Alright, Captain Impostor and her crew have graciously offered to give you and the rest of Marrius' Group a ride to the island fortress of captain Helena. She's still far from a superpower of the sea, but her ranks are growing... less than modest.

Marrius explained along the way that he's also arranged for reinforcements on wyverns to arrive from Dain (sellswords who were friends with him and Riga, calling themselves the New Flight due to several founding members having been related to or trained by the fabled and ill-fated squadron's members), though you'll undoubtedly beat them there. "This mission, I admit," Marrius says to all of you, "is... Rather personal in nature. After all that my grandfather, Durvan, did to weaken the Dories, I cannot sit idly by as their youngest undoes all of his and the rest of Ulir's people's work." After that, he turns and looks towards Une. "For the... Less idealistic of you, I need not even remind you of the substantial bounties every single one of her rank will fetch with Ulir authorities."

You're mostly hanging around by your lonesome after that, briefly being introduced to Sheena and having no particular opinion on her. At the moment, an evening before you expect to reach said island, Colleen has talked you into providing some company. She's alright, so you don't mind, and your time spent is mostly in idle small talk. Eventually, she grows tired and retires, albeit after mentioning that she and Rema are planning on helping out Marrius' Group.

While pacing around the Intelligent System's decks afterwards, you spy Yone and Leigh chatting about something, the small-framed priest leaning against his staff for support.

>A. Listen in
>B. Approach openly
>C. Ignore it. You could care less about Yone

>>43858877
Vote time renewed.

>>43858877
>A. Listen in

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>>43859129
"And... Sure, our settlement survived, but it was all thanks to that swordswoman with three fingers on her left hand..." Yone says, sounding about as exhausted as one would expect from being trained by Leigh. You feel like you're listening in on something very... Personal.

Might as well keep it up, though!

"But my little brother... I mean, if I'd have DONE anything, he wouldn't have been killed by those bonewalkers. But I couldn't even walk close enough to heal him before it was too late."

"That's..." Leigh's hand covers her mouth. "I'm so sorry."

Yone nods. "If I was more like that woman and her friends, I could have done something, so... I decided to be. They didn't even give us their names, they just... Dropped us off some weapons, magic, that sort of stuff, and left." Yone finally stands up straighter again, speaking a bit louder. "So that's why I decided I had to be damn fearless! Like hell I would let having anything more than a staff and some food, or getting robbed by some asshole and his girlfriend-er, no offense."

"None taken," Leigh assures him. Your face faults.

"I wasn't gonna come back until I was as strong as that woman was. I'd build up my fortitude, make a name for myself, become a damn War Monk in time!" He looks up into the sky. "You hear that, Zine? I know it's been awhile since I told you what I was doing, but you're still in my heart! Your spirit keeps me going, and I'll be strong enough to save damn near everybody! When I go back home, I'll be able to kill every last zombie on the continent myself!"

Shit, was THAT what his "self-narrating" stuff was about?

Leigh nods, patting him on the shoulder. "You've got potential for greatness, just like me and Lloyd and that Sheena girl. That's what Marrius sees in all of his recruits, and why he's so open-minded."

>A. Interrupt them (specifics preferred but not required)
>B. Keep eavesdropping
>C. Go to bed. You have a big day ahead.
>D. Write-in

>>43859420
>B. Keep eavesdropping

>>43859502
You continue to listen in on the conversation.

"Saying it all out-loud for the first time in awhile..." Yone reflects, "Yancy's got a lot to prove to someone too. Not everyone gets on well with her, but she's just... Very passionate, I can tell." He sighs, shakes his head, and continues stargazing. "Guess I'm just not that someone to prove things to, least not for her."

Leigh responds, "hey, at least you're finally accepting it. See? Improvement already. And, uh... I think your strength is starting to improve a bit."

Yone nods, starting to turn around, "I'll make Zine pr-"

He looks straight at you, a look of displeasure on his face.

"What's wrong, Yone?" Leigh turns to see you. "Oh, hey, Lloyd. You're still up too, huh?"

"How long have you been here?" He asks with a sour tone. "How much did you hear?!"

>A. Enough
>B. All of it
>C. What is he talking about?
>D. Nothing really (lie)
>E. Write-in

>>43859622
>A. Enough

>>43859763
"Enough," you respond neutrally.

Yone huffs. "Well, look. I don't need you making fun of me right now."

