>>41866930

“Halt!” a diminutive voice calls out the moment you step through the ajar gate and into the overgrown park. Glancing around, you can't see where the voice is coming from but with such thick trees on either side of the path, there are plenty of places for a guard to lie in ambush.

“What have we here, then?” the voice continues, their tone a strange mix between tense and coy. It sounds like someone trying to sound casual, despite the fear eating away inside of them – you can't help but sympathise. “Humans, is it? I see, I see...”

There is nothing you can do but wait as the voice devolves into vague murmurings. Talking to themselves, perhaps, or receiving orders from some other source? You only heard the one voice, but there could be countless guards waiting silently around you, biding their time until they strike. Frowning, you shoot Carnby a dark look but the professor merely shrugs. He looks calm enough – infuriatingly so, in fact – but you take that as a good sign. If there was any danger here, Carnby would have long since fled.

Still, you're not happy with the idea of just sitting around and waiting for something to happen. Even if it's kicking a hornet's nest, you should do something to end this stalemate. On the other hand, Carnby seems to be the expert in this sort of thing. Perhaps it would be better to follow his lead?

>Let Carnby deal with this
>Call out to the guards
>Threaten the guards

>>41866942
Call out Undine and make small talk. She's relatively non-threatening, and we need to exude an accomodating aura.

...we need more conversation partners

>>41866942
>>Let Carnby deal with this
Call out Undine.

File: Pixie.jpg (23 KB, 378x676)

23 KB JPG

>>41867057
>>41867096

“Yes, three humans,” Carnby announces in a clear, open voice, “We seek sanctuary in the court of the fair folk, as well as the wisdom your people have gathered. We have no ties, no allegiances that might bring danger to this place.”

“Hmm,” finally the guard emerges from the undergrowth, revealing a figure far less impressive than anything you were expecting. What did you imagine? Something taller, really, and equipped appropriately for a guard. Not... this childish figure that might, at most, come up to your knee. “You bear the scent of demons,” the fairy points an accusing finger at you.

“We are summoners,” Carnby is quick to reply, “We practice the ancient arts so that we might defend ourselves in this harsh world. We do not serve these demons – they are our servants.”

“Is that so?” the fairy looks carefully at you, “It's been a great many years since humans could bind demons to their will. Prove it.”

So the fairies aren't the trustworthy sort? Fine then – you've got the proof right here. It's tempting to summon your troll and give the uppity pixie a dose of his stench, but in the interests of diplomacy you decide to summon Undine instead. A few swipes of your thumb later, and the water sprite is standing before you, glaring at the fairy. Some rivalry between the two types of demon? Or perhaps Undine just feels the need to defend your reputation as a summoner. Whatever the reason, it seems enough for the pixie.

“Yes, I was told to expect summoners, and to bring them before the court,” her voice is grudgingly formal, but the fairy forces a polite expression onto her face, “Please, honoured guests, follow me.”

Carnby offers you a little half shrug, his vague smile seeming to say “Well, that was easy” as he moves to follow the fairy. Your guide flies away, little glowing wings buzzing against her back, and you hurry to follow before she leaves you behind.

>>41867221

As you delve deeper into the warped park, thick trees start to give way to marble columns and ruins, all of which are wrapped in a dense layer of ivy and moss. The ruins look ancient and otherworldly, even compared with the unnaturally twisted buildings you've grown accustomed to. You can't quite shake the feeling that you've somehow stumbled into some other world – which, given the circumstances of the last month and a bit, is not a particularly inappropriate way to feel. Undine seems unsettled as well, choosing to float a few inches off the ground beside you and remain silent. Her eyes, though, are busy scanning for any threat.

“It's amazing, isn't it?” Carnby remarks when he notices you staring at the ruins, “I believe it's a bleed effect – in essence, part of the other world intruding upon our own in places where the barrier between worlds is weakest. Of course, this isn't the first time you've seen this kind of crossover.”

Huh? It takes you a moment – and a quick look up at the red, stormy sky above – before you realise what Carnby is talking about.

“That's right, the sky,” he nods, as though praising a successful student, “The demons themselves are a form of crossover as well, but far more limited in scope. I don't imagine we'll see this kind of thing very often – there won't be a chunk of Hell materialising in the middle of London, for example.”

Oh well that's okay then, you mutter, that'd really make things more difficult.

“Not for a while, at least,” Carnby adds cheerfully, “Over time, it's said that the worlds will grow closer and closer until they might as well be one. Well, that's just what the prophecies say at least, and they've been wrong before. That's why we're here, after all – to try and get more accurate information.”

Assuming, of course, the fairies are happy to share their secrets – or let you leave once you have the knowledge you seek. Those dark thoughts, you decide to keep to yourself.

>>41867275

“Here we are, the Palace of the Fae,” your pixie escort announces happily, gesturing up to a grand – if somewhat aged looking – castle. It's made from the same marble as the rest of the ruins you saw, but it looks like it was spared the worst of whatever destruction had reduced them to ruins in the first place. It's only fitting – this is the first intact building you've seen in the fairy kingdom so far, so of course this is where the royalty live.

“It will be quite some time before the king and queen can see you,” the pixie says apologetically. You ignore the distraught look that passes over Carnby's face and wait for her to continue. “I shall show you to guest quarters. You can rest there until you are summoned to the meeting chamber.”

You glance round at Cassandra, who merely shrugs – the girl is so far out of her depth here that shrugging is more or less all she can do – and starts to follow the pixie.

