>>39853157

“We apologize.” She bows her head to you slightly, out of breath. “Wars can be quite taxing, and We're not as young as we once were.” She raises her head with a polite smile.

At least she has a proper excuse for disappearing so suddenly…Her words might also explain why you came across few inhabitants in your long journey here.

As it stands, this is the face of the other side of the inner realm war, even with all her beauty, she’s more imposing than anything you’ve ever encountered before. You wonder if there’s some etiquette you’re not following.

A small warm laugh. “We forgot that you were quite young when we last met. You can call -me- The Broodmother.” She waves her hand dismissively. “It’s what my enemies call -me-, but -I’ve- not heard my name in so long that it’s lost to me now.” She tenses up suddenly. “We were hoping that we could speak earlier in less frantic times, but you’re here now, so please, let’s get to it. Time is fleeting.”

Very strange, it’s as if she knows why you’ve come here, which is also quite concerning. How much can you trust this “Broodmother?”

>Introduce yourself, and ask how she knows you.

>Introduce yourself, and ask about the screams.

>Introduce yourself and ask about the human structures in this realm.

>Introduce yourself and ask about the war.

>Write in.

>>39853223
>Introduce yourself, and ask how she knows you.

>>39853223
>>Introduce yourself, and ask how she knows you.

You would not be related to the Ancillary Manta would you?

>>39853223
>Introduce yourself and ask about the war.
I mean, it's a war after all

Hello everyone!

>>39853277
>>39853281
Stranger danger?
>>39853420
Hmm, maybe this might fit in too.

>Writing

>>39853446

You may not know the etiquette that the inhabitants of this realm follow, but you’ll give her the decency of your own.

You nod your head forward. “My name is Sophia, but you already know that…How?” Ruby eyes gazing in her own.

She sighs wistfully. “Had everything gone as it should’ve, every being in these planes would know your name.” She smiles and prepares for her next statement. “You would’ve ruled over Kyraen'Asils, Impel, and even this Paradise. Only child of Emperor Izureig I, it was your rightful place…” Her mass slides across the floor as she loses herself in thought for a moment. “But they did not, your parents were forced to keep your birth hidden and now you stand before me as only one of the last few Caelumnites.”

A dream, a surreal dream, but no… You know it to be true, perhaps you’ve always known it, just hid from the painful memories. Then, you’re grandfather wasn’t truly your grandfather, just some poor unfortunate man who took care of you after your parents…

“If all that didn’t come to be, then HOW do you know me? How does Grivermillion and the Ancillary Manta know who I am?” You demand, on the verge of shouting.

She looks at you sympathetically. “Grivermillion was trusted advisor to your dynasty’s throne for generations.” She chuckles lightly. “He was likely one of the first to know your mother was pregnant, and the Ancillary Manta, guardian of that place…your father likely confided in her as well.”

[1/2]

>>39854388

The Ancillary Manta is one of the main reasons you’ve come so far. What’s her motivation for all of this?

You follow her as she ambles across this space. “Do you know her? The Ancillary Manta.”

She stops. “Of course, -I- helped create her eons ago…So much time.” She looks to you. “We had plans back then, as we do now. That said, we don’t know if we can trust you, we don’t know your goals.”

Shoes on the other foot it seems. You doubt threatening her for more information on that matter would work, or you might have done it already. At least you have plenty of other topics to explore.

You shake your head in confusion. “I still don’t know how you know of me. Nor how I came to live in the human realm.”

She laughs heartily. “One and the same…” Her laughter stops as she comes across a painful memory.

A long time passes with no words exchanged between the two of you. You simply stare at the floating red orbs all around the sky.

You turn to her, and swear you can see tears welling in her eyes.

“Just know this.” She turns her face from you. “Your father loved your mother and you more than anything or anyone else. They came to me for help…and I knew of only one way the three of you could hide-“

She turns suddenly. “We must return. Now!” Anger fills her eyes. “I’m sending you back that city. Please make your way home.”

The ground under your feet churns with activity and you see a fleshy canal open up.

You float in the air. She’s prepares to leave, the base of her form twisting before your eyes. War tearing you apart from what you want, not for the first time.

>Leave this place.

>Write in.

>>39854424

>Leave this place.
aw shit, is this our fault for encouraging those other guys to be aggressive in their war?

>>39854424
>Leave this place.

>>39854493
Probably, this is what anons get for being bloodthirsty in a war they know nothing about.

>>39854424
>Leave this place.
Then what is our Izu?

>>39854568
a Haemonculus made from our hair.

