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File 128454467347.png - (159.37KB , 800x600 , 277.png )
231021 No. 231021 ID: cf68aa

They say that the gods put people in your path for a reason.
Normally it's to help guide you or has a great lesson to teach you.

Well, the person in my path has taught me something.
Expand all images
>>
No. 231022 ID: cf68aa
File 128454470026.png - (157.61KB , 800x600 , 278.png )
231022

The gods are fucking trolls..
>>
No. 231023 ID: e31d52

Get on you knees.

Apologize.
>>
No. 231024 ID: 701a19

>>231022
@Mu: Remember your promise!
@Teri: Can you calm her down?
@Gram: Apologize.
>>
No. 231025 ID: e31d52

>>231023
A-hem...

"Mu, there's nothing I can say that could make up for what I've done in the past. No words can restore your master, and they cannot heal the wounds I inflicted upon you myself. But despite that, I want you to know that I am truly and completley at your mercy. Just...

If you kill me...

Take care of Su. Please."
>>
No. 231026 ID: cf68aa
File 128454542595.png - (128.80KB , 800x600 , 279.png )
231026

>>231024
-Teri
Calm her down? Why? What's wrong?
---------------------------

"Mu, there's nothing I can say that could make up for what I've done in the past. No words can restore your ma!?!?!"

SLAM

Gram is knocked against a tree hard. He can hear his body cracking and several chunks of himself break off. Su screams in horror and Teri grabs onto Mu's arm

>"Mu! What the fuck are you doing!?"

>"This isn't your fight Teri, stay out of this."
>>
No. 231027 ID: e31d52

>>231026
FINE.

YOU HAVE FIRE.

USE IT. We will save her core, and repair it. however, we need to keep ourselves alive.
>>
No. 231028 ID: 701a19

>>231026
[Switch to Mu]
YOU ARE A LIAR AND A COWARD!
@Teri: She's going nuts! That's the guy who might be able to heal you! DO SOMETHING!
>>
No. 231029 ID: 97cb33

@MU:
[RUN] to cecil's house.
>>
No. 231030 ID: cf68aa
File 128454688711.png - (99.46KB , 800x600 , 280.png )
231030

>>231027
Right!

Gram uses Item 10 on Mu. She bursts into flames and reels in for a second attack
>>231029
She stops her attack and begins to run off


Huh?
>>
No. 231032 ID: 97cb33

she is wearing us, we can make her do stuff like we do to you. she is currently running towards Cecil's house and will probably burn out on the way there.
>>
No. 231033 ID: 701a19

>>231030
Douse the flames and follow her.
>>
No. 231034 ID: cf68aa
File 128454775138.png - (281.59KB , 800x600 , 281.png )
231034

>>231032
I see. So long as her core is still in one piece she should be okay.

Mu drops Item 7. she stops running and loses the top ten layers of her bodie.

Fuck

Gram sidesteps and barely manages to dodge a slash from her
>>
No. 231035 ID: e31d52

>>231034
SET HER ABLAZE AGAIN. Her master will fix her, and this is most certainly self fucking defense.
>>
No. 231036 ID: 97cb33

damn, she got rid of us. just stay on the defensive. and maybe shoot her a few times if you get an opening. she is burning a LOT of magic with these large attacks.
>>
No. 231037 ID: cf68aa
File 128454837497.png - (172.49KB , 800x600 , 282.png )
231037

No need to set her on fire again. She's already done.

Mu staggers as she tries to move closer to Gram. various papers fall from her and soon she drops to her knees.

>"G-gram... Elric... Kil............"

She collapses into a pile of paper. Gram can see Mu's smaller true form within the burnt pile.

She was really going all out.
>>
No. 231038 ID: 97cb33

peel off the outer layer and and burn it. take her little form back.
>>
No. 231039 ID: e31d52

Explain to her companion what was going on.

Take the items Mu was carrying as compensation.

EVERYONE, TO CECIL'S.
Also, where's Max?
>>
No. 231040 ID: 40cb26

...And to think, you were once the murderous monster, and she was the nice one. Well you were just both broken and it's her turn to be fixed. Gather what is left of her, and see that everyone is ok. We should hurry to Cecils place.

@Teri
Mu will be ok, she needs to be fixed on the inside. Don't hate Gram, please. Hate us if anything, we thought we negotiated a peaceful resolution.

@Max
There is a... long story here. Just believe when we say this has been resolved as best it could.
>>
No. 231041 ID: 701a19

>>231037
Gather everything up and carry her and all the various debris and pieces to Cecil's place.

If it makes you feel better, she's acting this way because you damaged her core back when you killed your master. Meaning that she can be healed.
>>
No. 231042 ID: cf68aa
File 128454935097.png - (155.74KB , 800x600 , 283.png )
231042

>>231040
Teri
.... You guys suck at peace negotiations. The only reason stone dude still has his head is cause Mu told me to not get involved.

Max
Oh i already know the situation. I could read Gram's soul. That is why I stood back and protected Su.
---------------------
Gram gathers up Mu's pieces. He takes her tiny body and tells everyone that their heading to Cecil's to be repaired.

Without Item 10 I wonder how that fight would have gone...


I feel a little light headed for some reason.
>>
No. 231043 ID: 701a19

>>231042
Here, Gram, use Item 21 on the elf.
Also, you probably feel light-headed because a good chunk of your head is rattling around in your feet.

@Teri: Mu's a bit brain damaged. No, really, her mind has actually been damaged. She went nuts right there.
>>
No. 231045 ID: 97cb33

aww shit. forgot. pass Mu over to teri. Mu is a energy leech.

@teri: yeah, the reason we thought we were cool was we made her promise not to attack him before getting fixed. negotiated that if she still wanted to kill gram after that then we would help her. but she apparently can't help herself when she sees him.
>>
No. 231047 ID: 40cb26

>>231042
You're kind of bashed up there, boss. You'll need fixing too, hopefully the master alchemist is back to do things properly. You might be energy drained too.

@Teri
Mu promised she would not attack Gram, not without first having her core repaired and
seeing if she still wanted to attack him. We trusted her... should have known better than to reason with the point of madness of a broken golem.

@Max
Thank you. I'm not sure how bad off Gram is right now, or how far we have to Cecils place. Hopefully Gram can make it their under his own power, but he might need your help if he's any worse than he looks. If you can do anything to speed our travel that too would be a blessing.

And I don't suppose you'd object to being called Maxine? I remember what you said about your name it's not that bad but the feminized version seems better suited for you.


...Wait, "soul"?!? Explain?
>>
No. 231051 ID: cf68aa
File 128455108012.png - (59.64KB , 652x600 , 284.png )
231051

Actually Su would be better. The Dark Elf probably has more Mana then her.

Gram passes of Mu to Su. They continue walking to Cecil's

>>231043>>231045>>231047
-Teri
That makes sense.. I was really surprised when she attacked Gram. She's normally against violence and always kept her calm. She must really hate him.

-Max
Maxine huh? I like it, thanks. I could fly him there but I think he'd be too heavy and I can only carry one person at a time.
As for Souls every being has them, even Golems need a piece of a soul. It seems both of theirs are rather well developed though. As a celestial I have the power to read their Soul to see what their thinking at any given moment. I can't look into their past or anything though, only high level angels can do that.

They arrive at Cecil's. There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
>>
No. 231055 ID: 701a19

>>231051
What are we looking at here?

@Tikka: Hey, we've back at your house. Nobody's here, where are they all?

@Max: What do your people think of immortals? Or those who bring back the dead? Are you trying to keep souls cycling through on a regular basis, or do you only care that all the souls in the pool are accounted for?
Oh, also, see that elf there? Her soul is rotting away. Do you know of anything that could help her?
>>
No. 231057 ID: 40cb26

Well crap. Gram you'll probably need to pull out the Goldeon Watch and find where Tikka or her friends are now. Got any teleport stones left?

@Maxine
We've unwound most of that tale: a lonely girl who builds herself a companion in Gram, falls in love with an abusive man, Gram is damaged trying to protect her and loses his ability to feel and care, eventually attacks him, the master protects and Gram kills her and almost destroyed the recently created Mu. Later he's collecting items, finds us, we try to steer him to the better path, find and protect Su, then we fix his head and after catching up on feeling his own major traumas he's the nice guy on a mission of redemption you see now.
>>
No. 231058 ID: cf68aa
File 128455262163.png - (40.50KB , 800x600 , 285.png )
231058

>>231057
-Maxine
Woah. That's quite a tale there. I'm glad he's changed his ways at least.

>>231055
Honestly I don't mind about people being immortal. We celestials don't really care about such things. Even Immortals die at some point. It's just the souls that are destroyed that we care about.
----------------------------
Gram knocks on the door. After a second Tikka pops her head out

>".... who the hell are these guys?"
>>
No. 231059 ID: 97cb33

okay. introduce everyone new. Max the angel. Teri the dark elf. and Mu.
>>
No. 231061 ID: 701a19

>>231058
@Tikka: A maimed paper golem named Mu that feeds off of magic, Gram with a boatload of injuries, Su who spent the night in a coma after The Collector destroyed a good chunk of her brain, a Dark Elf named Teri with an incredibly rare disease that causes her soul to rot, and an angel named Maxine who desperately needs to talk to Cecil about the Soulless due to her people being in an outright panic over them.

We're pretty sure you've never had a chance to examine an angel, and you might be interested in examining such an incredibly rare disease.
>>
No. 231062 ID: 40cb26

>>231058
@Tikka
Dammit we need some help here, Mu the paper golem flipped her shit and tried to kill Gram, he's beat up and she's reduced to her damaged core. You'll need to fix them both up as well as you can. The others are Mu's friend Teri and an angel named Maxine that Su and Gram met when they escaped to the Temple.

...Please try to compose yourself.
>>
No. 231063 ID: cf68aa
File 128455316777.png - (41.00KB , 800x600 , 286.png )
231063

>>231060>>231059
>"!!! Well come in. Why don't you all take a seat."

Tikka leads them all inside. While there Gram explains the situation to Tikka and everything that's been going on. She says she can patch up Gram and Mu but Cecil is in Central with the others at the moment. He stopped by briefly and only dropped off some things of his and picked up some clothing. Gram asks if any of the things were Items

>"the only thing noticeable is a his spell book, a golden dagger and some mana potions. OH! My book came too! I've been copying all my notes in it. I'm just about done too."
>>
No. 231064 ID: 701a19

>>231063
@Tikka: Finish up. We'll head out to Central and meet them there.
Did you tell him anything about what was going on?
Oh, and how are you liking this new book? Is it meeting your expectations?
>>
No. 231065 ID: 40cb26

Gram use Item 21 on Teri. She's been sick her whole damn life and we've meaning to help her.

And while we have some time, let's get some info on those other items we've got. The mask looking thing from Tikka and the Collectors orb item.

@Tikka
Just Cecil, what about the two others? Did you talk about us and everything? What about the clone, I trust you mentioned that at least?

@Maxine
Err you can probably tell something of this yourself, but Tikka here has certain... fascinations in the exotic races. Try not to mind it too much.
>>
No. 231067 ID: 701a19

>>231064
@Su: It might be better for just you and Tikka to go get Cecil and the others. Don't worry, he'll be fine here.
>>
No. 231068 ID: cf68aa
File 128455518343.png - (115.94KB , 800x600 , 287.png )
231068

>>231064
-Tikka
The book is great! I'm pretty much able to hold all my notes in it now.

>>231065
Uhm... no. I didn't talk about anything. He just left the things I mentioned then went off again with Alex and Nari. I don't feel comfortable with everyone popping up on him. Everyone seems to be relying on this one man and hoping he has nothing better to do.

>>231067
-Su
I don't want to leave Gram..
---------------------------

Gram pulls Teri aside and uses Item 21 on her. Her arm is fully restore but then quickly rots away again

>"... yeah that's been tried before."

"Oh.. Uhm, sorry."

>"not your fault."

Well that was a failure. You ask about the other Items? I have no idea what they do and testing them out inside someone's home may not be the best thing.
>>
No. 231069 ID: e31d52

>>231068
@Tikka Actually there's two of him but yeah
>>
No. 231070 ID: 701a19

>>231068
@Tikka: Three people who are all renowned experts in their fields. If they can't help, then they can certainly at least point them towards people who can.
Besides, the only people who actually need their help are Teri and Maxine, so long as you can fix Mu's brain like you did for Gram.
Teri was sent by the Dark Elf Queen, and Maxine is on an official mission from her people. I can't see somebody kind enough to resurrect a town refusing to help them.
>>
No. 231071 ID: 97cb33

hmmm, options are take tikka and leave Max in charge, or take Max and hope those here can handle Mu.

@tikka: sorry if it seems like that. Max is more here for a mutual reason. heard Cecil has been looking into how to get rid of the soulless, and that is what max has been sent to do. Teri may seem like a biggie, but Cecil is the only person we know of that is great at soul magic but not bound by elven law. once she is fixed then she can go. and Gram just wants to ask a few questions and then he can go to. it's the price of being a good person with a lot of power, everyone comes to you with their problems.
>>
No. 231073 ID: cf68aa
File 128455665054.png - (102.25KB , 800x600 , 288.png )
231073

-Tikka
>"Okay, so there's a bunch of people who want to see Cecil Question is, who's first?"

-Su
>"I'm staying with Gram.."

-Teri
>"there's no way I'm living Mu with you guys."

-Maxine
>"I would prefer to go first."

"It doesn't really matter to me."
>>
No. 231076 ID: 97cb33

okay, gram, Su, and Maxine go to central to get ceil. we will find him with the watch and then maxine and su can talk to him.
>>
No. 231079 ID: 701a19

>>231073
@All: Tikka and Maxine, you two go get Cecil. Everybody else handle introductions.
>>
No. 231085 ID: 40cb26

>>231073
@Tikka
Well it looks like most of this group is either going to stay here or all go together. I would rather most of them stay less chance for further trouble that way. But that leaves just Maxine who needs to talk with him, she could take the other gauntlet and we can talk to him directly if we had to. You should go along too, since he knows you and all. Of course you'll have more time to study the celestial at the same time... she'll be going back to her own plane soon too.

How's the clone doing, anyway?
>>
No. 231245 ID: cf68aa
File 12846262308.png - (153.10KB , 800x600 , 289.png )
231245

>>231085
-------------
The clone? Honestly i don't know.. I've been busy lately.

"Allright, how's this sound.. Maxine and I will go find Cecil, you all chill here for a bit. Sound good?"

The others look at each other then nod in agreement.

"Good. I have a telestone on me. Ready Max?"

