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>>42664965

Is that so? You scan his face for some expression, some hint at his true feelings. There's a trace of bitterness there, tempered with a wry amusement. What is this use, exactly?

“I'm to track down a certain individual,” Cu Chulainn explains, “I've gone from guard dog to hunting hound. That's an improvement, I suppose.”

“Better than the time we played fetch,” Cassandra chips in, eager to continue the metaphor, “Right?”

Cu Chulainn clears his throat during an awkward pause, perhaps unwilling to recall that particular event. “You could say that, yes,” he says eventually, “I'm to find a prisoner who has escaped from the palace dungeons.”

A prisoner, you ask as a terrible idea dawns in your mind, it's not Cernunnos is it?

“No, the horned god-” the hero pauses, “Excuse me, that title has been forbidden. It seems that king Oberon wishes to erase all trace of Cernunnos' divinity from the record. Fear not, however, he is still safely imprisoned. No, this prisoner is a coward and a murderer... as well as being a vocal supporter of Cernunnos himself,” a grimace passes quickly over the fairy's face, “These are dark times at court.”

No kidding, you think to yourself as you remember Oberon's “advice”. Never have a subordinate you can't have killed at a moment's notice – what a load of shit.

“That's an executioner's sword,” Cassandra announces suddenly, pointing to the blade Cu Chulainn is burdened with, “It's too large and heavy to be a practical weapon, and it's missing a point – it's a ceremonial tool, more than anything.”

Both you and Cu Chulainn fall silent and look at the girl in amazement, surprised by this unexpected barrage of information. How, exactly, did she know that?

>>42664975

“I, uh, read books,” Cassandra explains with a certain amused exasperation, “History books, I mean, that's all. You're...” she pauses, looking at the heavy blade Cu Chulainn carries, “You're not supposed to bring this prisoner back alive, are you?”

Cu Chulainn doesn't answer, his lips set in a thin, hard line instead. Eventually, he's able to speak – perhaps after forcing down whatever distaste caused such a bitter expression. “This is a test, I'm well aware of that. The king is asking me to prove my loyalty in the most direct way possible, and I'm in no position to refuse him. Like I said, friends, this is a dark time at court.”

Well... you can't think of anything to say. Eventually, and with the desperation of someone reaching for the first topic at hand, you ask why he doesn't have his spear. You thought he and Gae Bolg were inseparable.

“Ah, it's a bad omen to mix traitor's blood and such a fine weapon,” the hero frowns, “If it comes to a fight, I'll be better off with my bare hands than using this... thing.”

Huh. You've got to agree. You're not sure you could even lift that sword, let alone swing it at anything that isn't defenceless.

“I should go,” Cu Chulainn sighs, “My quarry is still on the run.”

>Let him go and return home
>Urge him to desert Oberon and join you instead
>Ask for more information about what's happening at court
>Other

>>42664998
>Ask for more information about what's happening at court

Then
>>Other
"If you ever get tired of this shit remember that that offer to join us is always open.

Then
>Let him go and return home
"Stay safe."

>>42664998
>>Ask for more information about what's happening at court
If he ever decides court is no longer worth it he could join us.

>>42664998
>Advise him to make sure there's someone back at court with an ear out. It will not due to return home and into a trap.

>>42665076
>>42665161
>>42665189

Before he leaves, what did he mean by “dark times” at court? You've got a fair idea of what he might be thinking of – dissenting opinions being crushed, Oberon tightening his grip on the kingdom, and other such delights – but has it really grown that bad, that quickly? You've not even been gone a full day!

“It's bad,” Cu Chulainn says simply, “It seems that I have fallen out of favour there – the king has found a new champion. If I am not successful in this task, I fear for my future there. I can only hope that, in time, I can steer Oberon back towards moderation, but to do that I must remain by his side. This is a game I have to play.”

But not a game he has to like, you finish. Smiling bitterly, the hero nods. Well, you tell him, if he ever gets tired of it, he's always welcome on your side. There may come a time at which court is no longer worth protecting, after all. Other than that, all you can advise is to make sure he's still got friends back at court – there's no honour in returning home, only to fall into a trap.

“Thank you,” he offers you a grateful smile, “I have a few friends left, I think. Most of the soldiers serve Oberon with a blind loyalty the like of which I have never seen. Still, there are always those who resist – I have those few to rely upon.”

Then, with your warning delivered, you urge him to be safe. You'll do what you can – which isn't much – to keep things from getting out of control.

“I appreciate it,” Cu Chulainn gives you a nod of thanks, “You too, stay safe. I cannot predict what Oberon's next move will be.”

Then, smiling ruefully, you bid him farewell and enter the fairy kingdom.

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>>42665367

You make it about three paces into the palace before you get apprehended – which, considering the numbers of soldiers milling about the entrance, is probably quite some distance. It's no normal soldier that approaches you, however, but a statuesque woman with wings and finely crafted armour. There's something about her – perhaps her posture, so straight that your back aches just to look at it – that strikes you as particularly fascist. You could picture her in jackboots, marching down a Parisian street and making life difficult for the locals.

“You!” she announces, pointing straight at you. Here you go again. “The one true king demands your presence.”

That's... charming. So much for the king's admirable efforts at being polite. You look back at the aggressive demon, taking careful note of the sword across her back – no doubt ready for use at the first sign of trouble.

“What about me?” Cassandra asks, moving forwards to stand at your side, even though you can sense the tremors gripping her. “Uh, I mean, uh...”

