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>>42576983

You weren't expecting a welcoming committee, but you're getting on anyway. A small one, at least – king Oberon, and the king alone. Not a single bodyguard in sight, that's quite out of the ordinary for the diminutive ruler. You can't rule out discreet guards, giving their monarch a measure of privacy, but you can't see anyone in the likely hiding spots.

“Amelia,” Oberon says, by way of introduction. He's looking sharp – his dark hair topped with a crown of intricate silver and crystal – and his eyes have more life in them than you're used to seeing. He looks, all in all, like a new man, fresh and revitalised. “Would you walk with me?”

He's even being polite – this is a pleasant surprise. Curiosity leads you to nod, letting him lead you down an empty corridor. Still, you can't help but glance behind you every so often, looking for trailing guards – or signs of an ambush.

“Do you know what it's like, being a leader?” the king asks as he flies ahead of you, his shimmering wings buzzing, “Everyone thinks they can do a better job than you, no matter how good of a ruler you are. I can live with murmurs of discontent and veiled criticisms – I am a generous king, am I not?”

Oh yeah, real magnanimous, you think to yourself. Good going on that “not cracking down on free speech” thing. Still, you're interested enough in what Oberon has to say that you keep your opinions to yourself.

“Still, my enemies will not be satisfied with mere words,” Oberon growls, pausing at a balcony and looking out over the trees clustering around his palace, “Even now, with my authority proven beyond all doubt, they draw their knives.”

You wait patiently for a moment as Oberon lapses into silence. Then, as the silence draws out, your patience begins to grow thin. Just as you're about to speak up – to ask, say, if Oberon is actually going to make a point - the king continues.

>>42576998

“Some important advice, seeing as you might very well be a leader yourself one day,” Oberon offers with a thin smile, like someone savouring a bitter moment, “Never have a subordinate that you cannot get rid of at a moment's notice.”

...You see. By “get rid of”, does he mean...

“Kill? If need be, yes. Banish, imprison or otherwise chastise to the point where disobedience is out of the question? Also yes,” rubbing his hands together in apparent glee at the ideas, Oberon reaches up to touch the brim of his crown. “It sounds harsh, I know, but a crown like this carries responsibilities as well as privileges.”

And one of those responsibilities, apparently, is to kill any subordinate that grows too powerful. That might be good advice for some paranoid tyrant, but you'd like to think you don't need to stoop to those levels. Ever the diplomat, however, you smile and nod – making a show of absorbing the lecture.

“Tell me,” the change in subject is very deliberate, but you can still feel the ghost of the previous topic lingering in Oberon's words, “What do you make of Cu Chulainn?”

That's a loaded question if you ever heard one. What was he just saying about getting rid of troublesome underlings?

>I won't kill him for you, if that's what you mean
>We get along well enough
>I hear he's a very potent warrior
>He's under the queen's influence
>Give a non-committal answer and excuse yourself
>Other

>>42577011
>>We get along well enough
>I hear he's a very potent warrior
He's also apparently very bored, but he has too much respect for you as his liege to start trouble like Cernunnos did.

>>42577011
>>I hear he's a very potent warrior
>>He's under the queen's influence

>>42577011
>We get along well enough
>>I hear he's a very potent warrior

>>42577011
>We get along well enough
>I hear he's a very potent warrior
"He was plenty strong as Setanta."

>>42577033
>>42577243
>>42577355

You've heard that he's a very capable warrior, you begin carefully, however you've never seen him in action with your own eyes. Other than that, well, you shrug – what, exactly, is Oberon expecting you to say? Does he want some grand confession out of you, some fantasy that the hero is planning to dethrone the king? No, all you can really add is that you and Cu Chulainn get along well enough. Not exactly close friends, but you'd certainly say you trust the young warrior.

His one sin, you add, is that he seems fairly bored with life at court. He should be out questing and adventuring, not waiting around all day. Leaning a little closer to Oberon, you continue speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. It's a good thing that Cu Chulainn has so much respect for his liege and his land, you tell the king, he's never once gone out to make trouble for himself like Cernunnos did.

“I see,” Oberon strokes his chin thoughtfully, “So you would say he is... loyal?”

Truth be told, you think Cu Chulainn's loyalties lie more with the queen than with Oberon himself, but his true allegiance is to the kingdom itself – the hero would put the safety of his land before court politics any day of the week. However, you're canny enough to know that Oberon would not be happy with such an answer. You merely agree with him, instead. Loyal beyond all doubt, there's no question about it.