>"Sure."

They both teleport to Central with the gold watch. They look around.

>"This is a big city.. I don't like how it feels here."

"Eh, you get used to it. now, where the hell could Cecil be?"
>>
No. 231247 ID: 97cb33

it's why you got the watch. just tell it to point you at him and off you go.
>>
No. 231248 ID: 701a19

>>231245
Look at the watch, say "Cecil Von Central III" and look where it points.

It's one of the three Goldeon items; we thought almost everybody knew that much about them from the legends.
>>
No. 231250 ID: cf68aa
File 128462730355.png - (10.67KB , 445x414 , 290.png )
231250

Tikka looks at the watch

"Cecil Von Central III"

Hmm? It's pointing right behind me.
>>
No. 231251 ID: 701a19

>>231250
That's because he's right behind you.
I just thought you should know how the watch works~
>>
No. 231253 ID: 97cb33

yeah, just follow the arrows.
>>
No. 231254 ID: cf68aa
File 128462868685.png - (101.93KB , 494x600 , 291.png )
231254

Tikka turns around. Cecil is right behind her

"Cecil!"

>"Tikka? What're you doing here?"
>>
No. 231255 ID: 97cb33

okay, let's start with the one he can see. introduce him to Maxine and tell him that she is an angel and is looking to get rid of the soulless.
>>
No. 231257 ID: 701a19

>>231254
"Chaos ensued.
Starting from the top?
Somebody found a tube with living clone of you in Dart's ruins, and dozens of smashed tubes. He remembers up until about the point when Dart died, and has vague memories of the house and Alex being pregnant. He's at home.
Maxine here has been sent by the other angels to get information to help them fight the soulless - she's already looked everywhere else and that's your hobby.
Queen Sils sent a girl with some kind of Soul Rot to our place to see what you can do to help her.
We've got some golems at our place who have serious mental issues due to damage - Alex would probably like to look them over - but are otherwise decent people
I got a book from the I Shop to store all my notes so I can do some traveling, and ordered a bag of holding - on your tab, I hope you don't mind. Great deal, 55pp.
We've also got one of the survivors of Resad at our place because some guy called The Collector tried to kill her and eat her eyes.

Those are the important bits, anyway. How about you? What are you guys up to that's got you in such a hurry?"
>>
No. 231258 ID: cf68aa
File 128463060343.png - (79.91KB , 494x600 , 292.png )
231258

>>231257
Tikka tells him all of this.
>>
No. 231259 ID: 97cb33

say "just like old times, huh?"
>>
No. 231260 ID: 40cb26

>>231258
Tell him the voices of Item Seven say hi. We're a pair of gauntlets and we'd shake his hand and talk to him directly but the golems have us and honestly anyone else would get hurt putting us on.

>>231259
Let's not metaknowledge, now.
>>
No. 231261 ID: cf68aa
File 128463176712.png - (48.25KB , 800x600 , 293.png )
231261

"Yeah I know, it's alot."

>"........."

Cecil teleports off.

"Son of a bitch!"

They see Alex. She looks around for a second then spots Tikka

>"Mya? What're you doing here Tikka?"

"Uhm... We needed help from Cecil but I think we freaked him out. He teleported off."

>"Mya.... We needed him.. Wait! Tikka maybe you can help us!"

"Hmm? I'm kinda busy right now.. What is it?"

>"We found this portal to the Dark World. We were actually gonna ask you for help anyway."

-Maxine
>"The Dark World!? Where?"

>"Mya? Who's the chick?"

"Long story. Point is she's looking for the Dark World too."

>"Lead me there!"

>"... okay... this way.."

Alex takes them into a closed off tent in the middle of the city. They see a hole in the air that leads to a pitch black land

>"This is the rip mya. There's never been one this size in all of history. We have no idea why it's here now..."
>>
No. 231262 ID: e31d52

._.

Wait.

How often has Cecil been using the Goldeon Knife?

This is important.
>>
No. 231263 ID: 97cb33

@maxine: i suggest you set up a defensive barrier. a good ring of solid light should do it. while you are powerful, charging into enemy territory alone is a bad idea.
>>
No. 231267 ID: 40cb26

@Tikka and Maxine
Can you two avoid jumping into that for just a moment? Going to check on the crazy golem party at the house.

[Switch to Gram]
We gave Cecil the short-short version, he 'ported right away so I guess he should be on his way back of here. Try to avoid horribly awkward misunderstandings, and shake his hand with us if you can.
>>
No. 231268 ID: 701a19

>>231261
So, it's a giant mutant space vagina. Lovely.
What do they want you to do?
"Soulless are weak against light magic, right? Well, a nigh-indestructible monster that's been murdering people for the 207 Items got whupped by a Light spell at Temple.
Think that might be related?"

@Su: Did anybody show up there? Could you tell us if somebody does?
>>
No. 231269 ID: cf68aa
File 128463350672.png - (127.50KB , 800x600 , 294.png )
231269

>>231262
I dunno

>>231263
-Maxine
I always have a barrier around me. It's just not visible unless I want it to be.

>>231267
-------------------------
He's already here. He's searched through the whole house.. No clone.

>"Tikka... Well at least she wasn't joking about you guys. Uhm... Can I help you?"
>>
No. 231271 ID: 701a19

>>231269
@Gram: Shake his hand, and have Su help look.
>>
No. 231272 ID: 97cb33

what? where could that dude have gone?
>>
No. 231274 ID: 40cb26

>>231269
@Tikka keep us updated on any changes.

Gram, introduce yourself and try to explain things. Tell him you found the clone and left him with Tikka. The most urgent concern is getting Mu fixed and less murderous so if he or Alex and handle that it would be great. Or we can explain, shake his hand with us so we can talk to his magey self.
>>
No. 231275 ID: cf68aa
File 128463427386.png - (111.11KB , 800x600 , 295.png )
231275

>>231271
Gram holds out the hand with the Gauntlet.

>".... I make it a habit not to touch magical objects until I examine them."

".... Anyway Tikka wasn't lying, there was a clone here."

>"Hmm... Let me see. Cae shysai"

Gram feels a chill pass through him

"There was someone magical here. Then again, there's a lot of people magical here at this moment. I can't seem to find anyone who left though."
>>
No. 231276 ID: 701a19

>>231275
"The gauntlet is Item 7. It's full of voices that give advice, solve problems, relay messages, and make all sorts of absurd statements. It's annoying, but harmless. They say they want to show you what happened with the clone.

He was sleeping in that room over there. I don't think anybody else has been in there."

@Cecil Clone: Hey, where are you? We need your help here.
>>
No. 231278 ID: 40cb26

>>231275
Huh, well tell him the voices of Item Seven says hi, and we can talk to everyone here, Maxine and Tikka so we probably aren't going to hurt you. If it was a clone maybe it's a shapeshifter too and his hiding in some other form. I dunno, tell him it had the mark of the Item on the tube, if that helps at all.

And... Gram, did you ever touch us to the clone? We might have a possible connection we didn't notice before. Well let's see...

@Clone
Testing testing, can you hear us? Where the hell are you?
>>
No. 231279 ID: cf68aa
File 128463554651.png - (151.39KB , 800x600 , 296.png )
231279

"The gauntlet is Item 7. It's full of voices that give advice, solve problems, relay messages, and make all sorts of absurd statements. It's annoying, but harmless. They say they want to show you what happened with the clone. He was sleeping in that room over there. I don't think anybody else has been in there."

>"I've had enough head voices to last me a lifetime, thank you. I'm assuming you're not lying.. I'd better solve this problem first."

Cecil leaves.

Well... The was brief...
>>
No. 231280 ID: 701a19

>>231279
I thought he was rather generous to let you finish.

@Tikka: What's this Cecil said about head voices?
>>
No. 231281 ID: 40cb26

>>231279
It seems we have bad timing, there's a giant hole to the Dark World over in Central. Why the doppleganger distracted him from that I have no idea. We should go help out on that end I guess, unless you guys want to port over to Central to get involved.

[Switch to Tikka]
Cecil is headed back, that clone was important enough to ignore everything else right now it seems. You lost that clone, by the way. Any changes?
>>
No. 231282 ID: cf68aa
File 128463754224.png - (93.05KB , 800x600 , 297.png )
231282

>>231281>>231280
--------------------------
Well you have a static rip which is doing nothing at the moment and a clone of you running around that was made by your greatest enemy. which would you focus on? Ever since he defeated Dart all those years ago he's sorta had a grudge against anything having to do with him.
As for the voices a while back Cecil had some head voices caused by a curse. Long story. They're gone now, asleep he said.

And the rip.. Well Maxine's been dying to go into it. She's ready to go.
>>
No. 231283 ID: 701a19

>>231282
@Tikka: Lemme guess. Dart gave him the curse? Any chance the clone and those voices are related?

Hey, if you and Maxine want to take a look then don't let us stop you.
>>
No. 231284 ID: e31d52

>>231282
Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare~

So...

We're waiting!

==>
>>
No. 231285 ID: cf68aa
File 128463809519.png - (68.85KB , 800x600 , 298.png )
231285

>>231283
No clue if it's related. So... i guess we'll explore a bit. it's a whole new world. Who knows what's inside?

"Ey Max, you wanna check it out real quick?"

>"Yes! Let's go."

Together they step through the rip.
They find themselves in the Dark World

>>
No. 231287 ID: 40cb26

>>231282
Curse-spawned headvoices? Odd, that's a story I wouldn't mind hearing sometime. I wonder what it would be like if we bonded to someone with another set of voices... likely couldn't tell ourselves apart.

[Switch to Maxine]
Hold tight, Cecil will be here to back you up in-
>>231285
Dammit all, you couldn't wait a few more moments?
>>
No. 231288 ID: 701a19

>>231285
Oh, hey, a castle! And a giant butt-plug!

Yea, this place just gets better and better. Next thing you know it'll turn out the ground is comprised entirely of soulless.
>>
No. 231290 ID: 97cb33

>>231288
uhhhh, that "buttplug" as you call it has the soulless symbol on it.
>>
No. 231291 ID: cf68aa
File 128463967674.png - (118.45KB , 800x600 , 299.png )
231291

>>231287
It's a loooooooong story. It'd probably take me a few months to tell the whole thing
-----------------------------------

>>231288
A what....?
Anyway I don't sense and of the Soul Stealers on the ground. In fact I don't sense any nearby...

Maxine begins walking to the castle

>"Hey! what are you doing!? We gotta stay near the rip!"

"Don't worry. I specialize in light magic, we'll be safe."

>"But..."

"Come on, we'll be fine."

Maxine continues walking ahead with Tikka following. They see people up ahead

Humans...?

They spot her

>"Well well well.. Defender, look at this.. We don't get many visitors.."

"No, not really. What're you doing her lil' ladies? You could get hurt here."
>>
No. 231292 ID: 701a19

>>231291
"Investigating a rip in the fabric of the universe between our world and this one.
Can you tell us anything about it?"
>>
No. 231296 ID: 40cb26

>>231291
"Just tourists. Who are you?"

>>231292
Mentioning the exit to them may not be the wisest course of action
>>
No. 231297 ID: cf68aa
File 128464192363.png - (76.75KB , 800x600 , 300.png )
231297

"Just tourists. Who are you?"

The man with the armor speaks up

>"We don't have names anymore. Not since we came to live here."

>"I don't think you're tourists... You're a angel.. What're you doing in our world?"

He seems hostile... should I attack now? He's sitting down and not on his guard.
>>
No. 231298 ID: 701a19

>>231297
No. Once you start fighting you can't go back to talking, and that CASTLE over there suggests that they've got plenty of backup.

"Investigating the Soul-destroying monsters that are running amok."
>>
No. 231302 ID: 40cb26

>>231297
Fighting them won't bring us answers, if we win or no. And since you have the advantage now, not taking it is a sign of sincerity... if they knew only violence, they would have already attacked.

"We aren't here to fight you, we're here to understand what is going on."
>>
No. 231307 ID: e3f578

Investigating disturbances between life and death. Disturbances located here. Must investigate further
>>
No. 231310 ID: a594b9

Eh, just tell them you're trying to stop the soul-destroying monsters. Ask if they know anything about it.
>>
No. 231439 ID: cf68aa
File 128472568890.png - (75.09KB , 800x600 , 301.png )
231439

Okay... I won't attack.

"We aren't here to fight you, we're here to understand what is going on."

>"I'm sure you are referring to the several rips within your world connecting to ours? I can assure you it is not our doing. We wouldn't want to make ourselves that well known to the public. And a portal leading into our world is sure to get some people poking their noses around. Now, I highly suggest you leave before you get hurt."
>>
No. 231440 ID: 175f4a

explain that you know the dangerous things here are weak to light magic, which you happen to VERY good at.
>>
No. 231442 ID: 701a19

>>231439
"We already knew about this world, and we're working with a few powerful mages to fix the problem.
You're not the only ones who want these rips closed, you know.
But fine, we'll go back and report our findings."

Head on back. If they want to get violent then it would be best for you to be at the back of a powerful mage.
>>
No. 231443 ID: e31d52

>>231440
>>
No. 231445 ID: cf68aa
File 128472666796.png - (101.35KB , 800x600 , 302.png )
231445

"I know all of you are weak to light magic, and I happen to be very good at it."

>"Not all of us are. I'm still human, you cast a light spell and I'll rip you to shreds"

The man with the shield laughs

>"Sorry about that, he can get a little aggressive. We won't harm you but we'd rather not have you die in our world. Just leave now and we'll pretend we didn't see you, okay?"
>>
No. 231446 ID: e31d52

>>231445
"I don't intend to die here by any means, no offense to you two. Thank you for your concern, but I don't see why my well-being should be any matter to you."
>>
No. 231448 ID: 40cb26

>>231445
"I was tasked with figuring out why this was happening and I have little time left before I am to return. If I fail this mission, I will replaced by others. With many open portals and the situation escalating... how many dozens of celestials do you want poking around in here? If you can help us in any way we can hopefully avoid that and we'll be out of here all the sooner."

>>231446
I think kind of language will only escalate the situation.
>>
No. 231451 ID: 175f4a

ack, we didn't mean say THEY are weak to light magic. but the soulless are.
>>
No. 231488 ID: e3f578

"I'm a badass angel with nothing to lose, and I don't play the rules. I'M MAX ANGEL THE BEST MOTHERFUCKIN' ANGEL IN EXISTENCE! EVIL FEARS MY IRON-FISTED LIGHT!"

Now go somewhere else and pump a fist in the air.
>>
No. 231617 ID: e31d52

Character?