“I don't think it's an ambush,” Undine murmurs, “I've heard strange things lately. Disharmony and unrest in the fae lands. They might need some time to straighten things out, but I don't think they mean to harm us.”

Well that's okay then, you whisper back as your party makes their way through the winding hallways. It'd be easy to get lost in such a place – escape from here would be a lot harder than just ducking out of a hospital. Carnby better not have been talking crap when he lectured you on how benevolent the fairies are. Still, when you reach the guest quarters, they seem nice enough. The beds look comfortable, and the door locks from the inside. The rooms are segregated by gender, as well, with Carnby whisked away to a separate corridor.

>Take a nap
>Talk with Undine
>Talk with Cassandra

>>41867290
>>Talk with Undine
>>Talk with Cassandra

>>41867350

“Sure thing boss, what do you want to know?” Undine asks as she stretches out on one of the beds, making herself comfortable and dampening the sheets.

“You talk to those things?” Cassandra looks at you in amazement as you sit next to Undine and start to think up questions.

Of course you do, you say, but before you can ask Cassandra why she wouldn't, you remember what Leon had told you about her angel. It's hardly surprising that she might not want to summon it, after what happened last time. Well, you correct yourself, you try not to talk to Ripper. That guy's kinda scary, and you're not even sure if he CAN talk. Not one for using his words, that one. The only language Ripper seems to speak is violence.

Well, that's getting off track...

>What's your problem with that fairy?
>Carnby called summoning an ancient art, what did he mean?
>Have you heard anything about the battle?

I'll get to Cass next

>>41867578
>Carnby called summoning an ancient art, what did he mean?

>>41867578
>>What's your problem with that fairy?
>>Carnby called summoning an ancient art, what did he mean?
>>Have you heard anything about the battle?

File: Undine.png (25 KB, 324x410)

25 KB PNG

>>41867697
>>41867767

So, uh, is there some history between you and that fairy, you ask cautiously, or is this some kind of race thing?

“Oh... those damn pixies!” Undine puffs out her cheeks in anger, “They all think they're so great, just because of this one stupid story. It's so stupid I can barely bring myself to talk about it!”

That sounds pretty stupid, you agree, but can she tell you anyway? It might be good to laugh at it, after all.

“Fine!” Undine throws her hands up in the air, scattering a fine mist of water across the room, “There's this old story that claims that any pixie that can reach the lowest level of Hell is granted ultimate power. It's this DUMB legend, but it seems like every pixie in the world uses it to fluff up their ego.”

Well. Okay then. Moving on, what was that Carnby said about summoning being an ancient art?

“Oh that?” Undine pauses to think a little, “I don't know my history so well, but some people claim that humans and demons once lived much closer together, and humans could summon demons with magic. Not these days, of course, but this technology stuff seems to do the job just as well. Better in fact!”

Better how?

“Less virgin sacrifices,” Undine giggles, “That's a joke, don't worry! They mostly used goats or lambs, and nobody bothered to check about y'know, purity.”

Maybe a little too much information there, you remark as you notice Cassandra growing a little pale.

>>41867847

So, have any of Undine's mysterious contacts heard anything about the battle? Did the Hellfire Club defend itself successfully, or have Forneus' forces overrun them by now? You force yourself to leave out asking about Leon – you want to know, but... you're not ready. Not yet, at least, and not in front of Cassandra.

“The last thing I heard about it was that it's a stalemate. Neither side has the strength or motivation to break the deadlock. So boring!” Undine pouts, “It's all going to come down to who can amass a decent number of thugs quick enough. They say that Alice has gone back to sleep, as well, so that's the Hellfire Club's trump card out of action for a while. I guess that really stumped the tru-”

Yes, thank you, you interrupt, that's quite enough of that. You decide, instead, to pass the time by talking with Cassandra for a little. You ask your first question, but it falls on deaf ears.

“Huh?” Cassandra had been so busy studying Undine – you'd think the girl had never seen a demon before, with all the intensity in her eyes – that she had missed your question entirely. Then again, if she wasn't on such good terms with her pet angel then this is probably the first time she's seen a demon lounging about and chatting. “Um, can you repeat that?” she asks, looking away from Undine with a faint flush of embarrassment.

>What are you going to do now?
>You shouldn't be afraid of your own angel
>Tell me a little about yourself

>>41867856
>What are you going to do now?
>Tell me a little about yourself
>seems each of our first summons are combat oriented to the point of ignoring all else. I'm sure you can find an angel who's less Killy and more Healy.

>>41867856
>>What are you going to do now?
>Tell me a little about yourself

>>41867847
>“There's this old story that claims that any pixie that can reach the lowest level of Hell is granted ultimate power. It's this DUMB legend, but it seems like every pixie in the world uses it to fluff up their ego.”
Hehe

>>41867893
>>41868064

First off, you were wondering. Did Cassandra have anything she was going to do next?

“I don't really know,” Cassandra sighs, “I'd just like to go somewhere there's no fighting. Somewhere I can do some real good. I mean, no offence, but I don't want to just follow you about for the rest of my life. Not unless I can pull my own weight.”

Well, why not stay here? This is a neutral place, you remind her, so the rest of the conflict should just pass around without disturbing the peace. Sure, you don't really know what there is to do for a human in this place, but can it really be any worse than anything that's out there?

“You might be right,” the girl bites her lip a little, “Although I'm not sure if this place is really... good for my spiritual well-being?” You stare incredulously at Cassandra for a moment, causing the girl to hide a nervous laugh behind her hand, “Oh, you know what I mean! It's all very... pagan, isn't it?” She pronounces the word with the disdain of a doctor saying an obscenity for professional reasons.