>>39854594
So just a coincidence with the name then? Kinda cute, naming your kid after your father unknowingly

>>39854649
He looked a lot like our dad according to the viviomancer who made him with our hair. he suggested the name before he tried to kidnap izu from us.

>>39854493
>>39854563
>>39854568
Time to head home.

>Writing

>>39854493
To be fair, we didn't encourage aggression so much as advise keeping the status-quo of dumping their waste into paradise. And apparently Paradise's natives eat said waste, so we kind of helped her.

>>39854762
Glad we didn't eat any back spawning poop babies then.

>>39854691

Leave now or be left behind. That’s not a flight you want to make.

You tuck your wings close, and fall into yet another dark abyss.

The Broodmother’s words reach you as the circle of light begins to fade from sight. “There’s someone lost in this place, Sophia. Help her if you can, but be warned. Not everyone in this realm stands with us.”

~

After quite a long time, the ground spits you out, and you find yourself at the edge of the city you passed through what feels like a lifetime ago.

You haven’t the slightest grasp on how long you’ve been traveling through this realm, but you are feeling deal of mental exhaustion, as well as some physical exhaustion.

You diligently follow your compass back inside another flesh tunnel, now knowing why all this meat felt as if it was a single being.

It is.

The quiet journey gives you some time to dwell on what you’ve learned, although there’s a glaringly large amount of new knowledge you try not to think about.

This war is very likely the result of a power vacuum, and won’t be settled until one side reigns dominant. Perhaps you should look into what Impel’s motivation truly is for attacking this place. There doesn’t seem much to be won, and The Broodmother doesn’t strike you as the type to start aggressions.

There’s also the fact that you’re not really human. Which you think would be the most surprising thing to you, but it honestly isn’t. It simply makes sense now that you think about it.

[1/2]

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>>39855700

You laugh to yourself. What did your grandfather think about all of this? You feel very slightly guilty about your repeated disobediences to a man who took care of you even though he had no obligation to do so. He did so anyway, for years...

The remaining Caelumnites seem to reside in Kyraen'Asils. It’s the last of the inner realms you’ve yet to explore, looking into your lineage would be a prudent task while you’re there.

You stop flying.

A woman.

Short brown hair and a dirty dress, a familiar sight in these parts. You doubt this is the person that the Broodmother mentioned.

It doesn’t even notice you, it’s far too busy chasing after something else. Someone else…

Ellie?!

In the distance, your apprentice is being chased closely by a group three of these creatures. This additional one appears to be a straggler.

It turns to face you as you approach.

A cracked wall of red greets you, strange growths sticking out of her skin, ready to burst, and cloud of spores sticking close to her as she walks toward you.

Four enemies, one scared apprentice.

You

>Take out the one in front of you first and then the three chasing after Ellie.

>Go straight to help Ellie, ignore this one for now.

>Write in.

>>39855758
>>Go straight to help Ellie, ignore this one for now.
Seal her movements then continue.

>>39855758
>>39855850
Going with this. Use fire to eliminate any spores, if it won't hurt Ellie.

>>39855758
>>Go straight to help Ellie, ignore this one for now.
Man I'm gonna need a drink soon

>>39855850
>>39855946
Going to need 1d20, best of three.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>39856028

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>39856024
Whys that anon?

>>39856028
Roll that shit

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>39856028
That's a nice 16 up there. Shame if I were to ruin it.

>>39856136
The dice favor you!

>Writing

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>39856028
Dice

>>39856093
Cause I keep staring into abyss

>>39856161
Talking about the pics? Cause they are fugly

>>39856158
I mean, they do now, but I was that guy who rolled 2 1's in a row in a past quest.

>>39856247
Yea the eye spore thing, freaky. Good job setting the tone Auri

>>39856639
Thank you very much!

>>39856158

This is the largest creature you’ve sealed thus far, but it can be damned if it thinks it can take your main housekeeper.

Your anger fuels your seal, and even the spores wafting off its body become static in the air. Taking off immediately after that, you channel your flame in your hand and let it guide you to where it so desperately wants to go, propelling you faster than you’ve ever gone before.

The targets are the hideous ones, you force it not to focus on Ellie. Seconds extend, as you see the spores singeing before even contacting your flame, the face of the creature as it spins reflexively to you, and then nothing.

The top half of its body gone in an instant, and its unfortunate friend, who was standing just a little too close, had the surface of all its skin turn into nothing more than a bubbling mess. A strange sort of symphony is created between its popping skin, your crackling flames, and its high shrieks, the whole thing ends with a hard thud to the ground.

