You're not sure what to expect when you arrive at the Hellfire Club – a friendly welcome, perhaps, or guards with their weapons drawn? Luckily, it seems to be the former in this case. When the two snake-men at the door notice you they part their spears to allow you entrance, recognition in their beady eyes. You feel like someone being granted admission to the most exclusive club around – an impression, you suppose, that isn't far from the truth. You might even get to see some undesirables being ejected if you hung around long enough, but you don't have the luxury of time.

Inside the club – although the building is looking less and less like a club each time you come in and more like an old manor house – you see all kinds of demons milling about, swapping rumours and carrying out sinister deals. You can't imagine what they'd be trading – favours, scavenged goods or slaves, maybe? - but the bartering demons look intense enough that the stakes must be pretty high. Panning across the crowd, your gaze eventually settles on Mister Black – the demon Nebiros.

Sitting at a long table, opposite his counterpart Mister Red – the demon Belial – Nebiros is looking as austere as ever. The pair of them look like undertakers, although Belial is perhaps closer to an undertaker with a side job as a boxer. Seated between them, at the head of the table, is the young goddess of death herself, Alice. At least the girl is asleep, head bowed and motionless. You breath a little sigh of relief and approach the pair.

“Amelia Bishop,” Nebiros says by way of introduction, a smile on his thin lipped face, “I hear that someone put old Forneus to the sword. Do we have you to thank for that, as well?”

>Not me personally, but I was involved
>I killed him myself
>Really? Nothing to do with me.

>>42087281
>>Not me personally, but I was involved
>Turns out an Arcangel had a sword to grind.

>>42087281
"Wasn't able to get the final blow, but yeah, my friend and I took him down. How have you guys been?"

>>42087292
>>42087323

You weren't the one to land the killing blow, you admit, but you were certainly involved. Took a pretty big chunk out of the demon king, in fact, but it was your friend and her pet Archangel that actually finished it off. Nebiros regards you for a moment, although it seems to drag out for far longer, before he nods to a chair and urges you to sit.

“An Archangel, you say? Interesting company you keep,” Belial speaks up as Nebiros leans across, placing a delicate china teacup in front of you and filling it from a gently steaming pot. How... genteel.

So, you ask as you pick up your cup and smell it cautiously, how have things been? Forneus is dead, and everyone here seems in good spirits. You take another sniff of the tea before realising how absurd it is – you don't even know what poison smells like – and taking a sip. It doesn't taste of battery acid or gasoline, so you're probably safe.

“The Hellfire Club goes from strength to strength,” Nebiros informs you, looking pretty damn pleased with himself, “We were able to seize much from Forneus – treasure, territory and soldiers. So few of his men were willing to fight to the death... I can't imagine they'll be any more loyal to us, but that's a risk you take in this line of work.” Sighing heavily, Nebiros takes a sip of his own drink and continues. “But enough of that. What brings you here, human?”

Well, it's funny that you were talking about an Archangel before this, because it's starting to look like you might need to fight one. You study Nebiros' face as you admit this to him, hardly reassured by the sight of his eyebrows raising in mild surprise. The Archangel Raphael, you add before he can saw anything, and the demon's expression collapses. His eyes drift closed and a deathly pallor creeps into his cheeks. That... didn't go down so well.

>>42087561

Belial is the first to recover his composure and speak up. “So human, what business do you have fighting with Raphael the Merciful?” he asks, his small eyes dark and intense from beneath his heavy brow. “Is he not claiming to be the saviour of your kind? Here to absolve sins and, what was it, ease burdens?”

Maybe so, you reply, but you're not so willing to believe him. You're no happier about this situation than anyone else, but it's looking like you've got no other option.

“No other option?” Nebiros opens his eyes, “Ah yes, let me guess. You seek the cornerstone at Saint Paul's, do you not? You wouldn't be the only one, you know. Lucifer himself has commanded his soldiers to take the cathedral and cast Raphael back. But what would a human want with a cornerstone? Answer me truthfully now, or I shall end our dealings here and now.”

Well that's not giving you much room to manoeuvre. If only you knew what the Hellfire Club would do, you could at least pretend to align yourself with them. A nest of devils like this, would they have a vested interest in seeing Lucifer possess the cornerstone? What, then, would they think of your theoretical third option?

What should you tell them?

>You're going to take the cornerstone for (Heaven/Hell)
>You're going to take the cornerstone for yourself
>Try and avoid the issue

>>42087629
>>You're going to take the cornerstone for yourself

>>42087629
I'd rather avoid this, but let's be honest here for a change.
>You're going to take the cornerstone for yourself

>>42087629
>You're going to take the cornerstone for yourself
If either Heaven or Hell win this fight it won't be good for me or the people I am trying to protect.

>>42087629
>You're going to take the cornerstone for yourself
But...
>Try and avoid the issue

>>42087641
>>42087675
>>42087712
>>42087735

What the hell, time to grab the bull by the horns and tell the truth for once. You're going to take that damned cornerstone for yourself. If it's worth fighting over, then it's worth stealing out from under the noses of both God and Lucifer. Whichever one of those two wins this absurd war, it's not going to end well for you or the people that are important to you. It's the honest truth, and you deliver your little speech with a mad grin, the smile of someone who knows how doomed they might be.

For a moment, the only sound that can be heard is that of Belial choking on his tea, coughing and pounding a beefy fist into his chest. Nebiros is simply silent, the corner of his mouth twitching in some unreadable expression.

“And, correct me if I'm wrong, you've come here because...” Nebiros sighs, after finally finding his voice again, “Because you want help? What makes you think your goals are the same as ours?”

Actually, you don't really know what their goals are, beyond keeping Alice safe. Then, a wicked idea strikes you. Do they really think that God or Lucifer would be happy, knowing that someone as dangerous as their beloved young goddess walked the Earth? How long would it be before the victor started to crush anyone that might resist?

