>>43396082

She continues. “I wonder…Even with all that power, are you any closer to getting what you want?” She lets her question hang for a long moment. “Then I wonder, if I had that power for my own, would I be any closer to getting what I want?”

She’s only circling her true thoughts. Does she even have the capabilities of getting in your way, or is she perhaps trying to get something else out of you first?

“I won’t deny that power itself can change just about anything. That’d just be dumb.” She laughs lightly to herself. She holds her hand in front of her face and a small trail of pitch black shadow wafts from it. The light making its way around it distorts and shines in bizarre patterns. “I wouldn’t be sitting here if I just had this when I was younger. My parents wouldn’t have died the way they did, all those people wouldn’t have been able to force themselves on me, and all the terrible things that came from after…”

The shadow snaps back into her hand. “But why hasn’t it been able to fix anything now?” She turns to you again. “Hey Sophia, humor me for a little bit…”She states distractedly. “Is there something I’m doing wrong?”

Does the problem lie in the weapon in the wielder, and more importantly, which answer would let you know her intentions?

>”All power is capable of the exact same if used by someone capable.”

>”The nature of your power doesn't lend itself to fixing things."

>Write in.

>>43396173
>What do you even want in the first place?
NO SUBLETY

>>43396173
>"The nature of your power doesn't lend itself to fixing things."

It really doesn't. Heya Auri.

Welcome and Happy Halloween, everyone!

>>43396215
>>43396287
There are very few things I'd feel comfortable leaving to rolls at this point, so I'm going to wait for at least a little bit more.

>>43396173
You want people to think you are important yes? The power you have, they way you wield it, they do think you're important, because they have no other choice, it forces it. That makes it hollow. Additionally those that have power and can resist, dislike you for attempting to destroy their wills. Thus you get hated for it. If people thinking well of you and your import is what you want, you will need a new outlet.

>>43396403
Happy Halloween! Now if only I didn't hate black backgrounds.

Based off the resulting reactions, we have a three-way tie now.

>>43396173
Different powers need to be used in their own ways. Perhaps you cannot reconcile what you want with how to get it AND how your power can accomplish that.

Forcing people to think a certain way only makes you more alone, just as ignoring people and seeking isolation does.

>>43396481
I had to check on a different browser to see the differences, but overall I don't mind it so much. Greentext looks pretty bad, however.

The tie has been broken. How exactly? I'll let you figure that one out this time.

>Writing~

>>43396584
How old is Sophia. Also caught up to this thing and I'm new.

>>43396762
Twenty-four, and welcome to the quest! And perhaps unknowingly, you just asked a very good question.

>>43396810
Also is she bi. I remember she kind of molested her apprentice and asked Laurent to stay despite being of little help to her now and is not even a apprentice.

We know Mattis slept with Aya. But has she any experience?

>>43396873
Here we go...

>>43396873
That happened long ago and we all agreed to forget about it anon.

>>43396902
>>43396920
How do. Sorry if I open up something I just focused on the updates.

>>43396873
Please stop.

Do you need to reread the part where, mask on, Laurent is a terrifying dervish of steel? You don't just let that power go when it's exactly the sort of thing that ended your parents.

>>43396873
Therein that question lies a minefield, but I will give you this answer. If you expect Sophia to have a legitimate (i.e. One where she simply isn't in it for sheer personal gain.) romantic relationship, you're going to be very disappointed.

>>43396967
That's fine. I just found it a little confising

>>43396934
Again I apologize

>>43396967
>>43396974
If anything, Laurent has a thing for Ali, in a "this woman actually gives a shit about humanity as a whole" kind of way. A bit of a stretch to segue into love, but that's the closest thing you're getting.

You know, aside from the cannonical Matthias-Aya.

>>43396584
Wait shit, I just remembered before I have to go:

Hairpin, can we go grab it and what can we do with it now that we have Dreamer and Ipsuran?

The Sword, have Izu steal it. Izu can just pop on over and say that he is to take it as Empress's reward, who is too busy to see to it personally. He's got enough clout with the army. If it's too big for him, git gud we can give him the dagger while we take the sword, maximizing pyro potential.