“Good, very good,” the fairy king muses, still sounding deep in thought. At least he seems to have taken your words at face value, rather than pressing you for a more detailed explanation. “I'm sure I can find something for him to do that will feed his lust for glory.”

Now hold on a minute, you didn't say that, you protest, but Oberon makes no sign of hearing you. Was that Oberon's game? Take whatever you told him and twist it into something that incriminates Cu Chulainn?

>>42577432
Christ.
"Oberon do you ever stop and think that your paranoia about rebellion and your 'steps' to stop it is what actually CAUSES rebellions? Maybe its because of my unique position but you and Titania are not as subtle as you think."

>>42577432

“Nobody is incriminating anyone here,” Oberon reassures you with a smooth smile, “Nobody is on trial, after all. We're just having an informal conversation, just the two of us.”

Of course – nothing more than that. But now, you tell him with a frown, you think this conversation is over. You've got other things to do – better things, you want to tell him, but you manage to hold your tongue – with your time.

“I won't keep you,” Oberon, still looking out over his domain, waves you away with a fleeting gesture, “However, on the subject of Cu Chulainn, I believe he was spending some time with your friend, somewhere within the forest. Maybe I should have asked for HER opinion of him, hmm?”

Surely it's just a coincidence, or perhaps a slip of the tongue, that left Oberon's question sounding so much like a threat. Or maybe not – maybe every trace of menace that had crept into his words had been deliberate. Whatever the truth, you really don't like the way this conversation is heading. It would probably be best, you tell yourself, to leave now before you say anything you later regret. On the other hand, you really want to tell Oberon exactly what you think about this growing paranoia, and his shitty, totalitarian methods of culling rebellions.

>Give Oberon a piece of your mind
>Peacefully defuse the situation
>Leave quickly, make sure Cassandra is safe
>Other

>>42577620
>Give Oberon a piece of your mind

>>42577620
>Give Oberon a piece of your mind
"Well since its informal, I am going to be blunt."

Cass is probably fine.

>>42577620
Oh Oberon I that wasn't a threat was it? The last entity who had the bad taste to threaten me was Uriel.

>>42577901
I do so hope wasn't a threat.*

>>42577901
Technically it was Mot, the Semitic God of Death, then before that it was Gurr, the demonization of the Deity Garuda.

>>42577638
>>42577678
>>42577901

Since this is an informal conversation, you tell Oberon with sudden relish, you're going to be blunt. Has he ever stopped to think about whether his constant paranoia about rebellion, and the “steps” he takes to prevent it, might just end up causing a rebellion one of these days? Because, you tell him frankly, people don't like being stepped on. People who spend their lives under someone else's boot eventually get tired of living like that and decide to do something about it. Crushing people might work in the short term, but it doesn't look good for the future.

In your opinion, you add with faux respect, since you're swapping advice. Informally.

To your surprise, Oberon laughs out loud, throwing back his head and letting out gales of mirth in a way that reminds you of Forneus, in some uncomfortable way. “I'm glad we can joke about these things, Amelia. It gets lonely at the top, and not even my faithful wife is willing to indulge in such free conversation.”

...You weren't actually joking. Was he joking about all that “crush all dissent” stuff?

You were hoping for a reply, but Oberon simply laughs – again – and begins to depart at his own leisure. The entire encounter leaves you, well, rather bemused. Exactly how much of that should you take seriously? Either way, you're not going to let him get the last word. You call after him – not caring about whoever might overhear – that the last person to threaten you ended up dead. He shouldn't joke about making threats, lest someone take him seriously.

Oberon stops dead in his “tracks” - hovering in mid air, really – for a moment, his shoulders tense, but then he keeps moving without answering you. Looks like you win this one, in terms of getting the last word at least. It leaves you feeling absurdly good about yourself.

>>42578011

What now, though? Maybe you should track down Carnby – not that he'll be hard to find, he'll be in the archives you don't doubt – and see if he's managed to learn anything interesting. You're still not sure what you're going to do about the third cornerstone, but learning where it is would be the first step. Then again, you could also see about venturing out into the woods and looking for Cassandra – although she might want some privacy, if she's out there with Cu Chulainn.

