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>>42622406

“I can see you're in a hurry – honestly, stop pacing for a moment and sit down – so I'll put this simply,” Scathach gestures to a patch of floor in front of her, and you reluctantly sit down, “That's a devil you've got there, isn't it? Some wild, untamed fiend bound into storage. Care to tell me what it is?”

This thing, you ask as you take out the black marble, is this what she's talking about? Carnby said it was something called Grima... Giremel...

Uh, something like that at least. You cough, loudly trying to cover up your embarrassment. Why can't all these demons just have nice, simple names?

“Girimekhala?” Scathach suggests, the pronunciation rolling smoothly off her tongue, “My, a valuable prize indeed. It's said that his tusks can pierce any defence – I'd love to see that for myself.”

Well, you were kind of hoping to maybe use that thing yourself, some time in the future. Maybe even release it, but force it into a your service as a more permanent companion – especially now that Scathach has told you about it. Piercing any defence? That might come in handy in the future.

“Then it seems we are in dispute,” Scathach sighs, “We both want possession of the same demon. I suppose we'll have to talk it out, however long that might take. I've known such negotiations to take hours. Days even.”

Ugh. This right here is why you didn't want to haggle.

“Unless you've got something else to offer, of course,” Scathach proposes, curious amusement in her voice, “Something you'd trade for a most valuable demon?”

>Fine, take Girimekhala.
>I'll offer my services – anything you want
>I don't have time to negotiate. I'm leaving
>Other

>>42622415
>Fine, take Girimekhala.

I know its kind of metagaming, but Girim is kind of an odd demon to use effectively, even in the games as well.

He reflects physical attacks but is weak to every magic type. Very situational that one and can easily be exploited if we aren't careful.

>>42622415
>>Fine, take Girimekhala

I apologise for doing this in this thread, but I've gotta check if trips are working again or not.

>>42622549
>weak to every magic type
That might be useful to remember for when we inevitably fight it and Scathach

>>42622415
>Fine, take Girimekhala.
BUt yeah, I don't want to say "anything you want" to a fairy

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>>42622549
>>42622597
>>42622657

You look down at the little black marble and sigh, thinking of how long you spent wondering just what waited within. At least you didn't work very hard for it – stealing it from some ominously numbered safe deposit box wasn't exactly something that made you break a sweat, even if you DID have to fight a powerful wave of paranoia to do so. If it had been something you'd fought for, bled for, then you'd feel much worse about giving it up. At least this way, you're trading it for a permanent companion – something you can order about at will.

And, perhaps, something you can pronounce.

“Then the bargain is complete,” Scathach gloats, causing the marble to roll towards her with a twitch of her finger. A moment later, you hear a chime from your phone as the new arrival enters your storage. “The bird of the frozen north, Hresvelgr! Take it, cursed one, and take flight!”

Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but that's an even worse name than Gi... than the demon you just gave up. Still, you're in no position to make demands over such a petty matter, so you thank Scathach for her time regardless.

“Oh no,” the witch tells you, with genuine sincerity, “Thank YOU.”

At least you're able to keep your polite expression – not quite a smile, but a passing imitation of one – intact until you leave the hospital. Then, safely outside, you kick your heel into the pavement in frustration. Damn witch.

“Well, uh, it can fly, can't it?” Cassandra offers, having watched the deal in silence from the sidelines, “And she did say it was big enough to ride on...”

Yeah, you get the point. Better than nothing. You're about to summon your new minion and take a look when another chime sounds from your phone. Undine – sent to gather intelligence from the Hellfire Club – has returned.

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>>42622947

So, what did Nebiros say, you ask immediately, did he know anything helpful?

“Jeez boss,” Undine laughs nervously, “Gimme a minute here. He was, uh, he was pretty pissed off. Said he doesn't like this new way of doing business much.”

In a way, you kind of expected that. Nebiros always struck you as the old fashioned type, the kind of person who'd do as much of their business as possible on a face to face basis. Unfortunately for him, you've got too much on your plate to go running off to his club every time you want a chat. You'll make it up to him – eventually. Then, after a brief display of contrition, you press Undine for the information again.

“Apparently,” Undine's voice carries a certain dubious tone, “Abaddon is vulnerable as he's lunging. Dodge to the side or get behind him, and he'll be defenceless. Just, y'know, get away from him quickly or he'll pull you down with him. Your best bet? Get someone quick on their feet to act as bait.”

Bait, huh? As for quick on their feet... would a horse be fast enough?

“Probably,” Undine shrugs, “But it's a risk. A pretty big risk. Did you have someone in mind?”

Maybe. Valkyrie is probably the fastest demon you've got in your army, but that would leave you with just one demon to attack with. Eligor is mounted as well, but his armour slows him down a little – and even the slightest hindrance might make a difference - on the other hand, if Cassandra was to summon Unicorn...

>Cassandra, I'll need your help with this one
>I'll use (Valkyrie/Eligor)
>I won't stoop to using bait
>Other

This is a tough call...

>>42623065
Talk to Carnby ask if he can finagle a way for us to get a third summon out. If not lead with Valkyrie.

>>42623065
>I'll use Valkyrie.

