So fighting the runeling is probably the only thing we're going to need our whole party together for, so let's do that first. If we have any time left in the day we can scavenge there too; Galena will probably know the best places to search. Then on the next day Mel and Galena can scavenge in the frozen city, while Silv takes some time off.

1/2 Silv 2026/02/17(Tue)22:02 No. 1121175 ID: 091137
File 177136574214.png - (234.47KB , 900x750 , 021726_FromNothing2_127_.png )

Votes:
-Runeling Fight: 4
-Scavenge: 3
>So fighting the runeling is probably the only thing we're going to need our whole party together for, so let's do that first. If we have any time left in the day we can scavenge there too; Galena will probably know the best places to search. Then on the next day Mel and Galena can scavenge in the frozen city, while Silv takes some time off.

You will challenge the Tech Runeling!
You were given some spell ideas, so choose which you’ll go with, or make a new one:
>Breakpoint
>>1106434
>>1120968

BREAKPOINT… SIMPLE CONCEPT, WELL DEFINED INSTRUCTION. NEEDS NO FURTHER MODIFICATION.
UNNAMED SPELL… CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONS AND INTERACTIONS MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED RESULT.

2/2 Silv 2026/02/17(Tue)22:03 No. 1121176 ID: 091137
File 177136578381.gif - (175.56KB , 960x800 , 021726_FromNothing2_128_Dark&Light.gif )

>Wait, how old is Silv exactly?
You drift over to Galena, who picks you up.
“I do not know how her race ages, but mentally, she appears to be around 10 or 12 years.”

>Does Galena have some lasers we can test it with?
“I am not equipped with any weaponry, only the rusted swords from the museum, and those will break rather quickly.”

>That reminds me. We probably have enough runes to unlock Darkness now. Do we want to? Better ask everyone present what they think. It is probably a rune that symbolizes... this void we're in. Considering runes strengthen their aspect in the area they're in, it might be dangerous to hold a Darkness rune, or at least have more than one at a time. I wonder what would happen if we inverted it though?
Mel pulls some granola bars from her bag after everyone wakes up, and everyone eats.
You nudge Silv until she agrees to combine runes at least once.
“Ok Tetsi, I’ll combine runes once, then we’ll get ready to go.”

The air grows still as Silv attempts the combination once more. Suddenly, blackness crackles between her hands. It quickly amplifies, radiating around her. Everyone around her quickly stands back as what looks like a hole in reality manifests between her hands.

The combination of Eldritch and Primal created a new Fundamental rune!
Darkness Rune obtained! Inversion creates another Fundamental rune. Light Rune obtained!
“Fundamental runes…? Light and Darkness?”

“Are you ok Silv?!”

“Yeah… I didn’t expect that to happen. Tetsi’s been trying to get me to do that combination for a bit. I got a Darkness and Light rune from it.”

“I’m thankful you are unharmed master Silv, but please warn us the next time you attempt something like that. Now, let us prepare to head towards Mainefalis, and gather our equipment.”

“Ok!”
Silv grabs 6 runes, while Galena brings the rusted swords, and Mel brings her phone and pipe. Fern stands guard with the shovel at home.

Craft your spell. Remember that directions are important! Most popular spell will be crafted.

>>1121175
breakpoint sounds good

>>1121176
>Mel brings her phone and pipe
pipe-chan! she's back!
also, what about inverting the tech rune? surely we have time to do that before leaving?

Breakpoint sounds more sure than the energy capture spell.

>>1121176
>10 or 12
No wonder she's better at Convenient Censorship then.

>Fundamental runes
Neato! I wonder what Fundamental means. Maybe they're "purer" than other rune types? Even the basic ones we got at the start are somewhat impure in concept-- they can mean several things. Darkness and Light might be just that, and nothing more. Alternatively maybe they signify fundamental forces of reality, and mean far *more* than simple dark and light. Maybe it's a yin/yang thing... in that case perhaps we should try making more rune combinations with the Ore rune to try to make Metal, which is one of the five Chinese elements. I'm not sure how we'd make Fire since Flare seems to already be that concept. Wood might be attainable by combining Nature with something... Life+Nature perhaps. Water is again a problem since Stream should be it. Oh, maybe all we have to do is combine Stream or Flare with Primal to get the more Fundamental concept. During the process I was worried that Eldritch was the root cause of the unusual combination, but now that we know the result was Fundamental, I think Primal will be used to reach other Fundamentals.
I wonder if they give stronger effects than expected when put into a 3-rune spell?

>make a 3-rune spell
Breakpoint seems good, but I am concerned about the range. We need something long range, or something we can place as a trap, or something we can attach to an object and then launch at the enemy.
...eh, it's probably good enough. We just need to sneak up on it, or use Tremor to create cover we can dodge between to avoid the blasts while we approach.

