>>42007910

So you weren't happy about that. Nestled within the wooden crate you spent far too long trying to unearth – even if it wasn't actually you who did the heavy lifting – are a few rotting twigs and a scrap of rusted metal. It almost looks like the point of a spear, but it could also be a letter opener or something Forneus used to pick his bloody bastard teeth. Slowly, with a perfect calm that even you are surprised by, you close the wooden box and tuck it under your aching arm. Neither you, Cassandra nor the drunk sounding, half frozen pixie perched on your shoulder seem willing to break the silence.

Well, you announce at last, taking a certain satisfaction from the way Cassandra and your pixie minion perk up at the sound of your voice. There's no sense in hanging about here any longer, you add.

“What about all this other... stuff?” Cassandra asks, looking back at the jumbled stacks of crates and boxes filling the basement. There's a hell of a lot of them, and some are pretty big. It'd take a long time to check them all for anything important, assuming you'd even be able to tell what was valuable in the first place.

>Who cares?
>We'll come back later, I promise
>See anything you like?

>>42007916
Summon Undine and ask her and Pixie if there is anything useful here a human can use.

If yes, lets check it out.
If no, lets get going.

>>42007916
>>42007916
>Certainly, most of this should be stolen...
>Take what we can immediately use to help others, we shouldn't spend too long here.

>>42007916

>>42007954
>>42008039
i like these

>>42007916
>We'll come back later

Forneus roughed us up pretty good, and I have a feeling Mot's somewhere down here. Let's just take the spear and go.

>>42008144
Pixie and Undine can help us avoid the beast eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIjVvnO5lgM

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>>42007954
>>42008039
>>42008143
>>42008144

Cassandra does have a point – there's no way of telling what kind of weapons, relics or artefacts are stored down here. If even one of these boxes contains something as deadly as Alice, it's worth the time to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. On the other hand, you're in no fit state to carry out a thorough search right now. Even with Pixie's healing magic, you can barely walk without wincing in pain and your mind is still sluggish. You need a good long rest before you can start thinking about clearing this place out completely.

That's what you tell her, and you're a little relieved when she nods in agreement. “We might be able to get some help from the fairies, as well,” she mentions before pausing, “I suppose they're the safest option. For keeping anything dangerous we find, I mean.”

So long as their neutrality agreements hold up, yeah. Then again, with Cernunnos rotting in a dungeon beneath Oberon's keep – provided the king hasn't found some excuse to slit the horned god's throat by now – the pact seems pretty safe.

Just to be on the safe side, however, you call up Undine, hoping that she might be able to sniff out anything that you might find especially useful. When the little sprite appears, however, she immediately starts to glare at the pixie dozing on your shoulder, only occasionally taking a break from her hateful stare to give you an accusing look.

>>42008189

Hey come on, you mutter, it wasn't anything personal – you needed someone who could throw thunderbolts around, that's all. Is this going to be a problem?

“Hmph!” Undine pouts for a moment, before shaking her head. “No problem here. What do you need, boss?”

Does she know if there's anything useful here? Anything – preferably anything you can carry out of here – that might prove useful to humans or too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands?

“Hmm,” Undine squints, concentrating hard for a moment on – what, smelling the air? Gae Bolg had a smell, or so Pixie claimed. “It's hard to tell. There's a lot of rubbish down here that's getting in the way. If I had more time...”

Nope, you tell her urgently, no time. Maybe later, but not now. You'll be back later, with as much help as you need to sweep this place clean.

“Sure thing boss,” Undine sniffs the air again, “Can't say I blame you there – something down here is giving me the creeps even worse than that killer you keep around.” Shivering theatrically, she glances back towards the stairs, “I'll feel a lot safer once we're outside.”

That's something you can agree on, no question there. You make your way back to the emergency stairs – bitterly cursing the broken elevator that forced you to take such a painful route in the first place – and start to climb back up. At least the exercise helps your body warm up a little, and by the time you reach the top of the stairs your joints have loosened up nicely. The foyer, when you arrive, is as terrible looking as you remember it. Dark blood, already drying to a sticky finish, coats the floor here and reminds you of the stinking liquid clinging to your clothes. Perhaps you should do a little “shopping” on the way back.

>>42008267

Outside, though, any thoughts of looting – and being honest, that's what it is – are banished from your mind. The air turns warm, and the sky grows truly bright for the first time in a good long while. It reminds you of when Cassandra summoned Archangel, but amplified to an absurd degree. Fear transfixes you – is something coming? Some terrible warrior of God come to cleanse the wasteland?

“Be not afraid!” a thundering voice booms out, filling the air with a warm tone that nevertheless strikes fear into your heart, “People of London, you have suffered much over this past month. You have suffered, and the Lord has seen your suffering. Rejoice, for your Lord is a gracious and merciful master! He has sent me to ease your burden and grant absolution to all those who seek it!”

You turn and glance at Cassandra, who is looking up at the sky in rapt wonder – and a little bit of uncertainty. She's hearing the same thing you are, and she doesn't seem to like it as much as you were expecting.

“I, Raphael, the first of the Archangels, have come!” the angelic voice booms, “Sinners! Devil worshippers! Pagan cowards! Feel the terror stirring in your heart, and return to the Lord's merciful light!”

With that, the voice dies and the sky slowly returns to the usual red murk. The warmth in the air persists a while longer, but that too vanishes in time. Cassandra looks around at you, frowning.

