The night was cold, as it should be for a snow covered area, the tree left a gloomy impression with the complete absence of leaves while the pure, perfect snow outside the window lay there without a single hole of steps, the three pairs of foots left marks that were now gone and it wasn’t snowing or windy, truly the area was abnormal but it didn’t really feel malevolent, but unusual enough to maybe spook someone with a little less resolve than your group.

‘’I hope my cooking isn’t too bad…’’
The small voice of Athena can be heard while the fire snap some of the old wood that was left in the room, it was good for fire thank to a little magic and the two girls were now huddled around it, shoulder to shoulder, eating some stew that the lizardwoman seemingly stole from the college. Looking at them, they didn’t really took to kindly to the cold, which was logical due to they’re nature, the knight Athena was half lizard while the not-so-stoic Sylphis was half bug, they were now comfortable but previously teeth’s and limbs trembled while sneeze create only grunts of complaints, they never voiced any negativity to your decision of pressing on in the freezing snow.

You see the taller lizardwoman gently rubbing the head of her companion, this is truly the first time you see them fraternise like this, Athena seem to act like a sister to the other girl, making certain she’s warm and fed enough while Sylphis forced her to do the same in some kind of ‘’let me take care of you’’ game, however you have the fleeting feeling that the lizardwoman is uncomfortable, after a while you’ve picked up on her quirk that she rub her chin when she want to ask something.

The shelter you are in is a small cabin that actually doesn’t seem abandoned, lamp, bed, and just enough wood for a fire in a slightly magical circle needing a brief surge of magic to activate so as to not burn the whole place down, it was cozy and perfect for your current situation and probably built for just this kind of occasion, maybe mages and students wanted time alone in this forest?

You’ve searched and tried to contact the elusive spirit of the snow during the day to no avail, so you quickly settled with finding a shelter when the sun came down, however you are certain of one thing and that she IS there, because you saw her when you freed yourself of the hypnosis, it was a fleeting memory that you constantly needed to grasp again and again to be certain it remained in your memory.

Maybe you could go alone out there, or just stay here.
Or maybe try to use magic, making certain your presence is here, after all according to the book, Yukioona are creature of magic similar to ghost, they seem to have even less common sense than you in how they work, you have absolutely zero information in the current predicament of the cold lady you aim to see, so frankly the only option that appear is to try and trust your instinct.

>>17887587
Will using Focus alert anyone at the college to our presence as well, or are we too far away from it?

You are back! We missed you!

>>17887659

You frankly aren't certain, you are pretty deep in the forest but you can sense the lingering magic in the college.

By winging it and trusting your instinct, You'd say yes, they might be able to sense it IF you use a moderate amount of magic, but being detected by etnering Focus is a very big maybe.

>>17887678

Good to be back

>>17887711
I think we should play it safe for now and stay in the cabin. When the sun comes up we can go out again.

Finally! Welcome back InsertNameHere!

>>17887750


You wonder for a while if the people in the college should now be considered enemies, after all that hypnosis was targeted for people with magical talent, reason why Sylphis and Athena were completely immune to it, however here, even if it’s cold, feel a lot safer than when you were back in the large structure.

The scenery in front of you doesn’t change; thankfully, you try to remember something more about the dream, the young, playful lady that talked to you while you were out in the area in your youth, only to hit a wall of fog, and end up frustrated at the impasse.

Still, you decide to walk to your two companions who are talking in low voice, you barely pick up some conversation and it seem Sylphis much reassure her friend with constant
‘’I’m alright’’.

You slowly sit near the bug woman and take a bit of food, eating without much appetite, only to be lightly tapped in the back by the tail of the scaled woman who smiles at you before nodding, rubbing her chin with her clawed finger.

‘’Milord, do you wish to sleep? I am certain it would do you much good…’’

>>17887842
"It is getting late, isn't it? I suppose it'd be best to get an early start tomorrow."

Oh hell yes he's back!

I guess go to sleep.

You look into her yellow eyes, not used to the unusual color and vertical pupil; her eyes seem to be shining in a strange fashion tonight, you search the link with curiosity and find that she seems… both sad and happy?

Would prying really be polite however?

"It is getting late, isn't it? I suppose it'd be best to get an early start tomorrow."

You nod to confirm your speech, looking at the fire for a second, then the silent mantis who seem mesmerized by the flame, the link seem to tell of a light emotion of dread, but she’s also incredibly calm and nonchalant.

‘’By all means, milord, me and Sylphis can take turn guarding, you should rest.’’

The bedrolls are placed neatly on the floor, the single bed is much too old to be comfortable and sleeping here seems safe indeed, for it is free of the mental magic.

Do you take a full night of sleep?

>>17887954
Yes.

And so you take the offer, thanking the lizardwoman by patting her lightly on her shoulder and voicing a small ‘’thank’’. Breaking free of the suggestion seem to really have drained you mentally, but you walk straight, true and strong to yourself as you make yourself comfortable and start to drift into sleep, however you manage to pick up some form of conversation before your consciousness is robbed.

‘’…You did, awaken… ‘’

‘’…deal with it…hard’’

‘’ …unusual…him?’’

You find yourself caring less and less and the sweet embrace of rest shifts your mind.

--

You seem to be hearing a small melody carried by a voice so thin it’s impossible to identify words; the world around you is unfocused and masked by a gray, impersonal fog while, it seem, you are floating.

The realm of dreams, is it? However, while the small, incredibly distant song continues, another voice is heard asking a simple question.

‘’It’s you, isn’t it?’’

Oh yeah!
The most adorable quest is back!

Fuck yes Monster Girls Quest

"Well, I am me, but the question should be, am I the one you are asking for, should it not?"

>>17888103
"Who asks?"

>>17888188
>>17888184
I like both of these

>>17888184
This

It’s not the first time you are spoken to in such a fashion, maybe that why you don’t feel any hint of dread or hell, even surprise.

