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>>42434227

She... but... what? Did she just walk around in a big circle just to surprise you like that? You whirl around to face the queen – thankfully keeping your balance at the sudden movement – and stammer what you had planned to be a series of questions, but ended up as mumbled nonsense. Great job, you're really working on that “being assertive” thing.

“You know, I just remembered something,” Titania tells you with a tiny smile, “A rumour that came my way earlier today. There are whispers that a man of the East has come to London, bearing many wondrous items to trade.”

The East? Does she mean... East London? That was a pretty rough area before the world ended, and you can't imagine it's improved much after it. Your question seems to throw Titania off her stride for a moment, her calm features clouded with confusion.

“A man of the Orient, perhaps I should say,” the queen corrects herself, “One with an item I would dearly like to possess – not for myself, you understand, but as a gift for my husband.”

You're not really sure you're allowed to call it “the Orient” these days, but you don't mention that to the queen. It seems that she's wanting to make a peace offering, something to help end the squabbling she's gotten into with Oberon, king of the fairies. That's nice – and helpful. The less those two are bickering, the more they can assist you and Amelia. Though, you've got to admit to having a certain curiosity about this item she's after.

>What do you want me to get?
>He's a trader? I don't have any money...
>I can't do it, I'm sorry
>Other

>>42434235
>What do you want me to get?
>He's a trader? I don't have any money...

>>42434235
>>What do you want me to get?
>>He's a trader? I don't have any money...


Lecture her on how what she said was racist. Rug can be oriental, people can not.

>>42434290
Would you prefer if she said East Asian?

>>42434290
Maybe we shouldn't lecture the goddamn Queen on something so trivial.

>>42434282
>>42434290

Well, dubious racial epithets aside, you're willing to see what you can do. First though, what exactly is Titania looking for? A wondrous item, she said, but what kind? A weapon?

“The Lunar Crown,” Titania names the item with relish, “A most beautiful item, or the stories say, and one cloaked in majesty. A fitting item for a king, is it not? They say it's crafted from the purest silver and studded with moon crystals.”

Moon... crystals? You're not sure that the moon has any crystals. All the moon has, as far as you're aware, is rock. Rock, and a flag.

“Really?” Titania lifts an eyebrow in genteel surprise, “Have you been there? The moon, you see, has a special significance for us fairies – for all demons, really, but especially us. Humans, children of God, look up to the sun, but demons have always been drawn to the moon. The full moon, especially, can influence many demons in strange ways.”

Oh, well, you clear your throat as you make to ask your next question – how exactly are you supposed to buy this crown thing? You don't really have any money. She does want you to buy it, right? She's not asking you to just... beat him up and take it, right?

“Buy, of course,” Titania's smooth smile doesn't flicker, “I imagine he'll name his price. Tell him that the fairy kingdom will match it – he can collect what he is due at any time.”

That sounds... kind of sinister. You can only imagine the hapless trader arriving at the palace with his hand outstretched, only to be set upon by a gang of sword swinging fairies. C'mon, that's just being ridiculous...

“Cu Chulainn will accompany you, of course,” Titania adds, snapping you out of those dark thoughts, “He will serve as a representative of the court and, should the need arise, as a bodyguard.”

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>>42434674

Well, you'll just... get going then. Where is this trader – some deeply engrained politeness stops you from using Titania's preferred terms for the man – supposed to be located?

“The East,” Titania offers, continuing before you can protest her vague directions, “There is a marketplace to the East of here, or so I am told – I can only guide you so much in a world I do not myself know – and that is where you shall find him. I don't expect he'll be hard to find. He's said to travel in a wagon that needs no horse to move.”

...A car, then? Regardless, you think you know the place. A marketplace, not to far from here. There would often be a farmer's market on the Sundays, with withered old men selling organic, locally sourced goods to middle class hipsters. Well, that's hardly important these days – after the end of the world, you'd be lucky to find a single farmer, and especially unlucky to find a single hipster.

“Excellent. I'm glad you're so willing to help out with this small matter,” Titania purrs and, for a moment, you're sure you see a triumphant glint in her eyes. She's just happy, obviously, to have someone doing odd jobs while Amelia is still laid up in bed. That's it, yes.

Humming softly to yourself as you stride down the palace corridors, you reach the foyer in no time at all and see Cu Chulainn leaning nonchalantly against a pillar, his spear resting on a shoulder. You're glad to have him with you, and secretly even more glad that he's got to rely on you for directions. This might even turn out to be quite a fun little diversion.

“So you'll be my guide today,” Cu Chulainn greets you with a forced smile, “I'm... glad to be getting out for a bit, of course.”

Is there something wrong?

>Don't worry, I'm pretty good with directions
>What's the matter?
>Let's get a move on, shall we?
>Other

>>42434846
>>Don't worry, I'm pretty good with directions
>>What's the matter?

>>42434846
>Don't worry, I'm pretty good with directions
>What's the matter?

>>42434846
>>What's the matter?

>>42434884
>>42434902
>>42434906

Hey, don't worry! You grin broadly, trying to lighten the mood – you're pretty good with directions! That's actually true, your old habit of wandering about the city on lazy afternoons gifting you with an innate sense of direction and a reasonable knowledge of the city. Some of that knowledge might be out of date by now, with streets twisted or blocked off by the strange physical corruption spreading through London, but you can adjust to that. It's no different from roadworks really.