You know, she really shouldn't be afraid of her angel. After all, you were pretty afraid of Ripper the first time you saw the thing – in fact, you're still a little worried by the thing sometimes – but look at Undine, she's pretty harmless! Undine, at the mention of her name, grins up at Cassandra. She's a healer more than a fighter, you add, why shouldn't there be angels like that as well?

“That's right,” Cassandra nods slowly, “So you're saying I should try and find another angel to summon?”

Hey, it can't hurt, can it?

“I think I'll try that,” she nods again, this time with renewed determination, “I'm going to pray extra hard and petition the Lord to send me His blessings! I'm sure He'll understand how much good I could do in His name that way!”

That's the spirit, you tell her with an enthusiastic smile. It'd certainly be useful having someone benevolent at your back for a change.

>>41868170

Hey, you announce, why doesn't she tell you something about herself?

“What, you want to know a little more about me?” Cassandra looks strangely taken aback, “I mean, I guess...”

Yeah, you reply, you want to know more about her. You never really talked to her much, before all this end of the world stuff happened. You're not demanding her life story or anything, but you're interested.

“Well, um,” Cassandra looks flustered, not used to talking about herself. Then again, she'd always been kind of a loner before, so that's perhaps to be expected. “Ah, well, I used to play a lot of chess. That's kind of interesting, isn't it? I was in the chess club for a while, but it was all too competitive for me, so I quit. Besides, it was starting to take time away from my bible studies, and you know...” she shrugs and offers you a weak smile, “Priorities.”

Chess, huh? Maybe you'll see if you can dig up a set somewhere. Should be easy enough, even if you have to replace half the figures with different shaped rocks or something. It'd be nice to have something to do that wasn't fighting for survival or scheming endlessly. Yeah, you add, that sounds nice.

“Ah! Don't go to all that trouble!” Cassandra laughs nervously, “I'll keep an eye out as well, though.”

Before you can say anything else, there is a knock at the door. Carnby, with his child-like guard besides him.

“It's time for that audience. One thing though, Amelia, it's humans only,” he offers a sympathetic smile, “You'll need to dismiss your friend there.”

Man, you grumble as you return Undine to storage. Bad deal.

>Taking a short break here, an hour maybe.

File: Titania.jpg (60 KB, 602x755)

60 KB JPG

>>41868218

The audience chamber is, well, it's a dome. You're sure that it was once a very fine dome, but almost every scrap of ornamentation has been lost to slow decay. Again, you're struck by the idea that this castle is merely something ancient that the fairies have since made their own. Who built these crumbling, long-dead ruins, and what drove them from this place? Questions you suspect will never get answered – not that the answers would help you much, anyway.

The podium of the audience chamber has two thrones, both lushly decorated with velvet cushions and gold lace, yet only one seems to be occupied. It is occupied by an elegant looking woman with dark blue butterfly wings growing from her back. Her whole demeanour has something suggestive of an insect, right down to twin strands of hair that reach up to form a pair of faux antenna. Queen of the fair folk, you assume, when you see the delicate silver crown on her head.

“Titania,” Carnby murmurs, staring up at the woman in rapt adoration. It's an expression that makes you want to snap your fingers in front of his face or dump a bucket of cold water over his head – anything to tear his attention away from the regal figure. Perhaps THIS is why he was so keen on dragging you out here. “Oh, uh, right,” he stammers after a moment, “And King Oberon, on the left there.”

Where, you're about to ask, but then you see him. Slouching in the other throne, barely visible with his wife drawing so much attention, sits what looks like a child. He's dressed like a prince and has a beautiful face, but still... he's barely taller than the pixie that escorted you into the hall!

“A curse, or so the legends say,” Carnby whispers, “Don't draw attention to it. It's rude.”

Well okay then, you mutter back. As you're speaking, Oberon rises and stands up on the arm of his throne – clawing back as many inches as possible. In a surprisingly rich voice, the fairy king begins to speak.

File: Oberon.jpg (494 KB, 1512x2644)

494 KB JPG

>>41868689

“Honoured guests,” he begins, “I am told that you come seeking sanctuary, fleeing the oppression of the outside world and the manifest dangers assembled against you. Long has the court of the fair folk stood impartial, apart from the strife and struggles of Law and Chaos. This, I am pleased to announce to you, is yet to change.”

That seems to please the assembled fairies surrounding you, sending a wave of relieved whispers running through it. You're not so pleased, however. Something about this whole speech leaves you expecting a “but”.

“May our guests step forwards and present themselves, and their petition?” Oberon asks, stroking his hairless chin with a gloved hand. Every motion makes the sheathed sword at his waist rattle and clank in a way that you find most unsettling. Carnby – too starstruck to have any misgivings - steps forwards and bows deeply, deep enough that even Oberon would be taller than him.

“Your Highness, your assessment of our situation is correct. We are fleeing persecution and the growing war between armies. We bring no enemies with us, and no harm will befall your people should you grant us sanctuary,” Carnby speaks loudly and clearly, with his words only slightly muffled by the carpet he is practically kissing. “We officially request safe haven, as well as access to the wisdom of your people.”

“A request that I would be only too happy to grant,” Oberon's face twists slightly, like someone biting into a bitter morsel, “But I fear I must deny it. Soon, our treaties and neutrality may be worth nothing. Until this dispute can be resolved, there is no sanctuary to be found here.”

With that, Oberon's gaze pans across the entire silent chamber. He seems to be waiting for something, some outraged response. Well, you've got a response for him...