Without awaiting your response, Yone storms away, pushing right past you and heading into his own quarters.

"Yone," Leigh calls out, a mix of frustrated and concerned, before exhaling.

"Was I interrupting anything?" You ask.

Leigh shakes her head. "Just a lot of reflecting. Poor guy's been through a lot. That Zine he mentioned was thirteen, Lloyd." That's a year younger than your own brother was! Leigh sighs. "I've been understanding about it this whole time, with how he treats everyone else, but... Please don't bully him anymore, alright?"

>A. No promises
>B. He's obviously tricking her
>C. You will
>D. Only if he doesn't start shit
>E. Write-in
>F. Be silent

>>43859896
>D. Only if he doesn't start shit

>>43859984
"I'll give him what's coming to him if it's coming to him, but... I certainly won't ever be the aggressor."

Leigh nods, figuring that's the best answer she can get out of you. You mutually agree to retire for the evening.

On the way to your quarters, you see Yone and Sheena conversing in the halls about the climates of their respective homes (Sheena "would kill to see more snow," while Yone "wouldn't mind never seeing it again," were it not for "wanting to visit home again someday." He also recommended that she "try to visit Tordo sometime." Some humorous statements were uttered, which were met with mild amusement from both parties, but hell if you remember any of them).

You and Leigh are kept up by Kneil in another room, practicing the... you think it was the lute? He practices a lot of instruments.

The following morning, pretty much everyone of note is with someone or another in the mess hall.

Marrius is sitting with Leigh, Yone, and Sheena.

Colleen, Rema, Kneil, and Tomnus are also in the same place.

Yulea and Yancy are sitting together too, natch, surprisingly accompanied by Une.

>A. Spend time with someone (specify)
>B. Skip to nearing arrival.

>>43860209
>A. Spend time with someone (Marrius)
>How did the trip to Noba go?

>>43860244
"Never got a chance to ask how Noba went," you say as you take a seat next to Leigh, facing Marrius. "Never been myself, either, so..."

Marrius swallows whatever he was eating before acknowledging your statement. "Mm. It was fine, all in all. Duchess Victoria is doing well, I was treated nicely, and I paid a bit of a visit to Riga's uncle and mother on the way to the Malva capital."

Sheena chimes in. "Really nice people, Derrick and Marigold. You'd all like them."

"I've, er... Never been to Noba either," Yone adds, "I understand you visited it a lot, Sheena?"

She nods. "Guess that's another place you need to see... Some areas aren't very nice, but things are apparently still way better than they were just a few decades ago."

Marrius nods. "My mother told me about it. A trio of regions defined by petty squabbles and conspiracy among lesser nobles, Phile worst of all, and at the end of the day commoners suffered for it."

"My aunt told me about that..." Sheena remarks. "Since she was from Ulir, Fathom especially would treat her absolutely awfully."

"Much of that has died since the current duchesses all took power," Marrius remarks, before turning and facing you and Leigh, "and they have stopped listening."

You and Leigh try to follow whatever Yone said to capture Sheena's attention, but their conversation's hurried pace is sort of getting in the way of that.

>A. Show spending time with someone else (specify)
>B. Say something more (write-in)
>C. Arrive already

>>43860451
>C. Arrive already

>>43860451
>C. Arrive already

>>43860550
>>43860613
"Alright," Marrius and Captain Impostor say simultaneously as the Intelligent System approaches the island.

Marrius alone continues, "the strongest of us are to disembark first, preparing for upwards of a dozen pirates before we even enter the actual fortress. With air support from Calof, the first wave will consist of myself, Leigh, Une, Rema, Yulea, and Yancy. Then, Sheena, Tomnus, Colleen, Kneil, Lloyd, Yone will come shortly after, led by Captain Impostor, watching our backs and the like." You swear a few other names were mentioned somewhere in there, but you don't know who they were or remember them. "It'll be harder to stick to a specific strategy once we're inside the fortress, which by spies' reports is shockingly labyrinthine, but under no circumstances should you allow yourself to end up alone. Apparently, Captain Helena has several powerful underlings, such as," names, names, you're sure you'll remember them if you meet them, "and more importantly, she has stolen Galeforce, the fearsome Axe of Monsoons, a national treasure of the Ulir Archipelago."

As everyone suits up, grabs their supplies and equipment and takes some last-minute preparations as they see fit, you speak to Leigh, of course.