>>1121175
Breakpoint is an elegant design. Very useful given our target

I am going to vote for the unnamed spell. I am also going to vote for naming it "Aiki".

>>1121176
Yeah, Breakpoint seems good enough since we can't do testing on the unclear spell.

1/3 Silv 2026/03/04(Wed)22:50 No. 1122994 ID: 091137
File 177266461598.png - (671.41KB , 900x750 , 030426_FromNothing2_129_EnterTheEnemy.png )

>Fundamental runes
>>1121180
“No idea Tetsi! We’ll figure it out later I suppose?”

>Breakpoint!
“Tech as the spell's core to connect to the target…”
“Static to affect energy flow…?”
“And Stagnate to suspend operations.”

x3 runes consumed.
Slowing AOE replaced with Breakpoint.

Your party makes it way over towards Mainefalis, cautiously approaching where you found the Runeling. Galena relayers her knowledge of the area.

“Where you encountered this Runeling appears to be an old plaza area between arcane towers. A very open area unless we can drive it closer to the buildings or walls.”

Mel chimes in. “Ok, so, it shoots lasers. Anything else?”

“Unfortunately, we are unaware of any other abilities it may possess. We must remain cautious.”

Hiding behind the buildings, you slowly approach the plaza area, scanning for your target. Debris piles are strewn about, but one particularly tall one catches your attention…!

 

The tower of debris stirs!

The towering mass of metal and void lets out a bellow!

Tech Runeling

The result when Voidlings consume runes, something they cannot process under normal means. A great number of Tech runes are stuck inside it, and it has assimilated the Tech around it, mutating into this monstrous form. Very dangerous.
Primary Runic Affinity: Tech. Secondary: Unknown.

Abilities:
Prototype Battery Core: Unstable energy storage device. Stores a lot of energy, but can release its energy suddenly and quickly.
Conduit Engraving Laser: Device to carve into stone and metal to lay the basis of rune-conduits. Power output unstable.

“...I’m WAY more intimidated by this thing than the witch.”

“It is indeed intimidating.”

“Ok, we can do this!”
Mel transforms into her magical girl form, Galena draws the rested swords, and Silv brandishes you. Plan your attack!

3/3 Silv 2026/03/04(Wed)23:13 No. 1122996 ID: 091137
Audio Void_battle_theme_1_v1_030.mp3 - (3.21MB , Void battle theme 1 v1_030.mp3 )

(OFFICIAL BOSS MUSIC BABY!)

Its battery core is unstable; if we can damage it, then the runeling might lose most of its powers.

It's got three legs. Cut one and it won't be able to stand. Also of note, it can only fire in one direction. So if someone provokes a shot and gets behind cover, the other two can advance.

So I think the fastest of us should pop out and get it to aim, then hide behind cover while the other two rush in to strike at one of its legs. Presumably Silv is not the fastest of us so she can try to get off her spell and disable it.

Use Tremor to block its second shot if it gets to fire one.

Silv, no matter how much i beg, do not become distracted and use us like an airguitar...

Ok! The quick drawing fire is good, but remember lasers are too fast to dodge, so we cant be too far back... but it still has to pivot to aim so theres a sweet spot where it cant stomp on you and youre too close and fast to bring firing apeture into alignment...

Whover takes the position is taking a risk, but thatll let the strikers get in close to hit.

If Silv can get close she can target the laser with breakpoint, then a faster team member can go for the battery.

Galena and Mel should break from cover and circle around the runeling in opposite directions. Move fast and give it multiple targets. When it's facing away Silv can run in close.

>>1123020
>If Silv can get close she can target the laser with breakpoint
Galena's pretty strong, think she can fastball-special Silv?

>>1122995
Can Galena hold and carry some rubble to help shield your approach? Keeping it at an angle should help the shield tank the blast. And if the power supply is unstable, it may be prone to failures or needing to recharge, which could create an opening to get in Breakpoint range.

1/3 Silv 2026/03/13(Fri)01:01 No. 1123373 ID: 091137
File 177336368918.png - (530.77KB , 900x750 , 031226_FromNothing2_131_Assault.png )

