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>>42326914

Glancing down at your phone, you notice that Undine's icon has been greyed out – she's going to need a good long rest – but Pixie's icon is looking brighter. Perhaps the poison has worn off, and she's capable of leading you in the right direction again. You summon the little fairy to see, and she obediently joins your party alongside the formidable bulk of Black Frost.

“Need directions, boss?” Pixie rasps. You can't help but smile at her voice – she sounds like she's just chain-smoked her way through an entire pack of cigarettes.

Directions, yes, you tell her, thankful for the enchanted mask that covers up your expression. First off, can she point you to the cornerstone?

“That way,” Pixie points down the tunnel, back where you came from – typical.

What about Uriel, you add, where is he?

“...Also that way,” Pixie can't hide the nervous edge in her pained voice, “He seems to be... wandering more or less at random. I guess he doesn't have someone like me to lead the way, right boss?”

Well, that's certainly going to tilt the odds in your favour. You could probably make your way right for the cornerstone and grab it first. Then again, the last time you did that, it seemed to draw a lot of attention to your location. Sure, you'd have your prize, but Uriel would come running. Perhaps it's just a matter of when you want to fight him – you might be able to get the drop on him if you prioritise hunting him down first.

>Head for the cornerstone
>Try and find Uriel

>>42326920
>Try and find Uriel
Surprise is good

>>42326920
Call Cassandra and tell her how to get to us. Ask if Unicorn has the magic to heal up pixie and black frost if he's taken any damage. Then head out to find Uriel

>>42326920
>>42326976
this

>>42326920
>Head for the cornerstone
Do the angels/Law side ever do ambushes? Like sure, surround and leave no escape, but they always declare the "We don't like you, so we're going to kill you now" loud and clear, right?

>>42327051

>There's nothing stopping angels from using tactics like that, but they tend towards using the direct approach. Uriel in particular is a pretty loud and clear kind of guy

>>42327103
cool. I suppose contacting Cassandra takes priority, though.

>>42326920
>>Head for the cornerstone

>>42326920
>>Try and find Uriel
But yeah get in contact with Cassandra like >>42326976 says

>>42326936
>>42326976
>>42327020

First things first, you want to make sure that everyone is reading from the same page – singing from the same hymn sheet, to use a rather ironic saying. You want to get Cassandra down here before you do anything else so you can pool your resources and plan out the attack. As you're checking your phone, you realise that this is the first time you've ever tried to use it as a phone – an actual, dial a number to talk to someone, phone – since this whole mess got started. You've never had to recharge the thing – you're willing to put that down to magic, and not ask too many questions – but you're not sure what else is working. Even if there is still a signal above, would it penetrate into the tunnels?

Yet, when you press the phone to your ear – silently thanking your decision to trade numbers with the girl – you hear a wall of static but somewhere beneath the auditory snow, a voice. With no way of knowing if your words are getting through to your friend, you describe your rough plan down the phone along with your general location. Cassandra should be able to catch up with you quickly, especially if she's using Unicorn as a steed again but, as you hang up the phone, you know that you won't be able to wait long.

Slumping down at the side of the tracks, you wrap your arms around yourself and shiver. That damn pact you signed with Black Frost. You were hoping that, in time, you'd get used to the constant chill sinking into your bones, but as each moment passes, it just seems to leave you wearier than ever. You can't argue with his results – a single spell from the giant snowman was almost enough to take Pazuzu out for good – but the price? Too high, in your opinion.

You wait, and then you wait some more. Did your message really get through? It's looking unlikely. Cursing, you struggle to your feet and start to make your way down the tunnel. Hopefully you'll bump into her as you walk.

>>42327309

“We're getting close now, boss,” Pixie warns you. True enough, you can hear the sound of trumpets and see a vague light bleeding through the tunnels. Uriel's holy radiance, spreading through the world as though formally announcing his arrival. “Moving... away from us now. I think,” Pixie adds, screwing her face up in concentration.

She thinks? This is kind of important, you remind her.

“These tunnels!” the fairy protests, “Who thought they were a good idea? You humans are insane!”

Fine, sure. Shaking your head, you concentrate on the sound of Uriel's heavenly choir. It does seem to be getting more distant, but the lunatic echoes in these tunnels make it hard to tell exactly. You can't really fault Pixie for being inaccurate.

“The stench of devils grows thin!” a guttural growl rings out from ahead of you, “But the reek of sinners remains strong. Human... I know you're down here. Show yourself!”

That's Uriel – no mistaking it. Dropping low and hurrying to the wall, you peer around and see a light in the distance. In the middle, reduced to a silhouette, you can see a tall, muscular human figure bearing a vast sword. He prowls, occasionally letting his blade drag across the ground with a hellish screech. This is an angel? He bears the air of an executioner, rather than anything holy. Even Raphael had felt like a warrior of God – Uriel is a butcher, nothing more.