“I didn't doubt you for a second,” Cu Chulainn assures you.

Oh, then in that case, what's the matter? You thought he'd look a little more cheerful, what with being allowed out to roam the streets a little.

“I'm glad that I'm allowed out, of course,” the hero seems reluctant to continue, but eventually forces the words out, “Only, well, it's hardly glorious work, is it? I was hoping to slay mighty beasts, to best wicked sorcerers! This... this is little more than shopping. The queen might as well have sent us to pick fruit from a tree!”

Well, picking fruit can be dangerous if it's a very tall tree, you offer. It doesn't come as much consolation, but at least the comparison makes Cu Chulainn laugh a little. Besides, you add, if getting this crown thing is the key to settling Oberon and Titania's enmity, then perhaps they'll be willing to let their champion out on more dangerous duties.

“Yes, that's true,” Cu Chulainn muses, “Things have settled somewhat, but the situation is still sensitive. If this trader really has the Lunar Crown, then granting it to Oberon will go a long way towards placing the queen in his good books.”

Is this crown really so valuable, you ask as you're heading out into the forests with Cu Chulainn, what makes it so special?

>>42435242

“Titania explained the significance of the moon, did she not? The Lunar Crown contains fragments of the moon which, alone, is enough to make it very valuable to us,” Cu Chulainn explains as he leads the way. It'll be a while yet before you have to take the lead, so you allow the young hero to set the pace. “That alone, though, does not account for the value. It is said that only the one true ruler of the entire kingdom can wear the Lunar Crown – all others are unworthy.”

So if Oberon does get it, it'll stop anyone from trying to dethrone him? You think especially of Cernunnos, languishing in a deep dark dungeon, as you say this. Is giving Oberon the divine right to rule – and rule in whatever manner he sees fit – really such a good idea?

“If the stories are true,” Cu Chulainn's dubious voice betrays his true thoughts on that particular subject, “Then Oberon will be a fair and just king as long as he wears the Lunar Crown. Regardless, it would be much harder than someone to take his place – and harder still for a potential usurper to hold his new position. Of course, there is still the matter of the enchantment – it is said that the Lunar Crown bestows incredible charisma to the wearer. A useful thing, for a ruler, no?”

Right, you can definitely see why Oberon would covet such a thing. It sure is generous of Titania, then, to be willing to hand it over – she must want this conflict resolved even more than you thought.

“It looks like this is where you take over,” Cu Chulainn says softly, pointing his spear towards the gateway to the human world, “Time to put that local knowledge to the test, human.”

No pressure, then.

>>42435505

Luckily, your local knowledge remains true and you're able to navigate the streets well enough. It gets a little awkward at points – one particular occasion comes to mind when the buildings at either side were bloated, literally swollen like something bulging with trapped water, and you had to squeeze through. It was a task made worse by several leering gargoyles on the roofs above, streams of filthy water pouring from their open mouths. You spent the entire time certain – absolutely certain – that they were about to come to life and attack. When they didn't, it almost seemed like a disappointment.

Then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, you were out into a far less tainted area. The skyscrapers here remained straight and true, not twisted or crumbling, and Cu Chulainn gasps at the sight of them.

“If this is the human world, then ours is quite the empire in decline,” he remarks ruefully, shaking his head with amazement, “I never knew humans had such achievements.”

>They didn't help us in the end though, did they?
>We WERE pretty awesome once
>Come on, I don't want to stop here
>Other

>>42435536
>We WERE pretty awesome once
But
>They didn't help us in the end though, did they?
"I still don't know what caused all this."

>>42435536
>They didn't help us in the end though, did they?

So how lewd is the quest?

>>42435742
We killed Lilith by punching her in the chest. That's about the extent of it.

>>42435742
Wel get some steamy secret night visits from Titania. Our previously pure catholic schoolgirl penetrated Forneus. We gave Pazuzu some great head action. We handled Raphael and Uriel so well that we were the last thing on their minds as they died.

>>42435600
>>42435706

You've got to admit, you've never really thought about skyscrapers that much until now. All the time you were growing up, your entire life, they were just there. All around you, looming in a strangely benevolent way, they were just... there. You never really stopped to think about what they must look like to someone else. For someone whose entire race seems to squat in ruins and crumbling castles, they must seem an incredible feat of handiwork.

So, yeah, you've got to admit – you were pretty awesome once, as a race. Not just skyscrapers, but everything that mankind was able to achieve. The fairies have a reverence for the moon? Well, mankind landed on it! Then again, before you start getting too big for your boots, you force yourself to take a good long look at the tower blocks rising high into the sky above you. They might be majestic, but they're all empty. You might very well be the only human in the area. In the end, they didn't help in the slightest.

Maybe they made things worse. Perhaps mankind had grown arrogant, too proud, for their own good. The result? You're looking at it. Whatever caused this apocalypse – and you still can't say what that was – it came out of nowhere, and there was nothing that humanity could do to stop it. Suddenly, skyscrapers don't sound like such an achievement any more.

Woah, that got maudlin fast. You shake your head and tell Cu Chulainn that while humanity had its high points, they didn't mean much in the long run. It's all history now, and if the mutations creeping through the city are anything to go by, it won't even be human history for much longer. The silence that descends after that morbid statement is... awkward.

