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Recent Events Summary:

Erebus has returned.

Donovan, Auriel, Abigail, and the others barely escaped from the oncoming Vigil cruiser by slipping through the Skysever. The winds themselves seem hell-bent on holding back Erebus - but it's only a matter of time before he breaks through into Venia. At the same time, the core of the world has reached its breaking point. Without Shadow's help, Venia will be anihillated in the unleashed energies of Chaos.

Donovan worked with his allies to travel inside Geb and destroy the parasite of Light keeping him maddened. Two other goals remain: to restore Leviathan, and gain control of Xile, so that the Skysever might be used to attack Erebus more directly.

While the knight moves with the elementals toward the edge of the eastern wastes, Ila joins Tyrael, Yi Fang, and Arcturis and Gerald Flint in trying to gain control of the sky engine.

You've fought off the enemies outside the core engine room for the moment...

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Ila - http://pastebin.com/PrDaQiPu

HP: 15/15
Mana: 59/80
Mana Barrier: 35/35 (60/70)

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>>32574805
I still prefer this version.
though it propably doesn't fit as character art

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>Last time...

You decide that you don't want to be near whatever Yi Fang is planning, and you take your distance down the hall, away from the worm. Hopefully Tyrael can handle things on his end.

You don't sense anything further down. If there are more monsters, they haven't shown up yet. Maybe you should -

-BOOM-

You're flung off your feet, but you manage to turn it into a roll to take on most of the impact. When you raise your head, you can see the retreating crackle of Spirit vanish back behind the door. The thing was blown off its hinges entirely, leaving the entrance to the core wide open. Green winds begin to chew and bite at the steel.

Tyrael is propped against the wall near the intersection. There's blood on his shoulder, but he's alive. You run back up to him, ducking around the motionless corpse of the worm. The front of it looks as if it was melted away.

"Tyrael, are you alright?"

"Yeah, just need a sec. I'm already healing." The angel puts his back against the wall and shoves himself to his feet. "That Spirit killed the rest of the wraiths. Didn't expect it to be that bad, though."

You both feel another explosion of spirit. It's deeper into the core. The Winds seem to rail against it.

"What is going on in there?" Tyrael mutters. "It didn't feel this bad a minute ago."

"The skysever fighting back?"

Tyrael narrows his eyes. "Two Flints and Yi Fang in a room together with the Skysever."

You know what he's implying. Maybe this bears investigation.

What do you do?

>Keep your post outside the room.
>Get inside the core. You can't let Fang do something stupid when things are so delicate.
>Try to help Fang. He has Abigail's interests at heart at the end of the day, and her interests are Shadow's interests.
>some other strategy

>>32574868

Actually, I wanted to post that, but I forgot to save it last time.

>>32574869
>keep your post outside the room.
Let's not get between to people who can wield the skysever and YI FANG

>>32574869
I think sending Tyrael in might be the better idea. Wind does no like Shadow, and he probably knows more about anything going on in there than Ila does.

>>32574869
>>Try to help Fang. He has Abigail's interests at heart at the end of the day, and her interests are Shadow's interests.
Anyone got some dumplings? Maybe that can pacify him long enough for Acturus to do his thang

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>>32574871

That's fantastic.

>>32574869
>Keep your post outside the room.
I'm sure everything is just working according to plan

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>>32574871
Erebus is right
>>32574869
>Keep your post outside the room.
The skysever doesn't like ORDER

>keeping post

You stare inside the room for a moment.

Tyrael glances at you, then at the entrance to the core. "...do you think we ought to - "

"No," you say. "I don't want to know about it. And that Wind would kill me."

"...fair enough. I suppose I'm not letting you here alone, either."

You both hear a clank of metal and turn. Coming down the main hallway is a man holding two blades.

It passes under one of the teal emergency lights. For a moment, you get a good look at it. A mutated, twisted thing, like two corpses cut in half and sown together. It has two heads, one above, the other embedded in its shoulder. It lurches forward with a shuffling gait. The two swords are more jagged strips of metal than anything. It's covered in Shadow, like a shimmering coat.

Tyrael raises his hand and fires a beam of light. The magic glances off the coat of shadow and bores a dark hole in the wall. The creature continues forward without slowing.

Tyrael raises his sword and draws his hand along it. The metal gleams white. "Ready yourself. This thing seems a bit tougher than the others."

What do you do?

>strategy

>>32575071
Two sets of eyes means twice as susceptible to blinding. Flash powder and move in to sneak attack.

>>32575071
shade and shadowmeld at the same time.
Then sneak attack from behind

>>32575071
Do we have our chosen powers on or off?
Also stealth and throw some knifes

>>32575071
>blur
>blink
>backstab
Be ready to nightflare.

I don't really like our odds of being able to shadow stealth while a shadow monster is staring at us. Let's keep is distracted so Tyrael can smash it.

>>32575071
Light didn't seem to do much. Let's try attacking with shadow.
>Shadow Beam

After that try get out of its sight for backstabs.

>>32575193

They are on.

>>32575203

I like this plan.

Roll 1d100

Rolled 80

>>32575264
Charging the dice!

Rolled 93

>>32575264
baby seals

SM, if you got a T-Shirt autographed by both Ron Paul and Thomas J. Bergersen, how would you react?

Rolled 38

>>32575264

>>32575071
It should be worth investigating whether Shadowedge on/off is more useful as well, given the zombie's antimagic coat.

It could be that the extra piercing power helps, or it could be that adding a non-mundane element to our physical attacks makes it easier to deflect.

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>>32575314

like this guy

Rolled 77

>>32575264
h-here I go

>>32574869
>>Try to help Fang. He has Abigail's interests at heart at the end of the day, and her interests are Shadow's interests.
Those guys are more terrible than Fang.

>>32575360
SHADOW MASTUUUUURRRRR

Rolled 10

>>32575264

Rolled 11

>>32575264

Note that Shadowedge is currently "on"

------------
------------

"I'll distract it," you say. "Hit it from the front."

"Alright." Tyrael shoulders his sword and plants his feet.

You Blur yourself. A black haze distorts around your skin, and a copy of yourself forms just ahead and to the left of where you're standing. Your own self is cloaked, as if you're standing in the shadow of your own illusion.

You Blink forward.

Your knives plunge into the creature's spine. It shrieks in pain. When you drag your weapons free, they're dripping with a slimy ichor. The beast turns unnaturally fast, swiping at you with one of its blades - but its strike it far wide, targeted at your Blur, not you yourself. You neatly step away and carve twin gashes in its exposed arm.

Tyrael charges forward, but the creature's other arm neatly parries his sword stroke. It drives him back with a fierce intensity. The arm closest to you is still poised, following your image with the tip of its blade. It's as if each arm is totally independent of the other.

What do you do?

