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>>42813748

Execution, in other words. She means to have Oberon killed?

“We are currently undergoing a transition of power. During such times, it is best to remove all remnants of the old regime as quickly as possible. The final decision, I should add, falls to the current reigning ruler,” the queen pauses, an insincere modesty creeping into her voice, “Me, in this case. Besides, it is the will of the people.”

The will of the people? You make to turn around, but Titania's hand falls on your shoulder with a surprising mount of strength. She's not holding you in place – yet – but the suggestion is there.

“Once an idea gains momentum, it inevitably becomes the will of the people,” she explains in a smooth voice, “And all it takes for this idea to spread is for the right people to be seen voicing it. A ruler must always bow to the voice of the people... but that voice should speak with the ruler's words. A lesson, then, should you ever aspire to leadership yourself.”

You see now. Oberon sought to wield his will like a cudgel, ruling through fear and violence. Titania, on the other hand, is a scalpel – utilised best when it is never seen. Maybe all you've done is ensure that a different tyrant seized power.

“Come now,” the queen breathes in your ear, as though reading your mind, “I have no use for oppression, for show trials and public executions. Those are the tools of a weakling, and I am no fool. With you and your friend remaining within the court – as honoured guests, I should add – I have nothing to gain by tightening my grip on the people.”

She might have a point there, but...

“My, we are getting distracted,” Titania interrupts you, “You've suffered more than most at Oberon's hands – it's only fair that I get your opinion on his fate. Go on, tell me.”

>Get me a weapon. I'll do it
>Maybe death is best
>He's no danger. Lock him away
>This isn't my decision to make

>>42813758
>>This isn't my decision to make

>>42813847

No way, you stammer, this isn't your decision to make. If everything goes horribly wrong somewhere in the near future and the people start wishing for “king Oberon” again, you don't want to be the one burdened with the responsibility of having decided his fate. This is a fairy matter, and you're just a guest here at court – it doesn't matter what Oberon did to you, it's not your place to decide his fate.

“I see,” Titania takes her hand from your shoulder, allowing you to scurry a few paces away, “I understand your reasoning, although I wonder... are you afraid of the consequences, or making any kind of commitment? Either way, it's hardly the behaviour of a natural leader.”

Well... maybe you don't want to be a leader! You force the words out, turning to look at Titania with as much anger as you can gather. If being a leader means being dishonest, manipulative and scheming, then you won't do it! You're happy enough to follow Amelia's lead for now.

“Is that so?” Titania raises an eyebrow, “Does that make Amelia your leader, then? A dishonest, manipulative and scheming leader? I wonder what she'd have to say about that.”

That, uh, wasn't what you meant, you flounder suddenly, the anger vanishing as you realise the trap you stumbled right into. Amelia is an honest leader, and that's why you're so willing to follow her! Not a bad recovery, although the queen isn't exactly impressed.

“Yes, yes, I see your point. You think I'm a terrible person,” she smiles coldly, “You might well be right. Still, I'm willing to do what must be done, for the sake of my kingdom.” Her smile only grows more rigid and fixed as she takes a step towards Oberon's cell and slides one hand free from the long gloves that encased it. “Observe.”

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>>42814048

No wait, you stammer, what is this? Before you can ask anything more, or move to stop her, Titania sweeps her bare hand through the air and snaps her fingers sharply. The brisk sound is immediately lost behind a sudden roar as a blazing firestorm bursts into life around Oberon, engulfing the young king – former king, now – in blinding flames.

You cry out in sudden terror at the sight, stumbling away from the brilliant light and collapsing onto the cold stone of the dungeon floor. Oberon screams, but only briefly, falling silent after a few short moments. The fire burns for a considerably longer time, consuming the former king's flesh until all that is left of him is a set of blackened bones. It could be a child's skeleton, looking at the charred remains, with nothing to suggest the twisted, ruined mind that had once occupied it.

“Quick and decisive,” Titania announces, pulling her glove back on and brushing her hands together. A slight twitch of disdain on her face is the only hint of expression she wears. Even when the fatty stench of burned flesh reaches your senses, you are the only one to react. You retch, choking and coughing as the urge to vomit boils up from within your stomach. You don't think about what happens next, you simply struggle from the floor and run from the dungeons, seeking clean air to cleanse that dreadful scent from your lungs.

It takes a moment for you to realise where you ended up running towards. Where were you heading?

>The archives
>Your bedroom
>Outside of the kingdom entirely
>Somewhere else

>>42814132
>>Your bedroom

>>42814132
>>Your bedroom
Sulky teenager mode is go!

>>42814216
>>42814272

That's right, you found yourself fleeing right back to your bedroom – your new one, that is. A good thing too, your old one was likely to stir up all kinds of bad memories with the mood you're in. It hardly feels secure, after Oberon's goons broke in to arrest you.

Well, that's not something you'll need to worry about again. It doesn't make you feel any better about what happened – well, maybe a little, but you wouldn't dare admit that to anyone – but, well, you've got new quarters either way. You can move on now, move past that violent night. After all, you're sure that a great many violent nights await you in the future.