"Well, I am me, but the question should be, am I the one you are asking for, should it not?"

It’s the very basic, at least that what it seem to be for now. The small, far melody seem to be sung by the voice of a young girl, however the formless speaker chuckle slightly even if it sound sad.

‘’I never really expected… actually I never really wanted you to be this important, you know? Of course you are who I am looking for, silly, don’t try to be smarter than me!’’
She seem in a good mood, the song keep nagging in the back of your mind, or ears, its constant, soothing ,beautiful, a solo choir sung by a lonely angel.

‘’Who asks?’’

You say, minding your authority in your voice, your head dart left to right only to encounter fog.

‘’You…you really don’t…’’

Sadness, it’s very easy to identify in this lovely voice.

And then, slowly, the scenery sift, clear on a frustratingly small amount, you see a small clearing in the snow, tree cut to allow a circle of stone while a small, lonely child is playing with magic, freezing and unfreezing her hand.

‘’You always change things, you know? Did you really… Forget?’’

It seem that you did.

"I apologise miss, there was an... accident, I believe it could be called, which resulted in something of an amnesia for me, which is... better than the results of the event for it's other participants. It is clear, however, we were close. I apologise."

'then help me to refresh my memory'

>>17888366
>It is clear, however, we were close. I apologise
supposed to be "It is clear, however, from your voice that we were close. I apologise for the sadness I cause for you."
Shouldn't post tired, but fuck it it's 5 am and MGQ's on.

>>17888366
>>17888389
This.

>>17888433
I really should go to sleep, I'm seeing things, like people saying my posts should be used.

Also have we deduced with our might intellect that we might be the missing head of Schieffer family that hasn't been found (or hadn't been found at least by the time we left the area where we woke up)?
Don't want to meta, so I'll go presuming we haven't.

>>17888488
>Schieffer
Shieffer*

>>17888325
"I'm sorry to have forgotten, as I had a nasty accident that took most of my memories. I remember a voice, a face, but not a name. Can you, will you, help me remember?"

You stay silent, observing the small form of the girl in the forest, impossible to identify her face, only her form, her magic grow as she make floating crystals, shining in the sun in a glorious fashion as different colors almost form a rainbow on the ground.

"I apologise miss, there was an... accident, I believe it could be called, which resulted in something of an amnesia for me, which is... better than the results of the event for its other participants.’’

The dialogue is said in a clear voice, you mark a pause, making sure your words sink in while the lonely song continues, becoming slightly stronger before receding. It seem she know you aren’t done.

"It is clear, however, from your voice that we were close. I apologise for the sadness I cause for you."

Your eyes close, your arms cross, you don’t like to see that smile child in the snow, strangely, something nag you that she doesn’t belong there.

‘’Siggy…’’

That! This name! It awaken to great effect the dream you had, the nickname you were given by a playful little lady of blue skin and white hair, others memories unlock, she liked to freeze your pants and shoe, make you fall with ice and forcing you to get better and better at every ambush, she truly was one of the… two?

Two?

You feel a slight headache; your eyes open and now that small form of the child is looking at what seem to be an adult, a female according to its form, long hair cascading to the end of her back.

‘’Siggy, three person entered this forest’’

Indeed, you, Sylphis, Athena.

‘’But… there should be four, you don’t know who you are, but I know you!’’

…What?

This quest is back? FUCK YES

>>17888554
"I want to know. Help me remember."

>>17888554
"I apologise, but... while you may have known me from before, it is very likely that I am not the same person as I was before the accident. I would like to know more about me, and for that, I would like to ask you to tell me of... well, me, I suppose is the right term. That is, if that is alright with you, miss...?"
Also wow no commanding voice anywhere this dialogue

>>>also Path of Borealis is so playing in the background http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uN3dxJRnss

>>17888554
"Then can you tell me who I am? And I should know your name but cannot remember; what did I used to call you?"

>you don’t know who you are, but I know you!

could this be a trap? we are falling happly into this beacuse it's related to are past?

>>17888694
That may be, but since we have come this far due to our obsession to our past, we might as well go all the way, no?

>>17888389
>5 am
What the hell it's 1:27 AM why am I this fucking sleepy and how did I look at the clock so wrong?
Also sage because no content :(

>>17888716

i think we should be controling of the convo instead of being lead on, u agree?

>>17888741
Who says we aren't?

You can’t help it, the emotion of urgency leak from your voice, however as you look at the two silhouette, the adult embrace the little one and lift her up in a playful manner, flame dancing around her.

‘’Siggy…’’

Somehow you think you hear instrument in the background, what is this? Why is there music playing?

However, fast, you regain your bearing and form the words you need, for, after all, you are someone with class, aren’t you?

"I apologise, but... while you may have known me from before, it is very likely that I am not the same person as I was before the accident.’’

You mark a pause and look again at the two female form walking in the forest, the scenery clear a bit and… wait now it’s snowing? It’s a storm? The adult evaporate while another form seems to be slaving in the snow, pummeling snow with magic.

‘’I would like to know more about me, and for that, I would like to ask you to tell me of... well, me, I suppose is the right term. That is, if that is alright with you, miss...?"

You make certain to clear away any emotion, sounding impersonal, because right now, even if you don’t want to admit it, you feel slightly vulnerable.

Her name, you want her name.

‘’Siggy… I really love that… you came here’’

And then, suddenly, you hear sounds. The music cease for a brief moment, the wind I almost deafening while the voice of the energetic young girl is heard with strength and vigor

‘’Avina, Avina! And your name for now will be Siggy!’’

Avina…

‘’Do you want to remember, Siggy? I can’t promise everything but… but it’ll hurt and I don’t want that’’

>>17888772

aw hell I forgot to add

"I want to know. Help me remember."

at the very start

>>17888741
She has the advantage, because she knows what we don't.

>>17888772
"Would I like the person I was before?"

>>17888772
Breathe. Control your emotions. Calm down.
"...Avina... before remembering, do you know what that music is, was, will shortly be, and has been for a while?"