>keep up your attack
>wait for it to turn both arms on Tyrael
>use Shadow Magic
>flash powder to the face
>some other strategy

>>32575499
>>32575521
Good ol' Shadow Quest dices.

>>32575535
Wonder if SM picked up DaS2. This thing is reminding me of a less grotesque Flexile Sentry.

>flash powder to the face

>>32575535
>>flash powder to the face

>>32575535
>some other strategy

Fight it in ways that it can't counterattack with its arms.
Shadowmagic from behind as a distraction.
Lightmagic from the front to do actual damage.

If one of the arms can get severed or if we suggest to Tyrael for both of us to target one arm with magic then our chances will be better to land close damaging hits. Especially since it doesn't seem to have trouble flaunting Tyrael.

>>32575535
>flash powder to the face
Make sure to get both heads

>>32575535
>>flash powder to the face
So each head governs one limb, I guess?

If the heads are positioned such that we can only blind one, try and get the one handling the limb Tyrael's fighting. We've got other means by which we can distract it, while Tyrael is stuck facing his side head-on, and is outmatched for power.

>>32575584

Did I pick it up!? I'm 4/5 through NG+

It is rather like the flexile sentry, come to think of it. Not intentional but feel free to use that as head cannon.

Alright, roll 1d100 for flash powder IN THE FACE

Rolled 72

>>32575743
I predict excellent rolls for this action!

>>32575743
>throwing a fantasy flashbang at an enemy in CQC with another ally
Do we at least have some sort of code word we can shout at Tyrael? I would assume we're fairly used to fighting with angels.

Rolled 24

>>32575743
once more into the breach

Rolled 65

>>32575743
God I fucking hated Lost Sinner on NG+. As if her powerful moveset, damage, and lack of vision were bad enough. Now she's got fucking PYROMANCERS she summons. The struggle was real.

Rolls for the roll god.

>>32575789
>An angel being blinded by light.
That would be embarrassing .

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Rolled 95

>>32575866
Shame ya didn't link the roll.

>>32575866
>not linking your roll.

As expected of filthy dickwraith scum.

Rolled 3

>>32575743


>>32575878
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
And I forgot to turn off the dice in another thread and got a 97

>>32575903
>And I forgot to turn off the dice in another thread and got a 97

So tell me boy, Guts or Gatts or Gattsundoori?

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Rolled 70

>>32575743

>>32575866
>>32575903
This nigga

For a moment, you raise your hand toward Tyrael, intending to signal him - only to remember that he doesn't know hand signals. Well, you'll have to bank that this thing doesn't understand common.

"Tyrael, shield your eyes!"

You duck under the arm - it follows you precisely, swiping, but it strikes only air. You shove your fistful of flash powder into the head embedded in the creature's shoulder. You push your mana barrier around your eyes and shut them tight. An extra bit of mana ignites the powder.

BANG

The ring of the small explosion sticks in your ears. The creature has fallen against the wall. The right arm has dropped its sword and is pawing at the damaged, smoking face. The other arm maintains its vigil, but this might be your chance!

Tyrael is blinking hard, but it seems like he avoided most of the impact.

What do you do?

>double team it, all-out attack
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic
>try to blind the second head, have Tyrael follow up with his sword
>some other combination

-------
-------

I'm going to order and drive to get takeout, so I'll be back in a while. Sorry about the unexpected interruption, I "volunteered" to do the driving.

>>32575978
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic

ET TU, TYRAEL?

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>>32575978
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic
Yeah lets see how great Tyrael is with shadow magic!

>>32575978
>>try to blind the second head, have Tyrael follow up with his sword

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>>32575978
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic
TYRAEL WORKING FOR EREBUS CONFIRMED

>>32575978
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic
How embarrassing.

>>32575978
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic

>Tyrael using Shadow Magic

This Should Work!

>>32575978
>attack head on while Tyrael uses shadow magic
Let's see ur stuff son.

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i was in a hurry dammit

everyone can go to hell

>>32575978
We should probably try and damage the disabled head (or maybe sever the associated arm?) in a lasting way while it's recovering. It's going to recover from a point-blank flashbang eventually, but probably not from being mangled more permanently.

If one half gets taken out of the picture, it's going to make dealing with the remaining half a whole lot easier.

>>32576117
We Love You To SM.

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>>32576117
If you insist, SM.

>>32576129
I like this.

>>32575978
Double click to parry. Backstep, switch to Dark Chime of Want+5, use Greater Resonant Soul. Repeat until glorious victory.

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>>32576117
No SM.

>>32576192

Shit like this is the reason why you and I have already been to hell.

>>32576226
Is SM kill?

>>32576992
>I'm going to order and drive to get takeout, so I'll be back in a while. Sorry about the unexpected interruption, I "volunteered" to do the driving.

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>>32577009
That'll teach me to read more carefully.

Back.

So, do we want that strategy with Tyrael using LIGHT magic?

>>32577158
Sure.

>>32577158
Nigga what is -light- magic? I want that shadow drank.
Yeah sure, that plan sounds fine.

>>32577158
Light magic? Aint nobody got time for that!

>>32577158
I see no reason not to.

>>32577158
I'd prefer something more like this >>3257619
I'm a bit worried about Tyrael's mana supply, but this feels kinda like the boss for the segment.

>>32577158
Wasn't Light Magic ineffective earlier?

>try to blind the second head, have Tyrael follow up with his sword

>>32577277

An excellent observation, good sir!

Does Ila attack with her daggers or try another pack of flash powder?

>>32577277
Yeah really. Need to cut those off quickly.

>>try to blind the second head, have Tyrael follow up with his sword

>>32577265
Meant this one. >>32576129

>>32575978
>try to blind the second head, have Tyrael follow up with his sword

>>32577298
Flash powder. Don't see why not.

How many do we have left, though?

>>32577298
daggers to the eyes of undamaged head, then tyrael cuts them off?

>>32577298
Feint with flash powder, gouge out the eyes with daggers.

>>32577321

Two left.

>>32577340

Good-decision-making reaching critical mass.

Roll 1d100

Do you think Fang needs backup helping the Flints "heroically sacrifice their lives for the mission"?

Rolled 4

>>32577350

>>32577350

Rolled 54

>>32577350
Invoking the powerful force of hatred against Broken Santier's Spear users.

Rolled 43

>>32577350

Rolled 7

>>32577350
When did 4chan stop letting you fill the subject field in non-OP posts?

Rolled 20

>>32577350

Rolled 47

>>32577350

Rolled 64

>>32577361
>>32577368
>>32577369
Yay?

>>32577368

Personally I hate katanas more. They poke you with that fucking lunge attack and you die with 5 feet of clear space between yourself and their weapon. At least the spear's munch and crunch is close range and can be rolled out of some of the time.