"I'm honestly really excited for this!" Leigh says. "This captain Helena will regret letting this battle come to land."

>A. Absolutely
>B. Let's not underestimate her
>C. You're having some doubts
>D. Don't get overconfident
>E. Write-in

>>43860795
Time limit renewed.

>>43860795
>B. Let's not underestimate her

>>43861121
"Don't underestimate her," you respond, "I mean, you've heard what they're capable of."

Leigh nods. "I won't."

"And, uh... No heroics, alright? You're better off alive."

Leigh smiles a bit. "No promises, but I'll definitely survive."

"See? Talking like that is going to get you-"

"Oh, so now you don't think I can-" Leigh's eyes widen, and she sighs. You both realized where this was about to go moments before it did. She takes your hand. "Have more faith in me, alright?"

>A. Alright
>B. You do!
>C. Reiterate
>D. Write-in action/dialogue
>E. Be silent

>>43861209
>A. Alright

>>43861209
>A. Alright

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>>43861350
>>43861539
"Alright. Sorry, it's just... Natural to be concerned."

Leigh nods, leaning in for a quick kiss before smiling, still up close to you. "And I appreciate it, honestly."

"Ahem..." Calof clears his throat, and you and Leigh look over with slight embarrassment. "Er, Leigh... Marrius wants to know what's keeping you."

Face flushed, she stammers, "o-oh, well, uh... Nothing. I'm coming now!"

Calof and Leigh head off after that, and you join up with the rest of the second wave.

"And see," Tomnus says, showing off a light brand with an impressive purple finish, "this Light Brand is my personal weapon, the parting gift of my dear mom and dad. I name it after the soul of the elder sister I never knew... Lyana."

"The name drove his mother to near-tears," Kneil reveals as he takes some practice thrusts with a Rapier.

"Tears of joy, they were," Tomnus says, "approval, it was."

Yone looks somber at the topic of fallen siblings, which Sheena notes, wordlessly patting his shoulder in a comforting manner.

"You sure you can point that thing right?" Captain Impostor says to Colleen as she readies a lance. The captain herself impatiently taps the broad side of an axe against her own thigh.

"Of course," she says, "er... Lloyd can testify to this!"

>A. Yes you can
>B. She's certainly clever
>C. She's passable?
>D. Rather not talk right now
>E. Write-in

>>43861593
>A. Yes you can

>>43861593
>B. She's certainly clever

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>>43861642
>>43861885
"Yeah, she's actually great at this," you assure Captain Impostor. "Really clever in the heat of the moment and everything."

"Alright," she says, raising her axe. "I'll hold you to that."

A few moments of silence later, and it is determined that the first wave has advanced far enough that you can start to push through.

Captain Impostor, Sheena, and Colleen lead the charge, with Tomnus and Kneil in the back and you and Yone in the middle.

Although several pirates were cut through by Marrius' wave, a solid dozen more come out of the woodwork to oppose your lot.

The biggest of them introduces himself. "Sub-captain Sears! Your friends might have killed my man Jack, but the rest of us will not allow you to pass!"

"Don't try anything, Sears," Captain Impostor says, gripping her axe, "we're prepared to cut through all of ya to-"

The good captain takes two arrows through the head and neck before anyone has time to react, and Yone is quick to (futilely) try to save the captain. Colleen screams from shock, Tomnus raises his Light Brand, and you Nosferatu, making short work of the archers as Sheena rushes to combat a myrmidon girl, Kneil squaring off with a more brutish swordswoman with style.

Besides those mentioned, there are five axe-wielding pirates, a cleric, and what looks to be a soldier.

"Oh no..." Colleen says, grasping her lance. "What do we do?"

>A. Direct Colleen to attack Sears
>B. Direct Colleen to fall back
>C. Direct Colleen to attack the soldier
>D. Direct Colleen to attack the pirate(s)
>E. Direct Colleen to attack the cleric
>F. Tell Colleen to do what she thinks is best!

And as for yourself...

>G. Attack someone (specify)
>H. Stick to covering someone (specify who)

>>43861923
>C. Direct Colleen to attack the soldier

>>43862200
>attack cleric

>>43861923
>E. Direct Colleen to attack the cleric
>cover Colleen

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>>43862200
>>43862213
>>43862239
"That, uh... Lance guy." You say, leaving Colleen to nod and hurry towards them.