>Its battery core is unstable; if we can damage it, then the runeling might lose most of its powers.
>It's got three legs. Cut one and it won't be able to stand. Also of note, it can only fire in one direction. So if someone provokes a shot and gets behind cover, the other two can advance. So I think the fastest of us should pop out and get it to aim, then hide behind cover while the other two rush in to strike at one of its legs. Presumably Silv is not the fastest of us so she can try to get off her spell and disable it. Use Tremor to block its second shot if it gets to fire one.
>The quick drawing fire is good, but remember lasers are too fast to dodge, so we cant be too far back... but it still has to pivot to aim so theres a sweet spot where it cant stomp on you and youre too close and fast to bring firing apeture into alignment… Whover takes the position is taking a risk, but thatll let the strikers get in close to hit.
>If Silv can get close she can target the laser with breakpoint, then a faster team member can go for the battery. Galena and Mel should break from cover and circle around the runeling in opposite directions. Move fast and give it multiple targets. When it's facing away Silv can run in close.
>Galena's pretty strong, think she can fastball-special Silv?
>Can Galena hold and carry some rubble to help shield your approach? Keeping it at an angle should help the shield tank the blast. And if the power supply is unstable, it may be prone to failures or needing to recharge, which could create an opening to get in Breakpoint range.
The group discusses their plan, and decide it’s best to try to limit its movement by damaging the legs, then disabling the battery so the laser is unusable. Mel will take the lead in targeting the legs since she can fly, leaving the faster people to get in close.

Mel flies in and starts shooting magical blasts at its legs. One problem however.

PANG!!
As it turns out, the bulk of its legs are solid metal.

“Tch… Try this on for size!”
Mel flies around its side, flinging a wide spread over it. The Runeling bellows out, and turns towards Mel, it’s laser charging up. Silv and Galena run towards it once the beam fires, Mel easily flying out of its firing angle.

2/3 Silv 2026/03/13(Fri)01:01 No. 1123374 ID: 091137
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“Breakpoint!”
The laser quickly loses its next shot as the Battery Core shuts down. The Runeling seems staggered for a moment before quickly recovering. With speed you didn’t expect from its bulk, it jumps and spins towards Silv and Galena, shaking the ground as it lands.

It begins to charge, and Galena grabs Silv.
“Mel, please catch Master Silv.”

“WhaaAAAAA!”

Silv is thrown airborne and caught by Mel while Galena quickly runs from the charging Runeling, sparks flying from her heels. Swiftly sliding around debris while the Runeling charges though, she enters a nearby building, causing her pursuer to crash. Half a building destroyed, it stumbles back, dazed.

Silv and Mel start shooting it from behind before it can get its bearings again. It’s very durable, but if you keep at it…!

3/3 Silv 2026/03/13(Fri)01:02 No. 1123375 ID: 091137
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The Runeling sidesteps and turns towards you, thick smoke now billowing from it’s chimney…!

WAIT, THE LASER IS CHARGING, DESPITE THE BATTERY STILL BEING DISABLED!

>>1123375
Try and disable the Breakpoint effect so that the laser overcharges and explodes. It's already unstable, right? And it can already evaporate anyone here if it hits them so it's not like making it stronger will make them MORE evaporated. Try turning the Battery Core back on when it's near full charge so it overshoots and blows up a capacitor or something.

Looks like maybe it's using a furnace or st as a generator? We got anything that can shut down a furnace? Maybe dump some water down the chimney?

Oh I was hoping to cut the tentacles it's using to grab the metal poles with but I guess that's still too tough.

>laser charging anyway
Use Tremor to pull up some stone to block the shot!

>>1123383
Or something that can block up the chimmney, overheat and overpressure the thing

>>1123390
Buckle the chimney, or jam it. Pressure might pop the runeling.

Ok, it seems like it's overheating. If we can keep forcing it to use its laser, and maybe heat it up in other ways, we can make it melt.

Smoke would indicate fire. Mel could fly you up and you could cast stream into the stack to bank that flame

>>1123378
Yup. It's using an alternative power source to charge the laser. If you dump the unstable battery's power into the laser when it's already charged, KABLOOEY.

1/1 Silv 2026/03/23(Mon)22:27 No. 1123886 ID: 091137
File 177430482736.png - (662.84KB , 900x750 , 032326_FromNothing2_134_Down4TheCount.png )

>Try turning the Battery Core back on when it's near full charge so it overshoots and blows up a capacitor or something.
>Yup. It's using an alternative power source to charge the laser. If you dump the unstable battery's power into the laser when it's already charged, KABLOOEY.
Still being carried by Mel, Silv tries casting Breakpoint on the battery to cause it to overload.
Unfortunately the spell is only designed to ‘turn off’, and it doesn’t seem like Silv is able to move the effect around.

>Looks like maybe it's using a furnace as a generator? We got anything that can shut down a furnace? Maybe dump some water down the chimney?
>Or something that can block up the chimmney, overheat and overpressure the thing
>smoke would indicate fire. Mel could fly you up and you could cast stream into the stack to bank that flame
They try to get above and out of it’s range, but it isn’t stationary enough for Silv to get any water inside the chimney. She’s also seems to be having a harder time breathing…
Silv is suffering from Mana Depletion. You quickly identify the cause as Breakpoint. It’s causing a sustained effect supplied by Silvs mana.