You never find out what she means, because the demon cuts her off. “You are to return to your chambers immediately,” behind her helmet, the demon smiles cruelly, “It may not be safe, for your kind to wander freely. These are dangerous days we live in.”

That's the most accurate thing she's said so far. Sighing, you give Cassandra a careful nod and step forwards. You'll play along for now – not that you're being given much of a choice. Perhaps this was deliberate – Oberon waiting for you to return, tired and weary, before springing his trap. You were so busy telling Cu Chulainn to watch his back that you missed the knife poised inches from your own. Typical.

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>>42665530

This time, you're taken right to Oberon's private chambers. They're more austere than you were expecting, devoid of luxury rugs, silk sheets or any other symbol of opulence. The only thing that catches your eye, placed casually on a table, is Gae Bolg itself. Oberon sits on the corner of that same table, gazing at the weapon with cold eyes. Every so often, his hand sneaks up to caress the gleaming crown he wears, lovingly following the curve of the metal or the edge of the crystal.

“You saw Cu Chulainn on your way in, did you not?” he asks, without looking up, “Leaving to attend to his duties. You were right, you know – he IS loyal.”

Well, that's what you said isn't it? You tell him, forcing down a sudden rush of nerves. You've eagerly jumped into battle with Heaven's Archangels and the Archdukes of Hell, but this child-king can stir up feelings of uncertainty like nothing else. Why? Because you can never predict what he's going to do next. You're starting to suspect that even Titania is more trustworthy – at least she's pretty open about using people.

“Yes, loyal. Still...” Oberon finally looks up at you. He looks... gaunt. Sickly, almost. “There are certain risks that I've endured for too long. You wouldn't share your bed with a poisonous snake, would you? No, you'd throw it out and stamp it into the ground.” With relish, Oberon pounds his fist into the table.

>Stay silent
>Oberon, stop this. Think about what you're doing!
>...Where is the queen?
>Other

>>42665666
>>...Where is the queen?

Oh shit...

>>42665666
>...Where is the queen?

>>42665666
>Where is the queen?

Shit, the Lunar crown's been fucking him up, hasn't it?

>>42665757
I think so. Titania probably gave it him intentionally for that reason, but he may have found out or she didn't realize how crazy it would make him.

>>42665690
Wasn't Carnby with her when we phoned earlier?

>>42665757
We DID get it from Mara, so maybe it was cursed?

>>42665666
>>>...Where is the queen?

>>42665785
>Wasn't Carnby with her when we phoned earlier?
I think so. He better be alright.

>>42665690
>>42665756
>>42665757
>>42665794

That little spiel about sharing his bed with a snake... It occurs to you that you've not seen Titania in quite some time. You heard Carnby talking with someone, when you called him earlier, and made an assumption but, well, you never asked who he was talking with, did you? You jumped to an unwanted conclusion and then, revolted, avoided the issue as much as possible. He could have been talking with anyone.

...Unless he's been caught up in all this, dragged into a terrible situation because of his little affair. Grimacing at the countless unpleasant possibilities, you look Oberon in the eye and ask him where the queen is. There's a time for subtlety, and that time has passed. You want some damn answers.

“Oh, are you worried about her? Has she seduced you to her side as well?” Oberon's mouth twists in a violent sneer, “She lives – one cannot easily dispose of a queen, after all – but she's in no position to pervert this court. Come now, forget about HER – I called you here today with an opportunity, not empty threats.”

...An opportunity. Yes, because you're definitely in the mood to deal with the monarch at the moment. You're just desperate to do his dirty work for the promise of some vague reward. Yes, absolutely. The thought that you might be executed for your scathing burst of sarcasm never crosses your mind, not until you feel a hand fall upon your shoulder.

“Morrigan, no,” Oberon orders, and you feel the hand pull back, “Amelia, consider your place here. Consider your friend, your teacher. Think carefully on everything you have to lose.”

Fuck. Cassandra might be able to defend herself – she's got her own demons after all – but Carnby? He SAID he could take care of himself, back on the very first day of this new life, but you've never seen any evidence of that. He's a bargaining chip now, as far as Oberon's concerned, nothing more.

So much for that whole peace shit he was spewing after we killed Uriel.

>>42666120

“Oh come now,” the king says smoothly, “I'm no dictator. Your teacher is safe, and free to move about as he wishes. To ensure his safety, I've given him a bodyguard – someone to watch over him, every hour of the day. He couldn't be safer!”

Bullshit. That just means the king has an assassin waiting to strike at any moment. That's not even slightly safe! It's only the presence of the king's looming thug behind you – Morrigan, he called her – that stops you from lunging forwards in a furious attack. Instead, you have to force yourself to remain calm. There is only the slightest tremor in your voice, a tremor of suppressed rage, as you ask him what he wants.

“I need to be rid of a thorn in my side,” Oberon reaches across and lays a hand on Gae Bolg, “Take this – go on, take it – and go to the lowest dungeon in the palace. I trust you remember our mutual friend there?”

Cernunnos, of course. He wants you to take Cu Chulainn's weapon and kill Cernunnos. It's not difficult to imagine his next move – to point the finger of blame at the hero himself, no doubt with plenty of guards prepared to offer witness statements. Then what? Perhaps they'll find some “evidence” among Cu Chulainn's belongings that implicate Titania in some grand conspiracy – exactly the sort of thing that would give him grounds to have her executed as well.

Stay calm. Deal with one thing at a time.