You’re in control of this flame now, not tamable by a human, but you’re no longer human anymore.

Blue flames surround your bare leg as you raise it high into the air, and slam down upon it, it raises its hands, but it might as well presented you a sheet of wet paper.

Gone.

You stop your flames around your leg before it burns the flesh tunnel any further, but before you stop the one on your arm…

A bolt of blue, shoot, pierces, and is lost to the darkness. The sealed creature is no more.

[1/2]

>>39857200

Ellie stares up at you with red, tear-stained awe, before breaking down, bawling. Her legs and arms are heavily scratched, blood trickles down the side of her head, and her bare stomach shows heavy bruising. Completely defenseless, but here she is, alive all the same.

You permit your disobedient apprentice a few minutes to collect herself, before leading her to intensely pleasant sight of the portal back home.

~

You gasp and thrash as you pull both yourself and Ellie out from your delving tub.

You’re home.

The blood sticks to you like tar. It has had quite some time to dry, and given that it’s quite late into the night, you surmise that you delved for just over a full day.

You scrape off as much of the blood as you can, and then turn to your apprentice.

“Go wash up and then rest.” You order Ellie, who only meekly nods in response. She slowly limps out of the room, the adrenaline no longer dulling her pain.

After a bath for yourself, taking a painstakingly long time updating your journal, you’re eager to jump into your…occupied bed and sleep.

But one last thing must be attended to first…

The soft cloak wraps around your pale skin, and you can practically fall asleep right where you stand.

“Control is given to those who take it. Choose twice…”

Twice? You did learn quite a bit this delve, but you never anticipated getting to choose two things to increase your knowledge in. You grin giddily.
Choose two abilities:

>Write in which, (Delving and Sealing require a specific write in to upgrade. Pyromancy has only one more raw upgrade before a specific write in is required.)

>>39857246
>Pyromancy

I don't care about the other two well, not really anyway...

>>39857246
>Pyromancy
>Sealing the ability to detect, refine, and break seals even as I can make them.

>>39857246
>>39857246
>Teleporting and Pyromancy
I want to be able to leave flame shadows when we teleport

>>39857246
Advanced Form control, whatever learning to control and change our form more easily/access our inner realms form on Earth falls under.

>>39857246
>Pyromancy
>Teleportation

Speaking of teleportation, is there a reason it isn't on our character sheet?

>>39857414
It's there isn't it? Under Conveyance, I think.

>>39857407
Form control is sealing anon

>>39857397
>>39857414
>Not wanting to be at form two in default world

>>39857434
Ah, so it is. I was looking for transport or teleport and didn't think to ctrl+f.

Looks like pyromancy for sure, but sealing and teleportation are tied.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Pyromancy
+
1= Sealing
2= Teleportation

>Writing the winner

>>39857517
I'm >>39857305
You can toss my other vote in for Sealing I guess.

>>39857443
>>>39857407 (You)Form control is sealing anon
Is it? I thought sealing was binding stuff in place.

>>39857660
That's it at its most basic.

>>39857660
Our potential forms were sealed away so we could blend into this world. Look at sealing magic in the pastebin.

>>39857660
I should follow up. Sealing is ultimately the practice of preventing potential.

>>39857696
oop you're right, sealing it is

>>39857570

Your pyromancy has always served you well, and now that you know your human form was just a seal placed upon you…

You know, getting to pick two things seemed like a great idea at the time, but it’s always been quite the ordeal just for one ability to grow.

Painfully thrashing on the floor, as noiselessly as you can, visions rush into your head, dominating all your senses.

The flames you’ve summoned have always served as a means of offense, but you remember as nothing was permitted to touch you as long as you had them invoked, a means of defense. The frantic warmth of your flames washes over your whole body without them actually being invoked. It’s possible to surround yourself in a shell of the stuff, and come out unscathed. As for any clothes you might be wearing while doing so…

Suddenly, there you are, a vision of what remains of the human Sophia in your mind. A lie, meant to protect, but you can protect yourself now just fine.

The last few remaining shards of that seal, fading away, you leave only one left, the one you put in place to conceal your wings.

You awaken, some time has passed as you can see that the sky has changed shades to a slightly less dark blue. A huge pool of blood on your floor is showing signs of drying, but as you are now, you feel fine.

[1/2]

>>39858527

You're taller, that’s for certain.

An adjustment to your mirror has to be made to see your new self now. You now stand likely only a few inches shorter than Laurent, your hair swipes past the small of your back, and somehow your eyes shine an even more vivid shade of red.