There was always the Hellfire Club, if you were desperately looking for some work – Nebiros mentioned something about a task that called for you personally. You're curious, if nothing else, to see who knows enough about you to ask directly after you – let alone seeing what kind of job they have to offer you.

Or, you could just take it easy for today. You had a hard day yesterday, after all. Nobody would begrudge you a little time to rest and recuperate.

>Visit Carnby at the archives
>Look for Cassandra in the forest
>Go to the Hellfire Club and ask about work
>Take a walk through the palace
>Other

>>42578063
>Visit Carnby at the archives
Lets start research on the third cornerstone. Also ask Carnby why our Oracle can't send messages to people, cause that would be EXTREMELY convenient considering our contacts now.

>>42578063
>Visit Carnby at the archives

>>42578063
>>Look for Cassandra in the forest
>>Go to the Hellfire Club and ask about work

Send Undine to Black and Red and ask her to get the deets for us. I'm sure they'll understand we're busy. Go cockblock Cu Chulainn.

>>42578190
>>42578063

I just realized there's really no point as I don't have anything important for us to say to Cassandra or Cu Chulainn, change that to visit carnby. But i still support the idea of having all work-related offers come through undine who should be our official demon contract taker

>>42578094
>>42578114
>>42578211

It's about time you did some book learning – by which you mean, of course, leeching off on Carnby's compulsive research. You're doing him a favour anyway, he probably hasn't eaten in a while and needs someone to talk to. Since you're in a surprisingly good mood – your verbal sparring with Oberon leaving you strangely refreshed – you stop by the kitchens on the way down to the archives and gather some food. Portable stuff, mostly, and nothing that would pose a risk to any of the more delicate books. No soup, in other words.

When you find Carnby, however, you can't help but wrinkle your nose a little in distaste. He looks even more dishevelled than usual, hair that hasn't seen a brush in days sticking up at odd angles and... are those cobwebs clinging to his scalp?

“Cassandra's right, this place is filthy,” he murmurs when he notices your incredulous look, “Filthy. Hello Amelia, how are things in the world above?”

World above? You laugh nervously as Carnby wolfs down the food you put on his desk. What's the deal with everyone making weird jokes all of a sudden?

“Of course I'm, ah, joking,” Carnby pauses to pick a lump of food out of his teeth, “Was it a bad joke? I'm a little out of practice, you see, it's not often I get a chance to chat with someone down here.”

So why not just... go upstairs? You look back towards the entrance, thinking of the open doorway you came through. It's not like there's anything keeping him here.

“Well I, uh,” Carnby scratches his head, pulling out a long tangle of cobwebs that he absent mindedly wipes on his trousers, “All my research is here. It's fascinating really, fascinating. I think I'm getting close to a breakthrough.”

>>42578374

A... breakthrough? You stare at Carnby for a moment longer, slowly wondering if you might need to think about an intervention. Having Troll pick him up and drag him back to the outside world, for example. Drastic? Maybe, but it would certainly be effective.

“Ah, you didn't think I was down here doing nothing, did you?” Carnby offers you a furtive wink, “I think I'm onto something big, maybe even something that the fairies themselves don't know!”

That's really fantastic, but you've got some questions you could use answering. Maybe he could share some of that knowledge of his, hmm?

“Ah, of course! Let me get my notes...” Carnby rummages through a stack of papers, producing a sheaf of notes scribbled in some inhuman language, “So, what do you want to know?”

>Tell me about this “breakthrough”
>Have you learned anything about the third cornerstone?
>What about that black marble I gave you?
>Hey, can't you make this Oracle thing work both ways?
>Other

>>42578390
>Tell me about this “breakthrough”
Since we were on the subject

Then
>Have you learned anything about the third cornerstone?

And if we have time
>Hey, can't you make this Oracle thing work both ways?

>>42578390
>>Tell me about this “breakthrough”
>>Have you learned anything about the third cornerstone?
>>What about that black marble I gave you?
>>Hey, can't you make this Oracle thing work both ways?
>>Other
This other is a pre-emptive seconding of anybody else's write-ins for questions

>>42578390
>Tell me about this “breakthrough”
>Have you learned anything about the third cornerstone?
>What about that black marble I gave you?

>>42578406
>>42578421
>>42578469

Alright, you'll bite. He's obviously dying to tell you all about it, so what's the deal with this “breakthrough” of his?