“That's good,” she says, but there is doubt in her voice, “I mean, isn't it?”

>Of course it's good!
>We were getting along fine on our own
>This is very bad news

>>42008334
>I have a bad feeling about this...

>>42008334
I'd like to know exactly what he means by "ease your burden and grant absolution"

>>42008334
I don't know Cass. If they came down to spread benevolence and to help everyone like I thought before this all went down sure. But the way everyone talks about them and how your own Archangel acted towards me and everyone else that slightly strays away from what they think is Gods Will...I'm expecting a purge.

>I have a bad feeling about this...

>>42008353
>>42008356
>>42008381

You want to agree with her – really, you do. It's hard to go against seventeen years of religious upbringing and suggest that angels are not the saviours you expect them to be, but you've got a bad feeling about this that nothing can put down. Maybe you're biased – after all, the only angel you've met so far has been Archangel. Obedient, yes, but dangerous. The way he looked at you in that brief moment, like he couldn't wait to cut you down for some arbitrary reason, still haunts you.

Besides, you're not exactly sure what he means by “ease your burden and grant absolution”. Ease your burden – by killing every devil he comes across, perhaps? Where does that leave you, with your gang of loyal but very much unchristian demons?

“I mean, we're not pagans or anything, are we?” Cassandra asks fearfully. That's another thing – you've been chumming about with fairy royalty quite a lot lately, and you can't imagine Raphael taking too kindly to that. Does the neutrality pact even extend to humans? Like you said earlier, you've got a very bad feeling about all of this. Perhaps, you tell the girl, perhaps Oberon and Titania know a little more about this?

“That's right!” Cassandra perks up a little, “They have... prophecies and things, don't they? Maybe they can tell us what's going to happen!”

You're about to agree when you see a rare thing – another human being stumbling out into the street, looking up at the sky in confusion. Carnby, had he been here, would have hurried you into hiding or something at the sight of someone else, but since he's not here...

>Hide from them
>Watch from a distance
>Approach and greet them cautiously

>>42008540
>Watch from a distance

>>42008540
do we have any demons that are okay with, well, dying? No? Didn't think so.

Well, we're too injured to really try anything.
>Watch from a distance

>>42008540
>>Watch from a distance

>>42008561
>>42008607
>>42008646

There's no harm in watching them for a while, keeping your distance and seeing what happens. Whoever they are, they look pretty harmless – although, after a month in this new world, you've got to assume that any human left alive has the potential to be dangerous – merely staggering about in a daze. Slowly, as you watch, they shake their head and straighten up, looking around carefully. A woman, you realise as you get a good enough look at her, and one that looks like she just walked out of a secretarial job.

When she spots you – easily enough, since you're making no attempt at hiding from her – she waves cheerfully and starts to approach. Her face is fixed in an expression of genuine pleasure – the simple happiness of one human finding another where they didn't expect to – that you find strangely endearing. It's feels like it's been so long since you've seen someone who wasn't Carnby, Cassandra or Leon.

“Hello there!” the woman greets you enthusiastically, “You're really real, aren't you? You're actually human!”

Uh, yeah, you reply, the last time you checked, yeah. You're a little surprised at how forward she is, but perhaps that's to be expected under the circumstances. Maybe she was always like this – open, cheerful and with little notion of danger.

“I'm Lilly, Lilly White,” she continues, “Listen, have you seen a man around here anywhere? I've got a picture of him here...”

Please, you silently plead, don't be Carnby. The last thing you need to find is someone claiming to be Carnby's girlfriend or whatever.

>>42008805

“His name is Luke,” she tells you, rambling a little as she fumbles a snakeskin wallet out of her purse, “My boyfriend, fiancé, I mean. We both made it through, well, you know. We both survived, but we got separated a week ago and I've been trying to find him since. I know he's got to be around here somewhere...”

You look at the photograph she thrusts out at you. It's a picture of her – looking significantly younger – and an equally young man. He looks like, well, kind of a douchebag. Floppy hair and a ridiculous beard – they call that a soul patch, don't they? - make him look like the kind of person who would call themselves an “artist” or “musician” but really works in Starbucks. Either way, you don't recognise him, and you've certainly not seen him around.

She looks disappointed when you tell her that, but she lingers for a moment regardless. Is she expecting you to ask her about him or something? Probably, just so she can talk about how romantic he is or something. Well, maybe you DO have some questions for her...

>How are you still alive?
>How do you know he's still alive?
>What did you make of that voice?
>Excuse me, we've got to be somewhere

>>42008869
"How have you two been surviving? London isn't exactly safe to be walking around the streets anymore."

>>42008869
>How are you still alive?
>What did you make of that voice?

>>42008889
>>42008913

First things first, and you don't want to be rude here, but how have you two survived for so long? London isn't exactly the safest of places these days, you tell her, all the while looking for some sign that she might be able to summon demons. Although, other than clutching a smartphone with paranoid intensity, you can't think of anything that might identify a summoner.

“We're very good at, ah, running away,” Lilly laughs awkwardly, “And hiding, of course. Isn't that how you've survived?”

You exchange a glanced look with Cassandra, both of you reaching the same conclusion in an instant. That's right, you tell Lilly. Running, hiding and being absurdly lucky. But, maybe one day you won't have to rely on luck. What that voice said, about easing a burden and whatnot, what did she make of it?

“Brr, I don't even want to think about it,” Lilly shudders, “It sounds like the kind of thing you'd hear from some cult leader, offering salvation for a high price. No, I didn't like it at all.”