That’s all cosmetic. The real difference is that you can feel raw energy surging through you, the same as you do when you delve to the inner realms.

You’re beyond human now, you’re complete.

With a small wave of euphoria still flowing through you, you plunge into your bed, and catch some well needed rest.

~

>”Do think we’ll ever be able to return?”

Your mother’s voice.

No! Not this one, anything but this memory!

>”All things must run their course.” Your father responds.

Once again your parents lift you into the air by your hands.

The street is familiar, if you woke up you could be on it in mere minutes. Wake up, wake up!

…

>”…wouldn’t happen to know anything about an Occultist living in the area? Right?”

No, your eyes shut as they did that time. You wait for it to be all over yet again.

…

>”DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!”

You know what you’ve always done, your legs begging to take you away from here. But you’re stuck, eyes turning hot, you clench your fingers from pure rage. The flames dormant in your hand feed off your emotion, you open your eyes to see the plain white masks in front of you.

>Unleash your flame.

>Run.

>>39858568
>>Unleash your flame.

>>39858568
>Unleash your flame.

>>39858568
>run
Let's not burn down our house guys

>>39858568
>Run.
Oh, so that's what happened

>>39858568
>Run.

>>39858622
>>39858635
>>39858711
And so we run.

>Writing

>>39858779

Those small white dress shoes of yours thud heavily against the pavement as you run as far and as hard as you can.

>”Au revoir, COWARD!”

The voice returns to the brutal task before it, and you run as hard as you can through that empty neighborhood, until you can no longer here that thudding sound.

You awaken with your hand pointed toward your roof, still tingling with the desire to stop things long lost to time.

The morning sun, high in the sky, thankfully no witnesses to your nightmare.

~

You thoughtfully eat your lunch as your Marissa and Izu discuss something with quite an air of energy.

“It’s all the merchants were talking about yesterday. Ali was elected leader of this town, and to kick it off, she’s throwing a festival.” Marissa says, positively animated.

Izu scratches his cheek slightly. “What’s so special about that?”

Marissa scoffs in disbelief. “First off, free food the whole day, she’s inviting a bunch of traveling performers, there’s loads of contests she’s going to raffling away so many things, and…” She leans in close to Izu. “Rumor has it, that she’s amassing a huge amount of fireworks to last the whole night.”

His emerald eyes beam. “I’ve never seen one before!”

Neither have you.

Marissa grins at finally having piqued the boy’s interest. “But it’s only in the works now, though seems like people from so many towns over are going to come.”

“Wow! I wonder if they’re setting up right now...” The boy imagines the scene in his mind.

Ali, leader of the merchants, and now leader of you. Fantastic…

[1/2]

>>39859806

Your other apprentice comes hobbling into the room, and settles slowly into the seat on the other side of Izu.

“Find something interesting?” Marissa asks with antagonizing voice.

You firmly clear your throat to shut her down before she can even really begin. But now that you have all three of your apprentices in front of you…

“Report.” You state and then turn to your food.

Marissa starts. “Delving was inconsequential, working on a new lead tracking Sayu. I think she may be in contact with one of the younger guild children, going to have to look into it more before I can confirm anything.”

You nod.

“Finished my book about spiders. Built a fort out your covers and explored. Delve successful.” Izu reports, taking a phrase from your journal entries.

You sigh and then turn to Ellie.

She doesn’t say a word, her gaze turned straight to the table.

She directly disobeyed your command, and almost got herself killed for it. But, now that you think about it, she discovered something quite interesting, and because of it, might be the first human to reach the inner realms.

You think back to your grandfather scolding you when he caught you setting up for a delve at the age of nine.

But what to do with this apprentice of yours?

>Put a hold on her delving.

>Praise her for the discovery, and don’t punish her.

>Write in.

>>39859885
>Praise her for the discovery, and don’t punish her.

>Built a fort out your covers and explored. Delve successful.”
hhahaha Izu

also no comments about out new height and appearance? Are they just not surprised by anything we do anymore?

>>39859885
>Praise her for the discovery, and don’t punish her.

>>39859885
>Put a hold on her delving.
She is our responsibility and if she can't control her urges to delve and research it may be dangerous in the future for both us and her.

>>39859885
>Praise her for the discovery, and don’t punish her.

Just be careful Next time Ellie. The inner realms look at normal humans as food, you will need some sort of weapon or magic to defend yourself if need be.

>>39860005
I was actually saving the comments for when someone else sees you...

>>39860005
>>39860022
>>39860110
Slap on the wrist.