>I'll solve your damn problem!
>Then we must leave here at once.
>You're a gutless coward!

>>41868825
>what is the issue then and may I help?

>>41868825
>I'll solve your damn problem!
What do you need?


We are nothing in not proactive.

>>41868859
>in
If*

>>41868850
>>41868859

Of course, you want to yell at the king in the most obnoxious way possible but somehow – perhaps because you were expecting something like this from the very beginning – you are able to hold your temper at bay. Instead, you ask him politely, what the issue is. Not only that, but you ask how you can help with this issue, since it's obviously a serious one. You're the proactive sort, you tell Oberon, the kind of person who solves problems.

“Of course,” Oberon's voice turns sly, “Our honoured guests are no mere humans. Demon summoners, all of them. Just the kind of people that we need.”

“Clear the hall!” Queen Titania announces, standing up and calling out in a shockingly clear voice, “Humans, you remain, everyone else is to leave!” There is much grumbling and muttering as the assembled mob of fairies crowds out of the audience hall but, when they finally leave, there is silence.

“Humans, how much do you know about our pacts of neutrality?” Oberon asks, but before you have the chance to answer, he launches into his own explanation, “Simply put, the fair folk will not take any side in the war between Heaven and Hell, and in return, neither side will attempt to invade or attack our people. Of course, there are fairies that choose to venture out of our kingdom and take their chances, but they are excluded from the treaties. They can fight, and they can be killed. Yet, if an army is assembled under the direction of a member of the court...”

“Such an army could easily be seen as an attempt to flout the treaty,” Titania adds calmly, “Especially if this army chose to ally itself with one side of the conflict. This is why Cernunnos must be stopped.”

>>41869143

Wait, Cernunnos? Who, exactly, are you going to be dealing with here?

“Cernunnos is the lord of the hunt, the horned god who grants life and virility,” Oberon snaps, “And an impulsive wretch that draws us all towards oblivion!”

“The seed of Chaos has always lain within Cernunnos' heart,” Titania elaborates, her benevolent mask never slipping for a second, “Yet now, it has finally blossomed. He has gathered an army and seeks to ally with Hell's own forces to battle your God and His angels.”

Beside you, you feel Cassandra stiffen and bristle. So much for not wanting to fight...

“He's a persuasive one, and Cernunnos' ranks have swelled recently. If he is not stopped before the next full moon, he will launch his Wild Hunt and seek to purge the wasteland clean of God's presence. Already, the first of the archangels – Raphael – has descended to Earth, and he will be the first target,” Titania folds her hands gracefully and looks down upon you. “Human, will you take up this fight? It shames us to ask you this, but we cannot move against one of our own.”

So, they sound pretty desperate. The next full moon... a quick check of the lunar calender on your smartphone tells you that that's a week away – assuming the moon is behaving normally in this abnormal world.

>I shall take up this task, if it grants us sanctuary
>Are you asking me to kill Cernunnos?
>This is something I cannot do

>>41869288
>>I shall take up this task, if it grants us sanctuary
>>Are you asking me to kill Cernunnos?

>>41869288
Can't you denounce him from your court? Tell the world that Cernunnons is no longer part of this society because of his actions and ambition? As long as the word gets out ahead of time it should be okay right?

>>41869288
>>I shall take up this task, if it grants us sanctuary
>>Are you asking me to kill Cernunnos?

>>41869320
>>41869366
>>41869411

What, you ask carefully, are they asking you to do? Must Cernunnos die, or can the court not denounce him and his followers? Just tell the world that the horned god no longer represents the fair folk, and acts purely for himself?

“Sadly, we have little expectation of that working,” Titania bows her head in regret, “Both Law and Chaos have long sought a reason to destroy our society. Chaos, because it is in their nature, and Law, because we do not bow before their God. We fear that, this time, there can be no diplomatic solution. Cernunnos must... be forced to stand down.”

“I don't need him dead,” Oberon spits, in a tone that clearly says “I WANT him dead”, “But I doubt he will listen to reason. Kill him if he must, but his army must be broken and scattered, before they can do too much harm. They're little more than a mob, they'll run home with their tails between their legs if they see their leader fall.”

...Fine. You'll see what you can do. IF – and you stress the “if” - we are granted sanctuary and the knowledge we seek. Our scholar – you nod towards Carnby, who looks at you in surprised amazement – will remain here, learning what he can. These are your terms.

“I find them acceptable,” Oberon gives you a hard look, but one that softens eventually, “Knowledge is freely given, and we are glad to uphold our promise. Return here upon Cernunnos' defeat, and you shall know anything we can teach you.”

So it's a deal then. Where, you ask, does Cernunnos gather his army?

“He has sought shelter north of here, at a house of drama in the Regent's Park,” Titania tells you.

Regent's Park... It's easy enough to get to, and close by. Practically on the court's doorstep! If Cernunnos really is gathering an army, he's rubbing in in Oberon and Titania's faces. You'll go there immediately, you tell the fairy royalty.

When is the last time we slept? Was the battle the same night as our awakening from the coma?

File: Valkyrie.jpg (93 KB, 600x826)

93 KB JPG

>>41869737

You're stalking down the streets – already, the buildings here look strange in comparison with those in the court of the fair folk – when you see your first sign of demon activity. A humble little church, the kind that offers spiritual solace to little more than a handful of elderly pensioners and their immediate family, with the windows smashed and the inside looted. Cassandra cries a little at the sight, but soon her tears are replaced by a hard face. She isn't the same devout girl you saw in the school corridors, but the insult is obvious enough that it lights a fire in her breast. Not long after that, you see your first demon.