“That clearing up ahead,” Cu Chulainn gently steers the topic back on track, “Could that be the marketplace?”

Huh? Oh, the marketplace! Plastering a foolish grin across your face, you start to march off towards the clearing.

>>42435882
>Raphael and Uriel
The former got penetrated by a Eligor's long lance all the way down the shaft and the latter was speared by Black Frost's hard, rigid, icicle.

So yeah, there's that.

>>42435902

...When Titania said that her mysterious trader had a “wagon that needed no horse”, you assumed she meant a car. You didn't expect it to be, literally, a wagon that could move on its own. The thing is golden – not solid gold, surely? - and crawls across the ground with an unhurried pace. Sitting atop it is the trader himself, dressed – or so you think at first – in the loose robes of a Buddhist monk. When you get a closer look at him, you immediately change your opinion. This is no monk.

His robes are a pure emerald colour, shimmering with the distinctive glint of silk, and part to expose a generous slice of well-tanned flesh, complete with a heavy silver piercing through one nipple. His teeth, when he grins at you, are very white and very straight. Everything about this curious monk just cries out “I'm trustworthy!”. Or... maybe it doesn't. If fact, you're definitely sure it doesn't.

“Welcome weary traveller!” the monk cries out, “Oh, such treasures I have to show you! Won't you step up and browse my wares, noble human? But please, please, won't you leave the attack dog behind? I am but an unarmed man, and no danger to you!”

Yup... trustworthy...

“He might not give us a choice,” Cu Chulainn murmurs, “If I must step back, then I will do so.”

>Ask after the Lunar Crown
>Take a look at his wares
>Other

And do you really trust this monk enough to speak with him alone? Do you have a choice?

>Keep Cu Chulainn with you
>Leave Cu Chulainn behind

>>42436180
>Ask after the Lunar Crown
>Take a look at his wares
Can't hurt to see what he has.

>Leave Cu Chulainn behind
It should be okay, but we can always summon Ose.

>>42436180
>>Ask after the Lunar Crown
>>Take a look at his wares
>Leave Cu Chulainn behind
Hand on phone

>>42436238
>>42436270

Okay, so you're pretty sure that this guy is untrustworthy, but he's also unarmed and dressed in nothing more protective than a bed sheet. You can take a look, at least, and see what he's got to offer. You don't really have anything to trade with him – and you can't imagine Titania would be happy with you putting items on her tab – but hey, looking is free, right?

Nodding for Cu Chulainn to stay back, you approach the wagon. Gleefully hopping off and sweeping a sheet away from the back, the monk displays his goods. They're... trash. Mostly trash. A bag of twisted golf clubs – one of them, the driver perhaps, decorated with a smear of blood and hair – lies to one side, while an old cassette player with a kicked in speaker fills up the other side. Your heart sinks as you look at the piles of garbage – is this guy really the trader you were looking for?

Without much hope, you ask about the Lunar Crown. It's pretty important that you get your hands on it, you tell him, so if he has it...

“That's a rare item you're looking for there,” the monk gives you a rueful smile, “But I might – MIGHT – be able to help you.”

Really? With as much ease as you can manage, you slip your hand into your pocket and touch the surface of your phone. On guard, you nod for the monk to continue.

“Ah, hmm, let me see,” practically diving head first into the wagon load of trash, the monk plunges into his treasure trove, searching through it vigorously, “So what do you need it for, hmm? Hoping to become queen of the fairies or something? Ah!” Before you can answer, the monk plucks a strange, silver and glass, crown out of the pile. “Is THIS what you're looking for?”

Actually, you have no idea. It looks the part, so... maybe? Taking a deep breath, you ask for the price. The fairy court will pay, you explain hastily before waiting for his answer.

>>42436180
>>Keep Cu Chulainn with you

Oh he's not my bodyguard. He's my boyfriend. And then link arms with him as we browse the merchandise. :p

>>42436558

“The price?” the monk sounds baffled, as though he can barely comprehend the concept of exchanging money for goods, “Why do you ask that? Why would you drag something as vulgar as money into this lovely discussion we're having?”

Uh, because you would like to buy the Lunar Crown, you reply slowly. So, in order to buy it, would you not need to know the price? Or, wait, is this a favour for a favour thing?”

“Favours, bah!” the monk cheerfully dismisses the offer, “What I want to know is, what can I offer YOU?”

You're really not sure where he's going with this. He has the Lunar Crown. You would like the Lunar Crown. Why, then, is he asking what you want?

“Simple, you can have the crown. Take it, it's worthless to me,” the monk grins at you, “But it's not fair that you don't get anything in return. So... what will it be? Money? No, what use is money in a world like this? Power, then, the power to command an entire army of angels and devils? Or what about devotion, that's always popular! I could make that upstart friend of yours throw away every vow she's ever made just for the chance to kiss your feet – tempting, no?”

This... is getting weird. Weird and creepy. You reach out to take the crown, but the monk thrusts it back into the pile of garbage.

“That's not how it works!” he snaps, “You just don't get it, do you? I'm offering you a bargain here – a great bargain! - and you're throwing it back in my face. Rude!”

