>>43760018

But, unless everything goes flawlessly, Azalie will have a slight head start on you at this rate.

“Alright...” You remark as you scour your mind for all information that will help you improve upon the complex design in front of you. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”

It’s entirely like Ali to build up to the most important piece of information, and you have a feeling that this case is not going to be any different.

A heavy silence of pure rumination comes over Ali before she continues, finally she pulls out a single wrinkled sheet of parchment. “After seeing that the ritual was complete, Vicki, in her desperation and incredible foolishness, attempted to steal The Empress’s personal notes.”

The personal notes that Azalie keeps close by at all times, meaning that you’d certainly have to risk death to even touch them.

You briefly look up from your work. “Then…”

Ali inhales and exhales deeply. “This single page outlines details about the final realm.” She holds out the piece of parchment to you.

You stare upon the face of the paper to see that it is indeed Azalie’s writing on it. The notes themselves seem to have all been jotted down at various times, and given the fading of the ink you can tell that years, if not decades separate the entries.

You key in on the important information.

[2/?]

>>43760046

>”Form will be maintained, but any attached powers will be impossible to call upon naturally.”

>”Only a single being can stably occupy a form, all secondary attached beings are removed upon crossing the threshold of the realm. This seems to include all types of enchantments or curses on inanimate objects as well.”

>”However, those true weapons surpass this fact, and should be located immediately. Although, other methods exist for removing that creature.”

>”Extremely potent blood seems to retain some of its effectiveness, and can be used as a catalyst to call upon fractions of any attached powers. Although, there are none remaining that I know of that have this blood."

>"The opening to the final realm is temporary. If one does not ascend beyond, or return in time, they will be lost forever within."

You sigh and rub your eyes. “So my powers…”

“Will be out of reach.” Ali completes your thoughts and stands. “But so will The Empress’s. There on, it will be like a fight between three human beings.”

“Three?” You ask skeptically.

Ali pulls out the ornate dagger and looks over it. “If her powers are removed, then it will be just like the old times for me.” She turns to you with focused eyes. “But we both know how capable she is, and we cannot fail now...”

[3/4]

>>43760079

“You don’t mean…” You cross your arms.

“That’s exactly what I mean.” She rests a hand on her chest. “I’ll follow behind after we finally do enter. If she’s already there, then you must do your utmost to distract her…and then I’ll make my move.”

“If you fail, then you’re dead.” You inform her frankly.

“That’s why you have to distract her the best you can.” Ali answers with a very faint hint of desperation in her voice. “There’s no other choice. My blood won’t work as a catalyst, and using your own blood would end up harming more than helping.”

At that moment, a very interesting thought flashed through your mind. You obviously can’t use your own blood to invoke your powers, but there exists another that holds the exact same blood as you.

Always an option, in case things go wrong…Or perhaps, a better plan from the start.

Ali stares at you suspiciously as you’ve been quiet for some time now.

You look back at her.

>"I'll do my best to distract her."

>"There is a better way..."

>>43760107
>>"There is a better way..."

If you insist on coming I won't stop you though. The human realms needs you though. Badly.

>>43760158
>"I'll do my best to distract her."
Not going to sacrifice izu unless there's no other option.

Hello and welcome back to another thread, everyone!

>>43760158
>>43760285
Seems it's a tie. Normally I'd say I'd rather not roll at this point, but at this point I will not roll. So, waiting for the tie-breaker.

>>43760322
Would the better way just be taking some blood from Izu or a sacrifice?

>>43760352
It would be taking as much blood as necessary.

>>43760107
>"There is a better way..."
Oh god, it must be done

>>43760158
>>43760366
The tie has been broken.

>Writing~

>>43760397

“There is a better way…” You state quietly, folding your hands in your lap.

“I’m all ears.” Ali responds, slightly impatient.

“You’re right in saying that using my own blood would do more harm than help.” It takes you quite some time to finish your thought. “But there is someone else that has my own blood, in case you've forgotten.”

You watch as Ali’s eyes start filled with great interest, flash into utter shock, and then settle on deep sadness. “I hate myself for wanting to accept. I know it’s the better plan for success, without argument. I know, but…” She looks very earnestly into your eyes. “Let me give him a chance at the very least.”

...

A chance. But still, the option will remain close at hand.

You quietly mark more and more improvements on the design of the inner circle before standing from the chair. “We cannot fail.”

Ali nods in agreement. “We won’t.”

~

You carefully monitor the army’s progress on the ritual circle from high atop the walls. But even from your distance, your presence is felt in how hard they labor to finish as quickly as possible. The outer circles were quick enough work for their massive numbers, but the complex interior requires a certain careful delicacy that takes extra time.