“Looks like we've found him,” Pixie groans in dismay, “Here we go...”

Here we go indeed. You tighten your grip on your phone and ready yourself. Time to make a decision.

>Shadow Uriel for a bit while you wait for Cassandra
>Choose your demons and attack
>Retreat
>Other

>>42327411
>Shadow Uriel for a bit while you wait for Cassandra
Have Ripper help with that.

>>42327411
Shadow Uriel for a bit while we wait for Cassandra, Have Ripper out a la >>42327428. If Uriel walks by us and we just have an amazing chance for a fucking ambush, take it!

>>42327411
If we keep talking, would that make it easier for Cassandra to find us?

>>42327428
>>42327411
I'll third

>>42327462

>Possibly, but the noise might very well draw Uriel's attentions as well. It's a risk.

>>42327553
Hey on the off chance Cass stumbles up unstealthily and Uriel sees her, have Amelia summon Black Frost in between them.

>>42327553
I meant more like bantering/negotiating with Uriel before he can start going crazy with that sword of his, making him search for us, but in reality stalling for Cass to get there.

>>42327609
Nonono there is not bantering with Uriel. I could say maybe Raphael but not Uriel.

>>42327609

>Ah, I see. Any noise, really, would make it easier for Cassandra to locate us.

>>42327629
Eh, I'm either or for talking and keeping Amelia's mouth shut, so if you think we shouldn't...

>>42327428
>>42327440
>>42327499

Pixie's work is done, so you let her retreat into the relative safety of your phone. Instead, you summon Ripper and send a hard thought his way – you're following Uriel and doing your best to remain unseen. No murder, unless you see Uriel letting his guard drop completely.

Ripper, swirling into his usual form, nods brusquely. Stealth is one of his specialities, after all, and you see the air around you growing dark. Both you and your demons meld into the shadows, the existing darkness of the tunnel overlapping with the magical gloom Ripper called up with seamless perfection. Short of someone turning a spotlight your way – or Uriel's holy light banishing Ripper's sinister shade – you're going to be invisible.

As you're following the Archangel, you can hear him muttering to himself, his voice carrying its way to your ears with perfect intonation. His ravings bring you little comfort – if anything, they send a shiver down your spine. Something about their rambling quality reminds you of a broken machine, of a computer spitting out corrupted data, or a radio signal scrambled beyond all recognition.

“Where are you, human? Are you running from me? Run-running?” Stopping in his tracks – you're quick to halt as well – Uriel puts a hand to his head and lets out a groan. His sword droops low in his grip, clashing against the metal of the tracks with a sharp rattle. That little noise seems to enrage him, for the Archangel growls suddenly and beats his sword against the ground, filling the tunnel with a piercing din.

>>42327680

Then, in response to the sound, a voice calls out from the distance. If your blood wasn't chilled already, it would have ran cold at the sound of that voice.

“Amelia, is that you? I'm coming!” Cassandra cries from some distance away.

Uriel's head snaps up at the sound, his fists clenching tightly. "You..." he hisses.

>Attack quickly! (Roll 2D100, first for Ripper, second for Black Frost. I'll take best of the first three)
>Talk, try to distract Uriel
>Yell for Cassandra to flee

Rolled 17, 4 = 21 (2d100)

>>42327700
Attack quickly!

Rolled 15, 92 = 107 (2d100)

>>42327700
>Attack quickly! (Roll 2D100, first for Ripper, second for Black Frost. I'll take best of the first three)

Have Black Frost lay on the ice and tank, while Ripper sneak attacks whenever Uriel tries to cast or melee Black Frost, then fades out again.

Rolled 79, 3 = 82 (2d100)

>>42327700
>Attack quickly! (Roll 2D100, first for Ripper, second for Black Frost. I'll take best of the first three)

Let it rip

Rolled 62, 48 = 110 (2d100)

>>42327700
Get Uriel between us and Cass for flanking goodness, then Black Frost/Ripper time.

>>42327757
Unicorn and Cass aren't the best fighters. We need Uriel between Black Frost and Ripper, with BF protecting Cass.

>>42327775
that works too, although that sounds a bit trickier due to Ripper being the source of stealth and this being a tunnel.

>>42327795
I think there is a decent range on where we can summon demons. Maybe.

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Rolled 28, 35 = 63 (2d100)

>>42327717
>>42327756

Go loud, you cry, go loud! A strange sense of lightness sweeps through your body as Ripper drops the veils of shadows he had cast around your group, while your body grows colder still as Black Frost prepares to hurl ice at Uriel. You need to keep his attention on you until Cassandra can get here – with Uriel focussed on you, she would be in the perfect position to flank him, hitting him from behind. You're in little doubt that you can cause enough noise to draw her to your position, especially as Uriel lets out an inarticulate shout of anger, lurching around to face you.