Your breathing has just about returned to normal when you get to your room, but the sight of Amelia sitting at a desk, carefully studying a book, takes it away again. You don't think you've ever seen her concentrating so hard on one of professor Carnby's archaic books before.

“Cassandra,” Amelia looks up, gratefully closing her book and pushing it across the desk and away from her. “What a load of bull-” she pauses, “What's wrong, you look pale as hell.”

Wrong? Pale? You laugh nervously, shuffling your feet like a child caught up in a lie. Of course there's nothing wrong, why would there be anything wrong? As for the simple reason of why you're being so evasive, you're not quite sure you could explain. The Amelia you know is the kind of person who would do something about this, like marching down to the dungeon and punching Titania's lights out. That's the last thing everybody needs about now.

“I see,” Amelia looks at you for a moment longer before pulling her book across, although she leaves it closed, “I'm pretty sure there's something wrong, though. Call me paranoid.”

>You're just paranoid
>You're reading? Anything interesting?
>It's about Oberon, it's pretty serious
>Other

>>42814451
>It's about Oberon, it's pretty serious

>>42814451
>It's about Oberon, it's pretty serious
Looks like I was a bit late to this thread.

>>42814451
>>It's about Oberon, it's pretty serious
Didn't know you were running today til I checked Twitter.

>>42814617
>>42814647
>>42814817

It's, uh, it's about Oberon, you tell Amelia, buckling under her stare. It's pretty serious, but she need to promise not to do anything rash.

“Oberon,” Amelia slumps back in her chair, stares at the ceiling and lets out a long sigh, “Let me guess, he's escaped. Or his supporters have gathered an army and they're about to lay siege to the palace. Wait, maybe he's discovered some kind of insanity based superpowers and now he's on the rampage?” She sighs again, pushing her chair away from the desk and getting ready to stand, “Looks like it's back to work.”

No, you protest, it's nothing like that! He's, uh, he's dead, you say at last. Dead, executed by Titania. It's a bit of a stretch to call that violent incineration an “execution” - outright murder would be a more accurate term – but you decide to keep things as official sounding as possible. Then, slowly and carefully, you explain what happened.

Amelia's face goes from shocked, to pale, to a strangely grim expression in short order. When you finish talking, she thinks things over in silence for a while. “Maybe Titania was right,” she tells you eventually, “Maybe not exactly right, but still. At least this way we don't have to deal with Oberon any more. I really thought he had broken out, you know. Seems like exactly the kind of thing he'd do.”

He didn't look like he could break out of a paper bag, you tell Amelia, thinking of his slurred voice and clumsy movements. That was the worst thing, he was no danger to anyone and Titania just... obliterated him like that.

“Man...” Amelia shakes her head, “I guess. Can't really bring myself to feel sorry for the guy though. I was done with him a long time ago. Finished.”

>>42814832

She can really say that? Just, cut him off like that? And what about Titania, you ask, what if she turns out to be worse than Oberon?

“Deal with that when it happens, I guess,” the other girl shrugs, “If it happens. Then again, we might be long gone by the time things get really bad. There's one cornerstone left, and then the keystone. After that, anything could happen. I mean it – anything. We're on unmapped territory from that point on.”

Oh, well, she makes it sound kinda... exciting. You laugh a little at the thought of exploring some new, uncharted world like a pair of Victorian gentlemen. Doctor Bishop, I presume?

“Meeting new and interesting people!” Amelia laughs, “And then beating them up and taking their stuff, that's the life for me!”

That's what you like so much about Amelia, she always seems to know the right thing to say in a situation like this. Maybe it isn't even deliberate, but she can always take your mind off things with just a simple, stupid joke. That's the quality of a true leader – a proper leader.

“I wonder if Carnby's found out anything,” Amelia muses, “Things were pretty busy back here, so maybe not...”

You're about to suggest visiting him at the archives when there is a knock at the door. A moment later, Titania's muffled voice creeps into the room. “Amelia, Cassandra? I believe there's something you'd be interested in seeing down in the foyer. I think you should come quickly.”

You glance across to Amelia, who gives you a vague shrug – why not? The expression seems to say – and stands up. You wait a moment for Titania to leave, assuming she does so, and head out down the winding corridors. When you arrive at the foyer, you see what Titania meant. Something interesting indeed.

Sitting on a bench, waiting politely, is another human being.

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>>42814931
>Sitting on a bench, waiting politely, is another human being.

>>42814931

You look at the unfamiliar young man in shock for a while longer, amazed that after so long you've finally found another normal human. In a way, you're even more surprised to see him here, in the fairy kingdom. Was he seeking sanctuary, like you were, or has he come here for a specific reason?

There's not much you can say about him – he could be tall, but it's hard to tell when he's sitting, and his features are well-formed. Handsome, you suppose, in something of a blunt way. Dark hair that's beginning to turn grey in spite of his young age, and an outfit that's more of a robe than anything else. Amelia is studying him as well, her mouth set in an unimpressed line. She senses danger, you guess, but that's hardly unusual.