Wat
>>
No. 231618 ID: 175f4a

if John can help then it may be a good idea.
>>
No. 231619 ID: cf68aa
File 128480349098.png - (68.53KB , 800x600 , 303.png )
231619

"I was tasked with figuring out why this was happening and I have little time left before I am to return. If I fail this mission, I will replaced by others. With many open portals and the situation escalating... how many dozens of celestials do you want poking around in here? If you can help us in any way we can hopefully avoid that and we'll be out of here all the sooner."

>"hmm..."

The guard looks at the sword man

>"should we take her to John?"

>"I don't think she wants to see John... Do you?"

"Who's John?"

>"Our king. He is on the top level of the castle."
>>
No. 231621 ID: e31d52

>>231619
oh, sure, why not.
>>
No. 231622 ID: a594b9

>>231619
They're not soulless. They aren't the enemy. I think we should talk to John.
>>
No. 231623 ID: cf68aa
File 128480860263.png - (27.58KB , 800x600 , 304.png )
231623

>>231621>>231622

Maxine nods. The two men escort them to the castle. Nothing attacks them on the way. Once they arrive there they're taken up to the top floor. the man with the shield leads her into a ordinary looking room. It's almost painfully empty with only a table, a chair and it's occupant inside of it. The man, who Maxine assumes is John, does not move to face her. The man with the shield leaves. The moment he steps out the door John speaks

>"Can I help you?"
>>
No. 231624 ID: a594b9

>>231623
Investigating the soul-eaters, we come in peace, yadda yadda.
>>
No. 231625 ID: 175f4a

tell him you are here to ether figure out how to seal this place from the other world or to get rid of the soulless. you were told he could help.
>>
No. 231626 ID: cf68aa
File 128480939938.png - (28.31KB , 800x600 , 305.png )
231626

"My name is Maxine, I'm a celestial. I was sent on a mission to discover why so many soul stealers have been appearing lately. Turns out there are various rips connecting this world to my world. I wanted to know if you could help us close them."

>"No."

"What!? Why not!?"

>"I made them, I'm not going to close them."

"Made them!? You've given people access to your world and not only that soul stealers are destroying the balance between souls coming in and souls going out!"

>"That... Is not my concern."
>>
No. 231627 ID: 175f4a

then ask him what IS his concern. if he cares not about the soulless or the people then what does he care about?
>>
No. 231628 ID: a594b9

>>231626
Ask him why he opened them, then. Maybe he can help you destroy the soul stealers, if he doesn't want to close the rifts. Or maybe you could help him with whatever goal he has in mind that requires the rifts to be open, so that they'll close earlier.
>>
No. 231629 ID: cf68aa
File 128480986261.png - (29.22KB , 800x600 , 306.png )
231629

"Then what is your concern?"

>"The welfare of my kingdom."

"What? What kingdom!? There's no one here!"

>"Exactly. Only a small handful of half humans and thousands of soul stealers. What kind of king would I be without people to rule over? What kind of world is this? We've been here on our own for many many years. The rifts will allow my Soul Stealers to leave this land and if it goes well this will become a true world."

"I don't get it.. How will this help? The soul stealers would just kill the people."

>"Most of the time. But if the human is strong enough he can reclaim his soul and join our ranks."

"Is the only reason you're doing this because you're lonely?"

>"Not just that. As a kingdom there is one thing I need to do, expand. Your world is the only one within my reach. I plan on it becoming mine within the next 30 years."

"What!?"
>>
No. 231630 ID: e31d52

>>231629
"This is how wars start, you know."
>>
No. 231631 ID: 175f4a

"if you go to war then you should know you already lost, everyone already knows what a soul stealer is weak against, they were just so few that no one bothered making a dedicated effort. if you unleash them to the world at large then light magic will become a well practiced thing and your soul stealers will all die. leaving you with a numerically inferior force.
>>
No. 231632 ID: 701a19

>>231629
He has declared war on our world out of greed.
Speak no more words. Leave. Return through the rip.

How fast could you mobilize the celestial army?
>>
No. 231633 ID: cf68aa
File 128481074446.png - (61.18KB , 800x600 , 307.png )
231633

"if you go to war then you should know you already lost, everyone already knows what a soul stealer is weak against, they were just so few that no one bothered making a dedicated effort. if you unleash them to the world at large then light magic will become a well practiced thing and your soul stealers will all die. leaving you with a numerically inferior force."

>"... As it stands I have a army of 12. This is not counting the thousands of soulless I use. If I sent just 2 of my more powerful men to Central it would be destroyed within the day. Your light magic means nothing to me angel. The only reason I'm telling you this is because you have no way of stopping it."

"Stopping what? A world war?"

He turns around

>"This will not be a war, this will not be a battle, this will not even be a skirmish. We will win almost instantly. You may leave now."
>>
No. 231634 ID: 701a19

>>231633
Leave. Give them no more information.
We need to speak with Cecil and General Norue, you need to send word back to mobilize the celestial army.
>>
No. 231635 ID: 175f4a

he is WAY too cocky for you to fight. that kind of confidence is massive.
>>
No. 231636 ID: e31d52

>>231633
Fine then, asshole. We're outie. Don't even give him a response, it's what he wants. Just. Leave.
>>
No. 231638 ID: cf68aa
File 128481187610.png - (125.73KB , 800x600 , 308.png )
231638

Maxine turns and leaves with Tikka. As she walks down the hall she feels a sudden chill.
Before she even has time to react someone stabs her through the chest shattering her barrier. Her body goes numb as she can feel something precious being pulled away from her.
A monster stands in front of her. He twists his hand around inside her causing a sharp pain. Tikka backs away from the man and Maxine.


"I know what.... You're planning... if.. If you do anything... To alert people... I will... I will hunt you..."

He withdraws his hand and vanishes

>"Max! Are you okay!?"

"y-yeah... He didn't do any damage. I'm fine."

He broke through my light barrier..
>>
No. 231639 ID: cf68aa
File 12848119124.png - (92.61KB , 800x600 , 309.png )
231639

They eventually make their way back to the rip
>>
No. 231640 ID: 701a19

>>231638
It looks like he also stole part of your soul.
He seems to be able to read minds. Get out of this world.
>>
No. 231641 ID: 175f4a

no no, he just grabbed and and twisted. that had to have been painful. let's leave. and figure out what do do.
>>
No. 231644 ID: cf68aa
File 128481451221.png - (142.51KB , 600x800 , 310.png )
231644

The two of them quickly leave.

Alex is waiting for them


>"What the hell were you two doing in there mya?"

>"A-Alex! uhm... She... she wanted to check it out. Cause she's a angel and everything"

>"I told you not to go in there. what if you got hurt!?"

>"Oh you worry too much, we're fine. Right Max?"

".... huh? Oh, right. We're fine."

>"... Don't go messing with the portal again okay?"
>>
No. 231645 ID: 175f4a

okay. just sit back until cecil comes back and snipe any soulless that come through.
>>
No. 231648 ID: 701a19

>>231644
@Tikka: "We found out what's causing the portals and why.
There's no reason for anybody to go in there; we need to go home right now."
>>
No. 231700 ID: e3f578

Max Angel is not afraid of any dark world. To doubt and fear for Max Angel is to doubt life itself. Max Angel.
>>
No. 231727 ID: 5018f7

>>231645
I think there are a few too many portals everywhere for this to actually work.
Warning the King, and the guy who will eventually be the King would probably be the best idea.
>>
No. 231880 ID: 40cb26

Don't say anything at all about what you were asked to keep secret. He didn't know about us, we can deal with this without a word being spoken and no effect they'll freak out about. Or by the time they do, you won't be in any danger. We'll see what we can do, with not a word being spoken.
>>
No. 231881 ID: a594b9

>>231644
Let's not spread the word until we can figure out a way for Max to not get immediately killed. Perhaps, discuss ways of fighting the Dark World inhabitants with Alex? She might have a good idea of what to do about the hunter's threat.
>>
No. 232084 ID: cf68aa
File 128495938884.png - (76.36KB , 600x600 , 311.png )
232084

>>231645
She waits with Tikka and Alex for Cecil to return. An hour passes without him coming back. Alex asks Tikka if she has a Goldeon Watch and takes it from her. She teleports off.

Still no sign of Cecil... I think I might be in over my head on this one. Light magic was supposed to work, without it I have nothing.
>>
No. 232087 ID: e31d52

>>232084
I think we're falling into Holding Out For A Hero waiting for Cecil and relying on him so much...
>>
No. 232090 ID: e3f578

>>232084
They're dead. All dead. Alex and Cecil. Need to find them.

On the whole dark world matter, what you need, miss, is to work out spiritually. Because that thing they did to you with the whole not-sword-slash thing? Not anything like light or dark magic. I'm guessing some kind of weird soul magic or anti-soul... whatever.
>>
No. 232092 ID: e31d52

@Gram and Su: Why the heck are you sitting around for? Get the hell out and start looking for Items. We found out you may need them even more, now.
>>
No. 232095 ID: cf68aa
File 128496394798.png - (77.17KB , 600x600 , 312.png )
232095

>>232090
Yes... You're right. i can't falter now. If I'm too weak then the simple solution is to become stronger. He said it would take 30 years, I have time then.

>>232092
-Gram
Kinda busy right now. Some cat chick came by and patched up Mu. We're waiting for her to wake up now.
>>
No. 232099 ID: 701a19

>>232095
Not that I disagree, but somebody needs to check on him.

[Switch to Gram]
Who? Let us see her.
>>
No. 232100 ID: 40cb26

Maxine, are you certain that thing didn't have any long term effect on you? Nothing taken or added? Just kinda worried...

Who knows what he's doing in there. Just be patient, Alex should be back before long and she will probably head back right to him, you can go along if you wish. After this I don know, you have to go straight back after gathering all the info you can?

@Gram
Excellent. Hopefully you two can work things out... there may still be hard feelings and all but at least the two of you aren't hell bent on killing each other anymore.

[Switch to Gram]
>>
No. 232103 ID: cf68aa
File 128496604878.png - (72.39KB , 600x600 , 313.png )
232103

>>232100
Hmm? No no, I'm fine. I would sense if anything were off about me. Thanks for your concern. It's getting dark out though and they've still yet to return. They didn't exactly tell us to wait here either.
--------------------------------
Gram

She hasn't done anything yet. She's just rebuilding her body
>>
No. 232104 ID: e31d52

>>232103
Alrighty, then.

Hide behind something solid, though.
>>
No. 232105 ID: cf68aa
File 128496654268.png - (99.59KB , 600x600 , 314.png )
232105

>>232104
done.

Mu finishes repairing herself. She stands up and looks around at everyone.
Then she spots Gram


>"Gram... I hurt you.."
>>
No. 232107 ID: 701a19

>>232103
"Yea. I can't say I didn't deserve it, but if I die then I can't atone for what I've done."

Now Show us the "cat chick"!

@Maxine: Well, the proper thing to do is to report this information to your superiors so that they can research and plan.
>>
No. 232108 ID: e31d52

>>232105
Stay hidden.
"You had your reasons. Are you satisfied?"
>>
No. 232110 ID: 40cb26

>>232105
Tell her you hurt her first. Even if you weren't yourself then, she wasn't quite either.

@Maxine
Don't stick around on our account. I don't see what else to do as far as your mission, the only further you can do for that involves Cecil. Alex is done here and should return soon. If you have a better idea on what to do next then go for it. Or just go relax someplace for a while.
>>
No. 232111 ID: a594b9

>>232105
Yes, and then you set her on fire. I think you're pretty even as far as hurting eachother is concerned.
>>
No. 232112 ID: cf68aa
File 128496816812.png - (96.75KB , 600x600 , 315.png )
232112

>>232110
-Maxine
I think I'll be going back home for now.. I need to talk to some people about what to do next. I'll tell tikka to head back.
------------------------

"Yea. I can't say I didn't deserve it, but if I die then I can't atone for what I've done."

>"Gram..."

"Are you satisfied?"

Mu smashes Gram's head in. It crumbles under the sheer power of her strike.

>"Now I am."
>>
No. 232113 ID: 175f4a

gram if you are still conscious, use item 10 at maximum blast.
if not...
[kill] Mu
>>
No. 232118 ID: 701a19

>>232112
>>232113
What? No.
@Whoever is nearby that can fix him: Couldja fix that?
>>
No. 232124 ID: e31d52

>>232118
@Su: ask cat person to fix him.
>>
No. 232140 ID: cf68aa
File 128497345118.png - (136.14KB , 600x600 , 316.png )
232140

>>232124
-Su
What cat person!? There's no one else here but us now! What's going on!?
---------------------------------------------

>>232113
And risk burning down the entire house? Not gonna happen
[Kill]!

Item 7 spears Mu through her torso, she doesn't seem to flinch

>"Did you think that would hurt me Gram?"
>>
No. 232141 ID: 175f4a

now reel us in and ether have us grip the wall and you fly forward, pull us back with fingers spread.
>>
No. 232144 ID: a594b9

>>232140
Can we just run away already?
>>
No. 232145 ID: 175f4a

@teri: get in here, mu woke up and she is just going nuts again. just cut her head off, she can be put back together again later, we have her pinned right now but not sure how long.
>>
No. 232149 ID: e31d52

I'd tell you to leave and tele out, but you'd probably spew some bullshit about everything being fine, so fuck it.
>>
No. 232150 ID: 175f4a

oh and since we are touching her

@mu: you broke the deal Mu, so we have to kill you.
>>
No. 232151 ID: e31d52

@Mu: We repaired you in the hope you would see sense. You have one last chance. If you don't take it, you will die here and now. Choose.
>>
No. 232152 ID: cf68aa
File 128497757929.png - (73.28KB , 500x500 , 317.png )
232152

Gram pulls back Item 7 cutting Mu in half. The lower portion of her body falls apart. Gram grabs onto Su and teleports out.

He finds himself back in Temple.

>>
No. 232153 ID: 175f4a

okay, let's see if anyone in here knows enough to at least get the top of your head back in order.

