>>45132779

“We've got so much to talk about,” Source sneers, their voice somehow managing to convey eager enthusiasm and world-weary exasperation into one consistent tone, “Wouldn't you like to share with the class, to let it all off your chest?”

No, you think back aggressively, you're quite fine actually. You're perfectly willing to share things, but not with faceless entities that choose to speak to you in dreams. You speak with friends, and those who wish to be friends.

“That's a very closed-minded way of approaching the world,” Source scolds you, “Ah, I know! What you need is some perspective. A rare chance to see the consequences of your actions – before you even have the chance to make them!”

You bite back an angry reply, your curiosity snared despite every fibre of your body screaming out a warning. Can it really show you the future, you find yourself asking, show you how your choices will affect the world?

“I have that much power,” Source gloats, “Would you care for a demonstration? Just watch...” In the darkness around you, Source's words still haunting your mind, a light appears. A window, with flickering pictures beyond. You see yourself – that ridiculous outfit of yours looks no better from this angle – fighting the tainted Nidhoggr. Ose tears the corrupted spear free and casts it aside, the weapon unnoticed as the battle rages on. With victory, you see yourself hurrying away towards the cathedral.

The camera lingers, then, on the discarded spear. Pouring upwards, out of the ground, Nyarlathotep appears. You recognise him immediately, from that brief glimpse you got of him in the ghoul tunnels. He takes the spear and... absorbs it, somehow, back into his body. Shrugging, he vanishes back into the soil.

>>45132791

That spear, you think to yourself, something you'd forgotten to deal with. Understandable, given the circumstances – Joseph was in trouble, and you'd been forced back to his side without even thinking twice. If the spear had been left lying there, out in the wild, it could have posed a serious problem. The warping effect it has on flesh is no laughing matter, so the fact that it has returned to Nyarlathotep's tainted flesh is a small blessing.

Assuming, of course, that Source is showing you the truth. If it was a lie, it could lead you to leave a potential risk unchecked. Really, you wonder, can you trust anything this faceless messenger shows you?

“So what do you say?” Source offers, temptations dripping off their unseen tongue, “Just a little look into the future – where's the harm?”

>The fairies. Show me what happens to them
>The human world. Will it come out okay?
>What about me, what waits in my future?
>Have we put Law on the right path?
>I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone
>Other

>>45132806
>I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone
About the only one I'm genuinely curious about is Marcotaur, and I feel like asking about Mia's heart is not going to go over well without a solid write-in that I don't have. Neither are particularly this we'd entrust to this guy.


I mean, it's either that and doubling down: something FAR into the future, or finding a way to make this process draining on Source.

>>45132806
>I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone

>>45132806
>>I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone
I feel like Source would show us the worst possible future just to screw with our head.

>>45132806
>>I don't want anything from you. Leave me alone
I'll make my own future.

>>45132894
>>45132909
>>45132931
>>45132961

You don't want anything from them, you think back deliberately as you push down your curiosity, so they can just leave you alone. Frankly, you'd need to be very desperate indeed to trust anything that they tell you, or even to take it as true. Source would be more likely to show you the worst possible outcome – the one where everyone, you imagine, is either dead or miserable – just to stir up doubt.

Better off without their poisonous predictions, you decide, even if there are things you'd like to know about. You'll make your own future – and Source won't be there to influence it.

“Little fool,” Source chuckles at you, an undercurrent of venom souring their voice, “So eager to trust – except when it comes to the one person looking out for you! Don't you know what's going to happen to you? As soon as you hand that wretched pretender back her power, she'll cast you aside and discard you. Do you really think a human would be willing to share power?”

Not. Listening.

“Fine then!” Source shrieks suddenly, the shrill tone plunging a dagger of pain right into the centre of your mind, “Enjoy your worthless existence while it lasts – I shall help you no longer!” Abruptly, with those words still echoing around inside your skull, you find yourself torn back into the waking world. Sitting up sharply, gasping at the blinding pain in your head – and that insidious, lingering ache in your chest – you cast a panicked eye around the room. When you finally realise that you're safe, or as close to safe as you're going to get, you flop back down onto the bed and listen to your racing heart. Slowly, reluctantly, it settles back into a normal rhythm.

This sucks.

>>45133060
It was totally Last Cycle's Outsider huh? Oh wow, that nigga is still butt blasted after millions of years.

>>45133060

You lie there for a few moments longer, doubtfully waiting to see if the urge to sleep returns. When it becomes apparent that you're done resting for the night – or day, whatever – you sit up again and stumble out into the endless corridor. Rubbing your tired eyes, you try to focus on the immediate future. Not the kind of vivid vision that Source offered, but the kind of future that you can exert some control over. The issue of what to do next.

Frankly, the most appealing idea right now would be to find someone, just to enjoy a moment of calming conversation. You still need to tell Marco, you realise guiltily, about the suggestion you raised. You would become a god – and leave him, a human, behind. He deserves to know about what you might very well end up doing, and you could see what his opinion was. With a jolt of surprise, you realise that you can't guess his reaction, not even remotely. Would he be proud of you, you wonder, or would be curse you for abandoning him?

Then again, you tell yourself, there might be other business demanding your attention. The spear – if Source showed you the truth, it won't be where you left it. It's not exactly conclusive proof of anything, but it might lend a certain weight to their words. If they were lying, if the spear is still there, you'll need to deal with it. Although, you think bitterly, you have no idea how. Throw it into a convenient volcano?

>Find Marco and speak with him
>Slip out and look for the spear
>Other

>>45133098
>Find Marco and speak with him
We'll get everybody together and discuss the spear and Source afterwards.

>>45133098
>Find Marco and speak with him

>>45133098
>Find Marco and speak with him

As if we would go out alone to deal with a contagious magical artifact. No sir, we only deal with non-contagious goods, like arms!

>>45133098
>for abandoning him?
Not necessarily, not if we do the things anon was theory crafting about at the end of last session.

Also happy half a year anniversary Moloch!

>>45133191

>Well, Mia doesn't quite know everything yet in character.
>Thanks - and here's to six more months!

>>45133116
>>45133126
>>45133131

It might be a mistake to say so, you admit to yourself, but the spear can wait. It's something that deserves to be discussed as a group, without you taking any rash action on your own. If you hurried out now, when everyone is going about their own, solitary business, you'd only be putting yourself in danger. For now, you have personal business of your own to attend to. Finding Marco – that's the first part.

It turns out to be easier than you expect. Following some nameless instinct that wells up within you, you simply hold a picture of Marco in your mind and pick the first door that catches your eye. Either some magic inherent to this place guides your hand, or you're the luckiest girl in all existence, because your first guess is the right one. You enter the room to see Marco sitting in a plush armchair, reading the kind of tome that you'd need a small crane to lift.

“Oh, Mia,” he looks up at the tentative sound of you closing the door behind you, “It's been, ah, interesting lately, hasn't it?”

Interesting, you repeat softly, it sure has.

“Hmm,” Marco closes his book with a sound not unlike a small building collapsing, “There's something on you mind, isn't there? I can always tell these things, you know. If you want to talk, I wasn't busy – that was just a little, ah, light reading.” He smiles faintly, the expression sitting uncomfortably on his face, as he pats the weighty book.

Well, you begin cautiously, there was something you needed to tell him. You're just not sure, exactly, how to go about it. How would he feel, you ask, if you had to go away? Permanently, you add after a hesitant pause, but for the greater good.

>>45133320

“You're not talking about dying,” Marco nods to himself, his voice low and thoughtful, “This is something else.”

That's right, you confirm. It might be best, you explain, for the future of the world if Amelia doesn't rule alone. She needs other people there, to keep her from doing anything... rash. One of those people, you conclude, might be you. Maybe. Which is why you might have to go away, because you'd be... something else. God, you suppose.

“And you're worried about how I'd cope on my own,” Marco finishes for you, cutting right to the heart of the issue, “I'd miss you – that isn't even something I'd need to think about – but I'd understand your reasons for doing so. You know, every parent – every good parent, I should say – wants to see their child surpassing them and really, I can't think of a better way of you doing it. You could really make a difference, really make things better for everyone this way.”

He's... taking this surprisingly well.

“I think you're looking at this the wrong way,” Marco muses, “You seem to think it'll be like dying, leaving me with a great void in my life. That's not it – you'd always be there, looking over me. I can't complain about that, especially when...”