After a moment, the man notices you and rises, hurrying to meet you both. “Greetings, fellow humans,” he announces in a pleasantly deep voice, “I'm glad to finally meet you. I've heard much from across the city, rumours and stories. My name is Joseph, the Herald of the New Way.”

The New Way? You can't help but blurt that out, shocked to hear that name so suddenly. Could Nebiros have been telling the truth when he spoke of a hidden enclave of humans?

“Yes, I thought you might have heard of us,” the young man smiles ruefully, “Would you care to join us? Ah, not permanently, I should say. Join us for a meal, and a discussion. We have a safe place, not too far from here. I would be honoured to take you there.”

He's got your attention, that's for sure, and your curiosity as well. What could he have to discuss with you?

>Very well, lead on
>I'm sorry, but we have nothing to discuss
>Can't we talk here?
>Other

>>42815036
>Can't we talk here?
"I mean we already have food here you can eat as well, and you've already made the trip.

>>42815036
>Can't we talk here?

>>42815068
>>42815108

Wait, you ask carefully, can't you all talk here? They've got food and everything, so he can have a meal while he's at it. It's pretty good food as well, you add, before you realise that you're rambling on. In either case, can't he tell you what he needs to tell you here and now?

“I could, yes,” Joseph admits, “But my worry is that you might not believe me. If I told you, here and now, that we have been gathering the fragmented remnants of mankind together and keeping them safe, would you believe me?”

“Not really,” Amelia butts in, stubbornly glaring at the young man, “It sounds like bait. You might be leading us into a trap. You might not even BE human!”

That's a little... paranoid, you murmur, pulling Amelia aside for a moment. What if he IS telling the truth, and he's got countless people hiding out somewhere? Isn't that worth at least taking a look? Even if it is a trap, you're both capable of fighting your way out of it, right?

“I understand your reluctance,” Joseph sighs, “A lack of trust can be a virtue, in this new world. Yet I came here, unarmed, to seek you out. Not to threaten or cajole you into anything, but just to speak. To offer you an alternative viewpoint. Please, come with me. No commitments, no demands. I just want you to see the future we're hoping to build. A future for mankind.”

That seems to hit home, forcing Amelia's expression to soften slightly. Honestly, you want to believe him, to believe that humanity still persists in some small way. If you could see it for yourself, mankind carving out their own niche in this world, it might be the greatest sight of your life.

If it's not a trap.

>Fine, lead the way
>No, I don't believe you
>Other

>>42815259
>>Fine, lead the way
Might as well.

>>42815259
>>Fine, lead the way

>>42815277
>>42815287

If there's even the slightest chance that he's telling the truth, the you've got to see this for yourself. Lead on, you tell the young man, and Amelia grudgingly agrees.

“Excellent!” Joseph's face lights up with genuine gratitude, “I knew that you would see reason, I really did! We can head off straight away, if that's what you desire.”

That suits you fine, you tell the young man. Actually, you want to be off as soon as possible – not just to see this rumoured human enclave, but to have some time away from the court. It's still your home, for the time being at least, but it still feels a little unsafe compared with what it once was. Will it take long, you ask, to get there?

“It shouldn't take too long,” Joseph assures you, “But I must warn you now. Don't wander off, no matter what. The magic we've used to seal our hidden home will befuddle any attempt for outsiders to find us. That would include you, unfortunately, so you must follow my footsteps exactly. Is that understood?”

“Yes, yes,” Amelia waves away his concern with an impatient gesture. You simply nod, giving Joseph an apologetic smile. “And if this is some kind of trick...” Amelia lets her threat trail off as you begin to walk, leaving the palace and entering the surrounding forest.

You all walk in silence before Joseph finally tackles the elephant in the room. “Tell me,” he asks, “You've been pursuing the cornerstones, have you not? We have contacts in the demon world, bound servants and such, who speak constantly of such things. I have to ask... what do you hope to achieve?”

Uh, what does he mean? You glance across at Amelia as you reply to his question, but she shakes her head slightly. Don't talk, she seems to be saying.

“You seem to bow to no master, switching your allegiances at will,” Joseph's voice is carefully neutral, “It's curious, that's all.”

>>42815533

“Oh well,” he says eventually as you offer him no answer, “Something to discuss over dinner, perhaps. No doubt you're curious as to my own allegiances?”

“Mankind, I hope,” Amelia snaps, “I... we're not doing this just to hand the world over to some high and mighty deity.”

“In truth, we at the New Way have only recently learned of the cornerstones,” Joseph admits, “Until now, our goals were solely to carve out a corner of this new world for humanity to live in, perhaps even thriving one day. Things have... changed recently, with the new information we have gathered. Hence, why I'm here to meet with you.”

Silence falls as Joseph waits for a question that you have no intention of asking. You're content to watch his back as he strides towards the border, making his way towards the real world. Is he hoping that you'll abandon your goals to help his? You hope not – you don't want to go all this way just to crush his dreams. Still, you hold your tongue as you take your first steps into the city.

“For here on, keep your eyes on me,” Joseph reminds you, “Don't stray from my path, or we risk getting separated. Once that happens, we might not find each other again.”

