>>43644686

You quickly piece together what likely brought this child before you.

“Your lead turned something up after all…” You take another sip from your tea.

Justina scoffs and then looks around the veranda. “Got any more of that? My throat is killing me.”

You slide the cup over to her, it's a bit too sweet for your liking anyway.

She quickly gulps down most of what’s left. “Ahh…” She rubs her throat and sighs. “I don’t get why I’m still feeling the wound on this body…”She turns to you to clarify. “Metal spike, right to the throat. If this body was any taller, then I’d really be gone.”

You always suspected that it wouldn’t be an easy feat to kill her. Now the question is who was it that got the drop on someone as capable as her…but you have your suspicions.

“That Occultist was more dangerous than you had anticipated…” You state quietly, testing the most likely theory.

She clicks her tongue in dissatisfaction, and then shakes her head in defeat. “I told him I wanted to talk. He said to go away and never come back. I insisted. He told me to go away if I valued my life and then he walked into his hovel.” She rubs her eyes. “I followed the bastard…”

Where upon her original body met her end.

“So, what’s your plan now?” You ask casually.

She sprawls her small body across the table. “Fix up this body, gather some more resources, and then get my revenge by stealing all his secrets then killing him.”

“And my favor?” You press.

Her head falls to the table and she’s silent for quite some time. “Don’t think you could find it in yourself to forget about that? Or at the very least make it something easy that I could do quickly? I’m headed back to the human realm where the pickings are easier.”

You carefully consider what use, if any, you could get out of her favors at this point.

>Relinquish the debt.

>Write in.

>>43644722
Ask her to fix up Matthias' limbs before she leaves. Tempt her to stay in that realm, new kids and all.

>>43644841
That'd tip our hand we betrayed the usurper.

Hello and welcome back to another run, everyone!

Waiting a little more for a tie-breaker.

>>43644886
Yeah, but she doesn't care. Like us, she was just using the usurper to get something. Now the usurpers gone, she plans on leaving too.

>>43644841
this I guess, subtly.

>>43644775
>>43644841
Alright, something different, let's see what we can get out of both.

>Writing~

File: tf.jpg (204 KB, 1920x1200)

204 KB JPG

>>43644996
I stand by it!

Deleted posts always making me look like pic related.

>>43644886
Marissa killed the only person who really cared about that.

Poor Disgur.

>>43644996

Justina’s ability to add and replace body parts to living tissue gives you an idea of how you might use this favor, but you certainly don’t want to outwardly point out your connection to Matthias.

“You’re capable of adding parts to living bodies as you please, correct?” You start the roundabout way of disguising what you really want.

She lifts her head instantly from the table. “With fresh parts and some blood tablets it’s a piece of cake. It’s how I got this body to my liking…”She begins to pull up the hem of her dress.

You hold up a hand to stop her. “I was thinking more along the lines replacing limbs that have been severed and such. It seems that the former King of Kyraen’Asils has just such a problem, and it would make my work much easier to have both his and the former Queen’s favor.”

She rubs her chin. “I’ve been hearing rumors about that realm. It’s open now?” She asks excitedly.

“It is.” You answer calmly.

“Then I’m there!” She rises to her feet. “So many chances to add new dolls to my collection…” She fantasizes. “I’ll have to be careful not to lose track of time there.”

“Seems like I’m doing you the favor.” You state jokingly.

“Well, I don’t know about that. I’ll still be the one putting up the parts and the blood tablets…” She grins. “But I’m not complaining.”

“Then…” Your mind turns to another concern of yours. “Something easy.” You continue, taking advantage of her excitement. “Do you happen to know of any capable enchanters?”

“Enchanters?” She repeats, half distracted. “The best one I knew was Philomena.”

Fantastic...

[1/2]

>>43645474

“But.” She raises a finger in the air. “When I was doing some research in the palace library, I came across some weird red guy who knew a lot about just about anything I asked him. Maybe he’ll know.”