“A line of reasoning that we understand well,” Belial grunts, “In truth, we are yet to choose a side in this great game. However, there is a limit to the help we can offer you.”

“In terms of our abilities, rather than our willingness to assist,” Nebiros explains, “It may take some time, but I have one trick that might help against Raphael's power. What, though, would you be willing to do in exchange for this assistance?”

>>42087981

What indeed? It's obvious by the glint in his eye that Nebiros has something planned, but you've also got a favour to cash in. Leaning back in your creaking chair, you weigh the options carefully. Whatever service Nebiros has planned, you might be able to get some advantage out of as well. On the other hand, if there's any violence involved you risk tiring out your demons, or even having them get injured.

Time is also an issue, but Nebiros claimed that his “trick” would take some time. There's no way of knowing how long the stalemate will last for, or who might crack first. There's a decision to be made, it seems.

>What is this “trick” you have?
>What do you need me to do?
>You owe me one, and I'm calling it in
>I'll take my business elsewhere

>>42088009
>What is this “trick” you have?
>What do you need me to do?

>>42088009
>>What is this “trick” you have?
>>What do you need me to do?
Lets see what they want first.

>>42088017
>>42088034

This trick Nebiros is offering, what would that involve? How, speaking bluntly, would it help in a fight against one of God's chosen warriors? If he can answer that, then maybe you can talk about what he needs done.

“It takes time, but I can craft a totem of one of your demon servants. You'd need to leave that demon here for a while so I can work, but it would not harm them in any way. Quite the opposite, in fact – this totem would possess the ability to absorb and neutralise Raphael's holy power. Not permanently, perhaps twice at the absolute most, but it would be enough to save a demon's life,” Nebiros steeples his fingers and explains, looking across the table at you. “Is that to your liking?”

You can certainly see the use in such an item, but that just raises the second issue. If this totem is so useful, Nebiros is going to want something pretty remarkable in exchange for it, right?

“Nothing impossible for a resourceful human such as yourself,” Nebiros replies smoothly, “There is an individual – we know him only as The Archivist – who refuses to do business with anyone other than another human. Even then, he is said to be difficult to work with. Yet, The Archivist has a vast collection of valuable knowledge. Books and tomes that I simply must possess.”

You're not killing another human just so you can steal his stuff. Out of the question. You're not even that keen on the idea of the stealing alone.

“We're not asking for a murderer,” Belial corrects you, “We're asking for a negotiator. You see, The Archivist has hidden his resources around London and tells nobody of their location. The problem, then, is that he is an old man – very old. If he dies, his treasures will be lost for countless years, if they can ever be found at all.”

>>42088204
So a Null Hama twice item? Or a weakening Raphael item?

>>42088245

>The totem would Null Hama, yes

>>42088204

Right. You're starting to see the problem. So they want you to convince the old man to give you access to his hidden library, so you can then tell the Hellfire Club how to find it?

“Exactly so,” Nebiros nods, satisfied with your quick uptake, “And, of course, whatever we learn is yours as well. I imagine there is no small amount of occult lore in The Archivist's collection. Very useful, for a summoner such as yourself, no?”

Maybe not for you, but Carnby would be pleased with a new stack of old books to pour over. He might even be able to develop some new programs for your smartphone – hopefully less haunted ones. That's almost a reward in itself.

>I'll do it. I'll leave (choose a demon) here.
>I won't do it.
>I'm calling in a favour

>>42088275
>>I'll do it. I'll leave (choose a demon) here.
Eligor, he is weak against Hama.

>>42088275
>I'll do it. I'll leave (eligor) here.

>>42088275
Gotta agree with >>42088302 Eligor is the way to go.
>I'll do it. I'll leave Eligor here

File: Eligor.jpg (893 KB, 1920x2644)

893 KB JPG

>>42088302
>>42088564
>>42088565

Alright, you'll do it. It's a pretty harmless sounding task – how dangerous can it be, really? - and you'll take any advantage that the pair can offer you. As for the demon lucky enough to get the benefit of their protection, well, Eligor was your first choice. If you can stop Raphael's holy magic from turning the devil into dust within the first few seconds of the battle, his lance stands a good chance of piercing whatever armour the Archangel is going to have. So, calling him out of storage, you order Eligor to remain behind.

“Huh?” Belial's chair screeches as he stands up abruptly, hands clenching into fists at the sight of the armoured devil you conjure. Then, slowly, he relaxes. “Forneus' own general, is it? I never thought I'd see him in here as a friend.”

“Very well,” Nebiros looks up at Eligor carefully, as though measuring him by eye, “The Archivist is located at a nearby apartment block – the tallest building around, so you'll have no trouble in finding it.”

Tallest building around? You close your eyes and grit your teeth. Wait, you think to yourself, don't say it.

“He'll be at the top floor,” Nebiros announces, confirming your worst fear, “I'm afraid the stairs might be your only option.”

Is it too late to change your mind? No, you tell yourself, you've climbed stairs before. You've climbed plenty of damn stairs, and you'll take the stairs over a flimsy ladder any day of the week. So, with one last look at Alice – the girl is in a sleep so deep that “death” might be a closer word for it – you thank Nebiros and Belial for their time and head out. Outside, you scan the horizon and quickly find the apartment building in question. A hideous slab of modernist steel and glass, now discoloured with rust and less identifiable markings.

Wonderful.

>>42088724

For such a highly visible building, you were expecting to find demons – anyone, really - hanging around causing trouble for anyone passing by. Frankly, the dead silence isn't much better, leaving you with the impression that you're about to wander through a haunted house. When was the last time that human feet passed through this building, you wonder to yourself, when was the last time that anyone had walked these corridors? The plush carpet – there was a lot of money here, no doubt about it – is almost entirely unmarked.

You take the stairs. What other option do you have, really? The elevators are dead, with no response at all when you touch the button to summon one. At least you're well rested this time, and without any injuries dragging you down. Still, the stairwell seems to last forever, just leading up and up like some purgatory of polished bannisters and thick carpets. After perhaps the thirtieth set of stairs, you stop counting.