Blades drawn, Ripper pounces at the Archangel, while Black Frost looms up in front of you, ready to take whatever Uriel can throw at it. Alright guys, you mutter with a grim smile, time to go to work.

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Rolled 65, 31 = 96 (2d100)

>>42327830

Perhaps encouraged by the promise of stealing whatever warmth Uriel has – and the “flame of God” is sure to have plenty of heat to steal – Black Frost is much quicker on the offence this time. He opens his cartoonish mouth wide and lets a great frozen mist spill out, spreading across the ground and rising up in swaying tendrils. Whenever the mist touches Uriel, it instantly hardens into glistening ice – not only pinning the Archangel in place, but locking his sword arm down as well. Defenceless, Uriel can do little to prevent Ripper sliding a gleaming blade across his throat.

The strike is good, landing remarkably well, but it glances off the Archangel's iron-hard skin, leaving a cut that is shallow at best. Still, Ripper is nonetheless able to vanish back into the shadows of the tunnel as Uriel sheets himself in fire, blasting away the skin of ice formed around him. You flinch at the sudden burst of light, but you feel no heat – Black Frost following up on his promise and stealing the heat away before it can harm you. Before you can take your next move, Uriel's sword bursts into flames – he's living up to his name, that's for sure – and charges you.

>Please roll 2D100, first for Black Frost, second for Amelia herself. I'll take highest of the first three

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Rolled 49, 2 = 51 (2d100)

>>42327939
Oh shit.

Rolled 36, 17 = 53 (2d100)

>>42327939
pls

Rolled 16, 3 = 19 (2d100)

>>42327939

Rolled 2, 64 = 66 (2d100)

>>42327939

>>42327962
>>42327983
>>42327984
RIP

We fucked yo. Dice do not like Amelia.

You rolled so low that those two elephants come back and beat the shit out of you again before Uriel has the chance to even attack you.

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>>42328031

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>>42327962
>>42327983

Uriel's charge takes you entirely by surprise – he was frozen to the floor a moment ago, he can't just get up like that! The first you see of his attack is when the tip of his sword bursts through Black Frost's body, impaling the formidable demon like someone skewering a piece of overcooked meat. The fire doesn't seem to harm the demon, but that hardly seems to matter. Throwing aside Black Frost – the giant demon suddenly seems as limp as a ragdoll – Uriel swipes out with his bare hand and sends you flying.

It was a punch, that's all. Just a punch, and yet it strikes with enough force to lift you off your feet and send you flying down the tunnel. You land with a crunch – some lingering injury from your earlier beating rupturing inside you – and see stars for a moment. You hand is in agony, still fragile bones shattered once more, but somehow you manage to keep your phone from skittering away again. You're not out of the fight just yet...

“You try to face the flame of God, and this is all you bring?” Uriel sneers, ripping his sword from Black Frost's chest. “A mongrel creature such as this and, what, a living shadow? You'll until not a single trace of your sinful flesh blights this land!”

You've got a moment – one single moment to turn the tables on Uriel – but you're not out of options. Cassandra is coming, hopefully, and Ripper is still out there, haunting the darkness.

>Have Ripper attack from behind (Roll 1D100, best of the first three)
>Yell for Cassandra
>Summon another demon to replace Black Frost
>Other

>>42328263
Black Frost dead or just injured?

>>42328289

>Close to death, but he's not finished off just yet.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>42328263
>Have Ripper attack from behind (Roll 1D100, best of the first three)
>Yell for Cassandra
Get her Unicorn to heal Black Frost ASAP. Without his ice we are fucked.

Hopefully Ripper can buy time. Let it rip.

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>42328263
>yell for Cassandra

"HEAL THE BLACK SNOWMAN"

>Have Ripper attack from behind (Roll 1D100, best of the first three)

Prepare to bare knuckle box an angel with a flaming sword

>>42328380
Hand is shattered again.

>>42328355
YES!!

>>42328263
>>yell for Cassandra

>"HEAL THE BLACK SNOWMAN"
>>Have Ripper attack

but


>Slam good fist into ground to shower rocks at Uriel.

>>42328397
Truly, the only flaw in my plan.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>42328263
>Have Ripper attack from behind (Roll 1D100, best of the first three)
>Yell for Cassandra
Get her Unicorn to heal Black Frost ASAP. Without his ice we are fucked.

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>>42328438

>>42328449
Pixy, what are you doing out here? I thought I put you back in the phone! I need black frost right now, go away.

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>>42328512
Use this

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>>42328355

You yell for Ripper, screaming for your ever-reliable murderer to ply his trade. In the past, you've been cautious about Ripper, unsure about the sheer violence he was capable of inflicting upon your enemies. You even pitied them, at times, and felt reluctant to unleash the killer shadow. That, however, was then.

This is now. As far as you're concerned, Ripper can do whatever he likes to this one.

He doesn't disappoint.