Well, you're not going to disagree there. It's a good way to describe it – like a cult leader. It's exactly the kind of vague terminology and empty rhetoric you'd expect from some sham prophet, except this Archangel has the strength to back up his words.

“Oh, I've got to keep looking!” Lilly wails, snatching the photograph out of your hands, “I know you're out there somewhere Luke, just wait!” With that she brushes past you and Cassandra, hurrying off before either of you can stop her – although you're not sure you want to. She only pauses as an afterthought, turning back to you and wishing you both good luck. You return the gesture and start heading off as well.

“She was...” Cassandra begins as you walk, but falls silent not long after. You don't blame her – you're not sure how you'd describe the flustered woman either. Not a murderer, at least. Always a plus.

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>>42009181

Later, as you're returning to the court of the fair folk, you decide to take a good long rest before anything else. You need to present Gae Bolg – what's left of it, rather - to Oberon and Titania at some point, but that doesn't strike you as urgent. You want to ask them about Raphael's announcement as well, but that's another thing that can probably wait. Frankly, if Forneus appeared right now, back from the dead and pissed off, you'd ask him to wait until after you've had a nap.

Yet, you have a sinking feeling as you approach your room. The door is slightly ajar and, when you tentatively enter, you see Titania – Queen Titania, you remind yourself – standing thoughtfully in the centre of the room. You're flattered, of course, but she seems to have forgotten that Carnby is in the other wing.

“Ah, Amelia. is...” her voice catches slightly as her eyes drop to the box tucked under your arm. A hint of genuine emotion, or a deliberate affectation? “Is that what I think it is?”

Gae Bolg, yeah. You nod, but pause before telling her what state it's in. It's not your fault, obviously, but there's no way of telling how the monarchs are going to take the news. Still...

“I'll take it, if you don't mind,” Titania holds her hands out to take the box, “Oh yes, there has been an... unconventional request. Cernunnos asked to see you. It's perfectly safe, but you don't have to go.”

He wants to see you? Hopefully not for a rematch.

>You can take Gae Bolg. I'll see him now
>I'd rather present Gae Bolg myself
>I'm not seeing him.

>>42009323
>You can take Gae Bolg. I'll see him now

But damn we do need some shut eye.

>>42009323
>>You can take Gae Bolg. I'll see him now

>>42009323
>You can take Gae Bolg. I'll see him now

>>42009323
>>You can take Gae Bolg. I'll see him now

>>42009357
>>42009371
>>42009591
>>42009667

She might as well take the damn thing, you were getting pretty sick of having to carry it about the place. This is one burden you're more than happy to have eased. You wince a little as you hand the box over, still pained a little by the effort of lifting your creaking arms up to the taller fairy's level. You try and hide it – for some reason, you're uneasy about showing the slightest hint of weakness around Titania – but some of it must have shown through.

“Are you well?” the queen asks, eyes widening in surprise, “You look hurt. Here, let me...” Before you can stop her, or even think twice about what she's about to do, she takes the box in one hand and reaches out, touching her fingers to your forehead. You gasp a little as a wave of new strength rushes into you, so powerful that it sends a shiver through your entire body. The lingering pain vanishes along with the fatigue weighing your body down, leaving you feeling ready to face Cernunnos.

You thank her, still uncomfortable with the eerily maternal look she gives you, and hurriedly ask for directions to Cernunnos' dungeon. It's an easy enough route to memorise – just keep going down, down until you can go no lower. The guards, in addition, have been told to let you through without harassment.

“You have my authority,” Titania promises, but as you turn to hurry off, she stops you. “It may, perhaps, be best if you do not mention this to my husband,” she tells you calmly. You narrow your eyes a little at that, but nod slowly. First she's strangely nice to you, and now she's asking you to keep her secrets? You can't shake the feeling that you've just become a pawn in some arcane game, to be used and discarded by a scheming player.

The even worse thing is that you doubt that very much has changed. You've just become more aware of things.

>>42009691

Cernunnos' cell, true enough, is at the very bottom of Oberon's keep. At first, you think the room you're led into is empty, but then you look down. In the centre of the circular room is a deep pit, covered with a thick layer of iron bars, and at the bottom of that bleak pit is Cernunnos himself. He looks defeated, slumped against the wall and lost in thought. A heavy iron manacle is bound to his ankle, a thick chain leading to a ring set deep into the floor. He's caged like a beast, you realise, with something approaching pity.

“I wondered if you'd come,” he growls, his voice low and rasping. He sounds like someone who's shouted himself raw fairly recently, and is only now recovering the use of his voice. “See how they keep me caged and leashed? Oberon seeks to keep me truly tamed this time. Yet, if our positions were reversed, I would have taken his head.”

You don't doubt that, somehow. So what did he want with you? It must have been something pretty important to summon you all the way down here.

“You brought back Gae Bolg, didn't you?” the fallen god rasps, “I wish you hadn't. That spear, everything it represents, is my greatest failure. Perhaps Oberon will dangle it above my head, so that it might one day end my life.”

If he only had self pity to offer you, you'd leave right away, but somehow you're convinced that that's not the case. He doesn't like you, doesn't want to help you in any way, but there's something he thinks you need to know.

>Your greatest failure?
>What's between you and Titania?
>I didn't come here to listen to your whining. I'm leaving
>Other

>>42009797
>>Your greatest failure?
"Where does Cu Chulainn fit into all this?"
>>What's between you and Titania?