...When you could die, you say with a wince, at any time.

“I wouldn't say that exactly,” your wince is mirrored, here, on Marco's face, “But... Well, I'd rather not lower the mood with that kind of talk. We should always look forwards, Mia, and keep our heads held high!”

Right, you agree with forced cheer, keep moving forwards!

“That's the spirit,” Marco smiles warmly, reaching out to ruffle your hair, “You'd do a great job, I'm sure of it.”

>So, I've got your permission?
>I won't let you down, I promise
>Other

>>45133356
>I won't let you down, I promise
"I'm not sure how this whole thing works exactly but I should be able to at least visit you from time to time since we have more eyes watching the world. I think."

>>45133356
>>I won't let you down, I promise
But now we've got some super important stuff to check out.

>>45133356
>>I won't let you down, I promise
Hug the fatheru

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>>45133386
>>45133470
>>45133537

You won't let him down, you announce as you shake your head, shuffling your hair back into place. Also, you add as an afterthought, it might not necessarily be permanent. You don't really know how being god works, but there has to be some way to come and visit him sometimes. After all, it's not like you'd be leaving the world unguarded. Not if you've got other pairs of eyes doing the job along with you. So, nothing is certain yet, but...

“But you'll do your best,” Marco nods, “I'm glad you came to tell me this. If you'd just vanished one day, without even giving me a warning...”

Of course, you agree, but that's not something you'd inflict upon him. For now, though, you've really got to run!

“Important business?” Marco asks, a wry smile on his face. He seems to have taken it in stride, the constant risks you end up throwing yourself into.

The most important, you agree. Then, in lieu of saying goodbye with mere words, you fling your arms around Marco's shoulders and hug him tightly. It's incredibly awkward, and the edge of his book digs into your stomach a bit, but you don't care in the slightest. It's good to have moments like this, fleeting moments that you can cherish nonetheless. Pulling away at last, a warm smile spreading across your face, you retreat back to the doorway. Flinging a cheery wave back over your shoulder, you hurry back out to the corridors.

This time, picturing Petra's rugged features in your mind, you enter a door at random. Voices immediately fill your ears as you look around at the room you have entered. Cassandra, Petra and Amelia are gathered in a tight circle while Gabriel looks on, an unwound scroll in her angelic hands. It's... a meeting of some kind.

>I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
>Gabriel, I wanted to see you. Can you look for the spear for me?
>Guys, we need to go and check something. The spear Raphael left...
>Other

>>45133626
>I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
>Other
"A couple of issues just came up."
Explain everything about Source. Since we are going to be partners with Amelia and Petra they deserve to know everything about that. Then bring up the spear and how Source did show you a vision of Nyarly reabsorbing it, but you aren't sure if you can trust that.

>>45133626
>>I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
>>Guys, we need to go and check something. The spear Raphael left...

>>45133691
>>45133626
Seconding.
"This Source guy really seems to have it out for you Amelia. Doesn't care what happens to the world or who controls what as long as you were ousted from power."

>>45133626
>Just take everyone not immediately vital to the meeting. Joseph can stay if he wants, but it's alright if he can only bring one demon.

>>45133626
>>I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
>>Guys, we need to go and check something. The spear Raphael left...
We need to check for ourselves. If something goes wrong I wouldn't trust an angel to improvise.

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>>45133692
>>45133724
>>45133816
>>45133825

You're not... interrupting anything, you ask, are you?

“Old times, yes?” Petra grins at you, “Cassandra was telling us about the time she wrestled with a giant green co-”

“Demon!” Cassandra finishes hastily, “And I wouldn't call it wrestling, either. Not everyone is quite as brutish as you are. It wasn't just me, either – I had help doing it, so it's not like...”

You look between the two of them, trying to puzzle out whether they're back to being friends again. On one hand, they look about ready to kill each other, but you've heard that friends can be like that sometimes. You... couldn't really say for sure, not having a whole lot of experience in that matter. Glancing over at Amelia for help, she just offers you a shrug. About as much help as you were expecting, really. Clearing your throat, you mention the name Source – does anyone recognise it?

“Not something I know about,” Amelia says, the others echoing her comment, “And really, I feel like I should know about it. Tell us, then, about it.”

Well, you say vaguely, it seems to know a lot about Amelia and the world. Not only that, but it seems pretty angry at her – it's been trying to turn you against the rest of the group, and it seems intent on seeing Amelia cast down from Heaven. It doesn't seem to care who takes her place either, you add, as long as she goes.

“Interesting,” Amelia frowns deeply as she thinks, “It might be my, ah, predecessor. There's kind of an unresolved issue there, so they might very well hold a grudge. Then again, I was sure they died along with their cycle – although I'm not really sure how all that stuff worked, really. There is one other possibility though. Someone trying to present themselves as my predecessor in the hope of stirring up trouble. But who, rhetorical question here, would do something like that?”

Nyarlathotep.

>>45133921

“Well, I can only suggest ignoring them,” Amelia shrugs a moment later, “I mean, I don't think they should be able to do anything other than bitching and whining at you, so I wouldn't call it a crucial situation.”

That's pretty much what you've been doing so far, you confirm, and it's been working out well enough. That said, Source did raise one issue – Raphael's spear, the source of this strange... infection thing that Nyarlathotep brought to the world. Once you'd cut it out of Nidhoggr, you lost track of it. Source showed you a vision of Nyarlathotep taking it back into his body, but you want to confirm it with your own eyes. It it's still out there, it needs to be destroyed.

“Damn,” Cassandra murmurs, “I knew there was something I forgot. Then again, it was a pretty hectic situation. I mean, we weren't even there when Nidhoggr itself died...”

So you'd like to go and check it out, you decide, if their meeting is important, though...

Cassandra steals a quick glance at Amelia, a small frown creasing her brow. “I wouldn't say “important”, but...” one slender finger taps on the table as she thinks things over, “There were some, how to put it, unresolved issues to work through. You're just going to look for something, right?”

That's right, you confirm, so you can take the others along. Joseph, Leon and Elliot would make for plenty of company.

“I appreciate it,” Amelia says quietly, “But take care of yourself out there. We've come too far to fall into a trap now. But, on a lighter note, I think the others are in the main room. Propping up the bar, no doubt.”

Any excuse, you murmur with a weary smile. Thanking Amelia and the others, nodding slightly at Gabriel as you leave, you turn to make your way back to the main club.

“Mia,” Cassandra calls after you, “I don't need to say this, but it's not a toy. Don't let your guard down for a moment.”

Message received, you confirm, and understood.

>>45134047

At the main room of the club, you find exactly who you were hoping to see. Joseph has taken himself off to a corner booth with a glass of water, staring at the wall ahead of him with unfocused eyes. Elliot is sitting at a nearby table shuffling cards – he does it with the air of someone meditating rather than gambling – while Leon is nursing a single drink at the bar. There aren't any stacks of empty glasses, so he must be playing at moderation. That's good – you'd rather deal with sober allies.

They all look, you realise, thoughtful. Like they're all lost in their own plans and designs, thinking hard about the future lying before them. It almost seems a shame to snap them out of their peaceful moments, but needs must.

>Get everyone's attention and ask them to follow you
>Speak privately with Elliot first
>Speak privately with Leon first
>Speak privately with Joseph first
>Other

>>45134061
>>Speak privately with Elliot first

>>45134061
>>Speak privately with Elliot first
See what kind of masculine things our male friend Elliot is getting thinking about. Then
>Get everyone's attention and ask them to follow you

>>45134061
>Speak privately with Elliot first
Only girl we haven't touched base with in awhile.

>>45134047
>“I wouldn't say “important”, but...” one slender finger taps on the table as she thinks things over, “There were some, how to put it, unresolved issues to work through.

Oh you mean about how you immediately gave up on your friend, in which you are one of two of her only friends in literal existence, and everything you both fought for the instant things went wrong and she needed your support? And then went on to jump into bed with the angel that caused her father to get shot and made her mercy kill a bunch of human-angel hybrids?

Yeah I bet there are some unresolved tension there.

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>>45134145
>>45134117
>>45134079

Slipping quietly into the seat opposite Elliot, you murmur a greeting. He seemed, you add in the same hushed tone, like he was lost in thought. Anything he felt like sharing with you?