>>17888772
"I want to regain what I have lost. Pain is just another obstacle to be overcome. I need to know who I am."

>>17888772
sod it, might as well go for it.
'please, i must know!

>>17888772
"Yes, I do Avina. I've chased my past this far; I'll not turn away."

"Would I like the person I was before?"

You ask, frowning slightly while looking at the duo now chasing each other, the scenery changing to a clearer day.

‘’You aren’t that different from him’’

Oh? Really? You can’t help but tilt your head slightly and smile, somehow, it’s comforting to hear that.

The music start anew with a bit more vigor, increasing slightly in tempo while the solo choir sound majestic, as if a young child was singing with all her being in an immense cathedral. You take a deep breath, listen, but impossible to make out the words, it’s a language you do not understand.

"...Avina... before remembering, do you know what that music is, was, will shortly be, and has been for a while?"
The two silhouette seem to be talking, the girl is clearly teaching the boy, right now he’s hovering three ball of ice around his body, hand clasped together while she seem to be teasing him.

You hear a small, playful and mocking, laugh coming from the voice

‘’Ara, silly Siggy, to even forget some of the teachings… worry not, it’s simply why we can communicate, magic is a bit different for Monsters.’’

Is it? How peculiar, the song is beautiful indeed, the world you are in now is unique… hmm

"I want to regain what I have lost. Pain is just another obstacle to be overcome. I need to know who I am."

Reaffirming your will, looking at the silhouette, it seem there is a conflict, for the boy, the girl and the adult woman are speaking aggressively to a group of mage who are accompanied by someone with a large hat being nervous, the little girl is terrified and hiding behind the adult.

‘’Siggy…’’

Her voice is sad

‘’You lost someone important. No, we did’’

You heartbeat quicken, do you really want to know?

>>17888982
Again, breathe, calm yourself.
"Yes."

>>17888982
Yes. With all our heart, we want to know.

"Avina, please tell me. I must know who I was, what I lost."

>>17888982
'If what heppened in the past is truly something bad. then i must remember so that i can make sure it dosent happen again'

You place a hand on your heart, feeling it thumping with energy, your breathing become large and calm, the three people seem to now be eating together, the area full of fallen leaves, the atmosphere lovely and homely.

"Avina, please tell me. I must know who I was, what I lost."
There a silence, and then the choir is joined by a second voice that soon disappear, the mood become solemn, if not sad, but your mental barrier are strong, the dread does not affect you.

‘’You… both of you told me your secrets, and it was so fun to know! Siggy, your full name is Siegfried Shieffer, a very important noble I think but I never cared for those detail.’’
Huh… you name, you thought that knowing it would unlock some part of this puzzle in your head but nothing happen beside the pleasant feeling of having something missing back, finally, you can be more of an individual now.

You are Siegfried Shieffer.

‘’Y-your big secret, well…’’

She’s hesitating, but you are on the verge of uncovering it yourself

‘’You are brother to the king Rosario…’’

Ooooh… And then there a surge, memories floods vaguely, you see a large man talking, making you certain you know your duty, you see yourself as a boy overseeing the troops, and you see yourself next to your uncle, small detachment of your finest knights slaughtering bandits. You see yourself assisting a butcher, Monsters being put to the torch.

You are the bastard child of the previous kings, thus your existence was kept under wraps, but you were adopted into the finest, noble family in the kingdom in the same family of the king himself and loyal beyond belief toward the crown.

cont

‘’Siggy…’’

But there someone else missing.

Calm down Siegfried, calm down…

‘’She wore garbs of bright red’’

The music stop, the voice is sad, but firm, the phrase make your head hurt.

‘’Mage robe of a fiery color, her origin was one of flame, she was gentle, playful, strict and full of love’’

Wait. The music restart on a very low tone, you contain your emotion how you can, you look at the fog to see an old man speaking, with the adult, the lady with long hair, screaming back and literally lobbing fireballs at him.

‘’Siggy, your mother is supposed to be here now’’

Suddenly, there a brief flash, you remember now. Back in the plain, when you woke up, there was a skeleton.

A skeleton in a bright red and large mage robe. You later learned that the archmage of fire perished.

‘’Siggy…’’

The memories floods. Her name was Mana, she was barely of sixteen summer after you were born yet she loved you with all her heart, was the perfect counter balance to your duty toward your family, your uncle being incredibly strict, but fair, but she was the only person you could ever relax with in your youth, for the estate was full of strict old men and women. She loved to practice archery too, so you picked up on it as well.

‘’Dammit’’

You let out the swear.

You should refocus here, there something to be done, right?

Right?

>>17889257

forgot mah pic

>>17889242
>You are brother to the king Rosario

Didnt see that coming

>>17889257
We need to know how and why she died. I assume that it was our magic that killed her, but the corruption within us had control of us, so it wasn't technically our fault. However, we need to find out how we were corrupted.

>>17889284
That, nope, but Shieffer, since it was mentioned one of them wasn't found.

I wonder what powers the offspring of Archmage of Fire and a very potent Water mage would have.

>>17889242
Welp, that's more or less than what I was expecting.
I wonder how the two girls will react. Maybe they already know.

>>17889315
very true, but was there more people linked to are past. other mages maybe. or did something happen when we and Mana when hunting with bow and arrow. an attack or amush maybe?

What happened doesn't matter. Who and why do.
But before that...
"I... thank you for telling me about me. Now, if it was alright with you, could you tell me about yourself?"

>>17889257
Refocus our mind. We need to remember the particulars of what happened at the battle field where we woke up.

>>17889375
Perhaps, but there were a large number of other skeletons, seemingly soldiers, their swords rusted to ruin. As a water mage, we are capable of summoning slimes, which have a voracious appetite for flesh. Rusting metal is probably within our power as well. It makes sense.

Does no one see the
>killing monsters
bit?
We're a dread force in their world, mark my words.

