>>1861150
>Let's let him awaken to it on his own time.
Seems like the safest bet of him hetting power
>Is there any way to increase the odds of him awakening

>>1861150
>>We just need to convince him to enter the door you have in your office somehow.

>>1861150
>Let's let him awaken to it on his own time.

>>1861181

>>1861177
>>1861207
>Let's let him awaken to it on his own time.
Patience seems like a good answer here. After all, if he's put in danger and fails, it would be REALLY bad.

>Is there any way to increase the odds of him awakening?
Bennett shrugs. "The only thing I can suggest is to continue supporting him as he helps change himself. Inner strength is the lifeblood of a Myth-User. The potential usually makes an entrance when someone hardens their resolve against any eventuality, comes to an important realization about themselves, or faces down death."

"But you awakened ours," Keith points out. "At least Sofia and mine."

"Yeah, that's actually how I got my powers. Some people can do that. Usually, it's something the target knows well and trusts, but just being in the presence of other Myth-Users can be enough depending on how close they are to realizing it." Leaning back in his chair, he asks, "What else did you need from me? It's Saturday, you guys should be, I don't know, wandering the city or playing video games or something."

"That's a good idea, we could go somewhere," Ruth suggests. "Not anything expensive, just wandering the city a bit."

"Eh, I could go either way," Donna thinks out loud.

>>Saturday freedom
>I already have an idea in mind. <Write-In>
>I actually wanted to take up Keith's offer to go to the gym.
>Nah, I need to nap a bit. My nose is still hurting me.
>I have some studying I need to catch up on, sadly.
><Write-In>

>>1861260
>I actually wanted to take up Keith's offer to go to the gym.

>>1861260
>>I actually wanted to take up Keith's offer to go to the gym.
Who's up for a group /fit/ session? The team that sweats together stays together

>>1861268
>>1861271
>>I actually wanted to take up Keith's offer to go to the gym.
"Not exactly what I had in mind, but I can change into workout clothes," Florez states.

"Ugh, can we not?" Sofia shivers. "I'm sure you clean up the equipment after you use it, Keith, but..." she obviously finds the idea of working out in a public gym unsanitary, causing Allan to roll his eyes.

"I would, but...You know I don't get exercise out of lifting weights, right?" David says, holding up his hands. "Because, you know. Paladin. No muscles to work."

Turning to Donna, she looks back at you incredulously and shakes her head. "Yeah, no. I'm five feet tall and built like a wire. I'm more likely to die by being crushed than put on muscle."

"Yeah, I'm not working out with you. I'm not really a parental figure, so that would mkae things kind of weird."

Keith isn't believing a word of it. "Cowards, all of you," he says to those who aren't going, and leads you out.

---

With your workout bag, you show up at the gym and notice that there's a poster on the wall.

Black Knight Boxing Competition.
Anonymous entry and competition in multiple weight classes. This once-in-a-lifetime filmed tournament has been sponsored by the Combo Foundation.
The prize money is a neat five grand for the heavyweight class, and a set of expensive-looking boxing equipment!
There's a website you can register on.

"Hey, come on," Keith encourages you. "I have a regimen I usually do on Saturday when I have the free time."

>>Hey, come on
>Hey, you plan to sign up for this? It looks pretty ludicrous.
>Coming.
>(Plan to sign up later)
>(Plan to sign up Keith later)
><Write-In>

>>1861352
>Coming.

>>1861352
>>Hey, you plan to sign up for this? It looks pretty ludicrous.
>>Coming.

>>1861357
>>Coming.

"Alright, I've got deadlifts, then squats, clean and jerks, and then pull-ups with weights. Three sets of each."
>>1861363
>>Hey, you plan to sign up for this? It looks pretty ludicrous.
You bring it up, and he seems a bit hesitant. "I looked online, and I found out that the competition is done masked, which is why they advertise it as anonymous. I'm a little afraid that someone sees the prize money and decides to do some underhanded stuff." He prepares his weights and counts it up to 230 pounds, impressing Ruth.

"Isn't that a bit much?" she comments nervously. "I mean, over 200 is a lot."

"Nah, I weigh a lot and I'm pretty used to this." He begins to do deadlifts, and you follow him, making sure to keep your own weights lower than that. You're not quite as large or as powerful as he is, but you feel your body will get stronger if you make an effort to work out regularly.

Seeing Keith move from set to set makes you realize he does this a lot. Asking him about it, he says, "Yeah, my dad did boxing and athletics teaching here a while back, so I got a lot of work in."

"Is he working at another gym now?" Florez asks, obviously strained and a little out of breath.

"No, he got injured and has had to move from job to job to try to make sure we had money," Keith admits. "Problem was, we couldn't afford to move, so he had to take some really sketchy jobs. Nothing illegal," he says, putting down his weights and taking a short break, "But he's had to work at some really crummy places, and his arm hasn't been helping. I tried to apply for jobs too, but they always found out my real age, or they were one-time. When I got accepted to Olympia, it was a breath of fresh air. Now, the school pays for most of everything I need," he smiles.