[1/2]

>>43760924

You sigh uneasily as the ritual stone is hauled to the core. A massive slab of dark brown stone stands above most anyone’s head. The shape of it hard surface reminding you of a throne.

“So you’re willing to give up the boy? I so wish I could witness that firsthand.” The fragment of The Dreamer states suddenly.

“But you won’t. Your seat will be far removed from anything of importance once we’re done with you.” You answer back, still focusing on the army.

“Perhaps, but certain effects will make the truth well enough known to me.” The Dreamer laughs to himself. “You know, mortal, you’d be much more suited amongst us than all of them. I know how you don’t trust them. Your desired revenge would be absolute.”

“You certainly talk a lot for an ancient being.” You respond immediately.

“There are always exception to the rule. Something to keep in mind…”

~

The night begins to fall just as the army completes the finishing touches on the inner circle. You pace the perimeter to make sure everything is just as you had specified.

Grievermillion appears and walks alongside you with a determined look upon his face. “It’s almost time.”

“Are you prepared?” You ask calmly.

“Without doubt.” He answers promptly and the two of you continue to inspect the ritual circles in silence for several minutes before he speaks up again. “Have I served the dynasty well, my Empress?... Have I served you well?” He asks looking away from your eyes.

>Write in.

>>43760960
Grievermillion, I could not have done this without you. You have served as an exemplar in all that you've done for me. A better servant and at times mentor I doubt I could find.

>>43760960
woah there, I was almost late to the party.

hmm, Izu's blood for power? I dunno about this, I can't imagine it giving us anything other than mild pyromancy, and that is just as likely to do friendly fire than kill Azalie.

Do we need to keep these fragments somewhere safe before we enter?

How many of our weapons count as "true"?

>>43761083

The fragments themselves don't pose too much of a threat, after all, they'd only seek to rejoin the whole.

As far as you know, only the ornate dagger that Ali has.

>>43761022
Seconding.

If izu dies I swear to god I will find and murder all of you.

>>43761022
>>43761133

>Writing~

>>43761136
Even if he dies, he'll live on in our hearts lol.

>>43760960
It seems my Mother did not wish to burden me with matters of kings and queens. In that sense, you fulfilled your promise to her as best as could have been done.

You have served my purposes well, despite how many have questioned them. We will see soon enough if I was worthy of such trust.

>>43761120
.....can we bring shields or armor, or is this going to be the female version of MGS4 ending?

>>43761182
Not entirely sure what you mean by that, but you don't have to rely on hand-to-hand combat.

>>43761136
then get to brainstorming

>>43761214
you answered the question perfectly.

We need to bring our dagger, she might not know that we know that it won't work.

If we had some sort of sticky gunk that slows movement, that would be nice. Just water would be good too, it will weigh her down and hopefully sap heat out of her body.

LAURENT, WHERE THE FUCK IS HE

Are we restricted by how many people we can send? I worry that we'll be facing Azalie's entire army

>>43761459
At this point, the only restriction that you know of would be that those entering would require a certain amount of mental fortitude not to be affected by the inner realm.

>>43761496
ah, so no flesh soldiers for SURE.

.....I think we need to bring Izu then, incase she decides to bring Impel troops and Izu can try to get them to defect.

We REALLY need to find Laurent.

>>43761549
There ain't no time for that shit, not even being an ass, there really isn't.

>>43761572
a shame, but yeah. At best we send someone else to do it while we're off fighting, but he's likely only going to arrive AFTER we win/lose.

>>43761549
1. Do you have some kind of time machine?
2. Do you have some way to make him no longer want to kill us?

If the answer to either of those is no, it's not happening. I'm quite sure the answer to both is no.

>>43761572
>>43761604
but really, is there anything else we can prepare for this fight? bolas?

>>43761152

You think over the events that led you to where you are now, and certainly Grievermillion was often there helping you along the way.

“I do not think I could have done this without you.” You state simply.

Given by his sheer expression of gratitude, those words would suffice, but you decide to continue.

“All work that you’ve done for me has been exemplary. I don’t think the dynasty nor could I have had a better servant and mentor than you, Grievermillion.” You finish and cross your arms behind you.

The old servant hides his face from you. “I absolutely won’t fail you, my Empress.” He manages to choke out without sobbing.

“I expect nothing less.” You state quietly and finish inspecting the work.

~

Ellie is brought out from the palace and placed upon the seat of the ritual stone. Her eyes no longer defiant, she merely stares at whatever happens to fall in front of her gaze.