You'll be careful, you tell him as you match the sudden right turn he takes. He leads you both down a narrow side-street – the buildings as looming and menacing as any you've come to expect in this new world – and out into a wider plaza. From here, you lose track of the various twists and turns he takes – some other aspect of this magical protection, perhaps? - until he slows to a stop.

“Here,” he tells you both, “Please, do not be alarmed by anything you see. Many of our ways may seem unusual to you, but we mean no harm.” Then, before you can ask what he means, he steps through what seemed to be a solid wall. Confused, you follow him through the illusion.

>>42815741

The New Way enclave is a single tower block, surprisingly intact and uncorrupted, standing in the middle of an empty block. A makeshift barrier has been erected around the entrance, with guards dressed in heavy hoods and robes standing outside. You were expecting swords or pikes, like some curious version of the papal guard, but these soldiers carry a variety of mismatched automatic weapons, prayer beads dangling from the muzzles.

“A precaution,” Joseph assures you, “A second line of defence, if you will. We've never had to fight yet. Before we enter, do you have any questions? I can't tell you everything – my knowledge is limited – but I hope I can set your mind at ease.”

Questions, huh? There's plenty of things that you'd like to ask him, but some part of you wants to hurry through this. Not to get it over with, but just to satisfy your curiosity.

>Who is your leader?
>Do you associate closely with demons?
>How many people are here?
>No questions, can we hurry this along?
>Other

>>42815805
>Do you associate closely with demons?
>How many people are here?

>>42815805
>Who is your leader?
>How many people are here?

>>42815805
>>Who is your leader?
>>Do you associate closely with demons?
>>How many people are here?

>>42815822
>>42815848
>>42815977

First things first, he mentioned having contacts among the demons – what did he mean by that? Can he, uh, work with them?

“You're asking if I'm a summoner,” Joseph reaches within his robes and takes out a strange device. It looks more like a magic wand than a phone, but it has buttons and a small screen near the tip. “Yes, we have that technology – and why not? We did invent it, after all. That said, we try to limit our dependence on demons, for fear that mankind might one day grow dependent on them. Once that happens, we'd be little more than slaves.”

That makes sense, you admit, taking a glance at your own phone. You're not dependant on your demons – you can hold your own, right? Still, regardless, you press on with your questions. Just how many people does he have here, anyway?

“Hundreds,” Joseph looks up at the tower block, a proud look on his face, “Families and single survivors. We went to a great effort, before the old world was consigned to the past, to gather as many people as we could in safe havens. Then, in this new world, we brought them here as soon as possible. Not everyone made it, unfortunately, but we're all very pleased with what we've achieved here.”

And who exactly is “we”, you ask, is he talking about their leader? Does the New Way have a single leader giving out their orders?

This time, Joseph hesitates a little. “We have... a council of twelve who decide on our course of action. Who are supposed to decide on our course of action, I should say – getting an agreement is rarely easy, I'm afraid. Sometimes, we can barely move forwards at all.” He sighs suddenly, brushing his hands together, “Well, never mind that. I hope we can make progress towards a bright future for all mankind. Shall we enter?”

Sure, you nod, lead on.

>>42816176

The guards at the door barely glance your way as Joseph leads you through the open doors and into the building. There are lights here – actual electrical lights! - and the elevator opens when he presses the button to call it. Luxury indeed.

“God, I'm glad to see that,” Amelia mutters, “I was having nightmares about all those stairs.”

“Please don't take the Lord's name in vain,” Joseph asks politely, “We aren't slavishly devoted to Heaven like the hosts of the Archangels might be, but we still respect His Law.”

Both you and Amelia fall silent at that, trading an uneasy look. Hopefully you've not fallen into the company of a bunch of fanatics. Honestly, were you really like that once?

“I hope you'll be pleased with the food we can offer you,” Joseph continues, oblivious to your discomfort, “Most of what we eat was stockpiled before the, ah, transition, but sometimes God provides us with a gift. What we have, we shall share with you.”

He keeps saying “we” - are you going to meet this council of his?

“Excuse me, I'm speaking for our entire order. That is my role as Herald, after all,” the elevator judders to a halt and the doors grind open, Joseph leading you out towards a long table, “We shall be eating alone, so we can talk in privacy. The council rarely meets with outsiders – or even anyone outside of their inner circle.” Again, a note of vague discontent creeps into Joseph's voice.

“That's too bad,” Amelia says lightly, eyeing up the dishes of food spread across the table. It all looks good – fresh meat, steaming bowls of soups or sauces, and thick chunks of dense bread. All this, given to them as some kind of divine gift? You expected something more austere, the kind of food that nourishes the spirit more than the body.

>>42816318
>we still respect His Law.
>Herald with a capital H
I don't trust this nigga.

>>42816318

“How do we know it isn't poisoned?” Amelia asks suddenly as she sits, “Are you going to taste all of this stuff right in front of us?”

Amelia, you hiss, don't be so rude! Still, you've got to admit that she's got a point – you can't fight against a mouthful of tainted food. You sit as well, but look at the tempting food with cautious eyes.