>writing

>>32577385
Not bad, and we've got several positive modifiers, At the very least we didn't injure ourselves or Tyrael, and I'd bet we at least inflicted some more damage.

>>32577411
At least they just patched out the retarded viability of Broken Santiers and Dual Powerstanced Greatsword. And Havelyns are dead too.

It is a good week. In related news they just revealed the first batch of DLC today.

You reach into your belt and draw out another bag of powder. "Tyrael, get a better spell ready. I'll keep it busy!"

Tyrael takes a knee. A complex sigil blossoms on the steel underneath him. Mana begins to build.

You dash forward, ducking left, right, using your wings to keep your balance. The creature eyes your hand as you move in, and you raise your satchel, ready to throw at the unharmed head.

The creature's mana bends. It turns its head down, and the film of shadow covering its body thickens over its face.

But you know better than to use the same trick twice. The monster's sword swipes down where your arm would have been had you followed through with your through - uncomfortably close. It's adapting to the Blur.

But for the moment, you've outwitted it. Inside the reach of its arm, you thrust your punching dagger forward. The weight of your body and the force of your wings beating behind you lets you breach the film of shadow protecting its face - and you have a feeling it was meant to deflect Light, not Shadow. Your dagger embeds itself up into the creature's mouth.

You leave your weapon there and duck back. A few of your hairs are nicked by the blade. It doesn't seem to be slowed too much, even with that wound in its back still bleeding.

"Get clear!"

Years of training kick in. You dive away, and Blink further as soon as you can focus on something.

Three spears of light erupt from Tyrael's sigil. They shriek through the air and impact the creature in the chest. With its power focused on its head, still protecting something that no longer needs protection, the spears sink into its flesh, lift it off the ground, and pin it to the side of the hallway.

Tyrael clenches his fist.

>con't

The spear of light explodes. Bits of flesh and black ichor spray the steel in shadow - but the mana evaporates quickly. You sense no life left in the bits and pieces.

You take a breath. "...good spell."

"Good distraction." Tyrael smiles at you. "We make a good team."

"Maybe."

"...Miss Marril. Or...Ila?"

"Ila is fine."

"I'd..." Tyrael rubs the back of his neck. "About when you...when your soul wasn't with you. I'd meant to say something about that."

You can feel the Wind in the core slowly dying. Yi Fang's spirit seems intact enough, for the moment. They must be finishing whatever it is they were doing.

>...well, go ahead, then.
>We can have this conversation later. We have an island to secure.
>some other strategy

>>32577681
>We can have this conversation later. We have an island to secure.
Can we do it gently? I feel this a very important for not only Ila and Tyrael, but Haven as a whole as well. I just don't think this is the perfect moment.

>>32577681
>...well, go ahead, then.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Core seems to be under control for the moment, so lets hear him out

>>32577681
>...well, go ahead, then.

>>32577715
I can agree with this.

Do you think we might get a perspective shift to captured Shadow tonight after fucking with the Sky-Sever?

So...

wut nao

Someone gimme a tiebreaker here.

>>32577681
>>32577715
>I feel this a very important for not only Ila and Tyrael, but Haven as a whole as well.
This is a pretty good point; we don't want to belittle the effort he's making, but this is just as important to all of our fellows in Haven as it is to us.

That said, going "uh, can you save it so you can atone in front of EVERYONE" seems kind of rude.

I'm fine with him sharing his personal feelings on the matter here if he feels the desire to. Angels and the rebel Mages have been working side by side in Haven long enough that there's probably an understanding, even if it's never been stated outright. Insisting on making it an official statement just seems disingenuous at this point.

>>32577681
>...well, go ahead, then.

SM just wants to get back into the habit of writing the squishy squishy

>>32577681
>some other strategy
>seduce the angel
Ila's the only PoV character without a definite love interest and Young Bull isn't here.

>>32577681
>...well, go ahead, then.

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>>32577849
>Ila
>seduce

>>32577820
I didn't mean to say we should make him atone in public, I just meant that the situation right now isn't perfect for a discussion between a slave and her former master. I just don't want to snub him.

>>32577849
No thank you.

>>32577879
Anon, do you really think the angels would be above forcing her to use any and all means at her disposal?

>>32577907
Seduction makes you very visible. Not the best of options for assassinations in magic world.

>>32577907
That's skeevy as fuck and I'd prefer that the story stay away from what Ila had to do during her time as a slave.

Also I just can't see Ila hooking up with an angel. Not this soon.

>>32577926
When else is a man more vulnerable than when he's naked with a raging erection? It'd make for an excellent tool for getting to a harder target.

Between Shadow magic illusions, make-up, and the medieval level tech, it'd be hard to recognize her.

>>32577962
Cease and desist immediately or I shall call upon the guards!

>>32577849
>Illa ends up with the other Flint brother, the one that don't give a shit about politicn'shit.
>Shadow gets rescued from Erebus.
>So, you tell me that my sister is having her ash hauled by your brother Donny?
>Yeah, they make a nice couple.
>But....you know that if I had a brother you'd be it.
>Yep, you're my brother too Shadow.
>So, does that mean that our brother and sister are doing some kinky mating ritual?
>....Well shit.
>Though so too.

>>32577962
When he's asleep. Naked mages can still magic. They're not disarmed in the same sense that a naked mundane is.

"...alright."

It's a struggle for him. There's a lot of pride, there - several hundred years of it. But eventually, he raises his head, and looks you in the eye. "What they did to you, and to Hamil, and Cain, and all the rest, is unforgivable. We all thought...Sandalphon seemed to have the situation in hand. You never disobeyed. We thought the Shadow was manageable. Controlled.

"But they were keeping you like slaves. Like dogs in a kennel. And...I fear there is nothing I can say or do that can ever make amends for that." Tyrael clenches a fist. "But - if I had known, I swear, I would have been the first to raise my sword against him. I swear. But...I didn't. I didn't know. I only hope you don't hold my ignorance against me."

He turns away. "I just wanted to say that. Because we never talk about it. But I had to say something, you know?"

How do you respond?

>silence is good enough for him.
>"It's fine."
>"...it wasn't your fault. You were just a cog in the machine. Like me."
>some other response

>>32577962
She can just stealth her way in when he's sleeping.

This is not your magical realm.

>>32578002
>I didn't know.
How in the world did you not know?

You're one of the Highest. Sandalphon can't have done it alone.

>>32577950
>I'd prefer that the story stay away from what Ila had to do during her time as a slave.
>implying Michael didn't open that door a hundred threads ago
>not wanting to see Ila Shadowchosen pegging a Tyrael bound with shadow tendrils

>>32578002
>>"...it wasn't your fault. You were just a cog in the machine. Like me."

>>32578002
>some other response
"...you're here now"

Or maybe just silence.

>>32578002
>"...it wasn't your fault. You were just a cog in the machine. Like me."