This is bad. This is really very bad. The monk seems to be growing flustered with rage, his hands clenching into fists. Maybe you could calm him down somehow... or maybe you'd be better off running.

>Wait, I'll take your bargain!
>Run back to Cu Chulainn
>Draw your sword and strike the monk
>Other

>>42436828
>>Run back to Cu Chulainn

>>42436828
>>Other
"Fine, I'll take 5 Pounds for myself then. Can I have the Crown now?"

If that doesn't work or just pisses him off more.
>Run back to Cu Chulainn

>>42436828
I remember this from SMT 2.
No accepting deals from Mara.

>>42436925
What happens? Is even asking for 5 Pounds bad?

>>42436939
We're talking about the demon of lust and greed that tempted Buddha. Accepting any kind of deal would probably be bad.

>>42436828
>>Draw your sword and strike the monk
then
>Run back to Cu Chulainn

>>42436828
>>Other
Lets do this smart.

Back up a little, keeping the monk in front at all times and summon Ose. Motion Cu Chulainn to come forward.

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>>42436897
>>42436965
>>42436917

Oh, no way are you falling for this trick! You don't know what you're dealing with, but you can guess enough to tell that the phrase “deal with the devil” isn't so far off. That guess is enough to send you fleeing from the area, turning on your heel and running as fast as you can back to where Cu Chulainn was waiting. You've got Ose on your side, and Unicorn if you need to run away even faster, but more allies is always better.

As you start to run, a thick green mist descends, engulfing you within a cloud of heady perfume as the monk's wild laughter fills the air. “You fool!” his voice, coming from all directions at once, screeches, “You damn fool! Now you'll see what you're messing with! I'm too much for YOU to handle!”

With another burst of speed, you manage to clear the confines of the choking mist and turn, coming face to face with the devil you just fled. It's... It's a... A giant...

Nope. No way. You are NOT looking at this – this must be a trick of the light, or an illusion, or... something! With desperation, you tear your eyes away from the thing before you and look down at your phone, calling Ose out to fight. The leopard devil shimmers into existence and stares up at the creature before you, his jaw dropping in horror.

“That's a big fuckin' dick!” he slurs in amazement, drawing both of his swords and clashing the blades together.

...You're never going to be able to wipe this from your memory. You're grateful for Cu Chulainn's arrival, the hero putting a firm hand on your shoulder.

“This is more like it!” he snarls, “I'll give this monster a taste of Gae Bolg!”

>thread where anon asks if there's lewd

>the same thread mara appears

It like pottery, it rhymes.

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>>42437388
>The leopard devil shimmers into existence and stares up at the creature before you, his jaw dropping in horror.
>“That's a big fuckin' dick!”

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>>42437388

“Fools! Bow before the great Mara!” the devil roars, the voice coming from the... mouth, “I'll crush you all with my mighty girth!” Gold wheels grind and groan as Mara swivels towards you, tentacles lashing furiously at the air.

“Don't back down,” Cu Chulainn murmurs to you, smiling a grim smile, “You don't want to leave yourself open to this beast.”

So what does he suggest, you ask desperately as you tighten your grip on your sword, does he have any ideas? The blade – the Sword of the Eight Order, or so Scathach called it – is imbued with holy power, but not much. Compared with the waves of palpable evil radiating off that monster in front of you, you might as well be waving a lit match at a blizzard.

“Wait for it to charge, then strike at the sides,” the hero recommends, “It looks slow to turn, and vulnerable in its blindspots.”

“Bah, coward!” Ose protests, “You're gonna run away from a fuckin' dick? We should get close, cut the fuckin' head right off!”

Run away? Of course you want to run away for a... from one of those! You don't even want to LOOK at the thing! But, as much as you don't want to admit it, Ose's plan might work – catch Mara before it can get any momentum and keep it stunned. You've not got long to decide, and both your allies are waiting.

>Go with Cu Chulainn's plan. Dodge and counter attack
>Go with Ose's plan. Charge and take the initiative
>Other

>Whatever plan you take, you'll need to roll 2D100. I'll take the highest of the first three!

Rolled 43, 85 = 128 (2d100)

>>42437591
>Other
>Ose charges, we flank

Rolled 46, 82 = 128 (2d100)

>>42437591
>>Go with Cu Chulainn's plan. Dodge and counter attack
Its a damn chariot Ose.

Rolled 7, 36 = 43 (2d100)

>>42437591
>>Go with Cu Chulainn's plan. Dodge and counter attack
Ose remember proper girls are not fond of things like that out in the open.

>Ah, I should say. First result is for Ose, second is for Cu Chulainn!

>>42437678
Wouldn't hurt to have Unicorn out as well patching any injuries up.

Rolled 97, 48 = 145 (2d100)

>>42437591
Mix 'em, it obviously can't go in two direction at a time right? ...Right?

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>42437695

>That's right, I forgot Cassandra can summon two demons at once. Also, rolling for Mara's attack.

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Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>42437642
>>42437647

If Ose is so keen on charging at that thing, he can go right ahead and charge at it. Maybe that drunk will distract it long enough for you and Cu Chulainn to flank it and deal some serious damage. You shout your orders – not thinking about whether Mara can overhear you or not – and follow Cu Chulainn as the hero runs to the right, Ose charging straight towards the gilded chariot.