@mu: you know, we can still talk to you. while you may not listen to us you should know this is your own damn fault. we made a deal and you broke it.
>>
No. 232154 ID: e31d52

>>232153
It's a good thing su is blind because you might freak out a few people without half your goddamn skull seriously how can you even see
>>
No. 232157 ID: e31d52

>>232151
>>
No. 232163 ID: cf68aa
File 128498076187.png - (163.94KB , 600x600 , 318.png )
232163

>>232153>>232157
-Mu
What!? Gram killed possibly hundreds of people! Men women children, all slaughtered by him! I want to end the half-life of 'one' man for a good reason and you see it fit to give me the death penalty!?
--------------------------------
Gram and Su ask around for someone, anyone who can repair him.
A alchemist offers his assistance and fixes his head.


hmm... He screwed up on my hair. I'll have to fix it later.
That meeting didn't go as well as I had thought it would have. I guess Mu is still pissed at me for killing her Master and stuff.
>>
No. 232164 ID: e31d52

>>232163
@Mu: YES! Because he's a far different person now. He's trying his damndest to fix what he did. He's already saved dozens of lives through his direct actions. You are not in a position to decide whether anyone lives or dies, Mu.
>>
No. 232166 ID: e31d52

Well, yes, Gram. We were mislead by our instincts that healing her damage would render her sane. Next time we see her, we try to talk, then we kill. There's no point in letting her live while you get so heavily damaged. I know you're something like siblings, but... there;s only so much we can do.
>>
No. 232168 ID: 175f4a

okay then, let's just get this show back on the road. and finally head for those mermaid lakes.


@mu: oh no, we were only going to make you mostly dead. not dead dead. you would be kept out of the way and then put back together later. but what you did that was wrong is that we told you taht gram is fixing everything. all those people he killed? they are going to get fixed. your master? fixed. we told you this already. besides, you took us off, gram is our only master now, so helping him is our job. you also broke your deal. i see you still wanted to kill him even after getting fixed, but you were so short sighted you attacked him instantly instead of waiting a while, where you would of been fixed and then we would of been forced to honor our end of the bargain and kill him.
>>
No. 232172 ID: 701a19

>>232163
@Mu: Some of us always want to kill people. Sorry about that.
As it stands now? Gram has been repaired, and has dedicated his life to putting everything right. He's not even really the same person, since much of his mind needed to be reconstructed. It's effectively the same as if he was under some sort of mind-altering curse, which is a rather severe mitigating factor.

We aren't ignoring everything he has done, but killing him now would just prevent him from fixing the damage and working off his debt to society.

Our goal is to improve the happiness and quality of life for all sentient beings, and we are rather big on cold calculating pragmatism. If he returns to being a monster then we will kill him without hesitation, but until then we're going to let him be a force of good.

We've been using you the same way. The card scammer lost his Item ans was jailed because he was harming others and we felt that was the best solution.
We obtained the pain blocker for Teri because it improved her life. Her addiction gave us an excuse to commission the creation of a cure for said addiction. Her disease enabled us to bring it to a trio of master mages so that it could be cured for the sake of everybody.

So, no, we will not kill you. However, we will prevent you from killing Gram - before you even bring it up you broke the terms of our agreement so we are under no obligation to help you kill him.

We want you to be happy and we'll help you as much as we can, but we'll keep Gram alive as long as he's helping others. We will be seeing to it that your master is resurrected, but what other goals do you have? Does your mind hold nothing but revenge?

Oh, and from experience? Revenge is never satisfying as you think it will be. You'd be horribly disappointed.
>>
No. 232173 ID: 701a19

>>232163
So go bring her master back, dummy. Take Su and Tikka on a boat ride to the northern continent and resurrect her.

Actually, check that. Take Su and Tikka with you to retrieve her body, COME BACK, then resurrect her.
>>
No. 232174 ID: cf68aa
File 128498357045.png - (97.71KB , 800x600 , 319.png )
232174

>>232164>>232172
-Mu
..... Don't talk to me again. Ever. I will kill Gram on my own. With my Item I will hunt him down and strike when he does not expect it.
------------------------------------
>>232168
I'd rather not leave Mu alone like that but I'd also rather not have to kill her.
I guess it'd be best to let things cool down over there.

"Su, we're going to merfolk lakes for a bit okay?"

>"Mmmkay."

He holds onto Su, they teleport to Mermaid Lake.

"Not a soul in sight here. Where could the Item be?"
>>
No. 232175 ID: e31d52

>>232174
@Su: look around and report.

Well, Gram, it looks like we're stuck at having to kill her. Even ressurecting the master will probably leave her thinking she's fake and nothing will change.
>>
No. 232176 ID: 175f4a

hmmm, mermaids are under the water. you can go no problem since you don't need to breathe. but su will need a mer-person to help her.
>>
No. 232178 ID: cf68aa
File 128498421644.png - (70.21KB , 600x600 , 320.png )
232178

>>232175
-Su
I can see something 'everywhere'. It hurts my eyes.
-----------------------
Whatever. I'd rather not kill her but if it needs to be done it needs to be done.
>>
No. 232179 ID: 701a19

>>232174
It looks like THE LAKE is an item.
Welp! Your quest is impossible, time to go home.

>>232174
@Mu: Well, if that's how you want things to be then we're going to have to resurrect your master so she can talk some sense into you.
Oh, we completely understand why you feel that way, but that doesn't change the fact that your actions are motivated by emotion, not rational thought.
We're still going to help the non-murderous parts of your quest though, and try to get you to change your mind.

@Teri: Can you tell us a bit more about this cat girl? Her name, what she looked like, her approximate age, that sort of thing.
Also, could you keep us informed on who's at the house? There are people we need to talk to.

Oh, and I think Mu could use a hug.
>>
No. 232180 ID: 175f4a

splash the lake a little, see what happens. maybe a mermaid will come up?
>>
No. 232181 ID: e31d52

>>232179
Either that or the lake is enchanted, or something similar.
>>
No. 232182 ID: cf68aa
File 128498630558.png - (85.69KB , 600x600 , 321.png )
232182

>>232179
-Mu
I don't need your help anymore.. Leave me alone.

-Teri
she seems kinda pissed off right now. Not sure she's in a huggy mood.
-----------------------

What!? I'm not gonna give up that easily!

>>232180
Gram splashes the water a bit. A merfolk pokes it's head out of the lake

>"Hi, can I help you?"
>>
No. 232183 ID: 175f4a

tell... her? that you are looking for items with numbers on them, then show us, and that your detector said one was here. also that while you can survive under water just fine Su cannot and were wondering if they had anything that would let her come with you.
>>
No. 232184 ID: 701a19

>>232182
"We're looking for the 207 items, and were wondering if you could help.
Also, my partner here can see magic, and your lake is positively glowing - why is that?"

@Teri: Well, if you don't think a hug will help then don't hug her.

@Tikka: So, what are you up to?

@Su: How old ARE you, anyway?
>>
No. 232185 ID: cf68aa
File 128498714543.png - (85.30KB , 600x600 , 322.png )
232185

>>232184
-Teri
Maybe later... she just seems upset now.

-Tikka
Wondering where the hell you guys are!!!

-Su
Uhm.... I think I'm 20 something... I never really had a birthday so...
---------------------------------
"We're looking for the 207 items, and were wondering if you could help. Also, my partner here can see magic, and your lake is positively glowing - why is that?"

>"I dunno.."

"I see... Do you have any rare magical Items? One with numerals on it?"

>"Oh! Yeah there's such a object! But it's guarded by a scary monster. A crocadon!"
>>
No. 232186 ID: e31d52

>>232185
Pfft. As if Gram can't handle a monster. Lead the way, young lady!
>>
No. 232187 ID: cf68aa
File 128498752511.png - (77.63KB , 600x600 , 323.png )
232187

>>232186
"Lead the way miss."

The merfolk slides out of the lake.

>"I'm male."

He leads Gram and Su to a nearby mountain range.

>"The Item you're looking for is in the center of the pile. I wish you the best of luck...."
>>
No. 232188 ID: 701a19

>>232185
Crap! Tikka needs help!
Ask them if the monster has been hurting any of them. That's going to determine how we solve this.
Also? Merfolk abhor violence, so you're going to need to resolve this peacefully.

Touch us to it.

[Switch to Tikka]
What's wrong?
>>
No. 232189 ID: 175f4a

while yes, they don't like DOING violence, they don't blame others that do it. but yes, let's see if we can do anything about this.
>>
No. 232190 ID: 701a19

>>232189
They abhor violence completely. They don't like anybody being violent against anyone or anything else for any reason.
If they knew how people were keeping the scum of the earth away from them, they would be horrified and ask them to stop.

They won't DO anything about it, but we should do our best to respect their customs.
>>
No. 232191 ID: cf68aa
File 128498838955.png - (100.11KB , 600x600 , 324.png )
232191

No violence huh? This is gonna be tough.

Gram goes as close as he can and presses Item 7 against it. A weak connection is formed.

>>232188
-------------------------
Oh I'm fine. But if this man doesn't leave me alone within ten seconds 'he' won't be.
>>
No. 232192 ID: e31d52

>>232191
@Croc: Hey there! We'd like to have a little chat, if that's okay~?

@Tikka: Pffthahahahahahahha
okay
uh
okay
why is he bothering you? He hitting on you? Tell him a golem has a better chance than he does.

Because it's true.
>>
No. 232193 ID: 701a19

>>232191
What is he?
Is his species in your book?
Even if it is you probably don't have a diagram of its internal anatomy, so you should examine that.
Namely, by putting on a glove and shoving your arm so far up his ass that you can jam his vocal chords shut.

@Gram: Walk back to the water's edge and ask to somebody who would know about the lake's magic. A half-merfolk, if possible, since they'll have a better time relating to you.
>>
No. 232195 ID: cf68aa
File 128498944422.png - (99.54KB , 600x600 , 325.png )
232195

>>232192
"A dickless golem has a better chance at getting with me then you so cut the crap and leave me the fuck alone you sad excuse for a man."

Well that got him to leave. So where are you guys!?
------------------------------

"Hmm... I need to plan a bit before I attack. Are there any half merfolk who I can speak to?"

>"Uhm... There's Sem. She's a really good singer."

"... okay. Can you lead me to her?"

>"Sure!"

The merfolk leads me to another small lake. He sings a soft tune and another merfolk, presumably Sem, pokes her head out

>"Greetings Mil, and who are your friends?"

>"These people said they wanted to see a half merfolk."

>"I see, what can I do for you?"
>>
No. 232196 ID: 701a19

>>232195
"My partner here can see magic, and she says your lake is incandescent with it. Could you explain why that is?"
>>
No. 232197 ID: e31d52

try to ignore the massive naked mammaries. Don't think about how they'd feel in your hands, at any cost.
>>
No. 232198 ID: 175f4a

@tikka: we are at the mermaids lakes. sorry about just vanishing like that.
>>
No. 232200 ID: 701a19

@Maxine: Hey, what should we call your nation-thing? Celestia? Heaven? Land of the Dead? What?
Also, you work with the dead, right? How does the Dark Elf Soul Binding thing affect the souls in the afterlife?
>>
No. 232202 ID: cf68aa
File 12849907454.png - (118.02KB , 600x700 , 326.png )
232202

>>232199
-Maxine
Just call it Celestia I guess. As for Soul Binding it is truly a marvelous art. The mixing of two souls is simply beautiful. I hope one day to go through such a thing myself. It's forbidden however for me to choose a non-angel as my partner. It doesn't really affect the balance but if they were to die we make sure that if they return to this world they become partners for life again. and no I don't usually deal with dead people. I'm not that high ranking.

>>232198
-Tikka
I'll be there shortly.
-----------------------

>>232197
Hmm? I wasn't even really paying atte-HOLY CRAP THOSE THINGS ARE HUGE!

>>232196
"Uhm... My uh partner here can uhm see magic, and she says your lake is filled with it. Could you explain why that is?"

>"Well we're naturally magical creatures so it may simply be us rubbing off on the lakes. I however did not notice a spike of magic until recently when the Crocadon returned from it's journey."
>>
No. 232203 ID: e31d52

>>232202
Maybe it brought the item with it from elsewhere? Which way did it venture from? East? North?

Don't touch them. Dooooon't touch them. No matter how much you want to, and I know you do.
>>
No. 232204 ID: 175f4a

hmm, thank her for her time.
>>
No. 232206 ID: 701a19

>>232202
@Maxine: Mostly I'm just curious about how the afterlife works. How do souls exist there? As little flame-like balls like we see here? As their self-image says they look?
How active are they? Is it a society of souls, or is it more of a bunch of spirits floating around aimlessly?
Are they allowed to watch what's going on in the world? Or are they cut-off from that flow of information?
Just how forbidden IS it for a living person to chat with somebody in the afterlife?
Have you considered opening up a tourism industry? "This can be yours for the low, low price of not being a dick!"?

@Su: So, you don't just like Gram, you're romantically interested in him.
You should tell him that once you have some privacy, since there's a good chance somebody else will confess first.
>>
No. 232207 ID: cf68aa
File 128499166347.png - (116.65KB , 600x600 , 327.png )
232207

>>232206
-Maxine
Look I really shouldn't be talking about this okay?

-Su
W-what!? I n-never said that.
----------------------------------

"I see... Thank you for your time."

>"It was my pleasure."

>>232203
......................

Grope
>>
No. 232208 ID: 175f4a

oh jeez. you have one chance of getting out of this intact. grab us by the wrist and pull us back and chastise us with like "bad gauntlet, bad!" and say that you are dreadfully sorry, but the thing has a mind of it's own.
>>
No. 232209 ID: e31d52

>>232207
oh shit I didn't think you'd actually do that good god oh man oh man oh man

uh uh

@Sem: OH MY GOD WE ARE SO SORRY I didn't think he'd actually do it don't be mad he doesn't understand boundries or that sort of thing aaaaaaaaaaaaaah
>>
No. 232211 ID: 701a19

>>232207
Gram, you aren't supposed to touch other people like that unless they're ok with it.

@Sem: ACK! Sorry about that! He suffered some brain damage awhile ago and completely lost touch with reality. It's been fixed, but he needs to re-learn social mores, and he's been having problems with knowing what is and is not appropriate physical contact.

Couldja tell him 'No' and help explain why what he did was wrong?
>>
No. 232213 ID: cf68aa
File 128499289327.png - (53.22KB , 600x600 , 328.png )
232213

[A link is formed between Item 7 and Sem. You can now use the @ and Switch To command for her.]

Gram pulls away at Item 7 with his free hand. Sem dips underwater until only her eyes can be seen

"No! Bad Item 7! Ahehe... Uhm, sorry about that, this is a cursed artifact and stuff."

>"It's okay.."

>>232209>>232211
-------------
-Sem
Ah I see. So you really are a cursed artifact. It's okay, really. I'm fine.

"Sir."

>"Yes...?"

"You're not supposed to do that to a female unless she says it is all right."

>"I-I understand."

"Breasts count as sexual organs and only those who have a really close bound with another person are allowed to touch them."

>"Yes miss.."

"Good. Please refrain from doing such a thing again."

>"I will.."

