-Without the coffin, his only ranged option is the chains. Once we have a good guess at what his range is, we can launch interceptors to whittle him down from a safe distance.
-If he tries to use the chain to pull us in, break it with the plasma shotgun. This has the added benefit of shortening the chain's reach.
-We need to keep our guns rust free. The Assault Shroud, wrapped around our guns, should be able to block all that nastiness out while parting to let our outgoing shots through. Plus it will hide the guns from view so we can surprise him when we switch.
-For the love of all that is good and holy, do NOT get within reach of his sword.

>>21425055

Well, this went south very quickly. Where's Pazuzu? Did he just send rust Kaiser? Or is he somewhere around, himself.

>>21424878

God damn. We really should have seen that coming.

>>21424766

Well, at least it wasn't the Black Joker. Rust Kasier is ever bit as bad, though.

>>21422537

Okay. Now, I have to say something, OP. That situation is really messed up. I kind of like Natsumi, but I'm not sure what's going on with her. And I'm not sure if she's still dating kazuma, so I really don't want to be cheating on our bro.

What I'm saying is, is she supposed to be a love interest or not? Because I totally would if she was one.

>>21425642

Signs point to:

> "Yes, she could be. But it would cause a fuckload of problems."

>>21425055

Or maybe we should run. Just, flat-out run and get the hell away from here. Remember, we shot him in the face with a Plasma Shotgun THREE TIMES, and he didn't flinch.

>>21425055
>>21425922
How about we focus our fire on his arms and legs?