“Hmm?” Elliot doesn't look up from his deck of cards, scrutinising the worn little slips of paper with an obsessive care, “Oh, it's nothing really. I was just thinking that all this will be over soon. You'll set the world right, and we'll all be going back to normal.”

Isn't that a good thing, you ask, or is there something you're missing?

“A good thing, of course,” Elliot looks up, a lone curl of hair slipping from his severe haircut to sway across his forehead, “Just... well, it's all a bit bloody mundane, isn't it? One minute we're hanging out with fairy royalty and sharing a bar with... with Lucifer himself – herself, perhaps? - and the next we'll be back to real life. Stacking shelves, making ends meet and living in our cesspool apartments.” Heaving a heavy sigh, he swipes that rogue lock of hair back into place. “My, don't I make life sound charming? I suppose real life doesn't have quite the same risk of immediate death, so there is that.”

You're... you're not really sure what to say to that.

“Oh, don't mind me,” Elliot gives you a slight smile, throwing his sharp features into a far softer light, “Always been a bit of a romantic, I'm afraid. Pining for greater things. I'll find a way of getting by, I always do. Even if does involve getting into trouble, just for a spot of amusement!”

Well, you suggest, maybe steer clear of the gambling debts this time. For his own safety.

“Yes mother,” Elliot nods, “Anything else I can help you with, while we're chatting?”

He could come with you, you ask, if he wants some extra excitement. You're heading out. Standing, you raise your voice and repeat yourself. You're heading out, you call, and you're looking for volunteers to join you.

>>45134145
And you know, thats not even mentioning the facts that if she got what she had wanted and gave all 5 fragments to YHVH it would probably effectively kill Amelia and she'd probably have to defeat us as well.

Cause you know, a compassionate peaceful Law built on the corpses of the people that care about you is a recipe for success!

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>>45134285

Although there were a few grumbles – it's always hard, after all, to leave a warm building and step into the cold once more – nobody chose to stay behind. You're a little proud of them for that, all three of your friends marching into the breach once more just because you asked them. Hiding a shy little smile beneath your scarf – having recovered it from Petra – you lead the way as you start the walk back to the slums.

The memory of Source's vision is enough to guide you back, without even a moment of doubt, to where the spear fell. If they were telling the truth, it won't be there. Unless, of course, someone else found it first and dragged it away. That, though, is an option you'd rather not consider. When you arrive at the location in question, you find a distinct lack of spears. Actually, that's not quite true – there IS a spear here, but not the one you were vaguely expecting to find. This one is an artistically carved masterpiece, held at the side of a beautifully androgynous warrior.

A warrior you've seen before, you realise suddenly, although he was missing an arm at the time. Without the blood besmirching his face, his features are even more noble than you had thought. He looks like the type to win the princess' heart with a single glance, you think brightly to yourself.

“There's nothing here,” he tells you as he turns around, “A shame. I heard there had been a kind of sickness here, so I came looking. I am Cu Chulainn, of the fairy kingdom. A great pleasure to meet you, human.”

>The pleasure is all mine
>What were you looking for, here?
>It's a good thing you didn't find it. That thing was pure poison
>Other

>>45134362
>The pleasure is all mine
>What were you looking for, here?
"If its Nyarlathotep's corruption we took care of Nidhoggr and Uriel earlier, but forgot to track down Raphael's tainted weapon. That's why we are out here."
>It's a good thing you didn't find it. That thing was pure poison

>>45134431
>>45134362
+1

>>45134431
This.

>>45134362
>>The pleasure is all mine

>>45134586
>>45134469
>>45134465
>>45134431

Mia Vespucci, you reply as you fight back an unexpected wave of nervousness, and the pleasure is all yours. But, pleasantries aside, what exactly was he looking for, here? True enough, there was a taint here, but you-

“I came seeking evidence of the witch Scathach, and her experiments,” Cu Chulainn says, his voice darkening somewhat at the mention of Scathach's name, “She has fled from her appointed position within the palace, leaving chaos and disarray in her wake.”

Oh, you reply quietly, oh...

“But it seems she has not been this way,” Cu Chulainn shrugs, “You said there was a taint here, after all?”

A weapon, you say through a dry mouth, that spread a terrible corruption through several demons here. The demons are destroyed, now, but you lost track of the weapon. You came out here to look for it, but it seems to have returned to its master. It's a good thing he didn't stumble across it, you add hastily, the thing was pure poison. A terrible danger, and not the kind of thing to be brought back to the fairy kingdom.

“Is that so? Then I'm glad to have avoided that particular fate,” a glowing smile graces the fairy's features, and you swear the air sparkles a little, “No matter, this was not the only lead I had on the witch's trail. In fact, this was my longest shot. Say...” he glances down at you with inquisitive eyes here, “I understand Scathach was in contact with some humans lately. Would you happen to know anything that might help me?”

Help, you repeat, help how?

“We believe she had a lair. A secret workshop, if you will,” Cu Chulainn frowns, “Hidden well, if so. Do you know anything about it?”

Well this is a fine situation you've found yourself in.

>I know the location of her secret workshop, yes
>I've never heard anything about any workshops
>Can you tell me more about this “chaos and disarray”?
>I don't know anything, but I'd like to help you look
>Other

>>45134637
>>I've never heard anything about any workshops
>>Can you tell me more about this “chaos and disarray”?

>>45134637
Fuck, Stupid Witch. Well we said we would not lie for her. Time to make good on that.

>I know the location of her secret workshop, yes
>Can you tell me more about this “chaos and disarray”?
>Please keep me in the loop on this.

>>45134637
>>Can you tell me more about this “chaos and disarray”?
>>I don't know anything, but I'd like to help you look
I don't think we should commit to anything yet. We're involved in this as well so we can't expect to get off lightly. It might be best to find out what both sides of the story are saying before we make our position clear.

>>45134785
>>45134637
Eh you make a good point
+1

Dumb witch.

>It seems the most popular answer is to ask for more information. I'll base the next post around that option, so we can make a more informed decision. I apologise for the delays.

Swallowing hard, you can't help but notice the faint sheen of sweat gathering at the back of your neck. You told Scathach that you wouldn't lie for her, but you're starting to wonder if that was a rash decision. You're involved in her experiments as well, even if you were little more than a passive observer, so you can't imagine Titania would let you off lightly. It's an impossible decision to make, you decide, without knowing the situation.

What exactly did Cu Chulainn mean, you ask carefully, when he mentioned “chaos and disarray”? Because all that sounds quite bad.

“During our... festivities,” Cu Chulainn grimaces a little as he pronounces the word, “The witch fled from the palace, causing a certain amount of destruction in the process. A tree, somewhat important to our people, has... vanished. I know how that sounds, human, but it's the truth. The tree has disappeared, spirited away by some strange magic.”

THAT tree, of course. Scathach's little experiment in producing artificial blood capable of sustaining Carnby. But why did Scathach decide to just take the tree – and how would she even manage such a thing? - and flee? Perhaps her experiments were going poorly, and she needed the chance to perform more extreme tests. You shudder, then, as you wonder what Scathach would consider an “extreme” test. Vivisection, perhaps?

>>45135071

“We don't know why Scathach has fled,” Cu Chulainn says, interrupting your thoughts, “But we believe she is seeking isolation, perhaps for some dangerous measure. I should stress that I am seeking answers, and not pursuing a criminal.” A thin smile crosses his lips, then. “Not yet, at least.”

You could, you consider, tell him what you know and deal with the consequences. Or you could keep it a secret, and deal with the consequences if he learns the truth. Or you could try to find Scathach yourself, and get her side of the story. This all might be a big misunderstanding, something that you can fix without making any waves.

You've got to be optimistic about these things, after all.

>Tell Cu Chulainn about Scathach's workshop
>Lie, and claim you know nothing about the workshop
>Tell Cu Chulainn, but ask him to keep it a secret.
>Ask if Cu Chulainn has any other leads on where Scathach might be
>Other

>>45135110
Hard Choice
>Lie, and claim you know nothing about the workshop
Praying that we can clean this up before shit gets loose.
>Ask if Cu Chulainn has any other leads on where Scathach might be
"She has something of mine so I need to find her too."

>>45135110
>>45135245
This seems like our best chance. Scathach hasn't blown anything up yet so the situation can still be salvaged. If she's gone totally mad though we should be prepared to cut her off.

