>>44107140

But where to start? Obviously, the most immediate concern is reuniting with the others but that alone is a formidable task. They seem to have scattered, some fleeing and others hiding, as they pursue their own, unknown goals. Leon was last seen heading North, into the mouth of the Intoxicating One's armies. Cassandra and Elliot have their own plans, something that drove them both – either together or as a pair of individuals – from the fairy kingdom. Lastly, but possibly most important of all, Marco is said to be a guest of the Hellfire Club, in much the same way that Joseph is a “guest” of the angels.

Which is to say, a hostage.

And then there's the matter of the failing fires that Sati's tower rule over, giving life and vitality to every spark and ember across the wasteland. Curing her would do much to ease Winter's grip on this land, albeit returning life to the vast and hellish forges that Moloch claims dominion over as a consequence. Another task you've taken it upon yourself to investigate, although you have few leads on that as of late.

Lastly is the matter of Amelia's divine fragments, scattered across the wasteland and waiting for an ambitious demon to claim them. Gathering them together should be your ultimate goal, but also one for the long term. An ongoing project, so to speak.

“We are very busy, yes?” Petra says with a weary smirk as you relay this information to her, hoping to hear her opinion, “Even in the old days, we were never so busy. Things happened one at a time, yes? Not much time to relax between tasks, true, but we managed.” It looks like she's about to say something else, but then the earth beneath your feet starts to tremble. A distant tremor, true, but a reminder of that great tunnelling beast. “So now what?” Petra asks when the ground is once again still.

>Hellfire Club. Marco needs us
>Back to the fairies for now
>We're heading North
>Other

>>44107149
>Hellfire Club. Marco needs us
Alright no more getting sidetracked.

I hope.

>>44107149
>Hellfire Club. Marco needs us
It's go time.

>>44107149
>>Hellfire Club. Marco needs us
Better make sure Alice hasn't broken her new toy

>>44107149
>Hellfire Club. Marco needs us
He can help with Sati AND Joseph. And, you know. DAD.

Did we ever get Gab's opinion on the Shackle and slavery in general?

>>44107149
>>Hellfire Club. Marco needs us

>>44107260
Pretty sure Gabs wasn't happy with the Shackle. I think she mentioned sheltering people on the run from them the first time we met her

So after we find out what's up with Marco, we should call up everyone and organize a meet up at the Fairy kingdom to discuss things. That includes Leon too if he wants to come.

Cause heres the thing. If write Leon off and leave him isolated he WILL go full Chaos. But if he knows there are people thinking about him and he has a place there might be a chance to avoid that.

>>44107262
>>44107260
>>44107252
>>44107247
>>44107238

The Hellfire Club, you declare as you leave Raphael fuming in the distance, it's about time you stopped being sidetracked. Not that you had much choice in the matter, you must admit, but it's still something you've been meaning to do for a while now. Every time you get close to Marco, it seems, something happens to pull the rug out from under you. Or the ground itself, you think wryly as another distant rumble stirs the earth beneath your feet. Sooner or later, someone's going to need to do something about that. You, probably.

As you walk, you slide Midnight out of its sheath and examine the blade, your eyes widening in slight surprise. When you first got it, the blade was pure black, like the steel had been coated in the purest ink possible. Now, though, the top half of it appears to shine like bare metal. Holding the blade closer, you can just about see the inky pigment creeping back up to refill the blade. A measure of how much power it holds, perhaps? Scathach never said anything about the thing running on batteries...

“Magic,” Petra shrugs dismissively, with the air of a Luddite gazing scornfully upon modern machinery, “A mystery to me, yes?”

Maybe so, you agree, but useful nonetheless. By your estimation, you've got about five more uses before the dagger needs time to – what, recharge? It seems to be drawing power from the air itself, albeit at a painfully slow rate. Something to keep in mind, you decide as Petra takes the lead, ushering you through the snowy streets towards the Hellfire Club. When that squat, somehow desolate looking building comes into view, you feel... cheated. It's just the same club you visited once before in the human world, or a reflection of it at least.

>>44107388

Inside, the club seems almost stiflingly warm compared with the pervasive chill of the outdoors. It's crowded, which certainly doesn't help things, but there seems to be some kind of heat conjured up to fill the air itself. You imagine countless copies of Hua Po, crammed into bottles and drained of their warmth, and shudder despite the heat.

The most immediate thing that catches your attention, other than the balmy warmth, is a group of five Oni crowded around a table that is far too small for them. They give you a collection of sour looks as you pass, mixed between innate hostility and open contempt. That could be trouble, you note absently as you scan the crowds for any human figures. You see a lot of things that were ALMOST human – usually decorated with tails, wings or stranger things aside – but there is no sign of Marco.

At the back of the room, looking out across the crowds with a strangely paternal fondness, is Mister Black. The brains of the operation, or so it would seem. He notices you, even at a distance, and nods dolorously. Easing your way through the crowds – they seem to part before you, perhaps because of the wicked mask you now wear – you approach the tall gentleman.

“Good day to you,” Mister Black says, a smile spreading across his thin lips, “I've been expecting you for quite some time, if I may be so bold.”

>Is Marco Vespucci here? Can I see him?
>What's it going to take for you to let my father go?
>Things seem to be going well for you
>Other

>>44107417
>Things seem to be going well for you
>Is Marco Vespucci here? Can I see him?

>>44107417
>"Expecting me as a guest, a client, or something more hostile?"
>Is Marco Vespucci here?

>>44107417
>>What's it going to take for you to let my father go?
All business, all the time.

>>44107417
>Things seem to be going well for you
>What's it going to take for you to let my father go?
Straight to business.

>>44107417
>>What's it going to take for you to let my father go?
>>Things seem to be going well for

>>44107625
>>44107518
>>44107506
>>44107438
>>44107437

Expecting you, you ask politely, but as a guest, a client, or something altogether more... hostile? You say that with as much calm as you can muster, even as your heart begins to beat faster within your chest. If he really was expecting you, and not just taking a line out of a supervillain's script, then he must know why you're here. Already, he has you at a disadvantage – he has something you want, and he knows it.

“Hmm, that all depends, doesn't it?” Mister Black replies, his smile growing a fraction deeper, “Your blade is still sheathed, so negotiations are not yet off the table. Let me assure you, first of all, that there is no danger here. Not from me, at least.” The gentleman gives a pointed glance behind you, taking in the table of now silent Oni.

Well, you remark in that same casual tone, things seem to be going well for him. A club full of all kinds of demons must bring in quite a profit.

“One can always rely on ill weather to send people in search of company and shelter,” Mister Black muses, “Although even I am growing tired of the cold – not to mention those who think a single drink entitles them to a full day's shelter.”

Okay, you say, getting to the point at last, is Marco Vespucci here? And if he is, just what is it going to take to get him to let your father go?

“You assume that I'm willing to let him go,” Mister Black's smile turns a touch cold here, “That's no way to enter negotiations. But let me see... he IS here, but seeing him would be impossible. At least, not immediately – I would ask you to wait here. No longer than, oh, half an hour, I assure you.” He takes a silver watch – an old fashioned thing, or so it seems – from his pocket as he says this, consulting it for a second. “We can speak then, about the possibility of releasing him.”