The Tech Runeling is about to fire!
>Use Tremor to pull up some stone to block the shot!
You quickly wiggle to get Mel's attention and she grabs you.
“Whats wrong?”

You urgently tell her to take cover behind something!

BWEEEEEEEM!!

The laser burns across the piles of debris, just as Mel ducks behind the biggest pile she can find. Silv is breathing heavily, and the Breakpoint effect will fade once she passes out from Mana Depletion…

Wait… Where's Galena?

Galena: Hijack the Titan's power core

Galena help ussss!!!!!!

>>1123886
Galena: Block the smokestack, choke the engine.

>>1123886
Huh? Silv can't stop casting Breakpoint once it affects something?! What an awkward limitation!

Hopefully Galena is doing something useful. Silv is gonna pass out soon since her spell is draining her mana...
Oh, we might be able to finish this fight using a technique we've used earlier... using runes directly! You could fly up and stuff some runes down that chimney. You could try Blast, which is volatile enough to explode on its own, or Corrosion to simply mess with the mechanism. I feel like Blast is our best bet right now, since we don't seem to be doing much damage and an internal explosion is our best bet.
Just make sure Galena isn't about to do a heroic leap out of a building onto it; making it explode when she lands on it would be bad.

>>1123886
Oh no.
Galena?
Where are you?

Scan.

Hmm, Silv ought to be able to cease breakpoint. Silv see if you can sense the spell and maybe dismiss it. Not like you can do anything else in your condition.

Yeah, we can Scan for Galena.

Warn Mel: When you do pass out, Breakpoint will end and the power surge will probably nuke the Runeling, but also the laser might have a sudden surge of power.

1/5 Silv 2026/04/03(Fri)18:43 No. 1124269 ID: 091137
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>Huh? Silv can't stop casting Breakpoint once it affects something?! What an awkward limitation!
>Hmm, Silv ought to be able to cease breakpoint. Silv see if you can sense the spell and maybe dismiss it. Not like you can do anything else in your condition.
You try to get Silv to dismiss the Breakpoint spell effect, but she’s too out of it to really comprehend what you’re telling her.

>Warn Mel: When you do pass out, Breakpoint will end and the power surge will probably nuke the Runeling, but also the laser might have a sudden surge of power.
You tap yourself into Mel, and speak to her.
“You’ve gotta be kidding…!”

Mel grabs you and Silv, and flies further behind a larger pile of debris. It bellows, attempting to follow you, but stumbling. Whatever it did, it seems to have tired it out.

2/5 Silv 2026/04/03(Fri)18:44 No. 1124270 ID: 091137
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>Galena: Hijack the Titan's power core
>Galena help ussss!!!!!!
>Galena: Block the smokestack, choke the engine.
>Oh no. Galena? Where are you?
You have no mouth, and yet you must scream! Your communication limitations are very annoying in situations like this!

>Scan for Galena.
Unfortunately you can’t scan for something as specific as her or at this close a range…

3/5 Silv 2026/04/03(Fri)18:44 No. 1124271 ID: 091137
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CRASH!!!

You watch as Galena jumps through a 3rd story window.

4/5 Silv 2026/04/03(Fri)18:45 No. 1124272 ID: 091137
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She flips over the Runeling, striking the battery, and landing on the ground with a thud.

Silv passes out from Mana Depletion.

5/5 Silv 2026/04/03(Fri)18:45 No. 1124273 ID: 091137
File 177524194526.png - (496.18KB , 900x750 , 033126_FromNothing2_139_KaBoom.png )

The effect of Breakpoint is dismissed.

KA-BOOM!

The core reactivates, emitting sparks. A thunderous explosion sounds out, toppling the Runeling, crashing it into the ground.
“...Holy shit.”

“Miss Mel, please mind your language around Master Silv. Also, please finish off the monster, as my weapons have broken. I shall tend to Master Silv.”

“Oh, uh, sure, on it!” , she says, flying off toward the Runeling to give it a pelting.
Galena kneels down, and rests Silvs head on her lap.

well one thing you can definitely say about Galena is she has amazing timing.

But yeah what do you know about mana depletion? Is it similar to exhaustion where you just feel tired for a while or are their other things we need to worry about? Do we need to feed her things that are blue? I heard blue things help restore mana.

>>1124273
Ahh... we need to get Galena some new weapons. Some from the museum, maybe? Should probably get spares as well, enough to last until we can make more ourselves.

Good work everyone.

Galena, please throw a rock into the tech runeling's GIANT WOUND.

Masterfully done Galena, thank you.

This will have to be the last time we take an untested spell into the field.
Silv needs rest and electrolytes.

Where'd Fern go?

>>1124273
You are the best robot big sister ever galena.

>>1124329
see
>>1121176
>Fern stands guard with the shovel at home.

Whoahhhh, you are really cool Galena!!