“You want a face-full of THIS?” Mara roars with glee, a bulge growing at the base of the, uh, shaft as Ose charges closer. This... is not going to be pleasant. You call up Unicorn as well, preparing to mitigate as much of the damage as possible but already, you can tell then it's going to be too little, too late. Ose is close to Mara, swords scraping across the ground in a rain of sparks, when Mara's tip explodes in a burst of luminous green fire. The fire spills out across the ground and across Ose's body, clinging to everything it touches.

“Aw shit, fuck!” Ose screams, hurling himself backwards and rolling across the ground in an attempt at quashing the blaze. At a barked command, Unicorn casts a healing light over the wounded devil, saving him from death at the very least. He's looking worse for wear, but he's not out of the fight yet. Plus, Mara's attack was so focussed on Ose that Cu Chulainn could get within striking range.

With a clipped cry, the fairy hero plunges his spear into one of the bulging spheres at the base of Mara's chariot. The legendary blade sinks right into the orb, puncturing it and drawing a hideous scream from Mara, far shriller than anything else you've heard from the devil.

This is your chance, while he's distracted!

>Please roll 1D100, I'll take the highest of the first three

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>42437931

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>42437931

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>42437931
Cassandra Slash!

>>42437973
Cassandra has Smite Lewd apparently.

>>42437973
cut that dick in twain

>>42437973

This is the first time you've actually swung a sword this heavy at something you actually want to kill. In fact, this is the first time you've swung anything that isn't a broom handle. There's probably a proper technique to this, some way of handling a heavy, two-handed sword with the maximum efficiency. You don't know the proper techniques, but Mara is wide open, and so big that you can't possibly miss. Holding the grip tightly, you swing the sword with as much of your own bodyweight behind it as possible.

Crying with exertion, you slam the blade into Mara's thick, tree trunk of a body. The blade hacks deep into the shaft, cutting more than halfway into the leathery flesh and causing a thick rain of blood – thankfully blood is the only thing to gush forth – to pour out. Mara screeches again, the sound dreadful and strangled as it rears back, collapsing back and folding practically double on itself. The tentacles on his back writhe impotently as his flesh seems to wither and deflate, shrinking away to nothing.

“Agh, you got me!” Mara's gurgling voice calls out, “But no matter what... I'll always be... the bigger, ugh, the bigger man...”

“Fuck me,” Ose grunts, amazement painted across his face as he staggers to his feet, “If that guy wasn't circumcised before, he sure as shit is now.”

You don't want to even think about that. In fact, you want to forget everything that you just witnessed. All you want to do is just... go home. Taking a few tentative steps towards Mara's gunky corpse, you peer into the rapidly corroding wagon. Amidst the piles of garbage... there it is: the Lunar Crown.

>>42438218

“So he really had it?” Cu Chulainn sounds surprised, “I admit, I was a little doubtful for a moment there.”

Is it... real? You look at the thing, silver and glass glinting in the light despite the smears of Mara's murky blood clinging to it. You might need to wash it before handing it over, but it looks good enough to you. The metal is real silver – it's not wrapped in metal foil or anything – and the crystals... well, you don't know what a moon crystal looks like, so that doesn't help.

“I believe so,” the hero answers, squinting at the crown, “There is a certain aura of power about it – you humans might not be able to sense such things, but it's unmistakable. Oberon would be very pleased with this.”

“Great,” Ose growls as he fishes a flask out of some pocket within his cloak, taking a deep swallow of the liquid inside, “King shit of turd mountain gets a new hat. Meanwhile, I'm gonna have bald spots from now until doomsday.”

Oh, have a drink and calm down, you tell the devil. It's only fur, it'll grow back. Ose is still grumbling as you send him back into storage. Before you nod to Cu Chulainn – if he's ready, you can head back to the kingdom. The hero returns the nod – as ready as ever – and you start the long slog back.


You're about halfway back when you pass a church. You almost pass it without giving it a second glance, but then you see light in the windows. It's not a solid light, like the kind that surrounded the Archangel Uriel, but a wavering flickering flame. Candles, perhaps?

“I can go on ahead, if you want to have a look around,” Cu Chulainn offers, “You'll be able to catch up, with that Unicorn of yours.”

It's a tempting offer – there could be someone in there. Maybe... maybe Sister Joan?

>Investigate
>Head back to the kingdom
>Have Cu Chulainn investigate with you

>>42438489
>>Have Cu Chulainn investigate with you

>>42438489
>Have Cu Chulainn investigate with you
If he doesn't mind.

>>42438489
>>Have Cu Chulainn investigate with you

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>>42438520
>>42438536
>>42438719

You'd really rather not investigate this on your own, you tell Cu Chulainn, so if he doesn't mind, would he care to join you?

For a moment, the hero looks torn, pained by the decision, but then he nods. “We can spare the time. If the queen asks, we can always say that “negotiations” took longer than expected. Besides, you're right – it might not be safe in there.”

So, grateful for the fairy hero at your back, you push the heavy church door open and take a cautious step inside. It stuns you for a moment, the realisation that this is the first you've stepped foot in a church in what seems like a long time. It takes you a minute to adjust, like someone getting used to a sudden change in air pressure, as you take in the details around you. The pews, the stained glass windows, the altar at the far end. Standing at the altar, with her back to you, is a tall woman.