>>44107658

You open your mouth to protest this decision and then, thinking better of it, close it again. The tall gentleman holds all the cards here – all the cards you know about, at least – and antagonising him would do nothing to help you. You've waited this long to see Marco already, so another half an hour will hardly kill you.

You'll wait, you tell Mister Black quietly, but then you'll have to insist on seeing Marco. You need to know he's alive and unharmed before you even consider negotiations.

“Of course,” Mister Black inclines his head, revealing flesh blackened with decay that peeks from his collar, “Make yourself at home, for the time being. I only ask that you resolve any... disagreements outside.”

Very well, you agree, and let the older man stride away to whatever other business he has to attend to. For now, though, how should you best kill that half an hour? All of a sudden, it seems like a great deal of time to wait.

>Confront that gang of Oni
>Ask the bartender about the latest rumours
>Make small talk with the other patrons
>Other

>>44107673
>Ask the bartender about the latest rumours
>Make small talk with the other patrons
Oni aren't worth the time.

>>44107673
>>Ask the bartender about the latest rumours
>>Make small talk with the other patrons

>>44107673
>>Ask the bartender about the latest rumours
Mister Red still behind the bar?

>>44107673
>Make small talk with the other patrons
we need some magical friends. Magic is friendship! Wait...

>>44107705
>>44107721
>>44107798
>>44107906

With this many people, you think to yourself as you survey the crowded club, there has to be some good information floating about. It might not be the kind of thing that will shake the world to its foundations, but it's always a good idea to have an idea of what's going on in the area. With that in mind, you slip through the crowds and take a seat at the bar, waiting patiently for the bartender – a shaven headed brute, crammed into a suit that matches the one Mister Black wears - to make his way over.

“You're underage,” he rumbles when he finally gets to you, taking one look down at you and shaking his head in amusement, “Don't even pretend otherwise.”

Oh, you reply with dull surprise, you didn't realise that law still applied. Is he going to throw you out, then?

“Nah. Won't do my reputation any good, pushing around little girls like you,” the bartender grunts out a deep laugh, “Besides, I've got a soft spot for kids. You're after information, right?”

That's right, you tell him, but how did he know?

“Because you sure as hell aren't getting any booze,” another laugh here, “And that's what everyone REALLY comes here for. Normally we charge for it – favours for favours – but you can have this one for free. You could hear it on any street corner anyway, if you keep your ears open. Have you heard about those shooting stars that landed not so long ago?”

You have, you nod eagerly and lean a little closer. One landed in the North and one in the South, wasn't it?

“You're behind on the times,” the brute chuckles, “They say one landed in each of the cardinal directions and the last landed right in the middle of the city. Very neat and tidy, don't you think? Anyway, they say that a new town has sprung up in the South, beyond the barren lands outside the city – just appeared in the blink of an eye!”

Interesting, you murmur, before thanking the bartender and turning away.

File: Power 2.jpg (665 KB, 1868x2584)

665 KB JPG

>>44107965

You turn, and come face to beautiful face with a figure of pure androgyny. An angel, you realise, in full armour. Take it outside, Mister Black had warned you, but the angel makes no move to attack. In fact, they give you a graceful smile – the kind that wards off any suggestion of hostility. Perhaps this is a regular occurrence, for an angel like this. Considering the others you've met – Raphael in particular – you wouldn't be surprised.

“Excuse me,” they say, a faint feminine lilt to their voice. You step aside and allow her to take your recently vacated seat. As you're leaving, you hear her voice again. “Dark times, these,” she offers, looking over her shoulder with a slight smile.

Very dark, you agree cautiously. If she's not hostile, she might have some useful information – talking to her, at least, won't do anything but kill time.

“I hear tell of a great beast that turns and writhes below the earth,” she offers, her musical voice strangely soothing, even as she speaks of demons and horror, “The last, bitter gift that Lady Hel had for this world.”

The Lady, you ask with surprise, what does she have to do with this?

“It was her existence – cursed and blasphemous as it was – that lulled the beast to slumber,” the angel suggests, “Without her, the worm is free to gnaw at the roots of the world once more.”

Oh, you say, half to yourself. Another consequence of your actions, coming back to haunt you. Before you can brood on this unwelcome news, Mister Black taps you on the shoulder. Without a word, he simply nods towards a gloomy corridor and slowly glides away. Half an hour already? It's impossible to tell, considering that he seems to be the only person with a working clock in here.

“Stay safe,” the angel tells you sweetly as you leave, “And pray for God's return.”

File: Spoiler Image (143 KB, 692x1952)

143 KB JPG

>>44108074

An uneasy feeling creeps up on you as you follow Mister Black down the corridor, but it takes you a moment to realise the cause. This corridor should have taken you right out into the cold outside but instead, it carries seamlessly on as an extension of the warm club. Mind reeling, you consider the fairy realm, and how it impossibly seems to fit within the boundaries of Hyde Park. Some magic of similar design is at work here, perhaps.

“Your father is fine,” Mister Black says softly as he leads you around a series of twisting bends. You could never find your way out of here, you realise suddenly, without his careful guidance. A surprisingly genteel alternative to prison bars. “Busy, yes, but altogether fine. I dare say he's been enjoying his time here, even.”

You start to voice scepticism here, but the words then die in your throat as Mister Black opens a door and ushers you inside. Your father is there, wiping sweat from his brow. The room is mostly bare, decorated with a chalkboard – covered in row after row of arithmetic problems – and a pair of desks. Dozing, her head on her folded arms, Alice sits at the smaller desk. He's... been teaching her?

“Mia,” Marco sighs with relief as he sees you, “I never thought you'd find me again so soon. I'm very impressed. I hope you weren't too worried – Nebiros has been keeping me very safe, believe me.”

Pausing, you realise that even though you had no idea what to expect, it certainly wasn't this.

“So,” Mister Black says softly, with a curiously victorious smile, “Shall we negotiate, or would you rather your father stays here with us?”

>He's safe here, I guess
>I want you to release him. What's your price?
>Marco, what do you want to do?
>Other

>>44108150
>Marco, what do you want to do?
"This might be the safest place for you, at least until you can get your own summoning app. Do you have your phone with you?"

>>44108150
>He's safe here, I guess
>But I want to talk to Marco.
Some privacy might be nice, but it's more for politeness than anything.

We gotta ask him what he remembers of the previous cycle, and what he can do right now.

DOUBLE DEMONS, DOUBLE THE FRIENDSHIP

>>44108150
>>Marco, what do you want to do?
My vote would go to "get the hell out of here" mainly because of Alice. Probably best not to issue orders though

>>44108225
>>44108209
>>44108184

Before you decide on anything, you'd like to speak with Marco in private. Is that possible, you ask as you glance across to Mister Black, or does he think you'll make an escape attempt?

“You'd be very welcome to try,” the gentleman tells you with a cool smile, “But I would recommend against it. I can allow you a moment of privacy – step outside, if you wish. The corridor will suffice, I imagine.”

It's the best you're going to get, you realise, and let Marco lead the way outside. In the emptiness of the corridor – it seems to stretch infinitely off in both directions, now – he lets out a long sigh and leans against the wall.