Finally, at the penthouse floor, you come across a thick door – if could have passed for a bank vault, such is the security at work here. Without any other idea of what to do, you hammer on it with your closed fist and wait for a response.

“I've told you again and again!” a thin voice screeches back at you, after a while, “I'm not helping you filthy demons! Go sacrifice some virgins, or whatever it is you inhuman mongrels do!”

Charming. Is he The Archivist, you ask, shouting back through the armoured door. It's a long time before you get an answer, but you can hear a persistent cough from inside.

“Eh, didn't I tell you to go away?” the grumpy voice spits back, “I'm not dealing with demons!”

You're not a demon, you tell him angrily, you're as human as they come. So if he won't deal with demons, won't he at least talk to you?

"Fine!" The Archivist snaps eventually. "What do you want?"

>I hear you've got quite the library
>I'm here to make a deal
>Tell me a little about yourself

>>42088881
>I hear you've got quite the library

>>42088881
>I hear you've got quite the library

>>42088891
>>42088937

You hear he's got quite the library, you say cautiously. Honestly, you've always felt that having a conversation with a locked door is one of the least dignified things a person can do, but you're not about to press the issue. Sure, you could ask to talk face to face, but that might just piss the old man off so much he'd refuse to talk at all. Then where would you be? Nowhere good, that's for sure.

“Wrong!” the old man bellows, with surprising strength, “Libraries keep all their books in one place, and organise the damn things!” There is a rattling laugh as The Archivist chuckles through unhealthy lungs, “Good luck finding anything fast. Good luck finding it at all, without MY help!”

And that's what you're here for, you explain patiently, you'd like his help in finding all that vital knowledge.

“I bet you would,” he laughs again, bitterly this time, “I've spent my whole life gathering these books, and I was going to give them to my children when the time was right. Now look! They're all dead, and I'm stuck in here because my new neighbours are slavering demons – worse than those damn Russians I had before!”

Yep, you agree, demons ARE worse than Russians. So, how about it, huh? How about sharing what he's learned, just one human working together with another?

“Why should I help YOU?” the senile old bastard snarls, “You're the one that came up here, knocking my door and insulting my neighbours.”

Of course, the good thing about a closed door is that you can make all the rude gestures you like at it, with no consequences. After a few moments of obscenity, you wince and check for a peephole. Nothing – thank god. Perhaps a different approach would work best...

>What about when you die? All that knowledge will be lost
>What can I do for YOU?
>With that knowledge, we humans can fight back!

>>42089153
>What can I do for YOU?
>With that knowledge, we humans can fight back!

>>42089153
>>What about when you die? All that knowledge will be lost

>With that knowledge, we humans can fight back

>>42089153
>What about when you die? All that knowledge will be lost
>With that knowledge, we humans can fight back!

>>42089209
>>42089216
>>42089298

Oh come on, you groan, what if he dies? Sure, you're no doctor, but the old man on the other side of the door sounds pretty unhealthy. In fact, he sounds like he could drop down any minute from some kind of grumpiness induced heart attack. Now he might not care about whether he lives or dies, but if he drops down dead, every single scrap of knowledge he's collected over his life will be lost – maybe forever!

There is no reply from The Archivist, so you press on. Imagine, you tell him, in a few years time. Maybe, just by sheer chance, some demons might stumble across one of his hidden stashes. Does he really think they'd treat those books, those unique treasures, with the respect they deserve?

“Those illiterate idiots? Ha!” the old man laughs bitterly, before falling silent, “Oh, I see...”

Yeah, that's your point. But the knowledge he has, that could be used by humans to fight back against the demons! People are dying out there because they don't have any weapons to use against to defend themselves – weapons that could be lost forever, if he drops dead without sharing his secrets.

“You don't give up, do you?” he grumbles, “Kids these days... you're all barely more literate than those monsters, but at least you can sing a fine tune.”

So... is that a yes? Has he seen sense, at last?

“I've got more sense in my head than you'll ever have, girl, so don't take that tone with me!” Amidst a chorus of complaints and groans, you hear a mechanism of some kind being wrenched open. A moment later, and a metal shutter at the bottom of the door swings out. There's a key inside – a flat steel thing with a number stamped into the side of it – and a scrawled note. “That's for a safety deposit box – you know what that is, don't you? It's in the Royal Bank around the corner.”

>>42089574

And that's where his books are stored? You ask the question as you grab the key and stuff it into your pocket, carefully memorising the address on the note before putting that away as well.

“Ha! You wish it was that simple,” The Archivist grunts, “All that damn box has is a couple of lists. What I've got, and where I've hidden it. Finding the stuff is your business – if it's all still there!”

That's hardy reassuring, but you thank the old man for his help anyway. You're about to turn and leave, already steeling your nerves for the stairs ahead, when there is a weak banging on the door.

“You, girl!” the old man cries, “You really meant that? About helping humans to fight the demons?” There is a terrible desperation in his voice, a frightful desire for meaning that only a man on the edge of death can summon up. You wince a little at the sheer intensity of his plea, shot through with guilt. He's not wrong – technically – but you're also going to turn his information over to a pack of demons. You told him what he wanted to hear, and he swallowed every word of it – cantankerous complaints or no.

This knowledge might just prove vital in defeating the demons, you tell him solemnly, and securing a future for humanity. It's a long time before The Archivist can reply and when he does, his voice is weaker than ever.

“Thank you, girl,” he wheezes, “Do something good with your life, will you?”

Sure thing, you reply sadly. You wait a moment longer, but there is nothing more to say. A few minutes more, and you start your wearying descent. At least on the way down, you've got plenty to think about. The bank, you tell yourself with a surge of much needed determination, hit up the bank and deliver the goods. Just focus on taking this one step at a time.