"If you find me ignorant to all that's happening within this court, which I probably am, please enlighten me."

>>42009797
>Your greatest failure?
>What's between you and Titania?

>>42009824
>>42009840

His greatest failure, you ask, what's that? You would have thought that his duel, his lose, to you would have been his greatest failure. After all, that's what brought him here and broke up his little rebellion.

“That spear belonged to my champion, Cu Chulainn,” he begins slowly, before lapsing into silence.

You know that, you tell him, where does Cu Chulainn fit into all this?

“He was a proud man, a man whose pride made him an excellent warrior, but a poor servant. He was among the first to fight by my side, but he was always seeking to usurp my position. I am a proud man as well, and my pride would not let that insult stand,” he growls to himself, lost for a moment in regret and frustration. “We fought often, and with great passion. One day... I killed him. That day, his spear withered and rusted. In the space of a moment, it became the wreck it is today.”

And this wreck, you ask, how did it fall into Forneus' collection?

“I gave it to that blustering fool,” Cernunnos groans, covering the eyes of his deer skull face with his hands, “As a show of loyalty. I took what remained of my only friendship, and bartered it away for a taste of power. A taste, that was all, and a fleeting one at that.”

So that's that. And the moral of the story, you suggest, is what? Don't sacrifice too much for the promise of power?

“You jest,” Cernunnos laughs bitterly, “Very well. Scorn my advice if you must. Just know that you're playing a dangerous game. This court devours those who cannot heed good advice.”

Yes, the court, you were going to ask about that. Maybe you're ignorant about it – in fact, you're almost certain that you are – but you're willing to learn. To start with, what is there between him and Titania?

>>42010048

“Ah...” Cernunnos lets out a long sigh at the name, “We were lovers, once. When I was just a hunter and she was just one fairy among hundreds. Then she stole that wretched boy-king's heart and saw her chance to become someone important. Bah, as if she wasn't important to me!”

That's actually a little sad, you think to yourself, but you keep silent and let him continue.

“In time, I fought my way to the top, fighting until not even Oberon could deny my claim. All the while, Titania was there, grooming me, urging me to take a higher place. Now I see what she was really after,” another low growl of frustration creeps up from within the cage, “Had I won, and my army found victory, she would have become my queen, the queen of a truly powerful kingdom.”

But he didn't win, did he? So where does that leave Titania?

“The heroic queen, whose rule saw the monster Cernunnos defeated and broken,” there is true bitterness in his words, “And she'll have the monster himself in a cage to prove it.”

That might be true, if she was the one to defeat him, but it wasn't. You beat him, not her.

“That's why you should be careful,” the horned god warns, “She'll try and get you under her thumb now, keep you loyal and obedient. But the first time you waver, the first sign of dissent, and you might just find yourself a cage of your own.” He laughs angrily, his chain rattling along with the sound. “That's my warning, human. Take it or leave it.”

You're not sure what to say to that. It could just be the rantings of a defeated warlord, or it could be a sincere warning. It's not like you can ask for Titania's honest opinion, either.

>You're just trying to cause trouble, that's all
>I'll remember your warning, I promise
>I'm leaving
>Other

>>42010268
>I'll remember your warning, I promise

>>42010268
I appreciate the advice and the spirit it was given in. May fortune smile upon you again one day.

>>42010307
this

>>42010268
Going with >>42010307

I like how our girl simultaneously has a short temper (especially with her dad) and is also extremely patient when she needs to be.

>>42010307
>>42010304
>>42010375
>>42010390

You appreciate the advice and the spirit it was given in, you tell Cernunnos solemnly, may fortune smile upon him again one day. The words feel strange, overly formal, but appropriate under the circumstances.

“Ha! Fancy words, for a human. Perhaps you're well suited to this court after all,” Cernunnos jeers, “You're a strange one, human. I'm glad you came here today.”

Well, you're not hyped about coming – in fact, you feel worse than ever – but it was the right thing to do. At the very least, you feel a little more prepared for what might be coming. One thing, though. Titania – what's her ultimate goal? If she's playing you, what's she working towards? There's only so much that one human can achieve, after all.

“Power,” Cernunnos guesses with a heavy shrug, “And security. A powerful kingdom, and an unshakable place at the top of it. So long as you don't threaten that...”

You're safe, you finish for him. Alright. Now, you've got somewhere to be. You were promised a reward for bringing back that box of scraps, and you want to see what it is. After that, well, you've got some a nap with your name on it. You're just leaving the dungeons when your phone chimes. Huh – signal all the way down here. It's a message, on your Oracle app, from Carnby.

>Where are you? Everyone's at the audience chamber, waiting for you. What were you doing anyway?

Well jeez, it looks like you're the star of the party. Given the new information, you're not particularly happy about that. Better put on your game face.

We'll get that nap someday.

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>>42010555

True enough, the audience chamber is full – packed to the brim with pixies and stranger things aside. Oberon is slouching on his throne, eyeing up every fairy with a skirt that passes by while Titania is standing to attention, looking out over the crowd with a faint smile. Everyone seems overjoyed, hyped up to a party mood by Gae Bolg's return. It really means that much to them? Sure, you might have played into Titania's hands by returning it, and you almost died, but you don't regret a thing. You did this – brought hope to so many of these people.

“Amelia!” Carnby hisses when he sees you. You hurry up to him, dodging and ducking around giddy looking fairies. “Where were you? Cassandra said you just hurried off without saying anything!”