As you're calling out for Cassandra – urging her to heal Black Frost as quickly as possible, if she can hear you – you see Ripper rising up behind Uriel like a vengeful shadow, straight razor unfolded and ready. That blade, deadly as it was, had only glanced away from Uriel's armoured skin. This time, Ripper doesn't aim for Uriel's skin. His empty hand tightened around the Archangel's throat, Ripper drags his straight razor across Uriel's eyes, bringing forth a burst of bright red blood and a terrible roar of frustrated pain. Reeling back, Uriel's final attack doesn't materialise, his efforts devoted to flailing at Ripper and howling like a lunatic.

“Amelia!” Cassandra's voice calls out again, much closer this time, and you hear the sound of hooves. “I'm here! Heal the-”

The snowman, you shout, heal the bloody snowman!

“Right,” Cassandra hurls herself from Unicorn's back, rolling as she hits the ground and kneeling by your side. Holding her shield at the ready, she gives you a nod, her face tightened in a determined grimace. Healing light fills the tunnel, and then a booming voice rings out.. You never thought you'd be so glad to hear it.

“Hee hee hee!” Black Frost cackles, “You're in trouble now, ho!”

>>42328607
>Cassandra hurls herself from Unicorn's back, rolling as she hits the ground and kneeling by your side.

Look at this action hero.

>>42328607

For a moment, you become certain that you just experienced the heat death of the universe. You were cold before – chilled from your very core – but the spell that Black Frost unleashes is so powerful that everything leading up to this point felt like a balmy spring day. Even Forneus' final attack cannot compare to this – and this attack wasn't even focussed at you. The air itself seems to freeze for a moment, and then a mighty icicle bursts up from the ground, impaling Uriel and turning his blood to a frozen mist.

Silence, for a moment. Then, blood gurgling from his throat, Uriel begins to force out words. “Human... I curse you. May your sword blunt and shatter, may your armour buckle and rust. I curse you with cowardice and failure. I curse you, with my dying breath, to die weak, weary and powerless. This is... the curse of... the Archangel Uriel...”

His words trail off as the life leaves his body, and soon Uriel's mutilated body is breaking down into reeking clumps of greasy ash. Next Archangel you meet, you tell yourself, you're going to cut its damn head off. These curses are getting on your nerves.

“Are you okay?” Cassandra asks as he helps you up, “Oh, your hand! Wait, I think I can help...”

Before you can protest, perhaps asking her to leave it to the professionals, Cassandra clicks her fingers, calling another burst of healing light from Unicorn. It doesn't fix your hand, but at least you're not coughing up blood. Silver linings, and all that. The cornerstone, you mutter, all that's left is to find the damn cornerstone.

“Right!” Cassandra nods, “Need a lift?”

After the beating you've taken over the past day, you're not about to decline. You both climb up on Unicorn's back and, calling up Pixie to guide you, start to ride off down the tunnel.

>>42328828
Jokes on him, we already died weak weary and powerless.

>>42328828

The second cornerstone turns out to be a cracked tile on one of the tunnel walls, utterly anonymous if it wasn't for the vague aura of magic about it. It looks like steam, rising out from behind the grimy white porcelain. You're always disappointed by these things – you come expecting an artefact of cosmic power and find something that wouldn't have looked out of place in a public bathroom. Still, the end result is the same.

“I was expecting something a little more...” Cassandra squints at the tile, matching your thoughts exactly. For a moment, you think she's about to reach out and take it for herself, but she stays motionless, allowing you to approach it. A tremor of fear rushes through you as you look at the cornerstone – what's going to happen if you touch it? The white void again?

Banishing your fear, you reach out and press your hand to the broken tile, wincing as the familiar sensation of your mind being ripped from your body overwhelms you. Here you are again – the crossroads between worlds. Heaven and Hell both scream for your attention, your devotion, but this time their voices are that much weaker. Outside, on the other hand, has more of a presence here, strengthened by your previous offering.

Where do you send the power?

>Heaven
>Hell
>Outside

>>42328935
>Outside

>>42328935
>Inside

>>42328935
>Outside

Imagine if we sent it to Heaven right now. Michael and Metatron just start scratching their heads and shrug.

>>42328935
>Outside

>>42328967
Gabby is still out there too.

>>42328954
This. Outside seemed to be the lair of some things worse than angels or demons. I just don't want to deal with eldritch abomination. Yet. What? Maybe we'll even gain power with it!

>>42328980
>The angel Gabriel
>Probably going to be the one searching for the third cornerstone

>Gabriel
>third cornerstone

>Gabe
>3

Half-life 3 confirmed.

>>42328935
>Outside

>>42329023
>>42328954
Pretty sure it doesn't work like that guys. This power is meant to strengthen kingdoms. Taking it in to ourselves would probably kill us or worse transform us into something we are not.

Stay the course.