The entire Kyraen’Asils army stands and watches from a great distance. All of them curious what the fruit of their labor will result in.

Once the guards carrying Ellie’s body quickly leave, the only ones in the massive ritual circle are you, Grievermillion, and Ellie.

“We should begin.” Grievermillion stoically steps toward the very center.

[1/2]

>>43761794
If you had bolas right now could you defend yourself with them? I bet you'd be better off just dropping them and using your hands.

>>43761801

You nod in agreement and step back. Ellie stares emptily at you as you focus your attention on her mind.

“This is where the show ends for me. Do not forget my words, Sophia.” The fragment of The Dreamer states as it willingly responds to your command and readies itself.

You signal to Grievermillion to be prepared and then in with sudden force of will, you implant the fragment of The Dreamer within Ellie, and immediately feel the misbalance.

Grievermillion begins the incantation and the all the ritual circles slowly light up. In focus in the small space around Grivermillion and Ellie and form a bridge realm around the both of them. Their shapes become obscured and warped, and within a few short seconds, the light of the ritual circles becomes blinding in intensity.

You dissolve the bridge realm as quickly as possible.

In front of you lies Grievermillion on the floor, not moving, and breathing very slowly, and upon the ritual sits Ellie. The lower half of her body has become fused within the rock itself and her body contorts to unusual angles. Finally she stops moving and her dark hair hangs over her eyes.

“AgAin I aM bOuNd As iF I wErE sOMeThiNg to Be ToYed WitH.” Both Ellie and The true Dreamer announce aloud. “It WoNT LAsT AnD ThE GirL wiLL Be MiNe To HaVE and ToRMent, BuT ASK AwAY WhiLE YOu CAN.”

Thankfully you improved upon the ritual design or else you expect that the entire thing would have been a spectacular failure.

You feel as the controllable aspect of Ellie’s mind is already being overwhelmed by The Dreamer. Forcing it to use its powers will only exacerbate this, but one question must be asked no matter what.

>Only ask ”Where is the hidden seal?”

>Ask “Where is the hidden seal?” and Write-in.

>>43761857
>Ask “Where is the hidden seal?” and Write-in.
"How should I fight the Empresses?"

>>43761857
>Ask “Where is the hidden seal?” and Write-in.
How do I put you back to sleep, to dream forever?

>>43761857
>>43761928
I was about to post something similar so, seconding

>>43761857
>Ask “Where is the hidden seal?”

>>43761928
>>43761952
Pushing for two questions.

>Writing~

>>43762002

You step forward and roughly raise Ellie’s head. Two small black dots for irises stare back you.

“Where is the hidden seal that leads to the final realm?” You force it to look at you as it tries to pull its head away.

The two voices groan heavily as if in pain. Bile flows out from Ellie’s mouth as they both begin speaking. “WhERe iT’s ALwayS BEEn. SoUTHwEST oF thE CApiTaL of THe PyRoManCERS. NeAR the GRaVE Of THEIr FiRst KiNG, iN thE JagGEd HilLS.” It snarls and shakes as it tries to resist.

You smile widely, it’s all so close. Now to settle something a little more personal.

“How do I put you to sleep to dream forever?” You wrap your hand in Ellie’s hair to hold it still.

Both voices scream as they try to fight your demand. “FoReVER wOULd TaKE thE PoWER FRoM BEyonD ThE FInAL REAlM.” It snarls once more and then suddenly ceases its fight and closes its eyes.

Ellie’s body still breaths on the rock, but her consciousness appears to have been torn away from her body.

You let go of your former apprentice and head back to the palace

~

[1/3]

>>43762674

Equipped with your armor and with your dagger close by on your hip, you’re entirely ready to finish all of this. As you approach Ali’s office, you sense that Izu is nearby and getting closer, but you’re distracted by the sound of argument from within the room.

“You’d said I could stay with you until the end!” Vicki shouts with never before heard anger. “There’s still more than needs to be done, and I can help!”

“I’ve made myself clear. You’d be of no help within there, and I’m not going to put you in unnecessary danger.” Ali answers with firm and unwavering voice.

Vicki tries to continue. “You’ll need my help! What if she-“

“Enough Vicki!” Ali genuinely shouts for the first time in months.

“B-but I helped you get everything as you wanted it…I-I have nothing else.” Vicki sniffs loudly.

Ali pauses before answering. “That’s why you have to go. I don’t care how or where, just leave…”

The sound of something heavy crashing to the ground is followed by Vicki storming out of the office, not even noticing that you were right there.