>>45135110
>Lie, and claim you know nothing about the workshop
>Ask if Cu Chulainn has any other leads on where Scathach might be

You know in a sense no matter what this is going to get out once we leave this world since I doubt Cern will stay quiet about it.

>>45135334
Fuck. I hadn't thought about that.

>>45135245
>>45135311
>>45135334

This is fine. You can salvage the situation. All you need to do is clear things up before the secret comes to light. Once word gets around of what Scathach was really working on – and what she was doing in pursuit of that goal – there won't be any way to keep a lid on things.

Then again, you realise with a bitter thought, it'll all come to light eventually. There's no way that Cernunnos can be persuaded to keep quiet, and even without the horned god running his mouth, how else will Scathach explain Carnby apparently rising from the dead? It's not a situation that can be sustained forever. What you can do, though, is keep things quiet until they're no longer your problem. Cowardly, perhaps, but you'd rather call it pragmatic.

You don't know anything about any workshop, you tell Cu Chulainn carefully, but you're willing to help him look. Are there any other leads as to where Scathach might be hiding? You could always split up and search for her that way.

“There were certain references in some notes we found,” Cu Chulainn admits, “That seem to point to an older ruin within the kingdom. A much older castle than the palace, it would still provide ample space for her experiments and quite a formidable defence. However, I'm not convinced – it seems entirely too obvious. I doubt that the witch would be clumsy enough to leave direct evidence like that behind.”

It wouldn't be the first time, you think as you recall the glaringly obvious bookshelf switch, that Scathach hid in plain sight.

“I suspect she has fled North, to the old gaol,” Cu Chulainn decides, “An awful pit, nobody would go there unless they had to. Perfect privacy.”

>Encourage Cu Chulainn to check the gaol. Visit the castle yourself
>Encourage Cu Chulainn to check the castle. Visit the gaol yourself
>Other

>>45135529
>Encourage Cu Chulainn to check the gaol. Visit the castle yourself
Betting on Scathach's hide in plain sight method.

>>45135529
>Encourage Cu Chulainn to check the gaol. Visit the castle yourself
Well if Scathach thought this through at all she'd know the gaol is one of the first places they'd look.

>>45135529
>>Encourage Cu Chulainn to check the gaol. Visit the castle yourself
Time to be sneaky.

>>45135563
>>45135607
>>45135681

He's right, you lie, Scathach probably left that “clue” out as a decoy. If it wasn't for his good instincts, Cu Chulainn would have ended up on some wild goose chase. But, since you're just as interested in finding Scathach as he is, you'll take it upon yourself to check out the castle.

“Very generous,” Cu Chulainn shoulders his magnificent spear, glancing back at you with a raised eyebrow, “But if you don't mind me asking, what's your involvement in all this?”

Scathach, you say with deliberate vagueness, has something of yours. You'd like to get it back, even if it means chasing her to the ends of the earth.

“I understand,” Cu Chulainn nods, “Then, I wish you luck in your search. Be careful though – I wouldn't put it past the witch to leave a trap waiting for you. The castle ruins will have many spots that would be perfect for an ambush. Follow the Western road from the palace, until you reach the autumnal lands. The castle should be easy enough to see from there. Our paths will be the same for a while, but I cannot slow my pace to match yours. I've been delayed here long enough.”

That's fine, you say graciously, you'd rather move at your own pace anyway. After all, you're just checking out a decoy – there's no need to rush. Cu Chulainn certainly sees a need for haste, though, as he lingers only to throw out a quick salute before hurrying off in the direction of the kingdom. You just hope Scathach hasn't left any kind of trap waiting in the gaol – you feel bad enough, already, about lying to the fairy hero without sending him to his death as well.

Shrugging lightly to yourself, you turn back to your companions. They had settled into the background, searching the area for any other trace of Raphael's spear, but now they approach. Important business at the fairy kingdom, you tell them, anyone who doesn't want to come along can turn back now.

Nobody takes you up on that offer.

>>45135888

You walk, straying slightly ahead of the rest of the group, in a grim silence. It's only when you hear another pair of footsteps, light and nimble, that you turn to see Elliot walking alongside you.

“Perhaps I'm wrong,” Elliot murmurs, his voice only just reaching you, “But you seem to know something about all this. You seem, and I don't wish to imply anything here, but you seem... implicated, I believe the word would be.”

Perhaps it's the guilt that shows on your face, or just the simple surprise at Elliot's cunning guess. Either way, his face lights up with satisfaction. You might as well have confirmed his every guess.

“I see. I thought so,” nodding to himself, Elliot gives you a sly smile, “Liars, you know, have a way of recognising their own. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to judge you or anything like that. I'm just a little curious – is there something terribly awful waiting for us?”

You wouldn't call it “terribly awful”, you admit, but...

“Well then,” Elliot purses his lips as he thinks to himself, “Something you'd rather not have the others see, then? I might be able to grant you a few moments of privacy, if that's what you need. No no, don't thank me, it's all part of the service. Just let me know what you need.”

>Can you convince everyone else to go back? I need to do this alone
>Come with me for now, but I need to be the only one inside that castle
>We're all doing this together, no matter what
>Other

>>45135974
>Come with me for now, but I need to be the only one inside that castle
"For their sakes and yours. I don't want you guys involved in this...stupidity."

>>45135974
>Come with me for now, but I need to be the only one inside that castle
If things go wrong back up is nice, but no one else should be implicated.

>>45135974
>>Come with me for now, but I need to be the only one inside that castle
If I know Scathach then we do not want to go in alone. She might have her "pet" with her.

>>45136098
>>45136053
>>45136022

You don't want to go in alone, you whisper back to Elliot, just in case there's any nasty surprises waiting for you. On the other hand, nobody else needs to be implicated – as he puts it – in this bout of stupidity. When it comes to entering the castle, you need to do that alone. The others can't be allowed inside. Can he manage that?

“I must admit to a certain curiosity,” Elliot says lightly, “But I'll be able to work something out. You're asking yourself why I'm doing this, aren't you?”

Well, now that he mentions it...

“I have a certain respect for secrets,” Elliot tells you, “The fewer people who know them the better. Especially when we have Leon, a flapping tongue in human form, among our circle of friends. That boy cannot grasp the concept of discretion... Oh well, shall we get a move on, then?”

Right, you nod, the sooner you get there the better. With that in mind, you all knuckle down and keep the idle chatter to a minimum. Distance vanishes underfoot as you first enter the kingdom – momentarily stunned, as always, by the change in temperature – and then head West. You pause at the edge of the forest, taking in the blasted earth that once held a particularly sacred tree. It certainly does look like a bomb went off here, you realise, one that left a rather impressive crater behind. You're amazed that Scathach was able to do it without someone noticing. Then again, Cu Chulainn did mention that it happened during the “festivities”.

Fairies party hard. That's one thing you definitely know. Shaking off the sight of the blasted earth, you continue on until you come to a kind of road – paved, you notice, with ancient tiles. This must be the right way.

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

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>>45136266

Cu Chulainn called it the autumnal lands, and he wasn't wrong. As you walk, the leaves on the trees turn from a bold tapestry of greens to a riot of red and gold. When the wind swirls around you, it carries a cargo of dried, crunchy leaves to dance around your feet. You could lose yourself in the beauties of this world, you think absently, the thought cruelly cut off as a ruin looms high ahead of you. That's not even close to being natural.

Cautiously approaching, your attention swings to what seems, at first, to be a pile of broken stone. You stare a moment longer and then Scathach is suddenly there, throwing off whatever invisibility she had on. She sits leisurely upon the stone, her wide hat casting a deep pool of shadow across her face.

“It's nice here, isn't it?” she asks, utterly unconcerned by the look you give her, “Oh, I know dear. It's all gone terribly wrong, hasn't it? I'll be the first to admit it, but things have got rather out of hand. Good thing you're here though – we get can some real progress done!”

>What the hell did you do? And why?
>You really think I'm going to work with you?
>Alright. How do we fix this mess?
>Other

>>45136326
>What the hell did you do? And why?

>>45136326
>>What the hell did you do? And why?

>>45136326
>>What the hell did you do? And why?

>>45136326
>>What the hell did you do? And why?
>>Alright. How do we fix this mess?
We can fix this right?