“Yes, I want you to kill him,” Oberon sighs, like you're some cretin he resents having to associate with, “Honestly, why did I ever show mercy in the first place? Cernunnos... Titania... even Cu Chulainn himself – they're all bound so closely together, it's a wonder I didn't see their conspiracy sooner.” He falls silent, then, and touches the Lunar Crown with a protective hand, as though he's worried that you'll snatch it off at any minute.

>What's in it for me?
>That crown is the only culprit here
>I won't do it. Do your worst
>Other

>>42666286
>That crown is the only culprit here
"Go ahead. Take it off for a few minutes and think about everything you're doing again, I won't move a damn muscle."

Do you think they'll give us privacy when we 'execute' him? If they do we can cut him and then recruit him. He'll be hidden away in our phone. Then when Oberon does his judgement that Cu murdered him, we'll be like 'Nah nigga, he's right here.'

Its an option in case this crown thing doesn't pan out.

Here's an issue. Say we tell him that the crown is the problem. It was Titania that gave him the crown, so that'll only confirm his suspicions that she's plotting against him.

Now I think about it, what if he IS right about Titania plotting against him?

>>42666286
>>That crown is the only culprit here
It got moonstone in it, I've seen what the full moon at a distance does to demons, drives them mad. They're more powerful by far, but mad. I can only imagine how it's affected you.

>>42666392
Thing is, he couldn't have her executed on those grounds since she can hand wave it with 'But that was supposed to be the Crown of Fairy Kings and I thought that it was meant only for you.'

Still he might still go through with this Cu framing plan.

>>42666409
>>42666309

There's no conspiracy here, you tell the king as gently as you can, the only “culprit” here is that crown he's wearing. Think about it, you snap before Morrigan can seize you – you could feel her entire body tensing as soon as you raised the issue. Think about it – even at such a great distance, the moon can affect the mind, and that crown of his has moon crystals in it, right there next to his head! It's GOT to be taking a toll on him!

“You don't know what you're talking about, human!” Oberon snarls, “This is the Lunar Crown – only the true ruler of the fairies can wear it. Me, don't you see? Me!”

Just take it off for a few minutes and think things over again, you urge. You'll sit here, perfectly still. Hell, he can have his thug here hold you in place. He can chain you to the damn floor if he wants, just as long as he takes that stupid bloody crown off for five bastard minutes!

Oberon stares at you in amazement for a moment, his hand gripping the Lunar Crown so tightly that his knuckles are bone white. “I see things clearly now,” he says eventually, “You've opened my eyes, human, and the truth was right in front of me this whole time.”

That's... good, isn't it? You freeze as Morrigan's hands settle on your shoulders again, holding you tightly in place as Oberon picks up Gae Bolg, lifting the weapon in both hands. No, you belatedly realise, that's not good at all.

>>42666812

“I see now,” Oberon repeats, “You've always been close to that self-righteous hero, haven't you? You and that friend of yours. To think, I was ready to TRUST you with something this important!” He points Gae Bolg at you, lifting it above your armour and resting the point against your throat. “Can I trust you, Amelia? I WANT to trust you.”

You swallow nervously, wincing as you feel the spear's deadly point prickling your exposed throat. That did not go according to plan – so much for trying to use logic with this madman.

>Of course you can trust me
>I was in on it, yes, but Cassandra is innocent
>Nothing I can say would be enough for you
>Other

>>42666826
>>Of course you can trust me
Just say what he wants to hear. But we should never take our hand off our phone where we talk to this guy from now on, Christ.

>>42666826
I'll tell you now what I told you then, I look out for me and mine and I try to stay true to myself. I have no love for either you or your wife, and while cu is a friend I'm not going to stick my neck out for him. That crown was a gift from Titania Oberon. Would she really give it too you without meddling with it?

Wait, Oberon gave Cassandra a High Pixie for her part in getting the crown, right? That means he knows she was involved. Anything that implicates Titania could also tie Cass into a "conspiracy". We've got to be really careful with what we tell Oberon from now on.

>>42666826
>Of course you can trust me

>>42666859
>>42667004

When in doubt, swallow your pride and tell them what they want to hear – that's how you survive situations like this. Of course, with Gae Bolg's lethal tip tickling your throat with even the slightest movement, you're a little unwilling to swallow anything but that's beside the point. You tell Oberon, in a hushed and despicably weak voice, that he can trust you. Of course he can trust you. Why would he ever think otherwise?

Morrigan grips you tighter for a moment, as though expecting her king to thrust forwards with the famed weapon and end your life, but her grip eases off when the spear drops away from you. Oberon smiles at you – he's not smirking or sneering, he's actually smiling! - and lets Gae Bolg drop to the floor with a clatter. He's... smiling with genuine relief, you realise. Does that mean he believes you? Does that mean he wanted to believe you?

“Then take this,” he murmurs, sweeping the spear up and thrusting it into your numb, startled hands, “Take this, my loyal assassin, and do what your king commands. Fear not, I'll have every guard between you and that animal claiming that they saw the “hero” do the deed. And you... I'll vouch for you personally. You were here with me the whole time. We spoke of such wonderful things, did we not? Your future here, for one thing. Such a bright future...”

Right. Until you do make some tiny error of judgement and end up on the king's shit list. Then you'll be next on the chopping block, and he'll have some other idiot waiting in line to swing the axe. Great. You're still brooding on that when Morrigan ushers you out, pushing you into the empty corridor.

“Go,” she snaps, “Before the king changes his mind.”

Guys maybe we should just cut and run from this shit. There is only one cornerstone left and we have enough clout with our demons to be on our own for a bit. We could stay at the hospital again.

Just an option.

>>42667434
Yeah, I guess. It's good to have it as a backup option but OOC I don't like the idea of running. I want to see how things unfold here even if it turns out badly.