He sounds like a child. Please teach him these things so he does not make such a mistake again.
>>
No. 232215 ID: e31d52

@Su: you didn't deny it~
>>
No. 232218 ID: 701a19

>>232207
@Su: You don't have to. It's plainly obvious.
Just confess your feelings so you can move on. Experience has shown that hiding it never works out well, and that the fearful uncertainty that causes you to hide it is far worse than any response he could offer.

>>232213
@Sem: He basically is like a child at this point. We're trying to teach him, but there's always something we miss and we can never be too sure if he actually understands or is just saying he understands because he knows we want to hear that.

I pity him; for a long time his mind was mostly gone, and his body did some truly terrible things. We managed to get his mind fixed, but now that he's fully aware of his actions he's completely horrified by what he's done. He's cursed with memories of things done by what's effectively a different person, and with people that remember terrible things 'he' did.
We're helping him work this out by going around helping people to offset his guilt.

With that said, is there anything we can do to help the Merfolk?
>>
No. 232221 ID: cf68aa
File 128499752337.png - (53.82KB , 600x600 , 329.png )
232221

>>232215>>232218

-su
I.. I don't feel that way to him...

Sem
I understand. I can sense his aura, it is a troubled one. I trust you can take care of him.
And don't worry about us merfolk, we're doing just fine.
>>
No. 232225 ID: 701a19

>>232221
@Sem: I wasn't asking for your sake, I was asking so that he would be able to help somebody.
Still, thank you.

@Su: Oh really? Your dreams disagree~
>>
No. 232227 ID: 175f4a

hmm, i think we should just go, camp out by the croc thing until it wakes up.
>>
No. 232282 ID: a594b9

>>232225
Dude. What the fuck are you doing? Stop trying to rush along their relationship. It's rude and usually harmful. Let it develop in a natural and healthy manner for once.

@Sem: Alright, what do you know about the croc? How durable is it? How strong? Do we have permission to rough it up a bit? Can it talk?
>>
No. 232305 ID: 4531bc

>>232282
Yes! Agreed!
>>
No. 232479 ID: cf68aa
File 128505512842.png - (58.37KB , 600x600 , 330.png )
232479

>>232282
I don't want to say 'strong' but.. Well it's tail could knock someone's head off.
I'd prefer if you didn't harm it as it has not harmed us in any way shape or form. It simply forages for a bit then returns to it's cave.
though honestly I doubt you 'could' hurt it. It's quite tough
>>
No. 232481 ID: e31d52

>>232479
Then we get the Item while it's foraging and get the HELL out of dodge. Simple!
>>
No. 232482 ID: 175f4a

indeed. no wait. that could make it rampage and kill someone.

wait for it to wake up and greet it. seems like a water dragon to me, and those are pretty smart.
>>
No. 232485 ID: 40cb26

You know Gram, you do have that item you stole from the Collector, it should be the one that messed up Su. Why not use it on the croc? You can heal it's wound and it'll still be out cold for some time.
>>
No. 232486 ID: 701a19

>>232485
It hasn't been involved in anything violent, so lets not change that.

[Switch to Crocadon]
Hello?
>>
No. 232491 ID: cf68aa
File 128505906549.png - (80.31KB , 600x600 , 331.png )
232491

>>232486
--------------------


mmm....?
>>
No. 232492 ID: 701a19

>>232491
What is your name?
>>
No. 232494 ID: e3f578

You're fucking adorable. Yawn up this motherfucker, pop a brewski, and lets chill. Also let that stone golem guy get some weird thingy but let's pop that brewski first.
>>
No. 232495 ID: cf68aa
File 128506008039.png - (89.12KB , 600x600 , 332.png )
232495

>>232492
sharaes...

>>232494
Thank you.
Which stone golem guy and what weird thingy? I have thousands of such things in my collection..
>>
No. 232496 ID: e31d52

>>232495
Well, Sharas, how are you this... evening? We're Item 7, a sort of collective entity that offers advice to people.
>>
No. 232497 ID: 701a19

>>232495
Hello, Sharas.
We're looking for a powerful magic artifact. It can be identified by roman numerals inscribed upon it and its magical aura.
We can sense that there is one near here, and the merfolk suggested it might be in your collection. If so, is it of significant value to you?
>>
No. 232550 ID: a594b9

>>232495
We would be willing to perform a service for you in exchange for the item. The golem, whose name is Gram by the way, is under our influence. We can order him around do some degree if necessary, although he is pretty reasonable now.
>>
No. 232656 ID: cf68aa
File 128511570120.png - (81.93KB , 600x600 , 333.png )
232656

Roman numerals...? Yes I believe i have such a Item..
I'm trying to sleep, I'm very tired...
If he wants it he can have it. I'm not gonna bother finding it for him though.

Just be quiet while you're here..
>>
No. 232659 ID: 175f4a

thank you for your time, sleep well.
[switch to gram]
okay gram, good news. it said you can have it as long as you are quiet. bad news is, digging through a pile of stuff without making noise is hard. see if that mask will make you silent.
>>
No. 232662 ID: 40cb26

[Switch to Gram]
This guy is very laid back, lucky us. Just go and try to find it.

@Su
We've got the go-ahead to grab the item, who knows how much of his stuff is magic so look around carefully.

>>232659
Let's not experiment with that just now. We should be able to pinpoint the position well enough to not take very long here.
>>
No. 232716 ID: cf68aa
File 128514042951.png - (75.27KB , 600x600 , 334.png )
232716

>>232659
While it's true I haven't tested out the new Item i don't think this will be the best situation. It'd be a lot better if we tested it some other time. What if it were the Item of Really Loud Annoying Music?

anyway...

Gram heads off to where the Crocadon is.
There's already someone here.

>>
No. 232719 ID: e31d52

>>232716
Tap him gently on the shoulder with us.
>>
No. 232722 ID: e3f578

>>232719
Soon we will have a network spanning the entirety of the world, making it ripe for the taking. No dark king, it is us, ITEM 7, who shall rule this world.
>>
No. 232724 ID: 40cb26

>>232716
...Swell. I think we already know how this scenario goes. Gram, this isn't really our style but if you can use that orb to just proactively burn a couple holes in his brain, loot his items and leave him here with is wounds healed by item 21... well, I wouldn't call it evil. But I guess we should at least let him talk before piercing his skull, we might glean some useful info from him. Have Su get behind you or hidden if there is a good spot for that, ask who he is and introduce yourself.

@Su
Lemme guess, this guy is glowing like a solid ball of magic? Or did we luck out and he's only partially covered in Items?
>>
No. 232725 ID: cf68aa
File 128514198755.png - (87.05KB , 600x600 , 335.png )
232725

>>232724
-Su
No.. It's just his head that's glowing.
-----------------------
Gram taps the person on the shoulder. He turns around to face them, his appearance makes Gram jump a bit

>"Hmmm...? You're here for the Item? You have to be, judging by the small collection I see upon you. Greetings to you fellow Collector, my name is Vandri Pylys."

"......... Gram Elric."

>"I'm guess my mask must frighten you. Happens."
>>
No. 232727 ID: 40cb26

Well he's civil so far, that's good. Don't expect to get out of this without a fight, but let's talk to him for a bit. Maybe we can really negotiate getting it. Ask him what is story is, and give him the basic story of collecting items to make good and defending against the likes of Mr Blue and the Collector. Maybe he knows more about them.
>>
No. 232728 ID: e31d52

>>232725
"This big dragon's sleeping at the moment. What say you we decide this after extracting said item from this place? Preferebly nonviolently."
>>
No. 232734 ID: 175f4a

ans also "oh, and i'll obviously want that mask of yours sometimes, not like it's a secret"
>>
No. 232737 ID: 701a19

>>232725
"Hello, Vandri. No, your mask is just a bit strange. I must say, this is the first time I've met a collector who wasn't out to kill on sight.
Any idea why that is?"
>>
No. 232784 ID: cf68aa
File 128517704450.png - (74.03KB , 600x600 , 336.png )
232784

"Hello, Vandri. No, your mask is just a bit strange. I must say, this is the first time I've met a collector who wasn't out to kill on sight. Any idea why that is?"

>"I can say the same about you Mr. Elric. I realized a while ago that there is no point in harming other Collectors for now. We all have the same goal in mind right?"

"I suppose.. Anyway the dragon is asleep and said I could take the item."

>"I was well aware of that."

"Well I came here to get it."

>"As did I. you can see the problem can't you?"

"Yeah."

>"Well I don't truly need this one, it's useless to me. How about we play a little game? First one to find it gets to keep it. Sound good?"
>>
No. 232785 ID: a594b9

>>232784
Sure, why not.
>>
No. 232786 ID: 175f4a

i suppose. only other option is to kill him which would probably wake the croc up and then everyone loses. we'll see if Su can see anything.
@su, look at the big pile of stuff, do you see any glows that HAVE to belong to the item?
>>
No. 232788 ID: cf68aa
File 128517850378.png - (106.62KB , 800x600 , 337.png )
232788

>>232786
-Su
Uhm... Yes... no...? Sorta... I don't really know...
-----------------------------
"Sure."

>"all right, may the best man claim the prize."

Gram and the other collector step into the huge pile. There's literally a mountain of things here. Vandri begins poking through the pile with his cane.
>>
No. 232789 ID: 175f4a

start digging, we'll help su sort through the magic interference, maybe then she can find it.

[switch to su]
okay, we'll help you sort this out.
>>
No. 232790 ID: 40cb26

>>232788
Well start picking through it. I don't know how well us or the amulet will work to find it but see if there isn't a useful response. Su can point out the magical ones to speed things up. Actually, we'll help her out with that directly.

[Switch to Su]
Alright we're just going to go through the brighter looking items together, just rook around for any brighter points and Gram can help dig them out. We'll relay what you can see directly to Gram so we don't tip off Vandri before we actually find it.
>>
No. 232791 ID: cf68aa
File 128517943378.png - (139.00KB , 600x600 , 338.png )
232791

>>232789>>232790
-----------------------
Everything's glowing... I can't tell which is the Item..
>>
No. 232792 ID: a594b9

>>232791
@Su: Hmm, is that a more intense glow up there near the top?
>>
No. 232793 ID: 175f4a

>>232791
there is a... more powerful glow, i suppose you could say, near the top right of what we are seeing. see it? go over to it and say "let's try over here"

@gram: su is walking over towards it and is about to call you over, wait until she calls then go over to her, we'll pin-point it more when she get's closer.
>>
No. 232795 ID: cf68aa
File 128518000198.png - (164.36KB , 600x600 , 339.png )
232795

oh! I see what you're talking about.

"let's try over here"

Su walks over to a spot and Gram follows her.

I think that may be it. It'll seem weird if we find it so fast though.
>>
No. 232796 ID: 175f4a

that may be but it still counts. point at where you see it and we'll get gram to grab it.

[switch to gram]
okay, found it, dig where su is pointing.
>>
No. 232798 ID: 40cb26

>>232795
[Switch to Gram]
Just start scouring the area, pretend you decided to start from this direction and just do what you would without foreknowledge.

But you know, it's not like we have to play on equal footing here. No rules were given, but it's still kinda unsportsmanlike to rely on seeker items. But given that you two could well be at each others throats in the future that seems like a silly thing to worry about. Just don't dawdle long.
>>
No. 232886 ID: e31d52

Just grab the damn thing.
>>
No. 232911 ID: cf68aa
File 128520256872.png - (202.18KB , 800x600 , 340.png )
232911

Gram stalls for a little bit then picks up the object Su is near. It is a small marble with the letter C on it

Hmm... No clue what this one does either.
>>
No. 232914 ID: 175f4a

LEAP TO YOUR LEFT AND SPIN AROUND!
>>
No. 232918 ID: e3f578

say "Sup, brah. Kinda in my personal space, ya dig?"
>>
No. 232920 ID: 40cb26

>>232911
He's looking over your shoulder. It's creepy but not obviously hostile, still you should be cautious. Say "Hey there, found it. So, what is this one and why is it useless for you?"
>>
No. 232928 ID: cf68aa
File 128520579224.png - (128.08KB , 800x600 , 341.png )
232928

"Hey there, found it. So, what is this one and why is it useless for you?"

>"It is a future teller. I have no need for such a a thing, I believe the future is something one should should see for themself. it is yours, you won the contest."

"Uhm... Thanks?"

>"No thanks required. Your companion has some of the most powerful seeker class Items I've ever seen. I would kill to add such a thing to my collection."
>>
No. 232931 ID: 175f4a

tell him that is EXACTLY why you keep getting attacked, powerful means high priority, so everyone is after her. it is rather exasperating sometimes.
>>
No. 232943 ID: 40cb26

>>232928
"Yes well, please don't. Enough have already tried and I'm tired of the bloodshed."

This guy knows items pretty well, maybe we can pick his brain for a bit? Ask if he knows more about the items origins and purpose.
>>
No. 233010 ID: cf68aa
File 128521857483.png - (170.23KB , 800x600 , 342.png )
233010

"Yes well, please don't. Enough have already tried and I'm tired of the bloodshed."

>"HAHAHA! A tough one you are."

"I like to think that. So... You know a lot about the Items. Where do they come from?"

>"Hmm? a collector who doesn't know? I guess I can explain. Many years ago man was able to bring down a god. However they were unable to slay him. Instead his powers were divided into Ten Items and scattered across the lands. Over time the magic from these Items leaked into mundane objects causing them to gain powers. As it stands there are now 207 Items in the world. I have 17, Mr. Blue has 19, Linda has 32 and the closest on of all is Sang with 90"

"90!?"

>"Yes."

"So... what happens when you get all of them?"

>"we don't know. We just have that pull to get all of them. Maybe it's power. Me, I have my own goals in mind. I'm after a specific set of Items. The Life and Death Items I and II."
>>
No. 233012 ID: a594b9

>>233010
Power leaked eh? I'm pretty sure we just need to collect the first 10, then the core power will either summon the others... or we'll just plain resurrect the god.

Ask WHY man dissected the god. Was it an evil god or what? What IS the Collector anyway?
>>
No. 233015 ID: 40cb26

>>233010
>The Life and Death Items I and II.
That's not troublesome sounding at all. Ask if you can have them when he's done with them. Also, if he thinks maybe that the drive to get them all is the god trying to reform himself. It doesn't sound like a good thing to happen.
>>
No. 233017 ID: cf68aa
File 128521992219.png - (114.26KB , 800x600 , 343.png )
233017

>>233012
"Why did man feel the need to do that? Was he a good god?"

>"When the story is told the Gods morality is never mentions, just the fact that we humans killed him. Can you imagine that? We humans were able to kill the being who rules over us. What does that say about god?"