“Teaching is harder than I thought,” he declares, wearily, “Ah, but you came to rescue me, didn't you? I hope this doesn't sound ungrateful, but I believe this might be the safest place for me. These gentlemen take their security very carefully around here, and I'm treated very well. It took me a while, actually, to realise that I was supposed to be a prisoner.”

Truth be told, you were considering that as well. Even with Alice around, it seems like Marco is pretty unlikely to come to any real harm here. Biting your lip as you think, you ask if he has his phone on him.

“I do,” Marco nods, slipping it out of his shirt pocket, “See? They never even took it off me. Then again, they never really needed to...” Grimacing slightly, Marco turns his phone to face you, displaying the harsh “no signal” icon on the screen. The same as your phone, you realise, as you take it out to check. Another one of Mister Black's cunning little tricks, no doubt.

Sighing, you lean against the wall beside Marco and ask him if he has any strange memories. Anything that, perhaps, doesn't feel like it really belongs?

>>44108412

“Unusual memories?” Marco asks, “Funny you should say that, actually. It's not a memory exactly, but I had very peculiar dreams when I was... captive. Before you rescued me for the first time, I mean. I didn't want to mention them – they were so rarely pleasant things to experience – but, well, now that you've asked...”

Dreams, rather than conventional memories. Strange – something you share with Marco, but something that differs between you and Petra. Putting that matter aside for now, you ask Marco about his dreams.

“I was travelling about a world, not too unlike this one,” Marco explains, “But without the snow. It was warm, and there was fire in the sky. I walked all over the city, but my body felt so slow and heavy that I hardly made any progress. There were other dreams, and... and you were in one of them. Perhaps that one... I shouldn't talk about it. I'd rather not talk about it, actually.”

You... understand, you tell him awkwardly. But, returning to the matter at hand, what would he rather do? You could probably arrange his release – it might take a certain amount of dirty work, but you could do it – but does he actually want to be released?

“I'm not sure,” Marco admits, “I'm safe here, and I have enough luxuries that it's hardly an ordeal. That said, there may come a time where I need to leave here.” He frowns, lost in thought for a moment, “It hurts me to think of you, running around out there on your own. I don't want you to get hurt on my behalf – I'll stay, if it keeps you safe.”

Privately, you doubt that you'd be safe either way. Nodding sadly, you return to Mister Black, who looks around at you with a curiously raised eyebrow.

“I have a task, if you're interested, that would buy your father his freedom. Would you care to hear it?”

>I'll do it
>No deal. Marco wants to stay
>Can he stay here for a while, even if I do this task?
>Other

>>44108537
>Can he stay here for a while, even if I do this task?

Ha! Ha! Time for SM/tg/!

>>44108537
>Can he stay here for a while, even if I do this task?
"Until the next full moon. Then I'd like him released."

Amelia will be around again to get him a DSP and if he is going to be Carnby 2.0 he can start working on improvements.

>>44108537
>>Can he stay here for a while, even if I do this task?
Seems like the best option. This way we can have him released whenever we like.
Though, admittedly, it does give Neb a hostage if he ever needs leverage over us

>>44108537
>>Can he stay here for a while, even if I do this task?

>>44108602
True but Neb of all people should know how desperate one can get someone's kin is in danger. Look at him and Alice. It wouldn't be good for business if we brought war to Hellfire.

>>44108602
He's always honored a deal. It wouldn't be good for business if his word lost its worth.

>>44108537
>>Can he stay here for a while, even if I do this task?

>>44108660
>>44108613
>>44108602
>>44108578
>>44108564

If you do this task, you ask, can Marco remain here for a while afterwards? For a week or so, to start with, until you know a little more about the lay of the land?

“Of course,” Mister Black says, sounding slightly surprised by your decision, “I had thought you would want him away from here – out of my clutches, so to speak – as soon as possible. I'm sure the young mistress would like your father around a while longer as well – she's yet to finish learning her times tables.”

At that, a sullen groan emerges from the girl draped across the desk. You wince, but nothing more happens. Other than that lone sign of life, she could have been a beautifully preserved corpse.

Uneasily turning away from Alice, you give Mister Black a nod. You'll do it, you tell him, but what's the task? What does he need you to do?

“I merely want you to investigate a small matter,” the gentleman tells you, “There are rumours coming out of the North of a new flame. People have been flocking to it – or rather, to where it is said to be – but few return. I would like to know what's going on up there. That's all – anything else, I leave to your discretion.”

The North. That's Shackle territory.

“Indeed,” Mister Black looks momentarily concerned, “It is said to lie within what was once Lady Hel's court – deep underground, but... I don't need to tell YOU that, do I?”

Admitting nothing, you tell Mister Black that you'll see what you can do.

“Excellent!” the tall man announces, clapping his hands together, “Then I shall escort you back to the club. I wish you every success in your future endeavours!”

The journey back, you notice, seems to follow an entirely different route to the one that brought you here. This nonsense makes your head ache.

>>44108837

“Sounds like a trap, yes?” Petra says when you return, twisting around on her barstool, “A lure to draw in desperate people so those slavers can snatch them up.”

Just what you were thinking, you agree with a gloomy nod. You hadn't been wanting to go North quite so soon.

“But maybe it's true,” Petra shrugs, “Maybe they have something to fix Sati, yes?”

That's also something you'd been considering, you tell her. Perhaps this could be the key to healing her – or, at the very least, easing her perpetual suffering. Still...

“A fire,” the redhead nods slowly, running a hand over her sword, “This won't help much, yes?”

Right. If this really is a trap, you might not be prepared to escape from it. It's worth remember, of course, that you're in no desperate hurry to accomplish this particular task. After all, this time you're not rescuing Marco from mortal peril – his duties as a mathematics teacher notwithstanding. You could put this one on the back burner – Petra snorts at the pun – for the time being. Then again, you're not sure where else you could focus your efforts.

>Head North
>Investigate this new town to the South
>Return to the fairy kingdom for the time being
>Other

>>44108885
>Return to the fairy kingdom for the time being
On the way call up Cass, Elliot, and Leon. Ask after their well being (yes even Leon) and see if they can meet up at the fairy kingdom with us to regroup and talk.

>>44108885
Backing >>44108909

>>44108909
>>44108885
I'll second.

They've had enough time to take in the end of the world in their own way. Now we need to see if they still want to play ball with the rest of us.

>>44108885
>>Return to the fairy kingdom for the time being
we need more demons in general

>>44108909
We could get Scathach to take a look at those magic items Nyarly/Heartless gave us as well

>>44108952
If you include Hua Po Mia is actually full up for her app. But yea Petra needs some more and having more summoners always helps.

Alright lets see if I have this right, bear with me.

>Main Goal
Recover Cosmic Fragments
-Unknown fairy acquired Center fragment
-North fragment probably captured by the Shackle
-South fragment captured and used to make some town on the southern outskirts of the city
-East and West fragments unaccounted for.

>Priority Missions
-Cure Sati for Moloch and ourselves - Probably need to ask Titania or Scathach about it.
-Regroup with Elliot, Cass, and Leon if possible.
-Rescue Joseph - Need a plan or more manpower. Probably both.
-Marco's release - Find out what the new flame up North is. It's at Hel's old lair.