>>17889421
Were. We can leave that bit behind us. We didn't have the power to eat corruption then, anyway.

>>17889421
We will deal with that when we wake up
And by dealing with it, I mean we say of our past to our companions. Tell them the whole story.

>>>>17889375
hm... there are 2 ways it could have happened.
1. Lost control and things when pear shaped (death of other's)
2. We went Mad , could have happened by a mental attack by others or Poison
what u think? or and i just talking bull

You breathe in, memories coming back into place, the most important part of your childhood and adolescence… your mother was part of every single one of them, the best support you could ever ask for.

Archery was so fun too.

Maybe you’ll be able to reminisce later.

You have a deep breath; you look at the fog, now it seem the boy is with his mother.

"I... thank you for telling me about me. Now, if it was alright with you, could you tell me about yourself?"

There will be time for answer and retribution later; there will be time for mourning later.

The music become quiet, a low, soft whisper that, strangely, makes you feel slightly at peace.

‘’You don’t have to bottle up, you know? Me I’m just Avina, your looovely childhood friend!’’

Her cheerful voice is forced.

Your mind drift back to that plain, you try to focus, uncover the fog for it is present and there.

‘’Siggy, please stop hurting yourself’’

What? Can she read your mind?

‘’Your face… I mean, I don’t know, but all will come in due time maybe? I was told to wait, wait until the change, and now seem to be the right timing’’

Confusion makes you frown and you move your head a bit, trying to identify the illusive lady.

‘’You came for me, I want to help you, you know? But first you have to break the enchantment that… well, force me to sleep’’

Your eyes close, maybe, just maybe, you could simply try to uncover the thick fog of the day you woke up in the plain.

>>17889528
She's been a great help so far. We should return the favor. We've already remembered so much, and the past isn't going anywhere. It can wait.

Ask about the enchantment.

>>17889528
Who, where, and how? Tells us what you can.

Snap out of it, this is no time to wake up. There is an old friend of ours who is sad.
"Please. You don't need to force yourself. I'm- what I've become- Tell me about you. I want to know."

You let a soft smile spread on your lisps, your heart ache at the realisation of the person you lost, but for now there is something more crucial to do, after all, you came to this college with the hope of finding the person you are now talking to, right?

Your eyes dart to the shapeless fog, it clear, the adult woman seem to be… crying, the boy is more grown and holding her with a solemn look.

"Please. You don't need to force yourself. I'm- what I've become- Tell me about you. I want to know."

The soft singing…

Stop.

‘’I am Avina, Yukionna, and I saw and marked you when I was a Yukiwarashi. Right now, the headmaster of the college put me to sleep and had to force an enchantment to make certain nobody would interfere, one that shape the forest in a way where my bed is unnoticeable, with a guardian in case it is found. Time greatly weakened it however so I will be able to guide you there, if you so wish Siggy’’

You feel your arms tingles.

‘’I don’t care for any timing anymore, but please Siggy, just… be happy, I’ll wait outside, if you don’t come, then, farewell, okay?’’

Your whole body feels sluggish and your vision fails you, turning to black.

--

When your eyes open, you are face to face with the stoic Mantis who is poking your forehead with her antenna

‘’Peace’’

She says, not moving an inch.

>>17889683
"There's no time for peace. The person I'm looking for is trapped and I have to save her. The headmaster trapped her somehow."

>>17889683
We've got shit to do, there is a woman trapped out there who I should never have forgotten. I do not intend to abandon her again.

You blink, frown, look her in the eyes, then gently push her off you while she continue staring, feeling a bit confused by your actions.

‘’You were having… emotions in your sleep’’

You simply nod absent mindedly, the fire is out, the dawn is coming and Athena is sleeping softly, the sun is barely illuminating the sky

"There's no time for peace. The person I'm looking for is trapped and I have to save her. The headmaster trapped her somehow."

The Mantis blink, look at you for a few seconds, then nod, her expression grim. She quickly shakes Athena awake in a gentle manner while you look outside through the window and…

There you see her, a small ghost of a child waiting in the snow, her feet disappearing.

>>17889683
"I... Apologies, I made you two share the watch between yourselves without doing my share. However... I remember. I was Siegfried Shieffer, a bastard brother of the king, and butcherer of monsters. I do not know what happened that caused the events that resulted in my amnesia. I do, however, know that Yukionna, a friend from my childhood, has been put to sleep and imprisoned her in this forest, and I intend to free her. If you wish to slay me, help me, or deliver me to a trial, so be it, but I ask that it happens after we save her."

>>17889860
Well, let's step outside and greet her.

>>17889860
Wave. Put on whatever we need to put on, and exit the cabin with our companions.

>>17889860
Warn Sylphis and Athena that there's likely going to be a guardian that will try to stop us. Then let's go chase after our guide.

>>17889884
>imprisoned her in this forest, and I intend
imprisoned here, in this forest, and I intend

>>17889860
Right then, tell the girls that I am royal bastard, quite literally, I did a lot of probably evil shit and am trying to be a better person. Not sure how the amnesia came about but we'll get that to later. I need to save my childhood friend and apologize for being late. I won't force you to come with but your help would be greatly appreciated.

You turn quickly to your duo of companions, your very clear agitation sink in, making the both of them turn grim and serious, Sylphis quickly start to collect the bedrolls while Athena walk to you, you nod to her, for the first time you can’t really look her in the eyes for the memory you say of your childhood pictured you killing monsters, or at least watching them die.

‘’I’m sorry’’

Athena frown

‘’I remember, most of my past now. I’m a royal bastard, but right now, can I ask you for help? There someone that is overdue my coming’’

The lizardwoman doesn’t say anything; your link doesn’t betray any emotion other than confusion and… empathy.