>>32578002
>some other response
Oh for where thou art in mine shadowed mind Tyrael thy glorious incandescence most truly illuminates my unending and most true joy of all joys from within the deepest alcoves of your shining eyes, my dearest Tyrael.

im baaack

>>32578002
>I'm not ready to forgive...but thank you.

>>32578041
Supporting.

>>32578002
>I'm not ready to forgive...but thank you.

>>32578003
>having to sneak through magical wards and sentries
>not letting him personally let you in

>>32578002
"My love for you flourishes within like the rising moon upon the eves of yestersea, the light upon which rests within the waves, your light, upon the shadowed depths."

>>32578002
>You never disobeyed.
"That should have been your first hint. Even angels disobey."

>>32578041
I think this sounds appropriate.

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>>32578059
Aw heeeell naw

>>32578079
Then why not just send in a regular assassin?

>>32578079
>>32578060
Woops, double-post.

>>32578002
>>silence is good enough for him.
It would be absurd to just absolve him after a lifetime. Come on.

>>32578002
>What would Shadow do/say in this situation? I don't have his talents with words.
Or something like that

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>>32578059

>>32578041

"You're here now."

I feel like it makes sense, but what is she supposed to be implying?

>>32578002
"The truly beauteous visage your existence gifts upon me is the sole mechanism for my devotion to reality my dearest Tyrael. smooooch."

>>32578027
>one of the Highest

Only because Shadow was busy.

>>32578059
Second.

>>32578002
>>32578041
I like this well enough. It's not forgiveness, but it's still an acknowledgement that he's trying to do the right thing.

There were plenty of angels that DIDN'T go along with the mutiny, after all, and he could've chosen to be one of them. But he didn't.

>>32578027
IIRC Lucifer was the guy behind the development of the soul containment procedures, which is a hell of a lot farther up the chain than the 1Xs.

>>32578094
>Then why not just send in a regular assassin?
Even a sleeping mage might have some wards still active, a Shadow Mage is better equipped in case things go south, a Shadow Mage has magic to aid in the initial infiltration, and the Shadow Mages have already been personally trained in the sexual arts by the honorable Michael Lightchosen.

>>32578132
I have no clue. I just typed it because it sounded like the kind of appropriately cheese thing that gets said in these situations.

>>32578132
She's implying that abandoning sandy and joining haven is proof enough that he's a decent guy.

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>>32578135
>>32578135

>>32578132
That he fucked up in the past, that we know he fucked up in the past, that we aren't going to forget about that fuck uppening, but at least he's a good enough person to try to do the right thing now and we appreciate that and will try to focus on that more?

>>32578132
I'd rather silence than "here now."

>>32578172

Hmm.

>>32578178

That'll do pig, that'll do.

>writing

>>32578079
Again, magic. What's to stop him from casting something that can detect if she can use magic and calling the cavalry before you can say "you want i suck ya dick?"

With mental powers, you gotta strike fast and hard before they can prepare anything.

>>32578218
>What's to stop him from casting something that can detect if she can use magic
If only her magic was specialized in stealth to such a degree that even the computer facsimile of the god of stealth magic had trouble detecting her.

>>32578116

In that case it's obvious what Shadow would say: >>32578059

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>>32578059
I love you purple anon. Full homo.

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>>32578116
>Shadow
>talent with words

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"...you're here now."

You start away from him without waiting for his response. He said enough.

You reach the hole in the wall, formerly the position of the double-doors leading to the engine core.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8JaOezv18A

It's a vast, round chamber. Energy pulses through the walls in streams of wind. Hovering in the center of the space is a ball of churning winds. It's like a ball of clouds rolled up and pressed into a miniature hurricane. A sigil on the ground glows bright - containing it.

Yi Fang stands below the twisting wind, look down at the sigil. To his left lies the lifeless body of Gerald Flint, his clothes and armor shredded - likely the work of the winds. To his right lies the lifeless body of Arcturis Flint, less battered, but just as dead.

Scattered through the room are bones - hundreds of sets of bones. They seem mismatched, misshapen, strewn about without order or purpose. Dead bodies long since beaten into dust by the storm. The sacrifices that made the skysever.

"Elements," Tyrael says. "What happened? Are they dead?"

"They are indeed." Fang turns to face you. "The two Flints made the ultimate sacrifice, but they finished the job that their ancestors started. We can now control the Skysever through this sigil." Fang gestures to the ground. "Currently, it's doing what it's been doing. I fear that changing anything might give Erebus the crack of opportunity he needs. And we're not quite ready, yet."

You stare at Fang. He stares back at you.

His gaze is a question.

But are you really going to go there?

>"Understood. Let's inform the others."
>"...is that really what happened?"
>some other strategy

>>32578370
>"...is that really what happened?"
You didn't.

>>32578370
>>"Understood. Let's inform the others."
No matter who the agent may have been, this was Justice.

>>32578370
>"Understood. Let's inform the others."
>"But I hope you can explain this to Sir Flint."

>>32578370
>"Understood. Let's inform the others."

>>32578370
I wonder how things would have ended up, if we hadn't ASSUMED DIRECT CONTROL during this mission.

The same?

>>32578370
>>"...is that really what happened?"
And this is what we get for not checking on them

>>32578370
>some other strategy
"I hope for your niece's sake, that is truly what happened."

If he really did kill them, it means that he hasn't changed at all. That means that everything Abigail has worked so hard for is worthless. Hopefully this won't be the reminder he needs.

I found Raijin's theme!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hLK0zrEk-k

>>32578370
Can we glance at Tyrael to see how he's processing this?

I didn't think Fang would be stupid enough to let these two die.

>>32578451
Exactly. Isn't it beautiful?

>>32578456
Fang isn't the ruler, his sins he may or may not have committed are irrelevant to whatever Abigail has or will work toward.

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...can you make a lich by sacrificing another lich?

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>>32578370
>"Understood. Let's inform the others."
But in that sweet Doakes tone.

>>32578370
lets ignore the fact that he likely made the decision for them, and inform the others

>>32578370
Yi Fang's gonna Yi Fang, I guess.

Just shake your head and move forward. Nothing we say here will un-kill the Flints.

>>32578411
>>"But I hope you can explain this to Sir Flint."
This is a reasonable addition as well. No cover-ups. This, and whatever comes after is his responsibility.

>>32578370
>"...is that really what happened?"

>>32578456
>hasn't changed at all
Not true. He didn't make the entire Flint line perish in a vanishing death!

He only killed the people who deserved to die.

He's downright heroic now.

Donovan was the youngest, yes?
So that means the rightful ruler of Arland is now Bashful Security Guard guy.

>>32578370
>"Understood. Let's inform the others."
"You're gonna carry that weight."

>>32578595
Uh, yes, that is exactly what Ila said in her inner monologue last thread?