>Other missions
-Kill the tunnelling demon
-Prove ourselves to Cern
-Meet up with Amelia at the next full moon.
-Have Scathach inspect Heartless's ring.

Fuck Petra's right. Amelia was nowhere near this busy.

>>44109000
>-East and West fragments unaccounted for.
Something to note: The archangels were also East. They might be close to getting one of the fragments

>>44109000
Oops for got one more for Priority

>See if Titania will allow us to stay at the Fairy Kingdom to rest.

>>44109025
Good point. We may have to move on them fast. I'd rather catch them when they are desperate and weakened than with a fragment in their possession.

>>44108971
meant for Petra, although I still feel that maybe we want to item or release some of our friends. They can probably do more just chilling in the fairy kingdom for info, at the pace things are happening around here.

Does noone really want to deal with Mia's heart problem before it kills her?

>>44109106
>Does noone really want to deal with Mia's heart problem before it kills her?

I asked Moloch about that already. The only way to fix its another human heart transplant and we aren't about to start cutting into people.

>>44109106
Do we even know if Mia is aware of a problem?
>>44109135
I thought he said that a human heart transplant was the only option without resorting to demon bits

>>44109150
she's constantly feeling exhausted and knows this exertion isn't good for her.

>>44109135
I meant resorting to demon bits, yes. We don't have to resort to an Oni heart or anything.

>>44109188
Eh don't know how I feel about that. An eye is one thing but a heart? Who knows what kind of effects that will have on her.

I say we keep it on the backburner for now. While it is present it hasn't effected her too bad. I mean she was going Dragon's Dogma on Maya and outmaneuvering Archangels and she seemed okay.

We need a Hres style demon mount.

>>44109106
>although I still feel that maybe we want to item or release some of our friends.

Probably Shax since we already have a Wind demon BUT I think we should keep him around for a little while. 'Poisonous winds' has its uses. Maybe being able to seep into Archangel's ever present wounds perhaps?

>>44108952
>>44108951
>>44108926
>>44108909

You think for a brief moment before deciding that, right now, your best option is to regroup. Back to the fairy kingdom for the time being, and you'll see how many people you can gather while you're there. You've left them alone for long enough – it's time to make sure everyone is reading off the same page.

You just hope everyone is answering their phones, you think with vague dismay as you recall Mister Black's trickery.

Petra looks slightly worried as you explain your plan to her, but nods regardless. “Start with Leon,” she advises, “But don't expect too much, yes?”

As you puzzle out what THAT is supposed to mean, you pull up Leon's number and hit the “call” button. A moment of silence passes before a cheerful female voice – definitely NOT the usual voice you'd hear on a failed call – announces that the call cannot be connected.

“I'm sorry,” the unseen female chirps, “But the person you are trying to call is out of bounds.” Another moment passes – there is absolutely no background noise, a total void – before she speaks up again. “You cannot help him.”

As the call abruptly dies, you take the phone away from your ear and look forlornly at it. That's not good, you mutter, that's not at all good. Trying to ignore the slight tremble running through your entire body – a tremble that has nothing to do with the cold – you scroll up to Elliot's number instead. With the breath heavy in your chest, you listen to the phone ringing over and over again. It seems to go on forever, and then...

“Bloody hell,” Elliot's breathless voice reaches you all of a sudden, “Mia dear, it's good to hear from you. How are you keeping, are you well?”

Uh, you stammer, unsure how to take Elliot's apparent nonchalance. You're... fine?

>>44109237
>Dragon's Dogma on Maya and
I'm wary of that. Either the full moon and that "exercise" improved her physical condition, or caused her to exert herself far more than she normally would stop herself from doing.

>outmaneuvering Archangels
you realize the reason they didn't do anything is because the only ways they had would prove very, very lethal to Mia, right? They can still fly, it's just that stopping Mia would involve separating her from the knife, if they could even identify it.


A mount would alleviate most of the issues, I suppose. It's just that this is the sort of thing that needs to be dealt with now before it shaves off years from your lifespan.

>>44109338
I guess I'll add that to the list.

>Find out whats going on with Leon and probably rescue him.

>>44109357
>you realize the reason they didn't do anything is because the only ways they had would prove very, very lethal to Mia, right?

Pretty sure after we disobeyed Raph they were out for blood, regardless of Joseph's wishes. Hell they even said so. Just the erratic blinking (and the fact that Uriel is blind) confused the hell out of them.

>>44109441
>Uriel is blind
completely forgot about that. How does he fly around at all?

>>44109524
Very carefully. Somehow we need him to become Petra's demon so they can sympathize.

>>44109524
With great care? We never actually saw him fly so maybe he's grounded. Something tells me he won't be an easy foe just because he's blind though

>>44109338

“Good thing, bloody good thing!” the young fop announces cheerfully, “So what's on your agenda, lately?”

Well, you'd hardly call it an agenda, but you were heading to the fairy kingdom for a while. You've got a few minor bits of business to take care of, but then you'll be off again. So, you ask after a brief and awkward pause, what's on his agenda?

“Oh, me?” Elliot laughs lightly, “You know, I'm keeping busy. Doing my own thing, you could say. Say, I was probably going to be spending some time with the fairies for a while as well – why don't we meet up? We could have lunch, it'll be lovely.”

Lunch, you repeat numbly, lovely. Somewhere along the line – perhaps the moment Elliot picked up the phone – things went in an incredibly surreal direction. As you struggle to think of what to say next, Elliot hangs up abruptly, leaving you hanging onto a dead and silent phone.

“Strange man,” Petra mutters, shaking her head in disbelief, “But we know he's okay, yes? That's a start. Cassandra now, yes?” As Petra says the other girl's name, the nervousness in her voice seems to deepen for a brief moment.

Nodding slowly, you call Cassandra's number and listen carefully. A few rings later, and the call connects. There is silence on the line for a few seconds before a low voice seeps down into your ear. “Mia,” the voice flatly states, so unusual that you cannot recognise it as Cassandra's until she continues speaking, “You're still alive.”

Of course you're still alive, you tell Cassandra, and so is she. Where, exactly, is she?

“...Away,” Cassandra declares bluntly, “Don't ask me what I'm doing, please.”

But...

“Don't ask,” the weary voice repeats, “I don't want you involved.” Silence, then, as Cassandra hangs up. You... don't know what to say.

File: Sweatin.png (142 KB, 415x367)

142 KB PNG

Well uh...1 out of 3 ain't bad right?

>>44109713
Does Marco count as a .5, since he can't actually come?

>>44109675

You and Petra walk in silence for the rest of the journey back to the gates of the fairy kingdom, a pall of abject misery hanging over you both. Something happened to Cassandra, that much is obvious, but what? She sounded... well, she sounded like someone who had died, only for their body to remain shuffling about. That particularly vile thought reminds you of the ghouls howling beneath the earth, and you shudder.

“Maybe she needs some time alone, yes?” Petra offers suddenly, a note of forced hope in her voice, “She's dealing with things in her own way, yes?”