PLus, we might need the library and stuff to find the next cornerstone although BRA might be able to help with that

>>42667527
I understand, but I refuse to be this guys assassin. Lets see if we can find that third option we are famous for finding.

>>42667363

He's prone to that, you think to yourself, but you keep silent and simply nod at her command. Still partially in a daze, you turn and wander down the maze of corridors, following twist and turn as you make your way towards the dungeons. Just what the hell are you going to do? You're not foolish enough to believe that things will just return to normal if you go through with this, but it might grant you a moment of breathing room – just long enough to think of a better way to handle the situation.

On the other hand, it might be better to persist in your efforts to get that crown away from Oberon. Just what the hell did Titania give him, and did she realise what it was? Considering she's languishing in a dungeon somewhere, you can't imagine things are going according to her plan – assuming she had a plan in the first place.

It takes you a while to notice it, but the few fairies that pass you by ignore you, even to the point of specifically looking away from you. Is this Oberon's doing? Has he somehow reached out to every single fairy in the kingdom and bent them to his will? If so, it speaks volumes of the power contained within the Lunar Crown – even if that power is tainted with a creeping madness.

When you're finally alone, stealing inside one of the countless dust-clad side rooms, you sit on a crate and think. You think hard, with the weight of Gae Bolg against your legs as a reminder of what is at stake. What the hell are you going to do next?

>Find Cernunnos. You can decide what to do with him later
>Try and search the dungeons for Titania
>Other

>>42667638
>Try and search the dungeons for Titania
Might as well try. She might have information we can use to find a way out of this mess.

I still think we should make Cernunous 'disappear' by recruiting him if it comes down to it.

>>42667638
>>Find Cernunnos. You can decide what to do with him later
Simple plan , make a weak thrust have him use it to break his chains, he escapes with the spear after knocking us out.

>>42667791
By 'escape' you mean into our phone? Cause I don't think he can get out with all these guards.

>>42667638
>Find Cernunnos. You can decide what to do with him later

>>42667839
They need the body anon. Either he escapes, we stage a coup or we kill him

>>42667996
Demon bodies disappear into mist.

>>42667839
Escaping into our phone seems to be the best chance this guy has. Plus, better to be put under minor servitude under the girl who defeated him and given a chance to strike back at Oberon and the forces at work than to be imprisoned and killed ignobly by someone else other than Cucu wielding Gae Bolg.

>>42668072
He'd probably be about it after he hears we've killed 3 archangels.

>>42668107
Not to mention 3 of Lucy's LTs, yeah?

>>42667716
>>42667791
>>42667883

There's no use in putting this off, you're going to have to find Cernunnos and deal with him. You can't imagine it'll be difficult to find him – after all, he was caged up in the deepest dungeon beneath the palace and you can't imagine Oberon was merciful enough to move him to a nicer cell. You've just got to stroll down there, past all the guards who'll close their eyes and cover their ears, and... do something. You'll think about that later.

While you're there, you might as well look around for Titania and see if she's locked up here as well. Somehow, you're not sure she is – something Oberon said, maybe, about her not being able to “pervert” the court. Maybe there's some other prison somewhere, some lovely little place that only Oberon knows about. If that's the case, God only knows how you'll find her – and He's hardly likely to be of any help.

Again, everyone you pass as you trudge down the corridors treats you like the carrier of some terrible disease, turning away from you or hastily changing their route. You're perfectly happy to be treated like some pariah – right now, you don't exactly feel like a hero – but the perfect unthinking obedience on display is chilling. Between this and Oberon's willingness to purge anyone he suspects of treachery, it's all too easy to imagine the fairy kingdom descending into some awful dystopia. Seeing your adopted home becoming so twisted... it hurts, you'll not lie about that.

You arrive at the dungeons before you can sink too deeply into your own brooding frustration. The guards on the entrance wordlessly open the door, letting the metal gate screech as it swings open, and march away without sparing you a backwards glance. So, they want to give you some privacy, how considerate – and convenient.

>>42668320

Thinking back to the first time you visited Cernunnos, you try to picture the dungeons in your mind. They were little more than a series of corridors, rougher than the ones above but otherwise similar, with cells carved into the rock. It shouldn't be too difficult to search them all, even if you need to use your phone as an impromptu flashlight to see into the gloomy cells.

You don't see a single soul as you scan each of the cells – not any other prisoners, and certainly not any other guards. The quiet, that deathly hush, bothers you enough that it makes you want to break it by any means necessary. Shouting, beating the metal cell bars, even splashing through the occasional dank puddle with heavy steps, anything to dispel that dreadful, judgemental silence!

Yet you keep silent, forcing your mind into a razor sharp focus as you consider your options. You don't want to be Oberon's assassin – you didn't want to kill Setanta all that time ago, and you don't want to kill Cernunnos now. Although you can't quite stop your mind from wandering, considering all the options. Had you killed the horned god when you had the chance, after Ripper defeated him in that duel, would things have reached the same conclusion? Perhaps that was the first crack in Oberon and Titania's relationship that led to this disaster.

But what if you HAD killed him, and Titania held a grudge against her husband? It could be that your situation might just be reversed, rather than remedied. In either case, there's no point in wallowing in the past – you need to decide what you're future holds. Set Cernunnos free? Offer him a place in your service? What if Oberon demands his head, delivered on a platter?

No matter, you've searched all but one of the cells and found nothing – no trace of Titania. Now, Cernunnos waits below.