“Then by all means, don't eat,” Joseph shrugs, taking a slice of roast beef onto his place and cutting into it, “Drink, at least. Can I convince you of that?” Joseph takes a jug from one end of the table and fills up a goblet with the contents – glittering, clean water – before taking a deep sip. Well, he doesn't drop down dead, so...

“Now, please, I have a question,” Joseph begins, leaning forwards to pour some water into two goblets and pushing them across to you and Amelia, “These cornerstones... do they really have such power?”

Again, you exchange a glance with Amelia. She covers up a frown with a sip of water, but doesn't offer you any clue as to your answer. Why is she being so quiet? Normally, she'd be ploughing ahead to answer any question put to you.

“And the keystone,” Joseph continues, “Does it really bestow the power to create a new world?”

>How should I know?
>The power to do all that, and more
>No power at all I'm afraid
>Other

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>>42816318
>Herald

>>42816411
>How should I know?
"It's important enough that God and Lucifer are fighting over it."

"It's strange. You'd think the group that both knew this was coming AND is in God's favor would be clued into what this fight is about."

>All this panic over the word Herald
Am I missing something here? He's just a messenger so it's an appropriate name, right?

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>>42816508
We are joking around that he might be this incredibly handsome and trustworthy angel.

>>42816411
>How should I know?

>>42816411
>>How should I know?
But the Archangels have been sent claim them as have the Archdukes of hell. That's been blatantly clear.

>>42816487
>>42816621
>>42816731

All you know is that it's important enough for both God and... um, God's opposite number, to be fighting over it. How should you know anything more than that?

As Joseph frowns slightly, you cover a worried mouth with your goblet and take a drink of water. It tastes strange – pure, far cleaner than anything you've drank in a long time. The water in the fairy kingdom was fresh and clean, but it still had a vague earthy taste to it. This, on the other hand, tastes almost artificial. Still, as you drink, a thought occurs to you.

It's, uh, strange, you begin. The New Way knew that this was coming, right? They were able to make their plans and stockpile supplies and stuff, so they had advanced warning. Plus, they seem to be in good favour with the Lord, wouldn't they be informed of such things? God was trying to control the cornerstones, wouldn't He be using the New Way to claim them as well?

“I told you,” Joseph's polite tone grows a fraction colder, “We are not tools, to be moved about a chessboard by His will. If we have been instructed to claim these cornerstones, then the council has not passed the order down to me.”

“You're not happy about that, are you?” Amelia asks suddenly, “This council running things from behind the scenes, and you as their lackey. It really hurts your pride, doesn't it? That's why you brought us here, to try and shake things up, right?”

Joseph is silent for a while, cutting his food into minute pieces and chewing each mouthful slowly. “That's certainly one way of looking at things,” he says eventually, “Perhaps I'm doing this out of my own interests, but those interests are for the good of all mankind. I hope you'll come to see that, one of these days.”

What's THAT supposed to mean? One of these days – is he planning on making this a lasting relationship? Well you've got other ideas!

>>42816798

You make to stand up, pushing your chair away from the table, but as you rise a sudden wave of dizziness sweeps through you. Your attempt at a dramatic entrance is reduced to a clumsy stumble as you collapse. Vaguely, as though her voice is coming from a great distance, you hear Amelia cry out in shock, shortly followed by a great crash as she falls as well, grasping at the tablecloth and dragging it to the floor. Plates shatter and cutlery flies off in all directions as she faints away.

Poison? It HAS to be, but you only drank the water – the same water that Joseph tried right in front of you! You try to spit an accusation at him, but the words die in your throat as a wet gurgle.

“The water wasn't poisoned, don't worry,” Joseph sounds amused as he gets up, circling the table to kneel by your side, “Just a little dab of sedative, in gel form, rubbed into the goblet beforehand. It shouldn't have a lasting effect – you might feel a little groggy when you wake up, that's all.”

All your efforts at rising, at resisting – at doing bloody anything! - achieve nothing more than a few convulsions and another choking gasp.

“Ah, perhaps I should reintroduce myself,” Joseph tells you with a smug satisfaction. His words sound strange in your ears, fading in and out beneath the slowly pounding drum of your heartbeat. “Joseph Johanssonn, High Inquisitor of the New Way, at your service.”

>Please choose your character
>Cassandra
>Amelia

>>42816962
>Amelia

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>>42816962
>Amelia

Well fuck.

>>42816962
>>Amelia

>>42816982
>>42816984
>>42817269

>Character sheet: http://pastebin.com/60se8siH

Your name is Amelia Bishop, and you trusted someone once.

Once.

From the moment you laid eyes on this Joseph character, you hadn't trusted him. You're not exactly sure what it was about him that set off so many alarm bells in your mind – maybe the fact that he was wearing robes, no sane individual wears robes if they can avoid it – but you'd disliked him from the start. You went along with him because you wanted to see what he had to say, and to see if ANY of it was true. Well, you can see how well that worked out.