Maybe, you mutter darkly as you enter the welcome warmth of the fairy kingdom. Or maybe she's not dealing with things – and that's what's got you worried. Sighing, you try to force it from your mind as best as possible. You'll call her again – you'll call her as many times as it takes to get through to her – but right away might not be the best time. Now, you've got... your own business to attend to.

Scathach will be in the archives as usual, you assume, and Elliot mentioned lunch – the dining hall, then? Or maybe you could just take a wander to clear your head. You could certainly use the rest, after all.

>Head to the archives first
>Check the dining hall for Elliot
>Go for a relaxing walk
>Other

>>44109758
>Check the dining hall for Elliot
Getting some food and sitting down for a spell is a decent enough rest. Amelia knows we need it.

>>44109758
>Head to the archives first
the ring needs to be checked, because I suspect that Elliot's received a similar "gift". Maybe we can take a stab at exactly what.

what happened to the sort of magical knife that we got, anyway?

File: Time for some enthusiatic(...).jpg (80 KB, 774x1033)

80 KB JPG

>>44109758
>>Head to the archives first
>Go for a relaxing walk

>>44109793
>what happened to the sort of magical knife that we got, anyway?
Seems to be listed on our sheet so I assume we just stuck it in our pocket or something.
>>44109758
>>Head to the archives first

>>44109758
>Head to the archives first
Work work.

Have her appraise the ring and ask her about Sati's condition.

File: Scathach.png (203 KB, 323x426)

203 KB PNG

>>44109937
>>44109918
>>44109815
>>44109793

First things first, you want to see if Scathach can help you with identifying any of the magical items that you were very kindly given by Amelia's old “ally”. You want to know if you've been walking about with a bomb in your back pocket or not.

The witch herself is surprisingly absent when you arrive at her usual spot in the archives, but the desk she often works at is piled high with neatly annotated notes and musty old tomes. Glancing across, you spot a kind of scientific sketch of what looks like a tree in one book and an anatomical drawing of the human circulatory system in the other. Blood – she's researching blood. Stepping away from the desk, you just hope that she's entertaining a macabre curiosity.

“Good day,” Scathach announces, appearing from one of the rows with a book in her hands, “Two of my favourite humans. What can I do for you?”

Slipping the ring and tarnished knife from your pockets, you place them carefully on the desk. These, you ask her, can she identify these? You... you found them.

“Hmm,” Scathach picks up the knife first, turning it over in her hands, “Fairly basic enchantment. Barely any magic in it at all, really. You could hurt a demon with it, but that's all it'll do. I hope this wasn't supposed to be a present for me,” she tells you with mock sternness, “Because I'm not that cheap. Now, the ring... Ah, I see. A fairly standard warning cantrip. It gets warm, in other words, around danger.”

Oh, well that sounds useful enough...

“Wait,” the witch warns you, “There's something else here. Something subtle. It looks like someone else could control this from afar, showing danger where there is none and vice versa.” She chuckles softly, “Why, it might even suggest I'M a danger!”

You laugh, nervously, along with her.

Test

>>44110142

“It's dangerous. Ironic, really,” Scathach tells you, all business again, “I can dispose of it safely, if you'd like. You're lucky you didn't put it on – it might tell you that taking it off is dangerous!”

Is that possible?

“It's a very subtle enchantment,” Scathach's shoulders rise and fall within her cloak as she shrugs, “It's capable of a lot of things. You don't want to rely on ANY item like this, curse or no curse. Always treat them as blessings, not something you were born with.”

You understand, you tell her humbly, you'll keep that in mind.

“Now,” Scathach leans back in mid air – an impressive sight, and a strangely comfy one at that – and gives you an imperious gesture, “Can I assist you with anything else?”

>There is one thing... (Write in)
>Leave, and go looking for Elliot
>Leave, and go for a walk

>>44110272
>There is one thing... (Write in)
Explain Sati's condition and if she can help or knows someone who can.

Also any word on the other fragments?

>>44110272
>yfw this is Heartless' way to propose to Mia after he watched her carve into Maya.
>You'd made my heart beat doki doki...if I had a heart

>>44110301
>>44110272
This

>>44110320
>Tells Mia that everyone except him is a danger to her
Oh god. It makes perfect sense

>>44110301
>>44110272
Yeah, ask about Sati. Maybe see if Scathach has heard anything about this northern flame rumour

>>44110354
Or the contrary.
>I'm all the danger you need, love.
or
>I AM THE DANGER

>>44110369
I think Mia's had quite enough of his style of danger already

>>44110354
>>44110324
>>44110301

There is one thing, you say, before launching into a full explanation of Sati's unfortunate circumstances. Scathach listens carefully, nodding at various points and making the appropriate grunts of interest or curiosity. When you've finished asking about a possible cure, she taps a gloved hand against her mask – thinking, you hope, about the best solution to your problem.

“I see,” she says eventually, “Yes, I can understand why this is a problem. I have heard stories of an item of particular power – the Inferno Idol. It is said to allow any flame it is exposed to to burn with great strength and infinite duration. That sounds like something that might relieve this Sati of her duty. Without this bonfire constantly draining her energy away, she should be able to live her own life.”

You consider this carefully. The Inferno Idol sounds a lot like that Northern flame Mister Black mentioned. Slowly, you ask Scathach if this idol was ever located – and if so, was it in, say, the North?

“Why yes,” Scathach purrs, as thought she had been expecting your question from the start, “I'm sure I've heard the same rumours that you have – a cult rising up to worship at a new flame, one that travellers never seem to return from. Ah, but I'd love to study that thing...” she sighs wistfully here, “I'm building a collection, you see.”

Another idol, you mutter as you remember the LAST time Scathach sent you chasing after one of those things, and another cult to go with it.

“Oh, don't get me wrong, I know the idol needs to go to a more worthy cause,” Scathach shrugs again, “An old lady like me can dream, can't she?”

Maybe you shouldn't answer that one.

File: 1449500539138.jpg (53 KB, 552x636)

53 KB JPG

>>44110705
>“An old lady
Sure as hell doesn't look old.

>>44110705

As you're turning to leave, a thought strikes you. Glancing back, you ask Scathach if she's heard anything else about the rest of the fragments. There were five, you say casually, and one was said to land in the middle of the city. That's not too far away, you add as an afterthought, maybe some around here found it?

“A very interesting theory,” Scathach says, amusement obvious in her voice, “I imagine we'd know about it, if some pixie found themselves with the power of a god overnight.”

Very interesting indeed, you remark, but HAS she heard anything?

“I wonder,” Scathach touches her cheek, “If you wish to see what a land touched by the divine looks like, perhaps you should head to the South. I hear the West might be getting quite... interesting as well.”

So. Another fragment claimed. Nodding, you turn your back on Scathach and begin to set off.

>Leave and head North
>Leave and search out Elliot
>Leave and take a relaxing walk
>Other

File: Ara ara~ Old Snake.png (232 KB, 656x872)

232 KB PNG

>>44110705
>“An old lady like me can dream, can't she?”

>>44110785
>>Leave and search out Elliot

>>44110785
>Leave and search out Elliot

>“A very interesting theory,” Scathach says, amusement obvious in her voice, “I imagine we'd know about it, if some pixie found themselves with the power of a god overnight.”