While thinking about how Shadow might have preferred Gerald to die.

>>32578618
Did she? I don't recall.

I think overall Arland will benefit from this.

>>32578649
You're bad at reading.

>>32445942
>If you had your way, you'd put the bastard down and let Harvan take the throne. He's a bit anti-social, but at least he's got a good head on his shoulders. Not like this pig of a lord's son. You always thought Shadow half-implied it would be better if Gerald wasn't a problem. Sometimes, anyway.

>>32578663
Sorry, it was a while ago and I didn't recall.

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>>32578649
>the asshole royalty being dead might be beneficial
You don't say.

>>32578370
>"Understood. Let's inform the others."

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>>32578675
>a while ago
It was Thursday.

"Understood. Let's inform the others." You raise an eyebrow. "But I hope you can explain this to Sir Flint."

"More than happy to do so, my dear Miss Marril. I'm sure he'll be dreadfully sorry to hear that the brother he hates and his abusive father have both perished nobly in the line of duty."

Tyrael's face darkens. "...Fang. What the hell did you do?"

"Why, Highest," Fang says. "Are you implying that something other than what I've just claimed occurred in this room?"

"You damn well know I am!"

"Unfortunately, there aren't any other witnesses to dispute the veracity of my account."

"Raphael will be hearing about this."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Fang retrieves his radio from his robes. "Auriel. This is the Archmage. The Skysever is secure...at some cost."

The radio crackles on static for a moment, then comes alive. "Fang. We've put Geb back in working order. You won't believe what happened."

"I doubt anything could surprise me at this point."

"The dwarves are alive. He kept them preserved in his stomach for 700 years."

Fang's mouth falls open slightly.

"Fang? Are you there?"

"...yes. I have bad news. Gerald and Arcturis both perished during our efforts, but their lives were not given in vain. I can effectively direct the Skysever as we see fit. And I believe I can steer the island from here."

"...shit. I need to tell Donovan. Alright. If you can steer Xile, meet us at the tip of the Southeastern Wastes. We're going to revive Leviathan as soon as we can."

"I'll begin heading your way."

"And Fang."

"Yes?"

"Don't think I don't know you're full of shit." The radio cuts out.

Fang sighs. And then he grins, a terrible evil grin that makes you want to leave the room immediately. "Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?"

---------------
---------------

What do you do now?

>you may control Yi Fang, Donovan Flint, or Ila Marril
>all allies are currently going to rendezvous at the tip of the southeastern wastelands

>stategies

>>32578727
Sure was. Five days is beyond my ability to remember small dialogue details.

>>32578748
Donovan please.

>>32578748
>Donovan
Much as I'd love to pick Fang just to confirm whatever just happened, Flint is just such a more fun character to play; Fang works best as an NPC

>>32578748
The strategy... what was it again? Something something all lesser elementals and then..?

>>32578748
Yi Fang.

No new character sheet to tempt us away from the one true main character!

>>32578828
And then something something Greater Elementals. Then something something something.

>>32578748
Yi Fang plox.

>>32578748
>Donovan
He's the bromantic interest, how can we choose anyone else?

>>32578748
>"I doubt anything could surprise me at this point."
You should know by now that you shouldn't say things like this.

>Fang sighs. And then he grins, a terrible evil grin that makes you want to leave the room immediately. "Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?"
Fang please.

>Donovan Flint
I'm a little skeptical about being responsible for Donovan's reaction to the news from Xile, though. I'd much rather this be covered without our input before we're given control.

>>32578748
>Donovan.

Bro time.

>>32578848
I thought Fang's plan involved skipping the Greater Elements because that's insane?

>>32578828
>>32578848
Except we haven't completed the lesser elementals thing yet. They're meeting up to get back Leviathan.

Maybe all of them will have some idea about what the fuck Hecate has planned.

>>32578748
We can't NOT control Yi Fang after this.

It's kind of jarring to realize that Auriel and Tyrael are, in fact, much older than Yi Fang.

>>32578876
some something skipping this or that then something or other something erebus stuff etcetera etcetera

>>32578887
Punching Erebus really, really hard in the face. Clearly.

>>32578887
>what the fuck Hecate has planned.
Not hers. This is Yi Fang's plan.

He's going to use "that".

>>32578748
TIME FOR THE FLINTERINO
>control flint

>>32578828
>Get all the lesser elementals
>Beat the shit out of Erebus
>Pray that the savage beating allows Shadow to retake control
>Something something something fix the core

>>32578896
Isn't it? I've expected them to call him or any other number of characters brats.
auriel a pedo
But since they haven't it gives the impression that Fang is a more distinguished elder than they are, which he is.

>>32578748
>Sir Donovan Flint

>>32578748
>Yi Fang

>>32578748
>Yi Fang

Just to make sure I have everything straight; all of the elementals are different manifestations of the alien energy known as Chaos. Erebus believes that Chaos is sentient to an extent and that this amalgamation was used to try and lure him off guard, appealing to a childish wish he once had.

>>32578748
>Donovan

>>32578748
If we control Yi Fang, do we get a flashback to find out what really happened in that room?

>>32578978
>tell me the results of my choices before I choose them

>>32578978
Probably not.

>>32578978
He's only going to allude to it indirectly.

AS IT SHOULD BE.

It's like you hate using your own mind.

>>32578998
If I use my mind it may try to use me and I can't let that happen.

File: It's Donovan Time.jpg (9 KB, 300x300)

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>pic related

>>32578975

Yeah. That's the short of it.

I won't go further. You can draw your own conclusions.

>>32579024
...How is that pic related? I dun get it.

>>32579045
>i can't read filenames

>>32579045
It's a knight. Which Donovan is.

Unless you were being sarcastic.

>>32579045
Donovan is a knight.

>>32579056
>>32579061
It looks like a horse to me.

>>32579076
It's a chess piece representing a knight.

Please tell me you're being sarcastic.

>>32579076
...draw your own conclusions about what this means.

>>32579089
chess piece?

>>32579089
Pretty safe to assume. Now give them a rating out of 10 for the response they got out of you.

>>32579095
We'd have to ask Auriel, then. Though I'm pretty sure she'd give us the evil eye for it.

>>32579095
Donovan is a horse?

>>32579129
In his pants.

>>32579101
>>32579129
The need thing you'll say is "I was just pretending to be retard."

>>32579116
So uhh...how good do you think Donovan is without the parasite?

>>32579162
Still looks like a horse.

>>32579165
I don't know and I don't want to know. Shadow has grown beyond the autistic little blob that stripped Donovan and Auriel naked and dumped them into bed together.

>>32579187
What a shame. It would be great to return to those times. All SM would need to do is pull a Dark Tower and we'd be able to see how different autistic blob quest could've been.