>>42089718

In the end, you don't even need the key. A thorough look around the head office reveals something you take to be a master key. You're almost certain that it's illegal – or at least it would be illegal, if there were laws these days – but you're past the point of caring. Instead, you just head straight for The Archivist's safety deposit box and unlock it, hungrily examining the contents. A single ledger, leather-bound and cracked with age, filled with spidery handwriting.

He wasn't joking when he said things weren't organised. As far as you can tell, there isn't any kind of pattern in the entries. A collection of first edition Dickens is listed just below some German book about... cults? Nameless cults, maybe? You took a German class once, but that was a lifetime ago and you failed pretty hard. Carnby can probably make better use of this than you can, to say nothing of Nebiros and Belial. Speaking of the gruesome twosome, you'd better get back there.

Then again, you've also got the master key to the undocumented wealth of some of London's finest. Sure, it doesn't mean much in this brave new world, but...

Well, it wouldn't hurt to take a look, would it?

>Head back to the Hellfire Club as soon as possible
>Look through a few random boxes

>>42089976
>Look through a few random boxes

>>42089976
>Look through a few random boxes

>>42089991
>>42090008

Well why not? Three boxes, you tell yourself, and no more. No second chances if you get nothing but crap or some rich bastard's stockpile of illegal pornography. You're not going to just start pillaging the place like some barbarian – you've got restraint. Self-discipline. That's what you tell yourself, at least, as you crack open the first box. Box 0001 – as good a place to start as any.

Nothing interesting – although the fact that you can dismiss countless stacks of large denomination bills as “nothing interesting” is a sign of the times – so you move onto the next one. Next up is... 1704, your birthday. Some pretty nice jewellery, which you shamelessly pocket, but nothing else. For the last box – absolutely definitely the last box – you feel your eyes drawn to a particularly ill-fated number – 0666. Sure, you tell yourself as you ignore a shiver down your spine, why not? It's just a stupid number.

Plus, it's just an empty box. You let out a deep breath you hadn't realised you'd been holding, and let your muscles grow slack and relaxed. It seems like an anticlimax, but... Wait. It's not empty at all. Tucked neatly into one corner, it must have rolled back there where you yanked the box open, it a small black orb of black glass. Like a pearl, but not any kind of pearl you've ever seen before. With a little light, you might be able to examine it properly, but... you're a little unwilling to touch the stupid thing.

Get real, you try telling yourself, it's not like it's on fire or screaming at you or anything. It's just a little bit of coloured glass. You tilt the box and watch the orb – about the size of a marble – roll from one end to the other. Perfectly normal – it doesn't roll against the slope or anything.

>Take the marble
>Leave it behind
>Try and crush it

>>42090243
>>Take the marble
Have Carnby examine.

>>42090243
>Take the marble

>>42090289
>>42090389

Don't be foolish, you tell yourself, it's just a stupid marble. Sure, you've never seen a marble that was made from absolute pure blackness before, but you don't collect the bloody things or anything. Chances are, this was just the cherished possession of some eccentric billionaire, the kind of asshole that would lie on their deathbed and croak “My marble!” just to bemuse his entire family. Whatever, you mutter, reaching down to grab it. A second before your skin makes contact with the thing, you feel a sudden thrill of fear coursing through your entire body.

Huh.

Just a stupid marble. It doesn't feel cold, it doesn't suck the soul right out of your body. It doesn't actually... do anything. Which is exactly what you expected to happen. Expected to not happen. Either one. Chiding yourself for your own foolishness, you drop the marble absent-mindedly into your pocket, tuck the ledger under your arm and make your way out of the bank. The streets are as empty as they were when you came in – no demons appearing out of nowhere to make your life more difficult – and you have an easy walk back to the Hellfire Club.

Nebiros is waiting for you when you arrive. At first, he looks disappointed but then his eyes drop to the ledger under your arm and light up with a hungry glow. Those are the eyes of a man – technically, they're the eyes of a demon, but you don't like to split hairs – who has waited a long time to see a thing. Hungry eyes, teased with the prospect of satisfaction. On the table besides him is a strange doll, like a cartoon version of Eligor. It's actually kind of cute.

“You were able to get what I asked for?” the demon asks eagerly.

Exactly what he wanted, you tell him, a complete record of The Archivist's entire library, with locations included. Is that, you point at the doll, what YOU asked for?

>>42090593

“Yes, a totem granting a shield against holy light,” Nebiros holds the plush doll up to admire it, “Some of my finest work, it must be said. I've always prided myself on my needlework, you know? Of course, Mister Red is convinced that he's got a better eye for detail. Such a shame he refuses to share his works. So what will you do now?”

Well that's a good question. You could always head out to Saint Paul's Cathedral and see what the situation is, or you could head back to the court – if there's any last minute preparation to be done, now is the time.

“Let's take the fight to Raphael!” Eligor booms, sounding more confident than ever, “With this toy, I'll be invincible!”

Temporarily invincible, you think about reminding him, but you keep quiet. Why not let the devil have his moment of glory?

>Head to the cathedral
>Last minute preparations (Write in)

>>42090668
>Head to the cathedral

>>42090668
>Head to the cathedral

We'll see when we get there, but maybe we can sneak in to the Cathedral. If we break the siege the Devils get free reign.

I suppose the ideal solution is to get in stealthly, claim the cornerstone, then get out while the Angels and Devils maintain their status quo.

File: Power.png (66 KB, 341x418)

66 KB PNG

>>42090677
>>42090692

You've put this off for long enough, it's about time you put on your game face and take the fight to Raphael. Not just Raphael, but whatever devil is lurking within the cathedral as well. Truth be told, you'd been assuming that anything you could do to take out Raphael would be enough to take out the unknown devil as well. With so few details about Lucifer's chosen agent, you had little other option.

“Do not fear, human,” Eligor rumbles, “Dark magic cannot stop me – I shall run this devil through and spill their blood, just as I shall spill the blood of any angel that stands in our way!”

