>Current objectives:
-Stay alive.
-Keep the skeleton-key safe
-Put an end to the war.
-Put an end to the Corruption
-Find out what the “Key” is
-Find out why how the “First Tale” is wrong

>Current inventory
-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
-5/10 full oil can
-5/10 bandages
-A skeleton-key

>Current energy stored
-0 Aether tanks
-0 Void tanks
-4 Apotropeia tanks
-5 empty tanks
-Support tank-Apotropeia (12/12 full)
-Weapon-Apotropeia
-12 EP per tank

>Calling Crystal contacts
-Jodo, chief of Yujun village (Palia)
-Rose, interplanetary drifter (Currently on Dergrume)
-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)
-Energy Blade (cost:1 EP/5 sec)

You let out a heavy sigh and sit down on the chair in your office.

You have an office now. Oddly official considering that you were basically a vagabond a few days ago. It’s cozy, though a bit utilitarian. It has simple white walls with nothing decorating them, a bookshelf with no books, a desk with empty drawers, and a chair that’s mildly comfortable.

Folding your hands in front of you, you close your eyes and ask Vicky for a summary of today’s events.

Humanity is quickly making preparations to join the universal community. With the CBCS network connecting all of them; new discoveries are relayed to everyone instantly. As such, your people are making technological leaps and bounds with the new information available to them. You gave them most of the stuff you’ve learned, as well as a chance to study the workings of your left arm. At this rate, it won’t be long before your people are able to use the energies the way you have been.

But they’re different now. All humans now share a connection, something that makes them more than just individuals. The same implant that once enslaved them is now elevating them to new heights.

Vicky confirmed that the implant is not compatible with your brain as it is now. Something about the way your upgraded electronic brain affected your organic brain. You’re a little shoddy on the details, but like Vicky said when you fought the AI: Even if they plugged you, nothing would happen.

Over the last few days you’ve felt more at home with aliens like Parin and Oz than you have with your old friends, which disturbs you. Because of this you’ve been spending more and more time in this bare office, left to your own thoughts and vain attempts at problem solving. Which is why you’re here now, sitting alone in a mostly empty room to avoid having to face the truth.

Humanity has changed. But you’ve stayed the same…

>continued

You groan and shake your head, hoping to jar your brain and get rid of these unproductive thoughts. Taking in a deep breath, you push yourself out of your chair and begin to pace around your office.

You wonder how all this would’ve gone if Hannah was still around. She’d’ve at least tried to make you feel less different. As it is Derek and Bert both trying to act like nothing’s changed has made things worse for you. And Brit… she’s just been weird. Every time you’re alone with her, she tries to make some sort of advance. It seems almost out of character for her, the two of you have always been friends, nothing more than that. She never showed interest in you then, why do so now?

You stop your pacing and lean your head on one of the empty walls. “Damn it.” You say. Coming home and beating the shit out of your worst enemy was supposed to make things better, not worse.

Your unproductive thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Logan… are you in there?” Comes Rose’s voice from the other side.

>[ ] What’s up?

>[ ] Remain silent.

>>33432974
>[x] What’s up?
Might as well play nice and not ignore her.

>>33432974
>[x] What’s up?

>writing

“What’s up?” You say, head still leaning on the wall.

“Can I come in?” Rose asks.

You lift your head off the wall and sit down on your desk before answering. “Sure, door’s unlocked.”

The doorknob turns and opens just enough to allow Rose to slip in, sliding the length of her tail through the opening before shutting the door behind her. “Are you alright? I heard pacing.” She says, flicking her forked tongue about to smell the air.

You raise an eyebrow at her, and she continues. “Whenever Oz paces like that, something’s bothering him. Same with Thorn and Savvi.” She says. She seems proud of her deductive capabilities.

“I’m… fine. What brings you here?” You ask.

Her eyes widen, suddenly remembering that she was, in fact, here for something. “My back hurts.” She says bashfully.

You sigh, motioning for her to get comfortable while you talk her through the usual stuff. It doesn’t take you long to figure out the problem, as it’s just a simple adjustment. You sit down at your desk and have her lean on it so you can work on her implant.

You peel away the memory plastic, revealing the advanced piece underneath. You put the plastic there and replaced the finger she lost when she arrived on Earth with Oz 4 days ago.

As you set to work with your tools, Rose speaks up. “Oz says you’ve been in here a lot.” She says.

“I’ve had a lot to do in here.” You say.

“Isn’t there a lot to do out there?” She asks.

“You mean the cat herding? Ugh…” You say. You dread every minute that you have to spend talking with reps and leaders. You weren’t made for politics.