You walk into the office to see Ali staring down at the mass of books on the floor. She’s dressed in dark personally crafted armor, and a small cloak hangs over her shoulders. The ornate dagger is tightly clenched in her hand.

[2/3]

>>43762710
is Vicki that weak-willed?

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>>43762710

“It’s time to go, isn’t it?” She asks calmly.

“It is.” You respond.

“One minute. Just give me a single minute.” Her voice heavy with unknown emotion as she still doesn’t look at you.

You turn back and step out of the room. In the hallway, you look a large porthole toward the dark night covering the surrounding world. You sigh heavily and rest your hand on the hilt of your dagger. You suppose you'll take advantage of this minute as well...

“Hey!” A familiar voice calls out from behind you.

Izu comes up running toward you with his emerald eyes sunnily looking upon you. He stops to catch his breath. “You were moving around so fast that I was worried I might miss you.” He grins.

…

He starts shadowboxing with the surrounding air. “We’re gonna finish this right? We’re going to get what we always wanted?” He looks up at you expectantly, still grinning widely, and without a single fraction of doubt within his eyes.

>”That’s exactly right. We’re going to finish this.”

>Write in.

>>43762737
Tell him what's to come, He needs his eyes open for this. He's our brother, whatever eh chooses."

>>43762731
For all that she's done, I would disagree completely.

>>43762737

>”That’s exactly right. We’re going to finish this.”
Goodnight, sweet prince

>>43762737
We're going to finish this, but getting what we want comes after. We need to be alive for it to begin, right?

>>43762737
>"That's exactly right. We're going to finish this."

>>43762761
so is Ali just being soft at the critical juncture, or is Vicki just shit at mundane combat?

>>43762818
How useful do you think she would be without her powers?

>>43762770
>>43762788
>>43762798

>Writing~

>>43762853
>>43761840
overspecialized scrubs, the lot of you. Can't even passably fire a slingshot and bake a cake and do basic chemistry and splint an injury?

yes, I'm joking

Yall better not kill izu.

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>>43762853

“That’s exactly right.” You do your best to smile confidently. “We’re going to finish this.”

A brief knowing look flashes through his eyes and is gone as quickly as it came. “Alright!” He goes back to punching the air. “I knew all of this practice would pay off someday.”

Ali steps out of her office, briefly looks at Izu punching the air, and then back to you. “Shall we?”

~

The wind howls and whips past the three of you as you all stare upon an unfortunate sight.

Enormous rings of pure rock hang unnaturally in the sky. The clouds in the air, boulders from the ground, and even the dust near your feet all gravitate toward them, but once the reach the precipice of their wide opening, they all collapse quickly to the ground.

The seal has been opened, but given the small amount of boulders that pile beneath the first opening, they’ve been open for minutes at the most.

Without any hesitation, you take off with the other two clinging awkwardly to your body, and unsteadily approach the threshold of the seal.

The light around you, the air in your lungs, even the thoughts in your mind begin to warp as you pass through the seal. The last sensation that you perceive is a small hand tightly grasping your own before everything disappears.

~

[1/3]

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>>43763618

You awake to a faint haunting chorus of voices humming in the distance. Their long held deep notes spur you to open your eyes. You gasp, but the air feels like it only penetrates your lungs shallowly. However, there are lungs for the air to fill. Your body, your armor, and even your dagger all exist as they would normally. Izu lies woozily next to you, and Ali is already up and adjusting to the bizarre surroundings.

You’ve finally returned to the final realm, whole.

Towering red rocks stand high above where the three of you landed, but beyond all those in the distance is the tower of pulpy flesh that makes up the core of the realm. Even from here, it appears that all the birds are flying directly toward it.

Beneath where you sit is a pool of deep blue water, of which the bottom cannot be seen. You suspect that this is the way back.

You stand, and prop the still woozy Izu up on his own feet. He stumbles for a few moments, but eventually he finds his footing.

Knowing that you have little time to lose you already march ahead with great speed. “Let’s go.”

[2/3]

>>43763638

Following the birds and the ever-present voices, you realize that this is the first time in months that you’re completely alone in your mind.

“Izu.” You call out to him in your mind, and you can’t even sense if he reacted to that or not, just as the case with anyone else.

You’re alone with your thoughts.

The spiraling red rocks are left behind as you proceed into an uncanny forest of colorful trees. They all hang in the air, completely unmoving, completely like a picture. A single path extends far ahead and the three of you follow it dutifully.

“I’ll start lingering back.” Ali announces, not liking the straightforward path ahead. “Remember what I said, and…” She considers her words very carefully before looking back to you. “I won’t fail. I've come too far.”