"O-okay!' She hurries up and does so, and meanwhile you stick close to her behind, enveloping the cleric in Nosferatu and gaining even further strength.

Kneil swerves out of the way of his opponent time after time, grinning and poking her with his sword again and again, gaining more and more upper hand each time.

Tomnus wields his Light Brand well, Lyana being quite the thorn in the side of Sears and one of his lackeys.

Sheena has already made quick work of her first opponent, and is now fending off two other pirates.

As Colleen and yourself finish off the lance-wielder, the other two unmentioned ones scurry ever closer.

>A. Go all-out on them!
>B. Attack another opponent (specify)
>C. Fall back a bit...
>D. Write-in

Colleen looks like she's about to square off against them whether you attack with her or not, but she'll probably listen to what you have to say.

>E. She can handle herself
>F. Tell her to get back
>G. Tell her to go after someone else (specify who)
>H. Write-in

>>43862375
>A. Go all-out on them!
>E. She can handle herself

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>>43862466
You continue to bombard the pirates with magic, gaining energy from weakening them enough for Colleen to take them down with relative ease.

She pushes her way through the second of the pirates, and you think to yourself what a good team you make. She now stands near Tomnus, facing Sears. "H-hey, Sears... You'll pay for what your men just did to Captain Impostor!"

"Well-put!" Tomnus says, raising his Light Brand.

An increasingly weakened and desperate-looking Sears breathes in deeply before lifting up his axe, staring the lance-wielder down as more of his health is lost to the swordsman at a slight distance.

He strikes in an instant, and Colleen drops.

Grinning, Sears collapses. "I've... Done me part, Helena..."

Yone rushes to his ally's side, hurriedly and frantically waving a Mend staff around over her. "C-c'mon... We're not losing you right after Captain Impostor!" He sounds anxious, somewhat unfocused.

Everyone else in this wave is quiet, your ambushers having all fallen, trying to catch their breath.

>A. Tell Yone to calm the hell down and focus on what he's doing!
>B. Say nothing
>C. Imply Yone should give up
>D. Write-in

>>43862675
>A. Tell Yone to calm the hell down and focus on what he's doing!

>>43862715
"Calm the hell down, Yone!" You exclaim firmly. "You won't be able to save her if you can't keep your head on straight!"

Pausing for a moment, Yone takes a deep breath. "You're... You're right." He shakes his head, keeping his hand steadier and healing Colleen more effectively.

"Tomnus, Kneil," you instruct, trying to take charge of the situation, "get Colleen back to the ship safely and keep an eye on her condition."

"Both of us?" Kneil asks. "That might be a bit inconvenient for your-"

Sheena shakes her head. "Marrius said not to go anywhere alone, and Colleen's a bit too unconscious to count."

"Wisely put," Tomnus agrees. "I'll see you all again, right?"

You nod uncertainly as you, Yone, and Sheena advance further.

After a quick look-around from above, Sheena flies back down, accompanied by Calof. "Alright, according to Calof everyone else has already gone inside the pirates' fortress."

He nods. "Most of them went through the front door, but we could bring you up to the roof if you wanted to surprise those guys. They won't be expecting it."

Yone shrugs. "He's the idea guy."

>A. Nod in approval of this newfound opinion
>B. Let's head through normally
>C. Let's get right to the roof!
>D. Let's stay out here and secure the area.

>>43862923
>A. Nod in approval of this newfound opinion

>>43862955
I'd like to suggest that you pick one of the options as well as the nodding. I mean, it's not ESSENTIAL, and Yone could decide if you don't, but.

>>43862923
>C. Let's get right to the roof!

>>43862955
>>43863116
You nod, basking in the approval of Yone in light of your demonstrated ability to take charge in a situation...

You do this instead of actually suggesting something. You finally speak up. "Oh, uh... Yeah, let's do the roof."

Calof, Sheena, and Yone stare at you for a moment, before Yone pumps his fist. "Alright, the roof it is!"

Calof lifts you as Yone rides behind Sheena, clinging onto her tightly.

Calof jokes to you in whispers, "think he's enjoying the ride?"

"Pfft. Yeah, seems to be. Wonder if he and that Sheena girl even notice how they've been all over each other this whole trip."

Calof smirks. "Apparently she had a thing for Marrius. He shot her down, so... Good that kids can get over this thing so easy, I guess."