“Not that stuff. There has to be other things you could be doing.” She says.

Well…

>[ ] There’s the medallion

>[ ] I haven’t found the rest of the armor yet

>[ ] I still haven’t met Monthei

>[ ] Other

>>33434244
>Medallion
+
>Monthei
Need to figure out why everything is wrong and we know dick about the dude who kicked all this shit off.

>>33434244
Medal

>>33434443
this

>writing

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I found a thing

You stop working and think for a second. “Well, there’s the medallion that Parin’s dad gave me…” You say, getting back to work. “There’s also the leader of the Proclamation. I haven’t met him yet.”

“Why not?” Rose asks.

“Last time I met with one of these leaders, I damn near lost my head. Of course Kalki was mad for other reasons, and it really was kind of a ‘fight or die’ scenario. Otherwise, I just haven’t gotten the chance. I met his lieutenant, leopold… or something.”

>His name was Leohrad
<Thank you Vicky

“Leohrad. His name was Leorhad.” You say.

“Why haven’t you been looking into the medallion then?” Rose asks.

“Other things took precedence. That and I have no idea where to start looking.” You say, finishing up your adjustments and replacing the piece of memory plastic that covers the spinal bridge.

>I believe I have some leads regarding that.
<Really? Lay em on me.
>The keys were given out by the family heads. It would be worth a try to ask a family head about them.

A family head like Nosim… It’s a start. You could also go back to the Proclamation encampment and see if Monthei is there.

>[ ] Talk to Nosim

>[ ] Go to Meyoun.

>[ ] Other.

>>33435257
>Nosim

>>33435257
>>[ ] Talk to Nosim

>writing

>>33435372
Are we the only ones here?

>>33435896
No idea.

>>33435896
I'm lurking because im at work

Having finished up your work in Rose’s back, you pat the memory plastic down and let her know.

Rose stretches upwards and wiggles a bit, as though she was testing herself out. “Feels better now, thanks!” She says, turning around and smiling down at you.

“No, thank you. I’ve been in a bit of rut lately, I’d forgotten that I had other things to do that weren’t politics.” You say.

Rose settles onto your desk. “Hmm? So there was something wrong.” She says, smiling knowingly.

You hang your head. She got you there…

“Don’t feel too bad. You aren’t as good at hiding your annoyance with this whole deal as you think you are. Even Oz-man-diddler noticed, and he’s usually pretty blank when it comes to other people.” She says, slipping over your desk into the chair on the other side.

“Oz did?” You say. You thought that someone might’ve noticed, but Oz? Apparently you need to work on your poker face…

“Mmhmm! He said ‘few people are cut out for politics. It takes an ability to talk for hours without saying anything of import, and an ability to not listen to something, yet still catch the gist of it. I fear our dear Logan lacks both of those…’” Rose says, mimicking Oz as best as she can. She does a pretty good job of it too.

“Well, I should get to work.” You say, pulling the medallion out of your pouch. This is a key to… something… You still don’t know what it unlocks. But you can work on that once you’ve completed it.

You and Rose both exit your office into the hallway of the Milestone. Rose says goodbye and slithers off to find Thorn in town. Now you just need to find Nosim…

>[ ] Go to his office

>[ ] Go to his house

>[ ] Other

>>33436194
>>[ ] Go to his office
He seems like the working man

>>33436194
>Office

>>33436243
This

>writing

>>33435896
I'm here as well, just getting here late.

Well, his office would be a good place to start. Come to think of it, that’s the only place you’ve really seen him…

His office isn’t far from yours, and the walk is made easier by the fact that you’re starting to become familiar with the milestone’s halls. In no time at all you’re at his door, and you give it three quick knocks.

“Who is it?” Comes a feminine voice from the other side.

Achillea is in there? Right, Nosim mentioned something about her taking over his office from time to time. “It’s Logan.” You say.

“Oh, come in.” Achillea says. You enter the room, and she addresses you again. “What brings you here?” She asks.

“I was hoping to ask Nosim about the medallion I got from Parin’s father. I don’t suppose you know where he is, do you?” You ask.

“He’s… somewhere. I never know where that old bag is.” She says, her annoyance with her grandfather coming through. “He did leave a message for you though, here.” She says, handing you a little piece of scrap paper.

Written on it neatly are the words: You’ve already met my representative. Tell him I said hello.

“What the hell is this supposed to mean?” You ask, showing Achillea the paper.

She studies it for a moment before looking back up at you. “You’ve been to Palia right?”

“Well, yeah.” You say.

“Palia’s where our family’s rep would be.” She says.