We'll adapt if we need to, but for now lets go with the safest option. We can have Cass and her two demons ambush Abaddon once he's taken the bait.

>>42623065
Horses? Don't those take a bit of windup before gaining speed? I'd have thought Rippers new form would have faster instantaneous movement.

>>42623450
I think Abaddon has windup too. He swims through land.

>>42623450
I thought they might be riding in circles around Abby so they wouldn't lose their momentum

>>42623153
>>42623174

It would take a certain kind of person to use their best friend – by default, if nothing else – as bait, especially when the risk is not just that of death, but being dragged straight down to Hell and presented to the Prince of Darkness himself. The kind of person that has decided to win at all costs, throwing anything and everything else into the grinder if that's what it takes.

That's not the kind of person you are. Yet.

You'll use Valkyrie to draw Abaddon's attacks, you announce. Then, when the monster is vulnerable, both you and Cassandra can move in, deliver a quick attack, and then retreat to start the whole dance over from the top. If everything goes to plan – and really, what could go wrong? - you might come out of this without a scratch.

Right. Because that's going to happen.

Of course, that's all academic. You've got Gabriel to deal with first, and that alone has left you a little unnerved. The sheer lack of information you've been able to dig up about the third Archangel is worrying, as though the whole universe is conspiring to keep her greatest weapon a secret. The kind of secret that gets sprung on you at the worse possible moment, sealing your defeat in an instant. So you'll need to watch out for that. First, though, you want to make absolutely sure that you can't squeeze a little extra out of your DevilSP app. You call Carnby – actually using your phone as a phone – and hope that he answers.

“What, uh, hello?” the professor's harried voice greets you after a long and infuriating wait. There's another voice in the background, murmuring something you can't hear – not that you WANT to hear what's being said. “Amelia, is that you? I thought you were, uh, busy. Very busy, I mean.”

Well, you kind of are, but it sounds like he was busy as well. Had his hands full, so to speak. You grimace, then, trying to banish the resulting mental image.

>>42623610

Forging ahead, you ask if he's absolutely sure that you can't summon an extra demon. Three would be really useful right about now, you explain, and you don't want to go into this with anything less than your best.

“Uh,” Carnby helpfully says, before saying something else – muffled, like he was covering the phone – to his unseen companion, “I'm working on something at the moment, but it's not something you can rush. There's the research, for one thing, and then translating the research. Then I'd need to convert it into code...”

Okay, no, stop, you plead. You don't want this to turn into a lecture – you've already wasted enough time on Scathach's games – so you just want a simple answer. Can he do something about this, yes or no?

“It cannot be done,” Carnby answers you, thankfully sticking with a simple explanation, “Not for a while, at least. I've got some, uh, issues to iron out. Security holes, mostly. You don't want something taking control of your phone, do you?”

Absolutely not, you tell him quickly. Last time was bad enough – and the first time it happened left you with a bullet in the chest. You're not going to take that particular risk.

“Okay, uh, good luck then!” the professor announces, with a remarkable amount of forced cheer, “I'll be waiting for you to get back!” Then, before you can add anything, he hangs up abruptly.

Well. You want to forget that that entire conversation just took place. Wipe the whole damn thing from your memory. Nuke it from orbit, even.

“Amelia?” Cassandra asks cautiously, “You look a little... pale.”

You're fine. You're just fine. You'll be even better once you get moving, you tell Cassandra as you put your phone away – resisting the urge to delete Carnby's number out of spite – and take a few minutes to orient yourself. Then, having worked out a route, you set off on your way.

>>42623728
what if we just....ignore the cornerstone? Go to the club, dally a bit with sidequests before actually going to find it.

>>42623767
Cause Gabby and Abaddon will find it before then. And I know we are going to give it to Heaven or Hell but we really should take out the these guys before we have to face them again at the 4th cornerstone.

You don't want to fight two Archangels or Devil Champions at once.

>>42623767
The problem isn't going to go away, anon.

>>42623728
Carnby is living the nerd dream. Spends all his time researching cool and rare shit, is never in and danger, and gets booty calls from a hot if disingenuous woman or women considering how free fairies are.

>>42623767
I never thought of that. Even the 4th one is irrelevant. We just need someone to activate the last two so the tower shows up, then we take that.

Unless the champions we don't fight now are going to be at the tower. 2 Archangels plus Metatron, or whatever we'll end up fighting? I don't like those odds

>>42623866
>Even the 4th one is irrelevant.
Well I'd rather it be 1 Heaven and 1 Hell. Even things out. We need to make sure that happens and whoever is empowered here will have an advantage if we just ignore it.

>Ah. I realised that >>42623767 was right, there's no longer a need to claim all four cornerstones. I've had to correct some of my notes, but it shouldn't be too much of a delay

>>42624044
Still its better to curb their Lieutenants while they are still working solo.

>>42624094
But we could technically ambush them somewhere they aren't expecting it rather than fight them where they think we're going to fight them.

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>>42623728

There it is, Trafalgar Square. It's strange, seeing it without a surging crowd of meandering tourists taking up every inch of free space, but that just heightens the surreal nature of the scene. You don't see any sign of a rampaging devil, but you weren't expecting to. If this Abaddon character strikes from beneath the ground, you might never even see it coming. Not a reassuring thought.