Really? You glance around to the other girl, who offers you a tiny shrug. You're certain she overheard you talking with Titania – you didn't try and hide the conversation, perhaps unwisely – but if she told Carnby that... Keeping your secrets now, is she? You owe her one. Then again, you already owed her a pretty big one for saving your life. Maybe you should start a tally.

You were just doing a thing, you reply quickly, hoping that you'll be able to stall Carnby until you think of a proper answer. He glares at you, mouth pressed into a hard line, but doesn't force the issue – thankfully.

“People of the fairy kingdom!” Oberon shouts suddenly, his voice carrying through the hall, “Loyal subjects, friends all! No doubt you all know why you're here,” he pauses here and, obligingly, the crowd roars in approval, “But yes! I bring to you today, long awaited, the precious remains of Gae Bolg!”

You were hoping that the spear's remains would look better in a better situation, anything would be better than an old crate full of straw, but nope. It's still just a couple of sticks and a letter opener. At least the crowd likes it, shrieking and cheering until your ears ring.

>>42010755

When the crowd finally calms, Oberon hovers up until he can be seen above everyone else in the hall. “Yet it was not our hands that recovered this treasure. Human hands brought us this blessing!” If that bothers the crowd, they don't show it, cheering as loudly as ever. You feel Titania's eyes upon you, cold and analytic, and turn to meet her gaze. Warmth rushes back into the queen's eyes when you turn her way, her inquisitive look softening into one of approval. Genuine? Maybe, but you know that her blessing has strings attached.

“Step forwards, noble human!” Oberon cries, “May the human who brought us this gift step forwards, so that they might be rewarded in turn!”

That's you, he's asking for. Except... it wasn't JUST you that brought Gae Bolg back to them, was it? It's not fair for you to take all the glory when Cassandra did half the work, is it? Then again, this whole speech has been a finely tuned affair – perhaps bringing up a second person would throw a spanner in the works. You can't imagine Oberon would be too pleased to have his plans derailed.

There is a faint murmur running through the hall, one of questioning uncertainty. From the stage, Oberon repeats his shouted request.

>Grab Cassandra and step forwards
>Step forwards alone
>Don't step forwards at all

>>42010925
>Grab Cassandra and step forwards

>>42010925
>Grab Cassandra and step forwards

We all earned our keep here.

>>42010925
>>Grab Cassandra and step forwards

>>42010952
>>42010981
>>42011134

Hell, without Cassandra you might not even be here. You might have frozen to death, caught up in Forneus' death throes if you hadn't thought to bring the other girl along. You're not just going to march up there and take all the glory while she stands here, surrounded by rowdy pixies. In a sudden burst of movement, you grab her hand and lunge forwards, dragging the squealing girl along behind you.

Just before you reach the platform, you look back. Cassandra looks flustered, panicking and yet somehow pleased all at the same time. Oberon, still hovering above his throne, freezes in place for a moment before forcing his smile to return.

“Yes, my loyal subjects, it was these humans that brought Gae Bolg back to us!” the king cries, after the briefest of hesitations, “And in turn, it is these humans who shall be rewarded.”

“You, Amelia Bishop,” Titania says smoothly, holding out her left hand, tightly clenched into a fist, “This trophy is for you. It shall warn you when dark sorceries seek to twist your thoughts,” opening her fist, she shows you a small amber pendant. Her right hand, she lifts towards Cassandra. “Cassandra Einhart, this trophy is for you. It shall ward you against the light of Heaven.”

You share a look with the other girl, confusion painted across her face. All traces of the happiness that she had earlier have vanished, replaced with worry and doubt. Titania drops the amber pendant into your hand, and places a little silver crucifix in Cassandra's numb grip.

“Wear it against your bare skin,” the queen whispers to you, her voice carrying despite the background noise, “It will grow warm when someone is trying to influence your thoughts.” Then, raising her voice, “Now humans, go out among us and enjoy our hospitality!”

>>42011275

After that, with you and Cassandra returning to the surging crowd, all sense of formality dissolves into wild abandon as the party spills out of the room. Most of the assembled fairies are moving towards the banquet chamber – or so you overhear – and many are already swigging from jugs and flagon of wine. Soon, it's just the stragglers left in the hall – a few lingering fairies and the humans. Carnby, still looking up at the stage like a lovestruck teenager, doesn't look like he's going to be asking any more questions, but Cassandra looks more upset than ever.

“Amelia, why would she give me this?” she asks, holding the silver cross out like it's infected with the plague. You take a closer look at the thing, studying it closely. It's old, you can tell that much. So old, it looks more like some kind of Celtic symbol than any Christian iconography. “What's it supposed to mean? Is this some trick? Some joke?”

>Maybe it's just a gesture? It's a pretty cool necklace
>I don't think she meant anything by it
>Might not be such a bad thing to keep around
>Other

>>42011380
>Other
"I don't think I'll ever know whats going on in her head. I could have been a joke, but I don't think she'd waste the effort on just that. It may have been her way of saying 'Think for yourself' in a very rude and passive aggressive way."

>>42011380
>>42011511
This with the caveat that we should be Very careful around her. She's what Forneus wishes he was.

>>42011511
>>42011555

You're not sure you'll ever know what's going on in Titania's head, you admit to Cassandra. For one thing, Oberon was completely taken by surprise when you brought Cassandra up with you, but Titania didn't even blink. Hell, she even had a second reward prepared – and one that seemed tailored just for Cassandra. It's a lot of effort to go to, just for a joke, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't do it.