You and Yone are dropped off on the roof, with Calof and Sheena continuing their patrol of the premises' outsides together.

"I'm finally making actual friends," Yone remarks as you head towards the door from the roof into the rest of the fort. "Kneil, Tomnus, Leigh, and now Sheena. Are traveling jobs always this fulfilling?"

>A. Write-in response
>B. Be silent
>C. Plainly tell him to stay focused

>>43863210
>A. Depends on who you're traveling with, Yone
>Now focus on the mission.

>>43863255
"Depends on who you're traveling with. Myself, I always end up on missions with Leigh, so that's always nice. Then I became Irene's assistant when she came with us that one time."

Yone nods. "Situational, then."

"Right. Now focus on our job."

"Okay!" Yone gives a passing wave to Sheena as he follows you to the door.

A transformed Garou flies through the door as you get closer, and you and Yone barely have time to duck out of the way.

Reverting and bleeding, Rema lies on the rooftop in pain, Yone hurrying to heal her.

"W-we're... Already separated," Rema says weakly. "Marrius and I... Against Helena..." She struggles to sit up, leaning against the wall attached to where the door once was. "She caught me by surprise and knocked me all the way up here!" A bit more healing, and she stands up in a moment. "Come on, we need to get back down there!"

>A. You and Yone can help. She needs to rest.
>B. Colleen is hurt too, back on the ship
>C. Let Rema come. Yone did just heal her and all
>D. Be silent
>E. Write-in response

>>43863423
>C. Let Rema come. Yone did just heal her and all

>>43863423
>C. Let Rema come. Yone did just heal her and all

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>>43863533
>>43863556
"Alright, which of us is the best at getting hit with magic?"

Yone and Rema look at you.

"Of course," you grumble, leading the way downstairs.

A tall, blonde-haired, full-figured, muscular woman with a green, mystical-looking battleaxe stands in a mostly-empty room encompassing much of the top of the fortress. The proper entrance in has been destroyed, covered in assorted heavy and unsafe-looking items.

Marrius narrowly avoids a blast from afar as he tries to get closer and closer to this woman, and Rema transforms again.

Yone staying generally behind someone (read: you), the three of you who are able to fight surround Helena. She can't attack the three of you at the same time, after all.

"Er... Why don't I call Calof in?" Yone suggests as you and him barely avoid a swing of monsoon magic.

"This wind magic would be the end of anything that can fly!" The woman exclaims. "There ain't a soul in the air who can withstand Galeforce!"

Marrius and Rema inch increasingly close while you and Yone have Helena's attention.

>A. Everyone attack now!
>B. Keep trying to distract her (dialogue/action suggestions appreciated)
>C. Charge her yourself?
>D. Do nothing
>E. Write-in

>>43863719
>A. Everyone attack now!

>>43863719
>B. Keep trying to distract her (dialogue/action suggestions appreciated)
But if Calof isn't flying does he still count as an airborne soul?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>43863924
>>43863927

>>43863960
"Does it count if Calof's not flying?" You ask. "How does the wind magic differentiate?"

"Well," Helena responds dryly, "if only there was a mage here we could ask! You know where we could find one, four-eyes?"

"Hey, I specialize in dark magic. Anima is a strange and unsettling world for me, with rules I don't begin to understand."

"Well, maybe I could teach you!"

Another swing that you and Yone barely swerve out of the way of, and Rema hops in, fists flying!

And Helena swings back, actually utilizing the axe part of the axe to slice through the wolf-girl!

As she hits the ground, Marrius comes flying, his sword cutting deep into Helena. "This... He exclaims... Is for the Ulir my grandfather created!"

After a gruff cry of pain, Helena grins. "Ah, so you're the grandson of Durvan? Thank you for tellin' me!"

Marrius' sword STILL embedded in her abdomen, Helena knocks him away. "I'll be certain to make your death extra personal!"

Yone is clutching his Mend staff, looking ready to make a beeline towards Rema and heal her again. She is... Dangerously close to Helena still, though.

>A. Attack Helena!
>B. Distract Helena! (again, word choice preferred)
>C. Stop Yone from trying
>D. Cover Yone's route
>E. Write-in

>>43864166
>A. Attack Helena!

>>43864166
>A. Attack Helena!
>D. Cover Yone's route

>>43864206
>>43864333
Alright, the time for words is over.

