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“The hell was that noise?” You hear Kainzo's voice as he stumbles out of the other room, the rest of the raid in tow. You and Nel look nervously at each other, then, he points toward the black room, face a bit flush.

“This place is seriously fuckin' with us!” Nel responds. He has more Celestial Gems than you. He folds his arms, turning and cautiously half-walking, half-stumbling closer to the rest of the raid. A bit on edge, you follow, hesitant to be left alone. “I hate it!”

There's a pause, and Tatsumaki is the first to point forward. At the far end of the hall, you see Andor materialize, lying supine near the broken glass floor. Vyx is still nowhere to be seen.

“Oi!” Kainzo shouts. “Andor, over here.”

“Heyo.” He waves as he walks nonchalantly into view.

“Where the hell have you been? It's been almost half an hour.” Ayla asks. “I thought you said you wouldn't be gone long.”

“What? Half an hour?” Andor looks confused, then gives a dejected sigh, sinking in place a bit. “I guess I lost track of time twice, then. When I logged out, I realized I'd been online way, way longer than I thought. I had to handle some things I forgot to do beforehand, but I didn't think it took more than a few minutes...”

“It's fine.” Kainzo says. “Vyx may have done the same. She should be back before too long.”

It's longer than you expect: another couple of minutes, before she reappears a distance away, lying on her back.

“Well... forty-five minutes and some change later.” Donnel shrugs.

> [[ Continued ]]

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>>40003092

“Ah, I'm back!” Vyx sits up and yawns, stretching her arms out. She looks around, visibly confused, before standing up and meandering toward the rest of the group. “Sorry about that! I'm here. ...Alright, are we good to go?”

“Hungrier than you anticipated?” Aelriss asks.

“Huh? No, I just had a snack...” She shrugs. “So, what's the plan, boys?”

“Well, Ascheritte and Nel have opened my mind to the very real possibility of these side rooms being booby-trapped.” Kainzo says. “Which makes me hesitant to explore them further until we make more of this place safer to maneuver about in. Now that we're all together, I believe we're about ready to move upstairs.”

What will you do?
> Defer to Kainzo's suggestion.
> Talk about distributing the loot from before, now that everyone's here.
> Suggest waiting until after the next boss to distribute the loot from before.
> Suggest exploring the side rooms anyway.
> Write-in.
> Log out.

>>40003152
>> Defer to Kainzo's suggestion.
> Suggest waiting until after the next boss to distribute the loot from before.

>>40003152
> Talk about distributing the loot from before, now that everyone's here.

>>40003152
Talk about how time moves faster in here and how we noticed this before.

>>40003152
Eh, I'm kind of worried that if we proceed in the quest sequence we'll have to start all over to explore the side rooms, but then again this place is spook central.

>>40003381
>>40003178
Also adding my talk about time suggestion with this here.

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>BSO

Also, the Soul one-shot was pretty fun.

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>>40003601
Thanks! It was a blast to write, and I'm actually quite proud of it.

>>40003178
>>40003381
“More pressing issues, actually. Anyone else get the impression that time moves a little faster in here?” You ask.

“A little bit, actually. I was afraid to ask, just at the risk of sounding weird.” Aelriss says. “I dunno, though—it might well be a part of the process. Something to do with this game's way of basically hijacking your senses.”

“It's a little creepy, when you put it that way.” Donnel says. “But time flies when you're having fun, right? What's that they say, about relativity and whatnot?”

“He's right,” Andor says. “There's no need to try and justify my mistake. I'll just have to keep a closer look at my watch next time.”

> [[ UI Messenger – Ayla ]]
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( You're right, but I think it might be the opposite. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Or it was, anyway—when last I logged out, it was slower by my count. I didn't pay it much mind. ))

You look up—she's standing with her back to the wall, and returns a knowing glance when you receive the message.

> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Was? What's that mean?
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Wait, do you think the update had something to do with it?

“Ayla,” Dorian asks. “Who are you talking to?”

“A friend.” She responds, rolling her eyes at him. “Just letting her know I'm busy.”

> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Worry about it later. ))

“We're ready to go, then?” Kainzo says.

“Sure, sure.” You respond.