Or, you continue, it might be a piece of veiled advice. A warning, even - “think for yourself”. Not such bad advice, really, since Raphael has descended to the earth. Of course, it's a pretty shitty way of giving advice – about as passive aggressive as you can get – but that's just what you'd expect from Titania.

“She scares me, a little,” Cassandra admits.

You don't blame her. In truth, you're a little afraid of Titania as well. Forneus ranted about how he would become the demon king of all London, but when everything is over you're rather more convinced that London will have a queen. Your honest advice? Try not to dwell on whatever cryptic bullshit Titania throws about and just make the best of things. It's a nice enough necklace – not a bad thing to keep around, if nothing else.

“Yes, I suppose you're right,” Cassandra sighs, holding her new cross up so that it dangles in the candlelight, “What about you? What are you going to do with yours?”

What indeed? It's a useful sounding trinket – although it does make you wonder how many times your mind has been toyed with before now – but you're a little tentative. Do you really trust Titania enough to take her token at face value?

>Wear it
>Keep it in your pocket
>Throw it away - discretely

>>42011725
>>Keep it in your pocket

>>42011725
>Keep it in your pocket

>>42011725
>Wear it - discretely

>>42011725
>although it does make you wonder how many times your mind has been toyed with before now

Don't worry Amelia, the voices in your head have your best interests at heart.

>>42011763
wear it

>>42011725
>Keep it in your pocket

>>42010576
The ride never ends

>>42012213
>>42011754
>>42011760

You'll, ah, you'll just keep this in your pocket for now, you tell Cassandra as you drop the little amber droplet into your trouser pocket and pat your leg cheerfully. It might just come in handy one of these days. Then again, you don't tell her, you're a little wary about anything Titania gave you that might have the ability to influence your thoughts. Sure, it might let you know when someone is trying to control your mind, but that doesn't mean it won't “accidentally” fail if SHE ever tries to mess with your head.

Now you're just being paranoid – but maybe that's her doing as well. You laugh a little, almost to yourself, and look around. The audience chamber is practically empty now, and Carnby has finally pulled himself up out of his hormonal daze. Speaking of people having their minds messed with...

“Ah, Amelia,” he tells you, “Excellent work with Gae Bolg – you've really endeared us all to the fairy court. I don't think we'll have a problem staying here for good, if that's what it comes down to.”

What does he mean, if that's what it comes down to?

“Oh well, you know,” he shrugs, “Things are changing out there. I'm sure you heard while you were out – the first of the Archangels has descended to earth, and now seeks to establish the foundation of God's kingdom. I'm certain that Lucifer has dispatched his own lieutenants as well, to do battle with the Archangels.”

Lucifer, he says, without a hint of irony or sarcasm. Then again, you should have guessed – if God is pulling the strings behind the scenes, it stands to reason that the Prince of Darkness himself should be working on his own designs.

“Yes well,” Carnby continues, “Things are going to get violent out there. The fairies' neutrality pacts should keep up safe, but nowhere else is going to be left untouched.”

Is there a way you can stop this, you ask carefully, a way you can stop all of this?

>>42012293
>Is there a way you can stop this, you ask carefully, a way you can stop all of this?

Million dollar question.

>>42012293

“Stop this?” Carnby asks, surprised.

Yeah, you tell him firmly, hypothetically speaking. What, for example, are the angels and demons fighting over?

“If the records I've been reading are correct, they will fight over four cornerstones, and then a final, fifth keystone. The more cornerstones each side possesses, the stronger their forces will be. The side that possesses the keystone will be victorious, banishing their enemies from ever stepping foot upon the earth again.” Carnby runs a hand through tangled hair and sighs, “Or so I read. I feel there's more information out there somewhere.”

Information that's being hidden from him, you ask Carnby, or just information he hasn't found yet?

“Well...” the professor – it's going to be a long time before you stop calling him that – pauses to think, “It could be either, honestly. It would be easy to hide a book within the archives, but it would also very easy for something to just... get lost.”

That's great. A total non-answer. You're not really sure what you expected.

>Try and find Titania – she'll know.
>Press Carnby for more information
>Let it lie for tonight. There's a party to attend

>>42012357
>>Press Carnby for more information
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!

>>42012357
First
>Press Carnby for more information
Then
>Try and find Titania – she'll know.
"Everything that's happened this past month, its happened before right? The demons I've encountered make it seem like whats been happening is par for the course. What is God and Lucifer after here?"

>>42012403
this

>>42012381
>>42012403
>>42012673

Okay, you're not sure how much more information you can get out of Carnby, but if the alternative is going toe to toe with Titania in an intellectual discussion, you'll stick with the human option every time. To start with – you know what the demons are fighting over, in the loosest possible sense, but you don't know any way of stopping the fight. Winning the fight, you'd prefer, but you're aware that that's likely wishful thinking.

“Winning the fight? You mean, wait,” Carnby pulls his glasses off and pinches his nose, “Do you mean, YOU winning the fight?”

That'd be nice, you admit, but you're not that arrogant. You'd be happy with a third option of any kind. Is THAT possible? Some way of steering both angels and devils towards defeat?

“You cannot be serious.” Carnby replies simply – yet still not answering the question. If it was as impossible as he's suggesting, wouldn't it be easier to just say that? “You're suggesting going up against both God and Lucifer, probably at once! Just listen to yourself!”