‘’This is why we’re here, let’s go’’

You didn’t notice Sylphis walk to you, but she open the door and suddenly freeze when she see the girl who wave at her.
There no time for reaction, for she quickly take off, her voice sing a strange, out of this world tune while she… skate on the snow, her feet never moving anything, soon you see several ethereal form of white separating from her, yet continuing in the same direction, skating and singing with grace.

‘’This is…’’
Athena seem speechless, however your group is having a hard time keeping up with the girl and the music is enchanting, instrument join, the language is absolutely beautiful even if you don’t understand a lick of it.

And then the girl stop, turn around and look at you with a smile, bow, and even before you can speak, she disappear.
And soon it’s easy to see that the very image of the forest is…moving, like a mirage, right in front of you.

You could break it, simply enter Focus, cast a spike and see what happen.

Or enter, the song are joyous, strong, full of a strange feeling and magical.

>Sorry for not taking the good dialogue you guys did, They'll come in the future most likely

Can we try to feel if it's the cause of the sleep, or is it simply a mirage?

>>17890096
Enter, and let her magic lead us onward.

>>17890096
First throw a stone or something through, I'd rather not enter haphazardly. After throwing in the stone and observing if it disappears or not get ready to turn focus on, and tell our companions to be on guard. I doubt that she'd lead us into a trap though.

>>17890135
Agreed.

You stop before the moving wall projecting a perfect image of the forest, your two companions slightly behind you, the music continue but grow a bit quiet while you pick up a piece of ice, throw it, only to see it disappear. Or so it seem, for the wall, the illusion, is broken while the music continue, invigorating you amazingly and finally you see it.

A titan of ice, 3 meter tall, humanoid in shape, slowly moving, with great caution, toward you. It seems to be in a large clearing, no trees beside the one at your sides. The creature is taking large, careful step in the snow, its arms ending in two pointy ends of pure ice, it’s body is incredibly thick and it seem to spew magic from two small hole on what look its front, its speed is clearly lackluster as it truly does have difficulty moving.

You hear the sound of Athena blade coming out of her scabbard as she walks forward, her shield raised.
Sylphis has turned her scythes outward as is walking sideway, more than likely hoping to ambush the construct.

From what you can deduce, it seem only able to attack in physical range, you also won’t be able to manipulate its body without spending a great deal of effort, for it seem incredibly heavy.

And then the music is strong, incredibly majestic as it seem to shape the very world itself, the sky of the dawn has lines of rainbow, you feel incredibly energised.

And the creature walk, it seems to not have been able to move for a very long time.

Tactics

>Attack (Overwhelm – Long Range- Short Range)
>Defence
>Evasion
>Distraction

>(I’m using this guideline for confrontation now since the nature of our magic is very hard to pinpoint, you can also try to plan something with your companion of course)

>>17890300
Turtle the fucker, we can unbalance it and try to knock the slow moving behemoth on it's face and than beat it into the ground. Maybe have the girls lure it into a lunge and make the ground where it steps move as he steps on it. Once there we can really bring the hurt.

>>17890300
Would it be possible to simply detach its limbs? They wouldn't be able to move on their own, would they?

Is the titan made of clear ice, can we see through it?
Because we do not wish to harm our Yukionna friend, and it might be possible that she could have been locked in it.

>slowly moving, with great caution
>speed is clearly lackluster as it truly does have difficulty moving
This could imply that she might be trapped inside and hampering it, or using her abilities to hamper it from where ever she is trapped in.
I suggest first priority is to look around and confirm that she's not in there.

>>17890335

Maybe you could, you feel incredible in the song, it would be hard hwoever since the creature is THICK as hell

>>17890336

The ice is too thick to see through

>>17890364
Ok, so for now no huge piercing attacks to the center of mass, focus on immobilizing, fucking with limbs or getting it on the ground and doing something with that.

>>17890344
Perhaps we could just focus on weakening its joints, so Athena and Sylphis can both attempt to cut through them. We don't have to do everything ourselves.

>>17890300
Alright, let's play.
Defensive tactics, since we want to make sure she's not in there, and if she is, we don't want to harm her.
Thick as hell? Hell hath no fury like a friend in need.
First priority should be Leg joints, to prevent, or hamper movement.
But to do that... well, I suppose Focus is a must?
Also, let's surround it, and make sure to mention to our friends that they won't attack lethally, only to disable.

Going with

>>17890376
>>17890375

>Tactic Attack –long range-
>Also song in the background I’m imagining because why not http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR5dJ7dMAoY&feature=related

The creature is a clear product of magic, you enter Focus in a breeze, the song made by the various child skating and dancing around the area paint an arena that stimulate your ever sense. Magic flow through you like never before, the giant walk slowly in a monotonous and intimidating stature as your companion spread out.

You look at your hands, blue, bright veins visible, and then you point at the creature

‘’Away, you are a being of my domain’’

Your will materialise, you don’t even seem to need to conquer the law of this world. You first start by poking, sending some sharp shards, the song is stronger, the shard enter the arm the creature used to shield itself, some dig into its joint. yet you never relent, you continue to shwoer it, pestering it, trying to find the flaw, and you do, for one of the leg buckle.

Suddenly you sense a surge of magic

‘’Give me your divine protection!’’

Her sword shine, holy magic exit from the tip as it is impossible to contain it completely.

But then something unusual happen, the giant stomp the ground, and launch itself toward the knight who is barely able to put her shield forward, it would seem activating the sword needed attention.

>If you wish to interfere with the giant, roll 1d20

>>17890462

>Her sword shine, holy magic exit from the tip as it is impossible to contain it completely.

That was Athena, seem like I'm getting a bit tired.

rolled 3 = 3

>>17890462
FUCK YOU ICE GIANT!

rolled 7 = 7

>>17890468
YOUUU FUCK

rolled 12 = 12

>>17890462

>>17890485
AAAAAAAAAAA

rolled 9 = 9

>>17890462
Why can't we roll for shit?

rolled 8 = 8

We fucked this up...

rolled 3 = 3

>>17887539
Fuck forgot to take the dice off

rolled 6 = 6

Our current average is 7.8. Not good but not that far below average

Jesus shit...

rolled 20 = 20

We roll badly because /tg/ dice are THE worst and most hateful dice ever in the history of dice. It's like that one die in your bag that you NEVER USE because you're sure it's cursed.