>>42668449

The sound of the final gate – the gate to the deepest cage in the dungeon – squeals as you push it open, the sound causing Cernunnos to cry out from his pit.

“Oberon!” the horned god cries, “Is it my time now? You've taken everyone else – taken my men, my comrades – to the gallows, have you come for me as well? Ha, I welcome it! Release me from this torment if you will, but I will return – we always do! Neither of us can escape this accursed cycle,” the voice chokes off in a gurgle, “Can we?”

You approach, sitting down at the edge of the pit and looking down upon Cernunnos, the horned god of the hunt. He looks thinner than you remember, and the mask of bone he wears has cracked, a long stress mark running down the middle. The shackle around his ankle has left a ring of bloody, broken skin where it has scraped the flesh raw. He looks utterly defeated, even if his voice has a last vestige of defiance in it.

You could end it now, put him out of his misery easily enough. You were no javelin champion back at school, but you're fairly sure you could hit him in the chest from here. Maybe not a quick way to die, but it would work. Then again, with the strength of your enchanted knuckleduster you could probably smash the lock off his cage – maybe even smash the cage itself apart – and grant him his freedom.

“You?” Cernunnos gasps, “He won't even do the deed himself?”

Or maybe you could just sit here awhile and talk. Just... talk a little. Maybe you could at least offer the fallen god some comfort.

>Take aim and throw Gae Bolg
>Break the cell door
>Talk for a while before making a decision
>Other

>>42668611
>Talk for a while before making a decision.
"When has he done anything himself?"

"You mentioned escaping a cycle. I've been trying to do that myself."

>>42668692
>>42668611
From there explain what we've been up to and ask if he'd be willing to fight once more working with us.

If he accepts have him form a pact with us. Then 'kill' him with Gae Bolg. Since he is under contract, he won't die and will just go recover in our phone.

Oberon gets his bloodstains and bloody spear, while Cern survives.

>>42668745
Fuckin' brilliant.
Combine it with this >>42668692 and add our 'suspicions' regarding a third force outside of hell and heaven pulling the strings.

>>42668611
>Talk for a while before making a decision

>>42668745
Clever. It does mean that he'll need some time to recover though. While we're talking, ask him if he knows anything about Titania.

>>42668611
>>Talk for a while before making a decision

>>42668692
>>42668745
>>42668796
>>42668804
>>42669007

When, you ask, has Oberon done anything himself? He's always getting other people to do his dirty work – go here, kill that, blah blah blah. You sigh rather wistfully as you realise that that's all that really happens to you. People ask you to do things, then you go do them. Sometimes it works out well, sometimes it doesn't – but you just keep coming back for more. Maybe that's what Cernunnos means by a cycle, something you can't seem to escape no matter how hard you try.

“Human,” Cernunnos' voice is guarded, “You must be a fool to come here. A fool, or in the service of one. The king is mad, and the kingdom dances to his tune – what safety is there to find in such a place?”

No safety at all, you tell him, thinking of the spear's tip digging lightly into your throat. He mentioned cycles, though, and escaping them. You've been trying to do the same thing yourself, actually.

“Then I wish you luck,” Cernunnos coughs, the sound wet and hollow. No doubt that breathing in the stagnant air of this cell for so long has taken its toll on him. “Perhaps you humans can do it, but we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes. Gods become men, men become demons and demons chase after divinity.”

That's the same thing the priest said. Maybe not the exact same wording, but the sentiment is there. Could it be some kind of saying common to demons, or does it have a deeper meaning?

“In time, I will die, and after that, I shall be reborn – or one that will inherit my name. My... essence,” Cernunnos muses, “And in time, I'll repeat every mistake I made and succumb to my fate. This curse is ours, the nature of our being as the Fae. Yet... something is different this time. I cannot say what though. Perhaps introducing a human to the system...”

The priest said that as well. Interesting.

>>42669217

“So, human, if you're here to kill me, I won't shirk from that fate,” Cernunnos boasts, trying to pull himself as upright as possible, “Make it quick, and I won't hold a grudge.”

Actually, you had another offer to make him. If he'll join your service, you can offer him a chance to strike back against Oberon, maybe even a chance to escape the cycle that has him trapped. For what it's worth, you've only grown stronger since you defeated him and you'd be a good leader. Better than Oberon, at least. Hell, if he really wants you'll fight him again once you're out – a fair fight for the chance to choose his own path.

“You're offering me, a god, the chance to obey you, a human?” Cernunnos asks with amusement, “Ah, but that chance of freedom is tempting, and the chance to strike back against Oberon is better still. Very well, human, I'll bend the knee – for now.”

Well, that's the first hurdle over and done with. The next one is going to be a little less... pleasant. Before you, ah, release him, you've got one question. Does he know anything about the queen? Titania is missing, and you're trying to dig up everything you can about her. Now, you know that he's not the queen's biggest fan – they've got history – but if he knows anything...

“The gaol,” Cernunnos answers immediately, “That's where she'll be. It's Oberon's little pet project, something he created on a whim. It stood empty for years, long enough that almost everyone has forgotten all about it. Everyone except me.”

So, you don't know if you want to ask, but why does he know about it?

“Spent some time there myself,” amazingly, there is a note of smug humour in Cernunnos' voice, “The first time I tried to take the king's place. He thought the isolation would give me time to think. Reflect on my arrogance, he said.”

Well, it definitely worked.

>>42669368

“It's in the North,” Cernunnos tells you, “Far. You'll know it when you see it.”

And he's sure that Titania will be there? What exactly should you expect from this “gaol” place anyway, other than an annoyingly antiquated name?