“Watch your step,” Dorian says. “It appears the damage Ascheritte's done to the floor out here won't be repaired any time soon.”

> Take the lead.
> Suggest Nel explore the upstairs and try to map out the area.
> Write-in.

>>40003942
>Suggest Nel explore the upstairs and try to map out the area.

>>40003942
>Suggest Nel explore the upstairs and try to map out the area.
>Flirt with Ayla

>>40003942
> Suggest Nel explore the upstairs and try to map out the area.

>>40003992
>You're a Technician, right? Because I've got a large bone that needs examining.

>>40004024
I'll go with this.
She seems like the type to like corny jokes.

>>40003942
>> Suggest Nel explore the upstairs and try to map out the area.

>>40004024
nigga that's awful

>>40003942
> Take the lead.

>>40004303
ly good, I know. Thank you.

>>40004356
>Technician
>Inspecting bones
at least try to make your awful line make sense anon

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>>40003942
>>40003942
“Nel, you want to scout ahead?” You and Kainzo lead the group across the broken floor to the spiral staircase. There's that sound again, metal scratching on glass, rhythmic like a heartbeat. Or footsteps. Clicking, and a high pitched whine or screech as whatever-it-is drags a distance with each period.

“Sounds good.” Nel says. He points upward, to where the staircase reaches another floor level. “I'm starting to get a handle on the tech level of this place, so I know what to watch out for. Move up to the landing, right there, and I'll let you guys know when to catch up with me. Is the group chat still open?”

“Yep. Some people dropped, but I'm keeping the dream alive.” Aelriss says.

“Alright, I'll use that. Eyes front, everyone!” Nel laughs.

The next floor looks a bit run-down. The source of that sound is on this level, echoing down distant hallways. You can hear it more clearly, though you're not sure where it might be. It doesn't look like there are any defenses here—rather, two wings devoted to what look like large alchemy laboratories, and a subtly curved, ornate wooden doorway leading into a branching hallway ahead.

“Nel, take a look that way.” Kainzo says, pointing down the hall. “I question the safety of these labs, but it looks like there's probably something to be collected or used. Let's take another moment while our Explorer gathers information.”

“Don't pick up anything if you don't know what it is.” Ayla saunters over to a sturdy-looking table, sitting on its edge and starting a bit when she rattles some of the glass equipment nearby, prompting a giggle from Tatsumaki. “Hell, don't pick up anything without our permission.”

With a shrug, you sit down a ways across from her.

>>40004474
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technetium-99m#Bone_scan
This doesn't make it not a shitty joke, of course, but it refutably makes sense...

> [[ Continued ]]

>>40004817
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Hey, Ayla, you're a Technician, right?
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Yes, why? ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( You know I'm sitting right next to you, right?
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( I swear to God, I can see the look on your face. If this is the lead-in to some shitty joke, I'm so not down. ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Oh, damnit. You got me. How'd you know?
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Because, despite your getting the better of me earlier, you're really not that hard to read. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( You must be seriously bored. Of all the people I've met in Averron, I think your attention span is the shortest. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Is it getting to you again? ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Actually, I was going to ask about that thing you were doing way earlier.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: What's it called, again? ERP?
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( I. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( ...Who told you? ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Ahahaha, nobody. I was just guessing.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Are you blushing?
> [[ Ayla ]]: ...Ashe.
> [[ Ayla ]]: This is. a really good way to get blown up.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I'm kidding, I'm kidding! I won't tell.

> Have a look around the labs while Nel is exploring.
> See who's online, or message someone else. (Write-in)
> Check the dusty memento, and see if anything's changed.
> Log out.
> Write-in.

>>40004879
> Have a look around the labs while Nel is exploring.

>>40004879
> Check the dusty memento, and see if anything's changed.

>>40004879
>Check the dusty memento, and see if anything's changed.

I'm a little impressed you made that work without Ascheritte coming off as autistic.

>>40004879
> Have a look around the labs while Nel is exploring.

>>40004879
>Log out.
Might as well take the chance

>>40004879
>log out
REAAALL WOOORLLD

>>40004956
it was some damn good writing, it was.