You only really met 3 people on Palia though…

>[ ] Go to Palia

>[ ] Keep looking for Nosim

>[ ] Other

>>33436846
>Palia
YEAH JODO

>>33436999
This

>writing

“I get it. Thanks Achillea.” You say, punching in the coordinates for Palia. “Where is Nosim anyway?”

“Probably on Earth with your Runecaster friend. He seems to enjoy studying your planet, which means we’ll be seeing very little of him until his curiosity runs its course.” She says.

“You sound like his mother.” You say, raising an eyebrow quizzically.

“Please don’t say that. I get enough of that from Jax, I don’t need to hear it from you too.” She says.

Waving goodbye to Achillea, you exit her office and head out into the Void. Only after you’re on your way does it occur to you that it may be a bit faux-pas to exit a room like that. Should you leave the room then leave the planet? You’ll have to ask someone abut rifting etiquette.

Or you could do what you want and rift whenever because you’re the Void Knight and to hell with the customs. Either way.

You arrive in Palia in the middle of the small village, and try to make out the faces of the different Kinno milling about.

The village has grown since you last came here, and there are a lot more Kinno as a result. It doesn’t help that to you, they all look the same. You can at least tell male from female, but beyond that you’ve got nothing.

“You!” You hear a voice from the crowd, and a little Kinno emerges with a huge smile.

“You!” You say, the name somehow escaping you.

>continued

>Joso
<Thank you!

“Joso!” You say. You suck with names. And faces don’t help when you can’t tell one from the other.

“You came back! Papa will want to see you! This way!” The little Kinno grabs your hand with two of hers and leads you through the crowd down the dirt road between the many buildings.

As you’re lead on, you start to recognize some of the wooden structures. This must be the part of the town you were in a month ago, the rest of the buildings were probably built since then.

Joso stops at the front door of a house that you’re most familiar with and busts in. “Papa, look who I found!” She says enthusiastically.

Jodo pops his head in from the dining/living room and his eyes light up in recognition. “Ah, Logan! It is good to see you.” He says.

>[ ] Get to business

>[ ] Catch up

>>33437730
>Catch up
THEN
>Business Time

>writing

“Well, I did say I’d come and visit.” You say.

“And I did say that you were welcome anytime.” Jodo says.

The two of you spend some time catching up. While regale them with (slightly embellished) tales of your heroism, Jodo listens intently and Joso sits rapt, engraving every detail onto her young mind.

When you’ve finished your tale, Jodo lets you in on the more interesting goings on of village life. Apparently they’re all getting ready to ship out. Their fertility goddess: Jeleri, doesn’t like to stay in one place for very long. The green liveable areas around here tend to follow her, so where she goes they go.

This town was almost brand new when you visited last time, and the influx of people was caused by Jeleri’s movement. When she moves on, old settlements become unliveable and new ones are required. As such, Jodo and his crew are going to be following Jeleri to make a new settlement closer to where she is now.

“Sounds like a rough life.” You say.

“It is not so bad, it just requires diligence. Without Jeleri this place would be unliveable all the time. But you, you have been on grand adventures. But I must ask, what brings you back to Palia after so long?” Jodo asks.

“Right, business.” You say, pulling the medallion out and telling Jodo what you came for.

“Ah, it is not me that you seek then.” He says.

“It isn’t?” You ask.

“I knew Nosim, yes. But Tegru is the one who holds what you seek.” Jodo says.

“Your wife? Where is she anyway?” You ask, looking around. It was strange that you didn’t see her.

“Tegru left with the first group to start the new settlement.” Jodo says, reaching under the table and pulling out a map. He then flattens it out and shows you where the village you’re in now is, as well as where they plan on building the next one.

You study the map, and prompt Vicky to save an image of it.

>[ ] Leave now

>[ ] Stay and talk

>[ ] Other

>>33438344
Sorry I'm late Drizzy, anyways I say we leave now. Don't want to miss her and nothing that needs doing in town.

Where is everyone else?

>>33438344
Say goodbye and go.

But not before showing off our awesome jet wings

>>33438454
THIS

>writing

“Well, I should get going now if I wanna get there anytime soon.” You say, hopping to your feet.

“Anytime soon? It’s at least a 2 week journey on foot. There is a caravan leaving tomorrow that will get you there faster.” Jodo says.

You smile. “Come on, let me show you something cool.” You say, heading outside.

The front of Jodo’s house isn’t all that crowded, so you spread your wings and lift off the ground by a few inches. “Amazing.” Jodo says once he sees you. “You can fly?”

“I can fly.” You answer, lifting up a few more inches.

“Astounding… Many have tried to enter the realm of the gods and the birds, but none have succeeded.” Jodo says.