>>45136492
>>45136465
>>45136406
>>45136385

What the hell, you ask in a voice of soft wonder, did she do? And why, you ask a second later, did she do it? Fleeing the kingdom, and taking an entirely bloody tree with her? You... Pressing your lips tightly together, you take a few steps closer to the witch and continue your conversation in a hissed whisper. You thought you'd agreed, you hiss, to keep things subtle – nothing about this situation is subtle!

“Desperate times,” Scathach shrugs, “I saw how much progress you were making, and I knew it wouldn't be long before you'd come asking for the final fragment. So, I needed more time – or the chance to do things without all that sneaking about. Really, I never expected such a fuss over one little tree!”

What, you repeat with a calmness you don't feel, did she do?

“The mechanics of it would take too long to describe,” Scathach waves away your question with an infuriating gesture, “I didn't kill anyone, if that's what you're asking. I just directed an unprecedented amount of power into that silly little tree – which is, by the way, a symbol of our people. The perfect place to distil the essence of our divinity, wouldn't you say? Anyway, there were a few side effects. It seems to have wrestled control of a certain demon away from me.”

It?

“The tree,” Scathach tells you, “Keep up!”

The tree, you repeat, of course. Closing your eyes and taking a slow breath, you return your gaze to Scathach. How, you ask, do you fix this mess?

“Just get in, past the especially powerful demon, and cut the trees roots. Oh, and if you happen to see any fruit hanging on the tree while you're there, I'll need that as well. It's utterly vital that you bring me that fruit. Well, shall we begin? I suppose I should lend a hand, since this IS my fault.”

>...Fine. Let's do this
>You're out of your mind. I'm taking this to the queen
>I had a question first (write in)
>Other

>>45136695
>I had a question first (write in)
"Are you actually on the home stretch here or is that fruit just another 'maybe?'?

>...Fine. Let's do this
Lets grab the others.

>>45136695
>>I had a question first (write in)
What is the demon, and it strengths and weaknesses? What will you use the fruit for? You do still have the shard, correct?

>>45136695
>>...Fine. Let's do this
>>45136764
>>45136775
Good questions to ask.

>>45136864
>>45136775
>>45136764

This... especially powerful demon, you ask as you pinch the bridge of your nose, what are its strengths and weaknesses? You'd really rather not walk in blind if you can help it.

“Of course, of course,” Scathach nods, “You'll need magic to harm it, the beast can shrug off any kind of physical attack. Its attacks, on the other hand, have a strong physical basis – it hits very hard. Oh, and you shouldn't look it in the eye, or you'll be cursed. Watch the ground or something, I don't know – you're the fighter here.”

She's impossible. This fruit, you ask in a tight voice, what does she plan on doing with it? And whatever she's planning, is it actually going to work?

“The fruit itself is meaningless,” Scathach shrugs, “But the stone of the fruit should – according to all my theories – be a source of divine power. I just need to reduce it down and give it to... the patient. Easy as that!” She taps a gloved finger against her mask for a moment, “Ah, but if that doesn't work, I'm done. It's the only shot I've got left – if this doesn't work, nothing will. In that case, I'll surrender peacefully. You can even take me in yourself, if you want. I promise to keep your name out of it.”

Last question, you say, does she still have the original divine fragment? She didn't... grind it down to a powder or anything?

“Do you take me for a barbarian?” Scathach asks incredulously, “Of course I still have it. It's just in a small cave beneath the divine tree, powering a magical forge. Getting it might not be easy, but...”

Like you said, she is impossible. A moment passes, and you shrug heavily. Let's do it, you tell her.

>>45137084
Parvati still dead?

>>45137124

>Ah, she is, yes. All our other demons have recovered fully though.

File: Girimekhala.jpg (25 KB, 436x526)

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>>45137084

“Wonderful!” Scathach claps her hands together, “Oh, and I should say – our mutual friend is still where you saw him last. Sleeping well, last time I saw him. You don't need to worry about anyone stumbling across him while we're having a poke around here.”

That's one less thing to worry about. Now all you need to keep in mind is a rampaging demon, the chance of the fairy police bursting in at any minute, some kind of evil tree and the forge powering it from beneath. Nothing at all to worry about.

“Oh, don't be so bitter!” Elliot says, in a poor attempt to cheer you up, “Think of the stories you'll be able to tell to the others!”

Stories that will incriminate you, you almost point out before simply shaking your head. Time to get on with this. Scathach leads you through the broken ruins of castle walls, into a penned off area that rings with the sound of thunderous breathing.

“Like I said,” she reminds you, “Don't look it in the eye.” Then, without another word, she flies off around the corner. You follow, and almost immediately look the grunting elephant monster in the eye. It's only for a moment, but you feel your mind slowing whenever that terrible globe is within your field of view. At least the effect fades when you turn your eyes to the ground. This could be tricky – how do you fight something you can't look at?

>Fight blind (Increased dodge difficulty)
>Fight as normal (All attacks will be at a -30 modifier)

>Choose your demons and fight – Scathach will be joining you for this battle. She specialises in Wind magic.

>>45137180
>Fight blind (Increased dodge difficulty)

Mia - Mizuchi - Succubus

Joseph - Salamander - Gabby if she is here, otherwise Archangel he can take a blow for someone or something. Unless he can do direct Holy damage.

Leon - Fuuki - Baphomet

Elliot - Fortuna - Kagutsuchi

Mia Deblitate and Luster
Fuu-Ki Fog Breath
Fortuna does her thing.
Everyone else, no Phys allowed.

>>45137180
>>Fight blind (Increased dodge difficulty)
Succubus Mizuchi

>>45137254

>To confirm, Gabriel IS here.

>>45137308
Right I forgot about the distance limitation.

File: Kagutsuchi.jpg (832 KB, 1936x2320)

832 KB JPG

Rolled 23, 1, 76, 23, 23, 89, 134, 111 = 480 (8d140)

>>45137254
>>45137260

You've got Scathach on your side at least, you remind yourself, that'll give you a little extra punch. Past that, and with Parvati disabled for the time being, you summon your best magic users. Succubus and Mizuchi both answer your call, while your friends summon their own demons to battle. Elliot brings Fortuna to play – her abilities will be invaluable here, when you'll need luck to avoid the attacks – with Kagutsuchi to attack with. Joseph calls Gabriel – the devoted Archangel answering his call no matter what – and Salamander. Leon rounds out your ranks with Fuu-Ki, barking at the “stupid bastard” to stick to magic, and Baphomet.

Nodding to yourself, the act of combat somehow managing to calm your mind, you throw the length of your scarf out into the wind and flex your fingers, calling upon the magic stored within your various items. Time for battle.

>Please roll 8D120, for Mizuchi, Succubus, Salamander, Gabriel, Fuu-Ki, Baphomet, Kagutsuchi and Scathach. I'll take the highest of the first three, and Fortuna's modifier will apply.
>Also a 8D10 dodge roll, aiming to beat 7

Rolled 61, 86, 92, 83, 34, 91, 77, 66 = 590 (8d120)

>>45137438
Kagutsuchi and Scathach are in trouble

Rolled 63, 81, 70, 25, 115, 65, 57, 35 = 511 (8d120)

>>45137438

Rolled 3, 8, 2, 7, 1, 4, 9, 4 = 38 (8d10)

>>45137438
DODGE! particularly Scathach and kagutsuchi

Rolled 39, 92, 111, 93, 65, 97, 65, 111 = 673 (8d120)

>>45137438
There's something karmic about Scathach being crushed by her own demon.

Rolled 73, 63, 51, 52, 94, 62, 119, 39 = 553 (8d120)

>>45137438
Rolling

>>45137455
And unfortunately Scathach is not pseudo immortal like demons in a pact so she needs to get her floating ass out of the fire. We can fight this guy without her.

>>45137509
Not today it seems

>>45137518
She lucked out but I agree

>>45137509
You saved her bacon.

>>45137438
>Amelia still can't pronounce this guy's name
13, 1, 66, 13, 13, 79, 124, 101

>Us
73, 102, 121, 103, 125, 107, 87, 121

Only Kagu got hit.

>>45137563
and he made his dodge.

File: Succubus.jpg (28 KB, 486x472)

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Rolled 3, 98, 115, 101, 93, 83, 131, 138 = 762 (8d140)

>>45137455
>>45137474
>>45137481
>>45137509

Bellowing and snorting like the rampaging beast it resembles – from the brief glimpse you got of it, at least – the demon charges towards your party.

“Girimehkala!” Scathach shouts, “Down! Stay!”