>>43397171
You can easily grab the hairpin now. Whether or not it's connected to what you want to accomplish...

I assure you that the sword will be acquired eventually.

>>43397171
dagger is stronger than hairpin.

>>43396584

After some careful consideration you give your answer. “All types of powers are different and need to be used in their own way.”

“Meaning that there’s nothing I can do to change my own.” She sighs quietly.

It seems that she already had an answer in mind.

“Perhaps that’s the case…” You respond. “Or maybe you’re just unable to reconcile what you want and how your power can get it for you.”

She scoffs derisively. “I’m sorry…” She hangs her head, covering her face with her long hair. “There’s just so much that you don’t know, maybe it was unfair of me to ask the question.” Her hands fiddle with each other mindlessly as she continues. “After you had last left, I went about my business as usual. Or maybe I was even more active.”

Surprising, given that potential targets are much more guarded now after that festival.

“Any type of pleasure I sought out with just about anyone.” She says with a slight laugh in her voice. “I enjoyed myself, greatly, but with the gifts I got, I tried my best to do good. I gave food to those that hardly had any, I calmed violent individuals, and I even protected those kids who couldn’t take care of themselves.” Her hands tightly clench the hem of her skirt. “But…”

[1/2]

>>43397639

It’s a long time before she finds it in herself to continue.

“There were consequences.” She states gravely. “I didn’t think much of it at first, maybe I was trying to ignore it the best I could.” Her lips purse tightly together in thought. “Those hideous growths, small at first. They eventually became large lumps of malformed skin, hair, and even…teeth, and were only found in the bodies of those I had interacted with most.”

Tumorous growths…

“None of stuck at first. It was all just a coincidence, until a pregnant woman, I had often spent the night with, had a miscarriage…IT, it was only a pile of mismatched parts; eyes, arms, even the head were all in the wrong places.” Her complexion grows increasingly pale. “And from its mouth, it spit out little puffs of shadow, just like mine.”

“I and everyone associated with me were forbidden from ever coming back. But the damage was done, most heavily to those I was trying to help. She shakes her head as if trying to wake from a dream, before stopping suddenly. “So now I ask you, Sophia. Do you think any good can come from my power?”

>Write in.

>>43397686
Yes, instead of helping and healing, if you wish to help you excise that which would cause more harm.

>>43397686
"There isn't anything good about your power, if helping is what you want then you're going to have to give it up."

>>43397686
>"Of course, you were a great help to me after all. You'll just need to be more careful, or find a way to seal the corruption that leaks out."

Hmm. Can we seal her powers so nothing leaks out?

>>43397847
Do you mind clarifying what you meant by:
> if you wish to help you excise that which would cause more harm.

>>43397847
>>43397944
Synthesizing these two the best I can.

>Writing~

>>43398010
>>43397686
Basically tell her her power can still be used to help, just gotta get creative about it.

>>43397686
You never studied your own powers, not making precautions for things you had yet to understand.

I know I'm not a great role model, but i was fully aware that there could be consequences to what and whom i used my powers on.

>>43397686
>>43398493
.....so its about time to START studying them.

>>43398010

Perhaps a supportive answer will make her more pliable to giving up what she’s really after.

You let out a long and pensive sigh. “Good can come from your power if you want. When you were my apprentice, you were a great help to me after all.”

She flinches upon the sudden realization of something.

You continue. “If helping is what you want, then you’ll have to be more careful, more creative. You’ll have to master your power to know what precautions you have to take.”

She doesn’t react to your words and still doesn’t look up. “It was so long ago, but you remember everything that began here?" Her voice comes out a bitter whisper.

The hairpin that opened up so many possibilities to you, the darkness that transformed Marissa, both of them were gifts that were given to you here.

“That slug had found me a few days ago to collect on what was owed, only that it wasn’t a slug anymore.” Strange discs of pure darkness form over Marissa’s head. “My powers and body would be used to help the great Empress.”

Given the sheer heaviness of her dark aura, Disgur likely thought her to be an easier target than what she was.

[1/2]

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106 KB JPG

>>43398741

“It was the most dangerous thing I’ve ever fought, but eventually it ran back here.” She points down. “And here’s where I ended it. Right where we first met him.”