Somehow, it all comes back to you, but at least this time, it’s not a complete dead end.

“I’ll look into it.” You reply, politely, and then rise to your feet. It’s about time that you ended your break. “ I’ll be sending a note ahead to the guard about your arrival. If you have any trouble reaching the castle in Kyraen’Asils, tell them I sent you, and that I will not tolerate any delays.”

“Right.” Justina stands and looks up at you in silence. “Seems like this is good-bye.”

You smirk to yourself. “That’s because it is.”

Yet another member of the council goes their own way.

“I don’t know how…” She looks down as her feet shuffle against each other, causing you to wait impatiently. She finally looks back up at you. “For the longest time I thought that I was going to have to kill you.”

You laugh, quite hard in fact, and then finally turn back to her.

>”I always thought the same.”

>Write in.

>>43645501
"It's funny some of the people I thought I would save died by my own hand, and others I thought I would have to kill still live. Ah but that's life isn't it? Never turns out how you would expect. Keep on the straight and narrow Justinia and I doubt we'll have issues."

>>43645501
>”I guess you're lucky it never came to that."

>>43645501
>>43645564
This is good, seconding.

>>43645564
>>43645583
Serving it right back.

>Writing~

>>43645639
“I guess you’re lucky it never came to that.” You reply with a slight mocking grin.

Justina shakes her head. “Always the same cold-hearted bitch till the end.” She sticks out her right hand. “Hell, maybe we might meet again, or maybe not. That’s just life isn’t it? Never know what to expect, so be sure to live while you can without worrying about inhibitions.”

You take her hand and shake it. “You done? We both got work to do.”

Justina quickly pulls away from your hand and then flashes you a rude gesture as she walks away from you. “You don’t even want to know where these hands have been, and trust me, they’ve never been washed.” She laughs maniacally. “Bye!” She runs off.

Ugh, a slight detour before you head to Ali’s office…

~

Hardly wasting any times on pleasantries, you take your standard seat across from Ali and report about the pertinent events that took place in Kyraen’Asils.

“I must say, you finished that business even better than I could’ve ever expected. I was already drawing up plans for an emergency defense in case things went sour.” She replies at the end of your report.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but it went largely as I had anticipated.” You retort.

“Right…” She eyes both of your shoulders. “Anyway, just think of it as me being extra cautious at this crucial point in time.”

“I’ll try.” You fold your hands in your lap. “How did things go on your end?”

She blows a strand of hair away from her face. “Those creatures took some work to convince, but the whole lot of them left the city late last night.”

[1/2]

>>43646119

So it seems that you were both successful in your tasks. Now for the next step.

You continue. “Nice to know we don’t have to worry about an ambush from within the palace. How goes the information gathering?”

“Interesting developments on that end actually.” Ali leans her elbows against the table. “For whatever case, it seems that The Empress is growing sloppy in both how she guards her actions and on the seal she placed on The Maw, but…”

You think back to the little guest you placed in her mind.

“But?” You lean forward in interest.

“It also seems that she’s been spurred to speed up her actions even further.” She sighs. “Regardless I intend to capitalize fully on this lapse of vigilance for information gathering…” She directly toward you.

“But we should carefully consider where to focus our search in this short time?” You voice your thoughts.

“Exactly.” Ali leans back. “Personally I’d say that it comes down to two options.” She holds up a finger. “One, we focus our attention on being able to break the seal and reach her as she finishes her ritual.” She holds up a second finger. “Or two, we focus our attention toward the ritual itself and where she plans on going.” She leans back in her chair, seemingly exhausted. “The first is option would almost certainly require us to deal with her and the army, but it will certainly give us a chance. The second would circumvent the army completely, only if we can guarantee that we can duplicate the ritual on our end.”

The first is less of a gamble if you can’t successfully sort out this Dreamer business on your end in time, but if you can, and only if you can, the second option is clearly the more beneficial.

Time to choose.

>OPTION 1: Focus attention toward reaching Azalie as she finishes the ritual.