Ali heads back into the treeline leaving only you and Izu walking along the path.

“Being trapped in here doesn’t seem like it’d be too bad.” Izu muses aloud as he stares up at the trees.

Being trapped anywhere would be horrible.

Izu tilts his head and waits for you to tell him what’s on your mind. “I changed my mind…” He quickly states and seems to push ahead even faster.

With every step you take, your heart beats faster in your chest. You do your best to calm yourself, but a strange uneasiness lingers.

Time seems undetectable as you pass on through, and for whatever reason your mind keeps venturing back to a certain set of words that you’ve read thousands of times.

“Maintain the Journal.”

You turn to Izu.

>"What did you write in my journal?"

>Write in.

>>43763663

>"What have you been writing in my journal?"

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>>43763663
Forgot the picture.

>>43763663
>>"What did you write in my journal?"

>>43763663
>"What did you write in my journal?"
come to think of it, didn't we have a compass?

>>43763710
>>43763741
>>43763797
You did, but the compass only ever let you find you way back...

>Writing~

>>43763812
and I suppose it doesn't work here?

is the journal pastebin purposely private?

>Is this being compiled anywhere in readable form, just the narrative posts?

>inform me about Yuri levels pls?

>>43763834
That and there's not much to get lost on around here.

It is indeed on purpose.

>>43763859
>>inform me about Yuri levels pls?
if you're looking for Yuri, we cut that shit out early on.

>>43763859
Bruh you are late to the game, and if you're only looking for that sort of stuff you're not going to get what you want.

I can live without the yuri, I was just hoping.

>>43763955
can you live with being an unrepentant asshole?

no seriously, Sophia is not a nice person.

>>43763955
That's cool, but be warned its not for you if you're looking for something SOLish.

>>43763987

I have some assholish tendencies. I admire stonrg and determined characters who don't buckle to others and who set out to realize their will. I just wish she also had a soulmate/ was part of a power couple.

>>43763812

“What did you write in my journal?” You demand suddenly.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He asks grinning wildly and runs behind a tree to escape your fury. “But it’s waiting for you under your bed, so you just have to be patient.”

You do your best not to seem interested, and move on without another word on the matter.

Izu runs to catch up with you. “Wow, it looks like someone’s growing up-“

This time you do chase after him.

~

It’s very suddenly that you find that the tower of flesh is now looming almost directly overhead. But instead of the voices getting louder has they had when you first ventured into this realm, they’ve all but ceased.

“Stay behind me.” You whisper to Izu as you make it past the thicker part of the forest and the trees begin to lessen before the tower.

Your footsteps crunch softly on the ground as a pair of voices can be heard talking ahead of you.

“To think that’d you be the first to arrive, Azalie. But you have been at it for such a long time.” The Ancillary Manta chuckles to itself.

“No more. You’re the last, and you won’t stop me.” Azalie shoots back.

You peek past a tree to Azalie standing just feet before the Ancillary Manta. A look of utter determination on Azalie’s face, while a look of bemusement decorates the Ancillary Manta’s face.

[1/2]

>>43764392

“I have no intention of stopping you at this point.” The Ancillary Manta continues. “Your goal is an admirable one, and to have played the villain for all this time? Oh, that takes courage.”

Azalie shakes her head slowly.

“All of it to become a benevolent god…You’ll have a lot of work ahead of you to fix what you so easily broke.” The Ancillary Manta rests its chin on its folded hands.

“There will be plenty of time.” Azalie steps forward and takes hold of the Ancillary Manta’s torso. “So no more of this, or you.”

Azalie begins to forcefully tear the Ancillary Manta from the base of the tower of flesh. The chorus of voices begins to scream wildly as the birds all fall to ground.

The Ancillary Manta still continues to smile widely. “Oh, but you were wrong about me being the last.” It states, voice growing weaker. “The other players have arrived.” It sighs. “I so wish to see how this ends, but it’s finally time for me to sleep.”

With a final meaty snap, The Ancillary Manta is torn from the base of the tower, and the screaming voices all cease. Its body dissolves completely and a small opening to an endless and dark abyss remains where it once stood.

The entire realm is completely silent as you step out into the open and Azalie turns and steps toward you.

“For as capable as you were, Sophia, I did not think I would find you here.” Azalie states hollowly, her sharp blue eyes watching your every move. "Not that it matters."

A short distance now separates you and her. Izu stands a few feet behind you, and Ali is likely lingering in the trees somewhere nearby.