The light of the realm has begun to fade, and with the afternoon light, a certain oppressive air hangs over the two of you. The water has long since ceased moving, and the life withers from the tree as if it was a perfectly natural occurrence.

“I’m sure it had creative ideas for my power, just as you did when I was your apprentice.” Her eyes turn to with stunning conviction. “I know what you are Sophia, and I know a lot of what you’ve done to get there.” She rest her hand on her chest. “If who I am can only contribute to that sort of thing, then I will have none of it. If all I am is a hollow puppet for others to use and take advantage of, I know what I must do.”

She stands suddenly, so you fall back from her.

“I came here to be alone to think about these things, and even with you here it’s the same thing.” She shouts back. “I was an idiot to think I could find the answers from someone like you!” Her shadows coalesce into hard shapes of wings, oozing with darkness. Her entire body runs deep with shielding darkness.

You unsheathe your dagger and invoke your flame. “So what do you intend to do?”

“What should’ve been done a long time ago.” She answers simply before lunging at you with a black lance of solid darkness.

>Sidestep the lance and counter with your flame.

>Seal her in place and then thrust with your dagger.

>Write in.

>>43398787
>>Sidestep the lance and counter with your flame.

>>43398787
o shit
was it something we said?
>Seal her in place and then thrust with your dagger.

>>43398787
>Seal her in place and then thrust with your dagger.
Lets see what she's learned.

>>43398787
Seal her powers.

>>43398839
>>43398908
Where things began...

>Writing

>>43398787
Way, way more interested in exactly what she is and what empress wanted with her tgan actually having her on our side.

If the humans are only after her because she fucked up AGAIN, we have better things to spend with our time. She isnt joining empress anyway.

>dodge seal, then walk away.

>>43398961

If she was capable of killing off Disgur without sustaining any injuries, then she's not to be underestimated, you’re not going to be stopped here.

You quickly step back to seal her advance right in its tracks, but the swarming shadows wrap around her form just as you do, leaving behind only a cluster of darkness rooted in the air. Even with most of her shadows rooted in place, Marissa deftly sidesteps your seal, focuses the remaining shadows into a long blade, and advances toward you with stunning speed.

You unleash wave after wave of hideous flame to consume her, encircling her with your own agility.

She carefully blocks the first few waves before having to fall far back to escape your onslaught, but you don’t relent.

With renewed vigor, you force your flames to ignite the air around her, exploding with great fury and noise.

Even with a series of dexterous blocks and dodges, the flames lap at Marissa’s skin and burn her limbs severely. She screams in pain.

Seeing an opportunity to strike, you fly after the final explosion of your flame, and thrust your dagger directly into Marissa’s guard.

[1/2]

>>43399531

Only to find that it wasn’t there.

Marissa stands stiffly in the air with you floating above her. The dagger has pierced all the way through the center of her chest, and is the only thing keeping her from falling over. The shadows slowly fade from her body, before finally completely disappearing from sight.

You quickly jerk the dagger back in surprise. There’s no way this isn’t just to catch you off guard.

Marissa collapses to her knees, blood pouring from her mouth. She wheezes heavily before looking up toward you. “Even…with you. Couldn’t find…” She exhales heavily.

Marissa slumps and falls to the ground.

The sheer nonsensical nature of her actions take you a moment to process. You stop to be absolutely certain that she’s dead, and this isn’t some sort of trap. There’s nothing of the sort, everything but you in this realm is unmoving.

You sigh heavily and wipe off your blade.

With a solid kick of your foot, you send Marissa’s body sinking into the endless depth of the still waters. “What a waste of time.”

Well, to be fair, it took less time than you had anticipated, so is there anything else that you want to attend to before heading back to Impel?

>Head straight back to the Palace.

>Write in.

>>43399586
>>Write in.
Collect or finish off her apprentices.
Why didn't we just seal her powers and leave her anons?

>>43399658
Oh also pick up our pin too. Maybe check in on Laurent and Ellie if there is time.

>>43399586
>>43399658
Seconding.