>OPTION 2: Focus attention toward learning more about the ritual, and the eventual destination.

>Write in.

>>43646158
>OPTION 2: Focus attention toward learning more about the ritual, and the eventual destination.
I'm hella scared.

>>43646158
what's the Usurper's current army composed of?

>>43646314
The remainder of Impel's army, and some flesh soldiers. Overall, your numbers are greater.

>>43646333
>OPTION 1: Focus attention toward reaching Azalie as she finishes the ritual.
face it head on with Izu pulling some influence. focus on killing the flesh soldiers and make some token speeches not to touch the OH GOD IT BURNS to the Impel soldiers.

>>43646179
>>43646239
Two for Option 2.

>Writing~

have to go, gl guys

>>43646476
Have a nice day/night!

>>43646390

It takes you some time to finally make a decision. You draw in a long breath and then let it out. “We’ll follow through with the second option. Which means that we’ll have put everything behind duplicating this ritual.”

She’s weighs your words carefully before speaking up. “I’ll tell Vicki, she’ll be here soon.”

“Then I’ll be heading to human realm shortly, if my suspicions are correct, the answer won’t be too far from our old home.” You stand.

Ali stands with you. “I suggest you go disguised, you’ll be able to make your way through the camp much more easily.”

You have just the right idea for that.

“Easy enough.” You say quietly. “With any luck, I’ll return before the end of the day.”

“We won’t fail.” Ali stands boldly. “That woman…Her existence has bred so many terrible things for us. It’s time that we return the favor.”

~

You hastily made your way to the palace library to check what Grievermillion has managed to find out about the Human Dreamers.

You wave your hand dismissively as he bows upon your approach. “What new information have you found?” You press.

[1/2]

>>43646960
He straightens himself out at your command. “The writings on the Scars of the Dreamers comes to abrupt and unexplained end…”

He shuffles through some loose papers nearby. “But It’s almost certainly a cover-up for an escape.”

Meaning that it’s possible that the Human Dreamers made it back to their own realm.

“A scant few years prior to that however…” He reaches for a small and dusty looking journal. “There was substantial research about a connection ritual, said to be able to bridge the gap between the Human Dreamer and The Dreamer itself, in a way that can be controlled.”

“Nothing else matters.” You state suddenly. “Find out all you can about this ritual, and send a list of all needed reagents directly to Ali.”

“Understood.” He bows low. “I will not fail in this.”

“Don’t even consider failure to be an option.” You turn to leave the library, and this realm entirely.

~
The sun begins to make its descent behind heavy and sullen clouds. A fierce and cold wind whips by your body as you tread through the snow.

You approach the human camp, completely disguised as the Sophia that grew up in this realm. A sentry posted outside the camp gives you a suspicious glare as you approach from the distance, but it only takes a quick seal, and a few moments to hide his body to be back on your way.

You consider all that you’ve heard about the Dreamer, and decide where you must head next.

>Write in.

>>43647008
>Find Ellie.
The answer was near us from the beginning.

>>43647008
>Find the Chosen One

>>43647061
Nah son, the chosen one has never shown a single sign of being able to do what the dreamer does. Ellie has though.

Waiting for the tie-breaker on this one.

>>43647008
The human camps, find Ellie, if she isn't it she can help us talk to the Chosen one.

>>43647118
We've never even seen him do anything. Ellie's incompetence, on the other hand, is well documented. If he doesn't work out we can stop by her without much trouble.

>>43647040
>>43647193
Looking for our first apprentice.

>Writing~

>>43647221

Ellie’s strange ability sticks out most in your mind with the many parallels it has between The Dreamer’s powers. It’s time to decide if she’s a descendent of those Scars of the Dreamer that were kept in the palace.

The dark tents finally come into view, but as you approach, you immediate see that there’s something quite peculiar about the entirety of the camp. Winter is gaining more and more strength here, but you hardly see a soul. For a camp that said to hold thousands, it would have to be a very quiet group if that’s the case.