"Wow," Ruth says, "That must have been tough."

"Eh, you live through it," Keith shrugs it off. "I'm just hoping Dad's arm gets better."

>>I'm just hoping Dad's arm gets better.
>He hasn't seen a doctor for it?
>How'd it get injured?
>What about your mom? What was she doing for all of this?
>Can your dad or you teach me how to box? I can pay.
><Write-In>

>>1861428
>>How'd it get injured?
>>Can your dad or you teach me how to box? I can pay.

I'm assuming he can't pay to have it looked at.

>>1861428
>>He hasn't seen a doctor for it?

>>1861443
>How'd it get injured?
"Apparently the stingers he got while he was working caught up to him, and the insurance never paid enough to make up the difference."

>>1861471
>He hasn't seen a doctor for it?
He moves on to pull-ups as you ask him. "Has, but they said it's the brachial plexus and we didn't have a lot of extra money lying around. Cheapest place to get the surgery is India, and it's still ten grand at least- plus, he didn't have a passport. We were scraping by because we couldn't afford to get the surgery and not having the surgery meant he couldn't get a better job. Dad says that he should be able to get it done while I'm at Olympia. All the money the school spends on me is stuff he doesn't have to."

>Can your dad or you teach me how to box? I can pay.
Getting down from the pull-up bar, he points his thumb into his chest. "I can. My dad needs his shoulder fixed before he can really teach you. The money should come in soon enough for his India treatment, so maybe he can help you fix whatever I didn't teach." He puts out his fist for you to bump, and you respond in kind.

You feel like you understand Keith much better now, his personal strengths and drives becoming clearer.
(Your bond with the Orphan increased to Rank 2!)
(Keith can now aid you during Negotiation!)
(You've gained access to Keith's training, which will regularly increase Courage!)

"What about me?" Ruth suggests offhandedly. "I mean, could you teach me to box?"

Allan is hesitant to do this. "Well, normally I suggest female trainers for female athletics."

You finish up what you've started and then head back to Olympia to relax for the afternoon.

(For going to the gym, your Courage has increased! (+3: 1/15 ->3/15))

---

It's late Saturday at Olympia, and you're exhausted. You could use a non-physical method of relaxing before you have to return to school at the end of the weekend.

>>Lazing About
>Look for someone to talk to <Write-In>
>Head to the Arcade
>Check the school bulletin
>Just play games in the rec center
>Check Anonymouse
>Play some Starcraft
>Study (you nerd)
>Head to Sarpino's
><Write-In>

>>1861517
>Check the school bulletin
>Talk to Ruth

>>1861517
>Check the school bulletin
>Work on a computer program to help you study

>>1861562
>>Check the school bulletin
Apparently Student Council elections are coming up. There are several students in the running, and the current President, Chris Hall, is also up to run. You could apply yourself- you just need to submit a speech to the main office by this Friday. You yourself don't have any major aspirations to the position, but it could be useful.
>Work on a computer program to help you study
You remember that it's almost complete and you just need to feed some information in to complete it.
After finding the electronic notes you wrote in class, you copy them over quickly, and text Florez while you're doing so.
>>Talk to Ruth
>RUTH: Hm? You wanted to chat?
>RUTH: Sure, I could use a break.
When you meet her in the recreation center, she's in very relaxed clothing, a shirt and shorts, and you can tell the workout from before has tired her out. "Whew, that was really something. I don't know how Keith can stand it."
Picking up one of the controllers, she cycles through one of the screens, deciding on a game to play. "Do you have any favorites? I mostly like beat-em-ups like Fortress Fractitioners. It's nice to figure out how all the combinations of attacks work."

>>Fortress Fractitioners
>Aw yes, I love this game.
>Actually, I wanted to talk about something.
>Damn that name is a mouthful.
>You want to head somewhere while the curfew is open for the weekend?
>Got a card reading for me?
><Write-In>

>>1861580
Thought I tagged this post for sure.
Apologies music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGeEuyG_DIc

>>1861623
>Actually, I wanted to talk about something.
>I don't think Bennet is the Phantom. It's just a hunch as of now but I really don't think he is

>>1861623
>>Damn that name is a mouthful.
>>Actually, I wanted to talk about something.
>How have you been lately? Has the Phantom done anything?

>>1861623
>>Actually, I wanted to talk about something.
>>I don't think Bennet is the Phantom. It's just a hunch as of now but I really don't think he is
>><Write-In>
Plan to sign Keith up for the tournament later
(I read that a special belt and gloves will be given in the last thread, and that screams special event equipment to me.)