There's no sign of anything that might be a cornerstone either, but that's not surprising. It could be anything, really. A rock, a particular tile, some random trash... hell, you don't know. You're so busy scanning the horizon for any trace of something out of the ordinary that the sudden flash of light causes you to flinch away, your hand reaching for your phone to defend yourself.

“Be not afraid,” a soft voice declares as the light fades. The voice is backed by the low drone of voices raised in prayer, meaning only one thing. When your eyes adjust, that only confirms it. Gabriel. “Child of man, go no further,” the Archangel pleads, “There is nothing here for you.”

Bullshit, you almost spit back, there's the cornerstone. But, before you can form the words, you realise that actually, it doesn't matter who claims the damn thing – you were doing to send the power to one of the great powers anyway. You were so wrapped up in your own crusade that you forgot why you were doing it. Still, simply walking away doesn't sit easily with you.

“Child,” Gabriel murmurs, drifting down until she is merely inches away from you, her sword still sheathed at her hip, “Turn back. Ahead, Lucifer has sent his lieutenant – not to make a claim upon this place, but to serve as your assassin. He would have you slain, or worse, dragged before him. Would you still proceed?”

Honestly, that just reignites your desire to plough on ahead. He thinks he can just have you killed? Bullshit.

>>42624307

“Calm yourself,” Gabriel urges you, “I do not wish to fight, only to ask for you to stand aside. The time for redemption has passed, now I can only ask for inaction. Please, human, do not darken your soul any further!”

So that's her game? Trying to convince you to let the angels and devils have their fun? Speaking from a purely logical perspective, she might actually have a point.

But you've never been a very logical person.

>Strike the first blow
>Offer to fight alongside Gabriel
>Leave without a fight. They can fight this one out themselves
>Get Cassandra's opinion before you do anything rash
>Other

>>42624307
>Offer to fight alongside Gabriel

We're still going to have to take her down, but I'd have to agree Abby's more dangerous.

>>42624327
>Offer to fight alongside Gabriel
"Lets kill him together then. Truth be told I'd prefer you angels over whatever Lucifer has planned."

We'll use her to help us kill Abaddon, then ambush her after the fact if we can. Heartless, Ose, and Gurr can probably do damage hard and fast.

>>42624327
>Get Cassandra's opinion before you do anything rash
I'd rather let them fight it out then off the winner tbh.

>>42624327
>>Offer to fight alongside Gabriel

But here's the thing. We can communicate telepathically and silently with our demons. Just give them that y'know, Republic Commando order right as we're finishing up Abbadon to kill the jedi or in this case, angel.

>>42624399
>>42624421
>>42624470
>>42624489

Beyond redemption? Even if you've thought the same thing about yourself – more than once, in fact – it still stings a little to hear it from the Archangel. On the other hand, you're starting to get an idea – it's not anything sophisticated enough to call a “plan” quite yet, but it's a start. First, though, you've got the diplomatic process to uphold. You turn to Cassandra, leaning close so you can show her the words you quickly start to type on your phone.

“We are NOT just walking away,” Cassandra hisses – her harsh voice like nothing you've ever heard from her – before you can share your plan. “I said I'd follow you, but... I'm not running.”

A little startled by the unexpected display of – what was it, spite? - you fumble a little with your phone. Slowly, and leaving numerous typos in your wake, you suggest cooperating with Gabriel, just long enough to slay Abaddon. Then, when the Archangel is weakened, tired by the battle, you can take her out as well. Cassandra reads, and then rereads, your plan before giving you a resolute nod.

“I knew you'd have something like that up your sleeve,” she grins at you, smiling with more enthusiasm than you expected, “I'll play along, don't you worry about that.”

Safe in the knowledge that you're both on the same page, you turn back to Gabriel. You might be beyond redemption, you tell her, but you won't let a devil like Abaddon run rampant about your city. Even at their worst, God's warriors are by far the safer option.

“Perhaps there remains a spark of light within you,” Gabriel smiles graciously, bowing her head, “I would be glad to fight with you against this great evil. I will face the foe – his attacks cannot hurt me, when I have the Lord's protection on my side.”

Sounds like someone just volunteered to be the bait. Excellent.

>>42624944

Gabriel leads the way, her wings neatly folded behind her back as you all walk down into the famous square. Statues loom down from lofty plinths, far taller than they ever were in the sane world you once knew, staring at you with twisted leers and cartoonish scowls. There's still no sign of Abaddon, but you don't let your guard down. You keep an eye on Gabriel as well – this might be a chance to learn what her mystery attack is and plan accordingly.

Then you see it, just out of the corner of your eye. What looks like a small pair of wings, twisted and held flat against the broken stone ground, gliding along with an unhurried grace. So, there is at least some small sign of where Abaddon is hiding – good. Gabriel turns back to you and nods, splitting away from you and Cassandra to approach the circling devil. Now, to prepare for the inevitable counter attack...

>Amellia: Summon which demons?

>Cassandra: Summon which demons?
>Cassandra's character sheet: http://pastebin.com/GkV7x9Z9

>>42625195
We need to go physical on this guy right? He's resistant to magic or something.