File: Genuinely Autistic Shadow.png (1.22 MB, 1949x759)

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>>32579201
I had mentioned something like this during a /qtg/ a while back.

>I think the funniest thing about Shadow Quest is that the way the skill tree is structured, we could have insisted on playing the entire game while remaining entirely incapable of communication, while still having access to almost the whole entire skill tree.

>This would be our current skill tree if we we had willfully chosen to stay a functionally illiterate deaf mute.

>Aside from losing out on viable-in-combat-tier Blink from Void Walker, almost everything we miss out on is easily replaced or sees low enough use to not miss it. We'd be able to immediately rebuy the lost Spirit Resist and Magic Power from still-available nodes, and then have ~60 freed-up XP to redistribute elsewhere.

>Not at all practical, nor would it be terribly entertaining in execution in the long-term, but a funny thought experiment nonetheless.

>>32579201
If he did, the rage would overload 4chan's servers. Again.

>>32579250
>nor would it be terribly entertaining in execution in the long-term
I disagree

>>32579250
We could always use Ink and Replicate to play charades.

>>32579250
>nor would it be terribly entertaining in execution in the long-term,
au contraire

I still wonder, sometimes, what would have happened if Shadow rolled 100 on telling the Cheung patriarch to give up on his vendetta.

>>32579165
>how good do you think Donovan is without the parasite?
Broken tier, we scored some of the highest dice roll the quest saw and he has like 400mp and some okay to good spells.
I expect now that he's parasite free he'll be able to cast more awesome spells the like a high tier Angel (Metatron style of fuck you?)

>>32579518
the joke
-------------------
your head

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http://pastebin.com/HNXEzeXv

You are Donovan Flint, and you are staring at the massive island that is now floating toward you. The winds surrounding it have vanished. Xile is a floating circle of rock - though you can see the bite in the side where part of the island collapsed when you made your escape on the Nemesis.

You're standing on the shoreline few have stood upon in the past few hundred years. The thread of a rampaging Geb kept most from venturing there. You had your own stint as one of the Torellfield treasure-hunters not long after you first left home, but going this far was considered suicide.

And now, you stand there, on an unreachable shore, in the shadow of an unreachable island. Everything might be going to shit, but for a moment, the obstacles don't quite seem so insurmountable.

Auriel squeezes your shoulder. "...Donny. Are you alright?"

You know what she means. Gerald. And father. Gone, just like that.

You're not sure what you're supposed to feel. You're not sad. But you're not jumping for joy.

Gerald hadn't really changed. But father had. A bit. But then, you weren't a screwup anymore. Would he have treated you differently if you weren't the demonslayer?

So many things unresolved, snipped away.

You roll your shoulders. "I'm alright."

"Ok." Her hand doesn't leave your arm. You're glad for that.

>con't

In short order, Fang, Tyrael, and Ila fly down from the island on the Nemesis. The great craft deposits itself on the ground, and the rest of you board. It isn't a smart idea to be exposed on the ground when Leviathan gets put back together.

Ila nods to you as you pass the gangway doors. "Sir Flint. I'm sorry for your loss."

You nod back to her, thankful for the words - but you don't really know what to say. You decide to change the subject. "What are we going to do about Xile?"

"...well, it is your home, technically. But Fang has control over the sigil which moves it, and the Skysever."

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there," you say. "For now, having the island is good enough. What about the monsters? And those psychopaths, the cannibals?"

"Fang turned the Skysever on them while we were on the way," Ila says. "The island is purged. It should be safe for anyone, now."

"Good. I can't make decisions about it by myself, anyway. Right now, it's a tool to use against Erebus."

"I agree entirely. I hope, in the future, that Haven can make something of it."

>con't

You smile. "I'll definitely try to help with that. Arland doesn't really need a floating island with a weapon like that. In fact, I think the Skysever should be dismantled, if we can manage it. It's done enough damage to our world."

"I'd assumed you'd want to keep it."

"I'll be with Haven, not Arland."

"Really?" Ila asks. "I thought you might try to take leadership of your country."

"By the eight elements, how many times do I have to tell people I don't want anything to do with rule before they believe me?" You sigh. "Sheesh. Thanks for the compliment, Ila, but no thanks. I'm sticking with you, and Auriel, and Shadow, when we get him back. And that's with Haven. I think Xile would make a good dock for the Nemesis, don't you?"

Ila makes her small, rare smile. "My thoughts exactly, Sir Flint. But...I wonder if Fang has other intentions for you, though."

"...you think he means for me to take Arland?"

"You're attached to Abigail," Ila reasons. "And, honestly, you have very few enemies. Everyone likes you. Everyone listens to you. Putting you at the center of the countries would be a big help. He did something terrible, but it was for good reasons. He seems to do that."

That was a lot all at once for Ila. You admit she might have a good point. Fang is always playing the long game, even with the world about to end.

In a way, that gives you a bit of confidence. If Yi Fang is still thinking about an after, then maybe there will BE an after.

>con't

>>32579612
>"Fang turned the Skysever on them while we were on the way,"
Even the people?

Harsh, yo.

Everyone gathers on the bridge. Most of the dwarves are finding rooms, having been invited by Auriel and encouraged by Geb. They seem to be strict adherents of Geb's word, no matter what he says. It makes you wonder how they ended up fighting the elves. But then, different people often interpret the same thing in different ways.

Val'ok, however, has taken the bridge. Steward walks behind him in lockstep. The dwarf seems to be eyeing the ship's systems with an alternately critical and impressed eye. Steward answers his questions as he marches about on his technical investigation.

Hecate appears near the meeting table on the upper platform a moment later. <Gathered friends. Geb and I shall combined Leviathan's shards and cast them into the sea, where his power may collect itself. We suggest that you maintain distance and fire upon him only if needed.>

"What is your plan, exactly?" Auriel asks.

<A simple plan,> Hecate says. <Geb will hit him very hard.>

"Aye!" Val'ok shouts. "And Leviathan will slumber for another few centuries!"

<...let us hope that he does not strike quite so forcefully,> Hecate says. <Afterward, I shall assault him. If that fails, then we will require further...persuasion. The Nemesis's guns are quite powerful. They should at least stun Leviathan. I don't doubt he'll present a large target.>

"How big are we talking?" you ask.

<The ocean is very large, Sir Flint,> she says. <Now then.>

>things seem pretty set. Is there anything you need to do before waking Leviathan?

>>32579641
>implying it isn't merciful to kill those batshit insane people

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>>32579641
>Give them the Skysever

>>32579664
release the kraken

>>32579664
Why can't we just use the skysever on Levi?

>>32579665
They managed to keep alive for 700 years on hellmurder island.

They weren't any crazier than you'd be.

>>32579664
Is the King of Atlantis around anywhere? Or even Joey's girlfriend? Either of them might be able to help a bit calming him down.