>>1861655
>>1861658
>>1861666
>><Write-In>
>Plan to sign Keith up for the tournament later
You feel this is an opportunity you shouldn't pass up, and neither should Keith. If he backs out of it, it's anonymous, so you can just dodge or take his place.
>Damn that name is a mouthful.
"Yeah, well, it worked as advertising, apparently."
>Actually, I wanted to talk about something.
She puts down the controller and raises an eyebrow. "What about?"
>I don't think Bennet is the Phantom. It's just a hunch as of now but I really don't think he is
Florez stares at the floor coldly. "I want to agree with you, and believe him, but there are just too many reasons why it looks like him. I mean, who else could it be?"
You're not sure who else fits the description of the Phantom. The dream suggests that it's an older man, but who it could be isn't clear. Sostrato is dead, so that cuts him out of it.
>How have you been lately? Has the Phantom done anything?
"No, nothing," she shakes her head. "Thanks for your concern, but I haven't gotten a reading after the last one. He's giving me suggestions, but they're rarer, as if he were waiting for something. I don't like it one bit. I'd stop listening to his suggestions altogether, but he says that some of the little things he's asking me to do are really important to ensure you all remain safe."
She's obviously frustrated with the situation. "If I don't do what he says, he's going to pester me until I do, and I'm afraid he might be right."

>>The Phantom's Suggestions
>Wait, what? To ensure our safety? How?
>Just forget about him.
>Right now, you should probably go along with him.
>Maybe Bennett can trace him?
>Have there been any times or places he stopped talking to you?
><Write-In>

>>1861679
>What did he say?

>>1861679
>>Wait, what? To ensure our safety? What did he say?

>>1861683
>>1861732
>Wait, what? To ensure our safety?
>What did he say?
"He said I should talk to the other members of the group, actually. To make our friendships stronger. So that 'when the time comes' we'll be ready for- something, I guess." She seems a little embarrassed to talk about it in such a fashion. "I mean, if it helps. I just don't want to, you know, fake caring about you guys. I really do want to get to know you, whether someone tells me to or not."

She shakes her head. "Does that seem selfish to you? Getting to know someone because they make you a better person? I mean, you're trying to help them too, right?" Florez focuses. "I don't think so, because ultimately we do everything because we want to, but sometimes dumb thoughts like that bother me. You know that feeling?" Ruth fiddles with the controller.

>>You know that feeling?
>More than you know.
>Don't worry too much about it. You're doing this to help us, right?
>Wait a minute. You use tarot cards, right? Which card best describes me?
>I think learning about you guys has made me a better person. I only hope you can say the same.
><Write-In>

>>1861736
>>Wait a minute. You use tarot cards, right? Which card best describes me?

>>1861736
>More than you know.

>>1861736
>More than you know.
>I think learning about you guys has made me a better person. I only hope you can say the same.
>Wait a minute. You use tarot cards, right? Which card best describes me?

>>1861739
>>1861741
>>1861742
>More than you know.
"It's good to know I'm not the only one out there, then." she laughs and winks. "I guess it was stupid of me to expect I'd be the only one with that sort of worry. After all, there are what? Seven billion people on the planet?"

>I think learning about you guys has made me a better person. I only hope you can say the same.
Ruth nods as if it were obvious. "Come on, of course it has. I mean, if I didn't talk to you, I'd have bottled up all my worries about the Phantom and other stuff like this."

>Wait a minute. You use tarot cards, right? Which card best describes me?
"Well, uh..." she thinks about it, and shuffles out the eleventh card. "Out of all of them, this is the one that I think of when I talk to you. Strength represents spiritual power and resolve. I guess when I talk to you, I feel like I'm becoming a stronger person." She puts it away, and looks at the screen again. "We all need help with that, don't we?"
You believe you better understand Florez's confusion with her powers and issues with the Phantom.

(Your bond with the Creator increased to Rank 2!)
(Ruth can now aid you during negotiation!)

"But that's enough of that," she tilts her head. "Come on, let's play a few rounds before it gets too late."

You spend time playing video games with Ruth and enjoying conversation with her. In the back of your mind, you're unsure what the endgame of the Phantom's manipulative nature really is, and why he would act in such a way at all.

---
(Last post for the night, will stick around to ask questions. American Arcana will continue Thursday at 7PM US Central, and I'll determine where to go at that time.)

Thanks for running.

AFTER SCHOOL, Wednesday September 19th (Weather: Sunny. Forecast for tomorrow: Sunny.)
Your nose is healing up, but it still twinges a little. After the lass class bell rings, you prepare to head to work at Black Cover Bookstore. When you come in, Miss Patricia is asleep at her desk, her glasses set aside next to her monitor. The screensaver is a red ball bouncing around on the screen. She breathes very slowly and quietly, and does not awake when you step inside.

Your time here has led to a much cleaner shop overall, but it still needs arrangement and a couple of fixes. You did some work on the lighting, but some of the shelves need fixing. And you also realize you've never been upstairs in earnest when you note a draft coming from the staircase.

Sofia is not here yet, either. It's not like her to be later than you- she's usually here a short bit before you arrive.

>>Blackcover Bookstore
>Wake up Miss Patricia
>Get to work arranging the books and putting the shelves in working order
>Check to see where the breeze is coming from upstairs
>Search for a book of choice (Write-In)
>Text Sofia to check what gives
><Write-In>

>>1866653
>Check to see where the breeze is coming from upstairs

>>1866686
>>Check to see where the breeze is coming from upstairs
You go upstairs, looking around to see where the air is coming from. Perhaps an open window?