"... The Collector, who is he?"

>"No one knows. He's killed a great deal of us trying to take our Items. Best you can do when he comes around is just give him the one he's askin for. fightin him is futile for he carries Item I."

>>233015
"so what if all of this is just a ploy to bring back that god?"

>"It may very well be.But push come to shove I think humanity can deal with him again."
>>
No. 233019 ID: a594b9

>>233017
Ask what his mask does. Looks like CVI?
>>
No. 233020 ID: e31d52

>>233017
"By the way, your scorecard's off. I managed to steal one of The Collector's items a little while ago... After he lasered my friend's brain."
>>
No. 233039 ID: 40cb26

"I think I'd rather he died. Which is Item I? I stole an item from him once, if I can take that one he can then be killed for good. Heck if I can get it back when you're done with it I might just hand it to you. What is it you want these those two Items for..?"
>>
No. 233062 ID: cf68aa
File 128522810883.png - (133.73KB , 800x600 , 344.png )
233062

>>233019
"You're mask.. Which Item Number is it?"

>"CV"

"Oh! I got one of the Item's from the collector!"

>"Really? Which one?"

"The Laser one."

>"Oh... I wasn't aware he'd gained that. I guess Nicholas is either dead or in hiding."

"so.. what do you want them for? The Items?"

>"The god... The one I told you about. He was killed so easily even with the Items. The reason i guess is because humans were afraid of him, they couldn't identify with him. So.. I want to take his place. Having the power over life and death will make me into a new god. A better one."
>>
No. 233067 ID: 40cb26

Gram there's a bit of guesswork involved here, but I'm sensing something....

"So you want to be a killer that can't be killed? Even if you use that power wisely and with restraint it doesn't sound like much of a god. But it does sound like someone that would be widely feared and misunderstood. And hiding behind a mask can only make it worse..."

Then start to leave and say this:
"You want to be understood and accepted? Seek to be a better person, than some kind of god."
>>
No. 233069 ID: e3f578

>>233062
Ask what would make one desire to be a god? Seems unnecessary to distinguish oneself with a very powerful man of items and a god. Just words, well unless he wants to be worshiped. Then he counts as a god. Don't be getting all morally on his ass, you're technically working for power too simply because it's a purpose you've assigned to yourself.

Just asking because hasn't he heard of enough stories of men trying to become gods? It seems kind of pointless.
>>
No. 233077 ID: 701a19

>>233062
"Um... Didn't you get the memo? We've already got power over life and death. I spent most of yesterday un-killing the population of Resad.
I'm curious; what could you do with those items that we can't do already? What's the use of a new god? What happened that made you want to do this with your life?"
>>
No. 233084 ID: cf68aa
File 128524048993.png - (96.38KB , 800x600 , 345.png )
233084

"Are you telling me you just want to be a immortal killer?"

>"No. I want to be a kind god. My only mission will be to bring happiness to those who worship me."

"And to those who don't?"

>".... Mr. Elric, you are a nice man. I sense that you will do many great things. I also sense that at some point our paths, and swords, will cross. Until that day..."

And with that he vanishes
>>
No. 233086 ID: 175f4a

hrmmmm, well at least with him we probably don't need to worry about sneak attacks. seems like the duel kind of guy. anyway. let's get away from the croc and test all the items you haven't tried yet. keep the test for the fortune one to really near future, like 10 minutes later.
>>
No. 233087 ID: 701a19

>>233086
Agreed.

@Sem: It turns out that the Crocodon's actually pretty nice. I mean, I wouldn't suggest bothering it and being annoying, but it's not a scary monster like people seem to think.
>>
No. 233089 ID: cf68aa
File 128524192488.png - (133.40KB , 800x600 , 346.png )
233089

>>233087
-Sem
Oh. that's good to know ^_^
--------------------------------------

Gram and Su spend a few minutes testing out their new Items. The collectors and 100 both have a Trial on them while that hat doesn't seem to do anything.
>>
No. 233090 ID: e31d52

>>233089
Put the hat on su.

If it doesn't work, then at least it will be adorable.
>>
No. 233092 ID: 175f4a

yes, and it would double as a head protector.
>>
No. 233094 ID: cf68aa
File 128524223910.png - (102.42KB , 800x600 , 347.png )
233094

>>233090
>"Gram this is to big!"
>>
No. 233095 ID: 175f4a

hey look, it's eyes are on her eyes. tell her to just open her eyes, maybe it mods vision somehow?
>>
No. 233096 ID: cf68aa
File 12852426748.png - (88.54KB , 800x600 , 348.png )
233096

>>233095
"Su, open your eyes."

>"?? Why?"
>>
No. 233097 ID: 175f4a

neat, we'll see if anything is different.
[switch to su]
anything look different?
>>
No. 233098 ID: cf68aa
File 128524310743.png - (124.63KB , 800x600 , 349.png )
233098

>>233097
------------------------
Hmm?
No, not really.

>"Holy crap! Su take that off!"
>>
No. 233099 ID: 175f4a

!!!! take it off!
[switch to gram]
what happened?!
>>
No. 233100 ID: cf68aa
File 128524389340.png - (65.30KB , 332x800 , 350.png )
233100

>>233099
>"Aaah! I can't take it off it's like it's eating meeee!"

"...."

This would be a lot more scary if she weren't so cute.
>>
No. 233101 ID: e31d52

>>233100
I'm only going to tell you this once, Gram.

Tear off Su's clothes.
>>
No. 233104 ID: 175f4a

what? no, leave it alone. i thought it was doing something dangerous, but this is fine. maybe it gives her cat like abilities. like reflexes and stuff?
>>
No. 233107 ID: e0aec8

>>233100
@Su: Calm down. You're not in any real danger. We're right here.
@Gram: Don't do anything. If it has bonded with her skin then trying to remove it will have horrible consequences.

@Both: Wait to see what happens.
>>
No. 233110 ID: cf68aa
File 128524575240.png - (89.16KB , 800x600 , 351.png )
233110

after a while the suit completely covers Su. It flattens itself against her body

"... Su... Are you okay?"

>"Uhm... I think so.. This feels weird..."
>>
No. 233111 ID: e31d52

>>233110
:3c

Okay, try not to stare at the curves of her body.

@Su: Find a wall and try climbing it, or a tree.
>>
No. 233112 ID: 175f4a

yeah, thing probably gives you cat-like powers. it also acts as armor. now at least the collector can't shoot her with something cause he wont risk breaking the items.
>>
No. 233114 ID: 40cb26

>>233111
Hold off on tree climbing for now. Just move around and get a feel for what is different. Test your balance and speed.
>>
No. 233115 ID: 63cf7a

>>233110
@Su: Try a little jump, then go for a short run, then see how hard you can punch. We need to see what this suit can do.
>>
No. 233159 ID: f245f1

>>233110
Pet Su's head reassuringly.
Also, there seem to be some odd bumps at her wrists and forearms. Was that something she had on before the hat enveloped her? The cat's pajamas may have built in claws.

Also, pray that the suit isn't made out of genuine Catfolk pelt. That would be some fucked-up James Gumb shit there.
>>
No. 233205 ID: e3f578

>>233111
what curves? She's skin and bone!
>>
No. 233435 ID: cf68aa
File 128531377510.png - (198.68KB , 800x600 , 352.png )
233435

Su spends a few minutes practicing things with her new suit. Her hearing is increased, as is her mobility and reflexes. The things on her arms appear to be small shields of some sort and her claws easily cut through a tree and even allow her to scale it to a extent.

"Wow, it's like you're a catfolk."

At that last word Su shudders. A black mist envelops her. Before Gram can do anything it's gone and standing in Su's place is a catfolk.

>"Gram... I feel weird again..."
>>
No. 233437 ID: a594b9

>>233435
Try saying "merfolk" or "Dark elf" or "Light elf" etc.
>>
No. 233438 ID: e31d52

>>233435
oh god

Su became a catfolk
>>
No. 233442 ID: 40cb26

Oh god it lets you shapeshift. Maybe only into catfolk, but test out other forms too. Just try saying it or picturing it.
>>
No. 233445 ID: cf68aa
File 128531500610.png - (178.00KB , 800x600 , 354.png )
233445

>>233437>>233442

Gram calls out these species. With each one Su shifts again into the one he says

>"this is really weird.. Can we stop?"
>>
No. 233446 ID: a594b9

>>233445
Okay.
>>
No. 233447 ID: a594b9

Sure. "Human"
>>
No. 233448 ID: 40cb26

>>233445
@Su
Ok but we still want to try some things later. Let's figure out how to get you back to normal for no. Think "human". Picture yourself not wearing the mask, then yourself with it on.
>>
No. 233450 ID: e31d52

Say "Golem" :3c
>>
No. 233453 ID: cf68aa
File 12853159045.png - (87.87KB , 800x600 , 355.png )
233453

>>233448
Su turns back into a human

Hmm... that is a interesting power you have there.

>".... Gram... What said that...?"
>>
No. 233454 ID: e31d52

>>233453
"Oh, just the thing we were trying to avoid waking up."
>>
No. 233456 ID: 40cb26

@Sharaes
Oh hi, I hope we didn't wake you? We've been meaning to try out a few things, it's a bit more complicated than we expected. Neat though.
>>
No. 233457 ID: cf68aa
File 128531656925.png - (127.72KB , 800x600 , 356.png )
233457

"Woah! Sorry, didn't mean to wake you!"

It is okay. I was already awake. Just wanted to see where the flashes of magic were coming from. Are you a Item collector?
>>
No. 233458 ID: 40cb26

"Yep. But having met some of the other ones, I hope you don't think less of us for it."

@Tikka
Haha, we just played with that mask Item. Figures we'd get one like that from you. I guess you've already exhausted taking notes with it on?
>>
No. 233468 ID: 701a19

>>233457
"Yes, but I'm not violent like the- what happened to your horn? I have a powerful healing item here that might be able to fix that, if you'd like."
>>
No. 233469 ID: 562754

yes, getting on a giant dragon thing's good side is a good idea.
>>
No. 233472 ID: cf68aa
File 128533459066.png - (88.81KB , 800x600 , 357.png )
233472

"Yep. But having met some of the other ones, I hope you don't think less of us for it."

I judge by actions, not what has been said about people. As a collector you seem less prone to violence then the others. I also sense something else within you. Destiny perhaps? ... Pay me no mind. I'm just a old woman rambling on.

"heh. Uhm.. Your horn, do you want me to repair it?"

This old wound? i suppose

Gram manages to restore the dragon's(?) horn.

Thank you. I like you. If there's anything you need please don't hesitate to ask me.
>>
No. 233475 ID: 0959a9

hmmm, i can't think of anything at this time, other then contacting us somehow if you happen upon another item.
>>
No. 233477 ID: 701a19

>>233472
"Thank you, but I'll just call it even for the item."
>>
No. 233480 ID: 40cb26

A favor for later perhaps? You can ask if she knows about any other items, that could help us now.
>>
No. 233683 ID: cf68aa
File 128539898720.png - (88.42KB , 600x600 , 358.png )
233683

"Thank you but we'll just call this even for the Item"

the dragon smiles. She seems to almost glow for a second and shifts form. she turns into a beautiful horned human girl. She goes up to gram and presses a ring into his hands

"If you ever are in a tough situation and need help just use that. okay?"

She turns around and flies back to her mountain
>>
No. 233684 ID: c5eadb

hah, should of guess. dragons always have human forms. anyway, dial us up to the next item.
>>
No. 233685 ID: a594b9

@Tikka: Uh, didn't you say you'd be right over? How much longer? We're about to leave.
>>
No. 233687 ID: 40cb26

...Did not see that coming. Wow. Ok boss put that ring away. Next we should try and meet up with Tikka, she was on her way here.

@Su
How bright was she, just now? And that ring? And uh... wanna try to turn into what she was later?

@Tikka
Hey babe where are you at? Interesting things have been afoot. Seems that dragons can turn humanoid, who knew? Maybe that shapeshifting mask you gave us can emulate it.
>>
No. 233696 ID: cf68aa
File 128540147947.png - (117.56KB , 600x600 , 359.png )
233696

Gram walks around looking for Tikka. It doesn't take long for him to find her. She walks up to him

>"Gram Elric! I should kill you!"

"W-what!?"

>"You knew that thing had shapeshifting powers didn't you!? And you still took it from me! i could have finished my book in a week with that thing!"

"What!? I didn't know that!"

>"Sure you didn't you jerk! If not for Su I'd demolish you right now! And not only that but you saw a dragon!? Do you have any idea how RARE those are now!? There's only 3 left in the whole world! I WANTED TO SEE IT TOO!"
>>
No. 233698 ID: a594b9

>>233696
@Tikka: Easy now. You can borrow the mask when we're not using it. Plus, we have... a way we can summon the dragon if we need help. You might get to see her after all, if you keep tagging along.
>>
No. 233700 ID: 40cb26

Gram, grab that damn mask and put it on her, should get her to shut up a bit.

@Tikka
You seriously didn't know? You HAD the damn thing! Talk about being too focused. Anyways we just figured it out, after meeting the dragon we took the time to actually try it, the shapeshifting seems like secondary function that we only found on accident. Then it showed up again, talked to us for a while decided she liked us and turned humanoid and gave us a ring to call in a favor with later. You'll get to see her later I'm sure.

Can we convey images? Hmm...
[Relay images of Sharaes in normal and human forms to Tikka.]
>>
No. 233702 ID: a594b9

Oh wait. Hehe, I wonder if the mask can shapeshift people into a dragon too?
>>
No. 233730 ID: 701a19

>>233696
@Tikka: Oh, no. We are an item and had no clue what it would do. Besides, it's not like we're not going to keep you from using it.
So, only three left? Does that mean you'll offer yourself to one to increase their number?~
>>
No. 233734 ID: 9624e2

well, tikka COULD just walk over to it's mountain. if it's not sleeping i don't think she would mind being looked at.
>>
No. 233898 ID: cf68aa
File 128546501436.png - (74.07KB , 600x600 , 360.png )
233898

>"I'm not waiting I wanna see the dragon now!"

Tikka storms off then after a minute comes back

>"Where is it?"

"... I'll show you."

Gram leads her to the dragon. She's sleeping peacefully on her mountain of treasures. Tikka walks closer to it

>"wow... one of the original dragons..."

>>233730
-Tikka
Of the three dragons left only one is male and if I tried having sex with that thing I'd be split in half.
>>
No. 233906 ID: 9d463e

while she works out her fascination turn us on and see where to next. maybe try that necklace at the same time, ether get two different results or we sync and get a better lock on one.

