>Current objectives:
-Find your way back to the crossroads.
-Liberate Earth
-Put an end to the war.
-Put an end to the Corruption
-Stay alive.

>Current inventory
-1 KV-09 Combination assault blade/energy pistol. Modified with the Void Knight Shield
-1 Screwdriver
-1 Adjustable wrench
-Various spare parts
-A pouch of gold coins
-Another pouch with 17 "Calling Crystals"
-5/10 light travel rations
-7/10 full oil can
-5/10 bandages

>Current energy stored
-4 Aether tanks
-2 Void tanks
-0 Apotropeia tanks
-0 empty tanks
-Support tank-Aether (12/12 full)
-Weapon-Empty
-12 EP per tank

>Calling Crystal contacts
-Jodo, chief of Yujun village (Palia)
-Rose, interplanetary drifter (Currently on Bray)
-Jax, Hecatun Way Knight (Currently on The Crossroads)
-Parin, Hecatun Way Knight Trainee (Currently on The Crossroads)
-Winnow, Veeka Spirit Singer (Bray)

>Current known techniques
-Blade Wave (cost:5 EP)
-Charge Shot (cost:3 EP)
-Scatter Shot (cost:3 EP)
-Close Lesser wound (cost:1 EP)
-Close Moderate wound (cost:3 EP)
-Repulse (cost:2 EP)
-Repulsor Blast (cost:3 EP
-Reflection Field (cost: 7 EP)

“Commandant Leohrad, this man claims to have been on Aklabra.” The female Eture says.

Leohrad turns his head to her, his eyes lingering on you before his focus diverts entirely. “What is your name, young one.” He asks the other Eture.

“Yondur, Commandant.” She says, standing straight as a board.

“Well met, Yondur. How fared you after Aklabra?” He asks her, sounding genuinely concerned.

“Disoriented at first, but I am alright now Commandant.” She says, every bit the soldier addressing her superior.

“That is good to hear, I fear many of us are still lost among the many worlds. Go and speak to Estimas, the helmsman of the Executor’s ship. We were in the midst of planning our next move when I felt you arrival.” He says, turning his attention to you as ‘Yondur’ salutes and leaves. “Back to my original question. I did not feel you pass through the Aetherian threads, by what means have you come here?” He asks.

>[ ] I’m the Void Knight.

>[ ] You seem to have bigger concerns…

Woo finally made it to it on time, tell him we're the void knight.

>>30680749
Little soldier girl doesn't know who we are? Maybe tall, bronze, and sexy does.

>>30680749
I'm the Void Knight, son. Who you is?

>writing

“I’m the Void Knight.” You say confidently, puffing your chest out a bit and pointing to yourself with your thumb.

Leohrad’s face remains unchanged, and he continues to scrutinize you. “I fear I’ve never heard the term.”

You slump, the pride from a moment ago draining away. “I don’t need the threads to travel, basically.”

“I didn’t think travel without the threads was possible.” He says.

“It is, it’s just not a good idea if you lack the proper protection I suppose.” You say, before you change the subject. “So what exactly happened on Aklabra?” You ask.

“I am not certain. We all felt the Aether disturbance, but before anything could come of it I found myself on another world. Many of my soldiers have found themselves in similar positions. I believe someone may have somehow moved everyone off the planet. Now that I think about it, Aklabra should’ve-“ He says before you cut him off.

“Should’ve been destroyed, yes. Kalki was responsible for that, some sort of rock in his chest. I did my best to keep him busy…” You say.

Leorhad looks surprised for a moment. “You fought Kalki and you’re still in one piece? You’re either lying or stronger than you look.”

>[ ] I’m technically not in one piece…

>[ ] Any idea where your boss is?

>[ ] Do you know how we were all teleported like that?

>>30681558
>[x] I’m technically not in one piece…
>[x] Any idea where your boss is?

>>30681558
>[ ] Any idea where your boss is?

>>30681558
BOSS

>writing

“I disassemble.” You say sarcastically.