That's... not going to work, is it? Shaking your head is despair, you catch a brief glimpse of Kagutsuchi pounding his fists together, flames wreathed around them. Is he going to try and grapple with the elephant monster, doesn't he realise how terrible an idea that is? Evidently he does, because at the last minute you hear a whoosh of flames as he hurls himself to the side, a torrent of curses spilling from his lips. Succubs is waiting, though, for this moment. With an inhuman grace, she kicks her way into the air and vaults over Girimehkala, her lithe tail stroking the demon's leathery back. A few paces more, and the feral demon stiffens as a terrible electrical shock grips it, forcing out a shrill squeal.

Now, you call, while it's stunned! Scathach and Fuu-Ki join their power into a great whirlwind, the howling magic sucking Girimehkala up into the air and bombarding it with near-invisible blades of wind. At a flourish from Mizuchi and Gabriel, the whirlwind freezes, blanketing Girimehkala with a thick skin of crackling frost. The beleaguered demon is finally allowed to fall to the ground, the ice shattering upon impact, only for a pillar of fire – courtesy of Salamander and Baphomet – to explode around it.

Standing once more upon stubby legs, Girimehkala howls out a thick cloud of noxious smoke. It twists around Fuu-Ki's concealing mists, but this fog is far more dangerous. A slowing, cloying toxin.

>Another 8D120 please, for the same demons. This time, the party is at -10. Fortuna's bonus, in other words, won't count. The penalty on Girimehkala still applies!
>And an 8D10 dodge roll, still aiming to beat 7

Rolled 44, 16, 21, 78, 96, 15, 49, 114 = 433 (8d120)

>>45137802
This might sting a bit.

Rolled 79, 68, 102, 104, 52, 105, 18, 41 = 569 (8d120)

>>45137802
>That attack against Scathach
Welp. Dodging is her only hope I guess.

Rolled 3, 2, 4, 10, 1, 8, 7, 4 = 39 (8d10)

>>45137802
Pray

Rolled 31, 105, 92, 22, 29, 56, 76, 71 = 482 (8d120)

>>45137802

>>45137802
>Girim
1, 88, 105, 91, 83, 73, 121, 128

>Us
79, 105, 102, 104, 96, 105, 76, 114

Salamander gets hit, no dodge.
Kagu fails attack but dodges again.
Scathach gets hit, no dodge.

Get that Witch behind our lines, this is all pointless if she dies.

File: Salamander.jpg (539 KB, 1628x2512)

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>>45137882
>>45137886
>>45137900
>>45137915

Once the mist settles, there is a worrying silence. Has Girimehkala fled under the cover of this thick smog? Surely you should be able to hear something, some trace of its breathing if it is still here?

“Good buddy,” Salamander hisses, “Ain't nothin' wrong with my nose. I'll sniff this one out.” Without waiting for the order to go ahead, the little lizard scuttles forward into the smog, sniffing at the air. Ahead of the party, there is no way that he could get out of the way in time when Girimehkala bursts forth. There is a tiny squelching sound that is almost lost beneath the rumble of charging footsteps, but it manages to reach your ears nonetheless. Frankly, you wish it hadn't.

Perhaps it is some dire rage on Girimehkala's behalf that steers his charge right into Scathach, one of his tusks hooking around the witch and hurling her into the air. A deep groan of dismay escapes you as you see that impact, fearing the worst if Scathach dies. Your groan turns into a sigh, though, when she flips through the air and lands behind you, apparently no worse for wear. No, you correct yourself, she is injured – that cloak of hers is wet with glistening blood. Stay back, you order her, you'll take care of this.

“More than happy to,” she purrs, laying her uninjured hand on your shoulder, “Put him to sleep, won't you? I think he's gone rabid.”

Ignoring her words, and her creeping touch, you watch with increasing worry as Kagutsuchi is forced into another desperate leap. For such a big guy, you think, he's remarkably quick when his life is on the line. Although he can't add his fire to the attack, Baphomet makes up for it with a solid hit, liquid fire flowing across Girimehkala's skull.

File: Mizuchi.jpg (243 KB, 1844x2168)

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Rolled 104, 85, 11, 78, 78, 21, 12 = 389 (7d140)

>>45138337

Once again, Succubus lashes out with a coursing whip of lightning, letting out little gasps as stray sparks fly free and bounce off her porcelain skin. Over and over again she scourges Girimehkala, each strike leaving long strips of burned, cooked flesh in their wake. Gabriel adds ice to the mix, although her attack is somewhat less effective. Fuu-Ki's winds are also less than impressive, although they do have the added bonus of lifting the vile mist choking up the arena.

>Poison fog lifted. Attacks will no longer suffer a penalty

When the mist clears, it is Mizuchi that lets out a shrill cry of rage, his jaw distending as he vomits forth a swirling blizzard. Stunned by the sudden winds, Girimehkala is utterly defenceless against this fresh onslaught and suffers greatly, the furthest reaches of his limbs blackening and dying as cruel frostbite takes effect.

“He's weak,” Scathach helpfully informs you, “Finish it off!”

>A 7D120 this time, with Scathach staying out of it. Fortuna's modifier applies as normal, both benefit and penalty
>A 7D10 dodge roll as well, aiming to beat 7

Rolled 24, 11, 91, 14, 109, 47, 4 = 300 (7d120)

>>45138356

Rolled 23, 128, 115, 11, 94, 41 = 412 (6d140)

>>45138356

>Sorry, that should be 6D120 and 6D10, Salamander has been defeated. My mistake!

Rolled 3, 3, 8, 1, 6, 10, 7 = 38 (7d10)

>>45138356
Dodge!

Rolled 54, 67, 44, 109, 92, 43 = 409 (6d120)

>>45138356

Rolled 74, 39, 41, 116, 108, 115 = 493 (6d120)

>>45138385
gah so reroll?

Rolled 60, 80, 24, 53, 58, 80 = 355 (6d120)

>>45138356
>>45138385
Attacking!

Rolled 28, 43, 46, 104, 79, 21 = 321 (6d120)

>>45138356
Rolling

>>45138385
Poor Gabby. Went from in the clear to fucked.

Rolled 8, 3, 7, 1, 5, 4 = 28 (6d10)

>>45138385
dodge

Rolled 2, 6, 3, 3, 7, 2 = 23 (6d10)

>>45138356

>>45138385
>Girim
13, 118, 105, 1, 84, 31

>Us
84, 90, 54, 126, 118, 125

Succubus gets hit, no dodge.
Gabby fails attack but dodges.

File: Fuu-ki.jpg (472 KB, 1936x2460)

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>>45138475
>>45138414
>>45138432
>>45138433

Girimehkala's thundering charge takes him right up to Gabriel, only to burst clean through the image of the maimed angel, bursting the illusion like a soap bubble. Gabriel appears a few feet away, safely crouched upon the ground with her face twisted into a grim visage. That little trick, you can tell, took a lot of her energy. Undeterred, Girimehkala's charge takes him right into the next target – Succubus.

“Oh you bitch,” the devil says with a kind of weary resignation, moments before the elephant demon slams into her and barrels her to the side. She lands in a crumpled heap, her wings draped over her like a makeshift shroud. A second passes, and her hand shakily rises up with the thumb extended. Still alive, then, but just barely. As his charge slows, Girimehkala is taken from beneath by a sudden gust of wind, the gale reaching up and flipping its target over. With his defenceless belly exposed to the air, Girimehkala doesn't have long for this world. A great icicle, called into existence by Mizuchi, plunges from the heavens to gouge a hole in that vulnerable underbelly. In the next second, the combined fires of Baphomet and Kagutsuchi flare into life within Girimehkala.

The explosion is almost deafening. The rain that follows is sickening.

“Well!” Scathach announces as the air clears, “It's a shame to lose such a useful servant, but we all have to make sacrifices for the scientific process, don't we?”

You just... want this to be over. You want this all to be over.

“Then we'd best get to it then,” the witch scolds you, “Come on, no more stalling!”

She's actually done it. Scathach has made you hate science. Shaking your head in dismay, you follow her jaunty pace into the castle.

File: Divine Tree.jpg (57 KB, 433x782)

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>>45138695

That, you spit as you enter the courtyard, is not a tree. That isn't even close to a tree.

“It was a tree,” Scathach insists, “Once!”