So

>Heartless
>Troll

and Cassandra

>Unicorn
>Ose

>>42625195
>Amellia: Summon which demons?
Hresvelgr and Gurr

>Cassandra: Summon which demons?
Unicorn and Ose

>>42625240
>>42625195
Hurr durr I'm retarded, I forgot. Instead of Troll summon the flying guy.

>>42625256
>>42625195
Hresvelgr, the one we can ride. Also how many people can ride on Hresvelgr?

>>42625320

>Just one, unfortunately

>>42625240
>>42625253
This.

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>>42625253
>>42625320
>>42625342

For now, you summon Hresvelgr and Gurr, safe in the knowledge that so long as you stay off the ground, Abaddon can't touch you. Cassandra, meanwhile, summons Unicorn – quickly climbing atop the magical beast – and Ose. Briefly leering at Gabriel's retreating backside, Ose pulls his pair of swords out and clashes the blades together in anticipation of a good fight. You certainly hope he's quick enough to get out of the way, or he might find himself on an unexpected visit back home.

“Show yourself, devil!” Gabriel cries, her voice high and piercing, as she draws her sword and swings it through the air in dramatic flourish. It's strange, she swings the blade with the uncertainty of someone suffering from years without practice. Maybe years among humanity have dulled her skill, or perhaps she was simply no great warrior to begin with. Well, the easier she is to beat the better, as far as you're concerned.

Slowly, and with tremendous unease, you climb on Hresvelgr's waiting back, allowing the great bird to launch into the air with you desperately clinging to its back. Sure, you might be safe from Abaddon's attacks up here, but that doesn't mean you're safe in general. One slip and you'd plunge right down to the ground. Still, it gets easier after a while as you get a better grip on the bird's chill feathers and soon you're confident enough to actually open your eyes. Following your unspoken orders, Hresvelgr is circling the air, with Gurr following alongside you.

You watch Gabriel holding her arms out, leaving herself utterly open, and Abaddon launches into his attack. A vast head – almost entirely mouth – breaks free from the surface of the ground, rock giving way to leathery flesh. Jaws outstretched, Abaddon ploughs through Gabriel, the Archangel offering no resistance as she vanishes into that dreadful maw.

>>42625756
Oh boy

The best demon is probably the Hresvelgr because of the Ice Blast.

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>>42625756

Already? No, it can't be. For a moment, just as Gabriel was swallowed up, you felt a sudden spike of heat coming from your amber pendant. Some kind of trick, then, something that played with your mind? Then you see the Archangel, unharmed, standing behind Abaddon. An illusion, then. That would explain how she was so confident that Abaddon could not harm her. Now you just need to think of a way to counter it.

Following your telepathic order Hresvelgr plunges down, talons outstretched, and tears away at the back of Abaddon's vast head, followed shortly by Gurr repeating your attack. Cassandra, though, is nowhere to be seen. It takes a moment, and a hurried glance around, before you see her – prowling around in a wide circle, her gaze fixed on Gabriel. There's some kind of grudge there, that much is obvious.

As you launch back up into the air, you glance back at the wounds left on Abaddon's skull. Not deep, but the scratches bleed freely. But why did you need to escape so quickly? The attack was easy enough to dodge. Before you can speculate any further, you see. You see exactly why you would be wise to keep your distance.

In the wake of Abaddon's mad charge, the ground itself begins to crumble away, plunging down into a great chasm that reaches down without end. You watch that gaping wound for a moment longer, hoping against hope that it will close up, repairing the damage dealt to your precious city, but no. This yawning tunnel straight to Hell is Abaddon's true attack, his true power. Even without the cornerstone, or your own foolish pride, you cannot allow this devil to live!

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>42626102

Gritting your teeth, you wait for the next opportunity to attack. You want to rush, to dive down and strike again and again until every trace of Abaddon has been shredded and wiped from the Earth, but you force calm. One mistake is all it would take, here, for all of your heroics to end abruptly. Besides the longer you drag this out for, the more likely Gabriel is to make a mistake.

Another moment passes, Abaddon tearing through the ground until it comes face to face with Gabriel and plunging forwards in a furious rush, driven into a frenzy by the sight of the hated angel. Again, Gabriel easily avoids the attack, vanishing and reappearing behind the rampaging devil. This time you see a faint shimmer at her destination a brief moment before she appears. If you were to wait, ready to attack, by that slight glint, you'd be able to get the drop on her.

Your plan is forming nicely now, but that has to wait. Now, you've got Abaddon to finish off. The devil is floundering now, vulnerable for a moment. Your heart hammers with excitement as you plunge down, Hresvelgr's razor talons ready to gouge flesh.

>Please roll 1D100, I'll take the highest of the first three

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>42626309
WIN!

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>42626309
Get em!

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>42626348
>>42626309
Fuck you imma roll even higher.

>>42626309
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ginScJvFY

>>42626357
Nice

Rolled 11 (1d50)

>>42626348

This time, Hresvelgr's talons bite deeper, cutting through the thick leather of Abaddon's ancient hide and drawing great spurts of black, tainted blood. Bone, looking more like petrified wood than anything that belonged inside a living being, shines through the gashes, but you don't stop there. Even as you pass over the great dome of Abaddon's skull, Hresvelgr twists in mid air and lashes out with a quick leg, slicing down Abaddon's face and cleaving through one bulging, burning eye. A tremendous shriek, at once booming and shrill, rings out as the devil howls with pain.