“Ah, I'm glad you asked!” Carnby stands suddenly, brushing some crumbs away from his lips and sweeping his hand across the length of the archives, “Now, there's no mystery about the books you find here – they're rare, certainly, and in some cases gathered from worlds other than this one – but the prophecies? Who, do you think, writes those?”

Those? Shit, you don't know. You assumed that Titania was responsible for at least some of them, since she's told you about that kind of thing before. Mainly, you silently add, a prophecy about Cassandra dying in battle with angels – a possibility growing more likely by the day.

“Ah, you might think that, but you'd be wrong!” Carnby holds up a victorious finger, “I believe that these scrolls write themselves! Not only that, but they constantly change as new possibilities come into being. Do you know what that might mean?”

...No?

“It means that nothing is predetermined!” the professor gasps, “These scrolls contain every possibility, maybe, but they offer no hint towards which one might come true! Yet, whatever the outcome, there is “proof” that it was “predicted” by some unknown seer.”

This is an awkward moment. Maybe you're just ignorant, but you're struggling to see Carnby's point. The fairies aren't as omnipotent as they might have you believe? Except, judging purely on how much they fuck up, they were never omnipotent or pretending to be. It's just... a thing?

“I've still got work to do on my theory,” Carnby pouts, seemingly offended by your refusal to be awestruck, “Maybe, when all this is over, I can write a real thesis about this!”

Right. When all this is over. Hastily, you move to change the subject.

>>42578689

You'll start with an easy one – has Carnby been able to find out what's going on within that black marble you showed him? He suggested it might be some kind of storage system for a powerful demon.

“Oh yes, that's right!” Carnby nods, “My theory was correct – there is an unbound devil contained within this small sphere. Very dangerous, once released it's as likely to go after you as someone else. A weapon of last resort, and no denying it. To use it, just throw it hard at a solid surface. That should do it.”

Huh, you murmur as Carnby rolls the little object across the table, and what's inside?

“Ah, let me see...” the professor flips through a small book, “Girimehkala, Mara's cursed steed. Not something to take lightly, let me assure you. My advice? Get rid of it. Throw the thing into the Thames and be done with it.”

You'll keep that in mind, you assure him. Maybe you can trade it for something instead? It seems a waste to just throw something this valuable away... Well, anyway. The third cornerstone – has Carnby been able to find anything on the location?

“Well, maybe,” Carnby runs a hand through his hair, “I found a reference to “a gathering of kings, generals and admirals” that might refer to it. Although where THAT refers to...”

Heh, at least this is one question you CAN answer. Maybe Carnby's been underground for too long, he's forgotten his roots. The only place in London you can think of with a gathering of those particular figures is Trafalgar Square. This revelation shocks Carnby into silence for a moment.

“Statues...” he murmurs, “Yes, that would fit. I think that might be it! Amazing really, these things can be right under your nose for so long, and yet...”

Well, before you throw yourself a victory party, you had one last question. This Oracle app...

>>42578774

“Yes, it's useful, isn't it?” Carnby glances back to his notes, his interest already waning, “To send messages, without any need to worry about signal or any such mundane concerns...”

Yeah, that's pretty useful, you admit, but it would be a lot MORE useful if it worked both ways! Was this thing designed to give orders, or what?

“Orders? Ah, I don't know what you mean...” Carnby looks suddenly evasive. Honestly, you're not sure why he bothers to try and hide it – it's patently obvious when he's lying. “Uh, you mean you can't send messages through it?”

In fact, you can't send messages through it, despite how convenient that would be. Maybe he could do something about that? Reprogram it, or something like that?

“It's not that easy,” Carnby admits slowly, “It's not a case of just pressing a few buttons, I'd have to, you know, do some things.”

Things. Okay then, you sigh, resigning yourself to a lifetime of assholes sending orders and menial requests right to your phone. At least you might be able to delegate some of the legwork to Undine and her web of contacts – whoever they are.

Still, you've got a lead on the third cornerstone, even if you know nothing else about it. What can you expect to come up against? Gabriel, representing the forces of Heaven, but who would be taking Hell's corner?

>Find Cassandra and tell her about the cornerstone
>Send Undine to talk with Nebiros
>Visit the Hellfire Club in person
>Other

>>42578898
>>Find Cassandra and tell her about the cornerstone
>>Send Undine to talk with Nebiros

>>42578898
Hey Moloch didn't Alice want to see us personally as well?

>>42578898
Before we leave.
"There's something serious I need to talk to you and Cassandra about later. Things got a little more complicated last night."