That's the spirit, you tell Eligor with a bright smile. You're just heading out when Nebiros stops you.

“Raphael will bow his head in prayer just before he uses his holy magic. You'll have a moment – a brief one, mind you – before he casts it. Land a blow, run away, do what you will, but that's when he's most vulnerable,” the demonic undertaker informs you, “You've been a useful ally, Amelia Bishop. I would prefer to see you survive this.”

You're touched. Genuinely. For what it's worth though, you'd rather survive this as well. With a wave and one last “good luck” from Belial, you set off out of the Hellfire Club and hit the streets, walking the familiar route to Saint Paul's Cathedral. It's not difficult to tell when you're getting close – there is the usual heavenly choir you've come to expect from angels singing out, growing louder and clearer as you approach. From a distance, once you've got a clear look, you can see perhaps... twelve angels of a kind you've never seen before. Twelve angels, all standing perfectly still in formation around the cathedral.

File: Raphael.jpg (825 KB, 1888x2492)

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>>42091035

Then, looking past the phalanx of armoured angels, you see Raphael himself, standing erect in front of the entrance with his sword resting point first in the ground. He must have the patience of a saint, for you get the impression that he hasn't moved since coming to the cathedral. He's taller than a man, taller than the angels surrounding him, and glows from a soft light that surrounds him like an embrace. Slowly, cautiously, you return Eligor to storage. The last thing you need right now is your devilish friend triggering some kind of evil detecting radar.

Nothing to see here, you think desperately to yourself as you creep closer and closer, trying to scout out the cathedral as best as possible. A nice discrete side entrance, that's all you want. If only the place wasn't such a tourist trap! Every entrance has a turnstile dumped in front of it or a million locks in place – hardly conductive to good sneaking. Then, as you're contemplating a possible looking entrance by way of a low window, you hear a thundering voice.

“You, human,” the voice comes from one of the twelve angels, and it is flat, emotionless, “You, who does not listen to the Word of God, why should I spare your life?”

Ah yes, well... Your glib tongue deserts you as more of the angels swivel in place to stare you down. Frankly, you can't think of a decent excuse – not one that these maniacs would find acceptable, at least.

“Because she is useful to us,” a softer voice reprimands the angel, “Because she can redeem herself and find absolution here, in the service of the Lord.”

Then, with the ranks of angels parting to allow him access, you come face to face with Raphael himself. You feel sick, sick to your stomach, at the sight of him – some primal terror that strikes deep into your heart. The fear of being judged, perhaps, judged and found unworthy.

>>42091154

“You see, my faithful warriors of God, this human does not share our divine glory. Pity her, yes, but do not crush her out of hand,” Raphael approaches you, drawing close enough that you want to close your eyes for fear of burning them out, “Be not afraid, mortal one.”

That's easy for him to say. You feel a sudden urge to lash out, to summon your demons, to strike out at him with your knuckleduster, to do anything to get away, but you force the urge down. Be cool, calm and collected. If you can manage that, you might just survive this.

“It pains me to admit weakness, but to lie would be the gravest act of pride,” Raphael continues, “I must enter this holy place and reclaim it in the name of God, but some heathen barrier bars my entrance. All who follow the word of the Law are barred from entrance, but you...”

Of course, you're not bound to the same restrictions. You could just waltz in there, and they could do nothing but watch and seethe.

“So you, human, must enter this place and banish the darkness that lies within. Disrupt their foul magic, and we shall enter – to complete this holy work,” Raphael gives you a terrible smile, “This is the first step upon the road to redemption, sinner. Do not waste this opportunity.”

Then the barrier rumour is true – there must be a devil of significant power lurking within, and Raphael wants you to take it on. No easy feat.

>I'll do it
>I have business inside the cathedral anyway
>Attack Raphael (Choose two demons)

>>42091369
>>I'll do it
Thats one way to get in. Just gotta make sure not to kill barrier devil until we want to.

>>42091369
>I have business inside the cathedral anyway

>>42091411
>>42091369
By the way, if it wasn't obvious I am telling Raph what he wants to hear as opposed to having Amelia buy into the redemption crap.

>>42091411
>>42091455

You'll do it, you tell Raphael after a moment's thought. You had business inside the cathedral anyway. You're not gullible enough to swallow the line about redemption that Raphael has rolled out, but you're certainly willing to use it as an excuse to get into the cathedral. There is a brief moment where Raphael's face is utterly blank, terrifying, but then he forces a smile. Was your answer lacking sufficient zeal? Not enough fanatical enthusiasm?

“Go with God, human,” Raphael tells you, bowing his head to you as his host of angels part ways to let you past. You hesitate a little when you reach the turnstile, suddenly reluctant to just leap other the barrier. Eventually, you force yourself to jump it, feeling Raphael's eyes burning into your back through every step of the motion. Come on, you think to yourself with exasperation, the world has ended and this Nazi is getting hot under his collar over a tiny little bit of lawbreaking?

Still, it's not long before your inside the cathedral, a vague tingling on your skin the only sign that you've passed through the barrier that defeated even God's chosen agent. You walk, slowly, through the building, keeping your eyes wide open. The place has been... desecrated. That's the only word for it. Blood has been smeared across holy icons, anything with a crucifix on it has been torn down, and the altar...

There's a body draped across it, stripped naked with her face covered in stringy black hair. Some sacrilegious offering perhaps, and the sight of it is enough to turn your stomach. You can barely see the corpse's pale flesh beneath smears of blood, such is the state the body has been left in. Looking away in disgust, you scan the inside of the building for anything that might be the cornerstone.

Then the corpse on the altar stands up, brushing the hair away from her face and laughing.

Put the amber necklace on.

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>>42091814
?

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>>42091814

Lilly, you stammer as you recognise the young woman that you met not so long ago, is that you Lilly?