Or a fairy with self restraint. I am beginning to think she is holding onto it. Like she didn't mention that one fell here last time we talked and Cern already knew about it. You'd think she'd know about it too. No proof though, all speculation. We need to get Cern to tell us who HER is.

>>44110731
>>44110801
Scathach a cute

>>44110785
>>Leave and search out Elliot
Let's see what that trustworthy young man is up to

>>44110785
>Leave and search out Elliot
>Leave and take a relaxing walk
No reason why we can't do both, this the the 2nd time the walk was a choice anyway

>>44110881
>>44110785
I mean yeah, if we can do both in whatever order is preferable I'd down.

>>44110924
>>44110881
>>44110842
>>44110836
>>44110814

Elliot, you say simply to Petra as you're leaving the archives.

“Elliot,” she agrees, her voice coloured by something you can't quite place. It wavers between concern and suspicion, without ever settling on one of the two. Is it possible, you wonder to yourself, to feel such conflicting emotions at the same time?

Shrugging to yourself, the action easing at least a little of the tension out of your stiff shoulders, you decide to take the scenic route – which is to say, wandering at random until you find Elliot. You'd been wanting to take a stroll for a while, partly to enjoy the warmth that drapes the fairy kingdom – a good, healthy warmth compared with the stifling heat of the appropriately named Hellfire Club.

As you walk, you try to puzzle out Scathach's motives. You're starting to wonder if she hasn't got one of the divine fragments tucked away under that billowing cloak of hers. Certainly, that would explain several discrepancies in the various statements you've heard. She didn't mention the fragment landing close to the kingdom, and yet she didn't sound at all surprised when you mentioned it. And just what were those strange books all about, blood and trees? Trees don't even have blood!

Laughing softly to yourself – it's amazing, really, that you CAN laugh – you take a diversion out into the forest and wander for a while, letting the sun fall upon your bare skin for what seems like the first time in years. You amble along, with Petra keeping her own pace, until you reach her tree. At first, you wonder what brought you here – random chance? - and then something chills your blood. The earth here has been turned, marked by recent digging. You couldn't say why it bothered you, looking at it, but there's no denying the shudder that grips you.

Elliot, you repeat softly, turning and hurrying back towards the castle.

File: Pixie.jpg (23 KB, 378x676)

23 KB JPG

>>44111148

Your pace doesn't slacken until you reach the dining hall, when you lean against the wall to take a series of deep, rasping breaths. Too much running, you remind yourself with a disapproving thought, has never agreed with you. You hadn't even realised you were running until your chest started to tighten up. Putting it down to the myriad distractions piled up on your plate, you take one last breath and enter the hall. You immediately notice Elliot, surrounded by a knot of cooing pixies. Then you see the cards laid out around them, along with small piles of milled gold.

Up to his old tricks, then. At least he looks like he's winning this time.

“Mia dear,” he shouts, causing his mob of giggling saps to jump, “Come on over, I'll deal you in!”

You're not sure that's such a good idea, you tell him breezily as you sit at the long table, but you'll watch for now. As they play the next hand, you realise that it's Blackjack – a game that the pixies clearly cannot bring themselves to understand. No matter how many times Elliot explains the rules, they constantly try to score as highly as possible, cackling and laughing as he scoops up their tiny chips of gold. One by one, the pixies run out of money – what passes for money, at least – and drift away, leaving just you, Petra and Elliot at the table.

“Poor dears,” Elliot shakes his head, with a passing approximation of pity, “Still, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. I'll have to do this on a regular basis – as a public service, you understand.”

...Right.

>Is this why you're here, to win at Blackjack?
>Are you really okay?
>Listen, have you heard from Cassandra?
>Other

>>44111244
>Are you really okay?
"In a sense this isn't our first rodeo even if I don't remember hardly anything. How are you doing?"

>Listen, have you heard from Cassandra?

>Other
Then I guess explain the situation. Joseph is captured, something that we are trying to remedy. Marco is okay at Hellfire and Leon is probably in some kind of trouble up North that we'll have to figure out.

>>44111244
>Are you really okay?
>Listen, have you heard from Cassandra?
Then tell him about Joseph's plight, Cassandra's melancholy, and Leon's stupidity and disappearance. Also fimbulwinter due to Sati being weakened.

>>44111244
>>Are you really okay?
>>Listen, have you heard from Cassandra?
>>Other
I guess just second what everyone else has said. Keep him in the loop

File: Elliot.jpg (148 KB, 450x703)

148 KB JPG

>>44111313
>>44111325
>>44111465

You scrutinise Elliot for a moment, trying to get a read on his emotions. True, you've never been the greatest at that kind of thing – body language often evades you – but it's still a shock finding Elliot's face to be utterly unreadable. The perfect poker face, you realise a second later, relief washing over you. His head, you tell yourself, is still in the game – that's all. Still, to make sure, you ask if he's really okay.

“Okay?” Elliot hums slightly as he packs away the worn deck of cards, slipping it into a pocket, “Well that all depends, doesn't it? I feel like I might lose my mind if I ever stop to think about the reality of the situation, but that's called being a bloody adult, isn't it? I'm surviving – what more can I really ask for?”

...You'll have to be happy with that, you realise. It's hardly what you'd call “okay”, but if he can make jokes about things than he can't be that badly off. Swallowing your concern, you ask him if he's heard at all from Cassandra. Anything at all, even if he's just heard about her.

“Nope,” he says after searching his memory for a moment, “We've not talked. I heard about a human heading North, but I rather think that's another one of our friends, wouldn't you say?”

Leon, you tell him sadly, was indeed heading that way – and now he's out of contact. Now that you've started, you decide to tell him about everyone else. Joseph is captured, held under house arrest – church arrest? - by a gang of angels. You're going to break him out though, just as soon as you come up with a plan. Cassandra is... in a bad way, although you're not sure about the specifics. Some terrible melancholy has her in its grips, that's all you really know.

“Blimey,” Elliot says softly, “Any good news at all?”

Marco is safe and sound, you tell him, at the Hellfire Club. That's about it for good news.

“Figures,” the fop shrugs.

>>44111646

The weather, you say after an awkward pause, has he noticed the terrible weather?

“Dear, I'm British,” Elliot jokes, “Of course I've noticed the weather, but is it really that bad? I suppose it might be a little chilly, for Summer.”

But... it's Winter.

“That's the joke, Mia dear,” the fop sighs, looking for all the world like a frustrated genius, “Yes, I had noticed things. I suppose our friend Sati isn't doing so well after all. I also assume, since we're not wailing and gnashing our teeth, that this isn't permanent?” When you don't answer for a long time, Elliot frowns slightly, his carefully groomed brows knitting. “I see. Shall we assume, then, that you've got a plan to make sure it isn't permanent?”

Hey, you shoot back, since when was it your job to fix every single problem in the world?

“I had assumed you disliked freezing to death,” Elliot smirks a little, “Perhaps I was wrong?”

You sigh. You sigh very heavily, just to make sure Elliot realises how infuriating he can be at times. You sigh heavily enough that you actually have a coughing fit from the sheer strain. Yes, you say eventually, you've got a plan – does he want to help?