Your curious nature is rewarded when you climb the stairs and enter a hallway on the second floor. There is a hallway leading to the right and into a room filled with boxes. You determine the closed door directly in front of you to be Miss Patricia's room, and there is a linen closet here. However, the window facing the alleyway is shut tightly, and the door to the room with the boxes is wide open. A breath of wind indicates that this is where the breeze comes from.

When you enter the room with the boxes, you're astonished to see so much stuff packed away in here. Clothing, toys, magazines, furniture, utensils and cookware, trinkets and oddities. Refuse of all sorts makes this room a veritable garage sale. There's even an unplugged pinball machine in one of the corners. There are cobwebs and bird nests in here, and one of the windows is open, your inanimate culprit. It opens to a worn and rusty fire escape ladder.

With Miss Patricia asleep and Sofia not here, you have the run of the musty place. Your nose suggests you should open more windows instead of closing this one.

>>The hideaway
>Search for something interesting (Knowledge 2d10+3)
>Close the window and go back downstairs
>Report back to Miss Patricia
>Text someone else about it
>Keep this secret to yourself
><Write-In>

>>1866771
>Close the window and go back downstairs
>Report back to Miss Patricia

>>1866780
>Close the window and go back downstairs
You consider the situation and figure that in your heart of hearts, you wouldn't want someone to take advantage of the situation if it were reversed. After all, the deal was that you could get paid in books, not in whatever you happened to find.
Closing the window and shutting off the impromptu air conditioning, you leave the room, close the door, and head back downstairs quietly.

>Report back to Miss Patricia
You tap her on the shoulder and she wakes with a start. "Ah!" Picking up her glasses, she places her hands on her chest in surprise. "Oh, it's you, Solomon. I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep." Obvious statements aside, she listens to your story and nods. "Ah, yes. Some time ago, I noticed a bird had made a nest in that room and, not wanting to disturb it, left the window open. You probably noticed how the rain affected that. Today, when I went in to check, I found out that the birds had hatched and left. I must have forgotten to close the window."

An extraordinary story. Whether it's the truth or senility, she certainly seems to care about animals.

(Your Charm has increased! (+3: 0/15 ->2/15))

When Sofia finally arrives, she does so in a stormy mood. "That Hall..."

"What hall?" Miss Patricia asks. "Was there something wrong with the school building?"

Carrollo gets to work sorting books with a shake of her head. "No, it's that dolt student council president. He pulled me aside because he couldn't find Solomon and tried to convince Principal Brown our club wasn't suitable for the school. Thankfully, the Principal didn't agree, but still..." She stares at you. "You couldn't think of a better name?"

>>You couldn't think of a better name (ORC- Occult Research Club)?
>Chris was the one that accepted it.
>Wait, he went after you and not me?
>I'll talk to him.
>Heh, you should have heard the other names.
>I think this is what happened with Martinez.
><Write-In>

>>1866870
>I think this is what happened with Martinez.

>>1866876
>I think this is what happened with Martinez.
The 'coincidences' are too similar for you to put the option aside. An attitude shift for the negative out of the apparent blue? Needless antagonism? He could just be a douchebag at heart, but so was Martinez, and his Monster ended up showing up in the Witching Hour. In fact, the student council elections would be the perfect time for his insecurities to flare, especially if he's used to winning them.

You suggest this to Sofia, and she reconsiders the problem. "You're right. Some people said that that was how he normally was, but there was something off about him. We have to at least look into it."

Miss Patricia overhears this and questions, "The same thing that happened to Martinez?"

Sofia covers for you before you need to. "Yes, we've noticed that a lot of students are under extreme pressure to succeed at Olympia, so Solomon and I have decided to lead an initiative to help people deal with their ambitions in positive ways and befriend them."

You note to yourself that Carrollo doesn't name the others in this statement, but Miss Patricia doesn't seem to know or mind, and is encouraged by her words. "You're awfully ambitious yourselves, doing goodwill work like that. Even if he doesn't appreciate your group's actions, I do."

Sofia smiles happily hearing this praise. "It's nothing, really. Solomon was the one that suggested it." Her confidence seems to be more secure now that she's receiving support from Miss Patricia as well.

(You feel your bond with Sofia will improve soon...)

---

When you're on the train back to Olympia, you realize that you'll be able to claim another book due to your work soon. However, this situation with Hall is bad, and worse now that you already have a floor to clear of a Monster as it is.
(Something tells you that if you don't defuse this by the time student council elections come around, something bad will happen.)

You were out of the game due to your nose injury, but now you don't have that excuse. Sofia looks to you, follows your train of thought in silence, and asks, "Should we gather the others?"

>>Should we gather the others?
>Yes, we need to go into Babylon immediately.
>Yes, we need to get those knockoff evil Davids out of our way once and for all.
>No, we can handle this without going into the Witching Hour.
>No, we're still in a bad situation.
><Write-In>

>>1866951
>Yes, we need to go into Babylon immediately.