“People on my world cracked flight over a hundred years ago. It’s all about knowledge. If you look at something as unattainable, then you’ll never attain it.” You say.

“To have this power…” Jodo bows. “I feel like the universe is in good hands. If anyone can save this place, it is you. I wish you luck, Logan.”

“Bye Logan!” Joso says

You smile and say goodbye before lifting off. Come to think of it, that’s the first time someone’s actually told you that you could do this. You can’t help but keep smiling as you rise higher into the air.

<Alright Vicky, which way is it?

A marker shows up on the horizon, and you blast towards it at full speed.

>continued

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>>33438867
>"I can fly"
Hell yeah, motherfucker

It’s a little over an hour by the time you see a light on the horizon. A pale, green light.

Beside the light you see the makings of a small village with your marker imposed on it. With your destination in view, you begin to descend. Before long, you’ve landed in the new village.

The buildings in this place are all made of new, green wood. Whereas the ones in the old one were starting to turn brown. The green light is visible from the village, and the plant life around you is all visibly growing.

New trees sprout up every now and again, and quickly grow to an almost full size. “So this is Jeleri’s influence, huh?” You mumble.

You quickly pick Tegru out from the few Kinno around the small settlement, an easy task as she’s the only female. You don’t need to call out, as your entrance was pretty conspicuous.

“Logan, right?” She asks.

“That’s me.” You say.

“What brings you here?” She asks.

“I’m here about this-“ You pull out the medallion “-and the key that goes to it.”

“Ah…” Tegru pauses. “Nosim told me that someone would come for it eventually. I was starting to wonder if it would happen in my lifetime…” She pulls out a small metal piece, emblazoned with what you recognize as Nosim’s house emblem. “Here.” She hands it to you.

“You don’t want to know why I want it?” You ask.

Tegru laughs. “You are the Void Knight. I trust your intentions, as we Kinno have always trusted the Way Knights.”

You take the key and slot it into one of the sides, only to have it not stick. After some trial and error, you find the side it goes on and it sticks in with a *click*. With the piece slotted, you can get a feeling of what it’ll look like when it’s done. The piece takes up exactly 1/11th of the medal’s edge, and it has a rounded outside end. With all the pieces in, this thing will probably just be a circle.

“Now, I was about to speak with the goddess. Want to join me?”

>What say?

>>33439213

>[x] Certainly

Every new perspective helps

Rolled 19

>>33439213
Roll to seduce goddess

>>33439306
fuck yeah

>>33439306
>>33439321
pls no.

>>33439306
Just wait, goddess will be little girl like the last time we tried that here

>writing

>>33439306
anything below a 20 counts as a critical failure

“Might as well join in. Getting this key took way less time than I expected, so I’ve got some time to spare.” You say. Well… aside from getting the other keys. But you’ve earned a little bit of procrastination.

Tegru smiles and leads you towards the pale green light you saw from the sky. The two of you don’t walk in silence, as Tegru asks how Jodo and Joso are doing. Apparently it’s been 2 weeks since she left, so her curiosity is understandable.

Eventually the topic turns back to your exploits, which Tegru seems to enjoy hearing about. Apparently Nosim used to regale her and her family with similar tales when she was younger, so it’s a bit nostalgic for her.

As you get closer to the light, a light fog seems to hang in the air. The trees here haven’t stopped growing, and some of them are wider than your armspan. Eventually you reach a clearing where the light is brightest and the fog is thickest, yet they don’t seem to impede your vision at all.

Suddenly you get a sensation like passing through a membrane, and the light and fog both disappear. You’re in a large circular patch of short grass, with a single figure sitting cross legged in the centre. The figure appears to be Kinno, around the same age as Tegru. But somehow… curvier? It’s an odd word to be using when describing a lizard person, but it’s the best you have. She’s wearing a simple, unadorned white robe. The space you’re in feels somehow… holy.

Tegru kneels. “My goddess, I have brought a traveller to meet you.” She says.

The Kinno in the centre stands and turns to face you.

>[ ] Observe conduct (kneel)

>[ ] Approach

>[ ] Other

>>33439692

With some hesitance perhaps, but observe the customs.

>er... greetings

>>33439692
Kneel briefly to show respect, then seduce- errr... approach

>>33439753
Indeed

>writing

You take a knee for a moment out of respect, but only briefly. “I must say, I am genuinely impressed.” You say.

“You’re a traveller, aren’t you? Have you never seen a goddess before?” Jeleri asks. Her words feel strange to you. Tegru seems to feel some sort of power in them, but all you get is an odd sensation in your ear.