You raise your Nosferatu tome without a second thought, throwing everything you've got at her as Yone rushes to save Rema and Marrius tries to get up (looking at him now, he had a bit of an unpleasant run-in with the door-blocking debris. Not fatal or anything, but... Ouch, that can't be pleasant. Like stepping on a nail with your whole body). You manage to hide Yone's route behind yourself until Helena is briefly distracted, at which point he makes it to Rema just behind her.

"Ow!" Helena raises her axe, blood leaking from her mouth, looking increasingly weak. "Wh-why, you..."

A couple meters away from her, Yone focuses on mending the wounds of Rema, bringing her back from the brink of death like her sister earlier. Marrius limps over, and you prepare to dodge another strike.

"Oh, no..." You remark as Helena does precisely the opposite of what you'd expected her to do with Galeforce.

She ignores you and Marrius alike, turning around and attempting to bury the most painful end of the weapon onto the healer nearby.

>Character limit, continued next post

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>>43864436
Snapping out of his healing state, Yone fearfully lifts up his staff to block the blow...

It breaks in half as Galeforce breaks right through his chest.

"Is this... The limit of my strength?" Yone asks, tears welling up as he realizes what's happened.

His eyes shut, and Helena grins. "Ahaha... See what it means to defy a pirate?! I've still got enough juice in my to cut ye all down!"

"No..." Yone whispers... His eyes fill with determination, and he shoves both broken ends of the staff into Helena.

She tries to scream, but nothing comes out, and Marrius finds himself filled with a new will to advance, knocking Helena to the ground and yanking his sword out, striking her with it repeatedly.

Marrius slumps over. "Is... Is the kid alright?"

You look at Yone, struggling to keep his head up. "Alright, nobody lie to me..." He says frailly, "what's the damage? I mean, I don't feel a thing..."

>A. He's gonna be fine!
>B. Not looking very good
>C. Be silent
>D. Write-in response

>>43864454
>B. Not looking very good
>But, that was awesome.

>>43864478
"Yeah, gonna be honest, Yone... You look like shit."

"Th-thanks..." He says, shooting you a glare.

"Damn impressive, though," you say. "It, uh... Looks like Rema's going to be alright because of that stunt there."

"Hang in there, Yone," Marrius insists, "You can... Sheena can bring you to Yancy, and then you'll be patched up perfectly fine!"

"Sheena... She sure had some nice-" Yone chuckles before coughing, "oh, it hurts to laugh..."

Marrius' hands are shaking. "Yone, come now. We can... We can get you help."

Yone shakes his head. "Zine... I guess I couldn't keep my promise. I've... Gotta be the worst big brother in the world, h-huh?"

Yone slips out of the realm of consciousness.

A short time later, Marrius' Group and the surviving members of Captain Impostor's crew watch as a group of wyvern riders approaches.

The mood is melancholic at best, nobody saying anything. Marrius holds the Galeforce axe.

"Hm," he muses as they come closer into everyone's sights, "don't recognize that fellow at the lead. Guess it's just... Been awhile since I ran into the New Flight."

>A. Say something (specify)
>B. Talk to someone in particular (again, specify. Topic preferred but not required)
>C. Write-in response
>D. Wait in silence

>>43864630
>D. Wait in silence

>>43864796
A fellow in rather dark armor, sporting blond, messy hair and pointed ears, lower face covered by a scarf, lands in front of Marrius, what resembles a tome tucked under his arm. He dismounts and offers a hand.

"Ah," he says, "so you're the Marrius who Riga was so close with. Pleasure to finally make the acquaintance. My name's Lupus."

>A. Introduce yourself
>B. Back away
>C. Attack Lupus
>D. Be silent
(this post was originally much longer, but I felt like cutting it up to add SOME interactivity to the end of the thread)

>>43865045
>A. Introduce yourself
Don't interrupt Lupus introducing himself to Marrius though, that'd be rude.

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>>43865193
Accepting a handshake, Marrius' eyes widen.

"Name's Lloyd," you say after Marrius has finished being introduced to this fellow.

"Odd way to word it, but... Yes. Er, we've... Actually already taken care of most of the pirates. Recovered the axe and everything, so... Sorry for wasting the New Flight's time."

Lupus chuckles. "Oh, oh, not a problem at all, my friend..." He points to the Galeforce axe. "Just give me that as payment and we'll put this all behind us."

Marrius blinks. "Er... No can do. This is a treasure of Ulir. It BELONGS to Ulir's government."