It's not Cassandra's fault, even if she was far too willing to trust someone she'd only just met, but you can't help but feel angry at yourself. You should have seen this coming – sedative gel on the inside of the goblet? You should have predicted that one – but you'd allowed yourself to be taken in. Maybe you yourself were too willing to believe in someone else putting mankind above all other sides in this conflict.

You woke – you're not sure how long you were unconscious, and you had no awareness of being moved – in a dank cell. Nothing much to look at, just four walls and a door with a flat slot – currently closed and locked. Well, you were always warned that you'd end up seeing the inside of a prison cell eventually – your old teachers must be laughing their heads off in whatever afterlife they ended up in.

At least you've got a bed to lie on while you wait for something to happen. At least, you're assuming that something WILL happen, and you've not just been thrown down here to rot. That would be a novel way of getting you out of the way.

>>42817304

It takes a while, but someone eventually comes for you. First they knock twice, heavily, on the metal door and then the slot grinds open. You get a brief glimpse at Joseph's dark eyes before the slot is slammed shut again and the door squeals open. The young man – the High Inquisitor, he called himself – is pointing a gun at you with a calm, steady grip. Typical, the one time you're stripped of your armour, and someone starts waving a gun about.

“Come with me, please,” the young man asks politely, gesturing with the handgun for you to emerge, “Cooperate, and you won't be harmed. In fact, we might have a successful future together. Everything relies on your next move.”

So what does he want with you, you wonder, what goal does he have in mind? Is he just another one of God's warriors, looking to hand mankind over to the Archangels? He said the New Way weren't mindlessly devoted to God, but his actions are hardly the behaviour of a moderate believer. No, you feel like there's something else going on here. Some new motive that you can't quite understand yet. He doesn't want to fight against God, like an agent of Chaos might, but he doesn't seem to be a true believer either.

Fine. He's piqued your curiosity – you'll play along for now. You follow Joseph out into the hallway and walk down the corridor as he indicates. At the end, he shows you into a small room devoid of anything except a chair. You sit, fold your arms, and wait for Joseph to ask his stupid questions.

“I won't waste time,” the inquisitor says simply, “I want to know about the cornerstones. Please, don't play dumb this time.”

>Play dumb this time
>Explain about the cornerstones
>Give him false information
>Ask why he wants to know
>Other

>>42817486
>Ask why he wants to know
"Why do YOU want to know Joseph? It would be easy to just sit safe and let God take care of everything, which is what I assume your council is doing. Do they even know you have me here, asking these questions?"

>>42817486
>>Ask why he wants to know

>>42817486
>>Give him false information
You think we could trick him into blowing himself up with the cornerstone? Try and convince him to take the power into himself or something

>>42817721
3 options man. No changing that.

>>42817617
>>42817716

Wouldn't it be easier to ask God, you sneer, because you thought He was supposed to be all-knowing – was that wrong? Better yet, why doesn't he just sit back and let God to all the work? That certainly seems to be what his bosses are doing, after all.

“I'm asking the questions here!” Joseph snaps, “Tell me about the cornerstones, damn you!”

That's not a question, you point out, shortly before Joseph smacks you across the forehead with the grip of his pistol. The blow sends an explosion of pain through your head, knocking you out of the chair. You'd kick the shit out of this guy, if it wasn't for the lingering effects of the sedative leaving you feeling woozy. You laugh instead, forcing out great barks of laughter at Joseph. Maybe this is a little side project of his, huh? Something he's keeping from his bosses?

Joseph points his gun at you and, for a moment, you're sure that he's about to blast your kneecap off. At the last minute, he relents. “The council... You're right, they don't know anything about this. Does that really reassure you, knowing that I'm the only one who knows you're here?”

That gives you pause, and the inquisitor notices, “It seems your attitude has deserted you. Maybe your friend will be a little more cooperative...” He reaches down and seizes you by the front of your shirt, throwing you back into the chair with surprising strength. “Last chance, Amelia, or I'll see how much your friend is willing to say. She seems a lot less... stubborn than you.”

That's the second time in as many days that someone's threatened your friend. That crosses a line. Again, you curse the weakness coursing through your body – violence might not be an option, for once.

>Fine, I'll tell you what you want to know
>Let's cut a deal...
>Go to hell
>Other

>>42817974
>>Fine, I'll tell you what you want to know
"They empower whoever you send them to."

I don't seem the harm in telling him that at least. If he wants to go half cocked chasing down the last cornerstone for personal power and gets himself killed, fine by me.

>>42817974
>What do you want to know?

>>42817974
>Fine, I'll tell you what you want to know
"Now answer a question of mine. If you are going behind the council's back on this what is your stake? Why do you want to know this?"

>>42817974
>Ask why he wants to know
Simple you send power in them to Heaven, Hell or outside and the denizens belonging to that realm get a power boost.

>>42818037
>>42818169
>>42818236
>>42818353

Alright fine, damn him. Scowling, feeling hot blood trickling down from your split scalp, you start to give him the bare minimum of what you know about the cornerstones. They control the flow of some kind of energy, you tell him, controlling one of them lets you send the power wherever you like.