A moment later, the ground shatters and falls away, Abaddon lunging – actually reaching so far into the air that you can see the beginnings of a neck stretching down into the infinite depths – into the air in a futile attempt to snatch you up in its jaws. Yet Hresvelgr is able to fly away with contemptuous ease, mocking the devil's attack with unforced agility.

This time, with the devil too committed to the fruitless attack to offer any defence, Cassandra chooses to strike. Riding Unicorn at full gallop, she holds herself upright and swings her oversized sword at Abaddon's exposed face. Her attack lacks finesse, but she puts an admirable amount of strength behind the blow, the point of the blade catching the corner of Abaddon's mouth and slicing through the cheek. The force of the blow, however, knocks the girl off balance and sends her into a wild tumble. As she hits the ground, Abaddon sinks out of sight and a foreboding web of cracks begins to spread across the stone tiles.

Grimacing, you steer Hresvelgr into a steep dive, this time urging its talons out to rescue, rather than wound.

>Again, 1D100 please. I'll take the highest of the first three

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>42627018
Fuck, fuck. Get there!

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>42627018

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>42627018

>>42627064

Easy. It's just like reaching down and picking up a paper cup you dropped. No risk, no fuss. Cassandra is up and away long before the ground begins to split and sunder. She's on solid ground, dusting herself off and looking annoyed by her mistake, by the time the hellish chasm has opened up where she once lay. By the time she's remounted Unicorn, already returning her gaze to Gabriel, Abaddon has surfaced elsewhere. Piece of cake.

Maybe now your heart will stop its frantic, terrified pounding.

This time, when Gabriel breaks her illusion, she's not behind Abaddon, but right in front of the thing, just a few paces away from the stunned, struggling devil. Her slender blade gleams with divine power for a moment before she plunges it forwards with a cry, pushing the blade into Abaddon's other eye and bursting the vile orb like a blister. You and Cassandra watch as the Archangel gasps, a surprisingly human display of disgust, before forcing her blade deeper into the devil's cancerous skull. In a way, you have to admire the Archangel's strength – she's a good fighter, in her own way.

You also notice that, for a brief moment, she's immobilised. Now for the second part of your plan – the inevitable betrayal. Cassandra, at your side, gives you a minute nod.

>Attack before she can free herself (Choose two demons)
>Talk with the Archangel, congratulate her on the victory
>Other

>>42627292
>Attack before she can free herself (Choose two demons)
Heartless and Gurr. Have them watch for her shimmer and where she is going to be while Ose attacks.

>>42627292
>Talk with the Archangel, congratulate her on the victory
Even though you die here the stone will still get sent to heaven. Jack, Valkyrie attack.

>>42627346
>Giving up a sneak attack
Come on mang. You say that after she is dying.

>>42627292
>>Attack before she can free herself (Choose two demons)

Heartless, Hresvelgr.

Have Heartless do melee and Hresvelgr do ice.

>>42627292
>>Attack before she can free herself (Choose two demons)
Heartless and, I guess, Gurr. I don't think it matter too much. Always bet on Jack.

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>>42627339
>>42627506

Despite everything, the idea of just cutting the Archangel down here and now sticks in your throat a little. You like to think that's the compassionate part of you, crying out at the senselessness of this coming act. It's not just pointless brutality, though – every angel you kill now is one less you'll have to fight later. In other words, this is just business. That's what you'll tell yourself, at least.

“I'll attack first,” Cassandra whispers, surprising you out of your moment of reverie, “You watch her – watch her CLOSELY – and get her when she reappears.”

You don't disagree – that was your plan all along – but the cold tone in Cassandra's voice makes you want to argue, just to skirt away from the subject. Grimacing again, you send Hresvelgr back to storage – no need to stay airborne this time – and call up Heartless. Gabriel was vulnerable close up, or so you were told, and there's no better man for a job like this than Jack – no matter what form he takes.

Cassandra slinks off, Ose splitting away from her to flank Gabriel, and whistles to catch the Archangel's attention. “Good fight, that!” the girl cries out, not even bothering to hide the bloodied sword scraping across the ground.

“Yes,” Gabriel says, finally pulling her rapier from Abaddon's skull as the devil's corpse begins to decay. “Work done in the Lord's name is its own reward, but I must admit, I'm glad we fought together,” she laughs graciously, “Perhaps I'm more human than I thought.”

That's when Cassandra whistles again, and Ose hurls himself at the Archangel, swords raised in a wild attack. Gabriel's eyes grow wide and she drops into a defensive stance, but when the blow lands, it flies straight through her vanishing body and splits the stone beneath. Immediately, you cast a wild look around for the shimmer that reveals the Archangel's movements.