>>1866984
You round up the team with a couple of well-phrased texts, and a quick assembly occurs in Bennett's classroom. The teacher peers out the window and then notes the coast is clear. "Let's begin."

You prepare yourself for battle and consider what you have to work with.
>>Base Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: +2/+3/+3/+3
>>Armor: Hero's Armor, +1/+0/+0/+0
>>Weapon: Ultra Greatsword, +0/+0/+0/+1
>Myths (Pick 6):
>>Faust (Locked):
>>Blackbeard: +2/+0/-1/+3
>>Demon in the Bottle: -1/-1/+3/+2
>>Velveteen Rabbit: +0/+0/+2/+1
>>Red Riding Hood: +1/+0/+3/-1
>>Friar Tuck: +1/+1/+0/+2
>>The General: +3/-1/+0/+3

Available Powers:
>Every member of the party can aid you during Negotiation.
>When you score a critical hit in battle:
>>(Sofia) Maiden’s Judgement: Hand-to-hand assault on one target with high chance to strike fear in other enemies.
>>(Sofia) Lady’s Gift: Heal all allies greatly.
>1 use per day each:
>>Devil's Own Luck- Re-roll failed/unacceptable check.
>>Soul Shield- If David is in your party during battle, he will take and survive a lethal blow in the place of another party member.
>>Seize the Truth- Remove debuffs all party, remove buffs all enemy
>>Tear Up- Massive physical-type damage one enemy

When everyone is ready, you decide who goes with you.
>>Party Composition
>Sofia (Great Condition)
>Keith
>David
>Ruth (Great Condition)
>Donna
>Tell Sofia to take secondary group <Write-In>
>Ask Bennett to take the field
>All together
><Write-In>

>>1867038
One error: Faust is +1/+2/+1/+1, but you have to take him anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGfKi6kpdTQ

>>1867038
>Sofia
>Ruth
>Keith

>>1867038
>>All together

>>1867056
>Sofia
She brushes the hair out of her eyes. "Let's begin."
>Ruth
"Christine, to me!" Florez focuses and practices her Myth-shifting before nodding.
>Keith
"Heh, sure, I could use a workout," he grins.
(You have both Great Condition members in your party, so you gain +2 to any roll that involves giving the party orders.)

You move into Haute Cuisine, and Bennett seems confused. "Something's wrong with the Monster. Stay on guard." The restaurant is eerily silent, and the customers are not protesting their meals, only eating quietly.

>>1867095
>All together
"Hey, I think we should fight as a group," David pleads. "After last time, we almost lost despite outnumbering the enemy droids badly."

Keith disagrees. "But we're not fighting them right now. As long as the Monster is here, we need to get rid of it and get downstairs so we can deal with Chris. If the student Council President cracks, we'll be up a creek."

(If you take the whole party, you will lose the Great Condition order bonus.)
>>All together? (QM will roll if still split)
>1 No, we need to be coordinated for this. Too many cooks and all that.
>2 Alright, fine. Overwhelming numbers it is.
><Write-In>

>>1867112
>1 No, we need to be coordinated for this. Too many cooks and all that.

>>1867112
>>1 No, we need to be coordinated for this. Too many cooks and all that.
><Write-In>
David, I need you to run interference outside of Babylon. Take the others and see if what we do in the Witching Hour has any effect real time in the real world.

>>1867118
>>1867119
>1 No, we need to be coordinated for this. Too many cooks and all that.
>David, I need you to run interference outside of Babylon. Take the others and see if what we do in the Witching Hour has any effect real time in the real world.
"Alright," he says, trusting you despite his obvious fear for your safety. "Donna, you're helping me."

"Urgh, fine," she shakes her head and walks off after him. "Just don't die, okay?"

You move through the orderly restaraunt, un-harrassed by any enemies at all. When you approach the VIP area, it's already open, chilling you.
"Oh dammit," Bennett mutters. "What the hell is going on? Did they kill it first? I still sense its signal."

"Why would they do that?" Keith asks out loud. Sofia merely sets her jaw, while Ruth looks terrified.

You don't have the time to hesitate, and kick the door in and head inside.

---

The elaborate table set formerly set with dinner is broken in half, splinters in the area. Ms. Pollick's Monster, rather than being a hulking monstrosity of some sort, is a frightened humanoid figure, the glowing red eyes filled with fear. Her dress is tattered and torn in several places, and tears and blood have smeared her makeup. Standing over her is a man wearing a mask similar to the one 'Lancelot' possessed. However, he is obviously human, a shorter man.

"Hey, what the fuck?" Keith is uncharacteristically nervous. "What the hell is going on here?"

"P-please..." Pollick's Monster reaches out to you, and Sofia, feeling a pang of pity, makes to move. However, the mystery man grips the Monster by the back of the neck and lifts, shifting into a Myth whose appearance is chillingly simplistic- a carved humanoid statue made of granite and carrying a tremendous bronze scythe. With it, he decapitates the Monster and lets the outpouring of darkness melt into himself. Like Faust, the Myth is able to absorb the essence of Monsters.