“Yes, I was called that when I met you, wasn't I?” the woman purrs, striding across the room calmly, seemingly oblivious to her own nakedness. You take a step backwards, but then hear a hissing sound. Snakes are everywhere, slithering out from every shadow and alcove to coil around your feet. They are dark, eyeless and sinister, with red tongues that lash at the air. You're scared – you won't lie about that – but you feel yourself growing still.

“Won't you help me?” Lilly asks, pleading with you, “I'm trapped in here, trapped in this horrible place. I can't leave here without that awful man outside trying to kill me.”

Wait, that's all she wants? Just to leave here?

“Of course!” Lilly brushes at her skin, revealing patches of dark scales, “I just want to leave this awful place. Won't you help me? Won't you kill that monster of God?”

Who is she, you ask desperately, who? Your feet feel rooted to the floor and yet... you know that she's right. She's harmless, defenceless, and trapped by that dogmatic killer outside. She NEEDS your help. But... something in your pocket is burning like a hot coal, searing against your thigh. The pendant – the amber pendant!

“I am Lilith,” the demon woman in front of you hisses, “Fated to be the bride of Lucifer. Now, human... won't you just do your damn job and kill that angel?”

>Drop the barrier, we'll kill him together
>I'll do it
>I'll kill you first

>>42091973
Why don't you tell me where the cornerstone is first.

>>42091973
A few questions, first were you ever human, if so what happened to lily? Next where's the cornerstone? Before you pitch a hissy fit I seem to remember your fiancé tricking my forebears into eating a certain fruit of knowledge.

>>42091973
Cornerstone where?

Also, sure, we can kill him together. You're stronger, so you can tank hits in the front line while I supply backup! Of course I have no ulterior motives!

>>42092036
>>42092077
>>42092090

Was she ever a human, you ask her, when you met her in the street, was she a demon even then? You look down at her feet, the scaly webs of pallid flesh stretched between claw-tipped toes and drag your eyes up her voluptuous body, carefully avoiding meeting her gaze. You can't help but feel that that would be the worst thing you could do in this situation.

“No, I was never human,” Lilly – Lilith, rather – cackles, throwing her hair back, “You think a mere human could survive in this new world? Running and hiding? You damn fool!”

But that photograph? She had a picture of her, younger and with her boyfriend, her fiancé – was that a lie as well?

“Something I picked up,” the demon shrugs, “It served as a disguise. The right look and a good story is all you humans need to sell your souls.”

The... You shake your head, trying to clear the fuzz building up in your brain. The cornerstone, you ask her, where is it? Have you found it yet?

“It's around here somewhere,” Lilith frowns, frustrated, “This damn barrier is taking up too much of my power. I can't sense the cornerstone while I'm still keeping that bastard out. So won't you help me? Together, your power and mine, we can crush him like an insect. Almighty Lucifer will favour you greatly, should you help us in this matter. So please, noble human, save this defenceless maiden!”

You know that she's toying with your mind, twisting it like a flimsy plastic toy – the searing pain of the amber pendant burning away in your pocket is a sure sign of it – but you can't do anything about it. Your best hope is to play along as best as possible, in the hope that her and Raphael will kill each other. So, slow and confused, you nod.

Quick question. I know in a lot of games Hama does not work on humans. Is that the same here?

>>42092311

“Good...” Lilith purrs, “Prepare your demons, my faithful warrior. Prepare your demons for battle!” Then, she reaches out to touch you – when did she get so close? While you had been hypnotised by her lilting voice, she had been stepping close to you until she could have taken you in an embrace. Forcing desperate strength into your limbs, you lurch backwards, out of reach of her sharp looking nails. The snakes that had been coiling around your feet are gone – an illusion? - and offer no resistance.

“Fine,” the demon snaps, shrugging angrily, “Suit yourself, girl. The barrier falls – prepare yourself!”

You can hear the heavenly choir clearly now, and a blinding light shines into the cathedral as Raphael begins his attack. He seems alone – he wants to take this victory himself.

>Flee
>Prepare to defend yourself against Raphael (Summon two demons)
>Try and kill Lilith during the fight (Summon two demons)

>>42092422

>Light and Dark magic can affect humans, but are less effective then they are against demons

Tough call. I guess the question is who do we want to fight alone.

We might have more surprise killing Lilith after beating Raph.

>Prepare to defend yourself against Raphael (Summon two demons)
Eligor and Ripper.

Eligor cause of our countermeasures.
Ripper cause his stealth may come in handy in a little bit.

>>42092428
>>Prepare to defend yourself against Raphael (Summon two demons)
Eligor and Pixie(Raph is weak to lightning according to Eligor)

Put on the fucking necklace.

>>42092538
I'll revise Ripper to Pixie for lightning.

I want to use him when we sneak attack Lilith eventually.

And yeah put on the necklace.

>>42092428
A bit late, but I would have gone with Eligor and Ripper. Ripper as both flanker and stealth to maybe fight Lilith in a sneak attack, while Eligor tanks hits.

Pixie is reserved for after Eligor falls.

>>42092746
I think after Raph goes down we can desummon Pixie and stealthly summon Jack in stealth mode while Lilith points us to the cornerstone.

Then we fucking take her down for messing with our mind.

Thats if everything goes according to plan and well...you know.

>>42092789
>everything goes according to plan
hahahaha

but yeah, I guess you're right.

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>42092555
>>42092577

You fumble the amber pendant out of your pocket and pull it down over your head, tucking it under your armour to rest against your bare skin. Your head feels a little clearer, maybe, and you feel suddenly more aware of Lilith's tricks. On a purely instinctual basis, some animal part of your mind wants to defend her, but you're able to shut the crude murmurs out of your mind and focus on your demons. Slipping your enchanted knuckleduster onto your left hand – better safe than sorry – you ready your phone.