Sighing, you look again at the writhing horror before you. It looks more like a loose collection of limbs growing out the ground, feet kicking aimlessly at the air and the occasional hand clenching into a fist. Blank faces stare upwards at the sky, sometimes forming listless expressions that pass too quickly to identify. True enough, there is a single fruit hanging from the highest branch – which is to say, a pulsing heart that occasionally drools thick blood onto the ground below.

“You can see,” Scathach explains, “Why I couldn't create something like this back at the kingdom. Look though, look at that beautiful bit of fruit! You could say that my experiments have borne-”

Borne fruit, you finish for her, very good. How amusing. So, the next step is just to... what? Pick the fruit?

“That's right. Children like climbing trees, don't they?” Scathach asks, giving you an encouraging look, “Obviously I can't climb, not with this injury...”

She can fly, you think angrily to yourself as you slide Midnight out, or float at least. In either case, you don't have the energy to waste of climbing trees – you blink up, slice the fruit free and blink down again, all within the space of a minute. There, you remark bitterly as you hand the fruit over, now what?

“Well, I suppose we should destroy the roots,” Scathach sighs, “Although I wonder what would happen if we just left the tree here... Ah, but you'll be wanting your fragment. Such a shame. There should be a trapdoor somewhere around here.”

This one, you mutter as you heave it open, looking into the gloomy abyss below.

“That's the one!” Scathach declares, “Now, with my injury...”

>>45138940
>“That's the one!” Scathach declares, “Now, with my injury...”
Scathach we can just heal your ass. Gabriel can literally just snap her fingers.

>>45138940

Still muttering dark complaints under your breath, you take a good grip on the ladder and climb down into the murky tunnels beneath. It's not as dark as you expected, actually, with a white light seeping up from further inside. There's something impure about that light, you decide, as if it was never meant to shine quite so brightly. Forcing your complaints – and your growing fear – down, you crawl through the earthy passages until they grow wide enough for you to stand.

It really is a forge, just like Scathach said. A big one, so large that you'd need to crawl through the small hole in the front to reach inside it. Of course, crawling inside such a thing becomes an entirely different issue when you consider the roaring white flames flourishing within. What, exactly, are you supposed to do here?

“Oh, right,” Scathach's voice rings in your mind, “It wasn't burning when I put the fragment in there. Hmm, I never thought about getting it out again. Although, hmm... those aren't really flames you're looking at, not really. They're more like... unshackled divine power, drawn from the fairy people. They'd burn you to death in a second, even with that armour of yours – yes, I saw that – so don't go in there.”

You weren't planning on, you assure her, you really weren't.

>What should you do?

>>45139100
Nadja.

>>45139100
Would Nadja be able to get it safely? She is a fairy after all.

>>45139100
So we have a small hole that we need to crawl through to get the fragment, but has burning divine energy that'll kill us if we go in?

Did I sum that right?

Yeah I guess have Nadja go. Seems like our only option.

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>>45139178
>>45139152
>>45139151

A small hole, with divine power within – specifically noted to be of fairy origin. Either Scathach has suffered some kind of stroke and can't put the pieces together, or she's testing you. Either way, it doesn't take long for you to come to the right conclusion. Calling up the cheery young girl, you urge her to brave the crawlspace.

“Um,” Nadja glances at the flames raging within, “I guess you know best. Uh, if I die, don't let any Pixies take my stuff, okay?”

You won't, you promise as she ducks down on all fours and vanishes into the tunnel. Silence, then, as you wait to see what happens. There's no screaming, which is nice, but the total lack of communication is rather worrying. The only sign of progress is when the glass window at the front of the forge shatters, breaking under the weight of the hurled divine fragment. It lands, cool and perfectly intact, at your feet. As you're bending to pick it up, the forge itself explodes in a swirling vortex of white flame.

When the blinding light clears, Nadja is standing in the crater, her eyes glowing with that same eldritch glow. “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. I am-” her growled intonations stop sharply as she shakes her head, brown hair flopping about, “Whoa, sorry about that boss. My head felt all funny there for a moment. Anyway, I got that thing for you!”

She sure did, you remark as you examine the glowing child before you. She sure did.

>I'll end things here for tonight. Next thread on Tuesday, and I'll stick around in case there's any questions. Thanks for sticking around this long!

>>45139403
>“I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. I am-”
I am panicking

>>45139403
Will Scathach's experiments pan out?

Will father and daughter see each other one last time?

Find out on Tuesday, damn cliffhangers.

Thanks for running Moloch.

Who had it worse? Amelia with Oberon and fairy politics or Mia with Scathach and fairy mad science?

>>45139473
I'm sure it'll be finnnne.

>>45139403
Did Nadja just pull a Pixie in the deepest depths of hell?

>>45139512
>She tries to cast Lightning with her little bone charm but Megidoloan comes out instead.

Whoops!

>>45139512
>>45139473

She might have attained ultimate power, yes. No big deal!

>>45139482

Frankly, after all this I think you'd all kill me if Scathach's experiments ended in failure! If "father and daughter" are Carnby and Amelia, they might get the chance to meet, yes!

Overall though, I think Amelia had it worse. Scathach hasn't really put any of Mia's friends in danger yet, and Oberon was pretty erratic at his lowest points.

>>45139573
>If "father and daughter" are Carnby and Amelia, they might get the chance to meet, yes!

We might need to smuggle him over to Hellfire before Titania finds out. Amelia only has about half a day to see him and we'd lose Carnby to Titania's chambers for a week if she gets a hold of him.

>>45139551
>>45139573
Is it weird I want a big touch looking demon trying to pick on Nadja only to get BTFO'd?

>>45139621
>only a week
Given how much she genuinely loved him, and how fairies usually take a long view? More like a few months, minimum. Scathach might have to revive him again before Titania is done.

>>45139621

Well, it might be safer than the kingdom anyway, considering Scathach is on their radar. Certainly, it's something to consider!

>>45139631

I would also like this. Far too much!

>>45139662

What would you even do, holding hands for a few months at a stretch?

>>45139722
So has Scathach actually considered how she is going to present Carnby to Titania?

>>45139789

At the moment, her best plan is to bring Carnby to Titania - in private, of course - and give her a "sanitized" version of events. In time, she might be more forthcoming with the truth, but not yet.

Scathach isn't really a people person!

>>45139845
As frustrating as she is sometimes, she did (is going to) pull off something amazing. Since we are probably going to take Carnby to Hellfire did she want to come? I bet she could use a celebratory drink.

>>45139573
Now I wonder what would happen if Nadja has to pull the ol' Human/demon fusion to save her if her disease starts to rear it's ugly head.

>>45139922

Mia would probably become a Dragonball Z character!

>>45139908

Well, if things go badly with Titania, Scathach might need a new home either way. Better to settle in now!
Ultimately though, Scathach is pretty obsessed with this whole business. She's less of a lunatic normally, and the full moon hasn't been helping. Without the full moon, she might never have taken such drastic action!

>>45139922
You are weirdly fixated on that potentially happening.

With the extra demon everyone has and a full crew Mia hasn't been all that super Dragon's Dogma active. With only one fragment left her heart should be able to last for a few more days if not weeks.

>>45139999
So did Gabby totally get Succubus hit on purpose?

>>45139999
then it's a good thing Succubus didn't pull a yamcha.

>>45139999
Will Joseph ever work up the courage to relationship talk to Gabby? Gabby can totally slip past the otherworldly barrier if she chooses still can't she?

>>45140088

Of course not, Gabriel would never do anything quite so malicious!
That said, she didn't exactly stop it either...

>>45140157
>Gabby can totally slip past the otherworldly barrier
Don't think so. If the barrier gets compromised the hole only widens I believe.

>>45140253
Moloch said that was because most demons weren't careful and didn't particularity give a shit. Gabby is both those things.

>>45140157

Well, Gabriel was granted the ability to slip through the barrier, but it might not be allowed in the future. You can't have people coming and going whenever you like!

Joseph will probably never have "the talk". Things might go terribly wrong if he does!

>>45140291
>You can't have people coming and going whenever you like!

You can if you set down ground rules like
No showing your angelic form
No magic
No trying to break the barrier down
No bringing over or making magical artifacts
etc.

Other alternative is to make the barrier iron clad and make a single entry point guarded and warded.