>Find Cassandra and tell her about the cornerstone

Then
>Visit the Hellfire Club in person

>Other
On the way summon Undine and Eligor to discuss Gabby's weaknesses and who Undine thinks Hell's champion will be.

>>42578933

>Correct, but it's not about work. It's because you're running late for her tea party

>>42578994
>>42578898
I'll second this, though doing everything might be more than one update.

>>42578898
>>Other

I want to fight Mara's steed and tame it, making it our eight demon. And eight, as we all know, is an important number in buddhism

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>>42579023
>It's because you're running late for her tea party
Uhhh is that bad?

>>42579046
If you miss the arsenic-laden tea, you will be unable to die for her.

>>42579046

>Not really, it was never really going to be a major part of anything - just a chance for Alice to be spooky. She's not going to hold a grudge and kill everyone if you miss it. Probably.

>>42578994
>>42578898
I'll revise this and change
>Visit the Hellfire Club in person
To
>Send Undine to talk with Nebiros

>>42578914
>>42578994

The most immediate concern you have is finding Cassandra and making sure she knows about recent developments. ALL recent developments – not just the information about the third cornerstone, but about your Outsider friend as well. You're not sure how she'll take it but, well, you're fairly sure you can talk her round to your point of view, if need be.

You grimace a little as you realise how callous that just sounded. You'll reach a decision together, and that's how it should be. You're part of a team, not the leader of one. That's what you tell yourself, at least, as you make your way out to the forest. There, you sit down on a fallen tree and wait, listening closely for some sign – voices, maybe, or some other sound a human might make. A few moments later, you hear the vague clashing of metal striking metal and set off in that particular direction. The sound doesn't have the intensity of combat, but you're not sure what else it could be. As you walk, you call up Undine and send her to speak with Nebiros on your behalf – you're a busy girl, these days, and you can't always appear in person.

“Got it boss,” Undine chirps, as cheerful and obedient as ever, “I'll be back with the details soon. Unless, uh, they're classified or something. Some people get kinda cagey about their business, you know?”

Well, you'll cross that bridge when you get to it, you tell her before sending her on her way. You're still thinking about what they might want with you when a shrill voice breaks through the metallic clashes, commanding you to halt.

It's a pixie, but... older looking. More mature, perhaps, with a hint of cynicism in her eyes. Plus, an utterly ridiculous hairstyle.

“Halt!” she repeats, “my master is not to be disturbed!”

It's just one thing after another, isn't it? Who, exactly, is her master?

>>42579350
Start demon negotiation. Offer her a lifestone and when asked, tell her there is hope for humanity.

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>>42579350

“Let her through, Heidi,” Cassandra's voice, strained and breathless, drifts from the clearing ahead and the absurd pixie reluctantly stands aside. Glaring briefly at the diminutive servant, you walk through and look at Cassandra, eyebrows lifting in surprise.

She looks awful, simply put, like she's about to throw up or drop dead any minute now. A thin layer of sweat covers her skin, and a heavy metal sword sags in her grip. It's a sizeable piece of iron, blunt on both edges of the blade, and you're surprised that Cassandra can even lift the thing. Training, you realise as you see Cu Chulainn lounging in the grass, a quarterstaff resting next to him. Had they really been sparring, with Cassandra looking so unwell?

“Traditional hangover cure,” Cu Chulainn forces a laugh, not looking too healthy himself, “Train so hard that you don't notice how awful you feel. Either that, or have someone knock you unconscious – when you wake up, you'll probably feel better.”

That's a terrible idea, you think to yourself, before turning to Cassandra. What's with the... she called it Heidi?

“She's a High Pixie,” Cassandra explains, “But that's not a very cute name, is it? So... Heidi. Her service is my reward from the king, for my part in recovering the Lunar Crown.”

Is that so? You look carefully at Heidi and try to imagine her as anything other than a spy – not an easy task. Well, you've got some news to share. Private news, you add with a pointed look at both fairies.

“I should be getting back to the palace anyway,” Cu Chulainn says, immediately grasping the situation. You give him a grateful nod as Cassandra takes her phone out of her crumpled jacket and returns Heidi to storage. Now, at least, you can talk freely.

It's not good news, you begin.

>>42579562

You'll start with the third cornerstone. Between your guess and Carnby's research, you think you might have found it. That means, if Cassandra is feeling up to it, you've got some work to do.