>>42328952
>>42328967
>>42328980
>>42329042

Well, this was never really a question, was it? As much as you like the mental image of sending the power to one of the two greater armies – just to see their bemused reactions – you're not enough of a fool to empower your enemies for a cheap laugh. Ignoring their pleas, you steer the flow of mystical power to the Outside and let yourself get carried along by the flow. As you travel – if “travelling” is an appropriate term for this otherworldly voyage – you wonder again about where, exactly, you're going. “Outside” is a big place, after all.

Your thoughts are cut off dramatically when you arrive at the white void again, but this time something is different. You almost have a body here, a vague misty representation of your real form, shot through with static and interference. On an instinctual level, you grasp that you're still not corporeal to interact with this place – not yet, at least – but you still make an attempt to move about. If you go anywhere, you can't tell. Distance, in this place, is irrelevant.

“Amelia,”

Your mother's voice, the voice you were hoping desperately to hear. One of the main reasons for sending this power here in the first place. It comes from behind you, and you slowly turn. Lydie Bishop, your mother, is standing close behind you – not close enough to touch, but closer than before.

“You're doing so well!” she gushes, “I knew you could do it! But... you know this isn't over yet, don't you?”

Of course, you nod. You're only halfway there.

>>42329245

“It's hard, I know,” Lydia gives you a sympathetic smile, “They're all trying to use you, to twist you to their own purposes, and when you try to shake the leash, they hurt you. You've got to endure, to rise above their petty desires. Fight, Amelia, fight for yourself!”

Who... who are “they”? You're not expecting an answer – you're not even expecting to hear your question aloud – but your voice sounds out, flat and blunted.

“Everyone,” Lydia tells you with a sad smile, “Your friends, and your enemies both. Play their games, for now. Soon, you'll be the last one standing – you deserve to be the last one standing.”

Maybe, just maybe, you can force out another question. At least your mother seems less harried this time, less rushed. You desperately want to make the most of your time together, just to talk as mother and daughter, but... you've got questions that need answers.

>I need to know, is it really you?
>How do you know all this?
>Is there anyone I can trust?
>Just enjoy your time together while it lasts.

>>42329301
>>I need to know, is it really you?

>>42329301
>>Is there anyone I can trust?

>>42329301
>Is there anyone I can trust?

>>42329301
>I need to know, is it really you?

>>42329024
WHEN?
H
E
N
?

Never

>>42329321
>>42329333
>>42329346
>>42329370

It hurts you to ask this, so much so that you need to force the words out, but eventually you manage to form the words. You need to know, is it really her? Is she really your mother?

“This is a lot to take in, I understand,” Lydia smiles beatifically, “Any sane person would want to be sure. Please, Amelia, ask me anything you like – something your mother would know. Then you'll know, won't you?”

Something only your mother would know? That's a tricky one – you were never one to share a lot of private conversations with her. However, there is one thing. Your leather jacket, some biker-style monster that you were content to wear to the point of destruction. You told everyone that you bought it yourself, but in truth, it was a birthday present from your mother. You ask her that – what did your mother buy you for your sixteenth birthday?

“That awful leather jacket, of course,” Lydia answers immediately, “I hope you're taking care of it – it cost a fortune, you know!”

That's... not indisputable proof, but it's good enough for you. Perhaps you're a little TOO willing to accept that, but that little piece of paranoia doesn't linger in your mind long enough to take root. You ask, instead, is there's anyone you can trust. Anyone at all?

“You can trust me, and you can trust yourself,” Lydia tells you simply, offering the truth – her version of the truth – without any attempt to cushion the blow. “I'm sorry, Amelia, but the world is harsh. You know this, don't you?”

Of course, but... Cassandra? Carnby? Surely THEY can be trusted?

Lydia, instead of answering, merely offers you a sad smile, shaking her head slowly. Then, still shaking her head, she turns to leave. “You can't stay here,” she declares, her voice growing faint as you are pulled back, “There's work to be done, Amelia. Remember what I told you...”

>>42329632

You wake up. Clad in a cold sweat and sickened by the taste of old blood in your throat, you wake up in the dark tunnels to see Cassandra leaning down over you, worry painted across her features. You're okay, you tell her as you struggle to your feet again, you're just a little dizzy. Manipulating cosmic power really takes its toll on you, after all.

“Uh, right,” Cassandra nods, “So... should we just get out of here? I think we should get out of here. I've got this feeling like we might not be alone down here.”

A feeling? It's not one you share, but your senses have been blasted by the stress of the day and you doubt you'd notice it if someone set your underwear on fire. That said, the idea of scavengers drawn to feed off the bodies you've left behind is all too plausible, so you agree quickly. Best to leave before anything shows up. But leave where – back to the court? The thought of returning to Oberon and Titania's squabbles is a wearying one. Then again, where else do you have to go?

>Return to the court
>Go elsewhere (Write in)

>>42329799
>Go elsewhere (Write in)
Any police stations on the way? We are out of ammo.

Also release Black Frost from service. He filled his end of the deal and did a damn good job.