“There are no guards, just a single warden,” the fallen god explains, “But he's nothing compared to you, I'm sure – since you've grown so powerful of late.”

Great. Sarcasm. Standing up, you take a better grip on Gae Bolg and aim it at the horned god of the hunt. That last little jibe was just the encouragement you needed to finish this little scheme of yours. If Oberon wants blood, then he's going to get it. Winding back, you hurl the spear down past the cage bars and into Cernunnos' chest.

The blow is a clean one, piercing his flesh and sinking deep into his breast. With a grunt and one long, gurgling laugh, Cernunnos folds down into a crumpled heap and fades out of existence, leaving behind nothing but a pool of dark blood with the famed weapon lying in the middle. On your phone, his icon has appeared, looming out like a phantom and as dark as a photograph soaked in ink. He'll be back, in time.

Now to present Oberon with his bloody trophy. There might be a more delicate way of doing this, but you're not in the mood to be patient. You simply tear a hole in the cage, beating the bars with your knuckleduster until they bend and shatter, then kicking down the coil of rope you find on one wall. Plucking the weapon, the whole damn thing stained red, out of the gory puddle, you clamber back up and start the long walk back to Oberon. If people avoided you before, now they practically flee from the sight of you.

>>42669627

“So it is done,” Oberon breathes as he takes the spear from you, holding it so close to his face that you swear he's about to lick the blood from the tip. Thankfully, that's a sight you don't have to endure. “I'm free. Free!”

Free? His exclamation takes you by surprise – you thought this was about some convoluted plan to have his main rivals eliminated. A plan that you've moved one step forwards, even if Cernunnos isn't as dead as everyone thinks he is, with the murder weapon pointing straight towards Cu Chulainn. You've got evidence to sink any accusation of murder – presenting the apparent “victim” alive and well would help with that – but what if Oberon doesn't bother with a trial? What if he has Cu Chulainn killed, and then declares the act as just after the deed is done?

That's just another bridge you'll have to cross when you get to it. Oberon looks at you with strangely watery eyes, a piteous expression of genuine gratitude swimming in them. He was kind of a jerk before, but that damn crown has ruined him – it's almost painful to see.

>I've killed him. What do I get out of this?
>Since you know I'm loyal, won't you trust me on this? That crown has been cursed
>Do I have permission to leave the palace? I have some business outside
>Other

>>42669760
>>Do I have permission to leave the palace? I have some business outside
Visit the BRA personally and have Undine warn Cu.

>>42669760
>Do I have permission to leave the palace? I have some business outside

We might have to do the same thing with Cu like did with Cern. Have him form a contract with us so if he gets 'executed' he won't be dead.

An option to think about.

>>42669827
>>42669760
Bring Cass AND Carnby too. We need to discuss this. Maybe convince Cass to itemize Heidi if she really is a spy.

>>42669793
>>42669827
>>42669847

So, uh, do you have permission to leave the palace? To leave the kingdom in general? You've got important business outside, you explain quickly, when you see Oberon's expression cloud over.

“YOU may leave,” he says reluctantly, “But your friends must stay – the girl especially. My agent tells me she was particularly close to Cu Chulainn, who we now know to be an enemy of the crown and a fugitive at large.”

...Could he, perhaps, repeat that?

“This evidence you brought me,” Oberon hisses, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “Proves beyond doubt that Cu Chulainn murdered Cernunnos, and now he has fled the palace to places unknown! Your friend was a known associate on him, she cannot be trusted to walk free.”

He... actually believes his own bullshit, you realise with a jolt. He really believes that Cu Chulainn murdered the horned god and fled, despite... well, despite everything that just happened! Even his memory of recent events has been twisted to suit this new narrative. Cause and effect have reversed themselves, turning the whole world into a lunatic fantasy. It makes your head hurt just to think about.

At least this has confirmed one thing – Heidi is definitely a spy, the “agent” that Oberon mentioned. Maybe she's doing it willingly, or maybe she's under his spell. Either way, though, you need to be careful of what you say around her until the issue is resolved.

“Don't worry, I've not thrown her into the dungeons yet,” Oberon continues, oblivious to your stunned amazement, “That would alert her. She must not know that I'm onto her schemes. Maybe... maybe the traitor will contact her, or come seeking her help. Yes, she'll be the bait in my trap, yes...”

Well, it looks like you're going to be on your own for the time being. That's hardly ideal.

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God. Fucking. Damnit.

I'm beginning to think the only way out of this is a coup.

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>>42670147

“Fine, fine,” Oberon says suddenly, looking up and flapping an impatient hand at you, “Leave, if you must. Bring me his head, if you find him, won't you?”

Uh, sure. You'll get right on that. Actually, you were planning on going to the Hellfire Club – now that you're finished burning your bridges, maybe you should start mending them – and seeing what Nebiros wanted with you. While you're out from under Oberon's beady eye, as well, you were planning on sending Cu Chulainn a message. Something simple, like “Run away, and don't stop running.”

Good advice, and some you're tempted to follow yourself. Well, not really – you were a little tempted to abandon the fairy kingdom for a while, admittedly – but Cassandra's status as a virtual hostage changes that. Now, you'll burn down half of London before you abandon her to Oberon's capricious whims. Funny, before the end of the world, you didn't have a single friend in the world you felt so strongly about. These days, though, humans have to stick together.

Well, sort of. It's hard to call it “sticking together” when you're retreating from the castle that Cassandra is basically trapped inside, but that's beside the point. As soon as you're outside the kingdom – back in the real world – you call up Undine.