@tikka, they can magically change themselves into a human like form, so size isn't actually an issue, of course don't expect any actual relationship out of it. also this one doesn't like being woken up, so anything you can do without waking her would be fine. otherwise she may accidentally bite your head off.
>>
No. 233908 ID: 40cb26

>>233898
Tikka I don't know if it's a racial power or just a spell but this dragon before you turned into a very pretty woman with wings and horns. If the others could do that it would work fine, physically. It's a bit less likely you'd be able to actually breed tho, and less than that you'd be his type.

@Sharaes
Psst hey we're very sorry to bother you, but we have a good friend who would love to meet you.
>>
No. 233909 ID: 701a19

>>233898
@Tikka: Shape change, blah, blah, blah, everybody already covered that. However, if a dragon wants to breed with you then I'm sure there's enough magic in your family for it to spend some time as a male.
How would you like half-dragon babies~?
>>
No. 233919 ID: cf68aa
File 128546682780.png - (276.51KB , 1219x1105 , 361.png )
233919

>>233908
Sharaes opens her eyes and looks at Tikka

I remember you. You look different now. Your soul feels different

>"OHMYGODADRAGON! Hi I'm Tikka! Please please please let me take some notes on you! >w<"

.... Go ahead. I'm just gonna close my eyes...

-Tikka
Yay! She said yes! I wasn't aware that they could change form though... A half dragon baby is 'very' tempting though...
----------------------------------
>>233906
-Gram
Looks like the next Item is at...
The Dark Elf City......
>>
No. 233921 ID: 9d463e

uhhh, we'll ask teri where she and Mu are, want to stay away from them for now.

@teri: hello, we were wondering where you were right now, kinda want to avoid Mu at the moment.
>>
No. 233925 ID: 701a19

>>233919
@Tikka: Wait, I thought you had never seen her before? And you look different? And your soul has changed?
This is confusing.

Anyway, don't wake her up, but if you're still there when she wakes up on her own then ask her about her shape changing and how you want to become the mother of a half-dragon baby and such.
If not, we'll ask her later.
>>
No. 233931 ID: 40cb26

>>233919
Well that's just fantastic. A friend of Cecil's is in charge over there, so maybe Tikka can get her to help us out if we need it. And we'll check on... well we aren't going to contact Mu anytime soon but her friend Teri should be ok enough with us. Hopefully they aren't even there. We'll just switch over to her for a minute while Tikka does her thing.

[Switch to Teri]
Umm hey... are you two doing ok? We're so sorry for screwing everything up like that. Oh and please don't let Mu know we're here please please please.

I don't know how we can make this right but we aren't giving up yet.
>>
No. 234060 ID: cf68aa
File 128548371186.png - (64.42KB , 600x600 , 362.png )
234060

>>233931
---------------------
Oh, hey again. I don't blame you guys for what happened, it surprised me too.
We're somewhere in the Dark Elf city.

Mu hasn't said a word to me this whole time. She seems really depressed..
>>
No. 234061 ID: a594b9

>>234060
She hasn't even drawn in her eyes! Help her with that.
>>
No. 234066 ID: e31d52

>>234060
She's decided not to talk to us anymore. I think... I think the drive to eliminate Gram is starting to effect her more deeply than before.
>>
No. 234067 ID: a594b9

@Gram: Stay away from the Dark Elf City for now. Mu's there. We'll try to pick up the item or something so that the tracker resets. Or... what about that other thing we picked up from the guy that had the force orb? Some kind of amulet.
>>
No. 234069 ID: 038726

aww, that really is sad. she needs a friend now more then ever.

@gram: no go, they are there, see if the necklace one gives you a different thing.
>>
No. 234072 ID: cf68aa
File 12854850557.png - (271.48KB , 1219x1105 , 363.png )
234072

>>234069>>234067

Gram uses the amulet. A little dial in the center swivels around a bit then points off.
Gram uses a map.
It's pointing to the Light Elf City.

>>
No. 234073 ID: cf68aa
File 128548507711.png - (55.88KB , 600x600 , 364.png )
234073

>>234066
I don't know what to say to her. I was never good at these things. I don't think she's even listening anyway..
>>234061
Uhm... I'm not very good at that. You have anything you want me to draw there? I never liked that dot she puts.
>>
No. 234083 ID: a7a85a

>>234073

Dark Elves are creative folk. Pay one of them to draw her up some nice eyes. Who knows? A gift like that might cheer her up a little.
>>
No. 234086 ID: a594b9
File 128548761699.png - (65.56KB , 600x600 , Mubaww.png )
234086

>>
No. 234089 ID: a594b9
File 128548840247.png - (56.46KB , 600x600 , Mudealwithit.png )
234089

She needs to learn to deal with it.
>>
No. 234090 ID: a594b9
File 128548889196.png - (66.39KB , 600x600 , Muuguu.png )
234090

uguu
>>
No. 234092 ID: a594b9
File 128548926513.png - (73.87KB , 600x600 , tictacMu.png )
234092

Here's a reference for you.
>>
No. 234096 ID: a594b9
File 128549014482.png - (92.01KB , 600x600 , Mubluh.png )
234096

And a stupid running gag
>>
No. 234099 ID: cf68aa
File 128549068743.png - (68.53KB , 600x600 , yattermang.png )
234099

>>
No. 234100 ID: a594b9
File 128549078264.png - (63.00KB , 600x600 , Mustache.png )
234100

Mu? Who is this Mu you speak of? I am hot she! I am the great MUSTACHIO!
>>
No. 234101 ID: a594b9
File 128549175873.png - (94.73KB , 600x600 , Mutroll.png )
234101

Problem, Item 7?
>>
No. 234103 ID: a594b9
File 128549240889.png - (71.75KB , 600x600 , Musmile.png )
234103

Give us a smile!
>>
No. 234105 ID: a7a85a
File 128549284887.png - (15.94KB , 200x200 , Eeeevil_Mu.png )
234105

>>
No. 234107 ID: a594b9
File 128549340667.png - (73.25KB , 600x600 , Mutree.png )
234107

THEY'RE BROTHER AND SISTER!
>>
No. 234169 ID: 5a2e05
File 128551395517.png - (57.15KB , 600x600 , musteve.png )
234169

>>
No. 234270 ID: 701a19

>>234073
What she needs right now is a hug and some comforting words.
>>
No. 235226 ID: cf68aa
File 12856985397.png - (67.97KB , 600x600 , 365.png )
235226

Teri uses some ink and gives Mu a new face

...... Somehow this makes her look even more depressed.

"Uhm Mu.... It's okay... You don't have to kill Gram.... Mu?"

I was never good at this stuff
>>
No. 235232 ID: 701a19

>>235226
Well, you could ask her what's wrong.

By the way, how common is your soul rot problem? And what would the political ramifications be if somebody found a way to cure it?
>>
No. 235234 ID: 6f044f

yeah, ask what's up. if she tries to brush you off then stand in front of her or something and make her talk.
>>
No. 235275 ID: 40cb26

You don't need to know what to say, there probably isn't much that you can. What you need to do is listen, so just ask her to talk to you. Remind her you're her friend and it'll help.

Also, when we healed her it may not have changed how she felt about Gram, bit it probably changed something. That was her mind she had a hole in after all. No way to know what is different until she tells you, though.
>>
No. 238578 ID: cf68aa
File 128625032152.png - (103.77KB , 700x700 , 366.png )
238578

"What's wrong..?"

>"..... I don't know what to do now. My only enemy does not wish to fight me. I have no master and now no purpose. As a golem I am as good as dead. I just want to run out of magic and shut down..."
>>
No. 238581 ID: a594b9

>>238578
Tell her not to forget about her desire to bring back her master from the dead.
>>
No. 238585 ID: e3f578

Gram's purpose was collecting items. Maybe she could too for a purpose. Maybe having little paper golems around one day when we meet up with another nice paper golem boy.
>>
No. 238587 ID: 0cfe8b

>>238585
Collect them all get a free wish, like bring back your master perhaps.
>>
No. 238589 ID: 69bee4

@Mu
I know that you said not to speak to you, but as a part of this consciousness who would never have condoned the other's command to kill you had I been conscious, I hope you would let me speak. You have much more right than Gram.

You have not lost all Mu, you have life, a friend, though she suffers too, and you have the essence that is you. You are a thing of beauty, your form I feel should be used towards art and sharing of the beauty you exude as a part of you. Your air is that of a regal one, holding it even in sorrow. Do try to let go of that pain, and try to find yourself. There is much like you could do, revenge is far too ugly a thing.
>>
No. 238591 ID: 701a19

>>238578
Tell her to go resurrect her master then. This is not rocket science, this is basic common sense.
>>
No. 238614 ID: 127c1a

>>238589
[intercept this]
you fool, at this time it would just undermine what we are trying to do, if Mu thinks we are telling her friend what to do she will just get mad and do the opposite just to spite us.
>>
No. 238616 ID: 69bee4

>>238614
and we probably deserve that as a whole for what we did, but your free to intercept me of course.
>>
No. 238620 ID: cf68aa
File 128625425714.png - (149.81KB , 700x700 , 367.png )
238620

"Mu... what about your master..?"

>".............."

>>238589

Mu stands up. From within Teri's bag paper flies out and reforms Mu's body. Within minutes she's back to her old form.

>"Item 7 is right... This is unbecoming. One should not base their life around one goal. I have other things I wish to do. Teri, we're going to revive my master."
>>
No. 238622 ID: a594b9

That's the spirit! Now, we're still going to have Gram steer clear of Mu. Even though it may not be her goal I wouldn't be surprised if she attacked him as a target of opportunity.

First thing's first- we need to find a way back to the Master's tower. Let's talk to the I Shop.
>>
No. 238623 ID: 127c1a

wont work, I-shop said he doesn't do anything involving the other continent. just book a ship ride. talking to the I-shop is a good idea, you need a zeroon wand and a Phoenix down.
>>
No. 238624 ID: 701a19

>>238620
@Mu: WOO-HOO! Lets get reviving! Lets revive the FUCK out of her!
... Although, it would probably be best if you collected her remains and then brought her back here to resurrect her. My understanding is that mages are hated and feared in those lands, whereas here they are an integral part of society.

@Max: Any sign of Cecil? Also, as an angel are you compelled to speak no falsehoods?

@Teri: We need to get work started on a cure... Hrm... What happens if you Soul Jar the decay?
>>
No. 238626 ID: 69bee4

@Mu
As glad as I am to see you back, I do take some minor offense to being refereed to as merely part of this collective! I mean, I guess that makes sense... but...

oh bleh, I'm just glad your alright Mu. Dance the dance of life, be free as the sheets of paper that make your form, and still go with my blessings, as little as that is.
>>
No. 238632 ID: cf68aa
File 12862563348.png - (128.04KB , 700x700 , 368.png )
238632

Even if the I-Shop won't help me get there I can still buy some supplies from them.

"Teri we're going to the I Shop."

>"Okay."

They head off.

>>238624
-Max
I don't see Cecil anywhere. And are you asking if I can lie? Yeah, nothing stopping me.
-Teri
Splitting my soul into pieces does 'not' help my condition.

They soon arrive at the I Shop.

There's no one inside

>>
No. 238633 ID: 127c1a

hmm, is there a note on the desk? he may have said where he is.

@teri: he meant using the spell to rip the infected part off. with no more infection regular soul heal would work.
>>
No. 238653 ID: 701a19

>>238633
I meant more along the lines of ripping it off and then destroying it completely. Using it as a Dark Mana source to power a boosted soul heal.
>>
No. 238660 ID: cf68aa
File 128625913284.png - (61.97KB , 700x700 , 369.png )
238660

-Teri
Dark Mana stuff is illegal so that's a no go. Don't want the royal army on my ass.
---------------------------------------

Mu examines the shop. There's no note anywhere and it looks like the shop was damaged in some places.
>>
No. 238662 ID: a594b9

>>238660
Huh, he might be in the middle of a duel. Check nearby, or behind the counter.
>>
No. 238663 ID: 127c1a

who in the world would attack the i-shop?
>>
No. 238668 ID: cf68aa
File 128625947263.png - (56.26KB , 700x700 , 370.png )
238668

Mu checks around the store.
The grass nearby is stained with a dark red blood

>>
No. 238669 ID: a594b9

>>238668
See if you can find a trail of blood.
>>
No. 238670 ID: 127c1a

just one splotch? any more around? a trail would be good.
>>
No. 238671 ID: 701a19

>>238660
Oh, that. Yea, I wouldn't worry about the legality of it.

@IShop: Are you ok? We're in the area and both willing and and able to render aid.
>>
No. 238673 ID: cf68aa
File 128625992956.png - (81.90KB , 700x700 , 371.png )
238673

There are no trails around... It seems like he left the area...

Without it's owner supporting it the I Shop crumples into itself.

>>238671
-I Shop Owner
Nothing I can't handle stranger. Just a rowdy customer. I've taken this fight to Hurrikane mountains.
>>
No. 238674 ID: 127c1a

huh, says he is fine, just dealing with someone who didn't like the prices and got rowdy.
>>
No. 238676 ID: 127c1a

just start heading north. use a different stall later.
>>
No. 238678 ID: 701a19

>>238673
@Mu&Teri: The I Shop owner is in the middle of a fight. He took it to the Hurrikane mountain range.
He said he can handle it, but I don't know for certain if that's the case. Sadly, there's not much we can do to help him.
We can worry about this later. Take a sample of the blood and start walking towards whatever port brought you to this continent.
>>
No. 238681 ID: 40cb26

>>238673
Well... nothing else to do until he's done. So, try to get a bead on any nearby items.

@I Shop
Well ok we won't bother you then... unless you'd be cool with us switch over to you for a bit. Bet seeing you in action would be awesome.
>>
No. 238682 ID: 701a19

>>238673
...
Ah, screw it. I really want to see this.
Everybody: This is now a sneaking operation. NO TALKING!

[Switch to I Shop Owner]
>>
No. 238686 ID: cf68aa
File 12862617943.png - (175.78KB , 700x700 , 372.png )
238686

--------------------------------
>"You're quite..... powerful for a half demon.. You can mold darkness..... fairly well."

The I Shop Owner is fighting another dark shadowy man.
The Owner swings a blade made out of shadows at him and the other man seems to simply melt into the ground


"And you're quite strong for having no soul stranger"

>"I do.... to have a soul. It's just a little different...."