>Writing~

>>39860125
I can accept that

>>39859885
>>39859885
>Praise her for the discovery, and don't punish her.
Izu too adorable.

>>39860212

You sigh heavily. It’s a bit different from when your grandfather caught you.

“Listen…” You wait for her to raise her head, which she eventually does. “As my apprentice, you’re my responsibility.”

Unfortunately.

“The inner realms will try to eat you alive, literally, as you saw, and you can’t defend yourself.” You let that thought sit with her for a few moments. “You’re not being punished, mainly because I think you know better than to try that sort of thing again, but also very slightly because you were right about those channels.”

A small smile forms on her face, a much more natural state for her that moping.

You stand to clear your plate from the table. “I catch you in the inner realms before you’re ready, I’ll set you to gathering necromancy regents for a month.”

Both Ellie and Marissa shudder from the horrible memories they have collecting dead rats.

You pass Laurent on your way to the kitchen and he stops in disbelief at your form. You once stood, head stopping square at this chest, but now it stops just below his own nose.

Damn, you are really tall. Probably even taller than Matthias, oh that will be good to rub into his face.

He looks over you for a long time, before eventually shaking his head and returning outside, hands clenched.

“I think you look good.” Marissa calls out behind you. “Love the longer hair.”

Izu takes the plates from your hand.

“You’re like when I first saw you. It makes me happy.” The boy heads into the kitchen.

Their words confirm what you already knew, you take a small moment and enjoy the memory of your appearance in that mirror. Now if only your hair wasn’t so long, this weight is something you aren’t quite used too yet.

The moment is thoroughly interrupted by a firm and polite knock at your door.

You’re not expecting any deliveries, and Matthias would never knock like that.

You scoot Marissa into the upstairs, since she has her tail out, and head to find out who’s on the other side of your door.

~

Hey, occult qu-
Dammit missed the vote
I should really get a twitter account, missing quests like this.

>>39860955
Okay, I'm ending it there for tonight. I want to thank everyone that played today! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night and hope to see you again next time!

P.S.

We'll be moving into heavier stuff, so I hope you're all ready!

>>39860969
You missed more than a vote unfortunately. But if you have any questions, I'm here for them!

>>39861036
>We'll be moving into heavier stuff, so I hope you're all ready!

Well Pardon me while I have a panic attack.

In all seriousness. Is our sealing good enough to figure out how to seal Marissa' power if need be? How quickly can we get our wings back if we need them? is it still painful?

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>>39861036
>We'll be moving into heavier stuff, so I hope you're all ready!

>>39861082
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

Wish we got more comments though, Marissa told us we looked good last time so it feels like nothing new.

Also how does Laurent feel about this? He regretting his decision to atone by serving us yet?

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>>39861135
>Also how does Laurent feel about this? He regretting his decision to atone by serving us yet?

>He looks over you for a long time, before eventually shaking his head and returning outside, hands clenched.

Pic related

File: EvenSkeletonManTrembles.gif (136 KB, 480x480)

136 KB GIF

>>39861036
>We'll be moving into heavier stuff, so I hope you're all ready!

Thank's for running.....

>>39861101
>>39861114
Well, something I didn't think would happen, did, and now things have been "pushed up." It probably isn't what you think it is too.

>>39861101
Your sealing would only stop her from moving at this point. You can get your wings back a bit more quickly now, think about 30 seconds, but it's still painful.

>>39861135
You're very welcome! I'll be sure to write more varied compliments in from other people. Laurent is beginning to have serious doubts, if it wasn't clear.

>>39861210
You're very welcome!

>>39861237
Thanks for running Auri!
Also oh god what did we do?? Time to mull over all our decisions.

>>39861237
If you weren't going easy on us this quest, would we have been killed when we admitted we killed that one big guild member whose name began with M to that one scary guild member whose name began with C?

>>39861285
You're very welcome!

>>39861341
That depends on whether or not you died fighting Manolo or not. But while Carmina does care for everyone she knows, she has her motivations to follow as well. Something to think about.

>>39861420
Does she really know us though? I thought we only had like a 5 minute conversation, if that.

>>39861617
You're asking the right question.

>>39861850
awwwww shiiieeeeeeeet

>>39861850
So she knew who/what we are before we met her?

>>39862100
You know I can't answer that.

>>39862100
>>39861850
I feel like a lot of people knew we are a little empress before we did.

I'll be stepping out now. Until next time!

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What happened her-
>foreshadowing Q&A
oh god

Should we tell them about the whole not-human thing? I mean, this just raises further questions about Marissa's shadow thing.