>>42329799
>>42329832
This, but first ask Black Frost if he would consent to being made into a tchotchke of some kind. If he's cool with it I'd like myself a black frost keyring

>>42329867
I think he'd like the sound of 'magical artifact' instead of 'tchotchke'.

Gotta stroke that ego.

>>42329832
agreed

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>>42329867
>>42329890

Of course, before you can do anything else, you've got Black Frost to take care of. He fulfilled his side of the bargain to an impressive extent but you can't live like this, shuddering and shivering all the time. Maybe you could get Scathach to produce something useful with him. She told you, all that time ago, about her ability to make artefacts – weapons, armour, or tokens - out of demons. Asking Cassandra to wait, you summon Black Frost back up and give him a careful look.

“Hee, we sure beat that ho, right?” the snowman cackles, “He was warm, ho!”

He sure was, you agree, thinking of the fire that had coated the lethal point of his sword. But now you've got another offer. Surely, you begin, a demon of Black Frost's power would produce an artefact of untold power. Really, you add, shooting Cassandra a hard look, you can't overstate the power.

“Yeah!” Cassandra agrees, catching on quickly, “The stuff of, uh, legends.”

“Hee-huh?” Black Frost looks suspicious for a moment, “Are you trying to TRICK me, ho?”

“Of course not!” Cassandra and you say in perfect unison. Nope, nothing untoward here. Narrowing his eyes until they're little more than slits, Black Frost nods slowly.

Excellent, you declare as you clap your hands together, you know this charming woman...


The trip to the hospital basement is a thankfully uneventful one – perhaps any demon that thinks of attacking is “persuaded” to rethink their decision by the sight of Black Frost ambling alongside you. Scathach greets you warmly when you arrive, her eyes growing interested when you tell her of your intention to offer up Black Frost.

“Indeed?” Scathach asks, gliding closer and laying one of her hands on your forehead, “Now close your eyes, cursed one, and think carefully. What do you see?”

>Armour
>A weapon
>Something else
>I don't see anything at all

>>42330266
>Armour
This vest isn't doing all that much for me right now.

>>42330266
>Armour

>>42330266
Yeah, armor would be the best thing to do right now.

>>42330294
>>42330302
>>42330341

“Is that so?” Scathach murmurs. With your eyes closed, it sounds like her voice is coming from right behind you, whispering directly into your ear, “Armour to protect your frail human form? To ward against the frost and fire of your enemies?”

Right, you mutter back to her. You want to open your eyes, but some instinct urges against it. She's not going to need to... measure anything, is she?

Scathach just laughs, a deep throaty chuckle that sends a shiver down your spine – and entirely different kind of shiver to the ones Black Frost has inflicted upon you. “Open your eyes, cursed one,” the witch says eventually. You obey, and see a metal breastplate lying at your feet. It's cold to the touch, but that only makes you realise that your own body heat is rushing back. You feel warm, and the simple pleasure of that sensation is enough to force a laugh of relief.

“Take it,” Scathach insists, “Magical ice and fire should trouble you less, now. That doesn't mean you should start jumping into fires, though.”

Well no, you agree with a nervous laugh, glancing across to Cassandra. The other girl offers a minuscule shrug, but no other comment.

>Black Frost has been transformed into Cold Heart Armour

“Now go, cursed one,” Scathach tells you, “Or should that be twice-cursed, now?”

You don't answer, merely leaving the hospital as quickly as possible. When you're outside, you can't stop yourself from asking Cassandra a question. What happened in there, you ask, did Scathach... do anything?

“Huh? She just put her hand on your forehead and that thing appeared at your feet,” Cassandra gives you a funny look, “Weird, yeah, but it's magic, right? That's to be expected.”

Right, you murmur, already trying to put the strangely invasive sensation from your mind. You look, instead, for a police station. You're going to need some more bullets before you head back to the court.

>>42330498

You were expecting a debate – an argument even – with Cassandra over stealing the box of bullets, but the girl accepted your little act of theft with pragmatism. She doesn't even ask when you take your gun out and sloppily load the bullets into the magazine. How long has she known? Ever since she found your beaten body lying out in the street?

You don't ask. She's willing to look the other way while you're stealing ammunition, so you're willing to look the other way while she's potentially patting down your unconscious body for weapons – assuming that's what she was looking for. For small talk, you speculate about the next Archangel, and when it might descend to London until you reach the border of the court. Inside, sitting in the foyer with a restless look on his face, Carnby glances up at the sound of your arrival.

“Ah, Amelia, Cassandra,” he doesn't look nervous, so much as excited. Like a scientist who's made some kind of breakthrough, you realise. “I understand things went, uh, well. It certainly caused a fair reaction here.”

Oh, you ask, what kind of reaction?

“Well, the guards were careful to keep things from getting out of hand, but...” Carnby glances around, making sure nobody is listening in, “A lot of the fairies here, they're rooting for you. You've really won them over.”