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>>40004956
It's work, but it's a lot of fun. Because I've got a very detailed mental profile of him: someone who sort of goes with the flow, even when he doesn't really know what's going on, just to see how far he can get, and it turns out to work a lot better in a video game than it does in real life.

In other news, there's a pretty nasty storm sweeping through my area at the moment and I just lost a couple minutes of work to a power outage. I'd hate to cancel, but might have to pick up tomorrow if this trend continues. For now, let's see how things go...

>>40005256
noooooooo

although announcing things a bit earlier would be appreciated.

>>40005368
I will, in the future. To be fair, there was sort of a schedule when I ran this regularly...

>>40005492
I gotta say, I also really liked your Soul one-shot, I've been reading soul quest since then, pretty good quest, shame it got dropped so early.

>>40004879
>Check the dusty memento, and see if anything's changed.

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>>40004879
That damn picture frame—it's empty, as it's been the last couple of times you looked at it. Still sends a chill down your spine, too, with consistency that makes you wonder if it's somehow a simulated event. You're not even sure why you've elected to hold onto it this long, for that matter: intimidated, perhaps, into a frightened sense of duty to rescue the immortal soul of a virtual ghost and free yourself from a curse that you're not even sure will have any real effect on your well-being, in and out of Broken Sky.

> [[ Ayla ]]: Fuck. I...
> [[ Ayla ]]: ...I don't even.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Is something wrong? I thought we were done talking about this.

You take a look down at the work on the table—a bunch of sketches, in ink-pen on weathered parchment paper. You think you see the floor plan of this place, with side-glances among the work indicating various places in the walls and ceilings: for what, however, you are unsure. Shuffling the papers aside, there's numerous anatomical diagrams of humans and human-like entities, disassembled and augmented, with neatly-organized annotations in that indecipherable font—the old Sylvetican script, as you recall Dorian called it.

“This game is so detailed, isn't it?” Aelriss leans closely over your shoulder, taking a good look at the papers on the table. “Kjorikos's work?”

“He invented artifice, but couldn't find a way to bring back the dead.” You respond.

“Looks like he gave it a good try, though. Look at this stuff... it's kind of gross.” Aelriss says. “Think it's got any in-game significance?”

You shrug. Isn't she the one that was stealing paintings off the walls a few minutes ago?

>Write-in

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Three power surges later.
Hopefully we can be done with this nonsense for now.

>>40005592
I had ideas, but the burnout is real, and I sort of wrote myself into a major slowdown. I didn't really expect as many people to still be excited about it, though.

>>40006072
I dunno maybe if we study em we can find weak points in upcoming threats? Isn't this sort of stuff your area?

>>40006072
>>40006072
>Maybe not bring back the dead, but what about keeping them here?
>You think he made a machine that either makes ghost-like entities or makes souls more....physical?
>Or tech-zombies, is there some equivalent of holy water in BSO?

>>40006072
"Who knows, maybe we cyborgs are things that can happen? Would be neat to find out."

>>40006396
Mistyped, meant to say that maybe making people cyborgs are things that this game can do.

>>40006396
>we cyborgs
oh god players are cyborgs, that's how they respawn!

>>40006072
"Who knows."

It's been so long since this quest has been ran that I forget if there are even healers in this game; I don't think so, so if there aren't I suggest following with:

"Maybe he was on the verge of breaking the border into being able to use the Tier I elements, or whatever. Like, space, time, and I think you mentioned life, too, right?"

>>40006072
"It's probably not cursed, so let's snag it. Also whatever comes from this could give us insight into how this world views stuff like 'forbidden knowledge'. I hope it doesn't fall into the luddite 'things man wasn't meant to know' cliche."

>>40006150
>>40006215
“Maybe. What if he couldn't bring back the dead, but he could keep them here. Like, a way to capture ghosts, or souls, in a physical form.” You suggest.

“Hmm, perhaps, though it sounds less likely than some of the potential alternatives.” Aelriss says.

“Well, shit.” You fold your arms. “Weren't you the one asking me the question? I guess you've got a better idea, then?”

“No, no.” She shakes her head. “It'd probably just sound stupid, anyway.”

“Stupid's better than nothing. So far, I've just gone with what people have given me. But you wanted to join the Writ Keepers, didn't you? If there's something like this here, it probably means something.” You shrug. “So take it and run with it, even if it sounds stupid, right?”