Eligor and Pixie answer your calls, manifesting proudly in front of you. Eligor beats an armoured fist against his breastplate, crashing out a warlike rhythm that Pixie claps along with. Lightning crackles around her wings as she readies her magic, and you see the plush totem dangling from a hook on Eligor's belt. You're as ready as you're going to get, and not a moment too late. Raphael bursts through the entrance, filling the shrouded cathedral with radiant light.

“This place,” he growls, “Evil has run rampant. There is no saving this place – it must be purged!” Wind howls around him, whipping every scrap of cloth and parchment in the cathedral into a frenzy. “Where?” Raphael roars, “Where is the one who did this?”

You're... you were just wondering that yourself. The damn witch has vanished, slipping away into the darkness while your attention was elsewhere. You're looking around, furious for letting her slip away, when you feel a power filling the air.

“So sorry, honey, but I knew you weren't under my spell,” Lilith's honey-rich tones call out, “So you choose God? Then die with his dog!”

>Please roll 1D100. I'll take the highest of the first 3

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>42092857
Bitch!

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>42092857
Oh Lillith Pray I don't Let Jack get his hands on you. He always did love whores best.

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>42092857
so I guess we should've worn the amulet which would have unlocked the option to kill Lilith while she was weakened?

>>42092857
Desummon Pixie and get Ripper out. I don't think Lilith is weak against magic.

>>42092907
Still would have dropped the barrier and had us fight Raph alone. At least now they are fighting each other.

>>42092880

Pixie, you yell, following some sudden flash on intuition. The little fairy nods, throwing her hands up in the air and discharging her gathered power as a shield. A dome of crackling blue light surrounds you and Eligor moments before a bolt of lightning tears its way down from the ceiling, smashing into the dome with enough force to crack the flagstones beneath your feet. You laugh with wild triumph as the attack leaves you unscathed, a second bolt of power striking Raphael right between his shoulder blades. The smell of burned flesh – and feathers – fills the air as Raphael lurches forwards.

The Archangel is stunned – injured even – and open to an attack. Yet, Lilith is somewhere unknown, hiding within the cathedral and no doubt searching for the cornerstone with each passing moment. There's a choice to be made, it would seem.

>Attack Raphael while he's vulnerable
>Chase after Lilith
>Other (write in)

>>42093046
Fuck...
Raph still thinks we are on his side and the cornerstone is the priority.
>Chase after Lilith

>>42093046
>>Chase after Lilith

>>42093046
>>Chase after Lilith
Get back here bitch.

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>>42093091
>>42093098
>>42093147

Damn it, damn it all! Cursing and swearing, you take off at a run towards the stairs. You could look down upon the cathedral from there, maybe get a good vantage point for searching for Lilith. Pixie, you snap as you run, is there any trace of her?

“I can smell snakes,” Pixie snaps back, all business, “Upstairs, to your left. She's slow – doesn't think you'd follow her.”

Oh you're going to follow her alright. You'll follow her all the way to the cornerstone, if you need to, and then you're going to show her what Ripper does to... women of ill-repute. The thought is a cold one, but not one you shy away from. Messing with your mind, trying to fry you the moment you hesitate... You're not going to show her any mercy!

“I can shield you from her lightning,” Pixie assures you as you run, fists clenched, “Probably.”

“And I'll split her wide open!” Eligor announces, galloping behind you, “Let her try her tricks on me, I won't falter in my assault!”

You might not have many friends, you think to yourself with a grim smile, but you've got the best team in the world. You're rounding another corner, this one wrapped in leering gargoyles, when you catch a glimpse of pale flesh – Lilith's shamelessly bare arse. The demon turns, surprised when she hears your footsteps, and her eyes grow wide.

“You!” she hisses, “You're not... fight to defend me, you worm! Obey me, you worthless maggot, obey me!”

Not a chance, bitch, you snarl, as you prepare your attack.

>Swap Eligor for Ripper and attack (Roll 1D100)
>Attack with Eligor (Roll 2D100, first for Eligor, second for Pixie)
>Other

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>42093313
>Swap Eligor for Ripper and attack (Roll 1D100)
Eligor I am sure you'd make her regret crossing me, But I need you fresh for Raphael. Besides Jack always did love to cut up women of ill repute.

>>42093313
[ripping intensifies]

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Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>42093313
>>Swap Eligor for Ripper and attack (Roll 1D100)

I kinda want to punch her in the face too.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>42093313
>Swap Eligor for Ripper and attack (Roll 1D100)
punching would be nice, too.

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>42093313
>>Swap Eligor for Ripper and attack (Roll 1D100)

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>>42093339

Still moving at a run, you return Eligor to storage – a faint grumble escaping the old soldier as he complies – and call up Ripper. The killer swirls into being in front of you, rushing towards the female demon like an approaching storm cloud. White light shines as Ripper conjures a cluster of knives, swirling around him like deadly objects orbiting a lethal planet. His knives fly out, thrusting through the air with a sweep of his arm and hurtling towards Lilith.

The harlot demon, her arms paused midway through the motions of casting some hideous spell of darkness, gasps in sudden fear. That hesitation is all it takes, stilling her long enough for the gleaming knives to strike home, each one knocking her back a pace and spilling black blood from deep rents in her body. She's still on her feet by the time the last knife has dissipated into smoke, but even to your human eyes, you know that it's too late for her. She knows it too, her fanged maw twisting in preparation for a scream as you slam your fist into her.

The blow, dealt by your knuckleduster clad left hand, crashes into the side of her torso and smashes her aside. Ancient stone crumbles into dust as she hits the balcony, propelled by the force of your magically enhanced fist and sent flying out into empty space. She howls for a long time, screeching like a banshee until she hits the ground with a tremendous crash. You're still panting for breath when you turn, grinning victoriously, to Ripper. The gentleman killer bows, vague approval swirling in his cold eyes.

Raphael next, you mutter to yourself, shaking out your sore arm. Punching people is harder work than you remember it.