Your heart beats wildly as you stare upon your final goal just beyond Azalie. You feel your hand wanting to grip your dagger. You know your options. There’s absolutely no room for failure, and the only one you can trust, is yourself.

>Write in.

>>43764479
Did you not read the thread or do you just want to kill izu?

>>43764420
Move forward, get her attention and stab her with our dagger. We know how to knife fight, keep her attention on us.

>>43764479
no fragment, it's gone

>>43764420
>if talk
you, benevolent? Somehow I find that hard to believe.

>if combat
charge, stay on the offensive, waiting for her to slip up. Let Izu plunge in when one is revealed, knowing it's a trap. Hopefully Ali will take that moment to strike

>>43764420
I'll second this combat plan
>>43764532

>>43764420
>>43764532
I'll second the talking plan, puttin her in combat mode won't allow izu to do anything and Ali would have to charge into a battlem

It goes without saying, that I'll be waiting for the tie-breaker.

>>43764550
>>43764570
>>43764588
I love you guys

>>43764588
Actually nevermind.

>>43764529
>>43764532
>>43764550
Didn't notice that there were three votes for combat.

Here we go...

>Writing!

>>43764606
>>43764570
I was going to change my vote anyway, I'm too excited for this

>>43764606
Oh god
Only now can I think of things to talk about.

>>43764606

You pull out your dagger at hold it loosely in your hand, simply feeling the weight of your long term weapon in your hand. The rust has completely gone from its surface, and the dark metal rings in the air ready for a battle.

You charge forward without warning. You feint a slice for her legs which she goes to counter, but instead you slide by, recover, and lunge for her back.

Azalie grips your dagger in her left hand, blood trickling to the ground. As you try to wrench the dagger free, she brutally punches in the ribs, knocking some of the wind out of you, even with your armor.

You finally wrest free the dagger and fall back.

It seems that she’s willing to sacrifice her left arm as a type of shield and attack you with the right, but it’s far too simple a combat strategy for her…

She advances this time, and you respond by pretending to be wary of her right hand and aim directly for it. She grabs the dagger with her right, just as you had expected, but then grabs it with her left as well.

Your head is left ringing as she slams into you with a headbutt and collapse to the ground. You managed to keep hold of your dagger, but you suddenly realize her aim as you stare upon her bloodied hands.

[1/3]

>>43765316

You quickly back away as very faint wisps of violet energy form at the tips of her fingers. She’s desperate to end this quickly.

Izu swiftly slams into her legs as hard he can manage, collapsing her to her knees, and giving you a chance to rise to your feet.

You charge at her as she reaches for Izu, and even though she could’ve easily plunge into his body with her energy, she instead flings him far into the tree line.

She buffers your charge back with a pulse of energy, and pants heavily. Her heavy eyes show that she’s intent on finishing it with her next move, and you carefully watch for how to counter.

Two loud bangs sound out throughout the realm, and you watch as The Empress’s collapses to her feet far in front of you, bleeding heavily from the left side of her chest.

You quickly turn to the source, and suddenly the whole world seems very far away as sharp pains spread throughout your torso.

[2/3]

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>>43765334

Ali stands across from you, arms held out in the air, both hands tightly gripping a small object.

“I knew the final bullets would be for you.” Her voice sounds much more far away than it should.

You collapse to your knees, and then to your side. You watch weakly as precious crimson fluid flows away from your body.

You’re dying.

YOU’RE DYING.

Your mind scrambles for solutions. Cauterizing the wound would do nothing since the bleeding is on the inside, attacking her would waste the last of your strength, Azalie’s body is too far for you to make it.

Ali sets Azalie’s body alight with a deep purple flame and then steps closer to you. “The both of you have no place in the world. Nor do any of these realms. I’m going to fix that, and it’s all thanks to-“

You create a bridge realm directly where she was standing. Unwise, but she certainly didn't expect it. But even if was only to get her out of sight, you already feel the effects in your body.

THINK! THINK!

You hear small footsteps rushing toward you.

Izu! Izu can heal you.

Izu stops next to you and desperately tries to heal you using the blood already spilled out from your body, but the bullets lodged inside your body greatly resist that power, and there nearly isn’t enough blood for him to keep you from dying, even as he tries to scrape out that which already soaked into the ground.

He looks at you desperately, tears streaming from his emerald eyes. Izu pulls away from your body, and bites at his wrists, but it’s far too slow for him. He begins to desperately searching for something in the area.

You know what he’s looking for. Its hilt has been digging into your side since you fell to the ground.

TELL HIM WHERE IT IS! TELL HIM.

“Izu…” You call out weakly.

>Tell him to stop and come back.