“I guess.”

“Well, then?”

“I don't know, it's just that all of these pictures are giving me some major Frankenstein vibes. Take a look at this one—it's like, the midpoint between the Vitruvian Man and the bad guy from Hellraiser.” Aelriss says.

“Pinhead,” You respond. “Retro.”

“Whatever. Point is, the stuff you've said, and the stuff we've bumped into around here sounds like he was completely obsessed. I think he tried to re-create her.” She says. “Physically, I mean.”

> [[ Continued ]]

So, for our next EXP, I'm thinking we buy Overpower. What do you guys think?

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>>40006907
“You said Life was one of the Tier I elements, or whatever, correct?” You ask. “If he had that Aetheric thing you and Ayla were on about, he'd have been able to harness those. It seems like that would be enough, wouldn't it?”

“I'm not sure.” She says, rifling through the papers again.

“Whatever the case, we might as well take some of it with us. I doubt it's cursed—“

There's a thump, as you mention that word, that legitimately frightens you; you feel the bottom drop out of your stomach. It's a sound against the distant glass floor, that rouses the nine of you to action. Some turn from their current activities; you see Kainzo, Vyx, and Ayla stand and draw weapons.

There's someone stumbling out of the distant hallway—a human, you think, before you make a mental correction based on her height. She's at least three feet taller than any of you, wrapped from the shoulders down in a loosely-fitting, fluttering red and white gown. Next, you recognize the source of that sound: she's balanced on one dainty, ghost-like foot, with the other replaced with—or supported by, you can't tell—one of those enormous obsidian spikes you found in the woman's room below.

Next, you recognize that same expressionless, marbleized face: the one missing from the picture frame. She's making her way across the landing, slowly, from the direction Nel left in. He hasn't returned yet.

“F-fuck.” Aelriss paces backwards, briefly checking her UI. “Where's Nel? He hasn't said anything on the group chat...”

You and Tatsumaki exchange concerned glances.

“Everyone, we've got incoming.” You hear Kainzo speak from across the room. The party is still, and you're not sure who's going to attack first. “If you haven't noticed. Try and spread out, before it notices us... Vyx, Ayla, in back.”

Quiet.

> Write-in

>>40007019
Charge from her side, and catch her offguard with a Concussive Strike. Ideally, Kainzo would come from behind her then, why Vyx and Ayla aid us from a distance.

I hope Nel is okay.

>>40007066
>why Vyx and Ayla aid us from a distance.

while Vyx and Ayla aid us from a distance.*

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>>40007019
Well shit.
Is she going to try and retrieve the painting, or will pulling it out just make her mad?

>>40007019
Uh, try offering her the painting?

>>40007019
Toss painting out to her

>>40007019
>>40007094
PULL IT OUT

GIVE IT BACK

and then it turns out the memento kept her sealed inside, and she wants to destroy it.

>>40007094
I think it's some kind of homonculus Kjorkios possibly made by manipulating Tier I elements. So, I don't think she necessarily has a mind or anything to process emotions with.

If anything, I'd say that's something we should try with Kjorkios.

>>40007019
We'll probably need to kill this homunculis to get the soul out of it and back into the painting? For now, let's hang back, don't draw any aggro.

>>40007128
>>40007119
>>40007108
>>40007094
Give what back? The painting is STILL empty. What is wrong with your reading comprehension?

>>40007189
Drawing aggro is what we're good at, I think, but considering that Kainzo probably has better gear, I think you might be right about that.

>>40006988
I'm going to push for Combat regen

>>40007214
yes, give back the empty painting/memento.

>>40007236
Combat Regen is a good idea, too; I just think that Overpower fits our overall risky-as-fuck playstyle a bit more. That is to say, IC, I think our PC would pick Overpower before Regen.

>>40007236
But it's empty. What would the thing even want?

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>>40007128
>>40007119
>>40007108
“Ascheritte? What are you doing?” You hear Kainzo ask as you step forward, moving past Ayla and the others. Producing the picture frame from your inventory, you place it on the ground and carefully slide it across the floor to her feet.

She pauses, for a moment, before stepping over it and continuing toward the other side of the landing. The rest of the party is fanning out, scattered throughout the laboratory space on either side.