Once you get into the camp proper, a more vivid picture is painted for you. Blood stains litter the snow intermittently, the majority of them hardly more than a few days old. Piles of bodies haphazardly line the sides of the fading paths, no care was put into their disposal. Upon closer inspection, all their wounds seem inflicted by human weapons.

An old man hobbles into view, carrying a large sack of belongings, he’s headed toward the exit of the camp.

You approach, and he stops when you near. “You should leave this place as soon as you can, young lady. It ain’t what it used to be.”

“I can see that, but I have some business here. Do you happen to know a girl by the name of Ellie?” You ask politely.

[1/2]

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>>43647735

He grunts as he readjusts his belongings. “Anyone that’s been to the medical tent knows her. Kind girl, too kind.” He turns to look behind him. “Last I saw she was headed toward the scrapyard, probably looking for survivors.” He points out the path to take.

“Then I won’t keep you.” You nod your thanks. “Be safe.”

“Same to you, young lady.” He wheezes out as he waddles away. “Best keep your head down…”

You follow the path that he instructed for a few minutes until you come across two brusque looking men talking to one another.

“Boss said it was fine so long as we don’t rough them up too bad.”

“That’s where all the fun is. If they aren’t dead by the end of it, that should be good enough-“

They took notice as you approach. One of them pulls out a long dagger. “Look at her walking up to us like that. Hello...”

“Haven’t seen her before. Fresh pu-“

And a few moments later, you continue on your way undisturbed. The thick smell of rusted metal grows as you approach a scrapyard.

A single girl stands at the entrance staring off into the dense woods nearby. She’s certainly taller than you remember her, her hair is a bit shorter and a much more drab color, but it’s her face that seems to have aged the most by far since you last saw her.

Ellie sighs as you approach and adjusts her coat while still not looking at you. “I didn’t manage to find anyone, so you can head on back to the camp.” She coughs heavily.

She continues to stare off, as if entirely sure that, however she thinks you are, you would walk off without another word.

>Write in.

>>43647772
>"What happened here?"

>>43647772
What happened here Ellie? Also we need to talk.

>>43647803
>>43647834
Things are different from last you left.

>Writing~

>>43647933

What happened here?” You ask quietly.

Ellie’s head immediately snaps up to look at you, her face swims with conflicting emotions before she finally starts walking toward the camp. “Not here.”

You follow her in silence until she finally leads you inside a small unoccupied tent. She quickly begins to kindle a heater in the center of the room, rubbing her hands in front of it. The neatly stacked logs inside the metal all collapse as the fire inside gains strength.

“You asked a question with a very long answer.” She coughs into her hand and then takes a seat on a small cot. “Basically, things weren’t what they seemed.”

That’s obvious enough, but you wait for her to continue.

“It all changed so quickly.” She holds her arms close to her body for warmth. “Two weeks ago we were all working to single goal, growing, and helping each other The leader’s orders were exactly what the camp needed, and he always knew what to say. Then …” She coughs fiercely. “It stopped. He could only guess at what was needed, and it was always wrong, and once everyone saw him failing, he turned against us. He had all those who spoke out against him killed. Even Laurent had to run… It was like all those orders came from another person.”

[1/2]

>>43648497

You quickly think back to what Ali said about her suspicions about the Chosen One, and then quickly relate it to the timing of his sudden change. At about that time, you and The Empress entered The Maw, where all communication to the outside became nearly impossible, and to begin with, it was The Empress who had first mentioned The Chosen One to you and Ali, meaning...

A puppet.

A puppet to hold both your and Ali’s attention, and a reason to keep you separated. The Empress knew of your plans, she knew from the very beginning.

Then all there is here is to confirm that Ellie is The Dreamer and then bring her back to the palace.

“He never was what everyone thought him to be.” You explain quietly. “Someone who had a fraction of the leadership he pretended to have would never have let things become so chaotic.