“Oh, why not?” Elliot nods, grinning, “I think I've squeezed this place dry. Might as well take a stroll.”

Fantastic.

>Head North
>Investigate this new town
>Other (Write in)

>>44111770
>Head North

We can tackle Sati's issue, Nebrios's issue, and find out what happened to Leon.

>>44111770
>Head North
This seems like it'll do the most good at once if we work out things.

>>44111770
>Head North

>>44111770
>>Head North
Hope Elliot kept his doormat coat because he's going to need it.

>>44111869
>>44111850
>>44111818
>>44111813

No matter what curiosity you might have about this new town in the South – what kind of town springs up in a matter of hours? - you know that you've only got one option. Sati needs this, Mister Black needs this, and the whole wasteland needs this – you're heading North. You might even find something that will put you on Leon's trail while you're there – although you're not sure, exactly, what kind of evidence there might be. Footprints aren't exactly reliable in this awful world.

“The auction house, yes?” Petra says, reminding herself, “Been quite some time, hasn't it?”

“Oh yes,” Elliot agrees, “Almost enough to make a chap nostalgic, wouldn't you say?”

Not even slightly, you admit, thinking back to that nervous moment when you were caught in that dismal basement trap. It'll be good to get the fires burning brightly again, but that's pretty much it. With that, and before you can succumb to any more distractions, you lead your group – now three strong – out of the castle and into the forest. On the way, you pointedly avoid looking in the direction of that grim upheaval. Better not to think about such things.

The road North is a long one, and one that only seems longer because of the storm kicking up. Not a major storm, the kind that drops visibility to nothing at all, but still awful enough to put an extra weariness in your steps. In grim silence, you all march onwards until you start to leave the looming, leering city towers behind. It's almost enough to lift a weight from your chest, leaving the city, but the glowing beacon of the auction house doubles that weight. It looks like a blazing wreck, fires burning at every edge and corner.

“At least it'll be warm,” Elliot says, with forced levity.

File: Inferno Idol.jpg (22 KB, 302x458)

22 KB JPG

>>44112105

When you draw closer, you see that the manor itself is not burning. Mystical fires reach up, grabbing and grasping at the sky, but leave no damage to the structure itself. It reminds you of the burning towers that once lit up the city, but now only cast guttering, failing flames about them. Does this mean, then, that there really is a magical fire here?

With cautious steps, you approach the manor and scan the area. Deserted, with no sign of either cultists or Shackle soldiers. Then again, if the Inferno Idol is supposed to be in the tunnels beneath, that would be where the action is going to happen. Assuming there will be any action – which, you admit, is a pretty safe assumption. You move through the ajar door at the front of the manor and look down at the hole, down into the tunnels. The ice seems to have melted away, exposing the bare rock beneath, and a ladder has been placed up against the wall.

How convenient, you mutter as you descend, creeping through the tunnels as you hear the others joining you. That seems to be the only other sound, with nothing else to indicate other people in the area. A haunting silence, save for the slushy rhythm of your footsteps as you follow the cave to what was once Lady Hel's court. In the centre, where the Lady herself once resided, is a blazing human figure, the flames reaching up towards the ceiling.

The Inferno Idol. You've found it.

Now how on earth are you supposed to get it out of here?

File: Spoiler Image (832 KB, 1936x2320)

832 KB JPG

>>44112210

As you're contemplating the blazing idol before you – you can't exactly carry the thing, can you? - there is a sudden whoosh of fire. NEW fire, and not just the pillar that is vomited forth from the idol itself. No, this wall of fire erupts behind you, blocking off the tunnel you used to arrive. Trapping you here, in other words. As you're staring, with wild eyes, at this unpleasant development, a mad laugh pierces your ears.

“You damn fools!” it roars, “More rats in the trap, more meat for the grinder!”

“So it was a trap!” Elliot remarks, with an admirable degree of calm. Petra snorts out a muffled laugh, but adds nothing to the debate.

“The Intoxicating One will be pleased,” the voice growls, a whirlwind of fire first forming and then vanishing to reveal the speaker, “You are hated, loathed, and there will be a great reward for your heads. It shall be Kagutsuchi, lord of all fires, who will deliver them!”

“I suggest running,” Elliot offers quietly, before looking past the titan of fire to the blocked off exit, “Ah.”

>I'll have to end things here for tonight. Next thread on Sunday, and I'll stick around for any questions.
>Also, I have a brief write-up, about Petra's time in the white void. The first of a series!

File: Petra - old.jpg (118 KB, 545x341)

118 KB JPG

>>44112338

This place...

This white void around you is confusing - infuriating almost, for the sheer lack of information it has to offer you. What can you do in a place like this, where there is nothing but an infinite white emptiness around you? Then you blink, and the space feels that much smaller. It's a simple addition, just a pair of chairs and a single human being, but it makes a huge difference.

Your name is Eirin Petra Petrushka, and your heart just skipped a beat. You're already moving towards that chair by the time Amelia gestures towards it, the eagerness of your movements causing a sad smile to cross the girl's lips. You sit opposite her for what seems like a long time but can only, really, be a minute at most. Time might flow strangely here, but this displacement is more due to the unbearable tension that hangs in the air.

“I really fucked up this time,” Amelia says at last, her expression not wavering from that awkward balance of despair and relief. It's the face of someone finally divulging a painful secret, you realise suddenly. “That's right,” she nods, reading your own expression – or possibly your thoughts, if she still has that much power.

“I don't think I need to explain much to you,” Amelia continues after a moment, “I need to get my divine power back, and that's where you come in. You, and as many of the others as possible. But, after everything that's happened, are you-”

You'll do it, you tell her flatly, cutting her off. Without question or complaint, you'll do it, even if it takes you to the ends of the earth.

“Man...” Amelia laughs weakly after an amazed silence, “I don't deserve that.”

When you needed help, you remind her, she was there for you. It's about time you got a chance to return the favour.

>>44112338
Thanks for the run Moloch

>>44112379

Amelia spends the next few moments in silence, gears working in her mind as she thinks. She gives across the impression of someone who had prepared a speech - an attempt to convince, cajole or persuade – and suddenly not needed it. “We don't have long,” she manages to say eventually, oblivious to the time already wasted in thought, “But we'll get the chance to speak again, don't worry about that.”

Good, you tell her, thrusting as much of your emotions aside as possible in preparation for soaking up information. You need a clear head for this, something you've never been very good at.

“Every seventh day, the moon will be full,” Amelia pauses, frowning in thought, “Don't think too hard about that, it doesn't make any sense. Demon magic, or... something like that. Something HE did – he enjoys the chaos that comes with a full moon. Either way, that's my way in. I think I should be able to manifest myself in the new world during a full moon. We can talk then, but only then.”

Full moon, you repeat, every seventh day. All the while you say that, your mind whirls with mad imaginings. What, exactly, does she mean by “manifest”? A voice on the end of a phone, or something altogether more... physical?

“Focus, Petra,” Amelia scolds you gently, “There's something I need you to do, something I can't. I want to you to find Mia and stick to her like glue. Keep her safe, okay? I'm... I think she's going to be important – vital, even – but only if she's got someone looking out for her.”