Leohrad does not look amused. “It’s also possible that the strange teleportation saved your life. There are few who are capable of engaging that monster and living to talk about it.” He says.

You twitch a bit, that was pretty much right on the nose. You should remember to thank Rose when she wakes up, and possibly Oz should you ever find him. “I suppose your boss must be one of those people. Any idea where I might find him?” You ask.

“For the moment, no. But we are not so weak as to require him at all times. And he is more than strong enough to survive alone.” He says, obviously trying to cover up any weaknesses.

“Relax, buddy. I’m not fishing for openings here. I was hoping to talk to him about some things. Void Knight isn’t just a fancy title, it comes with a fairly important task.” You say.

>Message received from: Winnow.
>Play message now?
<Sure.

The message begins playing in your ear. “Hey Logan. Rose woke up, and… well… I could use a hand right now, you should come down and see.”

>End of message.
>Open connection?

>[ ] Yes.

>[ ] Not yet, I have further business here.

>>30682140
>[x] In a minute

Finish explaining who you are and what you do, say you'll be back in a few.

>>30682218
Pretty much this

>>30682140 tell the man a brief explanation of what you do then
thank the man for his time say goodbye and open the connection

>>30682140
Bid him farewell first, then leave. Make the jump out of his sight, he seems a little too suspicious of us and a little to interested for me to want to show our full hand.

>writing

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>>30682140
Incidentally, all of you are now hearing Leohrad through David Wenham.

<Hold that thought.

You continue where you left off, acting like you didn’t just receive a message from another world. “It’s my job to guard the universe from the Corruption. As far as I know, the work you guys are doing is causing it. The killing of a god seems to let it in.”

“We will not stop, if that is what you’re suggesting. To leave the gods alive is to allow them to continue tyrannizing the people.” Leohrad says.

“Then you should find another way. It’s all well and nice to kill gods and give races new worlds to live on, but at this rate there won’t be any habitable worlds left! Sure, there will be no gods. But there will also be no more people,” You say, hoping to get your point across.

“You would do well not to waste your breath. We know the feeling of the gods heel, as does the Executor. Perhaps you should take your complaints to him, so he can tell you why you are wrong.” He says.

You sigh.

>[ ] Bid him farewell

>[ ] Write in

>>30682638
>>[ ] Bid him farewell

>>30682638
Say bye, we are not very friendly.

>>30682638
>[ ] Bid him farewell

>writing

“Duty calls elsewhere, but this conversation isn’t over. Either the universe or your ideals, one of them is going to have to give. Think on that.” You say, turning your back on him and walking away from the small Geob village.

“We shall see.” Says Leohrad.

Once you’re a ways away, you open a rift back to Bray.

When you come out the other side, you’re back in Winnow’s house. But Winnow is nowhere to be seen…

“Is that you Logan? I’m in here.” You hear Winnow say from the main room.

Following the sound of her voice, you enter the main room and find a rather peculiar sight. Winnow is on the floor, bundled very tightly in Rose’s tail. You can just barely see Rose’s head poking out, she appears to be asleep again.

“Think you could help me out?” She asks.

>[ ] Wake Rose up.

>[ ] Get Winnow out without waking Rose.

>>30682976
>>[ ] Get Winnow out without waking Rose.

>>30682976
>wake her.

I want lamia hugs as well.

>>30682976
>>[ ] Get Winnow out without waking Rose.
ha I knew something would happen life this with a snake in a birdhouse

then wake rose

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>>30682976
>Winnow is on the floor, bundled very tightly in Rose’s tail.

>writing

You walk over and crouch down next to Winnow and Rose. “I dunno, it looks like she’s got you pretty good. What the hell happened?”

“When she woke up she was ecstatic that she could feel and move her tail again. So she decided to hug me with her entire body, and then she passed out. It wasn’t that long after you left, but it took me a while to get a hand free so I could call you.” Winnow says.