“Damnit, thought I was onto something.” You say. But you notice she's passed by some of you, now, despite there still being a reasonable distance between her and the raid. “But, look. It seems like she's just wandering... or passing through. Right?”

"Do we go for it, then?" Vyx asks, looking ready to fire.

“She's enormous.” Kainzo says. “If she gets behind us, we'll get crammed up if we need to make a quick escape. Who knows if she'll aggro then?”

> Write-in

>>40007260
I'm still following the same build since the start of the quest:

>collect skills for survival
>rely on items and artifacts that consume PP for offense

>>40007275
as long as we didn't attack it.

>>40007308
get out of her way, and try to study what she's looking for.

>>40007308
Can we bone Vyx? Not even waifu, just bone. BSO supports boning IC, right?

Anyways, let's see if we can just... slip by her, then. There's NO need to waste our HP and PP on an optional encounter right now -- especially with us only have three potions and already being at half HP.

>>40007308
Well, we still don't know what happened to Nel. Since she's not immediately aggressive, it might be better to let her go about her business and see what Nel saw.

>>40007308
"I don't know, I feel like this lady might show up to aid Kjorkos if we don't stop her beforehand, but I agree with Kaizo that this corridor isn't the right environment. I'm still worried about Nel though."

>>40007360
Since she seems passive, I'm assuming Nel is either a) tiptoeing around mobs, b) still scouting/mapping, or c) currently engaged with mobs.

I'm hoping for b.

Let it do its thing. I recall neutral mobs being a thing.

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>>40007308
“We don't know what happened to Nel, though.” You say. “If it's possible for us to slip by her, we might want to do so, and figure out what he's gotten himself into. Remember, there are neutral monsters, as well.”

“He's right.” Aelriss says, indicating the cord wrapped around her finger.

“Though it seems strange to encounter one like that in a place like this.” Ayla adds. “Something about this whole thing, I don't know.”

> Go look for Nel.
> Continue watching.
> Write-in.

>>40007606
>> Continue watching.
>message Nel if he needs help or if he found more gems

>>40007606
>> Go look for Nel.

>>40007606
>> Continue watching.
Who knows, the whole neutrality thing could be a ruse, and she's just waiting for us to turn our backs.

AI doesn't necessarily equate to dumb any more.

>>40007618
implying he'd tell us if he found gems

>>40007641
He'd whisper it to Ashe. Maybe.

>>40007660
I dunno, I think it takes a pretty significant amount of mental fortitude to resist the pull of the gems, which is part of the reason that I think the CG has the screening shit in the first place; to make sure you won't get hooked on gems easily and start hoarding them.

>>40007606
"She might be only dangerous in certain specific contexts. I'm pretty sure she's lore significant, being that she looks like the lady in the portrait, and that notes on resurrecting the dead, context indicates that she's the lost love Kjorkos attempted to bring to life. Maybe she's a support monster when we fight Kjorikos, or maybe even we're supposed to team up with her and she's meant to fight Kjorikos in the old 'rebel against your mad scientist creator' thing."

>>40007618
Aye.

>>40007722
Or maybe killing her gives you a big bonus for the Kjorikos fight in addition to the sweet drops.

>>40007789
I was thinking more that killing her might trigger a berserk mode in Kjorikos and make him harder to beat by being fueled by 'you killed my waifu' fury.

>>40007789
It's probable she drops gems, or some piece of loot that aids in fighting Kjorikos or something. Not something necessarily essential, just something that's nice to have.

That said, considering we went onto the hardest difficulty of the run, I think we should scout around a bit more first, before deciding as to whether or not we should attack her.

>>40007822
Or easier. He might even have control over her. Or he might be dead and the final boss is something else entirely.

I could play this game all day long, anon.

>>40007830
Yes. Let's observe and obtain some clues so that we may get some theories not produced by our sphincters.

>>40007606
Another outage. Hold tight, anons.

>>40007606
“It could be an ally in the upcoming boss battle.” You suggest. She doesn't seem to pay the lot of you any mind, though you doubt that would hold true if you engaged her. Almost all the way across the landing, now, she stops at the edge of the spiral staircase.