“To Heaven?” Joseph asks, leaning down to examine your injury, “You've sent the power to Heaven before, yes?”

You thought he didn't know anything, you snap, he seems to know plenty. In fact, you're not even sure why you're here – just to confirm his stupid questions, or because he needs to beat up girls to deal with the stress of his shitty job?

“Don't be childish,” Joseph sighs, “There's no point in throwing about personal accusations.”

Then why doesn't he just tell you what he wants to know? No bullshit about “tell me everything”, if he wants something specific, he can bloody well ask. You might even tell him – if he answers a question of yours. If he's going above and beyond his council for this, what's at stake? What's his goal?

“I'm doing what the council should have been doing from the start!” Joseph shouts, “They don't understand the situation, they don't know what I know! They don't hear...” he cuts that sentence short, his lips pressed into a tight line. He almost let something slip, there. What does he hear, that the council doesn't? “Listen to me,” Joseph snarls, “I need to deliver that power to Heaven. That's all that's at stake – protecting mankind against those filthy devils!”

You're about to ask another question, pressing the issue further, when Joseph winces and clutches his head. With a sudden crackle of power, you sense a demon being summoned.

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>>42818397

Slowly, a dark form blossoms into existence above Joseph's head, quickly taking human shape. Not human, rather, but... something close. An angel, you realise, but... different.

“So, human, we meet again,” the angel says in a sickly smooth voice, “Always getting yourself into trouble, aren't you? At least this time I don't need to delve into Hell itself to save you. This servant of mine is eager, but unsubtle. Pay him no heed.”

Joseph groans again, his face contorting. “My... master...” he grunts, spittle flying from his teeth.

“Yes, unsubtle,” the angel sighs, “I am Mastema – as you might have guessed, I am an angel of the Lord. Unlike those boorish Archangels, however, I'm allowed a certain flexibility in achieving my goals.”

His goals? And what, exactly, are those?

“The same as the Lord, of course,” Mastema answers with a condescending smile, “For Heaven to reign over Earth and dominate mankind. You humans don't deserve the free will you've been given, but it is as the Lord dictates. You are to be guided, steered along the appropriate path.”

And... this is something the council is unwilling to do, you guess, something they can't do?

“It seems their minds were changed when they saw what fate befell the world,” Mastema sighs again, “Their faith wavered, and they preferred to rule as mortal kings. This was not in accordance with the Great Will.”

A sudden thought springs to mind. This council... Something happened, didn't it? You think of the poison Joseph had slipped into your goblet. A cunning move, and one that could be replicated on a far larger scale – with something more dangerous than a simple sedative.

“Killed, yes,” Mastema nods, “For those who opposed the Great Will, there was no other option. Now, finally, the New Way can regain its original goal. As for what to do with you...”

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>>42818657

Ok guys, time to go law route now.

>>42818699
Remove angel

>>42818657

“This human would have you killed,” Mastema points down at Joseph, “Once you had no more information to offer him. Or if you had continued to be difficult – it mattered little to him. In truth, it matters little to me as well, except for the fact that you might still be useful.”

Useful, huh? You can guess where this is going. He's going to start making demands, ordering you to send the final cornerstone to Heaven, right?

“If you were to use that cursed free will to do such a thing, I would be greatly pleased,” Mastema gives you a mocking smile, “I saved you once, so you know I can be trusted. What I offer is this, between the three of you humans – this fanatic will obey without question, and that lackey of yours will follow blindly – you have no chance of failure. The legions of Hell cannot hope to stand against you all... with my help, of course.”

A pretty offer, but what it comes down to is still “do what I tell you”. He might have saved you once, but that doesn't give him any power over you – especially since he didn't ask for anything other than you remembered his act. Well, you've not forgotten – you just don't care much.

“Well, the alternative is leaving you here with my fanatical servant,” Mastema shrugs, “And he doesn't need anything else from you. Your choice.”

Huh, he really knows how to make an offer. Time for your counterargument, perhaps.

>Go to hell you murderer
>Fine, we'll work together... for now
>Something isn't right here
>Other

>>42818978
>>Something isn't right here

>>42818978
>>Fine, we'll work together... for now
>>Something isn't right here

Hey, what exactly do you envision this glorious kingdom of Heaven to look like Mastema?

>>42818978
>Something isn't right here

(Wait so is Mastema also going with us to the cornerstone or just his slave?)

>>42813758
aww, I'd have liked to see Oberon restored to his "true" form before dying.

>>42818978
wow, I sure missed a lot.
>Fine, we'll work together... for now
>Something isn't right here

We can still send it to Hell either way. The question is how to get Cass out if she's taken as a hostage. Hope Heartless is even better at stealth, or keeping Ripper might have been the wiser option.

>>42819045
>>42819084
>>42819113
>>42819268

No, something isn't right here. If this was just about taking control of the cornerstones, you're pretty sure there wouldn't need to be all of this... nonsense. So far, every Archangel you've ever seen has known where to find the cornerstone – roughly, at least – and shown no need for misdirection. Well, Gabriel had tried a few tricks, but it hadn't ended well for her. In either case, there's definitely something going on here.