“You have the patience of a saint, I probably would have just bit her or yelled or something.” You say sarcastically.

Winnow sighs. “Just get me out.”

Chuckling, you agree to help. It takes a few minutes to wrench her from Rose’s grip, but the fact that Winnow already has a hand free speeds things up. You somehow manage to get her out without stirring Rose too much.

“Thanks, I was starting to feel a little cramped in there.” She says, flattening her tunic out. “So who was the ‘strange foreigner’?”

“A member of one of the big armies. I took her to a planet with a friendly settlement on it before I came back here.” You say, picking up Rose to put her… somewhere. You look at Winnow to ask where, but it seems again that she’s miles ahead of you.

“In here.” She says, directing you to another room.

As you start walking, Rose lets out a little moan. Then her eyes flutter and open, locking on to you.

>what say?

>>30683494
Do I get a hug too?

>>30683494
Morning sleepyhead

>>30683494
Good morning

>>30683494
Feelin' better, I take it?

>>30683494 hello. Rose
how do you feel

>>30683587
Also this

>>30683494
Morning sleepyhead. How's the tail feeling?

>writing

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“Good morning sleepyhead. Do I get a hug too?” You say, smiling warmly.

Her face lights up, and she throws her arms around you. “Logan! My tail! I can move it! I can feel it! They always said that if I ever got caught that I’d never move again and that I’d probably die but I’m not dead and my tail moves like it used to!” She says, belting out the words like she’s about to lose her ability to speak.

You try to return her embrace, but find that your arms are being held. You can feel her tail wrapping around you, apparently you do get a hug. As your legs close together you fall to the floor, the impact cushioned by the coils of Rose’s tail. Rose then starts rubbing her cheek against your chest.

Winnow seems to be amused by the whole spectacle, giggling at you from the entrance of the room she was leading you to.

Rose’s embrace is a little tight, but still pretty comfy. You do, however, have business.

>[ ] Ask what happened on Aklabra.

>[ ] Ask how Rose’s back feels.

>[ ] Ask if she knows any way to contact Thorn, Oz, or Savvi.

>>>[ ] Ask how Rose’s back feels.

>>[ ] Ask what happened on Aklabra.

>>>[ ] Ask if she knows any way to contact Thorn, Oz, or Savvi.
I feel this is the most appropriate order to ask these

>>30683895
>Ask about Aklabra, followed by
>Ask about contacting Oz and co.
Want to know where that douche is, so we can show him what happened to Rose.

>>30683895
>[X] Ask how Rose’s back feels.
Need to make sure the job's done properly.

>>30683955
well to be fair he might have saved our life as well as as a plant full of people some of which we are on good terms with if not the one who is even now snuggling us as only one like er can...but still he does need to get a piece of our mind about consequences....but if thorn finds him first it will be too late as she will have beaten him to death already

>>30684033
I dunno man, Oz might seem like a weak guy at first glance. But that spellbook of his was full of runes, and he had more than one of them. I wouldn't personally want to fight him.

>writing

“How’s the back?” You ask.

She looks up from her position on your chest. “A little itchy, but it doesn’t hurt.” She responds.

“That’s normal, expect that to continue for the next few days. And be sure to let me know if it ever starts hurting.” You say.

Her face sours. “A few days?”

“A few days of itching is better than the alternative.” You say, raising an eyebrow and smirking. You could never raise your eyebrow like that before the accident. Now raising the one eyebrow is all you can do, as the other isn’t quite as mobile.

Rose pouts, huffing and puffing out her cheeks.

“I suppose I should be thanking you though, things were looking bad for me before the big expulsion from Aklabra.” You say.

“H-how did you know?” She asks.

“Lucky guess. What happened there?” You say, letting some concern show on your face.

She fidgets around before answering. “Savvi found something when she was scouting out the mous-… moose-…” She struggles with the word.

“Mausam?” You say, figuring you might as well lend a hand.