Except we always use that die, because it's the only one we CAN use. It's like /tg/ itself has our balls in a vice.

>>17890578
It also is a fond lover of irony and has a great sense of comedic timing.

rolled 16 = 16

>>17890578
Fucking RNGs loving the irony.
Oh well, we may only submit to our fate as we are but playthings of our god.

In a trance, your onslaught stop, for an instant you stop hearing the music, your magic target the giant, its whole, complete, being and you try to make it stop, its head in point toward the shield of your precious companion, your hand squeeze in a fist, you compress the ice.

Nothing stop, only a part of its pointed head break, however Sylphis jumped and crossed with the giant in midair, her lethal scythe carve a deep mark on its leg joint while Athena take the brunt, no the full strike.

And then the song pick up in strength, energise you, but you can’t stop. The lizardwoman can’t take the massive assault… wait.

The girl literally jump backward while the tip connect with her shield, propelling her backward, making her painfully crash, you heard her arm crack as well but it…. She stand up, her sword enveloping her form and move her arm you were certain was broken without any problem, she already run back to the giant who has trouble staying steady.

The song is strong, you head spin, you feel… powerful, as if this entire environment was made specifically for you.

It would seem this also extend to your companions, they feel a strange euphoria of battle that doesn’t rob away they’re sense, under normal circumstance… Athena would probably be dead.

You hand ball in a fist, the song slow down, somehow you feel taunted to unleash everything.

How do you proceed?

>pretty lucky I planned for this encounter to not be hard

>>17890586
Terribly so, Boo.

So does this average out to a bizarre case where some godhand force intercedes in a refusal to let us fail?

>>17890597

>her sword aura enveloping her form

Look like its time to reread mroe

>>17890597
We have this entire environment, use the snow around its feet to group up it and bind it in place. Than remove its legs to leave it flopping on the ground, disarm him and once it's just a torso carefully crack him open to make sure nothing is inside.

>>17890597
I say we take that godhand natural 20 and punch the ice monster in the dick. Or at least the area where its dick should be.

rolled 5 = 5

>>17890431
This, omitting the focus part as it's already done.

>>17890709
Please, there was no roll asked for. Stop rolling.

The amount of FAIL and PAIN is getting to be too much.

>Attack -Overwhelm-

Fine.

You are a mage, a damn good one, a prodigy, some 10-12 years old dying construct won’t stand in your way.

The creature move, your companion circling it while it stay on guard, the snow trampled under its feet, the song reaching an end, the small ghost dancing, in the area, some coming near you to form a circle, its stimulating and make you feel so incredibly alive, the night sky is awash with quiet colors.
The giant try a swipe, a simple strike to keep the Mantis away.

And then you lift your arms, ball your hands in fist while you can’t help but feel a smile in the cold, calculating state of Focus. The snow at the giant feet leap up, transforming in an ice so incredibly thick, its own torso would rival in strength.
However, something unexpected happen, you see your intention was to limit its movement, you transformed the snow in solid ice and what followed was using that very same ice to cut off the arms, you magic seem to be infinite and incredible for the operation took a simple second.

It would seem your companions picked up on your idea and you knew what they were attempted to do next.

It was a display of perfect synchronisation, the giant moved one arm to smash the ice shell, thus you concentrated on the other arm, grew one of your own spike to strike the weakened joint, holding it in place, while it was coming down to splatter the lizardwoman who, in one hand, finished the job in a strike with her enchanted blade, while at the very same second the Mantis jumped from her back, struck the head, landed on its shoulder and, while it moved its arms, decapitated it while you held it in place thank to its very nature of ice.

cont.

And then the song ended, marking the end of the euphoria, feeling a light fatigue that should clearly be worse thank to the great effort your magic required.

What the hell happened in the heat of battle? It seemed the three of you literally knew what the others were thinking.

>gentleman I have to be away for the next 30-40 minutes, perhaps less, I'll update after that

>Mantis jumped from her back, struck the head, landed on its shoulder and, while it moved its arms, decapitated it
Oh god oh god oh god

>>17890814
Oh, no blood, good.

>>17890810
We need to dig into the thing's torso and see if there's anything inside it.

>>17890838
Carefully, of course.

>>17890849
Of course.

>>17890838
Seems like a reasonable plan, thought I first would suggest taking stock of our surroundings.
Their may be other defences.

>>17890866
Very true, can't let our guard down.
If she's inside it, and rescued, and no other defences, I believe it is time to reveal all that was said.

>>17890810
Take a look around, make sure there aren't any other threats or points of interest and than start chipping the remains of the giant and dismantle them very fucking carefully to check for stuff or Avina.

That will be left for later, for now you need to identify any other possible thread, thus still in Focus and full of magic, you scan the area who, now without the song, is still the same clearing without tree that is the exact same you remember the young girl playing alone in when you were talking to her.

You look at every angle, you concentrate on magic while walking near the unmoving giant stuck in place, peering inside, and trying to identify anything, the stench of magic is completely gone form the creature, whatever holding it together is now broken and dead.

Maybe she’s in there?

You touch the torso, then pry it open very carefully, your magic allowing you to dig inside very easily thank to the construct now simply being a big piece of ice, but in the end you find nothing.

You look to the sky in exasperation while Athena sheathe her sword and Sylphis holding her wrist, seem like striking something that solid hurt her.

And then the both of them look at you in complete disbelief and before you can even react, you suddenly feel a –cold- embrace with a hand masking your eyes, obscuring your vision while something press on your back.

‘’Ooya, you grew up magnificently, Siggy’’

Your elbow almost propelled itself by instinct.

Still she’s cold.