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Rolled 17, 20 = 37 (2d100)

>>42627865

You see it just in time, and a sweeping gesture is all it takes for Heartless to bound and leap towards the spot. The creature moves with such speed, and such a hideous boneless gait, that you can't help but pity anyone unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of his attacks. Gabriel's eyes grow wide as she realises that you've uncovered her secret. Arrogant – it wasn't hard to guess, and even easier to deduce after seeing her in action. Maybe she has become a little human, but she's still enough of an angel to look down her nose at you.

Heartless reaches her first – impressive, considering that Gurr was flying and didn't have to avoid the treacherous terrain – and pulls two of the long iron stakes out from his chest. The blades slide free easily, leaking a hint of black blood that smoulders when it touches the ground. As weapons go, they're somewhat more grotesque compared with Ripper's array of knives and scalpels, but you can imagine how dangerous they could be.

>Please roll 2D100, first for Heartless, second for Gurr. I'll take highest of the first three

Rolled 52, 57 = 109 (2d100)

>>42628061
Let it rip.

Rolled 61, 77 = 138 (2d100)

>>42628061
Fuck you you were a shitty boss in SMT 1

Rolled 64, 89 = 153 (2d100)

>>42628061

Rolled 40, 44 = 84 (2d100)

>>42628061

>>42628123

Heartless delivers his attack with brutal simplicity, hurling the pair of stakes at Gabriel. One misses, but the second pierces straight though her left shin, punching straight through the flesh and hammering into the ground behind it,, burying itself in the stone. Crying out in agony, Gabriel drops to one knee, pinned in place by the savage attack, and drapes her wings around herself in an attempt at protection.

A poor attempt. Gurr falls out of the sky like a starved vulture, descending upon her in a flailing ball of talons and bony spines. The sharp claws, each toe tipped with a lethal blade, cut deep at the Archangel's wings, tearing out great clumps of feathers and flesh. Gabriel shrieks, again and again, her voice growing hoarse as agony takes its toll on her. In the end, you have to look away until she falls silent, unable to watch for any longer.

When you look back, the Archangel is, perversely, still alive. She's slumped over, her wings reduced to little more than bloody strips, with Gurr perched lightly over her. Heartless stands at the side, looking at Gabriel's defenceless form with a strangely impassive gaze – not cold, like Ripper would have been, but calm and content.

“Ah... human...” Gabriel rasps, “Are you expecting a curse? Some venomous last words perhaps? I think... this sight will be... more of a curse than anything I can say...” Her voice trails off, but judging by the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, she still clings to life.

>Apologise, then finish her off quickly
>Just kill her and move on
>Other

>>42628457
You're right to be Calm and content Gabriel, This stone goes To heaven despite your death. There is something outside that playing God and Lucifer for fools. I will give it no more power, and when the time comes kill. Requitase en Pacum. Heartless make it quick and painless.

>>42628457
>Apologise, then finish her off quickly
For what it's worth this cornerstone is still going to Heaven. I need to even things out a little.

>>42628457
>Apologise, then finish her off quickly

>>42628457
>>Other
Let Cass do it. She was her nun and she seems to have a bigger grudge against her.

>>42628602
I don't think she is in the right mindset. Something tells me that wouldn't be good for her.

>>42628648
>Tell Cass to look away if she needs to

>>42628648
I feel that's disregarding her as a partner and relegating her to a lackey. She should be able to make this decision.

>>42628578
>>42628580
>>42628723

...This is awkward. You really weren't expecting to make a speech here, much less the apology you feel compelled to force out. You were kind of hoping it would be quick, maybe a nice speedy decapitation or something – something that would have cut off any last words before they could be formed. In that regard, Gabriel is right – the sight of her, pinned and mutilated, is not one you're likely to forget in a hurry. You've seen some shit, but it's not often that you were the cause of it.

You clear your throat. For what it's worth, you were still going to devote the cornerstone to Heaven. Things just... needed evening out a little, that's all. You almost tell the dying angel everything – the Outsider's manipulations, your refusal to help it any longer, but... what's the point? You just can't think of a way to say it that doesn't sound trite. Like an excuse.

You hear footsteps behind you and glance around at Cassandra. The girl looks pale, ill, but her gaze is still fixed upon Gabriel. She should look away if she has to, you tell her softly, or if she wants to... You give her heavy sword a pointed look.

Wincing a little, Cassandra's tongue flicks out to lick her lips in sudden nervousness. She's holding her necklace, that little golden Saint Sebastian's crucifix, in a tight grip and slowly shakes her head. Looking back to Heartless, you give the murderous demon a short nod. Grinning – his face seems fixed in that awful rictus – Heartless raises his hand and brings it down like an axe, cleaving through Gabriel's neck and separating her head from her shoulders. At least, come the end, it was quick.

“It had to be done,” Cassandra murmurs eventually, her former anger at the angel vanished in an instant, “Sooner or later, right?”

That's the question, isn't it? Had it really been necessary?

>Sooner or later, yes
>It was never necessary
>Don't think about it
>Other

>>42629006
We can only Judge her by her actions and that of her fellows. By Raphael and Uriel's actions we thought she would be rabid and angry and imperious. By her own hand she showed she was a deceiver and manipulator. Was it necessary? I don't know. But if it was and we let her by, we'd regret it.

>>42629006
>Sooner or later, yes
"Come on, lets go get the cornerstone and go home."