>continued

“Yes, that! Savvi found some Tattvanese talking about a thing that could blow up a planet, so she went to check it out. Then they attacked her and she killed one, but the other warned Kalki. And Kalki went down and got angry when Savvi killed the one that attacked her, so Kalki attacked her too. Then Oz showed up and Kalki left. Then Kalki tried to blow up the planet. So Oz grabbed me and used a big rune to let my bones send everyone to another world.” She says, forcing the whole story out at once with very little detail.

“I don’t suppose you know where I might find Oz, or for that matter Savvi and Thorn?” You ask, hoping they’ll be able to give you a more detailed description of events.

She thinks for a moment, and you can see the gears turning in her brain. “How long has it been?” She asks.

“Not too long, I found you last night.” You say.

“Then Thorn probably called her brothers to take her back to her home planet, but by now she’ll probably be trying to sniff me out. Oz is definitely back on Aklabra by now. Savvi I’m not so sure about.”

>[ ] Ask about Thorns brothers.

>[ ] Ask how Oz would have gotten back to Aklabra.

>[ ] Ask something else (specify)

>>30684467
>>[ ] Ask about Thorns brothers.
this one dizzi

>>30684467
>Brothers? followed by
>Oz n' Aklabra

>writing

“Thorn has brothers?” You ask. She didn’t mention anything about that, though you can’t really fault her for it. She does seem like the ‘mama bear big sister’ type.

“Not brother brothers. The Dragons and the Dragonslayers. If she asked for help they would’ve sent a Dragon to bring her back to Braghendire. From there she’d probably grab another Dragon and convince it to help her find me.” She says.

“Dragons can travel the threads?” You ask.

Rose nods. “If you ask Thorn, she’d say that they were the first beings to ever leave their planet.”

“And what about Oz?”

“Aklabrans are known all around as the go-to guys if you want to go to another world. They work the Runic gates that you can find on almost every planet.” She says before rearing up and smiling playfully and adding “If you ask Oz, he’d say the Runecasters were the first beings to ever leave their planet.”

You smile back, still wrapped pretty tight. “Opinions, I guess.”

Still, if Thorn is looking for her…

>[ ] Stay here

>[ ] Try to find Thorn

>[ ] Go to Aklabra

>>30684879
>Go to aklabra.

Hell, if rose knew oz would be there I wouldn't be surprised if that's were we'll find thorn

>>30684932
Agreed.

>writing

“If you’d be willing to relinquish your grip on me, I could try to find them and let them know you’re not dead.” You say.

She smiles and puts her hands to her cheeks. “Would you?”

“Well, yeah. No sense in letting them search frantically for you if you’re perfectly fine. Well, mostly. But the finger can probably be replaced as well, it just isn’t as urgent.” You say as Rose unbinds you so you can stand.

“Can I come with you?” She asks.

You ponder that for a second. If nothing is wrong on Aklabra, there’s really no sense in leaving her here. But that’s the main issue, you’re really not sure what to expect. The planet was being torn apart when you left, and on top of that there may still be fighting there…

With that in mind, she-

>[ ] Should stay here.

>[ ] Can come along.

>>30685208
>[ ] Can come along.

>>30685208
>>[ ] Can come along.
but stay close we do not know what it is like after the incident....also tell her we found earth hopefully your world will be found too soon

>>30685208
Logan is steadily building up a damn harem, isn't he?
>Come along

>>30685265
am not sure how I feel about that...but hell if am going to change how I tvote

>>30685208
Bring her, but be prepared to bail at a momenta notice if things go south.

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>>30685274
like hell I would change my voting due to that indecision

>writing

“I don’t see why not.” You say, before turning to Winnow. “What about you?”

She smiles and waves you off. “I’ve got duties here, you guys go ahead.”

“If all goes well, I’ll be back soon.” You say.

“Just… don’t bring any half dead people, or come back half dead yourself okay?” She says with a tired smile.

“Got it, I’ll move ‘not dying’ to the top of my to-do list.” You say. She takes the joke well, laughing a little.