Brushing its chest with its hand to wipe off the evaporating refuse, the titan speaks to you with a hiss- a computer-modulated voice."You shouldn't have gotten involved," he threatens. "If your precious teacher isn't willing to wipe your memories, I suppose it falls to me."

"Shit, I can't grade his power!" Bennett panics. "Hold on, I'll prepare ports for emergency exit!"

"We need to go!" Ruth screams, and almost turns to run. "If he's anything like Solomon, we can't fight him!"

"Oh HELL no!" Keith roars, and steps up with fists clenched. "We are not ducking out again. If this is the guy behind things, I'm gonna take his block off here and now!"

Sofia wants to agree, but she's tongue-tied, merely pulling out her pistol with shaking legs.

"Are you going to send your friends to their death, boy?" taunts the statuesque Myth-User.

>>Are you going to send your friends to their death?
>Bennett, call off the ports. We need combat buffs.
>I always wanted to try a mirror match. Everyone else go.
>Next time, asshole.
>Guys, run!
><Write-In>

>>1867200
>>Bennett, call off the ports. We need combat buffs.
I don't think we will be able to run from him.

>>1867211
>>Bennett, call off the ports. We need combat buffs.
"Damn..." The teacher finds it hard to listen to you, but ultimately relents. "Fine."
(You gain +2 to all rolls for three rounds!)
"That's the best I've got!" he tells you. "Don't die here, dammit. I'm calling in backup."

"By the time you return they will remember nothing of this world," the titan sneers. "Children, I warned you. Now you face the end of your petty game."

"Bring it on, coward!" Keith cries with all the bravado he can muster.

COMBAT ENGAGED!
--!!!WARNING!!!--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59sQHPCNAdA

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+2/+3/+3/+3) + Faust(+1/+2/+1/+1) + Armor (+1/0/0/0) + Weapon(0/0/0/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+5) +2
>Bombard the titan with Psychic attacks (Proficiency +6)
>Try to absorb any information you can about the enemy or his weaknesses (Knowledge +7)
>An underhanded attack- distract him and set him up for a fall (Charm +6)
>Straightforwards is best. (Courage +7)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about them
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Ruth, Sofia)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

>>1867286
>V*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Ruth, Sofia)
Debuffs on the enemy, Buffs on allies NOW.
>>Try to absorb any information you can about the enemy or his weaknesses (Knowledge +7)

>>1867304
(A roll, if I can get one.)

Rolled 9, 5 + 7 = 21 (2d10 + 7)

>>1867304

>>1867330
>V*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Ruth, Sofia)
Ruth tries to slow his mind with Christine's song, while Sofia bolsters your group's defenses with Pythia's halo of firey protection. Keith raises the striking power of your group. On the other hand, you pressure him, hoping to lower his offensive power.

>Try to absorb any information you can about the enemy or his weaknesses (9,5)+7 = 21 (Success)
You've got your work cut out for you, because this guy is as quiet and as deadly as they get. There is no sign as to his true potential, but attempts to charm, frighten, or otherwise hinder the statuesque Myth seem next to useless.
The only thing that seems to slow him down are attempts to debilitate his power, and then only barely. He has potential to spare, and he only gets stronger when he holds his scythe with both hands and a rush of light surrounds his body. The air crackles, his gaze narrows, and your stone assailant prepares to attack.
You don't think he has any easily exploitable flaws, besides the fact of your simply superior numbers.

(Titan is concentrating his energy!)

He glares at you. "I have come too far to be stopped by meddling brats such as yourselves. You will be spared, but your Myths will become mine."

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+2/+3/+3/+3) + Faust(+1/+2/+1/+1) + Armor (+1/0/0/0) + Weapon(0/0/0/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+5) +3
>Bombard the titan with Psychic attacks (Proficiency +7)
>Force him to focus on you. (Knowledge +8)
>Get him to talk more about what he means by that (Charm +7)
>Hit him, and HARD, before he gets the chance to do anything! (Courage +8)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about them
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Ruth, Sofia)
>Flee (Sealed)

Rolled 9, 7 + 8 = 24 (2d10 + 8)

>>1867380
>Hit him, and HARD, before he gets the chance to do anything! (Courage +8)

Rolled 4, 4 + 8 = 16 (2d10 + 8)

>>1867380
>>Hit him, and HARD, before he gets the chance to do anything! (Courage +8)
>>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about them

>>1867388
>>1867397
>Hit him, and HARD, before he gets the chance to do anything! (9,7)+8 (SUCCESS)
You focus your anger at being attacked and the fact that your friends are in danger into a concentrated mass of psychic energy. It's actually quite significant, and when it hits the titan, he was clearly not expecting it to deal as much damage as it did. His stalking stride halts for a second and his Myth form crackles in a static-like fashion.