Okay, when he puts it like that, then yes. It does sound pretty risky.

“Risky!” Carnby splutters, “I refuse to be a part of this! I cannot, in good conscience, send you to your death like this, all because of some insane delusion that you can bring the old world back!”

Ahha! You never said anything about bringing the old world back! So Carnby DOES know something, after all! You grin at him, allowing yourself a moment of perfect smugness, and watch as he curses silently.

“There was a reference,” he admits at last, “A fragment, that's all. Just a scrap that suggested that anyone who could control all four cornerstones and the keystone MIGHT have the power to do anything. To bring back the old world, or create a new one. That's all I read.”

Fine, you tell him simply, you'll see if anyone else knows a little more. You can think of somebody who might be able to help.

>>42012713

“Amelia, wait!” Carnby snaps, but too late. You're already away. In the end, Titania is the one who finds you – and all with the calm precision of one who knew exactly where to look.

“I was very impressed back there,” she praises you with a soft voice, placing a hand on your back and steering you out of the corridor you were both standing in, moving out onto a balcony. Her hand feels... warm. It's far from a comfortable warmth, however. “Bringing your friend up. Very magnanimous.”

Well, you tell her slowly, it was only fair. Cassandra did more than her fair share.

“Really?” Titania raises her eyebrow, “I'm sure she's a perfectly capable young woman. But let's not play around, yes? You have questions you want to ask, do you not?”

Damn right you do, and you're going to start with the big ones. First off, God and Lucifer are fighting over these cornerstone things, right? Why?

“Each cornerstone has the power to strengthen the forces of Heaven or Hell. If the angels control them all, then Lucifer's forces will have a very hard time making progress. But, the keystone changes everything. Whoever own the keystone will control the world.” Her answer is simple and concise, but pretty much the same information Carnby had for you. You press her for more.

“My, so he knows that much already? He's a very good researcher, isn't he? Very... capable,” Titania gives you an easy smile, and you have to fight back the urge to retch, “Yes, there is a third path. You see, anyone who controls a cornerstone can direct their energy. To Heaven or Hell, yes, but also outside our world. Neither side will benefit. With their forces weakened, one such as yourself might be able to reach the keystone.”

And then you could bring back the old world, you ask, is that true?

“So they say,” Titania answers, “But I wouldn't really know, would I?”

Fine then. Next question.

>>42012914

This might sound like a strange question, you begin, but has this all happened before? This apocalypse, this struggle? Some strange feeling in the back of your mind seems to tell you that it's all a part of some larger pattern.

“There are theories,” Titania sighs, a trace of genuine irritation creeping through her mask, “But these things can never be proven. It is said that, yes, this cycle has happened before. Each time, God wins the battle and recreates earth. But each time, the battle has been closer and closer, until only the intervention of wild cards, humans like yourself with the ability to control demons, were able to win the day in His favour.”

So there really is the power to recreate the old world, even if that power lies within God's hands. Maybe... maybe it isn't such a futile hope after all.

“Now, is there anything else on your mind?” Titania asks, leaning against the balcony and looking up at the darkened night sky, “Any other questions?”

>Nope, nothing
>Confront her about Cernunnos' story
>Ask about Cassandra's pendant
>Openly ask if she's using you
>Other

>>42013036
>Ask about Cassandra's pendant
The other two I want to keep close to our chest.

>>42013036
>What does she see in Carnby?

>>42013036
>Ask about Cassandra's pendant

>>42013070
>>42013073
>>42013093

Damn right you've got a question. What was the deal with Cassandra's pendant? Was it just some holy relic that Titania conveniently had lying around, ready to dish out on the first Christian girl she could find? Or was it some kind of sick joke?

“Are you really so quick to ascribe malice to my actions?” Titania asks plainly, “You assume I know much about this girl, and use this knowledge purely to hurt her. That's a very unkind thing to assume.”

Yeah, well, you stammer. Put like that, it does kind of make you sound like a jerk.

“In truth, I have seen one potential future. One single possibility amongst a sea of chances, and yet this one fate seemed, to me, that little bit brighter than the rest,” Titania sighs, “I saw your friend, this Cassandra, fighting for her life against the angels she once worshipped. A terrible fate for anyone to suffer, and she died with a heart full of despair.”

No way, you whisper, she... died?

“Slain, because she refused to abandon a heretic to death,” Titania nods, “I had hoped that this future might not come to pass. We shall see, in time. As I said, it was merely a single possibility among many. Put it out of your mind, Amelia, dwelling on the future is no way to live. But please, ask me whatever else you want.”

Shit, you're not sure what to say. Put it out of your mind? That's not as easy as she makes it sound. Maybe... maybe you should try and tackle a subject vile enough to wipe your mind clean. Carnby, you ask her reluctantly, what does she see in him?

“He's a very intelligent man,” Titania answers, smiling coyly, “I very much enjoy our discussions, when we get the chance to have them.”

No, that's not quite what you meant...

“It's very late, Amelia, and children should not stay up all night,” the queen pats you on the head before gliding back towards the corridor, “You'll have a busy day tomorrow, I'm sure.”

>>42013304

Hey, wait! You call out after the fairy queen, but she manages to vanish from sight, somehow blending in with the crowd. How she does it, you'll never know – less than one in every ten of the fairies is taller than waist height – but still, she disappears. You curse for a moment, but honestly, you're a little glad of her evasive answer. Some things, mankind was not meant to know.