>>17891135
Sorry I'm late Avina, I got here as fast as I could. Also that singing was you right? It's nice to see you again, it's been a while. Athena, Sylphis meet Avina, Avina meet Athena ans Sylphis.

>>17891135
"I presume that is you Avina? It's been a while. I must thank you for returning my memories to me."

"Miss Avina, I presume. I hope you are unharmed, for I believe Sylphis might be in need of medical assistance, a splint, if nothing more. And, I do believe we should vacate this area immediately, as I believe there is no way they could have missed all this racket. We will speak when we are secure."

>>17891214
>>17891226
So much needless formality.

We should simply return her embrace, apologize for being late, then make introductions.

You allow yourself to relax a bit, her hand on your eyes slowly move to caress your cheek, then your jawline and linger on your throat, her cold, yet soft hand is actually pretty stimulating even if this weather is hard on you, it seem like she’s made of… another kind of coldness than the snow? After all when she touches you, you do feel cold, but not… physically?

Hm getting sidetracked. Your vision now returned, the two girls are huddled around together and watching you, Sylphis is clearly feeling some anger.

"Miss Avina, I presume. I hope you are unharmed, for I believe Sylphis might be in need of medical assistance, a splint, if nothing more.’’

You say, keeping certain to stay eloquent. And then she pinches the middle of your back, making you grunt while you try to squirm to look at you.

‘’I’m fine’’

‘’Why are you so…’’

The Mantis and the Lady of snow spoke at the same time, thus, you decide to intervene, because more pressing business is at hand.

‘’And, I do believe we should vacate this area immediately, as I believe there is no way they could have missed this entire racket. We will speak when we are secure."

Avina heave a brief sigh and simply hug you with quite a bit of force, her arms splattered on the middle of her torso while her head is on your back, squeezing you in a rather… comfortable embrace.

‘’Were are safe, Siggy’’

Somehow you can’t cross the eyes of your companions who are now walking toward you.

‘’There nobody in the college’’

>>17891308
"What?"

>>17891308
Some details would be very much in order.

‘’What?’’

The word is said by three pair of lips, making the girl on your back giggle slightly but she simply hug you before being forced to move he head away from your back, making certain her voice isn’t muffled.

‘’You see, when the incident in the civil war happened, the mages decided to relocate to a safer location and to make monitoring the conflict easier since most of the students are from the nobility’’

She let her forehead touch your back.

‘’Something else moved in, woke me and… she simply told me to wait, Siggy, I think someone knew you’d come here’’

"What? ...I believe even more firmly that we should move now."

>>17891396
Right, we should spend as little time as possible here as something wanted to bring us here, set up a fake staff for the University and their motives are unclear and probably sinister. We should get the hell out of dodge ASAP.

>>17891396
We were just at the college and it still appeared to be staffed.
How long ago did this occur?

>>17891396
"So the only occupant of the college is this... something else?"

>>17891396
WE. ARE. LEAVING.

Also, if Sylph is feeling kinda jealous, we need to solve the problem immediately. We can't have our team disintegrating.

Hmm having trouble posting for some reason, lets see if this work

>>17891612
It did.

>>17891612
You're not getting a "part of your comment isn't allowed to be posted" message, are you?

‘’I believe even more firmly that we should move now."

You don’t make the feeling known in your voice of course, but it’s impossible to mask the dread, somehow it feel like you played right in the palm of some unseen person and it’s quite…

‘’Are you certain milord?’’

The lizardwoman is the only one to voice a complaint, Sylphis and Avina simply stay silent, seem like the role of leader is truly yours.

‘’We were just at the college and it still appeared to be staffed.’’

There were not a lot of people, but you did talk to a young student, talked with the headmaster and even had a rude interruption by the local alchemist, all of them felt real.

‘’ How long ago did this occur?’’

Avina take a breathe and squeeze you, seem like she really missed you.

>cutting it, maybe that was the problem

>>17891634

Actually yes, getting you posted a banned url or something

‘’A few days after… after you cleared the rebels force with your mother and bodyguard. I think that was a few years ago but my memory isn’t reliable due to my sleep, I’m sorry.’’
Wait… so that incident was because of you? And a bodyguard?

"So the only occupant of the college is this... something else?"

You feel her nodding while you look at Athena and Sylphis who are listening with full attention.

‘’She doesn’t seem bad or malevolent, she kept me company…’’

>>17891656
Still don't trust the occupant of the college, her motives are still unknown but I would really rather not walk back to civilization rather than using the magic portal in the college. So cautiously and being very aware of any subtle mind magic lets get to the college and see if we can get out of here and maybe even see what the occupants game is.

Is it possible that avina is making this up so that we stay with her? They are quite possessive about the ones they choose.

>>17891656
I think we need to have a friendly chat with the Lord of Crosswalk regarding the college he so gladly had us transported to.

"Perhaps I should speak to her."

>>17891730
There's still the question of the magic we sensed emanating from the college.

"I'm sorry, but I believe I am not the only one who would be more comfortable if we moved. And I would prefer if we tended to our wounds before heading back to the college. After that, we will talk. Let us go back to the cottage."

>>17891753
After that as in after leaving.
Cottage, meaning the place (forget if it was a cottage) we stayed the night

It’s very easy to not trust something that tried to hypnoses you, even if that person kept vital company to someone that… well that you like quite a bit, after all Avina is a very important link to your past and managed by her simple presence, to clear almost all the fog, even if you had to bear the pain of knowing you lost someone you loved very dearly.
Damn, your heart ache, Athena and Sylphis pick up on it immediately and the both of them are filled with warm empathy and concern, as well as confusion of course, you always were extremely solid so far.

‘’I'm sorry, but I believe I am not the only one who would be more comfortable if we moved. And I would prefer if we tended to our wounds before heading back to the college’’
You mark a pause, breathing in.