You punch in the coordinates for Aklabra, grab Rose’s hand and bid farewell to Winnow. Then off you go.

>continued

Out in the void, Rose coils around one of your legs. Her eyes are shut tight and she’s got a death grip on your abdomen. I guess she doesn’t like being out here. You find it fascinating though, and you’ve never quite been able to suppress the smile when you come out here.

When you finally breach into Aklabra, you’re in a completely different location than you were last time. Some sort of fancy joint, like a palace or something.

“I’ll never get used to that…” Rose says, releasing you from her death grip. “I’m always afraid that I’ll fall, as silly as that sounds.” She smiles nervously.

You shrug “It’s not so bad, I actually kind of enjoy it. For thousands of years my people have dreamed about going to the stars. To actually be out here is kind of… awesome.”

You’re about to continue, when a loud boom draws your attention. The sounds of yelling and fighting can be heard from up a hallway leading out of the lavish room you’re in.

You’re worried that the place is under attack for a moment, but looking closely you can see that the noise is coming from Oz and Thorn. “So they are here…” You mumble.

>[ ] Go say hi.

>[ ] Grab some popcorn.

>>30685643
Does popcorn exist out here?

>Go sat hi before one of them gets killed

>>30685643
>>[ ] Grab some popcorn.
It would be rude to interrupt.

>>30685643
>>[ ] Grab some popcorn.
you mean they are fighting with each other? ...then say hi after a bit of gawking

>>30685643
go say hi.

>>30685643
>[ ] Grab some popcorn.
We have to choose the most dramatic moment

>writing

You walk to the edge of the hallway and stop, leaning against the wall so you can watch the fight. They really are impressive.

Thorn clearly knows how to use the bigass sword she carries, her strikes seem to flow and rebound and follow up effortlessly. You should ask her for bigass sword fighting tips one of these days.

Oz is holding his own with little to no effort, though. A runic circle floats in front of him, seemingly shielding him from Thorn’s attacks. In front of the circle 4 floating swords keep Thorn from getting around the shield as he attempts to talk her down.

At your side, Rose pulls on your sleeve. “Uhhh, Logan. Shouldn’t we do something about this?” She asks.

You suppose you’ve watched them long enough. With Rose at your side, you walk down the hallway to the room where the fight is happening. You’re immediately met with stunned gazes and equally stunned silence.

“Sorry to interrupt. I believe the two of you were looking for her.” You say, stepping aside and holding a hand out towards Rose.

The silence continues until Thorn drops her blade and runs forward. “Rose!!!” She cries, grabbing Rose around the waist, lifting her up in the air and spinning her around. Rose’s tail trails behind her as she spins, and she wraps it gently around Thorn.

Oz sneaks around the spectacle, coming up beside you and saying quietly “Logan, her bones are…”

>[ ] Gone. I know.

>[ ] I’ll explain later.

>>30686041
"The word you want is 'replaced'. "

>>30685851
>>30686041
>>>[ ] Gone. I know.
this one

>>30686041
>Gone, you prick. You have any idea what almost happened to her!?

>>30686077
The VENOM. "Nice work with the circle. Using her to get them all off Aklabra. I had a good time saving her from getting completely ripped apart by the Corrupted." Coldest damn stare we can muster.

>writing

>>30686041
A frightening though... what if we had never given her a calling crystal?

>>30686264
to be fair....this is precisely the reason we gave her one

>>30686278
A point though, as she definitely would've died i without it.

“Gone, yes. I found her like that on ‘who-the-hell-knows-where’. Your brilliant plan seems to have had some consequences.” You say, glaring rather sharply at him.

“But… how is… I mean she really shouldn’t be able to move, right? That was pretty much certain if she ever lost the bones. How is she…”

“My work. Bridging a broken spine is child’s play for me.” You say, exaggerating a little to get your point across.