“Hey boss, you're looking kinda stressed,” Undine begins, but you cut her off before she can ask too many questions.

You need her to get a message to Cu Chulainn. You don't know where he is, but it is utterly vital that he does not return home. Utterly vital, you repeat, stressing each word. You don't care what it takes, but she needs to get that message to the fairy, and as soon as possible.

“Jeez, you don't ask for much, do you boss?” Undine laughs, “I'm on it. Wish me luck!”

>>42670493
What if we tell Cu to go to a meeting place?

Free Cernunnos after he's done recovering, and send him to Cu with the Gae Bolg.


I'd also suggest killing Morrigan with Gae Bolg right fucking now, but it might be necessary for the proper hero to do it.

>>42670583
We don't have the spear unfortunately.

>>42670583
>>42670598

>Yeah, to clarify, Oberon still has Gae Bolg. Otherwise, somebody might tamper with the evidence!

>>42670493

When you're finished seeing Undine off, you make haste towards the Hellfire Club. Nebiros has been good to you in the past, so you owe him a face to face meeting at the very least. He had a job for you, but you might not be in the position to take it – you can't commit to anything too heavy right now, with the situation being what it is.

Yet, you feel a certain nervousness when you pause at the club doorway. Knowing your luck with your allies recently, Belial has probably banished Nebiros to the south bloody pole and is waiting behind the door with a baseball bat. That's a delusion that is soon banished as your eyes adjust to the relative gloom – Belial is standing behind the bar, polishing a glass with a rag. When he sees you arrive, he nods ponderously, like a mountain collapsing in slow motion.

“Amelia Bishop,” Nebiros says smoothly from behind you, causing you to tense up with surprise, “I hear you're on the side of angels these days. I'm surprised you'd risk your immortal soul by coming here.”

Your soul, you tell him, can't get any more endangered than it already is. You're here to apologise, for one thing. It was a shitty way to act, sending messages back and forth, but you were really very busy. You had...

“Yes, I hear Abaddon died in quite the awful way,” Nebiros smiles politely, as though explaining some mildly interesting piece of trivia, “To say nothing of Gabriel herself, of course.”

Yeah, you'd... you'd rather not think too much about that. Maybe a change in subject is in order.

>Ask about that job offer
>Ask about Alice
>Explain the situation in the fairy kingdom. Maybe he can offer advice
>Other

>>42670693
>Explain the situation in the fairy kingdom. Maybe he can offer advice
Can't hurt.

Then
>Ask about that job offer

>>42670693
>Oh, Nebiros there is a method to my madness. You should know that.
>I do apologize about sending Undine previously, however with that crown Making Oberon more paranoid than usual, I found myself needing to be in several places at once. I will try giving our meetings more respect in the future.
>Ask about that job offer
>Ask about Alice

>>42670693
>>Ask about that job offer
>>Ask about Alice
>>Explain the situation in the fairy kingdom.
in that order. It's kind of shitty if we went to them because of our own problems after refusing to last time.

>>42670738
We already apologized.

>>42670746
>>42670693
Seconded

Wait, what about Oracle? We can easily contact Carnby and Cas right? Would the Fae even notice?

>>42670964
That's one way I think. Carnby could send a message out to Cass but he's under guard at the moment. It's possible though if we can get a moment alone with him

> Hey, we found this prophesy that declares that a traitorous Cu may only be judged by the Gae Bolg.
Would he buy it?

>>42671029
No, cause he'd rant about "muh fairy king privilege"

>>42671041
sorry, I meant
>So we need the Gae Bolg to kill him. Can we borrow it?

>>42671068
He'd ask for the prophecy, but maybe.

Carnby said there was a prophecy for basically anything in the archives. If he can find one that says "CuCu gets killed by his own weapon" then maybe Oberon will buy it

Then again, he's insane so it's pretty hard to plan around it

>>42671083
The crucial bit is an alternate reading of "judge". Everything else is the regular stuff about Cu taken with the assumption that he's a traitor to the kingdom rather than Setanta.

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>>42670719
>>42670738
>>42670746
>>42670930

You'll be sure to treat your meetings with the respect they deserve in future, you tell Nebiros again, recently you've found yourself needing to be in two places at once. That's why you're here to ask about that job offer he had for you, in the hope that you can continue to have a working relationship.

“Well,” Nebiros sounds impressed, “I can hardy throw you out after a display like that. As for the job, it's simple. There is an interested party who wishes to speak with you. However, the process is... esoteric. A face to face meeting requires certain steps – steps I have prepared, if you wish to make this meeting now.”

You could do it now? Well, later might be better. You were interested in how Alice is doing – has she murdered swathes of angels again?

“Ah, the young mistress,”Nebiros sighs, “She sleeps much of the time – I believe this would be considered a good thing for this world – but the night of the full moon...”

“Exhausting,” Belial adds from behind the bar, “We drank so much tea, the cups are still stained. And the costumes...”

Uh, maybe you shouldn't dig too deep. Things mankind was not meant to know, and all that. Instead, you tentatively inform Nebiros about the situation at court. It's a risk, telling the information dealer such valuable offerings, but he might have valuable advice to offer. In either case, it'd be difficult to make the situation any worse than it currently is.

“Interesting, I see,” Nebiros touches a slender finger to his chin, “I might have some... insights to share. A trade, then? When you're finished speaking with the, ah, interested party, I should have something ready for you. How does that sound?”

Hmm. Can you really spare the time to speak with this mystery client? He said the preparations were complete, but they were also... esoteric.