>Tell him where the dagger is.

>>43765368
>Tell him where the dagger is.
Life is hard.

>>43765334
Ali just killed the both of us to claim god hood

>>43765368
>Tell him to stop and come back.
Can't we just bridge back to Impel for him to heal us?

>>43765368
>Tell him where the dagger is.

>>43765399
There only one way in and out of this place if you want to remain whole.

>>43765425
If we could use his blood, can't he use our blood? Or is it all used up for that bridge realm?

bye bye Izu, you suicidal boy

I wonder though, does if Ali can do purple flame, can her blood be used to heal?

>>43765442
Using your own blood would do more harm than good because the rate of healing is lessened.

>>43765459
Yes, it could, but he'd have to beat her to do it.

>>43765368
>Tell him to stop and come back.
No way, not going to do it.

>>43765459
and what about Avaline's blood? Disembowel her before the purple flames devour everything.

>>43765467
So diminishing returns on the healing? Damn, I guess he was only ever made to serve anyway.

>>43765490
If we become a god we can bring him back.

>>43765496
The body is already completely alight with fire.


Based off the votes, we're at a tie.

>>43765496
Her blood isn't compatible with us anyway.

>>43765527
it takes time for blood to evaporate, and the heart is a bit far from the outside, but it's all COMPLETELY alight?

switching >>43765401 to
Have him stab Ali right after we release the bridge realm. I'm willing to risk Sophia's life that much.

>>43765588
Technically, not what I had in mind by telling him to stop. It would be a gamble to say the very least. How do the others that voted to tell him to stop feel about this?

>>43765588
Hang on fella, we can't use just anyones blood. Azalie could only use her own blood, and Ali's blood is useless because she can't do magic. Izu has the same blood as us because he is a clone created through vivogenesis, so we can use each others blood. But Ali's won't work.

>>43765627
I feel like he doesn't know how the blood mechanics work.

>>43765629
>>43765644
Ali used purple flames. I don't think she's as useless as we assumed.

>>43765629
>>43765644
While it's true that you would not be able to use Azalie's blood to replace your own, it would be able to stabilize you and stop anymore bleeding.

>>43765678
Then go for it guess.

>>43765656
Even so, her blood won't work, as stated here >>43765678

If we go this way, we'll be on deaths door when Ali comes back, and she'll just kill us both. Better that Izu heals us so at least we can live.

>>43765678
do this

>>43765627
I'm against it, Ali grew up learning how to fight dirty so sending izu after her would be a suicide charge. Unless he used the remainder of our blood to kill her.

This is starting to get a little out of hand. Perhaps a final destination vote is in order

THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL VOTE. But, how does everyone feel about the following options.

1. Have Izu stop searching, have him use your blood to stop Ali.

2. Have Izu stop searching, have Izu try to attack Ali.

3, Tell Izu where the dagger is.

>>43765763
3

>>43765763
3

>>43765763
after >>43765723, I'm reconsidering

either 1, or 3 with the caveat of using whatever's available to stabilize Izu

>>43765763
I'm fine with those options.
>>43765770
>>43765788
Shows you how closely these guys read.

>>43765763
Wouldn't it better to tell where the dagger is then have him stab Ali?

>>43765819
That is what I meant by #2 sorry if that was clear.

>>43765806
I read fine. Out of those options, 3 is the one I would pick. Other 2 aren't worth mentioning.

Alright, as there was no objections. Final destination will begin in a minute, and last for 5 minutes.

Final destination vote:

Only votes with a number and nothing else will be considered.

1. Have Izu stop searching, have him use your blood to stop Ali.

2. Have Izu stop searching, have Izu try to attack Ali with the dagger.

3, Tell Izu where the dagger is.

>>43765887
2

3

>>43765887
1

>>43765887
3

The vote is now closed.

Tell Izu where the dagger is.

>Writing.

>>43765984
It all really comes tumbling down now, I wonder what that guy who posted the death threats will think.

>>43766017
I'm half suspecting that he voted to kill him

>>43766017
>>43766038
lol, did you guys take that post seriously?
I guess I'm the one who has the most to worry about, as the caster of the killing vote, but cmon.

DAM I WAS PLAYING LEAUGE

>>43766069
>playing lol during a quest with 5 min voting windows

>>43766138
I thought the vote had already been decided.

He usually takes a while to write.

>>43766138
Yeah, there's no way I'm moving away from such an important thread. I'm lucky this happened on Saturday and not a Thursday.

“Izu.” You call out again, and watch as he rushes to your side.

He grips your hand tightly between his own, eyes pleading for direction.