>Focus on finding the cornerstone
>Find Raphael and take him on
>Find Raphael
>Other

>>42093575
>Find Raphael
Take Eligor and Pixie out. Cut him a deal, we destroy him or he can serve under a girl who is a much better and more pious person than us. She simply follows the path of the Father Son and the holy ghost, over that of just the father like he seems too. Point out if he lives he can make the world a better more merciful place, if he dies he's failed God and everyone knows it. if he still refuses fight him.

>>42093575
>Focus on finding the cornerstone
"Thanks Jack, I am going to put Eligor back in, in case our other friend comes looking."
>Switch Eligor with Jack.

>>42093646
Huh...is it possible to do that? Fight with us to claim cornerstones against Heaven and Hell AND still command angels?

>>42093694
>>42093646
Like hypothetically if she went Neutral will the Angels still listen to her?

>>42093649
This

>>42093716
>>42093694

>Aligning a cornerstone against Heaven/Hell will cause the four Archangels or Lucifer's chosen to attack. Regular angels/devils are fine though

>>42093790
Alright so don't try to recruit Raphael, as cool as the idea was.

>"Hey Cass I went out for a bit and got you the Archangel Raphael."

>>42093649
>>42093744

Ripper, you nod to the killer, good work, but you're going back into storage. The murderer vanishes without complaint and you summon Eligor back into your party. Now Pixie, you say as you turn to the diminutive creature, is the cornerstone around here? Lilith was heading this way, so you're assuming you're on the right track. At least you've got a headstart on Raphael. Unless you get seriously lost, you should be able to track it down first.

“This way, boss,” Pixie says, glancing backwards at the splintered balcony, “You're right, we're close. Are you ready for this?”

Ready? Hell no, you can't help but laugh a little. Lilith went down easily enough – although you dread to think what would have happened if you hadn't been able to get Pixie's shield up in time – but you're less sure about Raphael. Well, you dust your hands off, ignoring the sticky black blood soaking into your knuckleduster, no point worrying about that for a while yet. You just try to put it out of your mind as you follow Pixie down the dusty corridor.

This looks like somewhere that no tourist has been in a very long time, you realise as you walk down the filthy passageway. There's a dim light up ahead, glowing from somewhere on the floor. A single tile, one among countless identical others, is lit up from within by some ethereal energy. The cornerstone – no doubt about it. Following your instincts, you kneel down by the tile and press your palm into it. You feel... something tugging at you. Some flow of energy pulling at you from three directions at once.

A warm, heavenly light at one side of you, and a cold strength at the other, both of them vying for your attention. But there's a third sensation – a complete absence of sensation, rather – that the two almost overwhelm. That must be Outside, where you can send this mystical power so that it will do no harm.

Where to send the power?

>Heaven
>Hell
>Outside

>>42094014
>>Outside
Wild Card, bitches.

>>42094014
>Outside
With this we piss off a lot of people and put ourselves on the map. Shits getting realer.

>>42094014
>Outside
Hell, Heaven, or Void?!! Frekking void, we're the snowflake, bitch.

>>42094014
>>Outside

>>42094027
>>42094050
>>42094059
>>42094186

If you're going to do this – play a part in this great game, with the Earth itself as the ultimate prize – then you're not going to be a footsoldier in someone else's army. You're going to piss people off, to make enemies, and to put yourself on the map. You're going this because you can CHOOSE to do this. Whatever happens after this, you've spat in the faces of both Heaven and Hell – who else can say that?

You ignore the pleading, whining urges tugging at you from both sides, both the promise of profane strength and the assurance of Heavenly grace. You look past the mindless noise and follow the signal, a nothingness so complete that you can follow it like a thread. Still following an instinct guiding you along from some dark part of your mind, you urge the power you stand atop to flow into that nothingness, to go where it can do no damage.

Something is wrong, you realise, as you feel part of yourself getting dragged along with the power, dragged into the abyss looming in front of you. You can't try to stop yourself – how could you? Here, you have no physical form – and find yourself helplessly pulled over the edge. The darkness around you grows terribly thick for a moment, before it shatters, revealing a white void around you. A white void, where you are not alone.

Standing off in the distance – or perhaps just a few mere inches away – is a tall and familiar figure, a figure that shares your dark hair and sharp features. A figure you would recognise anywhere, after seventeen years growing up around them.

Mother, you cry into the void, mother, is that you?

>That seems like a good place to finish for today. Next thread on Friday, and I'll lurk for a while if there's any questions.

>>42094258
Oh shit. So did everyone feel that. Raph? BRA? God? Lucy?

Also thanks for the run, I know its getting late over there but thanks for sticking with us.

>>42094258
Thanks for running. Did we accidentally Mom into a goddess?

>>42094306

There was a great disturbance in the force, you could say. It's certainly going to draw a lot of attention Amelia's way.

>>42094341

You'd be a pretty lame goddess with only one cornerstone worth of power coming your way!

>>42094378
>It's certainly going to draw a lot of attention Amelia's way.
Will the fairy court even let us back in with the heat on us right now?

>>42094378
>You'd be a pretty lame goddess with only one cornerstone worth of power coming your way!

So who, or what is Mom?

>>42094393

Well, it might cause them some problems but we've done Oberon and Titania a solid, so they'll cover for us for a while yet.

>>42094424

That's a pretty difficult question to answer at this moment, unfortunately.

>>42094516
Sooo we helped recover Gae Bolg and now Scathach is helping us out.

Is Cu Chulainn going to be revived? Are we going to see a Setanta walking around?

>>42094614

That's a distinct possibility. It would be a very good thing for morale in the fairy court as well

>>42094698
How strong is Jack? I mean really? He OHKO'd Lilith with appalling ease.

>>42094809
Maybe Lilith just wasnt that great?

>>42094809

Jack is very powerful, but he does have his weaknesses. Plus, as >>42094840 suggests, Lilith is more about manipulation and misdirection. Having Amelia and Raphael kill each other while she plays capture the flag, in other words.

He has his weaknesses, as well. Not much of a defence, for one thing.