Didn't expect that to be her meaning

>>43399677
Those two are firmly in one of the human camps, but you don't exactly know where, so not at this point. But the hairpin is easily done.
>>43399658
>>43399690
Quick errands.

>Writing~

>>43399658
Didn't expect her to go down that easy. Also if she's going to get in the way, better to eliminate her now.

>>43399800
She suicided bro.

>>43399800
She wasn't she was wanting to die or lose her powers. She had no intent to out us.

>>43399720
Inform them of the side effects i suppose

>>43399720

The entire excursion since leaving the Palace has taken you a little under a day, leaving you plenty of time to see to certain tasks. First, being that you don’t want either of Marissa’s zealous apprentices coming back to attack you at an inopportune time. And while you’re in the area, you figure it’s about time to collect your old hairpin to see if you can put it to any use.

~

Upon entering the mouth of the mausoleum, there’s no cheerful voice running toward you to see who it is. Most of the light that once came from the interior of the structure is long absent, causing you to invoke your flames to light the way. The echoes of your footsteps bounce sharply off the high walls as you wrap around the final dark hall and into the main room.

Now only two small flames closely linger on puddles of wax, illuminating what’s left to be seen. A single body lies in a sticky pool of dried blood near the center of the room. You approach and smell the faint beginning of the rotting process. It seems that the dominant sister kept her position in the end. Nothing else to find here.

~

[1/2]

>>43400316
huh, I didn't think their argument would go beyond words, but it went way beyond.

>>43400316

The wood cries out as you ascend the stairs, even in spots you know that never made those noises before. Small patches of snow pile randomly around the floor, seeping in through the many broken windows. Seems like someone had a vendetta against your old house when you were gone. You enter your dusty room and head straight for the hiding spot. With a little effort, the floorboard pops right off, and you reach into the depths to find that the hairpin is still there.

You secure it and quickly head off to leave, before taking one last look around the old room. The bed, the rickety desk, the huge dresser, and even the window you’ve peered out from countless times; this is very likely the last time you’re ever going to see these familiar things, and this is truly where everything began.

With a quiet laugh, you descend back down the stairs and into the low light of the late afternoon.

Upon opening the door to leave, a single figure sits down at your feet, crude sandwich in hand and long blade in her lap, looking toward the setting sun. You really don’t recognize her, but you still feel as though you’ve seen her somewhere before.

She looks up to you with a calm smile. “Want half?” She holds up her sandwich toward you.

…Strange place to be eating a snack.

>Head off without a word.

>”What are you doing here?”

>”Sure.”

>Write in.

File: cl1.jpg (191 KB, 768x1024)

191 KB JPG

>>43400354
Forgot the picture.

>>43400354
>”What are you doing here?”
>”Sure.”
Seal any poison or magic that could be in it surreptiously.

>>43400354
>”What are you doing here?”
ABSOLUTELY NOT on the sandwich

>>43400402
Seal off the sandwich?

I get what you mean, but it still made me smile.

>>43400354
>"Sure."
Just don't take a bite.
>"What are you doing here?"

>>43400402
>>43400427
>>43400479
Stopping for a snack, but not actually eating.

>Writing~

>>43400552

At the very least you need to figure out why this girl is lingering in front of your house.

“Sure.” You finally respond, taking the half from her hand and sitting down next to her.

A familiar setting, only that you’re much older now, and it’s the wrong person next to you.

She eats her half of the sandwich without a care, and with closed eyes, lets the last light of the day wash over her. It’s something you can easily imagine yourself doing, only if there wasn’t someone else here.

“What are you doing here?” You ask, breaking the peaceful air.

She laughs and points to her mouth which is currently full of food, after another few moments she speaks. “You see that hill in the distance?” She points slightly right from what’s directly in front of you. “It blocks off the sun from all those houses down there.” She gestures to block on the right. And those houses…” She points toward your left. “Are all aligned with the house across the street. It’s this house that has the best view.”

She’s right…You remember figuring out that truth years ago. But that’s hardly a reason to be in an abandoned town.

“You don’t live here, do you?” You quickly ask.

She shakes her head honestly.

“Then what are you doing here?” You spin your finger in a small circle.