‘’After that, we will talk. Let us go back to the cottage."
You see Sylphis rubbing her wrist, Athena doing the same with her arm, and then the both of them look at each other and nod

‘’Milord, the both of us are perfectly healthy, it would be a waste to move back now that the day is starting. That person in the college, she could very well harm others’’

Athena is looking you straight in the eyes, seem like a little fire is burning inside her.

"Perhaps I should speak to her."

You finally admit, seem that your childhood friend want that.
This is truly your last opportunity however, confront, or run?

>>17891894
Confront. We started this day seeking answers and we will continue.

>>17891894
Run? Who's implied anything about running?
Very well, confront.

>>17891894
Confront, we may as well, we won't get answers by running away. We seem to have a person that has answers right in front of us lets have a nice chat with whoever has taken over the college.

You nod, gravely, then slowly touch the blue wrist of the Yukioona, her cold self-made you very comfortable while the air and the snow were as aggravating as ever, truly she is quite the unique existence. When you turn around, you noticed that her skin turned human and her eyes a bright blue, she doesn’t seem to be able to look at you in the eye however and simply shyly look down, this is truly the first time you laid eyes on her now and…

‘’You grew up magnificently, Avina’’

All the right curves in the right place.

The woman squirm a bit, then you sense Athena hand on your shoulder, Sylphis grab your hand for attention and you hear the lady of snow growl.

‘’We’ve got something to do’’

Thus you march forward, only to be quickly accompanied by the Yukioona, seem like she got something important to say.
Also her skin became, once again, a blue while he hairs was a pure as the snow, does she have difficulty keeping her appearance?

‘’As you know, the college has a lingering, suggestive magic going on, so to make sure your mind won’t turn to mush, we’ll have to do something pretty drastic.’’
Out of you two, she really seems to be the one that know her magic stuff.

‘’We’ll have to do something that consume A LOT of magic to clear the air, and no you won’t be able to do it on your own because mages use the energy of their body, not the surrounding area, actually they tend to be the one that leave heavy trace of magic after a while.’’

Avina pause, then quite literally phase through a tree.

Huh.

‘’What I mean is, we could basically use the summoning circle and overdo it massively or maybe finish the project of the local alchemist. Or, I could try to do… something drastic, we Yukioona can use the energy around us but it’s hard’’

>>17892106
"I'm somewhat out of my element here, so to speak. What do you think would be best?"

>>17892154
What do you mean by that?
We're the fucking mage, we're the one who should know this shit.
"Anyone think of anything we could summon?"

>>17892186
Mages aren't omniscient. Do you expect the water mage to know how to throw fireballs? Of course not.

Anyway, I find the first two lines of your post are hilarious when combined with the third.

You allow yourself to get immersed in thought, as a water mage it is perfectly possible for you to summon the monster know as Slimes of various element, with the strongest of all being magic, however with enough fuel it might be just as possible to summon something from Pandemonium or the demon real and bend it to your will.

Might as well voice your concern

"Anyone think of anything we could summon?"

You aren’t really used to this craft.

Both Sylphis and Athena give you a look of confusion, and then the bug shakes her head.

‘’ I know not, my apology, milord’’

Milord… well you are brother to the king.

‘’Siggy, you’re good, really good, we could always steal the precious stone the alchemist had then pour a whoooole lot of magic in the summoning circle to get a slime maybe? Getting a temporary ally would be good…’’

It does seem like she doesn’t fully trust that illusive person after all.

You could always try to complete that ``alchemic project`` as well.

>>17892298
Exactly what is the alchemic project?

Your interest picked, you decide to turn the conversation.

‘’A golem, or maybe a Homunculus? The local alchemist was rather… obsess with sentience, creating something free of the demon lord influence, he managed to create a stone that seem really, well it was his pride and joy’’

Your group stops at the edge of the forest, a few more step and you’ll have to elevate strong mental guards.

‘’I liked this place, I witnessed many little story, friendship, love, strife, reconciliation… still, thank you for coming, Siegfried’’

And then she give you a warm smile, this lady of snow is precious indeed…

>>17892343

forgot to add this dialogue

>>17892406
"Thank you for helping me understand my past. ...now, I feel like seeing the alchemist's project for myself."

>>17892406
"Both ideas sound interesting. Let's see what we can find in the alchemist's lab."

Your eyes closes for a moment, you breathe in heavily and erect your mental barrier, ready to step in the area, making certain to keep your mind whole, you sense the cold and comforting touch of Avina on your hand and finally you return her gaze.

"Thank you for helping me understands my past. ...now, I feel like seeing the alchemist's project for myself."

She nod and step outside the forest, you do too and immediately feel a pressure on your mind, but now that you are aware of it is much, much easier to keep yourself focused.

‘’It’s in his lab, follow me’’

Avina take the lead and enter without a care in the world, you linger a bit before following her with Sylphis waiting for you, the area truly seem devoid of activity now, no sounds whatsoever, no presence.

‘’Siggy…’’

You hear empathy and affection from the smaller girl, her link is warm, reassuring.

You nod to her and press on.

Avina lead you through the serpentine wooden corridor, walking alongside Athena without any tense atmosphere, actually the two of them seem to be talking about the soul link but it’s all information you already know, however soon enough the Yukioona stop before two large metal door and put her hands on the handles.

cont.

‘’Hmm hmm, here we go…’’

You feel magic, Avina literally freeze a good portion of the door and, just like that, the ice crackles and breaks in piece, allowing you to walk in.

The area is… messy, there a lot of books, a lot of rotting foods, a lot of notes sprawled on a desk but then you see a bright, pink spherical stone that would fit on one finger seemingly floating in closed, window… thing, doesn’t seem like your usual scientific stuff due the slimish, strange material the object is floating in.

>I’l l call it a night here, I’m pretty exhausted. I don’t think I’ll continue during the week end but you never know, the hours I’ll always try to start the quest will be between 4-5 pm, choice for summoning or construct will be for the next update.

Timezone?

>>17892729

EST