>Attend the meeting
>There's no time

>>42671138
>Attend the meeting
Is it Lucifer?

>>42671138
>Attend the meeting

>>42671138
>Attend the meeting

>>42671178
Nah, it'll probably be someone totally unrelated. Possibly called Louis Cypher or something ~~subtle~~

>>42671178
>>42671185
>>42671197

You took the time to gather intelligence before fighting Abaddon and Gabriel, so you'll be damned if you're going to pass up the chance to score some free advice on the Oberon situation. You'll attend this meeting, you tell Nebiros fearlessly, so lead the way.

“Very good,” Nebiros bows slightly, giving him the quaint manner of a butler, “This way. I should warn you though, some of these necessary steps might seem a little alarming at first.”

Man, after everything you've seen and done, you're not going to back down from a single meeting. What's the worst that could happen, you need to call him on one of those dreadful eighties mobile phones? You're about to add another boast to that – to bolster your own confidence as much as anything – when Nebiros leads you into a gloomy side room and flicks on the light. There's a single chair in the room. No, not JUST a chair. That's a bloody electric chair.

You've seen them in movies – you know what an electric chair looks like. Those leather straps around the armrests and the front two legs are a dead – no pun intended – give away. The only things that are missing are the various electrodes and stuff, the metal junk that kills people. That's vaguely reassuring, at least.

“Sit,” Nebiros commands, ushering you into the chair and fiddling with the various straps, making sure that you're tightly bound.

This, uh, this isn't a trap or anything, is it? You ask nervously. Because if this is a trap you just walked into, you're going to die feeling like the world's biggest idiot.

“I said they might seem alarming, did I not?” Nebiros asks, circling behind you, “Now, I hope your meeting is to your mutual satisfaction.”

Wait, you cry out, but before you can say anything else, Nebiros pulls a heavy bag – made from some dense fabric that blocks out all light entirely – down over your head.

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>>42671392

Your body grows cold, like you've just been plunged into a bath of freezing cold water, and the blackness from the hood only seems to close in around you. Gradually, painfully slowly, your body adjusts to the chill and your vision begins to clear. The hood has vanished, apparently replaced by a different kind of darkness. The first thing you are capable of seeing is ice, a thick layer of ice you're lying upon like the surface of a frozen lake.

Just as you're slipping and struggling to rise – not to get to your feet, but to assume something more dignified than the crumpled heap you found yourself in – a beam of light falls upon you from above. There is a sound, not quite an angelic choir but something uncannily close to one, and something, a silhouette against the blinding light, descends upon you.

“Child of man,” a soft, gentle voice greets you as the light fades, granting you the privilege of seeing the source of that voice. Not just an angel, that much is obvious from the wings, but the most beautiful angel you've ever seen, with waves of amber coloured hair falling across a body clad only in fluttering silks. “Child of man,” the angel repeats, “I greet you, warmly. We have much to discuss, you and I.”

>I'll have to stop there for today. Next thread on Friday, and I'll stick around for a while in case of questions.

>Everything is going to be okay.

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>>42671522
Somebody called it.

Thanks for the run Moloch.

>>42671522
Am I right in thinking the fairy court story is getting close to its climax?

>>42671547

I don't know what you're talking about, that's clearly an angel, not some shady devil!

>>42671577

Pretty close, yeah.

>>42671522
Oh hai luci!

>>42671644
Angels don't have horns.

>>42671675
>Angels don't have horns.
To be fair, Amelia isn't an expert on angel physiology. There's a bunch of weird looking angels.

>>42671644
Is Luc-I mean this Angel of Light confused on why Amelia sent the last cornerstone to Heaven? In fact is everybody confused about that?

And Louie finally makes his entrance!

Thanks for running, Moloch.

>>42671710

Amelia has certainly drawn a lot of attention because of it. It's only confirmed her status as an unpredictable element, so there's going to be a lot more interest on both sides of the conflict.

>>42671735

Who is this Louie character? They don't sound very trustworthy to be, unlike this entirely trustworthy angel that's appeared!

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>>42671781
>unlike this entirely trustworthy angel that's appeared!
Not as trustworthy and handsome as this one.

>>42671793

So handsome it'd be a shame NOT to include him at some point!

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>>42671849
Excellent.

Speaking of including people did you ever think about including any of the Fiends? Well other than Alice.

>>42671874

I planned on dropping in Matador at one point, but that didn't really make it to table - I could recycle it for later material though. Other than that, I have something planned for the future involving some of the Fiends.

>>42671968
>Matador at one point
>Matador
>MATADOR
AHHHHHHH

>>42671968
So I know this like Nocturne's Conception but I gotta ask. Where are all the other humans? You'd think God and Lucy would be throwing some people at us that joined their side. And where is Petra, I'd thought she'd be super involved in the killing of Archangels and Archdukes from Hell.

>>42672021

The humans that survived the end of the world were those that had been gathered in certain "safe" places. Harry Right-Hand was gathering people, for example, although his purpose was selfish. During the month Amelia was out, most of those people were either killed or taken to the hidden New Way enclave.

As for Petra, well, I had plans for her originally but as the story has developed I've found less opportunities to slot her in, same as Marco and his daughter. I'm not totally finished with Petra though, she's tied into the Fiend business I've been thinking up.

>>42672021

Ah, forgot half of my answer. As for what Petra has been doing this whole time, I imagined she's been roaming around hunting for items of power, or creating them with Scathach's workshop. Seeking power in her own way, in other words.

Petra's main issue is that she's ultimately ignorant of the wider situation. She fights, but not to any real goal or endgame