“Scouting.” She replies immediately. “I’m to keep a look out for any dangerous activity in this area.”

If she’s telling the truth, then she’s likely from the one of the human camps. If not, then she really should’ve chosen a different place to eat lunch.

“We’ve met before, ya know?” The girl says frankly.

It looks like you weren’t mistaken about that, but she must’ve not been someone important if you’ve forgotten her so thoroughly.

“Oh, but I had a helmet on then. So you probably don’t recognize me.” She stands and then takes a few steps back. “Maybe I look more familiar if I do this?” She locks her body in place with her hands up as if she’s trying to guard an attack, but was sealed in the process.

[1/2]

>>43401256

The assault where you first spotted the Chosen One, meaning that this is one of his soldiers.

You stand loom over the girl. “Pointing out that you’re my enemy isn’t the smartest of moves.”

She points to your hand. “You’re clearly suspicious of me, if you haven’t taken a bite. So I doubt you were going to let me go until you found out who I was anyway. This just saves us the time.” She smiles softly.

Maybe she’s not as dumb as you had thought, but there still lies the fact that she knows who you are, and she chooses to eat here. So if she wants to save time, then no more beating around the bush.

“Who told you about this place?” You ask, suspiciously.

“No one. I just put two and two together when Ellie would speak about her past, the rumors of a strange female Occultist that used to live here, and what I heard about that day at the festival.” She answers without hesitation.

“Then I’ll ask for a third time and last time. What are you doing here?” You step forward, with hand on the hilt of your dagger.

She looks up to you without a shred of fear. “I want to know how to become an Occultist like you. I don’t need a long lesson, I just want to be pointed in the right direction.” She shakes her head. “No one else compares to you in the progress you made, I want to make that progress too!”

“You waited here, day after day, for the very slight chance that you might run into me?” You ask, incredulously.

“Yes.” She answers firmly. “I’m no soldier. To become an Occultist like you; that’s what I want.” She states with willful eyes.

She doesn’t seem to be lying, but what is there to gain from teaching her? Perhaps this is a good time to see just how to wipe someone’s memories.

>Use Ip’Suran’s fragment to make her forget the meeting.

>Write in.

>>43401280

>Use Ip’Suran’s fragment to make her forget the meeting.

Also try to further erode her already shaky loyalty to the humans.

>>43401280
Dig up our old books, they'll point her in the right direction if she's smart. They're supposed to be read anyways, and we've surpassed them. Erase Her meeting us but leave the books with a note. Who knows it may help Huamnity rise again, if anything might help them stick it in the Usurper's craw.

>>43401280
>Use Ip'Suran's fragment to make her forget the meeting.
Max power I want to test something.

>>43401348
>>43401405
Time to forget.

>Writing~

>>43401280
Ask her about ellie, then wipe that.

Test dreamer powers by showing what became of marissa

>>43401404
>if anything might help them stick it in the Usurper's craw.
But we're going to do that. Worthless humans need not apply.

>>43401455
If we fail, it's insurance. Bad luck can happen to anyone after all. Besides we're not suing the books for anything anyways.

>>43401481
If we fail the world might as well explode because Sophia doesn't care about anything else

>>43401481
If we fail we die. Who cares what happens after that? Even if resurrection magic existed no one's gonna use it on us.

>>43401512
I'd argue she'd care about Izu and maybe Matthias. Also fucking up whoever killed her's plans by spreading magic far and wide.

>>43401514
and? If someone does get lucky and we die, giving others the ability to fuck up plans will be the best way to get revenge.

>>43401455
I dunno, the chosen one might make something of it.

Whether that helps us is a different matter.

>>43401439

Nothing to gain from teaching her, but maybe you can still get some quick information out of her before you make her forget.

“Fine, but first you have to answer one of my questions first.” You inform her and she nods enthusiastically. “You said you learned about me from Ellie, what has she been doing in service of your leader?”

“Oh Ellie? She’s the best! She helps patches anyone who’s injured, and she takes care of the old folks, and the permanently injured.” She laughs lightly. “Seriously things would be pretty bleak if she wasn’t there, so that’s why everyone helps her out when she goes through one of her narcolepsy episodes.”