>>42629006
>>Other
I don't know. We might have been able to convince Gabriel that this outsider, this MASTER OF MANKIND was a greater threat and gotten the help of her, maybe even God himself to take it out. The same could be said of Lucifer and any of his minions. But at any point they could betray us to bring about the world they themselves desire. I don't even know if this path we're walking down ends anywhere but a broken London where neither Angels, Demons or humans roam. I don't know Cassandra. We're exploring new territory here. All we really have to go on is . . .faith.

>>42629006
>Hug Cass

What does she want you to say? She was the one with a hunger for battle earlier, and she was the one watching Gabriel during the battle for the slightest hint of a weakness. Now she's getting squeamish? Truth be told, maybe it wasn't necessary. Maybe you could have persuaded her, her and all of Heaven and Hell both, that the Outsider was the true threat. Or maybe, as your previous experience with Archangels suggested, she would have slaughtered you like a dog for suggesting there was a power higher than God.

You would have regretted letting her live, if it let her continue with her scheming and manipulation, just as you would have regretted it if you met again as enemies. You don't even know if this path you're walking on is going to lead anywhere but chaos and ruin – how can you judge what is necessary and what isn't? All you can go on is faith.

Is that what she wanted to hear?

Cassandra is stunned, speechless, for a moment. You shake your head in weary disgust. Come on, you tell her, you're going to get that damn cornerstone and go home. You're already looking for the slight glint of magical power that tends to linger around the cornerstones when you hear Cassandra's weak, whispered voice.

“Amelia...” she murmurs, causing you to turn. Hell, it looks like the girl is about to burst into tears. Unsure of what else to do, you step close to her and pull her into a brief, awkward hug. Just a hug – nothing that might cause sparkles to fill the air around you or anything – but the fleeting moment of human contact is enough to bolster both your spirits. After all, you're doing this for humanity, for all your friends and family.

“I understand,” Cassandra whispers, forcing a small smile, “I think I saw something shining earlier, at the base of that statue. The cornerstone, do you think?”

>>42629703

True enough, when you follow the girl's outstretched finger, you do see a faint glimmer at the base of the fourth plinth – the only empty plinth in the entire square. Is there some significance there? You're too tired, really, to care. Instead, you approach it and kneel next to the little point of light. It's a tile, like most of the previous cornerstones, and just as filthy as all the others. There must be the accumulated grime of decades of tourist shoes crusted onto it, this item of cosmic power.

Honestly. Only in London.

“Good luck,” Cassandra laughs nervously, patting you on the shoulder, “I, uh, I'd volunteer but... I don't think I want to see what Heaven looks like right now. Besides,” she grimaces a little, “I think God might be mad at me.”

Right, and you're going to be in his good books? You laugh along with her anyway before reaching out to touch the cornerstone. Immediately, you feel your mind snatched away, ripped from your body with an unexpected brutality. This isn't right – something isn't right this time! The transition is harsh, tearing at you even though you have no physical form to tear at, leaving you with a deep ache in what would otherwise be your head.

Like all things, it ends. You find yourself in the dark, like always, with the three distant trails leading off around you. Heaven, Hell and Outside - your old “third way”. This time, though, you can feel the vague sensation of eyes boring into you from all angles. There's no way that this is going to go unnoticed. This next moment is going to resonate across the entire city – and possibly further still beyond it.

The choice is yours.

>Heaven
>Hell
>Outside

>>42629863
>>Heaven

Make sure to give the most casual greeting possible to whoever we meet.

>>42629863
>Heaven

>>42629863
>Heaven

>>42629863
>Leon

>>42629863
>Heartless.

>>42629863
>>Heaven

>>42629952
I wonder what he'd think of Bloody Sisters Amelia and Cass now if he were alive.

File: Metatron.jpg (852 KB, 1928x2376)

852 KB JPG

>>42629901
>>42629907
>>42629915
>>42630036

This is going to be interesting. You grimace a little in anticipation – or at least, you would if you had a face to grimace with – and concentrate on the vague sound of heavenly choirs. There's almost a reluctance as you start to be pulled towards your destination, like something out there was reaching out to stop you. If that truly was their goal – whoever “they” are, as if you couldn't guess – they cannot stop your voyage. Looks like you're finally going to Heaven.

In a way, it's disappointing. You were expecting a vast golden gate, fluffy clouds and all kinda of stuff like that. You would have been happy with a glorious rolling field beneath a perfect sky. Hell, anything would have been better than this. It's just... nothing. The same kind of nothing that you found in the white void, except tinted with golden yellow. Pretty lame, to be honest. There's someone here to greet you with a disbelieving stare – something entirely inhuman.

It's a machine in the shape of a man, a towering edifice to God's power over creation, and the machine's emerald eyes are fixed solely on you. It could crush you like a bug, if it wanted. The awkward silence drags out longer and longer, neither of you able to rouse yourselves to action.

So... Hi, you say eventually. Strange, you can actually communicate here – or at least, your words have some substance to them.

“Child of man,” the angelic machine intones, “What mockery is this? What base treachery has sent you to this hallowed realm?”