Sister Joan? You gasp the name out, but immediately realise your mistake. No, not a mistake – for a moment, you really saw that familiar woman, yet when she turns around her face is different. Utterly calm, fixed in a warm smile that rivals Titania's boldest expression. The candles she had been lighting flicker behind her, their flames wavering as a pair of fine, feathery wings rise up from behind her. An angel – no, more than that...

“Yes,” the divine woman in front of you says gently, “I am Gabriel, the Archangel of compassion.”

No way, no way... you take a step backwards in sudden fear, taking in every detail of the angel in front of you. In one hand, she bears a long thin sword – pointed, at the moment, at the ground, while her other hand is filled with a single white rose, the petals wilting ever so slightly.

“Please don't run,” Gabriel asks you, “I come not to command, but to plead. Not to threaten, but to beg. Please, Cassandra, listen to me.”

Fuck, I had a feeling.

Gabby did the same thing in SMT 4.

>>42438914

The last few traces of the Archangel's illusion drop away as she faces you, revealing beautifully crafted armour and flowing robes of purest white. Her sword is still lowered, but it's also unsheathed – the threat implicit.

“We can't risk fighting,” Cu Chulainn murmurs, stepping close enough to whisper in your ear, “Your demon is wounded, and we're both tired. This is not the right time to fight.”

He's right – you know that. But still, you're utterly bemused by this. Where were the heavenly choirs? The light beaming down from the sky? You should have been warned about this! It's absurd to be so offended about this, but you can't shake the vague sense of outrage. This is... cheating!

“Listen!” Gabriel snaps, her face distorting for the briefest of moments, “I mean you no harm, Cassandra. I come bearing God's compassion, redemption and the promise of Heaven. You have erred, human, but no sin is beyond forgiveness.”

>Explain yourself. How can you be here?
>I'm not listening to this. I'm leaving
>Alright, I'll listen
>Other

>>42439040
>>Alright, I'll listen

>>42439040
>>Explain yourself. How can you be here?

>>42439040
>>Explain yourself. How can you be here?

>>42439040
>>Alright, I'll listen

>>42439040
>Listen, but be prepared to hop on Unicorn and get the fuck out of Dodge

>>42439071
>>42439077
>>42439081
>>42439152
>>42439353

How is this possible, you stammer the questions out, how can she be here? Now?

“I've been here for longer than you could possibly know,” Gabriel tells you calmly, “Watching humanity, learning your ways. Learning to walk among you and, in time, taking a human name for myself. This is my privilege, as the second Archangel. I am the lowest of the Lord's devoted swords, but I am His most human of servants.”

She took a human name for herself? Wait, no...

“Yes Cassandra,” Gabriel nods and, for a moment, Sister Joan's image flickers across her features, “Do you still have the gift I gave you? To keep you safe, in this world of transition?”

Your phone. Of course you still have it.

“But you've tainted it, ruined it with the spoor of Lucifer,” Gabriel shakes her head sadly, “But this too can be cured, in time. Will you listen, at least, to my offer.”

...Fine. You'll listen. But – and you try to sound tough, like Amelia would be in this situation – but you're not, uh, promising anything.

“You are not beyond redemption, Cassandra Einhart. You have fallen far from God's plan – a deviation that even He could not foresee – but you may yet rise, return to His favour. Cease this mindless crusade of violence, purge your alliances of all heretics and pagans. Fight for humanity, to return mankind to their rightful place in His glory.”

“Purge” your alliances. Not a choice of wording that reassures you much. She's talking about Amelia, isn't she? Is there no chance of Amelia finding redemption as well?

“I fear a great darkness is growing within her,” Gabriel tells you sadly, “If she pledged herself to His true path, then perhaps she too can lift herself up, but... I doubt it. Please, Cassandra,” Gabriel holds out her rose, offering it to you, “Do not spurn this offer.”

>Take the rose
>Reject her
>Flee
>Other

>>42439416
>>Flee
Nope

We saw how Uriel likes to purge.

>>42439416
>>Flee

Nah Nigga

>>42439416
>“I fear a great darkness is growing within her,”
The desire to not have humanity get spitroasted by angels and demons is darkness huh Gabby?

>>42439522
You know how lawfags are.

>>42439466
>>42439483

This offer of redemption she's dangling in front of you – you dearly wish for it to be a genuine offer, but your heart cries out a warning that you just can't ignore. You saw Uriel's madness, you saw that flicker of – what, anger? Impatience? - that crossed Gabriel's face not a few moments before. Even if the offer was genuine, the strings attached are just too great. You have little doubt that, should you return to God's side, it would not be long before they sent you to claim Amelia's head.

But open rejection? To smack the rose from her hand and grind it beneath your heel? Amelia might have been able to handle such an act, but you're far from strong enough. Instead, you take the most direct action you can think of. Turning on your heel, you flee from the church, slowing only to grab Cu Chulainn's hand and drag him from the sacred building as well. Outside, you call up Unicorn and scrabble atop the brilliant steed.