It's female, armoured and clutching a pair of swords, brandishing them from atop her raging steed. Her face is covered by a white mask, but there's little disguising the aggression in her eyes, clashing with the nobility of her features. Whatever burning anger Cernunnos is fuelled by, it seems to have swept through his followers.

“Your kind is not welcome here, human!” the swordswoman barks, “Leave this place, or face my challenge!”

Well, you guess you're going to face that challenge, you shout back, because you're not leaving.

“Hah!” the demon cries, kicking her steed into life and charging towards you.

>Hold fast. Don't you dare flinch
>Summon a demon and fight.
>Run for it.

>>41869891
>>Hold fast. Don't you dare flinch
>>Summon a demon and fight.
Troll up front, Undine in the back.

>>41869837

I meant to mention that Amelia slept before the battle started, but I may have missed that out by mistake.

>>41869891
>>Hold fast. Don't you dare flinch
>>Summon a demon and fight.
Oh Jackie boy.

>>41869911
I'll revise to Ripper up front. Still have Undine in back for ice support and heals.

>>41869911
>>41869966

Narrowing your eyes, you watch the demon charging towards you without flinching. You're not going to run, you refuse to run away from this thing. Instead, you plant your feet firmly down against the ground and stare the approaching demon down. Slowly, with a casual grace that you barely feel, you take your phone out and summon Undine, before hovering your finger over Troll's icon.

“Uh, boss?” Undine tugs on your jacket, “Shouldn't we be running? We should be running!”

No way. You've got a plan. It might not be a very clever plan, but you'll be damned if you don't have a plan.

“Witness me Odin! Witness me Thor!” the Valkyrie screams as she draws close, both swords pulled back for a scything blow. “Tonight, we ride for shining Valhalla! Cernunnos, witness me!”

She's just a few metres away when you stab the icon to summon Troll, and the big lump begins to materialise in front of you.

>Please roll a D100. I'll take the highest of the first 3

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>41870135
pls

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>41870135
WITNESSED

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>41870135

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>41870209

GET HYPE

>>41870209

Your timing could not have been better. The rapidly solidifying form of your troll rises up from a crouch just in time to grapple the Valkyrie's horse, lifting the poor animal up and, with a roar of effort from your swampy minion, hurling it behind you. Time seems to slow as you watch the Valkyrie, panic filling her face, cruise over your head, limbs flailing desperately. She might have been able to reach you with one of her swords, had she been thinking with anything approaching rationality, but that was clearly not the case. You do, however, have to duck your head below one of the horse's thrashing hooves.

With an almighty crash, both the Valkyrie and her horse land on the hard ground in a crumpled heap. Both are still alive – just – but the rider has been trapped beneath her steed. You're a little stunned actually, not quite able to comprehend how well that worked until Undine pops up behind you and lets out a fantastically crude victory cry.

“You got dunked, son!” the water sprite shrieks, before devolving into a storm of relieved laughter. You can't help but laugh as well, as you approach the trapped demon and plant a foot on her throat. Just a little bit of pressure, and you could snap her neck easily...

>Finish her off
>Tell me everything you know about Cernunnos
>Let's ride to Valhalla together!

>>41870365
>Let's ride to Valhalla together!
"Join me and Odin will have to take notice with all the fights we'll get into."

>>41870433
>>41870365
Also either way
>Tell me everything you know about Cernunnos

Whether it be by lets share info cause we are allies or if she doesn't join the threat of death.

>>41870365
>>Let's ride to Valhalla together!

>>41870365
>>Tell me everything you know about Cernunnos
>>Let's ride to Valhalla together!

>>41870669
>>41870630
>>41870473
>>41870433

Tell me everything you know about Cernunnos, you offer as you take your foot off the Valkyrie's throat, and we shall ride to Valhalla together! The fallen demon watches in amazement as you get Troll to lift the horse off of her and offer her your hand. Failure, you assume, is not something that many people survive in Cernunnos' army. Even when she is free, it takes a long time for the Valkyrie to bring herself to take your hand and rise to her shaking legs.

“The horned one is strong,” she says slowly, shaking her head, “In battle, he enters a vicious frenzy once he smells blood. Few can match his fury in such a state, but he offers little in the way of defence.”

Very interesting. That sounds like the best time to attack – if your demons can survive long enough. Now though, what would be the best way to force him to back down? On what condition would he listen to a human and obey?

“Hah!” Valkyrie laughs, “It borders on the impossible. But, I suppose...”

Yes?

“If you challenged him to a duel and won, he would be honour bound to obey,” Valkyrie offers that advice almost reluctantly, as though doubtful of the result of such a fight.

Very well then, you muse. Now Valkyrie, you ask, does she want to ride to Valhalla together with you? Does she offer you her swords and her loyalty in battle?

“I offer them willingly!” the swordswoman shouts, kneeling before you. Smiling grimly, you take your phone and send her to storage.

>Obtained demon Valkyrie

>>41870747

So, with your new minion recuperating in... wherever your demons go when you're not using them, you march towards the park. Cassandra, who had taken cover within a building while you were busy throwing yourself under rampaging horses, hurries up to your side. Favouring, of course, the side furthest away from Troll and his stench.

“How did you know that would happen?” she asks, glancing back at the street.

What would happen?

“Flipping the thing over and...” she laughs a little, “You know, dunking it.”

Well, you didn't exactly expect it to work that well, you laugh along with Cassandra, but you did have a plan - even if most of that plan was just using Troll as a big shield.