“Then there was never a chance to begin with.” She slumps her head into her hands, thinking for several moments before speaking again. “There’s no such thing as a virtuous leader that lasts anymore, is there Sophia?”

You patiently consider what she would like to hear.

>Write in.

>>43648546
>"Maybe not, in part due to my own actions. Help me make up for them."

>>43648546
>"Maybe, but all your life you've followed orders, so its no surprise you're affected so much.

>>43648546
Ellie everything falls in time, magic, men towns. However where there is a will to build, to fight, to lead, such things can come about again. You could lead them if you chose or Laurent. Replace the usurper's puppet with real leadership, I'd help you end him. There is a reason more than catching up that I came to see you however.

Hmm, none of these can really be combined, since they all lead to different reactions... I REALLY don't want to roll, so it might be time to wrap things up if a tie-breaker doesn't occur.

>>43648717
Well, I don't like my own response, but I don't like the others either. I want to switch, but I also don't want to switch. It's a tough life.

>>43648748
You could make a new one if you want.

>>43648717
Then changing my vote>>43648638
To
>>43648614

>>>>43648546
Depends on the meaning of virtuous. A good leader is different from a good human, parent, or the leader that people want.

>>43648614
>>43648770
The tie is broken.

>Writing~

>>43648759
As bad as mine is, I can't think of anything better. Well, someone was nice enough to switch to it anyway.

>>43648773
You were too caught up in the dream to realize that ypu were just following orders, and not thinking for yourself.

But as ive heard, you HAVE done something, yes? Certainly not what i expected pf you to do

>>43648872
Damnit guys im getting carsick trying to type this all out.

>>43648891
The tie has been broken dude.

>>43648872
I really don't want to say this. It reads like you paraphrased it from a movie and doesn't fit the situation.

>>43648929
Gah its too hard to convey on the road.

>>43648786

“Perhaps not…” You state aloud considering what might make her cooperation easier to come by. “I’m certain that’s due in part to my own actions.” You fold your arms and sigh. “But, you can help me make up for them.”

She coughs repeatedly into her own hands. “And how would I do that.” She asks with a low voice.

“The Empress’s downfall is soon to come, but it isn’t certain, which is why I came for your help.” You explain.

“The same woman who killed all those innocent people at the festival?” She asks, fighting against her cough.

“The same.” You reply.

“The same woman who I’ve seen in my dreams leading an army to kill tens of thousands of people.” She asks, closing her eyes.

The evidence of her relation to The Dreamer increases the more you speak with her.

“Yes.” You reply, hiding your impatience.

“And the very same woman you were by every step of the way?” She asks quietly.

You carefully consider an answer, but she continues on without it.

“With all the countless people she’s killed, she’s still not satisfied with where she is, and the same can be said for you.” She coughs and then throws another log into the heater. “You think that I am naive enough to accept your words as truth.” She shakes her head. “Maybe there was a time that I thought you were a good person, Sophia. A little rough around the edges, but still good. However I’ve been proven wrong so many times now that the truth is burned into my eyes.”

[1/2]

>>43649349

Ellie’s stares blankly into air as she continues. “All of you would tear the world apart if it meant getting what you wanted, and it’s all of you with the power." She chuckles to herself. "I thought this world was terrible place when I was young, I thought the things I saw in my dreams could help me escape from all the ugliness. What a fool I was.” She laments with wild voice.

This is a familiar path, so you keep a close eye on her.

She looks around herself. “Even when I sleep, there’s no escape from the horrible truth of all that you helped create and you expect me to help you now?” Her mouth hangs open slightly as she stares at you. “You must really need my help.” She laughs a bitter laugh.

“Let me tell you, Sophia.” Her hands drift behind her back. “If I knew then what I know now, I would have killed you in your sleep without any hesitation. But, since that's no longer an option.” She smiles madly. “I’ll just have to do the next best thing!”

In an instant she pulls out a long metal sewing needle and thrusts it toward her throat. You’re about to seal her movement completely when a small figure appears suddenly before you.