“No, well… yes. Kind of. I ran into a very angry god one time who tried to blow up a planet and kill me because I tried to stop him. But otherwise no.” You say that, but this experience is starting to make you feel like Kalki wasn’t a god after all. You felt an oppressive amount of power from him, but that was more of a gut feeling. You feel Jeleri’s power through your whole being. Which is strange because you don’t usually feel the effects of Aether within your body.

Jeleri laughs once you finish stuttering out your response. “Take your time traveller. I have enough to spare.”

As you begin to speak again, Vicky prompts you.

>Rift detected.
<Who’s coming?
>Unknown.

“Oh my, it seems I’m rather popular today. Is it a friend of yours?” Jeleri asks.

>[ ] Get on guard

>[ ] Prepare to greet newcomer.

>[ ] Other

>>33440003

Get ready.

Maybe it's not a hostile, but pays to be prepared. Then again, our enemies don't do rifts anyway.

>>33440003
Whenever rifts open, and we don't know who it is, SHIT IS ABOUT TO GO DOWN
>Guard

>writing

You narrow your eyes and grab hold of the KV. “No…” You say.

<Any idea where it’ll open?

A marker shows up on the other end of the clearing, and you position yourself between it and the others. As a part of your preparation, you load scattershot and check your tanks.

Then the rift opens.

Whatever it is doesn’t quite cut through neatly like a Wayknight. It smashes into the world. Shards of reality scatter and disappear in its wake, leaving a gaping hole in space that slowly mends.

Out of the hole comes a figure in simple bronze armor, wielding a long staff of black and gold. Out of the visor in its armor you can see energy leaking from what are probably its eyes.

<Scan

“Stand aside.” It says, standing tall and firm.

“Who are you?” You ask it. Your hand tenses on your weapon. Though you have yet to draw it, you’re ready to do so at any moment.

“Stand aside.” It repeats, taking up a fighting stance. “Now”

>Scan complete!
>Lifeform of unknown origin. Large amounts of energy stored within. The staff appears to be of Hecatun origin.

Hecatun origin? If that’s true, then it looks almost like something for you…

“I might. But first, tell me who you are.” You say. You feel a bead of sweat run down your brow. This is the same feeling you got from Kalki. Every fibre of your being wants you to run to safety, but you will yourself to stay in place.

“I am the bringer of justice, Monthei. My crusade has brought me to this place. Now move aside, or be moved.” He says. Energy flares out from him, forcing you to widen your stance lest you be knocked over.

Well, you did want to meet him…

>End of Chapter 32

>>33440076

Let's not overreact though. It may be some representative of other gods or a wayknight courier... or it could be Zesh. Although Zesh would probably be reocognized by Vicky

>>33440309

Well I didn't expect that. Guess there will be business to be had.

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>That's all for tonight folks!

>As always, CWK and I will be sticking around for question time!

>Hope you enjoyed tonight's thread, the next one will be up on the twitter page an hour before I start it. Not sure what day I'll be able to run, though.

>I'll keep you all posted

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>>33440348

Thanks for the thread, OPs! Stay awesome

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I liked it

>>33440348
Do we have any idea what Apotropeia is?
Since void and aether seems to be related to the fake legend of origin, what exactly is Apotropeia in the grand scheme of things. Did we ever ask?

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>>33440499
>Mind if I take this one, Dizzy?

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>>33440499

Oh yeah, what did Earth scientists find out about it, did we give them a sample?

Also how deeply interconnected are people these days? Like in MMO, with chat window available at all times, or there's some mind melding perpetually going on? I guess the other human woman's advances are due to Hannah's memories having been distributed in the 'human cloud'.

>>33440499
You have yet to ask. But what Vicky told you about it when you first scanned it is all that was in the archives.

>>33440616
Important information is immediately distributed. The other humans can basically just talk to each other with their minds at this point.

Brit's advances have nothing to do with that. If they did, then all women would want the Logan D.

don't forget to archive the thread

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>>33440657
>then all women would want the Logan D.

>implying they don't

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>Unfortunately, you've never asked for an in-depth description, what with all the crap you deal with daily.

>All you know is the following: It seems to pack more punch then aether, it can guard against corruption, and it's exclusive to the Crossroads, the origin point of creation. Take from that what you will.

>>33440695
Well then making some wild assumptions I'm going to assume that it's some form of aether+void that is stable.

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>>33440741
>Logan, no! Don't contemplate the semantics of this universe in the middle of a fight!

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>>33440921

Well we're not fighting yet. Although that gentleman doesn't look like he came for a teatime conversation.

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>>33441095
>Good Lord, that's a disturbingly appropriate picture!