>>45140377

That's certainly true, there can be rules to such a thing.
As it stands, Gabriel could pass between worlds without causing any damage to the barrier. She was essentially "designed" that way, to act as an intermediary. Depending on how the barrier was rebuilt though, that may no longer apply.

>>45140377
Look I like Gabby and Joseph and I want them to be happy but we can't have compromises when it comes to the barrier. She also has to lead Law, she can't just drop that to go to her human lover.

>>45140525
Well Joseph could go to visit, duh.

Also this system probably can't stay closed forever. Having some humans trained to smack the shit out of demons ahead of time and armed appropriately for when Nyarly or someone else (like Mem Aleph) steps up might be a good idea.

>>45140671
Way in the future when the world is about to experience its natural death. Until then the goal of this world was to let humanity grow with as little influence as possible from demons and Us.

We'll see

>>45140467
Ok entering weird territory, but hear me out. Demons are like data right?

Is it possible to take Gabriel's memories/personality. Her self.

Copy it. And put it in a mortal human?

I know its fucking weird and very questionable.

>>45139403
cool. I vote for being COMPLETELY forthcoming with the truth as soon as we get Carnby over to Amelia.

I think both Mia and Cern would agree that much of this could have been avoided, had Scatach here just TOLD PEOPLE WHAT SHE WAS DOING.

>>45141502

That's not something I'd actually thought a lot about. I imagine it would require the kind of technology capable of containing a human personality first. If that tech existed, it would be reasonably simple I imagine. The ethics of it, though, are pretty terrible. Unless you were uploading the new, demon personality into, say, a brain dead patient or something, you'd probably be wiping out an existing mind to do it.

So, I'd put that in the realm of theoretically possible, with technological and moral barriers.

>>45141609

I actually agree. As a king, Carnby was generally well-liked, loved even. If Scathach was open about it, there would have been many people willing to offer their lives. She approached it with the idea, though, that the opposite would happen. Secrets like that, they have a habit of growing out of control!

>>45141614
>Unless you were uploading the new, demon personality into, say, a brain dead patient or something, you'd probably be wiping out an existing mind to do it.

Wait wouldn't we be Goddesses of Creation? Can't we just make a human that looks just like Gabby only no wings, normal colored skin, and normal height then put this data into the vessel?

>>45141661
Now unfortunately, about the only items we could really ask for are a solution to the heart problem and a way to curb Nyarly's corruption.

I'm totally expecting experiments on Nyarly result in us having to fight corrupted Scatach.

So I'm not sure if I actually WANT to request it. As such.

>>45141716
The heart problem goes away when we get the last fragment. Which we can do like tomorrow in game.

>>45141670

I suppose the thing about being the actual, literal God is that nothing is really impossible. So, that would be possible, yes. Can't guarantee that it would end in everyone being perfectly happy, but that's just life, isn't it?

>>45141716

Some things are safer just to leave well alone!

>>45141741
That's the point: it would remove SOME risk, but it's not really as needed anymore.

So, uh, what's a good thing to request that fits thematically with the quest? Upgrade Midnight? Make Mia's outfit actually look GOOD?

>>45141781
>Can't guarantee that it would end in everyone being perfectly happy, but that's just life, isn't it?

Yeah...I'm just spitballing ways to have Joseph and Gabriel be together without compromising the barrier and having Gabby ignore her duties. First thing I thought of was have two Gabbys at once, one human living life, the other the Archangel.

But I don't know if Joseph or Gabby would go for any of that. Probably not huh?

>>45141782
>Make Mia's outfit actually look GOOD?

Are you suggesting that the combined wardrobes of a black metal singer and a teenage goth doesn't look good?

>>45141875
She lacks the fake dragon wings and asymmetrical heels to tie it all together.

>>45141874

Well, it's hard to say what would work and what wouldn't. I see Joseph and Gabriel as being drawn together because of their shared experiences. It wouldn't really be the same with a double, even a perfect one. The "spark" wouldn't really be there.
If we assume that humans can choose to remain in the demon world, the easiest way to keep the two of them together would be to convince Joseph to stay. Assuming, of course, Mia wants to get that deep into their private lives!

>>45141925

Well we know what to ask for as a reward, then!

>>45141983
>Assuming, of course, Mia wants to get that deep into their private lives!

I think the only way for that to happen is if they overtly both shared their affection of each other in front of her and their sadness for having to part ways. And those two don't seem the type to do that. They always approach things with stoicism.

>>45142117

Yes, it does occur to me that those two would need to beat Mia over the head with their woes in order for her to "get" them. Stoicism can be a virtue, but not if it isolates you from the rest of the world.

Ah, but there's always the chance of someone like Elliot poking their nose in, if the need for a catalyst arises. There are options, either way.

>>45142217
Hey maybe Carnby can give him some advice, as a (once) mortal man in a long relationship with a demon girl.

>>45142273

Plot twist: Carnby spent the countless years since his "death" writing books on how to pick up demon women. Using a pen name, he's a best selling author.

>>45142323
Anthony is his number 1 fan.

>>45142323
Ah so that's the 'knowledge' he was blessing the world with whenever Scathach revitalized him for a time.

>>45142407

Makes you wonder why Scathach was so keen on getting that knowledge out there!

>>45142387

Well, there's a limit to how successful you can be, even with all the right advice!

>>45142273
Well, speaking of that, there is the possibility of simply ascending to angelhood. Gabby will need help and chances are that with her at the head the process would likely result in a more human angel with emotions and the like.

Even if the dicks are gone, Gabby will need a bunch of structure and the like to get the healing and reordering of Light Law done properly.

>>45142496

The possibility of Archangel Cassandra came up, I believe, last thread. Archangel Joseph is just as good - possibly even a more fitting destiny for him!

>>45142496
Dunno. Joseph was pretty clear that he didn't believe in that faith and because of that he had no place in Law. He likes it logically and morally, but doesn't care about the faith aspect.

Still that doesn't mean he can't just live there. Be there for Gabby after a long day of leading Law. Don't see him wanting to ascend to angelhood, but anything is possible.

>>45142569
>>45142563
>Archangel Joseph is just as good - possibly even a more fitting destiny for him!

Or maybe he is more open to the idea than I thought.

>>45142608

Yes, I should probably reword that. Assuming a full, YHVH level god is created for the new Law, I could imagine Joseph's faith being rekindled. As it stands, with Law representing more of a philosophy than a religion, he would probably remain human.

There are quite a lot of hypothetical scenarios and variables going around at the moment!

>>45142563
So Cass is staying for sure.

Joseph might stay if he gets enough 'Follow your heart!' advice from people.

Petra, Mia, Amelia are going to be watching over the human world.

Marco is more than likely going back with them.

What about Ellie and Leon? Ellie was just kind of complaining that they'd have to go back to a mundane lifestyle. Do you see them heading back or sticking around in like the Fairy Kingdom or something?

>>45142734

It's a little hard to say. Elliot doesn't have much of a stake in the demon world, but they're not exactly desperate to return to the human world either.
Leon, though, I could imagine going back to the human world without much bother. Maybe they could go back together?

Honestly though, I could see Elliot deciding it on the toss of a coin. That's the kind of person they are.

>>45142821
>Honestly though, I could see Elliot deciding it on the toss of a coin. That's the kind of person they are.

Ha I like it.

>>45142563
And so heaven gains three new archangels.

Archangle Cassandra, Archangel Joseph, and Archangel.. Leon. No one knows how that came about really but the collective stick seems to be loosening!

>>45142933

>An Archangel that swaps sides whenever things get tough
>An Archangel that spends all their time wistfully eyeing up his boss
>An Archangel who's just here to beat up bad guys
Well, it's certainly different from the old Law!

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>>45142933
>Archangel.. Leon
That would only end well...

>>45142979
Chaos stops attacking because Lucifer can't stop laughing at the entire thing for a good couple of millenia. Old YHVH meanwhile, is screaming into the void.

>>45143044

Sounds like mission accomplished to me!

>>45143014

I'm trying to imagine how it would have come about. Getting drunk and walking into the wrong recruitment office, perhaps?

>>45143088
Leon mistakes the holy wine and divine incense needed to ascend as free booze and smokes.

>>45143109

...That would probably do it, yes.

But that'll have to be a debate for another time, I need to take a nap. Goodnight all, and I'll be running again on Tuesday!

>>45143184
Night

>>45132779
Can I get an idea of when the quest runs?

>>45147869
10 am est Sunday, Tuesday friday