He snakes along the ground and swipes at the Owner. He jumps up and blasts the ground with a ball of energy.
When the dust clears the shadow man has already moved to a different spot.
He crawls along the ground and strikes again


Hmm.... none of my spells are working.
Soulless... Quite powerful.
Not sure if I can win..

Almost out of mana too. Can't let him see that.
If he crawls along the ground my best bet is to try to leave him without a ground to cling to.
But Greater Alter Land might be a bit above me in my current condition.
>>
No. 238688 ID: 701a19

>>238686
@Max: The soul-less-people-things have made a move. They're attacking the I Shop owner. If you're still in central, head to the castle and tell them that they can see what kind of monster plans to invade via the dark world portals if they hurry head to the Hurrikane mountains. Tell them that if Rai or Norue go then they MIGHT stand a chance at defeating it.
>>
No. 238689 ID: 701a19

>>238688
*might stand a chance of defeating it and saving the person it's trying to assassinate.
>>
No. 238692 ID: cf68aa
File 128626328638.png - (209.24KB , 700x700 , 373.png )
238692

>>238688
-Max
WHAT!? They're attacking now!? I need to tell the others! Oh man oh man this wasn't supposed to happen! Arcelo needs to know! I need to get permission to go back down! I need to do other things!!! AHHHHH!
---------------------------------
Out of mana....
Do or die now.

The Owner strikes again at the ground again then falls to the ground, completely out of energy.
The shadow man notices and rises from the ground.
Once he get's close enough the Owner leaps up and slashes him right in half.
The Shadow man falls to the ground and screams in pain


I win.. Might as well seal him within hell..
>>
No. 238693 ID: cf68aa
File 12862632982.png - (108.54KB , 700x700 , 374.png )
238693

Why did he attack me though?
And who sent him?
>>
No. 238694 ID: 127c1a

you may not like that we are in your head but trust us, RUN.
>>
No. 238697 ID: e3f578

Stranger danger!
>>
No. 238699 ID: 40cb26

Fucking run the king of the dark world is right behind you!

@Maxine
I think this is just preparations, taking out people of power. The I Shop Owner won the fight but now the king opened a portal right behind him. We'll let you know how it goes...
>>
No. 238700 ID: 701a19

>>238693
Intruder to the right. Just flee; they'd squash you like a bug even at your best.

You just fought one of the Dark World soldiers, or at least the shadow of one. Specifically it was The Creeper Lord, their weakest member.
They're planning on invading this world within the next 30 years or so, and intend to conquer it as a stepping stone to other worlds.
They probably targeted you because you count as infrastructure, although from what we know of their operations this was intended as a simple scouting action.

Yea, it's bad. Worse still, we believe that they've taken Cecil and Alexis captive.

Sorry for barging in on you like this, but you left blood behind at your tent which collapsed right before our host's eyes. We watch out for our friends.
>>
No. 238701 ID: cf68aa
File 128626441944.png - (147.13KB , 700x700 , 375.png )
238701

>>238694>>238696

What!?

The Owner tries to run but stumbles. With his mana and stamina depleted he doesn't even make it a few feet away before a Soul Stealer catches him.
The King of Darkworld, John, walks up to him


>"Avernis, the I Shop Owner. I underestimated your power. Maybe I should have come myself in the first place."

"John, long time no see."

>"Indeed. I'm afraid you must come with me."

"No can do st-John. I got a shop to run."

>"I'm afraid it'll have to close down. We can't have you selling things to our enemy now can we? You've helped the humans so much that without you they would crumble."

"John, you're making a mistake. If I went missing right now you may trigger something bigger then you can handle."

>"I'm aware. I want it to happen."

"You're a idiot."

>"And you are a bastard child."

"...... How's your daughter doing these days?"

>"! ........"

He tosses the I Shop Owner into the portal to the Dark World.

Strangers, if I leave this world you have a minute to grab whatever you want from my shop. Do so now before it dissolves. There's a latch on the floor leading to my stock.
I'll be fine strangers.
>>
No. 238702 ID: 701a19

>>238700
@Maxine: This isn't the invasion, this is a scouting and targets-of-opportunity action. Take Gram and Su with you when you head back to Celestia; it's unorthodox, but we're attached to Gram (who is attached to Su) and we need to go with you in order to provide logistical and tactical information beyond your capacity. Beyond that, if that thing left any nasty surprises attached to your soul then we'll need to be there to relay the information in the event that you are unable to do so.
>>
No. 238703 ID: 127c1a

@MU: in the tent is a trap door, you have one minute to get as much stuff as you can, RUN!
>>
No. 238704 ID: 701a19

>>238701
@Teri & Mu: "Strangers, if I leave this world you have a minute to grab whatever you want from my shop. Do so now before it dissolves. There's a latch on the floor leading to my stock.
I'll be fine strangers."

Grab EVERYTHING YOU CAN and start throwing it out the door!

@I Shop Owner: Message sent. What's your disappearance going to trigger? This is important.
Also, we'll stick with you as long as we can. We need information more than anything.
>>
No. 238706 ID: 40cb26

Dammit is there anything else we can do? How do we screw up their plans? What will happen with you gone? ...WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME, WE CAN FIND YOU!

@Mu & Teri
QUICKLY! GO TO WHERE THE SHOP STOOD AND CHECK THE GROUND FOR A LATCH! OPEN IT UP AND THERE IS THE I SHOPS STOCK, HE'S CAPTURED AND HE'S LETTING YOU LOOT IT YOU ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE GO GO GO!
>>
No. 238707 ID: 701a19

>>238704
@Maxine: I don't think you quite understand the severity of this. We need an angelic army to fight these things, but you have no idea what the scale of these creatures power really is.
The angels may need to be prepared to become fuel for a Dark Mana spell to obliterate the dark world they call home in the hopes that some of their elite forces will die.
Also, it would be great if you can get your god to do something about this, since a god might be able to go toe-to-toe with their king.

Yea, not kidding. That dark world exists because their king wills it so. We're looking at a potential M.E.L.E. here.
>>
No. 238710 ID: cf68aa
File 128626557422.png - (61.81KB , 700x700 , 376.png )
238710

>>238707
I can't just do things like that! I'm a low ranking angel dammit! GAH!
I'll see if I can talk to god okay!? I'm trying dammit! And I'm also seeing if I can bring someone more powerful with me down there.
---------------------------

The I Shop owner struggles weakly to free himself.
A small punch on the head from John knocks him out.

---------------------------------------
$!#%$@^%#&^*&&&^$^%$#$%^&*
???? You're back.
I went into the latch but it was already dissolving.
I managed to grab Phoenix Downs, Teleport Stones, 4 books in a odd language and a small glass sphere.
>>
No. 238712 ID: 127c1a

the books are probably magic books of some kind, can you get a good look at a page? we are pretty good at decoding things. also, NO idea what the orb is.
>>
No. 238713 ID: 40cb26

DAMMIT. Well, at least it's something. Better ration those things, it's all that's left. Get a better look at that stone.

@Gram
Just a heads up, don't waste the items you have left from the I shop, he's gone. The king of the dark world took him away. And for all we know he has Alex and Cecil too.
>>
No. 238714 ID: 701a19

>>238710
Ok, great. Have Teri look these things over to see what she can identify. Your next stop is Cecil's place to regroup, since we just stumbled across the impending end of the world.

[Switch to Maxine]
Ok, so we can jump around between these two planes. Great.
The I Shop Owner - a powerful half-demon by the name of Avernis - was just defeated and captured. This is a major problem, since he's actually a rather nice person and has been supporting mortals and nudging them away from disaster from the shadows. He was also a key player in their infrastructure, and without him the game-changing power houses of the mortal forces are going to be crippled.

Oh, also, you should ask somebody about curing Dark Elf soul rot, and getting some leeway you can use to intimidate their king into promoting its use.

If you can get some face time with your god then we have a few things that need to be discussed.

Yea, we're overloading you, I know. Sadly we can't get more helpers without one of the gauntlets.
>>
No. 238717 ID: e31d52

What the hell man I sleep for a couple hours and the supposedly most powerful man on the planet or one of them just up and gets captured?

What are we supposed to do about it? It's a matter of degrees of power. If

I shop > us, then Attackers > I shop, then Attackers > us by a fairly wide margin. That wasn't even a close fight, for goodness sakes, or they wouldn't even have had the capture option. They would have had to kill him. How the hell do you fight something that took down the most powerful person here?!


FUCK THE WAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN THIRTY YEARS FROM NOW

THAT LYING PRICK
>>
No. 238718 ID: 127c1a

wait, i think we need someone to get to the Hurrikane mountains and finish off the guy, he is currently own but not out. need to blast his symbol with a high power light spell. or seal it until you can.
>>
No. 238731 ID: a594b9

>>238717
I know what we're supposed to do about it.

Collect all 10 of the main items, that's what. Then we shall have the power of a God.
>>
No. 238732 ID: e31d52

>>238731

Garm: Find the ten Items.

Mu: Seek out your Master.

Tikka: We need her to find, or help find the Goldeon Dagger. I thought Cecil had it, but starburst sait it was lost?

Maxine: Continues as she is.


Gentlemen, we don't HAVE thirty years. This is the first act of war, and we must prepare for more. Therefore, we must gather all resources we can, and when the time comes, pull out all the stops... including the various spells Cecil isn't supposed to ever use.
>>
No. 238805 ID: 701a19

>>238732
Lead a regiment of angels into the dark world.
Use their souls to power a Meteor shower.
Flee with whichever ones survive.
>>
No. 238810 ID: 127c1a

>>238805
... let's call that plan ZZZ.
>>
No. 239068 ID: cf68aa
File 12863335419.png - (135.63KB , 700x700 , 377.png )
239068

>>238713
Gram
-What!? Oh god dammit... What the hell am I gonna do for Telestones?
-----------------------------
>>238714
"Arcelo please! We need more people on the earth right now! The Dark World is planning to destroy everything!"

>"The Oracle states that such a thing will not happen for 30 years. We will prepare for such an attack. Sending men in now will only speed up the problem as it will seem as if 'we' were making a move as well. also your request to see god has been denied. Sorry."
>>
No. 239069 ID: a594b9

>>239068
Okay good, we can stop panicking, and get back to the item collecting business.

[switch to gram]
>>
No. 239076 ID: e31d52

The Oracle can shove it! You and I and everyone in this goddamn gauntlet knows that future sight is about as reliable as badly edited camcorder videos. It's entirely likely the Dark World king has engineered it to appear that way to the Oracle.

He has already begun making moves against us. Doing anything but marshaling forces now is playing into his hands!
>>
No. 239087 ID: 127c1a

ouch. ask if you can at least get someone to assist you. also if you can get a note or something that says gram needs item 3 from temple it would be great.
[switch to gram]
looks like it's walking unless it's important.
>>
No. 239089 ID: 701a19

>>239068
"What are you talking about? Did the Oracle happen to mention that THEY JUST ATTACKED AND TOOK-OUT VITAL MORTAL INFRASTRUCTURE?"
>>
No. 239091 ID: e31d52

>>239089
Of course not, because the Oracle 1: can't see the present, most likely, and 2: the Dark King is limiting his actions to those things which the Oracle can't see until the final moment.
>>
No. 239109 ID: cf68aa
File 128633584684.png - (82.66KB , 700x700 , 378.png )
239109

"What are you talking about? Did the Oracle happen to mention that THEY JUST ATTACKED AND TOOK-OUT VITAL MORTAL INFRASTRUCTURE?"

>"It is not our duty to interfere every single time something goes wrong. We attack only if he does, one life does not mean we should wantonly toss in everything we have."

He turns his back to her and walks away.

>"However if you feel that your presence is needed you may go, take a trainee with you as well. You have my blessings, may god be with you."
>>
No. 239113 ID: e31d52

>>239109
A trainee?! Well, it's something. Let's get our kid and get back to Gram. He'll need all the help he can get.
>>
No. 239114 ID: 701a19

>>239109
Facepalm.
"Did I forget to mention that their leader is the source of the soul-devouring monsters I was sent to investigate?"
So, how exactly would they do about keeping you from seeing god anyway? Is god always really busy, or is it that they dislike disturbing him?
>>
No. 239115 ID: 127c1a

man. grab the trainee, only hope now is that those items work amazingly. and having an angel should make convincing some people to hand it over without fighting easier. we'll see you later.

[switch to gram]
sigh, looks like heaven isn't gonna help. Maxine may be coming back down though. hopefully having an angel with you will make some people more likely to give the items to you without a fight.
@Mu and teri: shit, heaven says they wont help yet. sigh, just get you master mu, just take things one step at a time.
>>
No. 239129 ID: 701a19

>>239115
Send the trainee to meet with Gram and touch his gauntlet. We'll direct them from there.
Meanwhile, you go to Cecil's house to get the other gauntlet then return here - do NOT put it on!
>>
No. 239134 ID: cf68aa
File 128633684545.png - (61.81KB , 700x700 , 379.png )
239134

Find a trainee...
Problem is there's different kinds of trainees..
Healers, fighters, summoners.
And they all suck!

Sigh....

Well, at least it didn't go 'that' bad.
>>
No. 239137 ID: e31d52

>>239134
Is that

Is that a dark world hole
>>
No. 239138 ID: 127c1a

turn around and be ready to go straight to god as fast as you can.
>>
No. 239143 ID: 701a19

>>239134
Well, find one that specializes in Dark Mana, treating soul diseases, or rapid movement.

Soul Diseases because there's a soul-destroying disease that's killing one of our allies, rapid movement because we need somebody we can send around for things, and Dark Mana because our Plan Z involves sacrificing portions of many peoples souls to unleash a world-destroying apocalypse on the Dark World.
Oh, don't worry, we know at least one person who would be willing to cast the spell. The hard part is getting enough people together so that the caster can leave enough soul behind in each for the Dark Elves to heal them back.
>>
No. 239146 ID: 701a19

>>239143
There's a black tear in the air behind you. If that's not supposed to be there then run straight for god. Ignore all guards, ignore all shouts, crash through all doors, and don't stop to help anybody you knock down. Just. Run.
>>
No. 239154 ID: cf68aa
File 128633751168.png - (138.46KB , 800x700 , 380.png )
239154

Run...?
She turns around and sees the rip in space.
Her eyes go wide and she flies off to see god.
The last thing she hears is a deep scratchy voice.


>"Well men.... Ready?
>>
No. 239160 ID: e31d52

>>239154
FUCKING FUCK I TOLD YOU SO SO HARD IT HURTS
>>
No. 239173 ID: 127c1a

JUST FUCKING RUN TO THE BIG MAN!! MAYBE YELL THAT THEY ARE ATTACKING HERE FIRST!!
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