Has that strange affliction of hers been getting worse?

“What happens during these episodes?” You hastily ask.

She grimaces. “They can get pretty bad. Usually she collapses to the ground and starts convulsing, sometimes she’ll start spewing some nonsense words at the top of her lungs.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, you should really ask her about it. Don’t want to speak about things that would embarrass her, since she’s one of the few people there that hasn’t been a huge disappointment.”

You stir up Ip’Suran’s fragment in your mind, and it awakens with much resistance. “You said you could erase memories about the past. Give this girl your worst.” You order.

A slightly dizzying sensation passes over you, and suddenly the girl’s eyes grow very wide, but don’t focus on anything in particular. In her stunned state, you pull away to observe her hidden from a distance.

She looks around in an intense panic. “Where?” She scrambles around like a frightened animal, before looking down at her hands for quite some time, and then finally sobbing fiercely into them. “W-who…” She barely manages to squeeze out before sobbing again.

Looks like remembering this meeting is the least of her concerns right now. “North.” You call out before disappearing from sight.

~

[1/2]

>>43401989

You ascend the last part of the tower to hall that houses your quarters. As far as the guards are concerned, it’s business as usual.

There’s still plenty of work that needs to be done, but you decide it’d be best to rest for a while before continuing on. Your limbs ache slightly as you approach your door, but even with as long as it’s been, you still don’t feel the need to sleep.

“Wait!” Izu calls out from beyond the door, knowing that you’ve arrived.

“No.” You call back and reach for the handles.

“No, really! Just a few more seconds.” He calls out sounding like he’s straining. “Alright, come on in!” He finally calls out a few moments later.

You walk into your quarters to find that it’s been decorated with a dizzying amount of colorful streamers, strategically placed flames of all sorts of tint, and an enormous banner hanging in the center of the room with a single phrase written across its face.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

~

>>43402014

Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. I hope you all had a good halloween, and I want to thank you all for playing today!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then as always, I wish you a good/spooky day/night, and hope to see you again next time!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>43402049
Was that guard girl entirely mundane?

What can the dreamer fragment do?

>>43402049
Why is Izu so based? Marissa was so depressed she suicided on us didn't she?

Has Izu been reading our books?

>>43402067
That guard was entirely mundane. You're going to have to investigate the answer for your second question however.
>>43402074
That's just who he is, and that's exactly what she did. The answer to your last question will have to be directed toward Izu, but you might not get more than a "Maybe..."

>>43402115
So how badly did we fuck up her mind? Did we just erase everything?

>>43402115
Control after griever gets info on usurper?

Ali been recording ellies words?

>>43402198
Given that she had no experience with those sorts of attacks, you pretty much erased everything.

>>43402212
I'm still deliberating on when another Control upgrade will occur, but after that is a possibility. Ali could potentially have words from when she was there, but after that, most likely not.

>>43402049
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>>43402258
You're very welcome!

>>43402250
Would have been kinder to kill her then. She's going to die in the forest anyways.

>>43402290
She can still fight if it comes to it, so there's at least a possibility that she'll make it back.

>>43402314
a normal human with no training in combat beyond muscle memory, terrified out of her mind, fighting shit that it takes a magic user to kill? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Not counting starvation, freezing or dehydration, which she has no way to counter. If she does make it back that's worse for us. Did you intend for us to take everything or did the write ins prompt it?

>>43402314
Do we have a copy of her memories that we can tempt her with?

>>43402343
I only said that it was a possibility, but if she did make it back, there isn't a single thing tying it back to you as no one besides you and Izu know about that particular power that you used. The original idea was to take a little bit more than just the meeting, but the write ins did prompt me to push it further.
>>43402401
Her memories are gone for good, I'm afraid.

>>43402413
You do realize only 1 was for full erasal right?


afraid your audience is starting to veer into the stupid evil spectrum.

>>43402425
It was done to test the capabilities of the ability, and to deal with someone who knew a little too much. It isn't going to happen needlessly again, and there isn't anything to tie it back to you. So, that's all I'm going to say on that matter.

Okay, I'll be stepping out for the night. Until next time!