>>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about them
"That hit would have taken any of you out in one go!" he comments, hammering at the keys on his Siege Perilous furiously. "How is he still standing?"

"I have been aware of this world longer than any of you have been alive," your attacker mutters in a half-delirious fashion, and turns his scythe on you. "It's clear that you are my foe," he swings it through you, and you feel something in your stomach clench as an image of the demon in the bottle flashes before your eyes and shatters. You're knocked out of breath and onto your back, but alive.

(Demon in the Bottle removed from Available Myths!)

"Hm?" The enemy considers you. "So they protect you? Or are you sacrificing them?"

Keith delays him from saying anything more by using D'Artagnan to freeze the enemy's feet to the ground. Ruth opens up a salvo of sonic attacks, and Sofia is almost praying as she heals you. Strength returns to your body as you plot your next move. The titan smashes free and slaps Keith with enough force to send him flying.

"He can hear me..." Bennett whispers. "Can he? I hope that was just a coincidence. My buff is gonna run out, and I can't contact anyone outside of the Witching Hour. I-I've got to leave, physically leave, to get the principal. Please..." he begs, and you lose your mental link with him as he leaves.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+2/+3/+3/+3) + Faust(+1/+2/+1/+1) + Armor (+1/0/0/0) + Weapon(0/0/0/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+5) +3
>Just keep yourselves alive! (Proficiency +7)
>Prepare for another attack like that! Even if it only slowed him down, he'll wear down eventually. (Knowledge +8)
>Feign a retreat- it's what he'll be expecting. (Charm +7)
>Keep on trucking! (Courage +8)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Ruth, Sofia)
><Write-In>

>>1867431
>>Prepare for another attack like that! Even if it only slowed him down, he'll wear down eventually. (Knowledge +8)
(I am conflicted with what I am about to say. On one hand, it is really bad as a pun and makes little sense. ON the other, I get to JoJo this...)
WE 「DON'T FEAR THE REAPER」!

Rolled 7, 10 + 8 = 25 (2d10 + 8)

>>1867441
>>1867431
...and the dice don't roll.

>>1867441
>>1867443
You continue to focus, even as the titan presses his assault on you. One after another, your collected Myths protect you from the relentless wave of attacks.
(Friar Tuck removed from Available Myths!)
(Red Riding Hood removed from Available Myths!)

Even with his stony face absent of emotion, body language and tone makes it clear that the titan is completely incredulous. "Tch. Just like Brown, then. You don't know when to give up."

"Brown?" Ruth asks as she helps pick up Keith, "You know the principal?"

In response, the giant holds out his hand, and blade strikes appear from mid-air. Florez screams when she's hit by the first one, but Keith pushes her aside, absorbing the attacks using his musketeer. A heroic effort, but he collapses to the ground and pants tiredly. "Can't keep this up..."

No sympathy comes from the attacker. "No, you can't." Flame from Sofia's Pythia engulfs his head, and Carrollo stares at the man with hate and tears in her eyes.

>Prepare for another attack like that! Even if it only slowed him down, he'll wear down eventually. (7,10) +8 (SUCCESS)

This gives you the opening you need, and you shove Faust's claws onto the statue and channel wild colors and maddening whines into him. Your combined attacks deal moderate damage to the behemoth, and his tone shifts from angry to outright vicious. He is hurt, but you don't think you'll be able to defeat him before the next attack comes out.

"Enough! Now, I end this. At this point, killing you may prove more efficient. It will only be temporary." Shoving you back, he raises his off-hand and it begins to glow.
Your power high fades, and now you face him with your own strength alone- or perhaps not.

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+2/+3/+3/+3) + Faust(+1/+2/+1/+1) + Armor (+1/0/0/0) + Weapon(0/0/0/+1) = (+4/+5/+4/+5)
>Get one of your friends out of the blast radius! (Proficiency +4)
>There's got to be another option here! (Knowledge +5)
>Taunt him. He seems like the type that would focus on you in that case. (Charm +4)
>Endure it! (Courage +5)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, Ruth, Sofia

Rolled 1, 3 + 5 = 9 (2d10 + 5)

>>1867463
>>There's got to be another option here! (Knowledge +5)
He is eating us, let's eat him!

>>1867463
>There's got to be another option here! (Knowledge +5)

>>1867464
>>1867470
>There's got to be another option here! (1, 3) + 5
In your weakened state, you reach out to try and draw away power from your enemy. However, it proves ineffective.

When he lowers his fist, the light blinds you and the sound deafens you. You shift from your crouching position to sitting in a chair, chained to it. A chuckle rings out in the pitch darkness as you struggle against your bindings.

---
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnNOjvbFKk
"I think it's about time I claimed my prize." No, it can't be!

It's impossible! How can this be? That's fucking bullshit... I did everything right... How is this fair?
You can't give up. Your friends are counting on you.

The voice is all around you. You can't see anything as you struggle. It's ice-cold and getting colder, your teeth beginning to chatter. "It was a nice go, I admit. But your will wasn't enough."