Even the hero does not pause to argue, protesting about the indignity of the act even as he mounts your steed and grips your waist. Throwing a panicked glance over your shoulder, you cry for Unicorn to take flight. The last thing you see before rushing off into the city streets is Gabriel, standing within the doorway to the church with her sword pointed sadly in your direction. The next time you meet, you're sure, you will be enemies.

“We are safe, it seems,” Cu Chulainn gasps eventually, as you both see the gates to the fairy kingdom approach, “Slow, Cassandra, slow down! We're safe now!”

Yes... yes, you are. You ease up on the speed, taking Unicorn's pace down to a gentle trot and letting Cu Chulainn dismount. The Lunar Crown is still tucked under his arm, secure despite the panicked escape. So what now, you ask him, should you take it to Titania?

“I'll see it to the queen,” Cu Chulainn assures you.

>>42439907

Right, you can accept that. What Titania does with the crown after that is up to her – as much as you like the court and wish to see it kept safe, you really don't want to get too deeply involved in politics. You don't want to end up paranoid and manipulative, seeing everything for the advantage it offers you and you alone. Better to stay focussed on your real mission – even if that puts you across Gabriel's path again.

You trudge back into the court, instead, and head for the dining hall. A good meal goes a long way to raising your spirits, and so you waste little time in filling a plate with the first foods you can find. It doesn't matter what – you just want something to concentrate on so you don't dwell on Gabriel's sinister warning. A darkness growing within Amelia? Are Archangels so devoted to their Lord that free will is seen as a darkness, or was she speaking of something more literal? Could it be a warning that you should heed, in future?

Well, it Gabriel's warning did one thing right, it certainly banished Mara's lewd image from your mind. That can't be a bad thing. As you eat, you grow dimly aware of a murmuring around you. Other fairies, pixies and stranger things, have gathered in the hall, already swapping rumours about the Lunar Crown. There is to be a crowning later, they whisper to each other, and after that – a great feast. Wine and song, they declare with excitement, occasionally casting furtive looks your way.

Maybe the festivities would be fun – just this once. You've earned a little bit of a break, after all.

>I'm going to end this here. Next thread, we'll be returning to Amelia, on Sunday. I'll lurk for a while in case of questions as well

>>42440245
Thanks for the run boss.

Its been a LONG day for Cass hasn't it?

>>42440285

Well, the thing about having a long day is that things can only get better!

Things will not necessarily get better.

>>42440245
Titania is claiming the crown for herself isn't she?

>>42440338
We should have told Cu Chulainn to try it on.

>>42440328
Did Cu enjoy being able to stretch his legs?

>>42440372
He wouldn't have.

I'm glad Cass had to deal with Mara. Amelia wouldn't have been as fun.

>>42440399
Yeah probably not.

>>42440338

Well, that would be the most obvious move for someone trying to make a play for power.

>>42440392

Things certainly improved once he got to start stabbing things!

>>42440414
For sure, though I think Amelia's reaction would have been amusing too. Probably similar to Ose's "Oh god what the fuck."

>>42440428
Ose's Cu's and Unicorn's opinions on the Mara fight?

Has Cass managed to retain Cu's interest?

>>42440457
I don't think she ever lost Cu's interest, more vice versa cause she thinks he is gay.

>>42440457

Ose probably won't remember it in the morning, but he always likes a good fight.
Cu appreciates the victory of tactics over brute force - and the chance to kill some villains
Unicorn doesn't talk much, but it's just happy to spread some healing light.

As for Cu's interest, well, she didn't throw him off when he grabbed her waist!

>>42440559
If Cass Had a chance too, would she poke holes in the Angel's rhetoric of law(being most old testament) and works = salvation, Vs. the New Testament and Grace? I kinda want to see her logic bomb an angel.

>>42440641

I could actually see Cass trying to plead with an angel using that kind of logic, but I can't imagine it would end well. Telling an Archangel that they're doing it wrong sounds like a good way to get your head chopped off!

>>42440764
Oh no I meant a regular angel. Archangels have their heads too far up their asses not to deus vult her immediately.

>>42440793

Ah, that's true. It would be possible to sway an angel in that way - although it would more be due to the act of forcing her will on the angel versus the specific logic used.

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>>42440835
So is the most trustworthy and handsome angel going to try and convince us to go Law sometime?

>>42434846
>you'd be lucky to find a single farmer, and especially unlucky to find a single hipster.
so much for not being racist(typist?), Cass.

>>42439522
>>42440245
Oh god, is "Mom" actually Way of the White?

>>42440970

I don't know, he seems far too trustworthy to do something like that!

>>42441052

You should always trust your mother to do what's best!

>>42441052
>Oh god, is "Mom" actually Way of the White?

I think she is definitely hiding something and its something we will have to deal with when it comes up.

In the meantime we should still be sending cornerstones Outside even though there is something up.

>>42441106
>>42441142
Just speculating because it's impossible at this point, but what would happen if we sent the cornerstones inside a person? One for Amelia, Cassandra, .....barghest guy, and .....kill everything girl.

>>42441222
>barghest guy
Nigga he dead.

>>42441222
I think we would implode. That energy is met for kingdoms, not to be housed by a human vessel.

>>42441222
>barghest guy

That's fucking Leon, mate.

>>42441222

This idea came up last time we found a cornerstone, I believe. Cornerstones send their power to a particular realm rather than to people - to Heaven, rather than to the Archangels or a hypothetical law hero.