Besides that, I think we're good to go.

>>32579719

They are back in Arland with Raphael and Harvan coordinating recovery efforts.

>>32579714

Sure, that's an option.

>>32579714
After the other things.

Now. Make it so.

>>32579714
Oh I dunno, because it's the ONLY THING holding back Erebus from Rape O' Clock?

>>32579765
Pretty much this.

Getting Leviathan under control is important, but not so important that we should risk weakening the one thing still keeping Erebus out.

>>32579765

Come on, don't ruin the fun

>>32579744
It might be a good idea to make a quick detour and pick up the King at least, depending on how long it would take.
Then again, I don't really know what kind of distances we're talking without all of Shadow's teleporting and mach speed nonsense

>>32579765
Yea, because clearly the semi-sentient worldwide blood magic is only capable of doing one thing at a time

>>32579641
The people were cannibals.

>>32579801
It is finite in energy output.

We are not dedicating any less than 100% of its energies to world defense if we can help it.

>>32579801
I'm not sure what you expect the Atlantians to do. They were formed after Leviathan's split, and they were using half of his soul as a glorified Brita.

>>32579801
>"Currently, it's doing what it's been doing. I fear that changing anything might give Erebus the crack of opportunity he needs. And we're not quite ready, yet."
It's not a sure thing that changing the Skysever's directives would weaken the outer wall, but it's also not worth risking until we've tried doing things the safe way.

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>>32579795
Hey, you're right.

Voting for using the Sky-Sever as much as possible on Levi immediately.

>>32579801
And you really want to take any chances with the semi-immortal ancient cyborg currently trying to face fuck everything in the world?

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>>32579866

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>>32579795
SM pls.

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all this talk about using the Skysever while Erebus' doing a Jehova's witness on our front door as me worried.

>>32579893
>Venia do you have a moment to talk about Order, your Lord and Savior?

>He says this as he holds a nuclear shotgun of fuck you behind his back.

>>32579893
Wait, shouldn't it con-3 already? Erebus is on the lose and shit can go real at any moment.

>>32579933
That reminds me.

>>32579795
SM, what kind of weapons does Vigil have? Missiles? Energy weapons? KEWs?

>>32579982
Play the quest and find out.

Seriously come on.

>>32579991
Yeah, I'm sure we'll find out in the course of the quest. It's not like Erebus can't use them due to the fragility of the core or his status as a slasher villain.

>>32579982
They reached a level of technology where they could turn a man into an amorphous quasi-immortal blob with a spaceship replacing most of his sensory input and output. I think it's safe to say they're at the level of "fuck everything" weaponry.

>>32579982
>LUEG Manipulation Array

aka "I can open a hole to a plane of infinite energy at any point in the universe and direct that energy to do damn near whatever I want it to"

Granted, it's not going to be infinite energy coming out, but it's going to be a -lot- of energy.

>>32580091

Where would that be on the Kardashev Scale?

The old humans would probably be a Type V or beyond because they have effectively transcended, and probably gone far beyond that by now.

For Eribus himself though, still stuck on this lower plane of existence and has secluded himself more or less to a single tiny corner of the universe. Type IV maybe.

>>32579982
Vigil is unarmed. Otherwise, it could have provided Erebus with some long-range support, instead of just sitting there watching him fail. Even a couple of drone fighters could have made a world of difference in the Elementomachy.

>>32580396
He specifically wanted to do this alone. He wanted a challenge.

Everyone watches from the bridge's plate-glass windows.

Fae below on the shore, Geb builds earth. It doesn't have much of a shape. It's just a mountain, of sorts. Hecate is a tiny dot of orange Spirit resting in the water beside him.

She raises two flickering blue crystals, places them together, and tosses the combined jewel into the sea.

The water on the shore begins to retreat. You frown in thought as the tide moves out. It's going faster than anything you've ever seen, leaving pools of murk in the sand - even fish are left behind by the rush of water, flopping and flailing on a giant expanse of sand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd1ziRr5pUo

And then you see it, in the distance. A rising wave, an enormous swell of water. It's huge.

"...we need altitude," Auriel shouts. She punches her intercom next to her chair. "Engine room, full power!"

The Nemesis jerks. Everyone grabs for something to hold onto as the ship rapidly rises.

You see a face within the mighty wave, a great head with glowing blue eyes. You hear a roar - an ugly, terrible, pained called. It shakes the steel of the ship. It seems as if half the entire ocean is poised to annihilate the continent.

Geb hasn't moved yet. His earth continues to build. He even draws on the sand.

The wave seems to grow as it comes closer. It's like an entire mountain range of water is coming in to crush you.The Nemesis has reached a safe altitude, but Auriel continues to gun the throttle, taking the craft up until you're tucked just under the island of Xile. "...if we need cover, we can use the island," she says.

>con't

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"Good thinking."

The wave is almost at Geb. The god of earth finally moves, then. Rock and sand crumbles and shakes. It rises up in a pillar, even taller than the wave, and then begins to fall, aimed directly at the face in the center of the wave.

The explosion of mana is life nothing you've felt before. The elementomachy is coming to life before your eyes. Earth mana stands against water mana. The primal force of each one seems to compete with one another - water roiling, twisting, tearing. The earth merely stands there, a massive spear set into the ground against the wrath of the water elemental.

And then you hear something very odd. It's more like you feel it, a deep hum in your chest. It's definitely Spirit. It feels like a word in a language that isn't spoken. You can't understand it, but it's there, palpable, hanging in the air.

You see the light much more clearly. A sphere of energy surrounds Hecate. The orange light is like a star, so bright that it washes out the daylight. The wave and the mountain both are bathed in the glow of light.

And then the wave falls. Like a puppet with strings cut, the water crashes into the ground. A flood spreads across the plains, but it's lifeless, slowly draining back to where it came. It washes Geb's pillar out along with it.

Auriel glances at you, and slowly begins to pilot the Nemesis back toward the earth.

---------
---------

You step out down onto the edge of the shore. Everything's wet. Your boots squelch down into the grass.

Geb is nearby, standing in his shrunken plant-haired form. Hecate floats next to him.

They face a strange being. It's made of water - just as the others seem made of their elements. The stream of spray and clear liquid never ceases. The head reminds you of a fish, or a shark.

This is Leviathan.

"Hecate...Geb." The words are understandable, but somewhat distorted, as if a man is speaking to you through a waterfall. "How long...how long?"

<700 years.>

"...show me."

>con't

>>32580405
He wanted a challenge, but he also wanted victory. When the greater elementals were about to ruin his day, there was time for Vigil to do something, anything.

Hecate raises her hand. In that moment, you don't need your senses to know what's being exchanged. He's getting the whole story, just like Geb.