Vicki’s right hand is completely impaled by the needle, as her left clenches the exposed tip tightly. Blood drops to the ground as she forces the needle away from Ellie’s throat. “You don’t have permission to die. Not yet.” She says calmly.

~

>>43649349
It doesn't matter whether im good or not, this is for the sole purpose of bringing down The Empress

>>43649388

Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. There were some slow patches, but I want to thank everyone that played 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 day/night, and hope to see you again next time!

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

>>43649426
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

The worst part of committing atrocities seems to be facing your former friends after it's done.

If we had refused to bow to the Usurper way back when, would she have killed us or would we have been able to escape?

>>43649463
You're very welcome! If you had refused to bow at that time, she would bound you in a similar way to being an attack dog. Any further resistance at that point probably would've led to your death, if you didn't manage to escape successfully.

>>43649509
Its almost like they think we had a choice.

The only difference is how guilty sophia is when she did it.

Dammit missed again

>>43649509
Harsh. I guess the best way would have been to flee the festival instead of confronting her.

>>43649531
Lol

>>43649531
With that much emotional turmoil involved, the more vulnerable minds tend to lose sight of logic.

>>43649572
Awww, that's unfortunate. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

>>43649426
Thanks for running. If we run into Laurent will he try to suicide by us or go the Aya legit try to kill us route?

How'd Matthias take us sparring Aya? How'd Aya take it? Matthias meet Justinia yet?

>>43649628
You're very welcome! Well, that's something you'll have to find out if you come across him.

He's very, very conflicted. Aya is still recovering and unconscious, and I would say at this point, Justina has just made her way to the castle, after some sight/people seeing, so not yet.

>>43649669
Ali send Vicki to watch us? Did Ellie tell Laurent what we did? Did we see that mage Justinia told us about?

>>43649706
>Did we see that mage Justinia told us about?
....Pretty sure the mage was Grievy
So yes, we see him a lot

>>43649706
Vicki was sent in case you needed any help, and to get some quick information on the human camp for Ali. Ellie kept what she saw in her dreams to herself, so no. If you're referring to the person she mentioned in this thread, she was talking about Grievermillion.

>>43649669
Justina is really coming out of this far better than she has any right to.

>>43649749
And we aren't? We're just as bad as she is.

>>43649749
She didn't try to kill us, or rain ruin down upon everyone. Azalie and Sophia are far worse honestly.

>>43649749
Sometimes, that's just how the cards fall.

>>43649768
>>43649776
Not that guy, but i guess it depends. If she could diddle the same amount of kids as we people we can kill at one time, she totally would.

>>43649812
True, and she is a horrible person, but no worse than Sophia or Azalie, and unlike Philomena she was smart and didn't try to kill or corrupt us.

>>43649784
Sophia has a talent for saying the wrong things doesn't she?

>>43649812
Let's not be unrealistic here, she'd kill them first, then raise them as corpse puppets, then do the diddling. The only real crime there is murder, in which I'd say our numbers surpass hers, since she only has one or two at a time.

>>43649837
I think it's more that she got lucky in everyone not killing her. She didn't really fight to make it through and shit, just stayed out of everyone elses way.

>>43649768
>>43649776
I meant in a how has she not gotten herself killed yet way

Although o suppose her current state counts.

>>43649859
It certainly happens sometimes, yes. But when words fail...

>>43649875
Does she need them to be dead first?
I'm not going to be the one to ask for confirmation.

>>43649889
True. What would have been her reaction to the other 2 write ins?

>>43649919
Well, this whole business with Ellie isn't quite finished, so the answer to that question will have to wait. I apologize.

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

>>43649332
>>43648891
> “There’s no such thing as a virtuous leader that lasts anymore, is there Sophia?”
"If you want one so much, YOU be the leader. You have their trust, you have Laurent, and Ali, who did a bang good job when she was in charge, could pull a few strings for you too. But none of that will matter if Usurper unleashes hell upon all realms."

there, more for my own peace of mind than anything else.