“An ally to us, or to the boss, Ascheritte?” Dorian says. “You're being awfully naïve about this.”

“It could just be waiting for us to look the other way.” Vyx says. “Then... it'll sneak up behind us... and... well, it's probably not gonna be good.”

“Here.” Aelriss and Ayla are looking at papers on the other tables, now. The former spreads out a few of the images, presenting them. “There's no way we can read this script, but it looks like these are details on that thing.”

“It's assembled geometrically. He tried to create something he thought would be beautiful.” Ayla adds. “One can only assume he failed. Especially considering the number of iterations it looks like he's gone through. I don't know what, if any, of these characters are numbers, but...”

“Wait, wait.” Kainzo says. “You're not suggesting there are more of these up here, are you?”

“...That wasn't my intention, no.” Ayla responds. “But, now that you've mentioned it...”

“You don't think he'd just throw them away, do you?” You ask.

> Investigate the branching hallway.
> Send Nel a message.
> Call Nel.
> Write-in.

>>40008163
>> Send Nel a message.
"How many have you seen?"

>>40008163
>> Send Nel a message.

>>40008163
"If we charge her now, we might be able to knock her down the stairs."

>>40008163
>Send Nel a message.

>>40008163
> [[ UI Messenger – Nel ]]
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: How many have you seen?
> [[ Nel ]]: fuck me fuck me fuck me FUCK ME
> [[ Nel ]]: LIKE 20
> [[ Nel ]]: WALKING AROUND ME AND FUCKING KNOCKING SHIT OVER EVERYWHERE
> [[ Nel ]]: i am LITERALLY DEAD
> [[ Nel ]]: i think i'm crying irl dude

She's still standing at the edge of the stairs.

> Write-in.

>>40008345
>Write-in.
Tell nel to avoid them, and tell every one else that nel is freaking out and that there is 20 more.

>>40008345
"Wait what the fuck you died?"

Also tell everyone that there's like 20 of these bitches lel

>>40008345
>Stay calm. Don't be aggressive. Just chill. I assure you, if they wanted you to die, you'd be potato mash in less than a second. So you should relax because you're not.

>>40008386
Supportin'.

>>40008345
Please tell me you used literally figuratively. Alright guys 20 more of those things up thee and Nel is pinned let's kill this one quick

>>40008345
>Literally dead? Oh dude, I'm so sorry. Can I call dibs on your stuff?

>Tell everyone there's 20 more

>Tell Nell not to provoke them, they don't seem aggressive, so if we just meet back up...

>>40008424
if attacking one aggroes all of them, we'd be killing Nel.

>>40008345
1.Calm down little nigga, and avoid them like the plague.
2.See if you can get passed them
3.Ask him to come back
4.Tell everyone else that theres 20 more in big groups
5.Don't fuck with the dolls yet.

>>40008345
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Considered you're still talking, I imagine you're using “literally” figuratively, right?”
> [[ Nel ]]: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
> [[ Nel ]]: OK SURE SORRY I'M FIGURATIVELY DEAD
> [[ Nel ]]: SORRY I OFFENDED YOUR KEEN LITERARY SENSE I AM CURLED UP IN A LITTLE BALL UNDER A TABLE
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Look, just stay calm. Don't be aggressive.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I assure you, if they wanted you to die, you'd be potato-mash in less than a second.
> [[ Nel ]]: ashe wtf that doesn't help at all.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I'm just saying relax, because you're still alive. If you don't provoke them, we can meet back up.

“There's definitely more. Nel's apparently stuck in a room with them.” You say. “I think he might have let them loose somehow, which is why this one is just walking around out here.”

“Wonderful,” Kainzo says. “How many?”

“And I quote, 'like twenty'.” You respond.

“Even better. Does he know what to do?” Kainzo asks.

> Knock the first one down the stairs while you've got the chance.
> Have Nel try and maneuver back to the party.
> Attempt a rescue mission.
> Write-in.

>>40008587
>> Attempt a rescue mission.
BE VEWY QWAYET

>>40008587
>> Attempt a rescue mission.

>>40008587
>Knock the first one down the stairs while you've got the chance.
"If there's a lot of them, maybe they're not that powerful individually?"