>>42441292

Leon's old news anyway

>>42441314
>Leon's old news anyway
Yeah Demon Leon is the new hotness!

>>42441263
I did say imposs-

>>42441314
and what of the realm of the dead? Although that DOES sound like all sorts of bad mojo. Come to think of it, would EVERYONE get pissed if we sent it to the faeries?

>>42441351

To be honest, when I was writing up the first cornerstone scene, I didn't think about being able to direct the energy to anywhere else - if I had the chance to do things over, I would probably give an "other" option.

But, hypothetically, sending the energy to the realm of the dead would result in a dying world - peaceful, but inevitably decaying - while sending it all to the fairies would basically merge the fairy kingdom and the human world completely.

And all the pixies would gain superpowers

>>42441464
>pixies would gain superpowers
ahh yes, because there must ALWAYS be a way for pixie to cast megidolaon.

>>42441464
>And all the pixies would gain superpowers
Oh jeez.

I'd rather have Demifiend's be unique. They had to work for it.

>>42441464
Would a recursive loop be possible? Empowering this realm and it's native denizens? I.E. us.

>>42441513

Unfortunately, humans are inherently non-magic. They wouldn't benefit from a cornerstone.

>>42441548
Wouldn't that just mean it weakens everyone else?

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>>42441548

And by "they" I mean "we" of course!

Typos, am I right fellow humans?

>>42441570
Moloch are you actually the Moloch? Or are you a Pixie with a pen name?

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>>42441570
Of course 'fellow human'.

>>42441566
Well thats what we thought Outside was but I am starting to have second thoughts.

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>>42441566

It would weaken everyone else as a side effect, yes. Fortunately, sending the energy to Outside also weakens everyone - with utterly no side effects!

>>42441592
>>42441595

I'm just a regular guy!

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>>42441653
>with utterly no side effects!

God we are going to have to fight buffed up Lydia monster along with Metatron and Lucy when we get to the keystone.

>>42441673
never played SMT here. What's way of the White and how would it lead to a Lydia monster? Luci and Meta are self-explanatory.

>>42441714
The White is another faction is SMT 4 that want to return everything to nothing as a means to put an end to meaningless suffering.

No Man, no heaven and god, and no hell and lucy.

Just nothing.

I don't know if the Outside is the White, doesn't seem like based on how Lydia acts, but I do think she has ulterior motives and seems to be getting stronger with every cornerstone.

>>42441782
Nihilists or Hindus gotcha.

inb4 she's Nyalarhotep.

>>42441823

Amelia may have bumped into that particular villain already. Possibly more than once.

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>>42441854
Uh oh...

>>42441854
Has Cass?

>>42441886

She has, also more than once.

>>42441921
...
Carnby?

>>42441970
That's what I was thinking too, either that or he replaced one of the faerie monarchs.

>>42441997
Well in Persona 2 Nyalary took the form of all the protagonist's dads...

>>42441970

That'd make Amelia half Nyarlahotep and that's pretty weird!

>>42442032
History repeats.

>>42442039
Nothing says the real Carnby wasn't her dad and Nyaraly is faking. You did say she was born and would die human after all. Also the real Carnby could have taken the bullet for Amelia and gotten replaced.

>>42442039
Well you did say that Amelia was born full human and will die full human when I asked about being magatama'd when we were dead.

So she isn't half demon. Still Carnby is the only person I can think of that both Cass and Amelia met and isn't another demon.

Unless he did take over another demon or something.

>>42442076
>>42442108

That's true. I can confirm that Carnby is definitely Amelia's biological father, so she's not going to have any horrible surprises in her family tree. As for the theory of Nyarly replacing someone, well, I won't rule that one out!

>>42442150
My bet would be either Carnby, or Titania

>>42442176
>>42442150
Scary thought occurred Undine. Which'd explain her knowing the demifiend and her hatred of OP pixies.

>>42442249
No pls. I don't think my heart could handle her being that asshole.

>>42442249
Maybe Leon. Maybe that was Nyarly's goons dragging his corpse off to give him a good vessel? I'm spitballing.

>>42442349
Then we'd have not met him yet. We've already met him, meaning he'd be Nyarly already.

All this paranoia. Theory time: who is definitely NOT an otherworldly horror?

>>42442444
Cass, unless she is an unreliable narrator like the Heavy Rain villain.

>>42442444
Cassandra, Amelia, The Archangels and their devil counterparts, Luci and Metatron.

Hold the phone, I've got a theory. Scathach

>Wears a mask
>Apparently neutral, seems amused by chaos
>Power over demons (the crafting stuff)
>Amelia and Cass have both met her several times

>>42442549
Also a possibility.

>>42442549
>>42442620

You can't just suspect everyone who wears a mask! Amelia wore a mask once, you can trust her!

>>42442647
If it weren't for the fact she's a PC I'd doubt it.

>>42440641
>sola gratia
Protestute plz go

>>42441854
>Nyarly goes from impersonating someone's dad to impersonating someone's mom
itshappening.webm

>>42442930
Except Cass has never met Amelia's mom since shit went down. She's met Nyarly too.

>>42442972
Ah, right.

>>42442972
Nyarly could appear as different people in P2, maybe he could do the same here.