Man, that's no way of thanking you, you pout – covering up your terror with insolence. After all, you're the one who just gave them a much needed infusion of raw power. He could at least offer his name.

“I am Metatron,” the machine rumbles, “The face of god, last guardian of the Lord. You will never see Him while yet you live. I will not permit it.”

>>42630232
God's favorite shit talker makes his debut!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u2hQvJV9Q8

>>42630232

Okay, that's okay. You're not so eager to come face to face with God Himself. You're curious, admittedly, but not curious enough to risk everything. You always got the idea that seeing God would melt your eyeballs or something, or otherwise strike you blind. No thanks.

“Why?” Metatron – damn, that name makes him sound like some kind of cheap transforming robot – asks in a typically echoing voice. What is it even echoing off? There are no walls here, just endless void. “Is this some pitiful attempt at begging for the Lord's mercy? Your pleas will never reach Him, sinner.”

Not... exactly. You look around, scanning the void for an exit – nothing, but you weren't expecting anything – before returning your eyes to the towering angel. This is actually more awkward than apologising to Gabriel, something you did not think was possible. Are you just supposed to wait here until someone pulls the cord and yanks you back to Earth? You could always try talking to the angel, if you thought his answers would be anything other than rants about how you'll burn in Hell, or whatever.

Well, here goes nothing.

>I didn't do it for you, or for God
>Can you send me back to Earth? I'd like to leave, please
>Do I have any hope for redemption?
>Other

>>42630441
>I didn't do it for you, or for God
so
>Can you send me back to Earth? I'd like to leave, please

>>42630441
>I didn't do it for you, or for God

>>42630441
"Don't you have some teenager to send spam mail to? "

>>42630441
>Other
"Man is this really Heaven? What do you guys do for fun up here?"
>Can you send me back to Earth? I'd like to leave, please

>>42630441
>>Can you send me back to Earth? I'd like to leave, please
Also tell him you're going to kill somebody stronger than God. I mean, there's no point keeping it secret anymore, right?

>>42630467
>>42630475
>>42630530
>>42630538

Look, you didn't do this for him, or for God, and you definitely didn't do it as some desperate plea for mercy! You shout this, hurling your word up at the angel in the hope that they'll reach it. They must have done, for the angel's eyes flame brightly for a moment. His face doesn't change – but with a silver mask for a face, what were you expecting? - but his eyes alone display anger

“Worm! Insect, crawling beneath His feet!” the angel curses, in a rather unholy display of Wrath, “You SHOULD plead for His mercy, and yet here you are, filled with the same Pride that destroyed the fallen angel himself. Pathetic.”

Is this really Heaven, you ask in an attempt at breaking up Metatron's rant, what do you guys do for fun up here? So, if he could send you back to Earth, that'd be great.

Again, Metatron's eyes flare with a killing light, as though they're about to turn into death rays any minute now. “Very well, human, have it your way,” the angel sneers, “I banish you from this place, that you might never return. Should we meet again, it will be in your domain – and you won't be able to cast me out as easily as this.”

Fine, whatever. Next time we meet, it will be as enemies, blah blah blah. Somehow, you don't doubt you've heard THAT for the last time. With a final grunt of disgust, Metatron sweeps a hand through the air, and you feel a violent tug pulling you away, back into the darkness. Just as you're about to return to reality, you hear something. At least, you think you hear it – it was so quiet, and so fleeting, that you can't be sure.

It was your name, being whispered like a curse, like an accusation. A whisper dripping with venom and malice.

>>42630868

Reality, when you return to it, hurts. Your whole body feels like it's been beaten – you know THAT feeling well – and the air reeks of spilled blood. That's another sensation you're growing familiar with, you think with vague dismay. You might enjoy the battles, finding some peace in the thrill of fighting, but the aftermath is never pretty.

“Amelia?” Cassandra kneels down next to you, lifting you to your feet, “Are you okay? You looked like you were in pain, while you were... not here. Did, uh, did you see it? Did you see Heaven?”

You're not quite sure, you tell her with an exhausted grunt, but what you did see was awful. Boring, and the locals were terrible. So rude.

“I guess,” Cassandra forces out a strained bark of laughter, “Hey, why don't we go home? There's nothing else here for us, is there?”

She's right there. There's nothing left but to keep pushing forwards, no matter what gets thrown in your way.

>I'm going to call it there for today. Next thread on Tuesday I think, and I'll lurk for a while in case of any questions. Sorry for the hasty readjustments!

>>42631030
Thanks for the run boss.

What would Leon think of Ameila and Cass if he saw them now?

>>42631064

I think he'd probably be impressed, in kind of an obnoxious way. They've come so far in so little time!

>>42631030
How much longer do you think this quest is going to last? I could definitely see everything wrappig up before thread 50. What were/are your plans?

Something I've been wondering for a while. Exactly how smart is Amelia? What about Cass?

>>42631121

I didn't start out with a particular plan for length - I had a very rough estimate of about 30 threads. Now, I'm fairly sure I'll have things done before 50 without needing to rush anything.

>>42631196

Amelia isn't all that book smart, but she's quick and adapts well. She often acts like she's dumber than she is as well. Cassandra is probably more intelligent, but too naive to take advantage of that, even now.