Also should we try stabbing them with the Obsidian Spikes that one of them is using as a peg leg? There seems to be some connection.

>>40008587
>Attempt a rescue mission.

>>40008602
>>40008620
>>40008647
“Nope.” You say. “I'm gonna see if I can bail him out.”

“Coming with, then.” Aelriss says. “We might need Eunoia.”

“Any more than the two of you would probably cause trouble.” Kainzo suggests. “Try not to make too much noise.”

“Understood, let's roll.”

The hallways are all identical—glassy walls, with gold-leaf trim where they meet the ceilings and floors—and you worry you might get lost after the first couple of turns. Below the Sanctum was labyrinthine, but you never guessed it would be the same higher above. You imagine there's another staircase, somewhere in here; hopefully, Nel's found it. Kjorikos's chamber must be all that remains.

Every once in a while, you pass by a door, smooth and perfectly set into the walls adjacent. But you're looking for one that's ajar, and when you find it at the end of a distant branch, you can see movement, the silhouettes of tall, humanoid figures shrouded in darkness, and you can hear shuffling and scratching, stone against the smooth floor like nails on a chalkboard.

> Write-in.

>>40008883
Are there any other doors nearby? If so, maybe we can raise a huge clatter in that room, hide behind the door of the room all the zombies are in, or another room if possible, and when they investigate, we close that door, trapping them inside for now?

>>40008883
>Walk in and drag out Nel

>>40008883
>message nel
if you hear knocking, that's us

>knock on the door, run like fuck and see how the mobs react.

>>40008883
Get Vyx and Ayla to fire some shots into the room and draw the homonculi out.

>>40008883

“Ael, give me some light.” As quickly as you say it, Eunoia lands on your shoulder. You take a deep breath before wandering inside, with Ael waiting in the doorway.

It's dark, and they're all around you. The room is full of destroyed alchemical equipment and upturned tables—on the ground, sutures, needles, broken glass and long strands of thick, wiry thread. One of them silently bumps into you, brushing against your back, towering over you—it stops, turning, skidding in place, before you push away and maneuver further into the room, doing all you can to avoid them.

You hit the ground, and slide to the edge of a long table, which you'd imagine is the only thing standing—though you can't confirm through the density of the silent, towering homunculi wandering drunkenly about the place. You whisper hoarsely. “Nel.”

“Ashe? Ashe, I'm over here!” You hear him, and there's a pause before he shuffles to your side.

“Look, it's fine, alright? You could have made it out of here.” You respond. “Were you able to get this place mapped out?”

“Yeah. It's like a maze, but I found the stairs... I just wanted to see what was in these rooms, and...”

“You think they're all like this?” You ask.

“M-maybe?” He responds.

“Alright, well... we'll have to get out of here and seal it up. Follow me, move as quickly as you can, and try not to bump into anyone on the way out. Got it?” You ask.

“Okay... I'm ready.”

> [[ Continued ]]

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>>40009241
The two of you hurry out of the room, ducked close to the ground, maneuvering through a field of ghastly flesh and clicking obsidian spires. The light outside is relieving, and Aelriss nods at the two of you as you exit.

“Alright,” You exhale. Nel is quiet, and looks pretty shaken. “Let's close it before any more get out. Think they can open doors?”

“Probably.” Aelriss says. “Don't know. They look pretty clumsy.”

The three of you take hold and move the door in place, sealing the room off. As the low thud resonates through the glassy hallways, it's accompanied shortly after by a chorus of ear-piercing screams from within.

Lost this one halfway through and was a little frustrated about it. I'll post on Twitter further in advance in the future, but the power surges are finally getting the best of me. Archiving, links in OP. Night, everyone.

>>40009257
Oh. Well, it's a good thing that door is super duper strong, right? Like, so strong. 20 freaky doll things is a wake-up routine this door is so strong, right?

>>40009257
Thanks for running.

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>>40009257
Looking forward to next time then.
Good to have you back.

>>40009257
Any reactions to thier 20 screams?

>>40009257
Thanks for coming back dude, always a pleasure.

>>40009257
Guess it's time to earn another level after we regroup.

>>40009257
Aww man, just got here, it started after I went to bed.

Thanks for running, glad to see it back