Huh, you can't say you ever expected that. Sure, after the help you've given them and the speech you made after Cu Chulainn's return, you knew that you'd made an impression, but to know that the fairies are cheering you on? That's a good feeling, you won't lie.

“Ah, well, anyway,” Carnby's excitement returns, “I've made some progress with my research. I should be able to upgrade your phone a little. Cassandra, yours as well. Can I take them for a moment?”

>Hand your phone over
>Show him the black marble you found as well
>Don't let him have your phone

>>42330657
>Hand your phone over
>>Show him the black marble you found as well
I keep forgetting about that thing.

>>42330657
>Hand your phone over
>Show him the black marble you found as well
You should probably do it one at a time, Lest someone or something tries to attack us with our pants down.

>>42330682
>>42330697
these

>>42330682
>>42330697
>>42330976

You're in the process of handing your phone over when you remember that little black marble you recovered from the bank vault. It's strange, it seemed like such a big deal at the time, but you forgot about it so quickly. It was almost like it was trying to be forgotten, trying to slip from your mind.

Heh, now you're just being paranoid. That said, you do turn it over to Carnby along with your phone, noticing – in a kind of casual, off-hand way – that the marble is totally unharmed, despite everything you've been through since finding it.

“You want me to take a look at this?” Carnby frowns at the little sphere, weighing it in his hand, “It doesn't look like much, but... hmm. I might have read something about things like this. I can't confirm anything until I take a good long look at it, but it might be a demon.”

A demon? That little thing?

“A demon in storage,” Carnby corrects himself, “It's not bound to a master, so it would attack anyone once it's released, but they can be used as weapons. Throw it at whatever's trying to kill you and, well, run.”

Run?

“While it's distracted,” Carnby explains, “Really, I'm curious as to what's inside this thing. Something particularly nasty, I don't doubt. Where did you... No, don't tell me. I'm not sure I want to know.”

Long story, you tell him with a glib smile, only too happy to move right along. How long will he need your phone for? You're none too happy about being disarmed for too long, especially with your hand in a bad state. Cassandra's healing magic took the edge off things, but you're still going to need some rest. This time, you'll actually stay in bed for a full day. You mean it this time.

>>42331043

“An hour maybe,” Carnby shrugs, “I can drop it off in your room when it's done, and... oh!”

Oh. Nothing good ever began with an “oh!”. You take a wild guess and ask if Oberon was looking for you, probably with either something ridiculously difficult or revoltingly menial to take care of. From the crestfallen expression on Carnby's face, you get the feeling that your guess was spot on.

“Actually, he asked to see you. No demands or insisting, he just asked if you could come to the audience chamber at a convenient moment,” Carnby already sounds distracted, his mind rushing off to better things.

Oberon was being nice to you? Something is definitely up here – maybe you should wait until you're fully prepared before throwing yourself upon his tender mercies. Get some rest and see what he wants in the morning. Yeah, that sounds nice. Then again, this could be a test, some attempt at seeing how willing you are to help – or at least, how willing you are pretending to be. That sounds like something Oberon would do. Some overcomplicated scheme designed to trap you out no matter which option you take. Bastard.

>Get some rest first
>See what Oberon wants
>Try and find Titania first, see if she knows anything about this
>Other

>>42331072
>See what Oberon wants

>>42331072
>See what Oberon wants

>>42331072
>See what Oberon wants
This smells.

>>42331072
>See what Oberon wants AFTER asking undine or one of our other demons to enchant our pistol.

If we see those elephants imma start shooting

>>42331185
Its temporary and Undine is down. He wouldn't beat or kill us in the audience chamber, not with public support and Cu Chulainn on our side.

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

494 KB JPG

>>42331086
>>42331087
>>42331138

You're not expecting this to be a pleasant visit, but you calculate that the odds of Oberon trying to attack you, or have you otherwise killed, in the middle of his own court are pretty low. If nothing else, this sudden attack of politeness has got you pretty curious. Some effort at winning you over, perhaps? Or maybe this a case of genuine desperation – if there's some threat looming that requires everyone to get along and play nicely, you're more than willing to do your part.

Especially if it means you have a home to return to. It's that thought which motivates you to make your way to the audience chamber, past tight-knit mobs of fairies that glance – or sometimes stare – at you as you pass by. Carnby wasn't kidding – you're actually getting kind of famous. Well, it's either fame, or someone's stuck a rude note on the back of your jacket. You kind of prefer the former.

When you reach the audience chamber, Oberon is sitting – not slouching or sprawling, actually sitting politely – on his throne. Titania is absent, along with all but the most discrete guards. Again, you're not sure which would be worse – this absence of guards, or a surplus of them.

“Human, no, Amelia,” Oberon greets you, and you don't fail to notice his attempts at appearing polite. He still dislikes you, no question there, but at least he's making an effort. “I understand you found success today. Not many would expect a mere human to be capable of such deeds.”