“Under…my side.” You pull his hands feebly toward where the dagger lies.

His fingers quickly identify what the object is and carefully slides it out from underneath you.

Your eyes linger sadly upon his own deep emerald green pair looking upon the dagger intently. “Please…” You plead quietly.

He holds back his sobs as bravely as he can as his eyes turn toward your own. “Don’t forget to read the journal.”

In one swift motion he cuts deeply through his left wrist, his hand dangles on by mere skin and he cries out in sheer agony. But even with the pain, he quickly switches the dagger into his mouth, and repeats the motion for his right wrist.

His arms reach for your wound, and his head collapses into your chest. No longer able to hold back the sobs he weeps deeply, inconsolably. Pale yellow flames and blood pour out from his wounds and into your own.

You close your eyes and gently rub his head as the comforting warmth seeps into your body.

He mumbles unintelligible words into your body, and all you can do is nod as if you understood completely.

His sobs slow as his breathing becomes shallower, but you steadily gain more and more of your former strength and feel as your wounds finally close around the bullets lodge in your body.

Finally his flames no longer pour out from his wrists, but only weak streams of blood, his sobs come with several second intervals between them.

You embrace his small body as tightly as you can, tears flowing into his hair. Every single sob of his comes with more and more time between them, until eventually, they stop.

You gently raise his head to look into his emerald green eyes one last time, but his eyes are closed, and only a faint peaceful smile lingers on his face.

~

That ends this thread for today. The next will very likely be the last.

I'll be around to sort out any questions you might have, so please feel free to post them in the thread.

If not, then I hope very much that you have a good day/night, and that I'll see you again next time.

>>43766350
AHHHHHH. Dear god, I'm starting to have second thoughts.

>>43766403
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

What are the details on that pocket realm containing Ali? Will it last long enough for us to ascend, or will we have to deal with her before moving on?

>>43766430
Too late anon, much too late.

>>43766403
So how badly did we screw the pooch? Is Ali related to Azalie? They both used purple and their names are similar.

>>43766403
Did Ali conjure those purple flames herself or did she just move some from the Empress onto her corpse?

>>43766449
You're very welcome.

The bridge realm will last as long as you need it, but allow me to say that Sophia will want to deal with Ali before she continues.

>>43766462
The first question is entirely up to you to decide. As for your other question, the answer has been around for quite some time.

>>43766492
Ali conjured those flames herself using The Empress's blood for energy.

>>43766493
Any chance you can run the final thread on Saturday instead of Thursday?

>>43766540
That's almost certainly going to be the case as next Thursday is Thanksgiving here.

>>43766552
Oh right, I get that day off anyway. Haha. In that case it doesn't matter.

>>43766403
Thanks for running auri.

Rest in peace, Izu.

>>43766662
At least he died happy.
Much better than Ellie with her eternal torment.
Or Marissa. Or most people.

>>43766662
You're very welcome.
With that, I'll be stepping out for the night. In case you didn't see it earlier, next thread will very likely be the last. So, until next time!

>>43766702
That's precisely what makes it more fucked up, death was a release for most of those others, but Izu was so happy by our side.

>>43766749
That's what the people voting to let us die in his place didn't understand. He was born for the sole purpose of serving us. Us dying would have left him without purpose, and after avenging us he probably would have killed himself.

>>43766801
Well, I wonder about that. Justina did a body switching, did she not?

I think we could cozy up in Izu's head for a while, without assuming control. It just wouldn't be in character for Sophia to do so.

>>43766801
I'm going to disagree with your last point. If we had enough in us to see him live, I think he'd live his life to the fullest to make us proud.
>>43766829
Sophia also isn't good enough at necromancy to do so.

Makes you wonder how different everything would be if we had specialized in something different.

>>43766829
I don't think that's even possible. Justina was far more skilled than we were, and she had to push out whoever she was occupying.

>>43766862
>If we had enough in us to see him live, I think he'd live his life to the fullest to make us proud.

That's the thing though. What would he be living for? His purpose was to help us. We're gone. He has no goals after that. Has he ever wanted anything for himself?

>>43766899
>Has he ever wanted anything for himself?
That's kinda why I wanted him to take the sword, to start on differentiating himself and becoming an independent presence on the battlefield.

>>43766899
Maybe you're right, but I still have the feeling that if we told him to live, he would have.

>Has he ever wanted anything for himself?

This sounds like a little premise for a quest.

>>43766954
That would have been the cruelest thing we could have done to him.

>>43766954
>>43767011
would be OOC for Sophia, but I'm interested to see what God Izu would do after killing Ali.