“You're a lunatic,” Cassandra shakes her head with an exasperated smile.

Yeah well, you begin, but you fall silent as you enter the overgrown park and see the ranks of demons filling the place. It truly is an army, even if most of the soldiers in it seem content to laze around on the grass. Further in, lit up with dozens of flaming torches, an auditorium beckons you forwards. That's where you'll find Cernunnos, no question about it. The real issue is, how should you deal with him?

It'd be nice if he'd pack up and go home if you ask nicely, but you can't see that happening in a hurry. On the other hand, it might be possible to convince him that his cause is a futile one – if you can figure out some kind of leverage. Lastly, you could try calling him out and having a duel. His champion against yours – it'd be a fair fight, but one you'd need to win. It's a tricky decision.

>Try and get as much information on him as possible
>Find Cernunnos and negotiate with him
>Find Cernunnos and challenge him to a duel

>Updated character sheet with Valkyrie's stats

>>41871023
>>Try and get as much information on him as possible

>>41871023
>>Try and get as much information on him as possible
Undine and Valkyrie. Strategy meeting. List out what we have to work with.

>>41871023
Maybe find out who his champion is.

>>41871046
>>41871063

Alright, you announce, strategy meeting. Banishing Troll, you pull Valkyrie out of storage again. Weak and weary looking, the demon nevertheless pounds her fist to her chest in the traditional warrior salute. You, you say as you point to Valkyrie, you've been part of Cernunnos' army, and you, this time pointing at Undine, you've got contacts you can hit up. You want to know as much as possible about Cernunnos – not just how he fights, but who he is, who he might send as a champion, and anything else you might be able to hang over his head.

“Rumour has it,” Undine begins after a huddled discussion, “That Cernunnos always had his eye on Titania. Said that Oberon wasn't enough of a man for her. Some say that's what caused this rift in the first place, and this army business is just the end of a long road.”

Now that is interesting. You're not sure you can get Titania to march out here and give Cernunnos a good shouting at, but it's still something you can throw at him. It might just prove to be the chink in his armour that you need. What about his champion?

“I'm not sure,” Valkyrie answers, “When his army was first getting started, his most loyal follower was a warrior called Cu Chulainn, but it's been so long since anyone challenged him to a duel that it could be anyone.”

Alright, what about this Cu Chulainn, you ask. He's got a pretty stupid name, but that doesn't mean much in this world.

“He's a spearman of some renown. He fights without mercy, but he can lose control in the heat of battle. He's a lot like Cernunnos himself, in that way. Probably why they get along so well. But, at the end of the day,” Valkyrie shrugs, “He's just a demon, like me. He can be beaten.”

Well, that's that. You think you're about ready.

>Find Cernunnos and negotiate
>Find Cernunnos and challenge him to a duel

Choo Choo ain't nothing to sneeze at...

It would be a one on one fight right?

>>41871535

One on one, yes.

>>41871462
>Find Cernunnos and challenge him to a duel

>>41871462
>Find Cernunnos and challenge him to a duel

I hope we can take him, praying to dice gods and good tactics.

>>41871610
>>41871767

Alright, one murderous demon against another. You think you'll be able to swing that in your favour. You nod your thanks to both Valkyrie and Undine as you march towards the auditorium, ignoring the sounds of bloodthirsty chanting and roaring coming from within. You're just going to find Cernunnos and call him out – easy as that. He'll sic his attack dog on you, and you'll sic your attack dog on him. Just a good old fashioned dog fight.

“What happens if you lose?” Cassandra asks desperately, struggling to keep up with your determined pace.

Well, you're not sure about that. Cernunnos might just kill you, but that would be boring. Maybe he'll claim your champion for his own army, or maybe he'll just have you banished from his territory. Either way, you'll need to find some other way of putting down his little revolt if this doesn't work. But that's not going to happen, is it? Because this is going to work. It has to.

“I see...” Cassandra murmurs, before taking something out of her pocket. It's a pin, for holding up long hair. No use to her, since her penitent haircut, but not really any use to you, either. Except... the tip is very sharp. It might easily draw blood, the smell of which...

Smiling, you take the pin from Cassandra and hide it in the palm of your hand. An ace in the hole. Not much, but it might tip the odds in your favour. That's what you tell yourself, at least, as you enter the auditorium and see Cernunnos for the first time.

Tall – although that word feels like an understatement – he stands at perhaps eight feet, with broad shoulders to match. Bare chested – completely naked, in fact – he wears a mighty stag's skull upon his head like a helmet. Or perhaps that's his real head – you can't see anything beneath the bone mask but a pair of furious, burning eyes. Clutched in a tight fist is a long spear, hewn from a single branch of a great tree and tipped with rune-carved flint.

>>41871967

“Two foolish humans come slinking into my domain!” he roars. It seems like all demons with delusions of grandeur roar, and it's really starting to get on your nerves, “Did my guards not chase you away, little creatures? I don't see you running in fear, so perhaps you truly are fools!” The crowd around you cheers, howling with drunken excitement and anticipation. They're expecting blood, even though you've not yet had the chance to announce your intentions.

Cernunnos, you shout, putting every scrap of effort you can into your voice. Amazed, stunned by the show of defiance, the crowd quietens down a little and watches you intently. Cernunnos, you repeat, you're calling him out. You're challenging him – the big man himself – to a duel. If he loses, this army, this MOB – you shout that word, relishing in the jeers the crowd throws back at you – will go home and trouble nobody.