Leviathan leans back. His mouth opens. His roar shakes the sky. The water behind him begins to froth and churn. Waves crash together in directions they normally wouldn't go. You feel afraid of him - more than of Hecate, or Geb. He seems...wild.

"Where is he?!"

<He is trying to - >

The sky shudders. Erebus is striking at the Skysever. This time, the Shadow is even stronger. The world resounds with his power.

"There. He's making of show of himself, then? I'll show him. That TRAITOR!"

Hecate gently lowers her hand. <Peace, Leviathan. We will meet him together, with the power collected in Xile.>

Leviathan growls, then collapses into nothing. His water merges with the sea. You can hear his voice echo. "Meet me where he attempts his breach. I will not wait long, Hecate!"

<Do not act alone. It is our very next destination.>

-------------
-------------

Leviathan has been calmed...a bit. He didn't exactly seem talkative.

You've got all your allies gathered. Leviathan is more than ready to attack, and it seems that whatever judgement he has planned on the ancestors of Logi's worshipers is on hold for the moment. Controlling him going forward is certainly going to be a matter of concern.

What do you do now?

>take Xile toward the edge of the sea where Erebus is trying to gain access
>discuss plans with any one of your allies (specify)
>some other strategy

>>32580457
>take Xile toward the edge of the sea where Erebus is trying to gain access
Is bringing Xile closer wise?

>>32580457
>Ancestors
Leviathan can travel through time?

>I know, I know

>>32580491

Well, I suppose you don't need to bring it along physically, considering the Skysever can be projected anywhere in Venia. I just had a mental image of Xile vs Vigil.

>>32580457
>>take Xile toward the edge of the sea where Erebus is trying to gain access

It's go time motherfuckers

>>32580457
>discuss plans with any one of your allies (specify)
Gather Abigail, Auriel, Yi, Ila. Ask them if they have any ideas on how to separate Shadow or give him the opportunity to fight Erebus for control. Abigail/Fang might have some ideas about separating people into chunks thanks to any research into the Archonium. Ask them if they have any ways of delaying the E. Lords if they just decide not to risk trying to save Shadow.

>>32580528
lets fucking do this.jpg

>>32580528
Then let's not. I don't want to risk Erebus blowing up Xile right there.

>>32580396
Erebus IS Vigil, in a sense. He's an energy construct made out of Order channeled through shards and maintained by Vigil, which allows for manipulation of the LUEG into any point in the universe. Vigil's "AI" isn't even really an AI, it's running off of Erebus' mind doing weird science shit to somehow get more computing power out of it.

Vigil had enough juice to completely disintigrate Venia. It still does. Erebus' excuse for not just obliterating the entire thing outright was that it had a few hundred thousandths of a percent greater chance of causing a core breach than had he just gone down there to hand-scrub it.

After the planning and setup is done, I'll write the opening of the battle and call it a night.

So, whatever discussion you want to have, let's have it tonight.

>>32580457

Taking Xile close to Eribus seems like a bad idea. I figured we should let Eribus hammer on the Skysever for a while longer, then start lowing its power or just cut it out all together after a few erratic flickers. Eventually letting him think one of his blows has destroyed it. Let him in.

After the Elementals do some work on him, turn it back on.

Sides that, have the Dwarves come up with anything?

How big is Xile compares to Vigil?

>>32580564
Will Abigails demon-form ever become relevant?

>>32580582
I am also curious about this.

>>32580582
It's been used once or twice, but it's kind of obsolete at this point with all of the juice we poured into her and her hand

>>32580564
Will the AoC be returning this plot-arc SM??

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>>32580582

WHO KNOWS

>>32580574
That seems like a hilarious dick move.

I'm all for it.

>>32580622
FUCK i love you

>>32580613
>we drop the sky-sever to attack Erebus
>lolnope, it's the Avatar of Order
>did you really think that Erebus, a super tactical genius with more experience than everyone on Venia combined would just telegraph his location like that?
>obviously a traitor in your midst let him in earlier

>>32580457
>ancestors
Time travel arc confirmed

Are you a bad enough shadow to stop the Elementomachy before it even starts?

>>32580548
Vigil has to have enough finesse to dial its power down below "destroy all of Venia instantly." As soon as Erebus's original plan became unusable, he could have used Vigil's weaponry to at least buy him some time, if not destroy one or more of the greater elementals outright. By starting the Elementomachy in the first place, Erebus was weakening the barrier by causing an escalating magical war. Blasting Hyperion and friends with a space laser wouldn't have had a large chance of breaching the core, and it would ensure that Erebus still remained in control of the situation.

>>32580582
Why do you think she feels like she just goes to sleep and doesn't remember being in Shadow's Pocket?

It's a Nether pocket. It's like being desummoned. Ceasing awareness as you return to the Nether from whence you came.

>>32580693
See, you're still acting like Erebus is "right" and not, in fact, an insane asshole.

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>>32580713

>>32580693
Which is why I specifically used the words "Erebus' excuse" to describe the reasons given for his actions.

>>32580721
Because he wouldn't be an insane asshole if he was "right?"

>>32580693
>space laser
It wouldn't even be a space laser. It would just designate the coordinates that Hyperion was located at and then open up a portal to the plane of Orderly SMACKDOWN and shit purple hurt upon him. No need to fire from Vigil down upon Venia when it can manipulate the LUEG at any point in the universe.

>>32580713
Erebus is an idiot who ignored a lot of winning strategies. Not once did he ever combat Chaos without the protection and support of Vigil, until he decided that there is no middle ground between "obliterate Venia and risk unleashing Chaos again" and "go down alone and punch things."

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>>32580766
>open up a portal to the plane of Orderly SMACKDOWN and shit purple hurt upon him

You decide to meet with your allies to discuss a few specific pointers.

Melody, Fang, Abigail, Ila, and Auriel meet you below the bridge in the weapons room.

Fang believes that Erebus's most dangerous tool is Vigil, the unknown craft that allows him to traverse the void. He suggests using the Skysever strategically to wall off the craft. First, shut the spell off, letting Erebus in - and then have the winds surround the ship, isolating your foe.

Abigail isn't sure how you'd be able to counter one of the elementals. Melody believes that the Staff of Winds might be able to hold of one or more of them for some short time. The Nemesis itself might force one to pause, as well.

As for enabling Shadow a chance, weakening Erebus seems to be the name of the game. Abigail is convinced she'll need to get close to get through to him. That, in turn, will be extremely dangerous - Fang is very much against that idea.

Do you make and suggestions or offer ideas of your own?

>>32580771
>winning strategies

He is playing the long game. His winning strategy is to gain a point lead and turtle for the rest of eternity. That really is his only option. He can not destroy Chaos without destroying Order. Doing that would kill himself and all of humanity if they are still dependent on the universal energy grid thing.

>>32580819
Except he didn't gain a point lead, he gave away a big one by fucking up the barrier