“I'm okay, I'm not going to pass out or anything,” Cassandra promises you, “But wait, isn't that good news? I mean, I'm not thrilled about having to fight or anything, but if we're getting closer to fixing the world then that's good, right?”

Well, that's the other bit of news. You sit down in the grass, take a breath, and begin to tell your story. You were lied to, you start. All this time, you were being manipulated by something, some entity higher than God, into following a hopeless path. True, you would take a third option, but at the end of that road was nothing but a false promise. There would be no “restoring the old world”. All you could do was create a new world, one doomed to the same fate as this one.

“And... what would happen to you? To all of us?” Cassandra asks, her eyes growing wide and fearful.

You would be given a choice, you tell her. Oblivion, if you choose to follow the old world, or an eternity of servitude in the new world, guiding the next fool chosen to follow your path. As for everyone else, well... you don't think they get a choice at all.

“So,” Cassandra sits down next to you, leaning on her hands, “What do we do? What are YOU going to do?”

You're, well, you're going to kill this Outsider. At the very least, you're going to give it a damn good try. You're not going to let this self-proclaimed “master of mankind” get away with pulling your strings. Is she willing to follow you?

“Yes,” Cassandra nods without hesitation, “I mean, I don't know how much I can help, but I'll stand with you regardless.”

There's really nothing else to say. You just thank her. Honestly and from the heart, you thank her.

That went over better than I thought. Cass is awesome.

>>42579805

“Okay, but what about immediately?” Cassandra asks carefully, “Now, I mean? What are we going to do about the third cornerstone?”

That IS a good question, and not one you've decided an answer to yet. What are your options? The same three options that you've always had – sending the flow of power to Heaven, Hell or Outside. Sending it to Outside would keep up the pretence that you were still playing the Outsider's game, but it would strengthen it even more. Sending the power to Heaven or Hell wouldn't strengthen the Outsider, but it might trigger alarm bells.

As far as you're aware, there's no other way to handle the cornerstones. No other way of directing them, and no way of destroying them. Just a bunch of really terrible options.

“Amelia?” Cassandra asks again, “What should we do?”

>I don't know yet. Let me think.
>I'll play along for now and send it Outside
>This has gone on long enough, I'll send the power somewhere else
>Other

>>42579903
>This has gone on long enough, I'll send the power somewhere else
Probably Heaven first then Hell second. At least we know it'll probably be Michael at the last cornerstone and we can plan around it.

>>42579903
>>This has gone on long enough, I'll send the power somewhere else

Give Hell one power up, give heaven one power up.

>>42579921
>>42580015
That seems kinda risky to me, but I guess all the options are going to be risky at this stage. I'll go along with these.

>>42580252
Yeah its all risky. At least with this 2 Outside 1 Heaven 1 Hell evens everything out a little.

The question is whether or not Outside will retaliate.

>>42579903
>>This has gone on long enough, I'll send the power somewhere else

>>42579921
>>42580015
>>42580252
>>42580339

This farce has gone on long enough, you tell her. You're sick and tired of being played for a fool, and you're not going to take it for a moment longer. You'll send the power somewhere else – Heaven or Hell, it doesn't matter to you. They're both tyrants, but you won't give them the chance to capitalise on their brief moment of glory. This time, you'll be the one playing them.

Cassandra looks at you carefully. It's a strangely unreadable gesture – devoid of both disapproval and encouragement – and you find yourself struggling to gauge her reaction. “I see,” she says at last, “You're really prepared to work with them?”

Is that disappointment in her voice? Is she actually sad that you're not going to fight every single angel, devil and... other thing you come across?

“Well,” Cassandra frowns, “I'm not going back on what I said. I'll follow you all the way to the end, I meant that. Just... this feels a little like compromise. Like we're going back on our principles. It's necessary, I get that, but it still feels pretty lousy.”

You agree, you'd rather do this in your own way, but you don't see that being a practical option. You're only human, after all, but that means you've got the flexibility to play the field. Angels and Devils are stuck within their own limited motivations, but you've got the chance to change sides in the blink of an eye.

“That's more like it!” Cassandra pumps her fist in enthusiasm, “So where do we start?”

Tactics meeting. You glance at your phone and call up Eligor, asking the devil what you might be expecting from Gabriel, or Hell's chosen representative.