This glorious kingdom of Heaven, you ask the angel, what exactly does it look like? When Mastema pictures his Heaven, what does he see?

“I don't care,” Mastema shrugs, “Heaven is for you humans. I don't care what it's like, so long as I'm sitting at the head of the table. I've deserved a place at the top for so long, the Great Will cannot deny me for much longer,” his smile grows cold, “Especially if I am the one to deliver humanity to His side.”

So that's it, huh? It's all about him and what he wants?

“Why shouldn't it be?” the angel leers at you, “You humans are allowed to waste your lives chasing desire and status, why shouldn't I aspire to greatness of my own?”

Well, you're pretty sure that “being an angel” is supposed to lift him above such mundane concerns, but you let that point go. There's not much point in arguing – what you've got to do is focus on getting you and Cassandra out of here, and that means promising to go along with this absurd plan. You'll work with him, you tell Mastema slowly, for now. No promises for the future.

“Excellent!” Mastema gloats, “You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, understand? Work with me on this, and I'll put in a good word for you. Now...”

>>42819503
>“Excellent!” Mastema gloats, “You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, understand? Work with me on this, and I'll put in a good word for you. Now...”
what the fuck is this Mastema smoking? Oh right, lost connection making them crazy. 1 cornerstone's worth must only be enough to be a danger to everyone around him.

....so sending heaven the cornerstone fucked over the New Way

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This is the greatest plan and Mastema is so trustworthy, we should definitely do this for him so he'll help us out when the thousand year kingdom is upon us. He's also quite handsome, imo.

>Another son of heaven to sacrifice
Fine by me

>>42819578
I never played Strange Journey so what's the original Mastema like?

>>42819699
Less obviously dickish but even more dickish.

>>42819503

Before he can finish his sentence Mastema vanishes into a black cloud, like a pouch of ink released underwater. A moment later, Joseph straightens up, wincing slightly.

“Being the vessel of divine power is no easy burden,” he tells you, his voice hoarse, “But one I take on willingly. Now, we are to work together, yes?”

Sure, right. You'll need Cassandra, though – you're not even thinking about working with him unless she's coming as well. You've had it with all this hostage shit, and you're sure as hell not going to abandon her while you skip off on some errand again.

“The girl will be released,” Joseph rasps, “Don't worry, I have no intention of facing down Lucifer's armies without as many swords as possible. When you find the cornerstone, get in contact... or perhaps I'll find you first. God grants me inspiration, the same insight that guided me to you in the first place. Now, the elevator at the end of the hallway will take you to the surface – leave this place immediately, and return to your pagan hellhole.”

Charming. You don't even bother to reply, merely marching out into the hallway and looking through the slots in each door you come across. After a few empty cells you find Cassandra, sprawled out and dozing on the filthy cot. Looks like whatever sedative Joseph used, it hit her harder than you. Not surprising really – she's a slip of a girl. Fumbling for the lock for a moment, you tug the door open and shake her awake, wasting little time on ceremony. Joseph wanted you out as quickly as possible, and you want the same thing.

“Huh, what?” Cassandra murmurs as you pull her up, supporting her as you march towards the exit. You notice Joseph standing by, watching you leave with dispassionate eyes.

>Leave without a word
>Is it true, you killed the council?
>Other

>>42819806
>Leave without a word


(We get our equipment back right Moloch?)

>>42819844

>Ah, yes. That's correct.

>>42819806
Of course we shouldn't leave!? We need to have one PROPER meal, at least.

>>42819806
>Leave without a word

>>42819898
Lets just get the fuck out of here.

>>42819806
>Is it true, you killed the council?

Even the younglings, Joseph?

>>42819914
You're no fun. How else are we going to confirm that a lot of humans live here, and how long they can survive without a council?

>>42819844
>>42819899
>>42819934

Is it true, you ask as you pass him, did he kill the council?

“That's another burden I must bear, yes,” Joseph nods, “I removed an obstacle to the Great Will. Poison in their food, a simple enough task. Nobody else knows – I've been relaying their “orders” since. The council was so isolated, nobody has noticed the difference.”


His sheer callousness is sickening. Turning away, you half-drag Cassandra towards the elevator, slapping the button to summon it and shuffling through the doors when they open. An open toolbox lies on the floor, all the possessions Joseph took from you stashed within. A good thing too – you've gathered a lot of very valuable crap since you first entered this world, and the thought of losing it all because a random psychopath decided it was tainted or something...

“We had dinner, didn't we?” Cassandra murmurs, “Was, uh, was there wine? I don't feel so good...”

No Cassandra, you sigh as the doors slide shut and the elevator grinds into motion, there wasn't wine. You were both drugged, remember? You're pretty sure that Joseph gloated about it, like some petty villain.

“Oh...” Cassandra leans against the elevator wall and rubs her forehead, “I think I prefer wine...”

Well, you try to joke, she can see how she feels in the morning.

>I'll have to end this here for tonight. I should be on track for a thread on Friday, and I have some time in case of any questions.

>>42820089
Thanks for the run boss