So, angry and considerably tired, you slowly make your way back to your room. You're not in the mood to join in the party around you, but your bed is singing a siren song that you can barely resist. What did Titania mean, about having a busy day tomorrow? True, your days tend to be busy, but...

>I'll finish there for tonight. Next thread will be on Sunday, I imagine, and I'll lurk for a while if there's any questions.

>>42013361
thanks for running

>>42013304
Huh. So there's a chance Cass isn't actually the Law Hero?

>>42013361
Thanks for the run boss.

I forgot to ask last thread but what does Cass think about Amelia recruiting demons left and right.

First Undine, then Valk, then Eligor.

>>42013401
I think we may be off standard SMT rails.

>>42013361
thanks for running!

>>42013401
Also, thanks for running.

>>42013414
Yeah, possibly. The guy I expected to be the Chaos hero DID get offed pretty quick.

>>42013401

I actually started with the intention to stick with a strong law/chaos hero pair, but as I went on, I just found myself thinking differently about the characters. At the moment, I think Cass could probably go either Law of Neutral.

>>42013414

She thinks Amelia is very good at making friends! Really though, Cass is smart enough to realise what it takes to survive, even if she isn't quite as pragmatic as Amelia or as willing to admit it.

>>42013445
There are probably more humans that can take up those roles. Law and Chaos heroes are probably a dime a dozen.

Either you run and join God for his protection or become a bloodthristy warrior looking for any way to come out on top.

Its easy to give in to either.

>>42013497
So thats our kind of big goal isn't it? Taking over cornerstones and diverting them away from Heaven or Hell since we seem to be going Neutral.

>>42013531

That's certainly A goal. Amelia can send the energy to any of the three places - Heaven, Hell or nowhere.

>>42013593
>That twitter spoiler

Oh thank god.

Would it be a spoiler to ask how many demons we can summon at once eventually. I know SMT1 had like 5 right?

>>42013690

The final is probably going to be 4, while storage will probably increase to 12.

>>42013730
How are you going to handle demon fusion if we do get it?

Just looking at the fusion table of Nocturne or something, or just giving us demons thematically based on who we fuse.

>>42013730
>spoiler warning
ah, but did she get to eat?

>>42013766

I've been thinking about fusion for a while, and I'm thinking I'm going to leave it out. It's a pretty big part of the games, but it's a little less relevant in a narrative format. Plus, it seems like an added complication

>>42013787

No. She's going to wake up grumpy and hungry

>>42013851
Guess we'll have to get the bigger demons the old fashioned way then.

Amelia's always a bit grumpy.

>>42013851
CURSE YOU BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

But yes, I see what you mean with the fusion thing. It gets especially weird when you fuse copies of the important demons to the story.

I wonder how earlier demons are going to "keep up", though. Is there just a relatively safe way to release them, do we sell them to some slaver demon, or do we just fuse the ones we don't like into a weapon we own?

>>42013925

At the moment, I was going to go with just letting them go, to roam free. However, I am thinking about fusing them into items and such. The item in question would depend on the demon. For example:

Undine would make a charm against ice magic

>>42013998
I don't know if I could fuse Undine.

She's like our Pixie and dem Amala Network connections.

Same goes for Ripper I think too.

>>42013998
so are they all "I DONT WANT TO DIE", "OHH, will I become more powerful?", "Dude, you're pretty cool, I'mma help you out by giving you my life." or "Oh, live in a pendant? Sure, nothing wrong with spending a few years as an inanimate object."

>>42013998
Will Jack just keep leveling? It's kinda a rule your first stays with you forever.

>>42014053

I like to think that it's binding the demon to an item, so they would still "live" inside of it. That said, some demons would be less happy with that than others. Undine or Pixie would be happy to help, but something like Barghest would be pretty pissed off

>>42014101

Jack does grow more powerful as time goes on. He would also turn lawful/chaotic if Amelia did so, and change accordingly. Bayonets instead of knives for Law, perhaps?

>>42014046

I'd feel pretty bad about fusing Undine as well, to be honest. She's a lot of fun to write

>>42014145
>if we go Lawful Jack turns into Alexander Anderson
Well.

As for undine, I imagine she'd be our spymaster.

>>42014145
By the way I gotta ask.

Did Cass feel the vest when she hugged us?

>>42014173
Knowing whats going on, on the other side of London, is so damn useful. Especially if we are going Neutral.

okay guys, vote for your favorite Jack.

Black Frost?
King Frost?
Demoni-ho?
Frost Ace?
The Ripper?

>>42014227
>Demonee-Ho
Loved that little guy.

>>42014191

Technically, yes, but she was too panicked to take any real notice,

>>42014227

BIG
BLACK
FROST

>>42014243
mmm, gotta love that Debilitate.

>>42014258
But my heart is still with Big Bad REPEL ICE AND FIRE MOTHERFUCKER

>>42014191
>hugged
Yuri when?

>>42014460
Don't think this is the right quest for that.

Also Amelia strikes me as straight as hell, if a bit tomboyish.

>>42014483

No time for romance when you're saving or possibly destroying the world!

Although technically, Amelia and Cassandra have held hands for a moment, so things have already gotten pretty scandalous.

>>42014666
>666
I'm on to you Lucy.

File: Can't be Helped.jpg (18 KB, 400x317)

18 KB JPG

>>42014693

You got me

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42 KB JPG

>>42014145
>Bayonets instead of knives for Law, perhaps?