>>42580252
Honestly, I still think we should team up with Lucifer at some level. He's the least controlling of the three bastards and I don't think we get to just remake the world if we ace the MASTER OF MANKIND

>>42580415
>“You're really prepared to work with them?”
I dunno I was prepared to kill both Gabby and this 3rd Devil like usual then throw the cornerstone at Heaven in a crazy twist.

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>>42580415

“Gabriel,” Eligor growls, “We called her “the missing angel” for a time, because she could never be found. We don't know why, but she would never involve herself in anything, leaving the heavy lifting to her fellow Archangels. I suppose that's why we know so little about her, or what she's capable of.”

“She was here, on Earth,” Cassandra explains, causing you to turn around and stare at her in shock. “Wait, did I tell you that last night? I, uh, meant to, but...”

She told you, you reassure her. Well, it was more Cu Chulainn that told you, but the principle stands. Nobody knew where she was because she was on Earth, putting her pieces into motion. That means she was manipulating Cassandra as well, just like the Outsider manipulated you.

“Oh, that pis... that makes me mad!” Cassandra kicks at the ground, “Is that all we are to these things? Chess pieces?”

She must be mad. She almost swore. Regardless, you ask Eligor instead about Lucifer's chosen. Who is he likely to send?

“It's hard to say,” Eligor's voice is thick with frustration, “Hell has no formal organisation, not on the scale that Heaven has, at least. There are countless powerful warriors below. Behemoth, Astaroth, Nergal, Ahriman...”

Okay, you get the point. So the sum total of all the information you have is... nothing?

“That, uh, sounds about right,” Cassandra shrugs helplessly, “Should we just try our luck? I mean, do we really have any other options?”

>Doesn't look like it. Let's do it now!
>Wait for Undine to return before making a decision
>Try something else (write in)

>>42580755
>>Wait for Undine to return before making a decision
We can afford to miss this one after all.

>>42580755
>Wait for Undine to return before making a decision
Her contacts might have more information.

>>42580755
>>Wait for Undine to return before making a decision
>>42580790
Can we?!

>>42580819
>Can we?!
No, we need to kill Gabby and this other devil.

You don't want to fight two empowered Archangels at the 4th cornerstone.

>>42580489
I kind of suspect that the third devil was killed by Cass

>>42581033
Mara? He doesn't seem like a follower of Lucy.

>>42581053
Well, Mara IS usually associated with Chaos.

>>42581143
True but not all Chaos demons are associated with Lucy. Same with Law. For instance Amaterasu is a high end demon thats Law, but I am pretty sure she isn't in God's inner circle.

>>42581185
Understandable.

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>>42580790
>>42580804
>>42580819

You'll wait. You've got an agent in the field, gathering intelligence as you speak. Then you smirk a little, absurdly amused by the chance to talk in spy lingo for a moment. Your smirk falters a little when you see Cassandra's concerned look.

“How long are we going to wait?” she asks, frowning and looking up at the sky.

As long as you have to, you shoot back, irritated by her impatience. She's not taking this seriously again, treating it like some stupid game just like last time. Honestly, diving off a speeding Unicorn and rolling to shield you – does she think she's some kind of action hero? You need to wait and learn as much as possible about what you're getting yourself in for.

“I guess,” Cassandra sighs, as your phone chimes. It's Undine, returning right on time.

“Hey boss, I've got word from the Hellfire Club,” the water sprite.

That'll have to wait, you interrupt her, you need as much intelligence as possible as quickly as possible. Then, as the little demon pouts a little at your sudden demand, you explain the situation.

“Ah, hmm, I see,” Undine purses her lips, “Warning you now, boss, I've got nothing but rumours and whispers to go on here, but they're saying that Lucifer sent Abaddon for this one. That's bad news, in case you needed telling.”

“Abaddon, rousing himself from the deepest pits of Hell?” Eligor asks, sounding impressed, “That IS bad news. Magic will barely scratch him, but knives and swords are just as dangerous. Abaddon strikes from below, master, and if you're not careful he'll drag you down with him.” Eligor pauses here before adding, “Drag you right down to Hell.”

Well that's bad fucking news, isn't it?

Thank god we have Gurr. WE FLY!

>>42581362

“It might not kill you,” Eligor tells you, in some attempt at consolation, “It might simply deliver you into Lord Lucifer's grasp.”

Yeah, but then what will happen?