>>But your will wasn't enough.
>That's right... I can't save them.
>Someone, anyone, help...
>Maybe not my will... But ours...

>>1867480
>Maybe not my will... But ours...

One of these things is not like the other!

>>1867480
>>Maybe not my will... But ours...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvs54qwxvq0

>>1867481
>>1867484
Your power is gone. It just won't work. You think to yourself as you sink deeper into the cold.
Faust's power was based on your own desire to live at any cost. In a sense, that makes him the Monster inside of you.
But the nature of a Monster...
>"It's a Monster-class Curse... Meaning it's formed out of a particular person's denied feelings, and the feelings of anyone who thinks likewise."
What were you denying?
>Do you want to live, no matter what?
Right now, you wonder what would have happened had you said you were willing to die to save the other two... And then your vision clears.
You can't do anything right now. All you can do is rely on someone else. Rather than desperately grasping at power and claiming it as your own, to save yourself...
Inside, you know you alone are powerless. You need help. In this moment, you throw away your self-preservation for a chance, any chance, at saving your friends.
Faust vanishes from your mind with a terrible roar, and you fall into a deep black and begin to hallucinate.

Keith's voice accompanies hands on your shoulders, trying to speak to you. "Hey, stay with us! Don't you dare die on us!"
"This can't be happening! Not you, too!" Sofia seems almost on the verge of tears, choking back a sob at your condition.
Ruth requests with alarm, "Who has a phone? Someone call an ambulance!"
The sound of phone tones follows, and when the emergency picks up, the man speaking is Bennett, trying to remain calm. "Hello? Yes, we need an ambulance immediately at-"
Your head swims again, and the voices fade out.

Deep down somewhere, you believed you didn't need anyone- you could fight all on your own.
Maybe that feeling came from you leaving New York, leaving everyone you cared about at school. So you didn't have to feel like you were powerless- that you could rely on yourself alone. Funny, you told Sofia not to do the same thing. But ever since you came to Olympia...
They care about you. They want you to live. They're the ones that give you power.

https://youtu.be/qr1ut9aJ-Hc
"At last, you have awakened to your true power," a girl's voice laughs. It sounds both alike and unlike Irene.

Then a voice like Faust's speaks clearly in your mind, filling you with hope. "Death cannot claim you yet, not while you have a guide. Your friends have given you the strength to carry on. Call upon me now, and I, recorder of death's secrets, shall answer. I am also a part of you..."

>>Call upon me now, and I, recorder of death's secrets, shall answer.
>ALIGHTERI!

>>1867497
>ALIGHTERI!

Haha, wow, shit most definitely happened while I wasn't here.

>>1867735
>ALIGHTERI!

You feel the chains fall off of you and you stumble to a standing position. The darkness clears away, leaving you half-slumped in front of the titan. When he sees you've regained consciousness, he's flabbergasted.
"You... Too foolish to die, are you?"

Before you can come up with a witty one-liner, Miss Crew speaks into your head. "Read, if you can hear me, I'll be taking over from Bennnett for a bit- he's headed your way with backup. Viviane!"

A healing wave of energy like Sofia's power removes some of the tiredness you feel in your legs, and you focus as Keith drags himself back to his feet as well.
(The party is now regenerating health!)

Your enemy, seeming to realize what's going on, shifts out of his Myth form and nods. "Very well. I will take my leave. I can attend to you later."

"You're... Not going..." Allan growls, but Ruth tries to quiet him.

"We need to bide our time too," she whispers to him.

As the man turns to leave, Sofia catches her breath and fires at him with the gun Durandal gave you when you first arrived, and the enemy Myth forms around your enemy to protect him. When it does, you hold out your hand like you did before to draw power away from him. Faust's clawed hand is replaced by a scholar's, and the crimson Grimm Book you were given has changed color to a bright blue- now Commedia is its title.

(Scribe)

The book opens to a blank page and a detailed image of your enemy's titan form is sketched on it. Your eyes fall to the name that lies on the bottom, identifying the mysterious Myth as Kronos. He is, unsurprisingly, a Ruler.
(You have gained access to a new entry! With the proper materials and Myths, you can now summon Kronos, Lord of the Titans!)
At least now you have a slightly better idea as to what's going on here- and a hint as to why he's able to devour Myths. Footsteps and yelling can be heard elsewhere in Haute Cuisine, and one of the voices is David's.

Unconcerned for this superficial damage, Kronos turns around and trikes the ground with his scythe, creating a smokescreen of shattered tiles and debris.
"Boss!" David sprints in and nearly collides with you before screeching to a halt at your side. Kronos is gone, leaving you without an end to your mystery. On the other hand, Kronos is gone, so your group's members are able to heal more with Crew's support. Bennett is here with the Principal and the soccer coach. He stares at you, and you realize that you're no longer using Faust. Your Myth's attitude has shifted to a calmer, more focused tone, and you no longer feel the need to devour enemies.

(Dante added to Available Myths!)

---
This seems like a good time to end the thread for the day. I'll be on the Discord to discuss the continuation time, or whether that's it for the week.