A mere human?

“I mean no offence,” the king hastily corrects himself, “Understand, there are few in the kingdom who would willingly fight an Archangel, even without the political situation to hold them back. I doubt there are any in this land who would have expected such things from you. That's why... I believe I've been hasty, in my judgement of you.”

>>42331416

Okay, now you're really curious. What, exactly, does he want from you?

“I'm extending the hand of friendship,” Oberon tells you and really, you've got to commend him for the attempt at sincerity. It's almost perfect. “Who among us benefits from disrupting the kingdom with squabbles and factionalism? It is only right and proper that you, as a friend of this court, have a place here. Just as it is only right and proper that the king and queen stand in harmonious union.”

He's really talking a lot, you think to yourself, but he isn't saying anything at all. Then, it strikes you. He's afraid of you. Before, you were some rootless wanderer, come to his court begging for a place to lay your weary head. Now, you've got a reputation. The people are talking about you, and they're saying all the right things. Perhaps Oberon has realised the hole he's dug for himself, and he's taking the only way out he can think of.

He's watching you now, carefully studying your reaction for any hint of which way your mind is turning. Truth be told, you're not really sure yourself. You're not even sure if this is a genuine appeal for peace, or if he has some hidden agenda here. It was only yesterday that he arranged for you to suffer a brutal beating – if that was, indeed, his doing – and now he's offering friendship? There must be something else going on here.

Still, you realise you've been silent for too long when the king clears his throat, drawing your attention back to him. Should you take him up on his offer of peace, or throw it back in his face? Can you even make that decision right away?

>Offer a non-committal answer
>Take him up on his offer
>Refuse his offer

>>42331603
>Take him up on his offer

You have provided me with a place to live and a place for my friends and family to find peace from the war-torn streets of London. I'll continue to help keep your kingdom together and strong because you are the only force strong enough and without ill intentions for the human world. I want to work with you. I really do, Oberon. But I'm much more suited to dealing with external threats than internal ones.

>>42331603
>Take him up on his offer

On second thought, he's such a petty bitch he might freak out if we give him a non-committal.

>>42331745
>>42331757

It's pretty easy to hold a grudge against someone who has treated you like Oberon has – hell, like both Oberon and Titania have, if you're honest – but sometimes you forget what they did for you. They took you in – not without making their own demands, true, but they could have turned you away nonetheless. They gave you a home, and not just a home for you, but a home for your friends and family as well. You've eaten their food, used their resources and enjoyed their hospitality. That's not something you can just ignore.

What's more, this kingdom is the only one that doesn't seek to put chains on mankind. That's kind of a big deal. So, it's with surprisingly little regret that you accept Oberon's offer, agreeing to meet his offer of friendship and find peace. You'll do your best to defend his kingdom – because in a way, it's your kingdom now as well.

Though, you'd really rather not get involved with the politics, you add with a laugh, hoping that Oberon will take it as a joke. You're a lot better at dealing with the kind of issues you can just beat up.

“Of course,” Oberon offers a thin smile, before sighing long and hard. You can practically see the tension seeping from his small body, “I won't lie, I'm much happier fighting with you than against you.”

With two Archangels under your belt – even if you technically had help with the second one – you don't really blame him. That said, you share the sentiment. You're starting to feel like things are looking up at last.

Now, all you need to do is wait for things to start tumbling down around your ears. You give it a day – two at the most.

>I'll have to end here tonight. Next thread on Tuesday, and I'll be lurking for a while. Thanks for everyone taking part today!

>>42332031
Thanks for the run boss.

Why is Ripper so cool?

>>42332031
is it possible to meet Dante?

>>42332092

Serial killer chic? He always seems to roll very well when Amelia gets in a tight spot, so that's a big plus

>>42332110

Unfortunately, things are not likely to get that crazy.

>>42332190
Does the Black Frost Breastplate offer decent physical protection as well?

>>42332212

It's not spectacular, but it does offer a degree of general protection. A bit more than the bulletproof vest did, so it's an overall improvement

>>42332252
Is Cass going to start trying her hand at demon negotiation soon? She probably needs to start filling our her roster.

>>42332252
Can archangel willingly leave Cass's service. Could he try to kill her? Or is he forced to go along with the murdering of the entire upper branch of Heaven's military forces.

>>42332283

I've been throwing around ideas for that - Cass might give it a try while Amelia is getting that bed rest. The idea of seeing her negotiate with a demon amuses me though.

>>42332307

That is something I've thought about, and it's going to become relevant later.

>>42332390
>That is something I've thought about, and it's going to become relevant later.

Worst comes to worse we can shove him into a weapon for Cass or something.

>>42332031
Thanks for running, Moloch.

>>42332418
First thing next thread, Archangel becomes armor for Cass. No betrayal allowed.

>>42332499
We'll see.