He’s about to ask something else when Thorn walks over, looking INCREDIBLY mad. Before either of you can react she slaps Oz hard across the face, sending him reeling. “She could’ve DIED Oz. She could’ve been CORRUPTED. Was your little plan still worth it?” She yells.

“Someone had to do SOMETHING! The longer the War goes on, the worse the Corruption gets. Had I known that the Kalkarri would bring something like that, I would’ve never considered it!” He says, regaining his footing and turning his back on the group. “And the damn Proclamation showed up too. They’re bloody BENT on mutual destruction, those two. And if it wasn’t ripping the universe to pieces, I’d say let them!”

“What do you intend to do about it then?” You ask.

Oz’s head perks up and he turns to you slowly, his expression more serious than you’ve ever seen him. “Bring order.” He says.

“What, how?” Thorn asks.

“This war has caused nothing but Chaos, there must be a force to maintain order and balance. Someone must bring these to the universe so it may keep its form.” He says, sounding determined.

>[ ] I don’t suppose that ‘someone’ is you?

>[ ] Have you lost your wits?

>>30686348
>[ ] Have you lost your wits?

I liked the part where oz man diddler got slapped

>>30686348
>I don't suppose the 'someone' is you?

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>>30686348
Incidentally, you are now all reading Oz's lines in this voice.

>>30686348
I dont suppose that someone is you?

>>30686405

changing my vote but ths is still true
I liked the part where oz man diddler got slapped

>writing

>>30686348
"You know, Kalki said something about destroying the people who, 'promise peace, but go behind your back'. There was also something about someone killing his brother. In fact, it sure as hell seemed vengeance driven. I'd actually love to hear what kicked this off"

“I don’t suppose that ‘someone’ is you?” You ask. You don’t like the tone of his voice.

“Is there anyone else?” He asks, raising his voice.

You put up your hand.

“You’re one man. One man who, not even a week ago didn’t even know what a Dragon was. Sorry Logan, I know your heart is in the right place but it simply isn’t enough! There needs to be power behind it…” He trails off, contemplating something before walking out of the room.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Thorn asks, you can hear the anger still in her voice.

“The gate, I now have business on Braghendire. If one needs force, where better to start than with the most forceful race in the universe?” He says.

Thorn runs after him, grabbing his shoulder and turning him around. “What the hell are you planning?”

“Have you been listening? The universe needs a force for order.” He says, wrenching himself from Thorns grip. “I’m going to Braghendire to petition the Matron, and then I’ll meet with the Weavers and everyone else who is tired of this war. I’ll band them together into a new army, one that will not only rival the others, but DWARF them. I think I’ll call them… The Seekers. Yes… The Seekers of the Form.”

>End of Chapter 20

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>That's all for tonight folks!

>Next thread will probably be this Sunday. I'll post on the twitter if any changes occur.

>As always I'll be sticking around for Q&A

>>30686656
>I’ll band them together into a new army, one that will not only rival the others, but DWARF them. I think I’ll call them… The Seekers. Yes… The Seekers of the Form.”
OH SHIT SON

>>30686656
oz wants to join in a war for the simple reason that he wants peace...... this is going to make things way worse and and completely ignores the underlying problem behind it.... this will end terribly... we should stop him. alsso not ty to lead or bee the leader of the big things...oz is right about that

>>30686933
we should not try to be the one to bring order either*

>>30686681

>tfw slept through another thread

Cheers for the story, OP! lovin' it.

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>>30686947

Well first we need to figure out what is ACTUALLY causing corruption, because for now we just have speculations and unverified hypotheses.

>>30690384
From what zesh said it sounds almost like it has a central figure.

>>30694504
I think that was hinted at earlier too
also who is this executioner the proclamation guy was talking about

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>>30694504

Indeed, and the former void knight explicitly stated she tried to fight someone. And we don't know how aether travel works. Maybe it's excessive interplanetary travel that helps damage the universe? Where did the former void knight receive her fatal injuries? How did she wind up on Earth? In fact we know very little.