Someone who can do the hard things, you finish for her, the ugly things that need to be done.

“I know, it's a shitty deal, but...” Amelia apologises, lifting her hands as if preparing to placate you.

You'll do it, you repeat, for Mia's sake as much as for hers. Amelia, speechless, simply nods at you as the world begins to shudder and crumble around you. Your time here, it seems, is over.

>>44112386

Thank you for your contribution!

>>44112406

And that's the end of that. Next up is probably Joseph - coming soon!

>>44112438
So we don't have much chance of beating Kagutsuchi do we?
Is the portal to the Intoxicating One's fortress still active?

>>44112687
I think we got Kagu.

>>44112687
>>44112719

Well, it's not impossible, I'll say that much!
As for the portal, well, that's swapping one danger for another, isn't it?

>>44112760
Can Petra turn her blade's flame off?

>>44112960

Yes, it's possible to use it as a regular sword - still enchanted to injure demons though!

>Main Goal
Recover Cosmic Fragments
-Unknown fairy acquired Center fragment
-North fragment probably captured by the Shackle
-South fragment captured and used to make some town on the southern outskirts of the city
-West fragment claimed.
-East fragment unaccounted for. (Archangel's also in the East)

>Priority Missions
-Cure Sati for Moloch and ourselves - Claim the Inferno Idol
-Rescue Joseph - Need a plan or more manpower. Probably both.
-Marco's release - Find out what the new flame up North is. It's at Hel's old lair. Probably the Inferno Idol.
-See if Titania will allow us to stay at the Fairy Kingdom to rest.
-Find out what's going on with Leon and probably rescue him.
-Find out what's going on with Cass.

>Other missions
-Kill the tunnelling demon
-Prove ourselves to Cern
-Meet up with Amelia at the next full moon.

>Current Situation
Kicking Kagutsuchi's ass. Preferably recruit him, he could tell us about Leon and carry the Idol.

You've given us quite a to do list Moloch.

>>44113253

Well, it's not actually that much more than Amelia had to do. It's just been all been dropped on Mia's plate at once!

>>44113319
That's true. Things came at her pretty much one at a time.

>>44113253
And that doesn't take anything else we get landed with into account. We could be pretty busy. On the bright side we can choose what we want to focus on. That's good, right?

>>44113319
What debuffs does Elliot's Shikome have?

>>44113411
True enough.

>>44113441

Panic, which can cause enemies to retreat, or at least hesitate, and Stun, which causes people to roll twice and use the lower result.

>>44113517
Nice. Too bad she is weak to fire in this case.

The way I see it a good party composition to go with would be:

Petra - Attack
Dullahan - Attack
Lilim - Tarunda
Fortuna - Wind or Luck change.

>>44113517
You said there will be other write-ups. Only from the white void stuff with Amelia or will they cover other things?

>>44113568

That sounds like it would work. Assuming the dice cooperate, of course!

>>44113652

It all depends, really, on what happens. I plan on sticking with past events as much as possible though. Joseph's time with the angels, perhaps, or Petra getting dumped into the ghoul tunnels as two examples.
Plus, it all depends on me getting around to writing them!

>>44113748
Hypothetically, if Gabby and the other Archangels were put into a summoning app would their wounds heal from the natural recovery the app gives since they become data?

>>44114164

As it stands, their data has been "edited" so that their injuries are, essentially, their default states. The Great Will doesn't mess around with their punishments!

In other words, no healing unless God heals them

>>44114260
So their original forms/data is what they consider their divinity correct?

>>44114512

I would say that, yes. Similar, perhaps, to the way that Ose lost his original divinity.

>>44114561
Are there alternatives to divinity. Obviously this would meant them falling but could they embrace a new power to heal them/make them something different? Without resorting to Lucy's method.

If you haven't noticed I am trying to make the Archangels flip sides. Normally I wouldn't consider it but right now they are weakened, desperate, Daddy isn't responding, and their 'Law Hero' doesn't want to be there.

>>44114613

Hmm. Without resorting to a power like Lucifer or possibly Nyarlathotep I'm not sure I can think of a way for the archangels to reclaim their lost power. Well, a human turned god - with all five fragments, in other words - could probably do it, but that's not much help at the moment.

>>44114683
>Well, a human turned god - with all five fragments, in other words - could probably do it, but that's not much help at the moment.

I was thinking that too, making them something like Wingless, but...all 5 huh? At that point games over. Maybe the promise of that might flip them? I dunno, we'll have to see once we beat them to rescue Joseph.

File: 1414453236591.png (900 KB, 690x968)

900 KB PNG

>>44114683
>Nyarly controlled archangels
Sure. Fine.

>>44114882
Honestly if we can't turn them it might be better just to kill them to prevent exactly that.

How much you want to bet Moloch is taking notes right now.

>>44114906
He's already incorporated it into the story anon, it's too late.

File: Can't be Helped.jpg (18 KB, 400x317)

18 KB JPG

>>44114781

The promise would probably swing Gabriel, but Raphael and Uriel are pretty buttmad about humans already. Of course, Gabs would probably only cooperate if the others weren't around to put pressure on her.

>>44114939
>>44114906
>>44114882

I wouldn't worry about it!

>>44114972
One last question before I let you go.

Can Scathach itemize unwilling demons that aren't in the app but otherwise incapacitated? Like we dragged an unconcious Oni over to her.

>>44115018

She could certainly produce an item out of them, but I can't promise it would be as clean as forging them into an item!

>>44115064
I might...have had an idea about dragging Raph and Uriel over to her, but that might be unrealistic and a bit too cruel. For Mia right now anyways.

Have a good night Moloch.

>>44115118

Just a few small war crimes, no big deal!
Thanks for the questions, have a good one.

>>44115118
Petra would have no qualms about it though.

>>44115150
I mean its an idea. We have poisons and stuns that can keep them close to death for the trip and those two are kind of assholes and extremely dogmatic. I'd want to make sure Gabby is already recruited before we do something like that though.

>>44115150
>>44115235
I'm trying to imagine Petra convincing Mia to drag a pair of comatose angels to fairy Mengele. Reckon you could probably get some good stuff out of them though.

File: Santatron.png (29 KB, 510x556)

29 KB PNG

>>44115290
Gotta get all the help we can get right? Michael would be sooooooooooo pissed.

>>44115416
>Michael shows up
>Mia is wearing bits of angels
>Holding a sword made out of angels
>Has Gabriel on her team
Holy shit, the salt would be immense.

>>44115444
Get Petra a good shield with some good effects and Mia some kind of Null Expel item with possibly some other effects.

The more I think about this the better it sounds.

Just... gotta get past the moral implications. Reminds me of burning THAT Dominion for fuel last cycle. Rationalizing it as 'Hey they'd do the same to us given the chance.'

>>44115698
You could probably argue that you'd be goading Michael into acting without thinking. Also with Petra taking her under her wing, Mia could probably move past the moral issues pretty quick.

>>44115147
I wonder what sins Petra sees in Mia.


>>44115444
we could also go for the fiend route again

>>44117284
>I wonder what sins Petra sees in Mia.
Worked with a 'false' God, CHILD OF SPITE.

Probably the two big ones.