“An interesting offer,” Cernunnos muses, stroking the bony jawline of his stag helmet, “And if I win this little... duel of yours?”

>You can take my champion for your army
>I'll leave here and never return
>You can take my head
>Other

>>41872067
>>You can take my champion for your army

>>41872067
>You can take my champion for your army
Won't be game over if we lose I suppose.

>>41872089
>>41872126

If you lose, then you offer him your champion as part of his army. A potent warrior, the kind that would be a great asset to any leader. Of course, you don't plan on losing, but it's still a promise that hurts to make. You don't want to hand over one of your demons to this barbarian, mainly because you can't imagine it walking out of here alive. You can very well imagine Cernunnos having your champion – his champion, should he win – killed just to prove a point.

Wait, can demons get killed? You've never asked.

“A sincere offer, but one that presumes much,” Cernunnos snarls, “You assume that any champion that loses to mine will survive – not a claim that many can make. But you've got spirit, human, so I shall accept this offer of yours.” Then, turning to roar to the crowd surrounding you both, “Am I not a kind god? Am I not a generous god?” A wordless howl of approval fills the air, and Cernunnos soaks up the attention.

Jerk.

“Now, human, send forth your champion, so that their blood might stain the soil red,” the horned god growls.

>Send Ripper
>Send Undine
>Send Troll
>Send Valkyrie

>>41872305
>>Send Ripper
He's got the speed and high damage. Just needs to not get hit, which we can help with by sending Cern into a frenzy.

We need Sukukaja sometime.

>>41872305
>>Send Ripper
Fresh and he is a killer in every sense of the word.

File: Ripper.jpg (246 KB, 745x1000)

246 KB JPG

>>41872339
>>41872347

Well, there was only ever going to be one choice, wasn't there? Who better to fight than a bloodsoaked killer? You send Valkyrie back into storage – the demon letting out a grateful sigh as she vanishes – and conjure up your pet serial killer. Like always, Ripper forms out of pure shadow, only gradually taking human form. His eyes are utterly cold, and observe the crowd around you with dismissive contempt. It's the look of a single man eyeing up an army, and expecting to be the winner.

It's been too long, Jack.

“Now who shall be my champion?” Cernunnos' voice echoes out around the auditorium, “Who among you shall shed blood in my name, at this most important moment? Whose name shall go down in history as the one that secured the greatest crusade this blasted Earth has ever seen?” Holding his arms outstretched, spear pointed towards Heaven, Cernunnos plays the crowd for all it's worth, “Who?”

It's a cry that the crowd picks up eagerly, repeating in a mad frenzy, “Who? Who? Who?” The chant rings out for a moment longer before Cernunnos ushers in a silence with an imperious gesture. It seems that the horned god has reached his decision.

“This fight, this precious moment, is too important to give away to anyone but my most trusted warrior. The greatest killer in this mob of bastards and thugs,” Cernunnos' eyes burn so brightly for a moment that you can barely hold his gaze. Sudden fear strikes you, coursing through every inch of your body. He's up to something – the bastard is up to something!

“I shall stand as my own champion,” Cernunnos bellows, and that shout makes your blood run cold. “It's been too long since I graced the arena. Come, human, send me your best!”

>Send Ripper to the ring
>Cut yourself with the pin and send Ripper in
>Refuse. Run away. Do something!

>>41872589
>>Cut yourself with the pin and send Ripper in

>>41872589
>>Cut yourself with the pin and send Ripper in
Whisper to Ripper.
"Focus on avoiding him at first, get him nice and frustrated, make him make mistakes, then go for the kill when you see opportunities."

>>41872589
>Cut yourself with the pin and send Ripper in

>>41872641
>>41872669

This is bullshit, this is so much bullshit! Cursing and snarling under your breath, you clench your fists as tightly as possible. There's not much else you CAN do, except watch Ripper gliding into the arena – the arena you're probably going to see him butchered in – and spit futile curses. It's only the small, stabbing pain of the pin digging into your soft palm that brings you to your senses. Of course, you tell herself, the scent of blood. Cernunnos is driven into a frenzy by the scent of blood. Drops of the red fluid seep through your clenched fist, darkening the ground at your feet, and already you can see the reaction.

Cernunnos is twitching, lifting his head and sniffing at the air like some kind of wild beast – a pretty appropriate comparison, really. It looks like he can barely wait to start the fight, to throw himself into battle and tear into the first thing he can find – with teeth and his bare hands, if that's all he had available.

Good god, what have you woken up?

Just stay out of his way at first, you murmur to Ripper, just wait until he leaves himself open and then finish it. The demon nods softly, for once not seeming weary of exasperated by the petty tasks you give it. There's almost an air of... enthusiasm radiating from it. Like your pet murderer can't wait to get stuck in. In a way, you're not sure which is worse. Cernunnos, with his feral rage, or Ripper, with that cold hunger for death he seems to wear like a shroud. At least Cernunnos gives the impression of someone who's lost their mind – Ripper has a disturbing lucidity about his violence.

Closing your eyes, you squeeze out a few more drops of blood and say a little prayer. Go get 'em Jack, we're all rooting for you.

>>41872922

Almost as soon as the battle starts, signalled by the sound of a great horn from somewhere deeper within the auditorium, Cernunnos lunges forwards and sweeps his spear through the air. It's a crude, clumsy blow, but one obviously meant to test an opponent. If Ripper had flung himself desperately to the side, he would have been vulnerable to a quick downwards stab. Instead, your demon simply bows his head, like a man checking for an untied shoelace, and lets the blow swish right above him.