"Aha!" Lupus says, backing away a ways. "I didn't ASK, you see."

Marrius draws the axe in question. "Lupus, you have no clue what you're-"

The ethereal form of a Managarm quite literally punches a hole through Marrius.

"Surprised? This was a concept actually created by my grandmother... Well, a spirit inhabiting her body. I call my improvements 'Fist of the Managarm.'"

As he turns to flee with the axe in hand, you and everyone else naturally tries to attack this guy. Stopping you, however, is a whole horde of entombed rising from the ground.

Lupus and the rest of the New Flight turn and leave, apparently having solely come to steal Galeforce.

After the initial shock, the entombed are actually very easily slain (a dozen weak zombies), but... That was definitely quite shocking!

"Wh," Leigh says, "what the hell just happened?!"

>A. You have no idea!
>B. You think you know who kidnapped those nobles
>C. Way too damn much
>D. Be silent
>E. Write-in response
(I apologize for the abruptness here, but... One part of what just happened was planned from the start, integral to the progression of the plot, and... Realistically, a small group of Entombed would be no threat to trained mercenaries)

>>43865301
>B. You think you know who kidnapped those nobles

>>43865301
>C. Way too damn much
>Our former allies just stole our ax.

>>43865335
>>43865363
"This Lupus guy... I think he had to do with the loss of those noble heirs and Marrius', uh..."

You turn to Marrius' body.

"Some friends you had, if they're answering to a man like that..." You rub your head. "Ugh, this is just... Too damn much."

Sheena is just... Standing around, muttering "Entombed..." in a dazed voice and crying.

Une, riding her spider over to the end of the pier, watches as the New Flight+Lupus takes off, popping open her flask and taking a VERY long drink. "Well," she remarks, "least we don't have to split the bounty on all these pirates with a bunch of guys who didn't help at all."

Everyone shoots her a judgemental glare.

"What?" Une asks. "Girl can't try to find a silver lining?"

>To be continued next thread
Obviously, this is a pretty... Big deal of a chapter. I know the body count was pretty abrupt and crazy, but you guys actually did manage to save a ton of lives I'd planned on taking (Colleen, Rema, and potentially Sheena were all on the chopping block too, had things played out differently).

Thanks for playing, all of you. As always, update Twitter is qmgrandflocto, ask.fm is also qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around to chat in-thread for awhile.

>>43865477
Thanks for running.

>>43865501
Thanks for playing.

As a random question, who would you guys say your favorite characters have been? Was Yone bothersome?

>>43865523
My favorite character has honestly been Irene. I like the sort of scientist characters.
In regards to Yone, he has been a bit bothersome, but I feel like he is supposed to be. And he hasn;t been so much of a bother that I wish death on him when we see him.

>>43865523
>who would you guys say your favorite characters have been?
Too tired to choose, so going with yes.

>Was Yone bothersome?
>Was
;_;

More seriously, a little bit, but not in a bad way, if that makes any sense.

>>43865570
In the end he was a kid with a lot more to prove than he could actually live up to.

Irene's definitely been fun to write for, too. I wonder how she's gonna take the news...
>>43865595
Yeah, he was meant to come off like an annoying kid.

Marrius is completely dead and buried, but I am considering letting Yone survive. Honestly, I was getting tired of writing for him, so I decided to go with the whole "throw all the character depth into the chapter where he dies" shebang, make him end on an impressive note, but...

Would it be too copoutey?

>>43865636
I liked Yone so it would be great if he survived but if he doesn't at least he went out with a bang. I always imagined that Lloyd and Yone would be friends that pick on each other a lot in good fun.

Also my favorite characters so far are Ansi, Une, Sheena and Leigh.

>>43865636
That would be a copout by the definition of the word, yes.

If you're willing to let Yone live, I would prefer that over the alternative.

>>43865754
Now that >>43865743 mentions Sheena, I'm thinking, "this girl just lost her mother, aunt, and mentor figure. It'd be too cruel to kill her new prospective boyfriend when they were on the verge of hooking up."

>>43865861
...that being said, Grandflaw has said, and quote.
[1:17:26 AM] [REDACTED]: just off 'im
[1:17:28 AM] [REDACTED]: it'll be fun
I guess I'll leave it in limbo until it's time to make next thread's summary. Gives me a full day or two to weigh out the options.