“Then he'll probably kill you,” Eligor answers gravely, “Slowly, I expect, unless you pledge your soul to him. Then, maybe, he would return you to the Earth as a servant, driven to fulfil his undying will.”

...So how exactly are you supposed to KILL this thing? If magic won't work, that rules out pretty much all your ranged attacks, including an enchanted pistol. You might be able to have Gurr attack the thing from above, but that's only one demon, versus an Archduke of Hell. Is Eligor suggesting that you climb on the thing and fight it that way?

The resulting silence tells you all you need to know.

“You said magic will barely harm him,” Cassandra speaks up, her voice quiet and thoughtful, “So he's not immune?”

“Possible,” Eligor admits, “But I doubt it would work. Abaddon is tireless, with a near limitless hunger. By the time you've killed him with pinpricks, he would have devoured half of London.”

Hell, he's really that bad? Lucifer must really be bringing out the big guns. You're not even sure where to start with this one.

“We'll find a way, though, I'm sure of it,” Cassandra says, more to herself than to anyone else. You wish you had half her confidence. Still, you're going to have to make a decision one way or another...

>Go after the cornerstone and improvise
>Ask around for any more help/information (Ask who?)
>Other

>>42581734
>Ask around for any more help/information (Ask who?)
Undine have any information on Gabby?

>>42581734
You know what we need. Some sort of magic power that nothing can resists. It would have to be some almighty power and it might not even exit, but maybe we should look into it anyway.

>>42581734
>>Ask around for any more help/information (Ask who?)
Maybe ask Scatatch and the Hellfire Club pair about finding a way to send power to somewhere other than the three presented choices. Just sending them to Heaven and hell and hoping it works out doesnt sit right with me. We need to know if we can make our own 4th option

So wait, does Abaddon eat the floor or something?

>>42581878
>send power to somewhere other than the three presented choices
Theres only the three choices confirmed anon.

>>42581734
backing >>42581777

We're gonna need info on her anyway.

>>42581890
Moves through it like he is swimming. Like a land shark.

>>42581734
>>Ask around for any more help/information (Ask who?)
Scathach and BRA about Abby weaknesses

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>>42581915
>Land sharks

That's it, we're fucked.

>>42581777
>>42581904
>>42581962

First things first, you want to get every scrap of information you can on both sides of this conflict. That means Gabriel as well, you tell Undine. What can she tell you about the “Archangel of compassion”?

“Sources suggest she can use lightning magic,” Undine sounds doubtful, “But, I don't know, I get the feeling that's not the only trick she has. She's got her holy power, and a little needle of a sword, but I'd keep your guard up if you're going to fight her. I think there's something we're missing.”

So, strength unknown. What about her weaknesses? She's got to have some kind of weakness, right?

“Well, I reckon if you get up close you could probably beat her up,” Undine shrugs, “I mean, she looks kinda scrawny to me. Just kick her ass, boss, I'll cheer you on.”

Heh, well that's nice and simple at least. No fancy tactics or mystical techniques here, just good old fashioned muscle power. Although, if Gabriel has wings, she might be able to help against Abaddon. Flying around and stabbing the monster in the back... it might just work.

Next, Abaddon's weaknesses. You send Undine back to the Hellfire Club in order to speak with Nebiros and Belial about that particular matter, while you decide to check in with Scathach with the same issue. If Nebiros asks, you tell Undine carefully, you'll owe them one. As for Scathach, well, you'll deal with her yourself. At least you've got something to trade this time.

Is it a plan? Absolutely not, but it's the beginnings of one – that's good enough for you.

>I think I'm going to have to call it here. Next thread on Sunday, and I'll lurk a while for any questions. Thanks for your contributions!

>>42582285
BRA still owes for the Forneus tip. Call that in for this.

Thanks for running

So there's definitely only three choices like >>42581896 says, right?

>>42582408
>Call that in for this.
Also, what can we get from BRA? Just information or something more helpful?

>>42582903
>So there's definitely only three choices like >>42581896 says, right?

Yeah he confirmed in an earlier thread.

>>42582903

Ah, yes. I think it was the thread before last. I mentioned that, back when I introduced the cornerstones, I should have left them more open but the idea never occurred to me. If I was remaking the quest from the beginning, I would have added the fairy kingdom and the land of the dead as options for the cornerstones. As it stands, I'd rather stay consistent throughout.

As for the second point, the Hellfire Club are very resourceful!