The next three blows all come in similar forms, long quick swings that test Ripper's defences without any real attempt at injuring the killer. Ripper doesn't even bother countering the blows, for fear of a sudden retaliation. He just slides out of the path of each blow and watches them, letting his phantom coat swirl around him like mist. There's a mocking grace in Ripper's movements, and it seems to be working on Cernunnos, driving the horned god deeper and deeper into a frenzy. It isn't long before a foam seeps from beneath the stag skull helmet.

That's when, finally pushed beyond all restraint, Cernunnos hurls his spear away and pounces at Ripper, hands outstretched in murderous claws. It all happens so quickly that your eyes can barely follow it – let alone allow you to think of a way to dodge it. What happens next, well...

>Please roll a D100. Same rules apply, highest of the first 3

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>41873063
Please Jack

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>41873063

>>41873120
>>41873090
Uh oh.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>41873063
RALLY!

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>41873063
Dice are a fickle thing, no matter how decent your tactics are.

Hopefully he doesn't get OHKO'd

>>41873090

It looks like it hurts, that's all you're going to say. That's all you WANT to say. Cernunnos pounds down on Ripper, driving your pet killer into the ground with a tremendous crash and casting up a cloud of dust. You see figures, silhouettes, moving through the mist, but only the relative size of one of them tells you which is which. At least Ripper is up and about, even if he is moving... slowly. Awkwardly. It's like watching a dancer trying to move with a broken leg. The agility is still there, but with such a handicap...

But, as the dust cloud clears, you see blood dripping from Cernunnos' as well, running down his arm from a long cut. Ripper must have caught the horned god with his razor blade during the attack. It's not much, but at least both sides have taken damage. As you watch, Ripper hurls himself out of the way of another lunging attack, ducking and rolling with skill, but an obvious display of effort. He looks more like a normal human than a murderous demon now, exerting all his effort just to stay alive.

That's when, coming out of a particularly dangerous roll, Ripper's long legs seem to tangle around each other and leave him sprawled out on the ground. Vulnerable – no, helpless – in the face of Cernunnos' fury.

>Another D100 please, going with the highest of 3.

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>41873307
Lets try again.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>41873307

>>41873315
Attaboy Jack.

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>41873307

>>41873315

Blindingly fast, moving with the desperate speed of one risking their life, Ripper launches himself into an effortless sprint. Had the tumble been a ruse? Some insidious trick to lure Cernunnos into overreaching? If so, it worked well enough, as the horned god hurls himself at the empty ground – too blinded by bloodlust and rage to react in time – and crashes down in a crumpled heap. Looming up, out of the new cloud of dust, Ripper's eyes flash as he produces a straight razor, the blade glinting like a fragment of polished glass.

The crowd around you falls silent, waiting with bated breath to see what happens. The moment could only last a few seconds, really, but it seems to stretch on for hours on end. You can feel waves of sadistic wrath boiling off Ripper, focused into a perfect killing rage that frightens even you. Slowly, softly, you feel yourself shaking your head. Shoulders slumping slightly in disappointment, Ripper stoops low and, in a single economic movement, sweeps his straight razor across the backs of Cernunnos' ankles.

A great howl of pain and frustration fills the air as the horned god collapses forwards, his legs losing all strength as their severed tendons fail him. He writhes, flailing on the ground with an unspeakable rage, until Ripper seizes one of his antlers and lifts his head up high. Then, with every eye in the crowd fixed upon him, he places the gleaming razor against the skin of Cernunnos' neck and makes the tiniest of incisions – just enough to shed a single drop of blood.

The silence is deafening, but you force yourself to march up to the arena and look down, looking straight into the defeated warrior's eyes. “You are beaten,” you announce quietly, before repeating it in a shout that reaches to the back of the auditorium. Your voice is met with a wave of dismay, groans and cries of disbelief, but already you can see the first few soldiers breaking ranks and wandering away, broken by their sudden disillusionment.

>>41873569

“A deal,” Cernunnos groans as he slowly returns to his senses, “Is a deal. I shall return to the court of the fair folk, crawling upon my belly as you have reduced me to, and plead for the queen's forgiveness. I just hope that you, summoner, are prepared for what it coming.”

And what is coming, you ask as you nod for Ripper to release him, angels?

“God's chosen are warriors with few equals. I had hoped that the devils would do the hardest work, so that I could crush them as well,” Cernunnos spits his words out with hateful intensity, “I would have left the fair folk as the kings of this Earth. A kingdom truly worthy of the queen, and she would see, at last, that I am their rightful king.”

Or, you argue, you would have brought both devils and angels down upon the fair folk, upon your precious queen. What then?

Cernunnos closes his eyes and lets out a low growl. “I am defeated. Insult me with your presence no longer. Return to your masters, human, and let me return to mine.”

As you wish, you tell the defeated god with a shrug, calling Ripper back into storage. Good job Jack, now have a rest. You've earned it.

>That's where I'll call it tonight. Next thread on Sunday, and I'll lurk for a while in case of questions.

>>41873737
Thanks for the thread.

>>41873737
So what is Cass thinking? About everything.

>>41873815

Many things really:

>Why is this happening to me?
>I'm such a burden
>I wish I was at home praying

But if I had to define her overwhelming thought, it would be struggling to find her place in the world. She's caught between her faith and the harsh realities of what's going on. Something's going to have to give sooner or later.

>>41873865
We should really sit her and Archangel down to talk.

Make sure she knows that SHE controls HIM.

>>41873737
Thanks for running.

>>41873865
>>41873900
agreed.